cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unique Aspects of Muscarinic Receptor Stimulated Inositol Polyphosphate Formation in Brain: Changes in Senescence

The agonist dependent hydrolysis of membrane phosphoinositides is a major signal transduction pathway in brain (Berridge 1985; Crews et al. 1988a). A variety of receptors including muscarinic cholinergic, α1-adrenergic, serotonergic, and a variety of peptides, couple to phosphoinositide hydrolysis via activation of phospholipase C (Berridge 1985, Gonzales and Crews 1985). Hydrolysis of one of these phosphoinositides, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4, 5)P2] results in the formation of 1,2 diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3], both of which appear to have second messenger functions (Batty et al., 1989; Berridge and Irvine, 1989; Rana and Hokin, 1990). DAG remains in the membrane where it can activate protein kinase C (PKC), a family of calcium/phospholipid dependent kinases, that regulate numerous cellular functions and may play a role in neuronal plasticity and neuronal cell death. Ins(1,4,5)P3 is released into the cytoplasm where it binds to specific receptors on the endoplasmic reticulum and releases intracellular Ca2+ into the cytoplasm. Specific phosphomonoesterases can rapidly metabolize Ins(1,4,5)P3 to inositol 1,4-bisphosphate, inositol 4-monophosphate and finally to free inositol via sequential dephosphorylation (Fig. 1). Ins(1,4,5)P3 can be phosphorylated to Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 by a specific Ca2+/calmodulin sensitive 3-kinase (Batty et al., 1985; Irvine et al., 1986). Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 may also be a second messenger involved in a variety of functions including the Ca2+ influx (Irvine et al., 1986), release of intracellular Ca2+ (Gawler et al., 1990) and sequestration of Ca2+ released by Ins(1,4,5)P3 (Hill and Boynton, 1990; Boynton et al., 1990). Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 is dephosphorylated by a 5-phosphatase to inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate, an inactive isomer. In addition, a variety of cyclic inositol phosphates are produced by the action of phospholipase C on phosphoinositides. The cyclic inositol phosphates accumulate on prolonged agonist stimulation but their cellular functions are not clear (Bansal and Majerus, 1990).
Influence of surface restructuring on the activity of SrTiO 3 photoelectrodes for photocatalytic hydrogen reduction

Perovskite photoelectrodes are being extensively studied in search for photocatalytic materials that can produce hydrogen through water splitting. The solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of these materials is critically dependent on the electrochemical state of their surface. Here, we develop an embedded quantum-mechanical approach using the self-consistent continuum solvation model to predict the relation between band alignment, electrochemical stability, and photocatalytic activity taking into account the long-range polarization of the semiconductor electrode under electrical bias. Using this comprehensive model, we calculate the charge-voltage response of various reconstructions of a solvated ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ surface, revealing that interfacial charge trapping exerts primary control on the electrical response and surface stability of the photoelectrode. Our results provide a detailed molecular-level interpretation of the enhanced photocatalytic activity of ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ upon voltage-induced restructuring of the semiconductor-solution interface.
Transported and presumed probability density function modeling of the Sandia flames with flamelet generated manifold chemistry

The first modeling results for Sandia flames D, E, and F using the flamelet generated manifold reduced chemistry model with a transported probability density function (TPDF) closure model are presented. The micro-mixing is modeled with the simple “interaction by exchange with the mean” model and mean molecular diffusion is accounted for through a mean drift term. By accounting for mean molecular diffusion, stable burning flames D, E, and F could be predicted using the standard value for the mixing rate constant C ϕ = 2. The TPDF results are used in an a priori analysis of the main simplifying assumptions typically used in presumed PDF (PPDF) models. A new PPDF model that accounts for the correlation between mixture fraction and progress variable in the joint PDF through a Gaussian copula is presented and included in the analysis. The analysis reaffirmed earlier findings: the marginal PDF of the progress variable is not well approximated by a β-PDF and the mixture fraction and progress variable are not statistically independent. The Gaussian copula PPDF model did show a qualitative improvement over the models that invoke the statistical independence assumption. Quantitative analysis showed that the mean progress variable source term could not be predicted accurately by any of the PPDF models. The PPDF models were then applied in actual simulations of flames D and E. The erroneous predictions of the mean progress variable source term cause relative errors in the PPDF simulation results for the conditional mean temperature exceeding 20%.
Denoising-based Image Compression for Connectomics

Abstract Connectomic reconstruction of neural circuits relies on nanometer resolution microscopy which produces on the order of a petabyte of imagery for each cubic millimeter of brain tissue. The cost of storing such data is a significant barrier to broadening the use of connectomic approaches and scaling to even larger volumes. We present an image compression approach that uses machine learning-based denoising and standard image codecs to compress raw electron microscopy imagery of neuropil up to 17-fold with negligible loss of reconstruction accuracy.
Study on Naturalization: The Case for Constitutional Reform to Extend Citizenship to Immigrant in Liberia

