cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis components stimulate production of the antimicrobial peptide hepcidin

Summary We investigated the in vitro production of the antimicrobial peptide hepcidin by cells of the innate immune system that harbor Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Stimulation of mouse lung macrophages with M. tuberculosis or IFN-γ + M. tuberculosis induced hepcidin mRNA. In human alveolar A549 epithelial cells, lipoglycans of M. tuberculosis , in particular mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan and phosphatidyl-myo-inositol mannosides, were strong inducers of hepcidin mRNA. In mouse dendritic cells, hepcidin mRNA was increased by subcellular fractions and culture filtrate proteins of M. tuberculosis and by TLR2 and TLR4 agonists, but not by TLR9 agonists, IL-1α, IL-6 or TNF-α. Flow cytometry evaluation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells demonstrated that CD11c + myeloid dendritic cells stimulated with killed M. tuberculosis or live M. bovis BCG produced hepcidin. The production of the antimicrobial peptide hepcidin by cells that interact with M. tuberculosis suggests a host defense mechanism against mycobacteria.
Simplified truck chassis modelling and crashworthiness analysis

In this paper, a simplified model is developed for a truck chassis, which is comprised of beam and spring elements and can be used for crashworthiness analyses. In the simplified model, non-linear spring elements are used to simulate the bending and collapse behaviour of thin-walled structures of the truck chassis. These non-linear spring elements are created based on bending and collapse theories of thin-walled beams. Equivalent beams are applied to model the transverse plate components in the truck chasses. After completion, both detailed and simplified models are used for crashworthiness analyses, and the results are recorded and compared. Relatively good agreement is achieved through these analyses, while computer time is significantly reduced and modelling labour is remarkably saved by using the developed simplified model.
The effect of magnesium pemoline, tricyanoaminopropene, and d-amphetamine on discriminated avoidance performance in rats as a function of age

The effects of magnesium pemoline, tricyanoaminopropene, and d-amphetamine on the acquisition of a discriminated avoidance response were compared in 30-, 50-, and 100-day-old naive rats. The rats were placed in an automated shuttlebox immediately after drug treatment. The number of avoidance responses in a series of 100 trials was measured. Ten days after the initial acquisition session, the rats were retrained on the same task. The 30-day group was inferior to the 50- and 100-day groups in the training session, but no differences occurred in retraining. The drug-treated groups showed improved performance in the initial training session but were not different from the controls in the retraining session. No Drug by Age interaction was significant.
Bivariate Rainfall and Runoff Analysis Using Entropy and Copula Theories

Multivariate hydrologic frequency analysis has been widely studied using: (1) commonly known joint distributions or copula functions with the assumption of univariate variables being independently identically distributed (I.I.D.) random variables; or (2) directly applying the entropy theory-based framework. However, for the I.I.D. univariate random variable assumption, the univariate variable may be considered as independently distributed, but it may not be identically distributed; and secondly, the commonly applied Pearson’s coefficient of correlation (g) is not able to capture the nonlinear dependence structure that usually exists. Thus, this study attempts to combine the copula theory with the entropy theory for bivariate rainfall and runoff analysis. The entropy theory is applied to derive the univariate rainfall and runoff distributions. It permits the incorporation of given or known information, codified in the form of constraints and results in a universal solution of univariate probability distributions. The copula theory is applied to determine the joint rainfall-runoff distribution. Application of the copula theory results in: (i) the detection of the nonlinear dependence between the correlated random variables-rainfall and runoff, and (ii) capturing the tail dependence for risk analysis through joint return period and conditional return period of rainfall and runoff. The methodology is validated using annual daily maximum rainfall and the corresponding daily runoff (discharge) data collected from watersheds near Riesel, Texas (small agricultural experimental watersheds) and Cuyahoga River watershed, Ohio.
Large area high efficiency multicrystalline silicon solar cell

Abstract This paper describes a high efficiency multicrystalline silicon solar cell having a conversion efficiency of 15.6% for 15 cm x 15 cm substrate made by the casting method in Osaka Titanium Co., Ltd. (OTC). A large area multicrystalline silicon solar cell with a front electrode made by the lift-off method has been fabricated in order to conduct a research on the possibility of obtaining high efficiency solar cells.
Performance auditing in governments

Governments function differently from business organizations. Thus, performance or operational auditing becomes necessary to replace the measure of success evidenced by the latter through the measurement of profit. Governments are evaluated through performance auditing by measuring efficiency, economy, and effectiveness. Unique planning, specialized staffing, government oriented scope and government management reporting constitute the parameters of a performance auditing model appropriate for government officials and stakeholders.
Fuzzy least absolute deviations regression and the conflicting trends in fuzzy parameters

