cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of dielectric/organic interface properties on the performance of the organic thin film transistors

In order to manufacture organic electronic devices with high performance, more detailed studies of the structure and the morphology of the organic materials as well as the underlying physical charge transport mechanisms are warranted. For instance, high efficiency organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) require materials with high charge carrier mobility [1, 2]. The parameters that determine the charge carrier mobility of the device include the structure of the first organic layer at the organic-dielectric interface as well as the morphology and the structural order of the other organic layers. Therefore, fundamental questions about structural properties of organic materials should be answered in order to optimize device performance [2-4]. In this work, several bilayer structures of LiF/PTCDI-C8 and LiF/pentacene were prepared and their morphology and molecular structure were characterized using X-ray reflectivity (XRR) technique. In order to study the effects of the films’ structures and dielectric/organic interfacial properties on the device performance, OTFTs based on these bilayers were fabricated and characterized. It has been observed that PTCDI-C8 thin films have higher molecular packing in the LiF/PTCDI-C8 bilayer structure, which results in superior electrical characteristics for OTFTs based on this organic material. Devices with LiF/PTCDI-C8 bilayer exhibit about one order of magnitude higher output current (Ids) at a constant drain-source voltage (Vds) compared to the devices with LiF/pentacene bilayer. The observed differences in the electrical characteristics of these devices can be attributed to the effects of the dielectric/organic interface and the molecular structure of the organic layers.
Locked nucleic acid molecular beacons for intracellular mRNA monitoring

We have designed, synthesized, and investigated a novel molecular beacon (MB) using locked nucleic acid (LNA) bases for intracellular mRNA monitoring. This new LNA-MB has several useful properties including: very high melting temperature; excellent affinity for complementary sequences; superior single base mismatch discrimination capability; stablity against nuclease digestion; and not binding with single-stranded DNA binding proteins. All of these properties are highly advantageous for a molecular tool for various intracellular studies of biochemical, biological and medical significance.
Health coaching as an intervention in health management programs

Health coaching interventions are increasingly being incorporated into health management programs, which are implemented in a variety of settings, from physician practices to the broader population level (e.g. throughout health plans, employer groups). To date, motivational interviewing-based health coaching is the only technique to have been fully described and consistently demonstrated as causally and independently associated with positive behavioral outcomes. In order for a health coaching intervention to be effective (i) individuals at risk must be correctly identified; (ii) recruitment efforts must be maximized; (iii) a valid coaching technique should be chosen; (iv) the delivery mechanism must ensure adequate participant engagement; and (v) the program evaluation must be sufficiently robust to mitigate threats to validity, and demonstrate a causal association between the intervention and outcomes. Given the rapid expansion in the field of health coaching within the larger context of health management programs, more studies employing rigorous evaluation designs are needed to advance the science and application of the concept.
Tissue- and cell-based biomimetic templates generated via dip-pen nanolithography

Dept. of Chemistry, Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN Abstract The identification, fabrication and evaluation of biomimetic templates hold great potential for a variety of applications. The generation of templates on these substrates is achieved using an appropriately modified atomic force microscope (AFM) tip. The fabrication pr ocess of tissue and cell based templates reported in this paper is accomplished using Dip-Pen Nanolithography. This report identifies critical parameters necessary for the patterning process: initial surface quality, temperature and humidity conditions. The results of this proof of concept experiment can be utilized in future in vitro and in vivo studies to test the templates bio-compatibility and specificity. Introduction In recent years, a number of groups have made important contributions to develop new types of lithographic techniques.
Matching human understanding: Syntax and semantics revisited

This paper revises the classic Ontological Semantics theory with regard to the output of the analyzer. We argue that it is not enough to produce semantic interpretation of text, and syntactic trees should serve not only as clues for semantic processing but also as an output in its own right. We show that it is useful to combine both results of syntactic and semantic processing in a single output while at the same time maintaining its own unique pieces on testbed of several sentences containing complex nominals and compare these results to interpretations of human subjects.
Experience with Cyclosporin-A After Renal Allografting in Two Dogs Research Note

After renal allografting, cyclosporin-A was administered to one partially nonmatched dog that was followed for 79 days. Cyclosporin-A and prednisolone were administered to one nonmatched dog that was followed for 805 days. Side effects encountered with cyclosporin-A included lymphocytic dermatitis, papillomatosis, bacterial and fungal infections, and B lymphocyte hyperplasia.
Further development of a three‐node triangular shell element

Early elements of this type were inaccurate because the membrane response was poor. Researchers improved the membrane response by adding drilling d.o.f. and by underintegrating the membrane stiffness matrix. More recent research has dealt with the addition of membrane-bending coupling within individual elements and the suppression of mechanisms. The present work intends to continue the improvement by modifying the membrane stiffness, simplifying the membrane-bending coupling device and suppressing mechanisms without degrading performance or causing the mesh to lock
Correction: Corrigendum: The curious case of clioquinol

