cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-resolution spectroscopy of the 16-μm bending fundamental of CF4☆

Abstract The 16-μm bending fundamentals ( ν 4 ) of 12 CF 4 , 13 CF 4 , and 14 CF 4 have been observed at Doppler-limited resolution using a tunable PbSnSe semiconductor diode laser. The tetrahedral splittings of the rotational manifolds have been observed in all three branches, and in particular the dense and partially overlapping transitions in the Q branches have been resolved and assigned. A least-squares fit of the Hamiltonian, including off-diagonal terms, yielded five scalar and three tensor spectroscopic constants for each of the three isotopes. From these constants the upper-state rotational constant B 4 and the Coriolis constant ζ 4 have been calculated, together with some of the other molecular constants. An absorption feature at about 0.18 cm −1 to the red of the main Q branch of each isotopic species has been identified as the Q branch of ( ν 2 + ν 4 ) − ν 2 , which is the transition that lases when CF 4 is pumped by a CO 2 laser at 9.4 μm (i.e., in ν 2 + ν 4 ).
Modal coupling in one-dimensional anharmonic lattices

Abstract One-dimensional lattices of equimass particles with analytic nearest-neighbour potentials and fixed ends are considered. For an arbitrary initial condition, expressions are developed which show modes can be excited, and which modes will always have zero amplitude. In particular, all stable modes and stable families of modes are found.
Residual mechanical properties of aluminum alloys AA5083-H116 and AA6061-T651 after fire

Abstract Aluminum alloys are increasingly being used in a broad spectrum of load-bearing applications such as light rail and marine crafts. Post-fire evaluation of structural integrity and assessment of the need for structural member replacement requires understanding of the residual (post-fire) mechanical behavior. Aluminum alloys are strengthened by either strain hardening (cold/hot rolling) or precipitation hardening (heat treatment). Prevalent structural alloys strengthened by each method were investigated in this research: AA5083-H116 (strain hardened) and AA6061-T651 (precipitation hardened). An experimental study was conducted to quantify the residual mechanical behavior of aluminum alloys following a fire exposure. Heating of the aluminum alloys results in evolution of material microstructure, which governs mechanical behavior. Microstructural evolution can be predicted as a kinetically-driven process. As a result, the effects of exposure temperature and heating rate on the residual mechanical properties were quantified. Monotonic, uniaxial tension tests were performed to measure the residual stress–strain relations, which were used to quantify the residual Young’s modulus, yield strength, ultimate strength, and work hardening behavior. AA6061-T651 was determined to have a more significant decrease in strength after fire exposure as compared to AA5083-H116. The heating rate affected the temperatures at which property degradation initiated as well as the residual property magnitude at a given temperature. This is most prevalent in temperature regions with significant microstructural changes, such as recrystallization and precipitate growth. The knowledge elucidated in this study was used to develop empirical evolution models to estimate residual yield strength after linear (ramp) heating and isothermal exposure. Utilizing these models, residual yield strength evolution after realistic fire exposure, which includes combinations of linear and isothermal heating, may be estimated and understood.
A Targeting Sequence for Dense Secretory Granules Resides in the Active Renin Protein Moiety of Human Preprorenin

Human renin plays an important role in blood pressure homeostasis and is secreted in a regulated manner from the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the kidney in response to various physiological stimuli. Many aspects of the regulated release of renin (including accurate processing of prorenin to renin, subcellular targeting of renin to dense secretory granules, and regulated release of active renin) can be reproduced in mouse pituitary AtT-20 cells transfected with a human preprorenin expression vector. Using protein engineering, we have attempted to define the roles of various structures in prorenin that affect its production and trafficking to dense core secretory granules, resulting in its activation and regulated secretion. Replacement of the native signal peptide of human preprorenin with that of a constitutively secreted protein (immunoglobulin M) had no apparent effect on either the constitutive secretion of prorenin or the regulated secretion of active renin in transfected AtT-20 cells. Removal of the pro segment resulted in a marked reduction in total renin secretion, but did not prevent renin from entering the regulated secretory pathway. Single or combined mutations in the two glycosylation sites of human renin did not prevent its regulated secretion; however, the complete elimination of glycosylation resulted in a significant increase in the ratio of renin/prorenin secreted by the transfected cells. Thus, these results suggest that 1) at least one of the sequences that target human renin to dense secretory granules lies within the protein moiety of active renin; 2) the presence of the pro segment is important for efficient prorenin and renin production; and 3) glycosylation can quantitatively affect the proportion of active renin secreted.
Large area three-dimensional photonic crystals with embedded waveguides

Three-dimensional photonic crystals are attractive for very compact waveguide devices. A novel interferometric lithography technique for fabricating three-dimensional photonic crystals is presented, which allows for independent dimensional control of each axis of the crystal. Previous interferometric approaches using 3, 4, 5, or more beams have inherent constraints between the lattice constants and the exposure wavelength. With this new technique, it is possible to control each individual crystal lattice constant largely independent of the exposure wavelength, vastly increasing the available parameter space. Both mathematical models and experimentally realized three-dimensional photonic crystals, over 2 cm2 in size and up to 12 μm, are presented. Photonic crystals with integrated waveguides are of particular significance. A new approach to fabricating waveguides embedded in a three-dimensional photonic crystal is also presented. This approach uses multiple-exposure wavelengths, with one longer wavelength ...
Catalytic pyrolysis of raw and thermally treated cellulose using different acidic zeolites.

