cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probability distributions of local Lyapunov exponents for Hamiltonian systems.

We calculate the probability distributions of the largest local Lyapunov exponent for three Hamiltonian systems at different values of the energy E, for a set of increasing values of the length in which the trajectory is partitioned. The systems we study are the H\'enon-Heiles model and the classical ${\mathrm{Ar}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{Ar}}_{7}$ clusters. We show that these distributions contain much information about the dynamics of the system and, in particular, can be used to study the evolution of ergodic properties as the internal energy of the system increases; therefore, even though the inequivalence of chaos and ergodicity does not allow one to consider Lyaponov exponents to be a direct measure of ergodicity, the sample distributions of short-term Lyapunov exponents can be used to evaluate the extent of ergodic behavior in the various situations.
A Novel Gene Delivery System Using Urothelial Tissue Engineered Neo-Organs

AbstractPurpose: Presently gene delivery is most effectively achieved by ex vivo gene transfer, which includes removal of the target tissue, in vitro gene delivery to the target cells, possible selection to enhance the proportion of transfected cells and reintroduction of the gene modified cells. Reintroduction of transformed cells in vivo has been a challenging task. Based on the feasibility of tissue engineering techniques in which cells seeded on biodegradable polymer scaffolds form tissue when implanted in vivo, we explored the possibility of developing a neo-organ system for in vivo gene therapy.Materials and Methods: Normal human urothelial cells were harvested, expanded in vitro and seeded on biodegradable polymer scaffolds. The cell-polymer complex was then transfected with PGL3-luc, pCMV-luc and pCMV beta-gal promoter reporter gene constructs. The transfected cell-polymer scaffolds were then implanted in athymic mice and the engineered tissue was retrieved 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after implantation...
Seasonal variability of upper ocean heat content in Drake Passage

[1] Mixed-layer depth (MLD) is often used in a mixed-layer heat budget to relate air-sea exchange to changes in the near-surface ocean temperature. In this study, reanalysis heat flux products and profiles from a 15 year time series of high-resolution, near-repeat expendable bathythermograph/expendable conductivity-temperature-depth (XBT/XCTD) sampling in Drake Passage are used to examine the nature of MLD variations and their impact on a first-order, one-dimensional heat budget for the upper ocean in the regions north and south of the Polar Front. Results show that temperature and density criteria yield different MLD estimates, and that these estimates can be sensitive to the choice of threshold. The difficulty of defining MLD in low-stratification regions, the large amplitude of wintertime MLD (up to 700 m in Drake Passage), and the natural small-scale variability of the upper ocean result in considerable cast-to-cast variability in MLD, with changes of up to 200 m over 10 km horizontal distance. In contrast, the heat content over a fixed-depth interval of the upper ocean shows greater cast-to-cast stability and clearly measures the ocean response to surface heat fluxes. In particular, an annual cycle in upper ocean heat content is in good agreement with the annual cycle in heat flux forcing, which explains ∼24% of the variance in heat content above 400 m depth north of the Polar Front and ∼63% of the variance in heat content south of the Polar Front.
Rotor unbalance compensation without angular position sensor for Active Magnetic Bearing

Active Magnetic Bearing (AMB) levitates a rotor without any physical contact so that the drag loss of rotating machine can be significantly reduced. Rotor unbalance causes vibration because the rotating unbalance mass tends to pull the rotor out of the center position. Also, the vibration force increases as the rotor speed increases. As a result, the magnetic bearing should supply the increased force in order to place the rotor in position. This paper proposes a rotor unbalance compensation method in order to reduce both vibration and bearing force without any angular position sensor.
Microplate-Based Analysis of Protein-Membrane Binding Interactions via Immobilization of Whole Liposomes Containing a Biotinylated Anchor

Cellular membranes play key roles in the regulation of a range of important biological processes. However, the characterization of membrane involvement in these events is difficult to achieve due to the complexity of the membrane bilayer and the challenges associated with handling and analyzing these systems. As such, rapid and reliable approaches for characterizing membrane-based processes are necessary. To address this issue, we have first developed an azide-tagged modular lipid anchor scaffold (2) that can be conveniently derivatized via click chemistry to functionalize the membrane surface. This was used to access biotin− and fluorescein−lipid conjugates 1a and 1b, respectively. These compounds were then employed to perform and characterize the immobilization of liposomes containing biotin-anchor 1a onto streptavidin-coated microplates. Results from these studies indicated clean, biotin-dependent surface deposition. This strategy for liposome attachment was then applied to a microplate-based platform ...
Intraseasonal Variability of the Winter Circulation in the Southern Hemisphere Atmosphere

