cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nitric oxide regulates synaptic transmission between spiny projection neurons

Recurrent axon collaterals are a major means of communication between spiny projection neurons (SPNs) in the striatum and profoundly affect the function of the basal ganglia. However, little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie this communication. We show that intrastriatal nitric oxide (NO) signaling elevates the expression of the vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT) within recurrent collaterals of SPNs. Down-regulation of striatal NO signaling resulted in an attenuation of GABAergic signaling in SPN local collaterals, down-regulation of VGAT expression in local processes of SPNs, and impaired motor behavior. PKG1 and cAMP response element-binding protein are involved in the signal transduction that transcriptionally regulates VGAT by NO. These data suggest that transcriptional control of the vesicular GABA transporter by NO regulates GABA transmission and action selection.
Experimental and Numerical Studies of Heat Transfer in Human Uteri During Cryoablation

This paper presents experimental and numerical studies of transient heat transfer inside the uterus during application of a PFC (perfluorochemical) fluid into the endometrium cavity in order to achieve cryoablation. The numerical prediction is based on a 1-D finite difference method of the bio-heat equation using the Crank Nicolson scheme. The numerical method is first validated by a 1-D physical model by measuring temperature history at several locations within a silicone rubber sheet. Good agreement, thus positive predictability, was obtained by comparing numerical predictions with the experimental data obtained from eight intact, hysterectomized uteri during cryoablation.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Enhancement of Ag electromigration resistance by a novel encapsulation process

Abstract The Ag lines on Ti/SiO2/Si stack structures were fabricated by using conventional photolithography and a reactive ion etch (RIE) in an O2 plasma, and subsequently encapsulated by annealing in a flowing NH3 ambient. A thin TiN(O) layer formed at the Ag surface and a Ti(O)/Ti5Si3 bilayer formed at the initial Ti/SiO2 interface. Electromigration testing was performed on both bare and encapsulated Ag lines. A partial depletion region in the near-cathode segment and its drift towards the anode were observed at the early stage for the bare Ag test lines. Afterwards, the side-by-side distribution of clusters of voids and hillocks was also noted in other segments. After the encapsulation process, the electromigration resistance of the Ag lines was significantly improved due to the inhibition of the surface diffusion of Ag atoms by the encapsulation layer. This encapsulation process was also expected to address some other issues associated with the applications of the Ag metallization in advanced integrated circuits.
Hyperthyroidism Protects Against Carbachol-Induced Bronchospasm

We studied the effect of increased thyroid function on airway reactivity. Carbachol challenge was performed to assess airway reactivity according to a standardized method. Measurements of forced expiratory volume-1 second (FEV 1 ), specific airway conductance (SGaw), the provocative dose of carbachol for a 20 percent decrease in FEV, (PD-20) and that for a 35 percent decrease in SGaw (PD-35) were established upon entry when each subject was hyperthyroid, and subsequently, after the subjects had returned to the euthyroid state. It was concluded that hyperthyroidism reduced the severity of carbachol-induced changes in airway reactivity as measured by SGaw.
High-density foams prepared with the styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer/heptane system

Abstract This report focuses on the production of 0.1–1.03 g cm−3 foams by taking an open, microcellular foam, saturating it with a radical-polymerizable monomer solution, polymerizing the monomers and removing the non-polymerizing diluent solvent. This study also contains information about the phase separation behaviour of divinylbenzene-crosslinked polystyrene from heptane, and about the expansion and retraction of crosslinked polystyrene. The influence of filler composition on the microstructure of the foams is presented. These two-component foams provide a new line of microporous materials, which may provide a simple alternative to the beads currently used in chromatography.
On probing molecular monolayers: a spectroscopic optical waveguide approach of ultra-sensitivity

A broadband, multichannel, single-mode, planar waveguide based spectrometer was developed for probing molecular monolayers. A protein sub-monolayer (thickness h @ 3 nm, imaginary part of refractive index kl oe 0.01) immobilized on the waveguide surface was characterized by the waveguide attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectrometer. A sensitivity enhancement of 4 orders of magnitude, compared to conventional transmission measurements, has been experimentally achieved in the characterization of ultra-thin films. In addition, polarized spectroscopic measurements at the TE and TM waveguide modes were implemented to determine the average orientation angle of the adsorbed molecules. The work developed here is a new research tool for the investigation of some fundamental aspects of molecular films and a novel platform to develop new technological devices of high sensitivity and selectivity such as biosensors.
RIPK1 Blocks Early Postnatal Lethality Mediated by Caspase-8 and RIPK3

Summary Receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK)-1 is involved in RIPK3-dependent and -independent signaling pathways leading to cell death and/or inflammation. Genetic ablation of ripk1 causes postnatal lethality, which was not prevented by deletion of ripk3 , caspase-8 , or fadd . However, animals that lack RIPK1, RIPK3, and either caspase-8 or FADD survived weaning and matured normally. RIPK1 functions in vitro to limit caspase-8-dependent, TNFR-induced apoptosis, and animals lacking RIPK1, RIPK3, and TNFR1 survive to adulthood. The role of RIPK3 in promoting lethality in ripk1 −/− mice suggests that RIPK3 activation is inhibited by RIPK1 postbirth. Whereas TNFR-induced RIPK3-dependent necroptosis requires RIPK1, cells lacking RIPK1 were sensitized to necroptosis triggered by poly I:C or interferons. Disruption of TLR (TRIF) or type I interferon (IFNAR) signaling delayed lethality in ripk1 −/− tnfr1 −/− mice. These results clarify the complex roles for RIPK1 in postnatal life and provide insights into the regulation of FADD-caspase-8 and RIPK3-MLKL signaling by RIPK1.
Approximate matching of XML documents with schemata using tree alignment

Studying structural similarity between XML documents are important for many tasks like XML data classification and XML document management. In this paper, we formally introduce the edit distance between trees and tree grammars using tree alignments. A sketch of the proof for the correctness of the algorithm is presented followed by the analysis of the efficiency of the algorithm. Experiments are conducted to show the time efficiency and validness of the distance in the context of XML document clustering.
Isolation and identification of O-(5-O-feruloyl-α-l-arabinofuranosyl)-1(→3)-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-d-xylopyranose as a component of Zea shoot cell-walls☆

Abstract Zea shoot cell-walls were hydrolyzed with 30m m oxalic acid followed by treatment with “Driselase” (a Basidiomycetes enzyme preparation) to obtain carbohydrate fragments containing ferulic acid. The structure of the major feruloyl compound was identified as O -(5- O -feruloyl-α- l -arabinofuranosyl)-(1→3)- O -β- d -xylopyranosyl-(1→4)- d -xylopyranose on the basis of 13 C-n.m.r., methylation analysis, and partial acid-hydrolysis, alkali hydrolysis, or esterase hydrolysis followed by analyses of the hydrolyzate.
A Supramolecular Fluorescent Probe, Activated by Protons To Detect Cesium and Potassium Ions, Mimics the Function of a Logic Gate

Hai-Feng Ji, Reza Dabestani,* and Gilbert M. BrownChemical and Analytical Sciences DiVisionOak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008MS-6100, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6100ReceiVed January 3, 2000ReVised Manuscript ReceiVed July 24, 2000The design and synthesis of molecular electronics and photonicsfor molecular-scale information processing has become an activearea of research.
Paper 44: Education for Surface Texture Assessment

Limitations in the ability of surface texture assessment methods to evaluate truly the probable performance of surfaces under operating conditions are widely known. As the micro-geometric asperities of surface texture are very complex in character and as the conditions under which surfaces must operate are so varied, direct correlation of the two by means of simple indices is relatively impossible. While investigation of methods of assessment might provide consuming scientific and academic interest, as well as an intriguing diversion for those in metrology, such effort is of little avail unless it can be useful in enabling industry to produce better products at lower cost.International effort is under way to reach world-wide agreement on standards for assessment devices, methods of evaluation, reference specimens and drafting room standards for designation.Precise and accurate control of surface texture is increasingly important to product performance in advancing technology. Success depends upon personne...
Fluorescence resonance energy transfer studies of aminoglycoside binding to a T box antiterminator RNA

The T box transcription antitermination mechanism is found in many Gram-positive bacteria. The T box genes are typically tRNA synthetase, amino acid biosynthesis, and amino acid transport genes that have a common transcriptional control mechanism in which a unique RNA-RNA interaction occurs between an uncharged tRNA and the 5' leader region of the nascent mRNA, leading to antitermination of transcription. The tRNA binds the mRNA in at least two regions: the specifier sequence and the antiterminator. If the latter interaction does not occur, then transcription is terminated. The binding of eight different aminoglycosides to a model of the Bacillus subtilis tyrS T box antiterminator RNA has been studied using fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The observed single-site binding dissociation constants were in the low to mid micromolar range. The structure-activity relationship of aminoglycoside binding indicates that selective binding of small molecules to T box antiterminator RNA can be achieved.
The relative importance of individual DR binding motif positions as defined by peptide anchor analysis of influenza hemagglutinin peptide 306-318 and human myelin basic protein peptide 152-165 binding to several DR molecules: definition of a common extended DR binding motif.

Definition of peptide binding motifs for DR molecules has proven difficult as the peptides that bind to a DR molecule have shown extensive variability at putative motif positions. Recent studies suggest that specific peptide anchor residues (motif positions) and specific DR residues can differ in importance for peptide binding to a DR molecule. To assess further the relevance of individual peptide anchor residues, the binding of serial alanine-substituted analogs of influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) 306-318 and human myelin basic protein (MBP) 152-165 to a panel of transfected wild-type DR molecules was examined. This analysis included DR molecules from a wide range of allelic families and, unlike most earlier studies, multiple members of single DR allelic families. The data show that different peptide residues serve as critical anchors for binding to different DR molecules. For example, MBP binding to DR(alpha, beta 1*0303) required peptide residues F154 (i), R159 (i + 5) and R162 (i + 8). In contrast, MBP binding to DR(alpha, beta 1*0102) required peptide residues I153 (i) and L156 (i + 3). More importantly, the combination of critical anchor residues in HA and MBP differed for binding to a single DR molecule [e.g. V309 (i) for HA and I153 (i) and L156 (i + 3) for MBP binding to DR(alpha, beta 1*0102)]. Although the location of the binding pocket in each DR molecule compared to the DR (alpha, beta 1 *0101) crystal is expected to be similar and suggests a common extended DR binding motif, the present results suggest that the relative importance of individual peptide anchor residues and of the corresponding DR binding pockets will differ for each DR/peptide complex.
Gambling as a rational addiction

This paper applies the Becker-Murphy model of rational addiction to gambling and tests the hypotheses of the model empirically using data on pari-mutuel betting at horse tracks from 1950 through 1987. Gambling demand equations which explicitly account for the fact that gambling is an addictive behavior are derived from the Becker-Murphy theoretical model of rational addictive behavior. The effectiveness of changing the takeout rate, the price variable, on gambling behavior, is examined within the addictive framework. Using instrumental variables techniques, gambling demand equations are estimated, with the results supporting the hypothesis of model of rational addictive behavior. In particular, significant inter-temporal linkages are found in gambling consumption, confirming the assumption that gambling is addictive. Future events are found to have a significant impact on current consumption, implying that individuals are not behaving myopically. The long run price elasticities of demand implied by the estimates obtained for the addictive demand equation for handle per attendee is approximately −0.68, significantly larger (by approximately a third) than those obtained from demand equations estimated under the hypothesis of nonaddictive behavior (with an elasticity of −0.454). This reaffirms that the takeout rate is an effective policy instrument for state governments as they set the price of gambling.
American university instruction in hotel administration

Probably the first and in any case the most comprehensive university course in Hotel Administration is of American origin. The course was established twenty‐five years ago at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, by the American Hotel Association, then in itself a very young organization which had begun to plan for vocation schools for hotel workers and management schools for hotel executives. This was about the same time that the magazine “Hotel Management” was launched. In 1922 an era of hotel expansion was beginning and the need for trained hotel personnel on both of these levels was becoming acute. Such men as Ellsworth M. Statler and Lucius Boomer, of the Waldorf‐Astoria, supported the young American Hotel Association in its ambitious program and the Association was able to complete its negotiations with Cornell University.
The determination of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions by square wave voltammetry.

Abstract Hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions can be determined directly by square wave voltammetry. The method is applicable to samples with a large range of pH in matrices ranging from distilled de-ionized water to sea-water. Its dynamic range extends from 0.5 to at least 1000 μ M and the precision is about ±6% at 2.5 μ M and ±2% at 215 μ M . In comparison to DC and differential pulse polarography, by using square wave voltammetry the scan time is reduced from minutes to a fraction of a second, the sensitivity is increased by several-fold and the dynamic range has been greatly expanded at both the lower and the upper end by at least an order of magnitude. The low detection limit allows this method to be applied to the determination of H 2 O 2 in some samples of rainwater.
Hadron and electron response in a uranium liquid argon calorimeter from 10 to 150 GeV

Abstract A uranium liquid argon calorimeter, with a total depth of nine absorption lengths, has been exposed to electrons and hadrons in the energy range of 10–150 GeV. Two configurations with different uranium plate thicknesses were successfully operated. In both cases the response was found to be linear over the entire energy regime. We present measurements of various contributions to energy resolution, differences in electron/hadronm/muon response, longitudinal and transverse shower profiles and electron position resolution.
Commutative Restricted Lie Algebras

A Lie algebra of characteristic p ≠ 0 is called restricted if in addition to the usual compositions one has defined a unary operation a→a [p] such that $$ \begin{array}{*{20}c} {\left( {\alpha a} \right)^{\left[ p \right]} = \alpha ^p a^{\left[ p \right]} ,} \\ {\left[ {a,b^{\left[ p \right]} } \right] = \left[ { \cdots \left[ {ab} \right] \cdots b} \right],\left( {pb's} \right)} \\ {\left( {a + b} \right)^{\left[ p \right]} = a^{\left[ p \right]} + b^{\left[ p \right]} + \sum\limits_1^{p - 1} {S_i \left( {a,b} \right),} } \\ \end{array} $$ where is i (a, b) is the coefficient of λ i −1 in $$\left[ { \cdots \left[ {\left[ {a,\lambda a + b} \right]\lambda a + b} \right] \cdots \lambda a + b} \right],^2 {\text{ }}\left( {p - 1\left( {\lambda a + b} \right)'s} \right).$$ Examples of such algebras are subspaces of associative algebras of characteristic p ≠ 0 which are closed under the Lie multiplication [ab] = ab − ba and under pth powers. Then one may take a [p] = a p . It is known that every restricted Lie algebra is isomorphic to one of this type. For this reason we may simplify our notation in the sequel and write a p for a [p]. We call the mapping a→a p the p-operator in \( \mathfrak{L} \).
Variations in the synthesis and assembly of immunoglobulins by mouse myeloma cells: a genetic and biochemical analysis.

The synthesis, assembly, and secretion of gamma globulin has been examined using cells from a mouse plasma cell tumor. The cells were then adapted to continuous culture and individual clones were obtained which differed from each other in the relative amounts of heavy and light chains synthesized, in the absolute amounts of gamma globulin being produced, and in the details of the assembly process. Finally, the kinetics, pathway, and completeness of assembly were examined in a variety of tumors and variants of these tumors.
Multiple bond formation between phosphours-carbon-nitrogen and arsenic-carbon-nitrogen as evidenced by the electrochemical properties of cobalt(I) complexes

Abstract The electrochemical properties of the bis Co(II) complexes containing the tridentate ligands tri(2-pyridyl)amine(TPAm), tri(2-pyridyl)phosphine (TPP), tri(2-pyridyl)phosphine oxide(TPPO), and tri(2-pyridyl)arsine (TPAs) have been studied in acetonitrile. It was found that the ligands containing a central atom with dπ-pπ bonding capabilities (TPP, TPPO, and TPAs) stabilized a Co(I) species while the one containing nitrogen with no dπ-pπ bonding capabilities (TPAm) did not stabilize Co(I). Instead this complex was reduced directly to Co(0) with probable dissociation of the complex. Other pyridine-containing ligands which possess extensive ring-to-ring delocalization (bipy, phen, terpyr) also stabilize Co(I) while pyridine alone cannot. Thus delocalization between pyridine rings in the ligand appears to be necessary for stabilization of Co(I) and probably other formal low-oxidation states of metals.
Thermal analysis of etched-well surface-emitting diode lasers

A new self-consistent thermal-electrical model of etched-well GaAs/AlGaAs vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers is developed. The model features a realistic distribution of heat sources and two-dimensional current- and heat-flux spreading. It is shown that the P-AlGaAs layer represents a major source of Joule heating that may easily exceed the active-region heating. A moderate increase of the P-AlGaAs layer doping is shown to be very effective in reducing the excessive heating. 8 refs.
The adverse impact of racial microaggressions on college students' self-esteem

Racial microaggressions are subtle (often unintentional or unconscious) forms of racial discrimination that negatively affect victims' mental health. Utilizing an undergraduate student sample (N = 225), the current study examined the relationship between racial microaggressions and self-esteem. RESULTS indicate that racial microaggressions negatively predict a lower self-esteem, and that microaggressions that occur in educational and workplace environments are particularly harmful to self-esteem. Finally, findings reveal that individuals of various racial and ethnic minority groups experience racial microaggressions differently. Implications for student development and recommendations for further research involving racial microaggressions and college students are discussed. Language: en
The Surface Region of the Bifunctional Vaccinia RNA Modifying Protein VP39 That Interfaces with Poly(A) Polymerase Is Remote from the RNA Binding Cleft Used for Its mRNA 5′ Cap Methylation Function

Abstract VP39 is a single-domain, bifunctional viral protein, which acts at both ends of nascent mRNA. At the 5′ end, it acts as a cap-specific 2′-O-methyltransferase. At the 3′ end, it acts as a poly(A) polymerase processivity factor, requiring its direct association with poly(A) polymerase. Although crystallographic and biochemical data show the catalytic center and associated binding sites for VP39’s methyltransferase function to be juxtaposed around a superficial cleft on the protein surface, surface regions required for VP39’s mRNA 3′ end modifying functions are not known. Here, we identify a surface region that interfaces directly with poly(A) polymerase, taking three independent approaches: (i) development of a direct in vitro dimerization assay, which is applied to numerous VP39 point mutants; (ii) identification of sites within VP39 that become protected from protease cleavage upon dimerization and further mutagenesis based upon these data; (iii) site-specific photo-cross-linking of VP39 to VP55. We find that the dimerization interface lies on a surface region remote from the methyltransferase cleft and contains a 3–5-residue “hot-spot,” which is very sensitive to amino acid substitutions. Various other sites within VP39 consistently became hypersensitive to protease cleavage upon interaction with VP55, indicating the occurrence of extensive conformational changes.
The disappearing "osteochondroma": simulation by reformated computed tomography.

Reformatting of axial CT images is widely used to generate coronal, sagittal or other planes of section in the investigation of lesions around the pituitary fossa. Appreciation of anatomical relationships in various places may aid surgical planning. This case demonstrates several machine related artifacts associated with refor matting of axial images. The importance of thin overlapping or direct coronal sections and the need for adequate sedation or anaesthesia in paediatric scanning are emphasized.
Distinct Tlr4-expressing cell compartments control neutrophilic and eosinophilic airway inflammation

Allergic asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease. Some forms of allergic asthma are characterized by T helper type 2 (Th2)-driven eosinophilia, whereas others are distinguished by Th17-driven neutrophilia. Stimulation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on hematopoietic and airway epithelial cells (AECs) contributes to the inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and allergens, but the specific contribution of TLR4 in these cell compartments to airway inflammatory responses remains poorly understood. We used novel, conditionally mutant Tlr4(fl/fl) mice to define the relative contributions of AEC and hematopoietic cell Tlr4 expression to LPS- and allergen-induced airway inflammation. We found that Tlr4 expression by hematopoietic cells is critical for neutrophilic airway inflammation following LPS exposure and for Th17-driven neutrophilic responses to the house dust mite (HDM) lysates and ovalbumin (OVA). Conversely, Tlr4 expression by AECs was found to be important for robust eosinophilic airway inflammation following sensitization and challenge with these same allergens. Thus, Tlr4 expression by hematopoietic and airway epithelial cells controls distinct arms of the immune response to inhaled allergens.
Oracle SecureFiles: prepared for the digital deluge

Digital unstructured data volumes across enterprise, Internet and multimedia applications are predicted to surpass 6.023x1023 (Avogadro's number) bits a year in the next fifteen years. This poses tremendous scalability challenges for data management solutions in the coming decades. Filesystems seem to be preferred by data management application designers for providing storage solutions for such unstructured data volumes.Oracle SecureFiles is emerging as the database solution to break the performance barrier that has kept unstructured content out of database management systems and to provide advanced filesystem functionality, while letting applications fully leverage the strengths of the RDBMS from transactions to partitioning to rollforward recovery. A set of preliminary performance results was presented at the 34th International Conference on Very Large Data Bases (VLDB 2008). It was claimed that SecureFiles would scale maximally as physical storage systems scale up. We legitimize our claims on SecureFiles scalability through this paper, presenting the scalability aspects of SecureFiles through a performance evaluation of I/O bound filesystem like operations on one of the latest high performance cluster of servers and storage.We are presenting benchmark results that we believe represent a world record database insertion rate for any published result - at over 4.4GB/S using a cluster of seven servers. For 100 byte rows, that represents an insertion rate of 45 billion records a second in relational terms. In terms of unstructured data storage, the scale represents an insertion rate of more than 3.7 million 100 MB high-resolution multimedia videos a day.
Dunes of the Gran Desierto Sand‐Sea, Sonora, Mexico

The Gran Desierto Sand-Sea contains dunes of crescentic and star form in simple, compound, and complex varieties. The dunes have developed in bimodal to complex wind regimes of intermediate energy. Transitions from simple through compound to complex crescentic dunes are associated with regional changes in wind regimes. Growth of large star dunes takes place by merging of smaller crescentic and reversing dunes from southerly directions and reworking of sand by northerly and westerly winds. Although wind regimes appear to be the major control of dune morphology in this sand-sea, there is a close correlation between the spacing of simple crescentic dunes and the grain size of the coarse 20th percentile.
Daidzein sulfoconjugates are potent inhibitors of sterol sulfatase (EC 3.1.6.2).

Abstract Recent studies have associated high dietary isoflavone intake with low incidence of breast cancer. Since estrogenic steroids are important factors in the evolution of breast cancer, and in breast tumors they are derived mainly from the sterol sulfatase pathway, we have therefore investigated effects of the isoflavone daidzein and its sulfoconjugates, daidzein-4′- O -sulfate and daidzein-7,4′-di- O -sulfate, on sterol sulfatase acitivity using dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate as substrate. While daidzein does not affect sterol sulfatase, its sulfoconjugates are potent inhibitors of this enzyme. Kinetic analyses reveal that daidzein-4′- O -sulfate and daidzein-7,4′-di- O -sulfate inhibit sterol sulfatase competitively with respect to the steroid substrate and with K i values of 5.9 and 1 μM, respectively. Daidzein sulfo-conjugates also inhibit hydroxysteroid and phenol sulfotransferases but at much higher concentrations. These results provide a biochemical basis for the putative chemopreventive role of dietary isoflavones against breast cancer.
Counting points on varieties over finite fields related to a conjecture of Kontsevich

We describe a characteristic-free algorithm for “reducing” an algebraic variety defined by the vanishing of a set of integer polynomials. In very special cases, the algorithm can be used to decide whether the number of points on a variety, as the ground field varies over finite fields, is a polynomial function of the size of the field. The algorithm is then used to investigate a conjecture of Kontsevich regarding the number of points on a variety associated with the set of spanning trees of any graph. We also prove several theorems describing properties of a (hypothetical) minimal counterexample to the conjecture, and produce counterexamples to some related conjectures.
Cultural studies questionnaire

(1998). Cultural studies questionnaire. Journal of Latin American Cultural Studies: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 111-119.
What Makes Nations Intelligent

Modern society is driven by the use of cognitive artifacts: physical instruments or styles of reasoning that amplify our ability to think. The artifacts range from writing systems to computers. In everyday life, a person demonstrates intelligence by showing skill in using these artifacts. Intelligence tests and their surrogates force examinees to exhibit some of these skills but not others. This is why test scores correlate substantially but not perfectly with a variety of measures of socioeconomic success. The same thing is true at the international level. Nations can be evaluated by the extent to which their citizens score well on cognitive tests, including both avowed intelligence tests and a variety of tests of academic achievement. The resulting scores are substantially correlated with various indices of national wealth, health, environmental quality, and schooling and with a vaguer variable, social commitment to innovation. These environmental variables are suggested as causes of the differences in general cognitive skills between national populations. It is conceivable that differences in gene pools also contribute to international and, within nations, group differences in cognitive skills, but at present it is impossible to evaluate the extent of genetic influences.
A Comparison of the Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Effects of Parachlorophenoll

The antibacterial and cytotoxic effects of para chlorophenol (as 35% camphorated PCP and 2% aqueous PCP) were compared directly, using the agar overlay technique. Human pulp fibroblasts and L929 cells were grown to confluence in 60-mm petri dishes. Bacterial suspensions (S. aureus, E. coli) in agar were poured as a thin layer in 60-mm petri dishes. All were overlaid with agar. Cells were exposed to medicament via filter paper discs placed on the agar surface. After 24 hours, the zone of cell lysis (fibroblasts) or inhibition of bacterial growth was measured as diameter in mm. A dose-response relationship was observed for both fibroblasts and bacteria. The zone of inhibition for fibroblasts was larger than that for bacteria, indicating that the cytotoxicity of parachlorophenol exceeds its antibacterial activity.
Large-scale optical lensless imaging with geometric fiber constructs

The process of optical imaging and the use of a glass lens have been hitherto inseparable since it is the lens that is responsible for mapping incoming rays to form an image. While performing this critical role, the lens, by virtue of its geometry and materials composition, presents constraints on the size, weight, angular field of view, and environmental stability of an optical imaging system as a whole. Here, a new approach to optical imaging is presented. Tough polymeric light-sensing fibers are suspended on a frame to form large-scale, low-density, two- and three-dimensional photonic meshgrids. While a single grid can indeed locate a point of illumination, it is the stacking of a multiplicity of such grids, afforded by their essential transparency, which allows for the detection of the direction of illumination with a wide angular field of view. A surface-spanning-arrangement of such fibers is used to extract an arbitrary optical intensity distribution in a plane using a tomographic algorithm. Lensless imaging is achieved by a volumetric fiber assembly that extracts both the phase and intensity distributions of an incoming electromagnetic field, enabling one to readily determine the object from which the field originally emanated.
A comparison of cohesive zone modeling and classical fracture mechanics based on near tip stress field

Abstract A mode III crack with a cohesive zone in a power-law hardening material is studied under small scale yielding conditions. The cohesive law follows a softening path with the peak traction at the start of separation process. The stress and strain fields in the plastic zone, and the cohesive traction and separation displacement in the cohesive zone are obtained. The results show that for a modest hardening material (with a hardening exponent N = 0.3), the stress distribution in a large portion of the plastic zone is significantly altered with the introduction of the cohesive zone if the peak cohesive traction is less than two times yield stress, which implies the disparity in terms of the fracture prediction between the classical approach of elastic–plastic fracture mechanics and the cohesive zone approach. The stress distributions with and without the cohesive zone converge when the peak cohesive traction becomes infinitely large. A qualitative study on the equivalency between the cohesive zone approach and the classical linear elastic fracture mechanics indicates that smaller cracks require a higher peak cohesive traction than that for longer cracks if similar fracture initiations are to be predicted by the two approaches.
The mechanism of removal of ionium and radium from the oceans

Abstract By the use of radiothorium (Th 223 ) and thorium X (Ra 224 ) as tracers for ionium (Th 230 ) and radium (Ra 226 ) respectively, it has been possible to study the adsorption and base exchange of these elements on deep-sea sediments. Extrapolation of the adsorption data obtained with these tracers to the region of the actual concentration of ionium and radium in sea water shows that the quantity of ionium and radium adsorbed is comparable to that observed on recent deep-sea sediments. This seems to demonstrate that base exchange is the mechanism by which ionium and radium are removed from ocean water. In turn this establishes the interpretation of the radium vs. depth curves as reflecting ionium decay which is the basis for the Ionium Method of age determination. Finally, this information delimits the variables which must be controlled in applying this method to the dating of events on the ocean floor.
Antigenic variation in visna virus

Two antigenic variants of visna virus were isolated sequentially from a single sheep inoculated with a plaque-purified strain of virus designated 1514. The genetically stable variants, LV1-1 and LV1-4, are of two classes: LV1-1 is partially neutralized by antibody to the inoculum strain 1514, while LV1-4 is not neutralized by antibody to 1514. The genetic mechanism responsible for generating the antigenic variants was investigated by comparing the chymotryptic and tryptic maps of the envelope glycoprotein gp135 and core polypeptides (p30, p16, p14), and by comparing the pattern of large oligonucleotides produced by digestion of the RNAs by T1 ribonuclease. We show that only the peptide maps of gp135 differ among strains, that the number of peptide fragments altered is small and that gp135 is the polypeptide that elicits neutralizing antibody. The maps of the RNAs are identical. We conclude that mutation in the glycoprotein gene rather than recombination is more probably responsible for antigenic variation, and speculate on the special aspects of visna virus replication relevant to this phenomenon.
Occupational outcomes of criminal justice graduates: Is the master's degree a wise investment?

This study explores the influence of a college education on annual income, job satisfaction, and job performance of criminal justice alumni. Data were obtained from 122 criminal justice graduates of a major university in the southern United States (1983–1992) through the use of a mailed questionnaire. The findings, which account for 20 percent of the variation, support the conclusion that holders of a master's degree earn significantly more income than bachelor's degree holders. Results also demonstrate higher job satisfaction for holders of the master's degree, but no difference in self-reported performance levels.
Intense laser-induced recombination: The inverse above-threshold ionization process

We investigated the recombination of electrons with ions in an ultrashort, intense laser pulse by numerically solving the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation. The inverse above-threshold ionization (IATI) phenomenon, which shows the recombination probability peaked at specific energies of the injected electron wave packet, is explicitly elucidated. Furthermore, these IATI peaks which are separated by the laser photon energy also show up in processes of recombination to excited states.
Pressure and temperature dependence of elastic wave velocity of MgSiO3 perovskite and the composition of the lower mantle

Abstract Simultaneous measurements of compressional ( P ) and shear ( S ) wave velocities and unit cell volume (density) have been conducted on MgSiO 3 perovskite to 9.2 GPa and 873 K using ultrasonic interferometry in conjunction with X-ray diffraction. Finite strain analysis of current data allowed us to determine the elastic moduli and their pressure derivatives independent of the pressure measurement. The results are K S = 253(2) GPa, G = 173(1) GPa, ∂ K S / ∂P = 4.4(1) and ∂G / ∂P = 2.0(1). The temperature derivatives of the bulk and shear moduli were tightly constrained from acoustic velocity measurements, yielding ∂ K S /∂ T = −0.021(2) GPa/K and ∂ G /∂ T = −0.028(2) GPa/K. P and S wave velocities and density profiles for a pyrolite compositional model consisting of magnesium silicate perovskite and magnesiowustite are calculated at lower mantle depths along a 1600 K adiabatic geotherm, the results agree with those of seismic model PREM within 0.5, 0.5 and 0.3%, respectively, from 800 to ∼2600 km. The effect of Fe and Mg partitioning between magnesium silicate perovskite and magnesiowustite on the calculated velocities and density is negligibly small compared to the effects of composition and temperature. Simultaneous constraints from P and S wave velocities and density support for a homogeneous lower mantle with pyrolitic composition.
How families of children with severe disabilities choose to allocate a cash subsidy

This study examines how families raising children with severe developmental disabilities use a cash subsidy. Eighty-one families were interviewed prior to receiving the $225 monthly subsidy and again 1 year later. Families reported no change in the number of services they used, nor did they significantly increase the amount spent on services. Although families did not spend significantly more on purchases in the month prior to each interview, there was a significant increase in the amount spent on major purchases made in the year after receipt of the subsidy. The pattern and amount of expenditures are described. Lower income families reported the subsidy as significantly more helpful than higher income families. The implications of the findings for social policy are discussed and recommendations are made.
Biosynthesis of secondary alcohols and ketones from alkanes.

Abstract Combined gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of the secondary alcohols and ketones from broccoli ( Brassica oleracea ) showed that the former consisted of a mixture of nonacosan-14-ol (43%) and nonacosan-15-ol (57%) whereas the latter contained predominantly nonacosan-15-one (92%). Chemical degradation of the secondary alcohols derived from [4- 14 C]stearic acid in B. oleracea indicated that the intact C 18 chain was incorporated into nonacosan-14-ol and nonacosan-15-ol and that the hydroxyl groups of the positional isomers were introduced into a preformed aliphatic chain. [G- 3 H]Nonacosane was incorporated into nonacosan-14-ol and nonacosan-15-ol in B. oleracea in a ratio similar to that found in the natural mixture. A randomly tritiated natural mixture of secondary alcohols was incorporated into the ketone fraction by broccoli leaves. Chemical degradation of substrate secondary alcohols and the ketones biologically derived from them demonstrated that nonacosan-15-ol was the preferred secondary alcohol for biological oxidation to the ketone. The incorporation of [G- 3 H]nonacosane into nonacosanol and nonacosanone by broccoli leaves required O 2 and was inhibited by phenanthroline. The inhibition was reversed by Fe 2+ suggesting that conversion of nonacosane into the oxygenated derivatives involve a mixed-function oxidase. From these results it is concluded that in B. oleracea nonacosane is hydroxylated to give nonacosan-15-ol and nonacosan-14-ol with subsequent preferential oxidation of the C-15 isomer to give the ketones.
Axonal Growth Regulation of Fetal and Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Dopaminergic Neurons by Netrin-1 and Slits

The physical restoration of dopamine circuits damaged or lost in Parkinson disease by implanting embryonic stem (ES)-derived cells may become a treatment. It is critical to understand responses of ES-derived dopamine (DA) neurons to guidance signals that determine axonal path and targeting. Using a collagen gel culture system, we examined effects of secreted molecules Netrin-1 and Slits on neurite outgrowth of fetal DA neurons and murine ES-differentiated DA neurons. We have previously shown that fetal DA neurons express DCC and Robo1/2 receptors and that Netrin-1 and Slit2 function as an attractant and a repellent for DA neurite outgrowth. In the present study, we observe that both Slit1 and Slit3 repel and inhibit neurite growth of fetal DA neurons. Here, we also demonstrate that ES-differentiated neurons including DA neurons express the Netrin receptor DCC and Slit receptor Robo proteins. In the gel culture system of ES cells, Netrin-1 promoted neurite outgrowth mediated by DCC receptor, and Slit1 and Slit3 were inhibitory for neurite outgrowth through Robo receptors. Slit2 appeared to exert inhibitory as well as repulsive effects in the coculture assay. However, unlike fetal DA neurites, no directed neurite outgrowth was observed in the cocultures of ES-derived DA neurons with Netrin-1-, Slit1-, and Slit3-producing cells. The findings suggest that ES-derived DA neurons generated by current protocols can respond to guidance cues in vitro in a similar manner to fetal cells but also exhibit distinct responses. This may result from developmental differences generated by present in vitro methods of cell patterning or conditioning during ES cell differentiation.
Interactions between GIPC-APPL and GIPC-TRP1 regulate melanosomal protein trafficking and melanogenesis in human melanocytes.

By virtue of the presence of multiple protein–protein interaction and signaling domains, PDZ proteins play important roles in assembling protein complexes that participate in diverse cell biological processes. GIPC is a versatile PDZ protein that binds a variety of target proteins in different cell types. In previous studies we showed that, in epidermal melanocytes, GIPC interacts with newly synthesized melanosomal protein TRP1 in the Golgi region and proposed that this interaction may facilitate intracellular trafficking of TRP1. However, since GIPC contains a single PDZ domain and no other known protein interaction motifs, it is not known how GIPC–TRP1 interaction affects melanosome biogenesis and/or melanin pigmentation. Here, we show that in human primary melanocytes GIPC interacts with AKT-binding protein APPL (adaptor protein containing pleckstrin homology, leucine zipper and phosphotyrosine binding domains), which readily co-precipitates with newly synthesized TRP1. Knockdown of either GIPC or APPL inhibits melanogenesis by decreasing tyrosinase protein levels and enzyme activity. In melanocytes, APPL exists in a complex with GIPC and phospho-AKT. Inhibition of AKT phosphorylation using a PI3-kinase inhibitor abolishes this interaction and results in retardation TRP1 in the Golgi. These data suggest that interactions between TRP1–GIPC and GIPC–APPL–AKT provide a potential link between melanogenesis and PI3 kinase signaling.
Pyridine-2,6-bis(thiocarboxylic acid) produced by Pseudomonas stutzeri KC reduces chromium(VI) and precipitates mercury, cadmium, lead and arsenic

Interactions of the Pseudomonas stutzeri KC siderophore pyridine-2,6-bis(thiocarboxylic acid) (pdtc) with chromium(VI), mercury(II), cadmium(II), lead(II), and arsenic(III) are described. Pdtc was found to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in both bacterial cultures and in abiotic reactions with chemically synthesized pdtc. Cr(III) subsequently formed complexes with pdtc and pdtc hydrolysis products, and their presence was confirmed using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Cr(III):pdtc complexes were found to slowly release Cr(III) as chromium sulfide and possibly Cr(III) oxides. Pdtc also formed poorly soluble complexes with Hg, Cd, Pb, and As(III). Hydrolysis of those complexes led to the formation of their respective metal sulfides as confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental analysis. The pdtc-producing strain P. stutzeri KC showed higher tolerance to most of these metals as compared to a pdtc-negative mutant. A novel role of pdtc is postulated as its involvement in providing an extracellular pool of thiols that are used for redox processes in detoxification of the bacterial extracellular environment. These redox processes can be mediated by transition metal:pdtc complexes.
Development of microsatellite markers in Myotis sodalis and cross-species amplification in M. gricescens, M. leibii, M. lucifugus, and M. septentrionalis

The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) is a highly endangered vespertilionid bat whose distribution is associated with limestone caves in the eastern United States. We present nine new polymorphic nuclear microsatellite markers for Myotis sodalis developed using an enriched library method. A total of 62 M. sodalis from two populations were used to estimate genetic diversity parameters. In M. sodalis, the number of alleles observed for each locus ranged from 17 to 48 alleles and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.894 to 0.973. The 9 microsatellite markers were also tested on M. gricescens, M. leibii, M. lucifugus, and M. septentrionalis. These polymorphic microsatellite markers provide a valuable tool for investigating the population genetics of these species and will provide important genetic data useful for the conservation and recovery of the endangered Indiana bat.
Recombinant production, crystallization and X-ray crystallographic structure determination of peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase from Salmonella typhimurium.

Peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase (Pth; EC 3.1.1.29) from the pathogenic bacterium Salmonella typhimurium has been cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli and crystallized for X-ray analysis. Crystals were grown using hanging-drop vapor diffusion against a reservoir solution consisting of 0.03 M citric acid, 0.05 M bis-tris propane, 1% glycerol, 3% sucrose, 25% PEG 6000 pH 7.6. Crystals were used to obtain the three-dimensional structure of the native protein at 1.6 A resolution. The structure was determined by molecular replacement of the crystallographic data processed in space group P212121 with unit-cell parameters a = 62.1, b = 64.9, c = 110.5 A, α = β = γ = 90°. The asymmetric unit of the crystallographic lattice was composed of two copies of the enzyme molecule with a 51% solvent fraction, corresponding to a Matthews coefficient of 2.02 A3 Da−1. The structural coordinates reported serve as a foundation for computational and structure-guided efforts towards novel small-molecule Pth1 inhibitors and potential antibacterial development.