cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of superconducting nanowires shunted with an external resistor

We present a study of superconducting nanowires shunted with an external resistor, geared towards understanding and controlling coherence and dissipation in nanowires. The dynamics is probed by measuring the evolution of the $V$-$I$ characteristics and the distributions of switching and retrapping currents upon varying the shunt resistor and temperature. Theoretical analysis of the experiments indicates that as the value of the shunt resistance is decreased, the dynamics turns more coherent, presumably due to stabilization of phase-slip centers in the wire, and furthermore the switching current approaches the Bardeen's prediction for equilibrium depairing current. By a detailed comparison between theory and experiment, we make headway into identifying regimes in which the quasi-one-dimensional wire can effectively be described by a zero-dimensional circuit model analogous to the resistively and capacitively shunted Josephson junction model of Stewart and McCumber. Aside from its fundamental significance, our study has implications for a range of promising technological applications.
Rapid warming of Large Marine Ecosystems

Abstract The need to understand local effects of global climate change is most urgent in the Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) since marine ecosystem-based management requires information on the LME scale. Reported here is a study of sea surface temperature (SST) change in the World Ocean LMEs in 1957–2006 that revealed strong regional variations in the rate of SST change. The rapid warming in 1982–2006 was confined to the Subarctic Gyre, European Seas, and East Asian Seas. These LMEs warmed at rates 2–4 times the global mean rate. The most rapid warming was observed in the land-locked or semi-enclosed European and East Asian Seas (Baltic Sea, North Sea, Black Sea, Japan Sea/East Sea, and East China Sea) and also over the Newfoundland–Labrador Shelf. The Indian Ocean LMEs’ warming was slow, while two major upwelling areas – California and Humboldt Currents – experienced a slight cooling. The Subarctic Gyre warming was likely caused by natural variability related to the North Atlantic Oscillation. The extremely rapid surface warming in the enclosed and semi-enclosed European and East Asian Seas surrounded by major industrial/population agglomerations may have resulted from the observed terrestrial warming directly affecting the adjacent coastal seas. Regions of freshwater influence in the European and East Asian Seas seem to play a special role in modulating and exacerbating global warming effects on the regional scale.
Application of topographical methods to clinical esophageal manometry

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Topographical manometric methods have improved the understanding of esophageal peristalsis in research applications but require a large number of recording sensors. Commonly used methods limited to four sensors were compared to topographical methods to determine whether the latter also had significant clinical utility. METHODS: Two hundred twelve patients referred for esophageal manometry were studied with a data acquisition system having 21 intraluminal recording sites, and the findings were analyzed independently using both limited (pull-through plus four recording sites) and topographical approaches (all sites). Discrepant results were clarified using supportive clinical data. RESULTS: The two methods were in diagnostic agreement in 187 cases (88.2%). Topographical methods correctly identified all 26 patients with achalasia within the group with aperistalsis (n = 36). The limited methods could not confidently identify six achalasia patients and were significantly less effective in segregating aperistaltic disorders (p CONCLUSIONS: Topographical methods are more accurate than commonly used methods in diagnosing the type of severe motor dysfunction and provide additional information important in the clinical practice of esophageal manometry.
Broadly tunable near-infrared six-wave mixing processes in potassium vapor

We report the observation of several six-wave mixing processes which result in broadly tunable coherent emission in the wavelength range 1.20–1.45 μm. These emissions are produced in potassium vapor which is simultaneously pumped by two pulsed dye lasers. One set of processes is produced when the frequency of the first laser is fixed to the potassium 4S»6S two-photon transition frequency, while the frequency of the second laser is tuned. The second set of processes is observed when both lasers are tuned, but with their sum frequency fixed to the 4S»6S two-photon transition. Peak output energies of ∼10 nJ/pulse have been observed.
The Differences in Dynamics and Stability of the Wild Type Beta-Amyloid Aβ1-40, and ΔE22-Aβ1-39 (Japanese) Mutant, a Molecular Dynamics Study

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been identified as a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder associated with protein misfolding due to the aggregation of monomeric β-amyloid proteins (Aβ) to form fibrillar plaques. Experimental attempts to purify and chemically analyze the structure of Aβ protofibrils and to elucidate the mechanism of fibril formation have yet to reveal much about the molecular etiology of AD, due to the low solubility and non-crystalline nature of Aβ. It has been shown experimentally that the ΔE22-Aβ1-39 (Japanese) mutation of the β-amyloid leads to production of typical Aβ fibrils essentially instantaneously, much faster than the fibril formation in wild-type (WT) Aβ1-40. To better understand the fibril-forming mechanism of the Japanese mutant peptide we have ran several long (μs) all atom explicit water molecular dynamics simulations of the mutant and WT peptide starting from the random-coil structure at two different temperatures (310 and 350 K). Our simulations showed that the ΔE22-Aβ1-39 mutant formed a stable semi-helical hairpin structure about 5 times faster than the WT. The helical hairpin conformation was less evident in WT trajectory and was quickly unfolded (particularly at 310K). The RMSF plots showed similar patterns of fluctuations in both the WT and mutant backbone atoms. However, the deletion of the E22 lowered the fluctuations of the mutant structure by about 2A at 310K. This fast and stable conformational change in ΔE22-Aβ1-39 can be used as a seed for the rapid fibril formation as observed in the experimental studies.
Contribution of lipid and protein oxidation to rheological differences between chicken white and red muscle myofibrillar proteins

