cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laser processing of poly(methyl methacrylate) Lambertian diffusers

Matrix-assisted pulsed laser deposition was used to deposit poly(methyl methacrylate) on silicon wafers and sodium silicate glass slides for the purpose of making optical diffusers. After deposition, the reflectance of the coated substrates was measured as a function of scattering angle. We found that the angular dependence of the reflectance could be described as the sum of two functions. First, a Gaussian describes the specular reflection of the underlying substrate that has been broadened by passage through the film. Second, a cosine function describes the reflectance contribution from the film itself. We found that by increasing the thickness of the deposited film that we could eliminate the specular reflection to obtain Lambertian diffusers. Since we can control the surface roughness by adjusting the ratio of the two matrices in laser processing, this deposition technique offers the possibility of producing a wide range of diffusers of different types.
Hepatic fibrosis as wound repair: A progress report

The injury response of the liver fits within the general paradigm of wound repair. The overall repair response requires close coordination of several cell types and synthetic processes and is orchestrated by an interacting group of cytokines, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, and products of metabolism such as oxygen radicals. Many cytokines act over short distances, engaging specific receptors on their parent cell (autocrine) or on immediately adjacent cells (paracrine). The most prominent of these is transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ). The ECM also mediates cellular crosstalk and does so in two ways. Firstly, as a binder of cytokines, it is capable of concentrating, presenting, or sequestering these factors at specific locations. Secondly, like cytokines, individual ECM proteins interact with cells via specific receptors, many of which belong to the integrin family. Engagement of a receptor leads to its activation, followed by intracellular signaling events and modification of cell behavior. Recent work has identified a specific integrin on stellate cells (α1β1) as critical to the contractility of these cells. Finally, contrary to the view once held of ECM as relatively inert "ground substance", this extracellular complex is highly dynamic, its cytokine- and cell-binding activities being subject to rapid change. Therefore, matrix proteinases also are important, both during the initiation of fibrosis in association with stellate cell activation, and during the resolution of the injury. As current research reveals the key elements of this regulatory network, new therapeutic modalities are emerging. The goal of therapy is to modify the extent of the repair response without deleting it. Strategies directed at several levels of regulation are under consideration, including agents that block cytokine effects (e.g., TGFβ receptor antagonists) and direct inhibitors of stellate cell activation or contraction.
The critical period for corpus callosum section to affect cortical binocularity.

The period of time during which surgical section of the corpus callosum (CC) is effective in altering the physiological properties of cells in cat striate cortex was investigated. Cats which had the CC transected between 13 days and 24 weeks of age were studied using extracellular, single-unit recording procedures. Analysis of the results from 1,747 cortical units indicate that when the CC was sectioned prior to 19 days of age there was a reduction in the encounter rate of binocularly activated neurons and an increase in the proportion of neurons dominated by the contralateral eye. The decrease in cortical binocularity was observed in both simple and complex cell populations, and at all receptive field eccentricities studied (0–39°). However, when the CC was sectioned after 19 postnatal days, no physiological changes were detected. Thus, in contrast with previous studies (Payne et al. 1980a, b) no changes were found following CC section in adult cats. The results therefore define a critical period which ends before 3 weeks of age during which corpus callosum section reduces striate cortex binocularity. Although the corpus callosum critical period is much shorter than the critical period for experiential alterations in cortical binocularity, the physiologically determined limits of the callosal critical period agree with the behaviorally determined limits previously found for the callosal critical period (Elberger 1984).
Lime: a Java-compatible and synthesizable language for heterogeneous architectures

The halt in clock frequency scaling has forced architects and language designers to look elsewhere for continued improvements in performance. We believe that extracting maximum performance will require compilation to highly heterogeneous architectures that include reconfigurable hardware.We present a new language, Lime, which is designed to be executable across a broad range of architectures, from FPGAs to conventional CPUs. We present the language as a whole, focusing on its novel features for limiting side-effects and integration of the streaming paradigm into an object- oriented language. We conclude with some initial results demonstrating applications running either on a CPU or co- executing on a CPU and an FPGA.
Foliar ammonium accumulation as an index of stress in plants

Abstract Foliar ethylene evolution is used as a bioassay to index physiological stress in plants. Accumulation of uncombined ammonium frequently precedes or coincides with ethylene evolution by stressed plants and also may serve as an index of stress. The objective of this research was to assess the relationship between ethylene evolution and ammonium in plants stressed by toxicity. Ethylene evolution and ammonium accumulation by tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) foliage were measured for plants grown in a greenhouse with nutrition from ammonium‐ or nitrate‐based nutrient solutions. Foliar symptoms of stress from ammonium toxicity appeared on plants growing on ammonium‐based solutions. Ethylene evolution increased in response to a progressive array of foliar ammonium accumulation, which varied with source of N and duration of the treatments. Above a threshold of about 0.2 mg NH4‐N g‐1 fresh weight, ethylene evolution rose sharply and linearly with ammonium accumulation. Ammonium accumulation in folia...
On Singularity and Lebesgue Type Decomposition for Operator-Valued Measures*

