cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cross Validation Can Estimate How Well Prediction Variance Correlates with Error

T HE use of surrogates for facilitating optimization and statistical analysis of computationally expensive simulations has become commonplace [1–4]. They offer easy-to-compute prediction and in some cases (such as kriging [5,6] and polynomial response surfaces [7,8]), they also furnish the prediction variance as a measure of uncertainty [9]. Figure 1a illustrates the concepts of prediction and prediction variance. Adaptive sampling and optimization methods use the prediction variance to select the next sampling point. For example, the Efficient Global Optimization (EGO) [10] and the Enhanced Sequential Optimization [11] algorithms use the kriging prediction variance to seek the point of maximum expected improvement as the next simulation for the optimization process. For such methods, it is important to assess the accuracy of the prediction variance; but presently, this is not available (although there is work on how to improve the uncertainty structure [12]). Cross validation is a standard tool for estimating the mean square errors (see the Appendix), thus the quality of the fit; and it can be used for selecting surrogates in a set [13–15]. Cross validation divides a set of p data points into k subsets. The surrogate isfit to all subsets except one, and the error is checked in the subset that was left out. This process is repeated for all subsets to produce a vector of cross-validation errors, eXV . Figure 1b illustrates cross validation when only one point is omitted. We propose using cross validation for estimating the correlation between the prediction variance and the errors. Specifically we propose to use the correlation between the absolute values of the cross-validation errors and the square root of the prediction variance at the points that were left out. II. Correlation Between Square Root of Prediction Variance and Absolute Errors
An electron microscope study of the formation of the nacreous layer in the shell of certain bivalve molluscs.

An electron-microscopic study was made of nacreous shell growth in several species of marine molluscs. Studies of sections of mantle-shell preparations show that the first step in crystal formation is the “polymerization” of part of the pallial fluid to form lamellae parallel to the surface of the epithelium. These lamellae form compartments enclosing a modified apallial fluid. Initiation of crystals occurs in these compartments in contact with a crystal in an adjacent layer. During crystal growth the organic matrix present in the compartment is displaced by the growing surface of the crystal. When growth is complete the crystal is entirely enveloped by a delicate organic sheath. These studies show that the pallial fluid with its organic constituents is responsible for supplying a matrix or substrate for crystal initiation and growth. It serves as a regulatory device for guiding the orderly growth and arrangement of crystals and, further, it may participate in the induction of new crystals. The formation of compartments during shell growth accounts for the uniform thickness, preferred exhibited orientation and mineralogy of the crystals as well as other features exhibited by the mature nacre.
Advances in Interval Methods for Deterministic Global Optimization in Chemical Engineering

In recent years, it has been shown that strategies based on an interval-Newton approach can be used to reliably solve a variety of nonlinear equation solving and optimization problems in chemical process engineering, including problems in parameter estimation and in the computation of phase behavior. These strategies provide a mathematical and computational guarantee either that all solutions have been located in an equation solving problem or that the global optimum has been found in an optimization problem. The primary drawback to this approach is the potentially high computational cost. In this paper, we consider strategies for bounding the solution set of the linear interval equation system that must be solved in the context of the interval-Newton method. Recent preconditioning techniques for this purpose are reviewed, and a new bounding approach based on the use of linear programming (LP) techniques is presented. Using this approach it is possible to determine the desired bounds exactly (within round out), leading to significant overall improvements in computational efficiency. These techniques will be demonstrated using several global optimization problems, with focus on problems arising in chemical engineering, including parameter estimation and molecular modeling. These problems range in size from under ten variables to over two hundred, and are solved deterministically using the interval methodology.
Methylmercury teratogenesis in the killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus.

Exposure of developing eggs of the killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, to 0.03 or 0.04 mg/1 of methylmercuric chloride resulted in a variety of abnormalities. Percentage of axis formation was reduced somewhat, and many embryos developed cyclopia or intermediate conditions leading to cyclopia, reflecting interference with induction of the forebrain. Defects in the cardiovascular system also appeared in the form of failure of the heart to differentiate properly into chambers. The heart was a thin, feebly beating tube, incapable of causing the blood to circulate. Other tissues, however, continued developing fairly normally, and embryos showed spontaneous movement comparable to controls. Embryos with severe cardiovascular or optic defects did not hatch. Upon hatching, some embryos which had previously appeared normal, were found to have skeletal malformations in the form of vertebral bends or the inability to uncurl from the position which they had had while still inside the chorion. Exposure to the toxicant for shorter periods of time (6, 12, or 24 hours) reduced the incidence of abnormalities. The second day of development was found to be the most sensitive period.
Mechanisms of Mallory Body Formation Induced by Okadaic Acid in Drug-Primed Mice

