cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tenascin–X deficiency is associated with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome

The tenascins are a family of large extracellular matrix proteins with at least three members: tenascin-X (TNX), tenascin-C (TNC, or cytotactin) and tenascin-R (TN-R, or restrictin). Although the tenascins have been implicated in a number of important cellular processes, no function has been clearly established for any tenascin. We describe a new contiguous-gene syndrome, involving the CYP21B and TNX genes, that results in 21-hydroxylase deficiency and a connective-tissue disorder consisting of skin and joint hyperextensibility, vascular fragility and poor wound healing. The connective tissue findings are typical of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). The abundant expression of TNX in connective tissues is consistent with a role in EDS, and our patient's skin fibroblasts do not synthesize TNX protein in vitro or in vivo. His paternal allele carries a novel deletion arising from recombination between TNX and its partial duplicate gene, XA, which precludes TNX synthesis. Absence of TNX mRNA and protein in the proband, mapping of the TNX gene and HLA typing of this family suggest recessive inheritance of TNX deficiency and connective-tissue disease. Although the precise role of TNX in the pathogenesis of EDS is uncertain, this patient's findings suggest a unique and essential role for TNX in connective-tissue structure and function.
Parabolic problems with nonlinear absorptions and releases at the boundaries

Let a,p and q be positive constants, T=<~, D=(0,a), D@? be the closure of D, @W=Dx(0,T), and Hu=u"t-u"x"x. This article studies the following heat conduction problem with nonlinear boundary conditions:Hu=0in@W,u(x,0)=u"0(x)onD@?,u"x(0,t)=(1-u(0,t))^-^p,u"x(a,t)=(1-u(a,t))^-^q,0
EMPLOYMENT AT-WILL AND EMPLOYEE DISCHARGE: A JUSTICE PERSPECTIVE ON LEGAL ACTION FOLLOWING TERMINATION

In contrast to statutory constraints on employment-related discrimination, the primary legal context for employee discharge is the common law doctrine of employment at-will. Although some attention has been given to legal issues surrounding employee discharge, there has been little systematic effort to identify the psychological antecedents of the decision to bring suit against organizations for discharge-related reasons. This paper provides an overview of employment at-will and its history in the U.S. and reviews legal developments related to at-will since the late 1980s. We then offer a preliminary model addressing the decision by a discharged employee to bring suit against an organization and the factors influencing the likelihood of liability. We end with a number of practical suggestions that follow from the literature review and model.
Coherent optical control of semiconductor quantum dots for quantum information processing

Coherent optically driven semiconductor quantum dot systems are proposed for the implementation of quantum information processing devices. Qubits defined in the exciton and spin bases are presented. In particular, single qubit rotation and a two-qubit logic gate have been demonstrated experimentally in the model exciton system. The experimental work done on the exciton system serves as a foundation for future work on spin-based qubits, which possess a much longer coherence lifetime.
Computer engineering curriculum development

This poster describes the development of a curriculum for the area of computer engineering following the Computing Curricula 2001 effort. It explains the organization of the intended report and the elements that encompass the body of knowledge for the proposed curriculum.
Stability analysis of dynamical neural networks

In this paper, we use the matrix measure technique to study the stability of dynamical neural networks. Testable conditions for global exponential stability of nonlinear dynamical systems and dynamical neural networks are given. It shows how a few well-known results can be unified and generalized in a straightforward way. Local exponential stability of a class of dynamical neural networks is also studied; we point out that the local exponential stability of any equilibrium point of dynamical neural networks is equivalent to the stability of the linearized system around that equilibrium point. From this, some well-known and new sufficient conditions for local exponential stability of neural networks are obtained.
The Social Psychology of Creativity.

Motivation plays a crucial role in the creative process. It is not enough to have unusually high levels of skill or a deep conceptual understanding. In order for students to reach their creative potential, they must approach a task with intrinsic motivation; they must engage in that task for the sheer pleasure and enjoyment of the activity itself rather than for some external goal. Researchers and theorists now understand that there is a direct relation between the motivational orientation brought to a task and the likelihood of creativity at that task. And it is particular features of the school environment and students' daily routine that in large part determine that motivation. The present paper outlines investigations revealing that the typical classroom is fraught with teaching practices and programme features that kill intrinsic motivation and creativity. Research designed to immunise students against the negative effects of these damaging classroom elements is reviewed. The argument is made that th...
The Restoration of Pure Monopoly and the Concept of the Industry

