cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Known and Unknown about the Environmental Safety of Nanomaterials in Commerce

The widespread nanomaterial use in commercial products has fed significant concern over environmental health and safety ramifications. Initially, little was known as to how these highly reactive particulates interacted with biological systems. Nanomaterials have introduced complexities not normally considered in traditional safety assessments of chemicals and therefore have generated uncertainty in the reliability of standard tests of safety. Advances in understanding the potential impacts of nanomaterials have occurred since their introduction, particularly for those used in the greatest quantities in commerce. The impact of characteristics such as charge, size, surface functionalization, chemical composition, and certain transformations on the potential effect of nanomaterials in the environment continue to move the field forward. However, generalizations of risk based on any one factor across nanomaterials is not possible. Estimating risk also remains difficult due to the introduction of materials that are new and more complex, minimal information on the specific molecular interactions of nanomaterials and organisms, and the need for more tools for measuring the dynamics of nanomaterial state and fate in complex matrices. Finally, exposure estimates are difficult due to difficulty of environmental monitoring which may be exacerbated by lack of information on nanomaterials in products and new uses in the marketplace.
Updated potential soil carbon sequestration rates on U.S. agricultural land based on the 2019 IPCC guidelines

Abstract The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently updated the 2006 IPCC Guidelines to reflect the most current research and information available for countries to accurately estimate their reporting data for greenhouse gas emissions. To report on changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), the IPCC method uses fixed factors to estimate how land-use and management changes affect default reference SOC stocks. The 2019 IPCC Guidelines incorporate additional studies and more recent research to modify the default reference SOC stocks and the factors used to estimate the effect of land use and management changes on SOC stocks. The research presented here applies the 2019 IPCC factors to agricultural land in the conterminous U.S. and compares the results to the same research conducted using the 1996 IPCC factors. Baseline SOC stocks were slightly higher estimated with 1996 IPCC factors compared to 2019 factors (17.1 vs 15.2 Tg C yr−1 (million metric tonnes of carbon per year)), but the source was quite different. Applying the 1996 factors resulted in about 52 percent of the SOC stock increase from land-use-change (LUC) and 42 percent from tillage effects while the 2019 factors indicate about two-thirds of the SOC stock increase was from LUC and one-third from tillage effects. Using the 1996 IPCC documentation provided estimates of annual SOC stock increases of 83.2 Tg C yr−1 for twenty years (66 Tg C yr−1 more than the baseline) from set-aside, including winter-cover crops, eliminating fallow, and no-till adoption. Smaller increases from these same activities are estimated when using the 2019 IPCC factors with a total potential increase of 47.3 Tg C yr−1. The SOC stock increases are predominantly in the wetter regions. The two activities that provide the greatest increase in estimated SOC stocks were from the addition of cover crops, which increased SOC by 17.7 Tg C yr−1 using 2019 IPCC factors compared to 22.8 Tg C yr−1 using the 1996 IPCC factors, and full adoption of no-till which increased SOC by 18.4 compared to 30.3 Tg C yr−1 for the same comparison.
The influence of hip extensor and lumbar spine extensor strength on lumbar spine loading during a squat lift.

Abstract Weakness of the hip extensors and lumbar spine extensors has been proposed to contribute to greater demands on the lumbar spine during lifting. The purpose of the current study was to examine the associations among strength of the hip and lumbar spine extensors, lumbar spine extensor moments and lumbar paraspinal muscle activation during a squat lift task. Twenty-seven healthy females participated. Strength of the hip and lumbar spine extensors was measured using a dynamometer. Lumbar spine moments and lumbar paraspinal muscle activity were quantified during the concentric phase of the squat lifting task. There was a significant positive association between lumbar extensor strength and average lumbar extensor moment during lifting (r=0.498, p=0.008). Similarly, hip extensor strength was positively associated with the average lumbar extension moment (r=0.382, p=0.049). Hip extensor strength was negatively associated with activation of the lumbar paraspinal muscles during lifting ( ρ =-0.382, p=0.049). Stronger individuals are more likely to use their hip extensors and lumbar spine extensors to perform a squat lift task. In contrast, those with lower strength employ subtle biomechanical changes to reduce lumbar spine demand.
Markov Source Modeling of Text Generation

A language model is a conceptual device which, given a string of past words, provides an estimate of the probability that any given word from an allowed vocabulary will follow the string. In speech recognition, a language model is used to direct the hypothesis search for the sentence that was spoken. In fact, its probability assignments are a factor in evaluating the likelihood that any word string was uttered, and in ordering the word string hypotheses to be examined (1). Language models are also useful in text encoding for compression or transmission, in character recognition of printed or handwritten text, etc. Ideally, the probability assigned by a language model to any word should depend on the entire past sequence of words. However, it is practically impossible to implement such a dependence: 1) The probability estimate involved would have to be extracted from a giant sample of training text containing billions of words; 2) If the probabilities were extractable, sufficient space in computer memory could not be found to store them.
On the Need for Practical Formal Methods