Abstract The intraseasonal variability of the Southern Hemisphere stratosphere and troposphere is studied using multilevel geopotential height data for nine winters (1979–87). The study uses empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of unfiltered data at five tropospheric and five stratospheric levels. The four leading EOFs at all tropospheric levels exhibit the patterns previously detected at 500 mb. Study of the corresponding principal components (PCs) at each level shows that the quasi-stationary anomalies associated with the leading EOFs are equivalent barotropic and exhibit no preference for early, middle or late winter. The five leading EOFs in the stratosphere fall into two classes. The first three EOFs at all levels form the first class. This class represents anomalies that are dominated by zonal wavenumber one (wave 1), exhibit strong westward tilt with height and travel slowly eastward or remain stationary. Most cases of large, persistent PC values for this class occur in early winter. The fo...
Differential localization of membrane receptor chemotaxis proteins in the Caulobacter predivisional cell

The methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs) are membrane receptors that initiate signal transduction to the flagellar rotor upon ligand binding. The synthesis of these proteins occurs only in the Caulobacter crescentus predivisional cell coincident with the biosynthesis of the polar flagellum. Both the flagellum and the MCPs are partitioned to only one daughter cell, the swarmer cell, upon division. We report the results of experiments designed to determine the distribution of these MCPs within swarmer cells and predivisional cells. Flagellated and non-flagellated vesicles were prepared from these cells by immunoaffinity chromatography and the level of MCPs that had been labeled either in vivo or in vitro with methyl-3H was determined. Small membrane vesicles from swarmer cells contained [methyl-3H]MCPs both in the flagellated and non-flagellated vesicles, which indicates that the region immediately surrounding the flagellum, as well as the rest of the surface of the swarmer cell, contains [methyl-3H]MCP. Thus, the MCPs are not specifically localized to the immediate vicinity of the flagellar rotor. The distribution of MCPs was examined in flagellated and non-flagellated vesicles isolated from predivisional cells. The analysis of small predivisional vesicles showed that the MCP content is higher in the flagellated vesicles, and analysis of large flagellated vesicles showed that the MCPs are positioned preferentially in the swarmer cell portion of the predivisional cell. This positional bias of MCPs within predivisional cells could reflect either a large compartment or membrane domain within the incipient swarmer cell, or a gradient of MCPs, with the highest concentration in the vicinity of the flagellum.
Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor expression in the rat ovary: increases during prepubertal development and regulation by the opposing actions of transforming growth factors beta and alpha.

Pituitary gonadotropin FSH acts exclusively on ovarian granulosa cells by binding to specific plasma membrane receptors. Transforming growth factors a and fA (TGFoa and TGFO), produced locally within the ovary, have been shown to regulate diverse follicle functions, although their potential role in the regulation of FSH receptors has not been assessed. Our first objective was to demonstrate developmental changes in the expression of FSH receptor gene and protein; we then analyzed the regulation of FSH receptor expression by TGFBs and TGFa in cultured granulosa cells. Analysis of steady-state FSH receptor mRNA and protein levels in neonatal and prepubertal ovaries revealed the existence of two predominant FSH receptor mRNA transcripts, 7.0 and 2.5 kb in size, showing a dramatic increase between Day 15 and Day 18 of age followed by a plateau up to 27 days of age. A close parallelism in the developmental changes in FSH receptor mRNA levels and FSH receptor content was observed. Cultured granulosa cells obtained from estrogen-treated immature rats exhibited FSH receptor transcripts similar in size to those seen in whole ovaries. Treatment of granulosa cells for 48 h with TGFOI1 increased the levels of FSH receptor mRNA for both the 7.0and 2.5-kb transcripts in a dose-dependent manner (ED,,, 1.5 ng/ml), with a maximal 4.0 0.8-fold increase over control levels observed in response to 10 ng/ml TGFI1. Also, TGFB2 was as potent as TGF1l in increasing FSH receptor mRNA levels. In contrast, treatment of granulosa cells for 48 h with TGFoa (10 ng/ml) decreased the basal FSH receptor mRNA level by 65 5% (p < 0.05). Furthermore, treatment with TGFot dose-dependently attenuated the stimulatory action of TGFP1 or TGFS2 on FSH receptor mRNA levels (ID5o for TGFoa, 1.5 ng/ml). A complete suppression of TGFOI action was observed in response to the highest dose of TGFt used (p < 0.01). Radioligand binding analysis in granulosa cells further indicated that treatment with 10 ng/ml TGF[I or TGF2 alone significantly (p < 0.01) increased the number of FSH binding sites, indicating that the observed modulation of FSH receptor mRNA levels by TGFps is associated with changes in FSH receptor content. Treatment with TGFe attenuated the stimulatory action of TGFi1 or TGFU2 on the number of FSH receptors; this was consistent with the ability of TGFoa to suppress TGFP-stimulated increase in FSH receptor mRNA levels. Thus, treatment of granulosa cells with TGFP1 or TGF2 increases the steady-state level of FSH receptor mRNA as well as the expression of the receptor protein. The actions of TGFIs are antagonized by TGFot. It is postulated that these growth factors are involved in the differentiation of granulosa cells by modulating FSH receptor gene expression.
Changes in the clyde mood scale produced by a sleep threshold dose of amobarbital