The concepts of absolute continuity and singularity for operator-valued measures are introduced and Radon-Nikodym and Lebesgue decomposition theorems for such measures are established. These theorems reduce directly to the classical results in the scalar case. The results have interesting applications to the theory of infinite-dimensional stationary stochastic processes.
The structures of several modified isoindolines, the building blocks of phthalocyanines

This report presents the single crystal X-ray structures of several substituted isoindolines that have been frequently used as starting materials for phthalocyanines, phthalocyanine analogs and related chelates. The structures of 1,3-diiminoisoindoline (1), 1,3-bis(hydroxyimino)isoindoline (2), 1,4-diaminophthalazine (3), 1,1,3-trichloroisoindoline (4) and 3-imino-1-oxoisoindoline (5) are reported; compounds 2 and 3 are synthesized from diiminoisoindoline (1) and 4 and 5 are produced from phthalimide. All five compounds are planar macrocycles, and localization of double bonds can be readily determined. We elucidated one of the known structures of 1 at low temperature, and observed two additional new structures of 1. For the crystal forms of 1 and compounds 2, 3, and 5, hydrogen bonding in the solid state was observed. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 form extended hydrogen bonded arrays in the solid state, whereas 5 forms discrete hydrogen bonded dimers.
Polycation effect on virulence of nonpathogenic r+ variant of the encephalomyocarditis virus.

Takemoto and Liebhaber described two variants (r and r+) of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus which differ in the size of plaques formed in cultures of L cells1. Plaques of r+ are 1 mm or less in diameter; those of r, 8 mm or greater. The small size of the r+ plaques is thought to be caused by sulphated acid polysaccharides in the agar overlay which bind the virus electrostatically and prevent attachment to neighbouring susceptible cells2. Revertants appear when r+ is grown under liquid medium. Approximately 0.5 per cent to 2 per cent of the plaque-forming particles (PFP) in our pools either resemble r variant or form plaques intermediate in size between r+ and r. Growth of this latter revertant (ri) after plaque purification is not inhibited by sulphated acid polysaccharides. Thus, inhibitor-insensitive plaque-forming particles invariably contaminate r+ pools at low dilutions but are not present at high dilutions.
The effect of heating rate and composition on the properties of spark plasma sintered zirconium diboride based composites

Abstract Five different compositions of ZrB 2 –SiC–ZrC were prepared and then processed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) to a maximum temperature of 2000 °C, with heating rates of 100 °C/min and 200 °C/min. Grain size, density, Rockwell hardness, flexural strength, and thermal conductivity were evaluated for the processed composites. Adding SiC up to 10 wt.% had a positive effect on densification and strength. Increasing the heating rate promoted densification and less overall grain growth for samples with SiC and ZrC above 15 wt.% each, and had a slight negative effect on densification when these values were at 10%.
Use of social support during communication about sickle cell carrier status

Objective To examine the use of social support behaviors by primary care providers during delivery of positive newborn screening results for Sickle Cell Anemia carrier status.
Multiplexed Moire Interferometry With White Light Processing

Multiplexing, as applied to interferometry, is the combination of separate interferometric tests to yield additional information about test object deformation. This paper details the multiplexing of moire interferometry to yield additional information through (1) object test comparison, (2) comparison of directional components of test object displacement, and (3) zero-order fringe location through secondary moire pattern analysis.
Acyclic ideals and Koszul complexes

Abstract If A is a differential module, then the computation of its homology may frequently be simplified by finding a large acyclic submodule N , for then H(A)≅H( A N ) as modules, and hopefully A N is more tractable than A . The same idea works if A is a differential algebra, but in that case it is critical to factor out by an acyclic ideal I ⊂ A , so that H(A)≅H( A I ) as algebras . This reduction technique in the classical (ungraded) case is used by Rees [7] and Tate [11], for example. I used a graded version in my thesis [8,9] to study the cohomology of two-stage Postnikov systems. Recently this Acyclic Ideal theorem has been used by Mann, May, Milgram and Sigaard [6] and there has also developed a body of work on the Koszul complex by Jozefiak [2,3] and others in which this theorem fits naturally.
Adolescent chronic mild stress alters hippocampal CB1 receptor-mediated excitatory neurotransmission and plasticity

