cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The complex set of late transcripts from the Drosophila sex determination gene sex-lethal encodes multiple related polypeptides

Abstract Sex-lethal (Sxl), a key sex determination gene in Drosophila melanogaster, is known to express a set of three early transcripts arising during early embryogenesis and a set of seven late transcripts occurring from midembryogenesis through adulthood. Among the late transcripts, male-specific mRNAs were distinguished from their female counterparts by the presence of an extra exon interrupting an otherwise long open reading frame (ORF). We have now analyzed the structures of the late Sxl transcripts by cDNA sequencing, Northern (RNA) blotting, primer extension, and RNase protection. The late transcripts appear to use a common 5' end but differ at their 3' ends by the use of alternative polyadenylation sites. Two of these sites lack canonical AATAAA sequences, and their use correlates in females with the presence of a functional germ line, suggesting possible tissue-specific polyadenylation. Besides the presence of the male-specific exon, no additional sex-specific splicing events were detected, although a number of non-sex-specific splicing variants were observed. In females, the various forms of late Sxl transcript potentially encode up to six slightly different polypeptides. All of the protein-coding differences occur outside the previously defined ribonucleoprotein motifs. One class of Sxl mRNAs also includes a second long ORF in the same frame as the first ORF but separated from it by a single ochre codon. The function of this second ORF is unknown. Significant amounts of apparently partially processed Sxl RNAs were observed, consistent with the hypothesis that the regulated Sxl splices occur relatively slowly.
Glatiramer acetate inhibition of tumor necrosis factor‐α‐induced RANTES expression and release from U‐251 MG human astrocytic cells

Glatiramer acetate is an approved drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). RANTES is a β-family chemokine that manifests chemoattractant activity for T lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages implicated in the pathogenesis of MS lesions. However, the effect of glatiramer acetate on the regulation of RANTES secretion in glial cells is unknown. In the present study, we demonstrate for the first time that treatment of human U-251 MG astrocytic cells with glatiramer acetate blocks tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced RANTES mRNA and protein in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This effect is attributed to inhibition of transcription and a 40% decrease in transcript stability. Furthermore, our electrophoretic mobility shift assays of nuclear extracts from TNF-α-treated cells reveal an increase in DNA-binding activity specific for the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) binding site, in the 5′-flanking promoter region of the human RANTES gene, and that this increase in NF-κB binding activity is prevented by pretreatment with glatiramer acetate or the NF-κB inhibitors. These findings suggest that glatiramer acetate may exert its therapeutic effect in MS partially through inhibiting NF-κB activation and chemokine production.
Feasibility of Approximating Depth to Shallow Bedrock Directly from the Rayleigh Wave Dispersion Curve

A complementary pair of straightforward, data-driven techniques is presented for use in making an initial estimate of the depth to shallow bedrock for a simple profile consisting of homogeneous soil over bedrock, using only the high-frequency portion of the fundamental-mode Rayleigh wave dispersion curve. These techniques constitute tools that can be useful for developing high-quality starting models for the inversion process that is followed to resolve shear wave velocity profiles from Rayleigh wave dispersion curves and for conducting rapid checks on theoretical dispersion calculations. Synthetic studies addressed a suite of one-dimensional shear wave velocity profiles, each representing a homogeneous soft-sediment layer above the bedrock halfspace. The shapes of the dispersion curves and the wave velocities at the high-frequency limits of the curves were considered in order to develop an empirical relationship to estimate the depth to bedrock. A less subjective, but more time-intensive, estimate of the depth to bedrock is obtained by constructing a suite of master curves against which to compare the experimental data. Both tools were tested upon two experimental datasets collected at shallow bedrock sites. The tools accurately yielded the depth to bedrock in the presence of a homogeneous overburden. In the presence of a layered overburden, the tools were less effective.
Neurosurgical Techniques for Pain Management

Surgical procedures have been important tools for the treatment of pain for many years. Until the 1980s, most surgical therapies for pain treatment were anatomic (e.g., decompressive or reconstructive) or ablative in nature. Ablative procedures, based on knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of nociception and aimed at interrupting pain pathways, were the mainstay of surgical treatment of intractable pain for decades. The past few decades have witnessed the introduction of the gate control theory and an awareness of intrinsic pain-modulating systems, leading to the advent of neuroaugmentative therapies. In most instances, neuroaugmentative therapies, including neurostimulation and neuraxial analgesic infusion, have supplanted ablative techniques as the procedures of choice for the treatment of chronic pain.
General theory of time-reversed inversion for perfect reconstruction filter banks

It is shown how to invert a MIMO system with the transfer matrix E(z). Assuming that (det E(z)) does not have any zeros on the unit circle the time-reversal technique can be used to obtain a stable inverse system. Due to the time-reversal, proper initial conditions have to be chosen so that perfect reconstruction can be achieved. Using the state-space descriptions of linear systems, it is shown that the initial condition that guarantees perfect recovery is in fact the final condition of the original system. One important application of the technique is that for any analysis filters in an analysis/synthesis filter bank, a stable implementation of the synthesis filter bank can always be derived. Hence, constraints such as FIR filters and the paraunitary property are not necessary to assure stability of the synthesis filters. >
Cultura de conflictos en vez de tolerancia

