cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Continuous-slope phase-shift transition

The general application of phase-shift mask technology often requires special features accommodating a non printing transition from 0° to 180°. Transitions featuring a continuous slope exhibit reduced linewidth variation and smaller intensity dips as compared to step transitions employing intermediate phase-shift levels. In this paper we report on a method for forming continuous slope phase- shift transitions using ion milling. A slope was created as a result of a locally variable etch time caused by changing the tilt angle of the mask plate during the etching. Thus, steady progress of the resist shadow along the etched region by controlled adjustment of the tilt angle defined the transition profile. The experimental results were reproduced by simulation including the effects of source rotation.
Novel Optical Access and Digital Processing Architectures for Future Mobile Backhaul

In this paper, primary technical challenges for emerging optical mobile backhaul (MBH) networks are discussed, with a focus on novel optical access and digital signal processing (DSP) architectures for future MBH. The first downstream/upstream Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access and Time Division Multiple Access Passive Optical Network (OFDMA/TDMA-PON) achieving >;100 Mb/s per-cell mobile backhaul and burst-mode operation using off-the-shelf avalanche photodiodes (APDs) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated for last-mile optical MBH with 200 cells per fiber. In the new approach, the use of OFDMA is motivated by the capability to establish low latency, virtual point-to-point links in the frequency-domain to serve high-density cell areas, while a judicious hybrid of DSP-enhanced digital radio-over-fiber (dRoF) and TDMA is proposed as an efficient way to meet <; 1 ms latency constraints subject to a 3 dB upstream burst-mode dynamic range tolerance. By thus enabling high speed, low latency, and low cost via simplified optics, the novel OFDMA/TDMA-PON is promising for future 4G and beyond optical backhaul networks.
Y-band radar assessment for indoor navigation and mapping

In this paper, the application of sub-millimeter-wave imaging radars for collision avoidance and navigation of autonomous platforms in indoor environments is investigated. The polarimetric scatter phenomenology of walls and doorways are studied to aid the designing and system specifications of such radar systems. An instrumentation radar operating at 215 GHz is setup to collect backscatter data from corridors in an indoor setting. The backscattered data as a function of azimuth angle are collected while the radar is moved along the corridors. At each radar position, radar range profiles for both vertical and horizontal polarizations as a function of angle are used to form polar images. These images can be generated real time for obstacle-detection and navigation of autonomous robots. It is shown that horizontally polarized incident wave can generate higher backscatter level from smooth walls at steep angles of incidence and thus is the preferred polarization configuration for this application. Using the coordinate radar positions at each point, the polar images at each location are then co-registered in a global coordinate matrix through a “see-and-remember” algorithm to form a complete map of the interior layout. A number of image processing techniques are applied to the raw radar range profile maps to enhance the image quality and to remove the undesired effects. A linear feature extraction method based on Hough transform is used to extract the rectilinear features (walls, doors, etc.) in the complete map. Algorithms are developed to eliminate the ghost targets resulted from multi-path in the hallways.
Pilot Study Evaluating Topical Onion Extract as Treatment for Postsurgical Scars

Background.Post surgical scars can be erythematous, raised, pruritic and painful. Numerous modalities are available to improve the appearance and symptomatology of these scars. A topical onion gel extract is the newest in the armamentarium of scar treatments. The active ingredient in this gel is all
Fundamental Conductance \(\div \) Voltage Limit in Low Voltage Tunnel Switches

There is a fundamental conductance ÷ voltage limit in low voltage (<;4k b T/q) tunneling switches that turn off by relying upon the band edges to cutoff the available density of states. The Fermi occupation probabilities are thermally broadened by 4k b T. However, current is only allowed to flow in a narrow energy range limited by the applied voltage, V. This means that if a voltage less than 4k b T/q is applied, the conductance will be reduced by at least qV/4k b T. Even with a perfect tunneling probability of 1 in a perfect quantum channel, the conductance quantum would be diminished by qV/4k b T. Attempts at lowering the operating voltage below <;4k b T/q must come at the expense of smaller conductance.
Survival of the adult maize weevil, sitophilus zeamais: Role of nutrients, larval reserves and symbionts*

Abstract o 1. The effect that exogenous nutrients, reserves carried over from the larval stage, and symbionts have on the survival of the adult maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, was examined. 2. Results showed that the omission of dietary wheat germ (5%) caused 50 per cent mortality in 17 weeks whereas the omission of a vitamin or mineral mixture, or cholesterol caused 50 per cent mortality in >25 weeks at 30°C. 3. Adult survival on nutritionally deficient diets was attributed to reserves carried over from the larval stage and to essential metabolites synthesized by symbionts. 4. Dietary aureomycin (0·1%) apparently inhibited the symbionts without being toxic to the weevil. Results suggested that factors provided by the symbionts were also present in the lipid-free portion of wheat germ. 5. Adults held on corn kernels or glucose solution gain dry weight over an 18-day period whereas those held on glucose solution containing aureomycin lost as much dry weight as weevils held only on water. 6. Analyses of body constituents between 0 and 18 days of age showed that these observed changes in dry weight resulted primarily from changes in triglyceride content. Adults fed the glucose-aureomycin solution utilized their triglyceride reserves because they were unable to metabolize the dietary glucose whereas those fed corn kernels or glucose solution only did not have to draw upon their triglyceride reserves.
An automated Braille writing tutor with multilingual exercises and educational games

