cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radio Observations of Sgr A

Sgr A* is a unique radio source in the dynamical center of the galaxy. It has a spectrum that suggests a nonuniform distribution of synchrotron emitting particles and magnetic fields. Variations of the spectrum could provide clues for deciphering the emission mechanism and source geometry. VLBA observations when the effects of anisotropic interstellar scattering are removed show that the intrinsic size of the source at λ 7mm is not more than a few AU and its brightness temperature exceeds 1.5 × 1010 K. The mass of the central body exceeds 25 M⊙ based on a proper motion measurement and the observed stellar velocity dispersion. A black hole that is large in stellar mass units is indicated. Starved accretion onto a black hole is the leading candidate for modeling the spectrum of Sgr A*. A convincing model of the emission mechanism and source geometry is needed.
The Role of Nonlinearities in Propagation, Reflection, and Transmission of Stress Waves and Possible Applications to NDE

In an infinite elastic medium dilatational waves exhibit much more nonlinear distortion than do shear waves, but such behavior cannot be assumed when a boundary, such as a free surface, is present. Because of the process of mode conversion, a dilatational (P) wave that has already undergone significant distortion prior to its incidence at the boundary must impart its distortion to both the reflected P and vertically polarized shear (SV) wave. The problem of oblique incidence at a free surface was previously considered by us [1,2]. The present paper generalizes that analysis by permitting the boundary conditions at the planar interface to be arbitrary, and also by considering critical and supercritical angles of incidence.
Virtual reality applications in T&D engineering

Visualization technology (VT)-the author's more meaningful definition of virtual reality is a commercial reality. Visualization technology can provide a realistic model of the real world, place a user within the synthetic space and allow him or her to interact within that space through head mounted displays, CRTs, data gloves, and 3D mice. Existing commercial applications of VT include the emulation of power plant control room panels, 3D models of commercial and industrial buildings and virtual models of transportation systems to train the handicapped. The authors believe that VT can greatly reduce the costs and increase the productivity of training T&D personnel-especially for hazardous assignments such as live-line maintenance. VT can also reduce the costs of design, construction and maintenance of major facilities such as power plants, substations, vaults, transmission lines and underground facilities. >
Privacy-Preserving Classifier Learning

We present an efficient protocol for the privacy-preserving, distributed learning of decision-tree classifiers. Our protocol allows a user to construct a classifier on a database held by a remote server without learning any additional information about the records held in the database. The server does not learn anything about the constructed classifier, not even the user's choice of feature and class attributes. Our protocol uses several novel techniques to enable oblivious classifier construction. We evaluate a prototype implementation, and demonstrate that its performance is efficient for practical scenarios.
Phenergan® VC Expectorant/Codeine (Wyeth)

This combination of ingredients preparation is intended to aid in the treatment of coughs due to colds, allergies, and minor upper respiratory disorders. The promethazine component possesses sedative, antihistaminic, and antiemetic actions. Guaiacolsulfonate is possibly effective in increasing respiratory tract secretions. Codeine is an antitussive.
The Use of Vitreous Enamel Coatings to Improve Bonding and Reduce Corrosion in Concrete Reinforcing Steel

Abstract : Overview: * Corrosion of Reinforcing Steel in Concrete * Strategies to Prevent Corrosion * Alkali-resistant Vitreous Enamel Testing and Results * Ongoing Demonstration Work at CCAD * Summary
The Curse of Natural Resources: Substitution Effect and Trade Policy

Literature acknowledges various reasons for the natural resources curse, i.e., the tendency of countries that are abundant in natural resources to be relatively poor. However, all these reasons relate to the wealth effect created by natural resources, i.e., the increase in the income of a country when a natural resource is discovered or when the price of a resource the country is endowed with is increasing. This paper studies the substitution effect. An increase in the price of a given natural resource might lead to substituting away from industrial production that uses this resource, adversely affecting future growth, although immediate wealth change may be positive. This study explores the substitution effect in a framework with several natural resources and analyzes trade policy, demonstrating the dominancy of import control policy over export control.
Approaches for capacity and revenue optimization in suvivable WDM networks

In this paper, we consider two important objectives of network operation: (i) capacity minimization and (ii) revenue maximization. For capacity minimization, we formulate three operational phases in survivable WDM network operation viz., initial call set up, short/medium-term reconfiguration, and long-term reconfiguration. All three phases are derived from a single integer linear programming (ILP) formulation. This common framework incorporates service disruption. We modify the framework for revenue maximization that includes a service differentiation model based on lightpath protection. We propose a multistage solution methodology to solve individual service classes sequentially and combine them to obtain a feasible solution. We provide cost comparisons in terms of increase in revenue obtained by various service classes with the base case of accepting demands without any protection. Results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of our framework.
Late‐onset Becker muscular dystrophy: Refining the clinical features and electrophysiological findings

