cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of host RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription by vesicular stomatitis virus results from inactivation of TFIID.

During infection with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), host-cell mRNA synthesis is inhibited due to shut off of host-cell transcription. The transcriptional activity of nuclear extracts prepared from VSV-infected cells was compared to the activity of nuclear extracts from uninfected cells. An exogenous DNA template was used which contained an adenovirus major late promoter (AdMLP) but lacked upstream activating sequences, so that only basal transcription activity was assayed in these experiments. AdMLP-initiated transcription was decreased by 75% in nuclear extracts from infected cells as early as 3 h p.i. and by >90% by 6 h p.i. Mixing nuclear extracts from uninfected and VSV-infected cells revealed that the inhibition was caused by lack of an active form of a host factor involved in basal transcription rather than by the presence of an excess of inhibitory factor. To determine which transcription factors were lacking from nuclear extracts of infected cells, host transcription initiation factors isolated from uninfected cells by ion-exchange chromatography were added separately to nuclear extracts inactivated by VSV infection. A phosphocellulose column fraction from uninfected cells eluted with 0. 8 M KCl, which contained transcription factor IID (TFIID), overcame the inhibition. The corresponding fraction from infected cells had no detectable activity in a TFIID-dependent in vitro transcription assay. TATA-binding protein (TBP) is the DNA-binding subunit of TFIID and has been shown previously to substitute for TFIID in basal transcription. Purified recombinant TBP also reconstituted the transcription activity of nuclear extracts from infected cells, supporting the idea that TFIID is the target of virus-induced inhibition. Western blot analysis showed that the level of TBP in nuclear extracts or in the 0.8 M KCl column fraction was not changed by VSV infection. These results indicated that VSV infection leads to an inhibition of host transcription by inactivation of TFIID rather than reduction in the level of TFIID.
Non-literalness and non-bona-fîde in language: An approach to formal and computational treatments of humor

The paper is devoted to the study of humor as an important pragmatic phenomenon bearing on cognition, and, more specifically, as a cooperative mode of non-bona-fide communication. Several computational models of humor are presented in increasing order of complexity and shown to reveal important cognitive structures in jokes. On the basis of these limited implementations, the concept of a full-fledged computational model for the understanding and generation of humor is introduced and discussed in various aspects. The model draws upon the authors ' General Theory of Verbal Humor, with its six knowledge resources informing a joke, and on SMEARR, a sophisticated semantic-network-based computational lexical environment. The relevance of the approach to the interpretation, generation, and cognitive structure of humor is discussed in the broader context of the nature of the cooperative non-bona-fide modes of communication.
Polarizability rescaling and atom-based Thole scaling in the CHARMM Drude polarizable force field for ethers

Within the CHARMM polarizable force field based on the classical Drude oscillator, atomic polarizabilities are derived via fitting to ab initio calculated data on isolated gas phase molecules, with an empirical scaling factor applied to account for differences between the gas and condensed phases. In the development of polarizable models for the ethers, a polarizability scaling factor of 0.7 was previously applied [Vorobyov et al. J Comput Chem 3:1120-1133, 2007]. While the resulting force field models gave good agreement with a variety of experimental data, they systematically underestimated the liquid phase dielectric constants. Here, a new CHARMM polarizable model is developed for the ethers, employing a polarizability scaling factor of 0.85 and including atom-based Thole scale factors recently introduced into the CHARMM Drude polarizable force field [Harder et al. J Phys Chem B 112:3509-3521, 2008]. The new model offers a significant improvement in the reproduction of liquid phase dielectric constants, while maintaining the good agreement of the previous model with all other experimental and quantum mechanical data, highlighting the sensitivity of liquid phase properties to the choice of atomic polarizability parameters.
Effects of Zn-vapor heat treatments on the edge emission and deep-center luminescence of ZnTe

Using cathodoluminescence measurements at 80–300K, we have investigated the effects of Zn-vapor heat treatments on the injection level dependence, frequency response, and temperature dependence of the edge emission and the extrinsic deepcenter luminescence of vapor-phase-grown ZnTe. The results are compared to those from the same material in its as-grown condition. Zn-vapor heat treatments greatly enhance the 1.8 eV deep-center band and make it the dominant spectral feature at all temperatures investigated. The resulting band shows little change in shape or energy with injection level, and the temperature dependence of the band does not suggest thermal exchange between a participating energy level and a band edge. While the energy of the 1.8 eV band does decrease with increasing temperature, it does not match the variation of the band gap with temperature. It is found that the 1.8 eV band broadens with increasing temperature in a way satisfactorily explained by configurationcoordinate modeling. The kinetics of the 1.8 eV band show complex detail, both at 80K and 300K, but microsecond-magnitude exponential components are dominant. In contrast, the kinetics of the edge emission are much faster. However, despite the difference in kinetics, the intensities of the 1.8 eV band and the edge emission at 80K scale closely with each other over a wide range of injection levels. This remarkable result indicates that the edge emission and deep-center luminescence processes do not involve independent competition for injected carriers in Zn-fired ZnTe.
Measuring Socioeconomic Status in Child Development Research

