cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Hybrid Metal-to-Composite Joint Fabricated Through Additive Manufacturing Processes

Devices and machines which perform additive manufacturing (adding material in a layer-wise or bead-wise manner to produce complex structure rather than removing material through machining) are maturing and entering the commercial market. While small prototype parts are routinely made using these devices, a number of industries, including biomedical and aerospace, are considering using these techniques for production parts. New materials which take advantage of the unique capability of additive manufacturing are beginning to evolve. Hybridization of materials at smaller scales now becomes possible with the precision of additive manufacturing devices. However, the fundamentals of structural performance of materials that can be produced by these methods are still to be explored and understood..The current effort focuses on characterizing and describing the fundamental processing of hybrid materials produced using a combination of laser sintering of metals combined with polymer infusion of advanced carbon fabric. Ultimately, the work seeks to develop a fundamental understanding of the structural mechanics of these novel graphite-metal materials produced through hybrid processes. By understanding development and location of weak structural planes, effects of voids and discontinuities, load transfer from nano to macro scale, reinforcement distribution, gradients in properties, and effects of residual stress, a complete materials design process beginning with structural requirements and ending with material and process selection can be developed.This paper will summarize the first experimental steps taken to process and fabricate a metal-to-composite hybrid joint using a combination of additive manufacturing and conventional composite processes. Experimental conditions are described and morphology of the resulting hybrids is discussed. Future plans for testing are described.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Energy minimization for catenary-free mass transit systems using Particle Swarm Optimization

In this paper, a train model and algorithm of energy minimization control using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) are introduced for a catenary-free mass transit system. The train model is created in MATLAB/Simulink. Since the performance of the train heavily depends on the supercapacitor (SC) voltage. Tractive effort reduction is considered under low SC voltage in the simulations. Impact of coasting point on the running time is investigated and simulation results are used to find optimum coasting point under several constraints, such as running time, charging time, maximum charging current, SC voltage and distance between stations
Electrocardiographic abnormalities in the first year after heart transplantation.

Abstract Study Aim Describe ECG abnormalities in the first year following transplant surgery. Methods Analysis of 12-lead ECGs from heart transplant subjects enrolled in an ongoing multicenter clinical trial. Results 585 ECGs from 98 subjects showed few with abnormal cardiac rhythm (99% of ECGs were sinus rhythm/tachycardia). A majority of subjects (69%) had either right intraventricular conduction delay (56%) or right bundle branch block (13%). A second prevalent ECG abnormality was atrial enlargement (64% of subjects) that was more commonly left atrial (55%) than right (30%). Conclusions Right intraventricular conduction delay or right bundle branch block is prevalent in heart transplant recipients in the first year following transplant surgery. Whether this abnormality is related to acute allograph rejection or endomyocardial biopsy procedures is the subject of the ongoing clinical trial. Atrial enlargement ECG criteria (especially, left atrial) are also common and are likely due to transplant surgery with subsequent atrial remodeling.
Dendritic cells pulsed with an anti-idiotype antibody mimicking Her-2/neu induced protective antitumor immunity in two lines of Her-2/neu transgenic mice

Her-2/neu proto-oncogene is overexpressed in 20-30% of human breast cancers and is associated with high recurrence risk. To test the efficacy of immune-based strategies in eliciting an antitumor response, we have evaluated the vaccine potential of an anti-idiotype (Id) antibody, 6D12 in tolerant hosts. Immunization of human Her-2/neu transgenic mice with 6D12-pulsed dendritic cells (DC) could reverse Her-2/neu unresponsiveness and result in the induction of Her-2/neu-specific humoral and cellular immune responses and protection against tumors expressing Her-2/neu. Furthermore, the tumor rejection in 6D12-pulsed DC immunized mice was associated with development of memory response. Vaccination of transgenic female FVB-neuN mice that carry the rat Her-2/neu oncogene, markedly delayed tumor onset and developed significantly fewer spontaneous mammary tumors compared with mice treated with control vaccine. Tumor growth inhibition was associated with the induction of Her-2/neu-specific immune responses. These data suggest the potential use of anti-Id antibody 6D12 as a vaccine for immunotherapy of Her-2/neu-positive human cancer.
Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Regulates Kir2.3 Inward Rectifier K+ Channels via Phospholipase C and Protein Kinase C-δ in Reactive Astrocytes from Adult Rat Brain