A general fuzzy linear model for fuzzy regression analysis was first formulated. Based on both this general model and a fuzzy difference ranking method 1,2], approaches for fuzzy least squares regression and fuzzy least absolute value deviations regression were proposed. The former approach resulted in a nonlinear programming problem while the latter resulted linear. Numerical examples were solved by using the absolute deviations approach to illustrate the problems of conflicting trends and ways to at least partially overcome these problems. Furthermore, these examples showed that the absolute deviations formulation forms an effective computational tool.
Improvement in hydroxy fatty acid seed oil content and other traits from interspecific hybrids of three Lesquerella species: Lesquerella fendleri, L. pallida, and L. lindheimeri

Interspecific hybridization offers potential to improve the hydroxy fatty acid (HFA) content of lesquerella. Lesquerella fendleri is currently being developed for cultivation as a potential new industrial oilseed crop because of its seed productivity. However, it has lower HFA content compared to L. pallida and L. lindheimeri. The objectives of this research were to improve the HFA oil content of L. fenderi through interspecific hybridization and to characterize hybrids and successive generations for seed oil fatty acid profile, fertility, seed set and other morphological traits. In this work, three species were successfully hybridized, self-pollinated, and backcrossed. Ovule culture was used in some cases to produce progeny where interspecific hybrids did not produce viable embryos. The traits measured were petal length, ovules per silique, seeds per silique, and weight of 1000 seed. Patterns of leaf trichomes were used to distinguish between parents and hybrids. Seed per silique indicated that autofertility occurred in L. pallida but not in the other two species. HFA oil content of L. fendleri seed were 50.5% compared to 80 and 84% for L. pallida and L. lindheimeri, respectively. The HFA oil content of the hybrids ranged from 57 to 70% in A2 and A3 generations, and the range of values depended on the parents used in the crosses. These measurements will help predict the value of different interspecific crosses for breeding. Segregation for various yield related traits should allow selection for favorable improvements in the HFA trait and in seed yield.
The Type I Thyroplasty Window: Implications of Normal Thyroid Cartilage Thickness

Summary This paper describes the dimensions and placement of a standardizedIsshiki Type I thyroplasty window and the thickness of the thyroid cartilage at the window corners. In addition, the intraoperative optimal medialization of a series of windows is compared to these cartilage thickness measurements and these comparisons analyzed for their implications in surgical approach.Fifty-one Type I thyroplasty windows were fashioned on 42 larynges (cadavericand surgical). Measurements were taken of the window sizes, depth of medialization (surgical cases), and thickness of the thyroid cartilage at the four corners of the rectangular window. Sexes were kept separate because of inherent size differences of male and female larynges. From these physical measurements it is found that: (1) the thyroid cartilage window is not uniform in thickness throughout; there is a gradation of thickness from anterior to posterior and from superior to inferior; (2) when comparing the average depth of medialization to the window cartilage thickness in a standardized Isshiki window, the average distance of window depression almost equals the thyroid cartilage thickness, whereas posteriorly there is slightly more distance between the external surface of the window cartilage and the internal surface of the surrounding thyroid cartilage. Implications of the varying thickness of the thyroid cartilage and its relationship to the average depth of medialization in a standardized Isshiki thyroplasty window are discussed.
Combinatory programming and combinatorial analysis

The principal purpose of this paper is to illustrate by means of simple examples a technique for deriving programs and generating functions from set descriptions. The paper discusses certain interesting correspondences among types of trees, which follow from the use of the technique, and it demonstrates close connections between programming techniques and some aspects of combinatorial theory.
Autonomous function of wheelchair-mounted robotic manipulators to perform daily activities

Autonomous functions for wheelchair-mounted robotic manipulators (WMRMs) allow a user to focus more on the outcome from the task - for example, eating or drinking, instead of moving robot joints through user interfaces. In this paper, we introduce a novel personal assistive robotic system based on a position-based visual servoing (PBVS) approach. The system was evaluated with a complete drinking task, which included recognizing the location of the drink, picking up the drink from a start location, conveying the drink to the proximity of the user's mouth without spilling, and placing the drink back on the table. For a drink located in front of the wheelchair, the success rate was nearly 100%. Overall, the total time of completing drinking task is within 40 seconds.
Spontaneous polarization in the deuterated and undeuterated proton glass Rb1-x(NH4)xH2AsO4

Spontaneous polarization of mixed single crystals of Rubidium Ammonium Dihydrogen Arsenate (RADA) and its deuterated counterpart (DRADA) are presented together with the pure ferroelectric Rubidium Dihydrogen Arsenate (RDA) and its deuterated counterpart (DRDA). There is a sharp rise in the spontaneous polarization at the ferroelectric transition temperature Tc for the pure crystals as this transition is first order. The change in the spontaneous polarization in the mixed (x = 0.08) crystals below Tc is gradual however, indicating the presence of acid hydrogens and ammonium cations that are still mobile and in the paraelectric phase. These mixed crystals show coexistence of paraclectric/proton glass and ferroelectric order below the glass “transition” temperature Tg. The maximum values of the spontaneous polarization in the deuterated samples are greater than in the undeuterated samples. Also, the maximum values of the spontaneous polarization in mixed crystals below 1c. at the lowest temperatures reported...
Family, Kinship, Memory and Temporality in the Age of the New Genetics

