cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Image Tube Research at Yerkes Observatory

Publisher Summary This chapter reports a research work at Yerkes Observatory of the University of Chicago on image intensification in the direction of image converters of the general type employed by Lallemand. The first experiments dealt with aluminum foils and silicon monoxide foils evaporated on a plastic. Most of the work was concentrated on aluminum foils, and image converters were made with these foils separating the photocathode and photographic emulsion chambers. Tubes with this type of foil showed a gradual decay of the photocathode. Therefore, because of the mediocre resolution and the great fragility of the aluminum foils, other foil materials were explored, principally aluminum oxide. However, attempts to make aluminum oxide foils from pure aluminum have thus far been unsuccessful because of the inability of hydrochloric acid (HCl) to dissolve pure aluminum.
Adjustment Uncertainty, Confidence, and Growth: Latin America after the Debt Crisis

Usual interpretations of the debt crisis identify the fall in foreign savings as the determinant of lower investment. In contrast, this paper presents a systemic interpretation of the crisis, based on adjustment uncertainty and confidence failures, in which capital flight and the contraction of investment and foreign lending are various facets of the same phenomenon. After exploring the macroeconomics of confidence gaps, a model is presented that generates endogenous adjustment uncertainty and identifies a concept of vulnerability as a key determinant of adjustment dynamics. Various policies to reduce vulnerability are reviewed, with particular emphasis on fiscal adjustment, indexation, and liberalization.
Failure mode analysis of al 2 O 2 -parylene c bilayer encapsulation for implantable devices and application to penetrating neural arrays

We assess the performance of a parylene C - aluminum oxide bilayer encapsulation strategy as it applies to implantable devices with non-planar topography. Electrochemical measurements of devices subject to in vitro accelerated lifetime testing are analyzed to evaluate benefits of bilayer encapsulation versus parylene C alone. Failure modes associated with device features and topographies are identified and solutions are presented that promote stability of device impedances.
Molecular Defects in the Vitamin D Receptor Associated with Hereditary 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D-Resistant Rickets (HVDRR)

Vitamin D is important in skeletal development and in bone mineralization. The active form of vitamin D, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, [1,25(OH)2D], binds with high affinity to the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a member of the nuclear receptor family of transcription factors. Genetic mutations in the vitamin D receptor cause the rare genetic disease hereditary 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-resistant rickets (HVDRR). Children with HVDRR have rickets, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Some have total alopecia. A number of heterogeneous mutations have been identified in the VDR as the molecular cause of HVDRR. Mutations in DNA-binding domain inactivate the VDR by disrupting contact with VDREs in promoters of target genes. Mutations in the ligand-binding domain reduce the affinity of the VDR for 1,25(OH)2D, prevent the 1,25(OH)2D from binding to the VDR, inhibit RXR heterodimerization, or abolish coactivator interactions. Other types of mutations have also been found including nonsense mutations, splice site mutations, deletions, insertions, and duplications. Children with HVDRR have been successfully treated with intravenous calcium that bypasses the intestinal defect in calcium transport due to the lack of 1,25(OH)2D action on the mutant VDR.
Structure and assembly of turnip crinkle virus. II: Mechanism of reassembly in vitro

Dissociation of turnip crinkle virus (TCV) at elevated pH and ionic strength produces free dimers of the coat protein and a ribonucleoprotein complex that contains the viral RNA, six coat-protein subunits, and the minor protein species, p80 (a covalently linked coat-protein dimer). This "rp-complex" is stable for several days in high salt at pH 8.5. Reassembly of TCV can be accomplished under physiological conditions, using isolated coat protein and either rp-complex or protein-free RNA. If rp-complex is used in reassembly, the same subunits remain bound to RNA on subsequent dissociation; if free RNA is used, rp-complex is regenerated. In both cases, the assembly is selective for viral RNA in competition experiments with heterologous RNA. Electron microscopy shows that assembly proceeds by continuous growth of a shell from an initiating structure, rather than by formation of distinct intermediates. We suggest that rp-complex is the initiating structure, suggest a model based on the organization of the TCV particle, and propose a mechanism for TCV assembly.
Winkelstabile Plattenosteosynthese am proximalen Humerus

Aufgrund hoher Komplikationsraten und damit verbundenen teilweise schlechten Ergebnissen gilt der proximale Oberarmbruch weiterhin als ungeloste Fraktur. Ein klinischer Vergleich der Ergebnisse nach Einsatz der neuen winkelstabilen Plattenosteosynthese mit denen etablierter Verfahren erlaubt erste Ruckschlusse auf das Indikationsspektrum dieser rigiden Frakturversorgung. Aufgrund einer zu groszugigen Anwendung auch bei den osteoporotischen 4-Segment-Frakturen und technischer Besonderheiten mit entsprechenden Komplikationsmoglichkeiten ist die Komplikationsrate, im Vergleich zu den etablierten Verfahren, nicht vermindert. Das klinische Outcome, gemessen am ASES-Score, lasst, bei entsprechender Indikation, eine Verbesserung der klinischen Ergebnisse erwarten.
Cerebellar motor learning versus cerebellar motor timing: the climbing fibre story

