cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theory and application of optimal control for distributed parameter systems-II

Solution algorithms and computational results are presented for several optimal control problems involving distributed parameter systems. The methods used are those developed in Part I of this paper. The problems treated are fairly simple ones but the same techniques can be applied to more general problems. The theory of optimal control for distributed parameter systems has been previously developed. Applications of the theory have received considerably less attention. It is hoped that the results presented in this paper will be useful in stimulating further applications.
Relation of Juvenile Plumage to Growth and Sexual Maturity

Abstract THE process of plumage development in the domestic fowl was studied first by Rice, Nixon, and Rogers (1908). They found that the sequence of molts in the domestic fowl (using S. C. White Leghorns) corresponds very closely to the sequence of molts in young wild birds as previously reported by Dwight (1900). Rice stained the first feathers red and the second set black. They report that at eight weeks all the red feathers in the tail and wings had been molted, and at thirteen weeks, all the black feathers had been replaced by white ones. They did not observe further wing or tail molt until just before the birds reached maturity, when the pullets shed all their feathers and assumed mature plumage. Lippincott (1920) observed on both American and Mediterranean breeds that the pelvic wing feather tract developed at about three weeks of age. He noted that this occurred at . . .
High efficiency, broadband solar cell architectures based on arrays of volumetrically distributed narrowband photovoltaic fibers

We propose a novel solar cell architecture consisting of multiple fiber-based photovoltaic (PV) cells. Each PV fiber element is designed to maximize the power conversion efficiency within a narrow band of the incident solar spectrum, while reflecting other spectral components through the use of optical microcavity effects and distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) coatings. Combining PV fibers with complementary absorption and reflection characteristics into volume-filling arrays enables spectrally tuned modules having an effective dispersion element intrinsic to the architecture, resulting in high external quantum efficiency over the incident spectrum. While this new reflective tandem architecture is not limited to one particular material system, here we apply the concept to organic PV (OPV) cells that use a metal-organic-metal-dielectric layer structure, and calculate the expected performance of such arrays. Using realistic material properties for organic absorbers, transport layers, metallic electrodes, and DBR coatings, 17% power conversion efficiency can be reached.
Excitonic Insulator in a Magnetic Field

The effects of large magnetic fields on the excitonic insulator are considered. Since the excitonic insulator does not display a Meissner effect (according to a recent paper by Jerome, Rice, and Kohn), a Hartree-Fock ground state can be expressed in terms of Landau-level basis functions. A magnetic-field-dependent phase diagram and the magnetoconductivity are discussed. The excitonic insulator, not yet observed experimentally, may be observable in high magnetic fields at normal pressure.
Salmonella hepatitis: Analysis of 27 cases and comparison with acute viral hepatitis

The liver is commonly involved in patients with typhoid fever. However, severe hepatic derangement simulating acute viral hepatitis is rare. Our aim was to characterize the clinical picture, biochemical features, and prognosis of Salmonella hepatitis. Retrospective case-control analysis of medical records included 27 patients with Salmonella hepatitis and 27 inpatients with acute viral hepatitis from 1973 to 1993. Travel history, clinical picture, a standard battery of 18 biochemical tests, complete blood counts, disease complications, duration of hospital admission, and final outcome were analyzed. Eleven patients with Salmonella hepatitis (40%) travelled abroad within 1 month of illness. A greater proportion of Salmonella hepatitis patients developed fever > 104 degrees (44% vs. 4%, respectively; P 5, P < .0001. Left shift of white blood cells was more common in Salmonella hepatitis (83% vs. 37%; P < .004). Patients with Salmonella hepatitis had a longer hospitalization (14.8 vs. 6.5 days, respectively; P < .0001). All 54 patients survived their illness. The clinical picture of Salmonella hepatitis is frequently indistinguishable from viral hepatitis. The admission ALT/LDH ratio is the best discriminator between both entities. Other clues that raise the possibility of Salmonella hepatitis include high fever, relative bradycardia, and left shift of WBCs. Despite long hospitalization, Salmonella hepatitis responds to proper antibiotic therapy and has an excellent prognosis.
Molecular Rhenium(V) Oxotransferases: Oxidation of Thiols to Disulfides with Sulfoxides. The Case of Substrate-Inhibited Catalysis.

Re(O)Cl3(PPh3)2, 1, and Re(O)Cl3(OPPh3)(Me2S), 2, catalyze the oxidation of thiols to disulfides with sulfoxides under mild conditions. Catalyst 1 exhibits an induction period which features PPh3 oxidation to OPPh3 prior to disulfide formation. This lag is absent when 2 is the catalyst precursor. Otherwise, 1 and 2 display comparable kinetics and concentration dependencies. The catalytic reactions are first-order in catalyst, inhibited by thiol, and first-order in sulfoxide at low sulfoxide concentrations. Thiol inhibits the oxygen-transfer reaction because it competes with sulfoxide for coordination on rhenium. Sulfoxides must bind to rhenium in order to be activated for oxo transfer. Ligand substitution reactions of 1 and 2 display kinetics that are consistent with a dissociative (D) mechanism: the substitution rate is zero-order in entering ligand and inhibited by departing ligand. The first-order rate constant for the formation of a 5-coordinate intermediate is 0.06 s-1. As the sulfoxide concentratio...
Exploring the association between functional strain and emotional well-being among a population-based sample of breast cancer survivors.