This work advances the state-of-the-art in assistive technology for the visually impaired by enhancing an automated tutor designed to teach beginner-level braille writing skills. The hardware component of the tutor is a low-cost device that provides an intelligent tactile interface that connects to a laptop or desktop computer. We demonstrate the many uses of this tutor including its multilingual capabilities, interactive exercises, and educational games. Preliminary field tests of the tutor in India, Zambia, and Qatar have demonstrated the usefulness of this automated tutor, and its potential to enhance braille literacy in developing regions.
T-lymphocyte Subpopulations in Acute Unilateral Optic Neuritis+

The authors prospectively analyzed T-lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of nine patients with acute unilateral optic neuritis and compared them with 25 controls without neurologic disease. The presence or absence of alterations in circulating T-cell subsets has not been examined previously in patients with isolated optic neuritis. The authors found the mean ratio of inducer (CD4) to suppressor (CD8) T-lymphocytes was 2.07 +/- 0.51 for the group with optic neuritis, statistically indistinguishable from a value of 1.78 +/- 1.04 for the control group. Multiple sclerosis (MS) subsequently developed in one patient. Her inducer/suppressor T-cell ratio was initially 2.66, but progressively increased to 3.68 concomitant with the clinical manifestation of focal neurologic signs. Although optic neuritis may be the initial clinical sign of MS, the periodic alteration of circulating T-lymphocytes increasing the inducer/suppressor T-cell ratio in MS was not observed in those with isolated optic neuritis.
Precession of the Earth as the Cause of Geomagnetism: Experiments lend support to the proposal that precessional torques drive the earth's dynamo

I have proposed that the precessional torques acting on the earth can sustain a turbulent hydromagnetic flow in the molten core. A gross balance of the Coriolis force, the Lorentz force, and the precessional force in the core fluid provided estimates of the fluid velocity and the interior magnetic field characteristic of such flow. Then these numbers and a balance of the processes responsible for the decay and regeneration of the magnetic field provided an estimate of the magnetic field external to the core. This external field is in keeping with the observations, but its value is dependent upon the speculative value for the electrical conductivity of core material. The proposal that turbulent flow due to precession can occur in the core was tested in a study of nonmagnetic laboratory flows induced by the steady precession of fluid-filled rotating spheroids. It was found that these flows exhibit both small wavelike instabilities and violent finite-amplitude instability to turbulent motion above critical values of the precession rate. The observed critical parameters indicate that a laminar flow in the core, due to the earth9s precession, would have weak hydrodynamic instabilities at most, but that finite-amplitude hydromagnetic instability could lead to fully turbulent flow.
Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on birth weight in rats: Is there an inverted u-shaped function?

Decreases in birth weight are among the most commonly reported effects of prenatal alcohol exposure in animals. However, these decreases are typically associated with relatively high doses of alcohol. Two studies were conducted. The first evaluated the effects of low doses of alcohol (0.15 and 0.30 g/kg) on birth weight and other measures. A second study examined the effects of a relatively high dose of alcohol (3.0 g/kg). The two low doses of alcohol produced a slight, but not significant, increase in birth weight relative to vehicle controls whereas the high dose of alcohol produced a significant decrease in birth weight relative to its controls. When the data for the two studies were combined, the relationship between alcohol and birth weight assumed an inverted U-shaped function. There was no effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on weights at weaning, passive avoidance learning, or ambulation. In the context of birth weight, slight increases may be related to increased protein synthesis associated with low doses of alcohol.
Modification of Microstructure for Improved Oxidation Resistance in γ-Based Ti-Al-X Alloys

Abstract The effect of microstructural refinement on the oxidation behavior of γ + laves Ti-45Al-15Cr and γ + σ Ti-40Al-27Nb was investigated. A fine, uniform γ + laves microstructure in Ti-45Al-15Cr resulted in protective alumina scale formation over most of the sample surface at 800°C and 1000°C in air. In contrast, the oxidation resistance of this same alloy was severely degraded by a coarse γ + laves microstructure. The oxidation behavior of Ti-40Al-27Nb at 1200°C in air was poor. Refinement of the γ + σ microstructure in this alloy was not effective in improving oxidation resistance. The mechanistic reasons for these effects, and the implications for improved oxidation resistance through microstructural refinement are discussed.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)'s Impact on B to B Sales Professionals' Collaboration and Sales Performance

