cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New mechanism for field‐induced anisotropy of cobalt‐rich amorphous alloys

SUMMARY It is generally assumed that amorphous magnetic alloys respond to field annealing by a process of local directional ordering which leaves the amorphous structure intact. We have made a comparative microstructural study of field-annealed Co95-xFe5(BSi)x amorphous alloys using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with thin sections parallel to the ribbon surface. Field annealing response was measured from anisotropy in low-field hysteresis loops. These alloys show appreciable surface crystallization for annealing as much as 80 K below the bulk crystallization temperature. The surface crystallization proceeds by a known mechanism (selective oxidation) to which we have added a more detailed understanding. Three steps are involved: (1) formation of an amorphous borosilicate surface oxide layer during annealing; (2) depletion of glass stabilizing elements (boron and silicon) from the underlying amorphous metal substrate; (3) primary crystallization of the destabilized, metal-enriched subsurface layer to an fee or hep cobalt-rich phase. Striking differences in the microstructural morphology were revealed for different glass former ratios B/Si. For high B/Si ratios, the surface crystallites are predominantly fee Co and show a high density of oxygen faults. For low B/Si ratios, the surface crystallites are predominantly hep Co and almost free of faults. Response to field annealing is proportional to the B/Si ratio and correlates with the presence of oxygen faults in surface crystallites. Electron diffraction and microprobe analysis indicate that the surface oxide in silicon-rich alloys is a dense silica glass which appears to be an effective diffusion barrier to oxygen. The surface oxide in boron-rich alloys is a more porous oxide richer in B2O3. These observations appear to be related to those from perminvar alloys where oxygen was found to be necessary for field annealing to be effective.
Effects of Temperature and UV Light on Degradation of α-Tocopherol in Free and Dissolved Form

The effects of heat and UV exposure on the degradation of free α-tocopherol (oil form), α-tocopherol dissolved in methanol, and α-tocopherol dissolved in hexane were measured. Results showed that degradation of free α-tocopherol due to heat followed first order kinetics, with the samples held at 180 °C showing the greatest degradation rate. Free α-tocopherol degraded faster at high temperatures than dissolved α-tocopherol. In contrast, free α-tocopherol did not degrade when exposed to UV light for as long as 6 h, but the hexane and methanol samples degraded significantly as a matter of time. The α-tocopherol dissolved in hexane and methanol degraded by 20 and 70%, respectively over this time span. A mechanism for degradation of α-tocopherol was proposed to explain the higher degradation rate of α-tocopherol in methanol, as compared to hexane for times longer than 180 min. Knowledge of degradation kinetics of pure α-tocopherol as a result of temperature or exposure to UVA light whether in free or dissolved form is critically needed to understand how different processing parameters affect the amount of α-tocopherol during extraction, stabilization, storage or encapsulation processes.
Genetic characterization of stress responsiveness in Japanese quail. 2. Analyses of maternal effects, additive sex linkage effects, heterosis, and heritability by diallel crosses

Diallel crosses were used to investigate the genetic inheritance of stress responsiveness through examination of population effects in progeny of randombred (RB) quail and quail selected for reduced (low stress, LS) or exaggerated (high stress, HS) plasma corticosterone (CS) response to brief immobilization. The three genotypes were crossed in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments that allowed all possible crosses between RB, LS, and HS males with RB, LS, and HS females. The nine crosses produced 479 progeny that were, at 28 d of age, stressed by immobilization, and a sample of blood was collected. The following quantitative genetic parameters were estimated for plasma CS: heritability, heterosis, maternal effects, sex-linkage effects, and heterosis due to the sex chromosomes. Genotypic-phenotypic correlations within RB quail and quail of the two selected lines were also obtained. Maternal effects were different (P < 0.05) from zero for the plasma CS responses of all three genotypes. Additive sex linkage effects on plasma CS responses were variable and of much less importance than maternal effects. The correlations between plasma CS response and genotype were: 0.22 for RB quail and 0.37 and 0.55 for quail of the LS and HS lines, respectively. Heterosis effects were low and most likely due to either an increase in homozygozity of genes on the sex chromosomes or an increase of maternal effects within reciprocal crosses. Heritability, estimated for the post-immobilization plasma CS response, was 0.05 for RB quail and 0.14 and 0.30 for quail of the LS and HS lines, respectively.
The political economy of corruption in China: the principal-agent dimension

The Open-Door Policy was adopted more than three decades ago. During this period, Chinese society has become more open and reasonably affluent. While economic performance has eclipsed other forms of collective endeavour, institutional progress has not been altogether absent. A rule of man has given way to a rule by law, albeit not a rule of law in the strict sense of the term, and State failure has selectively been grappled with. However, corrupt practices have not diminished materially and continue to pose manifold risks. Considerable headway has been made in exploring them from a political and sociological perspective, but economic insights have been slower to emerge. The principal-agent model has been invoked with a degree of consistency and methodically in recent years and may contribute to the understanding of the subject if applied across the entire organisational spectrum, market and non-market, and within an effective problem-solving framework.
Stringy KLT relations, global symmetries, and E 7(7) -violation

