cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Novel Cardiomyocyte-enriched MicroRNA, miR-378, Targets Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor IMPLICATIONS IN POSTNATAL CARDIAC REMODELING AND CELL SURVIVAL

Postnatal cardiac remodeling is characterized by a marked decrease in the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) expression. The underlying mechanism remains unexplored. This study examined the role of microRNAs in postnatal cardiac remodeling. By expression profiling, we observed a 10-fold increase in miR-378 expression in 1-week-old neonatal mouse hearts compared with 16-day-old fetal hearts. There was also a 4–6-fold induction in expression of miR-378 in older (10 months) compared with younger (1 month) hearts. Interestingly, tissue distribution analysis identified miR-378 to be highly abundant in heart and skeletal muscles. In the heart, specific expression was observed in cardiac myocytes, which was inducible by a variety of stressors. Overexpression of miR-378 enhanced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes by direct targeting of IGF1R and reduced signaling in Akt cascade. The inhibition of miR-378 by its anti-miR protected cardiomyocytes against H2O2 and hypoxia reoxygenation-induced cell death by promoting IGF1R expression and downstream Akt signaling cascade. Additionally, our data show that miR-378 expression is inhibited by IGF1 in cardiomyocytes. In tissues such as fibroblasts and fetal hearts, where IGF1 levels are high, we found either absent or significantly low miR-378 levels, suggesting an inverse relationship between these two factors. Our study identifies miR-378 as a new cardioabundant microRNA that targets IGF1R. We also demonstrate the existence of a negative feedback loop between miR-378, IGF1R, and IGF1 that is associated with postnatal cardiac remodeling and with the regulation of cardiomyocyte survival during stress.
Contact Potential Difference between Sensitizing Dye and Substrate

The contact potential difference between cadmium sulfide and the sensitizing dyes pinacyanole, kryptocyanine, and neocyanine has been measured by the electron beam retardation method and found to be of the order of 0.3 v in each case. That between silver bromide and pinacyanole has also been measured to be 0.38 v, the dye in all cases having the smaller electron affinity. These results confirm the tenability of the Gurney-Mott electron transfer mechanism of dye sensitization in photography. Using the same method the electron affinity of pinacyanole has been found to be about 3.1 ev; that of silver bromide is thus approximately 3.5 ev, in agreement with previous estimates.
Structures based on the 3-connected net 103-b

Abstract The net 10 3 -b, one of the two simplest 3D 3-connected nets, is a periodic network of 3-connected points in which all the shortest circuits are 10-gons. Some configurations of this net are described, and examples are given of structures based on the net, in particular those formed from tetrahedral or octahedral coordination groups each joined to three other similar groups by sharing appropriate numbers of X atoms. Structures in which each X atom is 2-connected may be constructed from tetrahedral AX 4 groups ( AX 2 and A 2 X 5 ) and from octahedral AX 6 groups ( AX 3 , A 2 X 7 , AX 4 , and A 2 X 9 ). At present, however, examples are known only of A 2 X 5 structures.
The Oct DNA motif participates in the alcohol inhibition of the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene promoter in rat C6 glioma cells.

Abstract Induction of nitric oxide synthase-2 (iNOS) by cytokines and bacterial products is associated with protein binding at the proximal promoter and in an upstream enhancer region of the Nos2 gene. To clarify how ethanol suppresses rat iNOS activity, we constructed several deletion mutants of the Nos2 promoter fused to the luciferase gene and transfected the constructs into C6 glial cells. Acute ethanol exposure of stably transfected cells for 24 h inhibits induced activity of Nos2 promoter constructs containing deletions in the 5′ flanking region, including a 94 bp promoter that lacks any known NF-κB site but which carries a C/EBPβ and overlapping γ-IRE, GAS and Oct motifs. Ethanol failed to inhibit the endogenous activity of a smaller, 78 bp promoter that lacks the C/EBPβ and overlapping, γ-IRE and GAS motifs and showed no inducible activity. As another approach, in vivo DNA footprinting was used and identified protein protections at five regions of the proximal Nos2 promoter in induced cells. Exposure to acute ethanol diminished protein occupation in the five promoter regions including the γ-IRE/NF-κB and the overlapping γ-IRE/GAS/Oct sites. Site-directed mutagenesis in the octamer domain of the γ-IRE/GAS/Oct motifs was studied in a 1002 bp promoter to examine its role in ethanol inhibition of cytokine and lipopolysaccharide induced activity. The data indicate that ethanol failed to inhibit promoter activity when the Oct motif is missing. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays performed using a 22-mer probe containing the overlapping γ-IRE/GAS/Oct sites showed three complexes with one of the complexes being competed by an octamer-1 antibody. These observations demonstrate the role of protein–DNA binding at the core promoter, and the likely involvement of the octamer motif, in ethanol modulation of cytokine and lipopolysaccharide induced iNOS expression.
Predicting New Hampshire indoor radon concentrations from geologic information and other covariates