Drug-primed mice form Mallory bodies in their liver after various types of liver injury such as heat shock, drug refeeding, or ethanol ingestion. However, the mechanisms involved that lead to Mallory body formation after these different treatments are unknown. There may be a common pathway of Mallory body formation that is initiated by these different types of injuries. Recently it was shown that the phosphatase 1/2A inhibitor okadaic acid induced Mallory body formation, suggesting that the mechanism of formation involves hyperphosphorylation or oxidative stress-induced NFkappaB activation. To test this hypothesis we exposed drug-primed mice to okadaic acid and measured phosphorylation of Mallory body proteins immunohistochemically and by immunoblot chemiluminescence using an antibody specific for phosphothreonine. NFkappaB activation was measured by a gel shift retardation assay of nuclear lysates. Beginning 15 min after okadaic acid injection, complex changes were progressively seen in the liver cells focally including aggregation of cytokeratins 8 and 18 in hepatocytes which otherwise failed to stain normally with cytokeratin antibody. The aggregates stained positive with ubiquitin and phosphothreonine antibodies. Immunoblots showed a progressive increase in positive staining of the Mallory body band with the antibody to phosphothreonine. NFkappaB activation was progressive up to 2 h after okadaic acid treatment but was downregulated 7 days later. In summary we show for the first time the effect of okadaic acid on the liver cytokeratins in vivo. We conclude that hyperphosphorylation and NFkappaB activation may play a role in the early phases of Mallory body formation.
Footprints of storms on the sea: A view from spaceborne synthetic aperture radar

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) on board Seasat observed images of stormlike echoes on the sea in 1978. The core of these images is usually an echo-free hole which is attributed to the damping of the short (30-cm) radar detectable gravity waves by the intense rain in the storm core. Although 'the beating down of waves by rain' is consistent with observations by seafarers and with the first scientific explanation of the phenomenon by Reynolds (1875), neither theory nor experiment has provided definitive support. One experiment appears to provide the key; it shows that the kenetic energy of the rain produces sufficient turbulence in a thin fresh water layer to damp 30-cm waves in 10-20 s, thus producing the echo-free hole. A sequence of positive feedbacks then serves to damp the longer waves. The angular dependence of the sea surface echo cross sections seen by Seasat SAR outside the echo-free hole indicates winds diverging from the downdraft induced by the intense rain core. The wind-generated waves and associated echoes extend out to a sharply defined gust front. The sea surface footprint thus mimics the features of a storm microburst. The variations in surface radar cross section due to a combination of rain and wind effects impacts spaceborne measurements of surface winds by scatterometry and rainfall measurements by radar. Portions of this synthesis remain speculative but serve as hypotheses for further research.
Paresthesias and hypophosphatemia occurring with parenteral alimentation.

An unusual syndrome associated with parenteral alimentation is reported in a middleaged female with regional enteritis complicated by the short bowel syndrome, severe malnutrition, and rectovaginal fistula. In an effort to achieve bowel rest and facilitate healing of her disease, therapy was initiated with fibrin hydrolysate and hypertonic glucose. Shortly there-after, the patient developed severe paresthesias of the face and extremities associated with marked hypophosphatemia. Amelioration of this neurologic aberration was observed gradually over 1 week after discontinuation of the hyperalimentatio and intravenous phosphate replacement. Urinary phosphate determination during this episode failed to reveal hyperphosphaturia. The exact neurophysiologic and biochemical mechanisms for this syndrome are unknown but appear to be unrelated to excessive urinary excretion of phosphate.
Design of an Optical System for Interrogation of Implanted Luminescent Sensors and Verification with Silicone Skin Phantoms

Implantable luminescent sensors are being developed for on-demand monitoring of blood glucose levels. For these sensors to be deployed in vivo, a matched external hardware system is needed. In this paper, we designed a compact, low-cost optical system with highly efficient photon delivery and collection using advanced optical modeling software. Compared to interrogation with a fiber bundle, the new system was predicted to improve interrogation efficiency by a factor of 200 for native sensors; an improvement of 37 times was predicted for sensors implanted at a depth of 1 mm in a skin-simulating phantom. A physical prototype was tested using silicone-based skin phantoms developed specifically to mimic the scattering and absorbing properties of human skin. The experimental evaluations revealed that the prototype device performed in agreement with expectations from simulation results, resulting in an overall improvement of over 2000 times. This efficient system enables use of a low-cost commercial spectrometer for recording sensor emission, which was not possible using only fiber optic delivery and collection, and will be used as a tool for in vivo studies with animal models or human subjects.
The Linzertorte problem, or a unified approach to painting, baking, and weaving

Abstract We present complexity models for measuring the complexity of painting, baking and weaving. In the application to painting our aim is to color the vertices of a bipartite graph acccording to some proper 2-coloring while using operations that permit the simultaneous coloring of certain We establish lower bounds on the complexity of the painting problem for general 2-colorable graphs (bipartite) and for the special cases of trees and grid graphs. We then describe algorithms that exactly achieve the lower bounds for grip grahs, Trees anf problems related to baking and weaving.
Gastroenterologists and the Triple Aim: How to Become Accountable

