cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distinguishing polyfunctional from monofunctional acids and bases by acid-base titrimetry, multiparametric curve-fitting, and deviation-pattern recognition

Abstract A new technique for distinguishing diacidic from monoacidic weak bases (or dibasic from monobasic weak acids) is based on fitting the data obtained in a potentiometric acid-base titration to theoretical equations for the titration of a monoacidic base (or monobasic acid). If the substance titrated is not monofunctional the best fit to these equations will involve systematic deviations that, when plotted against the volume of reagent, yield a “deviation pattern” with a shape characteristic of polyfunctional behaviour. Ancillary criteria based on the values of the parameters obtained from the fit are also described. There is a range of uncertainty associated with each of these criteria in which the ratios of successive dissociation constants are so close to the statistical values that it is impossible in the face of the errors of measurement to decide whether the substance is monofunctional or polyfunctional. If the data from one titration prove to lie within that range, the decision may be based on the results of a second titration performed at a different ionic strength. Further fitting to the equations describing more complex behaviour provides a basis for distinguishing non-statistical difunctional substances from trifunctional ones, trifunctional ones from tetrafunctional ones, and so on.
HIV infection is blocked in vitro by recombinant soluble CD4

The T-cell surface glycoprotein, CD4 (T4), acts as the cellular receptor for human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1), the first member of the family of viruses that cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome1–4. HIV recognition of CD4 is prob-ably mediated through the virus envelope glycoprotein (gp!20) as shown by co-immunoprecipitation of CD4 and gp!20 (ref. 5) and by experiments using recombinant gp!20 as a binding probe6. Here we demonstrate that recombinant soluble CD4 (rsT4) purified from the conditioned medium of a stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary cell line is a potent inhibitor of both virus replication and virus-induced cell fusion (syncytium formation). These results suggest that rsT4 is sufficient to bind HIV, and that it represents a potential anti-viral therapy for HIV infection.
CD69 Suppresses Sphingosine 1-Phosophate Receptor-1 (S1P1) Function through Interaction with Membrane Helix 4

Lymphocyte egress from lymph nodes requires the G-protein-coupled sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P1). The activation antigen CD69 associates with and inhibits the function of S1P1, inhibiting egress. Here we undertook biochemical characterization of the requirements for S1P1-CD69 complex formation. Domain swapping experiments between CD69 and the related type II transmembrane protein, NKRp1A, identified a requirement for the transmembrane and membrane proximal domains for specific interaction. Mutagenesis of S1P1 showed a lack of requirement for N-linked glycosylation, tyrosine sulfation, or desensitization motifs but identified a requirement for transmembrane helix 4. Expression of CD69 led to a reduction of S1P1 in cell lysates, likely reflecting degradation. Unexpectedly, the S1P1-CD69 complex exhibited a much longer half-life for binding of S1P than S1P1 alone. In contrast to wild-type CD69, a non-S1P1 binding mutant of CD69 failed to inhibit T cell egress from lymph nodes. These findings identify an integral membrane interaction between CD69 and S1P1 and suggest that CD69 induces an S1P1 conformation that shares some properties of the ligand-bound state, thereby facilitating S1P1 internalization and degradation.
“Doing Good” to “Make Good”: Community Theory for Practice in a Restorative Justice Civic Engagement Reentry Model

Abstract In general, offender reentry strategies have failed to consider the community either as a support, or obstacle, to reintegration. We present a theoretical model and an evaluation protocol for a “civic engagement” approach to reentry focused on both offender and community transformation. Grounded in restorative justice principles of decision making and the obligation to repair the harm of crime, this model features strategically designed civic community service as a primary intervention aimed at: reducing community barriers to the development of positive identities for formerly incarcerated persons; altering the community's image of such persons; and mobilizing and/or building community capacity to provide informal support and assistance.
α, β-Elimination reaction of O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase. Is the pyridine ring required?

O-Acetylserine sulfhydrylase (OASS) catalyzes the elimination of acetate from O-acetyl-L-serine (OAS) followed by addition of bisulfide to give L-cysteine. Site-directed mutagenesis has been used to replace the active site serine, S272, which forms a hydrogen bond to N1 of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) with alanine and aspartate. Based on UV-visible spectral and steady-state kinetic studies, both mutant enzymes catalyze the elimination reaction with an efficiency equal to that of the wild-type enzyme. Data are consistent with an anti-E(2) reaction proposed for the elimination reaction.
Superdictatorial domains for monotonic social choice functions

Abstract A domain D is said to be μ-dictatorial iff there exists no onto, monotonic and non-dictatorial social choice function defined over D. A μ-dictatorial domain D is called μ-superdictatorial iff any superdomain of D is also μ-dictatorial. We give a characterization of superdictatorial domains.
A method of purification and certain properties of hog kidney mutarotase

