cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Template-Based Approach for Guiding and Refining the Development of Cinnamon-Based Phenylpropanoids as Drugs

Background: Structure-activity relationships describe the relationship between chemical structure and biologic activity and are capable of informing deliberate structural modifications to a molecule in order enhance drug properties. Methods: Here, we present a subtle, yet unique twist on structure-activity relationships in which a collective biologic activity was measured among five cinnamon constituents with a shared phenylpropanoid template (cinnamic acid, cinnamaldehyde, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid). This template-based approach utilized publicly available transcriptomic data through the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to identify a fundamental biologic effect; in essence, a phenylpropanoid template effect. Results: The recurrent identification of cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and neuroactive ligand receptor pathways in each individual treatment condition strongly supports the fact that changes in gene expression within these pathways is a hallmark of the phenylpropanoid template. With a template effect identified, future structural modifications can be performed in order to overcome pharmacokinetic barriers to clinical use (i.e., traditional structure-activity relationship experiments). Moreover, these modifications can be implemented with a high degree of confidence knowing that a consistent and robust template effect is likely to persist. Conclusion: We believe this template-based approach offers researchers an attractive and cost-effective means for evaluating multicomponent natural products during drug development.
How the Grass Grows in the Works of Patrick Modiano

This article is an attempt at deciphering the enigmatic title of Patrick Modiano’s 2012 novel: why did he choose to call it L’Herbe des nuits, despite the book’s apparent lack of engagement with pl...
Towards Real-Time, At-Home Patient Health Monitoring using Reservoir Computing CMOS IC

This work presents a mixed-signal, reservoir-computing neural network (RC-NN) for at-home, real-time health monitoring using intelligent wearable device. The proposed technique is demonstrated on stress detection from electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, and heart diseases detection using a fusion artificial intelligence (AI) model that combines demographic and physiological information. The RC-NN uses a static, random reservoir layer with short-term memory to nonlinearly project input data to high-dimensional plane, and allow easy separation using linear AI model at the output layer. The RC-NN is designed in 65nm CMOS process, and detects stress and heart-diseases with mean accuracies of 92.8% and 86.8% respectively, while consuming 10.97nJ/inference and 2.57nJ/inference respectively.
Chapter 22 A neural network model of attention biases in depression

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the physiologically constrained framework for understanding the role of depression in attention to negative information. A computational neural network is used to evaluate predictions based on this framework. Data from a number of experiments are used to evaluate the model's predictions. The goal in producing the computational model is to reproduce salient aspects of attention to emotional information, including the gradual perception and recognition of emotional and nonemotional aspects of a stimulus. Nodes in the model are not intended to strictly represent groups of human neurons, or capture the details of brain structures. Rather, the general hypothesis that parallel connected systems are responsible for the recognition of affective and semantic aspects of information is represented. The model can be used to make predictions regarding the time course of emotional information processing on the lexical decision and valence identification tasks. Physiological constraints on attention to emotional information help to resolve ambiguities regarding the location and time course of attention biases in depression. Depressive attention biases could involve excessive attention to nonemotional features of information (biased hippocampal system processing), excessive attention to emotional features (biased amygdala system processing), or feedback between affective and semantic processing systems.
Mechanisms for direct inhibition of canine gastric parietal cells by somatostatin

Abstract To examine the potential mechanisms by which somatostatin inhibits gastric acid secretion we studied its effects on isolated canine gastric parietal cells. Using 125I-[Leu8-D-Trp22-Tyr25]somatostatin-28 as ligand, we identified somatostatin-binding sites in parietal cell-enriched fractions of fundic mucosa. Two binding sites with respective dissociation constants of 3.2 X 10(-9) and 2.1 X 10(-7) M were identified. Somatostatin-14 and -28 were equally potent both in displacing bound ligand and in inhibiting parietal cell activity as measured by [14C]aminopyrine uptake. Pertussis toxin reversed the ability of somatostatin to inhibit the uptake of [14C]aminopyrine and production of cAMP by parietal cells stimulated with histamine and forskolin but not with dibutyryl cAMP or pentagastrin. Furthermore, somatostatin had no effect on parietal cell membrane inositol phospholipid turnover or changes in protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme) activity induced by carbachol or pentagastrin. These data indicate that somatostatin directly inhibits parietal cell activity via mechanisms both dependent on and independent of the pertussis toxin-sensitive inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein.
A Sensitivity Study of Occupant Thermal Comfort in a Cabin Using Virtual Thermal Comfort Engineering

