cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamics and energetics of hydrophobically confined water.

The effects of water confined in regions between self-assembling entities is relevant to numerous contexts such as macromolecular association, protein folding, protein-ligand association, and nanomaterials self-assembly. Thus assessing the impact of confined water, and the ability of current modeling techniques to capture the salient features of confined water is important and timely. We present molecular dynamics simulation results investigating the effect of confined water on qualitative features of potentials of mean force describing the free energetics of self-assembly of large planar hydrophobic plates. We consider several common explicit water models including the TIP3P, TIP4P, SPC/E, TIP4P-FQ, and SWM4-NDP, the latter two being polarizable models. Examination of the free energies for filling and unfilling the volume confined between the two plates (both in the context of average number of confined water molecules and "depth" of occupancy) suggests TIP4P-FQ water molecules generally occupy the confined volume at separation distances larger than observed for other models under the same conditions. The connection between this tendency of TIP4P-FQ water and the lack of a pronounced barrier in the potential of mean force for plate-plate association in TIP4P-FQ water is explored by artificially, but systematically, populating the confined volume with TIP4P-FQ water at low plate-plate separation distances. When the critical separation distance [denoting the crossover from an unoccupied (dry) confined interior to a filled (wet) interior] for TIP4P-FQ is reduced by 0.5 A using this approach, a barrier is observed; we rationalize this effect based on increased resistant forces introduced by confined water molecules at these low separations. We also consider the dynamics of water molecules in the confined region between the hydrophobes. We find that the TIP4P-FQ water model exhibits nonbulklike dynamics, with enhanced lateral diffusion relative to bulk. This is consistent with the reduced intermolecular water-water interaction indicated by a decreased molecular dipole moment in the interplate region. Analysis of velocity autocorrelation functions and associated power spectra indicate that the interplate region for TIP4P-FQ at a plate separation of 14.4 A approaches characteristics of the pure water liquid-vapor interface. This is in stark contrast to the other water models (including the polarizable SWM4-NDP model).
Office Management after Myocardial Infarction

Abstract Patients should have their modifiable coronary artery risk factors intensively treated after myocardial infarction. Hypertension should be treated with beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. The blood pressure should be reduced to less than 140/90 mm Hg or to less than 130/80 mm Hg in patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease. The serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol should be reduced to less than 70 mg/dL with statins if necessary. Diabetic patients should have their hemoglobin A 1c reduced to less than 7.0%. Aspirin or clopidogrel, beta-blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors should be given indefinitely unless contraindications exist to their use. Long-acting nitrates are effective anti-anginal and anti-ischemic drugs. After an infarction, patients at very high risk for sudden cardiac death should receive an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. The 2 indications for coronary revascularization are prolongation of life and relief of unacceptable symptoms despite optimal medical management.
Behavioral Protection by Moderate Hypothermia Initiated After Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

ABSTRACT The effects of postinjury hypothermia on behavioral outcome following moderate fluid percussion traumatic brain injury (TBI) were examined. In Experiment I, three groups of rats were examined. The first group was normothermic (37.5°C); and hypothermia (30°C) was initiated 15 min and 30 min postinjury in the second and third groups, respectively. Whole body cooling was achieved by ventral ice pack. Cooling of the brain to 30°C was achieved in 25 min and maintained for 60 min. Brain temperature was measured indirectly by a probe in the temporalis muscle. Behavioral outcome was assessed by beam-balance performance, beam-walking performance, and body weight loss measured daily for 5 days after TBI. Both the normothermic group and the 30-min postinjury hypothermic group exhibited significant (p < 0.05) beam-balance and beam-walking deficits on days 1 through 5 after TBI. In contrast, the 15-min postinjury hypothermic group exhibited significant (p < 0.05) beamwalking deficits only on day 1 after TBI a...
Aortic dilatation and aortopathies in congenital heart disease.

Purpose of review The objective of this review is to summarize the recent data pertaining to aortic dilatation in congenital heart disease (CHD) and to discuss the current understanding of the pathophysiology and management of this disease. Recent findings Aortic dilatation is a common finding in CHD. However, acute aortic complications appear to be relatively rare. Multiple factors predispose this population to aortic dilatation, including underlying genetics, cellular-based mechanisms, and abnormalities in aortic mechanics and valve morphology. Summary Although aortic dilatation is common in CHD, data about adverse long-term outcomes are limited. Optimal disease-specific management strategies have yet to be developed, and further research is needed to guide care in this population.
Wide Temperature Range Operation of Resonant Silicon Electro-Optic Modulators

We demonstrate wide-temperature range operation of a micron-size high-speed silicon electrooptic modulator over a temperature range of 15 K. We show that modulation can be maintained by varying the bias current to counter temperature changes.
Subcellular distribution of aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetases in Chinese hamster ovary cell culture.

