cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative Study on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Light Hydrocarbons, Carbon Monoxide, and Particulate Emissions from the Combustion of Polyethylene, Polystyrene, and Poly(vinyl chloride)

A laboratory-scale study was performed to compare the emissions of pollutants from the batch combustion of polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and to examine the conditions that minimize them. Fixed beds of polymer particles were burned in a two-stage, preheated muffle furnace, using air at atmospheric pressure. The temperature of the primary furnace was varied over a range of 500−1000 °C, to identify its influence on the emission of pollutants. The combustion effluent was mixed with additional preheated air, channeled to a secondary muffle furnace (afterburner), which was operated at 1000 °C. Emissions of CO, CO2, light hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and particulates were monitored either on-line or by sample collection, followed by gas chromatographic analysis. Emission magnitudes and trends were found to be dependent on the type of the polymer burned. The combustion of PS produced the largest yields of PAHs and, especially, soot; PE produced the n...
Nonsense passage reading as a diagnostic aid in the study of adult familial dyslexia

We examined Nonsense-Passage oral reading in adults, using data derived from new and previously published studies (Finucci et al 1976, Gross-Glenn et al 1985). Time-scores and error-frequency data are presented for five samples of non-dyslexic readers with a minimum of a high-school education and no childhood history of dyslexia (N=127). Considerable uniformity is demonstrated across these samples, and reading performance of non-dyslexic individuals contrasts sharply with that observed in four samples of adult familial dyslexics. Both affected and compensated-affected dyslexic subjects read the passages significantly more slowly and with more errors than did nondyslexic readers. Results are discussed in relation to the cognitive and neural processes that may underlie this specific reading difficulty in dyslexics. We have found Nonsense-Passage reading to be especially useful in family studies of inherited dyslexia as a means of quantifying oral reading deficits in adults who have learned to compensate for their children reading difficulties.
AN ELECTRIC FURNACE TEMPERATURE REGULATOR1

The theory and operation of an electric furnace temperature regulator of the Wheatstone bridge type are discussed. The regulator is suitable for use with rectified alternative current as well as for direct current, and will maintain a close constant furnace temperature.
Channel Rate Equalization Techniques For Adaptive Transform Coders

The channel rate equalization problem inherent in a variable rate coding problem is analysed in this paper. Specific solutions are developed for adaptive transform coding algorithms. The actual algorithms depend on either pretransform or post-transform buffering. Simulations indicate small performance variations between the techniques.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On the Perturbations of a Close-Earth Satellite Due to Lunar Inequalities

The lunar disturbing function for a close-Earth satellite is expressed as a sum of products of harmonics of the satellite's position and harmonics of the Moon's position, and the latter are expanded about a rotating and precessing elliptic orbit inclined to the ecliptic. The deviations of the Moon from this approximate orbit are computed from Brown's lunar theory andthe perturbations in satellite orbital elements due to these inequalities are derived. Numerical calculations indicate that several perturbations in the position of the satellite's node and perigee have magnitudes on the order of one meter.
High-resolution structure and conformational dynamics of rigid, cofacially aligned porphyrin-bridge-quinone systems as determined by NMR spectroscopy and ab initio simulated annealing calculations.

The high-resolution solution structure and dynamics of a cofacially aligned porphyrin−phenylene−quinone compound have been determined using 1H NMR spectroscopy and simulated annealing calculations. Members of this class of π-stacked assemblies feature a 1,8-naphthyl pillaring motif that enforces sub van der Waals interplanar separations between juxtaposed porphyryl, aromatic bridge, and quinonyl components of the donor−spacer−acceptor compound; this structural motif gives rise to a comprehensive set of structurally significant NOE signatures that can be used as constraints in quantitative structural calculations. Examination of such data using ab initio simulated annealing analytical methods shows that 5-[8‘-(4‘ ‘-[8‘ ‘‘-(2‘ ‘‘ ‘,5‘ ‘‘-benzoquinonyl)-1‘ ‘‘-naphthyl]-1‘ ‘-phenyl)-1‘-naphthyl]-10,20-diphenylporphyrin displays an unusual degree of conformational homogeneity in the condensed phase, and represents a rare example where such an analysis determines unequivocally a single unique structure in solution.
Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C genotypes/diplotypes play no independent or interaction role with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-DNA adducts for breast cancer risk

Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C (XPC) is an important DNA nuclear excision repair (NER) gene that recognises the damage caused by a variety of bulky DNA adducts. We evaluated the association of two common non-synonymous polymorphisms in XPC (Ala499Val and Lys939Gln) with breast cancer risk in the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project (LIBCSP), a population-based case-control study. Genotyping of 1067 cases and 1110 controls was performed by a high throughput assay with fluorescence polarisation. There were no overall associations between XPC polymorphisms and breast cancer risk. A diplotype CC-CC was significantly associated with increased breast cancer risk compared with diplotype CA-CA (OR=1.4, 95%CI: 1.0-1.9), but was not significant when compared with all other diplotypes combined (OR=1.22, 95%CI: 0.97-1.53). No modification effects were observed for XPC genotypes by cigarette smoking status, smoking pack-years or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)-DNA adducts. The increase in breast cancer risk was slightly more pronounced among women with detectable PAH-DNA adducts and carrying the diplotype CC-CC (OR=1.6, 95%CI: 1.1-2.2) compared to women with non-detectable PAH-DNA adducts carrying other diplotypes combined, but no statistically significant interaction was observed (P(interaction)=0.69). These data suggest that XPCs have neither independent effects nor interactions with cigarette smoking and PAH-DNA adducts for breast cancer risk. Further studies with multiple genetic polymorphisms in NER pathway are warranted.
Flexibility and adaptability in binding of E. coli cytidine repressor to different operators suggests a role in differential gene regulation.