Purpose: Sales literature has traditionally considered technology adoption from acceptance and diffusion perspectives. This article examines the impact of customer relationship management (CRM) technology on business-to-business (B2B) sales professionals' ability to collaborate with internal stakeholders and also assesses the relationship between CRM utilization and sales performance. The study moves from assuming that CRM utilization positively impacts salesperson effectiveness and performance to assessing this outcome from the perspective of the salesperson. Methodology: A survey that was comprised of four scales was sent to 115 B2B sales professionals and usable surveys were received from 70 respondents. The data were analyzed using partial least squares regression to test the hypothesized paths. Partial least squares regression has been shown to work for small sample sizes. Findings: There is empirical evidence that CRM adoption and utilization positively impacts sales performance, sales effectiveness...
A satellite experiment to study the effects of space radiation on solar cell power generation

Abstract To study the effects of the space radiation environment on state-of-the-art solar cells, a space solar cell experiment was conducted on board a Navy satellite. There were 15 solar cell experiments on board the NTS-2 satellite launched on June 23, 1977 into a circular orbit of 12 h, 20 192 km high at an inclination of 63°. Each experiment was a separate array of five 2 cm × 2 cm solar cells. They included GaAlAs/GaAs heteroface structure cells, COMSAT high-efficiency black cells, textured cells, vertical junction cells, adhesiveless coverslides and coverslides without antireflective coatings and/or UV reflection filters. The current-voltage characteristics of the arrays were measured sequentially and telemetered as the satellite passed over the ground station at Blossom Point, MD. The average value of measurements in space on the first day of exposure were in good agreement with pre-flight solar simulator values.
Mitochondrial Oxygen Consumption Is Synergistically Inhibited by Metallothionein and Calcium

Abstract Objective. To determine the combined effect of metallothionein and calcium on the oxygen consumption of mitochondria. Background. We previously showed that mitochondrial oxygen consumption was inhibited by the intracellular acute-phase reactant, metallothionein, which is rapidly induced by nearly all stressed cells. Other investigators have demonstrated that calcium also inhibited oxygen consumption. However, the calcium concentrations used in their experiments were supraphysiologic. Our hypothesis was that metallothionein would enhance the effect of calcium. Methods. We conducted these experiments, of a paired design, on the effects of combinations of metallothionein and calcium using mitochondria isolated from rat liver. An oxygen electrode implanted into a 600-μl chamber with a stir bar was used to measure oxygen consumption. Various concentrations of calcium, metallothionein, and other reagents were added while oxygen consumption was being continuously recorded. Metals were removed from metallothionein by gel filtration to produce apometallothionein. Results. Physiological levels of metallothionein synergistically enhanced the inhibitory effect of calcium so that its action occurred at physiological concentrations. Metallothionein devoid of its metals, zinc and cadmium, had no effect on oxygen consumption. Conclusion. In isolated mitochondria metallothionein inhibits ADP-initiated oxygen consumption. This effect is synergistic with the inhibitory action of calcium. These observations suggest a possible enhancement by metallothionein of the effect of fluxes in intracellular calcium in stressed cells.
The cellular immune reaction to transplanted sensory ganglion

A previous study indicated that neurons survive and function after homologous ganglion transplantation in vivo despite the presence of an apparent cellular immune reaction. The present investigation was undertaken to verify and to describe more fully this cellular immune reaction to transplanted sensory ganglia. Autologous or homologous rat and heterologous guinea pig nodose ganglia were transplanted to the anterior chamber of the eye of host rats and examined 10–12, 23, or 33–35 days later. Neurons survived in all autologous transplants, and no cellular reaction occurred. A cellular reaction composed mainly of mononuclear cells was, however, found in homologous and heterologous transplants. Neurons were still present in 35-day homologous ganglion transplants, but all had disappeared by 23 days in heterologous transplants. The results indicate that homologous and heterologous nerve tissue is antigenic and evokes a cellular immune response similar to that of other foreign tissues. I conclude that neurons can survive this immune reaction, which raises the possibility that transplanted neurons may be able to survive and function for prolonged periods in man.
Social Class is Dead. Long Live Social Class! Stereotype Threat among Low Socioeconomic Status Individuals

Stereotype threat effects occur when members of a stigmatized group perform poorly on a task because they fear confirming a negative stereotype that is associated with their ingroup. The present study investigates whether the observed achievement gap in standardized testing between high- and low-socioeconomic status (SES) American students can be due, in part, to this phenomenon. Participants were placed in one of four conditions that varied in level of “threat” related to socioeconomic status. Results show that when socioeconomic identity is made salient before taking a test, or when the test is presented as diagnostic of intelligence, low-SES students perform significantly worse, and report much lower self-confidence, than low-SES participants in the non-threatening conditions. When threatening conditions converge, performance of low-SES students is at its worst level. These results help us better understand the role stereotyping plays in the academic performance of low-SES students, and may partly explain the disparity on standardized test scores between low- and high-SES students.
Relationship of Corporal Punishment and Antisocial Behavior by Neighborhood

