cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Psychological Stress on Telomeres as Genome Regulators

Abstract The role of short telomeres as the trigger for genomic instability and changes in cellular phenotype is well documented; however, aging and disease-related cellular changes may be driven by changes in the structure of telomeres, as influenced by their length, prior to reaching a critically short length. This is pertinent to the relationships among telomere length, psychological stress, and age-related diseases as telomere dynamics over the life span can be influenced by psychological stress. Through epigenetics, inflammation, and oxidative stress brought on by psychological stress, telomeres progressively shorten and change expression of genes. There is evidence that telomeres function as regulators of gene expression via multiple mechanisms, including changes in the telomere position effect (TPE), levels of telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA), and the association of shelterin. Thus psychological stress-induced progressive telomere shortening may generate consequences for the cell that have large implications for the field of stress biology.
Phasing out Coal – A Just Transition Approach

This working paper examines what a Just Transition to a Greener but employment-rich and egalitarian economy might look like. It examines the employment structure the European economy with a focus on the coal sector in the light of European Union commitments to phase out coal and argues that policymakers should devise a specific plan for the sector.
Symmetric and asymmetric periodic motions of a nonlinear oscillator with a tuned mass damper inerter

In this paper, periodic responses in a nonlinear oscillator with electromagnetic resonant shunt tuned mass damper inerter (ERS-TMDI) are studied. Symmetric and asymmetric periodic motions of such a system are obtained through an implicit mapping method. The stability and bifurcation analysis of periodic motions are completed through eigenvalue analysis. Frequency–amplitude characteristics of periodic motions are presented by the finite Fourier series analysis for a better understanding of nonlinear responses of the nonlinear oscillator with electromagnetic resonant shunt tuned mass damper inerter. Numerical simulations of the stable periodic motions are presented to verify the semi-analytical predictions of symmetric and asymmetric periodic motions. The asymmetric periodic motions cannot be obtained easily by the traditional methods. The frequency–amplitude characteristics of symmetric and asymmetric periodic motions are very good for design of ERS-TMDI. The results presented herein are also applicable for wind-induced vibration, earthquake building vibration reduction and energy harvesting.
Barriers and challenges of infant feeding in disasters in middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND Global evidence from the past 35 years confirmed the protective effect of breastfeeding and supported the guidance to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding practices, particularly in natural disaster and conflict settings. This study aimed to summarize the difficulties faced by disaster responders and mothers for optimal infant feeding during disasters in middle and high-income countries. METHODS A scoping literature review was conducted by searching databases for peer-reviewed literature and grey literature published between January 2010 and December 2018 that focused on infant feeding in the aftermath of disasters. Only disasters that occurred in middle or high-income countries as defined by the World Bank for the 2018 fiscal year were included. RESULTS The study found that a major challenge faced by organizations establishing infant feeding in emergencies (IFE) programs is the violation of The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes by other aid organizations and governments, such as acceptance of donated infant formula and untargeted distribution of formula. Additionally, many disaster responders were unfamiliar with IFE protocols. Mothers faced other barriers to breastfeed their infants during disasters. They often lacked privacy or spaces conducive to breastfeeding. Limited fluid and energy intake, stress, and exhaustion also deterred mothers from breastfeeding. Many challenges for responders and barriers mothers face for optimal infant feeding practices persist despite existing guidelines. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study reveal the lack of IFE preparedness and response capacity in middle and high-income countries, and the need for governments and aid organizations to adapt guidelines and establish policies and programs to support infant feeding in emergencies.
CaloFlow II: Even Faster and Still Accurate Generation of Calorimeter Showers with Normalizing Flows.

Recently, we introduced CaloFlow, a high-fidelity generative model for GEANT4 calorimeter shower emulation based on normalizing flows. Here, we present CaloFlow v2, an improvement on our original framework that speeds up shower generation by a further factor of 500 relative to the original. The improvement is based on a technique called Probability Density Distillation, originally developed for speech synthesis in the ML literature, and which we develop further by introducing a set of powerful new loss terms. We demonstrate that CaloFlow v2 preserves the same high fidelity of the original using qualitative (average images, histograms of high level features) and quantitative (classifier metric between GEANT4 and generated samples) measures. The result is a generative model for calorimeter showers that matches the state-of-the-art in speed (a factor of $10^4$ faster than GEANT4) and greatly surpasses the previous state-of-the-art in fidelity.
Disorder Averaging and its UV (Dis)Contents

