cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Price-Time Priority, Order Routing, and Trade Execution Costs in Nyse-Listed Stocks

Trade execution costs are lower when market centers use quotations to compete for order flow as compared to when orders are routed to market centers with non-competitive quotes. Execution costs for trades completed off the NYSE when the executing market quote is competitive are virtually the same as for matched trades completed at the NYSE. In contrast, costs for off-NYSE trades competed when executing market quotes are not competitive are 1.1 to 1.6 cents per share worse than for matched NYSE trades. Quote characteristics, including size, time priority, and proximity to the "inside", significantly affect observed execution venue, indicating a substantial degree of quote-based competition for order flow. However, trade characteristics, including trade size and information content, also affect trade venue. NYSE quotes have or share price priority at either the bid or offer over 99% of the time, and at both the bid and offer 89% of time. NYSE quotes have time priority over 80% of the time. However, an off-NYSE quote virtually always (95.4% of the time) matches the best NYSE quote on at least one side of the market, and occasionally (about 11% of the time) establishes one side of the best quotes without NYSE participation.
Study of mixed-order basis functions for the locally corrected Nystro/spl uml/m method

A high-order locally corrected Nystro/spl uml/m (LCN) method employing the mixed-order basis functions proposed by C$80al/spl iota/s$80kan and Peterson is presented for the electromagnetic scattering by targets composed of both dielectric and conducting bodies. An integral operator based on a combined field formulation for conducting surfaces and a Mu/spl uml/ller formulation for dielectric surfaces is used. It is found that for general scattering objects, mixed-order basis functions accelerate the convergence of the LCN solution, can eliminate spurious charges, and can significantly reduce the condition number of the impedance matrix.
Developmentally controlled telomere addition in wild-type and mutant paramecia.

Abstract We analyzed sites of macronuclear telomere addition at a single genetic locus in Paramecium tetraurelia. We showed that in homozygous wild-type cells, differential genomic processing during macronuclear development resulted in the A surface antigen gene being located 8, 13, or 26 kilobases upstream from a macronuclear telomere. We describe variable rearrangements that occurred at the telomere 8 kilobases from the A gene. A mutant (d48) that forms a telomere near the 5' end of the A gene was also analyzed. This mutant was shown to create simple terminal deletions; telomeric repeats were added directly to the truncated wild-type A gene sequence. In both the mutant and wild-type cells, the telomeric sequences (a mixture of C4A2 and C3A3 repeats) were added to various sequences within a specific 200- to 500-base-pair region rather than to a single site. No similarities were found in the primary sequences surrounding the telomere addition sites. The mutation in d48 changed the region of telomere addition at the A gene locus; this is the first example in ciliates of a mutation that affects the site of telomere addition.
A 96 dB SFDR 50 MS/s digitally enhanced CMOS pipeline A/D converter

A 96 dB SFDR 50 MS/s pipeline A/D converter has been designed in a 0.25 /spl mu/m CMOS process. An improved sample-and-hold and subtractive dither-continuous gain correction (SD-CGC) digital calibration are used to increase linearity. Prototype measurements show that the SNDR increases from 49 dB to 75 dB and the SFDR increases from 62 dB to 96 dB using the technique.
Self‐Assembly and Self‐Organization

From the child making rock candy with his parents to the physicist studying the cosmic dust in deep space, the process of self-assembly organizes smaller building blocks into larger discrete structures without outside influence. In this chapter, we identify and examine some of the factors that guide, limit, and define these supramolecular structures from the atomic up to the centimeter scale with a focus on molecular building blocks. The concepts herein provide the reader with an introduction to this fast developing field and highlight its important applications. Keywords: self-assembly; self-association; noncovalent interactions; dynamic covalent chemistry
Sub-micron scale conduction processes on clean surfaces

Electrical conductance has been measured in-situ in two dimensions in the Ag/Si(111) system as a function of incident adatom flux rate with a 4-probe method. A conductance study in a 3-D conical structure was also made using field emission. For the 2-D study, the origin of conduction is still unclear, as transport by percolating Ag clusters and conduction through the substrate lvia electrons from the film have both been suggested. Experiments varying the flux rate were conducted to decide between the two. Smoother films are expected at lower growth rates which would result in faster drops in the 4-probe voltage; however the 4-probe voltage vs deposition time for various flux rates collapse into a universal curve which indicates that the morphology is not relevant and supports through the substrate. In the 3-D conductance study, a single, lateral micromachined W protrusion on a silica substrate is examined to identify the factors controlling emission in micromachined structures. The I-V characteristics and emission pattern indicate that miniprotrusions of a few hundred Angstroms, much smaller than the nominal radius of the tip, exist on the tip and are responsible for the emission. Adsorption-desorption events from the background environment are the cause of large fluctuations in the emitting current. Comparison of the emission of a single tip to gated arrays suggest that only a fraction of the tips in the array are emitting.
A Small Step Toward Improving Systemic Treatment for Metastatic Bladder Cancer – At What Cost?

