cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solar System Observations with Spitzer Space Telescope: Preliminary Results

The programs of observations of Solar System bodies conducted in the first year of the operation of the Spitzer Space Telescope as part of the Guaranteed Observing Time allocations are described. Initial results include the determination of the albedos of a number of Kuiper Belt objects and Centaurs from observations of their flux densities at 24 and 70 microns, and the detection of emission bands in the spectra of several distant asteroids (Trojans) around 10 and 25 microns. The 10 Kuiper Belt objects observed to date have albedos in the range 0.08 - 0.15, significantly higher than the earlier estimated 0.04. An additional KBO [(55565) 2002 AW(sub l97)] has an albedo of 0.17 plus or minus 0.03. The emission bands in the asteroid spectra are indicative of silicates, but specific minerals have not yet been identified. The Centaur/comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 has a nucleus surface albedo of 0.025 plus or minus 0.01, and its dust production rate was calculated from the properties of the coma. Several other investigations are in progress as the incoming data are processed and analyzed.
Classical theory for electromagnetic-radiation absorption by a small metallic particle.

A classical theory for electromagnetic-radiation absorption by a small metallic particle is developed. The ions are treated as an elastic jellium background and the electrons are treated hydrodynamically. Pronounced resonance structure is found in electric-dipole absorption but not in magnetic-dipole absorption. The electric-dipole absorption is found to be stronger than it was previously thought to be. The magnetic-dipole absorption was found to be significantly altered by phonon effects.
Estimating inpatient hospital prices from state administrative data and hospital financial reports.

One of the most expensive groups of health care services is inpatient hospitalizations, which along with outpatient treatment accounts for 37 percent of all health care treatment purchased in the United States in 2012.1 Little is publicly revealed about the actual revenue, which we refer to as the paid “price,” that hospitals receive for an inpatient stay and particularly how the prices vary among payers. This lack of information limits the consumer's ability to compare prices with quality of care for the treatment of specific conditions in specific hospitals. For those who pay for treatment themselves, not knowing what insurers pay for a particular hospitalization does not allow consumers to effectively negotiate the price they should pay. Lack of price information also limits researchers' ability to investigate the way hospitals set prices for specific conditions, how prices vary among payers, the implications of payer mix on private payers, and the effect of competition within market areas. Public information on prices could afford consumers and analysts better access to information with which to evaluate the value of inpatient hospital treatment, and to better understand the revenue streams for hospitals within market areas. Such public information could also help to educate patients on cost considerations in choosing hospitals (Sommers et al. 2013) and help promote acceptance among consumers of new benefit designs, including centers of excellence and reference pricing, that integrate quality of care and cost in medical decisions made by consumers (Robinson and MacPherson 2012). To address the information gap, we investigated the feasibility of estimating payer-specific prices received by specific hospitals for each hospital stay. Publicly accessible data on financial transactions for specific types of inpatient stays are usually limited to prices paid by specific government payers such as Medicare or to charges billed to the patient or his insurer.2 Charges have only limited use in understanding prices received by hospitals because the billed charges are subject to substantial discounts negotiated by private insurers, payment rates imposed by Medicare and Medicaid, and nonpayment by some uninsured patients, producing paid prices that often differ by payer for the same service. The objectives of this study are to present the methods used to estimate hospital prices by payer in 10 states and evaluate the results against other data sources. We will present sample hospital prices by state for all diagnoses adjusted for case mix and differences in underlying wage rates. The study will conclude with a discussion of how estimated prices could be of value to consumers and researchers.
Hyper-numerical aperture (NA = 2.8) microscope using λ = 1.56 µm femtosecond source for multi-photon imaging

A new microscope is discussed, where the scanning illumination has a numerical aperture of 2.8 with λ = 1.56 µm femtosecond fiber laser. Samples are placed or grown on a silicon substrate. Multi-photon emission is imaged in transmission on a cooled CCD. Two-photon and three-photon effects are observed from the silicon/water interface and gold nanoparticles. Images of cells, reference spheres and gold nanoparticles illustrate imaging properties of the microscope. Spectral characteristics of individual particles are achieved with a blazed transmission grating. Emission properties of differently sized gold nanoparticles are studied in detail, which indicate that their emission is a two-photon effect due continuum generation. Interestingly, spectral shape and emission power are similar for 20nm, 40nm and 60nm diameter gold nanoparticles for the cases studied.
Redefining regulation of DNA methylation by RNA interference

Epigenetic changes refer to heritable changes that may modulate gene expression without affecting DNA sequence. DNA methylation is one such heritable epigenetic change, which is causally associated with the transcription regulation of many genes in the mammalian genome. Altered DNA methylation has been implicated in a wide variety of human diseases including cancer. Understanding the regulation of DNA methylation is likely to improve the ability to diagnose and treat these diseases. With the advent of high-throughput RNA interference (RNAi) screens, answering epigenetic questions on a genomic scale is now possible. Two recent genome-wide RNAi screens have addressed the regulation of DNA methylation in cancer, leading to the identification of the regulators of epigenetic silencing by oncogenic RAS and how epigenetic silencing of the tumor suppressor RASSF1A is maintained. These RNAi screens have much wider applications, since similar screens can now be adapted to identify the mechanism of silencing of any human disease-associated gene that is epigenetically regulated. In this review, we discuss two recent genome-wide RNAi screens for epigenetic regulators and explore potential applications in understanding DNA methylation and gene expression regulation in mammalian cells. We also discuss some of the key unanswered questions in the field of DNA methylation and suggest genome-wide RNAi screens designed to answer them.
Direct positron annihilation and positronium formation in thermal plasmas