A controversial issue in the formal methods community is the degree to which mathematical sophistication and theorem proving skills should be needed to apply a formal method. A fundamental assumption of this paper is that formal methods research has produced several classes of analysis that can prove useful in software development. However, to be useful to software practitioners, most of whom lack advanced mathematical training and theorem proving skills, current formal methods need a number of additional attributes, including more user-friendly notations, completely automatic (i.e., pushbutton) analysis, and useful, easy to understand feedback. Moreover, formal methods need to be integrated into a standard development process. I discuss additional research and engineering that is needed to make the current set of formal methods more practical. To illustrate the ideas, I present several examples, many taken from the SCR (Software Cost Reduction) requirements method, a formal method that software developers can apply without theorem proving skills, knowledge of temporal and higher order logics, or consultation with formal methods experts.
Expression of functional chicken oviduct progesterone receptors in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

The cDNAs encoding full-length chicken oviduct progesterone receptor B (PRB) and a truncated receptor (C1C2) lacking the amino-terminal domain were expressed in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) using a ubiquitin fusion system. The expression of the fusion protein is under the control of a copper-responsive yeast metallothionein promoter, and the fusion protein is subsequently cleaved by the yeast host enzyme to produce receptor protein. Western immunoblot analyses of yeast extracts containing full-length PRB revealed a polypeptide co-migrating with authentic chicken oviduct PRB. Using a polyclonal antibody (907) directed against the "hinge" region of the authentic chicken progesterone receptor, a 42-kDa polypeptide was detected by Western analysis in yeast extracts containing C1C2 receptors. Standard hormone binding assays indicated that these receptors produced in yeast cells exhibited steroid binding affinity and specificity characteristic of the authentic chicken progesterone receptor. To test for progesterone receptor-mediated activation of transcription in yeast, reporter plasmids were constructed to transform yeast cells expressing PRB or C1C2 receptors. The reporter gene contained two copies of a progesterone response element upstream of the yeast proximal CYC1 promoter fused to the beta-galactosidase gene of Escherichia coli. The induction of beta-galactosidase activity by PRB and C1C2 was strictly dependent on specific ligand and the presence of a progesterone response element. However, overproduced C1C2 receptors had an adverse effect on the transcription of the lacZ gene. It was found that when overproduced C1C2 was activated by progesterone, an inhibitory effect on normal yeast cell growth was evident. These observations suggest that C1C2 is a potent trans-acting factor in yeast and that the amino-terminal domain of the chicken progesterone receptor may play a role in selective modulation of target gene activation.
The Assessment Process

Assessment psychology is the field of behavioral science concerned with methods of identifying similarities and differences among people in their personal characteristics and capacities. Psychological assessment involves integrating information about people gleaned from test protocols, interview responses, behavioral observations, collateral reports, and historical documents. These assessment procedures are employed in diverse ways for the purpose of responding to a broad range of referral questions in such companion fields as clinical, educational, health, forensic, and industrial/organizational psychology. This chapter introduces a volume that elaborates the diversity of assessment procedures, the nature of the assessment questions that arise in various settings, and the types of assessment methods commonly employed to address these questions. Assessment is conceptualized in this introduction as a three-stage process consisting of: (1) collecting assessment data of appropriate kinds and in sufficient amounts to address referral questions in meaningful and useful ways, (2) interpreting assessment data in a manner that provides accurate descriptions of respondents' psychological characteristics and behavioral tendencies, and (3) utilizing descriptions of respondents to formulate conclusions and recommendations that help to answer referral questions. The discussion identifies distinctive tasks and critical decision-making issues associated with each phase of this process. Keywords: assessment process; malingering; psychological assessment; test data management; test interpretation; test selection
Using Heuristic Search Techniques To Extract Design Abstractions From Source Code

As modern software systems are large and complex, appropriate abstractions of their structure are needed to make them more understandable and, thus, easier to maintain. Software clustering tools are useful to support the creation of these abstractions. In this paper we describe our search algorithms for software clustering, and conduct a case study to demonstrate how altering the clustering parameters impacts the behavior and performance of our algorithms.
Material Characterization and Analysis for Selection of Refractories Used In Black Liquor Gasification

Black liquor gasification provides the pulp and paper industry with a technology which could potentially replace recovery boilers with equipment that could reduce emissions and, if used in a combined cycle system, increase the power production of the mill allowing it to be a net exporter of electrical power. In addition, rather than burning the syngas produced in a gasifier, this syngas could be used to produce higher value chemicals or fuels. However, problems with structural materials such as the refractory lining of the reactor vessel have caused unplanned shutdowns and resulted in component replacement much sooner than originally planned. Through examination of exposed materials, laboratory corrosion tests and cooperative efforts with refractory manufacturers, many refractory materials issues in high-temperature black liquor gasification have been addressed and optimized materials have been selected for this application. In this paper, an updated summary of the characterization and analysis techniques used for refractory screening and selection will be discussed along with characteristic results from these methods which have led to the selection of optimized materials for both the hot-face and back-up linings used in this application.
ARIEL: autonomous robot for integrated exploration and localization

