cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does maternal size affect red king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus, embryo and larval quality?

Stock assessment of Alaskan red king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus (Tilesius, 1815), can be improved by incorporating reproductive output, which requires an understanding of maternal size effects on embryo and larval quality. In June 2009 and 2010, we collected clutches of recently extruded red king crab embryos in Bristol Bay, Alaska, to assess embryo quality based on dry weight, carbon and nitrogen content. To assess larval quality, we collected ovigerous females from Bristol Bay in 2007 and reared them in the laboratory until larval hatching in 2008. Larval quality based on dry weight, carbon and nitrogen content, and times to 50% mortality under starvation conditions were assessed. All samples were collected in years that were colder than the 15-year average in the eastern Bering Sea. Among the measures of embryo quality, only nitrogen content was significantly different, increasing with maternal size. Carbon and nitrogen content were significantly higher for embryos in 2009 than in 2010, suggesting inter-annual differences in maternal investment. No effect of maternal size with larval quality was found. Our results indicate that maternal size does not have a biologically significant effect on embryo and larval quality in colder-than-average years, and therefore maternal size effects on embryo and larval quality does not need to be explicitly incorporated into reproductive output estimates in stock assessments under these conditions. We are, however, cautious to extrapolate our results to years with different environmental conditions. Further study is needed to fully resolve the possible interaction of environment with maternal size effects on embryo and larval quality for red king crab.
Effects of Brand, Price, and Risk on Customers' Value Perceptions and Behavioral Intentions in the Restaurant Industry

ABSTRACT This study reexamines the antecedents and consequences of the value-formation process by simultaneously considering pre- and post-purchase decisions in the restaurant management context. The model in this study integrates brand, price, and risk effects on customer value formation. Variety-seeking behavior in restaurant patronization is also considered to better understand customers' behavioral intentions. Results showed that these variables impacted perceived value and compared value in different ways for pre- and post-purchase decisions. Discussions include the role of each variable in the value process. Managerial implications are addressed and directions for future research are suggested.
Morphometric quantification of mitochondria in the two steroidogenic ovine luteal cell types.

Progesterone secretion is regulated by differentmechanisms in largeand small steroidogenic ovine luteal cells.Large cellssecreteapproximately 7-foldmore progesterone in an unstimulated state than small cells. Since cholesterolside-chaincleavage,which iscatalyzed by an inner mitochondrial membrane enzyme complex, is a major rate-limiting step in progesterone synthesis, mitochondrial components were quantified in the two steroidogeniccelltypes throughout the estrouscycle.Corpora lutea collected on Days 4 (n = 4),8 (n = 4), 12 (n = 5), and 16 (n = 6) of the estrouscyclewere prepared for electron microscopy. Volume densities of cell types within corpora lutea and mitochondrial densities within cell types were estimated by point-counting; nuclear and cytoplasmic volume densities were estimated by planimetric analysis. A total of570 micrographs (magnification 5300 x) were analyzed. Large cell volume density was unchanged during the cycle (35 ± 1%) while small cell volume density increased (p<O.05) from 13 ± 1% on Day 4 to 20 ± 3% on Day 12. Large cell mitochondrial volume density increased (p<O.05) from 13 ± 1% on Day 4 to 23 ± 1% on Day 16 accompanied by an increase in cytoplasmic volume density such that nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio increased (p<O.05) from 1:14 to 1:34 between Days 4 and 16. Small cell mitochondrial volume density increased from 11 ± 1% on Day 4 to 14 ± 1% (p<O.05) for the rest of the cycle while the nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio remained at 1:14. These changes indicate continued growth and development of large steroidogenic luteal cells parallel to luteal development and suggest that the 7-fold higher rate of progesterone secretionin large vs. small steroidogenic luteal cells may be
Influence of polymeric excipient properties on crystal hydrate formation kinetics of caffeine in aqueous slurries

The influence of polymeric excipients on the hydrate transformation of caffeine (CAF) was studied. Anhydrous CAF was added to aqueous solutions containing different additives and the transformation to the hydrate form was monitored using in-line Raman spectroscopy. Various properties of two known inhibitors of CAF hydrate formation, polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), were investigated. For inhibition by PAA, a pH dependence was observed: at low pH, the inhibition was greatest, whereas no inhibitory effects were observed at pH above 6.5. For PVA, grades with high percent hydrolysis were the most effective at inhibiting the transformation. In addition, PVA with higher molecular weight showed slightly more inhibition than the shorter chain PVA polymers. A variety of other hydroxyl containing compounds were examined but none inhibited the CAF anhydrate-to-hydrate transformation. The observed inhibitory effects of PAA and PVA are attributed to the large number of closely spaced hydrogen bond donating groups of the polymer molecule, which can interact with the CAF hydrate crystal. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 101:1755–1762, 2012
Energy distribution of 7Li(p, n)7Be neutrons near threshold

