cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sister chromatid exchanges are preferentially induced at expressed and nonexpressed common fragile sites.

To investigate the relationship between common fragile sites and sister chromatid exchange (SCE), lymphocyte cultures were treated with aphidicolin and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and analyzed using a sequential G→SCE staining protocol. A total of 1163 SCEs were mapped to their corresponding G-band sites, which were assigned to one of the following four categories: fragile sites expressed; fragile sites nonexpressed; nonfragile sites with breaks; or nonfragile sites with no breaks. The designated common fragile sites were found to be preferred locations for SCE formation, not only when these sites were “expressed” as visible gaps or breaks, but even when they were “nonexpressed” in the cell. SCEs were also more likely to occur at nonfragile sites with breaks than at nonfragile with no break sites. Further, SCEs were found to be distributed nonrandomly across fragile sites and nonfragile sites, and among the fragile sites, the high frequency SCE sites were highly correlated with the high frequency breakage sites. These data support the hypothesis of common steps in the mechanism of aphidicolin-induced SCE formation and common fragile site expression.
Employees: The key link to corporate reputation management

Abstract Employees and corporate reputation are unique resources that generate positive financial performance and ultimately create sustainable competitive advantage. Corporate reputation is vital to the organization, and employees are the key link to managing it. By recognizing the synergistic role that employees can play in the overall positioning of corporate reputation, management can obtain significant achievements in terms of satisfying corporate strategic objectives. Initiatives essential to gain employee commitment to corporate reputation enhancement are examined, along with the use of the balanced scorecard to integrate corporate reputation metrics into the incentive system.
Development of an inhaled endotoxin challenge protocol for characterizing evoked cell surface phenotype and genomic responses of airway cells in allergic individuals

Background Environmental exposure to endotoxin is a known cause of exacerbation of asthma. Inhaled endotoxin protocols have been used to evaluate airway cell surface phenotypes associated with antigen presentation and innate immunity in healthy volunteers, but not in allergic volunteers. Objectives To establish the safety of challenge with low-dose endotoxin (10,000 endotoxin units) (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) inhalation in allergic individuals, to measure airway cell surface phenotypes associated with antigen presentation and innate immunity in induced sputum (IS) after LPS challenge, and to conduct gene expression profiling in IS cells to determine which host genetic networks are modified by LPS inhalation. Methods Induced sputum was obtained before and 6 hours after LPS inhalation in 10 allergic volunteers (8 with asthma and 2 with rhinitis). Flow cytometry was used to examine cell surface phenotypes on IS cells. Genomic expression was analyzed on a subset of IS samples (n = 10) using microarray and ingenuity pathway analysis. Results A total of 10,000 endotoxin units of LPS induced significant up-regulation of membrane CD14, CD11b, CD16, HLA-DR, CD86, and Fcɛ receptor 1 on sputum phagocytes and increased expression of genes that influence antigen-presenting surface molecules (HLA-DR, chemokine ligand 2 or monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, v-rel reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 or cyclooxygenase 2, and transforming growth factor β), immune activation (CD14, interleukin 1β, and regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted), and inflammation (intracellular adhesion molecule 1 and inhibitory κBα). Gene profiles for nuclear factor κB, interleukin 1, and tumor necrosis factor pathways were also significantly affected. Conclusions Low-dose inhaled endotoxin challenge is safe in allergic individuals with mild to moderate disease. It enhances airway cell surface phenotypes and expression of genes associated with antigen presentation, innate immunity, and inflammation. Microarray with ingenuity pathway analysis can be successfully applied to sputum cells to characterize genetic responses to inhaled exacerbants.
Avian retrovirus integration protein: structure-functional analysis of viable mutants.

Abstract A replication-competent avian retrovirus mutant, containing a single amino acid substitution at amino acid residue 115 in the 3′ endonuclease (IN) region of the polymerase (pol) gene, was characterized. DNA transfection experiments demonstrated that the mutant virus exhibited a delayed growth phenotype at 41° while replicating efficiently at 35°. Examination of virus-infected cells at the molecular level demonstrated that the mutant virus at either temperature was capable of synthesizing viral DNA as efficiently as wild-type Rous sarcoma virus, strain Prague A. This result suggested that the same mutation, which was also present in the IN moeity of the polymerase β polypeptide, did not affect DNA synthesis. Further analyses demonstrated that at either temperature the mutant virus integrated its DNA at about 10–20% of wild-type level, although possibly less efficiently at 41° than at 35°. The mutation at residue 115 (Pro to Ser) appeared to lower the ability of IN to function in the integration of viral DNA relative to wild-type virus. No definitive conclusion could be made as to whether IN in this mutant possessed a temperature-sensitive lesion which caused the observed replication defect at 41°.
Polymerization of individual species of grass pollen allergens