Abstract The multifunctional cytokine, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), exerts complex effects on astrocytes with early signaling events being less well characterized than transcriptional mechanisms. We examined the effect of TGF-β1 on the 14-pS Kir2.3 inward rectifier K+ channel in rat primary cultured reactive astrocytes. Immunofluorescence study showed that cells co-expressed TGF-β1 receptors 1 and 2, Kir2.3, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Patch clamp study showed that TGF-β1 (0.1–100 ng/ml) caused a rapid (<5 min) depolarization because of dose-dependent down-regulation of Kir2.3 channels, which was mimicked by the protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (10–500 nm) and which was inhibited by the PKC inhibitor calphostin C (100 nm), by PKC desensitization produced by 3 h of exposure to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (100 nm), and by the PKC-δ isoform-specific inhibitor rottlerin (50 μm). Immunoblot analysis and confocal imaging showed that TGF-β1 caused PKC-δ translocation to membrane, and co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that TGF-β1enhanced association between Kir2.3 and PKC-δ. Additional electrophysiological experiments showed that Kir2.3 channel down-regulation was blocked by the phospholipase C inhibitors, neomycin (100 μm) and D609 (200 μm). Given the commonality of signaling involving PLC-PKC-δ, we speculate that TGF-β1-evoked depolarization may be an early signaling event related to gene transcription in astrocytes.
Effect of Packaging Material on Nitrate Nitrogen Content of Irradiated Potatoes

The effect of packaging materials on nitrate nitrogen content of irradiated potatoes was investigated. Tubers were irradiated at 10, 30 and 100 Krads and stored for 12 wk at 5°C in paper or plastic bags. Nitrate nitrogen content was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in tubers packaged in plastic as compared to those in paper bags. Irradiation significantly (p < 0.01) increased nitrate nitrogen content between the lowest and highest levels of treatment in tubers stored in both paper and plastic bags.
Acute Manic Psychosis Following the Dermal Application of N,N-Diethyl-M-Toluamide (deet) in an Adult

Extensive animal testing and 30 years of human experience have established the general safety of DEET when applied episodically to skin or bedclothes. Local and systemic toxic and allergic reactions to DEET have been observed in man. Three weeks prior to admission, for the purpose of self-medication, a 30 year old man began daily applications of the insect repellant, DEET followed by a 1-2 hour period in a light-bulb heated box. Sedation and incoherence were noted for short periods following each application session. Aggressiveness and psychotic ideation led to hospital admission where he displayed psychomotor hyperactivity, rapid and pressured speech, tangentiality, flight of ideas, and grandiose delusions. Treatment was begun with haloperidol. Clinical improvement was complete within 6 days, atypical for classic endogenous mania. Drug and metabolites were identified in the urine more than 2 weeks after the last drug application.
Integrated Modeling and Simulation for Improved Reactive Drying of Clearcoat

Clearcoat filmbuild is one of the main concerns for painting quality in automotive paint shops. In operation, clearcoat is sprayed on the vehicle surface and then baked in an oven where solvents are removed and cross-linking reactions take place. Because of operational complexity and measurement difficulty, the process dynamics is basically unknown. Thus, the operational settings in the oven are solely experience-based. Hitherto, the studies on automotive oven operations has been only at the lab level. To significantly improve clearcoat filmbuild, a model at the plant floor level should be developed. In the present work, a first-principles-based, simplified, integrated dynamic model is developed to characterize the clearcoat reactive drying process in an oven. It is demonstrated that the model can provide satisfactory long-term predictions of filmbuild, facilitate a thorough analysis of drying/curing operations, and form the basis for developing optimal operational strategies for improving film quality an...
The relationship between conversational sensitivity, cognitive flexibility, verbal aggressiveness and indirect interpersonal aggressiveness

This study examined the extent to which conversational sensitivity is related to cognitive flexibility, as well as the extent to which sensitivity and flexibility are related to verbal aggressiveness and indirect interpersonal aggression. Cognitive flexibility appears to be an important aspect of conversational sensitivity, in that conversationally sensitive listeners seem more likely to be aware of their options for navigating conversations smoothly, and of the possible cues to which they may attend. The two aggression traits were examined to enable a greater understanding of the ways in which message reception and cognitive flexibility may relate to important aspects of message production. Conversational sensitivity and cognitive flexibility were positively related. Conversational sensitivity was not related to verbal aggression or indirect interpersonal aggression. Cognitive flexibility was inversely related to indirect interpersonal aggression.
Extension of Hilbert's tenth problem to some algebraic number fields

We extend the solution of Hilbert's tenth problem to algebraic number fields having one pair of complex conjugated embeddings. The proof is based on the extended method of J. Denef used for totally real algebraic number fields.
LDL cholesterol modulates human CD34+ HSPCs through effects on proliferation and the IL-17 G-CSF axis.