This paper is designed to show that the concept of ‘pure monopoly’ and the concept of ‘industry’ can be given precise theoretical definitions, and to argue that these concepts, which some modern economists reject, deserve prominent places in the theory of market structure. These concepts have been wrongly rejected, this article argues, because an excessive reliance on elasticity and cross-elasticity of demand has obscured important aspects of market structure theory.
Erratum to: Anesthetic Selection and Disease-Free Survival Following Optimal Primary Cytoreductive Surgery for Stage III Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Previous studies have offered conflicting results regarding an association between perioperative epidural analgesia and disease-free survival (DFS) following optimal primary cytoreductive surgery for stage III epithelial ovarian cancer. A possible separate role for inhalational anesthetics has not been assessed. We conducted a historical cohort study of all women undergoing optimal primary cytoreduction (<1 cm residual disease) for Stage III epithelial ovarian cancer between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2011, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Cohorts were defined by exposure to perioperative epidural analgesia or exposure to specific volatile anesthetics. The primary outcome was DFS. A total of 194 patients met study inclusion criteria. Addition of epidural analgesia was associated with a lower overall rate of ovarian cancer recurrence compared with general anesthesia alone (72 vs. 85 %, p = 0.028). Longer median DFS was associated with more than 48 h of epidural use (14.9 months) compared with fewer than 24 h (10.9 months) or 24–48 h of epidural use (10.0 months; p = 0.025). Use of desflurane was associated with a lower overall rate of ovarian cancer recurrence compared with sevoflurane (63 vs. 84 %, p = 0.01). In multivariate analysis, use of desflurane was independently associated with improved DFS (hazards ratio 0.563; 95% confidence interval 0.33–0.962). For patients with Stage III ovarian cancer, use of desflurane is associated with improved DFS following primary cytoreductive surgery compared with other volatile anesthetics. If epidural analgesia offers additional benefit, this effect appears limited to patients with more than 48 h of postoperative epidural use.
Managing Resource Allocation and Task Prioritization Decisions in Large Scale Virtual Collaborative Development Projects

Business rules guide information system development and maintenance in the organization. The issue of business rules for enterprise information systems has recently received considerable attention. However, as yet little research has been reported on a systematic approach to business rules management. This paper proposes a business rules management model. In this model, business rules are supported by three types of independent information system components: system setting, database, and procedural module. A business rule can be formalized into one or more elementary rule, and a formalized elementary rule is associated with one and only one information system component. Business rules, system components, and their interconnected relationships can be organized into an XML enabled repository for the system development, customization, and maintenance. An example of artifact of business rules management system can be found in an apartment rental management system. This example is used to illustrate the concept of business rules management.
Estimating Migration Flows from Birthplace-Specific Population Stocks of Infants

When adequate data on migration are unavailable, demographers infer such data indirectly, usually by turning to residual methods of estimating net migration. This paper sets out and illustrates an inferential method that uses population totals in the first age group of birthplace-specific counts of residents in each region of a multiregional system to indirectly infer the entire age schedule of directional age-specific migration flows. Specifically, it uses an estimate of infant migration that is afforded by a count of infants enumerated in a region other than their region of birth to infer all other age-specific migration flows. Since infants migrate with their parents, the migration propensities of both are correlated, and the general stability of the age profiles of migration schedules then allows the association to be extended to all other age groups.
Asymmetric information and the termination of contracts in agencies

. I consider an agency model in which an agent, having acquired private post-contract predecision information, is allowed to breach the contract by paying the principal predetermined damages. The relationship of this model to the standard no-breach agency model is demonstrated and I argue that simplifying the analysis by restricting attention to no-breach models may yield incorrect conclusions. The shape of an optimal breach contract is then discussed and it is demonstrated that an optimal contract cannot include a severance payment. Next, I consider an alternative contractual arrangement whereby the agent may purchase access to private information prior to contracting. In this case, all the advantages of the breach institution are maintained, while possible exogenous (legal) restrictions on damage payments are avoided. The paper concludes by suggesting implications the study may have for legal research on contracts and judicial systems. Resume. L'auteur etudie un modele de relation de mandataire dans lequel le mandataire, ayant acquis de l'information privee apres la signature du contrat et avant la prise de decision, est en droit de mettre fin au contrat en reglant au mandant les dommages etablis au prealable. L'auteur demontre la relation entre ce modele et le modele standard sans convention de rupture et soutient que le fait de simplifier l'analyse en se bornant a etudier les modeles sans convention de rupture peut mener a des conclusions inexactes. La forme du contrat optimal comportant une convention de rupture est ensuite traitee et l'auteur demontre qu'un contrat optimal ne peut inclure d'indemnite de rupture. Il analyse ensuite une disposition contractuelle de rechange selon laquelle le mandataire peut acheter l'acces a de l'information privee avant de s'engager. Dans ce cas, tous les avantages de la convention de rupture sont maintenus, alors que les restrictions exogenes (legales) possibles relativement au reglement de dommages sont evitees. L'auteur conclut en donnant une idee des consequences que pourrait avoir cette etude pour la recherche en droit portant sur les contrats et les systemes judiciaires.
Quantification of blood-to-brain transfer rate in multiple sclerosis

