cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cheaper by the dozen? The marginal time costs of children in the Philippines

The important relationship between fertility rates and economic development has prompted many researchers to try and better understand the determinants of family size. It has repeatedly been shown that the costs of children, both direct and indirect, are one of the most important determinants of fertility, exerting a significantly negative effect on birth rates in both developed and developing countries. Many studies which investigate the relationship between the costs of children and family size have assumed that these costs do not vary with parity. However, there is substantial evidence that the marginal costs of children are not constant but decrease with birth order in developed countries. In this paper, the hypothesis that there are diminishing marginal time costs of children is tested using household data from the developing country setting of the Philippines. By examining the determinants of additional time spent in childcare before and after the birth of a child, it is found that the marginal time costs are not the same across households of various sizes. Firstborn children cost significantly more in terms of additional mother's time than children of higher birth orders. In addition, the time costs of the second child are found to be significantly greater than those of the third child. However, these economies of scale in childcare are limited and do not extend beyond three children. The effect of birth spacing on the marginal time costs of children is also found to be significant.
Effect of latitude on the persistence of eddy-driven jets

[1] An asymmetry in the persistence of the eddy-driven jet is demonstrated, whereby the equatorward-shifted (low-phase) jet is more persistent than the poleward-shifted (high-phase) jet. The asymmetry is investigated by stirring the non-divergent vorticity equation on the sphere and is shown to arise due to the sphericity of the earth, which inhibits poleward wave breaking when the jet is at high latitudes. This spherical effect becomes increasingly important as the mean jet is positioned at higher latitudes. The persistence of the annular mode decreases as the mean jet moves closer to the pole due to the decreased persistence of the high-phase state, while the low-phase state exhibits similar persistence regardless of the jet position. These results suggest that with the expected poleward shift of the jet due to increasing greenhouse gases, the annular mode's total persistence will decrease due to a decrease in the persistence of the high-phase.
Molecular biology of selenium with implications for its metabolism.

Selenium has a highly specific metabolism centered around its incorporation as selenocysteine into selenoproteins. An outline of this metabolism has emerged from recent molecular biological and biochemical studies of bacteria and animals. A unique tRNA, designated tRNA[Ser]Sec, is charged with L-serine, which is then converted through at least two steps to selenocysteine. With the aid of a unique translation factor, the selenocysteinyl-tRNA[Ser]Sec recognizes specific UGA codons in mRNA to insert selenocysteine into the primary structure of selenoproteins. Turnover of selenoproteins presumably liberates selenocysteine which is toxic in its free form. Selenocysteine beta-lyase catabolizes free selenocysteine and makes its selenium available for reuse. Proteins contain almost all the selenium in animals. Of the known selenoproteins, the glutathione peroxidases contain the most selenium. Cellular and plasma glutathione peroxidases are products of different genes but have 44% identity of amino acid sequence. ...
Tumor-specific expression and detection of a CEST reporter gene.

Purpose To develop an imaging tool that enables the detection of malignant tissue with enhanced specificity using the exquisite spatial resolution of MRI. Methods Two mammalian gene expression vectors were created for the expression of the lysine-rich protein (LRP) under the control of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter and the progression elevated gene-3 promoter (PEG-3 promoter) for constitutive and tumor-specific expression of LRP, respectively. Using those vectors, stable cell lines of rat 9L glioma, 9LCMV-LRP and 9LPEG-LRP, were established and tested for CEST contrast in vitro and in vivo. Results 9LPEG-LRP cells showed increased CEST contrast compared with 9L cells in vitro. Both 9LCMV-LRP and 9LPEG-LRP cells were capable of generating tumors in the brains of mice, with a similar growth rate to tumors derived from wild-type 9L cells. An increase in CEST contrast was clearly visible in tumors derived from both 9LCMV-LRP and 9LPEG-LRP cells at 3.4 ppm. Conclusion The PEG-3 promoter:LRP system can be used as a cancer-specific, molecular-genetic imaging reporter system in vivo. Because of the ubiquity of MR imaging in clinical practice, sensors of this class can be used to translate molecular-genetic imaging rapidly. Magn Reson Med 74:544–549, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of Spatial Memory

Behavioral tasks must be evaluated in terms of the cognitive functions they require. The tasks described in this unit are useful for detecting stimulation by drugs or a small electrical current, impairment of normal function by production of lesions or administration of a pharmacologic or toxicologic agent, recording activity during performance of a specific task, or behavioral phenotyping of transgenic or knockout mice. The radial arm maze test is used for basic working memory or working memory versus reference memory; the water maze task is used for spatial memory, spatial probe trials, or working memory; and the T-maze test is used for spatial memory, working versus reference memory, or spontaneous alternation.
Book Review, My Grandfather's Son and Supreme Discomfort: The Divided Soul of Clarence Thomas