The new genetics has now become an integral part of contemporary biomedicine, promising great advances in alleviating disease. Like any scientific endeavor, beliefs in the new genetics tend to give new meanings to people's lives and therefore have significant implications for people's lived experience. Drawing on fieldwork in the USA and research in various literatures, the aim of this article is to explore the role the new genetics plays in mainstream American society as revealed in people's narratives of their families' medical histories. An anthropological analysis of these narratives illuminates multilayered cultural meanings of genetic inheritance and the role biomedical conceptualizations play not only in explaining disease etiologies and treatment, but also in addressing concerns that bear on the postmodern experience of family, kinship, choice, memory, time-space, relatedness, sociality and immortality.
Conformation-specific spectroscopy and excited state photophysics of 5-phenyl-1-pentene.

Single-conformation spectroscopy of 5-phenyl-1-pentene has been studied in a supersonic expansion by using a combination of methods, including resonant two-photon ionization (R2PI), ultraviolet hole-burning (UVHB), and rotational band contour analysis. Five conformational isomers (labeled A−E) have been identified in the spectrum, with S0−S1 origins at 37518, 37512, 37526, 37577, and 37580 cm−1, respectively. Rotational band contours of these origin transitions recorded at 0.08 cm−1 resolution reflect the sensitivity of the direction of the transition dipole moment (TDM) to the conformation of the pentene side chain. On the basis of a comparison of the observed rotational band contours with that predicted by M05-2X/6-31+G* and CIS/6-31G calculations, firm assignments have been obtained for four of the five conformers, while the fifth is constrained to one of two possibilities. On the basis of values of three torsional angles along the pentene chain [about the C(α)−C(β) (τ1), C(β)−C(γ) (τ2), and C(γ)−C(δ) ...
Trans‐Free Plastic Shortenings Prepared with Palm Stearin and Rice Bran Oil Structured Lipid

Rice bran oil structured lipid (RBOSL) was produced from rice bran oil (RBO) and the medium chain fatty acid (MCFA), caprylic acid, with Lipozyme RM IM as biocatalyst. RBOSL and RBO were mixed with palm stearin (PS) in ratios of 30:70, 40:60, 50:50, 60:40 and 70:30 v/v (RBOSL to PS) to formulate trans-free shortenings. Fatty acid profiles, solid fat content (SFC), melting and crystallization curves and crystal morphology were determined. The content of caprylic acid in shortening blends with RBOSL ranged from 9.92 to 22.14 mol%. Shortening blends containing 30:70 and 60:40 RBOSL or RBO and PS had fatty acid profiles similar to a commercial shortening (CS). SFCs for blends were within the desired range for CS of 10-50% at 10-40 °C. Shortening blends containing higher amounts of RBOSL or RBO had melting and crystallization curves similar to CS. All shortening blends contained primarily β′ crystals. RBOSL blended with PS was comparable to RBO in producing shortenings with fatty acid profiles, SFC, melting and crystallization profiles and crystal morphologies that were similar. RBOSL blended with PS can possibly provide healthier alternative to some oils currently blended with PS and commercial shortening to produce trans-free shortening because of the health benefits of the MCFA in RBOSL.
Shared minds: How mothers and infants co-construct early patterns of choice within intentional communication partnerships

The qualitative research method of case study inquiry is employed to investigate different patterns observed in early communicative interactions between two infants and their mothers. These mothers and babies were similar in significant ways: Both mothers were observed to be competent, well-functioning adults and reported no communicative or parenting dysfunction: both infants were evaluated as developing normally in terms of their cognitive level and acquisition of communication behaviors. However, a difference was observed between the dyads in their effectiveness in contributing to the infants' development as intentional communicators. The extent to which an infant and mother “share minds” is proposed as accounting for the observed difference. This phenomenon of “shared minds” is examined by observing the process of choice co-construction engaged in by mothers and infants during communication. It is concluded that characteristics of these early co-constructions influence the way in which the young child begins to act with intention and to interpret him- or herself and others as intentional communicative beings. © 1997 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health
Exposure of cottonwood plants to ozone alters subsequent leaf decomposition

Cottonwood saplings were exposed to ozone or charcoal-filtered air in a closed chamber. After leaf abscission, decomposition of individual leaf discs was measured in containers of stream water. Exposure of plants to 200 ppb ozone for 5 h caused early leaf abscission and changes in the chemical composition of leaves at time of abscission. Early-abscised leaves from O3-exposed plants had higher nitrogen, but decomposed more slowly than leaves from control plants. Leaves from O3-exposed plants that abscised at the normal time had lower nitrogen content and lower specific leaf mass than control leaves, but decomposed at the same rate as leaves from control plants. The results imply that O3 exposure can alter fundamental processes important to the functioning of detritus-based aquatic ecosystems.
Determination of the first-order consecutive reversible reaction kinetics

