cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Why Experience Told Me Nothing about Transparency

The transparency argument concludes that we're directly aware of external properties and not directly aware of the properties of experience. Focusing on the presentation used by Michael Tye (2002) I contend that the argument requires experience to have content that it cannot plausibly have. I attribute the failure to a faulty account of the transparency phenomenon and conclude by suggesting an alternative understanding that is independently plausible, is not an error-theory and yet renders the transparency of experience compatible with mental-paint style views.
Pulsating aurora in high-latitude satillite photographs

Pulsating aurora has been identified in DMSP photographs. Its unique zebra-stripe appearance is due to the interaction of the aurora pulsation period with the imaging device's raster scan period. It most commonly, but not exclusively, occurs on the equatorward edge of the auroral oval after midnight and is positively correlated with global magnetic activity. Pulsating aurora also occurs on the poleward leading edge of midnight sector surges.
Abstract 340: Kaempferol inhibits angiogenesis and tumorigenesis by regulating Akt-HIF, cMyc-p21, and ERRα genes

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC This study was designed to investigate kaempferol's effects on VEGF expression and angiogenesis in ovarian cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms/pathways responsible for these effects. Kaempferol's effects on VEGF expression in ovarian cancer cells, OVCAR-3 and A2780/CP70, were studied with ELISA and a VEGF promoter reporter assay. In-vitro and in-vivo angiogenesis were studied with human umbilical vein endothelial cells and chicken embryo chorioallantoic membranes, respectively. Expression or phosphorylation of pertinent genes in ovarian cancer cells treated with kaempferol (0-160 µM) was examined with RT-qPCR, western blot, or ELISA as appropriate. To investigate kaempferol's effects on VEGF expression, the expression of certain genes was either enhanced by transfection of plasmid DNA or knocked down by transfection of siRNA, and the resultant effects evaluated by using a VEGF promoter reporter assay or RT-qPCR. Our study found that kaempferol is effective in inhibiting VEGF expression, in-vitro and in-vivo angiogenesis, and in-vivo tumorigenesis at physiologically relevant concentrations (e.g. 40 µM). We further looked into mechanisms/pathways for these effects, and confirmed a role for Akt and HIF-1α in kaempferol's inhibition on VEGF expression. We discovered that a new HIF-1α-independent pathway is also involved in VEGF regulation. Our results showed that kaempferol executes its effects on VEGF expression through regulating ERRα but not PPARGC1A in OVCAR-3 and A2780/CP70 cells. We also identified cMyc/p21 as a novel pathway for kaempferol's inhibitory effects on VEGF expression in ovarian cancer cells. Our study found that kaempferol is effective for angio-prevention in ovarian cancer cells, and new information was obtained on the mechanisms/pathways for kaempferol's effects. As a dietary flavonoid, kaempferol is a good candidate for angio-prevention and primary prevention of ovarian cancers, and it deserves further investigation in animal studies and human trials. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 340.
Today's challenges and tomorrow's opportunities: ligands to peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors as therapies for type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome

For over a decade, scientists have been investigating the sub-family of nuclear hormone receptors known as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) as potential targets for improved therapies for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Initial efforts focused on compounds with the thiazolidinedione (TZD) structure, synthesizing compounds based on structural differences followed by testing in rodent models without knowing the molecular target. Once the receptor for the TZDs was identified as PPARy, more extensive efforts began to identify and develop improved versions of the TZDs. Many biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies using this information established assays that were used in high through-put screening efforts to identify compounds with greater affinity and selectivity to the receptor. Surprising, these extensive efforts have not led to improved therapies but, in fact, have identified molecules with improved efficacy but with more severe and diverse liabilities. Today, scientists continue to pursue the PPAR subfamily as a target for advanced treatments for T2D and the metabolic syndrome. New approaches include selective PPAR modulators, expansion into the PPARα and PPARδ subtypes, and partial agonists with dual or pan PPAR properties. These drug discovery efforts will continue, as T2D and the associated metabolic diseases become severe medical problems in nations worldwide. Eventually, new and improved therapies will emerge based on the extensive preclinical and clinical knowledge that has accumulated from research and discovery on PPARs by dedicated and thoughtful scientists in search of improved therapies for people with T2D.
Purification and Characterization of the Human Recombinant Histidine-Tagged Prostaglandin Endoperoxide H Synthases-1 and -2

Abstract We have used in vitro mutagenesis to introduce a six residue histidine sequence (His-tag) near the amino terminal end of the human PGHS-1 and -2 and have expressed these proteins using the baculovirus system. The His-tags are located one and two amino acids beyond the signal peptide cleavage sites of PGHS-1 and PGHS-2, respectively, positions that do not affect their activities or sensitivities to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. When expressed in sf-21 cells, the His-tagged enzymes have K m values for arachidonate, and IC 50 values for inhibition by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are similar to values reported for the nontagged enzymes. The His-tags allowed for purification of the PGHSs by a simplified protocol involving nickel-affinity and anion exchange FPLC chromatography. The specific activities and recoveries for the purified enzymes were as good or better than those reported previously for purification of the non-tagged PGHS. These baculovirus constructs should provide a convenient source for pharmacologic and biophysical studies that require large scale preparation of human PGHSs.
An empirical re-examination of natural resource scarcity and economic growth

