cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electronic laser phase noise reduction

The first integrated wideband laser phase noise reduction scheme is presented where the laser phase noise is first detected using a photonic chip, processed using an electronic chip, and subtracted from the laser phase in a feed-forward manner. The proof-of-concept experiments on a commercially available 1553nm distributed feedback laser show linewidth reduction from 6MHz to 250kHz equivalent to 14dB phase noise improvement. The hybrid integration of the photonic and electronic chips enables dramatic power consumption and area reduction compared to bench-top designs. This feed-forward scheme performs wideband phase noise reduction independent of the light source and, as such, it is compatible with several types of lasers.
Overexpression of human selenoprotein H in neuronal cells enhances mitochondrial biogenesis and function through activation of protein kinase A, protein kinase B, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein pathway

Mitochondrial biogenesis is activated by nuclear encoded transcription co-activator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), which is regulated by several upstream factors including protein kinase A and Akt/protein kinase B. We have previously shown that selenoprotein H enhances the levels of nuclear regulators for mitochondrial biogenesis, increases mitochondrial mass and improves mitochondrial respiratory rate, under physiological condition. Furthermore, overexpression of selenoprotein H protects neuronal HT22 cells from ultraviolet B irradiation-induced cell damage by lowering reactive oxygen species production, and inhibiting activation of caspase-3 and -9, as well as p53. The objective of this study is to identify the cell signaling pathways by which selenoprotein H initiates mitochondrial biogenesis. We first confirmed our previous observation that selenoprotein H transfected HT22 cells increased the protein levels of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial biogenesis factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α, nuclear respiratory factor 1 and mitochondrial transcription factor A. We then observed that total and phosphorylation of protein kinase A, Akt/protein kinase B and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB) were significantly increased in selenoprotein H transfected cells compared to vector transfected HT22 cells. To verify whether the observed stimulating effects on mitochondrial biogenesis pathways are caused by selenoprotein H and mediated through CREB, we knocked down selenoprotein H mRNA level using siRNA and inhibited CREB with napthol AS-E phosphate in selenoprotein H transfected cells and repeated the measurements of the aforementioned biomarkers. Our results revealed that silencing of selenoprotein H not only decreased the protein levels of PGC-1α, nuclear respiratory factor 1 and mitochondrial transcription factor A, but also decreased the total and phosphorylation levels of protein kinase A, protein kinase B, and CREB. Similarly, CREB inhibition reduced CREB activation and PGC-1α protein levels in selenoprotein H transfected cells. Moreover, selenoprotein H transfection increased the activity of mitochondrial complexes and prevented the ultraviolet B induced fall of mitochondrial membrane potential. We conclude that the effects of selenoprotein H on mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial function are probably mediated through protein kinase A-CREB-PGC-1α and Akt/protein kinase B-CREB-PGC-1α pathways.
Effect of Cytokines on HIV Replication in CD4+ Lymphocytes: Lack of Identity with the CD8+ Cell Antiviral Factor

Abstract CD8 + cells from HIV-infected individuals inhibit HIV replication in cultured CD4 + cells by a nonlytic, non-MHC-restricted mechanism. The activity appears to be mediated in part by a soluble antiviral factor (CAF) secreted by the CD8 + cells. In an attempt to identify this factor a large panel of recombinant cytokines was examined for their effect on HIV replication in CD4 + cells. In addition to interferon-α and -β, TNFα, TGFβ, and IL-8 reduced virus replication in a dose-dependent fashion. In some cases, the effect of the cytokine was also dependent on the HIV infection assay used to measure it. Antibodies against the inhibitory cytokines, as well as antibodies against TNFβ, IFN-α, IFN-β, IL-4, and IL-6 did not inactivate the antiviral effect of CAF. The data suggest that CAF does not have identity with known antiviral cytokines and therefore CAF may be a novel antiviral factor.
Action, meaning, and stimulus selection in paired-associate learning

The task of learning 12 pairs of high-frequency nouns by a study-test method was given to 112 fifth-grade children. In the experimental conditions, the study trial consisted of the presentation of each pair in the context of a three-word sentence wherein the two nouns were connected by a verb. In a three-way design, the variables manipulated were: the amount of overt activity implied by the verbs (action vs. still); the meaningfulness of the sentence (normal vs. anomalous); and the character of the test-trial stimuli (subject nouns vs. verbs vs. subject nouns and verbs). Performance did not vary as a function of the amount of activity implied by the verbs, but normal sentences produced significantly more learning than anomalous ones. Verbs proved inferior to subject nouns as test stimuli, leading to the conclusion that the selection of verbs as functional stimuli during the study trials does not account for the sentential facilitation of noun-pair learning.
Structure activity studies of the melanocortin antagonist SHU9119 modified at the 6, 7, 8, and 9 positions.

