cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase in safrole-induced, presumptive premalignant mouse hepatocytes

A histochemical procedure was used to determine the presence of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in the livers of control, regenerating and carcinogen-treated mice. Young Balb/c mice were fed safrole, a naturally occurring hepatocarcinogen (0.4% w/w), for one year. Ten mice from control and ten mice from the safrole-treated group were killed at 4, 8, 16, 24, 36, and 52 weeks of exposure and 9 adult mice were killed after 2/3 hepatectomy. Basophilic and acidophilic foci of altered hepatocytes occurred in safrole-treated mice after 24 weeks. Neoplastic nodules appeared after 36 weeks. Both foci and nodules displayed elevated GGT activity as determined by enzyme histochemistry. Variability in the pattern of enzyme distribution and staining intensity was seen between cells of the same focus or nodule, as well as between different foci and nodules. Hepatocytes from regenerating livers of partially hepatectomized mice were negative for GGT. These results demonstrated a sequential development of carcinogen-altered hepatocyte populations characterized by the appearance of GGT activity prior to carcinoma formation. The results in the mouse show marked similarity to those reported in rat liver, where GGT has been used as a positive marker for premalignant liver lesions induced by a variety of carcinogens.
Observed seasonal variations in exospheric effective temperatures

[1] High spectral resolution line profile observations indicate a reproducible semi-annual variation in the geocoronal hydrogen Balmer α effective temperature. These observations were made between 08 January 2000 and 21 November 2001 from Pine Bluff Observatory (WI) with a second generation double etalon Fabry-Perot annular summing spectrometer operating at a resolving power of 80,000. This data set spans sixty-four nights of observations (1404 spectra in total) over 20 dark-moon periods. A two cluster Gaussian model fitting procedure is used to determine Doppler line widths, accounting for fine structure contributions to the line, including those due to cascade; cascade contributions at Balmer α are found to be 5 ± 3%. An observed decrease in effective temperature with increasing shadow altitude is found to be a persistent feature for every night in which a wide range of shadow altitudes were sampled. A semiannual variation is observed in the column exospheric effective temperature with maxima near day numbers 100 and 300 and minima near day numbers 1 and 200. Temperatures ranged from ∼710 to 975 K. Average MSIS model exobase temperatures for similar conditions are approximately 1.5× higher than those derived from the Balmer α observations, a difference likely due to contributions to the observed Balmer α column emission from higher, cooler regions of the exosphere.
Wind-shields for precipitation-gages

The aim of a precipitation-gage is to obtain a sample of the rain or snow that falls on to the ground. Thus, a gage with its orifice flush with the ground would be ideal were it not for the splash from the ground near by, the drifting of snow, or occasional floodings or burying. The splash can be eliminated by surrounding the gage with a sufficiently extensive surface of honeycomb or brush or fine wire-netting; but the drifting of snow and flooding or burying can be only partially controlled, and with difficulty. So, the standard practice is to elevate the orifice of the gage above the splash (one foot) or above most of the drift (three or more feet). But this introduces a new problem: the disturbance of the falling precipitation, especially when snow, by the wind-eddies over the gage.
Characterizing the value of personalizing search

We investigate the diverse goals that people have when they issue the same query to a search engine, and the ability of current search engines to address such diversity. We quantify the potential value of personalizing search results based on this analysis. Great variance was found in the results that different individuals rated as relevant for the same query -- even when the same information goal was expressed. Our analysis suggests that while search engines do a good job of ranking results to maximize global happiness, they do not do a very good job for specific individuals.
Promoter-specific Modulation of Insulin-like Growth Factor II Genomic Imprinting by Inhibitors of DNA Methylation

The insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) gene is maternally imprinted in most normal tissues with only the paternal allele being transcribed. In several human tumors, however, IGF-II is expressed from both parental alleles. To explore the underlying mechanism of IGF-II imprinting, we have examined the effect of DNA demethylation in cultured human and mouse astrocyte cells. An increased expression of IGF-II was observed when these cells were treated with the DNA demethylating agents, 5-azacytidine or 2-deoxy-5-azacytidine. Allelic analysis indicated that, following DNA demethylation, the increment in IGF-II mRNA was primarily derived from the normally suppressed maternal allele. Examination of promoter usage revealed that only the most proximal promoter (mP3 in mouse and hP4 in human) responded to DNA demethylating agents, whereas the expression of IGF-II from the other promoters remained unchanged. The enhanced expression of IGF-II from these promoters suggests the presence of a methylation-response element in or near mP3 and hP4. This study indicates that DNA demethylating agents increase IGF-II expression primarily by stimulating the normally imprinted allele through the activation of the most proximal IGF-II promoter.
Effective vaccination strategies for realistic social networks

