cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of Peaks in Capillary Column Gas Chromatograms at the Nanogram Level by Dual-Beam Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry

Most interfaces between a gas chromatograph (GC) and a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer for the on-line measurement of the spectra of eluting peaks have been designed for use with 1/8 in. o.d. packed GC columns, and the light-pipes are too large for GC/ FT-IR measurements of peaks eluting from capillary columns without degrading the GC resolution. The volume of a light-pipe for GC/FT-IR should be large enough to ensure that as much of the sample as possible is present in the cell during the measurement of the spectrum, but small enough that the GC resolution is not seriously degraded. It has been shown that the optimum GC/FT-IR sensitivity is obtained when the volume of the light-pipe, Vcell, is equal to the volume of carrier gas containing a GC peak between its half-height points, V1/2. For peaks eluting from lightly loaded 1/8 in. o.d. packed columns, V1/2 is usually about 5 ml or greater, while for peaks eluting from capillary columns V1/2 is considerably smaller than this. If a support-coated open tubular (SCOT) column is used, a typical value for V1/2 is 0.5 ml, and if wall-coated open tubular (WCOT) columns are used, V1/2 may be 50 μl or even lower. Thus, if GC/FT-IR techniques are to be used for the identification of components of mixtures separated by capillary columns, light-pipes of smaller volumes than the 3 ml light-pipes used on commercial GC/FT-IR systems must be used.
Analyzing residual stress in bilayer chalcogenide Ge2Se3/SnTe films

Abstract Chalcogenide thin film stacks of polycrystalline SnTe and amorphous Ge2Se3 are analyzed for residual stress using X-ray diffraction. The as-deposited film stacks are annealed at different temperatures and the thermal dependence of stress is investigated. Stress evaluations are performed by employing the sin2 ψ technique using a 2D area detector system. As-deposited samples are found to be compressively stressed and exhibit increasingly tensile thermal stress with increasing annealing temperature. Onset of crystallization of the bottom Ge2Se3 layer is indicated by a sharp drop in the stress level in the 270 °C–360 °C temperature range, due to volume shrinkage associated with the crystallization. Diffraction patterns of samples annealed at different temperatures indicate compositional changes that are attributed to inter-diffusion of ions between the two layers. The XRD profiles of samples annealed at 360 °C and 450 °C indicate the formation of a Ge2Se3–SnTe solid solution. It is suggested that both, residual stress and temperature dependent compositional changes affect the measured d spacings.
Penn State: Power and Its Pernicious Fear of Scandal

This article addresses the furtive environment, and willful ignorance at Penn State University that resulted in the alleged molestations of children by a football coach. An audacious criticality is...
Seismic performance of skewed and curved reinforced concrete bridges in mountainous states

Abstract A number of skewed and curved highway bridges have experienced damage or collapse due to seismic events, and has most recently been observed during the Chile earthquake in 2010. In the Mountain West region, bridges integrating skew and curvature are becoming an increasingly prominent component of modern highway transportation systems due to their ability to accommodate geometric restrictions imposed by existing highway components. There is however very little information available on the combined effects of skew and curvature on the seismic performance of Reinforced Concrete (RC) bridges. A comprehensive performance analysis is performed on eight bridge configurations of various degrees of skew and curvature with low-to-moderate seismic excitations which are characteristic of the Mountain West region. Nonlinear time-history analysis is carried out on each bridge configuration using detailed finite element (FE) models. The results show a considerable impact on the seismic performance due to the effects of skew and curvature, with stacking effects observed in the combined geometries. Insights on the complexities of curvature, skew, loading direction and support condition are also made, which may lend themselves to more informed design decisions for practicing engineers in the future.
Subjective and behavioral effects of diazepam depend on its rate of onset

This study addressed the assumption that rate of onset affects the euphorigenic effects of drugs. Drugs with rapid onset are commonly thought to be more euphorigenic than drugs with slower onset, but this idea has rarely been studied directly. Nine healthy male social drinkers, with no history of drug- or alcohol-related problems, participated in three sessions. On each session they received oral doses of placebo (PLAC), diazepam in a rapid onset condition (FAST), or diazepam in a slow onset condition (SLOW). In the FAST condition, they received a single 20 mg dose, whereas in the SLOW condition they received six 4 mg doses administered at 30-min intervals. Plasma levels of diazepam and desmethyldiazepam, subjective effects (including measures of euphoria), psychomotor performance and vital signs were monitored throughout each session. Although the FAST and SLOW conditions led to similar peak plasma levels of drug, the peak was attained earlier in the FAST condition (61 min versus 220 min). Subjects' scores on a measure of euphoria (MBG scale of the ARCI) were significantly higher in the FAST condition compared to the SLOW and PLAC conditions. Subjects exhibited significantly more behavioral signs of intoxication and greater psychomotor impairment in the FAST condition. Sedative effects of the drug were similar in magnitude, but the effects lasted slightly longer in the FAST condition. On several measures diazepam produced similar effects in the two conditions (e.g., ratings of strength of drug effect). These data provide limited support for the notion that a faster rate of onset of drug effects is associated with greater euphoria.
Phenotypic heterogeneity associated with the splicing mutation in congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

