cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Technology, convergence, and growth in the European Union

This paper contains an empirical analysis of growth and convergence in the European Union using a cross-country data set covering the period 1950–92. It seeks an answer to the question why some countries in Europe manage to catch up, while others, most notably the poorest ones, apparently do not. The empirical evidence provided in the paper points to several responsible factors. The distance of the economy to the technological leader differed across economies, which contributed to differences in convergence and growth behavior. In addition, the finding of conditional convergence implies that economies converge to different steady state levels of income per capita. Poor economies, like Portugal, Greece, Spain, and Ireland, presumably converge to a lower steady state level of income per capita, which leads to persistent differences in income per capita.
Prevalence of small-for-gestational-age and its mortality risk varies by choice of birth-weight-for-gestation reference population.

Background We use data from rural Nepal and South India to compare the prevalence of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and neonatal mortality risk associated with SGA using different birth-weight-for-gestation reference populations. Methods We identified 46 reference populations in low-, middle-, and high-income countries, of which 26 met the inclusion criteria of being commonly cited and having numeric 10th percentile cut points published. Those reference populations were then applied to populations from two community-based studies to determine SGA prevalence and its relative risk of neonatal mortality. Results The prevalence of SGA ranged from 10.5% to 72.5% in Nepal, and 12.0% to 78.4% in India, depending on the reference population. Females had higher rates of SGA than males using reference populations that were not sex specific. SGA prevalence was lowest when using reference populations from low-income countries. Infants who were both preterm and SGA had much higher mortality risk than those who were term and appropriate-for-gestational-age. Risk ratios for those who are both preterm and SGA ranged from 7.34–17.98 in Nepal and 5.29–11.98 in India, depending on the reference population. Conclusions These results demonstrate the value of a common birth-weight-for-gestation reference population that will facilitate comparisons of SGA prevalence and mortality risk across research studies.
Endometrial vascularity during pseudopregnancy in the rabbit.

The vascular architecture in the rabbit uterus was studied during pseudopregnancy. Uteri at 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 24 and 28 days after sterile mating were subjected to one of four techniques: neoprene latex casts, transparent sections, frozen sections, and histological sections. Measurements were made microscopically of the thickness of myometrium and of the subepithelial capillary plexus in the different mucosal folds. In the estrous rabbit, the circular arteries in the uterine muscular layer give off arterioles which pass upwards, with a few branchings through the endometrium to the uterine lumen. These arterioles reach the surface of the mucosal folds and break up into the subepithelial capillary plexus. This plexus is connected to the tips of the venules which run down through the endometrium to the endometrial vascular plexus at the base of the endometrium: some of the venules connect with the circular venous vessels in the muscular layer. With advanced stages of pseudopregnancy, the capillaries among the glands become stretched and elongated. Maximal branching of the folds occurs at 4 to 9 days of pseudopregnancy. The “branching activity” was consistently higher in the placental than in the periplacental or in the obplacental folds. Such changes reached a maximum at 6 to 7 days p.c., after which the capillaries became gradually shorter and tortuous. The development of arterioles in the mucosa was marked at 3 to 6 days p.c. The thickness of the plexus in the periplacental fold and in the obplacental fold as a percentage of the thickness in the placental fold was highly correlated with the stage of pseudopregnancy. At 9 to 11 days p.c., these ratios reached a minimum of 70 to 80%.
The dentinoenamel junction and the hypocone in primates

Enamel has been stripped from primate teeth (especially humans and ceboids) with special reference to the comparative form of the hypocone. Dentally reduced species show variable developments not always expected of a hypothetical ontogenetically prior stage.
Label-free detection of single base-mismatch DNA hybridization on gold nanoparticles using hyper-Rayleigh scattering technique: studies on size-dependent properties

We report here that the hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) technique which has emerged over the past decade as a powerful method to determine the microscopic non-linear optical (NLO) properties of species in solution, can be used to achieve the ultra-sensitive detection of single base-pair mismatch in oligonucleotide strands without any modification of DNA. A very distinct HRS intensity change has been observed after hybridization even at the concentration of 15 nano-molar probe ss-DNA. The HRS intensity enhanced by a factor of 20 after hybridization. The HRS intensity did not change when we added the target DNA with one base-pair mismatch with respect to probe DNA. Size dependent optical absorption and hyper Rayleigh scattering properties have been measured. The mechanism of size and distant dependence HRS intensity changed has been discussed.
The distortion of the ring in monosubstituted benzene derivatives: a molecular orbital study

