cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of polymer-coated QCRs in the detection of organic compounds in liquid environments

The design of sensor arrays using polymer-coated QCRs for the practical detection of organic compounds in aqueous environments requires the appropriate selection of sensitive coatings. This selection of the coatings is performed through a study of the sorption processing terms of the partition coefficients of the analytes in the coatings. However, the determination of the partition coefficients in only accurate if all contributions to the total measured frequency shifts, (Delta) fs can be accounted for. While mass loading is often assumed to be the dominant factor used in determining partition coefficients, viscoelastic effect may also contribute to changes in (Delta) fs, especially in liquid environments. Both the effect of viscoelastic properties and the effect of the mass loading on the sensor responses are investigated by using a network analyzer and oscillator circuits. Different types of coatings including rubbery and glassy polymers are investigated, and the targeted analytes include classes of polar compounds, nonpolar compounds and chlorinated hydrocarbons. It is shown that changes in viscoelastic properties during and after analyte sorption can be significant enough to place the sensor in the non-gravimetric regime. However, for most applications invovling relatively low concentrations of organic compounds, the subsequent change in viscoelastic properties are still such that the sensors operate in the linear regime. In that case, the measured (Delta) fs, hence the calculated partition coefficients can still be used for an approximate classification and selection of the coatings.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Characterization of the O-glycosylation sites in the chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit in vivo using site-directed mutagenesis and gene transfer.

Abstract Human chorionic gonadotropin (CG) is a member of a family of glycoprotein hormones which are heterodimers containing two nonidentical subunits: a common α and a hormone-specific β subunit. One of the distinguishing features of the CGβ subunit is the presence of four serine acceptors clustered within the last 25 amino acids. We previously demonstrated that this carboxyl-terminal region is important for maintaining its biologic half-life, and when the sequence was genetically fused to either the common α or follitropin β subunits, O-glycosylation was observed. Because this carboxyl-terminal sequence is located at the end of the subunit, we considered this region a convenient in vivo model for studying O-linked glycosylation in domains containing multiple serine recognition sites. A CGβ gene was engineered in which the N-linked sites were inactivated to eliminate background from those carbohydrate groups. Using this construct, we made a series of truncation and amino acid substitutions of acceptor serines, and these mutants were transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells. O-Glycosylation was determined by [3H]glucosamine incorporation and glycanase sensitivity of the products on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. We show that the O-linked sites comprise independent repetitive regions in which each acceptor serine has a recognition signal bounded by the next carboxy acceptor serine within four to five amino acids. It is also apparent that recognition of one site is not dependent on the glycosylation of another acceptor. Amino acid mutations in the acceptor regions demonstrated the importance of proline as a necessary feature for O-linked recognition in the CGβ sequence.
Decarbonylation and decomposition pathways of alcohol's on Pd(111)

The reactions of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol were examined on the clean Pd(111) surface using temperature programmed desorption (TPD). Methanol decomposed to CO and H 2 while ethanol and 1-propanol underwent cleavage of the α carbon-carbon bond to form CO, H 2 , and the hydrocarbons methane and ethylene, respectively. No selective dehydrogenation reactions of the primary alcohols to aldehyde products were detected on clean Pd(111). The elimination of CO to form a hydrocarbon one carbon atom shorter than the parent alcohol is essentially the reverse of steps proposed for higher alcohol synthesis on transition metals via CO insertion terminating hydrocarbon chain growth. In contrast to the primary alcohols, 2-propanol underwent selective dehydrogenation to acetone in addition to decomposition to methane, CO, and H 2 . A reaction scheme involving first dehydrogenation to alkoxides followed by formation of ν 2 (O, C) aldehyde and ketone intermediates is proposed to account for this behavior. Decomposition of the higher alcohols was also found to deposit residual carbon on the surface of the Pd(111) crystal. For both ethanol and 2-propanol, C 1 surface hydrocarbon species decomposed at 410 K to deposit residual surface carbon and evolve reaction-limited H 2 , whereas the C 2 surface hydrocarbons from 1-propanol decomposed at 450 K.
Structure vs. activity in the sulfonylurea-mediated disulfiram-ethanol reaction.

Abstract The oral hypoglycemic agents, chlorpropamide (CP) and tolbutamide (TB) are known to elicit a clinical disulfiram-ethanol reaction (DER) when consumed with alcohol. In rats, this DER is manifested in vivo by the elevation of blood acetaldehyde (AcH) levels, a consequence of the inhibition of hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase (AIDH). Administration of CP or TB to rats (1.0 mmol/kg, IP), followed by ethanol one hour before sacrifice, raised blood AcH levels 12- and 2-times that of control animals, respectively for CP and TB when measured at 3 hours, and 20-fold and 8-fold at 16 hours post drug administration. CP and TB had no effect on AIDH activity when incubated with either intact or osmotically disrupted rat liver mitochondria, indicating that a metabolite of CP or TB is responsible for the inhibition of AIDH in vivo . Hydrolysis products of CP, the 2′-hydroxylated products of CP, tolpropamide and tolethamide, or the 3′-hydroxylated analogs of CP and tolpropamide, were uniformly inactive in elevating ethanol-derived blood AcH. Pretreatment of rats with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole or SKF-525A had no effect on the elevation of blood AcH mediated by CP or TB, while phenobarbital pretreatment decreased blood AcH by 69%. Although our results clearly indicated that side chain hydroxylation and subsequent oxidation do not play a role in AIDH inhibition by CP or TB, the nature of the side chain attached to the sulfonylurea moiety appears to influence this inhibitory activity in vivo . Thus, the order of activity in the homologous series was, chlorpropamide > chlorbutamide > chlorethamide ⪢ chlormethamide, chloriso propamide = 0.
Control of radar cross-section and crosspolarisation characteristics of an isotropic chiral sphere

