cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemical stability, microstructure and mechanical behavior of LaPO4-containing ceramics

Abstract The use of LaPO 4 as a weak interface in composites for high temperature applications was investigated using tape-cast laminates and fiber model systems. Three laminates were fabricated with LaPO 4 as one component and Al 2 O 3 , Y 3 Al 5 O 12 or LaAl 11 O 18 as the other. The chemical compatibility between the different components of the laminates, as well as the mechanical responses to flexural deformation and the propagation of indentation cracks, were examined. Two fiber model systems (Al 2 O 3 fiber/LaPO 4 coating/Al 2 O 3 matrix and Y 3 Al 5 O 12 fiber/LaPO 4 coating/Al 2 O 3 matrix) were studied by fiber pushout tests to measure the interfacial shear strengths. The interfacial shear strengths were calculated by the linear and shear-lag approaches for different embedded fiber lengths. The results suggest that Y 3 Al 5 O 12 fiber-reinforced composites with LaPO 4 coatings have potential as high temperature materials in oxidizing environments.
Preliminary report on the activity cycle and diet of the red-bellied Lemur (Lemur rubriventer) in Madagascar

A preliminary field study was conducted on red-bellied lemurs (Lemur rubriventer) in a southeastern rainforest of Madagascar during June and July 1986. Data were collected on diet, patterns of activity, and group composition. In June, the major food resource exploited by L. rubriventer was fruit. The study group also maintained a strict diurnal activity cycle. In July, L. rubriventer fed on flowers (80%), fruits (10%), and leaves (10%) and were nocturnal as well as diurnal. Eucalyptus flowers were the only resource exploited during feeding sessions. L. rubriventer's transition from a diurnal to a random, 24-hour or "cathemeral" activity pattern may be a potential adaptive strategy to avoid predation by diurnal raptors.
Anomalous angular momentum in the presence of a vortex

Abstract The angular momentum of a charged boson in the presence of a vortex is calculated using collective coordinates in the two-dimensional, abelian Higgs model. In agreement with already published assertions, angular momentum is found to be half-integer when the vortex flux is quantized in half-integer units.
Evidence For Multiple Cell Death Pathways During Development of Experimental Cytomegalovirus Retinitis in Mice with Retrovirus-induced Immunosuppression: Apoptosis, Necroptosis, and Pyroptosis

AIDS-related human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) retinitis remains a major ophthalmologic problem worldwide. Although this sight-threatening disease is well characterized clinically, many pathogenic issues remain unresolved, among them a basic understanding of the relative roles of cell death pathways during development of retinal tissue destruction. Using an established model of experimental murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) retinitis in mice with retrovirus-induced immunosuppression (MAIDS), we initially investigated MCMV-infected eyes for evidence of apoptosis-associated molecules in mice with MAIDS of 4 weeks' (MAIDS-4) and 10 weeks' (MAIDS-10) duration, which were resistant and susceptible to retinal disease, respectively, but which harbored equivalent amounts of infectious MCMV. Whereas MCMV-infected eyes of MAIDS-4 mice showed little evidence of apoptosis-associated molecules, MCMV-infected eyes of MAIDS-10 mice showed significant amounts of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), TNF receptors 1 and 2, active caspase 8, active caspase 3, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), TRAIL-R(DR5), Fas, and Fas ligand mRNAs and/or proteins, all detected at peak amounts prior to development of most severe retinal disease. Immunohistochemical staining showed macrophages, granulocytes (neutrophils), Muller cells, and microglial cells as TNF-α sources. Remarkably, quantification of apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay suggested that apoptosis contributed minimally to retinal disease in MCMV-infected eyes of MAIDS-10 mice. Subsequent studies demonstrated that MCMV-infected eyes of MAIDS-10 mice, but not MAIDS-4 mice, showed evidence of significant increases in molecules associated with two additional cell death pathways, necroptosis (receptor-interacting protein 1 [RIP1] and RIP3 mRNAs) and pyroptosis (caspase 1, interleukin 1β [IL-1β], and IL-18 mRNAs). We conclude that apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis participate simultaneously during MAIDS-related MCMV retinitis, and all may play a role during AIDS-related HCMV retinitis.
Intelligence and EEG current density using low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA)

The purpose of this study was to compare EEG current source densities in high IQ subjects vs. low IQ subjects. Resting eyes closed EEG was recorded from 19 scalp locations with a linked ears reference from 442 subjects ages 5 to 52 years. The Wechsler Intelligence Test was administered and subjects were divided into low IQ ( 90 to or =120) groups. Low-resolution electromagnetic tomographic current densities (LORETA) from 2,394 cortical gray matter voxels were computed from 1-30 Hz based on each subject's EEG. Differences in current densities using t tests, multivariate analyses of covariance, and regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between IQ and current density in Brodmann area groupings of cortical gray matter voxels. Frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital regions of interest (ROIs) consistently exhibited a direct relationship between LORETA current density and IQ. Maximal t test differences were present at 4 Hz, 9 Hz, 13 Hz, 18 Hz, and 30 Hz with different anatomical regions showing different maxima. Linear regression fits from low to high IQ groups were statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Intelligence is directly related to a general level of arousal and to the synchrony of neural populations driven by thalamo-cortical resonances. A traveling frame model of sequential microstates is hypothesized to explain the results.
An Experimental Study on the Effect of Configuration of Multiple Microchannels on Heat Removal for Electronic Cooling

