cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of phytohormones ethylene and auxin in plant-nematode interactions

The phytohormones ethylene and auxin regulate many important processes in plants, including cell differentiation, cell expansion, and responses to abiotic stresses. These hormones also play important roles in many plant-pathogen interactions, including regulation of plant defense responses and symptom development. Sedentary plant-parasitic nematodes, which require the formation of a complex feeding site within the host root, are among the world’s most destructive plant pathogens. Nematode-induced feeding sites show dramatic changes in host cell morphology and gene expression. These changes are likely mediated, at least in part, by phytohormones. In the present review, current knowledge of the roles of ethylene and auxin will be explored in two main areas: the specific role of phytohormones in mediating feeding site development by plant-parasitic nematodes and the general role of phytohormones in affecting the ability of parasitic nematodes to cause disease.
Tumor Detection and Visualization Using Cyanine Fluorochrome‐Labeled Antibodies

Tumor localization using fluorescence has been made practical by current improvements in tumor targeting molecules, especially monoclonal antibodies and their derivatives, by the development of convenient near-infrared emitting fluorochromes and by the availability of digital cameras having high sensitivity in this spectral region. Recent studies in animals have demonstrated that fluorochrome labeling of monoclonal antibodies confers adequate sensitivity and improved resolution. Distribution and catabolism of fluorochrome-labeled and radiolabeled antibodies are similar. Simultaneous localization of multiple reagents is made possible by labeling with several different near-infrared emitting fluorochromes; thus background subtraction and differential labeling of multiple tumor-associated components can be performed. Difficulties in using the fluorochrome labels are mainly related to light scattering and absorption in tissues, but detection of small tumors at depths of several millimeters is feasible. The major medical use of this new technology is likely to be endoscopic location of tumors. Scientific uses include studies of tumor metastasis, uptake and distribution of drugs and tumor-targeting molecules by tumors, and migration patterns of near-infrared labeled cells in vivo.
Mitochondria-mediated cardioprotection by trimetazidine in rabbit heart failure

Trimetazidine (TMZ) is used successfully for treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy, however its therapeutic potential in heart failure (HF) remains to be established. While the cardioprotective action of TMZ has been linked to inhibition of free fatty acid oxidation (FAO) via 3-ketoacyl CoA thiolase (3-KAT), additional mechanisms have been suggested. The aim of this study was to evaluate systematically the effects of TMZ on calcium signaling and mitochondrial function in a rabbit model of non-ischemic HF and to determine the cellular mechanisms of the cardioprotective action of TMZ. TMZ protected HF ventricular myocytes from cytosolic Ca(2+) overload and subsequent hypercontracture, induced by electrical and s-adrenergic (isoproterenol) stimulation. This effect was mediated by the ability of TMZ to protect HF myocytes against mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening via attenuation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) and uncoupled mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase (mtNOS). The majority of ROS generated by the ETC in HF arose from enhanced complex II-mediated electron leak. TMZ inhibited the elevated electron leak at the level of mitochondrial ETC complex II and improved impaired activity of mitochondrial complex I, thereby restoring redox balance and mitochondrial membrane potential in HF. While TMZ decreased FAO by ~15%, the 3-KAT inhibitor 4-bromotiglic acid did not provide protection against palmitic acid-induced mPTP opening, indicating that TMZ effects were 3-KAT independent. Thus, the beneficial effect of TMZ in rabbit HF was not linked to FAO inhibition, but rather associated with reduced complex II- and uncoupled mtNOS-mediated oxidative stress and decreased propensity for mPTP opening.
1,2-Azaboratabenzene: A Heterocyclic π-Ligand with an Adjustable Basicity at Nitrogen

1,2-Dihydro-2-phenyl-1,2-azaborine (6a) has been prepared by a multistep synthesis from the readily available 2,2-dibutyl-2,5-dihydro-1-trimethylsilyl-1H-1,2-azastannole (7). Deprotonation of 6a affords 1-phenyl-1,2-azaboratabenzene 1a, which on reaction with [Cp*RuCl]4 gives the sandwich compound 5. 5 has been shown to function as a nucleophilic catalyst for the acylation of benzyl alcohol by phenylethylketene.
Cellular observations enabled by microculture: paracrine signaling and population demographics

The cellular microenvironment plays a critical role in shaping and directing the process of communication between the cells. Soluble signals are responsible for many cellular behaviors such as cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. Despite the importance of soluble signals, canonical methods are not well suited to the study of soluble factor interactions between multiple cell types. Macro-scale technology often puts cells into a convective environment that can wash away and dilute soluble signals from their targets, minimizing local concentrations of important factors. In addition, current methods such as transwells, require large numbers of cells and are limited to studying just two cell types. Here, we present data supporting the use of microchannels to study soluble factor signaling providing improved sensitivity as well as the ability to move beyond existing co-culture and conditioned medium paradigms. In addition, we present data suggesting that microculture can be used to unmask effects of population demographics. In this example the data support the hypothesis that a growth promoting subpopulation of cells exists in the mouse mammary gland.
Endovascular stent-graft placement for treatment of traumatic penetrating subclavian artery injury.