1. The purpose of the present study were to examine the hypothesis that the amount of amobarbital required for a sleep threshold dose is related to the affective state of the subject at the time of drug administration. Also investigated were specific changes in the affective states of the subjects following the injection. 2. By using the Clyde Mood Scale and a mechanical technique for determining sleep threshold twenty-six subjects were studied. 3. No relationships were found between the initial Clyde Mood Scale sub-scale scores and the sleep threshold dose of amobarbital. The only significant changes in the Clyde Mood Scale were reductions in the Jittery sub-scale. 4. The median dose of amobarbital needed to reach sleep threshold in this study (6.0 mg/kg of body weight) was remarkably close to that (6.1 mg/kg of body weight) determined in an earlier study by Shagass.
Rapid Micromethod for the Gas Chromatographic Determination of Methylated Barbiturates in Biological Samples

Abstract A rapid method for the gas chromatographic determination of barbiturates in biological samples has been developed. It consists of methylating the barbiturates with dimethyl sulfate, extracting the sample with n-heptane, and gas chromatographic analysis of the heptane extract on a SE-52 column. A preliminary study revealed that the method could be used for in vivo and/or in vitro determinations. Minimum detectable amounts of barbiturates were shown to be between 0.01 and 0.05 μg. An added advantage of the procedure is the lack of interference from other constituents which might be present in the analytical sample.
Port Town and Hinterland in the Pacific Islands1

THE current scene in the Pacific islands is the product of the contactextending over a century and a half-of island peoples with Europeans, Asiatics, and Americans. It has involved the migration and settlement of nonindigenous peoples in the area-particularly during the period of colonial development, the transformation of New Zealand and Hawaii, and the great impact of World War II. The literature of the Pacific includes a number of comprehensive works by anthropologists which portray the historical changes either for the area as a whole, or for certain of its significant parts. Outstanding among the former are Keesing (1941) and Oliver (1951). Among the latter are to be noted studies by Belshaw (1954) on Melanesia, Stanner (1953) on the British dependencies, Keesing (1934) on Samoa, Guiart (1957) on the French possessions, and Beaglehole (1957) on the Cook Islands. A perusal of these works would raise doubts in the mind of any careful reader whether, in the face of change in the Pacific, there still exist isolated, self-sufficient societies outside the web of administration, trade, and missionary influence. The answer is that, with the possible exception of certain areas of New Guinea, while some islands are indeed geographically remote and contacts with the outside world few, the Pacific islands as a whole are divided into a number of subregions, each consisting of one or more towns or small centers, surrounded by a hinterland. The town is generally a port, the hinterland usually an assemblage of islands, except where a large land mass such as New Guinea provides a less aquaeous setting. Port town, hinterland, the subregion which encompasses them both, the totality of these subregions, and finally the forelands beyond the sea to which these subregions are linked by transportation and communication combine to form the geographic framework of contemporary culture change in the Pacific islands. The purpose of this paper is to comment on port town and hinterland, for within this geographic framework the relation between the two is crucial for an understanding of the changes taking place in the Pacific today. If we set aside Hawaii and New Zealand, there are no cities in Polynesia, Micronesia, or Melanesia. There is instead a series of port towns, varying in size from less than a thousand to some 30,000 people, together with a number of smaller centers which are essentially embryonic towns and which serve similar functions. These towns and centers-Papeete, Apia, Suva, Noumea, Rabaul, Port Moresby, to name the larger and more familiar ones-are the creation of alien influences. They owe their establishment and subsequent growth to European enterprise. They came into existence as commercial, administrative, and missionary centers. In the 19th and early 20th centuries these towns were focal points of colonization within European and to a lesser extent American territories. As a result, the Pacific islands became fragmented
Diagnostic discrimination and cost effective assay strategy for leukocyte alkaline phosphatase.

Decreased leukocyte alkaline phosphatase (LAP) is a first line test for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), generally preceding a diagnostic algorithm which also includes bone marrow biopsy, cytogenetic analysis, and molecular diagnostics. We found the analytical uncertainty of LAP assays to range from over 100% coefficient of variation at low scores to about 20% at high scores. However, the receiver-operator characteristics derived from LAP determinations in 50 consecutive cases suggest that a suitably high diagnostic decision threshold still can eliminate false negatives. As a consequence of such a strategy, as many as half the tested patients, classified unequivocally as the negatives, can avoid further invasive and costly workup. On the other hand, serial LAP determinations, whether performed to detect change to a lower or to a higher score, are unlikely to produce conclusive diagnostic signals exceeding analytical 'noise.'
Creep of metals containing high volume fractions of unshearable dispersoids—Part I. Modeling the effect of dislocation pile-ups upon the detachment threshold stress