Abstract The melanocortin system is involved in the regulation of several diverse physiological pathways, including energy homeostasis. Several synthetic peptide analogs have been designed, synthesized, and pharmacologically characterized at the mouse melanocortin receptor subtypes MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. These peptides incorporate modifications of the melanocortin core amino acids His-Phe-Arg-Trp by using the cyclic lactam templates of the lead structures MTII and SHU9119. Analogs containing DNal(2′) at position 7 resulted in partial agonist and antagonistic activities at the mMC3R while possessing full antagonistic activities at the mMC4R. Recently, the melanocortin-5 receptor (MC5R) has been demonstrated to have a role in the regulation of exocrine gland function. This study has characterized the following analogs of SHU9119 that possess antagonist activity at the MC5R: Ac-Nle-c[Asp-(1-Me)His6-DNal(2′)7-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2, pA2 = 7.1; Ac-Nle-c[Asp-(1-Me)His6-DNal(2′)7-Arg-Nal(2′)9-Lys]-NH2, pA2 = 7.2; and Ac-Nle-c[Asp-Trp6-DNal(2′)7-Arg-Nal(2′)9-Lys]-NH2, pA2 = 6.6.
The Filling Problem Revisited

[This abstract is based on the author's abstract.] Two models for determining the optimal settings for the process mean and "high-weight limit" for a container-filling process are presented. Containers outside the specification limits are..
Neuropsychological Characteristics of Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson’s Disease with Dementia: Differentiation, Early Detection, and Implications for “Mild Cognitive Impairment” and Biomarkers

Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are neurodegenerative conditions sharing a disorder of alpha-synuclein metabolism. Temporal differences in the emergence of symptoms and clinical features warrant the continued clinical distinction between DLB and PDD. While DLB and PDD groups' neuropsychological profiles often differ from those in Alzheimer's disease (AD), the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of these profiles remain largely unknown. PDD and DLB neuropsychological profiles share sufficient similarity to resist accurate and reliable differentiation. Although heterogeneous cognitive changes (predominantly in memory and executive function) may manifest earlier and more frequently than previously appreciated in Parkinson's disease (PD), and executive deficits may be harbingers of dementia, the enthusiasm to uncritically extend the concept of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to PD should be tempered. Instead, future research might strive to identify the precise neuropsychological characteristics of the prodromal stages of PD, PDD, and DLB which, in conjunction with other potential biomarkers, facilitate early and accurate diagnosis, and the definition of neuroprotective, neurorestorative, and symptomatic treatment endpoints.
Experimental Investigation of the Near Wall Flow Structure of a Low Reynolds Number 3-D Turbulent Boundary Layer

Abstract : Laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) measurements and hydrogen bubble flow visualization techniques were used to examine the near-wall flow structure of 2D and 3D turbulent boundary layers (TBLs) over a range of low Reynolds numbers. The goals of this research were (1) an increased understanding of the flow physics in the near wall region of turbulent boundary layers,(2) to observe and quantify differences between 2D and 3D TBL flow structures, and (3) to document Reynolds number effects for 3D TBLs. The LDV data have provided results detailing the turbulence structure of the 2D and 3D TBLs. These results include mean Reynolds stress distributions, flow skewing results, and U and V spectra. Effects of Reynolds number for the 3D flow were also examined. Comparison to results with the same 3D flow geometry but at a significantly higher Reynolds number provided unique insight into the structure of 3D TBLs. While the 3D mean and fluctuating velocities were found to be highly dependent on Reynolds number, a previously defined shear stress parameter was discovered to be invariant with Reynolds number. The hydrogen bubble technique was used as a flow visualization tool to examine the near-wall flow structure of 2D and 3D TBLs. Both the quantitative and qualitative results displayed larger turbulent fluctuations with more highly concentrated vorticity regions for the 2D flow.
MCCE analysis of the pKas of introduced buried acids and bases in staphylococcal nuclease

The pK(a)s of 96 acids and bases introduced into buried sites in the staphylococcal nuclease protein (SNase) were calculated using the multiconformation continuum electrostatics (MCCE) program and the results compared with experimental values. The pK(a)s are obtained by Monte Carlo sampling of coupled side chain protonation and position as a function of pH. The dependence of the results on the protein dielectric constant (e(prot)) in the continuum electrostatics analysis and on the Lennard-Jones non-electrostatics parameters was evaluated. The pK(a)s of the introduced residues have a clear dependence on e(prot,) whereas native ionizable residues do not. The native residues have electrostatic interactions with other residues in the protein favoring ionization, which are larger than the desolvation penalty favoring the neutral state. Increasing e(prot) scales both terms, which for these residues leads to small changes in pK(a). The introduced residues have a larger desolvation penalty and negligible interactions with residues in the protein. For these residues, changing e(prot) has a large influence on the calculated pK(a). An e(prot) of 8-10 and a Lennard-Jones scaling of 0.25 is best here. The X-ray crystal structures of the mutated proteins are found to provide somewhat better results than calculations carried out on mutations made in silico. Initial relaxation of the in silico mutations by Gromacs and extensive side chain rotamer sampling within MCCE can significantly improve the match with experiment.
Empirical Optimization of Non-linear Control Systems with Random Inputs. Part II †