Abstract Energy distributions have been calculated for 7Li(p, n)7Be neutrons for targets up to 1900 A thick at 0°, 45°, 90°, 135° and 180°. The distributions are affected in several ways when account is taken of the discrete nature of energy losses experienced by protons in the target. Peaks and long tails appear on the distributions, and the neutron intensity in any direction is seldom equal to the intensity predicted when continuous energy losses are assumed for the protons.
Temperature dependence of mobilities and carrier concentrations in semi-insulating GaAs

Abstract The temperature behavior of electron and hole mobilities and carrier concentrations was measured in p -type Cr doped semi-insulating GaAs. The above quantities were determined by measuring at a given temperature the photomagnetoresistance and photo-Hall effect vs magnetic field intensity. A minimum of hole concentration is observed at 210–225 K. The electron concentration either remains constant below 190–200 K or it rises again at lower temperatures. The mobilities of both carriers show a maximum at almost the same temperatures with those where the behavior of n and p changes. We try to explain the above on the basis of radiative recombination and impurity conduction.
The impact of information and communication technologies on the costs of democracy

Recent developments in information and communication technologies (ICTs) can change the way strategic organizational decisions are negotiated and voted upon. We propose an analytical framework that investigates the effect of such technologies on the costs of the decision-making process in organizations by incorporating a technology variable in an already well-known model of public decision-making. The framework is applicable to any large group decision setting where collective decisions are made by voting, such as shareholders' meetings, local and federal government meetings. We apply the framework to derive policies that will help to decrease the costs related to the democratic process. The first policy requires that governments should invest more in technologies that support multi-lateral communication and negotiation among citizens, and the second requires that citizens should use better voting mechanisms than simple majority voting to make decisions.
Computed tomography in infantile spasms: Effects of hormonal therapy

During a prospective double-blind, crossover study of ACTH versus prednisone therapy, serial computed tomography (CT) scans were performed on 16 children with infantile spasms. Pre-treatment scans revealed four findings: normal (6 patients), generalized atrophy (bilaterally enlarged ventricles and/or subarachnoid space) (2 patients), predominantly focal atrophy (3 patients), and congenital anomalies (5 patients). Within 2 weeks of initiating relatively low therapeutic dosages of ACTH or prednisone, a significant number of the infants (63%) had CT findings consistent with decreased cortical volume; in many cases (44%), these findings had not reversed 4 to 6 weeks after discontinuing therapy. Duration of therapy did not correlate significantly with the persistence of CT changes.
Kazantzakis' religious vision

AbstractAlthough Kazantzakis had a profound religious vision that may even be compatible in some ways with Christianity, he makes certain Christians extraordinarily angry. The most recent incident involved Martin Scorsese's 1988 film of The Last Temptation. Rev. Bill Bright of the Campus Crusade for Christ offered to buy the master print of the film for 10,000,000 so that he could burn it. When the distributor refused and the film opened, a moviegoer attempting to see the picture in New York City had to run a gauntlet of Catholic monks on their knees praying for his soul and Protestant fundamentalists haranguing him about damnation, for which he would surely qualify if her merely entered the theatre. But this was only the most recent incident. In the 1950s the same novel, plus some pages of Kapetan Mih´lis, inspired the Greek Orthodox Church to prosecute Kazantzakis and attempt to excommunicate him. Kazantzakis responded: ‘You gave me your curse, holy Fathers. I give you a blessing: May your conscience be...
Parathyroid hormone induced stimulation of calcium uptake by renal microsomes

Abstract Cortical and papillary microsomes prepared from feline kidneys perfused with parathyroid hormone (PTH) showed an enhanced ability to accumulate calcium (Ca +2 ). PTH was unable to stimulate Ca +2 uptake into microsomes prepared from outer medulla. These data suggest that renal microsomes may be a valid model system for studying the action of PTH on Ca +2 transport in the kidney.
Occlusion of a Renal Artery as a Cause of Hypertension

This paper presents three cases and the summary of a fourth case, in which occlusion of a renal artery was the cause of hypertension. Three patients were relieved of hypertension by nephrectomy. The literature on nonembolic renal artery occlusion with hypertension is reviewed, including 21 autopsy reports and 16 cases in which the patients were relieved of hypertension by nephrectomy or thromboendarterectomy. When a patient is found to have renal hypertension, the possibility of renal artery occlusion should be considered. Translumbar aortography currently is the best means of demonstrating renal artery occlusion.
Effect of processing systems on protein quality of feather meals and hog hair meals