Abstract Interactions between DNA-bound transcription factors CytR and CRP regulate the promoters of the Escherichia coli CytR regulon. A distinctive feature of the palindromic CytR operators is highly variable length central spacers (0−9 bp). Previously we demonstrated distinct modes of CytR binding to operators that differ in spacer length. These different modes are characterized by opposite enthalpic and entropic contributions at 25 °C. Of particular note were radically different negative Δ C p values suggesting variable contribution from coupled protein folding and/or DNA structural transitions. We proposed that the CytR DNA binding-domain adopts either a more rigid or flexible DNA-bound conformation in response to the different spacer lengths. More recently, similar effects were shown to contribute to discrimination between operator and non-specific DNA binding by LacR, a CytR homolog. Here we have extended the thermodynamic analysis to the remaining natural CytR operators plus a set of synthetic operators designed to isolate spacing as the single variable. The thermodynamic results show a broad and monotonic range of effects that are primarily dependent on spacer length. The magnitude of effects suggests participation by more than the DNA-binding domain. 15 N HSQC NMR and CD spectral analyses were employed to characterize the structural basis for these effects. The results indicate that while CytR forms a well-ordered structure in solution, it is highly dynamic. We propose a model in which a large ensemble of native state conformations narrows upon binding, to an extent governed by operator spacing. This in turn is expected to constrain intermolecular interactions in the CytR-CRP-DNA complex, thus generating operator-specific effects on repression and induction of transcription.
Modeling Latent Interactions at Level 2 in Multilevel Structural Equation Models: An Evaluation of Mean-Centered and Residual-Centered Unconstrained Approaches

Among the many methods currently available for estimating latent variable interactions, the unconstrained approach is attractive to applied researchers because of its relatively easy implementation with any structural equation modeling (SEM) software. Using a Monte Carlo simulation study, we extended and evaluated the unconstrained approach to estimate Level 2 latent interactions in multilevel SEM. We compared mean-centered and residual-centered methods for forming product indicators. We found that using the unconstrained approach with either centering method produced unbiased parameter estimates and standard errors of Level 2 latent interactions when intraclass correlations and group sizes are large. The accuracy of estimation of latent interactions depended on the reliability of the indicators of the Level 2 constructs. When the reliability of indicators was low, parameter estimates became unacceptably biased, but not standard errors. The residual-centered method was found to be more sensitive to decrea...
Hox in hair growth and development

The evolutionarily conserved Hox gene family of transcriptional regulators has originally been known for specifying positional identities along the longitudinal body axis of bilateral metazoans, including mouse and man. It is believed that subsequent to this archaic role, subsets of Hox genes have been co-opted for patterning functions in phylogenetically more recent structures, such as limbs and epithelial appendages. Among these, the hair follicle is of particular interest, as it is the only organ undergoing cyclical phases of regression and regeneration during the entire life span of an organism. Furthermore, the hair follicle is increasingly capturing the attention of developmental geneticists, as this abundantly available miniature organ mimics key aspects of embryonic patterning and, in addition, presents a model for studying organ renewal. The first Hox gene shown to play a universal role in hair follicle development is Hoxc13, as both Hoxc13-deficient and overexpressing mice exhibit severe hair growth and patterning defects. Differential gene expression analyses in the skin of these mutants, as well as in vitro DNA binding studies performed with potential targets for HOXC13 transcriptional regulation in human hair, identified genes encoding hair-specific keratins and keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) as major groups of presumptive Hoxc13 downstream effectors in the control of hair growth. The Hoxc13 mutant might thus serve as a paradigm for studying hair-specific roles of Hoxc13 and other members of this gene family, whose distinct spatio-temporally restricted expression patterns during hair development and cycling suggest discrete functions in follicular patterning and hair cycle control. The main conclusion from a discussion of these potential roles vis-a-vis current expression data in mouse and man, and from the perspective of the results obtained with the Hoxc13 transgenic models, is that members of the Hox family are likely to fulfill essential roles of great functional diversity in hair that require complex transcriptional control mechanisms to ensure proper spatio-temporal patterns of Hox gene expression at homeostatic levels.
Maximum heat-sink temperature for CW operation of a double-heterostructure semiconductor injection laser

