cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protein kinase C and F-actin are essential for stimulation of neuronal FAK tyrosine phosphorylation by G-proteins and amyloid beta protein

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a protein tyrosine kinase implicated in signal transduction pathways for integrins, neuropeptides, and lysophosphatidic acid. FAK, first discovered in non-neuronal cells, recently has been reported to occur in neurons, where its tyrosine phosphorylation is upregulated by fibronectin and by the Alzheimer's Aβ peptide. The current work has elucidated molecular events leading to tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK in the rat B103 CNS nerve cell line. Activation of receptor-coupled G-proteins by Mas-7 was found to evoke rapid upregulation of FAK tyrosine phosphorylation (Tyr(P)). Upregulation by Mas-7 was blocked by GF109203X, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC). Phorbol ester also upregulated FAK-YP, verifying a role for PKC in the transduction cascade. Upregulation of FAK-YP by activation of G-proteins and PKC was dependent upon intact F-actin, as cytochalasin D abolished stimulation by Mas-7 and by phorbol ester. The relatively slow increase in FAK-YP evoked by chronic exposure to Aβ also was abolished by GF109203X and by cytochalasin D. The results show that tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK in neurons is regulated positively by PKC, functioning down-stream from G-proteins through an F-actin-dependent mechanism. The Alzheimer's Aβ peptide is capable of activating elements of this same signal transduction pathway, via membrane events that remain to be determined.
Clinical Use of Continuous Arterial Blood Gas Monitoring in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Context. Continuous arterial blood gas monitoring is a new technology based on the combination of opto-chemical and fiber-optic detectors that can measure pH, Pco 2, Po 2, and temperature on a continuous basis via a sensor placed in an artery. Objective. To evaluate this technology in pediatric patients who would normally require frequent arterial blood gas sampling. Design. A criterion standard study in which the results of arterial blood gas samples measured by the laboratory analyzer were compared with the sensor readings. Setting. A pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary referral center. Patients. Children with severe respiratory failure who required frequent arterial blood gas sampling and who had a 20-gauge arterial line in either a radial or femoral site. Results. Twenty-four patients with a mean age of 6.4 years (range 1-21 years) had a sensor placed. Sensors were in place for a mean of 101 ± 62 hours. Eighteen patients underwent continuous monitoring for at least 24 hours or until no longer clinically necessary. There were 414 pairs of blood gas samples obtained. The bias/precision for pH was 0.005/0.030; for Pco 2, -1.8/6.3 mm Hg; and for Po 2, 1.2/24 mm Hg. The correlation (r value) between the sensor readings and the blood gases were pH 0.960, Pco 2 0.927, Po 2 0.813 (P <.01 for all values). The bias and precision for Po 2 levels < 70 mm Hg were 0.057/9.34 mm Hg. There were no complications from sensor placement. Continuous blood gas monitoring allowed immediate recognition of clinical changes. Conclusion. The continuous arterial blood gas sensor is capable of clinically accurate blood gas measurements. This technology provides the clinician with immediate data that can allow rapid interventions in unstable patients.
The development and initial validation of a scale to measure social fear

Developed a true-false scale to measure Social Fear, which Meehl argues is a sign of schizotypy, using procedures to maximize reliability and minimize response set bias (N = 910). Interviews with selected Ss (N = 44) confirm that the scale measures social fear, and the scale was found to correlate with previously developed schizotypy scales (N = 252).
THE EMERGING ROLE OF FLEXIBLE BRONCHOSCOPY IN PEDIATRICS

Great advances had been made in rigid instrumentation, with the introduction of the glass rod telescope. With relatively few exceptions, however, bronchoscopy was still performed primarily for therapeutic indications, such as the removal of foreign bodies from the airway. It would remain for the introduction of the flexible bronchoscope to stimulate the widespread development of diagnostic bronchoscopy in pediatric practice.
Investigating causality of nestedness of insular communities: selective immigrations or extinctions?

. Most archipelagos are comprised of a nested set of communities, with species on depauperate islands representing proper subsets of those on richer islands. The causality for this common intra-archipelago pattern, however, remains elusive. Here, I present a Monte Carlo approach for investigating whether nestedness results from selective extinctions, selective immigrations, or both. Results for mammal communities of three nearshore archipelagos and two montane forest archipelagos suggested that nestedness may result from both forces. Nestedness was significantly associated with area (extinctions) for all archipelagos studied, and with isolation (immigrations) for islands of Lake Huron and the American Southwest. The degree of nestedness is influenced by the degree of variations among species and islands. In addition, our ability to assess causality of nestedness is influenced by our ability to calculate biologically relevant measures of isolation, and by the potentially confounding effects of selective immigrations and extinctions on community nestedness.
High-efficiency optical MEMS by the integration of photonic lattices with surface MEMS

