cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elasticity of floppy and stiff random networks.

We study the linear and nonlinear elastic behavior of amorphous systems using a two-dimensional random network of harmonic springs as a model system. A natural characterization of these systems arises in terms of the network coordination (average number of springs per node) relative to that of a marginally rigid network $\ensuremath{\delta}z$: a floppy network has $\ensuremath{\delta}zl0$, while a stiff network has $\ensuremath{\delta}zg0$. Under the influence of an externally applied load, we observe that the response of both floppy and stiff networks is controlled by the critical point corresponding to the onset of rigidity. We use numerical simulations to compute the exponents which characterize the shear modulus, the heterogeneity of the response, and the network stiffening as a function of $\ensuremath{\delta}z$ and derive these theoretically, thus allowing us to predict aspects of the mechanical response of glasses and fibrous networks.
Cytochromes from Mycobacterium phlei. II. Ascorbate reduction of an isolated cytochrome (a+a3) (o) complex.

Abstract Cytochrome a + a 3 and cytochrome o of a cytochrome ( a + a 3 ) ( o ) complex isolated from Mycobacterium phlei could be differentiated on the basis of their response to inorganic phosphate and to pH. At low concentrations of phosphate over a pH range from 6.0 to 7.5, the rate of reduction of cytochromes a + a 3 was stimulated and the peaks for cytochrome a 3 -CO in the carbon monoxide difference spectrum were more prominent than those of cytochrome o -CO. The reverse was true at pH 8.0 in that low concentrations of phosphate did not stimulate cytochromes a + a 3 reduction, but enhanced the appearance of cytochrome o -CO in the carbon monoxide difference spectrum. High concentrations of phosphate inhibited cytochromes a + a 3 reduction from pH 6.0 to 8.0. Due to the large size of the isolated complex, the effect of depolymerizing agents and detergents was tested. Stimulation of the rate of cytochromes a + a 3 reduction occurred in the presence of urea or guanidine-HCl. The CO difference spectrum obtained in the presence of guanidine-HCl showed the presence of cytochrome a 3 -CO but not cytochrome o -CO while with increasing concentrations of urea, cytochrome o -CO was reduced in addition to cytochrome a 3 -CO. Detergents such as sodium dodecyl sulfate or deoxycholate were found to inhibit the reduction of cytochromes a + a 3 .
When Justices (Subconsciously) Attack: The Theory of Argumentative Threat and the Supreme Court

This paper is the third and final article in a series that discusses research performed over the past four years regarding the effect of certain language usages in appellate briefs and opinions. The first two articles, "Does the Readability of Your Brief Affect Your Chance of Winning on Appeal?" and “Clearly Using Intensifiers is Very Bad — Or Is It?”, were published in the Journal of Appellate Practice & Process and The Idaho Law Review, respectively. This article (in the Oregon Law Review), proposes a theory of "argumentative threat" which hypothesizes that when faced with an argument that a legal writer believes — or knows — she is likely to lose, the writer will tend to write in a style that uses more intensifiers. There is also some evidence (not statistically significant) that longer sentences and longer words may be associated with a defensive style of writing. The article illustrates its point by using recent majority and dissenting opinions of the U.S. Supreme Court. The article also suggests that the “conservative” Justices use more intensifiers in their dissenting opinions than their “liberal” counterparts.
From Asymmetry to Full Symmetry: New Techniques for Symmetry Reduction in Model Checking

It is often the case that systems are "nearly symmetric"; they exhibit symmetry in a part of their description but are, nevertheless, globally asymmetric. We formalize several notions of near symmetry and show how to obtain the benefits of symmetry reduction when applied to asymmetric systems which are nearly symmetric. We show that for some nearly symmetric systems it is possible to perform symmetry reduction and obtain a bisimilar (up to permutation) symmetry reduced system. Using a more general notion of "sub-symmetry" we show how to generate a reduced structure that is simulated (up to permutation) by the original asymmetric program. In the symbolic model checking paradigm, representing the symmetry reduced quotient structure entails representing the BDD for the orbit relation. Unfortunately, for many important symmetry groups, including the full symmetry group, this BDD is provably always intractably large, of size exponential in the number of bits in the state space. In contrast, under the assumption of full symmetry, we show that it is possible to reduce a textual program description of a symmetric system to a textual program description of the symmetry reduced system. This obviates the need for building the BDD representation of the orbit relation on the program states under the symmetry group. We establish that the BDD representing the reduced program is provably small, essentially polynomial in the number of bits in the state space of the original program.
The Basic Proteins of Cobra Venom II. MECHANISM OF ACTION OF COBRAMINE B ON THYROID TISSUE