Abstract The enzyme, mutarotase, has been purified from hog kidney cortex, using DEAE-cellulose chromatography and Sephadex G-75 filtration. The preparation, studied with the analytical ultracentrifuge, has an s 20 value of 3.40S. Using the method of rapid attainment of sedimentation equilibrium with a short column, the apparent molecular weight has been determined as 54,300 ± 4000. The pH-activity curve of this enzyme shows a broad optimum in the neighborhood of pH 7.0.
Quantitative Light-Scattering Angular Correlations of Conglomerate Particles

The scattering phase functions of micrometer-sized glycerol droplets containing spherical latex inclusions undergo random fluctuations with time. We measure scattering intensities in the near-forward and near-backward scattering directions and find them to have strong positive correlations during some time periods and strong negative correlations during other time periods. The characteristic time constants of these correlations are of the order of seconds. We calculate scattering correlations from two types of scattering system. Correlations from a two-sphere system generally are positive, whereas correlations from a sphere containing a single spherical inclusion may be both positive and negative. Calculations of correlations from our experimental data are consistent with diffusion of inclusions within the host droplet, rather than interference effects between the inclusions.
Heterogeneity of the MtTw15 mammosomatotropic tumor. II. Characterization of parenchymal cells by superimposition immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy.

Large MtTW15 tumors, which secrete growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL), are composed of ovoid, elongated, and angular cells which demonstrated interdigitating processes and junctional complexes. The majority of the cells were essentially agranular, but two types of granulated cells were identifiable. One class of granulated cells contained moderate to sparse populations of round dense-cored granules measuring up to 250 nm in diameter. Rod-shaped to filamentous mitochondria with an electron-dense matrix were characteristic of a second class of granulated cells with pleomorphic granules of various sizes and electron densities. Images of exocytotic release of the round dense-cored granules were frequently seen, but were not observed with the pleomorphic granules, many of which were judged to be lysosomes. Superimposition immunocytochemistry revealed hormones only in the granulated cells with round to ovoid granules. Morphometry indicated that hormone specific subpopulations of tumor cells can be identified since PRL secretory granules were significantly smaller than GH secretory granules (149 ± 6 nm for PRL versus 221 ± 9 nm for GH, P < 0.001). The vast majority of immunopositive cells contained only GH or PRL, but a few were observed containing both hormones. Ovoid to irregular-shaped nuclei, large lipid inclusions, numerous free ribosomes and polyribosomes, moderate development of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and prominent Golgi profiles were characteristics of all cell types. Irrespective of the presence or absence of cytoplasmic granular elements, particles resembling viruses were encountered in many tumor cells, and these frequently appeared to be budding into the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum.
Characterization of polydimethylsiloxane elastomer degradation via cross-linker hydrolysis

Abstract Degradation kinetics based on rheological studies are reported for endlinked silane terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) networks cross-linked with 2,4,6-triallyloxy-1,3,5-triazine as a function of cross-link density and the relative humidity to which the network is exposed. These unique PDMS networks cure in the absence of water but degrade under humid conditions due to cross-linker hydrolysis. Rheological measurements show an exponential decay of the storage modulus ( G ′) with time under conditions of high humidity (greater than 45%) and a linear decay under conditions of low humidity (lower than 22%). Optical studies show that at high humidity two domains exist wherein a domain of degraded polymer fluid surrounds a central region of a soft elastomer. However, a uniform degradation with absence of any interface is observed under low humidity conditions. Thus a crossover from ‘surface’ degradation from the edge to ‘bulk’ degradation is observed between 45 and 22% relative humidity. The time to degrade to half the original modulus ( t 1/2 ) ranges from a few hours at high humidity to days at low humidity. At high humidity t 1/2 scales with cross-link density, but it is independent of cross-link density at low humidity. A result that is consistent with ‘surface’ degradation and ‘bulk’ degradation, respectively.
Differential expression of TGF-β receptors in rabbit zone II flexor tendon wound healing

Conclusions: We have established cultures for three cell populations involved in flexor tendon wound healing: synovial sheath fibroblasts, epitenon tenocytes, and endotenon tenocytes. The active gene expression of TGF-Beta isoforms by both extrinsic synovial sheath fibroblasts and intrinsic tenocytes [epitenon and endotenon] suggests dual mechanisms of flexor tendon wound healing which may be modulated to promote scarless tendon healing.
Power Absorption Modeling and Optimization of a Point Absorbing Wave Energy Converter Using Numerical Method

This paper presents, assesses, and optimizes a point absorber wave energy converter (WEC) through numerical modeling, simulation, and analysis. Wave energy conversion is a technology uniquely suited for assisting in power generation in the offshore oil and gas platforms. A linear frequency domain model is created to predict the behavior of the heaving point absorber WEC system. The hydrodynamic parameters are obtained with AQWA, a software package based on boundary element methods. A linear external damping coefficient is applied to enable power absorption and an external spring force is introduced to tune the point absorber to the incoming wave conditions. The external damping coefficient and external spring forces are the control parameters, which need to be optimized to maximize the power absorption. Two buoy shapes are tested and a variety of diameters and drafts are compared. Optimal shape, draft, and diameter of the model are then determined to maximize its power absorption capacity. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4027409]
Contextual effects on word production: a lifespan study.