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption visualized in lesions by MRI is a major biomarker of disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, in MS, destruction occurs to a variable extent in lesions as well as in gray matter (GM) and in the normal appearing white matter (NAWM). A method to quantify the BBB disruption in lesions as well as in non-lesion areas would be useful for assessment of MS progression and treatments. The objective of this study was to quantify the BBB transfer rate (Ki) in WM lesions, in the NAWM, and in the full-brain of MS patients. Thirteen MS patients with active lesions and 10 healthy controls with age and gender matching were recruited for full-brain and WM Ki studies. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCEMRI) scans were conducted using T1 mapping with partial inversion recovery (TAPIR), a fast T1 mapping technique, following administration of a quarter-dose of the contrast agent Gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA). The Patlak modeling technique was used to derive a voxel-based map of Ki. In all patients contrast-enhanced lesions, quantified by Ki maps, were observed. Compared with controls, patients with MS exhibited an increase in mean Ki of the full-brain (P-value<0.05) but no significant difference in mean Ki of NAWM. The identified increase in full-brain Ki of MS patients suggests a global vascular involvement associated with MS disease. The lack of observed significant decrease in Ki in NAWM suggests lower involvement of WM vasculature than full-brain vasculature in MS. Ki maps constructed from time series data acquired by DCEMRI provide additional information about BBB that could be used for evaluation of vascular involvement in MS and monitoring treatment effectiveness.
Structure-activity relationship of cyanine tau aggregation inhibitors

A structure−activity relationship for symmetrical cyanine inhibitors of human tau aggregation was elaborated using a filter trap assay. Antagonist activity depended on cyanine heterocycle, polymethine bridge length, and the nature of meso- and N-substituents. One potent member of the series, 3,3′-diethyl-9-methylthiacarbocyanine iodide (compound 11), retained submicromolar potency and had calculated physical properties consistent with blood−brain barrier and cell membrane penetration. Exposure of organotypic slices prepared from JNPL3 transgenic mice (which express human tau harboring the aggregation prone P301L tauopathy mutation) to compound 11 for one week revealed a biphasic dose response relationship. Low nanomolar concentrations decreased insoluble tau aggregates to half those observed in slices treated with vehicle alone. In contrast, high concentrations (≥300 nM) augmented tau aggregation and produced abnormalities in tissue tubulin levels. These data suggest that certain symmetrical carbocyanine ...
The identification of HLA class II-restricted T cell epitopes to vaccinia virus membrane proteins.

Three decades after the eradication of smallpox, the threat of bioterrorism and outbreaks of emerging diseases such as monkeypox have renewed interest in the development of safe and effective next-generation poxvirus vaccines and biodefense research. Current smallpox vaccines contain live virus and are contraindicated for a large percentage of the population. Safer, yet still effective inactivated and subunit vaccines are needed, and epitope identification is an essential step in the development of these subunit vaccines. In this study we focused on 4 vaccinia membrane proteins known to be targeted by humoral responses in vaccinees. In spite of the narrow focus of the study we identified 36 T cell epitopes, and provide additional support for the physical linkage between T and B epitopes. This information may prove useful in peptide and protein-based subunit vaccine development as well as in the study of CD4 responses to poxviruses.
Sesquiterpene biosynthesis: The biosynthesis of quadrone and terrecyclic acid

Abstract Feeding of [1- 13 C]- and [1,2- 13 C 2 ]acetates to cultures of Aspergillus terreus gave labeled quadrone ( 1 ) and terrecyclic acid ( 2 ) which were analyzed by high-field 13 C NMR. The patterns of enhancements and couplings were used not only in the analysis of the biosynthetic origins of the two metabolites, but also in the assignment of the 13 C spectra themselves. The latter assignments were confirmed and further extended by extensive analysis by a combination of 1 H COSY, 1 H 13 C heteroCOSY, and difference NOE spectra of quadrone. The biosynthetic pathway was further probed by incorporation of [3,4- 13 C 2 ]mevalonate, revealing that formation of 1 and 2 involves cleavage of the 3,4-bond of one of the three mevalonte precursors. The results are consistent with the formation of quadrone and terrecyclic acid by cyclization of farnesyl pyrophosphate ( 8 ).
Hermitian, hermitian R-symmetric, and hermitian R-skew symmetric Procrustes problems

Let R∈Cn×n be a nontrivial unitary involution; i.e., R=R∗=R−1≠±I. We say that A∈Cn×n is R-symmetric (R-skew symmetric) if RAR=A (RAR=−A). Let S be one of the following subsets of Cn×n: (i) hermitian matrices; (ii) hermitian R-symmetric matrices; (iii) hermitian R-skew symmetric matrices. Given Z, W∈Cn×m, we characterize the matrices A in S that minimize ∥AZ−W∥ (Frobenius norm), and, given an arbitrary E∈Cn×n, we find the unique matrix among the minimizers of ∥AZ−W∥ in S that minimizes ∥A−E∥. We also obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for existence of A∈S such that AZ=W, and, assuming that the conditions are satisfied, characterize the set of all such A.
Adenovirus-induced obstructive uropathy with acute renal failure in an immunodeficient child.

