cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compact, tunable Wilkinson power divider using tunable synthetic transmission line

A very compact and frequency tunable Wilkinson power divider is suggested and demonstrated for the first time.By replacing λ/4 section lines in a conventional Wilkinson power divider with varactor tunable, lumped-element synthetic transmission lines, dramatical size reduction and frequency tunability has been achieved. The prototype circuit fabricated shows excellent performance. For tunable frequencies from 0.71 to 0.99 GHz, the insertion loss is less than 3.52 dB, whereas the return loss and isolation are greater than 20 dB. Yet, the size of this voltage controllable Wilkinson power divider is only 4 mm by 8 mm, which occupies less than 3% area of original Wilkinson power divider structure. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1434–1436, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25181
Molecular sequestration stabilizes CAP–DNA complexes during polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

The gel electrophoresis mobility shift assay is widely used for qualitative and quantitative characterization of protein complexes with nucleic acids. Often it is found that complexes that are short-lived in free solution (t1/2 of the order of minutes) persist for hours under the conditions of gel electrophoresis. We have investigated the influence of polyacrylamide gels on the pseudo first-order dissociation kinetics of complexes containing the E.coli cyclic AMP receptor protein (CAP) and lactose promoter DNA. Within the gel matrix, kdiss decreased with increasing [polyacrylamide] and the order of the reaction was changed. In free solution, kdiss was proportional to [DNA]2, while in 5% gels, kdiss was proportional to [DNA]0.3. In gels of [polyacrylamide] > or = 10%, kdiss was nearly independent of [DNA] until fragment concentrations exceeded 0.1 microM. Even in the absence of competing DNA, kdiss(gel) < kdiss(solution). These results suggest that the lifetime of CAP-DNA complexes in free solution is limited by their encounter frequency with molecules of DNA or with protein-DNA complexes; some or all of the stabilization observed in gels may be due to a reduction in this frequency.
A quality improvement initiative to reduce unnecessary follow-up imaging for adnexal lesions.

Our objective was to improve the quality of pelvic ultrasound reports and decrease the number of physiologic and benign adnexal lesions unnecessarily referred for follow-up. We performed a prospective cohort study of 2 quality improvement interventions: academic detailing with education for the ultrasound radiologists and sonographers, and implementation of a national consensus guideline on adnexal cysts. Our primary quality outcome measure was the proportion of pelvic ultrasound exams in which follow-up was recommended for an adnexal lesion. Baseline data collection in January 2006 identified 252 pelvic ultrasound exams, of which 58 (23%) reported an adnexal lesion and 31 (12%) recommended follow-up. Retrospective review revealed that 17 of 31 (55%) reported adnexal lesions with follow-up recommended were physiologic or benign. After intervention 1, 59 of 214 (28%) pelvic ultrasound exams from January 2008 reported an adnexal lesion, with 18 (8%) recommending follow-up. After intervention 2, 64 of 296 (22%) pelvic ultrasound exams from January 2011 reported an adnexal lesion, with 16 (5%) recommending follow-up. Follow-up recommendations decreased 58% (12% versus 5%, P = .004), with significant increase in the proportion characterized as physiologic or benign ( P = . 001). Through a quality initiative aimed at appropriate description and follow-up recommendations for adnexal cystic lesions identified at ultrasound, we effectively reduced unnecessary imaging referrals. We conclude that: (1) acceptance of an expert consensus guideline was important to add credibility, (2) accessible image-rich charts are invaluable tools at point of use, and (3) elimination of some unnecessary imaging is under the control of the radiologist.
Computer analysis of atrial pressure tracings in children.

Abstract Photokymographic records of atrial pressure tracings obtained during cardiac catheterization were analyzed manually to derive a computer algorithm relating the time of occurrence of the various atrial pressure parameters to heart rate. Application of this algorithm was made to atrial and venous pressure tracings. Accurate recognition and measurement of “a”, “x”, “v” and “y” waves and mean pressures was achieved by digital computer. The data also suggest that this method may also be successfully applied to the analysis of pulmonary venous and pulmonary arterial wedge pressures.
Energy budget of swarming male mosquitoes

. 1 The objective of this study was to determine, in the field, the energetic costs of swarming for male Anopheles freeborni (Diptera: Culicidae). By comparing the caloric contents of resting males to marked males captured after swarming, we established when sugar feeding takes place, what energy source is used to fuel swarming flight, and how much energy is invested in this activity. 2 Sugar-feeding takes place sometime during the night after swarming is concluded. Nectar sugars are therefore not immediately available to fuel flight. Stored sugars (trehalose and glucose) and glycogen are the primary sources of energy for flight. Lipids are not used to fuel flight but may be used in resting metabolism. 3 Male size is not related to feeding success. For males of all sizes, swarming consumes more than 50% of available calories. Accordingly, the ability of an individual to find and exploit nectar sources will greatly affect reproductive success.
EXSOLUTION OF HORNBLENDE AND THE SOLUBILITY LIMITS OF CALICUM IN ORTHOAMPHIBOLE

Exsolution between orthorhombic and monoclinic amphibole has been postulated for many years on the basis of crystal-chemical and structural differences. Transmission and analytical electron microscope examination of calium-rich gedrite specimens from southwestern New Hampshire has now revealed evidence for exsolution of calcic clinoamphibole (hornblende) from ferromagnesian orthoamphibole. Analytical electron microscopy data suggests that calcium has a low solubility limit in the orthoamphibole structure. The hornblende lamellae range from only a few unit cells in thickness to about 80 nanometers. The formation of the calcic amphibole lamellae resulted from heterogeneous nucleation and growth along pre-existing (100) stacking faults. Thus, the deformation processes producing the stacking faults played a key role in preparing the sites for exsolution.
Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy of Anxiety: A Transdiagnostic Treatment Manual.