The effect of sentence priming on picture naming was investigated across the lifespan, from age 3 to 87 years. Names that are normally acquired before 3 years of age were presented in auditory contexts that were semantically congruent, incongruent, or neutral in relation to each picture and its name. Sentential priming was present at all age levels. Facilitation (neutral vs. congruent) was significant by 4 years of age and did not vary significantly with age. Interference (incongruent vs. neutral) was significant at all age levels, but changed nonmonotonically with age (largest in the youngest children, stable from young adulthood through age 70, with a small increase in the oldest participants). We conclude that picture naming is a useful tool for the investigation of sentential priming effects across the lifespan and that it can reveal potentially interesting developmental changes in the effects of sentential context on word retrieval.
The SimpleScalar tool set, version 2.0

This document describes release 2.0 of the SimpleScalar tool set, a suite of free, publicly available simulation tools that offer both detailed and high-performance simulation of modern microprocessors. The new release offers more tools and capabilities, precompiled binaries, cleaner interfaces, better documentation, easier installation, improved portability, and higher performance. This paper contains a complete description of the tool set, including retrieval and installation instructions, a description of how to use the tools, a description of the target SimpleScalar architecture, and many details about the internals of the tools and how to customize them. With this guide, the tool set can be brought up and generating results in under an hour (on supported platforms).
Lunar Thermal Radiation at 35 KMC

Measurements of the thermal radiation of the moon were made at a frequency near 35 kmc to investigate further the variation of the radio-wavelength brightness temperature with lunar phase first observed by Piddington and Minnett at 24 kmc. The subject measurements, when referred to the equivalent blackbody temperature for the center of the lunar disc, show a complex rather than sinusoidal variation with phase, varying between 225° and 145°K. The directivity of the antenna (about 0.2° of arc between halfpower points) was sufficient to indicate the lunar equatorial (eastwest) brightness distribution; this was found to vary in the expected manner and was in agreement with the form of the central brightness variation during a lunation. Observations of two total lunar eclipses showed that no measurable change in lunar radiation occurs during the few hours of an eclipse. Comparison of these results with calculations by Jaeger suggests the lunar surface is composed of a layer of fine dust of very low thermal conductivity, the average depth of which is estimated as one inch or more.
History of post-traumatic stress disorder is associated with impaired neuropsychometric performance after coronary artery surgery.

Objective To determine if preoperative history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with postoperative cognitive impairment. Design An observational study. Setting Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Participants Cardiac surgical patients. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results Age- and education-balanced patients (≥55 years of age) undergoing cardiac surgery (n = 30 with a history of PTSD+, n = 56 without a history of PTSD−) and nonsurgical controls (n = 28) were recruited. Recent verbal and nonverbal memory and executive functions were assessed before and 1 week after cardiac surgery or at 1-week intervals in nonsurgical controls. Demographic and medical parameters were similar between groups with the exception of preoperative depression and a history of alcohol dependence. Preoperative depression scores were significantly ( p = 0.02) higher in PTSD+ compared with PTSD− groups. Immediate Word List Recall and Delayed Word List Recall under baseline conditions were worse in PTSD+ compared with PTSD− patients. Cognitive performance after surgery decreased by at least 1 standard deviation in 27 PTSD− patients (48%) and in 25 PTSD+ patients (83%) ( p = 0.002) versus nonsurgical controls. Multivariate regression analysis (including a history of depression and alcohol dependence) revealed that a history of PTSD was significantly associated with overall (including nonverbal recent memory, verbal recent memory, and executive functions) postoperative cognitive dysfunction ( p = 0.005). Conclusions The current findings suggest that patients with a history of PTSD undergoing coronary artery surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass may be especially vulnerable to postoperative cognitive impairment.
Rapid immunofluorescent detection of a viral infection in tissue culture

Abstract Tissue culture cells infected with either DNA or RNA viruses showed specific immunofluorescence, 4–8 h after initiating infection, when stained with a FITC-conjugate of anti-purine immunoglobulins.
US-based indices of area-level deprivation: Results from HealthCare for Communities

In this analysis we create census-tract level indices of area deprivation for the US that parallel similar indices developed in Britain, and we determine whether these indices are related to physical and mental health outcomes. Data for the indices come from the 2000 Census Summary File Tapes and the 2001 Zip Code Business Patterns Files. These indices are then linked by census tract to cross-sectional data from the HealthCare for Communities (HCC) study, and equations are estimated using multi-level models with census-tract random effects. We find that area-level deprivation predicts poor mental and physical health outcomes, but different components of deprivation have different effects. When we measure deprivation using three factor scores that emerged from our analysis (rather than combining all measures of deprivation into a single index), we find that access to services has a more pronounced association with physical health, whereas racial composition and local language barriers are more strongly correlated with mental health. These findings suggest that grouping all variables into a single index may mask important heterogeneity in the ways in which area characteristics affect health outcomes.
Changes in biomarkers associated with living kidney donation.