Nat. Med. 15, 356–359 (2009); published online 6 April 2009; corrected after print 7 May 2009 In the version of this article initially published, Ashley Bush of the Mental Health Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia is cited as the sole originator of the metals theory for Alzheimer’s disease, and Prana Biotechnology is described as being founded in Melbourne.
Digital 3D imaging: theory and applications

This paper reviews the basic concepts behind laser cameras developed at the NRC. It emphasizes the critical elements of optimal design and the limitations related to the use of coherent light. It is shown, for example, that speckle noise is a fundamental limit for the position sensing of laser spot centroid. This has an impact on the choice of the position sensor geometry. Design guidelines are presented.
Electrophysiological properties of morphologically-identified medial vestibular nucleus neurons projecting to the abducens nucleus in the chick embryo

Neurons in the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) show a wide range of axonal projection pathways, intrinsic firing properties, and responses to head movements. To determine whether MVN neurons participating in the vestibulocular reflexes (VOR) have distinctive electrophysiological properties related to their output pathways, a new preparation was devised using transverse brain slices containing the chicken MVN and abducens nucleus. Biocytin Alexa Fluor was injected extracellularly into the abducens nucleus so that MVN neurons whose axons projected to the ipsilateral (MVN/ABi) and contralateral (MVN/ABc) abducens nuclei were labeled selectively. Whole-cell, patch-clamp recordings were performed to study the active and passive membrane properties, sodium conductances, and spontaneous synaptic events in morphologically-identified MVN/AB neurons and compare them to MVN neurons whose axons could not be traced (MVN/n). Located primarily in the rostral half of the ventrolateral part of the MVN, MVN/AB neurons mainly have stellate cell bodies with diameters of 20-25 μm. Compared to MVN/n neurons, MVN/ABi and MVN/ABc neurons had lower input resistances. Compared to all other MVN neuron groups studied, MVN/ABc neurons showed unique firing properties, including type A-like waveform, silence at resting membrane potential, and failure to fire repetitively on depolarization. It is interesting that the frequency of spontaneous excitatory and inhibitory synaptic events was similar for all the MVN neurons studied. However, the ratio for miniature to spontaneous inhibitory events was significantly lower for MVN/ABi neurons compared to MVN/n neurons, suggesting that MVN/ABi neurons retained a larger number and/or more active inhibitory presynaptic neurons within the brain slices. Also, MVN/ABi neurons had miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) with slower decay time and half width compared to MVN/n neurons. Altogether, these findings underscore the diversity of electrophysiological properties of MVN neuron classes distinguished by axonal projection pathways. This represents the first study of MVN/AB neurons in brain slice preparations and supports the concept that the in vitro brain slice preparation provides an advantageous model to investigate the cellular and molecular events in vestibular signal processing.
Hexachloro(dimethylsulfied)bis(hexamethyltriaminoposphine)ditantalum-(TaTa), [(Me2N)3P]Cl2Ta(μ-CI)2(μ-Me2S)TaCl2[(Me2N)3P]: Preparation and structure

Abstract The reaction of Ta 2 Cl 6 (SMe 2 ) 3 ) with (Me 2 N) 3 P in CH 2 Cl 2 affords the title compound, which was crystallized from hexane. The structure of the molecule was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The compound crystallizes in space group P2 1 /n with a = 14.98(1) A, b = 13.319(7) A, c = 17.592(8) A, β = 109.95(7)°, V = 3298(2) A 3 and Z = 4. The molecule is derived from the starting material by replacement of the terminal Me 2 S ligands with (Me 2 N) 3 P ligands; the bridging Me 2 S ligand is retained. The Ta 2 Cl 6 SP 2 skeleton has effectively C 2υ symmetry and the TaTa bond length is 2.704(1) A The compound is diamagnetic and gives a sharp proton NMR spectrum with signals at 3.092 and 2.665 ppm (downfield from Me 4 Si) in an intensity ratio of 1:6 and assignable to SMe 2 (singlet) and (Me 2 N) 3 P (doublet, J = 8.82 Hz), respectively.
A reexamination of hilltopping in Euphydryas editha

Nouvelle analyse des donnees presentees par l'auteur en 1988 sur le regroupement des vieux males et des femelles vierges dans les parties les plus hautes de leur habitat.Une erreur statistique ayant entraine la presentation de conclusions erronees
Determination of metal ions by fluorescence anisotropy exhibits a broad dynamic range

b1c University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710ABSTRACTRecently, we have shown that metal ions free in solution may be determined at low levels by fluorescenceanisotropy (polarization) measurements. Anisotropy measurements enjoy the advantages of wavelength ratiometrictechniques for determining metal ions such as calcium, because anisotropy measurements are ratiometric as welLFurthermore, fluorescence anisotropy may be imaged in the microscope. An advantage ofanisotropy notdemonstrated for wavelength ratiometric approaches using indicators such as Fura-2 and lndo-1 is that underfavorable circumstances anisotropy-based determinations exhibit a much broader dynamic range in metal ionconcentration. Determinations offree Zn(ll) in the picomolar range are demonstrated.
Effect of temperature on activity of allozymic forms of supernatant malate dehydrogenase in the red shiner, Notropis lutrensis

