cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure-Activity Relationships of FMRF-NH2 Peptides Demonstrate A Role for the Conserved C Terminus and Unique N-Terminal Extension in Modulating Cardiac Contractility

FMRF-NH2 peptides which contain a conserved, identical C-terminal tetrapeptide but unique N terminus modulate cardiac contractility; yet, little is known about the mechanisms involved in signaling. Here, the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of the Drosophila melanogaster FMRF-NH2 peptides, PDNFMRF-NH2, SDNFMRF-NH2, DPKQDFMRF-NH2, SPKQDFMRF-NH2, and TPAEDFMRF-NH2, which bind FMRFa-R, were investigated. The hypothesis tested was the C-terminal tetrapeptide FMRF-NH2, particularly F1, makes extensive, strong ligand-receptor contacts, yet the unique N terminus influences docking and activity. To test this hypothesis, docking, binding, and bioactivity of the C-terminal tetrapeptide and analogs, and the FMRF-NH2 peptides were compared. Results for FMRF-NH2 and analogs were consistent with the hypothesis; F1 made extensive, strong ligand-receptor contacts with FMRFa-R; Y→F (YMRF-NH2) retained binding, yet A→F (AMRF-NH2) did not. These findings reflected amino acid physicochemical properties; the bulky, aromatic residues F and Y formed strong pi-stacking and hydrophobic contacts to anchor the ligand, interactions which could not be maintained in diversity or number by the small, aliphatic A. The FMRF-NH2 peptides modulated heart rate in larva, pupa, and adult distinctly, representative of the contact sites influenced by their unique N-terminal structures. Based on physicochemical properties, the peptides each docked to FMRFa-R with one best pose, except FMRF-NH2 which docked with two equally favorable poses, consistent with the N terminus influencing docking to define specific ligand-receptor contacts. Furthermore, SDNAMRF-NH2 was designed and, despite lacking the aromatic properties of one F, it binds FMRFa-R and demonstrated a unique SAR, consistent with the N terminus influencing docking and conferring binding and activity; thus, supporting our hypothesis.
Effect of particle-size and pore-size distributions in cross-flow filtration

This paper presents the results of a finite-element model of cross-flow filtration that examines both radial and axial variations in velocity and concentration for different particle-size and pore-size distributions modeled using a lognormal distribution function. Also examined was the roll of particle diffusion. Assuming that the properties of the fluid were independent of the particle concentration allowed the Navier–Stokes equations to be solved independently from the mass transport problem. Flow at an inlet Reynolds number of 2000 was examined at constant inlet pressure and pressure outside the membrane. Once the velocity profiles had been determined, concentration profiles and permeate concentration were calculated for monodisperse particles as a function of pore-size distribution. The permeate concentrations were then numerically integrated to determine the permeate concentration of polydisperse particles. These results demonstrate that a six-order-of-magnitude reduction in the particulate concentra...
The effect of parasitism by the mermithid Romanomermis culicivorax on the dry weight and hemolymph soluble protein content of three species of mosquitoes.

Abstract The dry weight, hemolymph soluble protein composition, and content of three species of mosquitoes, Culex pipiens, Aedes taeniorhynchus, and Anopheles quadrimaculatus were examined to determine the effects of parasitism by the mermithid nematode Romanomermis culicivorax. The dry weights of infected fourth-stage larvae of all three species were significantly lower than controls. The differences in weight found between infected early and late C. pipiens and A. quadrimaculatus larvae were attributed to the weight of the parasite itself. This difference was not noticeable in A. taeniorhynchus larvae. Hemolymph proteins were severely depleted in all three mosquito species during parasitism by R. culicivorax. Analysis of protein composition by PAGE showed that these depletions were accompanied by a reduction in the number of proteins. Differences between protein composition concentrations were evident between early and late fourthstage control larvae of C. pipiens and A. quadrimaculatus. The concentration of some low-molecular-weight proteins (below 68,000) remained constant between infected and control samples of all three mosquito species.
Boundary condition identification for a grid model by experimental and numerical dynamic analysis

There is a growing need to characterize unknown foundations and assess substructures in existing bridges. It is becoming an important issue for the serviceability and safety of bridges as well as for the possibility of partial reuse of existing infrastructures. Within this broader contest, this paper investigates the possibility of identifying, locating and quantifying changes of boundary conditions, by leveraging a simply supported grid structure with a composite deck. Multi-reference impact tests are operated for the grid model and modification of one supporting bearing is done by replacing a steel cylindrical roller with a roller of compliant material. Impact based modal analysis provide global modal parameters such as damped natural frequencies, mode shapes and flexibility matrix that are used as indicators of boundary condition changes. An updating process combining a hybrid optimization algorithm and the finite element software suit ABAQUS is presented in this paper. The updated ABAQUS model of the grid that simulates the supporting bearing with springs is used to detect and quantify the change of the boundary conditions.
Analysis of volatiles associated with industrial scale processing of expanded polystyrene. Part I: Methods development