Objective: Breast cancer survival and survivorship outcomes have improved dramatically; yet, there are still considerable morbidities associated with this illness. Functional strain is conceptualized as the unfavorable outcome of the functional well-being domain of health-related quality of life. This study intends to (1) examine the adequacy of the functional strain concept; (2) describe the level of functional strain and emotional well-being by ethnicity and job types; and (3) investigate the salient functional strain components influencing emotional well-being for breast cancer survivors (BCS) after controlling for ethnicity and job types. Methods: A cross-sectional design with mixed sampling methods was used. BCS were recruited from the California Cancer Surveillance Program, hospital registries and community agencies in Southern California. Functional strain was measured by assessing family and work burdens. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis established the adequacy of the two factors (family and work burdens) defining the functional strain. Findings demonstrated significant differences in functional strain by ethnicity and job types. Latina-Americans and homemakers/housewives showed the worst scores in functional strain variables. The final model examining the impact of functional strain components on emotional well-being explained 34% of the variance of emotional well-being. Conclusion: Findings suggest the impact of cancer on family and work life varies by ethnic and demographic characteristics, such that Latino ethnicity and homemaker/housewife status may be risk factors for functional strain. Our findings imply that functional strain provides a reasonable concept that can be used to deepen our understanding and examination of the impact of functional status on emotional well-being. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measurement Properties of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale for People With Right- and Left-Hemisphere Lesions: Further Analysis of the Clomethiazole for Acute Stroke Study–Ischemic (Class-I) Trial

Abstract Millis SR, Straube D, Iramaneerat C, Smith EV Jr, Lyden P. Measurement properties of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale for people with right- and left-hemisphere lesions: further analysis of the Clomethiazole for Acute Stroke Study–Ischemic (Class-I) trial. Objective To assess the psychometric properties of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) in people with either left or right acute hemisphere stroke for the purpose of improving the scale's sensitivity in detecting neurologic impairment. Design Secondary analysis of data from the Clomethiazole for Acute Stroke Study–Ischemic using the Rasch partial credit model. We evaluated the data's measurement properties using item-total correlations, Rasch item fit statistics, principle component analysis of standardized person and item residuals, differential item functioning, separation reliability, and the separation ratio. Setting Original data were collected in academic and community hospitals as part of a clinical trial. Participants People with acute ischemic stroke who were seen within 12 hours of onset: 380 people with left-hemisphere stroke and 347 with right-hemisphere stroke. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure The NIHSS. Results Items of the NIHSS function differently in the right- and left-hemisphere lesion groups. We constructed for each group separate linear scales consisting of a subset of items of the NIHSS to improve its measurement properties. Conclusions Our findings provide initial support for the use of individual, targeted scales for measurement of impairment after ischemic stroke. Low person separation reliability may be a consequence of the sample, which included only people with large ischemic cortical strokes.
Mechanisms controlling head stabilization in the elderly during random rotations in the vertical plane.

ABSTRACT Frequency-related response characteristics of the mechanisms controlling stabilization of the head in 10 elderly subjects were compared with response characteristics in 8 young adults. Angular velocity of the head with respect to the trunk and EMG responses of 2 neck muscles were recorded in 10 seated subjects during pseudorandom rotations of the trunk in the sagittal plane at frequencies of 0.35 to 3.05 Hz. Subjects were required to actively stabilize their heads with (VS) and without (NV) visual feedback so that voluntary mechanisms and the influence of vision could be tested. Reflex mechanisms were examined when subjects were distracted by a mental calculation task during rotations in the dark (MA). Age emerged as an influential factor in the performance of head stabilization mechanisms, and decrements in performance were even more pronounced in the older as compared with younger elderly subjects. Age effects could be seen in the (a) diminished ability to voluntarily stabilize the head, partic...
Effect of drought on growth, carbohydrates, and soil water use by perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and white clover

In irrigated pastures of the semiarid, high-elevation western USA, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) persistence is poor, and over time white clover (Trifolium repens L.) often dominates mixtures. Irrigation is often not available during autumn, when these perennial plants store carbohydrate reserves for spring regrowth. Our objective was to compare the effect of water stress on growth, carbohydrates, and soil water use of perennial ryegrass, white clover, and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in a greenhouse study. These three species were grown separately in a Kidman fine sandy loam, in 15-cm-diam, 1-m-deep pots and irrigated for 81 d (4 plants/pot). Paired pots were then either irrigated or subjected to water deficit (drought) for 30 d, followed by 10 d of recovery with irrigation. At 10-d intervals, four paired pots of each species were destructively sampled to determine leaf and storage organ dry matter and carbohydrate and simple sugar concentrations in storage organs. Root length density and soil water content were also sampled at 20-, 60-, and 90-cm soil depths. Leaf dry matter was lower in water-stressed plants than in irrigated plants by the end of the drought, but did not differ among species. After 10 d of recovery, storage carbohydrate concentration in droughted perennial ryegrass was lower than in white clover, and the ratio of simple sugars (droughted:irrigated) in perennial ryegrass was higher than in white clover. Tall fescue performed similarly to both species. Before the drought, grasses had similar, extensive root systems that withdrew more soil water from the 90-cm soil depth than did white clover. By the end of the 30-d drought, white clover had reduced soil water at all depths as much as the grasses. White clover survived drought and conserved carbohydrate reserves after 10 d of recovery better than did perennial ryegrass and similarly to tall fescue.
Using a 10-keV X-Ray Source for Hardness Assurance

