cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunogenicity of Ribosomal Vaccines Isolated from Group A, Type 14 Streptococcus pyogenes

A ribosomal preparation isolated from group A, type 14 Streptococcus pyogenes protected mice against a challenge of 1,000 mean lethal doses. Optimal immunization consisted of subcutaneous administration of 326 mug of protein with Freund incomplete adjuvant. Animals immunized with higher or lower antigen concentrations showed decreased survival. Freund incomplete adjuvant was necessary to insure optimum immunization. Immunochemical studies showed no M protein or C carbohydrate present in the ribosomal preparation. Mice optimally immunized with the type 14 ribosomal preparation were protected against heterologous challenge with M types 2, 5, 8, and 12. Protein-free ribonucleic acid extracts isolated from the type 14 ribosomal preparation did not protect mice against homologous challenge. But ribonucleic acid-free protein extracts showed 100% protection in mice after homologous challenge.
Nanocrystalline tin oxide thin films via liquid flow deposition

Nanocrystalline films of SnO 2 were deposited by liquid flow deposition (LFD), i.e., by flowing aqueous solutions of SnCl 4 .5H 2 O and HCI over single-crystalline silicon substrates at 80°C. The substrates were either oxidized and fully hydrolyzed (bare silicon) or oxidized, hydrolyzed, and then coated with siloxy-anchored organic self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Continuous, adherent films formed on sulfonate- and thioacetate-functionalized SAMs; adherent but sometimes discontinuous films formed on bare silicon and methyl-functionalized SAMs. The films contained equiaxed cassiterite crystals, ∼4-10 nm in size. The film thickness increased linearly with deposition time. The maximum growth rate observed was 85 nm.h -1 on sulfonate SAM, and the maximum film thickness obtained was 1 μm. A new dimensionless parameter, the normalized residence time, T, was introduced for the purpose of interpreting the influence of solution conditions (i.e., degree of supersaturation, as controlled via pH, and tin concentration) and flow characteristics (flow rate and the configuration of the deposition chamber) on the growth rate in LFD processes. The results were consistent with a particle attachment mechanism for film growth and inconsistent with heterogeneous nucleation on the substrate.
Positive plate additives

Approaches to the use of additives in pursuit of improved active material utilization in the positive plate of the lead/acid battery are reviewed. In order for the use of additives to lead to significant improvements in specific energy adequate provision must be made to support the stoichiometry of the discharge reaction and consideration must be given to the volume fraction occupied by candidate materials.
Faceted garnets from sandstones of the Munising Formation (Cambrian), northern Michigan: petrographic evidence for their origin by intrastratal dissolution

Imbricate wedge marks (facets) on garnets in sandstones of the Cambrian Munising Formation of northern Michigan are associated with mouldic secondary porosity developed at the expense of garnet. Mouldic pores surrounding faceted garnets indicate that garnets in these sandstones have been affected by intrastratal dissolution (retreat of the mineral surface from its original boundaries) rather than by grain enlargement, which would be expected if garnet overgrowths had formed. The association of garnet facets with textural evidence of garnet dissolution proves that garnet facets form by intrastratal dissolution. These results confirm similar findings in other recent studies, and extend the geographic and stratigraphic range of proven occurrences of facet formation by intrastratal dissolution.
Comparison of Methods for Processing Sweep-Net Samples of Aquatic Invertebrates From Forested Wetlands

Abstract Aquatic invertebrate data are useful for assessing wetland community structure, function, and water quality. Although collecting samples of aquatic invertebrates is relatively efficient and economical, processing these samples can be time consumptive and costly. Accordingly, researchers have devised methods to increase processing efficiency and effectiveness. For example, supersaturated solutions of solutes in various aqueous media have been used to separate invertebrates from aquatic media and organic matter. However, no study has evaluated this method for extracting invertebrates from sweep-net samples from flooded bottomland hardwood forests. We compared invertebrate recovery rates from samples processed using 1) tap water (control), 2) a supersaturated solution of sugar and water, and 3) a supersaturated solution of salt and water. We also evaluated a subsampling procedure by comparing taxonomic Order-level richness and Shannon diversity between sub- and whole samples. Numbers and dry biomass...
In vitro studies on ciliary activity within the oviducts of the rabbit and pig

Direct observations of ciliary activity on the mucosal surface of mammalian oviducts have rarely been reported. Yet such studies might help to determine the relative value of ciliary action in gamete transport through the ducts. The purpose of this study was to examine the direction and rapidity of ciliary currents in the oviducts of two mammalian species, the rabbit and the pig. Fresh oviducts were slit open longitudinally and submerged in Hanks' balanced salt solution at 37°C. The movements of particulate matter, such as stained lycopodium spores and 15 μ microspherents, placed on the mucosal surface, were observed and recorded on film. In both species ciliary currents in the ampulla swept the particles toward the ampullar-isthmic junction. In the isthmus of the pig oviduct the particulate matter was transported in the reverse direction, toward the ovary. The pro-ovarian current could be demonstrated throughout the isthmus, beginning a few millimeters above the uterotubal junction. In the rabbit a similar current was detected, but it was not as extensive as in the pig. In the upper isthmus of the rabbit oviduct, particulate matter and rabbit eggs in the “mucin coat” merely rotated or “tumbled” on the surface with little movement in either direction. This is the first report of pro-ovarian ciliary currents for any mammal, and we believe these to be important for sperm transport through the isthmus. The action of cilia during egg transport is discussed.
Optical and ultraviolet spectra of active galactic nuclei: Searching for accretion disks