In the present evaluation of the rate of direct positron annihilation with electrons in the nonrelativistic limit, general analytic expressions are given for the radiative recombination of positrons to form positronium. Formulae are derived for the radiative capture to bound states of atomic hydrogen, and the connection between the two problems is demonstrated. Annihilation from excited states of positronium is considered, and it is estimated that 90 percent of the annihilations occur from the ground 1s state for both ortho and para positronium following radiative capture and cascade. A convenient form is given for the photodissociation cross section of positronium.
Electronic States and Potential Energy Curves of Zirconium and Hafnium Carbon Monoxide

The potential energy surfaces for the low-lying electronic states of the zirconium carbon monoxide (ZrCO) and hafnium carbon monoxide (HfCO) systems have been studied using the complete active space multiconfiguration self-consistent field followed by multireference singles + doubles configuration interaction. Spin−orbit effects are included through the relativistic configuration interaction method. In contrast to HfCO, which exhibits a 3Σ- ground state, two nearly degenerate electronic states (5Δ, 3Σ-) were found as candidates for the ground state of ZrCO. Both Hf and Zr form stable complexes with CO relative to the dissociation limits. The nature of bonding is discussed in terms of the wave function composition and the Mulliken population analysis.
Use of hybridoma-resistant variant cell lines to study H-2D b/FMR-specific cytotoxic T cells

An H-2Db b heterozygous tumor cell line and a variant subclone bearing a mutant gene product were used to analyze the H-2Db specificity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) generated during a Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MSV) infection. When the mutant cells were used as targets for MSV-specific CTL, the amount of cell lysis, compared with that seen with the nonmutant parental cells, was drastically decreased. However, cells of the mutant clones remained susceptible to allogeneic CTL specific for the nonmutant H-2Db molecule. The mutant cells also did not differ from the parent cells in their level of viral antigen expression. Biochemically the parental and mutant molecules were similar but not identical. The data indicate that minor alterations of the H-2 antigens caused by somatic mutation may prevent virus-infected cells from being recognized as targets by CTL.
A large dynamic-range self-adjusting output-power laser device

We investigate a stable semiconductor fiber-ring laser (SFRL) whose output power can be controlled by external light injection. Based on this SFRL, we develop a novel laser for keeping its output power approximately constant when the input power is changed over a dynamic range of 17 dB. Potential applications are discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 43: 532–535, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20525
SEROLOGICAL TESTS FOR HOMOLOGOUS SERUM PROTEINS IN TISSUE CULTURES MAINTAINED ON A FOREIGN MEDIUM

Connective tissue cells (fibroblasts) derived from skeletal muscle of 12 day old chick embryos were cultivated for almost 8 months (35 weekly passages) in rabbit plasma and rabbit embryo tissue juice diluted with Tyrode's solution. When fluids separated from these cultures were tested with immune precipitins developed against chicken serum, they gave positive reactions which showed no tendency to diminish with an increasing number of culture generations. Barring the intervention of unknown precipitable substances, these results indicate that connective tissue can produce proteins which are identical with, or closely related to, serum proteins. The experiments further demonstrated that tissues cultivated in a foreign plasma do not lose their species specificity.
Receptors for Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Play a Protective Role against Obesity and Alter Adipose Tissue Macrophage Status

TNF-alpha signals through two receptors, TNFR1 and TNFR2. Our goals were: 1) determine the role of TNFRs in obesity and metabolic disease and 2) investigate whether TNFRs contribute to the link between obesity and adipose tissue macrophage infiltration and polarization. R1(-/-)R2(-/-) (RKO) and wild-type (WT) mice were fed standard chow or a high-fat/high-sucrose diet (HFHS) over 14 wk. Body composition, food intake, and energy expenditure were measured. Oral glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity tests assessed glucose homeostasis. Adipose tissue and systemic inflammatory status were evaluated by quantifying plasma adipokine levels and macrophage-specific gene expression in fat. RKO mice were heavier (10%) and fatter (18%) than WT controls at 4 wk of age and were 26% heavier and 50% fatter than WT after 14 wk of HFHS diet feeding. Age- and diet-adjusted 24-h oxygen consumption, activity, and respiratory exchange ratio were significantly reduced in RKO mice. Obese RKO mice were markedly insulin resistant, suggesting that intact TNFR signaling is not required for the effect of obesity to impair glucose metabolism. Adipose tissue from HFHS-fed RKO mice exhibited increased macrophage infiltration, but compared with WT mice, macrophage phenotypic markers featured a predominance of antiinflammatory M2 over proinflammatory M1 cells. TNFRs play a physiological role to limit body weight and adiposity by modestly increasing metabolic rate and fatty acid oxidation, and they are required for obesity-induced activation of adipose tissue macrophages. Despite these effects, TNFRs are not required for obesity-induced insulin resistance.
VARIATION IN THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE BIFLAGELLATE MOTILE CELLS OF SIX UNICELLULAR GENERA OF THE CHLAMYDOMONADALES AND CHLOROCOCCALES (CHLOROPHYCEAE), WITH EMPHASIS ON THE FLAGELLAR APPARATUS