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are involved in the stress response and alterations in eCB signaling may contribute to the etiology of mood disorders. Exposure to chronic mild stress (CMS), a model of depression, produces downregulation of the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor in the hippocampus of male rats. However, it is unknown how this stress-induced change in CB1 levels affects eCB-mediated neurotransmission. In vitro, field potential recordings from CMS-exposed (21-days) rats were performed to assess the effects of stress on eCB-regulated glutamatergic neurotransmission in/on hippocampal area CA1. We observed that application of the CB1 agonist, WIN 55,212-5 (1 μM), in stress animals resulted in a ∼135% increase in excitatory neurotransmission, whereas CB1 activation in non-stress animals leads to a ∼30% decrease. However, during blockade of GABA(A) neurotransmission with picrotoxin, CB1 activation yielded a ∼35% decrease in stress animals. These findings indicate that CMS does not directly affect glutamatergic neurotransmission. Rather, CMS sensitizes CB1 function on GABAergic terminals, leading to less inhibition and an increase in excitatory neurotransmission. This finding is reinforced in that induction of weak long-term-potentiation (LTP) is enhanced in CMS-exposed animals compared to controls and this enhancement is CB1-dependent. Lastly, we observed that the LTP-blocking property of WIN 55,212-5 shifts from being glutamate-dependent in non-stress animals to being GABA-dependent in stress animals. These results effectively demonstrate that CMS significantly alters hippocampal eCB-mediated neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity.
High Performance Fortran, Version 2

This paper introduces the ideas that underly the data-parallel language High Performance Fortran (HPF) and the new ideas in version 2 of HPF. It first reviews HPF's key language elements. It discusses the meaning of data parallelism and the limitations of HPF version 1 as a data-parallel programming language. The second part of the paper is a review of the development of version 2 of HPF. The extended language, under development in 1996, includes a richer data mapping capability; an extension to the independent loop that allows reduction operations in the loop range; a means for directing the mapping of computation as well as data; and a way to specify concurrent execution of several parallel tasks on disjoint subsets of processors.
Quantitation of naproxen by quenching of phosphorescence from a ternary complex of 2-bromo-6-methoxynaphthalene and α-cyclodextrin

A unique method, based on the measurement of phosphorescence lifetimes, is reported for use in analytically detecting the widely used anti-inflammatory drug naproxen. The reciprocal phosphorescence lifetime of a ternary complex containing α-cyclodextrin and 2-bromo-6-methoxynaphthalene increases linearly with naproxen concentration and has a quenching constant of 2.1 ± 0.05 × 106 M−1 s−1. Similar behavior is observed for quenching by the sodium salt of naproxen that has a quenching constant of 1.8 × 106 ± 0.05 M−1 s−1. The experimental sensitivity is sufficient to permit measurements of naproxen concentrations differing by 11 μg/ml. Phosphorescence lifetime measurements reveal that the quenching mechanism does not involve displacement of the unrelaxed triplet-state guest molecule by naproxen from the complex and may occur by energy transfer or electron transfer.
The Increasing Use of Mechanical Pulmonary Valve Replacement Over a 40-Year Period

Background Because reoperation is often necessary for bioprostheses, mechanical pulmonary valve replacement (mPVR) may be appropriate for many patients. Mechanical prostheses are durable, but there has been concern concerning valve thrombosis and bleeding complications from warfarin. Methods Between October 1965 and August 2008, 54 patients (33 male, median age 30 years, range 5 to 66) underwent mechanical PVR at our institution (40 patients since 2004). Forty-nine of these 54 patients underwent a total of 110 prior operations (median 2, maximum 5), including 89 prior operations on the right ventricular outflow tract (median 1, maximum 4). Diagnoses included congenital (n = 47) and carcinoid (n = 7) heart disease. Bleeding complications were compared with a 1:2 matched patient cohort (age, gender, and diagnosis) receiving bioprosthetic PVR. Results The most common concomitant procedures were tricuspid valve replacement in 15 patients, aortic root replacement in 14, and aortic valve replacement in 13. At last follow-up in 45 of 51 early survivors (median 2.2 years, maximum 20 years), there was no perivalvular leak, vegetations, pannus formation, or valve thrombosis. Further, no patient required reoperation on mPVR. Major late bleeding complications occurred in 3 of 54 patients in the mPVR group and 4 of 108 in the tissue PVR group. Conclusions Thromboembolic complications are rare with therapeutic international normalized ratios and mechanical PVR provides excellent durability and freedom from reoperation. Tissue PVR does not eliminate bleeding complications. Mechanical PVR should be considered in select patients with multiple prior operations, or when there is another need for warfarin anticoagulation.
Finite element analysis of composite structures containing distributed piezoceramic sensors and actuators

A finite element formulation is presented for modeling the dynamic as well as static response of laminated composites containing distributed piezoelectric ceramics subjected to both mechanical and electrical loadings. The formulation was derived from the variational principle with consideration for both the total potential energy of the structures and the electrical potential energy of the piezoceramics. An eight-node three-dimensional composite brick element was implemented for the analysis, and three-dimensional incompatible modes were introduced to take into account the global bending behavior resulting from the local deformations of the piezoceramics. Experiments were also conducted to verify the analysis and the computer simulations. Overall, the comparisons between the predictions and the data agreed fairly well. Numerical examples were also generated by coupling the analysis with simple control algorithms to control actively the response of the integrated structures in a closed loop.
Rapid localized cell trapping on biodegradable polymers using cell surface derivatization and microfluidic networking.