ABSTRACT This paper gives the results of the optimization of five second and third-order systems with saturating and relay controllers and with random Inputs. They were optimized using an approximate empirical method which was described in Part I. For a system with a double integrator plant and a Brownian Motion input signal, the optimum relay controller with quadratic switching is found to be rather different from the relay controller which minimizes the response time to a deterministic input, in that the former gives some undershoot in response to a step input. Linear switching gives slightly smaller mean squared error than quadratic switching, and no combination of linear and quadratic switching is found to be better than linear switching alone. The third-order systems which are examined have in one case a double integrator plant and a smoothed white noise input, and in the other, a triple integrator plant and a Brownian Motion input.
Simulation of x-ray mask defect printability

The printability of defects in x-ray masks was simulated in three dimensions using the CXrL toolset software developed at the University of Wisconsin and resist dissolution software developed in a collaboration between University of California at Berkeley and Motorola. Isolated defects on mask membranes and isolated defects on pellicle membranes mounted behind the mask membrane were modeled. Defects close to x-ray absorber features and absorber fabrication defects were also considered. Spheres and parallelepiped defect shapes composed of PMMA, ammonium sulfate, and stainless steel were modeled at exposure gaps in the range 10 - 50 micrometers. Attenuation of a variety of potential defect materials was calculated for the IBM Advanced Lithography Facility Helios synchrotron source and beam-line x-ray spectrum. The dose-to-clear for 400 and 500 nm thickness APEX-E films was then used to predict what thickness of defect material would result in a printed defect. Image formation model predictions of defect printability in APEX-E resist were compared to attenuation calculations, indicating that defect shape and x-ray phase shift in the defect material has a profound impact on defect printability for materials that are not highly attenuating. Spheres printed more readily than parallelepipeds. Increasing the exposure gap reduced printability slightly. Experiments to determine the printability of organic spheres added to x-ray masks were compared to simulation to verify its accuracy. Based on modeling results, the minimum size of isolated defects on x- ray masks that printed are presented. The minimum size of defects that changed printed line-width were also discussed. Based on these results, defect inspection sensitivity, cleaning capability, and repair resolution for less than or equal to 175 nm line-width x-ray masks can be established.
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in cystic fibrosis: role of atopy and response to itraconazole.

Study objectives: (1) To determine the relationship between IgE levels and the prevalence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, (2) to establish the usefulness of assessing atopy as an identifying risk factor for ABPA, (3) to evaluate the clinical course of patients receiving and not receiving itraconazole as reflected in oral steroid dose requirements and number of acute episodes of ABPA, and (4) to determine the role of acute episodes of ABPA in pulmonary exacerbations of CF. Design: Retrospective review of online clinical database and medical records. Setting: CF clinic and inpatient services of Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. Patients: One hundred seventy-two patients with CF for whom serial serum total IgE levels were measured over a 5-year study period, 1992 to 1996. Interventions: We reviewed records of patients followed up at the CF Center at Stanford who had serum total IgE measured between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 1996. Total IgE and Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) specific IgE antibodies were measured by commercial fluorometric solid-phase immunoassay. Precipitating antibodies to Af were measured by double immunodiffusion. Patients who were diagnosed as having ABPA were treated with itraconazole unless significant liver dysfunction was present. Oral steroid dosing requirements and acute episodes of ABPA for days with vs days without itraconazole were compared. Measurements and results: Serum total IgE was elevated (> 1S D> geometric mean for age) in 51% of patients tested. IgE > 500 IU/mL, chosen as a screening cutoff for evaluating possible ABPA, was present in 19% of patients at some time during the study period. Atopy (defined as > 1 IU/mL IgE antibody to > 1 allergen) was present in 61% of 104 patients tested for specific allergen sensitization. ABPA was diagnosed in 16 patients (9%). ABPA occurred in 22% of atopic CF patients but only in 2% of nonatopic patients (p 5 0.001). Six percent of pulmonary exacerbations requiring hospitalization were associated with acute episodes of ABPA. Over the study period, itraconazole use was associated with a reduced average daily oral steroid dose of 47% (p 5 0.05) and a reduction in the number of acute ABPA episodes by 55% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Screening for atopy may be a cost-effective way to select CF patients for periodic monitoring with total serum IgE levels, since there is an increased risk of ABPA developing in atopic CF patients. Itraconazole treatment of ABPA is safe and associated with fewer acute episodes of ABPA despite reduction in average daily oral steroid dose. (CHEST 1999; 115:364 ‐370)
Suppression of termination codons in higher eukaryotes

Abstract Introduction of nonsense suppressor tRNAs or genes encoding nonsense suppressor tRNAs into cells of higher eukaryotes shows that these tRNAs or tRNA gene products suppress the corresponding termination codons, UAA, UAG and UGA. On the other hand, most of the natural suppression in higher eukaryotes involves misreading of termination codons by major cytoplasmic aminoacyl-tRNAs, while naturally occurring suppressor tRNAs appear to have very specialized cellular functions.
Pharmacologically regulated cell therapy