Abstract Six grass pollen allergens have been individually polymerized. We had previously polymerized mixed grass pollen allergens. However, since every patient does not react to every grass, we sought to polymerize individual grasses that could subsequently be mixed into a preparation based on a patient's skin reactivity. As demonstrated by Sepharose 4-B chromatography of individual grass monomers and polymers, all six grasses were polymerized. Polymerized grass preparations as compared with monomer preparations demonstrated a 10 3 - to 10 5 -fold reduction in allergenicity as determined by cutaneous end point titer. That grass polymer contains the great majority of clinically important allergenic determinants was demonstrated by the ability of polymer to inhibit 78% IgE binding against crude grass in a pool of untreated grass-sensitive patients. Its antigenic similarity to crude grasses is further shown by the ability of polymer to inhibit 85% of IgG binding against crude grass in a pool of patients treated with usual crude grass extracts.
Thin film CdTe-CdS heterojunction solar cells on lightweight metal substrates

Abstract An unconventional thin film CdTe-CdS solar cell device configuration, in which the substrate is molybdenum foil and CdS is deposited on top of CdTe, was developed. A conducting contact between Mo and CdTe was achieved by using thin interlayers. The CdTe–CdS junction process development led to an open circuit voltage of 824 mV. CdCl2 treatment followed by oxygen annealing greatly improved solar cell performance. An initial study of capacitance–voltage data has shown a depletion layer width of 4.62 μm into CdTe in the dark. Cell efficiency of 5.3% was achieved. Higher cell efficiency is now being sought by improving the top contact to CdS and lowering series resistance.
The Dynamics of Attention during Free Looking

Simple methods to study attention dynamics in challenging research and practical applications are limited. We explored the utility of examining attention dynamics during free looking with steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs), which reflect the effects of attention on early sensory processing. This method can be used with participants who cannot follow verbal instructions and patients without voluntary motor control. In our healthy participants, there were robust fluctuations in the strength of SSVEPs driven by the fixated and non-fixated stimuli (rapidly changing pictures of faces) in the seconds leading up to the moment they chose to shift their gaze to the next stimulus sequence. Furthermore, the amplitude of SSVEPs driven by the fixated stimuli predicted subsequent recognition of individual stimuli. The results illustrate how information about the temporal course of attention during free looking can be obtained with simple methods based on the attentional modulation of SSVEPs.
Angiotensin type-2 receptors and cardiovascular function: are angiotensin type-2 receptors protective?

Purpose of reviewThe renin-angiotensin system is a coordinated hormonal cascade of critical importance to the regulation of blood pressure and cardiovascular function. The major effector peptide, angiotensin II, binds to two major receptors, angiotensin type-1 and angiotensin type-2. Most of the act
Bases neurales de las emociones negativas: reevaluación y supresión de las emociones negativas

Fundamento Se considera que las estrategias de regulacion de las emociones difieren en cuando y como influyen en el proceso generador de una emocion. Sin embargo, hasta la fecha, en ningun estudio se ha investigado directamente las bases neurales de dos estrategias opuestas de regulacion de las emociones (es decir, cognitiva contra conductual). En el presente estudio se utilizo resonancia magnetica funcional (RMf) para examinar la reevaluacion cognitiva (una estrategia cognitiva que se considera que influye precozmente en el proceso generador de la emocion) y la supresion expresiva (una estrategia conductual que se considera que influye mas tardiamente en el proceso generador de la emocion). Metodos En cuatro situaciones, 17 mujeres visionaron 15 s de peliculas que desencadenaban emociones neutras y negativas: vision neura, vision negativa, reevaluacion negativa y supresion negativa, al mismo tiempo que proporcionaban valoraciones de la experiencia de la emocion y se grababan en video sus expresiones faciales. Resultados La reevaluacion dio lugar a respuestas precoces (0-4,5 s) de la corteza prefrontal (CPF), una disminucion de la experiencia de la emocion negativa y una disminucion de las respuestas de la amigdala y la insula. La supresion produjo respuestas tardias (10,5-15 s) de CPF y una disminucion de la conducta y la experiencia relacionadas con la emocion negativa, pero aumento las respuestas de la amigdala y la insula. Conclusiones Los hallazgos del presente estudio demuestran la eficacia diferencial de la reevaluacion y la supresion en la experiencia, la conducta facial y la respuesta neural relacionadas con las emociones, y destacan las fascinantes diferencias en la dinamica temporal de estas dos estrategias de regulacion de las emociones.
Structural Evolution of AN A-Type Subduction Zone, Lofoten-Rombak Area, Northern Scandinavian Caledonides