The ultrastructural features of the biflagellate motile cells of six different species of the Chlorophyceae, namely Dunaliella lateralis (Polyblepharidaceae, Chlamydomonadales), Chlorococcum hypnosporum, Spongiochloris spongiosa, Protosiphon botryoides (Chlorococcaceae, Chlorococcales), Tetracystis aeria and Pseudotetracystis terrestris (Tetracystidaceae, Chlorococcales), were examined with an emphasis on the flagellar apparatus (FA). They have different vegetative characteristics, such as, being motile or nonmotile, variations in chloroplast morphology, possession of one or more nuclei, and reproductive features such as formation of tetrahedral tetrads, and naked or walled zoospores. Ultrastructural differences amongst reproductive cells of the six species include variations in cell surface structure, basal body to basal body angle, beamlike extensions of the distal fiber, extensive connections of the proximal sheath between basal bodies, two-membered rootlets, striated microtubule-associated components, two-membered rootlet-nucleus and/or mitochondria connections, X-membered rootlets, connections of rootlets and basal bodies, rhizoplasts and accessory basal bodies. All six species possess pyrenoids penetrated by thylakoid membranes, and the FA typical of the Chlorophyceae (sensu Mattox and Stewart, 1984). These six species should be divided into two groups. The first includes D. lateralis, C. hypnosporum, and T. aeria, in which accessory basal bodies are present, the basal body to basal body angle is relatively fixed, and a cell wall or surface coat is present. The second group includes Ps. terrestris, S. spongiosa, and Pr. botryoides, in which accessory basal bodies are absent, the basal body to basal body angle is variable and the zoospores are naked. THE UNICELLULAR green algae are common to freshwater and soil environments. In the past, vegetative morphology and reproductive features as recognized by light microscopy have been used in taxonomy (e.g., Starr, 1955; Bold, 1970). More recently, however, observations with the transmission electron microscope (TEM) on the processes of mitosis and cytokinesis, and flagellar apparatus features, have changed our traditional concepts of green algal taxonomy and phylogeny. These ultrastructural studies have strongly indicated that the use of traditional morphological features alone have led to unnatural taxonomies and that many of these features probably occurred in parallel among separate evolutionary lines (for
How much space does a seedling need

Abstract A method is described to identify canopy trees which significantly affect regeneration at a given point, estimate the effect of these trees on the growth and survival of seedlings, and determine the maximum density of the canopy trees compatible with successful regeneration. All this information is obtained using point sampling done with several basal area factors from the same point. An example of the method's application is provided.
Comparative genome hybridization analysis of laser-capture microdissected in situ melanoma.

Background: The progression of melanoma occurs through discrete stages with known clinical and histologic features. Although many molecular events that occur during the progression of invasive and metastatic melanomas have been elucidated, there is limited knowledge of genetic changes that occur in the earliest stages of melanoma development. In this pilot study, we investigated genetic changes that happen in in situ melanoma so that we can better understand early melanoma development. Materials and methods: DNA was extracted from five laser-capture microdissected Clark's level III melanomas, five in situ melanomas and five compound nevi all from sun exposed skin. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization was performed using Agilent 44 K platform. Results: The group of Clark's level III melanomas was characterized with multiple large deletions and duplications. In the group of in situ melanoma, deletions and duplications were limited in size. Deletions in in situ melanomas were present only on chromosomes 13q and 16q. Compound nevi did not show any significant chromosomal aberrations. Conclusion: In situ melanomas show characteristic chromosomal aberrations that are limited compared to melanomas that invade the dermis. Deletion of 13q found in in situ melanomas, which encompass the Rb1 tumor suppressor gene, might be one of the first events in the development of melanoma.
Management Briefs: An Artificial Riffle as Restored Habitat for the Threatened Neosho Madtom

Abstract An artificial riffle was constructed in an area previously dredged of gravel in the Cottonwood River, Kansas, to restore habitat for the Neosho madtom Noturus placidus, classified as “threatened” by the federal government. Relative abundances of fishes on the artificial riffle were similar to those of fishes on two natural riffles, and the assemblage on the new riffle included nine riffle species. Similarity indexes of species abundance were high between consecutive samples throughout the year and between artificial and natural riffles, indicating that the assemblage stability of the artificial riffle closely resembled that of a natural riffle. During the first year after construction, the artificial riffle's physical characteristics and fish species diversity and richness were similar to those of natural riffles. Two years after construction, the artificial riffle continued to harbor riffle fishes including N. placidus
Determination of diffusion profiles in altered wellbore cement using X-ray computed tomography methods

