cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-amplitude elastic solitary wave propagation in 1-D granular chains with preconditioned beads: Experiments and theoretical analysis

Abstract Elastic solitary waves resulting from Hertzian contact in one-dimensional (1-D) granular chains have demonstrated promising properties for wave tailoring such as amplitude-dependent wave speed and acoustic band gap zones. However, as load increases, plasticity or other material nonlinearities significantly affect the contact behavior between particles and hence alter the elastic solitary wave formation. This restricts the possible exploitation of solitary wave properties to relatively low load levels (up to a few hundred Newtons). In this work, a method, which we term preconditioning, based on contact pre-yielding is implemented to increase the contact force elastic limit of metallic beads in contact and consequently enhance the ability of 1-D granular chains to sustain high-amplitude elastic solitary waves. Theoretical analyses of single particle deformation and of wave propagation in a 1-D chain under different preconditioning levels are presented, while a complementary experimental setup was developed to demonstrate such behavior in practice. The experimental results show that 1-D granular chains with preconditioned beads can sustain high amplitude (up to several kN peak force) solitary waves. The solitary wave speed is affected by both the wave amplitude and the preconditioning level, while the wave spatial wavelength is still close to 5 times the preconditioned bead size. Comparison between the theoretical and experimental results shows that the current theory can capture the effect of preconditioning level on the solitary wave speed.
Stability of 2-D causal digital filters using the residue theorem

In this correspondence stability of the 2-D causal digital filter is proven directly in terms of its inverse Z-transform. As a by-product one gets exponential bounds on the rate of convergence to zero of the filters impulse response. Using known transformations, these results may be extended to general 2-D recursive digital filters.
Prediction of poor mobilization of autologous CD34+ cells with growth factor in multiple myeloma patients: Implications for risk-stratification

Abstract It is unknown whether clinical characteristics can successfully predict which multiple myeloma (MM) patients would be poor mobilizers with growth factor (GF) alone so they can be assigned to mobilization with chemotherapy + GF or GF + plerixafor. MM patients (N = 477) who underwent autologous mobilization with GF were retrospectively reviewed and assigned into training and validation cohorts. In multiple regression analysis, age, platelet count at time of mobilization, type of GF utilized, and extent of exposure to lenalidomide independently correlated with peripheral blood (PB)-CD34+ and were integrated in a predicting score (PS) for poor mobilizers, defined as PB-CD34+
Inhibition by cyclosporin A of streptococcal cell wall‐induced arthritis and hepatic granulomas in rats

We investigated the effect of cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of T helper/inducer lymphocyte activation, on the development of streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis and hepatic granulomas in female LEW/N rats. Continuous daily treatment with cyclosporin A, begun either 24 hours before or 7-12 days after streptococcal cell wall administration and continued for 6 weeks, resulted in significant inhibition of the chronic proliferative, erosive synovitis and total inhibition of hepatic granuloma formation. When cyclosporin A was stopped at 6 weeks, its effects continued for at least another 5 weeks, demonstrating long-term benefit without continued administration of the drug. In contrast, therapy given only during the acute phases of the experimental disease (days 1-12) did not inhibit the development of chronic disease. Cyclosporin A had no apparent effects on streptococcal cell wall antigen distribution or persistence in tissues. These data provide additional evidence of an important role for the T helper/inducer lymphocyte in the experimental model and suggest that cyclosporin A may be a useful probe in defining molecular and cellular processes involved in chronic proliferative and erosive synovitis.
Parallel Implementation of the Quadratic Sieve

A new version of the Quadratic Sieve algorithm, used for factoring large integers, has recently emerged. The new algorithm, called the Multiple Polynomial Quadratic Sieve, not only considerably improves the original Quadratic Sieve but also adds features that ideally suit a parallel implementation. The parallel implementation used for the new algorithm, a novel remote batching system, is also described.
Researchers discover a way to simultaneously desalinate water, produce hydrogen and treat wastewater

Humans are constantly hunting for a sustainable supply of both fresh water and reusable energy. Water purification requires a lot of energy, while utility companies need large amounts of water for energy production. Their goal is to find a low-energy-required treatment technology. Researchers at the University of Colorado Denver, College of Engineering and Applied Science, say that they may have discovered the answer.
Variation in UVB sensitivity of planula larvae of the coral Agaricia agaricites along a depth gradient