Fast pyrolysis of biomass using zeolite catalyst has shown to be effective in improving aromatic production. This study focuses on aromatic production through catalytic pyrolysis of major biomass constituent i.e., cellulose. Furthermore, cellulose was torrefied to understand torrefaction’s effect on pyrolysis products. The influence of SiO2/Al2O3 ratios of zeolite (ZSM-5) catalyst on aromatic production during pyrolysis of raw and torrefied cellulose was investigated. Results showed that the catalyst acidity played a pivotal role in eliminating anhydro sugars and other oxygenated compounds while producing more aromatics. The maximum aromatic yield (~25 wt%) was obtained when ZSM-5 with the highest acidity (SiO2/Al2O3 = 30) was used, while the lowest yield (7.99 wt%) was obtained when the least acidic catalyst was used (SiO2/Al2O3 = 280) for raw cellulose pyrolysis. Torrefaction process showed to have positive effect on the aromatic production from pyrolysis. There were no aromatics produced from pyrolysis of raw cellulose in the absence of catalyst, whereas significant amount of aromatic compounds were produced from both catalytic and noncatalytic pyrolyses of torrefied cellulose. The aromatic hydrocarbons produced from catalytic pyrolysis of torrefied cellulose were 5 % more than those produced from raw cellulose at the highest temperature and catalyst acidity (SiO2/Al2O3 = 30).
EVIDENCE FOR THERMIONIC EMISSION FROM SMALL AGGREGATES

The delayed emission of electrons from small isolated aggregates has been reported now by several laboratories. When the emission is from a negative ion, it can plausibly be identified with the vibrational autoionization which has been known for many years from ions such as . Whether delayed emission from neutral species should be called “thermionic” is more problematic. Do these aggregates sample all of the available phase space prior to emission? We examine the experimental evidence which bears on this question. Particular reference is made to studies of “metallic” aggregates and of caged carbon clusters. Tantalizing evidence for the thermionic paradigm is noted, although recent experiments with niobium clusters can only be understood by postulating that they have unusual thermodynamic properties. Finally, Schottky’s expression for the effect of an externally applied electric field on a work function is extended to aggregates of arbitrary size.
Analysis of diffraction reduction by use of a Lyot stop.

The efficiency of a Lyot stop in reducing diffraction effects in a simple optical system is analyzed. The transformation rules of Fourier optics are used to follow the optical signal through the system. This analysis reduces the problem to the evaluation of a two-dimensional integral. An approximate analytic technique for evaluating this integral is presented. The final result is a simple formula for calculating the diffraction-reduction efficiency of the Lyot stop. A comparison of this work with other published work is also presented.
Once upon a time in Volcán, Costa Rica: Integrating values into watershed management and poverty alleviation

The purposes of this article are twofold. One is to make recommendations on a possible course of action for a small town in Costa Rica. The other is to examine the relationship between policy and values, in search of a method of integrating values into policy decisions that can be more broadly applied. The method uses narratives to define common values and science and economics to apply these values most efficiently. The process of defining values through narratives uses a relation-based organizing framework through which trust can be built and empowerment attained.
The Cdc48 ATPase modulates the interaction between two proteolytic factors Ufd2 and Rad23.

Rad23 and cell division cycle protein 48 (Cdc48), two key regulators of postubiquitylation events, act on distinct and overlapping sets of substrates. The principle underlying their division of labor and cooperation in proteolysis remains elusive. Both Rad23 and Cdc48 bind a ubiquitin protein ligase ubiquitin fusion degradation-2 (Ufd2), and regulate the degradation of Ufd2 substrates. With its ability to bind ubiquitin chains directly and the proteasome via different domains, Rad23 serves as a bridge linking ubiquitylated substrates to the proteasome. The significance and specific role of the Ufd2–Cdc48 interaction are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that mutations in Ufd2 alter its interaction with Cdc48 and impair its function in substrate proteolysis but not in ubiquitylation. Furthermore, Cdc48 promotes the disassembly of the Ufd2–Rad23 complex in an manner that is dependent on ATP and Ufd2 binding, revealing a biochemical role for Cdc48. Rad23 was shown to bind separately to Ufd2 and to the proteasome subunit Rpn1, which define two distinct steps in proteolysis. The action of Cdc48 could free Rad23 from Ufd2 to allow its subsequent association with Rpn1, which in turn may facilitate the orderly transfer of the substrate from the ubiquitylation apparatus to the proteasome.
Oligosaccharide Le(a)-Le(x): a cell surface marker for carcinomas derived from embryonic endoderm.