The development of accurate, predictive models for use in determining wellbore integrity requires detailed information about the chemical and mechanical changes occurring in hardened Portland cements. X-ray computed tomography (XRCT) provides a method that can nondestructively probe these changes in three dimensions. Here, we describe a method for extracting subvoxel mineralogical and chemical information from synchrotron XRCT images by combining advanced image segmentation with geochemical models of cement alteration. The method relies on determining "effective linear activity coefficients" (ELAC) for the white light source to generate calibration curves that relate the image grayscales to material composition. The resulting data set supports the modeling of cement alteration by CO2-rich brine with discrete increases in calcium concentration at reaction boundaries. The results of these XRCT analyses can be used to further improve coupled geochemical and mechanical models of cement alteration in the wellbore environment.
Detection and analysis of routing loops in packet traces

Routing loops are caused by inconsistencies in routing state among a set of routers. They occur in perfectly engineered networks, and have a detrimental effect on performance. They impact end-to-end performance through increased packet loss and delay for packets caught in the loop, and through increased link utilization and corresponding delay and jitter for packets that traverse the link but are not caught in the loop.Using packet traces from a tier-1 ISP backbone, we first explain how routing loops manifest in packet traces. We characterize routing loops in terms of the packet types caught in the loop, the loop sizes, and the loop durations. Finally, we analyze the impact of routing loops on network performance in terms of loss and delay.
Solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance and chemical analyses of insect noncuticular sclerotized support structures: Mantid oothecae and cocoon silks

Sclerotized oothecae from the praying mantids, Stagmomantis carolina and Tenodera sinensis, and cocoon silks from the moths, Antheraea mylitta, A. polyphemus, Hyalophora cecropia, Bombyx mori, Plodia interpunctella and Ephestia cautella, were subjected to solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance and chemical analysis. The oothecae are composed of protein (83% of the wet wt), water (7–8%), diphenolic compounds (6%) and inorganic salts (2–3%). The major diphenols extracted in cold dilute acid are N-acylated derivatives of dopamine and norepinephrine, including N-malonyldopamine, N-acetyldopamine and N-acetylnorepinephrine. The acid-extractable diphenols account for <1% of the total diphenols estimated by solid state NMR analysis, indicating that nearly all of the diphenols in mantid egg cases are involved in covalent cross-links or adducts with oothecal proteins. The silks are lower than the oothecae in diphenolic compounds (0.1–1%), slightly higher in protein (88–90%) and about the same in water (7–8%) and inorganic salt content (3–4%). A higher proportion of the total diphenols is acid extractable from the silk (4–56%) than from the oothecae, and they include 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and N-acetylnorepinephrine. Subsequent metabolism of diphenols in these structures probably involves oxidation to quinonoid derivatives, followed by formation of covalent bonds between diphenol ring or side chain carbons and nucleophilic groups in the structural proteins.
Tbx3 impinges on the p53 pathway to suppress apoptosis, facilitate cell transformation and block myogenic differentiation

Tbx3 is a member of the T-box family of transcription factors. Mutations in Tbx3 cause ulnar-mammary syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by upper limb defects, apocrine-gland defects including mammary hypoplasia, and tooth, hair and genital defects. In cell culture, Tbx3 and its close relative Tbx2 are capable of immortalizing mouse embryo fibroblasts. We show that expression of Tbx3 together with Myc or oncogenic Ras (H-RasVal17) leads to efficient transformation of mouse embryo fibroblasts. Oncogene cooperation by Tbx3 correlates with an ability of Tbx3 to suppress the induction of p19ARF and p53 that is typically caused by overexpression Myc and Ras, and to protect against Myc-induced apoptosis. Whereas Tbx3 is capable of interfering with apoptosis caused by excessive Myc levels, a Tbx3 mutant lacking its C-terminal repression domain shows no anti-apoptotic activity and fails to repress levels of p19ARF or p53. Consistent with an ability to suppress p53 pathway function, we find that Tbx3, but not a Tbx3 C-terminal mutant, efficiently blocks myogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. Our results support the idea that deregulation and/or excessive levels of Tbx3 may have oncogenic potential in vivo.
Bilingual Language Processing and Interference in Bilinguals: Evidence From Eye Tracking and Picture Naming

Recognition and interference of a nontarget language (Russian) during production in a target language (English) were tested in Russian-English bilinguals using eye movements and picture naming. In Experiment 1, Russian words drew more eye movements and delayed English naming to a greater extent than control nonwords and English translation equivalents. In Experiment 2, Russian words spelled using English-specific letters drew more eye movements than control nonwords and English translation equivalents; however, both Russian words and nonword controls delayed English naming. Results of the two experiments suggest that nontarget-language information is processed during a target-language task. Recognition and production in bilinguals might function within distinct constraints, with recognition sensitive to lexical information (target and nontarget) and production sensitive to phonological information (lexical and nonlexical).
Surface-immobilized polyethylene oxide for bacterial repellence

