cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2371: MicroRNA-99b-5p targets the mTOR/AR axis and induced autophagic cell death in prostate cancer cells

MicroRNAs are the small non-coding regulatory RNA molecules involved in a wide array of cellular and molecular processes. MicroRNAs negatively regulate gene expression via base-pairing with complementary sequences within mRNA molecules. In cancer, the dysregulation of miRNAs expression is associated with cancer development or suppression through the regulation of key gene expression followed by modulation of multiple cell signaling pathways. In the present study, we investigated the role of microRNA-99b-5p (miR-99b) on prostate cancer (PCa) cell survival, cell migration, and apoptosis. Overexpression of miR-99b in PCa cells inhibited cell proliferation, cell colony-forming capability, spheroid formation, and induced cell apoptosis. On the contrary, inactivation of miR-99b by miR-99b inhibitor promotes PCa cell proliferation, cell colony-forming capability, and cell migration. Mechanistically, miR-99b binds with the 39UTR region of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) gene and controls the expression of mTOR. Our preliminary data also suggest that miR-99b also inhibits androgen receptor (AR) activity in LNCaP cells and induced cell apoptosis. Further by inhibition of mTOR, miR-99b induced autophagy in PCa cells and autophagic cell death. Expression of miR-99b and inactivation of mTOR by rapamycin increased the sensitivity of PCa cells to anti-PCa drug docetaxel (DTX). Collectively the data suggest that miR-99b functions as a tumor suppressor in PCa cells, and therefore, miR-99b may be considered as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PCa management in PCa patients. Citation Format: Suryakant Niture, Lucas Tricoli, Kala Hayes, Deepak Kumar. MicroRNA-99b-5p targets the mTOR/AR axis and induced autophagic cell death in prostate cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2371.
Perceptions of psychosocial and interpersonal factors affecting self-management behaviors among African Americans with diabetes

Abstract Background African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and have diabetes complications as compared to non-Hispanic Whites, but have lesser medication adherence and poorer self-management behaviors. Interventions to improve self-management behaviors may not be successful if psychosocial and interpersonal factors of African Americans are not addressed. Objective The study objective was to qualitatively explore perceptions of African Americans with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) regarding self-management behaviors and understand the effect of psychosocial and interpersonal factors on behavior change. Methods Adults with T2DM who self-identified as African American/Black were selected from a cohort participating in a mixed-methods study in a midwestern state. The data collection and analysis were guided by the Integrated Theory of Behavior Change. Ten semi-structured, 60-min, theory-based interviews were conducted and content analysis was utilized to identify themes. Themes were then categorized based on theoretical domains. Results The sample was mostly female, an average of 52 years old, and had a high school education or more. Four themes were identified. Two themes were categorized as psychosocial factors: 1) attitude and beliefs regarding diabetes and 2) sociocultural influences on self-management, while two were interpersonal factors: 3) role of family and social support and 4) relationships with healthcare professionals. Themes connected back to the theory and directly affected self-management behaviors. Conclusion Future research should focus on incorporating these themes when designing interventions that improve T2DM self-management behaviors and outcomes in African Americans. Health care professionals should emphasize individualized and culturally appropriate T2DM education and counseling.
Using Winter Banding to Inform Scaup Population Estimates at Great South Bay, New York, and Spatial Distributions of Recoveries

We used contemporary data of Aythya affinis (Lesser Scaup) and A. marila (Greater Scaup) (hereafter referred together as Scaup) to explore the utility of mark–recapture analysis to estimate annual abundance of Scaup at Great South Bay (GSB), NY, in winter 2019. We also used historic banding data to estimate temporal and spatial changes in Scaup banded along the north, mid-, and south Atlantic Coast regions during winter and recovered by hunters within <1 year. Capture bias of banded Scaup was substantial because we estimated ≤8130 Scaup on GSB using the upper 95% confidence limit of models, but regularly observed ≥30,000 near banding sites. We did not detect a spatial or temporal influence on Greater Scaup recoveries. Lesser Scaup recovery longitude differed by region and shifted 209 km east from 1920 to 2019.
STRATIFICATION AND OPEN CHANNEL FLOW

The effect of density stratification on the vertical velocity profile in turbulent open channel flow is examined. Using the Monin-Obukov length scale and Prandtl mixing length theory, equations reflective of the effect of stratification are derived, and the theory is extended to estimate values of the bottom boundary friction factor. Laboratory data are used to confirm the basic hypotheses. The results indicate that density stratification can significantly modify the shape of the vertical velocity profile and the value of the friction factor.
Prediction of dexamethasone release from PLGA microspheres prepared with polymer blends using a design of experiment approach