Abstract Chinese hamster ovary cells grown in cell culture were broken and fractionated by differential centrifugation. Four principal fractions: nuclear and membrane, microsomal, postribosomal, and supernatant were obtained. The distribution of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in these four fractions was determined for all twenty amino acids. It was shown that there is a differential distribution of synthetases. Activities specific for eight amino acids: Ala, Ser, Gly, Cys, His, Arg, Thr and Pro were found mainly in the supernatant fraction. Activities specific for eleven amino acids: Asp, Asn, Glu, Gln, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Tyr and Val were found mainly in the postribosomal fraction. Four activities were found at significant levels in the microsomal fraction: Asp, Phe, Lys and Pro. The nuclear and membrane fraction contained activity for Lys, His, Asp and Thr. Changes in aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activities in various fractions from preparations made by breaking cells with a membrane-dissociating detergent showed that some of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activities may be membrane bound.
USE OF A HIGH SERICITE PYROPHYLLITE IN VITREOUS BODIES

A pyrophyllite containing approximately 15% of sericite is being produced at Hemp, North Carolina. When it is substituted in vitreous bodies for all of the flint or all of the flint and some feldspar, a marked increase in fired strength results, and the shrinkage and absorption properties are not affected by this substitution. The types of bodies studied include electrical porcelain, made by the dry and plastic processes, sanitary ware, vitreous floor tile, and hotel china ware.
Artificial Interspecific Hybridization in Temperate and Tropical Species of Ruellia (Acanthaceae)

Artificial hybridization experiments involving 25 taxa ofRuellia had as one objective to determine the possibility of any genetic relationships between North American temperate species and certain widespread tropical American taxa. The results confirm a close morpho-genetic link betweenR. caroliniensis-R. pedunculata and the Caribbean species R.geminiflora and betweenR. nudiflora and the pantropical R.tuberosa. A second objective was to test the genetic basis for the present generic concept ofRuellia. The results of hybridizations among species representatives of six proposed segregate genera were measured by relative seed-set in crosses. The results support the view that the present circumscription of the genus is unnatural and that some taxa presently classified inRuellia bear little if any morphological or genetic relationship toRuellia. When the ecotype concept is applied to the genus, natural, closely related species groups can be identified by hybridization experiments. This approach can lead to an accurate, precise delimitation ofRuellia and may be applicable in other large genera of Acanthaceae.
Feasibility of using the stable isotope 25Mg to study Mg metabolism in infants.

The feasibility of using isotopic techniques to study Mg absorption and metabolism was explored in three full-term human infants. 25Mg (98.8 atom %) was administered orally as an in vivo tracer. Fractional 25Mg absorption, isotope retention, endogenous fecal Mg losses, and apparent Mg exchangeable pool size were then determined under three conditions of isotope administration: 1) 20 mg 25Mg, with single feeding; 2) 20 mg 25Mg, distributed over a 24-h period; and 3) 60 mg 25Mg, over a 24-h period. Mg isotope ratios were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Fractional absorption was increased in all three infants after distributed versus bolus administration at the 20 mg dose; mean (+/- SD) fractional absorption was 64.0 +/- 3.9 versus 54.3 +/- 5.9%, respectively. 25Mg retention was also more in all three infants after distributed administration (55.8 +/- 3.0 versus 44.3 +/- 1.3% of dose). At the 60-mg 25Mg dose, compared to 20 mg, fractional absorption was reduced but absolute isotope absorption more than doubled in all infants; urine isotope losses represented a similar fraction of the absorbed dose, thus, 25Mg retention also more than doubled. Compared to the results of the isotope studies, net Mg absorption and balance were uninfluenced by total Mg intake. Isotope retention with distributed isotope administration resulted in measurable isotopic enrichment of plasma and erythrocytes at 72 h (i.e. plasma isotope enrichment was 6.3-10.2 and 19.2-23.5% for the 20- and 60-mg dose, respectively). With these doses, apparent Mg exchangeable pool size ranged from 5.5 to 7.6 mmol/kg body wt; these values showed a decrease with age both within and between infants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Changes in the types of collagen synthesized during chondrogenesis of the mouse otic capsule.

