cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Critical functional requirement for the guanidinium group of the arginine 41 side chain of human epidermal growth factor as revealed by mutagenic inactivation and chemical reactivation.

In a preliminary study we demonstrated that the formation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-ligand complex requires the participation of the highly conserved arginine 41 side chain of the growth factor peptide (Engler, D.A., Montelione, G.T., and Niyogi, S.K. (1990) FEBS Lett. 271, 47-50). In an attempt to gain further insight into the nature of this interaction(s), we used both site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification reagents to produce human EGF (hEGF) analogues with altered chemical properties of the residue 41 side chain. Eight mutant analogues of hEGF were generated, substituting arginine 41 with lysine, glutamine, isoleucine, tyrosine, glycine, alanine, aspartate, or glutamate. Although each of the mutant analogues was able to displace wild-type hEGF fully in receptor competition binding assays, affinity of the receptor for the mutants was substantially reduced, varying from 0.4 to less than 0.01% of that observed for wild-type growth factor. At sufficiently high concentrations these mutants were able to stimulate DNA synthesis in mouse keratinocytes. Substitution of lysine for arginine 41 reduced the receptor affinity 250-fold from that observed for wild type, despite retention of the positive electrostatic charge. The lysine substitution leaves a reactive amine at position 41 and made it possible, using amine-specific chemical modification reagents, to produce selected arginine homologues that were tested for their effects on receptor binding, receptor tyrosine kinase activation, and stimulation of DNA synthesis in mouse keratinocytes. The reaction of lysine 41 with methyl acetimidate resulted in a lysineacetamidine product which only partially restored activity of the lysine hEGF mutant. However, reaction with O-methylisourea resulted in generation of an arginine 41 homologue (homoarginine) which restored full activity. The results indicate that the chemical properties inherent in the guanidinium group of the arginine 41 side chain of hEGF are responsible for optimal receptor-ligand association.
The Effects of Practice and Speed Stress with Different Stimulus-Response Mappings

Stimulus-response (S-R) compatibility refers to better performance with compatible over incompatible S-R mappings. We investigated how a stressor in the form of a time constraint influences performance in choice-reaction tasks with S-R mappings that varied in degree of compatibility. A 600-ms response deadline did increase participants' stress levels as indicated in subject workload reports. Furthermore, the time constraint decreased reaction time and increased error rate more for incompatible (mirror-opposite, mixed and random) mappings compared to compatible mappings. Participants who learned to respond with the incompatible mappings reverted to the more natural, corresponding responses when stressed. However, the effect of the time constraint was reduced when the incompatible mapping was systematic compared to when it was random. Thus, there are benefits of applying systematic rules when designing products for a user population.
Bayesian Estimation of a Dynamic Asset Pricing Model with Long-Run Risk

In this paper, I build a Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model and estimate it using Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. I use the results in order to examine how asset prices and macroeconomic quantities respond to the di erent shocks in the economy. Fluctuations in the endogenous variables of my model are driven by the two exogenous processes; an investment-speci c technology (IST) shock, and a total factor productivity (TFP) shock. I also consider that each of these exogenous processes is governed by two components, a short-run i.i.d. component and a long-run component. As a result macro aggregates as well as asset prices are subjected to expectations about future economic growth not only for short horizons but also for the very long run. I first empirically verify the presence of the long-run component in the investment-speci c technology process and then show that the long-run components of the stochastic processes are indeed small but persistent and they also play important roles in explaining the movements of asset prices. Furthermore my estimated model is able to predict the lead of equity returns over output growth and investment growth as observed in U.S. data.
Ferritic Stainless Steel SOFC Interconnects with Thermally Grown (Mn, Co)3O4 Spinel Protection Layers

To protect solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) from chromium poisoning and improve metallic interconnect stability, manganese cobaltite spinel protection layers with a nominal composition of Mn 1 . 5 Co 1 . 5 O 4 were thermally grown on ferritic stainless steels. Thermal, electrical and electrochemical investigations indicated that the spinel protection layers not only significantly decreased the contact resistance, but also effectively acted as a mass barrier to both the oxygen inward and the chromium outward diffusion. A long-term thermal cycling test demonstrated excellent structural and thermomechanical stability of these spinel protection layers.
Roy T. Fielding: Understanding the REST Style

Roy T. Fielding reminisces about his PhD dissertation, which defined the Representational State Transfer architectural style. The first Web extra at http://youtu.be/w5j2KwzzB-0 is a video in which Roy T. Fielding talks with Charles Severance about his PhD dissertation, which defined the Representational State Transfer architectural style. The second Web extra at http://youtu.be/Bwvpuef79lY is an audio recording in which author Charles Severance reads his Computing Conversations column that discusses his interview with Roy T. Fielding about his PhD dissertation, which defined the Representational State Transfer architectural style.
Effect of moisture on in situ transesterification of microalgae for biodiesel production