Abstract The high creep resistance of dispersion-strengthened metals is the result of a threshold stress, which is determined in existing models by considering the interaction of a single dislocation with dispersoids. This paper presents a new model which takes into account the effect of dislocation pile-ups upon the detachment threshold stress of dispersion-strengthened metals. First, it is shown that dislocation pile-ups are expected to form at dispersoids when the volume fraction and/or size of the dispersoids is large. Then, the equilibrium dislocation positions within the pile-ups are calculated and the resulting shear stress exerted upon the detaching dislocations pinned at the dispersoids is determined. Finally, this pile-up stress is added to the athermal detachment threshold stress determined with existing models to find a total threshold stress. Calculations for aluminum containing 25 vol.% alumina dispersoids show that the magnitude of the pile-up stress is comparable to the athermal threshold stress, and thus contributes significantly to the total threshold stress. The model also predicts a creep activation energy much higher than that of the unreinforced metal as a result of the temperature dependence of the number of dislocations in the pile-ups.
Ring resonator-based photonic microwave receiver modulator with picowatt sensitivity

The authors report an enhanced LiNbO3 microdisk photonic microwave receiver modulator with a sensitivity of 3 pW (−85 dBm) and a bandwidth of 60 MHz centred at 14.6 GHz. The sensitivity of the modulator is improved by using a critically coupled microwave ring resonator and a modified ground plane for passive E-field amplification and confinement.
Crystallization of syndiotactic polystyrene under pressure

Abstract Effects of annealing under pressure on the polymorphic behaviour of crystalline syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) have been investigated using X-ray diffraction and d.s.c. thermal methods. sPS exhibited the normal α crystalline form when annealed at atmospheric pressure, but transforms to the β form when annealed at higher pressures. A planar zigzag chain conformation was retained after the pressure-induced α to β transition and the molecular chains packed more densely in the lateral direction.
The Skap-hom Dimerization and PH Domains Comprise a 3′-Phosphoinositide-Gated Molecular Switch

Summary PH domains, by binding to phosphoinositides, often serve as membrane-targeting modules. Using crystallographic, biochemical, and cell biological approaches, we have uncovered a mechanism that the integrin-signaling adaptor Skap-hom uses to mediate cytoskeletal interactions. Skap-hom is a homodimer containing an N-terminal four-helix bundle dimerization domain, against which its two PH domains pack in a conformation incompatible with phosphoinositide binding. The isolated PH domains bind PI[3,4,5]P 3 , and mutations targeting the dimerization domain or the PH domain's PI[3,4,5]P 3 -binding pocket prevent Skap-hom localization to ruffles. Targeting is retained when the PH domain is deleted or by combined mutation of the PI[3,4,5]P 3 -binding pocket and the PH/dimerization domain interface. Thus, the dimerization and PH domain form a PI[3,4,5]P 3 -responsive molecular switch that controls Skap-hom function.
Tooth Wear Rates Among Contemporary Australian Aborigines

Most reports of Aboriginal tooth wear have been descriptive, and few have dealt with the question of wear rate. This study records cusp heights of dental casts taken from individuals during a growth study of Aboriginal children from ages six to 18. Their rates of wear were greater than those of Europeans, and the most rapid rate was recorded among Aboriginal males. These differences are due to the quantity of dietary abrasives.
Brain MR Imaging and Proton MR Spectroscopy in Female Mice with Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) deficiency is an inborn metabolic disorder that causes neurological abnormalities. In this report, a murine model of PDC deficiency was analyzed using histology, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR spectroscopy (MRS) and the results compared to PDC-deficient female patients. Histological analysis of brains from PDC-deficient mice revealed defects in neuronal cytoarchitecture in grey matter and reduced size of white matter structures. MR results were comparable to previously published clinical MR findings obtained from PDC-deficient female patients. Specifically, a 15.4% increase in relative lactate concentration, 64.4% loss of N-acetylaspartate concentration and a near complete loss of discernable glutamine plus glutamate concentration were observed in a PDC deficient mouse compared to wild-type control. Lower apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were observed within the brain consistent with atrophy. These results demonstrate the usefulness of this murine model to systematically evaluate the beneficial effects of dietary and pharmacological interventions.
The Role of Ets Factors in Tumor Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is a critical component of tumor growth. A number of growth factors, including VEGF, FGF, and HGF, have been implicated as angiogenic growth factors that promote tumor angiogenesis in different types of cancer. Ets-1 is the prototypic member of the Ets transcription factor family. Ets-1 is known to be a downstream mediator of angiogenic growth factors. Expression of Ets-1 in a variety of different tumors is associated with increased angiogenesis. A role for other selected members of the Ets transcription factor family has also been shown to be important for the development of tumor angiogenesis. Because Ets factors also express a number of other important genes involved in cell growth, they contribute not only to tumor growth, but to disease progression. Targeting Ets factors in mouse tumor models through the use of dominant-negative Ets proteins or membrane permeable peptides directed at competitively inhibiting the DNA binding domain has now demonstrated the therapeutic potential of inhibiting selected Ets transcription factors to limit tumor growth and disease progression.
Personalized Recommendation via Parameter-Free Contextual Bandits

