cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of differentiation on neuropeptide-Y receptors and responses in rat pheochromocytoma cells

Undifferentiated rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells resemble immature adrenal chromaffin cells, express neuropeptide-Y (NPY) receptors of the Y1 subtype, and synthesize catecholamines as well as NPY. In the present study, we examined how phenotypic alteration of PC12 cells by nerve growth factor (NGF) or glucocorticoid affected cellular responsiveness to NPY and related agonists, especially with regard to modulation of catecholamine overflow. Unlike undifferentiated PC12 cells, cells differentiated to a sympathetic neuronal phenotype with NGF were responsive to the Y2 receptor-selective agonist, NPY 13-36. NPY 13-36 1) inhibited binding of [125I]NPY 1-36, 2) inhibited accumulation of evoked cAMP, and 3) inhibited evoked catecholamine overflow. NGF-differentiated cells were also responsive to the Y1 receptor-selective agonist [Leu31,Pro34]NPY (LP-NPY). Like NPY-(13-36), LP-NPY inhibited binding of [125I]NPY-(1-36); however, LP-NPY and NPY-(13-36) exerted their effects through heterogeneous receptors, as LP-NPY enhanced while NPY 13-36 inhibited evoked catecholamine overflow in NGF-differentiated cells, despite the fact that both agonists inhibited the evoked cAMP. In contrast to NGF-differentiated cells, cells differentiated to a mature chromaffin phenotype with dexamethasone were unresponsive to NPY-(13-36), nor did the Y2 agonist inhibit binding of [125I]NPY-(1-36). Dexamethasone-differentiated PC12 cells were, however, responsive to LP-NPY, as this agonist enhanced evoked catecholamine overflow and inhibited binding of [125I]NPY-(1-36). Peptide-YY also enhanced catecholamine overflow, but only significantly at 100 nM. The data suggest differential expression of NPY receptor subtypes on neuronal and endocrine cells where catecholamine overflow is a key feature. These studies further demonstrate inhibitory or excitatory modulation of catecholamine transmission by NPY via distinct receptor subtypes in homogeneous sympathoadrenomedullary models resembling sympathetic neurons and chromaffin cells.
Vehicle posture control through aggressive maneuvering for mitigation of T-bone collisions

This work analyzes the mitigation of unavoidable T-bone collisions between two automobiles through the execution of an aggressive maneuver involving a rapid yaw rotation of one of the vehicles, in order to achieve a favorable vehicle posture prior to the collision. The maneuvering vehicle is assumed to possess torque vectoring technology at the rear wheels, allowing the generation of a direct yawing moment. The maneuver is posed as an optimal control problem, whose numerical solution yields the optimal control strategy. Several conditions involving a variety of speeds and friction coefficients are investigated.
Impact of the TCR Signal on Regulatory T Cell Homeostasis, Function, and Trafficking

Signaling through the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) is important for the homeostasis of naive and memory CD4(+) T cells. The significance of TCR signaling in regulatory T (Treg) cells has not been systematically addressed. Using an Ox40-cre allele that is prominently expressed in Treg cells, and a conditional null allele of the gene encoding p56(Lck), we have examined the importance of TCR signaling in Treg cells. Inactivation of p56(Lck) resulted in abnormal Treg homeostasis characterized by impaired turnover, preferential redistribution to the lymph nodes, loss of suppressive function, and striking changes in gene expression. Abnormal Treg cell homeostasis and function did not reflect the involvement of p56(Lck) in CD4 function because these effects were not observed when CD4 expression was inactivated by Ox40-cre.The results make clear multiple aspects of Treg cell homeostasis and phenotype that are dependent on a sustained capacity to signal through the TCR.
Comblike, monodisperse polypeptoid drag-tags for DNA separations by end-labeled free-solution electrophoresis (ELFSE)

The development of innovative technologies designed to reduce the cost and increase the throughput of DNA separations continues to be important for large-scale sequencing and genotyping efforts. We report research aimed at the further development of a free-solution bioconjugate method of DNA size separation by capillary electrophoresis (CE), in particular, the determination of an optimal molecular architecture for polyamide-based “drag-tags”. We synthesized several branched poly(N-methoxyethyl glycine)s (poly(NMEG)s, a class of polypeptoids) as novel friction-generating entities for end-on attachment to DNA molecules. A 30-mer poly(NMEG) “backbone,” comprising five evenly spaced reactive e-amino groups, was synthesized on solid phase, cleaved, and purified to monodispersity by RP-HPLC. Three different comblike derivatives of this backbone molecule were created by (1) acetylating the e-amino groups or (2) appending small, monodisperse NMEG oligomers (a tetramer and an octamer). Grafting of the oligo(NMEG)s...
Biokinetics and Subchronic Toxic Effects of Oral Arsenite, Arsenate, Monomethylarsonic Acid, and Dimethylarsinic Acid in V-Ha-Ras Transgenic (Tg.AC) Mice