Theories concerning the role of the climbing fibre system in motor learning, as opposed to those addressing the olivocerebellar system in the organization of motor timing, are briefly contrasted. The electrophysiological basis for the motor timing hypothesis in relation to the olivocerebellar system is treated in detail.
Efficient cross-domain learning of complex skills

Building an intelligent agent that simulates human learning of math and science could potentially benefit both education, by contributing to the understanding of human learning, and artificial intelligence, by advancing the goal of creating human-level intelligence. However, constructing such a learning agent currently requires significant manual encoding of prior domain knowledge; in addition to being a poor model of human acquisition of prior knowledge, manual knowledge-encoding is both time-consuming and error-prone. Recently, we proposed an efficient algorithm that automatically acquires domain-specific prior knowledge in the form of deep features. We integrate this deep feature learner into a machine-learning agent, SimStudent. To evaluate the generality of the proposed approach and the effect of integration on prior knowledge, we carried out a controlled simulation study in three domains, fraction addition, equation solving, and stoichiometry, using problems solved by human students. The results show that the integration reduces SimStudent's dependence over domain-specific prior knowledge, while maintains SimStudent's performance.
Does Preoperative MRI Workup Affect Mastectomy Rates and/or Re-excision Rates in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Breast Carcinoma? A Retrospective Review

The purpose of this study is to determine whether including breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the preoperative workup of patients with known breast cancer has an impact on mastectomy and/or re-excision rates. This is an Institutional Review Board approved HIPAA compliant retrospective study reviewing the impact MRI has on mastectomy and re-excision rates in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Our study compares two groups: (i) 154 patients who did not receive preoperative MRIs and served as a control group and (ii) 96 patients who received preoperative breast MRIs. Patient race and age between the two populations were not statistically different. The difference in mastectomy rates between the two populations was 10.7%; although not statistically different, the p value of 0.10 suggests a trend toward significance. The re-excision rates between the two populations, however, were significantly different (p < 0.001), with women in the control group having a higher re-excision rate than those in the study group. The difference between involved and clear margins was significant as well (p = 0.002), with patients undergoing preoperative MRI more likely to have negative margins. Preoperative breast MRI significantly decreases the likelihood of involved margins as well as the need for surgical re-excision. Preoperative breast MRI does not result in a statistically significant difference in mastectomy rates, although further investigation is required to determine whether there is a trend towards statistical significance.
Two-scale solution of anisotropic radiative transfer equation

This paper provides a new practical approximate solution to the radiative transfer equation under a narrow angle approximation with an anisotropic phase function. This assumption is useful for the case of optical and acoustic beam propagation in the ocean and the atmosphere, where particles sizes are much larger than wavelength. The two-scale expansion method that was found useful for statistical moments of wave propagating in continuum is extended to handle a general scattering kernel. Our procedure is applicable to other transport equations encountered in mathematical physics. Possible applications useful for remote sensing are briefly mentioned, and the complexity of computation is discussed.
HAZARD WARNINGS AND RESPONSES TO EVACUATION ORDERS: THE CASE OF BANGLADESH'S CYCLONE SIDR*

On 15 November 2007 Cyclone Sidr, a category 4 storm, struck the southwestern coast of Bangladesh. Despite early cyclone warnings and evacuation orders for coastal residents, thousands of individuals stayed in their homes. This study examines dissemination of the warning, assesses the warning responses, and explores the reasons why many residents did not evacuate. Field data collected from 257 Sidr survivors in four severely affected coastal districts revealed that more than three-fourths of all respondents were aware of the cyclone warnings and evacuation orders. Despite the sincere efforts of the Bangladesh government, however, lapses in cyclone warnings and evacuation procedures occurred. Field data also revealed several reasons why evacuation orders were not followed. The reasons fell into three broad groups: those involving shelter characteristics; the attributes of the warning message itself; and the respondents' characteristics. Based on our findings, we recommend improved cyclone warnings and utilization of public shelters for similar events in the future.
Aseptic Techniques for Rearing Dioryctria abietella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae, Phycitinae) on Artificial Medium,

Methods are described for rearing Dioryctria abietella (Denis & Schiffermuller) through 2 successive generations on an artificial medium under aseptic conditions. Comparison with previous rearings under nonaseptic conditions revealed that microorganisms on the surface of the medium contributed little or nothing to the nutrition of larvae; however, they did cause decreased survival.
Uncoded bit error rate of eCall modem through AMR codec and AWGN channel

Data communications through the voice channel of the cellular network are important for telematics applications such as automatic vehicle crash notification, an implementation of which is the pan-European eCall system scheduled for deployment in 2015. The cellular voice channel includes the vocoder which is designed for compressing speech waveforms and is a hindrance for data communications. No mathematical model exists for the vocoder as a data communications channel. Thus, in this paper, the uncoded bit error rate (BER) is found by simulation using the bit-exact C-code implementation of the vocoder. The adaptive multi-rate (AMR) vocoder is used in GSM, the network on which eCall runs, and is the one used in these simulations. The BER is first presented for the vocoder-only channel at different AMR compression rates. Then it is presented for the vocoder and additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. Finally, an attempt is made to find the optimum receiver filter for the vocoder channel.
The structure of hemopeptide 1-65 from cytochrome c