Of the 4 components of the Hollingshead Four-factor Model of Social Status, paternal occupation and education, then maternal occupation and education, provide a gross measure of children's social s...
It's Not Easy Being Green: Bringing Real Life to the Undergraduate Legal Environment of Business Classroom

In the Legal Environment of Business course in a traditional undergraduate business curriculum, students are expected to acquire knowledge about many areas of the law and the application of law to business, society, and the international marketplace. Current concepts in undergraduate business education, such as ethics and sustainability, must also be included in our classrooms. Some texts highlight issues with landmark cases or feature articles about businesses that have experienced high-profile legal and/ or ethical dilemmas. Using high-profile cases and newsworthy business situations are useful in stimulating discussions. However, professors often struggle with keeping students engaged while in the classroom. Most of our students are of Generation Y or the Millennial Generation, young adults who expect to be entertained in the classroom. Students often find it difficult to relate to some of the traditional cases used in the textbooks to illustrate the legal principles relevant to their studies and the underlying curriculum. Real-world examples in the classroom have the best pedagogical value because of their appeal to traditional college students.
Artificial coalification study: Preparation and characterization of synthetic mecerals

Abstract It was found that lignin heated with clay minerals at 150°C for 2–8 months in the absence of oxygen was readily transformed into an insoluble material resembling low rank coals. The H/C and O/C ratios were in the natural evolutionary range found for vitrinites with the samples from longer reaction times resembling the vitrinites of higher rank. The chemical and physical characterization of the artificial products indicated that their basic chemical structure closely resembles that of vitrinite macerals. Simple pyrolysis of only the lignin at 350–400°C yielded very different products with a substantialy lower H/C ratio and a higher O/C ratio than either transformed lignin with clay or vitrinites of any rank. Such products were found to correspond to fusinite in chemical structure. Macromolecules similar to alginites or type I kerogens were produced by heating fatty acids at 200°C with clays. The present study suggests that coal macerals could have been produced directly from the biological source material via catalytic thermal reactions.
Comparative energy costs of urban transportation systems

Abstract Several urban transportation systems are compared on the basis of the energy resources consumed in the manufacture of their vehicle and guideway systems and in their operation. Four systems, the auto, bus, rapid rail and personal rapid transit, are extensively analysed, while the energy characteristics of dial-a-ride systems and the motorcycle are estimated. Analyses of bicycling and walking are also included for a comparison of motorized modes with human propulsion systems. For each system the energy required to manufacture a vehicle, the energy required to manufacture the guideway, and energy of operation are estimated. The manufacture contributions are amortized over component lifetimes and added to the energy of operation to give an estimate of total energy consumed per vehicle-mile by a system. To provide a measure of the potential energy efficiency of the systems, the average energy consumed per available seat-mile is calculated to compare the systems when they are operating at capacity. An example containing assumed average occupancy levels gives a more realistic comparison on the basis of energy consumed per passenger-mile.
Models of driven and mutually coupled relativistic magnetrons with nonlinear frequency-shift and growth-saturation effects

The driven van der Pol-Duffing equation has been used to model the behavior of a relativistic magnetron driven by an external locking signal. The authors continue the study of the driven van der Pol-Duffing equation and present initial results of the investigation of coupled van der Pol-Duffing equations as models of mutually coupled relativistic magnetrons. A method is presented for determining the amplitude and phase of a signal in the slowly-varying amplitude approximation in the case that both the signal, X(t), and its time derivative, X(t), are available. When second-order differential equations and coupled systems of such equations are used as models of driven and coupled nonlinear oscillators, both X(t) and X(t) are available. In this case, it is possible to determine the amplitude and phase without averaging over a fast time scale. Thus certain dynamical information is retained that is lost if it is necessary to average over a fast time scale. In the case of two oscillators linearly coupled with time delays in the mutual drive configuration, the slowly varying amplitude and phase approximation has been used in order to simplify the problem. In general, behavior of the oscillator amplitudes, as well as the phase difference between oscillators, must be considered. An essential step in studying this system is the determination of stationary amplitudes and phase difference. In the case of zero frequency mismatch between oscillators and optimum coupling delay phase, stationary amplitudes and coupled power are obtained analytically as functions of coupling quality factor and ratio of oscillator growth rate to natural frequency. Unless these parameters are sufficiently large, the potential increase in coherent power delivered due to coupling will not be realized.
Neurophysin-neuropeptide hormone complexes: biosynthetic origin and noncovalent interactions.