This paper is concerned with the effect of natural resource scarcity on economic growth in the United States. After defining the notion of scarcity and introducing two measures of scarcity-unit costs and relative resource price-changes in resource scarcity trends for lead, zinc, nickel, aluminium, silver, iron and copper over the most recent three decades are investigated. Only for silver and iron is there any indication that such a change has occurred. For silver, the change is transitory. To the extent that change takes place, it has implications for future economic growth, i.e. natural resource scarcity and economic growth are interrelated. To see whether this is a relevant concern, subsequent to the examination of changing resource scarcity trends an objective effort is made to identify a long-run equilibrium relationship between natural resource scarcity and economic growth. Relying on cointegration techniques, only for the unit cost measure for lead and copper for one of the measures of cointegration is there a suggestion that natural resource scarcity has affected economic growth in the United States over the period 1889-1992.
Rate of convergence for an estimator in a portfolio and consumption model

The rate of convergence in a sample path sense is given for a strongly consistent, recursive estimator. This estimator is for the unknown average return rate of the risky asset that is a parameter in a bilinear stochastic differential equation for the wealth in a portfolio selection and consumption model.
Some Problems in Determining Risks from Cancer

Age-adjusted cancer mortality data (1964) were examined for evidence of independence. Indications were found that substitution of one cancer for another is a common occurrence. The data were interpreted as supportive of the view that natural selection for resistance to cancer in general has occurred with many resistance-related genes common to prevention of cancer of several sites. Consequently, the comparison of age-adjusted incidence or mortality rates of cancer of single sites alone does not provide a satisfactory estimate of the magnitude of an “environmentally induced” cancer risk. It is necessary to examine all causes of death to find indications of a real life-shortening episode.
Performance of proton-implant/oxide aperture VCSELs and comparison with vector optical model

We report on the operational characteristics of hybrid proton implanted/selectively oxidized vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) in the 980 nm region. We investigate the output and spectral characteristics of different sized implant/oxide aperture VCSELs. Important operational variables such as current/voltage threshold, output power, efficiency and transverse operating wavelengths are extracted from experiments. A clear correlation is deduced between the sizes of implant and oxide apertures and the output power and lasing wavelength. Moreover, precise choice of implant/oxide dimensions yields a single transverse mode and high output power VCSEL. Finally, we simulate these different sized VCSELs with a vector optical solver (Illinois-VCSEL optical solver) based on a numerical mode-matching method developed by Seurin and Chuang. We successfully compare the experimental spectra with theoretical results and find very good agreement.
Second Cauchy–Fantappie formula and Martineau duality

Abstract We discuss a connection of the second Cauchy–Fantappie formula with the inversion of the Martineau–Penrose transform and the corresponding constructions on the complex affine hyperboloid.
Excess222Rn and the benthic boundary layer in the western and southern Indian Ocean

Abstract We present 9 bottom222Rn profiles measured from the western and southern Indian Ocean during the 1977–1978 GEOSECS expedition. These profiles can be grouped into three cypes: one-layer, two-layer, and irregular types. The one-layer profiles with quasi-exponential distributions allow one to estimate the apparent vertical eddy diffusivity,Kv, with a simple model. The two-layer profiles show that there is a benthic boundary layer of the order of 50–100 m in which the excess222Rn distribution shows a vertical gradient much smaller than that of the layer immediately above. Within the boundary layer, the STD potential temperature (θ) and density(σ4) profiles are practically constant, and theKv values are of the order of 1000 cm2/s. The STD profiles for the water column above the boundary layer show gradients of increasing stability, and theKv values are of the order of 100 cm2/s. Modeling of the Rn data in the water column above the boundary layer indicates that there is a transition layer which effectively reduces the penetration of excess Rn from the benthic boundary layer into the upper layer. Sarmiento et al. [10] have shown that the buoyancy gradient or stability is inversely correlated with the apparent vertical eddy diffusivity, and the resulting buoyancy flux is fairly uniform, ranging from 1 to 14 × 10−6 cm2/s3 in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. However, Sarmiento et al. [11] show that a much higher buoyancy flux is associated with an intensified flow of the bottom water through a passage. In the Indian Ocean basins, we have found that the buoyancy flux has a comparable range (3–14 × 10−6 cm2/s3), except for a couple of stations where both stability and apparent vertical diffusivity are higher, resulting in a much higher buoyancy flux, probably indicative of rapid bottom water flow.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone and PI3K/Akt Inhibition Reduce eNOS Phosphorylation and Increase Cortisol Biosynthesis in Long-Term Hypoxic Ovine Fetal Adrenal Cortical Cells