The effects of natural intensities of ultraviolet A (UVA, 320 to 400 nm) and B (UVB, 280 to 320 nm) radiation on planktonic planula larvae of the reef-building coral Agaricia agaricites (Linnaeus) were investigated through field experiments. Survival, chlorophyll concentrations, and solubilized protein concentrations were determined for larvae spawned from colonies at 3 and 24 m depth and subjected to one of three light regimes at 3, 10, or 24 m depth for 72 h: PAR (photosynthetically active radiation, 40- to 700 nm) only, PAR+UVA, or PAR+UVA+UVB. At 3 m depth, larvae in the PAR+UVA+UVB treatment showed lower survivorship than larvae exposed to either PAR alone or PAR+UVA. Within the PAR+UVA+UVB treatment at 3 m depth, larvae from colonies at 24 m depth suffered higher mortality than those from 3 m. Differences in survivorship between larvae originating from 3 and 24 m depth corresponded with tissue concentrations of UVB-protective mycosporine-like amino acids: larvae from 3 m had higher concentrations of mycosporine-glycine (λmax=310nm) and palythine (λmax=320nm) than those from 24 m depth. Chlorophyll concentrations were inversely correlated with PAR intensities, but variation in this parameter did not appear to be detrimental. These results show that sensitivity to high intensities of UVB radiation may affect survival of A. agaricites larvae in shallow reef-waters.
PREDICTIONS OF PROTEIN BACKBONE BOND DISTANCES AND ANGLES FROM FIRST PRINCIPLES

A procedure is described, based on a spline-function representation of ab initio peptide conformational geometry maps, that allows one to predict backbone bond distances and angles of proteins as functions of the peptide ϕ(N-Cα)/Ψ(Cα-C′) torsions with an accuracy comparable to that of high-resolution protein crystallography. For example, for the more than 40 residues of crambin, the rms deviation between predicted and crystallographic values of N-Cα-C′ is 1.9° for the 1.5 A resolution structure and 1.9° for the 0.83 A resolution structure, compared with angle variations of < 10°. Accurate information on protein backbone geometries is important for establishing dictionaries of flexible geometry functions for use in empirical peptide and protein modeling. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Assessment of Organizational Mindfulness Processes for the Effective Assimilation of IT Innovations

Organizations deploy information technology (IT) in an effort to improve their decision-making and action capabilities. However, few organizations are fully successful in their efforts to assimilat...
Induction Linear Accelerators and Their Applications

A growing number of applications of particle accelerators require combinations of beam current, beam energy, and beam quality which are not readily achieved with conventional types of particle accelerators. Induction linear accelerators promise to fill some of these needs. A general description is presented of linear induction accelerator principles, various types of linear induction accelerators and their status, and possible future developments.
Adolescent use of complementary therapies.

Abstract Purpose Interest in alternative/complementary therapies (A/CTs) is on the rise, yet little is known about adolescents' use of A/CTs. The study purpose was to examine A/CT utilization patterns among a clinic-based sample of adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 401 adolescents, aged 12–18 years, was conducted in one Midwest urban adolescent ambulatory clinic in 2002. Results Overall, 68.1% of the adolescents reported using one or more A/CT; most commonly, herbal medicines (27.2%), massage therapy (26.7%), and megavitamins (21.7%). Use by friends and family was the primary influence for adolescent A/CT use; lack of familiarity was the greatest reason for nonuse (53.9%). Alleviation of physical pain (66.3%) was the most common desired health outcome. Few adolescents (13.8%) disclosed A/CT use to their health care providers. Insurance coverage was provided for 10.2% of the therapies and out-of-pocket costs averaged $67/month. Age, race/ethnicity, having a health condition, taking medications, health responsibility, and work status were associated with overall A/CT use in bivariate analyses. Of these, only associations between A/CT use and race/ethnicity and health responsibility remained statistically significant after adjusting for the other variables. Conclusions Use of A/CTs was common among these adolescents, yet very few disclosed their use to health care providers. Providers must ask about A/CT use to gain a more complete understanding of health practices among adolescents in clinical settings. Future research is needed to better understand representative patterns of A/CT use.
The medical and psychosocial needs of children entering foster care

The estimated three to four hundred thousand children in foster care represent a population at high risk for medical and psychosocial problems. Their problems are compounded by the lack of adequate resources available to them while in foster care. This study provided a medical and psychosocial screening of 149 abused and neglected children entering the foster care system. The goal was to generate a profile of the medical and psychosocial needs of children entering the foster care system as a first step toward development of a better health care delivery system. Results indicated that these children have a much greater incidence of chronic medical conditions, are likely to weigh significantly less and be significantly shorter than the general population, require significant amounts of medical sub-specialty care, have a high incidence of developmental delays, and major deficits in adaptive behavior and have a large number of behavioral problems often associated with psychiatric disorders. Results are discussed in terms of the development of a regional model to effectively manage the health care needs of children entering foster care.
SELECTIVE LOSS OF BLOOD GROUP ANTIGENS DURING WOUND HEALING

Frozen sections of healing wounds of the oral mucosa of 3 rhesus monkeys were examined by a double layer immunofluorescent technic for the presence of blood group B-like antigens. Antigen activity was present in normal epithelium and in the epithelial outgrowth into the wounds but was absent from the outgrowth following treatment with lipid solvents. This finding suggests that glycoprotein but not glycolipid associated antigen is lost from the surface of epithelial cells during wound healing, a pattern of selective loss which may reflect a difference between regenerative and neoplastic lesions.
Seasonal cycles of temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen observed in the Hawaii Ocean Time-series

