cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How Social Must Language Be

According to the communitarian view, often attributed to the later Wittgenstein, language is social in the sense that having a (first) language essentially depends on meaning by one’s words what members of some community mean by them. According to the int erpersonal view, defended by Davidson, language is social only in the sense that having a (first) language essentially depends on having used (at least some of) one’s words, whatever one means by them, to communicate with others. Even though these views are importantly different, the arguments given for them—the interpretation argument in Wittgenstein’ s case, the triangulation argument in Davidson’s—ar e interestingly similar. I see these arguments as complementary and argue that, contrary to what is widely thought, it is the interpersonal view, rather than the communitarian view, that they support.
ODMR spectra of randomly oriented triplet states in a low Zeeman field

Abstract The frequency swept ODMR spectra expected for a randomly oriented triplet state in a low Zeeman field are described. Relative to the zero-field spectra, the perturbations induced by a rather low field are sufficient to allow the determination of the magnitudes of the zero-field splitting constants when only two of the three possible spin transitions are observed. The techniques is demonstrated for the triplet state of C 2 O 2− 4 and applied to the triplet state of CrO 2 Cl 2 .
The state of research on historically Black colleges and universities

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to examine the salient literature on historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with an overarching goal of setting a future research agenda for scholars interested in these institutions. Design/methodology/approach – This literature review is organized into two main sections: strengths and challenges. To move HBCUs forward, scholars need an understanding of these institutions’ strengths as well as those challenges that lie ahead. Findings – The major strengths include the value-added nature of the education provided by HBCUs (i.e. the willingness of HBCUs to educate “at-risk” students); affordability in terms of tuition; community engagement; leadership training of future generations; Afrocentric curricula and a competitive yet supportive learning environment, which is particularly beneficial in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields; a focus on teaching; and faculty and student diversity. The first half of this paper will focus on t...
Molecular contrast optical coherence tomography: SNR comparison of techniques and introduction of ground state recovery pump-probe OCT

Molecular contrast OCT (MCOCT) is an extension of OCT in which specific molecular species are imaged based on their spectroscopic characteristics. In order to improve the sensitivity and specificity of MCOCT, several techniques have recently been introduced which depend upon coherent detection of inelastically scattered light from molecules of interest in a sample. These techniques include harmonic generation, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering, and several different forms of pump-probe spectroscopy. We have developed a theoretical framework to facilitate the comparison of different inelastic scattering-based contrast mechanisms for molecular contrast OCT. This framework is based upon the observation that since the noise floor is defined by the reference arm power in a shot-noise limited heterodyne detection system, the relevant comparison among the techniques is isolated to the available molecular-specific signal power. We have derived the value of the molecular contrast signal power for second harmonic generation OCT (SHOCT) and three different pump-probe OCT (PPOCT) techniques. Motivated by this analysis, we have constructed a preliminary ground state recovery pump-probe OCT system, and demonstrated its performance using rhodamine 6G as the MCOCT contrast agent.
EQUILIBRIUM CHARACTERISTICS OF AXIAL GROOVE GAS LUBRICATED BEARINGS.

Reynolds equation for compressible and incompressible lubrication for load coefficients and attitude angles of axial groove cylindrical bearings
A data-integrated simulation model to evaluate nurse–patient assignments

This research develops a novel data-integrated simulation to evaluate nurse-patient assignments (SIMNA) based on a real data set provided by a northeast Texas hospital. Tree-based models and kernel density estimation (KDE) were utilized to extract important knowledge from the data for the simulation. Classification and Regression Tree models, data mining tools for prediction and classification, were used to develop five tree structures: (a) four classification trees from which transition probabilities for nurse movements are determined, and (b) a regression tree from which the amount of time a nurse spends in a location is predicted based on factors such as the primary diagnosis of a patient and the type of nurse. Kernel density estimation is used to estimate the continuous distribution for the amount of time a nurse spends in a location. Results obtained from SIMNA to evaluate nurse-patient assignments in Medical/Surgical unit I of the northeast Texas hospital are discussed.
EARTHQUAKE PREDICTION-RELATED RESEARCH AT THE SEISMOLOGICAL LABORATORY, CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, 1974-1976

The Seismological Laboratory of the California Institute of Technology is investigating a broad spectrum of subjects related to earthquake prediction. A selected portion of these investigations that relate to time-dependent geophysical parameters is summarized in the areas of seismic velocities, micro-earthquake levels, crustal distortions as monitored by radio interferometric methods, finite-element strain modeling of the Transverse Ranges region of the San Andreas fault, gravity networks, tensor resistivity as monitored by magnetotelluric methods, laboratory investigations of rock distortion prior to failure, and computer systems for automated handling of the data from large geophysical instrumentation networks.
The effect of acute treatment with two goitrogens on plasma thyroid hormones, testosterone and testicular morphology in adult male rats.

