cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Designing incentive regulation

This paper presents a nontechnical investigation of the properties of sound, effective incentive regulation. The characteristics of good incentive regulation plans are linked to the goals, powers, and abilities of regulators, and to the nature of the regulatory environment. The paper concludes with ten simple guidelines that may prove useful to policymakers charged with the difficult task of designing an incentive regulation plan.
Advance care planning: eliciting patient preferences for life-sustaining treatment

Patient autonomy is a guiding principle in medical decision-making in America. This is challenging when patients become mentally incapacitated and cannot express their preferences. Advance care planning (ACP) addresses this challenge. ACP is a deliberative and communicative process that helps people formulate and communicate preferences for future medical care in the event of mental incapacity. Advance directives are mechanisms for communicating and/or documenting ACP, and are either instructional (e.g. statement of treatment preferences in living wills) or proxy types (e.g. appointment of another person to speak on the patient's behalf). ACP discussions between patients and health care providers and patient-orientated educational ACP materials often ignore insights from 2 related activities, health promotion and human information processing. More effective ACP should occur with greater attention to the concepts of stages of change and self-efficacy, the Health Belief Model, and the necessary requisites for cognitive integration.
Models of infantile malnutrition in rats: effects on maternal behavior.

The effects of 6 commonly used methods for producing malnutrition in suckling rats upon the behavior of their dams were examined. In these methods, (1) large litters were fostered on the dams; (2) dams were fed low-protein diets; (3) dams were fed an inadequate amount of a good quality diet; (4) pups were removed from the dams and kept with a nonlactating female for half of the day; (5) pups were removed from the dams and kept in an incubator for half of the day; or (6) some of the dams' teats were destroyed. Dams that were themselves food deprived showed a shift from resting to exploratory behaviors with some indication of increased attention to the pups compared to controls. Dams whose pups were starved but that were well fed themselves showed lower levels of resting and higher levels of attention to pups but no elevation in exploratory activity. Although the long-term significance of the behavioral changes of the dams is not known, the immediate effect was to minimize the impact of the experimenter's manipulations on the metabolic energy available to the pups for growth and development.
Review article: investigational agents for chronic hepatitis C.

Summary Background The need for effective treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection has driven the development of novel antiviral agents that target specific steps in the viral replication cycle. Aim To evaluate the current literature concerning investigational agents for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Methods Resources used included PubMed, conference proceedings from the American and European Liver Associations’ meetings 2005–2008 and the National Institute of Health’s clinical trials website (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov). The focus was restricted to investigational agents that have progressed beyond preclinical development. Results Over 50 investigational agents for chronic hepatitis C infection are currently in clinical development. Specifically targeted anti-viral therapy for HCV (STAT-C) shows great promise with NS3/4a protease inhibitors now entering phase 3 programmes. New interferon-α and ribavirin formulations aim to optimize anti-viral efficacy yet limit toxicity. Other candidates include novel immunomodulators and therapeutic vaccines. Conclusions A new era of therapy for chronic hepatitis C beckons, promising increased cure rates with shortened duration of therapy. However, the era will not be without challenges including viral resistance, drug toxicity and the need to optimize combination therapy in the face of a rapidly evolving therapeutic arsenal.
Electronic shell structures of Russian-doll-style Sc4C2@C80

Abstract We have studied the electronic properties of a ‘Russian-doll’-style endohedral fullerene Sc 4 C 2 @C 80 based on first-principles density-functional calculations coupled with many-body GW correction. Our calculation results yield a GW rectified gap of 1.8 eV for the ‘Russian doll’ structured Sc 4 C 2 @C 80 , in very good conformity with experimental observed value of 1.6 eV. The calculated electronic characteristics of the Russian-doll fullerene reveal distinct shell structures, which are embellished in the GW approach. The analysis of vibrational frequency demonstrates profound hybridizations associated with the interactions between the Sc 4 C 2 core and C 80 shell.
Testing quantum mechanics

Abstract This paper presents a general framework for introducing nonlinear corrections into ordinary quantum mechanics, that can serve as a guide to experiments that would be sensitive to such corrections. In the class of generalized theories described here, the equations that determine the time-dependence of the wave function are no longer linear, but are of Hamiltonian type. Also, wave functions that differ by a constant factor represent the same physical state and satisfy the same time-dependence equations. As a result, there is no difficulty in combining separated subsystems. Prescriptions are given for determining the states in which observables have definite values and for calculating the expectation values of observables for general states, but the calculation of probabilities requires detailed analysis of the method of measurement. A study is presented of various experimental possibilities, including the precession of spinning particles in external fields, experiments of Stern-Gerlach type, and the broadening and de-tuning of absorption lines.
MBE growth of tilted superlattices: advances and novel structures

Abstract The vicinal surface ordering required for the TSL deposition has been studied as a function of temperature and composition for Ga x Al 1−x As, GaSb and AlSb surfaces. The interface sharpness observed during the Al-Ga co-deposition and self-organization on a vicinal surface has been modeled using a stochastic kinetics method. The modeling reproduces well the observations. To avoid critical effects of the tilt parameter variations, a novel structure, the serpentine superlattice, has been proposed. This structure has a “build in” two-dimensional confinement and yields uniform luminescence properties over large wafer areas. Finally, the TSL concept has been demonstrated for a novel system, the GaSb-AlSb system.
Wireless transmission of animated 2D graphics for personal digital assistant (PDA) systems

The transmission of animated 2D graphics via the wireless link of the personal digital assistant (PDA) system is investigated in this work. An animated graphic sequence is often stored in the animated GIF format and transmitted via wired networks. Due to the much narrower bandwidth requirement of a wireless channel, the same approach cannot be properly used in the wireless environment. This paper presents a new approach to wireless transmission of animated sequences. Basic elements of 2D graphics include points, lines, polygons and different color filling commands. Furthermore, to achieve the animation effect, a reference frame is often used to reduce the redundancy between adjacent frames. All these can be considered as rendering commands. The major different between 2D graphics and the GIF image is that the former is on structure level while the latter is on pixel level (i.e. bitmap). By exploiting this unique feature, we are able to obtain a more efficient coding method for the component frame. That is, instead of transmitting the rendered bitmap as done with animated GIF, rendering commands are encoded and transmitted to client's PDA while the rendering process is actually performed at the client side. With the proposed scheme, the compression standard is built upon a common set of rendering commands. The final integration involves buffer control and error protection. It is demonstrated by experiments that animated sequences can be transmitted within a channel of bandwidth less than 1 Kbps while maintaining excellent image quality.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Atomic Layer Deposited Hafnium Oxide Gate Dielectrics for Charge-Based Biosensors

Highly sensitive bio-field-effect transistor (bioFET) molecular sensors require optimized gate dielectrics for an efficient surface charge modulation of the semiconductor channel. Hafnium oxide has a dielectric constant at least four times greater than conventional SiO 2 gate dielectrics, increasing the potential bioFET sensitivity and permitting the use of a thicker dielectric layer to better protect the semiconductor surface. In this study, we demonstrate the stability of the capacitance response of atomic-layer-deposited HfO 2 dielectrics in aqueous electrolytes. We also verify the possibility of biotin functionalization of HfO 2 using photoelectron spectroscopy, capacitance-voltage analysis, and molecular atomic force microscopy imaging methods.
Fuel cells—II. Propane and propylene on Adams' platinum catalyst☆

Abstract In order to control the quantity of previously adsorbed hydrogen in fuel electrodes to be used with hydrocarbons, the use of Adams' platinum catalyst was investigated. Preferred procedures for electrode preparation were developed. Adams' platinum oxide powder was intimately mixed with a silver powder and pressed to form a disk, which, fixed within a cell, was reduced with hydrogen in glacial HOAc and then treated with a water-proofing wax solution. Reduction could be stopped at a definite stage and the reduced electrode could be protected from air throughout all manipulative and measuring procedures. The potential behaviour of 15 electrodes reduced to differing degrees was studied in helium, propane, propylene and hydrogen at 80°C. During flushing with propylene, the open-circuit potential increased quite rapidly after an induction period, which was related to the original degree of electrode reduction. The steady potential reached increased with the degree of reduction. The potential of an electrode initially saturated with hydrogen gradually decreased with propylene flushing, approaching a steady value. The good discharge behaviour observed for propylene far exceeded that due to hydrogen adsorbed during electrode preparation. Propylene flushing for more than 20 h was necessary to reach a steady potential. On interruption of the discharges, the potential returned to almost the initial potential. The steady potential may represent an equilibrium potential between propylene, electrode and electrolyte, and may be called a “propylene potential”.
Mars Exploration Rover Cruise Orbit Determination

The Mars Exploration Rover project consisted of two missions (MER-A: spirit rover and MER-B: opportunity rover) that launched spacecraft on June 10, 2003, and July 8, 2003, respectively. The spacecraft arrived at Mars approximately seven months later on January 4, 2004, and January 24, 2004. These spacecraft needed to be precisely navigated to a Mars atmospheric entry flight path angle of -11.5 deg +/-0.12 deg (3(sigma)) for MER-A and +/-0.14 deg (3(sigma)) for MER-B in order to satisfy the landing site delivery requirements. The orbit determination task of the navigation team needed to accurately determine the trajectory of the spacecraft, predict the trajectory to Mars atmospheric entry, and account for all possible errors sources so that the each spacecraft could be correctly targeted using five trajectory corrections along the way. This paper describes the orbit determination analysis which allowed MER-A to be targeted using only four trajectory correction maneuvers to an entry flight path angle of -11.49 deg +/-O.010 deg (3(sigma)) and MER-B to be targeted using only three trajectory correction maneuvers to an entry flight path angle of -11.47 +/-0.021 deg(3(sigma)).
Modeling for Risk Assessment of Neurotoxic Effects

The regulation of noncancer toxicants, including neurotoxicants, has usually been based upon a reference dose (allowable daily intake). A reference dose is obtained by dividing a no-observed-effect level by uncertainty (safety) factors to account for intraspecies and interspecies sensitivities to a chemical. It is assumed that the risk at the reference dose is negligible, but no attempt generally is made to estimate the risk at the reference dose. A procedure is outlined that provides estimates of risk as a function of dose. The first step is to establish a mathematical relationship between a biological effect and the dose of a chemical. Knowledge of biological mechanisms and/or pharmacokinetics can assist in the choice of plausible mathematical models. The mathematical model provides estimates of average responses as a function of dose. Secondly, estimates of risk require selection of a distribution of individual responses about the average response given by the mathematical model. In the case of a normal or lognormal distribution, only an estimate of the standard deviation is needed. The third step is to define an adverse level for a response so that the probability (risk) of exceeding that level can be estimated as a function of dose. Because a firm response level often cannot be established at which adverse biological effects occur, it may be necessary to at least establish an abnormal response level that only a small proportion of individuals would exceed in an unexposed group. That is, if a normal range of responses can be established, then the probability (risk) of abnormal responses can be estimated. In order to illustrate this process, measures of the neurotransmitter serotonin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in specific areas of the brain of rats and monkeys are analyzed after exposure to the neurotoxicant methylene-dioxymethamphetamine. These risk estimates are compared with risk estimates from the quantal approach in which animals are classified as either abnormal or not depending upon abnormal serotonin levels.
Predictability and effect of phase behavior of CO2/propylene carbonate in supercritical fluid chromatography

The phase behavior (P-T-x) of propylene carbonate was studied using a variable volume view cell for the regions applicable to supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and extraction (SFE). Type 5 phase behavior was observed. Phase separation was shown to significantly alter retention and selectivity in the analysis of coal extracts by capillary SFC. Propylene carbonate was found to have limited use as a modifier in capillary SFC. With 5.1 mol% propylene carbonate at 60°C, a single phase is maintained only at pressures above 250 atm. Twenty-two methods used to estimate critical pressure (Pc), twenty-seven methods used to estimate critical temperature (Tc), and thirty methods used to estimate critical volume (Vc) were evaluated for various modifiers employed in supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). None of the methods could predict Pc, Tc, or Vc to within a 5% relative error for all of the modifiers tested. However, several of the methods were successful in predicting Pc, Tc, or Vc to within 5% for select chemical classes of compounds. Four methods used to estimate the vapor-liquid critical loci of binary mixtures not only failed to accurately predict vapor-liquid separation, but failed to predict the type of phase separation occurring. None of the above methods could reliably estimate the critrical parameters of propylene carbonate or the critical parameters of the mixture.
Stochastic modeling of coupled electromechanical interaction for uncertainty quantification in electrostatically actuated MEMS

Abstract This work proposes a stochastic framework based on generalized polynomial chaos (GPC), to handle uncertain coupled electromechanical interaction, arising from variations in material properties and geometrical parameters such as gap between the microstructures, applicable to the static analysis of electrostatic MEMS. The proposed framework comprises of two components – a stochastic mechanical analysis, which quantifies the uncertainty associated with the deformation of MEM structures due to the variations in material properties and/or applied traction, and a stochastic electrostatic analysis to quantify the uncertainty in the electrostatic pressure due to variations in geometrical parameters or uncertain deformation of the conductors. The stochastic analysis is based on a stochastic Lagrangian approach, where, in addition to uncertain input parameters and unknown field variables, the random deformed configuration is expanded in terms of GPC basis functions. The spectral modes for the unknown field variables are finally obtained using Galerkin projection in the space spanned by GPC basis functions. The stochastic mechanical and electrostatic analyses are performed in a self-consistent manner to obtain the random deformation of the MEM structures. Various numerical examples are presented to study the effect of uncertain parameters on performance of various MEMS devices. The results obtained using the proposed method are verified using rigorous Monte Carlo simulations. It has been shown that the proposed method accurately predicts the statistics and probability density functions of various relevant parameters.
Structure of the murine CD40 ligand gene.

The mouse CD40 ligand (CD40L) gene was cloned, sequenced and characterized. DNA sequence analysis showed that the CD40L gene comprises five exons and four intervening introns, spread over 13–14 kb of genomic DNA. The putative site for initiation of mRNA transcription was identified at 67 bp upstream of the translation initiation (ATG) codon. The nucleotide sequence of the 5'-flanking region of this gene revealed the presence of several regulatory regions including a TATA-like box, an Spl-like box and six potential NF-AT-like motifs. The 3'-untranslated region of the murine CD40L gene contained two ATTTA-elements which are thought to confer instability to the mRNA of many cytokines and two adjacent dinucleotide repeates, (CT)25 and (CA)45. These elements may play a role in the post-transcriptional regulation of CD40L gene expression.
35 nm-L g raised S/D In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As quantum-well MOSFETs with 81 mV/decade subthreshold swing at V DS =0.5 V

Recently, InAs or In-rich InGaAs (In>53%) has been widely studied as the channel material for III-V FETs due to its superior electron transport properties over In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As. These materials provide excellent on-state characteristics, e.g. >2.5 mS/μm peak transconductanc (g m ) at V DS =0.5 V [1-3]. The narrow bandgap in these materials, however, causes band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) in the high drain-field region even at relatively low supply voltage of 0.5 V, thus resulting in high leakage at the off-state [1][3]. In our previous work, in order to address this issue, we incorporated a vertical spacer between the channel and N+ source/drain (S/D) to accommodate the depletion region near the channel-drain junction. The spacer significantly improved off-state characteristics such as off-state leakage, drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL), and subthreshold swing (SS) without increasing the device footprint [3], [4]. In this work, by adopting a ~4 nm-thick In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As channel instead of a thick InAs channel, we have further improved the off-state characteristics at high V DS and achieved 81 mV/dec. minimum subthreshold swing (SS min ) for a 35 nm-L g device at V DS =0.5 V and 385 μA/μm on-current (I on ) at 100 nA/μm off-current (I off ) and V DD =0.5 V, which are the best SS min and I on from all reported In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As channel FETs.
Wy-14,643 but not 2-ethylhexanol increases intracellular free calcium in cultured Kupffer cells.

Abstract Hypolipidemic drugs and phthalic ester plasticizers induce peroxisomes and cause hepatocellular carcinoma in rodents by mechanisms which remain unknown. Recent evidence from this laboratory suggests that many agents in this class of chemicals are uncouplers of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation both in vitro and in vivo. Uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation decreases ATP required for ion pumps and could thereby indirectly increase intracellular free calcium. The goal of these experiments, therefore, was to compare the effect of the potent uncoupler and non-genotoxic carcinogen Wy-14,643 with the weaker agent 2-ethylhexanol on intracellular free calcium in cultured Kupffer cells. Kupffer cells, the resident hepatic macrophages, are activated by calcium and release a variety of mitogenic growth factors that may modulate cell proliferation. In this study, the cytosolic free calcium concentration in Fura-2-loaded cultured Kupffer cells was increased significantly from 78 ± 11 to 838 ± 112 nM following incubation with Wy-14,643 (1.25 mM). The increase in intracellular calcium due to Wy-14,643 was both time- and dose-dependent. At equimolar concentrations, ethylhexanol had no effect on intracellular calcium (65 ± 20 nM). However, at higher concentrations (3 mM), ethylhexanol also increased intracellular calcium. These data suggest that elevation of intracellular calcium in Kupffer cells may be involved in the mechanism of action of this interesting class of non-genotoxic carcinogens.
Resonance effects in RHEED on GaAs(110) surface

Abstract We have studied the RHEED resonance condition on the GaAs(110) surface near the (880) and (620) Bragg conditions. The resonance intensity has been measured, using an energy filtering device which excludes inelastically scattered electrons involving energy losses greater than 2.5 eV. These measured intensities are compared with simulated ones using the Bloch wave method. It is found that the anomalous intensity enhancement at the resonance condition is due to the multiple scattering in the top surface atomic layers, and the surface potential barrier may effect the magnitude of the intensity enhancement. Resonance occurs when there is a Bloch wave that has a very small penetration depth into the bulk crystal, and this Bloch wave is strongly excited.
Investigation of Bid Price Competition Measured through Prebid Project Estimates, Actual Bid Prices, and Number of Bidders

Many practitioners today are faced with the task of advising clients on matters that may affect the number of project bidders. An appropriate question may be, does a restriction of bidder participation negatively impact project costs through limiting competition, and to what degree? Intuition and anecdotal evidence suggest that with an increase in the number of bidders vying for a project, the more competitive the low bid offer will be. There is little published evidence and analysis on bid competition impacting cost-effectiveness, although there are numerous reports replete with arguments, assumptions, anecdotal evidence, and bias. This paper critically evaluates public projects, bid under a condition of free, open, and unfettered competition. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of the impact of reduced competition on project bid prices. By selecting a single building type, designed by a single firm, with prebid estimates prepared from the same estimating database, over a limited time period, the investigation attempts to control model variance. The study found that reducing the number of bidders will result in increased project bid prices.
Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of B4C-TiB2 Composite Prepared by Hot Pressure Sintering

B4C-TiB2 composite was prepared using hot pressure sintering. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the B4C-TiB2 composite were investigated. The B4C-TiB2 composite with 43 mass % TiB2 showed the optimized properties. The relative density, hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness of that were 98.2 %, 25.9 GPa, 458 MPa and 8.7 MPa•m1/2, respectively. A number of toughening mechanisms, including fine grain, crack deflection and grain pull-out, were observed during microstructural analysis of the composite. The fracture mode of the B4C-TiB2 composite was greatly affected by the existence of the second phase of TiB2.
Action potential refractory period in axonal demyelination: a computer simulation

Axonal demyelination leads to an increase in the refractory period for propagation of the action potential. Computer simulations were used to investigate the mechanism by which changes in the passive properties of the internodal membrane increase the refractory period. The properties of the voltage dependent ion channels can be altered to restore conduction in demyeliated nerve fibers. The ability of these alterations to decrease the refractory period of demyelinated model nerve fibers was compared. The model nerve fiber contained six nodes. The action potential was stimulated at node one and propagated to node six. The internode between nodes three and four was demyelinated in a graded manner. The absolute refractory period for propagation of the action potential through the demyelinated internode increased as the number of myelin wraps was reduced to less than 25% of the normal value. The increase in refractory period was found to be due to a reduction in the rate or repolarization of the action potential at node three. The delay in repolarization reduced the rate of recovery of inactivated Na channels and slowed the closing of K channels. The rate of repolarization of node three was reduced by the conduction delay for the depolarization of node four caused by demyelination of the preceeding internode. In these simulations the increase in refractory period due to demyelination was eliminated by slowing the onset of Na channel inactivation. A small reduction of the K conductance also decreased the refractory period. However, larger reductions eliminated this effect.
Electrostatic Processes Affecting Attraction of Dirt to Metallic Vehicle Bodies During Conventional (Nonelectrostatic) Painting

The role of electrostatics in accumulating dirt on vehicles during painting is examined. Experimental observations of charge buildup due to normal assembly operations are documented along with the effectiveness of using ionized air to minimize the charge. These observations are then interpreted in terms of theoretical models of charge storage and dissipation. Finally, the magnitude of various electrostatic forces that might contribute to dirt attraction are considered, leading to a computer model that predicts a simple criterion for determining when electrostatic effects may be neglected.
Brassinosteroid regulates stomatal development by GSK3-mediated inhibition of a MAPK pathway

Plants must coordinate the regulation of biochemistry and anatomy to optimize photosynthesis and water-use efficiency. The formation of stomata, epidermal pores that facilitate gas exchange, is highly coordinated with other aspects of photosynthetic development. The signalling pathways controlling stomata development are not fully understood, although mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling is known to have key roles. Here we demonstrate in Arabidopsis that brassinosteroid regulates stomatal development by activating the MAPK kinase kinase (MAPKKK) YDA (also known as YODA). Genetic analyses indicate that receptor kinase-mediated brassinosteroid signalling inhibits stomatal development through the glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3)-like kinase BIN2, and BIN2 acts upstream of YDA but downstream of the ERECTA family of receptor kinases. Complementary in vitro and in vivo assays show that BIN2 phosphorylates YDA to inhibit YDA phosphorylation of its substrate MKK4, and that activities of downstream MAPKs are reduced in brassinosteroid-deficient mutants but increased by treatment with either brassinosteroid or GSK3-kinase inhibitor. Our results indicate that brassinosteroid inhibits stomatal development by alleviating GSK3-mediated inhibition of this MAPK module, providing two key links; that of a plant MAPKKK to its upstream regulators and of brassinosteroid to a specific developmental output.
A Single Nucleotide Change in the Coat Protein Gene of Tobacco Mosaic Virus Is Involved in the Induction of Severe Chlorosis

Abstract YSI/1 is a mutant of the common strain (U1) of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) which induces a severe yellow mosaic in Nicotiana tabacum instead of the light green/dark green mosaic induced by its parental U1 virus. Although there was less coat protein (CP) in whole leaf extracts of YSI/1-infected leaves than in U1-infected leaves, severalfold more CP was found in the chloroplasts, most of which was associated with the thylakoids. Sequencing the CP genes of both viruses showed the presence of nucleotide differences at viral RNA positions 5770 and 6127, both of which result in amino acid replacements; YSI/1 has an Asp → Val change at amino acid 19 and a Ser → Phe change at amino acid 136. A common strain TMV engineered to contain the YSI/1 3′ end sequences, including the CP, induced the severe yellow mosaic of the YSI/1 mutant. A chimeric virus with the change only at nucleotide 5770 (amino acid 19) in the CP induced a severe yellow mosaic, showing that this replacement is involved in the induction of chlorosis by YSI/1. A second isolate of the same chimera also induced severe yellow mosaic symptoms; sequencing showed that it had gained the change at nucleotide 6127. However, a chimeric virus with the change only at nucleotide 6127 (amino acid 138) in the CP was unable to induce the severe yellow mosaic.
Crystal Structure of the Principal Neutralization Site of HIV-1

The crystal structure of a complex between a 24-amino acid peptide from the third variable (V3) loop of human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) gp 120 and the Fab fragment of a broadly neutralizing antibody (59.1) was determined to 3 angstrom resolution. The tip of the V3 loop containing the Gly-Pro-Gly-Arg-Ala-Phe sequence adopts a double-turn conformation, which may be the basis of its conservation in many HIV-1 isolates. A complete map of the HIV-1 principal neutralizing determinant was constructed by stitching together structures of V3 loop peptides bound to 59.1 and to an isolate-specific (MN) neutralizing antibody (50.1). Structural conservation of the overlapping epitopes suggests that this biologically relevant conformation could be of use in the design of synthetic vaccines and drugs to inhibit HIV-1 entry and virus-related cellular fusion.
Previously Unreported Odorous Compounds in Sterile Concentrated Skimmilk

Abstract Odorous compounds in acidic and nonacidic fractions of a diethyl ether extract of sterile concentrated skimmilk were investigated by gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Twelve compounds not previously observed in sterile milks are reported. Reactions other than those usually associated with changes in sterile milks during production and storage may form off-flavors in these products.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Two Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Voice Therapy Protocols

Purpose Although there is a long history of use of semi-occluded vocal tract gestures in voice therapy, including phonation through thin tubes or straws, the efficacy of phonation through tubes has...
Effects of Rotating Magnetic Fields on Free-Induction Decay Shapes

The behavior of a set of particles in a rotating magnetic field is analyzed to determine how the lengthening of a nuclear magnetic resonance free- induction decay might occur. An experimert to determine the effect of pulse length on the subsequent free-induction decay was carried out for gypsum, calcium fluoride, and ice. A single r-f pulse at the Larmor frequency of the spin system was applied to the sample in equilibrium and the resulting free-induction decay shape was recorded. The r-f pulse length was varied from 1 to 18 mu sec and the magnetic field ranged from 3 to 30 gauss. (C.E.S.)
Infections Due to Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Kidney, Heart, and Liver Transplant Recipients

Infections due to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in solid-organ transplant recipients are infrequent but may be a major cause of morbidity. We describe four cases of NTM infection in solid-organ transplant recipients. The manifestations included a nodule secondary to Mycobacterium kansasii infection in a heart transplant recipient, a cutaneous lesion and a pulmonary nodule secondary to M. kansasii infection in a renal transplant recipient, tenosynovitis secondary to Mycobacterium chelonae infection in a renal transplant recipient, and cutaneous lesions secondary to M. chelonae infection in a liver transplant recipient. We also summarize previously reported cases of NTM infections in solid-organ transplant recipients; common manifestations of NTM infections in solid-organ transplant recipients include cutaneous lesions of the extremities, tenosynovitis, and joint infection. Histopathologic examination of aspirates or biopsy specimens from involved areas and staining and culture for mycobacteria are essential for diagnosis. Treatment of NTM infection most commonly involves surgery, reduction in doses of immunosuppressive medications, and/or therapy with antimycobacterial medications; these treatments are often associated with a good outcome.
Myocardial oxygen consumption, oxygen supply/demand heterogeneity, and microvascular patency in regionally stunned myocardium.

Although oxygen consumption closely parallels mechanical work in the normal heart, previous studies have found that stunned myocardium may have normal or even increased oxygen consumption despite depressed function. In this study we used microspectrophotometry to measure the oxygen saturations within arteries and veins of less than 100 micron diameter in quick-frozen biopsy samples from normal and regionally stunned myocardium of 10 open-chest anesthetized dogs. Regional myocardial blood flow, measured by radioactive microspheres, was similar in stunned and normal regions, as was mean arteriolar oxygen saturation. However, mean venous oxygen saturation was lower in the stunned region (epicardium 38.0% vs 43.8%, p less than .02; endocardium 36.2% vs 39.5%, p = .12), indicating increased oxygen extraction and consumption, despite a marked reduction in mean systolic segmental shortening from 14.4% to 0.5%. In addition, there was greater vein-to-vein heterogeneity of oxygen saturation in the stunned region, with an excess of veins having low saturations (statistically significant in epicardium, nonsignificant trend in endocardium). Microvascular injections studies with Microfil or drafting ink revealed filling of over 95% of arterioles and 85% of capillaries in the stunned region, similar to the findings in the normal region. Our results are consistent with an inefficient transfer of energy into myocyte contraction or an increased use of energy for noncontractile activities in stunned myocardium. In addition, the finding of increased heterogeneity of oxygen extraction suggests that the injury to stunned myocardium may not be uniform to all contractile elements, but instead may be focally and irregularly distributed.
Interregional Elderly Migration and Population Redistribution in Four Industrialized Countries: A Comparative Analysis

Though differing in cultures, languages, and socioeconomic attributes, the industrialized nations of the world share a common characteristic: relatively low fertility levels and relatively high proportions of elderly people. These elderly persons are not spread uniformly across their national territories; they exhibit distinct population geographies. This article examines the elderly migration and population redistribution process in four industrialized countries, identifies their principal retirement regions, and analyzes the sources of regional elderly population growth in these regions. It concludes that the United Kingdom and the United States are approaching the final stages of their "elderly mobility transition," whereas Japan is only entering the first stage, with Italy occupying a position somewhere in between.
Comparative properties of the antineoplastic agent, 3-ethoxy-2-oxobutyraldehyde bis(thiosemicarbazonato) copper(II) and related chelates: Linear free energy correlations

Abstract The formation constants, reduction potentials, and kinetics of some redox and substitution reactions are reported for a series of bis(thiosemicarbazonato) copper(II) complexes. Linear free energy correlations are developed using reduction potentials as the independent variable in the correlations. The variation in in vitro tumor cell cytotoxicity elicited by the chelates corresponds well with the distribution of the complexes in these correlations, thereby providing an empirical chemical rationale for these differences in biological activity. The linear free energy relationships suggest the operation of a steric factor in the kinetics of the reactions described.
Automated offset compensation for DC biopotential measurements

We describe a design for high-gain DC bioamplifiers with automatic offset nulling capability. Taking advantage of state-of-the-art commercially available linear integrated circuits, the design is suitable for low-level measurements such as EEG and event-related potentials. DC input offsets can be nulled instantly, making multichannel DC amplification feasible without time-consuming manual offset compensation. In addition, both signal and DC offset outputs are provided, permitting concurrent monitoring of slow large-scale DC shifts as well as faster small-signal activity . An alternative AC mode with signal and offset outputs is also provided. This approach lends itself to a wide range of applications in which small DC biopotentials must be measured in the presence of larger, variable DC components.
Computer automated charge transport measurement system

A description is given of the electronic configuration of a versatile computer-controlled measurement system that can be used to obtain AC and DC conductivity, Hall effect, and magnetoresistance data over the temperature range of 1.5 to 350 K. The system can process one to eight samples simultaneously in the resistance range from 0 to 10/sup 12/ Omega . >
Lithium Aluminum Hydride–(2,2′‐Bipyridyl)(1,5‐cyclooctadiene)nickel

(LiAlH4) [16853-85-3] AlH4Li (MW 37.96) InChI = 1S/Al.Li.4H/q-1;+1;;;; InChIKey = OCZDCIYGECBNKL-UHFFFAOYSA-N ((bipy)(cod)Ni) [55425-72-4] C18H20N2Ni (MW 323.09) InChI = 1S/C10H8N2.C8H12.Ni/c1-3-7-11-9(5-1)10-6-2-4-8-12-10;1-2-4-6-8-7-5-3-1;/h1-8H;1-2,7-8H,3-6H2;/b;2-1-,8-7-; InChIKey = SQAAHJPKNXUCNA-GHDUESPLSA-N (reagent for desulfurization)1 Physical Data: see entry for Lithium Aluminum Hydride. A crystal structure of (2,2′-bipyridyl)(cod)Ni has been reported.3d Solubility: sol THF. Preparative Methods: as a red-violet solution1a by addition of an equimolar quantity of LiAlH4 to a solution of the nickel complex in THF at rt with production of a mole of hydrogen. The nickel complex can be prepared according to literature procedures.2 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: highly flammable hydrogen is liberated during the formation of the complex. Solutions should be protected from open flames, moisture, and oxygen under an atmosphere of argon. Nickel and nickel salts are reputed to be carcinogenic and should be handled with due precautions. LiAlH4 is highly flammable as the solid or in solution.
Malformations in a chornobyl-impacted region.

OBJECTIVE: One of the populations most exposed to chronic low-dose radiation from Chornobyl (Chernobyl in Russian) lives in Polissia, the region representing the northern half of Rivne Province (Oblast) in Ukraine. Here the patterns and population rates of malformations are reported and possible etiologic factors and regional contrasts are explored. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Malformations, as defined by international standards, noted among all 96 438 births in Rivne between 2000 and 2006, were analyzed statistically. Contrasts of rates in Polissia compared with the rest of Rivne also were investigated. RESULTS: The overall rate of neural tube defects in Rivne is among the highest in Europe (22.2 per 10 000 live births). The rates of conjoined twins and teratomas also seem to be elevated. In Polissia, the overall rates of neural tube defects are even higher (27.0 vs 18.3, respectively; odds ratio: 1.46 [95% confidence interval: 1.13–1.93]), and the rates of microcephaly and microphthalmia may also be elevated. CONCLUSIONS: The malformation patterns observed suggest early disruptions of blastogenesis, manifesting as alterations of body axes, twinning, duplications, laterality, and midline formation. The results are sufficiently compelling to justify continuing and expanding this investigation of malformations in chronic low-dose radiation-impacted regions of Ukraine.
SIP: Ringing timer support for INVITE Client Transaction

The time for which the phone call can ring should be configurable at the switch. Underlying protocol responsible for establishing the call should provide the facility to configure the ringing time. It has been observed that the SIP phone call can ring for the time indicated by timer B. The timer B controls transactions timeout. If the called party does not answer the phone before timer B expires then the SIP call is not established. This paper suggests modification to SIP protocol as defined in RFC 3261 with respect to its handling of timer B and configuring the time for which SIP phone can ring before the call is disconnected.
Unsupervised learning of multilingual short message service (SMS) dialect from noisy examples

Noise in textual data such as those introduced by multi-linguality, misspellings, abbreviations, deletions, phonetic spellings, non standard transliteration, etc pose considerable problems for text-mining. Such corruptions are very common in instant messenger (IM) and short message service (SMS) data and adversely affect off the shelf text mining methods. Most techniques address this problem by supervised methods. But they require labels that are very expensive and time consuming to obtain. While we do not champion unsupervised methods over supervised when quality of results is the supreme and singular concern, we demonstrate that unsupervised methods can provide cost effective results without the need for expensive human intervention to generate parallely labelled corpora. A generative model based unsupervised technique is presented that maps non-standard words to their corresponding conventional frequent form. A Hidden Markov Model (HMM) over subsequencized representation of words is used subject to a parameterization such that the training phase involves clustering over vectors and not the customary dynamic programming over sequences. A principled transformation of maximum likelihood based "central clustering" cost function into a "pairwise similarity" based clustering is proposed. This transformation makes it possible to apply "subsequence kernel" based methods that model delete and insert edit operations well. The novelty of this approach lies in that the expensive (Baum-Welch) iterations required for HMM, can be avoided through a careful factorization of the HMM Loglikelihood and in establishing the connection between information theoretic cost function and the kernel approach of machine learning. Anecdotal evidence of efficacy is provided on public and proprietary data.
Use of enzyme-deficient cell culture lines as a biochemical screen for study of purines, purine nucleosides and related compounds

Abstract From H.Ep. No. 2 cells in culture, two new sublines have been selected for resistance to certain cytotoxic purines and purine nucleosides. These new sublines, together with five resistant sublines previously described, constitute a series of cell lines deficient in the following enzymes, either singly or in combinations: adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.7), hypoxanthine (guanine) phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.8) and adenosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.20). Data are presented illustrative of the usefulness of these cell lines as a convenient biochemical screen that provides an indication of the pathways of anabolism of cytotoxic purines, purine nucleosides or analogs of purines and purine nucleosides.
From Paternalism to Ethnocentrism: Images of Africa in Gorbachev's Russia

An analysis of the content of three publications, Pravda, Izvestiya and Novoe Vremya, from 1985-1992 shows how news coverage of Africa was increasingly marginalised as Gorbachev’s ‘glasnost’ reforms took hold. The stance adopted towards Africa changed from communist paternalism to outright negativity as the continent was used by politicians and journalists as a metaphor for poverty and backwardness. The result was rising racism against Africans living in Russia.
Spatial Ability, Navigation Strategy, and Geographic Knowledge Among Men and Women

Abstract In a study of sex differences in navigation strategy and geographic knowledge, 90 men and 104 women completed cognitive spatial tests, gave directions from local maps, and identified places on a world map. On the spatial tests, men were better than women in mental rotation skill, but men and women were similar in object location memory. In giving directions, men were more abstract and Euclidian, using miles and north–south–east–west terms, whereas women were more concrete and personal, using landmarks and left–right terms. Older subjects of both sexes gave more abstract Euclidian directions than younger subjects did. On the world map, men identified more places than women did. The data fit a causal model in which sex predicts world map knowledge and the use of Euclidian directions, both directly and indirectly through a sex difference in spatial skills. The age effect, which was independent of sex, supports a developmental view of spatial cognition.
Variations in the Rate of Anaerobic Succinate Accumulation within the Central and Marginal Regions of an Euryoxic Bivalve Mantle

. Anaerobic metabolism in the central and marginal portions of the mantle of Mercenaria mercenaria was compared. Anaerobic succinate accumulation was more rapid in the central region. This difference may be due to higher phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity in the central region. Thus, the central region is more specialized for anaerobic metabolism and the marginal region more for net shell growth. The original rate of succinate accumulation in the mantle is similar in isolated mantles and intact clams, suggesting that mantle succinate production does not require translocation of precursors from other tissues. However, in intact clams, the rate of succinate accumulation in the central region of the mantle slows after four hours. The reduced rate is probably caused by reducing the metabolic rate. Succinate accumulation and shell dissolution are slower in freshly collected clams than in clams that had been stored anaerobically. The difference may be due to induction of PEPCK synthesis during storage. Shell derived calcium did not accumulate in the mantle and, therefore did not alter the intracellular calcium concentration in the mantle.
Reflections on ‘Rethinking Research Ethics’

Rosamond Rhodes presents us with a very interesting and provocative proposal for the recruitment of research subjects—a form of conscription (Rhodes 2005). She argues that adoption of this proposal...
Using communication-to-computation ratio in parallel program design and performance prediction

The authors goal is to be able to predict the performance of a parallel program early in the program development process; to that end they require prediction methods that can be based on incomplete programs. They describe how a single method based on communication-to-computation (C/C) ratio can be used to predict performance accurately and yet fairly simply in some commonly encountered cases. They show how C/C-ratio-based methods are accomplished for both distributed-memory and coherent-memory multiprocessors. They show that focusing on C/C ratio simplifies the use of theory, machine benchmarking and application measurement necessary to provide good parallel performance prediction. In addition, the methods demonstrated are useful because they can be applied to program fragments, or serially executed code. >