Abstract The most important characteristics of the optical, ultraviolet (UV), and (to a lesser extent) near-infrared spectra of active galactic nuclei are described. These include the broad and narrow emission lines, a nonstellar continuum having approximately power-law shape from near-infrared to red wavelengths, and a large excess of radiation over the power law at visual and UV wavelengths. Aspects of the spectra that may indicate the existence and properties of accretion disks are examined in greatest detail. Specifically, the “big blue bump” is probably thermal radiation from an accretion disk. Its presence may contribute to the observed inverse correlation between UV continuum luminosity and equivalent width of UV emission lines (the “Baldwin effect”). The excess UV radiation should also affect some of the emission-line intensity ratios. Various inconsistencies in current photoionization models, such as that between the observed and inferred shapes of the ionizing continuum, can be eliminated if the UV photons are emitted anisotropically whereas the X-rays are isotropic. Variability of the intensity ratios may reveal changes in the accretion rate. If the disk produces emission lines, their profiles should be double-peaked, although emission originating from the standard broad-line clouds may mask this effect. At high velocities within the line profiles, however, the relative strengths of lines should nevertheless differ from those produced by the standard clouds. Finally, some evidence for disks and thick tori is provided by certain correlations between optical and radio properties of quasars, as well as by spectropolarimetric studies of type 2 Seyfert galaxies.
Magnetic Properties of A2+Cr2S4 Compounds with the NiAs Structure

The cation-defective NiAs-type polymorphs of MnCr2S4, FeCr2S4, and CoCr2S4 were prepared by high pressure-high temperature heat treatments. The magnetizations of these specimens and NiCr2S4 were studied from 1.5'K to room temperature. All phases with the NiAs-type structure were antiferromagneticalIy ordered below NBel temperatures of 70°, 200°, 300°, and 200°K, respectively. These data show a transition from ferrimagnetic to anti-ferromagnetic ordering in the transformation spinel-type ↔ NiAs-type structure in the A2+Cr2S4 compounds.
Design characteristics for the tissue engineering of cartilaginous tissues.

Tissues like the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc and the knee meniscus are often mistakenly viewed as a tantamount to hyaline cartilage, largely due to the absence of a comprehensive understanding of the distinguishing properties of cartilaginous tissues. Because of this confusion, fibrocartilaginous tissue engineering attempts may not be based on suitable experimental designs. Fibrocartilaginous tissues are markedly different than hyaline cartilage; however, the dearth of knowledge related to their cellular and biochemical composition, as well as their bio- mechanical characteristics, is stunning. Hyaline articular cartilage is exclusively composed of chondrocytes that produce primarily type II collagen, whereas the TMJ disc and the knee meniscus have a mixed cell population of fibroblasts and cells similar to chondrocytes, which predominantly secrete type I collagen. Additionally, fibrocartilaginous tissues have a low glycosaminoglycan content, a low compressive modulus, and a high tensile modulus when compared to hyaline cartilage. Therefore, it is crucial for fibrocartilaginous tissue engineering attempts to be tissue-specific, utilizing the knowledge of the distinct and unique properties of these tissues. At the same time, advances and insights related to the science and engineering aspect of hyaline cartilage regeneration must be carefully considered for the in vitro engineering of fibrocartilaginous tissues.
Abstract B167: Targeting glioblastoma invasion with GSK-3 inhibitors: Rapid effects on vimentin dynamics.

Tumor cell invasion of surrounding normal brain remains a formidable obstacle to the effective treatment of the lethal brain tumor glioblastoma. Moreover, invasion may be enhanced by radiation and bevacizumab, which are important clinical agents in glioblastoma treatment. At present there are no agents available clinically that specifically target the invading tumor cell population. We previously identified that small molecule inhibitors of the protein kinase GSK-3 (glycogen synthase kinase-3), are able to specifically block glioblastoma invasion in vitro and in vivo, where they also prolong survival in animal models bearing intracranial invasive orthotopic glioblastoma xenografts. GSK-3 is a ubiquitous multifunctional serine/threonine protein kinase involved in many signaling pathways. To better understand the functions of GSK-3 in glioblastoma we used proteomics and gene/microRNA expression profiling to determine the molecular effects of GSK-3 inhibition in glioblastoma cells with the inhibitors Lithium chloride and 6-bromoindirubin-3’-oxime (BIO). This revealed distinct and overlapping effects of each compound, including the expected upregulation of β-catenin targets such as Axin2. Proteomics revealed major changes in the cytoskeleton, with downregulation of the EMT marker vimentin as the most significant alteration. Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein that functions as an organizer of a number of critical proteins involved in attachment, migration, and cell signaling. The downregulation of vimentin was rapid and due to alterations in its dynamics in response to GSK-3 inhibition. GSK-3 and vimentin were shown to associate with each other in glioblastoma cells, and reduction in phosphorylation of vimentin serine 38 was observed in response to treatment with inhibitors. We showed that vimentin is highly expressed in patient glioblastoma samples and higher levels of vimentin are associated with poorer prognosis in glioblastoma patients. Vimentin knockdown also reduced glioblastoma cell migration. The mechanism of action of GSK-3 inhibition in the context of glioblastoma invasion and the potential of developing a therapeutic strategy based on these observations will be discussed. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):B167. Citation Format: Sean E. Lawler, Michal O. Nowicki, E. Antonio Chiocca. Targeting glioblastoma invasion with GSK-3 inhibitors: Rapid effects on vimentin dynamics. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B167.
An Analytical Study of the PERT Assumptions

