cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Liquid‐like structure of polymer solutions near the overlap concentration

The light scattering structure factor S(q, c) has been measured for a series of concentrations near the overlap value c* for solutions of high molecular weight poly(α-methyl styrene) in the good solvent toluene. Scattering functions near and above overlap are characterized by a maximum as a function of scattering vector q. Scattering functions have also been calculated for these conditions using the measured second virial coefficient and radius of gyration, as reported previously for dilute solutions. The scattering function is factored into an intramolecular part that is described by a Debye function with no adjustable parameters and an intermolecular part that depends on the coil–coil pair correlation function, as suggested by Flory and Bueche. The pair correlation function is calculated using the Percus–Yevick theory of liquids and the Flory–Krigbaum potential for coil–coil interactions, as suggested by Frank Stillinger. Good agreement is obtained for the most concentrated dilute solutions, but as the overlap concentration is approached significant discrepancies are observed. The thermodynamic value of the scattering function, S(0, c), is overestimated by the theory. This discrepancy is discussed in terms of the importance of three-body interactions, the failure of the Flory–Krigbaum potential in semidilute solutions and the limited precision of the standard protocol for calculating the measured scattering function in nondilute solutions. The observed maximum in the scattering function near overlap is not quantitatively reproduced by the theory. This discrepancy is discussed in terms of the failure of the shape of the Flory–Krigbaum potential to accurately reflect the energy of overlap for chains separated by distances near twice the radius of gyration. The mean-field nature of the potential ignores the increased probability of interactions of linear neighboring segments. Well into the overlap region, the calculated scattering function poorly describes the observed results. The failure of the Flory–Bueche approximation in semidilute solutions is discussed as well as the effect of a changing radius of gyration as a function of concentration on the intramolecular scattering function. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 703–710, 2006
Equilibrium exit in stochastically declining industries

Abstract We study a complete information model of exit for an industry in stochastic decline. We characterize the entire set of pure strategy subgame-perfect equilibria for the exit game. In general, there are multiple subgame-perfect equilibria of our exit game, in contrast to several papers in the literature. Relaxing an assumption in those models (arguably in the direction of more realism) will give multiple equilibria in those models also. We provide (fairly restrictive) necessary and sufficient conditions for there to be a unique subgame-perfect equilibrium.
High-resolution fMRI using multislice partial k-space GR-EPI with cubic voxels.

The premises of this work are: 1) the limit of spatial resolution in fMRI is determined by anatomy of the microcirculation; 2) because of cortical gray matter tortuosity, fMRI experiments should (in principle) be carried out using cubic voxels; and 3) the noise in fMRI experiments is dominated by low-frequency BOLD fluctuations that are a consequence of spontaneous neuronal events and are pixel-wise dependent. A new model is proposed for fMRI contrast which predicts that the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) tends to be independent of voxel dimensions (in the absence of partial voluming of activated tissue), TE, and scanner bandwidth. These predictions have been tested at 3 T, and results support the model. Scatter plots of fMRI signal intensities and low-frequency fluctuations for activated pixels in a finger-tapping paradigm demonstrated a linear relationship between signal and noise that was independent of TE. The R(2) value was about 0.9 across eight subjects studied. The CNR tended to be constant across pixels within a subject but varied across subjects: CNR = 3.2 +/- 1.0. fMRI statistics at 20- and 40-ms TE values were indistinguishable, and TE values as short as 10 ms were used successfully. Robust fMRI data were obtained across all subjects using 1 x 1 x 1 mm(3) cubic voxels with 10 contiguous slices, although 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 mm(3) was found to be optimum. Magn Reson Med 46:114-125, 2001.
Understanding Resistance to Change: The Jefferson Company Exercise:

To successfully implement an organizational change effort, the counterforces to the change must be managed effectively. This four-character role-play exercise, which is based on a real-life situation, is designed to show how both employee and management resistance to change can hinder the implementation of a change effort. The Jefferson Company is an old-line printing company with new partners that needs to change its technology, its equipment, and its operating procedures. The company is also confronting a challenging competitive situation, a precarious debt position, and an existing union contract. This role-play exercise can also be used to illustrate group dynamics and power issues.
Gastric irritation and bleeding after drug administration

Abstract Many drugs are known to be irritating to the stomach and GI tract, and some have been shown to produce gastric ulceration and bleeding (1–3). This communication describes results obtained in a study to determine if various drugs would induce bleeding or ulceration in the stomach of rats under various experimental conditions.
Optimization of Expression of Human Sulfite Oxidase and Its Molybdenum Domain

The conditions for the heterologous expression of both untagged and His-tagged human sulfite oxidase in Escherichia coli have been optimized. Maximum production of active enzyme requires expression in a mob- cell strain at low levels of the inducer. Using these conditions, 3.9-5.6 mg of untagged and 15 mg of His-tagged sulfite oxidase were isolated per liter of cell culture. These represent significantly higher levels than previously reported for any molybdopterin-containing protein. High levels of enzyme activity and molybdenum incorporation were maintained despite the increase in yield, and no significant differences in kinetic properties were observed between the tagged and untagged sulfite oxidase. Additionally, the molybdenum domain of sulfite oxidase was expressed in a stable, active form as a His-tagged protein. The molybdenum domain was also expressed in the presence of tungstate to enable examination of the molybdopterin-tungsten form of sulfite oxidase.
Ancient imprints: fear and the origins of secret writing.