En este texto se hace un recuento del origen y evolucion de la nocion de tolerancia, entretejido con una lectura critica del uso de la misma. Desde el origen religioso del concepto, pasando por la literatura clasica hasta llegar al pensamiento liberal contemporaneo, el articulo analiza las diferentes acepciones de la tolerancia, senalando las continuidades y los cambios de sentido. Continua proponiendo una nocion alternativa a la de tolerancia, que escape a sus connotaciones negativas y sea compatible con la cultura democratica, y al final hace una reflexion sobre el contexto colombiano.
The Arp2/3 complex nucleates actin filament branches from the sides of pre-existing filaments

Regulated assembly of actin-filament networks provides the mechanical force that pushes forward the leading edge of motile eukaryotic cells and intracellular pathogenic bacteria and viruses. When activated by binding to actin filaments and to the WA domain of Wiskott-Aldrich-syndrome protein (WASP)/Scar proteins, the Arp2/3 complex nucleates new filaments that grow from their barbed ends. The Arp2/3 complex binds to the sides and pointed ends of actin filaments, localizes to distinctive 70 degrees actin-filament branches present in lamellae, and forms similar branches in vitro. These observations have given rise to the dendritic nucleation model for actin-network assembly, in which the Arp2/3 complex initiates branches on the sides of older filaments. Recently, however, an alternative mechanism for branch formation has been proposed. In the 'barbed-end nucleation' model, the Arp2/3 complex binds to the free barbed end of a filament and two filaments subsequently grow from the branch. Here we report the use of kinetic and microscopic experiments to distinguish between these models. Our results indicate that the activated Arp2/3 complex preferentially nucleates filament branches directly on the sides of pre-existing filaments.
Bladder dysfunction following Schauta hysterectomy.

Abstract Thirty-one consecutive patients were studied by serial cystometrograms following radical vaginal operation. Contrary to the prevailing thought, 95 per cent of patients demonstrated a hypertonic rather than hypotonic type of bladder dysfunction. The hypertonic alteration, although improved, tended to persist even after clinical return of bladder function. Bladder atony, which occurred in only 2 patients, resulted from overdistention following accidental catheter removal. The average duration of catheter drainage was 50.2 days. In 16 patients (51.2 per cent), the indwelling catheter was removed in less than 6 weeks; the longest duration was 169 days. Recommendations are made for the management of bladder dysfunction following radical pelvic operation.
Genetic expression of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction. Iii. Changes in the binding of n-octylamine to cytochrome p-450.

Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction by polycyclic hydrocarbons is expressed as a simple autosomal dominant trait; in any mouse homozygous or heterozygous for the allele Ah, the monooxygenase activity is generally induced by aromatic hydrocarbons in many tissues regularly containing the inducible enzyme system. Induction of hydroxylase activity by 3-methylcholanthrene administration to C57BL/6N mice is associated with an approximately equal conversion of hepatic type b to type a P-450, as measured by n-octylamine binding to the cytochrome. This conversion of mouse hepatic P-450 from one form to the other may also occur in rat and hamster liver microsomes and in kidney microsomes of the mouse, rat, or hamster. However, there is not a precise correlation in liver or kidney microsomes from control, 3-methylcholanthrene-treated, or phenobarbital-treated mice, rats, or hamsters between the sum of type a plus type b P-450 and the total P-450 concentration, as measured by difference spectra of the reduced P-450—CO complex. In the AhAh or Ahah mouse but not in the ahah mouse, the hydroxylase is induced by a variety of aromatic compounds: polycyclic hydrocarbons such as 3-methylcholanthrene or benz[a]anthracene, flavones, and 2-phenylbenzothiazoles. Phenobarbital treatment of AhAh Ahah, or ahah mice similarly induces the hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase system about 100% and causes identical increases of about 65% in both type a and b P-450. Chlorpromazine administration to Ahah, Ahah, or ahah mice induces the oxygenase activity to levels similar to those stimulated by phenobarbital, but increases hepatic type b P-450 preferentially more than the type a form.
Machining simulation for ceramics based on continuum damage mechanics

