cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of inhibin/activin subunit messenger ribonucleic acids during rat embryogenesis.

Inhibin (alpha/beta) and activin (beta/beta) were first recognized as gonadal hormones that regulate the production and release of FSH from the anterior pituitary gland. Studies now show that these proteins, which are members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) superfamily, and their corresponding messenger RNAs have a broad anatomical distribution and may regulate the growth and differentiation of a variety of cell types. To determine whether inhibin and activin may also play a role in embryonic development, in situ hybridization techniques were utilized to examine the localization of the mRNAs encoding the inhibin/activin subunits (alpha, beta A, beta B) in rat embryos from 12 days post coitum (p.c.) until birth. The beta A-subunit message was localized in the heart at 12 days p.c. and in the dermal layer of the skin starting at 13 days p.c. At 14 days p.c. this mRNA was first observed in the whisker follicles, in the developing skeleton of the snout, limbs, and in the intervertebral disks. At 16 days p.c. the beta A-message was found in the striatum of the brain, and at 18 days p.c. it was also detected in the cerebral cortex. The beta A-mRNA signal appeared in hair bulbs at 17 days p.c., in teeth at 18 days p.c., and in tendons and gonads just before birth. Expression of beta A-mRNA was no longer detected in the skin or intervertebral disks after 17 days p.c. The beta B-subunit message was found in the area of rapidly dividing cells surrounding the forebrain ventricle, starting at 14 days p.c., in the gonads from the time of gonadal sexual differentiation, at 14 days p.c., and in the salivary gland as early as 17 days p.c. The beta B-message continued to be expressed in these areas throughout embryogenesis. The inhibin-alpha subunit message was also detectable in the gonads from 14 days p.c. until birth. These data suggest that 1) inhibin and activin may be produced in the gonads and possibly play a hormonal role in the embryonic rat during the last trimester of pregnancy, and 2) activin may regulate aspects of the embryonic development of the heart, skin, hair and whiskers, cartilage, bone, tendons, teeth, salivary gland, brain, and gonads, possibly in coordination with other members of the TGF beta superfamily whose mRNAs are expressed in some of these same tissues during development.
Alcohol abuse in urban Indian adolescents and women: a longitudinal study for assessment and risk evaluation

Empirical studies of American Indian health and mental health have focused primarily on reservation samples or small cross-sectional school-based or treatment samples. Few studies have addressed these issues among urban American Indian populations. This paper introduces an ongoing ten-year prospective longitudinal study of alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and mental health status in a community sample of urban American Indian adolescents and women. The study uses structured interviews and diagnostic assessments to identify risk factors for, and measure prevalence of, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and psychopathology in 523 Indian youth and 276 Indian women. Study aims, rationale, research design, methods, sample characteristics, assessment instruments, and substance use prevalence are described, and methodological issues related to conducting longitudinal research are discussed.
Effects of winter selective tree harvest on soil microclimate and surface CO2 flux of a northern hardwood forest

Soil surface CO2 flux (Sflux) is the second largest terrestrial ecosystem carbon flux, and may be affected by forest harvest. The effects of clearcutting on Sflux have been studied, but little is known about the effect of alternative harvesting methods such as selective tree harvest on Sflux. We measured Sflux before and after (i) the creation of forest canopy gaps (simulating group tree selection harvests) and (ii) mechanized winter harvest but no tree removal (simulating ground disturbance associated with logging). The experiment was carried out in a sugar maple dominated forest in the Flambeau River State Forest, Wisconsin. Pre-treatment measurements of soil moisture, temperature and Sflux were measured throughout the growing season of 2006. In January-February 2007, a harvester created the canopy gaps (200-380 m 2 ). The mechanization treatment consisted of the harvester traveling through the plots for a similar amount of time as the gap plots, but no trees were cut. Soil moisture and temperature and Sflux were measured throughout the growing season for 1 year prior to harvest and for 2 years after harvest. Soil moisture and temperature were significantly greater in the gap than mechanized and control treatments. Instantaneous Sflux was positively correlated to soil moisture and soil temperature at 2 and 10 cm, but temperature at 10 cm was the single best predictor. Annual Sflux was not significantly different among treatments prior to winter 2007 harvest, and was not significantly different among treatments after harvest. Annual (+1 std. err.) Sflux averaged 967 + 72, 1011 + 72, and 1012 + 72 g C m � 2 year � 1 in the control, mechanized and gap treatments, respectively, for the 2-year
Thyroid nodules and cancer in children with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome.