Myofibrils isolated under different antioxidative conditions from three groups of chicken muscle [breast (Bctrl), leg (L), and breast with its iron and fat content adjusted to the level of leg muscle (Badj)] exhibited complex viscoelastic characteristics during thermal gelation. Without antioxidants in myofibril isolation buffer, Badj myofibrils had decreased storage moduli (G‘) and loss moduli (G‘‘) compared with Bctrl myofibrils, but these values were much higher than those of L myofibrils. Lipid oxidation (TBA value) was inhibited in myofibril samples prepared using antioxidant buffers. Antioxidant treatments increased G‘ and G‘‘ of Badj myofibrils to a level comparable to G‘ and G‘‘ of the Bctrl counterparts. Different distributions of prooxidants in chicken white and red myofibrillar proteins were not an apparent major factor causing functional discrepancies between the two types of proteins. The discrepancies could be ascribed largely to fiber type-dependent myosin isoforms and polymorphism. Keyword...
Hormonal regulation of mitochondrial function. Description of a system capable of mimicking several effects of glucagon

Isolated rat liver mitochondria were incubated at 0 degrees C in a medium consisting of 225 mM sucrose, 10 mM KCl, 1 mM EDTA, 10 mM KH2PO4, 5 mM MgCl2 and 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4 (buffer 1) for 10 min, centrifuged and resuspended in 0.3 M sucrose. This treatment resulted in a stimulation of mitochondrial functions, mimicking several of the effects that follow glucagon treatment of the intact rat or isolated hepatocytes. Both phosphate and potassium are required for this effect; the addition of magnesium serves to enhance it. Mitochondrial respiration is essential for the development of the activated state as the stimulation is blocked by increasing concentrations of rotenone in the incubation. The intramitochondrial ATP/ADP ratio is increased, but when this increase was prevented by including low levels of rotenone or oligomycin in buffer 1, the stimulation of mitochondrial function was not diminished, thus demonstrating that an increased ATP/ADP ratio is not essential for activation. The rate of citrulline formation was unaffected by buffer 1 treatment unless glutamate was also included in the medium, indicating that control of this mitochondrial function differs from other functions studied.
Overproduction of adenovirus DNA polymerase and preterminal protein in HeLa cells

Abstract Adenovirus (Ad) DNA polymerase (AdPol) and the preterminal protein (pTP) form a complex that is involved in the in vitro initiation of Ad DNA replication. Recombinant vaccinia viruses (vv) were constructed in which the genes encoding AdPol and pTP were cloned into a vaccinia/T7 hybrid expression-based vector downstream from the T7 promoter ( P T7 )/encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) 5'-untranslated region ( UTR ). HeLa cells infected with the recombinant vv-AdPol or vv-pTP or a mixture of both, together with the vv expressing T7 RNA polymerase produced significant levels of pTP and AdPol which were biologically active in the in vitro initiation of Ad DNA replication. These amounts of pTP and AdPol were only about two-fold less than the levels produced in insect cells infected with the recombinant baculovirus constructs expressing AdPol and pTP.
The evolution of gnathostome development: Insight from chondrichthyan embryology.

Chondrichthyans (cartilaginous fishes) represent one of the two lineages of gnathostomes, the other being the osteicthyans (bony fishes). Classical studies on chondrichthyan embryology have strongly impacted our views of vertebrate body plan evolution, while recent studies highlight oviparous chondrichthyans as emerging vertebrate model systems that are amenable to experimental embryological manipulation. Here, we review three particular areas of interest in the field of chondrichthyan developmental biology—gastrulation, neural development, and appendage patterning—and we discuss recentfindings within a broader chondrichthyan-osteichthyan comparative framework. In some cases, comparative studies of chondrichthyan and osteichthyan development reveal conserved patterns of gene expression in common developmental contexts. Studies of chondrichthyan gastrulation reveal conserved patterns of developmental gene expression, despite highly divergent modes of mesendoderm internalization, while molecular characterization of chondrichthyan neurogenic placodes indicates a conservation of placode transcription factor expression across gnathostome phylogeny. In other cases, comparative studies of chondrichthyan and osteichthyan development yield evidence of shared patterning mechanisms functioning in different developmental contexts. This is exemplified by studies on the development of chondrichthyan appendages—paired fins, median fins, and gill rays. These have demonstrated that a retinoic acid-responsive Shh-expressing signaling center functions to pattern the endoskeleton of gnathostome paired fins and chondrichthyan gill rays, while expression patterns of Tbx18 and HoxD family members are shared by gnathostome paired fins and chondrichthyan median fins. These findings fuel novel hypotheses of developmental genetic homology, and demonstrate how comparative studies of gnathostome development can provide insight into the evolutionary processes that underlie morphological diversity. genesis 47:825–841, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Induction of senescence‐associated growth inhibitors in the tumor‐suppressive function of retinoids

