cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrocortisone: A specific modulator of in vitro cell proliferation and aging

Abstract The effects of hydrocortisone on the proliferative activity of various vertebrate fibroblast-like cell lines have been measured. The proliferative activity of human fetal lung-derived cell lines, such as WI-38, and those of human fetal foreskin origin were always enhanced by the hormone. The addition of hydrocortisone to a number of other vertebrate cell lines grown under identical conditions showed growth inhibition. We also determined that the stimulation of WI-38 cell growth by hydrocortisone was a specific steroid-cell interaction by testing the growth promoting activity of several steroids with molecular structures similar to that of hydrocortisone. This observation was further supported by the presence of high affinity glucocorticoid binding sites in WI-38 cells whose concentration per cell was found to decrease with increased in vitro age. The results suggest that the proliferative response to hydrocortisone shows a cell-type specificity as well as a steroid-molecular structure specificity. The response appears to be mediated by high affinity glucocorticoid binding sites.
The effects of deprenyl on methamphetamine-induced dopamine depletions.

The effects of deprenyl on methamphetamine-induced dopamine depletions were studied in mice. Four SC injections of 12.5 mg/kg of methamphetamine at two-hour intervals caused substantial (72–82%) and longlasting depletions of striatal dopamine. Pretreatment with either 25 or 40 mg/ kg of deprenyl did not significantly alter the magnitude of this depletion. These results indicate that, unlike what is observed following MPTP, there is no protection afforded dopaminergic cells by deprenyl pretreatment in the methamphetamine model of parkinsonism.
Distribution of melatonin receptors in the brain of the frog Rana pipiens as revealed by in vitro autoradiography

Abstract Melatonin binding sites were identified in the brain of the frog Rana pipiens using in vitro autoradiography. Coronal sections were incubated for 1 h in 100 pM 2-125I-iodomelatonin. Specific binding was displaced with 1 μM nonradioactive melatonin. Autoradiographic labeling of3H-Hyperfilm was observed in areas that receive primary, secondary, and tertiary visual input: the superficial layers of the optic tectum, anterior and posterior thalamic nuclei, striatum, medial pallium, and interpeduncular nucleus. Other areas that demonstrated binding included the medial and lateral septal nuclei, medial preoptic area, suprachiasmatic region, and anterodorsal tegmental nucleus. Binding was also apparent in the distribution of the lateral olfactory tract (lateral pallium), and in tracts associated with visual pathways: optic nerve, chiasm and tract, and lateral and medial forebrain bundles. A high degree of melatonin binding was observed in the left habenular nucleus, but not in the habenulum of the right side of the brain. Radioreceptor binding assays of frog whole-brain homogenate demonstrated specific saturable melatonin binding (Kd = 70 pM, Bmax = 0.80 fmol/mg protein). Melatonin and 6-chloromelatonin were potent displacers of 2-125I-iodomelatonin, while 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-methoxytryptamine, and N-acetylserotonin were much less potent. Melatonin inhibited the forskolin-stimulated increase in cAMP synthesis in optic tectum expiants. These results suggest that high-affinity melatonin receptor binding sites are widely distributed in the telencephalon, diencephalon, and mesencephalon and are very prominent in areas of the frog brain that are associated with visual processing.
A process computer's contribution to the reduction of mental effort and to the handling of systems malfunctions

The information functions performed by an operator in charge of a continuous process operation are compared for conditions with and without computer assistance. The operator's mental contribution is studied in the context of a model of integrative behavior which considers the information functions which take place in the individual's communication channel. The amount of information, in the Information Theory sense, which is transmitted in the performance of mental therbligs, is compared for two modes of operation—automatic control with and without computer assistance. The comparison entails a consideration of the total entropy displayed by the system and the operator's information processing rates for various operating conditions. The role of the computer is discussed when information surges due to systems malfunctions occur. Response times are proposed as important measures of system's worth. In certain instances, response times are shown to increase with system's complexity and the case is made for adding auxiliary systems, including process control computers, which would be designed in such a way so as to handle the information overloads which occur during emergencies.
Evolution of high-speed long-wavelength vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

High-speed buried tunnel junction (BTJ) vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) covering the long-wavelength range from 1.3 ?m to 1.6 ?m have been developed in the last decade and achieved remarkable performance. The InP-based monolithic approach with a BTJ as a current aperture and an integrated gold heat sink, which originated at the Walter Schottky Institute, is reviewed in this review. Cutting-edge device performance like error-free operation at 25 Gb s?1 data rate, large VCSEL arrays with high output powers, widely tunable devices, or novel nano-photonic device concepts could be realized.
Tactile acuity in experienced Tai Chi practitioners : evidence for use dependent plasticity as an effect of sensory-attentional training