Abstract Ab initio calculations using the 6-31G basis set have been carried out on benzene and the monosubstituted derivatives with CH3, NH2, OH, F, NO, CHCH2, CCH, CCF COO− O−, and with NO2, CHO, CHNH, COOH, CFO, CN, NC and NH3+, as substituent groups. The C- and H-atoms of the ring and the substituent group atom directly attached to it were assumed to lie in the same plane, and a particular orientation was assumed for certain groups, otherwise full geometry optimization was employed. Trends in the following parameters are discussed — the ipso angle, the lengths of the CC bonds which include the ipso angle, the CC and CH bond lengths, nonbonded C ⋯ C and H ⋯ H distances, the ring area, and the tilt of the unsymmetrical substituent groups with respect to the ring axis. Additional calculations at the 6–31G* level on benzene and the F, CN and NH2 derivatives show the trends to be unaffected by the inclusion of polarization functions on the heavy atoms. In selected cases the calculated geometries are compared with microwave and X-ray diffraction results. Comparison is also made with the Mulliken population analysis of Hehre, Radom and Pople (1972) who used the STO-3G basis set and standard geometry. The difference in energy between that for the optimized structure and that for a reference structure with optimized benzene ring geometry and the optimized geometry for the attachment and substituent group has been calculated for the F, NO2, OH, CN, CHCH2 and O− derivatives. The small values, less than 1 kcal mol−1, except for O−, suggest that the actual physical state might well be a mixture of structures having slightly different ring geometries.
Solid Nanoparticles that Catalyze Biofuel Upgrade Reactions at the Water/Oil Interface

A recoverable catalyst that simultaneously stabilizes emulsions would be highly advantageous in streamlining processes such as biomass refining, in which the immiscibility and thermal instability of crude products greatly complicates purification procedures. Here, we report a family of solid catalysts that can stabilize water-oil emulsions and catalyze reactions at the liquid/liquid interface. By depositing palladium onto carbon nanotube-inorganic oxide hybrid nanoparticles, we demonstrate biphasic hydrodeoxygenation and condensation catalysis in three substrate classes of interest in biomass refining. Microscopic characterization of the emulsions supports localization of the hybrid particles at the interface.
Verbal and performance differences among brain-injured children with lateralized motor deficits.

Summary.<hildren diagnosed as infantile hemiplegias were classified into groups by side of motor deficit. Each S was administered the WISC and the reading section of the WRAT. No relation was found between side of deficit and Verbal Performance difference scores. In each group WISC PIQ was lower than WISC VIQ. There was no significant difference in reading achievement. Relationships between intelligence test pattern and side of deficit reported for brain-injured adults do nor appear to hold for children. Reed and Reitan (1963) classified adult brain-damaged patients by lateralized motor deficits and found a relationship between side of impairment and verbal and performance scores on the Wechsler-Bellvue I (WBI). Similar results have been reported in many studies (Reitan, 1955; Matthews & Reitan, 1964). With one exception (Smith, 1966) the findings are: (a) adult patients with recent lesions primarily involving the left cerebral hemisphere tend to have lower WBI Verbal IQ scores than Performance IQ scores (the sum of the verbal weighted test scores also tends to be lower than the sum of the performance weighted test scores). When McCall T scores are used, these Ss rank lower on the verbal subtests than patients with right cerebral lesions. (b) Patients with right cerebral lesions rank lower on the performance subtests than patients with left cerebral lesions and tend to have lower PIQ scores than VIQs. (c) Patients with diffuse cerebral lesions show little difference between their verbal and performance subtest scores. And (d) statements (a) and (b) do not hold for ad~llt patients with chronic lateralized cerebral lesions of long duration (Fitzhugh, Fitzhugh, & Reitan, 1962). Brain lesions acquired in adulthood appear to have different effects on intellectual ability structure from brain lesions acquired early in life. Adults with recent neurological complaints tend to differ from controls far more on tests which measure immediate problem solving ability than on tests which require stored information and memory. The opposite has been reported for children (Reed, Reitan, & Klplve, 1965; Reed & Fitzhugh, 1966). However, in children, the relationship of lateralized lesions to intellectual deficits has not been thoroughly investigated, though some reports suggesr that lesions of the left cerebral hemisphere depress language skills. Alajouanine and Lhermitte (1965) found that of 32 children with left cerebral lesions, 22 were dyslexic and reported "The involvement of the domi
Different Substrate Recognition Requirements for Cleavage of Synaptobrevin-2 by Clostridium baratii and Clostridium botulinum Type F Neurotoxins

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) cause botulism, which can be fatal if it is untreated. BoNTs cleave proteins necessary for nerve transmission, resulting in paralysis. The in vivo protein target has been reported for all seven serotypes of BoNT, i.e., serotypes A to G. Knowledge of the cleavage sites has led to the development of several assays to detect BoNT based on its ability to cleave a peptide substrate derived from its in vivo protein target. Most serotypes of BoNT can be subdivided into subtypes, and previously, we demonstrated that three of the currently known subtypes of BoNT/F cleave a peptide substrate, a shortened version of synaptobrevin-2, between Q58 and K59. However, our research indicated that Clostridium baratii type F toxin did not cleave this peptide. In this study, we detail experiments demonstrating that Clostridium baratii type F toxin cleaves recombinant synaptobrevin-2 in the same location as that cleaved by proteolytic F toxin. In addition, we demonstrate that Clostridium baratii type F toxin can cleave a peptide substrate based on the sequence of synaptobrevin-2. This peptide substrate is an N-terminal extension of the original peptide substrate used for detection of other BoNT/F toxins and can be used to detect four of the currently known BoNT/F subtypes by mass spectrometry.
Maintenance of normocalcemia by continuous infusion of the synthetic bovine parathyroid hormone (1–34) in parathyroidectomized rats

