cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subducted oceanic lithosphere and the origin of the ‘high μ’ basalt helium isotopic signature

The isotope geochemistry of ocean island basalts has been used to infer the presence of ancient recycled oceanic crust in the mantle. The helium isotopic ratios of basalts from HIMU sources, having high U/Pb (μ) and low Rb/Sr, are thought to be derived from recycled ocean crust, but are only slightly more radiogenic than average mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) values (i.e. 3He/4He of 6–7 R/Ra, compared to ∼8 R/Ra). These values appear to be inconsistent with ancient recycled oceanic crustal sources because the helium should be significantly more radiogenic. We propose a simple model to explain this helium isotopic composition. The basic hypothesis is that the entire oceanic lithosphere is subducted, of which the oceanic crust is only a small fraction. Based on measurements from xenoliths, the residual lithosphere contains ∼5×10−7 ccSTP/g of helium. The relatively low uranium content in the mantle lithosphere (<0.5 ppb) leads to 3He/4He ratios slightly more radiogenic than the upper mantle ratio after 2 Ga, and could be the source of the HIMU helium isotopic composition by mixing with the subducted oceanic crust. Although the helium content of the subducted lithosphere is highly uncertain, existing data suggest that a simple closed system evolution model can explain the helium isotopic composition of the HIMU mantle sources.
Analysis of the acid hydrolysis products of monofunctional chemically bonded stationary phases for high-performance liquid chromatography using capillary gas chromatography

Abstract Capillary gas chromatography of the acid hydrolysis products of monochlorosilane packing materials for high-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the chemical composition of the bonded phases. Packing materials were acid hydrolysed, either with or without an excess of an added silica gel bonded with a different alkyl silane. The dimer products formed were extracted into hexane, and analysed by capillary gas chromatography. Determination of the identity and surface concentrations of both the primary and capping ligands was possible. This method is also valuable for the determination of more complex blended stationary phases consisting of multiple bonded ligand groups. It is suitable for quality control of both the final stationary phases and the silane reagents used in bonding.
International Commodity Arrangements

Scope of the paper: agricultural products chiefly, 521. — Present stage of developments, 522. — Existing commodity agreements: wheat, 523; coffee, 527; beef, 528; sugar, 528; tea, 530; non-agricultural products, 530; cartels, 531. — Buffer stocks, 532. — Wider distribution of food, 534. — Production adjustment, 536. — Chronic surpluses, 538. — Price stabilization: direct control schemes, 540; costs, 542.— Price lifting: tendency, 543; supporting prices, 544; desirability, 546. — The immediate postwar outlook, 547.— Conditions of success, 549. — Overhead organization, 551.
27.2: Market Trends for Displays in Consumer Television

Worldwide shipments of color television sets in 2000 will top 135 million units valued at $60 billion. While the directly viewed cathode ray tube (CRT) remains the dominant display technology for television today, penetration of the market by projection systems and directly viewed flat panel displays will increase steadily during this decade. Unit shipments of projection televisions will double over the next four years, reaching 2.2 million units valued at $5.9 billion in 2004. The market for televisions based on plasma display panels (PDPs) will grow to 1.1 million units valued at $3.2 billion in 2004. In addition, LCD television shipments will reach 2.6 million units valued at $547 million in 2004. Finally, while it is still too early to forecast specific shipments, field emission displays and organic light emitting diode displays will also find applications in various segments of the television market.
Regulation of expression of the type I collagen genes.

The identification and functional analysis of DNA-protein interactions in the intronic and 5'flanking regions of the type I collagen genes has begun to define a series of cis-elements and trans-acting factors which regulate transcription of these genes. Studies such as these will eventually be expected to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for coordinate transcription of the α1 and α2 genes, a question which remains central to the field of collagen research. Although it is relatively straightforward to define sites of DNA-protein binding, interpretation of the functional importance of such interactions can be extremely complex
A word of caution regarding proposed benefits of albumin from ALBIOS: a dose of healthy skepticism

The recently published Albumin Italian Outcome Sepsis (ALBIOS) study was a prospective, open-label, multicenter, controlled trial of 1,818 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock [1]. Patients were randomized to receive either albumin 20% daily to maintain a serum albumin level ≥3 g/dl or no albumin replacement. No differences were detected in overall 28-day mortality, 90-day mortality, or a number of other secondary outcomes. However, three potential benefits of albumin were proposed that deserve further scrutiny.
LIGHT ABSORPTION AND ENERGY TRANSFER IN POLYENE‐PORPHYRIN ESTERS

— Two examples of a new class of compounds, polyenes covalently linked to meso-tetraarylporphyrins, have been prepared. Optical studies revealed that energy transfer from a 26 π electron polyene moiety to the porphyrin was zero, whereas energy transfer efficiency from a polyene containing 18 π electrons was ˜80%. The results demonstrate that the polyene moiety can function as an efficient light gathering antenna for possible application to porphyrin-based solar energy conversion schemes. In addition, such polyene-porphyrin esters may serve as probes of the structural requisites for light harvesting by carotenoids in the photosynthetic membranes of green plants.
Effect of alumina on densification of binary borosilicate glass composite

