cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intracellular pH regulation by Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger-1 (NHE1) is required for growth factor-induced mammary branching morphogenesis.

Abstract Regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) and protection against cytosolic acidification is primarily a function of the ubiquitous plasma membrane Na+/H + exchanger-1 (NHE1), which uses a highly conserved process to transfer cytosolic hydrogen ions (H +) across plasma membranes in exchange for extracellular sodium ions (Na +). Growth factors, which are essential regulators of morphogenesis, have also been found to be key activators of NHE1 exchanger activity; however, the crosstalk between both has not been fully evaluated during organ development. Here we report that mammary branching morphogenesis induced by transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFα) requires PI3K-dependent NHE1-activation and subsequent pHi alkalization. Inhibiting NHE1 activity after TGFα stimulation with 10 μM of the NHE1-specific inhibitor N-Methyl-N-isobutyl Amiloride (MIA) dramatically disrupted branching morphogenesis, induced extensive proliferation, ectopic expression of the epithelial hyper-proliferative marker Keratin-6 and sustained activation of MAPK. Together these findings indicate a novel developmental signaling cascade involving TGFα > PI3K > NHE1 > pHi alkalization, which leads to a permissible environment for MAPK negative feedback inhibition and thus regulated mammary branching morphogenesis.
Chromatographic separation of biologically important phosphate esters

Abstract A column chromatographic procedure formerly applied to separations of sugar phosphates on Dowex 1 chloride has been used in resolving a variety of nucleotides and coenzymes. Group separations have been effected by this method. For further separation and purification of common nucleotides, a linear gradient procedure has been presented. In this system, Dowex 1 chloride or formate columns are used with either hydrochloric acid, formic acid, ammonium formate, or ammonium chloride as eluants
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone reverses the hypotension and bradycardia produced by leukotriene D4 in unanesthetized guinea pigs.

Abstract We have utilized an unanesthetized guinea pig model to study the cardiovascular effects of leukotriene D 4 (LTD 4 ), a compound implicated in slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A). Intravenous (IV) administration of LTD 4 at 5 μg/kg produced profound hypotension, bradycardia, hypoxia and acidosis. The hypotension and bradycardia were rapidly and completely reversed by IV thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) at a dose of 2 mg/kg. In contrast, TRH treatment had no effect on the hypoxia or acidosis induced by LTD 4 . These data provide a potential physiological link between two distinct classes of endogenous substances and may have implications for the therapy of anaphylactic shock.
The coulomb redistribution energy as revealed by a refined study of nuclear masses

Abstract The macroscopic-microscopic approach to the calculation of nuclear masses has been further refined through the inclusion of e3 and e6 shape degrees of freedom. Most of the systematic discrepancies that previously existed for heavy nuclei have been eliminated. The agreement is so close that the effect of turning on and off the Coulomb redistribution terms in the finite-range droplet model can be clearly discerned, thus confirming the contribution of this physical effect to nuclear stability. Models without the higher-order terms of the finite-range droplet model, such as the finite-range liquid-drop model that we also investigate here, are clearly inferior in the heavy-element region.
Diffusivity and solubility of deuterium in a MoRe alloy

Gas phase permeation techniques have been used to determine the permeability and diffusivity of deuterium in a nominal Mo-47.5Re (wt.%) alloy. The deuterium solubility was deduced from the permeability and diffusivity. Refractory metal alloys of molybdenum and rhenium have good mechanical properties at elevated temperatures and appear to be mechanically stable in the presence of hot hydrogen. For such reasons, alloys such as Mo-47.5Re are being considered for use in advanced aerospace engines where they will be in contact with high temperature gaseous hydrogen. Knowledge of the bulk hydrogen transport parameters for these alloys is, however, very limited or non-existent. A measurement of the hydrogen permeability constant for Mo-50Re (wt.%) has been reported by Svedberg, but diffusivity and solubility values have not been reported. Since Mo-47.5Re is composed predominantly of Mo and has a similar BCC crystal structure, the results from the present study will be compared with corresponding results obtained for pure Mo. For experimental reasons to be discussed, deuterium has been substituted for hydrogen. This substitution should scale the relative magnitude of the determined parameters as compared with hydrogen values, but it is not expected to affect their overall temperature dependence. The present measurements were made over amore » temperature range from 340 C to 850 C and the pressure range from 1.3 x 10[sup 3] N/m[sup 2] to 1.0 x 10[sup 5] N/m[sup 2].« less
Impulsive stimulated scattering study of normal and supercooled liquid triphenylphosphite