We study consequences of the Kawai-Lewellen-Tye (KLT) relations applied to tree amplitudes in toroidal compactifications of string theory to four dimensions. The closed string tree amplitudes with massless external states respect a global SU(4) × SU(4) symmetry, which is enhanced to the SU(8) R -symmetry of \( \mathcal{N} = 8 \) supergravity in the field theory limit. Our analysis focuses on two aspects: (i) We provide a detailed account of the simplest SU(8)-violating amplitudes. We classify these processes and derive explicit superamplitudes for all local 5-and 6-point operators with SU(4) × SU(4) symmetry at order α′3 . Their origin is the dilatonic operator e−6φR4 in the closed-string effective action. (ii) We expand the 6-point closed string tree amplitudes to order α3 and use two different methods to isolate the SU(8)-singlet contribution from e−6φR4. This allows us to extract the matrix elements of the unique SU(8)-invariant supersymmetrization of R4. Their single-soft scalar limits are non-vanishing. This demonstrates that the \( \mathcal{N} = 8 \) supergravity candidate counterterm R4 is incompatible with continuous E7(7) symmetry. From the soft scalar limits, we reconstruct to quadratic order the SU(8)-invariant function of scalars that multiplies R4, and show that it satisfies the Laplace eigenvalue equation derived recently from supersymmetry and duality constraints.
An upper level computer science curriculum

In response to national curricular trends, the computer science curriculum at the University of North Florida has undergone three iterations since its inception in 1972. Experiences with the development of the North Florida curriculum coupled with recent exposure to the current thinking of the IEEE-CS Curriculum Committee motivate this paper.The curriculum as outlined in this paper owes its origins to the earlier ACM and IEEE-CS model curricula.
Enhancement of Delayed Hypersensitivity Inflammatory Reactions in Guinea Pig Skin by 12(R)-Hydroxy-5,8,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions are initiated by sensitized T cells. Their progression is dependent upon the local release of various autacoids, including cytokines and eicosanoids, by T cells, infiltrating inflammatory cells, and resident tissue cells. 12(R)-hydroxy-5,8,14-eicosatrienoic acid [12(R)-HETrE], an cicosanoid produced by skin and cornea, possesses potent proinflammatory properties at picomolar concentrations including vasodilation, increase in membrane permeability, neutrophil chemotaxis, and angiogenesis. Because DTH reactions are associated with many of these same phenomena, we examined the effect of 12(R)-HETrE and related 12-hydroxyeicosanoids on the expression of DTH to purified protein derivative of tuberculin in sensitized guinea pigs. In the absence of purified protein derivative of tuberculin, none of the eicosanoids evoked erythema or edema after intradermal injection at doses up to 100 pmol. When injected together with purified protein derivative of tuberculin, 12(R)-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid [12(R)-HETE], but not its enantiomer 12(S)-HETE, significantly inhibited macroscopic expression of delayed reactivity (erythema) only at the highest dose tested, 10 pmol. In contrast, 12(R)-HETrE significantly enhanced expression of DTH at doses between 1 fmol and 1 pmol (50% and 30% increases above control, respectively). Its stereoisomer, 12(S)-HETrE, did not enhance DTH at any tested dose, but was able to block the activity of 12 (R)-HETrE when injected simultaneously. Enhancement or inhibition of visible skin responses was not associated with qualitative or quantitative changes in cellular infiltrates at the reaction site. 12(R)-HETrE had no effect on the nonimmunologic inflammatory skin reaction induced by phorbol myristate acetate, suggesting selectivity toward DTH. We conclude that 12(R)-HETrE enhances DTH via a yet to be determined mechanism and that its stereo-isomer, 12(S)-HETrE, may be a useful antagonist for studying the inflammatory actions of this eicosanoid.
Priorities for the conservation of mammals in the Peruvian Amazon

Setting priorities for wildlife conservation in the Peruvian Amazon must deal with a variety of issues, including subsistence and commercial hunting, loss of habitat from deforestation, and the international trade in wildlife and wildlife products. However, what is the rank of these priorities for wildlife conservation in Peruvian Amazonia? One way to evaluate priorities for wildlife conservation is by determining how different human activities affect the number of animals removed from the populations. This yields a measure of the impact of these activities on animal populations and enables wildlife managers to rank priorities for wildlife conservation efforts.
Do GM1 antibodies induce demyelination

We review clinical, neurophysiological, immunological, and experimental data concerning multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), a newly recognized disorder that mimics MND. It is separated from MND by the presence of multifocal conduction block (CB) demonstrated electrophysiologically, and in some instances by the association of high titers of GM1 antibodies. The possible immunopathogenetic effect of GM1 antibodies is discussed. However, 70% of patients with MMNCB do not have elevated titers of GM1 antibodies, but may respond nevertheless to immunosuppressive treatment. Thus, so far unrecognized antibodies may react against some other epitopes in the paranodal region than those attacked by GM1 antibodies to cause CB.
Odor Incongruity and Chirality