The effect of alumina on densification of the binary borosilicate glass composite, containing low-softening borosilicate glass (BSG) and high-softening high silica (HSG) glass, has been investigated. It is found that with a small amount of alumina, 2-10 vol. %, present as a dopant in the binary glass mixture of BSG and HSG, both densification and densification rate are significantly reduced, but the activation energy of densification at a given densification is dramatically increased. However, no significant change in densification behavior with increasing alumina content from 2 to 10 vol. % is observed. These results are attributed to a chemical reaction taking place at the interface of alumina/BSG, forming a reaction layer adjacent to alumina. Since the composition of the reaction layer is known to be rich in aluminum and alkali ions and poor in silicon, the alkali ions content in BSG is continuously decreased during sintering. Accordingly, the resultant loss of alkali ions from BSG causes a rise in viscosity of BSG, thus slowing down the densification kinetics and increasing the activation energy of densification.
Silicon: germanium-based mixed-signal technology for optimization of wired and wireless telecommunications

The need to serve the explosion in data bandwidth demand for fixed and mobile applications has driven transistor performance requirements beyond the reach of conventional silicon devices. Scaling limits of silicon-based bipolar transistors have been encountered, confining further performance gains by traditional means, but cost considerations favor the continued use of silicon-derived technology solutions. Silicon: germanium (Si:Ge) heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) and subsequent generations of highly integrated SiGe BiCMOS processes stem from long-term efforts initiated at IBM to develop such a silicon-derived technology. This paper reviews the application-driven origins of this SiGe technology, how it has evolved, and how limits to conventional silicon bipolar scaling have enhanced its adoption in the semiconductor industry. Examples of the entry of this technology into commercial applications in the wired and wireless marketplace are discussed.
Variable‐Volume Circulation Apparatus for Measuring High‐Pressure Fluid‐Phase Equilibria

A new variable-volume circulation apparatus is presented for measuring high-pressure fluid-phase equilibria. This apparatus was designed to handle liquid-liquid, vapor-liquid and vapor-liquid-liquid equilibria at temperatures from 10 to 260°C and pressures up to 35 MPa (5000 psia). Such versatility is useful for obtaining data for supercritical and subcritical extraction of chemicals where all these types of phase equilibria can be observed. The apparatus is an efficient and accurate engineering tool to generate equilibrium phase compositions needed to develop and design separation processes. Its capabilities are illustrated with phase equilibrium data obtained for the supercritical carbon dioxide-isopropanol and carbon dioxide-isopropanol-water systems.
Unexplained Fractures: Child Abuse or Bone Disease? A Systematic Review

Background Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a serious problem that has major implications for the welfare of the child involved. Unexplained fractures are of particular concern to the orthopaedic surgeon, who must often consider alternative diagnoses to CAN.
Partial purification of staphylococcal enterotoxin.

Abstract 1. 1. Enterotoxin was concentrated and partially purified by concentration in vacuo , dialysis, and precipitation with (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , acid, ethanol, and methanol. 2. 2. The stability of enterotoxin under various conditions was determined. 3. 3. It is tentatively concluded that enterotoxin is a protein.
Epigenetics Decouples Mutational from Environmental Robustness. Did It Also Facilitate Multicellularity

The evolution of ever increasing complex life forms has required innovations at the molecular level in order to overcome existing barriers. For example, evolving processes for cell differentiation, such as epigenetic mechanisms, facilitated the transition to multicellularity. At the same time, studies using gene regulatory network models, and corroborated in single-celled model organisms, have shown that mutational robustness and environmental robustness are correlated. Such correlation may constitute a barrier to the evolution of multicellularity since cell differentiation requires sensitivity to cues in the internal environment during development. To investigate how this barrier might be overcome, we used a gene regulatory network model which includes epigenetic control based on the mechanism of histone modification via Polycomb Group Proteins, which evolved in tandem with the transition to multicellularity. Incorporating the Polycomb mechanism allowed decoupling of mutational and environmental robustness, thus allowing the system to be simultaneously robust to mutations while increasing sensitivity to the environment. In turn, this decoupling facilitated cell differentiation which we tested by evaluating the capacity of the system for producing novel output states in response to altered initial conditions. In the absence of the Polycomb mechanism, the system was frequently incapable of adding new states, whereas with the Polycomb mechanism successful addition of new states was nearly certain. The Polycomb mechanism, which dynamically reshapes the network structure during development as a function of expression dynamics, decouples mutational and environmental robustness, thus providing a necessary step in the evolution of multicellularity.
HST image processing: how does it work and what are the problems?

