cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinetic Analysis of Aggregated Amyloid-β Peptide Clearance in Adult Bone-marrow-derived Macrophages from APP and CCL2 Transgenic Mice

Accumulating evidence suggests that bone-marrow (BM)-derived mononuclear phagocytes have an important role in the clearance of soluble and aggregated amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains. However, the exact kinetics of Aβ clearance in mononuclear phagocytes derived from transgenic animal models of AD expressing β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) mutants have been poorly characterized. We have examined whether CCL2 and APP expression affects the clearance of Aβ in conjunction with our control, acetylated low-density lipoprotein (AcLDL), using primary cultured BM-derived macrophages derived from adult APP, CCL2, APP/CCL2, and control littermates. Pulse-chase analysis demonstrated three distinct destinations for Aβ40 and AcLDL: intracellular retention, degradation, and secretion. As predicted, 50% of Aβ remained intracellularly contained even 5 days after pulse, while 40% of degraded and 14% of nondegraded Aβ were secreted. APP/CCL2 macrophages show reduced intracellular Aβ retention, along with enhanced secretion of both degraded and nondegraded Aβ. Aβ accumulation in aggresome is also partially reduced in APP/CCL2 macrophages as compared to other APP, CCL2, or control groups, suggesting impaired sorting of aggregated Aβ in aggresomes. The degradation of intracranially injected 125I-Aβ40 aggregates was also enhanced in adult APP/CCL2 mice as compared to APP littermates in vivo. These data suggest that APP and CCL2 synergistically enhance BM-derived macrophage-mediated clearance of Aβ. In contrast, the clearance of AcLDL by BM-derived macrophages was not significantly enhanced by the presence of either APP or CCL2.
The bonding of a hydroxy-functional organophosphorus oligomer to nylon fabric using the formaldehyde derivatives of urea and melamine as the bonding agents

Abstract In this research, we studied the mechanism of bonding a hydroxy-functional organophosphorus oligomer (HFPO) to nylon 6.6 fabric using the formaldehyde derivatives of urea and melamine, including dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) and trimethylolmelamine (TMM), as the bonding agents. The nylon fabric treated with HFPO/DMDHEU or HFPO/TMM retained significant amount of phosphorus after multiple launderings. The laundering durability of the HFPO applied to nylon was probably attributed to the formation of a crosslinked polymeric network on the nylon fiber. The nylon fabric treated with HFPO/DMDHEU showed higher percent phosphorus retention than that treated with HFPO/TMM. The percent phosphorus retention of the treated nylon increased as the DMDHEU or TMM concentration was increased, and the nylon fabric's stiffness follows the same trend. The micro-scale combustion calorimetry and thermal analysis data indicate that the HFPO bound to nylon reduced peak heat release rate and heat release capacity of the nylon fabric, decreased decomposition temperature and promoted the char formation of the treated fabric. The nylon/cotton blend military fabric treated with HFPO/DMDHEO or HFPO/TMM demonstrated flame retardant performance after 10 laundering cycles.
Targeted comparative proteomics by liquid chromatography-tandem Fourier ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.

In proteomics, effective methods are needed for identifying the relatively limited subset of proteins displaying significant changes in abundance between two samples. One way to accomplish this task is to target for identification by MS/MS only the “interesting” proteins based on the abundance ratio of isotopically labeled pairs of peptides. We have developed the software and hardware tools for online LC−FTICR MS/MS studies in which a set of initially unidentified peptides from a proteome analysis can be selected for identification based on their distinctive changes in abundance following a “perturbation”. We report here the validation of this method using a mixture of standard proteins combined in different ratios after isotopic labeling. We also demonstrate the application of this method to the identification of Shewanella oneidensis peptides/proteins exhibiting differential abundance in suboxic versus aerobic cell cultures.
Characterizing the retrieval of cloud properties from optical remote sensing

[1] This paper presents a new approach to the formal characterization of the optical retrieval of cloud optical thickness and effective droplet radius based on a nonlinear methodology that is derived from a general stochastic inverse problem formulation similar to standard Bayesian estimation theory. The methodology includes efficient use of the precomputed radiative transfer model simulations which are already available in standard retrieval algorithms. Another important property of the methodology is that it does not require performing the retrieval with actual measurements in order to characterize the retrieval results. One utility of this analysis is the quantification of information content in the standard retrieval problem, and the increase of information through adding channels (radiances at different wavelengths) to the inversion. This was demonstrated for the five‐wavelength retrieval using airborne hyperspectral shortwave irradiance measurements. The ability of the method to evaluate the impact of observation and radiative transfer model uncertainties on the retrieved cloud properties is also demonstrated. Further benefits from this study will be in its application to the cloud retrieval algorithms to be developed for future space‐ and airborne instruments. The present study puts forth the framework necessary to quantify that increase in information and to optimize new retrieval algorithms that efficiently accommodate the enhanced measurement space.
Measurement of the MgSe/Cd0.54Zn0.46Se valence band offset by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract We have used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to measure the valence band offset for the MgSe/Cd 0.54 Zn 0.46 Se heterojunction grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Lattice matching and cubic zincblende growth were confirmed using X-ray diffraction and reflection high energy electron diffraction. By measuring core level to valence band maximum and core level to core level energy separations, we obtain a value of 0.50±0.10 eV for the valence band offset, with the valence band maximum of MgSe below that of Cd 0.54 Zn 0.46 Se. This value deviates from the common anion rule, as may be expected given the unoccupied cation d orbitals in MgSe. Application of our results to the design of current II–VI light emitters incorporating Zn 1- x Mg x S y Se 1- y and Mg x Cd 1- x Se layers is discussed.
Alcohol‐induced free radicals in mice: Direct toxicants or signaling molecules?