Generalized geologic province information and data on house construction were used to predict indoor radon concentrations in New Hampshire (NH). A mixed-effects regression model was used to predict the geometric mean (GM) short-term radon concentrations in 259 NH towns. Bayesian methods were used to avoid over-fitting and to minimize the effects of small sample variation within towns. Data from a random survey of short-term radon measurements, individual residence building characteristics, along with geologic unit information, and average surface radium concentration by town, were variables used in the model. Predicted town GM short-term indoor radon concentrations for detached houses with usable basements range from 34 Bq/m3 (1 pCi/l) to 558 Bq/m3 (15 pCi/l), with uncertainties of about 30%. A geologic province consisting of glacial deposits and marine sediments was associated with significantly elevated radon levels, after adjustment for radium concentration and building type. Validation and interpretation of results are discussed.
Time resolved fluorescence and anisotropy of 1-pyrene butyric acid and pyranine as probes of solvent organization in sucrose solutions

Abstract The microenvironment of solute-solvent interactions in aqueous sucrose solutions, ranging from 0 to 80 wt% in concentration, was investigated using time resolved fluorescence techniques. The fluorescence lifetimes and rotational correlation times of the trace fluorescent probes, PBA (1-pyrene butyric acid) and pyranine (trisodium 8-hydroxy-1,3,6-pyrenetrisulfonate), were measured in sucrose solutions. The behavior of the fluorescence lifetimes and the increase in the rotational correlation times with increasing sucrose concentration provided no evidence for the formation of water exclusive solute clusters in the metastable solutions. Instead, the results indicated the formation of a network of hydrogen bonding interactions between dispersed sucrose molecules.
A Threshold Autoregressive Model for Wholesale Electricity Prices

We introduce a discrete-time model for electricity prices, which accounts for both transitory spikes and temperature effects. The model allows for different rates of mean-reversion: One for weather events, one around price jumps, and another for the remainder of the process. We estimate the model using a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach with three years of data from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. We show that our model outperforms existing stochastic jump-diffusion models for this data set. Results also demonstrate the importance of model parameters corresponding to both the temperature effect and the multi-level mean-reversion rate.
The unmet needs of the elderly with diabetes in home health care.

Abstract The implementation of the Prospective Payment System (PPS) in Medicare home health care has raised concern about health outcomes of elderly patients since its intention is to curb spending. This study examines the unmet needs of older diabetic patients while receiving home health care and post-discharge from home health care (N = 129) in order to explore any effects of PPS on patients' need. The study found that a higher proportion of elders had unmet needs 30 days post-discharge compared with while receiving home health care. The specific unmet needs identified by the elderly diabetic patients included social work services, home health aide, homemaker services, and need for medical equipment. The study explores the role of social work to better manage the unmet needs of diabetic elders who live in the community.
Single neurons in prefrontal cortex encode abstract rules.

The ability to abstract principles or rules from direct experience allows behaviour to extend beyond specific circumstances to general situations. For example, we learn the ‘rules’ for restaurant dining from specific experiences and can then apply them in new restaurants. The use of such rules is thought to depend on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) because its damage often results in difficulty in following rules1. Here we explore its neural basis by recording from single neurons in the PFC of monkeys trained to use two abstract rules. They were required to indicate whether two successively presented pictures were the same or different depending on which rule was currently in effect. The monkeys performed this task with new pictures, thus showing that they had learned two general principles that could be applied to stimuli that they had not yet experienced. The most prevalent neuronal activity observed in the PFC reflected the coding of these abstract rules.
The covalent binding of acetaminophen to cellular nucleic acids as the result of the respiratory burst of neutrophils derived from the HL-60 cell line.

Abstract After being induced to differentiate into a neutrophilic type, cultures of the leukemic cell line HL-60 were able to cause the bioactivation and nucleic acid binding of acetaminophen upon stimulation of the respiratory burst. This phenomenon was found to simulate the same process as that previously shown with normal human granulocytes. Binding to both DNA and RNA of the cells was determined quantitatively by use of 14C-labeled acetaminophen congeners. Protein binding occurred to about the same extent as did RNA binding. Simultaneous labeling experiments with [ring-14C]-and [14CO]acetaminophen further showed that the acetaminophen molecule was bound to DNA in an intact manner, while binding to RNA showed about a 50% excess binding of the acetaminophen ring relative to the carbonyl group. Experiments with certain inhibitors showed that catalase and azide ion strongly inhibited DNA binding, while superoxide dismutase had a slight stimulatory effect on binding. These results suggest a significant role for myeloperoxidase in the bioactivation process, which contrasts with the proposed bioactivation mechanism of certain arylamine compounds. A mechanism was proposed for acetaminophen binding to nucleic acids that requires the 1 e− oxidation of this substrate to its phenoxyl radical, although the production of the N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine metabolite, which has been proposed to account for the extensive protein binding known to occur for acetaminophen, might also contribute to such binding. The potential genotoxicity of acetaminophen was considered in view of what might be a unique pathway which can metabolize this chemical to a nucleic acid-binding species.
Genome-scale reconstruction of the Lrp regulatory network in Escherichia coli

