cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigating commercial cellulase performances toward specific biomass recalcitrance factors using reference substrates

Three commercial cellulase preparations, Novozymes Cellic® Ctec2, Dupont Accellerase® 1500, and DSM Cytolase CL, were evaluated for their hydrolytic activity using a set of reference biomass substrates with controlled substrate characteristics. It was found that lignin remains a significant recalcitrance factor to all the preparations, although different enzyme preparations respond to the inhibitory effect of lignin differently. Also, different types of biomass lignin can inhibit cellulase enzymes in different manners. Enhancing enzyme activity toward biomass fiber swelling is an area significantly contributing to potential improvement in cellulase performance. While the degree of polymerization of cellulose in the reference substrates did not present a major recalcitrance factor to Novozymes Cellic® Ctec2, cellulose crystallite has been shown to have a significant lower reactivity toward all enzyme mixtures. The presence of polysaccharide monooxygenases (PMOs) in Novozymes Ctec2 appears to enhance enzyme activity toward decrystallization of cellulose. This study demonstrated that reference substrates with controlled chemical and physical characteristics of structural features can be applied as an effective and practical strategy to identify cellulosic enzyme activities toward specific biomass recalcitrance factor(s) and provide specific targets for enzyme improvement.
Neighboring base identity affects N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mutagenesis in Escherichia coli.

Abstract This study investigated the influence of different neighboring base contexts on the production of base substitutions generated by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). A set of bacterial strains having all possible bases neighboring an ochre (TAA) nonsense mutation in the tyrA gene of Escherichia coli were employed and true reversions of the nonsense mutation were induced by two separate doses of ENU. Base substitution mutations were investigated by direct sequencing methods. These studies revealed that 1) mutations occurring at 5′-purine-T sites were produced better, on average, than mutations involving 5′-pyrimidine-T sites, and 5′-TT sites contributed the least to the formation of mutations, 2) the order of preference for A:T to G:C transitions was 5′-GT>5′-AT, 5′-CT>5′-TT, and 3) A:T to C:G transversions at the first position of the codon (GAA mutations) were produced best at 5′-AT sites, while A:T to T:A transversions at the third position (TAT mutations) occurred more often at 5′-GT sites. These findings suggest that the occurrence of a specific mutation may reflect the sequence-dependent probability of DNA damage at a particular site as well as factors involving preferential DNA repair or differential base selection by DNA polymerase.
Brane dynamics from nonlinear realizations

The action for a non-BPS $p=2$ brane embedded in a flat $N=1,D=4$ target superspace is obtained through the method of nonlinear realizations of the associated super-Poincar\'e symmetries. The brane excitation modes correspond to the Nambu-Goldstone degrees of freedom resulting from the broken space translational symmetry and the target space supersymmetries. The action for this $p=2$ brane is found to be an invariant synthesis of the Akulov-Volkov and Nambu-Goto actions. The dual D2-brane Born-Infeld action is derived. The invariant coupling of matter fields localized on the brane to the Nambu-Goldstone modes is also obtained.
Resurrecting the ghostly entrepreneur

The longstanding debate on the exact theoretical role and nature of the entrepreneur has traditionally featured the works of three great economists, Joseph Schumpeter, Frank Knight and Israel Kirzner. Each had a somewhat different take on this question, but each of them shared the common assumption that the entrepreneurial function exists as an independent and objective input into the productive order. However, this assumption was vigorously called into question in a little noticed but very important piece by Harold Demsetz in 1983. Demsetz may be said to have “unbundled” the other writers entrepreneurial packages and could find substantially nothing therein that was not already accounted for in the standard neoclassical market model, with investors being rewarded for taking risk under conditions of uncertainty. He comes very close to denying that there even exists a separate entrepreneurial function in the production process. This paper then proceeds to argue that Demsetz has overstated his case and that there is a distinctive aspect to entrepreneurship that has not heretofore been noted in the literature. That is the idea of “the idea”, the original cognitive formulation of a plan, a new business, an invention, a reorganization or any other new concept. The problem in understanding the role of the entrepreneur is one of intellectual property, since, at the moment of idea formulation, there is no practical way to give property right protection to an abstract idea. A comparison to the patent and the copyright system elucidates this point. The only practicable method of protecting the inherent value of a new non patentable or non-copyrightable idea is by joining it with another input which can receive property right protection, such as any of the traditional production inputs. This explains the common confounding between entrepreneurship and starting a new firm. Because of the team production nature of the venture, it is impossible to measure the marginal contribution of each of the constituent elements, thus explaining why a lot of entrepreneurial ventures are “one-man” firms. The matter of compensating for entrepreneurial services in publicly held corporations is also considered.
NMDA receptor-mediated calcium entry in the absence of AMPA receptor activation in rat dorsal horn neurons

