cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunocytochemical localization of the α3, α4, α5, α7, β2, β3 and β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits in the locus coeruleus of the rat

Abstract The presence of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) within the locus coeruleus (LC) has been examined using a wide range of techniques. However, the expression pattern of individual nicotinic receptor subunits has not been described. Using immunocytochemistry, we demonstrate the distribution of the α3, α4, α5, α7, β2, β3 and β4 nAChR subunits within the LC. Most nAChR subunits were expressed on neuronal perikarya within the LC nucleus. The α3, α4, α7 and β3 immunoreactive neurons were evenly distributed in the dorsal and ventral LC whereas the α5, β2 and β4 nAChR subunits were preferentially confined to the upper dorsal section. In addition to neuronal perikarya, α4, α5 and β2 immunoreactive fibers were observed. With the exception of the α3 subunit, punctate labeling was observed within and immediately surrounding the LC. These data are consistent with the presence of multiple nAChRs within the LC and extend these findings to show the distribution pattern of each nAChR subunit throughout the LC nucleus.
Protein Kinase C Phosphorylates Nonmuscle Myosin-II Heavy Chain from Drosophila but Regulation of Myosin Function by This Enzyme Is Not Required for Viability in Flies†

Conventional myosins (myosin-IIs) generate forces for cell shape change and cell motility. Myosin heavy chain phosphorylation regulates myosin function in simple eukaryotes and may also be important in metazoans. To investigate this regulation in a complex eukaryote, we purified the Drosophila myosin-II tail expressed in Escherichia coli and showed that it was phosphorylated in vitro by protein kinase C(PKC) at serines 1936 and 1944, which are located in the nonhelical globular tail piece. These sites are close to a conserved serine that is phosphorylated in vertebrate, nonmuscle myosin-IIs. If the two serines are mutagenized to alanine or aspartic acid, phosphorylation no longer occurs. Using a 341 amino acid tail fragment, we show that there is no difference in the salt-dependent assembly of wild-type phosphorylated and mutagenized polypeptides. Thus, the nonmuscle myosin heavy chain in Drosophila, which is encoded by the zipper gene, appears to be similar to rabbit nonmuscle myosin-IIA. In vivo, we gen...
Journey out of darkness? Images of Africa in American travelogues at the turn of the millennium

Research analysing images of Africa in western travel literature from the nineteenth century is vast, but little commentary has been offered for the twentieth. While popular media such as cinema, television and the news have replaced travelogues as the predominant source of images about Africa in the west, over the past thirty years travelogues, now mostly written by American journalists, have become ‘authoritative’ sources offering western audiences in-depth observations about the continent. This article examines this recent body of literature to see if the images and tropes about Africa have changed over the past century. It concludes that, despite changes in perceptions towards Africa, many of the dark and subordinate tropes about Africa remain the same on account of prevailing western frameworks. This article suggests ways to resolve this persistent, negative pattern.
Neutralino relic density with implications for supersymmetry at collider experiments

The relic density of neutralinos produced in the Big Bang is computed within the framework of the minimal supergravity model. Our calculation is performed at the amplitude level, contains all relevant Feynman diagrams, is fully relativistic, and contains a careful treatment of integration over s-channel annihilation poles. We compare our results with expectations for minimal supergravity at LEP2, the Fermilab Tevatron MI and TeV33 upgrades, the CERN LHC and a Next Linear Collider operating at √s=500 GeV.
Effect of an Alternating Current Electric Field on the Plastic Deformation of Ultrafine-Grained 3Y-TZP at 1400 °C and 1500 °C

The influence of a 60 Hz alternating current (ac) electric field E rms = 6.7 to 7.5 V/cm applied in the loading direction on the flow stress of 3 mol pct yittria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (3Y-TZPs) in uniaxial tension at 1400 °C and 1500 °C was determined. Two test types were performed: type a, where the field was applied continuously throughout the tension test; and type b, where the field was alternately applied and removed. The field reduced the flow stress in both test types but with an appreciably greater effect in type a. The reduction in flow stress in the type b tests was regained upon removal of the field and was attributed to a decrease in the energy to form the rate-controlling Zr4+ vacancies in the space charge zone adjacent to the grain boundaries. The larger reduction in flow stress in the type a tests was attributed to a retardation of grain growth by the field as a result of a decrease in the driving force. The results obtained with the ac field were in agreement with those with direct current (dc) field.
The Molecular Biology of Euglena gracilis. X. Amino Acid Composition of Protein

SYNOPSIS. Cells of Euglena gracilis strain Z were extracted with trichloroacetic acid. Samples of gross cellular protein were hydrolyzed by a variety of reagents. Amino acids released by these procedures were analyzed and the overall composition of cell protein was quantitatively determined.
Structure-activity correlations among iridium(III) photosensitizers in a robust water-reducing system.