The development of cell and organ transplantation is one of the great success stories of modern medicine. Transplantation of various cells, tissues, and solid organs has entered the realm of the clinically routine.[1-4][1] Milestones in cell therapy include the development of transfusion medicine,
Collaborative Care Management Reduces Disparities in Dementia Care Quality for Caregivers with Less Education

Objectives: To examine educational gradients in dementia care and whether the effect of a dementia collaborative care management intervention varied according to the educational attainment of the informal caregiver. Design: Analysis of data from a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Setting: Eighteen clinics in three healthcare organizations in southern California. Participants: Dyads of Medicare recipients aged 65 and older with a diagnosis of dementia and an eligible caregiver. Intervention: Collaborative care management for dementia. Measurements: Caregiver educational attainment, adherence to four dimensions of guideline-recommended processes of dementia care (assessment, treatment, education and support, and safety) before and after the intervention, and the adjusted intervention effect (IE) for each dimension stratified according to caregiver education. Each IE was estimated by subtracting the difference between pre- and postintervention scores for the usual care participants from the difference between pre- and postintervention scores in the intervention participants. Results: At baseline, caregivers with lower educational attainment provided poorer quality of dementia care for the Treatment and Education dimensions than those with more education, but less-educated caregivers had significantly more improvement after the intervention on the assessment, treatment, and safety dimensions. The IEs for those who had not graduated from high school were 44.4 for the assessment dimension, 36.9 for the treatment dimension, and 52.7 for the safety dimension, versus 29.5, 15.7, and 40.9 respectively, for college graduates (P < .001 for all three). Conclusions: Collaborative care management was associated with smaller disparities in dementia care quality between caregivers with lower educational attainment and those with more education.
New Acquisition of Antibiotic-Resistant Organisms in Skilled Nursing Facilities

The epidemiology of new acquisition of antibiotic-resistant organisms (AROs) in community-based skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) is not well studied. To define the incidence, persistence of, and time to new colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and ceftazidime-resistant (CAZ(r)) and ciprofloxacin-resistant (CIP(r)) Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in SNFs, SNF residents were enrolled and specimens from the nares, oropharynx, groin, perianal area, and wounds were prospectively cultured monthly. Standard microbiological tests were used to identify MRSA, VRE, and CAZ(r) and CIP(r) GNB. Residents with at least 3 months of follow-up were included in the analysis. Colonized residents were categorized as having either preexisting or new acquisition. The time to colonization for new acquisition of AROs was calculated. Eighty-two residents met the eligibility criteria. New acquisition of AROs was common. For example, of the 59 residents colonized with CIP(r) GNB, 28 (47%) were colonized with CIP(r) GNB at the start of the study (96% persistent and 4% intermittent), and 31 (53%) acquired CIP(r) GNB at the facility (61% persistent). The time to new acquisition was shortest for CIP(r) GNB, at a mean of 75.5 days; the time to new acquisition for MRSA was 126.6 days (P = 0.007 versus CIP(r) GNB), that for CAZ(r) was 176.0 days (P = 0.0001 versus CIP(r) GNB), and that for VRE was 186.0 days (P = 0.0004 versus CIP(r) GNB). Functional status was significantly associated with new acquisition of AROs (odds ratio [OR], 1.24; P = 0.01). New acquisition of AROs, in particular CIP(r) GNB and MRSA, is common in SNFs. CIP(r) GNB are acquired rapidly. Additional longitudinal studies to investigate risk factors for ARO acquisition are required.
Response of a semi-infinite elastic solid to an arbitrary torque along the axis

The response of an otherwise stress-free elastic half space to an arbitrarily distributed static torque along the axis of symmetry is obtained. As an example, numerical results are found for the stress and displacement fields due to the special case of a concentrated torque acting at a finite distance from the free surface.
Friendly societies in the Bahamas 1834–1910

Historians who have studied the process of adjustment to emancipation in the British Caribbean have usually concentrated on the economic aspects, especially the transition to free labour. Comparatively little interest has been shown in the ex-slaves' adjustment to a free society in which they assumed the responsibility for their own maintenance during periods of sickness and in old age. The establishment of friendly or benefit societies in the post-emancipation years was one of the strategies employed by the former slaves for dealing collectively with this new responsibility. Until the development of viable trade unions in the late 1930s, the friendly society remained the characteristic working-class organisation in many areas of the British Caribbean. This paper examines the development and operation of friendly societies in the Bahamas between 1834 and 1910. The first friendly society established in the Bahamas was the Bahamas Friendly Society which was founded in Nassau on Emancipation Day, 1834. This organisation was composed entirely of ex-slaves, some of whom were still working as apprentices. Other members had redeemed, by purchase, their remaining labour obligations to their former masters, In the following year, two other societies were launched; one of them in the eastern district of Nassau and the other in the suburb of Grant's Town. Unlike the Bahamas Friendly Society which was a creole organisation, the Grant's Town Friendly Society was comprised of liberated Africans who had settled in that area as early as 1825. The main objective of these societies was to provide, by mutual assistance, for periods of sickness, old age, and burial expenses. Provisions were also made for rendering financial assistance to surviving family members. The rules of the Bahamas Friendly Society, for example, stated that members who were sick and unable to work were entitled to a weekly allowance of seven shillings in Bahamian currency after producing a certificate from 'any Medical Gentleman'. On the death of a member of the society, the sum of 12 dollars was to be advanced to the Friends of the deceased for burial expenses and £12 given to his widow. The early friendly societies in the Bahamas were based on English
The Use and Abuse of Utopianism: On Leo Strauss's Philosophic Politics