Simulation of cabin climatic conditions is becoming increasingly important as a complement to wind tunnel and field testing to help achieve improved thermal comfort while reducing vehicle development time and cost. Delphi developed the Virtual Thermal Comfort Engineering (VTCE) process to explore different climate control strategies as they relate to occupant thermal comfort in a quick and inexpensive manner. The comfort model has the ability to predict the local thermal comfort level of an occupant in a highly non-uniform thermal environment as a function of air temperature, surrounding surface temperatures, air velocity, humidity, direct solar flux, as well as the level of activity and clothing type of each individual. In the present study, we used test data to validate VTCE for a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) cabin environment and used VTCE to perform sensitivity studies of various vehicle cabin environments on the occupant thermal comfort, including discharge temperature, breath level temperature and air velocity, solar intensity and solar angles. The sensitivity of the occupant thermal comfort, in the present study, is based on an OEM's comfort scale for both summer and the winter rides.
Assessment of the Mechanism of the Leukocyte Adherence Inhibition Test

This study was designed to elucidate the mechanism of the leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) test in man. To identify the reactive cell types, enriched leukocyte populations (dextran-separated leukocytes and Hypaque-Ficoll-isolated mononuclear cells and neutrophils, as well as rosette-isolated B- and T-lymphocytes) were tested for leukocyte adherence in the absence of serum to tumor-specific antigens. LAI reactivity was not restricted to any of the enriched populations, suggesting the involvement of multiple cell types. Attempts to demonstrate soluble lymphocyte factors in the LAI mechanism have been uniformly negative. In contrast, factors in serum of immune donors were able to arm naive cells to be specifically responsive. This suggests a role for serum factors in the mechanism of LAI reactivity and partially explains the participation of multiple cell types in the responses observed. In additional studies, we could not document a correlation between the magnitude of the dermal test (delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity) and the magnitude of the LAI response in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. In 34 of 54 of these patients, there was agreement between the two tests (both positive, 27 of 54; both negative, 7 of 54). In the remaining 20 patients, the dermal test was >5 mm while the LAI test was negative (<30% inhibition).
On the Front Lines of the Home Front: The Intersection of Domestic Counterterrorism Operations and Drone Legislation

Imagine that the United States (U.S.) has again been attacked by terrorists and this time, the government’s counterterrorism (CT) response will include the use of drones. How would proposed state and federal drone legislation and policies impact the government’s ability to employ drones in the conduct of such domestic CT operations? For some, the term “drone” conjures up images of illicit government surveillance – or worse yet, the extrajudicial killing – of Americans on U.S. soil. To allay these fears, a significant amount of state and federal legislation has been proposed that forbids the government from collecting information or evidence with a drone, with limited exceptions including, but not limited to “imminent danger to life,” “terror attack,” and “national security conspiracy” exceptions. This article reviews the various drone proposals and other applicable policies and then explores their impact on domestic CT operations by applying eight just-passed state drone laws to a hypothetical scenario based loosely on the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.This exercise illustrates that under the right circumstances during a domestic CT event, most legislative drone proposals would aid government operators in “finding and fixing,” or locating, terrorist targets much more so than “finishing” them, whether by lethal force or by later use of the information collected in a judicial forum. Interestingly, when it relates to domestic CT, the exceptions could likely swallow the rule, allowing government actors great flexibility to use a drone to collect information or evidence without a warrant. On the other hand, ironically, with regard to “finishing” terrorists with drones on the home front, the proposals that include prohibitions on weaponizing drones or that would exclude evidence collected in violation of bill provisions, would severely inhibit the ability of the government to take action against the perpetrator, once he is finally located. I propose that it would be helpful to both security and privacy for law makers to better define legislative exceptions, add additional privacy protections, to codify the expected role of Department of Defense drones in domestic CT operations, and reconsider ramifications for rule violations. Implementing drone legislation mindful of these concepts will allow drones to be used to their full operational potential while also preserving civil liberties.
Adaptation of Aquatic Microbial Communities to Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

The effects of long-chain (C12 to C18) quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) on the density, heterotrophic activity, and biodegradation capabilities of heterotrophic bacteria were examined in situ in a lake ecosystem. Monoalkyl and dialkyl substituted QACs were tested over a range of concentrations (0.001 to 10 mg/liter) in both acute (3 h) and chronic (21 day) exposures. In general, none of the QACs tested had significant adverse effects on bacterial densities in either acute or chronic studies. However, significant decreases in bacterial heterotrophic activity were noted in acute studies at QAC concentrations from 0.1 to 10 mg/liter. Chronic exposure of lake microbial communities to a specific monoalkyl QAC resulted in an adaptive response and recovery of heterotrophic activity. No-observable-effect level in the adapted populations was >10 mg/liter. Chronic exposure also resulted in significant increases in the number and activity of bacteria capable of biodegrading the material. The increase in biodegradation capability was observed at low (microgram per liter) concentrations which are approximately the same as realistic environmental levels. In general, our studies indicated that exposure of lake microbial communities to QACs results in the development of adapted communities which are less sensitive to potential toxic effects and more active in the biodegradation of these materials.
Factors that influence exercise among adults with arthritis in three activity levels