US medicine is fragmented and economically unsustainable and has vast opportunities for quality improvement. A current solution is to create large accountable care organizations. Fragmentation should be reduced and clinical coordination be improved, which means that gastroenterologists and other specialists will be challenged to change practices from traditional reactive and consultative care to a principal care model in which they manage appropriate clinical service lines. The pay-off in improved patient care and financial stability can be substantial. This article discusses a proposed evolution toward clinical service line management that might be achieved by an independent single specialty practice.
Can Ibuprofen Cause Acute Renal Failure in a Normal Individual? A Case of Acute Overdose

The nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID), ibuprofen, is associated with several renal syndromes, including acute renal failure. NSAID-induced acute renal insufficiency is thought to occur almost exclusively in clinical situations where maintenance of renal blood flow (RBF) is prostaglandin-dependent. However, we present a case of acute renal failure with tubular necrosis occurring as the apparent result of ibuprofen overdose in a patient with no predisposition to NSAID-induced renal failure.
Ocular Neovascularization with Retinal Vascular Occlusion-III: Incidence of Ocular Neovascularization with Retinal Vein Occlusion

Abstract A prospective natural history study was conducted in 721 eyes with various types of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) to determine the incidence of various types of ocular neovascularization (NV) and the factors that influence the development of ocular NV. The material was 360 eyes with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), 97 eyes with hemi-CRVO, and 264 eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO); these cases were further subdivided into six groups for logical data analysis: nonischemic CRVO (venous stasis retinopathy- VSR, 282 eyes), ischemic CRVO (hemorrhagic retinopathy-HR, 78 eyes), hemi-VSR (66 eyes), hemi-HR (31 eyes), major BRVO (191 eyes) and macular BRVO (73 eyes). Ocular NV attributable to RVO was seen only in HR, hemi-HR, and major BRVO. In HR the anterior segment was the major site of NV, with iris and angle NV and neovascular glaucoma (NVG), while in hemi-HR and major BRVO the retina and optic disc were the major sites of NV. The principal factor influencing the development of ocular NV in RVO seems to be the severity and extent of retinal ischemia, while duration of follow-up since onset also plays an important role in determining the incidence of ocular NV. The findings and subject of ocular NV in RVO are discussed in detail along with a review of the pertinent literature.
Compared to operation overlord, deploying and supporting laptops should be easy

In 1997, Rollins College started to award undergraduate students with scholarships that included a laptop computer. In the program's infancy, support was supplied by a single student assistant. Eventually a dedicated full time staff member was hired and the office moved from a storage closet to the IT Repair Shop. After two more moves and the addition of two full time staff members, the laptop repair shop responsibility grew to the current 1700 machines. The supported population now contains three distinct demographics: undergraduate students, graduate students and employees of Rollins College. Each group has their own distinct characteristics that must be addressed, from the logistics of initial deployment to ongoing support depending on their style of usage. For the undergraduates, the students receive their laptops during orientation and typically use their laptops more for personal use than academic needs. This presents the challenge of preparing and then deploying 250 units in one day. In contrast, the graduate students attend orientations in smaller groups (approximately 30) that last 3 hours. This group is more demanding on their laptops due to daily academic use and therefore has a higher proportion of technical issues. Finally, Rollins College IT technicians individually assist employees in the migrating from old to new hardware, familiarizing the user with their new machine. Integrating all the different user styles with a multitude of software and hardware issues, and yet resolving these problems within a 24-48 hour period, is an increasing challenge to the IT staff of Rollins College.
Evaluating Gains and Losses by Black and White Women and Men in the Professions, 1960-1980

This paper examines the progress of black and white women and black men in the white, male dominated professions between 1960 and 1980 using census data made comparable across years. While general statistics lead to the conclusion that white men lost and black men, white women and black women gained in the professions over this 20-year period, disaggregated data and an index of representation lead us to challenge these conclusions. While people in disadvantaged race/gender categories moved toward greater equality of representation with white men in the professions between 1960 and 1980, the degree of movement and final outcome is highly questionable in the male dominated professions. Black women and men did show significant improvements in the expanding neutral professions. Although white women dramatically declined in their overrepresentation in female dominated professions, they did not show a commensurate increase in male dominated professions. Black men appear to have made the greatest gains of all people in the three disadvantaged race/gender categories in the professional labor force between 1960 and 1980, but these findings overestimate the progress of black men because of their sharp decline in the labor force as a whole
Japan's experience in linking foreign direct investment and imports of minerals