We report the results of a study of the glass-forming liquid triphenylphosphite over the temperature range 350 to 150 K by impulsive stimulated scattering, a time-resolved four-wave mixing technique. The temperature range examined covers the transformation from normal liquid to supercooled liquid to glass. The first time-resolved observations of propagating shear acoustic waves in a liquid are reported, over the frequency range of 120 MHz to 1.7 GHz. Longitudinal acoustic waves are observed and characterized over the frequency range of 20 MHz to 5 GHz. Molecular orientational dynamics are also observed directly, as is a slow density response to heating (time-dependent thermal expansion). The longitudinal acoustic data are analyzed phenomenologically in terms of a distribution of relaxation times. Although no commonly used distribution is found to be completely adequate, the Cole-Cole distribution is used and yields average relaxation times τL which follow a Vogel-Tamann-Fulcher law with T0=200 K, and a width which increases dramatically as the temperature is lowered. The slow density response to heating is found to follow a single exponential rise to the rise time τM consistently larger than τL. These facts are taken as evidence thatthe distribution of relaxation times which couples to density changes may have some degree of structure, and may be bimodal or multimodal in nature. The orientational motion is found to follow an Arrhenius law, in contrast to earlier results, with orientation times τor which are very close to τM. The shear wave behavior is also analyzed in terms of a Cole-Cole distribution of relaxation times, which at all temperatures appears to be narrower than the distribution which couples to the longitudinal waves.
Synthesis of 2-n-(hexadecanoyl)-amino-4-nitrophenyl phosphorylcholine-hydroxide, a chromogenic substrate for assaying sphingomyelinase activity.

Abstract 2-N-(Hexadecanoyl)-amino-4-nitrophenyl phosphorylcholine-hydroxide a compound resembling sphingomyelin is synthesized. It is cleaved by sphingomyelinase to the chromogenic N-acylaminonitrophenyl moiety. Phospholipase C preparations do not hydrolyze this compound. The starting material is 2-amino-4-nitrophenol which when acylated with palmitoyl chloride yields the hexadecananilide. Reaction with β-bromoethylphosphoryldichloride gives the phosphate which is quaternized with trimethylamine to give the title compound.
Phenomenology of the low-frequency variability in a reduced-gravity, quasigeostrophic double-gyre model

Abstract The low-frequency variability of the oceanic wind-driven circulation is investigated by use of a reduced-gravity, quasigeostrophic model with slight variations on the classic double-gyre wind forcing. Approximately 30 eddy-resolving simulations of 100–1000 years duration are analyzed to determine the types of low-frequency variability and to estimate statistical uncertainties in the results. For parameters close to those leading to a stable antisymmetric solution, the system appears to have several preferred phenomenological regimes, each with distinct total energy levels. These states include a high-energy quasi-stable state; a low-energy, weakly penetrating state; and a state of intermediate energy and modest eddy/ring generation. The low-frequency variability of the model is strongly linked to the irregular transitions between these dynamical regimes. For a central set of reference parameters, the behavior of the system is investigated for each period in which the total energy remains in certa...
Influence of irrigation on land hydrological processes over California

In this study, a regional climate model (RCM) is employed to investigate the effect of irrigation on hydrology over California through implementing a “realistic irrigation” scheme. Our results indicate that the RCM with a realistic irrigation scheme commonly practiced in California can capture the soil moisture and evapotranspiration (ET) variation very well in comparison with the available in situ and remote sensing data. The RCM results show significant improvement in comparison with those outputs from the default run and the commonly used runs with fixed soil moisture at field capacity. Furthermore, the model reproduces the observed decreasing trends of the reference ET (i.e., ET0) from the California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS). The observed decreasing trend is most likely due to the decreasing trend of downward solar radiation shown by models and CIMIS observations. This issue is fundamental in projecting future irrigation water demand. The deep soil percolation rate changes depending on the irrigation method and irrigation duration. Finally, the model results show that precipitation change due to irrigation in California is relatively small in amount and mainly occurs along the midlatitudes in the western United States.
The onset of natural convection from time-dependent profiles

Abstract Experiments were conducted on the initiation of natural convection in deep pools (penetration depth is small compared with the fluid depth). Fluids covering a wide range of Prandtl number were heated from below. A constant value of Rayleigh number based upon density boundary layer thickness ( Ra 1 ) correlates the effects of surface boundary condition and fluid depth. These effects and those of Prandtl number and wall spacing can be interpreted in terms of growth rate-amplification theory; however a constant value of the Peclet number at the onset of convection was found to correlate the data better than did a constant value of the amplification factor. Theoretical reasons for this result are presented.
4 The Physical Environment in Organizations

Abstract We review empirical research on the physical environment in professional, organizational work settings (i.e., offices, meeting rooms, and design work spaces) from the past several decades. This research reveals no common elements of the physical environment (e.g., enclosures and barriers in work spaces, adjustable work arrangements, personalized work spaces, and ambient surroundings) that are consistently and exclusively associated with desired outcomes in these work settings. Instead, these elements are routinely associated with both desired and undesired outcomes. Based on these findings, we suggest that understanding the role of physical environments in organizations requires an understanding of common trade-offs in organizational life. Further, we suggest that the prevalence of such trade-offs is grounded in tensions that are inherent to the functions that physical environments serve (i.e., aesthetic, instrumental, and symbolic functions). We provide an outline of these tensions and trade-off...
Female size and fitness in the leaf‐cutter bee Megachile apicalis