An overview is given of the integration of 1,2 and 3D photonic lattice structures with surface MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems). The properties of the photonic lattice arise as a result of a high index contrast between two or more media arranged in an appropriate fashion. Increased photonic lattice functionality is obtained as the arrangement of high and low index materials is extended into other dimensions. Potential photonic lattice functions which can be integrated with surface MEMS include mirrors, cavities and wavelength dependent switches in 1D, waveguides and prisms in 2D and 3D waveguides, prisms, polarization, dispersion, thermal and spontaneous emission control in 3D.
A 20-year Landsat water clarity census of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes

Abstract A 20-year comprehensive water clarity database assembled from Landsat imagery, primarily Thematic Mapper and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus, for Minnesota lakes larger than 8 ha in surface area contains data on more than 10,500 lakes at five-year intervals over the period 1985–2005. The reliability of the data was evaluated by examining the precision of repeated measurements on individual lakes within short time periods using data from adjacent overlapping Landsat paths and by comparing water clarity computed from Landsat data to field-collected Secchi depth data. The agreement between satellite data and field measurements of Secchi depth within Landsat paths was strong (average R 2 of 0.83 and range 0.71–0.96). Relationships between late-summer Landsat and field-measured Secchi depth for the combined statewide data similarly were strong ( r 2 of 0.77–0.80 for individual time periods and r 2 = 0.78 for the entire database). Lake clarity has strong geographic patterns in Minnesota; lakes in the south and southwest have low clarity, and lakes in the north and northeast tend to have the highest clarity. This pattern is evident at both the individual lake and the ecoregion level. Mean water clarity in the Northern Lakes and Forest and North Central Hardwood Forest ecoregions in central and northern Minnesota remained stable from 1985 to 2005 while decreasing water clarity trends were detected in the Western Corn Belt Plains and Northern Glaciated Plains ecoregions in southern Minnesota, where agriculture is the predominant land use. Mean water clarity at the statewide level also remained stable with an average around 2.25 m from 1985 to 2005. This assessment demonstrates that satellite imagery can provide an accurate method for obtaining comprehensive spatial and temporal coverage of key water quality characteristics that can be used to detect trends at different geographic scales.
The effect of acute and chronic administration of timolol on cardiac sympathetic neural discharge, arrhythmia, and beta adrenergic receptor density associated with coronary occlusion in the cat.

Abstract The effect of timolol (5 mg/kg, p.o., b.i.d. 7 or 14 days) on cardiac beta adrenergic receptor density, the times to arrhythmia (AR) and death (D), heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, and postganglionic cardiac sympathetic neural discharge after acute coronary occlusion in cats was examined. In the control animals, receptor densities in the left and right atria did not differ, but were lower than the right ventricle. Left ventricle and septum receptor densities were higher, with the left ventricle the highest. The importance of the gradation of beta receptors with increasing density from base to apex appears to be its relation to cardiac contractile function. Occlusion in cats not treated with timolol did not alter the cardiac beta receptor densities. After timolol for 7 or 14 days, no occlusion, receptor density increased in left ventricle and septum although the increase was only significant after 14 days. A comparison of the beta adrenergic receptor densities in cats pretreated with timolol for 7 or 14 days with or without occlusion revealed that, in general, a decrease (p>0.05) occurred for the occlusion group. Timolol decreased heart rate and blood pressure prior to occlusion. The mean times to AR and D were not significantly increased by either dosing regimen of timolol, although the trend was for an increase in the time to D after 7 days of timolol and an increase in the time to AR and D after 14 days of timolol. When compared with data obtained in saline cats, chronic timolol produced minimal changes in postganglionic cardiac sympathetic neural discharge. Timolol given chronically (p.o.) or acutely (5 mg/kg, i.v. given 15 min prior to occlusion) also did not prevent the cardiac sympathetic discharge associated with the development of AR. The time to AR and D in the acutely treated cats was increased but not significantly. Since cardiac sympathetic neural discharge increased as blood pressure fell in the control period but did not increase after occlusion in the timolol treated animals, the combination of timolol and occlusion may have modified neural discharge via an action on the baro-receptor mechanism. That chronic administration of timolol produces an effect not present in cats in which only occlusion was done is supported by the observation that chronic treatment produced an occlusion-induced decrease in beta adrenergic receptor density. Since pretreatment with timolol for 7 or 14 days did not increase the time to occlusion-induced AR and D, the data suggest that the clinical protective effect reported for timolol after myocardial infarction seems to be due to a factor or factors other than an action on the autonomic cardiac sympathetic neural discharge or on cardiac beta receptor density.
Alternative therapies for advanced prostate cancer. What should I tell my patients

