cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Growth-dependent Expression of Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Is Regulated by Transcription Factors Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 and −2

Angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptor is abundantly and widely expressed in fetal tissues but present only in restricted tissues in the adult such as brain and atretic ovary. This receptor is speculated to be involved in tissue growth and/or differentiation. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of growth-regulated AT2 receptor expression, we cloned the mouse AT2 receptor genomic DNA and studied its promoter function in mouse fibroblast-derived R3T3 cells, which express AT2 receptor in the confluent, quiescent state but very low levels of the receptor in actively growing state. Promoter/luciferase reporter deletion analysis of AT2 receptor in R3T3 cells showed that the putative negative regulatory region is located between the positions −453 and −225, which plays an important role in the transcriptional control of AT2 receptor gene expression along with the cell growth. We identified the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) binding motif in this region using DNase footprinting analysis and demonstrated that IRF binding oligonucleotide treatment increased the AT2 receptor expression in growing R3T3 cells but not in confluent cells. Furthermore, by antisense treatment, we demonstrated that IRF-2 attenuated the AT2 receptor expression in both growing and confluent R3T3 cells, whereas IRF-1 enhanced AT2 receptor expression in the confluent cells only. Consistent with this result, gel mobility shift assay demonstrated that growing R3T3 cells exhibited only IRF-2 binding, whereas confluent cells exhibited both IRF-1 and IRF-2 binding. Furthermore, we observed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction that the IRF-1 mRNA expression was more abundant in confluent cells than growing cells, whereas IRF-2 expression did not change with R3T3 cell growth. We conclude that, in confluent cells, the enhanced expression of IRF-1 antagonizes the IRF-2 effect and increases the AT2 receptor expression. We speculate that these transcriptional factors influence cell growth in part by regulating AT2 receptor expression.
A Model for the Prediction of Surface Flatness in Face Milling

This paper presents a new model for the prediction of surface flatness errors in face milling. The model includes the effects of machining conditions, elastic deformation of the cutter-spindle and workpiece-fixture assemblies, static spindle axis tilt and axially inclined tool path. A new method called equivalent flexibility influence coefficient method is used to compute the elastic deflection of the cutter-spindle and workpiece-fixture assembly at the points of cutting force application. Single insert and multi-insert face milling experiments are conducted to evaluate the predictive ability of the surface flatness model. A comparison of the model predictions and measurements shows good agreement. The influence of static spindle axis tilt on the surface flatness error is found to be very significant. It is shown that care needs to be exercised in comparing the model predictions based on elastic deflection of the machining system and spindle axis tilt with the surface flatness error measurements due to the fact that these measurements may be inflated by inclusion of the surface roughness.
Coal weathering and the geochemical carbon cycle

Abstract The weathering rate of sedimentary organic matter in the continental surficial environment is poorly constrained despite its importance to the geochemical carbon cycle. During this weathering, complete oxidation to carbon dioxide is normally assumed, but there is little proof that this actually occurs. Knowledge of the rate and mechanisms of sedimentary organic matter weathering is important because it is one of the major controls on atmospheric oxygen level through geologic time. We have determined the aqueous oxidation rates of pyrite-free bituminous coal at 24° and 50°C by using a dual-cell flow-through method. Coal was used as an example of sedimentary organic matter because of the difficulty in obtaining pyrite-free kerogen for laboratory study. The aqueous oxidation rate obtained in the present study for air-saturated water (270 μM O2) was found to be on the order of 2 × 10−12 mol O2/m2/s at 25°C, which is fast compared to other geologic processes such as tectonic uplift and exposure through erosion. The reaction order with respect to oxygen level is 0.5 on a several thousand hour time scale for both 24° and 50°C experiments. Activation energies, determined under 24° and 50°C conditions, were ≈40 kJ/mol O2 indicating that the oxidation reaction is surface reaction controlled. The oxygen consumption rate obtained in this study is two to three orders of magnitude smaller than that for pyrite oxidation in water, but still rapid on a geologic time scale. Aqueous coal oxidation results in the formation of dissolved CO2, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and solid oxidation products, which are all quantitatively significant reaction products.
Liquefaction in the coastal environment: An analysis of case histories

Abstract The stability of coastal and underwater slopes and seafloor sediments is of major importance for waives, breakwaters, pipelines, jacket platforms, and gravity platforms. A major source of instability in cohesionless sediments is the result of the liquefaction. This paper explores the various mechanisms causing liquefaction in the marine environment and then reviews a large number of case studies.
Safety and feasibility of continuous infusion of remifentanil in the neurosurgical intensive care unit.