This study examines critical elements of extending citizenship to entrepreneurial minority groups (Lebanese, Mandingos, Indians, Nigerians, and Westerners) and Liberian dual citizens in Liberia by analyzing survey, remittance, and naturalization data collected by Afrobarometer (Round 5 and 6 Surveys), USD Explorer, 2015 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics, and TLC Africa from 2011 to 2015. This is accomplished by correlating associations between variables including Liberians’ gender in survey responses, attitudes of West African countries, Liberian naturalization in advanced countries, and Liberia’s remittances (inflow and outflow) to show the economic advantages of awarding citizenship to foreigners. The long run result reveals that attracting entrepreneurial groups increases investment in new domestic firms, which will likely lead to transformation in national industries, enhancement of citizens’ technical skills, creation of permanent employment, and improvement of citizens’ living standards, as well as increased democratization.
Enzymatic Synthesis of Cytidine Diphosphate 3,6-Dideoxyhexoses: III. CYTIDINE DIPHOSPHATE d-GLUCOSE OXIDOREDUCTASE

Abstract Cytidine diphosphate d-glucose oxidoreductase has been purified 200-fold from an extract of Pasteurella pseudotuberculosis Type V. Some properties of the enzyme, including its requirement for diphosphopyridine nucleotide, have been described. The product of the reaction has been isolated and identified as CDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-d-glucose.
High slew rate, low voltage BiCMOS and bipolar operational amplifier architectures with rail to rail common mode input voltage swing

Class AB differential amplifiers using composite BiCMOS and bipolar transistors are introduced. Their utilization for the implementation of low voltage (+-1.65 V) operational amplifiers with high slew rate and rail to rail common mode input voltage range is discussed. >
Schedules of Reinforcement

Most people in the broad field of psychopharmacology are aware of schedules and can give a definition of some common schedules of reinforcement such as FR and FI. One can still distinguish, however, between an increasing group of workers who explicitly use and study schedule effects and the rest, who regard schedule effects as limited in scope, largely irrelevant to their interests, and perhaps a little mysterious. This chapter is addressed to the latter group. An elementary knowledge of schedules and techniques is assumed. Good introductory accounts of schedules in behavioral pharmacology are now available (e.g., Iversen and Iversen, 1975; Thompson and Schuster, 1968). An exhaustive review of schedule effects in psychopharmacology is far beyond our scope, so this account will be more of a commentary, attempting to clarify theory.
Activation of Ras by insulin in 3T3 L1 cells does not involve GTPase-activating protein phosphorylation.

Insulin-induced differentiation of 3T3 L1 cells to adipocytes can be mimicked by the expression of transfected ras oncogenes but not of the tyrosine-kinase oncogenes src and trk. Expression of two different transfected, dominant inhibitory ras mutants resulted in significant inhibition of insulin-induced differentiation, suggesting that endogenous Ras proteins are mediators of insulin signaling in these cells. Exposure of untransfected 3T3 L1 cells to insulin resulted in significant formation of the active Ras.GTP complex, at levels comparable with those resulting from exposure to platelet-derived growth factor. However, whereas exposure of the same cells to platelet-derived growth factor resulted in significant tyrosine phosphorylation of the p21ras GTPase-activating protein (GAP), insulin-treated cells did not show any detectable levels of de novo GAP tyrosine phosphorylation. Interestingly, insulin caused tyrosine phosphorylation of the p62 polypeptide coprecipitated with GAP by anti-GAP antibodies. Insulin-induced activation of cytosolic MAP kinase activity in untransfected 3T3 L1 cells was also mimicked by Ras expression (in the absence of insulin) in the same cells transfected with an inducible ras construct. These results confirm that Ras proteins participate in insulin signaling pathways in these mammalian cells and indicate that activation of cytosolic MAP kinases is an early event occurring downstream from Ras activation. However, tyrosine phosphorylation of GAP appears not to be a significant upstream regulatory event in the activation of Ras by insulin.
Economic and Social Factors in the Etiology of Childhood Rickets over the Past Four Centuries

Economic and social factors can determine the prevalence and severity of a health condition, as well as enhance co-morbidities. This article reviews forces that have influenced the appearance and persistence of nutritional rickets over the past 400 years. Childhood rickets first appeared from 1600 to 1640 as an epidemic disorder in the south and west of England when the woolen trade developed as a home labor industry. Later, with the coal-fueled factory system, agrarian laborers migrated to cities, creating a wage earner class. Their children were raised in smog-ridden and crowded conditions and were victims of an urban-based form of rickets lasting from the 1640s to the 1930s. With the discovery of vitamin D, arising from both dietary sources and from photocutaneous biosynthesis by exposure to ultraviolet B wavelengths from the sun, and recognition of its use as a therapeutic agent, epidemic rickets largely disappeared. The pro-sunshine era was ushered in between 1930 and 1965. Since, rising rates of skin cancer have greatly tempered enthusiasm for sun exposure and led to recommendations for sun protection strategies. Beginning in the 1960s, examples of nutritional rickets have been seen in dark-skinned immigrants moving to northern latitudes. Often rickets occurred in association with vitamin D-deficient mothers who exclusively breast-fed their offspring. Also, vitamin D deficiency is more evident in young children, adolescents, pregnant mothers and the elderly, many of who remain indoors and do not use vitamin supplements. These factors - child labor, the almost universal use of coal as a fuel, dietary deprivations during wars, migration of dark-skinned populations to regions where sunshine is scarce, and cancer-associated fear of sun exposure - have resulted in the persistence of nutritional rickets despite the knowledge of medical practitioners, nutritionists, and even parents. This manuscript reviews these factors and their impact on the health of children.
Ion-Beam-Induced Defects and Defects Interactions in Perovskite-Structure Titanates