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of three different configurations of multiple microchannel heat sink devices to improve their overall cooling efficiency for potential applications in electronic cooling. A fabrication and packaging process based on standard UV-lithography, wet etching, and bonding was developed to allow a rapid parametric study. An anisotropic chemical etch with potassium hydroxide, water, and isopropanol is used to fabricate microchannels on (110)-oriented silicon wafers. PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) was tested as the cover of microchannels due to its mechanical flexibility. It is transparent so that the microchannel flow can be visualized using a microscope. An open flow loop, which consists of syringe pump and a power supply, was designed to test the heat sinks with different configurations. Temperature data were collected at different locations by a Data Acquisition (DAQ) system and recorded by Labview software to investigate the heat transfer characteristics of the heat sink. Three heat sinks, with different configurations, were tested. They all included microchannels of width 50 μm, depth 60 μm, and fin width 200 μm. Some Typical results on heat transfer are presented, along with discussion on the efficiency for heat removal.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
New liquid crystal operation modes

Several new liquid crystal operation modes for direct-view and projection display are reviewed. Both transmissive and reflective types are considered. In the transmissive mode, we describe chiral-homeotropic cell for high contrast direct-view displays and a polarization recombination method for high brightness projection displays. In the reflective mode, we describe mixed-mode twisted nematic cells for direct-view displays and an improved 45 degree twisted nematic cell for projection displays.
Neuroimaging of emotional brain circuitry in bipolar disorder

Abnormalities in the regulation of emotion and motivational behavior are core features of bipolar disorder (BD) implicating the brain structures that subserve these functions. Converging neuroimaging evidence supports the involvement in BD of a neural system comprised of ventral prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and ventral striatum. Neuroimaging studies demonstrate abnormalities in both the structure and function of these brain regions. Findings in amygdala and ventral striatum in adolescents with BD suggest a neurodevelopmental trajectory for the appearance of regional abnormalities in this neural system. Preliminary studies suggest that mood-stabilizing medications may provide beneficial effects for the structure and functioning of this circuitry. New research directions, including those that integrate genetic studies with neuroimaging research, may provide important insights into the pathophysiologic mechanisms contributing to BD, and point to new strategies for its detection and treatment.
Using FastTrack to Implement an Academic Medical Center and Community Health Center Collaborative for Cancer Care Delivery.

Abstract Implementation lessons • The formation of a clinical outreach program between an academic medical center and a community health center is achievable with specific shared common goals, including deliverable, patient-centered outcomes that are relevant to all the institutions. • The creation of the program requires commitment from participating institutions, and must evolve out of need, as determined by local incidence and mortality data. • The implementation of the program requires integration of both the administrative as well as the clinical staff prospectively, with specific emphasis on structural impediments to patient access.
The effect of prism strength and response mode on the magnitude of the correction effect in prism viewing.

In the correction effect paradigm, the apparent straight-ahead is judged, under prismatic viewing, in both an illuminated and a darkened room condition. The correction effect occurs to the extent that the straight-ahead is judged more veridically in the illuminated than in the darkened room. In the present experiment, equivalent correction effects were obtained using prism magnitudes from 10 to 30 D. Further, correction effects were not obtained when the straight-ahead was measured with a pointing response rather than by the use of a visual positioning task. The implications of these data for explanations of the correction effect that have been presented in the literature are discussed.
G protein subunits in lung cells

Abstract Many hormones and neurotransmitters bind to membrane-bound receptors that are coupled to signal generating enzymes or ion channels via signal transducing GTP-binding proteins termed G proteins. Although receptors and second messengers have been extensively studied in cells of the respiratory system, the G proteins responsible for the coupling of these proteins have not been well-characterized. Therefore, we used immunoblot analysis to determine expression of G protein α and β subunits in membranes prepared from cells and tissues of the respiratory system, including cultured canine tracheal epithelium, cleanly dissected canine tracheal smooth muscle, canine large conducting airways, and canine and human lung parenchyma. The two isoforms of Gsα (45 and 52 kDa) werepresent in all tissues, with a predominant expression of the 45 kDa isoform. Plasma membranes prepared from canine tracheal epithelium and muscle, and human lung parenchyma, contained greater amounts of Gsα than membranes prepared from canine bronchus and lung. Relative levels of immunoreactive Giα(2), Giα(3), Gq/G11α, β1 and β2 were similar in all of the tissues studied. By contrast, Goα was absent in cultured tracheal epithelium, and tracheal smooth muscle expressed greater amounts of Giα(2) compared to Giα(3). Specificity of G protein expression can provide one regulatory mechanism for functional biochemical pathways within cells. The demonstration of specific G protein subunits is the first step in the molecular characterization of the regulation of these pathways, both in normal tissues and in disease states.
Competitive Inhibition of Human Organic Anion Transporters 1 (SLC22A6), 3 (SLC22A8) and 4 (SLC22A11) by Major Components of the Medicinal Herb Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen)

