cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Symbiotic loci of Rhizobium meliloti identified by random TnphoA mutagenesis.

Abstract We have developed a system for using TnphoA (TnphoA is Tn5 IS50L::phoA), which generates fusions to alkaline phosphatase (C. Manoil and J. Beckwith, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:8129-8133, 1985), in Rhizobium meliloti. Active fusions expressing alkaline phosphatase can arise only when this transposon inserts in genes encoding secreted or membrane-spanning proteins. By confining our screening to 1,250 TnphoA-generated mutants of R. meliloti that expressed alkaline phosphatase, we efficiently identified 25 symbiotically defective mutants, all of which formed ineffective (Fix-) nodules on alfalfa. Thirteen of the mutants were unable to synthesize an acidic exopolysaccharide (exo::TnphoA) that is required for nodule invasion. Twelve of the mutations created blocked at later stages of nodule development (fix::TnphoA) and were assigned to nine symbiotic loci. One of these appeared to be a previously undescribed locus located on the pRmeSU47a megaplasmid and to encode a membrane protein. Two others were located on the pRmeSU47b megaplasmid: one was a new locus which was induced by luteolin and encoded a membrane protein, and the other was dctA, the structural gene for dicarboxylic acid transport. The remaining six loci were located on the R. meliloti chromosome. One of these was inducible by luteolin and encoded a membrane protein which determined lipopolysaccharide structure. Three additional chromosomal loci also appeared to encode membrane proteins necessary for symbiosis. The remaining two chromosomal loci encoded periplasmic proteins required for symbiosis.
Characterization of the toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity of methacrylonitrile in F344 Rats and B6C3F1 mice.

Methacrylonitrile is an unsaturated aliphatic nitrile. It is widely used in the preparation of homopolymers and copolymers, elastomers, and plastics, and as a chemical intermediate in the preparation of acids, amides, amines, esters, and other nitriles. Methacrylonitrile was nominated for study by the National Cancer Institute (USA) because of the potential for human exposure, structural similarity to the known carcinogen acrylonitrile, and a lack of toxicity and carcinogenicity data. Doses selected for the 2-year study were based on the results of the 13-week gavage studies. Groups of 50 male and 50 female animals were exposed by gavage to 0, 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg in F344 rats, and 0, 1.5, 3 or 6 mg/kg in B6C3F1 mice, 5 days per week for 2 years. Urinary excretion of N-acetyl-S-(2-cyanopropyl)-l-cysteine (NACPC) and N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxypropyl)-l-cysteine (NAHPC) were measured as markers of exposure at various time points after methacrylonitrile administration, and demonstrated that exposure of animals to methacrylonitrile occurred as intended. Urinary excretion of NACPC and NAHPC increased in rats and mice in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast to observations in rats, the ratios of NACPC/creatinine were generally higher in female than in male mice. Further, the ratios of NAHPC/creatinine in rats were significantly greater at all time points and all doses than the corresponding ratios of NACPC/creatinine in male and female mice. In both rats and mice, survival was not affected by treatment. In rats, mean body weights of the 30 mg/kg groups were less than those of the vehicle controls after weeks 21 and 37 for males and females, respectively. No treatment-related effect on body weight was seen in mice. There were no neoplasms (in either species) or non-neoplastic lesions (mice only) that were attributed to methacrylonitrile administration. In rats, the incidences of olfactory epithelial atrophy and metaplasia of the nose were significantly greater in 30 mg/kg males and females than those in the vehicle controls. Increased incidences of cytoplasmic vacuolation occurred in the liver of males and females. Testing methacrylonitrile in a battery of short-term in vitro and in vivo tests showed no evidence of genotoxicity. In conclusion, under the conditions of these 2-year gavage studies, there was no evidence of a carcinogenic activity of methacrylonitrile in male or female F344/N rats or B6C3F1 mice. Methacrylonitrile-related non-neoplastic lesions were seen in the nose and liver of rats.
Human activities that may lead to high inhaled intake doses in children aged 6–13

Abstract This paper focuses on possible activities of children aged 6–13 that may make them susceptible to high hourly intake doses of ozone (O 3 ) air pollution. Data from an O 3 exposure modeling exercise indicates that relatively few hours can account for a significant amount of the total cumulative ozone intake dose ( D I T ) received in a year. While O 3 concentration levels affected the hourly intake dose ( D Ih ) more than breathing rate ( V E ), there was a distinct and significant relationship between V E and D Ih when hours in a year were stratified by concentration levels. By investigating the V E levels associated with high dose hours, it appears that activities with an hourly V E rate of between 25 and 45 l/min can lead to high intake doses of O 3 . The exercise literature was reviewed to ascertain which activities could lead to that range of V E 's and be sustained by children for 1 h. A list of such activities was developed. If an analyst is interested only in modeling high D Ih hours for children aged 6–13, an efficient approach might be to focus on those activities and estimate D I T for the other hours in an aggregated manner.
A link between protein translation and body weight

