cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Permeability coefficients of the capillary wall to low molecular weight hydrophilic solutes measured in single perfused capillaries of frog mesentery.

Individual capillaries of frog mesentery were perfused using a micropipet and superfused with frog Ringer containing the test solutes. Following occlusion of the capillary, the initial osmotic flows per unit area of capillary, (ΔJv/S)0, were measured using the methods of Curry et al. (J. Physiol.261, 319–336). When the perfusion rate, Q, was high, (ΔJv/S)0 was independent of Q; at lower perfusion rates, (ΔJv/S)0 decreased as Q decreased. Permeability coefficients, P. were calculated from the fractional reduction of the osmotic flows in capillaries where both perfusion rate and surface area were measured directly. Capillary filtration coefficients (Lp) and osmotic reflection coefficients (σ) were also determined. Calculations based on measured σs showed that the effect of solute sieving on the estimates of P was small. Three experiments to measure directly the concentration of potassium ion in the fluid on both sides on the capillary wall indicate the diffusion resistance outside the capillary wall was negligible. At least two solutes were tested on each capillary. At 14–18° the mean PNaCl was 4.40 ± 0.67 (range 1.25–10.8) × 10−4 cm sec−1 (15 capillaries). The mean Psuctuse was 1.43 ± 0.36 (range 0.32–4.8) × 10−4 (13). Urea, glucose, and raffinose were test solutes in smaller samples. What factors determine the number of pathways for water and hydrophilic solutes (of approximately constant equivalent pore size) across the walls of continuous capillaries?
Coherent Image Subtraction Using Phase Conjugate Interferometry

AbstractDynamically stable parallel image subtraction has been achieved using phase conjugateinterferometry. We use a Michelson interferometer with an internally self -pumped bariumtitanate crystal as the phase conjugator for both arms. Various aspects of image subtrac-tion, including intensity inversion and "exclusive or" logic operation are demonstrated.Device operation is insensitive to alignment and optical path length perturbations.IntroductionReal -time image processing is becoming an area of great interest to robotics andartificial intelligence. A clear advantage of the optical approach for such processes isthe capability for parallel processing. In this paper, we discuss how phase- conjugateinterferometry can be used to perform coherent subtraction (and addition) of two images.The phase conjugation process significantly improves dynamic stability by reducing thesensitivity to beam path fluctuations and alignment. Future applications in industrialquality assurance, optical logic gates and possibly detection of motion in a scene areforeseen.In principle, coherent image subtraction and addition can be achieved with an inter-ferometer, such as the Mach -Zender or the Michelson configuration, as illustrated inFigure 1 (a) and (b). On the image planes where images of the two objects overlap, imagesubtraction (addition) takes place by destructive (constructive) interference, providedthe phases of the two illuminating beams are 180° out of phase (in- phase) throughout thewhole overlapping region. In practice, the overlapped image intensity drifts between theextrema because of the phase fluctuation due to ambient air currents and /or thermal
Transport of p-aminohippuric acid, uric acid and glucose in highly purified rabbit renal brush border membranes.

Abstract A procedure for preparing highly purified brush border membranes from rabbit kidney cortex using differential and density gradient centrifugation is described. Brush border membranes prepared by this procedure were substantially free of basal-lateral membranes, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear material as evidenced by an enrichment factor of less than 0.3 for (Na + + K + )-ATPase, succinate dehydrogenase, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and DNA. Alkaline phosphatase was enriched ten fold indicating that the membranes were enriched at least 30 fold with respect to other cellular organelles. The yield of brush border membranes was 20%. Transport of d -glucose by the membranes was identical to that previously reported except that the Arrhenius plot for temperature dependence of transport was curvilinear ( E A = 11.3–37.6 kcal/mol) rather than biphasic. Transport of p -aminohippuric acid and uric acid were increased by the presence of NaCl, either gradient or preequilibrated. However, no overshoot was obtained in the presence of a NaCl gradient, and KCl and LiCl also produced equivalent stimulation of transport suggesting a nonspecific ionic strength effect. Uptakes of p -aminohippuric acid and uric acid were not saturable, and were increased markedly by reducing the pH from 7.5 to 5.6. Probenecid (1 mM) reduced p -aminohippuric acid and uric acid (50 μM) uptake by 49% and 21%, respectively. We conclude that the uptake of uric acid and p -aminohippuric acid by renal brush border membranes of the rabbit occurs primarily by a simple solubility-diffusion mechanism.
Escape trajectories of solar sails and general relativity

Abstract General relativity can have a significant impact on the long-range escape trajectories of solar sails deployed near the sun. For example, spacetime curvature in the vicinity of the sun can cause a solar sail traveling from about 4 solar radii to 2550 AU to be deflected by on the order of a million kilometers, and should therefore be taken into account at the beginning of the mission. There are a number of smaller general relativistic effects, such as frame dragging due to the slow rotation of the sun which can cause a deflection of more than one thousand kilometers.
S-100 protein in human chondrocytes.