Background A major hurdle with algal biodiesel production has been the energy required to dry algal biomass prior to lipid extraction and/or conversion. Water interferes with the extraction and/or conversion of algal lipids to biodiesel. The focus of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the in situ transesterification method for biodiesel recovery when processing algal biomass with varying amounts of moisture and to evaluate changes in efficiency as in situ transesterification reaction parameters were varied. Results Results indicated that moisture content affected biodiesel recovery. Specifically, algal biomass moisture contents above 20% by mass led to statistically significant reductions in biodiesel recovery. However, increasing the amount of catalyst and/or methanol in the reaction resulted in higher recoveries when using wet algal biomass containing 84% moisture. Using 10% (v/v) sulfuric acid in methanol with the wet biomass to solution ratio of 25 mg (dry mass equivalent) mL-1 resulted in the recovery of approximately 81% of the maximum biodiesel yield. Conclusion This study showed that the presence of moisture at greater than 20% by mass in algal biomass significantly decreased biodiesel recovery when using in situ transesterification. Increasing the amount of methanol and/or catalyst in the reaction improved biodiesel recovery from wet algal biomass. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Hurting the one you love : violence in relationships

1. Aggression in Every Day Life. 2. Understanding Violence and Aggression: The Environment and Learning. 3. Understanding Violence and Aggression: Biological Factors in Aggression and the Aggressive Personality. 4. Reactions to Victimization. 5. Battered Women and Intimate Terrorism. 6. New Perspectives on Violence in Relationships: "Common Couple" Violence. 7. Rape and Sexual Assault. 8. Child Abuse, Incest, and Learning to Be Violent. 9. Summing Up. Appendix: Case Studies.
Outer Solar-System Aeronomy

With the close encounter to Jupiter by Pioneer 10, the exploration of the outer planets has begun. Generally, the outer planets with their strong gravitational fields have retained their original composition and their present atmospheric composition should be indicative of solar abundances. In many respects, their reducing atmospheres are similar to our present speculations on the nature of the Earth’s primitive atmosphere. Exploration of the outer solar-system is essential if we are to understand the formation and evolution of our own atmosphere.
Effects of Serotonin on Caudal Raphe Neurons: Inhibition of N- and P/Q-Type Calcium Channels and the Afterhyperpolarization

Bayliss, Douglas A., Yu-Wen Li, and Edmund M. Talley. Effects of serotonin on caudal raphe neurons: inhibition of N- and P/Q-type calcium channels and the afterhyperpolarization. J. Neurophysiol. 7...
The goal/subgoal knowledge representation for real-time process monitoring

We have developed and implemented a plan representation system which has been used as the knowledge representation for COOKER, a real-time process monitoring and operator advisory system for batch manufacturing processes. This representation (called "Goa/Subgoal" or "GSG") associates two hierarchies of subgoals with each goal: a sequence of subgoals which need to be satisfied to satisfy the superior goal, and a set of requisite subgoals which must remain satisfied throughout the process of satisfying the superior goal. By explicitly representing correct process operating behavior instead of the infinite space of problem behaviors, a broad range of process operation anomalies can be recognized and diagnosed in terms of a single, simple description of the system. In this paper we compare GSG to our fITst approach at representation, describe the GSG representation, show how goals are used to monitor processes, and describe some results of our installation of COOKER in a manufacturing plant.
Biosynthesis of T1 Antigen in Salmonella: Biosynthesis in a Cell-Free System

A particulate fraction from a T1 form of Salmonella typhimurium incorporated radioactivity from uridine diphosphate (UDP)-(14)C-glucose into products associated with the particulate enzyme. A major fraction of the incorporated radioactivity was found in the cell wall lipopolysaccharide fraction. Acid hydrolysis of incorporation products produced labeled galactose, ribose, and also glucose. The incorporation of glucose could be dissociated from the incorporation of galactose and ribose under certain conditions, and was assumed to represent incorporation into a polymer not related to T1 antigen. The incorporation of galactose and ribose probably represented the synthesis of T1 side chains of lipopolysaccharide, because (i) particulate fractions from non-T1 strains incorporated much less of these sugars and (ii) periodate oxidation and borohydride reduction converted a large portion of incorporated galactose residues into arabinose. The latter finding indicates that the galactose residues are galactofuranosides substituted either at C2 or C3; about 70% of the galactose residues in T1 side chains are known to be galactofuranosides substituted at C3. UDP-(14)C-galactose preparation used was not contaminated by UDP-(14)C-galactofuranose; therefore pyranose-to-furanose conversion must have taken place at some step during the reactions described above. The mechanism of conversion of galactose to ribose is not clear, but it was not found to involve a selective elimination of C1 or C6 of galactose or glucose.
Reef Fabrics, biotic crusts and syndepositional cements of the Latemar reef margin (Middle Triassic), northern Italy