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and free radicals are produced in early alcohol-induced liver injury. Recently, pathology caused by alcohol was blocked nearly completely in tumor necrosis factor α receptor 1 (TNF-R1) knockout mice. With this model, it is now possible to evaluate whether free radicals are directly toxic or act as redox regulators of TNF-α production. Specifically, if free radicals were directly toxic, a parallel decrease in free radicals and pathology in TNF-R1 knockout mice would be predicted. If they only affect TNF-α production, radicals would be expected to remain high while pathology is diminished. Accordingly, free radical production in TNF-R1 knockout mice was studied here. The enteral alcohol delivery model used mice lacking TNF-R1 (p55) and wild-type control C57Bl/6J mice. Animals received a liquid diet continuously with either ethanol or isocaloric maltose-dextrin as control for 4 weeks. Urine ethanol levels fluctuated from 10 to 500 mg/dL in a cyclic pattern in mice receiving ethanol. Ethanol elevated liver:body weight ratios, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, and pathology scores in wild-type mice. These parameters were blunted nearly completely in TNF-R1 knockout mice. Ethanol treatment increased free radical production in wild-type mice compared with animals fed a high-fat control diet. There were no differences in intensity of free radical signals regardless of the presence or absence of TNF-R1; however, pathology differed markedly between these groups. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that free radicals act as redox signals for TNF-α production and do not directly damage cells in early alcohol-induced hepatic injury. (H EPATOLOGY 2001;34:935-942.)
Prevention of fatty liver by administration of adenosine triphosphate.

IT has recently been shown that the fatty liver produced in rats by ethionine administration is associated with a decrease in hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels and that injections of ATP are able to prevent both the fatty liver and the drop in ATP1,2. We have observed that a variety of agents which produce a fatty liver lead to decreased ATP concentrations in the liver and that the protective effects of ATP administration are not limited to ethionine toxicity.
Self-administered and noncontingent nicotine enhance reinforced operant responding in rats: impact of nicotine dose and reinforcement schedule

Rationale Nicotine infusions that are self-administered (contingent) or response-independent (noncontingent) increase lever pressing for a reinforcing nonpharmacological stimulus in rats, suggesting that in addition to primary reinforcement, nicotine self-administration may result from nicotine enhancing the reinforcement derived from nonnicotine stimuli.
Mechanism of Isotactic Polypropylene Formation with C1-Symmetric Metallocene Catalysts

The mechanism for isotactic polypropylene formation by the C_1-symmetric catalyst system [Me_2C(3-tert-butyl-C_5H_3)(C_(13)H_8)]ZrCl_2/MAO (MAO = methylaluminoxane, C13H8 = fluorenylidene) has been examined. Evidence supports an alternating mechanism, where both sites of the metallocene wedge are utilized for monomer insertion, rather than the previously proposed site epimerization (inversion at Zr) following each monomer insertion. As the polymerization temperature increases (0 to 60 °C) with lower concentrations of propylene, the site epimerization mechanism begins to compete, as evidenced by an increase in isotacticity. The alternating mechanism also accounts for polypropylene microstructures obtained with Me_2C(3-R-C_5H_3)(Oct)ZrCl_2/MAO, where Oct = octamethyloctahydrodibenzofluorenylidene and R = methyl, cyclohexyl, diphenylmethyl, and with Me_2C(3-tert-butyl-4-Me-C_5H_2)(Oct)ZrCl_2/MAO. For an Oct-containing catalyst system with R = 2-methyl-2-adamantyl, unprecedentedly high (for a fluorenyl-based metallocene catalyst) isotacticity ([mmmm] > 99%) is obtained; the polymer prepared at 0 °C has T_m = 167 °C and M_w = 370 000.
“It Seems Like No One Cares” Participatory Photo Mapping to Understand Youth Perspectives on Property Vacancy

This article presents findings from a Participatory Photo Mapping (PPM) project designed to understand young people’s perceptions of the neighborhood environment. PPM is an approach that integrates...
Tomorrow is here today in Sweden

(1980). Tomorrow is here today in Sweden. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology: Vol. 9, Children in the 21st century, pp. 109-112.
Review of "Cancer Nanotechnology: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology)" by Stephen R. Grobmyer (Editor), Brij M. Moudgil (Editor)

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death. Research and resulting technologies have contributed to rising numbers of cancer survivors. Cancer nanotechnology is a novel and burgeoning field with the promise to open the door for the development of improved cancer therapies and detection methods. Cancer nanotechnology has the potential to become clinical reality.
Effect of chronic administration of [D-Pen2, D-Pen5] enkephalin on the activity of nitric oxide synthase in brain regions and spinal cord of mice.