An immunohistochemical evaluation of Le a -Le x expression by adenocarcinomas of the biliary tree, pancreas, colon and stomach was undertaken as examples of epithelial tumors derived from embryonic endoderm. This complements previous studies showing that Le a -Le x was present on the cell surface of non-small cell lung carcinomas, some non-lung carcinomas, and is a prognostic marker for squamous cell lung carcinomas. All of the tumor specimen evaluated were positive and no expression of Le a -Le x was detected in derivatives of neural, connective or muscle tissues. These findings indicate that it could be informative to examine the biological significance of Le a -Le x not only in carcinogenesis but during embryogenesis, as well.
Physical Association of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor (eIF) 5 Carboxyl-terminal Domain with the Lysine-rich eIF2β Segment Strongly Enhances Its Binding to eIF3 *

The carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 5 interacts with eIF1, eIF2β, and eIF3c, thereby mediating formation of the multifactor complex (MFC), an important intermediate for the 43 S preinitiation complex assembly. Here we demonstrate in vitro formation of a nearly stoichiometric quaternary complex containing eIF1 and the minimal segments of eIF2β, eIF3c, and eIF5. In vivo, overexpression of eIF2 and tRNAMeti suppresses the temperature-sensitive phenotype of tif5-7A altering eIF5-CTD by increasing interaction of the mutant eIF5 with eIF2 by mass action and restoring its defective interaction with eIF3. By contrast, overexpression of eIF1 exacerbated the tif5-7A phenotype because eIF1 forms unusual inhibitory complexes with a hyperstoichiometric amount of eIF1. Formation of such complexes leads to increased GCN4 translation, independent of eIF2 phosphorylation (general control derepressed or Gcd– phenotype). We also provide biochemical evidence indicating that the association of eIF5-CTD with eIF2β strongly enhances its binding to eIF3c. Our results suggest strongly that MFC formation is an ordered event involving specific enhancement of eIF5-CTD binding to eIF3 on its binding to eIF2β. We propose that the primary function of eIF5-CTD is to serve as an assembly guide by rapidly promoting stoichiometric MFC assembly with the aid of eIF2 while excluding formation of nonfunctional complexes.
A computationally efficient method for the characterization of sub-grid-scale precipitation variability for sulfur wet removal estimates

Abstract The Regional Lagrangian Model of Air Pollution (RELMAP) is a mass-conserving, Lagrangian puff model that stimulates the concentration and deposition of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and sulfate (SO 4 2− ) over the eastern United States of America and southeastern Canada. In 1986, a model evaluation showed that the RELMAP overestimated total sulfur wet deposition for the warm seasons by 25–35%, partly due to sub-grid-scale variability in the observed precipitation fields. Refinement of the model grid to fully resolve the precipitation observation network would increase the computational requirements of the model to unacceptable levels. Instead, a new parametrization for the wet removal fraction was implemented in hopes of reducing the model's sensitivity to precipitation variability. The effects of observed sub-grid-scale precipitation variability on SO 2 and SO 4 2− wet removal in the original and updated RELMAP have been isolated and analysed. Spatial averaging of precipitation to the length scales of the RELMAP grid (approximately 100 km) is shown to increase SO 4 2− wet removal fractions by as much as 400% over those obtained from individual observations. A method of Categorized Event Distribution (CED) analysis has been developed to characterize sub-grid-scale variability so that more accurate estimates of wet deposition may be made while preserving the ability of the RELMAP to be intensively applied on modest computing facilities. The use of CED analysis of precipitation in the current version of RELMAP is shown to systematically reduce monthly domain total sulfur wet deposition estimates by 6–12%, demonstrating that sub-grid-scale precipitation variability must still be addressed. CED analysis offers the numerical modeler the ability to characterize sub-grid-scale variabilities that might otherwise preclude the use of scientifically valid relationships between observed phenomena.
Prevalence of mastoid infection in prehistoric Arizona Indians

In view of th reported high prevalence of otitis media and mastoiditis in the present-day Indian inhabitants or Arizona, when an opportunity arose to examine the skulls of prehistoric Indians in the collection of the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, it was thought that determining the prevalence of mastoiditis in them might be helpful in the treatment and prevention of mastoid infections in the present-day population. Our findings are compared with those of two other studies of mastoiditis in prehistoric Indians in another area of the United States.
Dental sequelae of chronic rumination: report of cases

Summary Rumination is a maladaptive behavior most commonly found in individuals with mentally handicapping conditions who live in long-term care facilities. Chronic rumination can have severe medical and dental sequelae. Treatment of dental sequelae of chronic rumination is discussed. Two case reports are presented.
Electrical conductivity monitoring of soil condition and available N with animal manure and a cover crop