Abstract 1. 1. Electrophoretic patterns for supernatant malate dehydrogenase in a common forage fish, Notropis lutrensis , were observed for several populations. 2. 2. The patterns observed result from duplication of the supernatant MDH locus resulting in three isozymes. Genetic polymorphism results in three distinct allozymic patterns. Heterozygous combinations between any two allozymic forms results in six isozymes. 3. 3. Thermal studies of enzyme activity revealed that cathodal isozymes of the three allozymic forms have different temperature-related optima, i.e. 20, 25 and 30°C.
PS10 PHAEOCHROMOCYTOMA IN CHILDREN

Purpose Phaeochromocytomas are rare tumours of the sympathoadrenal neuroendocrine system. It is known that these tumours are associated with Von Hippel Lindau (VHL) disease, multiple endocrine neoplasia type II and neurofibromatosis type I. Recently an association with succinate dehydrogenase type B and D gene mutations has been described. Discovery of a SDHB mutation in a girl at our hospital prompted us to review our experience with phaeochromocytoma in children. Methodology Retrospective review of case notes of all children treated for phaeochromocytoma over the period 1997–2006 at Starship Children’s Hospital, NZ. Results Seven patients with 8 tumours were identified with average age of 10 years and average systolic BP of 161. The tumours were adrenal in location in 37.5% and 62.5% extra-adrenal. Our malignancy rate was 12.5%. Familial disease was noted in two patients with one girl having VHL disease and the other found to carry a mutation in the SDHB gene. All children received preop antihypertensives and were treated operatively with seven open resections and one laparoscopic converted to open resection. One child received adjuvant radiotherapy. There were no recurrences or deaths. Conclusions Phaeochromocytoma in children varies from the adult form. It is more likely to be extra-adrenal and have a greater chance of a familial genetic syndrome. The discovery of SDH mutations has altered the diagnosis of familial disease and carries implications for family screening, prognosis and surveillance. We emphasize the importance of taking a good family history and suggest screening for SDH mutations in all patients with phaeochromocytoma.
A Polymorphic Variant of AFAP-110 Enhances cSrc Activity

Enhanced expression and activity of cSrc are associated with ovarian cancer progression. Generally, cSrc does not contain activating mutations; rather, its activity is increased in response to signals that affect a conformational change that releases its autoinhibition. In this report, we analyzed ovarian cancer tissues for the expression of a cSrc-activating protein, AFAP-110. AFAP-110 activates cSrc through a direct interaction that releases it from its autoinhibited conformation. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a concomitant increase of AFAP-110 and cSrc in ovarian cancer tissues. An analysis of the AFAP-110 coding sequence revealed the presence of a nonsynonymous, single-nucleotide polymorphism that resulted in a change of Ser403 to Cys403. In cells that express enhanced levels of cSrc, AFAP-110(403C) directed the activation of cSrc and the formation of podosomes independently of input signals, in contrast to wild-type AFAP-110. We therefore propose that, under conditions of cSrc overexpression, the polymorphic variant of AFAP-110 promotes cSrc activation. Further, these data indicate amechanismby which an inherited genetic variation could influence ovarian cancer progression and could be used to predict the response to targeted therapy.
A cost-effective approach to testing

A method for assessing the differential risk of failure among a system's modules is proposed. The procedure has three components: external-risk assessment, module exposure, and module-failure likelihood. External-risk assessment is a consideration of the system's environment, almost independent of the software's details. To estimate module exposure, the model relates individual modules and their potential faults to the external-failure modes and their economic consequences by reverse-engineering the specifications and analyzing each module's expected use. To estimate failure likelihood, the method uses a reliability model. The method constitutes theoretical foundation for the cost-effective development of software that attempts to reduce the risk of failure. Managers can use the failure-risk estimates to better determine how much testing effort can be economically justified. >
Rattan for Sustainable Economic Development: A case study of expanding rattan's design potential through technology innovation

This article will introduce readers to rattan and the economics of turning this natural resource into commercial products. This article will also discuss how Permacane has expanded furniture design options and has made rattan a viable building material for architectural components. The case study will include how this use of rattan in furniture and architectural components has contributed to economic development in the Philippines.
In vivo activation of an ω-6 oxygenase in human skin

To test the hypothesis that an epidermal fatty acid oxygenase is activated in vivo under physiologic conditions, surface lipids from normal human skin were analyzed for oxygenase products. With high-performance liquid chromatography on reversed-phase and straight-phase chiral columns and gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, these lipids were found to contain free 13-hydroxyoctadeca-9Z,11E-dienoic acid and 9-hydroxyoctadeca-10E,12Z-dienoic acid. The 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid was present as a stereoisomeric mixture, with an average S/R ratio of 2.2, and exceeded the concentration of 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid by a factor of 2. These observations and others indicate that the 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid was derived mostly from an ω-6 oxygenase (probably 15-lipoxygenase) which is activated in vivo in normal skin.
Role of intracellular calcium in priming of human peripheral blood monocytes by bacterial lipopolysaccharide.