This paper presents the results of a mathematical analysis of the standard assumptions used in PERT calculations. The objectives of this analysis were four-fold: 1 to pull together the mathematical aspects of the PERT model, 2 to suggest relevant analytic techniques, 3 to obtain an indication of the magnitude and direction of errors introduced by the assumptions, and 4 to suggest possible modifications and improvements in the model. The first part of the paper analyzes those assumptions relevant to the individual activities. Three possible sources of error are considered here: 1 the beta distribution assumption, 2 the standard deviation assumption and the approximation formula for the mean, and 3 the imprecise time estimates. The second part of the paper deals with the PERT network as a whole and analyzes the calculations underlying the project mean, standard deviation, and probability statements. The concept of relative criticalness is explored for the PERT stochastic model. Techniques for network reduction are outlined.
Increased ventilatory lung stretch alters the effect of soluble guanylyl cyclase-derived cGMP on endothelial barrier function in isolated mouse lungs

Background Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) increases lung endothelial permeability. Lung endothelial nitric oxide (NO) generation contributed to this increased permeability in an intact mouse model of VILI [1]. NO stimulates endothelial soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) to produce cGMP. The effect of cGMP on endothelial permeability is controversial [2]. We sought to determine 1) if endothelial cGMP is generated in VILI and 2) if changes in endothelial cGMP modulate VILI-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction.
Color Target Recognition Using Omnidirectional Vision

and E. L. HallCenter for Robotic ResearchDepartment of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,University of CincinnatiCincinnati, Ohio 45221AbstractLandmark navigation appears promising for the guidance of mobile robots. With thisapproach, a landmark target is recognized and used to update the position of the mobilerobot. The purpose of this paper is to describe a color target recognition method with anomnidirectional vision system. The method using a color target arranged in a given spatialpattern is described. A recognition logic using thresholding of two color components wasdeveloped. This recognition technique is demonstrated by experiments which show theadvantage of using color features. Color features add new dimensions and useful measuresfor target recognition.IntroductionOmnidirectional vision (omni- vision) has the feature that two pi steradian field ofview can be seen simultaneously. An extremely wide angle lens is needed to produce anomnidirectional image (omni -image). This lens is often called a fish eye lens, since theview recorded is similar to that seen by a fish under water. The term "fish eye lens" wasfirst introduced by Maxwell
Identification of a new member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily that is activated by a peroxisome proliferator and fatty acids.

We have identified a novel member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily by cDNA cloning from a human osteosarcoma SAOS-2/B10 cell library. Sequence analysis predicts a protein of 441 amino acids, which includes the conserved amino acid residues characteristic of the DNA- and ligand-binding domains of nuclear receptors. Amino acid sequence alignment and transcriptional activation experiments revealed that the new protein is closely related to the mouse peroxisome proliferator activated receptor. The overall homology is 62%, and the highest similarity is seen in the DNA- and ligand-binding domains, 86% and 71%, respectively. Northern blot analysis showed that in mature rats, the receptor is highly expressed in heart, kidney, and lung as a transcript of approximately 3500 nucleotides. In human cells, the size of the mRNA is approximately 4000 nucleotides. Transcription assays using hybrid receptors consisting of the ligand-binding domain of the new protein and the DNA-binding domain of the glucocortico...
Renewable Energy Load Matching for Continental U.S.