The Latemar reef buildup of the central Dolomites (northern Italy) provides a rare opportunity to examine an in-place Middle Triassic (Upper Anisian to Lower Ladinian) platform margin that is not strongly deformed or dolomitized. The margin lies between the flat lying platform interior and steeply dipping foreslope clinoforms. Across this transition, the depositional profile relates directly to a consistent lateral facies pattern: (1) restricted-biota grainstone of the platform interior, (2) ‘Tubiphytes’-rich boundstone and (3) diverse-biota grainstone that grades into (4) foreslope breccia beds. The boundstone and diverse-biota grainstone facies comprise the platform margin. The boundstone facies consists of a framework of small (< 10 cm) skeletal remains (< 10% by volume) with associated biotic crusts, internal sediments and syndepositional cements. Crusts and cements constitute most of the rock volume and created the boundstone fabric. Biotic crusts exhibit gravity-defying geometries and range from a light grey, ‘structure grumeleuse’ rind to dark grey, micritic laminae. Both cements and biotic crusts occur as redeposited talus in the foreslope talus deposits, indicating a syndepositional origin. The diverse-biota grainstone facies primarily consists of skeletal-peloidal grainstone with a diverse open marine biotic assemblage, in contrast to the restricted biota grainstones of the platform interior that have a low diversity, restricted marine biota. Metre scale hexacoral boundstone and centimetre-scale sponge boundstone and microbial boundstone occur as isolated patches (tens to hundreds of metres apart) within the diverse-biota grainstone facies. The depositional profile, facies zonation and biotic constituents all indicate that the Latemar buildup had a shallow water reef margin, in contrast to previous interpretations that these were upper slope reefs. The syndepositional biotic crusts and inorganic cementation played key roles in stabilizing the boundstone fabric to form a wave-resistant reef fabric.
Physical mechanisms of the Australian summer monsoon: 1. Seasonal cycle

[1] In order to understand the physical mechanisms of the Australian summer monsoon, cyclostationary empirical orthogonal function analysis was conducted on the 23-year (1979–2002) Xie-Arkin pentad summer precipitation data and other key physical variables over the Australian monsoon region, including the tropical and southern Indian and Pacific Oceans. The first mode of precipitation represents the El Nino signal, the second mode is the seasonal cycle, the third mode describes the phase transition of El Nino–Southern Oscillation between El Nino and La Nina, and the fourth and fifth modes represent separate components of the Madden-Julian oscillations. All five modes together explain about one third of the total variance of the pentad precipitation data. This paper investigates the physical mechanisms of the seasonal cycle, which explains the “mean” seasonal evolution of the Australian summer monsoon in the absence of other external physical mechanisms. The onset and termination mechanisms of the Australian summer monsoon are strongly associated with the surface temperature changes over the Australian continent and the resulting sea level pressure (SLP) changes. Almost a month prior to the monsoon onset, the surface temperature over northern Australia increases, and consequently SLP decreases over Australia. This initiates an anomalous cyclonic circulation over Australia. The increased upward motion induced by the surface warming together with the anomalous cyclonic circulation results in the increased lower level moisture convergence over the interior of Australia. This increases the amount of precipitation over northern Australia and eventually starts the monsoon. In conjunction with the anomalous cyclonic circulation, zonal wind anomalies over northern Australia change from easterly to westerly. During the termination stage, physical conditions over Australia are reversed.
Speaking for patients and carers: health consumer groups and the policy process

By Baggott Rob, Allsop Judith and Jones Kathryn . Palgrave Macmillan; , 2005. , HB £55.00 , 349 pp . , 0‐333‐96829‐X . PB £18.99 , 349 pp , ISBN 0‐333‐96828‐8
DETECTING NEUTRAL ATOMS FROM BEYOND THE HELIOPAUSE WITH INTERSTELLAR BOUNDARY EXPLORER

Theoretical work concerning neutral atoms to be observed by the recently launched Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) spacecraft has focused on neutral hydrogen atoms created by charge exchange in the inner heliosheath. In this Letter, we explore the effects of including H atoms born through charge exchange in the outer heliosheath and the nearby interstellar medium, with energies between 10 eV and ~70 eV. Although such atoms are generally not regarded as energetic neutral atoms (ENAs), they can nevertheless be observed by IBEX due to the spacecraft's orbital speed around the Sun. We find that the apparent boost in particle energy due to this motion allows IBEX to observe interstellar neutral atoms, and that the flux of atoms at the lowest energies observed by IBEX will be dominated by atoms originating from outside the heliopause. We show, using simulated data from a self-consistent model of the heliosphere, that the first two energy channels on IBEX will be dominated by outer heliosheath ENAs, and that these flux maps can, in principle, be used to deduce the asymmetry of the outer heliosphere caused by the interstellar magnetic field. The work presented in this Letter employs the simplifying assumption that radiation pressure exactly balances gravity for an H atom, and the predictions made here are only appropriate for solar minimum conditions.
Effective retention of primary survey skills by medical students after participation in an expanded Trauma Evaluation and Management course

Abstract Background The Trauma Evaluation and Management (TEAM) module orients medical students to the initial assessment of an injured patient. At the Medical College of Wisconsin, a course based on expanded TEAM (eTEAM) was developed for junior medical students. This study determined whether eTEAM improved the ability to perform and retain primary survey skills. Methods Objective Structured Clinical Examination methodology was used to compare 2 groups of senior medical students 1 year after receiving either a 2-hour lecture or eTEAM. Results Students receiving eTEAM performed the primary survey much better than those receiving lecture alone. The overall Objective Structured Clinical Examination scores did not differ between groups. Conclusions Medical students participating in eTEAM retained the ability to perform a primary survey in proper sequence 1 year later better than students receiving the information in lecture format only.
Hypoxia: Effects on Heart Rate and Respiration in the Snapping Turtle