Whatever you think of his politics or jurisprudence, Clarence Thomas is a remarkable man. Born into desperate poverty in the Jim Crow South and raised by his illiterate grandfather, he would graduate from (and be completely disillusioned by) Yale Law School while battling personal and political demons that would have felled lesser mortals many times over. Now on the Supreme Court bench for over 15 years, Justice Thomas has established himself as a force to be reckoned with, a strong voice who has accepted and transcended his unfortunate notoriety.
High-voltage longwall database

A database was designed to accumulate the relevant information for all existing high-voltage longwall systems. This information was obtained from the Proposed Decision and Order documents issued by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Additional sources of information were obtained from MSHA approval documents and online diagrams of all active high-voltage longwalls. The data collected from these documents were incorporated into the design of a database that reflects the electrical information from each high-voltage longwall system. An analysis of the electrical database shows a trend towards the use of larger-section power centers, longer trailing power cables, higher-voltage utilization equipment, and larger horsepower motors. This gives mine operators the option of varying the panel length and width to obtain a greater efficiency. >
Do Women Stay Out of Trouble? Evidence from Corporate Litigation and Policies

We use a unique hand-collected dataset on corporate lawsuits to examine the effect of female representation in top management on corporate litigation. We find that firms with higher representation of women in the top management team face fewer lawsuits overall, particularly lawsuits related to product liability, environment, medical liability, labor and contracts. These results continue to hold under several alternative specifications and accounting for endogeneity using a novel instrument. The results are driven by the presence of multiple women in top management positions and are likely due to gender diversity in top management rather than an artifact of tokenism. Among firms with higher litigation risk, greater representation of female executives positively impacts the value of cash holdings. Overall, our results uncover an important and previously unidentified benefit of gender diversity in top management.
Evidence for $K^+ \to \pi^+ \nu \bar{\nu}$

The first observation of the decay $K^+ \to \pi^+ \nu \bar{\nu}$ (pnn) has been reported. The E787 experiment presented evidence for this decay, based on the observation of a single clean event from data collected during the 1995 run of the AGS (Alternating Gradient Synchrotron at Brookhaven National Laboratory). The branching ratio indicated by this observation, B(pnn) = 4.2$^{+9.7}_{-3.5}\times10^{-10}$, is consistent with the Standard Model expectation although the central experimental value is four times larger. The final E787 data sample, from the 1995--98 runs, should reach a sensitivity of about five times that of the 1995 run alone. A new experiment, E949, has been given scientific approval and should start data collection in 2001. It is expected to achieve a sensitivity of more than an order of magnitude below the prediction of the Standard Model.
Geo-fencing: Confining Wi-Fi Coverage to Physical Boundaries

We present a means of containing Wi-Fi coverage to physical boundaries that are meaningful to users. We call it geo-fencing . Our approach is based on directional antennas, and our motivation is to provide wireless access and privacy models that are a natural fit with user expectations. To evaluate geo-fencing, we use measurements from an indoor testbed of Wi-Fi nodes and APs with electronically-steerable directional antennas. We find that by combining directionality, power control and coding across multiple APs, we are able to successfully confine Wi-Fi coverage to clients located within target regions of varying shapes and sizes; we can select between nodes located as close as five feet from each other.
The effect of iron overload on spatial memory and acetylcholine receptor expression in the hippocampus of rats (907.8)

Title: Effect of iron overload on spatial memory and acetylcholine receptor expression in the hippocampus of rats Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA Aut...
Linear nondisplaced skull fractures in children: who should be observed or admitted?

OBJECT In this study the authors reviewed clinical management and outcomes in a large series of children with isolated linear nondisplaced skull fractures (NDSFs). Factors associated with hospitalization of these patients and costs of management were also reviewed. METHODS After institutional review board approval, the authors retrospectively reviewed clinical records and imaging studies for patients between the ages of 0 and 16 years who were evaluated for NDSFs at a single children’s hospital between January 2009 and December 2013. Patients were excluded if the fracture was open or comminuted. Additional exclusion criteria included intracranial hemorrhage, more than 1 skull fracture, or pneumocephalus. RESULTS Three hundred twenty-six patients met inclusion criteria. The median patient age was 19 months (range 2 weeks to 15 years). One hundred ninety-three patients (59%) were male and 133 (41%) were female. One hundred eighty-four patients (56%) were placed under 23-hour observation, 87 (27%) were admit...
Differential effects of handling on isolation-induced vocalizations, hypoalgesia, and hyperthermia in domestic fowl.