Previous research demonstrated that 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) treatment increased the number of skin papillomas in v-Ha-ras transgenic (Tg.AC) mice that had received sodium arsenite [(As(III)] in drinking water, indicating that this model is useful for studying the toxic effects of arsenic in vivo. Because the liver is a known target of arsenic, we examined the pathophysiologic and molecular effects of inorganic and organic arsenical exposure on Tg.AC mouse liver in this study. Tg.AC mice were provided drinking water containing As(III), sodium arsenate [As(V)], monomethylarsonic acid [(MMA(V)], and 1,000 ppm dimethylarsinic acid [DMA(V)] at dosages of 150, 200, 1,500, or 1,000 ppm as arsenic, respectively, for 17 weeks. Control mice received unaltered water. Four weeks after initiation of arsenic treatment, TPA at a dose of 1.25 microg/200 microL acetone was applied twice a week for 2 weeks to the shaved dorsal skin of all mice, including the controls not receiving arsenic. In some cases arsenic exposure reduced body weight gain and caused mortality (including moribundity). Arsenical exposure resulted in a dose-dependent accumulation of arsenic in the liver that was unexpectedly independent of chemical species and produced hepatic global DNA hypomethylation. cDNA microarray and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that all arsenicals altered the expression of numerous genes associated with toxicity and cancer. However, organic arsenicals [MMA(V) and DMA(V)] induced a pattern of gene expression dissimilar to that of inorganic arsenicals. In summary, subchronic exposure of Tg.AC mice to inorganic or organic arsenicals resulted in toxic manifestations, hepatic arsenic accumulation, global DNA hypomethylation, and numerous gene expression changes. These effects may play a role in arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity and carcinogenesis and may be of particular toxicologic relevance.
Excimer laser-assisted etching of polysilicon at 193 nm

Excimer laser-assisted etching of polysilicon at 193 nm was studied in the presence of CF3Br, CF2Cl2, and NF3. In the presence of 193 nm radiation, CF3Br showed some propensity to etch polysilicon, while CF2Cl2 did not show any appreciable etching. In the presence of NF3, maximum etch rates of 0.6 A/pulse were obtained for pressures greater than 500 Torr and fluences exceeding 200 mJ/(cm2 pulse). The etch rate increased with both fluences and pressure to a limiting value of 0.6 A/pulse. An adsorptive etch mechanism was proposed, where NF3 molecules diffuse to the surface, adsorb, and then react after absorbing laser radiation. Thermal effects enhance this process and appear to dominate at lower pressures (<400 Torr) and higher fluences. Etching caused by the gas phase formation of F atoms is minimal due to the low absorption cross section of NF3 at 193 nm. Etching of submicron profiles in polysilicon was also examined. Polysilicon samples masked by patterned SiO2 were exposed to NF3 and 193 nm ArF radiation. Subsequent scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrated directional etching with some surface roughening.
Highly Bent DNA: A Novel Repressor of T7 RNA Polymerase

The use of DNA templates sustaining varying degrees of supercoiling has established that mechanically stressed DNA can influence transcription by RNA polymerase (RNAP). However, the interpretation of supercoiling studies is complicated by the lack of a detailed description of the bending and torsional conditions present on length scales that are relevant to RNAP activity. A quantitative understanding of how bending and twisting DNA influence transcription has yet to emerge, largely owing to the lack of an assay capable of quantifying the transcriptional competency of an RNAP from DNA templates sustaining well-defined levels of mechanical stress in the absence of supercoiling or other DNA-binding proteins. To directly test the hypothesis that mechanical stress imparted to tightly looped DNA is sufficient to repress transcription, we have developed an assay capable of quantifying the ability of bacteriophage T7-RNAP to transcribe circular transcription templates on the order of 100bp in size, thus restricting our observations only to the effects of mechanical stress on transcription. By encoding the promoter sequence for T7-RNAP within minicircles 100bp, 106bp, and 108bp in size, we have also characterized the effects of three distinct torsional stress states (within comparably bent minicircles) on the transcriptional activity of T7-RNAP. From these minicircle templates, we observe that the elongation velocity and processivity of T7-RNAP is reduced by roughly two orders of magnitude, confirming that highly bent DNA alone is capable of repressing transcription. Additionally, we observe a fivefold enhancement of elongation velocity as the template is untwisted, a finding qualitatively supported by previously reported observations. Our results establish that DNA mechanics can directly control RNAP activity, and given the required use of DNA templates by all RNAPs, necessitate the consideration of template-mediated effects in repression studies.
Type IIB thyroplasty for phonic tics in a pediatric patient with autism spectrum disorder: a case report.