Assuming that the temperature dependence of the threshold current for pulsed operation is known, an analytical expression for the maximum heat-sink temperature, T/sub hm/, for CW operation of the laser can be derived. The maximum heat-sink temperature is expressed in terms of the characteristic temperature T/sub 0/, the room-temperature threshold current for pulsed operation I/sub 0/, the equivalent effective thermal resistance theta , and the equivalent effective series electrical resistance r of the device. It is shown that the values of T/sub hm/ can be enhanced by increasing the value of T/sub 0/ or by decreasing the values of I/sub 0/, theta , and r. >
Suicide-Related Experiences among Blacks: An Empirical Test of a Suicide Potential Scale

There has been a continuing controversy concerning the rate of black suicide. A majority of studies reported lower suicide rates for blacks. Contrary to these studies, some of the literature indicates that the opposite is true and that suicide among black Americans has been a problem since the nineteenth century. Developing a Suicide Potential Scale for a number of socially differentiated and stratified census tract populations in a northern city, this paper argues that scores on this scale are related to actual suicidal behavior. Variation in scores among racial groups are examined within two different economic status areas of the city. Little variation in suicide potential scores among racial groups was found within the two economic status areas, but wide variation exists between different economic status areas. These data support the position that variation in suicide among blacks is mainly determined by economic status.
THE EFFECT OF OXIDIZED FATTY ACIDS ON THE ACTIVITY OF CERTAIN OXIDATIVE ENZYMES

Abstract 1. 1. Incubation of washed tissue suspensions or mitochondria with ascorbic acid inactivates a number of enzymes including the succinoxidase, cytochrome oxidase, and choline oxidase. It has no effect on liver alkaline phosphatase or brain cholinesterase. 2. 2. The extent of inactivation parallels the amount of oxidized fatty acid formed as measured by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reagent. Quercetin which inhibits oxidation prevents the inactivation. 3. 3. Methyl linolenate previously exposed to ultraviolet light also inhibits the oxidative enzymes. In the same concentrations, unexposed linolenate has little or no effect. 4. 4. The inhibition by oxidized linolenate occurs slowly, which indicates a slow reaction with some enzyme component.
Influence of residual stresses on the evolution of micro-structure during the partial reduction of NiAl2O4

Abstract Metal-ceramic microstructures were formed in situ by the partial reduction (i.e. the reduction of only one of the metallic elements) of the spinel compound NiAl 2 O 4 . Depending on reduction conditions, these microstructures consist of Ni particles embedded in an α-Al 2 O 3 or a multiphase matrix called ‘defect spinel’. The volume shrinkage that accompanies the reaction generates residual stresses which profoundly affect the microstructure evolution. Conversely, formation of metastable, intermediate phases, generation of porosity and cracking are all observed and may act to relax the residual stresses. Electron microscopy observations as well as both neutron and X-ray diffraction residual stress measurements are used to study the influence of residual stresses on the microstructure evolution during the reduction process.
Finite-temperature properties of hard-core bosons confined on one-dimensional optical lattices

We present an exact study of the finite-temperature properties of hard-core bosons (HCB's) confined on one-dimensional optical lattices. Our solution of the HCB problem is based on the Jordan-Wigner transformation and properties of Slater determinants. We analyze the effects of the temperature on the behavior of the one-particle correlations, the momentum distribution function, and the lowest natural orbitals. In addition, we compare results obtained using the grand-canonical and canonical descriptions for systems like the ones recently achieved experimentally. We show that even for such small systems, as small as 10 HCB's in 50 lattice sites, there are only minor differences between the energies and momentum distributions obtained within both ensembles.
Recent Developments in Acute Pancreatitis

The incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) has been increasing worldwide, but the major etiologies remain gallstones and alcohol. Several studies have reported that smoking is an independent risk factor for developing AP. Classification of AP has traditionally used the categories of mild and severe disease. However, a new intermediate category of moderately severe AP has been described with intermediate characteristics including a high incidence of local complications but a low mortality. Assessment criteria that can serve as early predictors of AP severity are often complex and not sufficiently accurate. However, several recently described criteria that rely on criteria such as the body mass index, physical findings, and simple laboratory measurements could prove useful if validated in large prospective studies. Many issues related to the therapy of AP are still unresolved. Although preliminary studies support the importance of early volume expansion for the treatment of acute pancreatitis, optimization of the amount and type of fluids will require further studies. Similarly, preliminary studies suggest that enteral nutrition might benefit patients with AP and could even be useful early in the course of disease. However, the timing and type of fluids as well as the intestinal infusion site require further study. Finally, issues related to the prophylactic use of antibiotics in patients with severe AP have not been resolved. While the process of clinical investigation moves slowly, progress has been made in clinical studies of AP.
Extremal Functions for Shortening Sets of Paths