Introduction: The aim of this study was to characterize a unique distribution of muscle involvement in sporadic Becker muscle dystrophy (BMD). Methods: Retrospective chart review, clinical examination, electrophysiological studies, cardiac testing, and genetic testing were performed in 5 patients. Results: Predominant weakness and atrophy of biceps brachii, hip adduction, and quadriceps muscles was noted along with calf and extensor forearm hypertrophy. Finger flexor muscles were severely weak in 3 of 5 patients, a feature that could lead to a misdiagnosis of inclusion body myositis. Creatinine kinase was only mildly elevated in most patients. Electromyography was abnormal in all patients. Muscle biopsy in 1 patient demonstrated normal immunostaining for dystrophin. Conclusions: We found a unique and uniform distribution of muscle involvement in 5 sporadic cases of BMD. Recognizing these features is important for differentiating it from other myopathies that may have similar features and avoids unnecessary invasive procedures such as muscle biopsy. Muscle Nerve 52: 885–887, 2015
A continuous spectrophotometric assay for monitoring adenosine 5'-monophosphate production.

Abstract A number of biologically important enzymes release adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) as a product, including aminoacyl–tRNA synthetases, cyclic AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterases, ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like ligases, DNA ligases, coenzyme A (CoA) ligases, polyA deadenylases, and ribonucleases. In contrast to the abundance of assays available for monitoring the conversion of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) to ADP, there are relatively few assays for monitoring the conversion of ATP (or cAMP) to AMP. In this article, we describe a homogeneous assay that continuously monitors the production of AMP. Specifically, we have coupled the conversion of AMP to inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP) (by AMP deaminase) to the oxidation of IMP (by IMP dehydrogenase). This results in the reduction of oxidized nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to reduced nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NADH), allowing AMP formation to be monitored by the change in the absorbance at 340 nm. Changes in AMP concentrations of 5 μM or more can be reliably detected. The ease of use and relatively low expense make the AMP assay suitable for both high-throughput screening and kinetic analyses.
New approach to active electrical quantity measurements in ship power engineering system

This paper shows the presently predominant technology of the measuring equipment construction applied in the main switch-board of ship power station. New proposals of multifunctional measuring instruments based on simple microprocessor devices and adapted to the machinery operation has to be verified by means of specificity of ship's conditions are presented. The main topic is concentrated on short presentation of the methods of active electrical quantity measurements applied in considered simple microprocessor devices and also description of fundamentals of their construction and mode of operation. Finally, simplified error analysis of the instruments under consideration is presented.
Principles of bioactive lipid signalling: lessons from sphingolipids

It has become increasingly difficult to find an area of cell biology in which lipids do not have important, if not key, roles as signalling and regulatory molecules. The rapidly expanding field of bioactive lipids is exemplified by many sphingolipids, such as ceramide, sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), ceramide-1-phosphate and lyso-sphingomyelin, which have roles in the regulation of cell growth, death, senescence, adhesion, migration, inflammation, angiogenesis and intracellular trafficking. Deciphering the mechanisms of these varied cell functions necessitates an understanding of the complex pathways of sphingolipid metabolism and the mechanisms that regulate lipid generation and lipid action.
Reactivity of heterogeneous F1 histones with glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde.

Abstract The rates of glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde fixation of F1 histones have been investigated using chromatin from rat pancreas, chicken erythrocyte, and human spleen. These chromatins differ in number, type and relative proportion of F1 species present. In all cases the rates of fixation by glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde of the F1 components is much faster than for the other histones. The rates of fixation of F1-type histones are similar in each case with the exception of one minor F1 histone from chicken which reacts slower than the rest of that F1 group. The results suggest that the interactions of all F1 type histones with DNA are similar.
Late Holocene Resource Intensification in the Sacramento Valley, California: The Vertebrate Evidence

Abstract Late Holocene archaeological vertebrate faunas from the Sacramento Valley of north-central California document dramatic changes through time in the relative abundances of large- and small-sized species. The abundances of medium and large mammals decrease significantly through time relative to small resident fishes. When seasonal and spatial variability is held constant, significant decreases also exist in the abundances of large anadromous fishes relative to small resident fishes. These patterns support models of resource intensification posited for central California, which suggest that substantial decreases in foraging efficiency occurred during the late Holocene.
Roots of the identity operator and optics

Fresnel diffraction and lens transformations can be combined to implement optical transformations corresponding to operators that are roots of the identity operator ℐ. Since their nature remains invariant under unitary transformations, new roots can be obtained by Fresnel diffraction. A correspondence is established with ray matrices in periodic lens systems with unit magnification. Consecutive powers of particular roots of ℐ form groups from which the projectors can be obtained by means of optical discrete Fourier transforms (DFT’s), conveniently performed by networks of beam splitters and mirrors. One can then obtain additional roots of ℐ from the projectors by reassigning eigenvalues among them, which is done by introducing suitable phase shifts, and reusing the DFT network backward.
Market Concentration, Multi-Market Participation And Mergers In Network Industries