We have investigated the temporal relationship between the morphological differentiation of the mouse otic capsule and the pattern of collagen synthesis by mouse otocyst-mesenchyme complexes labeled in vitro. In 10.5- to 12-day embryos the mesenchyme surrounding the otocyst was loosely organized except for a few lateroventral condensations; explants from these embryos synthesized only small amounts of collagen. Collagen synthesis by whole explants increased by more than 50% between 12 and 13 days concomitant with metachromatic staining of the lateral periotic mesenchyme. Cartilage specific type II collagen was the predominant collagen synthesized by these explants as confirmed by SDS-PAGE, densitometry, CNBr cleavage, and V8 protease digestion. This biochemical expression of the cartilage phenotype preceded morphologic recognition of otic capsular cartilage by almost 2 days. Type II collagen synthesis continued to increase and predominate through Day 16 of gestation by which time the otic labyrinth was surrounded by mature cartilage. The minor cartilage collagen chains, 1α, 2α, and 3α, first appeared on different days of gestation. The 1α, and 3α chains were synthesized by explants from 11-day embryos while the 2α chain appeared during Day 13, just before overt differentiation of mature cartilage. These results suggested that the 1α, 2α, and 3α chains may not form heterotrimers containing all three chains and that synthesis of the 2α chain may be associated with stabilization of the cartilaginous matrix. Comparison of these data with the patterns of collagen production by mutant, diseased, or experimentally manipulated inner ear tissues may provide insights into the molecular basis of chondrogenic tissue interactions.
Pedogenesis of siliceous calcretes at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Abstract Siliceous calcretes in faults near Yucca Mountain, Nevada, have been interpreted by some observers as evidence of seismically-triggered eruptions of deep water. Such an origin could have important consequences if Yucca Mountain is developed as an unsaturated site for disposal of high-level nuclear waste. At odds with this hypothesis are the absence of features that should be present at fault-fed springs (e.g., fissure-ridge mounds with microterraces) and the preservation within root casts of delicate pedogenic microfossils such as calcified filaments and needle-fiber calcites. Chemical evidence of pedogenic origin is found in Fe and Sc enrichments that require prior weathering of detritus in the calcretes, as opposed to direct incorporation of adjacent unweathered bedrock. Carbonate and silica abundances and accumulation rates are well within the scope of pedogenic processes. Sources of carbonate are eolian, whereas silica is derived in part by dissolution of local volcanic glasses but also by extensive dissolution of unstable silica minerals (tridymite and cristobalite) that are abundant in the local tuffs. The siliceous calcretes at Yucca Mountain are pedogenic and provide no evidence in support of conjectured spring activity.
Assessment of everyday functioning in schizophrenia: Implications for treatments aimed at negative symptoms

Assessment of functional impairment in schizophrenia is complicated by problems in self-assessment on the part of patients. These problems can be surmounted through the use of appropriate informants and reliable rating scales. In terms of treatment of negative symptoms, not every aspect of functional outcome is adversely impacted by negative symptoms, requiring assessment of multiple aspects of everyday functioning. Failures in the achievement of functional milestones are likely caused by complex combinations of factors, some of which may reside outside the individual. Assessment of sub-threshold milestones (looking for work vs. full time employment) may be the maximally viable strategy and this relies on the use of rating scales. In addition, there are considerable differences across informants in terms of the extent to which their ratings converge with other indices of patient functioning, such as cognitive test performance. Global scores may not adequately capture functioning in different domains, thus suggesting that rating scales with clear separation of social, vocational, and residential functioning may be preferable.
A Fuzzy Optimization Approach to PV/Battery Scheduling with Uncertainty in PV Generation

With new developments in technologies, grid- connected photovoltaic (PV) systems are becoming increasingly attractive as a generation technology, due to many factors, including environmental concerns and transmission congestion management. Additionally, PV generators are often paired with energy storage elements, such as batteries, to store excess power generated during off-peak hours to be returned to the system when generation is more expensive. For system economic operation, the PV/battery commitment and dispatch must be optimal. However, the generation is not known in advance, as it is dependant on weather factors that are not completely predictable. This paper presents a unit commitment and economic dispatch solution for the PV/battery system using fuzzy optimization to model the uncertainty in PV generation based on mixed-integer programming.
Synthesis and characterization of glycol chitosan DNA nanoparticles for retinal gene delivery

Given the number of monogenic ocular diseases and the number of non-monogenic degenerative ocular diseases for which gene therapy is considered as a treatment, the development of effective therapeutic delivery strategies for DNA is a critical research goal. In this work, nonviral nanoparticles (NPs) composed of glycol chitosan (GCS) and plasmid DNA (pDNA) were generated, characterized, and evaluated. These particles are stable, do not aggregate in saline, are resistant to DNases, and have a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 250 nm. Furthermore, the plasmid in these NPs was shown to maintain its proper conformation and can be released and expressed inside the cell. To determine whether these NPs would be suitable for intraocular use, pDNA carrying the ubiquitously expressed CBA-eGFP expression cassette was compacted and subretinally injected into adult wild-type albino mice. At day 14 post-injection (PI), substantial green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression was observed exclusively in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in eyes treated with GCS NPs but not in those treated with uncompacted pDNA or vehicle (saline). No signs of gross retinal toxicity were observed, and at 30 days PI, there was no difference in electroretinogram function between GCS NP-, pDNA-, or vehicle-treated eyes. These results suggest that with further development, GCS NPs could be a useful addition to the available repertoire of genetic therapies for the treatment of RPE-associated diseases.
The role of shortening reaction in mediating rigidity in Parkinson's disease