Ion-beam irradiation of perovskite structures results in the production and accumulation of defects. Below a critical temperature, irradiation also leads to a crystalline-to-amorphous transformation. The critical temperature for amorphization under 800 keV Kr+ ion irradiation is 425, 440 and 550 K for SrTiO3, CaTiO3 and BaTiO3, respectively. The results of ion-channeling studies on SrTiO3 irradiated with 1.0 MeV Au2+ ions suggest that the crystalline-to-amorphous transformation is dominated by the accumulation and interaction of irradiation-induced defects. In SrTiO3 irradiated with He+ and O+ ions at 180 K, isochronal annealing studies indicate that there is significant recovery of defects on both the oxygen and cation sublattices between 200 and 400 K. These results suggest that defect recovery processes may control the kinetics of amorphization. A fit of the direct-impact/defect-stimulated model to the data for SfTiO3 suggests that the kinetics of amorphization are controlled by both a nearly athermal irradiation-assisted recovery process with an activation energy of 0.1 ± 0.05 eV and a thermal defect recovery process with an activation energy of 0.6 ± 0.1 eV. In SrTiO3 implanted with 40 keV H+ to 5.0 x 1016 and 1.0 x 1017 ions/cm2, annealing at 470 K increases the backscattering yield from Sr and Ti and is mostly likely due to the coalescence of H2 into bubble nuclei. Annealing at 570 K and higher results in the formation of blisters or large cleaved areas.
Physical and electrical properties of CoSi2 thin films on silicon, and on silicon substrates buffered with SiO2 and yttria-stabilized zirconia, using the laser physical vapor deposition technique

Abstract Laser physical vapor deposition (LPVD) has been used to deposit thin CoSi 2 films on silicon, and on silicon buffered with SiO 2 and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Silicide films were deposited by ablating a solid target of CoSi 2 in vacuum with a pulsed KrF excimer laser laser ( λ = 248 nm ). Particulate-free silicide thin films were deposited at an optimized substrate temperature of 600 °C. X-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering (RBS), scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the quality of silicide films and of the silicide-Si interface. The room temperature resistivity of an approximately 400 A CoSi 2 thin film was found to be 23 μΩ cm. Growth of CoSi 2 thin films on SiO 2 - and YSZ-buffered silicon under the same processing conditions as for silicon substrates was carried out to investigate if the underlying substrate was playing a role in the silicidation process. It was found by cross-sectional TEM (XTEM) and RBS that the stoichiometry of the film and the nature of the silicide-Si interface were independent of the nature of the substrate used. These results suggest that the LPVD technique could be used for the deposition of stoichiometric silicide thin films using lower thermal budgets as far as phase and stoichiometry are concerned on a variety of substrates without any need for an equilibrium with the underlying substrates as is the case with other silicidation techniques. Contacts of CoSi 2 to p + -Si were ohmic in nature and showed a linear behavior over a large range of current densities. The measured specific contact resistance of the as-deposited silicide ohmic contacts was of the order of 10 −5 Ω cm 2 . The quality of the silicide contacts was not affected by high temperature annealing treatments. Thus LPVD offers the possibility of fabricating low resistance silicide interconnects and ohmic contacts at a low deposition temperature without any need for a high-temperature annealing step, as required in other conventional silicidation processes.
Examining the Merits of Usefulness Versus Use in an Information Service Quality and Information System Success Web-Based Model

Managers are increasingly facing the question of how to convey electronic information to e-commerce users in a manner that enables those individuals to resolve information search related problems more easily. Information service quality and the associated performance is challenging to manage in Web-based interactions because such settings involve several features i.e., less tangible contact, more uncertainty, differing feedback loops between business and consumer not found in more traditional exchanges. In an attempt to capture a broader view of the quality of information service offerings in ecommerce settings, the model compares the DeLone and McLean's framework 2003 that includes use as an outcome measure with a model suggested by Landrum and Prybutok 2004 that features usefulness as its outcome measure. A random survey of Army Corps of Engineers library customers was performed at two library sites within the Corps.
Investigation of Charge Conduction and Self-Breakdown in Transformer Oil

