cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elevated Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Transgenic Mice: Prevention of Death by Antibody to TNF-α

Homozygous human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-transgenic mice (Tg26) appear normal at birth but die within 3 to 4 weeks. The skin of these animals shows diffuse scaling and high-level expression of both HIV-1 mRNA and gp120. Previous experiments showed that treatment with human chorionic gonadatropin (hCG) prevented death and the expression of HIV-1 mRNA and gp120. The present experiments were initiated to study the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in HIV-1-induced pathology. Examination of the sera of Tg26 mice revealed a 50-fold increase in TNF-α levels compared to those in nontransgenic mice. Treatment with antibody to TNF-α prevented death, resulted in near normal growth, and produced a marked decrease in skin lesions and a profound reduction in the expression of HIV-1 mRNA and gp120. Both TNF-α antibody and hCG reduced TNF-α levels in sera by approximately 75%. We conclude that TNF-α contributes in a major way to HIV-1-induced pathology in transgenic mice and that both hCG and antibody to TNF-α prevent the development of pathology by suppressing the level of TNF-α.
Bacteriophage gene expression in sporulating cells of Bacillus subtilis 168.

Abstract Gene expression in a small phage (∅29) and a large phage (∅e) was followed during differentiation of the host, Bacillus subtilis 168. It was found that ∅29 DNA replication becomes inhibited relatively early in the sporulation cycle; though unable to replicate, ∅29 DNA can be incorporated into spores in a heat-stable form and expressed later after germination. Considerable amounts of “early” ∅29-specific mRNA appear in infected cells even at times during cell development when very little ∅29 DNA syntehsis occurs. ∅e DNA, on the other hand, can replicate during later stages of sporulation. The synthesis of ∅e-specific mRNA is observed in cells infected more than an hour after the time of inhibition of DNA synthesis. These results show that transcription of phage DNA occurs in vivo well after the occurrence of host changes that inhibit phage replication. Therefore, the changes in the template specificity of host RNA polymerase probably cannot account for the inability of phage to multiply at early stages of sporulation, as has been previously suggested from in vitro studies.
PHUGOID MOTION FOR GRAZING-ENTRY TRAJECTORIES AT NEAR-CIRCULAR SPEEDS

We analyze the trajectory perturbations that result in phugoid oscillations during the grazing planetary entry of space vehicles starting with near-circular speed, in ballistic and equilibrium glide modes. The equations for planar entry are transformed into a dimensionless system appropriate for an analytical integration that provides accurate results in comparison with those obtained from a numerical integration of the original system. For ballistic entry, the small perturbation in the flight-path angle is a lightly damped oscillation with long period, while the perturbation in the density (altitude) increases as the speed decreases. Nevertheless, the relative change in the density is decreasing, and the phugoid in ballistic entry is termed stable in both the flight-path angle and the altitude. For glide entry, in the reference solution where there is equilibrium of forces along the normal to the flight path, both the flight-path angle and the altitude have a steady decrease along the flight path. With a slight perturbatipn in either the initial speed or the initial flight-path angle, or both, the trajectory variables undergo a damped oscillation about the reference trajectory. Both the damping and the frequency are obtained explicitly, and they correctly predict the phugoid motion as seen in the numerical solution.
Factors controlling nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in forest ecosystems in New Mexico

Forest floor and mineral soil from ponderosa-pine, Douglas-fir, aspen and spruce-fir ecosystems located along a rising gradient in New Mexico were tested with laboratory assays for factors controlling N mineralization and nitrification. We concluded that low pH in combination with factors associated with organic quality controlled N mineralization and almost completely limited nitrification in spruce-fir soils, while N mineralization in the forest floor of ponderosa-pine was limited by low nutrient availability (other than N). Organic quality of the substrate and temporal changes in organic quality appeared to control N-mineralization and nitrification processes in forest-floor and mineral soils from all other sites.
Epitaxial growth and properties of cobalt-doped ZnO on α − Al 2 O 3 single-crystal substrates

$\mathrm{Co}$-doped $\mathrm{ZnO}({\mathrm{Co}}_{x}{\mathrm{Zn}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{O})$ is of potential interest for spintronics due to the prediction of room-temperature ferromagnetism. We have grown epitaxial ${\mathrm{Co}}_{x}{\mathrm{Zn}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{O}$ films on ${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}(012)$ substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition using a liquid precursor delivery system. High concentrations of $\mathrm{Co}(x\ensuremath{\leqslant}0.35)$ can be uniformly incorporated into the film without phase segregation. $\mathrm{Co}$ is found to be in the $+2$ oxidation state, independent of $x$, by both surface-sensitive core-level $x$-ray photoemission and bulk-sensitive optical absorption spectroscopies. This material can be grown $n$-type by the deliberate incorporation of oxygen vacancies, but not by inclusion of $\ensuremath{\sim}1$ at. % $\mathrm{Al}$. Semiconducting films remain ferromagnetic up to $350\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. In contrast films without oxygen vacancies are insulating and nonmagnetic, suggesting that exchange interaction is mediated by itinerant carriers. The saturation and remanent magnetization on a per $\mathrm{Co}$ basis was very small $(l0.1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}∕\mathrm{Co})$, even in the best films. The dependence of saturation magnetization, as measured by optical magnetic circular dichroism, on magnetic field and temperature, agrees with the theoretical Brillouin function, demonstrating that the majority of the $\mathrm{Co}(\mathrm{II})$ ions behave as magnetically isolated $S=3∕2$ ions.
Direct Quantitation of PCB Congeners Using a Helium Discharge Detector and Internal Standard Techniques