A photocatalytic water-reducing system utilizing a bis-cyclometalated bipyridyl iridium(III) photosensitizer (PS) and a platinum or palladium heterogeneous catalyst was used to identify systematic property−activity correlations among a library of structural derivatives of [Ir(ppy)2(bpy)]+. A heterogeneous Pd catalyst proved to be more durable than its previously reported Pt-based counterpart, allowing for more reliable photosensitizer study. The deliberate steric and electronic variations of the ppy and bpy moieties resulted in a dramatic decrease of the degradation rates observed with selected photosensitizers when compared to the more substitution-labile [Ir(ppy)2(bpy)]+ parent compound. An improved photosensitizer structure with a Pd catalyst in a nonligating solvent exhibited a 150-fold increase in catalyst turnover numbers compared to the system using [Ir(ppy)2(bpy)]+ and a Pt catalyst. Furthermore, photocatalytic and photophysical studies at varied temperatures provided information on the rate-limit...
Chronic Kidney Disease after Pediatric Hematopoietic Cell Transplant

There are 3 clearly distinct clinical entities that occur after HCT: TMA, idiopathic CKD, and nephrotic syndrome. The potentially independent role of GVHD and chronic inflammation in the development and progression of idiopathic CKD warrants further investigation. CKD after HCT is a relatively common occurrence. As the indications for and number of transplants performed world wide increases, so will the burden of kidney disease. Identifying those patients at risk for the development of CKD will be important for potential intervention and prevention of CKD and progression to end-stage renal disease in this patient population. There are those patients who will develop CKD that is not related to TBI or the conditioning regimen but rather to complications and/or therapy that occur after HCT, specifically aGVHD and cGVHD and prolonged calcinuerin inhibitor use. The burden of management will fall not only to the nephrologists but the oncologist as well to ensure close monitoring of renal function, blood pressure, and urinalyses posttransplant. It may be that our energies have been misdirected in trying to reduce exposure to TBI, and rather we should try to decrease the inflammatory and cytokine effects of GVHD and reduce exposure to calcineurin inhibitors to prevent CKD in this population of patients.
The development of new therapies for human herpesvirus 6

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infections are typically mild and in rare cases can result in encephalitis. A common theme among all the herpesviruses, however, is the reactivation upon immune suppression. HHV-6 commonly reactivates in transplant recipients. No therapies are approved currently for the treatment of these infections, although small studies and individual case reports have reported intermittent success with drugs such as cidofovir, ganciclovir, and foscarnet. In addition to the current experimental therapies, many other compounds have been reported to inhibit HHV-6 in cell culture with varying degrees of efficacy. Recent advances in the development of new small molecule inhibitors of HHV-6 will be reviewed with regard to their efficacy and spectrum of antiviral activity. The potential for new therapies for HHV-6 infections will also be discussed, and they will likely arise from efforts to develop broad spectrum antiviral therapies for DNA viruses.
Mechanism for acute control of fatty acid synthesis by glucagon and 3':5'-cyclic AMP in the liver cell.

Abstract Labeling experiments with chicken liver cell monolayers and suspensions show that glucagon and N6, O2-dibutyryladenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) block fatty acid synthesis from acetate without appreciably affecting cholesterogenesis from acetate or acylglyceride synthesis from palmitate. Neither acetyl-CoA carboxylase [acetyl-CoA:carbon-dioxide ligase (ADP-forming), EC 6.4.1.2] activity assayed in the presence of citrate nor fatty acid synthetase activity is decreased in extracts of cells treated with glucagon. However, the cytoplasmic concentration of citrate, a required allosteric activator of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, is depressed more than 90% by glucagon or dibutyrl cyclic AMP. Pyruvate or lactate largely prevents the inhibitory action of these effectors on fatty acid synthesis by causing a large increase in cytoplasmic citrate level. Thus, it appears that glucagon, acting via cyclic AMP, inhibits fatty acid synthesis by blocking the formation of citrate, an essential activator of acetyl-CoA carboxylase.
Wild-type microglia arrest pathology in a mouse model of Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome is an X-linked autism spectrum disorder. The disease is characterized in most cases by mutation of the MECP2 gene, which encodes a methyl-CpG-binding protein. Although MECP2 is expressed in many tissues, the disease is generally attributed to a primary neuronal dysfunction. However, as shown recently, glia, specifically astrocytes, also contribute to Rett pathophysiology. Here we examine the role of another form of glia, microglia, in a murine model of Rett syndrome. Transplantation of wild-type bone marrow into irradiation-conditioned Mecp2-null hosts resulted in engraftment of brain parenchyma by bone-marrow-derived myeloid cells of microglial phenotype, and arrest of disease development. However, when cranial irradiation was blocked by lead shield, and microglial engraftment was prevented, disease was not arrested. Similarly, targeted expression of MECP2 in myeloid cells, driven by Lysm(cre) on an Mecp2-null background, markedly attenuated disease symptoms. Thus, through multiple approaches, wild-type Mecp2-expressing microglia within the context of an Mecp2-null male mouse arrested numerous facets of disease pathology: lifespan was increased, breathing patterns were normalized, apnoeas were reduced, body weight was increased to near that of wild type, and locomotor activity was improved. Mecp2(+/-) females also showed significant improvements as a result of wild-type microglial engraftment. These benefits mediated by wild-type microglia, however, were diminished when phagocytic activity was inhibited pharmacologically by using annexin V to block phosphatydilserine residues on apoptotic targets, thus preventing recognition and engulfment by tissue-resident phagocytes. These results suggest the importance of microglial phagocytic activity in Rett syndrome. Our data implicate microglia as major players in the pathophysiology of this devastating disorder, and suggest that bone marrow transplantation might offer a feasible therapeutic approach for it.
Large-Margin Minimum Classification Error Training for Large-Scale Speech Recognition Tasks