Abstract Since the 1960s the Japanese government has encouraged Japanese firms to invest in overseas production and primary processing of minerals and energy, in order to enhance Japan's access to raw materials. This investment peaked in the early 1970s and remained relatively high until the early 1980s, when it dropped. This policy and reduced investment had their effects, as the share of imports from direct investment based sources in Japan's total imports rose significantly for copper, aluminium, iron ore and coking coal by the mid-1970s. However, this share has declined since the early 1980s (liquefied gas and oil were exceptions) as overall imports of these commodities increased and Japanese investors found more attractive alternatives. In the case of oil, the share remained low, around 10%, throughout the entire period.
Increased Agonist Affinity at the μ-Opioid Receptor Induced by Prolonged Agonist Exposure

Prolonged exposure to high-efficacy agonists results in desensitization of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR). Desensitized receptors are thought to be unable to couple to G-proteins, preventing downstream signaling; however, the changes to the receptor itself are not well characterized. In the current study, confocal imaging was used to determine whether desensitizing conditions cause a change in agonist–receptor interactions. Using rapid solution exchange, the binding kinetics of fluorescently labeled opioid agonist, dermorphin Alexa594 (derm A594), to MORs was measured in live cells. The affinity of derm A594 binding increased after prolonged treatment of cells with multiple agonists that are known to cause receptor desensitization. In contrast, binding of a fluorescent antagonist, naltrexamine Alexa594, was unaffected by similar agonist pretreatment. The increased affinity of derm A594 for the receptor was long-lived and partially reversed after a 45 min wash. Treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin did not alter the increase in affinity of the derm A594 for MOR. Likewise, the affinity of derm A594 for MORs expressed in mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from arrestin 1 and 2 knock-out animals increased after treatment of the cells with the desensitization protocol. Thus, opioid receptors were “imprinted” with a memory of prior agonist exposure that was independent of G-protein activation or arrestin binding that altered subsequent agonist–receptor interactions. The increased affinity suggests that acute desensitization results in a long-lasting but reversible conformational change in the receptor.
Boolean prime implicants by the binary sieve method

In the application of Boolean algebra to switching circuits,1,3 one of the areas of interest is that of reduction of the functions to their simplest normal form. Quine, in formulating the special problem of simplification, proposed a method of determining what he called ?prime implicants,? and a method of selecting from the prime implicants the ?simplest normal equivalents of a formula.?4 One of the requirements of this method is that the function first be expressed in ?developed normal form? (standard sum of products or canonical form), each product of the function containing all of the letters of the function. Quine's later method eliminates this requirement.5
Phoenix arisen: Japan as peaceful internationalist at the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics

The dominant discursive narrative at the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics was that of Japan as a peaceful internationalist. No longer was it the aggressor and enemy of World War II. The post-war Constitution was the basis for this claim of a new Japan. The deployment of Japanese experiences as the only victims of atomic weapons buttressed Japan's moral claim to a new, ‘peaceful’ identity on the international stage, while providing rich material for domestic narratives of victimhood and suffering. It was a careful and nuanced balancing act – premised on inventing a forward looking Japan that was new and different from its martial past, while at the same time selectively remembering the past, both overtly and subconsciously, to erase problematic portions of it. This new peaceful identity for Japan, and the Olympics as the perfect stage for performing it, filled the discourse from the earliest stages of application to the Games themselves.
Reoperative sternotomy is associated with increased mortality after heart transplantation.

Background Although several studies have examined factors affecting survival after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT), few have evaluated the impact of reoperative sternotomy. We undertook this study to examine the incidence and impact of repeat sternotomies on OHT outcomes. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of all adult OHT from 2 institutions. Primary stratification was by the number of prior sternotomies. The primary outcome was survival. Secondary outcomes included blood product utilization and commonly encountered postoperative complications. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models examined mortality while linear regression models examined blood utilization. Results From January 1995 to October 2011, 631 OHT were performed. Of these, 25 (4.0%) were redo OHT and 182 (28.8%) were bridged to transplant with a ventricular assist device; 356 (56.4%) had undergone at least 1 prior sternotomy. On unadjusted analysis, reoperative sternotomy was associated with decreased 90-day (98.5% vs 90.2%, p p p = 0.002) survival. This difference persisted on multivariable analysis at 90 days (hazard ratio [HR] 2.99, p = 0.01), 1 year (HR 2.98, p = 0.002), and 5 years (HR 1.62, p = 0.049). The impact of an increasing number of prior sternotomies was negligible. On multivariable analysis, an increasing number of prior sternotomies was associated with increased intraoperative blood product utilization. Increasing blood utilization was associated with decreased 90-day, 1-year, and 5-year survival. Conclusions Reoperative sternotomy is associated with increased mortality and blood utilization after OHT. Patients with more than 1 prior sternotomy do not experience additional increased mortality. Carefully selected patients with multiple prior sternotomies have decreased but acceptable outcomes.
High-temperature Yang-Mills theories and three-dimensional quantum chromodynamics

