cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SCE and UDS studies in a family with retinoblastoma: A case study

The frequencies of both spontaneous and mitomycin C (MMC)-induced sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) were analyzed in mixed lymphocyte cultures from a kindred with retinoblastoma. Both the affected daughter and male proband, as well as two normal controls, were studied. No differences were observed in the spontaneous or in the MMC-induced SCE frequencies obtained from the peripheral lymphocytes of these patients compared to the normal controls. Unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) was observed in the lymphocytes treated with varying concentrations of both MMC and M-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Whereas no differences were observed in the rate of [3H]thymidine incorporation in the retinoblastoma-derived lymphocytes exposed to MMC when compared to the controls, differences were seen in the response to MNNG. Our data suggest that cells from these retinoblastoma patients respond like normal cells to damage induced by MMC, but that they are unable to repair damage induced by MNNG.
Sibling Incest: Adjustment in Adult Women Survivors

To measure adjustment of women survivors of sibling incest, 35 adult female survivors and a matched comparison group of 21 women were interviewed and completed questionnaires regarding their adult ...
An investigation of competitive pricing among apparel retailers and brands

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to investigate competitive pricing strategies of apparel brands and retailers.Design/methodology/approach – The paper begins with a broad discussion of competition by examining Porter's five forces model, and narrows by examining price competition within price tiers in the retail apparel industry according to store format and brands. Included are case studies of apparel retailers and brands incorporating concepts of pricing strategies, brand positioning, and price competition, with a focus on retail channel relationships. The paper analyzes the impact of price competition on apparel retailers and brands, and further examines price tiers as a competitive strategy.Findings – The study reveals that the concept of price tiers is applicable to apparel retailers and brands. Price tiering is a vehicle for market positioning for the retail apparel industry. Retailers are enacting a price tier strategy by branding their retail store formats or engaging store brands as a vehicle o...
Sensing membrane stress with near IR-emissive porphyrins

Probes embedded within a structure can enable prediction of material behavior or failure. Carefully assembled composites that respond intelligently to physical changes within a material could be useful as intrinsic sensors. Molecular rotors are one such tool that can respond optically to physical environmental changes. Here, we propose to use molecular rotors within a polymersome membrane to report membrane stress. Using supermolecular porphyrin-based fluorophores as rotors, we characterize changes in the optical emission of these near-infrared (NIR) emissive probes embedded within the hydrophobic core of the polymersome membrane. The configuration of entrapped fluorophore depends on the available space within the membrane; in response to increased volume, emission is blue shifted. We used this feature to study how shifts in fluorescence correlate to membrane integrity, imparted by membrane stress. We monitored changes in emission of these porphyrin-based fluorophores resulting from membrane stress produced through a range of physical and chemical perturbations, including surfactant-induced lysis, hydrolytic lysis, thermal degradation, and applied stress by micropipette aspiration. This paper comprehensively illustrates the potential for supermolecular porphyrin-based fluorophores to detect intrinsic physical changes in a wide variety of environments, and suggests how molecular rotors may be used in soft materials science and biology as sensors.
Commercial and Residential Building Performance during the May 20, 2013, Tornado in Moore, Oklahoma

AbstractIn 2013, there were 14 killer tornadoes in the United States that caused a total of 55 fatalities. The most severe tornado in this group was an Enhanced Fujita (EF) 5 storm that occurred on May 20 in Moore, Oklahoma. Because of the severity of this storm, a field investigation was undertaken to observe and document damaged commercial and residential structures so that a better appreciation of their structural and nonstructural performance could be developed. Both low-rise engineered commercial buildings and single-family homes were surveyed. Most of the commercial buildings sustained severe nonstructural damage and limited damage to the primary structural system. However, some instances of global structural collapse and local collapse of structural elements around building entrances were also observed in commercial buildings. Residential construction exhibited extensive damage to brick veneer and failure of garage doors and subsequent roof damage. These failures illustrate the importance of an ade...
Increased intraocular pressure and hyperthermia following administration of substance P into rabbit third ventricle

Abstract In rabbits the administration of the undecapeptide neurotransmitter substance P into the third ventricle resulted in a dose-dependent increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) and deep body temperature (BT). Maximum increases occurred following a dose of 25 μg/0·1 . Third ventricle delivery did not alter outflow facility as measured by tonography. Substance P decreased posterior chamber aqueous ascorbate which was consistent with an increased rate of aqueous production. The IOP response was blocked by pretreatment with systemic phentolamine and reduced by systemic acetazolamide and by topical prazosin. Systemic pretreatment with propranolol, atropine or capsaicin had no effect on IOP. The increased BT was blocked by pretreatment with phentolamine, indomethacin or phenobarbital but not by acetazolamide, capsaicin, propranolol or atropine. The administration of substance P octapeptide into the third ventricle also increased IOP and BT.
Continuously Tuneable, Quasi-Continuous-Wave Source for Ultraviolet Resonance Raman Spectroscopy