An abrasive machining process for ceramics is simulated with a nonlinear thermodynamic constitutive model based on the principle of continuum damage mechanics (CDM). The model consists of a set of parallel Maxwell-type elements arranged in series with a spring. It incorporates stochastic material microstructure through two sets of the newly introduced material parameters, spring-like constants C r and damping-like coefficients a r (r = 1,2,...,n). Damage is considered cumulative and related with current stress and damage state in a ceramic workpiece during loading, which constitutes damage evolution. A fourth-order isotropic damage tensor is introduced. This highly nonlinear CDM model is reduced to an incremental formulation and approximated by a 3D nonlinear finite element program based on the Newton-Raphson method. The stress-strain correlation calculated from the current model is presented for alumina, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride. The predicted results of damage versus the depth of cut for the three ceramics subjected to machining with single diamond grit are validated by the experiment. As one example, the development of damage with the movement of the abrasive grit in a silicon nitride workpiece is demonstrated by a contour plot. The final part of this paper presents the calculated distribution of residual stress in a silicon nitride sample and the factors contributing to the distribution are discussed.
Increased release of cyclic adenosine monophosphate into jugular vein in response to isoproterenol administration

Abstract Catecholamine administration elevates plasma cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels but the source of the cAMP is unknown. To determine possible sources, plasma cAMP levels were determined in blood vessels across the head, liver, kidney and lung in anesthetized dogs infused with the β-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol. Only the head showed an increased release of cAMP into the blood. The kidneys removed cAMP from the blood while liver and lung showed no change. This in vivo demonstration of release of cAMP from the head represents contributions from brain and facial muscles and may be a useful approach to study brain involvement in the action of various hormones and drugs.
INDUCTION OF NITRIC OXIDE IN HUMAN MONOCYTES AND MONOCYTE CELL LINES BY MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS

The induction of nitric oxide in human monocytes during mycobacterial infection has been a controversial issue. This study describes a comparative evaluation of the colorimetric and fluorometric methods for the detection of NO in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection in human peripheral blood-derived monocytes (PBM) and in U937, a human monocyte-derived cell line. MTB was grown in monocyte cultures in vitro for 7 or 10 days. RPMI 1640 medium, without antibiotics and supplemented with L-arginine, Hepes, 5% human AB serum, and tetrahydrobiopterin was used to support monocyte growth. As early as 72 h after infection, soluble nitrite was detectable in the medium using the fluorometric assay with diaminonaphthalene (DAN). Early induction of NO correlated with an increase in the levels of iNOS mRNA as quantitated by RT-PCR. NO levels increased progressively up to day 10 (PBM) or day 7 (U937), when 150-200 nM/10(6) cells of soluble nitrite accumulated in cultures, as measured by DAN. Furthermore, monocytes stained positively for human iNOS protein and peroxynitrite after infection with MTB. The induction of NO by MTB was inhibited by four different inhibitors of iNOS enzyme including N-monomethylarginine. Inhibition of NO resulted in the enhancement of the intracellular growth of two of five clinical isolates of MTB. NO released from a donor (S-nitroso-N-penicillamine) also had a direct bacteriostatic effect on the same isolates in broth cultures. MTB strains thus showed a differential susceptibility to intracellular and extracellular NO. In most of these assays, the Greiss reagent was limited by its sensitivity and remained negative for soluble nitrite throughout the 7-10 days of incubation. Thus, the colorimetric method, which is widely used, may give false-negative results in NO assays. This report also demonstrates for the first time that MTB induces mRNA for iNOS, iNOS protein, NO, and peroxynitrite in human monocyte/macrophage cultures.
Protecting endangered species: When are shoot-on-sight policies the only viable option to stop poaching?

Abstract Protecting endangered species that offer poachers from low-income countries high economic benefits remains a policy challenge. A broadly applicable economic model of poaching shows why CITES international bans have not always been successful, especially in situations where black markets exist and nonpoaching wages are low. In these situations, poachers may have nothing left to lose, since low nonpoaching wages impose a practical cap on the potential economic costs of fines and imprisonment. Thus, the model suggests “shoot-on-sight” policies as the only viable option. Trends in animal populations appear to support the efficacy of the shoot-on-sight policies, which also suggests an inherent value of life traditionally not captured in Value of a Statistical Life estimates.
CasJoin: a cascade chain for text similarity joins

We are concerned with the problem of similarity joins of text data, where the task is to find all pairs of documents above an expected similarity. Such a problem often serves as an indispensable step in many web applications. A crucial issue is to preclude unnecessary candidate pairs as many as possible ahead of expensive similarity evaluation. In this paper, we initiate an idea of adopting a cascade structure in text joins for a large speedup, where a latter stage can exclude a considerable number of invalid pairs survived in former stages. The proposed algorithm is shortly referred to as CasJoin. We further adopt a prefix filter to build the stage of CasJoin by introducing a novel vision to the dynamic generation of document vector. Specifically, a vector is partitioned into a chain of multiple prefixes that are appended one by one for cascade joining. We evaluate our CasJoin on a typical web corpus, ODP. Experiments indicate that, comparing to the state-of-the-art prefix algorithms, CasJoin can achieve a drastic reduction of candidates by as much as 98.15% and a dramatic speedup of joining by up to 13.34x.
TMTracer: a modeling tool for the TMT alignment and phasing system