Viral infections represent severe complications in immunodeficient patients, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a bone marrow–transplanted adolescent with hemorrhagic cystitis 4 weeks after transplant, associated with renal failure because of obstructive pyelonephritis. Diagnostic workup finally revealed adenovirus infection. A double-J stent was inserted with spontaneous favorable evolution thereafter. Adenovirus infection in an immunocompromised patient can cause hemorrhagic cystitis without specific symptoms and might evolve toward obstructive pyelonephritis because of tubular necrosis. Diagnosis is made by urine culture and/or blood polymerase chain reaction. In case of fatal dissemination, diagnosis might only be revealed on autopsy.
Absorption cross sections for water vapor from 183 to 193 nm

Absorption cross sections for water vapor at 184.9 nm were measured using a standard low-pressure mercury lamp light source, optically filtered to isolate the spectral region near the emission line. The light from the source was detected using a solar-blind phototube. Experiments were performed over a wide range of water column amounts, using neat water vapor and water vapor/nitrogen mixtures, with four methods to determine the water vapor concentration in the cell. Absorption cross sections were measured between 0 and 80°C. The results from these experiments yield a cross section of 7.14 (± 0.2) × 10−20 cm² molecule−1 at 25°C with a small positive temperature dependence (about 4% between 0 and 80°C). This result is about 30% greater than current recommendations. The absorption spectrum was also measured at discrete wavelengths between 183 and 193 nm using a scanning double monochromator system. The cross section of deuterated water vapor was determined at 184.9 nm. The implications of the changes in the H2O cross section for the calibration of atmospheric OH and HO2 measurements using the 184.9 nm photolysis of water vapor are discussed.
Effects of dietary tallow level on performance of Alpine does in early lactation.

Abstract Sixty Alpine does (initial BW 47±1.3 kg) were used to determine effects of dietary inclusion of different levels of partially hydrogenated tallow on performance in early lactation (weeks 3–11). Treatments entailed a 30% concentrate, negative control (NC) diet and five diets higher in concentrate (42–46%) with 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 or 6.0% DM of partially hydrogenated tallow (0T, 1.5T, 3.0T, 4.5T and 6.0T, respectively). DM intake was 1.54 kg per day for the NC and 1.86, 1.80, 1.99, 2.17 and 1.96 kg per day for the five tallow treatments, respectively, BW was similar among treatments and increased as the trial progressed (47.4, 48.4, 49.8, 50.4, 50.8 and 51.3 kg at weeks 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13, respectively). Milk yield was lower (P
THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCOREGIONAL CONTROL IN THE TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER AND ITS IMPACT ON SURVIVAL

Background. Different schools of thought regarding the natural history of breast cancer and how it relates to the importance of local control in affecting survival have generated controversy over the optimal treatment of early breast cancer. Parting with traditional thinking that some disease is localized, in which cases local control is important for survival, another view of the natural history of the disease argues that local control is not of value to survival. This commentary will review the evidence and attempt to evaluate the effect of modern adequate local treatment on survival. Methods. A review of the pertinent literature on the treatment of breast cancer and an analysis of recent clinical trials and metaanalysis are presented. Results. Evaluation of the recent literature and metaanalysis demonstrates that adequate local regional treatment, especially radiation therapy in the treatment of breast cancer, does effect survival significantly. Conclusions. Results of modern effective local treatment of breast cancer substantiate the claim that some breast cancer is localized. Data show that tumor size, lymph node involvement, tumor grade, and other prognostic factors are important predictors of whether a tumor is localized and therefore amenable to local treatment. Smaller tumors generally are most likely to be localized. Recent studies on modern irradiation techniques show that adequate effective irradiation of localized disease, including appropriate treatment of all nodal areas when needed and limited radiation to sensitive organs, can significantly improve survival and, in high-risk patients, enhance the effect of systemic treatment in improving survival.
The reaction of halophenylhydrazines with oxygen in the presence of oxyhemoglobin and metal ions

We have compared the rates of reaction of ortho and para substituted halophenylhydrazines with oxygen, and we have found that the reaction rates of these phenylhydrazines are accelerated by metal ions and oxyhemoglobin. Stimulation of the reaction rate by oxyhemoglobin was 20-times that by Fe3+ at the same concentration. In the presence of oxyhemoglobin, the initial decrease in the concentration of oxygen was followed by an increase. We propose that phenyldiazene produced from the oxidation of phenylhydrazine by oxyhemoglobin reduced oxygen to superoxide and caused the initial rapid decrease in oxygen concentration. The partial restoration of oxygen in the reaction mixture could be accounted for by the dismutation of superoxide to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, and of hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and water.
Cytology of primary central nervous system neoplasms in cerebrospinal fluid specimens.

