cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
U–Pb geochronology of zircon and monazite from Mesoproterozoic granitic gneisses of the northern Blue Ridge, Virginia and Maryland, USA

Abstract Mesoproterozoic granitic gneisses comprise most of the basement of the northern Blue Ridge geologic province in Virginia and Maryland. Lithology, structure, and U–Pb geochronology have been used to subdivide the gneisses into three groups. The oldest rocks, Group 1, are layered granitic gneiss (1153±6 Ma), hornblende monzonite gneiss (1149±19 Ma), porphyroblastic granite gneiss (1144±2 Ma), coarse-grained metagranite (about 1140 Ma), and charnockite (>1145 Ma?). These gneisses contain three Proterozoic deformational fabrics. Because of complex U–Pb systematics due to extensive overgrowths on magmatic cores, zircons from hornblende monzonite gneiss were dated using the sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP), whereas all other ages are based on conventional U–Pb geochronology. Group 2 rocks are leucocratic and biotitic varieties of Marshall Metagranite, dated at 1112±3 Ma and 1111±2 Ma respectively. Group 3 rocks are subdivided into two age groups: (1) garnetiferous metagranite (1077±4 Ma) and quartz-plagioclase gneiss (1077±4 Ma); (2) white leucocratic metagranite (1060±2 Ma), pink leucocratic metagranite (1059±2), biotite granite gneiss (1055±4 Ma), and megacrystic metagranite (1055±2 Ma). Groups 2 and 3 gneisses contain only the two younger Proterozoic deformational fabrics. Ages of monazite, separated from seven samples, indicate growth during both igneous and metamorphic (thermal) events. However, ages obtained from individual grains may be mixtures of different age components, as suggested by backscatter electron (BSE) imaging of complexly zoned grains. Analyses of unzoned monazite (imaged by BSE and thought to contain only one age component) from porphyroblastic granite gneiss yield ages of 1070, 1060, and 1050 Ma. The range of ages of monazite (not reset to a uniform date) indicates that the Grenville granulite event at about 1035 Ma did not exceed about 750°C. Lack of evidence for 1110 Ma growth of monazite in porphyroblastic granite gneiss suggests that the Short Hill fault might be a Grenvillian structure that was reactivated in the Paleozoic. The timing of Proterozoic deformations is constrained by crystallization ages of the gneissic rocks. D1 occurred between about 1145 and 1075 Ma (or possibly between about 1145 and 1128 Ma). D2 and D3 must be younger than about 1050 Ma. Ages of Mesoproterozoic granitic rocks of the northern Blue Ridge are similar to rocks in other Grenville terranes of the eastern USA, including the Adirondacks and Hudson Highlands. However, comparisons with conventional U–Pb ages of granulite-grade rocks from the central and southern Appalachians may be specious because these ages may actually be mixtures of ages of cores and overgrowths.
Relative Lewis Basicities of Six Al(ORF)4− Superweak Anions and the Structures of LiAl{OCH(CF3)2}4 and [1‐Et‐3‐Me‐1,3‐C3H3N2][Li{Al{OCH(CF3)2}4}2]

The relative Lewis basicities of six Al(ORF)4− ions, Al{OC(CH3)(CF3)2}4−, Al{OC(CF3)3}4−, Al{OCPh(CF3)2}4−, Al{OC{4-C6H4(tBu)}(CF3)2}4−, Al{OC(Cy)(CF3)2}4−, and Al{OCPh2(CF3)}4−, have been determined by measuring their relative coordinating abilities towards Li+ in dichloromethane. The relative Li+ Lewis basicities of the Al(ORF)4− ions are linearly related to the aqueous pKa values of the corresponding parent HORF fluoroalcohols. The Lewis basicity of Al{OCH(CF3)2}4− could not be measured because two of these anions can coordinate to one Li+ cation. The structures of LiAl{OCH(CF3)2}4 and [1-Et-3-Me-1,3-C3H3N2][Li{Al{OCH(CF3)2}4}2] were determined.
The photosynthesis-light curve: A simple analog model

Abstract An analog model of the photosynthesis-light curve is presented and applied to published data. Previous equations have been constructed with parameters having geometric rather than biologic definition. The present study defines each parameter as an analog of a hypothetical photosynthetic system. The model is constructed of two stages, a light stage composed of photosynthetic factories, N, with probability P of intercepting a given amount of light, and a dark stage approximated by the Michaelis-Menten equation. An index of the speed of the dark stage, relative to the potential speed of the light stage is provided. The model describes a family of photosynthesis-light curves and can be applied to data to interpret changes in the photosynthetic system from changes in the shape of the curve.
Gastrotracheal fistula: A late complication after transhiatal esophagectomy

A 51-year-old woman underwent a transhiatal esophagectomy for a failed antireflux procedure. She did well for 15 months, when she developed evidence of hemoptysis followed by tracheogastric fistula. She underwent operative repair with the use of a pericardial patch to replace the membranous trachea and interposition of a latissimus dorsi flap to isolate the stomach from the tracheal suture line. She has done well after this operation.
Convergent algorithm for sensory receptive field development