Numerous empirically supported treatments (ESTs) exist for anxiety and related disorders; however, such treatments are seriously underutilized (e.g. Stein et al., 2011). Consequently, this manual b...
Widefield subsurface microscopy of integrated circuits

We apply the numerical aperture increasing lens technique to widefield subsurface imaging of silicon integrated circuits. We demonstrate lateral and longitudinal resolutions well beyond the limits of conventional backside imaging. With a simple infrared widefield microscope (λ0=1.2µm), we demonstrate a lateral spatial resolution of 0.26µm (0.22λ0) and a longitudinal resolution of 1.24µm (1.03λ0) for backside imaging through the silicon substrate of an integrated circuit. We present a spatial resolution comparison between widefield and confocal microscopy, which are essential in integrated circuit analysis for emission and excitation microscopy, respectively.
The role of multiple drug resistance proteins in fetal and/or placental protection against teratogen-induced orofacial clefting.

Previous studies have shown a role for multiple drug resistance proteins in protecting the fetus from a limited number of teratogens. We have expanded the number of proteins and teratogens examined by comparing the influence of the mdr1a and mdr2 proteins on teratogen-induced orofacial clefting using their respective knockouts in crosses with the A/J, high susceptibility strain. Western blots identified the presence of mdr1a and possibly mdr2 in the placenta and fetus. The mdr1a knockout, on its unique genetic background showed lower, similar, and higher incidences of clefting compared to A/J for Dilantin, hydrocortisone (HC), and 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN), respectively. The mdr2 knockout did not affect 6-AN clefting when compared to A/J. In reciprocal crosses, when corrected for increased spontaneous clefting, maternally inherited A/J susceptibility genes predominated over the effects of the maternal absence of mdr1a (with 6-AN). Unlike mdr1a, which had a direct effect in the fetus as shown by genotyping of affected versus unaffected fetuses, an effect of mdr2 in the fetus was not found. The mdr1a knockout was backcrossed to the A/J inbred strain for 11 generations (congenics) to eliminate genetic background effects. Reciprocal crosses showed no maternal effect from the lack of mdr1a, confirming that mdr1a expression in the fetus, rather than the placenta, protects the fetus from teratogens. Mdr2 seems not to be involved in the protection of the fetus from teratogens. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 1483–1489, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The added value of concurrently administered temozolomide versus adjuvant temozolomide alone in newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Purpose Temozolomide (TMZ), given concurrently with radiotherapy (RT) and as adjuvant monotherapy afterwards, has led to improved survival in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). However, it is unclear whether its primary mechanism of action is through enhancement of radiation response, independent cytotoxicity, or both. We sought to determine the relative contribution of concomitant temozolomide in patients treated by concurrent and adjuvant TMZ versus adjuvant TMZ alone in the setting of newly diagnosed GBM. Methods and Materials We identified patients diagnosed with GBM and treated with surgery, involved-field radiotherapy, and chemotherapy at MGH between 2002 and 2004. Eligible patients received either adjuvant temozolomide alone (group 1) or temozolomide concurrently with RT followed by adjuvant TMZ (group 2). The primary endpoint of this retrospective analysis was overall survival (OS). Results Forty-three patients (group 1, n = 21; group 2, n = 22) were included in this study. The median follow-up was 33.7 months for surviving patients. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between these two groups. On univariate analysis, patients who received concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide experienced a 2-year OS of 51% and median survival of 25.5 months, compared with a 2-year OS of 36% and median survival of 15.6 months for group 1 patients (P < 0.05). On multivariable analysis, the hazard ratio (HR) favoring concurrent TMZ trended towards significance (HR = 0.51, P = 0.08) despite modest patient numbers. Conclusions Concurrent and adjuvant TMZ was associated with improved survival compared to adjuvant TMZ alone, highlighting the potentiation of radiation effect by temozolomide in the clinical setting.
Diabetes and Sexual Health

Physical sexual health concerns associated with diabetes include impotence and retrograde ejaculation in males, and failure to lubricate and increased threshhold for orgasm in females. Desire problems for both males and females are rarely a result of diabetes. Psychosocial adaptation to changes in physical sexual function includes changes in self- esteem and alterations in relationships and noles. For some persons, the sexual alterations associated with diabetes represent a greater adjustment than any other aspect of the diabetes. An overview of the physical as well as the psychosocial sexual alterations in diabetes are presented as a basis for educating, coun seling, and referring patients who are experiencing sex ual health concerns.
Materials issues in solar thermal energy systems