Objective Remifentanil is a selective mu-opioid agonist with a context-sensitive half-time of 3 to 5 minutes, independent of dose or administration duration. Other desirable effects include decreased cerebral metabolism and intracranial pressure (ICP) with minimal cerebral perfusion pressure changes. We present six cases illustrating indications for the use of remifentanil in the neurosurgical intensive care unit. Methods Patients received bolus doses of remifentanil of 0.05 to 1.0 microg/kg, followed by continuous infusions of 0.03 to 0.26 microg/kg/min, titrated to effect. When infusions were discontinued for neurological examinations, another bolus dose preceded infusion reinstitution. Indications for the use of remifentanil included mean arterial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure decreases with the use of other agents (e.g., codeine or propofol) for ICP control, elevated ICP that was refractory to propofol/mannitol treatment, agitation that was unresponsive to standard therapies, and coughing that caused ICP increases after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Results Three patients experienced spontaneous intracranial bleeding (two cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage and one case of intraventricular hemorrhage), and three patients exhibited severe traumatic subdural hemorrhage. All patients recovered from the effects of remifentanil within 3 minutes after discontinuation of infusion, which allowed frequent rapid neurological assessments. Procedures for pulmonary toilet (i.e., endotracheal suctioning, postural drainage, and bronchoscopy) were performed without deleterious ICP increases or mean arterial pressure or cerebral perfusion pressure decreases during remifentanil infusions. Conclusion The ultrashort duration of action of remifentanil allowed easy performance of frequent neurological examinations in the neurosurgical intensive care unit. No patient experienced deleterious hemodynamic or neurological effects as a result of remifentanil use.
Strain-Split Energy Bands in Semiconductors: Ge

We have used the pseudopotential method to compute the energy band structure of a uniaxially strained germanium crystal. The bands are determined at the important symmetry points and lines in the Brillouin zone. In order to carry out the study, the strain Hamiltonian is written by means of the Pikus-Bir transformation. The spin-orbit interaction is treated on the same footing as the strain Hamiltonian. We have made detailed comparisons with experiment. The results appear to be excellent, and we reproduce the observed deformation potentials and the optical splittings.
Novel method for evaluating antiviral drugs against human cytomegalovirus in mice.

Abstract A virus-host cell system in which human cytomegalovirus-infected human cells are entrapped in agarose plugs has been developed. This model provides an inexpensive method for the in vivo evaluation (with outbred, immunocompetent mice) of antiviral drugs against human viruses such as cytomegalovirus that replicate primarily or only in human cells.
Black skimmer parental defence against chick predation by gulls

Abstract Predation by laughing gulls, Larus atricilla , on black skimmer, Rynchops niger , chicks was observed in a Texas nesting colony. The patterns of predation differed from random in two respects: (1) significantly more attacks (both attempts and successes) were directed toward nests with two parents present than toward nests with only one parent and (2) significantly more attempts occurred when female parents were brooding than males. Differences in gull attack rates according to sex of the parent skimmer may have been due to the considerable sexual size dimorphism in skimmers. Male skimmers are larger than laughing gulls, while female skimmers are smaller. Predation on skimmer eggs was uncommon. Solo incubating by females was significantly less frequent after the first egg's hatching than before. The decreased frequency of female solo attendance after the first hatching may represent an adaptive response to predator pressure at a time when chicks are most vulnerable to predation by gape-limited predators such as laughing gulls and would be better protected by males or both parents. The higher observed frequencies of both predation attempts and successes directed toward nests with bi-parental attendance was not predicted and may be attributable to certain unavoidable high risk activities, such as brooding exchanges and chick feeding when broods are young, which typically occur only when both parents are present.
Cheddar whey processing and source: I. Effect on composition and functional properties of whey protein concentrates

Summary Cheddar whey (RW), from either a Jersey (J) or a mixed herd (M), was used to observe the effect of source (WSr) on the composition and functionality of whey products. To observe the effect of whey processing, J- and M-RW were dehydrated by four processes (WPr): (i) UF and vacuum-evaporation (VE) followed by lactose crystallization (C) and spray-drying (SD); (ii) VE followed by C and SD; (iii) UF and VE followed by SD without C and (iv) UF followed by SD without C. Moisture, crude fat, ash, calcium and crude protein were analysed. The emulsifying activity index (EAI), emulsion stability (ES), thermostability, oil-holding capacity and solubility (SO) were determined. Both WPr and WSr affected these properties of whey and whey protein concentrate (WPC). Mean EAIs of J- and M-RW were similar but significantly increased by UFVECSD and UFVESD treatment, respectively, to 171 and 174 m2 g−1 for J, and to 107 and 143 m2 g−1 for M. The ES of RW and pasteurized whey was significantly different based on WSr. Jersey whey showed better SO than M whey. Thermostability of WPCs was significantly increased when VE was a component of WPr. The J-whey apparently had higher ash content, although this was decreased by UF treatment, calcium content was significantly increased. Moisture content of WPC was also WPr dependent, being more than twice higher for UF-treated WPC compared to VE-treated WPC. Though both parameters influenced powder functionality, WPr appeared to have a dominant affect in terms of SO and TS, and appeared crucial for EAI and ES.
Soft X-ray appearance potential study of Ni74Fe26