Abstract This study tested quantitatively the degree to which selective activation of NMDA receptors increases the intracellular concentration of free Ca 2+ ions ([Ca 2+ ] i ) in neurons isolated from the rat spinal cord dorsal horn and grown in culture. The results show that activation of NMDA receptors, without additional depolarizing stimuli, produce [Ca 2+ ] i increases in the neuronal cell bodies in the presence of physiological concentrations of Mg 2+ . Furthermore, this phenomenon occurs during synaptic activation of NMDA receptors. Thus, it cannot be assumed that in physiological extracellular [Mg 2+ ], there is an absolute requirement for additional membrane depolarization before NMDA receptor activation stimulates significant increases in [Ca 2+ ] 1 .
Using nicmos arrays to study galaxies

The 256×256 HgCdTe arrays developed for the NICMOS (Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-object Spectrometer) project have proven to be very capable devices for extragalactic imaging. This paper describes a sampling of extragalactic results from NICMOS arrays. A brief summary of the history of the development of these arrays, and their outstanding performance characteristics is also given.
Dissolution of residual tetrachloroethylene in fractional wettability porous media: correlation development and application

This work explores the dissolution behavior of residual tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in chemically heterogeneous soils. A numerical solute transport simulator, that incorporates rate-limited dissolution and desorption using linear driving force expressions, was developed and applied to analyze soil column dissolution data and to conduct numerical dissolution experiments. Published mass transfer coefficients were unable to accurately predict the observed dissolution of entrapped PCE in fractional wettability porous media (media containing both water- and PCE-wet solid surfaces). A two-parameter power function expression for the lumped mass transfer coefficient was developed and successfully fit to these data. Correlations were then developed for the fitted mass transfer model parameters as a function of wettability and grain size distribution characteristics. The power function model, in conjunction with the parameter correlations, yielded reasonable predictions for long-term dissolution behavior in the more PCE-wetting media. Poorer predictions for the more water-wet materials were attributed to an increased sensitivity of effluent concentration behavior to temporal changes in PCE saturation in these systems. Many of the effluent concentration curves exhibited low and persistent concentration tailing after recovery of the separate phase PCE. This tailing behavior could be adequately modeled by incorporation of rate-limited desorption. Results from numerical experiments indicate that both the magnitude and spatial distribution of wettability can significantly influence PCE dissolution behavior and remediation time.
Detection of GSTP1 methylation in prostatic secretions using combinatorial MSP analysis.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the utility of methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction analysis of the pi-class glutathione- S -transferase (GSTP1) gene promoter in prostatic secretions for cancer detection and prognostication. Methods Prostatic secretions were obtained from a total of 100 radical prostatectomy specimens immediately after surgical extirpation. GSTP1 promoter methylation was assessed by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction analysis using two different primer sets. Correlations between GSTP1 promoter methylation and clinical and pathologic variables were examined. Results The sensitivity for detection of GSTP1 methylation in prostatic secretions from men with clinically localized prostate cancer using two different primer sets was 76% and 54%. Methylation of the GSTP1 promoter was detected by both primer sets in 44% and by at least one primer set in 86% of the prostatic secretion specimens. The degree of methylation detected in the prostatic secretions was associated with the extent of cancer (predominant involvement of one or both sides of the gland; P = 0.02) and increasing age ( P = 0.009). Conclusions Genomic DNA with GSTP1 promoter methylation can be detected in prostatic secretion specimens from the great majority of men with localized prostate cancer. Assays of GSTP1 promoter methylation in prostatic massage fluid or ejaculate may therefore serve as useful adjuncts to existing methods for prostate cancer screening and prognostication.
Trainborne Signalling Equipment

The trainbourne element of signalling systems has become increasing important and complex as the overall functionality of signalling systems has increased. This paper considers the development of trainbourne equipment, the role it plays, the technology employed and its practical application.
Characterization of some members of the genusThermomonospora

Twenty strains ofThermomonospora, isolated from the environments of patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis or received from culture collections or other workers, were studied for their detailed morphological, physiological, and immunological characteristics. The species studied includedThermomonospora fusca, T. alba, T. curvata, T. mesophilia, andT. mesouviformis. The results indicate that several species can be differentiated by various criteria studied; however, two species,T. fusca andT. alba, could not be separated from one another by any of the tests or methods used in the study.
Heterogeneous thermo-mechanical behavior and hot spot formation in RDX–estane energetic aggregates

Abstract Hot spot formation has been investigated in energetic aggregates with a viscoelastic binder and crystalline grains that has been subjected to dynamic thermo-mechanical loading conditions. A dislocation-density based crystalline plasticity, finite viscoelasticity, and specialized finite-element formulations were used to predict hot spot formation due to dynamic thermo-mechanical loading conditions in RDX–estane energetic aggregates. The interrelated effects of grain boundary (GB) misorientations, porosity, grain morphology, dislocation densities, polymer binder relaxation, and crystal–binder interactions were coupled with adiabatic plasticity heating, thermal decomposition, viscous dissipation heating, and thermal conduction to analyze aggregate behavior and hot spot formation. The predictions indicate that hot spot formation occurs when temperatures become unbounded in localized regions at the peripheries of RDX crystals where RDX–estane interfacial incompatibilities result in crystal sliding and localized plastic deformation at RDX crystal edges and interfaces.
Proofreading of Noncognate Acyl Adenylates by an Acyl-Coenzyme A Ligase