Chondrocytes in the fetal skull and visceral cartilage are considered to be of neural crest origin1 while those found elsewhere in the body are thought to be derived from mesoderm2,3 (mesodermal chondrocytes). Chondrocytes of pelvic rudiments from chick embryos are the only cells known to respond to nerve growth factor that are not of neuroectodermal origin4. In addition, embryonic spinal cord5 and neural retina6 of chickens synthesize type II collagen5,6, originally thought to be confined to cartilage. Here we report the presence of the S-100 protein (S-100) in chondrocytes of skull, vertebrae, ribs, sternum, larynx and long bones of the human fetus, and larynx and xiphoid process of the human adult. Mesodermal chondrocytes are the only cells which contain S-100 and yet are not considered to be of neuroectodermal origin, thus our results indicate that these chondrocytes may be developmentally closer to neuroectoderm than traditionally thought.
Local anesthetic properties of Pyribenzamine hydrochloride

Abstract 1. 1. The results of 398 individual tests involving 1,320 recordings of the response of 208 subjects demonstrated a satisfactory and pronounced local anesthetic action of a 4 per cent solution of Pyribenzamine hydrochloride upon the oral mucous membranes without noticeable toxicity. Antihistamines other than Pyribenzamine were found to have local anesthetic action upon the oral mucous membranes. 2. 2. A 4 per cent solution of Pyribenzamine hydrochloride was found to be a more effective, faster acting, longer lasting topical anesthetic for the oral mucous membranes than a 10 per cent solution of Butyn sulfate. 3. 3. In tests on 103 teeth, a 4 per cent solution of Pyribenzamine hydrochloride was found to have an incomplete, anesthetic action on both the dentine and pulp of human teeth.
Teaching the Golden Rule

The Golden Rule is endorsed in oneform or another by most cultures and majorreligions and is still espoused byphilosophers, business ethicists, and popularbusiness authors. Because it also resonateswith undergraduate business majors, it can bean effective teaching tool. This paperdescribes a way of teaching the Golden Rulethrough a series of business-oriented examplesintended to bring out its strengths andweaknesses. The method described alsointroduces students to some basic moralreasoning skills and acquaints them with a widerange of moral issues that arise in business. Kant's Formula of Humanity is discussed in thefinal section as a principle that overcomes atleast some of the Golden Rule's defects.
The Determination of Trace Elements in Brine by Atomic Absorption

A method for the determination of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb in oil field brines is described. The elements are concentrated by passing 200 ml of the brine through a column of Dowex A-1 chelating resin. The pH of the resin is adjusted to 4.5 with ammonium chloride. At this pH, the trace metals are retained on the resin and the sodium and other alkali metals allowed to pass through. The metals are then eluted with 1N HCl to a final volume of 50 ml and the concentration of the elements determined by atomic absorption. The method is compared with the standard additions method and coefficients of variation calculated for both methods. The advantages and disadvantages of both methods are discussed. A similar method is described for the extraction and analysis of Ca, Mg, and Sr. Six oil field brines were analyzed using the described method and the results tabulated.
The future of biomedical research.

THE COMMUNITY OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCHERS IS ANXious, if not downright depressed, about the future, and there is good reason for this pessimism. For decades the importance of biomedical research was a reliable pillar of bipartisan agreement, as evidenced by the continuous high levels of funding that both parties have sustained during the last 3 presidential administrations. From the beginning of President Clinton’s first term to the end of President George W. Bush’s second term, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget more than tripled, increasing from $8.9 billion to $29.6 billion. Cumulatively, over the last 15 years, the federal government has spent more than $385 billion in funding for biomedical research through the NIH—despite 2 wars and a turbulent economy. Yet to many observers, the future appears bleak. This coming year, there will almost certainly be no increase in NIH funding. Moreover, sequestration means that the NIH will actually lose approximately 5.1% of its current level of funding, or about $1.55 billion. Bipartisan support has all but evaporated, and biomedical research is quickly becoming just another partisan issue. How did this reversal of fortunes occur? Is there anything the biomedical research community can do about it?
Cancer of the esophagus in Central Africa.

Cancer of the esophagus has been thought to be unusually prevalent in Rhodesian African patients. However, the high incidence reported previously for cases seen in Salisbury is, in part, due to the relatively larger number of patients from Malawi and Mozambique admitted to Rhodesian hospitals with this disease. The patients presented at a younger age than that reported in white races, and the high preponderance of men was greater than that reported in most series in Europe and Africa. The various factors that have been suggested as possible causes of cancer of the esophagus throughout Africa are discussed.
Class H Oil Well Cement Hydration at Elevated Temperatures in the Presence of Retarding Agents: An In Situ High-Energy X-ray Diffraction Study