Abstract Soft X-ray appearance potential spectroscopy (SXAPS) has been exploited to study the electronic structure of the Ni 74 Fe 26 alloy. The SXAPS spectra of Ni and Fe in the elemental metals and in the alloy are presented in the L 2,3 energy regions. The L 3 core levels have been used for the measurements. The spectra of Ni and Fe in the alloy are compared with the corresponding elemental spectra. The binding energy of Ni shifts towards lower energy side while that of Fe shifts towards higher energy side in the alloy. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the SXAPS positive going peak is a measure of the unoccupied density of states at the Fermi level. The FWHM of Ni decreases and that of Fe increases. Both these results indicate a charge transfer from Fe to Ni in the alloy. The total charge transfer at the Ni site is less than 0.6 electrons per site. The intensity of the L 3 peaks suggests enrichment of the Fe concentration and depletion of the Ni concentration on the surface of the alloy as compared to the bulk composition. A surface state feature is observed for Fe spectra in both the elemental state and the alloy. The negative dip in the alloy spectra increases for Ni but decreases for Fe. This has been interpreted as the shifting of the 4sp band towards E F in the case of Ni and away from E F in case of Fe in the alloy, consistent with the directions of shift observed for the above core levels. The data lend support to the rigid-band model commonly used for 3d transition metals.
Set intersection matrices

Abstract Let A be a matrix of size m by n with elements in a field F. Let X = diag[x1,…,xn] be a diagonal matrix of order n, where x1,…,xn are n independent indeterminates over F. Throughout the paper we investigate the matrix equation AXAT = Y, where AT denotes the transpose of the matrix A. We call this equation the fundamental matrix equation of set intersections and we call the symmetric matrix Y of order m the set intersection matrix defined by A. The terminology arises from the important special case in which A is a (0, 1)-matrix. Then A may be regarded as the incidence matrix for m subsets of an n-set and in this special case the equation gives us a complete description of the pairwise intersection patterns of the subsets. Moreover, it displays this information in an exceedingly compact form. Our paper is primarily concerned with the derivation of four theorems involving the set intersection matrix Y. Two of the theorems reveal the extent to which the polynomial det(Y) and the characteristic polynomial f(z) of Y characterize the set intersection matrix Y. The remaining two theorems determine simple necessary and sufficient conditions for the irreducibility of the polynomial det(Y) in the polynomial ring F ∗ = F[x 1 ,…,x n ] and for the irreducibility of the characteristic polynomial f(z) of Y in the polynomial ring F ∗ [z] . Our results are of interest from both a matrix theoretic and combinatorial point of view.
Gas-phase unsteadiness and its influence on droplet vaporization in sub- and super-critical environments

Abstract This paper aims to investigate quantitatively the influence of gas-phase unsteadiness on the droplet vaporization process in sub- and super-critical environments. Two comprehensive models of high-pressure droplet vaporization, including a transient model and another assuming gas-phase quasi-steadiness, are presented. Both models are first compared with experimental data and then used to calculate vaporization processes of single droplets of different initial sizes for environmental conditions in which the ambient pressure and temperature range from 1–150 atm and 500–2000 K, respectively. The unsteady effects are quantified by introducing characteristic time scale ratios. It is shown that strong gas-phase unsteadiness exists during the early period of the vaporization process. The unsteadiness attains a maximum value in the gas near the droplet surface and decreases quickly to a nearly steady value within a short distance from the surface. With increasing ambient pressure, the unsteadiness increases nearly linearly at low ambient temperatures and rapidly at high ambient temperature. Gas-phase unsteadiness also increases with increasing ambient temperature and is affected even more strongly by temperature. Compared to the transient model, the quasi-steady model predicts a smaller regression rate initially and a larger regression rate during the later period. The differences between the predicted regression rates, and thus between the predicted vaporization processes, are magnified with increasing ambient temperatures and/or pressures. The vaporization process predicted using the quasi-steady model reaches the critical mixing state earlier than that predicted using the transient model. These conclusions also apply for the vaporization processes of single droplets of different initial sizes.
Electron-Beam-Generated Holographic Masks For Optical Vector-Matrix Multiplication

A proposed optical vector-matrix multiplication scheme encodes the matrix elements as a holographic mask consisting of linear diffraction gratings. The binary, chrome-on-glass masks are fabricated by electron-beam lithography. This approach results in a fairly simple optical system that offers both large numerical range and high accuracy. Simple holographic masks have been fabricated and tested.
Predictors of alcohol misuse and abuse in older women.