Abstract Purified cobramine B from Naja naja inhibits the accumulation of I- by thyroid and parotid slices or isolated choroid plexus. Accumulation of TcO4- and ReO4- is also inhibited. The effect has a rapid onset, is temperature-dependent, and is prevented by polyanions or antivenom, but it is reversed with great difficulty, presumably because of very firm binding to tissue. Pretreatment with neuraminidase does not influence the inhibition. The major portion of the inhibition is due to increased I- efflux from the slices. Significant increases occur at 2 µg per ml, and I- efflux is a more sensitive measure of the cobramine B effect than is I- accumulation. Cobramine B leads to K+ loss from the cell and increases the rate of equilibration of the sucrose or inulin spaces. Inhibition of I- accumulation is also produced by protamine, histones, polyarginine, polyornithine, and polylysine, but not by lysozyme or ribonuclease A. Tetralysine is ineffective, and a polylysine of average molecular weight 14,000 or greater is maximally effective. Larger polymers are not more potent. As with cobramine B, inhibition is prevented but not easily reversed by polyanions. It is postulated that cobramine B interacts with the negative surface charges of the thyroid cell.
Manganese and Defenses against Oxygen Toxicity in Lactobacillus plantarum

Lactobacillus plantarum is aerotolerant during log-phase growth on glucose, but is an obligate aerobe on polyols. Respiration was cyanide resistant and under certain conditions was associated with the accumulation of millimolar concentrations of H(2)O(2). On glucose, optimal growth was observed in the absence of O(2). Extracts of L. plantarum did not catalyze the reduction of paraquat by reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, but plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) was readily reduced. Such extracts produced O(2) (-) in the presence of NADH plus plumbagin. Plumbagin caused a 10-fold increase in the rate of respiration of intact cells in the presence of glucose and also imposed a loss of viability which was dependent upon both glucose and O(2). Although extracts of L. plantarum were devoid of true superoxide dismutase activity, this organism was comparable to superoxide dismutase-containing species in its resistance toward hyperbaric O(2) and toward the oxygen-dependent lethality of plumbagin. L. plantarum required Mn-rich media and actively accumulated Mn(II). Soluble extracts were found to contain approximately 9 mug of Mn per mg of protein and 75 to 90% of this Mn was dialyzable. Such extracts exhibited a dialyzable and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-inhibitable ability to scavenge O(2) (-). This O(2) (-)-scavenging activity was due to the dialyzable Mn(II) present in these extracts and could be mimicked by MnCl(2). Cells grown in Mn-rich media were enriched in dialyzable Mn and were more resistant toward oxygen toxicity and toward the oxygen-dependent plumbagin toxicity than were cells grown in Mn-deficient media. L. plantarum exhibited no nutritional requirement for iron and little or no iron was present in these cells, even when they were grown in iron-rich media. L. plantarum thus appears to use millimolar levels of Mn(II) to scavenge O(2) (-), much as most other organisms use micromolar levels of superoxide dismutases.
Did the Gamemakers Fix the Lottery in the Hunger Games

Summary The Hunger Games is an annual event in the fictional country of Panem. Each year, 24 children (tributes) are chosen by lottery from 12 districts to fight to the death in the arena for the entertainment of the Capitol citizens. Using statistical analysis and computer simulations, we will explore the possibility that the Gamemakers, those in charge of planning the Hunger Games, fixed the lottery. Using the fictitious data from Suzanne Collins' book the Hunger Games, we show how students can learn how to perform a permutation goodness of fit test.
Effects of phosphorus nutrition on photosynthesis in Glycine max (L.) Merr.

The effects of phosphorus nutrition on various aspects of photosynthetic metabolism have been examined for soybean plants (Glycine max) grown in growth chambers. Orthophosphate was supplied at two levels in 0.5-strength Hoagland's solution. At the end of the 19-d growth period, plants grown at 10 μM KH2PO4 (low-P plants) had undergone a 40% drop in net CO2 exchange (averaged over a 16-h light period), as compared with control plants grown with 200 μM KH2PO4. Low-P resulted in reductions in the initial activities of five, and in the total activities of seven, Calvin-cycle enzymes. Notable exceptions were the initial and total activities of chloroplastic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11) which were increased by 85 and 53%, respectively, by low-P. Low-P decreased leaf 3-phosphoglycerate (PGA) levels most (by 80%), ribulose-1,5-bis-phosphate (RuBP) less (by 47%) while triose-phosphate (TP) was not significantly changed. The results indicate that photosynthetic CO2-fixation in low-P plants was limited more by RuBP regeneration than by ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (EC 4.1.1.39) activity. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration in low-P plants did not appear to be limited by ATP and-or NADPH supply because ATP/ADP and NADPH/ NADP+ ratios were increased by 60 and 37%, respectively, by low-P, and because TP/PGA ratios were higher in low-P plants. Low-P may diminish RuBP regeneration, and hence photosynthesis, by reducing Calvin-cycle enzyme activity, in particular, the initial activity of ribulose-5-phosphate kinase (EC 2.7.1.19) (44% reduction), and by enhancing the flux of carbon into starch biosynthesis.
Photon and jet physics at the Collider Detector at Fermilab

We summarize recent Run 1 photon and jet measurements from p{bar b} collisions at {radical}s = 0.63 TeV and 1.8 TeV using data collected at the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF). First Run 2 results at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV are also presented together with predictions of the kinematic reach accessible with 15 fb{sup -1} of Run 2 data. Data are compared to the predictions of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD).
Materials for Use in Vocal Hygiene Programs for Children.