The Alignment and Phasing System (APS) is one of the key parts of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) active optics system, with the responsibility for evaluating and correcting the pre-adaptive optics wavefront delivered by the telescope. APS is a high complexity system comprising a multi-channel wavefront-sensing instrument that produces as many as 250,000 discrete measurements and control software that delivers commands to about 12,000 active optics system actuators. The APS software is designed to guide the instrument development and predict its performance via simulation and also ultimately to serve the physical instrument itself. The software is built around a modeling tool we have developed called TMTracer, which is tailored to the optical alignment of extremely large segmented telescopes. We will present the underlying philosophy of TMTracer, as well as its architecture and sample simulation results that demonstrate its capabilities.
Translocation of iron-59 in the potato plant

Grafting and radiotracer techniques were combined to study the translocation of iron in the potato plant. Shoots from plants grown on nutrient solutions containing iron-59 were grafted onto non-radioactive rootstocks. The results of the experiments with radioiron can be summarized as follows:
Dose-response relationships between herbicides with different modes of action and growth of Lemna paucicostata: an improved ecotoxicological method.

Lemna species are widely used in ecotoxicological research to assess the phytotoxicity of environmental compounds. The purpose of the work described in this paper was to further refine the Lemna spp. bioassay, making it more robust and useful in comparing results between laboratories. A nondestructive image analysis method was used to measure growth as affected by herbicides during a time course. We tested 26 herbicides, with as many as 19 different modes of action, on leaf area growth of Lemna paucicostata to establish complete dose-response relationships. By using 3,5-dichlorophenol as a reference compound, different EC50 (concentration that inhibited growth by 50%) values of the herbicides can be compared. The EC50 values ranged from 0.003 μM for sulcotrione to 407 μM for asulam. Complete dose-response parameters were obtained that will better allow comparison of these results to those of other laboratories. These results should give useful information to anyone who works with Lemna species to address questions on herbicide residues in environmental compartments, screening of new herbicidal compounds, or the assessment of phytotoxic side effects of any compound.
A computational science case study: classification of hybrids using genetic markers and maximum-likelihood estimates

A self-contained undergraduate level "case study" in computational science/biology is described. The application presented brings together genetics, statistics, and numerical methods into a unified course project. The project we describe involves a statistical model and genetic classification of individuals that may be the result of hybridization between genetically divergent parents. Actual data consist of inherited genetic markers, which allow the evaluation of alternative model parameters by a maximum-likelihood technique. In the implementation of the classification model, the project provides opportunities for the use of numeric computing in C/C++ using libraries like the GNU Scientific Library for the computation of the model parameters.
Abstract ED05-03: Building transdisciplinary teams to address cancer health disparities: The Centers for Population Health and Health Disparities (CPHHD) experience

Cancer health disparities are evident in many underserved and minority populations. Strategies to understand and intervene on these disparities are often complex and occur at multiple levels, and need input from investigators from various disciplines to understand the factors that impact these disparities. In addition, community members, who have the best understanding and knowledge of what is wrong, and how to address disparities in their communities, also need to be involved from the beginning to make relevant and long-lasting differences. The CPHHD initiative, started in 2003, has used 3 main principles to address cancer health disparities in a variety of underserved/minority populations in different regions of the U.S. These principles include: establishing transdisciplinary teams, guided by a theoretical framework developed by the CPHHD initiative to investigate the multi-level factors related to disparate health outcomes, using Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). This presentation will describe the multi-level theoretical framework for addressing disparities and how transdisciplinary teams are formed and work together with communities to address disparities in breast, cervical, and prostate cancer among different underserved populations. Citation Format: Electra D. Paskett. Building transdisciplinary teams to address cancer health disparities: The Centers for Population Health and Health Disparities (CPHHD) experience. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr ED05-03.
The Practical Effects of Bias on Compensable Factor Weights in Job Evaluation: A Policy-Capturing Experiment

Subjects (n=64) were shown videotapes of actors portraying incumbents of three jobs, then they completed job evaluation forms for two of them and indicated what they felt these jobs should be paid relative to the third. Job evaluations using the compensable factor weights determined in policy-capturing analyses were then conducted. Results of the job evaluations depended on whether effects of job type and gender bias on compensable factor weights were controlled. Failure to control for these biases produced a pronounced effect on job classification decisions. The estimate of this effect was three to four pay grades. Implications for the determination of weights in job evaluation plans are provided.
(2+1)-dimensional QED and a novel phase transition.

We investigate the chiral phase transition in (2+1)-dimensional QED. Previous studies of symmetry breaking have found that symmetry breaking ceases to occur when the number of fermion flavors exceeds a critical value. Here we focus on the order of the transition. We find that there are no light scalar degrees of freedom present as the critical number of flavors is approached from above (in the symmetric phase). Thus the phase transition is not second order. However, the order parameter vanishes continuously in the broken phase, so the transition is also unlike a conventional first order phase transition.
Cutaneous gastric electrical stimulation alters gastric motility in dogs: New option for gastric electrical stimulation?