When herbal products are used in combination therapy with drugs, alterations in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity can result. Many active components of herbal products are organic anions, and human organic anion transporter 1 (hOAT1, SLC22A6), hOAT3 (SLC22A8), and hOAT4 (SLC22A11) have been identified as potential sites of drug-drug interactions. Therefore, we assessed the effects of lithospermic acid (LSA), rosmarinic acid (RMA), salvianolic acid A (SAA), salvianolic acid B (SAB), and tanshinol (TSL), components of the herbal medicine Danshen, on the function of these transporters. Kinetic analysis demonstrated a competitive mechanism of inhibition for all five. K(i) values (µM) were estimated as 20.8 ± 2.1 (LSA), 0.35 ± 0.06 (RMA), 5.6 ± 0.3 (SAA), 22.2 ± 1.9 (SAB), and 40.4 ± 12.9 (TSL) on hOAT1 and as 0.59 ± 0.26 (LSA), 0.55 ± 0.25 (RMA), 0.16 ± 0.03 (SAA), 19.8 ± 8.4 (SAB), and 8.6 ± 3.3 (TSL) on hOAT3. No significant inhibition of hOAT4 activity by TSL was observed. Using published human pharmacokinetic values, unbound C(max)/K(i) ratios were calculated as an indicator of in vivo drug-drug interaction potential. Analysis indicated a strong interaction potential for RMA and TSL on both hOAT1 and hOAT3 and for LSA on hOAT3. Thus, herb-drug interactions may occur in vivo in situations of co-administration of Danshen and clinical therapeutics known to be hOAT1/hOAT3 substrates.
SpecTLB: a mechanism for speculative address translation

Data-intensive computing applications are using more and more memory and are placing an increasing load on the virtual memory system. While the use of large pages can help alleviate the overhead of address translation, they limit the control the operating system has over memory allocation and protection. We present a novel device, the SpecTLB, that exploits the predictable behavior of reservation-based physical memory allocators to interpolate address translations. Our device provides speculative translations for many TLB misses on small pages without referencing the page table. While these interpolations must be confirmed, doing so can be done in parallel with speculative execution. This effectively hides the execution latency of these TLB misses. In simulation, the SpecTLB is able to overlap an average of 57% of page table walks with successful speculative execution over a wide variety of applications. We also show that the SpecTLB outperforms a state-of-the-art TLB prefetching scheme for virtually all tested applications with significant TLB miss rates. Moreover, we show that the SpecTLB is efficient since mispredictions are extremely rare, occurring in less than 1% of TLB misses. In essense, the SpecTLB effectively enables the use of small pages to achieve fine-grained allocation and protection, while avoiding the associated latency penalties of small pages.
Effects of Diet Composition on Vanadium Toxicity in Laying Hens

Abstract Vanadium added to laying rations as NH4 VO3, VOCl2 or VOSO4 at levels of 20 to 80 ppm resulted in a rapid and substantial reduction in albumen quality as measured b y Haugh units. Dietary vanadium also resulted in reduced egg production, egg weight, body weight, feed consumption, and poorer shell quality as measured by specific gravity. Ascorbic acid at .4 t o .5% effectively protected the hen from the reduction in albumen quality, egg production, and body weight for up to 40 ppm vanadium, but not the reduction of egg weight Replacement of soybean meal by 20% dietary cottonseed meal also protected the hen from the reduction in albumen quality, egg production, and body weight for up to 40 ppm vanadium. Added at levels of 4 to 8 times the molecular concentration of vanadium, EDTA had no consistent effect on vanadium toxicity. Dehydrated grass, at levels of 6 to 12%, maintained egg production but had no effects on the reduction in albumen quality caused by 40 ppm vanadium. Replacement of soybean meal with herring fish meal and part of the grain with sucrose intensified the depression of albumen quality, egg production, and loss of body weight caused by added vanadium. Neither varying dietary protein levels from 12 to 25% using soybean meal nor the addition of 20 ppm chromium had any effect on the toxicity of added vanadium. It appears that vanadium expresses its toxicity in laying hens by several routes since the protective effects of different dietary changes and additives differentially affected the loss of albumen quality, egg production, body weight, and egg weight.
Effects of ethyl-p-chlorophenoxyisobutyrate, clofibrate, on the plasma and red blood cell free fatty acids of the rat

Summary By using modifications of the Dole free fatty acid (FFA) extraction procedure, the present study demonstrated that ethyl- p -chlorophenoxyisobutyrate (Clofibrate or Atromid-S) given orally and intraperitoneally to rats at doses of 50, 100 and 800 mg/kg/day for 9–30 days produced 40–80 % decreases in the levels of plasma and red blood cell FFA. Near maximum FFA-lowering effects were obtained with the lower doses. These observations support the concept that some of the clofibrate-induced reductions in the circulating levels of cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides are due to a reduction in FFA availability. Besides decreasing the circulating levels of FFA, Clofibrate treatment resulted in certain alterations in the relative composition of the plasma FFA. In particular, there was an increase in the relative content of plasma oleic acid, from 12 % of the total plasma in untreated rats to about 22 % in treated animals (100 mg/kg/day, i.p., for 24 days), and a decrease in the linoleic acid content, from about 9 % in untreated to 3 % in treated animals.
Increasing knowledge of PTEN germline mutations: Two additional patients with autism and macrocephaly†