The feasibility of using a 10-keV x-ray source as a cornerstone of a hardness assurance program is demonstrated for several of Sandia's integrated-circuit technologies. We present test structure and functional part data that illustrates how an x-ray source may be used for wafer lot acceptance for silicon-gate CMOS devices that either employ guard-bands or hardened field oxides for device isolation. We also show that the radiation response of silicon-nitride based nonvolatile memory transistors can be evaluated equally as well with a 10-keV x-ray source as with a Co-60 source. Finally, a description is presented of test structure and full-functional part radiation data from a device lot that was known to exhibit memory failures because of the detailed interplay among transistor threshold voltage shifts and mobility degradation. Even for such a complicated failure mechanism, 10-keV x-irradiations induced memory failures at the same doses as Co-60 irradiations. Moreover, insight into the cause of the memory failures was gained from a comparison of the Co-60 and the 10-keV x-ray data. This illustrates that a variable dose rate 10-keV x-ray source can be very useful in failure analysis.
Multiple roles and physical health of women and men.

A survey of Detroit adults shows that employment, marriage, and parenthood are associated with good physical health for both women and men. Employed married parents tend to have the best health profile, while people with none of these roles tend to have the worst profile. Of the three roles, employment has the strongest effect, and parenthood the weakest. Multiple roles (the combination of job plus family responsibilities) have no special effects on health, either negative or positive. Thus, people with both job and family roles enjoy the health benefits of each role (main effects) and incur no special health disadvantage or benefit (interaction effect) for being so busy. This is true for both women and men. Three explanations are considered: First, health risks may actually be lower for socially active people than for nonactive ones. Second, involved people may have health attitudes which reduce their sensitivity to symptoms and their willingness to take curative health actions. Third, social selection may operate so that healthy people are able to acquire and keep roles more easily than unhealthy people. In sum, there is no evidence in the Detroit data that combining employment, marriage, and parenthood is harmful to women's health. Implications of the results for women's future health are suggested.
A Thymine Isostere in the Templating Position Disrupts Assembly of the Closed DNA Polymerase β Ternary Complex

The high fidelity of the DNA polymerization process is critically important for the stability of the cellular genome. The role of template and incoming nucleotide base pairing in polymerase fidelity has recently been explored by the use of nucleotide isosteres, which preserve the steric but not the electronic properties of the corresponding bases. The DNA repair enzyme, DNA polymerase beta (Pol beta), is among the most discriminating, being inactive when the thymine isostere difluorotoluene (DFT) is present in the templating base position. To explore the physical basis for this inactivity, we have performed NMR studies on [methyl-13C]methionine-labeled Pol beta complexed with double-hairpin DNA, used to model the gapped nucleotide substrate, and having either a thymine or a DFT isostere at the templating base position. The six methionine residues distributed throughout the enzyme provide useful conformational probes of the lyase and polymerase domains and subdomains. Analysis of the proton shift of Met282 that results from formation of an abortive Pol beta-gapped DNA-dATP complex is consistent with an open to closed conformational change of the enzyme predicted from crystal structures. In contrast, the same resonance is nearly unshifted when a ternary complex is formed from dATP and gapped DNA in which a DFT isostere replaces thymine at the templating base position. Alternatively, the resonances of Met191 and Met155, located in the catalytic subdomain, show perturbations upon formation of the abortive ternary complex, which are qualitatively similar, but significantly weaker, than the changes observed when thymine is present at the templating base position. The changes in the Met155 and Met191 methyl resonances are in fact more similar to those observed in the binary Pol beta-dATP complex. These studies demonstrate that the block in catalysis is directly related to the absence of the set of conformational transitions that include the "open" to "closed" transition monitored by Met282.
Adiponectin: mechanistic insights and clinical implications

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived secretory protein that has been very widely studied over the past 15 years. A multitude of different functions have been attributed to this adipokine. It has been characterised in vitro at the level of tissue culture systems and in vivo through genetic manipulation of rodent models. It is also widely accepted as a biomarker in clinical studies. Originating in adipose tissue, generally positive metabolic effects have been attributed to adiponectin. In this review, we briefly discuss the key characteristics of this interesting but very complex molecule, highlight recent results in the context of its mechanism of action and summarise some of the key epidemiological data that helped establish adiponectin as a robust biomarker for insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular disease and many additional disease phenomena.
Sensor calibration based on external stimulus actuation

