cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Necessary conditions for avoiding incorrect polypeptide folds in conformational search by energy minimization

Low energy conformations have been generated for melittin, pancreatic polypeptide, and ribonuclease S-peptide, both in the vicinity of x-ray structures by energy refinement and by an unconstrained search over the entire conformational space. Since the structural polymorphism of these medium-sized peptides in crystal and solution is moderate, comparing the calculated conformations to x-ray and nmr data provides information on local and global behavior of potential functions. Local analysis includes standardization calculations, which show that models with standard geometry can approximate good resolution x-ray data with less than 0.5 A rms deviation (RMSD). However, the atomic coordinates are shifted up to 2 A RMSD by local energy minimization, and thus 2 A is generally the smallest RMSD value one can target in a conformational search using the same energy evaluation models. The unconstrained search was performed by a buildup-type method based on dynamic programming. To accelerate the generation of structures in the conformational search, we used the ECEPP potential, defined in terms of standard polypeptide geometry. A number of low energy conformations were further refined by relaxing the assumption of standard bond lengths and bond angles through the use of the CHARMM potential, and the hydrophobic folding energies of Eisenberg and McLachlan were calculated. Each conformation is described in terms of the RMSD from the native, hydrogen-bonding structure, solvent-acessible surface area, and the ratio of surfaces corresponding to nonpolar and polar residues. The unconstrained search finds conformations that are different from the native, sometimes substantially, and in addition, have lower conformational energies than the native. The origin of deviations is different for each of the three peptides, but in all examples the refined x-ray structures have lower energies than the calculated incorrect folds when (1) the assumption of standard bond lengths and bond angles is relaxed; (2) a small and constant effective dielectric permittivity (e < 10) is used; and (3) the hydrophobic folding energy is incorporated into the potential. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Synthesis and thermal properties of low melting temperature tin/indium (Sn/In) lead-free nanosolders and their melting behavior in a vapor flux

Abstract Low melting temperature tin/indium (Sn/In) nanosolders with a wide composition range were synthesized by a surfactant-assisted chemical reduction method in an aqueous solution at ambient conditions. The parameters that affect the synthesis process were studied to control the size, shape and composition of the Sn/In nanosolders. It was found that hydrolysis of the metal ions significantly affected the nanosolder formation and inhibition of hydrolysis resulted in better nanosolder quality. Under optimized conditions, the Sn/In nanosolders around 50/50 (wt%) composition had a size range of 30–90 nm. SEM, TEM, EDS and XRD were used to determine the morphology, composition, and crystal structure of the nanosolders. It was found that the Sn/In nanosolders were mainly composed of InSn 4 at low In content (30 wt% In). When the In content further decreased to 20%, a mixture of InSn 4 and β-Sn exist; however, when the In content increased to 40% or higher, pure In appeared in the nanosolders, and the nanosolders have an increasing amount of In nanocrystals with the increase of the In ratio. DSC measurements have been conducted to understand the melting behavior of the nanosolders, and low melting temperatures were achieved at a wide range of In compositions (from 30% to 70%). The lowest melting temperature was found to be 115.5 °C, indicating a new eutectic point around 30% In. Finally, the temperature and time effects on the melting behavior and solder reflow property of the nanosolders have been investigated in a vapor flux environment.
Food Insufficiency in Urban Latino Families

National level data show food insecurity/insufficiency is more common in Latino families than the dominant population, however local ethnic rates aren’t often available, nor have there been many studies of food insufficiency/insecurity among Latino ethnic groups. This study presents food insufficiency data from three low income immigrant Latino Chicago communities. Data were collected as part of a larger study of ethnic Latino differences in health and nutrition attitudes/behaviors and child health services use. Face to face interviews were conducted with 320 mothers of Latino children entering school for the first time (mean age 5.5 years). Food insufficiency questions from the Radimer/Cornell and NHANES III instruments were used. Participants were 70% Mexican, 22% Puerto Rican and 8% other Latino, reflecting Chicago Latino distribution. Thirty percent (n = 96) reported household food insufficiency, although most was worry about obtaining food, and was due to lack of money or Food Stamps. Some families experienced more severe food access problems, namely adults and children skipping meals, and adults or children going without food for an entire day. Puerto Rican families reported more severe food insufficiency than Mexican families, but there were few other ethnic differences. Only 30% of these low income food insufficient families were Food Stamp participants although 90% of the children received school meals. These data point to the need for better screening and program outreach for low income, immigrant Latino families.
Masturbation and premarital sexual intercourse among college women: Making choices for sexual fulfillment

Given the potential value of masturbation as an alternative to high-risk sexual practices, there is a need to investigate factors surrounding this method of physiological sexual fulfillment. Therefore, this study examined the differences, if any, between women who have engaged in masturbation only (MO), both masturbation and sexual intercourse (MSI), and sexual intercourse only (SIO). An anonymous questionnaire was administered to volunteer respondents enrolled at a Midwestern university, yielding a subsample of 777 never-married, heterosexual women. Group comparisons indicated that MO Group women were most likely to feel guilty about engaging in masturbation and petting, but least likely to report either comfort with their sexuality or sexual satisfaction. MSI Group women indicated that, while growing up, they were less attached to their mother and father figures, whom they rated as uncommunicative. They also were more likely to have engaged in risk-related sexual behaviors. SIO Group women were more likely to have used contraceptives at first sexual intercourse and to report fewer lifetime sex partners than MSI Group women. Since a substantial number of college women refrain from engaging in masturbation, yet choose to have unprotected sexual intercourse and multiple sex partners, and others engage in masturbation but report experiencing guilt feelings regarding self-stimulation, it is of crucial importance that the negative connotations of masturbation and its attendant impact on sexual satisfaction be addressed by sexuality educators, clinicians, and researchers.
Structural constraints and functional divergences in CASK evolution

CASK (Ca 2+ /calmodulin-activated serine kinase) is a synaptic protein that interacts with the cytosolic tail of adhesion molecules such as neurexins, syncam and syndecans. It belongs to the MAGUK (membrane-associated guanylate kinase) family of scaffolding proteins which are known to decorate cell–cell junctions. CASK is an essential gene in mammals, critical for neurodevelopment. Mutations in the CASK gene in humans result in phenotypes that range from intellectual disability to lethality. Despite its importance, CASK has a single genetic isoform located in the short arm of the X chromosome near an evolutionary breakpoint. Surprisingly, CASK is a non-essential gene in invertebrates and displays functional divergence. In the present article, we describe the phylogenetic differences in existing CASK orthologues. The CASK gene has undergone a huge expansion in size (~55-fold). Almost all of this expansion is a direct result of an increase in the size of the introns. The coding region of CASK orthologues, and hence the protein, exhibit a high degree of evolutionary conservation. Within the protein, domain arrangement is completely conserved and substitution rates are higher in the connecting loop regions [L27 (Lin2, Lin7)] than within the domain. Our analyses of single residue substitutions and genotype–phenotype relationships suggest that, other than intronic expansion, the dramatic functional changes of CASK are driven by subtle (non-radical) primary structure changes within the CASK protein and concomitant changes in its protein interactors.
Twelve-channel optical fiber connector assembly: from commercial off-the-shelf to space flight use

The commercial off the shelf (COTS) twelve channel optical fiber MTP array connector and ribbon cable assembly is being validated for space flight use and the results of this study to date are presented here. The interconnection system implemented for the Parallel Fiber Optic Data Bus (PFODB) physical layer will include a 100/140 micron diameter optical fiber in the cable configuration among other enhancements. As part of this investigation, the COTS 62.5/125 microns optical fiber cable assembly has been characterized for space environment performance as a baseline for improving the performance of the 100/140 micron diameter ribbon cable for the Parallel FODB application. Presented here are the testing and results of random vibration and thermal environmental characterization of this commercial off the shelf (COTS) MTP twelve channel ribbon cable assembly. This paper is the first in a series of papers which will characterize and document the performance of Parallel FODB's physical layer from COTS to space flight worthy.
Computational model for predicting coating thickness in electron beam physical vapor deposition

Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition (EB-PVD) is an important process for material coatings such as thermal barrier coatings on turbine blades and titanium carbide coatings on cutting tools. A generic computational model is proposed in this paper for predicting coating thickness on complex workpieces using EB-PVD. The surface of the workpiece is represented as a mesh of finite elements, and the accumulated coating thickness on each element is computed based on its location in the vapor plume using a ray-casting algorithm. Analytical models are derived and experimentally tested for workpieces with simple geometry. Coating thicknesses predicted by the computational model agree well with those predicted by analytical models and experimental results. A method is also proposed to characterize and predict process efficiencies and the time required to achieve a minimum coating thickness. The computational model is suitable for workpieces with complex, three-dimensional geometry using any line-of-sight coating process. Applicability of the model is illustrated by simulating turbine blade coating using EB-PVD.
Neuregulin-1 regulates cell adhesion via an ErbB2/phosphoinositide-3 kinase/Akt-dependent pathway: potential implications for schizophrenia and cancer.

Background Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) is a putative schizophrenia susceptibility gene involved extensively in central nervous system development as well as cancer invasion and metastasis. Using a B lymphoblast cell model, we previously demonstrated impairment in NRG1alpha-mediated migration in cells derived from patients with schizophrenia as well as effects of risk alleles in NRG1 and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), a second gene implicated both in schizophrenia susceptibility and in cancer. Methodology/principal findings Here, we examine cell adhesion, an essential component process of cell motility, using an integrin-mediated cell adhesion assay based on an interaction between ICAM-1 and the CD11a/CD18 integrin heterodimer expressed on lymphoblasts. In our assay, NRG1alpha induces lymphoblasts to assume varying levels of adhesion characterized by time-dependent fluctuations in the firmness of attachment. The maximum range of variation in adhesion over sixty minutes correlates strongly with NRG1alpha-induced migration (r(2) = 0.61). NRG1alpha-induced adhesion variation is blocked by erbB2, PI3K, and Akt inhibitors, but not by PLC, ROCK, MLCK, or MEK inhibitors, implicating the erbB2/PI3K/Akt1 signaling pathway in NRG1-stimulated, integrin-mediated cell adhesion. In cell lines from 20 patients with schizophrenia and 20 normal controls, cells from patients show a significant deficiency in the range of NRG1alpha-induced adhesion (p = 0.0002). In contrast, the response of patient-derived cells to phorbol myristate acetate is unimpaired. The COMT Val108/158Met genotype demonstrates a strong trend towards predicting the range of the NRG1alpha-induced adhesion response with risk homozygotes having decreased variation in cell adhesion even in normal subjects (p = 0.063). Conclusion/significance Our findings suggest that a mechanism of the NRG1 genetic association with schizophrenia may involve the molecular biology of cell adhesion.
The Danger Is Growing! A New Paradigm for Immune System Activation and Peripheral Tolerance

Successful immune defense is a complex balancing act. In order to protect a host against invasion by harmful pathogens, an immune response must be rapid and vigorous, and must eliminate foreign invaders before their populations grow beyond control. That same immune response, however, must be selective enough to recognize and ignore commensal bacteria, environmental antigens and host tissue itself. How the immune system makes the crucial decision whether or not to attack a particular antigen has been a long-standing question central to the study of immunology. Here we show that the structure of the signaling network between regulatory T-cells and type 17 helper T-cells allows the immune system to selectively attack pathogens based on whether or not the pathogens represent a growing, and thus dangerous population. We term this mechanism for immune system activation the ‘Growth Detection Paradigm’, because it offers an entirely new explanation for immune system regulation and peripheral tolerance.
Dendron-Controlled Nucleation and Growth of Gold Nanoparticles

Passivation of the metal surface by dendrons bearing a focal 4-pyridone functionality (the second-generation dendron is shown; C: gray, N: blue, O: red) allows controlled nucleation and growth of gold nanoclusters. The particle size is a direct function of the generation number of the dendritic ligands, with higher generation dendron producing larger particles.
Efficient Genetic Algorithm Based Data Mining Using Feature Selection with Hausdorff Distance

The development of powerful computers and faster input/output devices coupled with the need for storing and analyzing data have resulted in massive databases (of the order of terabytes). Such volumes of data clearly overwhelm more traditional data analysis methods. A new generation of tools and techniques are needed for finding interesting patterns in the data and discovering useful knowledge. In this paper we present the design of more effective and efficient genetic algorithm based data mining techniques that use the concepts of self-adaptive feature selection together with a wrapper feature selection method based on Hausdorff distance measure.
Sperm Development and Motility are Regulated by PP1 Phosphatases in Caenorhabditis elegans

Sperm from different species have evolved distinctive motility structures, including tubulin-based flagella in mammals and major sperm protein (MSP)-based pseudopods in nematodes. Despite such divergence, we show that sperm-specific PP1 phosphatases, which are required for male fertility in mouse, function in multiple processes in the development and motility of Caenorhabditis elegans amoeboid sperm. We used live-imaging analysis to show the PP1 phosphatases GSP-3 and GSP-4 (GSP-3/4) are required to partition chromosomes during sperm meiosis. Postmeiosis, tracking fluorescently labeled sperm revealed that both male and hermaphrodite sperm lacking GSP-3/4 are immotile. Genetic and in vitro activation assays show lack of GSP-3/4 causes defects in pseudopod development and the rate of pseudopodial treadmilling. Further, GSP-3/4 are required for the localization dynamics of MSP. GSP-3/4 shift localization in concert with MSP from fibrous bodies that sequester MSP at the base of the pseudopod, where directed MSP disassembly facilitates pseudopod contraction. Consistent with a role for GSP-3/4 as a spatial regulator of MSP disassembly, MSP is mislocalized in sperm lacking GSP-3/4. Although a requirement for PP1 phosphatases in nematode and mammalian sperm suggests evolutionary conservation, we show PP1s have independently evolved sperm-specific paralogs in separate lineages. Thus PP1 phosphatases are highly adaptable and employed across a broad range of sexually reproducing species to regulate male fertility.
Distributive and Procedural Justice: Multifaceted Meanings and Interrelations

Distributive, procedural, and interactional justice have taken on various interpretations. Even when the meaning assigned to each term has been specified and clarified, however, no single set of unique interpretations for each term allows for an unambiguous set of interrelations among the terms. That is, definitional clarity alone cannot resolve all of the questions that can be raised about how one construct is related to another. My discussion raises some of those questions to illustrate that point. A related point is that although an agreed upon set of conceptual defintions might allow for independence of the constructs and thus their independent manipulation, in practice—and as measured (rather than manipulated) variables—these constructs inevitably reveal considerable overlap. Several different reasons for this overlap are explored and the implications discussed.
Crystal structure determination by direct inversion of dynamical microdiffraction patterns

The intensity at points where coherent convergent-beam transmission diffraction discs overlap is shown to be described by interference between elements of the same row but different columns of the dynamical scattering matrix for an axial orientation. These intensities are used as the basis for an exact, nonperturbative inversion of the multiple electron scattering problem, allowing crystal structure factors to be obtained directly from the intensities of multiply scattered Bragg beams. Eigenvectors of the structure matrix are obtained using coherent CBED patterns from many crystal orientations. Unique eigenvalues are obtained from these patterns recorded at two accelerating voltages. The inevitable variation in electron probe position at different crystal tilts is considered. The analysis applies to centrosymmetric crystals with anomalous absorption, to centrosymmetric projections of acentric crystals and to acentric crystals if the mean absorption potential only is included. The method would allow the direct synthesis of charge-density maps of unknown crystal structures at high resolution from multiple scattering data, using a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The resolution of this map may be much higher than the first-order d-spacing; however, the STEM need only be capable of resolving this first-order spacing. Such a charge-density map provides fractional atomic coordinates and the identification of atomic species (as in X-ray crystallography) from microcrystalline samples and other multiphase inorganic materials for which large single crystals cannot be obtained or X-ray powder patterns obtained or analysed. In summary, we solve the inversion problem of quantum mechanics for the case of electron scattering from a periodic potential, described by the nonrelativistic Schrodinger equation, in which the scattering is given as a function of some parameter, and the potential sought.
Nuclear Spin-Electron-Neutrino Correlation in Forbidden β Decay

The distribution function correlating the electron and neutrino momenta with the spin orientation of the parent or daughter nucleus is calculated for forbidden transitions with Coulomb effects included. Attention is focused on the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay interaction law form and behavior under time reversal. The near equivalence of the $\mathrm{VA}$ and $\mathrm{STP}$ forms is noted and a generalized substitution law relating the $\mathrm{VA}$, $\mathrm{STP}$, and $\mathrm{VASTP}$ forms is derived. A number of experiments distinguishing between the $\mathrm{VA}$ and $\mathrm{STP}$ forms are discussed in detail. Lastly, experiments testing time-reversal invariance are discussed with special emphasis placed on those terms in the distribution function which are not due to Fierz-like interferences and are not obscured by Coulomb effects.
The addition of SiC particles into a MoSi2-doped ZrB2 matrix: Effects on densification, microstructure and thermo-physical properties

Abstract The densification, microstructure and properties were studied for MoSi2-doped ZrB2-containing SiC particles. MoSi2 is added to ZrB2 as sintering aid. The enhanced densification was driven by a pseudo-binary reaction involving ZrB2 and transient Mo borides, which were formed as products of the reaction between MoSi2 and the surface oxides on the ZrB2 particles. The ZrB2 grains had a core–rim microstructure. Room temperature strengths up to 800 MPa were measured. At 1500 °C (in air), strengths decreased to 240 MPa. The addition of SiC increased the fracture toughness (4.1 MPa m at RT), compared to ZrB2 (3.4 MPa m at RT). The resistance to thermal shock of ZrB2 also increased with the addition of SiC. The measured critical thermal shock temperature difference increased from 330 °C for ZrB2 to 385 °C when SiC was added. The addition of SiC also decreased the oxidation rate of ZrB2. The investigations gave evidence of the beneficial influence of MoSi2 as sintering aid on densification and properties of ZrB2-based materials.
Mosfet FM Tuner Design

Dual-gate MOSFETs in an FM tuner provide many advantages over bipolar, junction field-effect, and single-gate MOS field-effect transistors. RF amplification and mixing are aided by use of a low-feedback-capacitance transistor with low noise figure and large dynamic range. A second gate is available for either AGC or local oscillator injection. High stable RF and conversion gains are easily obtained with inexpensive, commercially available coils and without need for neutralization. This paper presents test data and design tips which can be used to design with the SFB8970* dual-gate MOSFET at 100 MHz. The SFB8970 is an N-channel, depletion mode, dual-gate, MOS transistor with integral back-to-back zener diodes between both gates and the source to eliminate the need for special precautionary handling procedures.
Avulsion regimes in southeast Texas rivers.

Avulsions – relatively sudden changes in course, or establishment of new anabranches – are an important process in alluvial rivers. Their key role in floodplain construction and alluvial architecture, and the general conditions favouring avulsions, are well known. However, avulsion processes and evolution, and the factors controlling avulsion regimes, are poorly understood. In the southeast Texas coastal plain, where avulsions are common features of the river valleys, avulsions were studied on the lower Brazos, Navasota, Trinity, Neches and Sabine rivers using a combination of aerial imagery, digital elevation models and field surveys. Avulsions have important influences on the surface morphology and contemporary processes in all five rivers. Features associated with avulsions are active and distinct throughout the study area, and all the rivers have experienced geologically (if not historically) recent avulsions. However, no two of the study rivers have the same contemporary avulsion regime. First-order differences in avulsion style are controlled by the stage of valley filling, and within the three rivers characterized by an unfilled incised valley, antecedent morphology associated with late Quaternary and Holocene coastal and fluvial-deltaic processes accounts for the major differences. In the Navasota (27 avulsions in 185 km) and Neches (21 in 340 km) rivers, subchannels associated with avulsions exist in all stages of development from active to infilled, and some have occurred in recent decades. The other rivers have fewer avulsions, but both the Sabine and Trinity have experienced historic channel shifts. Only the Brazos River has experienced no avulsions within the past c. 300 years. Results show that even within a region of similar environmental controls and geological history local variations in inherited morphology can result in different avulsion regimes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Echocardiographic and biochemical evaluation of the development and progression of carcinoid heart disease

Abstract Objectives. To study the applicability of a newly developed echocardiographic scoring system in the assessment of carcinoid valvular heart disease. Background. We investigated prospectively the development, progression and regression of carcinoid valvular heart disease in patients with carcinoid syndrome by serial echocardiography, correlating these features with urinary 5-HIAA levels and clinical data collected during therapy with somatostatin analog. Methods. Twenty-three patients with carcinoid syndrome underwent serial echocardiographic examinations. An echocardiographic carcinoid valvular heart disease (CVHD) % score was determined from points assigned for tricuspid and pulmonary valve structure and function. Results. Fifteen patients had no CVHD at study entry (group 1), while 8 patients had findings of CVHD (group 2). Five patients in group 1 developed new CVHD (1B), while one demonstrated progression of CVHD (2B). The remaining patients did not develop (1A) or had no progression of CVHD (2B). Despite major declines in 5-HIAA levels during therapy in most patients, CVHD did not regress. There were significantly lower levels of median baseline 5-HIAA (98.8 vs. 256 mg/24 h), posttreatment 5-HIAA (50.3 vs. 324 mg/24 h) and posttreatment 5-HIAA time integral (37.3 vs. 192 g/24 h∗ days) in group A vs. B (p Conclusions. We designed a new echocardiographic scoring system to evaluate CVHD. Correlating echocardiographic scores with biochemical and clinical markers showed that only posttreatment 5-HIAA levels independently predicted the development or progression of CVHD. This study strengthens the association between serotonin secretion and CVHD, as well as introducing a new technique for serial follow-up of these patients.
Computing fixed densities of Markov operators defined by stochastic kernels

Abstract We use the method of Markov finite approximations to numerically compute a fixed density of a Markov operator defined by a stochastic kernel. The convergence and the error estimate are also presented.
The Child'S Acquisition of Regime Norms: Political Efficacy

In its broadest conception, a political system is a means through which the wants of the members of a society are converted into binding decisions. To sustain a conversion process of this sort a society must provide a relatively stable context for political interaction, a set of ground rules for participating in all parts of the political process. We may describe this context variously as a constitutional order, a set of fundamental rules, or customary procedures for settling differences. But however this context is defined, it usually includes three elements: some minimal constraints on the general goals of its members, rules or norms governing behavior, and structures of authority through which the members of the system act in making and implementing political outputs. To these goals, norms and structures we may give the traditional name “political regime” or constitutional order in the broadest, nonlegal sense of the phrase.We may hypothesize that if a political system is to persist, one of its major tasks is to provide for the input of at least a minimal level of support for a regime of some kind. A political system that proved unable to sustain a regime, that is, some relatively ordered and stable way of converting inputs into outputs, could not avoid collapsing. Each time a dispute arose it would have to seek to agree on means for settling differences at the same time as it sought to bring about a settlement of the substance of the issue, a virtually impossible combination of tasks for a society to engage in continuously.
Randomized greedy hot-potato routing

We present a novel greedy hot-potato routing algorithm for the 2-dimensional n x n mesh or torus. This algorithm uses randomization to adjust packet priorities.
Optical integrating balloon device for photodynamic therapy.

Background and Objectives: It is difficult to deliver light uniformly and efficiently over the complex shapes presented by various organs for photodynamic therapy (PDT). A balloon delivery device for photodynamic therapy was designed and tested for treatment of various anatomic tissues. The device uses the principle of optical integration by multiple internal diffuse reflections to achieve uniform output illumination. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Soft, white, medical-grade silicone balloons were made in various shapes and tested for optical output, uniformity, efficiency, and power capabilities. Balloons were cast to be approximately the shape of the target tissue surface, organ, or cavity. Laser power was introduced into the saline-filled balloon by one or more fiber optics. Devices were constructed and used to illuminate oral mucosa and uterine endometrium for PDT. Results: The balloon walls had low optical absorption, high diffuse reflectivity (80-95%), and low diffuse transmittance (5-20%) in the 500- to 900-nm wavelength region. Optical efficiencies of 65% were typical with emitted light over complex, nonspherical surfaces. Efficiency increased with inflation of the device, such that irradiance (power/area) at the balloon surface was nearly constant with inflation. Conclusion: Optically integrating balloons can provide highly uniform, efficient light exposure over complex tissue surfaces. Uniformity and irradiance were not strongly affected by balloon inflation, and these robust devices are easy to produce in essentially any shape.
The course and distribution of medial efferent fibers in the cochlea of the mustached bat

The course and distribution of medial olivocochlear (MOC) nerve fibers were studied in the cochlea of the mustached bat. This animal is of interest because of the very sharp tuning of the ear and fine frequency resolution in small frequency bands near 60 and 90 kHz. The MOC fibers arise from about 400 cells in the dorsomedial periolivary (DMPO) nucleus and they are distributed to approximately 4500 outer hair cells (OHCs), resulting in an average OHC unit size of 11.25. Individual fibers appear to have a small number of branches and each branch entering the tunnel of Corti terminates on a patch of OHCs. The patch size is typically 1-3 OHCs with the smallest average patch sizes in the regions tuned to 60 and 90 kHz. The majority of the MOC terminals are derived from the contralateral DMPO. Contralateral vs. ipsilateral projecting fibers are not preferentially distributed within any of the three rows of OHCs or within specific regions throughout most of the cochlea. It can be concluded that the main differences between the mustached bat's MOC system and that of most other mammals are: (1) origin from a single nucleus; (2) relatively small sizes of the patches; (3) a single terminal on each OHC; (4) a gradient in the size of the terminals but not in the number of terminals from row to row or from base to apex.
Cladistic biogeography of the moth tribe Cidariini (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) in the Holarctic and Indo-Chinese regions

A cladistic biogeographic analysis for the Holarctic and Indo-Chinese regions was undertaken based on seven genera of the tribe Cidariini Cidaria Treitschke, Thera Stephens, Pennithera Viidalepp,Heterothera Inoue, Callabraxas Butler, Gandaritis Moore and Eulithis Hubner. Smallest coincident ranges of two species recognized 11 endemic areas. The study has two aims: to construct a hierarchical structure of those areas, and to recognize dispersal events. Under two assumptions [widespread taxa mapped (identical as assumption 0) and widespread taxa not mapped (identical as assumption 1)] the 11 endemic areas were mapped with 72 taxa. The best resolved area cladograms under the two assumptions differ in the placement of one endemic area, northern Europe. Area relationships found in this present analysis are congruent with the current landmass configurations: (North America, (Europe, (northern India, (southwestern Asia, (Baikal area, (south China, (Taiwan, (Russian Far East, Japan)))))))). These area cladograms postulate at least three vicariance events: (1) between North America and the Palaearctic; (2) western–eastern Palaearctic; (3) northern India—the rest of Asia. The approach to recognize dispersed taxa by pruning each taxon suggests that most dispersal events occurred in East Asia: from the Baikal area or south China to the Russian Far East; and from the Russian Far East to Japan. Relationships among endemic areas are briefly discussed.
Al diffused conductive ZnSe substrates grown by physical vapor transport method

Abstract ZnSe single crystals of 30 mm diameter and about 20 mm length were grown by the semi-open free-growth physical vapor transport method. The area of the dislocation density less than 1×10 4 cm −2 is more than 90% of the (1 0 0) substrate, about 28 mm×20 mm in size, cut from the grown ZnSe crystal. Al was diffused by annealing into (1 0 0) substrates. Al concentration and carrier concentration over the region between the surface and 400 μm in depth of the substrate were higher than 4×10 18 cm −3 and 5×10 17 cm −3 , respectively. The dislocation density did not increase after Al diffusion and was kept below 1×10 4 cm −2 . The full-width at half maximum of the X-ray rocking curve was maintained below 10 arcsec. The Al concentration dependence of the Al diffusion coefficient in ZnSe was estimated.
Collagen Synthesis in Xenopus Oocytes after Injection of Nuclear RNA of Frog Embryos

A messenger RNA fraction from polysomes of frog larvae or RNA preparations from isolated nuclei of developing frog embryos were injected into growing Xenopus laevis oocytes that were incubated with labeled proline. Column chromatography of protein hydrolyzates revealed labeled hydroxyproline after injection of the messenger RNA fraction and neurula nuclear RNA, indicating that the injected material had promoted collagen synthesis.
Postsynaptic potential patterns evoked upon cells in sensorimotor cortex of cat by stimulation at the periphery

Intracellular and extracellular recordings were obtained from neurons in the sensorimotor forepaw cortex of chloralose-anesthetized, domestic cats. Cells responding with either spike or slow potential activity only after stimulation of the contralateral forepaw were classified as s neurons; those responding additionally after stimulation of other extremities were classed as m neurons. The postsynaptic potential changes evoked by single electric shock to the central footpad of each limb were of particular interest. Seven of the eight well-isolated s neurons responded to contralateral forepaw shock with a long duration depolarization; one responded with a short duration EPSP, followed immediately by a Cl−-dependent hyperpolarization. No intracellular membrane potential changes were seen on the s neurons after stimulation of other limbs. The typical response of m neurons to stimulation of any limb was a long-duration EPSP, followed by a long, weak IPSP. The IPSP was most prominent after contralateral forepaw shock, occasionally being indistinct after stimulation of other limbs. Although the inhibition typically follows an EPSP, 5 of 83 neurons responded to contralateral forepaw shock with an initial hyperpolarization. The observations are used to evaluate four possible mechanisms for the production of cortical inhibition. The data are best interpreted as resulting from a direct, thalamocortical inhibitory projection; the data are inconsistent with an intracortical, “recurrent” model.
Body Mass Index and Etiology of Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose—Extremes of body mass index (BMI) are associated with increased incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Because ICH can result from different vessel pathologies, we investigated whether the effect of BMI depends on ICH etiology. Methods—We analyzed 384 consecutive ICH cases (188 lobar ICH and 196 deep ICH) and 388 control subjects enrolled between 2004 and 2009 in an ongoing single-center prospective study of primary ICH. ICH was categorized as lobar or deep based on CT imaging at admission. BMI was calculated based on subjects' height and weight at enrollment. We constructed multivariate logistic regression models including BMI and known predictors of ICH occurrence. Analyses were performed separately for lobar and deep ICH subjects versus control subjects. Results—Low BMI ( 30.0 kg/m2) were associated with deep ICH risk (OR, 1.76; P=0.011 and OR, 1.75; P=0.013, respectively), whereas no effect was found for lobar ICH. Furthermore, sex-stratifie...
Lectin binding and effects in culture on human cancer and non-cancer cell lines: Examination of issues of interest in drug design strategies

Summary By using a non-cancer and a cancer cell line originally from the same tissue (colon), coupled with testing lectins for cell binding and for their effects on these cell lines in culture, this study describes a simple multi-parameter approach that has revealed some interesting results that could be useful in drug development strategies. Two human cell lines, CCL-220/Colo320DM (human colon cancer cells, tumorigenic in nude mice) and CRL-1459/CCD-18Co (non-malignant human colon cells) were tested for their ability to bind to agarose microbeads derivatized with two lectins, peanut agglutinin (Arachis hypogaea agglutinin, PNA) and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), and the effects of these lectins were assessed in culture using the MTT assay. Both cell lines bound to DBA-derivatized microbeads, and binding was inhibited by N-acetyl- d -galactosamine, but not by l -fucose. Neither cell line bound to PNA-derivatized microbeads. Despite the lack of lectin binding using the rapid microbead method, PNA was mitogenic in culture at some time points and its mitogenic effect displayed a reverse-dose response. This was also seen with effects of DBA on cells in culture. While this is a simple study, the results were statistically highly significant and suggest that: (1) agents may not need to bind strongly to cells to exert biological effects, (2) cell line pairs derived from diseased and non-diseased tissue can provide useful comparative data on potential drug effects and (3) very low concentrations of potential drugs might be initially tested experimentally because reverse-dose responses should be considered.
Incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids into CT-26, a transplantable murine colonic adenocarcinoma.

Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that marine oils, with high levels of eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20∶5n−3) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA, 22∶6n−3), inhibit the growth of CT-26, a murine colon carcinoma cell line, when implanted into the colons of male BALB/c mice. Anin vitro model was developed to study the incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) into CT-26 cells in culture. PUFA-induced changes in the phospholipid fatty acid composition and the affinity with which different fatty acids enter the various phospholipid species and subspecies were examined. We found that supplementation of cultured CT-26 cells with either 50 μM linoleic acid (LIN, 18∶2n−6), arachidonic acid (AA, 20∶4n−6), EPA, or DHA significantly alters the fatty acid composition of CT-26 cells. Incorporation of these fatty acids resulted in decreased levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, while EPA and DHA also resulted in lower levels of AA. While significant elongation of both AA and EPA occurred, LIN remained relatively unmodified. Incorporation of radiolabeled fatty acids into different phospholipid species varied significantly. LIN was incorporated predominantly into phosphatidylcholine and had a much lower affinity for the ethanolamine phospholipids. DHA had a higher affinity for plasmenylethanolamine (1-O-alk-1′-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine) than the other fatty acids, while EPA had the highest affinity for phosphatidylethanol-amine (1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine). These results demonstrate that,in vitro, significant differences are seen between the various PUFA in CT-26 cells with respect to metabolism and distribution, and these may help to explain differences observed with respect to their effects on tumor growth and metastasis in the transplantable model.
A Microfabricated Wet-Spinning Apparatus To Spin Fibers of Silk Proteins. Structure−Property Correlations

A microfabricated spinneret is described that is capable of spinning meters of fibers from solutions containing as little as 10 mg of purified protein. Using the spinneret, regenerated Bombyx mori fibers were made using various processing parameters. A loglinear relationship was found between the maximum stress sustained by the regenerated fibers and their diameters. Solid state 13C NMR was used to determine the effects of spinneret diameter and postspinning draw ratio on the secondary structure of the alanine residues in the silk protein. The relationship between the secondary structure of the alanine residues and the maximum stress of the silks was also examined. The results suggest that a relatively high fraction of the alanine residues in the silks must be in the -sheet conformation (>65%) in order to produce the highest stress fibers. However, the fraction of alanine residues in the -sheet conformation does not uniquely determine the maximum stress of a fiber; it is suggested that orientation of thes...
Interactive motion decomposition

Figure 1: In the left image the original walk (left actor) has been modified with a ”sneaky” style, yielding a sneaky walk (right actor). In the right image, the sneaking motion (left actor) is modified with a ”walking” style, yielding a walk-like sneak that appears as a tiptoeing motion (right actor). Our visual decomposition works with any sort of motion data, including motion captured and keyframed data.
Where does a Staphylococcus aureus vaccine stand

In this review, we examine the current status of Staphylococcus aureus vaccine development and the prospects for future vaccines. Examination of the clinical trials to date show that murine models have not predicted success in humans for active or passive immunization. A key factor in the failure to develop a vaccine to prevent S. aureus infections comes from our relatively limited knowledge of human protective immunity. More recent reports on the elements of the human immune response to staphylococci are analysed. In addition, there is some controversy concerning the role of antibodies for protecting humans, and these data are reviewed. From a review of the current state of understanding of staphylococcal immunity, a working model is proposed. Some new work has provided some initial candidate biomarker(s) to predict outcomes of invasive infections and to predict the efficacy of antibiotic therapy in humans. We conclude by looking to the future through the perspective of lessons gleaned from the clinical vaccine trials.
Refractive indexes and temperature coefficients of germanium and silicon.

The refractive indexes and their variations with temperature for silicon and germanium have been measured over the 95–298-K and 2.5–12-μm ranges. Data are given for the refractive index that are in reasonable agreement with those of previous investigators. For dn/dT the values are independent of wavelength and are approximately 1.5 × 10−4 (K)−1 and 4.0 × 10−4 (K)−1 for silicon and germanium, respectively.
Comparison of methyl bromide and herbicide effects on endomycorrhizal formation, seedling production, and weed control in sweetgum seedbeds

Sweetgum seedlings were grown in fumigated and nonfumigated nursery plots where equal portions were treated with a preemergence application of 1.1 kg/ha of trifluralin and a postemergence application of 1.7 kg/ha of napropamide. Methyl bromide at 478 kg/ha significantly decreased average root dry weight. Endomycorrhizal formation on one, two, and three month-old seedlings was not significantly decreased by fumigation or herbicide application. Weeding times for herbicide plots were less than half that for fumigated plots. These results show that herbicides can provide better control of annual weeds and produce better sweetgum seedlings than fumigating with methyl bromide.
Preliminary Investigation of Dietary Soy Sensitivity in Shovelnose Sturgeon

Sturgeon culture has developed greatly since the 1980s. Cultured sturgeon are often fed a commercial salmonid feed high in fish meal (FM). However, economic and sustainability concerns have put pressure on aquafeed manufactures to incorporate alternative proteins such as soybean meal (SBM). This experiment investigates dietary SBM sensitivity in shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorhynchus). Diets were formulated to contain 0%, 17%, 34%, and 51% SBM and fed for 8 weeks. Weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE), body and liver composition, and intestinal histology were determined. Although sturgeon growth rates were low for all diets, weight gain in fish fed the diet with 17% SBM averaged 55.6% of sturgeon fed the fish meal-based control diets. Statistically lower negative growth and FE (P < 0.05) were observed when SBM was included at 51% of the diet. However, whole-body proximate composition and hepatic lipid and glycogen content were not altered by dietary SBM inclusion level, ...
Exploiting channel memory for multiuser wireless scheduling without channel measurement: Capacity regions and algorithms

We study the fundamental network capacity of a multiuser wireless downlink under two assumptions: (1) Channels are not explicitly measured and thus instantaneous states are unknown; (2) Channels are modeled as ON/OFF Markov chains. This is an important network model to explore because channel probing may be costly or infeasible in some contexts. In this case, we can use channel memory with ACK/NACK feedback from previous transmissions to improve network throughput. Computing in closed form the capacity region of this network is difficult because it involves solving a high dimension partially observed Markov decision problem. Instead, in this paper we construct an inner and outer bound on the capacity region, showing that the bound is tight when the number of users is large and the traffic is symmetric. For the case of heterogeneous traffic and any number of users, we propose a simple queue-dependent policy that can stabilize the network with any data rates strictly within the inner capacity bound. The stability analysis uses a novel frame-based Lyapunov drift argument. The outer-bound analysis uses stochastic coupling and state aggregation to bound the performance of a restless bandit problem using a related multi-armed bandit system. Our results are useful in cognitive radio networks, opportunistic scheduling with delayed/uncertain channel state information, and restless bandit problems.