Practical suggestions, homemade materials, and commercially available resources for use with children in vocal intervention are shared in this clinical exchange.
Incentivizing time-shifting of data: a survey of time-dependent pricing for internet access

The tremendous growth in demand for broadband data is forcing ISPs to use pricing as a congestion management tool. This changing landscape of Internet access pricing is evidenced by the elimination of flat rate data plans in favor of usage-based pricing by major wired and wireless operators in the US and Europe. But simple usage-based fees suffer from the problem of imposing costs on all users, irrespective of the network congestion level at a given time. To effectively reduce network congestion, appropriate incentives must be provided to users who are willing to time-shift their data demand from peak to off-peak periods. These pricing incentives can either be static (e.g., two-period daytime/nighttime prices) or computed dynamically (e.g., dayahead pricing, real-time pricing). Data plans that offer such incentives to consumers fall under the category of time-dependent pricing (TDP). Many ISPs across the world are currently exploring various forms of TDP to manage their traffic growth. This article first outlines the sources of today?s challenges, and then discusses current trends from regulatory and technological perspectives. Finally, we review representative pricing proposals for incentivizing the time-shifting of data.
Annealing of electron damage in mid-IR transmitting fluoride glass

Damage in ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3 glass induced by high-energy electrons was studied by ESR and optical spectroscopy. An optical absorption band at 314 nm in the irradiated glass annealed rapidly above about 50 C, probably by a second-order reaction at room temperature; the ESR lines annealed very slowly at room temperature.
Self-induced pneumoparotitis in an adolescent. Report of a case and review of the literature

Pneumoparotitis is a rare cause of parotid inflammatory disease in both adults and children. A 12-year-old girl is reported who presented with recurrent bilateral parotid swelling. Radiologic evaluation revealed pneumoparotitis associated with masseter muscle hypertrophy. Further investigation revealed the self-induced nature of the condition in this teenager. Self-induced pneumoparotitis has been reported almost exclusively in adolescents who often have psychosocial problems. The clinical presentation, proposed pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of this rare condition are discussed and a review of the literature is presented.
The Virtues of Teaching

In their discussion of the management skills required by new faculty preparing to fund and operate a research laboratory, T. R. Cech and E. Bond note that “[u]niversities in the United States and elsewhere hire new faculty based mainly on their research accomplishments and potential” (“Managing your own lab,” Editorial, 18 June, p. [1717][1]). The word “mainly” is certainly accurate, for teaching prowess is now relegated to the status of a secondary or minor virtue in most institutions of higher learning. But along with learning about “hiring and managing staff, administering budgets, getting grants, seeking tenure, getting collaborations, and resolving conflicts,” wouldn't the new hire also become a better manager through learning how best to combine teaching and research activites in a busy academic schedule? This assumes, of course, that teaching is still a requirement for most academic appointments and that quality in teaching is still regarded as desirable. Many scholars have remarked on the synergism between teaching and research. Lest the tradition of teaching in universities be permitted to diminish, and lest our academic appointees beome solely efficient managers of research laboratories, we should remember that skill in teaching, like skill in management, can sometimes be enhanced by appropriate experience and training. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.304.5678.1717
Bank capital and exposure to the financial crisis

Abstract We find that banks with more capital experienced more severe stock price declines during the recent financial crisis. We also find that banks with more capital experienced higher betas and stock volatility levels during the financial crisis. These results support the capital signaling hypothesis, in which under conditions of risk-based capital requirements, bank capital serves as an indicator of asset quality during the financial crisis. While capital is normally perceived to serve as a cushion even if asset risk is high, higher levels of capital were not sufficient to cover expected losses of banks with high asset risk levels during the financial crisis. Banks that maintained a lower level of marketable securities and relied less on fee income were damaged to a greater degree during the financial crisis. Furthermore, banks that were larger, experienced weaker operating performance and stock price performance prior to the crisis, and relied less heavily on fee income experienced more pronounced jumps in risk during the crisis.
Macrophage antioxidant enzymes regulate Chlamydia pneumoniae chronicity: Evidence of the effect of redox balance on host–pathogen relationship

Latency, chronicity and recurrent nature are the features of Chlamydia pneumoniae biology which play a central role in the course and outcome of C. pneumoniae-host interaction. Since redox status is directly an indicator of inflammatory response via molecular signaling mechanisms, we decided to study the regulatory role of macrophage cellular redox balance on the molecular indices of C. pneumoniae chronicity. We examined GSH-GSSG status, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx and gamma-GCS), along with their protein and gene expression, the MOMP and cHSP-60 protein and gene expression, and the consequence of redox balance on the establishment of productive infection in macrophages. Results showed that C. pneumoniae caused changes in GSH-GSSG levels, antioxidant enzymes activity, mRNA gene and protein expression in macrophages. The relevance of this to the state and status of C. pneumoniae in macrophages was assessed by inhibitor induced attenuation of antioxidant enzymes and there was evidence that, while SOD attenuation did not significantly affect MOMP and cHSP-60 gene and protein expression, gamma-GCS attenuation increased cHSP-60 gene and protein expression. The increase in molecular evidence of chronic forms of C. pneumoniae (cHSP-60) was consistent with decrease in normal forms of C. pneumoniae. These findings reflect the importance of redox balance modulation on the outcome of C. pneumoniae infection in macrophages, a significant process in the pathogenesis of chlamydial diseases.
Robust input-output feedback linearization