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of five commercial processing systems and to a lesser extent, processing temperature within system, on protein quality of feather meals (FM). Two hog hair meals (HH) were also evaluated. True digestibilities of AA were determined with a 48-h excreta collection assay using cecectomized cockerels. Protein efficiency ratio (PER; grams of gain:grams of CP consumed) was determined with chicks by feeding Met-fortified 15% CP diets containing a FM or HH as the sole source of dietary protein. The six FM samples averaged 88.7% CP, 1.99% Lys, 4.83% Cys, and 0.71% Met on a DM basis. For HH, these values were 92.6, 2.78, 3.76, and 0.85%, respectively. True digestibilities of amino acids and PER of the FM varied among processing systems (e.g., lysine digestibility range was 58 to 72%, PER range was 0.71 to 1.13). Increasing the temperature during processing had no significant effect on protein quality of one FM and one HH. Digestibilities of AA in the FM water-soluble fraction collected after cooking were higher than those in the insoluble fraction. True amino acid digestibility coefficients for FM were higher than those for HH, whereas the PER of several FM were lower than those of HH. The latter response was probably due to the higher Lys content in the HH. The results of this study suggested that type of commercial processing system or conditions can affect the protein quality of FM.
Fiber fracture in the absence of bending during MMC processing

Fiber fragmentation during hot pressing of metal matrix composites has been examined for the case where the matrix flows along the die cavity. In this case, fiber fracture occurs due to load transfer from the deforming matrix onto the fibers. Fiber bending is not a necessary condition. A shear lag model is developed to predict fragmented fiber lengths, which are comparable to observed lengths of fragmented sapphire fibers hot pressed in a niobium matrix.
Quality assessment tests to be used in a wireless image sensor network

In this paper we explore several different quality assessment tests for images. The scenario is such that wireless sensors are transmitting images to a Base Station for processing purposes. For energy conservation purposes, the sensors would like to reduce bandwidth. Hence they get directions concerning overlap between images thereby allowing them to reduce transmissions. The problem that arises is the situation of false positives — i.e. the Base Station is saying there is overlap when in reality there is none. Thus some information must be periodically transmitted to the Base Station by the sensors in order to allow the Base Station to assess the quality of the image that is reconstructed. Here we discuss a number of different quality assessment test and provide results of some simulation experiments we have conducted on the different tests.
Modeling spray coating and deposition of quantum-dot-sensitized nanoparticle thin film PV solar cells

Among few available methods, spray deposition, if understood and controlled well, is a viable candidate for the fabrication of quantum dot (QD) sensitized nanoparticle PV solar cells. Spray coating is a multi-process method comprising processes such as atomization of a multicomponent liquid, droplet dynamics and flight, droplet evaporation, droplet impact on the surface, spreading, drying and adhesion of the solid content to one another and to the substrate. In this paper, a model is proposed that may be used as a design and research tool for the spray coating of QD-sensitized nanoparticle thin film solar cells. The model may be used to study the effect of processing parameters on the thin film characteristics and quality and to predict the ideal distance between the nozzle and the substrate and other optimum design conditions‥
Anion chromatography in open tubular capillary columns with indirect fluorometric detection

A C8 reversed-phase open tubular capillary column is dynamically modified with cetylpyridinium chloride to provide anion-exchange sites. Sodium salicylate is used as the eluent at the micromolar concentration range. The low capacity of the dynamically modified column allows the elution of common anions with k′ values similar to those in conventional ion chromatography. The reduced salicylate concentration allows good detectability in the indirect fluorescence mode, even though the baseline noise increased because the fluorescence intensity is lower. The noise level is equivalent to one picogram of non-fluorescing anions.
A Safe Train State of Mind

The overall goal of each rail/transit Operator is to promote safety of the system. Concurrent effort of all stake holders is needed to achieve the best possible results. That should include as a minimum standard development groups and committees (FRA, APTA, FTA, ASME, IEEE, etc.), vehicle designers, train operators, train and infrastructure maintenance, quality assurance, safety and risk management, and engineering consulting companies. Recently, security of transit system has an increased impact. This paper is focused at specific topics of vehicle design and occupant protection, derailments, friction management, and fire safety. Most of these issues are interrelated; therefore any change in each category may impact all other categories as well. The objective was to evaluate specific impacts of each category, in order to improve passenger safety and underline most influential factors for future vehicle designs. The objective of a crashworthy design is to provide a vehicle capable of managing crash energy through the use of controlled crash zones. Secondary impact injuries can be controlled by limiting the maximum force required to initiate controlled deformation of carbody energy absorption zone, and by attention to interior design. While it is impossible to prevent all types of derailments, the probability of derailment may be reduced by appropriate systematic measures. Concurrent impact of various causal factors including friction management, vehicle design and contact geometry may adversely influence safety margin against low speed wheel climb derailments. Fire, smoke and toxic fumes present a considerable hazard to passengers. Materials used for vehicle design must provide assurance that this hazard is minimized. All combustible materials used in the construction of the car shall be minimized and shall satisfy standard requirements. Passenger evacuation is a key aspect of rail vehicle fire safety – the vehicle needs to remain “fire safe” until all passengers leave the train.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Limits on a stochastic background of gravitational waves from gravitational lensing.