The spherical aberration of the primary mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope has seriously reduced the sensitivity and degraded the resolution of images and spectra from the instruments onboard the satellite. In this paper, we describe the nature of the aberration problem and the resulting point-spread functions for both the imaging and spectrographic detectors. A number of image restoration algorithms have been evaluated for use on HST data, including both linear and non-linear techniques, and sample results are shown for a modified Richardson- Lucy method. The best prospects for obtaining improvements in the restored images are likely to derive from developing techniques for adaptive regularization.
Guide to Drug Dosage in Renal Failure

The dosage of many drugs must be adjusted in patients with renal dysfunction to avoid adverse reactions and to ensure efficacy. In addition, the biochemical abnormalities present in renal failure may alter the pharmacodynamics of agents not normally excreted by the kidneys, resulting in heightened pharmacodynamic effects. The theoretical basis for adjusting drug dosage in renal failure is discussed in detail in Speight (1987). Because data on individual drug kinetics are collected in relatively few patients, extrapolation to other patient groups is difficult. Although drug level monitoring may provide a more precise tool to ensure therapeutic efficacy and safety, these services are expensive and not always available. Furthermore, for some drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, control of blood levels has not reduced the incidence of toxicity because of the poor correlation between blood concentrations and uptake into target tissues such as the inner ear and kidneys. The table that follows provides rough guidelines on which to base drug therapy in patients with varying degrees of renal insufficiency. The recommendations are derived from a large literature base which is often conflicting and seldom based on prospective validation of data derived under controlled conditions. Thus, the clinician needs to carefully weigh factors present in the individual patient, using the information in the table as a starting point. 1. Use
Desert plant chemurgy: A current review

Extractives from, and utilization of, Cactaceae (cacti), Liliaceae (yucca), Amaryllidaceae (agaves),and other desert plants are reviewed. Work is reported in the fields of pharmaceuticals with special reference to an antidiabetic factor, cosmetics, cellulose and fibers, stock feeds, plant growth regulators, sterols, oils and oilseeds, surfactants, waxes, and several miscellaneous extractives. Mesquite, ironwood, and catclaw are considered as artists’ woods. Possibilities and problems of cultivation are considered.
Application of flow cytometry in transplantation medicine

Immunological rejection remains a major barrier to successful organ transplantation. Consequently, immunosuppressive intervention to prevent or control the rejection process renders the transplant recipient susceptible to infectious diseases. Flow cytometry has become a useful tool for monitoring immunological responses in transplant recipients. There are three areas of clinical transplantation immunology that may benefit from this technology. First, characterizing and classifying alloreactive antibodies by flow cytometry identifies high-risk donor and recipient combinations with greater precision. Second, the ability to detect subtle changes in the cellular components of the immune system cytometrically may facilitate the differential diagnosis of rejection, infection, and iatrogenic toxicity. Finally, the ease with which flow cytometry determines the adequacy or inadequacy of immunosuppressive therapy through T cell receptor analyses serves to maximize the beneficial effects of engraftment.
Interaction of positive and negative regulatory proteins in the galactose regulon of yeast

Abstract Transcriptional regulation in the galactose regulon of yeast is determined by an interplay between a positive regulatory protein, GAL4, and a negative regulatory protein, GAL80. We show that derivatives of GAL4 missing as few as 28 carboxy-terminal amino acids are not responsive to GAL80 regulation, implying that the carboxyl terminus of GAL4 is required for interaction with GAL80. Furthermore, a lesion in GAL4 that genetically defines the GAL80-interactive region maps to the 3′ end of the gene. Since the carboxyl terminus of GAL4 has also been implicated in interaction with a transcriptional factor, we propose a model for negative regulation in which GAL80 and this factor compete for binding a common region of GAL4, and the on/off state of transcription is determined by the relative affinities of the negative regulator and the transcriptional factor for this region.
Temporal parameters estimation for wheelchair propulsion using wearable sensors.

Due to lower limb paralysis, individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) rely on their upper limbs for mobility. The prevalence of upper extremity pain and injury is high among this population. We evaluated the performance of three triaxis accelerometers placed on the upper arm, wrist, and under the wheelchair, to estimate temporal parameters of wheelchair propulsion. Twenty-six participants with SCI were asked to push their wheelchair equipped with a SMARTWheel. The estimated stroke number was compared with the criterion from video observations and the estimated push frequency was compared with the criterion from the SMARTWheel. Mean absolute errors (MAE) and mean absolute percentage of error (MAPE) were calculated. Intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the agreement. Results showed reasonable accuracies especially using the accelerometer placed on the upper arm where the MAPE was 8.0% for stroke number and 12.9% for push frequency. The ICC was 0.994 for stroke number and 0.916 for push frequency. The wrist and seat accelerometer showed lower accuracy with a MAPE for the stroke number of 10.8% and 13.4% and ICC of 0.990 and 0.984, respectively. Results suggested that accelerometers could be an option for monitoring temporal parameters of wheelchair propulsion.
Adaptive Parties in Spatial Elections