We present a stringy realization of quantum field theory ensembles in $D \le 4$ spacetime dimensions, thus realizing a disorder averaging over coupling constants. When each member of the ensemble is a conformal field theory with a standard semi-classical holographic dual of the same radius, the resulting bulk can be interpreted as a single asymptotically Anti-de Sitter space geometry with a distribution of boundary components joined by wormhole configurations, as dictated by the Hartle-Hawking wave function. This provides a UV completion of a recent proposal by Marolf and Maxfield that there is a high-dimensional Hilbert space for baby universes, but one that is compatible with the proposed Swampland constraints of McNamara and Vafa. This is possible because our construction is really an approximation that breaks down both at short distances, but also at low energies for objects with a large number of microstates. The construction thus provides an explicit set of counterexamples to various claims in the literature that holographic and effective field theory considerations can be reliably developed without reference to any UV completion.
The Thermoenergetics of Communication and Social Interactions among Mongolian Gerbils

The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) (Figure 1) has provided us with a behavioral window through which general biological problems can be seen. What began as studies of ventral scent marking have provoked a broader interest in the bioenergetics of communication: The bioenergetic needs of an organism must ultimately stipulate the structure and function of a message system. An organism runs on energy, is constructed to search out and acquire energy, judiciously guards an energy balance of debits and credits, and interestingly, uses energy to communicate needs about energy. With this in mind, it is apparent that the cellular metabolism which underlies all life processes is also the root of communication. (Thiessen, 1983)
Security concerns of system users: a study of perceptions of the adequacy of security

Abstract In the past several years, a number of researchers have raised the issue of the level of security concern among system users, suggesting that security may be undervalued in both centralized and decentralized IS departments, and among IS staff as well as end-users. Since protective measures often require significant managerial vigilance, an appropriate level of awareness and concern may be a prerequisite for adequate security protection. Given its importance, there is a need for a better understanding of what leads to security concern. This paper focuses on users' perceptions about the security of their systems. Based on previous work on individuals' attitudes and beliefs about IS and IS environments, it is hypothesized that a user's concern about security is a function of three different constructs: industry risk, company actions, and individual awareness. The study tests the main assertions of the model, using a cross-sample comparison of perceptions from two different survey instruments. The first sample used 570 randomly selected DPMA members. The second sample surveyed 357 end-users. The theoretical model does provide some explanation for level of concern among IS professionals in the mainframe and minicomputer environment. Both company actions and individual awareness were statistically significant, although the explained variance was not large. Problems with using post hoc analysis may have contributed to the partial and weak support for the model.
The discovery of GDC-0941: A potent, selective, orally bioavailable inhibitor of class I PI3 kinase for the treatment of cancer

LB-146 Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) is an important target in cancer due to the deregulation of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway in a wide variety of tumours. The consequences of deregulation of this pathway include tumour progression, proliferation, survival, growth, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. PI3K signalling is negatively regulated by the dual phosphatase PTEN, and this is one of the most commonly mutated proteins in human malignancy. In addition, persistent signalling through the PI3K/Akt pathway has been shown to be a major mechanism of resistance to therapy. Hence, PI3K, and in particular the p110α subunit of PI3K, is a highly promising candidate for cancer treatment. This poster describes our medicinal chemistry efforts to optimize a series of thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines that demonstrate potent inhibition of PI3K p110α, culminating in the discovery of GDC-0941. The structure of GDC-0941 will be disclosed. This compound is a potent ATP-competitive PI3 kinase inhibitor with an IC50 of 3 nM against the PI3K p110α subunit, and shows potent growth inhibitory activity in vitro in a range of human tumour cell lines. GDC-0941 is efficacious in xenograft models following oral administration, and is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials for the treatment of cancer.
The petite mutation in yeast. Loss of mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid during induction of petites with ethidium bromide.

Ethidium bromide is known to convert respiratory sufficient yeast (grandes) to cytoplasmically inherited respiratory deficient mutants (petites) at efficiencies close to 100%. We have investigated the mechanism of this conversion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by examining the properties of mitochondrial DNA at various times during the mutation process, using cycloheximide to amplify the proportion of radioactivity in mitochondrial DNA. Ethidium bromide is shown to inhibit selectively mitochondrial DNA synthesis; furthermore, in its presence, pre-existing mitochondrial DNA is progressively degraded. In petites made by prolonged treatment with ethidium bromide no mitochondrial DNA could be detected.
The impact of biotechnological advances on the future of US bioenergy

