cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Panache: a parallel file system cache for global file access

Cloud computing promises large-scale and seamless access to vast quantities of data across the globe. Applications will demand the reliability, consistency, and performance of a traditional cluster file system regardless of the physical distance between data centers.Panache is a scalable, high-performance, clustered file system cache for parallel data-intensive applications that require wide area file access. Panache is the first file system cache to exploit parallelism in every aspect of its design--parallel applications can access and update the cache from multiple nodes while data and metadata is pulled into and pushed out of the cache in parallel. Data is cached and updated using pNFS, which performs parallel I/O between clients and servers, eliminating the single-server bottleneck of vanilla client-server file access protocols. Furthermore, Panache shields applications from fluctuating WAN latencies and outages and is easy to deploy as it relies on open standards for high-performance file serving and does not require any proprietary hardware or software to be installed at the remote cluster.In this paper, we present the overall design and implementation of Panache and evaluate its key features with multiple workloads across local and wide area networks.
Prevalence and Associated Cost and Utilization of Multiple Chronic Conditions in the Outpatient Setting among Adult Members of an Employer-Based Health Plan

Patients with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) are a significant concern for the US health care system. MCC patients represent an increasing proportion of the US population and are associated with increased health care cost and utilization, and poor quality of care. Research that has been conducted on MCC patients to date has been at the national level using large data sets, such as Medicare and Medicaid claims and the National Inpatient Sample. These studies have produced research evidence that may be of little utility to individual employer-based health plans given the inherent differences in the patient populations they serve. This study analyzed evaluation and management claims for patients ages 18 years and older (n=632,477) from the Beaumont Employee Health Plan (BEHP), a regional health insurance provider serving Beaumont Health System employees and their families across Southeastern Michigan. The study found that individuals with MCCs are associated with increased cost and visits, and decreased time between appointments in the outpatient setting. Despite decreasing prevalence of MCCs over the study period, substantial increases in cost and visits, and a decrease in time between appointments was observed for MCC patients. Asthma and chronic back pain were uniquely identified as additional primary targets for disease management programs for employer-based health plans. These findings speak to the value of studying MCCs at the employer-based health plan level, where population-specific MCCs can be identified for meaningful intervention and management. Significant opportunity exists for employer-based health plans to study, prevent, and manage MCCs among adult patients.
Taming the Curse of Dimensionality in Kernels and Novelty Detection

The curse of dimensionality is a well known but not entirely well-understood phenomena. Too much data, in terms of the number of input variables, is not always a good thing. This is especially true when the problem involves unsupervised learning or supervised learning with unbalanced data (many negative observations but minimal positive observations). This paper addresses two issues involving high dimensional data: The first issue explores the behavior of kernels in high dimensional data. It is shown that variance, especially when contributed by meaningless noisy variables, confounds learning methods. The second part of this paper illustrates methods to overcome dimensionality problems with unsupervised learning utilizing subspace models. The modeling approach involves novelty detection with the one-class SVM.
Stars with thin and thick convection zones:M giants

Observational results pertaining to the thermal and dynamical structure of the atmospheres of cool, evolved stars are summarized. It is noted that the inferred atmospheric properties of a given star of this type appear to depend on its position relative to the various dividing lines which have been identified in the HR diagram. Using computed evolutionary models, changes in the internal structure of an intermediate mass star are followed as its redward motion in the HR diagram carries it across the transition region dividing line. It is suggested that this boundary may reflect the onset of deep envelope convection during post main sequence evolution.
Regulation of G-protein activation by mastoparans and other cationic peptides.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses regulation of G-protein activation by mastoparans and other cationic properties. Mastoparan, Ile-Asn-Leu-Lys-Ala-Leu-Ala-Ala-Leu-Ala-Lys-Lys-Ile- Leu-amide (MP), activates G proteins by catalyzing Guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP)/Leu-amide (MP), by catalyzing GTP/GDP exchange, the mechanism of action of G-protein-coupled receptors. Like receptors, MP accelerates guanine nucleotide exchange at micromolar Mg2+, it does not alter hydrolysis of bound GTP, its action is markedly potentiated by G-protein fly subunits, and it is blocked by pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of the target α subunit. The MPs are prototypical of a wide variety of amphiphilic, cationic peptides that activates G proteins. MP is a natural component of wasp venom, and at least seven MP analogs are produced by different species. Regulatory activity requires that a G-protein-stimulating peptide be both amphiphilic and cationic. Helix-breaking residues or charged residues on what should be the hydrophobic face of the helix both diminish activity dramatically. Mas17, with a lysyl residue on the hydrophobic side of the helix, is a commercially available negative control for experiments where MP is used to alter G-protein activation.
Do Pathogens Accelerate Atherosclerosis