To make input-output feedback linearization a practical and systematic design methodology for single-input nonlinear systems, two problems need to be addressed. One is to handle systematically the difficulties associated with the internal dynamics or zero-dynamics when the relative degree is less than the system order. The other is to account for the effect of model uncertainties in the successive differentiations of the output of interest. While the first problem has recently received considerable attention, the second has been largely unexplored. This paper represents a preliminary study of a systematic methodology to account robustly for parametric uncertainties in the original system model. The approach is based on combining sliding control ideas with the recursive construction of a closed-loop Lyapunov function, and is illustrated with a simple example.
Electron-phonon interaction in ultrasmall-radius carbon nanotubes

We perform analysis of the band structure, phonon dispersion, and electron-phonon interactions in three types of small-radius carbon nanotubes. We find that the (5,5) nanotube can be described well by the zone-folding method and the electron-phonon interaction is too small to support either a charge-density wave or superconductivity at realistic temperatures. For ultrasmall (5,0) and (6,0) nanotubes we find that the large curvature makes these tubes metallic with a large density of states at the Fermi energy and leads to unusual electron-phonon interactions, with the dominant coupling coming from the out-of-plane phonon modes. By combining the frozen-phonon approximation with the random phase approximation analysis of the giant Kohn anomaly in one dimension we find parameters of the effective Fr\"ohlich Hamiltonian for the conduction electrons. Neglecting Coulomb interactions, we find that the (5,5) carbon nanotube (CNT) remains stable to instabilities of the Fermi surface down to very low temperatures while for the (5,0) and (6,0) CNTs a charge density wave instability will occur. When we include a realistic model of Coulomb interaction we find that the charge-density wave remains dominant in the (6,0) CNT with ${T}_{\mathrm{CDW}}$ around 5 K while the charge-density wave instability is suppressed to very low temperatures in the (5,0) CNT, making superconductivity dominant with transition temperature around 1 K.
“Electrochemical Shock” of Intercalation Electrodes: A Fracture Mechanics Analysis

Fracture of electrode particles due to diffusion-induced stress has been implicated as a possible mechanism for capacity fade and impedance growth in lithium-ion batteries. In brittle materials, including many lithium intercalation materials, knowledge of the stress profile is necessary but insufficient to predict fracture events. We derive a fracture mechanics failure criterion for individual electrode particles and demonstrate its utility with a model system, galvanostatic charging of Li x Mn 2 O 4 . Fracture mechanics predicts a critical C-rate above which active particles fracture; this critical C-rate decreases with increasing particle size. We produce an electrochemical shock map, a graphical tool that shows regimes of failure depending on C-rate, particle size, and the material's inherent fracture toughness K Ic . Fracture dynamics are sensitive to the gradient of diffusion-induced stresses at the crack tip; as a consequence, small initial flaws grow unstably and are therefore potentially more damaging than larger initial flaws, which grow stably.
Kinetic properties of an imino acid transport system in the chicken intestine

Abstract 1. 1. The intestinal absorption of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), proline and β-alanine has been studied in the chicken. 2. 2. On the basis of measurements made on apparent affinity constants of amino acids for interaction with the brush border epithelium, the following decreasing order of reactivities has been established for the imino acid transport system: proline > β-alanine = GABA> glycine > δ-amino- n -valeric acid > ϵ-amino- n -caproic acid. 3. 3. The magnitude of the individual constants suggests that, of the compounds tested, the site primarily serves to transport proline, β-alanine and GABA.
Whole-Body Nanoparticle Aerosol Inhalation Exposures

