cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crystallography of a two-dimensional binary crystal with local distortions

We have used computer simulations to study the effects of local distortions with given low symmetries on the structure factors and pair distribution functions of a two-dimensional binary crystal. The disorder leads to specific modulations of the diffuse scattering. In the case of clusters of such defects the diffuse scattering is distributed around the Bragg peaks. The length scales are found to be most directly identified by analysis of direct-space pair distribution functions. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Information and Uncertainty: Inference in Qualitative Case Studies

Drozdova and Gaubatz (2014) represent a welcome addition to the growing literature on quantitative methods designed to complement qualitative case studies. Partly due to its crossover nature, however, the article balances delicately—and ultimately untenably—between within-sample and out-of-sample inference. Moreover, isomorphisms with existing techniques, while validating the methodology, simultaneously raise questions regarding its comparative advantage.
Molecular orbital study of the ring nitrogen basicity of various dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors

We present molecular orbital (CNDO/2) calculations on the key fragments of different dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors. Distance geometry analysis, physicochemical parameter dependent QSAR, and molecular shape analysis raised some questions regarding the basicity of the ring nitrogen (N1) in these inhibitors and the effect of the various substituents on the basicity. We show that the ring nitrogen N1 of methotrexate has a considerably higher tendency to be protonated compared to that of folic acid. However, not all 2,4-diamino inhibitors are equally basic. Even 2-amino-4-hydroxyquinazoline is sufficiently basic to be protonated, but not the 2,4-diamino-5-sulfonyl derivatives. The pyrimidinium ion seems to be highly solvated, since in spite of its high protonation energy it is strongly basic. Triazines were found to be the most basic of all the classes studied.
Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor Induced Zn Sequestration Enhances Macrophage Superoxide and Limits Intracellular Pathogen Survival

Macrophages possess numerous mechanisms to combat microbial invasion, including sequestration of essential nutrients, like zinc (Zn). The pleiotropic cytokine granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) enhances antimicrobial defenses against intracellular pathogens such as Histoplasma capsulatum, but its mode of action remains elusive. We have found that GM-CSF-activated infected macrophages sequestered labile Zn by inducing binding to metallothioneins (MTs) in a STAT3 and STAT5 transcription-factor-dependent manner. GM-CSF upregulated expression of Zn exporters, Slc30a4 and Slc30a7; the metal was shuttled away from phagosomes and into the Golgi apparatus. This distinctive Zn sequestration strategy elevated phagosomal H⁺ channel function and triggered reactive oxygen species generation by NADPH oxidase. Consequently, H. capsulatum was selectively deprived of Zn, thereby halting replication and fostering fungal clearance. GM-CSF mediated Zn sequestration via MTs in vitro and in vivo in mice and in human macrophages. These findings illuminate a GM-CSF-induced Zn-sequestration network that drives phagocyte antimicrobial effector function.
Economic lot scheduling heuristic for random demands

Abstract An extension to the economic lot scheduling problem is given for a single-machine, multi-product line under random demands. The goal is to find the length of production cycles that minimizes the sum of setup and inventory holding costs per unit of time and satisfies the demand for each product at the required service level. First, the single-product finite replenishment inventory model is extended to the case of random demand. Then, a heuristic procedure uses this extension to determine the production cycles for the multi-product case. Computational results and comparisons with other models are reviewed.
Influence of phenoxy-terminated short-chain pendant groups on gas transport properties of cross-linked poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers

Abstract Gas transport properties of rubbery cross-linked poly(ethylene oxide) films containing short phenoxy-terminated pendant chains are reported. Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) was UV-polymerized with poly(ethylene glycol) phenyl ether acrylate co-monomers of two different ethylene oxide repeat unit lengths: n = 2 (DEGPEA) and n = 4 (PEGPEA). Although fractional free volume increased with increasing co-monomer concentration, gas permeability did not rise accordingly. For instance, while FFV increased from 0.120 to 0.135 in both series of copolymers, CO 2 permeability went from 110 to 35 barrer (DEGPEA) or to 100 barrer (PEGPEA). At the same time, glass transition temperature increased from −37 to −12 °C (DEGPEA) or to −28 °C (PEGPEA). The observed decrease in chain mobility with phenoxy-terminated co-monomer content indicated by increasing glass–rubber transition temperature apparently had a stronger influence on gas transport properties than the increase in fractional free volume.
Chloroquine Promotes Apoptosis in Melanoma Cells by Inhibiting BH3 domain Mediated PUMA Degradation

The Bcl homology-3 (BH3)-only protein p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) counters Bcl-2 family anti-apoptotic proteins and promotes apoptosis. Although PUMA is a key regulator of apoptosis, the post-transcriptional mechanisms that control PUMA protein stability are not understood. We show that a lysosome-independent activity of chloroquine (CQ) prevents degradation of PUMA protein, promotes apoptosis, and reduces the growth of melanoma xenografts in mice. Compared with wild-type PUMA, a BH3 domain–deleted PUMA protein showed impaired decay in melanoma cells. Fusion of the BH3 domain to a heterologous protein led to its rapid turnover that was inhibited by CQ. Although both CQ and inhibitors of lysosomal proteases stalled autophagy, only CQ stabilized PUMA protein and promoted apoptosis. Our results reveal a lysosomal protease-independent activity of CQ that selectively promotes apoptosis in melanoma cells.
Using Ethnographc Techniques in the Organizational Behavior Classroom

