cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Definition of the Interaction Domain for Cytochrome con Cytochrome c Oxidase II. RAPID KINETIC ANALYSIS OF ELECTRON TRANSFER FROM CYTOCHROMEc TO RHODOBACTER SPHAEROIDES CYTOCHROME OXIDASE SURFACE MUTANTS

The reaction between cytochrome c(Cc) and Rhodobacter sphaeroides cytochrome coxidase (CcO) was studied using a cytochrome c derivative labeled with ruthenium trisbipyridine at lysine 55 (Ru-55-Cc). Flash photolysis of a 1:1 complex between Ru-55-Cc and CcO at low ionic strength results in electron transfer from photoreduced heme c to CuA with an intracomplex rate constant ofk a = 4 × 104 s−1, followed by electron transfer from CuA to heme a with a rate constant of k b = 9 × 104s−1. The effects of CcO surface mutations on the kinetics follow the order D214N > E157Q > E148Q > D195N > D151N/E152Q ≈ D188N/E189Q ≈ wild type, indicating that the acidic residues Asp214, Glu157, Glu148, and Asp195 on subunit II interact electrostatically with the lysines surrounding the heme crevice of Cc. Mutating the highly conserved tryptophan residue, Trp143, to Phe or Ala decreased the intracomplex electron transfer rate constant k a by 450- and 1200-fold, respectively, without affecting the dissociation constant K D . It therefore appears that the indole ring of Trp143 mediates electron transfer from the heme group of Cc to CuA. These results are consistent with steady-state kinetic results (Zhen, Y., Hoganson, C. W., Babcock, G. T., and Ferguson-Miller, S. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 38032–38041) and a computational docking analysis (Roberts, V. A., and Pique, M. E. (1999) J. Biol. Chem.274, 38051–38060).
Impedance Analysis of Dielectric Nanoparticles Enabled via a Self-Assembled Monolayer

Impedance spectroscopy has been shown to be a powerful tool to investigate the dielectric characteristics of powders suspended in suitable liquids. The electrical and dielectrical contributions of different components of the slurry can be extracted from the impedance spectra through measurement of frequency-dependent relaxations. However, for ferroelectric powders that possess innate surface conductivity, such as BaTiO3, nanoparticles have sufficient conductivity to exclude low-frequency fields that preclude impedance characterization of the particle core. In this work, the slurry technique is shown to be effective for dielectric characterization of not only micrometer-sized particles through equivalent circuit modeling but also applicable to nanometer size dielectric particles upon remediating the conductive surface defect. Application of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) onto the nanoparticle as a surface passivation layer reduces the surface conductivity, stabilizes the nanoparticles to dissolution, and allows a reproducible measurement and modeling of the nanoparticle dielectric characteristics including nanoparticle permittivity. The dielectric permittivity of surface passivated, ~40 nm diameter barium titanate particles was measured to be er ~ 135.
Enabling back propagation training of memristor crossbar neuromorphic processors

Recent studies have shown that memristor crossbar based neuromorphic hardware enables high performance implementations of neural networks at low power and in low chip area. This paper presents circuits to train a cascaded set of memristor crossbars representing a multi-layered neural network. The circuits presented implement back-propagation training and would enable on-chip training of memristor crossbars. On-chip training of memristor crossbars can be necessary to overcome the effect of device variability and alternate current paths within crossbars being used as neural networks. We model the memristor crossbars in SPICE in order capture alternate current paths and the impact of wire resistance. Our design can be scaled to multiple neural layers and multiple output neurons. We demonstrate the training of up to three layered neural networks evaluating non-linearly separable functions through detailed SPICE simulations. This is the first study in the literature we have seen that examines the implementation of back-propagation based training of memristor crossbar circuits. The impact of this work would be to enable the design of highly energy efficient and compact neuromorphic processing systems that can be trained to implement large deep networks (such as deep belief networks).
Is Behaviorism Becoming a Pseudoscience? Replies to Drs. Wyatt, Midkiff and Wong

Wyatt and Midkiff (2006a) and Wong (2006a) argued that the eclipse of token economy treatment for schizophrenia was due not to scientific judgments but to the biological politics of the mental health field. I argued that the treatment’s fate was due to its own limitations, particularly the failure of effects to generalize adequately to natural environments given deinstitutionalization (Wakefield, 2006). Wyatt and Midkiff (2006b) and Wong (2006b) vigorously disputed my claim. In this reply, I analyze their responses regarding generalization, and their arguments for behavioral etiology. I conclude that we all agree that such treatments were not shown to adequately generalize, providing a scientific reason for the treatment’s fate. I also find their etiological arguments unsound. Even-handed attention to evidence, recognition of behaviorism’s limits and strengths, and an integrative approach are essential if behaviorism is not to veer toward pseudoscience.
Splicing fidelity revisited.

Since the discovery of Prp16, a spliceosomal ATPase that alters the fidelity of splicing, many other ATPases associated with the spliceosome have been postulated to work similarly. The finding that Prp22, a DEAH-box ATPase, functions as a fidelity factor for the second step of splicing supports this hypothesis.
On the iTRAQ of kinase inhibitors.