Abstract Profiles of temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen observed during the first 5 years of the Hawaii Ocean Time-series (HOT) were fit with annual and semi-annual harmonics to describe the annual variation of water mass properties in the North Pacific subtropical gyre. The fit was made to data on pressure and density surfaces. Generally, there are three areas in the water column where the fit is best, one near the surface, another near 500 m/26.6 σ φ and a third at about 800 m/27.2 σ φ . For temperature, the fit is best within 120 m of the surface, as the surface layer warms and cools with the local seasonal forcing. Minimum surface temperature is in mid-March, while minimum temperature at 100 m is in mid-May. For salinity, the most significant seasonal cycle is found in the core of the North Pacific Intermediate Water near 500 m. This seasonal cycle is associated with oscillations in the salinity of the main salinity minimum of 50 mpsu, with vertical displacements of the salinity minimum of 40 m. For oxygen, the most significant fits are at the surface and in the Antarctic Intermediate Water oxygen minimum near 800 m, where vertical displacements of the oxygen minimum of 25 m and variations of 2 μM kg −1 were observed. Examination of the residuals left after removing the annual cycle indicates that the remaining variability generally has timescales of less than 6 months with little interannual variability. The exception to this is in the near-surface waters, where larger interannual variability is observed. Residuals show strong vertical coherence as non-seasonal variation tend to extend throughout a large portion of the water column.
Coarse woody debris as a refuge from predation in aquatic communities : An experimental test.

This study demonstrates experimentally that coarse woody debris (CWD) can provide refuge from predation in aquatic habitats. In the Rhode River subestuary of Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, (USA), we (1) measured the abundance of CWD, (2) examined the utilization of CWD by mobile epibenthic fish and crustaceans, and (3) tested experimentally the value of CWD as a refuge from predation. CWD was the dominant above-bottom physical structure in shallow water, ranging in size from small branches ( 50 cm diameter). In response to experimental additions of CWD, densities of common epibenthic cpecies (Callinectes sapidus, Fundulus heteroclitus, Fundulus majalis, Gobiosoma bosc, Gobiesox strumosus, Palaemonetes pugio, and Rithropanopeus harrisii) increased significantly compared to control sites without CWD. In laboratory experiments, grass shrimp (P. pugio) responded to predatory fish (F. heteroclitus and Micropogonias undulatus) by utilizing shelter at CWD more frequently than in absence of fish. Access to CWD increased survivorship of grass shrimp in laboratory and field experiments. These experimental results (1) support the hypothesis, commonly proposed but untested for freshwater habitats, that CWD can provide a refuge from predation for epibenthic fish and invertebrates and (2) extend the recognized functional importance of CWD in freshwater to estuarine and marine communities. We hypothesize that CWD is an especially important refuge habitat in the many estuarine and freshwater systems for which alternative physical structure (e.g., vegetation or oyster reefs) are absent or in low abundance.
Origins of friction and wear of the thin metallic layer of metal evaporated magnetic tape

The origins of friction and wear of the thin metallic layer of metal evaporated (ME) magnetic tapes were determined at an asperity level using a modified commercial video cassette recorder (VCR) as a tape transport, magnetometer and tribometer. The VCR was instrumented to measure friction force between the rotary heads and tape, head-to-tape spacing to nanometer vertical resolution, and sub-microsecond duration signal dropouts caused by loose wear debris particles in the head-to-tape contact interface. ME tapes with various surface texture and the same lubricant thickness were studied, as well as tapes with various lubricant thickness and the same surface texture. To measure the very subtle origins of wear, tapes were recorded and then played back only one time, and surface topography was measured with an atomic force microscope to see if the tapes were worn. For fixed asperity size, increased asperity areal density or more numerous asperities reduced the plastic deformation that was observed at low asperity areal densities. Having more asperities increases the load bearing area near the highest point on the tape. This prevents high strain and associated plastic deformation of high asperities. Thus, spreading the load over more asperities reduces plastic deformation, and deformation becomes primarily elastic. Tapes that exhibited plastic deformation had higher friction force than the tape that exhibited elastic deformation. A simple model was developed which suggests that high friction force is not due to the energy required to plastically deform the asperities, but arises from high real area of contact during sliding for the tapes that plastically deform which is consistent with plasticity theory in the presence of a tangential force. Tapes that plastically deform do not exhibit higher signal dropout frequencies, and this implies that plastic deformation is not associated with loose wear debris particle formation. For smooth tapes with high isolated asperities, cohesive material failure of asperities due to shear stress brought on by friction force resulted in loose wear debris generation, high plowing component to friction force and interface instability. A thicker lubricant layer reduced friction force by reducing the shear strength of adhesive contact junctions.
Stromal Expression of Fibroblast Activation Protein Alpha (FAP) Predicts Platinum Resistance and Shorter Recurrence in patients with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