One mutation frequently identified in 21-hydroxylase deficiency is the intron 2 splicing mutation, in which the normal polymorphic C or A at nucleotide 655 has been converted to G. Using allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization, single strand conformational polymorphism analysis, and heteroduplex analyses, we identified 38 individuals from 21 different families who had 2 deleterious mutations. All were homozygous or compound heterozygotes for the splicing mutation. Comparison of the phenotypic features with the molecular genotypes shows phenotypic heterogeneity extending from classical salt-losing 21-hydroxylase deficiency to asymptomatic. Single strand conformational polymorphism analysis followed by DNA sequence analysis revealed numerous sequence variations in intron 2, most commonly at nucleotides 601 and 683. Transient transfection experiments show that the 3'-portion of intron 2 is sufficient to transfer the effect of the 655c/a-->g mutation to a chimeric heterologous gene. Clinical correlation...
Effect of crosslinking and glycosaminoglycan depletion on the extra-fibrillar matrix mechanics of annulus fibrosus

Protein crosslinking and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) depletion are characteristic of disc degeneration. The objective of this study is to analyze the role of these biochemical changes on the mechanics of annulus fibrosus extra-fibrillar matrix (EFM). It was found that GAG depletion decreased ionic contribution, but not the nonionic contribution of the EFM. Additionally, crosslinking increased the stiffness of annulus fibrosus EFM.
Unsupervised hierarchical structure induction for deeper semantic analysis of audio

Current audio analysis techniques rely on fairly shallow analysis of audio content, using symbols or patterns extracted directly from the observed acoustics. We hypothesize that the observed acoustics actually map to semantics in a hierarchical manner, and that the higher levels of this hierarchy correspond to increasingly higher-level semantics. In this paper, we present a model for deeper analysis of the observed acoustics, that induces a probabilistic tree structure depending on estimated constituent identities and contexts. Audio characterization using the deeper structure outperforms the standard shallow-feature based characterizations.
Carcinoid and other tumors metastatic to the breast.

Carcinoid tumor metastatic to the breast is extremely unusual; only six cases have been reported in the literature to date. Because of the rarity of these tumors primary or metastatic in the breast, and because tumors in general seldom metastasize to the breast, a review of primary carcinoid of the breast and tumors metastatic to the breast is included.
Spatial filters for differentiation

Abstract A grating is copied in monochromatic coherent light. The copy plate is not quite in contact with the grating. Therefore, the fringe contrast on the copy plate will vary across the field. This copy plate can serve as spatial filter for performing first order or higher order differentiations, if the geometry of the copy process was chosen properly.
Impact and accountability: improvement as a competency challenges the purposes of bioethics.

The predominant historical narrative of bioethics describes how ethical expertise rescued medicine from growing dilemmas, and that these dilemmas were presumably best understood as ethical problems...
The financial performance effects of IT-based supply chain management systems in manufacturing firms

Abstract This paper examines the financial benefits of information technology investments around newly adopted IT-based supply chain management (SCM) systems by 123 manufacturing firms over the period 1994–2000. We form hypotheses using the value chain to specify the expected financial impact of SCM systems. By examining the change in financial performance pre- and post-adoption controlling for industry median changes in performance, we find that SCM systems increase gross margin, inventory turnover, market share, return on sales, and reduce selling, general, and administrative expenses. We also provide a model showing how process improvements around supply chain initiatives combine to improve overall performance. Finally, we show that contextual effects such as firms in the high-tech industry and the scope of the supply chain implementation have dramatic effects on the overall financial performance resulting from supply chain implementations.
A Dominant Negative Mutant β2-Microglobulin Blocks the Extracellular Folding of a Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Heavy Chain

The major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC1) molecule plays a crucial role in cytotoxic lymphocyte function. β2-Microglobulin (β2m) has been demonstrated to be both a structural component of the MHC1 complex and a chaperone-like molecule for MHC1 folding. β2m binding to an isolated α3 domain of MHC1 heavy chain at micromolar concentrations has been shown to accurately model the biochemistry and thermodynamics of β2m-driven MHC1 folding. These results suggested a model in which the chaperone-like role of β2m is dependent on initial binding to the α3 domain interface of MHC1 with β2m. Such a model predicts that a mutant β2m molecule with an intact MHC1 α3 domain interaction but a defective MHC1 α1α2 domain interaction would block β2m-driven folding of MHC1. In this study we generated such a β2m mutant and demonstrated that it blocks MHC1 folding by normal β2m at the expected micromolar concentrations. Our data support an initial interaction of β2m with the MHC1 α3 domain in MHC1 folding. In addition, the dominant negative mutant β2m can block T-cell functional responses to antigenic peptide and MHC1.
Fuzzy Closeness-Based Delegation Forwarding in Delay Tolerant Networks