Abstract We consider the effectiveness of targeted vaccination at preventing the spread of infectious disease in a realistic social network. We compare vaccination strategies based on no information (random vaccination) to complete information (PageRank) about the network. The most effective strategy we find is to vaccinate those people with the most unvaccinated contacts. However, this strategy requires considerable information and computational effort which may not be practical. The next best strategies vaccinate people with many contacts who in turn have few contacts.
From Network Interface to Multithreaded Web Applications: A Case Study in Modular Program Verification

Many verifications of realistic software systems are monolithic, in the sense that they define single global invariants over complete system state. More modular proof techniques promise to support reuse of component proofs and even reduce the effort required to verify one concrete system, just as modularity simplifies standard software development. This paper reports on one case study applying modular proof techniques in the Coq proof assistant. To our knowledge, it is the first modular verification certifying a system that combines infrastructure with an application of interest to end users. We assume a nonblocking API for managing TCP networking streams, and on top of that we work our way up to certifying multithreaded, database-backed Web applications. Key verified components include a cooperative threading library and an implementation of a domain-specific language for XML processing. We have deployed our case-study system on mobile robots, where it interfaces with off-the-shelf components for sensing, actuation, and control.
Shipscape influence on the leisure cruise experience

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the leisure cruise service environment – the shipscape – and its effects on cruisers' emotions, meaning‐making, and onboard behavior.Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses qualitative data from 260 cruise customers that were mined from archived online discussion boards. Data were analyzed based on grounded theory and interpretive methods to derive an understanding of shipscape meanings and influences from the cruiser's perspective.Findings – The findings extend Bitner's servicescape framework and reveal novel atmospheric and social effects that influence cruise travelers' experience.Research limitations/implications – Given the exploratory research objective and interpretive methodology, generalizability beyond the cruise context is limited. However, research findings suggest not only that ambient shipscape conditions influence cruisers' pleasure, but also that ship layout, decor, size, facilities, and social factors influence the meanings cruisers ...
Geography and the Immigrant Division of Labor

AbstractImmigrants concentrate in particular lines of work. Most investigations of such employment niching have accented either the demand for labor in a limited set of mostly low-wage industries or the efficiency of immigrant networks in supplying that labor; space has taken a backseat or has been ignored. In contrast, this article?s account of immigrant employment niching modulates insights built on social network theories with understandings derived from relative location. We do so by altering the thinking about employment niches as being metropolitan wide to considering them as local phenomena. Specifically, the analysis examines the intraurban variation in niching by Mexican, Salvadoran, Chinese, and Vietnamese men and women in four industries in Los Angeles. Niching is uneven; in some parts of the metropolitan area, these groups niche at high rates in these industries, whereas in others, there is no unusual concentration. We show how a group?s propensity to niche in an industry is generally higher when the industry is located close to the group?s residential neighborhoods and demonstrate the ways in which the proximity of competing groups dampens this geographic advantage. The study speaks to debates on immigrant niching and connects with research on minority access to employment and accounts of the agglomeration of firms. More generally, it links the geographies of home and work in a new way, relating patterns of immigrant residential segregation to those of immigrant employment niches.
Cluster analysis in community research: Epistemology and practice.

Cluster analysis refers to a family of methods for identifying cases with distinctive characteristics in heterogeneous samples and combining them into homogeneous groups. This approach provides a great deal of information about the types of cases and the distributions of variables in a sample. This paper considers cluster analysis as a quantitative complement to the traditional linear statistics that often characterize community psychology research. Cluster analysis emphasizes diversity rather than central tendency. This makes it a valuable tool for a wide range of familiar problems in community research. A number of these applications are considered here, including the assessment of change over time, network composition, network density, person-setting relationships, and community diversity. A User's Guide section is included, which outlines the major decisions involved in a basic cluster analyses. Despite difficulties associated with the identification of optimal cluster solutions, carefully planned, theoretically informed application of cluster analysis has much to offer community researchers.
Thermoregulation in male western cicada killers (Sphecius grandis Say) in the Chihuahuan desert

Abstract (1) Male western cicada killers ( Sphecius grandis ) had elevated, apparently regulated, thorax temperatures during territorial patrolling. (2) Abdomen temperature increased steeply with increasing ambient temperature, approaching thorax temperature when ambient temperature exceeded 35 °C. (3) Both indirect evidence and heating experiments demonstrated the apparent ability to shunt heat from thorax to abdomen. (4) Dead, dry wasps reached lethal temperatures when placed in full sunlight on the bare ground, and substantially lower temperatures on plants. (5) The percentage of males perching was extremely low, occurring primarily during early morning hours. Most perching occurred on plants, and very little on the ground. (6) In contrast to what has been reported for eastern cicada killers ( Sphecius speciosus ), S. grandis males did not appear to use sophisticated behaviors to regulate body temperature during territorial defense, relying primarily on physiological mechanisms. (7) This strategy may be more appropriate for S. grandis in the hotter, drier environment of the lowland Chihuahuan desert.
Effect of uniformity of fluidization on catalytic cracking of cumene