Rigidity in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is defined as an increased resistance to passive movement of a joint. The plastic-type rigidity is uniform and constant throughout the entire range of motion, whereas the cogwheel-type rigidity is accompanied by tremor. Rigidity in PD has been understudied. Thus, its pathophysiological basis remains unclear. The purpose of the study is to examine neuromuscular/biomechanical properties of PD rigidity and to provide its physiological characteristics. We hypothesize that PD rigidity presents as a flattened trace of joint torque vs. angular position (torque-angle relation) of the wrist, because the forces generated by lengthening muscles are offset by activation of the antagonist, i.e. “shortening reaction” (SR). Experiments were conducted on six PD subjects medication OFF and ON. PD severity was assessed based on the unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale. Each subject sat on a chair and was instructed to relax, with the wrist coupled to the device. The servomotor applied constant velocity displacement to create wrist flexion/extension. Electromyographic (EMG) responses were monitored from wrist muscles, along with position, velocity and torque. EMG magnitudes were computed over the movement period. Slopes were derived from the torque-angle trace. Results showed that SRs were routinely recorded OFF medication, but substantially reduced ON medication. Due to the interaction of SR, torque-angle relation was flatter OFF medication and became steeper ON medication. Correlation analyses showed that a strong correlation (R=0.65) existed between SR and torque-angle slope OFF medication, exclusively. We suggest that SR may play an important role in mediating the mechanical features of PD rigidity.
Biological and biochemical properties of nerve growth factor synthesized by mouse S-180 cells in culture

Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a protein involved in the maintenance and differentiation of sensory and sympathetic neuronal cells [1], is synthesized by several different types of cells in culture [2-7]. In this paper, the biochemical and biological properties of NGF synthesized by a mouse S-180 sarcoma cell line were examined. These cells do not appear to produce the 7S-NGF molecule, a form of NGF found in high concentrations in the mouse submandibular gland [8]. The 7S-NGF is comprised of three distinct protein subunits named beta-NGF, alpha and gamma [9]. Although the S-180 cells do not produce 7S-NGF, the cells do synthesize one of the component subunits of 7S-NGF, the beta-NGF subunit. Biological, electrophoretic, immunological and molecular weight criteria were used to establish that the beta-NGF synthesized by the S-180 cells is very similar to the submandibular gland beta-NGF. The S-180 beta-NGF was bound to an unidentified binding component(s) which is not immunologically similar to either the alpha- or gamma-subunit. The functional significance of this interaction is not known.
Bounds of redundant multicast routing problem with SRLG-diverse constraints: edge, path and tree models

This paper proposes three classes of alternative mathematical programming models (i.e., edge-based, path-based, and tree-based) for redundant multicast routing problem with shared risk link group (SRLG)-diverse constraints (RMR-SRLGD). The goal of RMR-SRLGD problem is to find two redundant multicast trees, each from one of the two sources to every destination, at a minimum cost while ensuring the paths from the two sources to a destination do not share any common risks. Such risk could cause the failures of multiple links simultaneously. Therefore, the RMR-SRLGD problem ensures the availability and reliability of multicast services. We investigated and compared the theoretical bounds of the linear programming (LP) relaxation for all models. We also summarized a hierarchy relationship of the tightness of LP bounds for the proposed models.
Perchlorate in the United States. Analysis of relative source contributions to the food chain.

Perchlorate has been considered by some a potential threat to human health, especially to developing infants and children because it may inhibit iodide uptake by the sodium iodide symporter (NIS) of the thyroid. In the United States, during the last several decades, environmental perchlorate has had three recognized sources stemming from (a) its use as an oxidizer (including in rocket propellants), (b) its presence in Chilean nitrate fertilizer (CNF), and (c) natural production. An analysis of the relative source strengths and how they may influence entry into the food chain has not been conducted. Averaged over the last ∼60 years, we estimate that the source strengths have been (a) 10.6, (b) 0.75, and (c) 0.13−0.64 Gg/y for the United States as a whole. Of this, while (b) and (c) represent actual dispersed amounts, the figure in (a) is the amount of perchlorate produced and only a fraction (f) of it has been dispersed and often in a more localized fashion. In addition, dispersal of (b) has taken place on...
AN UNSTRUCTURED GRID METHOD FOR A PRESSURE-BASED FLOW AND HEAT TRANSFER SOLVER

Abstract An unstructured grid method is developed along with an implicit pressure-based solver to calculate flow and heat transfer problems. The method is finite volume based and utilizes collocated and cell-centered storage scheme. New second-order discretizations of the convection and diffusion terms are derived and presented for triangular or tetrahedral cells. The pressure damping for promoting stability and the PISO algorithm for resolving the velocity-pressure coupling are extended to the unstructured grid solver. A number of two-dimensional flow cases have been calculated to validate the unstructured grid method. The validation cases encompass laminar and turbulent flows with and without heat transfer. At the end, an application to a flow through a branched duct with cooling fins is presented to demonstrate the flexibility of the unstructured grid method for flows with complex geometry.
Dissociation of the High Density Lipoprotein and Low Density Lipoprotein Binding Activities of Murine Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I (mSR-BI) Using Retrovirus Library-based Activity Dissection