Recently, Butler et al. [2005; J Med Genet 42:318-321] reported the presence of heterozygous germline mutations in the PTEN tumor suppressor gene in three children with autism and macrocephaly. Here, we report the presence of PTEN mutations in two additional unrelated children with macrocephaly and autism. Our findings extend those of Butler et al. and suggest that PTEN gene sequencing should be included in the genetic evaluation of this subset of autistic individuals.
Die Konfiguration der 7-Oxyderivate des Cholesterins und des Cholestanols. Bemerkungen zur Abhandlung von H. Schaltegger und F.X. Müllner

1. Durch Hydrierung wurde das starker rechtsdrehende 7-Oxy-cholesterin in das starker rechtsdrehende 7-Oxy-cholestanol ubergefuhrt, so dass beiden die gleiche Konfiguration an C7 zukommt.
Personality Structure as the Main Determinant of Drug Induced (Model) Psychoses

IN previous communications, others1,2 and ourselves3–5 have dealt principally with factors other than personality structure involved in drug produced model psychoses. The importance of the personality structure was explicitly suggested by Hess6, who emphasized that psychotomimetic compounds “only provoke symptoms which are already potentially present within the cerebral organization…”
Intramuscular delivery of DNA releasing microspheres: Microsphere properties and transgene expression

Plasmid-loaded microspheres can provide localized and sustained release into the target tissue, and thus have the potential to enhance the efficiency of naked DNA at promoting transgene expression. In this report, microsphere design parameters are investigated by correlating the extent and duration of transgene expression intramuscularly to the polymer molecular weight and the mass of DNA delivered. Plasmid DNA was incorporated into poly (lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres using a cryogenic double emulsion process, and microspheres were injected intramuscularly. Bolus injection of naked plasmid was used for control, which exhibited transfection of muscle cells with transgene expression that gradually decreased over time. Microspheres fabricated from low molecular weight polymer had expression levels that increased from day 1 to day 92, which subsequently decreased through day 174. Decreasing the microsphere mass delivered resulted in steady expression during the same time. However, microspheres fabricated with high molecular weight polymer had expression for only 14 days. Intramuscular injection resulted in a foreign body response to the microspheres, and these infiltrating cells adjacent were primarily transfected. This understanding of microsphere properties that determine transgene expression and the distribution of transfected cells may facilitate their application to fields such as tissue engineering or DNA vaccines.
ON THE MECHANISM OF CHORISMATE MUTASES : CLUES FROM WILD-TYPE E. COLI ENZYME AND A SITE-DIRECTED MUTANT RELATED TO YEAST CHORISMATE MUTASE

Thermodynamic parameters for E. coli chorismate mutase are reported. In addition, site-directed mutagenesis studies provide a direct mechanistic link to yeast chorismate mutase, further indicating the importance of entropic restriction and hydrogen bonding in the enzymic catalysis of Claisen rearrangements.
Combined asymmetry-induced and exchange-induced spin splitting in antimonide type-II quantum wells

We incorporate bulk and structure inversion asymmetries into an eight-band effective bond-orbital method to study the effects of an adjacent ferromagnetic GaMnSb layer on the transport and spin properties of high-mobility electrons in an asymmetric $\mathrm{Al}\mathrm{Sb}∕\mathrm{Ga}\mathrm{Sb}∕\mathrm{In}\mathrm{As}∕\mathrm{Al}\mathrm{Sb}$ quantum well. An appreciable exchange interaction for electrons results, due to their hybridization with holes in the GaSb layer, which in turn overlap the GaMnSb. Interactions between the asymmetry and exchange effects cause these structures to have complicated spin splittings and spin orientations. When the GaMnSb magnetization points parallel to the growth axis, the spin polarization for electrons conducting in the plane can be as high as 71%. The conductivity decreases by two orders of magnitude when turning off the magnetization or rotating it toward the plane induces a transition from a gapless state to a more conventional type-II semimetal with a ``hybridization gap.''
Left invariant measure in topological semigroups

We consider the problem of the existence of a left invariant measure in a class of topological semigroups. Several authors have considered this and related problems on semigroups satisfying similar conditions, but the invariance they considered is right invariance. This paper is different in that it deals with left invariance.
At a crossroads: Connectivity model determines distribution of power

More expectation and hyperbole surround the Internet than perhaps any other innovation in recent history. We hear a lot about the "information superhighway" and how we want to get everyone connected, but we rarely hear any serious discussion about the appropriate model for that connectivity. Whether or not the Internet lives up to our expectations may well depend on the model of connectivity we adopt-that is, on who holds the tools of communication and information dissemination in our society. Historically, access to information and our ability to communicate with large numbers of people over a wide area have been limited, and control of information has been a means to power. However, technological innovations have vastly increased our communication options. Indeed, technology is power, and the model of Internet connectivity we choose may determine not only how power is distributed but also how we relate to each other and to our institutions. A look back at earlier technology-driven power shifts can show why.
Spectrin synthesis in the preimplantation mouse embryo.