The effect of uniformity of fluidization on the catalytic cracking of cumene, with a silicaalumina catalyst, was studied in a 3-in.–diameter reactor operated at 800°F. Superficial gas velocities were varied from 0.06 to 0.24 ft./sec. for bed heights of 1.5, 3, 5, and 8 in. The percentage conversion in a fluidized bed was found to be lower than in a fixed bed and to be dependent on the type of catalyst support used. A porous plate support was up to 30% more efficient than a screen support, which is attributed to its better gas-distribution characteristics and to its ability to introduce the discontinuous phase as smaller gas bubbles. Indications are that the first few inches of bed are very effective in bringing in contact the continuous and discontinuous phase, and therefore most of the conversion due to the interaction of the two phases takes place here. This can be explained in terms of the rapid growth of gas bubbles as they proceed through the bed.
Separation of polypeptides bound by albumin in human plasma.

THE role of plasma albumin in maintaining oncotic pressure is generally known, but its significance as a potent binder of other substances is little appreciated. In addition to binding and transporting materials such as steroids, bilirubin, fatty acids, hormones, and dyes1, albumin may similarly distribute many biologically important polypeptides. Therefore, the hypoalbuminaemia of certain disease states, including uraemia, hepatic failure, and chronic infection, may be associated with diminished transport of polypeptides to their sites of action and detoxification.
Mössbauer Studies of the Formation and Reactivity of a Quasi-Stable Peroxo Intermediate of Stearoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Δ9-Desaturase†

Stearoyl-ACP Δ9-desaturase (Δ9D) is a diiron enzyme that catalyzes 18:0-ACP desaturation. Each subunit of homodimeric resting Δ9D contains a diferric cluster, while chemical reduction by 4e- produces a diferrous cluster in each subunit. Reaction of 4e--reduced Δ9D with 18:0-ACP and O2 yields a blue chromophore (λmax ∼ 700 nm) that exhibits a vibrational spectrum indicative of a μ-1,2-peroxo complex; this species has been designated peroxoΔ9D. In contrast to other enzymic peroxodiiron intermediates, peroxoΔ9D is long-lived (t1/2 ∼ 30 min at 25 °C) and decays via an oxidase reaction without formation of either H2O2 or product (18:1-ACP). In this work, optical, transient kinetic, and Mossbauer techniques have been used to further investigate the origin and nature of this unusual peroxodiiron complex. Rapid mixing of 4e- Δ9D with O2-equilibrated 18:0-ACP produced peroxoΔ9D as revealed by a temperature-dependent, pseudo-first-order absorption increase at 700 nm (k = 46 s-1 at 6 °C). The Mossbauer spectrum of p...
Conflict inflation, distribution, cyclical accumulation and crises

Abstract This paper develops a model of inflation, distribution and accumulation. The theory of inflation is a conflict theory in which inflation results from the conflicting claims on income made by workers and firms, claims which are affected by the relative bargaining power of the two groups. This bargaining power affects the distribution of income, and therefore the pattern of accumulation in the economy, which in turn affects how the bargaining power of different groups changes over time. The model shows how the economy can experience cyclical growth, alternating between periods of excess capacity and full capacity utilization, and comments on the possibility, and implications, of deep slumps from which recovery is difficult.
Stability of visible luminescence from porous silicon

The stability of the luminescence from porous Si has been improved by rapid thermal oxidation. As‐prepared and oxidized samples have been compared by cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence. Electron beam excitation resulted in rapid decay of the porous Si emission from as‐prepared samples. Photoluminescence measurements from as‐prepared samples in oxygen showed a similar degradation. In contrast, the rapid thermal oxidized samples showed a dramatic improvement in stability under either electron beam or photoexcitation.
Do coupon expiration dates affect consumer behavior

Expiration dates are used by couponers to limit their financial liability temporally. Traditional wisdom assumes that coupon redemptions are greatest in the period immediately following the coupon ...
The National Woman's Party and the Origins of the Equal Rights Amendment, 1920–1923

(1980). The National Woman’s Party and the Origins of the Equal Rights Amendment, 1920–1923. The Historian: Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 557-582.
Interaction of vortices in a fluid on the surface of a rotating sphere

The interaction of 3 point vortices, initially situated on the same circle of latitude on the surface of a rotating sphere, is studied under the assumption that the deviation in latitude is small. A linear stability analysis of the equilibrium motion is performed. The purpose of this work is to simulate and understand the motion of anticyclones and cyclones in the atmosphere: the results may help explain observed phenomena. Under certain boundary conditions a linear analysis shows that a ring of sub-tropical anticyclones is stable, however a ring of cyclones would be unstable. This result is due to the variation of Coriolis force with latitude over the surface of a sphere. The “?-plane” effect induces a rotation of a ring of anticyclones, but opposing the direction of rotation of a ring of cyclones. Unless the strength of the cyclonic vorticity is very strong, this effect causes instability in the system of cyclones. The arguments show that in the atmosphere an anticyclone system can exist at subtropical latitudes, whereas cyclonic vorticity will be confined to the polar regions. These results agree with the observed distribution of the major high and low pressure systems in the earth's atmosphere. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1975.tb01650.x
Part-Per-Trillion Level Detection of Microcystin-LR Using a Periodic Nanostructure