The enantiomers R-(-)- and S-(+)-carvone are the organoleptic constituents in oil of spearmint and caraway, respectively. Their odor distinctiveness has been unambiguously demonstrated by chemical interconversion, independent synthesis, and resolution. Odor differences between other chiral isomers were also firmly established.
Fetal ACL Fibroblasts Exhibit Enhanced Cellular Properties Compared with Adults

Fetal tendons and skin heal regeneratively without scar formation. Cells isolated from these fetal tissues exhibit enhanced cellular migration and collagen production in comparison to cells from adult tissue. We determined whether fetal and adult fibroblasts isolated from the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a tissue that does not heal regeneratively, exhibit differences in cell migration rates and collagen elaboration. An in vitro migration assay showed fetal ACL fibroblasts migrated twice as fast as adult ACL fibroblasts at a rate of 38.90 ± 7.69 μm per hour compared with 18.88 ± 4.18 μm per hour, respectively. Quantification of Type I collagen elaboration by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed fetal ACL fibroblasts produced four times the amount of Type I collagen compared with adult ACL fibroblasts after 7 days in culture. We observed no differences in Type III collagen with time for adult or fetal ACL fibroblasts. Our findings indicate fetal ACL fibroblasts are intrinsically different from adult ACL fibroblasts, suggesting the healing potential of the ACL may be age-dependent.
In vitro uptake and autoradiographic localization of tritiated gossypol in Taenia taeniaeformis metacestodes

Gossypol, a natural polyphenolic compound, induces growth-inhibitory and antiparasitic effects inTaenia taeniaeformis metacestodes in vivo and in vitro. We investigated the uptake and localization of [3H]-gossypol in this parasite. Metacestodes were incubated in 10−5 M [3H]-gossypol at 37°C. Parasites steadily took up tritium activity over the first 3 h of incubation, after which a plateau was maintained for the duration of the experiment. Tissue: medium radioactivity ratios revealed that intralarval tritium activity matched extralarval activity within 30 min of incubation and continued to increase with time. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis confirmed tissue incorporation of tritium activity that manifested as a single radioactive species. Autoradiography localized [3H]-gossypol to the tegument, calcareous corpuscles, and parenchyma over the first 2 h of incubation. By 6 h, parenchymal radioactivity had disappeared.T. taeniaeformis metacestodes rapidly take up and accumulate [3H]-gossypol in vitro. This accumulation is apparently selective for specific sites, which may have implications for gossypol's metacestocidal action.
Dermal Absorption of Dilute Aqueous Chloroform, Trichloroethylene, and Tetrachloroethylene in Hairless Guinea Pigs

Abstract Percutaneous absorption was measured in female hairless guinea pigs dermally exposed for 70 min to very dilute (∼ 10 to 100 ppb) aqueous solutions of 14C-labeled chloroform (CF), trichloroethylene (TCE), or tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in an airtight glass chamber containing no headspace. Similar experiments were conducted using aqueous solutions of TCE at 100,000 ppb. Dermal uptake was estimated by comparing the rate of radiolabel loss from chamber water in systems with and without experimental animals. After each low-concentration dermal-uptake experiment, radiolabel in total urine and feces excreted postexposure was measured and expressed as a fraction of corresponding estimated dermal uptake. For each of the compounds studied, the mean value of these fractions did not differ significantly from that obtained using animals injected with a known dose of that compound, indicating that our experimental system yielded accurate dermal-uptake estimates. The mean permeability coefficients obtained range from 0.13 cm/hr (CF) to 0.37 cm/hr (PCE); those obtained using low- vs high-concentration TCE are not significantly different. The value for CF is very close to one we calculate here from recently published data on CF uptake in human volunteers dermally exposed to aqueous CF while showering with normal tap water. Our results suggest that dermal absorption may be an important route of human exposure to chlorinated volatile organic compounds in domestic water supplies.
Intestinal Secretory Mechanisms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Diarrhea

Although diarrhea is the predominant bowel dysfunction in as many as one-third of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it is unclear whether there is a specific disorder of intestinal fluid or electrolyte secretion in IBS. Diarrhea is generally considered a result of accelerated colonic transit in patients with IBS. Although a primary secretory diathesis has not been well-documented in patients with IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), several mechanisms that could potentially contribute to intestinal secretion have been reported. Some of these mechanisms also influence motor and secretory dysfunctions that contribute to the pathophysiology of IBS-D. We review the evidence supporting secretion in IBS-D caused by peptides and amines produced by enteroendocrine cells or submucosal neurons, enterocyte secretory processes, and intraluminal factors (bile acids and short-chain fatty acids). Understanding these mechanisms and developing clinical methods for their identification could improve management of patients with IBS-D.
RM-01RADIATION INDUCED PRMT5 EXPRESSION IS REGULATED BY miRNA-96 IN GLIOBLASTOMA