We demonstrate that for sufficiently high temperature $T$ the behavior of any four-dimensional gauge theory with small coupling constant $\ensuremath{\alpha}$, at distances beyond the electrical Debye screening length ${\ensuremath{\xi}}_{D}\ensuremath{\sim}\frac{1}{\sqrt{\ensuremath{\alpha}}T}$, is determined precisely by the corresponding three-dimensional theory. This is the magnetic sector of the original theory, and in the non-Abelian case it is a Yang-Mills theory like three-dimensional quantum chromodynamics (QC${\mathrm{D}}_{3}$). We study QC${\mathrm{D}}_{3}$ in the loop expansion, which is only valid for distances $\ensuremath{\ll}\frac{1}{\ensuremath{\alpha}T}$, in both covariant and Coulomb gauges. At a finite order in the loop expansion, the presence of logarithmic infrared divergences signals the appearance of new operators in the operator-product expansion. For example, in a covariant gauge, the gauge self-energy develops infrared divergences at two-loop order associated with the operator ${\overline{A}}^{2}$. Infrared divergences in the Wilson loop are also considered and shown to cancel below the order at which gauge-invariant local operators can appear in the operator-product expansion. The infrared structure of QC${\mathrm{D}}_{3}$ at distances $\ensuremath{\gtrsim}\frac{1}{\ensuremath{\alpha}T}$ cannot be directly probed in the loop expansion, however. We present a simpler model which is calculable in this infrared limit, and which might serve as a prototype for QC${\mathrm{D}}_{3}$. The model is massless scalar QE${\mathrm{D}}_{3}$, which with $N$ charged scalars is soluble in a $\frac{1}{N}$ expansion as $N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$. Using the $\frac{1}{N}$ expansion, we demonstrate that infrared softening occurs: the long-range behavior of the photon propagator in massless scalar QE${\mathrm{D}}_{3}$ is less singular than that of free fields. Infrared softening might also occur in QC${\mathrm{D}}_{3}$, although it cannot be demonstrated to finite order in the loop expansion. The implications of an assumed infrared softening in QC${\mathrm{D}}_{3}$ for the magnetic sector of Yang-Mills theories at high temperatures are also discussed. In particular, we consider the possibility that, if the softening is sufficiently great, there is screening of hot non-Abelian magnetic fields and possible confinement of primordial magnetic monopoles.
Biphasic responses in synergistic interactions

Synergistic reactions, as exemplified by the methylenedioxyphenyl (benzodioxole) insecticide synergists, are one of the more studied interactions between toxicants. This group of chemicals includes, in addition to synergists such as piperonyl butoxide, carcinogens such as safrole and isosafrole and many compounds occurring naturally in foods, such as myristicin and piperine. These compounds may function as cytochrome P450 substrates, inhibitors and/or inducers. The biphasic curve in cytochrome P450 activities following a single dose is the result of an initial inhibitory phase followed by a phase of induction, with an eventual return to baseline levels. Both inhibition and induction may be isozyme-specific and different isozymes may be involved in the two activities of the same chemical. Details of these activities are presented and their significance is discussed.
Crystal structure of MHC class II I-Ab in complex with a human CLIP peptide: Prediction of an I-Ab peptide-binding motif

Abstract Association between the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and the class II invariant chain-associated peptide (CLIP) occurs naturally as an intermediate step in the MHC class II processing pathway. Here, we report the crystal structure of the murine class II MHC molecule I-Ab in complex with human CLIP at 2.15 A resolution. The structure of I-Ab accounts, via the peptide-binding groove's unique physicochemistry, for the distinct peptide repertoire bound by this allele. CLIP adopts a similar conformation to peptides bound by other I-A alleles, reinforcing the notion that CLIP is presented as a conventional peptide antigen. When compared to the related HLA-DR3/CLIP complex structure, the CLIP peptide displays a slightly different conformation and distinct interaction pattern with residues in I-Ab. In addition, after examining the published sequences of peptides presented by I-Ab, we discuss the possibility of predicting peptide alignment in the I-Ab binding groove using a simple scoring matrix.
Predictors of the change in the expression of emotional support within an online breast cancer support group: A longitudinal study

Objectives To explore how the expression of emotional support in an online breast cancer support group changes over time, and what factors predict this pattern of change.
Pattern Formation in Porous Media via the Liesegang Ring Mechanism

A model for the spontaneous formation of patterned deposits in porous media, reminiscent of Liesegang rings (LR) formation in gels, is presented. Simulations show that under certain conditions the frontal deposition of a continuous solid film changes to a quasi-periodic pattern formation of bands. Bifurcation analysis of a simpler, skeleton model explains LR formation as instability of a uniformly propagating plane reaction front to a time periodic solution. A theoretical stability criterion is developed that suggests that key parameters in pattern formation are the critical concentration for nucleation and the speed of the autocatalytic growth reaction. While our theory is not aimed at explaining all LR formation experiments in colloidal systems, it can be applied in the case of strong concentration gradients. Using our theory, the uneven spacing law of LR bands is explained as a consequence of the time-varying velocity of the moving reaction front. Some apparent contradictions of previous LR models are ...
Hot pacifism and cold war: The American friends service committee's witness for peace in 1950s America