Accelerated eutrophication of surface water sources has resulted in an increased presence of cyanobacterial blooms in fresh water. The release of hepatotoxins like microcystins from such blooms can have a catastrophic impact on local human and wildlife ecosystems. Therefore, a rapid, low-cost, reliable, and highly sensitive method for low-concentration detection of microcystins is needed to minimize risks to public health. In this paper, we report the first experimental demonstration of microcystin-leucine-arginine (MC-LR) detection in water at low part-per-trillion levels using a portable optical sensor. The demonstrated biosensor utilizes a highly sensitive electromagnetic surface wave in periodically coupled artificial nanostructures to directly probe the interaction between immobilized antibodies and MC-LR. The surface customization reported here uses a layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte adsorption process to provide highly stable and site-directed immobilization of target antibodies. Steady-state analysis of the sensor's response confirms that the plasmonic sensor can detect the presence of MC-LR antigens at part-per-trillion levels. The demonstrated sensor is an important first step toward realizing a lab-on-a-chip sensing system for in situ, autonomous, real-time, distributed environmental monitoring of MC levels in drinking water.
Cytologic appearance of a keloidal fibrosarcoma in a dog

A 5-year-old neutered male, mixed-breed dog was presented with a single 4-mm, nodular, firm, haired subcutaneous mass on the left flank that had been present for approximately 2 weeks. Cytologic preparations of the mass revealed many spindle cells, few mast cells, rare eosinophils, rare macrophages, abundant hyalinized collagen, and moderate numbers of erythrocytes. The spindle cells were oval to fusiform, with oval nuclei, finely stippled to lacy chromatin, 1-5 variably sized prominent nucleoli, and moderate to abundant cytoplasm with indistinct cell borders, wispy cytoplasmic extensions, and occasionally, fine magenta granulation. The cell population exhibited moderate anisocytosis, moderate anisokaryosis, and rare binucleation. The eosinophilic material occurred both in large angular aggregates with blunt ends and in amorphous aggregates with fine wispy projections. Histologic findings were consistent with a keloidal fibrosarcoma. To the authors' knowledge, this report is the first to describe the cytomorphologic characteristics of a keloidal fibrosarcoma in a dog.
Cluster analysis of fMRI data using dendrogram sharpening

The major disadvantage of hierarchical clustering in fMRI data analysis is that an appropriate clustering threshold needs to be specified. Upon grouping data into a hierarchical tree, clusters are identified either by specifying their number or by choosing an appropriate inconsistency coefficient. Since the number of clusters present in the data is not known beforehand, even a slight variation of the inconsistency coefficient can significantly affect the results. To address these limitations, the dendrogram sharpening method, combined with a hierarchical clustering algorithm, is used in this work to identify modality regions, which are, in essence, areas of activation in the human brain during an fMRI experiment. The objective of the algorithm is to remove data from the low-density regions in order to obtain a clearer representation of the data structure. Once cluster cores are identified, the classification algorithm is run on voxels, set aside during sharpening, attempting to reassign them to the detected groups. When applied to a paced motor paradigm, task-related activations in the motor cortex are detected. In order to evaluate the performance of the algorithm, the obtained clusters are compared to standard activation maps where the expected hemodynamic response function is specified as a regressor. The obtained patterns of both methods have a high concordance (correlation coefficient = 0.91). Furthermore, the dependence of the clustering results on the sharpening parameters is investigated and recommendations on the appropriate choice of these variables are offered. Hum. Brain Mapping 20:201–219, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
CMOS RF Integrated Circuits: Past, Present and Future (Invited)

CMOS RF ICs continue their transition from academic curiosities to practical devices. Recent milestones at the device- and building block-level include: Noise figures for single-ended LNAs of ~ldB in the low-GHz range; fully integrated oscillators with phase noise compliant with GSM specifications at under lOmW power consumption; 5GHz injection-locked frequency dividers with sub-mW power consumption and large (~30%) tuning range; MOSFET ring mixers with over lOdBm 11P3 and "zero" power consumption; shielded spiral and helical inductors with improved Q; accumulation-mode MOS varactors with Q-frequency products in excess of 100-200GHz and tuning ratios approaching 2:1; fixed lateral flux capacitors with still higher Q-f products; coplanar transmission lines with <0.3dB/mm attenuation at 50GHz; microwave-compatible ESD structures; and constant-gm biasing for process independence. These advances have combined to enable a single-chip GPS receiver in 0.5?m to exhibit 2.8dB overall NF, 57dB SFDR at 115mW, and a 5GHz HIPERLAN receiver to exhibit 5dB NF at <45mW using a 0.25?m technology. Scaling forces that are already firmly in place will continue to drive still greater improvements in performance.
Diagnostics of eosinophilic esophagitis: Clinical, endoscopic, and histologic pitfalls