The number of patients undergoing treatment with alternative medicine in the United States from 1990 to 1997 increased from 34% of the population to 42%. 9 Currently, there are more visits to alternative health practitioners than total visits to all primary care physicians. Insurance companies and managed care organizations have begun to increase coverage of some alternative therapies, 28 and most medical schools now offer courses in this discipline. 36 Other countries around the world also use these therapies. Surveys suggest that 33% of the Finnish population 32 and 49% of the Australian population have used some form of alternative medicine. 20 Some of the more common alternative therapies have included acupuncture, biofeedback, chiropractic, energy healing, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hypnosis, imagery, massage, relaxation techniques, and vitamins and minerals. The scope of this article does not permit an extensive review of all of these (and other) therapies. A focus on a few of these options should suffice to introduce the conventional medical practitioner to alternative medicine in prostate cancer. The material discussed is based on the author's experience because no formal survey of alternative medicine in prostate cancer has been published to date. The use of alternative medicine in prostate cancer may be as extensive as its use in the general population as suggested by recent surveys. At the author's center, supplement use is now recorded as a standard part of the written medical history.
Matrix isolation infrared observation of HxSi(N2)y (x = 0, 1, 2 and y = 1, 2) transient species using a 121-nm vacuum ultraviolet photolysis source.

Vacuum ultraviolet photolysis (121.6 nm) of silane in a nitrogen matrix at 12 K leads to the observation of several transient species, which have been characterized using Fourier transform infrared...
Insulating oil in service: is it fit for purpose?

Insulating oil is designed to dissipate heat, and act as a coolant and electrical insulator in power transformers. During operation it is subjected to heat and materials that are not compatible with the oil. Provided the insulating oil has been supplied to the agreed specification, it is the user's responsibility to make sure that the oil is in good condition and fit for purpose. In order to evaluate the oil condition, oil samples should be taken from the equipment and tested. Details of the oil sampling technique are outlined in IEC 60475 (6). Frequency of oil sampling and testing is given in IEC 60422. Oil testing and classification of oil in service are briefly discussed. (4 pages)
Probiotic antigens stimulate hepatic natural killer T cells

Increasing evidence suggests that gut flora play an important role in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our previous studies show that hepatic natural killer T (NKT) cells play a significant role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. In this study, we explore the mechanism by which modification of gut flora leads to the alteration of hepatic NKT cells and improvement of steatosis. Mice were fed a high-fat (HF) diet to induce NAFLD. Some of them also received different doses of mixed-strain probiotics (VSL#3); single-strain probiotic (Bifidobacterium infantis) or antibiotics. Animal weight, glucose tolerance, liver steatosis and hepatic NKT cells were assessed. Lipid extracts from probiotics were tested for their ability to activate NKT cells. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) knockout mice were also evaluated for their responses to HF diet. High-dose VSL#3 was more effective than low-dose VSL#3 and B. infantis for the improvement of hepatic NKT cell depletion and steatosis. The lipids extracted from VSL#3 stimulated NKT cells both in vivo and in vitro. In contrast, lipids from B. infantis decreased α-GalCer-mediated NKT cell activation in vitro, but were able to stimulate NKT cells. TLR4 knockout mice have a similar response to HF-diet-induced NKT cell depletion and obesity. These results suggest that alterations in the gut flora have profound effects on hepatic NKT cells and steatosis, which are both strain-specific and dose-dependent, but not through TLR4 signalling. Furthermore, these data suggest that probiotics may contain bacterial glycolipid antigens that directly modulate the effector functions of hepatic NKT cells.
The multigene families of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins: Evolutionary and computational analysis☆

Abstract The multigene families of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) regulate numerous cell functions including transmembrane signal transduction and oncogenesis. These gene families have been intensively studied in a wide variety of eukaryotic systems, resulting in rich substrate for computational analysis in an evolutionary and developmental context. Signal transducing GTP-binding proteins are often considered in three general categories: (1) the heterotrimeric G proteins—e.g. G s and G i , the stimulatory and inhibitory regulators of adenylyl cyclase that transmit signals from transmembrane receptors to intracellular effectors and contain distinctive 40 kDa α subunits; (2) the family of smaller (∼20 kDa) monomeric proteins related to the oncogene product ras , including rab, rac, ypt , and sec 4; and (3) the ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs). Analysis of these multigene G protein families present instructive examples of the increasing sophistication in computational sequence analysis that will be necessary to keep pace with the expanding number of gene families that will be characterized in the course of the Human Genome Project. Convenient computational analysis is critical to multiple phases of the current work: (1) to design PCR primers for effective cross-species amplification; (2) to analyze the gene structures of sequence obtained; (3) to identify functional domains in protein coding exons and in untranslated regions (UTRs); and (4) to discern evolutionary relationships between cloned sequences.
Mutation rates in mammalian genomes

Knowledge of the rate of point mutation is of fundamental importance, because mutations are a vital source of genetic novelty and a significant cause of human diseases. Currently, mutation rate is thought to vary many fold among genes within a genome and among lineages in mammals. We have conducted a computational analysis of 5,669 genes (17,208 sequences) from species representing major groups of placental mammals to characterize the extent of mutation rate differences among genes in a genome and among diverse mammalian lineages. We find that mutation rate is approximately constant per year and largely similar among genes. Similarity of mutation rates among lineages with vastly different generation lengths and physiological attributes points to a much greater contribution of replication-independent mutational processes to the overall mutation rate. Our results suggest that the average mammalian genome mutation rate is 2.2 × 10−9 per base pair per year, which provides further opportunities for estimating species and population divergence times by using molecular clocks.
The thermodynamics of lanthanide hexacyanoferrate(III) complexation