We compute the effects of a stochastic background of gravitational waves on multiply imaged systems or on weak lensing. There are two possible observable effects: a static relative deflection of images or shear, and an induced time-dependent shift or proper motion. We evaluate the rms magnitude of these effects for a COBE normalized, scale-invariant spectrum, which is an upper limit on spectra produced by inflation. Previous work has shown that large-scale structure may cause a relative deflection large enough to affect observations, but we find that the corresponding effect of gravity waves is smaller by \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{4}$ and so cannot be observed. This results from the oscillation in time as well as the redshifting of the amplitude of gravity waves. We estimate the magnitude of the proper motion induced by deflection of light due to large-scale structure, and find it to be \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ arcsec per year. This corresponds to \ensuremath{\sim}50 km/s at cosmological distances, which is quite small compared to typical peculiar velocities. The COBE normalized gravity wave spectrum produces motions smaller still by \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{2}$. We conclude that light deflection due to these cosmological perturbations cannot produce observable proper motions of lensed images. On the other hand, there are only a few known observational limits on a stochastic background of gravity waves at shorter, astrophysical wavelengths. We calculate the expected magnitudes of the effects of lensing by gravity waves of such wavelengths, and find that they are too small to yield interesting limits on the energy density of gravity waves.
Particulate erosion of NiO scales

Abstract The erosion behavior of brittle oxide scales on ductile alloy substrates is not well known. The oxidation of commercially pure nickel in an air furnace at 1000°C produces relatively thick NiO scales which provide a base for an investigation of the erosion behavior of scales of more complex alloys. The NiO scales formed consisted of two distinct layers, a columnar outer layer and a fine-grained porous inner layer. The erosion testing was conducted at room temperature using an air blast tester. Angular SiC particles were used at velocities V p of 100 and 30 m s −1 , and at impingement angles α of 20° and 90°. Erosion damage of the NiO scales was observed and interpreted using simplified postulates based on fracture propagation concepts. The NiO duplex scale is removed in a two-step mechanism. Plastic flow indentation and lateral crack growth in the columnar outer layer is the first step in the erosion mechanism. In the second step, pits are produced from hertzian cone fractures formed in the inner layer. The oxide is removed by the chipping away of the cracked scale of the outer and inner layers, which enlarges the pits. At greater velocities, particle sizes and impingement angles the erosion of the thinner oxide scales to the bare nickel occurred in times of the order of seconds. It was observed that the strengths of the bonds between the two scale layers and between the scale and the metal substrate were directly related to the erosion behavior. NiO scales thicker than 50μm introduced some protection during the initial period of erosion of the outer scale. The microstructure, mechanical properties and bonding state of the oxide layers are important parameters in the erosion behavior of oxide scales.
A small tunnel kiln for firing corundum refractories

The special features of the small (working volume capacity 6. 8 m3) tunnel kiln for firing corundum refractories are: firing with a gas-air mixture, absence of combustion chambers between the charges, absence of end doors, and slow kiln truck speed (13 cm/h). The corundum bricks are fired in the kiln for 136 h at 1660°C. The gaseous medium of the firing zone contains oxidizing and reducing components. The faults of the kiln are: nonuniformity of the firing of the bricks, inadequate firing temperature level, and unsatisfactory performance of the first six positions of the heating zone where heating takes the form mainly of a thermal shock in the region of the last two (in the direction of the gas flow) pairs of connections for the extraction of the combustion products To improve the quality and economics of the firing process, it will be necessary to improve the heat insulation of the kiln channel, to provide channels in the floor, and to modify the heating and gas extraction systems.
A comparison of a mixture likelihood method and the EM algorithm for an estimation problem in animal carcinogenicity studies

Both a mixture likelihood method and the EM algorithm are implemented to estimate the time-to-onset-of and the time-to-death-from the tumor of interest in animal carcinogenicity studies. Both methods are implemented using Box's Complex Method for finding the maximum likelihood estimates of parameters for a nonlinear log-likelihood function subject to nonlinear inequality constraints. A comparison of the mixture likelihood method with the EM algorithm suggests that the mixture method may be more efficient for the problem of constrained nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation in carcinogenicity studies. The advantages of using the mixture likelihood method are illustrated with data from benzidine dihydrochloride and caloric restriction studies.
Delivery of Erbium:YAG laser radiation through side-firing germanium oxide fibers

The Erbium:YAG laser is currently being tested experimentally for endoscopic applications in urology, including more efficient laser lithotripsy and more precise incision of urethral strictures than the Holmium:YAG laser. While side-firing silica fibers are available for use with the Ho:YAG laser in urology, no such fibers exist for use with the Er:YAG laser. These applications may benefit from the availability of a side-firing, mid-infrared optical fiber capable of delivering the laser radiation at a 90-degree angle to the tissue. The objective of this study is to describe the simple construction and characterization of a side-firing germanium oxide fiber for potential use in endoscopic laser surgery. Side-firing fibers were constructed from 450-micron-core germanium oxide fibers of 1.45-m-length by polishing the distal tip at a 45-degree angle and placing a 1-cm-long protective quartz cap over the fiber tip. Er:YAG laser radiation with a wavelength of 2.94 microns, pulse duration of 300 microseconds, pulse repetition rate of 3 Hz, and pulse energies of from 5 to 550 mJ was coupled into the fibers. The fiber transmission rate and damage threshold measured 48 +/- 4 % and 149 +/- 37 mJ, respectively (n = 6 fibers). By comparison, fiber transmission through normal germanium oxide trunk fibers measured 66 +/- 3 %, with no observed damage (n = 5 fibers). Sufficient pulse energies were transmitted through the side-firing fibers for contact tissue ablation. Although these initial tests are promising, further studies will need to be conducted, focusing on assembly of more flexible, smaller diameter fibers, fiber bending transmission tests, long-term fiber reliability tests, and improvement of the fiber output spatial beam profile.
Studies of the Wetting of Gaps in Weightlessness