This study was designed to determine the role of the MEK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt pathways in cortisol production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation (peNOS) in the ovine fetal adrenal in response to long-term hypoxia (LTH). Pregnant ewes were maintained at high altitude (3820 m) for the last 100 days of gestation (dGa). At 138 to 142 dGa, fetal adrenal cortical cells (FACs) were collected from LTH and age-matched normoxic fetuses. Cortisol production and peNOS were measured in response to pretreatment with the MEK/ERK1/2 pathway inhibitor UO126 (UO) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation. UO126 reduced ACTH-stimulated cortisol in both normoxic and LTH FACs. UO126 alone or in combination with ACTH reduced peNOS in the normoxic group, while ACTH alone or ACTH + UO inhibited peNOS in LTH FACs. Additionally, cortisol was measured in response to pretreatment with UO and treatment with 22R-hydroxycholesterol (22R-OHC) or water-soluble cholesterol (WSC) with and without ACTH stimulation. UO126 had no effect on 22R-OHC-treated cells, but reduced cortisol in cells treated with WSC and/or ACTH. Cortisol and peNOS were also measured in response to pretreatment with PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor Wortmannin (WT) and ACTH stimulation. Wortmannin further increased cortisol under ACTH-stimulated conditions and, like ACTH, reduced peNOS in LTH but not normoxic FACs. Together, these data suggest that in LTH FACs MEK/ERK1/2 does not regulate peNOS but that UO acts downstream from eNOS, possibly at cholesterol transport, to affect cortisol production in LTH FACs, while the PI3K/Akt pathway, along with ACTH, regulates peNOS and plays a role in the fetal adaptation to LTH in FACs.
The Rhythm of Leading Change: Living With Paradox

This article focuses on an interesting type of challenge that can fight against effective leadership in large-scale change efforts. The type of challenge the author refers to is a paradox—alternatives that don’t follow from each other, where both alternatives appear necessary, but where choosing one acts to negate the other. In this article, the author argues that paradoxical circumstances are both common and have predictable effects that act to stall or stop change efforts. He provides two examples of paradoxes from his consulting in a culture change effort and shows how the leader was supported to bridge the gap between paradoxical paths. The author concludes by making several suggestions that will help leaders identify and deal with paradoxical circumstances successfully.
Impact of integrated cerebrovascular program on outcomes in patients with intracranial aneurysms

Background Recent evidence indicates that multidisciplinary care improves patient outcomes in cerebrovascular (CV) disease. A multidisciplinary integrated CV program was recently instituted at a high-volume tertiary referral center, providing the opportunity to evaluate patient outcomes before and after its introduction. Objective To evaluate outcomes after treatment of patients with intracranial aneurysm in relation to the introduction of a CV program at our institution. Methodology A retrospective chart review was performed on all new patient encounters for a 6-month period each before and immediately after the introduction of the CV program, as well as at a more recent 6-month period to evaluate long-term results. Data were collected on demographic variables, rupture status, medical comorbidities, hospital complications, in-hospital procedures, hospital course and modified Rankin score at discharge and follow up. Results The total number of patients treated increased from 55 in the 6-month period before the introduction of the CV program to 112 in the most recent time period (p Conclusions Creation of an integrated CV program at a large-volume tertiary referral center resulted in better outcomes for an increased number of more medically complicated patients with intracranial aneurysms. This study provides preliminary data for developing an integrated model of multidisciplinary care for the management of CV disease.
Heavy-ion target physics and design in the USA

Abstract We present data and simulations of our first experiment to test shims as a method for improving symmetry in indirect drive targets. In the first set of experiments, we succeeded in reversing a P 2 from a capsule waist high drive to a capsule pole high drive. Shims are an important target design feature in the heavy-ion “hybrid” target. To help with optimizing a heavy-ion fusion power plant based on the hybrid target, we also calculated gain curves for this target. In addition, we are using analytic theory to test our computational models of nonlinear Rayleigh–Taylor instability bubble growth in converging geometry. This will give confidence in computational models as we push the capsule into areas of parameter space that are easier for the other parts of the power plant (accelerator, target fabrication) but have less margin and more instability growth.
A time-resolved assay of dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity utilizing high-pressure liquid chromatography.

Abstract A time-resolved assay of dopamine β-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.17.1) activity utilizing high-pressure liquid chromatography is described. The conversion of tyramine to octopamine by the enzyme was used as a standard reaction. The analytical separation of the assay substrate and product employed a reversed-phase ion-pair chromatographic system, with ultraviolet absorbance detection of eluents at 280 nm. Aliquots of the assay solution were injected directly onto the high-pressure liquid chromatography column and were separated in 6 min total elapsed time, thus permitting time-resolved determination of the produet. Quantities of octopamine as small as 20 pmol could be measured. This facile method is more straightforward, convenient, and sensitive than previously published physical and spectroscopic methods of determining dopamine β-hydroxylase activity.
Conjunctival vasculature in the assessment of anemia.