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is currently defined as an immune-mediated chronic esophageal disorder that is diagnosed using both clinical and pathologic information. A series of consensus diagnostic guidelines for EoE have brought a measure of consistency to the field, but in practice the diagnosis of EoE can be challenging. Typical clinical symptoms of EoE, including dysphagia, heartburn, and chest pain, can overlap with gastroesophageal reflux disease, which itself is a common indication for performing endoscopic evaluation. The endoscopic findings of EoE, such as esophageal rings, strictures, linear furrows, and white exudates, are not specific. Esophageal eosinophilia, the histologic hallmark of EoE, is also not pathognomonic and can be seen in a range of conditions. Further complicating the diagnosis of EoE is the newly recognized entity of proton pump inhibitor-responsive esophageal eosinophilia, a condition that must be excluded prior to confirming a diagnosis of EoE. This paper will review the current diagnostic criteria for EoE and discuss multiple clinical, endoscopic, and histologic pitfalls in making the diagnosis of EoE.
Organization of giant interneuron projections in thoracic ganglia of the cockroach Periplaneta americana

We have investigated the structural organization of the wind-sensitive giant interneurons in the thoracic ganglia of adult American cockroaches. These seven bilaterally paired interneurons have long been thought to play a role in directing the wind-elicited escape response of the animal. Each of the giant interneurons was labeled individually by intracellular injection of cobaltic hexamine chloride. An individual giant interneuron could be reliably identified from animal to animal based on its branching pattern in thoracic ganglia. The axons of the giant interneurons are situated on each side of the nerve cord in two recognizable subgroups. Comparisons of the axonal arbors of the dorsal and ventral subgroups showed that they project into distinct but partly overlapping regions of thoracic ganglia. Three of the giant interneurons were found to have axonal arbors that cross the longitudinal midline of thoracic and abdominal ganglia. Bilateral pairs of these giant interneurons were labeled concomitantly, and many of the individual neurites from these cells appeared to be closely apposed. All these morphological characteristics are discussed in relation to the connectivity and functional significance of the giant interneurons.
Reversal of Blindness in Animal Models of Leber Congenital Amaurosis Using Optimized AAV2-mediated Gene Transfer

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of an optimized adeno-associated virus (AAV; AAV2.RPE65) in animal models of the RPE65 form of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Protein expression was optimized by addition of a modified Kozak sequence at the translational start site of hRPE65. Modifications in AAV production and delivery included use of a long stuffer sequence to prevent reverse packaging from the AAV inverted-terminal repeats, and co-injection with a surfactant. The latter allows consistent and predictable delivery of a given dose of vector. We observed improved electroretinograms (ERGs) and visual acuity in Rpe65 mutant mice. This has not been reported previously using AAV2 vectors. Subretinal delivery of 8.25 × 1010 vector genomes in affected dogs was well tolerated both locally and systemically, and treated animals showed improved visual behavior and pupillary responses, and reduced nystagmus within 2 weeks of injection. ERG responses confirmed the reversal of visual deficit. Immunohistochemistry confirmed transduction of retinal pigment epithelium cells and there was minimal toxicity to the retina as judged by histopathologic analysis. The data demonstrate that AAV2.RPE65 delivers the RPE65 transgene efficiently and quickly to the appropriate target cells in vivo in animal models. This vector holds great promise for treatment of LCA due to RPE65 mutations.
Broadside-Coupled Strips in a Layered Dielectric Medium

Coupling coefficient, odd- and even-mode impedances, and the mode phase velocities are calculated for a pair of broadside-coupled strips embedded in a layered dielectric medium and enclosed by a rectangular shield. Large ratios of mode phase velocities can be achieved with this structure leading to novel performance characteristics for familiar coupled-line configurations such as the microwave C section.
Left Ventricular Functions in Children with Chronic Pulmonary Diseases

We evaluated left ventricular (LV) functions in 32 patients with chronic pulmonary diseases (CPDs) and compared them to 16 healthy controls. Echocardiographic assessment of both systolic and diastolic parameters of LV was performed for all patients and controls. LV systolic functions were found to be preserved in mild states, but with evident hypoxia the aortic acceleration and deceleration times decreased. LV diastolic functions were impaired in cases with pulmonary hypertension as reflected by a decreased ratio of peak flow velocity of early filling to peak flow velocity of late filling.
Oligodeoxyribonucleotide length and sequence effects on intermolecular purine—purine—pyrimidine triple-helix formation