Abstract Spatial control over cell attachment is essential for controlling cell behavior and engineering cell-based sensor arrays. Here we report on a patterning procedure that can be utilized on a wide range of adherent and non-adherent cell types without the need to identify the exact peptide sequence or extracellular matrix (ECM) necessary for optimal cell attachment. This is achieved by converting native sialic residues present on the surface of most cells into non-native aldehydes using a mild sodium periodate treatment. The aldehyde groups are then reacted with biotin hydrazide to produce biotinylated cells. Avidin is patterned onto the surface of a biotinylated biodegradable block copolymer, polylactide–poly(ethylene glycol)–biotin (PLA–PEG–biotin) by microfluidic networking using a PDMS stamp. The biotinylated cells then bind specifically to the patterned avidin regions. The PEG that is presented from the PLA–PEG–biotin copolymer in the regions without avidin immobilization minimizes cell binding in the non-patterned regions.
Quantitative bacteriology of closed‐suction wound drainage in contaminated surgery

This study was designed to evaluate the predictive value of quantitative bacteriology of closed-suction postoperative wound drainage in identifying the patient likely to develop wound infection as well as its subsequent flora. Forty-one patients undergoing major cancer surgery of the head and neck were studied. Postoperatively, closed-suction wound drainage was cultured, and anaerobic and aerobic bacterial isolates were quantitated. The wound infection rate was 20% (8/41). No trend toward increased rate of wound infection with increased numbers of bacteria colonizing the wound was observed. Additionally, there was no consistent correlation between species of bacteria isolated from closed-suction wound drainage and recovery from subsequent wound infection. Quantitative bacteriology of closed-suction wound drainage after contaminated head and neck cancer surgery does not accurately predict which patients were likely to become infected, or the probable bacteriology of subsequent wound infection.
Advances in science with stellar interferometers 2004-2006

This paper presents an overview of contributions in astrophysics made since 2004 through the use of long-baseline optical/infrared interferometers. Emphasis is placed on new results at near- and mid-infrared wavelengths. These results include new insights into our understanding of Cepheid and Mira variables, Young Stellar Objects, dust shells, spectroscopic binaries, and the limb-darkening of rapidly rotating stars. Plans for future work are also described.
Adjustment of parental frequencies to maximize the diversity of a synthetic population

A method is outlined for maximizing the mean genetic distance among plants in a synthetic population by adjusting the relative contributions of the population's parents. The largest latent vector of the genetic distance matrix is used to find relative parental frequencies. The largest increases in the diversity of a synthetic will be achieved when there are different-sized clusters of parents, with considerably larger distances between than within clusters. The method may have application in maximizing the yields of synthetic cultivars or the resistance of multi-line cultivars.
Effects of (+)-octanoylcarnitine in intact myocardium.

Fatty acid metabolites (long-chain esters of CoA and carnitine) which collect in ischemic myocardium can form amphiphiles capable of disrupting subcellular performance. It is important to document the role of these amphiphiles in intact tissue. D-Octanoylcarnitine was chosen because of its previously described effects on inhibiting palmitoylcarnitine transferasc (PCT-II) inin vitro andin vivo liver preparations. This inhibition will shift tissue levels of CoA and carnitine intermediates and thus alter amphiphile levels. The compound's actions in cardiac muscle are unknown.
Destruction of cells in the midportion of the locus coeruleus by a dorsal bundle lesion in neonatal rats.

Abstract Although insult of the developing noradrenergic neuronal system in the brain has been associated with redistribution of noradrenergic fiber input to various target brain regions, few studies have investigated the effects of such insults on locus coeruleus cell survival. In the present study the dorsal noradrenergic bundle was transected by means of a midbrain knife cut in rats 3 days after birth, and the effects of this lesion were determined approximately 8–10 weeks later. Bymeans of an immunofluorescent histochemical procedure. it was shown that tyrosine hydroxylase-containing fibers and dopamine β-hydroxylase-containing fibers were markedly reduced in number in the neocortex and hippocampus — regions anterograde to the site of axonal transection. It was further demonstrated that the number of fluorescent fibers coursing through the dorsal bundle was similarly reduced. Sprouting of noradrenergic fibers in the brainstem and cerebellum accompanied the above alterations. When locus coeruleus cell number was determined by counting Cresyl violet-stained nucleoli in serial sections it was found that dorsal bundle transection produced a loss of 17% of the cells of the coeruleus. By dividing the counts for each nucleus into fifths, it was additionally found that approximately 20–25% of those cells comprising the midportion of the nucleus, along a rostrocaudal axis, were the ones destroyed by axonal transection. These findings indicate that a neonatal lesion of the dorsal bundle produces a loss of cells in the midportion of the nucleus locus coeruleus, and that this effect is associated with noradrenergic neuronal hyperinnervation of the brainstem and cerebellum.
Recurrent Respiratory Infections

The child who has recurrent infections poses one of the most difficult diagnostic challenges in pediatrics. The clinician faces a two-fold challenge in determining first whether the child is normal or has a serious disease, and then, in the latter case, how to confirm or exclude the diagnosis with the minimum number of the least invasive tests. It is hoped that, in the absence of good-quality evidence for most clinical scenarios, the experience-based approach described in this article may prove a useful guide to the clinician.
Neuroendocrine control of thyrotropin secretion.

