cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbon declines along tropical forest edges correspond to heterogeneous effects on canopy structure and function

Nearly 20% of tropical forests are within 100 m of a nonforest edge, a consequence of rapid deforestation for agriculture. Despite widespread conversion, roughly 1.2 billion ha of tropical forest remain, constituting the largest terrestrial component of the global carbon budget. Effects of deforestation on carbon dynamics in remnant forests, and spatial variation in underlying changes in structure and function at the plant scale, remain highly uncertain. Using airborne imaging spectroscopy and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data, we mapped and quantified changes in forest structure and foliar characteristics along forest/oil palm boundaries in Malaysian Borneo to understand spatial and temporal variation in the influence of edges on aboveground carbon and associated changes in ecosystem structure and function. We uncovered declines in aboveground carbon averaging 22% along edges that extended over 100 m into the forest. Aboveground carbon losses were correlated with significant reductions in canopy height and leaf mass per area and increased foliar phosphorus, three plant traits related to light capture and growth. Carbon declines amplified with edge age. Our results indicate that carbon losses along forest edges can arise from multiple, distinct effects on canopy structure and function that vary with edge age and environmental conditions, pointing to a need for consideration of differences in ecosystem sensitivity when developing land-use and conservation strategies. Our findings reveal that, although edge effects on ecosystem structure and function vary, forests neighboring agricultural plantations are consistently vulnerable to long-lasting negative effects on fundamental ecosystem characteristics controlling primary productivity and carbon storage.
Demo Abstract: Collision Prediction from Pairwise Ranging

The ability to predict, and thus react to, oncoming collisions among a set of mobile agents is a fundamental requirement for safe autonomous movement, both human and robotic. This demonstration tests a pairwise method in which two agents collect repeated range measurements and predict if they will collide. Compared to methods which use GPS or TDOA to track each agent and then predict collisions, this method does not rely on infrastructure or a fixed coordinate system. However, the accurate prediction of future pairwise range, and thus collision prediction, is highly sensitive to noise and changes in velocity. This prototype can be used to provide intuition for the method’s strengths and weaknesses.
Analysis of the impact of fuel microstructure on irradiation-enhanced densification using grand potential simulations

Abstract Irradiation-enhanced densification (IED) is a form of sintering that occurs within ceramic nuclear fuels during reactor operation. It affects the fuel microstructure and density, which in turn affect the temperature profile and fission gas behavior. In this work, we modify the grand potential sintering model to describe IED. This new model is verified and used in several small test scenarios, demonstrating that its behavior is consistent with experimental data available in the literature. We use the model to gain additional insight into the mechanisms which drive IED: the effects of pore size, the effects of grain boundaries, and the interactions between neighboring pores. Based on these promising results, we propose further development of the model and completion of sensitivity analysis in order to inform future engineering-scale densification models.
Origin and alleviation of J-V hysteresis in perovskite solar cells: A short review

Abstract Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cell (PSC) has received widespread attention due to its high efficiency, low cost, and easy fabrication process. However, the commercialization of PSC is still hindered due to their unstable properties. Current density-voltage (J–V) hysteresis is one of the instabilities that causes overestimate or underestimate of the real conversion efficiency of PSC, making it difficult to assess the true photovoltaic parameters. This review discusses the internal and external factors that causes the J–V hysteresis phenomenon and presents various strategies to alleviate the J–V hysteresis in PSC. This article also provides insights into the perspectives and critical challenges that are needed to address the hysteresis of PSC for further improvement of device performance.
Frailty Recognition by Clinicians and its Impact on Advance Care Planning.

Background:Frailty has important implications for the care of the elderly and how their needs are met.Objective:To assess clinicians’ acknowledgement of frailty in the electronic medical records (E...
Artificial Intelligence Community and Self

The means by which artificial intelligence systems will both interact and influence individuals and community are considered, with a description of current capabilities such as video analytics, agency, natural language processing, and online data analysis. Open research questions such as the roles of analogies, associative memory, and the grounding problem are discussed, with speculation presented regarding the possible ramification of this research agenda. Such topics will include how artificial intelligence and humanity might co-evolve; artificial creativity; and life without work.
Impact of Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model on Community Cancer Centers.

Purpose An episode-based payment model, the Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model (RO-APM), is scheduled to go into effect in January 2022. This article investigates the effects of RO-APM on hospital-based and freestanding community centers. Methods Historical Medicare data used to generate the RO-APM base rates were reviewed. A sensitivity analysis was performed to show how the RO-APM reimbursements compare with current reimbursements for commonly accepted treatment schedules and with current reimbursements at a large community practice. Results The RO-APM base rates represent a 2.2% decrease in overall Medicare reimbursement. Freestanding centers have historically billed at higher rates than hospital-based centers, however, and the RO-APM base rates represent a 6% decrease in global reimbursement for freestanding centers. The sensitivity analysis showed that, except for proton therapy, moderately hypofractionated treatment schedules will receive comparable reimbursement under RO-APM. Treatments using higher numbers of fractions of intensity-modulated radiation therapy or protons will see larger decreases in reimbursement. Application of the RO-APM base rates to the 2020 Medicare treatments in our health care network would result in small changes in expected reimbursement, but our sensitivity analysis indicated that Medicare reimbursement reductions could be as large as 23%. Conclusion Compared with historical Medicare reimbursement, RO-APM base rates provide lower reimbursement for many common treatment scenarios, and this will have a larger effect on centers that use complex treatment techniques and longer fractionation schedules or have a large Medicare population.
The extracellular matrix protein CCN1 dictates TNFα and FasL cytotoxicity in vivo.