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases remove (proofread) incorrect substrates and thereby prevent errors in protein synthesis. We report enzyme-catalyzed pretransfer editing by pimeloyl-coenzyme A (CoA) ligase (BioW), a biotin synthetic enzyme that converts pimelate, a seven-carbon dicarboxylic acid, to its CoA ester. The noncognate BioW substrate glutaric acid results in hydrolysis of ATP to AMP with formation of only trace amounts of glutaryl-CoA, thereby mimicking pretransfer editing of incorrect aminoacyl-adenylates by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.
Mechanism of Superoxide and Hydrogen Peroxide Formation by Fumarate Reductase, Succinate Dehydrogenase, and Aspartate Oxidase

Abstract Oxidative stress is created in aerobic organisms when molecular oxygen chemically oxidizes redox enzymes, forming superoxide (O ) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Prior work identified several flavoenzymes from Escherichia coli that tend to autoxidize. Of these, fumarate reductase (Frd) is notable both for its high turnover number and for its production of substantial O in addition to H2O2. We have sought to identify characteristics of Frd that predispose it to this behavior. The ability of excess succinate to block autoxidation and the inhibitory effect of lowering the flavin potential indicate that all detectable autoxidation occurs from its FAD site, rather than from iron-sulfur clusters or bound quinones. The flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) moiety of Frd is unusually solvent-exposed, as evidenced by its ability to bind sulfite, and this may make it more likely to react adventitiously with O2. The autoxidizing species is apparently fully reduced flavin rather than flavosemiquinone, since treatments that more fully reduce the enzyme do not slow its turnover number. They do, however, switch the major product from O to H2O2. A similar effect is achieved by lowering the potential of the proximal [2Fe-2S] cluster. These data suggest that Frd releases O into bulk solution if this cluster is available to sequester the semiquinone electron; otherwise, that electron is rapidly transferred to the nascent superoxide, and H2O2 is the product that leaves the active site. This model is supported by the behavior of “aspartate oxidase” (aspartate:fumarate oxidoreductase), an Frd homologue that lacks Fe-S clusters. Its dihydroflavin also reacts avidly with oxygen, and H2O2 is the predominant product. In contrast, succinate dehydrogenase, with high potential clusters, generates O exclusively. The identities of enzyme autoxidation products are significant because O and H2O2 damage cells in different ways.
IQGAP2 functions as a GTP-dependent effector protein in thrombin-induced platelet cytoskeletal reorganization.

Human blood platelets are anucleate cells whose response to extracellular stimuli results in actin cytoskeleton rearrangements, thereby providing the critical initial step in the regulation of hemostasis. The serine protease α-thrombin, known to activate platelets by cleavage of a family of protease-activated receptors (PARs), is the most potent physiologic activator of human platelets, though downstream effector proteins uniquely linked to platelet cytoskeletal actin polymerization remain largely uncharacterized. The gene encoding the putative rac1/cdc42 effector protein IQGAP2 was identified within the PAR gene cluster at 5q13, flanked telomeric by PAR1 and encompassing PAR3 . Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated IQGAP2 expression in filopodial extensions of activated platelets and colocalized with F-actin in lamellipodia and filopodia of IQGAP2-transfected COS1 cells. Platelet activation by α-thrombin, but not saturating concentrations of fibrillar collagen or adenosine 5′-diphosphate, uniquely assemble an IQGAP2/arp2/3–actin cytoplasmic complex, an association regulated by guanosine triphosphate rac1 ([GTP]rac1) but not by [GTP]cdc42. Likewise, only thrombin-activated platelets resulted in rapid translocation of IQGAP2 to the platelet cytoskeleton. These observations identify a physiologic scaffolding function for IQGAP2 and establish the presence of a functional genomic unit in humans uniquely evolved to regulate thrombin-induced platelet cytoskeletal actin reorganization.
Dietary vitamin K requirement of the rat.

SummaryThe dietary Vit. K requirement of the coprophagy-prevented growing male rat was found to be 0.1 μg/g of diet fed as Vit. K1. This requirement satisfied the needs for maintainance of normal plasma prothrombin levels and for growth.This study supported by contract with office of Surgeon General, Dept. of Army. Vitamins were generously donated by Merck Sharp and Dohme, Rahway, N. J., and DL-methionine by Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich.
A motility revertant of the ndvB mutant of Bradyrhizobium japonicum.