Retinoids, physiological regulators of cell growth and differentiation, are used in the treatment or chemoprevention of several malignant diseases. This class of compounds can induce growth arrest or apoptosis in tumor cells. Permanent growth arrest of retinoid-treated cells is often assumed to result from retinoid-induced differentiation. Recent studies in breast carcinoma and neuroblastoma cells demonstrated that retinoids can stop tumor cell growth through the program of senescence rather than differentiation. Retinoid-induced tumor suppression is associated with the induction of multiple intracellular and secreted growth-inhibitory proteins. Most of these proteins were also found to be upregulated in senescent cells. The induction of senescence-associated growth inhibitors appears to be an indirect effect of retinoids. Elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for the induction of growth-inhibitory genes in retinoid-treated cells should help in developing agents that would mimic the antiproliferative effect of retinoids in retinoid-insensitive cancers.
Effects of estrogen and progesterone on cytoplasmic estrogen receptor and rates of protein synthesis in rat uterus.

Abstract Changes in total cytoplasmic estrogen receptor (E2-Rc) concentrations were compared to changes in rates of protein synthesis after steroid treatment in uterine tissue of long-term castrate Sprague Dawley rats. Animals were treated with estradiol 17β (E2) alone or with progesterone (P4) after 24 h of E2 “priming”. E2-Rc concentration was “modulated” by E2 (0.1 μg I.P.) in two distinct temporal phases: (A) Short term depletion with restoration to basal E2-Rc/mg DNA occurred by 20 h after E2 treatment. (B) Increases in E2-Rc above basal levels were seen after 20–24 h. Twenty-four h after E2 treatment, the administration of P4 (1.0 mg s.c.) caused the elevated concentration of total E2-Rc to decrease to base line levels within 2h. As determined from E2-Rc decay experiments, modulation of E2-Rc by E2 or P4 was not caused by activation of some soluble cytoplasmic receptor precursor nor by degradation (through proteolytic enzymes) of functional E2-Rc. Uterine protein synthesis was monitored by pulse-labeling with [35S]-methionine under the same treatment schedule as used for E2-Rc quantitation. Both E2 and P4 stimulated incorporation of [35S]-methionine into ribosomal, cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions. Increases in rates of [35S]-methionine incorporation were interpreted as a demonstration of “hypertrophy”. Since hypertrophy accompanied treatment with both estradiol and progesterone, and since differential modulation of E2-Rc followed treatment with these steroids, the increase in E2-Rc concentration following E2 treatment appears to be a specific event which is distinct from hypertrophy. It is proposed that estrogen mediated increases in E2Rc concentration represent a mechanism of molecular amplification which contributes in part to the cascading growth observed in the uterus. Conversely, progesterone antagonizes estrogen stimulation by depleting E2-Rc concentration (in some unknown manner) thereby providing a biochemical “brake” to estrogen stimulation.
Sex mortality differences in The United States: The role of cohort smoking patterns

This article demonstrates that over the period 1948–2003, sex differences in mortality in the age range 50–84 widened and then narrowed on a cohort basis rather than on a period basis. The cohort with the maximum excess of male mortality was born shortly after the turn of the century. Three separate data sources suggest that the turnaround in sex mortality differences is consistent with sex differences in cigarette smoking by cohort. An age-period-cohort model reveals a highly significant effect of smoking histories on men’s and women’s mortality. Combined with recent changes in smoking patterns, the model suggests that sex differences in mortality will narrow dramatically in coming decades.
Interest Group Activity in the States

This paper utilizes a survey of 595 state lobbyists and 301 state organizations to address four questions about interest group activity in the states: (1) What techniques do groups in the states use? (2) How much do groups in the states do? (3) How do techniques differ across group types? (4) What types of groups are most active in the states? The data suggest that techniques do not differ much across group types; that, contrary to the subgovernment model, very few groups and lobbyists exhibit specialization between or within branches of state government; and that most groups take an interest in a large number of policy proposals However, it appears that groups, though they monitor a large number of policy proposals, are inactive advocates on the vast majority of bills before the state legislature Ironically, we believe that one result of all this group activity may be a tilting of the locus of power in state politics toward elected and appointed officials and away from interest groups.
Interaction of maternal protein and carbon monoxide on pup mortality in mice: implications for global infant mortality