Much has been written in the last few years regarding Leo Strauss's political attachments, especially with respect to his purported influence over American neoconservatives. Problematically, Strauss scrupulously avoided explicit ideological entanglements, rarely addressed particular policy debates, and left little guidance for the statesman or thoughtful commentator interested in drawing practical political inferences from his philosophical writing. To add further ambiguity to already muddy waters, Strauss's discussion of the relation between prudence and philosophic insight coupled with the many and incompatible roles he assigns to the philosopher within the city make it unclear if there is anything at all that philosophy can teach us of political significance. The following essay aims to explain Strauss's view of the political function of philosophy in light of his distinction between classic and modern utopianism and what he calls in On Tyranny "philosophic politics."
Intervention and the ‘Justice Cascade’: Lessons from the Special Court for Sierra Leone on Prosecution and Civil War

In the ‘Justice Cascade’, Kathryn Sikkink argues that “foreign prosecutions and international tribunals can be cost-effective alternatives to military intervention.” Yet, the successes of the Special Court for Sierra Leone—in prosecuting former Liberian President Charles Taylor and in imposing accountability on the leaders of all armed groups regardless of political alignment—were dependent on a commitment by Western powers and international and regional organizations to a military victory against the rebels in Sierra Leone and coercive regime change in Liberia. The lesson that should be drawn from this case—which parallels that of other international tribunals set up during ongoing violence—is that the prospects for international criminal justice during civil wars are dependent on the political strategies adopted by outsiders to address the conflict and that taking criminal accountability seriously requires an interventionist rather than a consent-based approach to conflict resolution.
The effect of CP-99994 on the responses to provocative motion in the cat

The NK1 receptor antagonist CP-99994 has been shown to prevent vomiting elicited by both peripherally and centrally acting emetogens in ferrets and dogs. These results have now been extended to another stimulus, provocative motion, and another species, the cat. CP-99994 displaced [3H]-substance P from cat cortex with IC50 of 0.52±0.08 nm. Following s.c. administration, peak plasma drug levels were achieved at 30 min. The plasma drug half life was 1.4 h. Subcutaneous administration of CP-99994 inhibited motion-induced vomiting in the cat with an ED50 of 144 μg kg−1 but did not change the epiphenomena associated with provocative motion in the cat over the dose range of 30 to 300 μg kg−1. The antiemetic effect of CP-99994 can be attributed to antagonism of the NK1 receptor because its enantiomer, CP-100,263, which is 900 fold weaker as an NK1 antagonist, had no effects on any response to provocative motion. The inhibitory effect of CP-99994 on motion-induced retching and vomiting is consistent with a central site of antiemetic action, potentially at the level of the motor nuclei responsible for these behaviours. An investigation into whether the failure of CP-99994 to alter the epiphenomena will also predict a lack of anti-nausea effects in man will provide critical information on the neural organization of the emetic reflex. British Journal of Pharmacology (1997) 120, 116–120; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0700888
Temperature distributions in couette flow with and without additional pressure

Abstract Temperature distributions in constant viscosity, incompressible Couette-type of fluid flow at constant pressure and under an additional pressure gradient were analysed. Equations for temperature distributions are derived. Also numerical results are given for the constant pressure Couette flow (linear velocity profile) and three flow situations in which Couette flow is assisted by pressure gradients of increasing magnitude (parabolic velocity profiles). Graphs relating local Nusselt number and bulk temperature (cup'mixing temperature) to longitudinal distance from entry are given.
Increased erosion rates due to uplift and glacial erosion

Around the world, geologists have found overwhelming evidence that starting about 5 million years ago, erosion rates began to increase. Geoscientists, puzzled about the cause of this increase, are specifically debating whether it is due to climate change or an increase in rock uplift as the Earth's topography evolved.
On the validity of the inverse conjecture in classical density functional theory