PURPOSE: To determine the predictive ability of self-report questions, physical measures, and biomarkers to detect alcohol misuse and abuse among older women. DESIGN AND METHODS: Healthy women volunteers age 60 and older who fit selection criteria were enrolled. The 135 participants were divided into nondrinkers (ND; n = 63) and drinkers (D; n = 72) based on self-reports of quantity and frequency of standard drinks consumed per month. The mean ages for the groups were 69.2 (ND) and 69.6 (D). FINDINGS: The best predictor was a score >0 on the T-ACE, a four-item instrument to detect alcohol abuse. Other significant predictors were: (a) behaviors: smoking, mixing over-the-counter (OTC) drugs with alcohol, heavy coffee drinking, using alcohol to sleep, and less sleep latency; and (b) biomarkers: higher mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). The heaviest drinker subgroup had more physical stigmata, including broken blood vessels in nose and larger liver spans. CONCLUSIONS: The "best predictor model" showed that older women who were at risk for alcohol misuse or abuse had T-ACE scores of 1 or higher, used two or more OTC drugs regularly, drank large amounts of coffee, used alcohol to fall asleep, and had less sleep latency. Because positive T-ACE scores have high sensitivity and specificity for alcohol abuse, scores of 1 or greater should be addressed in clinical settings, e.g., referrals for more definitive diagnoses and relevant treatment.
The use of labeled pulser pulses as an aid in monitoring the quality of nuclear physics experiments

Abstract Analog pulses from a stable, externally-triggered pulse generator were provided with an associated, time-coincident logic pulse for labeling. When suitably shaped and mixed with nuclear event produced pulses, these pulser pulses were used in multidetector arrays to aid in gain stabilization of each chain of electronics, to sample electronic deadtimes, and to measure the resolution broadening and gain shifts introduced by pulse pile-up. Use of these pulses also permitted observation of the effective lower and higher kinetic energy spectrum limits in ΔE × E telescopes. For large data acquisition systems, labeled pulser pulses allow checking of the linear electronics and the computer interface operation and are invaluable by providing “idiot checking” capability needed to minimize human errors during long accelerator runs.
Proportioning of Earthquake-Resistant RC Building Structures

A simple and efficient method is presented for proportioning of regular, moderate-rise reinforced concrete building structures. The method differs from conventional procedures in that member sizes are selected based on the demand defined by the displacement spectrum and criteria specified in relation to drift response. The maximum mean drift, or average distortion over the total height, is limited to reduce the expected damage to the structure. A series of analytical reinforced concrete frames are proportioned and tested using a suite of ground motions. Results of the analyses indicated that maximum displacement responses of the proportional frames were within the specified drift limit when a maximum-allowable period criterion was satisfied.
CARBOHYDRATE HISTOCHEMISTRY OF GASTRIC EPITHELIAL SECRETIONS IN DOG

Summary Histochemical methods specific for carbohydrate constituents distinguish a number of widely different entities in several types of gastric epithelial cells in the dog. The surface gastric epithelium reveals basophilia, indicating mucosubstances rich in both carboxyl groups (presumably sialic acid) and sulfate esters. The carboxyl-type basophilia predominates in the superficial convolutions, and that attributed to sulfate is found in the foveolar walls. The strong reactivity with both the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and the periodic acid-para diamine (PAD) methods for vicinal-hydroxyls indicates presence of hexose- or deoxyhexose-rich mucosubstances in both of these areas. Susceptibility of basophilia to blockage by initial periodate-meta diamine treatment points to presence of vicinal-glycols in proximity of the acid groups in surface epithelium mucin. The surface epithelium in the pylorus differs slightly in that its secretion is less strongly basophilic. The mucous neck cells secrete an apparently neutral mucosubstance which differs from the surface epithelium in its lack of both PAD reactivity and basophilia. The parietal cells also form a diastase-resistant, neutral, carbohydrate-rich substance. The zymogen cells are abundant, deep in the glands of the cardiac portion and the body of the stomach, but less numerous in the intermediate zone. They contain apical granular secretion apparently rich in sulfated mucosubstances. Lack of reactivity toward vic-glycol methods, resistance of alcianophilia or azurophilia to a previous periodate-meta diamine sequence, and resistance of mixed diamine staining to previous periodate oxidation indicate absence of residues with unsubstituted adjacent hydroxyls (e.g., hexose or deoxyhexose), in this acid mucosubstance. The pyloric glands resemble mucous neck cells in their strong PAS staining and lack of PAD reactivity, but differ in that they show a weak staining indicative of sulfomucin.
Growth and Reproduction Characteristics of Purebred and Crossbred Dairy Cattle in First Lactation

Abstract Breed additive, maternal, and heterozygotic effects on 11 monthly postpartum body weights, average size, weight gain, age at first calving, and days open were estimated by linear regression analyses from records of 680 purebred and crossbred animals. Calving year, age, and milk yield were significant environmental effects. Positive regressions of age on body weights indicated late calving cows were heaviest postpartum and had most days open. Negative regressions of milk yield on weight gain and postpartum weight showed greatest losses of weight associated with highest yields. There were breed differences in growth; purebreds highest to lowest were Brown Swiss, Holstein, Red Dane, Jersey, and Ayrshire and for weight gain, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire, Jersey, Holsteins, and Red Dane. Crosses were superior to purebreds in these traits. Additive effects of Holstein were greater than Ayrshire, Jersey, and Red Dane for postpartum body weights and average size. All constants for heterozygotic effect combinations were significant for postpartum weights and average size. Heterozygosity effects increased in magnitude with advancing lactation. Generally, age at first calving and postpartum interval to conception reflected little heterozygotic or maternal effects. There was some indication of breed differences in mean and additive effects for age at first calving.
FERREDOXIN REQUIREMENT FOR NITROGEN FIXATION BY EXTRACTS OF CLOSTRIDIUM PASTEURIANUM.