With a proper choice of parameters, it may be possible to use a chiral sphere as a polarisation transformer. The key equations describing the scattering properties of the sphere are presented.
Professional Licensure for Software Engineers: An Update

What's the motivation behind software engineering licensure, what's the latest information regarding examination content, and when will the examination begin to be administered?
Phytoplankton absorption and the chlorophyll a-specific absorption coefficient in dynamic Onondaga Lake

Phytoplankton absorption and its dependence on the concentration of chlorophyll a (Chl- a ), as represented by the Chl- a –specific absorption coefficient (a * φ (λ)), is important to support models of growth and for bio-optical remote sensing algorithms to retrieve Chl- a . The dynamics of the phytoplankton absorption coefficient (a φ (λ)) and a * φ (λ), and their dependencies on Chl- a , are described for Onondaga Lake, New York, over a 6-year period for which major changes in trophic state, Chl- a , and community composition occurred. Strong positive dependencies of a φ (λ) on Chl- a are reported for absorption peaks in both the blue and red spectral regions that are qualitatively similar to relationships for ocean waters but differ quantitatively. Average values of a * φ at wavelengths of 440 and 676 nm were 0.0347 and 0.0171 m 2 mg −1 , respectively, with coefficients of variation of 37 and 31%. Significant negative relationships between a * φ and Chl- a were observed for blue and green wavelengths that were qualitatively consistent with the influences of pigment packaging and the contribution of accessory pigments to absorption. The operation of these influences is demonstrated through various forms of data analysis that resolved the following significant relationships: (1) negative dependence of the ratio a φ (440):a φ (676) on Chl- a ; (2) flattening of a φ spectra in the blue and increases at the red maximum, with increases in Chl- a ; and (3) negative dependence of a φ (490):a φ (676) on Chl- a . Values of a * φ (440) and a * φ (676) obtained for Onondaga Lake are considered in the context of the limited population reported for other inland waters and selected marine systems.
Attributional style and symptoms of shyness in a heterosocial interaction

Cognitive models of shyness suggest that a maladaptive attributional style may contribute to social interaction problems. Subjects' attributional style for heterosocial interactions was assessed and used to predict symptoms of shyness in a heterosocial conversation. Analyses focused on which causal dimensions (e.g., locus) accounted for unique increments in prediction of shyness. Results showed that the dimension of controllability made a greater number of contributions to the prediction of shyness variables, while locus made some contribution and stability only one. Subjects' tendency to attribute both successful and failed heterosocial interactions tocontrollable causes was associated with less report of dispositional shyness and subjective anxiety during the conversation. Also, the belief that causes of failed interactions arecontrollable was associated with a more adaptive balance of positive and negative thoughts during the conversation. Subject's tendency to attribute both successful and failed interactions to internal (locus) causes made a unique contribution only to prediction of subjective anxiety. Implications of the findings for further research and selection of therapeutic tactics are discussed.
Structure of sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes at low resolution (17Å)

Abstract Vesicles of fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes have been prepared and centrifuged into a multilayered form suitable for analysis by X-ray diffraction. X-ray diffraction has been recorded from a regular stacking of flattened vesicles in the presence of excess fluid. Discrete orders of a lamellar repeat distance ranging from 220 to 270 A have been recorded. The diffraction data extend out to a minimum Bragg spacing of 33 A. An electron density profile at a resolution of 17 A has been derived using direct methods of structure analysis. The membrane has a bilayer construction (similar to nerve myelin and retina at low resolution) but the profile is markedly asymmetrical. The protein molecules are predominantly on the inside of the vesicle. A striking resemblance between the disc membranes in retina and the sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes has been noted and is described. X-ray diffraction has been recorded from the protein molecules in the surface of the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. The protein molecules are not in an ordered array but appear to have a liquid-like ordering. The observation that vesicles can be prepared in a suitable form for X-ray analysis has importance for membrane research for many different membranes form vesicles and it follows that these membranes can now be profitably studied by X-ray diffraction using a similar method.
Elderly medication use, Web- based blood pressure monitoring, improving refill persistence

1Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication and dietary supplement use for 3,005 community-dwelling older adults was observed and potential severe drug–drug interactions identified. The prevalence of use of prescription medications, OTC products, or dietary supplements was estimated. Of patients, 42% (95% CI 40%–45%) used an OTC product and 49% (46%–53%) a dietary supplement. Among prescription medication users, concurrent use of OTC products was 46% (43%–49%) and dietary supplements 52% (49%–55%). Nearly 1 in 25 older adults were at risk of a severe drug–drug interaction; one-half involved OTC products. Practice implications. Medication therapy management (MTM) programs normally focus on prescription medications. OTC products and dietary supplements, which are not normally incorporated into prescription-dispensing software, are frequently used concurrently with prescription medications and may put patients at risk of severe drug–drug interactions. MTM programs should incorporate all medications into the patient’s record to reduce risk and improve patient outcomes.
Structure of a Prefrontal Convective Rainband in Northern Taiwan Determined from Dual-Doppler Data

In this study, structural features of a subtropical prefrontal rainband associated with the Mei-Yu front on 25 June 1987 over northwestern Taiwan are investigated. Dual-Doppler data collected during the Taiwan Area Mesoscale Experiment (TAMEX) were employed to derive fields of reflectivity, system-relative wind and vertical velocity in a horizontal domain of 36 by 40 km using a 1 km grid spacing. There were ten analysis levels in the vertical ranging from 0.4 to 8.8 km. Vertical velocities were calculated from the anelastic continuity equation by integrating downward with variational adjustment.
Consideration of an atmospheric pressure microwave-induced helium plasma as an oxygen-selective gas chromatographic detector

Abstract The consideration of an atmospheric pressure microwave-induced helium plasma for oxygen-specific gas chromatographic detection is described. Extensive precautions to exclude oxygen spectral emission produced by impurities in the helium plasma give a reduced elemental background and improved sensitivity. The addition of a small proportion of hydrogen to the helium plasma results in improved gas chromatographic peak shape through reduction of negative sample response segments. Selectivity over carbon of ca . 10 is disappointing, however, and precludes direct high precision empirical formula determination.
A simple mesh generator in MATLAB

Creating a mesh is the first step in a wide range of applications, including scientific computing and computer graphics. An unstructured simplex mesh requires a choice of meshpoints (vertex nodes) ...
In Vivo Architectonics: A Cortico-centric Perspective

Recent advances in noninvasive structural imaging have opened up new approaches to cortical parcellation, many of which are described in this special issue on In Vivo Brodmann Mapping. In this introductory article, we focus on the emergence of cortical myelin maps as a valuable way to assess cortical organization in humans and nonhuman primates. We demonstrate how myelin maps are useful in three general domains: (i) as a way to identify cortical areas and functionally specialized regions in individuals and group averages; (ii) as a substrate for improved intersubject registration; and (iii) as a basis for interspecies comparisons. We also discuss how myelin-based cortical parcellation is complementary in important ways to connectivity-based parcellation using functional MRI or diffusion imaging and tractography. These observations and perspectives provide a useful background and context for other articles in this special issue.
Extreme ultraviolet absorption and band density of NiO

Abstract The extreme ultraviolet M II,III absorption spectrum due to excitation of the Ni 3 p levels in NiO and in metallic nickel were obtained. In order to interpret the spectrum the ground state and important X-ray excited states of Ni 2+ were calculated by the Hartree-Fock method. The results agree with a model of the NiO band structure in which the d levels lie a few eV below a 4 s band.
The synthesis and SAR study of phenylalanine-derived (Z)-5-arylmethylidene rhodanines as anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) compounds

Abstract A focused library of rhodanine compounds containing novel substituents at the C5-position was synthesized and tested in vitro against a panel of clinically relevant MRSA strains. The present SAR study was based on our lead compound 1 (MIC = 1.95 μg/mL), with a focus on identifying optimal C5-arylidene substituents. In order to obtain this objective, we condensed several unique aromatic aldehydes with phenylalanine-derived rhodanine intermediates to obtain C5-substituted target rhodanine compounds for evaluation as anti-MRSA compounds. These efforts produced three compounds with significant efficacy: 23 , 32 and 44 , with MIC values ranging from 0.98 to 1.95 μg/mL against all tested MRSA strains as compared to the reference antibiotics penicillin G (MIC = 15.60–250.0 μg/mL) and ciprofloxacin (MIC = 7.80–62.50 μg/mL) and comparable to that of vancomycin (MIC = 0.48 μg/mL). In addition, compounds 24 , 28 , 37 , 41 , 46 and 48 (MIC = 1.95–3.90 μg/mL) were efficacious against all MRSA strains. The majority of the synthesized compounds had bactericidal activity at concentrations only two to fourfold higher than their MIC. Overall, the results suggest that compounds 23 , 32 and 44 may be of potential use in the treatment of MRSA infections.
Assessment of amputee socket-stump-residual bone kinematics during strenuous activities using Dynamic Roentgen Stereogrammetric Analysis.