With a fast coaxial setup using a needle/plane geometry and a high sensitivity electrometer, conduction mechanisms in transformer oil at varying temperature and hydrostatic pressure are quantified. There are 3 stages in the conduction process prior to breakdown for highly nonuniform field geometries. Stage I is characterized by a resistive current at low fields. Stage II consists of a rapid rise in the injection current associated with increasing field due to a "tunneling" mechanism through the metal/dielectric interface. The transition from the resistive to tunneling stage occurs when the applied field reduces the barrier at the metal/insulator interface to a point where tunneling of charge carriers through the barrier begins. This transition point is polarity dependent. In stage III, at high fields the current reaches space charge saturation at electron mobilities >100 cm2/V*s prior to breakdown. The processes of final breakdown show distinct polarity dependence. Data for the negative needle exhibits strong pressure dependence of the breakdown voltage, which is reduced by 50% if the hydrostatic pressure is lowered from atmospheric pressure to hundreds of mtorr. Such a strong pressure dependence, at reduced hydrostatic pressure, indicates breakdown is gaseous in nature. This is supported by images of bubble/low density regions forming at the current injection point. Positive needle discharges show a reduction of only about 10% in breakdown voltage for the reduced pressure case. A weak pressure dependence indicates the breakdown mechanism does not have a strong gaseous component. We will discuss possible links between conduction current and DC breakdown.
Size-Focusing Synthesis, Optical and Electrochemical Properties of Monodisperse Au38(SC2H4Ph)24 Nanoclusters

We report a facile, high yielding synthetic method for preparing truly monodisperse Au(38)(SC(2)H(4)Ph)(24) nanoclusters. The synthetic approach involves two main steps: first, glutathionate (-SG) protected polydisperse Au(n) clusters (n ranging from 38 to approximately 102) are synthesized by reducing Au(I)-SG in acetone; subsequently, the size-mixed Au(n) clusters react with excess phenylethylthiol (PhC(2)H(4)SH) for approximately 40 h at 80 degrees C, which leads to Au(38)(SC(2)H(4)Ph)(24) clusters of molecular purity. Detailed studies by mass spectrometry and UV-vis spectroscopy explicitly show a gradual size-focusing process occurred in the thermal etching-induced growth process. The formula and molecular purity of Au(38)(SC(2)H(4)Ph)(24) clusters are confirmed by electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry, and size-exclusion chromatography. The optical and electrochemical properties of Au(38)(SC(2)H(4)Ph)(24) clusters show molecule-like behavior and the HOMO-LUMO gap of the cluster was determined to be approximately 0.9 eV. The size focusing growth process is particularly interesting and may be exploited to synthesize other robust gold thiolate clusters.
Rapid scanning structure-activity relationships in combinatorial data sets: identification of activity switches.

We present a general approach to describe the structure–activity relationships (SAR) of combinatorial data sets with activity for two biological endpoints with emphasis on the rapid identification ...
Reduced modeling and analysis of large repetitive space structures via continuum/discrete concepts

Abstract The paper describes reduced modeling/analysis approaches for repetitive lattice configurations with emphasis on tetrahedral-type space structures although the basic concepts can be extended to general repetitive lattice structures as well. The approach is based on transforming the actual configuration to a significantly reduced discrete configuration using scaling transformations and constitutive properties derived via the concept of equivalent continuum. The approach seeks to model/analyze the much simpler and reduced configurations, and transformations and extrapolation/interpolation procedures are utilized to relate back the response to that of the significantly complex actual configurations. The effectiveness and accuracy of the approach is demonstrated via comparisons with detailed analysis of the actual models. Response due to geometric non-linear effects are also evaluated. The overall results obtained are in good agreement and the approach offers potential for further extension.
Poster abstract: cooperative tracking with binary-detection sensor networks

We present a novel method for tracking the movement of people or vehicles in open outdoor environments using sensor networks. Unlike other sensor network-based methods, which depend on determining distance to the target or the angle of arrival of the signal, our cooperative tracking approach requires only that a sensor be able to determine if an object is somewhere within the maximum detection range of the sensor. We propose cooperative tracking as a method for tracking moving objects and extrapolating their paths in the short term. By combining data from neighboring sensors, this approach enables tracking with a resolution higher than that of the individual sensors being used. We employ statistical estimation and approximation techniques to further increase the tracking precision, and to enable the system to exploit the tradeoff between accuracy and timeliness of the results. We analyze the behavior of the cooperative tracking algorithm through simulation, focusing on the effects of approximation techniques on the quality of estimates achieved. This work focuses on acoustic tracking, however the presented methodology is applicable to any sensing modality where the sensing range is relatively uniform.
The Role of Relationship Quality in the Stratification of Vendors as Perceived by Customers

Companies implement preferred supplier programs to reduce their vendor relationships to a reasonable few. Consequently, vendors who do not effectively manage their customer-based relationships are strong candidates for deletion from a customer’s list of long-term suppliers. The emergence of preferred supplier programs suggests that businesses are beginning to formally recognize and reward differences between their qualified vendors. Vendor stratification is proposed as a framework for understanding the evolution of preferred vendor programs. With the growing interest in relationship marketing, a study was conducted to empirically examine the extent to which businesses use relationship quality perceptions to differentiate their qualified vendors. The findings support the notion that relationship quality is a higher-order construct that can be used as a basis for developing vendor stratification systems. The article concludes with a discussion of the managerial and research implications of the study findings.
Capillary-driven multiparametric microfluidic chips for one-step immunoassays