Abstract Bhargava, H. N. and Y. J. Cao. Effect of chronic administration of [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin on the activity of nitric oxide synthase in brain regions and spinal cord of mice. Peptides 19(1) 113–117, 1998.—The effect of multiple intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE), a δ-opioid receptor agonist, on the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was determined in the brain regions and spinal cord of the mouse. Male Swiss Webster mice were injected twice daily with DPDPE (20 μg/mouse, ICV) or its vehicle for 4 days. This procedure has previously been shown to induce tolerance to the antinociceptive actions of DPDPE in mice. On day 5, the animals treated with DPDPE were either sacrificed 20 min after an ICV injection of DPDPE (tolerant) or without any injection (abstinent i.e., 16 h after the last injection of DPDPE). NOS activity in brain regions (cortex, striatum, hippocampus, midbrain, pons/medulla, hypothalamus and cerebellum) and spinal cord was determined by the rate of conversion of arginine into citrulline. Tolerance to DPDPE was associated increases in NOS activity in midbrain (49%) and pons/medulla (32%) and decreases in cerebellum (28%) and spinal cord (44%). However, NOS activity was unchanged in the cortex, corpus striatum, hippocampus and hypothalamus. On the other hand, during abstinence from DPDPE, NOS activity increased in midbrain (84%) and hypothalamus (35%) but decreased in cerebral cortex (27%), cerebellum (27%) and spinal cord (20%). NOS activity was unchanged in the corpus striatum, hippocampus and pons/medulla. Previous studies from this laboratory had demonstrated that chronic administration of μ- and κ-opioid receptor agonists results in increases NOS activity in certain brain regions and that tolerance to μ- and κ-, but not to δ-opioid receptor agonists, is attenuated by NOS inhibitors. The present studies, for the first time, demonstrate decreases in NOS activity in certain brain regions and spinal cord of mice treated chronically with δ-opioid receptor agonist. Furthermore, these findings may explain the inability of NOS inhibitors to attenuate tolerance to DPDPE in mice.
Crystal Structures of Mouse CD1d-iGb3 Complex and its Cognate Vα14 T Cell Receptor Suggest a Model for Dual Recognition of Foreign and Self Glycolipids

The semi-invariant Valpha14Jalpha18 T cell receptor (TCR) is expressed by regulatory NKT cells and has the unique ability to recognize chemically diverse ligands presented by CD1d. The crystal structure of CD1d complexed to a natural, endogenous ligand, isoglobotrihexosylceramide (iGb3), illustrates the extent of this diversity when compared to the binding of potent, exogenous ligands, such as alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer). A single mode of recognition for these two classes of ligands would then appear problematic for a single T cell receptor. However, the Valpha14 TCR adopts two different conformations in the crystal where, in one configuration, the presence of a larger cavity between the two CDR3 regions could accommodate iGb3 and, in the other, a smaller cavity fits alpha-GalCer more snugly. Alternatively, the extended iGb3 headgroup could be "squashed" upon docking of the TCR and accommodated between the CD1 and TCR surfaces. Thus, the same TCR may adopt alternative modes of recognition for these foreign and self-ligands for NKT cell activation.
Substituent Effects on the Sol−Gel Chemistry of Organotrialkoxysilanes

Silsesquioxanes are a family of siloxane network polymers that have become important as vehicles for introducing organic functionalities into sol−gel materials. However, there has not been a systematic study of the capacity of organotrialkoxysilanes to form gels through the sol−gel process. In this study, we examined the sol−gel chemistry of organotrialkoxysilanes (RSi(OR‘)3) with different organic groups (R = H, Me, Et, Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu, i-Bu, t-Bu, hexyl, octyl, decyl, dodecyl, hexadecyl, octadecyl, cyclohexyl, vinyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenethyl, chloromethyl, chloromethylphenyl, and tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl) with methoxide or ethoxide substituents on silicon, at varying monomer concentrations, and under acidic, neutral, and basic conditions. Gels were obtained from the sol−gel polymerization of the monomers with R‘ = Me and R = H, Me, vinyl, chloromethyl, chloromethylphenyl, hexadecyl, and octadecyl and R‘ = Et and R = H, Me, Et, chloromethyl, vinyl, dodecyl, hexadecyl, and octadecyl. Formatio...
Methadone doses of 100 mg or greater are more effective than lower doses at suppressing heroin self-administration in opioid-dependent volunteers.