Abstract The design, construction, and fitting of artificial limbs remain to this day an art, dependent on the accumulated expertise of the practitioner/prosthetist. Socket fitting is cost ineffective, time consuming, and a source of inconvenience for the amputee. Stump–skin slippage within the socket can cause discomfort, internal limb pain, and eventually skin ulcers as a result of excessive pressure and shear within the socket. This study presents a new method of assessment of three-dimensional (3D) socket–stump kinematics/slippage of strenuous activities using Biplane Dynamic Roentgen Stereogrammetric Analysis instrumentation. Ten below knee amputees participated in the study. A more holistic representation of the downward slippage trend of all proximal side skin markers with respect to the socket, and an even more characteristic and of higher magnitude downward-and anterioposterior slippage (maximum slippage: 151 mm for the fast-stop task and 19 mm for the step-down task) between the distal markers after impact, was possible for both tasks for all amputees. Displacement between skin-to-skin marker pairs reached maximum values of approximately 10 mm for the step-down trials and up to 24 mm for the fast stop trials. Maximum skin strain was dependent on the position of the skin markers. Distally positioned skin marker pairs demonstrated mainly anterioposterior displacement between each other (maximum relative strain: 13–14%). Maximum relative strain for the proximal markers was 8–10%. This highly accurate, in-vivo, patient-specific, unobtrusive dynamic information, presented using 3D visualization tools that were up to now unavailable to the clinician-prosthetist, can significantly impact the iterative cycle of socket fitting and evaluation.
Library Space Assessment: User Learning Behaviors in the Library

Abstract As an essential department at a higher education institution and an informal learning space, little is known about how academic libraries contribute to student learning on campus. The Olin Library sought to learn the role of library space in our users' learning. We surveyed users about their learning behaviors in a specific space prior to a scheduled renovation and then in the same space after. We wanted to determine how the renovation changed users' perceptions of their learning behaviors in that space.
Rhode Island Sound Dredge Spoil Disposal and Trends in the Floating Trap Fishery

Abstract The available data was evaluated to assess the impact of the Rhode Island Sound dredge spoil disposal area on the floating trap fishery. It is unlikely that a significant portion of the observed decline in landings has resulted from a decrease in fishing effort since no significant correlation was established between these variables. The mean levels of landings were not significantly different when comparisons were made between the period before the onset of dumping and the short post-dumping period. A review of other fisheries for scup (Stenotomus chrysops), the predominant species caught by Rhode Island floating traps, indicated that landings have declined throughout the species' range.
Regenerable antimicrobial activity in polyamide thin film nanocomposite membranes

Abstract Control of microbial growth at the membrane surface on a continuous basis is needed to mitigate biofouling in long term membrane applications. In this study, a regenerable antimicrobial nanocomposite membrane was developed for sustainable membrane biofouling control via slow release of silver. Nanozeolites attached to the surface of a commercial polyamide nanofiltration membrane by covalent binding served as carriers for Ag+ or Ag(0). At a silver loading of 7.18±0.62 mg/m2, the nanocomposite membranes effectively inhibited growth of P. aeruginosa for up to seven 24 h exposure cycles, and the antimicrobial efficacy correlated well with silver release kinetics data. The release of silver strongly depended on the Cl− concentration in the solution. At low Cl− concentrations, the low aqueous solubility of silver controlled silver release; the Ag+ and Ag(0) loaded membranes showed similar release rate. At high Cl− concentration, silver release from the Ag(0) loaded membrane was notably more stable and longer lasting as Ag(0) oxidation became the rate-limiting step. After depletion, reloading silver via a simple physisoprtion protocol resumed the antimicrobial activity. The regenerated membranes had similar silver loading and antimicrobial activity as the freshly prepared membranes, demonstrating the potential of this approach in long-term control of membrane biofouling.
Promoting social and emotional learning in second grade students: A study of the strong start curriculum.

The promotion of social and emotional learning (SEL) in schools may help prevent emotional and behavioral problems of students. This study evaluated the effects of a SEL curriculum, Strong Start, on the social-emotional competence of 26 second grade students, using a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group design. Results revealed statistically significant and meaningful improvements in teacher ratings of students’ internalizing and peer-related pro-social behaviors, particularly for students at greater risk. Conversely, control group students experienced significant worsening of internalizing behaviors and decreased levels of peer-related pro-social behaviors. No changes were reported in externalizing behaviors for either group. Treatment integrity and social validity ratings of Strong Start were high. Limitations and implications of this study are addressed.
A comparison of widely tunable, narrow linewidth ring cavity lasers on silicon substrates

We review performance of widely-tunable narrow-linewidth ring based lasers on silicon substrates. We outline two mechanisms that significantly reduce the linewidth of such lasers. The key performance enablers are low loss waveguides and high-Q rings on the hybrid silicon platform.
Cortical glucose metabolism correlates negatively with delta-slowing and spike-frequency in epilepsy associated with tuberous sclerosis.