Results and Conclusions:Parental use of corporal punishment was associated with a 0.71 increase (P.05) in children’sexternalizingbehaviorproblemsevenwhenseveral parenting behaviors, neighborhood quality, and all time-invariant variables were accounted for. The association of corporal punishment and children’s externalizing behavior problems was not dependent on neighborhood context. The research found no discernible relationship between corporal punishment and internalizing behavior problems.
A DSC study of α- and β-relaxations in a PS-Clay system

Differential scanning calorimetry has been used to study the α-relaxation (glass transition) as well as β-relaxation (sub-Tg relaxation) in both virgin polystyrene (PS) and PS−clay nanocomposite. The β-relaxations have been measured as a small endothermic peak that appears on heating of the samples previously annealed at temperatures from 30 to 80 °C. The relaxations have been characterized by determining the effective activation energies (E) and evaluating the sizes of cooperatively rearranging regions at the glass transition (Vg). The values of Vg have been determined from the heat capacity data. The β-relaxation in both systems shows comparable values of E that increase with annealing temperature from ∼90 to 170 kJ mol-1. In the PS−clay system the increase occurs slower, suggesting that this process is more decoupled from the α-relaxation than in virgin PS. The α-relaxation demonstrates markedly larger values of E (∼340 vs ∼270 kJ mol-1) for the PS−clay system than for virgin PS. The PS−clay system has...
Adolescent Brain Development and Mechanisms of Self- Regulation: Considerations for Adventure Education Program Design and Implementation

The guiding philosophical framework underlying adolescent adventure education (AE) programs is that through the process of overcoming challenging experiences, personal growth will occur (e.g. Luckner & Nadler, 1997; Priest & Gass, 1997; Walsh & Golins, 1976). To this end, programs are often designed and implemented on the basis that challenge is a positive and educative tool to elicit personal growth (McKenzie, 2000). This objective, however, is contingent upon an individual's ability to effectively engage, manage, and overcome the challenge. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of adolescent brain development and the maturation process of cognitive mechanisms that affect and enable how an individual responds to challenging and stressful situations. The author will then provide considerations into a promising pedagogical approach that is developmentally grounded and offers a potential mechanism to encourage active coping strategies to successfully meet programmatic challenges.
Computational strategies for reactions of aggregated and solvated organolithium carbenoids.

This study explores the degree to which GGA, meta-GGA, hybrid GGA, and hybrid meta-GGA functionals of Density Functional Theory, when used with the 6-31+G(d) basis set, are able to reproduce the MP2/6-31+G(d) structures and energetics of the species involved in the reactions of halomethyllithium carbenoids with ethylene. While many popular DFT functionals have been parameterized and/or benchmarked using various databases, the scarcity of experimental structural and energetic information for organolithium compounds have resulted in their exclusion from these training and test sets. In this work, we first establish a set of practical benchmark reaction energetics against which the performance of DFT methods for larger molecules can be compared. Next, we examine the performance of 13 DFT functionals spanning the second, third, and fourth rungs of the “Jacob’s ladder” using 84 molecules and 78 reactions. The main conclusions are (a) the meta-hybrid GGA M06-2X is the best functional among the set for organolithium chemistry, (b) the hybrid GGA PBE1PBE consistently yields equilibrium and transition state geometries that are very close to the MP2 predictions, and (c) MP2//M06-L or MP2//PBE1PBE model chemistries are excellent low-cost alternatives to the costly MP2. However, this work also showed that the very popular B3LYP functional is a rather poor choice for these systems.
Transient Creep Strain of a Fiber-Reinforced Metal-Matrix Composite Under Transverse Loading

Based on the combination of Mori-Tanaka’s mean-field concept and Luo-Weng’s solution of a three-phase cylindrically concentric solid, a local-field theory is developed to study the evolution of stress distribution in the ductile matrix and the time-dependent creep strain of a fiber-reinforced metal-matrix composite. Due to the nonlinear stress dependence in the creep rate and the highly heterogeneous nature of the transverse deformation, this local theory is shown to provide a more accurate estimate for the overall transverse creep of the composite than the simpler meanfield theory (the difference between the two however is not significant in the axial tensile creep). The disclosed transverse stress field in the matrix is truly heterogeneous, with the 45 deg region exhibiting a substantially higher effective stress than the 0 deg and 90 deg regions. The stress in the higher stress region is found to decrease continuously; it is passed on to the fibers and thereby serves as an important creep-strengthening mechanism for the composite. The interfacial tensile stress at the pole, which is the highest stress point around the interface, is seen to grow continuously and becomes a potential site for a later creep debonding. The developed micromechanical theory is finally applied to predict the transverse tensile creepstrain of a Borsic/aluminum composite, and the result is found to be in close agreement with the test data.
Raman noise and soliton squeezing

A model is constructed for the Raman effect as responsible for the self-frequency shift of solitons. The effect is related to and compared with the measured Raman gain in silica fibers. The model is quantized and includes the thermal and the quantum noise of the optical phonons generating the Raman effect. It is shown that the Raman effect causes excess noise for ultrashort pulses and limits the squeezing of subpicosecond solitons.
Optimizing performance parameters of graphene–silicon and thin transparent graphite–silicon heterojunction solar cells