The geometry of a thin sheet metal vane terminating near a wall in a surface tension propellant management device (PMD) is common in devices designed by various people. A research program into the capillary fluid physics of the common vane-wall gap began in 1998 with the arrival of the second author at the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University. Drop tower experiments, Surface Evolver computations, and analysis were combined to explore the details of the fluid behavior in the vane-wall gap geometry. Results of four vane-wall gap experiment topics: critical wetting, advance rates, sensitivity to vane orientation, and effect of imperfect initial conditions, are discussed here. This work led to a desire by Weislogel to incorporate this type of geometry into his “Capillary Fluids Experiment” (CFE) that operated flawlessly on the International Space Station in 2006 and 2007. It is found that the wetting of vane-wall gaps is predicted correctly through use of the critical wetting analysis of Concus and Finn. Furthermore, the dynamics of the wetting flows are found to have scaling of flow rates versus time similar to those known for capillary advances in solid corners. In some cases, a seemingly misaligned vane is found to have more rapid capillary advance than for the same vane and gap but with the vane normal to the tank wall. An initial drop tower study of sensitivity to imperfect initial conditions shows that a critical wetting flow is largely immune to small tilts in the initial test orientation but that larger errors can be seen in cases that lack critical wetting and in the measurements of the time history of the meniscus minimum point.
Seroepidemiology of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection in injecting drug users.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in injecting drug users (IDUs) from Greece to assess the seroprevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and to identify potentially associated risk factors. A total of 288 IDUs were tested for K8.1 antibodies to HHV-8 lytic antigen. Associations between HHV-8 serostatus and potential risk factors were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Seroprevalence of HHV-8 was 24·3% (95 % CI 19·5―29·7), increasing with age from 19·4% in those aged < 30 years to 52·9% in those aged ≥ 40 years (P for tend = 0·003). No statistically significant associations between HHV-8-positive status and gender, educational level, age at first drug injection, needle sharing, number of imprisonments, complications from drug overdose, HIV and HCV were observed. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age (≥ 40 vs. < 40 years, OR 3·30, 95 % CI 1·14―9·56) and report of septicaemia/abscess (yes vs. no, OR 1·80, 95% CI 1·01―3·18) were each independently associated with higher HHV-8 seroprevalence. HHV-8 is highly prevalent in the IDU population in Greece. The independent association between HHV-8 and reported abscess or septicaemia supports the hypothesis that poor hygiene conditions in the setting of drug injection may contribute to HHV-8 transmission.
Multiple Symptoms in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Systematic Review

Clinical experience suggests that children with cancer experience multiple symptoms as a result of their disease and/ or its treatment. These symptoms may have a negative impact on children’s abili...
Communications oriented programming of parallel iterative solutions of sparse linear systems

Parallel algorithms are developed for a class of scientific computational problems by partitioning the problems into smaller problems which may be solved concurrently. The effectiveness of the resulting parallel solutions is determined by the amount and frequency of communication and synchronization and the extent to which communication can be overlapped with computation. Three different parallel algorithms for solving the same class of problems are presented, and their effectiveness is analyzed from this point of view. The algorithms are programmed using a new programming environment. Run-time statistics and experience obtained from the execution of these programs assist in measuring the effectiveness of these algorithms.
Acute allergic reaction after composite pollen ingestion

Three patients are presented who ingested a health food known as "bee pollen" and who experienced an immediate allergic reaction. Examination revealed that the bee pollen contained dandelion pollen, which belongs to the Compositae family as does ragweed. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that the patients were sensitive to several Compositae family members, rather than to insect-derived antigens. In addition, radioallergosorbent inhibition studies confirmed the suspected cross-reactivity between the health food and Compositae pollens. This study indicates that atopic individuals may experience anaphylaxis from ingestion of antigens in certain food stuffs that cross-react with pollens to which they are sensitive.
Kinetic properties of turtle heart phosphofructokinase.