Abstract The preimplantation mouse embryo expresses two polypeptides, M r 240,000 and M r 235,000, that are immunologically cross-reactive with antibody to the α and β subunits of mouse brain spectrin. We investigated the synthesis of the spectrin subunits in the Triton-soluble and Triton-insoluble fractions of fertilized eggs, two-cell embryos, compacted morulae, and blastocysts labeled with l -[ 35 S]methionine. Synthesis of embryonic spectrin began in the Triton-soluble fraction with significant levels of α-spectrin synthesis first detected in the morula stage and significant levels of β-spectrin synthesis detected in the blastocyst stage. Incorporation of newly synthesized α- and β-spectrin into the cytoskeletal fraction took place in the blastocyst when equal amounts of both subunits were assembled. Previous studies have shown Triton-insoluble spectrin to be concentrated in regions of cell-cell contact in the embryo ( J. S. Sobel and M. A. Alliegro, 1985 , J. Cell Biol. 100, 333–336). The temporal and spatial correlation between the assembly of newly synthesized spectrin and its concentration in regions of cell apposition is consistent with the hypothesis that cell contact may influence the assembly of embryonic spectrin.
Prostate Specific Antigen Releases a Kinin-Like Substance on Proteolysis of Seminal Vesicle Fluid that Stimulates Smooth Muscle Contraction

AbstractPurpose: We investigated whether purified prostate specific antigen (PSA), a seminal plasma serine protease of the kallikrein enzyme family, is capable of releasing kinin-like peptides from natural substrate glycoproteins in human seminal vesicle fluid.Materials and Methods: An in vivo rat bladder model was used to monitor for release of substances capable of inducing smooth muscle contractions. Purified PSA, seminal vesicle fluid (SVF) from radical prostatectomy specimens, bradykinin, saline and a bradykinin antagonist were injected intravesically into urethane-anesthetized rats, and the resulting bladder contractions were measured.Results: Injection of either PSA or SVF alone did not induce bladder contractions. Injection of a mixture of SVF and PSA preincubated 15 minutes, however, induced strong bladder contractions (23 plus/minus 7 cm. H2 O) that decreased with time (4 plus/minus 2 cm. H2 O, after 90 minutes). Similar contractions were observed after injection of bradykinin (10 sup -4 M. = 39...
Laparoscopic varicocele ligation: are there advantages compared with the microscopic subinguinal approach?

Abstract Objectives To compare the operative time, outcome, complications, and patient costs between laparoscopic varicocele ligation (LVL) and subinguinal microscopic varicocelectomy (SMV) in two patient cohorts. Varicocele therapy is a controversial issue, with no single approach adopted as the best therapeutic option. LVL has been considered more expensive and of no proven benefit compared with SMV. Methods We compared two groups of patients who underwent surgical correction of varicocele at our institutions during a 6-year period. Group 1 included postpubertal adolescents who underwent LVL and group 2 included adults seen at an infertility practice who underwent SMV. The outcome measures selected included operative time, direct hospital costs to the patient, and negative outcomes. Results We identified a total of 72 patients, 36 (mean age 13.8 years) in group 1 and 36 (mean age 34.1 years) in group 2. Group 1 had no persistent or recurrent varicoceles compared with 4 patients in group 2. Three men in group 2 required emergency room evaluation and no patient did so in group 1. No hydroceles developed in group 2, but three developed in group 1. Conclusions LVL resulted in shorter operative times and fewer negative outcomes compared with SMV. This translated into lower direct patient costs for LVL. For those who have mastered laparoscopic techniques, LVL should be considered a safe, cost-effective option in the correction of varicoceles.
Characterization of a RFamide-positive subset of ganglionic cells in the hydrozoan planular nerve net.

The complexity of the hydrozoan planular nervous system was examined. Using a whole-mount technique with indirect immunofluorescence, the spatial pattern of ganglionic cells showing RFamide-like immunoreactivity was visualized. RFamide antiserum bound a subset of ganglionic cells in the anterior and upper middle regions of the planula and a few ganglionic cells in the upper tail region. Labeled cells consisted of bipolar and multipolar neurons. Stained processes from these cells formed a three-dimensional nerve net that followed the contour of the mesoglea; such fibers were striking in terms of their large numbers, long lengths, and organization into distinct bundles. Labeled fibers were seen to contact other ganglionic cells, sensory cells, epitheliomuscle cells, the mesoglea, and the outside free surface. All stained cell bodies and fibers were found in the ectoderm. Using the same technique the reappearance of RFamide-positive ganglionic cells in epithelial tissue of chimeric grafts of planulae was observed. Interstitial cells capable of forming RFamide-positive ganglionic cells underwent extensive anterior-posterior migrations in the grafts, moved into the epithelial tissue, and differentiated into RFamide-positive ganglionic cells. Stained repopulated ganglionic cells always formed in the same position in the epithelial tissue as was observed in control planulae suggesting that the expression of RFamide-like substances may be position dependent in the planula.
Viscosity Solutions for Weakly Coupled Systems of Hamilton-Jacobi Equations

We obtain comparison results for viscosity solutions of weakly coupled systems of Hamilton-Jacobi equations. Perron's method is extended to give existence proofs for systems. A stronger definition of sub- and supersolutions is introduced, leading to existence results for continuous solutions. The needed sub- and supersolutions are constructed for continuous boundary data. Crandall's and Lions' notion of viscosity solutions for first-order Hamilton-Jacobi equations can be extended in a componentwise way to systems. A key tool in obtaining uniqueness, comparison, and existence results is the maximum principle. We obtain such results for weakly coupled systems of Hamilton-Jacobi equations, in which the coupling has such a structure to allow the use of maximum principle techniques. To motivate the coupling assumptions, consider this linear system: N
Mobility of the active site bound paraoxon and sarin in zinc-phosphotriesterase by molecular dynamics simulation and quantum chemical calculation.