Delay tolerant networks (DTNs) are envisioned to provide promising applications and services. One critical issue in DTNs is efficiently forwarding the messages within the delay requirements while avoiding the cost associated with blind flooding. To guide the forwarding process, nodes can evaluate their relationships with each other, in terms of ``closeness'', which summarizes both temporal and spacial information, based on contact history. However, due to the uncertainty in nodal mobility, the contact history usually contains fuzziness and incomplete information. In this paper, we first define and utilize a fuzzy trust evaluation system for nodes to summarize their relationships to other nodes, in terms of closeness. We then propose the fuzzy clustering to organize nodes into overlapped fuzzy communities based on nodes' evaluations of closeness. On top of the fuzzy communities, a novel fuzzy-weight-based delegation forwarding scheme is proposed to propagate the messages into all communities while avoiding repeated forwarding in the same community. Extensive simulation results based on real traces are presented to support the effectiveness of our scheme.
Synthesis and Physical Properties of the Hg-Based Superconductors with the 1212 Structure: Hg0.7 V0.3Sr2Ca1-xYxCu2O6+gd

A partial substitution of vanadium at the Hg site helps to stabilize the Sr analogue of the Hg-1212 phase. Simultaneous replacement of Ca by a rare earth ion is found necessary to form single-phase materials. Crystalline and nearly single-phase compounds were synthesized for x≥0.4 in the system Hg0.7V0.3Sr2Ca{i−x}Y x Cu2O6+δ. The lattice parameters show an increase in thea axis and a significant decrease in thec axis with increase inx. A maximumT c of 85K was obtained for x= 0.4.T c decreases with increase in Y concentration. However, all the compositions in the single-phase region show a broad superconducting transition. Annealing in vacuum and re-annealing in oxygen helps to improve the diamagnetic volume fraction, but the nature of the transition remained unaffected. Studies on the magnetizationhysteresis loops suggest a poor flux pinning nature of the compounds. Although the compounds have a large decrease in anisotropy along thec axis, partial occupancy of Y3+ in the Ca2+ layer adjacent to the CuO2 conduction plane is detrimental to the flux pinning behavior. This study suggests that the presenceof defects in the proximity of the conduction plane in the high-T c copper oxide system has an adverse effect on the superconducting properties.
Distortions and deletions: word-initial consonant specificity in fluent speech.

This study investigated the perceptual effects of either distorting (misarticulating) or deleting word-initial phoneme targets located in two-syllable words. Subjects were instructed to shadow taped prose passages containing the distorted or deleted targets. The subjects typically repeated words containing distorted targets as heard on the tape, and they typically restored words con­ taining deleted targets. That is, the subjects reconstructed the missing acoustic-phonetic infor­ mation even with deletions as large as 137.5 msec. Deleting word-initial consonants apparently had little effect on the word-recognition process during shadowing. The subjects appeared to rely on contextual constraints in lieu of the missing acoustic-phonetic information. The experimental study of fluent speech perception dates back to at least 1900 with the publication of Wil­ liam Chandler Bagley's (190().: 1901) paper, "The Apper­ ception of the Spoken Sentence: A Study in the Psychol­ ogy of Language." In his paper, Bagley examined the role of lexical and semantic constraints in fluent speech per­ ception. Since Bagley's time, much research in fluent speech perception has centered on recognizing words in noisy environments. The majority of the literature has stressed the importance of lexical, semantic, and prosodic con­ straints provided in spoken utterances which help listeners to recognize words in noisy situations. Some ofthis research has dealt with what is now called the "phonemic restoration effect" (Warren, 1970). This auditory illusion, first demonstrated by Bagley, involves a listener's ability to restore missing acoustic informa­ tion due either to a distorted speech signal or to noise. More recently, the role of phonemic restorations in word recognition in fluent speech has been described by Samuel (1981). Although much research has dealt with redundancies in the spoken message, less effort has been given to the study of perception of segments, even though the audi­ tory cues for segment identity present in isolation are often different from those observed in fluent speech (Cole & Jakimik, 1980). Studies involving segmental perception have largely examined the role of consonant distinctive features in word recognition (Cole, 1973; Marslen-Wilson & Welsh, 1978).
Biogeochemistry and natural attenuation of nitrate in groundwater at an explosives test facility