An unsupervised developmental algorithm for linear maps is derived which reduces the pixel-entropy (using the measure introduced in previous work) at every update and thus removes pairwise correlations between pixels. Since the measure of pixel-entropy has only a global minimum the algorithm is guaranteed to converge to the minimum entropy map. Such optimal maps have recently been shown to possess cognitively desirable properties and are likely to be used by the nervous system to organize sensory information. The algorithm derived here turns out to be one proposed by Goodall for pairwise decorrelation. It is biologically plausible since in a neural network implementation it requires only data available locally to a neuron. In training over ensembles of two-dimensional input signals with the same spatial power spectrum as natural scenes, networks develop output neurons with center-surround receptive fields similar to those of ganglion cells in the retina. Some technical issues pertinent to developmental algorithms of this sort, such as symmetry fixing, are also discussed.
How Toxic Are Ionic Liquid/Acetonitrile Mixtures?

Acetonitrile (ACN) is suggested to be a cosolvent of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) in order to decrease their unprecendented viscosity and increase ionic transport.Nevertheless,apartfromitsdoubtlessvirtues,ACNpossessesmoderatetoxicityto animals due to its high volatility at medium temperatures and subsequent ability to form highly toxic compounds, including cyanogen. Because of these considerations, ACN has been recently banned in a series of commercial applications. In turn, RTILs are usually positioned as nontoxic, green solvents, mainly due to their negligible volatility. This Letter investigates the volatility of the imidazolium-based RTILs/ACN mixtures, where RTILs are represented by 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and 1-butyl-3-methylimida- zolium tetrafluoroborate. On the basis of the atomistic precision simulations of liquid/vapor interfaces over a wide composition range, we evidence that RTILs are able to noticeably decrease the volatility of ACN, and hence, reduce a hazard. The reported data favor wide technological applications of RTILs/ACN mixtures.
The influence of phase boundaries on multiphase superhard materials demonstrating positive deviation from the rule of mixtures

Abstract A model for hardness in multiphase materials is derived that assumes crack propagation is impeded by phase boundaries. The phase boundary surface area density is determined statistically and the crack impedance scales linearly with this quantity. For the ( 1 − x ) AlMgB 14 − x TiB 2 material system experimentally determined hardness values and micrographs at x =0.6 are used to accurately calculate the hardness of the microstructure for ( 0 x 1 ) . The model predicts that refining the microstructure of this system such that the particle size is less than 0.25 μ m will increase the hardness, making it superhard.
Concurrent outbreaks with co-infection of norovirus and Clostridium difficile in a long-term-care facility

We describe an outbreak of simultaneous Clostridium difficile and norovirus infections in a long-term-care facility. Thirty patients experienced acute gastroenteritis, and four had co-infection with identical C. difficile 027 and genotype II.4 New Orleans norovirus strains. Co-occurring infection requires improved understanding of risk factors, clinical impact, and testing strategies.
Prolonged intermittent adjuvant chemotherapy with CCNU and hydroxyurea after resection of carcinoma of the lung

Eight hundred sixty-five patients with a microscopically curative resection for carcinoma of the lung were accepted for study, none of whom were excluded from analysis. Adjuvant therapy was randomly assigned about the tenth to 14th postoperative day; 432 patients (treated) were to receive CCNU and hydroxyurea for one year, while 433 patients (controls) were to receive no adjuvant therapy. Toxic reactions to therapy were reported, but only 1% were severe enough to require stopping therapy. No evidence of improved survival or delayed recurrence of disease was seen in treated patients as a whole or when examined by cell type and by postsurgical TNM category. On the contrary, survival beyond the second year of follow-up may have been impaired by the drugs when administered to patients without evidence of tumor spread to the lymph nodes. Cancer 50:1713-1721, 1982.
Mass Spectrometric Analyses of Organophosphate Insecticide Oxon Protein Adducts

ObjectiveOrganophosphate (OP) insecticides continue to be used to control insect pests. Acute and chronic exposures to OP insecticides have been documented to cause adverse health effects, but few ...
Optimum vegetation height and density for inorganic sedimentation in deltaic marshes

Plants may enhance sedimentation and help deltas to keep up with rising sea levels. Numerical simulations show that intermediate vegetation height and density are optimal, whereas too much vegetation inhibits sediment deposition in deltaic marshes.
STEAM OXIDATION OF CARBON FORMED BY THERMAL DEGRADATION OF PMMA IN ALUMINA

Abstract In the processing of multilayer ceramic multichip modules (MCM's), a ceramic substrate, such as alumina, along with a polymer, such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), solvents, plasticizers, flocculants, is thermally degraded before sintering. The thermal degradation of PMMA from the green body of oxide ceramics leaves behind some amount of residual carbon in the ceramic. Carbon concentration above 100 ppm has a deleterious effect on the physical properties such as fkxural strength, density, breakdown voltage and dcnsification behavior of the ceramic. This paper discusses the kinetics of oxidation of carbon formed by the thermal degradation of poly(methyt methacrylate) in alumina. Pellets of 5 urn and I urn size alumina were made at 6000 psig in a single step change. Kinetic runs were made in the temperature range of 673 to 993 K with steam as the oxidant at a flow rate of 9.96E-03 g/cm2 sec. The organics (polymethyl methacrylate, methyl ethyl ketone, methanol) concentration was varied from 5 t...
The crystal structure of zirconium phosphate and the mechanism of its ion exchange behavior