Civilian vascular trauma has increased over the past decade with a concurrent surge in the use of firearms. Penetrating trauma accounts for approximately 90% of arterial injuries. These are often difficult to diagnose and treat. Early descriptions of the diagnosis and management of traumatic vascular injuries came from both military and civilian trauma surgeons. Trauma patients frequently have multiple injuries, complicating routine approaches to vascular repair. Acute subclavian artery injuries, which are now appearing more frequently in trauma centers as trauma care is regionalized, are especially difficult to treat because of the difficulty in obtaining adequate exposure even when the injury is isolated. Endovascular stentgraft placement offers a new and less invasive technique for the treatment of acute traumatic vascular injuries. We present a patient with traumatic disruption of the subclavian artery whose injury was successfully managed with an endovascular stentgraft.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Pulmonary Tumor Thrombotic Microangiopathy in an 11-Year-Old Male Patient

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) are independently rare in the pediatric population. This report describes an 11-year-old male patient who initially presented with respiratory distress and cardiovascular collapse. A large left main pulmonary artery embolus and multiple, smaller pulmonary thromboemboli were widely dispersed throughout both lungs. Despite aggressive supportive care, he died within seven hours of admission. A complete postmortem examination was performed, leading to the diagnoses of primary MDS and microthrombi in the lungs, including the characteristic fibroproliferative lesions seen in PTTM. Individually, both conditions are extremely uncommon, and therefore the coincidence of these 2 conditions in a child is singularly unique.
False positives and the detection of cyclodextrin inclusion complexes by electrospray mass spectrometry.

The results of previous works that have claimed to detect cyclodextrin inclusion complexes via the “soft” ionization technique of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry are revisited. A more extensive study of cyclodextrin mixtures with amino acids and small peptides demonstrates that amino acid and peptide “complexes” are detected by electrospray mass spectrometry regardless of the presence (or not) of an aromatic moiety on the side chain. Amino acids that may be least likely to form hydrophobic inclusion complexes with cyclodextrin in solution generally show the most intense complex ions. The data suggest that these “complexes” are, in all likelihood, electrostatic adducts formed during the electrospray process. Systematic controls are suggested to ensure that “false positives” do not negate many of the claims concerning the detection of solution-derived noncovalent compounds.
On the characterization of non‐newtonian flow. III

A new rheological method for the determination of the molecular weight distribution of polymers was developed using the critical viscosity for entanglement together with the Newtonian viscosity and the apparent viscosity at a shear stress in the non-Newtonian region. Alternately, two shear stresses in the non-Newtonian region may be used. It was established that the critical molecular weight for entanglement is independent of the shear stress but dependent on the shear rate.
Preventing cigarette use in a bi-ethnic population: Results of the memphis smoking prevention program *

Previous research has shown that smoking prevention programs significantly reduce rates of adolescent smoking. However, most such programs have been evaluated using primarily Caucasian samples. As a result, little is known about the efficacy of existing curricula with African American youth. Further, few attempts have been made to modify prevention programs for African American students. Thus, these programs may be less relevant for African American children than Caucasian youngsters. To address these issues, we have developed a smoking prevention program specifically for an ethnically diverse population. This curriculum, known as the Memphis Smoking Prevention Program, was submitted to a large-scale randomized pilot evaluation. In this report, we summarize the effects of the program on smoking-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral expectations.
Propagation of oscillations during ethylene oxidation on a Rh/SiO2 catalyst

Infrared imaging is used to visualize nonuniform temperature patterns occuring on a Rh/SiO 2 catalyst wafer during the total oxidation of ethylene. Ignition of the catalyst wafer is seen to occur as a propagating reaction front originating at a single point on the wafer. During self-sustained oscillations, the reaction zone contracts, expands, and changes shape. Thermographic data of the oscillations are analyzed by calculating the size and mean temperature of the reaction zone. This analysis reveals that the observed oscillations in the bulk CO 2 concentration correlate mainly with changes in the size of the reacting zone
Approach for heat sinks in monolithic microwave integrated circuits

A planar electrode, placed at the symmetry plane of the odd mode of coupled microstrip, is proposed as a means for heat-sinking active devices in monolithic microwave integrated circuits.
Electrostriction around colloid molecules and interfacial action of inhalation anesthetic: Volume function