Abstract 1. 1. Hypothyroidism was induced in adult male rats by treatment with either iopanoic acid (IOP) or propylthiouracil (PTU). The hypothyroid animals were maintained for a period of 4 weeks. 2. 2. The IOP and PTU treatments produced drastically different thyroid hormone profiles during the treatment period. 3. 3. Serum testosterone levels were not significantly different from controls in either of the goitrogen-treated groups. 4. 4. Testes weights and germ cell populations were not significantly different from controls in either of goitrogen treated groups. 5. 5. Seminiferous tubule morphology showed no significant variation in lumen size or basal lamina structure in either of the treatment groups when compared to the controls.
A Comparison of Gutta-Percha and Resilon in the Obturation of Lateral Grooves and Depressions

The purpose of this study was to compare the flow of gutta-percha and Resilon (RealSeal; SybronEndo, Orange, CA) into lateral grooves and depressions in the apical 7 mm of a root canal by using warm vertical compaction. A split-tooth model was constructed with lateral grooves and depressions prepared at 1, 3, 5, and 7 mm from working length (WL). Groups A, B, and C were obturated with gutta-percha with a System B plugger placed 5 mm, 4 mm, and 3 mm from WL. Groups D, E, and F were obturated with Resilon with a System B plugger placed 5 mm, 4 mm, or 3 mm from WL. Gutta-percha and Resilon showed similar movement into lateral grooves and dentin depressions, with a significant difference found only with increased flow of gutta-percha into depressions at the 1-mm level when the System B plugger was placed 3 mm or 4 mm from WL (p <or= 0.05).
Convergence theory in quality management: evidence from the petroleum industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of top management support for quality and human resource management practices on quality results in the petroleum industry.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was used to collect data from managers in the petroleum industry. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypotheses.Findings – Consistent with previous studies, the results provide support for the importance of top management commitment to quality in emphasizing other quality practices. The relationship between top management support and employee involvement was also significant.Research limitations/implications – A larger sample is needed to validate the findings of this study. Future studies should address the impact of other quality management practices on quality outcomes.Originality/value – The findings provide support for the convergence theory and contingency theory in quality management.
Effects of ethylene on potato tuber respiration.

Treatment of potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) with ethylene gas causes a rapid rise in their respiration rate, reaching 5 to 10 times the rate of untreated tubers over 30 hours of treatment and then falling slowly. The response shows a lag of 8 hours, and more than 24 hours of exposure is required for maximum effect; the temperature optimum is near 25 C. In sensitivity to low concentrations and dependence on temperature, the phenomenon is similar to the effect of ethylene on the respiration of climacteric and nonclimacteric fruits. Treated potato tubers returned to air recover their sensitivity to ethylene more slowly than do nonclimacteric fruits (e.g., mature green oranges). It is proposed that the respiratory rise characteristic of ripening in climacteric fruits and of the wound response in plant tissues is induced by a rise in endogenous tissue ethylene.
Effect of products from heated amino acids on conductance in lipid bilayer membranes and non-aqueous solvents.

Abstract The electrical conductance of lipid bilayer membranes of oxidized cholesterol is elevated 102–103 times by the addition of various products of the heating of amino acids. Solution of such products in chloroform yields a greater increase in conductance. The results are obtained with both water-soluble and water-insoluble fractions. They are discussed in the context of the origin of electroconductive tissue.
Influence of pili, fibrils, and capsule on in vitro adherence by Haemophilus influenzae type b

Haemophilus influenzae type b is an encapsulated bacterium that initiates infection by colonizing the upper respiratory epithelium. In vitro studies indicate that H. influenzae type b is capable of expressing two morphologically distinct filamentous adhesive structures, referred to as pili and fibrils, respectively. In this study, we examined adherence to a variety of human epithelial-cell types and demonstrated that pili and fibrils have separate cellular binding specificities. In addition, we found that capsular material inhibits fibril recognition of the host-cell surface. This inhibitory effect was reduced when bacteria were grown to stationary phase, reflecting diminished encapsulation. However, when growth medium was supplemented with Mg2+, stationary-phase organisms were relatively heavily encapsulated and non-adherent. These observations suggest that encapsulation can be modulated in response to growth phase or environmental signals. It is possible that encapsulation is down-modulated early in the infectious process in order to avoid interfering with colonization. In contrast, encapsulation may be up-modulated between hosts and during bacteremia, where it appears to confer a selective advantage. We speculate that this model may also apply to other encapsulated pathogens.
Wave Motion in a Rotating Couette Flow of a Viscous Fluid