Abstract Zirconium bis (monohydrogen orthophosphate) monohydrate, Zr(HPO 4 ) 2 ·H 2 O, was shown to have a layered structure. Each layer consists of sheets of zirconium atoms held together by phosphate bridges. The phosphate groups are situated above and below the sheets of metal atoms and form hydrogen bonds with adjacent layers. The hydrogen bond network is such as to create zeolitic type cavities within the crystal. During exchange the cations initially occupy the zeolitic cavities, but when there are filled the cations then insert themselves between the layers with consequent increase in the interlayer separation.
Inconsistencies in determining Bacillus thuringiensis toxin binding sites relationship by comparing competition assays with ligand blotting.

Receptor binding properties of Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, and Cry1Ac Bacillus thuringiensis toxins to Lymantria dispar brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) were investigated by competition assays and BBMV ligand blotting. Homologous competition binding assays demonstrated that all Cry1A toxins bound to L. dispar BBMV with high binding affinities. Heterologous competition assays suggested that all three toxins share the same binding sites. However, our ligand blotting experiments were not consistent with the heterologous competition assays. We identified a 120 kDa peptide as a Cry1Ac binding protein and a 210 kDa peptide as a Cry1Aa and Cry1Ab binding protein. These results indicated that determining the relationships between toxin binding sites by either competition assays or ligand blotting alone may not be conclusive.
Report of the committee on atmospheric‐electric phenomena and measurements in the troposphere and stratosphere

Last year I reported that three members of the committee had undertaken the preparation of reports, Dr. Austin having promised a report on Wireless Strays, Dr. Blair a report on Instrumental Technique pertaining to upper air investigation, and. Dr. Mauchly a report on the Diurnal Variations of the Atmospheric Electric Elements. Dr. Humphreys, to whom we already owe much of our knowledge concerning thunderstorms, promised to look into the question again at this stage, and see whether the time was ripe for a further report. He has concluded that the amount of new material which is not already summarized in existing reports is not sufficient to warrant the preparation of a further account at this time. Dr. Austin has tendered his report, and has enriched our knowledge of the field by the publication of several papers on the subject of wireless strays and allied phenomena. Dr. Mauchly has also completed a valuable report on the Diurnal Variation of the Atmospheric Potential-Gradient.
GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE ANALOG AND TESTOSTERONE SYNERG1STICALLY INHIBIT SPERMATOGENESIS

We recently demonstrated that superactive gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs and testosterone synergistically suppress gonadotropin secretion in castrate rats. We proposed that these two classes of agents used in combination would lead to enhanced suppression of spermatogenesis by synergistically inhibiting gonadotropin secretion. This hypothesis was tested in the present study in which synergistic inhibition of spermatogenesis was produced by combined analog and testosterone treatment. The mechanism of the synergistic action observed differed from that hypothesized in that the analog had both primary inhibitory actions directly on the testis and effects at a pituitary level. The addition of testosterone to the regimen further inhibited spermatogenesis by decreasing the secretion of gonadotropins thereby attenuating the compensatory rise in LH. and FSH secretion expected with direct analog inhibition of the testis. These studies demonstrate the potential of combined GnRH analog and testosterone...
Antiscientific attitudes: What happens when scientists are unscientific?

Scientists sometimes engage in quite unscientific behavior in order to influence their peers or to obtain secondary gain. We explore some of the causes and consequences of these acts, using examples of different ways in which antiscientific attitudes are manifest among scientists.
Ion-induced release of deuterium from carbon

Abstract The ion-induced release of deuterium from carbon was studied by first implanting carbon targets with a high fluence of low-energy (150–600 eV) deuterium to saturate a thin near-surface region and then bombarding the targets with higher-energy ions which penetrate through the deuterium implanted region. Measurements were made of the deuterium release caused by bombardment by hydrogen and helium ions at 3 keV, by helium and carbon ions at 30 keV and by carbon ions at 60 keV. A strong correlation is observed between the ion-induced release rate and the energy lost to atomic collisions by the incident ions. A model for the ion-induced release is described which includes retrapping of the deuterium. Two features of this model are that retrapping results in a non-exponential dependence of the release on incident ion fluence, and in a dependence of the release on the thickness of the deuterium implanted layer. Both of these features are observed in the data which indicates that ion-induced release of deuterium from carbon involves retrapping.
Field-Strength Measurements of Microwave-Oven Leakage at 915 MHz