It is shown that the basic assumptions of the classical density functional approach are rigorously correct forH-stable systems in the grand canonical ensemble. Moreover, it is established that the set of all single-particle densities is convex. These results are derived by providing necessary and sufficient conditions for the solution of the classical inverse problem for single-particle densities. Analogous results are obtained for the solution of the higher-order correlation inverse problem, and the ramifications of these results for the validity of two-body decomposition of forces are discussed.
Intrinsic anomalous ferroelectricity in vertically aligned LiNbO3-type ZnSnO3 hybrid nanoparticle-nanowire arrays

An intrinsically constricted ferroelectric (FE) hysteresis behavior with a high remanent polarization of ≈26 μC/cm2 is reported from LiNbO3-type (LN-type) ZnSnO3 hybrid nanoparticle-nanowire (NP-NW) arrayed film. Vertically aligned and densely packed LN-type ZnSnO3 hybrid NP-NW arrays are synthesized using ZnO:Al seed-layer assisted process by a physical/chemical combined methodology. Post-annealing treatments and repeated poling measurements reinstate that the constricted FE loop in LN-type ZnSnO3 is an inherent feature of the hybrid NP-NW structure. This is also exemplified by the noticeable increase in the degree of constriction with higher NP concentration in the sample. A close fit to the experimental data was obtained with the Preisach model of FE hysteresis confirming a unique charge-ordering mechanism which was ascribed to the interaction of the NPs with each other and the surrounding FE ZnSnO3 NWs. The work provides a comprehensible understanding of the microstructure-property relationships in em...
Determination of the total phenolics in juices and superfruits by a novel chemical method

Abstract The total phenols in foods and beverages are currently measured with Folin–Ciocalteu, through its reducing capacity. A novel method was developed to quantify polyphenols or phenolic compounds through direct interactions of polyphenols with Fast Blue BB in an alkaline medium and the absorbance was measured at 420 nm. The gallic acid calibration lines (0–500 μg/mL) had a linear correlation ( R ) greater than 0.99 in all analysis. The limit of detection was
Life Satisfaction and the Self: Structure, Content, and Function

Seventy-nine participants rated their involvement and satisfaction with time spent in each of 14 roles (e.g., me as a student), as well as overall life satisfaction. They also described themselves in each of these roles, as well as five general self-conceptions (e.g., ideal self), by repeatedly selecting from a list of traits. Each participant’s set of self descriptions was idiographically modeled using hierarchical classes analysis, from which three indices were coded: trait overlap between actual, usual, ideal, ought, and future selves (self-ideal congruence), trait overlap between each of the 14 roles and actual and usual selves (self-role congruence), and dispersion of negative traits across self-aspects (negative elaboration). Within-person correlations were computed as a measure of satisfaction with time spent in self-congruent roles (TSR). Self-ideal congruence, negative elaboration, and TSR each independently accounted for variance in life satisfaction. For all 14 roles, self-role congruence was correlated with involvement in the target role. Self-ideal congruence and negative elaboration were not highly correlated with role involvement, and self-role congruence was not a robust predictor of life satisfaction. Role-based self-aspects might contribute to life satisfaction to the extent they are enacted according to one’s wishes and are congruent with the more general, actual self.
REGULATION OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM BY SYNTHETIC POLYNUCLEOTIDES II. ACTION ON PERITONEAL EXUDATE CELLS

Incubation of antigen with normal mouse peritoneal exudate cells in vitro and subsequent reinjection of the washed cells into syngeneic mice resulted in increased antibody titers as compared to mice injected with antigen alone. Several of the variables influencing this system were studied with and without the stimulus of complex homoribopolynucleotides (poly A:U or poly I:C) as adjuvants to determine the cellular site of action of the latter. It was found that addition of poly A:U or poly I:C caused a further rise in circulating antibody levels which correlated with increased RNA synthesis, suggesting that the macrophage was one cell affected by this adjuvant. Actinomycin D was found to inhibit the rise in titer induced by PEC and this inhibition could be overcome by poly A:U. Injection of the polynucleotides 18 hr before antigen resulted in depression of circulating antibody levels, and poly A:U or poly I:C injected 18 hr before harvesting PEC and incubation with antigen also inhibited the capacity of the PEC to increase antibody levels. A 4S RNA-rich fraction was purified after treatment with phenol of PEC exposed to antigen in vitro, and under the stimulus of poly A:U this RNA was capable of inducing specific antibody titers and rosette-forming cells on injection into mice. Antigen contamination of Pronase-treated RNA, active biologically, was below 10–11 g as determined isotopically.
The effect of d-amphetamine on chained fixed-interval schedule behavior