Modern biotechnology has the potential to substantially advance the feasibility, structure, and efficiency of future biofuel supply chains. Advances might be direct or indirect. A direct advance would be improving the efficiency of biochemical conversion processes and feedstock production. Direct advances in processing may involve developing improved enzymes and bacteria to convert lignocellulosic feedstocks to ethanol. Progress in feedstock production could include enhancing crop yields via genetic modification or the selection of specific natural variants and breeds. Other direct results of biotechnology might increase the production of fungible biofuels and bioproducts, which would impact the supply chain. Indirect advances might include modifications to dedicated bioenergy crops that enable them to grow on marginal lands rather than land needed for food production. This study assesses the feasibility and advantages of near-future (10-year) biotechnological developments for a US biomass-based supply chain for bioenergy production. We assume a simplified supply chain of feedstock, logistics and land use, conversion, and products and utilization. The primary focus is how likely developments in feedstock production and conversion technologies will impact bioenergy and biofuels in the USA; a secondary focus is other innovative uses of biotechnologies in the energy arenas. The assessment addresses near-term biofuels based on starch, sugar, and cellulosic feedstocks and considers some longer-term options, such as oil-crop and algal technologies. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
FIR filtering using CMOS switched-current techniques

The design of high-speed FIR (finite impulse response) filters using switched-current technology is considered. By using current to represent signals, an FIR filter has been implemented using building blocks developed from switched-current circuits. It has been fabricated using the MOSIS 2- mu m CMOS technology, and can operate at a sampling frequency over 10 MHz. >
Encyclopedia of Environmental Change

Accessibly written by a team of international authors, the Encyclopedia of Environmental Change provides a gateway into the complex facts, topics, concepts, techniques, methodology and philosophy of environmental change. This three-volume set illustrates and examines topics within this dynamic and rapidly changing interdisciplinary field. The encyclopedia includes all of the following aspects of environmental change: * Diverse evidence of environmental change, including climate change and changes on land and in the oceans * Underlying natural and anthropogenic causes and mechanisms * Wide-ranging local, regional and global impacts from the polar regions to the tropics * Responses of geo-ecosystems and human-environmental systems in the face of past, present and future environmental change * Approaches, methodologies and techniques used for reconstructing, dating, monitoring, modelling, projecting and predicting change * Social, economic and political dimensions of environmental issues, environmental conservation and management, and environmental policy Over 4000 entries explore the following key themes and more: Human impact on the environment Environmental policy Land-use change Environmental security Demographic change Industrialization Environmental management Food security Pollution Glaciation Sustainability Water resources Wildlife conservation Conservation Water security Renewable resources Mining and mining impacts Military impacts on environment Nuclear energy Solar energy Trade Tourism Green Revolution The comprehensive coverage of terminology includes layers of entry ranging from one-line definitions to short essays, making this an invaluable companion for any student of physical geography, environmental geography and environmental sciences.
The Allocation of Investors' Orders and Inefficient Market Competition: A Proposal

An issue that has increasingly occupied the attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission is "payment for order flow." This is the practice whereby securities markets compete for orders placed by brokers by providing side payments to brokers in return for brokers promising to send them investors' orders. Does this create inefficient nonprice competition between securities markets? The paper argues that it does, that all the proposed solutions (including the SEC's disclosure requirements) miss the mark, and that the problem is really a result of the SEC's regulation of the prices at which investors' orders must be filled. Remove this regulatory bar (with a few wrinkles) and the problem would be resolved without the need for the current cumbersome and expensive regulatory apparatus.
Analysis of Control Issues for a Flexible One-Half Car Suspension Model

The development and implementation of controlled suspension systems designed to provide increased levels of ride isolation and road holding has spurred a great deal of interest among controls researchers. This paper describes the efforts of a preliminary analysis of the effects that car frame flexibility can have on a design for ride isolation. The work also examines the stability of the discrete delayed implementation of the control design. Recommendations for further research are also offered.
Aryl Acid Adenylating Enzymes Involved in Siderophore Biosynthesis: Fluorescence Polarization Assay, Ligand Specificity, and Discovery of Non-nucleoside Inhibitors via High-Throughput Screening†

The design and synthesis of a fluorescent probe Fl-Sal-AMS 6 based on the tight-binding inhibitor 5′-O-[N-(salicyl)sulfamoyl]adenosine (Sal-AMS) is described for the aryl acid adenylating enzymes (AAAEs) known as MbtA, YbtE, EntE, VibE, DhbE, and BasE involved in siderophore biosynthesis from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Yersinia pestis, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Bacillus subtilis, and Acinetobacter baumannii, respectively. The probe was successfully used to develop a fluorescence polarization assay for these six AAAEs, and equilibrium dissociation constants were determined in direct binding experiments. Fl-Sal-AMS was effective for AAAEs that utilize salicylic acid or 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid as native substrates, with dissociation constants ranging from 9−369 nM, but was ineffective for AsbC, the AAAE from Bacillus anthracis, which activates 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid. Competitive binding experiments using a series of ligands including substrates, reaction products, and inhibitors provided the f...
Study of elastic collisions of Myxococcus xanthus in swarms