This work was conducted to estimate the replacement dose of the synthetic bovine parathyroid hormone [PTH(1–34)] that is required for maintenance of serum calcium (Ca) in parathyroidectomized (PTX) rats. Male rats were PTX and used in this study only if serum Ca was reduced to at least 7 mg/dl. We found that a solution of 2% cysteine, 150 mM NaCl, and 1 mM HCl was superior to 20 mM acetic acid for maintenance of biological activity of PTH (1–34) in situ during the period of hormone infusion studied. The PTH dose—calcemic response relationship was investigated using PTH in doses of 0.6, 1, and 3 U/h. The infusion of 1 U PTH per hour raised Ca to the normal level, whereas rats infused with 0.6 U/h were hypocalcemic and 3 U/h resulted in marked hypercalcemia. To extend this observation we carried out an infusion of 1 U PTH per hour for 14 days. We found that this infusion rate of bovine PTH (1–34) provided a relatively stable level of serum calcium with modest fluctuation from normocalcemic to somewhat hypercalcemic levels for the entire 14-day period of PTH infusion. Serum calcitonin was also elevated during the infusion period and then returned to the initial level when PTH treatment was stopped. After the minipumps containing PTH were removed, the serum Ca dropped rapidly to 5 mg/dl, which was significantly lower than the control (vehicle-infused) or initial values of serum Ca (7 mg/dl). Infusion of PTH at 3 U/h for 4 days did not produce this rebound hypocalcemia after the pumps were removed. Serum Ca in those experiments returned to the initial level after hormone treatment was discontinued.
Electron Microscopy of Single-Stranded DNA: Circularity of DNA of Bacteriophage ϕX174

The single-stranded DNA of coliphage ϕX174 has been examined with the electron microscope by a modification of the protein-monolayer-adsorption technique. The molecules were found to be circular with a total length of 1.77 ± 0.13 microns.
Limb Development and Regeneration

Experiments on developing and regenerating vertebrate limbs have led to the idea that pattern formation and growth control are causally linked. The mechanism by which position-specific growth occurs is termed intercalation, and evidence is presented that implicates intercalation in the initiation, maintenance and cessation of growth during limb formation. We conclude that among the variety of cell types present in limbs, only fibroblasts have been shown to possess the positional information necessary for intercalation. Hence we propose that the limb pattern is generated by intercalation between fibroblasts to give rise to a connective tissue scaffold, which in turn dictates the positioning and morphogenesis of all of the differentiated cell types of the limb. Finally, we review evidence that regenerative failure among higher vertebrates is linked to defects in the intrinsic cellular mechanisms of growth control (intercalation) and conclude that progress towards the goal of stimulating regenerative limb outgrowth in non-regenerating vertebrates will be contingent upon a better understanding of these intrinsic mechanisms.
Synthesis of 5α-pregna-1, 20-dien-3-one

5ALPHA-Pregna-1,20-dien-3-one has been synthesized from 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one by reaction of the tosylhydrazone with butyllithium to introduce the vinyl moiety. Oxidation of the alcohol and treatment of the anion of the resulting ketone with benzeneselenenyl chloride gave the 2-phenylseleno derivative. This afforded the conjugated enone on oxidative elimination.
Visual consciousness in health and disease

Conscious experience is an essential part of normal human life and interaction with the environment. Yet the nature of consciousness and conscious perception remains a mystery. Because of its subjective nature, consciousness has been difficult to investigate scientifically, but clues have been gained through studies involving patients with cortical lesions. During the past decade, the development of event-related fMRI has provided insights into aspects of conscious perception in control subjects and patients with cortical lesions by correlating awareness and performance with neural activity during visual tasks. This article reviews how recent research has advanced understanding of conscious perception, its relationship to neural activity and visual performance, and how this relationship can be altered by visual dysfunction. It also presents recent research about how conscious awareness of vision might be represented at a neural level in the central nervous system.
Modulation of Drosophila heat shock transcription factor activity by the molecular chaperone DROJ1

Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) play important roles in the cellular response to physiological stress signals. To examine the control of HSF activity, we undertook a yeast two-hybrid screen for proteins interacting with Drosophila HSF. DROJ1, the fly counterpart of the human heat shock protein HSP40/HDJ1, was identified as the dominant interacting protein (15 independent isolates from 58 candidates). Overexpression of DROJ1 in Drosophila SL2 cells delays the onset of the heat shock response. Moreover, RNA interference involving transfection of SL2 cells with double-stranded droj1 RNA depletes the endogenous level of DROJ1 protein, leading to constitutive activation of endogenous heat shock genes. The induction level, modest when DROJ1 was depleted alone, reached maximal levels when DROJ1 and HSP70/HSC70, or DROJ1 and HSP90, were depleted concurrently. Chaperone co-depletion was also correlated with strong induction of the DNA binding activity of HSF. Our findings support a model in which synergistic interactions between DROJ1 and the HSP70/HSC70 and HSP90 chaperones modulate HSF activity by feedback repression.
Molecular Simulation of Near-Critical and Supercritical Fluids