This paper reports on the methodology to collect volatiles from the hot-wire cutting of expanded polystyrene. Analytical scale pyrolysis was used to model the conditions in the field. It appears that gas chromatographic profiles are little affected by the presence or absence of flame retardants. Pyrolysis in air or in an inert gas generates very similar pyrograms but the temperature at which pyrolysis takes place is the major factor affecting amount and distribution of volatiles. An experimental design is discussed that permits to model in the laboratory the production of volatiles generated in the field.
Bay-head deltas across the northern Gulf of Mexico back step in response to the 8.2 ka cooling event

Abstract Estuaries along the northern Gulf of Mexico show rapid landward shifts in estuarine environments (back-stepping) around 8200 cal yr BP. Paleogeographic maps of the estuaries based on seismic data and cores, and constrained chronologically by radiocarbon dates, depict bay-head delta retreat in excess of 25 m/yr. During these events the sub-aerial delta plain flooded to create sub-tidal upper- and middle-bay environments. Abrupt sea-level rise associated with the 8200 cal yr BP climate-change event caused these estuaries and others around the world to reorganize abruptly. In the northern Gulf of Mexico, the sea-level rise associated with the event was only ∼0.1 m over a sub-decadal time period. This rise was superimposed on a background decelerating rate of sea-level rise of ∼1.0–0.5 m/century. The widespread bay-head delta back-stepping, documented here, may be an appropriate analog for possible abrupt future climate change in response to global warming. It also shows that estuaries fringed by low-gradient shorelines are highly sensitive to low-amplitude and sudden sea-level rise.
The application of the Urey-Bradley force field to s-triazine

Abstract A Urey-Bradley force field, similar to that used for benzene, is applied to the normal-co-ordinate calculation of s-triazine and s-triazine- d 3 . The results support the correctness of L ancaster 's assignment, and the force constants compare in a most reasonable way with those of benzene.
A molecular dynamics simulation study of the influence of the ion‐atom potential function upon sputtering

A molecular dynamics simulation has been used to investigate the ion‐atom potential function dependence of single‐crystal sputtering. Atom yields from the (111) and (001) crystal orientations have been calculated at 5.0 keV for the Cu/Ar+ system for 28 Born‐Mayer and Moliere potential functions. The multimer yield ratios, layer yield ratios, ejected atom energy distribution, and angular distribution of ejected atoms are essentially independent of the potential parameters chosen in a Born‐Mayer function. The atom yields from a target orientation can be ordered, or estimated, from a knowledge of the magnitude of the potential function in a sensitive range of separations near the maximum of the impact parameter distribution function for that surface. This property of the potential functions has been reproduced at 600 eV. The Moliere function yields and other properties fall exactly into the positions predicted from a knowledge of magnitude of the potential function in the sensitive range. With the exception of the atom yields, yield ratios, and the atoms per single ion distribution the properties of the sputtered atom distribution can be computed from any of a large number of potential functions.
Neural reactivity tracks fear generalization gradients

Recent studies on fear generalization have demonstrated that fear-potentiated startle and skin conductance responses to a conditioned stimulus (CS) generalize to similar stimuli, with the strength of the fear response linked to perceptual similarity to the CS. The aim of the present study was to extend this work by examining neural correlates of fear generalization. An initial experiment (N=8) revealed that insula reactivity tracks the conditioned fear gradient. We then replicated this effect in a larger independent sample (N=25). Activation in the insula, anterior cingulate, right supplementary motor cortex and caudate increased reactivity as generalization stimuli (GS) were more similar to the CS, consistent with participants' overall ratings of perceived shock likelihood and pupillary response to each stimulus.
Absence of androgen-mediated transcriptional effects in osteoblastic cells despite presence of androgen receptors

Androgen excess and deficiency affect skeletal maturation and bone cell function. Understanding the molecular basis for these androgen effects could improve therapy/prevention of short stature and osteoporosis. Androgens act through binding to androgen receptors (ARs), which modulate gene transcription via interactions with DNA response elements on target genes. Because osteoblasts contain ARs at levels just below certain androgen-sensitive tissues, we sought to define the function of AR in a number of commonly used osteoblastic cell lines. Presence and quantification of AR protein and mRNA were evaluated by ligand binding assay, western blotting, and RNAse protection assay. AR-containing osteoblastic cell lines were exposed to nonaromatizable androgens and effects on gene expression were assessed. We found no evidence for direct effects of androgen on endogenous genes nor was androgen involved in modulation of parathyroid hormone effects on early gene activation. Androgen-sensitive reporter gene constructs were stimulated by androgen only when AR cDNA expression vectors were introduced into cells by cotransfection. We conclude that, in commonly used osteoblastic cell lines, the presence of AR at the levels described here does not guarantee androgen transcriptional activity. The effects of androgen on bone in vivo may involve direct stimulation of osteoblastic cells in a different setting or stage of differentiation. Alternatively, androgen may act on bone cells other than osteoblasts, or through metabolic conversion to estrogens.
The precision of oculocentric direction and its role in the stability of fixation

We compared stability of fixation midway between two targets (separated horizontally by from 1 to 12 deg) to precision in specifying these targets' oculocentric directions. Unsteadiness of fixation tended to parallel changes in the precision of direction for larger target separations, but was worse than predicted from an addition of estimated oculomoter and sensory variabilities. The data are consistent with the notion that oculocentric direction provides the sensory signals used to maintain fixation, but to account for the magnitude of fixational instability another source of variability, possibly related to attention, must also be considered.
The DNA binding of purified Ah receptor heterodimer is regulated by redox conditions.