Poly(l-lysine) exists as a polyelectrolyte in an aqueous solution with charged -NH3+ of the side-chain terminals at pH values below 10.5, while it loses the charges above this pH. Due to the electrostatic repulsion, the conformation of the charged form is random coil while that of the uncharged form is helix. The densities of each form were measured by an oscillation densimeter at several poly(l-lysine · HBr) concentrations and the apparent molal volumes were estimated. By extrapolating the apparent molal volumes to infinite dilution, the partial molal volumes of each form at infinite dilution were obtained. When expressed by the partial molal volume per residue at infinite dilution, the values were 125.3 cm3 residue−1 for the uncharged form and 112.8 cm3 residue−1 for the charged form at 298.15°K. From the temperature dependence of the partial molal volume, the partial molal expansibilities were found to be 0.070 cm3 residue−1 deg−1 for the uncharged form and 0.106 cm3 residue−1 deg−1 for the charged form. The smaller partial molal expansibility of the uncharged form compared to the charged form is in agreement with the general pattern that hydrophobic macromolecules show smaller expansibility than hydrophilic macromolecules. An inhalation anesthetic, methoxyflurane, did not alter the volume of the uncharged form and expanded only the charged form. At the anesthetic concentration of 1.7 × 10−3 m, the partial molal volume of the charged poly(l-lysine · HBr) was expanded by 0.27%. The partial molal volume of methoxyflurane in aqueous solution was 108.5 cm3 mole−1 at 278.15°K while that of the pure liquid state was 113.1 cm3 mole−1. The decrease of the partial molal volume of methoxyflurane in aqueous solution is attributable to the structuring of water molecules around the anesthetic. The partial molal volume of the anesthetic in the 1.0 × 10−4 m charged poly(l-lysine · HBr) solution was 110.9 cm3 mole−1. This increase of the partial molal volume of methoxyflurane in the peptide solution indicates that the anesthetic-water contact is partially destroyed by the binding.
Endoprostheses last longer than intramedullary devices in proximal femur metastases.

Background The proximal femur is the most common site of surgery for bone metastases, and stabilization may be achieved through intramedullary fixation (IMN) or endoprosthetic reconstruction (EPR). Intramedullary devices are less expensive, less invasive, and may yield improved function over endoprostheses. However, it is unclear which, if either, has any advantages.
Ultra-high frequency photoconductivity decay in GaAs/Ge/GaAs double heterostructure grown by molecular beam epitaxy

GaAs/Ge/GaAs double heterostructures (DHs) were grown in-situ using two separate molecular beam epitaxy chambers. High-resolution x-ray rocking curve demonstrates a high-quality GaAs/Ge/GaAs heterostructure by observing Pendellosung oscillations. The kinetics of the carrier recombination in Ge/GaAs DHs were investigated using photoconductivity decay measurements by the incidence excitation from the front and back side of 15 nm GaAs/100 nm Ge/0.5 μm GaAs/(100)GaAs substrate structure. High-minority carrier lifetimes of 1.06-1.17 μs were measured when excited from the front or from the back of the Ge epitaxial layer, suggests equivalent interface quality of GaAs/Ge and Ge/GaAs. Wavelength-dependent minority carrier recombination properties are explained by the wavelength-dependent absorption coefficient of Ge.
Effects of Support Interaction on the Phase Stability of Rh Oxides Formed during the Aging of α-Alumina Supported Rh in Air

Abstract The phase stability of rhodium oxides formed during the aging of model α-alumina supported rhodium in air at temperatures of 500, 850, and 1000°C is investigated using high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The observed phases of rhodium oxides are similar to those predicted by bulk thermodynamics, with the RhO 2 phase formed at 500°C and the orthorhombic III-Rh 2 O 3 phase formed at 1000°C. However, in some instances, the epitaxy of the rhodium oxide particles with the underlying α-alumina support appears to influence the phases formed, causing the presence of the hexagonal I-Rh 2 O 3 phase at 500 and 850°C. Epitaxial stabilization of rhodium oxide phases is examined from the perspective of lattice matching at the oxide–support interface and minimization of the total oxide particle free energy.
BLUNT RENAL INJURIES OF INTERMEDIATE DEGREE

Abstract Our experience with 104 cases of blunt renal trauma included 20 injuries of intermediate degree. Of this group, urinary extravasation (60 per cent) and parenchymal laceration (100 per cent) were predominant features exhibited by conventional radiographic studies. Both findings do not require surgical intervention and spontaneous resolution can be anticipated. Nephrectomy (9 cases) and heminephrectomy (2 cases) were perhaps performed unnecessarily in this group since 9 similar patients managed either conservatively (7 cases) or subjected to minor operative procedures on the kidney (2 cases) responded with total functional and anatomic recovery. Arteriography is at times recommended since it can provide information that will give confidence in the conservative management of some cases.
Mechanisms of Cognitive Development: Domain-General Learning or Domain-Specific Constraints?