Platinum-based chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for advanced and metastatic urothelial cancer (UC) in the first-line setting. Unfortunately, the development of new treatment strategies leading to improvements in survival has been slow, and the optimal chemotherapy in the secondline setting is unclear. Prior studies have evaluated combination chemotherapy including taxanes, but a clear survival benefit with the addition of taxanes to other chemotherapeutic agents has been elusive in both the firstand second-line settings. Despite low response rates and poor survival outcomes, taxanes are themost commonly used agents for salvage treatment with the initial taxanebased trials published decades ago [1,2]. The current issue of European Urology includes two important papers that address the question of whether taxane-based combination therapy improves survival over standard regimens in the firstand second-line treatment of advanced and metastatic UC [3,4]. Giannatempo et al [3] performed a meta-analysis to determine if the addition of a taxane to standard gemcitabine plus platinum is associated with a survival benefit in the first-line treatment of advancedormetastatic UC. A previously published European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) phase 3 trial compared gemcitabine and cisplatin with gemcitabine and cisplatin plus paclitaxel and showed a nonsignificant 3.1 mo improvement in median overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio 0.85, p = 0.075) at the cost of increased rates of febrile neutropenia in the taxane-containing arm [5]. In the current systematic review and meta-analysis, the authors compared survival outcomes from 28 trials of
ParaLearn: a massively parallel, scalable system for learning interaction networks on FPGAs

ParaLearn is a scalable, parallel FPGA-based system for learning interaction networks using Bayesian statistics. ParaLearn includes problem specific parallel/scalable algorithms, system software and hardware architecture to address this complex problem.Learning interaction networks from data uncovers causal relationships and allows scientists to predict and explain a system's behavior. Interaction networks have applications in many fields, though we will discuss them particularly in the field of personalized medicine where state of the art high-throughput experiments generate extensive data on gene expression, DNA sequencing and protein abundance. In this paper we demonstrate how ParaLearn models Signaling Networks in human T-Cells.We show greater than 2000 fold speedup on a Field Programmable Gate Array when compared to a baseline conventional implementation on a General Purpose Processor (GPP), a 2.38 fold speedup compared to a heavily optimized parallel GPP implementation, and between 2.74 and 6.15 fold power savings over the optimized GPP. Through using current generation FPGA technology and caching optimizations, we further project speedups of up to 8.15 fold, relative to the optimized GPP. Compared to software approaches, ParaLearn is faster, more power efficient, and can support novel learning algorithms that substantially improve the precision and robustness of the results.
Collaborative engineering and design management for the Hobby-Eberly Telescope tracker upgrade

The engineering and design of systems as complex as the Hobby-Eberly Telescope's* new tracker require that multiple tasks be executed in parallel and overlapping efforts. When the design of individual subsystems is distributed among multiple organizations, teams, and individuals, challenges can arise with respect to managing design productivity and coordinating successful collaborative exchanges. This paper focuses on design management issues and current practices for the tracker design portion of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Wide Field Upgrade project. The scope of the tracker upgrade requires engineering contributions and input from numerous fields including optics, instrumentation, electromechanics, software controls engineering, and site-operations. Successful system-level integration of tracker subsystems and interfaces is critical to the telescope's ultimate performance in astronomical observation. Software and process controls for design information and workflow management have been implemented to assist the collaborative transfer of tracker design data. The tracker system architecture and selection of subsystem interfaces has also proven to be a determining factor in design task formulation and team communication needs. Interface controls and requirements change controls will be discussed, and critical team interactions are recounted (a group-participation Failure Modes and Effects Analysis [FMEA] is one of special interest). This paper will be of interest to engineers, designers, and managers engaging in multi-disciplinary and parallel engineering projects that require coordination among multiple individuals, teams, and organizations.
Top-down impact through a bottom-up mechanism: the effect of limpet grazing on growth, productivity and carbon allocation of Zostera marina L. (eelgrass)

The unusual appearance of a commensal eelgrass limpet [Tectura depicta (Berry)] from southern California at high density (up to 10 shoot−1) has coincided with the catastrophic decline of a subtidal Zostera marina L. meadow in Monterey Bay, California. Some commensal limpets graze the chloroplast-rich epidermis of eelgrass leaves, but were not known to affect seagrass growth or productivity. We evaluated the effect on eelgrass productivity of grazing by limpets maintained at natural densities (8±2 shoot−1) in a natural light mesocosm for 45 days. Growth rates, carbon reserves, root proliferation and net photosynthesis of grazed plants were 50–80% below those of ungrazed plants, but biomass-specific respiration was unaffected. The daily period of irradiance-saturated photosynthesis (H sat) needed to maintain positive carbon balance in grazed plants approached 13.5 h, compared with 5–6 h for ungrazed plants. The amount of carbon allocated to roots of ungrazed plants was 800% higher than for grazed plants. By grazing the chlorophyll-rich epidermis, T. depicta induced carbon limitation in eelgrass growing in an other-wise light-replete environment. Continued northward movement of T. depicta, may have significant impacts on eelgrass production and population dynamics in the northeast Pacific, even thought this limpet consumes very little plant biomass. This interaction is a dramatic example of top-down control (grazing/predation) of eelgrass productivity and survival operating via a bottom-up mechanism (photosynthesis limitation).
Yeast connection among 100 patients with chronic fatigue.