This article demonstrates how to use three ethnographic techniques to help students understand and appreciate behavior in organizations from an anthropological perspective. The techniques are network analysis, event analysis, and componential analysis. For each technique, the article presents the purpose for using the technique, how to do it, an example drawn from ethnographic research, and several suggestions for adapting it to the classroom.
Site-dependent and composition-dependent spatial dielectric functions for Ga1−xAlxAs

Abstract In this paper we present analytical site-dependent and composition-dependent spatial dielectric functions for Ga 1− x Al x As involving compositions from x =0.1 to x =0.4 in steps of 0.1. The spatial dielectric functions we present describe the response of the valence electrons of Ga 1− x Al x As to charges Z = ± 1 (in atomic unit) placed on Ga, Al and As sites. To these sites we assign the effective charges (due to the partial ionicity of the bonds) of Z = +0.16, +0.20 and −0.16 (in atomic unit).
Flexible Bodies: Tracking Immunity In American Culture from the Days of Polio to the Age of AIDS

Flexible Bodies: Tracking Immunity In American Culture from the Days of Polio to the Age of AIDS. EMILY MARTIN. Boston: Beacon Press, 1994. xlv + 320 pp., illustrations, notes, references, index.
Seasonal sediment storage on mudflats adjacent to the Amazon River

Abstract 210Pb and 234Th activity profiles in sediment cores from underconsolidated mudflats 300 km downdrift of the Amazon river mouth record an ephemeral surface layer of fine-grained sediment up to 1.5 m thick. This layer contains about l.5 × 108 tons of Amazon sediment deposited rapidly (~1 cm/d) from a fluid-mud suspension (10–400 g/l) during the months between January and June. Virtually the entire layer is remobilized in July–December and the sediment is advected alongshore to the northwest. Seasonal variations in trade-wind strength and in supply of Amazon shelf sediment are thought to control emplacement, and removal of this ephemeral deposit. Solitary surface gravity waves characteristic of this setting generate a net landward sediment flux, which, with shore-normal tidal currents, controls spatial geometry of the surface layer. The resultant lens-shaped deposit dissipates incident wave energy and provides a substrate above mean high water for mangrove colonization and irregular shoreline progradation of meters per year. Macroscale (sand/silt laminations) and microscale (plasmic fabric) sedimentary structures in the ephemeral layer record diverse temporal variations (e.g., tidal and wave-induced) in bottom shear stress and sediment supply. Ephemeral deposition of 108 tons is inferred to be common in coastal areas associated with large and energetic river dispersal systems.
Plate tectonics at Lamont: the first year‐1966

During the period from the mid 1950s to the 1960s it seemed as if the community of earth scientists was slowly being dragged toward accepting continental drift. But resistance was often steadfast. Each new ideal or set of data produced a trickle of new converts, but also generated heated debate. The concept of sea-floor spreading and the corollary hypothesis that the process of spreading would generate a set of symmetrical magnetic anomalies was particularly disputatious. The discovery of the Eltanin 19 magnetic anomaly profile ended the dispute and the trickle became a flood.
Intravenous fentanyl kinetics

Fentanyl is considered to be a short-acting narcotic analgesic but prolonged and recurrent ventilatory depression has been reported. We examined fentanyl kinetics and excretion in 7 healthy male subjects who were given a 3.2- or 6.4-micrograms/kg dose of 3H-fentanyl intravenously. Arterial blood and urine samples were analyzed for unchanged fentanyl and total radioactivity. Fentanyl concentrations fell rapidly and 98.6% of the dose was eliminated from plasma in 60 min but the terminal elimination phase of fentanyl from the body was slow (t1/2 beta = 219 min) due to the slow return of the unchanged drug from a peripheral compartment to the central compartment where elimination occurred primarily by biotransformation. Eighty-five percent of the dose was recovered in urine and feces in 72 hr; less than 8% was recovered as unchanged fentanyl. There were fluctuations in plasma fentanyl levels during the elimination phase in all cases. The long t1/2 beta and fluctuations in plasma levels may contribute to prolonged and recurrent ventilatory effects of fentanyl.
Control of Glutamine Metabolism By the Tumor Suppressor Rb