A motility revertant of a Bradyrhizobium japonicum ndvB mutant was isolated and characterized. The ndvB mutants of B. japonicum have been reported to be osmotically sensitive, as well as defective in motility, periplasmic cyclic β-(1→3), (1→6)-D-glucan synthesis, and symbiosis with soybean. The motility revertant was restored for osmotic tolerance but not for cyclic β-glucan production or effective symbiosis. These results support our hypothesis that cyclic β-glucans have an important role in symbiosis—the suppression of a plant defense response—in addition to their role in periplasmic osmoprotection.
Characteristics of friends of female college third culture kids

College third culture kids’ (TCKs’) perceptions about the characteristics of closest friends were examined using a Q-methodology. Fifteen female college TCKs participated in the study. Three distinctive factor groups emerged representing three different patterns of characteristics of closest friends among the participants: the Socially Connected group (friend as playmate), the Emotionally Connected group (friend as nurturer and complement) and the Functionally Connected group (friend as resource). The findings of the current study have yielded important clinical and educational implications for higher education. Findings partially support earlier research conducted on this population but portray more within-group heterogeneity than has been reported elsewhere.
Using Procedural Justice to Understand, Explain, and Prevent Decision-Making Errors in Forensic Sciences

It has been estimated that in the United States there are 20,000 false felony convictions a year due to deficiencies in the forensic science and criminal justice systems (Koppl, 2010c). As many of these errors can be attributed to flaws in the processes by which forensic science decisions are made, the principles of procedural justice are a useful lens for analyzing these processes and recommending improved practices. In this secondary analysis of current research, decision-making processes in forensic sciences are analyzed using Leventhal's six criteria for establishing procedural justice. Specifically, we assesses the current state of forensic science, explain how some industry practices may be prone to error and bias, and provide practical suggestions for improving industry practices to better adhere to the principles of procedural justice. In addition, the implications of this analysis for practitioners outside of forensic sciences are discussed.
Nuclear medicine applications in molecular imaging

With the emergence of the new field of molecular imaging, there is an increasing demand for development of sensitive and safe novel imaging agents that can be rapidly translated from small animal models into patients. Nuclear medicine and positron emission tomography (PET) techniques have the ability to detect and serially monitor a variety of biologic and pathophysiologic processes, usually with tracer quantities of radiolabeled peptides, drugs, and other molecules at doses free of pharmacologic side effects, unlike the current generation of intravenous agents required for magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) scanning. In this article, we will review a representative sampling of the wide array of radiopharmaceuticals developed specifically for nuclear medicine radionuclide imaging that have been approved for clinical use, and those in pre-clinical trials. We will also review the existing strategies used to select the appropriate biologic markers and targets for radionuclide labeling that have been employed in the development of novel radiotracers and the imaging of small animals with new microSPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) technologies.
Pyrimidine ribonucleoside catabolic enzyme activities of Pseudomonas pickettii.

Pyrimidine ribonucleoside catabolic enzyme activities of the opportunistic pathogenPseudomonas pickettii were examined. Of the pyrimidine and related compounds tested, only dihydrouracil (nitrogen source) and ribose (carbon source) supported growth. Thin-layer chromatographic separation of the uridine and cytidine catabolities produced byP. pickettii extracts indicated that this pseudomonad contained nucleoside hydrolase activity. Its presence was confirmed by enzyme assay. Hydrolase activity was elevated in both glucose- and ribose-grown cells relative to succinate-grown cells. Nucleoside hydrolase activity was depressed when dihydrouracil served as a nitrogen source. Cytosine deaminase activity was present in extracts prepared from succinate-, glucose- or ribose-grown cells when (NH4)2SO4 served as the nitrogen source although cells grown on glucose or ribose exhibited a higher enzyme activity. Cytosine deaminase activity was not detected in extracts prepared from cells grown on dihydrouracil as a nitrogen source. Both dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase and dihydropyrimidinase activities were measurable inP. pickettii. The dehydrogenase activity was higher with NADH than with NADPH as its nicotinamide cofactor when uracil served as its substrate. Carbon source did not affect dehydrogenase or dihydropyrimidinase activity greatly but both activities were diminished in cells grown on the nitrogen source dihydrouracil.
Computing the confluent hypergeometric function, M(a,b,x)

The confluent hypergeometric function, M(a,b,x), arises naturally in both statistics and physics. Although analytically well-behaved, extreme but practically useful combinations of parameters create extreme computational difficulties. A brief review of known analytic and computational results highlights some difficult regions, including $b>a>0$ , with x much larger than b. Existing power series and integral representations may fail to converge numerically, while asymptotic series representations may diverge before achieving the accuracy desired. Continued fraction representations help somewhat. Variable precision can circumvent the problem, but with reductions in speed and convenience. In some cases, known analytic properties allow transforming a difficult computation into an easier one. The combination of existing computational forms and transformations still leaves gaps. For $b>a>0$ , two new power series, in terms of Gamma and Beta cumulative distribution functions respectively, help in some cases. Numerical evaluations highlight the abilities and limitations of existing and new methods. Overall, a rational approximation due to Luke and the new Gamma-based series provide the best performance.
Tandem 1,4-addition reactions with benzene and alkylated benzenes promoted by pentaammineosmium(II).