Let $P_1, {\ldots}\,,P_k$ be $k$ vertex-disjoint paths in a graph $G$ where the ends of $P_i$ are $x_i$, and $y_i$. Let $H$ be the subgraph induced by the vertex sets of the paths. We find edge bounds $E_1(n)$, $E_2(n)$ such that: if $e(H) \geq E_1(|V(H)|)$, then there exist disjoint paths $P_1', {\ldots}\,,P_k'$ where the ends of $P_i'$ are $x_i$ and $ y_i$ such that $|\bigcup_i V(P_i)| > |\bigcup_i V(P_i')|$; if $e(H) \geq E_2(|V(H)|)$, then there exist disjoint paths $P_1', {\ldots}\,, P_k'$ where the ends of $P_i'$ are $x_i'$ and $y_i'$ such that $|\bigcup_i V(P_i)| > |\bigcup_i V(P_i')|$ and $\{ x_1, {\ldots}\,, x_k \} = \{ x_1' , {\ldots}\, , x_k' \}$ and $\{ y_1, {\ldots}\,, y_k \} = \{ y_1', {\ldots}\,, y_k'\}$. The bounds are the best possible, in that there exist arbitrarily large graphs $H'$ with $e(H') = E_i (H') - 1$ without the properties stipulated in 1 and 2.
THERMO‐ELASTOVISCOPLASTIC FINITE ELEMENT PLATE BENDING ANALYSES OF COMPOSITES

A formulation has been developed for thermo‐elastoviscoplastic finite element analyses of continuous fibre‐reinforced composite plates subject to bending loading using a generalized continuum mechanics approach. Such an approach is used to model the non‐homogeneity in a composite, which is constituted by fibres embedded in a matrix material. The present formulation computes the respective stresses occurring in each constituent so that the respective yield criterion and flow rule of each constituent may be used if there is a material yielding in any constituent. Thermo‐elastic deformation of fibre and thermo‐elastoviscoplastic deformation of matrix are considered in the present study because the yield strength of fibre is substantially higher than that of matrix in many cases. Both constituents are assumed to be isotropic so that the von‐Mises yield criterion may be used for viscoplastic yielding of matrix. As numerical examples, a parametric study is performed for thermo‐elastoviscoplastic deformations of laminated composite plates subject to thermal bending loads.
Growth and Activity of Juvenile Mosquitofish: Temperature and Ration Effects

Abstract The effects of constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 C) and ration size on the growth rates and activity of juvenile mosquitofish Gambusia affinis (mean wet weight, about 20 mg) were measured in laboratory experiments. On ad libitum rations of Tubifex spp. worms, food-consumption rates of mosquitofish were very high, ranging from 7% dry body weight/day at 10 C to 83%/day at 35 C. Growth increased from 0% dry body weight/day at 10 C to 21%/day at 30 C and declined slightly at 35 C. Gross efficiencies (100 growth/food consumption) increased from 0 at 10 C to a peak of 28% at 30 C and declined slightly at 35 C. On reduced rations (20% of dry body weight/day) maximum growth rates occurred at 25 C. Weight loss of starved fish varied from 1.5%/day at 10 C to approximately 13%/day at 35 C. Fish activity increased significantly with temperature and was generally highest at intermediate feeding levels. Received August 30, 1982 Accepted June 7, 1983
Excretion of 16α-Hydroxysteroids by Premature Infants

The excretion of 3 sulfoconjugated Δ5-3β-OH, 16α-hydroxysteroids, 16α-hydroxypregnenolone, 16α-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone and Δ5-androstenetriol, has been measured in fifty-two 24-hr urine specimens from 23 premature infants ranging in age from 6 to 36 days. Twenty of the infants were studied longitudinally by the examination of 2 or three 24-hr urine specimens from each infant collected at 1- to 2-week intervals. The excretion of the 3 steroids rose consistently in 6 of the 9 infants from whom 3 urine specimens were collected and in 10 of the 11 from whom 2 urine specimens were collected. The combined daily excretion of the 3 steroids exceeded 8 mg in 8 urine collections from 7 of the infants. These findings are not fully consistent with an origin of these steroids in the fetal zone of the adrenal cortex. The findings are better explained by a persistence of fetal enzyme activities—underactivity of steroid sulfatase and possibly Δ5-3β-ol-dehydrogenase and high activity of hepatic and adrenal 16α-hydro...
Ricin A-chain structural determinant for binding substrate analogues: A molecular dynamics simulation analysis

Ricin A-chain is a cytotoxic protein that attacks ribosomes by hydrolyzing a specific adenine base from a highly conserved, single-stranded rRNA hairpin containing the tetraloop sequence GAGA. Molecular-dynamics simulation methods are used to analyze the structural determinant for three substrate analogues bound to the ricin A-chain molecule. Simulations were applied to the binding of the dinucleotide adenyl-3′,5′-guanosine employing the x-ray crystal structure of the ricin complex and a modeled CGAGAG hexanucleotide loop taken from the NMR solution structure of a 29-mer oligonucleotide hairpin. A third simulation model is also presented describing a conformational search of the docked 29-mer structure by using a simulated-annealing method. Analysis of the structural interaction energies for each model shows the overall binding dominated by nonspecific interactions, which are mediated by specific arginine contacts from the highly basic region on the protein surface. The tetraloop conformation of the 29-mer was found to make specific interactions with conserved protein residues, in a manner that favored the GAGA sequence. A comparison of the two docked loop conformations with the NMR structure revealed significant positional deviations, suggesting that ricin may use an induced fit mechanism to recognize and bind the rRNA substrate. The conserved Tyr-80 may play an important confirmational entropic role in the binding and release of the target adenine in the active site. Proteins 27:80–95 © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cyclic seasonal variation in plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels: The lipid research clinics coronary primary prevention trial placebo group