The kinetic data published on phosphotriesterase (PTE), with various complexed metals, clearly indicates that the PO and PS bonds of phosphotriester and thiophosphotriester substrates, respectively, are strongly polarized by one or both of the active site complexed metal ions. However, this observation is not consistent with the three-dimensional X-ray crystal structure of zinc-substituted PTE with active site bound substrate analogue diethyl 4-methylbenzylphosphonate. In this structure, the distance between the phosphoryl oxygen and the nearest zinc is 3.4 A, a distance too large to afford strong polarization. In the present paper, the geometry and mobility of various PTE active site−substrate complexes are examined by performing both molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and quantum mechanical calculations. Two known substrates are considered, paraoxon and sarin, although their turnover rates vary about 100-fold. The results indicate that PTE forms a complex with either substrate in which the phosphoryl o...
Decolorization kinetics and mechanisms of commercial dyes by H2O2/iron powder system

The oxidation kinetics and mechanisms of Reactive Red 120, Direct Blue 160, and Acid Blue 40 by H2O2/iron powder system were investigated in a well-mixed batch reactor. Optimal pH ranged from 2.0 to 3.0 depending upon the dye molecular structure and the iron dissolution rate. The optimal ratio of H2O2 to iron metal was 0.001 M to 1.0 g/L. The initial oxidation rates were obtained according to pseudo-first-order kinetics. Dye molecular structure is an important factor that influences decolorization kinetics. The results suggest that the structure chromophore including Azo bonds are the primary target oxidized by H2O2/Fe powder system. The less substituted anthraquinone ring in Acid Blue 40 is more readily to be destroyed than the Azo dyes. Dimerization may take place at high concentration of Acid Blue 40, which decreases the decolorization efficiency. In addition, the color change during decolorization processes may also result from the dye complexes with the iron species. As a result, H2O2/iron powder system is better than the Fenton s reagent system, e.g., H2O2Fe2+, due to the continuous dissolution of iron powder and the dye adsorption on the iron powder, despite the fact that Fenton's reaction was the major process contributing to decolorization.
Giza 3D: Digital archaeology and scholarly access to the Giza Pyramids: The Giza Project at Harvard University

For the famous Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, and surrounding tombs and temples, just west of modern Cairo (3rd millennium BCE), the Giza Project at Harvard University is blending older traditional archives (dig photos, archaeological drawings, object metadata) with realistic 3D visualization of the site. This marriage of old and new provides revolutionary access to Giza, its statues, hieroglyphic inscriptions, architecture, and wall decoration. Real-time immersive models allow us to pose new research questions, provide interactive classroom instruction, and investigate diachronic approaches to Giza's evolution over several millennia.
The Food Amount Rating Scale: Development, Reliability, and Validity

Objective: Implied in measures of binge eating is the assumption that individuals agree on what comprises a large amount of food. However, whether individuals estimate food amounts similarly or whether estimation of food amounts varies as a function of personal characteristics is unknown. The Food Amount Rating Scale (FARS) is a standardized set of stimuli for assessing individuals’ judgment of food amounts. Research Methods and Procedures: Two versions of the FARS were developed, and their psychometric properties were assessed. These versions are the same in all respects except that the rater is instructed to rate various food amounts for the average woman on Form W and for the average man on Form M. Results: Content validity was confirmed by 14 researchers and research assistants in the field of eating disorders. The FARS is a 24-item inventory with adequate test–retest reliability (Form W = 0.85; Form M = 0.87) and split–half reliability (Form W = 0.90; Form M = 0.89). Convergent validity is suggested by the finding that ratings for the average woman (Form W) were significantly higher than ratings for the average man (Form M). Discussion: The FARS is a psychometrically sound tool for use in basic research focused on identifying whether the subjective judgment of food amounts varies as a function of personal characteristics and in clinical research where it may be important to know how individuals judge food amounts.
An Environment-Wide Association Study (EWAS) on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and other chronic diseases are caused by a complex combination of many genetic and environmental factors. Few methods are available to comprehensively associate specific physical environmental factors with disease. We conducted a pilot Environmental-Wide Association Study (EWAS), in which epidemiological data are comprehensively and systematically interpreted in a manner analogous to a Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS).
Ground motion at mountains and sedimentary basins with vertical seismic velocity gradient