In situ powder X-ray diffraction was used to examine the hydration of API Class H cement slurries, with a water-to-cement ratio of 0.394, at 66, 93, 121, and 177 C under autogenous pressure in the presence of varying amounts of the additives tartaric acid, modified lignosulfonate, and AMPS (2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) copolymer. All of these retarding agents inhibited the hydration of crystalline C{sub 3}S (Ca{sub 3}SiO{sub 5}), but other modes of action were also apparent. The formation of ettringite was suppressed when tartaric acid was used by itself or in combination with other additives. Changes in the hydration of C{sub 3}S vs time could not be correlated in a simple way with the observed pumping times for the cement slurries. The largest changes in pumping time as a function of temperature occurred in a temperature interval where ettringite/monosulfate decomposes and crystalline hydrogarnet starts to be formed.
Gain-sensitivity augmentation for near-optimal control of linear parameter-dependent plants

This paper develops a parameter-adaptive version of the steady-state linear quadratic Gaussian controller for plants with structured parameter dependencies. Both scalar and vector parameter perturbations are treated. The design method, referred to as gain-sensitivity augmentation, is based on approximating the optimal parameterdependent regulator and filter gain matrices with truncated Taylor series expansions. The coefficient matrices of the Taylor series expansions are referred to as gain-sensitivity matrices and are precomputed off-line. Parameter information, assumed to be available on-line by direct measurement or estimation, is used to adjust the gain matrices to near-optimal values.
Spin-polarized electron emission spectroscopy (SPEES) to study particle-surface interaction mechanisms

Abstract The surface magnetic and electronic properties of magnetic (Fe, Ni(110)) and nonmagnetic (Al, Pd(100)) metals are investigated using spin-polarized electron emission spectroscopy (SPEES). We find that the energy distribution of electrons emitted during grazing-angle ion-surface scattering exhibits pronounced peaks containing fundamental information on ion-surface interaction mechanisms. These new structures can be explained in terms of various ion-induced electron excitation processes occurring at the very surface.
Elevated Plasma Thrombopoietic Activity in Patients With Metastatic Cancer-Related Thrombocytosis

background and purpose High platelet counts are occasionally seen in patients suffering from progressive malignant disorders. While granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been implicated in paraneoplastic leukemoid reactions, the stimulus for thrombocytosis is unknown. Our purpose in this study was to determine if plasma from cancer patients with thrombocytosis contains a factor or factors with thrombopoietic activity. methods We tested the effects of plasma obtained from 5 individuals with advanced tumors and high platelet counts and from 4 patients with advanced cancer and normal platelet counts on megakaryocytic differentiation of two megakaryoblastic cell lines (Dami and HEL). Differentiation was evaluated by assessing the expression of the platelet-specific cell-surface antigens CD41 (HUPL-ml) and glycoprotein IIb-IIIa using an immunocytochemical staining score. In addition, plasma samples from 7 of the 9 patients and from 5 additional cancer patients with thrombocytosis were assayed for the levels of interleukin (IL)-3, IL6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), G-CSF, and IL-1β protein using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). results Expression of platelet-specific cellsurface antigen was increased in HEL cells after exposure to plasma from all 5 of the cancer patients with thrombocytosis, and in Dami cells after exposure to plasma from 4 of the 5. Similar, but less significant, results were found when these cells were incubated with control combinations of recombinant GM-CSF plus IL-6 or of IL-3 plus IL-6. Platelet-specific cell-surface-antigen expression was not increased in HEL or Dami cells after exposure to the plasma from the 4 cancer patients with normal platelet counts or to normal control plasma. ELISA revealed elevated levels of IL-6 in the plasma from 4 patients with thrombocytosis (38, 40, 63, and 99 pg/mL). In addition, GM-CSF concentration was high in 3 of these 4 patients (33, 47, and 127 pg/mL), and the G-CSF level was elevated in 1 (543 pg/mL). IL-1β and IL3 levels were undetectable. conclusions Our data suggest that the thrombocytosis observed in individuals with advanced malignant disease is mediated by a humoral mechanism. Levels of IL-6, GM-CSF, and G-CSF are elevated in some of these patients, but the plasma concentrations are generally lower than those required for in vitro induction of megakaryocytic differentiation. Plasma from patients with paraneoplastic thrombocytosis may therefore contain thrombopoietins that have not yet been identified, and which might have clinical usefulness.
Physician underutilization of effective medications for resistant hypertension at office visits in the United States: NAMCS 2006-2010.

BACKGROUND The American Heart Association (AHA) published guidelines for treatment of resistant hypertension in 2008 recommending use of thiazide diuretics (particularly chlorthalidone), aldosterone antagonists, and fixed-dose combination medications, but it is unclear the extent to which these guidelines are being followed.
Coordination Network Formed Between 5,5′-Bipyrimidine and Copper(I) Iodide

The X-ray crystal structure of the coordination network formed between 5,5′-bipyrimidine and copper(I) iodide is described. The structure (C8H6N2Cu2I2) is monoclinic with a = 7.3300(8), b = 9.1834(11), c = 9.0881(10) A, α = γ = 90, β = 92.143(2)o and space group P21/c. The asymmetric unit contains one half of the bipyrimidine and one copper iodide moiety. In the three dimensional network each bipyrimidine is coordinated to four copper atoms and the copper iodide centers are dimeric units each of which is coordinated to four bipyrimidine units. [The X-ray structure of the coordination network formed between 5,5′-bipyrimidine and copper(I) iodide is reported.]
Municipal solid waste conversion to energy.