To test the hypothesis that d-amphetamine increases low­ rate behavior and decreases high-rate behavior, two pigeons were trained on a three-component fixed-interval chain. The effects of six dosages were then examined. It was found that at intermediate dosages response rates in the middle compo­ nent of the chain were increased, whereas they were reduced in the final component. The major effect of the drug upon the initial component was to eliminate long pausing. In a recent article, Gibson (1967) examined the be­ havior of pigeons on a multiple FR DRL schedule of reinforcement. He found that whereas the d-ampheta­ mine increased rates during the DRL condition, it de­ creased the response rates during the FR condition. Combining these results with others available in the literature, Gibson concluded that an effect of d­ amphetamine is to increase response rates if they are low and decrease the rates if they are high. In the present experiment, Gibson's hypothesis is investigated by noting the effect of various dosages of d-amphetamine upon behavior in a three-component chained fixed-interval schedule (chain FI/FI/FI). The use of a chained schedule for this purpose has many advantages. Unlike a multiple FR DRL schedule, a chain FI/FI/FI does not require the animal to learn different response strategies. The response criterion in each component of the chain is identical. Furthermore, in a chained schedule, unlike an FR or a DRL schedule changes in general activity which may be produced by the drug have very little effect upon the attainment of reinforcement. Thus, changes that may occur in the chained-schedule behavior may be more accurately attributed to the drug's effects rather than some inter­ action between the drug's effect and the frequency of reinforcement. Finally, since chained schedules gen­ erally produce very different response rates in each component (Kelleher & Fry ,1962), they should be ideally suited for a test of Gibson's conclusion. Subjects Two adult Carneaux pigeons served as Ss. Theywere maintained throughout the experiment at 70% of their free-feeding body weights. Apparatus
Examining the “Exchange” in Leader–Member Exchange:

Leader–member exchange (LMX) ratings from 375 supervisor–subordinate pairs were used to examine employee outcomes within the context of leader and member agreement/disagreement on the quality of th...
Effects of syn-pandemic fire reduction and reforestation in the tropical Americas on atmospheric CO2 during European conquest

Abstract A new reconstruction of Late Holocene biomass burning in the tropical Americas is consistent with the expansion of fire use by Mesoamerican and Amazonian agriculturalists and a subsequent period of fire reduction beginning ∼ 500 years BP. The marked reduction of biomass burning after ∼ 500 years BP, a unique feature of the fire history of the tropical Americas relative to other regions of the globe, is synchronous with the collapse of the American indigenous population during pandemics accompanying European conquest. We predict that fire reduction contemporaneous with pandemics in the tropical Americas was associated with massive forest regeneration on ∼ 5 × 105 km2 of land and sequestration of 5–10 Gt C into the terrestrial biosphere, which contributed to the ∼ 2% global reduction in atmospheric CO2 levels and the 0.1‰ increase in δ13C of atmospheric CO2 from 1500 to 1750 A.D. This study 1) builds upon prior fire history reconstructions by synthesizing a substantially greater number of stratigraphic charcoal accumulation records and soil charcoal 14C dates to resolve features of the Late Holocene biomass burning record in the tropical Americas; and 2) corroborates the hypothesis advanced by Ruddiman [Ruddiman, W.F., 2003. The Anthropogenic Era began thousands of years ago. Climatic Change 61, 261–293, Ruddiman, W.F., 2005. Plows, Plagues, and Petroleum. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey] that biospheric carbon sequestration via reforestation of cropland abandoned during pandemics contributed to changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration during the past millennium.
Phase I/II prospective trial of autologous platelet tissue graft in gynecologic surgery

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To perform the original phase I/II trial of autologous platelet tissue graft in gynecologic surgery to evaluate toxicity and efficacy on decreasing pain. DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized trial (Canadian Task Force classification II-A). SETTING: Teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty-five consecutive patients undergoing major gynecologic surgery were entered into this prospective phase I/II trial and were matched with 55 patients from the previous 6 months. INTERVENTION: After anesthesia was induced, peripheral venous blood (55 mL) was obtained from the patient producing, autologous platelet tissue graft (20 mL). At completion of surgery, autologous platelet tissue graft was directly applied to the surgical site. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Median pain on the day of surgery was 2.7 (mild) in the autologous platelet tissue graft group vs 6.7 (severe) in the control group, p .001. Likewise, pain on postoperative day 1 was 2.1 (mild) in the autologous platelet tissue graft group vs 5.5 (moderate) in the control group, p .001. Median of morphine per hospital stay for the autologous platelet tissue graft group was 17 mg (range 1‐98 mg) vs 26 mg (range 3‐90 mg) in the control group, which was statistically significant at p .02. There were no adverse effects associated with autologous platelet tissue graft. CONCLUSIONS: In the original phase I/II prospective trial of autologous platelet tissue graft in gynecologic surgery, there were no apparent adverse effects, and pain was significantly reduced. © 2007 AAGL. All rights reserved.
Development and characterization of mutant winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) accessions resistant to the herbicide quizalofop

Key message New herbicide resistance traits in wheat were produced through the use of induced mutagenesis.
Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase is a non-tyrosine phosphorylated member of the insulin receptor signalling complex.