Background Hypercholesterolemia plays a critical role in atherosclerosis. CD34+ CD45dim Lineage- hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) give rise to the inflammatory cells linked to atherosclerosis. In mice, high cholesterol levels mobilize HSPCs into the bloodstream, and promote their differentiation to granulocytes and monocytes. The objective of our study was to determine how cholesterol levels affect HSPC quantity in humans. Methods We performed a blinded, randomized hypothesis generating study in human subjects (n=12) treated sequentially with statins of differing potencies to vary lipid levels. CD34+ HSPC levels in blood were measured by flow cytometry. Hematopoietic colony forming assays confirmed the CD34+ population studied as HSPCs with multlineage differentiation potential. Mobilizing cytokine levels were measured by ELISA. Results The quantity of HSPCs was 0.15 ± 0.1% of buffy coat leukocytes. We found a weak, positive correlation between CD34+ HSPCs and both total and LDL cholesterol levels (r2=0.096, p < 0.025). Additionally, we tested whether cholesterol modulates CD34+ HSPCs through direct effects or on the levels of mobilizing cytokines. LDL cholesterol increased cell surface expression of CXCR4, G-CSFR affecting HSPC migration, and CD47 mediating protection from phagocytosis by immune cells. LDL cholesterol also increased proliferation of CD34+ HSPCs (28 ± 5.7%, n=6, p < 0.03). Finally, the HSPC mobilizing cytokine G-CSF (r2=0.0683, p < 0.05), and its upstream regulator IL-17 (r2=0.0891, p < 0.05) both correlated positively with LDL cholesterol, while SDF-1 levels were not significantly affected. Conclusions Our findings support a model where LDL cholesterol levels positively correlate with CD34+ HSPC levels in humans through effects on the levels of G-CSF via IL-17 promoting mobilization of HSPCs, and by direct effects of LDL cholesterol on HSPC proliferation. The findings are provocative of further study to determine if HSPCs, like cholesterol levels, are linked to CVD events.
Hydrogenation of stigmasterol

Hydrogenations of stigmasterol over 5% Pd/C, 5% Ru/C, Pt, Raney Ni, Raney Co, Ni/kieselguhr, and tris(triphenylphosphine)chlororhodium catalysts and with diimide generated from hydrazine andp-toluenesulfonylhydrazide were studied to determine the best conditons for the selective reduction of the Δ22 double bond. The best results (maximum stigmasterol reduction, minimum stigmastanol formation) were obtained with Raney nickel at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.
Internal Standardization in Mössbauer Spectrometry

The concept of internal standardization is applied to Mossbauer spectrometry using SnO2 and β-Sn as analyte and internal standard absorbers, respectively. One of the difficulties encountered in using the Mossbauer technique for assay work is that the Mossbauer gamma ray is accompanied by background radiation. Through simultaneous measurement of the analyte and internal standard absorbers, the background contribution can be eliminated.
Sport, heritage, and tourism

The relationship between sport, heritage, and tourism is strong, and the breadth and depth of research that explores this relationship is significant. This collection adds to the heritage sport tourism literature by considering several new perspectives. In particular, authors have examined sport heritage as a vehicle for understanding and memorializing conflict, as a tool for both celebrating achievement and marginalizing people, as a field of dissonance that often does not conform to tourism promotion and marketing, as a topic that generates, commends, commodifies, and (sometimes) discards “living” heritage, and as a means for discovering, or imagining, genealogical roots. Ultimately, sport heritage illuminates many of the issues, challenges, and debates in heritage and heritage tourism more broadly, while also demonstrating that, through its constant making remaking, sport heritage rarely fossilizes.
tRNA synthesis in HeLa cells: a precursor to tRNA and the effects of methionine starvation on tRNA synthesis.

Abstract A class of small RNA molecules which migrates slower than tRNA during gel electrophoresis has been shown to be in all likelihood a precursor to tRNA. This species, termed pre-tRNA, is labeled by uridine before tRNA; in the presence of actinomycin, labeled pre-tRNA disappears and radioactivity appears in tRNA. Pre-tRNA is methylated and its apparent conversion to tRNA is slowed during starvation for methionine, the methyl donor for RNA methylation. During methionine starvation the methyl acceptor activity in tRNA rises although pre-tRNA does not accumulate. It therefore appears that pre-tRNA can be changed so that it migrates with tRNA without being completely methylated. Because pre-tRNA can not be made to migrate with tRNA by treatments known to destroy all secondary structure in tRNA, it is suggested that pre-tRNA may be longer than tRNA and the methyl-dependent step might be a nuclease attack at a specific site.
Steric hindrance at the entrances to small pores

The resistance to mass transfer associated with molecules penetrating the mouths of very small pores, often referred to as a surface barrier, is explored in the context of several entropic models. The mass transfer coefficient for hard spheres passing through a barrier comprised of slit-pore mouths is obtained by molecular dynamics simulation. An analytical expression is derived for the transfer coefficient of hard rectangular blocks passing through a similar barrier. The contributions of free area and velocity screening effects are examined. In the limit when the ratio of diffusant size to pore mouth size is near unity, the transfer coefficient of the spheres scales as the nominal free area, while that of the blocks scales as the free area squared. For both models, relatively small changes in pore mouth size can cause order of magnitude changes in the surface barrier resistance in this regime.
Developing scientific information to support decisions for sustainable coral reef ecosystem services