Electrophiles such as dimethoxymethane and 3-penten-2-one react with the complex [Os(NH3)5(η2-benzene)]2+ in the presence of triflic acid to form metastable benzenium intermediates. These benzenium intermediates further react with carbon nucleophiles including silyl ketene acetals, (silyloxy)alkenes, and phenyllithium in an overall tandem 1,4-addition sequence. The metal fragment controls the relative stereo- and regiochemistry for both electrophilic and nucleophilic addition steps. Upon oxidative demetalation with silver triflate, cis-1,4 cyclohexadienes are formed in yields ranging from 16 to 82%. This methodology can also be used to dearomatize toluene and ortho- and meta-xylene with unexpectedly high regio- and stereocontrol.
Contagion and impulse response of international stock markets around the 9–11 terrorist attacks

Abstract This study investigates both return and volatility contagion effects of the 9–11 terrorist attacks across the major markets, and examines the extent to which international stock markets can be destabilized by shocks that arise in the US. Evidence presented in this paper suggests that to the extent that higher correlations with the US market can enhance contagion effects from the US, the attacks brought about volatility contagion (rather than return contagion) from the US to UK and German markets. In contrast, the Japanese market had return contagion (rather than volatility contagion) from the US market. After the attacks, a US shock had a strongly positive effect on the US/Japan return correlation but had little or no effect in response functions of the return correlation for the US/UK and US/German markets. Impulse responses of the volatility correlation to a US shock notably increased after the attacks for the US/UK and US/German markets. An overall analysis of the post-attack period reveals that international market correlations were strengthened through volatility for the US/UK and US/German markets and through return for the US/Japanese market.
Effects of polymer chemistry on polymer-electrolyte dye sensitized solar cell performance: A theoretical and experimental investigation

Abstract The effects of polymer chemistry on interfacial properties and overall performance in polymer-electrolyte dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are investigated theoretically and experimentally. Specifically, polymer electrolytes based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA), and poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) are considered. These polymers are grown directly within the mesoporous TiO2 photoanode via a single step polymerization and coating using initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) to maximize pore filling. The experimental study coupled with a 1-D first-principles macroscopic DSSC mathematical model provides insight into the cell interfacial processes and overall performance. Parameter estimation using the macroscopic model indicates that the pendant groups on the polymers strongly affect the conduction band position of TiO2, the back electron transfer at the photoanode-electrolyte interface, and the exchange current density at the platinum cathode. The estimated difference between the TiO2 conduction band edge and the redox potential of the electrolyte are 0.87, 0.99 and 1.06 eV for P4VP, PGMA, and PHEMA, respectively. Estimated recombination rate constants for P4VP and PGMA are respectively 54% and 19% lower than that of PHEMA. This study indicates that by varying polymer electrolyte chemistry, DSSC characteristics including open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, and fill factor can be tuned.
A 2-dimensional fully analytical model for design of high voltage junction barrier Schottky (JBS) diodes

Abstract A physics-based closed form analytical model for the reverse leakage current of a high voltage junction barrier Schottky (JBS) diode is developed and shown to agree with experimental results. Maximum electric field “seen” by the Schottky contact is calculated from first principles by a 2-dimensional method as a function of JBS diode design parameters and confirmed by numerical simulations. Considering thermionic emission under image force barrier lowering and quantum mechanical tunneling, electric field at the Schottky contact is then related to reverse current. In combination with previously reported forward current and resistance models, this gives a complete I–V relationship for the JBS diode. A layout of interdigitated stripes of P–N and Schottky contacts at the anode is compared theoretically with a honeycomb layout and the 2-D model is extended to the 3-D honeycomb structure. Although simulation and experimental results from 4H–Silicon Carbide (SiC) diodes are used to validate it, the model itself is applicable to all JBS diodes.
Epiglottitis in immunocompromised patients

Modern medical oncology has made dramatic improvements in the prognosis of many malignancies. Many of the treatment regimens used by the chemotherapist have the potential to profoundly depress the immune system. At UCLA Medical Center, three patients developed epiglottitis secondary to the fungus Candida albicans, while profoundly immunocompromised. All three had severe pain and odynophagia. The patients were all managed medically and none went on to airway obstruction. The natural history of this process is reviewed.
Free boundary and mixed boundary value problems for quasilinear elliptic equations: tangential oblique derivative and degenerate Dirichlet boundary problems☆

Abstract We present Holder estimates and Holder gradient estimates for a class of free boundary problems with tangential oblique derivative boundary conditions provided the oblique vector β does not vanish at any point on the boundary. We also establish the existence result for a general class of quasilinear degenerate problems of this type including nonlinear wave systems and the unsteady transonic small disturbance equation.
Three contributions to understanding human sexuality

