cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A tribute to Thomas Roosevelt Punnett, Jr. (1926-2008).

We honor here Thomas (Tom) Roosevelt Punnett, Jr. (May 25, 1926–July 4, 2008), who was a pioneer of Biology, particularly of biochemistry of plants and algae, having specialized in photosynthesis under Robert Emerson of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He did exciting work on regulation and control of various metabolic reactions. He was an innovator and raconteur par excellence, and he prized critical thinking. His enthusiasm for basic science questions was matched by his grasp of their “real-world” implications. His last project was a patent for anaerobic sewage treatment that he hoped would lead to solution of waste disposal and energy creation world wide, including the clean-up of Lake Erie, where he had sailed as a boy. On the personal side, he had a strong sense of morality and a great wit and humor.
Glyceryl ether containing lipids of whole brains from germ-free and conventional rats

The percentage alkyl and alk-1’-enyl glyceryl ethers of the polar lipids isolated from germ-free and conventional rat brain tissue has been determined. No difference could be detected in the quantity of the ether-containing lipids in these animals. Similarly, the composition of the aldehydic chain of the alk-1’-enyl glyceryl ethers from germ-free and conventional rat brain tissue was shown to be the same. The microbial flora, therefore, do not influence either the quantity of the ether-containing lipids or the composition of the aldehyde chain of the alk-1’-enyl glyceryl ethers in the rat brain.
Thickness- and concentration-dependent crystal-to-amorphous transition of Fe100 - xZrx in Zr/Fe100 - xZrx/Zr trilayers

Abstract Zr/Fe100 − xZrx/Zr layered structures with different concentrations x and variable Fe100 − xZrx layer thicknesses were prepared in an UHV system by electron beam evaporation. The structure of the Fe100 − xZrx layers was monitored in-situ by reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED). The RHEED patterns show a change from diffuse scattering to a marked intensity distribution at critical layer thicknesses tcrit. (x). This observation is interpreted as an amorphous-to-crystalline transition of the Fe100−xZrx layers. X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements on the same samples clearly support this interpretation. We observe an increase of tcrit. (x) with an increasing Zr concentration x and explain this by a lattice instability induced by the interface mismatch.
SiC-C fiber electrode for biological sensing

Microelectrodes implanted in the brain can act as transducers for the neuronal impulses. In this work a composite fiber (SiC-C) electrode was studied for neuronal activity sensing and for biochemical detection of electroactive neurotransmitters. An electrolytic etching technique was also developed for fabricating electrode tips from SiC-C composite fiber. SEM was used to study different tip geometries and shapes. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used for the electrochemical characterization and modeling. Almost square voltammograms showed that the current generated was due to the charging and discharging of the capacitive double layer without any significant redox reaction. The electrodes showed capacitive interaction with the surrounding electrolyte solution which is highly desirable for safe charge transfer. Biochemical sensing of neurotransmitters including dopamine hydrochloride and vitamin C was done with the SiC-C composite electrodes and oxidation currents were found to vary linearly with concentration. In vivo action potential recordings from anesthetized rat's brain with very high signal to noise ratio were obtained.
Pioneer 10 and pioneer 11.

On December 3, 1974, Pioneer 11 passed the planet Jupiter at a distance of 42,000 km. The spacecraft is now headed for an encounter with the planet Saturn in September 1979. The prime scientific objectives of the Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 missions are discussed along with the spacecraft payload, aspects of spacecraft design, the spacecraft power supply, and details regarding the spacecraft trajectory during the approach to Jupiter.
Bootstrap approaches to estimating confidence intervals for molecular dissimilarities and resultant trees

Abstract Varied approaches to estimating confidence intervals for immunological and hybridization distances can be uniformly applied to any matrix of distances. One procedure bootstraps the pairwise dissimilarities between the distances of every pair of taxa to all others, creating a derived matrix of distances for which dispersions can be estimated. Another approach bootstraps the sample of differences between pairwise homologous branch lengths concerning each pair of taxa and between asymmetric halves of the matrix, to find a standard error of the dispersions. This allows comparison of the robustness of trees among different sources of data. DNA hybridization, transferrin immunology and protein immunodiffusion matrices all yield much the same result once standard deviations of dissimilarities are acknowledged: namely, unresolvable trichotomies among the human-chimp-gorilla clade and among this clade with orang and gibbon; conventional relationships among hominoids, cercopithecoids, ceboids and strepsirhines; and a polychotomy among anthropoids, strepsirhines, tarsiers, tupaiids and dermopterans.
Maturation of Resistance to Salmonellosis in Newly Hatched Chicks: Inhibition by Cyclosporine