Broad-acting transcription factors (TFs) in bacteria form regulons. Here, we present a 4-step method to fully reconstruct the leucine-responsive protein (Lrp) regulon in Escherichia coli K-12 MG 1655 that regulates nitrogen metabolism. Step 1 is composed of obtaining high-resolution ChIP-chip data for Lrp, the RNA polymerase and expression profiles under multiple environmental conditions. We identified 138 unique and reproducible Lrp-binding regions and classified their binding state under different conditions. In the second step, the analysis of these data revealed 6 distinct regulatory modes for individual ORFs. In the third step, we used the functional assignment of the regulated ORFs to reconstruct 4 types of regulatory network motifs around the metabolites that are affected by the corresponding gene products. In the fourth step, we determined how leucine, as a signaling molecule, shifts the regulatory motifs for particular metabolites. The physiological structure that emerges shows the regulatory motifs for different amino acid fall into the traditional classification of amino acid families, thus elucidating the structure and physiological functions of the Lrp-regulon. The same procedure can be applied to other broad-acting TFs, opening the way to full bottom-up reconstruction of the transcriptional regulatory network in bacterial cells.
An electrophoretic and ultracentrifugal study on the proteins of the high density fraction of egg yolk

Abstract 1. 1. The high density fraction represents 31% of the non-dialysable egg yolk solids. Electrophoretic analyses show that it contains six proteins in the proportions indicated below in order of decreasing mobility: phosvitin 15%; α-livetin 7%; β-livetin 17%; α-lipovitellin 30%; β-lipovitellin 21%; and γ-livetin 10%. No evidence was obtained to indicate the presence of a comparable proportion of any other protein. 2. 2. Two lipoproteins that can be resolved electrophoretically, termed α- and β-lipovitellin, were found in the high density fraction. As another lipoprotein is present in the low density fraction, there are three lipoproteins in whole egg yolk, and these were demonstrated electrophoretically by adding a small proportion of the low density fraction to the high density fraction solutions. 3. 3. Both α- and β-lipovitellin sediment as a single boundary in 1M NaCl, but at higher pH values they dissociate to yield a slower sedimenting component. β-lipovitellin dissociates in a lower pH range than α-lipovitellin, but both appear to behave as reversible association-dissociation systems.
Analytic Models of the Infinite Porous Rotating Disk Electrode

The current generated from the electrochemical reaction in a porous rotating disk electrode (PRDE) is modeled analytically where the reactant transport is dominated by either advection or diffusion. When advection dominates, the concentration field of the reactant is found by assuming each fluid element behaves as a batch reactor and tracking them along their streamlines, utilizing the solution of the flow field in an infinite porous rotating disk by Joseph. The current is expressed in a simple algebraic form involving a dimensionless reaction time. The model accurately depicts the universal curve found from previous experiments and numerical simulations when the ratio of height to radius of the disk is less than about 0.25. The diffusion-dominated regime is modeled utilizing a boundary layer theory. The current is found as a function of the rotation rate, reaction rate, permeability, diffusion coefficients, kinematic viscosity, and geometry of the disk. The model coincides with the Levich equation at low rotation rates and shows excellent agreement with simulations and experiments regardless of the geometry of the disk. Combined, the two analytic models accurately describe the PRDE for the full range of its operation when the disk is sufficiently thin that the infinite disk assumption holds.
Mesostructured metal germanium sulfide and selenide materials based on the tetrahedral [Ge4s10]4- and [Ge4Se10]4- units: Surfactant templated three-dimensional disordered frameworks perforated with worm holes

Abstract The polymerization of [Ge 4 S 10 ] 4− and [Ge 4 Se 10 ] 4− unit clusters with the divalent metal ions Zn 2+ , Cd 2+ , Hg 2+ , Ni 2+ , and Co 2+ in the presence of various surfactant cations leads to novel mesostructured phases. The surfactants are the quaternary ammonium salts C 12 H 25 NMe 3 Br, C 14 H 29 NMe 3 Br, C 16 H 33 NMe 3 Br, and C 18 H 37 NMe 3 Br, which play the role of templates, helping to assemble a three-dimensional mesostructured metal–germanium chalcogenide framework. These materials are stoichiometric in nature and have the formula of ( R –NMe 3 ) 2 [ M Ge 4 Q 10 ] ( Q =S, Se). The local atomic structure was probed by X-ray diffuse scattering and pair distribution function analysis methods and indicates that the adamantane clusters stay intact while the linking metal atoms possess a tetrahedral coordination environment. A model can be derived, from the comparison of measured and simulated X-ray powder diffraction patterns, describing the structure as an amorphous three-dimensional framework consisting of adamantane [Ge 4 Q 10 ] 4− units that are bridged by tetrahedral coordinated M 2+ cations. The network structures used in the simulations were derived from corresponding disordered structures developed for amorphous silicon. The frameworks in ( R –NMe 3 ) 2 [ M Ge 4 Q 10 ] are perforated with worm hole-like tunnels, occupied by the surfactant cations, which show no long-range order. This motif is supported by transmission electron microscopy images of these materials. The pore sizes of these channels were estimated to lie in the range of 20–30 A, depending on the appointed surfactant cation length. The framework wall thickness of ca. 10 A is thereby independent from the surfactant molecules used. Up to 80% of the surfactant molecules can be removed by thermal degradation under vacuum without loss of mesostructural integrity. Physical, chemical, and spectroscopic properties of these materials are discussed.
A metabolite of aspartame inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme.