Abstract The Ah receptor from rat liver has been purified, using a specific oligonucleotide affinity column, in order to characterize the components of the receptor and to investigate features that modulate its DNA-binding activity. The purified DNA-binding form of rat Ah receptor contains three major components, with estimated molecular masses of 108, 98, and 96 kDa. Antibodies to two peptides from the mouse Ah receptor bind the 108-kDa protein, but not the 98-kDa protein, and bind weakly at the position of the 96-kDa protein. The sequences of four peptides from samples containing both the 96- and 98-kDa proteins are all highly similar to segments of the human Ah receptor nuclear translocator (Arnt) protein. Antibodies to a peptide from the human Arnt protein bind the 96- and 98-kDa proteins, but not the 108-kDa protein. These data show that the Ah receptor itself and two forms of the Amt protein are the major components of the purified DNA-binding form of receptor. In gel shift assays the purified receptor forms two specifically bound complexes with a xenobiotic responsive element (XRE), which may correspond to Ah receptor heterodimers with either of the two forms of Arnt protein. The DNA binding of the purified heterodimer is substantially decreased under oxidizing conditions, Oxidation inhibits receptor DNA binding without greatly altering the size of the purified heterodimer, This sediments at 5.9S in its reduced form and at 6.5S in its oxidized form. Dithiothreitol restores the XRE binding of oxidized receptor, with similar effects on both of the receptor-XRE complexes. In the presence of nuclear extract, reduced thioredoxin also restores the XRE: binding of oxidized receptor.
Adaptive Fuzzy Logic Control of Feedback Linearizable Discrete-time Dynamical Systems Under Persistence of Excitation

The objective of this paper is to achieve tracking control of a class of unknown feedback linearizable nonlinear dynamical systems using a discrete-time fuzzy logic controller (FLC). Discrete-time FLC design is significant because almost all FLCs are implemented on digital computers. A repeatable design algorithm and a stability proof for an adaptive fuzzy logic controller is presented that uses basis functions based on the fuzzy system, unlike most standard adaptive control approaches which generate basis vectors by computing a ''regression matrix''. A new approach to adapt the fuzzy system parameters is attempted. With mild assumptions on the class of discrete-time nonlinear systems, using this adaptive fuzzy logic controller the uniform ultimate boundedness of the closed-loop signals is shown under a persistency of excitation (PE) condition. New passivity properties of fuzzy logic systems are described. The result is a model-free universal fuzzy controller that works for any system in the given class of systems.
Glutaraldehyde fixation of the primary antibody-antigen complex on nitrocellulose paper increases the overall sensitivity of immunoblot assay

A simple method to increase the overall sensitivity of immunoblot assays is described. The method is based on fixation of the primary monoclonal antibody-antigen complex on nitrocellulose paper by a divalent crosslinker, glutaraldehyde. The fixation of the antibody-antigen complex significantly increases the sensitivity of the assay. Unexpectedly, the glutaraldehyde treatment also improves the signal/noise ratio by decreasing non-specific binding of secondary antibodies and/or tertiary reagents. Thus, a significant overall improvement of immunoblot assays is achieved by this method.
On the Generality of False Recognition Reversal

Abstract Recognition memory tests normally include targets from a study list and comparable new test items (lures). False recognitions occur when participants incorrectly claim that lures had been studied, and they are higher for lures that are phonetically or semantically related to studied words. Brainerd, Reyna, and Kneer (1995) reported that priming a critical lure by testing its related studied word in the preceding position reduced false recognition to a level well below the control rate (false-recognition reversal). Three experiments are reported that failed to replicate false-recognition reversal at the impressive levels reported by Brainerd et al. For some critical contrasts, false recognition to primed lures was significantly higher than to new control lures. For some experimental comparisons there was evidence that priming led to false-recognition “suppression,” but none of the critical contrasts showed that false recognition was significantly higher to new control lures than to primed experimental lures.
Mistranslation induced by streptomycin provokes a RecABC/RuvABC-dependent mutator phenotype in Escherichia coli cells