Abstract The development of resistance to salmonellosis and the basis of resistance in newly hatched chickens were investigated. Newly hatched chickens are inherently susceptible to salmonellosis but develop resistance rapidly to Salmonella infection during the first 5 days of life. Newly hatched chickens were treated with cyclosporine, the thymic (T)-cell-specific, immunosuppressive agent (T-cell). The resultant changes in T-cell responsiveness to mitogens, in vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity, and resistance to salmonellosis were measured. The results demonstrated that cyclosporine reduced in vitro T-cell responses to T-cell-specific mitogens, suppressed in vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity (tuberculin skin-test reactions), and impaired the development of native resistance to salmonellosis. These results indicate that development of resistance to salmonellosis in newly hatched chicks depends on a fully functional capacity for cell-mediated immunity. Therefore, the development of effective vaccines for reducing the contamination of live birds with Salmonella probably should include strategies for enhancing the early development of cellular immunity.
A note on atmospheric dispersion with chemical reaction

Abstract Generalized dispersion theory is used to obtain an analytical solution to the unsteady advective-diffusion equation for dispersion of a reactive pollutant in the atmosphere. Numerical results are obtained for the ground level concentration as a function of time and spatial coordinates for a continuous crosswind line source at different elevations and for various values of the first-order reaction rate under inversion conditions.
The rate of change of vergence–accommodation conflict affects visual discomfort

Stereoscopic (S3D) displays create conflicts between the distance to which the eyes must converge and the distance to which the eyes must accommodate. Such conflicts require the viewer to overcome the normal coupling between vergence and accommodation, and this effort appears to cause viewer discomfort. Vergence-accommodation coupling is driven by the phasic components of the underlying control systems, and those components respond to relatively fast changes in vergence and accommodative stimuli. Given the relationship between phasic changes and vergence-accommodation coupling, we examined how the rate of change in the vergence-accommodation conflict affects viewer discomfort. We used a stereoscopic display that allows independent manipulation of the stimuli to vergence and accommodation. We presented stimuli that simulate natural viewing (i.e., vergence and accommodative stimuli changed together) and stimuli that simulate S3D viewing (i.e., vergence stimulus changes but accommodative stimulus remains fixed). The changes occurred at 0.01, 0.05, or 0.25 Hz. The lowest rate is too slow to stimulate the phasic components while the highest rate is well within the phasic range. The results were consistent with our expectation: somewhat greater discomfort was experienced when stimulus distance changed rapidly, particularly in S3D viewing when the vergence stimulus changed but the accommodative stimulus did not. These results may help in the generation of guidelines for the creation and viewing of stereo content with acceptable viewer comfort.
Ecological economics, degrowth, and institutional change

Ecological economics has made great strides in the understanding of how the human economy is embedded in a finite and limited biophysical system. However less progress has been made in understanding the internal dynamics of the economy that produce periods of slow growth, even in the absence of biophysical constraints. The real economy is a complex system, replete with myriad positive feedback loops. By looking at the economy from a systems perspective ecological economists can better understand the internal dynamics of a market system that lead to the periodic depressions and recessions that characterize “the failed growth economy.” A non-growing or declining economy exacerbates formidable economic problems such as unemployment, debt, and poverty. Since the middle of the 20th century governments have pursued growth strategies to solve social problems. But the age of economic growth is coming to an end, driven by its own internal dynamics and by biophysical forces such as climate change and peak oil. Degrowth implies less, and the steady state implies less on a permanent basis. Ecological economists need to pay more attention to the implications of less for a market economy and the effects upon people under our present economic configuration.
Regression of the Mountains of Mitchel polar ice after the onset of a global dust storm on Mars

[1] Data from the Mars Orbiter Camera experiment on Mars Global Surveyor show that the 2001 spring regression of the Mountains of Mitchel, a bright region in the south polar cap of Mars, was faster than in 1999. Those two years differed in that a large spring dust storm occurred in 2001, while 1999 was relatively dust free. We have modeled the effects of atmospheric dust on the CO2 sublimation rate, using a Monte Carlo radiative transfer model. We explicitly accounted for the two major effects of atmospheric dust: 1) reduction of the direct solar heating and 2) the opposing increase in the absorption of IR thermal dust emission by the surface. Our modeling supports the hypothesis that this year's faster regression of the Mountains of Mitchel was related to the early spring global dust storm.
Interspecific Variation in Activity and Regulation of Leaf Sucrose Phosphate Synthetase

Summary Sucrose-P synthetase was extracted and assayed in crude preparations from leaves of various species that differ in leaf starch accumulation. Magnesium was required in the grinding medium for enzyme stability and in the assay medium for enzymic activity. The enzyme, extracted from leaves of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), peas (Pisum sativum L.), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) had relatively low activity on a chlorophyll basis (6.8 to 12.9,umol product/mg chlorophyll h), and its activity was inhibited by 50 mM sucrose (30 to 100 Ofo inhibition). In contrast, sucrose-P synthetase activity in leaf extracts of wheat (Tritium aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) was generally higher (10 to 12.5,µmol/mg chlorophyll h) and its activity was not inhibited by sucrose. Activity of sucrose synthase in leaf extracts of the different species was variable (0 to 3.4 ,umol!mg Chl h), and generally much lower than the activity of sucrose-P synthetase. Leaf starch content of the different species was negatively correlated (r = -0.94) with the activity of sucrose-P synthetase activity in leaf extracts. The results suggested that the activity of sucrose-P synthetase may be ratelimiting for photosynthetic sucrose formation and, hence, may account for species differences in leaf starch accumulation. Sucrose inhibition of this enzyme in some species may also provide a biochemical explanation for increased leaf starch accumulation when translocation is reduced
Co-production of electricity and ethanol, process economics of value prior combustion