Nutrient overload induces obesity, a primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Ribosomal biogenesis and protein synthesis, which are controlled by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), are primary energy-consuming processes in cells. mTOR phosphorylates and inactivates members of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding (eIF4E-binding) protein (4E-BP) family, which are translational repressors of 5' cap-dependent protein synthesis. In this issue of the JCI, Le Bacquer et al. report that simultaneous deletion of both 4E-BP1 and 4E-BP2 in mice results in insulin resistance, decreased energy expenditure, and increased adipogenesis (see the related article beginning on page 387). These findings link protein synthesis, insulin sensitivity, and body weight.
Party competition and the politics of economic openness and growth

. The political effects of economic openness have recently attracted considerable scholarly attention. This paper analyzes the relationships between openness of trade, party competition, and economic performance in 15 advanced Western democracies. Restraints on party competition are found to depend more on domestic social pluralism than on openness of trade. Economic growth is promoted both by economic exposure and by party-system competition. The results suggest that restraints on political competition may be less beneficial in party systems than in interest group systems.
Hinge loss bound approach for surrogate supervision multi-view learning

In multi-view learning, a classifier for different partitions (views) of the feature vector is commonly sought after. We consider the special case of surrogate supervision multi-view learning in which a classifier for one view is sought after, however, no labeled examples are available for that view. Instead, the training set consists of only labeled examples for the other view as well as unlabeled two-view data. While it is straightforward to train and test a classifier in the labeled view, it is challenging to perform the same task in the view where labels are unavailable. To solve this problem, we introduce an upper bound on the classical hinge loss (commonly used in support vector machines) that is well suited for the surrogate supervision multi-view learning setup. The bound only requires labeled examples from the other view and unlabeled examples of the two views. Using this approach, we introduce the surrogate supervision multi-class support vector machine (SSM-SVM). We evaluate the algorithm and compare it to other algorithms on a collection of datasets. We present an application of the algorithm to lip reading using audiovisual dataset.
III. Is Life Worth Living? It Depends upon the Liver

THE concept that I should like to put forward is supported by the old pun in the title and runs something like this: treatment of liver disease has been most successful against the complications wh...
Global Flexibility in a Sensory Receptor: a Site-Directed Cross-Linking Approach

The aspartate receptor of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium is a cell surface sensory transducer that binds extracellular aspartate and sends a transmembrane signal to the inside of the bacterium. The flexibility and allostery of this receptor was examined by placing sulfhydryl groups as potential cross-linking sites at targeted locations in the protein. Seven different mutant receptors were constructed, each containing a single cysteine residue at a different position in the primary structure. Intramolecular disulfide bond formation within oligomers of these mutant receptors is shown to trap structural fluctuations and to detect ligand-induced changes in structure. The results indicate that the receptor oligomer has a flexible, dynamic structure which undergoes a global change upon aspartate binding.
A Structural Analysis of Religious Orientation and its Relation to Sexual Attitudes

A total of 201 individuals completed a revision of Allport and Ross' Religious Orientation Scale (ROS) in addition to the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory. A factor analysis of the ROS confirmed previous research by finding two extrinsic dimensions of personal and social orientation. In addition, two intrinsic factors interpreted as representing ethical and intellectual dimensions were also identified. Generally, stronger intrinsic religious orientation was associated with the holding of conservative sexual attitudes while stronger extrinsic religious orientation was associated with the holding of more liberal sexual attitudes and less overall satisfaction with one's sexual relationship.
Prenatal screening for cystic fibrosis: past, present and future

Prenatal screening for cystic fibrosis is reviewed. The disease, gene involved, molecular basis of disease, genotype/phenotype correlations and pilot trials are discussed, as well as historical perspectives, background and American College of Medical Genetics/American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommendations. A number of complex challenges to the implementation of cystic fibrosis screening exist, including mutation testing of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR), as well as laboratory and clinical issues. Current technologies for CFTR testing include reverse dot blots, amplification refractory mutation detection systems, oligonucleotide ligation assays, the Invader assay and NanoChip system. Emerging technologies are also considered, as well as quality assurance measures including analytical and clinical validation, reporting, residual risk calculations and prenatal diagnosis. An even greater challenge is clinical implementation, which focuses upon education and communication, choosing models, reporting, counseling and prenatal diagnosis.
General Weissenberg effect in free surface rheometry part II: Experiments

This paper reports the results of an experimental investigation to determine the climbing constants of viscoelastic liquids in the rotating rod geometry with two layers of viscoelastic liquids and the results of an investigation which describes the effects of eccentricity on the free surface shape of a non-Newtonian liquid in motion between eccentric cylinders. The former set of results shows the rotating rod geometry with a layered medium of viscoelastic liquids may be used as a free surface viscometer yielding reliable and reproducible values for the sequentially determined climbing constants of those liquids. The latter set of results indicates that the concentric cylinder geometry is not a good free surface viscometer. Very small eccentricities generate large circumferential pressure gradients which overwhelm small normal stress effects. There is good agreement between experimental and second order predictions for small eccentricities and rotational speeds and fluids which display large normal stress effects.
Air pollution and cardiopulmonary functions.