BACKGROUND: The United States Surgeon General declared 2005 as the “Year of Healthy Child.” To improve the health of all children, we need to start before pregnancy, with their mothers. Unfortunately, protein deficiency in the diets of poor pregnant mothers in developing countries is widespread. Carbon monoxide (CO) pollution is serious public health problem in developed and developing countries. METHODS: A two-way factorial experimental design was used. Mice were maintained on 27%, 16%, 8%, or 4% protein diets. Dams were exposed to 0 ppm (control), 65 ppm, or 125 ppm CO in air, in environmental chambers for 6 hr/day during the first 2 weeks of pregnancy. Controls were also subjected to environmental chamber conditions. Food and water were available at all times. Animals were allowed to deliver, and data on pup mortality was recorded. RESULTS: Litter size was not affected by CO exposure, but was directly related to the dietary protein levels. Pup weight was inversely related to the CO exposure level, and directly related to the dietary protein levels. Pup mortality on date of birth was increased by CO exposure and was inversely related to the dietary protein levels. Pup mortality at 1 week of age was increased by CO exposure and 55% of all pups died in 125 ppm CO exposed group. Pup mortality at 1 week of age was inversely related to dietary protein levels. All pups in the 4% dietary protein and in all concentrations of CO died. All pups in the 8% protein group and in all CO concentrations died except in 125 ppm CO group. Pup mortality in the 16% dietary protein group ranged from 14.8% in 0 ppm to 36.8% in 65 ppm CO groups. Pup mortality in the 27% dietary protein group ranged from 14.3% in the 0 ppm to 41.1% in the 125 ppm CO groups. CONCLUSIONS: DATA suggest that protein deficiency and CO exposure enhance pup mortality. The protein and CO also interact to increase pup mortality in 16% and 27% protein groups. Carbon monoxide exposure, along with protein deficiency during gestation, may be contributing factors for high rates of infant mortality in developing countries. The results of the study also suggest that un-vented combustion for heating and cooking, ambient pollution, and biomass smoke may have a major impact on the health of children worldwide; and may explain the causes of high infant mortality in poor countries and some sections of the United States population. Birth Defects Research (Part B) 77:216–226, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Temporal dynamics of binocular disparity processing with corticogeniculate interactions

A neural model is developed to probe how corticogeniculate feedback may contribute to the dynamics of binocular vision. Feedforward and feedback interactions among retinal, lateral geniculate, and cortical simple and complex cells are used to simulate psychophysical and neurobiological data concerning the dynamics of binocular disparity processing, including correct registration of disparity in response to dynamically changing stimuli, binocular summation of weak stimuli, and fusion of anticorrelated stimuli when they are delayed, but not when they are simultaneous. The model exploits dynamic rebounds between opponent ON and OFF cells that are due to imbalances in habituative transmitter gates. It shows how corticogeniculate feedback can carry out a top-down matching process that inhibits incorrect disparity responses and reduces persistence of previously correct responses to dynamically changing displays.
Measurement and Correlation of the Thermal Conductivity of Methylcyclohexane and Propylcyclohexane from (300 to 600) K at Pressures to 60 MPa

New experimental data on the thermal conductivity of methylcyclohexane and propylcyclohexane are reported that allow the development of wide-range correlations. These new experimental data, covering a temperature range of (300 to 600) K and a pressure range of (0.1 to 60) MPa, are used to develop correlations for the thermal conductivity. The experimental data reported here have an uncertainty of less than 1 % for measurements removed from the critical point and for gas at pressures above 1 MPa, increasing to 3 % in the critical region and for gas at low pressures (less than 1 MPa). On the basis of the uncertainty of and comparisons with the present data, the thermal conductivity correlations for methylcyclohexane and propylcyclohexane are estimated to have a relative uncertainty of about 4 % at a 95 % confidence level. The present data include a contribution due to thermal radiation that increases in proportion to temperature cubed up to an estimated value from 2 % to 3 % near 600 K.
Abstract LB-180: Prevention of NNK-induced lung cancer in mice by anti-estrogen therapy

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Discussion Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-180.
Tuberculosis as the cause of fever of unknown origin: A review

Abstract All reported series of fever of unknown origin were reviewed to determine the frequency of tuberculosis as the final diagnosis in this syndrome. Thirty-seven series from 1930 to 1995 were identified, comprising 3056 patients. Tuberculosis accounted for 7.9% of all diagnoses. Although methods of diagnoses changed over the period reviewed, rates of tuberculosis were relatively stable. Of 1366 patients with specific information regarding site of tuberculosis, extrapulmonary tuberculosis accounted for 4.8% of all cases and pulmonary tuberculosis 2.3% Tuberculosis continues to be the final diagnosis in a significant proportion of patients with fever of unknown origin. Consideration should be given to empirical antituberculous therapy in persons with fever of unknown origin and a thorough but unrevealing workup.
Can line clinicians master the conceptual complexities of dialectical behavior therapy? An evaluation of a State Department of Mental Health training program