The effects of handling and subsequent brief isolation on vocalizations, thermal nociception, and thermoregulation were examined in 7-day-old cockerels. In Experiment 1, fifteen min of isolation elicited more vocalizations in handled than nonhandled chicks. Nonhandled chicks exhibited longer response latencies than handled chicks. In general, isolated chicks exhibited longer jump response latencies (i.e., hypoalgesia) on hot-plate tests than chicks tested immediately upon removal from the brooder. Compared to handled chicks tested immediately, all other groups exhibited increased core body temperatures. Experiment 2 examined these handling and isolation effects after 15 min of isolation with or without conspecifics. Chicks isolated alone vocalized more than chicks isolated with conspecifics. As in Experiment 1, handled chicks vocalized more than nonhandled chicks. Nonhandled chicks exhibited longer response latencies than handled chicks on hot-plate tests. Isolation-induced hypoalgesia was observed only in handled chicks that were isolated without conspecifics. Core body temperatures were highest in chicks isolates without conspecifics. Additionally, chicks isolated with conspecifics exhibited higher core body temperature than chicks tested immediately. Decreased core body temperature due to handling exposure was observed only in chicks tested immediately. These results demonstrate that isolation effects on vocalizations and nociception are primarily due to social isolation and that isolation effects on thermoregulation are a result of both social and environmental factors. Moreover, the increase in isolation-induced vocalizations in handled animals does not correlate well with the decrease in isolation-induced hypoalgesia and hyperthermia displayed by handled animals.
Heavy quark contributions to ∫01dχg1(χ)

Abstract Heavy quark contributions to the g 1 ( χ ) structure function are calculable in terms of the light quark contributions. The result is proportional to the axial anomaly in QCD.
Transient Modulation of Gene Expression in the Neurulation Staged Mouse Embryo

: Transient modulation of gene expression in the embryo during early organogenesis will allow studies to be conducted that determine tissue- and stage-specific function(s) of genes. To achieve this goal, viral vectors and antisense oligodeoxynucleotides have been used to produce gain-of-function and loss-of-function models. Adenoviral transduction of whole embryos, embryonic heart and vasculature, and primary neural crest cell culture has been reported. The morphological consequences of overexpression or decreasing expression of selected genes have been evaluated using these tools. Gene-teratogen interaction studies have also been performed. The viral vectors appear to be important tools for modulating gene expression and hold great promise for future research.
CONGENITAL MULTIPLE DIVERTICULA OF THE URETER.

SUMMARY Congenital multiple diverticulosis of the ureter is reported. It occurred in a 4-year-old girl who also had pyelonephritis and interstitial fibrosis. The presenting symptom was a urinary tract infection. Treatment was nephro-ureterectomy. The patient was cured.
Musculoskeletal, Neurologic, and Cardiopulmonary Aspects of Physical Rehabilitation in Patients with Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease

Abstract Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) has the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality in people who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Management of complications due to cGVHD can be challenging because of multiorgan involvement and variable presentation of the disease. This paper outlines the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal, neurologic, and cardiopulmonary manifestations of cGVHD that have the potential to cause profound functional impairment and that may significantly impact quality of life and lifespan. Expert evaluation by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician and multidisciplinary team may be beneficial in the treatment of the disease sequelae, and examples of specific rehabilitation interventions are described.
The effects of concept training on preschool children’s oddity performance

Following the suggestion of Lipsitt & Serunian (1963) that reading-readiness training may accelerate the child’s acquisition of the oddity solution, the oddity performance of one group (Group T) of preschoolers who were initially given such training was compared to that for a second group (Group NT) who had not received such training. The training employed facilitated oddity performance in that Group T made significantly more correct responses than Group NT and significantly more children in Group T than in Group NT reached a performance criterion.
Characteristics of frequent geriatric users of an urban emergency department.

Abstract Background As the population ages, it is projected that older adults will increase emergency department (ED) utilization and contribute to ED crowding. Older patients are at risk of decreased health-related quality of life after an ED visit. Characteristics of older adults that frequently use the ED have not been well studied, and prior studies have shown that lack of access to primary care may influence ED utilization. Objective Determine factors associated with frequent Emergency Department (ED) utilization by older adults. Methods Retrospective chart review of all patients ≥ 65 years of age seen in an urban ED between December 2007 and September 2008. A prospective telephone survey was done of "frequent" (≥4 ED visits over a 6-month period) geriatric users. "Frequent" and "infrequent" geriatric ED users were compared using chi-squared and t -test. Survey results are univariate descriptive statistics. Results There were 8520 ED visits of adults ≥ 65 years of age analyzed, of which 5718 were unique patients. Of these, 268 (5%) were frequent ED users. Frequent geriatric ED users were more likely to be Black or Hispanic and were considered less urgent at triage. Of the 59 surveyed frequent users of the ED, 95% reported having a usual source of care, though only 36% contacted their outpatient provider before a visit to the ED. Conclusion Frequent geriatric users of the ED were considered less urgent at triage, and although most identified themselves as having a primary care provider in the community, many did not contact them before going to the ED.
Assaying Used Nuclear Fuel Assemblies Using Lead Slowing-Down Spectroscopy and Singular Value Decomposition