Abstract The binding of guanosine/thymidine-rich oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing various deletions, extensions, and point mutations to polypurine DNA targets was investigated by DNase I footprinting. Intermolecular purine-purine-pyrimidine triple-helical DNA formation was best achieved using oligonucleotides 12 nucleotides in length. Longer oligonucleotides were slightly weaker in binding affinity, whereas shorter oligonucleotides were considerably weaker. Oligonucleotide extensions had a slight effect on triplex formation, while single point mutations located near the oligonucleotide ends had a greater effect. In the cases of extensions and point mutations, changes to the 3' end of the oligonucleotide had a consistently greater effect on triplex formation than changes to the 5' end. Such differences in triplex-forming ability were not caused by an intrinsic property of these oligonucleotides, since the same point mutated oligonucleotides could bind with high affinity to duplex DNAs containing complementary sites. Taken together, our data suggest that there may be an asymmetry involved in the process of purine-motif triplex formation, with interactions between the 3' end of the oligonucleotide and complementary sequences on the target duplex DNA being dominant.
A unified loop transfer recovery approach to robust control using H ∞ optimization methods

When loop transfer recovery (LTR) is considered to be a special case of sensitivity shaping, various design methods emerge, some of which relax the requirement that the estimator be unbiased. Each of these methods emphasizes a certain frequency range in the recovery process, hence providing the designer with more options for sensitivity shaping. In this paper various properties of these methods are analyzed. It is shown that the methods can be reformulated in order to make use of recent results in H∞ optimization. Hence, although the recovery problem is formulated in the intuitively appealing frequency domain, the computations are carried out in the computationally robust time domain. As the H∞ cost is allowed to approach infinity, the design procedure converges to the LQG/LTR procedure. In fact, many published optimization approaches to LTR can be shown to be special cases of the general methodology of this paper. The relationships between the quality of the full state feedback, nonminimum-phase zero location and direction, and the amount of recovery achievable with these methods are also analyzed. The design procedure can also be used to reduce sensitivity to parameter uncertainties. This allows one to trade off the sensitivity to structured and unstructured uncertainties within the same framework.
Krakatau revisited: The course of events and interpretation of the 1883 eruption

Magma chamber over-pressuring by volatile saturation and/or a magma mixing event may have triggered the 1883 eruption of Krakatau. From the beginning of activity on 20 May to the onset of the 22–24 hour-long climactic phase on 26–27 August, Krakatau produced a discontinuous series of vulcanian to sub-plinian eruptions. Based on contemporary descriptions, the intensity of these phases may previously have been underestimated. The most realistic estimate of eruptive volume (magnitude) is about 10 km3 of dacitic magma. The climax of the eruption began at 1:00 pm on 26 August with a plinian phase which led into a 5-hour-long ignimbrite-producing phase. Caldera collapse most probably occurred near the end of the eruption on 27 August, precluding large scale magma-seawater interaction as a major influence on the eruption column and characteristics of the pyroclastic deposits. Very rapid displacement of the sea by pyroclastic flows remains the best explanation for the series of catastrophic sea waves that devastated the shores of the Sunda Straits, with the last and largest tsunami coinciding with the slumping of half of Rakata cone into the actively forming caldera, perhaps during a period of great pyroclastic flow production. The large audible explosions recorded on 27 August may have been the rapid ejection of large pulses of magma that collapsed to form pyroclastic flows in the ignimbrite-forming phase. Co-ignimbrite ash columns rising in the atmosphere immediately after the generation of each major pyroclastic flow may have contributed to the magnitude of the air waves. A reappraisal of the eruption in the light of this, in conjunction with the pressure (air wave) and tide gauge (tsunami) records from Jakarta, suggests that the relationship between the latter two has been oversimplified in previous studies. Tsunami travel times from Krakatau to Jakarta probably varied more than hitherto thought and there need not be a simple correlation between the times of the explosions and the initiation of the tsunamis. However, tsunamis in the Sunda Straits and vicinity probably were not caused or influenced by coupling with the air waves. Various hypotheses about the cause of the tsunamis and explosions are reviewed and it is concluded that the cause of both is most likely related to the sudden emission of large pulses of magma that led to formation of the Krakatau ignimbrite.
New and emerging treatments for osteoporosis.

Purpose of review This review will focus on three new treatments for postmenopausal osteoporosis which have either been recently released (intravenous ibandronate), or have completed (zoledronic acid) or are currently in (denosumab) phase III trials. Recent findings A number of agents have demonstrated fracture risk reduction in randomized clinical trials, however, successful treatment of osteoporosis in the individual patient remains a challenge. Adherence to, and persistence with, all current osteoporosis medications are poor, being approximately 50% at 1 year for weekly bisphosphonates. Poor adherence to therapy makes it unlikely that the significant fracture reduction seen in clinical trials will be realized in clinical practice. Summary New therapies will not only have to demonstrate safety and efficacy, but also provide some advantage to patient persistence through either less frequent dosing schedules or elimination of gastrointestinal disturbances, the most common adverse effects encountered with bisphosphonates. This review will focus on three such agents that have either been recently released (intravenous ibandronate), or have completed (zoledronic acid) or are currently in (denosumab) phase III trials.
Analysis of the Effects of Interior Aperture Angle on Print Quality in Solder Paste Stenciling