Abstract The thermodynamic parameters of the formation of LnFe(CN)6 at zero ionic strength have been determined by the entropy titration technique. The stability is due to the relatively large and positive entropies of formation since the enthalpies are small and endothermic. The thermodynamic data is interpreted as supporting a model of outer sphere ion-pairing in LnFe(CN)6.
Electronic structure and energy levels of the phosphor ZnS:Tm3+ using nonrelativistic and relativistic cluster models

Abstract Energy levels, density of states (DOS), and electronic densities for ZnS: Tm 3+ were calculated self-consistently, using both nonrelativistic Hartree-Fock-Slater (HFS) and relativistic Dirac-Slater (DS) one-electron local- density spin restricted or polarized cluster models. The L-S coupling parameter ζ(4f) and electrostatic integrals F(k) were calculated. Luminescence transitions obtained using the intermediate coupling method are compared with experiment.
Another look at shape variation in the distal femur of Australopithecus afarensis: implications for taxonomic and functional diversity at Hadar.

Abstract Previous studies have recognized two patterns of distal femoral morphology among the specimens from Hadar (Ethiopia) assigned to Australopithecus afarensis . Size and shape differences between the well-preserved large (AL 333-4) and small (AL 129-1a) distal femora have been used to invoke both taxonomic and functional differences within the A. afarensis hypodigm. Nevertheless, prior studies have not analyzed these specimens in a multivariate context, nor have they compared the pattern of shape differences between the fossils to patterns of sexual dimorphism among extant taxa (i.e., the manner in which males and females differ). This study reexamines morphometric differences between the above specimens in light of observed levels of variation and patterns of sexual dimorphism among extant hominoids. Eight extant reference populations were sampled to provide a standard by which to consider size and shape differences between the fossils. Samples include three populations of modern humans, two subspecies of Pan troglodytes , three subspecies of Gorilla gorilla, Pan paniscus , and Pongo pygmaeus . Using size ratios and scale-free “shape” data (both derived from 2-D coordinate landmarks), size and shape differences between the fossils were evaluated against variation within each reference population using an exact randomization procedure. Growth Difference Matrix Analysis (GDMA) was used to test whether the pattern of morphological differences between the fossils differs significantly from patterns of sexual dimorphism observed among the ten extant groups. Overall morphometric affinities of the fossils to extant taxa were explored using canonical variates analysis (CVA). Results of the randomization tests indicate that the size difference between the Hadar femora can be easily accommodated within most hominoid taxa at the subspecific level (though not within single-sex samples). In addition, the magnitude of shape differences between the fossils can be commonly sampled even within most single-sex samples of a single hominoid subspecies. The pattern of morphological differences between the fossils does not differ statistically from any average pattern of femoral shape dimorphism observed among living hominoids. Moreover, contrary to prior claims, and despite a size disparity between the fossils greater than is typically observed within some chimpanzee and human populations, the two Hadar fossils appear to be much more similar to one another in overall shape than either specimen is to any extant hominoid group.
Electrophoresis and Sedimentation of Charged Fibers

Abstract The electrophoretic translational and rotational velocities of a fiber are determined in the limits L / d ≥≥ 1 and λ/ d ≥≥ 1, where λ is the double layer thickness and L and d are the fiber length and diameter, respectively. The fiber translates due to the imposed electric field at a rate that increases with increasing double layer thickness. A nonuniformly charged fiber with a net charge dipole rotates until it becomes aligned with the electric field. The results for the translational and rotational velocities are obtained in a semianalytic form. The effect of the deformation of the ion cloud surrounding a charged sedimenting fiber on the fiber's translational and rotational velocities is also determined. The ion cloud retards the sedimentation velocity relative to that of an uncharged fiber with the same orientation. If the fiber possesses both a net charge and a charge dipole, it will rotate into a vertical alignment in which the end with the larger absolute charge is on top.
Proliferation of Gastric Endocrine Cells after Vagotomy in the Rat

The effects of truncal vagotomy on gastrin cell and somatostatin cell populations and circulating hormone levels were studied in rats. Truncal vagotomy produced significant gastrin cell hyperplasia, with the largest increase in gastrin cell density observed 2 weeks postvagotomy. Gastrin cell hyperplasia was sustained up to 6 months. Both antral somatostatin cell and corpus somatostatin cell numbers demonstrated significant and sustained increases after vagotomy; the largest increases were observed 2 weeks after operation. Early elevation of circulating gastrin to 3 times the baseline level was followed by sustained, lower level hypergastrinemia. Plasma somatostatin levels were decreased 2 days after vagotomy, with a return to control values 2 weeks after operation. Gastrin cells and somatostatin cells are dynamic populations, capable of changes in both number and secretory function after truncal vagotomy. (Endocrinology 117: 1578–1584, 1985)
Percutaneous absorption of hexachlorophene in the rat.