Infection with the pathogens human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) or Chlamydia pneumonia (CP) is linked to the development of vascular disease, including atherosclerosis. The role of pathogens in vasculopathies has been controversial. However, animal models have demonstrated a direct link between infection with CP and herpesviruses and the development of vascular disease. Clinical studies have shown a direct association of HCMV and CP with the acceleration of vascular disease. This article will review the evidence supporting the role for CP and HCMV in the development of vascular disease and will suggest a potential mechanism for HCMV acceleration of the disease process. Vascular diseases are the result of either mechanical or immune-related injury followed by inflammation and subsequent smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and/or migration from the vessel media to the intima, which culminates in vessel narrowing. A number of in vitro and in vivo models have provided potential mechanisms involved in pathogen-mediated vascular disease. Recently, we have demonstrated that HCMV infection of arterial but not venous SMC results in significant cellular migration in vitro. Migration was dependent on expression of the HCMV-encoded chemokine receptors, US28, and the presence of the chemokines, RANTES or MCP-1. Migration involved chemotaxis and provided the first evidence that viruses may induce migration of SMC toward sites of chemokine production through the expression of a virally encoded chemokine receptor in infected SMC. Because SMC migration into the neointimal space is the hallmark of vascular disease, these observations provide a molecular link between HCMV and the development of vascular disease.
Abstract PD6-8: Prognostic value of disseminated tumor cells according to ER/PR and HER2 status in non-metastatic breast cancer

Background: Disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in the bone marrow from breast cancer patients have been reported as a prognostic factor. We evaluated prognostic value of DTCs in non-metastatic breast cancer according to ER/PR and HER2 status. Methods: Bone marrow aspirates were obtained from 607 non-metastatic breast cancer patients at the time of primary surgery between 1999 and 2012. DTCs were identified via immunomagnetic enrichment followed by flow cytometry (IE/FC) using anti-EpCAM monoclonal antibody (mAb). The relation between high DTC count and clinical outcome was analyzed with ER/PR and HER2 status. Patients whose DTC count is in the above 80th percentile were considered as higher DTCs. Results: Median and mean DTC count were 7.2 and 24.5 cells/mL and 80th percentile was 18.5 cells/mL. Higher DTC group (> = 18.5 cells/mL) showed impaired disease free survival (DFS; P = .019, log-rank) after median follow-up of 59 months. This poorer outcome in higher DTC group was observed mainly in ER(-) patients and triple negative patients with lower DFS (P = .002 and 018) and overall survival (OS; P = .004 and .012). There was no significant survival difference in ER(+), HER2(+), or ER(+)/HER2(-) patients. Conclusion: High DTCs in non-metastatic breast cancer is associated with poor clinical outcome, especially in ER(-) or triple negative patients. However, DTCs is not related with prognosis in other ER/HER2 status groups. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr PD6-8.
Posttranscriptional Regulation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase During Cell Growth

Abstract—The expression of the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is dramatically influenced by the state of cell growth. In proliferating cells, mRNA levels are increased 4-fold compared with postconf...
Fertility drug use and the risk of ovarian tumors in infertile women: a case-control study

Objective To assess the influence of infertility and fertility drugs on risk of ovarian tumors. Design Case-control study (Mayo Clinic Ovarian Cancer Study). Setting Ongoing academic study of ovarian cancer. Patient(s) A total of 1,900 women (1,028 with ovarian tumors and 872 controls, frequency matched on age and region of residence) who had provided complete information in a self-report questionnaire about history of infertility and fertility drug use. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Effect of infertility history, use of fertility drugs and oral contraception, and gravidity on the risk of ovarian tumor development, after controlling for potential confounders. Result(s) Among women who had a history of infertility, use of fertility drugs was reported by 44 (24%) of 182 controls and 38 (17%) of 226 cases. Infertile women who used fertility drugs were not at increased risk of developing ovarian tumors compared with infertile women who did not use fertility drugs; the adjusted odds ratio was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.37, 1.11). The findings were similar when stratified by gravidity and when analyzed separately for borderline versus invasive tumors. Conclusion(s) We found no statistically significant association between fertility drug use and risk of ovarian tumors. Further larger, prospective studies are needed to confirm this observation.
High temperature creep of Ni-20Cr-2ThO2 single crystals

Abstract The high temperature creep properties of single crystals of Ni-20Cr-2ThO 2 have been investigated in the temperature range 650–1300°C. Single crystal tensile specimens were cut from plates having a large elongated grain structure and constant stress vacuum creep tests were conducted at various stresses and temperatures. By including the temperature dependence of the elastic modulus in the analysis of the data, the creep activation energy was found to be very nearly equal to that for self diffusion of Ni-20Cr. The stress dependence of the creep rate was observed to be large and variable, with power law exponents ranging from 9 to 75 over the temperature range studied. The ductility of these crystals as measured by percentage reduction of area was very high, typically ranging from 40 to 60%. The percentage elongation varied inversely with the stress exponent and ranged from 1 to 28%. The creep properties of these dispersion strengthened crystals can be described accurately by considering the creep strength to be given by a simple sum of the creep strength of unthoriated polycrystalline Ni-20Cr and the Orowan strength, as calculated from the measured ThO 2 particle distribution. This simple model describes the measured creep rates to within a factor of three at all stresses and temperatures.
ARQ-based key scheduling algorithm over correlated erasure channels