Abstract The solar central receiver concept for the production of electrical energy or industrial process heat has been the subject of recent system and conceptual design studies. This paper explores the materials issues likely to be associated with the development of this technology. The scope of this paper is limited to concepts using nitrate salts as the heat transfer and energy storage media. Heliostat, fluid and containment materials are discussed with regard to system requirements, candidate materials, performance under simulated and field test experiments, and areas of future research. The emphasis is on materials which are the leading candidates for use in near-term systems.
Inhibition of Proliferation of Human Melanocytes by a KIT Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotide: Implications for Human Piebaldism and Mouse Dominant White Spotting (W)

KIT constitutes the cell surface transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine kinase for a growth factor variously termed steel factor (SLF), stem cell factor, mast cell growth factor, or Kit ligand. Inherited mutations of the KIT gene result in piebaldism in humans and dominant white spotting (W) in mice. Patches of hypopigmented skin and hair in these disorders represent regions lacking in melanocytes, the result of defective melanoblast differentiation, migration, proliferation, or survival during embryonic development. Here we show that incubation of normal human melanocytes with a KIT antisense oligodeoxynucleotide greatly inhibits cell proliferation in culture, whereas incubation with a KIT sense oligodeoxynucleotide has no effect. The KIT oligodeoxynucleotides also had little or no effect on cell survival.
Consumption of foods from the WIC food packages of Chinese prenatal patients on the US west coast.

Abstract Objective To assess consumption of foods from food packages provided by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) among 80 Chinese prenatal WIC recipients living in Oakland or San Francisco, Calif. Design During a single interview, a food frequency questionnaire was used to assess WIC food consumption by the prenatal patients for the period before and after receipt of WIC vouchers. Setting The study was conducted at Asian Health Services, Oakland, and the Chinatown Public Health Center of the San Francisco Department of Public Health in California. Subjects Eighty low-income Chinese prenatal women with limited education and limited ability to speak English, aged 21 to 43 years, with gestational stages of 15 to 38 weeks. Statistical analyses performed Descriptive statistics (frequency and percent distribution) were used to report the findings of the study. Results Subjects reported that before receiving WIC vouchers, milk, eggs, and juice were the only foods in their WIC food package that had been consumed frequently (>5 times/week) in their daily diet. Other WIC foods, including cheese, peanut butter, dried beans, and hot and cold cereals, were consumed infrequently (0 to 1 time/month). Subjects reported that with the availability of WIC vouchers, milk, eggs, and juice remained frequently consumed with 81% to 100% of monthly supply as the most prevalent reported consumption rate. Dried beans and hot and cold cereals were also consumed frequently. Cheese remained poorly consumed (0% to 20% of the monthly supply). As many as 74 of 80 subjects stated that they had shared foods from their own WIC package, except milk, with their families. The use of any WIC foods provided to other children in the family was not assessed in this study. Applications Data from this study indicate that most WIC foods were well used by Chinese prenatal patients. The most notable exception was cheese, which was poorly consumed. The ready consumption of milk by pregnant Chinese WIC recipients in this study suggests that milk may be readily consumed by these women, even though it is atypical of the Asian diet. The WIC food package for Chinese prenatal patients may be improved by omitting cheese and substituting more milk and/or foods such as tofu and dark green leafy vegetables. J Am Diet Assoc. 1999;99:1549–1553 .
Impact of integrated PET/CT on variability of target volume delineation in rectal cancer

Several studies have demonstrated substantial variability among individual radiation oncologists in defining target volumes using computed tomography (CT). The objective of this study was to determine the impact of combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) on inter-observer variability of target volume delineation in rectal cancer. We also compared the relative concordance of two PET imaging tracers, 18Ffluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and 18F-fluorodeoxythymidine (FLT), against conventional com puted tomography (CT). Six consecutive patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were enrolled onto an institutional protocol involving preoperative chemoradiotherapy and correlative studies including FDG- and FLT-PET scans acquired in the treatment position. Using these image data sets, four radiation oncologists independently delineated primary and nodal gross tumor volumes (GTVp and GTVn) for a hypothetical boost treatment. Contours were first defined based on CT alone with observers blinded to the PET images, then based on combined PET/CT. An inter-observer similarity index (SI), ranging from a value of 0 for complete disagreement to 1 for complete agreement of contoured voxels, was calculated for each set of volumes. For primary gross tumor volume (GTVp), the difference in estimated SI between CT and FDG was modest (CT SI = 0.77 vs. FDG SI = 0.81), but statistically signifi cant (p = 0.013). The SI difference between CT and FLT for GTVp was also slight (FLT SI = 0.80) and marginally non-significant (p < 0.082). For nodal gross tumor volume, (GTVn), SI was significantly lower for CT based volumes with an estimated SI of 0.22 compared to an estimated SI of 0.70 for FDG-PET/CT (p < 0.0001) and an estimated SI of 0.70 for FLT-PET/ CT (p < 0.0001). Boost target volumes in rectal cancer based on combined PET/CT results in lower inter-observer variability compared with CT alone, particularly for nodal disease. The use of FDG and FLT did not appear to be different from this perspective.
Susceptibility of Hyphantria cunea infected with the Diacrisia granulosis virus to its homologous baculoviruses