Recent studies of the neurophysins and associated neuropeptide hormones have addressed both the biosynthetic pathways by which these noncovalent protein–peptide complexes are derived in neurosecretory neurons and the nature of the noncovalent interactions likely to occur during transport and storage in neurosecretory granules within the neurons. In vitro translation of hypothalamic mRNA and sequencing of cDNA obtained from this mRNA have yielded chemical evidence that each complex of hormone and major neurophysin is made through a common precursor molecule. The mature complexes obtained upon proteolytic processing of precursors exhibit interdependent hormone binding and self-association interactions. Photoaffinity labeling and quantitative affinity chromatography have helped detect and define the binding surfaces involved. Further study of the structural nature of these surfaces is being carried out using large neurophysin fragments obtained by limited tryptic proteolysis.
A phase I/II study of intraperitoneally administered doxorubicin entrapped in cardiolipin liposomes in patients with ovarian cancer.

A phase I and II clinical trial of intraperitoneally administered liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer is being evaluated. Doxyrubicin liposomes were prepared with cardiolipin, phosphatidyl choline, cholesterol, and sterarylamine and sized by flow cytometry before administration. Fifteen patients have been treated with 42 cycles of intraperitoneal liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin. Liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin in 2 L of normal saline solution was infused over 1 hour through an Infusaport into the peritoneal cavity with a dwell time of 4 hours every 21 days. Liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin has been administered at escalating doses up to 100 mg/2 L and has been well tolerated. Increased bowel motility with mild-to-moderate abdominal distress has been encountered during the first 24 hours after administration. There has been one patient with presumed chemically induced peritonitis after a temperature elevation to 39.5° C. There has been no myelosuppression, abnormalities of liver function tests, or alopecia. Nausea and vomiting were minimal. Liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin was extravasated in two patients without sequelae. Drug levels were measured after completion of infusion. At a dose of 70 mg, the peak intraperitoneal concentration was 28.6 µg/µl, which was reduced to 23.6 µg/µl by 2 hours. Concurrent plasma levels were in the range of 0.2 to 0.5 µg/µl. A similar pattern was observed at other doses. The maximum tolerable dose has not yet been obtained. There were three responders in the 10 evaluable patients. The preliminary experience with intraperitoneal liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin is encouraging.
Mathematical Pluralism: The Case of Smooth Infinitesimal Analysis

A remarkable development in twentieth-century mathematics is smooth infinitesimal analysis (‘SIA’), introducing nilsquare and nilpotent infinitesimals, recovering the bulk of scientifically applicable classical analysis (‘CA’) without resort to the method of limits. Formally, however, unlike Robinsonian ‘nonstandard analysis’, SIA conflicts with CA, deriving, e.g., ‘not every quantity is either = 0 or not = 0.’ Internally, consistency is maintained by using intuitionistic logic (without the law of excluded middle). This paper examines problems of interpretation resulting from this ‘change of logic’, arguing that standard arguments based on ‘smoothness’ requirements are question-begging. Instead, it is suggested that recent philosophical work on the logic of vagueness is relevant, especially in the context of a Hilbertian structuralist view of mathematical axioms (as implicitly defining structures of interest). The relevance of both topos models for SIA and modal-structuralism as appled to this theory is clarified, sustaining this remarkable instance of mathematical pluralism.
The Almoravids and the meanings of Jihad

The Almoravids (Ar. al-Murabitun) were the first of three Berber (Amazigh) dynasties which ruled in the Maghrib and – from time to time – in adjacent areas in Africa and Iberia from the eleventh to...
Antidepressant-induced orgasm disorder

Most of the antidepressants approved for use in the United States, with the possible exceptions of bupropion and nefazodone, have been associated with drug-induced anorgasmia. Common strategies to overcome this drug side effect include waiting for tolerance to develop, dose reduction, change of dosing regimen, substitution of an alternative antidepressant, and coadministration of another drug. Current evidence suggests that antidepressant-induced anorgasmia may be mediated by 5HT2 antagonism of adrenergic mechanisms that underlie normal orgasm.
Sample-Optimal Fourier Sampling in Any Constant Dimension

We give an algorithm for l2/l2 sparse recovery from Fourier measurements using O(klog N) samples, matching the lower bound of Do Ba-Indyk-Price-Woodruff'10 for non-adaptive algorithms up to constant factors for any k≤ N1-δ. The algorithm runs in tilde O(N) time. Our algorithm extends to higher dimensions, leading to sample complexity of Od(klog N), which is optimal up to constant factors for any d = O(1). These are the first sample optimal algorithms for these problems. A preliminary experimental evaluation indicates that our algorithm has empirical sampling complexity comparable to that of other recovery methods known in the literature, while providing strong provable guarantees on the recovery quality.
Analysis of the Carbamate Insecticides Aldicarb and Carbaryl in Formulations Utilizing a High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic System with an On-Line Infrared Detector