A critical review of three recent studies of sexuality is placed against the background of four groups that have, for the past decade, attempted to discern the most important facts—known or still to be discovered—about human sexuality. The books reviewed are:The Pleasure Bond by William H. Masters and Virginia Johnson;Christian, Celebrate Your Sexuality by Dwight Hervey Small; andMale Homosexuals: Their Problems and Adaptations by Martin S. Weinberg and Colin J. Williams.
A specific misconception of the equal sign acts as a barrier to children's learning of early algebra

Abstract Children's equal sign understanding affects learning of early algebra. Most studies to date have focused exclusively on the presence of relational interpretations of the equal sign (e.g., “the same as” or “equal to”), without examining how different types of non-relational interpretations affect learning. Children's (3rd and 5th graders; M age = 9 yrs, 11 mos) equal sign interpretations were measured prior to instruction on mathematical equivalence. In addition to helpful effects of relational interpretations, we hypothesized that an arithmetic-specific interpretation (e.g., “what something adds to”) would be more likely to hinder children's learning than would other non-relational interpretations. Results supported these hypotheses. Presence of relational interpretations was helpful in both grades, and an arithmetic-specific equal sign interpretation negatively predicted 5th graders' end-of-year early algebra performance. Equal sign interpretations were not associated with arithmetic performance in either grade. Results extend our understanding of how equal sign interpretations shape children's mathematics learning.
Shale Oil Production Performance from a Stimulated Reservoir Volume

The horizontal well with multiple transverse fractures has proven to be an effective strategy for shale gas reservoir exploitation. Some operators are successfully producing shale oil using the same strategy. Due to its higher viscosity and eventual 2-phase flow conditions when the formation pressure drops below the oil bubble point pressure, shale oil is likely to be limited to lower recovery efficiency than shale gas. However, the recently discovered Eagle Ford shale formations is significantly over pressured, and initial formation pressure is well above the bubble point pressure in the oil window. This, coupled with successful hydraulic fracturing methodologies, is leading to commercial wells. This study evaluates the recovery potential for oil produced both above and below the bubble point pressure from very low permeability unconventional shale oil formations. We explain how the Eagle Ford shale is different from other shales such as the Barnett and others. Although, Eagle Ford shale produces oil, condensate and dry gas in different areas, our study focuses in the oil window of the Eagle Ford shale. We used the logarithmically gridded locally refined gridding scheme to properly model the flow in the hydraulic fracture, the flow from the fracture to the matrix and the flow in the matrix. The steep pressure and saturation changes near the hydraulic fractures are captured using this gridding scheme. We compare the modeled production of shale oil from the very low permeability reservoir to conventional reservoir flow behavior. We show how production behavior and recovery of oil from the low permeability shale formation is a function of the rock properties, formation fluid properties and the fracturing operations. The sensitivity studies illustrate the important parameters affecting shale oil production performance from the stimulated reservoir volume. The parameters studied in our work includes fracture spacing, fracture half-length, rock compressibility, critical gas saturation (for 2 phase flow below the bubble point of oil), flowing bottom-hole pressure, hydraulic fracture conductivity, and matrix permeability. The sensitivity studies show that placing fractures closely, increasing the fracture half-length, making higher conductive fractures leads to higher recovery of oil. Also, the thesis stresses the need to carry out the core analysis and other reservoir studies to capture the important rock and fluid parameters like the rock permeability and the critical gas saturation.
μ, but not κ, opioid agonists induce contractions of the canine small intestine ex vivo

Abstract The proposed κ opioid receptor agonists ethylketocyclazocine (EK), nalorphine, bremazocine and U-50,488H were evaluated for their ability to produce contractions of isolated, vascularly perfused canine small intestinal segments. Responses to these agonists were compared to those of morphine and phenazocine, a μ benzomorphan. Morphine (0.04–25 μg) and phenazocine (0.01–3.0 μg) both produced naloxone-reversible contractions, suggesting that the responses were mediated largely by μ opioid receptors. In contrast, the proposed κ agonists were ineffective in producing intestinal stimulation, with only EK (1–100 μg) showing minimal but significant activity at very high doses. We suggest that the effects of EK may be mediated through μ opioid receptors and that κ receptors appear not to be involved in the contractile response of the dog small intestine to opioids.
The reactive stroma microenvironment and prostate cancer progression

Reactive stroma initiates during early prostate cancer development and coevolves with prostate cancer progression. Previous studies have defined the key markers of reactive stroma and have established that reactive stroma biology influences prostate tumorigenesis and progression. The stem/progenitor cells of origin and the mechanisms that regulate their recruitment and activation to myofibroblasts or carcinoma-associated fibroblasts are essentially unknown. Key regulatory factors have been identified, including transforming growth factor β, interleukin-8, fibroblast growth factors, connective tissue growth factor, wingless homologs-Wnts, and stromal cell-derived factor-1, among others. The biology of reactive stroma in cancer is similar to the more predictable biology of the stroma compartment during wound repair at sites where the epithelial barrier function is breached and a stromal response is generated. The coevolution of reactive stroma and the biology of how reactive stroma-carcinoma interactions regulate cancer progression and metastasis are targets for new therapeutic approaches. Such approaches are strategically designed to inhibit cancer progression by uncoupling the reactive stroma niche.
Exploring concurrency using the parallel analysis tool