Personalized recommendation services have gained increasing popularity and attention in recent years as most useful information can be accessed online in real-time. Most online recommender systems try to address the information needs of users by virtue of both user and content information. Despite extensive recent advances, the problem of personalized recommendation remains challenging for at least two reasons. First, the user and item repositories undergo frequent changes, which makes traditional recommendation algorithms ineffective. Second, the so-called cold-start problem is difficult to address, as the information for learning a recommendation model is limited for new items or new users. Both challenges are formed by the dilemma of exploration and exploitation. In this paper, we formulate personalized recommendation as a contextual bandit problem to solve the exploration/exploitation dilemma. Specifically in our work, we propose a parameter-free bandit strategy, which employs a principled resampling approach called online bootstrap, to derive the distribution of estimated models in an online manner. Under the paradigm of probability matching, the proposed algorithm randomly samples a model from the derived distribution for every recommendation. Extensive empirical experiments on two real-world collections of web data (including online advertising and news recommendation) demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in terms of the click-through rate. The experimental results also show that this proposed algorithm is robust in the cold-start situation, in which there is no sufficient data or knowledge to tune the hyper-parameters.
Influence of vitamin C on hydroxylation and side chain oxidation of cholesterol in vitro.

The addition of ascorbic acid (20–160 μg) to mitochondrial preparations of rat or guinea pig liver has no effect upon the oxidation of [26-14C]-cholesterol to14CO2. The 7α-hydroxylation of cholesterol by rat liver microsomes is also unaffected by addition of ascorbic acid. Hydroxylation by guinea pig liver microsomes is increased in the presence of ascorbic acid, but the results are not statistically significant.
Effects of carbaryl on species interactions of the foothill yellow legged frog (Rana boylii) and the Pacific treefrog (Pseudacris regilla).

Amphibian species worldwide are being confronted with novel anthropogenic stressors such as contaminants and invasive species. While much work has been done to examine these factors individually, less is known about how these stressors might interact. No studies to this point have examined the potentially synergistic impacts between these two stressors on a threatened amphibian species. We present the results from three separate laboratory studies focusing on two species of frogs, the Pacific tree frog (Pseudacris regilla) and a federal species of concern, the foothill yellow legged frog (Rana boylii). These experiments examine the toxicity of an insecticide, carbaryl, on each species, on their competitive interactions, and on their interaction with a non-native crayfish predator (Pacifastacus leniusculus). R. boylii were more susceptible to pesticide exposure than P. regilla and exposure reduced their ability to compete. This differential effect of the pesticide resulted in a remarkable increase in mortality (50%) for R. boylii with an invasive crayfish predator present while P. regilla exhibited no change. These results add to concerns over the utility of single species toxicity tests in determining safe levels for environmental exposure and advocate for the use of multiple species tests that focus on key species interactions.
FLVCR is necessary for erythroid maturation, may contribute to platelet maturation, but is dispensable for normal hematopoietic stem cell function

Heme is a pleiotropic molecule that is important for oxygen and oxidative metabolism, most notably as the prosthetic group of hemoglobin and cytochromes. Because excess free intracellular heme is toxic, organisms have developed mechanisms to tightly regulate its concentration. One mechanism is through active heme export by the group C feline leukemia virus receptor (FLVCR). Previously, we have shown that FLVCR is necessary for embryonic and postnatal erythropoiesis. However, FLVCR is also expressed in numerous other tissues, including hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). To explore a possible role for FLVCR in HSC function, we performed serial, competitive repopulation transplant experiments using FLVCR-deleted and control bone marrow cells, along with wild-type competitor cells. Loss of FLVCR did not impact HSC function under steady-state or myelotoxic stress conditions (such as arsenic or radiation exposure), nor did FLVCR deletion result in alterations in the various progenitor compartments. However, even when 95% of the donor bone marrow cells lacked FLVCR, all red cells in recipient mice were wild type. This is due to the increased apoptosis of FLVCR-deleted proerythroblasts. Also, remarkably, loss of FLVCR increased megakaryocyte ploidy. Together, these findings show FLVCR is redundant in stem cells but has critical and contrasting stage-specific roles in discrete hematopoietic lineages.
A Self-Enabling TGFβ Response Coupled to Stress Signaling: Smad Engages Stress Response Factor ATF3 for Id1 Repression in Epithelial Cells

Genome-wide transcriptional profiling of human epithelial cells revealed that repression of Id inhibitors of differentiation (Id1, Id2, and Id3) is a general feature of the TGFβ cytostatic program. Opposite responses of Id1 to TGFβ and the related factor BMP are dictated by the specific ability of the TGFβ mediator, Smad3, to activate expression of stress response factor ATF3 and then recruit this factor to the Id1 promoter. Thus, a Smad3-mediated primary gene response, ATF3 induction, enables Smad3 to participate in an ATF3-mediated, secondary gene response. As a common target of TGFβ/Smad signals and stress signals via p38 kinase, ATF3 additionally serves to channel synergy between these pathways in the response of epithelial cells to stress and injury.
Efficient laser heating of transparent liquids using multiphoton absorption