Abstract The interactions between the Diacrisia virginica granulosis virus (DGV) and the Hyphantria cunea baculovirus isolates were determined, utilizing defined differences between the time-mortality responses of these viruses fed to H. cunea larvae. The DGV, having a prolonged incubation period, when given an advantage in time or in the number of capsules, was able to prevent the expression of the more lethal H. cunea granulosis virus (HcGV) isolate. The time-mortality response of test larvae simultaneously fed equivalent dosages of HcGV and DGV was intermediate to that achieved with HcGV alone or DGV alone. Larvae infected with the DGV isolate were still susceptible to double infection by the nucleopolyhedrosis virus. The time-mortality response demonstrated that the development of nucleopolyhedrosis was only partly inhibited by preinfecting the test larvae with the DGV isolate.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of vecuronium administered by bolus and infusion during halothane or balanced anesthesia.

Vecuronium was administered to two patient groups as a single intravenous dose, 60µg/kg, combined with an infusion, 1µg/min/kg. Anesthesia was maintained for the first group with a halothane-nitrous oxide technique; the second group received fentanyl-barbiturate-tranquilizer-nitrous oxide. As the infusion ended, plasma vecuronium concentrations were 0.34 (±0.10) µg/ml for the halothane group and 0.32 (±0.07) µg/ml for the fentanyl group, associated with 93% (±8) and 88% (±10) twitch depression, respectively. Vecuronium plasma concentration-time data were combined with the simultaneous intensities of neuromuscular blockade to model the kinetic-dynamic values for each patient. For the halothane group the steady-state volume was 0.21 (±0.04) L/kg, the clearance was 2.9 (±0.1) ml/min/kg, and the elimination half-life was 100 (±36) minutes; for the fentanyl group these were 0.20 (±0.08) L/kg, 3.2 (±0.1) ml/min/kg, and 84 (±43) minutes, respectively. Plasma concentrations associated with 50% blockade averaged 0.2 µg/ml for both groups. Neither the pharmacokinetics nor the pharmacodynamics of vecuronium in humans differed between these two patient groups. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1987) 42, 459–464; doi:10.1038/clpt.1987.178
Seismicity simulation with a mass-spring model and a displacement hardening-softening friction law

Dieterich simulated aftershocks numerically, using a one-dimensional mass-spring model with a time-dependent friction law. But an important precursory phenomenon called ‘quiescence’ cannot be produced by this model unless, as Mikumo and Miyatake showed with a three-dimensional continuum model, a somewhat arbitrary bimodal distribution of frictional strength is assumed. Here we used the friction law proposed by Stuart, which is a displacement hardening-softening model, and simulated the quiescence. By varying the parameters of the friction law in our mass-spring model, we found a variety of seismicity patterns. When we choose extremely large critical displacement we get a recurrent sequence of creep followed by mainshock without small earthquakes. But when we choose a critical displacement in the same order of magnitude as the slip-weakening critical displacement estimated by Papageorgiou and Aki from strong motion data, we get a normal seismicity pattern, including quiescence before large events. This simple model points to a promising approach for the interpretation of the rupture process during an earthquake by the same physical model.
Abstract LB-306: The Ras exchange factor RasGRP1 opposes proliferative EGFR-SOS1 Ras signals and restricts intestinal epithelial cell growth

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA The character of EGFR signals can influence cell fate. Anti-EGFR treatment has been successful as cancer therapy but not in colorectal cancer (CRC) where activating somatic KRAS mutations (KRASMUT) are prevalent. While relevant to CRC, intestinal EGFR signaling is poorly understood, particularly in the context of KRASMUT. Here we show that two distinct Ras nucleotide exchange factors, RasGRP1 and SOS1, lie downstream of the EGFR but act in functional opposition to one another in the context of KRASMUT. RasGRP1 creates a negative feedback loop that limits EGFR-SOS1-Ras signals and restricts CRC growth. Genetic Rasgrp1 depletion from KRasMUT mice exacerbates intestinal epithelial cell growth and dysplasia, leading to a highly serrated colonic epithelium. Furthermore, low RasGRP1 expression in CRC patient specimens correlates with poor clinical outcome. The unexpected inhibitory role of EGFR-RasGRP1 signals in KRASMUT gastrointestinal malignancies reveals an intricacy of EGFR signaling that should be considered for future molecular therapeutics. Citation Format: Philippe Depeille, Linda M. Henricks, Robert van de Ven, Ed Lemmens, Mary Matli, Kevin M. Haigis, David Donner, Robert Warren, Jeroen P. Roose. The Ras exchange factor RasGRP1 opposes proliferative EGFR-SOS1 Ras signals and restricts intestinal epithelial cell growth. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-306. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-306
SPIDERS: A syringe pump system for in situ underwater dosing of benthic organisms