To determine the long-term effects of air pollutants on adolescents, 42 high school students from an urban industrialized area (Barberton, Ohio) were compared with 50 from a rural area (Revere, Ohio). The comparative measures were vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume (FEV1.0), maximal midexpiratory flow (MMF), and maximal indirect oxygen consumption ([Vdot]o2 max). The subjects were all males and were drawn from original populations that were studied three years ago with VC and FEV0.75 being the tests of pulmonary function used. The results of this study were similar to those of the first. The Barberton group had a mean VC that was lower than the mean of the Revere group (P < .01). Neither FEV1.0 nor MMF were significantly different but [vdot]o2 max was P < .01). Since values for air pollutants are consistantly higher in Barberton, it is concluded that such pollutants should be considered important contributory factors in the impairment of cardiopulmonary functions.
Fooled by expediency, saved by duality: how i denied the fallacies of distributed programming and trivialized the CAP theorem, but found the truth in math

Serendipitously, I recently picked up a copy of the book "Leadership and Self-Deception" at my local thrift store. According to Wikipedia "Self-deception is a process of denying or rationalizing away the relevance, significance, or importance of opposing evidence and logical argument." While reading the book, it occurred to me that I unknowingly minimized and repressed the fallacies of distributed programming and the CAP theorem in my own work on "Democratizing the Cloud". Instead redirecting the forces that distribution imposes on the design of systems to create the simplest possible, and correct, solution, I foolishly tried to attack them directly thereby making things more difficult than necessary, and of course ultimately fail. Fortunately, I found redemption for my sins by turning to math. By judicious use of categorical duality, literally reversing the arrows, we show how scalable is the dual of non-scalable. The result is a scalable and compositional approach to building distributed systems that we believe is so simple it can be applied by the average developer.
Investigation of MEMS Resonator Characteristics for Long-Term and Wide Temperature Variation Operation

Two types of single-crystal silicon micromechanical resonators having resonant frequencies at 150 kHz and 130 kHz were tested under harsh environment to investigate stability. To observe long-term stability, the main characteristics, such as resonant frequency and quality factor were measured over 2,500 hrs continuously while maintaining constant environmental temperature at 25°C±0.1 °C. A separate experiment was also initiated to show stability during temperature cycling from −50°C to 80 °C. In both experiments, the total change in resonant frequency were less than 10 ppm and quality factor less than 10%, which demonstrates the stability of encapsulated micromechanical resonators upon exposure to harsh environments.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Flow over a twin-tailed aircraft at angle of attack. II - Temporal characteristics

Revised May 5, 1991 Flow Over a Twin-Tailed Aircraft at Angle of Attack. Part I: Spatial Characteristics N.M. Komerath1, S.G.Liou2, R.J. Schwartz3, J.M. Kim3 School of Aerospace Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, Georgia 30332 ABSTRACT A quantitative study is reported on the low-speed flow environment of scale models of a twin-tailed fighter aircraft at high angles of attack. Laser sheet flow visualization is used to observe the various sources of vortex generation, and the evolution of these vortex flows. Surface tufts are used to observe the nature of flow separation on the vertical tails as angle of attack is varied. Laser Doppler velocimetry is used to quantify the time-averaged three-dimensional velocity field, and histograms of velocity, in selected planes proceeding from the inlets to the vertical tails. No concentrated vortex is observed near the vertical tails, however, the tails are seen to be immersed in a vortex flow of large radius. Flow separation propagates up the outside surfaces of the vertical tails, with increasing angle of attack; however, the flow on the inside surfaces of the tails remains largely attached. The flow angularity at the tails varies widely along the tail span, is sensitive to angle of attack, and fluctuates over a wide range at each location. These results are found to be relatively insensitive to the precise modeling of inlet through-flow and inlet attitude. Contours of the root-mean square velocity fluctuations indicate that the largest fluctuations occur in the separated flow immediately above the wing surfaces. ______________ __________________________________________________________ 1: Associate Professor. Member, AIAA 2. Post-Doctoral Fellow. Member, AIAA 3. Graduate Research Assistant. Student Member, AIAA
On sub-optimal fixed point and fixed lag smoothing in non-linear systems

Algorithms for obtaining sub-optimal filtering, fixed-point smoothing, and fixed-lag smoothing estimates of the state of a non-linear system given noisy discrete time measurements are presented. The filtering problem involves obtaining estimates of the states x(kT) and x((k −1)T), and the smoothing algorithms generate an estimate of the state x((k — N)T) for either (k — N) or N constant, where T is the time increment between receiving measurements and k= 0, 1,…, is the discrete time index. An example is included to illustrate the utility of the smoothing algorithms for obtaining estimates superior to filtering results.
Description of Impurity Ionization in Semiconductors by Chemical Thermodynamics