Invisible ink originated in the ancient arts of love and war. Forged in a time of strife between the freedom-loving Greeks and the despotic Persians and sired in siege warfare, steganography (hidden writing) was the ultimate form of deception. While the Greeks used hidden writing in the art of warfare at the dawn of the first millennium, the Romans adopted it for the art of love. Looking back, the story of the Ancient Greeks and Romans offer us a template for better understanding the human need for secret communication and the art of invisible writing.
Common and Distinct Genetic Properties of ESCRT-II Components in Drosophila

Background Genetic studies in yeast have identified class E vps genes that form the ESCRT complexes required for protein sorting at the early endosome. In Drosophila, mutations of the ESCRT-II component vps25 cause endosomal defects leading to accumulation of Notch protein and increased Notch pathway activity. These endosomal and signaling defects are thought to account for several phenotypes. Depending on the developmental context, two different types of overgrowth can be detected. Tissue predominantly mutant for vps25 displays neoplastic tumor characteristics. In contrast, vps25 mutant clones in a wild-type background trigger hyperplastic overgrowth in a non-autonomous manner. In addition, vps25 mutant clones also promote apoptotic resistance in a non-autonomous manner. Principal Findings Here, we genetically characterize the remaining ESCRT-II components vps22 and vps36. Like vps25, mutants of vps22 and vps36 display endosomal defects, accumulate Notch protein and – when the tissue is predominantly mutant – show neoplastic tumor characteristics. However, despite these common phenotypes, they have distinct non-autonomous phenotypes. While vps22 mutations cause strong non-autonomous overgrowth, they do not affect apoptotic resistance. In contrast, vps36 mutations increase apoptotic resistance, but have little effect on non-autonomous proliferation. Further characterization reveals that although all ESCRT-II mutants accumulate Notch protein, only vps22 and vps25 mutations trigger Notch activity. Conclusions/Significance The ESCRT-II components vps22, vps25 and vps36 display common and distinct genetic properties. Our data redefine the role of Notch for hyperplastic and neoplastic overgrowth in these mutants. While Notch is required for hyperplastic growth, it appears to be dispensable for neoplastic transformation.
SPIN-SPIN INTERACTIONS AND SCATTERING FROM POLARIZED NUCLEI

Abstract The elastic scattering of polarized nucleons from polarized targets is studied, assuming an optical-model potential which includes an interaction of the form f(r) I · S . Numerical results, obtained using the distorted-wave Born approximation, are presented for some typical cases, namely neutrons of 0.3, 2, and 14 MeV, protons of 5 and 14 MeV incident on Mn55 and Ho165 target nuclei. Comparison with experiment can yield the sign and magnitude of the I · S interaction.
Progression and management of Wegener's granulomatosis in the head and neck

Objectives/Hypothesis: To describe the otolaryngologic presentation and natural history of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), previously known as Wegener's granulomatosis, and to compare otolaryngologic outcomes of patients with systemic GPA to those with a limited form of GPA confined to the head and neck. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Methods: Review of GPA cases (identified by serology, biopsy, or clinical presentation) seen in the otolaryngology department of an academic medical center. Results: A total of 24 patients were identified; each patient was followed for an average 6.8 years. Sinusitis and subglottic stenosis were the most commonly observed head and neck manifestations at diagnosis, seen in 64% and 36%, respectively. Over time, disease spread to additional sites in more than half the cohort (n = 14), but only two of 13 patients with disease initially limited to the head and neck developed pulmonary disease, and none developed renal disease. Cumulatively, otitis media was more likely to be observed in patients with systemic disease (P = .04). Patients with localized (n = 12) and systemic (n = 12) GPA did not have significantly different rates of surgical interventions (0.55 vs. 0.72 surgical interventions/patient-year of follow-up, respectively, P = .19). Conclusions: GPA has a variety of head and neck manifestations, most commonly sinusitis, nasal disease, subglottic stenosis, and otitis media. GPA commonly progresses to involve additional sites, regardless of the extent of disease. These patients require frequent surgical intervention, and the clinician should remain vigilant for progression of disease.
Clinical Indices of Tobacco Use in People with Schizophrenia