Retinoblastoma (Rb) protein is a tumor suppressor that is dysregulated in a majority of human cancers. Rb functions to inhibit cell cycle progression in part by directly disabling the E2F family of cell cycle-promoting transcription factors. Because the de novo synthesis of multiple glutamine-derived anabolic precursors is required for cell cycle progression, we hypothesized that Rb also may directly regulate proteins involved in glutamine metabolism. We examined glutamine metabolism in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from mice that have triple knock-outs (TKO) of all three Rb family members (Rb-1, Rbl1 and Rbl2) and found that loss of global Rb function caused a marked increase in (13)C-glutamine uptake and incorporation into glutamate and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) intermediates in part via upregulated expression of the glutamine transporter ASCT2 and the activity of glutaminase 1 (GLS1). The Rb-controlled transcription factor E2F-3 altered glutamine uptake by direct regulation of ASCT2 mRNA and protein expression, and E2F-3 was observed to associate with the ASCT2 promoter. We next examined the functional consequences of the observed increase in glutamine uptake and utilization and found that glutamine exposure potently increased oxygen consumption, whereas glutamine deprivation selectively decreased ATP concentration in the Rb TKO MEFs but not the wild-type (WT) MEFs. In addition, TKO MEFs exhibited elevated production of glutathione from exogenous glutamine and had increased expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase relative to WT MEFs. Importantly, this metabolic shift towards glutamine utilization was required for the proliferation of Rb TKO MEFs but not for the proliferation of the WT MEFs. Last, addition of the TCA cycle intermediate α-ketoglutarate to the Rb TKO MEFs reversed the inhibitory effects of glutamine deprivation on ATP, GSH levels and viability. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that the Rb/E2F cascade directly regulates a major energetic and anabolic pathway that is required for neoplastic growth.
Regional sharing optimizes arterial switch outcomes

Abstract Objective Although the arterial switch operation has been performed with very low mortality and morbidity in large pediatric cardiac surgical centers, we sought to determine if similar arterial switch results could be achieved in two medium-sized pediatric cardiac surgical centers that share one full-time surgeon who implements a comprehensive management protocol for both centers. Methods Patients with D-transposition of the great arteries undergoing arterial switch operations at two medium-sized pediatric cardiac surgery centers were evaluated for 30-day mortality and morbidity during three time periods: Period 1, before protocol was implemented at either center (Center 1: 11/1982–8/1995, Center 2: 3/1992–11/1999); Period 2, protocol implemented only at Center 1 (9/1995–11/1999); Period 3, protocol implemented at both centers with regional sharing of one surgeon (12/1999–1/2003). Results Ninety-six consecutive patients undergoing an arterial switch operation were reviewed. Mortality data were available for all cases. Mortality was 0% and significantly lower in Periods 2 and 3 versus Period 1 ( p p p Conclusions Outstanding surgical results for the arterial switch operation, similar to those in the largest pediatric cardiac surgical centers, are obtainable in two medium-sized pediatric cardiac surgery centers that share one full-time congenital heart surgeon. This model may be applicable in many other regions of the United States, where several medium-sized pediatric cardiac centers are within acceptable driving distance.
Can the International Index of Erectile Function distinguish between organic and psychogenic erectile function

OBJECTIVE To define the ability of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) to differentiate between organic and psychogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients presenting for the evaluation and treatment of ED who had penile duplex Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) completed the IIEF questionnaire. Accepted ranges of the IIEF EF domain were used to grade baseline severity (severe, moderate and mild ≤11, 11–17, 18–25, respectively). Accepted criteria were used to define normality on DUS (peak systolic velocity >30 cm/s and end-diastolic velocity <5 cm/s). Patients with documented Peyronie’s disease, hypogonadism and a history of radical prostatectomy were excluded. RESULTS In all, 112 patients were enrolled, with a mean (sd) age and duration of ED of 56 (16) and 2 (0.6) years, respectively. The vascular risk-factor profile included diabetes in 15%, hypertension in 26% and hyperlipidaemia in 20%. The baseline severity of ED was mild, moderate and severe in 28%, 41% and 32% men, respectively. All patients had normal testosterone levels. Patients also with a normal DUS were diagnosed with psychogenic ED, in 50%, 13% and 17% of men with mild, moderate and severe ED by the IIEF, respectively. No patient with venous leak had mild ED, and 62% of men with venous leak had severe ED. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the IIEF is not completely accurate in differentiating between organic and psychogenic ED, and that almost a fifth of men in this study population with severe ED by the IIEF had normal erectile haemodynamics. These data have potential ramifications for evaluating the baseline severity of ED in trials of erectogenic agents.
The pseudogap and the superconducting order parameter in inhomogeneous Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ

Recent experiments on Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ (Bi2212) have provided compelling evidence that the samples are inhomogeneous on a nanoscale, with spatially separated superconducting gap (SG) and nonsuperconducting, pseudogap (PG) regions that arise from hole–hole and particle–hole pairings, respectively. We compare and contrast the nonphase sensitive experiments that cannot distinguish these orderings from the phase-sensitive experiments that can. Although the wave vector dependence of the pseudogap is highly anisotropic, we conclude that in Bi2212, the c-axis quasiparticle tunneling is incoherent and that the c-axis supercurrent arises solely from a rather isotropic s-wave superconducting order parameter (OP) for T < Tc.
THE CONCEPT OF EXPOSURE TO THE RISK OF A ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AND AN OVERVIEW OF EXPOSURE DATA COLLECTION METHODS