Aims Methadone maintenance has been an effective pharmacotherapy for the treatment of heroin dependence for nearly four decades. Recent clinical research suggests that methadone doses larger than those used in most clinics are more effective at suppressing illicit heroin use. This greater efficacy may result from greater cross-tolerance to the reinforcing effects of heroin. Design The purpose of this double-blind, within-subject study was to examine the relationship between methadone maintenance dose and the reinforcing effects of heroin. Setting Participants were stabilized on 50, 100 and 150 mg methadone (ascending order) during separate outpatient periods before being admitted to an inpatient research unit for testing at each maintenance dose. Participants Five opiate-dependent volunteers completed the study. Measurements During each 4-week inpatient testing period, participants sampled three doses of heroin (0, 10, or 20 mg; random order; one dose per week) and were subsequently allowed seven opportunities to choose between another injection of that week's heroin dose and varying amounts of money ($2–38). Findings The number of heroin injections chosen decreased as methadone dose was increased. Larger alternative monetary reinforcers were required to suppress heroin self-administration during maintenance on 50 compared to 100 or 150 mg methadone. Larger methadone doses also completely blocked the subjective effects of heroin and produced greater withdrawal suppression during the outpatient periods. Conclusions These results support other clinical and laboratory-based research indicating that persistent heroin use may be reduced by providing larger methadone maintenance doses that produce more effective cross-tolerance to heroin.
Computationally simple model reference adaptive control for miniature air vehicles

This paper presents a computationally efficient model reference adaptive autopilot for pitch attitude hold and roll attitude hold. The derivation of the adaptive controllers depends upon a model simplification that results in two unknown parameters for each mode. The resulting controllers have been successfully implemented on the Kestrel autopilot (which has a low-power micro-controller) and flight tested on three different miniature air vehicles (MAVs). In addition, one of the MAVs was outfitted with a deployable flap that significantly changes the aerodynamic coefficients of the airframe. The adaptive controllers proposed in this paper successfully adapt to mid-air deployment of the flap.
INFLUENCE OF CONTROLLED MICROBIAL CURING ON PORCINE MUSCLE

SUMMARY— A previously developed technique was adopted to study the influence of certain microbiological populations and their effects on processed meat. The technique consisted of an initial reduction of surface bacteria on conventionally handled muscle tissue via a hot water dip, followed by processing at 28° C in a sterile plastic isolator where Pediococcus cerevisiae was introduced into the curing solution. This treatment was compared to reduced initial count and conventional samples. Identification of the bacteria in the curing solution of each treatment indicated that a Lactobacillus spp. was predominant in the reduced initial count treatment. The inoculated Podiococcus cerevisiae was predominant in the reduced initial count inoculated treatment white Staphylococcus epidermidis and Flavobacterium diffusum were predominant in the conventional treatment depending upon the trial. Tenderness and bacterial load were significantly (P < .01) increased by treatment while pH was significantly (P < .01) decreased. Oxidation and muscle composition were not affected by treatment. Samples from all treatments were acceptable organoleptically.
Global distribution of peroxyacetyl nitrate

Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) atmospheric concentration samples were collected hourly from an ocean vessel 50 mi off the continental coast traveling from Seattle to Chile in 1984. Air concentration data for PAN and light hydrocarbons (LHC) were also taken by aircraft in the same period over Wyoming and Colorado and over the eastern Pacific. The PAN concentrations were higher and more variable in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere, increased with altitude, and were higher in the winter than in summer. The summer PAN concentrations were higher in the continental troposphere than in the marine troposphere. The results show that photochemical models of the atmosphere which do not account for the reaction between nonmethane hydrocarbons and PAN will probably overestimate the abundances of NO(x) and HNO3. The collection of further PAN concentration data is recommended as a means to characterizing the moderating role of PAN in the photochemistry of the troposphere.
Industrial storm water pollution prevention : Effectiveness and limitations of source controls in the transportation industry

Industrial activities that are sources of pollutants in storm water runoff at typical facilities of the transportation industry are identified by site investigations at five facilities. This research then evaluates pollution prevention measures implemented to reduce those pollutants, as required by storm water regulations under the U.S. Clean Water Act. Activities that potentially generate storm water pollutants, particular to facilities of this industry, include: vehicle maintenance; vehicle fueling; vehicle washing; and activities on paved access roads and vehicle storage areas. Activities common to this industry, but also found in other industries, include: storage and handling of process materials and wastes; operation of industrial equipment located outdoors or exposed to storm water; and design and operation of site drainage facilities. Most control measures cited in the compliance documents of the facilities in the case studies were not developed specifically for storm water pollution prevention, but serve to reduce storm water pollutants as part of compliance with regulations for hazardous waste, wastewater, worker safety, or other purposes. Most identified control measures were operational practices or employee procedures, rather than structural facility modifications or devices to remove pollutants. Implementation of such measures is difficult to enforce or verify by regulatory agencies, and evidence at the case study facilities suggests that measures described similarly at different facilities are unevenly implemented and unequally effective at controlling storm water pollutants.
Some Observations on the Use of Natural Numbers by Preschool Children

3 groups of approximately 20 children each, aged 3½ to 6½ yr., were presented with a number of tasks designed to assess skill in counting and enumeration. Contrary to usual expectations, certain co...
Influence of light from an infra-red bulb on the mutagenic effect of colchicine on sorghum.