The microenvironment plays an important role in tumorigenesis. Fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP) is overexpressed by fibroblasts present in the microenvironment of many tumors. High FAP expression is a negative prognostic factor in several malignancies, but this has not been investigated in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The aim of this study is to define the value of FAP in EOC. Immunohistochemical staining using an anti-FAP antibody was performed on 338 EOC tissues. mRNA levels in cancer cell lines and FAP silencing using siRNA was also done. FAP immunoexpression by tumor stroma was a significant predictive factor for platinum resistance (p = 0.0154). In survival analysis of days to recurrence, FAP stoma (+) was associated with shorter recurrence than those with FAP (-) stroma (p = 0.0247). In 21.8 % of tumors, FAP protein was expressed by the tumor epithelium, and FAP mRNA was more highly expressed in tumors (n = 489) than in normal tissues (n = 8) (p = 3.88 × 10(-4)). In vitro, addition of FAP to EOC cells induced a 10-12 % increase in cell viability both in the presence and absence of cisplatin. Conversely, siRNA silencing of FAP resulted in ~10 % reduction in EOC cell proliferation. We have shown that FAP expression in EOC is associated with poorer clinical outcomes. FAP may have novel cell-autonomous effects suggesting that targeting FAP could have pleiotropic anti-tumor effects, and anti-FAP therapy could be a highly effective novel treatment for EOC, especially in cisplatinum-resistant cases.
BimC motor protein KLP61F cycles between mitotic spindles and fusomes in Drosophila germ cells

KLP61F in Drosophila is a member of the BimC family of kinesins and, as for other family members [1], is required for spindle assembly [2] [3]. KLP61F is a bipolar homotetramer that cross-links spindle microtubules [4]. It is not known, however, whether the function of KLP61F is dedicated to mitosis or whether KLP61F interacts exclusively with microtubules. Previous work suggested that KLP61F functions during interphase in proliferating germ cells [3]. Cytokinesis is incomplete in germ cells and a branched cortical structure known as a fusome extrudes through intercellular bridges called ring canals. Here I show that, in germ cells, KLP61F cycles between spindles during mitosis and fusomes during interphase. Inspection of fusome-deficient hu-li tai shao (hts) mutants indicated that KLP61F gains fusome-dependent interactions near telophase that mediate its incorporation into these structures. KLP61F proved to be maintained in fusomes by microtubule-independent, detergent-resistant interactions. Inspection of KLP61F mutants indicated that KLP61F is required to recruit fusome material to spindle midbodies near telophase and for normal fusome organization. These observations suggest that KLP61F is bifunctional in germ cells, with microtubule-dependent functions in spindle assembly and microtubule-independent functions in fusome organization. Cytological analyses with antibodies against phosphorylated Eg5 peptide [4] suggest that cycling of KLP61F might reflect phosphorylation.
Copper absorption, endogenous excretion, and distribution in Sprague-Dawley and lean (Fa/Fa) Zucker rats.

We previously observed a rapid reduction in plasma ceruloplasmin activity in lean Zucker (Fa/Fa) rats fed a marginal copper (Cu)-deficient diet compared to similarly fed obese Zucker (fa/fa) and lean Sprague-Dawley rats. In an effort to understand the mechanisms underlying this response, we utilized the isotope dilution method to investigate the absorption and excretion of Cu in lean Zucker rats fed control and marginal Cu diets. Sprague-Dawley (SD) and homozygous lean Zucker rats were fed either a Cu-adequate (Cont; 7.5 μg Cu/g diet) or a low Cu (Low; 1.1 μg Cu/g diet) casein-based diet for 23 d. Two weeks following initiation of the dietary treatment, each rat was injected intramuscularly (im) with 11.2 μCi of67Cu. Urine and feces were collected daily. On the 9th d following isotope injection, rats were killed and tissues collected. Significant dietary effects were observed in the relative absorption and endogenous fecal excretion of67Cu. The tissue distributions of nonisotopic Cu and67Cu activity were also different between dietary treatments. Tissues from rats fed the low-Cu diet typically had high concentrations of67Cu and low concentrations of nonisotopic Cu compared to controls. An increase in relative67Cu absorption was evident for rats fed the low-Cu diet (57.2 and 39.3%, for SD Low, Zucker Low, respectively, and 17.9, and 28.5% SD Cont and Zucker Cont, respectively). Rats fed the low-Cu diet also had reductions in endogenous fecal excretion of67Cu compared to their respective controls. Although strain effects were not evident for either percent Cu absorption or endogenous fecal Cu excretion, the relative adaptive changes appeared more marked for the Sprague-Dawley rats compared to the lean Zucker rats.
Can Reoperative Surgery Be Profitable? Maximizing Reimbursement

It is interesting to review the topic of reoperative surgery from the aspect of cost-effectiveness or, worse yet, profitability for either the institution or surgeon. The majority of the published material focuses on indications, risk factors, and short- and long-term outcomes. The context of the discussion is framed by the question “Can you make money doing reoperative surgery?” The short answer is that if this is all you do, probably not. Few, if any, publications assess the impact a redo procedure has on the factors that directly affect the fee schedule: surgeon time consumption (intraoperative and postoperative), stress (physical and psychological), and malpractice effects. Far more work needs to be done to understand the cost and resource consumption effects of major reoperative surgery.
In Vitro Uptake and Therapeutic Application of Liposome-encapsulated Methotrexate in Mouse Hepatoma 129'