People with schizophrenia are more likely to smoke and less likely to quit than people in the general population. Several biological and environmental factors could interact to account for high smoking persistence in this population, including increased sensitivity to the reinforcing effects of nicotine or conditioned cues, beneficial effects of nicotine on symptoms or cognitive function, higher levels of craving or negative affect during abstinence, exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms during abstinence, and reduced motivation, self-efficacy or support for quitting. Controlled comparisons of responses to abstinence, cues and nicotine replacement in smokers with schizophrenia and equally-dependent smokers who do not have psychiatric illness may help to clarify the degree to which these biological and environmental factors may contribute to smoking persistence in people with schizophrenia. This chapter summarizes the research findings in this area and offers directions for future research.
Exenteration of the Orbit in Selected Cases of Severe Orbital Contracture

Severe orbital contracture is treated with graft-covered conformers fixed to the orbit with wires, pins or a headcap. In spite of these vigorous techniques, failures occur. Exenteration was used in four cases of severe orbital contracture with deformity and restricted function of the eyelids. The patient was fitted in six to eight weeks with a prosthesis made from methyl methacrylate and silicone. The margins of the prosthesis were inconspicuous in contrast to older prostheses made entirely of methyl methacrylate. The flexible silicone was well tolerated by the skin of the orbital margins. Patient acceptance and cosmetic appearance has been excellent.
The Role of Venography and Surgery in the Management of Patients with Superior Vena Cava Obstruction

Venacavography proved to be an excellent guide for the design of patient management programs. Type 1 patients with incomplete obstruction of the superior vena cava (SVC) are best managed by irradiation and chemotherapy regimens and usually do not require operation to bypass the SVC. Types II and IV patients are treated by operation when symptoms of airway obstruction or cerebral venous hypertension are present. Type III patients should be considered for SVC bypass as an initial therapeutic intervention. This group is more likely to have cerebral or airway symptoms and would benefit most from the bypass operation. In terms of operative considerations, type III patients are ideal for operation because the left brachiocephalic vein is usually available for bypass. Type IV patients may also be considered, but operation is more difficult and may require venous thrombectomy or extension of the bypass graft above the thoracic inlet to obtain head and neck decompression.
Neurohumoral and reflex control of scaphognathite beating in the crabCarcinus maenas

5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) injected into intact shore crabs (Cardnus maenas) induces a decrease in frequency of forward beating of the scaphognathites (SG), an increase in occurrence of reversals of the SG, and, at the highest doses tested, reversal sessions of long duration (Fig. 1). When perfused over semi-isolated preparations of the thoracic ganglion, 5HT decreases the frequency of bursting in the nerve trunks containing motoneurons to SG musculature (Fig. 3), and increases the frequency and duration of pauses in motor output. Glutamate, and possibly acetylcholine, increase the occurrence of reversal sessions but not their duration. Dopamine, noradrenaline, octopamine andγ-amino butyric acid do not alter SG function after injection (Fig. 2).
ISOLATION OF RABBIT PULMONARY MICROVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL CELLS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THEIR ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME ACTIVITY

Abstract An in vitro model using cultured rabbit pulmonary endothelial cells of microvascular origin was developed to define the luminal surface membrane characteristics of microvascular endothelium. Endothelial cells were isolated from peripheral lung segments and sorted after preferential uptake of a fluorescent derivative, diiodoindocarbo cyanine acetylated-LDL. Cells were further characterized by demonstrating angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) on their surface by means of indirect immunofluorescence. ACE activity and its pharmacologie modification were then studied as functional assays of cell activity. Hydrolysis of Benz-phe-ala-pro (BPAP), a synthetic substrate for ACE was saturable over a concentration range of 1 to 100 μm. Thus, BPAP hydrolysis in cultured microvascular endothelial cells behaves overall in a manner similar to that seen in large resistance vessels except that a portion of the hydrolysis is not inhibited by captopril, an ACE-specific inhibitor, indicating the presence of another protease capable of BPAP hydrolysis. Accordingly, this system can be used to compare ACE and other protease kinetics in microvessel cells with those of large vessel endothelium or perfused lungs.
A gap condition for the zeroes of certain polynomials in Kaplan classes K(α, β)

On etudie la localisation des zeros de certains polynomes dans les classes de Kaplan de fonctions analytiques K(α,β)
Estimated home ranges can misrepresent habitat relationships on patchy landscapes

Home ranges of animals are generally structured by the selective use of resource-bearing patches that comprise habitat. Based on this concept, home ranges of animals estimated from location data are commonly used to infer habitat relationships. Because home ranges estimated from animal locations are largely continuous in space, the resource-bearing patches selected by an animal from a fragmented distribution of patches would be difficult to discern; unselected patches included in the home range estimate would bias an understanding of important habitat relationships. To evaluate potential for this bias, we generated simulated home ranges based on optimal selection of resource-bearing patches across a series of simulated resource distributions that varied in the spatial continuity of resources. For simulated home ranges where selected patches were spatially disjunct, we included interstitial, unselected cells most likely to be traveled by an animal moving among selected patches. We compared characteristics of the simulated home ranges with and without interstitial patches to evaluate how insights derived from field estimates can differ from actual characteristics of home ranges, depending on patchiness of landscapes. Our results showed that contiguous home range estimates could lead to misleading insights on the quality, size, resource content, and efficiency of home ranges, proportional to the spatial discontinuity of resource-bearing patches. We conclude the potential bias of including unselected, largely irrelevant patches in the field estimates of home ranges of animals can be high, particularly for home range estimators that assume uniform use of space within home range boundaries. Thus, inferences about the habitat relationships that ultimately define an animal's home range can be misleading where animals occupy landscapes with patchily distributed resources.
Wind farms: windfall or wipeout?