Seasonal plasma lipid and lipoprotein cycles were studied in 1446 hypercholesterolemic 35–59 year-old men followed for 7 years as the placebo group of the Lipid Research Clinics (LRC) Coronary Primary Prevention Trial (CPPT). Separate periodic time series were calculated for each study participant; mean parameter estimates were obtained by vector algebra. Highly significant (p < 0.001) synchronous sinusoidal seasonal cycles, peaking in the first month of winter, were demonstrated for plasma levels of total (TOT-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) cholesterol. Their mean seasonal changes (nadir to zenith) were 7.4, 6.4, and 0.8 mg/dl, respectively. An irregular but statistically significant seasonal pattern was also observed for plasma triglyceride (TG) levels, with peak levels in the autumn. The variation of these seasonal effects among subgroups and geographic locales and their correlation with seasonal weight and dietary patterns yielded few clues as to their underlying etiologic mechanisms.
A Multicomponent Measure of Writing Motivation with Basic College Writers.

The purpose of the current study was to develop and validate a measure of motivation for use with basic college writers that would measure self-efficacy, achievement goals, beliefs, and affect. As ...
Dynamic image potentials and field emission

A numerical calculation is presented of a quantum-mechanical model of an electron leaving a metal under the pull of an electric field. The calculation includes possible interference phenomena from the electron virtual emission of a surface plasmon. The emitted current is calculated as a function of electric field.
Live Art in the UK

This past March, the National Review of Live Art, the longest running international festival of performance art in the world, celebrated its thirtieth anniversary. The National Review of Live Art, or NRLA, is part of New Territories, a larger, month-long festival devoted to experimental performance work in theatre and dance. It is a celebration of the most experimental live art, whether it is dance, theatre, film/video, or site-specific/installation. This year’s NRLA paid homage to the history of the festival. For the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary, Nikki Milican, the artistic director, invited a number of artists and artists’ collectives who were involved with the NRLA from its earliest years, including Alastair Snow, Alastair MacLennan, Neil Butler, Stephen Partridge, Anne Seagrave, Anne Bean, Robert Ayers, Richard Layzell, Akademia Ruchu, Marty St. James, Forkbeard Fantasy, and Forced Entertainment. Neil Bartlett, the first emcee of the festival, donned his traditional gown and heels once more to emcee the festival on Saturday night. Younger artists who had began their careers at the NRLA in the platform program such as Curious (Helen Paris and Leslie Hill), Sam Rose, Richard Dedomenici, FrenchMottershead, Kate Stannard, Francesca Steele, Sheila Ghelani, and Kira O’Reilly performed as well. International artists included Varsha Nair, Stelarc, Guillermo Gomez-Pena/La Pocha Nostra, Istvan Kovacs, Esther Ferrer, Ron Athey, Jamie MacMurray, Lee Wen, La Ribot, Monali Meher, Wladyslaw Kasmierczak and Ewa Rybska, Yann Marussich, Silke Mansholt, and Zoran Todorovic.
What do entanglements reveal about the analytic role? A clinical communication from consulting room and college counseling service.

I would like to describe some of my experiences working both in analytic private practice and in a college counseling service of a selective liberal arts college. I currently divide my professional time between these settings. I want to use these experiences to reflect on aspects of entanglement that appear in our work and to explore what they suggest about the psychoanalytic process and the role of the psychoanalyst. I am particularly concerned with issues of boundary. How do we (psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic psychotherapists) allow for and also limit involvement in our patients’ lives in the course of the analytic process? And whose interests do the analytic boundaries that we employ actually serve? Not too long ago an analysand in her fourth year of treatment was trying to extricate herself from her commitment to three sessions per week; she wanted to reduce to two sessions because, she explained (as she had on other occasions), she wanted time to get away from the analysis on a regular basis so that she could be free from the “burdensome obligation of selfexamination.” A young novelist who had already met with some success, she was only capable of writing, she said, when she could gain
The brightness temperature of Titan at 6 centimeters from the very large array

The observed brightness of Titan at 6 cm is 87 + or - 13 K, in agreement with the 3.8-cm published results of Briggs (1974) but not with the 3.3-mm value of Conklin, et al. (1977, 1978). It is improbable that these three results and current models for the atmosphere of Titan are all correct.
Sh3rf2/POSHER Protein Promotes Cell Survival by Ring-mediated Proteasomal Degradation of the c-Jun N-terminal Kinase Scaffold POSH (Plenty of SH3s) Protein