To determine the role of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in the priming of monocytes (MΦ) by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the membrane expression of two functional proteins and phagocytosis and respiratory burst were examined by microfluorimetry. LPS induced a significant increase in HLA-DR and C3bi receptor (CR3) expression within 2 h of its addition to whole blood. The enhanced expression of both antigens by LPS was dose-dependent, with concentrations as low as 0.1 ng/ ml producing a response. The involvement of [Ca2+]i was demonstrated by loading isolated MΦ with the intracellular calcium chelator quin-2 or the inhibitor of intracellular calcium redistribution TMB-8 prior to addition of LPS. Both compounds inhibited the LPS-induced increase in HLA-DR and CR3 expression. No role for extracellular calcium, for calcium slow channel flux, or for the calcium-calmodulin complex in LPS priming was demonstrated when LPS was added in the presence of EGTA, trifluperazine (TFP), or verapamil. The addition of the calcium ionophores A23187 or ionomycin failed to increase expression of either antigen. Prior exposure to LPS primed MΦ for enhanced phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity. These functions were inhibited by TMB-8, but not by TFP or verapamil. Addition of LPS to isolated MΦ increased [Ca2+]i by 23% at 30 sec and 42% at 5 min, as measured by the calcium-sensitive, intracellular probe indo-1. These results suggest that intracellular Ca2+ mobilization is necessary, but not sufficient, for LPS-induced priming of human peripheral blood monocytes.
International dumping: final and intermediate products

Abstract This paper analyzes the welfare effects of international dumping in terms of: (1) the nature of the product being dumped (final product or intermediate product); and (2) whether dumping results from price discrimination (price-based dumping) or export sales at below production cost (cost-based dumping). Two recent dumping cases are used to illustrate the effects of dumping;(1) the Apple Case of 1989, in which the Canadian government determined that U.S. apples (final product) were sold in Canada at prices below production cost; and (2) the Antifriction Bearing Case of 1989, in which the U.S. government determined that bearings (intermediate product) from Europe and Japan were sold in the United States at proces below those charged abroad.
263 INCREASED AMINO ACID CATABOLISM IN THE FETAL LAMB DURING MATERNAL FASTING

The effect of maternal fasting upon fetal nitrogen uptake in the form of free amino acids (QN), fetal oxygen consumption (QO2) glucose utilization (QG), urea excretion (QU) and umbilical blood flow (UBF) was assessed in the chronic fetal lamb preparation. Five animals (mean gestational age 118 days) were studied in the fed state 7 days after surgery and again 12 days post-operatively after 5 days of maternal fasting. QG decreased from 6.88 ± 1.04 to 2.69 ± .30 mg/kg/min during the fasted state while QO2 remained unchanged (7.38 ± .53 vs. 7.41 ± .70 ml/kg/min). The glucose:oxygen quotient thus decreased from .69 to .28 during fasting. QU increased from 448 to 691 mg/kg/day, although nitrogen uptake from the placenta did not change during fasting (802 vs. 768 mg/kg/day). These findings indicate that the fetal metabolic rate remains unchanged during the fasted state while exogenous glucose utilization decreases to <50% of fed state values. An augmented utilization of amino acids is reflected by the increased urea excretion rate, but without a detectable increase in nitrogen uptake from the placenta. Therefore, the ovine fetus becomes increasingly reliant on amino acid substrate during fasting and may be required to catabolize its own protein stores, or to direct exogenous amino acids from growth to catabolism to maintain adequate energy substrate.
DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN SOME TOXIC SUBSTANCES IN ANAEROBICALLY PRODUCED AUTOLYSATES OF PNEUMOCOCCI (TYPES I AND II)

The necrotizing and lung-toxic principles present in certain anaerobically prepared autolysates of Pneumococcus Types I and II are similar in respect to extreme sensitiveness to heat and to oxidation, and to their ability to be neutralized by the same anti-autolysate serums. These two poisons differ, however, in their ability to be adsorbed or inactivated by red cells; the lung-toxic principle being adsorbed or inactivated by such procedure while the necrotizing principle is not. Since pneumococcus hemotoxin is present in the anaerobic autolysates and is also adsorbed by red cells, it seemed possible that it was this substance in the autolysates which caused the diffuse lung lesions and death of guinea pigs. However, it was found that the intratracheal injection of pneumococcus hemotoxin prepared by the method of Avery and Neill only occasionally produced the characteristic reaction caused by the intratracheal injection of the anaerobic autolysates.
Nucleotide Sequence and Tissue Distribution of Three Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Prohormones in Salmon