Individual PCB congeners have been quantitated at ppm levels, with an average error of ±3.2%, with the use of a helium discharge detector (HDD) for element-selective detection of Cl emission. Chlorinated internal standards of known concentrations were added to each solution determined to establish the relative peak areas per unit concentration of Cl present. No detector precalibration or response factor formulations were required, since the detector response is based solely on the moles of Cl present. The same methodology was utilized to determine the % Cl in Aroclor samples without prior identification of the PCB congeners present.
Glutamate co-release at GABA/glycinergic synapses is crucial for the refinement of an inhibitory map

Many nonglutamatergic synaptic terminals in the mammalian brain contain the vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3), indicating that they co-release the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. However, the functional role of glutamate co-transmission at these synapses is poorly understood. In the auditory system, VGLUT3 expression and glutamate co-transmission are prominent in a developing GABA/glycinergic sound-localization pathway. We found that mice with a genetic deletion of Vglut3 (also known as Slc17a8) had disrupted glutamate co-transmission and severe impairment in the refinement of this inhibitory pathway. Specifically, loss of glutamate co-transmission disrupted synaptic silencing and the strengthening of GABA/glycinergic connections that normally occur with maturation. Functional mapping studies further revealed that these deficits markedly degraded the precision of tonotopy in this inhibitory auditory pathway. These results indicate that glutamate co-transmission is crucial for the synaptic reorganization and topographic specification of a developing inhibitory circuit.
An examination of the issue of form versus substance in an experimental asset market: A pilot study

Abstract A series of experiments are conducted in a security asset market that comprises two long-lived securities with identical pre-tax fundamental values but different payout structures. One security pays taxable dividends every period while the other security accumulates earnings to be distributed at random intervals. The results of the experiments indicate that traders ignore tax considerations and pay a premium for the security distributing dividends every period. But this premium is negatively correlated with the size of the accumulated earnings of the other firm. Thus, it appears that the market confuses the issues of form and substance, and that form appears to matter. Investors segregate the small steady dividends with either a capital gain or capital loss associated with the sale of the security. As the accumulated earnings of the other firm grow, investor's preferences shift; they now integrate the relatively large accumulated earnings with the potential capital loss associated with this security.
Cosmic Ray Interactions with Boron: A Possible Source of Soft Errors

Neutron interactions with 10B produce pairs of heavily ionizing particles (4He and 7Li) that can contribute to soft errors in integrated circuits. The effect from boron exceeds that from cosmic rays incident on silicon nuclei if the boron concentration exceeds 1020/cc, which is often present in p-type Si and which is exceeded in common packaging sealing glasses. Intercomparison of cosmic ray-induced and spontaneous sources is provided.
A Simple Stabilizing Control for Sagittal Plane Locomotion

The spring loaded inverted pendulum model has been shown to accurately model sagittal plane locomotion for a variety of legged animals and has been used as a target for control for higher dimensional robotic implementations. Tuned appropriately, the model exhibits passively stable periodic gaits using either fixed leg touch-down angle or swing-leg retraction leg touch-down protocols. In this work, we examine the performance of the model when model parameters are set to values characteristic of an insect, in particular the cockroach Blaberus discoidalis. While body motions and forces exhibited during a stride are shown to compare well with those observed experimentally, almost all of the resulting periodic gaits are unstable. We therefore develop and analyze a simple adaptive control scheme that improves periodic gait stability properties. Since it is unlikely that neural reflexes can act quickly enough during a stride to effect control, control is applied once per stance phase through appropriate choice of the leg touch-down angle. The control law developed is novel since it achieves gait stabilization solely through a judicious combination of leg lift-off and touch-down angles, instead of utilizing all of the system positions and velocities in full-state feedback control. Implementing the control law improves the stability properties of a large number of periodic gaits and enables movement between stable periodic gaits by changing a single parameter.
Procalcitonin Levels Associate with Severity of Clostridium difficile Infection