A continuously tuneable, quasi-continuous-wave (cw), ultraviolet source for resonance Raman spectroscopy has been developed. The third and fourth harmonics of a picosecond mode-locked titanium: sapphire laser were generated in nonlinear crystals. The pulses which resulted from these processes were spectrally narrow (10-15 cm-1) and had low peak powers (<1 kW), while the system as a whole provides high average powers. Fourth-harmonic wavelengths were generated from 208 to 230 nm with average powers from 15 to 40 mW, while the third harmonic ranged from 255 to 305 nm with over 90 mW of power. The UV light was well collimated and focused well, and the power was stable for hours. Resonance Raman spectra of tryptophan and phenylalanine were recorded to demonstrate the practical application of this system. Spectra with excellent signal-to-noise ratios were recorded in 6 min with no deleterious effects from nonlinear processes. The selective enhancement of tryptophan scattering in a 1:10 molar solution of tryptophan to phenylalanine makes clear the advantage of a continuously tuneable UV source. Elaboration of this system to the full tuning range of titanium: sapphire lasers will create a laser source suitable for resonance Raman spectroscopy throughout the ultraviolet region (205-400 nm).
Composition of the dorsocutaneous nerve inRana pipiens

Der dorsale Hautnerv (rami cutanei dorsi mediales) des Frosches (Rana pipiens) enthalt nur eine geringe Axonenzahl. Die Maxima im anatomischen Spektrum stimmen linear mit den entsprechenden Maxima im elektrophysiologischen Spektrum uberein.
Does the X chromosome have a special role in immune biology

The observation that a number of gene clusters or "supergenes" are critical in the genetic regulation of the immune response was used to introduce the hypothesis that multiple X chromosome genes are similarly organized and that they play some special critical role in the immune response. The evidence discussed included current information on several of the human X-linked immune deficiencies, data from mice and studies suggesting X chromosome genes have "regulatory" functions in non-immune tissues. A set of potentially testable speculations based on the hypothesis were advanced.
Changing Roles of Support Staff in an Online Environment

The introduction of an online system into any library department's normal routines will result in many dramatic changes in all aspects of its operations. This paper discusses the implementation of the Faxon Data LINX and SC-10 Serials Control System in the Acquisitions Department of a moderate size, academic library, and how this implementation was a major catalyst in changing the roles and expectations of its support staff. Discussed in the paper are: the department's organizational structure prior to, during, and after the Faxon system's implementation; the participation of support staff in this implementation; how resulting staff morale problems were handled; and, how this online environment precipitated a new organizational structure and changed the department's expectations of support staff positions and their roles in its managerial and technical operations.
THE LOSS OF VIABILITY OF BACTERIA IN SUSPENSION DUE TO CHANGING THE IONIC ENVIRONMENT

SUMMARY: Following the accidental discovery and subsequent confirmation of an 80% loss of viability in a suspension of Escherichia coli when the ionic environment was changed from phosphate buffer to Ringer's solution, and of similar losses after changes in the reverse direction, the behaviour of other organisms was studied. Clostridium butyricum, Streptococcus lactis, Escherichia coli, and Micrococcus candidus gave positive results, Mycobacterium smegrmatis and a brewer's yeast did not. The survey included variations in the conditions, mostly with E. coli. Minor constituents of the solutions or alteration of their pH modified the effect, e.g. that of 1% NaCl in place of Ringer's solution or of pH 8·0 instead of the usual pH 7·2, was quite different. Also, the addition of glucose, sodium thioglycollate, or methylene blue diminished it, with one exception in the case of glucose. Mic. candidus responded if the solutions were chilled, but not at room temperature. With electrolyte concentrations below about 0·02 M there was no effect. Various other changes of anions were effective, as also was change from a univalent to a bivalent cation. A second treatment, following the necessary intermediate reverse change which had no effect, caused another smaller mortality. This reduced sensitivity gave a diminished loss which persisted through many subsequent subculturings.
Networking through the new phone system the future of telecommunications

Abstract This paper presents an overview of telecommunications from 1850 to the present as a background. Other topics include the Bell System breakup, current Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) problems related to T1 transmission, the implementation and early testing of ISDN (Integrated System Digital Network), the Stanford University phone system and their Bell Canada test facility, Fiber Optics technology and applications, applicable IEEE standards and VSAT networks. The paper also contrasts PBX-LAN systems, and describes the Stanford Linear Detector data-message network as well as Research Networks and other Academic Networks world-wide.
Variable-parameter Muskingum-Cunge method revisited

This paper re-examines the variable-parameter Muskingum-Cunge method. Numerical experiments show that the loss of mass is small but perceptible throughout the wide range of peak inflows tested, from 200 to 1000 cfs ft−1 (18.58–92.9 m2 s−1). Modified three-point direct and four-point iterative variable-parameter methods are introduced. These methods have better mass conservation properties than comparable conventional methods. In practice, the small loss of mass experienced by the variable-parameter methods does not appear to constitute a significant drawback.
A method for rapid scoring of respiratory tumors in hamsters