Polyethylene terephthalate films were surface-modified with polyethylene oxide (18,500 g/mol) using a solution technique described previously. These films were investigated for their resistance to bacterial adhesion. Three bacterial strains most commonly associated with implant infections, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were cultured in tryptic soya broth, human plasma and human serum on the polymeric substrates. Significant reductions (between 70 and 95%) in adherent bacteria were observed on the polyethylene oxide-modified substrates compared to the untreated control polyethylene terephthalate. Surface modification with polyethylene oxide may reduce the risk of implant-associated infections. Plasma fibrinogen was observed to play an important role in the adhesion of all three of these species on both the polyethylene oxide-modified and control polyethylene terephthalate materials. [on SciFinder (R)]
Sample Size in Non-Apa Journals

Summary Ten non-APA journals for the year 1977 were examined to determine the typical sample size as reported in those journals. Descriptive statistics are presented on the total sample size per experiment and on individual group samples. The results are consistent with data presented on sample size as reported in APA journals.
Measuring Diffusion Coefficients in Confined Systems Via Multi-Photon Fluorescence Recovery after Photobleaching

Multi-photon fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (MP-FRAP) is a microscopy technique used to measure the diffusion coefficient of macromolecules in both in vitro and in vivo biological systems. As MP-FRAP is introduced into more systems in vivo, the need arises to expand the technique for application to a wider range of physiological situations. In this poster, we present our investigations into measuring diffusion coefficients via MP-FRAP in bounded systems. We begin by modeling both diffusion and the fluorescence recovery process within a bounded system via Monte Carlo simulations. We then move in vitro, taking and analyzing fluorescence recovery curves in the presence of one and two boundaries. From our results, we determine three limiting cases: 1) boundaries are sufficiently far away to allow the use of MP-FRAP as currently formulated, 2) boundaries are so close as to prevent the use of MP-FRAP entirely, and 3) boundaries are located in a range between these limits, and MP-FRAP is applicable, with modifications to the analysis.
The Contractarian Explanation of the State

How do governments originate? How are they maintained? These are two causal questions about how states originate and persist through time that have always been of interest to anthropologists and historians. To answer them, however, one also needs to know the answer to a conceptual question “What is a state?” This chapter attempts to answer all three questions by using ideas drawn from the social contract tradition. Together the answers constitute what I will call an explanation of the state. It may seem fantastic to some that the social contract argument could provide plausible answers to the two causal questions. Doesn't the contract argument make the state's creation and maintenance the result of each subject's contractual consent to it? And isn't this a wildly inaccurate explanation of virtually every state's origin and continued existence? As Hume wryly observes: [W]ere you to ask the far greatest part of the nation, whether they had ever consented to the authority of their rulers, or promis'd to obey them, they wou'd be inclin'd to think very strangely of you, and wou'd certainly reply, that the affair depended not on their consent but that they were born to such obedience. In response to such ridicule, supporters of the contractarian methodology have tended to back away from claiming that their contract talk has any explanatory import.
A theoretical study of the reaction H + HS → H2 + S

Abstract Ab initio self-consistent-field calculations have been followed by configuration interaction in an extended gaussian basis set in order to determine the transition-state geometry and activation barrier for the H + HS → H2 + S reaction. The transition state is found to be linear with r2.6 = 2.6 ao and rHS = 2.6 ao. The calculations suggest that, unlike the analogous H + OH → H2 + C system. the reaction proceeds with a very small barrier. The most direct theoretical determination (single and double excitation CI in a double-zeta plus polarization (DZP) basis) of the barrier height gives I·0 = 4.9 kcal/mole. The approximation of inclusion of unlinked-cluster contributions decreases the barrier to 3.7 kcal/mole. A single calculation in an extended basis set at the DZP transition-state geometry lowers the calculated barrier to 1.7 kcal/mole. When coupled with transition-state-theory corrected for tunneling (using the DZP vibrational frequencies). this results in a theoretical rate constant at 300 K which is about an order of magnitude smaller than experimental determinations.
Role of the Indian Ocean in the ENSO–Indian Summer Monsoon Teleconnection in the NCEP Climate Forecast System

AbstractThe observed negative correlation between El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian summer monsoon is not simulated by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System (CFS) coupled model. The correlation is partially restored in the simulations where the Indian Ocean (IO) sea surface temperature (SST) is prescribed with the daily mean or climatology. Comparison among the simulations suggests that ENSO-induced SST anomalies form a strong dipole pattern oriented along the zonal direction in the IO in the coupled model, preventing the ENSO signals from reaching the Indian monsoon region. In the model, the dipole develops early in the monsoon season and extends to the central equatorial IO while it is formed at the end of the season in observations. The dipole modifies low-level winds and surface pressure, and grows in a positive feedback loop involving winds, surface pressure, and SST. Examination of the mean state in the model reveals that the thermocline is...
Lesions of the rostral ventrolateral medulla reduce the cerebrovascular response to hypoxia.