The phenomenon of impurity ionization is considered on the basis of exact thermodynamics, involving an extension of the usual mass-action formulism. To make possible the evaluation of quantities of interest in the two-band model of covalent semiconductors, comparison is made with the statistical formulation of ionization equilibrium. Particular consideration is given to the concentration dependence of the impurity ionization energy. Interactions between ionized impurities and mobile carriers are treated by the Debye-H\"uckel theory of strong electrolytes; the treatment involves only one parameter which must be determined from experimental carrier densities. Very good agreement is found for arsenic-doped germanium using the detailed data and analysis of Debye and Conwell.
Implementation of a near backscattering imaging system on the National Ignition Facility

A near backscattering imaging diagnostic system is being implemented on the first quad of beams on the National Ignition Facility. This diagnostic images diffusing scatter plates, placed around the final focus lenses on the National Ignition Facility target chamber, to quantitatively measure the fraction of light backscattered outside of the focusing cone angle of incident laser beam. A wide-angle imaging system relays an image of light scattered outside the lens onto a gated charge coupled device camera, providing 3 mm resolution over a 2 m field of view. To account for changes of the system throughput due to exposure to target debris the system will be routinely calibrated in situ at 532 and 355 nm using a dedicated pulsed laser source.
The standard enthalpies of combustion and formation of n-butylbenzene, the dimethylethylbenzenes, and the tetramethylbenzenes in the condensed state☆☆☆

Abstract The enthalpies of combustion of n-butylbenzene and nine of its isomers were determined by precision oxygen-bomb combustion calorimetry. Based on the mass of sample burned, the following values are reported for the standard enthalpy of combustion ΔHoo(298.15 K)/kcalthmol−1 of nine of these compounds in the liquid state: n-butylbenzene, −(1403.68±0.26); 1,2-dimethyl-3-ethylbenzene, −(1399.48±0.28); 1,2-dimethyl-4-ethylbenzene, −(1398.16±0.24); 1,3-dimethyl-3-ethylbenzene, −(1399.57±0.27); 1,3-dimethyl-4-ethylbenzene, −(1398.62±0.27); 1,3-dimethyl-5-ethylbenzene, −(1397.74±0.25); 1,4-dimethyl-2-ethylbenzene, −(1398.45±0.26); 1,2,3,4-tetramethylbenzene, −(1397.16±0.27); and 1,2,3,5-tetramethylbenzene, −(1395.69±0.26). 1,2,4,5-Tetramethylbenzene is a crystalline solid at room temperature, and small pieces of glass were found within the sample invalidating the determination of sample mass. Based on the mass of carbon dioxide recovered from its combustion, the standard enthalpy of combustion ΔHoo(298.15 K)/kcalthmol−1 of solid 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene is −(1390.07±0.29). Experimental values of the liquid-state enthalpy of combustion of 31 alkyl benzenes were correlated.
Electrical characteristics of aluminum-zirconium oxide-barium magnesium fluoride-p silicon MIS capacitors

The Barium Magnesium Fluoride films have been deposited on p-Si wafers at a temperature in the range of 400-450°C in an ion assisted deposition system. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the films are polycrystalline in nature. The BMF films were encapsulated with an electron beam evaporated Zro2 film of thickness 300°A. The capacitance-voltage (C-V) charactersitics of Aluminum-ZrO2-BMF-p Si MIS capacitors show hysteresis and the direction of the hysterisis correponds to ferroelectric polarization in the BMF film. The shift in threshold voltage was found to depend on bias voltage, ramp rate as well as measurement temperature.
A Structural Requirement of Zinc for the Folding of Recombinant Link Protein

Abstract We have cloned and ligated a full-length bovine link protein (LP) in the pMAL-c2 vector and overexpressed it in fusion with maltose-binding protein (MBP) inEscherichia coli.We have demonstrated dose-dependent binding of MBP/LP to biotinylated hyaluronan in a dot blot assay. A greater percentage of the expressed fusion protein was soluble, monomeric, and undegraded when the growth temperature was lowered, the growth medium was supplemented with zinc, and metal chelators were omitted from the lysis buffers. Similar effects were observed when we tested the effects of lower growth temperature and zinc supplementation on another construct consisting of MBP in fusion with the first proteoglycan tandem repeat of LP. Our results suggest zinc may be necessary for the folding and disulfide bond formation of recombinant LP. In addition, a greater amount of monomeric MBP/LP produced at 27°C with zinc supplementation bound to biotinylated hyaluronic acid-binding region of aggrecan than MBP/LP produced at 27 or 37°C without zinc. This suggests that recombinant LP may have a conformational requirement for zinc necessary for binding to aggrecan. Factor Xa cleavage of MBP/LP expressed in the presence of zinc yielded much more intact LP product than cleavage of MBP/LP expressed without zinc. These data indicate a structural role of zinc that allows MBP/LP to fold in a manner such that it is resistant to proteolytic degradation.
Consumer Welfare and the Livestock Economy in the United States

