cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructure of the circuit providing, input to the crayfish lateral giant neurons

Labeled or otherwise identified neurons of the crayfish lateral giant escape reaction circuit were examined electron microscopically and the findings compared to expectations from physiology. Terminals of primary afferents contained clear, approximately 45 nm, irregularly round synaptic vesicles, while sensory interneuron terminals had slightly larger, 50 nm, more strictly round vesicles, permitting tentative classification based on anatomical criteria. Excitatory synapses on the lateral giants, believed from physiology to be electrical, generally had some gap junctions, but these were almost invariably paralleled by more prominent chemical junctional regions of unknown function. There may also be a class of interneurons making purely chemical synapses on the lateral giants. Synapses from primary afferents to sensory interneurons, believed from physiology to be cholinergic, had purely chemical morphology. Synapses with narrow elongated vesicles, similar to GABAergic vesicles seen in other neurons, frequently occurred on terminals of primary afferents. These synapses provide a basis for known presynaptic inhibition of afferent input. Consistent with physiology, such inhibitors sometimes also contacted the postsynaptic targets of the primary afferents and sometimes received input from other primary afferents. Afferent terminals also received some input from profiles rich in large dense cored vesicles. Presumptive inhibitory input found on proximal dendrites of lateral giants provides a basis for known recurrent inhibition. However, similar inhibitory synapses that sometimes received local input from excitors of the lateral giants were also found distally mixed with excitatory inputs. These provide a basis for recently discovered distal inhibitory input following excitation and for tonic inhibition.
Brain disorders—Scientific facts, media, and public perception

(1997). Brain disorders—Scientific facts, media, and public perception. Accountability in Research: Vol. 5, No. 1-3, pp. 161-174.
Aggregation of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in vitro involves a conformationally altered monomeric state

Aggregation of partially folded intermediates populated during protein folding processes has been described for many proteins. Likewise, partially unfolded chains, generated by perturbation of numerous proteins by heat or chemical denaturants, have also been shown to aggregate readily. However, the process of protein aggregation from native-state conditions is less well understood. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), a member of the four-helix bundle class of cytokines, is a therapeutically relevant protein involved in stimulating the growth and maturation of phagocytotic white blood cells. Under native-like conditions (37 degrees C [pH 7.0]), G-CSF shows a significant propensity to aggregate. Our data suggest that under these conditions, native G-CSF exists in equilibrium with an altered conformation, which is highly aggregation prone. This species is enriched in 1-2 M GdmCl, as determined by tryptophan fluorescence and increased aggregation kinetics. In particular, specific changes in Trp58 fluorescence report a local rearrangement in the large loop region between helices A and B. However, circular dichroism, reactivity toward cyanylation, and ANS binding demonstrate that this conformational change is subtle, having no substantial disruption of secondary and tertiary structure, reactivity of the free sulfhydryl at Cys17 or exposure of buried hydrophobic regions. There is no indication that this altered conformation is important to biological activity, making it an attractive target for rational protein stabilization.
Logistic Regression Multivariate Life Tables: A Communicable Approach

The use of logistic regression to estimate a discrete-time hazard model is discussed. The derivation of linkage between the results of the estimation of the logistic regression equations and the summary measures of the life table is presented. We argue that the method is responsive to the needs of a variety of researchers, requires few assumptions, and is straightforward to implement. An example is presented where the determinants of the timing of entry into motherhood in eight Asian countries is analyzed.
Laser-initiated NO reduction by NH3: Total rate constant and product branching ratio measurements for the NH2 + NO reaction

The total rate constant for the NH2 + NO reaction has been measured in the temperature range 305−1037 K using a laser photolysis mass spectrometric technique by probing the rates of H2O formation and NO decay. A weighted least-squares analysis of our data gives the following total rate constant expression: kt = 8.29 × 1013T-0.57 exp(300/T) cm3/(mol s). The branching ratios for the two product channels of the NH2 + NO reaction, N2H + OH (α) and N2 + H2O (β), have also been measured in the temperature range 300−1200 K by detecting CO2 (formed by the reaction of OH as the added CO) and NO for α and H2O for β. The value of α was found to increase gradually from 0.1 at 300 K to 0.28 at 1000 K, with a concomitant decrease in β from 0.9 at 300 K to 0.72 at 1000 K. At temperatures between 1000 and 1200 K, α rapidly increases to 0.47 according to the result of our modeling of observed NO decay rates. The drastic upturn in the value of α above 1000 K confirms the results of our recent study of the NH3 + NO reactio...
Study of the Surface of Ice, Ice/Solid and Ice/Liquid Interfaces with Scanning Force Microscopy

Contact mode of scanning force microscopy (SFM) and force curves (FC) were used to study the morphology of ice surface in air and in liquid decane and the structure and some physical properties of the interfaces between ice and Si and Si3N4 cantilever tips in the temperature range from −0.4 to −20 °C. Evidence for a liquid-like layer on the ice surface came from observation of capillary forces that act on cantilever tips. Intensive mass transport along the ice surface was found at T ≥ −14 °C. The FCs were used to determine the adhesion strength of ice to Si and Si3N4 cantilever tips, the corresponding interfacial energies, the thickness of a liquid-like layer, and the density of an electric charge acquired by the tips from the ice surface.
Molecular distributions in polycondensations involving unlike reactants. I. Gelation