Abstract Sympathoexcitatory neurons of the rostral ventrolateral medulla are tonically active and required for maintenance of resting levels of arterial pressure. They are also selectively excited by hypoxia and responsible for the associated sympathoexcitation. Since electrical or chemical stimulation of RVL will increase regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) independently of changes in regional cerebral glucose utilization (rCGU) we investigated whether the RVL was also required to maintain resting levels of rCBF and also participated in the cerebrovascular vasodilation elicited by hypoxia. Rats were anesthetized (chloralose; 40 mg/kg, s.c.), paralyzed (tubocurarine) and ventilated (100% O 2 ). rCBF was measured in 10 dissected brain regions using [ 14 C]iodoantipyrine; rCGU was measured by 2-deoxy- d -[ 14 C]glucose. in controls (n = 6) rCBF ranged 56 ± 5 in corpus callosum to101 ± 6ml/min× 100g in inferior colliculus. Hypoxic-hypoxia (PaO 2 - 36 ± 1mmHg, n = 6) increased rCBF in all structures maximally, at 204% of control, in occipital cortex. Hypercapnia (PaCO 2 = 63.5 ± 0.9, n =5) also increased rCBFP 2 = 39 ± 1mmHg, n = 5) from 2- to 3-fold in all structuresP 2 = 35 ± 1; n = 6), or transection of the IXth and Xth cranical nerves did not affect the rCBF response to hypoxia(PaO 2 = 41 ± 2; n = 6) (P > 0.05) indicating that the effect of RVL Lesions was not attributable to interference with arterial baro- or chemoreceptor reflexes. We conclude that neurons within RVL are not responsible for maintaining tonic levels of rCBF. However they contribute to the cerebrovascular vasodilation elicited by hypoxia but not hypercapnia. The cerebrovascular response to hypoxia appears reflexive and, in part, due to stimulation of oxygen-sensing neurons in RVL. In contrast, the vasodilation elicited by hypercapnia reflects local chemical signals in the cerebral microcirculation
Collagen fibre bundles of the normal marginal gingiva in the marmoset

Abstract The architecture of the gingival and interdental ligaments was studied in celloidin-embedded sections of tissue from young adult marmosets. The animals were free of clinical or histologic manifestations of inflammatory gingival disease. The fibre groups classically described were observed. In addition, several groups of fibres which do not fit into the previous classification were present. The semicircular fibres arise from the cementum near the cementum enamel junction, traverse the free marginal, facial and lingual gingiva, and insert into a comparable position on the opposite side of the tooth at a level just apical to the circular fibres. The transgingival fibres arise from the cementum of one tooth and traverse the free marginal gingiva of an adjacent tooth, and the intergingival fibres course in the free marginal gingiva on both the facial and lingual surfaces of the teeth. Since these fibre groups make up the bulk of the connective tissue framework of the marginal gingival tissues, and they arise from the root surfaces or gingiva of adjacent teeth, there is a major interdependence among the various segments of the gingiva.
Digital image processing at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory

Nearly everyone has seen the pictures brought back from the moon by the U. S. astronauts. Less remembered nowadays are the television pictures sent back from the moon's surface by the early unmanned lunar vehicles; these pictures were equally spectacular in their time and perhaps more important, since they gave NASA the basis on which to make the judgements about lunar terrain pertinent to the landing of a manned vehicle. Many people remarked on the sharpness and clarity of the television pictures of the moon, and similar ones now coming from Mars. But to the digital image processing community, the quality of the lunar images was no surprise, and was recognized as a result of the work done at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. JPL had digitally enhanced the incoming television images, imparting to the images sharpness that was sometimes missing in the originals.
Raman studies on C60 at high pressures and low temperatures

Abstract Vibrational Raman studies on C60 up to 18.0 GPa and between 4 and 360 K are presented. No significant changes are observed up to 10 GPa; mode—Gruneisen parameters are calculated. The low pressure, temperature-dependent Raman spectrum shows a sharp shift in peak position and width at 240 K. This is near the point were C60 molecules are reported to begin rotating freely. The data can be explained in terms of rotational—vibrational coupling. Comparison of high pressure and low temperature data suggests the formation of a rotational glass at high pressures.
Use of bioresorbable membrane (sodium hyaluronate + carboxymethylcellulose) after controlled bowel injuries in a rabbit model.