This paper analyzes the responsiveness of the U.S. meal and poultry economy to government policies and other exogenous shocks. In particular, it focuses on the measurement of changes to consumer welfare. An explicit econometric model represents the supply of fed beef, non-fed beef, pork, and poultry. The interaction between the livestock and feed grain markets is captured by an econometric model of the supply and demand for corn. Consumers are represented by a complete system of consumer demand equations. The model is used for a partial analysis of the welfare effects of an actual agricultural policy decision – the sale of large quantities of grains to the Soviet Union in the third quarter of 1972. The loss to consumers that is attributable to the increased grain exports did not reach its maximum until the second quarter of 1975. It is estimated that from 1973 to 1975 consumers suffered a reduction of meat consumption that they valued at $4.5 billion (U.S.). Furthermore, the effects of grain exports proved far larger than the losses due to the poor harvests of 1973 and 1974. Finally, attempts to shelter consumers from the effects of the increased corn exports, either by increased beef imports or increased grain price supports, would have had little success in compensating for the welfare loss actually suffered. Ce papier fail ľanalvse de la reponse des secleurs de ľeconomie quant au betail et a la volatile aux Flats-Unis, leur reponse a la politique gouvernementale et aďaulres coups exterieurs. En particulier, ce papier se concentre sur la mesure des changements au bien-etre des consommateurs. Un modele economelrique qui est explicite represente ľapprovisionnement du boeuf brouie, du boeuf non-broute, du pore el de la volatile. Lcar;action reciproque entre le marche de belail et ie marche de grains est monlre par un modele economelrique de ľoffre et de la demande pour mats. Un systeme des equations represente la demande des consommateurs. On utilise le modele pour ohtenir une analyse parlielle des effeis en ce qui concerne le bien-etre des consommateurs par suite ďune decision faite ďune politique agricole – celle de la vente de grandes quantites de grains aľUnion sovietique au troisieme quartier de ľannee 1972. Laperte aux consommateurs qui est imputable aux exportations augmentees de grain n'apas alteinl son maximum jusqu'au deuxieme quartier de 1975. On a eslime que de 1973 a 1975 les consommateurs ont essuye une reduction de la consommation de viande qu'ils ont evaluee a$4.5 milliard (en dollars des Etats-Unis). En outre, les effeis des exponations de grain se sont reveles bien grands que les effets des moissons maigres de 1973 el 1974. Finalement, des efforts de proteger les consommateurs contre les effets des exportations augmentees de mais, ou par des importations augmentees de boeufou par augmenter le soutien pour le prix du grain auraient eu peu de succes a remplacer les pertes en fait essuyees.
Characterization of resist thinning and profile changes using scatterometry

Scatterometry is emerging as a prominent metrology technique for lithography. Not only does scatterometry produce line profile information such as sidewall angle and height along with line width, but the speed and nondestructive nature of scatterometry accommodates in-line process applications. Scatterometry systems employ reflectometry or ellipsometry to acquire spectra resulting from the interaction of the input radiation and a symmetrical grating array. The systems may use fixed wavelengths or a range of wavelengths. The output spectral data is dependent on the material and physical properties of the grating array and surrounding (subsurface, film stack) material layers. Typical scatterometry draws on mathematically modeled spectra from known optical and physical parameters such as the grating pitch and the index of refraction and absorption coefficient functions of the film stack materials. The optical properties of the materials in the film stack are of particular interest and critical to scatterometry. Material vendors typically supply constants associated with the optical dispersion models of resists and anti-reflective coatings used in lithography. These constants are most often based on a Cauchy model for optical dispersion, a very simple model. However, the optical properties of the photoresist or other coatings may not fit well to a Cauchy model or they may change during process baking, exposure or just from aging. To make an accurate scatterometry model for patterned photoresist, the material characteristics must also be modeled. Using these parameters, an accurate picture of the lithographic materials can be generated. These methods can be applied to both dry and immersion lithography. As immersion lithography gains a foothold in the manufacturing line, many initial processes will use standard dry photoresist with the application of an immersion topcoat to protect the final lens element of the lithography tool, and to reduce defects formed from substances leaching out of the photoresist. Although the goal for an immersion topcoat is to be neutral to the resist process in terms of profiles, process windows, and CD control, many topcoats are not completely benign. Topcoat induced resist thinning is a common but unwelcome attribute. In this paper we discuss the use of scatterometry to characterize topcoat induced thickness changes, and use this technique to evaluate several commercially available products. We will also demonstrate the ability of scatterometry to accurately determine resist profile changes as a result of focal changes, topcoat interactions, and airborne contamination. Measurement stability results are also shown, and correlation to CD-SEM and cross-section SEM are provided as a reference metrology.
Autoantibody stabilization of the classical pathway C3 convertase leading to C3 deficiency and Neisserial sepsis: C4 nephritic factor revisited

C3 deficiency is a rare disorder that leads to recurrent pyogenic infections. Here we describe a previously healthy 18 y/o Caucasian male with severe meningococcal disease. Total hemolytic activity was zero secondary to an undetectable C3. The C3 gene was normal by sequencing. Mixing the patient's serum with normal human serum led to C3 consumption. An IgG autoantibody in the patient's serum was identified that stabilized the classical pathway C3 and C5 convertases, thus preventing decay of these enzyme complexes. This autoantibody is an example of a C4 nephritic factor, with an additional feature of stabilizing the C5 convertase. Previous patients with C4 nephritic factor had membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Two years after presentation, this patient's C3 remains undetectable with no evidence of renal disease. We revisit the role of autoantibodies to classical pathway convertases in disease, review the literature on C4-NeF and comment on its detection in the clinical laboratory.
Role of NMDA glutamate receptors in regulating D2 dopamine-dependent Fos induction in the rat striatopallidal pathway.