Abstract Carroll's 1971 definition of exposure is expanded to simply “being in a situation which has some risk of involvement in a road traffic accident”. After a brief discussion of the potential utility of exposure data for developing safety countermeasures, an overview of various exposure measures and data collection methods is presented. Finally some important questions regarding appropriate exposure data collection methods are listed along with the hope that more comparative research on exposure data collection methodology will be carried out in the near future.
Gene transcripts for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit, beta4, are distributed in multiple areas of the rat central nervous system

Abstract Previous in situ hybridization experiments reported that beta4 (β4) neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) transcripts were bound only in the medial habenula (MHB). Co-expression in Xenopus oocytes of the β4 subunit and any one of three ligand-binding or α subunits results in the formation of functional nAChRs. Comparisons between the pharmacology of nAChRs expressed in oocytes and the pharmacology of nAChRs found in the rat CNS prompted a further investigation of the localization of transcripts encoding the β nAChR subunit. Using two β4-specific cRNA probes, in situ hybridization was performed in rat brain. β mRNA was detected at high levels in the presubiculum, parasubiculum, subiculum and dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation, in layer IV of the isocortex, in the medial habenula, in the interpeduncular nucleus, and in the trigeminal motor nerve nucleus. Moderate hybridization signals were seen in the isocortex (layers I–III), in olfactory regions, in fields CA1 through CA4 of Ammon's horn and the entorhinal cortex of the hippocampal formation, in the supramammillary nucleus, in the pontine nucleus, in the cerebellum, and in the locus coeruleus. No hybridization above background was detected in the septum, basal ganglia, sensory portions of the brainstem, or spinal cord.
Ecarin Clotting Time is Sensitive to Heparinoids: Comparison of Two Different Techniques

Ecarin clotting time (ECT) is currently developed for the specific monitoring of antithrombin drugs, such as hirudin, argatroban, and hirulog. Aqueous reagent and dry chemistry technology have become available for ECT monitoring of antithrombin agents. Currently, many heparinoids and heparinomimetic drugs are being developed. These agents activate heparin cofactor II (HCII) and primarily mediate their effects by inhibiting thrombin. Although the test is specific for antithrombin agents, heparin cofactor II-mediated thrombin inhibitors are capable of prolonging the ECT. In order to study the relative effects of some of these agents, ECT was measured in human plasma supplemented with Pl-88 (a sulfated pentomanose; Progen Industries Limited, Sydney, Australia), aprosulate, pentosan polysulfate, dermatan sulfate, unfractionated heparin (UFH), and recombinant hirudin (r-hirudin). All agents were supplemented to the citrated-pooled plasma prepared from 10 healthy volunteers at a graded dosage of 0 to 100 microg/ml. These techniques gave comparable results for all of the agents used (PI-88, r2 = 0.99; r-hirudin, r2 = 0.98; UFH, r2 = 0.98; dermatan sulfate, r2 = 0.95; aprosulate, r2 = 0.95; pentosan polysulfate, r2 = 0.94). The relative anticoagulant effects of various agents used on ECT varied widely, exhibiting their potency in the following order: r-hirudin = pentosan polysulfate > dermatan sulfate > PI-88 > aprosulate > UFH. The sensitivity of ECT was adjusted by varying the concentration of the ecarin reagent. The results suggest that HCII-mediated inhibition of thrombin can be detected by using ECT reagents.
Modeling the Potential Distribution in Porous Anodic Alumina Films during Steady-State Growth

Porous anodic alumina (PAA) films, formed by anodic oxidation in acidic solutions, contain hexagonal arrays of parallel cylindrical pores, with pore diameter and spacing between ten and several hundred nanometers. Simulations were developed for the electrical potential distribution in the film during steady-state PAA growth, and used to calculate the rates of metal-film and film-solution interface motion. In particular, a model using the assumption of no space charge (Laplace's equation) and one based on the current continuity equation, in each case coupled with high-field ionic conduction, were evaluated with respect to the requirement that the interface profiles are time invariant. Laplace's equation, on which prior simulations of PAA growth were based, yielded unrealistic behavior with highly nonuniform interface motion, suggesting the presence of significant space charge. In contrast, interface motion predicted by the current continuity equation was uniform, except near convex ridges on the metal-film interface between pores. To fully rationalize the steady-state PAA geometry, phenomena other than conduction should be considered, which are able to provide inhibition of the oxidation rate on these ridges.
The effects of transience on the propagation of stratospheric planetary waves

The propagation of planetary-scale Rossby waves in the stratosphere is investigated in a linear, time-dependent, primitive equation model. Two distinct maxima in the convergence of the Eliassen-Palm flux (EP flux) are found for steady and for transient waves in a variety of realistic northern hemisphere, winter season, zonal flows; one below the stratospheric polar jet and the other north of the zero wind line. These maxima appear at higher altitudes for wave 1 than for wave 2, especially in low latitudes. Different mechanisms cause the formation of these two maxima. The confinement of wave activity in high latitudes is mainly due to the dissipation of waves in that region under non-WKBJ conditions. The maximum in lower latitudes is related to the absorption of Rossby waves near their critical lines. For wave 2, the intensity of the high latitude maximum is sensitive to the transience of the wave forcing at the tropopause, while for wave 1 this sensitivity is reduced. For both waves the low latitude maximum shifts northward with increasing transience.
Commentary: A Road to Sustainability