Measurements of electric field strength of microwave emissions from microwave ovens in the 915-MHz industrial-scientificmedical (ISM) band are reported. Field strengths were determined at 10 and 1000 ft under laboratory conditions and in the vicinity of two large condominium buildings, containing 385 ovens, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Monitoring equipment consisted of dipole and log-periodic antennas feeding the input of a spectrum analyzer which was interfaced to a minicomputer system for automatic data acquisition and analysis. Under controlled conditions, the tested oven produced maximum field strengths of 123.5 dBuV/m and 81.0 dB,uV/m at distances of 10 and 1000 ft, respectively. Fields as high as 79.0 dBuVm were observed at the Florida location, approximately 500 ft from the buildings. Additional measurements were made of band occupancy and the effects of load placement in the oven, orientation of the oven, and polarization of the emerging fields.
Natural and artificial tanning

Although sunlight is beneficial to provide light and warmth and aids the body in the formation of vitamin D, tanning is potentially damaging to an individual's health. The incidence of skin cancer and retinal damage from both natural and artificial light is on the rise. This article explores the concept of tanning, types of ultraviolet rays and related health hazards. Health care provider interventions for prevention and client education are also emphasized.
Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Imaging in Scattering Media Using Optical Diffusion Tomography

Simulation results for intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging in a scattering medium are presented. The donor-acceptor distance for rigid and distance distributions for flexible linkers are reconstructed.
Prospective Multicenter Study of the Viral Etiology of Bronchiolitis in the Emergency Department

Objectives: To determine the viral etiology of bronchiolitis and clinical characteristics of children age < 2 years presenting to the emergency department (ED) with bronchiolitis. Methods: The authors conducted a 14-center prospective cohort study during 2005–2006 of ED patients age < 2 years with bronchiolitis. The study was conducted in 10 states as part of the Emergency Medicine Network. Researchers collected nasopharyngeal aspirates and conducted structured interviews, medical record reviews, and 2-week follow-up telephone calls. Samples were tested using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus (RV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and influenza viruses (Flu). Results: Testing of 277 samples revealed 176 (64%) positive for RSV, 44 (16%) for RV, 26 (9%) for hMPV, 17 (6%) for Flu A, and none for Flu B. When children were categorized as RSV only, RV only, RV and RSV, and all others (hMPV, Flu, no identified virus), children with RV only were more likely to be African American (19, 62, 14, and 40%, respectively; p < 0.001) and have a history of wheezing (23, 52, 21, and 15%, respectively; p = 0.01). In multivariate models, children with RV were more likely to receive corticosteroids (odds ratio [OR] 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5 to 8.15). The duration of illness may be shorter for children with RV (Days 8, 3, 6, and 8; p = 0.07). Conclusions: In this multicenter study, RSV was the most frequent cause of bronchiolitis (64%). RV was present in 16%, and these children have a distinct profile in terms of demographics, medical history, and ED treatment.
Distribution of blue-green algal viruses in various types of natural waters

Abstract LPP blue-green algal viruses have been isolated from rivers, streams, lakes, farm and residential ponds, oxidation and stabilization lagoons and industrial storage waters. Results of this survey showed that the virus is widely distributed in nature and is stable throughout the year in three oxidation ponds examined in the Delaware—Maryland area.
Optimality conditions and solution procedures for nondegenerate dual-response systems

Abstract This paper investigates the dual-response problem in the case where the response functions are nonconvex (nonconcave) quadratics and the independent variables satisfy a radial bound. Sufficient conditions for a global optimum are established and shown to generalize to the multi-response case. It is then demonstrated that the sufficient conditions may not hold if the problem is ‘degenerate’. However, if the problem is nondegenerate, it is shown that the sufficient conditions are necessarily satisfied by some stationary point. In this case, a specialized algorithm (DRSALG) is shown to locate the global optimum in a finite number of steps. DRSALG will also identify the degenerate case and pinpoint the location where degeneracy occurs. The algorithm is easy to implement from the standpoint of code development, and we illustrate our elementary version on a well-studied dual-response example from quality control.
Axial and lateral impulsive loading of kinetic energy projectiles during launch—part I. Experimental investigations

Summary The experimental methodology and data analysis techniques used to characterize the performance of a sabot/rod as it is subjected to lateral and axial loading during launch is presented. The experimental portion of the research involved full-scale testing of two separate sabot/rod designs in a 120-mm launch tube that was slightly bent. When launched through the bent tube, the sabot/rod system was forced to negotiate lateral displacements at axial velocities of approximately 1650 m/s. This combination of axial velocity and lateral displacement produced significant lateral loading on the sabot/rod system. A 2.3-MeV X-ray unit was used to determine the lateral displacement that occurred as the sabot/rod was forced through the bent tube. After the sabot/rod exited the launch tube, the sabot separation and rod straightness were recorded by four 150-keV X-ray units. The inbore radiography experiments used X-ray shielding techniques to reduce X-ray scatter, and layered indexed film and intensifier screens to record the sabot/rod image. The processed film was computer scanned with a microdensitometer and was remapped on the computer to enhance the X-ray image. Results indicated rod lateral displacement accuracy to 0.11 mm. Test results were used to determine the sabot and rod behavior caused by loading histories of axial and lateral impulsive loadings.
Some pharmacological effects of a series of tryptamine derivatives