Abstract We investigated heterojunctions of Si with large-area high-quality monolayer and multi-layer graphene, as well as thin transparent graphite. We show that by controlling the transmittance and sheet resistance of large-area graphitic electrodes, it is possible to obtain solar cells with power conversion efficiency (PCE) exceeding 3% without any doping requirements. Our calculations indicate that such junctions can form extremely robust interfaces with near-100% internal quantum efficiency. Under optimized doping conditions, power conversion efficiencies increase almost universally by a factor of 2.5. Optimized conditions for reproducibly obtaining cells with PCE > 5% are presented, with the best PCE obtained ∼7.5% with short-circuit current density exceeding 24 mA/cm 2 .
Religiosity, Social Support, and Life Satisfaction Among Elderly Korean Immigrants

Purpose: The present study tested Smith ’ s ( 2003 . Theorizing religious effects among American adolescents. Journal for the Scientifi c Study of Religion , 42 , 17 – 30. doi:10.1111/1468-5906.t01-1-00158) theory of religious effects to explore the relationship of religiosity, social support, and life satisfaction among elderly Korean immigrants. The study investigated the mediating role of social support to the relationship between religiosity and life satisfaction. Design and Methods: We hypothesized that religiosity would be positively associated with life satisfaction and that the relationship between religiosity and life satisfaction would be mediated by social support. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses with a sample of 200 Korean immigrant older adults in New York City ( m ean age = 72.5, r ange = 65 – 89). Results: We found that greater religiosity was related to greater life satisfaction and that social support partially explained the positive relationship between religiosity and life satisfaction. Implications: Results indicated that religious engagement and social support could be signifi cant factors to improve the quality of life among elderly Korean immigrants. Social services that facilitate religiosity and social support may be benefi cial for Korean elders ’ life satisfaction. Future studies are invited to replicate this study for diverse ethnic groups of elderly immigrants.
Tricholoma matsutake fruit bodies secrete hydrogen peroxide as a potent inhibitor of fungal growth

Tricholoma matsutake is an ectomycorrhizal fungus that dominates the microbial communities in the soil of pine and spruce forests. The mycorrhizas of this fungus have antimicrobial activity, although factors responsible for the antimicrobial activity have not been fully elucidated. The present study shows that fruit bodies of T. matsutake secreted hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which was produced by pyranose oxidase, and that the H2O2 thus secreted strongly inhibited the growth of mycelia of the phytopathological fungus Rhizoctonia solani. These findings suggest that fruit bodies of T. matsutake have antifungal activity and that the pyranose oxidase plays an important role in the antifungal activity.
Bootstrapping and normalization for enhanced evaluations of pairwise sequence comparison

The exponentially growing library of known protein sequences represents molecules connected by, an intricate network of evolutionary and functional relationships. To reveal these relationships, virtually every molecular biology experiment incorporates computational sequence analysis. The workhorse methods for this task make alignments between two sequences to measure their similarity. Informed use of these methods, such as NCBI BLAST, WU-BLAST, FASTA and SSEARCH, requires understanding of their effectiveness. To permit informed sequence analysis, we. have assessed the effectiveness of modern versions of these algorithms using the trusted relationships among ASTRAL sequences in the Structural Classification of Proteins database classification of protein structures. We have reduced database representation artifacts through the use of a normalization method that addresses the uneven distribution of superfamily sizes. To allow for more meaningful and interpretable comparisons of results, we have implemented a bootstrapping procedure. We find that the most difficult pairwise relations to detect are those between members of larger superfamilies, and our test set is biased toward these. However even when results are normalized, most distant evolutionary relationships elude detection.
Distributed minimum cost multicasting with lossless source coding and network coding

In this paper, we consider minimum cost lossless source coding for multiple multicast sessions. Each session comprises a set of correlated sources whose information is demanded by a set of sink nodes. We propose a distributed end- to-end algorithm which operates over given multicast trees, and a back-pressure algorithm which optimizes routing and coding over the whole network. Unlike other existing algorithms, the source rates need not be centrally coordinated; the sinks control transmission rates across the sources. With random network coding, the proposed approach yields completely distributed and optimal algorithms for intra-session network coding. We prove the convergence of our proposed algorithms. Some practical considerations are also discussed. Experimental results are provided to complement our theoretical analysis.
The collecting duct, dopamine and vasopressin-dependent hypertension.