Abstract An aldicarb (2-methyl-2-(methylthio)propanal, o-[(methylamino)-carbonyl]oxime) granular formulation with and without added carbofuran (2, 3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate) as an internal standard and a carbaryl (1-naphthalenyl methylcarbamate) wettable powder and liquid suspension formulations both with and without added methiocarb (3,5-dimethyl-4-(methylthio)phenyl methylcarbamate) as an internal standard were analyzed by utilizing a high-performance liquid chromatographic system operating in the normal phase with a Partisil column and mixtures of acetonitrile:dichloromethane:heptane as the mobile phase. An on-line infrared detector equipped with a flowcell was used. Analyses were conducted at ambient temperature. The commonly used calibration and quantitation techniques were also compared.
POkA: identifying pareto-optimal k-anonymous nodes in a domain hierarchy lattice

Data generalization is widely used to protect identities and prevent inference of sensitive information during the public release of microdata. The k-anonymity model has been extensively applied in this context. The model seeks a generalization scheme such that every individual becomes indistinguishable from at least k-1 other individuals and the loss in information while doing so is kept at a minimum. The search is performed on a domain hierarchy lattice where every node is a vector signifying the level of generalization for each attribute. An effort to understand privacy and data utility trade-offs will require knowing the minimum possible information losses of every possible value of k. However, this can easily lead to an exhaustive evaluation of all nodes in the hierarchy lattice. In this paper, we propose using the concept of Pareto-optimality to obtain the desired trade-off information. A Pareto-optimal generalization is one in which no other generalization can provide a higher value of k without increasing the information loss. We introduce the Pareto-Optimal k-Anonymization (POkA) algorithm to traverse the hierarchy lattice and show that the number of node evaluations required to find the Pareto-optimal generalizations can be significantly reduced. Results on a benchmark data set show that the algorithm is capable of identifying all Pareto-optimal nodes by evaluating only 20% of nodes in the lattice.
Geographical Variation in Response of Southern Pine Beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to Aggregating Pheromones in Laboratory Bioassays

Laboratory bioassays of southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, showed that beetles exhibited regional differences in response to pheromones. Bioassays of crude pheromone extracts from billets infested with beetles collected from Georgia, Texas, and Virginia showed that beetles from each region had significantly higher positive responses to pheromones from their own region. Beetles from Texas showed the strongest response to a standard of frontalin, trans-verbenol, and loblolly pine turpentine, followed by beetles from Georgia and Virginia.
Evaluation Of Three Transition Pathway Modeling Techniques In Capturing Structural Intermediates In F1 Atpase, Myosin, Kinesin, And Chaperonin Groel

Computer modeling of conformational transitions aims to predict the order of structural events in a functioning molecular machine. Here we evaluate 3 transition pathway modeling techniques — mixed elastic network model (MENM)1, Min-Action-Path2 and adiabatic morphing3. We will assess their accuracy in capturing structural intermediates during the transitions in four ATPase-based molecular machines (F1 ATPase, myosin, kinesin, and chaperonin GroEL), for which abundant structural data are available for validation. We will map transition pathways and experimental structures to a 2D plane spanned by two reaction coordinates that assess the progress of transition at the active site and the force-generating component, respectively. These techniques are found to perform differently in qualitatively capturing the order of structural events in agreement with the structural data (see Figure).FigureTransition pathways predicted by MENM (+), Min-Action-Path (×) and adiabatic morphing (∗) compared with experimental structures (square).View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint SlideReferences1. Zheng W, Brooks BR, Hummer G. Proteins. 2007;69: 43-57.2. Franklin J, Koehl P, Doniach S, Delarue M. Nucleic Acids Res. 2007;35:W477-82.3. Krebs WG, Gerstein M. Nucleic Acids Res. 2000;28:1665-75.
Ultrastructure of neurons in the auditory cortex of ageing rats: a morphometric study

The cell bodies of pyramidal cells in layers II and V of rat auditory cortex were quantitatively examined in groups of rats 3, 6, 15, 23, 27 and 34–36 months of age. The mean diameters of cell bodies of both layer II and layer V neurons, as measured in 1 μm plastic sections, increased between 3 and 15 months of age, then decreased to a diameter that was less in the 36-month-old than in the 3-month-old rats. Morphometry of the nuclei of the cells was done by measuring nuclear area and nuclear envelope length directly on electron micrographs. In the layer II cells, neither parameter changed with advancing age. In the layer V cells, the mean nuclear area decreased significantly in the old animals and the mean envelope length increased. Point-counting techniques were applied to electron micrographs of cell bodies to determine the relative volume of selected organelles, inclusions and ground substance in the perikaryal cytoplasm. In this part of the study the chronological pattern of change in layer II and layer V pyramidal cells was similar. The relative volume of dense bodies increased linearly with advancing age, with a slightly more accelerated rate in layer II cells. The relative volume of ground substance remained essentially constant through 27 months, and then at 34–36 months decreased to 83% and 89% of the three-month level in layer V and layer II, respectively. The relative volume of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) did not change significantly until after 15 months, at which time it began to occupy increasingly a larger fraction of the perikaryal cytoplasm. Finally, the relative volumes of mitochondria, multivesicular bodies and Golgi apparatus did not show clear trends of change during the 33-month period.
Growth Response of Weanling Rats to Heated, Aged, Fractionated, and Chemically Treated Yogurts