An interdisciplinary study was conducted to characterize the distribution and fate of NO3− in groundwater at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Site 300, a high-explosives test facility in the semi-arid Altamont Hills of California. Site 300 groundwater contains NO3− concentrations ranging from 200 mg NO3−/L. Several lines of evidence strongly suggest that denitrification is naturally attenuating NO3− in the confined, O2-depleted region of the bedrock aquifer under study (Tnbs2): (a) both NO3− and dissolved O2(DO) concentrations in groundwater decrease dramatically as groundwater flows from unconfined to confined aquifer conditions, (b) stable isotope signatures (i.e., δ15N and δ18O) of groundwater NO3− indicate a trend of isotopic enrichment that is characteristic of denitrification, and (c) dissolved N2 gas, the product of denitrification, was highly elevated in NO3−-depleted groundwater in the confined region of the Tnbs2 aquifer. Long-term NO3− concentrations were relatively high and constant in recharge-area monitoring wells (typically 70–100 mg NO3−/L) and relatively low and constant in the downgradient confined region (typically <0.1–3 mg NO3−/L), suggesting a balance between rates of NO3− loading and removal by denitrification. Chemolithoautotrophic denitrification with pyrite as the electron donor is plausible in the Tnbs2 aquifer, based on the low dissolved organic C concentrations (<1.5 mg/L) that could not support heterotrophic denitrification, the common occurrence of disseminated pyrite in the aquifer, and the trend of increasing SO2−4 as groundwater flows from aerobic, unconfined to anoxic, confined aquifer conditions. Nitrate sources were investigated by experimentally determining the δ15N and δ18O signatures of NO3− from three potential anthropogenic sources of NO3− at Site 300: Ba(NO3)2 (mock explosive), HNO3, and photolysis of the explosive RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine). The isotopic signatures of these potential NO3− sources were markedly different than those of NO3− in Tnbs2 groundwater samples, suggesting that other sources must contribute significantly to the NO3− loading at Site 300. In particular, NO3− and NO2− resulting from RDX photolysis reflected dramatically depleted δ15N (ca. −7.4‰) and δ18O (ca. −25.7‰) values.
Radiation Effects on Oral Epithelium in Mice

The effects of radiation on the replacement of mature squamous cells was studied in the dorsal epithelium of the mouse tongue. The findings suggested that the movement of basal cells into the mature population may be due to increased focal pressures in the basal cell layer resulting from the occurrence of mitotic activity in clusters.
Telephone-Based Interventions with Family Caregivers: A Feasibility Study:

Although telephone care has been reported with various patient populations, telephone-based interventions usually are described as part of multimethod treatments-combined with support group activit...
Social exchange theories and sexuality

Social Exchange Theory is one of the social science theories that have been applied to the study of human sexuality. This theoretical perspective is of particular relevance for understanding sexual...
Applying harmonic balance to almost-periodic circuits

A new Fourier transform algorithm for almost-periodic functions (the APFT) is developed. It is both efficient and accurate. Unlike previous attempts to solve this problem, the new algorithm does not constrain the input frequencies and uses the theoretical minimum number of time points. Also presented is a particularly simple derivation of harmonic Newton (the algorithm that results when Newton's method is applied to solve the harmonic balance equations) using the APFT; this derivation uses the same matrix representation used in the derivation of the APFT. Since the APFT includes the DFT (discrete Fourier transform) as a special case, all results are applicable to both the periodic and almost-periodic forms of harmonic Newton. >
Ascites in myeloid metaplasia due to ectopic peritoneal implantation

Two patients are described with myelofibrosis and myeloid metaplasia complicated by the development of ascites. Peritoneal fluid obtained from both cases revealed a distinctive and similar cytologic pattern consisting of nucleated red cells, immature granulocytes, and occasional megakaryocytes. Peritoneal biopsy was obtained in one patient which showed implantation of metastatic myeloid tissue. Ascites in neither patient could be related to another disease process nor to significant portal hypertension. We therefore conclude that myeloid metaplasia of the peritoneum was a critical factor in the development of their ascites. Occult splenic rupture appears as a likely source of the metastatic cells. One patient, treated with busulfan, had a good remission; the other did not.
Mathematical modeling of gene expression: a guide for the perplexed biologist

The detailed analysis of transcriptional networks holds a key for understanding central biological processes, and interest in this field has exploded due to new large-scale data acquisition techniques. Mathematical modeling can provide essential insights, but the diversity of modeling approaches can be a daunting prospect to investigators new to this area. For those interested in beginning a transcriptional mathematical modeling project, we provide here an overview of major types of models and their applications to transcriptional networks. In this discussion of recent literature on thermodynamic, Boolean, and differential equation models, we focus on considerations critical for choosing and validating a modeling approach that will be useful for quantitative understanding of biological systems.
A novel role for IFN-stimulated gene factor 3II in IFN-γ signaling and induction of antiviral activity in human cells.