This paper focuses on the problem of sharing secret keys using the Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) protocol. We first model the forward and feedback channels as erasure channels for both legitimate receiver (Bob) and an eavesdropper (Eve). In prior works, wiretap channel is modeled as statistically independent packet erasure channels for Bob and Eve. In this paper, we go beyond the state-of-the-art by addressing correlated erasure events across the wiretap channel. The created randomness is shared between two legitimate parties through ARQ transmission that will be mapped into a destination set using the first order digital filter with feedback. Then, we characterize Eve's information loss about this shared destination set, due to inevitable transmission errors that will be manipulated by privacy amplification to generate a series of secret keys about which Eve's knowledge remains negligible. We define two metrics to measure secrecy enhancement: outage probability and secret key rate. The resulting secrecy improvement is presented as a function of the correlation coefficients and the erasure probabilities for both channels. It is shown that secrecy improvement is achievable even when Eve has a better channel than the legitimate receiver, and her channel condition is unknown.
Transporting RF signals over free-space optical links

Free space optics (FSO) is a technology that uses modulated optical beams to transmit information line-of-sight through the atmosphere. To date, the primary focus of FSO research and development has been toward the transmission of digital signals, primarily for "last mile" applications. This paper reports the use of FSO to transport modulated radio frequency (RF) analog signals, together with an investigation of key performance measures. Results indicate minimal RF signal distortion when transmitted over FSO. The advantages of using FSO include increased security and insusceptibility to electromagnetic interference (EMI).
4,6-Bis(trifluoromethyl)-N,N′-di-tert-butyl-1,3-phenylenebis(aminoxyl) and its bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)manganese(II) complex: synthesis, X-ray crystallography, and magnetism

Abstract Synthesis, crystallography, and magnetic characterization of bis(aminoxyl) 1 and its 2:1 complex with Mn(hfac)2 (2) are described. X-ray structure of 2 (at 20 K) provides one of the rare examples of discrete molecules found for the complexes of Mn(hfac)2 and bis(aminoxyls). The differences in conformations of the bis(aminoxyl) moieties in 1 and 2 lead to ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic exchange coupling through the 1,3-phenylene moiety, in 1 and 2, respectively, as determined by SQUID susceptometry. DFT calculations (at the crystallographic geometries) give the triplet and the singlet ground states for 1 and for bis(aminoxyl) in 2, respectively. Two analogous conformations of the bis(aminoxyl) are proposed to be responsible for the unprecedented S-shaped time dependence for the conversion from the singlet to the triplet state of 1 in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran.
Bone formation induced by BMP-2 in human osteosarcoma cells

Our previous studies demonstrated that BMP-2 inhibits the tumorigenicity of cancer stem cells identified as cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity (ALDH(br) cells) from the human osteosarcoma cell line OS99-1. We further investigated whether BMP-2 is capable of inducing bone formation in OS99-1 cells. Flow cytometry sorting was used to isolate tumorigenic ALDH(br) and non-tumorigenic ALDH(lo) cells. qRT-PCR was used to quantify the gene expression. A xenograft model was used to verify the bone formation in vivo. There was significantly higher mRNA expression of BMPR1B and BMPR2 in ALDH(lo) cells compared with that in ALDH(br) cells and the BMPR1B expression in ALDH(lo) cells was ~8-fold higher compared to that in ALDHbr cells. BMP-2 was also found to induce higher transcription of osteogenic markers Runx-2, Osterix (Osx), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and collagen type I in ALDH(lo) cells compared to ALDH(br) cells, which were mediated by the canonical Smad signaling pathway. In vivo, BMP-2 was identified to induce bone formation in both ALDH(br) and ALDH(lo) cells. All animals receiving 1 x 10()4 ALDH(lo) cells treated with 30 µg of BMP-2 per animal showed bone formation within 1-2 weeks after injection in mice. Bone formation induced by BMP-2 in ALDH(lo) cells showed significantly more bone mineral content compared to that in ALDH(br) cells. BMP-2 induces bone formation in heterogeneous osteosarcoma cells and BMP-2 may have a promising therapeutic role for treating human osteosarcoma by inducing differentiation along an osteogenic pathway.
The population structure of Peniophora rufa in an aspen plantation.

The population structure of Peniophora rufa was studied by analysis of somatic and sexual incompatibility behavior. In a plantation of Populus tremuloides in central New York, P. rufa forms populations composed of numerous genetically and physically discrete individuals. Analysis of a single dead limb showed that at least 7 individuals were present. Also, a survey conducted at the plantation to assess the diversity of the basidiomycete community revealed that P. rufa was the second most common species fruiting on dead aspen limbs.
Simultaneous excision of two cerebral abscesses with the capsule.

A boy of 8 suffering from hemoglobinopathy M had two encapsulated cerebral abscesses confirmed on CT—one in the right temporal lobe, the second in the left frontal lobe—measuring 48 and 58 mm in diameter respectively. The disease began with fever, daily vomiting, and permanent somnolency, and was defined as encephalitis of viral etiology. Conservative treatment proved ineffective and the patient’s state grew worse. He underwent simultaneous excision of the two cerebral abscesses with a capsule. Continuous drainage of the operational cavities was performed. The patient has been observed for 3 months.
Activity manifestations of Hassall's corpuscles in vitro as revealed by cinematography.