Recently, we have developed a novel discriminative training method named large-margin minimum classification error (LM-MCE) training that incorporates the idea of discriminative margin into the conventional minimum classification error (MCE) training method. In our previous work, this novel approach was formulated specifically for the MCE training using the sigmoid loss function and its effectiveness was demonstrated on the TIDIGITS task alone. In this paper two additional contributions are made. First, we formulate LM-MCE as a Bayes risk minimization problem whose loss function not only includes empirical error rates but also a margin-bound risk. This new formulation allows us to extend the same technique to a wide variety of MCE based training. Second, we have successfully applied LM-MCE training approach to the Microsoft internal large vocabulary telephony speech recognition task (with 2000 hours of training data and 120K of vocabulary) and achieved significant recognition accuracy improvement across-the-board. To our best knowledge, this is the first time that the large-margin approach is demonstrated to be successful in large-scale speech recognition tasks.
High-spin iron(III) tetramethylchiroporphyrins: Structural, magnetic, and H-1 NMR studies

The chloroiron(III) complex of αβαβ-tetramethylchiroporphyrin, FeCl(TMCP), was prepared, and its structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. Black crystals of FeCl(TMCP)·0.72CH2Cl2 form in t...
Validation of a fast method for quantifying left ventricular torsion

of the 13th Annual SCMR Scientific Sessions - 2010 Meeting abst racts - A single PDF containing all
The role of the mirror-image reversal effect in reducing the peak shift and area shift along the angularity dimension

Pigeons trained monocularly and tested with the trained eye along the angularity dimension were found to show enhanced area shifts when compared to pigeons trained and tested binocularly. Pigeons trained monocularly and tested with the untrained eye showed reversed peak shifts in the direction of S−. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the mirror image of S− in angularity gradients functions to reduce the likelihood of the peak shift and area shift along the angularity dimension in pigeons, and question the use of the angularity dimension for intradimensional discrimination training and generalization testing.
The use of the SUN group program with high-risk adolescents

American adolescents are at unprecedented risk for psychological and physical harm. Research consistently demonstrates that adolescents' impressionistic decision-making and impulsivity, when coupled with frequent feelings of being isolated and alone, put them at risk to take action (Arffa, 1983; Crumley, 1979; Hoberman & Garfinkel, 1988; McIntire & Angle, 1973; and Shaffer et al., 1988). Prevention of high risk behavior has become imperative. The SUN program, designed by Judy Tellerman, introduces a model for groups in which teens and pre-teens learn to solve problems with the help of an adult leader. The pilot project described in this paper began in 1994 when Rita Schonberg started using the SUN program with consultation from Judy Tellerman. Students from a small alternative high school, who had been identified as high risk for self-destructive behavior, made up the group. They met for ten sessions during study hall. Students practiced going through ten steps when facing their problems. The steps encouraged the students to: 1. recognize that they have a problem and that, indeed, something is bothering them, 2. identify the problem and be curious about what is causing their discomfort, and 3, turn to the group to sort out the problem. The group process encouraged empathy, delay (not rushing to solve a problem before it is understood), brainstorming, and trying out solutions and reporting back to the group. This paper explores the students' developing ability to fortify themselves against impulsive decision-making. The different phases of the group as a whole are examined. Implications for future work on group therapy approach to prevention in light of adolescent development are also discussed.
Ka-Band BiCMOS 4-Bit Phase Shifter with Integrated LNA for Phased Array T/R Modules

This paper presents a 30-38 GHz 4-bit phase shifter with an integrated LNA using a 0.12 mum SiGe BiCMOS process. The two-stage LNA is implemented using SiGe HBT, and the phase shifter is based on MOSFET switches and miniature low-pass networks. The LNA/phase shifter achieves 1plusmn1.5 dB of gain and 5 dB noise figure at 34 GHz. The RMS phase error is less than 7deg at 30-38 GHz. The total chip size is 900times400 mum2 (0.36 mm2) excluding pads, and the chip consumes only 3 mA from a 1.8 V bias supply (5.4 mW). To our best knowledge, this is the first implementation of a Ka-band silicon-based phase shifter.
Advocacy Coalitions and Change in National Forest Wilderness Policies

Abstract National forest wilderness policies have changed considerably in terms of which political institutions make key decisions and factors that help us understand why policy shifts occurred since the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964. Despite early efforts by Forest Service officials to limit the size and number of wilderness areas within national forests, their influence was curtailed by an activist Congress that was strongly predisposed to protect roadless areas from the mid-1960s through the early 1990s. However, subsequent efforts to push state national forest wilderness bills were thwarted by a change in Congressional leadership less sensitive to environmental values and other factors. This was followed by a major venue shift involving one President's efforts to create new wilderness areas via rulemaking, and the subsequent President's attempts to reverse or limit the scope of such efforts. Over time, influence over national forest wilderness decisions is analyzed using the advocacy coalition...
Field deposition of Bt transgenic corn pollen: lethal effects on the monarch butterfly.