Abstract In recent years it has been recognised by an increasing number of nations that there is considerable energy potential within MSW. As a result many countries have established R,D& D programmes to examine methods of exploiting this potential. The IEA's MSW Conversion Activity was set up in 1986 to provide an infrastructure for sharing information and co-ordinating work in this area internationally. This Activity was extended in 1989 and currently a total of 9 nations participate in it. To cope with the wide scope of the area (encompassing both biological and thermal processing of MSW) the Activity was divided into three subgroups or Expert Working Groups (EWGs). Each of these dealt with a distinct area of expertise: 1. •Downstream effects of source separation and screening of MSW 2. •Sampling and analytical protocols 3. •Landfill gas In addition to these groups a central secretariat based at Harwell (UK) has provided guidance, established and administered databases of contacts and produced a series of national reports. This paper describes the achievements of the Activity and discusses work proposed for the future.
Neuromuscular effects of beta-adrenergic blockers and their interaction with skeletal muscle relaxants.

Intra-arterial pronethalol and propranolol produced a short-lasting neuromuscular blockade in the soleus nerve-muscle preparation of the cat. Intravenous pronethalol and propranolol prevented repetitive potentials of the soleus nerve as well as twitch potentiation and fasciculations of the soleus muscle induced by intravenous succinylcholine, but potentiated neuromuscular blockade. MJ 1999 did not protect fully against succinylcholine stimulation. Curare, 200–350 μg./kg., intravenously produced partial-to-complete neuromuscular blockade which was potentiated by intravenous pronethalol or propranolol. No significant potentiation was induced with corresponding doses of MJ 1999. We conclude that the neuromascular effects of beta-adrenergic blockers are independent of their interaction with catecholamines. The prevention of succinylcholine-induced potentials is ascribed to a presynaptic effect of beta blockers which depends on the “local anesthetic‘’ activity of the drugs.
Ultrastructural and light microscopic observations of rat pituitary LH-containing gonadotrophs following injection of synthetic LH-RH.

The effect of luteinizing hormonereleasing hormone (LH—RH) on pituitary cytology was investigated in intact, hemicastrated, and castrated male and female rats using electron and light microscopy. Two hundred ng of LH—RH were injected into the carotid artery, and the animals were sacrificed 1, 3, and 9 min after the injection. Study of LH—containing gonadotrophs by an immunocytochemical method using peroxidase- labeled antibody showed depletion of peroxidase reactivity of LH cells 1 min after injection of LH—RH in intact and hemicastrated proestrous rats, and after 9 min in the castrated females. Serum LH levels measured by radioimmunoassay were found to be significantly elevated 3 and 9 min after LH—RH injection in intact, hemicastrated and castrated male and female rats. Serum FSH levels had risen 1,3, and 9 min after injection of LH—RH in the intact males and hemicastrated proestrous females, had fallen 1 and 3 min after injection in the hemicastrated male and had not changed 1, 3, or 9 min after inject...
Delta FosB and AP-1-mediated transcription modulate cannabinoid CB1 receptor signaling and desensitization in striatal and limbic brain regions

Repeated Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration produces cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) desensitization and downregulation, as well as tolerance to its in vivo pharmacological effects. However, the magnitude of CB1R desensitization varies by brain region, with CB1Rs in the striatum and its output nuclei undergoing less desensitization than other regions. A growing body of data indicates that regional differences in CB1R desensitization are produced, in part, by THC-mediated induction of the stable transcription factor, ΔFosB, and subsequent regulation of CB1Rs. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether THC-mediated induction of ΔFosB in the striatum inhibits CB1R desensitization in the striatum and output nuclei. This hypothesis was tested using bitransgenic mice with inducible expression of ΔFosB or ΔcJun, a dominant negative inhibitor of AP-1-mediated transcription, in specific forebrain regions. Mice were treated repeatedly with escalating doses of THC or vehicle for 6.5 days, and CB1R-mediated G-protein activation was assessed using CP55,940-stimulated [35S]GTPγS autoradiography. Overexpression of ΔFosB in striatal dopamine type 1 receptor-containing (D1R) medium spiny neurons (MSNs) attenuated CB1R desensitization in the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area (VTA) and amygdala. Expression of ΔcJun in striatal D1R- and dopamine type 2 receptor (D2R)-containing MSNs enhanced CB1R desensitization in the caudate-putamen and attenuated desensitization in the hippocampus and VTA. THC-mediated in vivo pharmacological effects were then assessed in ΔcJun-expressing mice. Tolerance to THC-mediated hypomotility was enhanced in ΔcJun-expressing mice. These data reveal that ΔFosB and possibly other AP-1 binding proteins regulate CB1R signaling and adaptation in the striatum and limbic system.
Retinol Increases β-Catenin-RXRα Binding Leading to the Increased Proteasomal Degradation of β-Catenin and RXRα