1. The effects of female size on fitness of the leaf-cutter bee Megachile apicalis Spinola (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) were examined using artificial nesting sites in the field. 2. Although female size had no significant effect on female longevity or sex ratio of progeny, it did have a significant effect on fecundity; larger females attained greater realized fecundity than did smaller females. 3. This significant effect of female size on fecundity occurred because larger females produced cells faster than did smaller females. 4. Female size also had a significant effect on egg size; larger females laid larger eggs than did smaller females. 5. Female size had a significant effect on the size of investment in each progeny. The size of investment estimated by brood cell weight was greater for larger females than for smaller females. This pattern was largely absent, however, when the size of investment was estimated by adult progeny weight. 6. Female size had a significant effect on nest usurpation behaviour; larger females had a higher capacity to usurp nests than did smaller females.
Contributions of Longitudinal Studies to Epidemiology and Disease Prevention: an Overview

. Longitudinal studies characterise changes with respect to initial levels and rates of changes. They help to identify transitions between normal ageing and disease; to identify persons at risk for age associated diseases and to plan interventions. The future usefulness of longitudinal studies will depend increasingly on the preservation of biological specimens.
Glutamine Uptake at the Blood-Brain Barrier Is Mediated by N-System Transport

The mechanism of unidirectional transport of glutamine from blood to brain in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats was examined using in situ perfusion. Amino acid uptake into brain across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is classically thought to be via the Na-independent large neutral (L-system), acidic and basic amino acid transporters. In the presence of physiological concentrations of amino acids in the perfusate, which should saturate the known amino acid transporters at the BBB, the cortical transfer constant (Ki) for L-[14C]glutamine was 11.6 +/- 1.1 microl/g/min. The addition of either 10 mM 2-amino-2-norbornanecarboxylic acid or 10 mM 2-amino-2-norbornanecarboxylic acid and 5 mM cysteine had no effect on the cortical Ki for L-[14C]glutamine, indicating that glutamine transport under these conditions does not occur by the L-, A-, or ASC-systems. Decreasing perfusate Na from 140 to 2.4 mM by Tris substitution reduced the cortical Ki for L-[14C]glutamine by 62% (p < or = 0.001). The Na-dependent uptake has the characteristics of N-system transport. It was inhibited by L-histidine and L-glutamine, both N-system substrates, and it was pH sensitive and moderately tolerant of Li substitution for Na. This putative N-system transporter at the luminal membrane of the BBB plays an important role in mediating brain glutamine uptake.
THE SECONDARY STRUCTURE OF HUMAN AMYLOID DEPOSITS AS DETERMINED BY CIRCULAR DICHROISM SPECTROSCOPY

The deposition of amyloid fibrils has been associated with a diversity of pathologies including plasma cell dyscrasias, chronic inflammatory diseases, and several types of neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease. Using circular dichroism spectroscopy, the secondary structure of a human amyloid protein deposit from a patient with plasma cell (light chain)-associated amyloidosis (amyloidosis AL) has been determined. The protein contains 52% beta structure, which is consistent with these depositions arising from the aberrant catabolism of immunoglobulin light chains, which are rich in beta sheets. The protein was also found to contain 20% alpha-helix, suggesting that partial refolding may occur during amyloidogenesis.
Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer Increases Subsequent Risk of Bladder and Rectal Cancer: A Population Based Cohort Study

Purpose: Pre-prostate specific antigen era series demonstrated an increased risk of bladder cancer and rectal cancer in men who received radiotherapy for prostate cancer. We estimated the risk of secondary bladder cancer and rectal cancer after prostate radiotherapy using a contemporary population based cohort.Materials and Methods: We identified 243,082 men in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database who underwent radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy for prostate cancer between 1988 and 2003. We estimated the incidence rate, standardized incidence ratio and age adjusted incidence rate ratio of subsequent bladder cancer and rectal cancer associated with radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and a combination of external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy.Results: The relative risk of bladder cancer developing after external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy-brachytherapy compared to radical prostatectomy was 1.88, 1.52 and 1.85, re...
Optimization of Preventive Maintenance in Chemical Process Plants

In this article, we use a genetic algorithm to obtain an economically optimal preventive maintenance frequency for different equipment, the parts inventory policy (number and type of spare parts to keep in stock), and labor allocation in process plants. To assess cost, we improved a previously published Monte Carlo simulation-based maintenance model (Nguyen et al. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2008, 47(6), 1910−1924). Two examples, a Tennessee Eastman example and a fluid catalytic cracking unit in a refinery, are provided.
Intracellular brain pH, indicator tissue perfusion, electroencephalography, and histology in severe and moderate focal cortical ischemia in the rabbit

Intracellular brain pH and indicator tissue perfusion were measured with a lipid-soluble, pH-sensitive fluorescent indicator in 10 rabbits who had either severe or moderate focal ischemia depending on whether the middle cerebral artery was occluded at its main trunk or bifurcation. Preocclusion tissue indicator perfusion was 50.1 ml/100 g/min and intracellular brain pH was 7.03. In severe focal ischemia, immediate postocclusion tissue perfusion was 12.7 ml/100 g/min and intracellular brain pH was 6.64. Four hours after occlusion, the perfusion was 5.2 ml/100 g/min and intracellular brain pH was 6.08. There was EEG and histological confirmation of infarction. In the moderate focal ischemia group, immediate postocclusion flow was 20.0 ml/100 g/min and intracellular brain pH was 6.92. At 3 h, postocclusion tissue perfusion was 22.6 ml/100 g/min and intracellular brain pH was 6.86. Therefore, for the first 3 h, this ischemic penumbra was stable. At the fourth hour, both cerebral tissue perfusion and intracellular brain pH worsened. This suggests that the ischemic penumbra is a dynamic state. The rabbit is a good experimental model for the production of both severe and moderate focal ischemia.
Antibodies with specificities to preselected protein regions evoked by free synthetic peptides representing protein antigenic sites or other surface locations: demonstration with myoglobin.