In order for a robot to add its perceptions to a map, it needs to know its location, but in order for a robot to determine its location, it often needs a map. This is a central dilemma in robot exploration. Robots often use dead reckoning to estimate their position without a map, but wheels slip and internal linkages may be imprecise. These errors accumulate over time, and the robot’s position estimate becomes increasingly inaccurate. We have addressed this problem in ARIEL. ARIEL uses frontier-based exploration (Yamauchi 1997) to navigate to unexplored space and to map the territory that it perceives, and continuous localization (Schultz, Adams, and Grefenstette 1996) to maintain an accurate estimate of its position at all times. ARIEL has been implemented on a Nomad 200 mobile robot equipped with sonar, infrared, and laser range sensors. ARIEL runs on a SPARCstation 20 and communicates with the robot’s onboard Pentium processor via radio ethernet. This system has been used to explore real-world office environments. We will demonstrate ARIEL at the AAAI-97 Robot Exhibition. We are also interested in using genetic algorithms to automatically learn behaviors for controlling mobile robots, and we will be demonstrating some of those learned behaviors at the Exhibition.
Structures, Energetics, and Spectroscopic Fingerprints of Water Clusters n = 2–24

Water's function as a universal solvent and its role in mediating several biological functions that are responsible for sustaining life has created tremendous interest in the understanding of its structure at the molecular level.1 Due to the size of the simulation cells and the sampling time needed to compute many macroscopic properties, most of the initial simulations are performed using a classical force field whereas several processes that involve chemistry are subsequently probed with electronic structure based methods. A significant effort has therefore been devoted towards the development of classical force fields for water.2 Clusters of water molecules are useful in probing the intermolecular interactions at the microscopic level as well as providing information about the subtle energy differences that are associated with different bonding arrangements within a hydrogen bonded network. They moreover render a quantitative picture of the nature and magnitude of the various components of the intermolecular interactions such as exchange, dispersion, induction etc. They can finally serve as a vehicle for the study of the convergence of properties with increasing size.
When Rejection Kills: The Central Role of Low Relational Value in School Violence Commentary on: Bullying, Romantic Rejection, and Conflicts with Teachers: The Crucial Role of Social Dynamics in the Development of School Shootings - A Systematic Review

Sommer, Leuschner, and Scheithauer (2014) did an admirable job of reviewing and integrating research on school shootings across a broad array of studies that relied on varied conceptualizations, operational definitions, coding strategies, and samples of shootings. Given the inherent ambiguity of retrospective case studies, the authors assembled convincing evidence to show that school shootings are consistently linked to an identifiable set of problematic social relationships at school, including bullying, rejection by peers and romantic partners, conflicts with teachers, and perceiving oneself to be marginalized or victimized. The authors suggested that these specific phenomena reflect three overriding concepts that promote school violence—conflicts and other negative interactions, social standing, and perpetrator characteristics. Although we agree with Sommer et al.’s basic conclusions, we would like to offer a broad social psychological approach that provides a way of integrating most, if not all, of their findings under a single theoretical umbrella. In our view, all of the factors that Sommer ∗Address for correspondence Mark R. Leary, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA. E-mail: leary@duke.edu et al. identified as precursors of school shootings involve the perception that one has very low relational value. Human beings are highly motivated to be valued as relational partners and group members by other people, presumably because individuals who sought to be valued by other people (and, thus, established supportive social relationships) had a higher likelihood of survival and reproduction throughout human evolution relative than those who were unconcerned about being valued and accepted by other people as group members, friends, mates, and acquaintances (Baumeister & Leary, 1995). Thus, a great deal of human behavior is directed toward leading others to regard their relationships with the individual as important or valuable—that is, to maintaining adequate relational value in other people’s eyes (Leary, 2001). In our view, perceptions of low relational value are a central feature of all of the categories of interpersonal problems identified by Sommer et al. Most obviously, both peer rejection and romantic rejection clearly convey that the rejector does not value having a relationship with the rejectee, whether that is a romantic relationship, a friendship, an acquaintanceship, or a group membership.
The Effects of Federal Policies on Rangeland Ecosystem Services in the Southwestern United States