Summary Objectives/Hypothesis Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are commonly associated with Tourette syndrome (TS). TS is classically associated with tic production. A tic is defined as sudden, brief, involuntary production of movement (motor tics) or sound (phonic tics). Study Design Case report. Methods We present a case report of a 14-year-old boy with ASD and vocal tics. Vocal tic frequency was nearly 2000 per day and 90 dB in volume. He presented to our laryngology clinic after multiple failed attempts of pharmacologic management of vocal fold botulinum toxin injection. After evaluation in our clinic, we recommended a lateralization (type IIB) thyroplasty. An autologous cartilage graft from the superior thyroid ala was used and held in place with a bioresorbable mesh. Using 4-0 prolene sutures, the mesh was secured in place. The operation was well tolerated with minimal signs of aspiration, and he was discharged to his home within 48 hours. Results Six months postoperatively, there was 90% reduction in tic frequency and 50% reduction in intensity. Additionally, he has shown improved ability to converse with his peers, participate in school activities, and even has improved nutritional status. Conclusions Alteration of laryngeal geometry could serve as an effective site of intervention for intractable phonic tics. Reduction of phonic tic frequency and intensity may also stimulate language development in patients ASD. We also demonstrate additional use of bioresorbable plates in pediatric laryngeal framework surgery. Additional neurophysiologic studies are needed to explore the mechanism by which midline lateralization thyroplasty influences phonic tic generation.
Rockford, Ill.: Cognitive and Affective Outcomes

Small but significant and possibly critical differences favor two-way system of in-service training program for city firefighters.
Effects of interfacial microstructure on ohmic contacts to GaAs

Abstract Thermally stable, low resistance ohmic contacts on n-type GaAs which withstand high temperature cycles without degrading their electrical properties are critical to fabrication of high performance GaAs integrated circuits. Analysis of the microstructure between the metal and GaAs was carried out for the universally used AuNiGe ohmic contacts and the recently developed NiInW ohmic contacts. Both contacts provided low contact resistances. For AuNiGe ohmic contacts, poor thermal stability after contact formation was concluded to be due to formation of low-melting-point β-AuGa phases. Since formation of the β-AuGa phases is essential to yield low contact resistances, improvement of thermal stability of the AuNiGe contacts without degrading the electrical properties is extremely difficult. For NiInW ohmic contacts, the contacts were observed to contain only refractory materials of InxGa1-xAs, Ni3In, NiAs, and W, which provided the excellent thermal stability at 400°C after contact formation. In addition, the excellent thermal stability of the NiInW contacts was observed after depositing directly Al-Cu wiring which is commonly used in the current Si technology. The stability was concluded to be due to lack of chemical interaction between Al and In which is the key element for low contact resistance in the NiInW ohmic contacts.
Hydrogen Production via Chemical Looping Steam Reforming in a Periodically Operated Fixed-Bed Reactor

Chemical-looping steam reforming (CLSR) is a chemical-looping combustion (CLC) derived technology in which air is replaced by steam as oxidant. CLSR combines the inherent CO2 capture of CLC with the production of PEMFC-ready hydrogen streams without further purification steps. CLSR thus results in strong process intensification in hydrogen production. Here, we present results from a proof-of-concept study of CLSR of synthesis gas which combines thermodynamic screening for carrier selection, with synthesis and reactive test of highly active and high-temperature stable nanostructured oxygen carriers, and a reactor modeling study in order to demonstrate the feasibility of CLSR in a periodically operated fixed-bed reactor.
Decreased expression of the alpha subunit of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II rnRNA in the adult rat CNS following recurrent limbic seizures

Abstract Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II (CamKII) is a ubiquitous brain enzyme implicated in a wide variety of neuronal processes. Understanding CamKII has become increasingly complicated with the recent identification of multiple gene transcripts coding for separate subunits. Previous studies have shown that mRNA for the alpha subunit of CamKII can be increased by reduction of afferent input. In this study we have examined the regulation of αCamKII mRNA following increased activity due to seizures. Using in situ hybridization with a cRNA probe against the rat αCamKII sequence we found reduced levels of hybridization following limbic seizures induced by lesions of the hilus of the dentate gyrus. Hybridization was most dramatically reduced in the granule cells of the dentate gyrus and the pyramidal cells of hippocampal region CA1 There were also significant reductions in hybridization in the superficial layers of neocortex and piriform cortex. In each of these regions hybridization was decreased in the molecular layers which is consistent with the reported dendritic localization of αCamKII mRNA. All changes in mRNA content were transient, with maximal reductions at 24 h following lesion placement and a return to control levels by 96 h. These findings demonstrate the negative regulation of αCamKII mRNA by seizure activity and raise the possibility that synthesis of this kinase may be regulated by normal physiological activity.
Tensile Creep and Deformation Modeling of Vinyl Ester Polymer and Its Nanocomposite

This article discusses tensile creep behavior of vinyl ester polymer and its nanocomposite with 0.5 wt% functionalized carbon nanofibers. It is shown that for a constant temperature the creep resis...
High modulus aliphatic polyimide from 1, 3-diaminopropane and ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride: Water soluble to self-patterning

Abstract In this study, a fully aliphatic polyimide (FAPI) with ultra high modulus and hardness has been synthesized via 1, 3-diaminopropane and ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride. The thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies revealed the thermal imidization process occurred at a low temperature, around 140–150 °C. The resulting aliphatic polyimide could not only quickly dissolve unconventional organic solvents including methylene chloride, N, N–dimethylformamide and N-methylpyrrolidone, but also in water at room temperature, which has not been reported before. Nanoindentation technique applied to evaluate mechanical properties of the synthesized FAPI indicated that the modulus (Er) and hardness (H) of FAPI was higher than 8 GPa and 0.3 GPa, respectively, which are approximately 200% of commercial polyimide products. According to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of FAPI and structure analysis of the two monomers, the existence of nucleophilic trimethyleneamino group and its interaction with electrophilic carbonyl group were considered primarily accountable for both water solubility and high mechanical performances of FAPI. Higher imidization temperature (250 °C) resulted in the self-patterning of FAPI film, which was probably related to the hydrogen bonding induced assembling of poly(amic acid) as well as the cross-linking of FAPI at high temperature.
Significance of the crystal structure of cellulose in the production and action of cellulase