The mechanism of altered glucose metabolism seen on positron emission tomography (PET) in focal epilepsy is not fully understood. We determined the association between interictal glucose metabolism and interictal neuronal activity, using PET and electrocorticography (ECoG) measures derived from 865 intracra- nial electrode sites in 11 children with focal epilepsy associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) (age: 0.5-16 years) undergoing epilepsy surgery. A multiple linear regression analysis was applied to each patient, to determine whether the glucose uptake at each electrode site on interictal PET was predicted by ECoG ampli- tude powers and interictal spike-frequency measured in the given electrode site. The regression slopes as well as R-square values (an indicator of fitness of the regression models) were finally averaged across the 11 patients. The mean regression slope for delta amplitude power was 20.0025 (95% CI: 20.0045 to 20.0004; P 5 0.02 based on one-sample t-test) and that for spike frequency was 20.023 (95% CI: 20.042 to 20.0038; P 5 0.02). On the other hand, the mean regression slopes for the remaining ECoG amplitude powers (theta, alpha, sigma, beta, and gamma activities) were not significantly different from zero. The mean R-square value was 0.39. These results suggest that increased delta-slowing and frequent spike activity were independently and additively associated with glucose hypometabolism in children with focal epilepsy associated with TSC. Asso- ciation between frequent interictal spike activity and low glucose metabolism may be attributed to slow-wave components following spike discharges on ECoG recording, and a substantial proportion of the variance in re- gional glucose metabolism on PET could be explained by electrophysiological traits derived from conventional subdural ECoG recording. Hum Brain Mapp 29:1255-1264, 2008. V C2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Short-term electric power load forecasting based on cosine radial basis function neural networks : An experimental evaluation

This article presents the results of a study aimed at the development of a system for short-term electric power load forecasting. This was attempted by training feedforward neural networks (FFNNs) and cosine radial basis function (RBF) neural networks to predict future power demand based on past power load data and weather conditions. This study indicates that both neural network models exhibit comparable performance when tested on the training data but cosine RBF neural networks generalize better since they outperform considerably FFNNs when tested on the testing data. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Int Syst 20: 591–605, 2005.
Chlorine Hyperfine Splittings in Phenoxy Free Radicals

HOLLOCHER et al.1 have presented evidence for chlorine hyperfine splittings of the electron spin resonance spectrum of 2-hydroxy-l,4-naphthosemiquinone chloro-derivatives. The observed splitting was quite small (0.28 gauss) and no attempt was made to present a value for a chlorine splitting constant. In order to obtain a larger splitting from the chlorine nuclear spin and perhaps also to obtain an estimate of the splitting constant, an electron spin resonance investigation of the chloroderivatives of phenoxy radicals was made. The electron spin resonance spectrum of the unsubstituted phenoxy radical has been obtained by Stone and Waters2, using a flow apparatus3 in order to detect this short-lived free radical. The electron spin resonance spectra of the free radicals of phenol, p-chlorophenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol have been detected using a similar system and are reported here.
Preparation and structural characterization of Rh2(O2CCPh3)4(EtOH)2, Ru2(O2CCPh3)4(H2O)(EtOH)·2EtOH and Mo2(O2CCPh3)4·3CH2Cl2

Abstract Triphenylacetic acid and its sodium salt were used in the preparation of three dimetal tetracarboxylates. The reaction of RhCl 3 with NaO 2 CCPh 3 in ethanol gives Rh 2 (O 2 CCPh 3 ) 4 (EtOH) 2 ( 1 ). The exchange reaction of Mo 2 (O 2 CCH 3 ) 4 with NaO 2 CCPh 3 in dichloromethane yields Mo 2 (O 2 CCPh 3 ) 4 ·3CH 2 Cl 2 ( 2 ). The reaction of Ru 2 [ l -O 2 CCH(OH)Ph] 4 (H 2 O) 2 with HO 2 CCPh 3 in ethanol results in Ru 2 (O 2 CCPh 3 ) 4 (H 2 O)(EtOH)·2EtOH ( 3 ). The structures of these compounds were determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The crystallographic data for 1 are as follows: tetragonal, space group I 4 with unit cell dimensions a = b =18.340(2), c =10.646(1) A, V =3581.1(6) A 3 , Z =2. The structure was refined to R =0.053 ( R w =0.059) with 1431 reflections having I >3σ( I ). The RhRh distance is 2.365(1) A, RhO(1)=1.967(6) A, RhO(2)=2.047(6) A, RhO(axial)=2.31(2) A. The pertinent crystallographic data for 2 are as follows: tetragonal, space group P 4/ ncc with unit cell dimensions a = b =20.930(4), c =17.404(4) A, V =7624(5) A 3 , Z =4. The structure was refined to R =0.048 ( R w =0.064) with 1269 reflections having I >3σ( I ). The MoMo distance is 2.076(1) A, MoO(1)=2.098(5) A, MoO(2)=2.095(6) A. The crystallographic data for 3 are as follows: monoclinic, space group C 2/ c with unit cell dimensions a =19.872(7), b =16.985(6), c =23.36(1) A, β=94.24(3)°, V =7864(5) A 3 , Z =4. The structure was refined to R =0.063 ( R w =0.094) with 2893 reflections having I >3σ( I ). The RuRu distance is 2.252(2) A; the RuO distances are 2.079(7), 2.061(8), 2.073(7) and 2.064(7) A; the RuO(axial) distances are both 2.35(1) A. The Mo atoms of 2 do not experience any axial interactions, and there is a resulting decrease of 0.016 A in the MoMo quadruple bond distance compared to Mo 2 (O 2 CR) 4 molecules having axial coordination.
Potential factors that affect electrocardiographic progression of interatrial block.