The scientific discovery of novel training paradigms has yielded better understanding of basic mechanisms underlying cortical plasticity, learning and development. This study is a first step in evaluating Tai Chi (TC), the Chinese slow-motion meditative exercise, as a training paradigm that, while not engaging in direct tactile stimulus training, elicits enhanced tactile acuity in long-term practitioners. The rationale for this study comes from the fact that, unlike previously studied direct-touch tactile training paradigms, TC practitioners focus specific mental attention on the body’s extremities including the fingertips and hands as they perform their slow routine. To determine whether TC is associated with enhanced tactile acuity, experienced adult TC practitioners were recruited and compared to age–gender matched controls. A blinded assessor used a validated method (Van Boven et al. in Neurology 54(12): 2230–2236, 2000) to compare TC practitioners’ and controls’ ability to discriminate between two different orientations (parallel and horizontal) across different grating widths at the fingertip. Study results showed that TC practitioners’ tactile spatial acuity was superior to that of the matched controls (P < 0.04). There was a trend showing TC may have an enhanced effect on older practitioners (P < 0.066), suggesting that TC may slow age related decline in this measure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate a long-term attentional practice’s effects on a perceptual measure. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine whether TC initiates or is merely correlated with perceptual changes and whether it elicits long-term plasticity in primary sensory cortical maps. Further studies should also assess whether related somatosensory attentional practices (such as Yoga, mindfulness meditation and Qigong) achieve similar effects.
Chondroprotection Following Acute Joint Injury: Prevention of Osteoarthritis

Developing therapies for chondroprotection offers the potential to prevent debilitating osteoarthritis and associated joint replacement following acute joint trauma. Although many significant challenges must be overcome, in comparison to expensive and time-consuming conventional osteoarthritis clinical trials, therapeutic chondroprotection may provide an easier path to evaluate treatments that have potential as disease-modifying therapies for osteoarthritis.
Asymptotic bounds for the number of convex n-ominoes

Unit squares having their vertices at integer points in the Cartesian plane are called cells. A point set equal to a union of n distinct cells which is connected and has no finite cut set is called an n-omino. Two n-ominoes are considered the same if one is mapped onto the other by some translation of the plane. An n-omino is convex if all cells in a row or column form a connected strip. Letting c(n) denote the number of different convex n-ominoes, we show that the sequence ((c(n))^1^n: n=1,2,...) tends to a limit @c and @c=2.309138....
A Perpetrator’s Accent Impairs Witnesses’ Memory for Physical Appearance

Sometimes witnesses to crimes must remember both a perpetrator's appearance and voice. Drawing upon multiple resource theory as well as previous findings that processing foreign-accented speech is more demanding than processing unaccented speech, we hypothesized that a perpetrator's accent can impair memory for his or her appearance. In Experiment 1, we used a secondary visual search task to demonstrate that processing an accented versus unaccented message demands more cognitive resources. In two additional experiments, we extended that result by showing that witnesses trying to encode information spoken by a perpetrator with an accent rather than no accent provided poorer physical descriptions of him and identified his voice less accurately. We also found that witnesses who heard a more versus less detailed message reported fewer correct details about the perpetrator's appearance (Experiment 2), and a more rather than less threatening message led to less accurate descriptions (Experiment 3).
An ectobiont-bearing foraminiferan, Bolivina pacifica, that inhabits microxic pore waters: cell-biological and paleoceanographic insights

The presence of tests (shells) in foraminifera could be taken as an indicator that this protist taxon is unlikely to possess ectosymbionts. Here, however, we describe an association between Bolivina pacifica, a foraminiferan with a calcareous test, and a rod-shaped microbe (bacterium or archaeon) that is directly associated with the pores of the foraminiferan's test. In addition to these putative ectosymbionts, B. pacifica has previously undescribed cytoplasmic plasma membrane invaginations (PMIs). These adaptations (i.e. PMIs, ectobionts), along with the clustering of mitochondria under the pores and at the cell periphery, suggest active exchange between the host and ectobiont. The B. pacifica specimens examined were collected from sediments overlain by oxygen-depleted bottom waters (0.7 μM) of the Santa Barbara Basin (California, USA). An ultrastructural comparison between B. pacifica from the Santa Barbara Basin and a congener (Bolivina cf. B. lanceolata) collected from well-oxygenated sediments (Florida Keys) suggests that PMIs, ectobionts and peripherally distributed mitochondria are all factors that promote inhabitation of microxic environments by B. pacifica. The calcitic δ(13)C signatures of B. pacifica and of a co-occurring congener (B. argentea) that lacks ectobionts differ by > 1.5‰, raising the possibility that the presence of ectobionts can affect incorporation of paleoceanographic proxies.
Estimates for systematic empirical corrections of consistent 4–21G ab initio geometries and their correlations to total energy group increments