INTRODUCTION Recent public health objectives emphasize the importance of exercise for reducing disability among people with arthritis. Despite the documented benefits of exercise, people with arthritis are less active than those without arthritis. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influence exercise participation among insufficiently active individuals with arthritis and to compare these factors with those identified by nonexercisers and regular exercisers with arthritis. METHODS Forty-six individuals with arthritis were recruited from various community-based organizations to participate in seven focus groups segmented by exercise status and education. Trained moderators led each discussion using a standard guide. All focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim and coded. RESULTS Pain was the most commonly mentioned barrier to exercise and limited exercise participation for nonexercisers and insufficiently active individuals. Paradoxically, insufficiently active individuals also identified exercise-related reductions in pain as a potential motivation for increasing exercise. Likewise, exercise-related reductions in pain were a motivation to continue exercising for the exerciser groups. Nonexercisers expressed that a reduction in pain was a possible outcome of exercise but were skeptical of its occurrence. Receiving tailored advice from a health care provider was consistently identified as an exercise enabler across the groups. CONCLUSION Findings from this study indicate that potential strategies for increasing exercise participation include incorporating pain management strategies and coping skills into exercise interventions and ensuring that health care providers provide specific exercise advice to their patients with arthritis.
Pseudomonas meningitis therapy recommendation questioned.

In the July 1988 report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, it was proposed that cefotaxime or ceftazidime, either alone or in combination with an aminoglycoside, should be satisfactory in the treatment of Pseudomonas meningitis. As clearly stated, individual therapy ought be guided by results of susceptibility tests of the causative organism. We suggest that, with this in mind, cefotaxime is usually not a reasonable choice for antibiotic therapy in patients with this disease. The mean MIC 50 and MIC 90 values of cefotaxime against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa range between 16 to 32µg/mL and 32 to >128µg/mL, respectively.
Clinical Outcomes for Patients With Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Hand

BACKGROUND: In an earlier report from the current study center regarding surgical treatment for patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the hand, it was concluded that repeat resection or amputation improves outcomes. Since then, the authors have aggressively sought to achieve negative resection margins, using standard or modified amputations when needed, and performing repeat resections to negative surgical margins when they were not achieved at the time of initial surgery. The current review was conducted to determine whether this approach resulted in better outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review of 53 patients with STS of the hand who were treated between 1996 and 2005 was performed. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and functional outcome of hand-preserving procedures were assessed according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) system. RESULTS: The median RFS was not reached at the time of last follow-up. Of 53 patients, 6 (11%) had positive microscopic resection margins. Three patients underwent repeat resection to negative surgical margins, whereas another 3 patients did not. All 3 patients with positive microscopic surgical margins that were not re-excised developed local disease recurrence; 2 patients also developed distant metastases. Two of the 50 patients with negative resection margins developed distant metastases. All 5 patients who developed local and/or distant disease recurrence had deep tumors. The median MSTS score was 29 (interquartile range, 27-30). Patients who underwent more extensive resections, such as double ray amputations, had lower MSTS scores. CONCLUSIONS: Suboptimal biopsies and positive resection margins are associated with local and distant disease recurrence in patients with STS. The results of the current study suggest that aggressive surgical treatment can result in better clinical outcomes, and underscore that care must be taken when planning biopsies of hand tumors. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
A Modified Benders' Partitioning Algorithm for Mixed Integer Programming

As applied to mixed-integer programming, Benders' original work made two primary contributions: 1 development of a “pure integer” problem Problem P that is equivalent to the original mixed-integer problem, and 2 a relaxation algorithm for solving Problem P that works iteratively on an LP problem and a “pure integer” problem. In this paper a modified algorithm for solving Problem P is proposed, in which the solution of a sequence of integer programs is replaced by the solution of a sequence of linear programs plus some hopefully few integer programs. The modified algorithm will still allow for taking advantage of any special structures e.g., an LP subproblem that is a “network problem” just as in Benders' original algorithm. The modified Benders' algorithm is explained and limited computational results are given.
Efficient FFT engine with reduced addressing logic

In this study, an efficient address generation method for pipelined Radix-2 fast Fourier transform (FFT) is presented. Conventional pipelined FFT addressing schemes utilize dedicated address generators in order to enable parallel access to the memory units and in-place calculation. These address generator units require substantial hardware logic including counters and rotational shifters to generate the addresses and registers to buffer the outputs of each butterfly operation. In the proposed method, the new parallel addressing scheme utilizes only counters and inverters to generate the addresses; replacing the barrel shifter units and reducing the hardware requirements. In order to replace the barrel shifters, two outputs of the butterfly unit switch places depending on the status of the butterfly pass operation. The only additional hardware unit is extra multiplexers for switching the butterfly outputs. We present the signal flow graph for 8, 16, and 32-point FFT and derive the methodology for 2r = N-point transforms. Furthermore, as a case study, 16-point FFT with 64-bit complex numbers is synthesized using an FPGA device. The results indicate that approximately 20% logic reduction can be achieved with exactly same throughput.
Immunolocalization of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors in Normal Developing Human Skin