Hydrophobic drug release from poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres typically exhibits a tri-phasic profile with a burst release phase followed by a lag phase and a secondary release phase. High burst release can be associated with adverse effects and the efficacy of the formulation cannot be ensured during a long lag phase. Accordingly, the development of a long-acting microsphere product requires optimization of all drug release phases. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether a blend of low and high molecular weight polymers can be used to reduce the burst release and eliminate/minimize the lag phase. A single emulsion solvent evaporation method was used to prepare microspheres using blends of two PLGA polymers (PLGA5050 (25 kDa) and PLGA9010 (113 kDa)). A central composite design approach was applied to investigate the effect of formulation composition on dexamethasone release from these microspheres. Mathematical models obtained from this design of experiments study were utilized to generate a design space with maximized microsphere drug loading and reduced burst release. Specifically, a drug loading close to 15% can be achieved and a burst release less than 10% when a composition of 80% PLGA9010 and 90 mg of dexamethasone is used. In order to better describe the lag phase, a heat map was generated based on dexamethasone release from the PLGA microsphere/PVA hydrogel composite coatings. Using the heat map an optimized formulation with minimum lag phase was selected. The microspheres were also characterized for particle size/size distribution, thermal properties and morphology. The particle size was demonstrated to be related to the polymer concentration and the ratio of the two polymers but not to the dexamethasone concentration.
Side Impacts: A Comparison of Laboratory Experiments and NCSS Crashes

Selected side-impact cases from the National Crash Severity Study (NCSS) were studied to determine similarities and differences between actual crashes and laboratory (sled) crash tests. Of the 91 cases studied, 51 were judged comparable to the laboratory situation. Injuries for the 51 cases were tabulated by crash severity (Delta V) and were judged to be quite similar to those observed in laboratory (sled) tests at a slightly higher Delta V. Brief notes are appended concerning each of the reviewed cases.
A 640M pixel/s 3.65mW sparse event-driven neuromorphic object recognition processor with on-chip learning

A 1.82mm2 65nm neuromorphic object recognition processor is designed using a sparse feature extraction inference module (IM) and a task-driven dictionary classifier. To achieve a high throughput, the 256-neuron IM is organized in four parallel neural networks to process four image patches and generate sparse neuron spikes. The on-chip classifier is activated by sparse neuron spikes to infer the object class, reducing its power by 88% and simplifying its implementation by removing all multiplications. A light-weight co-processor performs efficient on-chip learning by taking advantage of sparse neuron activity to save 84% of its workload and power. The test chip processes 10.16G pixel/s, dissipating 268mW. Integrated IM and classifier provides extra error tolerance for voltage scaling, lowering power to 3.65mW at a throughput of 640M pixel/s.
Activation of protease-constitutive recA proteins of Escherichia coli by rRNA and tRNA.

The RecA proteins of the unusually strong protease-constitutive mutants recA1202 and recA1211 can use RNA in addition to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) as a cofactor in the cleavage of the LexA repressor in vitro. In the presence of rRNA or tRNA, the effectiveness of these proteins decreased in the order RecA1202 greater than RecA1211 much greater than RecA+, which is also the order of their in vivo constitutive protease activities. The effectiveness of rRNA was comparable to that of ssDNA in the cleavage of the LexA repressor by either mutant protease. Although all the common nucleoside triphosphates can act as positive effectors for LexA cleavage by the two mutant proteins in the presence of ssDNA (W. B. Wang, M. Sassanfar, I. Tessman, J. W. Roberts, and E. S. Tessman, J. Bacteriol. 170:4816-4822, 1988), only dATP, ATP, and ATP-gamma-S were effective in the presence of RNA. Our results explain more fully why certain recA mutants have high constitutive protease activities in vivo. Images
SVOC exposure indoors: fresh look at dermal pathways.

Abstract This paper critically examines indoor exposure to semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) via dermal pathways. First, it demonstrates that – in central tendency – an SVOC’s abundance on indoor surfaces and in handwipes can be predicted reasonably well from gas-phase concentrations, assuming that thermodynamic equilibrium prevails. Then, equations are developed, based upon idealized mass-transport considerations, to estimate transdermal penetration of an SVOC either from its concentration in skin-surface lipids or its concentration in air. Kinetic constraints limit air-to-skin transport in the case of SVOCs that strongly sorb to skin-surface lipids. Air-to-skin transdermal uptake is estimated to be comparable to or larger than inhalation intake for many SVOCs of current or potential interest indoors, including butylated hydroxytoluene, chlordane, chlorpyrifos, diethyl phthalate, Galaxolide, geranyl acetone, nicotine (in free-base form), PCB28, PCB52, Phantolide, Texanol and Tonalide. Although air-to-skin transdermal uptake is anticipated to be slow for bisphenol A, we find that transdermal permeation may nevertheless be substantial following its transfer to skin via contact with contaminated surfaces. The paper concludes with explorations of the influence of particles and dust on dermal exposure, the role of clothing and bedding as transport vectors, and the potential significance of hair follicles as transport shunts through the epidermis. Practical Implications Human exposure to indoor pollutants can occur through dietary and nondietary ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption. Many factors influence the relative importance of these pathways, including physical and chemical properties of the pollutants. This paper argues that exposure to indoor semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) through the dermal pathway has often been underestimated. Transdermal permeation of SVOCs can be substantially greater than is commonly assumed. Transport of SVOCs from the air to and through the skin is typically not taken into account in exposure assessments. Yet, for certain SVOCs, intake through skin is estimated to be substantially larger than intake through inhalation. Exposure scientists, risk assessors, and public health officials should be mindful of the dermal pathway when estimating exposures to indoor SVOCs. Also, they should recognize that health consequences vary with exposure pathway. For example, an SVOC that enters the blood through the skin does not encounter the same detoxifying enzymes that an ingested SVOC would experience in the stomach, intestines, and liver before it enters the blood.
Differential activation of adenylyl cyclases by spatial and procedural learning.