On the Ground Rangelands provide a wide array of ecosystem services — the direct benefits people receive from nature. There is increasing interest by policymakers and conservationists in managing for these ecosystem services. Because of complex land tenure arrangements in the Intermountain West, it is important to understand the impacts of federal resource management laws on ecosystem services flowing from public and private lands. All major federal land management laws are supportive of managing for ecosystem services. We review the implications of FLPMA, NFMA, NEPA, ESA, and CWA on ecosystem services on public and private lands.
Small Changes in Ambient Temperature Cause Large Changes in 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity and Core Body Temperature in the Rat

The amphetamine derivative 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a drug of abuse and has been shown to be neurotoxic to 5-HT terminals in many species. MDMA-engendered neurotoxicity has been shown to be affected by both ambient temperature and core body temperature. We now report that small (2°C) changes in ambient temperature produce changes in core temperature in MDMA-treated rats, but the same changes in ambient temperature do not affect core temperature of saline-treated animals. Furthermore, increases in core temperature of MDMA-treated animals increase neurotoxicity. Rats were given MDMA (20 or 40 mg/kg) or saline and placed in an ambient temperature of 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, or 30°C using a novel temperature measurement apparatus that controls ambient temperature ±0.5°C. Two weeks after MDMA treatment, the rats were killed, and regional 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid levels were analyzed as a measure of neurotoxicity. Rats treated with MDMA at 20 and 22°C showed a hypothermic core temperature response. Treatment with MDMA at 28 and 30°C produced a hyperthermic response. At ambient temperatures of 20–24°C, neurotoxicity was not observed in the frontal cortex, somatosensory cortex, hippocampus, or striatum. At ambient temperatures of 26–30°C, neurotoxicity was seen and correlated with core temperature in all regions examined. These data indicate that ambient temperature has a significant affect on MDMA neurotoxicity, core temperature, and thermoregulation in rats. This finding has implications on both the temperature dependence of the mechanism of MDMA neurotoxicity and human use because fatal hyperthermia is associated with MDMA use in humans.
The Contribution of Fast Protein Dynamics to Cytochrome P450 Molecular Recognition Characterized by Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy

While there is much interest in the potential contribution of fast protein dynamics to biological function, it remains a hotly debated topic in large part due to the challenges associated with experimentally characterizing fast protein motions. However, recent advances in the technique of two-dimensional infrared (2D-IR) spectroscopy now enable the study of fast protein fluctuations. One biological function where fast dynamics may play a particularly important role is molecular recognition. Molecular recognition of cytochrome (cyt) P450s is recognized as being particularly important to human health. Cyt P450s are a large family of enzymes that catalyze the hydroxylation of a wide variety of substrates and show varying degrees of substrate specificity. While dynamics have been implicated in the substrate specificity of cyt P450s, previous experimental studies have lacked sufficient time resolution. Thus, to overcome this limitation we are applying 2D-IR spectroscopic techniques toward the characterizing the role of dynamics in the substrate specificity of cyt P450 enzymes. Initial studies have focused on how the binding of different substrates affects the active site dynamics of the paradigmatic, relatively substrate-specific cyt P450cam. These and further studies of more substrate-promiscuous members of the cyt P450 family will assess the contribution of dynamics to molecular recognition, and provide a model for the contribution of fast protein motions to other biological systems.
Effect of temperature and glucose concentration on a glass-based sensor for long-term stability investigation

We evaluate the sensor sensibility by immersing the sensor in phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.0 and measuring the background noise using a glass substrate for long-term monitoring. We propose a design of asymmetric planar electrodes for long-term monitoring in the phosphate buffer solution at 37°C. The background signals have been observed in cyclic voltammetric measurements, and the surface morphologies of platinum sensors were investigated by the scanning electron microscopy for the long-term experiment. With the same conditions, background oxidize current graphs were obtained over the range from 1.28 to 2.14 μA for the first 18 days. The sensor is intended for use in controlling of blood sugar and tissue sugar in diabetics and is suitable to be employed in a portable diagnostic and therapeutic apparatus.
Developmental expression of OSP/claudin-11.

Oligodendrocyte-specific protein (OSP/claudin-11) is a major component of CNS myelin and has been recently added to the claudin family of tight junction proteins. In this study, the developmental expression of OSP/claudin-11 was determined using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry (IH), and Western blot analysis. OSP/claudin-11 mRNA was expressed in a bimodal fashion. During prenatal development, OSP/claudin-11 mRNA was abundant in developing meninges, in areas adjacent to cartilage, and in mesoderm. In postnatal animals, OSP/claudin-11 was expressed primarily in developing oligodendrocytes and to a lesser extent, in testes. Double-labeled IH using O2-A progenitor cells revealed that OSP/claudin-11 expression occurs from the early progenitor stage and continues in mature oligodendrocytes. Electron microscopic IH localized OSP/claudin-11 to laminar myelin in the adult CNS. Western blot analysis of OSP/claudin-11 in developing brain revealed the expression of two separate transcripts that were developmentally regulated. These data demonstrate that OSP/claudin-11 expression is highly regulated during development and, therefore, may play an important role in growth and differentiation of oligodendrocytes and other cells outside the CNS. J. Neurosci. Res. 3:284–290, 2000 © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Two-Stage Capture Employing Active Transport Enables Sensitive and Fast Biosensors