Abstract The method and a QBASIC program are given which provide an approximation of the general reversible first-order consecutive reaction kinetic parameters from measurements of the final product. The method is not very sensitive to experimental errors in the determination of the final product. Average deviations between the correct and the predicted final products were usually
Herpes zoster and zosteriform herpes simplex virus infections in immunocompetent adults

Among 111 immunocompetent patients referred to a general hospital setting with the clinical diagnosis of herpes zoster, viral cultures were obtained from 47 patients. Six of these patients (13 percent) had herpes simplex virus isolated, with four of the six infections involving the facial distribution, and the other two involving the T4 (breast) distribution. Excluding those in whom herpes simplex virus was isolated, the mean age (+/- SD) of the remaining 105 patients was 50 +/- 19 years. Thirty-two percent of the patients were at least 65 years old; however, 39 percent were younger than 40 years of age. Thus, herpes zoster frequently occurs in young, immunocompetent adults. Also, since zosteriform rashes may be caused by herpes simplex virus, viral cultures of lesions are useful to differentiate infections caused by herpes simplex virus from those due to varicella-zoster virus. The need to distinguish between these two viruses may be important with the advent of antiviral drugs and for use of the proper epidemiologic isolation procedures.
From molecular design to supramolecular design: Synthesis and size-selective coordination chemistry of 1,2-bis(2'-pyrazineethynyl) benzene

The synthesis and coordination chemistry of 1,2-bis(2‘-pyrazineethynyl)benzene are presented. With four Lewis base sites, the ligand may adopt a conformation in which two nitrogen atoms face inward and two nitrogens face out. In this conformation, it may complex transition metal cations either “internally” or “externally”. An “internal” 1:1 complex is formed with silver(I) nitrate, while the larger dicopper(II) tetraacetate moiety does not fit in the internal cavity and is thus externally coordinated by two separate ligands as a 2:2 coordination complex. When mixed with 1 equiv each of silver(I) cation and copper(II) acetate the ligand selectively complexes the cations and a coordination complex with two “internally coordinated” silver(I) cations and an “externally coordinated” dimeric copper(II) acetate moiety is obtained. Self-assembly with 1 equiv of silver(I) nitrate and 2 equiv of copper(II) acetate results in the formation of a mixed-metal coordination polymer with alternating silver and copper cent...
Colorless green ideas learn furiously: Chomsky and the two cultures of statistical learning

Language recognition programs use massive databases of words, and statistical correlations between those words, to translate or to recognise speech. But correlation is not causation. Do these statistical data-dredgings give any insight into how language works? Or are they a mere big-number trick, useful but adding nothing to understanding? One who holds the latter view is the theorist of language Noam Chomsky. Peter Norvig disagrees.
SURFACE ASYMMETRY MECHANISM FOR FRACTIONAL ORDER PEAKS OBSERVED IN LEED BEAMS FROM METALS.

Abstract The occurrence of fractional order peaks in the intensity vs. wavelength relationship for individual diffraction beams in LEED patterns from single crystal surfaces of copper, nickel, and tungsten is discussed. An analysis based on a kinematic viewpoint modified to include effects of the asymmetric interaction of electrons at the surface is presented and shown to be in agreement with observations on clean surfaces. In addition, an interpretation consistent with this approach of how small coverages of metallic atoms and electronegative gases might reduce the intensity of the fractional order peaks is discussed. The approach is related to that originated by Khan, Hobson, and Armstrong.
Hydrogel Biosensor Array Platform Indexed by Shape

A multi-analyte sensor array platform has been developed which consists of analyte specific features that are indexed by shape. The array features are batch-fabricated lithographically from poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogel pre-polymer and can accommodate a wide variety of different sensing chemistries. Depending on the physical scale of the sensing moiety, it is either copolymerized to the hydrogel matrix (e.g., oligonucleotides, aptamers), or it is merely physically encapsulated, an important strategy for preserving the biological activity of the larger and more complex sensing elements (e.g., antibodies, proteins, cells). This three-dimensional hydrogel sensor platform has an advantage over two-dimensional platforms in that it offers an increased signal density, and because the array is constructed of poly(ethylene glycol), it has virtually no background noise due to nonspecific adsorption of labeled analytes. To highlight the capabilities of this platform to make high signal-to-noise measureme...
Non-equilibrium microstructural and transport characteristics of glassy poly (ethylene terephthalate)