Laboratory work in the CS classroom is intended to solidify essential concepts and core design principles. Because of recent advances and the widespread adoption of multicore technologies, one area of investigation that has become increasingly important across all levels of CS instruction is parallel computing. This paper describes the initial version of the Parallel Analysis Tool (PAT), a pedagogical tool designed to assist undergraduate students in visualizing concurrency and effectively connecting parallel processing to applied coding strategies. The PAT is a complete Java development environment, with an emphasis on (1) helping students to identify appropriate code locations where parallelization can be applied and (2) allowing students to subsequently examine the practical performance tradeoffs of these parallelization decisions in a laboratory setting. The Parallel Quotient (PQ), a fundamental dimensionless metric generated by the PAT, supports the student's conceptual understanding and analysis of the relative benefits of employing various parallel programming strategies.
Minimum spectral contrast for vowel identification by normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners.

To determine the minimum difference in amplitude between spectral peaks and troughs sufficient for vowel identification by normal‐hearing and hearing‐impaired listeners, four vowel‐like complex sounds were created by summing the first 30 harmonics of a 100‐Hz tone. The amplitudes of all harmonics were equal, except for two consecutive harmonics located at each of three ‘‘formant’’ locations. The amplitudes of these harmonics were equal and ranged from 1–8 dB more than the remaining components. Normal‐hearing listeners achieved greater than 75% accuracy when peak‐to‐trough differences were 1–2 dB. Normal‐hearing listeners who were tested in a noise background sufficient to raise their thresholds to the level of a flat, moderate hearing loss needed a 4‐dB difference for identification. Listeners with a moderate, flat hearing loss required a 6‐ to 7‐dB difference for identification. The results suggest, for normal‐hearing listeners, that the peak‐to‐trough amplitude difference required for identification of this set of vowels is very near the threshold for detection of a change in the amplitude spectrum of a complex signal. Hearing‐impaired listeners may have difficulty using closely spaced formants for vowel identification due to abnormal smoothing of the internal representation of the spectrum by broadened auditory filters.
Anorogenic Metaluminous and Peraluminous Granite Plutonism in the Mid-Proterozoic of Wisconsin, USA

A magmatic gap from 1.82 to 1.76 b.y. in the Lake Superior region represents the transition from synorogenic calc-alkaline igneous activity of the Penokean Orogeny to anorogenic potassic granophyric granite and ignimbrite. This paper deals with the petrogenetic evolution of 1.76 b.y. granites which represent a major change in source material and conceivably tectonic setting. Although perhaps related to a termination of the Penokean Orogeny by melting of a tectonically thickened crust during collision, these post-Penokean granites may represent the initial appearance of anorogenic, potentially rift-related igneous activity that was widespread throughout North America during late Precambrian time. These post-Penokean granites are too iron-rich and Al-poor to be considered calc-alkaline, a compositional feature shared with most anorogenic igneous activity of continental regions. Within this suite in central and northern Wisconsin, regional differences in composition indicate at least two different granite magma types: one a metaluminous suite of biotite and biotite-hornblende granite and a peraluminous suite of two-mica granite. The systematic compositional differences (Al, Fe/Mg, Ba/Sr, REE) in the two magma suites are likely the result of small differences in residue mineralogy and/or source composition. In general, the degree of fusion was small (10%) and probably of relatively young Penokean material. Both suites have a range of composition due to feldspar dominated fractional crystallization. Removal of the accessory minerals apatite, zircon, and allanite resulted in the REE depletion with differentiation of the two-mica granites. The granites intruded into the upper levels of the crust, and the appearance of primary celadonitic muscovite and subsolvus alkali feldspars (silicic members only) in the two mica granites indicate crystallization at depths of 10–11 km. The biotite granites contain both hypersolvus and subsolvus members and are intruded at depths less than 6 km with the more shallow members generating major volumes of ignimbrite. As a marked departure from the characteristics of most anorogenic granites, these melts crystallized at fairly oxidizing conditions (higher for the two-mica suite) as reflected in the composition of biotite, predominance of magnetite over ilmenite, and early appearance of the Fe-Ti oxides in the crystallization sequence.
Cochlear Nonlinearities Implied by the Differences between Transient Onsets and Offsets to a Tone Burst

A trapezoidal tone burst (Figure 1) is equivalent to a sum of four ramp-modulated sinusoids. The response of any linearly operating spectral filter (or tuning structure) to a single ramp-modulated sinusoid is made up of two families of components: (a) for each natural frequency of the filter itself, a transient excitation equivalent to that which would have been produced by an impulse occurring precisely at the time of the onset corner of the ramp, and (b) with the same frequency as the stimulus, a step modulated sinusoid and a ramp modulated sinusoid, each beginning precisely at the time of the corner of the stimulus ramp. The amplitude of the transient excitation of each of the filter’s natural frequencies is directly proportional to the slope of the ramp and depends on the frequency of the stimulus relative to the natural frequency being excited (Lewis and Henry,’ 88). When the frequency of the stimulus sinusoid is close to or within the pass band of the filter, the transient excitations of the filter’s natural frequencies combine with the responses at the stimulus frequency to produce a “delayed” version of the input waveform. In that case, the transient excitations are manifested merely as the “delay” itself.
Survey of Medical Liaison Practices across the Pharmaceutical Industry