The methods of synthesis and some pharmacological properties of a number of N-substituted tryptamines are described. Peripheral vasopressor activity decreased with increase in complexity of the substituent and was not related to toxicity or to behavioural activity. Activity in increasing the rectal temperature of rabbits appeared to parallel modifications in the open-field behaviour of rats. Some compounds were investigated for their ability to block a conditioned avoidance-response in rats and to affect operant conditioning in cats. Evidence is presented which suggests that the tryptamine derivatives are metabolized in vivo to more active forms.
Structure−Activity Relationships for the Binding of Arylpiperazines and Arylbiguanides at 5-HT3 Serotonin Receptors

Arylpiperazines are nonselective agents that bind at 5-HT3 serotonin receptors with moderate to high affinity, whereas 1-phenylbiguanide is a low-affinity but more selective 5-HT3 agonist. In an at...
Bacterial Infections across the Ants: Frequency and Prevalence of Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and Asaia

Bacterial endosymbionts are common across insects, but we often lack a deeper knowledge of their prevalence across most organisms. Next-generation sequencing approaches can characterize bacterial diversity associated with a host and at the same time facilitate the fast and simultaneous screening of infectious bacteria. In this study, we used 16S rRNA tag encoded amplicon pyrosequencing to survey bacterial communities of 310 samples representing 221 individuals, 176 colonies and 95 species of ants. We found three distinct endosymbiont groups—Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria: Rickettsiales), Spiroplasma (Firmicutes: Entomoplasmatales), and relatives of Asaia (Alphaproteobacteria: Rhodospirillales)—at different infection frequencies (at the ant species level: 22.1%, 28.4%, and 14.7%, resp.) and relative abundances within bacterial communities (1.0%–99.9%). Spiroplasma was particularly enriched in the ant genus Polyrhachis, while Asaia relatives were most prevalent in arboreal ants of the genus Pseudomyrmex. While Wolbachia and Spiroplasma have been surveyed in ants before, Asaia, an acetic acid bacterium capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, has received much less attention. Due to sporadic prevalence across all ant taxa investigated, we hypothesize facultative associations for all three bacterial genera. Infection patterns are discussed in relation to potential adaptation of specific bacteria in certain ant groups.
PiggyBac-ing on a Primate Genome: Novel Elements, Recent Activity and Horizontal Transfer

To better understand the extent of Class II transposable element activity in mammals, we investigated the mouse lemur, Microcebus murinus, whole genome shotgun (2X) draft assembly. Analysis of this strepsirrhine primate extended previous research that targeted anthropoid primates and found no activity within the last 37 Myr. We tested the hypothesis that members of the piggyBac Class II superfamily have been inactive in the strepsirrhine lineage of primates during the same period. Evidence against this hypothesis was discovered in the form of three nonautonomous piggyBac elements with activity periods within the past 40 Myr and possibly into the very recent past. In addition, a novel family of piggyBac transposons was identified, suggesting introduction via horizontal transfer. A second autonomous element was also found with high similarity to an element recently described from the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus, further implicating horizontal transfer in the evolution of this genome. These findings indicate a more complex history of transposon activity in mammals rather than a uniform shutdown of Class II transposition, which had been suggested by analyses of more common model organisms.
Treatment of inflamed pancreas with enkephalin encoding HSV-1 recombinant vector reduces inflammatory damage and behavioral sequelae.

This study assessed the efficacy of pancreatic surface delivered enkephalin (ENK)-encoding herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) on spontaneous behaviors and spinal cord and pancreatic enkephalin expression in an experimental pancreatitis model. Replication-defective HSV-1 with proenkephalin complementary DNA (cDNA) (HSV-ENK) or control β-galactosidase cDNA (HSV-β-gal), or media vehicle (Veh) was applied to the pancreatic surface of rats with dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC)-induced pancreatitis. Spontaneous exploratory behavioral activity was monitored on days 0 and 6 post DBTC and vector treatments. The pancreas, thoracic dorsal root ganglia (DRG, T9–10), and spinal cord (T9–10) were immunostained for met-enkephalin (met-ENK), β-gal, and HSV-1 proteins. Spinal cord was also immunostained for c-Fos, and pancreas was stained for the inflammatory marker regulated on activation, normal T-cells expressed and secreted (RANTES), mu-opioid receptor, and hemotoxylin/eosin. On day 6, compared to pancreatitis and vector controls, the DBTC/HSV-ENK treated rats had significantly improved spontaneous exploratory activities, increased met-ENK staining in the pancreas and spinal cord, and normalized c-Fos staining in the dorsal horn. Histopathology of pancreas in DBTC/HSV-ENK treated rats showed preservation of acinar cells and cytoarchitecture with minimal inflammatory cell infiltrates, compared to severe inflammation and acinar cell loss seen in DBTC/HSV-β-gal and DBTC/Veh treated rats. Targeted transgene delivery and met-ENK expression successfully produced decreased inflammation in experimental pancreatitis.
Hsp90 depletion goes wild