Introduction: Interatrial block (IAB; P wave ≥ 110 ms) is associated with atrial tachyarrhythmias and left atrial electromechanical dysfunction. This subtle abnormality is highly prevalent and may exist as partial (pIAB) or advanced IAB (aIAB). Indeed, theoretically pIAB could progress to aIAB with worsening interatrial conduction over time. However, this has been poorly investigated. We retrospectively appraised this phenomenon and also evaluated the influence of common clinical factors such as coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension (HTN), and use of antihypertensive medications. Methods: Between January 2003 and June 2004, 27 patients who had aIAB on routine 12-lead ECGs were identified. Past serial ECGs of each patient were evaluated for evidence of change in IAB type. Medical records of respective patients were then reviewed for HTN, type of antihypertensive medication used, and other common comorbidities. Results: Median progression time from pIAB to aIAB was shorter (42 months; mean ± SD = 39.2 ± 30.5) compared to that of normal P wave (P-normal) to aIAB (66 months; mean ± SD = 64.2 ± 25.6). Use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) appeared to significantly delay the progression time in patients who progressed from pIAB to aIAB (50.1 ± 28.3 vs 10 ± 10.4 months; P = 0.04). Beta-adrenergic blocker use alone did not significantly affect either progression time but when used in conjunction with ACEIs, appeared to slow such progression. Conclusion: Progression time from pIAB to aIAB is shorter compared to that of P-normal to aIAB. Given the consequences of IAB, awareness of such progression could be important for clinicians in anticipating potential sequelae.
Gelation of Highly Cationic Alanine Based Peptide in Water in Absence of Charge Screening Anions

Peptide aggregation and self-assembly is of interest due to the possible link to many neurodegenerative diseases, as well as possible biotechnological applications. Surprisingly, the alanine-based peptide, (AAKA)4, (“AK-16”) has been previously shown to aggregate and form a hydrogel in the presence of a sufficiently high concentration of anions, although it may seem intuitive that the positive lysine residues would prevent aggregation. Here, we report the delayed self-assembly of pre-aggregated AK-16 into a hydrogel in the absence of neutralizing anions. Self assembly kinetics was probed by both IR and vibrational circular dichroism. At low concentrations (<15mg/ml), the peptide initially forms β-sheet rich structures, which decays over a 5 day period, as evidenced by a decrease in the intensity of the amide I’ band at 1616cm-1. This decay likely indicates the formation of more disordered structures or amorphous aggregates. At higher concentrations, the β-sheet content remains stable over a much longer time scale, and a stable hydrogel eventually forms. The intrinsic intensity of the amide I’ band significantly increases upon gelation, revealing it as a spectroscopic marker for gelation. We attribute this to an increasing hydration of the peptide backbone. Moreover, the structural decay into amorphous aggregates as well as hydrogelation lead to rather substantial spectroscopic changes in the 1350 −1500 cm-1 region of the IR spectrum. AFM images reveal a complex nanoweb structure of the gelated peptide which is typical of noncovalently crosslinked fibrils. This cationic system lacks complimentary charges, a common feature of peptide hydrogels, and offers promise in regards to biotechnological applications.
Two aspects of feedforward postural control: Anticipatory postural adjustments and anticipatory synergy adjustments

We used the framework of the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis to explore the relations between anticipatory synergy adjustments (ASAs) and anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) during feedforward control of vertical posture. ASAs represent a drop in the index of a multimuscle-mode synergy stabilizing the coordinate of the center of pressure in preparation to an action. ASAs reflect early changes of an index of covariation among variables reflecting muscle activation, whereas APAs reflect early changes in muscle activation levels averaged across trials. The assumed purpose of ASAs is to modify stability of performance variables, whereas the purpose of APAs is to change magnitudes of those variables. We hypothesized that ASAs would be seen before APAs and that this finding would be consistent with regard to the muscle-mode composition defined on the basis of different tasks and phases of action. Subjects performed a voluntary body sway task and a quick, bilateral shoulder flexion task under self-paced and reaction time conditions. Surface muscle activity of 12 leg and trunk muscles was analyzed to identify sets of 4 muscle modes for each task and for different phases within the shoulder flexion task. Variance components in the muscle-mode space and indexes of multimuscle-mode synergy stabilizing shift of the center of pressure were computed. ASAs were seen ∼ 100-150 ms prior to the task initiation, before APAs. The results were consistent with respect to different sets of muscle modes defined over the two tasks and different shoulder flexion phases. We conclude that the preparation for a self-triggered postural perturbation is associated with two types of anticipatory adjustments, ASAs and APAs. They reflect different feedforward processes within the hypothetical hierarchical control scheme, resulting in changes in patterns of covariation of elemental variables and in their patterns averaged across trials, respectively. The results show that synergies quantified using dissimilar sets of muscle modes show similar feedforward changes in preparation to action.
Waveguide cavity surface-enhanced Raman scattering

It is shown that surface-enhanced electromagnetic scattering can occur in small recessed metallic-walled structures through resonance of a propagating waveguide mode. Analytical solutions for simplified geometries provide a means to explain numerical simulations and, through a field-enhanced dipole moment, surface-enhanced Raman scattering. Material and geometry requirements result from the treatment.
090 Effect of Cytokines and Heat Shock on Human β‐Defensin‐2 Levels in Cultured Keratinocytes