Objective Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a major cause of morbidity and biomarkers that predict severity of illness are needed. Procalcitonin (PCT), a serum biomarker with specificity for bacterial infections, has been little studied in CDI. We hypothesized that PCT associated with CDI severity. Design Serum PCT levels were measured for 69 cases of CDI. Chart review was performed to evaluate the presence of severity markers and concurrent acute bacterial infection (CABI). We defined the binary variables clinical score as having fever (T >38°C), acute organ dysfunction (AOD), and/or WBC >15,000 cells/mm(3) and expanded score, which included the clinical score plus the following: ICU admission, no response to therapy, colectomy, and/or death. Results In univariate analysis log10 PCT associated with clinical score (OR 3.13, 95% CI 1.69-5.81, P 0.2 ng/mL was 81% sensitive/73% specific for a positive clinical score and had a negative predictive value of 90%. Conclusion An elevated PCT level associated with the presence of CDI severity markers and CDI was unlikely to be severe with a serum PCT level below 0.2 ng/mL. The extent to which PCT changes during CDI therapy or predicts recurrent CDI remains to be quantified.
Reduction of inhibition by a benzodiazepine antagonist, Ro15-1788, in the rat hippocampal slice

The effects of extracellular applications of benzodiazepine agonists and the benzodiazepine antagonist, Ro15-1788, were investigated on pyramidal neurons in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices. The benzodiazepine agonists, chlordiazepoxide and diazepam, enhanced gamma-aminobutyrate synaptic inhibition, as tested by extracellular recordings during a paired-pulse inhibition paradigm. In contrast, Ro15-1788 (0.1-1 microM) depressed paired-pulse inhibition in a dose-dependent manner that suggested agonist activity at higher (10-100 microM) concentrations. Intracellular recordings from CA1 neurons showed that Ro15-1788 reduced both orthodromically and antidromically evoked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. The reduction of the inhibitory postsynaptic potential probably resulted from a postsynaptic effect on the conductance mechanism of the inhibitory postsynaptic potential, since there were no changes in resting input resistance, the inhibitory postsynaptic reversal potential or the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. These data suggest that in the hippocampal slice preparation either (1) an endogenous benzodiazepine agonist exists that can be displaced by Ro15-1788 or (2) Ro15-1788 has inverse agonist activity.
Determination of the rates of synthesis and degradation of vitamin D-dependent chick intestinal and renal calcium-binding proteins☆

Abstract Vitamin D3 and its biologically active metabolite 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] are shown to induce in the chick intestine and kidney the biosynthesis of a calcium binding protein (CaBP). In vitamin D3-replete chickens raised under adequate dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) conditions, the steady-state level of intestinal CaBP (30–50 g/mg protein) is 5- to 20-fold greater than that of renal CaBP. Whereas dietary phosphorus restriction is known to elevate both intestinal and renal CaBP levels, dietary calcium restriction elevates only intestinal CaBP. The present study reports the rates of biosynthesis in vivo and in vitro, and of biodegradation in vivo, of both intestinal and renal CaBP after administration of vitamin D3 or 1,25(OH)2D3 to rachitic chicks. The apparent rate constant of degradation for intestinal CaBP was 0.024 h−1 ( t 1 2 = 29 h ) and that for renal CaBP was 0.019 h−1 ( t 1 2 = 36 h ) while total cellular soluble protein in the intestine and kidney had half-lives of 43 and 70 h, respectively. The time course of induction of the synthesis of CaBP was determined in intestine and kidney after administration of a physiological dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 to rachitic chicks. Intestinal CaBP synthesis was detectable by 3 hours, reached a maximal rate by 10 hours, and sharply decayed by 16–20 hours. The time course of induction of renal CaBP synthesis was very similar, although the rate of renal CaBP synthesis was readily detectable at the initial time of administration of 1,25(OH)2D3. The relative rates of synthesis of CaBP in the intestine and kidney under a variety of dietary Ca and P conditions in the vitamin D3-replete chick exactly paralleled the steady-state level of CaBP in these two tissues. These results are consistent with a model in which the steady-state levels of intestinal and renal CaBP are solely determined by their respective rates of biosynthesis; the CaBP biosynthetic capability, in turn, is regulated by the availability of 1,25(OH)2D3 to each target organ.
The depth distribution of mantle anisotropy beneath the Tonga subduction zone

Abstract Shear-wave splitting recorded by a temporary deployment of broadband seismometers located above the Tonga subduction zone yields strong constraints on the depth distribution of anisotropy in the mantle beneath the Tonga back-arc region. Splitting parameters obtained for local S and teleseismic SKS phases were modeled using a ray-based method that predicts shear-wave splitting on individual phase paths and determines the best-fitting values of anisotropic strength, orientation and depth extent. Splitting in teleseismic SKS phases is identical to that in S phases from local earthquakes that occur at the base of the transition zone, demonstrating that there is no significant splitting due to anisotropy in the lower mantle. Splitting times for local S phases do not vary significantly with depth, and for models in which the strength of anisotropy is laterally uniform, they rule out anisotropy in the transition zone. Finally, the observed splitting indicates that anisotropy of more than 0.8% exists in the upper mantle, with a fast symmetry axis at 60°W, roughly parallel to the absolute plate motion vector of the subducting Pacific lithosphere.
Depression in african american and white women convicted of a felony drug offense