Hsp90 reveals phenotypic variation in the laboratory, but is Hsp90 depletion important in the wild? Recent work from Chen and Wagner in BMC Evolutionary Biology has discovered a naturally occurring Drosophila allele that downregulates Hsp90, creating sensitivity to cryptic genetic variation. Laboratory studies suggest that the exact magnitude of Hsp90 downregulation is important. Extreme Hsp90 depletion might reactivate transposable elements and/or induce aneuploidy, in addition to revealing cryptic genetic variation.
Fatty acids induce leukotriene C4 synthesis in macrophages in a fatty acid binding protein-dependent manner

Obesity results in increased macrophage recruitment to adipose tissue that promotes a chronic low-grade inflammatory state linked to increased fatty acid efflux from adipocytes. Activated macrophages produce a variety of pro-inflammatory lipids such as leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and 5-, 12-, and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) suggesting the hypothesis that fatty acids may stimulate eicosanoid synthesis. To assess if eicosanoid production increases with obesity, adipose tissue of leptin deficient ob/ob mice was analyzed. In ob/ob mice, LTC4 and 12-HETE levels increased in the visceral (but not subcutaneous) adipose depot while the 5-HETE levels decreased and 15-HETE abundance was unchanged. Since macrophages produce the majority of inflammatory molecules in adipose tissue, treatment of RAW264.7 or primary peritoneal macrophages with free fatty acids led to increased secretion of LTC4 and 5-HETE, but not 12- or 15-HETE. Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) facilitate the intracellular trafficking of fatty acids and other hydrophobic ligands and in vitro stabilize the LTC4 precursor leukotriene A4 (LTA4) from non-enzymatic hydrolysis. Consistent with a role for FABPs in LTC4 synthesis, treatment of macrophages with HTS01037, a specific FABP inhibitor, resulted in a marked decrease in both basal and fatty acid-stimulated LTC4 secretion but no change in 5-HETE production or 5-lipoxygenase expression. These results indicate that the products of adipocyte lipolysis may stimulate the 5-lipoxygenase pathway leading to FABP-dependent production of LTC4 and contribute to the insulin resistant state.
The Use of Academic Controversy in Elementary Science Methods Classes

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of academic controversy as a teaching strategy in elementary science methods classes. The academic controversy model was used with 80 elementary science methods students in one class at Utah State University and two classes at Westminster College in Pennsylvania. Small groups of students engaged in one of the following class-selected controversies: (1) the effects of smoking; (2) genetic engineering, and (3) an environmental issue dealing with the widening of a canyon road. Qualitative data were collected from student note cards, transcriptions of taped controversies, synthesis papers, and a post-controversy survey. Results were consistent, regardless of the topic or group of students. Outcomes indicated that (a) students demonstrated a high level of task commitment as they participated in this learning model, (b) students had a positive attitude toward the use of the academic controversy model, (c) students perceived a high level of content attainmen...
Bibliometric indicators versus expert opinion in assessing research performance

This study compares bibliometric indicators versus expert judgment as indicators of the research performance of major pharmaceutical companies, a context which may be uniquely capable of permitting such a comparison. For each company, a refined composite research output score was calculated based on that company's drug output (1965–1976). These research production scores, normalized by research budget as an indicator of research organizational size, produced an indicator of research productivity, an output/input ratio. The best and most consistent predictors of drug research success in general were the number of clinical articles, and in particular highly cited clinical articles—both their absolute value and their proportionate occurrence among publications. In general, there was a slight but consistent tendency for bibliometric indicators to perform better than expert judgments in predicting research performance as measured by a third and independent indicator of research output. This consistent trend was composed of three aspects. First, the subject-specific bibliometric indicators correlated more highly with the drug output performance measures than did general bibliometric measures or the expert judgments. Second, when the drug output measures were subjected to a regression analysis, the expert judgment variables were conspicuous by their absence, even in secondary or tertiary positions. Third, the expert judgment variables appeared to be very predictable from the bibliometric measures, while no such converse relationship existed.
Variables Explaining Bank Stock Prices

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between an index of bank common stock prices and a variety of explanatory variables including interest rates on Treasury securities of various maturities and other economic variables. We also examine the relationship between the term structure of interest rates and bank stock prices. A sample of week ending values of the bank stock index is used as a proxy for the bank industry. The weekly closing interest rates for the 13-week Treasury bill, 5-year Treasury note, 10-year Treasury note and the 30-year Treasury bond are used in the study. Other data used were the U.S. dollar index, the CRB index, the price of gold, the S&P500 stock index, the VIX stock market volatility index and a measure of the yield curve. Data was taken from January 1998 through November 2009. Therefore, a total of approximately 620 cases of weekly observations are included in the study. In order to study the effects of term structure of interest rates on bank stock prices, we take the difference between the 10-year Note and the 13-week Bill. All variables are converted to a stationary series by taking first differences of each series. Multiple linear regression is then used to study the variables that can explain bank stock prices. A stepwise procedure was used to identify those variables with the strongest relationships in a multi-variable equation. Three independent variables were found with an R-squared of 0.619. The results of this study corroborate previous studies and have practical implications for investors and for bank managers.
Rheology of highly aligned nematic liquid crystals