A general criterion for gelation in polycondensations having like groups of unequal reactivity has been formulated. In its simplest form, the criterion is that, for gelation, the expectation that a given structure will be propagated is unity, or greater. Several specific cases are treated, and literal expressions relating the gelation point to the reaction probabilities are derived. Included are treatments of systems involving anhydrides and mixtures of acids and glycols. The manner in which kinetic calculations may be used to determine reaction probabilities is summarized. It is found that the inclusion of unsymmetrical reactants significantly increases the degree of polymerization necessary for gelation. However, when anhydrides are used, depending on the relative reaction rates of the anhydride and the acid formed when the anhydride reacts, the degree of reaction necessary for gelation may be either greater or less than that for a similar system using only symmetrical reactants.
PLED - A new chelating ligand for the treatment of β-thalassemia

Abstract The structure of EDTA has been modified by replacing two acetate groups with o-hydroxybenzyl groups, producing N,N′-bis-o-hydroxybenzylethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetric acid (HBED) [1] which has a very high affinity for the Fe(III) ion. Previously, an analogous ligand, ethylenebis-o-hydroxybenzylglycine (EHPG) had also been reported to have high selectivity for Fe(III) [2]. This paper describes a new ligand analogous to HBED, with pyridine rings derived from vitamin B6. This ligand, N,N′-dipy-ridoxylethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid, PLED 1, has lower pK's than do HBED and EHPG. The corresponding protonation constant of these three ligands and of EDTA, are presented in Table I. The stability constants of the chelates of PLED with Fe3+ and Ga3+ are considerably lower than those of HBED and EHPG, and lower than expected on the basis of ligand basicity perhaps because of the steric factors arising from the substituents on the pyridoxyl rings. The much higher stability of the Cu(II) chelate relative to those of EHPG and HBED was unexpected, but the lower coordination requirement of Cu(II) would probably tend to minimize steric repulsions. PLED, HBED, and EHPG, and their esters have proved to be effective in test animals for the removal of iron overload [4]. thus demonstrating the effectiveness of aromatic hydroxyl groups in the design of chelating agents having specificity for Fe(III). The lower stability constant of PLED for Fe(III) is partially compensated for by lower basicity of its donor groups, thus increasing its relative effectiveness at physiological pH. The application of this ligand to the treatment of β-thalassemia is made somewhat attractive by the relatively low toxicity of the pyridoxyl rings t001 . Protonation Constants and Stability Constants of N,N - Dipyrydoxylethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic Acid (PLED) and Related Ligands. Equilibrium Quotient PLED HBED [1] EHPG [2] EDTA [3] [HL]/[L] [H] 11.08 12.46 11.68 10.17 [H2L]/[HL][H] 9.95 11.00 10.24 6.11 [H3L]/[H2L][H] 8.57 8.32 8.64 2.68 [H4L]/[H3L][H] 6.26 4.64 6.32 1.95 [CuL]/[Cu][L] 26.48 21.38 23.94 18.70 [FeL]/[Fe][L] 29.80 39.57 33.9 25.0 [GaL]/[Ga][L] 30.45 39.57 33.6 21.0
Hydrocortisone stimulation of RNA synthesis in induction of hepatic enzymes

Increased synthesis of hepatic enzymes due to hydrocortisone is preceded by an increase in the rate of synthesis of nuclear RNA. Pulse-labeled RNA from liver nuclei was fractionated by a differential thermal phenol procedure, and the labeled RNA of each fraction was characterized by sucrose gradient centrifugation and base composition analysis. Hormone treatment increases the rate of synthesis of three types of RNA: (1) the nuclear precursor to ribosomal RNA, (2) a rapid turnover component with base composition similar to the tissue DNA, and (3) transfer RNA. Much of the total isotope incorporation into transfer RNA can be traced to turnover of the terminal adenylate residue, but this type of labeling is insensitive to the hormone. The steroid also stimulates isotope incorporation into tissue precursor pools. This effect is abolished by actinomycin and thus is secondary to the hormonal stimulation of RNA synthesis. Growth hormone stimulates RNA synthesis in both intact and adrenalectomized rats, but induces the rapid turnover enzymes (tyrosine transaminase and tryptophan pyrrolase) only in the presence of functional adrenals. It therefore seems that glucocorticoids initiate both a generalized increase in synthesis of RNA and a selective induction of specific enzymes.
Computer-based reading and writing across the curriculum: Two case studies of L2 writers