Tissue distribution and potential alternative splicing of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) messenger RNA were studied using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on RNA from several tissues at various stages of the life cycle of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). DNA sequence analysis of RT-PCR products revealed three IGF-I mRNA transcripts, designated Ea-1, Ea-2, and Ea-3, which code for three distinct prohormones, IGF-IA-1, IGF-IA-2, and IGF-IA-3, respectively. The E-domain of proIGF-IA-1 is 35 amino acids long and shares 77% sequence identity with the E-domain of human proIGF-IA, which is also 35 amino acids long. The proIGF-IA-2 and proIGF-IA-3 E-domains are homologous to the proIGF-IA-1 E-domain but contain 27 and 39 amino acid inserts, respectively, between Lys86 and Glu87. In the human IGF-I gene Lys86 is coded by exon 4 and Glu87 is coded by exon 6. This suggests that Ea-2 and Ea-3 transcripts may be the result of alternative splicing during pre-mRNA processing. All three transcripts were readily detectable using a solution hybridization/RNase protection assay. Furthermore, RT-PCR and DNA sequencing analysis indicate the presence of three IGF-I prohormones in another member of the Salmonidae family, the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). An analysis of IGF-I and -II E-domains from several vertebrates suggests that certain chemical and physical properties of the molecule are well conserved despite wide variations in primary structure. Ea-1, Ea-2, and Ea-3 transcripts were found in whole embryos, and liver, muscle, and brain of juvenile and adult salmon. At least one IGF-I transcript was found in heart, kidney, testes, ovary, adipose tissue, and spleen of juvenile salmon. These results indicate that IGF-I is expressed during embryonic development of fish, and that most tissues are capable of IGF-I mRNA production. These data also indicate that pre-mRNA transcripts can be alternatively spliced to yield at least three prohormones.
Application of LC–MS to the analysis of dyes in objects of historical interest

Abstract High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with photodiode array and mass spectrometric detection permits dyes extracted from objects of historical interest or from natural plant or animal dyestuffs to be characterized on the basis of three orthogonal properties: HPLC retention time, UV–visible spectrum and molecular mass. In the present study, we have focused primarily on yellow dyes, the bulk of which are flavonoid glycosides that would be almost impossible to characterize without mass spectrometric detection. Also critical for this analysis is a method for mild extraction of the dyes from objects (e.g., textiles) without hydrolyzing the glycosidic linkages. This was accomplished using 5% formic acid in methanol, rather than the more traditional 6 M HCl. Mass spectroscopy, besides providing the molecular mass of the dye molecule, sometimes yields additional structural data based on fragmentation patterns. In addition, coeluting compounds can often be detected using extracted ion chromatography. The utility of mass spectrometry is illustrated by the analysis of historical specimens of silk that had been dyed yellow with flavonoid glycosides from Sophora japonica (pagoda tree) and curcumins from Curcuma longa (turmeric). In addition, we have used these techniques to identify the dye type, and sometimes the specific dyestuff, in a variety of objects, including a yellow varnish from a 19th century Tibetan altar and a 3000-year-old wool mortuary textiles, from Xinjiang, China. We are using HPLC with diode array and mass spectrometric detection to create a library of analyzed dyestuffs (>200 so far; mostly plants) to serve as references for identification of dyes in objects of historical interest.
Capillary Flow of Power-Law Non-Newtonian Liquids in Circular Tubes

The penetration rate of power-law non-Newtonian liquids in a circular tube driven by the capillary pressure is derived. The dimensionless fractional height of liquid in the tube relative to the equilibrium height, χ = h(t)/h(∞), is calculated as a function of an appropriately chosen dimensionless time, permitting expression of the height-time dependence as a function of the reciprocal of the exponent in the power-law model, s = 1/n. It is found that the rate of penetration and, therefore, also withdrawal of liquid is dramatically retarded as the liquid becomes more strongly shear-thinning, i.e., as n becomes small relative to unity.
A PURIFIED GROUP A STREPTOCOCCAL PYROGENIC EXOTOXIN : PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES INCLUDING THE ENHANCEMENT OF SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ENDOTOXIN LETHAL SHOCK

Purified pyrogenic exotoxin from Group A streptococcal filtrates ( Streptococcus pyogenes , type 10, strain NY-5) has been characterized primarily as a protein complexed with hyaluronic acid. Amino acid composition and analysis revealed a typical acidic protein with an average molecular weight of 29,000. The purified exotoxin was free of streptolysins O and S, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotidases (NADases), deoxyribonucleases (DNases), mucopeptide, and endotoxins. The biological activity was destroyed when the exotoxin was heated at 65°C for 30 min or boiled for 2 min. The biological activities investigated were pyrogenicity in rabbits (minimal pyrogenic dose-3 hr, 0.07 µg/kg), lethality in rabbits (LD50, 3500 µg/kg), skin test dose in human skin (> 109 skin test doses, per mg toxin), cytotoxicity of rabbit spleen macrophage (Cytotoxic Index 0.5–10 µg/ml), enhancement of susceptibility to endotoxin shock (in rabbits > 100,000-fold), and antigenic analysis (A-type toxin). The exotoxin was immunogenic and it was possible, therefore, to immunize animals against the various toxic activities. The immunity was specific for the A-type toxin. The clinical implications of the highly significant enhancement effect of these exotoxins are discussed. It is suggested that clinical or subclinical infection with Group A streptococci could prepare the host for fatal shock from Gram-negative infections or the inadvertent injection of small amounts of Gram-negative bacterial endotoxins.
Inverse acoustic scattering from an elastic sphere