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GB) represent the most common and aggressive histological subtype among malignant gliomas and are associated with poor outcomes. It is composed of multiple types of tumor cells displaying multiple genetic and epigenetic defects affecting tumor suppressor gene expression, regulation of growth and apoptosis. Recurrence is the major concern with the current standard therapy. Protein arginine methyltransferase enzyme 5 (PRMT5), that regulates many cellular processes through its methylation-dependent and independent activity is overexpressed in this disease. We hypothesize that PRMT5 contributes to radioresistance in GB. Using patient derived GB neurosphere models we are probing the role of PRMT5 in inducing radioresistance in GB. METHODS: GB neurospheres dispersed into single cell, were treated with radiation or transfected with specified siRNAs. At appropriate time, cells were collected and probed for mRNA expression by qPCR and protein level by immunblotting. RESULTS: We found that PRMT5 associates with Hsp90 in GB neurospheres and that this binding is essential for PRMT5 stability. In addition to higher levels of baseline expression, radiation treatment increases PRMT5 mRNA level by 2 fold and protein expression by 60%. This increase is independent of its post-translational stability conferred by its association with Hsp90. However radiation treatment decreases miRNA-96 level significantly (p ≤ 0.01). Overxpression of miRNA-96 down regulates the expression of PRMT5 protein. Additionally we found that PRMT5 is important for regulation of HIF1alpha, a transcription factor induced post radiation and known to be involved in radiation resistance. We are currently investigating the implications of PRMT5 inhibition in conjunction with radiation in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings we conclude that radiation treatment induced suppression of miRNA-96 causes increased expression of PRMT5. This suggests that increased expression of PRMT5 may contribute for HIF-mediated radioresistance in GB.
Volumetric Dilution, Rather Than Sequestration Best Explains the Low Vitamin D Status of Obesity

Vitamin D status is known to be poor in obese individuals; there is no consensus as to the reason. Cross-sectional study of the relation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration and body size in the baseline data from unsupplemented adults entering two study cohorts in our research unit, N = 686. Regression analyses of body size variables against serum 25(OH)D concentration, using both linear and hyperbolic models. The fit to a hyperbolic model of 25(OH)D against body weight completely removed the obesity-related component of inter-individual variability in serum 25(OH)D concentration. The hyperbolic fit using total body weight was significantly better than any linear model, and specifically better than any using BMI. Dilution of ingested or cutaneously synthesized vitamin D in the large fat mass of obese patients fully explains their typically low vitamin D status. There is no evidence for sequestration of supplemental or endogenous cholecalciferol. Vitamin D replacement therapy needs to be adjusted for body size if desired serum 25(OH)D concentrations are to be achieved.
Validation of large-footprint reflectance-based calibration using coincident MODIS and ASTER data

The Remote Sensing Group at the University of Arizona has been using reflectance-based vicarious calibration of earth-observing satellites since the 1980s. Among the sensors characterized by the group are the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) that are both on NASA's Terra platform. The spatial resolution of MODIS requires that the group use a large-sized site such as Railroad Valley Playa, Nevada as a test site. In addition, the large footprint size of MODIS forced a modification to the ground-sampling scheme for the surface reflectance retrieval. This work examines the impact of the new sampling scheme through coincident ASTER and MODIS imagery making use of the higher resolution spatial resolution of ASTER. ASTER and MODIS imagery were obtained for dates on which both sensors imaged the Railroad Valley test site and ground-based data were collected at the site. The results of the comparison between the sensors shows differences in the radiometric calibration that exceed the accuracy requirements of the sensors, but that the sampling strategy for large-footprint sensors produces reflectance-based results at the same 3% level of accuracy as that for small-footprint sensors.
The periprocedural management of novel oral anticoagulants in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: Rationale and a summary of the available evidence from phase 3 clinical trials

The novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have rapidly emerged as an alternative therapy to warfarin. Several recent phase 3 randomized control trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of the NOACs in the treatment for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. As the NOACs are incorporated in clinical practice, questions have begun to arise concerning their optimal use in commonly encountered situations. In this review, we provide a summary of the available evidence from the phase 3 randomized control trials specifically with regard to 1 such scenario, the periprocedural management of NOACs, with a goal of providing guidance for practicing clinicians.
Tetraethylammonium (TEA) increases the inactivation time constant of the transient K+ current in suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons

Identifying the mechanisms that drive suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) neurons to fire action potentials with a higher frequency during the day than during the night is an important goal of circadian neurobiology. Selective chemical tools with defined mechanisms of action on specific ion channels are required for successful completion of these studies. The transient K(+) current (I(A)) plays an active role in neuronal action potential firing and may contribute to modulating the circadian firing frequency. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) is frequently used to inhibit delayed rectifier K(+) currents (I(DR)) during electrophysiological recordings of I(A). Depolarizing voltage-clamped hamster SCN neurons from a hyperpolarized holding potential activated both I(A) and I(DR). Holding the membrane potential at depolarized values inactivated I(A) and only the I(DR) was activated during a voltage step. The identity of I(A) was confirmed by applying 4-aminopyridine (5 mM), which significantly inhibited I(A). Reducing the TEA concentration from 40 mM to 1 mM significantly decreased the I(A) inactivation time constant (tau(inact)) from 9.8+/-3.0 ms to 4.9+/-1.2 ms. The changes in I(A)tau(inact) were unlikely to be due to a surface charge effect. The I(A) amplitude was not affected by TEA at any concentration or membrane potential. The isosmotic replacement of NaCl with choline chloride had no effect in I(A) kinetics demonstrating that the TEA effects were not due to a reduction of extracellular NaCl. We conclude that TEA modulates, in a concentration dependent manner, tau(inact) but not I(A) amplitude in hamster SCN neurons.
Alkyl Group Dependence of the Surface-Induced Assembly of Nonionic Disaccharide Surfactants

N-Alkylmaltonamide nonionic diblock surfactants of varying hydrophobic segment lengths were synthesized, and their surface active properties on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The N-alkylmaltonamide surfactants are composed of maltose, a hydrophilic disaccharide, with amide-linked alkyl groups of varying length, from octyl to octadecyl. All the surfactants readily adsorb uniformly onto the hydrophobic graphite surface from solution. Surfactants with alkyl lengths of 10 or more carbons exhibit epitaxial adsorption on graphite, forming ordered hemicylinders with a diameter that increases with increasing surfactant length. The solution concentration necessary for inducing surface ordering decreases with increasing alkyl chain length. N-Octadecylmaltonamide, which is insoluble in water, adsorbed from methanol solution without ordering and upon solvent replacement with water, assembled into hemicylinders. Once formed, the surfactant structures appeared st...
iRMX 86—a realtime operating system for advanced 16-bit microcomputers

Abstract The iRMX 86 operating system has been designed as a multitasking realtime system for the 8086 microprocessor. It has a layered application-dependent structure. The technical features of the system are described, together with the concepts behind them.
Advances in Microwave GaAs Power FET Device and Circuit Technologies

The latest advances in microwave GaAs power FET device and circuit technologies are discussed. Optimum device structures and design parameters for operating frequencies up to K-band are covered. Broadband matching networks for hybrid power GaAs FET amplifiers are described. These matching networks were obtained with CAD technique, using FET equivalent circuit models deduced from S-parameter characterization and modified for large-signal operation. Progress in the design and performance of monolithic power FET amplifiers is also presented.
The Amphipathic Helix of Influenza A Virus M2 Protein Is Required for Filamentous Bud Formation and Scission of Filamentous and Spherical Particles

Influenza virus assembles and buds at the infected-cell plasma membrane. This involves extrusion of the plasma membrane followed by scission of the bud, resulting in severing the nascent virion from its former host. The influenza virus M2 ion channel protein contains in its cytoplasmic tail a membrane-proximal amphipathic helix that facilitates the scission process and is also required for filamentous particle formation. Mutation of five conserved hydrophobic residues to alanines within the amphipathic helix (M2 five-point mutant, or 5PM) reduced scission and also filament formation, whereas single mutations had no apparent phenotype. Here, we show that any two of these five residues mutated together to alanines result in virus debilitated for growth and filament formation in a manner similar to 5PM. Growth kinetics of the M2 mutants are approximately 2 logs lower than the wild-type level, and plaque diameter was significantly reduced. When the 5PM and a representative double mutant (I51A-Y52A) were introduced into A/WSN/33 M2, a strain that produces spherical particles, similar debilitation in viral growth occurred. Electron microscopy showed that with the 5PM and the I51A-Y52A A/Udorn/72 and WSN viruses, scission failed, and emerging virus particles exhibited a “beads-on-a-string” morphology. The major spike glycoprotein hemagglutinin is localized within lipid rafts in virus-infected cells, whereas M2 is associated at the periphery of rafts. Mutant M2s were more widely dispersed, and their abundance at the raft periphery was reduced, suggesting that the M2 amphipathic helix is required for proper localization in the host membrane and that this has implications for budding and scission.
Learning discourse topic management in the preschool years

The ability of children aged 0;1 to 2;6 to initiate and maintain topics of conversation is explored using videotaped data of mother–child interaction collected at home. An analysis of both verbal and non-verbal behaviours suggests that initially children attract attention exclusively to themselves as topics of conversation. The emergence of manipulative skills from 0; 5 and the development of deictic gestures from around the end of the first year facilitate the initiation of topics concerned with items in the physical environment. Finally, with the development of language, reference to intangibles becomes possible. In maintaining topics, children are initially capable of extended sequences only within the context of routines, but by 2;6 are able to maintain coherent topics independently. The implications of the analysis presented for understanding the role of prelinguistic communication in language development are discussed against the background of a modular framework.
Characterization, performance, and applications of a yeast surface display-based biocatalyst