Abstract Translational stress-induced mutagenesis (TSM) refers to the mutator phenotype observed in Escherichia coli cells expressing a mutant allele ( mutA or mutC ) of the glycine tRNA gene glyV (or glyW ). Because of an anticodon mutation, expression of the mutA allele results in low levels of Asp → Gly mistranslation. The mutA phenotype does not require lexA -regulated SOS mutagenesis functions, and appears to be suppressed in cells defective for RecABC-dependent homologous recombination functions. To test the hypothesis that the TSM response is mediated by non-specific mistranslation rather than specific Asp → Gly misreading, we asked if streptomycin (Str), an aminoglycoside antibiotic known to promote mistranslation, can provoke a mutator phenotype. We report that Str induces a strong mutator phenotype in cells bearing certain alleles of rpsL , the gene encoding S12, an essential component of the ribosomal 30 S subunit. The phenotype is strikingly similar to that observed in mutA cells in its mutational specificity, as well as in its requirement for RecABC-mediated homologous recombination functions. Expression of Str-inducible mutator phenotype correlates with mistranslation efficiency in response to Str. Thus, mistranslation in general is able to induce the TSM response. The Str-inducible mutator phenotype described here defines a new functional class of rpsL alleles, and raises interesting questions on the mechanism of action of Str, and on bacterial response to antibiotic stress.
Language mapping in multilingual patients: Electrocorticography and cortical stimulation during naming

Multilingual patients pose a unique challenge when planning epilepsy surgery near language cortex because the cortical representations of each language may be distinct. These distinctions may not be evident with routine electrocortical stimulation mapping (ESM). Electrocorticography (ECoG) has recently been used to detect task-related spectral perturbations associated with functional brain activation. We hypothesized that using broadband high gamma augmentation (HGA, 60-150 Hertz) as an index of cortical activation, ECoG would complement ESM in discriminating the cortical representations of first (L1) and second (L2) languages. We studied four adult patients for whom English was a second language, in whom subdural electrodes (a total of 358) were implanted to guide epilepsy surgery. Patients underwent ECoG recordings and electrocortical stimulation mapping (ESM) while performing the same visual object naming task in L1 and L2. In three of four patients, ECoG found sites activated during naming in one language but not the other. These language-specific sites were not identified using ESM. In addition, ECoG HGA was observed at more sites during L2 versus L1 naming in two patients, suggesting that L2 processing required additional cortical resources compared to L1 processing in these individuals. Post-operative language deficits were identified in three patients (one in L2 only). These deficits were predicted by ECoG spectral mapping but not by ESM. These results suggest that pre-surgical mapping should include evaluation of all utilized languages to avoid post-operative functional deficits. Finally, this study suggests that ECoG spectral mapping may potentially complement the results of ESM of language.
Steroid-protein XIX. Complex formation between α1-acid steroid hormones

Interaction of cortexone, corticosterone, cortisol, testosterone and estradiol with α1-acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid) was investigated at 4° and 37°. The binding affinity of these steroids to α1-acid glycoprotein was found to follow the polarity rule in that the steroid with the least number of polar groups was bound most firmly. In analogy to previous results with progesterone, cortexone, corticosterone, cortisol and testosterone associated with α1-acid glycoprotein at a single primary binding site. The apparent association constants were determined. Estradiol interacted at several binding sites; as many as 7 and 3 were observed at 4° and 37°, respectively. The low solubility of the steroids studied did not permit a general analysis of secondary binding sites although their presence was suggested by the experimental data. In the case of the more soluble cortisol at 37°, approx. 30 secondary binding sites were indicated, with an apparent association constant several hundred times smaller than that of the primary binding site. The changes of free energy, ΔF°, and of enthalpy, ΔH°, for all complexes were found to be negative. The entropy changes, ΔS°, were positive in every case. Corticosterone and testosterone competed with progesterone for the single binding site, whereas estradiol did not show competition. This finding is in agreement with the assumption that the Δ4-3-keto grouping is involved in the interaction with α1-acid glycoprotein.
Rich Man's Farming: The Crisis in Agriculture

This study examines why a crisis situation has been allowed to develop, and proposes the most effective ways - both nationally and internationally - to achieve more agricultural support and trade policies. This book should be of interest to students of politics, economics and international relations.
Development and Validation of An LC–MS/MS Method for Pharmacokinetic Study of Methoxyamine in Phase I Clinical Trial

Methoxyamine (MX) is the first DNA base-excision-repair (BER) inhibitor evaluated in humans. This work described the development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for quantitative determination of MX in human plasma. In this method, MX and its stable isotope methoxyl-d(3)-amine (MX-d3 as internal standard) were directly derivatized in human plasma with 4-(N,N-diethylamino)benzaldehyde. The derivatized MX and IS were extracted by methyl-tert-butyl ether, and separated isocratically on a Xterra C18 column (2.1 mm × 100 mm) using an aqueous mobile phase containing 45% acetonitrile and 0.4% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.200 ml/min. Quantitation of MX was carried out by multiple-reaction-monitoring (MRM) mode of positive turbo-ion-spray tandem mass spectrometry. This method has been validated according to FDA guidelines for bioanalytical method. The linear calibration range for MX was 1.25-500 ng/ml in human plasma with a correlation coefficient≥0.9993. The intra- and inter-assay precision (%CV) at three concentration levels (3.50, 45.0 and 450 ng/ml) ranged 0.9-1% and 0.8-3%, respectively. The stability studies showed that MX met the acceptable criteria under all tested conditions. The method developed had been applied to the determination of plasma MX concentrations in the first-in-human phase I clinical trial, and PK data were presented.
High Speed H.264 High Profile Deblocking using Statistical Analysis and Logic Optimization