It has long been appreciated that the apoptotic activity of TNFα is context dependent and requires inhibition of NFκB signaling or de novo protein synthesis to be manifested in most normal cells in culture. Recent studies have uncovered an unexpected pro-apoptotic synergism between TNF cytokines and the CCN family of extracellular matrix proteins, which are dynamically expressed at sites of injury repair and inflammation. The presence of CCN1, CCN2, or CCN3 allows TNFα to induce apoptosis with high efficacy without perturbation of NFκB signaling or de novo protein synthesis, thus converting TNFα from a proliferation-promoting protein into an apoptotic inducer. CCN proteins also enhance the cytotoxicity of other TNF family cytokines including LTα, FasL, and TRAIL. CCN proteins synergize with TNF cytokines through binding to integrin α6β1 and the heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) syndecan-4 to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Knockin mice that express a CCN1 mutant defective for binding α6β1-HSPG are severely blunted in TNFα- and Fas-mediated apoptosis, indicating that CCN1 is a physiologic regulator of these processes. Thus, CCN proteins in the extracellular matrix microenvironment can provide the contextual cues for the cytotoxicity of TNFα and related cytokines and profoundly influence their activity.
“Wetting” the Appetite of Spark Ignition Engines for Lean Combustion

Single-cylinder spark ignition engine experiments conducted at constant speed, fixed airflow, and using isooctane as the fuel, demonstrated the effects of fuel-air mixture preparation was changed by varying the time of fuel injection in the induction manifold, near the intake valve port. For comparison, a prevaporized fuel-air mixture was also investigated. Emphasis was placed on determining the effects of mixture preparation on combustion characteristics. Based on the results from this study, the often favored prevaporized mixture of fuel and air may not be the best diet for lean engine operation. /SAE/
Adaptive human-centered representation for activity recognition of multiple individuals from 3D point cloud sequences

Activity recognition of multi-individuals (ARMI) within a group, which is essential to practical human-centered robotics applications such as childhood education, is a particularly challenging and previously not well studied problem. We present a novel adaptive human-centered (AdHuC) representation based on local spatio-temporal features (LST) to address ARMI in a sequence of 3D point clouds. Our human-centered detector constructs affiliation regions to associate LST features with humans by mining depth data and using a cascade of rejectors to localize humans in 3D space. Then, features are detected within each affiliation region, which avoids extracting irrelevant features from dynamic background clutter and addresses moving cameras on mobile robots. Our feature descriptor is able to adapt its support region to linear perspective view variations and encode multi-channel information (i.e., color and depth) to construct the final representation. Empirical studies validate that the AdHuC representation obtains promising performance on ARMI using a Meka humanoid robot to play multi-people Simon Says games. Experiments on benchmark datasets further demonstrate that our adaptive human-centered representation outperforms previous approaches for activity recognition from color-depth data.
A TEST OF SIMILARITY VARIABLE FOR DILUTE FLUID–SOLID HEAT TRANSFER†

From international symposium on two-phase systems; Haifa, Israel (29 Aug 1971). See CONF-710836-. The interaction of solid particles with turbulent fluid in the vicinity of vertical surfaces was studied. The heat transfer to air suspensions of glass microspheres flowing upward in a 51-mm dia pipe was measured. Glass microspheres with mean diameters of 50 mu m, 70 mu m, and 100 mu m were used in concentrations < 0.0004 volume fractions solids. The pipe Reynolds number range was 20,000 to 62,000 based on the properties of air alone. Tests in a 25-mm diameter tube using 70 mu m microsphere with a Reynolds number of 12,000 to a concentration of 0.0011 were made. A peak in the heat-transfer erihancement in the 51-mm tube was observed for a constant value of the product, d/sub p/(N/ sub Re/)/sup 7/8/, consistent wi th the previously reported fluid- solid interaction model involving the microscale of fluid turbulence. (auth)
Spin-glass to ferromagnet transition in LaMn1−xScxO3