We use a Cournot model with complementary demands to derive sufficient conditions for mergers that increase market concentration and multi-market participation to lower prices, raise industry profits and hence increase economic welfare. Notably, these findings do not depend upon the realization of merger economies. This analysis may have special relevance for mergers in network industries, including the telecommunications and transportation industries, wherein policymakers have expressed concern about recent consolidation trends.
Low-energy ion beams, molecular beam epitaxy, and surface morphology

Abstract The use of low-energy ions in conjunction with molecular beam epitaxy is discussed. Energetic ions can create surface defects; they can also create unwanted bulk defects. In the first part of this paper, we present calculations showing how the partitioning of these two processes depends on incident ion mass and energy. Because epitaxy is a surface process, mediated by particular kinds of surface defects (e.g., adatoms, clusters, steps) it will be strongly influenced by other surface defects (e.g., surface vacancies) created by ion bombardment. Therefore, we are interested in the interaction of these various surface defects. The evolution of these defects manifests itself in changes in surface morphology, which we monitor by reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED). In the second part of this paper, we present two examples of the first such dynamic measurements of surface morphology during ion bombardment and epitaxy: one in which chemically reactive H + ions smoothen static Ge surfaces, and one in which chemically inert Ar + ions roughen static Ge surfaces, but smoothen dynamic (growing) Ge surfaces.
Plaque cap thickness can be determined by quantitative color analysis of angioscopic images in a plaque model

It has been proposed that atherosclerotic plaques vulnerable to disruption and thrombosis have a lipid-rich core covered by a thin cap. However, a method to detect those plaques has not been established. We hypothesized that such plaques are yellow due to reflection of the yellow lipid core through a thin cap which may be detected by angioscopy. We developed software to quantify yellow color saturation in digitized angioscopic images.
Singing power ratio: Quantitative evaluation of singing voice quality

Summary This paper presents a parameter for objectively evaluating singing voice quality. Power spectrum of vowel sound / a / was analyzed by Fast Fourier Transform. The greatest harmonics peak between 2 and 4 kHz and the greatest harmonics peak between 0 and 2 kHz were identified. Power ratio of these peaks, termed singing power ratio (SPR), was calculated in 37 singers and 20 nonsingers. SPR of sung / a / in singers was significantly greater than in nonsingers. In singers, SPR of sung / a / was significantly greater than that of spoken / a /. By digital signal processing, power spectrum of sung / a / was varied, and the processed sounds were perceptually analyzed. SPR had a significant relationship with perceptual scores of "ringing" quality. SPR provides an important quantitative measurement for evaluating singing voice quality for all voice types, including soprano.
Identity and location of a minor protein component in virions of southern bean mosaic virus

Abstract Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoretic analysis of southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV) protein isolated with different procedures revealed the presence of a minor protein component (MW 66,000) besides the major or capsid protein (MW 29,000). The amount of the minor protein in virions was ca. one-tenth the amount of the major protein. The minor SBMV protein remained stable when heated in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, urea, and reducing agents (β-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol) or upon succinylation, reduction-carboxymethylation, or performic acid oxidation. Controlled virion disassembly revealed that all of the minor protein and some major protein subunits were intimately linked to the SBMV-RNA. The two proteins were separated and purified by preparative gel electrophoresis for subsequent characterization. The minor and major SBMV proteins possessed an identical amino acid composition. In gel diffusion tests, the minor and the major proteins developed twp strong and confluent precipitin bands when reacted with an antiserum prepared against the purified major protein. Treating purified SBMV major protein with cross-linking reagents (dimethyl adipimidate, formaldehyde, or glutaraldehyde) resulted in the formation of a protein component comigrating with the minor protein isolated from the virions. When SBMV virions were iodinated (Na125I) using lactoperoxidase or chloramine-T, radioactivity was incorporated into the minor and major proteins. These results suggest that the minor SBMV protein is a covalently linked coat protein dimer involving ϵ-amino groups of lysyl residues and resides in the virion capsid. On the basis of these studies, a tentative structural model for the SBMV capsid is proposed.
Ultra low power design and future device interactions

We present the interactions between the process technology and the design that set the requirements for ultra low power and mixed signal circuits and chips that form the basis of the next generations of semiconductor applications.
Laser‐ion beam photodissociation studies of C4H4 radical cations

The laser-ion beam photodissociation for [C4H4]+˙ ions produced from a variety of precursors has been studied. Based on the data it is apparent that two structurally distinct forms of the [C4H4]+˙ ion are produced by fragmentation of larger systems. The relative population of the various structural forms is very dependent on the internal energy of the fragmenting ion, with 1-buten-3-yne [C4H4]+˙ ions being favored at low internal energies. As the internal energy of the reactant ion is increased, the relative population of butatriene [C4H4]+˙ ions increases. The laser-ion beam photodissociation technique is able to selectively sample these two structural forms.
Burst spectrum as a cue for the stop voicing contrast in American English