AVP not only increases osmotic water permeability (P f ) in the rat cortical collecting duct (CCD), but also acts synergistically with aldosterone to augment sodium reabsorption (J Na ). These effects are inhibited by catecholamines via α 2 adrenergic receptors, and by dopamine. We review here studies designed to determine the mechanism and receptor involved in dopamine action. The inhibitory effect of dopamine on Na + and water transport was found to be reversible, and was not produced by agonists specific to D 1A and D 1B receptors. D 2 -type (D 2 , D 3 or D 4 ) receptors and activation of the GTP-binding protein G were implicated by the observation that dopamine had no inhibitory effect when J Na and P f were stimulated by a cyclic AMP analogue plus isobutylmethylxanthine. The only dopaminergic antagonist that reversed the inhibitory effect of dopamine was clozapine, which IS relatively D 4 -specific We also found that dopamine or D 1 -specific agonists by themselves had no effect on cAMP production. However, dopamine inhibited the high rate of AVP-dependent cAMP production, and this effect of dopamine was reversed by clozapine but not other antagonists or by inhibitors of protein kinase C. The D 4 receptor was observed in western blots of rena cortical proteins, and it was localized to the collecting duct by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry using a D 4 -specific antibody. These results show that at least a portion of the natriuretic effect of dopamine can be attributed to inhibition of AVP-dependent Na + reabsorption by the CCD, and they introduce another signalling system as a candidate in the aetiology of low-renin, salt-dependent hypertension.
Efficacy and pharmacogenomic biomarkers in breast cancer

In patients with breast cancer, a number of biomarkers, such as estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and HER2, are part of routine work-up and used to guide endocrine, cytotoxic and HER2-targeted treatment. Interaction among these markers may also impact on treatment response and is being investigated. Multigene assays have reached varying levels of validation and clinical use as predictive biomarkers of cytotoxic therapy in specific clinical situations. A number of pharmacogenomic biomarkers based on germline polymorphisms have reached some degree of validation for predicting variation in treatment response and treatment-associated adverse effects. The challenge of validating biomarkers will be exacerbated as the cost of nucleic acid sequencing rapidly declines and more potential biomarkers emerge. New, carefully designed approaches will be needed to address this issue and realize the potential of biomarkers in breast cancer.
A convenient symbolic notation for the conversion of Maxwell's equations into an equivalent eigenvalue form for bianisotropic and inhomogeneous media

We consider a hybrid representation of Maxwell's equations in bianisotropic and transversely inhomogeneous media, by constructing a normalized 6/spl times/6 material matrix. We introduce appropriate projection and rotation matrices, and present a convenient technique for transforming the involved matrix equation into an equivalent eigenform. The method is constructive in the sense that it requires only multiplication and inversion of predefined matrices. Since the method can be described in terms of a series of simple rules, the underlying calculations can be automated and performed by means of symbolic manipulators. The method represents a systematic refinement of the work of Baghai-Wadji (1994).
Effect of rearing environment on bone growth of pullets

Abstract Alternative housing systems for laying hens provide mechanical loading and help reduce bone loss. Moreover, achieving greater peak bone mass during pullet phase can be crucial to prevent fractures in the production period. The aim of this study was to determine the housing system effects on bone quality of pullets. Tibiae and humeri of White Leghorn pullets reared in conventional cages (CCs) and a cage-free aviary (AV) system were studied. At 16 wk, 120 birds at random from each housing system were euthanized. Right and left tibiae and humeri were collected and further analyzed. Cortical bone density and thickness were measured using computed tomography. Periosteal and endosteal dimensions were measured at the fracture site during mechanical testing. At 4, 8, 12, and 16 wk, serum concentrations of osteocalcin and hydroxylysyl pyridinoline were analyzed as markers of bone formation and resorption. Cortical bone density was higher (P
The Effect of Reactive Dyes on the Flammability and Physical Properties of Polyester/Cotton Fabrics

A series of cotton polyester fabrics was dyed at several levels with two Procion fiber-reactive dyes. Both oxygen index and ignition time showed small reductions as a result, but maximum heat transfer rate in the Mushroom Apparel Flamma bility Tester (MAFT) was unaffected. Small differences in fabric breaking strength and tear strength also were observed. These results suggest that, although the dye effects were small in this case, they may be more important in others.
Perceived Honesty and Face Memory

This research examined how perceived honesty affects face memory. Photographs of college men and women were rated for honesty, and then selected exemplars of honest and dishonest faces were shown singly for study as targets. In the test phase, four types of four-face arrays were shown: (a) honest targets with honest distracters, (b) dishonest targets with honest distracters, (c) honest targets with dishonest distracters, and (c) dishonest targets with dishonest distracters. In addition, half of the four-face arrays involved four new faces (target absent). The primary effect of honesty in the target-present arrays was on confidence judgments, with subjects being more confident of their decisions about dishonest targets. In the target-absent arrays, there were more false alarms when honest-looking alternatives were present, contrary to what would be expected if a criminal stereotype was operating. A second experiment using only target-present arrays found better recognition and greater confidence associated...
Rules in an extended C