Abstract Here we present a capillary-driven microfluidic chip for “one-step” immunoassays. The chip allows for easy modification of several assay parameters such as the flow rates of sample, the volumes of samples for tests, and the type of reagents and receptors for detecting analytes. We therefore term such a chip a multiparametric chip and illustrate this concept with the integration and release of anti-C-reactive protein (CRP) detection antibodies (dAbs) together with splitting flow of samples containing CRP across lines of anti-CRP capture antibodies (cAbs). The microfluidic chip is fabricated in Si and is sealed with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) patterned with cAbs. The microfluidic chip is ∼1.7 × 3.4 cm 2 and is capable of analyzing 20 μL of human serum in 6 parallel flow paths with a range of flow rates from 3.3 nL s −1 to 0.46 nL s −1 . An inkjet spotter was used to deposit 10.6 nL of dAb solution in a structure vicinal to the main flow path of the chip. The consequent asymmetric release of dAbs in a stream of human serum is compensated by a Dean flow mixer having 9 mixing loops and a footprint of 2.8 mm × 0.78 mm. The quantity of dAb present in the half of the flow path close to the spotting region decreases from 83% at the entrance of the mixer to 52% in the region after the mixer. The sample is then equally split into 6 reaction chambers and proceeds via connecting channels to 2 μL capillary pumps. The hydraulic resistance of the connecting channels is designed to vary flow rates, and therefore the kinetics of capture of CRP-dAb complexes, from 10 min to 72 min. The increased incubation time leads to a fourfold increase in detection signal in the reaction chamber with the longer incubation time. The concept presented here is flexible and suited for implementing various surface fluorescence immunoassays on a capillary-driven microfluidic chip.
Learning spreadsheets : human instruction vs. computer-based instruction

Abstract The increasing need to instruct students in the use of personal computer software, especially electronic spreadsheets, is placing greater demands on the already full university curriculum. A potential help in meeting these demands is the readily available computer-based software tutorials. In order to explore the feasibility of computer-based instruction as an alternative to human instruction, this research compares two modes of instruction, computer-based and human. An experiment was conducted with groups of business student subjects. The research results indicate no difference in students‘ attitude towards computer-based instruction and human instruction of spreadsheets. Students’ short-term recall of the software syntax being taught is as strong with computer-based instruction as with human instruction. These results were not affected by the level of personal computer experience that students had prior to the experiment. However, the ability to comprehend and immediately apply the software to ...
Hypothalamic ovarian steroid hormone-sensitive neurons involved in female sexual behavior

Abstract Estradiol and progesterone regulate sexual behaviors in guinea pigs and rats, at least in part, through interaction with intracellular steroid hormone receptors. In the present review of work from the laboratory of the authors, we summarize recent work which has focused on one of the sites of hormone action in female guinea pigs—the ventrolateral hypothalamus. We summarize results of earlier experiments in which the regulation of steroid hormone receptors in this area was assessed after hormonal treatments with predictable effects on female sexual behavior. We then review the results of recent tract-tracing experiments in which we have examined the projections from the steroid receptor-immunoreactive neurons in this region, as well as the afferent projections from other neuroanatomical areas, including neurons which themselves contain estrogen receptors. We also present studies on the afferent input into these neurons by noradrenergic neurons and discuss the possibility that noradrenergic input influences steroid hormone sensitivity in these neurons. Finally, we discuss the results of experiments in which Fos-immunocytochemistry was used in rats to identify the neurons responding to a particular tactile stimulus associated with female reproduction. i.e., vaginal-cervical stimulation. These experiments further define a complex neuroanatomical system, in which many of the elements are estradiol or progesterone-responsive, that is involved in the hormonal regulation of sexual behavior in guinea pigs and rats.
Seasonal Activity of Nymphal Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Different Habitats in New Jersey

Activity patterns of nymphal Ixodes scapularis Say were compared between habitat types (dominant tree types: mixed deciduous, oak, white pine, red cedar, sassafras, and spicebush). Both the time of peak abundance and the relative abundance of questing nymphs at the peak were compared. Several smoothing algorithms were tested with the data to determine if they could be used to estimate the time of peak abundance more accurately. Determination of the time of peak abundance using the raw data or simple moving averages was susceptible to outliers. Weighted averages were less susceptible to outliers. The seasonal pattern of nymphal abundance was similar in all habitat types. Variation in the time of peak abundance between habitats was low. Peak densities were lower in deciduous habitats (0.24 +/- 0.05 nymphs per square meter) than in nondeciduous habitats (0.85 +/- 0.15 nymphs per square meter); this could have resulted from higher host use of the nondeciduous areas. These data suggest that there are differences in the population dynamics of nymphs found in different habitats.
OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND FLIGHT MUSCLE ACTIVITY DURING HEATING IN WORKERS AND DRONES OF APIS MELLIFERA