Abstract Dilution of LaMn1−xMxO3 with a main-group trivalent M = Sc or Al atom is compared to the case M = Ga in order to confirm the generality of a vibronic ferromagnetic Mn(III)–O–Mn(III) superexchange interaction and stabilization of orbital disorder by a magnetizing field. A spin-glass to ferromagnet transition in a modest applied magnetic field has been found in the single-valent perovskite system LaMn1−xScxO3 as in the analogous system LaMn1−xGaxO3; the coexistence of a ferromagnetic phase and an antiferromagnetic phase at low temperatures extends to compositions where the orthorhombic room-temperature axial ratio is c/ 2 >a . The Sc(III) ion is more resistant to a cooperative, static ordering of the Mn(III) e-orbitals than is Ga(III); the Al(III) ion is less resistant than Ga(III). The data for these insulators confirm the existence of a ferromagnetic vibronic-superexchange interaction between octahedral-site, high-spin Mn(III) with fluctuating e-orbitals and stabilization by an applied magnetic field of the orbitally disordered, ferromagnetic phase relative to the orbitally ordered antiferromagnetic phase. A similar spin-glass to ferromagnet transition in the mixed-valent La1−xSrxMnO3 system at compositions exhibiting the colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) phenomenon supports the coexistence of ferromagnetic vibronic-superexchange and double-exchange interactions in the ferromagnetic phase and correlation bags rather than conventional magnetic polarons in the paramagnetic phase of the CMR manganites.
Location and concentration of ionic impurities in polymeric cable insulation

Two analytical methods for identifying ionic species and their concentration in cable insulation and shields are described and evaluated. Wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDX) is a microanalytical method that is applied to identify ions present and to determine their spatial distribution. Ion chromatography (IC) is a bulk analytical method that detects ions extracted from a specimen of cable insulation of shield material. The former method is tedious, expensive, and semiquantitative, but offers high spatial resolution and is nondestructive. Ion chromatography, on the other hand, provides an inexpensive means to identify ions and to measure their concentration precisely. The methods differ in their elemental sensitivity and ability to identify compounds. Each has its own specimen preparation requirements. Analytical results obtained from pairs of unaged and aged XLPE insulated cables are compared, using both methods, and some conclusions are drawn regarding the significance of the observed ionic changes. >
Mechanism of cell damage in brain ischemia: A hypothesis

Mitochondria are known to develop a series of abnormalities as a result of ischemia. The inability of mitochondria to resume normal function following reperfusion has been implicated as an important factor in irreversible cell damage. However, the mechanism of mitochondrial injury after ischemic brain insult is poorly understood. In this paper a hypothesis is proposed which concentrates on the interrelated roles of phosphate, calcium, and electron transport on ischemic brain cell injury.
Larval salivary gland secretion proteins in Drosophila structural analysis of the Sgs-5 gene

The structure of the Drosophila melanogaster salivary gland secretion gene Sgs-5 has been determined by DNA sequence analysis of cloned genomic DNA. This developmentally and tissue-specific gene is a member of the third instar intermolt gene set and is under control of the insect molting hormone ecdysterone. RNA protection experiments show that the RNA coding region of Sgs-5 contains 769 nucleotides and is divided into three exons by two small introns. The protein-coding region appears to begin after a short untranslated RNA leader (33 nucleotides) and to result in a protein of 163 amino acids. The first 18 amino acids give the amino-terminal end the highly hydrophobic nature characteristic of a signal peptide.
Simulation of impacts of fluid free surfaces with solid boundaries

Deficiencies associated with the simulation of impacts of fluid free surfaces with solid boundaries by use of marker-and-cell methods are identified and addressed. New procedures are introduced that affect the movement of markers in cells adjacent to a solid boundary, the flags of the cells that comprise a solid boundary and the pressure boundary condition for a cell in which impact occurs. Combined with fundamental changes in the sequence of steps in the computational cycle, these new procedures allow the intentional treatment of impact. As a result, improved estimates are obtained of the pressure associated with the cells adjacent to a boundary along which impact occurs. Consequently, more appropriate adjustments are made of the tentative internal velocities associated with such cells. In addition, a special procedure is presented for the adjustment of the tentative internal velocity between two surface cells. Finally, a new cell type termed a corner cell is defined and a procedure for its treatment is presented. Numerical examples are included to illustrate the previous deficiencies associated with the simulation of impact as well as the effectiveness of the new methods presented in this paper. Validation of the new methods is achieved by comparison with experimental results for spillage over a containment dike.
Atmospheric chemistry: Natural atmospheric acidity

Formic acid exerts a significant influence on atmospheric chemistry and rainwater acidity. Satellite observations and model simulations suggest that terrestrial vegetation accounts for around 90% of the formic acid produced annually.
Home Rule in Taxation

The problem stated, 490. — Equality in taxation, 492. — Relation to the general property tax as a state tax, 494. — Complete home rule with separation of sources, 495. — Home rule as a negative program, 499. — Tendency to excess in state expenditure, 502. — The case summarized, 503.
Dreams of Oil and Fertile Fields: The Rush to Qinghai in the 1950s

The author considers rural resettlement to Qinghai province during the 1950s as part of the broader state-building effort to support frontier construction, which in turn was part of China's geopolitical reengineering pursued by several generations of Party leaders. The Chaidam basin's oil and the vast pastures of highland areas both appeared to be ready for quick harvest. These natural resources caused the state to seek a gold rush-style migration, setting up many counties and towns in the space of several years. Analysis of the experiences of Youth League-sponsored agricultural resettlers reveals that the expensive program failed to achieve most of its goals and indeed destroyed land and exacerbated food shortages. The regional and gendered dimensions of this movement provide new perspectives from which to view the rapid state building of the 1950s.
A Survey of Computer Use by Undergraduate Psychology Departments in Virginia.