Type I (e.g., IFN-α, IFN-β) and type II IFNs (IFN-γ) have antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory properties. Both types of IFN signal through the Jak/STAT pathway to elicit antiviral activity, yet IFN-γ is thought to do so only through STAT1 homodimers, whereas type I IFNs activate both STAT1- and STAT2-containing complexes such as IFN-stimulated gene factor 3. In this study, we show that IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 containing unphosphorylated STAT2 (ISGF3II) also plays a role in IFN-γ–mediated antiviral activity in humans. Using phosphorylated STAT1 as a marker for IFN signaling, Western blot analysis of IFN-α2a–treated human A549 cells revealed that phospho-STAT1 (Y701) levels peaked at 1 h, decreased by 6 h, and remained at low levels for up to 48 h. Cells treated with IFN-γ showed a biphasic phospho-STAT1 response with an early peak at 1–2 h and a second peak at 15–24 h. Gene expression microarray following IFN-γ treatment for 24 h indicated an induction of antiviral genes that are induced by IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 and associated with a type I IFN response. Induction of these genes by autocrine type I and type III IFN signaling was ruled out using neutralizing Abs to these IFNs in biological assays and by quantitative RT-PCR. Despite the absence of autocrine IFNs, IFN-γ treatment induced formation of ISGF3II. This novel transcription factor complex binds to IFN-stimulated response element promoter sequences, as shown by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis of the protein kinase R promoter. STAT2 and IFN regulatory factor 9 knockdown in A549 cells reversed IFN-γ–mediated IFN-stimulated response element induction and antiviral activity, implicating ISGF3II formation as a significant component of the cellular response and biological activity of IFN-γ.
Serotonin 5-HT2a and 5-HT2c Receptors Stimulate Amyloid Precursor Protein Ectodomain Secretion

Alzheimer's disease amyloid consists of amyloid beta-peptides (Abeta) derived from the larger precursor amyloid precursor protein (APP). Non-amyloidogenic APP processing involves regulated cleavage within the Abeta domain followed by secretion of the ectodomain (APPs). APPs secretion can be stimulated by muscarinic acetylcholine receptors coupled to phospholipases and kinases. To determine whether other receptor classes can regulate APP processing, we examined the relation between serotonin receptors and APPs secretion. Serotonin increased APPs release 3-4-fold in 3T3 cells stably overexpressing 5-HT2aR or 5-HT2cR. The increase was dose-dependent and was blocked by serotoninergic antagonists. Phorbol esters also increased APPs secretion, but neither kinase inhibitors nor down-regulation of PKC blocked the serotonin-induced increase in APPs secretion. Thus PKC is not necessary to stimulate APPs secretion. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitors blocked the 5-HT2aR-mediated increase in APPs secretion, suggesting a role of PLA2 in coupling 5-HT2aR to APP processing. In contrast, coupling of 5-HT2cR to APPs secretion involved both PKC and PLA2. Serotonin also stimulated the release of the APLP2 ectodomain, suggesting that additional members of the APP multigene family are processed via similar regulated pathways. Inasmuch as generation of APPs precludes the formation of amyloidogenic derivatives, serotonin receptors provide a novel pharmacological target to reduce these derivatives in Alzheimer's disease.
Complement Activation and Kidney Injury Molecule-1–Associated Proximal Tubule Injury in Severe Preeclampsia

Kidney injury with proteinuria is a characteristic feature of preeclampsia, yet the nature of injury in specific regions of the nephron is incompletely understood. Our study aimed to use existing urinary biomarkers to describe the pattern of kidney injury and proteinuria in pregnancies affected by severe preeclampsia. We performed a case-control study of pregnant women from Brigham and Women's Hospital from 2012 to 2013. We matched cases of severe preeclampsia (n=25) 1:1 by parity and gestational age to 2 control groups with and without chronic hypertension. Urinary levels of kidney injury molecule-1 and complement components (C3a, C5a, and C5b-9) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and other markers (albumin, β2 microglobulin, cystatin C, epithelial growth factor, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, osteopontin, and uromodulin) were measured simultaneously with a multiplex electrochemiluminescence assay. Median values between groups were compared with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and correlations with Spearman correlation coefficient. Analysis of urinary markers revealed higher excretion of albumin and kidney injury molecule-1 and lower excretion of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and epithelial growth factor in severe preeclampsia compared with chronic hypertension and healthy controls. Among subjects with severe preeclampsia, urinary excretion of complement activation products correlated most closely with kidney injury molecule-1, a specific marker of proximal tubule injury (C5a: r=0.60; P=0.001; and C5b-9: r=0.75; P<0.0001). Taken together, we describe a pattern of kidney injury in severe preeclampsia that is characterized by glomerular impairment and complement-mediated inflammation and injury, possibly localized to the proximal tubule in association with kidney injury molecule-1.
A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF SOUTH AMERICAN STENOCERCUS (SQUAMATA: IGUANIA) LIZARDS

Abstract South American Stenocercus lizards occur mostly in the Andes and adjacent lowland areas from northern Colombia and Venezuela to central Argentina at elevations of 0–4000 m. In this paper, 61 species of Stenocercus are recognized, including one resurrected as S. angulifer. Morphologically, S. angulifer more closely resembles S. aculeatus. For each species, a diagnosis, description, and summary of distribution are provided based on examination of 2001 specimens and data from the literature. Notes on color in life and natural history are included for most species. Additionally, a dichotomous key to assist in the identification of specimens is provided.
Measurement of total opioid peptides in rat brain and pituitary by radioimmunoassay directed at the alpha-N-acetyl derivative.