A technique is presented to determine the material properties of elastic spheres using the resonance features present in their backscattering cross sections. The method is based on an asymptotic solution of the elastodynamic equations governing the sphere’s response in the high‐frequency (x≡k1a≫1) regime. Our study shows that the modal resonances that an elastic sphere communicates to its echo fall into two distinct families. The set of broader resonances is the dilatational family. The narrower set is the shear family. They are both present in all the modes (n>0) contained within the sonar cross section except for the n=0 mode that contains only broad resonances. Both sets of resonances are separated by spacings that asymptotically (x≫1) tend to uniform values that we have respectively called Δ and Δ’. The dilatational and shear wave speeds in the elastic sphere are shown to be respectively proportional to these spacings, so that the two wave speeds can be immediately determined from them. The sphere’s d...
The automatic solution of two-parameter Sturm-Liouville eigenvalue problems in ordinary differential equations

An algorithm is described for the numerical solution of quite general two-parameter eigenvalue problems, whether singular or not. The scheme is completely automatic. Even the usual requirement of an initial guess is not needed. The scheme is based on the solution of suitable initial-value problems or ''shooting''.
Currency Crises: Introduction

The papers in this volume deal with the antecedents and consequences of currency crises. The emergence of intense pressures within the exchange rate mechanism (ERM) of the European Monetary System in late 1992 and in 1993, eventuating in the suspension of several currencies from the mechanism and a widening of the fluctuation bands to 15 percent for most remaining currencies in the mechanism, and the attack against the Mexican new peso in December 1994, resulting in the decision by the Mexican Government to float its currency, have reignited the debate about the compatibility of pegged exchange rates with conditions of free capital mobility. This debate has been a recurrent feature of commentary on the international monetary system. Indeed, a basic result of the Mundell-Fleming model, developed in the early 1960s, is the incompatibility of pegged exchange rates, an independent monetary policy and perfect capital mobility. The debate has become more acute, however, in recent years as some governments have attempted to use a pegged exchange rate arrangement to provide a nominal anchor for stabilizing price expectations. Concurrently, there has been a generalized move to dismantle controls on capital movements and a dramatic increase in the quantity of resources that private agents can bring to bear on currency movements relative to those available to national authorities implying that, in the absence of consistent policies, pegged exchange rate arrangements are difficult to maintain.
Experimentally determined kinetic isotope effects in the reaction of CH4 with Cl: Implications for atmospheric CH4

We report experimental values for the carbon and hydrogen kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) in the reaction of CH4 with Cl at temperatures between 273 and 350 K. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry was utilized to measure 13CH4/12CH4 and CH3D/CH4 ratios on samples taken from a 5870- L reaction chamber. At 299 K, kc12/kc13 = 1.0621±0.0001 (2σ) and kh/kd = 1.474±0.020 (2σ). For both KIEs, the ratio decreased with increasing temperature over the range studied. These results agree well with experimental studies using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy and FTIR absorption spectroscopy and with a recent theoretically-calculated set of values.
Comparison of high energy direct current and radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrioventricular junction

Abstract Objectives. The goal of the study was to determine short- and long-term success and complications of radiofrequency atrioventricular (AV) junction catheter ablation and to compare these with those of high energy direct current catheter ablation. Background. Catheter ablation of the AV junction with radiofrequency or direct current energy is an accepted treatment for drug-refractory supraventricular tachycardias. Few data are available on the long-term success and effects of radiofrequency ablation or its comparison with direct current ablation. Methods. Fifty-four patients who underwent attempted AV junction ablation with radiofrequency energy were followed up for a mean of 24 ± 8.4 months. These patients were retrospectively compared with 49 patients who underwent attempted AV junction ablation with direct current energy and were followed up for a mean of 41 ± 23 months. Results. The early success rate at the time of discharge for radiofrequency ablation was 81.5%, which was not statistically different from that for direct current ablation (85.7%). Fewer sessions were required to achieve complete AV block in the radiofrequency group (1.05 ± 0.23) (mean ± SD) compared with the direct current group (1.21 ± 0.41) (p = 0.02). Although overall complication rates were similar for both groups (9.3% in the radiofrequency group and 8.2% in the direct current group), there was a trend toward more life-threatening early complications in those patients who received direct-current shocks (6.8%) than in those who underwent radiofrequency ablation alone (2.3%) (p = 0.1). Early sudden death (one patient), early ventricular tachycardia (two patients) and cardiac tamponade (one patient) were seen only in those patients who underwent ablation with direct current energy, whereas pulmonary embolism (one patient) was the only early life-threatening complication in the radiofrequency group. During follow-up, the rate of recurrence of AV conduction was the same (5%) for both the direct current and radiofrequency groups. In the direct current group, one patient died suddenly 2 weeks after the procedure and another had a cardiac arrest due to ventricular tachycardia 6 h after the procedure. In the radiofrequency group, two patients died suddenly at 11 and 7 months, respectively. Two patients, one who had unsuccessful radiofrequency ablation and required direct current ablation, were resuscitated from ventricular tachycardia. Conclusions. Radiofrequency energy appears to be as efficacious as and perhaps safer than direct current energy for AV junction ablation.
Pain-induced alteration of glutamate in periaqueductal central gray and its reversal by morphine.