The climactic phase of the Caledonian orogeny in Scandinavia involved collision of the Baltic and Greenland cratons in late Ordovician (?) to Silurian time. We infer that the collision resulted in large-scale subduction of the leading edge of the Baltic craton beneath an ‘Andean-type’ Greenland continental margin. Deep erosional levels in the Lofoten-Rombak area, Norway-Sweden (˜69°N) permit direct examination and evaluation of the structural evolution of a continental or A-type subduction zone. The early stages of collision involved en bloc underthrusting of the continental margin to depths of at least 30 km. During this process, deformational effects in the lower plate were restricted to its upper few hundred meters. Ultimately, en bloc A-type subduction should be limted by buoyancy effects. As convergence continued, the lower plate became involved in a series of imbricate thrusts with the same vergence as the intial subduction zone. The temporal and spatial relationships between these basement-involved thrusts are similar to those observed in foreland fold and thrust terrains. Field and geophysical data bearing on lower plate behavior elsewhere in the Caledonldes and in other collisional orogens suggest that the structural features observed in the Lofoten-Rombak area may be generally characteristic of A-type subduction in continent-continent collisional settings.
INCREMENTAL CASE-BASED PLAN RECOGNITION WITH LOCAL PREDICTIONS

We present a novel case-based plan recognition method that interprets observations of plan behavior using an incrementally constructed case library of past observations. The technique is novel in several ways. It combines plan recognition with case-based reasoning and leverages the strengths of both. The representation of a plan is a sequence of action-state pairs rather than only the actions. The technique compensates for the additional complexity with a unique abstraction scheme augmented by pseudo-isomorphic similarity relations to represent indices into the case base. Past cases are used to predict subsequent actions by adapting old actions and their arguments. Moreover, the technique makes predictions despite observations of unknown actions. This paper evaluates the algorithms and their implementation both analytically and empirically. The evaluation criteria include prediction accuracy at both an abstract and a concrete level and across multiple domains with and without case-adaptation. In each domain the system starts with an empty case base that grows to include thousands of past observations. Results demonstrate that this new method is accurate, robust, scalable, and general across domains.
Quantum inductance within linear response theory.

We derive the Landau-B\"uttiker formula for admittance from the linear response theory. The result is applied to a system which displays a resonance, and it is shown that the admittance has an inductive component proportional to the lifetime of the resonance.
Process utility for imaging in cerebrovascular disease.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The morbidity associated with a diagnostic test can influence its cost-effectiveness, but the quantification of that morbidity is controversial. Accounting for pain and invasiveness requires the measurement of “process utility” in addition to the expected value of testing. An original time trade-off variant was applied to the imaging evaluation of cerebrovascular disease, for which differences in morbidity are important to patients. Materials and Methods A “waiting trade-off” (WTO) was used to evaluate the preferences of 89 patients for magnetic resonance (MR) angiography and conventional x-ray angiography. Patients were experienced with both tests. A weighted difference was calculated between the period a patient was willing to wait for a test result and treatment after a hypothetical “ideal” test and the choice to undergo conventional angiography or MR angiography with immediate treatment. A rating scale was used to check the convergent validity of the WTO. Results Paired data showed a highly significant difference (P = .0001 between the mean preference for conventional and MR angiography, favoring the latter and translating into a difference of 5 quality-adjusted life days. The more negatively patients judged their conventional angiographic experience, the longer they were willing to wait for the ideal test result. Conclusion The WTO provides a reasonable estimate of the relative morbidity of more invasive conventional angiographic procedures and provides a quality-adjustment term for economic analysis. Such an approach may enable more complete evaluation of the effects of other processes on medical care.
Sample Size Considerations for Adaptive Arrays

Digital control of adaptive arrays has been shown to be a feasible alternative to analog feedback-loop control. As the eigenvalue spread of the correlation matrix no longer controls the speed of adaption, one merely has to ensure that enough samples have been taken so that the matrix estimate is close to the true matrix. While previous studies have assumed ideal conditions, it is shown here that if the true signal direction is not known exactly or if the data containing the interference are corrupted by a desired signal, then more samples are required to ensure that the estimated weighting vector gives a near optimal performance.
Commentary on "Creative expressive encounters in health ethics education: teaching ethics as relational engagement".

The intriguing paper by Milligan and Woodley is presented as if it were about ethics education, 1 but I read it as a reflection on what is at the heart of all of clinical practice—the rupture occas...
A comparison of the effects of hexachlorobenzene, β‐naphthoflavone, and phenobarbital on cytochrome p‐450 and mixed‐function oxidases in Japanese quail

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), or phenobarbital (PB) was administered to Japanese quail to determine their effects on hepatic porphyrin levels and drug-metabolizing enzymes. While HCB increased porphyrin levels, PB slightly reduced them, and BNF had no effect. HCB was an excellent inducer in quail, increasing the specific content of cytochrome P-450 to levels similar to those produced by BNF. Additional similarities between HCB- and BNF-treated quail included a comparable hypsochromic absorption shift in the CO-reduced difference spectra of cytochrome P-450 and similar effects on the activities of cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GSH-t), biphenyl hydroxylase (BPH), and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD). However, a differential response to HCB and BNF treatment was seen in the activities of hepatic NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, epoxide hydrolase, GSH-t (microsomal), aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD). The activities of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, AHH, and ECOD following treatment with HCB were similar to those found after dosing with PB. HCB caused a pattern of induction that was distinct from either BNF or PB and appeared to be a "mixed-type" inducer. The rapidity of the HCB-induced porphyrogenic response of Japanese quail, as compared to mammals, may provide unique advantages for making correlations between the in vivo metabolism of haloaromatic hydrocarbons and their effects on porphyrin metabolism.
Modification of single walled carbon nanotube surface chemistry to improve aqueous solubility and enhance cellular interactions.