Inhalation is the most likely exposure route for individuals working with aerosolizable engineered nano-materials (ENM). To properly perform nanoparticle inhalation toxicology studies, the aerosols in a chamber housing the experimental animals must have: 1) a steady concentration maintained at a desired level for the entire exposure period; 2) a homogenous composition free of contaminants; and 3) a stable size distribution with a geometric mean diameter < 200 nm and a geometric standard deviation σg < 2.5 (5). The generation of aerosols containing nanoparticles is quite challenging because nanoparticles easily agglomerate. This is largely due to very strong inter-particle forces and the formation of large fractal structures in tens or hundreds of microns in size (6), which are difficult to be broken up. Several common aerosol generators, including nebulizers, fluidized beds, Venturi aspirators and the Wright dust feed, were tested; however, none were able to produce nanoparticle aerosols which satisfy all criteria (5). A whole-body nanoparticle aerosol inhalation exposure system was fabricated, validated and utilized for nano-TiO2 inhalation toxicology studies. Critical components: 1) novel nano-TiO2 aerosol generator; 2) 0.5 m(3) whole-body inhalation exposure chamber; and 3) monitor and control system. Nano-TiO2 aerosols generated from bulk dry nano-TiO2 powders (primary diameter of 21 nm, bulk density of 3.8 g/cm(3)) were delivered into the exposure chamber at a flow rate of 90 LPM (10.8 air changes/hr). Particle size distribution and mass concentration profiles were measured continuously with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), and an electric low pressure impactor (ELPI). The aerosol mass concentration (C) was verified gravimetrically (mg/m(3)). The mass (M) of the collected particles was determined as M = (Mpost-Mpre), where Mpre and Mpost are masses of the filter before and after sampling (mg). The mass concentration was calculated as C = M/(Q*t), where Q is sampling flowrate (m(3)/min), and t is the sampling time (minute). The chamber pressure, temperature, relative humidity (RH), O2 and CO2 concentrations were monitored and controlled continuously. Nano-TiO2 aerosols collected on Nuclepore filters were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. In summary, we report that the nano-particle aerosols generated and delivered to our exposure chamber have: 1) steady mass concentration; 2) homogenous composition free of contaminants; 3) stable particle size distributions with a count-median aerodynamic diameter of 157 nm during aerosol generation. This system reliably and repeatedly creates test atmospheres that simulate occupational, environmental or domestic ENM aerosol exposures.
REM sleep disorders and parkinsonism

REM sleep abnormalities are frequently encountered in disorders with alpha-synuclein pathology including Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy, and dementia with Lewy bodies. Symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) may precede the onset of motor and cognitive symptoms in these underlying neurological disorders. Clinical and neuroimaging studies suggest that there may be reductions in dopaminergic mechanisms centrally in primary RBD. Anatomic studies in animals suggest dysfunction of brainstem nuclei. The treatment of RBD has not been adequately evaluated with controlled studies. Clonazepam and melatonin might be effective.
Receptacle Model of Salting-In by Tetramethylammonium Ions

Water is a poor solvent for nonpolar solutes. Water containing ions is an even poorer solvent. According to standard terminology, the tendency of salts to precipitate oils from water is called salting-out. However, interestingly, some salt ions, such as tetramethylammonium (TMA), cause instead the salting-in of hydrophobic solutes. Even more puzzling, there is a systematic dependence on solute size. TMA causes the salting-out of small hydrophobes and the salting-in of larger nonpolar solutes. We study these effects using NPT Monte Carlo simulations of the Mercedes−Benz (MB) + dipole model of water, which was previously shown to account for hydrophobic effects and ion solubilities in water. The present model gives a structural interpretation for the thermodynamics of salting-in. The TMA structure allows deep penetration by a first shell of waters, the dipoles of which interact electrostatically with the ion. This first water shell sets up a second water shell that is shaped to act as a receptacle that bind...
The Reliability of Functional Gain

This study examined the test-retest reliability of unaided and aided sound-field thresholds and the functional gain values derived from these measurements. Sound-field warble-tone thresholds were o...
Deformation and poration of lipid bilayer membranes by cationic nanoparticles

Synthetic lipid bilayers in a giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) format were used to study potentially harmful interactions between nanoparticles and biomembranes. Confocal fluorescence microscopy shows that 20 nm polystyrene nanoparticles with cationic surfaces adhere strongly to these lipid bilayer membranes. This adhesion is sensitive to the ionic strength of the surrounding medium and is independent of the lipid composition of the membrane, indicating that it is driven by nonspecific electrostatic interactions. Nanoparticles bound to the GUV membrane form extended protrusions that incorporate the membrane lipids. As the membrane material is pulled into these protrusions, the diameter of the GUV shrinks. This process is accompanied by the formation of transient pores in the membrane, as indicated by the leakage of high-molecular weight polymers from the GUV interior. There is an upper limit to the molecular weight of polymer that will leak through these pores; based on this size limit, the pore diameter can be estimated as 18–27 nm. These results suggest that nanoparticle adhesion imposes surface tension on biomembranes via a steric crowding mechanism, leading to poration. The phenomenon is potentially a physiologically relevant mode of interaction between nanoparticles and biomembranes, and may help explain observed plasma membrane permeabilization in the presence of broad classes of nanoparticles.
AN ACTION SPECTRUM FOR UV PHOTOCARCINOGENESIS