Abstract Trichoderma viride grown on synthetic medium containing the various crystal modifications of cellulose formed enzymes which were preferentially capable of solubilizing the homologous forms. The enzymic dissolution of crystalline cellulose I and II was in accordance with the Schutz law, whereas that of II IV followed second-order kinetics. The dissolution of crystalline cellulose IV followed no recognizable reaction order. The different forms of cellulose varied from each other in their growth-supporting, -inducing, and -reacting capabilities. The enzymes induced on various cellulose forms were also different in their thermostability, and the rates of inactivation were dependent on the type of substrate used in the assay. Activation energy measurements for different enzyme-substrate combinations showed that different, enzyme systems were induced in the presence of different crystal forms and that crystal structure was a significant determinant of the effectiveness of cellulase systems. X-ray diffraction studies showed that the crystal structure as well as the crystallinity of various forms of cellulose remained largely unchanged during their dissolution. An electron-microscopic study indicated that enzymic degradation of cellulose involved fragmentation which appeared to be initiated by the formation of longitudinal fissures.
Fabrication of DNA Microarrays with poly-L-Glutamic Acid Monolayers on Gold Substrates for SPR Imaging Measurements

Robust single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) microarrays are created by attaching amine-modified oligonucleotides to a monolayer of poly(l-glutamic acid) (pGlu) that is electrostatically adsorbed onto a chemically modified gold thin film. This surface attachment chemistry methodology is first characterized with a combination of polarization-modulation Fourier transform infrared (PM-FTIR) spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) angle shift measurements. SPR imaging (SPRI) measurements of these ssDNA microarrays are then used to study two surface bioaffinity interactions: (i) the quantitative hybridization adsorption of complementary ssDNA onto mixed ssDNA microarray elements and (ii) the adsorption of single-stranded binding protein (SSB) onto fully and partially hybridized DNA microarray elements. The Langmuir adsorption coefficient (KAds) of SSB binding to ssDNA was determined to be (5.5 ± 0.4) × 109 M−1.
Rosettaligand : Protein-small molecule docking with full side-chain flexibility

Protein-small molecule docking algorithms provide a means to model the structure of protein-small molecule complexes in structural detail and play an important role in drug development. In recent years the necessity of simulating protein side-chain flexibility for an accurate prediction of the protein-small molecule interfaces has become apparent, and an increasing number of docking algorithms probe different approaches to include protein flexibility. Here we describe a new method for docking small molecules into protein binding sites employing a Monte Carlo minimization procedure in which the rigid body position and orientation of the small molecule and the protein side-chain conformations are optimized simultaneously. The energy function comprises van der Waals (VDW) interactions, an implicit solvation model, an explicit orientation hydrogen bonding potential, and an electrostatics model. In an evaluation of the scoring function the computed energy correlated with experimental small molecule binding energy with a correlation coefficient of 0.63 across a diverse set of 229 protein- small molecule complexes. The docking method produced lowest energy models with a root mean square deviation (RMSD) smaller than 2 A in 71 out of 100 protein-small molecule crystal structure complexes (self-docking). In cross-docking calculations in which both protein side-chain and small molecule internal degrees of freedom were varied the lowest energy predictions had RMSDs less than 2 A in 14 of 20 test cases.
Evolving compiler heuristics to manage communication and contention

As computer architectures become increasingly complex, hand-tuning compiler heuristics becomes increasingly tedious and time consuming for compiler developers. This paper presents a case study that uses a genetic algorithm to learn a compiler policy. The target policy implicitly balances communication and contention among processing elements of the TRIPS processor, a physically realized prototype chip. We learn specialized policies for individual programs as well as general policies that work well across all programs. We also employ a two-stage method that first classifies the code being compiled based on salient characteristics, and then chooses a specialized policy based on that classification. This work is particularly interesting for the AI community because it 1) emphasizes the need for increased collaboration between AI researchers and researchers from other branches of computer science and 2) discusses a machine learning setup where training on the custom hardware requires weeks of training, rather than the more typical minutes or hours.
Progressively censored tests for clinical experiments and life testing problems based on weighted empirical distributions

In the context of time-sequential studies, progressively censored tests for a simple regression model based on weighted empirical distributions are considered for ungrouped as well as grouped data situations. Early decision rules based on such tests are formulated. The asymptotic theory of the proposed tests rests on a construction of suitable empirical processes and their convergence (in distribution) to appropriate Gaussian functions. Critical values of the proposed test statistics are obtained by simulation, For a hypothetical example (of practical interest), a comparative study is made for the empirical powers and stopping times for some rival tests.
Modeling and analysis of vector-quantized M-channel subband codecs