Humans have relied on wind–generated power for hundreds of years. However, the bucolic visions of traditional windmills have been replaced by large commercial wind turbines. Although wind energy avoids much of the environmental damage caused by traditional fossil fuels, questions remain. Opponents allege that wind turbines pose a threat to wildlife. Perhaps most importantly, nearby landowners dread the potential or perceived impact of wind farms on viewsheds and property values. This paper examines the benefits offered and problems posed by commercial wind farms. The paper concludes that wind will continue to play an important role in the world energy puzzle.
Effect of process solids on secondary reactions during oil shale retorting

Abstract The effect of solids processing, oil vapour-solids interactions and contact time on coke formation from oils produced during Eastern US oil shale pyrolysis was investigated. Both long and short vapour contact time reactors were used to study the coking reactivity of sand, processed shales and clay minerals typically associated with Eastern US oil shales. BET nitrogen surface area and reflected light microscopy were used to correlate physical properties of the solids with carbon deposition. Combusted shales were more reactive coking substates than pyrolysed or gasified shales. Physical measurements indicated that macropores and fractures (not measured by BET) were important in coke formation. Steam treatment of oxidized shale decreased coking without changing measured physical properties. This is possible evidence for chemical alteration of the mineral matrix. Combustion temperature (773 versus 1098 K) did not affect the reactivity of oxidized shales. Therefore, high coking cannot be attributed to temperature-induced activation of the mineral matrix. Coking on clay minerals correlated to nitrogen BET surface area. Process-induced macroporosity, which allowed access to an active mineral matrix, was postulated as important in coke deposition.
An analysis of accidents at a day care center

An analysis of 1324 accidents over a 42-month period at a university day care center revealed that toddlers had the highest average number of injuries, most of them self-induced, that accidents peaked in mid-morning, and that September was the month with the highest accident rate. Although accidents were frequent, injuries were minor. Results are contrasted to those of earlier studies.
Human spinal fluid methadone levels

Abstract Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) levels of methadone were measured in nine methadone maintenance patients requiring lumbar punctures for medical or surgical treatment. Concurrent serum methadone levels were also determined. The CSF concentration of methadone in all cases was a fraction of the corresponding serum level — ranging from 2 to 73%. The CSF concentrations of methadone ranged from 0.010 to 0.097 ng %. Peak methadone levels in CSF appeared approximately 3–8 hours after methadone administration.
Pressures in a submerged fluid-filled cylindrical shell subjected to a step wave

Abstract The response of a submerged, fluid-filled, infinitely long, cylindrical shell (plane-strain ring) subjected to a step shock wave is studied to determine the effect of shell parameters (moduli, thickness, radius) on the shape of the pressure pulse transmitted inside the shell. The results show that the shell is transparent if thin enough, but, as the thickness increases, strong shell vibrations become important and distort the pulse.
Information seeking: convergence of search, recommendations, and advertising

All of us are faced with a “deluge of data” [2], in our workplaces and our homes: an ever-growing World Wide Web, digital books and magazines, photographs, blogs, tweets, emails, databases, activity logs, sensor streams, on-line videos, movies and music, and so on. Thus, one of the fundamental problems in Computer Science has become even more critical today: how to identify objects satisfying a user’s information need. The goal is to present to the user only information that is of interest and relevance, at the right place and time. At least three types of information providing mechanisms have been developed over the years to satisfy user information needs:
MANNICH BASES AND ALCOHOLS FROM HEXAMETHYLENIMINE.

The synthesis of a group of Mannich bases and secondary and tertiary γ-aminoalcohols derived from hexamethylenimine are described. These compounds are to be screened for possible pharmacological action.
Rank reduction in graph partitioning

The problem of partitioning the vertex set of an edge-weighted undirected graph into two parts of specified sizes so that the cost of the partition defined as the sum of the weights on edges joining vertices in different parts is minimized is addressed. This problem is NP-hard and has several important applications in VLSI layout, where the graph size is typically large and the brute-force approach of listing all feasible partitions and comparing costs is computationally prohibitive. It is shown that if the n*n connection matrix of the graph has rank p, then the search can be confined to a smaller set of n/sup p(p+1)/2/ partitions. Procedures are developed for constructing all such partitions in O(n/sup p(p+3)/2/) time. For matrices with large rank, a principal components approximation of the connection matrix is suggested. The algorithms provide a bound on the proximity of the cost of the constructed partition to the optimal cost based on the eigenvalues left out in the rank reduction process. >
Glucose reduces the anticonvulsant effects of the ketogenic diet in EL mice