Cellular targets of kinase inhibitors are identified by mass spectrometric analysis of binding to “kinobeads.”
Ultrasound quality assurance phantoms and characterization for high-frequency transducers

Ultrasound phantoms are used as a quality assurance mechanism for assessing the imaging performance of ultrasound transducers. Several phantoms have been fabricated specifically for imaging by means of high frequency transducers with a center frequency ranging from 20 to 100 MHz. To quantify the transducers imaging performance the spatial resolution, dead zone, linear fidelity, depth of penetration and image uniformity are measured from ultrasound images created by scanning specially designed phantoms. Eight micron diameter tungsten (high acoustic reflectivity and diameter size less than (lambda) /2) wire targets are used for all the phantoms. Transducer characterization consists of a standard pulse echo analysis and insertion loss measurement for each transducer. Imaging of quality assurance phantoms and transducer characterization provide a practical means for evaluating the performance of high frequency transducers.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Global and local variations of interstitial sulfate gradients in deep-water, continental margin sediments: Sensitivity to underlying methane and gas hydrates

Abstract We test a hypothesis relating large pore water sulfate gradients to upward methane flux and the presence of underlying methane gas hydrate on continental rises by examining: (1) pore water geochemical data available from the global data set of Deep Sea Drilling Project–Ocean Drilling Program (DSDP–ODP) sites; (2) sulfate data from 51 coring sites located at the Carolina Rise and Blake Ridge (offshore southeastern United States); and (3) the relationship between the distribution of bottom-simulating reflectors (BSRs) and sulfate depletion patterns at the Carolina Rise–Blake Ridge (CR–BR) area. Within continental rise sediments, large sulfate gradients are correlative with marine methane gas hydrate settings (recognized by gas hydrate recovery and the presence of BSRs). This correlation is in part due to the rapid consumption of sedimentary organic matter by sulfate reduction and early microbial production of methane during burial and early diagenesis. However, detailed interstitial geochemical evidence from sediments of the CR–BR area strongly suggests that sulfate and methane co-consumption (anaerobic methane oxidation) at the sulfate–methane interface (SMI) is an important additional process in depleting interstitial sulfate, producing steep (and perhaps linear) sulfate gradients and shallow depths to the SMI. The presence of BSRs is currently the only routine technique used to identify gas hydrate localities. However, BSRs seem to represent an abrupt interface at the base of gas hydrate stability (BGHS) where methane gas bubbles occur, rather than being a direct indicator of gas hydrates in overlying sediments. Detailed comparisons between BSR distribution and geochemical data at the CR–BR show that BSRs are patchy in their occurrence, consistent with BSRs representing accumulations of free methane gas that pool within structural and stratigraphic traps near the crest and on the flanks of the Blake Ridge. In contrast, steep sulfate gradients (and proxy indicators of gas hydrate) are pervasive components of the CR–BR area, suggesting that steep sulfate gradients may be a better general indicator of gas hydrate potential. Steep sulfate gradients apparently identify large upward fluxes of methane, indicating conditions conducive to the formation of gas hydrates, given favorable pressure and temperature conditions. Global DSDP–ODP geochemical data identify many additional deep-water marine sites with large sulfate gradients that lack BSRs, perhaps suggesting the occurrence of previously unrecognized gas hydrate localities.
On Connected Resolving Decompositions in Graphs

For an ordered k-decomposition \(D = \{ G_1 ,G_2 ,...,G_k \} \) of a connected graph G and an edge e of G, the \(D\)-code of e is the k-tuple \(c_D (e) = (d(e,G_1 ),d(e,G_2 ),...,d(e,G_k ))\) where d(e, Gi) is the distance from e to Gi. A decomposition \(D\) is resolving if every two distinct edges of G have distinct \(D\)-codes. The minimum k for which G has a resolving k-decomposition is its decomposition dimension dimd(G). A resolving decomposition \(D\) of G is connected if each Gi is connected for 1 ≤ i ≤ k. The minimum k for which G has a connected resolving k-decomposition is its connected decomposition number cd(G). Thus 2 ≤ dimd(G) ≤ cd(G) ≤ m for every connected graph G of size m ≥ 2. All nontrivial connected graphs of size m with connected decomposition number 2 or m have been characterized. We present characterizations for connected graphs of size m with connected decomposition number m − 1 or m − 2. It is shown that each pair s, t of rational numbers with 0 < s ≤ t ≤ 1, there is a connected graph G of size m such that dimd(G)/m = s and cd(G)/m = t.
USING THE "BLUR TOLERANCE" TECHNIQUE TO PREDICT AND OPTIMIZE THE LEGIBILITY DISTANCE OF SYMBOL HIGHWAY SIGNS.