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) continue to demonstrate the potential of nanoscaled materials in a wide range of applications. The ability to modulate the mechanical or electrical properties of a material by varying the SWNT component may result in diverse “application tunable” materials. Similarly, biomaterials used in tissue engineering applications may benefit from these characteristics by varying electrical and mechanical properties to enhance or direct tissue specific regeneration. The interactions between SWNTs and cellular systems need to be optimized to integrate these highly hydrophobic nanoparticles within an aqueous environment while maintaining their unique properties. We assessed solubility, conductance, and cellular interactions between four different SWNT preparations (unrefined, refined, and SWNT with either albumin or human plasma adsorbed). Initial interactions between cells and SWNTs were assessed within a 3D environment using a red blood cell lysis model, with longer-term intera...
Quantitative determination of half-lifetimes and mutagenic concentrations of chemical carcinogens using a diffusion bioassay

It is possible to deduce quantitative information about the mutagenic concentrations of direct carcinogens and procarcinogens from the well-known experiment in which a droplet of a chemical is put at the center of a petri dish containing a bacterial lawn in an agar gel. The model employed relates the mutagenic action to the space-time concentration profile of the diffusing substances. The range of mutagenic concentrations, in particular the lower limit Cmut, at which mutations occur, can be calculated from knowledge of the radii of the mutagenic zone. The only parameters necessary for the calculation of Cmut are the diffusion coefficient, D, which can be calculated, and the half-lifetime of the mutagenic substance, tau 1/2, which can be obtained from the diffusion experiments. The system was tested with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NG), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), and acetoxydimethylnitrosoamine (AcDMN), which are direct carcinogens, and with nitrosomorpholine (NM) and nitrosopyrrolidine (NP), which are procarcinogens. As a consistency check, homogeneous experiments (dose-response curves) at low concentrations of the chemicals were also conducted. However, the statistical analysis of the results showed that the homogeneous assay is not adequate for determining threshold concentrations. Using the concept of the threshold to rank the tested chemicals according to mutagenic potency, the ranking is: NG greater than NP greater than MNU greater than AcDMN greater than EMS.
Role of Indian and Pacific SST in Indian Summer Monsoon Intraseasonal Variability

AbstractThree regionally coupled experiments are conducted to examine the role of Indian and Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) in Indian summer monsoon intraseasonal variability using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction’s Climate Forecast System, a coupled general circulation model. Regional coupling is employed by prescribing daily mean or climatological SST in either the Indian or the Pacific basin while allowing full coupling elsewhere. The results are compared with a fully coupled control simulation. The intraseasonal modes are isolated by applying multichannel singular spectrum analysis on the daily precipitation anomalies.It is found that the amplitude of the northeastward-propagating mode is weaker when the air–sea interaction is suppressed in the Indian Ocean. The intraseasonal mode is not resolved clearly when the Indian Ocean SST is reduced to daily climatology. Intraseasonal composites of low-level zonal wind, latent heat flux, downward shortwave radiation, and SST provide a p...
Sedimentary facies and depositional history of the Swan Islands, Honduras

Abstract Swan Island is a Honduran possession in the western Caribbean, located on the southeastern side of the Cayman Trench. Two sedimentary assemblages are found on the island: an older bedded sequence of mid-Tertiary age (Aquitanian or Burdigalian) and a younger sedimentary sequence of Late Pleistocene age. The older sequence is composed of a series of calcarenites, calcilutites, and siliciclastic mudstones; capping these are cliff-forming reefal carbonates of the younger sequence. The rocks of the older bedded sequence accumulated in deep water. Sedimentation consisted of a constant rain of pyroclastic debris interrupted by the episodic introduction of upslope carbonate material by turbidity currents. Uplift and deformation of this sequence was initiated sometime after the Early Miocene. By the Late Pleistocene, uplift had brought the rocks into water depths conducive to coral growth. Pleistocene sedimentation on the island was controlled by the interaction between tectonic uplift and eustatic sea-level changes. The primary controlling force on the tectonic history of the island is its proximity to the boundary between the North American and Caribbean plates.
Physiological and structural investigations of bacteriorhodopsin analogs.