ABSTRACT Most women in the criminal justice system are drug-involved, and although African American women are disproportionately arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for drug-related offenses, little is known about their mental health. Depression is of particular concern, as it is highly comorbid with substance abuse and strongly associated with stressful life events, including discrimination. We studied factors associated with depression in 78 community-dwelling African American and White women previously convicted of a felony drug offense. Exposure to trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, and alcohol dependency predicted depression in the sample as a whole, but individual predictors varied significantly by race. Notably, social support decreased risk depression for White women, but increased risk for African American women. Implications for practice, policy, and future research are addressed.
Hydrogeology of an ancient arid closed basin: Implications for tabular sandstone-hosted uranium deposits

Hydrogeologic modeling shows that tabular-type uranium deposits in the grants uranium region of the San Juan basin, New Mexico, formed in zones of ascending and discharging regional ground-water flow. The association of either lacustrine mudstone or actively subsiding structures and uranium deposits can best be explained by the occurrence of lakes at topographic depressions where ground water having different sources and compositions is likely to converge, mix, and discharge. Ascending and discharging flow also explains the association of uranium deposits with underlying evaporites and suggests a brine interface. The simulations contradict previous suggestions that ground water moved downward in the mudflat.
Volume-translated cubic EoS and PC-SAFT density models and a free volume-based viscosity model for hydrocarbons at extreme temperature and pressure conditions

Abstract This research focuses on providing the petroleum reservoir engineering community with robust models of hydrocarbon density and viscosity at the extreme temperature and pressure conditions (up to 533 K and 276 MPa, respectively) characteristic of ultra-deep reservoirs, such as those associated with the deepwater wells in the Gulf of Mexico. Our strategy is to base the volume-translated (VT) Peng–Robinson (PR) and Soave–Redlich–Kwong (SRK) cubic equations of state (EoSs) and perturbed-chain, statistical associating fluid theory (PC-SAFT) on an extensive data base of high temperature (278–533 K), high pressure (6.9–276 MPa) density rather than fitting the models to low pressure saturated liquid density data. This high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) data base consists of literature data for hydrocarbons ranging from methane to C40. The three new models developed in this work, HTHP VT-PR EoS, HTHP VT-SRK EoS, and hybrid PC-SAFT, yield mean absolute percent deviation values (MAPD) for HTHP hydrocarbon density of ∼2.0%, ∼1.5%, and An effort was also made to provide accurate hydrocarbon viscosity models based on literature data. Viscosity values are estimated with the frictional theory (f-theory) and free volume (FV) theory of viscosity. The best results were obtained when the PC-SAFT equation was used to obtain both the attractive and repulsive pressure inputs to f-theory, and the density input to FV theory. Both viscosity models provide accurate results at pressures to 100 MPa but experimental and model results can deviate by more than 25% at pressures above 200 MPa.
The effects of a mandatory child restraint law on injuries requiring hospitalization.

• Using data on all inpatients in 16 Michigan hospitals from 1980 through 1985, the clinical effects of a mandatory child restraint law were examined. Time-series analytic techniques revealed a 36% decline in hospitalization for all injuries, with a 25% decline for head injuries, and a 20% decline for extremity injuries for children younger than 4 years. In addition, length of stay declined for children hospitalized secondary to motor vehicle crashes. This study confirms the effectiveness of the child restraint law in Michigan, previously demonstrated by analyses of police records. Current hospital databases may be able to serve as one component for the implementation of comprehensive injury surveillance systems. ( AJDC 1988;142:1099-1103)
Purification and composition of an ice nucleating protein from queens of the hornet,Vespula maculata

Hemolymph ice nucleating factors are found in many freeze tolerant insects. These factors function to initiate ice nucleation in the extracellular fluid at fairly high subzero temperatures thereby minimizing the possibility of lethal intracellular ice formation. An ice nucleating protein was purified from the hymolymph of pupal bald faced hornets,Vespula maculata. This is the first ice nucleating protein to be purified. The protein has a molecular weight of 74,000, as determined by SDS-PAGE, and is quite hydrophilic. Glutamate and/or glutamine accounts for 20% of the amino acid residues. It is likely that the hydrophilic nature of the protein is involved in the ability of the protein to function as an ice nucleator.
Nanomolar Inhibitors of CNS Epinephrine Biosynthesis: (R)-(+)-3-Fluoromethyl-7-(N-substituted aminosulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines as Potent and Highly Selective Inhibitors of Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase1

A series of (R)-(+)-3-fluoromethyl-7-(N-substituted aminosulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines has been synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of PNMT and for their affinity for the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor. Compounds (R)-8 and (R)-9 are remarkably potent and selective inhibitors of PNMT and are predicted to penetrate the blood-brain barrier on the basis of their calculated log P values. Conformational analysis and docking studies were performed in order to examine why the (R)-enantiomer of these 3-fluoromethyl-7-(N-substituted aminosulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines is more potent than the (S)-enantiomer and to determine the likely bound ring conformer of the (R)-enantiomer. It appears that the (R)-enantiomer participates in a water-mediated hydrogen bond in which the (S)-enantiomer cannot. The likely favored ring conformation for (R)-3-fluoromethyl-7-(N-substituted aminosulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines in the PNMT active site is similar to the ring conformation of (R)-5a as determined by gas-phase ab initio calculations.
Aggregation of human salivary Ca-proteinates in the presence of simple carbohydrates in vitro.