We present the first evidence that transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn pollen naturally deposited on Asclepias syriaca; common milkweed, in a corn field causes significant mortality of Danaus plexippus L. (Lepidoptera: Danaidae) larvae. Larvae feeding for 48 h on A. syriaca plants naturally dusted with pollen from Bt corn plants suffered significantly higher rates of mortality at 48 h (20±3%) compared to larvae feeding on leaves with no pollen (3±3%), or feeding on leaves with non-Bt pollen (0%). Mortality at 120 h of D. plexippus larvae exposed to 135 pollen grains/cm2 of transgenic pollen for 48 h ranged from 37 to 70%. We found no sub-lethal effects on D. plexippus adults reared from larvae that survived a 48-h exposure to three concentrations of Bt pollen. Based on our quantification of the wind dispersal of this pollen beyond the edges of agricultural fields, we predict that the effects of transgenic pollen on D. plexippus may be observed at least 10 m from transgenic field borders. However, the highest larval mortality will likely occur on A. syriaca plants in corn fields or within 3 m of the edge of a transgenic corn field. We conclude that the ecological effects of transgenic insecticidal crops need to be evaluated more fully before they are planted over extensive areas.
Selective Common and Uncommon Imaging Manifestations of Blunt Nonaortic Chest Trauma: When Time is of the Essence

This is a pictorial essay in which we review and illustrate a variety of thoracic injuries related to blunt trauma. Non-aortic blunt thoracic trauma can be divided anatomically into injuries of the chest wall, lungs, pleura, mediastinum, and diaphragm. Some injuries involve more than one anatomic compartment, and multiple injuries commonly coexist. This article provides common imaging findings and discussion of both common and uncommon but critical thoracic injuries encountered.
Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership: Casting Light or Shadow (4th ed.) by Craig E. Johnson

As the title implies, the fourth edition (Johnson, 2011b) of Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership: Casting Light or Shadow explores the moral/ethical realm of leadership and the leader's ro...
Nanoclays: Two-dimensional shuttles for rare earth complexes in aqueous solution

Abstract Nanoclays are shown to be attractive substrates in at least two major respects. Firstly, Hectorite analogous commercial clays (“Laponite”) can facilitate the usage of luminescent rare earth ions in aqueous solution, as their adherence to the clay surface strongly reduces water coordination and thus enables dramatically improved emission intensities. This also holds true for complexes of Tb 3+ , which coordinate water in their native crystalline state, as demonstrated for tris(bipyiridine) complexes. For these, the laponite interaction affords a 16-fold gain in emission intensity in aqueous solution over the dissolved complex. Secondly, the two-dimensional, disk-like morphology of the clays enables a sufficient proximity of Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ to allow an energy transfer even at comparably low solution concentrations. In partially laminated, solid powders the efficiencies of the corresponding interlayer species decrease due to intimate interactions with the surrounding silicate and interlayer water, which can, however be counteracted by keeping the disks apart with long-chain, alkylammonium cations as spacers between the disks.
Antibody imaging in the evaluation of cardiovascular diseases.

Antimyosin antibody was originally developed for in vivo detection of acute myocardial infarction. However, its utility has expanded to include diagnosis of various cardiovascular diseases in which myocyte necrosis constitutes an obligatory component of the disease. Thus antimyosin has also been used clinically for noninvasive diagnosis of acute myocarditis, heart transplant rejection, drug-induced cardiotoxicity, and other cardiomyopathies. This firstgeneration monoclonal antibody, antimyosin, has opened the way for the second-generation monoclonal antibodies such as antifibrin and antiplatelet for in vivo diagnostic use in the detection of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and antiatherosclerotic lesion-specific antibody for diagnosis of metabolically active lesions. Whether the third generation of antibodies will include ultrasmall antigen-binding units or negative chargemodified antibodies must await future studies.
THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF MEMBRANE MORPHOLOGY ON FOULING DURING MICROFILTRATION

Previous studies of membrane fouling have often employed one of the classical blocking laws to describe the variation of filtrate flux with time. However, these models implicitly assume that the membrane has straight-through noninterconnected pores, even though most commercial microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes have a highly interconnected pore structure. We have developed a theoretical model for the effects of pore blockage on the fluid velocity and pressure profiles within membranes having different interconnected pore structures assuming Darcy flow in the porous membrane. Model calculations are in good agreement with filtrate flux data obtained during protein microfiltration using membranes with very different pore morphologies. The results clearly demonstrate that the membrane pore connectivity has a significant influence on the flux decline due to the possibility for fluid to flow around the pore blockage, an effect which has been ignored in previous studies.
The Quiet Ego Scale: Measuring the Compassionate Self-Identity