Abstract Ferrodoxin has been found to be an absolute requirement for N2-fixation in extracts of Clostridium pasteurianum with pyruvate as the electron donor. In addition to ferredoxin other requirements for N2-fixation have been demonstrated but not identified.
Damage Mechanics of Solder Joints under High Current Density

In this paper, Moire interferometry technique is used to measure the in-situ displacement evolution of lead-free solder joints under high density (104A/cm2). An electromigration constitutive model is developed to simulate deformation of lead-free solder joint under current stressing. The simulation predicts Moire interferometry measurements in both spatial distribution and time history evolution, which indicates that the model is reasonably good for predicting the mechanical behavior of lead-free solder joints under electric current stressing.
Improved procedures for comparing homologous sequences in molecules of proteins and nucleic acids

Abstract Tables are given which permit, with minimal effort, a rigorous statistical comparison of contemporary homologous DNA's or proteins. The Tables correct without approximation for multiple hits at the same base site, back mutation, multiplyhit codons, the degeneracy of the genetic code, chance identity of two homologous sites, and when the concept of minimum mutation distance is used to analyze the data, for the misclassification of mutagenic events by this concept. The concept of minimum mutation distance is critically examined and found to be deficient as an analytical tool from both experimental and theoretical points of view unless modified to take into account the above phenomena. This modification is described, and the probability distribution of the minimum mutation distance per codon is derived. The above results are presented graphically so that any given experimental situation can be analyzed by inspection, without making lengthy numerical calculations. The results are complete in that they extract the maximum possible information from the experimental data under the conditions for which the procedures are valid.
Humanity's natural face

Abstract In my article I summarize a ‘Humean’ view of deliberation, and in particular deliberation with an ethical aspect. I regard Hume as having paved the way for a ‘naturalistic’ account of these things, avoiding Kantian fantasies of agency that dominate much current work. Contrary to what is often supposed, the Humean story gives a satisfactory account of dutiful or principled motivations, and a rich account of the ways in which different aspects of character are selected as ‘useful or agreeable to ourselves or others’.
P18.09: 3D ‘thick slice’ rendering of suspected uterine malformation obviates the use of saline infusion sonohysterography to establish the diagnosis

Objective: To test the hypothesis, that the unenhanced 3D ‘thick slice’ rendering (TSR) of the uterus in cases of suspected uterine anomalies is sufficient to make a clinical diagnosis without the need for saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS). Methods: We performed 3D ultrasound (3DUS) of 28 patients who consecutively presented to our lab with the indication of suspected uterine anomalies or which at time of a 2 dimensional ultrasound (2DUS) performed for a different indication appeared to have a uterine malformation. The Voluson 730 Expert system (GE-Kretztechnik) was used to scan all patients. If needed or if the referring MD asked specifically for a SIS, that was performed as a second step after the unenhanced volume was obtained. The 3D volumes were first analyzed using the 3D TSR mode at the time of the acquisition and/or offline using the 4D-View laptop software of the same company. The 3D volumes containing the information provided by the SIS were examined afterwards. The coronal plane of the uterus (fundus, cavity and cervix) was sought. Results: Four of the 28 patients had no uterine anomaly. The rest of the 24 patients had a range of uterine anomalies. In all cases the unenhanced volume, using the TSR was able to yield the shape of the fundus, the cavity and the cervical needed to establish the diagnosis. The TSR showed a better image on the coronal plane when the patient was in the late secretory phase, enhancing the ‘natural contrast’ of the hyperechoic endometrium. Conclusion: 3D TSR as a first line modality is simple and is sufficient to enable the analysis of uteri suspected of malformations without the need of saline infusion sonohysterography, especially if the patient is in the secretory phase of the cycle.
The mechanism and pathway of pH induced swelling in cowpea chlorotic mottle virus.

Normal mode analysis based on a simplified energy function was used to study the swelling process of the icosahedral virus, cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV). Native state virus particles (coat proteins) of this T ¼ 3 icosahedral virus have been shown to undergo a large conformational change to a swollen state when metal ions are removed or the pH is raised. A normal mode analysis based on the native state capsid showed one preferential direction, a breathing mode, that explains the majority of the structural rearrangement necessary to bring the native structure close to the swollen state. From the native form of CCMV, the structure can be displaced along the direction of a single breathing mode by different amounts to create several candidate swollen structures and a putative pathway for virus expansion. The R-factor between these predicted swollen capsid structures and experimental electron density from cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) measurements is then calculated to indicate how well each structure satisfies the experimental measurements on the swollen capsid state. A decrease of the crystallographic R-factor value from , 72% to , 49% was observed for these simple incremental displacements along the breathing mode. The simultaneous displacement of the native structure along other relevant (symmetric, non-degenerate) modes produce a structure with an R-factor of 45%, which is further reduced to 43.9% after minimization: a value in good accord with models based on the EM data at 28 A ˚ resolution. Based on the incrementally expanded structures, a pathway for the swelling process has been proposed. Analysis of the intermediate structures along this pathway indicates a significant loss of interactions at the quasi-3-fold interfaces occurs in the initial stages of the swelling process and this serves as a trigger for the compact to swollen transition. Furthermore, the pH dependent swelling appears to be triggered by the titration of a single residue with an anomalous pKa value in the unswollen particle. q 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Science communication as political communication