The ketogenic diet (KD) is known to be anticonvulsant and anti-epileptogenic. While the mechanism behind this therapeutic benefit is unclear, a reduction of circulating glucose levels through calorie restriction (CR) has been implicated. Foods or drinks that elevate blood glucose are known to compromise the therapeutic benefit of the KD in some children with epilepsy. We therefore evaluated the effect of a calorie restricted KD (KD-R) with supplementation of glucose in the drinking water of EL mice, a natural model of idiopathic generalized epilepsy, prior to seizure testing to assess the effect of glucose on seizure generation. Mice were fed either a standard diet or the KD unrestricted (SD-UR and KD-UR, respectively), or the KD restricted (KD-R). d-Glucose (25 mM) was supplemented in the drinking water of KD-R fed mice for 0.5h or for 2.5h prior to seizure testing. Each restricted mouse served as its own body weight control to achieve a 15-18% body weight reduction. Seizure susceptibility, body weights, and plasma glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate levels were measured over a nine-week treatment period. Body weights and glucose levels remained high over the testing period in both the SD-UR and the KD-UR groups, but were significantly reduced in all R-fed groups. A significant increase in β-hydroxybutyrate levels was observed in all KD groups. Seizure susceptibility remained highest in the SD-UR group, was slightly reduced in the KD-UR group, and was significantly reduced after three weeks in all R-fed groups. Supplementation of glucose prior to seizure testing resulted in a decrease of seizure threshold for R-fed mice, but did not alter bodyweight or circulating glucose levels. The KD has both an anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic effect in EL mice. Here we confirm that CR enhances the anticonvulsant action of the KD in EL mice. Additionally, we show for the first time that supplementation of glucose decreases the anticonvulsant action of the KD, which further supports the hypothesis that CR works through transitioning metabolism from glucose to ketone utilization for energy.
Noncovalent Interactions of a Benzo[a]pyrene Diol Epoxide with DNA Base Pairs: Insight into the Formation of Adducts of (+)-BaP DE-2 with DNA

Noncovalent complexes of a tumorigenic benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide with the guanine−cytosine (GC) and adenine−thymine (AT) base pairs have been examined computationally. (+)-BaP DE-2 forms covalent adducts with DNA via nucleophilic attack on the (+)-BaP DE-2 epoxide. Computational results predict five thermodynamically accessible complexes of AT with (+)-BaP DE-2 that are compatible with intact DNA. Among these, two are expected to lead to adenine adducts. In the lowest energy AT···(+)-BaP DE-2 complex, which has a gas-phase interaction energy of −20.9 kcal mol−1, the exocyclic NH2 of adenine is positioned for backside epoxide attack and formation of a trans adduct. The most energetically favorable complex leading to formation of a cis ring-opened adduct lies only 0.6 kcal mol−1 higher in energy. For GC···(+)-BaP DE-2, there are only two thermodynamically accessible complexes. The higher-lying complex, bound in the gas phase by 24.4 kcal mol−1 relative to separated GC and (+)-BaP DE-2, would lead to a tra...
Breast carcinoma treatment received by women with disabilities compared with women without disabilities

Background Disability may make it difficult to lie flat or abduct the arm to deliver radiation therapy, imposing a high risk for radiation-induced side effects or difficulty in positioning patients for mammography. The goal of the current study was to determine the differences in treatment options experienced by women with physical disabilities compared with those without disabilities. Methods Chart review of 234 women who underwent surgery for breast carcinoma between June and September 1998 in a national comprehensive cancer center was conducted. Thirty-nine of the women had physical disabilities; the remaining 195 women were without disabilities. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to determine whether women with disabilities were less likely than women without disabilities to be treated with breast-conservation surgery (BCS) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Results Women with disabilities underwent BCS 38% of the time, whereas women without disabilities underwent BCS 49% of the time. Neither the presence nor absence of disability (P = 0.146) nor patient age (P = 0.747) were found to be significant predictors of BCS. However, the disease stage at the time of the surgery was reported to be a significant predictor of BCS (P = 0.007). The group of patients with disabilities received neoadjuvant chemotherapy 13% of the time, whereas women without disabilities received it 29% of the time. Disability was not found to be a significant predictor of whether a patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Using hierarchical logistic regression, patient age was found to be a significant predictor of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before the disease stage was entered into the regression equation. There were no data to support the hypothesis that breast carcinoma is at an advanced stage when diagnosed in women with disabilities. Conclusions These findings are clinically significant in that they indicate that women with disabilities are less likely to undergo BCS and are less likely to receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy compared with women without disabilities, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. To the authors' knowledge, there are no data to support the hypothesis that disabled women are diagnosed at a more advanced stage of disease compared with women without disabilities.
Total enterprise simulation performance and participant learning