The issue of how people acquire knowledge in the course of individual development has fascinated researchers for thousands of years. Perhaps the earliest recorded effort to put forth a theoretical account belongs to Plato, who famously advocated the idea that knowledge of many abstract categories (e.g., ‘‘equivalence’’) is innate. Although Plato argued with his contemporaries who advocated the empirical basis of knowledge, it was the British empiricists who most forcefully put forth the idea of the empirical basis of knowledge, with John Locke offering the famous ‘‘tabula rasa’’ argument. The first comprehensive psychological treatment of the problem of knowledge acquisition was offered by Piaget (1954), who suggested that knowledge emerges as a result of interactions between individuals and their environments. This was a radical departure from both extreme nativism and extreme empiricism. However, these ideas, as well those of empiricist-minded behaviorists, fell short of providing a viable account of many human abilities, most notably, language acquisition. This inability prompted Chomsky to propose an argument that language cannot be acquired from the available linguistic input because it does not contain enough information to enable the learner to recover a particular grammar, while ruling out alternatives (Chomsky, 1980). Therefore, some knowledge of language must be innate to enable fast, efficient, and invariable language learning under the conditions of the impoverished linguistic input. This argument (i.e., known as the Poverty of the Stimulus argument) has been subsequently generalized to perceptual, lexical, and conceptual development. The 1990 Special Issue of Cognitive Science is an example of such generalization. The current Special Issue on the mechanisms of cognitive development has arrived exactly 20 years after the first Special Issue. In the introduction to the 1990 Special Issue of Cognitive Science, Rochel Gelman stated:
Analysis of Human mRNAs With the Reference Genome Sequence Reveals Potential Errors, Polymorphisms, and RNA Editing

The NCBI Reference Sequence (RefSeq) project and the NIH Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC) together define a set of similar to30,000 nonredundant human mRNA sequences with identified coding regions representing 17,000 distinct loci. These high-quality mRNA sequences allow for the identification of transcribed regions in the human genome sequence, and many researchers accept them as the correct representation of each defined gene sequence. Computational comparison of these mRNA sequences and the recently published essentially finished human genome sequence reveals several thousand undocumented nonsynonymous substitution and frame shift discrepancies between the two resources. Additional analysis is undertaken to verify that the euchromatic human genome is sufficiently complete-containing nearly the whole mRNA collection, thus allowing for a comprehensive analysis to be undertaken. Many of the discrepancies will prove to be genuine polymorphisms in the human population, somatic cell genomic variants, or examples of RNA editing. It is observed that the genome sequence variant has significant additional support from other mRNAs and ESTs, almost four times more often than does the mRNA variant, suggesting that the genome sequence is more accurate. In similar to15% of these cases, there is substantial support for both variants, suggestive of an undocumented polymorphism. An initial screening against a 24-individual genomic DNA diversity panel verified 60% of a small set of potential single nucleotide polymorphisms from which successful results could be obtained. We also find statistical evidence that a few of these discrepancies are due to RNA editing. Overall, these results suggest that the mRNA collections may contain a substantial number of errors. For current and future mRNA collections, it may be prudent to fully reconcile each genome sequence discrepancy, classifying each as a polymorphism, site of RNA editing or somatic cell variation, or genome sequence error.
Knowledge gaining by human genetic studies on tuberculosis susceptibility

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious health issue in the developing world. Lack of knowledge on the etiological mechanisms of TB hinders the development of effective strategies for the treatment or prevention of TB disease. Human genetic study is an indispensable approach to understand the molecular basis of common diseases. Numerous efforts were made to screen the human genome for TB susceptibility by linkage mapping. A large number of candidate-based association studies of TB were conducted to examine the association of predicted functional DNA variations in candidate genes. Recently, the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) on TB was reported. The GWAS is a proof-of-principle evidence that justifies the genetic approach to understand TB. Further hypothesis-free efforts on TB research may renovate the traditional idea of TB genetic susceptibility as none of the candidate genes with important roles in containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection was identified of association with active TB, whereas the TB-associated loci in the GWAS harbors no gene with function in MTB infection.
Static Worst-Case Lifetime Estimation of Vigil Net

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are increasingly used in our daily life. However, since the battery lifetime of a WSN node is restricted, the lifetime of a WSN is also limited. Thus, it is crucial to determine this limited lifetime in advance for preventing service interruptions. This paper proposes a feasible static analysis approach to estimate the worst-case lifetime of WSNs, with specific focus on Vigil Net. We statically estimate the lifetime of each node in Vigil Net with a fixed initial energy budget through a hybrid approach, which integrates an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) based method to obtain the worst-case CPU energy consumption and domain-specific scenarios analysis to compute the worst-case radio energy consumption. Our experimental results indicate that this static approach can safely and accurately estimate the worst-case lifetime for WSNs.
MAVS forms functional prion-like aggregates to activate and propagate antiviral innate immune response.

In response to viral infection, RIG-I-like RNA helicases bind to viral RNA and activate the mitochondrial protein MAVS, which in turn activates the transcription factors IRF3 and NF-κB to induce type I interferons. We have previously shown that RIG-I binds to unanchored lysine-63 (K63) polyubiquitin chains and that this binding is important for MAVS activation; however, the mechanism underlying MAVS activation is not understood. Here, we show that viral infection induces the formation of very large MAVS aggregates, which potently activate IRF3 in the cytosol. We find that a fraction of recombinant MAVS protein forms fibrils that are capable of activating IRF3. Remarkably, the MAVS fibrils behave like prions and effectively convert endogenous MAVS into functional aggregates. We also show that, in the presence of K63 ubiquitin chains, RIG-I catalyzes the conversion of MAVS on the mitochondrial membrane to prion-like aggregates. These results suggest that a prion-like conformational switch of MAVS activates and propagates the antiviral signaling cascade.
Three-Dimensional Structure of HIV-1 Rev Protein Filaments