Abstract Highly aligned nematic phases arise in systems of charged rodlike molecules or in highly concentrated solutions of uncharged rods. A multivariate Gaussian distribution is used to represent the orientation distribution of the rods and obtain predictions for the structure and rheology of the nematic solution. In weak flows, the director tumbles in one of a set of paths similar to the Jeffery orbits of a rigid rod with an effective aspect ratio equal to the reciprocal of the angular spread of the orientation distribution. The director migrates slowly across the orbits. An analytical expression for the rate of migration in the limit of small rotary Peclet number is obtained. The director may spiral toward the vorticity axis or the flow-gradient plane of the simple shear flow depending on its initial orientation. As the angular spread of the rods decreases, the domain of attraction of the vorticity axis becomes small.
DNA Topology Influences Molecular Machine Lifetime in Human Serum

DNA nanotechnology holds the potential for enabling new tools for biomedical engineering, including diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics. However, applications for DNA devices are thought to be limited by rapid enzymatic degradation in serum and blood. Here, we demonstrate that a key aspect of DNA nanotechnology—programmable molecular shape—plays a substantial role in device lifetimes. These results establish the ability to operate synthetic DNA devices in the presence of endogenous enzymes and challenge the textbook view of near instantaneous degradation.
Preventing the sexual transmission of HIV-1 with topical microbicides: another piece of the equation

Since the HIV-1 epidemic was first documented approximately 25 years ago, there has been an increased recognition that impacting the epidemic will require an emphasis on HIV prevention, including development of vaccines, male circumcision, preexposure prophylaxis, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. With the increased recognition that feminization of the epidemic has occurred and that sexual transmission of HIV-1 drives
Automated Decision-Making for Mars Rover Onboard Science

This paper presents technology for performing autonomous commanding of a planetary rover. Through the use of AI planning, scheduling and execution techniques, the OASIS autonomous science system provides capabilities for the automated generation of a rover activity plan based on science priorities, the handling of opportunistic science, including new science targets identified by onboard data analysis software, other dynamic decision-making such as modifying the rover activity plan in response to problems or other state and resource changes. We first describe some of the particular challenges this work has begun to address and then describe our system approach. Finally, we report on our experience testing this software with a Mars rover prototype.
Structures Elementarily Closed Relative to a Model for Arithmetic

The present paper is a sequel to [1]. It is our purpose to formulate a general theory derived from the methods used to obtain three results for the field of real algebraic numbers in [1]. As there, we shall concern ourselves almost exclusively with fields of characteristic zero; thus we assume a convenient formulation of first order logic with extralogical constants E(x, y), S(x, y , z), F(x, y , z), F(x, y), N(x) and 0, whose intended interpretations are equality, sum, product, y is the successor of x, x ∈ (where is a substructure satisfying all first order truths of the natural numbers) and zero, respectively. In addition, we shall use Q(x, y) for x ≤ y in those cases where our field is ordered, e.g. the field of real algebraic numbers.
Quantitative Study of Nanoscale Contact and Pre-Contact Mechanics Using Force Modulation

For submicron-scale mechanical property measurements, depth sensing nanoindentation techniques are very successful and gaining much attention. However, for ultra-small volumes of materials below a length scale of 10 nm, measuring the quantitative mechanical properties of materials is still a problem. The atomic force microscope (AFM) has very good surface sensitivity and has been shown to measure nanomechanical properties. However cantilever instability, conventional force detection and displacement sensing make contact area measurement difficult, hence the measured mechanical properties are usually only qualitative. In this article, we show that combining force modulation with depth sensing nanoindentation allows measurement of the mechanical properties of materials on the nanometer scale. With this technique we have studied the role of oxide layers on the mechanical response of Si surfaces. We also present a novel quantitative stiffness imaging technique, which can be used to directly map the mechanical properties of materials with submicron lateral resolution.
Estimation of Cortical Connectivity From EEG Using State-Space Models

A state-space formulation is introduced for estimating multivariate autoregressive (MVAR) models of cortical connectivity from noisy, scalp-recorded EEG. A state equation represents the MVAR model of cortical dynamics, while an observation equation describes the physics relating the cortical signals to the measured EEG and the presence of spatially correlated noise. We assume that the cortical signals originate from known regions of cortex, but the spatial distribution of activity within each region is unknown. An expectation-maximization algorithm is developed to directly estimate the MVAR model parameters, the spatial activity distribution components, and the spatial covariance matrix of the noise from the measured EEG. Simulation and analysis demonstrate that this integrated approach is less sensitive to noise than two-stage approaches in which the cortical signals are first estimated from EEG measurements, and next, an MVAR model is fit to the estimated cortical signals. The method is further demonstrated by estimating conditional Granger causality using EEG data collected while subjects passively watch a movie.
Molecular Cloning and Expression of Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Gene

Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been known as one of potent vasoactive peptides which also regulates fluid homeostasis, blood pressure, drinking behavior, aldosterone release, peripheral norepinephrine release, cell proliferation and hypertrophy (1–3). These diversity of specific physiological effects of Ang II has suggested possible presence of subtypes of Ang II receptor. While the recognition of reducing agent-sensitive and -insensitive Ang II receptors had suggested the possibility of multiple subtypes (4), the question remained unresolved until the development of new peptide and non-peptidic antagonists of the Ang II receptor (5–7). These compounds turned out to be isoform specific and powerful tools for the characterization and isolation of the Ang II receptors and receptor genes.
SELCO Credit Union: a case study in quantifying the environmental impacts of design for deconstruction

Architect Daniel Herbert designed the SELCO Credit Union in Eugene, Oregon in 1972 to maximize the amount of material that could eventually be salvaged for re-use or recycling at the end of the life of the building. While there are no immediate plans to take the building down, this paper uses the current environmental value of the building material and current local building deconstruction and material recovery practices to conduct a speculative analysis of the environmental consequences of the architect’s intention to design for eventual deconstruction. To conduct this analysis, we asked and then investigated the following questions: 1) Based on international carbon and energy factors for each of the building materials, what is the environmental value in terms of embodied energy and carbon of the quantities of building materials used? 2) If the building were deconstructed today, what parts of the building could be diverted from the waste stream for direct reuse, what could be recycled into new materials, and what would be sent to landfills? By categorizing quantities of building materials by degree of recovery and by cradle to gate carbon and energy impact, we estimated that more than one third of the embodied energy and about one third of the carbon embodied in the existing building could be recovered. Much of this savings can be attributed directly to three of the architect’s decisions: 1) To build with a panelized plywood roof system, 2) To use uniformly sized concrete panels that can be disassembled, and 3) To use bolted trusses of high-value timber. We can conclude that if this case study building were deconstructed today that the architect’s decision to design for deconstruction would result in measureable resource savings.
Interface Characterization of PbTe/BaSi/Si Heterostructures Grown Using MBE

A new substrate material consisting of a buffer layer of a Ba-Si compound was developed by making use of the chemical reaction between BaF2 and Si. This substrate is very promising for the integration of IV-VI semiconductor materials with silicon. PbTe films of excellent quality, as determined by X-ray and Reflected High Energy Electron Diffraction spectra, have been deposited over (111)- and (100)-oriented silicon wafers of 3 inch diameter. These PbTe films are (100)-oriented irrespective of the Si orientation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies reveal very interesting chemistry at the interface between Ba-Si and Te. They suggest that BaTe may form between PbTe and Ba-Si at their interface. This interfacial region, which is of the order of only a few molecular layers, appears to be critical in the success of the deposition. Thermal cycling showed that the PbTe/BaSi/Si system is mechanically very stable. The possibility of a similar growth mechanism for the deposition of II-VI semiconductors such as CdTe is considered.
The Dwarfs Beyond: Relating Stellar and Halo Mass in Dwarf Galaxies to z ~ 1

Do the kinematics and mass profiles of dwarf galaxies present a fundamental challenge to standard cold dark matter (CDM) models? New, deep spectroscopy using DEIMOS on Keck for hundreds of low stellar mass (10 7 -10 9 M ⊙ star-forming galaxies at intermediate redshift (0.2 7 M ⊙ , and a persistent discrepancy is found between predictions from simulations and models compared to our observations. We suggest on-going and future tests that will be more effective in distinguishing between the effects of baryonic feedback and alternative models of dark matter in this remarkable regime.
Design of Ferroelectric Organic Molecular Crystals with Ultrahigh Polarization

Inspired by recent successful synthesis of room-temperature ferroelectric supramolecular charge-transfer complexes, i.e., tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)- and pyromellitic diimide (PMDI)-based crystals (Tayi et al. Nature 2012, 488, 485–489), three new ferroelectric two-component organic molecular crystals are designed based on the TTF and PMDI motifs and an extensive polymorph search. To achieve energetically favorable packing structures for the crystals, a newly developed computational approach that combines polymorph predictor with density functional theory (DFT) geometry optimization is employed. Tens of thousands of packing structures for the TTF- and PMDI-based crystals are first generated based on the limited number of asymmetric units in a unit cell as well as limited common symmetry groups for organocarbon crystals. Subsequent filtering of these packing structures by comparing with the reference structures yields dozens of promising crystal structures. Further DFT optimizations allow us to identify seve...
Effect Evaluation on Measles Supplementary Immunization Activities in Tongliao City in 2007

[Objective] To evaluate the supplementary immunization effect of measles vaccine in Tongliao in 2007,explore the strategy of eliminating measles.[Methods]The data of MV supplementary immunization were analyzed synthetically,which collected from field investigation,assessment report and the National Notifiable Disease Report System.[Results] In 2007,143 358 targeted children were inoculated with MV supplementary immunization in Tongliao,reported and investigated inoculation rate was both over 95%.Measles cases decreased remarkably after measles supplementary immunization.[Conclusion] The incidence of Measles decreased remarkable after measles supplementary immunization in Tongliao.However,the routine immunization still should be improved to keep the high rates of immunization coverage and success.In particular,senior age group should be regarded to eliminate blank of immunization.