Abstract Experiments were performed to evaluate alterations of glutamate levels in the periaqueductal central gray matter (CG) of mice following various treatments. Pain, but not stress, significantly reduced CG glutamate levels. Morphine, evaluated at its time of peak analgesic effect, not only reversed pain-induced depression of CG glutamate levels but significantly increased glutamate above control levels. Pentobarbital and chlorpromazine were without effect on CG glutamate levels suggesting a drug-specific response for this brain area. Evidence supporting a CG-specific morphine response is provided by comparison with alterations of glutamate levels in hypothalamus. In hypothalamus, morphine was without effect in reversing a pain-induced depression of glutamate levels.
The hepatitis B virus posttranscriptional regulatory element is composed of two subelements.

The RNAs of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) contain a cis-acting regulatory element which facilitates the cytoplasmic localization of unspliced transcripts (J. Huang and T. J. Liang, Mol. Cell. Biol. 13:7476-7486, 1993, and Z. M. Huang and T. S. Yen, J. Virl. 68:3193-3199, 1994). Such localization is presumed to be mediated by cellular factors which interact with the element. The HBV posttranscriptional regulatory element (HBVPRE) can efficiently activate an RNA export reporter system in an orientation-dependent and position-independent manner. Deletion analysis reveals that the HBVPRE consists of two subelements which function synergistically. A synergistic effect was also observed when the 5' (PREalpha) or 3' (PREbeta) subelements were duplicated. The bipartite structure of the HBVPRE is reminiscent of reports that the high-affinity binding sites of the Rev-like proteins must be duplicated to function efficiently (M. Grone, E. Hoffmann, S. Berchtold, B.R. Cullen, and R. Grassmann, Virology 204:144-152, 1994; X. Huang, T.J. Hope, B.L. Bond, D. McDonald, K. Grahl, and T. G. Parslow, J. Virol. 65:2131-2134, 1991; and D. McDonald, T. J. Hope, and T. G. Parslow, J. Virol. 66:7232-7238, 1992).
Analytic design of optimum holographic optical elements

A method is developed for analytically determining the holographic optical element phase function that is optimum for transforming a set of input wave fronts into a corresponding set of output wave fronts. These sets are allowed to be infinite in the sense that the wave-front phases can be given as functions of continuous parameters. The method can be tolerant of specified wave-front aberrations, with the optimum amount of these aberrations determined as part of the solution process. For many practical design problems, the phase function and its first derivatives will be continuous. The method is applied to the design of a one-dimensional Fourier-transform holographic element with the input wave-front angle of arrival as a continuous parameter and with the optimum distortion of the output plane determined by the solution. The resulting design compares favorably with other work using damped-least-squares optimization.
Federated Product Models for Enabling Simulation-Based Product Lifecycle Management

Across product lifecycle processes, engineers continually analyze product behavior and refine product specifications. Owing to the collaborative and multi-disciplinary nature of product realization, engineers work on subsets of a product’s specification, also known as a product view, and use their expertise to analyze domain-specific (e.g., electrical, structural, thermal) product behavior. In this paper, we present the notion of a product view federation that embodies engineering processes related to the creation, enrichment and reuse of a particular product view. We make the first step towards answering the following question — Can one formalize the process of creating a product view federation from component federates to enable knowledge reuse? We describe and exemplify one particular graph-based inference approach for creating the product view federation.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Identification and utilization of arbitrary correlations in models of recombination signal sequences

A significant challenge in bioinformatics is to develop methods for detecting and modeling patterns in variable DNA sequence sites, such as protein-binding sites in regulatory DNA. Current approaches sometimes perform poorly when positions in the site do not independently affect protein binding. We developed a statistical technique for modeling the correlation structure in variable DNA sequence sites. The method places no restrictions on the number of correlated positions or on their spatial relationship within the site. No prior empirical evidence for the correlation structure is necessary. We applied our method to the recombination signal sequences (RSS) that direct assembly of B-cell and T-cell antigen-receptor genes via V(D)J recombination. The technique is based on model selection by cross-validation and produces models that allow computation of an information score for any signal-length sequence. We also modeled RSS using order zero and order one Markov chains. The scores from all models are highly correlated with measured recombination efficiencies, but the models arising from our technique are better than the Markov models at discriminating RSS from non-RSS. Our model-development procedure produces models that estimate well the recombinogenic potential of RSS and are better at RSS recognition than the order zero and order one Markov models. Our models are, therefore, valuable for studying the regulation of both physiologic and aberrant V(D)J recombination. The approach could be equally powerful for the study of promoter and enhancer elements, splice sites, and other DNA regulatory sites that are highly variable at the level of individual nucleotide positions.
Public Entrepreneurs and the Adoption of Broad-based Merit Aid Beyond the Southeastern United States