In-loop deblocking filter is identified as the most time consuming part for H.264 high profile decoders. This paper proposes an improved platform and encoder independent deblocking scheme for H.264 high profile codec speedup. Two key techniques are introduced in the proposed algorithm: a statistical analysis based hybrid boundary strength derivation scheme and a more efficient logic expression for the B-slice boundary strength derivation. Compared to previously proposed algorithms, significant computation can be saved, while maintaining the bit-exact output. The proposed techniques can be used in both standard conforming encoders and decoders.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance in Vanadium Chromium Hydride

The Knight shift $K$ and the spin-lattice relaxation time ${T}_{1}$ of the nuclear magnetic resonance of $^{51}\mathrm{V}$ are measured in the system ${\mathrm{V}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{x}{\mathrm{H}}_{y}$. Values of ${K}_{\mathrm{V}}$ and ${({T}_{1})}_{\mathrm{V}}$ in the binary systems ${\mathrm{V}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{x}$ and $\mathrm{V}{\mathrm{H}}_{x}$ are compared with present measurements in the ternary system using a rigid-band model. Both ${K}_{\mathrm{V}}$ and ${({T}_{1})}_{\mathrm{V}}$ depend, to a good approximation, upon the electron-per-atom ratio of the alloy, $\mathfrak{z}=5+x+y$, and are independent of relative concentrations of Cr and H. Data are consistent with the screened positive-ion model for hydrogen in the metal in which the hydrogen atom contributes its electron to the conduction band of the system. No Knight shift of the $^{1}\mathrm{H}$ spins has been detected. The temperature dependence of ${T}_{1}$ for $^{1}\mathrm{H}$ was measured in several alloys. A minimum in ${({T}_{1})}_{\mathrm{H}}$ is attributed to thermally activated diffusion of protons. Activation energies measured range from 1.5 to 8 kcal/mole.
Value of Two-dimensional Echocardiography for Determining the Basis of Hemodynamic Compromise in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Study

We postulated that because the first step in the management of critically ill patients with hypotension, pulmonary edema, or both is to determine whether the cause is cardiac or noncardiac, direct visualization of the heart with two-dimensional echocardiography would be useful for determining the basis of hemodynamic compromise in such patients. Accordingly, 49 consecutive patients (33 men and 16 women; mean age 61 ± 15 years) underwent two-dimensional echocardiography within 2 hours of placement of a pulmonary artery flotation catheter for determining the reason for hypotension, pulmonary edema, or both. To discriminate between cardiac and noncardiac causes, hemodynamic and two-dimensional echocardiographic data were evaluated independently by two to three blinded interpreters based on predetermined criteria. There was complete agreement between pulmonary artery catheter and two-dimensional echocardiographic data in 36 (86%) of the 42 patients in whom interpretable data were available in terms of cardiac versus noncardiac causes. The two modalities agreed in all patients with hypotension alone and disagreed in 2 of the 20 patients with pulmonary edema alone and 4 of the 14 patients with combined hypotension and pulmonary edema. In cases of discordance, the two tests provided complimentary information, particularly in patients with sepsis in whom the stroke volume may be normal to high but left ventricular systolic function may be depressed. The time taken for pulmonary artery catheter placement was 63 ± 45 minutes versus 19 ± 7 minutes for two-dimensional echocardiography. One patient had pneumothorax and cardiac arrest during pulmonary artery catheter placement. It is concluded that two-dimensional echocardiography is effective in determining the basis of hemodynamic compromise in critically ill patients. It could obviate the need for pulmonary artery catheter placement in most of these patients, and in those with sepsis it could provide information that is complimentary to that obtained from pulmonary artery catheterization.
Hemostatic management of an infant with severe hemophilia A and tetralogy of Fallot for cardiac bypass surgery.

We present the hemostatic management of severe hemophilia A of an infant with high risk of inhibitor development who underwent cardiac surgery for correction of tetralogy of Fallot. Continuous infusion of recombinant factor VIII resulted in good hemostasis during surgery and postoperatively. Unfortunately, the patient had inhibitor development 2 months after cardiothoracic surgery. Although cardiac surgery is successful, exposure to factor concentrates in severe hemophilia early in life might predispose a patient to inhibitor development. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:1399–1401. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The effect of spatial and chromatic parameters on chromatic induction

Chromatic induction is the change in the perceived color of a visual stimulus caused by surrounding stimuli in the field of view. Most reports of chromatic induction present results for a limited range of center and surround colors. We performed a series of forced response color matching trials in which size, location and color of surrounding visual fields were varied. Results are reported which illustrate that the effect of the surround on the center decreases exponentially as a function of separation between center and surround and that the effect of the surround on the center increases exponentially as a function of surround size. We also show that there is an optimal center-surround color difference for which chromatic induction is greatest.
The effect of electron beam irradiation on the chemistry of molybdenum hexacarbonyl on thin alumina films in ultrahigh vacuum