TRUE-BREEDING diploid mutants have been found to arise from colchicine-treated Sorghum seedlings of the true-breeding lines, Experimental 1 and Experimental 3 1–5. Their true-breeding nature is similar to that obtained after many generations of selfing so that they appear to be immediately homozygous for the new characteristics. Some non-true-breeding mutants also occur. It was proposed that the true-breeding condition might arise by a somatic reductional division of the chromosomes, similar to that observed by Huskins6, with subsequent restoration to the diploid number, and that the mutant condition might arise through concentration of chromatin from one of the original ancestors from which Experimental 3 had been derived. However, from cytogenetic studies of hybrids between true-breeding mutants and their untreated full sibs, the genetic changes appear to be due to gene mutations4,7–9. Tests of the somatic reduction hypothesis using chromosome markers (recessive genes and reciprocal translocations) in the heterozygous condition in sorghum and other materials have not been decisive1,7,10 except for one case in flax (gene markers) which indicated its seeming validity11.
Antenna and user selection for a cloud base station with (Reverse) Compute and Forward

We consider a distributed antenna system where L antenna terminals (ATs) are connected to a Central Processor (CP) via digital error-free links of finite capacity R 0 , and serve K user terminals (UTs). The uplink is a special case of a multi-source, single destination relay network. The downlink is a special case of a broadcast relay network. Recently, novel uplink and downlink schemes called Compute-and-Forward and Reverse Compute-and-Forward were proposed, showing attractive performance-complexity tradeoff in certain regimes. In this work we focus on the ATs (uplink) or UTs (downlink) selection problem. For the uplink, for a given set of active UTs, we wish to select a subset of the ATs such that the resulting system matrix is full-rank and the sum rate is maximum. For the downlink, for a given set of transmitting ATs, we wish to select a subset of UTs such that the resulting system matrix is full-rank and the sum rate is maximum. We present antenna and user terminal selection algorithms suited for the proposed cloud base station architecture and demonstrate by simulation, in a realistic environment with fading and pathloss, that selection essentially eliminates the problem of rank deficiency of the system matrix, which represents the main performance impairment effect for a naive assignment of the active terminals.
CONTACTING THE PROTEIN FOLDING FUNNEL WITH NMR

Seeking a theoretical framework able to explain the large collection of early experimental results in this field, scientists adopted the idea that there is a “folding pathway,” i.e., a series of obligate intermediates in the protein dynamical route toward the folded state (1–3). Experiments were focused on identifying and structurally characterizing such intermediates without questioning the pathway hypothesis itself. An alternative, richer viewpoint had its birth in the late 1980s and early 1990s (4–6). In this new view, folding does not occur by a single pathway but instead by an ensemble of routes toward the native state. Globally the energy landscape of a folding protein resembles a partially rough funnel. The local roughness reflects transient trapping at non-native configurations, but the overall shape of the funnel is determined by the guiding forces that have evolved to stabilize the native interactions more than alternatives (7).
An evaluation of cooperative avoidance warning system

Roadway obstructions, stalled vehicles, pedestrians and animals in or near the roadway create a significant safety hazard. Driver safety may be enhanced if drivers received an advanced warning of such hazards to improve their alertness and response times. A Cooperative Advance Warning System (CAWS) was developed to allow drivers who detect a hazard to send an advanced alert to other drivers. A human factors evaluation of this system was conducted using a sample of 45 drivers. Results of the evaluation showed a significant influence of CAWS on driver response to hazards in terms of crash risk reduction.
The psychology of music

J.R. Pierce, The Nature of Musical Sound. M.R. Schroeder, Concert Halls: From Magic to Number Theory. N.M. Weinberger, Music and the Auditory System. R. Rasch and R. Plomp, The Perception of Musical Tones. J-C. Risset and D.L. Wessel, Exploration of Timbre by Analysis and Synthesis. J. Sundberg, The Perception of Singing. E.M. Burns, Intervals, Scales, and Tuning. W.D. Ward, Absolute Pitch. D. Deutsch, Grouping Mechanisms in Music. D. Deutsch, The Processing of Pitch Combinations. J.J. Bharucha, Neural Nets, Temporal Composites, and Tonality. E. Narmour, Hierarchical Expectation and Musical Style. E.F. Clarke, Rhythm and Timing in Music. A. Gabrielsson, The Performance of Music. W.J. Dowling, The Development of Music Perception and Cognition. R. Shuter-Dyson, Musical Ability. O.S.M. Marin and D.W. Perry, Neurological Aspects of Music Perception and Performance. E.C. Carterette and R.A. Kendall, Comparative Music Perception and Cognition. Index.
Group support systems: technologies and products selection

Group support systems (GSS) are becoming increasingly popular in corporations that are looking to reduce travel expenses, increase the effectiveness of group decision‐making and foster an environment that brings out ideas or creativity that may be stifled in standard settings. Companies are looking for solutions and technologies to provide GSS that are affordable, flexible, and integrate with their existing information technology (IT) environment. Deciding what solutions to implement can be difficult, however, the decision process should first involve a self‐analysis of the organization’s current IT environment and architecture, as well as its culture. An analysis of currently available solutions can then follow. This article is intended to aid the IT managers in their selection process of GSS technologies and products for their organizations. In particular, the article focuses on Microsoft’s collaboration technologies and products since its current product line offers the IT managers a wide array of choices for implementing a unified GSS environment.
Submarine Groundwater Discharge to a High-Energy Surf Zone at Stinson Beach, California, Estimated Using Radium Isotopes