Water plays an integral role in most other resources, including, of course, life. The distribution of water is quite asymmetrical. Indeed, all our natural resources are distributed that way. The pattern is universal and underlies the Resource Buffer Theory (RBT), which implies that the large proportion of the asymmetrically distributed resource is a buffer on which we depend for the conditions that both have enabled life and ensure its—our—sustainability. Water's unique properties and universality mean that it is civilization's canary in the coal mine: if the water and associated environmental conditions are having problems, humans are having problems. Humans violate the universal pattern of carbon distribution by our numbers and by the conversion of insignificant proportions of the huge inorganic carbon buffer into the relatively miniscule carbon dioxide buffer with enormous impact. Like drought, which creeps up on us and has no apparent beginning, the current environmental changes are harbingers of a fu...
Differential hemispheric activation and handedness and hysterical and obsessive personality styles

The relationship between a trait measure of differential hemispheric activation and obsessive and hysterical personality styles was determined. Significant correlations were found between the right activators and the hysterical scale and between left activators and the obsessive scale. Individual and familial sinistrality attenuated the correlations.
A second genus of regular ternary forms

In the paper [2] Hsia noted that the forms x 2 + xy + y 2 +9 z 2 and x 2 +3 y 2 +3 yz +3 z 2 constitute a genus and that both forms are regular; he asked whether there exist any other genera containing two or more regular forms. In this note it is proved that the forms are regular. They constitute a genus with discriminant 27 (in the normalization used by Brandt and Intrau in [1]). It is noteworthy that Hsia's genus has the same discriminant.
Characterization of aluminum nitride thin films grown by plasma source molecular-beam epitaxy

Aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films are grown by a newly developed plasma source molecular beam epitaxy (PSMBE) system. The films were grown on Al2O3 (1102), Al2O3 (0001), Si (111), and Si (100) substrates. Structural characterization of the films were performed by x-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and high resolution electron microscopy (HREM). The XRD pattern indicates highly textured films. Cross-sectional HREM reveals epitaxy on AlN on most substrates. The Si (111) and Al2O3 (0001) plane is lattice matched to the c-plane growth of AlN and the Al2O3 (1102) plane is lattice matched to the a-plane growth of AlN. The optical and thermal properties of these films and studied by ellipsometry and thermal wave analysis. The quality of the films is evidenced by the low optical absorption, bulk-like optical index, and bulk-like thermal conductivity.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Nonlinear atom optics.

Interatomic interactions can introduce nonlinear behavior into a system of trapped ultracold atoms, similar to the dynamics of light propagating in a refractive nonlinear medium. Bose-Einstein condensates are now providing the means for studying coherent nonlinear dynamics with dilute atomic systems.
Morphology of ion sputtered Cu(0 0 1) surface: Transition from unidirectional roughening to bidirectional roughening

Abstract We have previously shown that under off normal ion sputtering, ripples parallel to the beam with a periodicity of hundreds of nanometers can be formed on a Cu(0 0 1) surface. This ripple formation behavior can be well explained by the Bradley and Harper (BH) instability mechanism. However, by lowering the temperature at a constant flux, we find that the resultant morphology transitions from a unidirectional modulation to a bidirectional modulation. The lower temperature morphology is attributed to the presence of diffusion barrier across step edges. The time evolution of this morphology is also studied and the bidirectional modulation morphology is observed to change back to ripple morphology as the ion fluence increases.
A Halophilic Bacterium Inhabiting the Warm, CaCl2-Rich Brine of the Perennially Ice-Covered Lake Vanda, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Lake Vanda is a perennially ice-covered and stratified lake in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. The lake develops a distinct chemocline at about a 50-m depth, where the waters transition from cool, oxic, and fresh to warm, sulfidic, and hypersaline. The bottom water brine is unique, as the highly chaotropic salts CaCl2 and MgCl2 predominate, and CaCl2 levels are the highest of those in any known microbial habitat. Enrichment techniques were used to isolate 15 strains of heterotrophic bacteria from the Lake Vanda brine. Despite direct supplementation of the brine samples with different organic substrates in primary enrichments, the same organism, a relative of the halophilic bacterium Halomonas (Gammaproteobacteria), was isolated from all depths sampled. The Lake Vanda (VAN) strains were obligate aerobes and showed broad pH, salinity, and temperature ranges for growth, consistent with the physicochemical properties of the brine. VAN strains were halophilic and quite CaCl2 tolerant but did not require CaCl2 for growth. The fact that only VAN strain-like organisms appeared in our enrichments hints that the highly chaotropic nature of the Lake Vanda brine may place unusual physiological constraints on the bacterial community that inhabits it.
Bounded Integration in Parietal Cortex Underlies Decisions Even When Viewing Duration Is Dictated by the Environment