Background and Aim: We investigated the effects of cutaneous gastric electrical stimulation (CGES) on gastric myoelectrical activity, postprandial antral contractions and gastric tone in dogs. Methods: CGES was carried out via abdominal surface electrodes over the stomach. After an overnight fast, gastric slow waves were recorded from the serosal electrodes in six dogs at a frequency of 4.4 cycles/min (c.p.m.) or 10 c.p.m. Nine dogs were used for the measurement of postprandial antral contractions. Gastric tone at baseline and during CGES was measured in six of the dogs. Results: We found that: (i) CGES at 4.4 c.p.m. decreased slow wave frequency (5.1 vs 4.6 c.p.m., P < 0.05) and increased slow wave power (−6.2 vs 2.7 c.p.m., P < 0.05); CGES at 10 c.p.m. increased slow wave frequency (5.1 vs 9.2 dB, P < 0.05) and decreased normal slow waves (85.4% vs 60.0%, P < 0.05); (ii) CGES at 10 c.p.m. significantly suppressed postprandial antral contractions (P < 0.01); (iii) CGES had no effects on gastric tone. Conclusions: CGES is capable of altering gastric slow waves and inhibiting gastric motility. It may have therapeutic potential for treating eating disorders, such as obesity. However, clinical studies are needed to explore the potential of CGES.
An efficient synthesis of the dolabellanes.

Abstract Eleven-membered carbocycles have been prepared by the intramolecular condensations of α-sulfonyl carbanions with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. Desulfonylation provides an efficient stereocontrolled synthesis of allylic alcohols featuring the [9.3.0] cyclotetradecane skeleton which characterizes the dolabellane diterpenes.
Accurate determination of chemical composition of urinary calculi by spiral computerized tomography

AbstractPurpose: Choice of efficacious clinical management of symptomatic renal calculi can be facilitated by ascertaining the precise chemical composition of the calculus. Spiral computerized tomography (CT) is becoming a frequently used radiographic examination to establish the diagnosis and severity of calculus disease. Our objective for this study was to determine the precision of spiral CT in identifying the chemical composition of 6 different types of urinary calculi with region of interest measurements using spiral CT.Materials and Methods: A total of 102 chemically pure stones were separated into 6 groups. The stones along with phantoms containing butter (fat) and jello (water) were mounted vertically in the scanner gantry. Then 1 mm. thickness scanning was performed with a high speed scanner at the 2 energy levels of 80 and 120 kV. The determination of the chemical composition was performed using the absolute CT value measured at 120 kV. and the dual kilovolt CT values measured at 80 and 120 kV. ...
Development and characterization of microsatellite loci for two species of Beringian birds, rock sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis) and Pacific wren (Troglodytes pacificus)

Identification and assessment of small, endemic populations are priorities for conservation. We isolated and characterized 8 microsatellite loci from rock sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis) and 5 microsatellite loci from Pacific wren (Troglodytes pacificus), species with endemic populations of named subspecies that are of conservation concern. Eighteen to 20 individuals of each species from several locations in Alaska were screened for polymorphism. Loci for each species showed high polymorphism, with rock sandpiper ranging from 5 to 14 alleles per locus and 0.73–0.88 expected heterozygosity and Pacific wren ranging from 5 to 14 alleles per locus and 0.55–0.91 expected heterozygosity. Loci developed for rock sandpipers were also polymorphic in closely related taxa. These loci are the first developed for either species and will be used to identify and conserve endemic populations in the Bering Sea region.
Multispectral remote sensing contribution to land surface evaporation

The global water cycle is perhaps the most important of all the biogeochemical cycles and evaporation, which is a significant component of the water cycle, is also linked with the energy and carbon cycles. Long-term evaporation over large areas has generally been computed as the difference of precipitation and river runoff. Analysis of short-term evaporation rate and its spatial pattern, however, is extremely complex, and multispectral remotely sensed data could aid in such analysis. Multispectral data considered here are visible and near-infrared reflectances, infrared surface temperature and the 37 GHz brightness temperatures. These observations are found to be not totally independent of each other. A few of their relationships are established and discussed considering physically-based models.
Seizures Following DTP or MMR Vaccination Among a Cohort of Neurologically Impaired or At-Risk Children: Results from the Vaccine Safety Datalink Study • 514

Seizures Following DTP or MMR Vaccination Among a Cohort of Neurologically Impaired or At-Risk Children: Results from the Vaccine Safety Datalink Study • 514
Targeted driving using visual tracking on Mars: From research to flight