Abstract— Hairless mice were irradiated repeatedly by exposure to unfiltered black-light (FR74T12 PUVA) fluorescent lamps and the time to development of skin tumors was determined. For several groups of animals the treatment variable was the size of the weekly dose. A similar approach had been used previously to determine dose-response characteristics for other ultraviolet radiation emitting sources: a xenon arc solar simulator (with a series of five cut-off filters producing five source spectra), and a fluorescent (FS40T12) “sunlamp”. The median tumor latent period (time period for just more than one half of the animals to develop at least one tumor each) was accurately predicted for all these ultraviolet radiation emitting sources by a mathematical equation incorporating the spectral source description and a spectral weighting function. The weighting function judged most appropriate for ultraviolet radiation-induced photocarcinogenesis was the action spectrum, determined previously, for acute (single dose) skin edema in hairless mice. The mathematical equation assigns no effectiveness to wavelengths greater than 330 nm. There was no evidence for wavelength interaction in the spectral range of 26MW nm. Our data, combined with results of others, lead us to conclude that radiation with wavelength greater than 330 nm has an average relative efficacy (297 nm =1.0) less than 0.0002, and that this efficacy is not detectable with sources in which at least 2% of the UV radiation is in the UV-B range.
The Scope of Adaptation of HIV Prevention Policy Actions by UNAIDS in the Context of Bangladesh

HIV/AIDS, a worldwide epidemic, affects Bangladesh, not only among the high risk groups, but also the general population. The number of HIV cases has increased recently, especially among injecting drug users, men who have sex with men, and female sex workers. Furthermore, unsafe blood supplies to hospitals and cross-border migration have worsened the current situation in the country. It is necessary for the Government and policy makers to consider revising the existing HIV/AIDS policy. Comparative content analysis is employed to analyze the National Policy on HIV/AIDS Prevention of Bangladesh (1997) with The Essential Policy Actions for Prevention proposed by UNAIDS (2005) in its policy position paper, `Intensifying HIV Preventionâ€™. Recommendations are made for amendments to the Bangladesh policy after the analysis; the inclusion of religious leaders, people living with HIV/AIDS involved in policy making and programme implementation, and review and reform in some of the current legal frameworks regarding gender equity and stigma.
RNA interference tools for the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis

The insect order Thysanoptera is exclusively comprised of small insects commonly known as thrips. The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, is an economically important pest amongst thysanopterans due to extensive feeding damage and tospovirus transmission to hundreds of plant species worldwide. Geographically-distinct populations of F. occidentalis have developed resistance against many types of traditional chemical insecticides, and as such, management of thrips and tospoviruses are a persistent challenge in agriculture. Molecular methods for defining the role(s) of specific genes in thrips-tospovirus interactions and for assessing their potential as gene targets in thrips management strategies is currently lacking. The goal of this work was to develop an RNA interference (RNAi) tool that enables functional genomic assays and to evaluate RNAi for its potential as a biologically-based approach for controlling F. occidentalis. Using a microinjection system, we delivered double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) directly to the hemocoel of female thrips to target the vacuolar ATP synthase subunit B (V-ATPase-B) gene of F. occidentalis. Gene expression analysis using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed significant reductions of V-ATPase-B transcripts at 2 and 3 days post-injection (dpi) with dsRNA of V-ATPase-B compared to injection with dsRNA of GFP. Furthermore, the effect of knockdown of the V-ATPase-B gene in females at these two time points was mirrored by the decreased abundance of V-ATPase-B protein as determined by quantitative analysis of Western blots. Reduction in V-ATPase-B expression in thrips resulted in increased female mortality and reduced fertility, i.e., number of viable offspring produced. Survivorship decreased significantly by six dpi compared to the dsRNA-GFP control group, which continued decreasing significantly until the end of the bioassay. Surviving female thrips injected with dsRNA-V-ATPase-B produced significantly fewer offspring compared to those in the dsRNA-GFP control group. Our findings indicate that an RNAi-based strategy to study gene function in thrips is feasible, can result in quantifiable phenotypes, and provides a much-needed tool for investigating the molecular mechanisms of thrips-tospovirus interactions. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of RNAi for any member of the insect order Thysanoptera and demonstrates the potential for translational research in the area of thrips pest control.
Phosphoproteomic analysis of the human pituitary

The pituitary is the central endocrine gland that regulates the functions of various target organs in the human body. Because of the pivotal regulatory role of the pituitary, it is essential to define on a global scale the components of the pituitary protein machinery, including a comprehensive characterization of the post-translational modifications of the pituitary proteins. Of particular interest is the examination of the phosphorylation status of the pituitary in health and disease. Towards the goal of global profiling of pituitary protein phosphorylation, we report here the application of the in-gel IEF-LC-MS/MS approach to the study of the pituitary phosphoproteome. The analytical strategy combined isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradient strips with immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry. With this method, a total of 50 phosphorylation sites were characterized in 26 proteins. Because the investigation involved primary tissue, the findings provide a direct glimpse into the phosphoprotein machinery operating within the human pituitary tissue microenvironment.
Adherence and persistence with teriparatide among patients with commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid insurance.