The quiet ego refers to a self-identity that transcends egoism and identifies with a less defensive, balanced stance toward the self and others. Study 1 establishes and confirms the 14-item Quiet Ego Scale (QES) as a higher-order latent factor (capturing the theoretical intersection of four first-order factors: detached awareness, inclusive identity, perspective taking, and growth). In studies 2–4 we examined the association of QES with 25 psychological constructs. Results demonstrate that QES is related to a wide range of characteristics and suggest that the QES measures an identity that strikes a balance between a strong sense of agency (but not egoism) and a strong concern for the welfare of others. Although QES was correlated with a number of related characteristics (e.g., self-compassion, self-determination, authenticity, self-transcendence), it was a distinct predictor of outcomes such as resilience, coping efficacy, and indices of well-being that could aid investigations of human happiness.
Solar wind coupling to and predictability of ground magnetic fields and their time derivatives

[1] A spatial and dynamic study of solar wind driving of high-latitude ground magnetic fields and their time derivatives is given. Nonlinear, data-derived basis functions are used to determine the optimal solar wind driven dynamic coupling function at high-latitude locations. The method does not assume a solar wind driving function a priori so that an unbiased determination of the relative influence of different driving processes can be made. Using this method, the locations where high-latitude models capture signatures of different driving processes, such as reconnection and the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, are revealed for both the amplitude of the field and its time derivative. The time rate of change of the field is a disturbance measure related to geomagnetically induced currents. For the amplitude of the ground magnetic field the primary driver is reconnection; the time rate of change of the field has signatures of both reconnection driving in the nightside sector and Kelvin-Helmholtz driving in the prenoon sector. The independent influence of the solar wind ion density and azimuthal component of the magnetic field in driving magnetic field fluctuations is found to be small at auroral-zone latitudes. The data-derived coupling functions are also used to estimate the expected prediction error of a general class of models that specify the ground magnetic field or its time derivative given solar wind plasma measurements. Prediction efficiencies as small as zero and as large as 0.7 for both the amplitude of the field and its time derivative are possible. The prediction efficiency is highly dependent on spatial location and the direction of field being predicted.
Pedlosky receives 2011 Maurice Ewing Medal: Citation

Joseph Pedlosky was awarded the 2011 Maurice Ewing Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 7 December 2011 in San Francisco, Calif. The medal is for “significant original contributions to the scientific understanding of the processes in the ocean; for the advancement of oceanographic engineering, technology, and instrumentation; and for outstanding service to the marine sciences.”
Single and multiple prenatal glucocorticoid exposures improve preterm newborn lamb cardiovascular and renal function similarly.

Abstract Objective: Renal and cardiovascular function improves in preterm newborn lambs after a single prenatal betamethasone treatment. We hypothesized that multiple betamethasone exposures would further improve renal and cardiovascular adaptation. Study design: Pregnant ewes were chosen randomly to receive saline solution, one dose of 0.5 mg/kg betamethasone at 104 days of gestation, or three doses of 0.5 mg/kg betamethasone at 104, 111, and 118 days of gestation. Lambs were delivered at 125 days of gestation (preterm) or 145 days of gestation (term). Renal and cardiovascular responses to phenylephrine were evaluated at 2 hours of age. Results: The preterm single and multiple betamethasone-treated lambs comparably increased glomerular filtration rate, urinary flow and osmolar clearance, and sodium excretion in response to phenylephrine. Term responses were similar and not influenced by betamethasone exposure. Conclusion: Multiple courses of betamethasone do not further improve renal and cardiovascular responses from a single betamethasone dose. Renal and cardiovascular function at term is not affected by early prenatal betamethasone exposure. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:444-53.)
Convexity is necessary — A correction

Abstract An additional convexity condition is given to correct a theorem characterizing city block distance.
The Src tyrosine kinase Lck binds to CD2, CD4-1, and CD4-2 T cell co-receptors in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

The binding of the lymphocyte specific protein tyrosine kinase (Lck) to T cell co-receptors is required for T cell development and activation. In mammals, Lck initiates signal transduction by binding to CD4 and CD8 co-receptors and phosphorylating ITAMs in the cytoplasmic tail of the CD3 molecules and the ζ chains. In addition, Lck can also bind to the adhesion molecule CD2 and trigger T cell activation. In this study, Lck and CD2 homologs were identified and characterized in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Lck and CD2 mRNAs were specifically expressed by clonal T cell lines, including both CD4+ and CD4−CD8− CTL lines, and in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC). Western blot analyses using anti-trout Lck and anti-human p-Lck antibodies demonstrated that Lck protein is expressed in catfish clonal CTL and is phosphorylated at a conserved tyrosine residue. Because of the lack of CD8+ CTL lines as well as the absence of CD8 message in MLC, we performed magnetic bead binding assays to correlate CD2, CD4, and CD8 co-receptor expression with Lck binding ability. Recombinant Lck reproducibly bound to CD2, CD4-1, and CD4-2, but not to CD8α or CD8β. These data provide one possible explanation for the apparent low numbers of CD8+ CTL and the presence of CD4+ and CD4−CD8−CD2+ CTL in catfish.
Holographic foam, dark energy and infinite statistics