Adenylyl cyclases (ACs) are involved in a variety of advanced CNS functions, including some types of learning and memory. At least nine AC isoforms are expressed in the brain, which are divisible into three broad classes based on the ability of Ca2+ to modulate their activity. This study examined the hypothesis that different learning tasks would differentially activate ACs in selected brain regions. The ability of forskolin or Ca2+ to enhance AC activity in the hippocampus, parietal cortex, striatum, and cerebellum was examined after mice had been trained in either a spatial or procedural learning task using a Morris water maze. Sensitivity of ACs to forskolin was enhanced to a greater degree in most brain regions after procedural learning, but Ca2+-sensitive ACs in the hippocampus were more sensitive to spatial learning. Because nonspecific behavioral elements, such as stress or motor activity, were similar in both experimental tasks, these results provide the first evidence that acquisition of different kinds of learning is associated with selective changes in particular AC species in a mammalian brain and support the idea that different biochemical processing, involving particular isoforms of ACs, subserves different memory systems.
Optimal Tool Selection for Interference-free Sculptured Surface Machining

This paper presents a systematic tool-path generation methodology which incorporates interference detection and optimal tool selection for machining free-form surfaces on 3-axis CNC machines using ball-end cutters. In this method, the global and local interference is first detected and prevented, and then the optimal tools in terms of machining time are selected and tool paths are generated. A system of 5 algorithms is developed to determine the interference area. On the basis of these algorithms, the machining time of each available tool is estimated by considering tool size, scallop height, and accessible surface area. Finally, the combination of tools which possesses the minimum overall machining time is selected as the optimal tool sizes. Our case study has demonstrated the validity of the proposed methodology and algorithms.
Higher-order delta-sigma frequency-to-digital conversion

Techniques have recently been proposed for simultaneously performing angle-demodulation and A/D conversion that offer the potential of reduced circuit complexity over conventional approaches. The techniques give rise to systems that operate on the instantaneous frequency of an angle modulated input signal in the same manner that /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulators operate on instantaneous amplitude. This paper presents various new structures that are analogous to higher-order /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ modulators in terms of their quantization noise shaping capabilities. The tradeoffs associated with the higher-order systems are discussed, and simulations are presented. >
Shlomo Simonsohn: The Jews in Sicily. Volume 15: Notaries of Trapani. A Documentary History of the Jews in Italy

The presence of an accurate index of people and locations, together with a glossary of Sicilian terms and a bibliography, makes the consultation particularly simple for the researcher. The indexation by subject matter makes the work completely accessible even to the less experienced. Despite the extremely schematic nature of many of the documents contained in the notaries' registers, it is still possible to capture some peculiar communal and personal moments in the life of the Jews of Trapani. We can clearly distinguish the existence of social classes within the community, with the presence of a number of wealthy merchant families, financial and administrative elites (or maggiorenti), together with communal religious leaders {prothi), on one hand (10101-02), and of common people, committed to artisan work, on the other. The latter are sometimes referred to in the vernacular as "inferiuri" or inferior in the social hierarchy, without much further elaboration. Numerous are the cases of complaints against powerful family groups within the Jewish community for financial vexations imposed on economically weaker members or against religious judges, considered as too partial. Members of powerful families, like the Salas, tried in a number of occasions to take advantage of their position to evade taxation. Consequently, complaints were filed by Jewish communal leaders to the royal court, seeking authorization to excommunicate them, prohibit the circumcision of their
Stochastic Neural Field Theory