With the assumption of non-divergence horizontal flow, a certain class of solutions of the nonlinear hydrodynamic equations are obtained for a viscous Couette flow on an earth whose variation of Coriolis parameter with latitude is constant. These solutions yield waves of transient type, of which the amplitude, wave velocity, and the inclination of the trough and ridge lines vary with time. For Couette flow with both lateral and vertical velocity-shears, the vertical profile of the amplitude of the waves can either be exponential in z or independent of z , whereas for Couette flow with lateral velocity-shear only it permits to be independent of z , a sinusoidal function, or a hyperbolic sine or cosine of z . These waves will eventually disappear in a Couette flow regardless the fluid is viscous or not, although under certain conditions waves may be amplified within a certain time interval. Pressure field, geostrophic deviation, meridional transports of energy and westerly momentum are obtained for such a flow system. For reasonable values of the constants for atmospheric systems, geostrophic deviation can be as high as one order magnitude smaller than the actual wind speed. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1955.tb01174.x
Genetic by environment interactions affect plant–soil linkages

The role of plant intraspecific variation in plant-soil linkages is poorly understood, especially in the context of natural environmental variation, but has important implications in evolutionary ecology. We utilized three 18- to 21-year-old common gardens across an elevational gradient, planted with replicates of five Populus angustifolia genotypes each, to address the hypothesis that tree genotype (G), environment (E), and G × E interactions would affect soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics beneath individual trees. We found that soil nitrogen and carbon varied by over 50% and 62%, respectively, across all common garden environments. We found that plant leaf litter (but not root) traits vary by genotype and environment while soil nutrient pools demonstrated genotype, environment, and sometimes G × E interactions, while process rates (net N mineralization and net nitrification) demonstrated G × E interactions. Plasticity in tree growth and litter chemistry was significantly related to the variation in soil nutrient pools and processes across environments, reflecting tight plant-soil linkages. These data overall suggest that plant genetic variation can have differential affects on carbon storage and nitrogen cycling, with implications for understanding the role of genetic variation in plant-soil feedback as well as management plans for conservation and restoration of forest habitats with a changing climate.
Subsonic static and dynamic stability characteristics of the test technique demonstrator NASP configuration

The paper describes the procedure used for and the results obtained of wind-tunnel tests of the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) configuration, which were conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center High Speed Tunnel using a blended body NASP configuration designed by the research center. Static and dynamic stability characteristics were measured at Mach numbers 0.3, 0.6, and 0.8. In addition to tests of the baseline configuration, component buildup tests with a canard surface and with a body flap were carried out. Results demonstrated a positive static stability of the baseline configuration, except at the higher angles of attack at Mach 0.8. A good agreement was found between the inphase dynamic parameters and the corresponding static data.
Generation and healing of low-energy ion-induced defects on Si(100)-2×1

Abstract Tunneling microscopy of Si(100) surfaces following exposure to ~ 200 eV Xe+ irradiation at various temperatures reveals both the atomic geometry and the relative stabilities of surface defects created under low-energy sputtering. Both adatoms and vacancies are created by incident ions. Above 370°C, mutual annihilation of adatoms and vacancies formed during sputtering enables layerwise removal of Si without adatom island formation. The metastability of decorated antiphase boundaries is responsible for the formation and persistence of long, narrow islands and of rough step edges on sputtered surfaces annealed as high as 700°C.
Hyperadrenergic state following acute withdrawal from clonidine used at supratherapeutic doses

Abrupt cessation of clonidine treatment precipitates a physiological withdrawal syndrome, thought to be due to a hyperactive state of central autonomic and cognitive adrenergic neuronal systems dependent on presynaptic α2-adrenoceptors and/or imidazoline receptors. We hereby describe a 36-year-old male with history of end-stage renal disease, hypertension and medication non-compliance, who presented with severe hypertension and remarkable agitation. His daily clonidine intake was estimated to be 10 mg. The patient had abruptly discontinued his clonidine five days prior to admission. The following indices of adrenergic activity were measured in plasma (normal control values in parentheses): noradrenaline (NA) 8.59 nmol/l (1.32–4.56 nmol/l), adrenaline (Adr) 1.86 nmol/l (0.83–4.20 nmol/l), total 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) 152.2 nmol/l (45.1–111.5 nmol/l), and free MHPG 33.0 nmol/l (12.2–31.4 nmol/l). Plasma clonidine level was 3.53 ng/ml (15.9 nmol/l) with the usual therapeutic level being <2.0 ng/ml (8.9 nmol/l). Initially, the patient received sedatives and was started on clonidine for the first 24 hours only, after which time period prazosin was started, with good response of his blood pressure and reversal of his mental status changes. At that point, the plasma values of indices of adrenergic activity had decreased compared with their corresponding initial values by the following percentages: NA 60.6%, Adr 22.6%, total MHPG 42.2% and free MHPG 11.5%. Plasma clonidine level had decreased now by 43.6% to an absolute value of 1.99 ng/ml (8.85 nmol/l). We emphasize that physicians should be aware of clonidine's abuse potential and caution should be taken, as well as the appropriate route chosen, when prescribing clonidine in patients who show features of poor compliance to medications and especially in patients with psychoses, suicide potential or personality disorders.
Decrease in calcium currents induced by aminoglycoside antibiotics in frog motor nerve endings.