Abstract purpose: Patients with the "yeast connection" are characterized by fatigue and multiple systemic symptoms. The purpose of our study was to compare patients with chronic fatigue who believed they had the yeast connection to patients with chronic fatigue without the yeast connection. patients and methods: One hundred consecutive patients with a chief complaint of chronic fatigue were evaluated in a specialty clinic setting at the University of Connecticut Health Center. A complete history was obtained from each patient, and a 168-item review of systems and a complete physical examination were performed. results: Eight patients believed that their fatigue was due to chronic candidiasis. Of these eight, seven had psychiatric diagnoses that were judged to underlie their fatigue. Of the remaining 92 patients with chronic fatigue, 59 had underlying psychiatric diagnoses. We were unable to find historical, physical, or laboratory differences between chronic fatigue patients with or without the yeast connection. conclusion: From this study and a review of the literature, we are unable to identify findings that are specific for the yeast connection.
Calcium-dependent displacement of haloperidol-sensitive σ receptor binding in rat hippocampal slices following tissues depolarization

To evaluate the possible existence of an endogenous ligand for the haloperidol-sensitive σ receptor, we developed an in vivo competition assay to measure endogenous ligand release. Depolarization of in vitro hippocampal slices by either veratridine or potassium reduced [3H]ditolylguanidine binding in a calcium-dependent and transient manner. None of the drugs or ion substitutions directly affected [3H]ditolylguanidine binding to rat brain membranes. Veratridine-induced depolarization also reduced the binding of [3H](+)3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine, another σ radioligand, in a calcium-dependent manner. Radioligand displacement was not associated with alteration in σ receptor dissociation kinetics or receptor degradation in the hippocampal slice. In contrast, KCl depolarization had no effect on [3H]ditolylguanidine binding to σ receptors in liver slices. The results suggest that a calcium-dependent, depolarization-induced reduction in σ receptor binding may have been caused by the release of an endogenous σ ligand in rat hippocampal tissue.
EFFECT OF COOKING TEMPERATURE AND VARIATIONS IN SWEETENED CONDENSED WHOLE MILK ON TEXTURAL PROPERTIES OF CARAMEL CONFECTIONS

The cooking temperature of the caramel mix, and processing conditions used for sweetened condensed whole milk (SCWM), including time and temperature of the forewarming treatment, were factors having the greatest effect on textural properties of caramel. Caramel texture was not affected when calcium levels in milk used in the formulation, were varied in the range of 20% above to 20% below the average value. The microbiological quality and acidity of SCWM had very little effect on caramel properties.
Femtosecond transmission studies of a-Si:H, a-SiGe:H and a-SiC:H alloys pumped in the exponential band tails

The results of transient transmission studies utilizing femtosecond laser pulses on hydrogenated amorphous silicon alloys are presented. In these studies, both the pump and probe photon energies are tuned through the exponential band tail region. The responses of the different alloys are similar, but the technique is able to clearly distinguish between them based on their alloy composition and bandgap. It is shown that the results can be modeled as a free-carrier absorption spike followed by a residual plateau caused by both recombination and intraband heating. This model is adapted to work in the band tail region.
Phosphatidic Acid Is a Leukocyte Chemoattractant That Acts through S6 Kinase Signaling

Phosphatidic acid (PA) is a pleiotropic lipid second messenger in mammalian cells. We report here that extracellular PA acts as a leukocyte chemoattractant, as membrane-soluble dioleoyl-PA (DOPA) elicits actin polymerization and chemotaxis of human neutrophils and differentiated proleukemic HL-60 cells. We show that the mechanism for this involves the S6 kinase (S6K) signaling enzyme. Chemotaxis was inhibited >90% by the S6K inhibitors rapamycin and bisindolylmaleimide and by S6K1 silencing using double-stranded RNA. However, it was only moderately (∼30%) inhibited by mTOR siRNA, indicating the presence of an mTOR-independent mechanism for S6K. Exogenous PA led to robust time- and dose-dependent increases in S6K enzymatic activity and Thr421/Ser424 phosphorylation, further supporting a PA/S6K connection. We also investigated whether intracellular PA production affects cell migration. Overexpression of phospholipase D2 (PLD2) and, to a lesser extent, PLD1, resulted in elevation of both S6K activity and chemokinesis, whereas PLD silencing was inhibitory. Because the lipase-inactive PLD2 mutants K444R and K758R neither activated S6K nor induced chemotaxis, intracellular PA is needed for this form of cell migration. Lastly, we demonstrated a connection between extracellular and intracellular PA. Using an enhanced green fluorescent protein-derived PA sensor (pEGFP-Spo20PABD), we showed that exogenous PA or PA generated in situ by bacterial (Streptomyces chromofuscus) PLD enters the cell and accumulates in vesicle-like cytoplasmic structures. In summary, we report the discovery of PA as a leukocyte chemoattractant via cell entry and activation of S6K to mediate the cytoskeletal actin polymerization and leukocyte chemotaxis required for the immune function of these cells.
Seoul virus suppresses NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses of antigen presenting cells from Norway rats.