The larynx, trachea, and lung of Syrian golden hamsters treated with diethylnitrosamine were stained with modified Wright's stain and rendered semitransparent by a clearing technique. Areas of dense cell aggregation (tumors) were readily observable under a dissecting microscope. Tumor scoring at this subgross level correlated with subsequent microscopic evaluation, except that several tumors were found on the subgross level which would not have been observed during routine histologic procedures. The clearing method was used successfully to discern differences in tumor incidence in a dose-response study with diethylnitrosamine.
The Drosophila extra sex combs protein contains WD motifs essential for its function as a repressor of homeotic genes.

Extra sex combs is a member of the Polycomb Group genes, whose products are required for stable long term transcriptional repression of the homeotic genes of the Bithorax and Antennapedia complexes. The Pc-G proteins are required to maintain the spatially restricted domains of homeotic gene expression established by the transiently expressed repressors, e.g., hunchback, but are not required for the functioning of these early repressors. This implies two distinct modes of repression and raises the question: how does the transition from early transient repression to stable Pc-G-mediated repression occur? While other Pc-G proteins are required continuously throughout development, the esc RNA is only present transiently in early embryos, suggesting that esc may play a role in mediating this transition to stable long term Pc-G-mediated repression. The predicted esc protein contains multiple copies of the WD motif, found in G-protein beta subunits as well as non-G proteins involved in diverse cellular functions, including transcriptional repression. The sequence alterations of a number of esc mutations cause amino acid substitutions within the WD repeats, identifying them as essential for the function of the esc protein as a repressor of homeotic gene expression. Other WD proteins are components of reversible macromolecular assemblies and the WD motif has recently been directly implicated in mediating interactions with other proteins in such complexes. We propose that the esc protein is similarly involved in the initial recruitment of Pc-G repressors to the homeotic genes to establish their stable long term repression.
Social justice and critical peace education: Common ideals guiding student teacher transformation

The primary objective of this paper is to report on two teacher educators’ development and assessment of a framework and workshop to introduce student teachers to social justice and peace education ideals within the domains of teachers’ work during student teachers’ first full-time experience of teaching in diverse schools in a major city in the Pacific region. The framework builds from a critical re-constructionist perspective and aims to raise student teachers’ critical consciousness of social and economic injustice, human rights, and defects in schooling and inspire a resolve to act on them to promote social justice (Bajaj 2008). Adopting an action research methodology, the authors/instructors assessed student teachers’ perceptions of their learning after a two-hour workshop that introduced a social justice and peace education framework. Secondary student teachers participated in workshops in two consecutive years. Student teachers reported positive outcomes from the workshop in Likert scale responses ...
Specific heat of spin-glass CuMn below 3 K

Measurements in the 0.35 to 3 K temperature range on alloys containing 0.083, 0.20, 0.43, 0.88, and 0.92 at.% Mn are reported. The spin-glass contribution to the specific heat does not show a linear dependence on absolute temperature but has an initial positive curvature leading to a linear region which extrapolates back to zero at a positive temperature, dependent on the Mn content. A change in $\frac{d(\frac{{C}_{p}}{T})}{\mathrm{dT}}$ at the estimated spin-glass freezing temperature was observed for the 0.083 at.% Mn alloy. The estimated freezing temperatures for the other alloys lie outside the range of the present measurements. The results do not obey the simple scaling law $\frac{{C}_{p}}{c}=f(\frac{T}{c})$, where $c$ is the Mn concentration. However, they are in agreement with earlier specific-heat results below 1 K and recent data above 2 K and also with some recent theory.
A Comparative Review of Topical Therapies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Topical therapy, although first recognised in the treatment of left-sided colitis in 1956, has only recently come to be viewed as the optimal first line therapy for patients with distal colitis. Sulfasalazine enemas, mesalazine (5-aminosalicylic acid) enemas/foam and 4-aminosalicylic acid enemas have impressive response rates of 70 to 80% in active disease as well as efficacy in the maintenance of remission. Suppository formulations are as effective as enemas for patients with proctitis, and have the advantage of ease and comfort of use. Corticosteroid enemas are as effective as mesalazine enemas in treating active colitis. Concerns about systemic absorption of traditional topical corticosteroids have led to the development of newer topical corticosteroids with fewer systemic adverse effects. Several novel topical agents, including short-chain fatty acids, sodium cromoglycate (cromolyn sodium), sucralfate, bismuth citrate, lidocaine (lignocaine) and interleukin-10, show promise as future therapies.
Analysis of Multiplex Error in FM/FM and PAM/FM/FM Telemetry