Total enterprise simulations are often used and included as graded elements by instructors in business degree capstone “policy courses” under the assumption that their use enriches the learning experience. This suggests a belief that people who perform best in simulations have learned how to play the game better. The studies reported on here attempt to determine and evaluate the relationship between learning and simulation performance. These studies have consistently found that, while simulation‐related learning does occur, there appears to be no direct, positive relationship between the two variables. Suggestions for further research are proposed.
BDNF and 5-HT: a dynamic duo in age-related neuronal plasticity and neurodegenerative disorders

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) are known to regulate synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis and neuronal survival in the adult brain. These two signals co-regulate one another such that 5-HT stimulates the expression of BDNF, and BDNF enhances the growth and survival of 5-HT neurons. Impaired 5-HT and BDNF signaling is central to depression and anxiety disorders, but could also play important roles in the pathogenesis of several age-related disorders, including insulin resistance syndrome, Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. Enhancement of BDNF signaling may be a key mechanism whereby cognitive stimulation, exercise, dietary restriction and antidepressant drugs preserve brain function during aging. Behavioral and pharmacological manipulations that enhance 5-HT and BDNF signaling could help promote healthy brain aging.
The information content of option prices and a test of market efficiency

Abstract The Black-Scholes option pricing model, as generalized for dividend payments by Merton, is used to calculate implied variances of future stock returns. These variances are found to be better predictors of future stock return variances than those obtained from historic stock price data. A trading strategy is developed that exploits the informational content of the implied variances. The trading strategy, contrary to the efficient market hypothesis, produces abnormally high returns.
Cultural influences on the news Portrayals of the Iraq war by Swedish and American media

This study explored how cultural context influences news content by comparing American and Swedish news about the Iraq war in 2003. Using a theoretical foundation derived from the works of Hall (1980, 1997) and Hofstede (1979, 1980, 1991), a theme analysis of television and print news was conducted. The results revealed that the war was portrayed differently in the two countries and that emphasis was placed on different aspects. American media focused on military strategy, interpreted the war from the troops’ perspective, and explained it as the US bringing freedom to the Iraqi people. Swedish media interpreted the war from the international community’s and the suffering Iraqi civilians’ points of view and explained it as a failure of the international community. As hypothesized, American media had comparatively more masculine content while Swedish media had comparatively more feminine content. Findings suggest that culture is an important variable that should be considered when studying news production a...
Reclaiming produced water for beneficial use: salt removal by electrodialysis

Abstract This paper addresses the use of electrodialysis (ED) to remove salts from produced water (PW) to meet drinking water, irrigation water, and/or livestock watering standards. Specifically, ED treatment of five simulated PWs with low (CO, TX, and WY) and high (UT and OK) total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations and varying cations and anions distributions was evaluated at three voltage settings. Both the absolute and percent TDS removal were found to increase linearly with voltage for all five waters. With Neosepta ® CMX-SB/AMX-SB membranes, the cations/anions were generally found to be removed in the following order (from fastest to slowest): Ca 2+ ≈ Mg 2+ > K + > Na + and SO 4 2− > HCO 3 − > Cl − . Also, the feed concentrations of the individual anions appeared to affect their removal rates at low applied voltage settings. Finally, CO, TX, and WY waters were treatable to drinking water and livestock watering standards after 1 h at 6.5 V. Although UT water was treatable to the same standards after 2 h at 9.8 V, the stack power needed to treat the UT water was approximately 23 times higher than that required to treat each of the three low TDS waters. OK water was deemed untreatable to those standards under the laboratory operating conditions.
Interferon-β treatment in multiple sclerosis attenuates inflammatory gene expression through inducible activity of the phosphatase SHP-1

Interferon-β is a current treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). Interferon-β is thought to exert its therapeutic effects on MS by down-modulating the immune response by multiple potential pathways. Here, we document that treatment of MS patients with interferon β-1a (Rebif) results in a significant increase in the levels and function of the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 in PBMCs. SHP-1 is a crucial negative regulator of cytokine signaling, inflammatory gene expression, and CNS demyelination as evidenced in mice deficient in SHP-1. In order to examine the functional significance of SHP-1 induction in MS PBMCs, we analyzed the activity of proinflammatory signaling molecules STAT1, STAT6, and NF-κB, which are known SHP-1 targets. Interferon-β treatment in vivo resulted in decreased NF-κB and STAT6 activation and increased STAT1 activation. Further analysis in vitro showed that cultured PBMCs of MS patients and normal subjects had a significant SHP-1 induction following interferon-β treatment that correlated with decreased NF-κB and STAT6 activation. Most importantly, experimental depletion of SHP-1 in cultured PBMCs abolished the anti-inflammatory effects of interferon-β treatment, indicating that SHP-1 is a predominant mediator of interferon-β activity. In conclusion, interferon-β treatment upregulates SHP-1 expression resulting in decreased transcription factor activation and inflammatory gene expression important in MS pathogenesis.
Comparative susceptibility of Atlantic salmon, lake trout and rainbow trout to Myxobolus cerebralis in controlled laboratory exposures

