cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative kinetic analysis of silicon nitridation

Kinetic analysis of silicon nitridation requires intrinsic single-particle behaviour to be isolated from global or compact effects that typically manifest during the reaction-bonding process. These effects arise from the influence of adjacent particles, which modify the macropore structure as the reaction proceeds. Much of the variation in the published kinetic data can be attributed to compact effects, particle shape, and size distribution, resulting in a myriad of models being reported, each only applicable to the nitridation conditions in which the data were obtained. Our work clearly demonstrates that the intrinsic single-particle nitridation behaviour is well described by a sharp-interface model, with diffusion control (E a = 301.5–310.0 kJmol−1) through an expanding Si3N4 product layer developing on the individual grains. For the nitridation of silicon compacts, the reaction-bonding process can be divided into three fundamental stages: (1) initial devitrification/nucleation, (2) massive nitridation, and (3) termination by further sintering, densification, and coarsening of the Si3N4 product. Factors influencing and controlling each stage are summarized.
The contribution of postmenopausal hormone use cessation to the declining incidence of breast cancer

The striking decline in United States breast cancer incidence since 2002 has been widely attributed to a reduction in postmenopausal hormone use, yet very little analysis has been conducted to quantify the contribution of changes in hormone use to the declining trend. We used literature-based estimates of the relative risk and the changing prevalence of hormone use to estimate the impact of hormone use on the decline in breast cancer incidence between 2002 and 2003 among women aged 40–79. For the base case of a 44% decline in hormone use and a relative risk for current use of 1.5, we estimated that 43% of the decline in incidence was attributable to hormone use. By exploring a range of parameter values, we found that high, unlikely values of the relative risk (i.e., ≥ 2.25) and/or the percent decline in hormone use (i.e., ≥ 75%) would be required to account for 100% of the observed decline in breast cancer incidence. We conclude that hormone use is unlikely to account for more than half of the observed decline in breast cancer incidence between 2002 and 2003. Further efforts are needed to quantify the potential contributions of other factors, such as the plateau in screening mammography utilization.
Native parasitoids associated with the biological control agents of Centaurea stoebe in Montana, USA

Under classical biological control, agents are released against target non-native organisms based on the assumption that invasiveness occurs due to a lack of adapted natural enemies. Biological control agents themselves, however, can become prey to native predators, parasites and parasitoids in their introduced environment with the potential to inhibit their effectiveness. The goal of this study was to identify parasitoids that attack the biological control agents of Centaurea stoebe L. in western Montana, United States. Roots and seedheads of C. stoebe were collected from 45 sites over a two-year period, and monitored for insect emergence. Of the thirteen biocontrol agents released against C. stoebe in Montana, ten were reared from the plant material collected. Nine species of parasitoid emerged, four of which were previously unknown associations with these biocontrol agents: Bracon sp., Pronotalia carlinarum Szelenyi & Erdos, Eupelmus vesicularis Retzius, Scambus brevicornis Gravenhorst, Pteromalus cardui Erdos, Pteromalus elevatus Walker, two unknown species of Pteromalus, and one unknown species of Mesopolobus. Host associations were determined for three of the parasitoid species, and others were inferred based on previous studies. Parasitism rates of Urophora affinis by P. carlinarum were variable by location and time of sample collection, but were surprisingly high (reaching 100% in some cases) considering this is the first record of this host–parasitoid relationship and previous studies of U. affinis in this region found low levels of parasitism by other species. The long-term vulnerability of biocontrol agents to parasitism and predation by native organisms is a concern for the practice of classical biological control, especially for agents that have been established for several decades, and thus merits further research attention.
Brominated flame retardants in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Alaska, the Canadian Arctic, East Greenland, and Svalbard.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in adipose tissue of adult and subadult female polar bears sampled between 1999 and 2002 from sub-populations in Arctic Canada, eastern Greenland, and Svalbard, and in males and females collected from 1994 to 2002 in northwestern Alaska. Only 4 congeners (BDE47, 99, 100, and 153) were consistently identified in all samples. BDE47 was the major PBDE congener representing from 65% to 82% of the sum (Σ) PBDEs. Age was not a significant co-variate for individual PBDEs or ΣPBDE. Higher proportions of BDE 99, 100, and 153 were generally found in samples from the Canadian Arctic than from Svalbard or the Bering-Chukchi Sea area of Alaska. Geometric mean ΣPBDE concentrations were highest for female polar bear fat samples collected from Svalbard (50 ng/g lipid weight (lw)) and East Greenland (70 ng/g lw). Significantly lower ΣPBDE concentrations were found in fat of bears from Canada and Alaska (means ranging from 7.6 to 22 ng/g lw). For the entire dataset, ΣP...
Optimal seed planting for growth-regulated nanomanufacturing