The primary object of the work described in this paper is to establish and delineate a procedure for the calculation of certain errors associated with the performance of FM/FM and/or PAM/FM/FM multiplex telemetry systems. The errors considered are those that are produced in a channel of the multiplex resulting from arbitrary frequency and phase selective networks, and those resulting from the interference of adjacent channel sidebands with respect to an arbitrary channel center frequency separation. To find these errors, a straightforward spectral analysis and synthesis is developed for practical models of standard FM/FM and PAM/FM/FM systems. Expressions are obtained for the outputs of a multiplex for given inputs, and for non-linear distortion and adjacent channel interference, in terms of the conventional parameters of such systems. This method of analysis is entirely quantitative, and an effort has been made to develop it from a definite theoretical basis. Because the FM process is nonlinear, and since the purpose of this investigation has been the evaluation of system performance rather than analytical insight per se, automatic digital computation is contemplated throughout. Nevertheless, it has been found that the results of the work involved in 1) the justification of a system model, 2) the derivations of functions defining the operations of the components of the model, 3) programming the functions for numerical analysis, and finally 4) performing relatively economical experimental numerical adjustments of the model parameters, lead to a valuable physical appreciation of the system behavior with respect to prescribed conditions.
Pseudodifferential operators and Banach algebras in mobile communications

Abstract We study linear time-varying operators arising in mobile communication using methods from time–frequency analysis. We show that a wireless transmission channel can be modeled as pseudodifferential operator H σ with symbol σ in F L w 1 or in the modulation space M w ∞ , 1 (also known as weighted Sjostrand class). It is then demonstrated that Gabor Riesz bases { φ m , n } for subspaces of L 2 ( R ) approximately diagonalize such pseudodifferential operators in the sense that the associated matrix [ 〈 H σ φ m ′ , n ′ , φ m , n 〉 ] m , n , m ′ , n ′ belongs to a Wiener-type Banach algebra with exponentially fast off-diagonal decay. We indicate how our results can be utilized to construct numerically efficient equalizers for multicarrier communication systems in a mobile environment.
Replacement of Histidines of Light Harvesting Chlorophyll a/b Binding Protein II Disrupts Chlorophyll-Protein Complex Assembly

Eukaryotic light harvesting proteins (LHCPs) bind pigments and assemble into complexes (LHCs) that channel light energy into photosynthetic reaction centers. The structures of several prokaryotic LHCPs are known and histidines are important for the binding of the associated pigments. It has been difficult to predict how the eukaryotic LHCPs associate with pigments as the structure of the major LHCP of photosystem II is not yet known. While each LHCPII binds approximately 13 chlorophylls the protein contains only three histidines, one in each putative transmembrane helix. Experiments that use isolated pea (Pisum sativum L.) chloroplasts and mutant LHCPII synthesized in vitro show that the substitution of either an alanine or an arginine for each histidine residue inhibits some aspect of LHCII assembly. The histidine of the first membrane helix, but not the second or third, may be involved in the transport across the chloroplast envelope. No histidine alone is essential for the insertion of LHCP into thylakoid membranes, yet arginine substitutions are more inhibitory than those of alanine. The histidine replacements have their most pronounced effect on the assembly of LHCP into LHCII.
Rapid hot embossing of polymer microfeatures

Although the hot embossing process is gaining popularity in molding polymer micro/nano structures, it needs a breakthrough improvement in reducing cycle time before it can become a mass-production process. In this study, an embossing tool with a rapid heating and cooling capability was investigated to reduce the cycle time. During the process, the embossing tool was rapidly heated to above the polymer softening temperature (in less than a couple of seconds), pressed against a room-temperature polymer substrate, and subsequently rapidly cooled for mold separation. Different miniaturized features including microsquare and hexagonal wells, microcircular holes, and submicron surface features were successfully produced using the new process with a total embossing cycle time around 20 s. The fatigue test result indicated that the new embossing technology is durable and reliable for microscale feature replication.
Moderately concentrated solutions of polystyrene, part 5. Static and dynamic light scattering in bis(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate

Static and dynamic light scattering data are reported on dilute and moderately concentrated solutions of a high molecular weight polystyrene (Mw = 3.61 × 106) in bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate under Flory Theta conditions. The data cover a concentration range with 0.03 × [η]c × 3.5, with several concentrations large enough that the product cMw exceeds the value necessary for entanglement behavior. The results show that a certain intermolecular scattering function H(q, c) often approximated by unity should not be neglected in the evaluation of the correlation length in the static scattering from moderately concentrated solutions of flexible chain polymers. An approximate form for H(q, c) for moderately concentrated solutions is consistent with a soft spherically symmetric repulsive potential among the chains. The dynamic scattering show two distinct groups of relaxation rates at all concentrations, but the interpretation of the two modes changes as the concentration increases from low concentrations ([η]c 2.4 the slow mode is viscoelastic in origin, and the faster mode is diffusive. The behavior is compared with theoretical predictions in both regimes.
Integrated optimal structural and vibration control design

An integrated design procedure which is composed of structural design, control design, and actuator locations design is proposed in this paper. First, a composite objective function, formed by a structural and a control objective, is optimized in steady state through the homogenization design method. Then an independent modal space control algorithm (IMSC) is performed on this optimal structure to reduce the dynamic response. Finally, to minimize the control force while still obtaining the same modal response for the controlled modes, the optimal choice for actuator locations is discussed.
Evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence.