In response to atmospheres containing decreasing amounts of oxygen, snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) maintained a fairly constant oxygen uptake. Their heart rate increased and the period of apnea between breathing cycles decreased. Small animals had a slightly greater mean uptake per gram than those five to ten times as large.
Thwarting the Need to Belong: Understanding the Interpersonal and Inner Effects of Social Exclusion

The need to belong is a powerful motivational basis for interpersonal behavior, and it is thwarted by social exclusion and rejection. Laboratory work has uncovered a destructive set of consequences of being socially excluded, such as increased aggressiveness and reduced helpfulness toward new targets. Rejected persons do, however, exhibit a cautious interest in finding new friends. Theory and intuition associate social exclusion with emotional distress, but laboratory research finds instead that the first response is a reduced sensitivity to pain and an emotional insensitivity that hampers empathy and may contribute to a variety of interpersonal behaviors. Self-regulation and intelligent thought are also impaired as a direct result of being rejected.
A Comparative Evaluation of Five Speech Discrimination Measures

Five recorded auditory speech discrimination tests (Semi-Diagnostic Test, Rhyme Test, Harvard PB-50 Test, CID Auditory Test W-22, and Simultaneous Voices Test) were compared in 10 normal and 20 har...
Dopamine supersensitivity and D1/D2 synergism are unrelated to changes in striatal receptor density

Experiments were conducted to elucidate the relationships among striatal dopamine receptor density, behavioral manifestations of D1/D2 synergism (i. e., the requirement of concomitant stimulation of D1 and D2 receptors for the expression of stereotyped sniffing, licking and gnawing), and behavioral supersensitivity to dopamine agonists. The state of D1/D2 synergism was found to be independent of striatal D1 or D2 receptor density in rats as: (1) increasing striatal D1 and/or D2 receptor density (as confirmed by quantitative receptor autoradiography) by chronic treatment with SCH 23390 (0.5 mg/kg/day for 21 days) and/or haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg/day for 21 days) did not alter the normal pattern of D1/D2 synergism as determined by behavioral responsiveness to agonist stimulation of D1 or D2 receptors, and (2) 5 days of reserpine treatment (1 mg/kg/day), although not significantly changing striatal D1 or D2 receptor density, induced a breakdown in D1/D2 synergism (i. e., behavior was elicited by independent stimulation of D1 or D2 receptors). In addition, the density of striatal D2 binding sites was not indicative of behavioral sensitivity to D2 agonists. Chronic haloperidol treatment increased behavioral sensitivity to the D2 agonist quinpirole by a factor of 2. When tested 96 h after bilateral 6-hydroxydopamine injections or after 5 daily reserpine injections, supersensitivity to quinpirole was at least double that following chronic haloperidol, without accompanying increases in striatal D2 density. This enhanced sensitivity to quinpirole was no greater than that observed in neurologically intact rats treated concomitantly with a maximally stimulating dose of SKF 38393. Furthermore, rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions that were treated chronically with eticlopride continued to rotate contralateral to the lesion in response to quinpirole despite having hemispheric symmetry of striatal D2 receptor binding. By contrast, when rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions were given 5 daily reserpine injections, rotation was abolished, having been replaced by intense stereotyped sniffing, indicative of bilateral supersensitivity. The results support the hypothesis that two distinct types of dopamine supersensitivity exist: A modest one associated with increased D2 density, and a more profound one associated with a breakdown in D1/D2 synergism and independent of D2 density.
Tripedal knuckle-walking: a proposal for the evolution of human locomotion and handedness.

A comparative morphological analysis of human and non-human hominoids was conducted in an attempt to determine the mode of locomotion of the protohominid. Although the generalized hominoid anatomy permits variation of locomotion: brachiation, knuckle-walking, etc., minor variations in structure determine which behavior is favored. Arboreal arm swinging requires a flexible forelimb while terrestrial fist or knuckle-walking demands more rigidity of the hand and wrist. It is demonstrated that the large human thumb accompanied by the strong adduction of the thenar, hypothenar, and palmar interosseous muscles offer powerful rigidity to the hand, while fusion of the os centrale with the scaphoid during gestation permits the formation of an arch of carpals which imbue the wrist with the stability necessary for weight bearing. Fascialization of the contrahentes and dorsiepitrochlearis muscles in the human as well as depilation of the middle phalanges; the webbing (syndactyly) of the palm; the direction of the fibers of the interosseous membrane of the forearm; the shape of the puerile annular ligament, and the direction of the human glenoid fossa strongly suggest that the ancestor of man used a knuckle-walking form of locomotion prior to becoming bipedal. A model is presented that suggests that bipedalism was attained through an intermediate stage of tripedalism. The model is based on the fact that man's anatomy is much more asymmetric than that of the great apes. A presumption is made that due to the absence of trees for climbing in the transition from forest to open plain, the protohominid needed to carry tools (stones) at all times for protection. Stones could be carried for long distances on the posterior iliac crest since the weight would be shifted posteriorly over the legs. Pick up, medial rotation and adduction of the stone would employ a two-muscle chain of biceps brachii and latissimus dorsi. On the iliac crest, the stone is posterior to the coronal plane of the glenohumeral joint, and with the contraction of this two-muscle chain, the shoulder on one side is moved posteriorly effecting a semi-erect posture. It is proposed that tripedalism of the protohominid may be an explanation for the handedness unique to hominids.
Humor me: A call for research