Abstract The HIV-1 Rev protein facilitates the export of incompletely spliced and unspliced viral mRNAs from the nucleus. Rev polymerizes into two types of filamentsin vitro. In the presence of RNA, Rev forms poorly ordered structures, while in the absence of RNA it polymerizes into regular hollow filaments. We have determined the helical structure of the latter filaments by analysis of cryo-electron micrographs, taking into account STEM measurements of mass-per-unit-length. They are made up of Rev dimers, arranged in a six-start helix, with 31 dimers in 2 turns, a pitch angle of 45°, and an interstrand spacing of 3.8 nm. Three-dimensional reconstruction at 2.1 nm resolution reveals a smooth outer surface and a featured inner surface, with outer and inner diameters of ≈14.8 and ≈10.4 nm, respectively. The Rev dimer has a “top-hat” shape with a cylinder ≈3.2 nm in diameter and ≈2.2 nm high, pointing inward: the thinner rim areas pack together to form the filament wall. Raman spectroscopy shows polymerized Rev to have ≈54% α-helix and 20–24% β-sheet content. Electron microdiffraction of aligned filaments reveals a broad meridional reflection at ≈(0.51 nm)−1, suggesting approximate alignment of the α-helices with the filament axis. Based on these data, a molecular model for the Rev filament is proposed.
A Pareto optimal characterization of Rawls' social choice mechanism

Abstract Rawls argued that, given a set R a of admissible social choice mechanisms, the parties, who have assembled at the ‘original position’ to make a social contract, will declare as ‘most just’, and hence choose, the Rawls mechanism. We show that the social justice preference relationship ⦔N admits a unique maximal element over R a, which is the Rawls mechanism, if Anonymity Principle, Pareto Principle of Justice, and certain mostly topological assumptions hold. The ‘justice content’ of the mechanisms is measured by the signature function, by means of which it is ensured that the mechanism neither assigns arbitrarily small amounts of utility to, nor favors, any individual.
How to make AXIOM into a scratchpad

Scratchpad [GrJe71] was a computer algebra system developed in the early 1970s. Like M&M (Maple [CGG91ab] and Mathematical [W01S92]) and other systems today, Scratchpad had one principal representation for mathematical formulae based on “expression trees”. Its user interface design was based on a pattern-matching paradigm with infinite rewriterule semantics, providing what we believe to be the most natural paradigm for interactive symbolic problem solving. Like M&M, however, user programs were interpreted, often resulting in poor performance relative to similar facilities coded in standard programming languages such as FORTRAN and C. Scratchpad development stopped in 1976 giving way to a new system design ([ JenR79], [JeTr81]) that evolved into AXIOM [JeSu92]. AXIOM has a strongly-typed programming language for building a library of parameterized types and algorithms, and a type-inferencing interpreter that accesses the library and can build any of an infinite number of types for interactive use. We suggest that the addition of an expression tree type to AXIOM can allow users to operate with the same freedom and convenience of untyped systems without giving up the expressive power and run-time efficiency provided by the type system. We also present a design that supports a multiplicity y of programming styles, from the Scratchpad pattern-matching paradigm to functional programming to more conventional procedural programming. The resulting design seems to us to combine the best features of Scratchpad with current AXIOM and to offer a most attractive, flexible, and user-friendly environment for interactive problem solving. Section 2 is a discussion of design issues contrasting AXIOMwith other symbolic systems. Sections 3 and 4 is an assessment of AXIOM’s current design for building libraries and interactive use. Section 5 describes a new interface design for AXIOM, its resulting paradigms, and its underlying semantic model. Section 6 compares this work with others.
Change in occlusal height resulting from placement of pit and fissure sealants.

Abstract This in-vitro study was done to identify the amount of change in occlusal height resulting from standard sealant application technique and to determine whether this change was uniform for both a filled and an unfilled sealant material. Twelve dental hygienists experienced in sealant technique each applied 10 filled sealants and 10 unfilled sealants in standardized artificial teeth mounted in a dentiform and mannikin setup in a dental unit. The teeth were measured with a digital caliper before and after sealant placement. Measurements were from a predetermined point at the apical area of the teeth to the depth of the central fossa. For the sample of 240 teeth, the mean sealant thickness was 0.43 ± 0.20 mm. When the data for the filled and unfilled sealants were examined separately, the means were 0.47 ± 0.23 mm and 0.38 ± 0.16 mm, respectively. A t-test indicated a significant difference at p p
Evaluation of recent advances in continuous film coating processes.