Evidence-based medicine and, primarily, data from randomized controlled clinical trials are continually regarded as the only valid sources for all clinical knowledge. This Viewpoint discusses the merits of 'practice-based evidence' and how this important information is currently undervalued in the clinical community.
Novelty and familiarity in discrimination learning by rhesus monkeys

Four test-sophisticated rhesus monkeys were given a series of two-choice discrimination problems in which the discriminanda consisted of either two novel objects or two familiar objects. Familiar objects were selected in accordance with ecological variables that were apparent in the monkeys’ laboratory environment. In addition to the usual “novelty effect, ” the experimental findings indicated an equally potent “familiarity effect.” The results were interpreted within the framework of a simple memory model that embraced the principles of the Rescorla-Wagner model of associative learning.
Theory for the first-order spin-wave instability threshold in ferromagnetic insulating thin films

A theory for the first-order Suhl and the parallel pumping instability in thin films is presented. Significant differences for the critical microwave field and wave vector to former calculations occur, which discuss the problem in terms of bulk spin-waves neglecting boundary conditions. A coupling matrixCkk′ is introduced, which describes the couplings between the modes and the driving microwave field. For bulk standing spin-wavesCkk′ is always diagonal. For the true discrete standing modes of a thin filmCkk′ changes only in case of 1. Suhl instability and if the wavevector has a non vanishing component perpendicular to the film plane. Here the diagonal bulk couplings have to be replaced in part by off diagonal terms, describing couplings between modes, which perpendicular wave vector componentk⊥ differs byπ/d (d=film thickness). The decisive quantity, which decides if the finite thickness of the film is of importance or if the film can be treated as a bulk system, is the frequency difference δωk of the coupled modes. For δωk much smaller than the spin-wave damping ηk the bulk approximation is correct. For\(\delta \omega _k > > \eta _k \) two experimental situations for 1. Suhl instability are discussed: For a perpendicular to the film plane magnetized film the critical microwave field is by π/2 bigger than in the bulk case. In an in-plane magnetized film the critical spin-waves propagate always in the film plane, as only hereCkk′ remains identical to the bulk case.
Effect of estrogen on uterine ATP levels.

SummaryThe ATP levels were determined in the uteri of ovarectomized and immature rats following administration of estradiol. An almost linear decrease occurred with time so that the ATP level was reduced to 50% of control value at 4 hours. ATP levels seem to bear an inverse relation to the reported rates of RNA synthesis in a variety of experimental situations, thus RNA synthesis, not protein synthesis, is the most demanding utilizer of ATP in uterine tissue under the conditions of these experiments.
Adaptive Modulation using Differential STBC in Rayleigh Fading Channel

In this paper, we consider adaptive modulation (AM) using differential space-time block codes (DSTBC) in the presence of Rayleigh fading channel. A MIMO system, DSTBC can be simplified to be a multiple SISO (scalar) system with a diversity gain. A near-instantaneous signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio at the DSTBC receiver is used as a channel quality estimate. Using the channel quality, the system is able to choose a set of SNR thresholds that maximize throughput and keeps the target bit-error-rate (BER) for a given average transmitted SNR.
Transduction of the discriminative stimulus effects of zolpidem by GABAA/α1 receptors

Zolpidem is an imidazopyridine with high affinity at gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptors expressing alpha1 subunits. In squirrel monkeys trained to discriminate a high dose of zolpidem (> or =3.0 mg/kg) from saline, zolpidem and another GABA(A)/alpha1 receptor-preferring agonist, zaleplon, substituted dose-dependently for zolpidem, whereas the non-selective agonists diazepam and triazolam were did not substitute at any dose tested. These findings offer the first evidence for a selective role of GABA(A)/alpha1 receptors in the interoceptive effects of high doses of zolpidem.
Partial characterization of two antigens secreted by L1 larvae of Trichinella spiralis