Nanoscale sensors enable the detection of analytes with improved signal-to-noise ratio but suffer from mass transport limitations. Molecular shuttles, assembled from, e.g., antibody-functionalized microtubules and kinesin motor proteins, can selectively capture analytes from solution and deliver the analytes to a sensor patch. This two-stage process can accelerate mass transport to nanoscale biosensors and facilitate the rapid detection of analytes. Here, the possible increase of the signal-to-noise ratio is calculated, and the optimal layout of a system which integrates active transport is determined.
Macrosegregation during alloyed semiconductor crystal growth in strong axial and transverse magnetic fields

Abstract This paper presents a model for the unsteady species transport during bulk growth of alloyed semiconductor crystals with both axial and transverse magnetic fields. During growth of alloyed semiconductors such as germanium–silicon (GeSi) and mercury–cadmium–telluride (HgCdTe), the solute's concentration is not small so that density differences in the melt are very large. These compositional variations drive compositionally-driven buoyant convection, or solutal convection, in addition to thermally-driven buoyant convection. These buoyant convections drive convective transport which produce non-uniformities in the concentration in both the melt and the crystal. This transient model predicts the distribution of species in the entire crystal grown in a magnetic field. The present study investigates the effects of magnetic field orientation and strength on the segregation in alloyed semiconductor crystals, and presents results of concentration in the crystal and in the melt at several different times during crystal growth.
Multiple proteins mediate IQGAP1-stimulated cell migration.

Cell migration, a highly complex physiological phenomenon that requires the co-ordinated and tightly regulated function of several proteins, is mediated by a number of signalling pathways. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of cell migration impacts our comprehension of numerous cell functions, ranging from development and immune surveillance to angiogenesis and metastasis. The scaffold protein IQGAP1, which binds multiple proteins and regulates their functions, promotes cell motility. Many of the IQGAP1 binding proteins have been implicated in cell migration. In this study, we employed a multifaceted strategy to identify proteins that contribute to IQGAP1-stimulated cell migration. Using specific IQGAP1 point mutant constructs, an interaction with actin was shown to be essential for IQGAP1 to increase cell migration. In contrast, eliminating the binding of Ca2+/calmodulin, but not Ca2+-free calmodulin, augmented the ability of IQGAP1 to stimulate cell migration. Consistent with these findings, selective inhibition of calmodulin function at the plasma membrane with a specific peptide inhibitor enhanced cell migration mediated by IQGAP1. Interestingly, immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy suggest that localization of Cdc42 at the leading edge is not necessary for maximal migration of epithelial cells. Coupled with the observations that Cdc42 and Rac1 contribute to IQGAP1-stimulated cell migration, these data suggest that IQGAP1 serves as a junction to integrate multiple signalling molecules to facilitate cell migration.
Comparisons of a Clon of Plasmodium cathemerium with its Parent Strain and with Two Strains derived from the Clon by Mosquito Transmission.

Analysis of species and sub-specific groups of malarial parasites is essential to the solution of many of the remaining problems in malariology. Foremost in importance among these problems is the question of the constancy of strains, especially following transmission by mosquitoes. Does sex in the malarial organisms have the same functional significance that it has in the majority of sexed animals and plants? In the following paper a report is made of studies upon a clon of Plasmodium cathemerium together with its parent strain and with two strains resulting from mosquito transmissions of the clon. Attention has
Simulation and comparative analysis of energy conservation performance metric for ERAODV, AODV and DSDV routing protocols in MANET

In Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks (MANETs), mobile devices are equipped with power. In order to utilize this energy equipped devices resourcefully for transmission of data packets, many energy aware routing strategies are followed. As a key note to these routing strategies, the energy aware performance metrics are analyzed on two routing protocols like Ad-Hoc on Demand Distance Vector Protocol (AODV) and Destination Sequenced Distance Vector Routing Protocol (DSDV). The comparison results prove that AODV protocol can be adopted for any routing strategy, in order to increase the performance of the network lifetime in comparison with DSDV.
Fugitive Justice: Runaways, Rescuers, and Slavery on Trial

Fugitive Justice: Runaways, Rescuers, and Slavery on Trial STEVEN LUBET Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2010 Pp. 367, $29.95 (hbk), ISBN 978 0 6740 4704 4 In 1860 and 1861, seceding states...
Robust signal processing for damaged vehicles with variability