This study investigates the hypothesis that variations in symbol sign legibility distance can be accounted for on the basis of a sign's dependence upon high spatial frequency contours to convey critical information. Using digital image processing techniques, highway signs were blurred to remove all high spatial frequency information. A blur recognition threshold was established for each experimental sign by sequentially “deblurring” it until the observer could report the critical details defining its recognition criteria. Correlational analyses were then conducted to determine if legibility distance (collected in a previous study) could be predicted from the blur recognition threshold data. A significant correlation was observed between blur recognition threshold and sign legibility distance (r = −0.734, N=12, p < 0.001). That is, symbol signs with high levels of “blur tolerance” could be recognized at significantly greater viewing distances. These results support the application of new computer-assisted ...
NAD: Guanidino group specific mono ADP-ribosyltransferase activity in skeletal muscle

The sarcoplasmic reticulum and glycogen pellet derived from rabbit skeletal muscle and the sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum from pig skeletal muscle contains NAD:dependent mono ADP-ribosyltransferase activity toward the guanidine analog, P-nitrobenzylidine aminoguanidine. No or little activity could be found in the sarcolemma or sarcoplasmic reticulum derived from canine cardiac muscle. Seventy percent of activity extracted from rabbit skeletal muscle is localized in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The enzyme has a pH optimum of 7.4, and KM of 0.5 mM and 0.35 mM for NAD and p -nitrobenzylidine aminoguanidine, respectively. Inorganic phosphate, KCl, and guanidine derivatives inhibit the reaction. Incubation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum or glycogen pellet with (adenylate-32P) NAD or [adenosine-14C(U)]-labeled NAD results in the incorporation of radioactivity into proteins. A large number of proteins are labeled in the sarcoplasmic reticulum fraction. The major labeled band in the glycogen pellet corresponds to a protein of molecular weight of 83 K.
Radioactive Ruthenium and Manganese Isotopes in the Atmosphere

The movement of air masses between the stratosphere and the troposphere can be traced by studying the concentration and ratios of radioactive ruthenium and manganese injected into the atmosphere by nuclear bursts on the ground and in the air
Thermal Convection in a Rotating Fluid Annulus. Part I. The Basic Axisymmetric Flow

Abstract The thermally driven motion of a fluid contained in a rotating annulus is investigated by numerical integration of the Navier-Stokes equations as an initial value problem. Four distinct regimes of hydro-dynamical flow can exist in the annulus system. This paper will consider the nature and computational requirements of the axisymmetric state for its own sake and partly as a prelude to a quantitative study of the more complex irregular regime. Calculations were made for two flows whose parameters, with the exception of the rotation rates, are identical, and whose upper surfaces are free. How the axisymmetric state varies with the Rossby and Taylor parameters will be discussed in Part 2. The solutions show that the flow forms a direct circulation with countercurrents on both side walls, and with a strong flow from the base of the hot wall, across the interior, up toward the top of the cold wall. The thermal boundary layers form in small and isolated regions near the top of the cold wall and base of...
Image databases and near-perfect hash table

Abstract The 2D-string is one of the important data structures to represent spatial information in images and has been used to perform queries in image database systems. A 2D string can be readily converted to a set of triples which can be used to generate a perfect hash table for indexing the image database. The perfect hash table allows for O(1) retrieval in image database but the computation of the hash table itself, by the fastest heuristic algorithm, is of exponential time complexity. Every time the database is modified, the hash table needs to be recomputed. This limits the use of the hash table to applications where the image database is relatively fixed, such as the ones found on a CD-ROM. In this paper, we present an enhancement of the perfect hash table to allow for insertion and deletion in the hash table. The new hash table allows for a relatively small number of collisions and is called near-perfect hash table . It provides the flexibility of a live database while closely approximating the efficiency of retrieval with the perfect hash table as shown by the asymptotic analysis of the search procedure.
An extended multisensory temporal binding window in autism spectrum disorders.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) form a continuum of neurodevelopmental disorders, characterized by deficits in communication and reciprocal social interaction, as well as by repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Sensory disturbances are also frequently reported in clinical and autobiographical accounts. However, surprisingly few empirical studies have characterized the fundamental features of sensory and multisensory processing in ASD. The current study is structured to test for potential differences in multisensory temporal function in ASD by making use of a temporally dependent, low-level multisensory illusion. In this illusion, the presentation of a single flash of light accompanied by multiple sounds often results in the illusory perception of multiple flashes. By systematically varying the temporal structure of the audiovisual stimuli, a “temporal window” within which these stimuli are likely to be bound into a single perceptual entity can be defined. The results of this study revealed that children with ASD report the flash-beep illusion over an extended range of stimulus onset asynchronies relative to children with typical development, suggesting that children with ASD have altered multisensory temporal function. These findings provide valuable new insights into our understanding of sensory processing in ASD and may hold promise for the development of more sensitive diagnostic measures and improved remediation strategies.
Age trends of renal arteriolar hyalinization explored with the aid of serial sections.