SUMMARY The boundary integral-Gaussian beam method (Benites & Aki 1989) is applied to study the ground motion in 2-D structures that exhibit irregular topography and interface, and whose shear wave velocity varies linearly with depth, for incident plane SH waves. In our first example of application the model is a half-space whose free-surface topography is a ridge of cosine shape, with vertical shear wave velocity gradient. In the second, the model is a semi-cylindrical sedimentary basin in a homogeneous half-space, in which the shear wave velocity of the sediments increases with depth. Our results for the case of the mountain show that the amplification on its top, predicted by the 2-D modelling when the velocity is constant, is enhanced when the velocity gradient is present, for all frequencies and by a factor up to 3. In the case of the basin, results show that the velocity gradient; (1) enhances the amplification at the edges of the valley, (2) makes the reverberations due to 2-D resonance have larger amplitudes and shorter intervals between arrivals, (3) shortens the total duration of the seismograms at all stations within the basin.
Non-covalent associations of proteins in plasma: Self-, mixed fibrin(ogen), mixed protein — Non-protein associations

Abstract Objective: To review biochemical literature and determine the significance of non-covalent bonding in plasma. Results: Many non-covalent bonds exist in plasma. Relatively strong self-associations are found for serum albumin, several γ-globulins, apolipoproteins and fibrin(ogen). Here, fibrinigen and fibrin, considered one specie, react with other blood entities, building structures in plasma. A surface phenomenon analogous to viscosity is described for fibrin(ogen) which is useful in studying bonding. Combinations of lipids, proteins, polysaccharides and cellular elements form mixed associations. They add to the variety and number of non-covalent associations of proteins. Lipids make fairly strong associations. Conclusions: Fibrinogen binding may play a major role in organizing blood to develop primitive structure. Lipids too may add to forming large structures. Non-covalent bonds are very common in plasma, and blood may have to be considered as a quasi-structured tissue.
Biochemical Limitations to Carbon Assimilation in C3 Plants—A Retrospective Analysis of the A/Ci Curves from 109 Species

differences in the assimilation of atmospheric CO2 depends upon differences in the capacities for the biochemical reactions that regulate the gas-exchange process. Quantifying these differences for more than a few species, however, has proven difficult. Therefore, to understand better how species differ in their capacity for CO2 assimilation, a widely used model, capable of partitioning limitations to the activity of ribulose-l,5-W.sphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase, to the rate of ribulose 1,5-tophosphate regeneration via electron transport, and to the rate of triose phosphate utilization was used to analyse 164 previously published A/C, curves for 109 C3 plant species. Based on this analysis, the maximum rate of carboxylation, Vcmax, ranged from 6/umol m~2 s"1 for the coniferous species Picea abies to 194jj,mol m" 2 s"1 for the agricultural species Beta vulgaris, and averaged 64^mol m" 2 s"1 across all species. The maximum rate of electron transport, Jmx, ranged from 17/^mol m~2 s"1 again for Picea abies to 372/j.mol m~2 s"1 for the desert annual Mahastrum rotundifolium, and averaged 134fxmol m~2 s"1 across all species. A strong positive correlation between Vc^x and Jmax indicated that the assimilation of CO2 was regulated in a co-ordinated manner by these two component processes. Of the AjC{ curves analysed, 23 showed either an insensitivity or reversed-sensitivity to increasing CO2 concentration, indicating that CO2 assimilation was limited by the utilization of triose phosphates. The rate of triose phosphate utilization ranged from 4-9/xtnol m" 2 s"1 for the tropical perennial Tabebuia rosea to 20-1 /xmol m~2 s"1 for the weedy annual Xanthium strumarium, and averaged 101 ftmol m" 2 s"1 across all species. Despite what at first glance would appear to be a wide range of estimates for the biochemical capacities that regulate CO2 assimilation, separating these species-specific results into those of broad plant categories revealed that Vcmax and Jmax were in general higher for herbaceous annuals than they were for woody perennials. For annuals, Vc^^ and Jmax averaged 75 and 154ftmol m~2 s"1, while for perennials these same two parameters averaged only 44 and 97/xmol m~2 s"1, respectively. Although these differences between groups may be coincidental, such an observation points to differences between annuals and perennials in either the availability or allocation of resources to the gas-exchange process.
A new capture fraction method to map how pumpage affects surface water flow

All groundwater pumped is balanced by removal of water somewhere, initially from storage in the aquifer and later from capture in the form of increase in recharge and decrease in discharge. Capture that results in a loss of water in streams, rivers, and wetlands now is a concern in many parts of the United States. Hydrologists commonly use analytical and numerical approaches to study temporal variations in sources of water to wells for select points of interest. Much can be learned about coupled surface/groundwater systems, however, by looking at the spatial distribution of theoretical capture for select times of interest. Development of maps of capture requires (1) a reasonably well-constructed transient or steady state model of an aquifer with head-dependent flow boundaries representing surface water features or evapotranspiration and (2) an automated procedure to run the model repeatedly and extract results, each time with a well in a different location. This paper presents new methods for simulating and mapping capture using three-dimensional groundwater flow models and presents examples from Arizona, Oregon, and Michigan.
A new method for conversion of a 2's complement to canonic signed digit number system and its representation