The various uses of computers in instruction, faculty research, and departmental administration were assessed by a survey of the 36 psychology departments at four-year colleges in Virginia. Complet...
α4β1 Integrin Mediates Selective Endothelial Cell Responses to Thrombospondins 1 and 2 In Vitro and Modulates Angiogenesis In Vivo

We examined the function of α 4 β 1 integrin in angiogenesis and in mediating endothelial cell responses to the angiogenesis modulators, thrombospondin-1 and thrombospondin-2. α 4 β 1 supports adhesion of venous endothelial cells but not of microvascular endothelial cells on immobilized thrombospondin-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, or recombinant N-terminal regions of thrombospondin-1 and thrombospondin-2. Chemotactic activities of this region of thrombospondin-1 and thrombospondin-2 are also mediated by α 4 β 1 , whereas antagonism of fibroblast growth factor-2–stimulated chemotaxis is not mediated by this region. Immobilized N-terminal regions of thrombospondin-1 and thrombospondin-2 promote endothelial cell survival and proliferation in an α 4 β 1 -dependent manner. Soluble α 4 β 1 antagonists inhibit angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane and neovascularization of mouse muscle explants. The latter inhibition is thrombospondin-1–dependent and not observed in explants from thrombospondin-1 −/− mice. Antagonizing α 4 β 1 may in part block proangiogenic activities of thrombospondin-1 and thrombospondin-2, because N-terminal regions of thrombospondin-1 and thrombospondin-2 containing the α 4 β 1 binding sequence stimulate angiogenesis in vivo. Therefore, α 4 β 1 is an important endothelial cell receptor for mediating motility and proliferative responses to thrombospondins and for modulation of angiogenesis.
Development of High Performance Micro DMFCS and a DMFC Stack

A silicon-based micro direct methanol fuel cell (μDMFC) for portable applications has been fabricated and its electrochemical characterization carried out. A membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) was specially fabricated to mitigate methanol crossover. The cell with the active area of 1.625 cm2 demonstrated a maximum power density of 50 mW/cm2 at 60°C. Since silicon wafer is too fragile to compress for sealing, and a thicker layer of gold has to be coated on the silicon wafer to reduce contact resistance, further development of micro DMFCs for high power application was carried out using stainless steel plate as bipolar plate in which flow channels were fabricated by photochemical etching technology. The maximum power density of the micro DMFC reaches 62.5 mW/cm2 at 40 °C and 100 mW/cm2 at 60°C with atmospheric pressure. An 8-cell air-breathing DMFC stack has been developed. Mass transport phenomena such as water transport, and oxygen transport were investigated. By using a water management technique, cathode flooding was avoided in our air-breathing DMFC stack. Furthermore, it was found that oxygen transport in the air-breathing cathode is still very efficient. The DMFC stack produced a maximum output power of 1.33 W at 2.21 V at room temperature, corresponding to a power density of 33.3 mW/cm2 . A passive DMFC using pure methanol was demonstrated with steady-state output power of 20–25 mW/cm2 over more than 10 hours without heat management.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Catastrophic Impacts on Gravity Dominated Asteroids

We use the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method to simulate catastrophic collisions on silicate bodies whose impact response is dominated by gravity rather than material strength. Encounter speeds of 3, 5, and 7 km sec^(−1), impact angles of 15°, 45°, and 75°, and target diameters of 10 to 1000 km are investigated. The projectile and target materials are modelled using the Tillotson equation of state for granite. Our model treats gravity rigorously, but neglects strength and fracture effects. We calculate the initial hydrodynamic phase of each event; after the impact shock wave crosses the target, particle motions are nearly ballistic and can be treated analytically. Material that does not escape may reaccrete ∼1 hr to ∼1 yr after the impact. The partitioning of impact energy into heat and motion of projectile and target material favors kinetic energy at higher speeds and larger projectile:target diameter ratios, but does not depend on the absolute size scale of the event. After the impact, most of the kinetic energy is carried by a small amount of fast ejecta. Particle velocity distributions are not sensitive to size scale and have complex, evolving shapes that are poorly represented by simple approximations. The catastrophic threshold (impact energy per unit target mass required to permanently eject 50% of the target against gravity) ranges from 8 × 10^3J kg^(−1) at 10 km diameter to 1.5 × 10^6J kg^(−1) at 1000 km, varying as target diameter to the 1.13 ± 0.01 power. Extrapolating these results suggests that gravity dominance extends to stony bodies as small 250 ± 150 m in diameter, smaller than previously believed. This result implies that asteroids as small as a few hundred meters across may be “rubble piles.” Nearly catastrophic impacts can exhume target core material and catapult surface rocks to the antipodes (“scrambling” the target), but selective removal of the outer layers is inefficient. Most material strongly heated in these impacts escapes, limiting globally averaged heating from a single collision to ≤50°C for asteroids ≤1000 km in diameter.
Religious socialization and children's prayer as cultural object: Boundary work in children's 19th century Sunday school books