Significance of viable cultures in yogurt at time of ingestion on rate of growth of weaning rats was determined. Fresh yogurts were compared with those in which cultures were treated with heat, hydrogen peroxide, and ethylene oxide. They also were aged and freeze-dried. Fractions of yogurt prepared by ultrafiltration were recombined to determine which fraction gave the highest rate of gain in weight. Cultures were inactivated and growth in rats was depressed when yogurt was heated at 60 C and above for 2 min. Hydrogen peroxide reduced the viable yogurt count and rate of gain but not feed consumption. Yogurts treated with ethylene oxide were toxic. Aging did not effect culture viability or feed efficiency, but growth response was reduced. Fractionation of yogurt into components of high and low molecular weight and recombinations with control milk fractions indicated that the growth stimulant remained in the component of high molecular weight.
Control and pointing challenges of antennas and telescopes

Extremely large telescopes are constructed and new radiotelescopes operates at significantly higher radio frequencies; both features create significantly increased pointing accuracy requirements that have to be addressed by control system engineers. The paper presents control and pointing problems encountered during design, testing, and operation of antennas, radiotelescopes, and optical telescopes. This collection of challenges informs of their current status, helps to evaluate their importance, and is a basis for discussion on the ways of improvement of antenna pointing accuracy.
Tumor-induced osteomalacia and the regulation of phosphate homeostasis.

Abstract Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare and unique syndrome characterized by hypophosphatemia, excessive urinary phosphate excretion, reduced 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and osteomalacia. Removal of the tumor is associated with a cure of the lesion. Several laboratories have now shown that conditioned medium derived from cultures of such tumors contain a small, heat-sensitive substance (“phosphatonin”) of
An analysis of a new class of integration algorithms for elastoplastic constitutive relations

An accuracy analysis of a new class of integration algorithms for finite deformation elastoplastic constitutive relations recently proposed by the authors, is carried out in this paper. For simplicity, attention is confined to infinitesimal deformations. The integration rules under consideration fall within the category of return mapping algorithms and follow in a straightforward manner from the theory of operator splitting applied to elastoplastic constitutive relations. General rate-independent and rate-dependent behaviour, with plastic hardening or softening, associated or non-associated flow rules and nonlinear elastic response can be efficiently treated within the present framework. Isoerror maps are presented which demonstrate the good accuracy properties of the algorithm even for strain increments much larger than the characteristic strains at yielding.
Effects of climate on relative predation by scyphomedusae and ctenophores on copepods in Chesapeake Bay during 1987-2000

The mesohaline region of Chesapeake Bay had high densities of the scyphomedusan Chrysaora quinquecirrha and low densities of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in 1987-1990 and 1995. By contrast, 1996-2000 had much lower medusa and higher ctenophore densities. Predation on copepods (Acartia tonsa) was intense in 1996-2000, and copepod densities were low when ctenophores were abundant. At equivalent sizes, the feeding potentials of ctenophores were greater than those of medusae, with clearance rates about 1.2 times greater by volume and about 3 times greater by carbon biomass. M. leidyi ctenophores more negatively influence copepod populations than C. quinquecirrha medusae because they are more effective predators of copepods and have broader spatial and temporal occurrence, wider salinity and temperature ranges, greater densities, and a more flexible life history. Because they consume ctenophores, C. quinquecirrha medusae positively affect copepod abundance. C. quinquecirrha and M. leidyi could be considered keystone predators because of their far-reaching effects on the plankton food web. The balance between medusae and ctenophores in Chesapeake Bay was greatly affected by climatic factors. Medusa abundances were high when dry years prevailed prior to and during 1987-1990 and 1995. By contrast, medusa abundances were low when dry and wet years alternated before and during 1996-2000. Significant variables that favored medusae in 1987-1990 and 1995 were high salinity, warm temperature, and high solar irradiance. The North Atlantic Oscillation Index was significantly inversely correlated with medusa numbers from 1960-1995. Climate clearly affects gelatinous predator abundances, with consequences that cascade throughout the plankton food web.
Array Detectors for Raman Spectroscopy