PURPOSE: Patients in whom enterolysis is performed are at high risk for recurrence of adhesions and for injury during adhesiolysis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the safety of sodium hyaluronate-based bioresorbable membrane (Seprafilm®) after myotomy and enterotomy. METHODS: A total of 60 rabbits underwent laparotomy with equal distribution to one of three groups: creation of either three repaired, or three unrepaired myotomies, or three repaired enterotomies. Thus, a total of 180 defects were created in the same anatomic positions. One-half of the animals in each group had the surface of the myotomies or enterotomies covered by Seprafilm®. Fourteen days later, after complete absorption of Seprafilm®, the presence of intra-abdominal abscess, adhesions, and the integrity of the suture line were evaluated by a surgeon blinded to the use of Seprafilm® and by a standard radiographic isobaric contrast study. Statistical analysis was done by use of Fisher's exact test; significance was set atP<0.05. RESULTS: The incidence of adhesions in the repaired myotomy group were 2 (6.6 percent) and 9 (30 percent) in the Seprafilm® and control (nonSeprafilm®) groups, respectively (P<0.05); in the unrepaired myotomy group, 2 (6.6 percent) and 10 (33 percent) in the Seprafilm® and control groups, respectively (P<0.05); and in the enterotomy group, 28 (94 percent) and 29 (97 percent) in the Seprafilm® and control groups, respectively (P = not significant). A single phlegmon occurred in the myotomy group at a Seprafilm® site (1.6 (1/60)vs. 0 percent,P = not significant). There were no leaks in this group. In the enterotomy group, the incidence of phlegmons was 33 percent (10/30) in the Seprafilm® group, whereas it was 27 percent (8/30) in the nonSeprafilm® group (P = not significant). The incidence of leaks was 6.6 (2/30) and 10 percent (3/30) in the Seprafilm® and nonSeprafilm® group, respectively (P = not significant). CONCLUSION: The use of Seprafilm® at the sites of myotomies significantly reduced the incidence of adhesions. Effectiveness at the enterotomy site may have been attenuated by a greater inflammatory response. Importantly, Seprafilm® did not increase septic mortality in any group.
Oncogenes, protooncogenes, and tumor suppressor genes in acute myelogenous leukemia

In recent years, our understanding of normal human hematopoiesis has expanded greatly. We have increased our knowledge of regulatory growth factors, the receptors through which they act, and the secondary messengers involved in transducing the growth/differentiation signals from the cytoplasmic membrane to the nucleus. This knowledge has revealed potential mechanisms for inducing the neoplastic transformation of hematopoietic cells. This applies in particular to the role of viral oncogenes and cellular protooncogenes and, more recently, to the role of tumor suppressor genes. Protooncogenes are intimately involved in the processes of cell proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, any amplification, mutation, structural alteration, or change in transcriptional regulation of protooncogenes might lead to or be associated with induction of the malignant phenotype. Based on the importance of these genes in leukemogenesis and the maintenance of the malignant phenotype, it seems reasonable to hypothesize that targeted disruption of leukemogenic genes may be of therapeutic value.
Antagonism of the toxicity of cocaine by MK-801: differential effects in spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats.

Abstract A putative role for endogenous excitatory amino acid systems in the mediation of the cardiovascular and toxic responses to acute administration of cocaine, was examined in spontaneously hypertensive and normal Wistar-Kyoto rats. Conscious, restrained, male hypertensive and normal rats (12 weeks of age) received either the non-competitive excitatory amino acid receptor antagonist, MK-801 (0.01–10 mg/kg, i.v.) or vehicle, 30 min prior to initiation of infusion of cocaine hydrochloride (1.25 mg/kg min, i.v.). Administration of MK-801 produced increases in mean blood pressure and heart rate in both hypertensive and normal rats. Resting rectal temperature was reduced by MK-801 only at the largest dose tested (10 mg/kg). Infusion of cocaine caused convulsions and death at doses of 27.8 ± 2.3 and 48.2 ± 5.7 mg/kg, respectively in the normals, and 21.2 ± 2.5 ( P P P 0.1 mg/kg. Progressively developing hypotensive and bradycardiac effects were noted during infusion of cocaine in hypertensive and control rats, pretreated with MK-801. The drug MK-801 was an effective antagonist of cocaine-induced convulsions in both hypertensive and normal rats but protected against cocaine-induced lethality only in the hypertensive rats.
Finding connected components in map-reduce in logarithmic rounds

Given a large graph G = (V, E) with millions of nodes and edges, how do we compute its connected components efficiently? Recent work addresses this problem in map-reduce, where a fundamental trade-off exists between the number of map-reduce rounds and the communication of each round. Denoting d the diameter of the graph, and n the number of nodes in the largest component, all prior techniques for map-reduce either require a linear, Θ(d), number of rounds, or a quadratic, Θ (n|V| + |E|), communication per round. We propose here two efficient map-reduce algorithms: (i) Hash-Greater-to-Min, which is a randomized algorithm based on PRAM techniques, requiring O(log n) rounds and O(|V | + |E|) communication per round, and (ii) Hash-to-Min, which is a novel algorithm, provably finishing in O(log n) iterations for path graphs. The proof technique used for Hash-to-Min is novel, but not tight, and it is actually faster than Hash-Greater-to-Min in practice. We conjecture that it requires 2 log d rounds and 3(|V| + |E|) communication per round, as demonstrated in our experiments. Using secondary sorting, a standard map-reduce feature, we scale Hash-to-Min to graphs with very large connected components. Our techniques for connected components can be applied to clustering as well. We propose a novel algorithm for agglomerative single linkage clustering in map-reduce. This is the first map-reduce algorithm for clustering in at most O(log n) rounds, where n is the size of the largest cluster. We show the effectiveness of all our algorithms through detailed experiments on large synthetic as well as real-world datasets.
Potential problems in estimating the male-to-female mutation rate ratio from DNA sequence data.