Abstract Aspartame (L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester, 1 ) is a widely used artifical sweetener. In humans and other animals aspartame is initially hydrolyzed to L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine 2 by intestinal esterases. L-Aspartyl-L-phenylalanine 2 inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme purified from rabbit lungs with a Ki of 11 ± 2 μM, equipotent to the IC50 of 12 μM for 2-D-methyl-succinyl-L-proline which has been reported to be an orally active antihypertensive agent in rats. Thus the possibility exists that L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme in humans consuming large quantities of aspartame. Both aspartame itself and the diketopiperazine formed from it, 3-carboxymethyl-6-benzyl-2,5-diketopiperazine 3 , are weak inhibitors with Ki's greater than 1 mM.
Subduction in the southern Caribbean: Images from finite‐frequency P wave tomography

[1] The eastern boundary of the Caribbean plate is marked by subduction of the Atlantic under the Lesser Antilles. The southeastern plate boundary is characterized by a strike-slip margin, while different configurations of subduction of the southwest Caribbean under South America have been proposed. We investigate the slab geometry in the upper mantle using multiple-frequency, teleseismic P wave tomography. Waveforms from P and PKPdf phases from 285 (Mb > 5.0) events occurring at epicentral distances from 30° to 90° and greater than 150° were bandpass filtered and cross-correlated to obtain up to three sets of delay times for each event. The delay times were inverted using approximate first Fresnel zone sensitivity kernels. Our results show the subducting Atlantic slab, as well as a second slab in the west of the study area that we interpret as a subducting fragment of the Caribbean plate. Both slabs have steep dips where imaged and can be traced to depths greater than 600 km. These results are consistent with transition zone boundary topography as determined by receiver function analysis. The Atlantic slab extends continent-ward south of the plate bounding strike-slip margin. We interpret this extension as continental margin lithospheric mantle that is detaching from beneath South America and subducting along with the oceanic Atlantic slab. The steep subduction of the Caribbean occurs ∼500 km landward from the trench, implying an initial stage of shallow subduction as far to the east as the Lake Maracaibo-Merida Andes region, as has been inferred from intermediate depth seismicity.
Screening helix-threading peptides for RNA binding using a thiazole orange displacement assay.

The fluorescent intercalator displacement assay using thiazole orange has been adapted to the study of RNA-binding helix-threading peptides (HTPs). This assay is highly sensitive with HTP-binding RNAs and provides binding affinity data in good agreement with quantitative ribonuclease footprinting without the need for radiolabeling or gel electrophoresis. The FID assay was used to define structure activity relationships for a small library of helix-threading peptides. Results of these studies indicate their RNA binding is dependent on peptide sequence, α-amino acid stereochemistry, and cyclization (vs linear peptides), but independent of macrocyclic ring size for the penta-, tetra- and tri-peptides analyzed.
Mechanism of reductive activation of cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase: an electron paramagnetic resonance spectroelectrochemical study

The mechanism of reductive methylation of cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase (5-methyltetrahydrofolate:homocysteine methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.13) has been investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroelectrochemistry. The enzyme as isolated is inactive, and its UV/visible absorbance and EPR spectra are characteristic of cob(II)alamin. There is an absolute requirement for catalytic amounts of AdoMet and a reducing system for the formation and maintenance of active enzyme during in vitro turnover. The midpoint potentials of the enzyme-bound cob(II)alamin/cob(I)alamin and cob(III)alamin/cob(II)alamin couples have been determined to be -526 +/- 5 and +273 +/- 4 mV (versus the standard hydrogen electrode), respectively. The presence of either CH3-H4folate or AdoMet shifts the equilibrium distribution of cobalamin species observed during reduction by converting cob(I)alamin to methylcobalamin. The magnitude of these shifts is however vastly different, with AdoMet lowering the concentration of cob(II)alamin at equilibrium by a factor of at least 3 X 10(7), while CH3-H4folate lowers it by a factor of 19. These studies of coupled reduction/methylation reactions elucidate the absolute requirement for AdoMet in the in vitro assay system, in which the ambient potential is approximately -350 mV versus the standard hydrogen electrode. At this potential, the equilibrium distribution of cobalamin in the presence of CH3-H4folate would be greatly in favor of the cob(II)alamin species, whereas in the presence of AdoMet the equilibrium favors methylated enzyme. In these studies, a base-on form of cob(II)alamin in which the dimethylbenzimidazole substituent of the corrin ring is the lower axial ligand for the cobalt has been observed for the first time on methionine synthase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Evaluation and selection of security products for authentication of computer software