Stencil apertures of various interior angle, i.e. angle between two sides of a polygon, are analyzed for print performance. Aperture size and sidewall taper are also examined for their individual and combined effects on printing. The results show no effect of interior angle within the bounds of the experiment. Sidewall taper becomes relevant when aperture geometry is nearly square.
Rethinking the Principles of Bank Regulation: A Review of Admati and Hellwig's The Bankers' New Clothes

In an important new book, Anat Admati and Martin Hellwig raise broad critical questions about bank regulation. These questions are reviewed and discussed here, with a focus on how the problems of maintaining a stable financial system depend on fundamental problems of information and incentives in financial intermediation. It is argued that financial regulatory reforms can be reliably effective only when their basic principles are understood by informed citizens, and that Admati and Hellwig's book is a major contribution toward this goal, as it clearly lays out the essential case for requiring banks to have more equity.
Structure of Soluble Silicates

Small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) is the technique of choice for the determination of structure on the 10–1000A scale. We have used this technique to study the growth and topology of the macromolecules which precede gelation in several chemical systems used in sol-gel glass technology. The results show that branched polymers, as opposed to colloids, are formed. The alcoholic silica system is akin to organic systems where gelation occurs through growth and crosslinking of chain molecules. Data are reported from both the Porod and Guinier regions of the SAXS curve and these data are interpreted in terms of geometrical structures predicted by various disorderly growth processes. The results indicate that the degree of crosslinking can be controlled by catalytic conditions. The degree of crosslinking may, in turn, control phase separation and processability to a dense glass.
Deciphering the Subunit Stoichiometry and Structural Assembly of Bacterial ABC Transporter

The ATP-binding-cassette (ABC) transporters are protein nanomachines associated with membranes and common to all living cells. ABC transporters utilize the energy of ATP hydrolysis to transport a variety of solutes across the membrane. Wzm (the transmembrane component) and Wzt (the nucleotide binding component) proteins constitute an ABC transporter that translocates the endotoxic polysaccharides through the inner membrane of the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To gain insights into the subunit stoichiometry and structural assembly of this ABC transporter, we reconstituted the ABC transporter in CHO cell lines. We expressed Wzm and Wzt proteins fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP2) or its variant, yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). The three-dimensional cellular localization of the expressed ABC components were constructed by stacking images of different sections of the cells utilizing a newly developed and spectrally-resolved two-photon microscope. We next used Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) to obtain a quantitative understanding of the interaction between the ABC components by calculating the apparent FRET efficiencies for single pixels. When Wzm-GFP2 and Wzm-YFP were co-expressed, our FRET analysis indicated that Wzm self-associates within the cell membrane as an oligomer. This correlates with our biochemical characterization of membrane-extracted Wzm. When Wzt-GFP2 and Wzm-YFP were co-expressed, our FRET analysis indicated that Wzm and Wzt interact at the inner membrane surface. This correlates with our in vitro studies that show Wzm and Wzt interact with each other. The distribution of FRET efficiencies were compared when Wzt-GFP2 and Wzm-YFP or Wzt-YFP and Wzm-GFP2 were co-expressed to study the stoichiometry of Wzm and Wzt in the ABC transporter. The combination of FRET analysis and biochemical approaches will lead to a comprehensive investigation of the structural assembly and subunit composition of this ABC transporter and ultimately other transporters.
Acute morbidity and labor outcomes in Mexico: Testing the role of labor contracts as an income smoothing mechanism

Abstract Economic development is associated with an increase in the share of workers in salaried jobs. This process may be accompanied by a reduction in wage fluctuations if labor contracts are used as income smoothing mechanisms. This paper tests to what extent salaried jobs help reduce the volatility of wages by insuring workers against productivity shocks. Analysis of MxFLS data indicates that the average contractual arrangement in Mexico insures the worker against idiosyncratic productivity fluctuations associated with episodes of illness. The evidence is stronger for workers in formal jobs. To validate the methodology, the test is also implemented on a sample of self-employed workers. In this case, it correctly rejects the presence of insurance against productivity shocks.
Modulating Dipoles for Structure−Function Correlations in the Gramicidin A Channel†

Dipoles of the tryptophan indole side chains have a direct impact on ion conductance in the gramicidin channel. Here, fluorination of the indoles (both 5- and 6-fluoro) is used to manipulate both the orientations and the magnitudes of the dipoles. The orientations and positions with respect to the channel axis were determined using (2)H solid state NMR of uniformly aligned lipid bilayer preparations. By exchange of the remaining four protons in the indole ring for deuterium, comparison could be made to d(5)-indole spectra that have previously been recorded for each of the four indoles of gramicidin A. After making the assignments which were aided by the observation of (19)F-(2)H dipolar interactions, we found that fluorination caused only minor changes in side chain conformation. With the high-resolution structural characterization of the fluorinated indoles in position 11, 13, and 15, the electrostatic interactions with a cation at the channel and bilayer center can be predicted and the influence of the modified dipoles on ion conductance estimated. The importance of the long-range electrostatic interaction was recently documented with the observation of alpha-helical dipoles oriented toward the bilayer center on the ion conductance pathway for the Streptomyces K(+) channel. We present direct measurements of the orientation of gramicidin channel F-Trp positions for use in analysis of dipole effects on channel permeation.
Basil architecture - an hll minicomputer