Retinol utilizes a retinoid X receptor (RXR)-mediated degradation pathway to decrease β-catenin protein in all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-resistant human colon cancer cells. In this study, we examined interactions between RXRα and β-catenin in ATRA-resistant human colon cancer cells treated with retinol. Retinol treatment triggers relocation of β-catenin and RXRα proteins. Cells treated with retinol for 8 and 24 h displayed increased cytosolic but decreased nuclear β-catenin and RXRα. Retinol treatment increased β-catenin and RXRα protein interaction. Previously, we showed that 24 h of retinol treatment increased RXRα protein. Here we show this increase in RXRα levels is due to increased RXRα messenger RNA. Treatment with 48 h with retinol decreased RXRα protein levels. Last, by transfecting HCT-116 cells with a RXRα construct lacking the activation function-1 and DNA binding domains, we show RXRα and β-catenin binding is required for proteosomal degradation of β-catenin. These results suggest retinol ind...
Effects of phonological versus language intervention in preschoolers with both phonological and language impairment

Preschool children with both phonological and language impairment received either phonological intervention involving a 'cycles' approach or language intervention involving a 'script' approach. Pre- and post treatment measures of linguistic and phonological performance were compared to determine which domains exhibited the greatest improve ment. There were no significant differences for either intervention group; however, the language intervention group improved slightly in language and regressed in phonology, while the phonological interven tion group improved in both language and phonology. It is suggested that the observed interactions among linguistic domains during treat ment were influenced by both the type of treatment and different synergistic relationships between the subject groups' language and phonological disorders.
Starch gel electrophoresis of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, and cutthroat trout, Salmo clarkii, hemoglobins

Abstract 1. 1. Nine hemoglobins from adult rainbow trout and 12 hemoglobins from adult cutthroat trout have been isolated by starch gel electrophoresis using a Tris-borate buffer system, pH 8.7. 2. 2. Six fast and 2 slow anodally migrating hemoglobins and one slow cathodally migrating hemoglobin were observed in all rainbow trout specimens. 3. 3. Six fast and 2 slow anodally migrating hemoglobins and four cathodally migrating hemoglobins were characteristic of the cutthroat trout specimens. 4. 4. The cyanmethemoglobin derivative proved to be the most satisfactory form for electrophoretic analysis, the hemoglobin samples remaining stable for 3 weeks.
Chloroplast His-to-Asp signal transduction: a potential mechanism for plastid gene regulation in Heterosigma akashiwo (Raphidophyceae)

Maintenance of homeostasis requires that an organism perceive selected physical and chemical signals within an informationally dense environment. Functionally, an organism uses a variety of signal transduction arrays to amplify and convert these perceived signals into appropriate gene transcriptional responses. These changes in gene expression serve to modify selective metabolic processes and thus optimize reproductive success. Here we analyze a chloroplast-encoded His-to-Asp signal transduction circuit in the stramenopile Heterosigma akashiwo (Hada) Hada ex Y. Hara et Chihara [syn. H. carterae (Hulburt) F.J.R. Taylor]. The presence, structure and putative function of this protein pair are discussed in the context of their evolutionary homologues. Bioinformatic analysis of the Heterosigma akashiwo chloroplast genome sequence revealed the presence of a single two-component His-to-Asp (designated Tsg1/Trg1) pair in this stramenopile (golden-brown alga). These data represent the first documentation of a His-to-Asp array in stramenopiles and counter previous reports suggesting that such regulatory proteins are lacking in this taxonomic cluster. Comparison of the 43 kDa H. akashiwo Tsg1 with bacterial sensor kinases showed that the algal protein exhibits a moderately maintained PAS motif in the sensor kinase domain as well as highly conserved H, N, G1 and F motifs within the histidine kinase ATP binding site. Molecular modelling of the 27 kDa H. akashiwo Trg1 regulator protein was consistent with a winged helix-turn-helix identity – a class of proteins that is known to impact gene expression at the level of transcription. The occurrence of Trg1 protein in actively growing H. akashiwo cells was verified by Western analysis. The presence of a PhoB-like RNA polymerase loop in Trg1 and its homologues in the red-algal lineage support the hypothesis that Trg1 and its homologues interact with a sigma 70 (σ70) subunit (encoded by rpoD) of a eubacterial type polymerase. Sequence analysis of H. akashiwo rpoD showed this nuclear-encoded gene has a well-defined 4.2 domain, a region that augments RNA polymerase interaction with transcriptional regulatory proteins and also serves in -35 promoter recognition. The presence/loss of the His-to-Asp pairs in primary and secondary chloroplast lineages is assessed. His-to-Asp signal transduction components are found in most rhodophytic chloroplasts, as well as in their putative cyanobacterial progenitors. The evolutionary conservation of these proteins argues that they are important for the maintenance of chloroplast homeostasis. Our data suggest that chloroplast gene transcription may be impacted by the interaction of the His-to-Asp regulator protein (which is less frequently lost than the sensor protein) with the RNA polymerase σ70 subunit.
A copy of the copia transposable element is very tightly linked to the wa allele at the white locus of D. melanogaster