The embryogenesis of normal human skin is a complex process involving multiple cell types and developmentally regulated growth factors. The immunohistochemical localization of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-R) was studied in human fetal skin because this receptor modulates all known actions of EGF and TGF-alpha. EGF-R are present in developing skin as early as the 42nd day of gestation. Immunoreactive EGF-R are present in keratinocytes, endothelial, and skeletal muscle cells. In contrast to normal adult human skin in which the EGF-R are primarily restricted to the basal and immediately suprabasal keratinocytes, the fetal epidermis showed a persistent expression of EGF-R in all cell layers. The absence of EGF-R on the outer, apical surface of periderm cells that are exposed to amniotic fluid was unexpected and may reflect down-regulation of EGF-R by EGF/TGF-alpha or related fetal growth factors present in amniotic fluid. The complex regulation of EGF-R in embryonic hair follicles and sebaceous glands indicates an active and perhaps regulatory role for EGF/TGF-alpha in the development and function of pilosebaceous glands as well as mammalian skin in general.
Effective Isentropic Diffusivity of Tropospheric Transport

Tropospheric transport can be described qualitatively by the slow mean diabatic circulation and rapid isentropic mixing, yet a quantitative understanding of the transport circulation is complicated, as nearly half of the isentropic surfaces in the troposphere frequently intersect the ground. A theoretical framework for the effective isentropic diffusivity of tropospheric transport is presented. Compared with previous isentropic analysis of effective diffusivity, a new diagnostic is introduced to quantify the eddy diffusivity of the nearsurface isentropicflow.This diagnostic also links the effective eddy diffusivity directly to a diffusiveclosure of eddy fluxes through a finite-amplitude wave activity equation. The theory is examined in a dry primitive equation model on the sphere. It is found that the upper troposphere is characterized by a diffusivity minimum at the jet’s center with enhanced mixing at the jet’s flanks andthatthelowertroposphereisdominatedbystrongermixingthroughoutthebarocliniczone.Thisstructure of isentropic diffusivity is generally consistent with the diffusivity obtained from the geostrophic component of the flow. Furthermore, the isentropic diffusivity agrees broadly with the tracer equivalent length obtained from either a spectral diffusion scheme or a semi-Lagrangian advection scheme, indicating that the effective diffusivity of tropospheric transport is largely dictated by large-scale stirring rather than details of the smallscale diffusion acting on the tracers.
Detection and quantification of anthrax lethal factor in serum by mass spectrometry.

The lethal toxin produced during Bacillus anthracis infection is a complex of protective antigen, which localizes the toxin to the cell receptor, and lethal factor (LF), a zinc-dependent endoproteinase whose known targets include five members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) family of response regulators. We have developed a method for detecting functional LF in serum. Anti-LF murine monoclonal antibodies immobilized on magnetic protein G beads were used to capture and concentrate the LF from serum. The captured LF was exposed to an optimized MAPKK-based peptide substrate, which it hydrolyzed into two smaller peptides. The LF cleavage products were then analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) and quantified by isotope dilution-MS. The entire analytical method can be performed in less than 4 h with detection of LF levels as low as 0.05 ng/mL. The method was used to quantify LF levels in serum from rhesus macaques infected with B. a...
Irreversible Photosensitization of Viruses.

Abstract The reaction between viruses and photoreactive dyes can result in a tightly bofnd, photosensitive, virus-dye complex. Herpesvirus was used as a model to determine optimal photosensitizing conditions. These were incubation at pH 9 at 37° in the presence of 10−4 M neutral red, proflavine, or toluidine blue in the absence of visible light. The free dye was then removed from the virus-dye mixture by cationic resins, to yield a water-clear virus preparation which maintained its original titer. Subsequent exposure of this virus to visible light for a few minutes rendered it noninfectiofs. Only herpesvirus and measles virus were rendered totally photosensitive by each of the above three dyes, using the optimal conditions described above. Reovirus and influenza virus were also completely photosensitized by toluidine blue or proflavine, but parainfluenza, vaccinia, and papova SV40 viruses only by toluidine blue. The picornaviruses cofld not be photosensitized under these conditions. Adenoviruses cofld not be completely photosensitized with neutral red or proflavine, and were inactivated by toluidine blue in the dark. Optimal pH and temperatures were fofnd necessary for the effective binding of dye to viruses. Subsequent changes in pH and temperature cofld not reverse the attachment and render the sensitized viruses resistant to light. If the excess free dye were not removed, all the viruses studied except the picornaviruses were photosenzitized by neutral red, proflavine, or toluidine blue.
Crosscultural Differences in Learning Styles of Secondary English Learners