Abstract Previous studies have resulted in the determination of the entire structure of myoglobin. The present work, was carried out to investigate the antigenicity of the synthetic antigenic sites and other surface peptides of Mb in their free form (i.e. without coupling to a carrier). Site 1 (peptide 15–22), site 2 (peptide 56–62), site 3 (peptide 94–100), site 4 (peptide 113–120), site 5 (peptide 145–151) and two surface peptides, peptide 1–6 and peptide 121–127, were injected in complete Freund's adjuvant into Balb/c mice. Radioimmune antibody binding studies showed that immunization with each of these peptides, in their free form, resulted in the formation of antibodies that bound specifically to Mb and to the immunizing peptide. The advantage and significance of these findings are discussed.
Upregulation of nuclear GM1 accompanies axon-like, but not dendrite-like, outgrowth in NG108–15 cells

Recent work has demonstrated that induced neurite outgrowth in neuroblastoma cells and spontaneous differentiation of primary neurons in culture are accompanied by upregulation of GM1 ganglioside in the nuclear envelope. Previous reports have depicted morphological variations in the nature of stimulated neurites resulting from different neuritogenic agents, and a recent study by this laboratory demonstrated that such stimulants could be divided into two categories: those which induce axon-like neurites (group I) as opposed to those that stimulate dendrite-like outgrowths (group II). The former includes KCl, ionomycin, neuraminidase, and cholera toxin B subunit (all agents which elevate intracellular Ca2+), while the latter group is comprised of retinoic acid, dibutyryl cAMP, exogenous GM1, and low serum treatment. The present study was undertaken to determine whether differences in neuritic phenotype could be correlated with upregulation of nuclear GM1. The neuroblastoma × glioma NG108–15 cell line was employed because of its ability to respond robustly to a variety of neuritogenic stimuli. It was found that although both groups of stimulants are capable of inducing stable neurites (terminal differentiation) in this cell line, nuclear GM1 is elevated only in the presence of group I stimulants. Thus, a correlation is indicated between axonogenesis and upregulation of GM1 in the nuclear envelope. Additionally, these two events appear to coincide with elevation of intracellular Ca2+. Conversion of cells to the differentiated phenotype, with or without nuclear GM1 elevation, was found to depend in some cases on concentration of stimulant and duration of treatment. J. Neurosci. Res. 55:107–118, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Structure of a C2-symmetric bis(benzyloxy)trishomocubanone

The structure of a bis(benzyloxy)trishomocubanone with molecular C2 symmetry reveals that substitution of benzyloxy groups has little effect on the trishomocubane cage.
Monte-Carlo Simulation and the Chain-of-Bundles Model for Titanium-Matrix Composite Materials

A numerical simulation technique has been developed and is used to estimate the ultimate strength of several unidirectional metal-matrix composite systems. The results of multiple realizations of this technique, which explicitly accounts for the local nature of fiber load redistribution, are presented and show excellent agreement with experimental results. In addition to synthesizing some recent numerical modeling efforts for these types of composite systems, this simulation technique incorporates both the multi-axial stress state effects and the change in constituent residual stresses as the matrix plastically deforms. A thorough statistical analysis of the ultimate strength predictions is performed not only to assess the accuracy of the simulation model presented, but also to provide a measure of goodness of the various analytical models reviewed.
Two-photon ionization of an inner shell electron of the Cl atom

We have calculated, using second order perturbation theory, the two photon ionization cross section of a K-shell electron of chlorine forE=1.6 keV incident photons. Two classes of intermediate states must be considered, those in which a 1s electron moves to an emptyp-orbital, and those in which an electron from an occupiedp-orbital moves into the continuum. The first class of intermediate states is followed by the ejection of ap-electron into the continuum. The second class of intermediate states is followed by the transfer of a 1s electron into an emptyp-state. The largest contribution comes from 3p →d-continuum followed by 1s → 3p transition. Our result is σ(2)/I=2.06×1041 cm4/W where σ(2) is the two photon ionization cross-section andI is the light intensity.
Inhibition of ATP:l-methionine S-adenosyltrasferase of bakers' yeast by structural analogues of ATP