Hantavirus infection reduces antiviral defenses, increases regulatory responses, and causes persistent infection in rodent hosts. To address whether hantaviruses alter the maturation and functional activity of antigen presenting cells (APCs), rat bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and macrophages (BMDMs) were generated and infected with Seoul virus (SEOV) or stimulated with TLR ligands. SEOV infected both DCs and macrophages, but copies of viral RNA, viral antigen, and infectious virus titers were higher in macrophages. The expression of MHCII and CD80, production of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α, and expression of Ifnβ were attenuated in SEOV-infected APCs. Stimulation of APCs with poly I:C prior to SEOV infection increased the expression of activation markers and production of inflammatory cytokines and suppressed SEOV replication. Infection of APCs with SEOV suppressed LPS-induced activation and innate immune responses. Hantaviruses reduce the innate immune response potential of APCs derived from a natural host, which may influence persistence of these zoonotic viruses in the environment.
The maximum conjugate frequency (αmax) characterizes killer cell populations

A quantitative procedure to characterize NK cell populations based on the dependence of the frequency of conjugation (alpha) on the effector-to-target ratio (R) is shown. To this end, a detailed study of the influence exerted by: (a) the value of R; (b) the number of effector and target cells (N, T); and (c) the source (donor) and enrichment of the effector cell population on the frequency of conjugation between NK effector and K562 target cells has been performed. This has demonstrated that for a given value of R large differences in the values of alpha can be obtained for different donors and/or N values. Hence, the usual practice of reporting the frequency of conjugation at a given value of R cannot be used as a valid criterion for comparison, and this could explain the differences in the alpha values reported in the literature for the same effector-target system. Moreover, the frequency of conjugation depends on the enrichment of the effector cell populations, although it has been shown that in all cases a plot of 1/alpha vs. R for N = constant is always linear with intercept 1/alpha max.alpha max represents the maximum frequency of conjugation for an effector-target system and remains constant for all values of R and N, and is also independent on the donor of the cell source. These characteristics make that the values of alpha max can be used as an easy criterion to determine with accuracy conjugate frequencies in an effector-target system, and could also be applied to characterize the activation or inhibition of effector cell populations by monoclonal antibodies or other agents. This criterion was applied to characterize the enrichment of NK cell populations and so, a value of alpha max = 58 +/- 3% has been obtained when highly purified (greater than or equal to 99%) NK effector cells obtained by panning with the monoclonal antibodies Leu-2, Leu-3 and Leu-4 are used. However, the corresponding value for MDC (14% NK cells) was lowered to 26 +/- 1%.
A Novel Low Leakage-Current Ni SALICIDE Process in nMOSFETs on Si(110) Substrate

A novel low leakage-current Ni SALICIDE process in nMOSFETs on Si(110) is proposed. It is found for the first time that the anomalous off-state leakage-current (Ioff) in nMOSFETs on Si(110) is caused due to the inherent Ni silicide encroachment toward the channel region. Especially, channel on Si(110) has fatal defect for CMOS fabrication. We propose two methods to suppress the anomalous Ioff, the creative ingenuity of design layout within SRAM and Si ion implantation (Si I.I.) technique. These two methods are quite effective to realize high performance and low cost CMOS devices on Si(110).
Prestidigitation, statistical magic, and Supreme Court numerology in juvenile death penalty cases.

In the Supreme Court's Eighth Amendment jurisprudence, ''community sentiment'' comes to the fore in judging whether a punishment is cruel and unusual, but the Court is sharply divided over whether ''objective indicia'' should be solely determinative, or whether the moral sentiments of the Justices (i.e., a proportionality analysis) should be permitted. Whereas Justices are committed to doing social science to gauge community sentiment, they are also divided over what indicia count. This article analyzes the Court's social science analyses in two juvenile death penalty cases and finds them riddled with error, statistical magic and numerology: The empirical question is transmuted into a categorical one, social science is made to disappear, and the philosopher-king, who was supposed to be on the sidelines, now commands the field. A more defensible analysis is put forth, and a different picture of ''community sentiment'' emerges. Language: en
The Selection and Design of Control Conditions for Randomized Controlled Trials of Psychological Interventions

The randomized controlled trial (RCT) provides critical support for evidence-based practice using psychological interventions. The control condition is the principal method of removing the influence of unwanted variables in RCTs. There is little agreement or consistency in the design and construction of control conditions. Because control conditions have variable effects, the results of RCTs can depend as much on control condition selection as on the experimental intervention. The aim of this paper is to present a framework for the selection and design of control conditions for these trials. Threats to internal validity arising from modern RCT methodology are reviewed and reconsidered. The strengths and weaknesses of several categories of control conditions are examined, including the ones that are under experimental control, the ones that are under the control of clinical service providers, and no-treatment controls. Considerations in the selection of control conditions are discussed and several recommendations are proposed. The aim of this paper is to begin to define principles by which control conditions can be selected or developed in a manner that can assist both investigators and grant reviewers.
A programmer appraisal instrument