We survey recent work on extending neural field theory to take into account synaptic noise. We begin by showing how mean field theory can be used to represent the macroscopic dynamics of a local population of N spiking neurons, which are driven by Poisson inputs, as a rate equation in the thermodynamic limit N → ∞. Finite-size effects are then used to motivate the construction of stochastic rate-based models that in the continuum limit reduce to stochastic neural fields. The remainder of the chapter illustrates how methods from the analysis of stochastic partial differential equations can be adapted in order to analyze the dynamics of stochastic neural fields. First, we consider the effects of extrinsic noise on front propagation in an excitatory neural field. Using a separation of time scales, it is shown how the fluctuating front can be described in terms of a diffusive–like displacement (wandering) of the front from its uniformly translating position at long time scales, and fluctuations in the front profile around its instantaneous position at short time scales. Second, we investigate rare noise-driven transitions in a neural field with an absorbing state, which signals the extinction of all activity. In this case, the most probable path to extinction can be obtained by solving the classical equations of motion that dominate a path integral representation of the stochastic neural field in the weak noise limit. These equations take the form of nonlocal Hamilton equations in an infinite–dimensional phase space.
Sensitivity to CO2 doubling of an atmospheric GCM coupled to an oceanic mixed layer: a linear analysis

The sensitivity of an idealized climate system model consisting of an atmospheric GCM coupled to an oceanic upper mixed layer on an aquaplanet is analyzed. There is no seasonal cycle and the solar radiation is taken to be symmetric about the equator. The system is integrated with the observed CO2 (330 ppm) until it reaches a quasi-equilibrium climate. To study the sensitivity we double the CO2 and again integrate until the system reaches a new equilibrium climate. To simplify the linear analysis we assume that the atmosphere is always in quasi-equilibrium (typical atmospheric adjustment times being much shorter than that of the oceanic upper mixed layer). We introduce a linear surface energy budget sensitivity (or response) operator consisting of a Jacobian matrix of the surface budget with respect to the surface temperature. The operator is used to construct a linear estimate of the surface temperature change that results from the CO2 doubling. It is found that the temperature response obtained from the linear extimate compares well with the results of the full 3D run. The shape of the response looks very similar to that of the least stable mode of the linear surface budget sensitivity operator. The importance of different components of the initial forcing at the surface is discussed. The role of the individual components in determining the final equilibrium climate is also studied.
Three Populous Clusters Discovered to be in the LMC Age Gap

In the process of searching the Hubble Space Telescope archive, we have serendipitously discovered three populous Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) clusters with ages that place them in the LMC `age gap.'. These clusters - NGC 2155, SL663, and NGC 2121 - turn out to have [Fe/H] ~ -1.0 and ages of ~4 Gyr. This puts them in the age gap between the intermediate-age LMC clusters, the oldest of which are ~2.5 Gyr old, and ESO121-SC03, which has an age of ~9 Gyr. The addition of these three clusters to the LMC age - metallicity relation has reduced the discrepancy between the age distribution of the LMC clusters and the field stars. Furthermore, it indicates that searches to find more clusters older than ~2.5 Gyr in the LMC are crucial to a better understanding of its global star formation history.
The Effect of Circumferential Taping on Flexor Tendon Pulley Failure in Rock Climbers

The purpose of this study was to determine whether circumferential taping of the base of the finger increases the A2 pulley's load to failure in a model simulating a rock climber's grip. Nine pairs of fresh-frozen cadaveric hands, 20 to 47 years of age, were rigidly mounted in a specialized jig that maintained the finger in the climber's "crimp" position. Two of the four fingers of each hand were reinforced over the A2 pulley with three wraps of cloth adhesive tape. The flexor digitorum profundus and superficialis tendons were distracted until pulley or tendon failure. Overall, A2 pulley strength was greater in male specimens than in female specimens, and the A2 pulley of the small finger was the weakest tested. The A2 pulley failed simultaneously with the A3 and A4 pulleys in 55% of the tests. In the remaining trials, a single pulley failed initially followed by the remainder of the sheath. Of the 72 fingers studied, complete data were available for comparison of 22 pairs of fingers. No statistically significant difference in load to A2 pulley failure was noted between the taped and untaped finger pairs. Based on our findings we do not support taping the base of the fingers as a prophylactic measure against flexor tendon sheath injury in the climbing athlete.
Anomaly structure of supergravity and anomaly cancellation

We display the full anomaly structure of supergravity, including new D-term contributions to the conformal anomaly. This expression has the super-Weyl and chiral U(1){sub K} transformation properties that are required for implementation of the Green-Schwarz mechanism for anomaly cancellation. We outline the procedure for full anomaly cancellation. Our results have implications for effective supergravity theories from the weakly coupled heterotic string theory.
The effect of cell reynolds number on the computation of a boundary layer

Abstract We carefully analyze the behavior of a numerical solution of the linearized Navier-Stokes equations in a problem with a boundary layer. We show that the effect of discretization is to increase the viscosity and that oscillations arise only if bad outflow boundary conditions are used. Computations show the same effects for the full Navier-Stokes equations.
Bicriteria transportation problem: An alternate approach