Soderling E, Makinen KK: Aggregation of human salivary Ca-proteinates in the presence of simple carbohydrates in vitro. Scand J Dent Res 1986; 94: 125-31. Abstract — The effect of 8 polyols and 14 aldoses or ketoses on the spontaneous aggregation of Ga-proteinates was followed spectrophotometrically in supernatants and Eltrates of human mixed saliva. Each carbohydrate was added to the saliva samples at 37°C and the precipitated material was analyzed for protein, total carbohydrate and Ga. Based on their effect on aggregation, the carbohydrates could be divided into three groups: I) those that showed no effect on aggregation: D-xylose, D-ribose and i-erythritol, 2) those that inhibited aggregation strongly: xylitol, D- sorbitol and D-mannitol, and 3) those that inhibited aggregation moderately: glucose, fructose and sucrose. The inhibitory effect of the above polyols on the aggregation of Ca-proteinates varied greatly among the saliva donors, and correlated positively with the turbidity of the saliva and its protein content more than with tbe Ca-concentration or the pH of the saliva sample. It is suggested that inhibition of aggregation shown the most clearly for xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol manifests itself as a retardation of the flnal, irreversible aggregation of those glyeo- proteins that already exist in a precipitated form and which are responsible for the turbidity of saliva.
Multiresolution transform and its application to pattern recognition

Traditional wavelet edge detection and encoding schemes preserve shape features of objects effectively at a variety of spatial scales and also allow an efficient means of image and video compression. However these schemes also remove texture from imagery and thus image reproduction quality suffers. Fractal encoding techniques on the other hand generate high compression ratios but tend to introduce blocky artifacts in imagery. Thus we describe an encoding method that combines the shape preserving capability of wavelets with the compression qualities of fractal compression for a hybrid multiresolution technique that achieves high compression, selective and accurate feature preservation, and is computationally efficient.
Smooth pursuit eye movements, schizophrenia, and distraction

This study tested whether smooth pursuit eye-movement dysfunctions, prevalent in a large population of schizophrenic patients, are distinguishable from impaired pursuit induced in normals by a distracting task. Results showed clear qualitative and quantitative distinctions between records of 23 distracted normals and those of 15 schizophrenics.
Single-cell electroporation.

Using modified patch-clamp methodology, we demonstrated that it is possible to insert genes or other compounds routinely into single cells by electroporation. When the cell is indented by a small-tipped microelectrode, a voltage of 10 V or less in the pipette is divided by the pipette resistance and the series resistance of the cleft between the pipette tip and the cell surface. The voltage at the cell membrane can be high enough to cause localized dielectric breakdown of the membrane and create pores that allow compounds in the pipette to enter the cell. Rectangular pulses from 20 µs to more than 300 ms are effective, as are frequencies from DC to 5 kHz. The most significant parameter was the total time for which the voltage was applied. Pipette voltages of 2–10 V were required, with larger genes requiring larger voltages. With optimal parameters, transfection rates in excess of 80% were also possible routinely. This approach offers an effective alternative to intracellular pressure injection and iontophoresis for placing genes, drugs, and other compounds in cells. Because of the small size of the electrode tips, substances can be inserted in cells from almost any location on their surfaces. In addition, the small tips electroporated only a limited area and so did little cell damage.
Plant parasitic nematodes: a new mechanism for injury of hosts.

Pathological effects of Ditylenchus dipsaci and Meloidogyne hapla are related to the disturbance of the auxin balance in the host by the nematode. The parasites produce an auxin inactivator, apparently enzymatic, that enables Ditylenchus dipsaci to stunt host stem apices and Meloidogyne hapla to reduce its galling potential.
Ultraviolet Light Inhibits Translation through Activation of the Unfolded Protein Response Kinase PERK in the Lumen of the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Exposure to ultraviolet light can cause inflammation, premature skin aging, and cancer. UV irradiation alters the expression of multiple genes that encode functions to repair DNA damage, arrest cell growth, and induce apoptosis. In addition, UV irradiation inhibits protein synthesis, although the mechanism is not known. In this report, we show that UV irradiation induces phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 on the α-subunit (eIF2α) and inhibits protein synthesis in a dosage- and time-dependent manner. The UV-induced phosphorylation of eIF2α was prevented by the overexpression of a non-phosphorylatable mutant of eIF2α (S51A). PERK is an eIF2α protein kinase localized to the endoplasmic reticulum that is activated by the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. Expression of trans- dominant-negative mutants of PERK also prevented eIF2α phosphorylation upon UV treatment and protected from the associated translation attenuation. The luminal domain of dominant-negative mutant PERK formed heterodimers with endogenous PERK to inhibit the PERK signaling pathway. In contrast, eIF2α phosphorylation was not inhibited by overexpression of a trans-dominant-negative mutant kinase, PKR, supporting the theory that UV-induced eIF2α phosphorylation is specifically mediated by PERK. These results support a novel mechanism by which UV irradiation regulates translation via an endoplasmic reticulum-stress signaling pathway.
Bifurcation and chaos in a simple feedback control system