Abstract Studies of children and childhood are increasingly common but little is known about children and religion and specifically about the mechanisms by which religious socialization happens. This paper takes a dynamic approach to the study of religion and childhood and considers how children via their role as audience might help reflect and shape adult culture and religiosity. Through the lens of cultural sociology, the paper examines 19th century Sunday school books as cultural products and seeks to answer two fundamental questions: what can the content and form of materials produced for use by children tell us about “adult” religion and culture? and what does religion tell us about childhood as a social category? Content analysis of a sample of 100 Sunday school books published in the 19th century provides evidence that adults engage in boundary work to separate adults from children and the religious from the secular. Religion is presented in a child-specific format. This suggests both that adult religion is malleable and domain specific and that childhood is both a distinct stage in the life course and a social category.
Phase stability of weakly crosslinked interpenetrating polymer networks

A phenomenological theory is formulated for chemically quenched binary interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs), considering both simultaneously crosslinked networks and sequentially crosslinked networks, as well as pseudointerpenetrating networks (where only one component is crosslinked and the other is a linear polymer). The construction of free energy functionals for homogeneous weakly crosslinked IPNs and pseudo-IPNs and their spinodal curves and critical points of unmixing is described. These free energy functionals are augmented with gradient energy terms in order to consider effects due to spatially varying small inhomogeneities in the network chain concentration. The dynamic response and the initial spinodal decomposition of IPNs are discussed.
Modulation of corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate production by brain cells.

Abstract Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is believed to have a role as an important brain neuroregulator acting through specific receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase in addition to its major role in regulating pituitary adrenocorticotropin synthesis and secretion. To study the potential modulatory effects of various regulators and the central effects of CRH, we studied the effects of phorbol ester myristate acetate (PMA), arginine vasopressin (AVP), corticosterone, dexamethasone, and progesterone on CRH stimulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production in extrahypothalamic forebrain cell cultures derived from day 17 gestation fetal rats. These cultures contain CRH receptors with similar characteristics as those in anterior pituitary and brain. CRH (10−9 − 10−7 M) stimulated cAMP in a dose-dependent fashion and maximal stimulation was clearly seen at 10−7 M CRH. Incubation of the cells with PMA (10−7 M), a protein kinase C (PKC) agonist, had no effect on basal cAMP, but potentiated CRH-stimulated cAMP. AVP (10−8, 10−7 M) had no effect on basal nor CRH-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Corticosterone (10−7, 10−6 M) or dexamethasone (10−9−10−7 M) pre-incubation for 18 h did not diminish basal cAMP levels nor inhibit CRH-induced stimulation of cAMP. However, corticosterone inhibited CRH-induced cAMP production in anterior pituitary cells. Neither did exposure to progesterone (2×10−8 M) modulate basal cAMP, CRH-induced cAMP production nor the potentiation of CRH stimulation by PMA. The data demonstrate that CRH receptors in dissociated fetal extrahypothalamic forebrain cell cultures are coupled to an adenylyl cyclase/cAMP second messenger system similarly as shown in studies with anterior pituitary membranes. The interaction between CRH and other regulators is similar to that in anterior pituitary with regard to synergism by a PKC activator such as PMA, but differs in the lack of glucocorticoid inhibition or AVP potentiation of CRH-stimulated cAMP production. The ability of CRH to stimulate cAMP in fetal brain cells additionally suggests that coupling of the receptor to adenylyl cyclase occurs at an early stage of development.
HIV Recovery from Saliva Before and After Dental Treatment: Inhibitors May Have Critical Role in Viral Inactivation

Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from 21 HIV-positive men and women before and after dental treatment. The frequency of HIV detection did not increase after dental treatment. Infectious HIV was recovered from only one patient. Study findings raise the possibility that, in most cases, salivary inhibitors render the virus non-infectious.
Purification and characterization of the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II from chicken forebrain