We develop a model of two-party spatial elections that departs from the standard model in three respects: parties' information about voters' preferences is limited to polls; parties can be either office-seeking or ideological; and parties are not perfect optimizers, that is, they are modelled as boundedly rational adaptive actors. We employ computer search algorithms to model the adaptive behavior of parties and show that three distinct search algorithms lead to similar results. Our findings suggest that convergence in spatial voting models is robust to variations in the intelligence of parties. We also find that an adaptive party in a complex issue space may not be able to defeat a well-positioned incumbent.
Technology in a context: enabling students to collaboratively participate at the interface of computation and social science

This paper explores the use of reflective collaborative technology to organize the collaboration within a class so as to produce computer science students who learn to develop technology within a critical framework. A case study is presented that shows how technology can be used to produce objects of reflection and analysis for the multi-disciplinary theoretical analysis of online activity.
Identification of Patients with Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Who Have a Favorable Cost Profile with Pregabalin Treatment

Objective To characterize patient populations with favorable costs after the initiation of pregabalin for the treatment of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN) relative to duloxetine, gabapentin, and amitriptyline. Methods Patients were identified from MarketScan having ≥ 1 claim for pDPN (ICD-9-CM codes 250.6 or 357.2) within 60 days of first prescription (index) for pregabalin, duloxetine, gabapentin, or amitriptyline in 2008 and continuous enrollment 12 months pre- and postindex. Pregabalin patients were propensity-score-matched to each comparator. Using cutoff values ≥ 80% proportion of days covered (PDC) and ≥ 65 years for age, pre- to postindex changes in healthcare costs were estimated for pregabalin vs. comparators. Results Of 987 patients initiated on pregabalin, 349 matched to duloxetine; 987 to gabapentin; 276 to amitriptyline. The pre- to postindex changes in total healthcare costs were similar between cohorts: $3272 with pregabalin vs. $2290 with duloxetine (P = 0.5280); $3687 with pregabalin vs. $5498 with amitriptyline (P = 0.5863); $3869 with pregabalin vs. $4106 with gabapentin (P = 0.8303). For the high-age/high-PDC population, the pre- to postindex differences in mean total costs were significantly lower with pregabalin (P < 0.001) relative to comparators ($3573 vs. $8288 for duloxetine; $1423 vs. $3167 for gabapentin; $2285 vs. $6160 for amitriptyline). Conclusions The association of lower total costs among older individuals with pDPN who maintain high adherence to pregabalin therapy relative to key comparators suggests a pharmacoeconomic advantage of pregabalin in this population combined with a need for strategies promoting adherence.
Chylothorax in the neonatal period

Chylothorax is defined as an effusion of lymph in the pleural cavity. In the nconate both congenital and traumatic (iatrogenic) forms exist. Birth asphyxia and respiratory insufficiency are major symptoms of congenital chylothorax, requiring resuscitation and artificial ventilation. Antenatal diagnosis by ultrasound allows carly therapeutic intervention such as ventilatory support and drainage of chylous fluid immediately after birth. Traumatic chylothorax is mainly seen after intrathoracic surgery. Treatment primarily consists of continuous or intermittent drainage of chyle with replacement of fluid-, electrolyte-, and protein losses and parenteral nutrition. Introduction of oral feeding is considered only after a substantial period without chyle production in the pleural cavity and consists of a medium-chain triglyceride containing formula. In a minority of cases surgical intervention is necessary.
Exploring susceptibility to atrial and ventricular arrhythmias resulting from remodeling of the passive electrical properties in the heart: a simulation approach

Under diseased conditions, remodeling of the cardiac tissue properties (“passive properties”) takes place; these are aspects of electrophysiological behavior that are not associated with active ion transport across cell membranes. Remodeling of the passive electrophysiological properties most often results from structural remodeling, such as gap junction down-regulation and lateralization, fibrotic growth infiltrating the myocardium, or the development of an infarct scar. Such structural remodeling renders atrial or ventricular tissue as a major substrate for arrhythmias. The current review focuses on these aspects of cardiac arrhythmogenesis. Due to the inherent complexity of cardiac arrhythmias, computer simulations have provided means to elucidate interactions pertinent to this spatial scale. Here we review the current state-of-the-art in modeling atrial and ventricular arrhythmogenesis as arising from the disease-induced changes in the passive tissue properties, as well as the contributions these modeling studies have made to our understanding of the mechanisms of arrhythmias in the heart. Because of the rapid advance of structural imaging methodologies in cardiac electrophysiology, we chose to present studies that have used such imaging methodologies to construct geometrically realistic models of cardiac tissue, or the organ itself, where the regional remodeling properties of the myocardium can be represented in a realistic way. We emphasize how the acquired knowledge can be used to pave the way for clinical applications of cardiac organ modeling under the conditions of structural remodeling.
Order-clustering of secant tips into edges for positioning of semiconductor structures