Medical liaisons were initially established in the pharmaceutical industry in the late 1960s. Since that time, their role has been evolving in such a way that today medical liaisons are helping to improve outcomes for patients in a variety of venues. They accomplish this through the timely, responsive dissemination of medical information, by exploring mutual clinical and scientific interests with health care providers, by facilitating medical education, and through understanding the dynamics and unmet needs within therapeutic areas. In the literature, there are no recent, published benchmarking data available on medical liaison programs within the pharmaceutical industry. To fill this gap, we conducted a 29-question survey to gather information on 10 key categories of medical liaison programs. The areas for which we sought information included company demographics, medical liaison division background, individual medical liaison information, roles and responsibilities, client demographics, training, knowledge assessment, performance review/performance management, administrative tasks, and current challenges. The survey was sent to approximately 400 members of the Drug Information Association’s Medical Communications Special Interest Area Community. Instructions were provided requesting that the survey be filled out only by managers of medical liaison programs. We received 42 complete responses; these indicated that there are many similarities in medical liaison positions across the industry, such as reporting structure, job responsibilities, and medical liaison credentials. Despite these similarities, there are many areas in which medical liaison roles differ between companies.
MR Measurement of Pulse Wave Velocity in the Spinal Canal

Non-invasive measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) system is of interest as a potential indicator of subarachnoid space pressure and compliance, both of which play a role in the development of craniospinal diseases. However, measurement of PWV has eluded researchers primarily due to either a lack of access to CSF velocity measurements or to poor temporal resolution. Here, we present PWV measurements using a novel MR technique that acquires unsteady velocity measurements during the cardiac cycle with a time interval <10 ms. Axial CSF velocity measurements were obtained in the sagittal plane of the cervical spinal region on three patients without cranio-spinal disorders. PWV was estimated by using the time shift identified by the maximum temporal velocity gradient during the cardiac cycle. Based on the maximum velocity gradient, the mean PWV in the three cases was calculated to be 4.6 m/s (stdev 1.7 m/s, p<0.005) during systolic acceleration. The measurements of PWV agree with previously published values.
Ephrin B2/EphB4 pathway in hepatic stellate cells stimulates Erk-dependent VEGF production and sinusoidal endothelial cell recruitment.

Chemotaxis signals between hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC) maintain hepatic vascular homeostasis and integrity and also regulate changes in sinusoidal structure ...
Middle Miocene climatic change in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile: Evidence from supergene mineralization at La Escondida

Geochronology and paleotopographic reconstruction of the porphyry-copper deposit at La Escondida, Chile, are used to calculate long-term erosion rates and to deduce the timing of Tertiary climatic change for a portion of the Atacama Desert region. Hypogene hydrothermal alteration and protore mineralization at La Escondida took place between 33.7 ± 1.4 and 31.0 ± 1.4 Ma based on K-Ar dating of hydrothermal biotite and sericite. Supergene weathering and copper-sulfide en-richment processes were active from 18.0 ± 0.7 to 14.7 ± 0.6 Ma based on K-Ar dating of supergene alunite, distinguished from hypogene alunite by grain size, color, and sulfur isotopic composition. Reworked lenses of volcanic ash in the vicinity of La Escondida provide useful time-stratigraphic markers at 8.7 ± 0.4, 6.5 ± 0.2, and 4.2 ± 0.2 Ma within present soil profiles. Long-term average rates of erosion are determined by these age dates and quantitative calculation of eroded leached capping thickness at La Escondida using mass-balance analysis of geochemical profiles coupled with an estimate of unmineralized lithocap thickness based on alteration petrology and fluid-inclusion geobarometry at similar deposits. The observed trend of decreasing long-term average erosion rates with time is consistent with arid to semiarid conditions in the early Miocene changing to hyperarid conditions during the middle Miocene. This climatic desiccation caused termination of significant supergene copper-suffide enrichment at La Escondida and elsewhere in the Atacama region and preservation of surficial features, including the ash horizons and the leached capping. Middle Miocene climatic desiccation in northern Chile and southern Peru was probably related to a pronounced decrease in temperature of coastal waters supplied by an ancestral Humboldt Current and an increase in upwelling intensity as the Antarctic ice cap became established at approximately 15 to 13 Ma. The Central Andes Cordillera, which now provides a rain shadow protecting the Atacama region from precipitation from the east, must have attained at least half its present elevation prior to about 15 Ma to have played a similar role in the middle Miocene.