Thymic explants from newborn rats were cultivated in Rose chambers under dialysis membranes. With the use of phase contrast, time-lapse cinematography, the following activity manifestations were observed: 1. Several corpuscles showed rotatory movements; 2. nuclear rotation was observed in some cells of the corpuscles; 3. some individual cells in the 15-day culture showed pulsatile activity which might be involved in the mechanism of the rotatory movements of the cellular aggregates; 4. the corpuscles increased in size by the addition of cells and/or by mitosis; 5. the elements at the periphery of the more mature corpuscles (7- and 9-day cultures) were viable, while the central area appeared to be composed of necrotic tissue or hyalinized material.
Angular momentum dependence of pseudopotentials: calculation of the potential curve for HF

Abstract The question of angular momentum dependence of pseudopotentials or use in molecular electronic structure calculations is investigated. It is found that for the HF molecule it is sufficient to cut off the pseudopotential on the F atom at l = 1 (lmax = lcore + 1).
Shielding performance of a metallic rack used for telecommunication equipments: FIT modeling and measurements

The ever growing increase in speed of digital signals has made more difficult the achievement of conformity about limits emissions. It often happens that to verify the requirements of standards on these emissions the use of a metallic enclosure is necessary: in this way the power radiated by the system is reduced. The effect on radiated emission due to the presence of a slot on the frontal part of a metallic rack used for telecommunication equipment is studied both by dedicated experiments and by simulations. An internal source represented by a loaded monopole antenna is used to investigate the shielding behavior of the rack. A simplified model of the antenna source is presented and a good agreement over a frequency range up to 1 GHz is achieved between measured results and simulated results.
How do we evaluate sentinel nodes and interpret the findings

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has become standard care for axillary lymph node staging, allowing routine, pathologic SLN examination by serial sections (SS) and/or immunohistochemical (IHC) stains. Although these methods increase the accuracy of staging, the prognostic significance of SLN micrometastases (pN0i+ [< 0.2 mm] and pN1mi [0.2–2 mm]), and especially of those detected only by IHC, is controversial. Retrospective studies have addressed this issue by relating survival to size of nodal metastasis, or by using SS and/or IHC to reassess nodes initially staged as negative, and suggest but do not conclusively prove that SLN micrometastases are associated with a modest decrement in overall and/or disease-free survival. Because there is no current standardized protocol for the pathologic assessment of SLN, prospective trials in progress will establish whether SS and/or IHC are worthwhile.
Syndecan-1 Shedding Is Enhanced by LasA, a Secreted Virulence Factor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Microbial pathogens frequently take advantage of host systems for their pathogenesis. Shedding of cell surface molecules as soluble extracellular domains (ectodomains) is one of the host responses activated during tissue injury. In this study, we examined whether pathogenic bacteria can modulate shedding of syndecan-1, the predominant syndecan of host epithelia. Our studies found that overnight culture supernatants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus enhanced the shedding of syndecan-1 ectodomains, whereas culture supernatants of several other Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria had only low levels of activity. Because supernatants from all tested strains of P. aeruginosa (n = 9) enhanced syndecan-1 shedding by more than 4-fold above control levels, we focused our attention on this Gram-negative bacterium. Culture supernatants of P. aeruginosa increased shedding of syndecan-1 in both a concentration- and time-dependent manner, and augmented shedding by various host cells. A 20-kDa shedding enhancer was partially purified from the supernatant through ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel chromatography, and identified by N-terminal sequencing as LasA, a known P. aeruginosa virulence factor. LasA was subsequently determined to be a syndecan-1 shedding enhancer from the findings that (i) immunodepletion of LasA from the partially purified sample resulted in abrogation of its activity to enhance shedding and (ii) purified LasA increased shedding in a concentration-dependent manner. Our results also indicated that LasA enhances syndecan-1 shedding by activation of the host cell's shedding mechanism and not by direct interaction with syndecan-1 ectodomains. Enhanced syndecan-1 shedding may be a means by which pathogenic bacteria take advantage of a host mechanism to promote their pathogenesis.
Predicting vocational performance of engineers from selected vocational interest, personality, and scholastic aptitude variables

Abstract The study examines the validity of the ACE and selected subscales of the EPPS and SVIB in predicting the vocational performance of engineers. Multidimensional criteria of vocational performance assessed from both external and internal frames of reference were employed. Six predictors were related to 17 vocational performance criteria; of the 102 tests that were made, 7 were found to be statistically significant. The results indicate that, in general, vocational performance cannot be accurately predicted by vocational interest, personality, and scholastic aptitude variables. The only consistent finding was that subjective ratings of vocational performance were predicted by SVIB Group V scores; a “self-esteem” interpretation was posited. Implications of the results for counselors and employers were discussed.
Discriminating between Hungry and Satiated Predators: The Response of Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) from High and Low Predation Sites1

Fixed anti-predator activities are costly because they limit the ability of the prey to take advantage of short term temporal patchiness in predation pressure. The ability to discriminate between hungry and satiated predators and a flexible response to the differential threat can help to lower the costs of anti-predator behavior. In this study Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata) were found to distinguish between hungry and satiated predators. In Trinidad, populations of guppies experience different levels of predation from piscivorous fish. Individuals taken from populations with chronically high predation pressure responded stronger to the hungry predator than those from low predation sites.
PRIMARY BLADDER NECK DYSFUNCTION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS II: RESULTS OF TREATMENT WITH α-ADRENERGIC ANTAGONISTS