Context: Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) is a complex disorder caused by germline-inactivating mutations of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene. Carriers develop benign and malignant tumors of multiple tissues, including the breast, thyroid, intestine, and skin. Surveillance to facilitate the early detection and treatment of malignancies is recommended but, because thyroid cancers have been reported almost exclusively in adults, childhood risk is considered to be low, and consensus guidelines recommend that surveillance imaging begin at 18 yr of age. Objective/Patients: Seven children with PHTS referred to two thyroidologists form the basis of this report. Medical records, operative histology, and PTEN mutational analysis were reviewed to evaluate the pediatric presentation of PHTS-associated thyroid neoplasia. Results: Five of the seven children presented with thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer between the ages of 6 and 12 yr, often as the initially identified component of...
when talk isn't cheap: language and political economy

Although the classic Saussurean conception of language segregates the linguistic sign from the material world, this paper shows linguistic phenomena playing many roles in political economy. Linguistic signs may refer to aspects of an exchange system; differentiated ways of speaking may index social groups in a social division of labor; and linguistic “goods” may enter the marketplace as objects of exchange. These aspects of language are not mutually exclusive, but (instead) may coincide in the same stretch of discourse. Illustrations are drawn primarily from a rural Wolof community in Senegal. It is argued that linguistic signs are part of a political economy, not just vehicles for thinking about it. Only a conception of language as multifunctional can give an adequate view of the relations between language and the material world, and evade a false dichotomy between “idealists” and “materialists.”[language, political economy, sociolinguistics, semiotic theory, Senegal]
Preinjury alcohol exposure attenuates the neuroinflammatory response to traumatic brain injury.

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) initiates a neuroinflammatory response that increases the risk of TBI-related mortality. Acute alcohol intoxication at the time of TBI is associated with improved survival. Ethanol is recognized as a systemic immunomodulator that may also impart neuroprotection. The effects of alcohol on TBI-induced neuroinflammation, however, are unknown. We hypothesized that ethanol treatment prior to TBI may provide neuroprotection by diminishing the neuroinflammatory response to injury.
On the mechanisms of transfilter induction of kidney tubules.

Abstract Induction of tubule formation in metanephrogenic mesenchyme by spinal cord, occurs across 15 μm thick nucleopore filters with pores greater than 0·1 μm in diameter, but not when the pores are less than 0·05 μm. Processes from the inducer cells penetrate the 0·1 μm pores but not those of 0·05 μm diameter. These results are usually interpreted in favor of contact-mediated induction, and against diffusion-mediated induction. In this communication, we establish the feasibility of a novel and third possibility, namely that induction is mediated by short-range diffusion of material from the inducer, and that the necessary proximity (say 10 nm) between the interactants is brought about by penetration of the filter pores by cell-processes. When the pores are less than 0·1 μm in diameter, penetration does not occur and the inducer and target are kept 15 μm apart. It is argued that this distance is too great for diffusion mechanisms to achieve a high enough concentration of the inductive message at the target surface.
The Rooster Effect Same-Sex Rivalry and Inequity as Factors in Retaliative Aggression

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of same-sex rivalry and inequity on retaliative aggression directed toward dyad targets. One member of the excluding pair initiated the rejection of the research participant; the other played the role of follower. The rejecting pair consisted of male initiator/female follower, male initiator/male follower, female initiator/male follower, or female initiator/female follower. The predicted "rooster" effect was demonstrated. Research participants directed more retaliative aggression toward dyads composed of male initiator/female follower than toward dyads of any other sex role composition.
A laminin-pepsin fragment with cell attachment and neurite outgrowth activity at distinct sites

Abstract Laminin is a large basement membrane glycoprotein which influences the behavior and morphology of a variety of cells. We have found that laminin and a pepsin fragment of laminin (P-lam) contain distinct sites for HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cell attachment and for neurite outgrowth activity of PC12 and NG108-15 cell lines. Reduction and alkylation of laminin and P-lam fragment disulfide bonds, in the absence of denaturing agents, markedly reduced the cell attachment activity without reducing the neurite outgrowth response. The P-lam fragment (approximately 375 kDa) was found to contain part of the cross region of laminin and a portion of the long arm, on the basis of recognition by antisera against laminin synthetic peptides and fusion proteins. Modification of arginine residues by cyclohexane-dione also had no effect on neurite outgrowth but reduced HT-1080 cell adhesion. Modification of lysine residues by succinic and citraconic anhydride, however, abolished laminin neurite outgrowth but not cell attachment activity. Neurite outgrowth activity was recovered by reversing the lysine modification. These data support the existence on laminin of separate sites for cell attachment and for neurite outgrowth.
An enhanced olfactory marker protein immunoreactivity in individual olfactory receptor neurons following olfactory bulbectomy may be related to increased neurogenesis