Abstract The interaction of incident electron beams with molybdenum hexacarbonyl (Mo(CO) 6 ) adsorbed on thin, dehydroxylated alumina films grown on a molybdenum substrate is studied in ultrahigh vacuum using primarily temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and reflection–absorption infrared spectroscopies (RAIRS). It is found that electron beams induce decarbonylation, forming both subcarbonyls and a stable surface oxalate species, where it is found that a Mo(CO) 2 species is the precursor to the formation of oxalate species. A similar oxalate species is formed on dehydroxylated alumina by heating a Mo(CO) 6 -covered surface to above ∼205 K, but the amount formed by electron beam irradiation is ∼3.5 times larger. It is shown that electron beam energies of ∼10 eV or greater are required to cause extensive decarbonylation and that the majority of the surface decomposition is caused by an electron dose of ∼6 mC/cm 2 .
Anti-Mullerian hormone indicates early ovarian decline in fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) premutation carriers: a preliminary study

BACKGROUND: Women who carry the fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) premutation are at risk for fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency. Past studies have shown that carriers who are still cycling have increased levels FSH compared with non-carriers. As anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) has been shown as an excellent marker of ovarian decline, we examined AMH levels among premutation carriers to characterize their ovarian function. METHODS: We determined the level of FSH and AMH in serum samples collected during early follicular phase from women who carried longer FMR1 repeat alleles (defined as � 70 repeats, n 5 40) and those with shorter repeat alleles (<70 repeats, n 5 75), identified by DNA analysis. Comparisons were made stratified by age and carrier status. RESULTS: Forall agegroups, AMH levels were significantly loweramong longer repeat allele carriers compared to shorter repeat allele carriers (P 5 0.002, 0.006 and 0.020 for women ages 18‐30, 31‐40 and 41‐50 years, respectively). In contrast, increased FSH indicative of early ovarian decline was only evident for longer repeat allele carriers aged 31‐40 years (P 5 0.089, 0.001 and 0.261 for women ages 18‐30, 31‐40 and 41‐50 years, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data suggest that AMH levels indicate early ovarian decline among women with longer FMR1 repeat alleles; moreover, AMH appears to be a better marker than FSH in identifying this early decline.
Quantitative Angle-Resolved SPR Imaging of DNA−DNA and DNA−Drug Kinetics

We demonstrate the quantitative characterization of DNA−DNA and DNA−drug interactions by angle-resolved surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging. Combining the angle-scanning capabilities of traditional SPR with the spatial definition capabilities of imaging, we directly measure DNA and drug surface coverages and kinetics simultaneously for multiple patterned spots. We find excellent agreement of DNA−DNA hybridization kinetics and thermodynamics measured by both the imaging system and traditional SPR. Instrument response and sensitivity is further demonstrated by successful measurement of association and dissociation kinetics of actinomycin-D binding to a low-density doubled-stranded DNA binding sequence. Without independent calibration, analysis of angle-resolved SPR imaging data yields 2.9 ± 0.1 drugs per duplex at saturation coverage, consistent with all available duplex binding sites being occupied.
Active Control of Panel Flutter with Piezoelectric Transducers

This article investigates the active control of panel flutter with piezoelectric transducers and including linearized potential flow aerodynamics. The aerodynamic modeling is accomplished by approximating the aerodynamic generalized forces with infinite impulse response filters. These filters are coupled to the in vacuo panel dynamic system in feedback, thus, creating a coupled, aeroelastic system. The panel model is developed from a Rayleigh-Ritz approach and includes the mass and stiffness effects of a piezoelectric transducer. Acting as a self-sensing actuator, the piezoelectric transducer is used to implement direct rate feedback control. Results of an analytical implementation of this control system demonstrate a significant increase in the flutter boundaries.
Standardization and the competition between standard business software and framework technology-policy implications for the management and the standardization organizations

From a technical point of view, frameworks appear to be a promising means to provide the industry with business management software quickly and in a cost effective manner. Nevertheless, apart from IBM's San Francisco Framework, there are not really many initiatives by the software industry to develop application frameworks to compete with established standard business software vendors. When analyzing the economics of software development with or without frameworks, there are two particularities to be considered: the network effect and the effect of compatibility decisions. Our microeconomic model incorporates these two effects and allows to derive recommendations on the strategic positioning of a software vendor in this competition. We show how the results in the model change by introducing a standard. If it is possible to establish framework technology on the software market, social welfare will increase. Therefore we recommend the standardization organizations to support framework technology by establishing a standard.
Religion and Comparative Politics

Although scholars tend to downplay the role of religion in political life, the vast majority of people in the world profess a strong allegiance to some spiritual faith. Secularization theory has long held that religion would become irrelevant, leading many comparative scholars to ignore this potentially significant variable. A recent resurgence in religious fundamentalism and “new religious politics” has led more scholars to consider religious actors as important. However, research in this area befalls many of the same problems inherent in earlier secularization theories. A new body of scholarship, known as the “religious economy” school, seeks to address these problems by developing theories built on solid microlevel foundations of human behavior. This line of research holds great promise for the study of religion in comparative politics.
CD4 T cells acutely reject cardiac allografts via direct donor recognition.