Software Piracy is estimated to cost software companies over eleven billion dollars per year in lost revenue worldwide. Over fifty three percent of all intellectual property in the form of software is pirated on a global basis. Software piracy has a dramatic effect on the employment figures for the information industry as well. In the US alone, over 130,000 jobs are lost annually as a result of software piracy.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of keratinocyte growth factor on the proliferation and radiation survival of human squamous cell carcinoma cell lines in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract Purpose: Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) has potent mitogenic activity on normal epithelial cells and has been found to enhance intestinal crypt cell survival in irradiated mice and to prevent radiation and chemotherapy-induced mucositis in animal models. The purpose of the study reported here is to investigate the effect of recombinant human KGF on the proliferation and survival of human squamous carcinoma cell lines following irradiation. Methods and Materials: The level of KGF receptor (KGFR) mRNA in normal Balb/Mk cell line and human head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines was assessed using a RNase protection assay. The clonogenic assay and MTT assay were used to study the proliferative effects of KGF on human tumor cell lines and Balb/MK cell line in vitro. Effects of KGF on in vivo tumor growth and radiosensitivity were studied in three KGFR-positive human squamous cell carcinoma xenografts (FaDu, Detroit 562 and A431) in nude mice, and a murine KGFR-negative melanoma tumor (B16) in Balb/c mice. Results: Seven of 10 tumor cell lines studied expressed KGFR mRNA. None of these tumor cell lines showed enhanced proliferation when exposed to KGF for 2 days or less. Prolonged exposure to KGF for 7 days or longer resulted in low level stimulation of proliferation in both clonogenic and MTT assays in four of seven KGFR-positive cell lines. Two KGFR-negative cell lines also had a low proliferative response to KGF in a clonogenic assay, but not in the MTT assay. Normal keratinocyte Balb/MK cells, which expressed a moderate level of KGFR mRNA, had a strongly proliferative response to KGF. Its KGF enhancement ratio (KER) of plating efficiency was 24–70 times higher than that of the tumor cells studied ( p p > 0.05) in the survival of any of tumor cell lines in the presence or absence of KGF (100 ng/ml) irradiated with doses of 0–15 Gy, and no significant differences ( p > 0.05) between the radiobiological parameters D 0 , Dq , and n number from the SHMT model, α, β, and α/β ratio from the LQ model and SF 2 for radiation survival curves for cell lines irradiated in the presence or absence of KGF. Three KGFR-positive human squamous cell carcinoma xenografts in nude mice, and a murine KGFR-negative melanoma tumor in Balb/c mice treated with 1.0 mg/kg of KGF for 3 days grew at the same rate as in untreated mice. Conclusion: The recombinant human KGF resulted in little or no stimulation of the proliferation of human head and neck squamous tumor cell lines and did not affect the radiosensitivity of these cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, KGF may be of clinical value in preventing radiation-induced mucositis and may have the potential to increase the therapeutic index of radiotherapy for treatment of cancers.
In Vitro Performance of 13-93 Bioactive Glass Fiber and Trabecular Scaffolds with MLO-A5 Osteogenic Cells

This in vitro study was performed to evaluate the ability of two types of porous bioactive glass scaffolds to support the growth and differentiation of an established osteogenic cell line. The two scaffold types tested included 13-93 glass fiber and trabecular-like scaffolds seeded with murine MLO-A5 cells and cultured for intervals of 2 to 12 days. Culture in MTT-containing medium showed metabolically active cells both on the surface and within the interior of the scaffolds. Scanning electron microscopy revealed well-attached cells on both types of scaffolds with a continual increase in cell density over a 6-day period. Protein measurements also showed a linear increase in cell density during the incubation. Activity of alkaline phosphatase, a key indicator of osteoblast differentiation, increased about 10-fold during the 6-day incubation with both scaffold types. The addition of mineralization media to MLO-A5 seeded scaffolds triggered extensive formation of alizarin red-positive mineralized extracellular material, additional evidence of cell differentiation and completion of the final step of bone formation on the constructs. Collectively, the results indicate that the 13-93 glass fiber and trabecular scaffolds promote the attachment, growth, and differentiation of MLO-A5 osteogenic cells and could potentially be used for bone tissue engineering applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A 100A: 2593–2601, 2012.
Finding zeros of a polynomial by the Q-D algorithm

A method which finds simultaneously all the zeros of a polynomial, developed by H. Rutishauser, has been tested on a number of polynomials with real coefficients. This slowly converging method (the Quotient-Difference (Q-D) algorithm) provides starting values for a Newton or a Bairstow algorithm for more rapid convergence.Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of the Q-D scheme are not completely known; however, failure may occur when zeros have equal, or nearly equal magnitudes. Success was achieved, in most of the cases tried, with the failures usually traceable to the equal magnitude difficulty. In some cases, computer roundoff may result in errors which spoil the scheme. Even if the Q-D algorithm does not give all the zeros, it will usually find a majority of them.
Optimization of air supply location, size, and parameters in enclosed environments using a computational fluid dynamics-based adjoint method

Optimal design of an indoor environment based on specific design objectives requires a determination of thermo-fluid control methods. The control methods include the air supply location, size, and parameters. This study used a computational fluid dynamics- (CFD) based adjoint method to identify the optimal air supply location, size, and parameters. Through defining the air distribution in a certain area (design domain) as a design objective in a two-dimensional, ventilated cavity, the adjoint method can identify the air supply location, size, and parameters. However, the air supply location, size, and parameters were not unique, which implied multiple solutions. By using any of the air supply location, size, and parameters identified as boundary conditions for forward CFD simulations, the computed air distribution in the design domain was the same as that used as a design objective. Thus, the computing costs did not depend on the number of design variables.
The strengthened Alperin Weight Conjecture for p-solvable groups

Abstract The Alperin Weight Conjecture is a well-known conjecture, and it is central to the modern representation theory of finite groups. It is known to be true for many types of finite groups, but it remains open. In particular, the conjecture is known to be true for finite p-solvable groups. In this paper, we prove that a very strong form of the conjecture holds for all finite p-solvable groups. It follows that the strengthening of the Alperin Weight Conjecture that includes Galois automorphisms over the p-adic numbers holds for all finite p-solvable groups. This strengthening of the Alperin Weight Conjecture was suggested in an earlier work of Navarro on the McKay Conjecture. The present paper provides the first direct evidence (beyond the calculation of individual cases and the case of groups of odd order) for this strengthening.
The binding of fluorescent phallotoxins to actin in myofibrils.