Abstract Objective To assess the correlation of the bulbar conjunctival blood column (BCBC) with anemia. Design A prospective, randomized, masked, two observer case series. Participants Inpatients on hospital wards; outpatients in both the Hematology-Oncology and Ophthalmology Clinics. Methods Observations of the palpebral conjunctival hue (PCH) and BCBC by two observers masked to the patient's diagnosis, laboratory test results, and other's observations. The PCH and BCBC were correlated by slit-lamp examination with serum hemoglobin values. Different threshold levels for anemia were defined as hemoglobin Main outcome measures The parameters included determination of (1) the conjunctival hue, assessed as pink or pale and (2) the bulbar conjunctival blood column, assessed as full (normal), granular, or discontinuous. These data were compared against the patient's hemoglobin level. Results Mean hemoglobin was 11.0 ± 2.2 mg/dl. Sensitivity of the BCBC and PCH for anemia was 83%–94% and 38%, respectively, regardless of the definition of anemia. Specificity of BCBC improved with increasing hemoglobin threshold levels for anemia: 56% (hemoglobin P P Conclusions The BCBC is significantly associated with anemia, with higher sensitivity and only slightly less specificity than PCH.
Acidic deposition: decline in mobilization of toxic aluminium.

The mobilization of aluminium from acidic forest soils is arguably the most ecologically important consequence of acid deposition in the environment because of its adverse effects on soils, forest vegetation and surface water1,2,3. Here we show that there has been a significant decline in the concentrations of aluminium species in soil solutions at medium-to-high elevations in a northern hardwood forest in the United States in response to decreasing acidic deposition. Streamwater aluminium concentrations have also fallen and, if this rate of recovery persists, will within 10 years no longer pose a threat to fish.
Be7(p,gamma)B8 and the high-energy solar neutrino flux

The importance of the Be7(p,gamma)B8 reaction in predicting the high-energy solar neutrino flux is discussed. I present a microscopic eight-body model and a potential model for the calculation of the Be7(p,gamma)B8 cross section.
Mesencephalic control of lateral geniculate nucleus in primates. I. Electrophysiology

1. In squirrel monkeys or macaques under barbiturate anesthesia one or a few electrical pulses applied to the mesencephalic reticular formation or pretectal area alters synaptic transmission through the lateral geniculate nucleus, as tested by magnitude of response in optic radiation to stimulation of optic tract. The effect begins within 5–10 msec after the start of the mesencephalic stimulation and is usually biphasic. Initial inhibition lasts for about 30 msec and is then replaced by facilitation which peaks around 70–120 msec and may endure as much as 1 sec. 2. The major site of the effect is upon the lateral geniculate nucleus, and both magno- and parvocellular elements are involved. Only rarely does the mesencephalic stimulation directly alter excitability of striate cortex. 3. In this respect, as well as in the strong facilitation of photically elicited responses, the effects in primates differ significantly from those in cats. 4. Although the inhibition observed in the lateral geniculate nucleus meets criteria commonly believed to signify a presynaptic origin, several paradoxical facts (see Discussion) must be resolved before this interpretation can be secure. 5. It is hypothesized that the observed effects arise primarily from intrusion into a system normally concerned with the acquisition of visual information by ocular saccades. Saccadic gating of transmission through the lateral geniculate nucleus would distinguish self-generated visual signals from similar, extrinsically initiated signals, and would thus constitute the “corollary discharge”.
Event-triggered control with bounded data rate

This paper addresses the problem of asymptotic stabilization for linear time-invariant (LTI) systems using event-triggered control under finite data rate communication - both in the sense of finite precision data at each transmission and finite average data rate. Given a prescribed rate of convergence for asymptotic stability, we introduce an event-triggered control implementation that opportunistically determines the transmission instants and the finite precision data to be transmitted at each transmission. We show that our design exponentially stabilizes the origin while guaranteeing a positive lower bound on the inter-transmission times, ensuring that the number of bits transmitted at each transmission is upper bounded, and allowing for the possibility of transmitting fewer bits at any given time if more bits than prescribed were transmitted on a previous transmission. In our technical approach, we consider both the case of instantaneous and non-instantaneous transmissions. Several simulations illustrate the results.
Type III Secretion System-Dependent Translocation of Ectopically Expressed Yop Effectors into Macrophages by Intracellular Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen. Virulence in Y. pseudotuberculosis requires the plasmid-encoded Ysc type III secretion system (T3SS), which functions to translocate a set of effectors called Yops into infected host cells. The effectors function to antagonize phagocytosis (e.g., YopH) or to induce apoptosis (YopJ) in macrophages infected with Y. pseudotuberculosis. Additionally, when antiphagocytosis is incomplete and Y. pseudotuberculosis is internalized by macrophages, the bacterium can survive in phagosomes. Previous studies have shown that delivery of effectors into host cells occurs efficiently when Yersinia is extracellular. However, it is not clear whether the T3SS can be utilized by intracellular Y. pseudotuberculosis to translocate Yops. This possibility was investigated here using Y. pseudotuberculosis strains that express YopJ or YopH under the control of an inducible promoter. Bone marrow-derived murine macrophages were infected with these strains under conditions that prevented the survival of extracellular bacteria. Effector translocation was detected by measuring apoptosis or the activities of Yop-β-lactamase fusion proteins. Results showed that macrophages underwent apoptosis when YopJ expression was induced prior to phagocytosis, confirming that delivery of this effector prior to or during uptake is sufficient to cause cell death. However, macrophages also underwent apoptosis when YopJ was ectopically expressed after phagocytosis; furthermore, expression of the translocator YopB from intracellular bacteria also resulted in increased cell death. Analysis by microscopy showed that translocation of ectopically expressed YopH- or YopJ-β-lactamase fusions could be correlated with the presence of viable Y. pseudotuberculosis in macrophages. Collectively, our results suggest that the Ysc T3SS of Y. pseudotuberculosis can function within macrophage phagosomes to translocate Yops into the host cytosol.
Capturing On-Line Social Network Link Dynamics Using Event-Driven Sampling