Olfactory marker protein (OMP) is a 19-kD acidic protein found throughout the cytoplasm of mature olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). Its function remains unknown. Following olfactory bulbectomy, the proportion of ORNs mature enough to express OMP declines greatly. However, in the few remaining mature ORNs, it has been observed that the intensity of OMP immunoreactivity (IR) appears to increase over that of ORNs on the unoperated side. We have now investigated this phenomenon quantitatively in rats subjected to unilateral olfactory bulbectomy. Results show that at all postbulbectomy survival periods examined quantitatively (3 days to 6 months), a significant decrease (19–37%) occurs in the transmission of incident light through OMP(+)-ORNs in bulbectomized versus unoperated olfactory epithelium (OE). Further, we also observed a consistent side-to-side difference in OMP IR in control unoperated animals. Possible explanations for these observations and their relation to the still unknown function of OMP are discussed. To test the possibility that OMP might serve a mitogenic role in the OE, recombinant OMP was added to organotypic explant cultures of fetal olfactory mucosa. Addition of OMP resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the density of bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells in the cultures, with a 50% increase occurring at the plateau OMP concentration of 25 nM. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 34: 377–390, 1998
A report on the community study of the early November 1993 geomagnetic storm

Abstract In anticipation of the upcoming solar maximum a large segment of the solar-terrestrial community has joined in an effort to document and benchmark the strengths and shortcomings of the community's observational and modeling capabilities. Approximately 100 scientists are participating in a study of a significant solar-terrestrial event which influenced the Earth between 2 and 11 November 1993. The goal of the study is to follow the event from its origin at the Sun, tracing the flow of particles and energy through the interplanetary medium and into the dissipative elements of the magnetosphere, ionosphere and thermosphere, thus providing a test-bed for existing space weather analysis and modeling capabilities. The geomagnetic storm of early November 1993 was identified as a candidate for study. While the study was inspired by the US National Space Weather Program, it has become an international event study. The following paper provides information about the origin and significance of the storm, the reasons for its selection as a community study event and a brief status report of the study.
Familial alopecia areata and chronic thrombocytopenia

Alopecia areata (AA) has a strong hereditary component and is associated with a number of other autoimmune diseases. There is no established relationship between AA and any of the congenital thrombocytopenias. We report a family in which multiple members are affected with AA and with a hereditary thrombocytopenia, most consistent with pseudo–von Willebrand disease. This raises the possibility of a genetic association between AA and one or more of the inherited thrombocytopenias, possibly both related to mutations in genes on chromosome 17.
Chemical reduction of polyacetylene with incorporation of divalent dopant cations

Abstract A chemical method has been developed which makes possible the divalent doping of polyacetylene, (CH) x . Solvated electrons, formed by dissolving alkaline earth metals in liquid ammonia, provide the reducing power needed to partially reduce polyacetylene to a polycarbanion [M y +2 (CH) −2y ] x M = Ca, Ba or Sr. The divalent dopant cations serve to maintain electrical neutrality. This new method of doping polyacetylene can be used to study some interesting predictions of the soliton theory of conductivity. This theory, which offers an explanation of the spinless conductivity observed in polyacetylene doped with monovalent ions, predicts that coulomb interactions between the divalent dopant and a pair of charged solitons should result in a bound state of the soliton pair. Visible spectra show midgap absorptions characteristic of both solitons, which could form by interchain interactions, and bipolarons, which could form by intrachain coupling of a pair of solitons to a single divalent dopant. Infrared data confirms dopant induced soliton-like resonances. Preliminary magnetic measurements indicate that the carriers are spinless, at least at low doping levels. The high observed conductivities ( σ = 10–20 Ω −1 cm −1 ), which are within one order of magnitude of polyacetylenes doped with alkali metal ions to comparable levels, likely involve some localization of charge (bipolarons) as well as some interchain interactions (solitons). This method has been extended to include polyparaphenylene as a conducting polymer host and the lanthanides Eu +2 and Yb +2 as dopant ions.
Sharp interface Cartesian grid method III: Solidification of pure materials and binary solutions

A numerical technique is presented for computing dendritic growth of crystals from pure melts and binary solutions. The governing equations are solved on a fixed Cartesian mesh and the immersed phase boundary is treated as a sharp solid-fluid interface. The interface is tracked using a level-set field. A finite-difference scheme is presented that incorporates the immersed phase boundary with only a small change to a standard Cartesian grid Poisson solver. The scheme is simple to implement in three-dimensions. The results from our calculations show excellent agreement with two-dimensional microscopic solvability theory for pure material solidification. It is shown that the method predicts dendrite tip characteristics in excellent agreement with the theory. The sharp interface treatment allows discontinuous material property variation at the solid-liquid interface. This facilitates sharp-interface simulations of dendritic solidification of binary solutions.
Attenuation structure beneath the Lau Back Arc Spreading Center from teleseismic S phases