Abstract In this work the effects of penetrant-induced microstructural changes in amorphous poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET)) are examined via CO2 transport, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry employed in coordination. The effects of sub-Tg thermal annealing are examined as well, in both as-received and pre-conditioned samples. In the CO2 transport study, a new parameter estimation procedure is introduced which makes use of differential permeation data to obtain the relevant sorption/transport parameters embedded in the dual-mode sorption/transport model. Exposure of amorphous PET to CO2 is found to increase the overall free volume of the sample as reflected by increases in the penetrant saturation constant, C'H, with CO2 pressure and time of exposure. At sufficiently high penetrant activities and/or long exposure times, the sample becomes fully plasticized; this effect is also evident in the accelerated consolidation process apparent by differential permeation. From the FTIR data, changes in local conformational isomer ratios of the ethylene glycol moieties of ET chains near and below the glass transition region due to thermal effects and that resulting from CO2 exposure are isolated and linked to changes in free volume. The elevated gauche levels resulting from conditioning treatments are paralleled by variations in C'H until full plasticization occurs. The parallel reduction in the gauche fraction and C'H resulting from thermal annealing, can, on the other hand, be ascribed to conversion of the isomer to the higher energy trans conformation. In DSC studies, while C'H continues to increase with CO2 exposure time, the endothermic peak also increases, after passing through a minimum. This behavior is attributed to the redistribution of free volume during the heating cycle. Similar to the case of as-received films, annealing of pre-conditioned films subsequently reduces the intensity of the endothermic peak after a period of free volume readjustment.
Reaction to a Campus Confrontation1

Students' reactions to the occupation of a university building were surveyed on the first and last day of the occupation as well as several weeks following the end of the occupation. Respondents were either day or evening school students at two different campuses of the same university. Results of the survey indicate that: (1) The majority of students, both day and evening, believe that the university should negotiate with the occupiers. The only exception to this trend is a group of political conservatives who advocate punishment. (2) The conflict tends to polarize attitudes about radicals, but mostly against them rather than in their favor. (3) A striking net increase is found in attitudes favorable to conventional political groups. (4) The closer the physical proximity of the respondent to the scene of the conflict, the more negative are his attitudes toward those who are seen as responsible for the disruption. (5) Evening school students are more negative toward the occupiers than are day school students. (6) The attitudes of young evening students are more similar to those of their older classmates than to those of their day school agemates.
Revisable criteria for vertebral deformity.

In order to study vertebral fractures in various study populations, we earlier prepared a database of vertebral dimensions derived from spinal radiographs of 191 normal women seen regularly over 25 years. In this report we have expanded the range of measurements to include vertebral levels T3 to L5. We report means and standard deviations on anterior and posterior heights, on wedge shape and on heights relative to adjacent vertebrae. When one or both of the latter two quantities are ‘far’ below the mean, a vertebra is called deformed. We also describe a more flexible way of expressing damage using the number of deformed vertebrae, the degree of deformity of individual vertebrae, or the total damage to the entire spine. In assessing damage we use criteria for deformity adjusted to the limits detected by an experienced diagnostician, replacing an earlier approach based on 95% probability limits of normal variation. The normal women from whom these variations are ascertained are a low-prevalence group with respect to vertebral deformity, with prevalence of 2.8%. When the criteria developed from these women were applied to a moderate-prevalence group (37%) the model had a sensitivity of 97%, a specificity of 89% and an accuracy of 92% as regards the identification of subjects with damaged vertebrae. When used epidemiologically for a moderate-prevalence group the model has a known overestimation of 15%. The model is compared with other schemes for identifying vertebral deformities.
Calcium dependent association of calmodulin with the C-terminal domain of the tetraspanin protein peripherin/rds

Peripherin/rds (p/rds), an integral membrane protein from the transmembrane 4 (TMF4) superfamily, possesses a multi-functional C-terminal domain that plays crucial roles in rod outer segment (ROS) disk renewal and structure. Here, we report that the calcium binding protein calmodulin (CaM) binds to the C-terminal domain of p/rds. Fluorescence spectroscopy reveals Ca2+-dependent association of CaM with a polypeptide corresponding to the C-terminal domain of p/rds. The fluorescence anisotropy of the polypeptide upon CaM titration yields a dissociation constant (KD) of 320 ± 150 nM. The results of the fluorescence experiments were confirmed by GST-pull down analyses in which a GST-p/rds C-terminal domain fusion protein was shown to pull down CaM in a calcium-dependent manner. Moreover, molecular modeling and sequence predictions suggest that the CaM binding domain resides in a p/rds functional hot spot, between residues E314 and G329. Predictions were confirmed by peptide competition studies and a GST-p/rds ...
Bayesian Mixture Model for Estimating Freeway Travel Time Distributions from Small Probe Samples from Multiple Days

This study formulates a hierarchical Bayesian mixture model for estimating travel time distributions along freeway sections by using small data samples from vehicle probes, which have been collected over multiple days. Two normal components are used to capture the heterogeneity in the experienced travel times and to model various distributional shapes generally known to be skewed or multimodal. Travel time data collected during different intervals under similar traffic conditions are used to construct the prior for model parameters via a hierarchical Bayesian formulation. The posterior distributions can be continuously updated as new data from probes become available, and are used for prediction under different levels of data availability. A simulation study shows that true travel time distribution for each section during each interval can be well-approximated with the use of this proposed model.
The behavior of higher order mode shape derivatives in damaged, beam-like structures