Decisions about sensory stimuli are often based on an accumulation of evidence in time. When subjects control stimulus duration, the decision terminates when the accumulated evidence reaches a criterion level. Under many natural circumstances and in many laboratory settings, the environment, rather than the subject, controls the stimulus duration. In these settings, it is generally assumed that subjects commit to a choice at the end of the stimulus stream. Indeed, failure to benefit from the full stream of information is interpreted as a sign of imperfect accumulation or memory leak. Contrary to these assumptions, we show that monkeys performing a direction discrimination task commit to a choice when the accumulated evidence reaches a threshold level (or bound), sometimes long before the end of stimulus. This bounded accumulation of evidence is reflected in the activity of neurons in the lateral intraparietal cortex. Thus, the readout of visual cortex embraces a termination rule to limit processing even when potentially useful information is available.
Study of pure type-II superconductors at T = 0 K

In an earlier paper we presented a preliminary analysis of the magnetic properties of pure type-II superconductors near Hc1 at T = 0 K. In this paper, we present an improvement of the previous analysis by using the exact shape of the boson characteristics function, which is calculated by means of the computer. We also take the normal cores at the center of the vortices into consideration. Detailed analysis of the phase transition at Hc1 is presented. Numerical calculations of Hc1, Hc2, kc, kcr and the equilibrium lattice length, d0 are given. These results are in reasonable agreement with experimental data. Our results depend not only on k, but also mildly on VN(0).
Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty in Morbidly Obese Patients: A 5- to 14-Year Follow-up Study

This retrospective study examined the results of 39 total knee arthroplasties in morbidly obese patients with 5- to 14-year follow-up compared with a case-controlled group of nonobese patients. All surgeries were performed by the 2 authors in a single institution using similar techniques. Although we found a somewhat higher rate of minor wound complications, suboptimal alignment, and late revision (5%) in the morbidly obese group compared with the case-controlled group, overall, the problems in morbidly obese patients have been relatively few thus far. The substantial improvement in scores and high rate of patient satisfaction (85%) suggests that total knee arthroplasty should continue to be offered to morbidly obese patients. Techniques that can increase the accuracy of alignment may be especially useful in this group of patients.
Isotope fractionation by diffusion in molten oxides

Abstract Laboratory diffusion experiments specifically designed to resolve small differences in the relative mobility of isotopes were used to measure the mobility of 76Ge vs. 70Ge in molten GeO2 (1400°C, 0.5 GPa) and 48Ca vs. 40Ca in molten CaO–SiO2–Al2O3 (1500°C, 1.0 GPa). When the mass (m) dependence of the diffusion coefficient (D) of isotopes 1,2 is written in the form (D1/D2) = (m2/m1)β, we find β ≤ 0.025 for Ge isotopes and β = 0.05 to 0.1 for Ca isotopes. The degree of isotope fractionation by diffusion between melts of the same initial isotopic composition but different elemental abundance depends not only on β but also on the ratio of the elemental concentrations in the two melts. Given our measured value of β for Ca isotopes, we predict that diffusion between melts with a factor of 5 to 10 difference in Ca content will produce variations in 44Ca/40Ca ratio of 2 to 5‰. To the extent that Ge is a good analogue for Si, we would not expect significant fractionation of Si isotopes. But even if the value of β for Si isotopes were as large as that for Ca, we would still not expect measurable diffusive isotopic fractionations of Si because the contrast in Si content between most natural melts is less than a factor of 2.
Some immunological aspects of sea nettle toxins.

Abstract Chrysaora venom was antigenic to rabbits with complement fixing antibodies and protective factors against the lethal, hemolytic and dermonecrotic factors being formed. The thermal stabilities of the lethal, hemolytic and dermonecrotic factors of nettle venom were different, suggesting that an identical particle did not produce these three actions. Complement fixing antibodies were demonstrated in guinea pigs repeatedly stung by nettle medusae. The appearance of a cutaneous eruption after contact with nettle tentacles could not be blocked by intradermal injection of hyperimmune sera, however actively immunized animals did not develop an eruption after stinging.
Hierarchical Local Symmetry: 2-D Shape Representation

The overall goal of our research is to build a vision learning system which can learn to classify objects from 2-D contour information. The visual representation method for such a vision learning system, called the hierarchical local symmetry (IILS), will be discussed in this paper. The definition and algorithms of smoothed local symmetry (SLS) is reviewed, which was introduced by Brady as a method satisfying stability versus sensitivity criteria of visual representation method. In this paper, HLS, modified SLS, are formalized and a new algorithm to compute the HLS is described. HLS eliminates some redundant information in the SLS and gives us hierarchical information. It also makes it possible to devise more efficient algorithms than that of SLS. Normalized polar coordinate representation (NITII) is used to store the computed HLS with translation, scale, and rotation invariance. Transforming the HLS into the NPCR where the learning process can be performed is also discussed.
Derivation of Regge's action from Einstein's theory of general relativity☆

Abstract Regge's action for a discrete lattice is derived from Einstein's continuum formula ʃ√ |g| R d D x in general relativity.
Meta-metadata: a metadata semantics language for collection representation applications