Abstract At high laser intensities, otherwise transparent liquids can absorb strongly by the mechanism of multiphoton absorption, resulting in heating and temperature increases orders of magnitude greater than that from classical, low-intensity mechanisms. The use of multiphoton absorption provides a new mechanism for significant, controlled energy deposition in transparent liquids, which is important for a variety of laser-liquid technologies. This work develops a microscopically based model of heating during multiphoton absorption in liquids induced by high-intensity, short-pulse laser radiation. The dependence on laser pulse parameters and liquid properties is discussed, and pure water exposed to 266 nm laser radiation is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. A novel heating mechanism for water is proposed that uses multiple- wavelength laser pulses, and applications where multiphoton absorption may be incorporated are discussed.
Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies presenting with features of autonomic and visceral dysfunction

Three children are reported with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy who presented with autonomic dysfunction. Autonomic dysfunction included gastrointestinal dysmotility, apnea, cardiac arrhythmias, decreased lacrimation, supersensitivity to metacholine, altered sweating, and postural hypotension. These patients illustrate that in some mitochondrial encephalomyopathies autonomic features may be prominent and can mimic the clinical features associated with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies.
Precipitation Processes in Implanted Materials

Ion implantation is a nonequilibrium process. It is possible to implant materials with impurities to concentration levels which far exceed the solid solubilities. The return of the system to thermodynamic equilibrium is often accomplished by precipitation of the implanted species or a compound involving atoms of both the host and the implanted species. This process may involve very long time scales when taking place at room temperature or it may take place dynamically during the implantation. In order to understand the metallurgy of implanted systems at high concentrations, an understanding of the basic phenomena controlling second phase precipitation is necessary. These processes will be briefly reviewed and illustrated with examples of data from implanted systems.
Defects and Interfaces in III-Nitride/Sapphire Thin Film Heterostructures

High quality III-nitrides and zinc oxide thin film heterostructures have been fabricated using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on highly lattice mismatched sapphire substrates. The structural quality of PLD films grown at 700-800°C is comparable with those grown by MOCVD in the temperature range 950-1050°C. The PLD films were found to be single crystalline with columnar structure having the dislocation density of ~1010 cm-2 at a film thickness 150-200 nm. The typical structure of defects and interfaces in GaN and AIN films is analyzed and compared with those obtained from specimens grown by MOCVD at much higher temperatures. Low temperature PLD (< 780°C) does not require additional atomic nitrogen source to compensate for the loss of nitrogen due to thermal decomposition of the nitride layer. At slightly higher temperatures the GaN films exhibit rough morphology and formation of the cubic zinc-blende phase which is more stable against nitrogen deficiency than wurtzite phase. A mechanism of formation of zinc-blende phase has been identified. Growth of GaN on lattice-matched ZnO/sapphire buffer layers showed the formation of cubic spinel ZnGa2O4 intermediate layer.
Coarse-grained modeling of macromolecular solutions using a configuration-based approach

An accurate, configuration-based, coarse-grained model for dilute macromolecular solutions is presented. The basic approach relies on exploring the macromolecular configurational diversity present in the flow of dilute polymeric solutions and identifying and partitioning the most frequently observed configurations, e.g., folds, half dumbbells, kinks, dumbbells, coils, and stretched states. The probability of finding any one of these configurations is calculated using a master configuration map that dictates the conditional probability of finding a configuration with a given chain extension. Each configuration class is modeled using a dumbbell description with a suitably modified drag coefficient. The configuration-based model is implemented using a Brownian dynamics simulation and the predictions are compared with the corresponding bead-spring model and finitely extensible nonlinear elastic dumbbell in homogeneous steady shear and uniaxial extension. Finally, prospects for model improvement are discussed.
Antioxidant defense systems of two lipidopteran insect cell lines.

Abstract Spodoptera frugiperda Sf-9 (Sf-9) and Trichoplusia ni BTI-Tn-5B1-4 (Tn-5B1-4) insect cell lines were found to contain unique assemblages of antioxidant enzymes. Specifically, the Sf-9 insect cell line contained Manganese and Copper-Zinc superoxide dismutase (MnSOD and CuZnSOD) for reducing the superoxide radical (O2•−) to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ascorbate peroxidase (APOX) for reducing the resulting H2O2 to H2O. Approximately one third of the total SOD activity was found to be MnSOD. The Tn-5B1-4 cells were also found to contain MnSOD (∼ two thirds of the total SOD activity), CuZnSOD and APOX activities. However, the Tn-5B1-4 cell line, in contrast to the Sf-9 cell line, contained catalase (CAT) activity for reducing H2O2 to H2O. Both the Sf-9 and Tn-5B1-4 cell lines contained glutathione reductase and dehydroascorbic acid reductase activities for regenerating the reduced forms of glutathione and ascorbic acid, respectively. In addition, both cell lines contained glutathione S-transferase peroxidase activity towards hydroperoxides other than H2O2. Finally, neither cell line contains the glutathione peroxidase activity that is ubiquitous in mammalian cells.
Tissue-specific transformation by epidermal growth factor receptor: a single point mutation within the ATP-binding pocket of the erbB product increases its intrinsic kinase activity and activates its sarcomagenic potential.