Abstract Hemopeptide 1–65 was cleaved from horse heart cytochrome c by cyanogen bromide and purified by exclusion chromatography. Although the intrinsic viscosity of the hemopeptide is intermediate between that of a compact sphere and a random coil, the ultraviolet circular dichroic spectrum indicates no significant amount of secondary structure. A variety of chemical and spectral measurements indicate that two histidyl residues of the hemopeptide are coordinated with the heme iron, that the indole ring of tryptophan 59 is one-third exposed, that the heme moiety is two-thirds exposed, and that tyrosyl 48 and the third histidyl residue are completely exposed. It was concluded that the hemopeptide has a relatively open conformation quite different from its conformation in the native protein.
Learning, indexing, and diagnosing network faults

Modern communication networks generate massive volume of operational event data, e.g., alarm, alert, and metrics, which can be used by a network management system (NMS) to diagnose potential faults. In this work, we introduce a new class of indexable fault signatures that encode temporal evolution of events generated by a network fault as well as topological relationships among the nodes where these events occur. We present an efficient learning algorithm to extract such fault signatures from noisy historical event data, and with the help of novel space-time indexing structures, we show how to perform efficient, online signature matching. We provide results from extensive experimental studies to explore the efficacy of our approach and point out potential applications of such signatures for many different types of networks including social and information networks.
Sexuality after treatment of head and neck cancer: Findings based on modification of sexual adjustment questionnaire

Objectives/Hypothesis: Evaluate sexual dysfunction in patients after treatment for head and neck cancer. Study Design: Single-institution cross-sectional study. Methods: Our modified Sexual Adjustment Questionnaire was administered to 42 patients (mean age, 55.1 years) and included seven questions (total score, 7–35). Based on sexual satisfaction ratings, we categorized three groups as unsatisfied (7–16), satisfied (17–25), and very satisfied (26–35). Clinical information was obtained by reviewing medical records. Bivariate analysis tested associations between sexual satisfaction and patient-related factors (e.g., sex, age, site/cancer stage, treatment, time between treatment and survey, partner, alcohol/tobacco consumption). Pearson correlation was used to analyze two continuous variables, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent impact of each factor. Results: All 42 patients rated that head and neck cancer negatively impacted their sexual relationships, including 21 (50%) rating effects as negative or extremely negative. Men reported higher satisfaction scores with sexual function (mean ± standard deviation) than women (19.9 ± 5.0 vs. 16.3 ± 6.5, respectively; P = .06). Respondents with partners reported higher scores than those without partners (19.9 ± 5.3 vs. 14.1 ± 4.4, respectively; P = .01). When the survey was administered (median, 12 months; range, 4–33 months) after the first treatment, mean score was 19; 57% of respondents were sexually satisfied, 31% were unsatisfied, and 12% were very satisfied. Instrument reliability was .82 (Cronbach alpha). Conclusions: Patients who are male and ≤60 years have a higher probability of sexual satisfaction during recovery. Our sexual dysfunction questionnaire will be administered in further prospective studies in patients with head and neck cancer. Laryngoscope, 2012
New diagnostic tenet of the esthetic midface for clinical assessment of anterior malar projection

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine whether a visual classification of anterior malar support using vector relationships is supported by cephalometric analysis. Materials and Methods: Forty white subjects between the ages of 10 and 12 years, without craniofacial syndromes or previous orthodontic treatment, were equally divided into groups based on visual assessment of negative and positive vector relationships. Group A comprised 20 subjects (10 male, 10 female) exhibiting a positive vector relationship. Group B comprised 20 subjects (10 male, 10 female) displaying a negative vector relationship. Sella-nasion-orbitale (SNO) angulations were measured to evaluate the subjects' anteroposterior position of the malar eminence relative to the cranial base. Gender differences and significant differences in SNO measurements between groups A and B were assessed with Mann-Whitney U-tests. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between genders. SNO angulations in the negative vector group were smalle...
The reaction of copper (II) 8-quinolinol complexes with gaseous hydrogen halides

Abstract α-Cu(qn) 2 , β-Cu(qn) 2 , CuqnCl and CuqnBr, where qn represents the 8-quinolinol (8-hydroxyquinoline) anion, were reacted with dry and wet HCl gas and dry HBr gas at room temperature. At room temperature each complex adds 2 moles of HX per 8-quinolinol anion. The complexes and Cu(qn) 2 ·4HCl were reacted with HCl gas at −78°, where each complex adds 4 moles of HCl per mole of anion. The addition at room temperature is irreversible; however, at −78° the addition of 2 moles of HCl is reversible. The dissociation pressures of the low-temperature addition compounds were measured at several temperatures and the heat dissociation is ca. 7·0 kcal/mole for the adducts.
Circumvention of Mcl-1-dependent drug resistance by simultaneous Chk1 and MEK1/2 inhibition in human multiple myeloma cells.

The anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 plays a major role in multiple myeloma (MM) cell survival as well as bortezomib- and microenvironmental forms of drug resistance in this disease. Consequently, there is a critical need for strategies capable of targeting Mcl-1-dependent drug resistance in MM. The present results indicate that a regimen combining Chk1 with MEK1/2 inhibitors effectively kills cells displaying multiple forms of drug resistance stemming from Mcl-1 up-regulation in association with direct transcriptional Mcl-1 down-regulation and indirect disabling of Mcl-1 anti-apoptotic function through Bim up-regulation and increased Bim/Mcl-1 binding. These actions release Bak from Mcl-1, accompanied by Bak/Bax activation. Analogous events were observed in both drug-naive and acquired bortezomib-resistant MM cells displaying increased Mcl-1 but diminished Bim expression, or cells ectopically expressing Mcl-1. Moreover, concomitant Chk1 and MEK1/2 inhibition blocked Mcl-1 up-regulation induced by IL-6/IGF-1 or co-culture with stromal cells, effectively overcoming microenvironment-related drug resistance. Finally, this regimen down-regulated Mcl-1 and robustly killed primary CD138+ MM cells, but not normal hematopoietic cells. Together, these findings provide novel evidence that this targeted combination strategy could be effective in the setting of multiple forms of Mcl-1-related drug resistance in MM.
Two CAPS markers predict Verticillium wilt resistance in wild Solanum species

Verticillium wilt of potato is a persistent problem in the USA and worldwide. The disease, which is caused primarily by the fungus Verticillium dahliae, is difficult to manage, causes yield losses, and contaminates soil for subsequent plantings. Control strategies based on host resistance are seen as long-term, stable solutions, but difficult to achieve given the genetic nature of the host and the challenges associated with resistance evaluations. To provide breeders with marker-assisted selection opportunities, we generated a pair of cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence molecular markers within the coding region of Ve2, a potato gene with homology to the tomato Ve1 gene that confers resistance to V. dahliae. The position of the marker was determined according to the consensus sequences of Ve2 homologs of wild Solanum species with resistance to V. dahliae. Marker testing indicated their broad applicability, being able to track the resistance to V. dahliae in progeny containing genetic information derived from species S. chacoense, S. brevicaule, S. berthaultii, S. tarijense, and S. tuberosum. Furthermore, the two isolates of V. dahliae used in our inoculation experiments differed in virulence and demonstrated specificity for some wild potato species. Experimentation leading to the development of the markers and tests of their usefulness against a wide range of diploid potato germplasm is presented.
Structural properties of CH3CN–SO2 in the gas phase and condensed-phase media via density functional theory and infrared spectroscopy

Abstract Structural properties of the CH 3 CN–SO 2 complex were studied in the gas phase via density functional theory, as well as in argon matrices, nitrogen matrices, and solid-state thin films via low-temperature infrared spectroscopy. Gas-phase structures for two nearly isoenergetic conformations were obtained from B3PW91/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations, and these results indicate that the complex is quite weak in the gas phase, with a long N–S distance of 3.02 A. Several vibrational bands of the complex were observed in nitrogen and argon matrices. For the principle isotopomer, the SO 2 asymmetric stretch was observed at 1345 cm −1 in solid nitrogen and 1342 cm −1 in argon. The SO 2 symmetric stretch was observed at 1156 cm −1 in nitrogen, and 1148 cm −1 in argon. Also, the SO 2 bend was observed at 527 cm −1 in nitrogen, and 520 cm −1 (tentative assignment) in sold argon. In “matrix-free” spectra of solid CH 3 CN/SO 2 thin films, the SO 2 asymmetric stretch is the only SO 2 -localized mode appreciably shifted relative to the corresponding matrix frequencies, by about 20 cm −1 to the red, but the band is essentially coincident that observed in a low temperature, bulk sample of pure SO 2 . Calculated frequencies (B3PW91/aug-cc-pVTZ) for the gas-phase CH 3 CN–SO 2 complex show some larger discrepancies, but not to the degree that would imply any significant medium-induced structural changes. The N–S distance potential was also mapped in the gas phase via several density functional methods, and also for dielectric media ( e = 1.5–80) via PCM/B3LYP/6–311+G(2fd,p) calculations. The computational results are quite consistent with the structural implications of the experiments, and collectively, these data indicate that condensed-phase media induce at most only minimal changes in the structural properties of CH 3 CN–SO 2 .
Autoradiographic mapping and characterization of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor binding in human greater saphenous vein