Abstract A process economic analysis of co-producing bioethanol and electricity (value prior to combustion) from mixed southern hardwood and southern yellow pine is presented. Bioethanol is produced by extracting carbohydrates from wood via autohydrolysis, membrane separation of byproducts, enzymatic hydrolysis of extracted oligomers and fermentation to ethanol. The residual solids after autohydrolysis are pressed and burned in a power boiler to generate steam and electricity. A base case scenario of biomass combustion to produce electricity is presented as a reference to understand the basics of bio-power generation economics. For the base case, minimum electricity revenue of $70–$96/MWh must be realized to achieve a 6–12% internal rate of return. In the alternative co-production cases, the ethanol facility is treated as a separate business entity that purchases power and steam from the biomass power plant. Minimum ethanol revenue required to achieve a 12% internal rate of return was estimated to be $0.84–$1.05/l for hardwood and $0.74–$0.85/l for softwood. Based on current market conditions and an assumed future ethanol selling price of $0.65/l, the co-production of cellulosic bioethanol and power does not produce financeable returns. A risk analysis indicates that there is a probability of 26.6% to achieve an internal rate of return equal or higher than 12%. It is suggested that focus be placed on improving yield and reducing CAPEX before this technology can be applied commercially. This modeling approach is a robust method to evaluate economic feasibility of integrated production of bio-power and other products based on extracted hemicellulose.
Analytic study of disoriented chiral condensates.

By introducing a quark source in the nonlinear {sigma} model, we obtain an analytic boost-invariant solution as a candidate for the disoriented chiral condensate (DCC) in 3+1 dimensions. In order to trigger formation of the DCC, a strong transfer of axial isospin charge must occur between the expanding source and the interior in the baked Alaska scenario. An explicit chiral symmetry breaking is incorporated in the solution by connecting the decay period to the formation period. Quantitative estimates are presented with our simple solution. At least in this class of solutions, the explicit symmetry breaking masks almost completely the disorientation which would be reached asymptotically in the symmetric limit. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Reliable Operating Systems: Overview and Techniques

AbstractTraditional operating systems’ architectures are primarily focused on achieving superior performance, albeit at the expense of sacrificing reliability. This approach is clearly inadequate, given our growing dependence on computer systems for essential and critical services. Reliability should thus be considered as a first-class citizen alongside functionality and performance, while designing future operating systems. The present paper summarizes the current trends and best practices employed to improve the reliability of operating systems. We also draw attention to the limitations and drawbacks of the prevalent approaches, discuss outstanding issues and propose some promising research directions, which may be explored to build highly reliable operating systems.
Acinar-islet cell transformation in mouse pancreas

Electron microscopic evidence is presented for acinar-islet cell transformation in the mouse pancreas. Cells adjacent to an islet of Langerhans and organized in the form of an acinus contained both zymogen granules and B-granules, and their endoplasmic reticulum resembled that of B-cells.
Polarized deposition of basement membrane proteins depends on Phosphatidylinositol synthase and the levels of Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

The basement membrane (BM), a specialized sheet of the extracellular matrix contacting the basal side of epithelial tissues, plays an important role in the control of the polarized structure of epithelial cells. However, little is known about how BM proteins themselves achieve a polarized distribution. Here, we identify phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) as a critical regulator of the polarized secretion of BM proteins. A decrease of PIP2 levels, in particular through mutations in Phosphatidylinositol synthase (Pis) and other members of the phosphoinositide pathway, leads to the aberrant accumulation of BM components at the apical side of the cell without primarily affecting the distribution of apical and basolateral polarity proteins. In addition, PIP2 controls the apical and lateral localization of Crag (Calmodulin-binding protein related to a Rab3 GDP/GTP exchange protein), a factor specifically required to prevent aberrant apical secretion of BM. We propose that PIP2, through the control of Crag’s subcellular localization, restricts the secretion of BM proteins to the basal side.
On a fourth order elliptic problem with a p(x)-biharmonic operator

Abstract Sufficient conditions are obtained for the existence of at least one nontrivial weak solution to a fourth order elliptic problem with a p ( x ) -biharmonic operator and the Navier boundary conditions.
The enthalpy of formation of magnesium sulfate ion pairs