Abstract The murine class B, type I scavenger receptor (mSR-BI) is a receptor for both high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) and mediates selective, rather than endocytic, uptake of lipoprotein lipid. We have developed a “retrovirus library-based activity dissection” method to generate mSR-BI mutants in which some, but not all, of the activities of this multifunctional protein have been disrupted. This method employs three techniques: 1) efficient in vitro cDNA mutagenesis (here error-prone PCR was used), 2) efficient retroviral delivery and high expression of single mutant cDNAs into individual cells, and 3) isolation of infected cells expressing the desired mutant phenotype using high sensitivity positive/negative screening by two-color fluorescence-activated cell sorting. A set of mutants, all having arginine substitutions at two common sites (positions 402 or 401 and position 418), were isolated and characterized. Mutation at either site alone did not generate as strong a mutant phenotype (loss of DiI uptake from DiI-HDL) as did the double mutations. “Activity-dissected” double mutants were as effective as wild-type mSR-BI in functioning as LDL receptors, mediating high affinity LDL binding and uptake of metabolically active cholesterol from LDL, but they lost most of their corresponding HDL receptor activity. Thus, these mutants provide support for the proposal that the interaction of SR-BI with HDL differs from that with LDL. Examination of the in vivo function of such mutants may provide insights into the differential roles of the LDL and HDL receptor activities of SR-BI in normal lipoprotein metabolism and in SR-BI's ability to protect against atherosclerosis.
A novel role for greatwall kinase in recovery from DNA damage.

Activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) is critical for genomic integrity and tumor suppression. The occurrence of DNA damage quickly evokes the DDR through ATM/ATR-dependent signal transduction, which promotes DNA repair and activates the checkpoint to halt cell cycle progression. The shut off process of the DDR upon satisfaction of DNA repair, also known as “checkpoint recovery,” involves deactivation of DDR elements, but the mechanism is poorly understood. Greatwall kinase (Gwl) has been identified as a key element in the G2/M transition and helps maintain M phase through inhibition of PP2A/B55δ, the principal phosphatase for Cdk-phosphorylated substrates. Here, we show that Gwl also promotes recovery from DNA damage and is itself directly inhibited by the DNA damage response (DDR). In Xenopus egg extracts, immunodepletion of Gwl increased the DDR to damaged DNA, whereas addition of wild-type, but not kinase-dead Gwl, inhibited the DDR. The removal of damaged DNA from egg extracts leads to recovery from checkpoint arrest and entry into mitosis, a process impaired by Gwl depletion and enhanced by Gwl overexpression. Moreover, activation of Cdk1 after the removal of damaged DNA is regulated by Gwl. Collectively, these results defines Gwl as a new regulator of the DDR, which plays an important role in recovery from DNA damage.
Coalition formation in proportionally fair divisible auctions

One method for agents to improve their performance is to form coalitions with other agents. One reason why this might occur is because different agents could have been created by the same owner so an incentive to cooperate naturally exists. Competing agents can also choose to coordinate their actions when there is a mutually beneficial result. The emergence and effects of cooperation depend on the structure of the game being played. In this paper, we study a proportionally fair divisible auction to manage agents bidding for service from network and computational resources. We first show that cooperation is a dominant strategy against any fixed level of competition. We then investigate whether collusion can undermine a noncooperative equilibrium solution, i.e. allow an agent priced out of the noncooperative game to enter the game by teaming with other agents. We are able to show that agents not receiving service after a bid equilibrium is reached cannot obtain service by forming coalitions. However, cooperation does allow the possibility that agents with positive allocations can improve their performance. To know whether or not to cooperate with another agent, one must devise a way of assigning a value to every coalition. In classical cooperative game theory, the value of a team is the total utility of the team under the worst case response of all other agents, as a coalition is viewed as a threat by the remaining agents. We show that this analysis is not appropriate in our case. The formation of a coalition under a proportionally fair divisible auction improves the performance of those outside the coalition. This then creates an incentive structure where team play is encouraged.
Industrial marketing firms and knowledge transfer: Toward a basic typology of community structures

Abstract Industrial firm boundaries are dynamic, changing with every new alliance or acquisition. As boundaries evolve, managers must develop organizational structures that effectively leverage knowledge. This paper presents and explains the analytical foundation of a typology of community structures, featuring the basic structures of Crew , Seance, and Guru . This typology is applied to three examples of knowledge transfer in industrial marketing. A competence exploitation example examines knowledge transfer between a firm and a subsidiary established primarily for increasing existing product sales in a new market. A competence creation example examines the community structures for utilizing the product and market knowledge of a subsidiary to benefit the firm's new product development decisions. The final example examines the “tech vs. touch” tradeoffs in interpersonal communication and knowledge transfer. The back-to-basics typology of community structures helps stimulate strategic thinking, and facilitates future explorations of knowledge management in industrial marketing.
Zero Modes and Anomalies in Superconducting Strings.