The susceptibility of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and Atlantic salmon Salmo salar to Myxobolus cerebralis, the causative agent of whirling disease, was compared in controlled laboratory exposures. A total of 450 (225 for each dose) fry for each species were exposed to a low (200 spores per fish) or high (2000 spores per fish) dose of the infective triactinomyxon. At 22 wk post-exposure, 60 fish from each group, as well as controls for each species, were examined for clinical signs (whirling behavior, blacktail, deformed heads and skeletal deformities), microscopic lesions, and presence of spores. Rainbow trout were highly sus- ceptible to infection, with 100% being positive for spores and with microscopic pathological changes in both exposure groups. Rainbow trout were the only species to show whirling behavior and black- tail. Atlantic salmon were less susceptible, with only 44 and 61% being positive for spores, respec- tively, in the low and high dose groups, while 68 and 75%, respectively, had microscopic pathology associated with cartilage damage. Rainbow trout heads contained mean spore concentrations of 2.2 (low dose) or 4.0 (high dose) × 10 6 spores g tissue -1 . The means for positive Atlantic salmon (not including zero values) were 1.7 (low) and 7.4 (high) × 10 4 spores g tissue -1 . Lake trout showed no clin- ical signs of infection, were negative for spores in both groups and showed no histopathological signs of M. cerebralis infection.
NEW ENDOLITHIC CYANOPHYTES FROM THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN: I. CYANOSACCUS PIRIFORMIS GEN. ET SP. NOV.1

This paper describes a new genus and species of endolithic microorganism, Cyanosaccus piriformis Lukas and Golubic (Cyanophyta, Pleurocapsales). It is characterized by 1) having one to four spherical to pear-shaped cells within a stalked, gelatinous sheath, 2) its mode of reproduction by release of a large number of baeocytes produced by the proximal daughter cell following transverse binary fission of the parent cell, and 3) its ability to bore into and dwell within carbonate substrates in the marine environment. Its habit of asymmetrical sheath production allies it with the common microboring genera Hyella and Solentia within the family Hyellaceae. Cyanosaccus is a common inhabitant of mollusk shells found in water depths ranging from +0.5 to –75 m MLW on the eastern Florida continental margin and in carbonate sands or rocks in the intertidal and subtidal zones of the Bermuda and Bahama Islands. Its distribution within and among inhabited substrates is patchy due to its mode of reproduction and growth.
Near-Infrared Fluorescent Dye-Doped Semiconducting-Polymer Dots

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence sensing is desirable for in vivo biological measurements. But the method is currently limited by the availability of NIR fluorescent markers as well as by their poor performance, such as self-aggregation and dim fluorescence, in a physiological environment. To address this issue, this paper describes a NIR fluorescent polymer dot (Pdot) that emits at 777 nm. This Pdot was comparable in size to a water-soluble NIR quantum dot that emits at 800 nm (ITK Qdot800) but was about 4 times brighter and with a narrower emission peak. We formed the NIR Pdot by doping the NIR dye, silicon 2,3-naphthalocyanine bis(trihexylsilyloxide) (NIR775), into the matrix of poly (9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole) (PFBT) as the Pdot formed using a nanoscale precipitation technique. Free molecules of NIR775 aggregate in aqueous solution but encapsulating them into the hydrophobic Pdot matrix effectively introduced them into aqueous solution for use in biological studies. Most importantly, the brightness of NIR775 was dramatically enhanced because of the excellent light harvesting ability of PFBT and the very efficient energy transfer from PFBT to NIR775. We anticipate this bright NIR Pdot will be useful in biological measurements and cellular imaging where strong NIR emission is beneficial.
A burst of differentiation in the outer posterior retina of the eleven-week human fetus: an ultrastructural study

Many studies on human retinal development have cited the third gestational month as a period when the posterior retina undergoes rapid differentiation and maturation, including a lining up of cone precursors. Ultrastructural data on the posterior retina during the third month are very limited, and totally lacking for the cone monolayer. We have examined two human fetal retinas between ten and 11 gestational weeks. Before the appearance of the cone monolayer, the outer neural retina consists of a homogeneous population of undifferentiated neuroblasts. Mitotic figures are still evident, even posteriorally. There is no outer plexiform layer (OPL). The interface of neural retina to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is largely featureless. By 11 weeks, the posterior retina has a thin OPL that separates the many rows of cells in the developing inner nuclear layer from the single tier of macular cone precursors. The RPE monolayer consists of cuboidal cells whose apical surface elaborates ridges of cytoplasm and branched processes that project into the subretinal space. The large, cuboidal cones are linked to each other and Muller cells at the outer limiting membrane. They show definitive signs of the structural polarity typical of vertebrate photoreceptors. Their apical cytoplasm contains many organelles common to the inner segment, while the basal cytoplasm has synaptic ribbons and vesicles, and receives invaginating contacts from processes in the OPL neuropil arising from differentiating second-order neurons. Lateral cone surfaces are mutually underlain by large subsurface cisterns.
Elastic fields of interacting inhomogeneities