Although two-thirds of tumors occurring in the central nervous system (CNS) are primary neoplasms, only 10% of positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens are from primary CNS tumors. In this study, we reviewed the cytologic findings of 21 positive CSF specimens from primary CNS tumors. A computer search identified 21 cases of positive CSF specimens from patients with primary CNS tumors from the archives. Follow-up included review of medical charts and histologic correlation. The specimens were from 20 patients (9 females and 11 males). Their ages ranged from 6-83 yr, old with a mean of 30 yr. The cases included 9 medulloblastomas, 7 gliomas (3 glioblastoma multiformes, 2 anaplastic astrocytomas, and 2 ependymomas), 2 germinomas, 2 non-Hodgkin's large B-cell lymphomas, and 1 ganglioneurocytoma. Two cases were classified as suspicious and the remaining as positive for malignancy. Immunocytochemistry was employed in 3 cases to support the cytologic diagnosis. These cases included one large-cell lymphoma (leukocyte-common antigen-positive), one germinoma (placental alkaline phosphatase-positive), and the ganglioneurocytoma (neuron-specific enolase- and synaptophysin-positive). There were no false-positive cases. Our results suggest that positive CSF cytology in patients with a primary CNS tumor is a reliable indicator of malignancy and reflects leptomeningeal involvement. The use of immunocytochemistry is helpful in confirming the cytologic impression in some cases.
The subversion of argument: Lessons from the demagogic rhetoric of David Duke

The study is an analysis of the tools of rhetorical seduction. Through a case study of one demagogue, David Duke, it attempts to illuminate not only the ways in which arguments are constructed but the way in which the argumentative climate can be manipulated for maximum message effect. The analysis therefore broadens the scope of traditional argumentative studies. It considers not only the power of the arguments but also the ways in which rhetors can bring maximum force to bear in establishing the rhetorical ground on which future debates will be waged.
Studies on the covalent binding of an intermediate(s) in prostaglandin biosynthesis to tissue macromolecules

We investigated the covalent binding of intermediates in prostaglandin biosynthesis to tissue macromolecules. Following incubation of [1-14C]arachidonic acid with the microsomal fraction from guinea pig lung, ram or bovine seminal vesicle, human platelets, rabbit kidney, or rat stomach fundus, the amount of covalent binding of arachidonic acid metabolites expressed as percentage of total arachidonic acid metabolized varied from tissue to tissue ranging from 3% in human platelets to 18.2% in ram seminal vesicles. In general, the thromboxane synthesizing tissues had less covalently bound metabolites than the other tissues. The amount of covalently bound metabolites was increased in the guinea pig lung microsomes when the thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, N-0164, was added to the incubation mixture. The covalent binding of arachidonic acid metabolite(s) was greatly reduced by the addition of glutathione to the incubation mixture. In addition to the covalently bound metabolites, water-soluble metabolites derived from arachidonic acid metabolism were also observed. The amount of water-soluble metabolites was small in each tissue except for the rat stomach fundus. In the rat stomach fundus the water-soluble metabolites accounted for over 50% of the total metabolites. Conditions which would tend to increase or decrease the levels of free prostaglandin endoperoxides during the incubation of arachidonic acid with the microsomes gave increased or decreased levels of covalent binding. Our data suggest that the prostaglandin endoperoxides are responsible for the covalent binding observed during prostaglandin biosynthesis. This covalent binding to tissue macromolecules may be of physiological and pathological significance.
Organic and local food consumer behaviour: Alphabet Theory

Semi-structured interviews are conducted to understand why consumers buy organic and/or local foods. The interview findings are consistent with existing theoretical frameworks for explaining environmentally significant behaviour: Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) theory and Attitude-Behaviour-Context (ABC) theory. Findings show that organic food shoppers in particular are motivated by values, beliefs and the creation of norms. However, the interviews indicate that knowledge (K), information seeking (IS) and habit (H) are also important in understanding why consumers choose organic and local foods. Incorporating demographics (D) as well, the resulting VBN-ABC-D-K-IS-H or ‘Alphabet Theory’ is presented as a new framework to explain organic and local food purchase behaviour.
Recollection-like memory retrieval in rats is dependent on the hippocampus

Recognition memory may be supported by two independent types of retrieval, conscious recollection of a specific experience and a sense of familiarity gained from previous exposure to particular stimuli1,2. In humans, signal detection techniques have been used to distinguish recollection and familiarity, respectively, in asymmetrical and curvilinear components of their receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, standard curves that represent item recognition across different levels of confidence or bias. To determine whether animals also employ multiple processes in recognition memory and to explore the anatomical basis of this distinction, we adapted these techniques to examine odour recognition memory in rats. Their ROC curve had asymmetrical and curvilinear components, indicating the existence of both recollection and familiarity in rats. Furthermore, following selective damage to the hippocampus the ROC curve became entirely symmetrical and remained curvilinear, supporting the view that the hippocampus specifically mediates the capacity for recollection.
Identifying equatorial ionospheric irregularities using in situ ion drifts