Two 14-day experiments conducted in the dry summer (July 2006) and wet winter (March 2007) seasons, respectively, examined tidal, wave-driven, and seasonal variability of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) at Stinson Beach, CA, using natural radium tracers. Tide stage, tide range, breaker height, and season each explained a significant degree of radium variability in the surf zone. A mass balance of excess radium in the surf zone was used to estimate SGD for each season, confirming larger discharge rates during the wet season. Our results indicate median groundwater discharge rates of 6 to 8 L min−1 m−1 in July 2006 and 38 to 43 L min−1 m−1 in March 2007. SGD from 200 m of Stinson Beach in March 2007 contributed a flux of phosphate and dissolved inorganic nitrogen approximately equal to that associated with all local creeks and streams within 6 km of the study site at that time.
Early Adolescent Social Networks and Substance Use

This study examined the relationships between social network position and the use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and inhalants in a sample of 1,119 sixth-grade youth. Social network analyses of peer nominations were used to categorize youth as members of social groups, liaisons between groups, or social isolates. The results revealed that liaisons were more likely to use tobacco than members or isolates and were more likely to use alcohol than isolates. Youth in the three social positions did not differ on their use of marijuana or inhalants. The findings are discussed with reference to previous social network research on adolescent relationships and substance use. The effects of gender, ethnicity, and residence location on substance use also are reported.
Sociocultural Evolution and the Future of World Society

World society has been emerging on a global scale, but the old world-system of multiple cultures continues to exist at the same time that a global culture is in formation. In this article the author discusses the relations among these forms of integration in the contemporary system, the coming dark age of deglobalization, and the potential for the eventual emergence of a collectively rational and democratic global commonwealth.
Q-BAND RESONANCE RAMAN ENHANCEMENT OF FE-CO VIBRATIONS IN FERROUS CHLORIN COMPLEXES : POSSIBLE MONITOR OF AXIAL LIGANDS IN D CYTOCHROMES

Resonance Raman (rRaman) spectroscopy has been used extensively in the studies of the heme chemistry of carbon monoxy adducts. In porphyrin systems, the axial ligand vibrational modes of the CO, ν(Fe−CO) and ν(CO), are enhanced with Soret excitation via an A-term (Franck−Condon) mechanism, but are not expected with Q excitation (B-term or vibronic mechanism). For the first time, these modes have been obtained with Qy as well as Soret excitation in rRaman spectra of CO complexes of ferrous chlorins. The enhancement with Qy excitation arises from an A-term mechanism of Raman scattering for these chlorins owing to their reduced molecular symmetry. Thus, in iron chlorins or other heme systems with reduced molecular symmetry, axial ligand vibrational modes may be enhanced with Qy excitation if they are observed with Soret excitation in the corresponding iron porphyrins. These findings show rRaman spectroscopy to be exceptionally valuable in the study of chlorin chromophores with Qy enhancement using red or ora...
Fusion and kernel type selection in adaptive image retrieval

In this work we investigate the relationships between features representing images, fusion schemes for these features and kernel types used in an Web-based Adaptive Image Retrieval System. Using the Kernel Rocchio learning method, several kernels having polynomial and Gaussian forms are applied to general images represented by annotations and by color histograms in RGB and HSV color spaces. We propose different fusion schemes, which incorporate kernel selector component(s). We perform experiments to study the relationships between a concatenated vector and several kernel types. Experimental results show that an appropriate kernel could significantly improve the performance of the retrieval system.
Preliminary observations on squirrel monkey (Saimiri oerstedi) vocalizations in Costa Rica.

This study was an initial attempt to analyze quantitatively vocalizations from the Central American squirrel monkey, Saimiri oerstedi. Vocalizations were recorded in the wild at P. N. Corcovado (S. o. oerstedi). and at P. N. Manuel Antonio (S. o. citrinellus). Additional recordings were made from captive individuals of both subspecies. The acoustic structure of analyzed vocalizations resembled most closely the vocal repertoire of South American Saimiri with the "gothic arch" phenotype, in agreement with the prominent gothic arch facial pattern of S. oerstedi. New structural subtypes of the twitter ("dog-tooth twitter") and the chuck ("bent-mast chuck") not previously found in an extensive library of South American Saimiri sound spectrograms were documented. Calls used by older infants when socially separated and when approaching an adult male were essentially identical (sharing typical "isolation peep" structural features) but had significantly different duration and peak frequency. Analysis of recordings from an escaped captive female calling outside her compound over a 3-day period indicated the presence of numerous structural intermediates between typical chuck, twitter, and peep calls.
Concanavalin A-induced agglutination of Acanthamoeba