The enthalpies of dilution of lithium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium chloride and sulfate solutions in the range 0.1 to 1.0 m have been measured at 30°C with a microcalorimeter. The relative apparent enthalpies φL of these solutions have been determined with the aid of an extended form of the Debye-Huckel limiting law $$\phi _L = S_H I^{1/2} [1/(1 + I^{1/2} ) - (\sigma /3)] + {\rm B}{\rm I} + CI^{3/2} $$ whereS H is the limiting-law slope, σ = 3/I3/2 × [(1+I1/2 − 1/(1+I1/2 − 2 ln (2+I1/2)], andB andC are empirical constants. This equation fits the experimental results to within a standard deviation of 2 cal-mole−1 for all the salts. The measured φL for the MgSO4 solutions were compared to those calculated using the additivity principle, φL(MgCl2) + φL(Na2SO4) − 2φL(NaCl), and the extended Debye-Huckel equation. The results of this comparison have been used to calculate the ΔH A o for the formation of MgSO 4 0 . A value of ΔH A o = 1.15 to 1.36 was obtained, depending upon the φL estimates for the free ions Mg2+ and SO 4 2− . The results are briefly discussed and compared to the results obtained by other workers.
Application of minimum energy formalism in a multiple slip band model for fatigue—II. Crack nucleation and derivation of a generalised Coffin-Manson law

Abstract A situation of multiple parallel slip bands is considered. Each slip band is modelled as an accumulation of edge dipoles. The dislocation dipole density within the slip bands continually increases with fatigue cycling. The strain energy density within the slip bands consequently builds up with cycling until a critical cycle number when it becomes energetically favorable to nucleate a microcrack within one of the slip bands. This is proposed to be the crack nucleation cycle number. The above criterion based on the strain energy density is used to derive an explicit expression for the number of cycles for crack nucleation. It is shown that there is a parallel between this criterion for crack nucleation and other criteria that are based on the accumulation of a certain critical amount of damage. A generalised Coffin-Manson law for crack initiation is also derived. The size and most likely site of the just-nucleated crack is discussed.
The HMS African Revisited: The Royal Navy and the Homosexual Community

The article contains both a survey of writings on homosexuality in military organizations since the early 1970s, and a reexamination of the homoerotic involvements on the Royal Navy's HMS Africaine from 1811 to 1815. The Africaine affair, first studied by Arthur N. Gilbert in 1974, involved a sexually active coterie on board the ship that included a large segment of the crewmembers. Analytical structures for studying all-male sexuality 30 years ago have gradually been superseded by new theoretical paradigms, and these more recently developed approaches can be used effectively to provide a greater understanding of the events that led to a series of courts martial and the hanging of four of the Africaine's men in 1816.
COMPARTMENTALIZATION OF PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL 4,5-BISPHOSPHATE IN LOW-DENSITY MEMBRANE DOMAINS IN THE ABSENCE OF CAVEOLIN

In cells that exhibit caveolae, the hormone-sensitive pool of PtdIns 4,5-P2 is localized in a low density, caveolin-enriched membrane fraction (1). Neuro 2a cells do not express caveolin. Nonetheless, the PtdIns 4,5-P2 in these cells is compartmentalized in a low density, detergent-insoluble domain that also contains other signaling-related molecules. Compartmentalization of PtdIns 4,5-P2 was observed regardless of whether Triton X-100-containing or detergent-free methods were used to prepare the membranes. However, the partitioning of receptor tyrosine kinases and GPI-anchored proteins into the low density domains was dependent upon the method of membrane preparation. Treatment of Neuro 2a cells with cyclodextrin delocalized the PtdIns 4,5-P2 and inhibited hormone-stimulated PtdIns turnover. These results suggest that compartmentalization of PtdIns 4,5-P2 does not require caveolin but is necessary for the proper functioning of phosphoinositide-based signaling.
A globally convergent algorithm for solving special utilization equations

Traffic and network equilibria, utilization of emergency vehicles and police patrol units can be determined by solving particular nonlinear equations. In most applications, these equations are equivalent to the fixed point problems of monotone operators. A general globally convergent algorithm is suggested for solving such equations. With the appropriate selection of the initial approximations, the smallest and largest solutions are obtained. The method can also be used as a practical check for solution uniqueness.
A Distributed Canny Edge Detector: Algorithm and FPGA Implementation

The Canny edge detector is one of the most widely used edge detection algorithms due to its superior performance. Unfortunately, not only is it computationally more intensive as compared with other edge detection algorithms, but it also has a higher latency because it is based on frame-level statistics. In this paper, we propose a mechanism to implement the Canny algorithm at the block level without any loss in edge detection performance compared with the original frame-level Canny algorithm. Directly applying the original Canny algorithm at the block-level leads to excessive edges in smooth regions and to loss of significant edges in high-detailed regions since the original Canny computes the high and low thresholds based on the frame-level statistics. To solve this problem, we present a distributed Canny edge detection algorithm that adaptively computes the edge detection thresholds based on the block type and the local distribution of the gradients in the image block. In addition, the new algorithm uses a nonuniform gradient magnitude histogram to compute block-based hysteresis thresholds. The resulting block-based algorithm has a significantly reduced latency and can be easily integrated with other block-based image codecs. It is capable of supporting fast edge detection of images and videos with high resolutions, including full-HD since the latency is now a function of the block size instead of the frame size. In addition, quantitative conformance evaluations and subjective tests show that the edge detection performance of the proposed algorithm is better than the original frame-based algorithm, especially when noise is present in the images. Finally, this algorithm is implemented using a 32 computing engine architecture and is synthesized on the Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA. The synthesized architecture takes only 0.721 ms (including the SRAM read/write time and the computation time) to detect edges of \(512\times 512\) images in the USC SIPI database when clocked at 100 MHz and is faster than existing FPGA and GPU implementations.
Serum constituents of the Malaysian prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and pink shrimp (Penaeus marginatus)