We report that Sh3rf2, a homologue of the pro-apoptotic scaffold POSH (Plenty of SH3s), acts as an anti-apoptotic regulator for the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Sh3rf2 promotes apoptosis of neuronal PC12 cells, cultured cortical neurons, and C6 glioma cells. This death appears to result from activation of JNK signaling. Loss of Sh3rf2 triggers activation of JNK and its target c-Jun. Also, apoptosis promoted by Sh3rf2 knockdown is inhibited by dominant-negative c-Jun as well as by a JNK inhibitor. Investigation of the mechanism by which Sh3rf2 regulates cell survival implicates POSH, a scaffold required for activation of pro-apoptotic JNK/c-Jun signaling. In cells lacking POSH, Sh3rf2 knockdown is unable to activate JNK. We further find that Sh3rf2 binds POSH to reduce its levels by a mechanism that requires the RING domains of both proteins and that appears to involve proteasomal POSH degradation. Conversely, knockdown of Sh3rf2 promotes the stabilization of POSH protein and activation of JNK signaling. Finally, we show that endogenous Sh3rf2 protein rapidly decreases following several different apoptotic stimuli and that knockdown of Sh3rf2 activates the pro-apoptotic JNK pathway in neuronal cells. These findings support a model in which Sh3rf2 promotes proteasomal degradation of pro-apoptotic POSH in healthy cells and in which apoptotic stimuli lead to rapid loss of Sh3rf2 expression, and consequently to stabilization of POSH and JNK activation and cell death. On the basis of these observations, we propose the alternative name POSHER (POSH-eliminating RING protein) for the Sh3rf2 protein.
On the observation of superconducting phonon structure in proximity tunneling

Abstract Unusually clear phonon structure from superconducting Nb is observed in tunneling into the normal side of ultrathin AlNb (NS) proximity sandwiches. Contrary to recent reports, this phonon structure is not inverted. The possible utility of such spectra in deducing the properties of the superconducting state in the underlying S electrode is pointed out.
It's About the Mission: Leadership and Public Service Motivation in Nonprofit Organizations

The nonprofit sector faces increasing demand for services at the same time as declines in funding and job satisfaction. During such difficult times it is important for nonprofit leaders to understa...
On the impact of SmartGrid metering infrastructure on load forecasting

Accurate real-time load forecasting is essential for the reliable and efficient operation of a power system. Assuming that the number of electrical vehicles will increase substantially in the near future, the load profiles of the system will become too volatile and unpredictable for the current forecasting techniques. We propose to utilize the accurate reporting of the emerging Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to track the incoming PHEV load requests and their statistics. We propose a model for the PHEV loads statistics and an optimization of the generation dispatch that uses the full statistical information. This model offers an example of the potential impact of the smart metering infrastructure currently being deployed.
Detection of bacterial vaginosis-related organisms by real-time PCR for Lactobacilli, Gardnerella vaginalis and Mycoplasma hominis

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of detecting bacterial vaginosis (BV)-related organisms in stored genital tract specimens using real-time PCR. Frozen cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) samples from 21 women were analyzed by real-time PCR for the numbers of Mycoplasma hominis, Gardnerella vaginalis and lactobacilli. Lactobacilli organisms were detected in all CVL samples, G. vaginalis was detected in all but one sample, while M. hominis was detected in only six samples. Using the Amsel criteria to define BV, the samples from women with BV had significantly higher numbers of G. vaginalis organisms than samples from women without BV (P=0.004). In contrast, the number of lactobacilli organisms in BV samples was significantly lower (P=0.013). The number of M. hominis organisms was not significantly different between BV-positive and BV-negative samples. A striking relationship was observed where most of the samples contained high numbers of either lactobacilli or G. vaginalis but not both. These results show that it is possible to determine the presence of BV-related organisms in stored genital tract samples by PCR, suggesting that this could be developed into an objective method that could be useful for certain applications.
Introducing data–model assimilation to students of ecology

Quantitative training for students of ecology has traditionally emphasized two sets of topics: mathematical modeling and statistical analysis. Until recently, these topics were taught separately, modeling courses emphasizing mathematical techniques for symbolic analysis and statistics courses emphasizing procedures for analyzing data. We advocate the merger of these traditions in ecological education by outlining a curriculum for an introductory course in data-model assimilation. This course replaces the procedural emphasis of traditional introductory material in statistics with an emphasis on principles needed to develop hierarchical models of ecological systems, fusing models of data with models of ecological processes. We sketch nine elements of such a course: (1) models as routes to insight, (2) uncertainty, (3) basic probability theory, (4) hierarchical models, (5) data simulation, (6) likelihood and Bayes, (7) computational methods, (8) research design, and (9) problem solving. The outcome of teaching these combined elements can be the fundamental understanding and quantitative confidence needed by students to create revealing analyses for a broad array of research problems.
Theory of charge order and heavy-electron formation in the mixed-valence compound KNi 2 Se 2