Living donor kidneys have been associated with better graft and overall survival in kidney transplant recipients. Although a living kidney donation is generally considered safe in carefully selected living donors, concerns of possible adverse effects related to kidney donation remain, especially in younger and high-risk donors. In this study, we examined the changes in a panel of traditional and novel serum biomarkers linked with cardiovascular conditions in a cohort of 34 healthy living kidney donors with a mean age ± SD of 40 ± 10 years and estimated predonation glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 86 ± 10 ml/min/1.73 m 2 . At 6 months after donation, there were no significant changes in the clinical parameters including body mass index and blood pressure despite a significant decline in the mean estimated GFR to 60 ml/min/1.73 m 2 . Among the panel of markers, the levels of symmetric dimethylarginine and fibroblast growth factor 23 increased significantly compared to baseline, suggesting that living kidney donation may result in changes in biomarkers that are associated with cardiovascular risk in other cohorts.
Getting a scientific paper published in Epilepsia: An editor's perspective

Summary Getting a paper published in Epilepsia depends first and foremost on the quality of the work reported, and on the clarity and convincingness of the presentation. Papers should focus on important and interesting topics with clearly stated objectives and goals. The observations and findings are of greatest interest when they are novel and change our views on the mechanisms and/or treatment of an epileptic disease. Studies should be carefully designed to include adequate sample size, comparison groups, and statistical analyses. Critically, the data must be clearly presented and appropriately interpreted. If followed, these recommendations will improve an author's chances of having his/her paper accepted in a high quality journal like Epilepsia.
XAFS study of nasicon-related compounds, Na3Zr0.5Co0.5FeP3O12 and Na3Zr0.5Fe(II)0.5Fe(III)P3O12

The XAFS analyses of the Na + ion conducting Na 3 Zr 0.5 Co 0.5 Co 0.5 FeP 3 O 12 (NCFZP) and mixed-conducting Na 3 Zr 0.5 Fe(II) 0.5 Fe(III)P 3 O 12 (NFZP) are performed at both 60 K and 300 K. The XANES spectra of NCFZP and NFZP at the Zr K-edge show a similar structure to that of the host material NaZr 2 P 3 O 12 (NZP). The Fe K-edge XANES spectrum of NFZP is similar to that of NCFZP, but it contains a parasitic shoulder structure at lower energy. The Zr-O distance of NCFZP and NFZP does not vary from that of NZP, while their Zr-Na distance is significantly shorter that that of NZP. The population of the Na + ion around the doped ions (Co 2+ , Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ ) in NCFZP AND NFZP is increased preferentially as compared with that around the Zr 4+ ion, and distances between the doped ions and Na + are rather shorter than the Zr 4+ -Na + distance of NZP
Dynamical studies of mixed rare-gas clusters: Collision-induced absorption in (Ne) n -(Ar) m (n+m<=100)

Collision-induced absorption spectra for mixed neon-argon clusters are investigated in the temperature range from 1 K to 250 K using classical molecular dynamics simulations. With increasing cluster size the spectra reproduce the results known from experiment. For smaller clusters $(n+m\ensuremath{\approx}10),$ the simulated spectra depend strongly on the composition of the clusters. Pairwise, Ne-Ne, Ne-Ar, and Ar-Ar interactions designed to accurately describe macroscopic and microscopic properties are used. The influence of two different parametrizations of the dipole moment function is investigated and discussed. For the largest clusters $({\mathrm{Ne}}_{10}{\mathrm{Ar}}_{90}),$ the maximum intensity of the collision-induced infrared spectrum as a function of the temperature closely follows the experimental observations.
Some behavioral indices of the validity of document abstracts

Abstract The paper discusses a methodology for quantifying the validity or suitability of document summaries. This methodology is based upon techniques developed in psychological measurement, but also has antecedents in the Information Retrieval literature, e.g. in the works of K atter [6] and B orko [11]. In the paper, two tentative definitions of behavioral validity are presented: content validity , the degree of apparent similarity in content between a document and its abstract or summary, and predictive validity , the degree of response similarity between a document and its abstract. Methods for measuring each type of validity are presented and discussed. Basically, content validity is measured by having subjects directly compare documents with abstracts, while predictive validity is measured by correlating the responses elicited by documents with the responses elicited by abstracts.
An Efficiency Entitlement Study for Thermoelectric Generators

Recent developments in thermoelectric materials and systems have led to renewed interest in thermoelectric devices for power generation. Operating conditions of the heat source and heat sink are essential in evaluating the conversion efficiency of such thermoelectric generator systems. This study provides a method for evaluating efficiency entitlement for thermoelectric power generation when thermoelectric material properties and system operating conditions are specified. The efficiency entitlement in closed form solutions for the most commonly used thermoelectric power generation configurations are presented followed by results and discussion.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Another turn after ANT: An interview with Bruno Latour:

This is a review, or preview, in the form of an interview, of Bruno Latour’s forthcoming book, An Inquiry into Modes of Existence. We discuss his intellectual trajectory leading up to actor–network theory and the pluralistic philosophy underlying his new, ‘positive’ anthropology of modernity.
Parasite–induced risk of mortality elevates reproductive effort in male Drosophila

A trade-off between sex and somatic maintenance is fundamental to life-history theory. Tests of this trade-off usually emphasize deleterious consequences of increased reproduction on life span. Here we show the reverse effect, that reductions in the expected life span elevate sexual activity. Experimentally parasitized male Drosophila nigrospiracula lived shorter lives, but before dying, they courted females significantly more than unparasitized controls. This greater courtship resulted in increased mating speed, and potentially greater reproductive success than parasitized males would have achieved otherwise. The results show that an environmental reduction in life span increases reproductive effort, and support the hypothesis of a trade-off between these key life-history traits.
Enemies in the gendered societies of middle childhood: prevalence, stability, associations with social status, and aggression.

This analysis of third and fourth graders suggests that enemy relationships are common, often of short duration, and partially reflective of negative behavior patterns between boys and girls in elementary school.
Behaviour of a PWR vessel dissimilar metal weld during a steam line break transient

Abstract This paper presents the results of a Finite Element analysis conducted on the behaviour of a 15 mm deep fully circumferential crack on the outer surface of a bi-metallic weld of a 900 MWe Pressurized Water Reactor vessel, during a Steam Line Break transient. The typical weld considered connects the stainless-steel hot leg with the ferritic vessel. This work is part of a Benchmark exercise organised in the framework of an European Commission (DG Environment) project on Transition Welds. However, the results presented here concern only those obtained at Framatome using SYSTUS+ code and deal with the thermo-mechanical analysis, the evaluation of the crack driving energy ( J -integral) and a discussion on crack stability. These results are compared with those obtained using a simplified method developed earlier and presented at one of the international conferences.
The leukocyte count: A predictor of hypertension

In an exploratory study of 1031 persons observed to progress from normotension to essential hypertension and 1031 matched subjects who remained normotensive, the initial leukocyte count (WBC) was found to be related to the development of hypertension, with risk increased 40% (95% confidence interval 12-82%) in persons in the highest as compared to the lowest quartile of WBC. This relationship proved to be largely independent of body mass index, body fat distribution, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and parental history of hypertension. An increased WBC may reflect greater sympathetic tone or may directly increase peripheral vascular resistance by impeding circulation through small blood vessels. If confirmed, this study adds another condition to the growing list for which the WBC is predictive. This simple, cheap test should be considered for inclusion in prospective epidemiological studies of many different diseases.
Electrochemical characterization of nanoporous films fabricated from a polystyrene-poly(methylmethacrylate) diblock copolymer: monitoring the removal of the PMMA domains and exploring the functional groups on the nanopore surface.

Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to assess fabrication of a nanoporous film from a polystyrene−poly(methyl methacrylate) diblock copolymer (PS-b-PMMA) and also to explore the surface functional groups on the resulting nanopores. Polymer films containing vertically aligned cylindrical nanoscale pores (ca. 10 nm in pore radius, 20−30 nm in film thickness) were prepared on gold substrates by removing the cylindrical PMMA domains from PS-b-PMMA films via UV irradiation and subsequent acetic acid treatment. CV measurements provided a simple means for monitoring the extent of the removal of the PMMA domains and for assessing the formation of a recessed nanodisk-array electrode (RNE) structure. The resulting RNEs exhibited a decrease in redox current of anionic Fe(CN)63- with increasing solution pH from 4.6 to 6.3 and a negligible change in CV of uncharged 1,1‘-ferrocenedimethanol. The decrease in redox current of Fe(CN)63- at the higher pH was due to electrostatic repulsion between Fe(CN)63- and the electrical ...
Disclosure policy choices of UK firms receiving modified audit reports

Abstract This study examines discretionary disclosures and stock price effects for 81 UK firms that received first-time modified audit reports during 1982–1990. Results indicate that these firms' managers are forthcoming about adverse developments, and appear to perceive the advantages of withholding negative news to be minimal. However, managers of many of the 58 stressed sample firms make disclosures about expected future performance that are overly optimistic relative to financial outcomes. As expected, stock market participants discount these stressed firms' positive tone disclosures. Evidence in this study confirms that there is a strong incentive problem with voluntary disclosure.
Controlling thin film structure for the dewetting of catalyst nanoparticle arrays for subsequent carbon nanofiber growth