Abstract In practice, most decision-making problems involve multiple criteria or objectives. Accordingly, the conventional transportation problem with single objective may not be appropriate because contexts involving two or more competing objectives are more common. In the literature, such decision problems have been solved using a variety of multiobjective programming techniques among which efficient solution (or nondominated point) approach has been one of the better known techniques. A characteristic of this approach, however, has been that it imposes considerable cognitive burden on the decision-maker who has to choose a compromise solution from a large number of nondominated solutions. In this paper we consider the conventional transportation problem with two objectives and develop an approach which aims at reducing the decision-maker's cognitive burden.
Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Carbon-Rich Cyclopolymers for 193 nm Microlithography

A series of cyclopolymers designed for use in 193 nm photoresist materials has been synthesized and characterized. These novel materials that provide both optical transparency at 193 nm and also reactive ion etch resistance are obtained via cyclopolymerization of suitably designed bifunctional monomers incorporating acrylic and olefinic double bonds. The approach is highly versatile and allows the preparation of a broad array of structurally related materials with different substituents providing the imaging function and the desired level of etch resistance. The cyclopolymerization process is experimentally forgiving, enabling control of the molecular weight as well as the incorporation of comonomers such as acrylic acid or maleic anhydride to fine-tune the lithographic properties.
Simulation of Natural and Social Process Interactions

New multimodel simulations of Bronze Age Mesopotamian settlement system dynamics, using advanced object-based simulation frameworks, are addressing fine-scale interaction of natural processes (crop growth, hydrology, etc.) and social processes (kinship-driven behaviors, farming and herding practices, etc.) on a daily basis across multigenerational model runs. Key components of these simulations are representations of initial settlement populations that are demographically and socially plausible, and detailed models of social mechanisms that can produce and maintain realistic textures of social structure and dynamics over time. The simulation engine has broad applicability and is also being used to address modern problems such as agroeconomic sustainability in Southeast Asia. This article describes the simulation framework and presents results of initial studies, highlighting some social system representations.
Calcium transient in presynaptic terminal of squid giant synapse: detection with aequorin.

Microinjection of aequorin, a bioluminescent protein sensitive tocalcium, into the presynaptic terminal of the squid giant synapse demnonstrated an increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration during repetitive synaptic transmission. Although no light flashes synchronous with individual presynaptic : tion potentials were detected, the results are considered consistent with the hypothesis that entry of calcium into the presynaptic terminal triggers release of e synaptic transmitter substance.
Bacteriologic analyses of bile and brown pigment stones in patients with acute cholangitis.

Background: Bacteria play an important role in the formation of brown pigment stones through adherence and biofilm formation. Scanning electron microscopy of cross sections of these stones reveals a laminated appearance and various bacteria in the different layers. Our postulation was that different bacteria might be involved at different stages of stone formation. Methods: By using standard bacteriologic cultures, the composition, morphology, and antibiotic sensitivity patterns of bacteria isolated from paired stone were compared with bile samples from 70 patients with acute cholangitis. A further comparison was made between bacteria isolated from the periphery and center of 3 randomly selected brown pigment stones. Results: Ninety-one percent of bile and 99% of stone samples yielded positive cultures, with a total of 151 and 149 bacteria isolated from bile and stones, respectively. In 22 patients (33%), the bacteria isolated from the paired bile and stone samples were totally different. The mean percentage similarity of bacteria isolated from bile and stones was 39% (range 0%-100%). Of the 59 pairs of similar bacteria isolated, the antibiotic sensitivity patterns were different in 24 (41%) cases. Of the 3 brown stones studied, either different bacterial species or the same bacteria but different strains with different antibiotic sensitivities were isolated from the center and periphery of the stones. Conclusions: Bacteria present in the different layers of brown pigment stones may represent the bacterial flora in bile at different times. Simple bile culture may not identify bacteria trapped inside the stone. (Gastrointest Endosc 2001;54:340-5.)
Irradiance Distribution in the Error-Free Diffraction Image

The theoretical irradiance distribution in images by Fresnel diffraction from eight different apertures is presented: parallel bounded, circular unobstructed and circular with a central obstruction of ratio=0.25, 0.5, (2)12/2, and circular apertures with spatial filtering (apodisation), transmittance t=[1−(ρ/ρm)2]ν−1, ν=1.5, 2, and 3. The derivation is based on Lommel’s treatment and extends the study of Linfoot and Wolf. The graphical representation of the numerical results combine the maxima–minima of irradiance in constant distances from the focal plane in curves derived by Lommel, with the contour lines of equal irradiance generally used, and add new maxima–minima of irradiance in constant distances from the optical axis. The general arrangement of the distribution of irradiance is shown. The irradiance distributions are briefly discussed.
Isolation of estradiol-2,3-quinone and its intermediary role in melanin formation