Abstract 1. The effects of the aminoglycoside antibiotics, streptomycin, neomycin and gentamicin were examined on perineural currents and evoked acetylcholine (ACh) release at frog motor nerve endings. 2. In the standard solutions used previously to measure Ca2+ currents, streptomycin reduced the peak amplitude of the Ca2+ component of the perineural current. 3. In a solution in which changes in both Ca2+ currents and evoked ACh release can be recorded simultaneously, both Ca2+ currents and evoked ACh release were reduced by aminoglycosides in the potency order neomycin > streptomycin > gentamicin. This potency sequence is similar to that reported previously for these agents as inhibitors of neurally-evoked contractions of mammalian skeletal muscle. 4. These data suggest that the presynaptic inhibitory effects of aminoglycoside antibiotics at the neuromuscular junction occur as a consequence of a reduction in Ca2+ currents in the motor nerve terminal.
Preservice Elementary Teachers' Attitudes toward Their Past Experience with Science Fairs.

The purpose of this research was to explore the experiences preservice elementary teachers have had with science fairs, to examine the attitudes resulting from their participation in science fairs as students, and to assess the importance of these past histories for their future students. Preservice teachers were asked what they liked, disliked, and what they considered to be the benefits of science fairs. While most felt that science fairs are beneficial activities for students, those who rated science fairs as most worthwhile had never participated in a science fair as either an elementary or a secondary student. Based on the results of the study, several recommendation were made to improve science fair experiences both for teachers and for students.
Comparison of Computerized versus Standardized Feedback and Accurate versus Inaccurate Feedback

Computerized administration and feedback of the California Occupational Preference System (COPS) was compared to more standard procedures in a 2 (level of similarity) × 2 (mode of communication) design. Subjects (80 college students) were randomly assigned in two groups where they rated the similarity of the three most and least similar occupational descriptive paragraphs presented in random order. A second rating assessed the attitude of usefulness of occupational interest tests after receiving bona fide feedback information. An IBM S/370 with Decwriter, and paper and pencil were used in the computerized and standard groups, respectively. Subjects identified paragraph descriptions which were highly similar and dissimilar to their own preferences. Ratings did not vary significantly for mode of communication, usefulness of occupational interest tests, and there was no significant interaction. Results support the use of the computer as effective as standard procedures in administering, interpreting, and pro...
Deoxyartemisinin Derivatives from Photooxygenation of Anhydrodeoxydihydroartemisinin and Their Cytotoxic Evaluation

Photooxygenation of anhydrodeoxydihydroartemisinin (4) followed by chromatographic separation of the reaction mixture yielded the new compounds α- (5) and β-hydroperoxydeoxyartemisitene (8) and the formate ester 7, together with two previously reported compounds, 6 and 9. Reduction of 5 using polymer-bound triphenylphosphine afforded the new compound dihydrodeoxyartemisitene (10). Treatment of 10 with a catalytic amount of BF3−OEt2 yielded the C2-symmetrical dimer bis(dihydrodeoxyartemisitene) ether (11) and two new compounds, dihydrodeoxyartemisitene methyl ether (12) and the dimer 13, as minor products. Dehydroacetoxylation of 5 using acetic anhydride in pyridine afforded deoxyartemisitene (14). The identities of the new compounds (5, 7, 8, 10−14) were deduced from their spectral data and by chemical derivatization. The stereochemistry of dimer 11 was defined on the basis of X-ray crystallographic analysis. All compounds were evaluated in vitro in the National Cancer Institute drug-screening program con...
Perioperative Morbidity and Mortality of Same-admission Staged Bilateral TKA

Background Controversy continues regarding the optimal timing of surgery for patients with symptomatic bilateral degenerative knee arthritis who are not considered eligible for same-day bilateral TKA (BTKA).
Natural suppressor (NS) cells members of the LGL regulatory family

Abstract Natural suppressor (NS) activity is defined as the ability of unprimed ‘null' cells to suppress the response of lymphocytes to immunogenic and mitogenic stimuli. Cells with this ability have been studied for a number of years 1–16 . In this review, Tom Maier and his colleagues examine some aspects of non-specific suppression and relate them to NS activity. They also consider NS cells as part of a ‘natural' non-specific suppressor-cell family along with natural killer and natural cytotoxic cells. This family has the large granular lymphocyte (LGL) phenotype.
Hierarchical polymer patterns driven by capillary instabilities at mobile and corrugated polymer–polymer interfaces