In very low density situations where a single myxobacterial cell is isolated from direct contact with other cells, the slime capsule interaction with the substrate or slime tracks on the substrate produce a viscous drag that results in a smooth gliding motion. Viscoelastic interactions of myxobacteria cells in a low-density domain close to the edge of a swarm are studied using a combination of a cell-based three-dimensional computational model and cell-tracking experiments. The model takes into account the flexible nature of Myxococcus xanthus as well as the effects of adhesion between cells arising from the interaction of the capsular polysaccharide covering two cells in contact with each other. New image and dynamic cell curvature analysis algorithms are used to track and measure the change in cell shapes that occur as flexible cells undergo significant bending during collisions resulting in direct calibration of the model parameters. Like aspect-ratio and directional reversals, the flexibility of cells and the adhesive cell?cell and cell?substrate interactions of M. xanthus play an important role in smooth gliding and more efficient swarming.
Unexpected crime prevention impact of an experiment in education

This essay serves two purposes: it advocates increased public investment in Head Start-style preschool programs as a cost-effective crime prevention measure, and it links important preschool research findings to criminological literature to argue this unusual position. The focal point is a 1962 experiment in the Perry Elementary School in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Some 123 economically disadvantaged children ages three and four years took part in the experiment either as experimental (program) groups or as control (nonprogram) groups. Now, at age 27, the persons who were in the experimental groups are better off in many ways. An unexpected outcome of the exposure to preschool training as three- and four-year olds is the decrease in crimes committed by those in the experimental groups versus those in the control groups over their lifetimes.
Personalization for SIP multimedia communications with presence

This paper presents a 3-layer service architecture for the session initiation protocol (SIP) that incorporates other protocols to provide multimedia and presence communications. Beyond SIP basic services, personalized services are also addressed. To enrich presence related services, presence information is extended from the well known "online" and "offline" indicators to a much broader meaning that includes "location", "linestatus", "role" and "availability". Based on this, the call processing language (CPL) is extended to describe presence related personalized services in both call-processing systems and presence systems using information such as a person's presence status, time, address, language, or any of their combinations.
Civil Society and Development: Scientific and Professional Associations in Public Policy in Santa Catarina and Sergipe, Brazil

This paper uses Brazil's regional inequality to carry out comparative research on the role of civil society in economic development. Through quantitative event count data buttressed with primary archival research, greater involvement of civil society in public policy is shown to correlate with economic and social development. The results suggest that a robust, free civil society can improve development outcomes by providing additional informed voices in the policy process. These serve both as independent voices to vet policy proposals, and as sources of new policy initiatives themselves.
Influence of nonmetallic elements on the compatibility of structural materials with liquid alkali metals

Abstract Liquid alkali metals such as sodium and lithium are being considered as heat-transfer media in liquid-metal cooled fast-breeder reactors and a tritium-breeding blanket in fusion reactor, concepts, respectively. In these applications, the interaction(s) of nonmetallic impurity elements in the liquid alkali metals, such as oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen, with structural materials is of concern. This paper discusses purification methods for control of nonmetallic impurity elements in liquid sodium and lithium, and the limitations of the various methods. Interactions between structural metals and nonmetallic elements in liquid alkali metals are analyzed in terms of equilibrium distribution coefficients and the concentrations of nonmetallic elements in liquid alkali metals that are sufficient for compound formation with the structural metals. A number of experimental observations that describe various types of interactions are presented, and major differences in material behavior in liquid sodium and lithium environments are identified.
Comparison of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine vesicles produced by treating cholate-phospholipid micelles with cholestyramine

We have previously reported the preparation and characterization of unilamellar phosphatidylcholine vesicles from cholate-phospholipid micelles treated with the bile-salt sequestrant cholestyramine (Ventimiglia, J.B., Levesque, M.C., and Chang, T.Y. (1986) Anal. Biochem. 157, 323–330). We now describe a slightly modified procedure for forming unilamellar vesicles consisting of phosphatidylethanolamine, and the characterization of the resultant vesicles by gel exclusion chromatography. In contrast to phosphatidylcholine vesicles, the formation of phosphatidylethanolamine vesicles is highly pH dependent; pH 9.2 is superior to pH 8.1 or pH 7.1. Via the dialysis step, the final pH of the vesicles could be altered to be at 8.1 or at 7.1, although decreasing the pH from 9.2 resulted in the loss of approx. 20% of the total lipid as large aggregates. Residual cholate was still present in the resultant vesicles after cholestyramine treatment; the low levels of cholate, removable by dialysis, was found to stabilize the phosphatidylethanolamine vesicles formed at pH 8.1. These results suggest that the majority of the amino groups of the phosphatidylethanolamine molecules should either be in the deprotonated form, or be neutralized and/or restricted by the anionic cholate monomers in order to facilitate the vesicle formation. Phosphatidylethanolamine vesicles were found to be much more permeable to small ions than phosphatidylcholine vesicles. The incorporation of phosphatidylserine, but not phosphatidylinositol, into the phosphatidylethanolamine vesicles at 10% resulted in decreased permeability of the bilayer against the cobalt ion influx, suggesting cooperative and complementary packing of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine molecules within the bilayer.
A method for the rapid assay of Newcastle disease virus.