Instantaneous oxygen consumption, muscle potential frequency, thoracic and ambient temperature were simultaneously measured during heating in individual workers and drones of honey bees. Relationships between these parameters and effects of thoracic temperature on power input and temperature elevation were studied. Oxygen consumption increased above basal levels only when flight muscles became active. Increasing muscle potential frequencies correlated with elevated oxygen consumption and raised thoracic temperature. The difference between thoracic and ambient temperature and oxygen consumption were linearly related. Oxygen consumption per muscle potential (μl O2 · g −1 thorax · MP−1) was two-fold higher in drones than in workers. However, oxygen consumption for heating the thorax (μl O2 · g −1 thorax · (Tth-Ta) · °C−1) was nearly the same in workers and drones. Thoracic temperature affected the amount of oxygen consumed per muscle potential (R10=1.5). Achieved temperature elevation per 100 MP was more temperature sensitive in drones (R10=6–10) than in workers (R10=3.6). Q10 values for oxygen consumption were 3 in workers and 4.5–6 in drones. Muscle potential frequency decreased with a Q10=1.8 in workers and 2.7 in drones. Heating behaviour of workers and drones was different. Drones generated heat less continuously than workers, and showed greater interindividual variability in predilection to heat. However, the maximal difference between ambient and thoracic temperature observed was 22 °C in drones and 14 °C in workers, indicating greater potential for drones.
Metal Clusters in Catalysis III. — Clusters as Models for Chemisorption Processes and Heterogeneous Catalysis

An analysis of the intrinsic structural, stereochemical and thermodynamic features of metal surfaces vis a vis those of discrete metal clusters suggests that the clusters are attractive models of metal surfaces for chemisorption and heterogeneous catalysis. Chemical and catalytic properties of the two classes are compared.
Inequality and crime: Evidence from Russia's regions

We examine the effect of inequality on crime in Russia's 88 regional entities from 2000 to 2005. Using dynamic Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation techniques, we consider both violent (murder and robberies) and nonviolent crime (thefts, economic crimes), and drug crimes and crimes committed by juveniles. The results indicate that inequality has a significant, positive effect on murders, robberies, thefts and juvenile crimes.
Hepatic repopulation with stably transduced conditionally immortalized hepatocytes in the Gunn rat.

Background/Aims Conditionally immortalized hepatocytes offer a renewable source of hepatocytes, but although preparative maneuvers have been developed for hepatic repopulation with primary hepatocytes, extensive proliferation of transplanted immortalized hepatocytes has not been accomplished heretofore. Our aim was to achieve ex vivo gene therapy of uridinediphosphoglucuronate glucuronosyltransferase-1A1 (UGT1A1)-deficient jaundiced Gunn rats (model of Crigler–Najjar syndrome type-1) by hepatic repopulation with genetically modified and conditionally immortalized hepatocytes. Methods Gunn rat hepatocytes were conditionally immortalized by stable transduction with a thermolabile mutant simian virus 40 T-antigen ( ts Tag A58 ) and further transduced with UGT1A1 . These hepatocytes proliferate at 33°C, but at 37°C the ts Tag A58 is degraded and the cells become quiescent. The cells were transplanted into Gunn rat livers after preparative hepatic irradiation (50 Gy) and 66% hepatectomy. Results The engrafted UGT1A1-positive immortalized hepatocytes replaced ∼80% of the host hepatocytes in 20 weeks, leading to normalization of hyperbilirubinemia. Liver histology, and serum albumin and alanine aminotransferase levels remained normal. Conclusions We achieved complete cure of hyperbilirubinemia in Gunn rats by ex vivo gene therapy via genetically modified and conditionally immortalized hepatocytes.
Production of lignofuels and electrofuels by extremely thermophilic microbes.

Extreme thermophiles are microorganisms that grow optimally at elevated temperatures (≥ 70°C). They could play an important role in the emerging renewable energy landscape by exploiting thermophily to produce liquid transportation fuels. For example, Caldicellulosiruptor species can grow on unpretreated plant biomass near 80°C utilizing novel multi-domain glycoside hydrolases. Through metabolic engineering, advanced biofuels compatible with existing infrastructure liquid biofuels, so-called lignofuels, could be produced to establish consolidated bioprocessing at high temperatures. In another case, a new paradigm, electrofuels, addresses the inefficiency of biofuel production through the direct synthesis of advanced fuels from carbon dioxide using hydrogen gas as the electron carrier. This requires coupling of biological electron utilization to carbon dioxide fixation and ultimately to fuel synthesis. Using a hyperthermophilic host Pyrococcus furiosus and synthetic metabolic pathways comprised of genes fro...
Elastic instability in ion-beam-irradiated magnesium aluminate spinel

Abstract We present the first observation of an irradiation-induced instability in the shear modulus of MgAl2O4 spinel. Brillouin scattering was used to determine the elastic constant C 44 following 400 keV Xe2+ irradiation of single-crystal spinel at 100 K. The corresponding structural changes were determined using electron microscopy. The results confirm a two-step transformation to the amorphous state through an intermediate metastable crystalline phase. The shear elastic constant decreases by about 35% upon amorphization. This low-temperature radiation response, which is in contrast with the radiation resistance observed at elevated temperatures, is discussued in terms of the ability of spinel to accommodate cation disorder and the free-energy difference between the liquid and solid states.
Face Hallucination: Theory and Practice