We investigate the spontaneous formation of hierarchical structures during the annealing of polystyrene (PS) films cast on topographically patterned poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) substrates at temperatures higher than the glass transition temperatures for both polymers. The mobile and corrugated PS/PMMA interfaces give rise to two sequential events of capillary instability of PS stripes segregated on the PMMA mesas and PS threads confined in the PMMA trenches. The latter occurred through a simultaneous “out-of-phase” fashion between the neighboring confined PS threads. Both the size and the spatial distribution of the PS droplets formed are determined by the geometric parameters of the patterns and films, and thus can be controlled for different applications. In addition to both capillary instabilities, a larger scale “wrinkling” fluctuation was also observed, with a wave vector along the original patterned line direction. The morphological evolution and structure formations are unique to the current system, and are drastically different from the polymer film dewettings on a planar surface, a chemically patterned surface, or a topographically patterned rigid surface.
Preservation of postprandial intestinal hyperemic response after small bowl transplantation

Abstract Postprandial intestinal hyperemia (PIH) is a normal physiological phenomenon and is thought to accommodate the increased intestinal metabolic demand during food digestion. Lack of such a response could lead to malabsorption. The purpose of this study was to determine whether transplanted intestine retains the ability to mediate PIH. Nineteen rats with syngeneic orthotopic small bowel transplantation (SBT) and 13 normal controls were further divided into two subgroups to receive gastric gavage of either 2 mL of Ensure Plus (EP) high-calorie liquid nutrition or 2 mL of normal saline. Intestinal blood flow was determined before, and 20 and 45 minutes after the gavage, employing a colored microsphere technique. The results showed that basal blood flow to the transplanted intestine (56.7 ± 26.7 mL/min/100 g) was similar to that of normal intestine (64.2 ± 35.8 mL/min/100 g; P > .1). EP feeding elicited a marked increase in intestinal blood flow (PIH phenomenon) in both normal and SBT animals. The magnitudes of flow increase were similar for the two groups (249 ± 99% versus 241 ± 76% of baseline 45 minutes after EP feeding in the normal and transplanted intestine, respectively; P > .1). The results indicate that hyperemic response to feeding is normal in syngeneic orthotopic SBT.
Classification of homogeneous binary azeotropes

The boiling point curves of binary liquid mixtures provide sufficient information leading to the characterization of the real-phase equilibrium behavior. The extremes of these curves indicate azeot...
A MetaRaPS algorithm for spatial scheduling with release times

Spatial scheduling involves jobs that require processing space as well as time. Space is a limited resource, and solutions require assigning a location to each job within the available processing space in addition to a start time. We consider problems where each job has a release time and multiple processing areas are used in parallel. We develop an algorithm for minimising total tardiness based on Metaheuristic for Randomised Priority Search (MetaRaPS), a metaheuristic that has been very effective on many scheduling and combinatorial optimisation problems. Our algorithm performs effectively on a large variety of benchmark problems.
C1C8 hydrocarbons in sediments from Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California—Comparison to Peru Margin, Japan Trench and California Borderlands

Surface seafloor sediments, hydrothermal vent samples, and Deep Sea Drilling Project sediments (Hole 481A) from the Guaymas Basin were examined for C1C8 hydrocarbons. The proportions of various classes of compounds were examined and compared to those from other geographic areas (Peru upwelling region and Japan Trench) to gain insight into the relative importance of thermal generation, migration and biodegradation. Concentrations of C2C7 hydrocarbons were about 10–10,000 times higher in geothermally warm (estimated to have been exposed to maximum temperatures in the range of 30–150°C) Guaymas Basin sediments in comparison to the low concentrations (0.1–10 ppb per compound) typical of geothermally cold (maximum thermal exposure less than 20°C) seafloor and DSDP diatomaceous sediments. However, one sediment sample from DSDP Site 477, estimated to have been exposed to temperatures of 300°C or higher in the past, showed only a limited hydrocarbon composition, consisting of C1C3 alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons only. Alkene/alkane ratios of 0.1 or greater were typical of both geothermally cold sediments and also of very hydrocarbon-richAlvin samples recovered from the seafloor. Because little or no alkene was generally detected in buried sediments exposed to geothermal temperatures greater than 30°C, it is suggested that the alkenes are produced by biogenic processes. Normal alkenes predominated over cyclic and branched structures in geothermally cooler (<20°C) sediments, with the proportion of cyclic and branched compounds increasing in hotter sediments. Concentrations ofgem-dimethyl and aromatic compounds generally remained approximately constant or increased slightly with temperature in comparison with geothermally cold shallow sediments. Similarities in compositions of branched and cyclic compounds were observed in some pairs of bitumen-rich Guaymas seafloor samples recovered from different areas, suggesting common mechanisms of light hydrocarbon generation and/or migration. Localized increases in ratios of specific cycloalkane ratios were observed adjacent to sill intrusions.
High Efficiency Electroporation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood CD34+ Hematopoietic Precursor Cells