A sensitive assay, which cross-reacts with and is specific for diverse opioid peptides, is described. This is based on the prior acetylation of samples and subsequent radioimmunoassay with an antiserum highly specific for the acetylated NH2 terminus of opioid peptides. The result is a procedure that can be used to investigate multiple forms of opioid peptides in extracts of biological material. The sensitivity of the assay is approximately 15 fmol of beta-endorphin per incubation tube, i.e., approximately 100-fold greater sensitivity than the radioreceptor assay used in our laboratory. The peptide concentration required for 50% displacement of trace ranged from 0.65 nM (beta-endorphin) to 1.6 nM (Met-enkephalin). The assay apparently shows an absolute requirement for a free (or acetylated) NH2 terminus corresponding to either a Leu- or Met-enkephalin sequence. Use of the assay with and without prior acetylation of sample provides a method for estimation of the ratio of acetylated:nonacetylated opioid peptides in crude or fractionated extracts. The procedure is used to investigate the forms of opioid peptide found in rat brain and pituitary.
A Comparison between the Germicidal Power of a Disinfectant in Solution and in the Emulsified State.

In the Milroy Lectures of this year, Professor Hewlett stated:—“There is some evidence to show that the germicidal power of emulsified disinfectants is greater than can be accounted for by the activity of the active constituent and theoretically seems likely, but we want some reliable experimental work in confirmation. It is ture that Chick and Martin have compared the germicidal value of higher tar acids emulsified in water and dissolved in alcohol, their results showing that the emulsified form was much more active; but the reliability of this work is vitiated by the fact that they have entirely failed to take into account the influence of alcohol in decreasing germicidal activity; for example in the case of phenol, which I dealt with in my last lecture”.
The latitude gradients of galactic cosmic ray and anomalous helium fluxes measured on Ulysses from the Sun's south polar region to the equator

Measurements from the Ulysses COSPIN (Cosmic Ray and Solar Particle INvestigations) High Energy Telescope between 80.2°S solar latitude and the sun's equator from September 1994 to March 1995 confirm that the modulated fluxes of galactic cosmic rays and anomalous components depend only weakly on heliographic latitude in the inner heliosphere at this phase of the solar cycle. The new observations were made over a radial range of only ∼1 AU during a period of nearly constant modulation and thus require less correction for radial and temporal variations in modulation than measurments made during Ulysses climb to maximum latitude.
Monitoring cellular phosphorylation signaling pathways into chromatin and down to the gene level

Protein phosphorylation, one of the most common and important modifications of acute and reversible regulation of protein function, plays a dominant role in almost all cellular processes. These signaling events regulate cellular responses, including proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, survival, and apoptosis. Several studies have been successfully used to identify phosphorylated proteins and dynamic changes in phosphorylation status after stimulation. Nevertheless, it is still rather difficult to elucidate precise complex phosphorylation signaling pathways. In particular, how signal transduction pathways directly communicate from the outer cell surface through cytoplasmic space and then directly into chromatin networks to change the transcriptional and epigenetic landscape remains poorly understood. Here, we describe the optimization and comparison of methods based on thiophosphorylation affinity enrichment, which can be utilized to monitor phosphorylation signaling into chromatin by isolation of phosphoprotein containing nucleosomes, a method we term phosphorylation-specific chromatin affinity purification (PS-ChAP). We utilized this PS-ChAP(1) approach in combination with quantitative proteomics to identify changes in the phosphorylation status of chromatin-bound proteins on nucleosomes following perturbation of transcriptional processes. We also demonstrate that this method can be employed to map phosphoprotein signaling into chromatin containing nucleosomes through identifying the genes those phosphorylated proteins are found on via thiophosphate PS-ChAP-qPCR. Thus, our results showed that PS-ChAP offers a new strategy for studying cellular signaling and chromatin biology, allowing us to directly and comprehensively investigate phosphorylation signaling into chromatin to investigate if these pathways are involved in altering gene expression. The mass spectrometry proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium with the data set identifier PXD002436.
Enhancement of allergic inflammation by diesel exhaust particles: permissive role of reactive oxygen species.

Background Diesel emission particulates (DEP) exert effects on the immune system and act as an adjuvant which enhances allergic inflammation. Animal and human models have delineated the effects of DEP chemicals in enhancing IgE production and promoting T-helper cell-2 (Th2) differentiation. An important primary effect that can explain the DEP-associated humoral and cellular immune responses is the induction of macrophage responses by DEP chemicals. This includes effects on macrophage production of cytokines and chemokines, which may play a role in enhancing allergic inflammation. A potent mechanism in macrophages exposed to DEP chemicals involves the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to cellular activation or apoptosis which can be abrogated by antioxidants. Conclusion These findings may establish a role for antioxidant therapy in diminishing the effects of particulate pollutants in asthma.
rDEN4Δ30, a Live Attenuated Dengue Virus Type 4 Vaccine Candidate, Is Safe, Immunogenic, and Highly Infectious in Healthy Adult Volunteers