It is commonly believed that the rate of mutation is much higher in males than in females because the number of germ-cell divisions per generation is much larger in males than in females. However, the precise magnitude of the male-to-female mutation rate ratio (αm) remains unknown. Recently there have been efforts to estimate αm by using DNA sequence data from different species. We have studied the potential problems in such an approach. We found that the rate of synonymous substitution varies about fivefold among X-linked genes, as large as the variation among autosomal genes. This large variation makes the assumption of selective neutrality of synonymous changes dubious, so one should be cautious in using the synonymous rates in X-linked and autosomal genes to estimate αm. A similar difficulty was also observed in using nonhomologous intron sequences to estimate αm. Contrary to the expectation that X-linked sequences should evolve more slowly than autosomal sequences, theAlu repeat in the last intron of the X-linked zinc finger gene has evolved faster than the four autosomalAlu repeats used in this study. It appears that the best way to estimate αm is to use homologous sequences. However, such sequences may be involved in gene conversion events. In fact, we found evidence that the Y-linked and X-linked zinc finger genes have been involved in multiple conversion events during primate evolution. Thus, the possibility of gene conversion should be considered when using homologous sequences to estimate αm.
Significance and management of positive surgical margins at the time of radical prostatectomy

Positive surgical margins (PSM) at the time of radical prostatectomy (RP) result in an increased risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) and secondary treatment. We review current literature with a focus on stratifying the characteristics of the PSM that may define its significance, the impact of modern imaging and surgical approaches in avoidance of PSM, and management strategies when PSM do occur. We performed a review of the available literature to identify factors associated with PSM and their management. PSM have been repeatedly demonstrated to be associated with an increased risk of BCR following RP. The specific characteristics (size, number, location, Gleason score at the margin) of the PSM may influence the risk of recurrence. Novel imaging and surgical approaches are being investigated and may allow for reductions of PSM in the future. The use of adjuvant treatment for a PSM remains controversial and should be decided on an individual basis after a discussion about the risks and benefits. The goal of RP is complete resection of the tumor. PSM are associated with increased risk of BCR and secondary treatments. Of the risk factors associated with BCR after RP, a PSM is directly influenced by surgical technique.
An Organizational Context for CASE Innovation

Practitioners and researchers have suggested that Computer-Aided Software Engineering CASE technology can significantly improve productivity of programmer/analysts and quality of application systems. Before CASE can succeed, though, a particular organizational context must be created within an Information System Department. The paper describes the necessary context. This paper first briefly discusses the present state of CASE technology. A model for CASE adoption by Information System Departments is developed by drawing upon past research in organizational innovation, IS implementation, and systems development. An interview-based methodology is used to determine the most favorable context for implementing CASE technology and to perform a preliminary test of the proposed model. Implications for practice and avenues for future research are identified.
Interprocedural optimization: eliminating unnecessary recompilation

While efficient new algorithms for interprocedural data-flow analysis have made these techniques practical for use in production compilation systems, a new problem has arisen: collecting and using interprocedural information in a compiler introduces subtle dependences among the procedures of a program. If the compiler depends on interprocedural information to optimize a given module, a subsequent editing change to another module in the program may change the interprocedural information and necessitate recompilation. To avoid having to recompile every module in a program in response to a single editing change to one module, we have developed techniques to more precisely determine which compilations have actually been invalidated by a change to the program's source
Chuck Tilly and Mozart

With Mozart-like versatility, Charles Tilly’s brilliant investigations covered a remarkable range of topics and methodologies. This paper highlights two of Tilly’s lesser-known contributions: as cultural analyst and as feminist scholar. It also introduces his concern with the place of normative arguments in social research.
On the perturbation description of radiationless transitions

Abstract A non-empirical criterion is derived for determining the representation appropriate to a first-order perturbation description of radiationless transitions.
Correlation-Based Network Inference and Modelling in Systems Biology: The NF-kappa B Signalling Network Case Study

It is currently attracting the interest of theoretical biologists, biochemicists and experimentalists to attempt to deduce the structure of biochemical networks "ab initio" from routinely available experimental data. The recent advances in systems biology have been driven by the methods that generate in vivo time-course data characterizing biochemical network interactions. Such data can be used for inferring a model structure and its parameters in order to examine the dynamic behavior of biological processes on a systemic level. We present here a new correlation-based approach to network inference, whose most attractive feature is that information can be extracted from the observed data with little a priori knowledge of the underlying mechanisms. Our method introduces a new correlation metric based on a Voronoi tessellation of the variable space and infers correlations among stationary time series data of reactant concentrations. These correlations can be used to reveal dependencies between variables, as well as connectivity between species. The method has been applied to a real case study: the binding kinetics of the enzyme inhibitor kappa B kinase to its substrate inhibitor kappa B alpha, whose interaction is an integral part of the transduction of signals in the NF-kappa B signalling pathway.