Abstract Retinal in bacteriorhodopsin was replaced by several analogs. Changes in absorption and Raman spectra and in the capacity to function as a proton pump after reconstitution into liposomes, were recorded. We conclude from these studies that considerable alterations in chemical structure, particularly in the ring of retinal, can be tolerated with retention of some functional activity.
Design of a Massively Reconfigurable Origami Space Structure Incorporating Shape Memory Alloys

The subject of origami design has recently garnered increasing attention from the science, mathematics, and engineering communities. Mathematically rigorous frameworks have been developed that allow the identification of folding patterns needed to obtain a final three-dimensional goal shape. However, relatively little research exists on the problem of understanding the behavioral aspects of the material system undergoing the folding operations. This work considers the design and analysis of a novel concept for a self-folding material system. The system consists of an active, self-morphing laminate structure that includes thermally actuated shape memory alloy (SMA) layers and a compliant passive layer. Multiple layers allow folds in both directions (e.g., cross-folds). The layers are configured to allow continuously variable folding operations based only on which regions are heated. For the purposes of demonstration, an example problem is considered whereby an autonomous planetary landing craft is designed that can be stored in a flat sheet configuration, morph using a set of folds into a stable shape for safe descent through a gaseous atmosphere, and then, once landed, morph again toward a cylindrical shape for the purpose of rolling locomotion. We examine the effects of fold width, layer thicknesses, and activation parameters on the geometric configurations that can be obtained. The design efforts are supported by realistic morphing structural analysis tools. These include a comprehensive and accurate three-dimensional constitutive model for SMAs implemented into a finite element analysis (FEA) framework (the Abaqus Unified FEA suite) using a robust and efficient numerical integration scheme. Shell elements and laminate theory are used to increase the computational efficiency of the analysis. Model pre-processing, submission, and post-processing scripting methods are used to automate the design assessment tasks.© 2012 ASME
Phylogenetic analysis of the putative phosphorylation domain in the pyruvate kinase of Bacillus stearothermophilus

All sequenced phosphoenolpyruvate synthases (PPS), pyruvate:phosphate dikinases (PPDK) and enzymes I (EI) of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system comprise the PEP family. Linked to the C terminus of the sequenced pyruvate kinase from Bacillus stearothermophilus (PKBst) is a domain that is homologous to the putative phosphorylation domains of PEP family enzymes. We report sequence and phylogenetic analyses that lead to the following conclusions: (1) the phosphorylation domain of PKBst was derived from a PPS, late in the evolutionary process, after the divergence of PPSs from PPDKs and EIs; (2) this domain is probably functional in phosphoryl transfer; (3) the C-terminal phosphorylation domain in PKBst probably defines a compact domain in all PEP family proteins that is linked to other domains in these proteins via flexible linkers.
The origin of Dendrosenecio within the Senecioneae (Asteraceae) based on chloroplast DNA evidence

Chloroplast DNA restriction-site variation was surveyed using 15 enzymes for 37 accessions from the tribe Senecioneae (Asteraceae), plus two outgroup species, in order to determine the placement within the tribe of the giant senecios (Dendrosenecio). The survey revealed 176 phylogenetically informative mutations and 121 autapomorphic mutations. Dendrosenecio is diagnosed by a minimum of 15 mutations, which suggests that the giant senecios evolved from a relatively isolated lineage within the Senecioneae, and this conclusion is supported by earlier evidence from chromosome counts and phytochemistry. Among the taxa sampled, the closest relatives of Dendrosenecio are Cineraria deltoidea and two species of Euryops. Support was not found for suggestions in the literature that the closest relatives of Dendrosenecio are species in Solanecio or Senecio subgen. 'Crociseris.' The position of the DendroseneciolCinerarialEuryops clade is weakly supported as basal to the majority of other senecionoid genera. The tussilaginoid genera sampled (Ligularia, Petasites, Roldana, and Tussilago) are monophyletic in our analysis, with the surprising inclusion of Pericallis hybrida as the sister-taxon to Roldana suffulta. The sister-group to the DendroseneciolCineraria/Euryops clade includes all species of Delairea, Gynura, Kleinia, Packera, Senecio, and Solanecio sampled. Within Senecio, subgenera Senecio and 'Crociseris' form a monophyletic core, with subgenus 'Kleinioidei' being broadly paraphyletic or possibly polyphyletic.
Observation of a cosphi term in the current-phase relation for ''Dayem''-type weak link contained in an rf-biased superconducting quantum interference device

The presence of a $cos\ensuremath{\varphi}$ term in the current---quantum-mechanical phase relation for a superconducting weak link can be established from the frequency response of an rf-biased superconducting quantum interference device containing the structure. For narrow constrictions, the sign of the coefficient of the cosine term was determined to be negative.
Morphology and fatty acid composition of erythrocytes from monkeys exposed to ozone for one year

Monkeys (Macaca radiata) were exposed to a low dose (0.64 ppm) of ozone (O/sub 3/) for 8 hr each day over a 1-year period. Control monkeys were exposed to filtered air. The morphology of the red blood cell (RBC) from these monkeys was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Red cells from control monkeys had normal morphology with 69% having biconcave shape (discocytes). In O/sub 3/-exposed animals, blood contained only 35% discocytes. Knizocytes, stomatocytes, and spherocytes each have defined shape which are different from discocytes. The number of knizocytes and stomatocytes in O/sub 3/-exposed monkeys was that of controls. In addition, significant levels of spherocytes were observed while they were absent in the blood of controls. The fatty acid composition of RBC from control and O/sub 3/-exposed monkeys was the same. These were similar to that of human RBC. However, earlier reports of monkey RBC fatty acid composition differ from our results. These are discussed. The authors conclude that low-dose O/sub 3/ exposure changes the morphology, but not the fatty acid composition, of erthrocytes in vivo. 29 references.
Influence of the Generator Frequency on the Analytical Characteristics of FAPES