We discuss local and global bifurcations exhibited by a second order oscillatory system with nonlinear restoring forces, when subject to first order linear feedback control. The resulting third order system exhibits codimension two bifurcations in which multiple limit cycles and homoclinic orbits are created. Moreover, when subject to periodic desired position feedback, chaotic responses are possible.
Models for representing piecewise linear cost functions

We study formulations of linear programs with piecewise linear objective functions with and without additional binary variables. We show that the two formulations without additional binary variables have the same LP bounds as those of the corresponding formulations with binary variables and therefore are preferable for efficient computation.
Effects of various strengths of acids on the electrophoretic behavior of weak bases in a non-aqueous solvent

Abstract By the addition of an appropriate strength and concentration of acid which is in acetonitrile—sulfolane (9:1) containing a small amount of tetraethylammonium perchlorate as background electrolyte, weak organic nitrogen bases showed differential migration in high-voltage paper electrophoresis. Dichloro- and trichloro-acetic acids were effective for separating 5,6-benzoquinoline, 7,8-benzoquinoline and 1,10-phenanthroline. The use of potentiometric and spectrophotometric titration data to predict the electrophoretic behavior was very limited due to adsorption of the free bases by paper.
Differential declines in cognitive function with aging: The possible role of health status

The differential decline of memory (Wechsler Memory Scale Logical Memory and Visual Reproduction subtests) and “executive” cognitive skills (Halstead‐Reitan Category Test) and their relationship to health status were examined in this cross‐sectional study of 154 elderly individuals. Age‐related differences in memory were observed in both healthy and unhealthy participants. No overall age‐related differences were noted on the Category Test. Performance on this test, however, was related to health status, although memory performance was not.
Low-noise detector with RFI mitigation capability for the Aquarius L-band scatterometer

The upcoming Aquarius sea-surface salinity mission has tight requirements on backscatter measurement accuracy and stability at L-band frequencies (1.26 GHz). These requirements have driven the development of new capabilities in the scatterometer's backend detector electronics, which are the focus of this paper. Topics include the development of flight-grade hardware aboard the scatterometer for radio frequency interference (RFI) detection and mitigation, and analog/digital electronics design techniques used to reduce system noise and achieve highly linear power detection over a wide dynamic range. We also summarize the approach taken to test the scatterometer's processing and control functions at the level of the integrated Aquarius flight instrument, and present some recent results from the integrated testing campaign.
A comparison of gut evacuation models for larval mackerel (Scomber scombrus) using serial photography

A novel technique is described, using serial photography of the gut contents of transparent living larval fishes, to generate individual gut evacuation time series. This technique was applied to Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus larvae to compare three widely used models of gut evacuation: linear, exponential and square-root. Regression r 2 for the exponential model exceeded those for the linear and square root models in 20 of 21 time series, strongly supporting the exponential model. At the initial gut fullness for each time series, total gut evacuation rates calculated with the exponential model averaged 2� 2a nd 1� 3 times greater than those calculated with the linear and square-root models, respectively, and would produce correspondingly higher estimates of feeding rates for field-collected larvae with similar levels of gut fullness. The results highlight the importance of choosing the appropriate evacuation model in feeding studies, particularly those intended to examine short-term changes in larval fish feeding rates, a contributing factor to the highly variable yearly recruitment of many marine fish species. Journal compilation # 2009 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles No claim to original US government works
Electrical characterization and performance limits of a flexible cable

The electrical performance of a flexible-cable test structure is characterized from low frequencies up to 25 GHz. The experimental results are used to develop and refine models which describe the performance of such cables, with particular emphasis on the contribution of dielectric and resistive losses, including skin effect. The capability of triplate flexible cables to provide high-bandwidth connections over long lengths is investigated with the models developed. A triplate design is chosen because it offers high density, limited crosstalk, no loss through radiation, and relatively inexpensive fabrication. Bit rates of 100 Mb/s-1 Gb/s are considered for propagation over lengths up to 250 cm. The paper highlights the performance-limiting factors through realistic examples, including the contribution of interfaces to other interconnection structures.
Fertility in the cycle predicts women's interest in sexual opportunism