We have reported previously that 2-hydroxyestradiol can be oxidized in the presence of catechol by mushroom tyrosinase, with a stoichiometric requirement of molecular oxygen (Jacobsohn, G.M. and Jacobsohn, M.K. (1984) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 232, 189-196). It is then incorporated into melanin (Jacobsohn et al. (1988) J. Steroid Biochem. 31, 377-385). We now report on the isolation and characterization of the o-quinone as a product of the enzyme reaction from 2-hydroxyestradiol. The o-quinone was isolated from incubates and identified by its FTIR spectrum, in particular, by the appearance of a new band at 1652 cm-1, its migration in HPLC systems, its ultraviolet spectrum, its derivatization with phenylenediamine and comparison of these properties with the periodate oxidation product of the same substrate. The enzyme oxidation of the catechol estrogen was performed at 37 degrees C and did not require an activator; dopa at concentrations higher than 5 microM was inhibitory. At concentrations lower than 5 microM, dopa acted catalytically and was not consumed during the course of reaction. Ascorbic acid inhibited the reaction. The quinone exhibited both reversible and irreversible binding to performed melanin and to melanin actively synthesized by the enzyme. Incubation of 18 microM newly synthesized [4-14C]estradiol-2,3- quinone with mushroom tyrosinase for 45 min at 37 degrees C in presence of 400 microM dopa showed incorporation (irreversible binding) of 6.3 +/- 0.3% of label into melanin produced during the course of reaction. Similar incubations for 45 min of pre-formed melanin prepared from 400 microM dopa showed incorporation of 4.4 +/- 0.2% of the label. Reversible binding was 10-times greater than incorporation for both actively synthesized and preformed melanins. In the absence of dopa or catechol, enzyme incubations of either 2-hydroxy-estradiol or its quinone did not yield melanin. Data suggest that estradiol-2,3-quinone is an intermediate in the incorporation of the catechol estrogen into melanin by tyrosinase.
Elastoplastic analysis of the peel test

Abstract A theoretical analysis of the peeling of a thin elastoplastic film bonded on an elastic substrate is presented in this paper. The moment-curvature relation for pure bending of an elastoplastic beam under conditions of plane strain is derived and slender beam theory is used to analyze the deformation of the adherend. Large deformation finite element analysis is used to study in detail the stress and deformation fields in the area near the tip of the interfacial crack. An analysis of steady slate peeling and a method for the calculation of the work expenditure during steady state peeling are presented. An energy balance is used to relate an experimentally measured peel force to the specific fracture energy.
Processing advances in transparent Foturan® MEMS

A lithographic patterning process for Foturan® is demonstrated that optimizes the aspect ratio and side-wall roughness and eliminates all traces of white redeposit on the side walls. The structures may then be run through a post-etch anneal to further reduce side-wall roughness to approximately 4 nm. Thermal fusion bonding during the post-etch anneal allows for the production of three-dimensional structures. Finally, we report the optical properties of patterned Foturan® microstructures observed using a 780-nm distributed feedback laser.
Medical image work stations: functions and implementation.

Electronic work stations are becoming a standard means of presenting medical images for diagnosis and consultation, and they will become more wide-spread as picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) come into use. These work stations must allow the user both to perceive the patterns necessary for accurate diagnosis and to “navigate” efficiently within large sets of related images, ie, quickly find and compare desired images. The work stations must operate without a feeling of “friction” and have an affordable cost. In this report we survey the tasks and system objectives, first regarding the perceptual needs and second with respect to the navigational needs. We then survey the technology available to satisfy these needs and conclude with a list of needed research and technology that can be expected or should be provided in the future.
Scarcity, capitalism and the promise of economic democracy

This article critically examines scarcity, a foundational concept of neoclassical economics. It argues that class inequalities and the pursuit of profit shape the configurations of scarcity faced by individuals and groups in today’s society. These configurations are made up of socially constructed material wants (the demand side) and of unequally distributed resources (the supply side). Against neoclassical economics, the article argues that capitalism cannot manage scarce resources in accordance with human well-being and the ecological integrity of the planet. Only an economically democratic society that allows all people to have equal say over the way economic life becomes organised can do so.
Status, Quality, and Social Order in the California Wine Industry

This paper examines how a producer's status in the market influences its choices about product quality, and the outcomes that result. We compare economic models of reputation that emphasize the role of past quality as a source of information about current quality with sociological models of status that emphasize the role of affiliations. We test hypotheses about the complementary effects of status and reputation in an analysis of more than 10,000 affiliation decisions made by 595 wineries over a 10-year period. Results show that actors occupying high-status positions obtain greater benefit from subsequent high-status affiliations than do actors occupying low-status positions. As such, these actors are more willing and able to pay for subsequent high-status affiliations and to use them to advance their position in the larger status ordering.
Women's opinions about domestic violence screening and mandatory reporting.