Two protein antigens were isolated from excretory-secretory products of Trichinella spiralis by biochemical methods and characterized with respect to their chemical and immunological properties. One antigen, of apparent Mr 43 000, is an abundant secreted protein of infective L1 larvae, while the other, of 45–50 kDa, is present in smaller amounts. Yields, extinction coefficients, isoelectric points, amino acid compositions, and partial N-terminal amino acid sequences for each are reported. Partial amino acid sequences of peptides derived from the 43-kDa protein by cyanogen bromide cleavage have been determined. Treating a reduced-pyridylethylated derivative of the 43-kDa protein with glycopeptidase F (N-glycanase) resulted in formation of a transient product, of 37 kDa followed by a stable polypeptide of 32 kDa (by SDS-PAGE), suggesting the presence of two N-linked carbohydrate groups. A similar result was obtained with the 45–50-kDa protein, which gave a transient doublet of 38 and 40 kDa and a final, stable product of 33 kDa, with a minor component of 35 kDa. Two glycosylation sites of the 43-kDa protein and one site of the 45–50-kDa protein can be identified in the amino acid sequences. Polyclonal antibodies prepared against the two proteins cross-reacted extensively, but failed to react with the doubly deglycosylated polypeptides in Western blots. The dominant epitopes present in the reduced-pyridylethylated polypeptides are, therefore, N-linked carbohydrate, although the presence of peptide epitopes in the native proteins cannot be excluded.
Specificity of the stimulation of in vitro ribonucleic acid synthesis by guanosine 5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate.

The in vitro synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA) by S-30 extracts of Escherichia coli K-12 is stimulated from two- to fourfold by 0.16 mM to 0.32 mM guanosine 5′-diphosphate 3′-diphosphate (ppGpp) when either λcI857St68h80 deoxyribonucleic acid (λh80 DNA), λh80dilv DNA or λh80dlac DNA are employed as templates. Hybridization analysis of the 3H-RNA product transcribed from λh80dilv DNA in the presence of ppGpp indicates that both bacteriophage- and bacterial-specific transcription is stimulated to an equivalent degree. In the absence of cyclic 3′–5′-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP), correct lac-specifci RNA synthesis from λh80dlac DNA is not stimulated by 0.32 mM ppGpp although total RNA synthesis is increased nearly twofold. In the presence of 0.5 mM cyclic AMP, correct lac-specific RNA synthesis is stimulated preferentially by ppGpp. These data suggest that ppGpp is capable of stimulating in vitro transcription in both a general and selective manner.
Preferences for Sexual Symbols in the Genital Stage: A Replication

Summary.-Freud's theory of sexual symbolism was tested with 61 twelfth grade students (33 females and 28 males). The students indicated their preferences for one figure in each of 15 figure pairs, some being from Cameron, some being new. The results were not consistent with Cameron's (1967) findings that adolescents preferred male phallic symbols. In the present study, genital stage females (fi < .01) and males (fi < ,001) preferred female sexual symbols. The results may reflect the breakdown of the masculine-oriented culture during the 1960s and 1970s. A number of studies have tested the validity of the Freudian notion of preference for sexual symbols as a function of sex, cultural group, and developmental stage (Jahoda, 1756; Lessler, 1764; Levy, 1954; McElroy, 1754; Stennett & Thurlow, 1758). Cameron (1767) found support for Freudian theory in three of four psychosexual stages. Specifically, children in the oral stage had no sexual symbol preferences, those in the phallic stage had preferences for the opposite sex, and latency stage children preferred sexual symbols of the same gender. In contrast to Freud's assertion that genital stage adolescents would have opposite sex preferences, Cameron found that both males and females preferred male sexual symbols. He interpreted the data from adolescents to mean that symbol preferences were influenced by the male dominant culture in the United States. The present study attempted to clarify the contradictory results of the Cameron study with Freudian theory. An adolescent population was therefore tested. Since cultural, and possible subcultural factors seem relevant, the identical rural subjects from the west-central Wisconsin region where Cameron's work was done were tested here. Because figure preference effects may be taskspecific, a different set of items from Cameron's was made up. It was felt this
Tomographic reconstruction from optical scattered intensities

A generalized tomographic reconstruction procedure is described for determining the complex-valuedindex-of-refraction distribution of a semitransparent, three-dimensional inhomogeneous object from observations of the far-field intensity patterns generated by the object in a sequence of scattering experiments. The inversion procedure is based on the wave equation governing the scattered optical field and fully accounts for the diffraction and propagation effects associated with the interaction of the incident wave with the object and the subsequent free-space propagation of the scattered wave to the wave zone (far field). The reconstruction of the object’s index-of-refraction distribution is performed digitally directly from the far-field intensity of the scattered wave and does not require direct measurement or retrieval of the phase of the scattered field. An optical scattering experiment is reported in which the cross-sectional profile of the index-of-refraction distribution of an optical fiber is reconstructed from the measured intensity of the diffraction pattern of the fiber by using the described inversion procedure.
Protein uptake by rat preimplantation stages.