This paper presents the development, validation, and deployment of the visual target tracking capability onto the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission. Visual target tracking enables targeted driving, in which the rover approaches a designated target in a closed visual feedback loop, increasing the target position accuracy by an order of magnitude and resulting in fewer ground-in-the-loop cycles. As a result of an extensive validation, we developed a reliable normalized cross-correlation visual tracker. To enable tracking with the limited computational resources of a planetary rover, the tracker uses the vehicle motion estimation to scale and roll the template image, compensating for large image changes between rover steps. The validation showed that a designated target can be reliably tracked within several pixels or a few centimeters of accuracy over a 10-m traverse using a rover step size of 10% of the target distance in any direction. It also showed that the target is not required to have conspicuous features and can be selected anywhere on natural rock surfaces excluding rock boundary and shadowed regions. The tracker was successfully executed on the Opportunity rover near Victoria Crater on four distinct runs, including a single-sol instrument placement. We present the flight experiment data of the tracking performance and execution time. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The stable core and dynamic periphery in top management teams

This study explores how top management teams make strategic decisions. The findings indicate that the top management team performs a variety of monitoring and control functions within most firms, but that a single team with stable composition does not make strategic choices in most organizations. Instead, different groups, with members from multiple organizational levels, form to make various strategic decisions. A stable subset of the top team forms the core of each of these multiple decision‐making bodies. The findings offer a possible explanation for inconsistent findings in the top management team literature, and suggest several new directions for future senior team research.
Sense of Effort During a Lexical Decision Task: Resource Allocation Deficits Following Brain Damage

Individuals’ perception of task difficulty (sense of effort) is thought to reflect resource requirements. As task complexity increases, more resources are allocated to a task, and greater effort is...
Review of “Measuring the Market Impact of Hedge Funds”

A recent book, Hedge Funds in Emerging Markets by Gordon de Brouwer (reviewed by Greg N. Gregoriou), and a recent academic article, “Measuring the Market Impact of Hedge Funds” by William Fung and David Hsieh (reviewed by Thomas Schneeweis), address the issue of hedge funds directly impacting financial markets.
Managing environmentally benign semiconductor manufacturing research

'Environment, Safety and Health, having made significant contributions in recent years, finds that future requirements mandate concurrent engineering efforts in developing future technology and ensuring ESH integrity.' (National Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors, 1994, p 3). This paper examines options which enable the production of high performance, robust, and green semiconductor manufacturing technologies. Examples include innovative solutions to critical gap areas that provide a more fundamental understanding of trade-offs between device performance and high-priority ESH issues.
The expression of nuclear lamins in human liver: An immunohistochemical study

The nuclear lamina is a meshwork of intermediate filaments adjacent to the inner nuclear membrane that in mammalian cells is predominantly composed of three proteins: lamin A, lamin B, and lamin C. Because lamin A and C (A-type lamins) expression has been shown to be lacking in several types of undifferentiated or rapidly proliferating cells, we investigated lamin expression in the human liver in conditions with hepatocellular regeneration (cirrhosis of various etiologies and macroregenerative nodules) and in hepatocellular carcinomas of various grades of differentiation. Immunohistochemical stains for A-type lamins and lamin B were performed on frozen tissue sections with the avidin-biotin complex method. Normal and regenerating hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells (ductal and ductular cells), and hepatocellular carcinoma cells invariably expressed both A-type lamins and lamin B. These findings indicate that in hepatocellular regeneration and malignant transformation the production of both A-type lamins and lamin B is preserved.
Mammalian breath: trigger of defensive chemical response in a tenebrionid beetle (Bolitotherus cornutus)

The tenebrionid beetle Bolitotherus cornutus everts a pair of quinone-producing defensive glands in response to mammalian breath. Experiments with a controlled airstream indicate that the beetle “recognizes” breath on the basis of temperature, humidity, and airflow dynamics. Under attack by mice the beetle everts the glands immediately upon being mouthed and may secure its release as a result. Against ants the beetle is protected by its tough exoskeleton and usually refrains from everting the glands. Other arthropods also show defensive responses when breathed upon.
Gold in Gray: Reflections on Business' Discovery of the Elderly Market

Changes in the business sector's stereotype of the elderly population from a negligible consumer group to a $500 billion market are examined, with attention to both the positive and the problematic aspects of the new targeting of older consumers. Privatization, consumerism, and the rise of a geriatric social industrial complex are among the concepts used to understand recent trends. Questions are raised concerning the extensive targeting of the new elderly population market and the ethical dilemmas it may pose in a heavily consumer-oriented society.
Water calibration measurements for neutron radiography: Application to water content quantification in porous media