This paper examines the application of an Event-Driven Sampling (EDS) approach to the LiveJournal socialnetwork. The intention of the EDS approach is to capture boththe content of user blogs in conjunction with their friendshiplink dynamics over time with a time step of a single day andwith high accuracy. The EDS approach makes use of the"always on" Atom feed provided by LiveJournal that containsall public blog posts in near real-time to inform the samplingprocess of user friendship networks. This has the effect oftargeting sampling towards the public active users of thenetwork. We show that the EDS approach is capable ofmaintaining 98% daily accuracy across all user friendship linkdynamics for the class of users that are both public and active.We show that the group of public active users representsapproximately 85% of the active network mass. Analysisshows that the network model maintains both small-world andscale-free properties. Data used for the analysis of the EDStechnique spans a period of seven months and involves theanalysis of data from 4.8 million users and approximately 34million friendship links. To our knowledge our study is thefirst to look at and analyze the use of an “always on” Atomfeed like the one provided by LiveJournal to inform a samplingprocess targeted at capturing user blogs in conjunction withuser link dynamics over time within the context of an on-linesocial network.
Cytogenetic abnormalities among perinatal deaths demonstrating a single umbilical artery

The presence of a single umbilical artery is associated with fetal congenital malformations and cytogenetic abnormalities. The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in perinatal deaths complicated by a single umbilical artery is unknown. We studied the proportion of cytogenetic abnormalities associated with a single umbilical artery among perinatal deaths undergoing autopsy. Of 1078 autopsies, 42 (3.9 per cent) were identified with a single umbilical artery. Chromosome analysis was attempted in 21 of the 42 cases (50 per cent). There were 16 successful chromosome analyses, of which three (18.75 per cent) were abnormal. All the chromosomally abnormal fetuses had major congenital malformations. These data suggest that in a perinatal death, the presence of a single umbilical artery does not clinically alter the a priori risk of cytogenetic abnormalities.
Intelligent browsing for multimedia applications

Describes a technique which we term "intelligent browsing"; the software built upon this technique assists the users in their search through a multimedia database. Searching for an item of interest in a large multimedia database is a complex task, even for users who have knowledge about it. An active (intelligent) browser suggests to the user items it estimates to be close to the target of the search. The intelligent part of the active browser consists of a learning module, whose object of study is the profile of the users' search actions. After a target is detected, the intelligent browser brings the item or items of interest on to the screen in a dedicated window, and controls the synchronization of the audio, video or written components of the item. If confirmed by the user, the dedicated window is transformed into a series of windows allocated to the desired item. The novel aspect of intelligent browsing is that it is entirely unobtrusive: it infers its similarity measure from the user's normal browsing actions, without any special input. Use of the browser on a multimedia application is illustrated in this paper.
Transition-State Charge Transfer Reveals Electrophilic, Ambiphilic, and Nucleophilic Carbon-Hydrogen Bond Activation

Absolutely localized molecular orbital energy decomposition analysis of C−H activation transition states (TSs), including Pt, Au, Ir, Ru, W, Sc, and Re metal centers, shows an electrophilic, ambiphilic, and nucleophilic charge transfer (CT) continuum irrespective of the bonding paradigm (oxidative addition, σ-bond metathesis, oxidative hydrogen migration, 1,2-substitution). Pt(II) insertion and Au(III) substitution TSs are highly electrophilic and dominated by C−H bond to metal/ligand orbital stabilization, while Ir−X and Ru−X (X = R, NH_2, OR, or BOR_2) substitution TSs are ambiphilic in nature. In this ambiphilic activation regime, an increase in one direction of CT typically leads to a decrease in the reverse direction. Comparison of Tp(CO)Ru−OH and Tp(CO)Ru−NH_2 complexes showed no evidence for the classic dπ−pπ repulsion model. Complexes such as and Cp(CO)_2W−B(OR)_2, (PNP)Ir(I), Cp_2ScMe, and (acac-κO,κO)_2Re(III)−OH were found to mediate nucleophilic C−H activation, where the CT is dominated by the metal/ligand orbital to C−H antibonding orbital interaction. This CT continuum ultimately affects the metal−alkyl intermediate polarization and possible functionalization reactions. This analysis will impact the design of new activation reactions and stimulate the discovery of more nucleophilic activation complexes.
Picosecond Spectroscopy: The First 20 Years