This paper demonstrates that the scalar nonlinear gain-plus-additive noise quantization model can be used to represent each vector quantizer in an M-band subband codec. The validity and accuracy of this analytic model is confirmed by comparing the calculated model quantization errors with actual simulation of the optimum LBG vector quantizer. We compute the mean squared reconstruction error (MSE) which depends on N the number of entries in each codebook, k the length of each codeword, and on the filter bank coefficients. We form this MSE measure in terms of the equivalent scalar quantization model and find the optimum FIR filter coefficients for each channel in the M-band structure for a given bit rate, given filter length, and given input signal correlation model. Specific design examples are worked out for a 4-tap filter in a two-band paraunitary structure. Theoretical results are confirmed by extensive Monte Carlo simulation.
Wyerone acid phytoalexin synthesis and peroxidase activity as markers for resistance of broad beans to chocolate spot disease

Infection of broad bean (Vicia faba L.) leaves with Botrytis fabae (Sard.) resulted in wyerone acid phytoalexin accumulation and increase in peroxidase activities in resistant and susceptible broad bean cultivars. Rapid wyerone acid accumulation was observed in leaves of resistant cultivars that reached levels greater than twofold of the susceptible cultivars. Following infection of broad bean cultivars, either resistant or susceptible to B. fabae, wyerone acid synthesis in resistant cultivars peaked at 5 days then declined. whereas in susceptible cultivars synthesis gradually decreased. While the ethanol-extract of wyerone acid significantly reduced B. fabae spore germination with increased concentrations, the phytoalexin had no effect on in vitro B. fabae germ-tube growth. Peroxidase activity in infected leaves of resistant was 10 times higher than the susceptible cultivars and eight times higher in uninfected leaves of the resistant than the susceptible cultivars. Peroxidase activity in infected leaves was greater than twofold in resistant cultivars and less than twofold in susceptible cultivars, when compared with uninfected leaves. The ratio of peroxidase activity in infected to uninfected leaves increased over time in susceptible cultivars but remained unchanged in resistant cultivars. Peroxidase activity in uninfected and infected leaves and wyerone acid biosynthesis in infected broad bean plants were successfully used to ascertain the resistance and susceptibility of four broad bean cultivars to B. fabae. Using wyerone acid synthesis and peroxidase activity as preliminary markers for resistance of broad bean to chocolate spot disease, caused by B. fabae, is suggested in this study.
EFFECTS OF OUABAIN ON ACID‐SOLUBLE PHOSPHATES AND ELECTROLYTES OF ISOLATED CEREBRAL TISSUES IN PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF CALCIUM

—(1) Cerebral slices were incubated in Ca2+-free media or in media which contained 2.8 mm-Ca2+. Omission of Ca2+ brought about a drop in creatine phosphate content of 28 per cent, as well as a drop of 3–10 per cent in non-inulin K+ content. There was little change in content of 10-min phosphate or of non-inulin Na+. (2) Ouabain in concentrations of to M increased the loss of K+ from the slice and caused a rise in Na+ content. The changes were most marked in Ca2+-free media. Creatine phosphate levels were depressed by ouabain both in the presence or absence of Ca2+. In the absence of Ca2+, the lowering of phosphocreatine did not occur until significant shifts in K+ had taken place. In contrast, slices incubated in Ca2+-containing media lost creatine phosphate and K+ at about the same rate. (3) When ouabain and labelled phosphate were added simultaneously, there was little difference in the rate of incorporation of label into creatine phosphate in media which differed in Ca2+ concentration. However, incorporation of azP-labelled phosphate into creatine phosphate was decreased by 30–40 per cent in media which lacked Ca2+ when ouabain was added 15 min prior to the labelled phosphate. This change was not observed when the media contained Ca2+. (4) Ouabain did not affect oxidative phosphorylation or respiratory control when added directly to bovine brain mitochondrial preparations. (5) The results suggest that the previously observed depression of respiration brought about by ouabain in Ca2+-deficient media is not a good indicator of the proportion of the cell's metabolism used for active cation transport. Under these conditions, the inhibition of cation transport is accompanied by a drop in slice content of high-energy phosphate which may represent a secondary effect of ouabain, or of cytoplasmic alterations brought about by ouabain, on energy-producing processes.
V. On some remarkable effects of lightning, observed in a farm-house near moniemail, near cupar-fife

(1850). V. On some remarkable effects of lightning, observed in a farm-house near moniemail, near cupar-fife. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 37, No. 247, pp. 53-57.
Self-induced thermal effects and modal competition in continuous-wave optical parametric oscillators

We present a model of quasi-phase-matched continuous-wave optical parametric oscillators that accounts for self-induced heating of the photorefractive crystal and modal interaction through pump depletion. The model allows the temperature and therefore the refractive index of the nonlinear medium to vary in the radial and longitudinal dimensions as a result of local absorption of the optical power. We consider the effect of this nonuniform index on single-mode and multimode operation. For a single signal–idler pair we observe thermal lensing, bulk tuning, and modal distortion. For multiple pairs of signal and idler we demonstrate and discuss other phenomena, including spatially dependent modal competition.
Hydrodynamic flow in heavy-ion collisions with large hadronic viscosity