Abstract Highly purified preparations of ATP: l -methionine S -adenosyltransferase (EC 2.5.1.6) of bakers' yeast display a virtually completely specific requirement for ATP. Kinetics analyses of the binding of a number of structural analogues and components of ATP have permitted assessment of the importance of various regions of the ATP molecular for “binding” and for “recognition” of the nucleotide. Adenosine or deoxyadenosine have almost no affinity for the enzyme, their mono- and dipphosphates are very weak inhibitors competitive with respect to ATP. Various nucleoside triphosphates are more powerful inhibitors competitive with respect to ATP and non-competitive with respect to l -methionine. Tripolyphosphate is an excellent inhibitor ( K i = 0.05 mM) and tetraphosphate also inhibits the enzyme ( K i = 0.18 mM). The following phosphonate analogues of ATP are powerful inhibitors: α,β-methylene-ATP ( K i = 0.55 mM); β,γ-methylene-ATP ( K i = 2.19 mM) and α,β-methylene-adenosine tetraphosphate ( K i = 0.17 mM). All of these phosphonates compete with ATP and the K i values refer to this competition when l -methionine approaches saturation. It is concluded from kinetic studies with adenosine and its analogues, that the triphosphate moiety of ATP is of primary importance for the binding of the substrate to the enzyme, while the adenosyl group of ATP is of primary importance for the substrate recognition, but with low affinity for the enzyme. Kinetic patterns obtained with analogues of ATP as inhibitors are consistent with the previous proposition that the ATP: l -methionine S -adenosyltransferase reaction involves a random-ordered bi-mechanism. The results of the present studies also suggest that the adenosyl group remains enzyme-bound prior to its binding to the sulfur atom of l -methionine, and that the triphosphate site-directed recognition of the adenosyl moiety enables ATP to gain virtually absolute substrate specificity.
Effects of oleoresin-tocopherol combinations on lipid oxidation, off-odor, and color of irradiated raw and cooked pork patties.

Abstract Lipid oxidation, color, and volatiles of double-packaged pork loins with various oleoresin or oleoresin–tocopherol combinations were determined to establish the best oleoresin–tocopherol conditions that can improve the quality of irradiated raw and cooked pork loins. Rosemary and α-tocopherol combination at 0.05% and 0.02% of meat weight, respectively, showed the most potent antioxidant effects in reducing both TBARS values and the amounts of volatile aldehydes in irradiated raw and cooked pork loins. The antioxidant combination, however, did not affect the production of sulfur volatiles responsible for irradiation off-odor and showed little effects on color changes in irradiated raw and cooked pork loins. Exposing double-packaged irradiated pork to aerobic conditions for 3 days during the 10-day storage was effective in controlling both lipid oxidation and irradiation off-odor, regardless of packaging sequences.
Identity of “velocity” and “length” forms of electric dipole atomic transition matrix elements in the Hartree-Fock approximation

Abstract It is proved that the “length” and “velocity”, indeed also the “acceleration”, forms of one-photon transition matrix elements, calculated in the Hartree-Fock approximation, yield identical results. The effective current which enters into the derivation is a non-local one for all of the forms, and is the one generated from the requirements of gauge invariance.
Some Observations on Carbon Black

Abstract Different carbon blacks have certain definite effects upon the vulcanized rubber stocks with which they are mixed. The experiments described herein may be grouped under four main heads: (1) adsorption, (2) effect of heat, (3) reaction with sulfur and zinc oxide, and (4) dispersion or rate of settling. The adsorptive capacity of the black is a measure of the rate of cure of the rubber mix, low-adsorptive blacks giving a faster curing stock than high-adsorptive blacks. An indication of the stiffening action of a carbon black may be secured by measuring the amount of carbon dispersed in a thin rubber cement which cannot be centrifuged out in a given time. The effect of temperatures from 500° to 1200° C. on carbon blacks is to render them highly adsorptive and also to give a rubber mix which cures faster and has a higher modulus. The reaction of carbon blacks with sulfur and zinc oxide in boiling xylene liberates a substance having accelerating properties in a pure gum mix.
Abductin: A Rubber-Like Protein from the Internal Triangular Hinge Ligament of Pecten

The rubber-like internal triangular hinge ligament from Pecten was studied by light and electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and chemical analysis. The ligament is composed of an amorphous protein, abductin. In physical properties abductin is similar to elastin and resilin but distinct by amino acid analysis. It is characterized by high concentrations of glycine and methionine.
Re-cinematography: Improving the camerawork of casual video

This article presents an approach to postprocessing casually captured videos to improve apparent camera movement. Re-cinematography transforms each frame of a video such that the video better follows cinematic conventions. The approach breaks a video into shorter segments. Segments of the source video where there is no intentional camera movement are made to appear as if the camera is completely static. For segments with camera motions, camera paths are keyframed automatically and interpolated with matrix logarithms to give velocity-profiled movements that appear intentional and directed. Closeups are inserted to provide compositional variety in otherwise uniform segments. The approach automatically balances the tradeoff between motion smoothness and distortion to the original imagery. Results from our prototype show improvements to poor quality home videos.
An artificial hysteresis binary neuron: a model suppressing the oscillatory behaviors of neural dynamics