This work considers the effect that damage has upon the higher order derivatives of mode shapes of structures having primarily beam-like vibration. Via numerical investigations, the sensitivity of various damage related parameters in inducing changes in these higher order modal derivatives is determined, leading to a more complete understanding of what factors make the most contribution to significant changes in these derivatives. It is concluded that higher order mode shape derivatives (e.g., modal curvature, third derivative, and fourth derivative) are better indicators of damage than the mode shapes. Three distinct types of response for the damage-induced higher order derivative discontinuities are identified as three key parameters (the mass loss, stiffness loss, and damage radius scale) vary. From this, formal approximations are obtained for the expected forms of the higher order derivative discontinuities based upon the underlying behavior predicted by a simple relation among these three parameters. These approximations are checked with numerical simulations, and an excellent level of agreement is observed under appropriate conditions. Finally, the potential of these higher order derivative changes for indicating the presence and location of damage in a global setting is examined.
MeV ion beam analysis of high-Tc superconducting films

Areal densities [at./cm2], average stoichiometric ratios, impurity concentrations and elemental depth profiles for high-Ec thin films may be determined by high-energy backscattering using 3–5 MeV 4He analysis beams. Accuracies of about ± 3% and ± 1% are obtained for areal densities and average stoichiometric ratios, respectively. We present results of the analysis for several YBaCuO films in the thickness range 2500–9000 A. We indicate the advantages of using the 3–5 MeV 4He analysis beams rather than the usual 1–2 MeV 4He beams used for Rutherford backscattering spectrometry.
The Impact of Referral Sources on Employee Attitudes: Evidence from a National Sample

Seven hundred and two full-time employees, comprising a national sample, were interviewed to determine whether nine recruitment sources had a measurable impact on work-related attitudes. Recruitment source was found to be associated with age, education, and gender. After controlling for age, education, gender, income, and race, recruitment source was not found to significantly predict such attitudinal outcomes as job satisfaction, loyalty, pride in organization, anti-union stance, and propensity to quit. Additionally, the use of multiple recruitment sources was found to be used by roughly one-third of all respondents, although the use of multiple sources played no role (relative to using a single recruitment source) in predicting attitudes. The need for further research on recruitment source effects is discussed in light of fidings which suggest that recruitment source may have no significant impact beyond an individual’s earliest employment experiences.
Optimal control problems in diffusion processes with a nonsmooth nonlinear boundary condition

We investigate a one-dimensional diffusion process controlled by a nonsmooth nonlinear boundary condition. Existence and estimates of positive solutions of the differential equation are derived. We prove necessary conditions for optimal controls and apply them to two examples.
Responsiveness of a human myelogenous leukemia cell line (KG-1) to humoral factors in vivo

Abstract A human acute myelogenous leukemia cell line (KG-1) was used to study the humoral regulation of leukemic cell proliferation in diffusion chambers implanted in mice. The mice were treated with several agents known to enhance normal granulopoiesis. Leukemic cell proliferation was measured by total cell numbers and in vivo colony formation in plasma clot. Greatest leukemic cell growth was observed when the host mice were treated with cyclophosphamide. Administration of glucan or endotoxin stimulated growth to a significant but lesser degree. Pretreatment of the mice had no agreeable effect on leukemic cell maturation. To determine whether enhanced leukemic cell proliferation correlated with colony-stimulating activity (CSA) levels in the host animals, sera were collected daily and assayed in agar cultures using mouse bone marrow and KG-1 cells as targets. Sera from endotoxin-treated mice were found to be superior to sera from mice injected with cyclophosphamide in supporting in vitro colony formation. We conclude that there are humoral factor(s) other than CSA which are important in stimulating human leukemic cell growth in diffusion chambers in mice.
Mercury content of smelt in Cayuga lake in central New York State

Smelt (Osmerus mordax) were netted from Cayuga Lake in Central New York State and analyzed for mercury concentration. There was no statistical significance (p > 0.05) when attempting to correlate mercury concentration with fish length or weight for either sex. Factors affecting methylation, demethylation and absorption of mercury are discussed.
Characterization of ciprofibrate and clofibric acid as peroxisomal proliferators in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