This study investigates the use of a Lead Slowing-Down Spectrometer (LSDS) for the direct and independent measurement of fissile isotopes in light-water nuclear reactor fuel assemblies. The current study applies MCNPX, a Monte Carlo radiation transport code, to simulate the measurement of the assay of the used nuclear fuel assemblies in the LSDS. An empirical model has been developed based on the calibration of the LSDS to responses generated from the simulated assay of six well-characterized fuel assemblies. The effects of self-shielding are taken into account by using empirical basis vectors calculated from the singular value decomposition (SVD) of a matrix containing the self-shielding functions from the assay of assemblies in the calibration set. The performance of the empirical algorithm was tested on version 1 of the Next-Generation Safeguards Initiative (NGSI) used fuel library consisting of 64 assemblies, as well as a set of 27 diversion assemblies, both of which were developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory. The potential for direct and independent assay of the sum of the masses of Pu-239 and Pu-241 to within 2%, on average, has been demonstrated.
Glycans from streptococcal cell walls: an antigenic triheteroglycan of 6-deoxy-L-talose, L-rhamnose and D-galactose from Streptococcus bovis.

Abstract Two antigenic glycans have been isolated from the cell wall of Streptococcus bovis strain C3 by sequential extraction with HCl-KCl buffer of pH 2 and purified by filtration through Bio-gel. Chemical analysis showed that one glycan is a triheteroglycan of d -galactose, l -rhamnose and 6-deoxy- l -talose in the ratio of 2:1:1 and the other is a diheteroglycan of d -glucose and l -rhamnose in the ratio of 1:1. On the basis of the immunochemical data and the nature of acid hydrolytic products from the triheteroglycan, it is proposed that the triheteroglycan consists of a main chain of alternating rhamnose and 6-deoxy-talose residues with side chains of digalactosyl units. The terminal α-linked galactosyl residues are the immunodeterminants of the glycan. The deoxy sugar, 6-deoxy- l -talose, has not been detected previously in streptococcal cell walls and in S. bovis , this sugar is synthesized via the thymidine diphosphate hexose pathway.
Surface modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes: Toward the tailoring of the interface in polymer composites

The ability to modify the surface of carbon nanotubes is of crucial importance for their utilization in different applications. In the present paper we report on the chemical modification of multiw...
CONTROL OF IN VITRO SEPAL DEVELOPMENT OF EXCISED FLORAL BUDS OF AQUILEGIA (RANUNCULACEAE)

A B S T R A C T Excised floral buds of Aquilegia formosa Fisch. were grown on a coconut-milk medium containing the minerals and vitamins of Murashige and Skoog, sucrose, and kinetin. The plant growth regulators indoleacetic acid (IAA, 0.5 mg/liter) and gibberellic acid (GA, 2.0 mg/liter) were added singly and in combinations; both were omitted from the control medium. The addition of GA to the basal medium was required to support sepal development on flowers at all phases of development. The formation of stomatal complexes in the epidermis of the sepals occurred only in the presence of GA. Sepals grown in the presence of GA also contained trichoblasts and developing trichomes, while none were formed in the absence of GA. The role of IAA in the development of these idioblasts was not clear but it appeared to have no effect. The hormones GA and IAA had different effects on the growth of the sepals. In the presence of GA the sepals increase in length until comparable with sepals grown in vivo. However, the sepals remained small when GA was omitted from the medium. Upon closer examination of this effect, it was determined that there was a direct proportionality between an increase in cell number in the epidermis and an increase in sepal length. The role of the two hormones in increasing epidermal cell length in sepals was distinct and separate. Exogenous IAA had no effect upon cell division but was required for cell elongation, while GA was required for cell division and had no effect on cell elongation. The GA effect in promoting cell division in the sepals was substantiated by use of autoradiography. If the buds were grown on media with GA, twice as many epidermal cells along the central file incorporated significant amounts of tritiated thymidine. The cell cycle of the epidermal cells of the GA-treated sepals was ca. 8.7 hr in duration and ca. 13.0 hr if GA was deleted from the medium. IN THE PAST few years a number of workers have reported their success in culturing excised floral buds of various species of angio,sperms (Bilderback, Karpoff, and Tepfer, 1968; Bilderback, 1971, 1972; Blake, 1969; Brulfert and Fontaine, 1967; Hicks and Sussex, 1970; and Tepfer, Karpoff, and Greyson, 1966). All of these papers dealt primarily with attempts to obtain maximum growth potential by medium manipulation. This study arose from similar types of experiments with
Role of cytokines in the treatment of acute leukemias: a review

Myeloid growth factors, such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, have been used to decrease the duration of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and thereby reduce the incidence and severity of infections in various regimens used to treat acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These growth factors have also been used to recruit dormant myeloid leukemia cells into the S phase of cell cycle in order to increase their susceptibility to the antileukemic effects of agents such as cytarabine. Multiple prospective randomized trials have examined the benefit and safety of the addition of growth factors before, during, and after chemotherapy. A reduction in the duration of neutropenia has been the most consistent finding; this has not been associated with stimulation of leukemia cells, the main concern of using this strategy. Unfortunately, few studies have reported a benefit in prolonging the duration of disease-free survival or overall survival. Other cytokines, including interleukins and thrombopoietin, have also been evaluated for their theoretical ability to recruit immune mechanisms to eradicate residual leukemia burden after chemotherapy, and to stimulate platelet production. In this review, we summarize the clinical experience with these growth factors in treating acute leukemias.
Integrating Guided Inquiry into a Traditional Chemistry Curricular Framework