A preliminary study of the influence of generator frequency on the operating and analytical characteristics of atmospheric-pressure rf He and Ar plasmas in a FAPES (Furnace Atomization Plasma Emission Spectrometry) system is presented. Apparent forward powers of 50 W were used to establish He plasmas at 13.6, 27, 40, and 54 MHz and Ar plasmas at 27 and 40 MHz. He and Ar excitation temperatures were of comparable magnitude (∼3400 K) and exhibited a monotonic increase with operating frequency. Both plasmas produced complex background structure due to excitation of molecular impurities. Significant was the presence of carbon-containing molecules (CN, C2) in the Ar plasma as a result of its enhanced sputtering capabilities. Analyte sensitivity increased with frequency, but detection limits were frequency independent. Sensitivities (peak height and area) for Ag, Cu, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Fe were consistently greater in the Ar plasma.
Transcranial cerebral oximeter

Transcranial cerebral oximetry (TCCO) is a techniqe that evaluates saturation of oxygen in the underlying area of the brain by the noninvasive method of near-infrared spectroscpoy. Human tissues are generally transparent to light in the near-infrared range, so the light of this range (650 nm-1 100 nm) easily penetrates tissue to a depth of several centimeters. The light is partially absorbed by natural chromophores. In the human brain the predominant chromophores are oxygenated (HbO2) and deoxygenated (Hb) hemoglobin. The difference in the absorption spectra between the HbO2 and Hb yields the ratio of the oxygenated to total hemoglobin (the oxygen saturation) in the area of interest. The algorithm used to calculate the oxygen saturation of brain tissue using a multiple-detector system was previously described and validated in a number of animal and human studies. The use of cerebral oximetry in neurosurgery has been described. We discuss some observations from our experience with TCCO.
Temporal modulation of the background affects the sensitization response of X- and Y-cells in the dLGN of cat

Abstract The responses of X- and Y-cells to a small flashing test probe modulated at 2 Hz were measured as a function of the diameter of a concentric circular background. The background was either a static homogeneous disk, a flickered homogeneous disk, a static radially-vaned disk, or a rotating vaned disk, all of equivalent space- and time-averaged luminance. Variation of background diameter produced systematic changes in response that reflected general X- and Y-cell receptive field differences. Initial increases in background diameter decrease the response to the test probe (“desensitization”) of both X- and Y-cells to a minimum level at a diameter that approximates the size of the receptive field center. Further increases in the background diameter result in an increase of the response to the test probe (“sensitization”) that is very large for X-cells and much less for Y-cells. Temporal modulation of the background does not alter the desensitization of X- or Y-cells, but strongly reduces the sentizitation of X-cells. Temporal modulation of the background by flicker and by motion produced equivalent effects. These results are compared to similar human psychophysical tests used clinically. Implications concerning the mediation of psychophysical sensitization are also considered.
Multispectral image sharpening using a shift-invariant wavelet transform and adaptive processing of multiresolution edges

Enhanced false color images from mid-IR, near-IR (NIR), and visible bands of the Landsat thematic mapper (TM) are commonly used for visually interpreting land cover type. Described here is a technique for sharpening or fusion of NIR with higher resolution panchromatic (Pan) that uses a shift-invariant implementation of the discrete wavelet transform (SIDWT) and a reported pixel-based selection rule to combine transform coefficients. There can be contrast reversals (e.g., at soil-vegetation boundaries between NIR and visible band images) and consequently degraded sharpening and edge artifacts. To improve performance for these conditions, I used a local area-based correlation technique originally reported for comparing image-pyramid-derived edges for the adaptive processing of wavelet-derived edge data. Also, using the redundant data of the SIDWT improves edge data generation. There is additional improvement because sharpened subband imagery is used with the edge-correlation process. A reported technique for sharpening three-band spectral imagery used forward and inverse intensity, hue, and saturation transforms and wavelet-based sharpening of intensity. This technique had limitations with opposite contrast data, and in this study sharpening was applied to single-band multispectral-Pan image pairs. Sharpening used simulated 30-m NIR imagery produced by degrading the spatial resolution of a higher resolution reference. Performance, evaluated by comparison between sharpened and reference image, was improved when sharpened subband data were used with the edge correlation.
Gender and ethnicity trends in journal peer review: An empirical investigation using JASIST

This study analyzed rates of acceptance to the Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology between June 2009 and May 2011, in order to shed light on extra-scientific social trends (specifically, gender and ethnicity of authors and reviewers) in academic journal submission acceptance.
The Commission B Electromagnetic Theory Symposia

The history of the Electromagnetic Theory Symposia of Commission B of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI) is reviewed. URSI and AP-S have long had strong ties, in terms of both people and technical interests. The Commission B EM Theory Symposia have been a significant link in these ties. >
Novel refractory alkaline earth silicate sealing glasses for planar solid oxide fuel cells