This is an interim report of work that has been done to date on obtaining criteria for evaluating programmer performance and applying it to an appraisal instrument.
Detecting Non-Abelian Statistics in the nu=5/2 Fractional Quantum Hall State

In this Letter we propose an interferometric experiment to detect non-Abelian quasiparticle statistics—one of the hallmark characteristics of the Moore-Read state expected to describe the observed fractional quantum Hall effect plateau at nu=5/2. The implications for using this state for constructing a topologically protected qubit as has been recently proposed by Das Sarma et al. are also addressed.
Nuclear nano-morphology markers of histologically normal cells detect the “field effect” of breast cancer

Accurate detection of breast malignancy from histologically normal cells (“field effect”) has significant clinical implications in a broad base of breast cancer management, such as high-risk lesion management, personalized risk assessment, breast tumor recurrence, and tumor margin management. More accurate and clinically applicable tools to detect markers characteristic of breast cancer “field effect” that are able to guide the clinical management are urgently needed. We have recently developed a novel optical microscope, spatial-domain low-coherence quantitative phase microscopy, which extracts the nanoscale structural characteristics of cell nuclei (i.e., nuclear nano-morphology markers), using standard histology slides. In this proof-of-concept study, we present the use of these highly sensitive nuclear nano-morphology markers to identify breast malignancy from histologically normal cells. We investigated the nano-morphology markers from 154 patients with a broad spectrum of breast pathology entities, including normal breast tissue, non-proliferative benign lesions, proliferative lesions (without and with atypia), “malignant-adjacent” normal tissue, and invasive carcinoma. Our results show that the nuclear nano-morphology markers of “malignant-adjacent” normal tissue can detect the presence of invasive breast carcinoma with high accuracy and do not reflect normal aging. Further, we found that a progressive change in nuclear nano-morphology markers that parallel breast cancer risk, suggesting its potential use for risk stratification. These novel nano-morphology markers that detect breast cancerous changes from nanoscale structural characteristics of histologically normal cells could potentially benefit the diagnosis, risk assessment, prognosis, prevention, and treatment of breast cancer.
Interpretive strategies for deductively insecure theories: The case of early quantum electrodynamics

Abstract I describe some interpretive strategies used by physicists in the development of quantum electrodynamics in the 1930s and 1940s, using Wimsatt's account of how to reason with false models as a guide. I call these “interpretive” strategies because they were used not just to derive empirical predictions, but also to derive information about the world besides the aforementioned predictions. These strategies were regarded as mathematically unrigorous, yet they were crucial to the development of a better theory of quantum electrodynamics. I argue that these strategies are not easily assimilated into conventional axiomatic, deductivist views of what theories tell us about the world. Furthermore, it is unclear if these strategies are necessarily less reliable than strategies based solely on mathematically rigorous inferences. I suggest that these less than fully rigorous strategies are worth considering as general strategies for working with theories in physics.
Nuclear androgen binding sites in the male rat. III. Late spermatids and spermatozoa in the testis, with an introduction to epididymal spermatozoa.

Abstract Nuclear androgen binding sites were examined in late spermatids (stages 12–19) which resisted sonication of homogenized testes of mature male rats. The measurement of unoccupied binding sites in salt extract of purified spermatid heads by nuclear exchange at — 10°C was developed and validated. As in the prostate, unoccupied nuclear androgen binding sites in sonicated testes were in low concentration, were not artefactual, and could be occupied both in vivo and in virto by exogenous androgens, and uniquely in hemicastrated rats by endogenously compensated androgens in the remaining testis. The properties of occupied binding sites in salt extract of purified spermatid heads (measured by nuclear exchange at 4°C for 48 or more hours with 5nM [3H]dihydrotestosterone) were almost identical to those of occupied binding sites in nuclei of the ventral prostate, except for their concentration. However, levels of specific binding activity approaching 50 fmol/mg DNA could be expected in salt extract of spermatid pellets, by use of a sulfhydryl reducing agent (dithiothreitol) prior to salt extraction, a protease inhibitor (phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride) in all buffers, and optimization of the sonication protocol. Nuclear androgen binding sites of sonicated epididymal spermatozoa, collected by retrograde perfusion of the cauda epididymidis, were found to be completely salt-resistant. These binding proteins could be extracted by 0.4 M KG if dithiothreitol and dihydrotestosterone were incorporated into the sonication buffer, if phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride was added to all buffers, and if the purified epididymal sperm pellet was treated with sarkosyl, a non-ionic detergent, just before salt extraction. The salt extract of epididymal spermatozoa which were treated as described above contained two binding components: a soluble form which was eluted from hydroxylapatite by increasing concentrations of phosphate buffers, and a non-soluble form, free of DNA, which remained in the hydroxylapatite column, and which contained most of the androgen binding sites. Affinity (Kd) of dihydrotestosterone to the soluble and insoluble fractions of the steroid-binding protein complex was determined to be 0.7 and 0.1 nM, respectively. Salt-resistance of binding proteins in germ cells was shown to develop significantly in the last stages of spermiogenesis.
Preconcentration and x-ray spectrometric determination of arsenic(III/V) and chromium(III/VI) in water