Abstract Purpose: The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells is an important step in the process of intimal hyperplasia. Veins exposed to arterial pressure develop intimal hyperplastic lesions that lead to failure of vein bypasses. Insulin-like growth factor-I is a polypeptide hormone structurally related to insulin with insulin-like metabolic effects. Insulin-like growth factor-I has been found to work in concert with other growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor, to promote the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells in culture. Insulin-like growth factor-I exerts its effects via specific receptors located on the cell surface. We studied the in situ distribution of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor binding using autoradiography and examined insulin-like growth factor-I binding characteristics in normal human greater saphenous vein. Methods: Frozen sections 20 μm thick were prepared from the greater saphenous vein specimens. The sections were incubated in a buffer containing 125 I-insulin-like growth factor-I in the presence of increasing concentrations of the unlabeled peptide. Autoradiograms were obtained by apposing the treated sections to autoradiography film. Results: Analysis of the autoradiographs showed that insulin-like growth factor-I binding was consistently present in the wall of human greater saphenous vein. To characterize these binding sites binding inhibition studies were performed. High-affinity insulin-like growth factor-I receptor binding was found with dissociation constant of 1.0 ± 0.32 nmol/L and maximum binding capacity of 0.46 ± 0.23 pmol/mg protein. These values are consistent with a physiologic role for insulin-like growth factor-I in the tissue examined. Conclusions: The presence of high-affinity (dissociation constant=1.0 ± 0.32) insulin-like growth factor-I binding sites in the wall of saphenous vein suggests that insulin-like growth factor-I plays an important role in regulating the proliferation of venous wall cellular components, an essential step in the process of venous intimal hyperplasia. (J VASC SURG 1993;18:947-53.)
Physiology of aging leukocytes. I. Phagocytosis and transformation.

SummarySequential changes in the human leukocyte's ability to phagocytize latex particles and lymphocyte transformation were correlated with concomitant biochemical modifications during a 30° incubation period. There were no pH adjustments nor nutritional additives during the period of sequential testing of aging blood cells.Locomotion and phagocytosis of neutrophils continued unimpaired for 22-23 hr or until “starvation” conditions prevailed. Attachment of inert polystyrene latex particles to the plasma membrane did not trigger ingestion. Streaming cytoplasm associated with cellular motility seemed to be the main vehicle for interiorization of particles.Small lymphocytes have a potential for transformation into large mononucelar cells after incubating 1-2 hr. There was a gradual decline in their reactivity after 2-5 hr which may have been due to an inhibitory effect of the granulocytes present in the incubating blood. Not all lymphocytes responded uniformly to the stimulation of surface contact. Their be...
The impact of unionism on fringe benefit coverage

Abstract The estimated effect of unionism on fringe benefit coverage is shown to be relatively robust to econometric method. The atypical characteristics of unionized workers, especially their larger employer size, higher wages, and longer worker week, explain between one- and two-thirds of their higher fringe benefit coverage.
914-71 High Efficiency Gene Transfer into Atherosclerotic Lesions in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbit Carotid Arteries

The feasibility of using in vivo gene transfer to induce the regression of atherosclerotic lesions remains to be defined. Accordingly, we have developed a rabbit model of atherosclerosis that consists of (i) a high cholesterol diet beginning 2 weeks prior to vascular injury (cholesterol levels: 1,000-2,000 mg/dl), (ii) balloon-injury (2 F Fogarty catheter) to the common carotid artery via the internal carotid artery, and (iii) gene transfer into the vessel wall 2 weeks after balloon injury by a second interventional procedure. Balloon injury resulted in consistent formation of neointimal lesions (intima/media ratio: 1.0–1.4; n = 3) throughout the injured vessel segment. Immunohistochemical staining against macrophages (RAM-11) showed a broad distribution of macrophages throughout the neointima and media. Transfection efficiency into the injured vessel wall was determined using a fJgalactosidase ( β -gal) reporter gene (SV40-promoter) and the highly efficient Sendai virus (HVJ)-mediated gene delivery method in which plasmid vectors are complexed with Iiposomes, nuclear protein and UV-inactivated viral protein coat. Histochemical analysis after transfection revealed strong β -gal activity (@ 30–50% of cells transfected) within the neointima and media, whereas controls (control vector transfected and/or balloon injured vessel) showed no staining. Double staining with the macrophage antibody showed that not only smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, but also macrophages were genetically modified. We conclude that the rabbit atherosclerotic carotid artery is a suitable model for studying gene transfer as a therapeutic approach to vascular disease.
Weighted Composition Operators from H∞ to the Bloch Space of a Bounded Homogeneous Domain

In this paper, we present the current results in the study of weighted composition operators on the Bloch space of bounded homogeneous domains in ℂ n with particular emphasis on the issues of boundedness and compactness. We also discuss the bounded and the compact weighted composition operators from the Bloch space to the Hardy space H∞.
Mitochondrial targets of photodynamic therapy and their contribution to cell death