The variability of wind and solar energy technologies is perceived as a major obstacle to employing otherwise abundant renewable energy resources. Based on the available geographically dispersed data for the continental U.S. (excluding Alaska), we analyze to what extent the geographic diversity of these resources can offset their variability. We determine the best match to loads that can be achieved with wind power and photovoltaics with no transmission limitations. Without storage, wind and PV can meet up to 50% of loads in Western US. It is beneficial to build more wind than PV mostly because the wind contributes at night. When storage is available, the optimal mix has almost 75% as much nominal PV capacity as wind, with the PV energy contribution being 32% of the electricity produced from wind. With only 40 GW of storage (twice the pumped hydro storage capacity that already exists in the continental US), up to 82% of the load can be matched with wind and PV, while at the same time curtailing less than 10% of the renewable energy throughout the year.© 2011 ASME
A routine activities approach to suburban arson rates

Cohen and Felson's theory of “routine activities” is evaluated using 1980 arson rate data for 676 American suburbs. Influences of criminal motivation (percent poor, percent unemployed, percent black and percent youth), criminal opportunities (percent old housing, percent multiple housing and the number of commercial/industrial establishments), guardianship (police employment, police expenditure and female labor force participation) and ecological niche (employment concentration and median house value) on suburban arson rates for 1980 are estimated using maximum likelihood (LISREL) techniques. Consistent with the routine activities model, a multiplicative effect of the pre‐conditions for crime on crime rates are also estimated. Motivation, opportunities and guardianship were found to have direct and/or indirect additive effects on arson rates, thus supporting the “routine activities” model. A multiplicative effect of the preconditions of crime was also found.
The Conservation Compliance Program and Best Management Practices: An Integrated Approach for Economic Analysis

(Crosson and Miranowski; Govindasamy and Duffy; Govindasamy and Huffman;). About 44 percent of the cropland is eroding at levels greater than soil-loss tolerance levels (Council for Agricultural Science and Technology 1988). This positive net erosion has led the U.S. government to formulate measures such as the Conservation Compliance Program (CCP) in an effort to curtail farmland soil erosion. The CCP
Direct impacts of sheep upon Douglas-fir trees in two agrosilvopastoral systems

Livestock may provide important service and production functions in agroforestry systems. However, use of livestock in conifer/improved pasture agrosilvopastoral systems is currently limited by concerns about potential damage to trees by livestock. Effects of sheep grazing on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) trees in two patterns of sheep/pasture/conifer agroforest (cluster and grid plantations) were studied from 4 years after planting (1983) until the first precommercial thinning at age 10 years (1988). Trees averaged over 1 m in height when grazing began in summer 1983. Some browsing of tree lateral branches by sheep occurred regardless of grazing season in 1983–1985. However, the 2 to 10% of current year's lateral branch growth removed by grazing sheep was too low to impact tree growth. Sheep removed the terminal leaders from only 3 to 9% of trees each year during 1983–1985. Most browsing of terminals occurred in the summer when other forages had become mature and were relatively unpalatable to sheep. Less than 13% of agroforest trees were debarked by sheep each year during 1983–1987. By the end of grazing in 1987, less than 8% of agroforest trees had sustained a level of debarking likely to impact future growth (>50% of tree circumference debarked). Grazing had no discernible effect upon tree diameter or height in any year (P > 0.05). Total tree mortality attributable to sheep grazing during 1983–1987 was only 0.9%, including three trees girdled by sheep and two debarked trees which were subsequently attacked by insects. Overall, grazing had no detrimental impact on timber stand growth or mortality.
THE ANTIPYRETIC EFFECT OF TILORONE HYDROCHLORIDE IN THE CAT

1 The antipyretic activity of tilorone hydrochloride was studied in conscious, unrestrained cats provided with implanted jugular venous catheters, third cerebral ventricular (i.c.v.) cannulae and retroperitoneal thermocouples. 2 In afebrile animals, 10 mg/kg i.v. or 1 mg i.c.v. tilorone hydrochloride did not alter body temperature, but 20 mg/kg i.v. or 2 to 5 mg i.c.v. caused hypothermia and various behavioural responses. 3 Non-hypothermogenic doses of tilorone (i.v. or i.c.v.) antagonized hyperthermic responses to leucocytic pyrogen (i.v. or i.c.v.), bacterial pyrogen (i.c.v.) and sodium arachidonate (i.c.v.) but did not antagonize prostaglandin E1 (i.c.v.). 4 These results indicate that tilorone has an antipyretic action within the central nervous system that is distinct from its hypothermogenic action. Although there is no published evidence to indicate that tilorone can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis peripherally, its ability to reduce hyperthermic responses to arachidonate suggests that it can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis within the brain.
Dual-Beam Actuation of Piezoelectric AlN RF MEMS Switches Monolithically Integrated with AlN Contour-Mode Resonators

This work reports on piezoelectric aluminum nitride (AlN) based dual-beam RF MEMS switches that have been monolithically integrated with AlN contour-mode resonators. The dual-beam switch design presented in this paper intrinsically compensates for the residual stress in the deposited films, requires a low actuation voltage (5 to 20 V) and facilitates active pull-off to open the switch and exhibits fast switching times (1 to 2 µs). This work also presents the combined response (cascaded S parameters) of a resonator and a switch that were co-fabricated on the same substrate. The response shows that the resonator can be effectively turned on and off by the switch. A post-CMOS compatible process was used for the co-fabrication of both the switches and the resonators. The single-chip RF solution presented constitutes an unprecedented step forward towards the realization of compact, low-loss and integrated multi-frequency RF front-ends.
Ion channels in yeast