The material KNi${}_{2}$Se${}_{2}$ has recently been shown to possess a number of striking physical properties, many of which are apparently related to the mixed valency of this system, in which there is, on average, one quasilocalized electron per every two Ni sites. Remarkably, the material exhibits a charge-density wave (CDW) phase that disappears upon cooling, giving way to a low-temperature coherent phase characterized by an enhanced electron mass, reduced resistivity, and an enlarged unit cell free of structural distortion. Starting from an extended periodic Anderson model and using the slave-boson formulation, we develop a model for this system and study its properties within mean-field theory. We find a reentrant first-order transition from a CDW phase, in which the localized moments form singlet dimers, to a heavy Fermi liquid phase as temperature is lowered. The magnetic susceptibility is Pauli-like in both the high- and low-temperature regions, illustrating the lack of a single-ion Kondo regime and free local moment behavior such as that usually found in heavy-fermion materials.
Dynamic Routing and Flow Control

This is an expanded version of an earlier report, adding, new results. The first part introduces a simple analytic model showing that dynamic routing may increase network throughput or lower delay when trunks are moderately loaded, but will reduce throughput or increase delay at heavy trunk loads. The second part of the paper presents simulation results characterizing: 1) the operation of a network "protected" by end-to-end flow control, 2) the operation of an "unprotected" network, 3) the transition between these two modes, 4) the effect of changing the update interval for the routing algorithms, 5) the effect of slow local loops, and 6) the effect of increasing the number of alternate paths available for dynamic routing. Overall, the results show that dynamic routing improves network performance only over a small parameter range, and should dynamic routing be used at all, it must be implemented with great care.
Frequency division multiplexing with channel constraints

Modulation via Fourier transform division multiplexing (FTDM) has been suggested for transmission over channels whose signal-to-noise ratios, as functions of frequency, are far from flat. Original designs following the classical water-pouring theorem left a large gap between the theoretical promise of the method and the actual rates achieved. The author presents heuristic input-power allocations for enhancing the performance of such schemes. He also considers FTDM under peak-power constraints. >
Phosphorylation of eIF4E by Mnk-1 enhances HSV-1 translation and replication in quiescent cells

Although the activity of the translation initiation factor eIF4F is regulated in part by translational repressors (4E-BPs) that prevent incorporation of eIF4E, the cap-binding protein, into the initiation complex, the contribution of eIF4E phosphorylation to translational control remains controversial. Here, we demonstrate that the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) ICP0 gene product, a multifunctional transactivator of viral gene expression with ubiquitin E3 ligase activity that is important for vegetative replication and reactivation of latent infections, is required to stimulate phosphorylation of eIF4E as well as 4E-BP1, and promote assembly of eIF4F complexes in infected cells. Furthermore, 4E-BP1 is degraded by the proteasome in an ICP0-dependent manner, establishing that the proteasome can control 4E-BP1 steady-state levels. Preventing eIF4E phosphorylation by inhibiting the eIF4E kinase mnk-1 dramatically reduced viral replication and the translation of viral polypeptides in quiescent cells, providing the first evidence that phosphorylation of eIF4E by mnk-1 is critical for viral protein synthesis and replication. Thus, in marked contrast to many viruses that inactivate eIF4F, HSV-1 stimulates eIF4F complex assembly in quiescent, differentiated cells; moreover, this is important for viral replication, and may be crucial for HSV-1 to initiate its productive growth cycle in resting cells, such as latently infected neurons.
Clinical observations on the use of adrenal steroids. Comments on side effects and approaches to avoiding them.

Natural and synthetic glucocorticoids, in use for 21 years, have outlived the phases of over-optimism regarding cura tive actions and over-pessimism over side effects. Some of the side effects can be evaded, as in alternate day therapy; others can be taken advantage of in the management of specific conditions as shown in the summary Table 3.
Disruption of F-actin stimulates hypertonic activation of the BGT1 transporter in MDCK cells.

Many membrane transport systems are altered by changes in the state of the actin cytoskeleton. Although an intact microtubule network is required for hypertonic activation of the betaine transporte...
Studies of RP 59500 in vitro and in a rabbit model of aortic valve endocarditis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The activity of RP 59500 against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was studied in vitro and in a rabbit model of aortic valve endocarditis. Three strains, 67-O, 529, and Du, ranging from relatively resistant to susceptible to RP 59500 in vitro (mean agar dilution MICs of 0.65, 0.21, and 0.12 mg/L respectively) were used to establish endocarditis, which was treated either with RP 59500, 20 mg/kg im four times a day for four days or with vancomycin, 25 mg/kg iv twice a day for four days. RP 59500 was ineffective for the most resistant strain, 67-O. RP 59500 was effective for the intermediately susceptible strain 529, but vancomycin was more effective. RP 59500 was slightly more effective than vancomycin against the most susceptible strain, Du, but the difference was not statistically significant. These results suggest that strains inhibited by RP 59500 at a concentration of greater than or equal to 0.5 mg/L should probably be considered resistant in this model of infection. RP 59500 was effective in vivo against the two susceptible strains, but overall, vancomycin was the more active drug.
TDM-PON Security Issues: Upstream Encryption is Needed