Background The live attenuated dengue virus type 4 (DEN-4) vaccine candidate virus rDEN4 Delta 30 was previously found to be safe and immunogenic at a dose of 10(5) plaque-forming units (pfu). Methods In a follow-up placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trial, rDEN4 Delta 30 was administered as a single inoculation to 3 separate dose cohorts (10(3) pfu, 10(2) pfu, or 10(1) pfu), for further evaluation. Each dose cohort consisted of 20 vaccinees and 4 placebo recipients. Volunteers were monitored closely for adverse events, and serum was collected on study days 28 and 42 for determination of neutralizing antibody titer. Results The vaccine was well tolerated at all doses studied. The most common adverse events observed were a transient asymptomatic rash in >50% of vaccinees and a mild neutropenia in approximately 20% of vaccinees. No vaccinee developed a dengue-like illness. The vaccine was highly infectious and immunogenic, with 95%-100% of vaccinees in each dose cohort developing a >/=4-fold increase in titers of serum neutralizing antibodies against DEN-4. Conclusions The rDEN4 Delta 30 vaccine is safe and induced an antibody response that was broadly neutralizing against genotypically diverse DEN-4 viruses. It is a promising vaccine candidate for inclusion in a tetravalent dengue vaccine formulation.
The Effects of Landmarks on Territorial Behavior in a Convict Cichlid, Amatitlania siquia

Defense of a territory is a primary factor determining the fitness of territorial individuals. Thus, territorial animals use a variety of means to lower the cost of territorial defense. Although landmarks are known to lower the defense costs of territories, little is known about how they could affect fundamental properties of territories, which could ultimately affect the demography, population regulation, individual behavior, and spatial ecology of a territorial species. This field study examined the effects of natural landmarks on territory size, shape, and defensive costs in Amatitlania siquia, a little-studied member of the convict cichlid group native to Costa Rica and Nicaragua. We investigated the territorial behavior of 103 breeding pairs in a caldera lake in Nicaragua. During 10-min focal observations, we recorded the locations at which residents chased intruders and then used these locations to outline the territory boundaries. Landmarks affected both size and shape of A. siquia territories. Territory size decreased as the percentage of the boundary at landmarks increased. Territories with <20% of their boundaries at landmarks were approximately circular in shape, while territories with 20–60% of their boundaries at landmarks were on average more elongated. These variations in territory size and shape significantly affected defense costs, with higher numbers of chases per square meter in small and elongated territories. These effects of landmarks on territory size and shape and defense costs are useful to understand the widely seen size and shape variations in naturally occurring territories.
Lexical leverage: category knowledge boosts real-time novel word recognition in 2-year-olds

Recent research suggests that infants tend to add words to their vocabulary that are semantically related to other known words, though it is not clear why this pattern emerges. In this paper, we explore whether infants leverage their existing vocabulary and semantic knowledge when interpreting novel label-object mappings in real time. We initially identified categorical domains for which individual 24-month-old infants have relatively higher and lower levels of knowledge, irrespective of overall vocabulary size. Next, we taught infants novel words in these higher and lower knowledge domains and then asked if their subsequent real-time recognition of these items varied as a function of their category knowledge. While our participants successfully acquired the novel label-object mappings in our task, there were important differences in the way infants recognized these words in real time. Namely, infants showed more robust recognition of high (vs. low) domain knowledge words. These findings suggest that dense semantic structure facilitates early word learning and real-time novel word recognition.
Space-Time Correlated Mobile-to-Mobile Channels: Modelling and Simulation

A single- and double-bounced two-ring parametric reference model is proposed for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mobile-to-mobile (M-to-M) Ricean fading channels. From this model, a closed-form joint space-time correlation function and a space-Doppler power spectrum are derived for a two-dimensional (2D) non-isotropic scattering environment. Also, space-time correlation functions for the in-phase and quadrature components of the complex faded envelope are derived, assuming a 2D isotropic scattering environment. Finally, two new sum-of-sinusoids based simulation models for MIMO M-to-M Ricean fading channels are proposed. The statistics of the simulation models are verified by simulation. The results show that the simulation models are a good approximation of the reference model and that they outperform existing simulation models.
Filtration of aerosol particles by elliptical fibers: a numerical study

Filtration is an important technology for nanoparticle control and reduction of human exposure to nanoparticles. Filtration by non-circular fibers is gaining more attention in search for better filter quality; elliptical fibers have extra significance because they may be used in simple models of dust loading. We carry out numerical simulation to investigate filtration by fibers with elliptical cross-sections. The drag force on individual fibers is in good agreement with analytical solutions for elliptical fibers obtained from the cell model. Our simulation covers mechanisms for particle capture due to interception, inertial impaction, and diffusion. Single-fiber efficiencies of different elliptical fibers are computed. The figure of merit, which is an indicator of the ratio of the collection efficiency to the pressure drop, is used to evaluate the performance of different elliptical fibers. It is found that blunt and close to circular fibers perform better for particles dominated by the effects of interception and inertial impaction, whereas long and slim fibers perform better for particles dominated by the diffusion effect. For very small nanoparticles, the diffusion effect is important and long and slim elliptical fibers may improve the filter performance.
Normative judgments, responsibility and executive function.