ABSTRACT In response to photodynamic therapy (PDT), many cells in culture or within experimental tumors are eliminated by apoptosis. PDT with photosensitizers that localize in or target mitochondria, such as the phthalocyanine Pc 4, causes prompt release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm and activation of caspases-9 and 3, among other caspases, that are responsible for initiating cell degradation. Some cells appear resistant to apoptosis after PDT; however, if they have sustained sufficient damage, they will die by a necrotic process or through a different a poptotic pathway. In the case of PDT, the distinction between apoptosis and necrosis may be less important than the mechanism that triggers both processes, since critical lethal damage appears to occur during treatment and does not require the major steps in apoptosis to be expressed. We earlier showed, for example, that human breast cancer MCF-7 cells that lack caspase-3 are resistant to the induction of apoptosis by PDT, but are just as sensitive to the loss of clonogenicity as MCF-7 cells stably expressing transfected procaspase-3. Many photosensitizers that target mitochondria specifically attack the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, generating a variety of crosslinked and cleaved photoproducts. Recent evidence s uggests that the closely related protein Bcl-xL is also a target of Pc 4-PDT. Transient transfection of an expression vector encoding deletion mutants of Bcl-2 have identified the critical sensitive site in the protein that is required for photodamage. This region contains two alpha helices that form a secondary membrane anchorage site and are thought to be responsible for pore formation by Bcl-2. As specific protein targets are identified, we are becoming better able to model the critical events in PDT-induced cell death. Keywords : Photodynamic therapy, phthalocyanine, Pc 4, apoptosis, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL
Methylation of satellite sequences in mouse spermatogenic and somatic DNAs

Abstract The distribution of 5-methyl cytosine (5-MeC) residues in a highly repetitive sequence, mouse major satellite, was examined in germinal versus somatic DNAs by digestion with the methylation sensitive isoschizomers Msp I and Hpa II and Southern blot analysis, using a cloned satellite probe. DNA from liver, brain, and a mouse fibroblast cell line, C3H 10T1/2, yielded a multimeric hybridization pattern after digestion with Msp I (and control Eco RI) but were resistant to digestion with Hpa II, reflecting a high level of methylation of the satellite sequences. In contrast, DNA from mature sperm was undermethylated at these same sequences as indicated by the ability of Hpa II to generate a multimeric pattern. DNAs from purified populations of testis cells in different stages of spermatogenesis were examined to determine when during germ cell differentiation the undermethylation was established. As early as in primitive type A, type A, and type B spermatogonia, an undermethylation of satellite sequences was observed. This suggest that this highly specific undermethylation of germ cell satellite DNA occurs very early in the germ cell lineage, prior to entry into meiosis.
Ectopic production of human chorionic somatomammotropin by nontrophoblastic cancers.

ABSTRACT Human chorionic somatomammotropin (HCS) was detected in 11 of 128 patients with various tissue-proved malignancies other than those originating in trophoblast or gonad. Plasma HCS values were generally lower than in untreated patients with trophoblastic tumors, and in 4 cases HCS was demonstrated only after concentration by affinity chromatography. HCS was detected in tumor extracts from 4 cases and these patients also had evidence for ectopic HCG production. In 80 patients without malignancy, HCS was not detected in unconcentrated plasma, or in concentrated specimens from 18, indicating levels below 0.002 ng/ml. The ectopic production of HCS is a link between ectopic hormones and ectopic embryonic proteins, and may provide a specific marker for neoplasm in males or nonpregnant females.
Dexamethasone rapidly increases calcium channel subunit messenger rna expression and high voltage-activated calcium current in clonal pituitary cells

Abstract Glucocorticoid hormones increase voltage-gated Ca 2+ current density in clonal pituitary cells. To test whether these steroids might stimulate expression of Ca 2+ channel genes, messenger RNase protection assays were used to measure α 1 C and α 1 D RNAs that encode pore-forming subunits of l -type Ca 2+ channels. We show here that dexamethasone rapidly increases α 1 C messenger RNA expression without affecting α 1 D messenger RNA level. This up-regulation of channel messenger RNA is also produced by natural glucocorticoids and is blocked by the glucocorticoid antagonist Ru48386. The up-regulation of the channel subunit messenger RNA expression is associated with an increase in high voltage-activated Call current density. Thus, glucocorticoids may produce a long-term effect on Ca 2+ homeostasis in clonal pituitary cells by differentially regulating expression of Ca 2+ channel subunit genes.
Genetic Counseling Supervisor Competencies: Results of a Delphi Study.

Clinical supervision is a critical component of genetic counseling student preparation, yet empirically-determined competencies for genetic counseling supervisors are lacking. In this study a modified, two-round Delphi method was used to gain consensus about important genetic counseling supervisor knowledge, characteristics, and skills. Program directors and assistant directors of American Board of Genetic Counseling accredited genetic counseling programs in North America (N = 33) were invited to participate and to recruit three experienced supervisors. Seventy-four individuals completed Round 1 and, of these, 61 completed Round 2. Approximately two-thirds were clinical supervisors from prenatal, pediatrics, cancer, and adult clinics; one-third were program directors. Participants rated the importance for genetic counseling supervisors of 158 items derived from supervision literature in allied health professions. They rated 142 items (89.9 %) as highly important. Content analysis of these items yielded six supervisor competency domains: Personal traits and characteristics; relationship building and maintenance; student evaluation; student centered supervision; guidance and monitoring of patient care; and ethical and legal aspects of supervision. The results provide a basis for training genetic counseling supervisors and for further research to refine and validate supervisor competencies.
Role of exercise in the evaluation and management of pulmonary disease in children and youth.