ABSTRACTPurpose: Little has been reported on the occurrence of primary bladder neck dysfunction (PBND) in the pediatric patient, particularly as it relates to the use of α-blocker therapy, the mainstay of medical therapy in adults. Diagnosed on videourodynamics (VUDS), PBND is characterized by the constellation of prolonged opening time, incomplete bladder neck funneling, quiet pelvic floor electromyogram (EMG) during voiding and abnormal pressure flow parameters. We report the VUDS findings in PBND and our experience with α-blocker therapy in the pediatric and adolescent population.Materials and Methods: A total of 34 symptomatic patients met all VUDS criteria for PBND, and α-blocker therapy was initiated in 26. All patients were monitored with serial noninvasive uroflow studies with pelvic floor EMG (uroflow/EMG) before and after initiation of α-blocker therapy. Objective clinical response was assessed by measuring average and maximum uroflow rates, post-void residual urine volumes and pelvic floor EMG ...
Configuration of Traffic-Responsive Plan Selection System Parameters and Thresholds: Robust Bayesian Approach

Traffic-responsive plan selection (TRPS) is one of the two major closed-loop system modes of operation. The TRPS mode is more beneficial than its competitor (time-of-day mode) because of its ability to accommodate abnormal traffic conditions such as incidents, special events, and holiday traffic. However, no guidelines are available for optimal setup of TRPS systems. Improper configuration of a TRPS system can result in inefficient system performance or unstable operation in which the closed-loop system operates in a perpetual transitioning state. The TRPS mechanism implemented in current traffic signal controllers is described, and a Bayesian-based methodology for selecting an optimal set of TRPS factors, parameters, and thresholds is proposed. The proposed methodology was tested with data from a closed-loop system in Texas and resulted in 100% classification accuracy.
Organophosphorus insecticide induced decrease in plasma luteinizing hormone concentration in white-footed mice

Oral intubation of 50 and 100 mg/kg acephate inhibited brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity by 45% and 56%, and reduced basal luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration by 29% and 25% after 4 h in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus noveboracensis). Dietary exposure to 25, 100, and 400 ppm acephate for 5 days substantially inhibited brain AChE activity, but did not affect plasma LH concentration. These preliminary findings suggest that acute exposure to organophosphorus insecticides may affect LH secretion and possibly reproductive function.
The effect of o,p-DDD in the chicken.

Die Ausbrutbarkeit von Huhnereiern wird durch die Injektion vono,p-DDD signifikant reduziert. Durch die Behandlung mito,p-DDD wird die Nebennierenrindenfunktion der ausgeschlupften Kuken nicht beeinflusst. Verabreicht man 3 Wochen alten Kuken 30 mgo,p-DDD, dann wird die Ansprechbarkeit der Nebennierenrinde auf ACTH signifikant verandert. Eine Vorbehandlung der Kuken mit 10 mgo,p-DDD reduziert die Bildung der Antikorper im Serum gegenuber Rinderserumalbumin.
Container neophobia as a predictor of preference for earned food by rats

In a counterbalanced design, 16 rats were alternately tested for container neophobia and preference for earned food. Testing for earned food preference was conducted after three exposures to the free food source followed by seven exposures to the earned food source in an operant conditioning chamber. Testing for container neophobia was conducted in home cages after 21 sessions of habituation to a familiar container. There was a significant positive correlation between preference for earned food and container neophobia.
Mechanical behavior of aluminum-lithium alloys at cryogenic temperatures

The cryogenic mechanical properties of aluminum-lithium alloys are of interest because these alloys are attractive candidate materials for cryogenic tankage. Previous work indicates that the strength-toughness relationship for alloy 2090-T81 (Al-2.7Cu-2.2Li-0.12Zr by weight) improves significantly as temperature decreases. The subject of this investigation is the mechanism of this improvement. Deformation behavior was studied since the fracture morphology did not change with temperature. Tensile failures in 2090-T81 and -T4 occur at plastic instability. In contrast, in the binary aluminum-lithium alloy studied here they occur well before plastic instability. For all three materials, the strain hardening rate in the longitudinal direction increases as temperature decreases. This increase is associated with an improvement in tensile elongation at low temperatures. In alloy 2090-T4, these results correlate with a decrease in planar slip at low temperatures. The improved toughness at low temperatures is believed to be due to increased stable deformation prior to fracture.
Convex 4-valent polytopes

Let {p"k}"k">="3 be a sequence of nonnegative integers which satisfies 8 + @S"k">="3 (k-4) p"k = 0 and p"4 >= p"3. Then there is a convex 4-valent polytope P in E^3 such that P has exactly p"k k-gons as faces. The inequality p"4 >= p"3 is the best possible in the sense that for c ="3 (k - 4) p"k = 0 and p"4 > cp"3. When @S"k" ">=" "5p"k 1, one can make the stronger statement that the sequence {p"k} is 4-reliazable if it satisfies 8 + @S"k" ">=" "3 (k - 4) p"k = 0 and p"4 >= [email protected]"k" ">=" "5 p"k + max{k | p"k 0}.
Molybdenum in the Growth and Metabolism of Chlorella