A review of the literature indicates that the introduction of humor as an instructional strategy in computer-based instruction (CBI) has not been studied as much as the effects of humor use in the classroom and other media. In this article humor theories are summarized, examples of humor research are provided, and perspectives on the relationships between humor, affect, motivation, information processing, and learner characteristics are discussed. Also, general guidelines for incorporating humor in CBI are suggested, and a research agenda is proposed that would support more definitive prescriptions for humor applications that reflect the affordances of modern instructional technology.
Heterogeneity in the B1 (CD20) cell surface molecule expressed by human B-lymphocytes.

Abstract The B1 molecule (CD20) is a phosphoprotein expressed only by B-lymphocytes. In this study. analysis of B1 immunoprecipitated from surface iodinated B-cell lines and B-lymphocytes has shown that there are several expressed forms of Bl. A predominant species of Mr 33,000 represents 75–80% of the iodinated cell surface B1 and a Mr 35,000 species represents 20–25%. Limited proteinase digestion of these two species generated similar peptide maps demonstrating that the different forms of B1 shared common peptides. Biosynthetic labeling with [35S]methionine revealed that the Mr 35,000 B1 species may actually represent two bands of Mr 34,500 and 36,000. Endoglycosidase digestion studies and metabolic labeling in the presence of tunicamycin indicated that neither the Mr 33,000 or 34,500–36,000 forms of B1 were glycosylated. The Mr 33,000 and 34,500–36,000 forms of B1 were constitutively phosphorylated in B-cell lines. However, exposure of B-cells to PMA resulted in a significant increase in the phosphorylation of the Mr 34,500–36,000 form. Exposure to PMA also resulted in an increase in the amount of Mr 34,500–36,000 protein immunoprecipitated from 35S labeled cells. These results suggest that there are multiple forms of the B1 molecule expressed by B-lymphocytes and that this heterogeneity may result from phosphorylation of the B1 protein.
Cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus (L.)) population densities and winter wheat yields

Grain yields of a soft white winter wheat cultivar, cv. Ionia, susceptible to cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus (L.)), were determined when the crop was subjected to four controlled infestation levels of the beetle in caged plots over a 3-year period in Michigan. Although identical infestation procedures and insect numbers were used each year, the intensity of larval infestation and feeding damage varied with the year. Significant (P < 0·01) grain losses occurred in plots that had at least 9·0 larvae per stem. The greatest yield loss was 45% and occurred with 15 larvae per stem and 85% feeding damage. Beetle damage had a greater effect on kernel weight than on the other yield components. Although economic thresholds should be conservative to allow for environmental variations, it appears that soft white winter wheat can often withstand beetle infestation levels greater than the current economic threshold of three or more eggs and largae per stem before the boot stage or one or more large larvae per flag leaf during heading.
Rorschach Movement, Fantastic Daydreaming, and Freud's Concept of Primary Process: Interpretive Commentary

The general purpose of this paper was to contribute to the interrelating of the Rorschach, creativity, and ego psychology literatures. More specifically, its purpose was to relate each of the following to a conceptual framework the author is building around the topics of creativity and Rorschach movement: (1) the Singer and Antrobus finding of two kinds of daydreaming and (2) the meaning that Freud's concept of primary process has for Singer, Maslow, Holt, Schafer, Barron, and Hilgard. The interrelating involved the hypothesis that Rorschach movement responses are a measure of capacity for what Freud meant by primary process and what Singer and Antrobus mean by fantastic daydreaming.
Copulation in C. elegans males requires a nuclear hormone receptor

In Caenorhabditis elegans, uncoordinated (unc)-55 encodes a nuclear hormone receptor that is necessary for coordinated movement and male mating. An unc-55 reporter gene revealed a sexually dimorphic pattern: early in post-embryonic motor neurons in both sexes; and later in a subset of male-specific cells that included an interneuron and eight muscle cells. A behavioral analysis coupled with RNA interference (RNAi) revealed that males require UNC-55 to execute copulatory motor programs. Two mRNA isoforms (unc-55a and unc-55b) were detected throughout post-embryonic development in males, whereas only one, unc-55a, was detected in hermaphrodites. In unc-55 mutant males isoform a rescued the locomotion and mating defect, whereas isoform b rescued the mating defect only. Isoform b represents the first report of male-specific splicing in C. elegans. In addition, isoform b extended the number of days that transgenic unc-55 mutant males mated when compared to males rescued with isoform a, suggesting an anabolic role for the nuclear hormone receptor. The male-specific expression and splicing is part of a regulatory hierarchy that includes two key genes, male abnormal (mab)-5 and mab-9, required for the generation and differentiation of male-specific cells. We suggest that UNC-55 acts as an interface between genes involved in male tail pattern formation and those responsible for function.
Dynamic relay deployment for disaster area wireless networks