To determine how marine organisms respond to anthropogenic and natural stressors, it is important to treat these organisms with suspected ecotoxins in situ. It is also desirable to dose marine organisms with solutions for physiological studies (e.g., nutrients labeled with stable isotopes). The most appropriate tool for these types of studies is a syringe pump. However, all current syringe pumps use electrical motors and require a continuous electrical supply, which makes them unsuitable for most field deployments, particularly underwater. Here we describe a syringe pump that is powered by compressed air from standard SCUBA tanks. SPIDERS (Syringe Pumps Independently Deployable for Emission and Release of Solutions) allow the precise delivery of 20 independent treatment solutions. The rate that solutions are injected from SPIDERS can be adjusted from a couple of hours to 1 wk. Both the SCUBA tanks and treatment syringes can be changed underwater, permitting continuous and accurate dosing for long-term deployments. We also tested a variety of emitter designs that allow mixing of solutions with the surrounding water. SPIDERS are an adaptable platform for in situ treatment of benthic marine organisms that will allow ecotoxicology and other treatment studies to be moved from aquaria to the field.
Career Development Skills, Outcomes, and Hope Among College Students

The purpose of this study was twofold. First, the utility of the Integrative Contextual Model of Career Development (ICM) to describe the career development behavior of college students was examined. Second, relationships among educational and career development skills (career exploration, person–environment fit, goal setting, social/prosocial/work readiness, self-regulated learning, and the utilization of emotional and instrumental support), educational and career development outcomes (self-efficacy, positive self-attributions, vocational identity, magnitude of vocational interests, and proactivity), and two components of hope (agency and pathways) among college students were explored. Results indicated that ICM is a useful model for college students and that the interrelated skills predicted the interrelated outcomes. The agency aspect of hope predicted both skills and outcomes; and skills or outcomes predicted agency. Pathways were not predictive of nor predicted by skills or outcomes. Suggestions abou...
Avian tropomyosin gene expression.

Abstract Sequence analysis of overlapping fragments from a quail genomic library has revealed a tropomyosin gene consisting of 13 exons spaced over about 18 kilobase pairs of DNA. Skeletal muscle and smooth muscle transcripts share the same 5' untranslated sequence and may initiate from the same promoter. However, the regions encoding amino acids 39-80 and 258-284 are specific to each muscle type. The two sets of exons encoding these regions undergo mutually exclusive alternative splicing in a tissue-specific manner as determined by Northern blots and S1-nuclease protection. Similarly, the 3' ends of the transcripts are different in skeletal muscle and smooth muscle, and each contains two polyadenylation signals which appear to be utilized in vivo. The avian alpha-tropomyosin gene is not expressed in cardiac muscle. The sequence of the gene shows great homology with other muscle-specific tropomyosins and includes a region homologous to the amino terminus of nonmuscle tropomyosins.
Pattern of sodium excretion accompanying starvation

Abstract To delineate the pattern of electrolyte excretion accompanying starvation, 16 obese, healthy volunteers receiving a constant fluid and electrolyte intake were fasted for 10 and 15 days on a metabolic ward. In separate studies, fat and then protein were isocalorically substituted for dietary carbohydrate in order to determine the amount of carbohydrate necessary to prevent the electrolyte losses induced by starvation. When dietary carbohydrate is reduced to 50 g daily through isocaloric substitution with fat, a pattern of sodium excretion, which is identical to that induced by starvation, develops. Isocaloric substitution of carbohydrate by protein did not affect sodium balance. The electrolyte changes that accompany starvation and subsequent carbohydrate refeeding are divided into three phases: (1) the natriuretic phase (early starvation); (2) the phase of sodium conservation (protracted starvation); and (3) the anti-natriuretic phase of refeeding.
Lack of referential vocal learning from LCD video by grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus)

Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) do not acquire referential English labels when tutored with videotapes displayed on CRT screens if (a) socially isolated, (b) reward for attempted labels is possible, (c) trainers direct birds’ attention to the monitor, (d) live video feed avoids habituation or (d) one trainer repeats labels produced on video and rewards label attempts. Because birds learned referential labels from live tutor pairs in concurrent sessions, we concluded that video failed because input lacked live social interaction and modeling (Pepperberg, 1999). Recent studies (e.g. Ikebuchi & Okanoya, 1999), however, suggest that standard CRT monitor flickering could instead have prevented learning. Using an LCD monitor, we found that eliminating flickering did not enable birds to learn from video under conditions of limited social interaction. Results emphasize the role of social interaction in referential label learning and may generalize to other systems (e.g. disabled children, or possibly software and robotic agents).
Targeted disruption of the mouse transforming growth factor-β1 gene results in multifocal inflammatory disease

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is a multifunctional growth factor that has profound regulatory effects on many developmental and physiological processes. Disruption of the TGF-beta 1 gene by homologous recombination in murine embryonic stem cells enables mice to be generated that carry the disrupted allele. Animals homozygous for the mutated TGF-beta 1 allele show no gross developmental abnormalities, but about 20 days after birth they succumb to a wasting syndrome accompanied by a multifocal, mixed inflammatory cell response and tissue necrosis, leading to organ failure and death. TGF-beta 1-deficient mice may be valuable models for human immune and inflammatory disorders, including autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection and graft versus host reactions.
Effects of prestrain, rate of prestrain, and temperature on the stress-relaxation behavior of eutectic Sn-3.5Ag solder joints