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently realigned its research enterprise around the concept of sustainability, including improving understanding of benefits derived from ecosystems. We provide an example of how EPA is applying structured decision-making (SDM) as a framework for guiding development of scientific information, data, and models to support watershed and marine-based management in coastal communities. In particular, we have been using the Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) model as a tool in the SDM process to identify and assemble a broadly applicable suite of information with relevancy for coastal management, including 1) development of conceptual models to clarify the decision context, 2) identification of measurements of ecosystem attributes, ecosystem goods and services, and their connection to stakeholder objectives, 3) elaboration of potential decision alternatives, and 4) identification of ecosystem production and valuation functions for modeling consequences of decision alternatives on benefits derived from coral reefs. Finally, we overview how this information is being applied for two case studies: development of water quality criteria and watershed management to protect coastal resources. We posit that applying a systems thinking framework, such as DPSIR, within a structured decision-making approach will better enable marine ecosystem managers to utilize scientific information toward more sustainable decision-making.
Tinea nigra masquerading as acral lentiginous melanoma.

. Tinea nigra is a superficial mycosis that may mimic serious pigmentary lesions. A lesion recently encountered on the foot was suspected of being a malignant melanoma. Histologic and mycologic studies, done after a biopsy was obtained, demonstrated Exophilia werneckii in the stratum corneum. Tinea nigra should be considered in the diagnosis of pigmented lesions of the hands and feet. A KOH examination is a simple and rapid means of demonstrating this entity.
VEGF-C, a lymphatic growth factor, is a RANKL target gene in osteoclasts that enhances osteoclastic bone resorption through an autocrine mechanism.

Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing cells, but they also secrete and respond to cytokines. Here, we test the hypothesis that osteoclasts secrete the lymphatic growth factor, VEGF-C, to increase their resorptive activity. Osteoclasts and osteoclast precursors were generated by culturing splenocytes with macrophage colony-stimulating factor and RANKL from wild-type, NF-κBp50-/-/p52-/-, and Src-/- mice. Expression of VEGFs was measured by real time reverse transcription-PCR, Western blotting, and immunostaining. The effect of VEGF-C signaling on osteoclast function was determined by osteoclastogenesis and pit assays. RANKL increased the expression of VEGF-C but not of other VEGFs in osteoclasts and their precursors. RANKL-induced VEGF-C expression was reduced in NF-κBp50-/-/p52-/- precursors or wild-type cells treated with an NF-κB inhibitor. VEGF-C directly stimulated RANKL-mediated bone resorption, which was reduced by the VEGF-C-specific receptor blocker, VEGFR3:Fc. Osteoclasts express VEGFR3, and VEGF-C stimulated Src phosphorylation in osteoclasts. VEGF-C-mediated bone resorption was abolished in Src-/- osteoclasts or cells treated with an Src inhibitor. We conclude that RANKL stimulates osteoclasts and their precursors to release VEGF-C through an NF-κB-dependent mechanism, indicating that VEGF-C is a new RANKL target gene in osteoclasts and functions as an autocrine factor regulating osteoclast activity.
Reversing the Tide: Will State and Local Governments House the Poor as Federal Direct Subsidies Decline?

Problem: Most housing programs in the United States do not focus on the most pressing housing needs. In 2003 more than 13 million households spent at least half their incomes on rent or the costs of homeownership, an increase of more than 35% since 1993. The vast majority of these households were poor. Yet housing policy has shifted away from deep-subsidy programs targeted to the poorest households toward providing shallow subsidies to higher-income households. Purpose: This article considers whether, given that the federal government is unlikely to increase funding for low-income housing, state and local governments are likely to increase housing assistance to the lowest-income households in the future, how such assistance could be structured, and how states and localities might be persuaded or compelled to provide this assistance. Methods: We examine the income distribution of households supported by major programs administered by state and local governments and the extent to which these programs target...
Firm Performance Effects in Relation to the Implementation and Use of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems

Research indicates that successful adoption of information technology to support business strategy can help organizations gain superior financial performance. The recent wave of enterprise‐wide resource planning systems adoptions is a significant commitment of resources and may affect almost all business processes. This study examines the effect of adoption of enterprise systems on a firm's long‐term financial performance. A large‐scale data identification and collection method compared the financial data of 247 firms adopting enterprise wide systems with a matched control group of firms cross‐sectionally and longitudinally before and after adoption. A number of implementation characteristics were also measured and their effects assessed. The results show that firms adopting enterprise systems exhibit higher differential performance only after two years of continued use. Furthermore, controlling for implementation characteristics as vendor choice, implementation goal, modules implemented, and implementati...
Subacute chlordane poisoning

A 30 year old female was exposed to chlordane through careless and excessive domestic use over a 1 to 4 week period. Early symptoms included circumoral numbness, anorexia, nausea, and fatigue. Myoclonic jerks occurred after a delay of one month. Malaise and anorexia became the dominant symptoms leading to referral at six months. Dysfunctional bleeding was attributed to hepatic enzyme induction by the chlordane and increased metabolism of contraceptive medication. Cholestyramine increased the stool elimination of chlordane.
The metabolic demand and oxygen supply of the heart: Physiologic and clinical considerations