The 1955 pamphlet, Speak Truth to Power, written by a working party of the American Friends Service Committee, stands as one of the most important pacifist statements of the twentieth century. The authors of the pamphlet faced rhetorical dilemmas particular to an American audience in the mid‐1950s, which led them to adopt rhetorical strategies that have come to be characteristic of the discourse of New Class social movements.
Activation of protein kinase C is coupled to prostaglandin F2α synthesis in the ovary: studies in cultured swine granulosa cells

Abstract We have investigated the role of phospholipid-sensitive calcium-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) in prostaglandin F 2α synthesis by monolayer cultures of swine granulosa cells. In this system, specific phorbol ester derivatives known to activate protein kinase C significantly augmented the production of prostaglandin F 2α . Phorbol ester in conjunction with the ionophore A23187 synergistically increased prostaglandin F 2α production. These stimulatory actions were dose- and time-dependent, and could be abolished by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, or the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide. Moreover, the rank order of potency of phorbol esters in enhancing prostaglandin F 2α production was concordant with that demonstrated for activation of protein kinase C in the swine ovary. In addition, a nonphorbol stimulator of protein kinase C, l-octanoyl-2-acetylglycerol, also significantly enhanced prostaglandin F 2α biosynthesis. The synthesis of immunoassayable prostaglandin F 2α was confirmed by high-pressure liquid Chromatographie purification of this radiolabeled metabolite of [ 3 H]arachidonic acid. Thus, the present studies indicate that the protein kinase C effector pathway in the swine granulosa cell is functionally coupled to prostaglandin F 2α production.
The equilibrium fraction of bridging chains and the swelling behavior of ABA triblock copolymer mesophases

The physical cross-linked network due to B blocks bridging different A domains of a microphase separated melt formed by an ABA copolymer in the strong-segregation limit is examined. The system is considered to consist of swollen elements of the same size, each containing an A domain and a B layer anchored to the A domain as loops or bridges. A lattice model and a generator-matrix method are employed to calculate the equilibrium fraction of the bridging B chains of the ABA mesophase and the equilibrium swelling concentration of the B layer in a selective solvent for the planar, cylindrical and spherical A domain structures. The effects of chain length and of two-dimensional surface density of the AB joints are discussed. The equilibrium fraction of the bridging chains as a function of chain stiffness and the equilibrium swelling concentration as a function of the fraction of bridging chains and of the interaction parameter are calculated. In addition, the segment density distributions of both loop and bridging chains for both the pure ABA and the swollen ABA mesophases are provided.
A heuristic program for reliability and maintainability allocation in complex hierarchical systems

Abstract A new and computationally efficient heuristic algorithm is developed for reliability and maintainability (R&M) allocation in complex hierarchical systems (CHS). This approach has advantage over other available methods in that mean-time-to repair (MTTR) and other R&M parameters are estimated at the component level before desing. The R&M allocation is achieved by decomposing the system R&M state space into a hierarchy of subsystems and reformulating the problem as a reliability network equivalent.
Maximum nanotube volume fraction and its effect on overall elastic properties of nanotube-reinforced composites

The potential capability of improving overall elastic modulus of nanotube-reinforced composites is a fundamental concern in nanotechnology applications. Based on geometric analysis and micromechanics estimation, this study reports that the ratio of surface-to-surface distance of adjacent carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to the CNT diameter plays a key role in improving the overall elastic modulus of the CNT-reinforced composites when the tubes are perfectly aligned, completely separated from other tubes, and ideally bonded with the composite matrix. With the decrease of this ratio, that is, decrease of the surface-to-surface distance of adjacent CNTs and/or increase CNT diameter, the improvement capability increases. However, theoretical and experimental results show that an increase of the CNT diameters degrades the elastic moduli of CNTs. This paper discusses the criterion of choosing CNTs with larger diameter and addresses the factors influencing the surface-to-surface distance of adjacent CNTs.
Partial characterization of cyclic electron transport in intact chloroplasts.