The rule-based and object-oriented paradigms are all relevant to many advanced applications, yet none of these addresses all of the important issues. The authors discuss the features of a system called TANGUY, which integrates these paradigms in order to capture the advantages of each. They discuss extensions to the C++ programming language that result in the capabilities to process rules. The presented techniques allow programmers to use object-oriented programming and rule based programming within the same environment. In contrast to classical forward chaining languages, such as OPS or CLIPS, the authors approach supports calls of arbitrary C++-functions in TANGUY rules. Furthermore, the availability of contexts allows them to sensitize rules for the execution of particular operations, which is not possible in approaches that integrate classical forward chaining rules into object-oriented systems. >
Polycomb Group Protein Homeostasis in Stem Cell Identity – A Hypothetical Appraisal

Embryonic stem cells are usually characterized by self-renewal and pluripotency as defining properties. On the other hand, adult stem cells are widely believed to be associated with an orderly quiescence and requisite multipotency. Selective epigenetic control at the level of reversible histone and DNA modifications have recently been realized to have a fundamental role in specifying and maintaining a particular identity of stem cells. Recent progress in deriving the inducible pluripotent cells from terminally differentiated cells basically relies on the successful reversal of the developmental specification and associated epigenetic restrictions. All of the epigenetic changes that take place on the DNA without altering its sequence appear to occur by the sequential and stepwise biochemical reactions mediated by a definite set of highly conserved multi-protein complexes called polycomb group proteins (PcG proteins). Although much is known about the involvement and the potential mechanism of the PcG proteins in maintaining cellular identities, how exactly the PcG protein levels are regulated during stem cell maintenance remains unknown. Moreover, during an aberrant differentiation such as that occur in various cancers, the levels of PcG proteins are differentially affected, resulting in an impairment of PcG protein homeostasis. In this chapter, various possibilities are discussed as to how the PcG protein homeostasis may be interpreted in the light of stem cell identity. Potential feedback regulatory loops that control the accumulation of the PcG proteins are hypothesized to play an important role in stem cell maintenance. Autoregulatory controls have long been realized as some of the many means of regulating a spectrum of multi-protein complexes in cell biology. A dysregulation in such feedback control of PcG proteins may result in an escape from regulated quiescence and self-renewal that may in turn lead to a loss of stem cell identity and the onset of an aberrant differentiation leading to diseases such as cancers.
Drinking to thirst versus drinking ad libitum during road cycling.

Context: The sensation of thirst is different from the complex behavior of drinking ad libitum. Rehydration recommendations to athletes differ, depending on the source, yet no previous researchers have systematically compared drinking to thirst (DTT) versus ad libitum drinking behavior (DAL). Objective: To compare 2 groups of trained cyclists (DTT and DAL) who had similar physical characteristics and training programs (P > .05). The DTT group (n = 12, age = 47 ± 7 years) drank only when thirsty, whereas the DAL group (n = 12, age = 44 ± 7 years) consumed fluid ad libitum (ie, whenever and in whatever volume desired). Design: Cohort study. Setting: Road cycling (164 km) in the heat (36.1°C ± 6.5°C). Patients or Other Participants: Ultraendurance cyclists (4 women, 20 men). Intervention(s): We recorded measurements 1 day before the event, on event day before the start, at 3 roadside aid stations, at the finish line, and 1 day after the event. Main Outcome Measure(s): Body mass, urinary hydration indices, an...
Cardiac vagal control as a prospective predictor of anxiety in women diagnosed with breast cancer

Low cardiac vagal control (CVC) has been associated with state and trait anxiety and anxiety spectrum disorders. Studies indicate that diagnosis and treatments for breast cancer may be associated with anxiety. The current study examined whether CVC prospectively predicted a trajectory of change in anxiety following breast cancer diagnosis. Forty-three women diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer completed the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale, and a 5-min resting electrocardiographic (ECG) segment was recorded. Self-report measures were completed approximately every 3 months for a year. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) significantly predicted the trajectory of change in anxiety over the follow-up period: participants with higher baseline RSA evidenced decreasing anxiety, whereas those with lower baseline RSA had increasing anxiety. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that CVC facilitates the modulation of anxiety in women coping with significant stressors of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Depression and Anxiety in University Music Students

Performance anxiety among musicians and music students has been widely addressed, but far less attention has been given to examining the rates and characteristics of broader mental distress in this population. This study examined depression and anxiety in music students at one university. A considerable number of students reported symptoms indicative of anxiety or depression. Even though prevalence rates were not markedly different than those described in the literature for other university students irrespective of major, the high rate of untreated anxiety and depression among the music students is concerning. Music educators can help prepare their junior high and high school-aged students for the stressors of university music study by helping them develop coping strategies, fostering awareness of anxiety and depression as common and treatable conditions, and promoting acceptability of seeking treatment when necessary. Language: en
TRAC Trial Planning and Scenario Generation to Support Super-Density Operations Studies

TRAC is a route/airspace design, fast-time traffic simulation, and analysis tool for studying NextGen trajectory-based operations. This paper describes trial-planning and scenario-generation capabilities recently added to TRAC to support analyses of superdensity operations in terminal-area airspace. The trial-planning capability enables researchers to analyze control options and how they are affected by uncertainties, while the scenario-generation capability is geared toward analyzing how terminal-area route structures and control strategies can support super-density operations. The paper describes how the two capabilities are implemented and gives examples of analyses they support.
Beyond Gene Sequencing: Analysis of Protein Structure with Mass Spectrometry