Superconductivity in cosmic strings occurs when electrically charged fermions are trapped as massless particles (Jackiw-Rossi zero modes) in the core of a string. Currents are generated when an electric field is applied along the string, or more realistically, when the string moves through a cosmic magnetic field. In realistic models (e.g., those inspired by grand unified theories), the fermion-vortex systems that arise can be quite complicated and the question of whether or not superconductivity occurs is very model dependent. For example, in certain models, mixing between right- and left-moving zero modes gives rise to an effective mass for the fermions on the string. The currents in this case, at least for reasonable values for cosmic magnetic fields, are uninterestingly small. In this paper, we present a simple method for determining the number of true zero modes in a special class of fermion-vortex systems. These results are then applied to a particular particle-physics model based on the gauge group E/sub 6/. We also consider the possibility that summation/sub left movers/q/sup 2/not =summation/sub right movers/q/sup 2/ where q is the electromagnetic charge of a zero mode. In this situation, which occurs in ''frustrated'' as well as global strings, there is a gaugemore » anomaly (and therefore charge nonconservation) in the effective (1+1)-dimensional theory for the fermion-string system. In the presence of an electric field, the string acquires both charge and current. Charge nonconservation on the string is accounted for by an inflow of charge from the world outside the string. However, both charge and current can be screened, either by polarization of the vacuum or by the surrounding plasma.« less
PRESCHOOL TEACHERS' SEX-ROLE CONTINGENCIES AS A FUNCTION OF TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, AND PERSONALITY

Summary.-Preschool teachers' training, experience, and personality were examined for possible effects on sex-role contingencies. A state-wide sample of 20 males and 20 females, all full-time preschool teachers, was matched pairwise for age, preschool location, and education. Sex-role contingencies were obtained from classroom observations, and the Adjective Check List was adrninistered to each participant to assess personality. The results indicated that uaining, experience, and personality are not significantly related to preschool teachers' sex-role contingencies. Ir is concluded that previous studies reporting such effects reflect sample rather than population characteristics of preschool teach
A comparison of performance on the OMSITE and ABOMS written qualifying examination

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to see whether there was a correlation between the performance of persons on the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery In-Training Examination (OMSITE) and their performance on the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Written Qualifying Examination (ABOMS WQE). Methods: All OMSITE scores for residents in their last years of training during the years 1992 to 1998 and their scores on the ABOMS WQE were tabulated by American College Testing (ACT) (Iowa City, IA) and submitted for analysis. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficients to determine any relationship between the 2 scores. Likelihood ratios were calculated to show the probability of candidates passing the ABOMS WQE based on their OMSITE score. Results: There were 765 scores provided by ACT for the years 1992 to 1998. A significantly positive correlation existed between the OMSITE and ABOMS WQE raw scores for those taking the ABOMS WQE for the first and second times, but not for subsequent attempts. Persons who scored a raw score of over 211 on the OMSITE all passed the ABOMS WQE on their first attempt. Those with a raw score of less than 134 on their OMSITE all failed the ABOMS WQE on their first attempt. Conclusion: A highly positive correlation exists between candidate performance on the OMSITE and the ABOMS WQE. © 2000 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
In Sympathy with Narrative Characters

Sympathetic responses to characters are a pervasive form of narrative engagement, and they contribute importantly to what makes perceiving a narrative a rewarding experience. Yet, the notion of sympathy has received relatively little attention in contemporary philosophy of art, especially when compared to the lively debates surrounding the notion of empathy.1 Here, I propose an analysis of sympathy that addresses the notion's complex structure, one that enjoys several explanatory advantages in understanding our responses to others. Sympathy will prove to be a multifaceted phenomenon, one deserving an even more thorough investigation than offered here. However, it will amount to progress if my analysis succeeds in isolating a paradigmatic mechanism of engagement-call it "paradigmatic sympathy" or "sympathy proper" or, for short, "sympathy"such that a number of responses that are commonly called "sympathetic" can be understood as being in various ways akin to it. My topic is sympathy as a broad mechanism of one's engagement with another, hereafter also the "target" of the response, where the other is responded to with favor (while we can dub antipathy the mechanism by which one responds to another's experience and situation with d/sfavor).2 It is not sympathy as an emotion, as when the term is used interchangeably with such terms as 'pity,' 'sorrow,' 'tenderness,' and so forth. Sympathetic responders in the sense relevant here may feel any one of a wide range of emotions, depending on the situation affecting their target: not just pity, but also happiness, anger, disappointment, and so forth. Hence, I submit, we respond sympathetically not just when we pity Desdemona as she tries in vain to persuade Othello of her loyalty and love, but also when we feel happy for Superman as he succeeds in reviving Lois Lane, or when we feel a complex entanglement of emotions for Willy Loman as he ends his life. Largely for this reason, what follows will include little critique of other accounts, since most of them look at sympathy as an emotion or a set of emotions. By contrast, my proposal on sympathy as a mechanism of engagement, if successful, will provide us with a criterion to identify a wide range of responses as sympathetic.3
Sertoli Cell Adenylyl Cyclase Is Stimulated by a Factor Associated with Germ Cells