Abstract The paper presents the concept of order-clustering applied for recognition of edges and corners of polygonal objects, especially of two-dimensional shapes met in microelectronics. The recognition process starts with slicing an image into secants. The secant tips are clustered according to the scanning direction. Edge inclination is chosen as one of the main criteria of the order-clustering, enabling parallel shape analysis of each edge inclination (type) without losing the track of edge continuity. A specific distance criterion combined with the order-clustering eliminates arduous disturbances. The nearest neighbor order-clustering appends a tip of a secant to a cluster of edge type when the tip is the closest to the recent element of the edge type and when it satisfies an assumed order for the tip coordinates. The new secant tip is selected from the next line of an image. The superposition of the following factors: secant begginings, secant ends, nonascending order of secant tips and non-descending order of secant tips, allows clustering of edges into four basic types. An additional criterion of a minimum distance splits each edge type into two. The edges are clustered into continuous segments: if the candidate element does not satisfy all the assumed criteria, the recent element of the cluster is treated as the last element of a continuous edge segment. Two continuous segments belonging to different clusters of edges are merged into a corner if they are of sufficient lengths and if they are sufficiently close to each other. Polygons are clustered by merging corners of different types. An example of reconstruction of tetragons is presented.
Viability and engraftment of hematopoietic progenitor cells after long-term cryopreservation: effect of diagnosis and percentage dimethyl sulfoxide concentration

AbstractBackground aims. We carried out a retrospective analysis of viability by diagnosis and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) concentration in patients who had undergone autologous transplants using hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) after long-term storage (up to 17.8 years). Methods. Viability was tested using flow cytometry for HPC that were harvested and preserved using a controlled rate freezer and 5% or 10% DMSO with human serum albumin, then stored in liquid nitrogen. Data from 262 samples were analyzed (249 myeloma patients and 13 other diagnoses): 100 consecutively thawed samples with a storage time of 9 years (60 samples, 5% DMSO; two samples, 10% DMSO). Results. No statistically significant difference in viability between the 5% DMSO and 10% DMSO groups was observed (P = 0.08), so the 1–4.9 years and 5–9 years were combine...
Termination of Reciprocating Tachycardia by Atrial Stimulation

Recurrent tachycardia in a 10-year-old child with acute rheumatic carditis was interpreted as being produced by a reciprocating (circus) mechanism involving either the normal atrioventricular pathway or the anomalous pathway of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. The tachycardia could be stopped by appropriately timed, electrically induced, atrial premature systoles, which apparently interrupted the circus movement.
Television use and snacking behaviors among children and adolescents in China.

Abstract Purpose Television (TV) use has been linked with poor eating behaviors and obesity in young people. This study examines the association between TV watching and paying attention to TV commercials with buying and requesting snacks seen on commercials, and eating snacks while watching TV among youth in China. Methods Data from 1,552 participants (ages 6–17.99) in the 2004 China Health and Nutrition Survey were analyzed cross-sectionally. The 2004 China Health and Nutrition Survey was conducted in nine Chinese provinces. Results Most respondents (92.2%) reported watching TV; on average children (6–11.99 years old) and adolescents (12–17.99 years old) watched TV for 9–10 hours per week. Nearly half (42.9%) of all the respondents said they "sometimes" or "often" paid attention to TV commercials. Respondents who reported paying attention to commercials had higher odds of requesting snacks (odds ratio [OR] = 3.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.55–4.60) and buying snacks (OR = 2.73; 95% CI=2.17–3.43) seen on TV, and eating snacks while watching TV (OR = 1.60; 95% CI=1.23–2.07) than those who did not pay attention. However, frequency of watching TV was not significantly related to snacking. Conclusion Attention to TV commercials for snack foods may be one of the factors affecting the increase in obesity among children and adolescents in China.
Charting the growth of the Turkish‐Iranian plateau

Stretching from the Persian Gulf up through Turkey, the northwest-southeast running Zagros fold-and-thrust belt is a region of extensive crustal deformation and seismic activity. Near the Zagros Mountains the structure of the Middle Eastern region is the result of the intersection of three tectonic plates, with the Eurasian plate being squished on both sides by the Arabian and Indian plates. Convergence of the plates is driving the formation of the Turkish-Iranian plateau, a high-elevation expanse of relatively smooth terrain reaching in some places more than 2 kilometers into the sky and lying northeast of the Zagros belt.
Somatostatin analog RC-160 and bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide antagonist RC-3095 inhibit the growth of androgen-independent DU-145 human prostate cancer line in nude mice