Abstract [14C]-hexachlorophene was applied to intact, clipped skins of adult rats in four different solvents and an aqueous detergent solution. As much as 55% of the applied radioactivity was absorbed through the skin in a 24-hr period. Dimethyl sulfoxide enhanced absorption of the germicide to the greatest extent and aqueous sodium lauryl sulfate (1%, w v ) was the least effective. With both adult and weanling rats, the first measurable amount of radioactivity appeared in the venous blood in less than 1.5 hr, and maximum values were attained 12 hr after topical application of [14C]hexachlorophene. Approximately 27% of the applied radioactivity remained bound to the skin after 4 and 24 hr and was not removed by washing with acetone. Distribution of radioactivity in rats 8 and 24 hr after topical application of [14C]hexachlorophene was similar in weanling and adult rats. Most of the absorbed radioactivity appeared in the plasma, liver, small intestine, caecum, stomach, kidney, urine, and feces.
Sensitivity of the above water polarized reflectance to the water composition

Estimating the Stokes vector components of the polarized water radiance from above water measurements is a challenging task, mainly because of their small magnitude and the strong contamination by the sky light reflected on the sea surface. Consequently, in most applications the Stokes vector components are considered equal to zero except of I, the total reflectance. In this study, both below and above water measurements are used to assess the feasibility of such retrievals and their use to determine the water composition. In-water inherent optical properties (IOPs) were measured with commercially available instrumentation. In addition, in-water polarization characteristics were measured by our multi-angular hyperspectral sensor which provided the Stokes components for a scattering angles range of the 0-180° and a full spectral range between 400 and 750 nm. Second, a customized HyperSAS (Satlantic) instrument is used from the coastal platform in Long Island Sound, NY (LISCO) acquiring above water measurements. That instrumentation includes, in the standard configuration, two hyperspectral radiance sensors for measuring upwelling and sky radiances and one irradiance sensor for measuring downwelling irradiance. In our installation, HyperSAS capabilities were augmented by adding two radiance sensors having two polarizers oriented at 0 and 45°, with respect to a reference axis ("HyperSAS-POL"). An ad hoc procedure, which included measurements and radiative transfer computations, has been developed enabling to estimate the contribution of the sky glint and subtract it from the signal directly measured by HyperSAS-POL. As a result, the retrieved spectral shape of the underwater degree of polarization is consistent with what obtained from in situ underwater measurements and depends on the IOPs of the ocean itself. In addition, the demonstrated correctness of this polarized measurements from LISCO site enable us to provide continuous time series from the beginning of June 2010.
Melting transition in the leucoemeraldine form of polyaniline

Abstract Exploitation of the redox properties of polyaniline has made possible the formation of a meltable crystalline phase in the leucoemeraldine base form of the polymer. Both fibres and films exhibiting the melting transition were prepared from leucocemeraldine base/N,N′-dimethyl propylene urea solutions. This melting behaviour is confirmed by a battery of experimental methods: thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, optical microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis and x-ray diffraction. This melting transition raises the possibility of future melt processing of polyaniline.
Synthesis and reactions of some substituted 1-phenylethaneboronic esters

Abstract 1-Phenylethaneboronic esters bearing p-methyl, p-chloro substituents been synthesized by hydrogenation of the α-styreneboronic esters. An alternative synthesis involving rearrangement of aryl(α-haloethyl)borinic esters was also explored with partially successful results. Other substituted 1-phenylethaneboronic esters prepared from dibutyl α-styreneboronate included the α-bromo, α-butoxy, and α-dibutoxyboryl derivatives. Displacement of boron by mercuric chloride has been surveyed. The p-chlorophenylethaneboronic ester reacts with mercuric chloride about 0.1 or 0.2 times as fast as the unsubstituted compound to yield the corresponding 1-phenylethylmercuric chloride. The α-substitued boronic esters yield unstable mercury derivatives which decompose to mercurous chloride and acetophenone.
Amphiphobic carbon nanotubes as macroemulsion surfactants

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are insoluble in either water or oil. When mixtures of SWNTs, water, and toluene are sheared vigorously, a macroscopic emulsion of water droplets forms in toluene, with the SWNTs residing at the interface between the immiscible fluids, acting as a natural “surfactant” or interphase material. The average droplet dimension decreases as the SWNT/water mass ratio increases, implying a coarsening-and-pinning mechanism. The concept of emulsification via amphiphobicity will find applications in processing nanotubes, compatibilizing immiscible fluids, and creating new macroscopic emulsion materials with unique interfacial and structural properties.
Nitrate and ammonium contents of Wisconsin limestones.

IT has been suggested1,2 that a number of environmental problems may be associated with high levels of nitrates and other nitrogenous compounds in waters. These problems relate to deleterious effects on human and animal health, crop quality and yields, and eutrophication of surface waters. Nitrate in the environment may be derived from nitrogenous fertilizers, organic wastes, soil organic matter, precipitation, and biologically fixed nitrogen. According to Feth3, however, geological sources of nitrate have been largely ignored, and he has suggested that high levels of nitrate in water may be associated with limestones. We therefore measured the nitrate content of Wisconsin limestones.
DROSOPHILA METAMORPHOSIS : THE ONLY WAY IS USP?

The steroid insect molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone is believed to control critical aspects of development and reproduction through a heterodimeric receptor comprising the Ecdysone Receptor and the Ultraspiracle proteins. Recent findings suggest that other hormones and receptors might also be involved.
The dangers of sparse sampling for the quantification of margin and uncertainty

Abstract Activities such as global sensitivity analysis, statistical effect screening, uncertainty propagation, or model calibration have become integral to the Verification and Validation (V&V) of numerical models and computer simulations. One of the goals of V&V is to assess prediction accuracy and uncertainty, which feeds directly into reliability analysis or the Quantification of Margin and Uncertainty (QMU) of engineered systems. Because these analyses involve multiple runs of a computer code, they can rapidly become computationally expensive. An alternative to Monte Carlo-like sampling is to combine a design of computer experiments to meta-modeling, and replace the potentially expensive computer simulation by a fast-running emulator. The surrogate can then be used to estimate sensitivities, propagate uncertainty, and calibrate model parameters at a fraction of the cost it would take to wrap a sampling algorithm or optimization solver around the physics-based code. Doing so, however, offers the risk to develop an incorrect emulator that erroneously approximates the “true-but-unknown” sensitivities of the physics-based code. We demonstrate the extent to which this occurs when Gaussian Process Modeling (GPM) emulators are trained in high-dimensional spaces using too-sparsely populated designs-of-experiments. Our illustration analyzes a variant of the Rosenbrock function in which several effects are made statistically insignificant while others are strongly coupled, therefore, mimicking a situation that is often encountered in practice. In this example, using a combination of GPM emulator and design-of-experiments leads to an incorrect approximation of the function. A mathematical proof of the origin of the problem is proposed. The adverse effects that too-sparsely populated designs may produce are discussed for the coverage of the design space, estimation of sensitivities, and calibration of parameters. This work attempts to raise awareness to the potential dangers of not allocating enough resources when exploring a design space to develop fast-running emulators.
From Transition to Development: The Economics and Policies of Rural Transition in East Asia, the Former Soviet Union, and Central and Eastern Europe: Discussion

The de Brauw, Huang, and Rozelle paper seeks to estimate the impact of those liberalization policies in China that complemented the shift away from communes to household farming. A key distinction is drawn between quasi-fixed inputs, which can be adjusted only over time, and variable inputs, which can be adjusted within one period. Sown area and labor are viewed as quasi-fixed inputs, while fertilizers are viewed as a variable input. The distinction is not obvious, and no convincing argument is provided in the paper (or in a fuller version of the paper to which I had access) to explain why adjustments in area sown or labor were more difficult to accom-
Large domain motions in Ago protein controlled by the guide DNA-strand seed region determine the Ago-DNA-mRNA complex recognition process.

The recognition mechanism and cleavage activity of argonaute (Ago), miRNA, and mRNA complexes are the core processes to the small non-coding RNA world. The 5′ nucleation at the ‘seed’ region (position 2–8) of miRNA was believed to play a significant role in guiding the recognition of target mRNAs to the given miRNA family. In this paper, we have performed all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of the related and recently revealed Ago-DNA:mRNA ternary complexes to study the dynamics of the guide-target recognition and the effect of mutations by introducing “damaging” C·C mismatches at different positions in the seed region of the DNA-RNA duplex. Our simulations show that the A-form-like helix duplex gradually distorts as the number of seed mismatches increases and the complex can survive no more than two such mismatches. Severe distortions of the guide-target heteroduplex are observed in the ruinous 4-sites mismatch mutant, which give rise to a bending motion of the PAZ domain along the L1/L2 “hinge-like” connection segment, resulting in the opening of the nucleic-acid-binding channel. These long-range interactions between the seed region and PAZ domain, moderated by the L1/L2 segments, reveal the central role of the seed region in the guide-target strands recognition: it not only determines the guide-target heteroduplex’s nucleation and propagation, but also regulates the dynamic motions of Ago domains around the nucleic-acid-binding channel.
Imaging Biological Cells Using Liquid Crystals

Biological cells have been imaged using liquid crystals as an optical amplification medium. Preferential orientation of the liquid-crystal molecules at the surfaces of cells immobilized on substrates leads to well-resolved images, with very sharp contrast compared to images observed by standard phase-contrast microscopy. The feasibility of this technique has been demonstrated for muscle cells, fat cells, and neurons. Calculations based on a continuum elastic theory reproduce the observed features of the images of muscle and fat cells and allow us to estimate the optimum resolution that can be achieved by this technique.
Comparison of waxy potato with other root and tuber starches

Abstract The physicochemical properties of normal potato, waxy potato, yam and sweet potato starches were examined and compared. Normal potato and waxy potato starches displayed the B-type X-ray diffraction pattern, whereas yam and sweet potato displayed the CA- and C-type, respectively. X-ray patterns of Naegeli dextrins of normal potato and waxy potato remained the B-type, but those of yam and sweet potato changed to the A-type. 31P NMR showed the phosphorus contents of the starches to be primarily phosphate monoesters with no detectable phospholipid in any of the four starches. The chain-length distributions of debranched amylopectins of the starches were analyzed using high performance anion-exchange chromatography equipped with a post-column amyloglucosidase reactor and a pulsed amperometric detector. Normal potato and waxy potato starches displayed lower proportions (13 and 14.8%, respectively) of short branch chains of chain length dp 6–12 than did yam and sweet potato starches (17.1 and 19.0%, respectively). Normal potato displayed a larger proportion of long branch chains than did waxy potato amylopectin. The average amylopectin branch chain lengths of normal potato, waxy potato, yam and sweet potato starches were dp 28.6, 25.8, 25.8 and 26.3, respectively. The Naegeli dextrins of all four starches displayed linear and singly branched chains, but no multiply branched chains. The Naegeli dextrins of normal potato, waxy potato, yam and sweet potato starches displayed ratios of branched to linear branch chains of 0.31, 0.36, 0.42 and 0.51, respectively. The absolute amylose contents of the four starches were normal potato, 18.3%; waxy potato, 0%; yam, 17.7%; and sweet potato, 22.8%.
Prevalence of significant congenital heart defects in children of parents with Fallot's tetralogy.

Abstract There is a paucity of empiric recurrence risk data for children of patients with some forms of congenital heart defects, especially cyanotic forms such as Fallot's tetralogy (TF). This information is necessary for accurate genetic counseling because many of these patients now reach reproductive age and wish to know the risk to their children. This investigation estimates the prevalence of significant congenital heart defects (i.e., those brought to the attention of a medical provider) in children of parents with TF.
The preparation of stoicheiometric ferrites

Abstract The difficulties encountered in the preparation of pure stoicheiometric ferrites MFe2O4 (M = Mg2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+) are briefly discussed. A new procedure is then described that avoids some of these difficulties. Atomic ratios, Fe M , very close to the theoretical values of two are obtained by the thermal decomposition of crystallized salts M3Fe6(CH3CO2)17O3OH·12C5H5N. The products are ignited in the air at temperatures chosen to yield the correct oxygen content. The products are examined by chemical analysis and the measurement of several physical constants.
Slepian-Wolf Coded Nested Lattice Quantization for Wyner-Ziv Coding: High-Rate Performance Analysis and Code Design

Nested lattice quantization provides a practical scheme for Wyner-Ziv coding. This paper examines the high-rate performance of nested lattice quantizers and gives the theoretical performance for general continuous sources. In the quadratic Gaussian case, as the rate increases, we observe an increasing gap between the performance of finite-dimensional nested lattice quantizers and the Wyner-Ziv distortion-rate function. We argue that this is because the boundary gain decreases as the rate of the nested lattice quantizers increases. To increase the boundary gain and ultimately boost the overall performance, a new practical Wyner-Ziv coding scheme called Slepian-Wolf coded nested lattice quantization (SWC-NQ) is proposed, where Slepian-Wolf coding is applied to the quantization indices of the source for the purpose of compression with side information at the decoder. Theoretical analysis shows that for the quadratic Gaussian case and at high rate, SWC-NQ performs the same as conventional entropy-coded lattice quantization with the side information available at both the encoder and the decoder. Furthermore, a nonlinear minimum mean-square error (MSE) estimator is introduced at the decoder, which is theoretically proven to degenerate to the linear minimum MSE estimator at high rate and experimentally shown to outperform the linear estimator at low rate. Practical designs of one- and two-dimensional nested lattice quantizers together with multilevel low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes for Slepian-Wolf coding give performance close to the theoretical limits of SWC-NQ
Chemistry and physiology of parathyroid hormone

Many recent studies, only a few of which are reviewed here (see Habener & Potts, 1976, for a detailed summary) have led to considerable clarification concerning critical features of the chemistry, biosynthesis, secretion and mode of action of parathyroid hormone. Certain of the confusion recently experienced in measurements of parathyroid hormone in blood is clearly explained by the heterogeneity arising from various forms of parathyroid hormone arising during biosynthesis and metabolism. Ultimately, as critical features of biosynthesis and metabolism of PTH as well as chemical definition of various molecular forms are achieved, considerable refinement in immunoassays should result. These advances in turn should provide better insights into the role of parathyroid dysfunction in various disorders of calcium and skeletal metabolism. From the physiological viewpoint, a clearer appreciation of the homeostatic role of parathyroid hormone in calcium metabolism is emerging as the essential features of biosynthesis, release, metabolism and action of the hormone are uncovered.
Reflections About Chance in My Career, and on the Top-Down Regulated World

Paraphrasing Pasteur, in scientific work Fortuna favors only the prepared mind. This is illustrated by my career after an incidental escape from the former German East Prussia just ahead of the Red Army, my switch in Kiel from zoology to oceanography, and my learning of a vacancy in Seattle. Treated here are the accidental discovery of upwelling during the southwest monsoon along India's west coast, studies of benthic polychaetous annelids in the Oregonian zoogeographic province, the discovery of phytoplankton blooms and an absence of upwelling during the northeast monsoon in the northern Arabian Sea, and an ocean-wide description of the seasonality of satellite-derived chlorophyll. My admonition is that grazing rather than cell division rate regulates the abundance and size composition of phytoplankton and affects the dynamics of the understudied zooplankton. I end with a pessimistic view about predicting the vertical flux of particulate organic matter from the euphotic layer with an accuracy useful for ...
Issuing each undergraduate student a personal computer: living with it for three years

Clarkson University was the first university to issue incoming freshmen a desktop computer system. The program has been in place for three years; now all incoming undergraduates receive a desktop system. Last year, the university did a study to determine its computing needs for the next five years. Students were surveyed for their remarks regarding the computing facilities — including the desktop program. This paper notes some of those findings as well as some comments made by the faculty who were surveyed.
High-Performance Chemical-Bath-Deposited Zinc Oxide Thin-Film Transistors

Solution-processed transparent zinc oxide (ZnO) transistors are demonstrated using a chemical bath deposition process for ZnO deposition. The process is glass compatible and amenable to producing fully transparent electronics. Mobility as high as 3.5 cm2/V ldr s with on-off ratios of ~105 is realized. The transparency of ZnO allows for complete coverage of the pixel by the pixel drive transistors; analysis shows that the performance achieved herein is sufficient even to drive high-brightness organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays by exploiting the high mobility and optical transparency of these devices. This makes this technology extremely attractive for use in active-matrix OLED display applications.
Spectral methods for hyperbolic problems

We review the current state of Fourier and Chebyshev collocation methods for the solution of hyperbolic problems with an eye to basic questions of accuracy and stability of the numerical approximations. Throughout the discussion we emphasize recent developments in the area such as spectral penalty methods, the use of filters, the resolution of the Gibbs phenomenon, and issues related to the solution of nonlinear conservations laws such as conservation and convergence. We also include a brief discussion on the formulation of multi-domain methods for hyperbolic problems, and conclude with a few examples of the application of pseudospectral/collocation methods for solving nontrivial systems of conservation laws.
Dynamic Anti-Plane Fracture in Arbitrary Directions in a Monoclinic Anisotropic Solid

An unbounded anisotropic solid has a single plane of material symmetry, and a semi-infinite anti-plane (Mode III) crack extends at a subsonic constant speed in an arbitrary direction in that plane. The exact solution for steady motion gives a dynamic stress intensity factor on planes radiating from the moving crack edge that achieves an invariant value when the plane lies directly ahead of the crack edge. The possibility that this value is a local maximum arises only for crack planes associated with the maximum and minimum values of the shear wave speed. For such planes, increasing the degree of non-orthotropy is found to increase the disparity between the maximum and minimum speeds. Calculations for such planes, moreover, show that non-orthotropy can restrict the speeds for which extension stability arises on planes of maximum shear wave speed. On the other hand, it also enhances fracture energy dissipation rates, especially on planes of minimum shear wave speed.
PatchWork: layout from schematic annotations

The authors present PatchWork, a silicon assembler which describes layout generators graphically with annotated schematics. The system is highly extensible and provides a unified framework in which both basic and powerful layout generators coexist. Several major chips have been built using this system. >
Is Self-Rated Health Comparable Between Non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics? Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study

Objectives. Using subsequent all-cause mortality as a yardstick for retrospective health, this study assessed the comparability of self-rated health (SRH) between non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics. Methods. Based on longitudinal data from 6,870 white and 886 Hispanic respondents aged between 51 and 61 in the 1992 Health and Retirement Study, we related SRH in 1992 to risk of mortality in the 1992–2008 period. Logit models were used to predict white–Hispanic differences in reporting fair or poor SRH. Survival curves and cox proportional hazard models were estimated to assess whether and the extent to which the SRH–mortality association differs between non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics. Results. Hispanic respondents reported worse SRH than whites at the baseline, yet they had similar risk of mortality as whites in the 1992–2008 period. Overall, Hispanics rated their health more pessimistically than whites. This was especially the case for Hispanics who rated their health fair or poor at the baseline, whereas their presumed health conditions, as reflected by subsequent risk of mortality, should be considerably better than their white counterparts. Discussion. Health disparities between whites and Hispanics aged between 51 and 61 will be overestimated if the assessment has been solely based on differences in SRH between the two groups. Findings from this study call for caution in relying on SRH to quantify and explain health disparities between non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics in the United States.