CaM kinase II is known to be enriched in mammalian and avian brains. To determine the holoenzymic composition and functional characteristics of this kinase, a new approach for isolation was applied to isolate it from the chicken forebrain. Forebrains of hatched 45-d chicken were dissected, homogenized, and centrifuged. The supernatant was loaded onto a CaM-agarose affinity column and the calmodulin-binding proteins were eluted with EGTA. Selected eluates were loaded onto the antibody-agarose affinity column, which was prepared with monoclonal antibody (MAb) (6G9) to the CaM kinase II alpha subunit. Samples were subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and either silver-stained or blotted onto a nitrocellulose membrane. The protein composition and the immunoreactivity of the antibody-agarose affinity eluate fractions were analyzed with a densitometric scanner. Silver staining of gels showed that the beta subunit doublet, the beta' subunit, and a putative substrate were coeluted with the alpha subunit from the antibody affinity column although only the alpha subunit bound the 6G9 antibody. Scintillation counting showed that the autophosphorylation of the kinase was significantly reduced in the eluate from the antibody affinity column. Whereas silver staining indicated an increase in the relative amount of alpha subunit had occurred during purification, phosphorylation assays indicated an increase in the relative amount of the alpha subunit after the last purification step. A possible reason for this is discussed. The presence of beta/beta' subunits in the antibody-agarose affinity eluate indicated the existence of an alpha beta/beta' heteropolymer. The phosphorylation assay was not a good indication of the amount of purification because of the loss of enzyme activity following purification. In contrast, the immunoassay indicated a 97-fold purification from the cytosolic fraction was achieved using the method. In conclusion, the data indicate the existence of the CaM kinase II alpha beta/beta' heteropolymer in the chicken forebrain.
Robust strand exchange reactions for the sequence-specific, real-time detection of nucleic acid amplicons.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) of DNA is a powerful isothermal nucleic acid amplification method that can generate upward of 109 copies from less than 100 copies of template DNA within an hour. Unfortunately, although the amplification reactions are extremely powerful, real-time and specific detection of LAMP products remains analytically challenging. In order to both improve the specificity of LAMP detection and to make readout simpler and more reliable, we have replaced the intercalating dye typically used for monitoring in real-time fluorescence with a toehold-mediated strand exchange reaction termed one-step strand displacement (OSD). Due to the inherent sequence specificity of toehold-mediated strand exchange, the OSD reporter could successfully distinguish side products from true amplicons arising from templates corresponding to the biomedically relevant M. tuberculosis RNA polymerase (rpoB) and the melanoma-related biomarker BRAF. OSD allowed the Yes/No detection of rpoB in a complex...
Subtype-Selective Down-Regulation of Rat Renal Cortical α-and β-Adrenergic Receptors by Catecholamines*

In the current studies, we have explored agonist-mediated down-regulation of adrenergic receptors in vivo. We infused catecholamines from sc implanted osmotic minipumps and examined the effects of the resultant increases in circulating levels of catecholamines on rat renal cortical alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor subtypes, as assessed in radioligand binding studies. Infusion of epinephrine or norepinephrine (at 150 micrograms/kg X h) elevated plasma levels of each catecholamine 10- to 20-fold and decreased renal cortical alpha 1-receptor number about 50% without changing alpha 2-receptor number. Isoproterenol infusion (150 micrograms/kg X h) raised plasma levels of this catecholamine, but had no effect on the number of either alpha 1- or alpha 2-receptors. Renal cortical beta-adrenergic receptor number was decreased by infusion of all three catecholamines. However, the beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors were altered selectively by the different agonists. Infusion of norepinephrine decreased both beta 1- and beta 2-receptor number, but was more effective for the beta 1-receptors; this result was somewhat at variance with that we previously reported for rats bearing transplanted pheochromocytomas. The decrease in beta-receptor number due to epinephrine infusion was largely due to loss of the renal cortical beta 2-receptors. Infusion of isoproterenol decreased the number of both beta 1- and beta 2-receptors (69% and 75%, respectively). Infusion of norepinephrine maximally decreased the number of alpha 1-, beta 1-, and beta 2-receptors within 2 days, and the t 1/2 for receptor loss was about 12 h. beta-Receptors lost in response to isoproterenol infusion could not be recovered in a pellet prepared by high speed centrifugation of the supernatant derived from the preparation of renal cortical membranes. These results indicate that adrenergic receptor subtypes are differentially down-regulated by elevated levels of circulating catecholamines and that this differential loss of receptors depends on the nature of the receptor subtype, the agonist, and perhaps also whether catecholamines are infused rather than increased by pheochromocytoma.
Effect of Knowledge upon Attitudes towards the Negro

Resume On a fait subir des formes comparables d'un Test des Connaissances a l'egard du negre et l'Echelle de l'Attitude de Hinckley a un groupe experimental de 70 etudiants universitaires du Sud des Etats-Unis avant et apres une etude du probleme de l'enseignement du negre dans le Sud, et a un groupe de controle de 92 etudiants qui n'ont pas etudie le probleme. Un questionnaire a montre qu'a peu pres tous les membres des deux groupes avaient connu des negres comme ouvriers et domestiques, mais que 90 pour cent d'entre eux n'avaient jamais etudie le probleme du negre comme membre d'une race. Ni le groupe experimental ni le groupe de controle n'ont eu l'attitude de prejuge contre le negre. Il s'est montre un gain constant de la connaissance du negre, mais nulle difference constante des attitudes a l'egard du negre. Une analyse des declarations specifiques marquees semble indiquer que les resultats ont ete trop influences par l'attitude specifique de l'opposition a l'opinion que le melange des races devrait ...
Maximum forces and deflections from orthodontic appliances