The focus of this paper is on establishing a robust signal processing approach for damaged vehicles (i.e., cracked structures) with structural variability such as thicknesses of various components and Young's modulus variations. The approach assumes that vibration–type data is collected during the operation of a vehicle. Next, the collected data is used in a novel combined sensor selection and signal processing methodology. The new methodology resolves two key issues for complex structures with variability: (i) decides which field data channels are statistically optimal to be used, and (ii) establishes which data channels should correlate and how. The overall algorithm is based on a generalised version of the effective independence distribution vector. Also, the correlations among channels are used for noise rejection. Furthermore, the dynamics of the vehicle (i.e., a complex structure with variabilities) is modelled using Parametric Reduced Order Models (PROMs) and the concept of bilinear mode shapes introduced recently by the authors for cracked structures. PROMs are used to address the presence of variability and account for their effects on the data collected from various channels. The bilinear modes are used to capture the effects of the crack. The proposed methodology is demonstrated for a complex/realistic model of a HMMWV frame with parameter variability and a crack.
Increased incorporation of (3H)-lysine into proteins of the Purkinje cells of the adult male and female rat after castration.

La castration d'un mâle adulte ou d'une femelle de rat est suivie apres 5 semaines d'une augmentation significative de l'incorporation de la3H-lysine dans les proteines des cellules de Purkinje.
Crystallization from an amorphous matrix—II. Growth kinetics

Abstract Experimental studies were carried out in optically transparent Aventurine glass to determine the effect of undercooling on the growth rate, the tip radius and the initial secondary branch spacing of the dendritic structure. The growth rate was found to exhibit a maximum as the undercooling was increased; the dendrite tip radius, however, decreased continuously with increasing undercooling. A theoretical model of dendritic growth is developed for the present case in which the dendritic phase has a fixed composition. This model is then applied to explain the experimental results. Furthermore, experimental results show that a scaling law between the secondary dendrite arm spacing near the tip and the dendrite tip radius exists in this system.
Sensory irritation and coolness produced by menthol: Evidence for selective desensitization of irritation

The temporal characteristics of the oral perception of menthol solutions were explored in two experiments. In Experiment 1, 10 samples of either 0.03% or 0.30% menthol were presented at 1 min intervals and rated for the perceived intensity of cooling and irritation. Reports of sensation quality (burning, tingling, stinging and numbing) and pain were also collected. At the higher concentration, a significant decrease in perceived intensity was observed over time for irritation, but not for cooling. Experiment 2 was designed to explore further the nature of the decline in irritation observed in Experiment 1. Employing 1-min and 5-min inter-stimulus intervals between solutions, it was found that the decrease in menthol irritation more closely resembled desensitization than adaptation. Decreases in the frequency of reports of the burning and stinging qualities, but not the tingling, numbing or cooling qualities, suggested that menthol has a specific desensitizing effect on a population of mucosal nociceptive fibers.
Simulating deformations of MR brain images for validation of atlas-based segmentation and registration algorithms

Simulated deformations and images can act as the gold standard for evaluating various template-based image segmentation and registration algorithms. Traditional deformable simulation methods, such as the use of analytic deformation fields or the displacement of landmarks followed by some form of interpolation, are often unable to construct rich (complex) and/or realistic deformations of anatomical organs. This paper presents new methods aiming to automatically simulate realistic inter- and intra-individual deformations. The paper first describes a statistical approach to capturing inter-individual variability of high-deformation fields from a number of examples (training samples). In this approach, Wavelet–Packet Transform (WPT) of the training deformations and their Jacobians, in conjunction with a Markov random field (MRF) spatial regularization, are used to capture both coarse and fine characteristics of the training deformations in a statistical fashion. Simulated deformations can then be constructed by randomly sampling the resultant statistical distribution in an unconstrained or a landmark-constrained fashion. The paper also describes a model for generating tissue atrophy or growth in order to simulate intra-individual brain deformations. Several sets of simulated deformation fields and respective images are generated, which can be used in the future for systematic and extensive validation studies of automated atlas-based segmentation and deformable registration methods. The code and simulated data are available through our Web site.
Erythrocyte survival after experimental portacaval shunt.

SummaryStudies of erythrocyte survival using Cr51 and DFP32 labeled red cells in rats following end-to-side portacaval shunts disclosed no change in erythrocyte longevity. It is suggested that the clinically observed decreased erythrocyte survival and hepatic siderosis following portacaval shunts may result from hepatocellular damage produced by the diversion of the portal flow, which is superimposed on pre-existing liver damage.
Cloning and Expression of Rabbit and Human Brain Tryptophan-Hydroxylase cDNA in Escherichia Coli