A hysteresis binary McCulloch-Pitts neuron model is proposed in order to suppress the complicated oscillatory behaviors of neural dynamics. The artificial hysteresis binary neural network is used for scheduling time-multiplex crossbar switches in order to demonstrate the effects of hysteresis. Time-multiplex crossbar switching systems must control traffic on demand such that packet blocking probability and packet waiting time are minimized. The system using n×n processing elements solves an n×n crossbar-control problem with O(1) time, while the best existing parallel algorithm requires O(n) time. The hysteresis binary neural network maximizes the throughput of packets through a crossbar switch. The solution quality of our system does not degrade with the problem size.
The aetosaur Longosuchus from the Triassic of Morocco and its biochronological significance

Abstract Three incomplete dorsal lateral scutes from the Irohalene member of the Timesgadiouine Formation, Argana Group in the Essaouira basin of Morocco can be assigned to Longosuchus meadei (Sawin). This supports correlation of the vertebrate fossil assemblage of the Irohalene Member, which also includes Paleorhinus, Angistorhinus and Placerias, to the Otischalkian and Sanfordian land-vertebrate faunachrons of the North American Late Triassic. The Irohalene Member, therefore, is of Late Carnian (late Tuvalian) age.
Sulphur chelates 33. Preparation, characterization and x-ray structure determination of (chloro)(pentane-2,4-dithionato)(triethylphosphine)nickel(II), Ni(SacSac)(PEt3)Cl, an asymmetric complex which displays fluxional behavior in solution on the NMR time scale

Abstract The tittle compound has been prepared and characterized spectroscopically and by single-crystal X-ray crystallography (refined to R1 = 0.052, Rw = 0.064 with 1837 data having I > 3σ(I)). The dithioacetylacetonate (SacSac) methyl groups are NMR equivalent at room temperature, but can be resolved at temperatures below 288 K. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with a = 7.6107(3) A, b = 18.1466(28) A and c = 11.5270(5) A; β =98.459(3)°, V = 1574.12(25) A3, and Z = 4. The coordination about the nickel(II) is planar. Important nickelligand lengths are NiS (trans Cl) 2.108(2) A, NiS (trans P) 2.154(2) A, NiCl 2.206(2) A, NiP 2.232(2) A with angles SNiS 97.9(1)°, SNiCl 85.Cl 85.6(1)°, SNiP 91.4(1)° and ClNiP 85.2(1)°. Two of the triethylphosphine ethyl groups lie in a plane approximately normal to the rest of the molecule. The dithioacetylacetonate dimensions are similar to those in Ni(SacSac)2, although the chelate bite is smaller, and there may be some asymmetry in the CS bonding in Ni(SacSac)PEt3Cl. The molecules pack with their chelate rings approximately parallel.
Induction of helical liposomes by Ca2+-mediated intermembrane binding

Extensive freeze-fracture electron microscopic studies of Ca2+-containing mixtures of an acidic phospholipid (cardiolipin) and phosphatidylcholines1–5, have revealed certain replica features which have been interpreted as regions of membrane–membrane attachment3–5. Spin-label paramagnetic resonance spectra of mixtures of another acidic phospholipid (phosphatidylserine) and phosphatidylcholines have provided evidence for Ca2+-mediated lateral phase separations of the acidic phospholipids6–8, and their involvement in intermembrane binding7. We report here that in the presence of Ca2+, binary mixtures of cardiolipin and phosphatidylcholines readily form tightly folded single- and double-helical liposomes; we invoke membrane–membrane attachment to explain this phenomenon.
Role of DNA repair in ethyl methanesulfonate-induced mutagenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-induced reversion of two sites which revert preferentially by GC to AT transitions, cycl-131 and cycl-115, has been examined in readiation sensitive, rad, mutants of yeast belonging to the rad52 epistasis group. The rad50, rad51, rad52, rad54 and rad56 mutants showed reducted reversion of both tester sites when stationary phase diploid cells were treated with EMS. No correlation was found between EMS-induced reversion and EMS-induced homologous mitotic intragenic recombination. Survival of rad6 rad52 double mutants following EMS treatment indicates that there is one epistasis group for the repair of EMS-induced lethal damage in yeast. A model involving misrepair mutagenesis of specific lesions is proposed to account for the experimental results.
COUP-TFII mediates progesterone regulation of uterine implantation by controlling ER activity.

Progesterone and estrogen are critical regulators of uterine receptivity. To facilitate uterine remodeling for embryo attachment, estrogen activity in the uterine epithelia is attenuated by progesterone; however, the molecular mechanism by which this occurs is poorly defined. COUP-TFII (chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II; also known as NR2F2), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is highly expressed in the uterine stroma and its expression is regulated by the progesterone–Indian hedgehog–Patched signaling axis that emanates from the epithelium. To further assess COUP-TFII uterine function, a conditional COUP-TFII knockout mouse was generated. This mutant mouse is infertile due to implantation failure, in which both embryo attachment and uterine decidualization are impaired. Using this animal model, we have identified a novel genetic pathway in which BMP2 lies downstream of COUP-TFII. Epithelial progesterone-induced Indian hedgehog regulates stromal COUP-TFII, which in turn controls BMP2 to allow decidualization to manifest in vivo. Interestingly, enhanced epithelial estrogen activity, which impedes maturation of the receptive uterus, was clearly observed in the absence of stromal-derived COUP-TFII. This finding is consistent with the notion that progesterone exerts its control of implantation through uterine epithelial-stromal cross-talk and reveals that stromal-derived COUP-TFII is an essential mediator of this complex cross-communication pathway. This finding also provides a new signaling paradigm for steroid hormone regulation in female reproductive biology, with attendant implications for furthering our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie dysregulation of hormonal signaling in such human reproductive disorders as endometriosis and endometrial cancer.
Multiple equilibria and their stability in a baroclinic two-layer model