Scientific debates in modern societies often blur the lines between the science that is being debated and the political, moral, and legal implications that come with its societal applications. This manuscript traces the origins of this phenomenon to professional norms within the scientific discipline and to the nature and complexities of modern science and offers an expanded model of science communication that takes into account the political contexts in which science communication takes place. In a second step, it explores what we know from empirical work in political communication, public opinion research, and communication research about the dynamics that determine how issues are debated and attitudes are formed in political environments. Finally, it discusses how and why it will be increasingly important for science communicators to draw from these different literatures to ensure that the voice of the scientific community is heard in the broader societal debates surrounding science.
Spy versus Spy

My son is a doctoral candidate in a computer security program. Recently, he was part of a graduate student team that “cracked” the code of the electronic car keys that are now widely used to preven...
The effect of diltiazem, a calcium channel blocking agent, on vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine, serotonin and potassium depolarization in canine coronary and femoral arteries.

Abstract 1. 1. Diltiazem produced a dose-dependent inhibition of contractions due to norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5HT) and high potassium depolarization in both coronary and femoral artery rings. 2. 2. Diltiazem was a more potent and efficacious blocker of all 3 agonists in the coronary arteries. 3. 3. Dose response curves to NE and 5HT indicated that diltiazem produced a noncompetitive type of blockade. 4. 4. Diltiazem blocked contractions produced by 5HT more easily than those produced by NE in both coronary and femoral artery rings. 5. 5. That diltiazem was more potent in coronary than femoral arteries suggests a basic difference in calcium regulation in the two vessels.
Safety assessment of a home-based telecare system for adults with developmental disabilities in Indiana: a multi-stakeholder perspective

We investigated the perceptions of people about the safety, security and privacy of a telecare monitoring system for adults with developmental disabilities living in residential settings. The telecare system was used by remote caregivers overnight, when staff were not present in the homes. We surveyed 127 people from different stakeholder groups in the state of Indiana. The people surveyed included those with knowledge or experience of telecare, and those without. The stakeholders were clients, their advocates, service provider administrators and independent case coordinators. The responses in each category for every group were positive except one: only 4 of the 11 telecare case coordinators agreed that the telecare system provided a secure environment. Overall, the telecare system was perceived to be as safe, secure and private as the conventional alternative of having staff in the home.
A Study on Length Scale Effects on Indentation Delamination of Thin Films

Simulations of indentation delamination of ductile films on elastic substrates are performed. A cohesive zone model accounts for initiation and growth of interface delaminations and a strain gradient plasticity framework for the length scale dependence of plastic deformation. With the cohesive zone model and the strain gradient formulation two length scales are introduced in to the analysis.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
A dynamic state-level analysis of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States

Abstract As climate change and the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions play an increasingly important role in the global policy debate, careful consideration of the state-level determinants driving emissions must be considered. The importance of state-level determinants in the transmission of carbon dioxide matters especially for a country that differs from coast to coast in energy use and industry makeup like the United States. To add to the policy debate this paper estimates two models that account for the dynamic nature of emissions of carbon dioxide emissions at the state-level from 1980–2010 while taking account of scale, technique, and composition effects. When stochastic trends are taken account of, an environmental Kuznets curve relationship with a feasible turning point is found for carbon dioxide emissions.
Distribution and Selection of Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate Production Capacity in Methanotrophic Proteobacteria

Methanotrophs are known to produce poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), but there is conflicting evidence in the literature as to which genera produce the polymer. We screened type I and II proteobacterial methanotrophs that use the ribulose monophosphate and serine pathways for carbon assimilation, respectively, for both phaC, which encodes for PHB synthase, and the ability to produce PHB under nitrogen-limited conditions. Twelve strains from six different genera were evaluated. All type I strains tested negative for phaC and PHB production; all Type II strains tested positive for phaC and PHB production. In order to identify conditions that favor PHB production, we also evaluated a range of selection conditions using a diverse activated sludge inoculum. Use of medium typically recommended for methanotroph enrichment led to enrichments dominated by type I methanotrophs. Conditions that were selected for enrichments dominated by PHB-producing Type II methanotrophs were: (1) use of nitrogen gas as the sole nitrogen source in the absence of copper, (2) use of a dilute mineral salts media in the absence of copper, and (3) use of media prepared at pH values of 4–5.
Performance of optical fiber sensors embedded in polymer matrix composites for 15 years