We recognize Steven Hyman's (2007) discussion of the voluntary control of addictive behavior as timely, relevant, and important in future discussions of moral responsibility. We agree with other co...
Understanding Women’s Preconception Health Goals: Audience Segmentation Strategies for a Preconception Health Campaign

This article discusses the social marketing planning process and strategies used to design a preconception health campaign, Show Your Love, launched in February 2013. Developing a social marketing strategy for preconception health is a challenging endeavor, in part because preconception health represents a set of diverse behaviors and the audience for the campaign is quite large, encompassing all women of childbearing age whether they intend to become pregnant or not. The network of organizations implementing the campaign, the National Preconception Health Consumer Workgroup, required a broad audience segmentation strategy; therefore, two large audiences were selected. This commentary describes the two primary audiences selected for the campaign based on the Transtheoretical Model-intenders (those in contemplation, preparation, and action) and nonintenders (precontemplators)-and explores how levels of knowledge, motivations, the campaign product, and the campaign goals are distinct for each audience. Additionally, the authors describe potential extensions to the segmentation strategy that could offer finer grained approaches for social marketers who may be building on the Show Your Love campaign or designing other programs in this area.
Energetic geometries: the Dymaxion Map and the skin/structure fusion of Buckminster Fuller's geodesics

Buckminster Fuller's work has traditionally been divided into the early ‘Dymaxion’ projects, and the later ‘geodesics’. This paper focuses on the 1942 Dymaxion Map as a connection between these careers. The Map was an innovation, substituting local projections for a ‘global’ one. Visualizing the earth's surface as a series of facets, connected by ‘great circles’, he approached the ideal of an interdependent, spherical system of tension and compression. The military development of geodesics suggests interplay between the geometry of the geodesic skin and its potential as a metaphor for global action.
Transport in a twin‐screw extruder for the processing of polymers

The fluid flow and heat transfer in polymer extrusion in a twin-screw extruder was studied numerically by using the finite volume method. In the mathematical model, the coordinate system is fixed to the screw so that it is held stationary and the barrel is moved to simplify the complicated geometry. The screw channel of a twin-screw extruder is approximated as two regions : translation and intermeshing. The flow in the translation region is similar to that in a shallow single screw extruder and is treated by the numerical methods given in the literature. In the nip or intermeshing region, strong mixing effects are expected, along with the diffusion of energy and momentum. The full governing equations are solved in this region to determine the velocity components in all the three coordinate directions. The energy equation is coupled with the equations of motion through viscosity, since the viscosity of the polymeric, non-Newtonian, fluids considered here is dependent upon the shear rate and temperature. There is no clear physical demarcation between the nip region and the translation region. Therefore, a domain matching was employed at an arbitrary location that was varied numerically to ensure that the results were independent of this location. The variation of pressure and bulk temperature along the helical channel of the twin-screw extruder is obtained, along with the shear rate. An experimental investigation of the velocity profiles in the translation region of a self-wiping twin-screw extruder, which is often used in practical applications, was carried out using a Laser Doppler Anemometer. The numerically predicted velocity profiles are compared with those from the experiments, yielding fairly close agreement.
Rearrangement of upstream sequences of the hTERT gene during cellular immortalization.

Telomerase expression, resulting from transcriptional activation of the hTERT gene, allows cells to acquire indefinite proliferative potential during cellular immortalization and tumorigenesis. However, mechanisms of hTERT gene activation in many immortal cell lines and cancer cells are poorly understood. Here, we report our studies on hTERT activation using genetically related pairs of telomerase-negative (Tel−) and -positive (Tel+) fibroblast lines. First, whereas transiently transfected plasmid reporters did not recapitulate the endogenous hTERT promoter, the promoter in chromosomally integrated bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) reporters was activated in a subset of Tel+ cells, indicating that activation of the hTERT promoter required native chromatin context and/or distal regulatory elements. Second, the hTERT gene, located near the telomere of chromosome 5p, was translocated in all three Tel+ cell lines but not in their parental precrisis cells and Tel− immortal siblings. The breakage points were mapped to regions upstream of the hTERT promoter, indicating that the hTERT gene was the target of these chromosomal rearrangements. In two Tel+ cell lines, translocation of the endogenous hTERT gene appeared to be the major mechanism of its activation as the activity of hTERT promoter in many chromosomally integrated BAC reporters, with intact upstream and downstream neighboring loci, remained relatively low. Therefore, our results suggest that rearrangement of upstream sequences is an important new mechanism of hTERT promoter activation during cellular immortalization. The chromosomal rearrangements likely occurred during cellular crisis and facilitated by telomere dysfunction. Such translocations allowed the hTERT promoter to escape from the native condensed chromatin environment. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.