We have developed an on-line sensor calibration scheme that employes a additional single source as the external stimulus that creats differential sensor readings used for calibration. The key idea of our approach is to use an actuator to produce differential simultaneous excitement of all sensors over a number of time frames while the environment the sensors are deployed in is relatively inactive. The sensor calibration functions are derived in such a way that all sensors (or a group of sensors) agree on the effect of the actuator in the most consistent way. More specifically, we utilizes the maximal likelihood principle and a nonlinear system optimization solver to derive the calibration functions of arbitrary complexity and accuracy. The approach has the following noble properties: i) it is maximally localized in that each sensor only needs to communicate with one other sensor in order to be calibrated; ii) the number of time steps that are required for calibration is very low. Therefore, the approach is both communication and time efficitent. We present two variants of the approach: i) one where only two neighboring sensors have to communicate in order to conduct calibration; ii) one that utilizes an integer linear programming (ILP) formulation to provably minimize the required number of packets that must be sent for calibration. We evaluate the techniques using traces from light sensors recorded by in-field deployed sensors, and statistical evaluations are conducted in order to obtain the interval of confidence to support all the results.
Metal implant allergy.

ASSH Disclaimer: The material presented in this CME activity is mad ASSH for educational purposes only. This material is not intended to methods or the best procedures appropriate for the medical situation rather it is intended to present an approach, view, statement, or opinion may be helpful, or of interest, to other practitioners. Examinees agree to medical education activity, sponsored by the ASSH, with full knowledge a they waive any claim they may have against the ASSH for reliance o presented. The approval of the US Food and Drug Administration is requ and drugs that are considered experimental. Instrumentation systems dis during this educational activity may not yet have received FDA approv
Induction of anti-melanoma CTL response using DC transfected with mutated mRNA encoding full-length Melan-A/MART-1 antigen with an A27L amino acid substitution

Modification of the parental immunodominant Melan-A/MART-1 peptide (MART-1(26-35)) by replacing the alanine with leucine (A27L) enhances its immunogenicity. Because of the reported advantages of RNA over peptides in DC vaccines, we sought to mutate the MART-1 gene to encode a full-length MART-1 antigen with an A27L amino acid substitution. Human DC were transfected with A27L-mutated MART-1 RNA (A27L RNA) or native MART-1 RNA, and then used to stimulate autologous T cells from a series of 8 HLA-A2+ volunteers. After three stimulations, all CTL induced with DC/A27L RNA exhibited more tetramer+ cells, and demonstrated stronger antigen-specific IFNgamma-secreting activity compared to CTL induced with DC/native RNA. A potent MART-1-specific, and predominantly class-I-restricted lysis was detected in most CTL induced with DC/A27L RNA, while native RNA-induced CTL showed minimal and non-specific lysis. HLA-A2+ DC and MART-1 negative/A2+ melanoma cells transfected with the A27L RNA were recognized and killed by MART-1-specific CTL, suggesting that these APC efficiently processed the A27L RNA and presented correct MART-1-specific epitope(s). In summary, introducing an A27L mutation into the MART-1 full-length mRNA sequence enhanced the immunogenicity of the encoded MART-1 Ag. The ease with which such a mutation can be made in RNA presents another potential advantage of using RNA for immunotherapy. Our results support considering this strategy for enhancing the immunogenicity of DC-based RNA vaccines.
Corneal astigmatism after phacoemulsification and lens implantation through unsutured scleral and corneal tunnel incisions.

Purpose We compared the changes in corneal astigmatism after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in 93 consecutive eyes with unsutured 4-mm superior scleral tunnel incisions to those through 105 consecutive eyes with unsutured 3.2- to 3.5-mm temporal corneal tunnel incisions. Methods Keratometry measurements were obtained preoperatively and at postoperative day 1, week 1, and week 6. Group differences in scalar and vector astigmatism were compared by using analysis of variance methods. Results Mean scalar astigmatism in the scleral incision group changed from preoperative astigmatism by 0.65 diopter at postoperative day 1, 0.37 diopter at postoperative week 1, and 0.13 diopter at postoperative week 6. Mean scalar astigmatism in the corneal incision group changed from preoperative astigmatism by 0.39 diopter at postoperative day 1, 0.21 diopter at postoperative week 1, and 0.13 diopter at postoperative week 6. Mean vector astigmatism in the scleral incision group changed 1.26 diopters at 80 degrees at postoperative day 1, 1.05 diopters at 83 degrees at postoperative week 1, and 0.42 diopter at 103 degrees at postoperative week 6. Mean vector astigmatism in the corneal incision group changed 0.77 diopter at 90 degrees at postoperative day 1, 0.75 diopter at 88 degrees at postoperative week 1, and 0.61 diopter at 89 degrees at postoperative week 6. The differences were statistically significant (P = .003) only by vector analysis at the postoperative day 1 examination. Conclusions We found significantly greater with-the-rule change in astigmatism in the scleral incision group than in the corneal incision group on the first postoperative day. The effect disappeared by the sixth postoperative week.
"The Equity, Equality, & Pay Variation Debate: Experimental Evidence"