METHODS at present available for the detection and quantification of infectious Newcastle disease virus (NDV) particles include plaque assays1,2, the development of haemagglutinating activity and/or death of fowl embryos3, the appearance of cytopathic effects4, and the enumeration of virus infected cells by fluorescent antibody staining5. With the exception of the last technique, all these methods require a minimum of 3 days for adequate evaluation. The adsorption of erythrocytes to infected cell monolayers as a means of detecting certain non-cytopathic myxoviruses6 suggested to us a method for titrating NDV. This communication reports an assay for infectious NDV based on the ability of this virus to initiate foci of haemadsorbing cells. Results from such a titration can be accurately determined 24 h after inoculation of the virus on to susceptible monolayers. The rapidity and reproducibility of this assay technique have made it exceptionally useful in our studies on the synthesis and properties of NDV.
Rapid tuning cw laser technique for measurements of gas velocity, temperature, pressure, density, and mass flux using NO

An intracavity-doubled rapid-tuning CW ring dye laser was used to acquire fully resolved absorption profiles of NO line pairs in the A-X band at 225 nm at a rate of 4 kHz. These profiles were utilized for simultaneous measurements of flow parameters in the high-speed 1D flows generated in a shock tube. Velocity was determined from the Doppler shift, measured using a pair of profiles simultaneously acquired at different angles with respect to the flow direction. Temperature was determined from the intensity ratio of the adjacent lines. Pressure and density were found both from the collisional broadening and the fractional absorption. From this information the mass flux was determined. The results compare well to 1D shock calculations.
An aetiology for fistula in ano

Four cases of superficial peri-anal fistula occurring in early infancy are described. They were all successfully treated by complete excision of the fistula. Histological examination of the excised fistulae revealed a mixture of columnar, transitional and stratified squamous epithelium lining the tracts in three cases and non-specific connective tissue in the fourth. It is postulated that the presence of these inappropriate types of epithelium (columnar and transitional) along the length of the fistulous tract is evidence of a congenital origin for peri-anal fistulae presenting in the first few months of life.
An improved system for the separation and identification of phenylthiohydantoin derivatives of histidine and arginine by thin-layer chromatography.

Abstract An improved technique for the separation and identification of phenylthiohydantoins of histidine and arginine by thin-layer chromatography of Cheng-Chin polyamide sheets has been described. The solvent system used was n -butyl acetate:methanol:glacial acetic acid (29:20:1; 300 mg of butyl-PBD/liter).
Hydrogen Sensor using optical reflectance from porous silicon with a palladium thin film

Results of a hydrogen sensor based on light scattering from a porous silicon surface coated with a thin palladium film are discussed. Reflected light scattered from the rough surface of porous silicon surface with a thin palladium film is compared before and after exposure to hydrogen gas. After exposure to hydrogen gas the sensor's optical reflectance is decreased indicating the presence of hydrogen.
Time-domain modeling in electromagnetics

This article discusses general time-domain modeling in electromagnetics, considering why time-domain modeling may be worth doing and some choices to be made among the principle modeling approaches, and briefly traces the evolution of present time-domain modeling. The steps involved in developing and using a time-domain model are discussed as are some specific aspects of performing time-domain modeling using differential-equation- and integral-equation-based models. An in-depth discussion of more general issues that can arise in time-domain modeling is presented. Finally, time-domain applications are characterized with respect to computer requirements. A representative list of some available time-domain software is also presented along with some concluding comments.
A WEARABLE DOCUMENT READER FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED: DEWARPING AND SEGMENTATION

While reading devices for the visually impaired have been available for many years, they are often expensive and difficult to use. The image processing required to enable the reading task is a composition of several important sub-tasks, such as image capture, image stabilization, image enhancement and page-curl dewarping region segmentation, regions grouping, and word recognition In this paper we deal with some of these sub-tasks in an effort to prototype a device (Tyflos-reader) that will read a document for a person with a visual impairment and respond to voice commands for control. Initial experimental results on a set of textbook and newspaper pages are also presented.
A Botanical Critique of Cladism

Clade versus grade is an old question in taxonomy, going back as far as Darwin himself. Taxonomists have long believed that both must be taken into account in the formation of a general-purpose system. Recently clade has been elevated to a position of total dominance by a group of taxonomists who take their inspiration from Willi Hennig. Mayr has dubbed this approach cladism, and its exponents cladists. Cladistic theory is being vigorously developed and propounded by Hennig’s disputatious disciples, and much of the present-day theory would scarcely be recognized by the founder. I here address myself to what I consider the core features of present-day cladism.
Prospects for a cognitive ethology.