The case study presented in this paper examines the work of one high school chemistry teacher who has integrated guided inquiry into a yearlong, traditional curricular framework in ways that take into account the constraints and realities of her classroom. The study’s findings suggest (1) the extent and frequency to which teachers can realistically integrate guided inquiry into existing science curricula, (2) the manner in which teachers can make effective transitions into and out of a guided inquiry, and (3) the way in which teachers can set an overarching goal to bring a driving purpose to all of the guided inquiries that the students experience. Based on the insights gained from the current case study, an argument is made that researchers should examine the practice of other teachers (especially in the common subjects of biology, chemistry, and physics) who have integrated guided inquiry into the fabric of their curricula. By doing so, a library of case studies can be built that will provide science te...
Phosphorus mineralization kinetics and response of microbial phosphorus to drying and rewetting in a Florida Spodosol

Abstract Surface soils of a north central Florida Spodosol (sandy, siliceous hyperthermic Alaquod) from fertilized and unfertilized plantations of loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L.) were conditioned, dried, rewet and incubated at 38°C for up to 26 d with periodic sampling for inorganic P and microbial P. Undried samples were also incubated and sampled periodically. Several kinetic models were evaluated to describe patterns of net P mineralization. Cumulative net mineralization of P in undried samples of both fertilized and unfertilized treatments was best described by zero-order kinetics. In contrast, a segmented model with two pools was most appropriate for describing cumulative net mineralization of P in dried and rewet samples, with one pool following zero-order kinetics, and the other following first-order kinetics. Net mineralization in rewet soils progressed in three stages: (i) An initial flush where inorganic P was brought into solution, the source most likely being turnover of the microbial biomass from the previous drying period and mineralization of organic substrates; (ii) a lag of a few days where there was no net release of P; and (iii) a period that followed similar kinetics to the undried soil, where the microbial biomass had recovered sufficiently to mineralize P from soil organic matter. Although more P was mineralized in fertilized soils, the kinetics of the reactions were similar to those in unfertilized soils. Generalized models were used to predict net P mineralization expressed as a percent of total P (specific P mineralization) for all data (both fertilized and unfertilized treatments). A zero-order model best described mineralization of P in undried soils ( R 2 =0.884), and a segmented two-pool model was the best fit for soils that had been dried and rewet ( R 2 =0.923). There was a negative relationship between inorganic P (as a % of total P) and microbial P in undried soils ( R 2 =0.715). When soils were dried and rewet, microbial P increased over the entire incubation period but this relationship fluctuated with time and was not significantly correlated with P mineralization. The kinetic models proposed here should be useful in improving predictions of P mineralization in other sandy soils of low adsorption capacity.
Cloning and characterization of a symbiosis-related gene from an ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor

Abstract An in vitro system for a Laccaria bicolor×Pinus resinosa interaction was used to identify and clone a symbiosis-regulated gene from L. bicolor employing the mRNA differential display technique (DDRT–PCR). The DDRT–PCR identified several cDNAs that are differentially expressed as early as 6 h into the interaction. One such cDNA was used to screen a L. bicolor cDNA library enriched for mRNAs expressed during early interaction with red pine seedlings. Characterization of a cDNA clone, PF6.2, showed that it contained a 1551 bp insert coding for a protein of 433 amino acids. Sequence analysis of the PF6.2 cDNA revealed the presence of several evolving repeats in the protein. To confirm this, the gene corresponding to PF6.2 was isolated and sequenced. The PF6.2 gene consisted of seven exons interrupted by six relatively small introns. Although the amino-acid sequence of the PF6.2 did not show significant overall similarity to any previously characterized proteins, of several direct repeats it contained a feature similar to other proteins involved in signal transduction through protein–protein interaction. Northern analysis showed that the PF6.2 mRNA was detectable in the fungus 6 h after interaction and continued to be expressed in established ectomycorrhizas, suggesting that it plays an important role in the formation and maintenance of the symbiosis.
Liquid-state motion sensing

Abstract This paper demonstrates a liquid droplet-based motion sensing system which has the advantages of simple fabrication, low power consumption and digital signal processing. The sensor consists of a dielectric substrate patterned with an array of microelectrodes, and a saline droplet as the proof mass. Once an external linear acceleration is applied, the inertial force moves the droplet on the micropatterned substrate. The acceleration is determined from the movement profile detected by the microelectrodes. In order to enhance the threshold and the sensitivity of motion sensing, two surface treatment approaches are utilized to create superhydrophobic surfaces. The result shows that the minimal sliding angle that can move a 20 μl droplet on the superhydrophobic surface is lower than 1°, corresponding to a threshold of lower than 0.017 g. A lumped-parameter model is developed to estimate the dynamic behavior of the proposed system. The result shows that the frequency response of the droplet-based sensor is more significant at low frequencies than at high frequencies, which is distinct from solid-state accelerometers. Measurement under a constant acceleration shows that the predicted value derived from the measurement has a good match with the actual applied acceleration, validating the proposed system as a viable alternative for motion sensing.
An X-ray investigation of the sizes and hydrations of three spherical virus macromolecules in solution