Abstract Results are described demonstrating that several X chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster carrying the w a ( white-apricot ) mutant allele also carry homology to the copia transposable element in distal 3C of the polytene chromosome map as assessed by in situ hybridization. The locus of the w a mutation, white , resides in distal 3C. We further show, using fine scale genetic mapping techniques, that the copia homology in distal 3C in w a -bearing chromosomes is very tightly linked to the w a mutation. Both the w a mutation and the copia homology associated with it map to the central portion of the white locus.
William Bateson and the chromosome theory of heredity: a reappraisal

William Bateson vigorously objected to the assumptions within the chromosome theory of heredity proposed by T. H. Morgan because he perceived inadequate experimental data that could substantiate the theory. Those objections were largely resolved by 1921, and Bateson reluctantly accepted the basic assumption that chromosomes carried the genetic factors from one generation to the next. Bateson's own research at that time on developmental genetics seemed out of touch with the general tone of the genetics field, and the chromosome theory did not provide illuminating mechanisms that elucidated phenomena such as plant variegations or chimeras. Bateson imagined a general theory of heredity and development based on vortices and waves, concepts he borrowed from contemporary physics. For decades he sought to devise an intellectually and aesthetically satisfying theory to eventually explain evolution in genetic terms, but his aspirations remained unfulfilled when he died in 1926.
Nanoparticles at air/water interfaces

Spreading of surfactant-coated metallic, semiconducting, magnetic and ferroelectric nanoparticles on water surfaces results in the formation of monoparticulate thick films which can be transferred, layer by layer, to solid substances. This technique of thin film formation, in turn, has led to advances in the formation of ultrathin films with potential applications in advanced electronic and electro-optical devices.
Evaluation of an Ultra-slim Objective for Second Harmonic Generation Imaging

Non-linear microscopy has the potential to provide clinically useful information on the structure of biological tissue in vivo. By using a prototype, all-plastic, 0.8-mm diameter microscope objective, SHG images were acquired of rat-tail collagen fibers.
Dependence of radio channel characteristics on terrain variability in hilly/mountainous regions

This paper investigates how the temporal response and spatial fading statistics for mobile-to-mobile links in hilly and mountainous terrain depend on terrain variations. Fading statistics are generated from Monte Carlo simulations using several terrain databases. These simulations employ a computer code that accounts for diffraction over terrain obstacles and for non-specular scattering from terrain elements. Based on the simulations, we have developed path loss, slow fading, and tapped delay line models for use in the evaluation of communication systems.
Energetic azolium azolate salts.

Energetic salts comprising substituted imidazolium and 1,2,4-triazolium cations and 4,5-dinitro-imidazolate and 5-nitrotetrazolate anions were synthesized and characterized. On the basis of experimentally obtained heats of combustion, the calculated heats of formation range from ΔHf° = 80 (3) to 1071 kJ/mol (13). Imidazolate salts are more dense but have lower heats of formation than their tetrazolate analogues. Salts 4, 5, 8, and 11−14 fall into the ionic liquid class (mp < 100 °C). The structure of 1,2,4-triazolium 5-nitrotetrazolate (10) was confirmed by X-ray analysis.
Primordial Helium Production in “Magnetic” Cosmologies

O'Connell and Matese1 and L. Fassio-Canuto (private communication) have shown that in the presence of a very intense magnetic field (B≳1013 G) the neutron should decay more rapidly than in the field-free case. If such fields had existed during the very early stages of a big-bang cosmology, they would clearly have altered the primordial helium abundance to be expected. O'Connell and Matese1 pointed out that the decrease in the neutron half-life would tend to reduce this abundance. We give here an analysis of the other effects such a field would have, and conclude that for 1012 G≲B≲1017 G at the epoch of nucleosynthesis either too much helium or too much deuterium and helium-3 would have been produced. This is good evidence that such fields could not have existed during the big bang. It is not likely that still stronger fields existed at that epoch1: if they did the primordial element abundances to be expected would be zero. Weaker fields have no effect on element production.
Secondary structure switching in Cro protein evolution.