Abstract Dialectical behavior therapy for borderline personality disorder has rapidly attained wide-spread popularity, with one indication being the development of training initiatives by the Department of Mental Health within at least two States in USA. Efficacy data published by the originator of the treatment, Marsha Linehan, and her colleagues, probably accounts at least in part for this popularity. However, the complexity of DBT raises a fundamental question regarding these broader applications: can clinicians of diverse backgrounds acquire a shared and sophisticated understanding of the treatment theory? The clinical utility of a treatment rests heavily upon ease of dissemination (APA, Template for developing guidelines: Interventions for mental disorders and psychosocial aspects of physical disorders. Washington, DC: Author, 1995), and in that regard DBT — a complicated, multifaceted approach — could appear vulnerable. This vulnerability is heightened when institutional adoption involves the collaboration of numerous clinicians, who, despite occupying diverse roles, must nevertheless develop a shared understanding of the treatment. Using a detailed examination of DBT knowledge, we evaluated the conceptual mastery of 109 clinicians trained via a State Department of Mental Health initiative. Performance on the examination correlated specifically with DBT training. Prior education or background in behavior therapy accounted for little variance, indicating that clinicians occupying diverse roles acquired reasonable intellectual mastery over this complex model.
The involvement of calcium in contractility in the ciliated protozoan, Spirostomum ambiguum

Calcium involvement in the contractile process has been studied in Spirostomum. The intracellular binding of calcium has been examined with radiolabeled calcium. Changes in the probability of contraction to repetitive vibratory and electrical stimulation have been characterized after incubation of Spirostomum in the calcium chelater, EGTA.
The Taming of the NF-κB: PP4R1 navigates while PP4c dephosphorylates

The NF-κB signaling pathway is important in the regulation of physiological and malignant hematopoiesis. In this issue of Immunity, Brechmann et al. (2012) identify a phosphatase, PP4R1, that inhibits NF-κB activation in T cells and T cell lymphoma.
Attachment Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, and Adolescent Dating Violence Perpetration: A Longitudinal Mediation Analysis

Adolescent dating violence (ADV) is a prevalent public health issue that has been linked to many negative effects, including attachment anxiety and depressive symptoms. Previous literature suggests that the negative mental states characteristic of attachment anxiety could be associated with dating violence perpetration. Similarly, the negative mental states characteristic of depression have also been linked to perpetration, and might potentially increase an anxiously attached individual’s likelihood of engaging in dating violence perpetration. This study used a 10-month longitudinal design with a sample of 140 middle school and high school students from Southern California. Participants ranged in age from 13 to 18 years and were ethnically diverse. The study aimed at exploring depressive symptoms as a potential mediator for the relationship between attachment anxiety and ADV perpetration. Positive associations were found between attachment anxiety and perpetration (10 months after), attachment anxiety and...
Transforming linear functions to normality:optimal component powers

This paper considers the analysis of linear models where the response variable is a linear function of observable component variables. For example, scores on two or more psychometric measures (the component variables) might be weighted and summed to construct a single response variable in a psychological study. A linear model is then fit to the response variable. The question addressed in this paper is how to optimally transform the component variables so that the response is approximately normally distributed. The transformed component variables, themselves, need not be jointly normal. Two cases are considered; in both cases, the Box-Cox power family of transformations is employed. In Case 1, the coefficients of the linear transformation are known constants. In Case II, the linear function is the first principal component based on the matrix of correlations among the transformed component variables. For each case, an algorithm is described for finding the transformation powers that minimize a generalized Anderson-Darling statistic. The proposed transformation procedure is compared to likelihood-based methods by means of simulation. The proposed method rarely performed worse than likelihood-based methods and for many data sets performed substantially better. As an illustration, the algorithm is applied to a problem from rural sociology and social psychology; namely scaling family residences along an urban-rural dimension.
Dynamic Characterization of Biomimetic Artificial Hair Cells

The research presented in this paper investigates the relationship between fluid flow characteristics in an artificial cochlear environment and artificial hair cell sensor response. First, a lipid bilayer-based hair cell sensor is created to model the inner hair cells of the human cochlea. The artificial cochlear environment is then fabricated to recreate the pulsating fluid flow around the artificial inner hair cell stereocilia. Mechanical excitation creates sinusoidal fluid flows in the artificial cochlear environment at a range of frequencies determined by the response of the hair cell sensor in air. For excitation frequencies at and below 40 Hz, the response of the hair cell sensor is approximately equal to the control case having no bilayer. At these low frequencies, bilayer dynamics do not appear to lead to current generation. At frequencies at and above 70 Hz, and in the absence of an externally applied DC offset across the bilayer, the hair cell sensors featuring a bilayer generate up to double the RMS current. Therefore, for excitation frequencies at and above 70 Hz, bilayer dynamics play a significant role in hair cell sensor response. Further testing of the hair cell sensor shows that applying a DC offset across the bilayer increases the peak-to-peak sensor output by up to a factor of 80.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Comparative activities of combinations of acyclovir, vidarabine or its 5′-monophosphate, and cloned human interferons against herpes simplex virus type 2 in human and mouse fibroblast cultures