The concentration of broad-based merit aid adoption in the southeastern United States has been well noted in the literature. However, there are states that have adopted broad-based merit aid programs outside of the Southeast. Guided by multiple theoretical frameworks, including innovation diffusion theory (e.g., Gray, 1973, 1994; Rogers, 2003), Roberts and King’s (1991) typology of public entrepreneurs, and Anderson’s (2003) stages of the policymaking process, this qualitative study sought to answer the following questions. First, in the absence of regional diffusion pressures, what internal determinants are reported as accounting for the diffusion of broad-based merit aid programs outside of the Southeastern US? What types of public entrepreneurs were identified as playing key roles in establishing merit aid in states outside the southeastern US? During which stages of the policymaking process were they active? We found that merit aid was a means of addressing an array of public problems, including low college going rates at in-state public colleges and universities, and weak K-12 accountability. Consistent factors reported as facilitating merit aid creation included a strong, vocal public advocate (governors and a university system president) and a desire to strengthen state economies and diversify workforces. A full range of public entrepreneurs played key roles in developing merit aid in the sampled states. Political and executive entrepreneurs were in the forefront of merit aid efforts, but our data suggest that a cast of supporting public entrepreneurs were integral to the eventual adoption of broad-based merit aid in the sampled states.
Kinematic Effects of Differential Transport on Mixing Efficiency in a Diffusively Stable, Turbulent Flow

Abstract If temperature and salinity are mixed at different rates, the mixing efficiencies in flows with the same stratification and forcing can vary if the contributions of temperature and salinity to the density differ. Two models are used to examine the effect of differential transport of salt and heat on the mixing efficiency. The first model assumes constant eddy diffusivities for heat and salt and examines the effect of the density ratio Rρ = αΔT/βΔS and the diffusivity ratio d = KS/KT on the mixing efficiency. The model predicts that the effect of differential transport can be as large as that due to stratification and the type of process generating the turbulence. The second model incorporates the effect of stratification on the mixing by using results from laboratory experiments on entrainment across a sharp density interface. The model predicts that the mixing efficiency depends on the density ratio and a Richardson number Ri0 based on the density jump and velocity and length scales of the turbu...
The effects of state and federal background checks on state-level gun-related murder rates

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether firearm background checks are significantly related to gun-related murder rates. The present study differs from prior research in several ways. First, a large longitudinal data-set is used; data for 50 states for the period 1980–2011 are examined. Second, the effects of both federal and state background checks, including state-mandated private sales background checks, are estimated. Finally, a fixed effects model that controls for both state-level and year-specific effects is used. Results suggest that states that require dealer background checks have lower gun-related murder rates than other states. In addition, after implementation of the Brady Act, gun-related murder rates fell. However, the results also suggest that, for the entire period in question, states with private sales background checks had higher gun-related murder rates than states with no such background checks. If one only looks the Brady Act period, however, then the private sales ...
A synthetic circuit for selectively arresting daughter cells to create aging populations

The ability to engineer genetic programs governing cell fate will permit new safeguards for engineered organisms and will further the biological understanding of differentiation and aging. Here, we have designed, built and implemented a genetic device in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that controls cell-cycle progression selectively in daughter cells. The synthetic device was built in a modular fashion by combining timing elements that are coupled to the cell cycle, i.e. cell-cycle specific promoters and protein degradation domains, and an enzymatic domain which conditionally confers cell arrest. Thus, in the presence of a drug, the device is designed to arrest growth of only newly-divided daughter cells in the population. Indeed, while the engineered cells grow normally in the absence of drug, with the drug the engineered cells display reduced, linear growth on the population level. Fluorescence microscopy of single cells shows that the device induces cell arrest exclusively in daughter cells and radically shifts the age distribution of the resulting population towards older cells. This device, termed the ‘daughter arrester’, provides a blueprint for more advanced devices that mimic developmental processes by having control over cell growth and death.
Measuring substantial reductions in activity.

The case definitions for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), ME, and CFS each include a disability criterion requiring substantial reductions in activity in order to meet diagnostic criteria. Difficulties have been encountered in defining and operationalizing the substantial reduction disability criterion within these various illness definitions. The present study sought to relate measures of past and current activities in several domains including the SF-36, an objective measure of activity (e.g., actigraphy), a self-reported quality of life scale, and measures of symptom severity. Results of the study revealed that current work activities had the highest number of significant associations with domains such as the SF-36 subscales, actigraphy, and symptom scores. As an example, higher self-reported levels of current work activity were associated with better health. This suggests that current work related activities may provide a useful domain for helping operationalize the constru...