Abstract We report the solution structure of the Cro protein from bacteriophage P22. Comparisons of its sequence and structure to those of λ Cro strongly suggest an α-to-β secondary structure switching event during Cro evolution. The folds of P22 Cro and λ Cro share a three α helix fragment comprising the N-terminal half of the domain. However, P22 Cro's C terminus folds as two helices, while λ Cro's folds as a β hairpin. The all-α fold found for P22 Cro appears to be ancestral, since it also occurs in cI proteins, which are anciently duplicated paralogues of Cro. PSI-BLAST and transitive homology analyses strongly suggest that the sequences of P22 Cro and λ Cro are globally homologous despite encoding different folds. The α+β fold of λ Cro therefore likely evolved from its all-α ancestor by homologous secondary structure switching, rather than by nonhomologous replacement of both sequence and structure.
Adaptive Multi-Loop Mode Atomic Force Microscope Imaging

An adaptive multi-loop mode (AMLM) imaging of atomic force microscope (AFM) is proposed. Due to its superior image quality and less sample disturbances, tapping mode (TM) imaging is currently the de facto most widely used imaging technique. However, the speed of TM-imaging is substantially limited, and becoming the major bottleneck of this technique. The proposed AMLM-imaging overcomes the limits of TM-imaging by utilizing control techniques to substantially increase the speed of TM-imaging while preserving the advantages of TM-imaging. The AMLM-imaging is tested and demonstrated through imaging a PtBA sample in experiments, and the experiment results demonstrated that the image quality over large-size imaging (50 μm by 25 μm) achieved at the scan rate of 25 Hz is at the same level of that when using TM-imaging at 1 Hz, while the probe-sample interaction force is smaller than that of the TM-imaging at 2.5 Hz.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Asymmetric Volume‐Return Relation and Concentrated Trading in LIFFE Futures

This study demonstrates that intraday volume and return on LIFFE interest rate and currency futures exhibit an asymmetric volume-return relationship characterised by significantly larger volume associated with negative returns than with non-negative returns. This finding is unlike the stylised asymmetric relation often observed in equity markets, where the volume on price rise is larger than the volume on price decline. The asymmetric relationship in LIFFE futures is also found to be dynamic as the direction of asymmetry can reverse during the day. It has been argued in the past that a costly short sale restriction that requires a higher transaction cost on a short position than on a long position is responsible for the asymmetric effect in equity markets. Since such a restriction is absent in futures markets, they should not exhibit any asymmetric volume behaviour. Based on the results of this research, the costly short sale hypothesis is rejected. An alternative explanation of the asymmetric relation observed in futures is presented based on recent information models that take into consideration asymmetrically-informed traders, their dispersion of beliefs, quality and quantity of the information signal, and how the traders process it. The paper also confirms a strong U-shape trading pattern in 15-minute volume, but no such pattern is identified in intraday returns.
Speaker identification using neural tree networks

A modified neural tree network (NTN) is examined for use in text independent speaker identification. The NTN is a hierarchical classifier that combines the properties of decision trees and feed-forward neural networks. The modified NTN uses discriminant learning to partition feature space as opposed to the more common clustering approaches, such as vector quantization. The modified NTN also uses forward pruning to avoid overfitting the training data. The modified NTN is evaluated for both closed and open set speaker identification experiments using the TIMIT database. The performance of the modified NTN is compared to that of vector quantization classifiers. The results presented show the modified NTN to provide comparable performance to the vector quantization classifier for closed set speaker identification while providing improved performance for the open set problem. >
Kinetics of transport and epitaxial growth of GaAs with a Ga-AsCl3 system

Abstract Epitaxial growth of GaAs from an open tube Ga-AsCl 3 system may be separated into two distinct processes: 1) source saturation and transport, and 2) epitaxial growth on the substrate surface. In the present study, the kinetics of both processes were subjected to a detailed investigation. The epitaxial growth kinetics were studied by suspending the growing crystal from a recording microbalance adapted to the epitaxial apparatus. This permitted continuous measurement of the epitaxial growth rate during the actual deposition process. The rate data, which were obtained as a function of temperature, the arsenic trichloride partial pressure, and the total flow rate, are discussed in terms of the fundamental rate limiting processes. Source saturation and transport were studied gravimetrically and microscopically with a long focal length microscope. The GaAs crust which forms over a gallium source is observed to initiate at the lower temperature region of the source and move to successively higher temperatures. A computer model of the saturation process is shown to agree well with the experimental results and yields an accurate prediction of the saturation time. Stable transport rates, and consequently, steady-state epitaxial growth rates, are obtained only when a full GaAs crust is present over the source. This influence of source stability on the transport rate can account for some previously observed abnormalities with GaAs epitaxial growth.
Reducing mind to molecular pathways: explicating the reductionism implicit in current cellular and molecular neuroscience