This paper investigates the disaster area communication system using relay-assisted wireless network for first responders as mobile nodes (MNs). Firstly, a novel mobility model is proposed to describe the movement pattern of MNs within a large disaster area. Secondly, we study the relay management problem of finding a minimum number of relay nodes (RNs) and their dynamic locations to cover all the MNs within the disaster area. A square disk cover (SDC) problem is formulated and three different algorithms, including the two-vertex square covering (TVSC) algorithm, the circle covering algorithm and the binary integer programming (BIP) algorithm, are proposed to solve the SDC problem. Simulation results are presented to validate the mobility model and compare the algorithms with respect to computational complexity and worst case performance ratio. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Binding of myosin I to membrane lipids

The single-headed myosins called myosin-I were first isolated from the protozoan Acanthamoeba and subsequently identified in other cells. We previously reported evidence that myosin-I is responsible for the movement of membranes, extracted from Acanthamoeba, along actin filaments in vitro. Here we show for the first time that myosin-I can bind directly to NaOH-extracted membranes isolated from Acanthamoeba and to vesicles of pure lipids with an affinity sufficient for extensive binding in the cell. Membrane-bound myosin-I may provide a mechanism for many cellular movements previously thought to involve filamentous myosin-II.
International Perspective: A Cross-National Exploration of Business Students' Attitudes, Perceptions, and Tendencies Toward Academic Dishonesty

Abstract This study investigated the differences between American and Polish business college students in their attitudes, perceptions, and tendencies toward academic dishonesty. The study found significant differences between U.S. and Polish business college students' behaviors and beliefs about cheating. The findings from the research are valuable in light of the frequency with which U.S. educators are teaching abroad, as well as in consideration of the number of international students attending American universities.
Market power and strategic interaction in electricity networks

Abstract Special conditions in electric networks complicate the analysis of the geographic scope of the horizontal market power. Unlike the conventional setting where a firm exercises market power by restricting its own production, there could be situations in constraining electrical networks where a generator would exercise market power by increasing its production in order to block transmission of a disproportionate amount of competing generation. A model with a set of Cournot firms, a collection of competitive fringe participants and an explicit representation of the electrical network illustrates the possible strategic interactions.
Child Support and Welfare Dynamics: Evidence from Wisconsin*

This paper provides estimates of the effect of child support on exiting and reentering welfare for a sample of divorced women in Wisconsin. Modest amounts of child support do not have large effects on exiting welfare in this sample. The percentage of women who return to welfare is higher than has been reported previously. Receiving child support significantly decreases the likelihood of returning to welfare.
Effects of a novel guanylate cyclase inhibitor on nitric oxide‐dependent inhibitory neurotransmission in canine proximal colon

1 Previous studies suggested that nitric oxide (NO) may cause hyperpolarization and relaxation of canine colonic smooth muscle by both cGMP-dependent and cGMP-independent mechanisms. This hypothesis was tested using 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline-1-one (ODQ), a novel inhibitor of NO-stimulated guanylate cyclase. 2 In the presence of histamine (30 μM), atropine and indomethacin (both at 1 μM), electrical field stimulation of intrinsic neurons (EFS; 5 Hz) produced inhibition of phasic contractile activity that is due to NO synthesis. ODQ caused a concentration-dependent block of this response (10 nM to 10 μM). 3 Inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) due to NO synthesis were recorded from muscle cells located near the myenteric border of the circular muscle layer, using intracellular microelectrodes. IJPs were abolished by ODQ (1–10 μM). 4 EFS (10–20 Hz) produced frequency-dependent inhibition of electrical slow waves recorded from cells located near the submucosal surface of the circular muscle layer. This inhibition is due to NO synthesis, and it was abolished by ODQ (1–10 μM). 5 Hyperpolarization and relaxation produced by an NO donor, sodium nitroprusside, were abolished by ODQ pretreatment (1–10 μM). In contrast, inhibitory responses to 8-Br-cGMP (1 mM) were unaffected by ODQ. 6 ODQ alone (1–10 μM) had no significant effect on spontaneous electrical or phasic contractile activity. In tissues pre-treated with L-NAME (300 μM), ODQ decreased the amplitude of spontaneous or histamine-stimulated phasic contractile activity. 7 These results suggest that electrical and mechanical effects of endogenously released and exogenously applied NO in canine colon are largely due to cGMP synthesis by ODQ-sensitive soluble guanylate cyclase. No evidence to support a direct (cGMP-independent) mechanism of NO action was found. ODQ also appears to cause a non-specific inhibition of muscle contractile activity; however, this effect does not contribute to block of NO-dependent effects. British Journal of Pharmacology (1997) 122, 1223–1229; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0701487
Protein phosphatase 2A plays a role in hydrogen peroxide-induced disruption of tight junctions in Caco-2 cell monolayers