Abstract The speciation of chromium and arsenic in their two common oxidation states is determined by the use of selective preconcentration and energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry. Chromium(VI) and arsenic(III) are recovered by precipitation with dibenzyldithiocarbamate and filtration. Chromium(III) and arsenic(V) are determined in the filtrate by coprecipitation with hydrated iron(III) oxide. The chromium and arsenic content of each precipitate is determined by use of x-ray spectrometry.
Acceleration of somitic myogenesis in embryos of myogenin promoter-MRF4 transgenic mice

The four muscle regulatory factors (MRFs) of the MyoD family are expressed in distinct temporal and spatial patterns in developing somites. To examine MRF function and regulation in somites, we generated myogenin promoter-MRF4 transgenic mice in which MRF4 was expressed in rostral somites about a half day earlier than normal. We found that the transgene, which was expressed at about the same level as endogenous MRFs, did not noticeably alter developing or adult mice, whereas the rostral somites of transgenic embryos showed accelerated myocyte formation, as well as precocious expression of the endogenous MRF4 gene. In an individual transgenic somite, MRF4 was expressed in both presumptive myotomal (mesenchymal) and dermatomal (epithelial) cells. Transgenic dermatomal cells also contained myogenin, which is expressed early in myogenesis, but did not contain myosin, which is expressed late in myogenesis. In transgenic myotomal cells, in contrast, precocious expression of MRF4 accelerated late events in myogenesis, including myosin expression and striated myofibril formation. MRF function, therefore, appears to be differentially regulated in dermatomal and myotomal cells.
Delayed Onset of Hemolytic Anemia in a Child

Severe intravascular hemolysis is described as a complication of implantation of an aortic Starr-Edwards ball-valve prosthesis and insertion of a Teflon patch in the ascending aorta in a 9-year-old boy with severe aortic valvar stenosis. This progressive hemolysis of delayed onset was the sole indicator of extreme degeneration of the silicone rubber ball of the prosthetic aortic valve, a potentially lethal condition requiring surgical intervention. The phonocardiographic signs of aortic ball variance were not present, and there was no overt valvar incompetence. A lesser but noteworthy aspect in this case was the occurrence of an "aplastic crisis" superimposed on the severe hemolysis. This transient bone marrow, red cell aplasia, which was unrelated to drugs, precipitated an acutely severe anemia which accounted for the presenting symptoms of the patient and required transfusion.
Mammalian and Drosophila blood: JAK of all trades?

Although still in its infancy, study of Drosophila hematopoiesis shows great promise. Striking parallels with human hematopoiesis underscore the value of flies as a genetic system to gain insights into the innate immune response and blood cell development. Recently, Wu and Anderson 1998xWu, L.P and Anderson, K.V. Nature, in press. 1998; See all ReferencesWu and Anderson 1998 have identified in a systematic screen more than 40 loci that affect Drosophila immunity. Further, the availability of fly mutations in molecules involved in various signaling pathways makes Drosophila a powerful system in which to characterize functional cross-talk between these pathways. Already, genetic evidence in Drosophila suggests that hemocyte proliferation and differentiation do not depend upon the same subset of signaling molecules (Luo et al. 1997xLuo, H, Rose, P, Barber, D, Hanratty, W.P, Lee, S, Roberts, T.M, D'Andrea, A.D, and Dearolf, C.R. Mol. Cell. Biol. 1997; 17: 1562–1571Crossref | PubMedSee all ReferencesLuo et al. 1997). Thus, Hop may exert its effect on blood cell proliferation by activating the Ras/Raf/MEK/MAPK pathway instead of using a STAT protein to transduce signal. Possibly, proliferation of hemocytes in Drosophila is specifically achieved through the combined activation of Hop and a tyrosine kinase receptor (such as the EGFR), leading to the mobilization of the Ras pathway. In accord with this model, Yamauchi et al. 1997xYamauchi, T, Ueki, K, Tobe, K, Tamemoto, H, Sekine, N, Wada, M, Honjo, M, Takahashi, M, Takahashi, T, Hirai, H et al. Nature. 1997; 390: 91–96Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (239)See all ReferencesYamauchi et al. 1997 have shown that mammalian JAK can phosphorylate the EGFR and activate Ras. Lastly, as our understanding of Drosophila hematopoiesis gets more sophisticated, it will be of interest to determine whether cytokines and transcription factors that specify Drosophila blood cell lineages have also been conserved during evolution.
ATCURE: heterogeneous computer architecture for real-time image information analysis