Abstract A rather general technique—called the “method of pseudotractions”—is presented for the calculation of the stress and strain fields in a linearly elastic homogeneous solid which contains any number of defects of arbitrary shape. The method is introduced and illustrated in terms of the problems of elastic solids containing two or several circular holes and solids containing two or several cracks, including the cases of rows of holes or cracks. It is shown that the solution of these and similar problems can be obtained to any desired degree of accuracy. Furthermore, if only estimates are needed, then the method is capable of yielding closed-form analytic expressions for many interesting cases, e.g. the stress intensity factors at the crack tips.
Telecommunications in the United States

This article briefly traces the evolution of telecommunications in general and telephony in particular. Using network science theory, it shows that hubs and betweener nodes are the most critical components in the national system, and that a limited number of telecom hotels house these hubs and betweeners, giving rise to the number one vulnerability in telecommunications. Telecom hotels are a direct result of regulatory forces shaping the industry, which has evolved into a state of self-organized criticality. Although the industry has not experienced a calamity on a scale similar to the 2003 Eastern Power Grid Blackout, the author claims that the two networks have evolved to a similar state, which could have similar consequences. Keywords: telecom hotels; self-organized criticality; network emergence; network neutrality; public switched telephone network; telecom regulation; preferential attachment; increasing returns; resiliency of infrastructure; 1996 Telecommunications Act; 1934 Telecommunications Act; natural monopoly; complex adaptive system
Effects of Contiguity and Feature Animation in Computer-Based Geography Instruction:

This study examined the effects of contiguity and feature animation on the recall, map reconstruction, inference performance, and en-route behavior of university students studying a computer-delive...
Construction and Characterization of Adenovirus Serotype 5 Packaged by Serotype 3 Hexon

Adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) has great potential for gene therapy applications. A major limitation, however, is the host immune response against Ad5 infection that often prevents the readministration of Ad5 vectors. In this regard, the most abundant capsid protein, hexon, has been implicated as the major target for neutralizing antibodies. In this study, we sought to escape the host neutralization response against Ad5 via hexon replacement. We constructed a chimeric adenovirus vector, Ad5/H3, by replacing the Ad5 hexon gene with the hexon gene of Ad3. The chimeric viruses were successfully rescued in 293 cells. Compared to that for the control Ad5/H5, the growth rate of Ad5/H3 was significantly slower and the final yield was about 1 log order less. These data indicate that the Ad3 hexon can encapsidate the Ad5 genome, but with less efficiency than the Ad5 hexon. The gene transfer efficacy of Ad5/H3 in HeLa cells was also lower than that of Ad5/H5. Furthermore, we tested the host neutralization responses against the two viruses by using C57BL/6 mice. The neutralizing antibodies against Ad5/H3 and Ad5/H5 generated by the immunized mice did not cross-neutralize each other in the context of in vitro infection of HeLa cells. Preimmunization of C57BL/6 mice with one of the two types of viruses also did not prevent subsequent infection of the other type. These data suggest that replacing the Ad5 hexon with the Ad3 hexon can circumvent the host neutralization response to Ad5. This strategy may therefore be used to achieve the repeated administration of Ad5 in gene therapy applications.
Work-efficient nested data-parallelism

An apply-to-all construct is the key mechanism for expressing data-parallelism, but data-parallel programming languages like HPF and C* significantly restrict which operations can appear in the construct. Allowing arbitrary operations substantially simplifies the expression of irregular and nested data-parallel computations. The technique of flattening nested parallelism introduced by Blelloch, compiles data-parallel programs with unrestricted apply-to-all constructs into vector operations, and has achieved notable success, particularly with irregular data-parallel programs. However, these programs must be carefully constructed so that flattening them does not lead to suboptimal work complexity due to unnecessary replication in index operations. We present new flattening transformations that generate programs with correct work complexity. Because these transformations may introduce concurrent reads in parallel indexing, we developed a randomized indexing that reduces concurrent reads while maintaining work-efficiency. Experimental results show that the new rules and implementations significantly reduce memory usage and improve performance. >
Internal combustion engine control system research at ford

Internal combustion engine control system research requires coordinated efforts in the measurement and understanding of transient phenomena, the development of hierarchical dynamic models, and the application of control theory. Three applications in these areas are reviewed: manifold wall-wetting characterization, throttle-torque identification and model building, and a linear quadratic approach to the idle speed control problem.
Preferential thermal nitridation to form pin-hole free Cr-nitrides to protect proton exchange membrane fuel cell metallic bipolar plates

Preferential thermal nitridation was used to form a pin-hole defect free CrN/Cr2N surface on a model Ni–Cr alloy. Excellent corrosion resistance and negligible contact resistance increase was observed over a 4100 h exposure in 80 °C sulfuric acid and when used as a metallic bipolar plate in a 1000 h proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell test.