We examine a two-layer highly truncated channel model with topography to study multiple equilibria and to discuss their stability. We find that all the Charney-Straus multiple equilibria require meridional temperature gradients which are highly baroclinically unstable. After a detailed study we demonstrate that the flux of angular momentum from tropical latitudes is able to produce one equilibrium which is baroclinically stable (in the low-layer model). For low values of the external radiation heating the stationary topographically forced wave alone satisfies all the balances, while for larger values of the external radiation forcing the stationary topographically forced wave collaborates with shorter, more baroclinically unstable, moving, synoptic-scale waves.
Some Considerations of the Findings.

Blakers, A. L. Mathematical concepts of elementary measurement. SMSG Studies in Mathematics, Vol. 17. Stanford, California: School Mathematics Study Group, 1967. Fattu, N. The international math survey: A study marred by distorted publicity. Phi Delta Kappan, 1967, 48, 525-527. Hus6n, T. (Ed.) International study of achievement in mathematics: A comparison of twelve countries. New York/Stockholm: John Wiley/Almqvist & Wiksell, 1967. 2 vols. University of Chicago. "News release 67-72." Office of Public Relations, February 28, 1967. Willoughby, S. S. Who won the international contest? Arithmetic Teacher, 1968, 15, 623-629.
Detection of aqueous mercuric ion with a structurally simple 8-hydroxyquinoline derived ON-OFF fluorosensor.

Selective ON-OFF switching of an 8-hydroxyquinoline-derived fluorosensor was observed in the presence of Hg(II). The sensor can be easily synthesized in a straightforward two step procedure, allowing for determination of Hg(II) in pure unbuffered water. The detection limit of the sensor in water at 20 °C was determined to be 2.6 μM Hg(II).
A New Journal Helping to Shape the Future of Materials

Shape memory phenomenon refers to the exceptional quality of some materials which exhibit the ability to reverse deformation upon heating and cooling after inelastic deformation. Since most deformations beyond the yield strain are irrecoverable in materials, shape memory alloys’ characteristics are rather unusual. They have been exploited in many applications ranging from biomedical (stents) to automotive (actuators and sensing). The shape memory field has remained vibrant in several fronts in the last six decades starting with the work on Au–Cdand Cu-based alloys in the 1950s and subsequently the discovery of NiTi in the early 1960s. The discovery of the shape memory phenomenon in Fe-based alloys followed in the 1970s. More recently in the 1990s and 2000s, increasing emphasis on ferromagnetic shape memory (the NiMnGa and NiFeGa type), iron-based shape memory alloys (FeNiCoX variety), high-temperature shape memory alloys (NiTiHf/Pt/Pd), and potential biomedical alloys (TiNb type and others) followed. In addition, there are examples of polymers and ceramics exhibiting unusual shape memory characteristics as well. The field has been undergoing a renaissance in the last 10 years, which is evident through increased publication rates (more than 3,000 articles per year) and multiple symposia (exceeding ten) per year. This is partly because of intense intellectual curiosity surrounding these alloys exhibiting such unusual properties, the availability of more powerful experimental and computer tools, and the commercial importance of these alloys in the biomedical, aerospace, and other industries. In addition to the materials science and mechanics communities, the applied mathematics and applied physics communities have contributed to a sound fundamental knowledge in the field. Shape Memory and Superelasticity will therefore provide a natural home for papers from authors with diverse disciplinary backgrounds in engineering and sciences addressing shape memory phenomena. To elaborate further, new materials with exceptional properties have been discovered recently, adding to the repertoire of the well-known shape memory alloys. Researchers of these new materials have put out quality studies keeping the field advancing. These works emphasized both functional and mechanical properties of shape Huseyin Sehitoglu, Editor-in-Chief—Nyquist Chair, University of Illinois.
Metaphysics and Linguistic Analysis

A. J. Ayer's small and concise book, Language, Truth and Logic, first published in 1936, may be taken as an example of the above position. In keeping with that mood, he entitled the first chapter of his book "The Elimination of Metaphysics," claiming, with a sense of certainty, that "the traditional disputes of philosophers are, for the most part, as unwarranted as they are unfruitful."' In the closing words of that chapter, Ayer assumes that the death blow to metaphysics has been delivered:
Scholastic theology and the case against women's ordination