Abstract Human interferon-αA/D (Bgl), an alpha-hybrid cloned interferon, displays activity in both human and mouse cell lines. We measured the effects of this interferon in double and triple combinations with acyclovir, vidarabine or its 5′-monophosphate against herpes simplex virus type 2 in mouse and human fibroblasts. A 75% cytopathic effect reduction assay employing a modified checkerboard technique was used. Results in human fibroblasts were compared with those obtained when recombinant human interferon α 2 was substituted for the hybrid. Combinations of the hybrid interferon and nucleoside antiviral agents evoked comparable synergistic isobolograms and fractional inhibitory concentration indices in human and mouse cells versus herpes simplex virus type 2. Similar interactions were found when human interferon- α 2 was substituted. Uninfected cells treated with the tested combinations showed no toxicity. These data suggest that combinations of recombinant human interferonα-A/D (Bgl) and nucleosides in mouse models of herpes infection deserve study.
Shoot inversion-induced ethylene production: a general phenomenon?

Shoot inversion induction of ethylene production was found in inverted shoots of corn, peas, soybean, sunflower, tomato, andPharbitis nil. The increases in ethylene production were found to range from two- to threefold in soybean to eightfold in corn and sunflower. The occurrence of peaks of ethylene production ranged from 16 h following shoot inversion in corn to 72 h inPharbitis. That the enhanced ethylene production was due to activation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase is supported by the finding of increased ACC content in inverted shoots of all species tested. Shoot inversion inhibition of elongation was found in inverted shoots of pea, soybean, sunflower, tomato, andPharbitis nil. This inhibition is thought to be mediated via increased ethylene production in the inverted shoots. That shoot inversion induction of ethylene is not a persistent effect is supported by the finding that ethylene synthesis could be terminated by reorientation of shoots to the upright position and could be reinitiated by the subsequent inversion of the shoots. The effects of shoot inversion on the enhancement of ethylene production and on the inhibition of elongation of the inverted shoot appear to be general phenomena.
Scaling at the conformational rod-to-coil transition

The authors present evidence for the partial suppression of self-avoidance effects in the rod-to-coil transition scaling, observed recently in numerical simulations. The scaling ansatz is examined critically, and also checked explicitly in a soluble model on a partially directed lattice.
LONG-WAVE INFRARED AND TERAHERTZ-FREQUENCY LASING BASED ON SEMICONDUCTOR NANOCRYSTALS

ALTAIR Center develops long-wave infrared (LWIR) and terahertz-frequency (THz) lasers operating at room temperature employing intraband luminescence in colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, in which the optical transition frequencies can be easily tuned to the desired values by an appropriate choice of the semiconductor material and radius of the nanocrystals.
Seasonal variability of near‐surface hydrography and frontal features in the northern Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound

[1] The meridional structure and seasonal cycles of near-surface hydrography and frontal features in the northern Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound are described from high-resolution measurements of near-surface temperature and salinity acquired by a vessel-mounted thermosalinograph. Near-surface temperature exhibits a well-defined seasonal cycle with little variation between basin and shelf waters. Near-surface salinity exhibits a well-defined seasonal cycle that is confined largely to the shelf waters reflecting the influence of coastal freshwater inputs. Prominent near-surface fronts at the shelf break, at the entrance to Prince William Sound, and in northern Prince William Sound intensify and weaken following the seasonal cycles of freshwater discharges into the northern Gulf of Alaska. These respective fronts are maintained by freshwater from the Alaska Coastal Current, the Copper River, and the snowfields and glaciers of northern Prince William Sound.
Amorphous cyclosporin nanodispersions for enhanced pulmonary deposition and dissolution.

Abstract Aqueous colloidal dispersions of amorphous cyclosporin A (CsA) nanoparticles, intended for pulmonary delivery, were formed by antisolvent precipitation and stabilized with 10% polysorbate 80. Dissolution of the dispersion of CsA nanoparticles produced supersaturation values 18 times the aqueous equilibrium solubility. Nebulization of the dispersion to mice produced therapeutic lung levels and systemic concentrations below toxic limits. The sizes of the aerosolized aqueous droplets are optimal for deep lung deposition, whereas the amorphous drug nanoparticles facilitate rapid dissolution. A dissolution/permeation model was developed to characterize the effects of particle size, solubility, and drug dose on the absorption half-lives of poorly water soluble drugs in the alveolar epithelium. For crystalline 3 µm particles with a solubility of 1 µg/mL, the half-life for absorption was estimated to be 500 min. The half-life may be reduced to less than 1 min by increasing the solubility by a factor of 100 with an amorphous form as well as by decreasing the particle size 10-fold. The in vitro and in vivo data, as well as the dissolution/permeation model, indicate that nebulization of amorphous nanoparticle suspensions has the potential to enhance lung epithelial absorption markedly for poorly water soluble drugs, relative to respiratory delivery of crystalline, micron-sized particles.
RAPID DETERMINATION OF FREE ERYTHROCYTE PORPHYRIN AND MEAN CORPUSCULAR VOLUME IN THE SCREENING DETECTION OF IRON DEFICIENCY AND THALASSEMIA TRAIT