THE GLYCOPROTEIN hormone TSH is the major regulator of the secretion of thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) from the thyroid gland. As the regulator of thyroid hormone release it plays an important, albeit indirect, role in the control of a variety of metabolic processes including protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, thermogenesis, and cell growth. Historically, the concept of pituitary control of the thyroid gland stretches back to the observations of Niepce (1) in 1851 that cretins had markedly enlarged pituitary glands and of Rogowitsch (2) in 1889, who observed hypertrophy of the anterior pituitary after thyroidectomy in the rabbit. This concept was firmly established by the studies of Smith (3, 4) between 1916 and 1922, when he showed that ablation of the tadpole adenohypophysis resulted in thyroid attrition and prevented metamorphosis and that the atrophied thyroid gland could be made to hypertrophy by injections of beef anterior pituitary extracts.
Human-robot coordination through dynamic regulation

Several key aspects of coordination such as teamwork, roles, and communication, are enabled and driven by, and even largely defined by, various systems of regulation. One key feature of all these elements in human coordination is their dynamic nature. We have developed a framework to provide a dynamic regulatory system for supporting coordination in human-robot teamwork. This framework supports the definition and functions of roles within teams, as well as the creation of subteams and the roles within them. It also serves to regulate communications in support of coordination. We have demonstrated our system with a team of two humans and five robots performing advanced coordination while trying to apprehend an intruder hiding on a cluttered pier. This work lays the foundation for human-robot coordination based on dynamic regulation.
An efficient algorithm for resource sharing in peer-to-peer networks

The performance of peer-to-peer systems depends on the level of cooperation of the system’s participants. While most existing peer-to-peer architectures have assumed that users are generally cooperative, there is great evidence from widely deployed systems suggesting the opposite. To date, many schemes have been proposed to alleviate this problem. However, the majority of these schemes are either too complex to use in practice, or do not provide strong enough incentives for cooperation. In this work we propose a scheme based on the general idea that offering uploads brings revenue to a node, and performing downloads has a cost. We also introduce a theoretical model that predicts the performance of the system and computes the values of the scheme’s parameters that achieve a desired performance. Our scheme is quite simple and very easy to implement. At the same time, it provides very strong incentives for cooperation and improves the performance of P2P networks significantly. In particular, theory and realistic simulations show that it reduces the query response times and file download delays by one order of magnitude, and doubles the system’s throughput.
Three-Dimensional Organization of the aquaporin water channel: what can structure tell us about function?

Publisher Summary The entry and exit of water across the lipid bilayer membrane is a fundamental physiological process necessary for maintaining cell homeostasis, which is crucial to the survival of an organism. The chapter discusses several observations that have been suggested in the presence of water-specific channels or pore in some tissues. These were (a) unusually high osmotic water permeability of, for instance, red blood cell membranes and renal proximal tubular epithelium, which is characterized by low Arrhenius activation energy (E a ) and is too rapid to be explained by passive diffusion of water across the bilayer, (b) reversible inhibition of the high water permeability across red blood cells by mercurial reagents, and (c) radiation inactivation studies of renal brush-border membrane vesicles and erythrocytes that indicated that a protein of ∼30kDa is responsible for the high water permeability. Additional evidence in favor of a protein responsible for water transport was provided when, upon injection of heterologous mRNAs from kidney reticulocytes and amphibian bladder into Xenopus oocytes, which is known to have low water permeability, increased water permeability was elicited.
Prorelationship maintenance behaviors: the joint roles of attachment and commitment

The present research uses a behavioral observation methodology to examine emotional and behavioral reactions to threatening interpersonal situations in married couples. The research shows that although anxious attachment can hinder people's tendencies to react constructively to threatening events, greater relationship commitment may serve as a buffer against the negative effects associated with attachment insecurities, diminishing feelings of rejection, enhancing feelings of acceptance, and promoting more constructive accommodation behaviors. The research also reveals that wives' degree of relationship commitment has stronger effects on emotional outcomes for both partners than does husbands' degree of commitment. Moreover, husbands' and wives' emotional reactions affect their own accommodative behaviors as well as their spouses' behaviors. These dyadic findings are discussed in terms of attachment theory and interdependence theory.
Biosynthesis of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid and ethylene from (delta)-aminolevulinic acid in ripening tomato fruits

The influence of g-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), methionine, 1aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid (ACC), glutamine, glutamate, and a-ketoglutarate on ethylene (CgĤ ) and ACC production in 'Heinz 1350' tomato pericarp discs was determined. ALA increased CgHy to 232% and ACC to 410 of the control production rates, whereas methionine increased CgHy to 152% and ACC to 167% of the production rates of the control. ACC enhanced Ĉ Hy production to 2U2% of the control, while glutamine, glutamate, and a-ketoglutarate were not different from the control or from each other. The CgHy production rate varied with the ALA concentration and the stage of fruit development. As the ALA concentration increased from zero to 40 mM, the CgHy production rate increased. Both treated and untreated pericarp discs from fruits at the pink stage of development yielded the largest CgHy production rate. Application of (2,3- H)ALA to pericarp discs caused the accumulation of radioactivity in both ACC and Ĉ Ĥ but not in methionine. These data suggest that, during ripening of tomato fruits, CgHy is formed from ALA via ACC.
Some Models for Estimating Technical and Scale Inefficiencies in Data Envelopment Analysis

In management contexts, mathematical programming is usually used to evaluate a collection of possible alternative courses of action en route to selecting one which is best. In this capacity, mathematical programming serves as a planning aid to management. Data Envelopment Analysis reverses this role and employs mathematical programming to obtain ex post facto evaluations of the relative efficiency of management accomplishments, however they may have been planned or executed. Mathematical programming is thereby extended for use as a tool for control and evaluation of past accomplishments as well as a tool to aid in planning future activities. The CCR ratio form introduced by Charnes, Cooper and Rhodes, as part of their Data Envelopment Analysis approach, comprehends both technical and scale inefficiencies via the optimal value of the ratio form, as obtained directly from the data without requiring a priori specification of weights and/or explicit delineation of assumed functional forms of relations between inputs and outputs. A separation into technical and scale efficiencies is accomplished by the methods developed in this paper without altering the latter conditions for use of DEA directly on observational data. Technical inefficiencies are identified with failures to achieve best possible output levels and/or usage of excessive amounts of inputs. Methods for identifying and correcting the magnitudes of these inefficiencies, as supplied in prior work, are illustrated. In the present paper, a new separate variable is introduced which makes it possible to determine whether operations were conducted in regions of increasing, constant or decreasing returns to scale in multiple input and multiple output situations. The results are discussed and related not only to classical single output economics but also to more modern versions of economics which are identified with "contestable market theories."
Pruritic dermatoses: overview of etiology and therapy.

This review begins with a brief survey of the neurophysiology and neuroanatomy of pruritus, and goes on to describe the etiology of the major allergic and nonallergic pruritic disorders. The etiology of pruritus often suggests the appropriate treatment. For example, urticaria, which is primarily mediated by histamine, is amenable to treatment with H1 antihistamines. Second-generation, nonsedating antihistamines appear to be more effective than sedating antihistamines, perhaps because of better compliance. Other systemic pharmacologic options may be useful in nonhistamine-mediated disorders, for example, immunomodulators for inflammation-induced pruritus or opiate antagonists for atopic dermatitis. Nonpharmacologic measures, such as proper skin care, and physical modalities, such as phototherapy or acupuncture, may also be helpful. Am J Med.
Insulin activates a PD 098059-sensitive kinase that is involved in the regulation of p70S6K and PHAS-I

Incubating either Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells or 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin increased the phosphorylation of the eIF-4E-binding protein, PHAS-I. Insulin also activated p70S6K and the Erk-1 and Erk-2 isoforms of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase). However, the concentrations of the hormone needed to activate MAP kinase were 10–100 times higher than those needed to increase PHAS-I phosphorylation and p70S6K activity. Incubating cells with the inhibitor of MAP kinase kinase (MEK) activation, PD 098059, blocked the effects of low concentrations of insulin on PHAS-I and p70S6K. The effects of the inhibitor were overcome by increasing concentrations of insulin. The results indicate that insulin activates a PD 098059-sensitive kinase that is involved in the regulation of both p70S6K and PHAS-I.
Motion planning with wireless network constraints

This work discusses feasibility aspects of motion planning for groups of agents connected by a range-constrained wireless network. Specifically, we address the difficulties encountered when trajectories are required to preserve the connectedness of the network. The analysis utilizes a quantity called the connectivity robustness of the network, which can be calculated in a distributed fashion, and thus is applicable to distributed motion planning problems arising in control of vehicle networks. Further, these results show that network constraints posed as connectivity robustness constraints have minimal impact on reachability, provided that an appropriate topology control algorithm is implemented. This contrasts with more naive approaches to connectivity maintenance, which can significantly reduce the reachable set.
Epigenetics—DNA-Based Mirror of our Environment?

Epigenetics affects health, appearance and behavior and propagates mammalian phenotypes across generations. Nutrients, drugs and behavior can all direct changes in epigenetics. In at least some cases, these directed changes are propagated across generations. This range of influences on epigenetics suggests that epigenetics is highly interactive with the environment. Changes in the environment may regularly change epigenetics and influence our future responses to the environment. The current research challenge is to understand these influences and use them to direct epigenetics toward improved health and longevity.
Effect of Colloidal Fillers on the Cross-Linking of a UV-Curable Polymer: Gel Point Rheology and the Winter−Chambon Criterion

The effect of colloidal silica fillers on the cross-linking behavior of a model UV-curable polymer system (thiol-ene) is studied using in situ rheology and real-time FTIR spectroscopy. The validity of the Winter-Chambon criterion (convergence of the loss tangents at the gel point) is examined for the cross-linking of these filled polymers, some of which are strongly flocculated dispersions (physical gels) prior to chemical cross-linking. Two different types of colloidal silica particles are studied: one with octyl chains tethered to the surface and the other with methyl surface groups. The Winter-Chambon criterion is satisfied for all samples containing the methyl-terminated silica. However, the criterion breaks down for samples containing the octyl-modified silica, with the loss tangents not converging at any single point. This suggests the absence of a self-similar critical gel at the gel point in the latter case. Neither type of silica particles alters the mechanism of the cross-linking reaction, as revealed by FTIR spectroscopy, but they do retard the cross-linking kinetics. An alternate method is suggested for determining the chemical gel point of filled systems that fail to obey the Winter-Chambon criterion. This method involves monitoring the critical strain (limit of the linear viscoelastic region) at various UV exposure times. A dramatic increase is observed in the critical strain at the gel point, indicating a transition from weak, physical bonds to strong, covalent cross-links.
Development of sitting and reaching in 5- to 6-month-old infants☆

Abstract Three studies are reported, investigating changes in body engagement by 5- to 6-month-old infants as they reach for objects in the environment. Infants are distinguished and compared based on their relative ability to maintain a sitting posture without any external body support. The first study demonstrates that manual reaching by sitter infants is coordinated with forward leaning of the trunk, whereas reaching by nonsitters is not. The second study demonstrates that nonsitter infants provided with hip support also show signs of a coordination between reaching of the hand and forward leaning of the trunk. The third study compares nonsitter, nearsitter, and sitter infants as they reach for multiple objects spread across their prehensile space. Results demonstrate expansion in the mapping of infants' prehensile space and hand use as a function of self-sitting ability. The reported results are discussed as expressions of the interaction between the development of postural, perceptual, and action systems in infancy.
Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase of Dictyostelium discoideum and its glycoprotein inhibitor: structure and expression of their genes.

The genes coding for the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PD) and the PD inhibitory glycoprotein (PDI) have been cloned and characterized. The PDI gene was isolated as a 1.6 kb genomic fragment, which included the coding sequence containing two small introns and 510 nucleotides of non-translated 5′ sequence. From the deduced amino acid sequence we predict a protein with a molecular weight (MW) of 26,000 that, in agreement with previous data, contains 15% cysteine residues. Genomic Southern blot analysis indicates that only one gene encodes the inhibitor. Northern blot analysis shows a single transcript of 0.95 kb. The PDI gene is expressed early in development with little transcript remaining following aggregation. The appearance of PDI mRNA is prevented by the presence of cAMP, but when cAMP is removed the transcript appears within 30 minutes. When cAMP is applied to cells expressing PDI the transcript disappears with a half-life of less than 30 minutes. The PD gene of D. discoideum is transcribed into three mRNAs: a 1.9 kb mRNA specific for growth, a 2.4 kb mRNA specific for aggregation, and a 2.2 kb mRNA specific for late development. The 2.2 kb mRNA is also specific for prestalk cells, and is induced by differentiation-inducing factor. All three mRNAs contain the same coding sequence, and differ only in their 5′ non-coding sequences. Each mRNA is transcribed from a different promoter, and by using the chloramphenicol acyltransferase gene as a reporter, we have shown that each promoter displays the same regulation as its cognate mRNA. Transformation of wild-type strains with the PD gene causes PD overexpression which accelerates aggregation and blocks subsequent cell differentiation and pattern formation.
Editorial Gatekeepers Confronted by the Electronic Journal

Refereed journals perform a crucial role in the formal dissemination of new knowledge. Significant to the communication process are editors and editorial board gatekeepers. These gatekeepers were surveyed to learn their views on supplanting paper-formatted journals with journals in electronic formats. The survey showed that editorial gatekeepers, although generally supportive of the creation of electronic journals, are still very enamored of the paper format as both a means of publishing and a medium for archiving academic writing. It is suggested that editorial gatekeepers may view electronic journals as an extension of the informal communication system of the disciplines rather than as a medium for supplanting the traditional paper format of academic journals.
Annual summary of vital statistics--1998.