Voltage-dependent ion channels have been found in the plasma membrane of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ion channel activities were recorded from spheroplasts or patches of plasma membrane with the patch-clamp technique. The most prominent activities came from a set of potassium channels with the properties of activation by positive but not negative voltages, high selectivity for potassium over sodium ion, unit conductance of 20 picosiemens, inhibition by tetraethylammonium or barium ions, and bursting kinetics.
Direct patterning of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) thin films using microcontact printing

This Letter describes a convenient means of direct patterning of conjugated polymers on solid substrates by microcontact printing. An amine-containing poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) was synthesized and printed onto the surface with the SAMs terminating in interchain carboxylic anhydrides. Well-defined PPV micropatterns were characterized by atomic force microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. The interaction between the polymer thin films and the surface was analyzed by grazing angle infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The formation of covalent bonds via amidation renders great stability of the resulting functional patterns.
Tensile testing of free-standing Cu, Ag and Al thin films and Ag/Cu multilayers

Abstract Free standing polycrystalline thin films with a strong 〈111〉 texture were tested in uniaxial tension. Studied were electron-beam deposited Ag, Cu and Al films, and Ag/Cu multilayers consisting of alternating Ag and Cu layers of equal thickness, between 1.5 nm and 1.5 μm (bilayer repeat length, λ , between 3 nm and 3 μm). The films had a total thickness of about 3 μm. A thin polymeric two-dimensional diffraction grid was deposited on the film surface by microlithographic techniques. Strains were measured in situ from the relative displacements of two laser spots diffracted from the grid. The average values of the Young’s moduli, determined from hundreds of measurements, are 63 GPa for Ag, 102 GPa for Cu, 57 GPa for Al and 87.5 GPa for Ag/Cu multilayers. In all cases, these values are about 20% lower than those calculated from the literature data and, for the Ag/Cu multilayers, are independent of λ . No “supermodulus” effect was observed. The 20% reduction in modulus is most likely the result of incomplete cohesion (“microcracking”) of the grain boundaries. The ductility of the Ag/Cu multilayers decreases when λ is reduced. For λ λ >80 nm, the yield stress increases with decreasing λ according to a Hall–Petch-type relation. No softening with decreasing grain size was observed even at the lowest values of λ .
The effects of mixing of the ejecta on the gamma-ray lines from SN 1987A

Mixing of matter in the ejecta is suggested by hydrodynamical calculations for SN 1987A. The X-ray flux calculated including mixing reproduces well the observed X-ray light curve and spectra. The effects of mixing on the gamma-ray lines have been estimated. The line fluxes at times less than 1.5 yr after the explosion strongly depend on mixing, and are greatly increased for values of the mixed mass larger than 4 solar masses. The peak advances to an earlier time and its flux is also greatly enhanced. If 5 solar masses are adopted for the mixed mass, as suggested from the X-ray calculations, the 847 keV line will reach its peak around 1.1 yr after the explosion with flux of 0.00086 photons/sq cm per s. If the mixed mass is less than 4 solar masses, the mixing effect becomes less prominent. The gamma-ray lines expected from SN 1987A should be observable. The way in which gamma-ray line observations can be used to diagnose properties of the ejecta is discussed.
MicroRNA-140 Provides Robustness to the Regulation of Hypertrophic Chondrocyte Differentiation by the PTHrP-HDAC4 Pathway

Growth plate chondrocytes go through multiple differentiation steps and eventually become hypertrophic chondrocytes. The parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related peptide (PTHrP) signaling pathway plays a central role in regulation of hypertrophic differentiation, at least in part, through enhancing activity of histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4), a negative regulator of MEF2 transcription factors that drive hypertrophy. We have previously shown that loss of the chondrocyte-specific microRNA (miRNA), miR-140, alters chondrocyte differentiation including mild acceleration of hypertrophic differentiation. Here, we provide evidence that miR-140 interacts with the PTHrP-HDAC4 pathway to control chondrocyte differentiation. Heterozygosity of PTHrP or HDAC4 substantially impaired animal growth in miR-140 deficiency, whereas these mutations had no effect in the presence of miR-140. miR-140-deficient chondrocytes showed increased MEF2C expression with normal levels of total and phosphorylated HDAC4, indicating that the miR-140 pathway merges with the PTHrP-HDAC4 pathway at the level of MEF2C. miR-140 negatively regulated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, and inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling reduced MEF2C expression. These results demonstrate that miR-140 ensures the robustness of the PTHrP/HDAC4 regulatory system by suppressing MEF2C-inducing stimuli. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Composite Higgs scalars

We construct models in which the Higgs doublet whose vacuum expectation breaks SU(2) × U(10 is a bound state of massive strongly interacting fermions. The couplings of the composite Higgs to ordinary fermions are induced by heavy gauge boson exchange in the manner of extended technicolor. Other heavy gauge bosons generate a negative mass term for the Higgs.
SERUM ALBUMIN SUPPLEMENTED MEDIUM FOR LONG TERM CULTIVATION OF MAMMALIAN FIBROBLAST STRAINS.