Abstract The biological activities of liposome-encapsulated and non-encapsulated methotrexate (MTX) were compared in vitro and in vivo using mouse Hepatoma 129 ascites tumor cells. Under in vitro conditions, cells accumulated up to 29% of [3H]-MTX when the drug was incorporated in the lipid bilayers of positively charged, unilamellar liposomes. There was no significant uptake of non-encapsulated MTX under the same conditions. A single intraperitoneal injection of liposome-encapsulated MTX (3 mg MTX/ kg ) increased the mean survival time of tumor-bearing mice to 42.5 ± 11.2 days , compared to 23.5 ± 2.2 days for untreated controls. Non-encapsulated MTX had no significant effect on survival time. Thus the in vivo treatment studies appear to agree with the in vitro uptake measurements. Addition of galactolipids to the lipid bilayers of liposomes did not increase in vitro uptake of encapsulated MTX and gave no additional improvement in therapeutic effectiveness. Encapsulation of MTX in liposomes might thus be used to increase uptake of the drug in cells which may be deficient in MTX transport.
Cytodifferentiation and alkaloid accumulation in cultured cells of Papaver bracteatum

Cultured Papaver bracteatum cells accumulate large amounts of dopamine (0.1–4 mg/g fresh wt.) and much lower levels of the alkaloids, thebaine (0–6 μg/g fresh wt.) and sanguinarine (10–500 μg/g fresh wt.). Upon removal of hormone from their culture media, organogenesis and an elevation in morphinan alkaloid concentration were observed. Light and electron microscopic studies reveal that a correlation exists between the appearance of laticifer-like cells and thebaine in these cells.
Validation of the use of the lipophilic thiocyanate anion for the determination of membrane potential in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

The utility of the lipophilic anion thiocyanate (SCN+) as a probe for the indirect estimation of the cell membrane potential (Vm) in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells has been evaluated by comparison to direct electrophysiological measurements. SCN accumulation is consisten with first-order uptake into a single kinetically-identifiable cellular compartement, achieving steadystate distribution in 20–30 min at 22°C. The steady-state distribution ratio ([SCN−]c/[SCN−]e) in physiological saline is 0.44±0.02. Treatment of the cells with proparanolol (0.13 mM), an activator of Ca2+ dependent K+ channels, reduces the steady-state distribution ratio to 0.19±0.02. Conversely, treatmetn with BACl2 (10 mM), an antagonist of the pathway, increases the SCN− distribution ratio to 0.62±0.01. The equilibrium potentials (VSCN) calculated under these conditions are virtually identical to direct electrophysiological measurements of theVm made under the same conditions. The effect of varing extracellular [K+]([K+]e) in the presence of constant [Na+]e=100 mM has also been tested. In control cells, elevation of [K+]e from 6 to 60 mM reducesVSCN from −20.6±1.0 to −13.2±1.2 mV. Again, microelectrode measurements give excellent quantitative agreement. Propranolol increases the sensitivity of the cells to varying [K+]e, so that a 10-fold elevation reducesVSCN by approximately 31 mV. BaCl2 greatly reduces this reponse: a 10-fold elevation in [K+]e yielding only a 4-mV rediction inVSCN. It is concluded that the membrane potential of Ehrlich cells can be estimated accurately from SCN− distribution measurements.
Cyclic AMP-dependent and independent protein kinase phosphorylation of canine cardiac myosin light chains.

Myosin was isolated from purified cardiac myofibrils and characterized for K + -ATPase and Ca 2+ -ATPase activities. The light chain (LC) fraction was obtained by exposing myosin to pH 11.5 followed by (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 fractionation. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) gel electrophoresis revealed two components with molecular weights of 30 000 (LC 1 ) and 20 000 (LC 2 ) daltons. No detectable cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity was found. Cyclic AMP markedly stimulated phosphorylation of the myosin light chain fraction in the presence of added protein kinase. Alkaline phosphatase dephosphorylated the phosphorylated light chains. LC 2 was phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.
Periodic Nanotemplating by Selective Deposition of Electroless Gold Island Films on Particle-Lithographed Dimethyldichlorosilane Layers

Uniform hexagonal arrays of diverse nanotemplated metal structures were formed via selective electroless gold plating on particle-lithographed dimethyldichlorosilane layers. Surface-associated water at silica bead interstices was shown to correlate with the formation of silane rings with outer ring diameters ranging from 522.5 ± 29.7 to 1116.9 ± 52.6 nm and/or spherical gold nanoparticles with diameters from 145.5 ± 20.2 to 389.1 ± 51.1 nm in the array. Reproducibility and millimeter-size scalability of the array were achieved without the need for expensive and sophisticated lithography or metal deposition equipment. The formation of each structure was explained on the basis of the silanization mechanism and microscopic characterization, as well as dimensional analysis of the nanostructures. This new, facile, and versatile method enables fine fabrication of regular metal nanoparticle array platforms to improve optical and plasmonic features in nanoelectronics and nanophotonic devices.
Mechanism of Inhibition of Cyclic Nucleotide–Gated Channel by Protein Tyrosine Kinase Probed with Genistein