Molecular simulation offers a powerful tool for understanding the equilibrium thermodynamic properties, microscopic structure and dynamics of near-critical and supercritical fluids and mixtures. This chapter focuses on three subjects: the mechanics of performing molecular dynamics simulations, the application of molecular dynamics methods to near-critical and supercritical fluids and mixtures (with one important difficulty being the problem of locating the critical point), and a review of molecular simulation work (both molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo) applied to aqueous systems.
An infrared spectroscopic study of lawsonite to 20 GPa

The infrared spectrum of CaAl2Si2O7 · H2O-lawsonite, has been characterized to pressures of 20 GPa at 300 K. Our results constrain the response to compression of the silicate tetrahedra, hydroxyl units, and water molecules in this material. The asymmetric and symmetric stretching and bending vibrations of the Si2O7 groups (at zero pressure frequencies between 600 and 1000 cm−1) increase in frequency with pressure at rates between 3.6 and 5.9 cm−1/GPa. All silicate modes appear to shift continuously with pressure to 20 GPa, although the lowest frequency stretching vibration becomes unresolvable above 18 GPa, and a splitting of the main bending vibration is observed near this pressure. The O-H stretches of the hydroxyl units exhibit a discontinuity in their mode shifts at ∼8–9 GPa, which we interpret to be produced by a pressure-induced change in hydrogen bonding. The stretching and bending vibrations of the water molecule are relatively unaffected by compression to 20 GPa, thus demonstrating that the structural cavities in which water molecules reside are relatively rigid. Significant changes in the amplitude of the O-H stretches of the hydroxyl and water units are observed at this pressure as well; nevertheless, our results demonstrate that the dominant structural units in lawsonite persist metastably at 300 K with only modest structural modifications well beyond the known stability field of this phase.
Mapping XML Schema to Entity Relationship and Extended Entity Relationship Models

In this paper, we conceptually model an Entity Relationship (ER) diagram and Extended Entity Relationship (EER) diagram from XML Schema. This conceptual view of XML Schema is a necessary step in understanding XML data, and can easily be used to translate XML data to the relational model. Once in the relational model, XML data can avail of mature relational database technology.
The Cartilage-specific Fibronectin Isoform Has a High Affinity Binding Site for the Small Proteoglycan Decorin

Binding of fibronectin to the small proteoglycan decorin plays an important role in cell differentiation and cell migration. The cartilage-specific (V+C)(-) fibronectin isoform, in which nucleotides that normally encode the protein segments V, III(15), and I(10) are spliced out, is one of the major splice variants present in cartilage matrices. Full-length and truncated cDNA constructs were used to express recombinant versions of fibronectin. Results demonstrated that the (V+C)(-) isoform has a higher affinity for decorin. Dissociation constants for decorin and fibronectin interaction were calculated to be 93 nm for the V(+)C(+) isoform and 24 nm and 223 nm for (V+C)(-) fibronectin. Because heparin competed with decorin competitively, binding of decorin to fibronectin likely occurs at a heparin-binding region. We propose that alternative splicing of the V and C regions changes the global conformation of fibronectin in such a way that it opens an additional decorin-binding site. This conformational change is responsible for the higher affinity of the (V+C)(-) fibronectin isoform for decorin.
The importance of site assessment in land use planning: a re-examination of the SCS LESA model

Abstract The dual paradigm of the USDA Soil Conservation Service Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) system is the most striking aspect of the model design. Examination of established LESA databases and models for Douglas County, Kansas (USA) indicates the importance of the site assessment subsystem to the planning mission. This emphasis indicates a concern on the part of the US Soil Conservation Service to develop a planning model which is workable within the framework of local needs and design. Results show that the two subsystems, while distinctly separate, work together to plan the proper use of a dwindling agricultural resource base. Suggestions are made for research methodologies to improve the final grading system of LESA to reflect local objectives more adequately while responding to the national need.
Paraffinic hydrocarbon composition of earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris)

The paraffinic hydrocarbon fraction of the lipids extracted from earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) contains ca. 88%n-alkanes and 12% branched alkanes and other hydrocarbons. Then-alkanes range from C13 through C33, and their most interesting feature is the even-over-odd carbon number predominance in the C13−C24 range. The nonnormal hydrocarbons consist primarily of monomethyl-substituted alkanes. Other hydrocarbons that have been identified include the C16. C18, C19 and C20 isoprenoids and the C18, C20 and C22n-alkylcyclohexanes.
Enhanced electrical conductivity of polydiacetylene crystals by chemical doping and ion implantation