SummarySerially transferred hamster or human fibroblasts maintained on synthetic medium containing 10% calf serum could be carried through about 10 and about 50-70 cell generations respectively, before growth ceased. Addition of crystallized serum albumin to the medium to a concentration of 20 mg/ ml affected the growth potential so that in both cases over 100 cell generations could be obtained. The human fibroblasts after 95 cell generations showed no chromosomal abnormalities while in the hamster fibroblasts some deviation from the diploid number did occur. In neither case was there evidence of the evolution of improved growth properties that characterize established cell lines.
A NEW SPECIES OF GLASS FROG (ANURA: CENTROLENIDAE) FROM THE VENEZUELAN GUAYANA

A new species of Centrolene is named from the La Escalera Region in Estado Bo- livar, Venezuela. The three species known from the Guianan Region of northeastern South America represent a single clade characterized by a white bib-like parietal peritoneum; this clade is referred to as the Centrolene gorzulai species group. Centrolenella auyantepuiana is placed in the synonymy of Centrolene gorzulai. GLASS frogs of the genus Centrolene are most diverse in the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Only two named spe- cies have been recognized in the Guayana Highlands—C. gorzulai from the summit of Auyan-tepui at 1850 m above sea level in Estado Bolivar, Venezuela (Ayarza- guena, 1992) and C. papillahallicum from the Pacaraima Mountains in western Guy- ana at 600 m above sea level (Noonan and Harvey, 2000). A single specimen of a third species was reported from the La Es- calera Region in Estado Bolivar, Venezue- la, by Duellman (1997); this specimen was not named at the time because it had not been compared with C. gorzulai. We have now made the necessary comparisons and provide a description of a new species. M
Vision drives correlated activity without patterned spontaneous activity in developing Xenopus retina.

Developing amphibians need vision to avoid predators and locate food before visual system circuits fully mature. Xenopus tadpoles can respond to visual stimuli as soon as retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) innervate the brain, however, in mammals, chicks and turtles, RGCs reach their central targets many days, or even weeks, before their retinas are capable of vision. In the absence of vision, activity-dependent refinement in these amniote species is mediated by waves of spontaneous activity that periodically spread across the retina, correlating the firing of action potentials in neighboring RGCs. Theory suggests that retinorecipient neurons in the brain use patterned RGC activity to sharpen the retinotopy first established by genetic cues. We find that in both wild type and albino Xenopus tadpoles, RGCs are spontaneously active at all stages of tadpole development studied, but their population activity never coalesces into waves. Even at the earliest stages recorded, visual stimulation dominates over spontaneous activity and can generate patterns of RGC activity similar to the locally correlated spontaneous activity observed in amniotes. In addition, we show that blocking AMPA and NMDA type glutamate receptors significantly decreases spontaneous activity in young Xenopus retina, but that blocking GABAA receptor blockers does not. Our findings indicate that vision drives correlated activity required for topographic map formation. They further suggest that developing retinal circuits in the two major subdivisions of tetrapods, amphibians and amniotes, evolved different strategies to supply appropriately patterned RGC activity to drive visual circuit refinement. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 72: 537–546, 2012
A Study of Heterosis and Recombination Loss in Crosses of Inbred Leghorn Lines Derived from a Common Base Population

Abstract This study was designed to estimate heterosis and recombination loss of feed efficiency at peak egg production using six inbred White Leghorn lines and their crosses. Percent hen day egg production was highest in three-line crosses with 94.6%, 93.5% for two-line crosses and 91.0% for inbred lines, respectively. Feed efficiency of three-line crosses was superior to that of two-line crosses, primarily because of low feed consumption. Heterosis effects for body and egg weights were observed in all mating combinations. The value of heterosis for egg number and feed efficiency were dependent upon parental line. Egg number and egg weight showed small average recombination losses, depending on lines involved. Small but consistent recombination loss for body weight was observed. The recombination loss for feed efficiency was large and negative; the highest three-line cross value for this trait was about 16% above that of the mean of the corresponding two-line crosses.
Semantic priming, prime reportability, and retroactive priming are interdependent

In two experiments, semantic analysis of prime words was measured in terms of facilitation in naming a semantically related target word. Targets were degraded but gradually clarified until the subject named them. Subjects reported the prime after naming the target. Experiment 1 used semantic associates as primes at a 50-msec prime-target stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA). Experiment 2 used both semantic-associate and identity primes at a 1,000-msec prime-target SOA. Reported primes showed facilitation in both experiments, whereas unreported primes did not. It appears that primes that undergo enough analysis to facilitate target processing are also available for conscious report. However, retroactive priming in both experiments showed that target processing also had an impact on prime reportability. The interdependence of priming and prime reportability disallows a straightforward interpretation of the origin of the facilitation.
Growth status of children in rural Mali: Implications for nutrition education programs.