Abstract The structural parameters of the completely relaxed 4–21G ab initio geometries of more than 30 basic organic compounds are compared to experimental results. Some ranges for systematic empirical corrections, which relate 4–21G bond distances to experimental parameters, are associated with total energy increments. In general, for the currently feasible comparisons, the following corrections can be given which relate calculated distances to experimental r g parameters and calculated angles to r s -structures For CC single bond distances, deviations between calculated and observed parameters ( r g ) are in the ranges of −0.006(2) to −0.010(2) A for normal or unstrained hydrocarbons; −0.011(3) to −0.016(3) A for cyclobutane type compounds; and +0.001(5) to +0.004(4) A for CH 3 conjugated with CO. For CO single bonds the ranges are −0.006(9) to +0.002(3) A for CO conjugated with CO; and −0.019(3) to −0.027(9) A for aliphatic and ether compounds. A very large and exceptional discrepancy exists for the highly strained ethylene oxide, r s — r e = −0.049(5) A and in CH 3 OCH 3 and C 2 H 5 OCH 3 the r s — r e differences are −0.029(5), −0.040(10) and −0.025(10) A. Some of these discrepancies may also be due to deficiencies of the microwave substitution method caused by atomic coordinates close to inertial planes. For CN bonds, two types of NCH 3 corrections are from +0.005(6) to −0.006(6) and from −0.009(2) to −0.014(6) A; and the range for NCO is +0.012(3) to +0.028(4) A. For isolated CC double bonds the range is + 0.025(2) to +0.028(2) A. For conjugated CC double bonds the correction is less positive (+0.014(1) A for benzene). For CO double bonds the corrections are −0.004(3) to +0.003(3) A. For bond angles of type HCH, CCH, CCC, CCO, CCO, OCO, NCO and CCC the corrections are of the order of magnitude about 1–2° (or better). Angles centered at heteroatoms are less accurate than that, when hydrogen atoms are involved. Differences in HOC and NHC angles were found in a range of −2.3(5)° to −6.2(4)°.
Age Differences in Children's Conceptual Behavior.

Age differences in children's conceptual behavior were investigated within the framework of McGaughran's “conceptual area” analysis of object sortings. Two commonly observed, but unclearly defined and inadequately measured, aspects of cognitive growth were demonstrated clearly. First, a progressive increase in enculturative effects was found. Second, shifts appeared in levels of abstraction as a function of age differences: global (Open-private) concepts predominating among youngest children; highly differentiated (Closed-public) concepts notably increasing at age eight; and hierarchically integrated (Open-public) responses prevailing among the older children. Conceptual area analysis and its additional refinements, as multivariable analyses of conceptualization, provided the basis for an empirically based descriptive language for two aspects of conceptual development lacking precise definition.
Prevention of Electrical Breakdown in Spacecraft

The methods for preventing electrical breakdown problems in space flight are discussed. The techniques that have been evolved by several successful users of high-voltage systems in space are given in considerable detail. The fundamental elements are the avoidance of high electric fields and the avoidance of critical gas pressures. Selection of materials, scrupulous cleanness, good mechanical design, solid potting or complete venting, and frequent testing are the major steps to success.
Statins enhance toll‐like receptor 4‐mediated cytokine gene expression in astrocytes: Implication of Rho proteins in negative feedback regulation

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are sentinels of innate immunity that recognize pathogenic molecules and trigger inflammatory response. Because inflammatory mediators are detrimental to the host, the TLR response is regulated by feedback inhibition. Statins, the inhibitors of isoprenoid biosynthesis, have been shown to be potent modulators of TLR activity, and this modulation may provide insight regarding mechanisms of the feedback inhibition. In the present study, we examined feedback mechanisms that regulate TLR4 activity in astrocytes using statins to perturb postligational signaling. Astrocytic cultures established from newborn rat brains were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the ligand for TLR4. The up-regulation of expression of genes encoding interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) was determined by real-time RT-PCR. Pretreatment of the cells with either atorvastatin or simvastatin enhanced the LPS-induced up-regulation of cytokine gene expression. The most profound enhancement of approximately 17-fold was observed for the Il-6 gene. The enhancements for the Tnfa and Il-1b genes were approximately 5- and 3.5-fold, respectively. Mevalonate fully reversed the effects of statins, indicating that these drugs act through the inhibition of isoprenoid synthesis. The inhibition of protein geranylgeranylation, but not protein farnesylation, mimicked the effects of statins, strongly indicating that the enhancement is mediated by the Rho proteins. In support of this notion, pretreatment of cells with toxin B, a specific inhibitor of the Rho proteins, also enhanced LPS-triggered up-regulation of the cytokine genes. These results indicate that the Rho proteins are involved in the activation of negative feedback inhibition of TLR4 signaling in astrocytes.
A Quantized/truncated Transform Domain technique (QTD) for fast facial recognition

A Quantized/truncated Transform Domain technique (QTD) is presented in this paper for facial recognition, suitable particularly for large data bases. The algorithm has attractive properties with respect to storage requirements and computational complexity in both the training and testing modes. The new algorithm is applied to both ORL and Yale data bases using Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT). The experimental results confirm the significant reduction in the storage and computational requirements while maintaining a high recognition accuracy rate.
Unilateral Breast Edema in Congestive Heart Failure ‐ A Mimic of Diffuse Carcinoma

Mammography in a patient with congestive heart failure showed unilateral skin thickening and a reticular pattern mimicking diffuse carcinoma. Resolution after treatment of the heart failure established the abnormality as secondary to dependent edema.
Effect of Telavancin (Vibativ) on Routine Coagulation Test Results