Abstract 1. 1. The kinetic properties of turtle [ Pseudemys ( Chrysemys ) scripta elegans ] ventricle phosphofructokinase (PFK) were examined. 2. 2. At pH 7·28, PFK demonstrates a high degree of co-operativity with respect to F-6-P. This co-operativity is enhanced with increased ATP concentration or addition of citrate and is reduced by addition of ADP at 0·2 mM or by decreasing H + concentration. 3. 3. The enzyme shows a hyperbolic activity curve with respect to ATP; however, increased ATP or addition of citrate inhibits the enzyme. Increased pH, F-6-P concentration, enzyme concentration, addition of ADP or 5′AMP at 0·2 mM, or maintaining the Mg 2+ and ATP concentration equal, reduces ATP inhibition. 4. 4. At 2·5 mM ATP, PFK is activated by Pi, 5′AMP and ADP, but ADP loses its capacity to activate at ADP concentrations above 0·5 mM. 5. 5. At 1·0 mM ATP, PFK is inhibited by citrate and ADP. 5′AMP activates less at 5′AMP concentrations greater than 0·1 mM, while Pi has no effect. Citrate inhibition is decreased by a high F-6-P concentration (3·0 mM).
Porous Mullite Preforms via Fused Deposition

Nonrandom porous mullite ceramic preforms were fabricated by the indirect fused deposition process. MgO was added to commercial mullite powders as a sintering aid. The influence of porosity and the amount of MgO on the densification and mechanical properties was studied. The shrinkage and compressive strength of the porous samples were found to increase with increasing MgO content. At constant MgO concentration, shrinkage was found to decrease linearly as the volume fraction of porosity increased. The compressive strength of porous samples decreased with an increase in the volume fraction of porosity at constant MgO content.
Cyclosa turbinata (Araneae, Araneidae): Prey discrimination via web-borne vibrations

1. The spider orb web is a structure that both restrains prey animals and carries prey-generated signals to the spider. If spiders are to discriminate among prey items without risking movement in the open and contact with potentially dangerous prey, they must be capable of interpreting web-borne vibrational signals appropriately. 2. To assess this ability in one araneid, the behavior of captive Cyclosa turbinata females as they preyed on five insect species was filmed under laboratory conditions. Analysis of the films showed that the movements associated with the spider's approach to live prey items varied quantitatively with prey type (Tables 1–4). 3. The vibrations induced on the web by each of the prey species were recorded on magnetic tape and analyzed with respect to absolute amplitude, amplitude modulation, and frequency components. A comparison of C. turbinata's approach behavior with prey-typical vibrational differences revealed significant positive correlations (Figs. 1 and 3) and establlished a clear connection between the properties of web-borne vibrations and the behaviors elicited by them. 4. An evaluation of the distinctiveness of the vibrations produced by each of the five prey species revealed considerable variability within species and broad areas of overlap between species (Fig. 4). This indicated that accurate prey discrimination by appropriate interpretation of web-borne vibrations is probably not possible on C. turbinata webs.
The BRCA1‐dependent ubiquitin ligase, γ‐tubulin, and centrosomes

Mutation of the breast and ovarian cancer specific tumor suppressor, BRCA1, results in supernumerary and hyperactive centrosomes, which in turn likely contribute to the aneuploidy evident in breast cancer cells. The BRCA1-dependent ubiquitin ligase activity is required for the regulation of centrosome function, and among its substrates is gamma-tubulin. Data suggest that during S and G2 phases of the cell cycle, the normal function of BRCA1 directs the ubiquitination of gamma-tubulin, resulting in inhibition of centrosome microtubule nucleation function and blocking of centrosome reduplication. Loss of BRCA1 activity, as occurs in breast cancer cells, would result in centrosomes that are unrestrained, leading to the hyperactive and over-duplicated centrosomes often observed in breast cancer cells. The current knowledge of BRCA1 regulation of centrosomes will be discussed in this focused review, and it will be suggested that this function is important for the tumor suppression phenotype of BRCA1.
Children and organ donation: some cautionary remarks.

My task is to provide some critical commentary on the preceding essays. My unfortunate conclusion will be that the issues that are their primary focus are more likely to become more ethically intractable over the next several years as medicine progresses. I do not see any easy or obvious way to avoid this conclusion.
Review of Taking Journalism Seriously: News and the Academy by Barbie Zelizer

Journalism has long lacked serious consideration as a topic of academic study, as an everyday field, and as a cultural practice, according to Barbie Zelizer, author of Taking Journalism Seriously (...
The regularity of solutions of the primitive equations of the ocean in space dimension three

Abstract In this Note, the global existence of strong solutions of the primitive equations for the ocean in space dimension 3 with the Dirichlet boundary condition is obtained. The method of the proof can be easily adapted to treat full primitive equations in a domain with a varying bottom topography. To cite this article: I. Kukavica, M. Ziane, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 345 (2007).
Defect recovery behavior of neutron irradiated molybdenum and tungsten of two purity levels

Abstract The recovery behavior of radiation-induced defects during post-irradiation annealing was studied on molybdenum and tungsten specimens of two different purity levels. An electrical resistivity measurement technique at liquid nitrogen boiling temperature (∼77°K) was used. Irradiation of both materials was conducted in Oak Ridge Research reactor at reactor ambient temperature (∼70°C). The accumulative neutron fluence received was 7.3E+19 neutrons cm−2 (En>l MeV) and 5.1E+20 neutrons cm−2 (thermal). It was found that the number of recovery stages appeared to be independent of either the material or the impurity content. The stages are then believed to be due to the recovery of intrinsic defects and the recovery mechanisms are most likely the same for molybdenum and tungsten on the homologous temperature scale.
Metastable length states of a random system: TaS3.