Abstract Avian c-erbB is activated to a leukemia oncogene following truncation of its amino-terminal, ligand-binding domain by retroviral insertion. The insertionally activated transcripts encode protein products that have constitutive tyrosine kinase activity and that can induce erythro-leukemia but not sarcomas. We have found that a single point mutation within the ATP-binding pocket of the tyrosine kinase domain in this truncated molecule can increase the ability of this oncogene to induce anchorage-independent growth of fibroblasts in vitro and fibrosarcoma formation in vivo. Associated with this increased transforming potential is a corresponding increase in the kinase activity of the mutant erbB protein product. The mutation, which converts a valine to isoleucine at position 157 of the insertionally activated c-erbB product, is at a residue that is highly conserved within the protein kinase family. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a point mutation in the ATP-binding pocket that activates a tyrosine kinase.
The State of Training: Learning, Institutional Innovation, and Local Boards for Training and Adjustment in Ontario, Canada:

This paper critiques the learning-region literature on two related points. The first is that the learning-region analysis of labour markets is theoretically underdeveloped, because it underestimates the difficulty of overcoming systematic skill mismatches, underinvestment, and free-rider practices which characterize unregulated labour markets. Second and relatedly, because it does not link the problematic nature of labour-market governance to the conflicts and contradictions of state policy, the learning-region literature effectively ‘depoliticizes’ policymaking. The paper draws on a case study of the development of local boards for training and adjustment in Ontario, Canada, and develops an alternative framework utilizing a critical governance perspective which stresses how knowledge and learning must be seen as part of state accumulation and hegemonic strategies. Such strategies are contingent on the representation of stakeholders, in particular business, and current attempts to develop decentralized as...
The effects of feeding broiler litter on microbial contamination of beef carcasses.

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to test the effects of feeding broiler litter, either directly in the diet or indirectly through pasture-fertilization, to beef cattle on the incidence of Salmonella typhimurium (S) and Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EC) contamination of carcasses and ground beef. In Experiment 1, beef cows ( n =32) were allotted either ad libitum access to grass hay or a formulated diet (80% deep-stacked broiler litter and 20% corn). In Experiment 2, beef cows ( n =32) were assigned to graze on pastures fertilized with a commercial fertilizer or fresh broiler litter. Cows in Experiment 1 were harvested following a 56-d feeding period; whereas, cows in Experiment 2 were harvested after 5, 10, 20, and 40 d of grazing pastures. All samples of muscle, purge, and ground beef were culture-negative for S and EC, suggesting that beef cattle may consume properly handled deep-stacked broiler litter, or pastures fertilized with fresh litter, without increasing the likelihood of carcass/meat contamination with S and (or) EC.
Derivation of the Schrödinger Equation from a Stochastic Theory

On suppose que chaque particule de masse m subit des fluctuations sous microscopiques aleatoires de position et d'impulsion. On deduit alors l'equation de Schrodinger a partir de la mecanique classique et du processus de Markov suppose dans l'espace de phase a 6 dimensions
Drosophila β Spectrin Functions Independently of α Spectrin to Polarize the Na,k Atpase in Epithelial Cells

Spectrin has been proposed to function as a sorting machine that concentrates interacting proteins such as the Na,K ATPase within specialized plasma membrane domains of polarized cells. However, little direct evidence to support this model has been obtained. Here we used a genetic approach to directly test the requirement for the beta subunit of the alphabeta spectrin molecule in morphogenesis and function of epithelial cells in Drosophila. beta Spectrin mutations were lethal during late embryonic/early larval development and they produced subtle defects in midgut morphology and stomach acid secretion. The polarized distributions of alphabeta(H) spectrin and ankyrin were not significantly altered in beta spectrin mutants, indicating that the two isoforms of Drosophila spectrin assemble independently of one another, and that ankyrin is upstream of alphabeta spectrin in the spectrin assembly pathway. In contrast, beta spectrin mutations had a striking effect on the basolateral accumulation of the Na,K ATPase. The results establish a role for beta spectrin in determining the subcellular distribution of the Na, K ATPase and, unexpectedly, this role is independent of alpha spectrin.
Spirituality, social justice, and intercultural competence: Mediator effects for differentiation of self

Abstract The present study tested the relationships between spirituality, differentiation of self (DoS), social justice commitment, and intercultural competence among graduate trainees in the helping professions. The sample consisted of 139 graduate students at a Protestant-affiliated university. Results supported the hypotheses that DoS would mediate the relationships between spiritual well-being and both social justice commitment and intercultural competence. DoS also mediated the relationship between spiritual instability and intercultural competence, but this was not observed for the links between spiritual instability and social justice commitment. Implications are considered for training in intercultural competence and social justice, particularly with highly religious trainees.
Excited hydrogen atoms in pulsed microwaves: journeys to quantum chaos and back