VIRULENT strains of Acanthamoeba produce cytopathic effects in mammalian tissue cultures1–3, and cause acute meningoencephalitis in laboratory animals after intranasal inoculation1. In humans, Acanthamoeba seem to produce cerebral lesions in defence-weakened individuals4–7. We have begun studies of the cell surface of Acanthamoeba since virulent strains must make direct contact with a host cell before initiation of degenerative changes in mammalian tissue cultures2,3. The sensitivity of avirulent and virulent strains to concanavalin A (con A)-induced agglutination was investigated first as there was no evidence that carbohydrate-containing components were exposed at the cell surface of Acanthamoeba. Our results indicate that both avirulent and virulent Acanthamoeba were sensitive to con A-induced agglutination. In contrast to the results of studies of avirulent and virulent Entamoeba histolytica8, however, the avirulent strain was more sensitive to con A.
Right ventricular targeted gene transfer of a β-adrenergic receptor kinase inhibitor improves ventricular performance after pulmonary artery banding

Abstract Objective Abrupt increases in right ventricular afterload occur after cardiac transplantation and pulmonary artery banding, which can result in right ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation. Right ventricular dysfunction is also accompanied by β-adrenergic receptor desensitization. We sought to determine whether selective right ventricular expression of a transgene encoding a β-adrenergic receptor kinase inhibitor can improve right ventricular remodeling early after pulmonary artery banding. Methods Rabbits underwent pulmonary artery banding 3 days after percutaneous right coronary artery injection of empty adenovirus (n = 19), a control adenovirus containing the β-galactosidase transgene (n = 10), or an adenovirus containing the β-adrenergic receptor kinase inhibitor transgene (n = 14). Sham-operated animals (n = 7) underwent instrumentation without deployment of the pulmonary artery band. Right ventricular function was assessed in each rabbit before and 7 days after pulmonary artery banding. Right ventricular mass and dimensions (surface area and volume) were obtained, and biochemical analysis was performed to confirm transgene expression and to characterize β-adrenergic receptor signaling. Results Right ventricular mass was increased in animals treated with adenovirus containing the β-adrenergic receptor kinase inhibitor transgene, adenovirus containing the β-galactosidase transgene, and empty adenovirus after banding when compared with results in sham-operated animals. However, right ventricular volume and surface area, as measures of dilatation, were significantly lower in pulmonary artery banded rabbits pretreated with adenovirus containing the β-adrenergic receptor kinase inhibitor transgene when compared with those treated with empty adenovirus or adenovirus containing the β-galactosidase transgene. Right ventricular contractility and defective β-adrenergic receptor signaling were significantly enhanced in rabbits expressing the β-adrenergic receptor kinase inhibitor after pulmonary artery banding. Conclusions Right ventricular preconditioning with the β-adrenergic receptor kinase inhibitor transgene can attenuate the early right ventricular dilatation and dysfunction associated with pulmonary artery banding. Thus β-adrenergic receptor kinase inhibition might represent a novel target for limiting ventricular remodeling after increased right ventricular afterload.
Nonlinear Kolmogorov widths

We investigate a generalization of width in the sense of Kolmogorov suitable for estimating bestm-term approximations. We generalize Carl's inequality which gives lower estimate of Kolmogorov widths in terms of entropy numbers. Application of these new inequalities gives some progress in the problem of estimating bestm-term trigonometric approximations of multivariate functions.
Energy-Efficient Allocation of Real-Time Applications onto Single-ISA Heterogeneous Multi-Core Processors

Self-powered systems that interact with the physical world require computing platforms with predictable timing behavior and a low energy demand. Energy consumption can be reduced by choosing energy-efficient designs for both hardware and software components of the platform. We leverage the state-of-the-art in hardware design by adopting Heterogeneous Multi-core Processors with support for Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling and Dynamic Power Management. Through experiments on one such platform, we expose the hardware characteristics that violate assumptions of conventional energy models and propose a revised model suitable for identifying the energy-efficient frequency range. We then address the problem of allocating real-time software components onto heterogeneous cores such that total energy is minimized. Our approach is to start from an analytically justified target load distribution and find a task assignment heuristic that approximates it. Our analysis shows that neither balancing the load nor assigning all load to the "cheapest" core is the best load distribution strategy, unless the cores are extremely alike or extremely different. The optimal load distribution is then formulated as a solution to a convex optimization problem. A heuristic that approximates this load distribution and an alternative method that leverages the solution explicitly are proposed as viable task assignment methods. The proposed methods are compared to state-of-the-art on simulated problem instances and in a case study of a soft-real-time application on an off-the-shelf ARM big.LITTLE heterogeneous processor.
Effect of preoptic region implants of dilute estradiol on the maternal behavior of ovariectomized, nulliparous rats.