Evidence indicates that PP2A (protein phosphatase 2A) interacts with epithelial tight junctions and negatively regulates the integrity of the tight junction. In the present study, the role of PP2A in the hydrogen peroxide-induced disruption of the tight junction was examined in Caco-2 cell monolayers. Hydrogen peroxide-induced decrease in electrical resistance and increase in inulin permeability was associated with the dephosphorylation of occludin on threonine residues. The hydrogen peroxide-induced decrease in electrical resistance, increase in inulin permeability and redistribution of occludin and ZO (zonula occludens)-1 from the intercellular junctions were significantly attenuated by selective inhibitors of PP2A (okadaic acid and fostriecin) and by knockdown of PP2A-Calpha (the catalytic subunit of PP2A). The PP2A-Calpha protein and PP2A activity were co-immunoprecipitated with occludin, and this co-immunoprecipitation was rapidly increased by hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxideinduced increase in co-immunoprecipitation of PP2A-Calpha with occludin was prevented by PP2, a Src kinase inhibitor. GST (glutathione transferase)-pull down assays using recombinant GST-Occludin-C (C-terminal tail of occludin) and the purified PP2A showed that PP2A binds to the C-terminal domain of occludin; Src-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of GST-Occludin-C enhanced this binding. The present study shows that hydrogen peroxide increases the association of PP2A with occludin by a Src kinase-dependent mechanism, and that PP2A activity is involved in hydrogen peroxide-induced disruption of tight junctions in Caco-2 cell monolayers.
Cebus Monkeys: Effect on Branching of Gustavia Trees

One 50-tree site with monkeys and one without were similar with respect to tree height and tree diameter, but the site with monkeys had trees with significantly more branches than those on the site without monkeys. Possibly removal of terminal buds during feeding by the monkeys releases the lateral buds from apical dominance and allows increased branching.
Integrated Detection and Tracking for Multiple Moving Objects using Data-Driven MCMC Data Association

We propose a framework to address the multiple target tracking problem, which is to recover trajectories of targets of interest over time from noisy observations. Due to occlusions by targets and static objects, parallax or other moving objects, foreground regions cannot represents targets faithfully although motion segmentation is usually computationally efficient. We adopt the real Adaboost classifier to generate meaningful candidate rectangles to interpret the foreground regions. Tracks are generated from these candidates according to the smoothness of motion, appearance and model likelihood overtime. To avoid enumerating all possible joint associations, we take a Data Driven Markov Chain Monte Carlo (DD-MCMC) approach which samples the solution space efficiently. The sampling is driven by an informed proposal scheme controlled by a joint probability model combining motion, appearance and model information. Comparative experiments with quantitative evaluations are provided.
Photophysics of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) chemisorbed to nanoparticulate TiO2: Evidence for TiO2* to ATRA energy transfer and reverse electron transfer sensitisation

Abstract The photophysics of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) in methanol solution and of the system comprising ATRA chemisorbed to nanoparticulate TiO2 have been examined in methanol solution and in aqueous dispersion (pH = 7), respectively. We found evidence for two closely spaced singlet excited states of ATRA, tentatively assigned as n−π* and π−π*, with the former primarily responsible for ATRA fluorescence. The lifetime for this 1(n−π*) state in methanol solution is (55 ± 3) ps. The principal decay pathway of ATRA observable by picosecond transient absorption spectroscopy is photoionization. Under our conditions, photoionization is monophotonic and proceeds directly from the S1 state of ATRA, yielding the corresponding radical cation, ATRA·+. Electrochemical characterization of ATRA by square wave voltammetry supports this interpretation. ATRA chemisorbs to TiO2 at pH 7 in large part by deprotonation, i.e., it is present on the anatase surface as the conjugate anion of ATRA. This species is much more fluorescent than free ATRA in solution. On laser flash photolysis at 355 nm, the principal observable photoproduct was deep trapped electrons in TiO2. Unlike the TiO2 preparation without ATRA, these species appear only slowly after photoexcitation. A mechanism is proposed, whereby chemisorbed ATRA quenches the initially photoexcited TiO2 by energy transfer, followed by rate-limiting injection of electrons into the conduction band of TiO2. The photoholes remain trapped in the ATRA.
Birdsong and the neural production of steroids.

Abstract The forebrain circuits involved in singing and audition (the ‘song system’) in songbirds exhibit a remarkable capacity to synthesize and respond to steroid hormones. This review considers how local brain steroid production impacts the development, sexual differentiation, and activity of song system circuitry. The songbird forebrain contains all of the enzymes necessary for the de novo synthesis of steroids – including neuroestrogens – from cholesterol. Steroid production enzymes are found in neuronal cell bodies, but they are also expressed in pre-synaptic terminals in the song system, indicating a novel mode of brain steroid delivery to local circuits. The song system expresses nuclear hormone receptors, consistent with local action of brain-derived steroids. Local steroid production also occurs in brain regions that do not express nuclear hormone receptors, suggesting a non-classical mode of action. Recent evidence indicates that local steroid levels can change rapidly within the forebrain, in a manner similar to traditional neuromodulators. Lastly, we consider growing evidence for modulatory interactions between brain-derived steroids and neurotransmitter/neuropeptide networks within the song system. Songbirds have therefore emerged as a rich and powerful model system to explore the neural and neurochemical regulation of social behavior.
Parasitic omphalopagus complicated by omphalocele and congenital heart disease.