This work demonstrates the efficacy and cost effectiveness of yeast surface display (YSD) as a method for producing and purifying enzyme catalysts. Lipase B from Candida antarctica (CalB) and lipase from Photobacterium lipolyticum sp. M37 (M37L) were individually displayed on the surface of yeasts via fusion with alpha-agglutinin. The enzyme is produced, purified, and immobilized in a single step. The population expressing the enzyme was quantified by flow cytometry. After lyophilization, the hydrolytic activity of the biocatalyst was assayed with p-nitrophenyl butyrate and p-nitrophenyl palmitate substrates. Esterification reactions involving octanoic acid and either butanol or octanol were used to evaluate esterification activity. The lyophilized YSD biocatalyst hydrolytic activity matched or exceeded commercial lipase (Novozym 435) immobilized on acrylic resin at equal catalyst loading, and achieved esterification levels 10–50% that of Novozyme 435. Factoring in the cost of production, the YSD biocatalyst represents a considerable savings over traditionally prepared and purchased enzyme catalysts. This promises to significantly expand the catalytic applications of immobilized lipases, and immobilized enzymes more generally, in commercial processes.
Stimulus displays which yield rapid learning of two-choice discrimination problems by rats

Stimulus displays yielding rapid learning of two-choice discrimination problems by rats were investigated. The results showed that rats learned step-through discriminations as haptic rather than as visual problems.
GenSAS — An online integrated genome sequence annotation pipeline

We present a web-based genome sequence annotation tool called GenSAS, the Genome Sequence Annotation Server. Advances in DNA sequencing technology and Web technologies have significantly reduced the costs associated with sequencing an organism's genome, including the operating costs of hardware and software. However, researchers need to use multiple annotation tools to increase the accuracy of the annotation results, and the labor cost of analyzing the sequence data is still high due to the non uniform input and output formats used in each tool. There are many individual web based tools available for gene annotation, but GenSAS is unique in that it offers a one-stop website with a single graphical interface for running multiple structural and functional annotation tools, visualization and manual curation of genome. GenSAS improves the overall performance by distributing the work between the server and client machine and supports a streamlined workflow that further simplifies the tasks and reduces the overall processing time.
Dynamin, encoded by shibire, is central to cardiac function.

Employing the Drosophila heart, a model system for genetic and molecular investigation of cardiac physiology, we demonstrate here an essential role for the protein dynamin, encoded by the Drosophila gene shibirets(shits), in maintaining normal heart function. In flies bearing two temperature-sensitive alleles of shi, shits1and shits2, heartbeat is both slower and less rhythmic than in wild-type animals. Serotonin and norepinephrine, normally cardioacceleratory in wild type, are without effect in flies bearing the shi mutation. Electrocardiogram (EKG) analysis reveals a bigeminal beat in mutant hearts, unlike the single electrical pulse in wild-type. The gene no action potential temperature sensitive, with previously-described cardiac aberrations similar to those of shi, interacts with shi: shi/shi;nap/nap mutants have almost wild-type heart function. J. Exp. Zool. 289:81–89, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Uncertainty in Pin-on-Disk Wear Volume Measurements Using Surface Scanning Techniques

The uncertainty of wear volumes measured using surface scanning techniques is often neglected or assumed to be equivalent to the instrument error. A method is proposed that accounts for the number of wear volume scans, the variations in those scans, and the geometry of the experimental system as an improved measure of uncertainty. It demonstrates that the uncertainty in volume is directly correlated to the number of scans taken. A non-uniform wear track was used to validate the method, and the minimal and optimal number of scans was found.
Targeting cells that overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor with polyethylene glycolated BPD verteporfin photosensitizer immunoconjugates.