Abstract Since the early 1980s, second language (L2) writing specialists have been examining possible roles for computers in L2 writing instruction. How, and to what extent, L2 students use computer for academic literacy purposes beyond the writing classroom, that is, across the curriculum, has not received much attention. Because a common goal of L2 college level writing courses is to prepare students to write in these other domains, an awareness of computer-based literacy activities in non-L2 writing courses is essential to the cause of helping L2 writing instructors connect what students learn in their courses to how they write (and read) in other courses. This paper describes research aimed at contributing to such awareness: a qualitative study of the computer-based reading and writing activity of two undergraduate English as a Second Language (ESL) students beyond ESL writing courses.
A Bonding-Wire Failure Mode in Plastic Encapsulated Integrated Circuits

Dual-in-line plastic packages (DIPs) from several different suppliers have been found to have open or intermittent open leads after routine thermal cycling tests. The failure mode has been duplicatated in the laboratory by placing gold bonding wires under tensile stress at different temperatures for varying times. Confirtuation of the tensile failure mode has led to the conclusion that to avoid tensile. failures, the plastic and the molding process used for DIPs must be such that the wire is kept under compressive stress over the entire working temperature range of the circuit.
A Fast, Electro-Optical, Hot-Gas Pyrometer

The theory, development, and design features of a fast, electro-optical pyrometer are given. This pyrometer, whose response can be made very rapid, will continuously indicate the temperature of hot gases that are either naturally luminous or are made luminous at particular wavelengths. A discussion is given of the optical design features to be considered in this and other similar instruments and of the equality of the defined terms, emissivity, and absorptivity.
Model reference adaptive control with an augmented error signal

It is shown how globally stable model reference adaptive control systems may be designed when one has access to only the plant's input and output signals. Controllers for single input-single output, nonlinear, nonautonomous plants are developed based on Lyapunov's direct method and the Meyer-Kalman-Yacubovich lemma. Derivatives of the plant output are not required, but are replaced by filtered derivative signals. An augmented error signal replaces the error normally used, which is defined as the difference between the model and plant outputs. However, global stability is assured in the sense that the normally used error signal approaches zero asymptotically.
Carotid Artery Occlusive Disease

Carotid disease is a major contributor to stroke, one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Clinically significant stenosis can be detected by duplex ultrasound using well-established criteria. In addition to optimal medical management, surgical and endovascular revascularizations of carotid disease have been demonstrated to be effective interventions that reduce the risk of stroke in properly selected patients.
Comment on the relation between the nonadiabatic coupling and the complex intersection of potential energy curves

Simple relations are discussed that provide a correspondence between the complex intersection of two potential surfaces and the nonadiabatic coupling matrix element between those surfaces. These are key quantities in semiclassical and quantum mechanical theories of collision induced electronic transitions. Within the two state approximation, the complex intersection is shown to be directly related to the location and magnitude of the peak in the nonadiabatic coupling. Two cases are considered: the avoided crossing between two potential surfaces; and the spin orbit interaction due to a P-2 halogen atom. Comparisons are made between the results of the two-state model and the results of ab initio quantum chemical calculations.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Clozapine

The introduction of clozapine has given clinicians a unique agent for treating patients with schizophrenia that is refractory to other neuroleptics. Despite its efficacy, the drug continues to be prescribed with trepidation due to the incidence of agranulocytosis. This article reviews the pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties of clozapine and the clinical implications for monitoring plasma concentrations. Various assays have been developed for clozapine that include gas-liquid chromatography, radioimmunoassay and high performance liquid chromatography. Only a few studies have examined the pharmacokinetics of clozapine in patients with schizophrenia. These studies have revealed a wide interpatient variability in pharmacokinetic parameters that include: time to reach peak plasma concentrations 1.1 to 3.6h; elimination half-life 9.1 to 17.4h; clearance 8.7 to 53.3 L/h; and a volume of distribution of 1.6 to 7.3 L/kg. Clozapine is metabolised via the hepatic microsomal enzyme system into 2 principle metabolites: demethyl-clozapine and clozapine N-oxide. Urine samples have reported the ratio of clozapine:demethyl:N-oxide to be 1:1:2. The clozapine N-oxide binding affinity with 3H-haloperidol was 4 times lower than clozapine and its conversion back to clozapine is hypothesised. Although the exact pharmacological mechanism of action of clozapine is not fully understood, the drug does possess significant binding affinity for different dopamine receptors, with recent evidence supporting binding to the D4 receptor subtype. Clozapine transiently increases serum prolactin levels with minimal changes in homovanillic acid plasma levels. Limited studies investigating the relationship between clinical response and plasma clozapine concentrations have investigated the range between 100 and 800 micrograms/L. In the treatment of patients with refractory schizophrenia, a minimum concentration of 350 micrograms/L was suggested as needed. The occurrence of agranulocytosis could have a genetic basis and patients should be rigorously monitored during treatment. The incidence of tardive dyskinesia and extrapyramidal side effects is minimal. Clozapine can lower the seizure threshold in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Careful patient selection and monitoring are required when clozapine therapy is used in patients with schizophrenia.
Heterogeneity of vertebrate brain tubulins