RECENT papers have shown the need of molybdenum for the growth of Chlorella 1 and Scenedesmus 2. Some observations on the effect of molybdenum deficiency on the metabolism of Chlorella are recorded here.
Aging Leads to a Programmed Loss of Brown Adipocytes in Murine Subcutaneous White Adipose Tissue

Summary Insulin sensitivity deteriorates with age, but mechanisms remain unclear. Age-related changes in the function of subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT) are less characterized than those in visceral WAT. We hypothesized that metabolic alterations in sWAT, which in contrast to epididymal WAT, harbors a subpopulation of energy-dissipating UCP1+ brown adipocytes, promote age-dependent progression toward insulin resistance. Indeed, we show that a predominant consequence of aging in murine sWAT is loss of ‘browning’. sWAT from young mice is histologically similar to brown adipose tissue (multilocular, UCP1+), but becomes morphologically white by 12 months of age. Correspondingly, sWAT expression of ucp1 precipitously declines (~300-fold) between 3 and 12 months. Loss continues into old age (24 months) and is inversely correlated with the development of insulin resistance. Additional age-dependent changes in sWAT include lower expression of adbr3 and higher expression of maoa, suggesting reduced local adrenergic tone as a potential mechanism. Indeed, treatment with a β3-adrenergic agonist to compensate for reduced tone rescues the aged sWAT phenotype. Age-related changes in sWAT are not explained by the differences in body weight; mice subjected to 40% caloric restriction for 12 months are of body weight similar to 3-month-old ad lib fed mice, but display sWAT resembling that of age-matched ad lib fed mice (devoid of brown adipose-like morphology). Overall, findings identify the loss of ‘browning’ in sWAT as a new aging phenomenon and provide insight into the pathogenesis of age-associated metabolic disease by revealing novel molecular changes tied to systemic metabolic dysfunction.
Effect of age and dietary protein level on ovine nitrogen metabolism—II. Incorporation of [14C]valine into plasma proteins

Abstract Uptake from plasma and incorporation into plasma proteins of a pulse-dose of [ 14 C]-valine were studied in 8-month and 9-yr old ewes fed corn-soy diets containing 9.6 and 19.9% crude protein in trials 1 and 2 respectively. Diets were fed at maintenance levels to 7 ewes of each age in each trial. In trial 1, total body plasma pool radioactivity of whole and deproteinized plasma decreased 68.6 and 98.9% in young ewes and 67.6 and 98.9% in old ewes over a 12 h period. In trial 2, decreases in radioactivity of these same pools were 55.1 and 98.6% for young ewes and 58.8 and 98.9% for old ewes. Total plasma protein ( TPP ) and globulin ( G ) concentrations were higher in old animals in both trials while albumin ( A ) concentrations were comparable. In trial 1, changes in radioactivity of A and G pools from 2 to 12 h after dosing were 19.4% decrease and 41.3% increase for young ewes and 11.0 and 33.6% increase for old ewes. In trial 2, A radioactivity decreased 25.8% and G increased 40.1% for old ewes. Old ewes tended to have greater radioactivity than young ewes in teh G fraction in both trials. Old ewes consistently had a larger percent of TPP radioactivity in the G and a lower percent in the A fraction in trial 2. It was concluded that higher dietary protein intake resulted in increase incorporation or radioactivity into plasma proteins, and that animal age seemed to affect plasma protein concentrations and likely rate of incorporation of radioactivity into plasma proteins.
Site-Directed Mutagenic Analysis of Reovirus σ3 Protein Binding to dsRNA

Abstract The S4 gene of reovirus encodes a double-stranded RNA-binding protein, σ3, that can inhibit activation of the interferon-induced dsRNA-dependent protein kinase, PKR. In this study, we attempted to localize the region of σ3 involved in dsRNA-binding by constructing deletion and point mutations, expressing the mutated proteins in COS cells, and testing the ability of the native mutated proteins to bind dsRNA-agarose. Transfection of S4 into COS cells resulted in expression of two forms of σ3, a full-length protein, and a protein containing a small truncation at the amino-terminal end. The truncation is likely due to a proteolytic event. Deletions of as few as 10 amino acids from the amino-terminal end of the protein or 10 amino acids from the carboxyl-terminal end of the protein resulted in loss of dsRNA-binding activity. A putative dsRNA-binding domain has previously been localized to an 85 amino acid region located between amino acids 234 and 297 (Miller, J. E., and Samuel, C. E., J. Virol. 66, 5347-5356 1992). Mutagenesis of basic residues located within two distinct motifs of this region showed that some basic residues are absolutely required for binding to dsRNA while others can be changed with little effect.
To bleach or not to bleach? Comparing treatment methods for isolating biogenic carbonate