Collecting, organizing, and thinking about diverse information resources is the keystone of meaningful digital information experiences, from research to education to leisure. Metadata semantics are crucial for organizing collections, yet their structural diversity exacerbates problems of obtaining and manipulating them, strewing end users and application developers amidst the shadows of a proverbial tower of Babel. We introduce meta-metadata, a language and software architecture addressing a metadata semantics lifecycle: (1) data structures for representation of metadata in programs; (2) metadata extraction from information resources; (3) semantic actions that connect metadata to collection representation applications; and (4) rules for presentation to users. The language enables power users to author metadata semantics wrappers that generalize template-based information sources. The architecture supports development of independent collection representation applications that reuse wrappers. The initial meta-metadata repository of information source wrappers includes Google, Flickr, Yahoo, IMDb, Wikipedia, and the ACM Portal. Case studies validate the approach.
An Ontological Approach to Computer System Security

Computer system security relies on different aspects of a computer system such as security policies, security mechanisms, threat analysis, and countermeasures. This paper provides an ontological approach to capturing and utilizing the fundamental attributes of those key components to determine the effects of vulnerabilities on a system's security. Our ontology for vulnerability management (OVM) has been populated with all vulnerabilities in NVD (see http://nvd.nist.gov/scap.cfm) with additional inference rules and knowledge discovery mechanisms so that it may provide a promising pathway to make security automation program (NIST Version 1.0, 2007) more effective and reliable.
Anaerobic Bacteremia as Observed in a Children's Hospital Clinically This May Signify True Anaerobic Sepsis

To ascertain the significance of anaerobic bacteremia in a children's hospital, the records of all patients whose blood cultures grew anaerobes during a 24-month period were reviewed. Anaerobes were isolated from 144 out of 1,126 blood cultures yielding bacteria. Anaerobic diphtheroid grew in 122 out of 143 anaerobic cultures, but only 4 out of 122 were isolated from patients with anaerobic sepsis. Nine per cent of the total episodes of anaerobic bacteremia occurred in 13 children who met out criteria for anaerobic sepsis; two oor more blood cultures obtained within a three-day period growing anaerobic bacteria, or an aerobe and an anaerobe, in a febrile child or one with an apparent infectious focus. Bacteroides accounted for 7 out of 13 (64 per cent) of the relevant isolates, while anaerobic diphtheroids 4 out of 13 (26 per cent) and anaerobic gram-positive cocci accounted for the remainder 2 out of 13 (18 per cent). Only one infant, with polymicrobial bacteremia, died, suggesting that anaerobic bacteremia is associated with less mortality in children than in adults. Anaerobic sepsis occurred in children who have had recent abdominal surgery, or who are immunosuppressed.
A new test of the reproductive capacity temperature marker of poliovirus: the limited thermal exposure test.

Abstract The exposure of infected monolayers to increased temperatures during the early part of the incubation period was found markedly to inhibit plaque formation by viruses that replicate poorly at 40°, without reducing the number of plaques produced by strains able to grow at this temperature. This observation was used as the basis for the development of a sensitive test for the “rct” marker. The test, which has been termed the limited thermal exposure test, was applied to numerous test strains. The results were found to agree well with those obtained using other tests of the “rct character.” Inhibition of plaque formation by attenuated strains also occurred at 39°, a result indicating that the LTE test is less sensitive to variations in incubation temperature than other tests. Following the exposure of infected monolayers to increased temperatures for short periods, virulent, rct 40+ strains frequently showed an increase in plaque counts.
Effects of Atomic Electrons on p − p and n − p Scattering

The desirability of considering the problem of electron screening in p-p and n-p scattering more fully is pointed out. The recoil of nuclei caused by electron ejection is considered. (W.D.M.)
Mitochondrial respiration as a target for neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement

This paper focuses on brain mitochondrial respiration as a therapeutic target for neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement. We propose that improving brain mitochondrial respiration is an important future direction in research and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other conditions associated with cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. The central thesis is that supporting and improving brain mitochondrial respiration constitutes a promising neurotherapeutic principle, with potential applications in AD as well as in a wide variety of neuropsychological conditions. We propose three different interventional approaches to improve brain mitochondrial respiration based on (a) pharmacology, (b) photobiomodulation and (c) nutrition interventions, and provide detailed examples for each type of intervention. First, low-dose USP methylene blue is described as a pharmacological intervention that can successfully increase mitochondrial respiration and result in memory enhancement and neuroprotection. Second, transcranial low-level light/laser therapy with near-infrared light is used to illustrate a photobiomodulation intervention with similar neurometabolic mechanisms of action as low-dose methylene blue. Finally, a nutrition intervention to improve mitochondrial respiration is proposed by increasing ketone bodies in the diet. The evidence discussed for each intervention supports a fundamental neurotherapeutic strategy based on improving oxidative energy metabolism while at the same time reducing the pro-oxidant tendencies of the nervous system. Targeting brain mitochondrial respiration with these three types of interventions is proposed as part of a holistic neurotherapeutic approach to improve brain energy metabolism and antioxidant defenses. This strategy represents a promising new bioenergetics direction for treatment of AD and other neuropsychological disorders featuring cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration.
Predictive active disturbance rejection control for processes with time delay