Background: Continuous film coating processes are recognized for their high production rates but have had slow acceptance for pharmaceutical production because of perceived high product losses during start-up and shut-down. In this article, the recent improvements in continuous coater designs were evaluated with respect to coating uniformity and reduction in product losses. Two separate studies represent trials conducted in newly redesigned continuous coating pans from two different coating pan manufacturers. Method: Multivitamin tablets were coated with Opadry® II, high performance film coating system, in both batch and continuous modes in the continuous coater. Tablet samples collected throughout all phases of the process were tested for color development and uniformity. Soft gelatin capsules were coated with a delayed release coating formulation, Nutrateric®, nutritional enteric coating system. Samples of the soft gelatin capsules were taken throughout the process and tested for resistance to simulated...
D-branes and topological field theories

In the presence of a D-brane a string theory develops a new subsector. We show that for curved D-branes the corresponding sector is a (partially twisted) topological field theory. We use this result to compute the degeneracy of 2-branes wrapped around K3 cycles as well as 3-branes wrapped around CY three-fold vanishing 3-cycles. In both cases we find the degeneracy is in accord with expectation. The counting of BPS states of a gas of 0-branes in the presence of a 4-brane in K3 is considered and it is noted that the effective 0-brane charge is shifted by 1, due to a quantum correction. This is in accord with string duality and the fact that the left-moving ground-state energy of the heterotic string starts at −1. We also show that all the three different topological twistings of four-dimensional N = 4 Yang-Mills theory do arise from curved 3-branes embedded in different spaces (Calabi-Yau manifolds and manifolds with exceptional holonomy groups).
Accelerated Induction of Two-Kidney Hypertension in Rats and Renin-Angiotensin Sensitivity

Studies were performed to substantiate the hypothesis that a physiological change, apart from the rise in blood pressure, occurs in two-kidney hypertensive rats. Both the slow development of hypertension following renal arterial constriction versus its rapid reversal following removal of the constriction and the early increase in plasma renin activity which subsides in the chronic hypertensive phase suggest such a progressive change. We studied the development of hypertension following initial renal arterial constriction (clipping) and after reclipping in rats that had been relieved of two-kidney hypertension by unclipping for 2 or 21 days. Full hypertensive blood pressure levels were established within 1-2 hours after reclipping in 2-day unclipped rats, but similar levels were not reached in either of the other two groups for at least 1 week. These changes in response to renal arterial constriction were paralleled by differences in responsiveness to hog renin and angiotensin infusions. Plasma renin activity 1 hour after clipping or reclipping was adequate to account for the observed blood pressure increases in all groups. These data suggest that (1) a physiological change resulting in increased vasoresponsiveness to renin and angiotensin occurs concomitantly with the development of two-kidney hypertension and (2) this type of hypertension is dependent on both renin and increased sensitivity to angiotensin. Moreover, we suggest that study of recently unelipped, normotensive rats may help to uncover the causes for the angiotensin sensitivity change.
Conservation of Borneo biodiversity: do small lowland parks have a role, or are big inland sanctuaries sufficient? Brunei as an example

Borneo, the World’s fourth largest island, represents a continental mass sandwiched between volcanic arcs. Patterns of tree species richness, here proposed as proxy for overall biodiversity, and endemism within the island are described and interpreted with special reference to Dipterocarpaceae. Most of Borneo’s surface is sedimentary shales, mostly inland, and sandstones, mostly coastal, deposited in past epicontinental seas. The shales mainly support the regional West Malesian (Sundaland) tree flora, while the Neogene coastal hills, especially in the north-west, support the richest communities which are also richest in endemics. The forests of these hills, which include the richest tree communities in the Old World and are therefore of global significance, are accessible and critically endangered. Priorities for their future management are outlined.
Growth of strontium titanate from a silica flux

A survey of selected compositions in the ternary system SrO-TiO2-SiO2 by high-temperature microscopy has shown that single crystals of SrTiO3 may be grown from a silica flux. Crystals up to 2.5 mm in longest dimension were obtained in a small scale experiment by slow cooling of a 20 g melt of mole ratio 1 SrTiO3 : 1 SiO2. The crystals are clear, colorless to pale brown, of good optical quality, free from inclusions and show no evidence of solid solution by X-ray powder diffractometry.
The adoption of customer service improvement practices

A study of 20 customer service improvement practices tests several hypotheses that explore the antecedents and consequences of customer service improvement practice adoption. Adoption was observed to coevolve with organization size and to be higher in firms that claim service excellence superiority and firms that face operating environments where service delivery is more uncertain. In the public service sector, where market winnowing and incentives are much lower, organizations adopted fewer service improvement practices. The diffusion penetration of service improvement practices in the health care, finance and banking, professional, and lodging and food service sectors was correlated with the extent to which service improvement practices explain service excellence in each sector. Imitation and learning is service sector specific.
Predictors of Patient Cognitive Therapy Skills and Symptom Change in Two Randomized Clinical Trials: The Role of Therapist Adherence and the Therapeutic Alliance