Stress-relaxation studies on eutectic Sn-Ag solder (Sn-3.5Ag in wt.%) joints were carried out at various temperatures after imposing different amounts and rates of simple shear strain. Stress-relaxation parameters were evaluated by subjecting geometrically realistic solder joints with a nominal joint thickness of ∼100 µm and a 1 mm × 1 mm solder-joint area. The peak shear stress during preloading and residual shear stress resulting from stress relaxation were higher at the low-temperature extremes than those at high-temperature extremes. Also, those values increased with increasing simple shear strain and the rate of simple shear strain imposed prior to the stress-relaxation events. The relaxation stress is insensitive to simple shear strain at 150°C, but at lower temperatures, a faster rate of simple shear strain causes a higher relaxed-stress value. The resulting deformation structures observed from the solder-joint side surfaces were also strongly affected by these parameters. At high temperature, grain-boundary sliding effects were commonly observed. At low temperature, intense shear bands dominated, and no grain-boundary sliding effects were observed.
Atomic Force Microscope Chemically Induced Direct Processing

Interest in room-temperature operable quantum effect devices has created a need for simple and inexpensive nanofabrication techniques. By applying a bias to a conductive AFM tip, we have succeeded in fabricating narrow (~30 nm) oxide lines on a variety of metal and III-V semiconductor substrates. The effects of different drawing parameters such as tip bias, translation speed, ambient atmosphere, and substrate doping on line quality were explored.
Approach Slopes for Midwest Guardrail System

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Roadside Design Guide recommends that W-beam guardrails should not be placed on roadside slopes steeper than 10H:1V. With the development of the Midwest Guardrail System (MGS), the higher mounting height and deeper blockout may provide sufficiently improved performance to relax that recommendation. An LS-DYNA simulation study was conducted to determine that an 8:1 slope, with a barrier placement of 1.5 m down from the slope-break point, was the critical condition for determining the maximum allowable slope for the MGS. Subsequently, two full-scale vehicle crash tests were performed on the system according to Test Level 3 specified in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report (NCHRP) No. 350, Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features. The first test was with a pickup truck, impacting the system at a speed and angle of 100.4 km/h and 25.9 degrees, respectively. The second test was pe...
Origins of linear and nonlinear recursive restoration algorithms

Linear and nonlinear image restoration methods have been studied in depth but have always been treated separately. In this paper several well-known linear and nonlinear restoration methods are written as recursive algorithms, and some new recursive algorithms are developed. The nonlinear restoration algorithms are based on the assumption that the noise is either a Poisson or a Gaussian process. The linear algorithms are shown to be related to the nonlinear methods through the partial derivative, with respect to the object, of a Poisson or a Gaussian likelihood function. A table of results is given, along with applications to real imagery.
Teaching strategies associated with conceptual change learning in Science

The use of teaching strategies associated with a conceptual change model of science teaching was examined in a study of thirteen 7th-grade life science teachers. Teachers taught units on photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and matter cycling in ecosystems in their regular classes under conditions varying as to whether or not conceptual change-oriented instructional materials and training sessions were provided. Greater use of conceptual change teaching strategies was associated with use of the special instructional materials, but not with the training. Students in classes where teachers were provided with the materials tended to perform better on posttests than those where such materials were not provided. The use of the conceptual change strategies by teachers was also associated with higher student performance on tests designed to assess conceptual change learning. The results support claims for the usefulness of conceptual change teaching strategies, but few of the teachers in this study could successfully implement these strategies without the support of appropriately designed curriculum materials.
New Reagents for Increasing ESI Multiple Charging of Proteins and Protein Complexes

The addition of m-nitrobenzyl alcohol (m-NBA) was shown previously (Lomeli et al., J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 2009, 20, 593–596) to enhance multiple charging of native proteins and noncovalent protein complexes in electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra. Additional new reagents have been found to “supercharge” proteins from nondenaturing solutions; several of these reagents are shown to be more effective than m-NBA for increasing positive charging. Using the myoglobin protein-protoporphyrin IX (heme) complex, the following reagents were shown to increase ESI charging: benzyl alcohol, m-nitroacetophenone, m-nitrobenzonitrile, o-NBA, m-NBA, p-NBA, m-nitrophenyl ethanol, sulfolane (tetramethylene sulfone), and m-(trifluoromethyl)-benzyl alcohol. Based on average charge state, sulfolane displayed a greater charge increase (61%) than m-NBA (21%) for myoglobin in aqueous solutions. The reagents that promote higher ESI charging appear to have low solution-phase basicities and relatively low gas-phase basicities, and are less volatile than water. Another feature of mass spectra from some of the active reagents is that adducts are present on higher charge states, suggesting that a mechanism by which proteins acquire additional charge involves direct interaction with the reagent, in addition to other factors such as surface tension and protein denaturation.
Overview of virtual intelligence (VI)