Abstract Acute administration of reserpine induces Fos expression in striatopallidal neurons, an effect blocked by pretreatment with the D2 dopamine agonist quinpirole. Pretreatment with the NMDA antagonists (+)MK-801 or CPP attenuated reserpine-mediated striatal Fos induction whereas pretreatment with ketamine or the inactive isomer (−)MK-801 did not. These results support a role of NMDA glutamate receptors in regulating the activity of the striatopallidal pathway.
Development and evaluation of controlled release ibuprofen matrix tablets by direct compression technique

This investigation reports the development and evaluation of controlled release ibuprofen matrix tablets. Matrix tablets weighing 400 mg were fabricated by directly compressing ibuprofen (100 mg) with Eudragit RSPO and Avicel PH 101. The release of ibuprofen was dependant on concentration of Eudragit in the formulation. Varying Eudragit concentration from 10–50% of the formulation (in increments of 5%) revealed that in 4 h, tablets containing 50% Eudragit released about 40% ibuprofen compared to 100% released from tablets containing 10% Eudragit. Following analysis of release mechanism using various models available in literature, release of ibuprofen from matrix tablets was dominated by polymer diffusion-controlled mechanism at least for first 4 h. Thereafter, the release mechanism became more complicated and lost controlled release by diffusion due to change of tablet integrity, such as erosion of polymer matrix. In conclusion, controlled release ibuprofen matrix tablets with desired drug release rate c...
Dynamics of virtual bosons created by classical and quantum sources

Abstract We use the Yukawa model of interacting photons and fermions to study the dynamics of the creation of a virtual photon cloud around a spatially localized bare fermion. The temporal evolution of the photons’ spatial probability density is characterized by three stages, the shape-invariant growth, the spreading, and finally the formation of a steady state. Exactly half of the total number of created photons escape irreversibly while the other half remains in the vicinity of the fermion. For the special case of an infinitely narrow fermion distribution the product of the fermionic field operators in the interaction Hamiltonian can be replaced by a simple classical mechanical density, thus eliminating all fermionic degrees of freedom. We examine the effects of quantum mechanics on the total number of photons created by a spatially extended fermion.
Galileo and the marble column: A paradigm of human error in design

Abstract A classic case history of a design change leading to a structural failure is presented and interpreted as a paradigm for the introduction of human error in design. An argument is made for the timeless relevance of poignant case histories to reduce the occurrence of human error in modern designs and thus increase their reliability.
Photoionization mass spectrometric study of neutral species from pulsed laser ablation of SnO2

Abstract We report the application of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization mass spectrometry (PIMS) to probe neutral species generated in the 532 nm laser ablation of sintered SnO 2 targets. The major (>90%) Sn containing species are of composition (SnO) x ( x =1,2,3), with near-natural abundance isotopic distributions. The translational energy distribution was determined for each product and compared to a Maxwellian velocity distribution. The utility of VUV PIMS as a universal probe of neutral species produced in laser ablation is discussed.
Glaucoma filtering bleb dysesthesia

Abstract PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for glaucoma filtering bleb dysesthesia (discomfort). METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional observational study of consecutive patients with unilateral glaucoma filtering blebs from trabeculectomy was conducted. A self-report questionnaire was administered, which asked about the frequency and severity of the following symptoms: ocular pain, discomfort, burning, foreign body sensation, and tearing. The following variables were recorded by the investigators: age, race, sex, type and date of glaucoma surgery, antifibrotic agent used, intraocular pressure, location, thickness, and size of bleb, percent coverage of the bleb by the eyelid, angle that the bleb made to the cornea, and the presence of epithelial defects or dellen. Dysesthesia scores between the affected eye and control eye were compared using the paired Student t test. Risk factors for dysesthesia were evaluated using analysis of variance or Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean total dysesthesia score (±SD, range) in the affected eye was 11.1 (±9.4, 0 to 42) and in the unaffected eye 3.4 (±4.9, 0 to 25, P = .001). Factors that predisposed to dysesthesia included younger age ( P = .005), superonasal location of bleb ( P = .036), presence of bubbles ( P = .028), and poor lid coverage ( P = .013). The steeper the angle of the bleb to the cornea, which was an indirect measure of the height of the bleb, the more likely a patient was to have bubbles ( P = .001). CONCLUSION: Eyes with glaucoma filtering blebs experience more dysesthesia than eyes without filtering blebs. Young age, superonasal bleb location, poor lid coverage, and bubble formation are all associated with glaucoma filtering bleb dysesthesia.
Differential fertility by intelligence: The role of birth planning