Abstract Stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios in tooth enamel and bone hydroxyapatite are used to answer a variety of ecological questions. Researchers employ chemical treatments to reduce contaminants that may interfere with the isotope ratios in hydroxyapatite. Chemical treatment should remove exogenous as well as non lattice-bound molecules without affecting the isotopic composition of the biogenic carbonate or introducing secondary carbonate material. However, there is growing concern that some of the most frequently used chemicals may alter biogenic isotope ratios, thus compromising isotope data. Despite a considerable body of literature, there is still no consensus as to which chemical treatment methods are “the best”. Here we test the isotopic effects of a suite of chemical experimental treatments on modern and fossil enamel carbonate, including six published protocols. We also test the degree to which carbon and oxygen isotope ratios in bone and dentine are affected by commonly used treatment chemicals. We conclude that treatment with hydrogen peroxide followed by Ca-buffered acetic acid yields the “best” results. This combination results in less extreme carbon, oxygen, and weight percent carbonate values compared to other treatments. Although sequential treatment with sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and Ca-buffered acetic acid produces similar results for enamel, bleach is not recommended for tissues with a higher organic content, such as bone or dentine.
The effects of orientation-specific adaptation on the duration of short-term visual storage.

Abstract The hypothesis that the perceived duration of a briefly presented stimulus could be modified as a result of adapting subjects to square-wave gratings of a particular orientation was tested in two experiments. Perceived durations to horizontal and vertical gratings were estimated by having subjects judge when the intermittent stimuli were experienced as continuously present. In experiment 1, it was found that the apparent duration of a grating decreased following adaptation to a grating of the same orientation, and increased after adaptation to gratings perpendicular in orientation to the test stimulus. The interocular transfer of the effect was demonstrated in experiment 2. These results suggest that the outputs of cortical orientation-sensitive populations of neural units are involved in duration judgments and the features available in short-term visual storage are based on these cortical populations.
Social behavior of pine voles, Microtus pinetorum: effects of gender, familiarity, and isolation

Social interactions between previously familiar or unfamiliar male—female pairs of Microtus pinetorum were observed following varying periods of isolation. Males showed more initiation of contact, whereas females were more aggressive. Agonistic behavior by the female was usually a defensive response to persistent approaches by the male. When animals were isolated for 24 hr or less, unfamiliar partners had higher scores on approach, avoid, sit apart, and vocalize, whereas familiar partners had higher scores on face-wash, sit together, and explore. After 1 day of isolation previous familiarity had no effect on the behaviors measured in this study. Isolation periods of 3 or more days were characterized by increases in approach and perineal sniff by males, attack by females, and nasonasal sniff by males and females. We conclude that sex, familiarity, and isolation have specific and interacting effects on behavior patterns in pine voles.
Social Network Dynamics in Collaborative Conservation

Our research explored patterns in the development of social networks serving as the foundation for collaborative conservation. We conducted four case studies of conservation efforts associated with State Wildlife Action Plans in the United States. Data were collected on conservation objectives, key players, and their roles and interactions. Networks evolved through identifiable phases, which we labeled: organizational loyalty, reconsideration, partnership formation, and partnership utilization. During the partnership formation phase, networks had well-defined memberships, relied on structured opportunities for interaction and dialogue, and devoted attention to rules for dialogue. This phase was particularly important in contexts with multiple actors with diverse interests. In the partnership utilization phase, network memberships became more open, relied less on structured opportunities for interaction, and dialogue and decision-making became less formal. Our results can inform efforts to foster collabora...
Adhesion studies of GaAs-based ohmic contact and bond pad metallization

Adhesion strength and surface morphology of commonly used n- and p-type ohmic contacts and pad metallization schemes for GaAs were investigated. GeNiAu, GePdAu, BeAu, and TiPtAu (being studied as potential ohmic contacts for internal optoelectronic devices) had quantitiative measurements made using wire bond pull testing to determine adhesion. Bond pad metals deposited as evaporated TiAu, TiPtAu, and 2-5 micron thick electroplated Au deposited on both semi-insulating GaAs and on Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}/GaAs were evaluated independently from the ohmic contact metals. In all samples was observed a strong correlation between surface treatment, surface morphology, wire bondability, and bond strength. Very high bond strengths (pull test average values above 6.5 grams force with 25 micron dia Au wire) wereobtained for n-type, p-type, and bond pad metals. Average values of 8.0 gram force were achieved with two-step GeAu/NiAu/TiPtAu metallization, while one-step deposition yielded poorer values. Adhesion was also monitored after aging at 250 C in air for four different times up to 60 hr by wire bond pull testing, with little degradation occurring.
Organic light emitting diode with a DNA biopolymer electron blocking layer

Enhanced electroluminescent efficiency using a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based biopolymer complex as an electron blocking layer has been demonstrated in both green- and blue-emitting organic light emitting diodes. The resulting bio organic light emitting diodes, or BioLEDs, achieved a maximum luminous efficiency of 8.2 and 0.8 cd/A, respectively, resulting in as much as 10× higher efficiency, 30× brighter output and 3× longer lifetime than their OLED counterparts. In this paper we describe the device fabrication and present the performance of these new structures.
Migration, housing market, and labor market responses to employment shocks