What, if anything, do animals think about? Do they have anything at all comparable to mental experiences as we know them? Are any of them ever aware of themselves, their surroundings, or the results likely to follow from their behavior? It would of course be manifestly absurd to overlook or underestimate the enormous differences in complexity, versatility, and range of comprehension between human and animal thinking (if the latter occurs at all). However, our direct knowledge of our own mental experiences, imperfect as it may be, is apparently quite sufficient to establish the importance of such experiences, at least in one species. Mental experiences will not wither away merely to keep science simple and tidy. Hence it is appropriate to inquire whether or not the differences between men and animals in this respect are qualitative and absolute, and to explore the possibility that particular animals may experience thoughts and feelings of one sort or another under various conditions. Determining the nature and extent of animal thinking is crucially important in our attempt to understand human uniqueness and our place in the universe, as has been discussed by Popper and Eccles (1977) and many others.
The Interaction of Water Vapor with Erbium and Erbium Dideuteride Films

In the processing of reactive metal films, which are used for hydrogen storage, considerable damage to the surfaces of these films occurs due to gaseous contaminants. One of the major contaminants encountered in the vacuum environment where these films are deposited and hydrided is water vapor.
A compositional simulator for modeling surfactant enhanced aquifer remediation, 1 Formulation

We describe a three-dimensional, multicomponent, multiphase compositional finite-difference simulator for application to the analysis of contaminant transport and surfactant enhanced aquifer remediation (SEAR) of nonaqueous-phase liquid (NAPL) pollutants. Mixtures of surfactant, water and NAPL can form many types of micellar and microemulsion phases with a complex and important dependence on many variables of which the dilute aqueous solution typically assumed in SEAR models is just one example. The phase behavior model is central to our approach and allows for the full range of the commonly observed micellar and microemulsion behavior pertinent to SEAR. The other surfactant related properties such as adsorption, interfacial tension, capillary pressure, capillary number and microemulsion viscosity are all dependent on an accurate phase behavior model. This has proven to be a highly successful approach for surfactant enhanced oil recovery modeling, so it was adapted to SEAR modeling. However, there are many significant differences between petroleum and environmental applications of surfactants, so many new features have been added to model contaminant transport and remediation and these are described and illustrated for the first time here.
The effects of amphetamine on neuromuscular transmission in the lobster

In vitro electrophysiological techniques were used on an excitatory neuromuscular junction of a walking-limb stretcher muscle of the lobster in order to define the pharmacology of amphetamine on a glutamatergic synapse. A single electrical stimulus in the presence of the drug produced a train of action potentials in the axon innervating the neuromuscular junction, resulting in a staircase-like enhancement of the evoked excitatory junction potential; both effects were antagonized by relatively small doses of haloperidol. In contrast, amphetamine reduced the amplitude of the spontaneous miniature junctional potential, suggesting a postsynaptic site of action; this depressant response to the drug was not antagonized by haloperidol. The data demonstrate that amphetamine concomitantly produces both excitation and depression at a single synapse.
Movement behavior explains genetic differentiation in American black bears.

Individual-based landscape genetic analyses provide empirically based models of gene flow. It would be valuable to verify the predictions of these models using independent data of a different type. Analyses using different data sources that produce consistent results provide strong support for the generality of the findings. Mating and dispersal movements are the mechanisms through which gene flow operates in animal populations. The best means to verify landscape genetic predictions would be to use movement data to independently predict landscape resistance. We used path-level, conditional logistic regression to predict landscape resistance for American black bear (Ursus americanus) in a landscape in which previous work predicted population connectivity using individual-based landscape genetics. We found consistent landscape factors influence genetic differentiation and movement path selection, with strong similarities between the predicted landscape resistance surfaces. Genetic differentiation in American black bear is driven by spring movement (mating and dispersal) in relation to residential development, roads, elevation and forest cover. Given the limited periods of the year when gene flow events primarily occur, models of landscape connectivity should carefully consider temporal changes in functional landscape resistance.
Do Child Psychotherapists Treat Girls and Boys Differently