Abstract Baseline serum values of newly captured Malaysian prawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) and pink shrimp ( Penaeus marginatus ) were determined by Sequential Multiple AutoAnalysis. Both of these species have considerable potential for commercial captive culture. Sex differences in serum constituent levels were found within species. Female pink shrimp had higher serum glucose levels than the males. Malaysian prawn males had higher cholesterol levels than females, and the latter had higher levels or activities of urea nitrogen, creatinine and lactic dehydrogenase. Pink shrimp held under laboratory conditions for 10 days had higher levels or activities of serum glucose and alkaline phosphatase and lower levels or activities of serum inorganic phosphorus, total protein, lactic dehydrogenase and glumatic-oxaloacetic transaminase than pink shrimp sampled immediately after capture.
Metal-induced alteration of the cell membrane/cytoplasm complex studied by flow cytometry and detergent lysis☆

Abstract Flow cytometric analysis of the cell cycle is most effectively accomplished with membrane-/cytoplasm-free (“clean”) nuclei. Non-ionic detergents (e.g. NP 40 or Triton X-100) commonly are employed to solubilize cell membranes/cytoplasm to produce “clean” nuclei. Treatment of murine erythroleukemic cells (MELC) with tri- n -butyltin methoxide, cadmium acetate, zinc sulfate, or lead acetate alters the properties of the cell membrane/cytoplasm complex making it resistant to NP 40 dissolution. On a molar basis, the organotin compound was more effective in inducing resistance to detergent-mediated dissolution than the inorganic metal compounds. Resistance to NP 40 -mediated dissolution was manifested as an increase in the flow cytometric parameters 90° scatter fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) fluorescence and was confirmed by light microscopy.
Deconstructing the Male: Masochism, Female Spectatorship, and the Femme Fatale in Fatal Attraction, Body of Evidence, and Basic Instinct

Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct, and Body of Evidence are three films that forge a connection between the cinematic femme fatale genre and an imagistic and narrative focus on masochism. The author argues that the foregrounding of masochistic desire acts to complicate our understanding of the male gaze and female spectatorial pleasure; thus, these films present a serious challenge to inherited theories of spectatorship.
Diazoxide pretreatment induces delayed preconditioning in astrocytes against oxygen glucose deprivation and hydrogen peroxide-induced toxicity.

Recent studies suggest that activation of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels (mK A T P ) with diazoxide can protect neurons against ischemic stress. However, it is not yet known whether astrocytes, which are more resilient against ischemia, respond similarly to diazoxide. We exposed cultured astrocytes to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) or hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) with or without pretreatment with the mK A T P opener diazoxide. Marked decreases in astrocyte viability were evident after 9 and 12 hr of OGD [76% ′ 3% (n = 50) and 60% ′ 1% (n = 50)] and 400 and 600 μM H 2 O 2 [40% ′ 2% (n = 16) and 25% ′ 2% (n = 16)], respectively, compared with no treatment (100% ′ 1%). Diazoxide treatment (3 days of sequential application) dramatically reversed the negative effects of OGD and H 2 O 2 , resulting in complete blockade of astrocyte cell death. Effects of diazoxide were blocked by the mK A T P blocker 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (5-HD). Furthermore, incubation of astrocytes with diazoxide resulted in loss of mitochondrial membrane potential monitored by tetramethylrhodamineethylester fluorescence. Additionally, generation of reactive oxygen species was observed in response to diazoxide, assessed using the oxidation-sensitive dye hydroethidine, and this effect was abolished by antioxidants, catalase, and a superoxide dismutase mimetic, M40401. Finally, diazoxide increased the protein level of phosphorylated protein kinase C (PKC) revealed by immunoblot analysis. Our findings demonstrate that opening of mK A T P by diazoxide identifies a delayed preconditioning effect that is protective against two types of injury in astrocytes and that diazoxide may deliver protection via mitochondrial depolarization, free radical production, and PKC activation.
Possible Determination of the Spin of Λ 0 from Its Large Decay Angular Asymmetry

General consideration of the angular distribution of the decay products of a hyperon into a pion and a nucleon is carried out for arbitrary values $J$ of the hyperon spin. Limitations on the magnitude of the asymmetry in the angular distribution are found. These limitations are formulated in terms of certain test functions which when applied to experimental results may lead to an unambiguous determination of the value of the hyperon spin. These considerations and the large "up-down" asymmetry in ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{0}$ decay reported in recent literature suggest that the spin of ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{0}$ is \textonehalf{}.
Microsegregation in directionally solidified Pb-8.4 at. pct Au alloy