Summary Adherence to, and persistence with, treatments for osteoporosis are low. Adherence with teriparatide decreases over time. Higher copayments in the commercial/Medicare population were associated with worse persistence. Understanding factors such as prior screening, prior treatment history, and out of pocket costs that influence persistence with teriparatide may help clinicians make informed decisions.
Multistate survival models for partially censored data

Multistate survival models for partially censored data are of great interest for investigating factors attributing to transitions from one state of survival to other states of survival or death. Kay (1982) extended the proportional hazards model for a multistate framework with several transient states. However, in his framework, Kay did not incorporate reverse transitions. This paper discusses an extension of the proportional hazards model for several transient states under a competing risk framework for transitions and reverse transitions. The relationship with the multistate product-limit method is also shown in this paper.
Gentian Violet Keratoconjunctivitis

A case of bilateral keratoconjunctivitis caused by self-instillation of a 1% aqueous solution of gentian violet was complicated by a secondary uveitis and gram-negative conjunctivitis. The patient was treated with cycloplegics and specific antibiotics and after resolution of the bacterial infection, a mild topical corticosteroid was used. After six months the patient had completely recovered from the keratitis, but bilateral corneal vascularization, had unilateral posterior synechiae, corneal scarring, and cataract formation were present. Cationic dyes such as gentian violet appear to be toxic to the ocular surfaces and tend to produce severe intraocular inflammation.
Late Holocene flood probabilities in the Black Hills, South Dakota with emphasis on the Medieval Climate Anomaly

Abstract A stratigraphic record of 35 large paleofloods and four large historical floods during the last 2000 years for four basins in the Black Hills of South Dakota reveals three long-term flooding episodes, identified using probability distributions, at A.D.: 120–395, 900–1290, and 1410 to present. During the Medieval Climate Anomaly (~ A.D. 900–1300) the four basins collectively experienced 13 large floods compared to nine large floods in the previous 800 years, including the largest floods of the last 2000 years for two of the four basins. This high concentration of extreme floods is likely caused by one or more of the following: 1) instability of air masses caused by stronger than normal westerlies; 2) larger or more frequent hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean; and/or 3) reduced land covering vegetation or increased forest fires caused by persistent regional drought.
On the growth and decay of temperature rate waves of arbitrary form

Die vorliegende Arbeit gibt eine Ableitung der Differentialgleichung fur das Wachstum und den Zerfall temperaturabhangiger Wellen willkurlicher Gestalt. Ferner werden Losungen dieser Gleichung fur auf die speziellen Falle von Wellen erhalten, die sich eben, zylindrisch und spharisch ausbreiten. Die Analyse basiert auf den isotropen linearen Formen der allgemeinen Gurtin-Pipkin-Theorie fur starre Warmeleitung mit endlichen Wellengeschwindigkeiten.
QCD at finite baryon density: Instantons and color superconductivity

Abstract Instantons lead to strong correlations for qq with spin and isospin zero and color antisymmetric wave functions. In cold and dense quark matter these correlations can lead to diquark Bose condensation and the ground state is a color superconductor.
Anna Pegler-Gordon, In Sight of America: Photography and the Development of U.S. Immigration Policy

Anna Pegler-Gordon, In Sight of America: Photography and the Development of U.S. Immigration Policy (2010), xx + 319 (University of California Press, Berkeley, £41.95/$60.00, paperback £16.95/$24.9...
Caffeine blocks the delayed K+ outward current of molluscan neurons

Abstract Extracellular application of caffeine inhibits the delayed K + outward current of Aplysia neurons in a dose dependent manner without changing the kinetics. Half-maximum blockade is produced with a concentration of 16.0 ± 0.7mM (S.E.M.) caffeine after 1–2 min. Intracellular injection of caffeine has an almost immediate blocking effect. The evidence suggests that the blocking site is at or close to the inner surface of the cellular membrane.
Student-generated matrix/database as an organizational tool

Abstract College students created a matrix which was converted to a database and was searched via comparison/contrast attributes. Students who had been given a general procedure for creating the matrix were aware of attributes that could be used to compare and contrast. This was not true of students who had outlined the information or students who had used a very detailed matrix procedure.
Oskar controls morphology of polar granules and nuclear bodies in Drosophila.

Germ cell formation in Drosophila relies on polar granules, which are large ribonucleoprotein complexes found at the posterior end of the embryo. The granules undergo characteristic changes in morphology during development, including the assembly of multiple spherical bodies from smaller precursors. Several polar granule components, both protein and RNA, have been identified. One of these, the protein Oskar, acts to initiate granule formation during oogenesis and to recruit other granule components. To investigate whether Oskar has a continuing role in organization of the granules and control of their morphology, we took advantage of species-specific differences in polar granule structure. The polar granules of D. immigrans fuse into a single large oblong aggregate, as opposed to the multiple, distinct, spherical granules of D. melanogaster embryos. D. immigrans oskar rescues the body patterning and pole cell defects of embryos from D. melanogaster oskar- mothers, and converts the morphology of the polar granules to that of D. immigrans . The nuclear bodies, which are structures that appear to be closely related to polar granules, are also converted to the D. immigrans type morphology. We conclude that oskar plays a persistent and central role in the polar granules, not only initiating their formation but also controlling their organization and morphology.
Active Building Blocks for Silicon Photonic Devices