Abstract. Previous climatological investigations of ionospheric irregularity occurrence in the equatorial ionosphere have utilized in situ measurements of plasma density to identify the presence of an irregularity. Here we use the Morlet wavelet and C/NOFS to isolate perturbations in meridional ion drifts and generate irregularity occurrence maps as a function of local time, longitude, season, and solar activity. For the low solar activity levels in 2008, the distributions identified by velocity perturbations follow normalized density perturbation (ΔN/N) maps with large occurrences after midnight into dawn over all longitudes. The velocity and normalized density occurrence maps contract in both local time and longitude with increasing solar activity. By 2011 irregularities are confined to particular longitudes expected by alignment and a few hours of local time after sunset. The variation in the occurrence of the late night irregularities with solar activity is consistent with the presence of gravity wave seeding.
Boosting p53 with interferon and viruses

Interferon-α/β proteins are vital for innate immune responses to viruses. The tumor suppressor p53 mediates cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. A recent study in Nature reports that interferon-α/β stimulates p53 synthesis, demonstrating a hitherto unrecognized link.
Formation of ringed spherulites in polyethylenes

The effects of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, crystallization temperature, quenching medium, and sample preparation on the formation of ringed spherulites in linear polyethylenes were studied by polarized light microscopy and small-angle light scattering. When the samples were crystallized at a predetermined temperature, ringed spherulites were formed over a narrow range of temperature and molecular weight with both fractionated and unfractionated polymer samples. Quenching the samples in air at room temperature considerably extended the range of molecular weights for the formation of ringed spherulites. Minor modification of an airquench method further extended the range and yielded better-defined structures. The results are interpreted in terms of the anisotropy of the melt, the thermal conductivity of the quenching medium, and the shear stress applied during the crystallization process. That highly specific conditions are necessary for spherulite formation, of both the conventional and ringed type, is a major conclusion of this study.
Kinetics of the thermal degradation of methylmethionine sulfonium ions in citrate buffers and in sweet corn and tomato serum

Thermal degradation of methylmethionine sulfonium ions was determined in sodium citrate buffers ranging in pH from 4.0–8.0. Reaction temperatures of 82 °, 88 °, 93 ° and 99 °C were studied at reaction times of 20, 40, 60 and 80 min. The same conditions were used to study the degradation of naturally occurring methylmethionine sulfonium ions in sweet corn and tomato serums. In each solvent system, the thermal degradation of these salts occurred according to first order kinetics; the reaction rates doubled for a 5–6 °C increase in temperature and activation energies of the reaction in the various media were comparable. The characteristic degradation kinetics provides a means of identifying methylmethionine sulfonium salts in fresh foods without having to resort to involved isolation procedures.
Methods for NH3 titration of Brønsted acid sites in Cu-zeolites that catalyze the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3

Three methods were developed to use ammonia as a selective titrant of residual Bronsted acid sites in partially Cu-exchanged MFI (ZSM-5) and CHA (SSZ-13) zeolites that mediate the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH3. These methods involved saturation with gas-phase NH3 at 433 K followed by purging in flowing helium, saturation with gas-phase NH3 at 323 K followed by washing with deionized water, or saturation with aqueous NH4NO3 solution (353 K) followed by washing with deionized water. H-ZSM-5 (Si:Altot = 17–89) and Cu-ZSM-5 (Cu:Altot = 0–0.27 at Si:Altot = 17) samples saturated with NH3 using these three methods, and with n-propylamine titrants that react selectively with Bronsted acid sites to form C3H6 and NH3, evolved identical amounts of NH3 in temperature-programmed desorption experiments. The consistency among these four methods indicates that NH3 can be used as a selective titrant of H+ sites in the presence of Lewis acid sites on Cu-zeolites. The number of H+ sites on MFI and CHA zeolites measured by direct chemical titration was often less than the number of framework Al (Alf) atoms determined from 27Al MAS NMR spectra (H+:Alf = 0.7–1.0), yet another reminder that Alf structures can be imprecise surrogates for active H+ sites on zeolites. Although n-propylamine (at 323 K) titrated all H+ sites in Cu-ZSM-5, it titrated in Cu-SSZ-13 (Cu:Altot = 0–0.20 at Si:Altot = 4.5) only a small fraction (0–0.26) of the H+ sites that were accessible to NH3, which is the reductant in NO SCR reactions with NH3 (standard SCR). Standard SCR turnover rates on Cu-SSZ-13 samples, after normalization by the number of active Cu(II) sites, showed an apparent zero-order dependence on the number of residual H+ sites measured by NH3 titration. These data suggest that reactive NH4+ intermediates are present in excess, relative to metal-bound NOx species, under the SCR conditions studied. The methods reported herein, which titrate Bronsted acid sites selectively in the presence of Lewis acid sites, are useful in investigating the mechanistic role of H+ sites in standard SCR on small-pore Cu-zeolites and in other reactions catalyzed by metal-exchanged zeolites.
Full Range Photothermal Optical Coherence Tomography of Gold Nanoparticles

Full range photothermal optical coherence tomography (PTOCT) is demonstrated using gold nanorod contrasts in agarose. Full range imaging allows for increased imaging depth as well as increased PTOCT SNR by avoiding signal falloff with depth.
Design of a wireless active sensing unit for localized structural health monitoring