Development of sustainable agricultural management systems will depend, in part, on the ability to better use renewable resources, such as animal manure, and to synchronize the levels of soil available N with crop plant needs during the growing season. This study was conducted at the US Meat Animal Research Center in the central USA to determine whether differences in electromagnetic (EM) soil conductivity and available N levels over a growing season can be linked to feedlot manure/compost application and use of a green winter cover crop. A series of soil conductivity maps of a research cornfield were generated using global positioning system (GPS) and EM induction methods. The study site was treated over a 7-year period with manure and compost at rates matching either the phosphorus or the nitrogen requirements of silage corn (Zea mays L.). The plot was split for sub-treatments of a rye (Secale cereale L.) winter cover crop and no cover crop. Image processing techniques were used to establish electrical conductivity (EC) treatment means for each of the growing season surveys. Sequential measurement of profile weighted soil electrical conductivity (EC a) was effective in identifying the dynamic changes in available soil N, as affected by animal manure and N fertilizer treatments, during the corn-growing season. This method also clearly identified the effectiveness of cover crops in minimizing levels of available soil N before and after the corn-growing season, when soluble N is most subject to loss. The EM method for assessing soil condition provides insights into the dynamics of available N transformations that are supported by soil chemical analyses. This real-time monitoring approach could also be useful to farmers in enhancing N use efficiencies of cropping management systems and in minimizing N losses to the environment. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Effect of trifluoperazine and calmodulin on cathecholamine secretion by saponin-skinned cultured chromaffin cells

Abstract We have examined the effect of trifluoperazine on catecholamine secretion by chemically skinned, cultured adrenal chromaffin cells. These cells require only ATP and calcium for secretion. Catecholamine secretion was unaffected by the drug in the presence or absence of calcium and ATP over the range 0.1 to 10μM. At 100μM trifluoperazine, catecholamine release was calcium and ATP independent and represented 70–80% of the total cellular content. High concentrations of exogenous calmodulin had no effect on secretion in the presence or absence of calcium. We conclude that low concentrations of the drug have no effect on secretion, while high concentrations cause non-physiological catecholamine release.
Computer Monte Carlo simulation in quantitative resource estimation

The method of making quantitative assessments of mineral resources sufficiently detailed for economic analysis is outlined in three steps. The steps are (1) determination of types of deposits that may be present in an area, (2) estimation of the numbers of deposits of the permissible deposit types, and (3) combination by Monte Carlo simulation of the estimated numbers of deposits with the historical grades and tonnages of these deposits to produce a probability distribution of the quantities of contained metal. Two examples of the estimation of the number of deposits (step 2) are given. The first example is for mercury deposits in southwestern Alaska and the second is for lode tin deposits in the Seward Peninsula. The flow of the Monte Carlo simulation program is presented with particular attention to the dependencies between grades and tonnages of deposits and between grades of different metals in the same deposit.
THE PHOTOTOXICITY OF 8-M-ETHOXYTHIONEPSORALEN AND 6-M-ETHYLTHIONECOUMARIN

— The phototoxicity of 8-m-ethoxythionepsoralen (8-M-OTP) and 6-m-ethylthione coumarin (6-M-TC) when activated by UV-A has been investigated using a variety of Escherichia coli strains, Haemophilus influenme transforming DNA and Escherichia coli pBR322 plasmid DNA. The results demonstrate that 8-M-OTP is a strictly oxygen independent photosensitizer that is about 500-f-old less efficient in forming lesions leading to equivalent lethality than is the parent compound from which it is derived (8-M-OP). As is true for 8MOP, 8-M-OTP is capable of inducing histidine independent mutations in E. coli and inactivating transforming DNA consistent with DNA being a target for lesions induced by this molecule in the presence of UV-A. 6-M-TC is a strongly oxygen dependent photosensitizer activated by UV-A when tested with either E. coli cells or transforming DNA in contrast to the parent compound (6-m-ethylcoumarin; 6-M-C) which is not phototoxic when treated with UV-A. These results imply that the membrane may be an important target leading to lethality. 6-M-TC in the presence of UV-A can inactivate pBR322 plasmid and Haemophilus influenme transforming DNA activity in virro suggesting that DNA is a potential target for this molecule when activated by UV-A.
Increased heterogeneity of chromosome 17 aneuploidy in endometriosis.