Background: Hyalinized renal arterioles (Hy) can be counted per unit area of PAS-stained paraffin sections. The percentages of nephrons having hyalinized afferent and efferent arterioles can be assessed in serial sections. Methods: Slides of renal tissue were assessed for Hy in 559 basal forensic autopsies, i.e. those with no condition known to correlate with hypertension. Serial sections in a series of 20 cases were used to measure afferent and efferent arterioles and determine formulas to relate afferent and efferent arterioles to Hy. The formulas were used in the 559 cases to assess the trends on age of Hy in terms of percentage of affected nephrons. Results: Hy increased rapidly from ages 15 to 34 years, but stabilized from ages 35 to 102 years at levels implying afferent arterioles of about 2/5 of nephrons and efferent arterioles of about 1/5. Most of the nephrons in the kidney were deduced to be supplied by hyalinized afferent arterioles in nearly half of all subjects from ages 35 to 102 years, and the rates were the same at all ages. Conclusion: These data provide for the first time provisional estimates for the prevalence of Hy to be used as baselines for biopsy comparisons. Failure of numerous kidneys to enter end-stage nephrosclerosis in spite of several decades of involvement by hyalinization in half or more of their arterioles does not support the view that hyalinization induces ischemic nephron atrophy.
Retention characteristics of an immobilized artificial membrane column in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Retention for a varied group of compounds on an immobilized artificial membrane column (IAM PC DD2) with a methanol-water mobile phase is shown to fit a second-order model for the retention factor (log k) as a function of the volume fraction of organic solvent. The numerical value of the intercept obtained by linear extrapolation to zero organic solvent (log k(w)) is shown to depend on the range of mobile phase composition used for the extrapolation. Each series of intercepts so obtained represents a different hypothetical distribution system as identified by the system constants of the solvation parameter model. Although a linear model is a poor fit for isocratic retention data, the linear solvent strength gradient model provides a reasonable estimate of isocratic retention factor values that are (slightly) larger than experimental values, but provide the same chemical information for the system. These preliminary results suggest that gradient elution may prove to be a rapid and useful method for creating system maps for column characterization and method development. In this work a system map is provided for methanol-water compositions from 0 to 60% (v/v) methanol and additional system constants for acetonitrile-water compositions containing 20 and 30% (v/v) acetonitrile. It is shown that the main factors contributing to retention on the IAM PC DD2 column are favorable cavity formation and dispersion interactions, electron lone pair interactions and the hydrogen-bond basicity of the sorbent. The latter feature more than any other distinguishes the IAM column from conventional chemically bonded phases. Interactions of a dipole-type (weakly) and inability to compete with the mobile phase as a hydrogen-bond acid reduce retention. A comparison of system constant ratios is used to demonstrate that the retention properties of the IAM column are not easily duplicated by conventional chemically bonded phases. The retention characteristics of the IAM column, however, are strongly correlated with the retention properties of pseudostationary phases used for micellar electrokinetic chromatography, which provide a suitable alternative to IAM columns for physical property estimations. By the same comparative method it is shown that retention on the IAM column possesses some similarity to biomembrane absorption processes, allowing suitable correlation models to be developed for the estimation of certain biopartitioning properties.
A Finite Mixture Model for Gene Expression and Methylation Pro les in a Bayesian Framewor

The pattern of methylation draws significant attention from cancer researchers because it is believed that DNA methylation and gene expression have a causal relationship. As the interest in the role of methylation patterns in cancer studies (especially drug resistant cancers) increases, many studies have been done investigating the association between gene expression and methylation. However, a model-based approach is still in urgent need. We developed a finite mixture model in the Bayesian framework to find a possible relationship between gene expression and methylation. For inference, we employ Expectation-Maximization(EM) algorithm to deal with latent (unobserved) variable, producing estimates of parameters in the model. Then we validated our model through simulation study and then applied the method to real data: wild type and hydroxytamoxifen(OHT) resistant MCF7 breast cancer cell lines.
On the mechanism of respiration in the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana: A reassessment

The mechanism of respiration in the bullfrog has been analyzed by means of pressure recordings from the buccal cavity, the lungs and the abdominal cavity, by cinematography and cinefluorography, and by electromyography of buccal, laryngeal and abdominal muscles. Gas flow was investigated by putting frogs in atmospheres of changing argon and nitrogen content and monitoring the concentration of the nostril efflux. Three kinds of cyclical phenomena were found. (1) Oscillatory cycles consist of rhythmical raising and lowering of the floor of the mouth, with open nares. They have a definite respiratory function in introducing fresh air into the buccal cavity. (2) Ventilatory cycles involve opening and closing of the glottis and nares and renewal of a portion of the pulmonary gas. More muscles are involved and the pattern of muscular activity is more complex than in the oscillatory cycles. (3) Inflation cycles consist of a series of ventilation cycles, interrupted by an apneic pause. The intensity of the ventilatory cycles increases before this pause and decreases immediately thereafter. This results in a stepwise increase in pulmonary pressure, to a plateau (coincident with the pause) followed by a sudden or stepwise decrease. The respiratory mechanism depends on the activity of a buccal force pump, which determines pulmonary pressure whose level is always slightly less than the peak pressure values of the ventilation cycles. The elevated pulmonary pressure is responsible for the expulsion of pulmonary gas during the second phase of the next ventilation cycle. This pressure is maintained by the elastic fibers (and the smooth masculature) of the lungs.
Valence ionization in small nickel clusters: symmetry-broken wavefunction for Ni+2 and Ni+4