Abstract We have measured the small-angle X-ray scattering from dilute aqueous solutions of southern bean mosaic virus, tobacco necrosis virus, and tomato bushy stunt virus. All of these virus particles are nearly spherical. Values of the sphere diameter obtained by a comparison of our curves with curves of the exact scattering function for spheres are SBMV = 286 A, TNV = 280 A and TBSV = 309 A. A comparison of these values with other molecular constants strongly suggests that they are internally hydrated. The effects upon the experimental curves of interparticle interference and of slit dimensions for the X-ray collimating system are considerable and have been taken into account.
Differential spatial and temporal phosphorylation of the visual receptor, rhodopsin, at two primary phosphorylation sites in mice exposed to light

Phosphorylation of rhodopsin critically controls the visual transduction cascade by uncoupling it from the G-protein transducin. The kinase primarily responsible for this phosphorylation is rhodopsin kinase, a substrate-regulated kinase that phosphorylates light-activated rhodopsin. Protein kinase C has been implicated in controlling the phosphorylation of both light-activated and dark-adapted rhodopsin. Two of the major rhodopsin phosphorylation sites in vivo, Ser(334) and Ser(338), are effective protein kinase C phosphorylation sites in vitro, while the latter is preferentially phosphorylated by rhodopsin kinase in vitro. Using phosphospecific antibodies against each of these two sites, we show that both sites are under differential spatial and temporal regulation. Exposure of mice to light results in rapid phosphorylation of Ser(338) that is evenly distributed along the rod outer segment. Phosphorylation of Ser(334) is considerably slower, begins at the base of the rod outer segment, and spreads to the top of the photoreceptor over time. In addition, we show that phosphorylation of both sites is abolished in rhodopsin kinase(-/-) mice, revealing an absolute requirement for rhodopsin kinase to phosphorylate rhodopsin. This requirement may reflect the need for priming phosphorylations at rhodopsin kinase sites allowing for subsequent phosphorylation by protein kinase C at Ser(334). In this regard, treatment of mouse retinas with phorbol esters results in a 4-fold increase in phosphorylation on Ser(334), with no significant effect on the phosphorylation of Ser(338). Our results are consistent with light triggering rapid priming phosphorylations of rhodopsin by rhodopsin kinase, followed by a slower phosphorylation on Ser(334), which is regulated by protein kinase C.
Rapid identification of antigenic T-cell epitopes by extracellular acidification rate signals.

We used a silicon-based biosensor, a microphysiometer, to measure real-time extracellular acidification rate signals associated with T lymphocyte responses to peptide ligands interacting with the T-cell receptor (TCR). We compared these effector responses with those of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production, and T-cell proliferation. Within minutes, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-bound peptides on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) engaged the TCR to increase acidification rates of the extracellular media was measured by microphysiometer. We exposed two myelin peptide-specific human T-cell clones, MSF132E11 (DRB1*1501 restricted) and TOM3A6 (DRB5*0101 restricted), to truncated analogues of the parent MBP 84-102 peptide, in the presence of MHC restricted human antigen-presenting cells, and measured the extracellular acidification rate signal changes, IFN-γ production and T-cell proliferation. The core epitopes recognized by these clones were identified by microphysiometer and found to be MBP 88–100 and MBP 91–100, respectively. These epitopes were identical to those identified by the IFN-γ and proliferation assays. We conclude that measurement of real-time extracellular acidification rate signals by the microphysiometer may facilitate rapid identification of human T-cell epitopes involved in immune disorders and the development of specific T-cell antagonists. J. Cell. Biochem. 77:409–417, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Chronic Nicotine Treatment Enhances Focal Ischemic Brain Injury and Depletes Free Pool of Brain Microvascular Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Rats

Effects of nicotine treatment (4.5 mg/kg of nicotine-free base/day administered s.c. by osmotic minipumps for 14 days) on focal ischemic stroke and expression of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in cerebral microvessels were studied in rats in vivo using a reversible (1 h) middle cerebral artery occlusion model. Plasma levels of nicotine and its major metabolite cotinine after 14 days of treatment were 88 and 364 ng/ml, respectively. Nicotine treatment resulted in 35-40% (p < 0.001) decrease in the blood flow in the periphery of the ischemic core during reperfusion, an increase in the neurologic score of 2.6-fold (p < 0.01), and 36% (p < 0.05) and 121% (p < 0.01) increases in the injury and edema volume in the pallium, respectively. A free pool of brain microvascular t-PA antigen was completely depleted by nicotine, while the expression of the PAI-1 antigen and/or PAI-1-t-PA complexes remained unchanged. The relative abundance of cerebromicrovascular t-PA mRNA transcript versus beta-actin mRNA transcript did not change with nicotine. It is concluded that chronic nicotine treatment impairs the restoration of blood flow, worsens the neurologic outcome, and enhances brain injury following an ischemic insult. These nicotine effects are associated with depletion of brain microvascular t-PA antigen.
Microemulsion phase behavior: a thermodynamic modeling of the phase partitioning of amphiphilic species