Using the (2$+$1)-dimensional viscous hydrodynamic code vish2+1 with a temperature-dependent specific shear viscosity $(\ensuremath{\eta}/s)(T)$, we present a detailed study of the influence of a large hadronic shear viscosity and its corresponding relaxation time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ on the transverse momentum spectra and elliptic flow of hadrons produced in $200A$ GeV Au$+$Au collisions. Although theory, in principle, predicts a well-defined relation ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}T=\ensuremath{\kappa}(T)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}(\ensuremath{\eta}/s)(T)$, the precise form of $\ensuremath{\kappa}(T)$ for the matter created in relativistic heavy-ion collisions is not known. For the popular choice $\ensuremath{\kappa}=3$ the hadron spectra are found to be insensitive to a significant rise of $\ensuremath{\eta}/s$ in the hadronic stage, whereas their differential elliptic flow ${v}_{2}({p}_{T})$ is strongly suppressed by large hadronic viscosity. The large viscous effects on ${v}_{2}$ are strongly reduced if (as theoretically expected) $\ensuremath{\kappa}(T)$ is allowed to grow with decreasing temperature in the hadronic stage. This implies that, until reliable calculations of $\ensuremath{\kappa}(T)$ become available, an extraction of the hadronic shear viscosity from a comparison between vish2+1 and a microscopic hadron cascade or experimental data requires a simultaneous fit of $(\ensuremath{\eta}/s)(T)$ and $\ensuremath{\kappa}(T)$.
The Effect of Feeding Antibiotics to Chicks in the Presence of Fresh, Dried and Autoclaved Hen Feces

Abstract ACCORDING to Coates et al. (1952) an infectious agent must be present in order for antibiotics to stimulate growth in chicks, since chicks reared in new, clean environment did not respond to dietary antibiotics. This concept is supported by the work of Anderson et al. (1956) who showed that feeding chlortetracycline overcame the depression in growth rate of chicks fed enterococci. More recently, Mameesh et al. (1959) obtained a consistent growth response in chicks fed terramycin when the diet was contaminated with hen feces; a response under these conditions was apparent in only one of six trials with penicillin. Barnes et al. (1959) found that rats fed penicillin exhibited an increased growth rate only if they had access to their feces. In order to investigate further the possibility of a relationship of feces ingestion to antibiotic response and to ascertain if this contamination is associated in any way with the …
Digital colloids: reconfigurable clusters as high information density elements

Through the design and manipulation of discrete, nanoscale systems capable of encoding massive amounts of information, the basic components of computation are open to reinvention. These components will enable tagging, memory storage, and sensing in unusual environments – elementary functions crucial for soft robotics and “wet computing”. Here we show how reconfigurable clusters made of N colloidal particles bound flexibly to a central colloidal sphere have the capacity to store an amount of information that increases as O(N ln(N)). Using Brownian dynamics simulations, we predict dynamical regimes that allow for information to be written, saved, and erased. We experimentally assemble an N = 4 reconfigurable cluster from chemically synthesized colloidal building blocks, and monitor its equilibrium dynamics. We observe state switching in agreement with simulations. This cluster can store one bit of information, and represents the simplest digital colloid.
Why All Researchers Should Report Effect Sizes and Their Confidence Intervals: Paving the Way for Meta-Analysis and Evidence-Based Management Practices

The growing body of empirical entrepreneurship studies and the advent of meta-analytic methodologies create new opportunities to develop evidence-based management practices. To support research on evidence-based practices, empirical studies should report meta-analysis relevant information, such as standardized effect-size measures and their confidence intervals. The corresponding changes in reporting practices are simple and straight forward—yet they promise strong contributions to the systematic accumulation of entrepreneurship knowledge over time.
Languages for representing software specifications and designs

We consider the nature of software system specifications and designs, then survey the languages used in representing them. We emphasize the utility of language-based representations as a foundation for computerized tools which provide aid during software system development. The survey is based upon a classification of the languages according to their underlying representational constructs.
Elevated pulmonary artery systolic storage volume associated with improved ventilation-to-perfusion ratios in acute respiratory failure

The possibility that an elevated pulmonary artery systolic storage volume (PASSV) correlates with improved overall ratios of ventilation-to-perfusion and hence benefits gas exchange in acute respiratory failure was examined. We examined this by assessing the correlation between PASSV and both the physiologic dead space to tidal volume ratio ( Vd/Vt ) and intrapulmonary shunt fraction (Qsp/Qt). The Vd/Vt and Qsp/Qt were used as an index of distribution of ventilation-to-perfusion as well as efficiency of pulmonary gas exchange. Twenty-eight patients suffering from acute respiratory failure were included. All required mechanical ventilation. PASSV was calculated from the pulmonary artery (PA) compliance and mean PA systolic distending pressure. Pulmonary arteriolar pressures were computed by Fourier analysis. PA compliance was derived from the PA time constant and the PA resistance. Storage volume fraction of stroke volume index (PASSV/SVI) was used to compare individual variations. There were inverse linear relationships between PASSV/SVI and Vd/Vt (r=0.693, p Vd/Vt and PA time constant (r=0.503, p=0.002). The patients were divided into two groups based on PASSV/SVI to evaluate the effect of other hemodynamic data on PASSV. Comparison of the two groups revealed that Vd/Vt and Qsp/Qt were lower (p
Depression in Narcolepsy