The effects of compensation policies is an area rife with debate among experts. These debates are often concerned with the effectiveness of pay-for-performance. One area of research where disagreem...
Influence of White Pine on Structure and Yields of Mixed Northern Conifer Forests

Abstract The presence of white pine (Pinus strobusL.). influenced the structure and yields of mixed-species, multi-cohort, northern conifer stands in Maine. In each of the five stands studied, mean plot volumes were consistently higher where white pine grew with more shade tolerant conifers, than in plots without the additional pine component. However, considerable variability in stand structures among plots resulted in no significant differences in volumes within stands. When plot volumes from the five stands were combined, the larger sample size resulted in the mean volume of pine plots being significantly higher (P < 0.02) than those that had none (355.30 ± 25.24 m3/ha vs. 275.06 ±16.98 m-Vha). Generally, pine's presence enhanced plot volumes but had a negative effect on spruce and hemlock volumes. Whether or not pine was present, plot volumes were greatly affected by variability in age structures. Plots with a representation of two or three cohorts had higher volumes than plots with a single cohort.
Inverted isothermal equations of state and determination of B0, B'0 and B0

Abstract For the pressure calibration of EXAFS data taken at p ⩽ 10 GPa, isothermal equations of state (EOS) are needed with pressure, p , as the independent and relative volume, V/V 0 , as the dependent variable. We found a total of seven such equations in the literature and invented two new ones. All equations are expressed in terms of two (three) parameters, viz. the bulk modulus and its first (and second) pressure derivatives at p = 0. The equations are applied to shock wave compression data of 15 elements and compounds and the mean squared deviations between data and fits are calculated. Our two-parameter EOS yields the smallest mean squared deviations, whereas our three-parameter EOS gives results comparable to two other EOS from the literature. Intercomparison of the results obtained from the different EOS shows that we can determine the bulk modulus and its first and second pressure derivatives at p = 0 with errors of the order of 1, 10 and 100%, respectively.
Renal sympathetic denervation using an electroanatomic mapping system.

![Figure][1] A 54-year-old man with refractory hypertension presented for catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation. Three-dimensional (3D) geometric reconstruction of the renal arteries and real-time visualization of the ablation catheter were performed with an irrrigated straight-tipped
Effects of torrefaction process parameters on biomass feedstock upgrading

Abstract Biomass is a primary source of renewable carbon that can be utilized as a feedstock for biofuels or biochemicals production in order to achieve energy independence. The low bulk density, high moisture content, degradation during storage and low energy density of raw lignocellulosic biomass are all significant challenges in supplying agricultural residues as a cellulosic feedstock. Torrefaction is a thermochemical process conducted in the temperature range between 200 and 300 °C under an inert atmosphere which is currently being considered as a biomass pretreatment. Competitiveness and quality of biofuels and biochemicals may be significantly increased by incorporating torrefaction early in the production chain while further optimization of the process might enable its autothermal operation. In this study, torrefaction process parameters were investigated in order to improve biomass energy density and reduce its moisture content. The biomass of choice (corn stover) was torrefied at three moisture content levels (30%, 45% and 50%), three different temperatures (200, 250 and 300 °C), and three unique reaction times (10, 20 and 30 min). Solid, gaseous, and liquid products were analyzed, and the mass and energy balance of the reaction was quantified. An overall increase in energy density (2–19%) and decrease in mass and energy yield (3–45% and 1–35% respectively) was observed with the increase in process temperature. Mass and energy losses also increased with an increase in the initial biomass moisture content.
Cl- Diffusion Potential of Nutrient Membrane of Frog Gastric Mucosa:

SummaryReplacement of Cl- with SO42- gives a Cl- diffusion potential of about 19 mV across the nutrient membrane per 10-fold change in Cl- concentration, suggesting, on the basis of the Nernst equation, that the Cl- conductance pathway contributes about one-third to the total conductance of this membrane in regular Cl- solutions bathing the frog gastric mucosa. Isethionate ion gives a change in PD of about 17 mV per 10-fold change which is quite close to the value obtained with SO42-.
Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibition impairs cocaine-induced inhibitory synaptic plasticity and conditioned place preference

Endocannabinoid-mediated long-term depression of inhibitory synaptic transmission (I-LTD) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is implicated in cocaine-induced inhibitory synaptic plasticity and behavioral effects. It remains poorly understood, however, how this I-LTD is regulated and whether this regulation affects cocaine-seeking behavior. I-LTD requires cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signaling, raising the possibility that modulators of cAMP/PKA signaling may regulate I-LTD and the reinforcement behavior. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 hydrolyses cAMP and terminates cAMP/PKA signaling. Here, we report that selective PDE4 inhibitors rolipram and Ro 20-1724 blocked I-LTD and acute depression of inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) induced by D2 dopamine receptor and cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonists in VTA dopamine neurons. We also show that intra-VTA microinjections of PDE4 inhibitor rolipram impaired the acquisition, but not the expression, of conditioned place preference (CPP) to cocaine. Systemic administration of rolipram also increased cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and activation in the VTA. Together, our results suggest that blockade of cocaine-induced inhibitory synaptic plasticity (I-LTD) and enhancement of CREB activation are two putative cellular mechanisms by which PDE4 inhibition impairs the acquisition of cocaine CPP.
Measurement of spatial gain profiles in multiple pulse driven Ne like Ge lasers