The dependence of microsegregation behavior on growth rate and thermal gradient has been examined in a Pb-8.4 at. pct Au alloy material partially directionally solidified and quenched. The composition of the quenched 'liquid' at the dendrite tip (Ct), that of the eutectic-like solid phase freezing from the interdendritic liquid at the base of dendrite (Cse), the volume fraction of this eutectic-like region (fe), and solute profiles in the interdendritic quenched liquid and ahead of the dendrite have been measured. Two dendritic growth models for solidification of a binary alloy melt in a positive thermal gradient at the liquid-solid interface, one for dendrites with 'minimum undercooled dendrite tip' and the other for an Ivantsov type of dendrite with 'marginally stable tip', have been examined for a quantitative comparison with measured values of Ct, Cse, and fe. Convection in the melt, possibly due to horizontal density gradients, is found to be a serious limitation for theoretical understanding of the observed experimental behavior and meaningful comparison of theories.
Eminent Structural Engineer: Dr. Bruno Thürlimann (1923–2008)

(2009). Eminent Structural Engineer: Dr. Bruno Thurlimann (1923–2008) Structural Engineering International: Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 102-104.
Histochemical demonstration of oxidoreductase activity in the canine ovary

Abstract The histochemical activities of succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome oxidase, monoamine oxidase, NADH and NADPH cytochrome c reductases, three NAD-dependent dehydrogenases (glutamate, lactate, and malate) and one NADP-dependent dehydrogenase (glucose-6-phosphate) were determined in ovaries from 19 bitches of various ages representing different stages of the estrous cycle. The principal enzyme differences concerned those enzymes related to steroid metabolism (i.e., glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and NADPH cytochrome c reductase) and were observed at different stages of the estrous cycle. The theca interna and enzymatically active stromal cells (EASC) possessed greatest activity during proestrus and estrus, whereas the corpus luteum showed strongest activity during midmetestrus. Medullary sex cords of the immature ovary possessed high activity of all of the coenzyme-dependent dehydrogenases. Subsurface epithelial structures (SES) of the mature ovary demonstrated enzyme activity similar to germinal epithelium and epithelium of the rete ovarii which appeared distinctly different from primary follicles. Oocytes in primary follicles possessed lactate and malate dehydrogenase and NADH cytochrome c reductase activity. Early follicular atresia was accompanied by increased glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and NADPH cytochrome c reductase activity in granulosa cells.
Differential CpG island methylation of murine adenine nucleotide translocase genes

Abstract Adenine nucleotide translocase (Ant) mediates the exchange of ADP and ATP across the inner mitochondrial membrane in eukaryotes. Mice possess three distinct but highly homologous Ant isoforms, encoded by independent genes, whose transcription depends upon tissue type. Ant1 is expressed selectively in heart and skeletal muscles, Ant2 is ubiquitously expressed in most tissues but lower in skeletal muscle and testis, while Ant4 is exclusively expressed in the testis. Of interest, each of these Ant genes contains CpG islands in their proximal promoter regions. We investigated the methylation status of the three Ant genes in various tissues with active and inactive transcription. In contrast to the Ant4 gene in which CpG island methylation is essential for gene repression, the CpG islands of Ant1 and Ant2 are hypomethylated regardless of the gene expression status throughout the tissues of male mice. Despite the tissue specific expression profile of Ant1, CpG methylation is unlikely involved in the regulation of the gene. Consistent with these findings, addition of a CpG-demethylating agent, 5-aza-2′-deoxycitidine, to fibroblasts increased the expression of Ant4 but not Ant1 or Ant2 genes. This study provides insight regarding the differential regulation of Ant isoforms in mammals, whereby both the Ant1 and Ant2 genes are capable of expression, but the Ant4 gene is completely repressed throughout somatic tissues. To the best of our knowledge, this is a first example to clearly demonstrate a differential usage of CpG island methylation within a family of genes.
Species of Colpocephalum (Mallophaga: Menoponidae) Parasitic upon the Galliformes

Fourteen species of Colpocephalum sen. lat. from gallinaceous birds are recognized and discussed. Ten of these are newly described; they and their type-hosts are chloropi ( Tropicoperdix chloropus ), talegallae ( Talegalla cuvieri ), orientalis ( Arborophila orientalis sumatrana ), tetraophasis ( Tetraophasis obscurus ), freycineti ( Megapodius freycinet freycinet ), lathami and alecturae ( Alectura lathami lathami ), wilhelmi and arfakiani ( Aepypodius arfakianus ), and maleonis ( Macrocephalon maleo ). C. echinatum Ewing is synonymized with C. thoracicum Kellogg and Paine. C. parumpilosum Piaget and C. hoffmanni Zavaleta are considered species sedis incertae. A key to the species is given.
Proton MR Spectroscopy