The protein tracers, horseradish peroxidase and ferritin, are demonstrable in the subzonal space of all preimplantation stages within ten minutes when incubated in vivo or in vitro. However, there is very little uptake of these proteins by ova and two-cell stages. By the blastocyst stage there is greatly increased uptake of exogenous protein. The proteins appear in coated micropinocytotic vesicles and tubules, larger vacuoles, and more complex bodies. Blastocysts from the period of lactationally delayed implantation show an even greater amount of uptake, especially in the supranuclear region. Peroxidase reaction product can be demonstrated in the cavity of day 5 blastocysts in 30 minutes, and in the cavity and basal lamina of the blastocysts during delayed implantation in ten minutes. Ferritin was more sparsely distributed, and was not seen in the blastocyst cavity in any of the time periods. Peroxidase is apparently transported via an intracellular pathway, since it is not seen in the elaborate intercellular spaces between trophoblast cells. Acid phosphatase activity is demonstrable in vacuoles, dense bodies and Golgi cisternae in all stages, indicating that the potential for degradation of ooplasm and phagocytized material by a lysosomal system is present in all of the preimplantation stages examined.
The effect of asking current consumption questions before or after product evaluation

With the cost of new product development and roll out increasing, firms often do a test market to evaluate a potential product's suitability. As a part of this test marketing, firms often use surveys to see what customers think of their proposed product. These surveys often contain questions about the customer's current consumption. The location of those questions on a survey can alter the respondent's evaluation of the products in question — if they are asked about their current consumption before they have evaluated the new product then their product evaluation is lower than if the question is asked after they have evaluated the new product.
Applications of Machine Learning Techniques in Digital Processing of Images of the Martian Surface

NASA spacecraft have now returned many thousands of images of the surface of Mars. It is no longer practical to analyze such a large dataset by hand, while the development of handwritten feature extraction tools is expensive and laborious. This project investigates the application of machine learning techniques to problems of feature extraction and digital image processing within the Mars dataset. The Los Alamos GENIE machine learning software system uses a genetic algorithm to assemble feature extraction tools from low-level image operators. Each generated tool is evaluated against training data provided by the user. The best tools in each generation are allowed to "reproduce" to produce the next generation, and the population of tools evolves until it converges to a solution or reaches a level of performance specified by the user. Craters are one of the most scientifically interesting and most numerous features on Mars, and present a wide range of shapes at many spatial scales. We now describe results on development of crater finder algorithms using voting sets of simple classifiers evolved by a machine learning/genetic programming system (the Los Alamos GENIE software).
Optimal and heuristic scheduling for intermittent gas lift operations

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to study the scheduling problem in the intermittent gas lift operations, and to present a mixed integer programming (MIP) formulation for solving it. Some heuristic methods are also developed to gain insight into the gas lift scheduling problem of larger problem size. Finally, the performances of the heuristic methods are compared and contrasted based on the computational efficiency and the solution quality.
Life in the Main Channel: Long-Term Hydrologic Control of Microbial Mat Abundance in McMurdo Dry Valley Streams, Antarctica

Given alterations in global hydrologic regime, we examine the role of hydrology in regulating stream microbial mat abundance in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Here, perennial mats persist as a desiccated crust until revived by summer streamflow, which varies inter-annually, and has increased since the 1990s. We predicted high flows to scour mats, and intra-seasonal drying to slow growth. Responses were hypothesized to differ based on mat location within streams, along with geomorphology, which may promote (high coverage) or discourage (low coverage) accrual. We compared hydrologic trends with the biomass of green and orange mats, which grow in the channel, and black mats growing at stream margins for 16 diverse stream transects over two decades. We found mat biomass collectively decreased during first decade coinciding with low flows, and increased following elevated discharges. Green mat biomass showed the greatest correlations with hydrology and was stimulated by discharge in high coverage transects, but negatively correlated in low coverage due to habitat scour. In contrast, orange mat biomass was negatively related to flow in high coverage transects, but positively correlated in low coverage because of side-channel expansion. Black mats were weakly correlated with all hydrologic variables regardless of coverage. Lastly, model selection indicated the best combination of predictive hydrologic variables for biomass differed between mat types, but also high and low coverage transects. These results demonstrate the importance of geomorphology and species composition to modeling primary production, and will be useful in predicting ecological responses of benthic habitats to altered hydrologic regimes.
Development of Horizontal Projections in Layer 2/3 of Ferret Visual Cortex

Pyramidal cells in layer 2/3 of cat striate cortex extend long axons that form clustered projections linking iso-orientation columns. Using extracellular biocytin injections in brain slices, the formation of these projections was examined in the ferret to determine whether horizontal projections exhibit similar patterns of development in the ferret and the cat, and to relate the time course of horizontal projection formation to the onset of patterned visual experience and orientation selectivity. Soon after the first appearance of axon collaterals in layer 2/3, around postnatal day 22 (P22), pyramidal cell axons were uniformly distributed and unbranched for up to 1 mm from the cell body. By P26, axons began to form secondary branches 1-2 mm from the cell body, with little evidence for distinct clusters. The first indication of selective elaboration of secondary branches and retraction of unbranched collaterals occurred around P28. By P34, patchy regions of axon branches emerged, though unbranched collaterals were still present, followed by distinct, adult-like clusters by P45. Although the general pattern of horizontal projection formation closely resembles that seen in the cat (Callaway and Katz, 1990), the ferret circuitry matures earlier than that of the cat relative to the time of eye opening. Since eye opening in ferrets occurs between P30 and P32, this system of orientation-specific patches begins to develop in the absence of patterned visual input and when most cortical cells are not yet orientation selective, suggesting a prominent role for spontaneous activity in initiating cluster formation. The refinement of clustered connections, however, does occur synchronously with the maturation of orientation-selective responses (Chapman and Stryker, 1993).
Laser lineshape effects on cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy signals