Abstract The 4s and 3d ionization manifolds for Ni 2 and Ni 4 (D 4h clusters are compared, using symmetry-broken SCF wave-functions. The 4s ion states remain delocalized whereas each 3d ion hole is essentially localized on a single atom, thus causing appreciable 4s polarization. Significant overlap of 4s and 4d levels is predicted for clusters with as few as four Ni atoms.
A modification of an affinity procedure for purification of human C1 inhibitor that provides a homogeneous stable preparation

Abstract Human C 1 inhibitor can be rapidly purified by the affinity chromatography procedure described by Pilatte and his associates (1989), but the inhibitor so purified breaks down during storage or is in a cleaved form when initially purified. By adding an ion-exchange chromatography procedure after the affinity chromatography, a stable, single species of C 1 inhibitor molecules is obtained. It is likely that serine proteinases in trace amounts, which may be complexed with some of the C 1 inhibitor, are removed during the ion-exchange procedure. This procedure provides a highly purified and useful preparation of C 1 inhibitor.
AT-61DEXAMETHASONE EXERTS PROFOUND INTERFERENCE ON TREATMENT EFFICACY FOR RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA

Dexamethasone is often used to counteract rapid neurologic deterioration in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. We therefore asked whether dexamethasone reduces the efficacy of treatments. The phase III trial comparing tumor-treating alternating electric fields (TTFields) to active chemotherapy offered us a unique opportunity to address this question that was unencumbered by the confounding immune and hematologic side effects of chemotherapy. Using an unsupervised binary partitioning algorithm, we segregated subjects in the trial based on the dexamethasone dose that yielded the greatest overall survival (OS) difference. The median OS of TTFields-treated subjects who used ≤4.1 mg/day of dexamethasone was 11.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.8-16.6) months compared to 4.8 (95%CI 3.9-6.0) months in those who used >4.1 mg of dexamethasone (χ2 = 34.6, P 4.1 mg/day (χ2 = 10.0, P 4.1 mg/day was 3.2 (95%CI 1.2-NA) months (χ2 = 11.1, P = 0.0009). A 3-dimensional binary partitioning analysis revealed that the best outcome was from a group of patients with CD4 >144 cells/mm3, CD4/CD8 ≤1.1, dexamethasone ≤0.6 mg/day and their median OS was 13.7 (95%CI 10.8-13.8) months as compared to the rest with a median OS of 4.6 months (95%CI 0.3-22.7). Dexamethasone exerts a profound effect on both TTFields and chemotherapy treatment efficacy in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. Our data strongly suggest that dexamethasone can cause global immunosuppression and this most likely interferes with immune effector function against the tumor.
Cadmium-induced alterations in the antioxidant defense system of the rat eye in relation to dietary selenium intake.

Cytosolic activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), selenium-independent GSH-Px, and catalase, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and glutathione and selenium (Se) concentration were measured in ocular tissues of rats maintained on a low (0.05 ppm) or adequate (0.10 ppm) Se diet and treated with 0 or 25 ppm cadmium (Cd) in their drinking water for fourteen weeks. Feeding rats a low Se diet resulted in a significant decrease in GSH-Px activity when compared to rats maintained on adequate dietary Se, irrespective of Cd treatment. Se-independent GSH-Px activity of rats maintained at 0.05 ppm Se decreased 27% when compared to Se-adequate controls, whereas activity increased 38% in the Cd-treated low-Se group. When comparisons were made between ocular TBARS in rats maintained at either level of dietary Se and treated with 0 or 25 ppm Cd, a trend toward decreased amounts of TBARS in Cd-treated groups was observed. A significant decrease in ocular Se concentration occurred in rats fed 0.05 ppm Se when compared to the Seadequate group. Administering Cd to the low-Se group increased ocular Se levels 100%. A negative correlation between ocular Se concentration and TBARS was observed, suggesting a possible alternate role for Se as an antioxidant in the eye.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 157

Abstract Nuclear data for the mass 157 isobars is presented on the basis of new experimental information. Every effort has been made to include all available data prior to July 1, 1972. With the exception of Tm and Lu, A = 157 nuclei have been reported for all elements with 62⩽Z⩽72. For 157 Hf and 157 Yb the only information known is their half-life and α -decay energies. The ground-state spin but not the parity of 157 Er is known with certainty; its level structure has been studied through heavy-ion reactions, and a tentative level scheme is given. The decay of the 157 Ho ground state has recently been studied in detail but there is no information available on its excited states. In 157 Dy, energy levels up to 1.2 MeV have been well established through β/e -decay; the J π assignments for E x > 0.5 MeV are, however, less certain. The higher members of various rotational bands in 157 Dy have recently been reported in ( α ,xn) reaction studies. The 157 Tb level scheme has been studied through the decay of 157 Dy and the (p,t) reaction. As have other Gd isotopes, 157 Gd has been studied extensively. Its level scheme has been constructed on the basis of β -decay and various reaction studies. The J π assignments for most levels above 0.5 MeV are from reaction studies and are based upon model-dependent arguments. A new activity ( T 1/2 = 83 s) has recently been assigned to 157 Sm; it has been proposed that the 30-s activity previously identified is an isomer in 160 Eu.
The Utility of Hospitality Market Research for Today's Convention and Visitors Bureaus: a Multi-Criterion Approach