Photoimmunotherapy was introduced two decades ago but has been studied infrequently in vivo and is virtually untested clinically. Progress has been limited because high-quality, well-characterized photosensitizer immunoconjugates (PICs) have been difficult to make. Here, we describe the development of an innovative conjugation method for producing water-soluble PICs that are free of insoluble aggregates and free of unacceptable amounts of noncovalently associated photosensitizer impurities. The method exploits two procedures previously untried in this research area. First, a small number of antibody lysines (<3 per antibody) are polyethylene glycolated (PEGylated) using a 10 kDa branched polyethylene glycol (PEG), which dramatically enhances PIC solubility and reduces PIC aggregation. Second, a 50% dimethyl sulfoxide-50% aqueous two-solvent system is used to prevent photosensitizer aggregation and noncovalent interactions. These measures allow efficient covalent linkage of the photosensitizer BPD Verteporfin (BPD) to antibody lysines, thorough purification of the resulting PICs (verified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), maintenance of PIC antigen-binding activity (verified by cellular binding-uptake assays) and reduction of nonspecific cellular uptake (e.g. macrophage capture) of the PICs. Loading levels could be varied controllably in the range < or = 11 BPD/antibody. PICs of the C225 anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) chimeric monoclonal antibody killed EGFR-overexpressing A-431 cells photodynamically but did not significantly affect EGFR-negative NR6 cells. Although fluorescence measurements demonstrated that the PICs were quenched by as much as an order of magnitude compared with free BPD, an impressive 90% reduction in A-431 cell viability was achieved using 20 J/cm2 of 690 nm light after a 40 h incubation with the C225 PICs. The results suggest that PEGylated BPD-C225 PICs merit further investigation in animal models of EGFR-overexpressing cancers.
Activation of JNK in rat heart by exercise: effect of training

The purpose of the study was to determine whether exercise would activate JNK in the heart and whether chronic exercise training would alter the response. Untrained rats were familiarized with the treadmill and assigned to one of four groups: low intensity (LI), 10 min, 0%, 15 m/min; medium intensity (MI), 10 min, 0%, 33 m/min; high intensity (HI), 10 min, 25%, 33 m/min; long duration (LD), 30 min, 0%, 15 m/min. Another cohort of rats was subjected to a progressive 6 wk high-intensity training protocol that produced a 12% increase in heart mass. In untrained rats, JNK activity was LI: 1.5 (fold nonrun control), MI: 2.0, HI: 2.5, LD: 1.25 immediately after a single bout of exercise. In trained rats, no activation of JNK above baseline was detected after either a 10-min or 1-h bout of exercise. We concluded that treadmill exercise activates JNK in the rat heart in an intensity-dependent manner and that chronic training abrogates the myocardial JNK response to a bout of exercise.
Evoked potential audiogram of the lined seahorse, Hippocampus erectus (Perry), in terms of sound pressure and particle acceleration

The hearing sensitivity of the lined seahorse, Hippocampus erectus (Perry), was determined for both sound pressure and particle acceleration using the auditory evoked potential (AEP) technique. Hippocampus erectus demonstrates hearing sensitivity typical of historically characterized hearing generalist fishes, with best sensitivities below 600 Hz and maximum sensitivities of 105.0 ± 1.5 dB SPL (re: 1 μPa) and 3.46 × 10−3 ± 7.64 × 10−4 m s−2 at 200 Hz. The shapes of the audiograms for each modality are similar, suggesting relative similarity in sensitivity between modalities for a given frequency. In light of the importance of broadband sound in the acoustic landscape of this fish’s environment, and broadband conspecific sound production that may be used in intraspecific acoustic communication, audition to broadband sounds was also estimated. Maximum broadband sensitivity at 200 Hz is estimated to be 92.0 ± 1.5 dB SPL (re: 1 μPa) and 7.73 × 10−4 ± 1.71 × 10−4 m s−2.
Improved Adaptation of Web Service Compositions Using Value of Changed Information

Workflows often operate in volatile environments in which the component services' QoS changes frequently. Optimally adapting to these changes becomes an important problem that must be addressed by the Web service composition and execution (WSCE) system being utilized. We adopt the A-WSCE framework that utilizes a three-stage approach for composing and executing Web workflows. The A-WSCE framework offers a way to adapt by defining multiple workflows and switching among them in case of component failure or changes in the QoS parameters. However, the A-WSCE framework suffers from the limitations imposed by a simple strategy of periodically checking the QoS offerings of randomly picked providers in order to decide whether the current workflow is optimal. To address these limitations, we associate the value of changed information (VOC) with each workflow and utilize the VOC to update which workflow to execute. We empirically demonstrate the improved performance of the workflows selected using the new approach in comparison to the original framework.
Effect of chronic renal failure on oxaprozin multiple-dose pharmacokinetics.

The effects of renal disease on the steady-state kinetics of oxaprozin were assessed in eight patients on hemodialysis with normal serum albumin levels and eight normal subjects who received six doses. A larger clearance and volume of distribution at steady state for total and unbound oxaprozin occurred in the patients on hemodialysis. The elimination half-lifes were not different. The mean total AUC, peak concentration, average steady-state plasma concentration, and trough concentration for total and unbound oxaprozin were decreased in the patients on hemodialysis. These differences are consistent with impaired absorption of oxaprozin in patients on hemodialysis. The higher dose—averaged unbound fraction of oxaprozin in plasma in patients on hemodialysis may be caused by endogenous binding inhibitors. Because clearance was not reduced in patients on hemodialysis, the dose of oxaprozin may not need to be reduced when albumin levels are normal. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1988) 44, 303–309; doi:10.1038/clpt.1988.154
Origin of the Marsden and Kracht Groups of Sunskirting Comets. I. Association with Comet 96P/Machholz and Its Interplanetary Complex

Of the three major groups of comets approaching the Sun to between 6 and 12 solar radii and discovered with the coronagraphs on board SOHO, we investigate the Marsden and Kracht groups.We call these comets ''sunskirters'' to distinguish them from the Kreutz system sungrazers. Our objective is to understand the origin, history, and orbital evolution of the two groups.
Worksite intervention model for facilitating changes in physical activity, fitness, and psychological parameters.

The purpose was to examine the effectiveness of a physical activity intervention which combined behavior-change strategies with a variety of physical activities for 30 sedentary adults in a 12-wk. ...
Research On Motivation in Educational Settings: Implications for Hearing-Impaired Students

The paper reviews research on normally hearing students that has implications for understanding the motivation of hearing-impaired students. The author reviews research on hearing-impaired students in order to make suggestions concerning their motivational determinants. An important proposition is that classroom motivational orientation of students depends upon which orientation is rewarded and encouraged. This paper focuses on 3 orientations: autonomy, competition, and cooperation. While orientation has its benefits and drawbacks, each deserves a place in the educational program.
Using the ISIS resource manager for distributed, fault-tolerant computing

Under current versions of the UNIX operating system, it is difficult to take advantage of the massive computing power of idle or lightly loaded workstations on a network. The authors introduce the ISIS resource manager, a distributed fault-tolerant application capable of recapturing this processing power, as well as providing a transparent interface to network computing resources. They discuss the growing importance of high-speed workstation networks and the need for network management utilities and consider how advances in software technology have made it possible to easily construct a distributed fault-tolerant application to meet this need. The architecture of the resource manager is described as an example of this class of application. >
microRNA-34a is associated with expression of key hepatic transcription factors and cytochromes P450

microRNA (miRNA) mediated regulation of gene expression has emerged as a significant mechanism contributing to variation in gene expression. In this study, we evaluated the potential role of miRNAs in regulating expression of hepatic cytochromes P450 and their transcriptional regulatory genes. We screened the Targetscan database for high scoring miRNA binding site predictions in selected hepatic DMEs and transcription factors. Expression profiling for candidate miRNAs (n=22) and their target genes (n=20) was performed in 50 human liver samples (25 female, 25 male). Significant negative correlations were observed between expression levels of several CYPs/hepatic transcription factors and the hepatic miRNAs studied. Interestingly, hepatic miR-34a demonstrated significant negative correlation with expression levels of multiple hepatic transcription factors (including NR1I2 and HNF4α) and DMEs (CYP3A4, CYP2C19). miR-34a expression was also significantly higher in males than in females in congruence with previous observations of higher CYP3A4 expression in females versus males. A mediation analysis revealed that miR-34a was involved in significant mediation of the association observed between CYP2C19 and several hepatic transcription factors (HNF4α, NR1I2). miR-34a may thus play a key regulatory role and be a key contributory factor to the inter-individual variability observed in expression of key drug metabolizing genes in humans.
Planning and implementation of a participatory evaluation strategy: A viable approach in the evaluation of community-based participatory programs addressing cancer disparities

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) has been posited as a promising methodology to address health concerns at the community level, including cancer disparities. However, the major criticism to this approach is the lack of scientific grounded evaluation methods to assess development and implementation of this type of research. This paper describes the process of development and implementation of a participatory evaluation framework within a CBPR program to reduce breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer disparities between African Americans and whites in Alabama and Mississippi as well as lessons learned. The participatory process involved community partners and academicians in a fluid process to identify common ground activities and outcomes. The logic model, a lay friendly approach, was used as the template and clearly outlined the steps to be taken in the evaluation process without sacrificing the rigorousness of the evaluation process. We have learned three major lessons in this process: (1) the importance of constant and open dialogue among partners; (2) flexibility to make changes in the evaluation plan and implementation; and (3) importance of evaluators playing the role of facilitators between the community and academicians. Despite the challenges, we offer a viable approach to evaluation of CBPR programs focusing on cancer disparities.
Rent-Seeking, Rent-Defending, and Rent Dissipation.

A substantial portion of the research on rent-seeking addresses the issue of rent dissipation. This line of inquiry is drawn directly from Tullock’s (1967) stated intent to identify the total social costs of monopoly. Early studies, which were concerned with the measurement of Tullock costs, simply assumed dissipation would be complete (see Becker, 1968; Kruger, 1974; Posner, 1975; and others). However, Posner (1975) and Fisher (1985) observed the question of dissipation can be answered only for overtly specified game structures.
Implementation of a relay coordination system for the mars network

Mars network relay operations involve the coordination of lander and orbiter teams through long-term and short-term planning, tactical changes and post-pass analysis. 1 2 Much of this coordination is managed through email traffic and point-to-point file data exchanges. It is often difficult to construct a complete and accurate picture of the relay situation at any given moment, as there is no centralized store of correlated relay data.