We develop, model, and optimize a growth-regulated nanomanufacturing method which is more flexible and cost-effective than conventional serial nanomanufacturing methods. An automated system is designed which takes a geometric representation of an object as the input, produces the growth-initiating “seed” positions for entry to fabrication tools, and gives the grown object as the output. Electron beam lithography is used to fabricate gold seeds, which is followed by copper deposition via electroplating. To improve the structure precision, we first present a model for seed-initiated material growth based on Green's function calculations. This model is then used to develop an algorithm for optimal seed planting to produce the highest accuracy object with the fewest number of tool moves. Both the model and the optimization algorithm are validated by experimental results.
Thomas Jefferson on the repudiation of public debt

Thomas Jefferson's theory of public debt repudiation illustrates both the normative and positive aspects of public debt repudiation. Using Jefferson's model, this paper attempts to reveal several characteristics of public debt repudiation. First, that the positive characteristics of repudiation can not be analyzed apart from the normative and institutional issues. Second, how a debt repudiation rule might be incorporated into a country's constitution and, finally, how such a rule may lead to an improvement of the country's credit terms over those that would exist otherwise. In other words, a country may be better off announcing its standards for repudiation then if it denied any intention to repudiate under any conditions. A related issue, which is beyond the scope of this paper, is the sufficient conditions for repudiation. Jefferson's model develops only the necessary conditions.
A rapid high performance liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of choline in human plasma and peritoneal dialysis effluent: Application in the assessment of choline loss in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Mesothelial cells lining the peritoneal cavity utilize choline in the synthesis of a phosphotidylcholine-rich material thought to play a role in peritoneal homeostasis. This function is particularly important for patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). To assess choline loss in these patients, we measured choline in plasma and peritoneal dialysis effluent (PDE) by a rapid high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedure that combined electrochemical detection with an immobilized enzyme reactor. Chromatography was performed directly on plasma and PDE ultrafiltrates. In 30 patients, the amount of choline lost to the dialysate was 129 ± 49 μmol per day and 32 ± 8 μmol per dwell (mean ± SD). The average plasma choline concentration was 22.5 μmol/L, a value somewhat higher than the mean value reported for noraml adults (9 μmol/L). The average PDE choline concentration was 14 μmol/L. There was a positive correlation between daily choline loss of dialysate and plasma choline concentrations (r = 0.826).
Duration-dependent increase in striatal glutamate following prolonged fluphenazine administration in rats

Chronic neuroleptic administration has been shown to selectively increase striatal extracellular glutamate concentration. In the current study, age-matched female rats were administered chronic oral fluphenazine or no drug via their drinking water for 3 or 32 weeks. Microdialysis probes were inserted into the ventrolateral caudate putamen and the medial nucleus accumbens and dialysis samples were analyzed for glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations. Glutamate levels were significantly increased only in the ventrolateral caudate putamen after 32 weeks. No significant effects were seen for GABA levels. Neuroleptic-induced enhancement of striatal glutamate levels thus appears to increase with chronic exposure and this increase may relate to late onset motor side effects.
*Word Recognition Error Analysis: Comparing Isolated Word List and Oral Passage Reading

The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between word recognition errors made at a letter–sound pattern level on a word list and on a curriculum-based measurement oral reading fluency measure (CBM-ORF) for typical and struggling elementary readers. The participants were second, third, and fourth grade typical and struggling readers (n = 69) who were systematically sampled from a pool of 265 students participating in a larger study. Participants read a nonsense word list composed of 599 words across 89 letter–sound patterns and three CBM-ORF passages. Pearson product–moment (Pearson r) correlation coefficients indicate students’ recognition of letter–sound patterns on word list and CBM-ORF differs between patterns as well as between type of reader. Results are discussed in terms of usefulness for CBM-ORF to assess letter–sound pattern recognition skills of typical and struggling elementary readers.
Dicer expression exhibits a tissue-specific diurnal pattern that is lost during aging and in diabetes

Dysregulation of circadian rhythmicity is identified as a key factor in disease pathogenesis. Circadian rhythmicity is controlled at both a transcriptional and post-transcriptional level suggesting the role of microRNA (miRNA) and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in this process. Endonuclease Dicer controls miRNA and dsRNA processing, however the role of Dicer in circadian regulation is not known. Here we demonstrate robust diurnal oscillations of Dicer expression in central and peripheral clock control systems including suprachiasmatic nucleolus (SCN), retina, liver, and bone marrow (BM). The Dicer oscillations were either reduced or phase shifted with aging and Type 2 diabetes. The decrease and phase shift of Dicer expression was associated with a similar decrease and phase shift of miRNAs 146a and 125a-5p and with an increase in toxic Alu RNA. Restoring Dicer levels and the diurnal patterns of Dicer-controlled miRNA and RNA expression may provide new therapeutic strategies for metabolic disease and aging-associated complications.
Soluble Supports Tailored for Organic Synthesis: Parallel Polymer Synthesis via Sequential Normal/Living Free Radical Processes