Telavancin (Vibativ, Astellas Pharma US, Deerfield, IL) is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic that has activity against gram-positive microorganisms, but also has the ability to bind to artificial phospholipids found in coagulation reagents. Normal pooled plasma was spiked with telavancin to obtain concentrations of 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 μg/mL of drug. Samples were tested using 3 different prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (INR) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) reagent systems, as well as for fibrinogen level, thrombin time, D-dimer level, dilute Russell viper venom time (DRVVT), protein C activity, and protein S activity. There was no effect of telavancin seen with non-phospholipid-dependent assays: fibrinogen level, thrombin time, and D-dimer testing. All INR and aPTT systems demonstrated concentration-dependent increases in clotting times, with Innovin (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Deerfield, IL) INRs the most dramatic. False-positive DRVVT ratios started at 12.5 μg/mL of telavancin, with no effect on protein C or protein S levels until the telavancin level reached more than 100 μg/mL.
Mechanism of Suppression of Hepatitis B Virus Precore RNA Transcription by a Frequent Double Mutation

A double mutation which converts nucleotide 1765 from A to T and nucleotide 1767 from G to A is frequently found in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome isolated from HBV patients with chronic hepatitis symptoms. This double mutation is located in the core promoter that controls the transcription of the precore RNA and the core RNA. In addition, this double mutation also resides in the X protein coding sequence, converting codon 130 from Lys to Met and codon 131 from Val to Ile. Previous studies indicate that this double mutation removes a nuclear receptor binding site in the core promoter, suppresses specifically precore RNA transcription, and enhances viral replication. In this study, we further investigated how this double mutation suppresses precore RNA transcription. We found that this double mutation not only removed the nuclear receptor binding site but also created an HNF1 transcription factor binding site. Further transfection studies using Huh7 hepatoma cells indicate that the removal of the nuclear receptor binding site has no effect on the transcription of HBV RNAs, the two-codon change in the X protein sequence suppresses the transcription of both precore and core RNAs, and the creation of the HNF1 binding site restores the core RNA level. Hence, the specific suppression of precore RNA transcription by this frequent double-nucleotide mutation is the combined result of multiple factors.
Methylation of milk-borne and genetically transmitted mouse mammary tumor virus proviral DNA

The 5-methylcytosine content of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-specific DNA sequences acquired by both milk-borne infection and genetic transmission was determined for both normal and neoplastic tissues of the mouse. Using the restriction endonuclease Msp I, which cleaves at the recognition sequence 5'-CCGG, and its isoschizomer Hpa II, which is inhibited by methylation of the cytosine base of the CpG dinucleotide, it can be demonstrated that MMTV proviruses acquired via germ line infection are extensively methylated at both the site for Msp I-Hpa II cleavage and the site for Hha I (5'-GCGC), which is also inhibited by base modification of the cytosine. The virus-specific sequences acquired via milk-borne infection, however, are not modified at these sites in DNA from either normal infected or transformed tissues. Finally, cellular sequences are nonspecifically hypomethylated in a phenomenon unique to transformed tissue and apparently unrelated to the specific hypomethylation of exogenously acquired MMTV proviruses.
Highly sensitive detection of mercury(II) ions with few-layer molybdenum disulfide

Two-dimensional (2D) layered transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials (e.g., MoS2) have attracted considerable interest due to their atomically thin geometry and semiconducting electronic properties. With ultrahigh surface to volume ratio, the electronic properties of these atomically thin semiconductors can be readily modulated by their environment. Here we report an investigation of the effects of mercury(II) (Hg2+) ions on the electrical transport properties of few-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). The interaction between Hg2+ions and few-layer MoS2 was studied by field-effect transistor measurements and photoluminescence. Due to a high binding affinity between Hg2+ ions and the sulfur sites on the surface of MoS2 layers, Hg2+ ions can strongly bind to MoS2. We show that the binding of Hg2+ can produce a p-type doping effect to reduce the electron concentration in n-type few-layer MoS2. It can thus effectively modulate the electron transport and photoluminescence properties in few-layer MoS2. By monitoring the conductance change of few-layer MoS2 in varying concentration Hg2+ solutions, we further show that few-layer MoS2 transistors can function as highly sensitive sensors for rapid electrical detection of Hg2+ ion with a detection limit of 30 pM. Open image in new window
Rapid synthesis of [18F]fluoroestradiol: remarkable advantage of microwaving over conventional heating