It is not yet apparent how Sertoli cell functions are regulated to coordinate and support differentiation of the adjacent germ cells (GC) in the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Studies have shown that FSH binding and response by cells of the seminiferous tubule,'.2 as well as activities of specific enzyme^,^ can be correlated with the stage of spermatogenesis existing within isolated tubule segments. Because the hormonal milieu of the testis is essentially constant, these observations support the hypothesis of a mechanism within the seminiferous tubule for localized regulation of morphological and biochemical event^.^ GC may directly affect Sertoli cell function by essentially the same series of biochemical events as the FSH response mechanism.'-3 To examine the possibility of direct GC effects on Sertoli function, we have studied the effects of GC and GC fractions of adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity in membrane preparations from highly enriched populations of rat Sertoli cells. We observe stimulation of AC by GC and GC fractions. Basal AC activity of membranes from Sertoli cells cultured for three days in hormone and serum-free medium was found to be low, ranging from 2 to 14 pmoles cAMP/min/mg protein. When the Sertoli membranes were treated with FSH or isoproterenol in the presence of 1 p M GTP, conditions that elicit maximal AC responses, AC was stimulated to average rates of 104 and 76 pmoles CAMP/ midmg, respectively (FIGURE la). If freshly prepared GC (50-150 pg protein/ assay) instead of hormone were added to Sertoli membranes, AC activity was measured to average 62 pmoles cAMP/min/mg Sertoli protein. When GC alone were assayed, they were found to exhibit no AC activity under the conditions employed. GC were also separated into membrane and cytosol fractions. Both fractions were able to stimulate AC activity of Sertoli membranes to levels significantly higher than basal (FIGURE Ib). The results did not offer any clear evidence concerning the subcellular localization of the GC factor that was activating Sertoli AC . The possibility of the activation being due to calmodulin was considered. Because calmodulin has been shown to be heat stable with a half-life of 7 min at 100°C,4 the effect of heat on the GC fractions' ability to activate Sertoli AC was examined (FIGURE Ic). Treatment at 60°C did not diminish the capacity of GC preparations to activate AC. However, 100°C for 1 min abolished completely the ability of GC preparations to activate AC. The results indicate that the stimulatory activity associated with the GC possesses limited heat stability and cannot be attributed to the heat-stable activator calmodulin.
RNA INTERFERENCE AGAINST CFTR AFFECTS HL60-DERIVED NEUTROPHIL MICROBICIDAL FUNCTION

Biosynthesis of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a potent anti-microbial oxidant, in phagosomes is one of the chief mechanisms employed by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) to combat infections. This reaction, catalyzed by myeloperoxidase, requires chloride anion (Cl−) as a substrate. Thus, Cl− availability is a rate-limiting factor that affects neutrophil microbicidal function. Our previous research demonstrated that defective CFTR, a cAMP-activated chloride channel, present in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients leads to deficient chloride transport to neutrophil phagosomes and impaired bacterial killing (Painter et al., 2008 & 2010). To confirm this finding, here we used RNA interference against this chloride channel to abate CFTR expression in the neutrophil-like cells derived from HL60 cells, a promyelocytic leukemia cell line, with DMSO. The resultant CFTR deficiency in the phagocytes compromised their bactericidal capability, thereby recapitulating the phenotype seen in CF patient cells. The results provide further evidence suggesting that CFTR plays an important role in phagocytic host defense.
STATISTICAL THEORY OF NUCLEAR CROSS SECTION FLUCTUATIONS.

Abstract The method of “random matrices”, employed originally in the study of energy level distributions of complex systems, is applied to the analysis of nuclear cross section averages and fluctuations in the continuum region. A generalization of the “orthogonal” ensemble of random unitary symmetric matrices introduced by Dyson is postulated as the underlying statistical ensemble of collision matrices from which averages and variances of nuclear reaction cross sections may be calculated. Analytical results are obtained only in the asymptotic limit N > 1, where N is the number of open channels, i.e., the dimension of the matrices considered. Effects due to energy resolution of the measuring apparatus and to “direct” or fast processes as well as to slow processes such as compound nucleus formation are considered. The method has the advantage of yielding results that are invariant with respect to a transformation of channel-representation, e.g., from channel-spin s to projectile momentum j. Consistency with unitarity is achieved by treating the collision matrix as the basic random variable rather than one or more of its matrix elements. The discussion is limited to angle-integrated cross sections corresponding to given values of spin and parity, but the extension to the more general case is straightforward.
Movement of the X chromosome in epilepsy