PERSPECTIVE AND OVERVIEW 205 DETERMINATION OF PRIMARY STRUCTURE 206 THE MASS SPECTROMETRY EXPERIMENT " 208 Instrumentation 208 Sample Preparation......... 210 Weighing Proteins .... 211
The Negative Effects of ‘Too Accurate’ Recommendation Results: A Pilot Study of the Effects of Search Engine Overuse on Chinese Students

Googling, sharing, recommending and assembling knowledge pieces have become ubiquitous in social learning environments. However, there are a number of well-documented research efforts indicating the disadvantages of over-relying on the internet especially during students’ academic studies. While the majority of these research focuses on the overuse of social media, we are interested in the effects of the overuse of the search engine since googling information been synonym with problem-solving for students. And searched results have long been regarded as recommendation. In this paper, we describe our pilot study to examine the extended effects of search engine overuse as well as the perceived information quality. Mixed results were obtained, although most of the preliminary results are mostly consistent with our speculations in the over-use of search engine on students’ academic studies.
Abstract 486: Genetic Deletion of Akt2 and AMPK accentuates Insulin Resistance-Induced Cardiac Contractile Anomalies

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance is associated with high incidence of cardiovascular diseases although the precise mechanisms remain elusive. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has recently been proven as a proinflammatory involved in the development of metaflammation (metabolic inflammation). This study was designed to examine the role of HO-1 in insulin resistance-associated cardiac dysfunction and potential roles for two pivotal metabolic signaling molecules AMPK and Akt. Methods: Whole-body insulin resistance was initiated in wild-type C57BL/6J and AMPK Akt double knockout mice by 8 weeks of sucrose feeding. Contractile and intracellular Ca2+ properties were evaluated in cardiomyocytes using and IonOptix system. Intracellular O2¯ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. Results: Sucrose-fed mice displayed impaired glucose tolerance, enhanced oxidative stress, and normal body weight. Cardiac mechanical properties were compromised in sucrose-fed mice including elevated left ventricular end-systolic and reduc...
Escherichia coli in normal and traumatized tissues.

SummaryA known number of E. coli K-12 cells was injected in bruised and normal poultry tissues and examined daily thereafter. Normal tissues completely eliminated 48 × 104E. coli cells within 5 days but were unable to eliminate 12 × 108 cells within 8 days. However, the number of cells recovered decreased with time and very few cells were recovered on the 8th day. Regardless of the number of cells injected, the majority of bruised tissue stimulated and supported E. coli growth for one week. At the end of 18 days post-injection, a small percentage of bruised tissues still harbored the test culture. Although extrastromal hemoglobin stimulated E. coli growth, increasing the severity of the bruise (and therefore the amount of blood in this tissue) did not affect E. coli growth significantly.
The biology and ecology of granary mites of the Pacific Northwest. IV. Various aspects of the reproductive behavior of Leiodinychus krameri (Acarina: Uropodidae).

Mating, fertilization, reproduction, ovoviviparity, and oviposition of Leiodinychus krameri (G. and R. Canestrini) are discussed. Mating is described in 3 phases: (1) the premating or exploratory phase, (2) formation of the sperm packet and its attachment to the female, and (3) assimilation of the sperm packet by the female, and post mating behavior. Several case histories illustrating un-usual procedures are discussed, as is competition between the sexes.
An SNMP-based Web Management Model of Embedded Systems

An SNMP-based Web management model of embedded systems is presented. It is integrated with three technologies: well known Web browser-server technology as its framework; SNMP manager-agent technology as its management mode; Java technology for its platform- independence and GUI interface. It provides a remote platform-independent management method of embedded systems for administrators anywhere and anytime. Then, the architectures of important components of this model are designed respectively.
The clinical measurement of anxiety; an experimental approach.

1. A simple and objective method and apparatus are described for the detection and the measurement of anxiety. 2. This method consists in a simplified form of mirror drawing and the consequent interpretation of the subject's motor performances. 3. The interpretation of the data is based on the disintegration concept of anxiety. 4. A number of cases are presented to illustrate the practical application of the method and its possibilities in diagnostic work. Department of Psychiatry
Follicle-stimulating hormone increases ovarian vein nonsteroidal factors with gonadotropin-inhibiting activity.

Normally cycling monkeys were treated with 50 IU/day of “pure” follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on days 1 through 11 of the menstrual cycle. Ovarian venous serum (OVS) was collected on day 10; then all right ovarian follicles were aspirated. On day 11, OVS was collected again. Gonadotropin-inhibiting activity was determined in each sample by measuring the suppression of gonadotropin secretion by rat anterior pituitary cells in culture. OVS obtained on day 10 suppressed basal FSH secretion by ~ 45% and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone stimulated luteinizing hormone secretion by ~ 50% ( P