CD4 T CELLS are both necessary and sufficient for acute cardiac allograft rejection in mice. However, it is not clear whether this CD4-mediated rejection is due to direct (donor major histocompatability complex (MHC) restricted) or indirect (host MHC restricted) antigen recognition of the allograft. The purpose of this study was to determine whether CD4 T cells required direct recognition of donor class II MHC molecules to mediate acute cardiac allograft rejection.
Mandatory Retirement and Faculty Retirement Decisions

As a result of the 1986 Age Discrimination in Employment Act, colleges and universities were no longer allowed to impose mandatory retirement on faculty members at age seventy after 1994. This paper estimates the change in retirement rates of faculty before and after the ending of mandatory retirement using data from the University of North Carolina (UNC) system. The analysis reveals a sharp decline in the probability of faculty at UNC retiring at age seventy once the university was unable to impose forced retirement.
Note on the Effect of Horizontal Gradients for Nadir-Viewing Microwave and Infrared Sounders

Passive microwave and infrared nadir sounders such as the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit A (AMSU-A) and the Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS), both flying on NASA s EOS Aqua satellite, provide information about vertical temperature and humidity structure that is used in data assimilation systems for numerical weather prediction and climate applications. These instruments scan cross track so that at the satellite swath edges, the satellite zenith angles can reach approx. 60 deg. The emission path through the atmosphere as observed by the satellite is therefore slanted with respect to the satellite footprint s zenith. Although radiative transfer codes currently in use at operational centers use the appropriate satellite zenith angle to compute brightness temperature, the input atmospheric fields are those from the vertical profile above the center of the satellite footprint. If horizontal gradients are present in the atmospheric fields, the use of a vertical atmospheric profile may produce an error. This note attempts to quantify the effects of horizontal gradients on AIRS and AMSU-A channels by computing brightness temperatures with accurate slanted atmospheric profiles. We use slanted temperature, water vapor, and ozone fields from data assimilation systems. We compare the calculated slanted and vertical brightness temperatures with AIRS and AMSU-A observations. We show that the effects of horizontal gradients on these sounders are generally small and below instrument noise. However, there are cases where the effects are greater than the instrument noise and may produce erroneous increments in an assimilation system. The majority of the affected channels have weighting functions that peak in the upper troposphere (water vapor sensitive channels) and above (temperature sensitive channels) and are unlikely t o significantly impact tropospheric numerical weather prediction. However, the errors could be significant for other applications such as stratospheric analysis. Gradients in ozone and tropospheric temperature appear to be well captured by the analyses. In contrast, gradients in upper stratospheric and mesospheric temperature as well as upper tropospheric humidity are less well captured. This is likely due in part to a lack of data to specify these fields accurately in the analyses. Advanced new sounders, like AIRS, may help to better specify these fields in the future.
The use of ultrasound-stimulated acoustic emission in the monitoring of modulus changes with temperature.

Abstract It has been previously shown that the amplitude of the ultrasound-stimulated acoustic emission (USAE) signal is sensitive to tissue temperature and, therefore, can help detect it. Its amplitude, however, is sensitive to both acoustical and mechanical parameters, that at most frequencies have opposite effects due to temperature. In this paper, we explore the feasibility of using a frequency shift of the resonant peaks of the USAE signal for monitoring the tissue stiffness variation with temperature. In a numerical simulation, the variation of the frequency shift at different temperatures is shown. Then, in a series of experiments involving a gel phantom and porcine muscle tissue, the frequency shift variation is shown to follow the known stiffness changes due to temperature. It is also shown that this shift indicates reversible changes as well as the onset of thermal coagulative necrosis. The necrosis is marked by a monotonically increasing positive frequency shift. It was thus shown that the USAE spectrum peaks undergo a negative shift (or, downshift) when the stiffness decreases and a positive shift (or, upshift) when the stiffness increases. The experimental frequency shifted around a peak at 22.1–22.5 kHz within a range of −250 to 80 Hz and −200 to 250 Hz for the gel and muscle tissue for the temperatures of 25–70 and 30–70 °C, respectively. Simulation and ex vivo experimental results indicate that the USAE frequency shift method can help decouple the mechanical from the acoustical parameter dependence as well as detect the onset of thermal coagulative necrosis.
Retinoids, Retinoic Acid Receptors, and Cancer