The objective of this paper is to describe the performance of optical fiber sensors that have been embedded within polymer matrix composites (PMCs) for more than 15 years. This paper was included in a session concerning the history of sensors for smart materials and structures, and was intended as an overview of early work in this area. Our group at Virginia Tech has been involved in the use of embedded fiber sensors since 1978 when R. Claus, then at the NASA Langley Research Center, helped embed sensors in PMCs to monitor cure and post-cure strain and temperature. Our oldest surviving cross-ply laminate composite specimen with embedded fiber sensors dates from 1982, and was fabricated on campus using a hot platen press. We have recently physically examined this specimen to study possible degradation of the material in the vicinity of the embedded fiber elements, and interrogated the embedded sensors using intensity, modal, interferometric and time-of-flight measurement systems. The basic conclusions of this work thus far are 1) the sensor fibers are still functional, 2) the sensor leads have not been sheared off the specimen after 15 years of use, 3) the composite specimen has not delaminated or otherwise showed signs of degradation, and 4) problems concerning the motion of sensor elements within curing systems, the interconnect problem, and cross-sensitivities that were difficulties in the early 1980s remain key issues today.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Tsc/Rheb signaling pathway controls basic amino acid uptake via the Cat1 permease in fission yeast

The Tsc/Rheb signaling pathway plays critical roles in the control of growth and cell cycle. Studies in fission yeast have also implicated its importance in the regulation of amino acid uptake. Disruption of tsc2+, one of the tsc+ genes, has been shown to result in decreased arginine uptake and resistance to canavanine. A similar effect is also seen with other basic amino acids. We have identified a permease responsible for the uptake of basic amino acids by genetic complementation and disruption. SPAC869.11 (termed Cat1 for cationic amino acid transporter) contains 12 predicted transmembrane domains and its overexpression in wild type fission yeast leads to the increased uptake of basic amino acids and sensitivity to canavanine. Disruption of cat1+ in the Δtsc2 background interfered with the suppression of the canavanine-resistant phenotype of Δtsc2 mutants by a dominant negative Rheb. In Δtsc2 mutant strains, the amount of Cat1 was not altered, but instead was mislocalized. This mislocalization was suppressed by the expression of dominant negative Rheb. In addition, we found that the loss of the E3 ubiquitin ligase, Pub1, also restores proper localization. These results provide a crucial link between Tsc/Rheb signaling and the regulation of the basic amino acid permease in fission yeast.
Electromagnetic scattering by thin dielectric sheets using integral equation techniques

We present a volume integral equation formulation to analyze a thin dielectric sheet without a conductor backing. The integral equation uses both tangential and normal polarization currents to model the material, where the normal component is assumed to be constant across the thickness of the material. The currents are reexpressed in terms of the electric flux density because it has a continuous normal component across material discontinuities. The presented integral equation approach hinges on the accurate evaluation of the potential integrals involved. An integration scheme has been presented that accurately and efficiently handles both singular and near-singular terms for 2D and 3D subdomain geometries (Wilton, D.R. and Khayat, M. A., IEEE AP-S Int. Symp. and URSI Radio Science Meeting, 2003; Khayat and Wilton, Int. Conf. on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications, 2003; URSI National Radio Science Meeting, 2004). The radar cross section is calculated for a thin dielectric sheet and found to be in good agreement with the literature for incident field polarization which is transverse electric (TE) or transverse magnetic (TM) to the sheet.
Acculturation and Discrimination in the Global Market Place

Abstract Mass international migrations to countries that promise economic, social, and political prosperity has created ethnic communities that are lucrative targets for many businesses. Members of these communities are often very brand loyal, conspicuous purchasers of prestige products, and willing to pay for quality products. Acculturation theory is used to explain how businesses can effectively communicate to these groups. Unlike past studies which rely on one acculturative dimension to understand its impact on marketing programs, this study employs multiple dimensions including the dimension of discrimination which has not previously been used in past consumer behavior research. An exploratory study using Hispanics in the U.S. as a sample population suggests that Hispanics with lower incomes and lower levels of education as well as Hispanics who use Spanish in the home and have perceived some level of discrimination in the past have greater levels of purchase intent for products when they are advertis...
Mode of inheritance of unselected traits in lines of chickens selected for high or low antibody response to sheep red blood cells. 1. Resistance to marble spleen disease virus and juvenile body weight

Abstract Two lines of White Leghorns that had undergone long-term selection for high (HH) or low (LL) antibody response to sheep red blood cell antigen(s) formed the nuclear lines for this experiment. Matings were made in a full diallel cross to produce in a single hatch from age-contemporary breeders the parental lines, reciprocal F1 and F2 crosses, and backcrosses for 16 progeny types. For males and females, there were parental line differences in BW to 42 d of age, after which there was decline between lines for males. Differences in BW between reciprocal F1 crosses and maternal heterosis declined with age, primarily reflecting dissipation of effects of egg weight. Heterosis of BW was dependent on the particular F1 cross and recombination effects were not important. At 50 d of age chicks were inoculated with either a 1 or 10% suspension of spleen extract from chickens infected with marble spleen disease virus (MSDV). A third group served as uninjected controls. Response to MSDV was evaluated by spleen weight 6 d after inoculation. Spleen weights relative to BW of control chicks were heavier for the HH than LL line with evidence from the crosses of sexlinkage and negative heterosis. Line LL chicks were more resistant to MSDV than Line HH chicks was F1 crosses intermediate to and different from either parental line with no evidence of heterosis.
Low-frequency magnetic noise in magnetic tunnel junctions