Turnover of the cyclic electron transfer chain around photosystem I in intact chloroplasts was induced by addition of sodium dithionite after poisoning with 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. A substantial permeability barrier to dithionite allowed redox poising to a level sufficiently negative to active, but not overreduce, the cycle. Spectral changes could thus be studied without interference from photosystem II reactions. Illumination by repetitive single-turnover flashes showed the participation in the cycle of cytochromes f and b/sub 563/ with an apparent 1:1 stoichiometry. The rise of the flash-induced electrochromic bandshift showed a fast phase with rise time < 10 ..mu..s and a slow phase with rise time variable in the millisecond range. The slow phase had an amplitude equal to that of the fast phase and occurred only when electron transfer between cytochromes b/sub 563/ and f was uninhibited. A kinetic correlation was observed between the rise of the slow phase and the rereduction of cytochrome f, whereas cytochrome b/sub 563/ reoxidation was slower than both. Redox titrations of the appearance of the slow rise in the P518 response showed that it was only observed on repetitive flashes when a component of midpoint potential approx. = -55mV(pH 8.1), n = 2, was reduced beforemore » the flash. A comparison is drawn between this protonmotive electron transfer cycle and that of the purple nonsulfur bacterium Rhodopseudomonas capsulata; possible arrangements of electron carriers in the photosystem I cycle are discussed, and a modified Q cycle is proposed to account for the properties observed.« less
Operative revision of non-functioning filtering blebs with 5-fluorouracil to regain intraocular pressure control.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of extensive microsurgical needling revision of failed filtering blebs followed by serial 5-fluorouracil subconjunctival injections. Methods: Thirty-six eyes of 34 consecutive patients with progressive open-angle glaucoma refractory to topical therapy submitted to needling revision as a major procedure. All patients required multiple antiglaucoma medications preoperatively, and had completely flat or densely encapsulated filtering blebs. All patients underwent elaborate needling revision (limbus to superior rectus >8 mm diameter, >3 mm elevation, entry-site sutured with 8−0 vicryl and bleb reformed via paracentesis with viscoelastic) in the operating room, followed by serial 5-fluorouracil. The patients were followed for up to 6 months postoperatively. The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of antiglaucoma medications used. Results: Thirty-one eyes (86%) maintained mean IOP below 15 mmHg postneedling without medication. Overall the mean IOP postneedling was >9 mmHg lower than medicated preoperative levels (P < 0.0001). IOP reduction in encapsulated blebs was marginally superior to that in flat blebs. Conclusions: Extensive needling revision in the operating room is safe, straightforward, and produces reproducible restoration of filtering function.
THE DETECTION OF GROUP B STREPTOCOCCAL POLYSACCHARIDES IN URINE BY AGGLUTINATION

Prepared staphylococcal co-agglutination reagents were used for the detection of group B streptococcal polysaccharides in the concentrated and unconcentrated urine of 78 infants with presumed bacterial infection. These prepared reagents were compared to commerically available reagents (Phadebact, Wellcogen). All reagents were evaluated for their ability to identify patients infected with group B streptococci and for their ability to detect purified group B and type III polysaccharides. All three reagents were able to identify the six patients with positive group B streptococcal blood cultures when concentrated urine was tested. All three reagents had equivalent levels (62.5 ng/ml) of detection for the group B polysaccharide when 20 ul of polysaccharide solution was used. These reagents had poor levels of detection for the type III polysaccharide. Prepared reagents were as sensitive as those commercially available for the detection of infants with group B streptococcal disease and were one one-hundredth the cost.
Attractiveness of p-anisaldehyde to the varied carpet beetle, Anthrenus verbasci (L.) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

p-Anisaldehyde, a common flower volatile component, was found to be a potent attractant to adults of the varied carpet beetle, Anthrenus verbasci, irrespective of sex. The male catch with p-anisaldehyde (1 g) was almost the same as that with the female sex pheromone (1 mg), but the female catch was significantly larger. The catch with the combined attractant (p-anisaldehyde+the sex pheromone) was almost the same as the sum of the catches with each single attractant. Among 22 related compounds, two positional isomers and 20 functional-group-substituted compounds, p-anisaldehyde dimethylacetal, p-methoxyphenylacetone and p-ethoxybenzaldehyde were almost as attractive as p-anisaldehyde.
Fracture behavior of nylon 6/ABS blends compatibilized with an imidized acrylic polymer

Abstract The fracture behavior of blends of nylon 6 and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) compatibilized with an imidized acrylic (IA) polymer was examined by Izod impact testing and single-notch three-point bend (SEN3PB) instrumented Dynatup tests. The effects of the method of fracture surface measurement, ABS content, specimen thickness, compatibilizer content and fracture zone geometry were investigated. Blends containing a fixed (5 wt.% IA) compatibilizer content were tough over a broad range of ABS contents; the optimum toughness occurred near 50 wt.% ABS. A dual-mode of fracture was observed in SEN3PB specimens whose Izod impact samples with the same composition had ductile–brittle transition temperatures near room temperature. In these SEN3PB samples, ductile deformation occurred in samples with shorter ligament lengths, whereas brittle failure prevailed in samples with longer ligament lengths. The critical ligament length at which the ductile-to-brittle transition occurs was shown to be dependent on the compatibilizer content and specimen thickness. These dual modes of fracture were rationalized in terms of a plane–strain to plane–stress transition. For blends that were super tough and had good low temperature toughness as judged by Izod impact testing, the toughness of SEN3PB specimens was generally insensitive to specimen thickness; these blends were fully ductile over the entire range of ligament lengths. The size of the stress-whitened zone was examined for fractured SEN3PB specimens that were fully ductile over the entire range of ligament lengths. Among specimens of a given composition, the size of the stress-whitened zones was geometrically similar and independent of the size of the original ligament. However, when ductile samples of different composition were compared, the size of the stress-whitened zone was not necessarily proportional to the energy dissipated during plastic deformation. This may be a result of the presence of different modes of energy absorption in the nylon 6 or SAN matrix phase.
Bending Amplitude-- a New Quantitative Assay of C. elegans Locomotion: Identification of Phenotypes for Mutants in Genes Encoding Muscle Focal Adhesion Components