A thermodynamic model is presented for modeling the partitioning of amphiphilic species between the different phases of systems typically used for chemical flooding. The model, an extension of the pseudophase model by Biais et al. that can analyze only a four-component system, can work with five-component systems, including two partitioning amphiphilic species (e.g., two alcohols or one alcohol and a partitioning cosurfactant species). The self-association of alcohol in the organic phases, which results in a variable alcohol partition coefficient, is considered. Experiments to determine thermodynamic constants (which are entered into the model) are described for fourcomponent systems, including one alcohol. The salinity dependence of these parameters is also studied. Brine/ decane/isobutanol/TRS 10-410 as well as brine/nonane/ isopropanol/TRS 10-80 systems are considered. Some computations of pseudophase compositions for the five-component model and for various overall compositions are included. This partitioning model has been included in the chemical-flooding simulator developed at the U. of Texas; the results of this model have been presented in another paper. The model used for the binodal surface that is required to calculate phase compositions from pseudophase compositions is presented in this paper, as well as comparisons with experimental data for both four- and five-component systems. Reservoirmore » simulation results are presented.« less
Eight Ways of Determining the rho-Meson Coupling Constant

The numerical values of the $\ensuremath{\rho}$-meson coupling constant estimated from a variety of processes are shown to be in excellent agreement with each other.
Radioactive Products from Gases Produced in Uranium Fission

Some radioactive products from the gases produced in the fission of uranium by slow neutrons have been studied as to their chemical identity and characteristic half-life periods. Two Rb activities have been observed, one of which decays with a period of 15.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 minutes into an active Sr with a half-life of 51\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2 days; the other decays with a period of 17.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 minutes into an apparently inactive end product. The parent of the 15.4-minute Rb is a gas with a half-life of a few minutes whereas the other Rb arises from the decay of a 175\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10-minute Kr. Absorption in Al indicates the maximum $\ensuremath{\beta}$-particle energy for these active products to be 3.8 Mev for the 15.4-minute Rb and 4.6 Mev for the 17.8-minute Rb. In a similar manner, a Cs has been observed which decays with a 32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5-minute period into a Ba which is inactive or of very long or short period with no evidence of the 300-hour product reported by Hahn and Strassmann. Data have been obtained which indicate that this long period Ba arises from the decay of a product of a very short period gas. This 32-minute Cs results from the decay of a Xe with a half-life of 17\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 minutes. Absorption in Al indicates a maximum $\ensuremath{\beta}$-particle energy of 2.6 Mev for this Cs activity.
Racial differences in the frequency of Q and C chromosomal heteromorphisms.

THE biological and clinical implications of human chromosome heteromorphisms are poorly understood. These heteromorphisms are limited to certain groups, and are heritable1. Consistent variability between people, in both size and staining properties, is observed. This may reflect either structural or biochemical variations. Before chromosome banding procedures, the length of the Y was known to vary from person to person and from one ethnic group to another2. Some autosomal regions were also found to differ in various racial groups3,4. Using Q- and C-banding procedures, we have regions scored were (1) on the long arms (qh) of chromosomes 1,9 and 16; (2) on the short arms (P) of the acrocentric autosomes (13–15 and 21–22); and (3) on the centromere (c) of all other chromosomes. The results indicate significant differences between the samples of black and white children.
(3R*,4R*)-3-isopropyl-4-phenylazetidin-2-one at 150 K

The title compound, C12H15NO, crystallized in the centrosymmetric space group C2/c with one mol­ecule as the asymmetric unit. There is a single conventional N—H⋯O hydrogen bond, with a donor–acceptor distance of 2.912 (1) A, which forms an R{_2^2}(8) cyclic dimer about a center of symmetry. There is a single significant intermolecular C—H⋯O interaction, which also forms an R{_2^2}(8) cyclic dimer about a center of symmetry. Taken together, these interactions form chains propagating along [110]. Structural comparisons are made with another β-­lactam, (1′R*,3R*,4S*)-3-(1′-hydroxy­ethyl)-4-phenylazet­id­in-2-one.
System-level modeling and microprocessor reliability analysis for backend wearout mechanisms

Backend wearout mechanisms are major reliability concerns for modern microprocessors. In this paper, a framework which contains modules for backend time-dependent dielectric breakdown (BTDDB), electromigration (EM), and stress-induced voiding (SIV) is proposed to analyze circuit layout geometries and interconnects to accurately estimate state-of-art microprocessor lifetime due to each mechanism. Our methodology incorporates the detailed electrical stress, temperature, linewidth and cross-sectional areas of each interconnect within the microprocessor system. We analyze several layouts using our methodology and highlight the lifetime-limiting wearout mechanisms, along with the reliability-critical microprocessor functional units, using standard benchmarks.
Myocardial damage in coronary artery bypass surgical patients anaesthetized with two anaesthetic techniques: a random comparison of halothane and enflurane.