Objective: Endometriosis is a complex gynecologic disorder that may display features similar to malignancy, including aggressive growth and localized invasion of the myometrium or spread to various organs outside the uterus. Molecular studies of cancer have demonstrated that genomic instability involving chromosome 17 plays a role in the development and progression of various tumor types. These involve gain and/or loss, deletions, and mutations of candidate tumor suppressor genes (eg, BRCA1 and p53 ) on chromosome 17. Study Design: We used a 2-color fluorescence in situ hybridization method for analysis of endometriotic and normal archival tissue. Centromere-specific and locus-specific p53 probes localized to chromosome 17 were selected to study 8 patients with late-stage (severe) endometriosis. Single cells localized to endometriotic lesions or normal endometrial glands were analyzed and identified as normal or abnormal on the basis of the distribution of fluorescence in situ hybridization signals. Results: Overall, chromosome 17 aneuploidy was significantly greater (P < .05) in the endometriosis specimens (mean of 65%) than in normal endometrial cells (mean of 25%). No significant difference (P = .1071) in the distribution of fluorescence in situ hybridization signals was observed among the 5 normal endometrial specimens. However, significant differences (P < .0001) were observed between the 8 endometriosis tissue specimens. Conclusion: We found increased heterogeneity of chromosome 17 aneuploidy in endometriosis. These findings support a multistep pathway involving somatic genetic alterations in the development and progression of this common disease. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:792-7.)
In situ strength evolution during the sintering of bronze powders

Powder metallurgy (PM) allows the fabrication of complex net-shaped components. Accurate design specification of these components requires precise prediction of the compact’s response to sintering process parameters. Nonuniform sintering responses such as strain gradients can result in process failures such as permanent deformation and cracks. To avoid these types of process failures without costly trial-and-error design, the most important response to predict is the compact’s strength as it evolves during the sintering process. A device and method have been developed to characterize the in situ strength evolution as a function of various sintering process parameters. The specific strength parameter investigated and modeled in this article was transverse rupture. This strength was precisely determined for 90Cu-10Sn bronze in response to various combinations of temperature, heating rate, and heating time. The consequence of this work is to identify thermal cycles that minimize distortion and otherwise improve dimensional tolerances.
Shear Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Laminates

Shear failure is catastrophic and occurs usually without advance warning; thus it is desirable that the beam fails in flexure rather than in shear. Many existing reinforced concrete (RC) members are found to be deficient in shear strength and need to be repaired. Externally bonded reinforcement such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) provides an excellent solution in these situations. To investigate the shear behavior of RC beams with externally bonded CFRP shear reinforcement, 11 RC beams without steel shear reinforcement were cast at the concrete laboratory of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. After the beams were kept in the curing room for 28 days , carbon-fiber strips and fabrics made by Sika Corp. were applied on both sides of the beams at various orientations with respect to the axis of the beam. All beams were tested on a 979 kN (220 kips) MTS testing machine. Results of the test demonstrate the feasibility of using an externally applied, epoxy-bonded CFRP system to restore or increas...
The ‘end’ of nuclear arms control

(1993). The ‘end’ of nuclear arms control. Arms Control: Vol. 14, RETHINKING THE UNTHINKABLE New Directions for Nuclear Arms Control, pp. 38-68.
Vagus nerve stimulation for complex partial seizures: surgical technique, safety, and efficacy

Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve has shown efficacy in controlling seizures in experimental models, and early clinical trials have suggested possible benefit in humans. Eleven patients with complex partial seizures were subjected to implantation of vagus nerve stimulators. Electrode contacts embedded in silicone rubber spirals were placed on the left vagus nerve in the low cervical area. A transcutaneously programmable stimulator module was placed in an infraclavicular subcutaneous pocket and connected to the electrode. One patient required replacement of the system due to electrode fracture. Another patient developed delayed ipsilateral vocal-cord paralysis; the technique was then modified to allow more tolerance for postoperative nerve edema. A third patient showed asymptomatic vocal-cord paresis on immediate postoperative laryngoscopy. Vagus nerve stimulation produces transient vocal-cord dysfunction while the current is on. Nine patients were randomly assigned to receive either high- or low-current stimulation, and seizure frequency was recorded. The high-current stimulation group showed a median reduction in seizure frequency of 27.7% compared to the preimplantation baseline, while the low-current stimulation group showed a median increase of 6.3%. This difference approached statistical significance. The entire population then received maximally tolerable stimulation. The high-current stimulation group showed a further 14.3% reduction, while the low-current stimulation group showed a 25.4% reduction compared to the blinded period. The efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation seemed to depend on stimulus parameters, and a cumulative effect was evident. These results are encouraging, and further study of this modality as an adjunct treatment for epilepsy is warranted.
Analytical Ultracentrifugation: Sedimentation Velocity and Sedimentation Equilibrium

Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) is a versatile and powerful method for the quantitative analysis of macromolecules in solution. AUC has broad applications for the study of biomacromolecules in a wide range of solvents and over a wide range of solute concentrations. Three optical systems are available for the analytical ultracentrifuge (absorbance, interference, and fluorescence) that permit precise and selective observation of sedimentation in real time. In particular, the fluorescence system provides a new way to extend the scope of AUC to probe the behavior of biological molecules in complex mixtures and at high solute concentrations. In sedimentation velocity (SV), the movement of solutes in high centrifugal fields is interpreted using hydrodynamic theory to define the size, shape, and interactions of macromolecules. Sedimentation equilibrium (SE) is a thermodynamic method where equilibrium concentration gradients at lower centrifugal fields are analyzed to define molecule mass, assembly stoichiometry, association constants, and solution nonideality. Using specialized sample cells and modern analysis software, researchers can use SV to determine the homogeneity of a sample and define whether it undergoes concentration-dependent association reactions. Subsequently, more thorough model-dependent analysis of velocity and equilibrium experiments can provide a detailed picture of the nature of the species present in solution and their interactions.
First-Generation Linkage Map of the Gray, Short-Tailed Opossum, Monodelphis domestica, Reveals Genome-Wide Reduction in Female Recombination Rates

The gray, short-tailed opossum, Monodelphis domestica, is the most extensively used, laboratory-bred marsupial resource for basic biologic and biomedical research worldwide. To enhance the research utility of this species, we are building a linkage map, using both anonymous markers and functional gene loci, that will enable the localization of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and provide comparative information regarding the evolution of mammalian and other vertebrate genomes. The current map is composed of 83 loci distributed among eight autosomal linkage groups and the X chromosome. The autosomal linkage groups appear to encompass a very large portion of the genome, yet span a sex-average distance of only 633.0 cM, making this the most compact linkage map known among vertebrates. Most surprising, the male map is much larger than the female map (884.6 cM vs. 443.1 cM), a pattern contrary to that in eutherian mammals and other vertebrates. The finding of genome-wide reduction in female recombination in M. domestica, coupled with recombination data from two other, distantly related marsupial species, suggests that reduced female recombination might be a widespread metatherian attribute. We discuss possible explanations for reduced female recombination in marsupials as a consequence of the metatherian characteristic of determinate paternal X chromosome inactivation.
Postinfarction seizures. A clinical study

We retrospectively studied 90 patients with postinfarction seizures to determine the clinical features (onset, number, type), prognosis, and electroencephalographic and computed tomographic findings; we included infarctions of all etiologies. Thirty-three percent of the 90 seizures appeared early (within 2 weeks after the infarction), and 90% of the 30 early seizures appeared within 24 hours after the infarction. Seventy-three percent of the 90 seizures occurred within the first year, and only 2% occurred greater than 2 years after the infarction. Fifty-six percent of the 90 seizures were single, and status epilepticus was seen in only 8%. Early-onset seizures were more likely to be partial (57% of 30); late-onset seizures were more likely to be generalized (65% of 60). Thirty-nine percent of the 90 initial seizures recurred, and there was no significant difference in recurrence rate between early- or late-onset initial seizures. Twenty-two percent of the 90 initial seizures became multiple recurrent seizures, and we could identify a precipitating factor in 86% of the 35 recurrent seizures. The most common electroencephalographic abnormality in the 61 patients so examined was focal slowing (61%), but recurrent seizures occurred in 100% of the four patients with periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges and in 75% of the eight patients with diffuse slowing. Computed tomography in 61 patients showed that large infarctions were associated with early (p less than 0.021) and multiple (p less than 0.05) seizures. Deep infarctions on computed tomograms (cortical infarctions extending to subcortical structures) tended to cause recurrent seizures (p less than 0.057). Seizures in 88% of the 90 patients could be managed with monotherapy.
Poster: An Approach to Study of Hypermedia Information Navigation in Virtual Environments

As more hypermedia information becomes available online, we are looking for new and better ways for users to interact with and to explore that information. The WIMP style of interaction is slowly becoming inadequate for users to make sense of the large amounts of information. New display configurations and input devices may help but usability with (abstract) hypermedia information is questionable. We describe an approach to study the effects of virtual environments characteristics on hypermedia information navigation. We focus on Web-based documents.
Further studies on the anti-immunoglobulin G hemagglutination-inhibition test for influenza.

Abstract Incorporating species-specific anti-immunoglobulin G (IgG) serum into the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test for influenza markedly increased sensitivity without loss of specificity. The effectiveness of anti-IgG serum for augmenting antibody titers may be influenced by the variable potency of commercial anti-IgG preparations. Maximal enhancement of HI titers was achieved when anti-IgG serum and virus-antiserum mixtures were incubated at 23 C for 10 min. Precision and reproducibility of the test were within acceptable limits. Other conditions likely to affect the test were investigated.
Neural network learning of structure-activity relationships

Summary form only given, as follows. The author describes a pattern recognition problem using counter-propagation feature extraction networks applied to toxicological data. >
A comprehensive model for reproductive and developmental toxicity hazard identification: I. Development of a weight of evidence QSAR database