Abstract In rat HTC cells expressing a large number of human insulin receptors, insulin stimulated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI-3-kinase) activity. This activity was more effectively immunoprecipitated with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (α-PY) than with anti-insulin receptor antibody (α-IR), suggesting that PI-3-kinase was not directly associated with the insulin receptor. α-PY immunoprecipitable PI-3-kinase activity, which was regulated by insulin, corresponded to a small pool of the total cellular PI-3-kinase activity. PI-3-kinase was not directly tyrosine phosphorylated by insulin treatment. A comparison of both catalytic activity and content of PI-3-kinase in α-PY immunoprecipitates indicated that after insulin treatment PI-3-kinase activity was enhanced by its association with tyrosine phosphorylated proteins. These studies suggest therefore that PI-3-kinase is a non-tyrosine phosphorylated member of the insulin receptor signalling complex.
Clonidine shortens circadian period in both constant light and constant darkness.

Chronic treatment of rats with clonidine, an α-adrenoceptor agonist, alters the period and amplitude of free-running circadian activity rhythms, as well as the level of home cage locomotor activity. Agents that alter free-running period are presumed to act directly on the circadian pacemaker or on its input pathways. Because shortening of free-running period during clonidine treatment has been observed consistently under constant light but not under constant darkness, and because increasing light intensity itself lengthens free-running period, this agent may influence the circadian pacemaker by modulating light-evoked activity in the photic input pathway. The present study reexamined the possible dependence of clonidine-induced alterations of free-running circadian activity rhythms on lighting conditions. Similar effects were seen in both constant light and constant darkness, indicating that the effects of clonidine on the circadian pacemaker are not due to blockade of light-evoked activity in the photic input pathway. Instead, clonidine may act directly on the circadian pacemaker, or on other unspecified mechanisms influencing free-running period.
An integrated data structure with multiple access paths for database systems and its performance

Abstract In the past a number of file organizations have been proposed for processing different types of queries efficiently. To our knowledge none of the existing file organizations is capable of supporting all types of accesses equally efficiently. In this paper we have taken a different approach for designing an integated data structure which offers multiple access paths for processing different types of queries efficiently. The data structure reported here can be implemented on disk based as well as main memory database systems, however, in this paper we report its behavior mainly in main memory database environment. Our approach is to fuse those data structures which offer an efficient access paths for a particular type. To show the feasibility of our scheme we fused the B + -tree, the grid file and extendible hashing structures, using a proper interface. We implemented and measured its performance through simulation modeling. Our results show that the data structure does improve concurrency and offers a higher throughput for a variety of transaction processing workloads. We argue that our scheme is different than creating secondary indexes for improving concurrency. In the absence of a data strucure which can provide all types of access equally efficiently, an integrated data structure is an acceptable solution which offers an efficient way for increasing the performance of database management systems.
Multielement analysis utilizing pulsed fast/thermal neutron analysis for contraband detection

Pulsed Fast/Thermal Neutron Analysis (PFTNA) is being employed in such diverse applications as: on-line coal analysis, detection of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), detection of contraband drugs, characterization of unexploded ordnance, and detection of landmines. In this work, the current research in the utilization of PFTNA in detection of drugs and IEDs will be discussed. Man-portable PFTNA systems have been built and currently are undergoing field trials. These systems can be inserted in confined spaces such as the boiler of a ship or into a tanker truck filled with liquid. The PFTNA system provides information on the major and minor chemical elements which compose the interrogated object. By measuring the elemental content or ratios of various elements, this system can differentiate between innocuous materials and materials such as drugs and IEDs. In laboratory trials, the PFTNA system can measure the carbon to oxygen ratio to an accuracy of 15% within a 5 minute time period. In all cases, hidden drugs and IEDs are identified through the measurement of the elemental content of the object, and the comparison of expected and measured elemental ratios.
Accelerated Conversion of Silicate Bioactive Glass (13‐93) to Hydroxyapatite in Aqueous Phosphate Solution Containing Polyanions

The influence of alginic acid, an anionic polysaccharide, on the conversion of 13-93 bioactive glass to hydroxyapatite (HA) in aqueous phosphate solution was investigated. Disks of 13-93 glass were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing 0-1 weight percent (wt%) alginic acid. HA was detected on the glass surface by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy after 2 weeks in PBS containing 0.5 wt% alginic acid, compared with 6 weeks in PBS without alginic acid. In the presence of alginic acid (0.5 wt%), the growth of the HA layer on the glass increased almost linearly with time, at a rate that was approximately six times faster than that for the system without alginic acid. The thickness of the HA layer increased with the concentration of alginic acid (0-1 wt%). Chelation of the electron-donating moieties of alginic acid polymer, such as carboxyls and hydroxyls, to the leached cations from the bioactive glass, in particular calcium ions, is suggested as a mechanism for the enhanced corrosion of the glass and, hence, the enhanced conversion to HA. The use of natural or synthetic polyelectrolytes could provide a method for manipulating the conversion rate of bioactive glass to HA.
Susceptibility maxima in weakly ferromagnetic NiCu alloys

Abstract The a.c. susceptibility of weakly ferromagnetic NiCu alloys displays a sharp peak which is associated with a large anisotropy of spin clusters and is thought to signal the transition to a state of complex magnetic order.