In the mid-sixties, when the laser was a new exotic devise it was believed to be oy many no more than a powerful light bulb, many of the most spectacular scientific experiments were performed. From optics to non-linear phenomena, quantum electronics to molecular spectroscopy saw an incredible growth. Phenomena which were only postulated theoretically such as two photon processes and optical harmonic generation became common experimental events in laser laboratories. Lasers made stimulated light processes rather easy to demonstrate and provide a means for their in depth studies. A new lasing medium. was discovered practically every day, and new effects" were exposed in each physics journal issue.
Sign-based spectral clustering

Sign-based spectral clustering performs data grouping based on signs of components in the eigenvectors of the input. This paper introduces the concept of sign-based clustering, proves some of its basic properties and describes its use in applications. It is shown that for certain applications where a relatively small number of clusters are sought the sign-based approach can greatly simplify clustering by just examining the signs of components in the eigenvectors, while improving the speed and robustness of the clustering process. For other such applications, it can provide useful initial approximations in improving the performance of cluster searching heuristics such as k-means.
Decreased contraction-stimulated glucose transport in isolated epitrochlearis muscles of pregnant rats

Late pregnancy is characterized by insulin resistance for glucose transport in skeletal muscle. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of late pregnancy on contraction-stimula...
Paulsen on Augustine: An Incorporeal or Nonanthropomorphic God?

In his article "Early Christian Belief in a Corporeal Deity: Origen and Augustine as Reluctant Witnesses,"' David L. Paulsen attempted to show that Christians as late as the fourth century "commonly (and perhaps generally) believed God to be corporeal."2 In his brief discussion of the material from Augustine, I believe that Paulsen is mistaken about Augustine's development and especially about what exactly the Manichaean alternative to Christianity offered to Augustine. This brief note seeks to correct these errors.3
Colocalization of ATP Release Sites and Ecto-ATPase Activity at the Extracellular Surface of Human Astrocytes

Abstract Extracellular ATP and other nucleotides function as autocrine and paracrine signaling factors in many tissues. Recent studies suggest that P2 nucleotide receptors and ecto-nucleotidases compete for a limited pool of endogenously released nucleotides within cell surface microenvironments that are functionally segregated from the bulk extracellular compartment. To test this hypothesis, we have used luciferase-based methods to continuously record extracellular ATP levels in monolayers of human 1321N1 astrocytoma cells under resting conditions, during stimulation of Ca2+-mobilizing receptors for thrombin or acetylcholine, and during mechanical stimulation by hypotonic stress. Soluble luciferase was utilized as an indicator of ATP levels within the bulk extracellular compartment, whereas a chimeric protein A-luciferase, adsorbed to antibodies against a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored plasma membrane protein, was used as a spatially localized probe of ATP levels at the immediate extracellular surface. Significant accumulation of ATP in the bulk extracellular compartment, under either resting (1–2 nm ATP) or stimulated (10–80 nm ATP) conditions, was observed only when endogenous ecto-ATPase activity was pharmacologically inhibited by the poorly metabolizable analog, βγ-methylene ATP. In contrast, accumulation of submicromolar ATP in the cell surface microenvironment was readily measured even in the absence of ecto-ATPase inhibition suggesting that the spatially colocalized luciferase could effectively compete with endogenous ecto-ATPases for released ATP. Other experiments revealed a critical role for elevated cytosolic [Ca2+] in the ATP release mechanism triggered by thrombin or muscarinic receptors but not in basal ATP release or release stimulated by hypotonic stress. These observations suggest that ATP release sites are colocalized with ecto-ATPases at the astrocyte cell surface. This colocalization may act to spatially restrict the actions of released ATP as a paracrine or autocrine mediator of cell-to-cell signaling.
Impairment of adult hippocampal neural progenitor proliferation by methamphetamine: role for nitrotyrosination

Methamphetamine (METH) abuse has reached epidemic proportions, and it has become increasingly recognized that abusers suffer from a wide range of neurocognitive deficits. Much previous work has focused on the deleterious effects of METH on mature neurons, but little is known about the effects of METH on neural progenitor cells (NPCs). It is now well established that new neurons are continuously generated from NPCs in the adult hippocampus, and accumulating evidence suggests important roles for these neurons in hippocampal-dependent cognitive functions. In a rat hippocampal NPC culture system, we find that METH results in a dose-dependent reduction of NPC proliferation, and higher concentrations of METH impair NPC survival. NPC differentiation, however, is not affected by METH, suggesting cell-stage specificity of the effects of METH. We demonstrate that the effects of METH on NPCs are, in part, mediated through oxidative and nitrosative stress. Further, we identify seventeen NPC proteins that are post-translationally modified via 3-nitrotyrosination in response to METH, using mass spectrometric approaches. One such protein was pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2), an important mediator of cellular energetics and proliferation. We identify sites of PKM2 that undergo nitrotyrosination, and demonstrate that nitration of the protein impairs its activity. Thus, METH abuse may result in impaired adult hippocampal neurogenesis, and effects on NPCs may be mediated by protein nitration. Our study has implications for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for METH-abusing individuals with neurologic dysfunction and may be applicable to other neurodegenerative diseases in which hippocampal neurogenesis is impaired.
Effect of Crystallographic Texture on Sound Velocity Propagation in Polycrystalline Beryllium