Abstract The role of sex of child and sex and discipline of therapist in psychotherapy was investigated by questionnaires sent to psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Sex of child and therapist operated as significant variables in a few therapy incidents. The professional discipline of therapists provided the most significant findings. Overall more encouraging responses tended to be given to boys than to girls; male therapists tended to give more encouraging responses than female therapists; and social workers gave significantly more encouraging responses than psychologists and psychiatrists.
Molecular and crystal structure of cellulose triacetate I: A parallel chain structure

Abstract The crystal structure of cellulose triacetate I (CTA I), obtained by heterogeneous acetylation of ramie cellulose I, has been determined by a combined X-ray diffraction and stereochemical model analysis. The structure packs in a two chain, orthogonal unit cell with dimensions a = 23.63 A , b = 6.27 A , c ( fibre repeat ) = 10.43 A , but with P2 1 symmetry. The two chains pack with parallel polarity and the two-fold screw axes coincide with the chain axes. In these respects, the structure of CTA I is similar to that of cellulose I. The conformations of the chain and of the glucose residue are similar to the conformation of the crystalline cellotriose undecaacetate, in that the ф, ψ angles, the 0(6) rotational positions, acetate positions and bond and conformation angles are comparable in both structures. The reliability of the structure determination of CTA I is indicated by the crystallographic R = 0.242.
Model Predictive Control of a Two Stage Actuation System using Piezoelectric Actuators for Controllable Industrial and Automotive Brakes and Clutches

High bandwidth actuation systems that are capable of simultaneously producing relatively large forces and displacements are required for use in automobiles and other industrial applications. Conven...
Ras activity is required for phenylephrine-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in cardiac muscle cells.

Abstract The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are a family of kinases whose activity is implicated in a number of growth and differentiation responses. Recently, we and others have shown that these kinases are activated by agonists which induce cardiac muscle cell hypertrophy. Inhibition of MAP kinase activation prevents some of the phenotypes associated with phenylephrine-induced cardiac cell hypertrophy, indicating that this activation is of functional significance. In this communication, we show that active Ras can induce MAP kinase activation in cardiac muscle cells. In addition, phenylephrine-induced activation of the MAP kinases requires Ras activity since a dominant negative Ras mutant (Ala15 Ras) and a Ras-blocking, Raf mutant (C4B Raf) prevent activation of the MAP kinase Erk2 by phenylephrine. These data indicate that phenylephrine signaling to the MAP kinases is mediated through Ras.
Effectiveness of a sonic-action denture cleaning program.

Those patients who volunteered to serve were given the denture cleaning unit to be tested along with its appropriate container of cleaning solution in a quantity sufficient to last one month. The solution was a phosphate-containing liquid at low pH. They were also given a denture cleaning brush and instructions for using it. Instructions were identical to those accompanying the commercially available unit but were strengthened by the addition of a more positive statement on brushing the denture vigorously for a period of one minute during rinsing. Each denture was photographed in color by a professional photographer under standardized conditions which would allow color intensity to be controlled. A series of five photographs was made: one at the initial pretrial visit and one for each week of the four successive test weeks. During the first two weeks, the patients were instructed to use the special cleaning unit and liquid solution. For the remaining two weeks, they were to utilize their usual methods of denture hygiene. Each patient was interviewed and the following information was obtained : 1. Food habits-unusual dietary habits; frequency of use of “detergent” foods, such as raw carrots, celery, and the like. 2. Beverage habits-frequency of use of coffee, tea, or fruit juice. 3. Smoking habits-frequency of use of cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and chewing tobacco.
The alluring but misleading analogy between mirror neurons and the motor theory of speech.

Speech is commonly claimed to relate to mirror neurons because of the alluring surface analogy of mirror neurons to the Motor Theory of speech perception, which posits that perception and production draw upon common motor-articulatory representations. We argue that the analogy fails and highlight examples of systems-level developmental approaches that have been more fruitful in revealing perception–production associations.
Rotational mechanism for vibrational relaxation in rigid media. Interaction potentials

Abstract Using the assumption of pairwise additive forces we derive the interaction potential acting upon a substantial impurity in a crystalline lattice. The angle dependent parts of the force on the impurity internal vibrations are represented in the form of a Fourier series. Numerical calculations of the Fourier coefficients of the force are presented for a model system employing empirical argon—argon interactions. The higher Foutier coefficients are shown to decrease rapidly in conformity with the simple model potential used to describe the vibrational relaxation in a preceding paper.
Estrous Cycles and Mating Behavior in a Free-Ranging Band of Rhesus Monkeys