We present the first direct spatial measurement of the two dimensional gain profiles for a Ne-like ion using a slab target illuminated by the multiple pulse technique. To understand the spatial dependence of the gain in Ne-like Ge on the 19.6 nm laser line for plasmas driven by a series of 100 ps pulses 400 ps apart we did a series of Nova experiments backlighting short Ge amplifiers. Two-dimensional, high-resolution, spatial images of the 19.6 nm laser emission from the output aperture of the amplifiers were measured to determine the spatial position of the gain. The amplifier lengths were chosen to be short enough to avoid significant refraction of the beam. In previous imaging experiments which measured the near field output of the Ge laser, the position of the laser output was dominated by refraction effects. To assure good temporal overlap, we used the traveling wave geometry to illuminate both the amplifier and backlighter. The amplifier design included a wire fiducial which provided an absolute spatial reference and avoided the usual difficulty of determining the location of the target surface. We compare the measured gain with simulations done using LASNEX, which calculates the hydrodynamic evolution of the plasma, and XRASER, which uses the temperature and densities from LASNEX to do the gain and kinetics calculations.
A 3D model for simulating temperature and stress profiles during sub-millisecond laser spike annealing

We present a physical based model for simulating the temperature and stress fields that incorporate full temperature and rate dependent thermal, optical and mechanical properties scanned laser spike annealing. We simulate the system in a 2D infinite line beam limit and a full 3D model including spatial variation of the laser intensity. These simulations accurately model effects of the finite laser beam size. Temperature profiles for narrow beam widths (3D) exhibit shorter tails and steeper gradients as compared to the 2D model. The impact of beam profiles and spatial fluctuations (noise) on the temperature uniformity is presented. Direct experimental measurements of temperature-time profiles from a narrow beam spike annealing system are used to calibrate and validate these models. The simulated thermal profiles were used as inputs in a finite element simulator (COMSOL) to determine the thermally induced stress fields. Resolved shear stress slip systems were determined as a function of anneal conditions (dwell and peak temperature).
An Examination of Preschool Teachers' Shared Book Reading Practices in Spanish: Before and After Instructional Guidance

Shared book reading is a prominent practice in preschools; however, limited research has examined this practice in classrooms with English language learners (ELLs). This study investigated the shared book reading practices of seven preschool teachers of Spanish-speaking ELLs to describe their vocabulary instructional practices before and after receiving instructional guidance (i.e., curriculum implementation, distributed professional development, and instructional cues). Teachers implemented 75 fifteen-min daily structured shared book reading vocabulary sessions for 15 weeks. In addition, they participated in professional development prior to and at two points during the curriculum implementation. To document instructional practices, teachers were observed three times: without and with an instructional cue prior to curriculum implementation and once with a cue at postintervention. Because some preschool teachers may require more intensive guidance than others to improve vocabulary instruction, professiona...
Modeling civil violence: An agent-based computational approach

This article presents an agent-based computational model of civil violence. Two variants of the civil violence model are presented. In the first a central authority seeks to suppress decentralized rebellion. In the second a central authority seeks to suppress communal violence between two warring ethnic groups.
An ethylene-responsive flower senescence-related gene from carnation encodes a protein homologous to glutathione S-transferases.

Carnation flower petal senescence is associated with the expression of specific senescence-related mRNAs, several of which were previously cloned [5]. The cDNA clone pSR8 represents a transcript which accumulates specifically in senescing flower petals in response to ethylene. Here we report the structural characterization of this cDNA. A second cDNA clone was isolated based on shared sequence homology with pSR8. This clone, pSR8.4, exhibited an overlapping restriction endonuclease map with pSR8 and contained an additional 300 nucleotides. Primer extension analysis revealed the combined cDNAs to be near full-length and the transcript to accumulate in senescing petals. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of SR8 cDNAs revealed an open reading frame of 220 amino acids sufficient to encode a 25 kDa polypeptide. Comparison of the deduced polypeptide sequence of pSR8 with other peptide sequences revealed significant similarity with glutathione s-transferases from a variety of organisms. The predicted polypeptide sequence shared 44%, 53% and 52% homology with GSTs from maize, Drosophila and man, respectively. We discuss our results in relation to the biochemistry of flower petal senescence and the possible role of glutathione s-transferase in this developmental process.
Subcellular compartmentalization of estrogen receptors in human breast cancer cells