A novel “refractory” Sr-Ca-Y-B-Si sealing glass (glass-ceramic) was developed for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The objective was to develop sealing glass with desired thermal properties and minimal interfacial reactions with SOFC components, ceramic electrolyte and metallic interconnect. The current glass was different from conventional sealing glass in that the sealing temperatures were targeted higher (>950 degree C) and hence more refractory. Six glasses were formulated and made by conventional glass-making process. Thermal properties were characterized in the glass state and the sintered (crystallized) state. The effect of formulation on thermal properties was discussed. Candidate glasses were also aged for 1000 to 2000 h at elevated temperatures. Thermal expansion measurements showed minimal change after aging. A candidate glass (YSO-1) was used in sealing ceramic electrolyte to a metallic interconnect from 900 degree C to 1050 degree C in air. The interfacial microstructure was characterized and SrCrO4 was identified near the metal interface. Possible reaction mechanism for the chromate formation was discussed.
The impact of alternate information sources on compensation satisfaction

The present study examines the impact of alternate sources of information on several facets of compensation satisfaction. In particular, satisfaction with raises and with the structure/administration of the system are examined. Those persons who learned of changes in the pay system from coworkers were significantly less satisfied with the facets under consideration than were individuals with other information sources. Areas requiring future research and implications for managers are discussed.
Grammatical approach to mine detection

We demonstrate a three stage procedure for mine detection. The first phase locates plausible candidates through a series of hypothesis tests. The second state finds the globally optimal convex set containing each candidate using 'course-to-fine' dynamic programming. The third stage refines the mine shape estimates using the knowledge contained in a mine-shape library.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Managing Urban Growth for the Efficient Use of Public Infrastructure: Toward a Theory of Concurrency

In this article, the authors develop three dynamic models of urban growth with a focus on the efficient utilization of lumpy urban infrastructure. First, the authors show that the optimal growth rate depends on the rate at which infrastructure capacity is consumed when public service levels are variable and produced with a fixed stock of public infrastructure. Second, it is shown that the optimal growth rate depends on the rate of increase in marginal public service costs when public service levels are fixed and provided with variable inputs and a fixed stock of infrastructure. Third, the authors examine the optimal growth path when service levels are fixed and infrastructure is expanded in lumpsum increments. Under these conditions, the authors show that the optimum urban growth path depends on the level and timing of investments in urban infrastructure and that efficiencies can be gained by coordinating public and private investments in urban development.
FaReCast: fast, reliable application layer multicast for flash dissemination

To disseminate messages from a single source to a large number of targeted receivers, a natural approach is the tree-based application layer multicast (ALM). However, in time-constrained flash dissemination scenarios, e.g. earthquake early warning, where time is of the essence, the tree-based ALM has a single point of failure; its reliable extensions using ack-based failure recovery protocols cannot support reliable dissemination in the timeframe needed. In this paper, we exploit path diversity, i.e. exploit the use of multiple data paths, to achieve fast and reliable data dissemination. First, we design a forest-based M2M (Multiple parents-To-Multiple children) ALM structure where every node has multiple children and multiple parents. The intuition is to enable lower dissemination latency through multiple children, while enabling higher reliability through multiple parents. Second, we design multidirectional multicasting algorithms that effectively utilize the multiple data paths in the M2M ALM structure. A key aspect of our reliable dissemination mechanism is that nodes, in addition to communicating the data to children, also selectively disseminate the data to parents and siblings. As compared to trees using traditional multicasting algorithm, we observe an 80% improvement in reliability under 20% of failed nodes with no significant increase in latency for over 99% of the nodes.
Many L-Shaped Polyominoes Have Odd Rectangular Packings

A polyomino is called odd if it can tile a rectangle using an odd number of copies. We give a very general family of odd polyominoes. Specifically, consider an L-shaped polyomino, i.e., a rectangle that has a rectangular piece removed from one corner. For some of these polyominoes, two copies tile a rectangle, called a basic rectangle. We prove that such a polyomino is odd if its basic rectangle has relatively prime side lengths. This general family encompasses several previously known families of odd polyominoes, as well as many individual examples. We prove a stronger result for a narrower family of polyominoes. Let L n denote the polyomino formed by removing a 1 × (n−2) corner from a 2 × (n−1) rectangle. We show that when n is odd, L n tiles all rectangles both of whose sides are at least 8n 3, and whose area is a multiple of n. If we only allow L n to be rotated, but not reflected, then the same is true, provided that both sides of the rectangle are at least 16n 4. We also give several isolated examples of odd polyominoes.
An autism‐associated point mutation in the neuroligin cytoplasmic tail selectively impairs AMPA receptor‐mediated synaptic transmission in hippocampus