Abstract The utilization of energy by the working heart has been studied extensively over the years. Because the conversion of chemical energy to mechanical work by the heart is highly dependent on oxygen, the oxygen required and the oxygen available for this conversion are considered to form the conceptual framework of the metabolic demand and supply of the heart, respectively. The oxygen requirement of the myocardium, as assessed by the rate of oxygen consumed (MVO 2 ), is a function of the mechanical components of ventricular contraction and include: (1) the force developed and sustained by the muscular wall during its contraction; (2) the rate of force development; and (3) the frequency of generating force in the wall per unit time. The oxygen available to the mitochondria, which satisfies this requirement, is primarily determined by the oxygen delivered per unit of time (that is, coronary flow) and the oxygen extracted. Collectively, the response in flow and oxygen extraction represent the metabolic reserve of the heart. Normally, during increments in work, coronary vascular resistance decreases permitting an increment in flow; oxygen extraction (65 to 70 percent) changes little under these circumstances. However, when the response in coronary vascular resistance is limited or at its optimal value, further increments in oxygen requirements are accompanied by an increase in oxygen extraction to 80 to 85 percent; oxygen extraction may exceed 90 percent in the presence of a reduced oxygen-carrying capacity. Stressed beyond the limits of its metabolic reserve (that is, minimum coronary vascular resistance and maximal oxygen extraction) the oxygen available to the heart becomes insufficient and, hence, an aerobic limit is reached. As a consequence, anaerobic metabolism commences, ventricular performance declines and pulsus alternans appear. The concept of inappropriate oxygen demand relative to oxygen supply would appear to be central not only to the patient with coronary artery disease whose oxygen delivery may be compromised, but also to patients with chronic hemodynamic overload (for example, aortic stenosis) whose hypertrophied ventricle is now failing. Moreover, the implications of an aerobic limit may also explain the limits of hypertrophy.
Metastatic Infiltration of Cornea (Ring Abscess)

Abstract Ring infiltration or abscess may arise from infected injury of the cornea or metastasis. This case followed very severe burns with infection, the eyes remaining without serious harm for a week. One was lost, the other retained some vision, probably because there was early rupture of Descemet's membrane.
X-ray absorption spectroscopy of aqueous aluminum-organic complexes.

Aqueous-phase X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra were collected on dissolved Al complexes with organic ligands, including desferrioxamine B, EDTA, acetohydroxamate, malate, oxalate, and salicylate. Spectral interpretations were made using the density functional theory-based modeling package StoBe. The goals of this work were to study the geometric and electronic structural characteristics of these complexes relative to Al(H2O)63+ and to examine the utility of the aqueous Al XANES technique as a tool for probing Al speciation and structure. In the case of EDTA, aqueous Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was also used to corroborate the structures of the Al(EDTA)− and AlOH(EDTA)2− complexes. Synthetic XANES spectra calculated with StoBe reproduced the observed spectral differences between Al(H2O)63+, Al(dfoB)+, and Al(EDTA)−. The narrower XANES feature observed for Al(dfoB)+ relative to Al(H2O)63+ can be attributed to a weaker splitting of the Al 3p − O 2p interactions in the former, ...
Development of metamodels for predicting aerosol dispersion in ventilated spaces

Abstract Artificial neural network (ANN) based metamodels were developed to describe the relationship between the design variables and their effects on the dispersion of aerosols in a ventilated space. A Hammersley sequence sampling (HSS) technique was employed to efficiently explore the multi-parameter design space and to build numerical simulation scenarios. A detailed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was applied to simulate these scenarios. The results derived from the CFD simulations were used to train and test the metamodels. Feed forward ANN’s were developed to map the relationship between the inputs and the outputs. The predictive ability of the neural network based metamodels was compared to linear and quadratic metamodels also derived from the same CFD simulation results. The ANN based metamodel performed well in predicting the independent data sets including data generated at the boundaries. Sensitivity analysis showed that particle tracking time to residence time and the location of input and output with relation to the height of the room had more impact than the other dimensionless groups on particle behavior.
FACT: Fast Algorithm for Categorizing Text

With the ever-increasing number of digital documents, the ability to automatically classify those documents both quickly and accurately is becoming more critical and difficult. We present Fast Algorithm for Categorizing Text (FACT), which is a statistical based multi-way classifier with our proposed feature selection, Ambiguity Measure (AM), which uses only the most unambiguous keywords to predict the category of a document. Our empirical results show that FACT outperforms the best results on the best performing feature selection for the Naive Bayes classifier namely, Odds Ratio. We empirically show the effectiveness of our approach in outperforming Odds Ratio using four benchmark datasets with a statistical significance of 99% confidence level. Furthermore, the performance of FACT is comparable or better than current non-statistical based classifiers.
JPL pulsar timing observations. II - Geocentric arrival times