Virtual Intelligence (VI) is defined as neural networks (NN), fuzzy systems (FZ), evolutionary computation (EC) and virtual reality (VR). This overview provides motivational material and an update on research. Some potential interactions of VI components are described. Hot topics and new approaches such as Pulse Coupled Neural Networks (PCNNs) are reviewed. Pointers to websites and printed material are provided. More detailed information can be found in the upcoming CRC Handbook on Applications of Computational Intelligence (eds. M. Padgett, N. Karayiannis and L. Zadeh) and CRC Handbook on NeuroControl (eds. Jorgensen, Werbos and Padgett).
High yield synthesis of molecular brushes via ATRP in miniemulsion

Molecular brushes were successfully synthesized in miniemulsion systems via activators generated by electron transfer (AGET) ATRP. Confinement of the polymerization reaction within miniemulsion droplets (Dhydro = 275 ± 10 nm) effectively avoided the problem of macroscopic gelation observed in bulk polymerization. The side-chain polymers grew rapidly from the backbones within the droplets which resulted in high monomer conversion in a relatively short time. Molecular visualization by AFM proved that a small amount of cross-linking did occur only at high monomer conversions. However, this microscopic gelation showed no effect on the miniemulsion stability, and therefore the synthesized materials can still be easily used. Thus, the miniemulsion approach leads to preparation of polymer brushes in higher yields as compared to bulk or solution processes.
Taking microRNAs to heart

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of highly conserved, small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. The emerging field of miRNA biology has begun to reveal roles for these regulatory molecules in a wide range of biological processes. Dysregulated miRNA expression has been correlated to diseased hearts in human patients, whereas inhibiting the maturation of miRNAs conditionally in murine hearts has revealed that miRNAs are essential for cardiac development and function. Moreover, genetic studies have identified distinct roles for specific miRNAs during cardiogenesis, cardiac hypertrophy and electrical conduction. These previously unrecognized relationships shed new light on the regulatory mechanisms underlying heart development and pathology and suggest the potential importance of miRNAs as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease.
Conjugate transforms for τT semigroups of probability distribution functions

Abstract This paper introduces the use of conjugate transforms in the study of τT semigroups of probability distribution functions. If Δ+ denotes the space of one-dimensional distribution functions concentrated on [0, ∞) and T is a t-norm, i.e., a suitable binary operation on [0, 1], then the operation τT is defined for F, G in Δ+by τT(F, G)(x) = supu+v = x T(F(u), G(v)) for all x. The pair (Δ+, τT) is then a semigroup. For any Archimedean t-norm T, a conjugate transform CT is defined on (Δ+, τT). These transforms are shown to play a role similar to that played by the Laplace transform on the convolution semigroup. Thus a theory of “characteristic functions” for τT semigroups is developed. In addition to establishing their basic algebraic properties, we also use conjugate transforms to study the algebraic questions of the cancellation law, infinitely divisible elements, and solutions of equations in τT semigroups.
Plant Biology in the Fourth Dimension

The nature of time has long been an obsession for philosophers, scientists, and laymen. This nearly universal interest in time is encapsulated by the fact that the quotation “Time is nature’s way of keeping everything from happening at once” has been attributed to both Woody Allen and Albert
Comment on "closing the loop on bond selective chemistry using tailored strong field laser pulses".

The work by Levis andRabitz in the ﬁeld of laser control achieved great importancedue to their result of having controlled a complex bondrearrangement reaction (Scheme 2, in ref 2; Scheme 3c in ref3), speciﬁcally the production of toluene starting from acetophe-none (see Figure 1 insert). Their original experiment wasreported to
Genetics of Entamoeba histolytica: Initial Experiments.

Six strains of Entamoeba histolytica were studied in an initial attempt to define some genetic characteristics. Sugar metabolism and drug sensitivity were the markers studied. The six strains showed little difference in characteristics and attempts to obtain mutations have been unsuccessful. The observed characeristics may be useful in helping to define the species.
Controlling Stimulus-Secretion Coupling in Adrenal Chromaffin Cells: A Novel Role for the Serotonin Transporter?

Adrenal chromaffin cells, an important neuroendocrine component of the sympathetic nervous system, maintain homeostatic and acute stress responses through secretion of catecholamines, neuropeptides, and other hormones. Mounting evidence links depression and cardiovascular diseases, and some depressed patients exhibit elevated catecholamine levels, perhaps suggesting common molecular targets or mechanisms. The serotonin transporter (SERT) mediates reuptake of serotonin (5HT) and is an important target for anti-depressants. Notably, SERT is prominently expressed in adrenal chromaffin cells and 5HT co-localizes with epinephrine in chromaffin granules. However, the effects of 5HT/ SERT on chromaffin cell function remain unclear. Our data show that one role of SERT is to accumulate 5HT in chromaffin cells. The 5HT content of whole adrenal glands isolated from SERT knockout mice was reduced by ∼80% compared to wild-type littermates, but catecholamine content (∼1000 fold higher than 5HT) was unaltered. We used carbon fiber amperometry to investigate the regulation of stimulus-secretion coupling by 5HT/ SERT. Cells were isolated from wild-type or SERT knockout mice, secretion evoked by 30mM KCl, and the number of amperometric spikes (vesicular fusion events) over 60s was quantified. Under control conditions (no 5HT) there was no difference in the number of spikes in wild-type Vs SERT knockout cells. However, extracellular 5HT (25nM-1μM) significantly reduced secretion in SERT knockout compared to wild-type cells. Similarly, when SERT was acutely blocked in wild-type cells using escitalopram (1μM), 5HT inhibited secretion. Escitalopram alone (no 5HT) had no effect, while 5HT alone produced a slight increase in secretion, although this was not statistically significant. Patch clamp experiments demonstrated that neither 5HT nor escitalopram altered Ca2+ entry through voltage-gated calcium channels. Ongoing work will dissect the mechanisms underlying this complex regulation of chromaffin cells by 5HT/ SERT.
The Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factor Family in the Sacred Lotus, Nelumbo Nucifera