Abstract We have examined the extent of brain tubulin heterogeneity in six vertebrate species commonly used in tubulin research (rat, calf, pig, chicken, human, and lamb) using isoelectric focusing, two-dimensional electrophoresis, and peptide mapping procedures that provide higher resolution than previously available. The extent of heterogeneity is extremely similar in all of these organisms, as judged by number, range of isoelectric points, and distribution of the isotubulins. A minimum of 6 alpha and 12 beta tubulins was resolved from all sources. Even the pattern of spots on two-dimensional peptide maps is remarkably similar. These similarities suggest that the populations of tubulin in all of these brains should have similar overall physical properties. It is particularly interesting that chicken, which has only four or five beta-tubulin genes, contains approximately 12 beta tubulins. Thus, post-translational modification must generate at least some of the tubulin heterogeneity. Mammalian species, which contain 15-20 tubulin DNA sequences, do not show any more tubulin protein heterogeneity than does chicken. This suggests that expression of only a small number of the mammalian genes may be required to generate the observed tubulin heterogeneity.
An evolutionary computation approach to predicting output voltage from fuel utilization in SOFC stacks

Modeling of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack-based systems is a powerful approach that can provide useful insights into the nonlinear dynamics of the system without the need for formulating complicated systems of equations describing the electrochemical and thermal properties. This paper presents an efficient genetic programming approach for modeling and simulation of SOFC output voltage versus fuel utilization behavior. This method is shown to outperform the state-of-the-art radial basis function neural network approach for SOFC modeling.
Behavioral response of larval Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus (Latrobe) and spot Leiostomus xanthurus (Lacépède) to rates of salinity change

Abstract Larval Atlantic menhaden [Brevoortia tyrannus (Latrobe)] and spot [Leiostomus xanthurus) (Lacepede)] are transported from the western Gulf Stream edge to bays and estuaries of the southeastern United States. Direction of water flow on the continental shelf varies with depth, allowing the potential for enhancement of shoreward transport by behavioral depth regulation, possibly in response to vertical salinity gradients. Salinity profiles from the North and South Carolina continental shelf were analyzed to quantify the salinity gradients in the field. Behavioral response to salinity was investigated by exposing laboratory spawned and reared menhaden and spot larvae of different ages to rates of salinity change in an experimental apparatus in the laboratory. At each rate of salinity change tested, five replicate runs were recorded each with groups of 30 to 50 larvae. Both species and age groups showed a significant ascent response upon salinity increases. Rates of increase of 0.28 and 0.13 × 10−1 ppt · min−1 with absolute salinity increases of 0.8 and 0.3 ppt were thresholds for response by young (4–13 days post-hatching) and old (2–4 wk post hatching) menhaden larvae, respectively. For spot, rates of increase of 1.15 and 0.85 × 10−1 ppt · min−1 with absolute salinity increases of 1.4 and 2.0 ppt were thresholds for response by young and old larvae, respectively. Response to decreasing salinity was absent in both species, thus decreasing salinity with depth would not cause larvae to descend. In nature, salinity gradients of sufficient magnitude for depth regulation, and possibly facilitating cross-shelf transport appear common for menhaden, but not for spot.
Hymenolepis diminuta: biochemical properties of peroxidase activity in mitochondria.

Abstract The biochemical properties of a peroxidase previously localized cytochemically in the mitochondria of Hymenolepis diminuta were determined. The method chosen was the o -dianisidine procedure in which the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide has been followed spectrophotometrically. Peroxidase activity was initially demonstrated in the mitochondrial pellet. Subsequently, mitochondrial pellets were sonicated and the membrane and supernatant fractions were tested for peroxidase activity. Enzyme activity was demonstrated in the membrane fraction. The enzyme displayed a pH optimum of 5.0, was ascorbate sensitive, and was inhibited by excess H 2 O 2 . Neither peroxidase nor catalase were observed in any other fraction of the tapeworm tissue, confirming previous cytochemical investigations.
Differentiation, contact inhibition and intercellular communication in retinal pigment cells.

Abstract Retinal pigment cells of the chick embryo were grown as clone and mass monolayer cultures. Autoradiographs showed that cells were unpigmented as long as the colonies were growing exponentially. Nondividing cells at the center of the clone became pigmented; dividing cells at the edges of the clones remained unpigmented. Unpigmented cells from clone or mass monolayer cultures were able to give rise to pigmented colonies. This suggests that these cells may inherit the ability to express a specific phenotype for many cell generations. We have studied the effect of whole embryo extract on cell morphology and cell pigmentation. In this experimental system, cell pigmentation and cell proliferation appear as two mutually exclusive phenomena. The pigmented and unpigmented cells are in a different state with respect to contact inhibition. Electrical measurement of cell (junctional) communication revealed no difference in communication for small ions between the two types of cells.
Identification and functional characterization of Polo-like kinase 2 autoregulatory sites