Burns have been associated with high levels of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines which promote systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), immunosuppression and sepsis for which no effective treatment is currently available. Defensins, a family of cationic naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides are considered important components of the innate immune system and enhance adaptive immunity. We have examined the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin 1β-(IL-1β), gamma-interferon (IFNγ) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNFα) on human β-defensin-2 (HBD-2) levels in cultured keratinocytes. We have also examined the effects of heat shock at 42 °C. Our results demonstrate that only TNFα shows significant induction of HBD-2 but this induction was not sustained in the long term. In addition, endogenous levels of defensin were significantly reduced by exposure to heat shock. The keratinocytes also responded to IL-1β by becoming hypertrophic. These results indicate that stress-related, pro-inflammatory cytokines can induce keratinocytes to synthesize HBD-2, while heat shock appears to reduce its production. Understanding the roles cytokines play in the continued problems associated with severe wounding, and in particular, major burn injury, is important. This study provides further insight into the role of natural anti-microbial peptides under conditions of stress.
Event-related potentials in homosexual and heterosexual men and women: sex-dimorphic patterns in verbal asymmetries and mental rotation

To elucidate neurobiological factors related to gender and sexual orientation, event-related brain potentials of 20 heterosexual (HT) men, 20 HT women, 20 homosexual (HM) men, and 20 HM women were examined for neurophysiological differences. Cognitive tasks which typically elicit sex differences were administered. A mental rotation (MR) task assessed spatial ability, and a divided-visual-field lexical-decision/semantic monitoring task (LD/SM) assessed verbal ability and relative degrees of language lateralization. Slow wave activity recorded during MR was greater for HT men than for HT women and gay men. N400 asymmetries recorded during the LD/SM task revealed differences between men and women, but no intrasex differences.
DNA integration sites and hepatocellular carcinoma

This study is part of an ongoing analysis of woodchuck hepatitis virus integration sites in the host genome of hepatocellular carcinomas. The study of woodchuck hepatitis virus-DNA integration sites may shed light on the oncogenic mechanisms involved in cellular transformation and tumor formation. Viral integration enhancing cellular proto-oncogene expression is one such mechanism and has been well documented for oncogenic retroviruses such as mouse mammary tumor virus and interleukin-1. By cloning a woodchuck hepatitis virus integration site from a woodchuck hepatocellular carcinoma the authors were able to identify a new member of the myc gene family, N-myc-2. Examination of 30 additional woodchuck hepatomas revealed viral integration commonly occurred near N-myc loci with an additional five woodchuck hepatitis virus integrants near the N-myc-2 gene and one viral integrant near N-myc-1. Three of these N-myc-2 viral integrations were further evaluated and found to be localized within 200 bp of the translation stop codon. This 3′ noncoding region has recently been identified as a common site of murine leukemia virus integration in virally induced T-cell lymphomas and results in increased expression of the N-myc gene. Similar mechanisms can be proposed for hepatocellular carcinoma formation. Woodchuck hepatitis virus integration near cell-growth related protooncogenes, such as N-myc, can juxtapose viral enhancer elements and growth-regulatory genes. Virally induced overexpression of proto-oncogene messenger RNA could result from enhanced transcription or increased messenger RNA stability. To search for such effects the authors analyzed N-myc-2 RNA levels in 30 woodchuck hepatitis virus-related hepatomas. Increased levels of N-myc-2 RNA were found in 18 of 30 tumors, whereas nontumorous portions of the same livers had no detectable N-myc-2 RNA. Taken together these findings suggest that woodchuck hepatitis virus integration can result in altered N-myc-2 gene expression in a significant proportion of woodchuck hepatocellular carcinomas. The deregulation of N-myc gene expression could result in cellular transformation and ultimately tumor formation. Such examples of hepadnavirus-specific oncogenic mechanisms lend credence to theories of hepatitis B virus-induced tumorigenesis and provide models to design molecular investigations of human hepatocellular carcinoma formation.
Stress singularities along a cycloid rough surface

Abstract The stress concentration along a rough surface is of importance for understanding the nucleation of misfit dislocations and cracks in heteroepitaxial thin films and for general flaw initiation at material surfaces exposed to environmental corrosion. In order to seek a basic understanding on this issue, a cycloid wavy surface subject to a uniform bulk stress is adopted as a model problem. The elastic stress and displacement fields are determined using Muskhelishvili's conformal mapping method. It is shown that a cusped cycloid surface generates a crack-like singular stress field within a thin surface layer; under uniform tension this singularity is found to have identical strength to a row of periodic parallel cracks. The path-independent J -integral requires that the average surface strain energy density be identical to that in the bulk, implying that any stress magnification along a rough surface must be compensated by unloading along some complementary portions of the surface. Along the cusped cycloid surface, the strain energy distribution becomes Dirac singular at the cusp tips, the rest of the surface being completely stress-free. Thus the effect of cycloid cusps is to redistribute and concentrate all the surface strain energy per wavelength at a single (cusp) point, and because of that we can claim that the cycloid surface is the most efficient stress concentrator at a fixed wavelength. Even at a moderate bulk stress level this concentration may be sufficient to cause failure or nucleation of defects. The full evolution of a rough surface under stress and other corrosion mechanisms must be solved by numerical methods. Our analytic solutions for a cycloid surface are of significant value for guiding numerical computations and gaining insights into essential features of the evolution process. From a global point of view, we show that a cusped cycloid surface becomes energetically favorable once the surface wavelength exceeds a critical value determined from the competition between the strain energy and the surface energy. From a local point of view, analysis of surface diffusion behaviors along an almost cusped cycloid surface indicates that the cusps are stable once they develop. The critical condition for formation of a cusped cycloid corresponds to the Griffith energy balance being exactly satisfied at the cusp tips while the chemical potential remains nearly constant along the rest of the surface. This implies spontaneous Griffith brittle fracture at tension cusps if plastic relaxation is not present to relieve the stress singularity.
A study of nanoparticles in SnAg-based lead free solders for intermetallic compounds and drop test performance