Most vital statistics indicators of the health of Americans were stable or showed modest improvements between 1997 and 1998. The preliminary birth rate in 1998 was 14.6 births per 1000 population, up slightly from the record low reported for 1997 (14.5). The fertility rate, births per 1000 women aged 15 to 44 years, increased 1% to 65.6 in 1998, compared with 65.0 in 1997. The 1998 increases, although modest, were the first since 1990, halting the steady decline in the number of births and birth and fertility rates in the 1990s. Fertility rates for total white, non-Hispanic white, and Native American women each increased from 1% to 2% in 1998. The fertility rate for black women declined 19% from 1990 to 1996, but has changed little since 1996. The rate for Hispanic women, which dropped 2%, was lower than in any year for which national data have been available. Birth rates for women 30 years or older continued to increase. The proportion of births to unmarried women remained about the same at one third. The birth rate for teen mothers declined again for the seventh consecutive year, and the use of timely prenatal care (82.8%) improved for the ninth consecutive year, especially for black (73.3%) and Hispanic (74.3%) mothers. The number and rate of multiple births continued their dramatic rise; the number of triplet and higher-order multiple births jumped 16% between 1996 and 1997, accounting, in part, for the slight increase in the percentage of low birth weight (LBW) births. LBW continued to increase from 1997 to 1998 to 7.6%. The infant mortality rate (IMR) was unchanged from 1997 to 1998 (7.2 per 1000 live births). The ratio of the IMR among black infants to that for white infants (2.4)remained the same in 1998 as in 1997. Racial differences in infant mortality remain a major public health concern. In 1997, 65% of all infant deaths occurred to the 7.5% of infants born LBW. Among all of the states, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire had the lowest IMRs. State-by-state differences in IMR reflect racial composition, the percentage LBW, and birth weight-specific neonatal mortality rate for each state. The United States continues to rank poorly in international comparisons of infant mortality. Expectation of life at birth increased slightly to 76.7 years for all gender and race groups combined. Death rates in the United States continue to decline, including a drop in mortality from human immunodeficiency virus. The age-adjusted death rate for suicide declined 6% in 1998; homicide declined 14%. Death rates for children from all major causes declined again in 1998. A large proportion of childhood deaths, however, continue to occur as a result of preventable injuries.
Packaging of MMICs in multilayer LCP substrates

A 13-25-GHz GaAs bare die low noise amplifier is embedded inside a multilayer liquid crystal polymer (LCP) package made from seven layers of thin-film LCP. This new packaging topology has inherently unique properties that could make it an attractive alternative in some instances to traditional metal and ceramic hermetic packages. LCP is a near-hermetic material and its lamination process is at a relatively low temperature (285degC versus >800degC for ceramics). The active device is enclosed in a package consisting of several laminated C02 laser machined LCP superstrate layers. Measurements demonstrate that the LCP package and the 285degC packaging process have minimal effects on the monolithic microwave integrated circuit radio frequency (RF) performance. These findings show that both active and passive devices can be integrated together in a homogeneous laminated multilayer LCP package. This active/passive compatibility demonstrates a unique capability of LCP to form compact, vertically integrated (3-D) RF system-on-a-package modules
Exchange-induced enhancement of spin-orbit coupling in two-dimensional electronic systems

We study theoretically the renormalization of the spin-orbit-coupling constant of two-dimensional electrons by electron-electron interactions. We demonstrate that, similarly to the g factor, the renormalization corresponds to the enhancement, although the magnitude of the enhancement is weaker than that for the g factor. For high-electron concentrations (small interaction parameter ${r}_{s})$ the enhancement factor is evaluated analytically within the static random phase approximation. For large ${r}_{s}\ensuremath{\sim}10,$ we use an approximate expression for effective electron-electron interaction, which takes into account the local field factor, and calculate the enhancement numerically. We also study the interplay between the interaction-enhanced Zeeman splitting and interaction-enhanced spin-orbit coupling.
A baseline analysis of transboundary poaching incentives in Chiquibul National Park, Belize

When local and external interests differ, community development and conservation goals may conflict. This interest divide is especially apparent in the management of resources across national borders. This study considers illegal hunting of wildlife in Belize's Chiquibul National Park (CNP), which may contribute to decreasing wildlife populations. Community residents in neighbouring Guatemala engage in poaching within CNP, but management strategies are limited to Belizean efforts. This research assesses Guatemalan residents' perceptions of the extent of poaching, understanding of wildlife in CNP, and views on the legality and motivations for poaching. We address these objectives by interviewing Guatemalan border community residents, along with authorities on both sides of the border. Our findings indicate that cross-border poaching by Guatemalan residents is declining, yet still prevalent, in these communities. However, this research demonstrates little support for the hypothesis that regulations or punishments limit poaching. Instead, the subsistence needs of hunters and their families was found to be a more important factor affecting residents' decision to poach. Park managers should design conservation interventions accordingly.