The maximum bending moment of an orthodontic wire is an important parameter in the design and use of an orthodontic appliance. It is the wire property that determines how much force an appliance can deliver. A bending test which allows direct measurement of the maximum bending moment was developed. Data produced from this test are independent of wire length and configuration. The maximum bending moment, percent recovery, and maximum springback were determined for round and rectangular cross sections of stainless steel, nickel-titanium, and beta-titanium wires. The data suggest the need for more specifically defining maximum moment and maximum springback. Three maximum bending moments are described: Me, My, and Mult. My and Mult are clinically the most significant. Appliances that are required to have no permanent deformation must operate below My. Appliances that exhibit marked permanent deformation may be used in some applications and, if so, higher bending moments can be produced. In order of magnitude, the maximum bending moment at yield is largest in stainless steel, beta-titanium, and nickel-titanium for a given cross section. Nickel-titanium and beta-titanium have significantly larger springback than stainless steel determined at the moment at yield. Nickel-titanium did not follow the theoretical ratio between ultimate bending moment and the bending moment at yield, exhibiting a very large ratio. The study supports the hypothesis that most orthodontic appliances are activated in a range where both plastic and elastic behavior occurs; therefore, the use of yield strengths for calculation of force magnitude can lead to a significant error in predicting the forces delivered.
Comparison of active transport in neuronal axons and dendrites

This paper presents a theoretical study, based on modified Smith-Simmons equations, that compares transport of intracellular organelles in two different neurite outgrowths, dendrites and axons. It is demonstrated that the difference in microtubule polarity orientations in dendrites and axons has significant implications on motor-assisted transport in these neurite outgrowths. The developed approach presents a qualitative theoretical basis for understanding important questions such as why axons exhibit almost an unlimited grows potential in vitro while dendrites remain relatively short. It is shown that the difference in a microtubule polarity arrangement between axons and dendrites may be a regulatory mechanism for limiting dendritic growth. Other biological implications of the developed theory as well as other possible reasons for the difference in microtubule structure between axons and dendrites are discussed.
A Retail Center Facing Change: Using Data to Determine Marketing Strategy

Plaza del Valle is an open-air shopping center in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. The new marketing manager must review primary and secondary data to determine a target market, a product positioning strategy, and a promotion strategy for the retail shopping center with the ultimate goal of increasing revenue for the Plaza. She is overwhelmed with data and must determine which information to use and how best to use it to make her strategic decisions.
MICROTENSILE PROPERTIES OF WELD METAL

Microsample testing is a valuable tool for investigating, in detail, the local properties of inhomogeneous and anisotropic materials. This technique provides true mechanical properties from a small region in any selected direction by directly measuring a stress-strain curve. The mechanical properties at some locations within the undermatched weld can vary greatly with direction. While the ultimate stress, yield stress and elongation correlate generally with microhardness, accurately predicting these properties from microhardness data will be difficult. Microhardness tests cannot measure the directional differences.
Determination of acid-labile sulfide in subchloroplast particles containing Triton X-100

Abstract A method has been devised whereby measurement of the acid-labile sulfide content of spinach subchloroplast particles is free of interference resulting from the presence of Triton X-100. Quantitative extraction into an organic solvent allows accurate detection of micromolar concentrations of sulfide.
Measures of attitudes toward the elderly: A statistical re-evaluation of comparability

Abstract Six measures of attitudes toward the elderly which initially were studied by Hicks, Rogers, and Shemberg [11] were reevaluated for their comparability in assessing the same underlying construct. Confirmatory maximum likelihood factor analysis was used to test and compare factor models that represented varying degrees of equivalence among the six measures. Results indicated that the measures demonstrated greater comparability than was concluded by Hicks, et al. in their initial analysis.
Structure and biosynthesis of lyt-1

Two-dimensional chymotryptic peptide maps of Lyt-1.1 and Lyt-1.2 from Lyt-1 congenic thymocytes labeled with 125I in the usual way before lysis did not significantly differ, but there was a characteristic difference between maps of Lyt-1.1 and Lyt-1.2 obtained from 125I-labeled solubilized membrane fragments. We conclude that the Lyt-1 locus of chromosome 19 includes the protein-structural gene for Lyt-1. This conclusion is further supported by evidence with 35S-cysteine-labeled thymocytes: Thus an early 62K intermediate form, and a 60K form from tunicamycin-treated cells devoid of N-linked and O-linked carbohydrates, were precipitated by Lyt-1 alloantibody, which implies that the allo-specificity of Lyt-1 glycoprotein (67K) resides partly or wholly in protein.
Sporadic goiter of the newborn.