16α-[18F]-fluoroestradiol ([18F]FES) is known as a clinically important tracer in nuclear medicine as an estrogen receptor (ER) ligand for investigating primary and metastatic breast cancers. Synthesizing [18F]FES is a two-step process associated with [18F]fluoride incorporation to the precursor (3-methoxymethyl 16β, 17β-epiestriol-O-cyclic sulfone, MMSE) and subsequent hydrolysis of the [18F]fluorinated intermediate with 2N HCl. The impact of microwave heating (MW) on both fluorination and hydrolysis reactions was investigated. The duration and temperatures of the fluorination reaction were varied for both MW and conventional heating (CH) methods. Chemical and radiochemical purities and radiochemical yields were investigated for CH and compared to microwave-assisted radiosyntheses. Quality control tests of microwave-assisted [18F]FES were performed following United States Pharmacopeia (USP) procedures for clinical-grade positron emission tomography (PET) pharmaceuticals. The results demonstrate that microwaving not only improves the 18F-fluoride incorporation (~ 55% improvement at 110 °C for 4 min) but also significantly reduces hydrolysis time (~ 7-fold reduction at 120 °C) in compare to CH under similar conditions. The overall isolated radiochemical yield of purified [18F]FES was significantly higher (~ 90% improvement) with MW, and side-products were notably fewer. Quality control test results demonstrated that [18F]FES produced by microwaving was suitable for human injection.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation

Maximum likelihood estimation identifies the population parameter values most likely to have produced a particular sample of data. Estimation involves the computation of a log likelihood, a value that quantifies the probability that the sample originated from a normally distributed population with a given set of parameters. Standard errors are obtained as a by-product of estimation, and can be used to conduct significance tests. Differences between full and restricted maximum likelihood are discussed. Keywords: maximum likelihood; estimation; estimator; restricted maximum likelihood; full maximum likelihood
One watt, very high efficiency 10 and 18 GHz pseudomorphic HEMTs fabricated by dry first recess etching

The authors report 10- and 18-GHz power performance of double recessed 1.2-mm periphery pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistors (PsHEMTs). They have obtained demonstrably better uniformity in performance than conventionally fabricated PsHEMTs. This was accomplished by incorporating a new approach to recess formation using selective reactive ion etching of the first recess in a double recessed structure. The critical first recess was formed with exceptional uniformity using dry etching and an AlGaAs etch stop layer. Simultaneous power, gain, and power-added efficiency, representative of many devices, are summarized. >
Design and Implementation of LDPC Codes for DVB-S2

In this paper, we present the design and FPGA implementation of 11 LDPC codes with code rates 1/4, 1/3, 2/5, 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9 and 9/10 for normal frame length of 64800 bits as used in DVB-S2. Out of these 11 codes, 7 are regular and 4 are irregular. All of them have been synthesized into Xilinx Virtex-II XC2V8000 FPGA
Secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis of wafer contamination resulting from gloved hands

It is well known that wafer-handling protocols to avoid contamination are a mandatory part of semiconductor fabrication. One of the most important pieces of the standard "cleanroom" suit is the glove worn to eliminate contamination from human skin, of which mobile ions from fingerprint oils are a major contributor. This paper shows that wafer handling, even with fabrication-recommended gloves in place, can still significantly contaminate the wafer.
Professional Forum Paying People to Lie: the Truth about the Budgeting Process

This paper analyzes the counterproductive effects associated with using budgets or targets in an organisation’s performance measurement and compensation systems. Paying people on the basis of how their performance relates to a budget or target causes people to game the system and in doing so to destroy value in two main ways: (a) both superiors and subordinates lie in the formulation of budgets and, therefore, gut the budgeting process of the critical unbiased information that is required to coordinate the activities of disparate parts of an organisation, and (b) they game the realisation of the budgets or targets and in doing so destroy value for their organisations. Although most managers and analysts understand that budget gaming is widespread, few understand the huge costs it imposes on organisations and how to lower them. My purpose in this paper is to explain exactly how this happens and how managers and firms can stop this counter-productive cycle. The key lies not in destroying the budgeting systems, but in changing the way organisations pay people. In particular to stop this highly counter-productive behaviour we must stop using budgets or targets in the compensation formulas and promotion systems for employees and managers. This means taking all kinks, discontinuities and non-linearities out of the pay-for-performance profile of each employee and manager. Such purely linear compensation formulas provide no incentives to lie, or to withhold and distort information, or to game the system. While the evidence on the costs of these systems is not extensive, I believe that solving the problems could easily result in large productivity and value increases – sometimes as much as 50–100% improvements in productivity. I believe the less intensive reliance on such budget/target systems is an important cause of the increased productivity of
Expression of Acetate Permease-Like (apl) Genes in Subsurface Communities of Geobacter Species under Fluctuating Acetate Concentrations

The addition of acetate to uranium-contaminated aquifers in order to stimulate the growth and activity of Geobacter species that reduce uranium is a promising in situ bioremediation option. Optimizing this bioremediation strategy requires that sufficient acetate be added to promote Geobacter species growth. We hypothesized that under acetate-limiting conditions, subsurface Geobacter species would increase the expression of either putative acetate symporters genes (aplI and aplII). Acetate was added to a uranium-contaminated aquifer (Rifle, CO) in two continuous amendments separated by 5 days of groundwater flush to create changing acetate concentrations. While the expression of aplI in monitoring well D04 (high acetate) weakly correlated with the acetate concentration over time, the transcript levels for this gene were relatively constant in well D08 (low acetate). At the lowest acetate concentrations during the groundwater flush, the transcript levels of aplII were the highest. The expression of aplII decreased 2-10-fold upon acetate reintroduction. However, the overall instability of acetate concentrations throughout the experiment could not support a robust conclusion regarding the role of apl genes in response to acetate limitation under field conditions, in contrast to previous chemostat studies, suggesting that the function of a microbial community cannot be inferred based on lab experiments alone.
Transformation of phase size distribution into scattering intensity