Monitoring of the behavior of naturally pulsating galactic radio sources, or pulsars, through regularly spaced measurements of pulse arrival times, has been conducted by several laboratories. A tabular presentation is here made of pulse arrival time measurements from the NASA Deep Space Network between late 1968 and early 1981. By expressing the measurements in ephemeris time, and referring them to the geocenter, usable tables of results have been generated for each pulsar listed in the first of the tables given. The considerations addressed by the tables are: (1) a necessary step in the study of pulsar dynamics is the reduction of topocentric arrival times to the barycenter of the solar system; (2) the tabulated data are accessible to all opinions as to the procedures to be used in interpreting arrival time data; and (3) different observing programs can usually be combined to produce an improvement in the total data set.
Use of long-acting somatostatin analog SMS 201-995 in patients with pancreatic islet cell tumors

Natural somatostatin reduces plasma concentrations of many peptides, and is of short term benefit in patients with islet cell tumors, but has to be given as a continuous intravenous infusion. We review the published experience with the long acting synthetic somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995 in patients with islet cell tumors. Fifteen of 18 patients with vasoactive intestinal peptide-producing tumors, 8 of 8 patients with glucagonomas, 7 of 7 patients with unresectable insulinomas, and 3 of 3 patients with growth hormone releasing factor-producing tumors had a good sustained symptomatic response to SMS 201-995. Patients with benign insulinomas responded variably and are best treated by surgery. Patients with gastrinomas are best treated by oral gastric antisecretory agents. In all these syndromes, the clinical response to SMS 201-995 did not necessarily parallel the change in plasma concentration of marker peptide, suggesting that SMS 201-995 may have actions at various sites. The effect of SMS 201-995 on tumor size has been assessed in 46 patients, less than 20% of whom showed a reduction in tumor size. Side effects have been mild, but include steatorrhea and gastrointestinal disturbances. More studies will be required to fully assess the effects of long-term administration of SMS 201-995.
Acyl Chain Length and Saturation Modulate Interleaflet Coupling in Asymmetric Bilayers: Effects on Dynamics and Structural Order

A long-standing question about membrane structure and function is the degree to which the physical properties of the inner and outer leaflets of a bilayer are coupled to one another. Using our recently developed methods to prepare asymmetric vesicles, coupling was investigated for vesicles containing phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the inner leaflet and sphingomyelin (SM) in the outer leaflet. The coupling of both lateral diffusion and membrane order was monitored as a function of PC and SM acyl chain structure. The presence in the outer leaflet of brain SM, which decreased outer-leaflet lateral diffusion, had little effect upon lateral diffusion in inner leaflets composed of dioleoyl PC (i.e., diffusion was only weakly coupled in the two leaflets) but did greatly reduce lateral diffusion in inner leaflets composed of PC with one saturated and one oleoyl acyl chain (i.e., diffusion was strongly coupled in these cases). In addition, reduced outer-leaflet diffusion upon introduction of outer-leaflet milk SM or a synthetic C24:0 SM, both of which have long interdigitating acyl chains, also greatly reduce diffusion of inner leaflets composed of dioleoyl PC, indicative of strong coupling. Strikingly, several assays showed that the ordering of the outer leaflet induced by the presence of SM was not reflected in increased lipid order in the inner leaflet, i.e., there was no detectable coupling between inner and outer leaflet membrane order. We propose a model for how lateral diffusion can be coupled in opposite leaflets and discuss how this might impact membrane function.
Novel Genetically Encoded Probes for Observing Molecular Processes in Living Cells by Two-Photon Polarization Microscopy

Two-photon polarization microscopy (2PPM) can be used for imaging a wide range of dynamic molecular events in living cells and tissues. The technique allows sensitive monitoring of protein-protein interactions and of conformational changes, in a variety of proteins. 2PPM is sensitive enough to allow imaging of even submillisecond events. Due to 2PPM's requirement for only a single fluorescent protein tag, many existing fluorescently tagged constructs can act as probes of protein function. Here we present our results in using 2PPM for monitoring G-protein activation and calcium imaging, and a first generation of genetically encoded probes developed specifically for 2PPM.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Adoption of cost-reducing technology by asymmetric duopolists in stochastically evolving markets

This work considers the adoption of technology that will reduce unit production costs by one or two players sharing a single market. Three models are developed involving a monopolist, a Stackelberg game with two firms and a designated order of adoption, and an open loop game with no prespecified order of adoption. In the “two-firm” cases the firms are allowed to differ in per unit production costs both before and after technology adoption, as well as the capital outlay required for adoption. In each setting, an evolution of market size is manifested by the level of an exogenous parameter which evolves according to geometric Brownian motion. Structural and numerical results are presented that help to explain the logic and optimal timing of technology adoption. The inclusion of cost and investment level asymmetry leads to a variety of cases. In some instances the high-cost firm is the first to adopt, and adopts at the point that maximizes its profits. In other cases, the higher-cost firm is the first to ado...
A proposal for a variation on the axioms of classical geometry

A set of axioms for classical absolute geometry is proposed that is accessible to students new to axioms. The metric axioms adopted are the ruler axiom, triangle inequality and the bisector axiom. Angle measure is derived from distance, and all properties needed to establish a consistent system are derived. In particular, the SAS congruence theorem is proved. The proofs are broken into many small steps suitable for the target audience. Some explorations with geometry drawing programmes are shown.
Subscapularis function in gibbons and chimpanzees: Implications for interpretation of humeral head torsion in hominoids

Chimpanzees and gibbons, along with other hominoids, share a number of features in the morphology of their shoulders that have generally been associated with use of the upper limb in overhead postural and locomotor activities. These include the position and shape of the scapula, as well as the morphology of the proximal end of the humerus. Results of an electromyographic (EMG) analysis of shoulder muscle activity patterns indicate that these two species of hominoids also share broad similarities in shoulder muscle function during locomotion and voluntary movements. Differences do exist, however, in the activity patterns of subscapularis, a medial rotator of the arm. These differences mainly involve a greater participation by the gibbon subscapularis in free arm movements. This greater participation is characterized by earlier onset of muscle activity, higher amplitude of recruitment, and involvement of more of the total mass of the muscle. These differences in muscle recruitment suggest that the shoulder of gibbons differs from that of chimpanzees in some manner that necessitates the greater contribution of a medial rotator to the production of motion in the upper limb. I suggest that the low degree of humeral head torsion in gibbons, compared to that of other hominoids, gives their elbow a “lateral set” that must be overcome by the action of subscapularis during free arm movements. I propose that this modest degree of humeral head torsion in gibbons reflects a compromise between necessary changes caused by the repositioning of the scapula onto the dorsum of the thorax and the demands for extreme positioning of the elbow during brachiation. In addition, I suggest that the greater amount of torsion in the chimpanzee humerus is an accommodation to quadrupedal habits, and finally, that the high degree of torsion in human humeri is an independently acquired trait related to use of the upper limb as a manipulatory organ.
Contrasting locomotor effects of catecholamine releasers and tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitors in MAO-inhibited mice.

The tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitors l-α-methyltyrosine (α-MT) and m-iodo-l-α-methyltyrosine (m-I-α-MT) failed to produce hyperactivity in mice pretreated with a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. In contrast, the amine releasers d,l-α-methyl-m-tyrosine and tetrabenazine caused pronunced stimulation in MAO-inhibited mice. These results are consistent with the view that norepinephrine depletion produced by α-MT and m-I-α-MT is the result of inhibition of biosynthesis and not of a release mechanism.
Tests of an experimental unbaited video lander as a marine fish survey tool for high-relief deepwater rocky reefs

We describe the development and practical field testing of a rugged, unbaited video lander as a visual survey tool for fishes inhabiting structurally complex, high-relief, deepwater rocky reefs. Our autonomous, high-resolution, low-light, color video lander system utilized a smooth frame design that incorporated a series of breakaway attachments and inexpensive sacrificial steel bases to maximize the potential for camera system recovery from complex rocky habitats. Initial field tests at five reef complexes off Oregon (n = 421) and a larger study evaluating the western boundary of Oregon's Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA, n = 527) showed that the video lander could be deployed and reliably retrieved from high-relief rocky habitat without damage to the camera system and with minimal losses of sacrificial bases. Acceptable visibility for counting fish from the lander video was common at offshore reefs like Stonewall Bank, but less so at nearshore reef complexes. The video lander system was effective for discriminating differences in fish species assemblages at the various reefs surveyed (one-way ANOSIM, P < 0.001) and for identifying seafloor habitat types and species-habitat associations for yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) at Stonewall Bank (P < 0.05). The video lander data showed that the area outside and to the west of the YRCA enclosed similar quantities of yelloweye rockfish and their preferred habitats in comparison with the area inside the YRCA (0.179 yelloweye rockfish/station outside, versus 0.144 yelloweye rockfish/station inside, Wilcoxon test, P = 0.417). Our visual survey data also showed that the current western YRCA boundary is not optimal for protecting yelloweye rockfish at Stonewall Bank from fishery harvest.
After the hurricane hits: Recovery and response to large storm events in a saline lake, San Salvador Island, Bahamas

Abstract The shallow, saline lakes of San Salvador Island, Bahamas contain important high-resolution records of faunal dynamics, hurricane deposition and salinity changes that can be used to examine the effects of storms on these ecosystems. Two cores, measuring approximately 60 cm each in length, were taken from Salt Pond, a hypersaline lake, on the eastern side of the island that has been frequently inundated by storm surge overwash. Multiproxy analyses of loss on ignition, sediment grain size, composition and fabric, invertebrate fauna, as well as trace element and oxygen and carbon isotope analyses were performed. These cores record sedimentation punctuated by hurricane and other large storm events, and a salinity history that varies from brackish to hypersaline, with the formation of salts such as halite and gypsum. Four species of ostracodes— Cyprideis americana , Dolerocypria inopinata, Hemicyprideis setipunctata and Perissocytheridea bicelliforma —were analyzed for their diversity, trace elements and isotopes and compared to the salinity and depositional history of the lake. Faunal diversity and abundance appears to increase after storm events due to the freshening of the lake, suggesting that the system continues to reset itself, recovering quickly from each major disturbance in a threshold-like response. The recovery period is rapid and does not appear to affect the long-term faunal composition of the lake.
Limits on supersymmetric dark matter from EGRET observations of the galactic center region

In most supersymmetic models, neutralino dark matter particles are predicted to accumulate in the Galactic center and annihilate generating, among other products, gamma rays. The Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope has made observations in this region, and is sensitive to gamma rays from 30 MeV to {approx}30 GeV. We have used an improved point source analysis including an energy dependent point spread function and an unbinned maximum likelihood technique, which has allowed us to lower the limits on gamma ray flux from the Galactic center by more than 1 order of magnitude. We find that the present Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope data can limit many supersymmetric models if the density of the Galactic dark matter halo is cuspy or spiked toward the Galactic center. We also discuss the ability of the Gamma ray Large Area Space Telescope to test these models.
Effect of Interferon on Synthesis of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus RNA

SummaryRabbit cell cultures were treated with interferon and then infected with EEE in the presence of actinomycin D. Concentrations of interferon that inhibited virus replication by 99%, inhibited accumulation of viral RNA, as measured by continuous labeling, by about 70%. On the other hand, the rate of synthesis of viral RNA, as measured by short-pulse labeling, was not significantly inhibited by large doses of interferon. Sucrose density gradient analysis of viral RNA from interferon-treated and untreated cells showed that 3H-uridine was rapidly incorporated into a ribonuclease-resistant structure sedimenting at 20S. This incorporation was unaffected by interferon; but interferon reduced accumulation of 40S virion RNA and ribonuclease sensitive RNA sedimenting at 23S. We conclude that the observed inhibition of accumulation might be due to an increased rate of turnover which may be associated with the well-known ability of interferon to inhibit viral protein synthesis.
Outgrowth of Clostridium perfringens spores in cook-in-bag beef products

Clostridium perfringens growth from a spore inoculum was investigated in vacuum-packaged, cook-in-bag ground beef that included 0.3% (w/w) sodium pyrophosphate, pH 5.5 or 7.0, and salt (sodium chloride) at 0 or 3% (w/w). The packages were processed to an internal temperature of 71.1C, ice chilled and stored at various temperatures. The total C. perfringens population was determined by plating diluted samples on tryptose-sulfite-cycloserine agar followed by anaerobic incubation for 48 h at 37C. At 28C, a combination of 3% salt and pH 5.5 was effective in delaying growth for 24 h. At 15C, growth occurred within 6 days in samples with pH 7.0, but was delayed until day 8 in the presence of 3% salt at pH 7.0. Vegetative cells were not observed even after 21 days 21 of storage at 15C in the presence 3% salt at pH 5.5. C. perfringens growth was not observed at 4C regardless of pH or salt levels. The D-values ranged from 23.33 min (3% salt, pH 7.0) to 13.99 min (3% salt, pH 5.5). Cyclic and static temperature abuse of refrigerated products for 12–15 h did not permit C. perfringens growth. However, temperature abuse of cook-in-bag beef products for periods longer than 15 h in the absence of salt led to growth of C. perfringens from a spore inoculum.
Meanings and Political Implications of “Psychopathology” in a Gender Identity Clinic: A Report of 10 Cases

Beginning in August 2007, we committed ourselves to a clinical review the co-morbid diagnostic patterns of the last 10 patients interviewed by our Gender Identity Clinic. We found 90% of these diverse patients had at least one other significant form of psychopathology. This finding seems to be in marked contrast to the public, forensic, and professional rhetoric of many who care for transgendered adults. Much of this rhetoric sounds remarkably certain about the long-term value of gender transition, hormones, and sex reassignment surgery in improving the lives of those with Gender Identity Disorder (GID). Such clinical certainty would have to be based on carefully established sophisticated follow-up findings. These are lacking. The psychopathologies in this series included problems of mood and anxiety regulation and adapting in the world. Two of the 10 have had persistent significant regrets about their previous transitions. In discussing management decisions, civil rights, and ethics, we planned to separately briefly present the 10 patients. However, our decision to seek patients' permission proved so upsetting to three of the first six patients that we altered the structure of this report. Our attempt to follow the ethical principle of informed consent caused us to violate the principle of nonmalfiescence. This distressing experience only illustrates, however, the disadvantage of discussing professional concepts with lay audiences. Emphasis on civil rights is not a substitute for the recognition and treatment of associated psychopathology. Gender identity specialists, unlike the media, need to be concerned about the majority of patients, not just the ones who are apparently functioning well in transition.