Fluorescence microscope observation of myofibrils incubated with rhodamine-phalloidin and coumarine-phallacidin showed an initial appearance of fluorescence bands at the Z-lines and near the middle of the sarcomeres indicating preferential binding of dye to actin subunits located at both actin filament ends. After long incubation times (1–3 h) however, a final pattern is reached which consists of fluorescent Z-lines in the center of uniformly labelled actin bands, with greater fluorescence in the Z-lines than in the uniform region outside the Z-lines. Increasing the temperature or the ionic strength increased the rate of change to the final pattern. These data indicate: (1) that the ends of the actin filament are kinetically more accessible to phallotoxins; (2) at long times when equilibrium binding presumably occurs, the concentration of actin subunits in the Z-band is greater than in the rest of the sarcomere.
A Review of Motivational Interviewing-Based Interventions Targeting Problematic Drinking Among College Students

This article reviews motivational interviewing (MI) -based interventions targeting heavy drinking college students published between 2003 and 2008. A total of 11 MI-based interventions were included in this study. Students receiving the interventions were generally heavy drinkers or adjudicated students. Based on this review MI-based interventions appear to be consistently effective at reducing alcohol use and drinking problems. Most of the interventions focused on enhancing motivation for decreasing alcohol consumption. Many studies did not explicitly identify a behavioral theory, and antecedents of behaviors were rarely reported. Very few studies utilized randomized controlled design. Recommendations for future interventions are presented.
The optical absorption and emission spectra of Cs2NaSmCl6

Abstract Optical absorption and emission spectra are reported for single crystals of the cubic elpasolite Cs2NaSmCl6. The variable temperature spectra obtained at high resolution are assigned using energies and relative intensities. Transitions from the ground level, 6H 5 2 to cystal fi levels of 6H 7 2 - 15 2 , 6F 1 2 - 11 2 , 4G 5 2 - 9 2 , 4F 3 2 , 5 2 , 4I 9 2 , and 6P 3 2 , 5 2 are located and characterized. Intensity calculations are reported for magnetic dipole allowed transitions. The dominance of vibronic intensity in 6H 5 2 →6F 1 2 - 9 2 and 6P 3 2 , 5 2 transitions is accounted for qualitatively through the ligand polarization model involving quadrupole metal (Sm3+)-ligand (Cl−) interaction mechanisms. The Eu″(6H 5 2 )→E′(6H 1 2 ) Eu′(6F 1 2 ) no-phonon transition is postulated to be pure electric quadrupole allowed. The ground state magnetic moment is determined to be very small from magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra. This study has led to the assignment of nearly all of the crystal field levels in the visible and IR region for Cs2NaSmCl6. A total of 27 such levels were identified, 17 from no-phonon transitions and the rest from vibronic transitions. The magnetic dipole intensity calculated using intermediate coupling Oh wavefunctions along with a crystal field analysis of the splitting pattern was used in the assignment of the levels. Vibronic bands were observed for all transitions and their vibrational symmetries were tentatively assigned. MCD data were used to determine the magnet moment of the ground state.
Single-Molecule Studies of Oligomer Extraction and Uptake of Dyes in Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Films

Single-molecule microscopic methods were used to probe the uptake, mobility, and entrapment of dye molecules in cured poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) films as a function of oligomer extraction. The results are relevant to the use of PDMS in microfluidic separations, pervaporation, solid-phase microextraction, and nanofiltration. PDMS films were prepared by spin-casting dilute solutions of Sylgard 184 onto glass coverslips, yielding ∼1.4 μm thick films after curing. Residual oligomers were subsequently extracted from the films by “spin extraction”. In this procedure, 200 μL aliquots of isopropyl alcohol were repeatedly dropped onto the film surface and spun off at 2000 rpm. Samples extracted 5, 10, 20, and 40 times were investigated. Dye molecules were loaded into these films by spin-casting nanomolar dye solutions onto the films. Both neutral perylene diimide (N,N′-bis(butoxypropyl)perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide) and cationic rhodamine 6G (R6G) dyes were employed. The films were imaged by confoca...
See Us Now: The Feminist Positions of Helen Frankenthaler and Grace Hartigan, 1957–1962

In the late 1950s in the USA, women artists became a focus of critical attention. Popular magazines including Life, Time, Look, and Cosmopolitan announced that women had equaled their male peers in...
Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs Directly Impair Insulin Action in Adipocytes: Effects on Glucose Transport, Lipogenesis, and Antilipolysis