Abstract Nude mice bearing xenografts of the androgen-independent human prostate cancer DU-145 were treated for 4–5 weeks with somatostatin analog RC-160 or the bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) antagonist RC-3095. Tumor growth in animals treated with somatostain analog RC-160 at a dose of 100 μg/day s.c. was significantly inhibited within 14 days of the start of the experiment. At necropsy, in mice given RC-160, tumor weight and volume were significantly decreased compared with control mice. Treatment with RC-3095 at a dose of 20 μg/day s.c. also suppressed tumor growth, the inhibition being significant after 2 weeks, but the reduction in tumor volume and weight was smaller than that produced by RC-160. Therapy with RC-160 significantly decreased serum growth hormone and gastrin levels. Specific binding sites for bombesin, somatostatin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were found in the DU-145 tumor membranes. Receptors for EGF were significantly down-regulated after therapy with RC-3095 and RC-160. The finding that somatostatin analog RC-160 and bombesin/GRP antagonist RC-3095 inhibit the growth of androgen-independent prostate tumors in mice might be of practical importance for human prostate cancer therapy.
A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) Can Keep the Beat: Motor Entrainment to Rhythmic Auditory Stimuli in a Non Vocal Mimic

Is the ability to entrain motor activity to a rhythmic auditory stimulus, that is “keep a beat,” dependent on neural adaptations supporting vocal mimicry? That is the premise of the vocal learning and synchronization hypothesis, recently advanced to explain the basis of this behavior (A. Patel, 2006, Musical Rhythm, Linguistic Rhythm, and Human Evolution, Music Perception, 24, 99–104). Prior to the current study, only vocal mimics, including humans, cockatoos, and budgerigars, have been shown to be capable of motoric entrainment. Here we demonstrate that a less vocally flexible animal, a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), can learn to entrain head bobbing to an auditory rhythm meeting three criteria: a behavioral response that does not reproduce the stimulus; performance transfer to a range of novel tempos; and entrainment to complex, musical stimuli. These findings show that the capacity for entrainment of movement to rhythmic sounds does not depend on a capacity for vocal mimicry, and may be more widespread in the animal kingdom than previously hypothesized.
The role of veterinarians and feed-store vendors in the prescription and use of antibiotics on small dairy farms in rural Peru.

This study aimed to describe and compare the role of veterinarians and feed-store vendors in the use of antibiotics on small dairy farms in Cajamarca, Peru, a major dairy-producing center characterized by small, rural farms with poor, mostly uneducated farmers. We used a purposive sampling strategy to recruit 12 veterinarians into 2 focus group discussions and supplemented these data with 8 semi-structured interviews with feed-store vendors. Participants reported that inappropriate antibiotic usage was widespread among their clients, which may prevent the efficient use of drugs on farms where animal disease can be devastating to the livelihood of the farmer. Participants also identified many barriers to appropriate prescribing and use, including availability of drugs, competition from other prescribers, economic constraints and habits of farmers, and limited farmer knowledge of drugs and disease. Veterinarians expressed mistrust toward nonprofessional prescribers, whereas feed-store vendors felt that veterinarians were important partners in promoting the health of their clients’ animals.
Single molecule protein folding kinetics in a co-axial microfluidic mixer

This paper details the making, characterization, and use of a simple and versatile capillary-based co-axial single-molecule mixing device which has a response time of 5-10 milliseconds and which can be used to monitor bioconformational reactions and/or transient conformational states under non-equilibrium reactions conditions with single molecule resolution. The device's co-axial geometry allows three-dimensional hydrodynamic focusing of sample fluids to diffraction-limited dimensions where diffusional mixing is rapid and efficient. Its capillary-based design enables rapid in-lab construction of mixers without the need for expensive lithography-based microfabrication facilities. In-line filtering of sample fluids using granulated silica particles virtually eliminates clogging and extends the lifetime of each device to many months. A major technical challenge dealt with here is the translation of spatial distances from the mixing region into time-points for kinetic analyses. In order to obtain the required distance-to-time transfer and instrument response functions for the device we characterize its fluid flow and mixing properties using both Fluorescence Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy (FCCS) velocimetry and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. We then apply the mixer to single molecule FRET protein folding studies of Chymotrypsin Inhibitor protein 2. By transiently populating the unfolded state of CI2 under non-equilibrium in-vitro re-folding conditions, we spatially and temporally resolve the denaturant-dependent non-specific collapse of the unfolded state from the barrier-limited folding transition of CI2.
Convergence of excitatory synaptic inputs to caudate spiny neurons

Intracellular recordings were obtained from cat caudate nucleus neurons. These cells responded with convergent, monosynaptic EPSPs to cerebral cortex, intralaminar thalamus, and substantia nigra stimulation. Intracellular injection of horseradish peroxidase into these electrophysiologically defined neurons shows that they represent the spiny neuron of the caudate based upon somadendritic morphology. The axons of these cells are appreciably longer than previous reports indicate. Several lines of evidence are discussed to question the intrinsic nature of these neurons.
Actin polymerization: Where the WASP stings