SUMMARY The recent years have witnessed an increasing interest in using wireless structural monitoring as a low-cost alternative to tethered monitoring systems. Previous work considered wireless sensors strictly as passive elements in the monitoring system, responsible only for collection of response measurements. This paper explores expansion of the wireless structural monitoring paradigm by including actuation capabilities in the design of a wireless active sensing unit. To validate the performance of the prototype unit in structural health monitoring applications, an aluminum plate monitored by piezoelectric active sensors is used. Piezoelectric actuators mounted to the surface of the plate are commanded by the wireless active sensing unit to excite and record the element. System identification models are then used to model the linear relationship between the input excitation and the corresponding plate response. A novel damage detection methodology is proposed that uses the characteristic equation roots obtained from an autoregressive with exogenous input time-series model. Complex roots (poles) of the model’s characteristic equation are sensitive to structural damage causing a change in their location on the complex plane. Using the mean value of pole clusters, the migration of model poles are shown to be well correlated to the severity of crack damage intentionally introduced in the plate. Copyright # 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biosynthesis of 0-acyl ethanediol phosphorylcholine in a cell-free system from rat liver☆

Abstract 1- 0 -Hexadecanoyl [U-14C]ethanediol can serve as substrate in the formation of 1- 0 -hexadecanoyl ethanediol 2-phosphorylcholine by particulate cell-free preparations from rat liver. Catalytic activity is largely associated with the microsomal fraction. The reaction requires CDPcholine and Mg++. Phosphatidylcholine cannot substitute for CDPcholine, but Mn++ is almost as effective as Mg++. Ca++ inhibits the reaction. The acyl ethanediol phosphorylcholine produced was identified by repeated cochromotography with authentic diol phospholipid to constant specific radioactivity, and by enzymatic and chemical degradations.
Radiative decays and SU(3) flavor structure of iota(1460)

Abstract Relationships are derived between the iota(1460) partial widths to γγ, ργ, ωγ, and φγ. They can be used to test whether the reported ργ enhancement is due to iota and to study the SU(3) flavor structure of iota decays.
Programmed presentation of pure tones of different frequencies using a single oscillator

A simple and inexpensive method is described for the programmed presentation of pure tones of different frequencies using a single oscillator.
Analytic Hierarchy Process: An Application in Green Building Market Research

Sustainability has become a necessity in the building industry. In recent years, as the general public is more informed and aware of sustainability related issues, they are becoming major players in the decision making process regarding their built environment. However, there are still challenges with how sustainability is communicated to occupants and owners of buildings. As the global economic crisis is continuing, the marketing of green buildings needs to be refined to communicate the lifetime benefits of sustainability. One of the ways to develop effective marketing strategies, is to understand what the occupants value the most among many aspects of green buildings thus develop focused marketing solutions. Authors present a conceptual methodology using Analytic Hierarchy Process toward identifying consumer ranking and weights of a major green building rating system’s categories. Authors use sample non-representative data to illustrate the proposed methodology, while sharing preliminary qualitative data from the research in progress. Keywords : LEED; Sustainable Buildings; Sustainability Marketing; Occupant Value; Criteria Weightings; AHP JEL Classifications: C44; D81; M31
A gene responsible for autosomal dominant auditory neuropathy (AUNA1) maps to 13q14-21

Hearing loss is most commonly defined as either conductive, affecting the sound conduction mechanism comprised of the external auditory canal, tympanic membrane, and middle ear ossicles, or sensorineural (SNHL), affecting the cochlea, the auditory nerve, or the central auditory pathway. However, the recent discovery that outer hair cells (OHC) generate otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) has allowed differentiation of sensory hearing loss (in which OAEs are absent) from neural hearing loss, which is caused by a lesion of inner hair cells and/or the auditory nerve. The hallmark of auditory neuropathy (AN), a neural type of hearing loss, is preservation of OAEs and abnormal or absent auditory brainstem responses.1 Most patients with SNHL are found to have a sensory type of hearing loss, and numerous genes for both syndromic and non-syndromic forms have been identified (Hereditary Hearing Loss Homepage, http://www.uia.ac.be/dnalab/hhh/). However, none of the approximately 50 dominant (DFNA) loci are known to represent an auditory neuropathy phenotype. AN may accompany peripheral neuropathy in a variety of dominant syndromes such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease2 and Freidreich’s ataxia.3 AN unassociated with peripheral neuropathy most commonly occurs as a sporadic or recessive trait,4–6 but X linked recessive6 and autosomal dominant7 forms have also been described. We have mapped a gene responsible for autosomal dominant auditory neuropathy in a multigenerational family from the United States to a novel locus, AUNA1 (auditory neuropathy, dominant, 1) on 13q14–21. The family is of European descent and was ascertained through two different probands by both the University of Michigan and the University of California at Irvine. The Institutional Review Boards of the University of Michigan Medical School, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, and the University of California at Irvine approved the study, and informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Four generations were available …
A prospective longitudinal in vivo 1H MR spectroscopy study of the SIV/macaque model of neuroAIDS.