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has been in use in biochemistry labs for more than 50 yr. In its earlier years, it was used primarily for in vitro chemical analysis of small samples. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful imaging technique that combines exquisite sensitivity to soft tissue contrast with the ability to demonstrate anatomy in many different planes and projections. MRS as a technique for in vivo sampling of biological tissue provides another piece of information, revealing the biochemical changes occurring in the pathological region. The advantages of MRS in comparison with other techniques that provide metabolic information (such as positron emission tomography [PET] or single-photon emission computed tomography [SPECT]) lies in the fact that MRS can be obtained during the same session as MRI. With newer MRS techniques it is possible to sample the entire lesion and its surroundings and cross-reference them to MR images; this enables us to obtain spectra belonging to many small region of the lesion (generally about 1 cm3). The spectra obtained with this whole brain technique can be compared with spectra obtained from the same exact location after therapeutic intervention, thus allowing us to see the effect of certain therapeutic interventions.
Getting in the Loop: Regulation of Development in Caulobacter crescentus

Summary: Caulobacter crescentus is an aquatic Gram-negative alphaproteobacterium that undergoes multiple changes in cell shape, organelle production, subcellular distribution of proteins, and intracellular signaling throughout its life cycle. Over 40 years of research has been dedicated to this organism and its developmental life cycles. Here we review a portion of many developmental processes, with particular emphasis on how multiple processes are integrated and coordinated both spatially and temporally. While much has been discovered about Caulobacter crescentus development, areas of potential future research are also highlighted.
Respiratory function during speaking and singing in professional country singers

Summary Respiratory function during speaking and singing was investigated in six male professional country singers. Function was studied using magnetometers to transduce anteroposterior diameter changes of the rib cage and abdomen while subjects performed various respiratory maneuvers, speaking activities, and singing activities. Results indicated that respiratory behavior during speaking was generally the same as that of other normal subjects. Respiratory behavior during singing resembled that of speaking. Discussion includes comparison of respiratory performance of present singers with untrained singers and classically trained singers. Implications are offered regarding how the results might be applied to the prevention of voice disorders by education and training of country singers.
On the length of finite simple groups having chain difference one

A corollary to the known classification of finite simple groups having chain difference one (Brewster et al., J. Algebra 160, 179–191 (1993)) is that the length of such groups is either four or five. We prove a partial converse of the corollary to obtain a more precise description of these groups, the number of which depends on the unsolved prime k-tuples conjecture.
A Building Block Approach to the Conceptual Synthesis of Compliant Mechanisms Utilizing Compliance and Stiffness Ellipsoids

Ellipsoids this paper, we investigate a methodology for the conceptual synthesis of compliant mechanisms based on a building block approach. The building block approach is intuitive and provides key insight into how individual building blocks contribute to the overall function. We investigate the basic kinematic behavior of individual building blocks and relate this to the behavior of a design composed of building blocks. This serves to not only generate viable solutions but also to augment the understanding of the designer. Once a feasible concept is thus generated, known methods for size and geometry optimization may be employed to fine-tune performance. The key enabler of the building block synthesis is the method of capturing kinematic behavior using compliance ellipsoids. The mathematical model of the compliance ellipsoids facilitates the characterization of the building blocks, transformation of problem specifications, decomposition into subproblems, and the ability to search for alternate solutions. The compliance ellipsoids also give insight into how individual building blocks contribute to the overall kinematic function. The effectiveness and generality of the methodology are demonstrated through two synthesis examples. Using only a limited set of building blocks, the methodology is capable of addressing generic kinematic problem specifications for compliance at a single point and for a single-input, single-output compliant mechanism. A rapid prototype of the latter demonstrates the validity of the conceptual solution. DOI: 10.1115/1.2821387
Screening for Depression in Urban Latino Adolescents

Purpose. Investigations were conducted on whether screening for adolescent depression was feasible and acceptable to patients in low-income, urban, predominantly Latino clinics. Further investigations were undertaken for provider acceptance of such screening. Methods. Adolescents aged between 13 and 20 years presenting to 3 pediatric and adolescent primary care practices affiliated with an academic medical center in New York City were screened for depressive symptoms using the Columbia Depression Scale. Providers were surveyed pre- and postimplementation of the screening regarding their attitudes and practices. Results. The vast majority (92%) of those approached accepted the screening. Twelve percent of those screened were referred for mental health treatment. Providers reported satisfaction with the screening tool and a desire to continue to use it. Screening was limited to 24% of eligible participants, and only 10% of screens were at sick visits. Conclusions. The Columbia Depression Scale seems accepta...
Adjustment among children with relatives who participated in the manhunt following the Boston Marathon attack.