Voicing contrasts in stop consonants are expressed by a constellation of acoustic cues. This study focused on a spectral cue present at burst onset in American English labial and coronal stops. Spectral shape was examined for word-initial, prevocalic stops of all three places of articulation in a laboratory production study and a large corpus of continuous read speech. Voiceless labial and coronal stops were found to have greater energy at higher frequencies in comparison to homorganic voiced stops, a difference that could not be attributed to aspiration in the voiceless stops or modal phonation in the voiced, while no consistent effect was found for dorsal stops. This pattern was found with various methods of spectral estimation (time-averaged and multitaper spectra) and measures of spectral energy concentration (center of gravity and spectral peak) for both linear and auditorily based frequency scales. Perceptual relevance of the spectral cue was tested in laboratory and online experiments with continua created by crossing burst shape and voice onset time. A trading relation was observed such that voiceless identifications were more likely for tokens with higher frequency bursts. Goodness ratings indicated that burst spectrum influences category typicality for voiceless stops even when voice onset time is unambiguous.
Na+-Ca2+ Exchange Currents in Cortical Neurons: Concomitant Forward and Reverse Operation and Effect of Glutamate

Na+-Ca2+ exchanger-associated membrane currents were studied in cultured murine neocortical neurons, using whole-cell recording combined with intracellular perfusion. A net inward current specifically associated with forward (Na+o-Ca2+i) exchange was evoked at -40 mV by switching external 140 mM Li+ to 140 mM Na+. The voltage dependence of this current was consistent with that predicted for 3Na+:I Ca2+ exchange. As expected, the current depended on internal Ca2+, and could be blocked by intracellular application of the exchanger inhibitory peptide, XIP. Raising internal Na+ from 3 to 20 mM or switching the external solution from 140 mM Li+ to 30 mM Na+ activated outward currents, consistent with reverse (Na+,-Ca2+o) exchange. An external Ca2+sensitive current was also identified as associated with reverse Na+-Ca2+ exchange based on its internal Na+ dependence and sensitivity to XIP. Combined application of external Na+ and Ca2+ in the absence of internal Na+ triggered a 3.3-fold larger inward current than the current activated in the presence of 3 mM internal Na+, raising the intriguing possibility that Naf-Ca2+ exchangers might concurrently operate in both the forward and the reverse direction, perhaps in different subcellular locations. With this idea in mind, we examined the effect of excitotoxic glutamate receptor activation on exchanger operation. After 3-5 min of exposure to 100-200 pM glutamate, the forward exchanger current was significantly increased even when external Na+ was reduced to 100 mM, and the external Ca*+-activated reverse exchanger current was eliminated.
Origin of Columbia River flood basalt controlled by propagating rupture of the Farallon slab

A model of subduction that reveals a long tear under Oregon and Nevada provides a new mechanism for the origin of Columbia River flood basalt, resolving previous hypotheses. A flood basalt is the product of a volcanic eruption that covers large areas with basalt lava. The origin of the Steens–Columbia River flood basalts, thought to be associated with the onset of volcanism within the Yellowstone hotspot, has remained controversial. Using geodynamic modelling, Lijun Liu and Dave Stegman show that an episode of slab tearing about 17 million years ago under eastern Oregon quickly ruptured north and south, covering a distance of about 900 kilometres along eastern Oregon and northern Nevada. This is consistent both in space and time with the Steens–Columbia River–Northern Nevada Rift flood basalt event. The model also predicts the sequence of flood basalt composition, which should help to reconcile controversies regarding the origin of these flood basalts and involvement of the putative Yellowstone plume. The origin of the Steens–Columbia River (SCR) flood basalts, which is presumed to be the onset of Yellowstone volcanism, has remained controversial, with the proposed conceptual models involving either a mantle plume1,2,3,4,5 or back-arc processes6,7,8. Recent tomographic inversions based on the USArray data reveal unprecedented detail of upper-mantle structures of the western USA9 and tightly constrain geodynamic models simulating Farallon subduction, which has been proposed to influence the Yellowstone volcanism5,6. Here we show that the best-fitting geodynamic model10 depicts an episode of slab tearing about 17 million years ago under eastern Oregon, where an associated sub-slab asthenospheric upwelling thermally erodes the Farallon slab, leading to formation of a slab gap at shallow depth. Driven by a gradient of dynamic pressure, the tear ruptured quickly north and south and within about two million years covering a distance of around 900 kilometres along all of eastern Oregon and northern Nevada. This tear would be consistent with the occurrence of major volcanic dikes during the SCR–Northern Nevada Rift flood basalt event both in space and time. The model predicts a petrogenetic sequence for the flood basalt with sources of melt starting from the base of the slab, at first remelting oceanic lithosphere and then evolving upwards, ending with remelting of oceanic crust. Such a progression helps to reconcile the existing controversies on the interpretation of SCR geochemistry and the involvement of the putative Yellowstone plume. Our study suggests a new mechanism for the formation of large igneous provinces.
Image Matching: A Method For Overlay Error Reduction

Many techniques aimed at reducing the magnitude of overlay error are practiced within the semiconductor industry. For example, attempts are made to manufacture masks as similar to each other as possible, and exposure tools used for successive product levels are selected to be as well-matched as possible. Although these and similar techniques have contributed to some reduction in overlay error, the degree of improvement has not been remarkable for several reasons. For example, there exist some contributing factors which are not easily brought under control, such as wafer-specific effects. Also, different masks interact with different exposure tools through a variety of mechanisms which produce a remarkable diversity of performance results.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Use of oral contraceptives in pregnancy and major structural birth defects in offspring.