Results: Forty-eight percent of the sample agreed that health care providers should routinely screen all women, with abused women 1.5 times more likely than non-abused women to support this policy. For mandatory reporting, 48% preferred that it be the woman’s decision to report abuse to the police. Women thought it would be easier for abused women to get help with routine screening (86%) and mandatory reporting (73%), although concerns were raised about increased risk of abuse with both screening (43%) and reporting (52%) policies. Two thirds of the sample thought women would be less likely to tell their health care providers about abuse under a mandatory reporting policy. Interventions offered in managed care settings that would be well received, according to the women in this study, include counseling services, shelters, and confidential hotlines. Conclusions: Women expressed fears and concerns about negative consequences of routine screening and, even more so, for mandatory reporting. Domestic violence policies and protocols need to address the safety, autonomy, and confidentiality issues that concern women.
The Wear of Thermally Stable Diamond During Rock Cutting

Single-cutting experiments have been performed to investigate the cutting and wear of thermally stable diamond (SYNDAX3) during rock cutting. Cutting forces increase linearly with depth of cut, but are unaffected by cutting speed. The wear of the cutter per mass of rock removed is found to decrease with increasing depth of cut. Excessive cutting speed is harmful to the cutter since both the cutter temperature and the change in cutter temperature per power input increase with cutting speed. In the cutting experiments, evidence of delayed fracturing is observed. For essentially constant cutting conditions, fractures develop in the cutter only after a significant amount of cutting is done. Damage of this type is very harmful to the cutter as cutter temperature rises and efficiency drops with increasing wear.
A General MIMO Detection Scheme and Its Performance-Complexity Tradeoff

A unified tree-search detection scheme based on Dijkstra's algorithm is developed for MIMO systems. The proposed framework generalizes the original Dijkstra's algorithm by allowing the memory usage, detection complexity, and sorting dynamic associated with the algorithm to be customized. By tuning different parameters, desired performance- complexity tradeoffs are attained and a fixed- complexity version can be produced to facilitate hardware implementation. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm shows abilities to achieve highly favorable performance- complexity tradeoffs.
Mathematical theory of reliability: A historical perspective

The author reviews developments in mathematical reliability theory, especially those developments which have had or are likely to have impact on engineering reliability problems. The review to 1960 is based on a similar review which appeared in the 1965 book by R.E. Barlow and F. Proschan entitled Mathematical Theory of Reliability. It is pointed out that if the 1970s were the fault tree era, the 1980s may well turn out to be the era of network reliability, principally due to the importance of computer and computer network reliability.
Use of Incomplete Historical Data to Infer the Present State of the Atmosphere

Incomplete historical data to infer state of atmosphere based on global circulation model, noting tradeoff of temperature for wind and time for space
Globalization Theory from the Bottom Up: Japan's Contribution

Received theories of globalization are mostly spun out of armchair speculation without hard empirical data. They also tend to be Western centered. Based on a considerable amount of empirical, ethnographic data made available by fellow Japan specialists, several concepts have been identified to help account for Japan's globalization. For example, some cultural products tend to maintain their authenticity while others are easily creolized . At times, claimants of 'authenticity' fight a tug of war with creolizers. Cultural similarity is an important but incomplete explanation for the heavier density of Japanization in Northeast Asia, but Japanization, as synonym for Japan's globalization, is going on throughout the world. As Japan 'Japanizes', that is, 'creolizes' the West, this Japanized West is diffused to the rest of Asia in the Asianization process. Most of these and other concepts discussed in this paper are applicable without, or with slight, obvious modifications to an analysis of globalization from o...
Trends in upper‐level cloud cover and surface divergence over the tropical Indo‐Pacific Ocean between 1952 and 1997

This study investigated the spatial pattern of linear trends in surface-observed upper-level (combined mid-level and High-level) cloud cover, precipitation, and surface divergence over the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean during 1952-1957. Cloud values were obtained from the Extended Edited Cloud Report Archive (EECRA), precipitation values were obtained from the Hulme/Climate Research Unit Data Set, and surface divergence was alternatively calculated from wind reported Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set and from Smith and Reynolds Extended Reconstructed sea level pressure data.
Decentralized stabilization with symmetric topologies

A sparse matrix space is a vector space of matrices with entries that are either zero or arbitrary real. Letting the pattern of zero and arbitrary entries define an adjacency matrix (by setting the non-zero entries to one), we can attach a graph to such vector spaces and think of this graph as describing the decentralization structure of a control system. We want to determine whether this topology can sustain stable dynamics or, equivalently, whether the corresponding sparse matrix space contains stable matrices. We present in this paper a complete characterization the symmetric sparse matrix spaces that contain stable matrices.
Effect of the earthworm (Eisenia foetida) on Salmonella enteritidis in horse manure

Abstract Salmonella enteritidis , an enteropathogen of humans, is a common isolated serotype of infected domestic animals and may be excreted in the feces of these animals. Because the manure from some infected animals may be applied to agricultural land as fertilizer, Salmonella may be introduced into the environment, possibly causing heavy contamination and posing a health hazard to human beings and other susceptible animals. Earthworm biotechnology has been suggested as a method for managing organic waste on soil. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of earthworms ( Eisenia foetida ) on Salmonella enteritidis inoculated to cultural dishes containing horse manure. Results indicated that 48 h after inoculation, the per cent decrease in the concentration of Salmonella was different ( P
A note on interpretations for federated languages and the use of disquotation