Retinoids (i.e., vitamin A, all-trans retinoic acid, and related signaling molecules) induce the differentiation of various types of stem cells. Nuclear retinoic acid receptors mediate most but not all of the effects of retinoids. Retinoid signaling is often compromised early in carcinogenesis, which suggests that a reduction in retinoid signaling may be required for tumor development. Retinoids interact with other signaling pathways, including estrogen signaling in breast cancer. Retinoids are used to treat cancer, in part because of their ability to induce differentiation and arrest proliferation. Delivery of retinoids to patients is challenging because of the rapid metabolism of some retinoids and because epigenetic changes can render cells retinoid resistant. Successful cancer therapy with retinoids is likely to require combination therapy with drugs that regulate the epigenome, such as DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors, as well as classical chemotherapeutic agents. Thus, retino...
Internet Gateway Deployment Optimization in a Multi-Channel Multi-Radio Wireless Mesh Network

In a wireless mesh network (WMN), mesh routers (MRs) are interconnected by wireless links and form a wireless backbone to provide ubiquitous high-speed Internet connectivity for mobile clients (MCs). The wireless backbone is tightly integrated with the Internet by a special kind of nodes called as Internet gateways (IGWs). Even though the capacity of WMN can be improved by equipping the MRs with multiple radios working at non-overlapping channels, the deployment of IGW is critical to the network performance of WMN. In this paper, we address the IGW placement problem based on a hierarchical cluster based architecture. The problem is first formulated as a linear program (LP) issue, then some heuristic algorithms are developed. Our simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Meditations on the Unitary Rhythm of Dying-Grieving:

When someone faces loss of a loved one, that person simultaneously grieves and dies a little, just as the one dying also grieves. The author’s personal conceptualization of dying and grieving as a unitary rhythm is explored based primarily on her interpretation of Rogers’ science of unitary human beings, along with selected examples from related nursing literature and from the emerging focus on continuing bonds in other disciplines. Examples from contemporary songwriters that depict such a unitary conceptualization are given along with personal examples. The author concludes with her description of the unitary rhythm of dying-grieving.
On the Alleged Incompleteness of Certain Identity Claims

In Mental Acts Professor Peter Geach asserts that " The same' is a fragmentary expression, and has no significance unless we say or mean 'the same X', where 'X' represents a general term . . ."2 In Reference and Generality Geach interjects the following note: "I maintain that it makes no sense to judge whether x and y are 'the same', or whether x remains 'the same', unless we add or understand some general term 'the same F'."3 Here, as in Mental Acts, he goes on to say that not any general term will serve to complete 'the same' constructions; only substantival terms will suffice for this purpose. Finally, in his article, "Identity/'Geach asserts that "When one says 'x is identical with y', this ... is an incomplete expression; it is short for 'x is the same A as y', where 'A' represents some count noun understood from the context of utteranceor else, it is just a vague expression of a half-formed thought."4 (We should not, incidently, conclude from this last remark that Geach thinks all and only count nouns are substantival terms. In a reply to one of his critics Geach says the foregoing remark about replacements for 'A' was a 'slip of the pen' and returns to his standard view that being a count noun is a sufficient, but not a necessary, condition for being a substantival term).5 The thesis Geach is expounding in the foregoing passages, the Incompleteness Thesis (IC thesis)to give it a name, can be interpreted in two quite different ways. When interpreted in the first way the heart of the IC thesis is the claim that all instances of such open sentences as 'x is identical with y', 'x is the same as y', and 'x and y are the same', are in some way literally incomplete. The second interpretation of the IC thesis, which can be flushed out to yield several specific theses,
The Results of Diagnostic Studies for Thrombophilia in a Large Group of Patients With a Personal or Family History of Thrombosis

The range of tests used in the evaluation of thrombophilia has been altered by the recent recognition of common genetic defects predisposing to thrombosis such as factor V Leiden (FVR506Q), enzyme deficiencies causing hyperhomocysteinemia, and improvement in the sensitivity and utilization of assays for antiphospholipid antibodies. In this study, the outcomes of laboratory evaluation of 402 patients with thrombophilia were reviewed and correlated with clinical data. A predisposing factor was present (positive diagnosis, group A) in 110 patients (27%), the test results of 111 patients (28%) could not be definitively interpreted (equivocal results, group B), and the test results of 181 (45%) were normal (group C). The median age of the group A patients was 48 years (range, 3.7-88 years), suggesting that evaluation ofpatients over the age of 50 is worthwhile. Of the 110 patients in group A, 84% had single defects and 16% had combined defects. The most common defect was factor V Leiden (44 patients). Equal numbers of patients presenting with arterial and venous thromboses were evaluated. Patients with arterial events were less likely to have a definable laboratory defect (33 of 132 [25]) than were those with venous events (50 of 136 [37%]). Factor V Leiden was the most frequent finding in patients with venous events, and lupus anticoagulant or anticardiolipin antibodies were the most frequent findings in patients with arterial events. Positive diagnoses were made in patients on anticoagulants, indicating that this should not preclude investigation. Our study confirms the need for thorough evaluation to assess thrombotic risk, and it reflects the impact of newly identified thrombophilic disorders on the expected outcome of laboratory evaluation for thrombophilia.