The sections in this article are Introduction Noise Sample Shot Noise Background Shot Noise Detector Noise Dark Current Read Noise Pixel-to-Pixel Response Single-Channel Detectors Multichannel Detectors Photographic Emulsions Resistive Anode Photomultiplier Tubes Array Detectors Photodiode Arrays Quantum Efficiency Dark Current and Read Noise Intensified Photodiode Arrays Summary Charge Coupled Devices Array Formats Quantum Efficiency Open Electrode Structure Photon Penetration Depth Window Material Dynamic Range and Resolution Noise Considerations Dark Current Read Noise Cosmic Ray Events (CREs) Etalon Interference Patterns Specialized Readout Modes Charge Binning Subarray Readout Time-Delayed Integration Spectral Framing Intensified CCDs for Time-Resolved Raman Spectroscopy Summary Charge-Injection Devices Nonsilicon Devices Germanium Detectors Indium Gallium Arsenide Detectors Platinum Silicide Detectors Other Nonsilicon Array Detectors Microchannel Plates (MCPs) Applications Chemical Imaging Simultaneous Spectra Collection Conclusion
Expression and Function of Recombinant Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene in Canine Basilar Artery After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose —Gene transfer with recombinant viral vectors encoding vasodilator proteins may be useful in therapy of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Relaxations mediated by nitric oxide are impaired in cerebral arteries affected by SAH. The present study was designed to determine the effect of SAH on the efficiency of ex vivo adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to canine basilar arteries and to examine whether expression of recombinant endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene may have functional effects on vasomotor reactivity of spastic arteries affected by SAH . Methods —Replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus vectors encoding bovine eNOS (AdCMVeNOS) and Escherichia coli β-galactosidase (AdCMVβ-Gal) genes were used for ex vivo gene transfer. Rings of basilar arteries obtained from control dogs and dogs exposed to SAH were incubated with the vectors in minimum essential medium. Twenty-four hours after gene transfer, expression and function of the recombinant genes were evaluated by (1) histochemical or immunohistochemical staining, (2) β-galactosidase protein measurement, and (3) isometric tension recording. Results —Transduction with AdCMVβ-Gal and AdCMVeNOS resulted in the expression of recombinant β-galactosidase and eNOS proteins mostly in the vascular adventitia. The expression of β-galactosidase protein was ≈2-fold higher in SAH arteries than in normal arteries. Endothelium-dependent relaxations caused by bradykinin and substance P were suppressed in SAH arteries. The relaxations to bradykinin were significantly augmented in both normal and SAH arteries after AdCMVeNOS transduction but not after AdCMVβ-Gal transduction. The relaxations to substance P were augmented by AdCMVeNOS transduction only in normal arteries. Bradykinin and substance P caused relaxations even in endothelium-denuded arteries, when the vessels were transduced with AdCMVeNOS. These endothelium-independent (adventitia-dependent) relaxations to bradykinin observed after AdCMVeNOS transduction were similar between normal and SAH arteries, whereas those to substance P were significantly reduced in SAH arteries compared with normal arteries. Conclusions —These results suggest that expression of recombinant proteins after adenovirus-mediated gene transfer may be enhanced in cerebral arteries affected by SAH and that successful eNOS gene transfer to spastic arteries can at least partly restore the impaired nitric oxide–mediated relaxations through local (adventitial) production of nitric oxide.
Spatial contiguity and implicit learning in hypertext

The study is interested in how the spatial contiguity principle mediates implicit learning in a hypertext environment.
An architectural co-synthesis algorithm for distributed, embedded computing systems

Many embedded computers are distributed systems, composed of several heterogeneous processors and communication links of varying speeds and topologies. This paper describes a new, heuristic algorithm which simultaneously synthesizes the hardware and software architectures of a distributed system to meet a performance goal and minimize cost. The hardware architecture of the synthesized system consists of a network of processors of multiple types and arbitrary communication topology; the software architecture consists of an allocation of processes to processors and a schedule for the processes. Most previous work in co-synthesis targets an architectural template, whereas this algorithm can synthesize a distributed system of arbitrary topology. The algorithm works from a technology database which describes the available processors, communication links, I/O devices, and implementations of processes on processors. Previous work had proposed solving this problem by integer linear programming (ILP); our algorithm is much faster than ILP and produces high-quality results.
High Energy Ionization in Liquids — The Free Ion Yield

Ionizations can be produced in liquids in many ways, for example by exposure to high energy radiation (fast electrons or alphas) or by interaction with ultraviolet photons of sufficient energy. The passage of a high energy electron results in well separated clusters, each containing a few ionizations or in the case of alpha particles a dense column of ionization. Absorption of ultraviolet light creates a single ion-electron pair. In any case only a fraction of the ion-electron pairs formed initially separate to become free; in most liquids recombination within the track or cluster dominates. The yield of ion electron pairs that separate and become free depends on several factors including the molecular structure of the solvent, the density of ionization along the track, the liquid density, the applied field and the temperature1.
Secrets of Successful Short Grant Applications

The National Institutes of Health has implemented new grant application guidelines that include a substantial reduction in the number of pages allowed for project descriptions. Shorter proposals will potentially decrease reviewer burden, but investigators may find the new page limits challenging. Writing more concisely while still presenting a persuasive argument requires honing certain skills with regard to preparation, construction, and editing of proposals. This article provides strategies from the Western Journal of Nursing Research editorial board for preparing competitive shorter research proposals. Two key strategies for success are fully conceptualizing the study prior to writing and obtaining assistance from experienced colleagues during the editing process.
Design and performance of combination filters for signal restoration