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is thought to develop from a complex combination of environmental stressors superimposed on to a vulnerable neural substrate [1]. Many diseases increase the risk of developing MDD, either from the psychosocial stress of the illness or because the illness causes direct dysfunction of the nervous system. Narcolepsy is one such illness in which the disease can cause both significant life stress and direct neuronal dysregulation. In the past decade significant advances have been made in understanding the neuronal basis of narcolepsy since the recognition that loss of orexin neurons (also known as hypocretin neurons) plays an important role in the development of certain forms of the disorder [2, 3]. Mouse models of narcolepsy now allow us to specifically test the role of orexin signaling in the regulation of mood and affect. Reduced levels of orexin peptide have been reported in human patients with MDD and in rodent models of chronic stress further strengthening the connection between orexin and depression. In this chapter, we will review the clinical findings on depression in narcolepsy, discuss the neurobiology of orexin signaling, and speculate on the mechanisms that mediate this association.
From Marshall to Thomas: The Rise and Fall of Black Judicial Politics

There has been very little scholarship about the role of black politics in the judiciary, especially within the Supreme Court. Justices Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas offer two vastly different perspectives on the Constitution and its effect on the American people. This study looks at the role of black judicial politics and how it plays itself out on the Supreme Court. In using data from the Supreme Court Database, this study analyzes the ideologies of the two Justices and their effect on the black electorate. It specifically analyzes the direction of the ideologies of civil rights and criminal procedure cases. This data and the use of existing research develops a theory that proposes the socialization of Justices and their background helps determine their racial ideology which then can affect their decision making.
Backbone Flexibility Influences Nucleotide Incorporation by Human Translesion DNA Polymerase η opposite Intrastrand Cross-Linked DNA

Intrastrand cross-links (IaCL) connecting two purine nucleobases in DNA pose a challenge to high-fidelity replication in the cell. Various repair pathways or polymerase bypass can cope with these lesions. The influence of the phosphodiester linkage between two neighboring 2′-deoxyguanosine (dG) residues attached through the O6 atoms by an alkylene linker on bypass with human DNA polymerase η (hPol η) was explored in vitro. Steady-state kinetics and mass spectrometric analysis of products from nucleotide incorporation revealed that although hPol η is capable of bypassing the 3′-dG in a mostly error-free fashion, significant misinsertion was observed for the 5′-dG of the IaCL containing a butylene or heptylene linker. The lack of the phosphodiester linkage triggered an important increase in frameshift adduct formation across the 5′-dG by hPol η, in comparison to the 5′-dG of IaCL DNA containing the phosphodiester group.
Intergenerational Transmission of Shocks in Early Life: Evidence from the Tanzania Great Flood of 1993

This paper estimates the short, medium and long term effects on health and the subsequent intergenerational transmission of exposure in childhood to the Tanzania Flood of 1993. The identification strategy exploits exogenous variation in the disaster’s geographic extent and timing, and the exposure of different birth cohorts to the disaster. Results show that children exposed to the flood have lower height-for-age Z-scores three years after the shock, with larger effects for girls than for boys. Moreover, women who were less than 18 years old during the flood experienced negative health impacts that were persistent even 17 years after the flood. Surprisingly, the children of the women exposed in childhood to the flood have lower height-for-age Z-scores, while the children of the affected men experience no effect on their height-for-age Z-scores. The impacts using GPS information are 32% larger than if exposure is measured at the imprecise regional level. The effects are robust to selective migration.
Quantum memory based on a spatiospectral atomic comb

An atomic comb structure consisting of both spatial and spectral components is proposed for the implementation of quantum memory using inhomogeneously broadened atomic ensembles, such as rare-earth ions trapped in solids. The spatiospectral comb can be prepared in two-level atoms provided a third energy level is available for atomic population storage. The output photon is retrieved from the memory as a spatially diffracted photon echo. The angle between the input and output directions is controlled by the spatial component of the atomic comb. The memory efficiency is analyzed using coupled wave theory, which results in memory efficiency varying with the retrieval angle: 54.1$%$ in collinear, 81.6$%$ in perpendicular, and 100$%$ in counterpropagating configurations. An experimental method for creating a multidimensional atomic comb is suggested.
How Enzymes Work: A Look through the Perspective of Molecular Viscoelastic Properties

A molecular rheology experiment on a biological enzyme leads to a proposal that a fundamental representation of the functional cycle of the enzyme is provided by its molecular strain-stress response.
HIGH FREQUENCY OF ONE ELEMENT OF SEGREGATION DISTORTER IN NATURAL POPULATIONS OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER.