Estrogen implanted directly into the medial preoptic region of pregnant Charles River Sprague-Dawley rats hysterectomized and ovariectomized on Day 16 of gestation mimics the effects of systemic estrogen treatment at this time by reducing the latency to respond to foster pups with maternal behavior (Numan, Rosenblatt, and Komisaruk, 1977). The present report describes the pup-directed responses of ovariectomized, nulliparous Zivic-Miller Sprague-Dawley rats that received bilateral medial preoptic implants of either cholesterol (n = 11) or estradiol diluted 1:10 with cholesterol (n = 11). Two days after treatment these animals were housed with three foster pups: their responsivity to pups and quality of nests built were then assessed, at first hourly and then daily. Rats receiving intracranial estradiol required significantly shorter exposures to pups than did cholesterol-treated animals before initiating carrying and grouping of 3 dispersed pups in a maternal nest during a 15-min test. On other measures, however, the groups did not differ (e.g., proportion grouping pups overnight, time required to complete retrieval of pups to the nest, time required to rebuild a disrupted nest). Animals treated with cholesterol and animals with estradiol implants did not differ in uterine weight at the time of sacrifice, suggesting that estrogen did not leak, even from this well-vascularized implant site, into the circulation. Thus, as in the pregnant animal, the facilitating effects of estrogen on maternal behavior can be mediated through the medial preoptic region; however, the effects were evident only when a test requiring retrieval of several pups within an arbitrarily short interval was given.
In vivo characterization of Gd(BME-DTTA), a myocardial MRI contrast agent: Tissue distribution of its MRI intensity enhancement, and its effect on heart function

We have determined an LD50 of 0.56 +/- 0.05 mmol/kg for liposomal Gd(BME-DTTA) in mice and also shown that liposomal Gd(BME-DTTA) has no deleterious effects on heart rate, blood pressure, left ventricular force and AV conductance in ferret hearts in vivo at the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-effective dose of 0.05 mmol/kg body weight. In MRI images, a 1H signal intensity enhancement is observed in the following organs in decreasing order of the effect: heart approximately spleen > kidney > liver. This enhancement is stable for over 3 h in all organs. The results of 1H MRI and electron micrographs indicate that the lipophilic fatty acyl groups in the ligand BME structure and the particle sizes of liposomal Gd(BME-DTTA) are two important factors for tissue specificity of liposomal Gd(BME-DTTA) in the intensity enhancement. In vitro relaxivity of a liposomal Gd(BME-DTTA) sample, stored at 4 degrees C, remained stable for over 4 months of observation, but a significant decrease in relaxivity was observed in a sample stored at room temperature, most likely reflecting some deterioration in liposome chemistry.
Increasing Blunting of Inhibin Responses to Dynamic Ovarian Challenge Is Associated With Reproductive Aging in the Rat

Reproductive aging results in declines in female fertility and in slight declines in baseline serum inhibins in humans. The authors tested the hypothesis that exogenous ovarian stimulation as a noninvasive dynamic test, by amplifying inhibin levels, can define more accurately than baseline serum inhibin levels the ovarian age of female rats. Female rats—young (immature, 26 days old), adult (65-75 days old), and reproductively aged (8- to 9-month-old retired breeders)—were administered pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin to stimulate the ovaries and the serum inhibin A and inhibin B, and ovarian inhibins were measured. The young and adult females had at least a 4- to 10-fold increase in serum inhibin A and inhibin B after ovarian stimulation, but the reproductively aged females did not. Adult female serum inhibin measurements after stimulation at every stage of the estrous cycle revealed a consistent 4- to 5-fold increase in all stages, whereas the reproductively aged females did not. Western blot analyses ...
In vitro activity of almond skin polyphenols for scavenging free radicals and inducing quinone reductase.

Observational studies and clinical trials suggest nut intake, including almonds, is associated with an enhancement in antioxidant defense and a reduction in the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Almond skins are rich in polyphenols (ASP) that may contribute to these putative benefits. To assess their potential mechanisms of action, we tested the in vitro effect of ASP extracted with methanol (M) or a gastrointestinal juice mimic (GI) alone or in combination with vitamins C (VC) or E (VE) (1−10 µmol/L) on scavenging free radicals and inducing quinone reductase (QR). Flavonoid profiles from ASP−M and −GI extracts were different from one another. ASP−GI was more potent in scavenging HOCl and ONOO− radicals than ASP−M. In contrast, ASP−M increased and ASP−GI decreased QR activity in Hepa1c1c7 cells. Adding VC or VE to ASP produced a combination- and dose-dependent action on radical scavenging and QR induction. In comparison to their independent actions, ASP−M plus VC were less potent in scavenging DP...
Cocos plate gravity lineaments due to thermal contraction cracks

[1] Gravity lineaments, narrow strips of stronger gravity, were first observed on the ocean floor in the south central Pacific several decades ago, but scientists still debate their origin. Because the south central Pacific gravity lineaments align with the tectonic plate motion, some scientists have suggested that they were created through small-scale convection cells below the lithosphere that become elongated as the plate moved. Other proposed explanations have included flow of low-viscosity material along the base of the the lithosphere and cracking of the lithosphere due to thermal contraction. Newly recognized gravity lineaments on the Cocos plate, which lies beneath the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central America, could help scientists figure out how such lineaments form. Cormier et al. identified the lineaments using satellite altimetry data. They used gravity, bathymetric, and magnetic data to investigate the physical characteristics of the lineaments and how they changed over time. (Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, doi:10.1029/2011GC003573, 2011)