Abstract In MCF-7 human breast cancer cells about 75% of the cell's total estrogen receptor sites were unexpectedly found in nuclei not bound with estrogens [13]. These findings were based on studies with crude nuclei and it was originally proposed that these unfilled nuclear estrogen receptors might be biologically active in the absence of estrogen [23]. In order to examine the subcellular distribution of receptor more critically, we have prepared highly purified MCF-7 nuclei, assessed their purity by electron microscopy RNA DNA and DNA protein ratios, and compared their estrogen receptor content with less pure subcellular fractions. In estrogen-withdrawn cells the percentage of the total unfilled receptors found in nuclear fractions (Rn) decreased dramatically from 30% (1.81 pmol/mg DNA) in the crudest preparation to only 3% (0.19 pmol/mg DNA) in highly purified nuclei. (This decrease is not due to an irreversible loss of receptor sites, as receptors lost from nuclei were recovered in the cytosol.) By contrast, after 1 h incubation in vivo with estradiol, the number of estrogen-filled receptor sites (RnE) found in the crudest nuclear preparation (3.28 pmol/mg DNA) and in the most highly purified nuclei (2.66 pmol/mg DNA) were nearly the same. It is very likely that the high level of unfilled receptors found in crude nuclei is a contamination of the preparation with cytoplasmic receptor. 1. 1. Electron microscopy shows gross contamination of crude nuclei with whole cells and cytoplasmic attachments. Purification of nuclei removes attaching cytoplasm which is parallelled by a dramatic decrease in unfilled receptor sites contained in the nuclear preparations. 2. 2. Multiple extractions with Tris buffer (without KCl) releases as much as 72% of the receptor contained in crude nuclei and treatment with 0.2% Triton X-100 extracts more than half. 3. 3. Tris-extractable receptor from crude nuclei sediments identically with cytosol receptor as a single 8S peak on low salt sucrose gradients. 4. 4. Unfilled receptor does not bind in vitro to purified nuclei. Although we cannot entirely exclude the possibility that unfilled receptors are nuclear in origin but may leak from nuclei during cell fractionation, these results are consistent with the localization of unfilled receptor largely in the cytoplasm of MCF-7 cells, as found in normal target tissues such as the rat uterus.
Inhibiting the Nucleation of Amyloid Structure in a Huntingtin Fragment by Targeting α-Helix-Rich Oligomeric Intermediates

Abstract Although oligomeric intermediates are transiently formed in almost all known amyloid assembly reactions, their mechanistic roles are poorly understood. Recently, we demonstrated a critical role for the 17-amino-acid N-terminus (httNT segment) of huntingtin (htt) in the oligomer-mediated amyloid assembly of htt N-terminal fragments. In this mechanism, the httNT segment forms the α-helix-rich core of the oligomers, leaving much of the polyglutamine (polyQ) segment disordered and solvent-exposed. Nucleation of amyloid structure occurs within this local high concentration of disordered polyQ. Here we demonstrate the kinetic importance of httNT self-assembly by describing inhibitory httNT-containing peptides that appear to work by targeting nucleation within the oligomer fraction. These molecules inhibit amyloid nucleation by forming mixed oligomers with the httNT domains of polyQ-containing htt N-terminal fragments. In one class of inhibitors, nucleation is passively suppressed due to the reduced local concentration of polyQ within the mixed oligomer. In the other class, nucleation is actively suppressed by a proline-rich polyQ segment covalently attached to httNT. Studies with d -amino acid and scrambled sequence versions of httNT suggest that inhibition activity is strongly linked to the propensity of inhibitory peptides to make amphipathic α-helices. HttNT derivatives with C-terminal cell-penetrating peptide segments also exhibit excellent inhibitory activity. The httNT-based peptides described here, especially those with protease-resistant d -amino acids and/or with cell-penetrating sequences, may prove useful as lead therapeutics for inhibiting the nucleation of amyloid formation in Huntington's disease.
Arabidopsis inflorescence architecture requires the activities of KNOX-BELL homeodomain heterodimers

In flowering plants, post-embryonic development is mediated by the activity of shoot and root apical meristems. Shoot architecture results from activity of the shoot apical meristem (SAM), which initiates primordia, including leaves, internodes and axillary meristems, repetitively from its flanks. Axillary meristems can develop into secondary shoots or flowers. In Arabidopsis, two paralogous BEL1-like (BELL) homeobox genes, PENNYWISE (PNY) and POUND-FOOLISH (PNF), expressed in the SAM, encode DNA-binding proteins that are essential for specifying floral primordia and establishing early internode patterning events during inflorescence development. Biochemical studies show that PNY associates with the knotted1-like homeobox (KNOX) proteins, SHOOTMERISTEMLESS (STM) and BREVIPEDICELLUS (BP). PNY-BP heterodimers are essential for establishing early internode patterning events, while PNY-STM heterodimers are critical for SAM function. In this report, we examined the role of PNY, PNF and STM during development. First, we show that PNF interacts with STM and BP indicating that PNY and PNF are redundant functioning proteins. Inflorescence development, but not vegetative development, is sensitive to the dosage levels of PNY, PNF and STM. Characterization of stm-10, a weak allele in the Columbia ecotype, indicates that STM is also involved in floral specification and internode development. Our examination of the genetic requirements for PNY, PNF and STM demonstrates that these KNOX–BELL heterodimers control floral specification, internode patterning and the maintenance of boundaries between initiating floral primordia and the inflorescence meristem.
Injectable treatments for noninsertional achilles tendinosis: a systematic review.