Teleseismic sS and sScS waveforms provide constraints on the attenuation structure above deep seismic rones. We estimate the average Qβ along sS and sScS paths beneath the Lau back arc by comparison with S and ScS waveforms. Q is determined using both time and frequency domain analyses of transverse long period records assuming Q is frequency independent. In the frequency domain technique, spectra from reflected (sS or sScS) and direct (S or sScS) waveforms are analyzed using least squares. The time domain method uses a grid search to determine the attenuation operator that, when convolved with the direct phase, produces the best fit to the reflected phase. In both methods the direct phase is convolved with a crustal response function to simulate the crustal interaction of the reflected phase. Large events subject to source directivity effects and source-station combinations involving ray propagation down the subducting slab are not used. The resulting attenuation estimates show low Q values which increase with focal depth, suggesting high attenuation in the upper mantle and a rapid decrease in attenuation below 200–300 km. Lateral variations are also indicated with very high attenuation (Q ∼ 20–35) in the upper mantle near the active spreading centers and lower attenuation west of the Lau Ridge. Q-temperature relationships extrapolated from laboratory experiments suggest that the low Q regions represent zones of asthenospheric partial melting.
Developing a scientific basis for radiation risk estimates: major goal of the DOE Low Dose Radiation Research Program

Abstract A major goal of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Low Dose Radiation Research Program is to evaluate how cell and molecular data can be used to supplement epidemiological approaches in cancer risk assessment. New technology is being merged with the rapidly changing genomics techniques that make it possible to make biological observations in dose regions that were not possible in the past. The primary application of such molecular data is to support the models selected for the extrapolation from the radiation effects observed after high radiation doses to low doses and estimate the risks from these low doses. Basic studies funded by DOE are focused on understanding the mode of action and mechanisms involved in radiation-induced biological changes associated with radiation-induced cancer. It is apparent that the recent data derived from the DOE research on bystander effects, adaptive responses, gene expression changes and genomic instability have forced us to re-evaluate existing radiation paradigms. The research provides information that makes it possible to base radiation standards following low-dose exposures on well-defined biological processes and thus provides a better and more useful scientific basis for protection standards.
Induction therapy with combination TNF inhibitor and methotrexate in early rheumatoid arthritis.

With the introduction of more objective disease activity measures and the development of biological therapies, there were dramatic changes in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The combination therapy with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor and methotrexate (MTX) has unprecedentedly improved prognosis and outcomes, and very low disease activity or remission has been achievable goal in RA. Although the concept of remission induction and maintenance was first discussed in longstanding RA patients, several clinical trials have demonstrated that there is a therapeutic window of opportunity, and early effective control of inflammation in early RA could lead to less joint damage and better long-term outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests that early combination therapy with TNF inhibitor and MTX leads to rapid clinical remission and thereby improved quality of life. Furthermore, remission status may be sustained in some patients even if a TNF inhibitor is discontinued after sustained remission in early RA patients. While there are many potential benefits of early remission induction therapy with the combination of a TNF inhibitor and MTX, the best therapeutic regimen and strategy for remission induction and maintenance in early RA remain controversial. There are no data to decide a priori when and in whom TNF blocker drugs are indicated in early disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive RA.
Substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder comorbidity

This article reviews the extant literature on substance abusers with and without a comorbid diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and reveals the discontinuity between clinical lore and empirical research. Included is an overview of PTSD-substance abuse theoretical models and comorbidity prevalence rates, as well as an evaluation of the comparative data on treatment outcome and psychosocial factors, such as coping skills, for PTSD versus non-PTSD substance abusers. In addition, we discuss the controversy surrounding sequential versus simultaneous treatment approaches for such 'dually-diagnosed' patients. We conclude by identifying gaps in current knowledge about the nature and impact of PTSD on substance abuse treatment outcome and outlining needs for future research.
The application of ESCA to the study of bonding in nitrosyls

A study of a series of nitrosyl complexes by ESCA has provided a complementary method to infrared spectroscopy for distinguishing bent and linear nitrosyls. The relative shifts of the binding energies of O 1s and N 1s electrons tend to be found in the range of 132 ± 1 eV for linear nitrosyls and 128 ± 2 eV for bent nitrosyls. This approach leads to reversal of previous assignments of N 1s binding energies observed in certain complexes. Evaluation of N 1s binding energy shifts illustrates that the “NO−” in a bent nitrosyl may actually have less electron density associated with the nitrogen atom than a “NO+” in a linear nitrosyl.
The effects of high pass filters on computer-reconstructed evoked potentials.