How do extracellular signals induce actin polymerization, as required for many cellular responses? Key signal transducers, such as the small GTPases Cdc42 and Rac, have now been shown to link via proteins of the WASP family to the Arp2/3 complex, which nucleates actin polymerization.
Off-axis Estimation of Ocular Aberrations via Scanning Shack-Hartmann Wavefront-Sensor

We developed a Scanning Hartmann Shack wavefront sensor by coupling the Shack Hartmann aberrometer with a scanning system. This instrument measures off-axis aberration of the human eye accurately and precisely in an efficient manner.
Isothermal crystallization kinetics of nylon 6, blends and copolymers using simultaneous small and wide-angle X-ray measurements

Abstract Crystallization behavior in a number of blends and copolymers of nylons (polyamides) was investigated using time-resolved X-ray scattering data obtained simultaneously in the small- and wide-angle regimes. The following samples studied were: nylon 6 homopolymers (N6) of different molecular weights, copolymers of N6 and nylon 6,6 (N6/66), and blends of these with an amorphous nylon (N6I/T), which is a 70:30 random copolymer of poly(hexamethylene isophthalamide) and poly(hexamethylene terephthalamide). Addition of comonomers and blending with the N6I/T reduces the crystallinity of N6. Isothermal crystallization data obtained at several temperatures showed the expected faster crystallization kinetics at higher degrees of supercooling. Comonomer units in the N6 backbone reduce the rate of crystallization. N6I/T affects the crystallization (lamellar growth) behavior of N6/N66: the rate is higher at temperatures above the T g of N6I/T (120 °C) where the crystallization is nucleation-driven, and lower below the T g of N6I/T where it is growth-driven. Lamellar spacing decreases with an increase in the degree of supercooling, and this decrease is smaller in the blends than in the homopolymer. Larger lamellar spacing in N6I/T blends is due not to the insertion of N6I/T segments into the interlamellar regions but to an increase in the lamellar thickness. Blending seems to change the morphology by affecting the crystallization behavior rather than by thermodynamic phase separation. Residual monomers, which act as plasticizers, dramatically reduce the crystallization rate, whereas shear or similar mechanical history of the resin considerably accelerate the crystallization rate.
Strain-energy density function for rubberlike materials

Abstract T he strain-energy density function surface for the rubber tested by L. R.G. T reloak (1944a) is determined from bis stress-strain data. The data were given for the three pure homogeneous strain paths of simple elongation, pure shear, and equi-biaxial extension of a thin sheet. The surface is formed by plotting calculated points of the strain-energy function above a plane having the first and second strain invariants as rectangular cartesian coordinates. The strain-energy function is expressed as a double power series in the invariants expanded about the zero energy state which is the origin of coordinates. An analysis of this experimentally derived surface provides the information required for the rational selection of terms and the determination of the coefficients in the series expansion, thus defining a function within the Rivlin-type formulation. The function so determined is tested by employing it in the appropriate constitutive formulae to compute stresses for comparison with experimental values. Another test is made by utilizing the function to predict shapes of an inflated membrane for comparison with experimentally observed shapes. Excellent agreement between prediction and experiment is found. A second demonstration is given for another rubber tested by D.F. J ones and L.R.G. T reloar (1975). Again, excellent results are obtained.
Face verification and rejection with illumination variations using MINACE filters

ABSTRACT A face verification system based on the use of a minimum noise and average correlation energy (MINACE) filter for each person is presented that functions with illumination variatio ns present. A separate filter is used for each person; it is a combination of different training images of only that person. The system is tested using both unregistered and registered images from the CMU Pose, Illumination and Expression (PIE) database. The number of correct ( P C ) and the number of false alarm ( P FA ) scores are compared for the two cases. Rather than using the same parameters for the filter of each person, an automated iterative filter training and synthesis method is used. A validation set of several other faces is used to achieve parameter selection for good rejection perfor mance. For filter-evaluation, all filters are tested against all images, but the same peak threshold is used for each filter to determine verification and rejection. Keywords: Authentication, biometrics, correlation filters, f ace recognition, face verification, minimum noise and average correlation energy (MINACE) filter, pattern recognition
Synthesis of CuPt Nanorod Catalysts with Tunable Lengths

Solution chemistry methods have been used to synthesize bimetallic CuPt alloy nanoparticle catalysts with controllable sizes and shapes. By variation of the relative ratios of the oleylamine and oleic acid stabilizers, solvent, and reduction rate, the nanoparticles could be tuned from ∼2 nm spherical particles to nanorods with diameters of ∼2.5 nm and aspect ratios tunable from 5:1 to 25:1. These mixed-metal nanoparticles show excellent catalytic properties for CO oxidation, with light-off temperatures that are nearly 200 K below those of conventional supported Pt catalysts.
Interacting with live preview frames: in-picture cues for a digital camera interface

We present a new interaction paradigm for digital cameras aimed at making interactive imaging algorithms accessible on these devices. In our system, the user creates visual cues in front of the lens during the live preview frames that are continuously processed before the snapshot is taken. These cues are recognized by the camera's image processor to control the lens or other settings. We design and analyze vision-based camera interactions, including focus and zoom controls, and argue that the vision-based paradigm offers a new level of photographer control needed for the next generation of digital cameras.
Biphasic effects of octylphenol on testosterone biosynthesis by cultured Leydig cells from neonatal rats.