ATCURE is a real-time, open, high-performance computer architecture optimized for automatically analyzing imagery for such applications as medical diagnosis, character recognition, and target cueing. ATCURE's tightly coupled heterogeneous architecture includes specialized subsystems for input/output, image processing, numeric processing, and symbolic processing. Different specialization is provided for each subsystem to exploit distinctive demands for data storage, data representation, mixes of operations, and program control structures. This paper discusses ATCURE in the context of the evolution of computer architectures, and shows that heterogeneous high-performance architecture (HHPA) computers, an emerging category of parallel processors characterized by superior cost performance, and of which ATCURE is an example, are well suited for a wide range of image information processing applications.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The earth system

Abstract The ozone hole and greenhouse warming are but examples of changes taking place in our global environment at an unprecedented rate — changes that will have profound implications for our children and grandchildren. They present to the scientists of the world a tremendous challenge: to develop an understanding of the underlying interactions between human activities and the functioning of the complete Earth system — its atmosphere, oceans, ice, solid Earth and biota. Central to the strategy for developing a knowledge base for decision makers now and in the future are comprehensive numerical models of this system. Such models will constantly strain the capacity of the most powerful computers available. Their development also requires techniques for handling a wide range of spatial and temporal scales and stiff systems of equations, the processing of very large volumes of data, and advanced distributed data management and information systems.
Synthesis, thermal stability and magnetic properties of the Lu1−xLaxMn2O5 solid solution

Abstract Polycrystalline samples of the Lu1−xLaxMn2O5 solid solution system were synthesized under moderate conditions for compositions with x up to 0.815. Due to the large difference in ionic size between Lu3+ and La3+, significant changes in lattice parameters and severe lattice strains are present in the solid solution. This in turn leads to the composition dependent thermal stability and magnetic properties. It is found that the solid solution samples with x≤0.487 decompose at a single well defined temperature, while those with x≥0.634 decompose over a temperature range with the formation of intermediate phases. For the samples with x≤0.487, the primary magnetic transition occurs below 40 K, similar to LuMn2O5 and other individual RMn2O5 (R=Bi, Y, and rare earth) compounds. In contrast, a magnetic phase with a ∼200 K onset transition temperature is dominant in the samples with x≥0.634.
Distances between measures from 1-dimensional projections as implied by continuity of the inverse radon transform

Distances between measures on IR d are determined from distances between their 1-dimensional projections. The method employed involves considering the 1-dimensional projections to be the Radon transform of the measures. Crucial to the main theorem is a continuity result for the inverse Radon transform. Focus is restricted to the Prohorov, dual bounded Lipschitz and d k metrics which metrize weak convergence of probability measures. These metrics are related to each other and to the Sobolev norms. The d k results extend from measures to generalized functions.
SU-E-CAMPUS-T-02: Exploring Radiation Acoustics CT Dosimeter Design Aspects for Proton Therapy

Purpose: Investigate the design aspects and imaging dose capabilities of the Radiation Acoustics Computed Tomography (RA CT) dosimeter for Proton induced acoustics, with the objective to characterize a pulsed pencil proton beam. The focus includes scanner geometry, transducer array, and transducer bandwidth on image quality. Methods: The geometry of the dosimeter is a cylindrical water phantom (length 40cm, radius 15cm) with 71 ultrasound transducers placed along the length and end of the cylinder to achieve a weighted set of projections with spherical sampling. A 3D filtered backprojection algorithm was used to reconstruct the dosimetric images and compared to MC dose distribution. First, 3D Monte Carlo (MC) Dose distributions for proton beam energies (range of 12cm, 16cm, 20cm, and 27cm) were used to simulate the acoustic pressure signal within this scanner for a pulsed proton beam of 1.8x107 protons, with a pulse width of 1 microsecond and a rise time of 0.1 microseconds. Dose comparison within the Bragg peak and distal edge were compared to MC analysis, where the integrated Gaussian was used to locate the 50% dose of the distal edge. To evaluate spatial fidelity, a set of point sources within the scanner field of view (15×15×15cm3) were simulated implementingmore » a low-pass bandwidth response function (0 to 1MHz) equivalent to a multiple frequency transducer array, and the FWHM of the point-spread-function determined. Results: From the reconstructed images, RACT and MC range values are within 0.5mm, and the average variation of the dose within the Bragg peak are within 2%. The spatial resolution tracked with transducer bandwidth and projection angle sampling, and can be kept at 1.5mm. Conclusion: This design is ready for fabrication to start acquiring measurements. The 15 cm FOV is an optimum size for imaging dosimetry. Currently, simulations comparing transducer sensitivity, bandwidth, and proton beam parameters are being evaluated to assess signal-to-noise.« less
Endogenous ascorbate regenerates vitamin E in the retina directly and in combination with exogenous dihydrolipoic acid