Co, Ni, Pt, Al, P, Cu, Zn, Ge, Ag, In, Sb or Au including in Sn-Ag based lead free solders were evaluated to study if these nanoparticles can reduce the growth of intermetallic compounds after 4 time reflow processes and thermal aging. Also, these nanoparticles were studied if they can reduce the frequency of occurrence of intermetallic compound fractures in high impact pull tests. In addition to intermetallic compound analyses, these nanoparticle effects on solder ball hardness were studied if nanoparticles affects solder hardness and displacement in drop tests. Finally, these nanoparticle effects on drop test performance were studied. This study found that Co, Ni and Pt were very effective for the growth of intermetallic compounds and drop test performance compared to Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Al, In, P, Ge and Sb.
Three-Stage Multiscale Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis Platform for Building-Level Loss Estimation

Large-scale loss estimation needs vulnerability functions that relate ground motion to repair cost for each of many building classes. A challenge to generating analytical vulnerability functions fo...
Chemosensation in the Daily Life of Crabs

The goals of this paper are twofold. One is to provide a means to access the literature that reports most aspects of crustacean chemoreception. The intent is not to provide a review or to assign credit for original discoveries. Several references appear in the literature section that are not cited in the text. These references are in important areas that are rapidly growing but not discussed here due to lack of space. The second goal is to outline my perspective on how chemicals affect the daily lives of crabs. I have taken liberty with the term crab and have included information from studies on true crabs, lobsters, shrimp, crayfish and hermit crabs. The message is that chemosensory input, when placed in the context of the environmental and physiological status of crabs, is a means of modulating daily activity.
The relationship between group size, intoxication and continuing to drink after bar attendance.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to explore multilevel determinants of planning to continue to drink alcohol after leaving public drinking events. We assessed whether individual-level factors, group-related factors, or event-level bar characteristics were associated with post-bar drinking. METHOD: We recruited a total of 642 participants from 30 participating bars in urban Southern California. Groups who arrived to patron a bar were interviewed upon their entrance and exit. Given data nesting, we employed a multilevel modeling approach to data analysis. RESULTS: More than one-third (40%) of our sample reported the intention to continue drinking as they exited the bar. Results of our multilevel model indicated eight individual-level variables significantly associated with intending to continue to drink. Time of night moderated the relationship between BrAC change and intentions to continue to drink. Although none of the group factors were significant in our model, a significant cross-level interaction between BrAC change and number of group members indicated the effect of intoxication on planning to continue to drink increases as group members increase. At the bar level, the presence of temporary bars and server offers of non-alcoholic drinks significantly decreased intentions to continue to drink. CONCLUSIONS: Given the large percentage of participants who reported the intention to continue drinking after exiting a bar, this study draws attention to the fact that field studies of drinking behavior may assess drinking mid-event rather than at the end of a drinking event. Language: en
Spectrum of spontaneous missense mutations causing cyclic AMP-resistance phenotypes in cultured S49 mouse lymphoma cells differs markedly from those of mutations induced by alkylating mutagens.

Mutants of S49 mouse lymphoma cells resistant to cytolysis by analogs of cyclic AMP (cAMP) generally have missense mutations in the gene encoding the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. We have compared the mutations in 95 spontaneous isolates with those in 60 mutagen-induced isolates by sequence analysis of amplified cDNAs. Twenty-nine single basepair substitutions in 19 codons produced selectable phenotypes. The spontaneous mutant spectrum was dominated by a CpG transition hotspot in the codon for Arg334. This and other nearby CpG sites were found to be methylated in genomic S49 cell DNA by restriction enzyme analyses. Most of the remaining spontaneous mutants had either G-C→C-G or T-A→G-C transversions, which have been associated with damage caused by oxygen radicals. In contrast, the majority of mutants induced with the alkylating mutagens ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine had G-C→A-T mutations at non-CpG sites; in addition, EMS induced several A-T→G-C, A-T→T-A, and G-C→T-A substitutions. A single ICR191-induced mutant analyzed had a unique A-T→G-C lesion. A number of spontaneous and mutagen-induced isolates had closely linked double or triple substitutions, and two isolates had tandem triple substitutions.