Objective: Previous research has found that therapist adherence to concrete, problem-focused cognitive therapy (CT) techniques predicts depressive symptom change (e.g., Feeley, DeRubeis, & Gelfand, 1999). More recently, Strunk, DeRubeis, Chui, and Alvarez (2007) demonstrated that in-session evidence of patients’ use of CT skills was related to a lower rate of relapse in the year following CT for depression. The current investigation attempts to integrate and extend these findings within 2 separate samples of patients and therapists. Method: Drawing from the CT samples (N 105, mean age 40 years, female 62%, White 82%) of 2 published randomized clinical trials of depression treatment, we conducted analyses to examine whether therapist adherence to concrete CT techniques (Collaborative Study Psychotherapy Rating Scale) and the quality of the therapeutic alliance (Working Alliance Inventory) predict patients’ use of CT skills (Performance of Cognitive Therapy Strategies) and subsequent Beck Depression Inventory symptom change. Results: Results indicated a differential pattern of prediction in the 2 samples. In one, CT techniques exhibited a stronger association with patient CT skills and symptom change than did the alliance, whereas the reverse pattern emerged in the second sample. A baseline symptom severity CT techniques interaction indicated that between-study differences in intake depression severity might in part explain the process–outcome differences. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that the nature of the therapy sample examined may moderate process–outcome findings in psychotherapy research. The implications of these results and directions for future research are discussed.
The Anopheles gambiae tryptophan oxygenase gene expressed from a baculovirus promoter complements Drosophila melanogaster vermilion

An Anopheles gambiae cDNA encoding tryptophan oxygenase was placed under the control of the constitutive baculovirus promoter, ie-1. The chimeric construct, expressed transiently in vermilion (tryptophan oxygenase) mutants of Drosophila melanogaster, partially rescued adult eye color. The successful genetic complementation by this construct demonstrated both the proper function of the tryptophan oxygenase product and the effectiveness of the ie-1 promoter in directing expression of foreign genes in live insects. The functionality of An. gambiae tryptophan oxygenase in a higher fly fulfils predictions based on its structural conservation throughout millions of years of independent evolution.
Ponded Sediments of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between 22° and 23° North Latitude

The numerous valleys of the flanks of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge are partly filled with sediment. The petrology of sediments from two such valleys (ponds) near 22° N. latitude shows that the material has been deposited by turbidity currents. The material has been derived from calcareous pelagic deposits which mantle the surrounding hills. The turbidite sequences show peculiarities which can be explained by assuming that the currents rebounded repeatedly from the pond walls. A theoretical model for the flow of these currents agrees well with density, thickness, and composition parameters that can be derived from the deposits and points to the occurrence of a hydraulic jump at the base of the slope. Adjacent valleys are separated by divides, and each valley contains an independent sedimentation unit. Good correlation exists between the volume of sediment in each valley and the size of the surrounding hill area from which the sediment was derived. Removal of 15 m of sediment from the entire region is required to account for the sediment that now fills the valleys. The oldest sediment outcropping in this region is upper Miocene, and the average sedimentation rate of the pelagic deposits can be estimated as approximately 3 mm/1000 years. In the ponds, the rate is much greater; more than 9 m of late Quaternary sediment have been found. Recently, the valleys have been faulted and partly uplifted. The accompanying earthquake activity may have initiated the turbidity currents responsible for the present rapid deposition on the valley floors.
High power organic cathodes using thin films of electropolymerized benzidine polymers

Thin films of benzidine polymers were electrochemically deposited directly onto conductive substrates by oxidative coupling of di- and trianilinoalkane monomers. The electropolymerization and electrochemical properties of the polymers were optimized by varying the alkyl linker. Polymer films exhibited two reversible one-electron transfers at high potentials (>3.3 V vs. Li/Li(+)) and maintained discharge capacities in excess of 150 mA h g(-1) even when discharged in under 4 seconds.
Nonlinear Dynamics of MEMS Arches Under Harmonic Electrostatic Actuation

We present an investigation of the nonlinear dynamics of clamped-clamped micromachined arches when actuated by a dc electrostatic load superimposed on an ac harmonic load. The Galerkin method is used to discretize the distributed-parameter model of a shallow arch to obtain a reduced-order model. The static response of the arch due to a dc load actuation is simulated, and the results are validated by comparing them to experimental data. The dynamic response of the arch to a combined dc load and ac harmonic load is studied when excited near its fundamental natural frequency, twice its fundamental natural frequency, and near other higher harmonic modes. The results show a variety of interesting nonlinear phenomena, such as hysteresis, softening behavior, dynamic snap-through, and dynamic pull-in. The results are also shown demonstrating the potential to use microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) arches as bandpass filters and low-powered switches. An experimental work is conducted to test arches realized of curved polysilicon microbeams when excited by dc and ac loads. Experimental data are shown for the softening behavior and the dynamic pull-in of the curved microbeams.
Tunicate Endostyles: Histochemistry of Acidic Glycoproteins Re‐examined in Ciona intestinalis and Styela plicata