Polo family kinases play important roles in cellular proliferation as well as neuronal synaptic plasticity. However, the posttranslational regulation of these kinases is not fully understood. Here, we identified several novel Plk2 phosphorylation sites stimulated by Plk2 itself. By site-directed mutagenesis, we uncovered three additional hyperactivating Plk2 mutations as well as a series of residues regulating Plk2 steady-state expression level. Because of the established role of Plk2 in homeostatic negative control of excitatory synaptic strength, these phosphorylation sites could play an important role in the rapid activation, expansion, and prolongation of Plk2 signaling in this process.
Design Considerations for Double-Sided Silicon Strip Detectors Applicable to PET Imaging

One can overcome low stopping power of silicon detectors by dense stacking of multiple sensor layers. This leads to a growing number of the readout channels. In a double-sided strip geometry the number of the readout channels grows only as 2 times (size/w) compared to (size/w)2 for individual cell readout, where w is the desired spatial resolution and size accounts for the multiple layers of detectors used. We performed a simulation to determine the viability of strip detectors for PET applications. GEANT4 [Agostinelli, S, et al., 2003] was used to generate the recoil electron tracks produced by the interaction of the annihilation photons. A single layer 1 mm thick silicon detector with high resistivity bulk (n-type) was assumed (rho = 24 kOmegacm, FDV ap 140 V), with p+- and n+-strips of a 400 mum width and a pitch of 500 mum. The electric (bias set to 300 V) and weighting field in the sensor were calculated and used to track the ionized charge and form raw induced signals on the electrodes. A virtual electronics in a typical arrangement (a pre-amplifier, a leading-edge trigger on a CR-RC shaper with a shaping time of 75 ns) was used to generate the timing references from the raw signals. Assuming the high count-rates in a PET setup the ability to resolve multiple hits was tested. The timing tests showed that a timing resolution on the order of 10 ns FWHM relative to original event is realistic to expect. To collect 95% of all events, triggers from both sides should be less than 50-100 ns apart, depending on the readout scheme. The matching of the hits on both sides of the detectors based on the energies collected in each strip is very efficient; even assuming a 10 keV energy resolution, 90% of all double and 70% of triple hits can be perfectly resolved. This allows operation of the sensor at the count-rates similar to the inverse of the coincident window.
Estimates for Conformal Metric Ratios

We present uniform and pointwise estimates for various ratios of the hyperbolic, quasihyperbolic and Mobius metrics. We determine when these ratios are constant. We exhibit numerous illustrative examples.
The 39-kDa Receptor-associated Protein Modulates Lipoprotein Catabolism by Binding to LDL Receptors

The 39-kDa receptor-associated protein (RAP) is co-synthesized and co-purifies with the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP)/α2-macroglobulin receptor and is thought to modulate ligand binding to LRP. In addition to binding LRP, RAP binds two other members of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor family, gp330 and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptors. Here, we show that RAP binds to LDL receptors as well. In normal human foreskin fibroblasts, RAP inhibited LDL receptor-mediated binding and catabolism of LDL and VLDL with Sf 20-60 or 100-400. RAP inhibited 125 I-labeled LDL and Sf 100-400 lipoprotein binding at 4°C with KI values of 60 and 45 nM, respectively. The effective concentrations for 50% inhibition (EC50 ) of cellular degradation of 2.0 nM 125 I-labeled LDL, 4.7 nM 125 I-labeled Sf 20-60, and 3.6 nM 125 I-labeled Sf 100-400 particles were 40, 70, and 51 nM, respectively. Treatment of cells with lovastatin to induce LDL receptors increased cellular binding, internalization, and degradation of RAP by 2.3-, 1.7-, and 2.6-fold, respectively. In solid-phase assays, RAP bound to partially purified LDL receptors in a dose-dependent manner. The dissociation constant (KD ) of RAP binding to LDL receptors in the solid-phase assay was 250 nM, which is higher than that for LRP, gp330, or VLDL receptors in similar assays by a factor of 14 to 350. Also, RAP inhibited 125 I-labeled LDL and Sf 100-400 VLDL binding to LDL receptors in solid-phase assays with KI values of 140 and 130 nM, respectively. Because LDL bind via apolipoprotein (apo) B100 whereas VLDL bind via apoE, our results show that RAP inhibits LDL receptor interactions with both apoB100 and apoE. These studies establish that RAP is capable of binding to LDL receptors and modulating cellular catabolism of LDL and VLDL by this pathway.
Solvent Evaporation Assisted Preparation of Oriented Nanocrystalline Mesoporous MFI Zeolites

A solvent evaporation route to produce hierarchically porous zeolites with an oriented MFI nanocrystalline structure has been developed, and the method is scalable and low cost. In this method, hexadecyltrimethoxysilane is added to an ethanol solution containing zeolitic precursors. A dry gel is formed during the evaporation process. Subsequent hydrothermal treatments produce the hierarchically porous zeolite. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) studies suggest that misoriented zeolite nuclei are produced in the early stages of the hydrothermal treatment, but further reactions lead to single crystal-like aggregates composed of intergrowth nanocrystals with a mean interparticle pore diameter of 12 nm. Almost all Al atoms exist in tetrahedral sites, as confirmed by 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR). Variable temperature hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe NMR spectroscopy suggests a fast molecular diffusion process from the interconnection between micro- and mesopores...
Transcriptional regulation of a seed-specific carrot gene, DC8.

Many late embryogenesis abundant (Lea) protein genes in plants are regulated by abscisic acid (ABA). The RNA level of a carrot gene, DC8, increases in response to ABA in developing seeds. However, DC8 cannot be induced by ABA in adult tissues. We used chimeric genes made of various DC8 promoter fragments fused to β-glucuronidase (GUS) to analyze the transcriptional regulation of DC8. DC8:GUS expression was measured in electroporated carrot protoplasts and in stably transformed carrots. The region of the DC8 promoter from −170 to −51 contained ABA-responsive sequences that required a 5′ upstream region for high levels of expression in embryogenic callus protoplasts. 505 bp of the DC8 promoter conferred GUS expression in stably transformed somatic and zygotic embryos. DC8:GUS was expressed only in tissues formed in the seed. This includes cells in the embryo, the endosperm and the germinating seedlings. Gel retardation and competition experiments were performed to analyze the embryo nuclear protein-DNA binding activities in vitro. No binding activity was detected on the putative ABA-responsive region; however the 5′ upstream regions located between -505 and -301 interacted with embryo nuclear factors. An additional site of DNA-protein interaction was located between positions -32 and +178. The nuclear proteins that bind these sequences were found in the embryo nuclei only, not in the nuclei from leaves or roots.
Embryogenesis and the production of males by apterous viviparae of the green peach aphid Myzus persicae in relation to photoperiod

Abstract Apterous viviparae of a holocyclic strain of Myzus persicae were given various numbers of prenatal and postnatal exposures to male-inducing, long-night scotophases (15 hr darkness per diem ). The sex of the embryos in various positions within their ovarioles was determined from chromosome preparations and correlated with the sequence with which female and male larvae were deposited. An abnormal follicle was found frequently between the female and male embryos in the ovarioles of aphids raised under long nights. Apterous viviparae exposed to long nights from birth or earlier usually produced several females and then switched over to exclusive male production. The more prenatal exposures to long nights given to the aphids, the fewer females were deposited by them and the earlier they started to produce males. When apterae were continuously exposed to long nights from 2 days or more before their birth, some, and occasionally all, their ovarioles were solely androparous. In general, male-producing apterae deposited considerably fewer larvae (female as well as male) than apterae that produced females exclusively. The 1–2 day pause in larviposition that typically occurs between the deposition of the female and male larvae was attributed to a slower rate of development of the male embryos. The results are discussed in relation to the hormonal changes that may be induced by the photoperiodic treatments.
CO-EXISTING ACOUSTIC-ROTATIONAL DISTURBANCES IN A COLDFLOW MODEL OF A SOLID ROCKET MOTOR

Analytical and numerical modeling methods are used to predict the transient flow dynamics generated by time-dependen t boundary conditions in a solid rocket motor chamber model. Nonaxisymmetric, time-dependent boundary forcing on a sidewall of the cylinder, which emulates unsteady propellant gasification, is used to establish asymmetric, three-dimensional flow in a model chamber. An asymptotic analysis is used to reduce the full NavierStokes equations to a simpler set of equations, which describe the acoustic processes and the vorticity in the cylinder. The results show that the presence of a non-axisymmetric time-dependent boundary condition drives planar axial acoustics waves and a nonaxisymmetric flow response throughout the chamber. The interaction of the axial planar acoustic waves with the injected fluid produces vorticity along the sidewall of the cylinder of magnitude O(M~l). Finally, a set of rotational equations are derived to described the effect of viscosity. I Introduction
A power-performance scalable FPGA using configurable voltage domains and a design mapping tool

Power scaling in FPGA can be enabled with support for distributed configurable voltage domains and block-level control. Each configurable logic block (CLB) represents a unique power domain tile on the chip. Each tile can be configured independently to operate at high VDD, low VDD, or disabled. In this work, a customized design flow to support multiple on-chip voltage domains leverages existing commercial tools Astro and standard cell library enhanced with a few additional cells for power management. In this paper, the authors developed a power-aware place and route-tool to determine which non-critical paths can run at reduced voltage and to configure the various domains of the array accordingly. By introducing fine-grain hardware controls, power-aware FPGA forms the basis for a platform that allows for effective in-system energy delay tradeoffs for energy-constrained applications such as handheld wireless systems.
Performance potential of optimization phase selection during dynamic JIT compilation

Phase selection is the process of customizing the applied set of compiler optimization phases for individual functions or programs to improve performance of generated code. Researchers have recently developed novel feature-vector based heuristic techniques to perform phase selection during online JIT compilation. While these heuristics improve program startup speed, steady-state performance was not seen to benefit over the default fixed single sequence baseline. Unfortunately, it is still not conclusively known whether this lack of steady-state performance gain is due to a failure of existing online phase selection heuristics, or because there is, indeed, little or no speedup to be gained by phase selection in online JIT environments. The goal of this work is to resolve this question, while examining the phase selection related behavior of optimizations, and assessing and improving the effectiveness of existing heuristic solutions.We conduct experiments to find and understand the potency of the factors that can cause the phase selection problem in JIT compilers. Next, using long-running genetic algorithms we determine that program-wide and method-specific phase selection in the HotSpot JIT compiler can produce ideal steady-state performance gains of up to 15% (4.3% average) and 44% (6.2% average) respectively. We also find that existing state-of-the-art heuristic solutions are unable to realize these performance gains (in our experimental setup), discuss possible causes, and show that exploiting knowledge of optimization phase behavior can help improve such heuristic solutions. Our work develops a robust open-source production-quality framework using the HotSpot JVM to further explore this problem in the future.
Innovation in patient-centered care: lessons from a qualitative study of innovative health care organizations in Washington State

Growing interest in the promise of patient-centered care has led to numerous health care innovations, including the patient-centered medical home, shared decision-making, and payment reforms. How best to vet and adopt innovations is an open question. Washington State has been a leader in health care reform and is a rich laboratory for patient-centered innovations. We sought to understand the process of patient-centered care innovation undertaken by innovative health care organizations – from strategic planning to goal selection to implementation to maintenance. We conducted key-informant interviews with executives at five health plans, five provider organizations, and ten primary care clinics in Washington State. At least two readers of each interview transcript identified themes inductively; final themes were determined by consensus. Innovation in patient-centered care was a strategic objective chosen by nearly every organization in this study. However, other goals were paramount: cost containment, quality improvement, and organization survival. Organizations commonly perceived effective chronic disease management and integrated health information technology as key elements for successful patient-centered care innovation. Inertia, resource deficits, fee-for-service payment, and regulatory limits on scope of practice were cited as barriers to innovation, while organization leadership, human capital, and adaptive culture facilitated innovation. Patient-centered care innovations reflected organizational perspectives: health plans emphasized cost-effectiveness while providers emphasized health care delivery processes. Health plans and providers shared many objectives, yet the two rarely collaborated to achieve them. The process of innovation is heavily dependent on organizational culture and leadership. Policymakers can improve the pace and quality of patient-centered innovation by setting targets and addressing conditions for innovation.
Effect of Laser Sintering on Ti–ZrB2 Mixtures

Multilayer structures of ZrB2 containing 30–70 wt% Ti were fabricated using a laser sintering/melting technique. Ti acted as the binding interface for the hard ZrB2 particles. Structural properties and oxidation behavior of laser-sintered samples were studied using high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD). HTXRD revealed the formation of boride solid solutions (Zr0.61Ti0.39B2, Zr0.2Ti0.8B2), Zr0.3Ti0.7 and TiB whiskers as well as several oxide species (Ti2ZrO and ZrOx) during laser sintering process. Laser-sintered Ti–ZrB2 mixtures had high relative densities (>92%) and hardness values (up to 11.4 GPa). The reactions enhanced dissolution of ZrB2 into Ti, governing the final compositions of the mixtures and facilitating the production of high-density boride solid solutions.
A method for generating uniform size-segregated pyrite particle fractions

Standardized sample preparation techniques allow comparison of pyrite dissolution experiments under diverse conditions. Our objective was to assess dry and wet sieving preparation methodologies, and to develop a reproducible technique that yields uniformly size-distributed material within a limited size range of interest. Here, we describe a wet sieving preparation method that successfully concentrates pyrite particles within a 44–75 μm diameter range. In addition, this technique does not require a post-processing cleanup step to remove adhering particles, as those particles are removed during the procedure. We show that sample preparation methods not only affect the pyrite size distribution, but also apparent dissolution rates. The presented methodology is non-destructive to the sample, uses readily available chemical equipment within the laboratory, and could be applied to minerals other than pyrite.
American History in Comparative Perspective

Comparative history is as old as Herodotus, but only in the past quartercentury has it come into its own as an academic discipline. Yet historians, scholars of American history in particular, have generally fallen behind their colleagues in the other social sciences in developing and applying comparative methodology or models which could illuminate their teaching or open new vistas in their research. As a result, teaching and scholarship in United States history tend to be characterized by parochialism, ethnocentricity and an emphasis upon American uniqueness or “ exceptionalism.” Political scientists, sociologists and economists have increasingly studied the process of development and modernization since the end of World War II, doing more to stimulate comparative studies than all of their predecessors during the past century. While many of these social scientists have demonstrated only a superficial knowledge of history, leading them often to deal statically with the societies they are studying, some of them have at least made the effort, avoided by most American historians, to apply the comparative method to American history.
The effects of psychological distance on abstraction: Two meta-analyses