Neuroligins are evolutionarily conserved postsynaptic cell-adhesion molecules that function, at least in part, by forming trans-synaptic complexes with presynaptic neurexins. Different neuroligin isoforms perform diverse functions and exhibit distinct intracellular localizations, but contain similar cytoplasmic sequences whose role remains largely unknown. Here, we analysed the effect of a single amino-acid substitution (R704C) that targets a conserved arginine residue in the cytoplasmic sequence of all neuroligins, and that was associated with autism in neuroligin-4. We introduced the R704C mutation into mouse neuroligin-3 by homologous recombination, and examined its effect on synapses in vitro and in vivo. Electrophysiological and morphological studies revealed that the neuroligin-3 R704C mutation did not significantly alter synapse formation, but dramatically impaired synapse function. Specifically, the R704C mutation caused a major and selective decrease in AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus, without similarly changing NMDA or GABA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission, and without detectably altering presynaptic neurotransmitter release. Our results suggest that the cytoplasmic tail of neuroligin-3 has a central role in synaptic transmission by modulating the recruitment of AMPA receptors to postsynaptic sites at excitatory synapses.
Direct Volume Rendering: A 3D Plotting Technique for Scientific Data

The use of plotting techniques to comprehend scalar functions is ubiquitous in science and engineering. An effective plot uses features such as first and second derivatives to convey critical and inflection points, which help portray the overall behavior of functions around a region of interest. Direct volume rendering is an effective method for plotting 3D scientific data, but it's not used as frequently as it could be. In this article, the authors summarize direct volume rendering and discuss barriers to taking advantage of this powerful technique.
Ric-8 Enhances G Protein βγ-Dependent Signaling in Response to βγ-Binding Peptides in Intact Cells

Peptides derived from a random-peptide phage display screen with purified Gbeta(1)gamma(2) subunits as the target promote the dissociation of G protein heterotrimers in vitro and activate G protein signaling in intact cells. In vitro, one of these peptides (SIRKALNILGYPDYD; SIRK) promotes subunit dissociation by binding directly to Gbetagamma subunits and accelerating the dissociation of GalphaGDP without catalyzing nucleotide exchange. The experiments described here were designed to test whether the mechanism of SIRK action in vitro is in fact the mechanism of action in intact cells. We created a mutant of Gbeta(1) subunits (beta(1)W332A) that does not bind SIRK in vitro. Transfection of Gbeta(1)W332A mutant into Chinese hamster ovary cells blocked peptide-mediated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), but it did not affect receptor-mediated Gbetagamma subunit-dependent ERK activation, indicating that Gbetagamma subunits are in fact the direct target in cells responsible for ERK activation. To determine whether free Galpha subunits were released from G protein heterotrimers upon peptide treatment, cells were transfected with Ric-8A, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for free GalphaGDP, but not heterotrimeric G proteins. Ric-8A-transfected cells displayed enhanced myristoyl-SIRKALNILGYPDYD (mSIRK)-dependent inositol phosphate (IP) release and ERK activation. Ric-8A also enhanced ERK activation by the G(i)-linked G protein coupled receptor agonist lysophosphatidic acid. Inhibitors of Gbetagamma subunit function blocked Ric-8-enhanced activation of ERK and IP release. These results suggest that one potential function of Ric-8 in cells is to enhance G protein Gbetagamma subunit signaling. Overall, these experiments provide further support for the hypothesis that mSIRK promotes G protein subunit dissociation to release free betagamma subunits in intact cells.
A bandwidth-optimized WENO scheme for the effective direct numerical simulation of compressible turbulence

Two new formulations of a symmetric WENO method for the direct numerical simulation of compressible turbulence are presented. The schemes are designed to maximize order of accuracy and bandwidth, while minimizing dissipation. The formulations and the corresponding coefficients are introduced. Numerical solutions to canonical flow problems are used to determine the dissipation and bandwidth properties of the numerical schemes. In addition, the suitability and accuracy of the bandwidth-optimized schemes for direct numerical simulations of turbulent flows is assessed in decaying isotropic turbulence and supersonic turbulent boundary layers.
The Role of Joint Attention in Social Communication and Play among Infants.

Joint attention enables infants to communicate with adults as well as with each other, sharing what is in their minds. Yet, communicative competence and joint attention between infant peers have received little attention in the literature. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how infants under the age of two within a childcare setting communicate with each other through joint attention and social understanding during daily interactions. Findings indicated that infants utilized various communicative means, intentional pointing, and joint attention in order to share their experience with each other, develop social understanding, and enjoy social joint play. This study also suggests that conflicts between infants can be a fundamental vehicle for developing social understanding and joint play activity.
On channel identifiability based on second order cyclic spectrum

The author presents results that prove the identifiability of linear finite-dimensional channels with higher than minimum bandwidth based on the use of second-order cyclic statistics only. Since the sampled channel output is also cyclostationary, second-order cyclic statistics of data samples obtained at higher than the Nyquist sampling rate can be used to identify the unknown linear channel. Without the need for higher-order statistics, fractionally spaced equalizers exploiting the cyclostationary property of the channel output may become effective alternatives to conventional schemes based on higher-order statistics. >