Abstract This study investigated the learning styles of English learners (Armenian, Hmong, Korean, Mexican, and Vietnamese) in secondary schools. For statistical analyses a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and post hoc multiple comparisons of means tests (Scheffe tests) were used. A sample of 857 cases collected from 20 high schools in California found significant ethnic group differences as well as achievement level differences in basic learning style preferences. Students in this study favored a variety of instructional strategies. They exhibited either major or minor preferences for all four basic perceptual learning styles but significant ethnic group differences in preferences for group and individual learning. All students exhibited either major or minor preferences for kinesthetic or tactile learning. Hmong, Mexican, and Vietnamese students preferred group learning while Armenian and Korean students did not. However, all five ethnic groups (Armenian, Hmong, Korean, Mexican, and Vietnamese...
Simultaneous life testing in a random environment

Abstract Examined here is a class of multivariate lifetime distributions generated by a physical model in which a group of like devices is simultaneously exposed to a random wear or damage environment. This random wear is represented by a nonnegative stochastic process with independent increments. Associated with each device is a random threshold and the device fails when the wear attains this threshold. It is shown that tied failure times occur with positive probability. Algorithms are developed to obtain the probabilistic properties of various random variables associated with the joint failure time vector. In particular, these algorithms are used to find the probability of obtaining a specific tie configuration and the large sample behavior of the number of distinct failure times.
The depressing consequences of anger arousal: Cognitive behavioral treatment of anger-related depression

In response to the case of Mary, a moderately depressed woman who also reports frequent “anger attacks,” I suggest that Mary's dysphoric mood is primarily related to problems in managing her frequent and intense episodes of anger arousal. These episodes have resulted in social contacts reacting negatively toward her, employers terminating her, and a general feeling of sadness and dysphoria. Treatment would progress along four related dimensions. First, it is critical to establish a strong therapeutic relationship, which can be particularly difficult with angry patients. Second, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy would provide her a set of cognitively oriented skills so she may help herself outside of the therapy sessions. Third, to address the escape conditioning aspects of her current problems, anger-related exposure techniques may positively affect aspects of her anger problem that are likely to remain immune to verbal persuasion attempts. Fourth, skill-building techniques that might foster more solid social relationships would also be applied. By focusing on her anger, she might be less prone to attack others with angry and verbally aggressive outbursts, resulting in a less hostile and more friendly context in which to achieve her goals.
Relation of Positive and Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia to Financial Capacity

The aim of this study was to examine the value of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, as measured on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), in classifying outpatients who manage their finances independently (n = 25) from those who do not (n = 24). Logistic regression analysis showed that, unlike the positive symptom subscale of the PANSS, the negative symptom subscale was statistically reliable and demonstrated moderate classification accuracy in distinguishing those who managed their finances independently from those who cannot.
Experimental and theoretical characterization of the phase transformation

The YBa2Cu4O8 to YBa2Cu3O7 transformation in mixed phase, superconducting YBaCuO is investigated by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and static lattice, three dimensional, Monte Carlo computer simulations. Micrographs reveal dislocations and stacking faults associated with the transformation that are accurately predicted by the calculations and seen in “snapshots” of the simulated structures. An atomic mechanism involving the intercalation of extra CuO planes by partial dislocation climb is proposed for the YBa2Cu4O8YBa2Cu3O7 phase change.
A high-speed unified hardware architecture for 128 and 256-bit security levels of AES and the SHA-3 candidate Grøstl

One of the five final SHA-3 candidates, Grostl, has been inspired by the Advanced Encryption Standard. This unique feature can be exploited in a large variety of practical applications. In order to have a better picture of the Grostl-AES computational efficiency (high-level scheduling, internal pipelining, resource sharing, etc.), we designed a high-speed coprocessor for the Grostl-based HMAC and AES in the counter mode. This coprocessor offers high-speed computations of both authentication and encryption/decryption with relatively small penalty in terms of area and speed when compared to the authentication (original Grostl circuitry) functionality only. From our perspective, the main advantage of Grostl over other finalists is the fact that its hardware architecture naturally accommodates AES at the cost of a small area overhead.
Epigenetics: A new whiff of monoallelic expression

Odorant receptor genes reveal a new case of monoallelic expression: just one allele of one of the large number of receptor genes appears to be transcribed in a given sensory neuron.
Thermal expansion of silicate perovskite and stratification of the Earth's mantle