Abstract Using neutron radiography, the measurement of water thickness was performed using aluminum (Al) water calibration cells at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) Cold-Guide (CG) 1D neutron imaging facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA. Calibration of water thickness is an important step to accurately measure water contents in samples of interest. Neutron attenuation by water does not vary linearly with thickness mainly due to beam hardening and scattering effects. Transmission measurements for known water thicknesses in water calibration cells allow proper correction of the underestimation of water content due to these effects. As anticipated, strong scattering effects were observed for water thicknesses greater than 0.2 cm when the water calibration cells were positioned close to the face of the detector/scintillator (0 and 2.4 cm away, respectively). The water calibration cells were also positioned 24 cm away from the detector face. These measurements resulted in less scattering and this position (designated as the sample position) was used for the subsequent experimental determination of the neutron attenuation coefficient for water. Neutron radiographic images of moist Flint sand in rectangular and cylindrical containers acquired at the sample position were used to demonstrate the applicability of the water calibration. Cumulative changes in the water volumes within the sand columns during monotonic drainage determined by neutron radiography were compared with those recorded by direct reading from a burette connected to a hanging water column. In general, the neutron radiography data showed very good agreement with those obtained volumetrically using the hanging water-column method. These results allow extension of the calibration equation to the quantification of unknown water contents within other samples of porous media.
Against Eurocentrism and Nativism: A review essay on Samir Amin's Eurocentrism and other texts

(1989). Against Eurocentrism and Nativism: A review essay on Samir Amin's Eurocentrism and other texts. Socialism and Democracy: Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 81-104.
Expanding the role of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest.

Abstract Special attention to post–cardiac arrest management is important to long-term survival and favorable neurological outcome in patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest. The use of emergent percutaneous coronary intervention in resuscitated patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction has long been considered an appropriate approach for coronary revascularization. Recent evidence suggests that other subsets of patients, namely, post–cardiac arrest patients without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, may benefit from immediate percutaneous coronary intervention following resuscitation. These findings could eventually have important implications for the care of resuscitated patients, including transportation of resuscitated patients to appropriate cardiac interventional facilities, access to treatment modalities such as therapeutic hypothermia, and coordinated care with cardiac catheterization laboratories.
Instanton contribution to scalar charmonium and glueball decays

We study instanton contributions to hadronic decays of the scalar glueball, the pseudoscalar charmonium state ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{c},$ and the scalar charmonium state ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{c}.$ Hadronic decays of the ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{c}$ are of particular interest. The three main decay channels are $K\overline{K}\ensuremath{\pi},\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ and ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi},$ each with an unusually large branching ratio $\ensuremath{\sim}5%.$ On the quark level, all three decays correspond to an instanton type vertex $(\overline{c}c)(\overline{s}s)(\overline{d}d)(\ifmmode \bar{u}\else \={u}\fi{}u).$ We show that the total decay rate into three pseudoscalar mesons can be reproduced using an instanton size distribution consistent with phenomenology and lattice results. Instantons correctly reproduce the ratio $B(\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\eta})/B(\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}{\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ but overpredict the ratio $B(K\overline{K}\ensuremath{\pi})/B[\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\eta}({\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}})].$ We consider the role of scalar resonances and suggest that the decay mechanism can be studied by measuring the angular distribution of decay products.
Improved method for the detection of micron-sized sulfate and water-soluble particles

Abstract An easily prepared chemically sensitive substrate for the detection of soluble micron-sized atmospheric sulfate and certain other water-soluble particles, with a light microscope, has been developed. The substrate is made from an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), barium chloride, glycerol and Triton X-100. This solution is spread on a glass slide and dried. Particles are collected on the slide and then observed under a dark field or phase contrast optical microscope. Under humid conditions, barium chloride reacts with sulfate particles to form PVA-insoluble barium sulfate. This precipitates in a Liesegang ring while non-sulfate water-soluble components dissolve into the PVA-medium. Photomicrography before and after moisture treatment reveals the sulfate and soluble constituents of the particulate sample. The method can be employed to detect sulfate particles as small as 0.3 μm. The number of soluble particles and percent sulfate composition per particle in aerosol samples can be estimated. Comparison of sampled atmospheric aerosol sulfate weight to sulfate weights of similarly unpolluted locations supports the validity of the method.
Contribution of Aromatic Interactions to α-Helix Stability

The influence of natural and unnatural i, i + 4 aromatic side chain−side chain interactions on α-helix stability was determined in Ala-Lys host peptides by circular dichroism (CD). All interactions investigated provided some stability to the helix; however, phenylalanine−phenylalanine (F−F) and phenylalanine−pentafluorophenylalanine (F−f5F) interactions resulted in the greatest enhancement in helicity, doubling the helical content over i, i + 5 control peptides at internal positions. Quantification of these interactions using AGADIR multistate helix-coil algorithm revealed that the F−F and F−f5F interaction energies are equivalent at internal positions in the sequence (ΔGF-F = ΔGF-f5F = −0.27 kcal/mol), despite the differences in their expected geometries. As the strength of a face-to-face stacked phenyl−pentafluorophenyl interaction should surpass an edge-to-face or offset-stacked phenyl−phenyl interaction, we believe this result reflects the inability of the side chains in F−f5F to attain a fully stacke...
Roles of Circulating WNT-Signaling Proteins and WNT-Inhibitors in Human Adiposity, Insulin Resistance, Insulin Secretion, and Inflammation