The need for alternative interconnect technologies that can efficiently deal with large bandwidths of information has led to the investigation of photonic devices suitable for integration into an optical interconnect platform. Active modulation of the optical properties of silicon-based photonic crystals provides the foundation for a variety of tunable components. One promising platform for active silicon photonics building blocks are porous silicon one-dimensional photonic bandgap microcavity structures infiltrated with optically active species. The porous silicon microcavities are fabricated by electrochemical etching, which allows flexibility in the design wavelength. As a first demonstration, electrical and thermal modulation of porous silicon microcavities is shown based on a change in the refractive index of liquid crystals infiltrated in the porous silicon matrix. Controllable tuning to both longer and shorter wavelengths is achieved based on the choice of liquid crystals. Extinction ratios greater than 10 dB have been demonstrated and larger attenuation can be realized by increasing the Q-factor of the microcavities. The porous silicon microcavities can also serve as a template for faster response time active devices based on the infiltration of quantum dots or electro-optic polymers. The relationships between microcavity Q-factor, extinction ratio, active species refractive index change, and device switching speed will be discussed.
Exome sequencing: one small step for malignant hyperthermia, one giant step for our specialty--why exome sequencing matters to all of us, not just the experts.

One hundred years ago, the traditional world hitherto known to physicists ceased to exist. Within the time span of a generation, the foundations of classical mechanics were shattered by Einstein’s theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. A new era and the Golden Age of New Physics began. One hundred years later – today – a comparable revolution is taking place and this time in medicine. Yet, few practicing physicians inside and outside our specialty are aware of this revolution. When future historians will look back at the first decades of the 21st century, they may refer to this time period as the era of genomic medicine. An era where for the first time the full power and information of the human genome became accessible and was harnessed to improve the lives and conditions of everyday patients. Two reports in this issue of Anesthesiology1,2 represent a milestone for our specialty: for the first time exome sequencing has been used to identify novel mutations for malignant hyperthermia.
Phosphorylation of yeast RNA polymerases.

DNA-DEPENDENT RNA polymerase activities in eukaryotic cells change during developmental1,2 and physiological transitions3–8. Some changes occur rapidly and in the absence of protein synthesis. They presumably involve modulation of the activity of pre-existing RNA polymerase molecules rather than alterations of the rate of synthesis or degradation of these molecules. This modulation of polymerase activity could be a consequence of covalent modification of enzyme subunits, the rapid turnover of a protein factor required for catalysis, alteration of the template properties of the chromatin or some combination of these. The first possibility is attractive. The activity of many enzymes is controlled in this manner9. Cycles of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation regulate the activity of the enzymes involved in glycogen metabolism (reviewed in refs 9 and 10). Lee et al.11 observed an increase in the specific activity of Rous sarcoma virus reverse transcriptase on incubation with protein kinase and ATP. Phosphoryla-of β and β′ subunits of E. coli RNA polymerase on infection by bacteriophage T7 has been implicated in the control of early transcription of T7 DNA12. Several groups5,13,14 have proposed and presented preliminary evidence that phosphorylation of RNA polymerase is involved in regulation of polymerase activity in eukaryotes. Jungmann et al.5 and Martelo and Hirsch13 observed enhanced RNA polymerase activity when partially purified protein kinase, RNA polymerase and ATP were mixed. They observed the phosphorylation of proteins in their preparations and attributed the increase in polymerase activity to phosphorylation of the enzyme. They did not demonstrate phosphorylation of RNA polymerase polypeptides, and since the observed increase in RNA polymerase activity could also be a consequence of phosphorylation of contaminating acidic nuclear proteins which can stimulate polymerase activity15–17, the cause of the enhanced polymerase activity is obscure. We report here the isolation of phosphorylated RNA polymerase I from yeast cells and the identification of the enzyme polypeptides phosphorylated in vivo. The same pattern of phosphorylation was obtained when highly purified RNA polymerase I was incubated with a yeast protein kinase preparation.
Spectroscopic plasma diagnostics on a low-temperature plasma probe for ambient mass spectrometry

Since the inception of ambient desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, plasma ionization sources have played an increasing role in molecular mass spectrometry. Although a variety of discharge designs and geometries, along with a range of applications, have been introduced, very little published work has focused on the characterization and fundamental examination of these discharges, especially on the desorption/ionization processes they employ. In the present work, a simple yet effective ambient desorption/ionization source based on a dielectric-barrier discharge, the low-temperature plasma (LTP) probe, was optically characterized. By means of a spatially selective detection system, maps of reactive species created in both the plasma and the afterglow regions were recorded. From these maps, the origin of impurities important in mass spectrometric analyses, such as H2O, N2, and O2, was deduced. Electron number densities and rotational temperatures for the LTP were found to be similar to those reported for other dielectric-barrier discharges. Lastly, the effect of plasma parameters on emission spectra was correlated with mass spectral results previously reported for the same ionization source.