As opposed to the dismissive attitude toward reductionism that is popular in current philosophy of mind, a "ruthless reductionism" is alive and thriving in "molecular and cellular cognition"—a field of research within cellular and molecular neuroscience, the current mainstream of the discipline. Basic experimental practices and emerging results from this field imply that two common assertions by philoso- phers and cognitive scientists are false: (1) that we do not know much about how the brain works, and (2) that lower-level neuroscience cannot explain cognition and complex behavior directly. These experimental practices involve intervening directly with molecular components of sub-cellular and gene expression pathways in neu- rons and then measuring specific behaviors. These behaviors are tracked using tests that are widely accepted by experimental psychologists to study the psychological phenomenon at issue (e.g., memory, attention, and perception). Here I illustrate these practices and their importance for explanation and reduction in current main- stream neuroscience by describing recent work on social recognition memory in mammals.
Influence of Weekend Hospital Admission on Short-Term Mortality After Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose— There is expanding literature to show that certain patients admitted during the weekend have worse outcomes than similar patients admitted during the week. Although many clinicians have hypothesized the presence of this “weekend effect” with patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, there is a paucity of studies validating this conjecture. Methods— We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification=431) extracted from the 2004 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Multivariable logistic regression analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression were conducted to calculate the odds of death (within 7, 14, and 30 days) and the hazard ratio of death for patients with weekend intracerebral hemorrhage admissions compared with weekday intracerebral hemorrhage admissions. All analyses were adjusted for concurrent differences in length of stay, patient demographics, and comorbid disease. R...
Feedforward Learning of Mixture Models

We develop a biologically-plausible learning rule that provably converges to the class means of general mixture models. This rule generalizes the classical BCM neural rule within a tensor framework, substantially increasing the generality of the learning problem it solves. It achieves this by incorporating triplets of samples from the mixtures, which provides a novel information processing interpretation to spike-timing-dependent plasticity. We provide both proofs of convergence, and a close fit to experimental data on STDP.
A Bayesian approach to identify genes and gene-level SNP aggregates in a genetic analysis of cancer data

Complex diseases, such as cancer, arise from complex etiologies consisting of multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), each contributing a small amount to the overall risk of disease. Thus, many researchers have gone beyond single-SNPs analysis methods, focusing instead on groups of SNPs, for example by analysing haplotypes. More recently, pathway-based methods have been proposed that use prior biological knowledge on gene function to achieve a more powerful analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data. In this paper we propose a novel Bayesian modeling framework to identify molecular biomarkers for disease prediction. Our method combines pathway-based approaches with multiple SNP analyses of a specified region of interest. The model’s development is motivated by SNP data from a lung cancer study. In our approach we define gene-level scores based on SNP allele frequencies and use a linear modeling setting to study the scores association to the observed phenotype. The basic idea behind the definition of gene-level scores is to weigh the SNPs within the gene according to their rarity, based on genotype frequencies expected under the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law. This results in scores giving more importance to the unusually low frequencies, i.e. to SNPs that might indicate peculiar genetic differences between subjects belonging to different groups. An additional feature of our approach is that we incorporate information on SNP-to-SNP associations into the model. In particular, we use network priors that model the linkage disequilibrium between SNPs. For posterior inference, we design a stochastic search method that identifies significant biomarkers (genes and SNPs) for disease prediction. We assess performances on simulated data and compare results to existing approaches. We then show the ability of the proposed methodology to detect relevant genes and associated SNPs in a lung cancer dataset.
Effects of Middle Ear Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Tensions on Eustachian Tube Ventilatory Function

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of middle ear (ME) gas composition on eustachian tube ventilatory function (ETVF). ETVF was evaluated by using forced-response and inflation-deflation tests in four alert cynomolgus monkeys during test sessions with different gas compositions. The ME was flushed with one of the four gas mixtures : 1. air ; 2. 12% oxygen, 88% nitrogen ; 3. 100% oxygen ; and 4. 5% carbon dioxide, 21% oxygen, and 74% nitrogen before and during testing. The results documented lower opening, steady-state, and closing pressures, lower passive and active resistance, and greater dilatory efficiency following ME flushes with the hypercarbic and hypoxic gas mixtures when compared to the others. Also, for applied ME overpressure, the maximum pressure change during a swallow, the average pressure drop for all swallows, and the percentage of the applied pressure equalized were greater under hypoxic and hypercarbic conditions. These results show that ME gas composition affects ETVF and support feedback modulation of ME pressure regulation.
A technique for dielectric measurement of cylindrical objects in a rectangular waveguide

In this paper, the inverse scattering problem of a homogeneous dielectric post in a rectangular waveguide is considered. A novel inversion algorithm, based on the method of moments and eigen analysis, for computation of the dielectric constant of the post (/spl epsiv/) from the measured voltage reflection coefficient is introduced. In this method the integral equation for the polarization current induced in the dielectric post is cast into a matrix equation, and then the contribution of /spl epsiv/ to the resulting reflection coefficient is expressed explicitly using the eigen analysis. It is shown that the dielectric constant can be obtained from the solution of a complex polynomial function which in turn can be obtained numerically using the conjugate gradient method. Practical aspects of dielectric measurement using this technique are discussed. The HP-8510 network analyzer is used to measure the reflection coefficient of dielectric posts in an X-band waveguide sample holder. Metallic and known dielectric posts are used to determine the accuracy of the dielectric measurement technique. >
Setting the Stage for Long-Term Recovery in Haiti

This paper describes the first seven months of long-term recovery activities following the 12 January 2010 earthquake in Haiti. We describe the activities of a broad range of governmental and nongo...