Abstract Quantum fluctuations of spacetime give rise to quantum foam, and black hole physics dictates that the foam is of holographic type. Applied to cosmology, the holographic model requires the existence of dark energy which, we argue, is composed of an enormous number of inert “particles” of extremely long wavelength. These “particles” necessarily obey infinite statistics in which all representations of the particle permutation group can occur. For every boson or fermion in the present observable universe there could be ∼ 10 31 such “particles”. We also discuss the compatibility between the holographic principle and infinite statistics.
Osgood’s Lemma and Some Results for the Slightly Supercritical 2D Euler Equations for Incompressible Flow

We investigate the (slightly) super-critical two-dimensional Euler equations. The paper consists of two parts. In the first part we prove well-posedness in Cs spaces for all s > 0. We also give growth estimates for the Cs norms of the vorticity for \({0 < s \leqq 1}\). In the second part we prove global regularity for the vortex patch problem in the super-critical regime. This paper extends the results of Chae et al. where they prove well-posedness for the so-called LogLog-Euler equation. We also extend the classical results of Chemin and Bertozzi–Constantin on the vortex patch problem to the slightly supercritical case. Both problems we study in the setting of the whole space.
The Radiographic Position of Medial and Lateral Meniscal Horns as a Basis for Meniscal Reconstruction

This investigation attempted to determine the radiographic position of human meniscal horn bony insertion sites. This information would prove vital for anatomically correct osseous tunnel placement necessary for the restoration of a functional meniscus after reconstructive surgery. The native bony insertion sites of the medial and lateral meniscus in 13 fresh-frozen human cadaver knees were radiographically examined. After insertion site outline with 22-gauge fine wire, anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were obtained. Radiographic landmarks were then described in detail. Each meniscal horn was found to have a distinct bony insertion site with characteristic and consistent radiographic landmarks defining its margins. Using an arthroscopic guide, 3/32-inch fine wires were drilled into the center of the lateral (5 specimens) and medial (5 specimens) meniscal horns to validate these locations and to establish the clinical usefulness of these measures. Improved understanding of meniscal horn insertion site locations should improve osseous tunnel placements during meniscal transplantation. In the presence of a properly sized allograft, anatomically correct tunnel placement increases the likelihood of restoring normal meniscal function.
Approximation Algorithms Using Hierarchies of Semidefinite Programming Relaxations

We. introduce, a framework for studying semidefiniie programming (SOP) relaxations based on the Lasserre hierarchy in the context of approximation algorithms for combinatorial problems. As an application of our approach, we give, improved approximation algorithms for two problems. We show that for some fixed constant epsiv > 0, given a 3-uniform hypergraph containing an independent set of size (1/2 - epsiv)v, we can find an independent set of size Omega(nepsiv). This improves upon the result of Krivelevich, Nathaniel and Sitdakov, who gave an algorithm finding an independent set of size Omega(n6gamma-3) for hypergraphs with an independent set of size gamman (but no guarantee for gamma les 1/2). We also give an algorithm which finds an O(n0.2072)-coloring given a 3-colorable graph, improving upon the work of Aurora, Clamtac and Charikar. Our approach stands in contrast to a long series of inapproximability results in the Lovasz Schrijver linear programming (LP) and SDP hierarchies for other problems.
MeV Ion Beam Bombardments Effects on the Thermoelectric Properties of Zn4Sb3 / CeFe(4-x)CoxSb12 Nano-Layered Superlattices

We prepared multilayers of semiconducting half-heusler β-Zn4Sb3 and skutterudites CeFe(4-x)CoxSb12 compound thin films by ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) system for the application of thermoelectric (TE) materials. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) was used to analyze the composition of thin films. The thin films were then bombarded by 5 MeV Si ions for generation of nanodots in the films. We measured the cross-plane thermal conductivity by a house developed 3ω-method system, cross-plane Seebeck coefficient by a (MMR) Seebeck system, and cross plane electrical conductivity of these nanolayered systems by a (MMR) Hall system before and after bombardment. Both β-Zn4Sb3 and CeFe(4-x)CoxSb12 systems have been identified as promising thermoelectric materials for the application of thermal-to-electrical energy conversion. The nanodots produced by MeV ion beam can cause significant change in both electrical and thermal conductivity of thin films, thus improving the efficiency. The MeV ion-beam bombardment resulted in decrease in the thermal conductivity of thin films and increase in the efficiency of thermal-to-electrical energy conversion.
A factor analysis of judgments of radio newscasters

We all have specific likes and dislikes when we listen to newscasters on the radio. The reasons behind our evaluation of a given newscaster are often hard to determine. The following study, in addition to giving us some basis for the conscious rating of newscasters or even announcing students, is of considerable methodological interest. Those to whom the semantic differential is hard to comprehend may‐find Dr. William's restatement of its rationale of value. The use of a small sample with sophisticated statistical tools for analysis may also be of interest to researchers in broadcasting who are often imbued with the desire for ever larger samples.
Sodium/bicarbonate cotransporter NBCn1/slc4a7 increases cytotoxicity in magnesium depletion in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons

Growing evidence suggests that pharmacological inhibition of Na/H exchange and Na/HCO(3) transport provides protection against damage or injury in cardiac ischemia. In this study, we examined the contribution of the sodium/bicarbonate cotransporter NBCn1 (slc4a7) to cytotoxicity in cultured hippocampal neurons of rats. In neurons exposed to extracellular pH (pH(o)) ranging from 6.2 to 8.3, NBCn1 protein expression increased by fivefold at pH < 6.5 compared to the expression at pH(o) 7.4. At pH(o) 6.5, the intracellular pH of neurons was approximately 1 unit lower than that at pH 7.4. Immunochemistry showed a marked increase in NBCn1 immunofluorescence in plasma membranes and cytosol of the soma as well as in dendrites, at pH(o) 6.5. NBCn1 expression also increased by 40% in a prolonged Mg(2+)-free incubation at normal pH(o). Knockdown of NBCn1 in neurons had negligible effect on cell viability. The effect of NBCn1 knockdown on cytotoxicity was then determined by exposing neurons to 0.5 mm glutamate for 10 min and measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from neurons. Compared to normal incubation (pH(o) 7.2 for 6 h) after glutamate exposure, acidic incubation (pH(o) 6.3 for 6 h) reduced cytotoxicity by 75% for control neurons and 78% for NBCn1-knockdown neurons. Thus, both controls and knockdown neurons showed acidic protection from cytotoxicity. However, in Mg(2+)-free incubation after glutamate exposure, NBCn1 knockdown progressively attenuated cytotoxicity. This attenuation was unaffected by acidic preincubation before glutamate exposure. We conclude that NBCn1 has a dynamic upregulation in low pH(o) and Mg(2+) depletion. NBCn1 is not required for acidic protection, but increases cytotoxicity in Mg(2+)-free conditions.
Perturbations of elliptic billiards

Abstract The dynamical system arising from the problem of billiards is a classical example where the theory of twist maps can be applied. In the case of an elliptic billiard table, the corresponding twist map is integrable and has a saddle connection between two hyperbolic period two points. Using a discrete analog to the Melnikov method, we are able to show that this saddle connection can be deformed into a transversal heteroclinic connection under certain analytic perturbations of the table. From the formulas that we get, we can show that the splitting of the separatrices is exponentially small as a function of the eccentricity of the original unperturbed elliptic table. In addition, we also include a characterization of the period two periodic points for any billiard table.
First-order logic vs. fixed-point logic in finite set theory

The ordered conjecture states that least fixed-point logic LFP is strictly more expressive than first-order logic FO on every infinite class of ordered finite structures. It has been established that either way of settling this conjecture would resolve open problems in complexity theory. In fact, this holds true even for the particular instance of the ordered conjecture on the class of BIT-structures, that is, ordered finite structures with a built-in BIT predicate. Using a well known isomorphism from the natural numbers to the hereditarily finite sets that maps BIT to the membership relation between sets, the ordered conjecture on BIT-structures can be translated to the problem of comparing the expressive power of FO and LFP in the context of finite set theory. The advantage of this approach is that we can use set-theoretic concepts and methods to identify certain fragments of LFP for which the restriction of the ordered conjecture is already hard to settle, as well as other restricted fragments of LFP that actually collapse to FO. These results advance the state of knowledge about the ordered conjecture on BIT-structures and contribute to the delineation of the boundary where this conjecture becomes hard to settle.
Verifying asymptotic bounds for discrete-time sliding mode systems with disturbance inputs

This work presents a procedure for verifying asymptotic bounds on the behaviors of a class of discrete-time hybrid systems with disturbance inputs. First, an invariant set satisfying the given asymptotic bounds is computed. Then, conservative approximations of the reachable sets starting from the set of initial states are computed until the target invariant set is reached. Both steps in the procedure use LMI-based algorithms for computing minimal-volume ellipsoidal approximations to the actual reachable sets. The methods are particularly useful for analyzing the asymptotic behaviors of discrete-time sliding mode systems. The approach is illustrated for two examples.
Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of Al2O3–SiC Submicro- and Nano-Composites

The wear behavior of a pure alumina matrix and two Al2O3-based composites, one with 5 vol% SiC nanosized particles (mean size 52 nm) and the other with 5 vol% SiC sub-microsized particles (mean size 230 nm), was studied in two different experimental conditions corresponding to mild and severe wear regime, respectively. Whether considering the friction or the wear resistance, in the mild regime no difference was observed among the materials. In the severe regime, the composites performed much better than the matrix alone due to stronger grain boundaries. The SiC particle size had no influence on the mean wear resistance.
A 15-Channel Wireless Neural Recording System Based on Time Division Multiplexing of Pulse Width Modulated Signals

This paper describes a 15-channel wireless implantable neural recording (WINeR) system for long-term in vivo experiments. WINeRS consists of an implantable part that contains a system-on-a-chip (SoC) application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and an external receiver. The 3 mmtimes3 mm ASIC is fabricated in the MOSIS AMI 0.5-mum 3-poly 3-metal n-well standard CMOS process. The chip contains 15 low-noise amplifier/filters, time division multiplexer (TDM), sample-and-hold (S&H), pulse width modulator (PWM), on-chip clock generator, 32-bit register for control commands, ISM-band VCO transmitter, reference generator, and inductive power management circuitry. The use of PWM technique has lowered power consumption, improved robustness against noise, and reduced complexity by eliminating ADC and its associated circuitry. A commercial FM receiver is used as the external part of the system. The received PWM signal is further demodulated off-line by a MATLAB program. Finally by time division demultiplexing the demodulated samples, the original neural signals are being reconstructed. A custom wideband receiver with real-time PWM/TDM demodulator/demultiplexer is currently under construction
In situ Raman scattering studies of alkali-doped single wall carbon nanotubes