Active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) has been shown to be an effective tool in dealing with real world problems of dynamic uncertainties, disturbances, nonlinearities, etc. This paper addresses its existing limitations with plants that have a large transport delay. In particular, to overcome the delay, the extended state observer (ESO) in ADRC is modified to form a predictive ADRC, leading to significant improvements in the transient response and stability characteristics, as shown in extensive simulation studies and hardware-in-the-loop tests, as well as in the frequency response analysis. In this research, it is assumed that the amount of delay is approximately known, as is the approximated model of the plant. Even with such uncharacteristic assumptions for ADRC, the proposed method still exhibits significant improvements in both performance and robustness over the existing methods such as the dead-time compensator based on disturbance observer and the Filtered Smith Predictor, in the context of some well-known problems of chemical reactor and boiler control problems.
POLYSACCHARIDE ANTIGENS FROM HISTOPLASMA CAPSULATUM.

SummaryA mixture of polysaccharides was obtained from culture filtrates of H. capsulatum grown in the yeast phase. After fractionation on DEAE-cellulose, 3 chroma-tographic fractions were obtained which were serologically active. These were free of nucleic acid, contained from 0.85 to 2.77% N and differed both in chemical constants and in immunologic reactivity.
A Versatile Synthetic Extracellular Matrix Mimic via Thiol‐Norbornene Photopolymerization

Synthetic hydrogels with engineered, cell-mediated degradation sites are an important category of biomimetic materials. Here, hydrogels are synthesized by a step-growth reaction mechanism via a radically mediated thiol-norbornene (thiol-ene) photopolymerization. This reaction combines the advantages of ideal, homogeneous polymer network formation, facile incorporation of peptides without post-synthetic modification, and spatial and temporal control over the network evolution into a single system to produce proteolytically degradable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) peptide hydrogels. Using a thiol-ene photopolymerization, rapid gelation times are achieved, while maintaining high cell viability for cell encapsulation. The enzyme- and cellresponsive characteristics are demonstrated by tailoring the rate of spreading of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) through both the selection of proteolytically degradable crosslinkers and the density of the adhesion peptide RGDS. Furthermore, cellular function is manipulated spatially within the thiol-ene hydrogels through biochemical photopatterning. The high degree of spatial and temporal control over gelation, combined with robust material properties, makes thiol-ene hydrogels an excellent tool for a variety of medical and biological applications.
Molecular analyses of in vivo hprt mutations in human T-lymphocytes: IV. Studies in newborns.

In order to characterize in vivo gene mutations that occur during fetal development, molecular analyses were undertaken of mutant 6-thiogua-nine resistant T-lymphocytes isolated from placental cord blood samples of 13 normal male newborns. These mutant T-cells were studied to define hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (hprt) gene structural alterations and to determine T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement patterns. Structural hprt alterations, as shown by Southern blot analyses, occurred in 85% of these mutant clones. These alterations consisted mostly of deletion of exons 2 and 3. These findings contrast with the 10–20% of gross structural alterations (i.e., those visible on Southern blots) occurring randomly across the entire gene previously reported for T-cell mutants isolated from normal young adults. Iterative analyses of hprt structural alterations and TCR gene rearrangement patterns show that approximately one-third of the newborn derived mutants may have originated as pre- or intrathymic hprt mutations. This too contrasts with previous findings in adults where the background in vivo hprt mutations appeared to originate in post-thymic T-lymphocytes.
Gliadin and zein show similar and improved rheological behavior when mixed with high molecular weight glutenin

Abstract Small amplitude and lubricated squeezing flow tests were performed to investigate the effect of high molecular weight glutenin (HMWG) on the rheological properties of gliadin and zein dough composites. It was hypothesized that addition of small amounts of HMWG to zein cause changes in its viscoelastic properties in the same way as its addition to gliadin. Starch (87%, w/w) and protein/protein composites (13%, w/w), and water were mixed into dough. The water content of prepared dough was in the 41.7–45.3% range. Composites were gliadin-HMWG and zein-HMWG. Phase angle and complex modulus (G*) were obtained from frequency sweep tests at 0.5% strain amplitude over a 0.01–100 rad/s frequencies. Lubricated squeezing flow test were carried out at a range of strain rates to determine the sample extensional viscosities. Gliadin and zein samples exhibited high phase angle values that decreased with the addition of HMWG, which was attributed to enhancement of their elastic characteristics. A similar trend was observed in lubricated squeezing flow results. HMWG incorporation increased the extensional viscosities of gliadin and zein samples. This study suggests that rheological properties of zein can be improved with HMWG addition and provides basic information for future investigations on developments for gluten-free products.
Hallermann-Streiff syndrome with hypopituitarism contributing to growth failure.

A 35-month-old black with Hallermann-Streiff syndrome (HSS) was evaluated for anterior hypopituitarism when he presented with ketotic hypoglycemia, microgenitalia, and short stature. Endocrine evaluation showed a low T 4 and TSH levels, suggesting hypothalamic hypothyroidism; this was confirmed ACTH deficiency as a contributing factor to the ketotic hypoglycemia. Metyrapone test confirmed ACTH deficiency as a contributing factor to the ketotic hypoglycemia