The conductivity enhancement in polydiacetylene (PDA) crystals due to chemical doping and ion implantation was measured and analyzed in relation to their spin concentration and photocurrent decay based on the structural and optical information obtained through infrared and visible reflectivity spectra. A conductivity jump was observed upon slight increase of the spin concentration at low doping levels of chemically doped PDAs, suggesting the formation of spinless carriers in chemically doped PDAs, as in trans‐polyacetylene and poly(p‐phenylene). In contrast, in ion‐implanted samples, a great difference in the magnitudes (by more than five orders of magnitude) was observed between the conductivity enhancement for two PDAs having different side chain species. Furthermore, the photocurrent decay time measurements reveal different distributions of implantation‐induced trap levels between ion‐implanted poly [2,4‐hexadiyne‐1,6‐diol‐bis‐(p‐toluene sulfonate)] (PTS) and poly[2,4‐hexadiyne‐1,6‐di(N‐carbazolyl)] (D...
Transverse Vibration of a Rectangularly Orthotropic Spinning Disk, Part 1: Formulation and Free Vibration

The transverse vibration of a spinning circular disk with rectangular orthotropy is investigated. Two dimensionless parameters are established in order to characterize the degree of disk anisotropy and solutions are soughtfor a range of these parameters. The orthotropic bending stiffness is transferred into polar coordinates and is found to differ from a classical formulation for a stationary disk. A Fourier series expansion is used in the circumferential direction. Unlike the isotropic disk, the Fourier components determining the transverse vibration modes of the orthotropic disk do not separate. This condition results in an eigenvalue problem involving a coupled set of ordinary differential equations which are solved by a combination of numerical integration and iteration. Thus the naturalfrequencies and normal modes of vibration are determined. Because each eigenfunction contains contributions from more than one Fourier component, the normal modes do not possess distinct nodal diameters or nodal circles. Furthermore, disk orthotropy causes the natural frequencies corresponding to the sine and cosine modes to split; the degree of splitting decreases as the rotational speed increases.
Forage Testing and Feeding Programs

Abstract A majority of the state and provincial extension services in the United States and Canada offer or promote a forage testing service to their farmers. There is a large range in chemical tests offered and in the way the results of the tests are used. Advances in analytical methods and computer formulation of diets from results of the tests combine to offer the potential of greatly increased nutrient and economic efficiency in feeding cattle. Those farmers who have complete feed systems with quantitative blending for two or more production groups are more able to take advantage of the increased precision of diet formulation which forage testing offers.
Optimization of actively controlled structures using goal programming techniques

The problem of design of actively controlled structures subject to restrictions on the damping parameters of the closed-loop system is formulated and solved as a multiobjective optimization problem. The purpose of control is to effectively suppress structural vibrations due to initial excitation. The cross-sectional areas of the members are treated as design variables. The structural weight and the controlled system energy are considered as objective functions for minimization. The goal programming approach is used for the solution of the multiobjective optimization problems. The procedure is illustrated through numerical simulations using two-bar and twelve-bar truss structures.
Study of the Effect of the Wireless Gateway on Incoming Self-Similar Traffic

It has been well established by now that high-speed wireline traffic exhibits self-similar behavior. Due to the important consequences of traffic self-similarity in network design, several studies have assumed that wireless traffic is also self-similar and looked at its effects on network performance. However, due to factors such as power limitations and the wireless channel, it is not straightforward that wireline traffic will remain self-similar as it enters the wireless network. This paper provides an analytical study of the propagation of traffic characteristics as wireline traffic is passed to the wireless network through a gateway. The analysis takes into account buffering and repacking operations performed at the gateway, and models for wireline traffic and the wireless channel. We consider two server models, an instant transfer model, and an energy-conserving one. We show that in most cases, in response to self-similar wireline traffic the gateway will produce self-similar wireless traffic. However, when the gateway operates under an energy-conserving mode and if it has a large buffer, wireline traffic such as non-real-time variable-bit-rate traffic will result in non-self-similar wireless traffic. We also study the delays of packets passing through a gateway that is fed by self-similar traffic and show that their survival function has an asymptotically power-law tail with index smaller than 2
Effects of Luzopeptins on Protein B23 Translocation and Ribosomal RNA Synthesis in HeLa Cells