Fifty patients with ischaemic heart disease scheduled for coronary artery bypass surgery received either an enflurane or a halothane anaesthetic. The anaesthetic techniques were randomly assigned to the patients and consisted of induction with diazepam 0.5 mg·kg-1 and pancuronium 0.1 mg·kg-1 supplemented by nitrous oxide and oxygen (50:50). Enflurane in dosages of 0.5–1.5 volumes per cent and halothane 0.3–0.7 volumes per cent were administered to Group E (25 patients) and Group H (25 patients), respectively. The inhalation drug dosage was varied to maintain heart rate and systemic blood pressure within predetermined limits.
Normal vs. inverted hierarchy in type I seesaw models

Abstract We demonstrate that, for every grand unified model based on a conventional type I seesaw mechanism leading to a normal light neutrino mass hierarchy, one can easily generate a corresponding model with an inverted hierarchy which yields the same neutrino oscillation parameters. However, the latter type model has several unattractive instabilities which will disfavor any grand unified type I seesaw model, if an inverted neutrino mass hierarchy is observed experimentally. This should be contrasted with the softly-broken L e – L μ – L τ flavor symmetry models which are eliminated, if the data favors a normal mass hierarchy.
Government policy for dangerous inventions in the United States and Great Britain

This study compares British and United States policy-making for nonmilitary dangerous inventions. It focuses on nine twentieth century invention groups ranging from electricity to biotechnology. Public policy for all nine dangerous inventions was very similar between the two countries. When inventions appeared, policy-makers in and out of government attempted to apply analogies of two types between existing technologies and the inventions: (1) the use to which an invention was put; and (2) the techniques used to achieve the invention's objective(s). Early societal formulations of these analogies set the stage for an unending iterative policy process. Components of this process included: technical progress toward an invention's power and effectiveness; technical progress toward an invention's safety; the number of innocent victims who might be hurt by an invention; the volume of government regulations; the degree of government rational-comprehensive decision-making with regard to the invention; and the degrees of centralization of government responses to the invention.
Reflectance FTIR spectroscopic analysis of metal complexation to EDTA and EDDS

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a common chelating ligand that is widely used in industry. EDTA, however, is not degradable in present wastewater treatment processes. (S,S)-Ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), an isomer of EDTA, is biodegradable and has recently received attention as an alternative metal chelating agent for this reason. Investigations reported here utilized reflectance FTIR spectroscopy for the analysis of metal complexation of EDTA and EDDS. The sampling techniques used were diffused reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Similar studies using transmission mode FTIR have been carried out, but the analysis by reflectance techniques described here improved band resolution, minimized matrix interferences, and expanded on the previous work by providing an in situ method for analysis of pH dependence and metal complexation. Structural characteristics of sodium EDTA and EDDS compounds were identified using the results presented here. Complexes of Pb(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) with EDTA and EDDS were identified by the frequencies of carboxyl group vibrational bands, the difference between asymmetric and symmetric carboxyl groups bands, the relative band intensities, and the band shifts as a result of changes in pH.
Randomizing AMI configuration for proactive defense in smart grid

Smart grids are capable of bi-directional communication between smart meters and headend systems. It is a core feature of smart grid provided by the underlying Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Due to the critical nature of AMI, threats have been targeted towards it and a need of tailored defense mechanism has been highlighted in the recent studies. Since limited number of protocols and applications are supported in the AMI, it exhibits a predictable and deterministic behavior. This predictability makes it easier for an attacker to learn the network behavior and launch an evasion attack by generating similar traffic. To combat this, we present a mutable AMI configuration technique for Proactive Defense. We randomize three different configuration parameters in order to make the AMI behavior unpredictable.While providing the randomization, the approach stays deterministic for the AMI devices like smart collector in order to detect any evasion attempts. We use real-world dataset comprising of approximately 2000 meters collected at an AMI of a leading utility provider for analysis. We also use smart grid testbed to show the effectiveness of our mutation technique.
In vitro induction of primary and secondary xenoimmune responses by liposomes containing human colon tumor cell antigens

Abstract Liposomes prepared with human LS174T colon tumor cell membranes induce specific primary and secondary xenogeneic immune responses in BALB/c splenocytes in vitro. The multilamellar vesicular liposomes were prepared by adding sonicated membrane fragments in 8 mM CaCl2 to a dried lipid film. Cytotoxic splenocytes generated in vivo exhibited specificity for the LS174T cell; liposomes elicited higher levels of cytotoxicity than did membranes (P