Human umbilical cord blood provides an alternative source of hematopoietic cells for purposes of transplantation or ex vivo genetic modification. The objective of this study was to evaluate electroporation as a means to introduce foreign genes into human cord blood CD34+ cells and evaluate gene expression in CD34+/CD38(dim) and committed myeloid progenitors (CD33+, CD11b+). CD34+ cells were cultured in X-VIVO 10 supplemented with thrombopoietin, stem cell factor, and Flt-3 ligand. Electroporation efficiency and cell viability measured by flow cytometry using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as a reporter indicated 31% +/- 2% EGFP+ /CD34+ efficiency and 77% +/- 3% viability as determined 48 hours post-electroporation. The addition of allogeneic cord blood plasma increased the efficiency to 44% +/- 5% with no effect on viability. Of the total CD34+ cells 48 hours post-electroporation, 20% were CD38(dim)/EGFP+. CD34+ cells exposed to interleukin-3, GM-CSF and G-CSF for an additional 11 days differentiated into CD33+ and CD11b+ cells, and 9% +/- 3% and 8% +/- 7% were expressing the reporter gene, respectively. We show that electroporation can be used to introduce foreign genes into early hematopoietic stem cells (CD34+/CD38(dim)), and that the introduced gene is functionally expressed following expansion into committed myeloid progenitors (CD33+, CD11b+) in response to corresponding cytokines. Further investigation is needed to determine the transgene expression in functional terminal cells derived from the genetically modified CD34+ cells, such as T cells and dendritic cells.
Polymer Gratings for Protein and Glial Cells Adsorption

We investigated fibronectin and glial cells adsorption to the polymer gratings as controlled rough surface. We found that such surface works quite well for the fibronectin and cell binding.
Hierarchical and homotopic correlations of spontaneous neural activity within the visual cortex of the sighted and blind.

Spontaneous neural activity within visual cortex is synchronized by both monosynaptic, hierarchical connections between visual areas and indirect, network-level activity. We examined the interplay of hierarchical and network connectivity in human visual cortex by measuring the organization of spontaneous neural signals within the visual cortex in total darkness using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Twenty-five blind (14 congenital and 11 postnatal) participants with equally severe vision loss and 22 sighted subjects were studied. An anatomical template based on cortical surface topology was used for all subjects to identify the quarter-field components of visual areas V1-V3, and assign retinotopic organization. Cortical visual areas that represent the same quadrant of the visual field were considered to have a hierarchical relationship, while the spatially separated quarters of the same visual area were considered homotopic. Blindness was found to enhance correlations between hierarchical cortical areas as compared to indirect, homotopic areas at both the level of visual areas (p=0.000031) and fine, retinotopic scale (p=0.0024). A specific effect of congenital, but not postnatal, blindness was to further broaden the cortico-cortico connections between hierarchical visual areas (p=0.0029). This finding is consistent with animal studies that observe a broadening of axonal terminal arborization when the visual cortex is deprived of early input. We therefore find separable roles for vision in developing and maintaining the intrinsic neural activity of visual cortex.
Fasting, but not glucagon administration, decreases anterior pituitary nuclear thyroid hormone receptors in rats☆

Abstract Both fasting and glucagon administration decrease the maximal binding capacity (MBC) of rat liver nuclei for T 3 . This study was undertaken to determine whether fasting or glucagon administration leads to a similar alteration of anterior pituitary nuclear T 3 receptor capacity. Groups of rats were fasted for 4 days or were injected with glucagon, 2.5 μg100 g body weight i.m. every 15 min for 5 hr. 125 I-T 3 was injected i.v. along with varying doses of stable T 3 ; anterior pituitary and liver nuclei were isolated 2 hr later. MBCs and apparent dissociation constants (K d ) for T 3 were determined. Fed rats and saline-injected rats served as controls. Fasting resulted in significantly decreased T 3 MBC in pituitary (0.85 ng T 3 /mg DNA in fasted rats versus 1.05 ng T 3 /mg DNA in control rats) but no change in apparent K d . On the other hand, glucagon administration to fed rats resulted in significantly decreased T 3 MBC in liver (0.30 ng T 3 /mg DNA in glucagon-treated rats versus 0.64 ng T 3 /mg DNA in saline-treated control rats) but not in pituitary nuclei (1.03 in glucagon-treated rats versus 1.02 in control rats). Glucagon treatment did not affect the apparent K d . In conclusion, fasting decreases the number of nuclear T 3 receptors in anterior pituitary as well as in liver. In contrast, glucagon administration to fed rats decreases T 3 receptors in liver but not in pituitary. The decrease in anterior pituitary T 3 receptors with fasting accentuates the apparent paradox of low serum thyrotropin concentration in fasting, despite low serum T 3 and thyroxine concentrations.
The Cell Cycle and Induced Amitosis in Acanthamoeba

SYNOPSIS The small soil ameba, Acanthamoeba castellanii strain HR, with a mean generation time of 18 hr in axenic culture, requires 24 min for nuclear mitosis. This is followed immediately by nuclear DNA synthesis that is initiated in late telophase and lasts for 20 min. Evidence is presented that amitosis can be induced in susceptible amebas only during a portion of the cell cycle.
Characterization of steady and transient heating of interconnects - a review