To expand the availability and solubility range of polymer supports for liquid-phase organic synthesis (LPOS) we have applied a sequence of normal and “living” free radical polymerization to generate a library of block copolymers possessing either block or graft architecture with initiators 1−4 and a diverse set of vinyl monomers 5−9. The structure, molecular weight, and polydispersity (PD) of the individual library members have been determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC), 1H and 13C NMR, and as a function of the solubility of each polymer in a range of solvents. One copolymer, polyBS-DS (Mn = 17 000, PD = 1.54) derived from 4-tert-butylstyrene (6, BS), 3,4-dimethoxystyrene (7, DS), and initiator 1 has a solubility profile [soluble in toluene, tetrahydrofuran (THF), ether, acetone and methylene chloride (DCM), insoluble in methanol and water] that is different from the present polymer of choice for LPOS, poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG), and has been studied in some detail as a new support in LPOS. ...
The Dynamics of Saturn's E Ring Particles

An analytical and numerical investigation is conducted of the motions of the 1-micron grains launched from Enceladus as they evolve under the influence of the Saturn oblate gravity field, solar radiation pressure, and EM forces. By plotting the position of a single particle over time, the distribution of 1-micron rains thus injected is shown in the course of swift movement under these forces; the distribution is noted to exhibit many of the characteristics of the Saturn E ring. Particles with slightly different grain sizes are found to achieve much smaller eccentricities.
An overview of the development of the first wall and other principal components of a laser fusion power plant

Abstract This paper introduces the JNM Special Issue on the development of a first wall for the reaction chamber in a laser fusion power plant. In this approach to fusion energy a spherical target is injected into a large chamber and heated to fusion burn by an array of lasers. The target emissions are absorbed by the wall and encapsulating blanket, and the resulting heat converted into electricity. The bulk of the energy deposited in the first wall is in the form of X-rays (1.0–100 keV) and ions (0.1–4 MeV). In order to have a practical power plant, the first wall must be resistant to these emissions and suffer virtually no erosion on each shot. A wall candidate based on tungsten armor bonded to a low activation ferritic steel substrate has been chosen as the initial system to be studied. The choice was based on the vast experience with these materials in a nuclear environment and the ability to address most of the key remaining issues with existing facilities. This overview paper is divided into three parts. The first part summarizes the current state of the development of laser fusion energy. The second part introduces the tungsten armored ferritic steel concept, the three critical development issues (thermo-mechanical fatigue, helium retention, and bonding) and the research to address them. Based on progress to date the latter two appear to be resolvable, but the former remains a challenge. Complete details are presented in the companion papers in this JNM Special Issue. The third part discusses other factors that must be considered in the design of the first wall, including compatibility with blanket concepts, radiological concerns, and structural considerations.
A structure-function analysis of NOD, a kinesin-like protein from Drosophila melanogaster.

We have analyzed a collection of 12 mutations in the Drosophila melanogaster nod locus, which encodes a kinesin-like protein involved in female meiotic chromosome segregation. The kinesin-like domain is at the N-terminus of the protein, while the C-terminal portion of the protein is unique. Four of the mutations are missense and affect highly conserved domains of the kinesin-like portion of the predicted protein, and thus demonstrate that the sequence conservation is biologically relevant. Surprisingly, two other mutations, which behave genetically as null alleles, are the result of mutations in the last exon of the nod gene. Thus, these two mutations affect the most C-terminal residues in the unique portion of the predicted protein. Based on these mutations, we suggest that this part of the protein may also be essential for wild-type function. The mutations were induced by either gamma-rays or ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). All of the gamma-ray induced mutations were small or large chromosomal rearrangements, while all of the EMS mutations were G → A transitions. These findings are consistent with the biochemical basis of the mode of action of each mutagen.
The relationship between height change and bone mineral density

This pilot study was designed to determine if height loss would serve as an effective screening tool for osteoporosis. Height loss, bone density data, and fracture history were obtained from a patient population in a bone health clinic. The 76 subjects ranged from 25 to 88 years of age with mean age 60.4 years. Maximum height was established by the subject's recall and the height recorded on their driver's license. Current height was also assessed. Results indicate that excessive height loss does reflect low bone mass and may predict osteoporosis-related fractures.
Immunocytochemical staining of Histoplasma capsulatum at the electron microscopic level

Rabbits were immunized with histoplasmin emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant. Antibody raised in these rabbits was exposed to Histoplasma capsulatum yeast cells, either in tissue culture medium, or after in vitro or in vivo phagocytosis by mouse macrophages. The sites of antibody binding were identified using an immunoperoxidase technique. At least two sites of antibody binding were identified, one to the fungal cell wall and the other to the outer cell membrane. Within 6 h after phagocytosis by macrophages, fungal cell walls appeared roughened, with what appeared to be cell wall antigen released into the phagolysosome, appearing associated with the phagolysosome membrane, and possibly adjacent macrophage cytoplasm. Similar staining of fungal antigen was noted in alveolar macrophages which had ingested Histoplasma capsulatum after a respiratory challenge. This method may be useful in detailing the host/pathogen interactions which occur in human pulmonary histoplasmosis.
Electron Transport in Metallic Grains

We discuss electron transport in individual nanometer-scale metallic grains at dilution refrigerator temperatures. In the weak coupling regime, the grains exhibit Coulomb blockade and discrete energy levels. Electron–electron interactions lead to clustering and broadening of quasiparticle states. Magnetic field dependences of tunneling resonances directly reveal Kramers degeneracy and Lande g-factors. In grains of Au, which have strong spin–orbit interaction, g-factors are strongly suppressed from the free electron value. We have recently studied grains in the strong coupling regime. Coulomb blockade persists in this regime. It leads to a suppression in sample conductance at zero bias voltage at low temperatures. The effective charging energy strongly fluctuates with the applied magnetic field. We present evidence that the fluctuations are induced by electron spin. This paper reviews the evolving progress in interpreting these observations.
Cognitive Therapy for Co-Occurring Depression and Behaviors Associated With Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder

The following case study illustrates the use of cognitive therapy for treating depression that co-occurs with behaviors associated with passive-aggressive personality disorder (PAPD). Depression and co-occurring PAPD-associated behaviors present several challenges for treatment, including the transient nature of PAPD-associated behaviors and the effect of these behaviors on the effective treatment and remission of depression. Cognitive therapy was initially effective at treating depression and PAPD tendencies. As treatment progressed, dysfunctional interactions with the environment resulted in the reemergence of PAPD-associated behaviors as these behaviors were reinforced and assertive behaviors punished. With the continued use of cognitive therapy, PAPD tendencies were once again reduced and depressive status remained in remission. The present case study highlights the importance of targeting behaviors associated with personality pathology when co-occurring with depression.
Conditioned drinking: A specific or nonspecific response?☆☆☆

Abstract Results of several recent reports indicate that drinking which follows subcutaneous injection of hypertonic saline in a distinctive test chamber will occur after repeated administrations in the absence of hypertonic saline. This so-called conditioned drinking in response to a complex stimulus is highly resistant to extinction and persists for as long as 55 nonreinforced daily test sessions. The present study is an attempt to determine if the conditioning effect is specific to drinking. Results of two experiments are reported and indicate that rats, if given the opportunity, will run in activity wheels and consume significant amounts of food during extinction in addition and, under some conditions, in preference to drinking water. Also, it seems unlikely that animals drink during extinction to avoid “strong thirst” as previously reported. Removal of food during the one hour of water deprivation which precedes testing decreased drinking and indicates that a food associated dry mouth contributes to increased drinking in the test sessions. This still perplexing effect might be more parsimoniously explained in terms of a conditioned nonspecific increase in motor excitability attributed to the administration of the hypertonic saline.
The Noncanonical Binding Site of the MED-1 GATA Factor Defines Differentially Regulated Target Genes in the C. elegans Mesendoderm

Mesoderm and endoderm in C. elegans arise from sister cells called MS and E, respectively. The identities of both of these mesendodermal progenitors are controlled by MED-1 and -2, members of the GATA factor family. In the E lineage, these factors activate a sequential cascade of GATA factors, beginning with their immediate targets, the endoderm-specifying end genes. We report that MED-1 binds invariant noncanonical sites in the end genes, revealing that the MEDs are atypical members of the GATA factor family that do not recognize GATA sequences. By searching the genome for clusters of these MED sites, we have identified 19 candidate MED targets. Based on their expression patterns, these define three distinct classes of MED-regulated genes: MS-specific, E-specific, and E plus MS-specific. Some MED targets encode transcription factors related to those that regulate mesendoderm development in other phyla, supporting the existence of an ancient metazoan mesendoderm gene regulatory network.
Storytelling to access social context and advance health equity research.

Abstract Objective Increased understanding of individual and social determinants of health is crucial to moving toward health equity. This essay examines storytelling as a vehicle for advancing health equity research. Method Contemplative examination of storytelling as a research strategy. Results An overview of story theory is provided. This is followed by an examination of storytelling as a tool for increasing understanding about the contexts in which people negotiate health, strengthening participation of communities in addressing health issues, and building bridges between researchers and target populations. Conclusion Storytelling can be a powerful tool for advancing health equity research. However, its effective use requires a renegotiation of relationships between researchers and target communities, as well as setting aside routine time to attend storytelling events and read a variety of stories.
Entrepreneurship and the evolution of income distributions in Poland and Russia

Abstract Differences in the evolution of Polish and Russian income distributions in the post-socialist era can be attributed to different rates of entry of new enterprises. Using regional differences during early privatization as instruments to estimate the impact of this entry, we find that a one-standard-deviation increase in the share of the workforce in new or small enterprises increases the share of income earned by the lowest forty percent of the population by 1.4% and by 1.25% in Polish and Russian regions, respectively. Poland's greater success in de novo firm entry contributes to its more equitable income distribution during the transition. Journal of Comparative Economics 34 (2) (2006) 338–356.
On-Board Fuel Property Identification Method Based on Common Rail Pressure Signal

This paper investigates the impact of fuel property variations on the rail pressure fluctuations in high pressure common rail (HPCR) systems and explores the possibility of indentifying fuel physical property based on the measurement of a rail pressure sensor. Fluid transients, particularly the water hammer effect, in a HPCR system are discussed and the 1D-governing equations are given. A HPCR model is developed in GT-Suite. The injectors, a three-plunger high pressure pump, and a pressure control valve are modeled in a relatively high level of detail. Five different fuels are modeled and their properties including density, bulk modulus, and acoustic wave speed are validated. Simulation results are obtained under different conditions with variable rail pressures and injection durations. The results show that natural frequency of the common rail varies with the fuel type filled in it. By applying the Fast Fourier Transform to the pressure signal, the differences of fuel properties can be revealed in the frequency domain. Since the rail pressure natural frequency is affected by the acoustic wave speed in the fuel, it can be concluded that this approach not only works for biodiesel blend level estimation, but also universally applies to the identification of various fuels and their blends as long as the acoustic wave speed in the fuel is known and the difference comparing to regular diesel is discernable.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Physiological and pathological roles of mitochondrial SLC25 carriers

The mitochondrion relies on compartmentalization of certain enzymes, ions and metabolites for the sake of efficient metabolism. In order to fulfil its activities, a myriad of carriers are properly expressed, targeted and folded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Among these carriers, the six-transmembrane-helix mitochondrial SLC25 (solute carrier family 25) proteins facilitate transport of solutes with disparate chemical identities across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Although their proper function replenishes building blocks needed for metabolic reactions, dysfunctional SLC25 proteins are involved in pathological states. It is the purpose of the present review to cover the current knowledge on the role of SLC25 transporters in health and disease.
INTERMITTENT STIMULATION BY LIGHT : VI. AREA AND THE RELATION BETWEEN CRITICAL FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY.

1. In the retina, central areas whose diameter is less than 2 degrees possess only cones, while larger areas have rods and cones. In conformity with this, the relation of critical fusion frequency to intensity is a single function for centrally fixated areas below 2 degrees , and a double function for similarly fixated, larger areas. The two sections of such data are easily identified with rod activity at low intensities and with cone activity at high intensities. 2. The curves describing the rod data are the same for all areas, differing only in the values of the associated dimensional constants which control the location of the curves on the coordinate axes. Similarly, the curves for the cone data are the same for all areas; the tendency for an increase in maximal frequency with area is the expression merely of the value of a constant which determines the position of the data on the frequency axis. Area, therefore, does not influence the fundamental nature of the flicker relation through each receptor system, but merely alters the extraneous constants of the relation. 3. The curves which describe the measurements are represented by two equations, one for rods and one for cones; both equations are derived from the stationary state descriptive of the initial event in the photoreceptor process.
Dietary ethinyl estradiol exposure during development causes increased voluntary sodium intake and mild maternal and offspring toxicity in rats

Exogenous estrogen exposure during development often results in behavioral masculinization and/or defeminization of genetic females. Genetic males may be defeminized, hypermasculinized or even demasculinized after similar treatment. Here, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats consumed phytoestrogen-free diets containing 0, 1, 5 or 200 ppb EE(2) beginning on gestational day (GD) 7. Offspring were weaned to the same maternal diet and maintained gonadally intact. There were mild effects on body weight and food consumption in dams of the 200 ppb group and their offspring weighed less at birth than those of the control group; however, gross assessments of nursing behavior were normal in all dietary groups. Postweaning, offspring of the 200 ppb group weighed less and consumed less food than controls. There were no EE(2)-related effects on open-field activity (tested at postnatal days (PND) 22-24, 43-45 and 64-66), play behavior (tested at PND 35), running wheel activity (PND 63-77) or intake of a 0.3% saccharin-flavored solution (PND 69-71). Intake of a 3.0% sodium chloride-flavored solution on PND 73-75 was increased in both male and female offspring of the 200 ppb group relative to same-sex controls, an effect that is reportedly estrogen mediated. Sodium chloride-flavored solution intake is a sexually dimorphic behavior for which female rats consume more than males. Here, while EE(2) exposure had few effects on the conventional tests of sexually dimorphic behaviors, exposure to 200 ppb in the diet appeared to feminize genetic males and hyperfeminize genetic females with regard to sodium intake.
ATM activation by ionizing radiation requires BRCA1-associated BAAT1.

Abstract ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) is required for the early response to DNA-damaging agents such as ionizing radiation (IR) that induce DNA double-strand breaks. Cells deficient in ATM are extremely sensitive to IR. It has been shown that IR induces immediate phosphorylation of ATM at Ser1981, leading to catalytic activation of the protein. We recently isolated a novel BRCA1-associated protein, BAAT1 (BRCA1-associated protein required for ATM activation-1), by yeast two-hybrid screening and found that BAAT1 also binds to ATM, localizes to double-strand breaks, and is required for Ser1981 phosphorylation of ATM. Small interfering RNA-mediated stable or transient reduction of BAAT1 resulted in decreased phosphorylation of both ATM at Ser1981 and CHK2 at Thr68. Treatment of BAAT1-depleted cells with okadaic acid greatly restored phosphorylation of ATM at Ser1981, suggesting that BAAT1 is involved in the regulation of ATM phosphatase. Protein phosphatase 2A-mediated dephosphorylation of ATM was partially blocked by purified BAAT1 in vitro. Significantly, acute loss of BAAT1 resulted in increased p53, leading to apoptosis. These results demonstrate that DNA damage-induced ATM activation requires a coordinated assembly of BRCA1, BAAT1, and ATM.
Vibrational Structure of NAD(P) Cofactors Bound to Three NAD(P) Dependent Enzymes: an Investigation of Ground State Activation

The NAD(P) dependent dehydrogenases and reductases stereospecifically catalyze the transfer of a hydride ion from C4 of the dihydronicotinamide of the NAD(P) ring to the substrate. We have investigated the vibrational structure of the important C4−H coordinate for NAD(P)H and NADP+ bound to three enzymes in binary and ternary (Michaelis mimics) complexes: the A-side specific lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and the B-side specific glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH). This is achieved by specifically deuterating the C4 pro-R or pro-S hydrogens of the reduced ring or the C4 hydrogen of the oxidized ring, which results in a vibrational mode localized to the stretching motion of the labeled C4−H bond. We observed relatively minor changes in the stretch frequencies of the C4−H bonds showing that the electronic nature of the bond is not substantially modified by cofactor binding, a mechanism previously proposed to be involved in enzymic “activation” toward catalysis. Howeve...
Elasto-Plastic Finite Element Analysis of Repeated Three-Dimensional, Elliptical Rolling Contact With Rail Wheel Properties

This paper presents an elasto-plastic analysis of the repeated, frictionless, three-dimensional rolling contact similar to the ones produced by the rail-wheel geometry. This paper treats an elliptical contact rolling across a semi-infinite half space. The contact shape and loading: semi-major axis (in the rolling direction), w1 = 8 mm, and semi-minor axis, w2 = 5.88 mm, reflect standard rail and wheel curvatures and a wheel load of 149 KN (33,000 lb). A three-dimensional, elasto-plastic finite element model, developed earlier, is employed together with the elastic-linear-kinematic-hardening-plastic (ELKP) idealization of the cyclic plastic behaviour of a material similar to rail and wheel steels. The calculations present the displacements, the stress-strain distributions, stress-plastic strain histories and the plastic strain ranges in the half-space. The cyclic plasticity approaches a steady state after one contact with further contacts producing open but fully reversed stress-strain hysteresis loops, i.e., plastic shakedown.
Lack of shuttlebox avoidance learning in autoimmune BXSB mice: a test of learned helplessness.

Abstract 1. 1. The authors investigated whether learned helplessness was a possible explanation for the observed learning deficits demonstrated by autoimmune mice in shuttlebox avoidance. If mice were experiencing learned helplessness during the avoidance testing, one would expect this to transfer to other behavioral tests resulting in lower learning scores. 2. 2. One group of BXSB mice was tested in avoidance first, a water version of the Lashley III maze second, and water escape last, while another group was given these tests in the reverse order. 3. 3. Animals who were exposed to avoidance first did not demonstrate any learning deficits in subsequent tests, suggesting that there were no adverse effects of avoidance training on later water maze learning. 4. 4. However, correlations between number of null responses during avoidance learning and two other measures suggest that the null response measure may be an index of a continuum of learned helplessness within the BXSB strain.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis following retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has become a routine examination in a number of medical centers within the past several years. We report a life-threatening case of acute pancreatitis withPseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis immediately following ERCP. Cultures of the blood, the inner channel of the duodenoscope, and irrigating water bottles all were positive forPseudomonas aeruginosa. ThePseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from the blood and endoscope both reacted to three common antisera: serotypes 2, 15, and 16, suggesting a common source of infection. Although it is obvious that the ERCP procedure cannot be sterile, attempts should be made to prevent transmission of noscomial pathogens by this procedure.
Distributed Informative-Sensor Identification via Sparsity-Aware Matrix Decomposition

Covariance matrices that consist of sparse factors arise in settings where the field sensed by a sensor network is formed by localized sources. It is established that the task of identifying source-informative sensors boils down to estimating the support of the sparse covariance factors. To this end, a novel sparsity-aware matrix decomposition framework is developed that can recover the support of the sparse factors of a matrix. Relying on norm-one regularization a centralized formulation is first derived, when sensors are fully connected. Then, the notion of missing covariance entries is employed to develop a distributed sparsity-aware matrix decomposition scheme. The associated minimization problems are solved using computationally efficient coordinate descent iterations combined with matrix deflation mechanisms. A simple scheme is also developed to set appropriately the sparsity-adjusting coefficients. The distributed framework can provably recover the support of the covariance factors when field sources do not overlap, while each subset of sensors sensing a specific source form a connected communication graph. Different from existing approaches, the novel utilization of covariance sparsity allows distributed informative sensor identification, without requiring data model parameters. Numerical tests corroborate that the novel factorization schemes work well even when the sources overlap.
Multidimensional Scratching, Sound Shaping and Triple Point

ABSTRACT The author discusses performance utilizing his greis software system, which is built around the principle of a “scrubbing” interaction with roots in the recording industry and the paradigm of scrubbing tape across a magnetic head.
2D-ACAR spectra of insulating and superconducting Y-123

Abstract An overview of the two-dimensional angular correlation (2D-ACAR) positron annihilation results for the three fundamental phases of YBa 2 Cu 3 O x , namely, the normal metal, the superconductor and the insulator, is presented. In addition to the c-axis projected momentum density, the recent results for the a-axis projection as well as the insulating Y123 are discussed. The experimental results are compared and contrasted with the corresponding band theory predictions as far as possible in order to gain insight into the electronic structure and Fermiology of this archetypal high-T c superconductor.
Optimum “cooling time” to minimize interfering activity in non-destructive activation analysis

Abstract In order to choose the best “cooling time” to minimize interfering γ-rays in activation, analysis, the “cooling time” has been examined theoretically. There is an optimum cooling time which depends on the time of irradiation and on the half-life of nuclide formed to be determined.
Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer.

Immunologic approaches to therapy for colorectal cancer have evolved substantially. In the past, patients were treated with nonspecific immune stimulants such as bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). The current focus lies in targeting tumor-associated antigens. This is done either through passive immune therapy, with antibodies targeted directly to tumor cells, or by active immune therapy through vaccination with tumor cells, tumor cell lysates, peptides, carbohydrates, gene constructs encoding proteins, or anti-idiotype antibodies that mimic tumor-associated antigens. These different approaches to immunotherapy are reviewed.
Synthesis of millimole amounts of14C- and2D-labelled primidone, phenylethylmalonamide and phenobarbital for high-sensitivity detection in biological materials

Syntheses of millimole quantities of14C- and2D-labelled primidone, phenylethylmalonamide and phenobarbital are described. The labels are incorporated in positions that permit quantitative recovery in the metabolites. Methods are given for isolating the compounds by countercurrent distribution and thin-layer chromatography. Mass spectra of2D-labelled and non-labelled primidone are presented. Detection, identification and quantitation of the compounds and their metabolites in biological material by radiotracer and GC-MS procedures are discussed.
Effects of depression and borderline personality traits on psychological state and eating disorder symptomatology

The incidence of current or lifetime affective disorder and borderline personality characteristics were measured in bulimia nervosa patients. The relationship of these variables to the severity of eating disorder symptomatology (Eating Disorder Inventory [EDI]) and general psychiatric symptoms (Hopkins Symptom Checklist [SCL]) was examined. Categorical diagnostic assessments of affective disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD) were made by Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM-III-R (SCID-I and -II). Affective disorder diagnosis (both current and lifetime) strongly influenced EDI and SCL profiles, while borderline personality characteristics had little influence. An understanding of the broad psychological symptomatology in bulimics requires the consideration of comorbid psychiatric illnesses, especially affective disorders.
[3H]ouabain binding and 86rubidium uptake during the cell growth cycle in L5178Y murine lymphoblasts

Abstract There was a parallel alteration in [ 3 H]ouabain binding and 86 Rb + uptake during the cell growth cycle in L5178Y murine lymphoblasts. The initial rate of Rb + uptake and [ 3 H]ouabain binding was highest at the stationary phase of the cell growth cycle. The possible relationship between changes in cation transport and membrane properties to the cell growth cycle is discussed.
The N-terminal domain of transcription factor IIB is required for direct interaction with the vitamin D receptor and participates in vitamin D-mediated transcription.

The interaction of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) with transcription factor IIB (TFIIB) represents a potential physical link between the VDR-DNA complex and the transcription preinitiation complex. However, the functional relevance of the VDR-TFIIB interaction in vitamin D-mediated transcription is not well understood. In the present study, we used site-directed mutagenesis to demonstrate that the structural integrity of the amino-terminal zinc finger of TFIIB is essential for VDR-TFIIB complex formation. Altering the putative zinc-coordinating residues (C15, C34, C37, or H18) to serines abolished TFIIB interaction with the VDR as assessed in a yeast two-hybrid system and by in vitro protein interaction assays. This N-terminal, VDR-interactive domain functioned as a selective, dominant-negative inhibitor of vitamin D-mediated transcription. Expressing amino acids 1–124 of human TFIIB (N-TFIIB) in COS-7 cells or in osteoblastic ROS17/2.8 cells effectively suppressed 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3)-in...
Observations of backscattering enhancement from polaritons on a rough metal surface

We present an experimental investigation of backscattering enhancement arising from the excitation of polaritons on a metal surface with highly one-dimensional random roughness. The surfaces are fabricated in gold-coated photoresist with methods in which a Gaussian random process is written into the surface through its randomly phased Fourier components. Backscattering enhancement is observed in the diffusely scattered light only in p polarization, and the narrow roughness spectrum of the surface confines the effect to a well-defined range of incident and scattering angles. The dependence of the diffuse scatter on the standard deviation of surface height and on the illumination wavelength is shown to provide an additional clear indication of the involvement of the surface polaritons.
Direct observations of the effects of aerosol loading on net ecosystem CO2 exchanges over different landscapes

[1] We present the first direct, multisite observations in support of the hypothesis that atmospheric aerosols affect the regional terrestrial carbon cycle. The daytime growing season (summer) CO2 flux observations from six sites (forest, grasslands, and croplands) with collocated aerosol and surface radiation measurements were analyzed for high and low diffuse radiation; effect of cloud cover; and effect of high and low aerosol optical depths (AOD). Results indicate that, aerosols exert a significant impact on net CO2 exchange, and their effect may be even more significant than that due to clouds. The response appears to be a general feature irrespective of the landscape and photosynthetic pathway. The CO2 sink increased with aerosol loading for forest and crop lands, and decreased for grassland. The cause for the difference in response between vegetation types is hypothesized to be canopy architecture.
Initial stages in the morphological evolution of vapour‐grown ice crystals: A laboratory investigation

We describe experiments to investigate the first stages in the evolution of small (100–200 µm) ice crystals levitated in air at temperatures and humidities characteristic of fully glaciated stratiform clouds. We find that in these conditions particle morphology is not uniquely determined by environmental temperature and humidity as has commonly been assumed; other parameters, such as the mode of ice initiation, appear to have important effects on particle shape. Crystals grown from frozen droplets at vapour excesses of less than about 0.05 g m−3 adopt isometric compact habits at temperatures above −22°C, while polycrystals dominate at lower temperatures. In contrast, crystals grown under similar conditions from frost ‘seeds’ usually develop into pristine hexagonal prisms with varying aspect ratios. An increasing fraction of frozen droplets develop into ‘florid’ crystals, containing thin side-planes, at higher supersaturations. This mix of particle types is similar to that found in field studies of cold clouds. The change in morphology from compact hexagon to ‘florid’ with increasing growth rate defines a facet instability transition, from which we infer a lower limit for the critical supersaturation for layer nucleation on the prism facet to be 2.4% at −15°C and 3.1% at −25°C. We develop a simple analytic model for the size dependence of facet stability and show its predictions compare well with the data. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society
CONFRONTING PERPETRATORS OF PREJUDICE: THE INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF SOCIAL COSTS

The purpose of this research is to investigate the extent to which social costs influence whether or not targets of prejudice confront individuals who behave in a prejudiced manner during interpersonal interactions. Consistent with our predictions, we found that although women believe they will confront perpetrators of prejudice regardless of the social costs, in reality, they are less likely to confront male perpetrators in high social cost situations. Implications for how targets cope with prejudice and discrimination are discussed.
A Novel Approach to Sequential Simulation

Traditional simulators require events to be executed chronologically. By departing from this basic convention, a new algorithm promises to speed simulation.