Asthma is the most common chronic pulmonary disorder affecting children in the U.S. Cystic fibrosis is the most common life-shortening inherited disease affecting white populations. With both disorders, children may have impaired exercise tolerance and abnormal cardiopulmonary responses to exercise. Exercise testing can aid in the diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma, and in determining prognosis in cystic fibrosis. Children with asthma and cystic fibrosis have been shown to benefit from exercise training, mainly through improved aerobic fitness and cardiopulmonary efficiency. In summary, exercise plays a valuable role in the evaluation and management of children with asthma and cystic fibrosis.
Plasmodium protein export at higher PEXEL resolution.

Intraerythrocytic malaria parasites send hundreds of effector proteins into the host cell. Diverse modes of export have been proposed for different proteins. In this issue, Gruring et al. (2012) present findings that bring the models together.
An introduction to this special section Reservoir Engineering

In this issue, we hope to give you a sampling of the many new areas where reservoir engineering and geophysics overlap and provide examples of new work in geophysics that have direct bearing on reservoir engineering applications. In recent years, the link between geophysicists and engineers has grown stronger, and the practitioners in each field have been learning how to communicate their results and needs to the practitioners in the other field. This communication is not always without its problems, but the availability of a shared earth model, often expressed through three-dimensional visualization on a workstation, has made it easier to learn each other's language
Modeling mechanical response of intumescent mat material at room temperature

Abstract Intumescent mat material is widely used to support ceramic substrates in catalytic converters and behaves very much like hyper-foam material under compressive loading. Experiments show that compressive loading curves depend on the ram speed and the number of cycles. The unloading curves show different slopes and paths that depend less on the ram speed and number of cycles. The slopes of the unloading curves decrease as the plastic strain increases; this is referred to as “softening” in this study. The effects of rate, softening, and plastic deformation must be considered to model the mechanical response of intumescent mat material. Finite deformation theory is applied with a multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient tensor. The developed theory is implemented as an implicit finite element algorithm in ABAQUSTM/STANDARD. The necessary material parameters are extracted from experiments. Numerical simulations show good agreement with experiments.
Microwave receiver prototype development for the Hyperspectral Microwave Atmospheric Sounder (HyMAS)1

Recent technology advances have significantly changed the landscape of modern radiometry by enabling miniaturized, low-power, and low-noise radio-frequency receivers operating at frequencies up to 200 GHz. These advances enable the practical use of receiver arrays to multiplex multiple broad frequency bands into many spectral channels. We use the term “hyperspectral microwave” to refer generically to microwave sounding systems with approximately 50 spectral channels or more. We present the design and analysis of the receiver subsystem for the Hyperspectral Microwave Atmospheric Sounder (HyMAS), with focus on the ultra compact Intermediate Frequency (IF) processor module. HyMAS comprises multiple receivers operating near the oxygen absorption line at 118.75GHz and the water vapor absorption line at 183.31GHz. The hyperspectral microwave receiver system will be integrated into a scanhead compatible with the NASA GSFC Conical Scanning Microwave Imaging Radiometer (CoSMIR) airborne system to facilitate demonstration and performance characterization. HyMAS is designed to have a 52-channel hyperspectral microwave receiver subsystem with four temperature sounding bands (two antennas) near 118.75GHz and two moisture sounding bands (one antenna) near 183.31GHz. Both polarizations are measured (although at slightly different IF passbands) to increase the total channel count. Subharmonic mixers will be pumped by phase-locked oscillators, and single-sideband operation will be achieved by waveguide filtering of the lower sideband. Size/volume constraints on the receiver subsystem led to a relatively high IF frequency (18 - 29GHz) to facilitate miniaturization of the IF processor module. Broadband operation over such a relatively high intermediate frequency range is a technical challenge for the front-end receiver sys
Gravel-capped benches above northern tributaries of the Escalante River, south-central Utah

Andesitic boulder deposits mantle straths cut in sedimentary bedrock high above the northern tributaries of the Escalante River in south-central Utah. The andesitic gravel deposits are derived from the southern escarpments of Boulder Mountain and Aquarius Plateau. The sedimentology and geomorphic expression of these deposits suggest they are from slurry-flow mass movements that have been reworked by fluvial processes. The andesitic boulders are significantly tougher than the local sedimentary bedrock and cause boulder armoring and topographic inversion. The andesitic boulders are also effective tools for fluvial incision when transported across weaker bedrock. Cosmogenic 3 He exposure-age dating of some of the largest boulders exposed on the treads of four different deposits range from 303 ± 48 to 1395 ± 241 ka. The tallest boulders exposed on the deposit surfaces tend to yield the oldest exposure ages, suggesting that boulder erosion and deposit erosion are controlling the exposure-age populations and indicating that even the oldest exposure ages from a given deposit are likely minimum age estimates. Using the oldest exposure age from each surface, we estimate maximum Escalante River northern tributary incision rates of 151–323 m Ma −1 for the period since 0.6–1.4 Ma.
Circadian rhythms in the pharmacokinetics and clinical effects of beta-agonist, theophylline, and anticholinergic medications in the treatment of nocturnal asthma