Previous reports of tunicate endostyles have suggested that they contain little or no acidic glycoproteins in the glandular zones. The endostyles of Ciona intestinalis and Styela plicata were examined after anhydrous fixation with cyanuric chloride. Polyanions were stained with alcian blue (AB) at pH 2.5 or azure A, while sulfomucins were stained with high-iron diamine (HID) or AB at pH 1.0. Endostyles were also tested for sensitivity to acid hydrolysis (AH) and saponification. In Ciona zones 2 and 4 sometimes demonstrated positive HID and AB 1.0 responses. Almost invariably zone 6 was AB+ at pH 2.5; zones 2 and 4 were frequently responsive to AB, but less intense. Each of these 3 zones, when AB+, was sensitive to AH. Responses by zones 3 and 5 to AB (pH 2.5), azure A and saponification suggest that these zones contain mostly nuclear material. In secretory zones 2, 4 and 6 histological responses are consistent with the histochemistry of sialomucins. Zones 1 and 8 had sulfated material in the apical edges in both animal groups. Among the fixatives used for Ciona, only anhydrous fixation demonstrated most of the positive responses to polyanion-sensitive stains.
Reduction in Fecundity and Shifts in Cellular Processes by a Native Virus on an Invasive Insect

Pathogens and their vectors have coevolutionary histories that are intricately intertwined with their ecologies, environments, and genetic interactions. The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, is native to East Asia but has quickly become one of the most important aphid pests in soybean-growing regions of North America. In this study, we used bioassays to examine the effects of feeding on soybean infected with a virus it vectors (Soybean mosaic virus [SMV]) and a virus it does not vector (Bean pod mottle virus [BPMV]) have on A. glycines survival and fecundity. The genetic underpinnings of the observed changes in fitness phenotype were explored using RNA-Seq. Aphids fed on SMV-infected soybean had transcriptome and fitness profiles that were similar to that of aphids fed on healthy control plants. Strikingly, a significant reduction in fecundity was seen in aphids fed on BPMV-infected soybean, concurrent with a large and persistent downregulation of A. glycines transcripts involved in regular cellular activities. Although molecular signatures suggested a small regulatory RNA pathway defense response was repressed in aphids feeding on infected plants, BPMV did not appear to be replicating in the vector. These results suggest that incompatibilities with BPMV or the effects of BPMV infection on soybean caused A. glycines to allot available energy resources to survival rather than reproduction and other core cellular processes. Ultimately, the detrimental impacts to A. glycines may reflect the short tritrophic evolutionary histories between the insect, plant, and virus.
The association of perceived discrimination with low back pain

A handful of recent studies have documented perceived discrimination as a correlate of poor physical and mental health status among ethnic and racial minority groups. To date, however, despite a proliferation of research on ethnic disparities in the severity and impact of a number of persistent pain conditions, there have been no reports on associations between perceived discrimination and pain-related symptoms. Using data from a national survey (the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States; MIDUS), we explore the relationships between perceived discriminatory events and the report of back pain among African-American and white men and women. As expected, African-American participants reported substantially greater perceptions of discrimination than white participants. Moreover, in models that included a variety of physical and mental health variables, episodes of major lifetime discriminatory events were the strongest predictors of back pain report in African-Americans, and perceived day-to-day discrimination was the strongest predictor of back pain report specifically in African-American women. Among white participants, perceptions of discrimination were minimally related or unrelated to back pain. To our knowledge, these are the first data documenting an association between perceived discrimination and report of back pain; the fact that perceptions of discrimination were stronger predictors than physical health variables highlights the potential salience and adverse impact of perceived discrimination in ethnic and racial minority groups.
Challenging expectancies to prevent nonmedical prescription stimulant use: a randomized, controlled trial.

Background College students continue to report nonmedical prescription stimulant use to enhance alertness and concentration. Despite increasing prevalence of this behavior, techniques for preventing or treating it are lacking. An intervention that focuses on challenging positive consequence-oriented beliefs about prescription stimulants may be efficacious in preventing use.
"WHEN THE COMPUTER TAKES OVER THE OFFICE"- UPDATE

Now that the computer has taken over the office and, incidentally, has changed the structure, contours, and dynamics of the business world, there is urgent need for a dispassionate assessment of what has been going on for the past quarter century and what is ongoing now, with the fateful 1984 a flip of the calendar away and the turn of the century not far off. An assessment of that kind would not have been possible in 1960, when the Harvard Business Review first printed the article, “When the Computer Takes Over the Office”. (Subsequently, it was distributed under the aegis of the University of California's Institute of Industrial Relations as part of their reprint series.) At the time, electronic data processing was still in its infancy and regarded as a mere timorous technological step beyond tried‐and‐true Hollerith systems. Talk of “takeover” must have seemed like an egregious flying in the face of conventional wisdom. What, after all, could be so threatening about a fast abacus? All it was doing was, presumably, cutting down paper work or speeding up paper flow. Then, as now, the electronics industry was self‐conscious about its public image and welcomed only praise for its noble contributions to society's wellbeing. Any intimation that automation was not an unmitigated blessing for all people was regarded as a manifestation of an unfriendly predisposition against progress, perhaps even subversive and un‐American. One manufacturer went so far as to demand, in an open letter to the press, that the editors of the Harvard Business Review repudiate the Hoos article. A reply was in order and mine was simple: it is not my business to peddle nor to soft‐pedal automation.