A weight of evidence (WOE) reproductive and developmental toxicology (reprotox) database was constructed that is suitable for quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling and human hazard identification of untested chemicals. The database was derived from multiple publicly available reprotox databases and consists of more than 10,000 individual rat, mouse, or rabbit reprotox tests linked to 2134 different organic chemical structures. The reprotox data were classified into seven general classes (male reproductive toxicity, female reproductive toxicity, fetal dysmorphogenesis, functional toxicity, mortality, growth, and newborn behavioral toxicity), and 90 specific categories as defined in the source reprotox databases. Each specific category contained over 500 chemicals, but the percentage of active chemicals was low, generally only 0.1-10%. The mathematical WOE model placed greater significance on confirmatory observations from repeat experiments, chemicals with multiple findings within a category, and the categorical relatedness of the findings. Using the weighted activity scores, statistical analyses were performed for specific data sets to identify clusters of categories that were correlated, containing similar profiles of active and inactive chemicals. The analysis revealed clusters of specific categories that contained chemicals that were active in two or more mammalian species (trans-species). Such chemicals are considered to have the highest potential risk to humans. In contrast, some specific categories exhibited only single species-specific activities. Results also showed that the rat and mouse were more susceptible to dysmorphogenesis than rabbits (6.1- and 3.6-fold, respectively).
Learn Locally, Think Globally Exemplar Variability Supports Higher-Order Generalization and Word Learning

Research suggests that variability of exemplars supports successful object categorization; however, the scope of variability's support at the level of higher-order generalization remains unexplored. Using a longitudinal study, we examined the role of exemplar variability in first- and second-order generalization in the context of nominal-category learning at an early age. Sixteen 18-month-old children were taught 12 categories. Half of the children were taught with sets of highly similar exemplars; the other half were taught with sets of dissimilar, variable exemplars. Participants' learning and generalization of trained labels and their development of more general word-learning biases were tested. All children were found to have learned labels for trained exemplars, but children trained with variable exemplars generalized to novel exemplars of these categories, developed a discriminating word-learning bias generalizing labels of novel solid objects by shape and labels of nonsolid objects by material, and accelerated in vocabulary acquisition. These findings demonstrate that object variability leads to better abstraction of individual and global category organization, which increases learning outside the laboratory.
Just One View: Invariances in Inferotemporal Cell Tuning

In macaque inferotemporal cortex (IT), neurons have been found to respond selectively to complex shapes while showing broad tuning ("invariance") with respect to stimulus transformations such as translation and scale changes and a limited tuning to rotation in depth. Training monkeys with novel, paperclip-like objects, Logothetis et al. could investigate whether these invariance properties are due to experience with exhaustively many transformed instances of an object or if there are mechanisms that allow the cells to show response invariance also to previously unseen instances of that object. They found object-selective cells in anterior IT which exhibited limited invariance to various transformations after training with single object views. While previous models accounted for the tuning of the cells for rotations in depth and for their selectivity to a specific object relative to a population of distractor objects, the model described here attempts to explain in a biologically plausible way the additional properties of translation and size invariance. Using the same stimuli as in the experiment, we find that model IT neurons exhibit invariance properties which closely parallel those of real neurons. Simulations show that the model is capable of unsupervised learning of view-tuned neurons.
The UEA sRNA workbench

Summary: RNA silencing is a complex, highly conserved mechanism mediated by small RNAs (sRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), that is known to be involved in a diverse set of biological functions including development, pathogen control, genome maintenance and response to environmental change. Advances in next generation sequencing technologies are producing increasingly large numbers of sRNA reads per sample at a fraction of the cost of previous methods. However, many bioinformatics tools do not scale accordingly, are cumbersome, or require extensive support from bioinformatics experts. Therefore, researchers need user-friendly, robust tools, capable of not only processing large sRNA datasets in a reasonable time frame but also presenting the results in an intuitive fashion and visualizing sRNA genomic features. Herein, we present the UEA sRNA workbench, a suite of tools that is a successor to the web-based UEA sRNA Toolkit, but in downloadable format and with several enhanced and additional features. Availability: The program and help pages are available at http://srna-workbench.cmp.uea.ac.uk. Contact: vincent.moulton@cmp.uea.ac.uk
A study on correlations between C-reactive protein and certain other acute-phase reactants☆

Abstract The ceruloplasmin activity and levels of total sialic acid, seromucoid, and total glycoprotein hexoses were determined in 1,104 normal and pathologic sera with particular reference to the presence or absence of C-reactive protein. The concentrations of these acute-phase reactants generally increased with the intensity of the C-reactive protein reaction. The highest degree of correlation was between sialic acid and C-reactive protein and the lowest degree between total glycoprotein hexoses and C-reactive protein.
Do Liquidation Values Affect Financial Contracts? Evidence from Commercial Loan Contracts and Zoning Regulation

We examine the impact of asset liquidation value on debt contracting using a unique set of commercial property non-recourse loan contracts. We employ commercial zoning regulation to capture the flexibility of a property's permitted uses as a measure of an asset's redeployability or value in its next best use. Within a census tract, more redeployable assets receive larger loans with longer maturities and durations, lower interest rates, and fewer creditors, controlling for the current value of the property, its type, and neighborhood. These results are consistent with incomplete contracting and transaction cost theories of liquidation value and financial structure.
Efficient Treatment of Fixed and Induced Dipolar Interactions