Research over the past decade has documented clear, robust changes in women's sexual preferences and interests across the ovarian cycle. When fertile, women are particularly attracted to a number of masculine male features (e.g., masculine faces, voices, scents and bodies) and other traits, and especially when they evaluate men's “sexiness” rather than their attractiveness as long-term partners. The current research extended this line of research by examining changes in women's self-reported sexual interests across the cycle. We asked 68 normally ovulating women in committed romantic relationships to fill out questionnaires about their sexual preferences and interests (at that time, not in general) twice across their cycles: once when fertile and once during the luteal phase. Relative to during the luteal phase, fertile women expressed (a) greater emphasis on the physical attractiveness of a partner; (b) greater arousal at the sight or thought of attractive male bodily features; (c) greater willingness to engage in and interest in sex with attractive men, even ones who they do not know well (interest in sexual opportunism). These findings importantly extend our understanding of women's fertile-phase sexuality.
Tales with Guts: A “Rasic” Aesthetic in Medieval French Storytelling

Scholars of medieval Europe tend to see aural performances of narrative works as just medieval “books on tape” with a disembodied reader. But the auditory element was often only a small part of the live performance. Narrative works in medieval Europe were performed, and storytellers engaged audiences' bodies and emotions as well as their minds. Richard Schechner's “Rasaesthetics” helps us recognize the strong emotional flavors and dynamism inherent in the performance tradition of many medieval stories.
The New Role of Science

Since the beginning of culture, man has been curious about the world in which he lives; he has continually sought explanations for his own existence and for the existence of the world — how it was created, how it developed and brought forth life and humankind, and how one day it will end. Early ideas on the subject were developed in mythological, religious, or philosophical frame works. A11 these ideas have a common characteristic: they are directed to the totality of the phenomena; they want to account for everything that is. They intend to present the absolute truth by attempting to give immediate answers to the fundamental questions of existence: “Why is the world the way we find it? What is life? What is the beginning and the end of the universe?
Centralized Security Labels in Decentralized P2P Networks

This paper describes the design of a peer-to-peer network that supports integrity and confidentiality labeling of shared data. A notion of data ownership privacy is also enforced, whereby peers can share data without revealing which data they own. Security labels are global but the implementation does not require a centralized label server. The network employs a reputation-based trust management system to assess and update data labels, and to store and retrieve labels safely in the presence of malicious peers. The security labeling scheme preserves the efficiency of network operations; lookup cost including label retrieval is O(log N), where N is the number of agents in the network.
Barking Up the Wrong Tree: Why Bo Won’t Fetch Many Votes for Barack Obama in 2012

In “The Dog that Didn't Bark: The Role of Canines in the 2008 Campaign,” Diana Mutz (2010) argues that dog ownership made voters significantly less likely to vote for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election. We examine this claim further. While President Obama has owned a dog since shortly after his 2008 election, we argue that Bo’s presence will not do much to improve his owner’s chances of being reelected in 2012. Rather, the apparent significance of dog ownership is due largely to key variables being omitted from the analysis. Using the same data, we show that Obama didn’t so much have trouble with dog owners as he had trouble with conservative, rural, Southern whites, who, for reasons we examine, are more likely than other Americans to own dogs. While we recognize the tongue-in-jowl tone of portions of Mutz’s article, this tale is an important one, and is consistent with recent research linking racial attitudes to levels of support for Barack Obama. We also argue that while scholars are often wise to include control variables such as “South” in studies of political attitudes and behavior, it is important to consider the variety of politically-relevant characteristics that such variables may be capturing.
A neural network approach to estimating rainfall from spaceborne microwave data

Various techniques use microwave (MW) brightness temperature (BT) data, obtained from remote sensing orbiting platforms, to calculate rain rates. The most commonly used techniques are based on regressions or other statistical methods. An emerging tool in rainfall estimation using satellite data is artificial neural networks (NNs), NNs are mathematical models that are capable of learning complex relationships. They consist of highly interconnected, interactive data processing units. NNs are implemented in this study to estimate rainfall, and backpropagation is used as a learning scheme. The inputs for the training phase are BTs and the outputs are rainfall rates, all generated by three-dimensional (3D) simulations based on a 3D stochastic, space-time rainfall model, and a 3D radiative transfer model. Once training is complete the NNs are presented with multi-frequency and polarized (horizontal and vertical) BT data, obtained from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) instrument onboard the F10 and F11 polar-orbiting meteorological satellites. Hence, rainrates corresponding to real BT measurements are generated. The rainfall rates are also estimated using a log-linear regression model. Comparison of the two approaches, using simulated data, shows that the NN can represent more accurately the underlying relationship between BT and rainrate than the regression model, Comparison of the rates, estimated by both methods, with radar-estimated rainrates shows that NNs outperform the regression model. This study demonstrates the great potential of NNs in estimating rainfall from remotely sensed data.
Physical and technological limitations and their optimization in submicron ULSI interconnect

The trend of the performance degradation, noise and reliability issues and their potential solutions are analyzed for submicron ULSI interconnect lines. The analysis shows that a copper (Cu) line will improve electromigration, but not the interconnect delay and cross-talk noise significantly. The low temperature operation improves the interconnect delay and electromigration, but increases the cost of system packaging. The optimum approach a combination of additional layers of nonscaled metal lines in a higher level and the use of repeaters to maximize the performance, noise and reliability and to minimize the risk and cost. >
EOS from H.I. collisions and many-body theory