Nelumbo nucifera (Sacred Lotus) is a basal eudicot with exceptional physiological and metabolic properties including seed longevity, adaptations for an aquatic habit, and floral thermiogenesis. It also occupies a unique position in the phylogeny of land plants and can be a useful species for studies of conserved plant gene families. The basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins represent one of the largest transcription factor families in plants and has undergone extensive duplication and expansion during plant evolution. One hundred and seventeen transcript models encoding canonical bHLHs were identified in the sacred lotus genome, as well as several “atypical” bHLH-encoding genes. The canonical bHLH proteins fall into 23 previously characterized subfamilies also present in other sequenced plant genomes, and are expressed as mRNA. Analysis of bHLHs from sacred lotus and other sequenced angiosperms indicates most of these families of bHLHs, along with secondary motifs associated with the bHLH domain, were likely present in the progenitor of flowering plants. The absence of a bHLH subfamily involved in root development in sacred lotus is consistent with the possibility that the development of specialized root structures may be mediated in part by changes in the bHLH families that regulate root development in dicots.
Rheumatoid arthritis treatment and the risk of severe interstitial lung disease

Objectives: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is an important complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or its treatment, and is associated with substantially increased mortality. Reports have suggested that infliximab with or without azathioprine might lead to rapidly progressive or fatal ILD. We used an RA data bank to assess the associations of treatments for RA and severe ILD.Methods: ILD was identified in hospitalisations and death records in 100 of 17 598 RA patients and studied in relation to RA therapy with Cox regression analyses.Results: The incidence of hospitalisation for ILD (HILD) was 260 per 100 000 patient years. Among those hospitalised for ILD, 27.0% died. In multivariable models of current and past RA treatment, the only current treatment associated with HILD was prednisone: hazard ratio (HR) 2.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–4.1]. Among past therapies, prednisone (HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.0–8.9), infliximab (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–3.8), etanercept (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0–3.0), and cyclophosphamide (...
Energy transformations by the sargassum fish, Histrio histrio (L.)☆

Abstract Ingestion, egestion, growth, and respiration measurements were made in the laboratory on three size-classes of the Sargassum fish, Histrio histrio (L.). Comparison of three size-classes showed changes from high growth and low respiration and assimilation in small Histrio to reduced growth and increased respiration and assimilation in larger fish. A high assimilation and growth efficiency suggest that Histrio is adapted to a food-limited environment (Sargasso Sea). Energy requirements of the smallest size-class (10–29 mm) were compared to the energy provided by their dominant food source, the Sargassum shrimp Latreutes fucorum (Fabricius) and Leander tenuicornis (Say). The annual energy requirement per individual was 1.4 times greater than the food energy available. This discrepancy is attributed to the difficulty in extrapolating laboratory studies to the field and the difficulty in obtaining adequate population size measurements of the Sargassum community fauna.
Immediate and prolonged effects of alcohol exposure on the activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in adult and adolescent rats

Alcohol stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Part of this influence is likely exerted directly at the level of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) gene, but intermediates may also play a role. Here we review the effect of alcohol on this axis, provide new data on the effects of binge drinking during adolescence, and argue for a role of catecholaminergic circuits. Indeed, acute injection of this drug activates brain stem adrenergic and noradrenergic circuits, and their lesion, or blockade of α1 adrenergic receptors significantly blunts alcohol-induced ACTH release. As alcohol can influence the HPA axis even once discontinued, and alcohol consumption in young people is associated with increased adult drug abuse (a phenomenon possibly mediated by the HPA axis), we determined whether alcohol consumption during adolescence modified this axis. The number of CRF-immunoreactive (ir) cells/section was significantly decreased in the central nucleus of the amygdala of adolescent self-administering binge-drinking animals, compared to controls. When another group of adolescent binge-drinking rats was administered alcohol in adulthood, the number of colocalized c-fos-ir and PNMT-ir cells/brain stem section in the C3 area was significantly decreased, compared to controls. As the HPA axis response to alcohol is blunted in adult rats exposed to alcohol vapors during adolescence, a phenomenon which was not observed in our model of self-administration, it is possible that the blood alcohol levels achieved in various models play a role in the long-term consequences of exposure to alcohol early in life. Collectively, these results suggest an important role of brain catecholamines in modulating the short- and long-term consequences of alcohol administration.