Abstract In a sample of urban white U.S. women, an inverse relationship is demonstrated between fertility and IQ and is shown to come about because low‐IQ women have more unwanted births than high‐IQ women. The excess of unwanted births among low‐IQ women is caused by their elevated failure rate with temporary physician‐administered contraceptive methods. In order to control their fertility according to their own desires as well as do high‐IQ women, low‐IQ women require increased use of permanent birth control methods.
Output Decline and Government Expenditures In European Transition Economies

This paper discusses the role of government expenditure policies in the decline in aggregate output in European transition economies. It is argued that there is little evidence for the hypothesis that more expansionary expenditure policies would have helped to mitigate the output decline. While measurement problems allow for very preliminary conclusions, it appears that government expenditures were, generally, not a binding constraint for output. In those cases where it could be argued that government expenditures were a binding constraint, they were usually not the only one. Government expenditure levels still remain on the high side, at least when compared with European market-based economies, and there exists few reasons for pursuing expansionary expenditure policies to lift European transition economies out of the "transitional recession." While raising expenditure levels per se is an unappealing policy choice, a further reordering of expenditure priorities is desirable. In particular, increases in the share of government expenditures on capital--human and physical--are needed to improve long-run output potential.
Gauge mediation without a messenger sector

Abstract I present a model of gauge mediation without a messenger sector. This is the first phenomenologically viable model of this type. The sector of dynamical supersymmetry breaking couples directly to the standard model gauge groups. The apparent gauge unification is preserved despite the direct coupling. The inverted hierarchy mechanism plays a crucial role in dynamics. The model is completely chiral, and hence there is no need to forbid mass terms by hand. Still vector-like messengers emerge as a consequence of dynamical breakdown of gauge symmetries.
Johnson Noise Thermometry for Drift-Free Measurements

In order for Johnson Noise Thermometry (JNT) to be beneficial to SMR designers, it must offer advantages beyond the current state-of-the-art technology. Comparisons to traditional RTDs and thermocouples will involve life-cycle costs, installation footprint, reliability, and accuracy. With JNT, there is additional equipment beyond what is required for the traditional RTD measurement. Therefore, the JNT-RTD system will involve additional complexity and this additional complexity must be justified. Operators will want to know that the measurement is reliable and trustworthy. It is also important that the sensor involve little, if any, additional ongoing maintenance work and that it has a low probability of causing any malfunction of the primary measurement channel. If these features can be successfully demonstrated, the JNT-RTD system could potentially save money and increase plant reliability.
Peripartum colloid osmotic pressure changes: Influence of intravenous hydration

Studies of colloid osmotic pressure in normal and complicated pregnancies have revealed new insights into the forces which regulate fluid movement across capillary membranes.!' 2 Recently, we reported on intra partum to postpartum declines in colloid osmotic pressure as they related to the route of delivery and anesthetic technique used. 2 That study suggested that the intravenous fluids administered and not the type of anesthesia was primarily responsible for the decline in colloid osmotic pressure. In addition, we demonstrated that patients routinely received large crystalloid fluid loads quite different from those ordered by the attending physician. One clinical method to delineate more clearly the impact of intravenous fluids alone would be to examine patients undergoing uncomplicated vaginal deliveries with intravenous hydration compared to birthing room subjects who receive only oral liquid supplementation during labor and delivery. With this concept in mind, we compared 28 patients with uncomplicated pregnancies at ~36 weeks' gestation. This study was approved by the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Sixteen patients underwent routine vaginal deliveries with intravenous crystalloids administered at a planned rate of 125 to 150 mIlhr during and after delivery. No attempts were made by the investigators to carefully control the rate of fluids administered. Total intravenous fluids given during the peripartum period were retrospectively re-
Norepinephrine: Dissociation of β-receptor binding from adenylate cyclase activation in solubilized myocardium

Abstract A solubilized preparation of cat ventricular myocardium freed of detergent by DEAE-cellulose chromatography, contained both β-adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase. Norepinephrine activation of adenylate cyclase required addition of phosphatidylinositol, but finding of [3H]-norepinephrine to receptors did not. Norepinephrine binding to receptors and adenylate cyclase activation are separate processes, the coupling of which appears to involve phospholipids.
Reaction of hydrogen peroxide with low molecular weight iron complexes

Abstract Fe(II) complexed with trans -1,2-diaminocyclohexane- N,N,N',N' -tetraacetic acid (CDTA) reacts with hydrogen peroxide in neutral aqueous solution at room temperature to yield reactive species which are not scavenged by t-butanol, under conditions where >90% of hydroxyl radical would be scavenged. Further, the ratio of the rate constants for the reaction of the reactive species with Fe(II)CDTA and H 2 O 2 is 6.2, in contrast to a ratio of 200 which would result if the species were the hydroxyl radical. Thus, it is concluded that the reactive species produced is not the hydroxyl radical, but an iron-oxo species such as the ferryl ion. The reactive species is formed in an apparent first order reaction, when either hydrogen peroxide or Fe(II)CDTA is in kinetic excess. The bimolecular reaction rate constant is (1.26 ± 0.19) × 10 3 M -1 s -1 . In experiments where H 2 O 2 was in kinetic excess, a chain decomposition of H 2 O 2 was observed in which the initially produced iron-oxo intermediate exhibits hydroperoxidase activity.
Cerebrovascular Disease in African Americans