The sample length of the charge-density-wave (CDW) conductor ${\mathrm{TaS}}_{3}$ is found to be a sensitive function of the applied dc bias electric field E and time t. The length reflects transitions through metastable CDW configurations for both the pinned and sliding CDW in the presence of random impurities. Although a simple theoretical model can account for some qualitative features of the experimental findings, our experimental results are inconsistent with present CDW elasticity theory.
Specific luminescence studies of alpha particles in NE-102 scintillator film

Abstract The specific luminescence ( ΔL / Δx ) of 0.5–8.8 MeV alpha particles from a natural decay source has been measured by using a thin film detector (TFD) consisting of a thin organic scintillator material positioned between and perpendicular to the faces of two photomultiplier tubes. The TFD response, proportional to the specific luminescence, was examined both as a function of the experimentally determined stopping power ( ΔE / Δx ) and the incident alpha particle energy. Alpha particle energies were measured with a solid state detector (SSD). In general the experimental results were consistent with what had been expected on the basis of studies of other light and heavy ions transiting thin films. Of particular interest are the data obtained on alpha particles possessing energies which bracket the kinetic energy corresponding to maximum stopping power. These data are significant in that they confirm the double valuedness of specific luminescence as a function of stopping power for alpha particles. Calculations based on a model of specific luminescence production agree with the measured trends but predict a too rapidly decreasing luminescence at higher energies. The experimental energy loss values obtained are in reasonable agreement with calculated values.
Colorimetric determination of zirconium with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol

Abstract A method is described for the determination of as little as 50ppm of zirconium in uranium-fission element alloys and zincmagnesium-uranium-fission element alloys. Zirconium is extracted from a nitric acid-aluminium nitrate medium with dibutyl phosphate in toluene. The uranium co-extracted with the zirconium is removed by scrubbing with hydrochloric acid-ammonium thiocyanate solution. A portion of the organic phase is mixed with pyridine-toluene solution of 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol to develop the colour.
Translationally invariant and non-translationally invariant empirical effective interactions☆

Abstract In this work we examine empirical deficiencies of the core-renormalized realistic effective interactions and seek simple corrective potentials. We note the inability of the current realistic interactions to account for the energies of isobaric analog states; likewise they are unable to reproduce the changes in the single-particle energies, as one goes from one closed shell to another. We note that the Schiffer interaction gives better results for these gross properties and we attribute this to a combination of several facts. First, to the inclusion of long range terms in the Schiffer potential, then to the presence of relative p-state terms ( l = 1), in addition to the usual relative s-state terms ( l = 0). We further attribute the strange shape of the above interaction to the fact that it is translationally invariant, whereas the theory of core-polarization yields non-translationally invariant potentials. Consequently, as a correction to the monopole deficiencies of the realistic interactions we propose the term V mon = ar 2 (1) r 2 (2)+ β [ r 4 (1) r 2 (2)+ r 2 (1) r 4 (2)].
Equivariant Estimation for the Parameters of an Exponential Model Based on Censored Sampling

Lehmann (1983) provides a detailed discussion on equivariant estimation of the parameters of location, scale and location-scale models. Edwin Prabakaran and Chandrasekar (1994) developed simultaneous equivariant estimation approach and illustrated the method with examples. In this paper, we consider exponential models and obtain minimum risk equivariant estimators of the parameters based on Type II censored samples. The equivariant method of estimation is illustrated with biological and reliability applications.
Parasympathetic denervation of the iris in Chagas' disease

The parasympathetic innervation of the iris along with cardiovascular reflexes involving parasympathetic and sympathetic function were studied in 45 patients with Chagas' disease and in 36 controls. The autonomic features in Chagas' disease included 15 with cardiomyopathy, three with megaoesophagus and five with megacolon. None of the patients had orthostatic hypotension. Parasympathetic cardiac reflexes (deep breathing 30:15 ratio, Valsalva) were abnormal. There were exaggerated pupillary responses to dilute pilocarpine. These studies suggest iris parasympathetic denervation and favour more widespread cholinergic involvement in patients with Chagas' disease, than previously recognized.
Application of matrix rank analysis to the optical rotatory dispersion of TMV RNA.