Psychological distance and abstraction both represent key variables of considerable interest to researchers across cognitive, social, and developmental psychology. Moreover, largely inspired by construal level theory, numerous experiments across multiple fields have now connected these 2 constructs, examining how psychological distance affects the level of abstraction at which people mentally represent the world around them. The time is clearly ripe for a quantitative synthesis to shed light on the relation between these constructs and investigate potential moderators. To this end, we conducted 2 meta-analyses of research examining the effects of psychological distance on abstraction and its downstream consequences. Across 106 papers containing a total of 267 experiments, our results showed a reliable and medium-sized effect of psychological distance on both level of abstraction in mental representation and the downstream consequences of abstraction. Importantly, these effects replicate across time, researchers, and settings. Our analyses also identified several key moderators, including the size of the difference in distance between 2 levels of a temporal distance manipulation and the dependent variable's capacity to tap processing of both abstract and concrete features (rather than only one or the other). We discuss theoretical and methodological implications, and highlight promising avenues for future research.
High-energy scattering amplitudes of Yang-Mills theories in generalized leading-term approximation and eikonal formulas

In this paper, we study the apparent discrepancy between Feynman diagrams and the eikonal formulas, and the apparent paradox between the eikonal formulas and the $s\ensuremath{-}u$ crossing symmetry. We analyze the generalized leadingterm approximation (GLA), which generates the terms of the eikonal formulas from Feynman diagrams. This analysis is done through using the techniques of decomposing diagrammatically the isospin factors (or group-theoretical weights in general) of Feynman diagrams. As a result, we modify the GLA into a generalized complex leading-term approximation. We calculate, with this new formalism, the high-energy limit ($s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ with $t$ fixed) of the vector-meson-vector-meson elastic amplitude of a Yang-Mills theory with SU(2) symmetry through tenth perturbative order. With this new method, we resolve the apparent discrepancy and paradox mentioned above. This method is generalizable to other non-Abelian gauge theories.
Neuropsychological Test Performances of Young Depressed Outpatient Women: An Examination of Executive Functions

Thirty young, unmedicated, outpatient, depressed women were compared to an equal number of matching controls on a series of neuropsychological tests purported to be sensitive to the executive functions. Specifically, the measures included the Design Fluency Test, Hand Dynamometer tasks of grip strength, perseveration, and fatigue, the FAS Verbal Fluency Test, the Stroop Color and Word Test, and the Trail Making Test (Parts A and B). Despite past research which has indicated anterior hemispheric asymmetries and impaired neurocognitive performances in depressives, this research failed to identify any reliable differences between depressed and nondepressed women on any of the neuropsychological measures. These results argue against the frequently held stereotype that depressed individuals typically display impaired performances on neurocognitive tasks. Furthermore, since the profile of the depressed sample appeared to differ significantly from past studies, a discussion is provided as to how the characteristics of this group may have impacted the results. Implications of these findings for clinical practice and future research are also provided.
Formative Research on an Early Stage of the Systemic Change Process in a Small School District.

This study utilised a qualitative research methodology known as formative research to improve the process guidelines that are described in the Guidance System for Transforming Education (GSTE). This study took place in a small (5447 students), partly urban and partly rural school district in Indiana. The researchers, also serving as change facilitators, investigated an early stage of the systemic change process as outlined in the GSTE. Specifically, the research focused on field-testing and improving the process for assessing the district's readiness for change. It was found that this process could have been improved if the facilitators had had more guidance to help them develop the interview protocols.
Pathways of psychosocial factors, stress, and health outcomes after liver transplantation

The impact of stress and individual factors on health outcomes in general medicine and transplantation are well documented. Few researchers have investigated the complex relationships between these constructs. This longitudinal study assessed coping style, self-regulatory ability, hostility, and social support at baseline among a cohort of 130 adult liver transplant recipients at the Starzl Transplant Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and followed those subjects with interview and medical records data about personal and transplant-related stress, physical and mental health outcomes throughout the first post-transplant year. Results show a number of strong bidirectional relationships between coping style, self-regulatory ability, hostility, the caregiver relationship and family environment, personal and transplant-related stress over the second half of the first post-transplant year, and health (especially mental) outcomes at 12 months post-transplant. Stress mediates the relationship between psychosocial factors and mental health outcomes. The importance of those relationships to researchers and clinicians is discussed.
Light microscopic hair abnormalities in children: retrospective review of 119 cases in a 10-year period.

ABSTRACT Abnormalities in the hair can be congenital or acquired conditions. Examples of genetic disorders with associated hair abnormalities include Menkes syndrome, Netherton syndrome, uncombable hair syndrome, trichothiodystrophy, and loose anagen hair syndrome. Acquired hair abnormalities can be associated with grooming or use of various hair products. There are many patterns of hair abnormalities that can be readily identified under a light microscope. We performed a retrospective review of 129 hair mount samples from 119 patients submitted to the pathology department for microscopic examination over a 10-year span (from January 2002 to December 2011). Of the 119 patients, 63 (53%) had morphologic changes in the hair samples. Thirty-seven patients (31%) showed morphologic changes compatible with specific diagnoses of various genetic conditions, including 25 cases of loose anagen hair syndrome, 6 cases of uncombable hair syndrome, 2 cases of Netherton syndrome, 3 cases of Menkes syndrome, and 1 case o...
The Role of Risk and Protective Factors in Substance Use across Adolescence

Purpose To compare the relative influence of risk and protective factors across several domains on adolescent substance use in a large sample of youth.