Treatment with second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) has been associated with weight gain and the development of diabetes mellitus, although the mechanisms are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that SGAs exert direct cellular effects on insulin action and substrate metabolism in adipocytes. We utilized two cultured cell models including 3T3-L1 adipocytes and primary cultured rat adipocytes, and tested for effects of SGAs risperidone (RISP), clozapine (CLZ), olanzapine (OLZ), and quetiapine (QUE), together with conventional antipsychotic drugs butyrophenone (BUTY), and trifluoperazine (TFP), over a wide concentration range from 1 to 500 microM. The effects of antipsychotic drugs on basal and insulin-stimulated rates of glucose transport were studied at 3 h, 15 h, and 3 days. Both CLZ and OLZ (but not RISP) at doses as low as 5 microM were able to significantly decrease the maximal insulin-stimulated glucose transport rate by approximately 40% in 3T3-L1 cells, whereas CLZ and RISP reduced insulin-stimulated glucose transport rates in primary cultured rat adipocytes by approximately 50-70%. Conventional drugs (BUTY and TFP) did not affect glucose transport rates. Regarding intracellular glucose metabolism, both SGAs (OLZ, QUE, RISP) and conventional drugs (BUTY and TFP) increased basal and/or insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation rates, whereas rates of lipogenesis were increased by CLZ, OLZ, QUE, and BUTY. Finally, rates of lipolysis in response to isoproterenol were reduced by the SGAs (CLZ, OLZ, QUE, RISP), but not by BUTY or TFP. These experiments demonstrate that antipsychotic drugs can differentially affect insulin action and metabolism through direct cellular effects in adipocytes. However, only SGAs were able to impair the insulin-responsive glucose transport system and to impair lipolysis in adipocytes. Thus, SGAs directly induce insulin resistance and alter lipogenesis and lipolysis in favor of progressive lipid accumulation and adipocyte enlargement. These effects of SGAs on adipocytes could explain, in part, the association of SGAs with weight gain and diabetes.
Nitric acid adsorption on ice: A preliminary study

The adsorption of nitric acid vapor on the ice surface was studied at −20°C. Adsorption took place in three stages: surface initialization, formation of a monolayer and formation of a multilayer. The results of elution of a multilayer deposit indicated the formation of a hydrate whose vapor pressure was estimated to be a maximum of 1.5 ± 0.5 ×10−6 torr.
80.3: Distinguished Paper: Ultra‐Low‐Reflective 60‐in. LCD with Uniform Moth‐Eye Surface for Digital Signage

We have developed an over 60-inch size Moth-eye anti-reflection surface, which has original shaped nanostructures. The minimum reflectance was 0.02% and the average was less than 0.04% with little wavelength dependence. Moreover an anti-glare function was added. The 60-inch LCD applied AG Moth-eye surface had an excellent visibility in bright environments.
Warmed-Over Flavor Development in Beef Patties Prepared by Three Dry Heat Methods

THE THIOBARBITURIC ACID (TBA) test and sensory evaluations were used to assess the effectiveness of three dry heat preparations—microwave, microwave/convection combination and oven broiling—in retarding warmed-over flavor (WOF) development in ground beef patties. Animals finished on pasture, 60 and 120-day grain were used. The oven broiling method was found to delay WOF development in refrigerated patties. Taste panelists failed to detect differences in flavor as a result of cooking or animal diet. There was a significant (P < 0.001) negative correlation (r=−0.66) between aroma and flavor scores and TBA values over time. Panelists were able to detect deteriorating changes in flavor and aroma after refrigerated storage.
A numerical investigation of high-explosive grain size effects on the performance of boosters

Initiation of insensitive high explosives requires use of a boosting system with a more sensitive and typically more energetic explosive. However, problems arise if the booster material is too energetic. The initiability of some insensitive but not so energetic high explosives can be enhanced by lowering the density and decreasing the grain size; thus those explosives can be used as booster materials. A class of experiments, commonly called onionskins, has been used to detect the divergence pattern of the detonation wave and determine the performance of the booster. With reactive burn model in a hydrodynamic code, numerical simulations can be performed to obtain the same objectives. Examples are presented using low-density superfine and ultrafine triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB) as booster explosives to initiate plastic-bonded TATB-base high explosive.
Shear Stress Measurement in Microfluidic Systems: Liquid Crystal Technique

Preliminary work towards developing a liquid crystal based technique for direct shear stress measurements over solid surfaces in microfluidic systems is presented. The microfluidic slug flow study which motivated the development of this technique is presented, as is general background on microfluidics. The theory of shear sensitive liquid crystals is reviewed and then expanded upon in regards to the specific type of flow considered in this study; slug flow. A prototype apparatus is described which is capable of generating slugs, and has appropriate optical access to test the liquid crystal shear stress measurement technique. The microchannel (150μm × 250μm laser etched glass), auxiliary flow (Cole-Parmer Infusion 100 Syringe Pump), and optical data collection (Olympus BX51 microscope) subsystems are all described in detail. Procedures for applying the cholesteric liquid crystal mixtures obtained through Pressure Chemicals Ltd. to the microchannel and for collecting liquid crystal data are described as well. Finally, preliminary results are presented, the current status of the technique is stated along with proposed directions for future research work.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Ultrasonic Bioeffects: A View of Experimental Studies