Rod cyclic nucleotide–gated (CNG) channels are modulated by changes in tyrosine phosphorylation catalyzed by protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and phosphatases (PTPs). We used genistein, a PTK inhibitor, to probe the interaction between the channel and PTKs. Previously, we found that in addition to inhibiting tyrosine phosphorylation of the rod CNG channel α-subunit (RETα), genistein triggers a noncatalytic inhibitory interaction between the PTK and the channel. These studies suggest that PTKs affects RETα channels in two ways: (1) by catalyzing phosphorylation of the channel protein, and (2) by allosterically regulating channel activation. Here, we study the mechanism of noncatalytic inhibition. We find that noncatalytic inhibition follows the same activity dependence pattern as catalytic modulation (phosphorylation): the efficacy and apparent affinity of genistein inhibition are much higher for closed than for fully activated channels. Association rates with the genistein–PTK complex were similar for closed and fully activated channels and independent of genistein concentration. Dissociation rates were 100 times slower for closed channels, which is consistent with a much higher affinity for genistein–PTK. Genistein–PTK affects channel gating, but not single channel conductance or the number of active channels. By analyzing single channel gating during genistein–PTK dissociation, we determined the maximal open probability for normal and genistein–PTK-bound channels. genistein–PTK decreases open probability by increasing the free energy required for opening, making opening dramatically less favorable. Ni2+, which potentiates RETα channel gating, partially relieves genistein inhibition, possibly by disrupting the association between the genistein–PTK and the channel. Studies on chimeric channels containing portions of RETα, which exhibits genistein inhibition, and the rat olfactory CNG channel α-subunit, which does not, reveals that a domain containing S6 and flanking regions is the crucial for genistein inhibition and may constitute the genistein–PTK binding site. Thus, genistein–PTK stabilizes the closed state of the channel by interacting with portions of the channel that participate in gating.
The Methanol·Trimethylamine Complex: Structure and Large Amplitude Motions

Abstract Rotational transitions were measured for the methanol·trimethylamine (methanol·TMA) complex and four of its isotopomers, using Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. A partial analysis of the spectrum revealed that both the TMA subunit and the methyl group in methanol undergo hindered internal rotations. The rotational transitions associated with the ground torsional state of TMA and the two lowest A and E states of methanol were assigned and fit. A simplified two-top torsion–rotation Hamiltonian was used in the analysis. From the fitted parameters, a nearly linear hydrogen-bonded structure was obtained for the complex. The N···H distance was determined as 1.92 A. The TMA symmetry axis was found to be tilted 5.5° from the N···H hydrogen bond. The apparent methyl group torsional barrier height (in methanol) was determined to be 174 ± 10 cm −1 , from which the OH bending potential barrier height was estimated to be 1178 ± 200 cm −1 . The potential barrier that hinders the TMA internal rotation was estimated as 32 ± 5 cm −1 . The dipole moment of the complex was μ T = 2.87 ± 0.15 D . Comparison of the hydrogen bond strength of this complex with some related methanol complexes was made using hydrogen bond lengths and the apparent methyl torsional barrier heights.
Interviewing Successfully for Academic Positions: A Framework for Candidates for Asking Questions during the Interview Process

Although curriculum vitae, cover letters, and recommendations are essential aspects that typically determine whether the candidate will be invited for interview, the on-site interview typically is the final determining factor in the selection process. Hence, during the interview process, candidates should convey not only academic/professional strengths but also collegiality in an appropriate manner. Asking appropriate questions during academic interviews is essential in that it allows applicants to detect what is expected from departments or units and also provides applicants with valuable information to assess the best fit. However, an extensive review of the literature revealed no work that discussed explicitly the types of questions that interview candidates should pose. Thus, the major purpose of this article is to provide a framework for candidates who seek academic positions for asking questions during the interview process. In particular, typologies of interview questions are provided. Additionally, numerous questions are presented that are classified as being related to teaching, research, and service. Further, these questions are sub-divided into questions for search committee members, the department chairperson/unit leader, dean, and vice president/provost. Although the list is by no means exhaustive, it is hoped that it will help candidates view the academic interview as a two-way process in which both parties assume the joint role of interviewer and interviewee.
PRODUCTION AND BLEACHING OF COLOR CENTERS IN X-RAYED ALKALI HALIDE CRYSTALS