Vertically aligned carbon nanofiber (CNF) growth is a catalytic chemical vapor deposition process in which structure and functionality is controlled by the plasma conditions and the properties of the catalyst nanoparticles that template the fiber growth. We have found that the resultant catalyst nanoparticle network that forms by the dewetting of a continuous catalyst thin film is dependent on the initial properties of the thin film. Here we report the ability to tailor the crystallographic texture and composition of the nickel catalyst film and subsequently the nanoparticle template by varying the rf magnetron sputter deposition conditions. After sputtering the Ni catalyst thin films, the films are heated and exposed to an ammonia dc plasma, to chemically reduce the native oxide on the films and induce dewetting of the film to form nanoparticles. Subsequent nanoparticle treatment in an acetylene plasma at high substrate temperature results in CNF growth. Evidence is presented that the texture and composition of the nickel thin film has a significant impact on the structure and composition of the formed nanoparticle, as well as the resultant CNF morphology. Nickel films with a preferred (111) or (100) texture were produced and conditions favoring interfacial silicidation reactions were identified and investigated. Both compositional and structural analysis of the films and nanoparticles indicate that the properties of the as-deposited Ni catalyst film influences the subsequent nanoparticle formation and ultimately the catalytic growth of the carbon nanofibers.
Gerontology as oncology. Research on aging as the key to the understanding of cancer.

It is widely appreciated that age is a powerful risk factor for cancer. This review considers two possible explanations for the exponential increase in most neoplasms in the elderly, arguing in favor of the idea that tumor progression proceeds at faster rates in older mice and older persons than in younger mice and younger persons. Three processes that alter the rate of aging, i.e., speciation, food restriction, and selective breeding, have parallel effects on cancer incidence. This suggests that the two processes are intimately connected. Elucidation of the mechanism(s) by which the aging process controls the rate of tumor development deserves high priority in experimental oncology. One such possible mechanism, the age-associated decline in immunologic defenses, is discussed at length in an attempt to rehabilitate the idea that a loss of immune function may contribute to the vulnerability of the elderly to cancer.
Significance of right ventricular visualization on stress sestamibi in a patient with dyspnea after atrial septal defect repair

The detection of RV pressure or volume overload by SPECT imaging is frequently overlooked and often underutilized in the routine myocardial stress examination setting, yet historical data have suggested that it is a much more sensitive and specific tool than conventional electrocardiograms and echocardiograms.
Extrapolatable Analytical Functions for Tendon Excursions and Moment Arms From Sparse Datasets

Computationally efficient modeling of complex neuromuscular systems for dynamics and control simulations often requires accurate analytical expressions for moment arms over the entire range of motion. Conventionally, polynomial expressions are regressed from experimental data. But these polynomial regressions can fail to extrapolate, may require large datasets to train, are not robust to noise, and often have numerous free parameters. We present a novel method that simultaneously estimates both the form and parameter values of arbitrary analytical expressions for tendon excursions and moment arms over the entire range of motion from sparse datasets. This symbolic regression method based on genetic programming has been shown to find the appropriate form of mathematical expressions that capture the physics of mechanical systems. We demonstrate this method by applying it to 1) experimental data from a physical tendon-driven robotic system with arbitrarily routed multiarticular tendons and 2) synthetic data from musculoskeletal models. We show it outperforms polynomial regressions in the amount of training data, ability to extrapolate, robustness to noise, and representation containing fewer parameters-all critical to realistic and efficient computational modeling of complex musculoskeletal systems.
Crystal chemistry of neodymium oxyfluoride

Crystallography data reported in the literature for neodymium oxyfluoride has been summarized and analyzed. This analysis shows good agreement among most of the reported results, along with some inconsistent results. Neodymium oxyfluoride forms three crystal structures, all of which are derived from the cubic fluorite structure. There are two forms of stoichiometric NdOF, cubic and rhombohedral. The third crystal structure, tetragonal, forms when excess fluorine, relative to NdOF, is present and has a range of stoichiometry.
Active control of blade-vortex interactions using a neuro-fuzzy controller

Rotorcraft blade-vortex interactions (BVI) result in large pressure fluctuations over rotor blades leading to increased unsteady blade loads, noise, and vibration. Previous studies have indicated that an effective method for reducing BVI is through the use of active control schemes. As a workable dynamic model of the process for controller design is difficult to develop a rule-based fuzzy controller is used in this study. As the choice of the fuzzy controller parameters for acceptable performance depend on flight condition, a neural network is trained to adaptively modify the fuzzy controller parameters as a function of flight condition. The resulting neuro-fuzzy control scheme is evaluated using a numerical simulation model of BVI in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Synthesis of 'bacterial' protein by cultured chick cells.

PRIMARY isolates of chick embryo fibroblasts cultivated as monolayers were found to resume protein synthesis only after a delay of 24–48 hr. The extent of the lag period was dependent in part on the composition of the medium with which the cells were nourished following release from the embryo by trypsinization. A marked shortening of the lag was observed when phenol-extracted ribonucleic acid (RNA)1,3 was added to the medium shortly after the cells became attached to the glass (Fig. 1). The effect was abolished by pretreatment of the RNA with ribonuclease and was not duplicated by combinations of nucleosides. RNA preparations obtained from chick embryo, rabbit liver, or Escherichia coli B proved equally effective.
Origin of the Thiazole Ring of Camalexin, a Phytoalexin from Arabidopsis thaliana