The quantitative effects of laser lineshape on signals from cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS) and integrated cavity output spectroscopy (ICOS) experiments are examined. The governing equations for CEAS signals including the laser lineshape are derived. Approximations under which the laser lineshape may be neglected or replaced with an effective lineshape are presented. It is shown that the laser lineshape effects may be parameterized with two dimensionless variables: the laser linewidth normalized by the absorption linewidth, and the peak sample absorbance normalized by the mirror loss. In terms of the dimensionless variables, we simulate CEAS and ICOS signals and the absorbances inferred from them. The simulation results provide a useful tool for CEAS and ICOS practitioners to gauge the importance of laser lineshape effects in specific experiments. Simulations are performed for the four combinations of Gaussian and Lorentzian lineshapes for the laser and the absorption.
SU-E-T-207: Flatness and Symmetry Threshold Detection Using Statistical Process Control.

Purpose: AAPM TG‐142 guidelines state that beam uniformity (flatness and symmetry) should maintain a constancy of 1 % relative to baseline. The focus of this study is to determine if statistical process control (SPC) methodology using process control charts (PCC) of steering coil currents (SCC) can detect changes in beam uniformity prior to exceeding the 1% constancy criteria. Methods: SCCs for the transverse and radial planes are adjusted such that a reproducibly useful photon or electron beam is available. Transverse and radial ‐ positioning and angle SCC are routinely documented in the Morning Check file during daily warm‐up. The 6 MV beam values for our linac were analyzed using average and range (Xbar/R) PCC. Using this data as a baseline, an experiment was performed in which each SCC was changed from its mean value (steps of 0.01 or 0.02 Ampere) while holding the other SCC constant. The effect on beam uniformity was measured using a beam scanning system. These experimental SCC values were plotted in the PCC to determine if they would exceed the predetermined limits. Results: The change in SCC required to exceed the 1% constancy criteria was detected by the PCC for 3 out of the 4 steering coils. The reliability of the result in the one coil not detected (transverse position coil) is questionable because the SCC slowly drifted during the experiment (0.05 A) regardless of the servocontrol setting. Conclusions: X‐bar/R charts of SCC can detect exceptional variation prior to exceeding the beam uniformity criteria set forth in AAPM TG‐142. The high level of PCC sensitivity to change may result in an alarm when in fact minimal change in beam uniformity has occurred. Further study is needed to determine if a combination of individual SCC alarms would reduce the false positive rate for beam uniformity intervention. This project was supoorted by a grant from Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
Combination of Inhaled Nitric Oxide with HFOV Reduces the Need for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in Infants with PPHN : Results from a Single Center Trial 980

Combination of Inhaled Nitric Oxide with HFOV Reduces the Need for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in Infants with PPHN : Results from a Single Center Trial 980
Fibrillarin-associated box C/D small nucleolar RNAs in Trypanosoma brucei. Sequence conservation and implications for 2'-O-ribose methylation of rRNA.

Abstract We report the identification of 17 box C/D fibrillarin-associated small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) from the ancient eukaryote, Trypanosoma brucei. To systematically isolate and characterize these snoRNAs, the T. brucei cDNA for the box C/D snoRNA common protein, fibrillarin, was cloned and polyclonal antibodies to the recombinant fibrillarin protein were generated in rabbits. Immunoprecipitations from T. bruceiextracts with the anti-fibrillarin antibodies indicated that this trypanosomatid has at least 30 fibrillarin-associated snoRNAs. We have sequenced seventeen of them and designated them TBR for T . b rucei RNA 1–17. All of them bear conserved box C, D, C′, and D′ elements, a hallmark of fibrillarin-associated snoRNAs in eukaryotes. Fourteen of them are novel T. brucei snoRNAs. Fifteen bear potential guide regions to mature rRNAs suggesting that they are involved in 2′-O-ribose methylation. Indeed, eight ribose methylations have been mapped in the rRNA at sites predicted by the snoRNA sequences. Comparative genomics indicates that six of the seventeen are the first trypanosome homologs of known yeast and vertebrate methylation guide snoRNAs. Our results indicate that T. brucei has many fibrillarin-associated box C/D snoRNAs with roles in 2′-O-ribose methylation of rRNA and that the mechanism for targeting the nucleotide to be methylated at the fifth nucleotide upstream of box D or D′ originated in early eukaryotes.