Conjoined twins occur in approximately one of every 50,000 to 200,000 births. Atypical or parasitic conjoined twins result from the embryonic death of one twin, which leaves behind body parts vascularized by the primary twin. Omphalopagus refers to conjoined twins joined at the level of the umbilicus. The authors report a case of atypical omphalopagus involving an acardiac, acephalic, parasitic twin and a host twin with a large omphalocele, transposition of the great arteries, and aortic coarctation. The authors briefly review reported cases of parasitic omphalopagus and emphasize the role of intensive neonatal care, preoperative planning, and staged surgical intervention in the successful management of complicated variants.
Design of the Information Processing Unit of the Ferd (Fuel Element Rupture Detector) System of EBR-II

In the detection of fuel element cladding failures in sodium-cooled reactors of high power density, it is desirable to discriminate between different types of such failures. Cladding rupture signals consist of count rate excursions, whose shape or "signature" is expected to depend on the type of cladding failure; the duration of these phenomena is expected to amount to a few minutes, and possibly include "spikes" of 0.1 sec. The accurate recording of such signals requires a display system bandwidth of the order of 100 cps; at the same time, no display or record is normally required except during an excursion. The system devised to meet these requirements inscribes counts directly on a continuous loop of magnetic recording tape and also presents them to a "prompt" count rate meter. After a short delay, the tape is read into another count rate meter which drives a fast oscillograph; the readout system is turned on only when the prompt CRM signal exceeds a predetermined level. The record thus consists of pre-signal background during the write-readout delay plus slightly less than 5 min of excursion signal, on two channels.
Nuclear Matrix Binding Regulates SATB1-mediated Transcriptional Repression

Special AT-rich binding protein 1 (SATB1) originally was identified as a protein that bound to the nuclear matrix attachment regions (MARs) of the immunoglobulin heavy chain intronic enhancer. Subsequently, SATB1 was shown to repress many genes expressed in the thymus, including interleukin-2 receptor alpha, c-myc, and those encoded by mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), a glucocorticoid-responsive retrovirus. SATB1 binds to MARs within the MMTV provirus to repress transcription. To address the role of the nuclear matrix in SATB1-mediated repression, a series of SATB1 deletion constructs was used to determine protein localization. Wild-type SATB1 localized to the soluble nuclear, chromatin, and nuclear matrix fractions. Mutants lacking amino acids 224-278 had a greatly diminished localization to the nuclear matrix, suggesting the presence of a nuclear matrix targeting sequence (NMTS). Transient transfection experiments showed that NMTS fusions to green fluorescent protein or LexA relocalized these proteins to the nuclear matrix. Difficulties with previous assay systems prompted us to develop retroviral vectors to assess effects of different SATB1 domains on expression of MMTV proviruses or integrated reporter genes. SATB1 overexpression repressed MMTV transcription in the presence and absence of functional glucocorticoid receptor. Repression was alleviated by deletion of the NMTS, which did not affect DNA binding, or by deletion of the MAR-binding domain. Our studies indicate that both nuclear matrix association and DNA binding are required for optimal SATB1-mediated repression of the integrated MMTV promoter and may allow insulation from cellular regulatory elements.
Comparing a high and low-level deep neural network implementation for automatic speech recognition

The use of deep neural networks (DNNs) has improved performance in several fields including computer vision, natural language processing, and automatic speech recognition (ASR). The increased use of DNNs in recent years has been largely due to performance afforded by GPUs, as the computational cost of training large networks on a CPU is prohibitive. Many training algorithms are well-suited to the GPU; however, writing hand-optimized GPGPU code is a significant undertaking. More recently, high-level libraries have attempted to simplify GPGPU development by automatically performing tasks such as optimization and code generation. This work utilizes Theano, a high-level Python library, to implement a DNN for the purpose of phone recognition in ASR. Performance is compared against a low-level, hand-optimized C++/CUDA DNN implementation from Kaldi, a popular ASR toolkit. Results show that the DNN implementation in Theano has CPU and GPU runtimes on par with that of Kaldi, while requiring approximately 95% less lines of code.
Stimulating Innovation in Green Technology: Policy Alternatives and Opportunities

Developing a sustainable form of industry based on green technology will require radical technological innovation by the private sector. Stimulating innovation in green technology through public policy requires an understanding of technology, the innovation process, and how policy affects innovation of firms. This article explores how to design public policy measures to stimulate green technology innovation. The potential of current environmental policy measures to stimulate green technology innovation is assessed. Opportunities are identified to improve our understanding of the innovation process, to use policy mechanisms to more effectively stimulate green technology development, and to direct the trajectories of key environmental technologies.