Background:Although there has been a recent increase in interest regarding injectable therapy for noninsertional Achilles tendinosis, there are currently no clear treatment guidelines for managing patients with this condition. The objective of this study was (1) to conduct a systematic review of clinical outcomes following injectable therapy of noninsertional Achilles tendinosis, (2) to identify patient-specific factors that are prognostic of treatment outcomes, (3) to provide treatment recommendations based on the best available literature, and (4) to identify knowledge deficits that require further investigation.Methods:We searched MEDLINE (1948 to March week 1 2012) and EMBASE (1980 to 2012 week 9) for clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of injectable therapies for noninsertional Achilles tendinosis. Specifically, we included randomized controlled trials and cohort studies with a comparative control group. Data abstraction was performed by 2 independent reviewers. The Oxford Level of Evidence Guid...
Tubular Cell Senescence and Expression of TGF-β1 and p21WAF1/CIP1 in Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis of Aging Rats

Kidney aging has been recognized as a chronic process of compromised renal function and structural changes in the tubulointerstitium and glomerulus. Cell senescence is associated with alterations in cell structure and function, including expression of cytokines and structural and regulatory components of extracellular matrix proteins. In this investigation, we tested the hypothesis that senescent renal cells may accumulate in vivo with advancing age. We also evaluated the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and p21WAF1/CIP1 in aging kidneys. Sprague-Dawley rats at the ages of 3, 12, and 24 months were used for this study. Renal tissues were processed for morphometric and senescence analysis. Expression of TGF-beta1 and p21WAF1/CIP1 was evaluated by Northern or Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Substantial tubulointerstitial injury occurred at the age of 12 months, but significant glomerular structure alteration was observed at the age of 24 months. Tubular cells developed senescence, which was detected by beta-galactosidase staining. This staining increased in frequency and intensity with age. Renal cortices showed a significant increase in the mRNA expression for TGF-beta1 and protein level for p21WAF1/CIP1. The enhanced expression of TGF-beta1 and p21WAF1/CIP1 was localized in the tubulointersititial cells. These data suggest that tubular cells undergo senescence and express increased TGF-beta1 and p21WAF1/CIP1 with advancing age. These age-related cellular and molecular alterations may play an important role in the initiation and/or progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis in aging.
Liquid solubilization dynamics: Oleic acid in bile salt

Abstract The solubilization dynamics of oleic acid by aqueous sodium taurodeoxycholate solutions at 37°C does not conform to previous resistance in series models involving diffusion and interfacial steps. This is especially true as the ionic strength of the aqueous solution is increased by adding NaCl or by increasing the taurodeoxycholate concentration above 2%. Experiments conducted with a liquid/liquid stirred cell show that as the ionic strength is increased, the flux of oleic acid into the aqueous solution exceeds a reasonable value for the diffusion limit, assuming that oleic acid diffuses only in mixed micelles, and that the flux becomes independent of flow at these high ionic strengths. Two alternative models for the solubilization process are proposed. One involves a rapid exchange of oleic acid between mixed micelles and oleic acid free micelles in parallel with mixed micelle diffusion; and the second involves formation of a small emulsion droplet at the interface, which contains significantly more oleic acid than a mixed micelle, and which rapidly dissolves into micellar solution as the droplet leaves the interface.
Heuristic decomposition for non-hierarchic systems

Design and optimization is substantially more complex in multidisciplinary and large-scale engineering applications due to the existing inherently coupled interactions. The paper introduces a quasi-procedural methodology for multidisciplinary optimization that is applicable for nonhierarchic systems. The necessary decision-making support for the design process is provided by means of an embedded expert systems capability. The method employs a decomposition approach whose modularity allows for implementation of specialized methods for analysis and optimization within disciplines.
THE EFFECT OF LIGHT ON MATURATION AND THE ESTROUS CYCLE OF THE COTTON RAT, SIGMODON HISPIDUS HISPIDUS1

IN RECENT years a large number of investigations have shown that reproductive activity in some cold-blooded vertebrates, in many birds and in various mammals is modified by the length of day. A number of reviews of the subject are available (Bissonnette, 1936a; Bissonnette, 1937; Marshall, 1936; Rowan, 1938a; and Rowan, 1938b). Since the research to be presented here deals with a mamma−lian form, a short review of previous work on mammals is included. Some mammals, such as the guinea pig (Dempsey, Myers, Young and Jennison, 1934), the rabbit (Smelser, Walton and Whetham, 1934), the hedgehog (Allanson and Deanesly, 1934) and the ground squirrel (Wells, 1935), are apparently not influenced to any marked extent by experimental variation of day length and light intensity. Increased day length in the fall produced estrus in winter in the ferret (Bissonnette, 1932) and caused breeding to be advanced 6 weeks in the raccoon (Bissonnette and Csech, 1937).
Uranium Content of Twenty-Five Silicate Reference Materials

Data on the uranium concentration in 25 rock, soil, and fly ash standards obtained by delayed neutron assay are presented.