A class of nonlinear moving window filters is investigated for restoration and detection of signals embedded in additive white Gaussian and non-Gaussian noise. The filters of this class, called combination filters (C-filters), use both rank-order and temporal-order information from the input observation sequence within finite processing windows to produce the outputs. A C-filter combines the characteristics of linear FIR (finite impulse response) filters and nonlinear filters of the order statistics type. The output of a C-filter in each processing window is defined to be the rank-order-dependent weighting of temporal-order data. Both analytical and training procedures for designing the C-filters are considered. To get further improvement in overall performance, the authors extend the concept of C-filters and introduce a class of generalized C-filters (GC filters) which are shown to have desirable properties. Performance characteristics of C- and GC filters in signal restoration are considered through computer simulation. >
VALIDITY IN LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT

All previous papers on language assessment in the Annual Review of Applied Linguistics make explicit reference to validity. These reviews, like other work on language testing, use the term to refer to the quality or acceptability of a test. Beneath the apparent stability and clarity of the term, however, its meaning and scope have shifted over the past years. Given the significance of changes in the conception of validity, the time is ideal to probe its meaning for language assessment.
Photonic MEMS based reconfigurable switch for multicast communication systems

Fiber-optic communication has provided the information technology revolution with the high data rate networks it needed. A severe limitation of current fiber networks is caused by the use of electronics in switching and routing. An all-optical fiber network, where there is no need for signal conversion between optics and electronic, is the answer to such a demand. We introduce a new approach to implement a transparent all-optical, non-blocking cross connect switch for routing optical network traffic. This approach is based on the combination of MEMS, diffractive optical elements, and optical fibers. The proposed cross-connect is programmable to configure the network as needed. We develop MINs (multistage interconnection networks), using MEMS based switches as the backbone, to support multicast while reducing crosstalk and control complexity. We develop reordering algorithms and design a slot permuter to adapt to all changes for multicast support. The slot permuter permutes the slots in a frame over time. Finally, we verify the performance and effectiveness of our algorithms and the slot permuter through theoretical analysis and extensive simulation.
Biomimetic mineralization of noble metal nanoclusters.

A number of biological systems have developed highly orchestrated detoxification mechanisms toward the bioreduction and mineralization of noble metals. These systems incorporate small peptides and proteins as nucleation sites for metal binding and nanocluster stabilization. Herein, we present the use of biologically relevant ligands ranging from single amino acids (histidine, imidazole, and cysteine) to linear peptides (glutathione and a histidine rich peptide) in the stabilization of a variety of noble metal surfaces (Au0, Ag0, Pt0, and Cu0). As a result, the different nanocluster/ligand combinations offered a broad range of sizes and stabilitites. The peptide coat also affords a unique functional handle for the formation of larger assemblies. Using Ni chelation and immunomolecular approaches, strategies for the assembly of nanocluster heterostructures were investigated.
Cluster analysis-based physiological classification and morphological properties of inhibitory neurons in layers 2-3 of monkey dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

In primates, little is known about intrinsic electrophysiological properties of neocortical neurons and their morphological correlates. To classify inhibitory cells (interneurons) in layers 2–3 of ...
Controlling more with less using nonholonomic gears

This paper addresses the use of nonholonomic gears in robotic applications to reduce the number of actuators necessary to control a given system. Previous research by (Sordalen et al., 1994) has shown that an n-degree of freedom robot can be controlled using only two actuators. This paper focuses on the advantages of using three or more actuators to control a system of nonholonomic gears, and derives the principles for doing so. In particular, it shows that using one or two additional actuators aids in reducing the complexity of the control laws, while at the same time increasing the number of degrees of freedom that can feasibly be controlled. The paper illustrates the ideas using three novel proposed systems: a three-degree of freedom reorientable table, a six-degree of freedom mobile manipulator, and a (human) head-driven feeding device for quadraplegics.
Burnout among Teachers of the Gifted and Gifted Adults

This article surveys some of the common causes of “burnout” such as: lack of rewards, irrelevant duties, unsatisfactory work conditions, lack of confirmation of worth and isolation. The writer also comments on the problems of lack of tangible feedback in many professions which provide service to others such as special educators and clergy who frequently deal with constant stress in others. Often a radical change in lifestyle compounds existing problems. In particular the paper discusses the “paralysed perfectionism” of highly able adults and children who initially were dedicated to reaching high level goals. The writer suggests keeping a daily Strategies Diary in which personal rewards and stresses are recorded and analysed with the purpose of reaching greater self-understanding.
Depression: A psychologic consideration in complete denture prosthodontics

When the complete denture population was examined for depression with the BDI, the greatest prevalence of depressive symptoms was found to coincide with the age groups that included the greatest proportion of denture wearers. An awareness by the dentist of high-risk groups for depression within the patient pool may help explain difficulties in achieving patient satisfaction with dentures, facilitate recognition of a problem, and make possible appropriate referral for diagnosis and treatment.
Effects of Convective Heating on Movement and Vertical Coupling of Tropical Cyclones: A Numerical Study*