Abstract Localization of protein B23 in HeLa cells after treatment with luzopeptin A and its analogues was studied using indirect immunofluorescence. Bright nucleolar fluorescence was observed in control HeLa cells. After treatment with luzopeptin A (50 ng/ml), luzopeptin B (500 ng/ml), or luzopeptin D (10 ng/ml) for 2 h, uniform nucleoplasmic rather than specific nucleolar fluorescence was observed. Luzopeptin C had no effect on protein B23 translocation. Luzopeptin D, A, and B inhibited [ 3 H]uridine incorporation into the trichloroacetic acid insoluble fraction of HeLa cells with 50% inhibitory concentration values of 3.7 ± 1.1 (SD), 10.8 ± 2.1, and 122.0 ± 34.0 ng/ml, respectively. Less than 10% inhibition of [ 3 H]uridine incorporation was found with luzopeptin C (500 ng/ml and 2 h incubation). Ribosomal RNAs (28 and 18S) were isolated from HeLa cells treated with luzopeptin D (50 ng/ml; 2 h). They were then separated and analyzed in 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. There were 90.1 ± 1.38 and 95.0 ± 1.04% inhibition of [ 3 H]uridine incorporation into 28 and 18S ribosomal RNA, respectively. The order of potency for the loss of nucleolar fluorescence and the concurrent increase in nucleoplasmic fluorescence was luzopeptin D> luzopeptin A> luzopeptin B≫ luzopeptin C, which correlates with the order of their 50% inhibitory concentration values for inhibition of [ 3 H]uridine incorporation. With 34–55% inhibition of RNA synthesis, both nuclear and nucleolar B23 immunofluorescence were observed. With 70–85% inhibition of RNA synthesis, a uniform nucleoplasmic fluorescence was observed. These results indicate that translocation of protein B23 as observed by indirect immunofluorescence may be a rapid and simple screening test for the selection of antitumor agents which inhibit ribosomal RNA synthesis.
Role of C5a in inflammatory responses

The complement system not only represents an effective innate immune mechanism of host defense to eradicate microbial pathogens, but it is also widely involved in many forms of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases including sepsis, acute lung injury, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and asthma, to give just a few examples. The complement-activated product, C5a, displays powerful biological activities that lead to inflammatory sequelae. C5a is a strong chemoattractant and is involved in the recruitment of inflammatory cells such as neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and T lymphocytes, in activation of phagocytic cells and release of granule-based enzymes and generation of oxidants, all of which may contribute to innate immune functions or tissue damage. Accumulating data suggest that C5a provides a vital bridge between innate and adaptive immune functions, extending the roles of C5a in inflammation. Herein, we review human and animal data describing the cellular and molecular mechanisms of C5a in the development of inflammatory disorders, sepsis, acute lung injury, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and asthma.
Memory effect of a polymer thin-film transistor with self-assembled gold nanoparticles in the gate dielectric

A self-assembled film of gold nanoparticles is integrated into the gate dielectric of an organic thin-film transistor to produce memory effects. The transistor is fabricated on a heavily doped n-type silicon (n+-Si) substrate with a thermally grown oxide layer of 100 nm thick. n+-Si serves as the gate electrode while the oxide layer functions as the gate dielectric. Gold nanoparticles as the floating gate for charge storage are deposited on the gate oxide by electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly method. A self-assembled multilayer of polyelectrolytes, together with a thin spin-coated poly(4-vinyl phenol) layer, covers the gold nanoparticles and separates them from the poly(3-hexyl thiophene) channel. Gold nanoparticles are charged or discharged with different gate bias so that the channel conductance is modulated. The memory transistor has an on/off ratio over 1500 and data retention time of about 200 s. The low-temperature solution-based process is especially suitable for plastic-based circuits. Therefore, the results of this study could accelerate achievement of cheap and flexible organic nonvolatile memories
High‐frequency Born synthetic seismograms based on coupled normal modes

SUMMARY High-frequency and full waveform synthetic seismograms on a 3-D laterally heterogeneous earth model are simulated using the theory of coupled normal modes. The set of coupled integral equations that describe the 3-D response are simplified into a set of uncoupled integral equations by using the Born approximation to calculate scattered wavefields and the pure-path approximation to modulate the phase of incident and scattered wavefields. This depends upon a decomposition of the aspherical structure into smooth and rough components. The uncoupled integral equations are discretized and solved in the frequency domain, and time domain results are obtained by inverse Fourier transform. Examples show the utility of the normal mode approach to synthesize the seismic wavefields resulting from interaction with a combination of rough and smooth structural heterogeneities. This approach is applied to an ∼4 Hz shallow crustal wave propagation around the site of the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD).
A Theory of Coarse Utility

This article presents a descriptive theory for complex choice problems. In line with the bounded rationality assumption, we hypothesize that decision makers modify a complex choice into some coarse approximations, each of which is a binary lottery. We define the value of a best coarse approximation to be the utility of the choice. Using this paradigm, we axiomatize and justify a new utility function called thecoarse utility function. We show that the coarse utility function approximates the rank-and sign-dependent utility function. It satisfies dominance but admits violations of independence. It reduces judgmental load and allows flexible judgmental information. It accommodates phenomena associated with probability distortions and provides a better resolution to the St. Petersburg paradox than the expected and rank-dependent theories.
Distinct Functions for the Glycans of Tapasin and Heavy Chains in the Assembly of MHC Class I Molecules