A pressure of 24 GPa and temperatures of about 2,000–3,000 K correspond to the observed 670-km seismic discontinuity which separates the upper and lower mantle. In such conditions the major minerals of the Earth's upper mantle, olivine ((Mg, Fe)2SiO4), pyroxene ((Mg, Fe)SiO3) and garnet ((Mg, Fe, Ca)3Al2Si3O12) transform to a distorted (orthorhombic) perovskite-structured mineral ((Mg, Fe)SiO3), or to a perovskite-dominated assemblage (refs 1–4). Because silicate perovskite is stable to at least 70 GPa, it is thought to be the most abundant mineral in the lower mantle and, possibly, in the entire Earth. Despite its importance, silicate perovskite was only discovered in 1976, and little is known about its physical properties because of the difficulty in achieving the conditions of pressure and temperature required for the synthesis of this phase. For example, the value of the thermal expansion coefficient of perovskite provides an important constraint on possible compositional models for the lower mantle5–7. We have recently produced sufficient amounts of (Mg0.9, Fe0.1)SiO3 perovskite to measure its zero-pressure thermal expansion to 840 K by X-ray diffraction. At high temperatures, the average thermal expansion coefficient is 4×l0−5K−1. Such a large value for the thermal expansion coefficient implies that standard models of upper mantle composition, such as pyrolite or garnet peridotite (Mg value ≍ 0.89), yield zero-pressure densities that are about 2% lower than that of the density of the lower mantle extrapolated to zero pressure conditions. This result suggests that the upper and lower mantle are chemically distinct, in accord with layered models of the thermal and convective state of the mantle.
Electrical conductivity in iodine‐doped full and pseudo IPN's of nonconjugated polymer networks

Pseudo and full IPNs from crosslinkd natural rubber and poly(carbonate-rubber) were studied.
Looking Beyond the Performance of Grave Underachievers in Mathematics

The authors present the cases of two pupils who both show very serious, apparently similar learning difficulties, mainly in mathematics. An analysis beyond appearance of their learning activities revealed remarkable differences between them, in terms of both weaknesses and strengths. The authors point out that when teachers are planning remedial interventions for pupils with severe learning difficulties, they must evaluate individual differences carefully, paying attention not only to difficulties but also to potentialities and points of strength.
By our Bootstraps: Origins and Effects of the High-wage Doctrine and the Minimum Wage

Although the high-wage doctrine — the belief that the level of aggregate demand is determined by the level of wage rates — is most often associated with the Great Depression, the doctrine’s effects on wage policy go back at least two decades further. Rather than having been a product of desperate times, the doctrine gained wide acceptance during the prosperous 1920s as businessmen and economists, citing the success of Henry Ford's continuing high-wage policies, and the (supposedly counterproductive) wage deflation that had marked the steep depression of 1920-21, applied the doctrine's demand-enhancing logic to push for an economy-wide minimum wage.
Sodium-N-butyrate induces cytoskeletal rearrangements and formation of cornified envelopes in cultured adult human keratinocytes.

The technique developed in our laboratory allows us to culture multilayered, stratified sheets of human keratinocytes, which can be used to cover the burn wounds of patients. Organization of cells in these cultures resembles stratum germinativum and stratum spinosum but there are only a few fully keratinized cells and the stratum corneum is not developed. Since the fully differentiated sheets may offer additional advantages as epidermal transplants, attempts were made to enhance the degree of differentiation in vitro. In the present study sodium-N-butyrate (NaB) was used as a differentiating agent and its effect on the cell cycle and cytoarchitecture of epidermal cells was investigated. Incubation of keratinocytes in the presence of 2.5 mM NaB induced the appearance of enucleated cornified envelopes, covering approximately 70–80% of the surface of the cultures. Their appearance correlated with a decrease in expression of keratin K13, previously shown to be inhibited during terminal differentiation of human keratinocytes. An increase in transglutaminase transferase activity was also observed. The induction of cornified layers also correlated with an increase in the amount of microfilament (MF)-associated actin. NaB also induced changes in the cell cycle distribution of the keratinocyte cultures. A decrease in the proportion of S and G1B phase cells was paralleled by an increase in G1A cells, maximally expressed 30–48 h following addition of the inducer. Interestingly, NaB also induced a cell arrest in G2 phase. These cell cycle perturbations preceded the onset of keratinocyte differentiation. The results indicate that the enhanced differentiation of human keratinocytes in the presence of NaB may serve as a means to produce epidermal sheets with improved properties for transplantation in a clinical setting. It also serves as an in vitro model system to study the interrelationships between biochemical events and cell cycle changes accompanying differentiation.
Sulfurization Efficiency in the Solution Phase Synthesis of Deoxyribonucleoside Phosphorothioates - Comparison of Sulfur Triethylamine with Various Sulfurizing Agents 1

Abstract Efficient solution-phase synthesis of nucleoside phosphorothioates utilizing phosphoramidite approach is described. Elemental sulfur in combination with triethylamine is the prefered choice for sulfurization of phosphite triester to phosphorothioates. 1. Part 6 on Process Improvement Chemistry (PIC). For Part 5, refer to Ravikumar, V. T., Cheruvallath, Z. S. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. (communicated).
Unusual aspects of superperiodic features on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