Abstract The effects of high pass filters with cut-off frequencies of 160 and 320 Hz on computer-constructed potentials with known parameters were studied. It is concluded that high pass filtering using high cut-off frequencies introduces temporal and amplitude distortions and artefacts which may not be distinguished from true potentials.
Extreme adaptive optics testbed: performance and characterization of a 1024-MEMS deformable mirror

We have demonstrated that a microelectrical mechanical systems (MEMS) deformable mirror can be flattened to < 1 nm RMS within controllable spatial frequencies over a 9.2-mm aperture making it a viable option for high-contrast adaptive optics systems (also known as Extreme Adaptive Optics). The Extreme Adaptive Optics Testbed at UC Santa Cruz is being used to investigate and develop technologies for high-contrast imaging, especially wavefront control. A phase shifting diffraction interferometer (PSDI) measures wavefront errors with sub-nm precision and accuracy for metrology and wavefront control. Consistent flattening, required testing and characterization of the individual actuator response, including the effects of dead and low-response actuators. Stability and repeatability of the MEMS devices was also tested. An error budget for MEMS closed loop performance will summarize MEMS characterization.
Long-term stability of young children's eyewitness accuracy, suggestibility, and resistance to misinformation

Abstract Forty 4-year-olds and 39 6-year-olds participated in a modified misinformation-effects paradigm. At time 1 they reviewed a story and some of the children were asked questions about it in either recall or recognition format. Three weeks later they were given misinformation about some of the story events. The following week they were asked the original questions. Two years later the procedure was repeated with a different story for 31 of the children. Although 4-year-olds overtly disagreed more times than the older children did when misinformation was initially presented, this resistance did not affect their accuracy or suggestibility scores. The 6-year-olds became more resistant to the suggestive effects of misinformation when they were given an immediate recall test or when given the opportunity to disagree with misinformation. Significant test–retest correlations occurred over a two year period for both story accuracy and one of the suggestibility scores.
Varicella-zoster virus: less immutable than once thought.

* Abbreviations: VZV = : varicella-zoster virus • ORF = : open reading frame Ancestral herpesviruses were alive and well when dinosaurs ruled the planet.1 These ancient herpesviruses obviously were more successful than dinosaurs at adaptation during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods (200 million to 70 million years before the present). Molecular phylogenetic analyses suggest that the progenitor varicella-zoster virus (VZV) arose some 70 million years ago, probably in small mammals during the Paleocene Epoch1 ,2 (Fig 1). VZV has subsequently co-evolved with early humankind, developing its biphasic mode of survival as chickenpox (primary infection) and shingles (reactivation). In prehistoric times, shingles was the most likely means by which the virus was maintained within small populations of humans. In other words, an elder would develop shingles and thereby transmit virus to the children who had not previously contracted chickenpox. Thus, the properties of VZV latency and reactivation have served the virus well as it co-evolved with humankind during the great migrations out of Africa into Asia and later into Europe. As populations increased and urban centers developed, VZV was more commonly transmitted as chickenpox directly from child to child residing in relative proximity, especially within elementary schools in contemporary society. Fig. 1. Malagasy lemur as ancestral primate model. The ancestral primate evolved some 70 to 60 million years before the present, within the same geologic timescale as the ancestral VZV. Considerable evidence suggests that the ancestral primate was small in size, <1 pound in …
Gravitational perturbations of the Kerr geometry: High-accuracy study

We present results from a new code for computing gravitational perturbations of the Kerr geometry. This new code carefully maintains high precision to allow us to obtain high-accuracy solutions for the gravitational quasinormal modes of the Kerr space-time. Part of this new code is an implementation of a spectral method for solving the angular Teukolsky equation that, to our knowledge, has not been used before for determining quasinormal modes. We focus our attention on two main areas. First, we explore the behavior of these quasinormal modes in the extreme limit of Kerr, where the frequency of certain modes approaches accumulation points on the real axis. We compare our results with recent analytic predictions of the behavior of these modes near the accumulation points and find good agreement. Second, we explore the behavior of solutions of modes that approach the special frequency $M\ensuremath{\omega}=\ensuremath{-}2i$ in the Schwarzschild limit. Our high-accuracy methods allow us to more closely approach the Schwarzschild limit than was possible with previous numerical studies. Unlike previous work, we find excellent agreement with analytic predictions of the behavior near this special frequency. We include a detailed description of our methods, and make use of the theory of confluent Heun differential equations throughout. In particular, we make use of confluent Heun polynomials to help shed some light on the controversy of the existence, or not, of quasinormal and total-transmission modes at certain special frequencies in the Schwarzschild limit.
Acetylcholine binding to Torpedo electroplax: relationship to acetylcholine receptors.

Binding of [ 3 H]acetylcholine to a particulate fraction of Torpedo electroplax was measured by equilibrium dialysis. Two high-affinity sites present on phospholipoproteins bound acetylcholine reversibly, and binding was blocked by nicotinic drugs. Characteristics of this binding suggest that these phospholipoproteins may be acetylcholine receptors.
Numerical experiments on the leading-edge flowfield

A numerical procedure has been developed to analyze the compressible inviscid flowfield in the leading-edge region of an airfoil, using one of the possible variations of the A scheme: a finite-difference time-dependent method which emphasizes the role of the domain of dependence of each computed point in a transient. The use of artificial permeable boundaries allows the computational domain to be confined to a small region surrounding the nose of the airfoil. A general procedure is described for treating the boundaries without violating the basic principles of the A scheme and maintaining accuracy at points next to the boundaries.
Transient ordered states in phase-separating alloys.