The x-ray production and optical and thermal bleaching of color centers in NaCl and LiF have been studied quantitatively in regions of substantially uniform concentration, by making optical absorption measurements in a direction perpendicular to the axis along which the crystals were x-rayed. At room temperature $F$ center growth rate for short x-ray exposures is found to be proportional to the rate of absorption of x-rays. For long exposures the rate of growth of the $F$ band increases greatly near the x-rayed surface. Large $M$ band growth accompanies this increased $F$ band growth. The rate of bleaching of $F$ centers by $F$ light in NaCl has been studied at room temperature for low concentrations where the light absorption is nearly uniform along the light path. Differential equations describing the rates of excitation of $F$ center electrons to the conduction band and the trapping of conduction electrons by negative ion vacancies and holes have been integrated under special conditions. The results are found to be consistent with the experimental data. The rate of thermal bleaching of $F$ centers in NaCl has been studied at temperatures up to 150\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. It has not been found possible to analyze the data in terms of a mechanism involving trapping of conduction electrons by negative ion vacancies and holes. The results of several qualitative experiments to investigate the possible formation of vacancies during x-raying are presented.
Cash Value of the Dairy Cow Predicted from Net Income over Remaining Herd Life

Abstract For decisions involving the purchase of dairy cattle, cow cash value can be defined as net income over remaining herd life plus terminal salvage value. Cow net income per month was predicted from income curves, and life expectancy was estimated using standard life table techniques. Estimates of cow net income per month over 13 calvings were calculated for cows with 27 combinations of cow characteristics (including parity, stage of lactation, fertility, producing ability, salvage value, and health problems) in combination with nine milk and feed prices. Remaining herd life was estimated for each cow parity, pregnancy status, and stage of lactation. For each parity, lactation stage, and pregnancy status combination, appropriate estimates of cow net income per month over estimated remaining herd life were discounted to the cow's present age, summed, and added to a terminal cow salvage value. These observations of cow cash value were analyzed by regression analysis. Parity, producing ability, and milk price had the most effect on cash value. Cash value was highest at freshening in second lactation with a consistent pattern of change after calving in all parities. Prediction equations can estimate the maximum price or depreciation for a particular animal and the relative values of different animals.
Hemispheric specialization displayed by man but not macaques for analysis of faces

Six macaques and 20 right-handed human subjects, given identical test material, were asked to choose which of two composites, one consisting entirely of the left half of a monkey or a human face, the other of the right half, appeared most like the normal face. Confirming observations of others, the group of human subjects selected the right-half composite of the face (i.e. the left-half composite of the photograph) 68% of the time, thereby demonstrating a highly significant (P less than 0.01) bias in favor of the left visual field (right hemisphere). No such bias was present when human subjects viewed faces of monkeys, despite the fact that according to limited measurements, the faces of both species are asymmetrical. And most important, the macaques exhibited no consistent bias with either monkey or human faces. On the other hand, the monkeys did respond emotionally to these colored facial images, but not to scenery, when first presented. Also, like man, they found inverted faces but not scenery more difficult to identify than when right side up. Thus, the monkeys responded emotionally and perceptually to these images as faces, yet, unlike the human observers, displayed no hemispheric preference in making their analysis.
Herpesvirus salmonis: pathological changes in parenterally-infected rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, fry

Abstract. After fry of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, had been infected parenterally with Herpesvirus salmonis, moribund or freshly dead specimens were examined histopathologically. The virus produced a generalized infection, the first signs of which appeared after 2–3 weeks. Visceral and respiratory organs and the heart showed major pathological changes, and pancreatic syncytia were judged to be pathognomonic. Kidneys were prime targets for the virus and showed the highest levels of infectivity; lesser amounts of virus were present in the stomach, liver, and intestine. The virus did not spread by contact to produce clinical disease nor could disease or viral replication be induced by parenteral inoculation of yearling Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum).
The effects of indomethacin and hemorrhage on splanchnic blood flow

The role of prostaglandins in regulating splanchnic blood flow during hemorrhage has been investigated in the anesthesized dog using the microsphere technique. Indomethacin selectively decreased blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract, but did not change hepatic arterial flow. Hemorrhage (5 ml/kg and 10 ml/kg) generally increased peripheral resistance in the gastrointestinal tract as much as total peripheral resistance was increased. However, resistance in the stomach and pancreas increased to a greater extent while there was no change in hepatic arterial resistance. The effect of hemorrhage on splanchnic blood flow distribution was not changed by prior indomethacin treatment. Thus, prostaglandins contribute to the regulation of basal flow to the gastrointestinal tract but are not involved in regulatory changes in splanchnic blood flow during hemorrhage. The enhanced sensitivity of the gastric and pancreatic vascular beds to hemorrhage may contribute to local toxicity during hemorrhage.
LFA-1: more than just T cell Velcro.