Abstract Scanning tunneling microscopy was used to study several types of superstructures on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surfaces. The superlattices are unlike any reported to date and cannot be explained by the moire-rotation hypothesis. Calculations using a simple model to test the moire pattern hypothesis with computer-generated graphite layers indicate that only very unreasonable ratios for the relative influences of the second and third layers of graphite produce a superlattice comparable to an observed superstructure. These findings show that the current moire-rotation model is insufficient to account for the range of observed superlattice phenomena on graphite.
Receptor binding sites for atrial natriuretic factor are expressed by brown adipose tissue

To explore the possibility that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is involved in thermoregulation we used quantitative receptor autoradiography and homogenate receptor binding assays to identify ANF bindings sites in neonatal rat and sheep brown adipose tissue, respectively. Using quantitative receptor autoradiography were were able to localize high levels of specific binding sites for 125I-rat ANF in neonatal rat brown adipose tissue. Homogenate binding assays on sheep brown fat demonstrated that the radioligand was binding to the membrane fraction and that the specific binding was not due to a lipophilic interaction between 125I-rat ANF and brown fat. Specific binding of 125I-rat ANF to the membranes of brown fat cells was inhibited by unlabeled rat ANF with a Ki of 8.0 x 10(-9) M, but not by unrelated peptides. These studies demonstrate that brown fat cells express high levels of ANF receptor binding sites in neonatal rat and sheep and suggest that ANF may play a role in thermoregulation.
Surfactant Scavenging and Surface Deposition by Rising Bubbles.

When bubbles rise through a liquid they are known to scavenge dissolved surface-active materials (surfactants). Small bubbles in the size range of tens of micrometers quickly become covered with surfactants in any but the cleanest conditions. This has the effect of immobilizing the bubble surface and affecting the drag and therefore the bubble rise speed. A large number of bubbles rising as a cloud toward a free surface will populate the bulk surface with surfactants at a richness that far exceeds that which would occur in the absence of bubbling. However, in addition to the increased deposition of surfactants on the bulk surface, the random and agitated motions of the rising bubbles induce mixing of the liquid. In a companion paper (R. L. Stefan and A. J. Szeri, submitted for publication) the mixing properties of a bubble cloud rising toward a free surface were determined. In the present work, a model for the uptake of surfactants by bubbles and subsequent deposition on the bulk surface is developed including the crucial feature of bubble-induced fluid mixing. It is found that the mixing of desorbed surfactant down into the bulk is key to predicting what will be the enrichment of the bulk surface.
Control-Oriented Proper Orthogonal Decomposition Models for Unsteady Flows

Controller development in the relatively young field of closed-loop (or feedback) flow control is constrained by the lack of proper models for the description of the dynamics and response of flows to a control input (actuation). If a set of ordinary differential equations could be derived that describes the unsteady flow with sufficient accuracy and that also models the effect of the actuation, conventional control theory tools could be employed for controller design. In this paper, reduced-order models based on a Galerkin projection of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations onto a proper orthogonal decomposition modal basis are described. The model coefficients can be modified or calibrated to make the model more accurate. An error-minimization technique is employed to obtain the coefficients that describe how the control input enters the model equations. These models work well in the vicinity of the design operating point. Composite models are constructed by combining modes from different operating points. This approach results in more versatile models that are valid for a larger range of operating conditions.
Exophytic ependymoma of the thoracic spine

Exophytic ependymomas of the spinal cord are very rare outside the filum or conus region. We present a patient with a thoracic spinal cord intradural extramedullary and intramedullary, World Health Organization grade II ependymoma. Gross total resection of the extramedullary component with subtotal resection of the intramedullary tumor was achieved, since there was no clear distinction between cord and tumor. The patient received postoperative external beam radiotherapy for residual tumor, and at a 2-year follow-up he is ambulatory without evidence of tumor recurrence.
Dynamical constraints on the mass and perihelion distance of Nemesis and the stability of its orbit

It has been suggested1,2 that the observed periodic extinction of species at intervals of 26 Myr (ref. 3) may be catalysed by a hypothetical stellar companion of the Sun, Nemesis, with an orbital period of 26 Myr. The passage of a stellar companion through the inner comet cloud4 will fill the loss cone of these comets and cause a comet shower to enter the planetary system. It has been estimated that about 20–30 comets will hit the Earth during a shower, which lasts less than a million yr. Such Earth impacts would produce considerable environmental stress and may lead to widespread extinction of species4. I now investigate the effect of Nemesis on the comets in the inner comet cloud. This is used to determine the minimum required mass of Nemesis and its minimum required perihelion distance. The effect of passing stars on the stability of the orbit of Nemesis is investigated, and the probability of its having passed within the planetary system estimated.
Factors affecting attachment of Salmonella typhimurium to sausage casings