We demonstrate the existence of transient ordered phases in alloys which, at equilibrium, exhibit a definite tendency toward segregation. This is shown through a Monte Carlo study of the decomposition kinetics of a bcc TiV alloy based on first-principles electronic structure calculations. Specifically, we predict a transient [ital B]32 ordering of the quenched-in solid solution before separation into Ti- and V-rich disordered phases. We discuss the requirements for such unusual behavior in relation to experiment, and compare Monte Carlo results for a 2D model system with mean-field predictions.
The relationship between field‐aligned currents and low‐frequency electromagnetic fluctuations

[1] Current sheets having a transverse scale near the electron inertial length c/ωp have been shown to be unstable using a reduced MHD description with electron inertia [Seyler and Wu, 2001]. This robust instability arises from the advection of the parallel current which lowers the magnetic energy resulting in vortex formation. The instability is localized where the parallel current shear and B⟂ are near a maximum. Observations from Freja, FAST, and CLUSTER show fluctuation enhancement in regions where current shear maximizes. The simulation spectral ratios δE/δB and δE/δn are found to be consistent with satellite data. The agreement between observations and simulations support the simulation results as the generation mechanism of BBELF (broad-band extremely low-frequency) fluctuations.
Trabecular Bone Structure in the Humeral and Femoral Heads of Anthropoid Primates

The functional significance of three-dimensional trabecular bone architecture in the primate postcranial skeleton has received significant interest over the last decade. Some previous work has produced promising results, finding significant relationships between femoral head trabecular bone structure and hypothesized locomotor loading in leaping and nonleaping strepsirrhines. Conversely, most studies of anthropoid femoral head bone structure have found broad similarity across taxonomic and locomotor groups. The goal of this study is to expand on past analyses of anthropoid trabecular bone structure by assessing the effects of differential limb usage on the trabecular bone architecture of the forelimb and hindlimb across taxa characterized by diverse locomotor behaviors, including brachiation, quadrupedalism, and climbing. High-resolution x-ray computed tomography scans were collected from the proximal humerus and proximal femur of 55 individuals from five anthropoid primate species, including Symphalangus syndactylus, Papio sp., Presbytis rubicunda, Alouatta caraya, and Pan troglodytes. Trabecular bone structural features including bone volume fraction, anisotropy, trabecular thickness, and trabecular number were quantified in large volumes positioned in the center of the humeral or femoral head. Femoral head trabecular bone volume is consistently and significantly higher than trabecular bone volume in the humerus in all taxa independent of locomotor behavior. Humeral trabecular bone is more isotropic than femoral trabecular bone in all species sampled, possibly reflecting the emphasis on a mobile shoulder joint and manipulative forelimb. The results indicate broad similarity in trabecular bone structure in these bones across anthropoids.
Measurement of host-to-activator transfer efficiency in nano-crystalline Y2O3:Eu3+ under VUV excitation

Abstract We have conducted a systematic study of the excitation and reflectance spectra of nano-crystalline Y2O3:Eu prepared by combustion synthesis. Excitation through the host lattice becomes relatively more efficient as the firing temperature of the precursor is increased, while reflectance properties remain essentially unchanged. Using these data, host-to-activator transfer efficiencies were calculated for excitation at the band edge of Y2O3, and evaluated using a competition kinetics model. From this analysis we conclude that the relatively low luminous efficiency of these materials is due more to poor bulk crystallinity than to surface loss effects.
Developmental Gene Expression in Amphioxus: New Insights into the Evolutionary Origin of Vertebrate Brain Regions, Neural Crest, and Rostrocaudal Segmentation'

SYNOPSIS. Amphioxus is widely held to be the closest invertebrate relative of the vertebrates and the best available stand-in for the proximate ancestor of the vertebrates. The spatiotemporal expression patterns of developmental genes can help suggest body part homologies between vertebrates and amphioxus. This approach is illustrated using five homeobox genes (AmphiHoxl, AmphiHox2, AmphiOtx, AmphiDll, and AmphiEri) to provide insights into the evolutionary origins of three important vertebrate features: the major brain regions, the neural crest, and rostrocaudal segmentation. During amphioxus development, the neural expression patterns of these genes are consistent with the presence of a forebrain (detailed neuroanatomy indicates that the forebrain is all diencephalon without any telencephalon) and an extensive hindbrain; the possible presence of a midbrain requires additional study. Further, during neurulation, the expression pattern of AmphiDll as well as migratory cell behavior suggest that the epidermal cells bordering the neural plate may represent a phylogenetic precursor of the vertebrate neural crest. Finally, when the paraxial mesoderm begins to segment, the earliest expression of AmphiEn is detected in the posterior part of each nascent and newly formed somite. This pattern recalls the expression of the segment-polarity gene engrailed during establishment of the segments of metameric protostomes. Thus, during animal evolution, the role of engrailed in establishing and maintaining metameric body plans may have arisen in a common segmented ancestor of both the protostomes and deuterostomes.
Boechera Summit 2011

Ecological model systems provide a conduit to understand the ecological impact of information gained from laboratory model species. Here, I review a 2011 meeting which focused on the systematic, ecological, evolutionary and developmental biology of the ecological model genus Boechera.
The function of the pleckstrin homology domain in BCR-ABL-mediated leukemogenesis.