TDM-PONs (E/B/GPON) present several security issues that can easily be exploited by malicious users. We summarize these issues and present experimental results to demonstrate that, in particular, upstream encryption is required to prevent eavesdropping.
A Study of the Multiple Meteoritic Falls of the World

The meteoritic falls of the world have been studied in an attempt to learn whether they support the hypothesis that a governing cause of multiple falls is the fact that stones are more friable than irons and are thus more likely to disintegrate under the effects of external forces. A statistical test has been applied to the data and has been found strongly to support this hypothesis.
Sonar jamming in the field: effectiveness and behavior of a unique prey defense

SUMMARY Bats and insects provide a model system for integrating our understanding of predator–prey ecology, animal behavior and neurophysiology. Previous field studies of bat–insect interactions have been limited by the technological challenges involved with studying nocturnal, volant animals that use ultrasound and engage in battles that frequently last a fraction of a second. We overcame these challenges using a robust field methodology that included multiple infrared cameras calibrated for three-dimensional reconstruction of bat and moth flight trajectories and four ultrasonic microphones that provided a spatial component to audio recordings. Our objectives were to document bat–moth interactions in a natural setting and to test the effectiveness of a unique prey defense – sonar jamming. We tested the effect of sonar jamming by comparing the results of interactions between bats and Grote’s tiger moth, Bertholdia trigona , with their sound-producing organs either intact or ablated. Jamming was highly effective, with bats capturing more than 10 times as many silenced moths as clicking moths. Moths frequently combined their acoustic defense with two separate evasive maneuvers: flying away from the bat and diving. Diving decreased bat capture success for both clicking and silenced moths, while flying away did not. The diving showed a strong directional component, a first for insect defensive maneuvers. We discuss the timing of B. trigona defensive maneuvers – which differs from that of other moths – in the context of moth auditory neuroethology. Studying bat–insect interactions in their natural environment provides valuable information that complements work conducted in more controlled settings.
Potentiated and preferential effects of combined paraquat and maneb on nigrostriatal dopamine systems: environmental risk factors for Parkinson's disease?

The absence of any compelling basis for a heritable basis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) has focused attention on environmental exposures as causative agents. While the herbicide paraquat has repeatedly been implicated, its impact on dopamine systems following systemic exposures is equivocal. The restricted focus on paraquat also ignores the extensive geographical overlap of its use with other agrichemicals known to adversely impact dopamine systems, including ethylenebisdithiocarbamate fungicides such as maneb. The present study sought to determine whether combined exposures to paraquat and maneb would produce additive effects and support a multiple-hit environmental contribution to PD. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to either paraquat (5-10 mg/kg) or maneb (15-30 mg/kg) i.p. alone or in combination once a week for 4 weeks. Sustained decreases in motor activity immediately following injections were consistently observed only with combined exposures, with activity levels returning to control values 24 h later. Concurrently, levels of dopamine and metabolites and dopamine turnover were increased immediately post-injection only by combined exposures, and returned to control levels or below within 48 h. Reductions in tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity, measured 3 days after the last injection, resulted only from combined exposure and were detected in dorsal striatum, but not in the nucleus accumbens. The fact that combined exposures resulted in potentiated effects that appear to target nigrostriatal dopamine systems suggests that these combinations may be important environmental risk factors for Parkinsonism. These findings also raise questions about the adequacy of current risk assessment guidelines for these chemicals which are based on effect levels derived from exposures to single agents.
Multi-way unequal power divider circuits using sector-shaped planar components

The design of a sector-shaped unequal power divider is presented. The design and the method of analysis are extensions of those previously presented for the sector shaped multiway equal power divider. The initial experimental results for a four-way power divider show that the power distribution among the output ports can be controlled by suitably locating shorting pins along the radial edges of the sector. Designs with bandwidths greater than 40% (for S/sub 11/ better than -14 dB) have been realized experimentally for a four-way divider with power output at two ports 4 dB lower than that at the other two ports. The experimental results are in agreement with the theoretically computed values. >
Cyclic Causal Complexes

Causal commonsense reasoning perceptions play an essential role in human decision-making. A known cause/effect relationship has a high decision value. Knowledge of at least some relationships is inherently imprecise. Causal complexes are groupings of smaller causal relations that can make up a larger grained causal object. Usually, commonsense reasoning is more successful in reasoning about a few large-grained events than many finer-grained events. However, larger-grained causal objects are necessarily more imprecise. A satisficing solution might be to develop large-grained solutions and then develop finer-grain objects when the impreciseness of the larger-grain is unsatisfactory. Often, a causal relationship is represented by a network with conditioned edges (probability, possibility, randomness, etc.). Various kinds of representational graphs and models can be used. One class of needed necessary descriptions are cycles, including mutual causal dependencies, both with non-cumulative effects and cumulative effects (including feedback). Without cyclic descriptions, there will be an incomplete representation of the variety and wealth of causal constructions used in science as well as in everyday life. Causal Bayes networks have received significant attention; a significant weakness is that they do not allow cycles; they have other significant restrictions, including independence conditions that include Markoff conditions. This paper discusses general and Bayes causal networks and introduces general imprecise graphic causal models.