Complexes of specific assembly factors and generic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones, collectively called the MHC class I peptide-loading complex (PLC), function in the folding and assembly of MHC class I molecules. The glycan-binding chaperone calreticulin (CRT) and partner oxidoreductase ERp57 are important in MHC class I assembly, but the sequence of assembly events and specific interactions involved remain incompletely understood. We show that the recruitments of CRT and ERp57 to the PLC are codependent and also dependent upon the ERp57 binding site and the glycan of the assembly factor tapasin. Furthermore, the ERp57 binding site and the glycan of tapasin enhance β(2)m and MHC class I heavy (H) chain recruitment to the PLC, with the ERp57 binding site having the dominant effect. In contrast, the conserved MHC class I H chain glycan played a minor role in CRT recruitment into the PLC, but impacted the recruitment of H chains into the PLC, and glycan-deficient H chains were impaired for tapasin-independent and tapasin-assisted assembly. The conserved MHC class I glycan and tapasin facilitated an early step in the assembly of H chain-β(2)m heterodimers, for which tapasin-ERp57 or tapasin-CRT complexes were not required. Together, these studies provide insights into how PLCs are constructed, demonstrate two distinct mechanisms by which PLCs can be stabilized, and suggest the presence of intermediate H chain-deficient PLCs.
Surface imaging-based analysis of intrafraction motion for breast radiotherapy patients

Breast treatments are becoming increasingly complex as the use of modulated and partial breast therapies becomes more prevalent. These methods are predicated on accurate and precise positioning for treatment. However, the ability to quantify intrafraction motion has been limited by the excessive dose that would result from continuous X-ray imaging throughout treatment. Recently, surface imaging has offered the opportunity to obtain 3D measurements of patient position throughout breast treatments without radiation exposure. Thirty free-breathing breast patients were monitored with surface imaging for 831 monitoring sessions. Mean translations and rotations were calculated over each minute, each session, and over all sessions combined. The percentage of each session that the root mean squares (RMS) of the linear translations were outside of defined tolerances was determined for each patient. Correlations between mean translations per minute and time, and between standard deviation per minute and time, were evaluated using Pearson’s r value. The mean RMS translation averaged over all patients was 2.39 mm ± 1.88 mm. The patients spent an average of 34%, 17%, 9%, and 5% of the monitoring time outside of 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm RMS tolerances, respectively. The RMS values averaged over all patients were 2.71 mm ± 1.83 mm, 2.76 ± 2.27, and 2.98 mm ± 2.30 mm over the 5th, 10th, and 15th minutes of monitoring, respectively. The RMS values ( r = 0.73, p = 0) and standard deviations ( r = 0.88, p = 0) over all patients showed strong significant correlations with time. We see that the majority of patients’ treatment time is spent within 5 mm of the isocenter and that patient position drifts with increasing treatment time. Treatment length should be consid- ered in the planning process. An 8 mm margin on a target volume would account for 2 SDs of motion for a treatment up to 15 minutes in length.
Relative ‘apical sparing’ of longitudinal strain using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography is both sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis

Background The diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is challenging owing to vague symptomatology and non-specific echocardiographic findings. Objective To describe regional patterns in longitudinal strain (LS) using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in CA and to test the hypothesis that regional differences would help differentiate CA from other causes of increased left ventricular (LV) wall thickness. Methods and results 55 consecutive patients with CA were compared with 30 control patients with LV hypertrophy (n=15 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, n=15 with aortic stenosis). A relative apical LS of 1.0, defined using the equation (average apical LS/(average basal LS + mid-LS)), was sensitive (93%) and specific (82%) in differentiating CA from controls (area under the curve 0.94). In a logistic regression multivariate analysis, relative apical LS was the only parameter predictive of CA (p=0.004). Conclusions CA is characterised by regional variations in LS from base to apex. A relative ‘apical sparing’ pattern of LS is an easily recognisable, accurate and reproducible method of differentiating CA from other causes of LV hypertrophy.
Free, Social, and Inclusive: Appropriation and Resistance of New Media Technologies in Brazil

This article analyzes how new media are being appropriated within the Brazilian society. Exploring a range of new media practices—from the use of social network sites, microblogging, gaming, music, video production, and digital photography to youth media programs, LAN houses, and online communities—this article examines changes in the production, consumption, and distribution of new media in Brazil. Specifically, it explores different orientations around new media technology as they emerge in relation to government policies, (new) media industries and ordinary citizens interested in social interaction, entertainment, and information-gathering through new media technologies. I further reveal how three key concepts dominate attitudes and values around new media technologies: free, inclusive, and social. Connecting these values to theories of appropriation in the Latin American region, I conclude by exploring how new media practices reflect, produce, and reproduce Brazilian cultural norms among Brazilians.
An analytic model for infrastructure WLAN capacity with bidirectional frame aggregation

The paper presents an analytic model for computing the capacity of an infrastructure IEEE 802.11 WLAN enhanced with the support of bidirectional MAC frame aggregation, which fits specifically well to TCP by allowing a TCP link to "piggyback" TCP ACK collection onto TCP data transmission and is being considered by the IEEE 802.11n task group as a standard MAC feature. The proposed analysis applies to the RTS/CTS-based contention access mechanism. The mechanism is to be used for the closed-loop link adaptation considered for 802.11n as well as to help reduce the aggregated packet collision cost that is usually large. Simulations with ns2 are performed and the simulation results show that the analytic model provides an adequate approximation to the capacity of the considered WLAN. The analytic model helps us to understand the performance gain of bidirectional aggregation, suggests guidelines on when and how to adjust aggregation parameters, and thus to serve as the foundation for future aggregation scheduler development.
Measurement of vertebral area on spine X‐rays in osteoporosis: Reliability of digitizing techniques