We studied low-frequency noise in $\mathrm{NiFe}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{NiFe}$ based magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ's) with and without a hard-axis bias field. The $1/f$ noise is observed to be magnetic-field dependent and reduced with the application of hard-axis bias fields, attributed to thermally activated magnetization fluctuations in the magnetic electrodes. A linear dependence of noise on derivative of magnetoresistance has been observed, and the magnetic-field noise for MTJ sensing elements is defined and evaluated to be as low as 60 nT $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}/{\mathrm{Hz}}^{1/2}.$
Heme-Mediated Reduction of Organohalide Pollutants at Nanocrystalline TiO2 Thin-Film Interfaces

Hemin, iron(III) protoporphyrin IX chloride, was found to bind to mesoporous nanocrystalline (anatase) TiO2 thin films from DMSO solution, K = 105 M−1 at 298 K. The reactions of iron(II) protoporph...
Characterization of a Novel Activated Ran GTPase Mutant and Its Ability to Induce Cellular Transformation

Ran (Ras-related nuclear) protein, a member of the Ras superfamily of GTPases, is best known for its roles in nucleocytoplasmic transport, mitotic spindle fiber assembly, and nuclear envelope formation. Recently, we have shown that the overexpression of Ran in fibroblasts induces cellular transformation and tumor formation in mice (Ly, T. K., Wang, J., Pereira, R., Rojas, K. S., Peng, X., Feng, Q., Cerione, R. A., and Wilson, K. F. (2010) J. Biol. Chem. 285, 5815-5826). Here, we describe a novel activated Ran mutant, Ran(K152A), which is capable of an increased rate of GDP-GTP exchange and an accelerated GTP binding/GTP hydrolytic cycle compared with wild-type Ran. We show that its expression in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts induces anchorage-independent growth and stimulates cell invasion, as well as activates signaling pathways that lead to extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) activity. Furthermore, Ran(K152A) expression in the human mammary SKBR3 adenocarcinoma cell line gives rise to an enhanced transformed phenotype and causes a robust stimulation of both ERK and the N-terminal c-Jun kinase (JNK). Microarray analysis reveals that the expression of the gene encoding SMOC-2 (secreted modular calcium-binding protein-2), which has been shown to synergize with different growth factors, is increased by at least 50-fold in cells stably expressing Ran(K152A) compared with cells expressing control vector. Knocking down SMOC-2 expression greatly reduces the ability of Ran(K152A) to stimulate anchorage-independent growth in NIH-3T3 cells and in SKBR3 cells and also inhibits cell invasion in fibroblasts. Collectively, our findings highlight a novel connection between the hyper-activation of the small GTPase Ran and the matricellular protein SMOC-2 that has important consequences for oncogenic transformation.
Use of chemically pre-mixed oxide batches for oxynitride glass synthesis

Abstract Chemically prepared oxide batches were used to prepare clear, homogeneous oxynitride glasses from melts in the Ba-Si-Al-O-N system. The glasses made from gel-derived oxide powders were of superior quality compared to oxynitride glasses prepared using conventional mixed-oxide techniques.
Semantics and truth relative to a world

This paper argues that relativity of truth to a world plays no significant role in empirical semantic theory, even as it is done in the model-theoretic tradition relying on intensional type theory. Some philosophical views of content provide an important notion of truth at a world, but they do not constrain the empirical domain of semantic theory in a way that makes this notion empirically significant. As an application of this conclusion, this paper shows that a potential motivation for relativism based on the relativity of truth to a world fails.
Fertilization acid of sea urchin eggs: evidence that it is H+, not CO2.

Abstract The report of R. J. Gillies, M. P. Rosenberg, and D. W. Deamer (1981, J. Cell. Phys. , 108, 115–122) that sea urchin fertilization acid is anaerobically produced CO 2 , was reinvestigated by inseminating Strongylocentrotus purpuratus eggs in HCO − 3 -free seawater, then bubbling the seawater with N 2 to remove volatile acid. Fertilization acid production occurred in HCO − 3 -free seawater and with N 2 -bubbling, the pH rose 0.28 ± 0.08 unit, significantly less than the rise of 0.63 ± 0.14 unit during N 2 -bubbling of HCO − 3 -free seawater that had been acidified with CO 2 and similar to the rise of 0.18 ± 0.07 unit when acidification was with HCl. We conclude that most, if not all, of the sea urchin fertilization acid is nonvolatile and thus is not CO 2 ; since it is not a weak acid, it must be H + .