Segregation distortion was first discovered in a natural population of Drosophila melanogaster in Madison, Wisconsin (Sandler et al., 1959). About 3% of the second chromosomes extracted from this population are found to cause grossly aberrant segregation in males. They are called segregation distorter (SD) chromosomes, and males heterozygous for SD produce 95% or more of SD-bearing progeny instead of the expected one-to-one ratio. Segregation in females is normal. The nonMendelian segregation in males comes about because SD causes the dysfunction of a large fraction of sperm bearing its homologue (Hartl et al., 1967; Nicoletti et al., 1967). The process of dysfunction can be observed directly in the electron microscope (Tokuyasu et al., 1972), but the molecular basis of distortion is only guessed at (see Hartl, 1973, for example). SD chromosomes carry a complex polygenic set of suppressors and enhancers (Miklos, 1972), but two major loci involved in the phenomenon have been identified (Sandler and Hiraizumi, 1960; Hartl, 1974). These two loci are located in or near the centromeric heterochromatin. The leftmost one is known as Sd, the rightmost one as Rsp. Genetically, SD chromosomes are Sd Rsp, normal chromosomes are Sd+ Rsp+. The Sd allele is necessary for distortion to occur and Rsp responds to the action of Sd. Thus, whereas segregation in Sd Rsp+ / Sd+ Rsp+ and Sd+ Rsp / Sd+ Rsp+ males is normal, males of genotype Sd Rsp / Sd+ Rsp+ produce an excess of Sd Rsp-bearing offspring and those of genotype Sd Rsp+ / Sd+ Rsp produce a deficiency of Sd Rsp+bearing offspring. Most important for purposes of this paper, Sd Rsp / Sd+ Rsp males exhibit normal segregation. Natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster contain high frequencies of suppressors of SD. Some of these are sexlinked, others are autosomal. The frequency of suppressor-bearing X chromosomes is about 85% in both a Japanese population and one in Madison. Autosomal suppressors, principally on chromosome 2, reach frequencies of about 45% in Madison but are fairly rare in Japan (Kataoka, 1967; Hartl, 1970a). Suppression of distortion by the sex-linked suppressors is due to a gene located at approximately 47 on the chromosome map (Kataoka, 1967). The genetic basis of the second chromosomal suppressors is the subject of this report. The study was based on 75 second chromosomes extracted from a wild population near Raleigh, North Carolina. Thirty-six of these chromosomes carry suppressors of SD. The vast majority of these suppressors are genotypically Sd+ Rsp; they are able to suppress distortion because they carry one of the components of the SD system. The Rsp element of segregation distortion therefore is present at remarkably and unexpectedly high frequencies in some natural populations. ' This work was supported by grants numbered GM19551 and GM21732 from the National Institutes of Health. D. L. H. is supported by Research Career Award GM2301.
Relationship between Accumulation Characteristics and Vegetation Distribution after Earthquake

After the "5·12" earthquake,landforms and ecosystems of Moutuo Village of Maoxian County suffer great damage.This article is based on analysis of the plant growth and soil particle composition and soil water content this area,gets relationship among soil particle size,permeability,Moisture content and plant growth.The research shows the higher the proportion of fine particles in soil particle composition,the the permeability coefficient is lower,and the moisture content of the soil is more,and the plant grow best in this case.The soil in the proportion of fine particles in almost cases,the high water content in plants grow better.According to the research results,combined with the safety and feasibility of ecological restoration technology and plan,this article provides ecological restoration scheme and the measure of keeping the slope stability that Cement sprinkling irrigation and water retaining step and gutter construction and plant cultivation.
Data Stream System Spatio-Temporal Match

Spatio-temporal Match,also known as Spatio-temporal consistency,is one of the key fundamental technologies of data stream systems.To solve the problem of highly accurate estimate of battle and weapon platforms based on the data stream system of multi-transducer target information fusion,and sharing of multi-transducer information with other working platforms,users need uniform temporal and positional reference point.Following investigation on LINK16 data stream application in the U.S.,the paper mainly focuses on deeply optimized algorithmic investigation on Data Stream System Spatio-temporal Match in algorithmic and engineering environment.Engineering practicality is achieved through use of hardware-in-the-loop simulation environment.As conventional communication systems do not consider the relationship between temporal benchmark and dimensional position,they produce big errors in high-speed movement battles in the air while their influence on moving operational platforms on the ground and sea is small.Consequently,a key technical issue is that battle performance in the air depends very much on Data Stream System Spatio-temporal Match.
Intermittent self-catheterization of the renal pelvis: Report of 2 cases

AbstractWe review the long-term outcome of 2 patients in whom cutaneous ureterostomies were performed. Complications included necrosis and distal ureteral stenosis, peristaltic dysfunction, urosepsis, calculus formation and renal impairment. Fluoroscopic ureterometry confirmed high pressure collecting systems in both patients 14 to 17 years postoperatively. Subsequent management during the last 4 to 6 years with clean intermittent self-catheterization has resulted in a significant improvement in the urological status.
An Examination of Influences on Support for Free Trade and Nafta By Managers in the Environmental Services/Technology Industry

Support for free trade and NAFT A by managers of businesses in the environmental services and technology field are linked with their environmental concern, their favor for providing financial aid to foreign trading partners to clean the environment, and their desire for regulation of markets and tough laws for to provide environmental protection.