A practical method of calculating the small-angle scattering intensity and the density correlation function from the phase size distribution is presented for a sample with a random two-phase morphology. The correlation function can be calculated in terms of joint probability distribution functions of the phase size distributions of the two individual phases with information from the chord length distribution. The phase size distribution is approximated as a weighted sum of exponentials, which is then transformed analytically into the correlation function and hence the small-angle scattering for any combination of phase size distributions of the two phases. This represents an extension of the Debye method for materials with more complex phase size distributions. The inverse problem of calculating the phase size distributions from the small-angle scattering requires a thermodynamic model or simplifying approximation. An example of the reverse transformation is given for a nanoporous polymer thin film.
Vahiny depereti, gen. et sp. nov., a new titanosaur (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous Maevarano Formation, Madagascar

Here we describe Vahiny depereti, gen. et sp. nov., a new titanosaur dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous Maevarano Formation of northwestern Madagascar. Vahiny is distinguished from other titanosaur...
RAPID ACOUSTIC PROCESSING IN THE AUDITORY BRAINSTEM IS NOT RELATED TO CORTICAL ASYMMETRY FOR THE SYLLABLE RATE OF SPEECH

Abstract Objective Temporal acuity in the auditory brainstem is correlated with left-dominant patterns of cortical asymmetry for processing rapid speech-sound stimuli. Here we investigate whether a similar relationship exists between brainstem processing of rapid speech components and cortical processing of syllable patterns in speech. Methods We measured brainstem and cortical evoked potentials in response to speech tokens in 23 children. We used established measures of auditory brainstem and cortical activity to examine functional relationships between these structures. Results We found no relationship between brainstem responses to fast acoustic elements of speech and right-dominant cortical processing of syllable patterns. Conclusions Brainstem processing of rapid elements in speech is not functionally related to rightward cortical asymmetry associated with the processing of syllable-rate features in speech. Viewed together with previous evidence linking brainstem timing with leftward cortical asymmetry for faster acoustic features, findings support the existence of distinct mechanisms for encoding rapid vs. slow elements of speech. Significance Results provide a fundamental advance in our knowledge of the segregation of sub-cortical input associated with cortical asymmetries for acoustic rate processing in the human auditory system. Implications of these findings for auditory perception, reading ability and development are discussed.
Correlated equilibrium in evolutionary models with subpopulations

Abstract We study a version of the multipopulation replicator dynamics, where each population is comprised of multiple subpopulations. We establish that correlated equilibrium is a natural solution concept in this setting. Specifically, we show that every correlated equilibrium is equivalent to a stationary state in the replicator dynamics of some subpopulation model. We also show that every interior stationary state, Lyapunov stable state, or limit of an interior solution is equivalent to a correlated equilibrium. We provide an example with a Lyapunov stable limit state whose equivalent correlated equilibrium lies outside the convex hull of the set of Nash equilibria. Finally, we prove that if the matching distribution is a product measure, a state satisfying any of the three conditions listed above is equivalent to a Nash equilibrium.
On the concept of near field radar cross section

The notion of far field radar cross section (RCS) is intuitively pleasing in that it provides a measure of the scattering characteristics of an object independent of antenna orientation or range to the object. When the transmitting or receiving antenna of a radar move into the near field, the assumptions made to calculate far field RCS are no longer valid. This paper presents two definitions of near field RCS developed by Lee, Wang, and Labarre (1991), based on variations of the radar range equation: RCS1 and RCS2. Results of numerical simulations of a sphere and a square flat plate within the near field showed that these definitions failed to achieve the antenna orientation and range independence observed in far field RCS. The final conclusion drawn from this work is that the only physically meaningful quantity measured in a near field radar scenario is the ratio of the power received to the power transmitted called the power return ratio.
HOST SPECIFICITY AMONG UNIONICOLA SPP. (ACARI: UNIONICOLIDAE) PARASITIZING FRESHWATER MUSSELS

Water mites of Unionicola spp. are common parasites of freshwater mussels as adults, living on the gills, or mantle and foot of their hosts and using these tissues as sites of oviposition. The present study addresses specialization among North American Unionicola mussel-mites using 2 measures of host specificity: (1) the number of host species used by a species of mite; and (2) a measure that considers the taxonomic distinctness of the hosts utilized by mites, weighted for their prevalence in the different hosts. Results of this study indicate the Unionicola spp. mussel-mites are highly host specific, with most species occurring in association with 1 or 2 species of hosts. If 2 or more host species are utilized, they are typically members of the same genus. These data are consistent with studies examining the dispersal abilities and host recognition behavior for members of the group. When the average values of host specificity for Unionicola subgenera were mapped on a phylogenetic tree for these taxa, a clade comprised of gill mites appeared to be more host specific than a clade consisting of mantle mites. There were, however, no apparent patterns of host specificity within each of the clades. Differences in specificity between the 2 lineages may reflect either a long evolutionary history that gill mites have had with host mussels or the intense competition among gill mites for oviposition sites within unionid mussels, leading to increased host specialization.
Analysis of Radiated Emissions From a Printed Circuit Board Using Expert System Algorithms