The position of selected chromosomes was assessed in samples of normal and epileptic human cortex with biotinylated probes specific for individual chromosome domains. Optical sectioning provided a rapid method for three-dimensional resolution of in situ hybridization signals in interphase cells, and solid models were reconstructed from digitized images for detailed rotational studies. There was a dramatic repositioning of the X chromosome in neurons of both males and females in electrophysiologically defined seizure foci. Other chromosomes (1, 9, and Y) showed more subtle positional changes. Specifically altered nuclear patterns involving the X chromosome may become established and create the genetic memory for intractable seizure activity.
FURTHER ANALYSIS OF GENETIC CONTROL OF HETEROCARYOSIS IN NEUROSPORA CRASSA

CONDITIONS FAVORING successful interaction, or the formation of a heterocaryon, between some biochemical mutant strains (Beadle and Coonradt, 1944) are known to be quite ineffective in others. This difference in response has been analyzed and found to be gene controlled (Holloway, 1953; Garnjobst, 19532). Because of the generally accepted view that heterocaryosis implies the compatibility of physiological reactions, further investigation is of considerable theoretical interest. Reactions of the two pairs of genes affecting heterocaryosis2 had not been experimentally examined in all possible combinations. These tests seemed desirable and have now been carried out. The results not only are consistent with the hypothesis that compatibility relations are concerned in heterocaryosis in Neurospora but they also suggest that certain genes may function in a rather specific way in determining compatibility. The two independently segregating genes described in a previous paper2 had been designated C (het-1) and D (het-2). The alleles preventing heterocaryosis, c and d, originally present in the inositol strain 37401 (inos) 3, were also found to be effective in preventing heterocaryon formation when either or both were genetically introduced into certain mutant strains originally of the CD genotype. The four possible heterocaryon genotypes CD, cD, Cd, and ed were obtained in the inos strain from a backcross of a CD inos isolate with the original strain. A riboflavin-requiring strain (Y30539, rib-2) of the CD genotype was used as a standard tester for the heterocaryon-forming ability of segregants of these crosses and of all subsequent interand intra-ascus crosses. All heterocaryon tests clearly proved that the presence of alleles C and D was necessary in both strains (inos isolate and rib-2 tester) to obtain a relatively stable heterocaryon (het+ phenotype). Other combinations (CD + cD, CD + Cd, and CD + cd) gave essentially negative (hetphenotype) results. The four heterocaryon genotypes have now been obtained from similar crosses in two other mutant strains the riboflavin tester strain and the nicotinicacid-tryptophan-requiring strain (39401, nt). All possible combinations of cultures having these genotypes, including those of the inos strain, have been tested for unisexual heterocaryon formation.
Time to eat? The relationship between food security and food-related time use.

Objectives In the present analysis, we seek to establish a relationship between time spent on food-related activities and food security status as well as between time spent on these activities and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly called the Food Stamp Program) participation and benefit level. Design After matching similar households using Coarsened Exact Matching, we estimate the relationship between food-related time, food insecurity and SNAP participation and benefit level using a comprehensive data set that combines two subsets of the Current Population Survey from years 2004–2010: the Food Security Supplement and the American Time Use Survey. Setting City, suburban and rural areas of the USA. Subjects Non-institutionalized US population over the age of 15 years. Total sample size is 10 247 households. Results In single households, food insecurity and SNAP participation are associated with 20 % more time in meal preparation and 13 % less time eating. Similarly, in married households, SNAP participation and benefit level are associated with 32 % less time in meal preparation while food insecurity is associated with 17 % less time eating and 14 % less time in grocery shopping. Conclusions A significant relationship exists between time spent on food-related activities and food insecurity and SNAP. This implies that federal and state government may need to consider the time constraints many low-income households face when reforming food assistance programmes.
p-Nitrophenol degradation by a heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction on nano-magnetite: Process optimization, kinetics, and degradation pathways

Abstract Heterogeneous Fenton-like reactions on nano-magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) were investigated for the degradation of p-Nitrophenol (p-NP). A four factor central composite design (CCD) coupled with response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to evaluate and optimize the important variables. A significant quadratic model ( P -value R 2 = 0.9442) was derived using analysis of variance (ANOVA), which was adequate to perform the process variables optimization. Optimum conditions were determined to be 1.5 g L −1 Fe 3 O 4 , 620 mM H 2 O 2 , pH 7.0 and 25–45 mg L −1 p-NP. More than 90% of p-NP was experimentally degraded after 10 h of reaction time under the optimum conditions, which agreed well with the model predictions. The results demonstrated that the degradation of p-NP was due to the attack of hydroxyl radicals ( OH) generated by the surface-catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide on the nano-Fe 3 O 4 , i.e. heterogeneous Fenton-like reactions. Possible mechanisms of p-NP degradation in this system were proposed, based on intermediates identified by LC–MS and GC–MS and included benzoquinone, hydroquinone, 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene and p-nitrocatechol. The kinetic analysis implied that the generation rate of OH ( V OH ) was increased along with the degradation of p-NP. This was attributed to the formation of acidic products, which decreased the solution pH and enhanced the decomposition of absorbed hydrogen peroxide via a radical producing pathway on the nano-Fe 3 O 4 surface.