Fixed and induced point dipoles have been implemented in the Ewald and Particle-Mesh Ewald (PME) formalisms. During molecular dynamics (MD) the induced dipoles can be propagated along with the atomic positions either by interation to self-consistency at each time step, or by a Car-Parrinello (CP) technique using an extended Lagrangian formalism. The use of PME for electrostatics of fixed charges and induced dipoles together with a CP treatment of dipole propagation in MD simulations leads to a cost overhead of only 33% above that of MD simulations using standard PME with fixed charges, allowing the study of polarizability in largemacromolecular systems.
On the Nature of Experience in the Education of Prospective Teachers: A Philosophical Problem

In this exploratory paper, the author argues that a core, ontological assumption—the nature of experiece—could be a part of the enduring problem in preparing prospective teachers. The paper begins by identifying contrasting perspectives of teaching as simple versus teaching as complex in order to illuminate how perspectives relate to a construction of reality. Positioning this literature review as creative inquiry, the author first identifies seventeen assumptions related to the preparation of teachers in the United States and analyzes the constructs of place, purposes, practice, and the nature of field experiences. Finally, the author asserts that the foundation for the purposes and practices of experience in preparing teachers resides on a problematic assumption about the nature of reality as "out there" in the field or in the future. An examination of this problem in light of extant literature calls attention to the need for teacher educators to attend to ontological assumptions rooted in experience.
Re-consenting human subjects: ethical, legal and practical issues

Informed consent is one of the foundational ethical and legal requirements of research with human subjects. The Nuremberg Code, the Helsinki Declaration, the Belmont Report, the Common Rule and many other laws and codes require that research subjects (or the subject’s legal representative) make a voluntary, informed choice to participate in research.1 2 3 4 5 Informed consent is based on the moral principle of respect for autonomy, which holds that rational individuals have a right to make decisions and take actions that reflect their values and preferences.6 Whereas most guidelines and codes also require that informed consent be properly documented, informed consent is much more than signing a piece of paper: It is a continuous process of communication between the investigator and the research subject.7 Because the body of knowledge impacting a study frequently changes, subjects should receive information from investigators after they have enrolled in a study, such as significant new findings that may affect their decision to participate in research or clinically useful tests results.8 9 10 In large studies, some investigators use newsletters to update subjects on the progress of research and other developments.11 Most of the ongoing communications between investigators and subjects (or their representatives) involve little more than information sharing, without revisiting the decision to participate in research or signing any additional documents. Sometimes, however, it may be necessary for subjects to reaffirm their decision to participate, to re-consent, or to sign or re-sign a document.8 Re-consent can be defined as an action in which a subject (or representative) makes the decision to participate in research once again. Re-consent is different from reaffirming a commitment to participate in a study, because in re-consent one actually reconsiders the information necessary to make decision, whereas in reaffirmation one simply expresses …
An integrated monitoring/modeling framework for assessing human-nature interactions in urbanizing watersheds: Wappinger and Onondaga Creek watersheds, New York, USA

In much of the world, rapidly expanding areas of impervious surfaces due to urbanization threaten water resources. Although tools for modeling and projecting land use change and water quantity and quality exist independently, to date it is rare to find an integrated, comprehensive modeling toolkit to readily assess the future course of urban sprawl, and the uncertainties of its impact on watershed ecosystem health. We have developed a combined socio-economic-ecological toolbox, running on the ArcGIS platform, to analyze subsequent impacts on streamflow and nutrient export using the spatial pattern of urbanization in response to anticipated socio-economic conditions and scenarios. We have applied our toolbox to two New York State catchment areas, Onondaga Creek watershed and Wappinger Creek, that have undergone rapid development in the last decades. Uncertainties in temporal trends of new housing permits, spatial distribution of development detection and development potential, and stream conditions were evaluated using three separate toolsets (ArcECON, ArcGEOMOD, and ArcGWLF, respectively). The toolbox capabilities are demonstrated through a year 2020 scenario prediction and analysis, where the aforementioned tools were explicitly linked to determine future housing development, spread of impervious areas, runoff generation, and stream nitrate flux. Higher economic growth was estimated to induce increased new housing permits and spread of impervious surface areas, leading to flashier streamflow as well as worsening stream condition, which was aggravated when only the forest lands were allowed to be developed.
Best Practices In Operations Executive Information Systems Software Development And Implementation

In this paper we identify best industry practices and current trends in the development and management of software products. We discuss the strategic importance of developing appropriate operational capabilities that are prerequisites for achieving marketing success. We illustrate these concepts with examples from software companies to highlight how they achieved the desired balance between market demands and operational resources. Finally, we highlight the benefits these companies had derived from such an alignment.