Three algorithms developed for expert system electromagnetic compatibility tools are used to evaluate a printed circuit board design. The maximum radiated emissions estimated by the algorithms are compared to the measured data for various board configurations. The algorithms identify the most important electromagnetic interference source mechanisms, drawing attention to the design parameters that have the most significant effect on the radiated emissions
Family physicians' information seeking behaviors: A survey comparison with other specialties

Using technology to access clinical information has become a critical skill for family physicians. The aims of this study were to assess the way family physicians use the Internet to look for clinical information and how their patterns vary from those of specialists. Further, we sought a better understanding of how family physicians used just-in-time information in clinical practice. A fax survey was provided with 17 items. The survey instrument, adapted from two previous studies, was sent to community-based physicians. The questions measured frequency of use and importance of the Internet, palm computers, Internet CME, and email for information seeking and CME. Barriers to use were explored. Demographic data was gathered concerning gender, years since medical school graduation, practice location, practice type, and practice specialty. Family physicians found the Internet to be useful and important as an information source. They were more likely to search for patient oriented material than were specialists who more often searched literature, journals and corresponded with colleagues. Hand held computers were used by almost half of family physicians. Family physicians consider the Internet important to the practice of medicine, and the majority use it regularly. Their searches differ from colleagues in other specialties with a focus on direct patient care questions. Almost half of family physicians use hand held computers, most often for drug reference.
Structural and thermodynamic consequences of b heme binding for monomeric apoglobins and other apoproteins

The binding of a cofactor to a protein matrix often involves a reorganization of the polypeptide structure. b Hemoproteins provide multiple examples of this behavior. In this minireview, selected monomeric and single b heme proteins endowed with distinct topological properties are inspected for the extent of induced refolding upon heme binding. To complement the data reported in the literature, original results are presented on a two-on-two globin of cyanobacterial origin (Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 GlbN) and on the heme-containing module of FixL, an oxygen-sensing protein with the mixed α/β topology of PAS domains. GlbN had a stable apoprotein that was further stabilized and locally refolded by heme binding; in contrast, apoFixLH presented features of a molten globule. Sequence analyses (helicity, disorder, and polarity) and solvent accessibility calculations were performed to identify trends in the architecture of b hemoproteins. In several cases, the primary structure appeared biased toward a partially disordered binding pocket in the absence of the cofactor.
In-process board warpage measurement in a lab scale wave soldering oven

An automated on-line warpage measurement system for printed wiring boards (PWBs) and printed wiring board assemblies (PWBAs) has been developed. The system is capable of simulating a variety of soldering processes, including the wave soldering process, and performing real-time PWB/PWBA warpage measurements using the shadow moire technique. The system can be used to characterize the warpage behaviour of virtually any PWB/PWBA during the soldering process. Using this system, warpage of PWB test vehicles was measured during simulated wave soldering. The measured warpage varied significantly during wave soldering from that observed both before and after wave soldering. These results help us to understand how the board deforms at every stage of the soldering process.
Thirty Years of Media Coverage on High Drug Prices in the United States—A Never-Ending Story or a Time for Change?

In recent years drug prices have increasingly become a topic of debate for patients, providers, payers and policy makers. To place the current drug price debate into historical context, we searched the New York Times and Wall Street Journal from 1985 - 2015 and found that concerns about drug prices have commonly featured in the press over the study period with recently stronger calls for change. Price levels, types of innovations, stakeholder responses, and strategies to address high prices discussed in the media suggest that concerted efforts are required to enable affordable and high-value innovations.
Recherche et Developpement D’architecture Climatique et de Composants Solaires

Sachant que le verre est transparent a la lumiere directe et diffuse du soleil, un pan de glace est place devant les murs d’une maison. La lumiere traverse le vitrage et au contact de la surface du mur peint en noir se transforme en rayonnement infrarouge rechauffant la lame d’air situee entre le vitrage et le mur. Cette approche de la morphologie architecturale climatique percue au cours de ma collaboration avec le Corbusier dans les annees 1955, poursuivie avec Felix Trombe en 1966, a permis la realisation des facades solaires telles que les maisons solaires de CHAUVENCY-le-CHATEAU en 1968, 0DEILL0 en 1972, plus recemment les facades des bâtiments du Centre A.F.P.A. de BEZIERS et du gymnase de SAINT-PERAY, etc… Ces projets conduisent aux definitions actuelles et previsionnelles de l’auteur en matiere de formes architecturales et d’enveloppes climatiques liees aux besoins et aux progres de la Technologie.
Complementary Hydrogen Bonding and Block Copolymer Self-Assembly in Cooperation toward Stable Solar Cells with Tunable Morphologies