In this paper, we study face hallucination, or synthesizing a high-resolution face image from an input low-resolution image, with the help of a large collection of other high-resolution face images. Our theoretical contribution is a two-step statistical modeling approach that integrates both a global parametric model and a local nonparametric model. At the first step, we derive a global linear model to learn the relationship between the high-resolution face images and their smoothed and down-sampled lower resolution ones. At the second step, we model the residue between an original high-resolution image and the reconstructed high-resolution image after applying the learned linear model by a patch-based non-parametric Markov network to capture the high-frequency content. By integrating both global and local models, we can generate photorealistic face images. A practical contribution is a robust warping algorithm to align the low-resolution face images to obtain good hallucination results. The effectiveness of our approach is demonstrated by extensive experiments generating high-quality hallucinated face images from low-resolution input with no manual alignment.
W1/O/W2 and O1/W/O2 globules stabilized with Span 80 and Tween 80

Abstract The formation and stability of single water-in-oil-in-water (W 1 /O/W 2 ) and oil-in-water-in-oil (O 1 /W/O 2 ) globules were studied inside microcapillaries using video microscopy. Varying parameters included pH, salinity, as well as concentration of Tween 80 and Span 80 surfactants used to stabilize the globules were studied. It was found that surfactant type and concentration were the primary factors that controlled the globules' stability, whereas the effects of pH and ionic strength were minor. A comparison of stability of these two types of globules under similar conditions revealed that Span 80 has a far superior ability to stabilize globules than Tween 80.
Effect of DNA lesions on transcription elongation.

Some types of damage to cellular DNA have been shown to interfere with the essential transactions of replicationand transcription. Not only may the translocation of the polymerase be arrested at the site of the lesion but the bound protein mayencumber recognition of the lesion by repair enzymes. In the case of transcription a subpathway of excision repair, termed transcription-coupled repair (TCR) has been shown to operate on lesions in the transcribed strands of expressed genes in bacteria, yeast, mammalian cells and a number of other organisms. Certain genes in mammalian cells (e.g., CSA and CSB) have been uniquely implicated in TCR while others (e.g., XPC-HR23 and XPE) have been shown to operate in the global genomic pathway of nucleotide excision repair, but not in TCR. In order to understand the mechanism of TCR it is important to learn how an RNA polymerase elongation complex interacts with a damaged DNA template. That relationship is explored for different lesions and different RNA polymerase systems in this article.
An Evolutionary Perspective on Human Fertility

This paper illustrates evolutionary approaches to population issues. Life history theory is a general theoretical framework that incorporates environmental influences, contextual influences, and heritable variation. In general, physically or psychologically stressful environments delay maturation and the onset of reproductive competence. Perceptions of scarcity also result in lower fertility by delaying reproduction or having fewer children—a phenomenon viewed as an adaptation to ancestral environments. The desire for upward social mobility is viewed as an evolved motive disposition affecting fertility decisions. The opportunity for upward social mobility typically results in delaying reproduction and lowering fertility in the interest of increasing investment in children. Variation in life history strategies is also influenced by genetic variation, but genetic variation interacts with cultural shifts in the social control of sexual behavior. Finally, I discuss the effects of between-group competition for resources on population issues. Immigration policy and group differences in fertility influence political power within and between societies, often with explosive results. Demographic expansion has often been an instrument of ethnic competition and is an important source of conflict in the contemporary world.
On the Tobin Tax

Abstract This paper clarifies why a transaction tax, such as the Tobin Tax, can stabilize financial markets. In markets that are already fairly deep, relatively small changes in trading volume are unlikely to have any impact (positive or negative) on volatility. Thus, a Tobin Tax can potentially have a stabilizing effect on international currency markets not because it reduces the excessive volume of transactions of speculators, but because it can slow down the speed with which market traders react to changes in prices of currencies. Moreover, it can lower their elasticity of future price expectations with respect to current price changes, which also has a stabilizing effect. Thus, to the extent that a Tobin Tax causes traders in financial markets to delay their decisions, a few ‘grains of sand in the wheels of international finance’ can indeed be stabilizing. Whether or not that is sufficient to prevent speculative attacks on currencies is a different matter.
Language Intensity: Testing a Content-Based Metric.

This investigation assessed two versions (original, elaborated) of a content‐based metric for coding and calculating composite verbal intensity values for naturalistic discourse. Intensity scores were calculated for 50 sample talking turns using two versions of the scheme and compared with subjects’ intensity ratings of the 50 turns in two conditions. In the content condition subjects (n = 65) read each message and rated its intensity along a five‐point scale, while in the audio condition subjects (n = 65) listened to the recorded messages and indicated their perceived intensity using the same five‐point scale. Results indicate that composite intensity scores calculated via a revised (elaborated) version of the metric were not significantly different from subjects’ intensity ratings in the two conditions and were characterized by a significant positive correlation with those ratings. However, the composite intensity scores produced via the original version of the metric were significantly different from t...
Modeling attacker-technology system interaction in transportation networks: P 2 I 3 -model

An important challenge for homeland security agencies is to properly understand the interaction between terrorists and the methods to protect and deter attacks on the transportation network. Examining the nature of these interactions can greatly assist the enhancement of existing technologies and guide the development of new ones. This interaction is complex, possessing numerous variables that affect potential outcomes. This paper presents the Perception Square Interaction Cube Model (P2I3-Model) to describe these interactions using the system dynamics approach. This model incorporates three participants: the homeland security agency, the attacker, and the real world. The HS-Agency-perception, Attacker-perception, and Real-world submodels respectively characterize these participants. These three interacting sub-models combine to form the system governing the participants' perceptions, behaviors, and actions. The model accepts a set of measurable inputs from the HS agency and produces quantitative outputs to guide the HS agency's protection planning, deployment, and strategic policy revision activities. Simulation results suggest that the probability of attack success from the perspectives of the HS agency and attacker can differ significantly. System uncertainties and intelligence efforts are the central factors influencing these probabilities.
Heterogeneity of the carcinoembryonic antigen.

Abstract Fractionation of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) by ECTEOLA-cellulose chromatography and by isoelectric focusing indicated that the antigen was heterogeneous. The fractions obtained were variable in their content of sialic acid, amino sugars, and amino acids. All fractions were antigenically active and exhibited immunologic identity with respect to one another. Removal of the sialic acid with neuraminidase altered the electrophoretic migration and slightly decresed the heterogeneity of CEA as revealed by isoelectric focusing, but did not alter the activity of the material in the radioimmune assay.
Inflatable penile prosthesis: new device for cylinder insertion

A new device for insertion of inflatable penile cylinders into the corpus cavernosum significantly simplifies the implantation of the inflatable penile prosthesis. Use of this device assures accurate positioning within the corpora, with a minimum of device manipulation and tissue trauma, thereby minimizing postoperative complications.
Opioid peptidomimetics: leads for the design of bioavailable mixed efficacy μ opioid receptor (MOR) agonist/δ opioid receptor (DOR) antagonist ligands.

We have previously described opioid peptidomimetic, 1, employing a tetrahydroquinoline scaffold and modeled on a series of cyclic tetrapeptide opioid agonists. We have recently described modifications to these peptides that confer a μ opioid receptor (MOR) agonist, δ opioid receptor (DOR) antagonist profile, which has been shown to reduce the development of tolerance to the analgesic actions of MOR agonists. Several such bifunctional ligands have been reported, but none has been demonstrated to cross the blood–brain barrier. Here we describe the transfer of structural features that evoked MOR agonist/DOR antagonist behavior in the cyclic peptides to the tetrahydroquinoline scaffold and show that the resulting peptidomimetics maintain the desired pharmacological profile. Further, the 4R diastereomer of 1 was fully efficacious and approximately equipotent to morphine in the mouse warm water tail withdrawal assay following intraperitoneal administration and thus a promising lead for the development of opioid...
Shell growth of Glottidia pyramidata Stimpson (Brachiopoda : Inarticulata)

Abstract Transmission and scanning electron microscope observations revealed that the mineralized layer of the shell of the lingulid brachiopod Glottidia pyramidata Stimpson consists of a thick primary layer and thin secondary layers. The secondary layer alternates with the chitin layer. The basic crystalline component of the shell is a spherulite, several micrometers in diameter, consisting of acicular crystallites. Two types of organic fibres are present in the mineralized layer; coarse fibers, regularly arranged in “X” figures, and finer fibers organized in an irregular network. The mantle epithelium contains Type I, II, and III squamous cells. Type I cells form the secondary layer and Type II and III form the chitin layer. The animal appears to deposit the secondary and chitin layers alternately by switching the epithelial cell type back and forth from Type I to Type III via Type II cells.
The Tax Reform Act of 1986 and the Progressivity of the Individual income Tax

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 instituted some of the most dramatic revisions of the federal income tax since its inception. The primary purpose of this article is to examine the impact of the changes incorporated in TRA86 on the progressivity of the federal individual income tax. Structural and distributional indices were used to measure progressivity. Estimates of these indices were derived using seemingly unrelated regressions and data from the 1984 Individual Tax Model. The results indicate that when progresscvity is measured locally, determination of which system is more progressive varies as income rises.
Atomic nitrogen production in nitrogen-plasma sources used for the growth of ZnSe : N and related alloys by molecular-beam epitaxy

Abstract A high resolution study of the optical emission from nitrogen-plasmas produced by an Oxford Applied Research radio frequency plasma source is reported. Strong atomic emission lines in the near-infrared spectral region provide unequivocal evidence that the nitrogen-plasma source generates an appreciable flux of nitrogen atoms. Nitrogen atoms, rather than N 2 molecules in the plasma, are the most likely nitrogen-plasma species responsible for the successful p-type doping of ZnSe : N and related alloys. Emission spectra from the radio frequency nitrogen-plasma source are compared with similar emission spectra obtained from an electron cyclotron resonance microwave nitrogen-plasma source.