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans uses striated muscle in its body wall for locomotion. The myofilament lattice is organized such that all the thin filament attachment structures (dense bodies, analogous to Z-disks) and thick filament organizing centers (M-lines) are attached to the muscle cell membrane. Thus, the force of muscle contraction is transmitted through these structures and allows locomotion of the worm. Dense bodies and M-lines are compositionally similar to focal adhesions and costameres, and are based on integrin and associated proteins. Null mutants for many of the newly discovered dense body and M-line proteins do not have obvious locomotion defects when observed casually, or when assayed by counting the number of times a worm moves back and forth in liquid. We hypothesized that many of these proteins, located as they are in muscle focal adhesions, function in force transmission, but we had not used an appropriate or sufficiently sensitive assay to reveal this function. Recently, we have developed a new quantitative assay of C. elegans locomotion that measures the maximum bending amplitude of an adult worm as it moves backwards. The assay had been used to reveal locomotion defects for null mutants of genes encoding ATN-1 (α-actinin) and PKN-1 (protein kinase N). Here, we describe the details of this method, and apply it to 21 loss of function mutants in 17 additional genes, most of which encode components of muscle attachment structures. As compared to wild type, mutants in 11 genes were found to have less ability to bend, and mutants in one gene were found to have greater ability to bend. Loss of function mutants for eight proteins had been reported to have normal locomotion (ZYX-1 (zyxin), ALP-1 (Enigma), DIM-1, SCPL-1), or locomotion that was not previously investigated (FRG-1 (FRG1), KIN-32 (focal adhesion kinase), LIM-8), or had only slightly decreased locomotion (PFN-3 (profilin)).
The sea floor north of the eastern Hawaiian Islands

Abstract Important processes determining the marine geology adjacent to the Hawaiian Islands include volcanism, isostatic adjustment, and sedimentation. The crust under the Hawaiian Islands has subsided 2–6 km under the large shield volcanoes, and the adjacent sea floor has been downwarped accordingly. Although the crust and upper mantle are depressed in the Hawaiian Deep, they apparently are sufficiently elastic to be broadly upwarped in the Hawaiian Arch, outside the Deep. The sediment filling the moat near the islands is a mixture of detrital and authigenic silicates and organic carbonates. It has slumped down the submarine slopes and through submarine canyons. The sediment loses its carbonate content on the deep sea floor. Its authigenic illite, kaolinite, and montmorillonite, as well as its detrital and pyroclastic feldspar, pyroxene, magnetite, and grains of volcanic rock are diluted by pelagic quartz, illite, Radiolaria, and lesser components. Sedimentological studies are interpreted within the framework of the regional tectonic and geomorphic setting. The sea floor about 150 km north of the island of Maui has been proposed as the site for the Mohole project. The site is covered with brown clay that mantles a surface of low relief south of the crest of the Hawaiian Arch. A small fracture north of the site and some low seamounts about 40 km distant are the only obvious features nearer than 100 km to the site. The area is in the western part of the Baja California Seamount Province where there is no indication of gross abnormality of structure, topography, sediment, or history. Therefore, the proposed drilling site north of Maui appears to be in an area that represents typical oceanic crust.
Evolution and Trend of the Outgoing Longwave Radiation Spectrum

Abstract The variability and change occurring in the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) spectrum are investigated by using simulations performed with a Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory coupled atmosphere–ocean–land general circulation model. First, the variability in unforced climate (natural variability) is simulated. Then, the change of OLR spectrum due to forced changes in climate is analyzed for a continuous 25-yr time series and for the difference between two time periods (1860s and 2000s). Spectrally resolved radiances have more pronounced and complex changes than broadband fluxes. In some spectral regions, the radiance change is dominated by just one controlling factor (e.g., the window region and CO2 band center radiances are controlled by surface and stratospheric temperatures, respectively) and well exceeds the natural variability. In some other spectral bands, the radiance change is influenced by multiple and often competing factors (e.g., the water vapor band radiance is influenced by both...