L'Eglise catholique s'oppose a l'ordination des femmes a la pretrise au moins dans deux documents: la declaration Inter insigniores de 1976 et la recente lettre apostolique de Jean-Paul II. Le premier document qui fait appel aux theologiens scolastiques medievaux permet a l'A. de porter un regard particulier sur trois theologiens interesses par la question de l'ordination des femmes: Bonaventure, Thomas d'Aquin et Duns Scot. Le probleme pose par l'A. est de savoir si la declaration fait un usage approprie de ces theologiens, quel role les scolastiques attribuent-ils a la reflexion theologique pour l'ordination des femmes, si l'inferiorite des femmes a contribue a leur opposition a cette ordination, quelles sont les differences entre les declarations papales et les scolastiques
Application of lithogeochemical methods in evaluating polymetal and tin ore shows

In geochemical prospecting, the ore potential of a deposit may be appraised by understanding its genetic type, character of primary and secondary halos, dispersion train, position of the erosion surface, and certain other indications, more efficiently than by means of the lithogeochemical reconnaissance on a costly dense grid. -- IGR Staff.
Effect of earth media on the seismic motion of embedded rigid structures

A finite element analysis is performed to determine the influence of the choice of a constitutive model for the earth medium upon the response to seismic waves of an embedded rigid structure. The seismic forcing function is characterized by Rayleigh waves with amplitude parameters adjusted to provide identical free-field motion at a surface reference point for one particular sand represented with elastic, plastic and viscoelastic models. Within the limitations of the analysis, the result is that the steady-state rigid body motions of the embedded structure are essentially identical for these constitutive relations and, consequently, it is appropriate to use an elastic representation for the earth medium.
Photically evoked responses in the visual system of rats exposed to continuous light

Abstract The influence of environmental light on the cyclicity of brain amines and neuroendocrine function of animals is most likely mediated through the retina and higher visual centers, and constant illumination modifies some aspects of this cyclicity. The photoreceptor cells in the retina of albino rats selectively degenerate after exposure to continuous, low intensity, fluorescent illumination at normal body and room temperatures, while cyclic light has no effect. Damage to the outer segments of these cells can be detected during the first 4 days of constant light exposure. By 14 days of exposure, most of the receptor cells are destroyed, especially in the posterior part of the retina. After 30 days of exposure, normal receptors are completely absent. The pigment cell layer and the innermost layers of the retina are not damaged by this treatment. The functional integrity of the visual system of rats with degenerated photoreceptors was assessed by examining the characteristics of photically evoked potentials in the optic tract, lateral geniculate nucleus, and visual cortex. Evoked responses in the visual system of rats that had been exposed to 4 days of light varied according to the recording site and were typically of low amplitude and had long latencies of onset. Only responses of low amplitude and with long latencies were recorded after 14 days of exposure, and no photically evoked potentials could be recorded from the optic tract and lateral geniculate nucleus. Similar responses were recorded in the visual system of rats exposed to 30 days of light, although, more commonly, no potentials could be evoked by flash stimuli. The limited retinal degeneration described, resulting from exposure of rats to low intensity illumination, provides a model for examining visual function in the absence of photoreceptor cells in the retina, but without apparent damage to other cellular components of the system.
A transect through a clastic-swamp to peat-swamp ecotone in the Springfield Coal, Middle Pennsylvanian age of Indiana, USA

Permineralized fossil plants in coal balls were collected along a kilometer transect through an organic-rich shale in the Springfield Coal in southwestern Indiana. The organic shale is an upper bench of the Springfield Coal in an area where the coal is split into an upper and lower bench by a complex system of clastics that originated as a splay. The clastic wedge, described as the Folsomville Member/Leslie Cemetery paleochannel, is up to 6 km wide and 15 m thick. The transect begins approximately 100 m from the edge of the clastic wedge that splits the coal seam and follows the upper bench of coal over and toward the center of the clastic wedge. The dominant elements of the vegetation were the lycopsid tree Paralycopodites brevifolius and several species of medullosan pteridosperms. This report confirms the ecotonal habitats of this vegetation.
Genome-Wide Influence of Indel Substitutions on Evolution of Bacteria of the PVC Superphylum, Revealed Using a Novel Computational Method

Whole-genome scans for positive Darwinian selection are widely used to detect evolution of genome novelty. Most approaches are based on evaluation of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitution rate ratio across evolutionary lineages. These methods are sensitive to saturation of synonymous sites and thus cannot be used to study evolution of distantly related organisms. In contrast, indels occur less frequently than amino acid replacements, accumulate more slowly, and can be employed to characterize evolution of diverged organisms. As indels are also subject to the forces of natural selection, they can generate functional changes through positive selection. Here, we present a new computational approach to detect selective constraints on indel substitutions at the whole-genome level for distantly related organisms. Our method is based on ancestral sequence reconstruction, takes into account the varying susceptibility of different types of secondary structure to indels, and according to simulation studies is conservative. We applied this newly developed framework to characterize the evolution of organisms of the Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia, Chlamydiae (PVC) bacterial superphylum. The superphylum contains organisms with unique cell biology, physiology, and diverse lifestyles. It includes bacteria with simple cell organization and more complex eukaryote-like compartmentalization. Lifestyles range from free-living organisms to obligate pathogens. In this study, we conduct a whole-genome level analysis of indel substitutions specific to evolutionary lineages of the PVC superphylum and found that indels evolved under positive selection on up to 12% of gene tree branches. We also analyzed possible functional consequences for several case studies of predicted indel events.