Free erythrocyte porphyrin (FEP) levels and red cell indices (Coalter Counter Model S) were determined in 70 normal subjects, 52 with iron deficiency and 29 with thalassemia trait in order to determine if these procedures were suitable as screening techniques for the detection and initial diagnosis of iron deficiency and thalassemia minor in subjects with microcytosis. FEP levels were increased in 90.2% of subjects with iron deficiency (mean 167 meg/100 ml RBC's; range 18-700), while in 96.6% of subjects with thalassemia trait, FEP levels were normal (less than 70 meg/100 ml RBC's). Mean FEP values increased slightly as transferrin saturations decreased but became abnormally elevated when the transferrin saturation was less than 15%. Although subjects with iron deficiency exhibited mean corpuscular volumes in the range 46-84 μ3, subjects with beta thalassemia trait had values of 70 μ3 or less (mean 62 μ3; range 53-70). All non-thalassemic subjects with mean corpuscular volumes less than 70 μ3 had transferrin saturations of less than 15%. In patients with microcytosis, the combined use of the electronic determination of mean corpuscular volume and rapid assay of FEP should be suitable for initial separation of patients with iron deficiency from those with thalassemia minor.
Isolation of biosurfactant-producing bacteria from the Rancho La Brea Tar Pits.

This research was conducted to identify culturable surfactant-producing bacterial species that inhabit the 40,000-year-old natural asphalt seep at the Rancho La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, CA. Using phenanthrene, monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and tryptic soy broth as growth substrates, culturable bacteria from the tar pits yielded ten isolates, of which three species of gamma-proteobacteria produced biosurfactants that accumulated in spent culture medium. Partially purified biosurfactants produced by these strains lowered the surface tension of water from 70 to 35–55 mN/m and two of the biosurfactants produced ‘dark halos’ with the atomized oil assay, a phenomenon previously observed only with synthetic surfactants. Key findings include the isolation of culturable biosurfactant-producing bacteria that comprise a relatively small fraction of the petroleum-degrading community in the asphalt.
Redshift and luminosity dependence of the linear sizes of powerful radio galaxies

The redshift and luminosity dependence of the linear sizes of powerful radio galaxies on epoch is investigated using samples of similar radio luminosity extending to z larger than about one. It is found that a strong evolution in linear sizes with epoch of a given form is required for q0 = 1/2. Fairly strong evolution is required even if the steep-spectrum compact sources which make an increasing contribution with redshift are excluded from the analysis. When linear size distributions of samples of radio galaxies of different luminosities are compared at similar redshifts, it is found that, at constant redshift, linear sizes increase with luminosity in a given way. Strong evidence is found that, for radio galaxies, the epoch and luminosity dependence of linear sizes can be factorized over the entire range of luminosity and redshift space.
Use of Ethnic-Sensitive Inventory (ESI) to Enhance Practitioner Skills with Minorities

This paper introduces an ethnic-sensitive inventory (ESI) to enhance practitioner skills with ethnic minorities. The theoretical conceptualization, methodological development and the psychometric properties of this inventory are presented along with its practical applications and limitations to social work practice and education.
Gene expression in first trimester preeclampsia placenta.

Background—The goal of this study was to further validate eight candidate genes identified in a microarray analysis of first trimester placentas in preeclampsia. Material and method—Surplus chorionic villus sampling (CVS) specimens of 4 women subsequently diagnosed with preeclampsia (PE) and 8 control women (C) without preeclampsia analyzed previously by microarray and 24 independent additional control samples (AS) were submitted for confirmatory studies by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR).
Activation energy for electrotransport in thin silver and gold films

Abstract The activation energy Δ H for electrotransport in thin silver and gold films was measured by a resistometric technique involving several individual resistance measurements along a stripe. The temperature of the center of the films was held constant during the entire experiment using a thin film thermocouple. For silver films, two distinct temperature regions with different activation energies were observed. Between 225° and 280°C Δ H was found to be 0.95 eV, which suggests predominance of ion movement in the grain boundaries, whereas at temperatures between 160° and 225°C Δ H was found to be 0.3 eV, which suggests surface-dominated electrotransport. In gold films a uniform activation energy of 0.98 eV was observed throughout the entire temperature range (260°–380°C).
Preformed secondary structure drives the association reaction of GCN4-p1, a model coiled-coil system.