Abstract The influence of convective heating on movement and vertical coupling of tropical cyclones (TCs) is investigated using a hurricane model with different environmental flows. The authors identify two processes by which convective heating may affect TC motion. One is the advection of symmetric potential vorticity (PV) by heating-induced asymmetric flow. The other is the direct generation of a positive PV tendency by asymmetric heating, which acts to shift a TC to the region of maximum downward gradient of asymmetric heating. A steering level exists that is located at the level where the direct influence of asymmetric heating vanishes, normally in the lower troposphere. At that level, a TC moves with the asymmetric flow averaged within a radius of 200 km, because the influence of asymmetric flows on TC motion is weighted by the horizontal PV gradient that is primarily confined within the TC core. Although the vertical shear in the asymmetric flow (including environmental and heating-induced flows) co...
Ice Formation by Sulfate and Sulfuric Acid Aerosol Particles under Upper-Tropospheric Conditions

Abstract Ice formation in ammoniated sulfate and sulfuric acid aerosol particles under upper-tropospheric conditions was studied using a continuous flow thermal diffusion chamber. This technique allowed for particle exposure to controlled temperatures and relative humidities for known residence times. The phase states of (NH4)2SO4 and NH4HSO4 particles were found to have important impacts on their ice formation capabilities. Dry (NH4)2SO4 particles nucleated ice only at high relative humidity (RH ≥ 94%) with respect to water at temperatures between −40° and −60°C. This result suggested either an impedance or finite time dependence to deliquescence and subsequent homogeneous freezing nucleation. Ammonium sulfate particles that entered the diffusion chamber in a liquid state froze homogeneously at relative humidities that were 10% lower than where ice nucleated on initially dry particles. Likewise, crystalline or partially crystallized (as letovicite) NH4HSO4 particles required higher relative humidities fo...
The Impact of Immigration on Health Insurance Coverage in the United States

This paper examines the issue of immigration and health insurance coverage in the United States. It first examines the status of health insurance coverage among immigrants as compared with nonimmigrants. It then examines the impact of immigration over the period 1994-2003, a much longer period than is covered by previous studies.
Effects of Node Geometry on Noncooperative Distributed SIMO Wireless Relay Networks

In practice, in any wireless network where 1-source, N-relays and M-destinations exist, each relay node will most likely have different separations with the source and any destination. Therefore, relay node geometry effect in a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) system was studied in this paper. The main contribution of this paper is the derivation of an optimal diagonal amplifying relay matrix under node geometry effect. This matrix is designed for a non cooperative distributed wireless relay network. The effect of node geometry in wireless relay networks was studied. The new derived matrix was evaluated using bit error rate (BER). Also, performance comparisons with/without no node geometry were a focus in our study.
On Status Quo and Safety Protection in Emissions Monitoring about Pollution Source

The work environment is poor and the workers are not safe when they work at the gas emission sources.Therefore,the conditions of monitoring for workers need to be changed.
12 – METHANE PRODUCTION IN DAIRY COWS

The relationship between diet composition, intake level and methane production was investigated: the data were obtained during 404 total energy balance trials with cattle. Methane production in all trials was measured in open-circuit respiration chambers. The most useful predictor of total methane production was the amounts of soluble residue, hemicellulose and cellulose that were apparently digested. The regression was as follows: CH4 (MJ) = 1.837 + 1.142 ± 0.063 kg digested soluble residue + 2.142 ± 0.326 kg digested hemicellulose + 5.828 ± 0.406 kg digested cellulose
Institutionalizing party in the nineteenth-century House

Lessons drawn from the politics of the previous question rule in Chapter 3 and the statistical evidence in Chapter 4 suggest a striking partisan dynamic to changes in House minority rights. Short-term concerns about partisan advantage – rather than broader concerns about institutional well-being – appear to motivate changes in the distribution of parliamentary rights in the House over time. If such a conclusion accurately captures the politics of minority rights, certain patterns should emerge from a more detailed, qualitative assessment of individual cases of rights creation and suppression after adoption of the previous question rule in 1812. First, rules changes restricting minority rights should elicit strong partisan divisions, with majority party members voting largely in favor and minority party members largely opposed. Second, rules changes extending minority rights should be contingent on a cross-party coalition composed primarily of minority party members and a few majority party defectors. Third, there should be evidence of a policy-related purpose to such rules changes. Parties seeking to suppress rights should have a collective goal of legislative victories sufficiently important to them to motivate manipulation of chamber rules in face of minority obstructionism. Similarly, cross-party coalitions seeking to reinforce rights should have enough legislative concerns in common to warrant collaboration across party lines to secure a favorable change in House rules. In this and the next chapter, I show how individual cases of creation and suppression across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries fit the general pattern of change in minority rights characterized in Chapter 4.