BACKGROUND:: Oral contraceptives (OCs) are the most commonly used reversible contraceptive method among US women. Although the majority of previous studies have reported no association between OC use during pregnancy and birth defects some studies have reported increased occurrence of neural tube defects limb reduction defects and urinary tract anomalies. METHODS:: We assessed OC use among mothers who participated in the multisite case-control National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Mothers of 9986 infants with 32 types of birth defects and 4000 infants without birth defects were included. RESULTS:: Maternal OC use during the first 3 months of pregnancy was associated with an increased odds ratio for 2 of 32 birth defects: hypoplastic left heart syndrome (adjusted odds ratio = 2.3 [95% confidence interval = 1.3-4.3) and gastroschisis (1.8 [1.3-2.7]). CONCLUSION:: Previous reports of associations between OC use and specific types of anomalies were not corroborated. Given that associations were assessed for 32 types of birth defects our findings of 2 increased associations between OC use and gastroschisis and hypoplastic left heart syndrome should be interpreted as hypotheses until they can be evaluated further. Overall our findings are consistent with the majority of previous studies that found women who use OCs during early pregnancy have no increased risk for most types of major congenital malformations.
Aortic Valve Replacement With or Without Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: The Risk of Surgery in Patients ≥80 Years Old

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes for elderly (≥80 years) patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) with or without coronary artery bypass graft surgery (AVR/CABG). The authors hypothesized that the mortalities of AVR and AVR/CABG are lower than that predicted by published risk scores. Design A retrospective analysis of data from a single-hospital database. Setting Single tertiary care, private practice. Participants Consecutive patients undergoing AVR or AVR/CABG. Measurements Two hundred sixty-one elderly (≥80 years) patients undergoing isolated AVR (145) or AVR/CABG (116) were evaluated. The majority (94.6%) underwent AVR for aortic valve stenosis. Outcomes were recorded and compared between the 2 surgical procedures with predicted mortalities based on published risk assessment scoring systems. Results The overall short-term mortality for the elderly group was 6.1% (AVR 5.5% and AVR/CABG 6.9%). The median long-term survival was 6.8 years. There were no significant differences in either morbidity or mortality between the AVR and AVR/CABG groups. Although predicted mortalities were similar for each surgical procedure, they overestimated observed outcome by up to 4-fold. Conclusions Short- and long-term mortality was low for this group of elderly patients undergoing AVR or AVR/CABG and not significantly different between the 2 surgical groups. Predicted outcomes were worse than that observed, consistent with the hypothesis, and supportive of a more aggressive surgical treatment for aortic valve disease in the elderly patient.
Relationships between lorica volume, carbon, nitrogen, and ATP content of tintinnids in Narragansett Bay

Lorica volume, carbon, nitrogen, and ATP content were measured in nine species of tintinnid ciliates spanning a size range of two orders of magnitude. Tintinnid carbon was linearly related to both lorica volume and ATP content. The mean C:ATP ratio was 65. Tintinnid ATP as a percentage of total ATP in the < 153 /un fraction averaged 7% over an annual cycle in Narragansett Bay. It is concluded that ATP is a useful indicator of living phytoplankton carbon in pre-screened, smallvolume samples during periods of moderate to high phytoplankton biomass, but that protozoan microzooplankton interference is significant when phytoplankton standing stocks are low.
The Site Specific Demethylation in the 5′-Regulatory Area of NMDA Receptor 2B Subunit Gene Associated with CIE-Induced Up-Regulation of Transcription

Background The NMDA receptor represents a particularly important site of ethanol action in the CNS. We recently reported that NMDA receptor 2B (NR2B) gene expression was persistently up-regulated following chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) treatment. Increasing evidence that epigenetic mechanisms are involved in dynamic and long-lasting regulation of gene expression in multiple neuroadaptive processes prompted us to investigate the role of DNA methylation in mediating CIE-induced up-regulation of NR2B gene transcription. To dissect the changes of DNA methylation in the NR2B gene, we have screened a large number of CpG sites within its 5′-regulatory area following CIE treatment. Methods Primary cortical cultured neurons were subjected to ethanol treatment in a CIE paradigm. Bisulfite conversion followed by pyrosequencing was used for quantitative measurement and analysis of CpG methylation status within the 5′-regulatory area of the NR2B gene; chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was used to examine DNA levels associated with methylation and transcription factor binding. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and in vitro DNA methylation assays were performed to determine the direct impact of DNA methylation on the interaction between DNA and transcription factor and promoter activity. Results Analysis of individual CpG methylation sites within the NR2B 5′regulatory area revealed three regions with clusters of site-specific CpG demethylation following CIE treatment and withdrawal. This was confirmed by ChIP showing similar decreases of methylated DNA in the same regions. The CIE-induced demethylation is characterized by being located near certain transcription factor binding sequences, AP-1 and CRE, and occurred during treatment as well as after ethanol withdrawal. Furthermore, the increase in vitro of methylated DNA decreased transcription factor binding activity and promoter activity. An additional ChIP assay indicated that the CIE-induced DNA demethylation is accompanied by increased occupation by transcription factors. Conclusions These results suggest an important role of DNA demethylation in mediating CIE-induced NR2B gene up-regulation, thus implicating a novel molecular site of alcohol action.
Mastitis and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus through breast milk

Mastitis, an inflammation in the breast, has recently been linked with higher human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) load in breast milk and higher risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Among 334 HIV-infected women in Malawi who were breastfeeding, the prevalence of mastitis, as indicated by elevated breast milk sodium, was 16.4% at six weeks and 2.8% at six months postpartum. Mastitis is associated with significantly higher concentrations of immunological and inflammatory mediators in breast milk, including lactoferrin, lysozyme, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, interleukin-8, and RANTES. Mastitis is potentially preventable by improving micronutrient status of breastfeeding women and can be treated with antibiotics and clinical management. These studies in Malawi suggest that mastitis may contribute to transmission of HIV through breast milk.
A paradigm for design, promulgation and enforcement of ethical codes

The paper explores the promise of ethical codes as a means to control unethical behavior in business. After a review of arguments for ethical codes from outside the business system, the paper outlines the arguments for codes from inside the business system at the level of the industry, firm and individual executive. The paper then discusses the problems of code design — the dilemma between specific practices and general precepts — and offers a model for a thoroughgoing code. This is followed by a discussion of the problems of promulgation and code enforcement. In conclusion, the paper summarizes the limitations of ethical codes and the arguments which have been made against them.
Degradation of Trichloroethylene and Tetrachloroethylene in Simulated Groundwater in a Flow-Through Photosono Reactor

AbstractSimulated groundwater solutions contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) were treated in a flow-through reactor equipped with ultrasound (US) and ultraviolet light (UV) sources. The treatment process was operated using UV or US individually, and UV and US concurrently (UVUS). The solutions contaminated with TCE or PCE were exposed to UV light emitted from Hg-arc lamps surrounding the quartz reactor vessel, and to acoustic waves from a US horn located at the bottom of the reactor vessel. The rate constants (k) of photolysis by UV, sonolysis by US, and photosonolysis by UVUS were evaluated using a mathematical model in conjunction with a nonlinear regression analysis. The removal efficiencies (E) for the UV, US, and UVUS treatments were also determined. For TCE, the US rate constant (kus=0.016±0.010 min−1) and the UV rate constant (kuv=0.076±0.004 min−1) yield the theoretical additive rate constant (kad) of 0.092 min−1, whereas the observed UVUS rate constant (kuvus...
Selective perception of events.

Abstract Two hundred and twelve subjects were given one of two interpretive sets prior to viewing an event. Following observation, the first interpretation was discredited, and subjects were asked to interpret the event they had seen under the contrasting set. Some subjects were only provided with the alternate interpretation, while others were also given an opportunity to view the event a second time. Both the perceptual segmentation and the subjects' impressions of the participants in the event were assessed. Results disclosed that (1) the two sets produced both differing perceptual organization and differing impressions of the participants; (2) reversing the sets produced a reversal of the impressions of the participants only when accompanied by a second viewing; and (3) the reversal of the impressions was accompanied by a shift in the perceptual organization of the event. It was concluded that observers may differ in their initial perception of an event as the result of differences in prior expectations, and that the resulting biased sample of information they acquire may limit their retrospective reinterpretation of the event.
Regenerative heat exchangers with significant entrained fluid heat capacity

Entrained fluid heat capacity is shown to have a significant and positive effect on the performance of a passive regenerator. The ineffectiveness of the regenerator is presented as a function of three dimensionless parameters: the number of transfer units, the utilization, and the entrained fluid to matrix heat capacity ratio. Three different behaviors are observed for a regenerator with entrained fluid heat capacity. The effect of the entrained fluid can be accounted for over a large range of conditions using the concept of an augmented-NTU which can be substituted for the actual NTU in analyses that neglect entrained fluid capacity.
A cadmium phenylenediacetate isonicotinate network coordination polymer with new topology via in situ amide cleavage