Abstract Rabbit and human brain tryptophan hydroxylase were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli . Each of the respective cDNAs, including the complete coding sequence of tryptophan hydroxylase, was obtained by reverse transcription of rabbit or human brain mRNA and subcloned into the expression vector pET-3C. The expressed rabbit brain tryptophan hydroxylase activity, measured in the presence of tetrahydrobiopterin, represents approximately a 50-fold enhancement in yield (units/g tissue (wet wt) over that of a rabbit brain extract. Likewise, the level of expressed human brain tryptophan hydroxylase is approximately 57 times the average yield previously reported for a human brain homogenate and approximately 10-times the activity of homogenates of hyman raphe nucleus. The rabbit brain and pineal-derived tryptophan hydroxylase sequences varied by disparities in six amino acid residues (99% identity). The human carcinoid and brain peptide sequences varied by disparities in 18 amino acid residues (96% identity). Several properties of both expressed enzymes were studied and compared with those of native tryptophan hydroxylases.
New Approaches for Better Security and Privacy in RFID Communications

RFID is likely to emerge as a very important tool in electronically documenting the physical world to generate powerful information. In order to label millions of objects with RFID tags economically, the cost of a single tag has to be very competitive. However an inexpensive tag costing just a few cents would not have the necessary infrastructure to secure the data it stores and transmits. RFID has been drawing attention from privacy advocates and skeptics for the loopholes it can create in the information security infrastructure and consumer privacy. This article presents an overview of the security and privacy concern vis-a-vis RFID. It surveys the research trying to ensure credible security and privacy in future low-cost RFID systems. The main purpose of this article is to hypothesize new ways of addressing concerns of security and privacy in low-cost RFID systems. Efforts are underway in the RFID Lab at Northeastern University to develop these ideas further and test their practical viability.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Pinocchio, a novel protein expressed in the antenna, contributes to olfactory behavior in Drosophila melanogaster

Most organisms depend on chemoreception for survival and reproduction. In Drosophila melanogaster multigene families of chemosensory receptors and putative odorant binding proteins have been identified. Here, we introduce an additional distinct protein, encoded by the CG4710 gene, that contributes to olfactory behavior. Previously, we identified through P[lArB]-element mutagenesis a smell impaired (smi) mutant, smi21F, with odorant-specific defects in avoidance responses. Here, we show that the smi21F mutant also exhibits reduced attractant responses to some, but not all, of a select group of odorants. Furthermore, electroantennogram amplitudes are increased in smi21F flies. Characterization of flanking sequences of the P[lArB] insertion site, complementation mapping, phenotypic reversion through P-element excision, and expression analysis implicate a predicted gene, CG4710, as the candidate smi gene. CG4710 produces two transcripts that encode proteins that contain conserved cysteines and which are reduced in the smi21F mutant. Furthermore, in situ hybridization reveals CG4710 expression in the third antennal segment. We have named this gene of previously unknown function and its product “Pinocchio (Pino)”. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol., 2005
The Determinants of State-Level Antitrust Activity

While there has been a considerable literature exploring the determinants of antitrust enforcement in the United States, these studies have been based either on aggregate federal enforcement data over time (exploring cyclical influences) or cross-industry studies, usually for a single year or aggregated over several years. What has never been investigated is the pattern of state-level antitrust litigation. This is somewhat surprising, as this has been a major activity of many state attorneys general. In this paper, we explain state antitrust activity across states, examining a number of the economic and political determinants that have been proposed in the literature.
Cloning and functional analysis of tipE, a novel membrane protein that enhances drosophila para sodium channel function

Voltage-dependent sodium channels are involved in the initiation and propagation of action potentials in many excitable cells. Here we report that tipE, a gene defined by a temperature-sensitive paralytic mutation in Drosophila, encodes a novel integral membrane protein that dramatically stimulates functional expression in Xenopus oocytes of the Drosophila sodium channel alpha subunit encoded by the paralytic (para) locus. Using a heat shock promoter to control tipE+ gene expression in transgenic flies, we demonstrate that tipE+ gene expression is required during pupal development to rescue adult paralysis. In addition, we demonstrate a role for the tipE gene product in adults.
A kidney perfusion method for metabolism studies with chickens using propachlor as a model

1. A procedure for directly perfusing chicken kidneys in situ with xenobiotics is described. 2. When propachlor (2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide) or the glutathione, cysteine and mercapturic acid conjugates of propachlor were individually perfused through chicken kidneys, propachlor mercapturate was isolated from the urine and identified as an end product, indicating that all enzymes necessary for mercapturic acid formation were present in chicken kidney.
Compton Scattering in Ultrastrong Magnetic Fields: Numerical and Analytical Behavior in the Relativistic Regime