We report the synthesis and characterization of a polythiophene diblock copolymer selectively functionalized with 1-n-hexylisoorotic acid moieties (P4) and a 2,6-diaminopyridine tethered fullerene derivative (PCBP). Self-assembly between P4 and PCBP through “three-point” complementary hydrogen bonding interactions is utilized to control and stabilize blend morphologies. These interactions have been studied both in solution and in solid state by 1H NMR and UV–vis spectroscopies as well as optical and atomic force microscopies (AFM). Solar cells employing P4 blended with different weight ratios of PCBP and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) were fabricated and tested. The best power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) were observed in devices made from P4/PCBP blends (10/8 by wt) and ternary blends of P4/PCBP/PCBM (10/4/4 by wt) as active layers. Thermal stabilities of these solar cells were studied in detail by aging tests, and corresponding morphological changes were closely monitored by absorption sp...
Effect of glutamate and glycine on cock sperm metabolism.

SummaryGlutamate, which can be catabolized by fowl semen, has an inhibitory effect on respiratory rate and in some experiments on rate of fructolysis. This effect may be explained partly by the catabolism of the glutamate and partly by its chelating effect. Glycine, which acts similarly to glutamate, is not catabolized by fowl semen.
Development of Polyamine Transport Ligands with Improved Metabolic Stability and Selectivity against Specific Human Cancers

Polyamine homeostasis is critical for life and is accomplished via a balance of polyamine biosynthesis, degradation, and transport. Rapidly dividing cancer cells have been shown to have high polyamine transport activity compared to normal cells, likely due to their high requirement for polyamine metabolites. The polyamine transport system (PTS) is a therapeutically relevant target, as it can provide selective drug delivery to cancer cells. This report describes the synthesis and biological evaluation of multimeric polyamine derivatives as efficient PTS ligands. Arylmethyl-polyamine derivatives were synthesized to address two important concerns in PTS drug design: (a) PTS selectivity and (b) stability to amine oxidases. N(1),N(1')-[Naphthalene-1,4-diylbis(methylene)]bis{N(4)-[4-(methylamino)butyl])butane-1,4-diamine}, 3b, was found to have an optimal balance between these parameters and demonstrated excellent targeting of melanoma (e.g., MALME-3M) and breast cancer cells (e.g., T47D) over other cancer cell lines. These results provide a method to selectively target cancers via their intrinsic need for polyamine metabolites.
Silico Cloning and Sequence Analysis of F3H Gene of Chinese Cabbage

Flavanone 3-hydroxylase(F3H),a critical enzyme,catalyzes an step in anthocyanin biosynthesis.According to the conservation of homologous gene,with F3H gene in Brassica napus,the cDNA of F3H gene in Chinese cabbage was in silico cloned.Some characters of the F3H,such as the composition of amino acid sequences,physical and chemical properties,hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity,secondary and tertiary structure of the protein and function were analyzed and predicted by the tools of bioinformatics.The results showed that the length of cloned F3H cDNA was 1 228 bp and it contained a complete ORF(1 077 bp),encoded 358 amino acids.The calculated molecular weight of it was 40 104.6 Da,theoretical pI of 5.45.It was a bulbous structure with 7 helices,12 sheets,and some irregular coils in tertiary structure.
Linking Life Course and Life Story

The emergence of a life course perspective in the study of human development has provided a means for addressing the interplay of lived experience and socio-historical context, and the intertwining of subjective and shared meanings that shape lives over developmental and historical time. Grounded in the pioneering work of social theorist Karl Mannheim (1928), the life course approach may be contrasted both with life-cycle perspectives, which have tended to focus on relatively invariant, age-graded stages or phases, and with life-span perspectives, which have typically not acknowledged the far-ranging impact of “generation units” spanning some number of contiguous birth-years (Mannheim, 1928) or cohort-generational factors (Elder, 1995, 1997; Kertzer, 1983; Troll, 1970). The life course perspective maintains that developmental pathways reflect the distinctive social and historical changes experienced by members of particular generations and cannot be understood apart from this social and historical context (Dannefer, 1984; Denzin, 1989; Elder, 1995, Settersten, 1999).
EXCHANGE OF STABILITY AND HOPF BIFURCATION

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the exchange of stability and Hopf bifurcation. In Hopf bifurcation theory, for a one parameter family of differential equations, there is the evolution of periodic orbits emerging from an equilibrium point. In most applications, this phenomenon is because of a sudden change in the stability properties of the equilibrium point as the parameter crosses a critical value. The chapter discusses the measurement of change of stability of the origin to analyze the number of bifurcating periodic orbits. To do this, it is required to assume a structural property on the asymptotic stability of the origin of (l0). This type of structural property was used by Andronov in his work on bifurcation theory. The chapter also reviews generalized transversality condition.