Abstract Hydrothermal reaction of cadmium nitrate, 1,4-phenylenediacetic acid (H21,4-phda), and 4-pyridylisonicotinate (4-pina) afforded the network coordination polymer [Cd3(1,4-phda)2(isonic)2(H2O)2]n (1, isonic = isonicotinate) via in situ 4-pina amide cleavage. Exotetradentate phda ligands connect cadmium ions into [Cd3(1,4-phda)2(OCO)2(H2O)2]n layer motifs featuring cadmium carboxylate dinuclear clusters. In turn these layers are pillared by isonic ligands into a non-interpenetrated 3-D network with a novel 3,4,6-connected {4.62}2{6482}{426883102} trinodal topology. Performing a similar reaction with zinc nitrate afforded the known 3-D phase [Zn(1,4-phda)]n, which possesses a previously unidentified 4,4,4-connected {4.6382}2{426282}{6284} topology. Thermal decomposition and luminescent properties of 1 are also discussed herein.
Major phosphoprotein of avian sarcoma virus: peptide analysis of the variously charged species

Abstract The 19,000 dalton phosphoprotein (pp19) of avian sarcoma virus strain B77 isolated by guanidine-agarose chromatography was further resolved into multiple charged species by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. A comparison of the tryptic peptide maps of 125I-iodinated lowly phosphorylated and highly phosphorylated species of the pp19 suggested that the same polypeptide occurs in the virion in different phosphorylated states.
Analysis of abrupt and linearly graded heterojunction bipolar transistors with or without a setback layer

Analytical equations of electric field, electrostatic potential, and junction capacitance for abrupt and linearly graded heterojunctions with or without a setback layer have been derived. The equations are general and applicable to both abrupt and linearly graded heterojunction bipolar transistors. Collector and base currents and small-signal parameters such as transconductance and cutoff frequency of the abrupt and linearly graded heterojunction bipolar transistors with or without a setback layer are evaluated. Comparisons between the isothermal model, the numerical model, and the present model including the self-heating effect are demonstrated.
Foramen oval permeable: situación actual

El foramen oval permeable es una lesion cardiaca congenital presente en el 25% de la poblacion adulta. Su diagnostico, evaluacion y tratamiento han despertado un creciente interes desde que se propuso que esta entidad tiene relacion con diversas patologias como el infarto cerebral criptogenico, el sindrome platipnea-ortodesoxia, el sindrome de descompresion o las migranas. Sin embargo, hay datos contradictorios sobre estas asociaciones. De la misma forma, el tratamiento de eleccion en los pacientes con foramen oval permeable es un tema que permanence en discusion. Este articulo aborda una revision sobre la anatomia, la embriologia, la epidemiologia, las asociaciones clinicas y las opciones terapeuticas de esta entidad.
The mTORC1 inhibitor everolimus has antitumor activity in vitro and produces tumor responses in patients with relapsed T-cell lymphoma

Everolimus is an oral agent that targets the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. This study investigated mTOR pathway activation in T-cell lymphoma (TCL) cell lines and assessed antitumor activity in patients with relapsed/refractory TCL in a phase 2 trial. The mTOR pathway was activated in all 6 TCL cell lines tested and everolimus strongly inhibited malignant T-cell proliferation with minimal cytotoxic effects. Everolimus completely inhibited phosphorylation of ribosomal S6, a raptor/mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) target, without a compensatory activation of the rictor/mTORC2 target Akt (S475). In the clinical trial, 16 patients with relapsed TCL were enrolled and received everolimus 10 mg by mouth daily. Seven patients (44%) had cutaneous (all mycosis fungoides); 4 (25%) had peripheral T cell not otherwise specified; 2 (13%) had anaplastic large cell; and 1 each had extranodal natural killer/T cell, angioimmunoblastic, and precursor T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma types. The overall response rate was 44% (7/16; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 20% to 70%). The median progression-free survival was 4.1 months (95% CI, 1.5-6.5) and the median overall survival was 10.2 months (95% CI, 2.6-44.3). The median duration of response for the 7 responders was 8.5 months (95% CI, 1.0 to not reached). These studies indicate that everolimus has antitumor activity and provide proof-of-concept that targeting the mTORC1 pathway in TCL is clinically relevant. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00436618.
Wide-band coherent supercontinuum generation

We have studied the broadband mid-IR supercontinuum generation in a lead-silicate tapered microstructured fiber for femto-second input pulses at 1550 nm. The supercontinuum generated extends from ~1000 to ~ 5000 nm for a suitably designed tapered fiber. The coherence properties of the supercontinuum depends on the input pulse parameters. It is possible to generate perfectly coherent supercontinuum with a flat broadened spectrum extending to ~5000 nm in this fiber taper.
Stressors for College Bound High School Students Based on Sex of Respondents

ABSTRACT College attendance is an impending major life change for many high school students. Attendance at particular colleges or universities is also a crucial issue for marketers of higher education institutions. This study reports the results of a survey of college-bound high school seniors in the midst of the college choice process. Specific stressors are identified and significant sex differences are discussed. Higher education marketers, guidance counselors, and even parents should find these results useful in reducing perceived risk by communicating relevant information about key stressors to deciding students.
The purification and physicochemical properties of two viruses associated with respiratory disease.