: Diagnostic ultrasound of the pulse-echo imaging type is used in at least 25 per cent of pregnancies, and Doppler continuous wave ultrasound, as employed in external electronic fetal monitors, is used in nearly all pregnancies. Diagnostic ultrasound energy levels are from 0.1 to 40 mW/cm2. These intensity levels depend on the characteristics of the ultrasonic beam and temporal exposure. The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine states that…“there have been as of October, 1982 no independently confirmed significant biological effects in mammalian tissues exposed to intensities below 100 mW/cm2.” Some of the animal studies reviewed by the AIUM to reach this conclusion are discussed.
Organizing Carbon Nanotubes with Liquid Crystals

Single- and multiwalled carbon nanotubes dispersed in nematic liquid crystal (LC) solvents are found to be orientationally ordered by the nematic matrix. Procedures are demonstrated for the preparation of monolayer and multilayer nanotube films with organization controlled using well-established methods of LC alignment, including grooved surfaces, magnetic fields, and patterned electrodes. LC alignment should be possible with other nanometer-sized building blocks, offering a general route for controlled assembly of organized nanomaterials and devices.
Airway Control in Trauma Patients with Cervical Spine Fractures

Introduction Proper airway control in trauma patients who have sustained cervical spine fracture remains controversial. Purpose This study was undertaken to survey the preferred methods of airway management in cervical spine fracture (CSF) patients, to evaluate the experience of handling such patients at a level-I trauma center, and to contrast the findings with recommendations of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. Hypothesis The methods used for control of the airway in patients with fractures of their cervical spine support the recommendation of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma. Methods The study consisted of two parts: 1) a survey; and 2) a retrospective study. Survey questionnaires were sent to 199 members of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma and to 161 anesthesiology training programs throughout the United States. Three resuscitation scenarios were posed: 1) Elective airway--CSF--breathing spontaneously, stable vital signs; 2) Urgent airway--CSF--breathing spontaneously, unstable vital signs; and 3) Emergent airway--CSF--apneic, unstable. In addition, a three-year retrospective study was conducted at a level-I trauma center to determine the method of airway control in patients with cervical spine fractures. Results Responses to the questionnaires were received from 101 trauma surgeons (TS) and 58 anesthesiologists (ANESTH). Respondents indicated their preference of airway methods: Elective airway: Nasotracheal intubation: TS 69%, ANESTH 53%. Orotracheal intubation: TS and ANESTH 27%. Surgical airway: TS 4%. Intubation with fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB): ANESTH 20%. Urgent airway: Nasotracheal intubation: TS 48%, ANESTH 38%. Orotracheal intubation: TS 47%, ANESTH 45%. Surgical airway: TS 4%. FOB: ANESTH 16%. Emergent airway: Orotracheal intubation: TS 81%, ANESTH 78%. Surgical Airway: TS 19%, ANESTH 7%. FOB: ANESTH 15%. The retrospective review at the trauma center indicated that 102 patients with CSF were admitted; 62 required intubation: four (6%) on the scene, seven (11%) en route, five (8%) in the emergency department, 42 (67%) in the operating room, and four (6%) on the general surgery floor. Airway control methods used were nasotracheal: 14 (22%); orotracheal: 27 (43%); FOB: 17 (27%); tracheostomy: one (2%); unknown: three (4%). No progression of the neurological status resulted from intubation. Conclusion The choice of airway control in the trauma patient with CSF differs between anesthesiologists and surgeons. However, the method selected does not have an adverse affect on neurological status as long as in-line stabilization is maintained. The methods available are safe, effective, and acceptable. The recommendations of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma for airway control with suspected cervical spine injury are useful. The technique utilized is dependent upon the judgment and experience of the intubator.
Including Records of Daughters of Selected Bulls in Estimation of Sire Component of Variance

Abstract Methods to account for selection in estimation of variance components are computationally difficult and require inclusion of records on which selection was based. The last criterion often cannot be met. Within a time records of daughters in the small sample set for a bull should be relatively free of effects of selection. If only such records are used, many herd-year-season subclasses, however, contain only one record, so that those records are eliminated when herd-year-season effects are absorbed. Including records of daughters of few but heavily used and selected bulls would provide more comparisons within herd-year-seasons, but treating effects of such sires as random and unselected would bias estimates of variance components. Effects for proved sires can be treated as fixed and for sampling sires as random for estimation of sire and residual variances. For example. Method 3 estimates for an operational model including fixed herd-year-season effects (h), fixed effects of proved sires (s 1 ), and random effects of sampling sires (s 2 ) are: σ ˆ e 2 = \[ y ′ y − R \( h , s 1 , s 2 \) \] / \( N − c \) and σ ˆ s 2 = \[ R \( s 2 | h , s 1 \) − \( r − 1 \) σ ˆ e 2 \] / tr \( Z ′ WZ \) where y′y is total sum of squares, R() indicates a least squares reduction in sum of squares, N is number of records, c is rank of full coefficient matrix, r is rank, and tr(Z′WZ) is trace of coefficient matrix after absorption of effects of herd-year-seasons and proved sires.