Wingless-type MMTV integration site family member (WNT) signaling and WNT-inhibitors have been implicated in regulation of adipogenesis, insulin resistance, pancreatic function, and inflammation. Our goal was to determine serum proteins involved in WNT signaling (WNT5 and WISP2) and WNT inhibition (SFRP4 and SFRP5) as they relate to obesity, serum adipokines, insulin resistance, insulin secretion, and inflammation in humans. Study population comprised 57 insulin resistant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 27 reference women. In a cross-sectional study, blood samples were obtained at fasting, during oral, and frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests. Serum WNT5, WISP2, and SFRP4 concentrations did not differ between PCOS vs. reference women. Serum WNT5 correlated inversely with weight both in PCOS and reference women, and correlated directly with insulin response during oral glucose tolerance test in PCOS women. Serum WISP2 correlated directly with fatty acid binding protein 4. Serum SFRP5 did not differ between obese (n=32) vs. nonobese (n=25) PCOS women, but reference women had lower SFRP5 (p
Combination of surgical resection and photodynamic therapy of 9L gliosarcoma in the nude rat.

Abstract The objective of the present study was to investigate the treatment of 9L gliosarcoma brain tumor in the rat with the combination of surgical resection and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Nude rats with intracranial 7-day-old 9L gliomas were randomly subjected to no treatment, PDT alone (Photofrin®: 2 mg kg−1, optical: 80 J cm−2), surgical resection alone or resection combined with 2 mg kg−1 Photofrin®-mediated PDT at an optical dose of 80 J cm−2. All animals were sacrificed 14 days after tumor implantation. Hematoxylin-and-eosin and immunohistochemical stainings were performed to assess the tumor volume and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the brain adjacent to the tumor (BAT) as well as the tumor cell apoptosis and proliferation. Our data show that both surgical resection alone and PDT alone significantly decreased tumor volume, but furthermore, surgical resection combined with PDT significantly reduced the tumor volume and reduced local tumor infiltration compared to ...
The configuration of biotin and related compounds

Abstract Although the structure of biotin contains three centers of chirality, and thus the molecule exists in eight stereoisomeric forms, many texts ignore the configuration of the biologically active form and others show an incorrect one. The evidence from chemical degradations, stereospecific chemical syntheses, and X-ray crystalographic structure determination by the anomalous dispersion technique, leading to the absolute configuration of naturally occurring (+)-biotin is reviewed.
Reduced cortical ecto-ATPase activity in rat brains during prolonged status epilepticus induced by sequential administration of lithium and pilocarpine.

Considerable evidence indicates that ATP, acting intracellularly or as a neurotransmitter, can influence nerve cell physiology in a variety of ways. Defects in the functioning of ATP-metabolizing enzymes could therefore lead to disturbances in neurotransmission and creation of sustained neuronal discharges characteristic of status epilepticus. In this study we investigated synaptosomal ATPase changes in rat brains during lithium/pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus. After 2 h of continuous electroencephalographic spiking, both Mg2+- and Ca2+-dependent ecto-ATPases were significantly decreased in freshly prepared synaptosomal preparations from the status rats. The intracellulary acting Ca2+Mg2+-ATPase (Ca-pump) was also decreased, but no changes occurred in synaptosomal Na+K+-ATPase activity. The difference between ecto-ATPase activities of the control and status rat brains was not affected by repeated freezing-thawing and lengthy storage. Possible involvement of reduced synaptosomal divalent cation-dependent ATPases in the pathophysiology of status epilepticus is discussed.
Hormonal effects in vitro on amino acid incorporation into rat adrenal protein: adrenocorticotrophin and growth hormone.

Abstract The effects of ACTH and G.H. on glycine-U-C 14 and lysine-U-C 14 incorporation into rat adrenal protein in vitro have been investigated. Increased incorporation was obtained with either ACTH or G.H. but, in combination, there was an inhibitory effect. A dose-response relationship was obtained with both hormones. The effect of either ACTH or G.H. was present in both Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate and phosphate buffer but was inhibited by the presence of 10 m M glucose in the incubation medium. Significant incorporation of amino acids into protein took place after 15 min. of incubation and increased with time up to 1 hr. There was no decrease in incorporation when the glycine concentration was increased 20-fold.
Oxymyoglobin oxidation as affected by oxidation products of phosphatidylcholine liposomes

Supernatants (105,000 x g) of oxidized phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes contained higher levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, and caused greater metmyoglobin formation when combined with oxymyoglobin than those of controls (C) or PC plus tocopherol (PCT) (P<0.05). Products of PC liposome oxidation crossed dialysis membranes (mol wt cut-off = 500 Dalton) and accelerated the oxidation of oxymyoglobin more than C or PCT (P<0.05). The addition of known oxidation products of oleic acid and linoleic acid, fatty acids typical of PC, accelerated oxymyoglobin oxidation relative to controls (P<0.05). Results demonstrated that oxidation products of PC were prooxidative towards oxymyoglobin.