Continued scaling of transistors and metal interconnects have resulted in high current densities and significant Joule heating in the metal lines, exacerbating thermally driven reliability issues in microprocessors. It is imperative, therefore, to develop an accurate and rapid predictive thermal characterization capability for on chip interconnect arrays to facilitate chip design. This is a multi-scale problem for which the traditional finite difference and finite element methods are generally inefficient due to their large computational times. Also, the thermophysical properties needed as inputs to the models are size dependent at the scale of interest. In this paper, we provide a review of some of the techniques developed recently for steady state and transient thermal characterization.
Rationale for considering that propargylamines might be neuroprotective in Parkinson’s disease

A neuroprotective therapy that slows or stops disease progression is the major unmet medical need in Parkinson's disease (PD). Current evidence indicates that cell death in PD occurs, at least in part, by way of a signal-mediated apoptotic process. This raises the possibility that anti-apoptotic agents might be neuroprotective in PD. Propargylamines have been demonstrated to be potent anti-apoptotic agents in both in vitro and in vivo studies, presumably by maintaining glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as a dimer and thereby preventing its nuclear translocation where it blocks upregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins. Selegiline is a monamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitor that incorporates a propargyl ring within its molecular structure. It was shown to delay the need for symptomatic therapy in untreated PD patients in the DATATOP study, but interpretation is confounded by its symptomatic effects. Rasagiline is another MAO-B inhibitor that contains a propargyl ring and has protective effects in laboratory models. A clinical trial utilizing a delayed start design demonstrated that patients initiated on rasagiline at baseline are improved at one year in comparison to patients initiated on placebo and switched to rasagiline at 6 months even though both groups were on the same treatment for the last 6 months of the study. These results argue against the benefit being due to a symptomatic effect and are consistent with rasagiline having a protective effect.
Particle-based belief propagation for structure from motion and dense stereo vision with unknown camera constraints

In this paper, we present a specific use of the Particle-based Belief Propagation (PBP) algorithm as an approximation scheme for the joint distribution over many random variables with very large or continuous domains. After formulating the problem to be solved as a probabilistic graphical model, we show that by running loopy Belief Propagation on the whole graph, in combination with an MCMC method such as Metropolis-Hastings sampling at each node, we can approximately estimate the posterior distribution of each random variable over the state space. We describe in details the application of PBP algorithm to the problem of sparse Structure from Motion and the dense Stereo Vision with unknown camera constraints. Experimental results from both cases are demonstrated. An experiment with a synthetic structure from motion arrangement shows that its accuracy is comparable with the state-of-the-art while allowing estimates of state uncertainty in the form of an approximate posterior density function.
Fire ant predation on native and introduced subterranean termites in the laboratory: effect of high soldier number in Coptotermes formosanus

. 1 Native Reticulitermes spp. Holmgren and the introduced Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) were exposed to predation in the laboratory by Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a known predator of Reticulitermes. 2 In one experiment, both taxa contained the 2.4% soldiers commonly found in Reticulitermes. In a second experiment, Reticulitermes contained 2.4% and C.formosanus a more normal 18.3% soldiers. 3 When soldier proportions were equal, C.formosanus soldiers suffered less of a decrease in survivorship due to predation compared with Reticulitermes soldiers. Little difference was found between taxa in the effect of predation on termite workers or in the effect of termites on predator survivorship. 4 When soldier proportions were unequal, both C.formosanus castes suffered less from predation than those of Reticulitermes. Again, little difference was found in the effect of termites on ants. 5 C.formosanus showed less movement into new containers when soldier number was abnormally low, compared with both taxa with normal caste proportions.
Genetic Change of Recombination Value in DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER. I. Artificial Selection for High and Low Recombination and Some Properties of Recombination-Modifying Genes

A high and low selection line were formed by individual selection of females on the basis of their recombination. In the high line, recombination between Gl and Sb was increased from 14.8 percent to about 30 percent in twelve generations, when a plateau was apparently reached. Realized heritability was 0.12. The absence of a response to selection for low recombination is attributed mainly to genetic random drift, and partially to directional dominance and directional gene frequencies. Natural selection was found to act against increases of recombination above a level of about twenty percent in the measured interval. High recombination tended to be recessive to low recombination. In both selected lines and unselected stocks, intervals proximal to the centromere tended to have a higher recombination variance than distal intervals.
Two Outbreaks of Food Poisoning probably due to B. cloacae.