The structure of the transition state for the rate-limiting step in the folding and association of the homodimeric coiled-coil peptide GCN4-p1, was probed by mutational analysis. A series of quadruple amino acid replacements that spanned the helix propensity scale were made at the four external f positions in the heptad repeat. Equilibrium and kinetic circular dichroism studies demonstrate that both the stability and the unfolding and refolding rate constants vary with helix propensity but also reflect interactions of the altered side-chains with their local environments. Pairwise replacements and fragment studies show that the two C-terminal heptads are the likely source of the nucleating helices. Helix-helix recognition between preformed elements of secondary structure plays an important role in this fundamental folding reaction.
Technical note: a new method for the Lagrangian tracking of pollution plumes from source to receptor using gridded model output

Abstract. Lagrangian particle dispersion models (LPDMs) are powerful and popular tools used for the analysis of atmospheric trace gas measurements. However, it can be difficult to determine the transport pathway of emissions from their source to a receptor using the standard gridded model output, particularly during complex meteorological scenarios. In this paper we present a method to clearly and easily identify the pathway taken by only those emissions that arrive at a receptor at a particular time, by combining the standard gridded output from forward (e.g., concentration) and backward (e.g., residence time) LPDM simulations. By comparing the pathway determined from this method with particle trajectories from both the forward and backward models, we show that this method successfully restores much of the Lagrangian information that is lost when the data are gridded. A sample analysis is presented, demonstrating that the source-to-receptor pathway determined from this method is more accurate and easier to use than existing methods using standard LPDM products (gridded fields of, e.g., concentrations and residence time). As demonstrated in an evaluation and an example application, the method requires agreement between the transport described by the forward and backward simulations and thus provides a means to assess the quality and reversibility of the simulation. Finally, we discuss the potential for combining the backward LPDM simulation with gridded data from other sources (e.g., chemical transport models) to obtain a Lagrangian sampling of the air that will eventually arrive at a receptor. Based on the advantages presented here, this new method can complement or even replace many of the standard uses of backward LPDM simulations.
Design of a wicking apparatus and environmental chamber to determine properties of prosthetic socks

Wickability is the ability of a fabric or fiber to draw moisture out of the prosthetic socket via capillary pressure after moisture permeates the fabric. This study will determine the wicking properties (capillary pressure and permeability), of prosthetic sock materials using a wicking test apparatus. An environmental chamber is needed to prevent moisture loss from the fabric sample via evaporation during experiments. Decreased evaporation will increase the repeatability of the results. The environmental chamber will control the relative humidity for a wicking test at 90% ± 2% at a temperature of 35†C ± 2†C.
Automatic estimation of multivariate spectra via smoothing splines

SUMMARY The classical method for estimating the spectral density of a multivariate time series is first to calculate the periodogram, and then to smooth it to obtain a consistent estimator. Typically, to ensure the estimate is positive definite, all the elements of the periodogram are smoothed the same way. There are, however, many situations for which different components of the spectral matrix have different degrees of smoothness. We propose a Bayesian approach that uses Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques to fit smoothing splines to each component, real and imaginary, of the Cholesky decomposition of the periodogram matrix. The spectral estimator is then obtained by reconstructing the spectral estimator from the smoothed Cholesky decomposition components. Our technique produces an automatically smoothed spectral matrix estimator along with samples from the posterior distributions of the parameters to facilitate inference.
Task granularity studies on a many-processor CRAY X-MP

A hybrid granularity model is proposed for general concurrent solution. It is applied to the triangular factorization of a dense matrix ranging in size from 4 to 1024. Concurrency is achieved at two levels: (1) with small (micro) task granularity and (2) with large (blocked) task granularity. Relevance to a many-processor CRAY X-MP is demonstrated by simulation.
Polymorphic microsatellite loci for tiger salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum

Microsatellites have been developed for few amphibian species. However, developing genetic markers for population genetic studies in amphibians is critical because amphibians are declining globally. The tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum , is widespread throughout the United States and includes the endangered subspecies, A. t. stebbinsi . We present primers and amplification conditions for 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci that have produced successful results in three subspecies of A. tigrinum . Number of alleles per locus ranged from one to 11 and heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.815 depending on the subspecies and locus analysed. These markers should prove useful for future studies of genetic diversity and population subdivision.
Solution and applications of the Lyapunov equation for control systems

Recent advances in control systems analysis and design have implied new uses for the Lyapunov equation of the form AX+XA/sup T/+Q=0. Implementation requirements for the incorporation of the use of Lyapunov equations in practical design, however, point out the need for a set of specialized numerical procedures. This special set of numerical procedures must efficiently solve large, sparse Lyapunov equations, solve sets of Lyapunov equations that differ only in the coefficient matrix Q, and provide good low rank estimates of the Lyapunov equation solution X in the case where low rank approximations are applicable. Discussions of the motivations for the solution of these problems and of candidate solution approaches are provided. >
Social Support and Spirituality as Culturally Relevant Factors in Coping Among African American Women Survivors of Partner Abuse

This study examined partner abuse, mental health, and coping in a sample of African American women survivors of partner abuse (N = 126). The mediating effects of social support and spirituality, as culturally relevant factors in coping, on the relationships between partner abuse and both depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were investigated. Findings from hierarchical regression analysis indicated that PTSD symptoms remain significantly related to partner abuse after controlling for the effects of social support and spirituality. Findings point to practice and research implications regarding African American women survivors’ mental health and ways of coping.