Abstract Effects of various substances on attachment of Salmonella typhimurium to artificial sausage casings were investigated. No inhibitory effects were observed when cells were incubated with glucose, galactose, hyaluronin, chondroitin sulphate, Tween 20, EDTA, gelatin, glycine and bovine albumin. There was a small decrease in attachment with increasing sodium chloride levels from 0-100 mg ml -1 . Mannose did not inhibit attachment, implying that attachment was not mediated by type 1 fimbriae. Cells killed by irradiation (Cs-137) attached at a rate similar to non-irradiated cells, therefore viability and motility were not required for bacterial attachment. Bacterial attachment was inhibited by solubilized collagen, indicating that a specific interaction may be involved between a binding site on the collagen molecule and the micro-organism.
Angiotensin II directly regulates intestinal epithelial NHE3 in Caco2BBE cells

Background Angiotensin II (AII) effects on intestinal Na+ transport may be multifactorial. To determine if AII might have a direct effect on intestinal epithelial Na+ transport, we investigated its actions on Na+ transport in human intestinal epithelial Caco2BBE cells.
Correlation-crystal-field `δ-function' analysis of Pr3+(4f2) energy-level structure

Abstract Inclusion of two-electron correlation-crystal-field (CCF) contributions to the model (energy-level) Hamiltonian has been shown to resolve disparities between calculated and observed energy-level splittings within problematic multiplet manifolds of Nd 3+ and Er 3+ systems. Application of these CCF terms to other problematic multiplets, such as the 1 G 4 and 1 D 2 multiplets of Pr 3+ has not been feasible, owing to the fact that the number of applicable CCF terms far exceed the number of observed levels in these multiplets. However, this problem may be obviated by use of a simplified ` δ -function' CCF model that assumes the dominant contributions to the CCF interactions come from paired electrons within the same orbital. In the present study, we examine the 4f 2 (Pr 3+ ) electronic energy-level structures reported for Pr 3+ :LaCl 3 , Pr 3+ :GdCl 3 , Pr 3+ :Cs 2 NaYCl 6 and Cs 2 NaPrCl 6 systems and show that inclusion of δ -function CCF interaction parameters resolves the disparities between observed and calculated energy-level splittings for the problematic 1 G 4 and 1 D 2 multiplets of these systems.
Diagnosis via NURBs Metamodel

In vivo tissue condition diagnosis is a challenging engineering problem. The goal is to develop a technology that can eliminate tissue removal and external examination and enable less invasive surgical techniques to be used with a precision provided by a knowledge of the tissue within the body. Particularly challenging is the task of automating the diagnosis of the tissue condition. In this work, a metamodeling technique based on Non-Uniform Rational B-splines is used to analyze and automate the diagnosis of human tissue conditions. The resulting diagnoses are compared to results from medical doctors and the challenges in such data analysis are discussed. The technique has implications for both biomedical and electromechical system fault diagnosis and diagnostics.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Uniformly mantle-like δ18O in zircons from oceanic plagiogranites and gabbros

Lower ocean crust is primarily gabbroic, although 1–2% felsic igneous rocks that are referred to collectively as plagiogranites occur locally. Recent experimental evidence suggests that plagiogranite magmas can form by hydrous partial melting of gabbro triggered by seawater-derived fluids, and thus they may indicate early, high-temperature hydrothermal fluid circulation. To explore seawater–rock interaction prior to and during the genesis of plagiogranite and other late-stage magmas, oxygen-isotope ratios preserved in igneous zircon have been measured by ion microprobe. A total of 197 zircons from 43 plagiogranite, evolved gabbro, and hydrothermally altered fault rock samples have been analyzed. Samples originate primarily from drill core acquired during Ocean Drilling Program and Integrated Ocean Drilling Program operations near the Mid-Atlantic and Southwest Indian Ridges. With the exception of rare, distinctively luminescent rims, all zircons from ocean crust record remarkably uniform δ18O with an average value of 5.2 ± 0.5‰ (2SD). The average δ18O(Zrc) would be in magmatic equilibrium with unaltered MORB [δ18O(WR) ~ 5.6–5.7‰], and is consistent with the previously determined value for equilibrium with the mantle. The narrow range of measured δ18O values is predicted for zircon crystallization from variable parent melt compositions and temperatures in a closed system, and provides no indication of any interactions between altered rocks or seawater and the evolved parent melts. If plagiogranite forms by hydrous partial melting, the uniform mantle-like δ18O(Zrc) requires melting and zircon crystallization prior to significant amounts of water–rock interactions that alter the protolith δ18O. Zircons from ocean crust have been proposed as a tectonic analog for >3.9 Ga detrital zircons from the earliest (Hadean) Earth by multiple workers. However, zircons from ocean crust are readily distinguished geochemically from zircons formed in continental crustal environments. Many of the >3.9 Ga zircons have mildly elevated δ18O (6.0–7.5‰), but such values have not been identified in any zircons from the large sample suite examined here. The difference in δ18O, in combination with newly acquired lithium concentrations and published trace element data, clearly shows that the >3.9 Ga detrital zircons did not originate by processes analogous to those in modern mid-ocean ridge settings.