In conjunction with a rural development project, a cross-sectional anthropometric survey and ethnographic research were conducted in six rural villages in southern Mali where food is generally sufficient. A total of 1,132 individuals were measured, and individual and group interviews concerning dietary habits and intra-familial food distribution patterns were conducted. In this paper, data on the growth status of children under 12 years of age (N=575) are reported and analyzed. As defined by inadequate growth, rates of malnutrition are extremely high in this population. Deficits in growth peak among the 2 year olds, with 67% falling more than 2 SD below the NCHS/WHO standard for weight-for-age, and 53% falling more than 2SD below the standard for height-for-age. Deficits in weight-for-height are highest among the 1 year olds, with 32% falling more than 2 SD below the NCHS/WHO standards. From birth to 23 months, the correlation between age (in months) and weight-for-age z-scores is -.63 (P=.0001). Between 24 and 47 months, the correlation improves, to +.36 (P=.0004), indicating that children experience some catch-up growth. By the age of 11 years, they still have not recovered fully from the combination of poor nutrition and infections in early childhood, however, and malnutrition continues to be a problem throughout childhood. Iodine deficiency is also a problem in two of the six villages. Interview data confirm earlier findings in Mali regarding child feeding practices, specifically, that infants and young children are expected to feed themselves, and that the best foods are reserved for adults. These findings have important implications for the design and implementation of nutrition education programs in southern Mali.
Use of electric dichroism to study polymer conformation.

Abstract A new, highly sensitive method to measure the linear dichroism of polymer solutions is described. It can provide information about the permanent dipole moment and about the orientation, mobility and electronic properties of side chains of helical polymers. Preliminary results are reported for helical poly-L-tyrosine in dioxane solution, oriented by a static electric field.
TH-A-18C-08: Design of a Small Animal Contrast Enhanced Dual Energy CT

Purpose: Dual energy CT has a variety of uses in a small animal setting including quantification and enhanced visualization of contrast agent. This study aims to determine the best energy combinations for contrast enhanced DECT on the XRAD 225Cx (Precision x-ray), a small animal IGRT system with a nominal energy range of 20 – 225 kVp. Focus was placed on material density accuracy and low contrast detectability. Methods: Simulations of single energy scans of an object containing concentrations of iodine varying from 0.5 to 50 mg/ml were performed using the simulation package ImaSim. Energy spectra from 50 – 220 kVp were calculated using the same software. For approximate Poisson noise modeling, mAs were chosen such that 30% of the total 10cGy dose was assigned to the low energy scan. A calibration involving projections of objects containing different thicknesses of iodine (0–0.5 mm) and water (0–50 mm) was performed for each energy and fit to a cubic equation as the calibration curve for each energy pair. Results: Contrast to noise ratios of the iodine material images and accuracies in iodine density measurements were measured. Gradual improvements in each metric were seen with increasing high energy. Larger improvements in CNR were observedmore » for decreasing the low energy. Errors in iodine density were generally close to 5% for concentrations of iodine above 3 mg/ml but increased to around 15% for 50 kVp, likely due to its proximity to the discontinuity caused by the k-edge of iodine. Conclusion: Based on these simulations, the best energy combination for detecting low concentrations of iodine using a projection space calibration procedure is 50/200 kVp. However, if accuracy is most important 80/220 kVp is ideal, with 60/220 kVp being a good compromise to achieve both goals. Future work is necessary to verify these conclusions with physical data.« less
Mechanism for the Homolytic Cleavage of Alkyl Hydroperoxides by the Manganese(III) Dimer MnIII2(2-OHsalpn)2

The oxidation of MnIII2(2-OHsalpn)2, 1 (2-OHsalpn = 1,3-bis(salicylideneamino)-2-propanol), with tert-butyl hydroperoxide was studied in organic media. A one-electron reaction occurs resulting in i...
A missense mutation encoding cys67 → gly in neurophysin II is associated with early onset autosomal dominant neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus

Autosomal dominant neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus (ADNDI) is an inherited disorder in which progressive degeneration of magnocellular neurons of the hypothalamus impairs production of arginine vasopressin (AVP). ADNDI is caused by mutations in the arginine vasopressin-neurophysin II (AVP-NPII) gene. These mutations are hypothesized to trigger neurodegeneration via disruption of preproAVP-NPII processing. Affected individuals usually develop diabetes insipidus between 1 and 6 years of age. Here we report a novel mutation of the AVP-NPII gene in a family with unusually early presentation of ADNDI. The index case developed symptoms of diabetes insipidus at 1 month of age, her mother at 9 months of age, and the maternal grandfather in early childhood. Each was found to be heterozygous for the missense mutation 1665T > G encoding the amino acid substitution C67G within NPII. This mutation helps to define two homologous regions of the AVP-NPII precursor bounded by disulfide bridges between C13 and C27 and between C61 and C73 that have structural homology and contain the majority of amino acid substitutions associated with ADNDI. The early onset of symptomatic diabetes insipidus in this family suggests that the C67G substitution may be particularly deleterious to magnocellular neurons and may provide a valuable model for study of dominantly inherited neurodegeneration.
INTELLIGENT ROBOT VISION SYSTEM FOR INSPECTION AND ASSEMBLY OF SUBMILLIMETER-SIZED COMPONENTS