The BCR–ABL tyrosine kinase is central to the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Depending on the breakpoint in BCR, several BCR–ABL variants can be generated (Figure 1a), such as p190BCR–ABL and p210BCR–ABL, which are detected in the majority of cases of Ph-positive ALL and CML, respectively.1 The p190BCR–ABL isoform was previously reported to show elevated tyrosine kinase activity,2, 3 although the structural basis for increased kinase activity has not been established and kinase activity alone fails to explain the predilection of p190BCR–ABL for transformation of lymphoid cells. At the sequence level, the genetic information retained in p210BCR–ABL but not in p190BCR–ABL encodes the diffuse poorly differentiated B-cell lymphoma (DBL)-like and pleckstrin homology (PH) domains of BCR. Although earlier studies have suggested a positive role for the DBL-like domain in p210BCR−ABL-induced transformation,4 the function of the PH domain in leukemogenesis has not been studied in isolation. In this study, we used a rare, naturally occurring variant of BCR–ABL (p200BCR–ABL; Figure 1a) that retains the DBL-like, but not the PH domain to analyze the role of the PH domain in BCR–ABL-induced leukemia.
2D Captchas from 3D Models

Existing image-based Captchas (completely automated public tests to tell computers and humans apart) utilize huge, public image databases to limit access to Websites via image matching attacks. In this paper, a different image based Captcha was developed and prototyped to address the mislabeling and other shortcomings of traditional schemes, which utilize huge public image databases. A database was populated with n 3D models. Then, random rotations, distortions, translations, lighting effects and warping were applied resulting in 2D images. Those 2D images were presented to users for identification to gain access to a Website. Users are prompted to identify the object with the label provided through a menu bar. This approach creates an infinite number of 2D images from a 3D model. Therefore, it appears to be impractical for an intruder to algorithmic ally identify the resulting 2D image without resorting to random guesses
Robust lifetime measurement in large-scale P2P systems with non-stationary arrivals

Characterizing user churn has become an important topic in studying P2P networks, both in theoretical analysis and system design. Recent work [26] has shown that direct sampling of user lifetimes may lead to certain bias (arising from missed peers and round-off inconsistencies) and proposed a technique that estimates lifetimes based on sampled residuals. In this paper, however, we show that under non-stationary arrivals, which are often present in real systems, residual-based sampling does not correctly reconstruct user lifetimes and suffers a varying degree of bias, which in some cases makes estimation completely impossible. We overcome this problem using two contributions: a novel non-stationary ON/OFF churn model and an unbiased randomized residual sampling technique for measuring user lifetimes. The former allows correlation between ON/OFF periods of the same user and exhibits different join rates during the day. The latter spreads sampling points uniformly during the day and uses a novel estimator to reconstruct the underlying lifetime distribution. We finish the paper with experimental measurements of Gnutella and discussing reduction in overhead compared to direct sampling methods.
Common Problems, Different Solutions

The provision, in most industrialized democracies, of public funding for schools that differ from the state system in religion or pedagogy has the effect of encouraging philosophical diversity and school-level decision making alongside a substantial degree of curriculum alignment and with various forms of government protection for the interests of at-risk pupils. Each has found its own way to balance between autonomy and accountability, between freedom and justice; this article reflects on the particular balance point adopted by Denmark, France, and Spain.It is not often that American policymakers interest themselves in how other countries organize their educational systems. Now and then, it is true, the public is warned that American students fare poorly by comparison with those in many of the other industrialized nations, and there have been some valuable studies of classroom practices in Japan and elsewhere that could be—but seldom are—suggestive for American educators. All in all, though, American deb...
Adenovirus type 5 pseudotyped with adenovirus type 37 fiber uses sialic acid as a cellular receptor.