We have determined the comparative activities of peroxisomal proliferators, ciprofibrate and clofibric acid on various hepatic parameters associated with endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and peroxisomes in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. We have measured the activities of carnitine acetyltransferase and fatty acylCoA oxidase, and the amount of 60 and 80 kD polypeptides as biochemical markers of the peroxisomal function; laurate hydroxylase and cytochrome P-450 as markers of the endoplasmic reticulum; and carnitine palmitoyltransferase as a marker of mitochondria in primary cultures of hepatocytes. Ciprofibrate (0.01 to 0.3 mM) and clofibric acid (0.1 to 3 mM) produced similar changes in several components of cultured hepatocytes within 72 hr. Increases of protein (18 and 11%), carnitine palmitoyltransferase (23 and 97%), cytochrome P-450 (37 and 49%), carnitine acetyltransferase (484 and 614%), fatty acylCoA oxidase (529 and 931%) and laurate hydroxylase (624 and 671%) were obtained in hepatocytes after a 72-hr exposure to 0.1 mM ciprofibrate and 1.0 mM clofibric acid, respectively. In cultured hepatocytes, ciprofibrate was about 30-fold more active than clofibric acid for the stimulation of carnitine acetyltransferase, laurate hydroxylase and fatty acylCoA oxidase activities. Ciprofibrate was also more potent than clofibric acid as an inducer of the 60 and 80 kD proteins in hepatocytes. The maximal drug-induced increases in carnitine acetyltransferase activity were not additive, and the induction of carnitine acetyltransferase by ciprofibrate was blocked by addition (1 μg per ml) of cycloheximide or actinomycin D. Changes in protein and RNA synthesis preceded the drug-induced increases of carnitine acetyltransferase activity. Druginduced increases in peroxisomes of hepatocytes were also confirmed by 3,3′-diaminobenzidine staining and electron microscopic examination. These results show that: (i) measurements of carnitine acetyltransferase, fatty acylCoA oxidase, laurate hydroxylase activities and 80 kD polypeptide in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes are useful criteria for characterizing the effects of peroxisome proliferating agents; (ii) ciprofibrate is more active as a peroxisomal proliferating agent than clofibric acid in hepatocyte cultures; and (iii) the isolated, cultured rat hepatocyte system is valuable as an adjunct to the in vivo model for studying biochemical mechanisms of peroxisome proliferation and hepatotoxicity for this class of agents.
Electron-impact and chemical ionization detection of nicotine and cotinine by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry in rat plasma and brain

Abstract Nicotine and its metabolite, cotinine, were measured in rat plasma and brain by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. Both agents were extracted from plasma and brain, separated on a capillary column, and quantified by single-ion monitoring. The major fragment ions of nicotine and cotinine at m/z 84 and m/z 98, respectively, were monitored by electron-impact ionization detection and the protonated molecular ions at m/z 163 and m/z 177, respectively, were monitored by chemical ionization detection. Both compounds were quantified using deuterium-labeled nicotine and cotinine, respectively, as internal standards.
The invention of radical reactions part XVIII. A convenient solution to the 1-carbon problem (R-CO2H → R-13CO2H)

Abstract Radicals generated by photolysis (W light) of esters derived from N -hydroxy-2-thiopyridone react with electrophilic isocyanides 2a and (in the presence of trifluoracetic acid) 2b to give adducts of type 3 . Convenient reaction procedures have been worked out to hydrolyse the adducts to amides of type 5 , from which the originial acid can be regenerated under mild conditions. The three important acids oleic, Iinoleic and arachidonic have all given smooth reactions. In suitable examples, quantitative evolution of carbon dioxide and incorporation of 13C without dilution have been demonstrated. This reaction sequence will be useful for the labelling in the carboxyl group of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and the side chain carboxyls of peptides.
Single and multiple material constraints in thermoelasticity

Constraints on the possible forms of material response, such as incompressibility or inextensibility, have long been used to simplify constitutive response models, and have resulted in substantial progress in fields such as fluid mechanics and the mechanics of composite materials. A method of imposing these constraints for thermoelastic materials is considered that follows steps that remove the need for assuming an additive term resulting from the constraint. In the process, three methods are considered for the separation of the constitutively prescribed part of the response from the part that is in reaction to the constraints. Both the case of single and multiple constraints are considered with extensive examples including special considerations for including effects associated with isotropic or anisotropic thermal expansion.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in the Study of Diamond Thin Films

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been used to study diamond thin films grown in a low-pressure hot-filament reactor from 13C-labeled acetone. Film quality is assessed, and the origin of deposited carbon determined. Carbon atoms from both bonding environments in the acetone molecule deposit to form only sp3-bonded material. The relative rate of incorporation of these carbon atoms is determined. Experimental results and equilibrium calculations demonstrate that CO acts as a precursor for diamond growth in the absence of heterogeneous kinetics.
The Relationship of Structure to Entrepreneurial and Innovative Success

Entrepreneurs and innovation go together like the proverbial horse and carriage. Entrepreneurs seek opportunities and innovations often provide the instrument for them to succeed. However, certain cultural and structural attributes are inherent within a society which can emphasize entrepreneurial activity and hence innovation. A set of negative structure attributes also exist which lead directly to a lessening of opportunities and numbers for would‐be entrepreneurs. This leads to fewer new ventures and hence less innovation. Examines structural elements and factors regarding whether or not these factors can result in being either stimulating or dampening entrepreneurial activity. Also provides a set of recommendations on what a society or locale can do to provide the positive structure needed to maintain or propel innovation and entrepreneurship.
A strategy to study pathway cross-talks of cells under repetitive exposure to stimuli.

Background Cells are subject to fluctuating and multiple stimuli in their natural environment. The signaling pathways often crosstalk to each other and give rise to complex nonlinear dynamics. Specifically repetitive exposure of a cell to a same stimulus sometime leads to augmented cellular responses. Examples are amplified proinflammatory responses of innate immune cells pretreated with a sub-threshold then a high dose of endotoxin or cytokine stimulation. This phenomenon, called priming effect in the literature, has important pathological and clinical significances.
Explaining Helping Behavior in a Cooperative Learning Classroom Setting Using Attribution Theory

This recently completed study examined whether attribution theory can explain helping behavior in an interdependent classroom environment that utilized a cooperative-learning model. The study focused on student participants enrolled in 6 community college communication classes taught by the same instructor. Three levels of cooperative-learning were employed. Survey data were collected from student participants presented with situations describing a group member who was not participating in the cooperative-learning process. Simulated scenarios, as well as “actual” experiences, were included for the purpose of analysis. Participant's emotional and behavioral responses were analyzed using independent–samples t tests, paired-samples t tests, and analysis of variance. Findings indicate that a student's willingness to help was influenced more positively when “uncontrollable” rather than “controllable” causes for nonparticipation were determined. Student in-class response to “actual” experiences differed from th...
Optimal Pricing, Use and Exploration of Uncertain Natural Resource Stocks.

The classic Hotelling (Ref. 1) model of exploitation of exhaustible resources assumes in its simplest form that the stock of the resource is known from the beginning. If there are no extraction costs, then the shadow prices associated with an optimal extraction policy rise at the rate of the market rate of interest. The only variable that has to be determined is the initial price, which then determines all future prices; the initial price depends on the interaction of demand (or utility) considerations with the initial stock. In a competitive world, prices would clearly have to rise at the rate of interest to keep resource holders indifferent between extracting the resource now and later.
Molecular Diagnostics of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) using PCR-RFLP

The invasive spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), has become a serious pest in the United States. Identification of immature and poorly preserved specimens can be difficult. A molecular diagnostic method for distinguishing D. suzukii from other Drosophila spp. associated with fruit in the United States was developed. A 709-bp region of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I gene was amplified from D. suzukii collections in the United States and compared with sequences of other Drosophila taxa from GenBank. Based on DNA sequence polymorphisms, a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using the restriction enzyme Msp-I was found to differentiate D. suzukii from other Drosophila spp. in the United States. This technique can identify field-collected specimens from various sources and specimens regardless of life stage. This molecular diagnostic method will be useful for monitoring the spread of this economically important invasive insect.
LONG-TERM THERAPY WITH BENDAVIA (MTP-131), A NOVEL MITOCHONDRIA-TARGETING PEPTIDE, REVERSES MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTIONAL ABNORMALITIES IN LEFT VENTRICULAR MYOCARDIUM OF DOGS WITH ADVANCED HEART FAILURE

Mitochondria (MITO) of failed human hearts and hearts of dogs with experimental heart failure (HF) manifest abnormalities characterized by reduced state-3 respiration, reduced membrane potential (Δψm) and increased opening of membrane permeability transition pores (mPTP). These abnormalities lead
Thrombin regulates intracellular cyclic AMP concentration in human platelets through phosphorylation/activation of phosphodiesterase 3A.

Thrombin-induced cyclic AMP (cAMP) reduction potentates several steps in platelet activation, including Ca++ mobilization, cytoskeletal reorganization, and fibrinogen receptor conformation. We now reinvestigate the signaling pathways by which intracellular cAMP content is controlled after platelet activation by thrombin. When washed human platelets were stimulated with thrombin, cAMP-dependent phosphodiesterase (PDE3A) activity was significantly increased. A nonselective PDE inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), and the PDE3 selective inhibitors milrinone and cilostazol each suppressed thrombin-induced cAMP-dependent PDE responses, but not 2 different PDE2 inhibitors. Selective inhibition of PDE3A resulted in reversal of thrombin-induced cAMP reduction, indicating that thrombin activated PDE3A. In synergy with inhibition of adenylate cyclase by thrombin, activated PDE3A accelerates cAMP hydrolysis and maximally reduces the cAMP content. Thrombin-induced PDE3A activation was diminished concomitantly with dephosphorylation of PDE3A by protein phosphatase 1 (PP1). An Akt inhibitor blocked PDE3A activation and constrained thrombin-induced cAMP reduction. A P2Y12 inhibitor also reduced thrombin-induced cAMP reduction. The combination of both reversed cAMP decrease by thrombin. Thrombin-mediated phosphorylated PDE3A was isolated by liquid chromatography, detected by a monoclonal antibody against Akt-phosphorylated substrate, and verified by immunoprecipitation study. The predominant isoform phosphorylated by Akt was the 136-kDa species. We suggest that activation/phosphorylation of PDE3A via Akt signaling pathway participates in regulating cAMP during thrombin activation of platelets.