Abstract Recent “one-dimensional” experiments on hydrogen in microwaves have provided evidence for nonadiabatic transition processes occurring during the rise and fall of a short pulse of strong microwave electric field. Quantum coupling near a level crossing of pairs of quantum eigenstates has been observed to produce transition probabilities exhibiting a classical scaling. Separatrix crossing effects produce near classical, double peaked, experimental final bound state distributions. Some evidence is presented that level crossing and separatrix crossing sometimes can be related. The present system seems useful in the development of the quantum description of near-classical dynamical processes, in terms of the classical character of individual semiclassical eigenstates and the couplings within sets of such states.
Kinetic equations for autocorrelation functions in dilute gases

We show that in the case of a dilute gas of neutral particles kinetic equations for autocorrelation functions such as $$\left\langle {\hat f\left( {r,v,t} \right)\hat f\left( {r\prime v\prime ,t\prime } \right)} \right\rangle ,where\hat f\left( {r,v,t} \right) = \sum {_{i = 1}^N } \delta \left( {r - r_i \left( t \right)} \right)\delta \left( {v - v_i \left( {tt} \right)} \right)$$ , can be obtained in a very simple manner by the use of the truncated BBGKY hierarchy. The resulting equations correspond to the low-density limit of the results of van Leeuwen and Yip. Moreover, the derivation does not make use of the Bogoliubov adiabatic approximation, and therefore includes non-Markovian effects which can be important in describing light scattering from gases and the collisional narrowing of atomic dipole radiation. The resulting equations in the long-wavelength limit correspond to the non-Markovian Boltzmann equation for the self-correlation part and the non-Markovian, linearized Boltzmann equation for the total autocorrelation function.
Anomalous phonon behaviour in V3Si

In earlier studies of phonons in V3Si, a gradual softening of the (hh0) branch was observed and attributed to the martensitic transition in this compound, which precedes the onset of superconductivity by a few degrees K. In this work, the temperature dependence of the transverse acoustic (TA) branch along the hh0 direction was studied in greater detail and it is shown that while the TA hh0 mode starts to soften at relatively high temperatures (>200 K), an anomalous softening, which is rather localized in q, occurs just below Tc. The intensity of this soft-phonon peak correlates extremely well with the onset of the superconducting phase and appears to vary as the order parameter with temperature and applied field. The similarities in the phonon softening and Fermi-surface anisotropy between this compound and the rare-earth nickel borocarbides suggest the existence of a common mechanism for the superconducting transition.
Surgical decompression of ductal obstruction in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Abstract Background: Recurrent acute pancreatitis often leads to chronic obstructive ductal disease requiring operative decompression. Methods: From 1983 through 1998, 124 patients with ductal obstruction underwent lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (78 patients), distal pancreatectomy with end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy (27 patients), distal pancreatectomy with placement of a pancreas with a filleted duct within a jejunal limb (15 patients), or pancreaticoduodenectomy (4 patients). Preoperative symptoms included abdominal and back pain (99%), nausea with vomiting (99%), and diarrhea with weight loss (11%). Associated conditions included hypertension (20%) and diabetes mellitus (12%). Endoscopy in 106 patients demonstrated distal stricture (37%), proximal stricture (36%), pseudocyst (30%), chain of lakes (15%), calcification and debris (19%), and bile duct stricture (8%). Results: Two patients died, one of an unrecognized esophageal perforation during intubation and the other of leakage of a 1-layer pancreaticojejunostomy. Thirty-six patients developed 53 complications including intra-abdominal abscess (7 patients) and bleeding requiring reoperation in 1 patient. Pain relief was complete in 61 patients, substantial in 39 patients, moderate in 11 patients, minimal in 8 patients, and nonexistent in 3 patients with multiple stones and narrow duct. Ten patients died, with 6 deaths as a result of pancreatic cancer. Two other patients may have died of pancreatic cancer. Conclusions: Lateral pancreaticojejunostomy is the procedure of choice in most patients. Recurrent pancreatitis usually follows alcoholic binges. Long-term follow-up must assess for pancreatic cancer. (Surgery 1999;126:790-7.)
Factors Associated with Lymph Node Assessment in Ductal Carcinoma in situ: Analysis of 1988–2002 Seer Data

Background Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) represents 20–30% of mammographically detected breast cancers, but the role of lymph node assessment (LNA) in women with DCIS remains unclear.
Insertion of isocyanides into ReC bonds

Abstract Isocyanide-substituted Re alkyl complexes cis - p -XC 6 H 4 CH 2 Re(CO) 4 (CN- p -tolyl) (X = Cl, OMe) were prepared from the PdO-catalyzed reaction of p -XC 6 H 4 CH 2 Re(CO) 5 (X = Cl, OMe) with p -tolyl isocyanide. On heating in toluene these complexes undergo isocyanide insertion into the ReC bond to afford iminoacyl complexes which further react to orthometallate the p -tolyl ring. An X-ray crystal structure determination on (CO) 4 ( 3a ) revealed that C 19 H 13 ClO 4 NRe crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P 2 1 / c with 4 formulas per unit cell. Unit cell parameters are a = 9.799 (1), b = 15.252 (2), c = 13.569 (2) A and β = 110.788 (8)°. The structure shows ReC bond distances indicative of substantial carbenoid character.