We have developed a system which handles submillimeter semiconductor devices in an autonomous assembly and inspection task. The devices, 0.50 x 0.25 mm in size, are taken from a random orientation on a dish and mounted individually on a mounting fixture to an accuracy of 2 gm in the critical direction. Components used to accomplish this task include high precision X-Y-Z stages, a long-travel stage, two cameras with different fields of view and appropriate optics, and a vacuum pickup capable of handling the devices. The entire system is controlled and programmed by a computer vision system. We will discuss the ways in which computer vision, by providing feedback of positional information, has allowed us to accomplish the accurate hand-eye coordination necessary for the task. Vision is used for system self-alignment and self-calibration as well as for automatic parts inspection and positioning. Using multiple fields of view, each device in turn is positioned to micron accuracy before handling by the vacuum pickup. The angular orientation is calculated for subsequent correction, and Z positioning is calculated using an autofocusing routine. For this application automatic focusing is accomplished by expressing the Z position as a polynomial function of the object area, which is minimum at focus. The robot system components are relatively inexpensive and could significantly reduce the cost of manufacturing semiconductor laser diodes.
The role of radiation therapy in the management of non-metastatic Ewing's sarcoma of bone. Report of the Intergroup Ewing's Sarcoma Study.

Abstract The role of radiation therapy in local tumor control and decreased incidence of pulmonary metastasis is reported in 271 patients who were entered into the Intergroup Ewing's Sarcoma Study with more than one year follow-up and on whom all radiotherapy records were reviewed. The majority of the patients were irradiated to the primary tumor with doses of 4500 to 6500 rad in five to six weeks in combination with systemic administration of three drugs (vincristine, actinomycin-D and cyclophosphamide) or four drugs (vincristine, actinomycin-D, cyclophosphamide and adriamycin). One of the groups of patients was treated with three drugs and bilateral pulmonary irradiation (1500 rad, uncorrected dose, in two weeks). Preliminary analysis shows an overall local primary tumor control of 89 %. Patients with lesions in the pelvis had a local failure rate of 17% (9 of 52) and in the humerus 23% (7 of 31). Factors affecting local recurrences are analyzed in detail. Distant metastases have been noted in 40% of all patients; the highest proportion was noted in the pelvis (49%). There was a significant difference in the appearance of pulmonary metastases in the patients who were treated with four drugs (9.7%) and in the group who received three drugs and pulmonary irradiation (23.5%) when compared with the patients treated with three drugs only (37%). Intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy significantly improve local tumor control and survival of patients with localized Ewing's sarcoma. However, the high incidence of metastasis suggests the need for more effective systemic chemotherapy to further improve treatment results. It is very important to determine the optimal dose of irradiation and minimal volume to be treated in order to achieve optimal survival and primary tumor control with the least sequela.
Blood Pressure, Perfusion Pressure, and Open-Angle Glaucoma: The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study

The pathogenesis of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) remains unknown. Although elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is thought to play a major role in the development and progression of the disease, it is generally well understood that other factors, particularly those affecting the blood supply to the optic nerve head may play a significant role. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between OAG and vascular factors such as systemic hypertension, hypotension, atherosclerosis, and vasospasm.1–9 Study results, however, are conflicting, and the impact of high or low blood pressure on the development of OAG is still not fully understood. According to the vascular theory of OAG pathogenesis, low blood pressure (BP), particularly in the face of elevated IOP, can reduce perfusion pressure (PP) at the optic nerve head, causing ischemic damage to the retinal ganglion cells.10,11 In cases of chronically elevated BP, on the other hand, increased peripheral resistance and small-vessel disease can also reduce perfusion of the optic nerve head. In addition, IOP and BP are positively correlated4,12,13 resulting in further difficulty in interpreting the existing data and understanding the relationship between OAG and BP. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cross-sectional relationship between BP, PP, and OAG in the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES). LALES is a population-based study of Latinos in Los Angeles County that was initiated to better understand health care and eye disease in this minority population.14
Fabrication and Characterization of Ultrathin MgB 2 Films for Hot-Electron Bolometer Applications

Hot-electron bolometer mixers employing thin films of conventional superconducting materials have already been successfully fabricated in the past. Magnesium diboride (MgB2) is a promising alternative to conventional superconductors, and we report the fabrication and study of ultrathin MgB2 films of down to 10 nm deposited by hybrid physical–chemical vapor deposition technique. The MgB2 films showed $T_c$ of above 36 K, while residual resistivities of up to 26 $\mu\Omega\cdot\mbox{cm} $ were achieved. Critical currents of more than $6\times 10^6\ \mbox{A}\cdot\mbox{cm}^{-2} $ at 20 K have been measured for the films with thicknesses ranging from 10 to 100 nm. Fishtail structures have been observed in the magnetic field dependence of the critical current density for the thinnest of these films, indicating the presence of defects, which act as vortex pinning centers. From the magnetic field dependence, an average distance between adjacent pinning centers of 35 nm has been obtained for the thinnest films.