Electrochemical doping and in situ Raman scattering were used to study charge transfer in K- and Li-doped single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) as a function of alkali concentration. An 8 cm ˇ1 downshift was observed for the tangential phonon mode of SWNT doped to stoichiometries of KC24 and Li1:25C6. The shift in both systems is reversible upon de-doping despite an irreversible loss of crystallinity. These results indicate that the tangential mode shifts result from electron transfer from alkali dopants to the SWNT, and that these modes are only weakly aAected by long-range order within the ropes. ” 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Characterizing observability and controllability of software components

Two important objectives when designing a specification for a reusable software component are understandability and utility. For a typical component defining a new abstract data type, a significant common factor affecting both of these objectives is the choice of a mathematical model of the (state space of the) ADT, which is used to explain the behavior of the ADT's operations to potential clients. There are subtle connections between the expressiveness of this mathematical model and the functions computable using the operations provided with the ADT, giving rise to interesting issues involving the two complementary system theoretic principles of "observability" and "controllability". The paper discusses problems associated with formalizing intuitively stated observability and controllability principles in accordance with these tests. Although the example we use for illustration is simple, the analysis has implications for the design of reusable software components of every scale and conceptual complexity.
Power Assignment For Symmetric Communication InWireless Sensor Networks

We show that two incremental power heuristics for power assignment in a wireless sensor network have approximation ratio 2. Enhancements to these heuristics are proposed. It is shown that these enhancements do not reduce the approximation ratio of the considered incremental power heuristics. However, experiments conducted by us indicate that the proposed enhancements, reduce the power cost of the assignment on average. Further, the two-edge switch enhancement yields a power-cost reduction (relative to using minimum cost spanning trees) that is, on average, twice as much as obtainable from any of the heuristics proposed earlier.
A Phase III Skin Cancer Chemoprevention Study of DFMO: Long-term Follow-up of Skin Cancer Events and Toxicity

Decreasing the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is of great importance in regards to future healthcare services. Given the previously reported preventive effects of α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) in skin and colon cancer trials, we determined appropriate cause to update the clinical data on the subjects from the recently reported Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase III Skin Cancer Prevention Study of DFMO. Our intention was to retrospectively assess the further incidence of skin cancer, other malignancies, and adverse events of patients accrued to our phase III skin cancer prevention study of DFMO. Clinical records of 209 UW Health subjects were reviewed, and 2092.7 person years of on study (884.3 person years) and post study (1208.4 person years) follow-up for these patients were assessed for new NMSC events and recurrence rates from the on study period, the post study period, and the two study periods combined. No evidence of increased significant diagnoses or serious adverse events was observed in the DFMO participants. The initially observed, marginally significant reduction (p=0.069) in NMSC rates for DFMO subjects relative to placebo continued without evidence of rebound. Event rates after discontinuation from study for total NMSCs (DFMO 0.236 NMSC/person/year, placebo 0.297, p=0.48) or the subtypes of BCCs (DFMO 0.179 BCC/person/year, placebo 0.190, p=0.77) and SCCs (DFMO 0.057 SCC/person/year, placebo 0.107, p=0.43) are listed. Follow-up data revealed a persistent but insignificant reduction in new NMSCs occurring in DFMO subjects without evidence of latent or cumulative toxicity relative to placebo subjects.
Suture Anchor Biomechanics After Rotator Cuff Footprint Decortication

Purpose To identify the biomechanical consequences of violating the cortical shelf when preparing the greater tuberosity for suture anchor repair. Methods Demographic information and bone mineral density were obtained for 20 fresh-frozen human humeri (10 matched pairs). Suture anchors were placed at a predetermined location in decorticated and non-decorticated settings after randomization. Anchors were tested under cyclic loads followed by load-to-failure testing. The number of cycles, failure mode, stiffness, and final pullout strength were recorded. Results Nineteen specimens met the inclusion criteria for final testing. A significant difference in mean ultimate load to failure was seen between the non-decorticated specimens (244.04 ± 89.06 N/mm) and the decorticated humeri (62.84 ± 38.04 N/mm, P P = .008 and P = .0005, respectively). Conclusions Decortication of the rotator cuff footprint significantly decreases the pullout strength of the suture anchor. Gender and bone mineral density also play a significant role in bone-anchor biomechanics and should be considered during repair. Clinical Relevance Caution should be exercised when preparing the rotator cuff footprint before suture anchor placement because of the significant risk of early repair failure at the bone-anchor interface.
Trends and Technologies for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction UAV Background The Promise of UAVs Support for Development Difficulties Achieving Some Success UAV Development Considerations Looking Forward References ]]>