For purposes of gene therapy, the tropism of adenovirus (Ad) serotype 5 vectors can be altered with fibers derived from alternative serotypes. However, there is currently limited information available on the cellular receptors used by the approximately 51 known Ad serotypes. Recently, a(2!3)-linked sialic acid (2,3-SA) has been implicated as the cellular receptor for wild-type Ad37. However, some studies have demonstrated that wild-type Ad37 uses a 50-kDa protein and not sialic acid as its primary receptor for binding of human conjunctival cells. The sialic acid receptor has also been shown not to play a major role in the infection of these cells by an Ad5 virion pseudotyped with Ad37 fiber (Ad5.GFP.DF/37F). In this study, we demonstrate that a similar virus (Ad5F37) can indeed use a(2!3)-linked sialic acid as a cellular receptor. We also find that the receptor used by Ad5F37 is sensitive to proteases and that Ad5F37 can use integrin more efficiently than sialic acid for cell entry. Unlike Ad5 vectors, Ad5F37 does not efficiently employ the coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR) to infect cells. Similar to Ad5, Ad5F37 infection of cells that form tight junctions can be enhanced by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). These results have implications in the design of pseudotyped adenovirus vectors for gene therapy and may have particular use in the treatment of diseases involving breakdown of the blood–retinal barrier.
Application of fuzzy logic to multiple criteria decision making in aquacultural planning

The field of regional planning is characterized by the large number of issues and attributes involved, and regional planning for aquaculture development is no exception. Moreover, aquacultural plans do not have clearly defined objectives and require information that, if exist, is often imprecise and uncertain.This paper applies fuzzy set theory to multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) in aquaculture planning. In effect, the paper demonstrates how fuzzy set theory can be used to explicitly account for the inherent uncertainty encountered when planning for aquaculture development in a given region. A case study for regional aquaculture planning in Northern Egypt demonstrates the proposed fuzzy MCDM framework.
Magnetic field dependence of solvent proton relaxation induced by Gd3+ and Mn2+ complexes

The effect of solute paramagnetic ions on the longitudinal magnetic relaxation rate 1/T1 of solvent water protons depends on magnetic field strength and on the chemical environment of the ions. The variation of 1/T1 with field has been measured for solutions of Gd3+ and Mn2+ ions in three grossly different environments near physiological pH: the hydrated aquoion; chelated by EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid); and bound to the protein concanavalin A. It is demonstrated that over the field range at which NMR imaging is currently being done, the chemical environment can alter 1/T1 of solvent protons by more than an order of magnitude. The relevance of these results to the potential utility of these ions as agents for enhancement of contrast in NMR images is discussed.
A Hill-type Model Of The Urinary Bladder

To investigate the mechanical from Bladder Wall properties of the urinary bladder, we have created a Hill-type model of strips from the bladder wall and incorporated it into an isotropic homogeneous sphere model of the entire bladder. Experimentally determined material properties of the bladder wall can be related via our model to mechanics of the whole bladder. The mechanics of the passive bladder wall alone can account for the pressure-volume behavior at low volumes. At high volumes, pressures exceed those predicted for a passive detrusor muscle. This model can be used to compare the mechanical responses of normal bladders to pathological ones. We plan to simulate overdistension and distinguish between the passive mechanical component and the neurallymediated component. Active Elemen
Hall-Type Results for 3-Connected Projective Graphs

Projective planar graphs can be characterized by a set of 35 excluded minors. However, these 35 are not equally important. A set of 3-connected members of is excludable if there are only finitely many 3-connected nonprojective planar graphs that do not contain any graph in as a minor. In this article, we show that there are precisely two minimal excludable sets, which have sizes 19 and 20, respectively.
Finding the Strength to Surrender: Marriage, Market Theocracy and the Spirit of America

In the contemporary US, a configuration of market theocracy has melded together laissezfaire economics and right-wing religious conservatism, in spite of the many differences among the groups involved; it is a configuration that remains powerful even as it is increasingly fractured. Market theocracy draws on the mechanism of literalism, not the literal reading of texts but a concept of realism based on a belief in a common-sense version of unmediated natural law. Literalism filters meaning through two concepts long available in American culture: spirit and surrender. Analyzing this configuration requires an analysis of a double structure: a highly complex deployment of strategic vagueness, joined to claims of simple clarity, and wrapped in passionate, emotional intensity. It is the most valuable prize in mass-mediated US politics. This article traces literalism by way of the concepts of ‘surrender’ and ‘spirit’ in three secular discourses: a best-selling marriage self-help book for women; marketing texts ...
Role of ions in a crossed-field diode II: Monte Carlo collisions

Summary form only given: The effect of ions in a magnetically insulated crossed-field gap is studied using a particle-in-cell simulation with Monte Carlo collisions (MCC). (Code available through the PTSG at UC Berkeley.) These results are compared with the predictions from single particle orbit, shear flow models and previous particle-in-cell simulations in which the ions were modeled as a sheet of charge fixed at different positions within the gap. The results of this experiment indicate that the diode loses insulation much more rapidly than shown in the immobile ion sheet model. The reasons for this increased rate of electron migration toward the anode are that the ions in this simulation are mobile and that the effects of MCC are being taken into account. Thus, ambipolar transport plays a role in the migration as does the fact that ions are being created throughout the gap by collisions. The implications of these findings, as suggested in previous work, are that of pulse shortening in relativistic magnetrons and bipolar flows in pulsed power systems.