Abstract The Coe and Pett viruses, two RNA-containing viruses associated with human respiratory disease, have been purified by a density gradient technique. Such preparations are characterized by particles possessing the same particle size and ultraviolet spectrum as the poliomyelitis and Coxsackie viruses.
A study of the diagnostic accuracy of the PHQ-9 in primary care elderly

Background The diagnostic accuracy of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for assessment of depression in elderly persons in primary care settings in the United States has not been previously addressed. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the test performance of the PHQ-9 for detecting major and minor depression in elderly patients in primary care.
Studies in the modulation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an experimental model for multiple sclerosis, can be induced through inoculation with several different central nervous system (CNS) proteins or peptides. Modulation of EAE, resulting in either protection from EAE or enhancement of EAE, can also be accomplished through either vaccination or DNA immunization with molecular mimics of self-CNS proteins. Previously published data on this method of EAE modulation will be reviewed. New data is presented, which demonstrates that EAE can also be modulated through the administration of the β-(1,3)-d-glucan, curdlan. Dendritic cells stimulated by curdlan are involved in the differentiation of the interleukin-17 producing subset of CD4+ T cells that are recognized effector cells in EAE. Using two different systems to study the effects of curdlan on EAE, it was found that curdlan increased the incidence of EAE and/or the severity of the disease course.
The alternative vote and interethnic moderation: A reply to Fraenkel and Grofman

The alternative vote (AV) is a preferential electoral system that tends to reward political moderation and compromise. Fraenkel and Grofman have modeled the likely effects of AV in severely divided societies, in order to impugn AV as a tool of interethnic accommodation. In this response, I show that Fraenkel and Grofman’s model is based on extreme assumptions that bear no relation to party and voter behavior in such societies. Models based on realistic assumptions about strategic behavior and cross-national experience with AV both demonstrate that AV generally provides centripetal incentives that can contribute to interethnic coalition-building and accommodation.
Ultracompact Electroabsorption Modulators Based on Tunable Epsilon-Near-Zero-Slot Waveguides

We present a promising application of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials in optical modulators. When a thin ENZ film is sandwiched in a single-mode waveguide, an ENZ-slot waveguide is formed, where the absorption can be greatly enhanced. We propose electroabsorption modulators based on tunable ENZ materials and slot waveguides. Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) may be employed as the active slot, which can be tuned between ENZ (high absorption) and epsilon-far-from-zero (low absorption) by accumulation carriers. Numerical simulation shows that over 3-dB modulation depth can be achieved in a 250-nm-long TCO-slot waveguide. The modulators have the advantages of nanoscale footprints, small insertion loss, potentially ultrahigh speed, and easy fabrication.
Supervising Knowledge Work: A Different Kind of Supervision:

Knowledge Work Supervision™ may bring about a better fit between supervisory processes and the purposes, goals, and outcomes of a school system that wishes to become increasingly effective.
Carbonic anhydrase in deep-sea chemoautotrophic symbioses

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) facilitates the rapid interconversion of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate. It is ubiquitous among organisms, and participates in numerous cellular processes. In several photoautotrophic marine organisms, CA facilitates uptake of inorganic carbon by catalyzing the reversible dehydration of bicarbonate to carbon dioxide, which diffuses more rapidly across cell membranes. In algal/invertebrate symbioses, this mechanism is correlated with significantly elevated CA activity in tissues where zooxanthellae are housed. Here, we determine whether elevated CA activity is also characteristic of tissues involved in inorganic carbon uptake by chemosynthetic invertebrates. Measurements of CA activity in several chemosynthetic clam and vestimentiferan species indicate that CA facilitates inorganic carbon uptake, with high activities present in clam gill tissue, and vestimentiferan plume and trophosome tissues. However levels of CA activity among species varied widely, from very low in mytilids to extraordinarily high in some vesicomyids and vestimentiferans. High CA activity is generally correlated with other adaptations for control of internal chemical environments where symbionts are housed, such as the presence of serum-borne sulfide-binding moieties. These findings suggest that a CA-based mechanism of carbon uptake may be one of a suite of adaptations to provide symbionts with essential metabolites.
Explicit Exact Solitary Wave Solutions for the Kundu Equation and the Derivative Schrödinger Equation

Studying explicit exact solutions of nonlinear evolution equations is a vastly open research field. In this paper, we are giving a new approach called the algebraic curve method to the study of the Kundu equation and the derivative Schrodinger equation. Using this technique we obtain the explicit exact solitary solutions for the Kundu equation and two new explicit exact solitary solutions for the derivative Schrodinger equation, which are different from the previous ones. Applications of this technique to some other nonlinear evolution equations are also presented.