Abstract One reason for the United States’ economic success is the willingness of its residents to follow jobs. Households’ decisions to move depend not only on job prospects but also on the relative cost of housing. I investigate how the housing market affects the flow of workers across cities. This occurs through at least two channels: the relative mobility of homeowners versus renters, and the relative cost of housing across markets. I use homeownership rates to measure the former, and use an index that measures house prices across metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and the price elasticity of housing supply to capture the latter. To show how variation in the these housing market factors not only affects cross-city migration but also the housing and labor markets, I estimate a VAR model of migration, employment, wages, house prices, and new housing supply using annual data from 277 US MSAs for 1990–2006. The response functions based on labor supply and demand shocks show substantial variation when evaluated at different values of the homeownership rate, the price elasticity of housing supply, and relative housing prices. I also allow for spillover effects in the model that reflect the impact of a labor demand shock in the nearest city.
Advanced hybrid Li–air batteries with high-performance mesoporous nanocatalysts

Hybrid Li–air batteries fabricated with mesoporous NiCo2O4 nanoflakes directly grown onto nickel foam and N-doped mesoporous carbon loaded onto a hydrophobic carbon paper, respectively, as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts are found to exhibit the best reported cycle life.
A comparison of self‐delivered consequences and desensitization in the treatment of fear of rats

Exposed 52 rat phobic Ss to either group desensitization, self-delivered consequences imagined exposure, self-delivered consequences in-vivo exposure, or no treatment. Self-delivered consequences Ss conducted the treatment on their own and self-delivered preselected reinforcers contingent upon performance of the treatment exercises. All treatment groups improved significantly more than the no-treatment control group. The self-delivered consequences imagined exposure and the group desensitization treatments were equally effective. The self-delivered consequences in-vivo exposure treatment was significantly more effective than the self-delivered consequences imagined exposure and group desensitization treatments. The applicability of self-management techniques to the treatment of fear responses to specific stimuli and an extinction explanation of the effectiveness of systematic desensitization are discussed.
Ocular iontophoretic supplementation of intravenous foscarnet therapy

Purpose Reactivation of cytomegalovirus retinopathy during intravenous antiviral therapy is usually treated with higher doses of drug. We sought to determine whether ocular iontophoresis increases the intravitreal foscarnet concentration attained by intravenous injection. Method We injected foscarnet (120 mg/kg or 180 mg/kg) intravenously into 24 rabbits and determined the time of maximal concentrations in serum and vitreous humor. We injected the same doses into 24 additional rabbits and administered ocular foscarnet iontophoresis one hour later. Vitreous humor concentrations were assayed at one, four, eight, 24, 60, and 120 hours after iontophoresis and compared with those from injection alone. Results Maximum serum and vitreous humor concentrations were achieved one hour after each intravenous dose. Maximum vitreous humor concentrations were achieved four hours after 120- mg/kg intravenous doses plus iontophoresis and eight hours after 180-mg/kg intravenous doses plus iontophoresis. Vitreous humor levels were significantly higher in eyes receiving intravenous foscarnet (120 mg/kg, P Conclusion Ocular iontophoresis significantly increased intravitreous foscarnet concentrations above those attained by intravenous injection alone and may be an effective alternative to increasing the intravenous drug dose in patients with reactivated cytomegalovirus retinopathy.
Synthesis and Electrochemistry of Heterobimetallic Ruthenium/Platinum and Molybdenum/Platinum Complexes.

As starting materials for heterobimetallic complexes, [RuCp(PPh3)CO(PPh2H)]PF6 and [RuCp(PPh3)CO(η1-dppm)]PF6 were prepared from RuCp(PPh3)(CO)Cl. In the course of preparing [RuCp(η2-dppm)(η1-dppm)]Cl from RuCp(Ph3P)(η1-dppm)Cl, the new monomer RuCpCl(η1-dppm)2 was isolated. The uncommon coordination mode of the two monodentate bis(phosphines) was confirmed by X-ray crystallography [a = 11.490(1) A, b = 14.869(2) A, c = 15.447(2) A, α = 84.63(1)°, β = 70.55(1)°, γ = 72.92(1)°, V = 2378.7(5) A3, dcalc = 1.355 g cm-3 (298 K), triclinic, P1, Z = 2]. The dppm-bridged bimetallic complexes RuCp(PPh3)Cl(μ-dppm)PtCl2, RuCpCl(μ-dppm)2PtCl2, and [RuCp(PPh3)CO(μ-dppm)PtCl2]PF6 each exhibit electrochemistry consistent with varying degrees of metal−metal interaction. The cationic heterobimetallic complexes [Mo(CO)3(μ-dppm)2Pt(H)]PF6 and [MoCp(CO)2(μ-PPh2)(μ-H)Pt(PPh3)(MeCN)]PF6 were prepared by chloride abstraction from the corresponding neutral bimetallic species and show electrochemical behavior similar to the anal...
MATRIX-THEORETIC CRITERIA FOR THE QUASI-CONVEXITY AND PSEUDO-CONVEXITY OF QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS.

Abstract : It is well known that quasi-convexity and pseudo-convexity play a 'natural' role in nonlinear programming theory. Despite this, it is said that these notions lack utility because they have defining conditions involving infinitely many inequalities and are not easily checked. The aim of the paper is to prove that testing the quasi-convexity (pseudo-convexity) of a quadratic function on the nonnegative (semipositive) orthant can be reduced to an examination of finitely many conditions.