Abstract Collisions between heavy ions produce strong deformations in momentum space. It is pointed out that the extraction of a nuclear saturation curve (including compressibility) from the data therefore requires a knowledge of the energy of deformation (EOD) of nuclear matter in momentum space. It is illustrated that a calculation of EOD depends on the theoretical model of the effective interaction (V eƒƒ ) between nucleons in nuclear matter. One is therefore faced with a bootstrap situation in which a good model is needed to test one's model of nuclear matter. The model should give V eƒƒ as a function of deformation and temperature. A simplified version of Brueckner theory is used to calculate V eƒƒ at a temperature of zero and 50 MeV and at various densities. The input in these calculations are the N-N phase-shifts. The Arndt solutions are used. Saturation properties and temperature dependence of the calculated mean field is shown. The collision term in transport theory relates directly to the nucleon-nucleus absorbtive potential. This potential is calculated both with the T-matrix (i.e. free cross-sections) and with our Brueckner K-matrix. For energies less than 100 MeV a maximum deviation of some 20% is found.
Results of 3D conformal radiotherapy in the treatment of localized prostate cancer.

Abstract Purpose : 3D conformal radiotherapy (3D CRT) has been shown to decrease acute morbidity in the treatment of prostate cancer. Therapeutic outcome and late morbidity data have been accumulating. To evaluate the resutls of 3D CRT for the treatment of prostate cancer, we analyzed the outcome of a large series of patients treated with conformal techniques. Methods and Materials : From January 1987 through June 1994, 707 patients with localized prostate cancer were trreated with 3D CRT. Patients with pathologically-confirmed pelvic lymph node metastasis, treated with pre-irradiation (preRT) androgen ablation, or treated post-prostatectomy were excluded. All had CT obtained specifically for treatment planning, multiple structures contoured on the axial images, and beam's s-eye view conformal beams edited to provide 3D dose coverage. Median follow-up is 36 mos; 70 patients have been followed longer than 5.5 years. Six hundred three had T1-–T2 tumors. PreRT prostate specific antigen (PSA) was available for 649 patients: median preRT PSA was 12.9 ng/ml, 209 patients had preRT PSA > 20 ng/ml. The median dose of radiation was 69 Gy; 102 patients received ≥ 69 Gy. Biochemical failure was defined as: 1) two consecutive PSA rises over 2.0 ng/ml if nadir PSA ⩽ 2.0 ng/ml, 2) two consecutive PSA rises over nadir if nadir PSA > 2.0 ng/ml, or 3) initiation of hormonal therapy after RT. Complications were graded using the RTOG system. Results : PreRT PSA and Gleason score emerged as independent indicators of biochemical control (bNED). Patients with preRT PSA > 10 had a significantly worse bNED at 5 years than patients with preRT PSA ⩽ 10. Five-year bNED was determined according to preRT PSA: PSA ⩽4, 88%; PSA > 4 ⩽ 10, 72%; PSA > 10 ⩽ 20, 43% and PSA > 20, 30%. Patients with Gleason score ≥ 7 also had a significantly worse bNED than patients with Gleason score ≥ 7. Patients were divided into two prognostic groups: a favorable group with PSA ⩽ 10, Gleason score 10, Gleason score ≥ 7 or T3–T4 tumors and studied for the effect of dose on bNED status. The bNED at 5 years was 75% for the favorable group and 37% for the unfavorable group. In addition, a group that might be considered a surgical subset was reviewed: patients with PSA ⩽ 10, Gleason score ⩽ 7, and T1–T2 tumors who were Conclusion : 3D CRT allows for treatment of prostate cancers with a very low risk of complications. Patients with relatively early disease as defined by preRT PSA, Gleason score
Low Thermal Conductivity Skutterudites

Recent experimental results on semiconductors with the skutterudite crystal structure show that these materials possess attractive transport properties and have a good potential for achieving ZT values substantially larger than for state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials. Both n-type and p-type conductivity samples have been obtained, using several preparation techniques. Associated with a low hole effective mass, very high carrier mobilities, low electrical resistivities and moderate Seebeck coefficients are obtained in p-type skutterudites. For a comparable doping level, the carrier mobilities of n-type samples are about an order of magnitude lower than the values achieved on p-type samples. However, the much larger electron effective masses and Seebeck coefficients make n-type skutterudites promising candidates as well. Unfortunately, the thermal conductivities of the binary skutterudite compounds are too large, particularly at low temperatures, to be useful for thermoelectric applications. Several approaches to the reduction of the lattice thermal conductivity in skutterudites are being pursued: heavy doping, formation of solid solutions and alloys, study of novel ternary and filled skutterudite compounds. All those approaches have already resulted in skutterudite compositions with substantially lower thermal conductivity values in these materials. Recently, superior thermoelectric properties in the moderate to high temperature range were achieved for compositions combining alloying and “filling” of the skutterudite structure. Experimental results and mechanisms responsible for low thermal conductivity in skutterudites are discussed.