Beryllium is being considered as a possible capsule material for ignition targets for the National Ignition Facility. The material and machining specifications may ned to be highly restrictive, especially with regard to isotropic sound propagation. Beryllium, a hexagonal metal, displays directionally dependent sound speeds due to its anisotropic Young's modulus. Crystallographic texture transfers this anisotropic sound speed to the polycrystal to varying degrees depending on the texture strength. From published values for the elastic compliances for Be, the value of E for single crystals was seen to vary with azimuthal angle from the c axis, from about 350 GPa parallel to c to about 290 GPa parallel to a. The longitudinal sound velocity varies with E, and experimentally measured velocities on single crystal Be are in good agreement with the derived values. The value of E for polycrystalline Be was calculated from simulated textures ranging from 1 MRD (multiples of random distribution), i.e., random, to 2, 4, 8, 20; and 40 MRD. The difference in sound speed from the fastest to the slowest direction for those textured materials were 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.9, 3.8, and 5.4 percent respectively. Experimentally measured textures, processed by hot-pressing, swaging, and HIPping, were used to illustrate the effect of process variables on the resulting texture. These types of differences in sound speed have tremendous implications for the manner in which the beryllium used for ignition capsules for the National Ignition Facility is fabricated.
Mercury methylation in oxygen deficient zones of the oceans: No evidence for the predominance of anaerobes

article i nfo The source of the methylmercury (MeHg) that accumulates in pelagic fish is unknown. Since it is known that methylmercury is produced by anaerobic bacteria in freshwaters, we examined if this might also be the case in the open ocean and if oxygen deficient zones (ODZ) might be important sources of MeHg. Incubations carried out in the ODZs of the Equatorial Pacific with amendments to favor the growth of anaerobes showed modest and variable extent of Hg methylation. Although methylation appeared to be stimulated by the addition of organic carbon, it was not correlated with the redox state of the samples. 16S rRNA analysis of the microbial community in the incubations did not detect the presence of sulfate or iron- reducing bacteria, two groups known to methylate Hg. Laboratory experiments with pure cultures of a variety of marine bacteria, including representatives of taxa found to be abundant in the incubations, did not show evidence of Hg methylation, except for a sulfate reducer isolated from a hydrothermal vent. An additional cruise revealed low concentrations of methylmercury (up to 0.05 pM) in the surface layer and ODZ of the Arabian Sea, with no apparent pattern or relation to dissolved oxygen. We conclude that anaerobic bacteria in ODZs are not important sources of MeHg to the open ocean. This is in accord with recent results showing a correlation between MeHg and the decomposition of organic matter in the oxic water column throughout the subsurface.
Gender differences in the reliability of reporting symptoms of angina pectoris.

Abstract Numerous studies have shown that the symptoms of angina pectoris are more prevalent in women than men, than other manifestations of coronary heart disease, with the greatest discrepancies at younger ages. Variation in symptom reliability between genders could be a potential explanation for these differences. The Lipid Research Clinics Prevalence Study included two standardized Rose Questionnaire interviews, allowing evaluation of the relationship between reliability and prevalence of angina pectoris. Analyses of the results of two interviews in 2348 men and 2085 women who were at least 30 years old in 1972–1976 showed that women generally had lower reliability estimates, but that the differences were minimal for age groups where prevalence differences were greatest. Furthermore, for interviews less than 1 month apart differences in symptom reliability were quite small (kappa = 0.65 for men and 0.58 for women). In addition, if consistently positive interviews were used to define angina, gender differences in prevalence decreased but did not disappear. In the LRC population, reporting unreliability did not explain the higher prevalence of angina pectoris in young women.
Ribonucieic Acid and Protein Metabolism of t12/t12 Embryos and T/t12 Spermatozoa

RNA precursor uptake and incorporation, amino acid uptake and incorporation, and the characterization of newly synthesized RNA and protein in pools of normal morulae and pools containing one-third t12/t12 morulae were compared. Maturing spermatoza of +/+ and T/t12 animals were analyzed for RNA and protein content, and the RNA characterized. No differences in these parameters could be ascribed to the t12 gene in homozygous embryos or haploid sperm.
Cytogenetic behavior of spore killer genes in neurospora.