During a period of a year and a half, three outbreaks of food poisoning, involving a small number of persons in each instance, were reported to the Division of Health of Cleveland. Epidemiologic investigations showed that in each outbreak the food common to all persons was custard puffs from one large bakery concern. The symptoms were similar, namely, diarrhea and vomiting with onset from one to four hours after eating the custard puffs. The first outbreak was a small one and was not sufficiently investigated, its essential importance being that it originated in the same establishment as the others, and under the same general temperature conditions. The second and third occurred about a month apart and were carefully investigated, both from the epidemiologic and laboratory side and the only organism which seemed related to the infection was a rod form which at first was thought to be B. proteus, on account of its fermentative reactions, but on further investigation turned out to be a slow lactose fermenter. This organism, which was isolated from several sources, had characteristics closely agreeing with B. proteus liquefaciens (Eisenberg) as described in Bergey's classification. Lactose was fermented to acid and gas by the fourth or fifth day. No liquefaction of gelatin occurred until about the eighteenth day when it started and was complete in one to two days. By Jordan's 1 differentiation of this group by H:CO2 ratio our organism is not typically proteus or cloacae. We are carrying out further studies with this organism which we will call tentatively B. cloacae.
Primate-Inspired Scent Marking for Mobile and Static Sensors and RFID Tags

Scent-marking is an important activity among primates as well as other primates and accomplished through deploying chemicals with irritating odor such as urine at prominent locations. In this paper, we propose a primate- inspired scent-marking collaboration strategy for mobile and static sensors with RFID tags. We study the proposed scheme using simulations in terms of robot speeds, searching function, turning function, etc.
Anti-Americanism: Myth or Reality?

Americanism and the American World Order. By Giacamo Chiozza. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2009. 235 pp., $60.00 hardcover (ISBN-13: 978-0-801-89206-6), $25.00 paperback (ISBN-13: 978-0-801-89208-0). When President Obama took office in January 2009, one of his top foreign policy priorities was to counter the high levels of anti-Americanism in global public opinion that, in his view, isolated the United States and threatened its national security. Obama's emphasis on soft power, public diplomacy, and multilateral engagement helped stem this tide (British Broadcasting Company 2010). Still, mass publics in many countries remain wary of the US government and its foreign policies long after the Bush Doctrine, Abu Ghraib, and other legacies of the previous administration. The protracted spike in anti-Americanism, while worrying policy makers, has also drawn the attention of scholars who have explored the roots (Kohut and Stokes 2006; Rubin and Rubin 2004) and variation (Katzenstein and Keohane 2007; Singh 2006) of these attitudes. In Anti-Americanism and the American Order , Giacomo Chiozza enhances this scholarly literature by firming up the empirical foundations of this phenomenon. Specifically, Chiozza disaggregates the closely followed Pew Global Attitude Surveys of 2002 and 2004 and identifies the underlying determinants of individual attitudes across dozens of industrialized and developing countries. While his study reveals multiple, overlapping grievances regarding US policies, it …
Effects of Tityus Serrulatus Scorpion Toxin gamma on Voltage-Gated Na sup + Channels

The effects of Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus toxin gamma (TiTx gamma) were studied on voltage-gated Na sup + channels from human heart (hH1) and rat skeletal muscle (rSkM1). The Na sup + channels were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, and Na sup + currents were recorded using two-microelectrode voltageclamp techniques. In control experiments, the threshold of activation of hH1 is more negative than that of rSkM1 by [nearly =]20 mV. The toxin induces a shift of the voltage dependence of activation toward more negative potential values and reduces the amplitude of the current when administered to rSkM1. In contrast, TiTx gamma has little discernible effect on the current-voltage curve for hH1 at 100 nmol/L. Chimeric channels formed from these two isoforms were constructed to localize the binding site of TiTx gamma on rSkM1. TiTx gamma shifts the activation of a chimera (SSHH) in which domains 1 (D1) and 2 (D2) derive from rSkM1 and domains 3 (D3) and 4 (D4) derive from hH1. This finding suggests that the toxin acts on the activation of rSkM1 by binding either to D1 and/or D2. TiTx gamma shifted the activation of another chimera with D2-D3-D4 from rSkM1 (HSSS) toward more hyperpolarizing potentials and had no effect on the activation of other chimeras with only D1-D3-D4 from rSkM1 (SHSS) or only D3 from rSkM1 (HHSH). Finally, a chimera in which D2 is from rSkM1 and all others domains are from hH1 (HSHH) provides further compelling support for our hypothesis. TiTx gamma shifts the activation of this chimera toward more negative potential values. Thus, TiTx gamma action on chimeras segregates with the source of D2: when D2 is from rSkM1, the toxin affects activation. We infer that D2 plays an important role in the activation process of voltage-gated Na sup + channels.
Redistricting in Japan: Lessons for the United States

Japan is regularly criticized for the malapportionment of its election districts. In contrast, the United States has problems with gerrymandered election districts, even though district boundaries are crafted with meticulous attention paid to population equality among its districts. Japanese redistricting practices prevent gerrymandering of district boundaries, but at a cost of tolerating higher levels of malapportionment than would be allowed in the United States. I analyze the effects of Japan's redistricting rules and find that they have effectively prevented any malapportionment or gerrymandering that benefits a specific political party. I also show that in terms of actual votes cast, the Japanese system produces greater equality between districts than the results obtained in the United States, suggesting that US redistricting practices could be improved by modeling them after the Japanese example.