The LFA-1 integrin is known to mediate adhesion between T cells and antigen-presenting cells. New evidence, however, is provided for its role in transmitting signals that promote T cell activation and differentiation.
Charles L. Dodgson's geometric approach to arctangent relations for Pi

Approximating π and attempting to square the circle have a long and interesting history. In 1875, C.L. Dodgson began work on a computationally simple approximation method for would-be circle squarers that would convince them of the futility of their attempts. Relating the earlier geometric and the newer analytic approaches in a practical way, this method produces an accurate approximation for π efficiently.
Inside the Picture, Outside the Frame: Semiotics and the Reading of Wordless Picture Books

Abstract The Publishing world has witnessed a proliferation of wordless children's books during the past 40 years. Books in this genre offer young readers invitations to transact with a whole system of images as they navigate these texts. Using a semiotic framework, this study focuses on three children's readings of wordless picture books and explores the ways in which they assign meaning to a variety of visual signs and cues. The data indicate that the children make sense of wordless picture books by using sense-making processes similar to those used in the reading of print-based texts. Specifically, they construct meaning through the use of prior knowledge and experiences, attention to intertextual cues, multiple perspective-taking, reliance upon story language and rituals, and the implementation of active, playful behaviors as part of the reading process.
Convexity argument for monotone potential operators and its application

Modelling of many applied problems leads to the nonlinear equations elliptic type with monotone potential operators [6, 11]. Some methods have been developed for di erent classes of nonlinear operators to study such qualitative questions as existence, uniqueness, linearization of the nonlinear operator and convergence of an approximate solution [2, 7, 11]. In some cases it is possible to construct an abstract iteration technique for linearization of the nonlinear operator and to prove the convergence of an approximate solution. In this paper we prove an abstract iterative scheme for monotone potential operators by using the convexity argument. Note that in the literature di erent convexity arguments (or inequalities) have been applied to problems of mathematical physics [14]. In particular, in [9, 10] the logarithmic convexity argument was used to establish continuous dependence on the initial data for the Cauchy problem. The convexity argument introduced here is used as a su cient condition for the convergence of the abstract iteration scheme for monotone potential operators. Then using the result the convergence of the iteration scheme is proved for concrete nonlinear problems. The paper is organized as follows. In Section 2, we introduce the functional inequality which is called the convexity argument. Then we consider an abstract operator equation and by using the argument we prove the strong convergence of the iteration
Alcohol and morphine induced hypothermia in mice selected for sensitivity to ethanol

We have used changes in body temperature as an index of responsiveness to alcohol and morphine in mice selectively bred for differential sensitivity to ethanol. In agreement with other laboratories, we found that mice which show longer duration of loss of righting reflex following hypnotic doses of ethanol (long sleep; LS) also showed greater loss in body temperature following subhypnotic doses of ethanol than did the less sensitive short sleep (SS) mice. This effect was dose dependent in both lines. In contrast, SS mice were more sensitive than LS mice to the hypothermic effects of morphine, although the difference was only evident 30 min after morphine administration. Naloxone attenuated morphine induced hypothermia in mice of both genotypes, but attenuated alcohol induced hypothermia only in SS mice. Thus, SS mice may be more sensitive to an opiate agonist and an antagonist, at least as indexed by changes in body temperature, and may prove to be a useful population for evaluating both alcohol-opiate interactions and genetic differences in opiate responsiveness.
Electrospun scaffold topography affects endothelial cell proliferation, metabolic activity, and morphology

A family of methacrylic terpolymer biomaterials was electrospun into three-dimensional fibrous scaffolds. The glass transition temperature of the polymer correlates with the morphology of the resulting scaffold. Glassy materials produce scaffolds with discrete fibers and a high percent void space (84%) while the rubbery materials produced scaffolds with fused fibers and a much lower percent void space (18%). By electrospinning onto a rotating mandrel, aligned fiber scaffolds were fabricated, and it was shown that controlling the rotation speed of the collector allowed for control over the degree of fiber alignment. The electrospinning was shown to not degrade the number average molecular weight of the polymer chains. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were seeded onto the electrospun scaffolds under static conditions and it was found that the morphology of the scaffold controlled the cellular proliferation, the metabolic activity, and the morphology of adherent cells. In particular, HUVECs seeded onto low void space scaffolds exhibited enhanced cellular spreading, enzymatic activity, and proliferation. HUVECs seeded onto aligned fiber scaffolds did not demonstrate increased proliferation; however, the cells did organize themselves in the direction of fiber alignment resulting in cells with elongated morphology.
Some implications of the virial theorem for molecular force fields

Abstract Using two alternative integral forms of the virial theorem, the simple equality ∫ ∞ o [ T (∞) − T ( sQ )] ds = − V nn ( Q ) is derived, where T and V nn represent respectively the kinetic and nuclear—nuclear contributions to the Born—Oppenheimer potential, s is a scale factor, and Q stands for nuclear coordinates. Illustrations for H 2 and H + 2 are given and consequences for molecular systems having the same nuclear framework are discussed. Use of the above equation as an overall criterion of the fulfilment of the virial theorem within the ab initio and well-behaved model kinetic fields is suggested.
Thermal desorption of H2 and CO on Pt/TiO2

Thermal desorption of D2 from oxidized titanium surfaces, covered with various amounts of platinum, shows no detectable irreversible adsorption for up to three monolayers of Pt when the substrate temperature is 130 K. Twelve monolayers of Pt give a substrate that adsorbs significant amounts of both CO and H2.