Published asthma consensus reports now acknowledge that asthma is a nocturnal disease in as many as 75% of those afflicted by this medical condition. Nonetheless, the treatment of this chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the clinic continues to be based primarily on homeostatic considerations in that it relies on long-acting bronchodilator and other therapies formulated and scheduled to ensure constant or near-constant levels of medication during the 24h. The need of asthma patients prone to nighttime attacks is not the same during the day and night; the therapeutic requirements of patients who experience nocturnal asthma, especially ones with the more severe forms of the disease, are often not satisfied by conventional medications. The therapeutic response and patient tolerance to bronchodilator medications can be improved markedly when the medications are proportioned during the 24h as a chronotherapy, that is, when more medication is delivered during nighttime sleep than daytime activity, as verif...
Development of a virtual and physical work cell to assemble micro-devices

Abstract The term ‘micro-assembly’ is used to describe the assembly of micron-sized parts that are extremely small (in the order of 10 −6 m). As manual assembly of micro-devices is extremely difficult and tedious, there is a need to design computer-controlled approaches to facilitate rapid assembly. In this context, the design of automated or semi-automated environments for micro-assembly applications becomes important. In this paper, the design of a micro-assembly cell is discussed along with the development of a virtual assembly environment to study micro-assembly problems and issues. A genetic algorithm-based assembly sequence generator is discussed which works in coordination with a 3D path planning approach. A physical micro-assembly cell has been created to aid in the assembly of such micro-devices. This physical cell is interfaced with a virtual reality (VR)-based assembly environment to assist in the micro-assembly activities and comprises of micro-positioners, a micro-gripper (for pick-and-place operations to complete specific micro-assembly tasks), and a camera (to provide guidance and feedback during and after assembly).
Are there feminist methodologies appropriate for the natural sciences and do they make a difference

Abstract Examination of the questions raised about feminist methodologies for the natural sciences reveals that answers are complex and dependent upon the feminist theory from which the methodology springs. The jumble of descriptors for feminist methodology — rejects dualisms, is based on women's experience, shortens the distance between observer and object of study, rejects unicausal, hierarchical approaches, unites application with problem — seem contradictory when portrayed as feminist methodology. They become much more understandable when viewed as a lumping together of possible methodological implications for science resulting from different feminist theories. Radical feminism, and particularly lesbian separatism, suggest strong reasons why we are not able to see the results of a feminist methodology. As long as oppression of women and patriarchy continue, it is unlikely that the effects of feminist methodologies derived from the feminist theories that challenge the status quo will be felt.
One-way 10 Gbps data transmission through a silicon optical diode

An optical diode consisting of cascaded silicon micro-resonators enables non-reciprocal transmission through direction dependent resonance shift. One-way 10Gbps data transmission is realized through the strong dispersion and attenuation associated with a resonant structure.
DSX loss cone imager differential response functions

The loss cone imager (LCI) on the demonstration science experiments mission (DSX) of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) was designed to measure the effect of waves on non-relativistic electrons in the slot of the radiation belts. The LCI comprises two instruments: a narrow ~7° acceptance-cone electron detector (HST) to measure the low-intensity electron flux in the local loss cone, and a three-pin-hole multi-pixel sensor, the fixed sensor head (FSH), measuring the electron intensity in a 180° x 10° continuous swath containing the HST look-direction at 45°. The design history of the LCI is briefly outlined; the relevant mechanical and signal processing parameters reviewed; and the differential response functions, including the normal data-number (DN) to engineering-unit (EU) conversion of raw data, required to generate the physics (model dependent) parameters discussed.
Re(De)fining Net Zero Energy: Renewable Emergy Balance in environmental building design

Abstract The notion that raw materials for building construction are plentiful and can be extracted “at will” from Earth’s geobiosphere, and that these materials do not undergo any degradation or related deterioration in performance while in use is alarming and entirely inaccurate. For these reasons, a particular building, like an organism or an ecosystem, must seek self-sustenance for that design to prevail in competition with other building designs in a time with limited availability of energy and materials. To this extent, Net Zero Energy (NZE) buildings achieve a net annual energy balance in their operations. However, approaching an NZE building goal based on current definitions is flawed for two principal reasons (1) NZE only deals with the energy required for operations and related emissions (2) it does not establish a threshold which ensures that buildings are optimized for reduced consumption before renewable systems are integrated to obtain an energy balance. This paper develops a method to maximize renewable resource use through emergy (spelled with an “m”) analysis to close the gap between current approaches to environmental building design and the over-arching goal of creating buildings that contribute to a sustainable relationship between human activities and the geobiosphere. This paper proposes using a “Renewable Emergy Balance” (REB) in environmental building design as a tool to maximize renewable resource use through disinvestment of all non-renewable resources that may be substituted with renewable resources. REB buildings attain a high standing by optimizing building construction over their entire life-span from formation-extraction-manufacturing to maintenance and operation.