This paper explores the effects of strong magnetic fields on the Compton scattering of relativistic electrons. Recent studies of upscattering and energy loss by relativistic electrons that have used the nonrelativistic, magnetic Thomson cross section for resonant scattering or the Klein-Nishina cross section for nonresonant scattering do not account for the relativistic quantum effects of strong fields (>4 × 1012 G). We have derived a simplified expression for the exact QED scattering cross section for the broadly applicable case in which relativistic electrons move along the magnetic field. To facilitate applications to astrophysical models, we have also developed compact approximate expressions for both the differential and total polarization-dependent cross sections, with the latter representing well the exact total QED cross section even at the high fields believed to be present in environments near the stellar surfaces of soft gamma repeaters and anomalous X-ray pulsars. We find that strong magnetic fields significantly lower the Compton scattering cross section below and at the resonance when the incident photon energy exceeds mec2 in the electron rest frame. The cross section is strongly dependent on the polarization of the final scattered photon. Below the cyclotron fundamental, mostly photons of perpendicular polarization are produced in scatterings, a situation that also arises above this resonance for subcritical fields. However, an interesting discovery is that for supercritical fields, a preponderance of photons of parallel polarization results from scatterings above the cyclotron fundamental. This characteristic is both a relativistic and a magnetic effect not present in the Thomson or Klein-Nishina limits.
Accuracy of diagnosis of pancreatic cancer decreases with increasing age.

Pancreatic cancer is common in the elderly and often is diagnosed clinically without pathologic confirmation. We compared age distribution and survival of 240 elderly patients with clinically diagnosed pancreatic cancer and 712 elderly patients with pathologically confirmed adeno- and ductal pancreatic carcinoma. All patients were registered by the Kansas state cancer registry from 1975-1984. The percentage of clinical diagnoses increased significantly from 12% in those aged in their 60s to 59% for those in their 90s (P less than .005). Observed 5-year survival for all of the clinically diagnosed patients was 8.4% compared with 0.6% for those pathologically confirmed. When locally confined disease only was considered, 5-year survival was 27% for patients clinically diagnosed and 4% for those pathologically confirmed. Given the fact that long survival from pancreatic carcinoma is a rare event, these findings suggest that in many elderly patients clinical diagnoses of pancreatic cancer are wrong. The findings have implications for the statistics on increasing incidence of pancreatic cancer (particularly in the elderly) and in discussion of prognosis with elderly patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer without pathologic confirmation.
Resonant structure observed in the 3He(τ, γ)6Be capture reaction

Abstract The 3 He(τ,γ) 6 Be capture reaction has been studied for 3 He bombarding energies from 12 to 27, MeV. Transitions to the first excited state in 6 Be( T = 1, 2 + ) are readily seen. Transitions to the ground state in 6 Be ( T = 1, 0 + ) are very weak and their presence could not be ascertained. The 90° excitation function for these transitions shows a broad maximum centered at E τ = 23 ±1 MeV. This is interpreted as a resonance in the compound nucleus 6 Be at E x = 23.0±0.5 MeV with a configuration other than 3 He+ 3 He. These results are compared with other experimental work as well as with theoretical predictions.
Consonant-Vowel Interaction in an Unusual Phonological System

This paper presents information regarding the interactive effects of consonants and vowels in a disordered phonological system. Labial and labiodental consonants were produced as alveolar consonants before front vowels and labial consonants before back vowels. Motivation for the sound change is discussed in terms of assimilation and labial constraints. Implications for therapeutic intervention are discussed.
New species of Cuphea (Lythraceae) from Mexico

Five new species are described, three of which, C. crassiflora, C. paucipetala, and C. trochilus, belong to sect. Heterodon, a group of predominantly annual, western Mexican species. The perennial C. rasilis is a new member of sect. Melvilla and the perennial C. spectabilis is new to sect. Diploptychia. Chromosome numbers for the annual species and two additional ones, C. procumbens and C. koehneana, closely related to the novelties, are reported for the first time.
Absence of teratogenicity of oral ganciclovir used during early pregnancy in a liver transplant recipient.

Background. Ganciclovir (GCV) is effective for prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease. In animals it may cause some teratogenicity. There is little information on the effect of GCV on a human fetus. Methods. The chart of a liver transplant recipient who received oral GCV during the first trimester was reviewed as was the published literature. Results. There was no evidence of teratogenicity in the baby or in a case reported elsewhere. Conclusions. GCV has been used in a few female transplant recipients without untoward effects. The still uncertain risk of short term and long term teratogenicity, however, must be weighed against the risk of CMV disease in the recipient and the development of congenital CMV in the baby.
Infusion of autologous peripheral blood stem cells in an unrelated donor who developed severe aplastic anemia following stem cell donation

Infusion of autologous peripheral blood stem cells in an unrelated donor who developed severe aplastic anemia following stem cell donation
Saari's Conjecture for the Planar Three-Body Problem with Equal Masses

In the N-body problem, it is a simple observation that relative equilibria (planar solutions for which the mutual distances between the particles remain constant) have constant moment of inertia. In 1970, Don Saari conjectured that the converse was true: if a solution to the N-body problem has constant moment of inertia, then it must be a relative equilibrium. In this note, we confirm the conjecture for the planar three-body problem with equal masses.