Background: The neurological complications of HIV infection remain poorly understood. Clinically, in vivo 1 H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) demonstrates brain injury caused by HIV infection even when the MRI is normal. Our goal was to undertsand the dynamics of cerebral injury by performing a longitudinal in vivo 1H MRS study of the SIV/macaque model of neuroAIDS. Results: Eight rhesus macaques were infected with SIVmac251 and serially imaged with MRI and 1 H MRS to terminal AIDS or the endpoint of 2 years. During acute infection, there were stereotypical brain MRS changes, dominated by a significant elevation of the Cho/Cr ratio in the frontal cortex. Subsequently, brain metabolic patterns diverged between animals. There was an elevation of basal ganglia Cho/Cr four weeks post-inoculation in 2 animals that developed SIV encephalitis (p = 0.022). Metabolite ratios averaged across all 8 animals were not significantly different from baseline at any time point after 2 weeks post inoculation. However, linear regression analysis on all 8 animals revealed a positive correlation between a change in frontal lobe Cho/Cr and plasma viral load (P < 0.001, R = 0.80), and a negative correlation between NAA/Cr in the basal ganglia and the plasma viral load (P < 0.02, R = -0.73). No MRI abnormalities were detected at any time. Conclusions: After infection with SIV, macaque brain metabolism changes in a complex manner that is dependent on brain region, host factors and viral load. An elevation of basal ganglia Cho/Cr 4 weeks after SIV infection may be marker of a propensity to develop SIV encephalitis. Elevations of Cho/Cr, often observed in CNS inflammation, were associated with increased plasma viral load during acute and chronic infection. Evidence of neuronal injury in the basal ganglia was associated with increased plasma viral load in the chronic stage of infection. These observations support the use of drugs capable of controlling the viral replication and trafficking of virus into the CNS, and may help explain the reduction in incidence of HIV-associated dementia in the era of HAART despite the inability of most of those drugs to effectively enter the CNS.
A frame with no admissible topology

Every finitary algebra is, of course, a topological algebra in the discrete topology. On the other hand, a topological Boolean σ-algebra is indiscrete; sequences (0, 0, …, x, x,…) with join x converge to (0, 0,…) with join 0, so 0 is in {x}−, and similarly x is in {0}−. For lattices with infinite joins but only finite meets, such as topologies, the matter is more interesting.
Usual Dietary Isoflavone Intake Is Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Postmenopausal Women

Intervention data suggest a cardioprotective role for supplemental isoflavones; however, few studies have examined the cardiovascular disease (CVD) benefit of usual dietary isoflavone intake. This cross-sectional study examined the association between usual dietary isoflavone intake and CVD risk factors, including lipids and lipoproteins, body mass index (BMI) and fat distribution, blood pressure, glucose and insulin. Subjects were postmenopausal women (n = 208) aged 45-74 y, who attended screening and baseline visits for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examining the effects of isoflavone use. At screening, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were measured, and demographic, behavioral and menopausal characteristics were assessed. One month later, dietary intake over the past year was assessed with a standardized questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were obtained, and a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was administered. Isoflavone consumption did not vary by age, exercise, smoking, education or years postmenopausal. Women with high genistein intake had a significantly lower BMI (P-trend = 0.05), waist circumference (P-trend = 0.05) and fasting insulin (P-trend = 0.07) than those with no daily genistein consumption. In adjusted analyses, genistein, daidzein and total isoflavone intake were each positively associated with HDL cholesterol (P = 0.05) and inversely associated with postchallenge insulin (P = 0.05). These data suggest a protective role for dietary soy intake against CVD in postmenopausal women.
Variation in biomass distribution and nutrient content in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) clones having contrasting crown architecture and growth efficiency

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) is well adapted across an extensive range of sites, is responsive to silvicultural treatments, and has undergone genetic improvement through traditional tree breeding programs, with selection based primarily on rapid growth and disease resistance. Loblolly pine clones with contrasting crown architecture provide an opportunity to better understand the mechanistic relationships among stem growth, biomass partitioning, and component nutrient content. We assessed inventory data from four clones which exhibited a range of crown widths. Using a subset of three clones, we measured crown sizes, crown volume, biomass allocated to components (foliage, branches, stemwood and bark), and component nutrient concentration and content to assess variation in allocation and growth efficiency. Clonal variation in biomass distribution patterns helped explain variation in growth efficiency between the narrow crown clone (ARB-1) and wide crown clone (ARB-4). Clone ARB-1 was more efficient at producing stem biomass increment per unit foliar biomass and unit foliar nutrient content than clone ARB-4; this was consistent with the concept of a crop ideotype. This study provides new information useful for improving our understanding of the relationships among crown structure, biomass distribution patterns, growth efficiency, and tree productivity, and may help guide clonal tree population management.