Abstract The present studies evaluated the suitability of using cultured dispersed testicular cells from neonatal rats as a source for fetal Leydig cells and the use of these cells to examine direct toxic effects of environmental/occupational chemicals on androgen biosynthesis. For the current studies, the direct actions of octylphenol (OP), a surfactant additive widely used in the manufacture of various detergents, on testosterone biosynthesis by cultured rat neonatal Leydig cells were examined. Octylphenol is considered a xenoestrogen and has been reported to mimic the actions of estrogen in many cellular systems. Following exposure of cultured cells for 24 h to varying concentrations of OP (1 to 2000 nM) together with 10 mIU/mL human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the lower concentrations of OP (1 and 10 nM) consistently enhanced testosterone levels (approximately 10 to 70% above control), whereas higher OP concentrations (100 to 2000 nM) progressively decreased testosterone from peak levels to approximately 40 to 80% below control at the highest OP concentration. Interestingly, increasing concentrations of 17β-estradiol (1 to 1000 nM) were without effect on testosterone biosynthesis under the same conditions, and the biphasic pattern of testosterone biosynthesis elicited by increasing OP concentrations was unaffected by concomitant treatment with 10 or 100 nM ICI 182,780, which is considered a pure estrogen antagonist. Therefore, the actions of OP on testosterone biosynthesis by cultured neonatal Leydig cells do not appear to be mediated through the classic estrogen receptor α or β pathway. Although the increase in testosterone levels after exposure to lower OP concentrations and to 0.1 and 1.0 mM 8-Br-cAMP was attenuated, suggesting that lower OP concentrations may alter cellular cAMP levels, because hCG-stimulated cAMP levels were unaffected by any of the OP concentrations evaluated, it appears that its main site(s) of action occurs after the generation of cAMP. In addition, because pretreatment of cells with increasing OP concentrations and hCG had no effect on the conversion of steroid precursors (22(R)-hydroxycholesterol, pregnenolone, progesterone, or androstenedione) to testosterone, it seems that the main actions of OP under the present conditions occur before the mitochondrial cholesterol side-chain cleavage step. Furthermore, because concomitant treatment of cells with various antioxidants (α-tocopherol, butylated hydroxyanisole, or ascorbic acid) did not alter the biphasic pattern of testosterone response to increasing concentrations of OP and hCG, it seems that OP is not acting as an anti- or pro-oxidant in producing these effects. It will be important to determine whether this dose-sensitive response to OP is observed in vivo, and whether the maturational status of Leydig cells influences their pattern of response to OP and similar chemicals.
Predietors of fertilization in the Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica

Abstract To better understand the relationship between mating behaviour, insemination and fertilization in birds, 233 mating trials were conducted with Japanese quail to determine the percentage of eggs laid that were fertile following a single confirmed or putative insemination. Fertilization success of single inseminations was highly variable. Insemination did not guarantee fertilization of any eggs; following one-third of the trials, no fertile eggs were laid. Only 3% of inseminations fertilized as many as eight eggs, making it unlikely that a single insemination could fertilize an entire clutch in this species. Forced copulations had the same fertilization success as other copulations, and thus could be a successful male reproductive strategy in this species. Voiding of foamy material containing sperm by the female shortly after copulation did not reduce fertilization success in any consistently significant manner. Fertilization success was unaffected by the presence of a hard-shelled egg in the uterus at the time of insemination. Trials in which the female ran from the male's initial approach resulted in fewer fertile eggs following insemination; that is, this behaviour predicted low fertilization success. Fertilization success was highly correlated and thus predictable if the same female was mated again with the same male, but was uncorrelated if she was mated with a different male or if the same male was mated with different females. These two predictors of fertilization success (female behaviour and male-female combination) are interpreted as evidence for female control of paternity via sperm selection (post-copulatory female choice).
α1-Antitrypsin deficiency in twins and parents-of-twins

Serum-trypsin-inhibitory-capacity (STIC) and alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) genotypes were evaluated in 83 twins and 112 paired parents-of-twins. An increased prevalence (17.0--21.9%) of intermediate AAT deficiency (STIC less than 0.95 units/ml) was detected in both of these groups as compared to a prevalence of 4.1% in 1,841 healthy controls. PiS and PiZ molecular variants of AAT were also found more frequently in the twin and parent groups, but this was not statistically significant. Low levels of protease inhibition may enhance fertility and a tendency towards twinning, since proteolytic enzymes are involved in fertilization of ova by sperm and in gametogenesis. Increased fertility and twinning may be heterozygous advantages for AAT deficiency.