The method of matrix rank analysis has been applied to a large body of experimental data to determine and identify the minimum number of independent spectral components that, were contained within it. The optical rotatory dispersion of TMV RNA was measured in the wavelength region 230–350 mμ, for a wide range of temperatures and ionic strengths. Over the whole range of conditions considered, the observed optical rotatory dispersion spectra were found to be a superposition of two basic spectra only. Evidence is put forward relating these spectra to the single-strand and double-strand helical forms of the molecule. A model is proposed to explain the observed spectral changes in terms of an equilibrium between these two conformations, which leads to a direct calculation of the percentage composition of the double strand at any of the conditions considered. This equilibrium, while simple in general description, appears multi-state and complex in detail. This method of analysis is both powerful and of wide applicability, since it is independent of the source of the data.
Oxygen induced limitation on grain growth in RF sputtered Indium tin oxide thin films

Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films were deposited onto glass substrates by RF magnetron sputtering to study variation of grain growth in pure argon and 99% argon plus 1% oxygen at different substrate temperatures. The average grain size increased with the increasing substrate temperature in pure argon. However, in oxygen presence environment the grain growth is limited at above 150°C. The films optoelectronic properties were evaluated. It was found that 200 nm ITO films prepared at 220 °C substrate temperature in pure argon possessed optimum sheet resistance of 10 Ω/sq. The transmittance of ITO films was enhanced with increasing the substrate temperature in pure argon but limited by the presence of excess oxygen.
RNA Reference Materials for Gene Expression Studies Point: Difficult First Steps

While walking up several flights of stairs in an elevator-deprived building recently, my colleague, between some gasps of breath, turned to me and exclaimed that he had to start his New Year’s resolution and begin exercising again. At that moment this seemed to me to be a very sensible thought, given his fish-like gasping and chameleon-like color changes. However, I also recalled that my colleague had a history of serious asthma and a travel schedule that rivaled most airline pilots. I asked him how he would be managing these challenges while seeking a more healthy lifestyle. He smiled at me and said that he would deal with these issues later. “Look”, he said, “at least getting some exercise is a start”. The first steps in transitioning microarray- and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (QRT-PCR)-based human-genome-wide RNA expression profiling from the current, primarily research, applications to the more exacting medical diagnostic and drug development arenas were made recently. The NIST organized a meeting in March 2003 (1) that focused singularly on establishing the types and properties of universal RNA reference materials to be used for expression-profiling assays. A summary of the proceedings and conclusions of the meeting is reported by Cronin et al. (2) in this issue. The principal conclusion of the workshop was that two types of RNA reference materials were needed: an Assay Process Control and an Array-Specific Hybridization reference material. The reported consensus of the meeting attendees was that such RNA reference materials would provide a measure of the accuracy, dynamic range, sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility for the multiple types of currently available RNA expression technologies (arrays and QRT-PCR). Although acknowledging that there were several major challenges related …
JC virus T' proteins encoded by alternatively spliced early mRNAs enhance T antigen-mediated viral DNA replication in human cells

Alternative splicing of the JC Virus (JCV) precursor early mRNA yields five transcripts that encode proteins that regulate the life cycle of this human polyomavirus. Large T protein (TAg) mediates viral DNA replication and oncogenic activities, and small t protein influences these functions under certain conditions. Recently, three new early proteins, T'(135), T'(136), and T'(165), were discovered that contain sequences overlapping amino-terminal TAg functional domains. Initial studies with the T' proteins suggested they contribute to viral DNA replication and transformation. Mutation of a donor splice site utilized by all three T' mRNAs creates a mutant that exhibits a 10-fold decrease in viral DNA replication compared to wild type JCV. To assess the influence that individual T' proteins have on the replication process, a set of T' acceptor site mutants was created in which the unique second acceptor splice site of each T' mRNA was altered to eliminate production of one, two or all three T' mRNAs. The patterns of early mRNA and protein expression in these seven mutants were examined, and it was found that mutation of the T'(135) acceptor site resulted in the utilization of cryptic splice sites and the generation of new T' species. Additional mutations were made to prevent these aberrant splicing reactions prior to measuring DNA replication potential of the mutants. DpnI assays revealed that each T' protein contributes to TAg-mediated DNA replication activity. The three single mutants that express two T' proteins and the double mutant that only produces T'(136), exhibited levels of replication equivalent to that of wild type virus, whereas the two double mutants that fail to express T'(136) replicated about twofold less efficiently than wild-type JCV. Replication activity of the triple acceptor site mutant, like that of the T' donor site mutant from an earlier study, was impaired significantly.
Spatial heterodyne spectroscopy: a novel interferometric technique for ground-based and space astronomy

The theoretical principles and technical feasibility of spatial heterodyne spectroscopy (SHS) for astronomical observations are explored. The SHS setup is basically a Michelson interferometer with the mirrors replaced by diffraction gratings; wavelength-dependent Fizeau fringes are recorded and Fourier analyzed to obtain a high-resolution spectrum even at relatively low spatial frequencies. Two all-reflection SHS instruments are described and illustrated with diagrams, and laboratory test results using CCD detectors for both visible and UV measurements are presented, indicating resolving powers of about 75,000 and 70,000, respectively. Also discussed are the advantages and limitations of SHS vis a vis other Fourier-transform spectroscopic methods.