The introduced rhesus monkeys on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico, have an annual reproductive cycle with estrous periods limited to the months from July to January. The most intensive breeding occurs in September and October. The periodicity of estrus in the 34 mature females of one social group was studied during the 1960 breeding season. Among the 28 which gave birth, 20 apparently conceived during the first estrous period, 6 did not conceive until the second and the time when 2 conceived was uncertain. Distinct estrous periods occurred during the early part of gestation. Thirteen of the 28 pregnant females had at least one such postconception estrous period. Higher ranking males were in general more active breeders than lower ranked animals, but breeding activity did not decrease with decreasing dominance in a regular and predictable manner. Aggression among males as a result of competition for estrous females was not seen.
Obstructive sleep apnea and delirium: exploring possible mechanisms

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a medical disorder strongly associated with multiple comorbidities and postoperative complications. Current evidence suggests that OSA disturbs fundamental biochemical processes, leading to low-grade systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Animal models have shown that OSA may lead to apoptosis of central neurons. In clinical studies, oxygen desaturation index and sleep fragmentation have been shown to be independently associated with cognitive dysfunction. Moreover, in several studies, patients with OSA were shown to have decreased brain activation in multiple brain areas. The possibility of an association between OSA and delirium has been highlighted in several case reports. The first prospective study of the possible link between apnea and delirium showed that the presence of OSA was independently associated with the occurrence of delirium after knee replacement surgery. Therefore, we suggest that OSA should be considered as a risk factor for delirium, and clinicians should assess patients for OSA and related risk factors prior to surgery. However, further research is required to shed light on the mechanisms connecting these disorders and on whether the treatment of OSA affects the incidence of delirium.
Partitioning of Rare Earth Elements between Dissolved and Colloidal Phases

To utilize rare earth elements (REEs) as tracers in the weathering environment, an understanding of how these elements partition between aqueous and solid phases is essential. This study evaluates the partitioning between REEs and colloidal material over a range in pH (3.6-8.0) and solid and aqueous compositions. This paper presents results of filtration studies for REEs in 4 different conditions. Sample aliquots include an unfiltered fraction, a 0.45 μ m filtrate, and an ultrafiltrate (∼<0.005 μ m). Results show that the REEs behave conservatively in waters with pH below ∼5.0. REEs tend to partition onto solid phases in circumneutral waters that have colloidal material, but the nature of the fractionation can vary from light REE enriched, heavy REE enriched, or no fractionation.
170 MENSTRUAL DYSFUNCTION IN ADOLESCENTS WITH INCREASED JNTIMCRANLAL PRESSURE

The menstrual cycle is controlled by the central nervous system and alterations in its function may be a reflection of neurological disease. Although longstanding increased intracranial pressure (ICP) may produce subtle but important changes such as learning disabilities, there may be few clues to identify increased ICP as the cause. We have recently seen two patients with longstanding learning disabilities in whom amenorrhea provided the impetus for CT scanning. One patient presented at 20 years of age and had an initial prolactin of 42. She had a 3rd ventricle cyst causing obstructive hydrocephalus. The second patient presented at 17 years of age with amenorrhea and severe headaches. Prolactin was 29.5 ng/ml. Hydrocephalus due to a 4th ventricle ependymoma was found on CT. Spontaneous menses occurred in the second patient after placement of a shunt. Her prolactin level gradually fell to normal but menses resumed before the prolactin fall. The first patient initially required medroxyprogesterone acetate postoperatively but resumed spontaneous menses when she was placed on spironolactone for her hirsuitism. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Amenorrhea may be an important clue to the presence of increased intracranial pressure and intracranial neoplasia, 2) Hypo-thalamic compression rather than hyperprolactinemia appears to be the mechanism of amenorrhea in our cases.
Identification of Therapeutic Covariant MicroRNA Clusters in Hypoxia-Treated Cardiac Progenitor Cell Exosomes Using Systems Biology

Rationale:Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of death in developed nations, and there remains a need for cardiac therapeutic systems that mitigate tissue damage. Cardiac progenitor cells (CPC...
Tracking the human arm using constraint fusion and multiple-cue localization

The use of hand gestures provides an attractive means of interacting naturally with a computer-generated display. Using one or more video cameras, the hand movements can potentially be interpreted as meaningful gestures. One key problem in building such an interface without a restricted setup is the ability to localize and track the human arm robustly in video sequences. This paper proposes a multiple-cue localization scheme combined with a tracking framework to reliably track the dynamics of the human arm in unconstrained environments. The localization scheme integrates the multiple cues of motion, shape, and color for locating a set of key image features. Using constraint fusion, these features are tracked by a modified extended Kalman filter that exploits the articulated structure of the human arm. Moreover, an interaction scheme between tracking and localization is used for improving the estimation process while reducing the computational requirements. The performance of the localization/tracking framework is validated with the help of extensive experiments and simulations. These experiments include tracking with calibrated stereo camera and uncalibrated broadcast video.