A new technique is developed to generate canonic sign digit numbers. The technique is shown to be computationally simple and fast. In addition, a binary representation of CSD numbers, known as binary coded CSD (BCSD) number, is also presented. It is shown that a BCSD number uniquely represents its equivalent 2's complement number in the same size data-word. This property allows conversion of the number onto itself with no extra space added. An algorithm is developed to directly convert a 2's complement number to its BCSD equivalent.
Secure cloud computing algorithms for discrete constrained potential games

Abstract In this paper, we study secure cloud computing problem for a class of discrete constrained potential games. In the games, certain functions are confidential for the system operator and not disclosed to any other participant. Meanwhile, each agent is unwilling to disclose its private functions and states to any other participant. By utilizing reinforcement learning and homomorphic encryption, we propose a distributed algorithm where (i) both the confidentiality for the system operator and the privacy for the agents are protected; (ii) the convergence to Nash equilibria is formally ensured.
Synthetic activated sludge technique for toxicity assessment of chemicals and environmental samples

La methode decrite mesure l'inhibition de la respiration des bacteries des boues activees, comme etant un indicateur de la presence d'un compose toxique (dans les eaux naturelles, les eaux usees, les sediments, les melanges de produits chimiques)
Inference for the effect of treatment on survival probability in randomized trials with noncompliance and administrative censoring.

Summary In many clinical studies with a survival outcome, administrative censoring occurs when follow-up ends at a prespecified date and many subjects are still alive. An additional complication in some trials is that there is noncompliance with the assigned treatment. For this setting, we study the estimation of the causal effect of treatment on survival probability up to a given time point among those subjects who would comply with the assignment to both treatment and control. We first discuss the standard instrumental variable (IV) method for survival outcomes and parametric maximum likelihood methods, and then develop an efficient plug-in nonparametric empirical maximum likelihood estimation (PNEMLE) approach. The PNEMLE method does not make any assumptions on outcome distributions, and makes use of the mixture structure in the data to gain efficiency over the standard IV method. Theoretical results of the PNEMLE are derived and the method is illustrated by an analysis of data from a breast cancer screening trial. From our limited mortality analysis with administrative censoring times 10 years into the follow-up, we find a significant benefit of screening is present after 4 years (at the 5% level) and this persists at 10 years follow-up.
PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL 3'-KINASE IS ASSOCIATED WITH A SERINE KINASE THAT IS ACTIVATED BY OKADAIC ACID

Abstract Okadaic acid (OA) is a potent inhibitor of PP1 and PP2A serine/threonine phosphatases and an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase (PI 3-kinase) recruitment/activation. Here we report that PI 3-kinase associates with a serine kinase activated by OA. Whole cell phosphorylation studies showed that PI 3-kinase associates with a wortmannin insensitive 76 kDa serine phosphoprotein (pp76) distinct from the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase. Serine kinase assays demonstrated that pp76 phosphorylation was dependent upon a wortmannin insensitive serine kinase contained within PI 3-kinase/pp76 complexes and that this kinase had different cation requirements than PI 3-kinase serine kinase. Treatment of whole cells with OA lead to a wortmannin-independent 7.6-fold increase in pp76 serine phosphorylation and to a 7-fold rise in pp76 kinase activity. Together, these findings indicate that pp76 is a PI 3-kinase associated phosphoprotein and suggest that pp76 may be a novel PI 3-kinase associated serine kinase that is activated by OA.
Investigation of Electron-Hole Recombination-Activated Partial Dislocations and Their Behavior in 4H-SiC Epitaxial Layers

Electron-hole recombination-activated partial dislocations in 4H silicon carbide homoepitaxial layers and their behavior have been studied using synchrotron X-ray topography and electroluminescence. Stacking faults whose expansion was activated by electron-hole recombination enhanced dislocation glide were observed to be bounded by partial dislocations, which appear as white stripes or narrow dark lines in back-reflection X-ray topographs recorded using the basal plane reflections. Such contrast variations are attributable to the defocusing/focusing of the diffracted X-rays due to the edge component of the partial dislocations, which creates a convex/concave distortion of the basal planes. Simulation results based on the ray-tracing principle confirm our argument. Observations also indicate that, when an advancing partial dislocation interacts with a threading screw dislocation, a partial dislocation dipole is dragged behind in its wake. This partial dislocation dipole is able to advance regardless of the immobility of the C-core segment. A kink pushing mechanism is introduced to interpret the advancement of this partial dislocation dipole.
Hox patterning of the vertebrate axial skeleton.

The axial skeleton in all vertebrates is composed of similar components that extend from anterior to posterior along the body axis: the occipital skull bones and cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and caudal vertebrae. Despite significant changes in the number and size of these elements during evolution, the basic character of these anatomical elements, as well as the order in which they appear in vertebrate skeletons, have remained remarkably similar. Through extensive expression analyses, classic morphological perturbation experiments in chicken and targeted loss-of-function analyses in mice, Hox genes have proven to be critical regulators in the establishment of axial skeleton morphology. The convergence of these studies to date allows an emerging understanding of Hox gene function in patterning the vertebrate axial skeleton. This review summarizes genetic and embryologic findings regarding the role of Hox genes in establishing axial morphology and how these combined results impact our current understanding of the vertebrate Hox code. Developmental Dynamics 236:2454 –2463, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.