This paper discusses the relationship between convention and visitors bureaus and university tourism research centers in the development of accurate and reliable visitor information for targeting a...
The preparation and properties of magnetoresistive permalloy films

The magnetoresistive and magnetic properties of evaporated permalloy films, such as those used to sense magnetic bubbles, are influenced by the deposition conditions. An elevated substrate temperature produces the largest fractional change in resistivity but results in high dispersion, which may be unsatisfactory for device applications. Decreasing the iron content from the commonly used 81–19 Ni-Fe composition increases the fractional change in resistivity but also results in increased coercivity. The most useful films have the 81–19 composition and are produced at moderate temperatures of 200 to 250°C. Electrical continuity of such films can be maintained down to thicknesses of less than 100 A∘.
Optimal nitrogen-to-phosphorus stoichiometry of phytoplankton

Redfield noted the similarity between the average nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio in plankton (N:P = 16 by atoms) and in deep oceanic waters (N:P = 15; refs 1, 2). He argued that this was neither a coincidence, nor the result of the plankton adapting to the oceanic stoichiometry, but rather that phytoplankton adjust the N:P stoichiometry of the ocean to meet their requirements through nitrogen fixation, an idea supported by recent modelling studies3,4. But what determines the N:P requirements of phytoplankton? Here we use a stoichiometrically explicit model of phytoplankton physiology and resource competition to derive from first principles the optimal phytoplankton stoichiometry under diverse ecological scenarios. Competitive equilibrium favours greater allocation to P-poor resource-acquisition machinery and therefore a higher N:P ratio; exponential growth favours greater allocation to P-rich assembly machinery and therefore a lower N:P ratio. P-limited environments favour slightly less allocation to assembly than N-limited or light-limited environments. The model predicts that optimal N:P ratios will vary from 8.2 to 45.0, depending on the ecological conditions. Our results show that the canonical Redfield N:P ratio of 16 is not a universal biochemical optimum, but instead represents an average of species-specific N:P ratios.
Tobacco use and body mass index: Mediated effects through physical inactivity

The current study examined associations between smoking and body mass index (BMI) utilizing a nationally representative sample of adults (N = 1547). Previous research has shown that smokers have lower BMI than non-smokers; however among smokers, tobacco use is positively associated with BMI. Previous authors have hypothesized this is due to poor behavioral habits among smokers. Building on this, we found that smoking was positively associated with physical inactivity, which mediated the association between tobacco use and BMI. Interpretation, limitations, and future directions are discussed.
Flame-retardant cotton barrier nonwovens for mattresses

According to regulation CPSC 16 CFR 1633, every new residential mattress sold in the United States since July 2007 must resist ignition by open flame. An environmentally benign "green," inexpensive way to meet this regulation is to use a low-cost flame-retardant barrier fabric. In this study, a nonwoven fabric of grey unbleached cotton was treated with a low-cost phosphate-based formulation. The energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis showed uniform nitrogen and phosphorus distribution. With 17% add-on, the flame-retardant unbleached cotton barrier showed a limiting oxygen index of 33% oxygen and 83 mm of char length with no after-flame and no afterglow in the vertical flame test. Under air and nitrogen at 500°C, 24% and 35% char remained after thermogravimetric analyses, respectively. This flame resistance is comparable to that of current commercial barrier fabrics made from bleached cotton and Flovan cyanoguanidine or from T-bond grey cotton fiber highlofts (Jones Fiber). Mattresses constructed with a flame-retardant cotton nonwoven barrier fabric are predicted to meet the requirements of 16CFR1633. As a follow-up to this study, a full-scale mattress burn test is recommended. Language: en
Effects of chemical doping and pressure on CaFe4As3

The effects of chemical doping by P, Yb, Co, and Cu, and hydrostatic pressure on CaFe${}_{4}$As${}_{3}$, were studied on single-crystalline samples. While the former two dopants substitute the nonmagnetic ions, the latter two partially occupy the Fe sites within the magnetic sublattice. The incommensurate spin density wave (IC-SDW) ordering at ${T}_{N}\ensuremath{\sim}$ 88 K in CaFe${}_{4}$As${}_{3}$ changes only by up to $\ensuremath{\sim}$40% with doping and applied pressure. Thus the IC-SDW state appears more robust than in the layered Fe pnictides. The commensurate SDW (C-SDW) state below ${T}_{2}\ensuremath{\sim}$ 26 K is suppressed in the Co-doped series, while it moves up in temperature in the P-, Yb-, and Cu-doped compounds. A new magnetic phase transition is observed at an intermediate temperature ${T}_{3}$ in Ca(Fe${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Co${}_{x}$)${}_{4}$As${}_{3}$. Resistivity and magnetization measurements on CaFe${}_{4}$As${}_{3}$ were performed under hydrostatic pressure up to 5 GPa, showing a systematic decrease of ${T}_{N}$ and a domelike phase boundary at ${T}_{2}$ up to ${p}_{c}\ensuremath{\sim}$ 2.10 GPa. At higher pressures, a possible structural phase transition occurs, marked by a slowly increasing transition temperature. A phase diagram is shown to compare the effects of chemical doping and pressure.
Hemodynamic Correlates of Echocardiographic Aortic Root Motion: Observations on Normal Subjects and Patients with Idiopathic Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis

In ten normal subjects, we observed an initial hump in the aortic root echocardiogram after the onset of the QRS complex, following which a sharp anterior motion was noted. The onset of the anterior motion of the aortic root coincided with the onset of the upstroke of the aortic root pressure pulse and the onset of the velocity signal in five of seven patients with coronary arterial disease; in the other two, the anterior aortic motion followed the onset of the pressure and velocity signal by 10 msec. The aortic root echocardiogram was abnormal in patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis; the slope (normalized for the scales of time and depth) in early systole was steeper and in the latter part of systole was flatter than normal in these patients. The slope in early diastole was flatter and the slope due to atrial contraction was steeper in the patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis than in the normal subjects. These features were consistent with rapid ejection in early systole and slow filling in the early phase of ventricular diastole in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. Fourier analysis of the wave form of the aortic root allowed separation between patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis and normal subjects.
Middle Tertiary Vertebrate Fauna from Australia: ABSTRACT

A middle Tertiary vertebrate fauna has been discovered in the Great Artesian Basin east of Lake Eyre, South Australia. The fossils occur in the Etadunna Formation and have been called the Ngapakaldi fauna. The Etadunna Formation (? Oligocene), consists of more than 100 feet of green lacustrine claystone, sandstone End_Page 280------------------------------ calcareous mudstone, and dolomitic limestone. In the basin there is a thick subsurface section of earlier Tertiary sedimentary rock, whereas in the surface exposures the Etadunna is dissected in places by the fossiliferous Mampuwordu Sands (? Pliocene), which in turn are truncated by the unfossiliferous red beds of the Tirari Formation. Cutting deeply into the Tirari are the fluviatile fossiliferous Katipiri Sands (Pleistocene). Ngapakaldi fauna. MOLLUSCA: gastropods. ANTHROPODA: ostracodes. OSTEICHTHYES: lung fish, teleosts. REPTILIA: chelonians--including a ? meiolanid, crocodileans, varanid lizards. AVES: pelicans, flamingos, ducks, cranes, thick-knees, and a gull or tern. MARSUPIALIA: two dasyurids, Perikoala, rat-kangaroo, a primitive kangaroo, thylacoleo-like animal and a primitive diprotodontid. End_of_Article - Last_Page 281------------
Review of Solid-State Transformer Technologies and Their Application in Power Distribution Systems

The solid-state transformer (SST), which has been regarded as one of the 10 most emerging technologies by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Technology Review in 2010, has gained increasing importance in the future power distribution system. This paper presents a systematical technology review essential for the development and application of SST in the distribution system. The state-of-the-art technologies of four critical areas are reviewed, including high-voltage power devices, high-power and high-frequency transformers, ac/ac converter topologies, and applications of SST in the distribution system. In addition, future research directions are presented. It is concluded that the SST is an emerging technology for the future distribution system.
Role of lipid structure in the humoral immune response in mice to covalent lipid-peptides from the membrane proximal region of HIV-1 gp41.

The membrane proximal region (MPR) of HIV-1 gp41 is a desirable target for development of a vaccine that elicits neutralizing antibodies since the patient-derived monoclonal antibodies, 2F5 and 4E10, bind to the MPR and neutralize primary HIV isolates. The 2F5 and 4E10 antibodies cross-react with lipids and structural studies suggest that MPR immunogens may be presented in a membrane environment. We hypothesized that covalent attachment of lipid anchors would enhance the humoral immune response to MPR-derived peptides presented in liposomal bilayers. In a comparison of eight lipids conjugated to an extended 2F5 epitope peptide, a sterol, cholesterol hemisuccinate (CHEMS), was found to promote the strongest anti-peptide IgG titers (6.4 × 104) in sera of BALB/C mice. Two lipid anchors, palmitic acid and phosphatidylcholine, failed to elicit a detectable serum anti-peptide IgG response. Association with the liposomal vehicle contributed to the ability of a lipopeptide to elicit anti-peptide antibodies, but no other single factor, such as position of the lipid anchor, peptide helical content, lipopeptide partition coefficient, or presence of phosphate on the anchor clearly determined lipopeptide potency. Conjugation to CHEMS also rendered a 4E10 epitope peptide immunogenic (5.6 × 102 IgG titer in serum). Finally, attachment of CHEMS to a peptide spanning both the 2F5 and 4E10 epitopes elicited serum IgG antibodies that bound to each of the individual epitopes as well as to recombinant gp140. Further research into the mechanism of how structure influences the immune response to the MPR may lead to immunogens that could be useful in prime-boost regimens for focusing the immune response in an HIV vaccine.
Regulation of fluid intake in dogs following water deprivation.

Abstract Whereas water loss in land living animals occurs continuously, water intake takes place discontinuously. At the normal operating set point of plasma osmolality, urine is more concentrated than plasma due to secretion of vasopressin. Thus animals operate around a state of mild dehydration. As water loss occurs, the severity of dehydration and thirst increase in intensity and at some point water intake occurs. Sufficient water is consumed to return plasma osmolality to the normal operating set point. Food intake and water balance are interdependent as food provides the osmoles which determine obligatory renal solute excretion. When dry food with the same osmotic content was substituted for canned food (water content 74%), dogs increased water intake from 24.2 ± 4.3 to 62.2 ± 8.8 ml/kg. Urine output and urine osmolality were unchanged, as under conditions of normal hydration, near maximal urine concentration is achieved. Changing water intake is the only available variable to maintain water balance. During water deprivation, the major renal mechanism appears to be natriuresis. In rehydration, satiety mechanisms ensure appropriate water intake and renal sodium conservation restores sodium balance.
Reflections on the economist and health economics in an international setting.

Abstract A personal examination of the principles of Alma Ata and presentation of a potential new paradigm for international health.
Abstract 1197: Soluble uPAR plays a critical role in the progression of meningioma by autocrine signaling

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL In previous studies, we have reported on the vital role of the uPA-uPAR system in the progression of meningioma. Recent studies on the molecular structure of uPAR confirm that its shedding characterizes a further level of regulation in cellular processes. Here, we show that malignant meningioma cells release higher levels of soluble uPAR (SuPAR). Further, SuPAR concentration increased with radiation treatment (7 Gy) while uPAR knockdown diminished it. Deglycosylation analysis illustrated the existence of both SuPAR and cleaved SuPAR in vitro and in vivo. The cells shed SuPAR and phospholipase C mediates radiation-induced shedding of uPAR. SuPAR had a physical interaction with uPA and influences its activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Nonetheless, SuPAR did not adversely influence cell proliferation or cell cycle characteristics, but instead activated the MEK- ERK pathway. Receptor tyrosine kinase arrays and function blocking assays revealed the role of FPRL 1 receptors in SuPAR-mediated signaling. Further, SuPAR acted as a chemo-attractant for the invasion and migration of meningioma cells. Tumor bearing mice showed a significant rise in serum SuPAR concentrations, which also correlated with radiation treatment and morbidity. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the pro-invasive role and prognostic significance of SuPAR in the progression of meningioma. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1197. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1197
Toxic interaction of mixtures of two coal conversion effluent components (resorcinol and 6-methylquinoline) to Daphnia magna.

Acute toxicities of mixtures of resorcinol and 6-methylquinoline to Daphnia Magna (a representative zooplankter) were investigated to assist in assessing the potential effects of coal conversion effluents on aquatic biota. Results indicated that mixtures of resorcinol and 6-methylquinoline were less toxic than either pure compound tested alone. The data suggest that antagonism occurs when resorcinol is the major toxic component, while an infra-additive interaction occurs when 6-methylquinoline is the major toxic component. The work indicates that addition of fractional toxicities may produce substantial errors in prediction of toxicity of mixtures of non-homologous organic components. (CAJ)
Association between changes in suspicious prostate lesions on serial MRI examinations and follow-up biopsy results

Abstract We assessed changes in prostate lesions on serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations in predicting biopsy results. Fifty-five men undergoing two prostate MRI examinations ≥ 6 months apart, followed by targeted biopsy, were included. Two radiologists assessed dominant lesions for an increase in size or suspicion score. Progression on MRI had lower sensitivity (23.5%–35.3%) and higher specificity (76.2%–90.5%) than prostate-specific antigen (PSA) velocity (sensitivity 70.6%, specificity 52.4%) for predicting positive biopsy. Highest accuracy was achieved by PSA velocity (63.6%) for positive biopsy, and by MRI (65.5%-72.7%) for Gleason > 6 tumor. Findings support lesion progression on MRI serving as a basis for performing subsequent targeted biopsy.
Channeling radiation from GaAs.

Channeling-radiation spectra have been obtained from a GaAs crystal with 16.9-MeV electrons and with 54.4-MeV electrons and positrons. Theoretical calculations are in reasonably good agreement with the experimental results.
A case study in using gestures and bimanual interaction to extend a high-DOF input device

Interactive 3D visualizations typically require complex, high-dimensional input. As a result, generating simple, efficient input mappings from device controllers to desired interactions is often a non-trivial design problem. While natural solutions include increasing the number of input controllers and overloading devices via key mappings, these methods add a level of complexity to the interaction that may ultimately detract from the utility of the visualization. In this work, we explore two alternatives to these approaches. First, we present a cooperative bimanual technique for overloading a six degree-offreedom (DOF) Space Navigator (3D Connexion, Inc.) via context sensitivity. We then present a manually triggered, gesture-based technique for extending the Space Navigator’s control. While neither context-driven nor gesture-based interactions are entirely novel, combining these approaches within a complex visualization application creates challenging, driving design problems. Here, we present a case study of the design and application of these techniques within a real 3D scientific visualization application. Analysis of the design principles explored in this work has far-reaching implications. In the case of scientific visualizations, creating effective, inconspicuous interaction schemes will allow science to remain the preeminent focus of the application, and, in turn, facilitate research and lead to greater productivity. It should also be noted that while these techniques were designed to aid in scientific research, they also address the more general problem of overloading input controllers in a clear, seamless manner.