The principal phytoalexin that accumulates in Arabidopsis thaliana after infection by fungi or bacteria is 3-thiazol-2[prime]-yl-indole (camalexin). Detached noninoculated leaves of Arabidopsis and leaves inoculated with the fungus Cochliobolus carbonum were fed [35S]cysteine (Cys) and [35S]methionine. Inoculated leaves incorporated more than a 200-fold greater amount of radioactivity from [35S]Cys into camalexin, as compared with noninoculated leaves. The amount of radioactivity from [35S]Cys that was incorporated into camalexin from inoculated Arabidopsis leaves was 10-fold greater than the amount of radioactivity that was incorporated into camalexin from [35S]methionine. Additional labeling experiments were performed to determine whether other atoms of Cys are incorporated into camalexin. [14C]Cys and [35S]Cys were incorporated into camalexin with approximately the same efficiency. Cys labeled either with deuterium (D3-Cys[2,3,3]) or 13C and 15N ([U-13C,15N]Cys) was also fed to inoculated leaves of Arabidopsis; camalexin was analyzed by mass spectroscopic analysis. The average ratio of molecular ion intensities of 203/200 for [U-13C,15N]Cys-labeled camalexin was 4.22, as compared with 0.607 for the average 203/200 ratio for unlabeled camalexin. The mass fragment-ion intensity ratios of 60/58 (thiazole ring ion fragment) and 143/142 were also higher for [U-13C,15N]Cys-labeled camalexin, as compared with unlabeled camalexin. The 59/58 and 201/200 ratios were higher for D3-Cys-labeled camalexin as compared with unlabeled camalexin. These data are consistent with the predicted formation of the thiazole ring of camalexin from Cys.
Rapid increase in the prevalence of high-level aminoglycoside resistance among enterococci isolated from blood cultures during 1989–1991

At St Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center in Youngstown, Ohio, USA, the first blood culture isolate of Enterococcus faecalis with high-level gentamicin resistance (MIC > 2000 mg/L) was seen in 1985, and the prevalence of high-level gentamicin resistance among enterococci isolated from blood cultures during 1985-8 was 9%. During the period 1989-91, the prevalence of high-level gentamicin resistance among enterococci isolated from blood cultures increased to 35% (44 of 126 strains). Increases in the prevalence of high-level resistance to amikacin, tobramycin, netilmicin, kanamycin and streptomycin were also demonstrated. Ten of 44 strains (23%) with high-level gentamicin resistance did not exhibit high-level resistance to streptomycin. Of the 126 strains of enterococci, 52% had high-level resistance to at least one aminoglycoside.
Reaction of 2,4-(Naphthalene-1,8-Diyl)-1,3,2,4-Dithiadiphosphetane 2,4-with Bases and Acids

The compound 2,4-(naphthalene-1,8-diyl)-1,3,2,4-dithiadiphosphetane 2,4-disulfide 1 reacts with different bases 2a-2d HNR(HNR = N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-guanidine, morpholine, pyrrolidine or NH3) to give the corresponding ammonium salts of 3a-3d. The reaction of 1 with Et3N-3HF lead to the formation of 4a. The new compounds formed from the reactions have been studied spectroscopically and by X-ray crystallography.
Autoantibodies encoded by the most Jh-proximal human immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region gene.

Little is known about the utilization of human Ig heavy chain variable gene segments (VH segments) in different B-lineage cell populations or in antibodies of particular specificity and function. We now demonstrate that human antibodies with Ig VH regions encoded by the most JH-proximal human VH segment (VH6) have specificities resembling those of autoantibodies present in sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (e.g., anti-DNA and anticardiolipin). These specificities appear to be encoded by the germline VH6 gene because the activity was found in multiple independent VH6 antibodies in which the light chain varied with respect to isotype and V kappa subgroup. Features of CDR3 length and somatic mutation patterns in several VH6 antibodies suggested that they were selected by the immune system.
Modified equiangular spiral antennas side-fed by multi-stage wideband impedance transforming transitions

This paper shows the design process and measurement data for a modified bi-directional equiangular spiral antenna fed by a microstrip to parallel-strip to twin-line transition on two substrates (20-mil thickness) with three layers (aligned vertically). By etching holes out of the spiral arms at the locations where the tapered parallel-strip line passed underneath, the impedance mismatch caused by the proximity of the spiral's metal layer to the parallel-strip line was reduced. Between 4 and 7 GHz, this antenna exhibits a typical radiation pattern for equiangular spiral antennas. Measured and simulated radiation patterns and VSWR plots for this frequency range show good performance.
Multiparameter MRI analysis of the time course of induced muscle damage and regeneration