It was an honor to be selected as the first lecturer for the American Heart Association (AHA) Presidential Symposium in conjunction with the 23rd International Joint Conference on Stroke and Cerebral Circulation. I wish to thank Dr Martha Hill, the AHA President, for the invitation to participate. Dr Hill has had a longstanding interest in cardiovascular health issues in the African American community. I also wish to thank Drs Edward Cooper and Jacqueline Washington, who served as panel discussants for the symposium. Since 1981, I have been carrying out epidemiological studies of stroke in African Americans. The studies have included both observational ones and clinical trials. At the present time, we are completing a secondary stroke prevention trial: the African American Antiplatelet Stroke Prevention Study (AAASPS). I now provide an overview of cerebrovascular disease in African Americans. I begin my discussion with a brief review of the constructs race and ethnicity. Williams has critically examined the scientific consensus on the conceptualization of race.1 The United States government recognizes four racial groups—white, black, Asian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaskan Native—and one ethnic category, Hispanic. The distinction between race and ethnicity may be obscured, however, as some Hispanics may prefer to refer to themselves as a racial category.1 In the social science literature, the early definitions of race used the term to capture “physical” or “biological” characteristics that differentiated human populations. The term was then extended to encompass biological and social interaction. More recent definitions of race have discredited the early definition that included physical or biological characteristics because in general, phenotypic characteristics do not correlate well with biochemical or other genetic characteristics, and there may be more genetic variation …
Estimating Probable Maximum Floods in the Upper Santa Ana Basin, Southern California, From Stream Boulder Size

Large stream boulders in 16 drainage basins within the Upper Santa Ana basin were studied; 9 of these basins were in the Eastern San Gabriel Mountains and 7 were in the Western San Bernardino Mountains. A total of 43 sites were sampled. Field measurements included boulder dimensions, lithology for specific gravity (and particle density) determination, bed roughness, channel slope, and width. The five largest boulders at each site were selected. Field data were used in paleohydraulic calculations to determine, average velocity, average flow depth, and estimated discharge that would accompany boulder movement in a fluvial system. Tractive competence, the largest particle that can be moved in a stream bed, is velocity dependent, and flow depth is a function of velocity. Therefore, by selecting the largest stream boulders for study, flow velocity and depth at the time of boulder transport can be estimated. This information, used in conjunction with the stream channel cross section, can then be used to estimate conditions that only occur during the highest magnitude flood event: the probable maximum flood (PMF). The largest flood this century in the study area occurred in 1938. This study indicates that the PMF for the selected streams is approximately three times the discharge of the 1938 flood. This is generally in line with the peak flood discharge estimated by the slope-area method for the “Great Flood” of 1862.
MO‐FF‐A4‐05: Implementation and Evaluation of Various DRR Algorithms on GPU

Purpose: The Digitally Reconstructed Radio‐graph (DRR) is a fundamental computation task in cancerradiotherapy. It is used in 2D–3D patient registration, dose calculation, and iterative 3D and 4D cone‐beam CT reconstruction (CBCT). Most DRR algorithms are designed to run on a single processor (CPU). However, significant speed up factors are realized by running DRR algorithms on recently developed graphical processing units (GPUs). It is the goal of this work to systematically evaluate various DRR algorithms running on GPU with emphases on computational efficiency and reliability. Method and Materials: We have implemented and evaluated three different DRR algorithms on both CPU and GPU. To test the speed of each algorithm, we simulate DRR projections of a XCAT phantom data set at 360 directions in a full rotation about the superior‐inferior axis on an NVIDIA Tesla C1060 GPU card and a 2.27GHz Intel Xeon CPU. Speedup factors were then calculated. To test accuracy, the aforementioned projections were used as input to a Feldkamp‐Davis‐Kress 3D reconstruction, the current standard CBCT reconstruction algorithm. We then calculated the mean squared error (MSE) between the original and reconstructed data sets. In these tests we simulated a detector resolution of 512×384 and CBCT data resolution or 512×512×104. Results: We found a modified version Siddon's algorithm to run the fastest on GPU, with an average projection time of 30 ms. A distance‐driven algorithm had the smallest MSE of 3.11×10−6 cm2. A fixed stride ray‐casting algorithm had a speedup factor of 204. Conclusion: We found substantial speedup factors for DRR algorithms running on GPU. The accuracy of each algorithm has also been objectively tested. Having a clear picture of the behavior of each algorithm will enable researchers to make an informed decision about which algorithm to implement in their own future work.
Edge detection in digital images using dispersive phase stretch transform

We describe a new computational approach to edge detection and its application to biomedical images. Our digital algorithm transforms the image by emulating the propagation of light through a physical medium with specific warped diffractive property. We show that the output phase of the transform reveals transitions in image intensity and can be used for edge detection.