During the past several years a computer-aided design system (the Logic Machine) has been under development in our laboratory. Briefly, the Logic Machine consists of a microprogrammable control processor, one or more functional units, one or more bidirectional buses, and a microprogram all arranged to perform a specific digital algorithm. Our major goal has been to be able to construct any digital device with this system. We have been able to build a graphics display terminal (1), a floating point processor (2), string/array auxiliary processor (3), and a minicomputer (4). It has amazed us to see how simple and fruitful it has been to construct these devices. In this paper we describe the use of the Logic Machine design system to build still another digital device, a high-level language minicomputer. The motivation for this effort is probably obvious to all hardware designers; software is the most expensive part of a computer system and a high-level language computer will significantly reduce software costs. Not so obvious is the task simplification at the systems programming level, enabling a programmer to quickly review his work, decide on additions or corrections, and expand a program or system. These benefits reduce the layers of logic and, we are convinced, will enable much more sophisticated software systems to be built.
Modular Implementation of a Hybrid DSMC-NS Algorithm for Hypersonic Non-Equilibrium Flows

The implementation of a modular particle-continuum (MPC) numerical method is presented which solves the Navier-Stokes (NS) equations in regions of near-equilibrium and uses the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method where the flow is in non-equilibrium. A mesh refinement procedure is described which allows the NS equations to be solved on a relatively coarse mesh using large implicit time-steps while the DSMC method is used in localized regions on a refined mesh. The MPC method accommodates a novel modular implementation which combines existing, state-of-the-art, DSMC and NS source codes, virtually un-modified, into a single modular code. Hypersonic flow over a 2D cylinder at various Mach numbers is simulated using DSMC, NS, and MPC methods and results are compared for accuracy. Added mesh refinement capability increases the efficiency of the MPC method which is able to reproduce DSMC flow field results for simple transitional flows up to 3 times faster while requiring half the memory. When applied to a mainly continuum flow, the MPC method reproduces non-equilibrium DSMC results in the near-wake region approximately 10 times faster than full DSMC simulation while using only 8% of the memory.
A Simple General Equilibrium Version of the Baumol-Tobin Model

This paper presents a simple general equilibrium model that includes optimizing choices of the frequency of trips to the bank. The model is used to analyze the effect of inflation on the capital stock, the interest elasticity of money demand, the optimum quantity of money, and the welfare costs of inflationary finance.
HISTOLOGY OF THE ANTERIOR HYPOPHYSIS, THYROID AND GONADS OF TWO TYPES OF DWARF MICE.

The histology of the anterior hypophysis, thyroid and gonads of dwarf (dw) and Ames dwarf (df) mutants of Mus musculus was compared. Orange G, aldehyde fuchsin and PAS stains were used to differentiate cells of the hypophysis. In both types of dwarf the anterior hypophysis was small, acidophils were lacking and the number of thyrotropic hormone producing cells was reduced. The thyroids were reduced in size, the follicles were small and some tissue was not organized into follicles. Testes were nearly normal. Ovaries were small and large follicles and corpora lutea were lacking. Growth hormone (STH) and thyrotropic hormone (TSH) were administered to both types of dwarfs. The treatment had no effect on the anterior hypophysis but number and size of follicles in the thyroid was increased The response was greater in df dwarfs; STH and TSH had more effect than STH alone. Testes of treated mice were only slightly changed but most of the df and some dw males became fertile. The ovaries became large and functional. Thyroids of dwarfs treated with thyroxine were not changed. It is concluded that the primary hormone deficiencies in both types of dwarf are the same, but that there are physiological differences as revealed by responses to STH and TSH treatment.
Controlled assembly of large π-conjugated aromatic thiols on Au(111)

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of large ?-conjugated aromatic thiols, 1-mercaptopyrene (MP), 6-mercaptobenzo[a]pyrene (MBP), and 1-(11-mercaptoundecyl)pyrene (MUP), prepared on Au(111) substrate at different temperatures were investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. At room temperature, only MP and MBP molecules formed well-ordered SAMs with and () Rect symmetry, respectively. In contrast, MUP molecules were adsorbed randomly on the surface. At elevated temperatures, all three molecules produce well-ordered SAMs. At 343?K, the structure of MBP remains unchanged, while MP and MUP molecules undergo thermally induced rearrangement to form a () Rect symmetry due to improved ordering and denser packing. The results from the systematic study of controlled self-assembly of a series of pyrene-based thiols provide insights on the molecular structure-dependent and temperature-dependent organization of large ?-conjugated aromatic thiols to obtain ordered SAMs.