Where goiter is endemic, the frequent occurrence of goiter in the newborn infant has been well documented. Sporadic goiter of the newborn has been less frequently noted. That it is not a rare condition is suggested by the fact that during the past two years 3 newborn infants with goiters have been admitted to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
CdTe-GaAs(100) interface: MBE growth, rheed and XPS characterization

Abstract The (100) or (111) orientation of a CdTe film on a GaAs(100) surface is controlled by the substrate preheating temperature: 480°C for (100)⋎⋎(100), 580°C for(111)⋎⋎(100). In-situ electron diffraction indicates that a 3D mechanism is observed for (100)⋎⋎(100) whereas a 2D mechanism is more probable for (111)⋎⋎(100). For both orientations the growth is initiated by an absorption of Te atoms on the GaAs surface. We show also that (100)⋎⋎(100) orientation can be obtained even if less than a monolayer of oxygen is present on the GaAs surface. We present an hypothesis arising from a mechanical point of view to explain the possibility of two different growth orientations of CdTe on GaAs(100).
On bivariate truncated poisson distribution

A bivariate truncated Poisson distribution in terms of Gram Charlier polynomials is defined.A lower truncation in both variables at any points X s 1 X s 2 ,is considered. The probability function of the distribution is expressed in terms of univariate Poisson distribution functions. The probabilities of the bivariate Poisson distribution for given correlation coefficient are tabulated for ρ=0.25,0.5,0.75. Using the cannonical form of the distribution rsth factorial moments of the distribution are obtained. The method of moments is used to find the estimates of the parameters of the marginals λ1,λ2 and the correlation coefficient ρ. The asymtotic variances of these estimates are considered. An example is given to illustrate the application of the estimators and their variances.
Network theory for polymer solutions in large amplitude oscillatory shear

Abstract A framework based on molecular entanglement kinetics is used to interpret the large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) behavior of polyacrylamide and polystyrene solutions. A kinetic rate equation for the balance of entanglements is capable of reasonably predicting previously reported LAOS data for these solutions. Secondary shear stress versus shear rate loops were manifested in both solutions under severe conditions, and we attribute these to nonaffine deformation. While affine transient network theory predicts reasonable agreement with the Lodge–Meissner relation in LAOS, the polystyrene solution disobeys the relationship at shear strain amplitudes exceeding unity. We explain this departure from the Lodge–Meissner relation in LAOS with nonaffine network deformation.
Sedimentology and hydrogeology of two braided stream deposits

Abstract Two approaches were used to quantify the spatial distribution of hydrofacies in braided stream deposits. One approach involved mapping a 50 by 60 by 3.3 m section of a proximal braided stream deposit. In a second study, we generated a 400 by 400 by 2.6 m section of a medial braided stream deposit using a computer model. In both cases we produced three-dimensional images showing connected hydrofacies with high permeabilities that form preferential flow paths. This information was input to a groundwater flow model and flow paths were analyzed by following the transport of imaginary particles. In both systems, particles that were uniformly distributed at the up-gradient end of the model clustered along preferential flow paths during transport, showing that connection among high-permeability facies is a critical factor in hydrogeological investigations involving assessment of contaminant movement and remediation.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Functional Anatomy: Use for Small Animal Epilepsy Models

Neuroimaging has greatly assisted the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. Volumetric analysis, diffusion-weighted imaging, and other magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modalities provide a clear picture of altered anatomical structures in both focal and nonfocal disease. More recently, advances in novel imaging methodologies have provided unique insights into this disease. Two examples include manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). MEMRI involves injection of MnCl_2 to evaluate neuronal activity where it is actively transported. Areas of neuronal hyperactivity are expected to have altered uptake and transport. Mapping of activation along preferential uptake pathways can be confirmed by T_1-weighted imaging. DTI uses the intrinsic preferential mobility of water movement along axonal pathways to map anatomical regions. DTI has been used to investigate white matter disease and is now being applied to clinical and, to a lesser extent, animal investigations of seizure disorders. These two diverse MRI methods can be applied to animal models to provide important information about the functional status of anatomical regions that may be altered by epilepsy.
Nanofocusing with dielectric rings

We present the design of a dielectric lens that is capable of deep-subwavelength focusing. The lens is composed of dielectric rings of complete planar geometry, thus can be easily fabricated using conventional micro-fabrication process.
Status of natural and magnetic circular dichroism instrumentation using synchrotron radiation

Abstract Since synchrotron radiation is intense, highly linearly polarized, a spectral continuum and collimated, it is ideal (necessary) for magnetic and natural circular dichroism measurements in certain regions of the spectrum. What these regions are, the importance of the measurements and considerations in instrumental design which preserve the ideal properties of synchrotron radiation are discussed. Then the design, present status and future plans are reviewed for each functioning instrument. Finally the instrumental design challenges of the future are surveyed.
Enhanced Microwave Emission Due to the Transverse Energy of a Relativistic Electron Beam

The role of the transverse energy of a magnetically focused intense relativistic electron beam in the emission of microwaves is investigated experimentally and theoretically.
Bifunctional Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Small Molecules with Two Novel Mechanisms of Action

A class of betulinic acid derivatives was synthesized to target two critical steps in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication cycle, entry and maturation. Each mechanism of HIV-1 inhibition is distinct from clinically available anti-HIV therapeutics. The viral determinants of the antientry and antimaturation activities are the bridging sheet of HIV-1 gp120 and the P24/p2 cleavage site, respectively.