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is the major lipid-soluble antioxidant of retinal membranes whose deficiency causes retinal degeneration. Its antioxidant function is realized via scavenging peroxyl radicals as a result of which phenoxyl radicals of alpha-tocopherol are formed. Our hypothesis is that alpha-tocopherol phenoxyl radicals can be reduced by endogenous reductants in the retina, providing for alpha-tocopherol recycling. The results of this study demonstrate for the first time that: (i) endogenous ascorbate (vitamin C) in retinal homogenates and in rod outer segments is able to protect endogenous alpha-tocopherol against oxidation induced by UV-irradiation by reducing the phenoxyl radical of alpha-tocopherol, (ii) in the absence of ascorbate, neither endogenous nor exogenously added glutathione (GSH) is efficient in protecting alpha-tocopherol against oxidation; (iii) GSH does not substantially enhance the protective effect of ascorbate against alpha-tocopherol oxidation; (iv) exogenous dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), although inefficient in direct reduction of the alpha-tocopherol phenoxyl radical, is able to enhance the protective effect of ascorbate by regenerating it from dehydroascorbate. Thus, regeneration of alpha-tocopherol from its phenoxyl radical can enhance its antioxidant effectiveness in the retina. The recycling of alpha-tocopherol opens new avenues for pharmacological approaches to enhance antioxidants of the retina.
The Heat of Sublimation of Carbon

By using the most likely figures for the heat of dissociation of the ${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$ molecule (5.5 and 7.0 volts), it is shown that in saturated carbon vapor at temperatures from 4150 to 4700\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K the partial pressures of both atoms and molecules are of the same order of magnitude. Statistical computations of the vapor pressure of solid carbon at these temperatures show that either the absolute vapor pressure as determined experimentally is entirely wrong or the pressure-temperature dependence is considerably in error. On the assumption that the absolute pressures are approximately correct, the heats of sublimation at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K into atoms and into molecules are 161 and 176 Cals. and 195 and 189 Cals. respectively for the 5.5 and 7.0 volt dissociation energies. The true values probably lie within these limits.
Biochemical aspects of filarial parasites

Abstract Filarial parasites infect approximately 300 million people yet there is no chemotherapy which is both adequate and safe, and almost nothing is known of the biochemistry of these worms. Circumstantial evidence indicates that the adult filariids which infect man may be homolactate fermenting anaerobes, and the development of chemotherapeutic agents is likely to depend on our finding differences between parasite and host metabolisms.
IRON-BINDING AND STORAGE PROTEINS IN SPUTUM

Induced sputum (IS) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) sample different lung compartments, with IS obtaining secretions from the surfaces of the bronchial airways and BAL sampling secretions from the alveolar airspaces. Deposition of iron-containing particulate matter occurs preferentially in the bronchial airways compared to the distal airspaces. Iron-binding and storage proteins have been measured in BAL in healthy humans, where they act to sequester and detoxify available iron; however, their comparative levels in the airways are not well defined. Seventeen (n = 17) healthy, nonsmoking volunteers underwent sputum induction and fiber-optic bronchoscopy with lavage in order to measure and compare the levels of iron and iron-binding and storage proteins in BAL, bronchial lavage (BL), and IS. Relative to BAL and BL specimens, concentrations of total iron, ferritin, lactoferrin, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were significantly increased and transferrin decreased in IS. Immunohistochemical staining showed increased ferritin, lactoferrin, and TIBC in IS. Constitutive levels of iron and iron-binding and storage proteins (except for transferrin) are in greatest concentration in the bronchial airways relative to the alveolar airspaces in healthy humans. We speculate that these proteins reflect activated antioxidant defense mechanisms resulting from the preferential deposition of iron-containing particulate matter in the airways. The finding of decreased transferrin with increased ferritin suggests a local cellular response via iron-response elements (IRE) associated with the mRNAs for these two iron-binding proteins.
Insulin‐like Growth Factors

The purpose of this review has been to emphasize, in general terms, the major aspects of the structure, expression, and regulation of the IGF-I and IGF-II genes. The complex organization of these genes provides ample opportunities for control of gene expression at multiple levels. It is important to realize that regulation at one level can influence regulation at a different level. While such regulatory interactions are characteristic of both the IGF-I and IGF-II genes, they are particularly evident in the case of IGF-I gene expression. For example, the choice of transcription start site influences the length and the sequence of the 5'-UTR, which can influence mRNA translatability and prepeptide sequence, which may influence the amounts of protein produced and, potentially, the intracellular processing and secretion of the final gene product, the mature hormone. Another example is provided by the alternative splicing of E-peptide-encoding exons, which determines the primary structure of the prohormone, which could influence its processing, stability, or function. Thus, this complex gene organization may reflect the need to carefully control, through a multilevel process, the synthesis, processing, and secretion of these important regulatory peptides.
Field enhancement by uniform nanoshell dimers in the quasistatic regime

Nanoshell dimers are composed of two nanoshells in close proximity of each other and have unique properties that arise from the interaction of the surface plasmon oscillations on the surface of the two nanoshells. The field enhancement, as well as the resonance wavelength, of a nanoshell depends on the nanoshell separation. In this paper, we study the resonance properties of plasmonic nanoshell dimers in the quasistatic regime. We solve Laplace's equation in spherical coordinates, using a change in coordinate systems to arrive at a solution for the scattered field. We study the dependence of the field enhancement and resonance wavelength on the dimer parameters, mainly the nanoshell separation.