Crosses heterozygous and homozygous for Sk-1, Sk-2 and Sk-3 were examined by light microscopy. All three Spore killers behave similarly. In heterozygous killer x sensitive crosses, meiosis and ascospore development are normal until after the second postmeiotic mitosis when four of the eight ascospores in each ascus stop developing and degenerate. The four surviving ascospores carry the killer. Death of sensitives thus occurs only after killer and sensitive alleles, SkK and SkS, have segregated into separate ascospores. Homozygous killer x killer crosses do not show such a pattern of degeneration. Either all ascospores are normal or, if some fail to mature, they do not resemble the degenerating sensitive ascospores in heterozygous asci.——With Sk-2, it was shown that SkS nuclei do not abort when both SkK and SkS are present in the same ascospore. Mutants affecting ascus development were used to obtain large ascospores enclosing both SkK and SkS meiotic products in a common cytoplasm. SkS nuclei do not then undergo the degeneration that would be seen if they were sequestered into separate ascospores, and viable SkS progeny are recovered in undiminished numbers when the mixed multinucleate large ascospores are germinated. In a four-spored mutant, where each ascospore encloses a single nucleus following meiosis, degeneration of SkS ascospores nevertheless occurs, even though the third nuclear division is omitted. Cycloheximide and temperature treatments do not affect the expression of SkK.
Grey and white matter SPECT neuroimaging: iterative reconstruction using a high resolution anatomical image to correct for 3-D detector response, attenuation, and scatter

In the presence of a 3-D detector response, attenuation, scatter, and noise, an iterative reconstruction algorithm (IRA) for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) neuroimaging overcomes major limitations of applying standard filtered back-projection (FBP) reconstruction to projection data which have been degraded by convolution of the true radioactivity distribution with a 3-D detector response: the nonuniformity within the grey (or white) matter voxels which results even though the true model is uniform within these voxels; a significantly lower ratio of grey/white matter voxel values than in the true model; and an inability to detect an altered radioactivity value within the grey (or white) matter voxels. The IRA permits the detection of subtle variations in both grey and white matter radioactivity distribution. These results indicate that the IRA implicitly performs accurate partial voluming, attenuation, and scatter corrections. The presence of noise, however, is a partially limiting factor. Thus, the IRA provides the potential for quantitative SPECT imaging of diseases involving both grey and white matter. >
Differences Among Owners of Spec‐Built vs. Owner‐Built Passive Solar Homes

This research examines three factors affecting the adoption process of passive solar housing: compatibility of the design with user needs, homogeneity of solar adopters, and participation in the design and building process. A sample of 41 Virginia passive solar homeowners were surveyed and interviewed. The results indicate that the high participaters or owner-builders were more satisfied with their homes than the low participaters, indicating that the high satisfaction found in earlier postoccupancy studies may be due to high participation. Homeowners also differed in age, education, and opinion leadership. The passive solar design was incompatible with living space planning while the design seemed to be com patible with the psychological needs of the homeowners. These results suggest that designers may need to emphasize design compatibility if passive solar is to survive periods of decreasing energy prices.
The Ontogony of the Human Placental Glucocorticoid Receptor and Inducibility of Heat-Stable Alkaline Phosphatase*

The human placenta was found to contain a cytosol receptor for glucocorticoids. The concentration of this receptor in term placenta was 27-fold higher than that found in cytosol from first trimester placenta. The levels of cytosol glucocorticoid receptor in three trophoblastic cell lines (JAr, BeWo, and JEG) were also determined and all were found to be low. The ability of prednisolone, a potent glucocorticoid, to stimulate heat-stable alkaline phosphatase activity found in these cells was tested. Although control experiments demonstrated that the conditions were adequate to stimulate HeLa cell alkaline phosphatase, none of the trophoblastic lines responded to prednisolone administration. This result may be explained by the observation that the JAr cells lacked any detectable glucocorticoid receptor and the receptor levels in cytosol prepared from JEG and BeWo cells were 12% and 2%, respectively, of those measured in HeLa cytosol. Our studies also suggest that the increase in serum levels of heat-stable a...
Partially Reconfigurable Vector Processor for Embedded Applications

Embedded systems normally involve a combination of hardware and software resources designed to perform dedicated tasks. Such systems have widely crept into industrial control, automotive, networking, and consumer products. These systems require efficient devices that occupy small area and consume low power. The device area can be minimized by reusing the same hardware for different applications. If possible, reconfiguring the hardware to adapt to the application needs is important for reducing execution time and/or power consumption. Partial reconfiguration facilitates minimum hardware changes to form a new configuration. We have designed a reconfigurable vector processor for embedded applications. Benchmark results on Xilinx FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) are presented involving partial reconfiguration for embedded applications that process vectors. Two approaches are studied toward performance evaluation. The first one estimates the required partial reconfiguration time based on the resources consumed by the corresponding vector kernels. The second approach uses the actual measurement of partial reconfiguration time on a platform that supports a particular type of partial reconfiguration. More than 20% performance improvement has been observed for benchmark kernels, without neglecting the reconfiguration overhead. A framework is proposed as well to efficiently manage the reconfiguration overhead for applications involving multiple kernels.