Much of the clinical research in osteoporosis is directed toward documenting a reduction in vertebral fracture rate, but there is considerable disagreement about defining and quantifying vertebral fractures. We have evaluated the technique of digitizing landmarks identified on lateral radiographs of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae and computing vertebral body area. Reduction in area indicates that fractures occurred. Radiographs from 10 patients with osteoporosis and vertebral fractures were obtained from each of two centers. Henry Ford Hospital (HFH) and Mayo Clinic (MC), and vertebral area for each individual in the complete set of 20 radiographs was calculated at each center. Measurements at the two centers differed by a multiplicative constant related to the method of recording landmarks on the radiographs that was estimated using 300 x-rays from HFH. After adjusting the MC areas for this multiplicative relationship, the average ratio of the HFH areas to the transformed MC areas of individual vertebrae (T4-L5) ranged from 0.98 to 1.06. The correlation between HFH and transformed MC areas for individual vertebrae averaged 0.85, with slopes between 0.87 and 1.00, intercept average -0.57. Within-patient rank correlation averaged 0.97. We conclude that radiographic digitization is a reliable and reproducible method of determining vertebral body dimensions that is suitable for evaluating radiographs obtained at different clinical sites and for comparison with normal data. This technique should prove useful for documenting the presence of a vertebral fracture that may not be readily apparent on visual inspection of radiographs and for monitoring serial changes in vertebral body dimensions in long-term epidemiologic and therapeutic studies.
Clinical Implications of the Relationship between Low Calcium Concentration Dialysate and Sudden Death

In this issue of CJASN , Pun et al. ([1][1]) increase our understanding about the risk of sudden death associated with lower calcium dialysate concentrations. For many years, we have known that lower calcium dialysate concentrations are associated with a prolongation of the QT interval and QT
How Much Do Common Imaging Studies Cost? A Nationwide Survey of Radiology Trainees.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to gauge the knowledge of radiology trainees regarding the costs of common imaging services and to assess their perceptions of current relevant education. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. During mid-2014, an online survey of 5325 U.S. residents and fellows who were members of the American College of Radiology was conducted. Respondents were asked to provide information about year of training, relevant advanced degrees (e.g., Master of Business Administration or Master of Public Health), number of hours of formal education in health care economics provided annually by their training program, self-perception of knowledge of health care economics, and desire to learn more about the costs of imaging. Respondents were asked to estimate Medicare-allowable fees for five commonly performed imaging examinations: two-view chest radiography, contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis, unenhanced MRI of the lumbar spine, complete abdominal ultrasound, and unenhanced CT of the brain...
Introducing DAGSI Whegs™: The latest generation of Whegs™ robots, featuring a passive-compliant body joint

DAGSI Whegs is the latest generation of full size Whegs robots. The robot is designed for collaborative work with the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in SLAM with active feature recognition. Whegs vehicles use abstracted biological principles to navigate over irregular and varied terrain with little or no low level control. Torsionally compliant devices in the drive train of each wheel-leg allow its gait to passively adapt when climbing large obstacles or steep inclines. Whegs is similar to the RHex line of robots that preceded Whegs in that the foot motion of all 6 legs is circular, but it differs in many aspects: 3 leg-spokes versus 1, 1 drive motor vs. 6, leg rotation for steering instead of skid steering, passive gait adaptation vs. active gait control, and Whegs has a body joint.
Laser Light Scattering in Micellar Systems

Amphiphiles (i.e., molecules possessing both hydrocarbon and polar moieties) display a variety of aggregative properties when dissolved in aqueous and nonaqueous solvents. Such behavior in general reflects the tendency for amphiphiles to associate into macromolecular structures in which solvent contact is minimized with those moieties that interact poorly with the solvent and maximized with those moieties that interact favorably. In the case of aqueous systems, such amphiphile aggregates were first termed micelles by McBain(1) in 1913. Early views on micelle structure and thermodynamics were developed by Hartley,(2) who investigated the properties of aqueous solutions of paraffin chain salts nearly 50 years ago. Using a variety of physical chemical techniques, including diffusion methods, Hartley proposed that micelles in dilute solution had a spherical structure in which the hydrocarbon chains formed a liquidlike core inside the micelle with the polar head groups of the amphiphiles located at the micelle surface (see Figure 1). Hartley attributed the driving force for micellization to the unfavorable interaction between hydrocarbon and water, the so-called “hydrophobic effect”(3), and further recognized that this force would be opposed, in the case of ionic amphiphiles, by the electrostatic interactions in the micellar surface. These views have been largely confirmed by many subsequent experimental studies and provide the starting point of modern thermodynamic treatments of micelle formation.