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (1,2) can detect pathological changes at the cellular and tissue level in skeletal muscle because it probes different aspects of the spin properties of 1H in tissue water that are affected by the physiological and pathological status of the tissue. These imaging methods provide information on morphology, T1 and T2 relaxation (3–9), diffusion (8,10–12) and magnetization transfer effects (13–16). T2 weighted (T2w) sequences are commonly used to evaluate muscle disorders (13, 14). Similar studies analyzing T2 and diffusion tensor images documented time-dependent changes in muscle after denervation (17). Magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) imaging quantified progression of disease in patients with limb girdle muscular dystrophy (18). Mattila et al. (15) used MTC, T1 weighted (T1w) and T2w imaging to monitor the time course of necrosis and regeneration in rat leg muscle following injection of the myotoxin, notexin. This myotoxin damages mature muscle cells but spares the satellite cells and muscle cell basement membranes (19). Full regeneration and restoration of function occurs in about three weeks. All of these examples demonstrate pathological changes in muscle lead to substantial changes in one or more of these MRI parameters. Our work compared T1w, T2w, diffusion weighted and MTC imaging followed by histological analysis to evaluate their sensitivity to muscle damage and regeneration in a mouse model of acute, myotoxin (BaCl2) induced muscle damage. This allowed us to test for the ability of different imaging modalities to discriminate the time course of sequential changes during the damage and necrosis phase as well as during the proliferation and regeneration phases.
British and American views of the German menace in World War I.

At a Symposium on the History of Nuclear Physics, the distinguished Caltech astrophysicist and recent president of the American Physical Society, Willy Fowler, was asked to comment on the concept of internationalism in science. ‘There are nationalistic tendencies, to be sure’, he responded, ‘but they are subordinated to scientists’ love of travel’. By and large, nationalistic tendencies have been suppressed, if not in favour of hedonism, then surely in deference to hymns of praise to the brotherhood of science.
Utilization of aphid honeydew and floral nectar by Pseudacteon tricuspis (Diptera: Phoridae), a parasitoid of imported fire ants, Solenopis spp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract We examined the effects of cotton aphid honeydew and buckwheat floral nectar on the lifespan and body carbohydrate nutrient levels of the phorid fly, Pseudacteon tricuspis (Diptera: Phoridae). Compared to flies provided with water only, cotton aphid honeydew modestly but significantly increased longevity of female and male P. tricuspis by about 1 day, with significant increases in the body levels of fructose, total sugars, and glycogen. Age had a positive effect on the levels of total sugars and glycogen in honeydew-fed flies. However, sex and mating had no significant effect on longevity and body nutrient levels. Body size (as measured by wing length) was positively correlated with glycogen levels in males, with larger males accumulating more glycogen from honeydew than smaller males. P. tricuspis flies were observed foraging on buckwheat flowers. However, no significant effects of buckwheat nectar on phorid fly longevity and body nutrient levels were detected. These results may suggest that buckwheat florets are morphologically incompatible with the mouthparts of phorid flies, or the possibility of innate behavioral characteristics of phorid flies that limit nectivory. Alternatively, buckwheat nectar may be quantitatively or qualitatively inferior to cotton aphid honeydew or may contain compounds that are mildly repellent to P. tricuspis. Future studies will investigate the mechanisms behind the observed reduced suitability of buckwheat nectar as a food source for P. tricuspis. Conservation of naturally occurring sugar sources in the field, including exposed sugar sources such as honeydew, may promote P. tricuspis lifespan and possibly, its impact as a biological control agent against imported fire ants, Solenopsis spp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
Multiple protein factors bind to a rice glutelin promoter region

Abstract Our goal is to identify cis-acting elements in the regulatory region of the major seed storage protein gene in rice. A glutelin gene (pGL5-1) has been cloned by screening a rice genomic DNA library with synthetic oligonucleotides and with an amplified DNA fragment. A transient expression assay using immature rice seeds shows that its 5' flanking sequence can direct the synthesis of beta-glucuronidase (GUS) when fused upstream of the GUS coding region. Gel-retardation assays were performed to study protein-DNA interactions between putative regulatory sequences of pGL5-1 and nuclear proteins from immature rice seeds. We demonstrate that at least six protein-DNA complexes are formed between the 5' flanking sequence of pGL5-1 (-677 to -45) and nuclear protein factors. By subsequent DNase I-footprinting analyses we defined several protein-binding regions. Two of the protein-binding sequences contain the TGAGTCA motif, which is also present in the -300 element found in the 5' flanking sequences of several storage protein genes of other crop plants, and to which the transcription factors jun and GCN4 bind.
Wnt signaling pathways in urological cancers: past decades and still growing

The Wnt signaling pathway is involved in a wide range of embryonic patterning events and maintenance of homeostasis in adult tissues. The pathological role of the Wnt pathway has emerged from studies showing a high frequency of specific human cancers associated with mutations that constitutively activate the transcriptional response of these pathways. Constitutive activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is a common feature of solid tumors and contributes to tumor development, progression and metastasis in various cancers. In this review, the Wnt pathway will be covered from the perspective of urological cancers with emphasis placed on the recent published literature. Regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway by microRNAs (miRNA), small RNA sequences that modify gene expression profiles will also be discussed. An improved understanding of the basic genetics and biology of Wnt signaling pathway will provide insights into the development of novel chemopreventive and therapeutic strategies for urological cancers.