BACKGROUND: Following the Boston Marathon attack, the extraordinary interagency manhunt and shelter-in-place made for a truly unprecedented experience for area families. Although research on Boston youth has found robust associations between manhunt-related experiences and post-attack functioning, such work does little to identify the specific needs of a particularly vulnerable population-i.e., children with a relative who participated in the manhunt. Understanding the adjustment of these youth is critical for informing clinical efforts. METHODS: Survey of Boston-area parents/caretakers (N = 460) reporting on their child's attack/manhunt-related experiences, as well as psychosocial functioning in the first six post-attack months; analyses compared youth with and without a relative in law enforcement or the armed services who participated in the manhunt. RESULTS: The proportion of youth with likely PTSD was 5.7 times higher among youth with relatives in the manhunt than among youth without. After accounting for child demographics, blast exposure, and children's own exposure to manhunt events (e.g., hearing/seeing gunfire/explosions, having officers enter/search home), having a relative in the manhunt significantly predicted child PTSD symptoms, emotional symptoms, and hyperactivity/inattention. Fear during the manhunt that a loved one could be hurt mediated relationships between having a relative in the manhunt and clinical outcomes; living within the zone of greatest manhunt activity did not moderate observed relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Children with relatives called upon to participate in the unprecedented interagency manhunt following the Boston Marathon attack carried a particularly heavy mental health burden. Continued research is needed to clarify the clinical needs of youth with relatives in high-risk occupations. Language: en
The Biology of Melanoma Progression

The last two decades have seen spectacular advances in our understanding of the biology of melanoma and, in particular, the mechanisms operative in disease initiation and progression. In disease initiation, the genetics of melanoma, and, in particular, the impact of genetic defects on dysregulation of the cell cycle, are key issues in malignant transformation and a major focus of this chapter. Regarding disease progression, consideration is also given herein to the acquisition of growth factor autonomy by neoplastic clones and to the acquisition of capabilities for invasion and metastasis from the standpoint of cell adhesion, motility, and matrix digestion. These events have specific morphological correlates which will be discussed briefly.
A review of Candida prophylaxis in the neonatal intensive care population

OBJECTIVE To review the efficacy and safety of antifungal prophylaxis in the neonatal intensive care setting. DATA SOURCES English-language literature was accessed using MEDLINE (January 1988– December 2010). The following Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) search terms were used: “amphotericin B,” “fluconazole,” “nystatin,” “itraconazole,” “caspofungin,” “voriconazole,” “Candida,” “prevention and control,” and “critically ill.” Literature was further limited to studies focusing on patient birth to 6 months of age. Abstracts and original research articles were included. Preference was given to published controlled trials. Articles providing descriptions of the safety and effectiveness of antifungal prophylaxis in neonatal intensive care patients were also used in this review. RESULTS Twenty-two studies have evaluated the impact of antifungal prophylaxis on Candida colonization or invasive infections in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The two antifungal agents most commonly studied were nystatin an...
Successful treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus mitral valve endocarditis with sequential linezolid and telavancin monotherapy following daptomycin failure

Sir, We are grateful for the informative comment by Camou and would like to take the opportunity to address some of the points. With regard to our first-line treatment choice, several factors led us to initially use vancomycin as empirical therapy. First, the patient presented as an intravenous drug user without abnormalities on transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiogram, prompting coverage for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemia. Though the patient had renal dysfunction, the dosage was adjusted with the help of our clinical pharmacy department to provide adequate AUC/MIC, while attempting to minimize exacerbating the patient’s kidney dysfunction. Secondly, vancomycin comes ready to administer in pre-made bags (Baxter, Deerfield, IL, USA). Daptomycin, on the other hand, requires reconstitution using aseptic techniques; and, in our experience, requires at least 15 min of undisturbed reconstitution time, which may not be practical in an emergency department. Lastly, our institutional price for 1 g of vancomycin intravenously every 8 h (our most common dose) is $23.09/day, versus $256.29 for 500 mg of daptomycin intravenously every 24 h. For our patient, who might have benefited from a 10 mg/kg dose, the cost of daptomycin would have been $512.58/day. For comparison, our price for 750 mg of telavancin is $186.71. In response to comments about the lack of therapeutic drug monitoring of vancomycin: given vancomycin’s time-dependent bactericidal activity, interpretation of trough levels before reaching steady state can be misleading. Typically, a trough is drawn during a drug’s steady state to ensure proper therapeutic response (and that administration of the drug is equal to its clearance). In a patient with acute kidney injury, such as ours, the patient-specific half-life of the drug increases, and thus the time to steady state does as well. Our patient only received two doses of vancomycin; his initial concentration [Cp01⁄4dose (mg)/V] of 17.5 mg/L was well below the toxic level. Camou is correct to point out that daptomycin is a reasonable alternative to vancomycin in MRSA infections. The literature notes, however, that no agent has proven superior to vancomycin and that even the use of high-dose daptomycin (8–10 mg/kg) requires further study to determine whether improved outcomes occur. Should daptomycin replace vancomycin for empirical treatment of MRSA infections? We feel that optimizing the use of vancomycin (utilizing clinical pharmacy can be helpful in this regard) is still the most cost-effective solution. If in the face of factors that predict vancomycin failure, an alternative agent should be sought. Indeed, once blood cultures returned a vancomycin MIC of 2 mg/ L (by broth microdilution), we opted for daptomycin.