Quotation and subsequent disquotation of propositional content sentences has been proposed for, and has some attractive features for, representing content sentences embedded in complex sentences by subordinating clauses. The meaning of and proper semantics for such representations, however, remain obscure, amid lurking worries that any such language will be inconsistent. This paper sketches an account of a semantics for quotation and disquotation. The key technical devices employed are (1) composing languages by federating two or more distinctly defined languages and (2) treating quotation as an invertible enumeration device, employed in the conventions governing use of the federated language.
A functional integral approach to shock wave solutions of the Euler equations with spherical symmetry (II)

Forn×n systems of conservation laws in one dimension without source terms, the existence of global weak solutions was proved by Glimm [1]. Glimm constructed approximate solutions using a difference scheme by solving a class of Riemann problems.
Hand morphology, manipulation, and tool use in Neandertals and early modern humans of the Near East

Between 140,000 and 50,000 years ago, both Neandertals and early modern humans periodically inhabited the coastal woodlands and inland steppe of the Near East. The archeological remnants of the behavior of these two groups—mostly in the form of stone tools and animal bones—are so similar that were it not for the fact that both groups occasionally buried their dead in the caves in which they lived, we would not have known that they derived from more than one population. Although morphologically and taxonomically distinct, both types of human are associated with Middle Paleolithic (Mousterian) stone-tool assemblages that cannot be differentiated clearly on the basis of technological and formal typological attributes (1, 2). But although the archeological record indicates behavioral similarity, and by inference adaptive similarity, between Neandertals and early modern humans at this time, functional morphological studies of the human skeletons suggest quite a different story. Detailed study of parts of the skeleton that alter their material and geometric properties during life in response to activity or that show degenerative changes from wear and tear suggest important behavioral differences between these groups (3, 4). This situation raises perplexing questions. If both tool assemblages and the malleable aspects of the skeletons of the humans who made, used, and discarded those tools are monitoring prehistoric behavior (5), why do these two data sets produce such contrasting interpretations of that behavior? And if behavioral contrasts did exist, did these contrasts serve to give one group a competitive advantage? This later question is important, because many see the Near Eastern early modern humans as the source population from which modern humans migrated into Europe approximately 36,000 years ago—leading to the extinction of the Neandertals soon after. Evolutionary models that posit a single center of origins for modern humans (such as Africa) with …
Naked Foraminifera from Shallow-Water Environments: ABSTRACT

Abundant live and dead Foraminifera having different degrees of calcification were found in samples collected in bays, marshes, and lagoons along the northeastern coast of the United States. Live standing crops of uncalcified, "chitin-like" Foraminifera have not been discussed previously in detail, and specific reasons for the occurrence of abundant multi-chambered "chitinous" inner linings have not been postulated. The bottom sediment at all locations from which a large live standing crop of uncalcified Foraminifera or abundant inner "chitinous" linings was recovered consists of fine silt and clay with abundant fecal pellets and (or) decomposed vegetation. This supports previous observations that low pH conditions are important in the occurrence of these forms. However, results of the present study make it possible to suggest that the presence of a particularly acid alga which lives in the areas collected may be a specific cause of local lack of calcification in live standing crops of Foraminifera, and that bottom-dwelling invertebrates play a significant role in the local environment by consuming calcareous Foraminifera and excreting their "chitinous" linings. End_of_Article - Last_Page 462------------
Enhancing Counseling Gatekeeping with Performance Appraisal Protocols

Academic and site supervisors of counselors-in-training perform the important function of serving as gatekeepers to the counseling profession. Their endorsement of a trainee implies that the trainee is capable of carrying out the role of a counselor in an ethical and effective manner, without endangering clients. Limited guidelines and training in the gatekeeping function pose a problem for supervisors. In the quest for improved gatekeeping processes, the counseling profession may achieve greater clarity and fairness by incorporating performance appraisal protocols from the business and management fields.
Two Varieties of Sesbania grandiflora as Fruit Fly Hosts

Interception by the Plant Quarantine Division, USDA, of a larva of the melon fly, Dacus cucurbitae Coquillett, from a shipment of blossoms of Sesbania grandiflora (L.) from Hawaii demonstrated a need for investigation of the status of this plant as a host of the melon fly; oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel; and Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). Sesbania varieties (Family Leguminosae, Subfamily Papilionatae) are used as ornamental plantings. Buds and blossoms are sometimes used in salads. This report presents results of tests conducted to evaluate the susceptibility to fruit fly infestation of 2 varieties, S. grandiflora (white), and S. grandiflora var. coccinea (pink), by the staff of the Hawaii Fruit Fly Investigations stationed on Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii.