cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On Kähler conformal compactifications of U(n)-invariant ALE spaces

We prove that a certain class of asymptotically locally Euclidean spaces always has a Kahler conformal compactification, and moreover provide explicit formulas for the conformal factor and the Kahler potential of said compactification. We then apply this to give a new and simple construction of the canonical Bochner–Kahler metric on certain weighted projective spaces, and also to explicitly construct a family Kahler edge-cone metrics on \(\mathbb {CP}^2\), with singular set \(\mathbb {CP}^1\), having cone angles \(2\pi \beta \) for all \(\beta >0\). We conclude by discussing how these results can be used to obtain certain well-known Einstein metrics.
How Informative are Manual Muscle Test Scores Obtained from Home-Care Patients?

This retrospective study examined the initial therapy notes of home-care patients to determine the ability of manual muscle testing (MMT) to identify muscle weakness and explain functional independence. Manual muscle test scores for trunk flexion and 3 lower limb muscle actions (hip flexion, knee extension, and ankle dorsiflexion) were obtained bilaterally as was independence in sit-to-stand and walking 50 feet. All 31 patients (mean age 72.8) demonstrated muscle weakness in some tested muscle group. Less than maximum MMT scores were most common for hip flexion (100%) and least common for knee extension (51.6%). All but 2 individual and combined strength measures correlated significantly with both sit-to-stand and walking independence. The correlations ranged from 0.308 to 0.748. Based on its ability to identify weakness and explain functional independence, MMT appears to be an appropriate measure for use with patients seen in a home-care setting.
Tracking the evolution of the services marketing literature

The authors offer their personal interpretations as participant-observers together with a data-based analysis of the evolution of the services marketing literature. Bibliographic analysis of more than 1000 English-language, general services marketing publications spanning four decades provides the empirical base for the paper. Using an evolutionary metaphor as the framework, the authors trace the literature through three stages: Crawling Out (1953–79); Scurrying About (1980–85); and Walking Erect (1986-present). The discussion of the three stages shows how the literature has evolved from the early services-marketing-is-different debate to the maturation of specific topics (e.g., service quality, service encounters) and the legitimization of the services marketing literature by major marketing journals. A classification and summary of the publishing outlets where the literature has appeared is presented. The article closes with discussion and speculation on the future of the services marketing literature.
Contagion in international financial markets: A recursive cointegration approach

Abstract This study utilizes the recursive cointegration technique to analyze the dynamic interdependence among ten major equity markets throughout North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Results indicate that the international equity markets are integrated and that the degree of integration among these markets has increased over time. A scrutiny of the various crisis periods reveals that a major financial crisis had an effect of increasing the level of convergence among these markets. Moreover, the recursive cointegration technique is able to pinpoint and capture the approximate timing of a major global crisis. In addition, the study finds that the U.S., Japan, India, China, U.K., and Germany lead the other markets with the U.S. contributing most heavily to the common trend. Overall, the results indicate that profitable opportunities from portfolio diversification are limited across major markets and that these benefits are further reduced during episodes that are marked by a global financial turmoil.
Lipschitzian selections in best approximation by continuous functions

Abstract The problem under consideration is to find a best uniform approximation to a function ƒ from a set K in the space of continuous functions. Conditions are derived on K such that the selection operator mapping ƒ to one of its best approximations is Lipschitzian. Their application is illustrated by approximation problems.
SKI pathways inducing progression of human melanoma.

The proteins SKI and SnoN are implicated in processes as diverse as differentiation, transformation and tumor progression. Until recently, SKI was solely viewed as a nuclear protein with a principal function of inhibiting TGF-β signaling through its association with the Smad proteins. However, new studies suggest that SKI plays additional roles not only inside but also outside the nucleus. In normal melanocytes and primary non-invasive melanomas, SKI localizes predominantly in the nucleus, whereas in primary invasive melanomas SKI displays both nuclear and cytoplasmic localization. Intriguingly, metastatic melanoma tumors display nuclear and cytoplasmic or predominantly cytoplasmic SKI distribution. Cytoplasmic SKI is functional, as it associates with Smad3 and prevents its nuclear localization mediated by TGF-β. SKI can also function as a transcriptional activator, targeting the β-catenin pathway and activating MITF and NrCAM, two proteins involved in survival, migration and invasion. Intriguingly, SKI appears to live a dual life, one as a tumor suppressor and another as a transforming protein. Loss of one copy of mouse ski increases susceptibility to tumorigenesis in mice, whereas its overexpression is associated with cancer progression of human melanoma, esophageal, breast and colon. The molecular reasons for such dramatic change in SKI function appear to result from new acquired activities. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which SKI regulates crucial pathways involved in the progression of human malignant melanoma.
Threshold behavior of short-channel LDD MOSFET's

The threshold behavior of short-channel LDD devices (0.3- 1.35 µm) was studied carefully using a 2-D device simulator developed by the author. We have found that the dependence of the threshold voltage on device parameters such as the drain voltage, the oxide thickness, and the doping for the channel and the n- regions can be adequately described by a simple formula proposed by the author. The discrepancy in very short-channel devices (0.3 µm) was due to punchthrough, which makes the predictions higher than the simulation results. In this work, no noticeable threshold variation was observed for devices with different Spacer lengths. The threshold voltage, however, Was found to have a definite dependence on the gate-drain overlap especially for devices with sufficiently short effective channel length. It exhibits a hump characteristic as the overlap increases and this phenomenon becomes more pronounced as the channel length decreases.
Optical profilometry: An objective method for quantification of facial wrinkles

Facial fine lines and wrinkles can be faithfully captured by silicone rubber impression materials. Computerized digital image processing of such specimens provides objective measurement of the skin's topography, which has a significant degree of correlation with clinical grading. Optical profilometry provides a dimension of objectivity that can complement clinical assessment in the study of agents that may be useful in the therapy of photodamaged skin.
Counting and classifying possible protein folds

Proteins come with a bewildering variety of sequences, structures and functions. Understanding the relations between these three aspects is one of the main unsolved problems of modern day biology. But before significant progress can be made, we have to make sense of the apparently chaotic sea of known protein structures. In the last few years, thanks to the newly developed techniques of structure analysis, a dramatic increase in the number of known protein structures has been achieved. It is now known that protein structures are organized around several common themes. Classification of proteins into structural families, which is a subject of this review, is built on the discovery and analysis of such regularities and similarities.
Automated robotic parking systems: real-time, concurrent and multi-robot path planning in dynamic environments

This paper presents an integrated framework for a suite of dynamic path planning algorithms for real time and concurrent movement of multiple robotic carts across a parking garage floor layout without driving lanes. Planning and search algorithms were formulated to address major aspects of automation for storage and retrieval of cars loaded onto robotic mobile carts. Path planning algorithms including A*, D* Lite and Uniform Cost Search were implemented and integrated within a unified framework to guide the robotic carts from a starting point to their destination during the storage and the retrieval processes. For the circumstances where there is no clear path for a car being stored or retrieved, a procedure was developed to unblock the obstacles in the path. A policy that minimizes obstructions was defined for assigning the parking spots on a given floor for arriving cars. Performance evaluation of the overall proposed system was done using a multithreaded software application. A variety of rectangular parking lot layouts including those with 20 × 20, 20 × 40, 30 × 40, and 40 × 40 parking spaces were considered in the simulation study. Performance metrics of path length, planning or search time and memory space requirements were monitored. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed design facilitates near optimal paths, and is able to handle tens of concurrent requests in real time and in the presence of immobilized carts.
Immune response differences between two inbred chicken lines identical at the major histocompatibility complex

We compared two of the East Lansing Regional Poultry Research Laboratory inbred chicken lines for immune responses to four antigens injected in Freund's complete adjuvant, and to the chemical oxazolone as a contact sensitizer. Line EL6 chickens gave higher delayed hypersensitivity responses than did EL7 birds to BSA, dodecanoic acid-conjugated BSA, and ferritin, as well as to oxazolone. Line EL6 gave the higher primary antibody responses to the first three of these antigens, but EL7 gave the higher responses to the hapten DNP. Since these lines are identical for theB major histocompatibility complex by serological and functional tests, these results imply the existence of differences in levels of immune responsiveness which are apparently non-MHC-associated.
Fatal Toxic Shock Syndrome From an Intrauterine Device

Toxic shock syndrome is a rare toxin-mediated condition that can rapidly produce multiorgan failure and severe shock. Toxic shock syndrome has been previously recognized in various clinical situations relating to surgery, nasal packing, abscesses, burns, and most notably menstrual-related cases. This case report describes a previously healthy 33-year-old woman presenting to the emergency department with complaints of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; vital signs at triage were normal. Within hours, she developed shock and cardiopulmonary arrest. The patient met all 6 of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention diagnostic criteria for toxic shock syndrome, and her intrauterine device grew out Staphylococcus aureus. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in the medical literature of fatal toxic shock syndrome related to an intrauterine device.
Metabolism of thyroxine and triiodothyronine in patients with chronic granulomatous disease.

Normal human leukocytes can degrade thyroid hormones in vitro especially during phagocytosis. To test whether the leukocyte system plays a significant role in hormone economy in vivo, studies of the metabolism of labeled T4 and T3 have been conducted in 3 children with chronic granulomatous disease, whose leukocytes had earlier been shown to have a reduced ability to degrade the thyroid hormones. Hormone turnover rates in the 3 subjects were similar to those reported for normal children by various investigators. Also, normal ratios between fecal and urinary excretion of radioactivity were observed, suggesting that deiodination was the major route of hormone breakdown, as it is in normal subjects. Our interpretations of these findings are: 1) an intact leukocyte hormone degrading system is not essential for normal rates of thyroid hormone metabolism in vivo; 2) the leukocyte defect in chronic granulomatous disease is not accompanied by a general defect in mechanisms for thyroid hormone degradation in other...
Flurazepam effects on methylphenidate-induced stereotyped behavior.

The effects of flurazepam (0.0, 0.5, and 3.0 mg/kg) on methylphenidate-induced increases in stereotypy, gnawing, sniffing, and locomotion were evaluated in Swiss-Webster mice in daytime and night-time experiments. Methylphenidate (50 mg/kg) increased overall stereotypy and stereotyped gnawing behavior; two doses of methylphenidate (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) increased locomotion and sniffing behavior. Flurazepam 3.0 mg/kg augmented methylphenidate-induced stereotyped gnawing behavior and stereotypy. Flurazepam significantly decreased locomotion and sniffing, but did not interact with methylphenidate's effects on locomotion and sniffing.
Influence of caffeine on force development and force-frequency relations in cat and rat heart muscle

The effects of caffeine on isometric force development and force-frequency relationships were compared in cat and rat papillary muscle preparations. The frequency of contraction determined whether caffeine augmented or diminished contractile force in cat muscles, but caffeine depressed contractions under all conditions in rat muscles. The time course of contraction and relaxation was slowed in both species by 10 mM caffeine but slightly abbreviated by 1 mM caffeine in the rat. The onset of the effects of caffeine was equally rapid in both species. Caffeine abolished post extrasystolic potentiation in both species and caused paradoxical post extrasystolic depression in rat muscles.
An Unusual Pattern of Tritiated Thymidine Incorporation in Euglena

SYNOPSIS. Thymidine-methyl-H2 is incorporated into the cytoplasm of Euglena. The label is non-nuclear and not in DNA; evidence for its presence in RNA and protein is presented. Only Euglena which maintain the potentiality to develop chloroplasts show this incorporation; it was not observed in streptomycin. uv, benadryl, O-methyl threonine or heat “bleached”Euglena, nor in Astasia longa. Preliminary incorporation experiments show that exogenous pyrimidines are not utilized as nucleic acid precursors in Euglena in general. However, the tritiated purines are incorporated into DNA and RNA. The use of thymidine to localize DNA autoradiographically in Euglena is completely excluded.
Clinical differences among depressed patients with and without a history of suicide attempts: findings from the STAR*D trial.

Abstract Background This study sought to determine whether a history of suicide attempts among outpatients diagnosed with nonpsychotic major depressive disorder (MDD) is correlated with any difference in clinical presentation that should influence patient care. Methods Baseline data from the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR⁎D) trial on outpatients with MDD treated in primary and specialty care settings were used to model significant demographic and clinical correlates of suicide attempter status. Results Altogether, 16.5% of participants (n = 667) reported prior suicide attempts. Controlling for age, gender, and depressive symptom severity, previous attempters had more current general medical conditions (μ = 3.2 vs. 2.9, p Limitations Presence or absence of a history of suicide attempts was determined only through self report. Conclusions Those with a history of suicidal behavior suffer a greater burden of depressive illness. Earlier intervention and ongoing, aggressive care, including maintenance-phase pharmacotherapy, may be critical to mitigating the long-term consequences associated with this increased disease burden.
Area bibliography programs in U.S. library schools

Area studies has been defined as “an integrated, cross-disciplinary approach to a geographic area of the world”, involving regions other than Western Europe, the United States, or Canada. Area specialist bibliographer has been functionally described as, “a specialist within the library who spends all of his time working with area materials-whether this time is spent in selection, acquisition, reference or consulting with other technical services personnel-but whose primary responsibility is in the selection and evaluation of the area collection”.1 In accordance with the latter definition, the bibliographer described in this paper performs the role of a librarian rather than a research scholar, and for this reason, the library schools are correct in attempting to enter at some point into the area bibliographer’s preparation for his career. At what. point in time and via what route will be the topic of this paper.
Simple Method to Purify Chicken Immunoglobulin G

A new method for purifying IgG was adapted for use with chicken serum. Chicken serum was mixed with caprylic acid, precipitated with ammonium sulfate, and dialyzed against PBS. Analysis by SDS-PAGE and Western blot confirmed successful purification of chicken IgG. Large quantities of highly purified IgG were easily obtainable for use in immunological investigations or for labeling. This technique is rapid, inexpensive, and simpler to perform than traditional ion exchange or gel filtration chromatography.
Clonal analysis of human colorectal tumors

The clonal composition of human colorectal tumors was studied by means of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). First, X-linked RFLPs were used to examine the pattern of X chromosome inactivation in colorectal tumors of females. All 50 tumors examined showed monoclonal patterns of X chromosome inactivation; these tumors included 20 carcinomas as well as 30 adenomas of either familial or spontaneous type. Second, RFLPs of autosomes were used as clonal markers to detect the somatic loss or gain of specific chromosomal sequences in colorectal tumors. Among other changes, it was found that somatic loss of chromosome 17p sequences occurred in over 75 percent of the carcinomas examined, but such loss was rare in adenomas. These data support a monoclonal origin for colorectal neoplasms, and suggest that a gene on the short arm of chromosome 17 may be associated with progression from the benign to the malignant state.
T cells bet on sugars to help

Comment on Underhill et al, page [3867][1] Leukocytes emigrate into inflamed tissues by binding to selectins on endothelial cells; while different leukocyte subsets traffic to different tissue sites, the mechanisms regulating selective expression of selectin ligands on specific cell subsets are
Alcoholic and Cocaine-Associated Cardiomyopathies

Abstract Alcohol and cocaine use are associated with significant cardiovascular complications, including cardiomyopathy. The pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the development of these toxic cardiomyopathies vary depending on the inciting agent but include direct toxic effects, neurohormonal activation, altered calcium homeostasis, and oxidative stress. The typical patient with alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a long-term excessive alcohol consumer who is otherwise indistinguishable from other patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. The typical patient with cocaine cardiomyopathy is a young male smoker who presents with signs of adrenergic excess. Management of these patients is similar to that of patients with other forms of dilated cardiomyopathy, although β -blockers should be avoided in patients with cocaine-associated heart failure and benzodiazepines should be given in this setting to blunt adrenergic excess. Left ventricular function may improve dramatically with abstinence from alcohol or cocaine. Unfortunately, the rate of recidivism is high and left ventricular dysfunction and symptomatic heart failure often recurs.
In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of glycopeptide-resistant enterococci

Abstract The results of susceptibility testing of 48 phenotyped strains of glycopeptide antibiotic-resistant enterococci are reported. Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MICs and MBCs) were determined for 27 vanA, 17 vanB, and 4 vanC strains. Antibiotics exhibiting the greatest activity included novobiocin (MIC 90 = 8 μg/ml and MBC 90 = 32 μg/ml), ramoplanin (MIC 90 = 2 μg/ml and MBC 90 = 4 μg/ml), and the streptogramin RP59500 (MIC 90 = 4 μg/ml and MBC 90 = 32 μg/ml). These antibiotics warrant further investigation as potentially useful agents, either alone or in combination, for treating enterococcal infections.
SU-FF-T-37: A Primer On Plasma Wakefields: A New Method of Particle Acceleration

Objective: We present in this paper a pedestrian, pedagogical introduction to the basic concepts, physical mechanisms and recent breakthroughs in the use of plasma wakefields as a completely new method of particle acceleration. This new method is attractive because it offers the possibility of really compact accelerators as electron, proton and ion beam sources; although here we focus on electrons. We describe the original ideas, basic equations and recent experimental results. Since the medical physics community is more familiar with RF microwavetechnology and concepts than those of plasma physics, we believe this primer would be useful and instructive. Summary: Finding new ways to accelerate particles has been a Holy Grail eversince it was realized 25 years ago that RF technology could only get to a theoretical limit of 100MeV/m field gradient. Past that, waveguide electrical breakdown and beam instability are insurmountable(1). The seminal work of Tajima‐Dawson (2–3) showed however that plasma, being fully ionized media can support much higher gradients, and when excited by short, high‐intensity laser pulse or similar electromagnetic pulse, can generate wakefields that can trap and accelerate the plasma electrons to fields as high as 10GeV/cm. With such high accelerating fields, particles can gain huge energy over very short distance. The 2‐mile SLAC accelerator can thus be shrunk into a few meters, a medical linac “waveguide” into about a millimeter. We describe the basic equations characterizing a plasma, its parametric instabilities, and dispersion relations as response to any incoming disturbance. We derive the ponderomotive force(fig.1–3)(exerted by the incident laser/electromagnetic pulse on the plasma), which generates the wakefields (much like a moving boat would generate wakes along its trail) and show analytically how these wakefields trap and accelerate the plasma electrons. Finally, we describe several important breakthroughs(4–6,fig.4) as proofs‐of‐principle and advances towards a real, practical accelerator device.
Inverted gap and other cell junctions in cockroach hemocyte capsules: a thin section and freeze-fracture study.

Abstract Freeze-fracture and thin-section studies were done on cockroach hemocytes that had encapsulated implanted pieces of Araldite. Desmosome-like junctions and ‘B’ type gap junction were described. Freeze-fractured gap junctions displayed fused and clustered, but not hexagonally arrayed intramembranous particles (− 130 A) on the B face and pitted areas on the A face of the plasmalemma. Gap junctions were quite numerous and counts of gap and non-gap particles indicated at least a five-fold particle density increase (4000/ μ 2 ) compared with B face particle densities (− 800/ μ 2 ) from free circulating blood cells where gap junctions had not been formed.
Screening new drugs for immunotoxic potential: III. assessment of the effects of selective and nonselective COX-2 inhibitors on T-cell-dependent antibody and natural killer cell responses in the rat.

Results from earlier experiments in our laboratories revealed that both selective and non-selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 possess little potential for decreasing in vitro phagocytosis by rat macrophages or canine neutrophils, and no potential for decreasing in vivo phagocytosis by the intact murine immune system. We have also demonstrated that pharmacologically relevant doses and concentrations of these drugs do not reduce canine complement activation, superoxide anion generation, leukocytic chemotaxis or transmigration of leukocytes through endothelial monolayers. We now report the results of immunotoxicology studies to assess the effects of the drugs on cell-mediated immunity. Male and female Sprague–Dawley rats were administered daily oral gavage doses of naproxen (10 mg/kg), SC-791 (2.5 mg/kg), or SC-245 (17 mg/kg) for 28 consecutive days or treated with cyclophosphamide or anti-asialo GM1 antibody as positive immunomodulatory controls (for T-dependent antibody response and natural killer cel...
Bicarbonate content of groundwater in carbonate rock in eastern North America

Abstract In carbonate-rock terrane the most effective solution occurs where soil and vegetative cover facilitate biogenic production and storage of CO 2 in the soil until part of it is carried downward in percolating water. Bicarbonate data for groundwater in eastern North America are examined in the light of these conditions, of the CO 2 content of soil gas, and of the timing of groundwater recharge relative to seasonal changes in soil temperature. There appears to be no well-marked relation between latitude and bicarbonate content of groundwater in this region. Interplay of all the factors listed above, and of lithology and soil types, is evidently such that under optimum conditions the amount of solution of carbonate rock is roughly comparable, per unit of groundwater recharge, over the region from Ohio to Florida (and, perhaps, to Puerto Rico and Yucatan). Relatively low HCO 3 concentrations observed in much of the southern United States are attributed to low production and storage of CO 2 in sandy soil that is poor in organic matter. On the other hand, concentrations observed in Ontario, New York and Michigan are markedly higher than is to be expected from interrelations of the factors considered. These high values, apparently anomalous, are attributed in part to solution of granular glacial drift derived largely from carbonate rock.
Multimodal programming environment for kids: a "thought bubble" interface for the Pleo robotic character

We introduce a mixed physical and digital programming environment for children to control robotic characters. We present our design rationale, our initial prototype, report the results from our initial evaluation, and discuss ongoing work.
Eye and gaze tracking for interactive graphic display

This paper describes a computer vision system based on active IR illumination for real-time gaze tracking for interactive graphic display. Unlike most of the existing gaze tracking techniques, which often require assuming a static head to work well and require a cumbersome calibration process for each person, our gaze tracker can perform robust and accurate gaze estimation without calibration and under rather significant head movement. This is made possible by a new gaze calibration procedure that identifies the mapping from pupil parameters to screen coordinates using generalized regression neural networks (GRNNs). With GRNNs, the mapping does not have to be an analytical function and head movement is explicitly accounted for by the gaze mapping function. Furthermore, the mapping function can generalize to other individuals not used in the training. To further improve the gaze estimation accuracy, we employ a hierarchical classification scheme that deals with the classes that tend to be misclassified. This leads to a 10% improvement in classification error. The angular gaze accuracy is about 5° horizontally and 8° vertically. The effectiveness of our gaze tracker is demonstrated by experiments that involve gaze-contingent interactive graphic display.
Cardioaortic fistula; temporary circulatory occlusion as an aid in diagnosis.

Rupture of a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm into the right ventricle produces a dramatic clinical syndrome characterized by a rapid and relentlessly unfavorable course. Early diagnosis is essential for surgical repair before an irreversible stage is reached. Cardiac catheterization and retrograde aortography confirmed the diagnosis in the case reported. With the aid of temporary circulatory occlusion, the fistula was demonstrated by contrast material injected via an aortic catheter. Although the fistula and the accompanying ventricular septal defect were closed at open-heart surgery, the markedly enlarged heart could not resume its function.
On the spontaneous emergence of cell polarity

Many cell types can spontaneously switch from spatial homogeneity to a polarized state — even without external cues. A mathematical model now strips this phenomenon down to its bare bones. Favouring chance recruitment of a given signalling molecule to sites at the cell's membrane where it is already bound — a positive feedback — is sufficient to allow the spontaneous emergence of polarity, provided that the total pool of this molecule is small. When the number of molecules becomes too high, other biological mechanisms such as cytoskeleton-based transport are needed. The model is reminiscent of some population genetics studies and is confirmed experimentally in Cdc42-dependent polarization of yeast cells. A mathematical model shows that favouring chance recruitment of a given signalling molecule to sites at the cell's membrane where it is already bound-a positive feedback-is sufficient to allow the spontaneous emergence of polarity, provided that the total pool of this molecule is small. Diverse cell polarity networks require positive feedback for locally amplifying distributions of signalling molecules at the plasma membrane1. Additional mechanisms, such as directed transport2 or coupled inhibitors3,4, have been proposed to be required for reinforcing a unique axis of polarity. Here we analyse a simple model of positive feedback, with strong analogy to the ‘stepping stone’ model of population genetics5, in which a single species of diffusible, membrane-bound signalling molecules can self-recruit from a cytoplasmic pool. We identify an intrinsic stochastic mechanism through which positive feedback alone is sufficient to account for the spontaneous establishment of a single site of polarity. We find that the polarization frequency has an inverse dependence on the number of signalling molecules: the frequency of polarization decreases as the number of molecules becomes large. Experimental observation of polarizing Cdc42 in budding yeast is consistent with this prediction. Our work suggests that positive feedback can work alone or with additional mechanisms to create robust cell polarity.
Primary structure of rabbit 18S ribosomal RNA determined by direct RNA sequence analysis

The primary structure of rabbit 18S ribosomal RNA was determined by nucleotide sequence analysis of the RNA directly. The rabbit rRNA was specifically cleaved with T1 ribonuclease, as well as with E. coli RNase H using a Pst 1 DNA linker to generate a specific set of overlapping fragments spanning the entire length of the molecule. Both intact and fragmented 18S rRNA were end-labeled with [32P], base-specifically cleaved enzymatically and chemically and nucleotide sequences determined from long polyacrylamide sequencing gels run in formamide. This approach permitted the detection of both cistron heterogeneities and modified bases. Specific nucleotide sequences within E. coli 16S rRNA previously implicated in polyribosome function, tRNA binding, and subunit association are also conserved within the rabbit 18S rRNA. This conservation suggests the likelihood that these regions have similar functions within the eukaryotic 40S subunit.
The Green Ray

As seen from my house at St. Leonards, the sun sets at sea up to about this date, and behind the South Downs from now onwards. Only in the latter case have I been able occasionally to observe the greenishness of the last ray, and then indistinctly, owing no doubt to the habitual want of clearness of the atmosphere over the Downs at sunset. To-day the sun set behind the sloping face (as it appears from here) of Beachy Head. The ray was pure green.
T cell killing does not require the formation of a stable mature immunological synapse

A notable feature of T lymphocyte recognition on other cell surfaces is the formation of a stable mature immunological synapse. Here we use a single-molecule labeling method to directly measure the number of ligands a cytotoxic T cell engages and track the consequences of that interaction by three-dimensional video microscopy. Like helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells were able to detect even a single foreign antigen but required about ten complexes of peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) to achieve full calcium increase and to form a mature synapse. Thus, cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells are more uniform in their antigen sensitivities than previously thought. Furthermore, only three pMHC complexes were required for killing, showing that stable synapse formation and complete signaling are not required for cytotoxicity.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF EARLY HOME VISITATION ON MOTHER'S USE OF WELFARE AND RATES OF SUBSEQUENT BIRTHS. • 645

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF EARLY HOME VISITATION ON MOTHER'S USE OF WELFARE AND RATES OF SUBSEQUENT BIRTHS. • 645
Lithium does not inhibit the parathyroid hormone-mediated rise in urinary cyclic AMP and phosphate in humans

To test the hypothesis that lithium is a general inhibitor of hormone-activated adenylate cyclase, we infused parathyroid hormone (PTH) into human subjects prior to and during lithium carbonate administration. PTH infusion caused a significant increase in urinary cyclic AMP and urinary phosphate excretion. There was no significant difference in these responses in the lithium compared to the control period. In four patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, lithium had no significant effect on serum calcium or phosphate or on tubular reabsorption of phosphate. The data do not substantiate the hypothesis that lithium (at therapeutic concentrations) is a general inhibitor of hormonally-activated adenylate cyclase, nor do they support its potential clinical utility in primary hyperparathyroidism.
Higher visual perception as prolongation of the basic lie transformation group

Abstract A Basic Lie group was derived in an earlier article that described the mathematical form of the visual constancies and primitive form memory. In the present article the group is extended via prolongation of its Lie derivatives to the complicated orbits characteristic of the contours recognizable in higher form vision. Arguments are given that the results of Hubel and Wiesel on areas 18 and 19 constitute electrohistological correlates of these prolongations. It is further argued that perception consists of an exact sequence of prolonged Lie derivatives acting on the corresponding differential form. Physiological arguments are juxtaposed with mathematical results to demonstrate that form memory resides in the proliferation of the neuronal arborescence, to which RNA generation during protein synthesis is incidental.
COROTATING INTERACTION REGION ASSOCIATED SUPRATHERMAL HELIUM ION ENHANCEMENTS AT 1?AU: EVIDENCE FOR LOCAL ACCELERATION AT THE COMPRESSION REGION TRAILING EDGE

We examined the temporal profiles and peak intensities for 73 corotating interaction region (CIR)-associated suprathermal ({approx}0.1-8 MeV nucleon{sup -1}) helium (He) ion enhancements identified at STEREO-A, STEREO-B, and/or Advanced Composition Explorer between 2007 and 2010. We found that in most events the peak He intensity times were well organized by the CIR compression region trailing edge, regardless of whether or not a reverse shock was present. Out of these events, 19% had their 0.193 MeV nucleon{sup -1} He intensities peak within 1 hr and 50% within 4.75 hr of the CIR trailing edge, the distribution having a 1{sigma} value of 7.3 hr. Events with a 0.193 MeV nucleon{sup -1} He intensity peak time within 1{sigma} of the CIR trailing edge showed a positive correlation between the {approx}0.1 and 0.8 MeV nucleon{sup -1} He peak intensities and magnetic compression ratios in events both with and without a reverse shock. The peak intensities in all other events showed little to moderate correlation between these parameters. Our results provide evidence that some fraction of the CIR-associated <0.8 MeV nucleon{sup -1} He intensity enhancements observed at 1 AU are locally driven. We suggest an extended source for the CIR-associated energetic particles observed at 1more » AU where the MeV particles are likely accelerated at CIR-driven shocks beyond Earth orbit.« less
The average number of pivot steps of the simplex-algorithm based on a generalized rotation-symmetry-model

This paper deals with the average-case-analysis of the number of pivot steps required by the simplex method. It generalizes results of Borgwardt (who worked under the assumpution of the rotation-symmetry-model) for the shadow-vertex-algorithm to so-called cylindric distributions. Simultaneously it allows to analyze an extended dimension-by-dimension-algorithm, which solves linear programing problems with arbitrary capacity bounds $$b$$ in the restrictions $$Ax\le b$$ , whereas the model used by Borgwardt required strictly positive right hand sides $$b$$ . These extensions are achieved by solving a problem of stochastic geometry closely related to famous results of Renyi and Sulanke, namely: assume that $$a_1,\ldots ,a_m$$ are uniformly distributed in a cylinder. How many facets of $${{\mathrm{conv}}}(a_1,\ldots ,a_m,0)$$ will be intersected by a two-dimensional shadow plane along the axis of the cylinder? The consequence of these investigations is that the upper bounds of Borgwardt (under his original model) still apply when we accept distributions with arbitrary right hand sides.
Characterization of sputtered thin films of barium strontium titanate on silicon substrates

Abstract Thin films of barium strontium titanate were r.f. sputter deposited at various temperatures, gas pressures, and gas compositions on both p-type and n-type (111) and (100) silicon substrates. Ellipsometry techniques were used to determine thickness and refractive index, while X-ray Bragg diffraction was used to determine the degree of crystallinity and orientation. SEM was used to reveal surface morphology and domain structure. Semi-transparent gold electrodes were evaporated on the films, to facilitate electrical characterization. Capacitance vs. voltage, current vs. voltage, and photocurrent measurements were used to characterize the MFS (metal ferroelectric semiconductor) capacitor structures. From these tests, dielectric constant, resistivity, pyroelectric coefficient, and breakdown field were determined.
Fibrous Glass-Lined Air Transmission Systems: An Assessment of Their Environmental Effects

Thirteen air transmission systems lined with fibrous glass were studied to determine their contributions of glass fibers to the air. There was a decrease in the concentrations of glass fibers after the air had passed through the systems, both in number of glass fibers and in the relative proportion of total fibers which were identiable as glass. Glass fiber concentrations in the air of buildings correlated more closely with fiber concentratons in ambient air than with concentrations in air supplied from the system lined with fibrous glass. Concentrations were extremely low and do not appear to be biologically significant.
Thermal and catalytic conversion of asphaltenes

Abstract Asphaltenes isolated from coal liquids and tar sand bitumen have been converted thermally and with acid and/or hydrogenation catalysts. The conversions, based on solubility classes — preasphaltenes, asphaltenes and oil — have been determined for increasing reaction time. The removal of heteroatoms in each solubility class was also followed with increasing conversion. Gaseous deuterium was utilized in some studies to follow the extent of exchange reactions. There is a rapid initial conversion at each reaction temperature, and this is followed by a much slower conversion process. The deuterium distribution in the products suggest that the asphaltene decomposes to produce a stable oil molecule and a radical fragment that remains in the asphaltene solubility range.
Spontaneous non-reciprocal mutation and sterility in strain crosses of Drosophila melanogaster

Summary Large reciprocal differences in spontaneous frequencies of recessive sex-linked lethals and female sterility were observed in the progeny of crosses between Cranston and Basc strains but lethal induction in non-hybrid parents was not markedly elevated above the normal spontaneous level. The results of complementary experiments with a South Amherst strain were consistent with those from the Cranston strain. Lethality and sterility were closely correlated with the previously recorded pattern of male recombination associated with the same strains. High lethal frequencies occurred in both males and females in dysgenic crosses and in all X chromosomes tested, irrespective of their strain derivation. Lethal mutations induced in the South Amherst tests were broadly distributed throughout the X chromosome.
Halogenation effects on the conformational properties of alkanes

A Series of fluorophores of the general formular P(CF2)nP and P(CF2)n-1CF3 has been synthesized. Copper catalyzed coupling of 1-bromopyrene and the corresponding mono and di-iodoperfluoroalkanes were used in most cases. For the n=3 dimer, a novel 1,w-perfluoroalkylation of pyrene via bis-decarboxylation of hexafluorogultaric acid was utilized. These compounds, along with suitable hydrocarbon analogs, are being used to study the flexibility of fluorocarbon chains using emission. We have found that the excimer formation for the fluorinated pyrene monomers is highly dependent on concentration and is less efficient than for pyene. Excimer formation for the fluorinated pyrene dimers is much more efficient than for the fluorocarbon monomers and is only slightly concentraion dependent. Steady-state emission spectra indicate hydrocarbon dimers-models form excimers more efficiently than the fluorinated dimers suggesting the fluorinated chains are stiffer than the hydrocarbons. We conducted the temperature-dependent studies and quantified the conformational difference.
Timing accuracy for the simple planar propagation of magnetic field structures in the solar wind

Results from a correlation analysis of Wind and IMP 8 magnetometer data for a total of 543 two hour periods covering Jan.–Jul. 1995 were analyzed to determine that: (1) the timing accuracy Δτ for advecting solar wind magnetic field structures goes as (dper/dpar) · τcon where dpar is the spacecraft separation along the Sun-Earth line, dper is the transverse separation, and τcon is the predicted convection lag time, (2) “good” correlation time periods (peak correlation coefficient >0.80) are about twice as likely at solar maximum than at solar minimum, (3) geometry affects timing accuracy more than any propagation of features with respect to the solar wind, and (4) there is a “high” probability (greater than predicted by a Gaussian distribution) of “very bad” (|dparΔτ/dperτcon| >3) timing agreement due to the long tail on the probability distribution.
A new method for measuring fluid densities using the Taylor dispersion experiment

The density of a pure fluid or a fluid mixture is of fundamental importance in the design of equipment for fluid processing and in the development of theory describing thermodynamic and transport properties of the liquid state. A new experimental technique for measuring fluid densities is presented, which is based on the well-known Taylor dispersion experiment for measuring mutual diffusion coefficients. The equipment and working equation are both simple, yet experimental results show that the method is accurate to at least 0.1%. An analysis of errors indicates that the accuracy could be improved to 0.01%. This new technique is of particular virtue since it can be used to obtain simultaneous measurements of the fluid density and diffusion coefficient of a solute in the fluid, using data from a single experiment.
Mentors, colleagues, and successful health science faculty: lessons from the field.

Faculty members in medical and other professional schoolsare required to be fully functional soon after they beginemployment. Regardless of their experience, they areexpected to be productive in several areas related to clinicalservice and teaching. Most new faculty members are alsoexpected to engage in some form of research and to performleadership functions for their divisions, clinics, depart-ments, schools, and communities. These faculty roles andfunctions require significant skill levels that are expected tobe part of the new faculty member’s preparation.However, to be successful, new faculty also need tounderstand the social skills of their institution and theiracademic field. These skills involve much more than beingsociable. They include managing one’s career, finding andretaining productive colleagues, and understanding thenorms and values of academic medicine.
Viral therapy of glioblastoma multiforme

Of all human malignancies, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is among the most refractory to existing therapies despite combination approaches of surgical resection, irradiation, and chemotherapy. The median survival is ∼12–14 mo, regardless of the therapeutic intervention. The 5-y survival of patients with a diagnosis of GBM is less than 9.8% (1). This remarkably poor rate of survival begs the question of why our interventions have not been more beneficial over the last several decades. Cheema et al., in PNAS (2), discuss a unique multifaceted approach to treatment of glioblastoma.
Anomalous Origin of the Coronary Arteries from the Pulmonary Trunk in Two Separate Patients with a Review of the Clinical Implications and Current Treatment Recommendations

Anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (PA) is an unusual abnormality. These anomalies are often hemodynamically significant and can lead to myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death. Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery (LCA) from the pulmonary trunk is known as Bland-White-Garland syndrome and causes death in 80% to 85% of affected children in the first year of life. Treatment of the LCA arising from the PA is typically surgical, with ligation and reimplantation of the LCA to the aorta. In contrast, origination of the right coronary artery from the PA is usually a benign anomaly, although clinically significant sequelae can develop. Controversy exists regarding the need to intervene in the cases of patients with this usually incidentally discovered anomaly. We review the clinical presentation and treatment of patients with each anomaly and the current recommendations regarding the clinical course and management of such patients.
Impact of circulating corticosterone on α1- and α2-noradrenergic receptors in discrete brain areas

The impact of adrenalectomy (ADX) and subsequent corticosterone (CORT) replacement, on the binding of [3H]p-aminoclonidine to α2-noradrenergic receptors and [3H]prazosin to α1-noradrenergic receptors, was studied in 8 discrete hypothalamic and 5 extra-hypothalamic areas of rats. With little change in extra-hypothalamic receptors, ADX produced a large CORT-reversible decrease in α2-receptor binding specifically within the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and a CORT-reversible increase within the supraoptic nucleus. α1-Noradrenergic receptors, in contrast, were generally unaffected by ADX. This and other evidence leads us to propose a potential modulatory influence of circulating CORT on hypothalamic α2 receptors and a specific function for this CORT-α2 receptor interaction specifically within the PVN, in the control of eating behavior.