cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endothelium-specific amyloid precursor protein deficiency causes endothelial dysfunction in cerebral arteries.

The exact physiological function of amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) in endothelial cells is unknown. Endothelium-specific APP-deficient (eAPP−/−) mice were created to gain new insights into the role of APP in the control of vascular endothelial function. Endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine were significantly impaired in basilar arteries of global APP knockout (APP−/−) and eAPP−/− mice (P < 0.05). In contrast, endothelium-independent relaxations to nitric oxide (NO)-donor diethylamine-NONOate were unchanged. Western blot analysis revealed that protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was significantly downregulated in large cerebral arteries of APP−/− mice and eAPP−/− mice as compared to respective wild-type littermates (P < 0.05). Furthermore, basal levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were also significantly reduced in large cerebral arteries of APP-deficient mice (P < 0.05). In contrast, protein expression of prostacyclin synthase as well as levels of cy...
Generation of a rod-specific NRL reporter line in human pluripotent stem cells

Reporter lines generated in human pluripotent stem cells can be highly useful for the analysis of specific cell types and lineages in live cultures. We created the first human rod reporter line using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to replace one allele of the Neural Retina Leucine zipper (NRL) gene with an eGFP transgene in the WA09 human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line. After confirming successful targeting, three-dimensional optic vesicle structures were produced to examine reporter specificity and to track rod differentiation in culture. The NRL+/eGFP hESC line robustly and exclusively labeled the entirety of rods throughout differentiation, eventually revealing highly mature structural features. This line provides a valuable tool for studying human rod development and disease and testing therapeutic strategies for retinitis pigmentosa.
“I Would Never Let My Wife Do That”: The Stories We Tell to Stay Afloat

My husband and I are high school sweethearts who were, from the outside, living the suburban American dream. Yet, a life that “should” have made me happy actually felt suffocating. In this narrative, I describe how I pursued academia as a way out, but was unprepared for the ways that the gendered notions of academia and trailing spouses would constrain and challenge both my partner and me, testing the strength of our marriage. Over time, we came to acknowledge our fluid identities and explore strategies to manage our mental health, marriage, and academic/career paths. Repositioning ourselves as agents in our narratives allowed us to disrupt and renegotiate the gendered discourses that previously constricted us. Now, we must determine what’s next.
Anatomy and Histopathology of the Human Sphincter of Oddi

The sphincter of Oddi has three main components: the sphincters of the common duct, pancreatic duct, and papilla, which together form the sphincter of Oddi. The majority of pathologic processes involving the sphincter and ampulla interfere with fluid flowing through the sphincter. The role of the surgical pathologist in assessing the pathology of the sphincter, especially on the basis of endoscopic biopsies, is limited. Radiologic and manometry studies are more informative.
‘It didn’t come up on my radar’: an examination of students’ orientation toward disability justice in the US

While social justice is a well-recognized concept, it is less frequently examined through the lens of disability. In order to address existing gaps within social justice education, this qualitative...
Zinc and Gene Expression

Recent studies show that zinc has a very important role in gene expression (Chesters, 1982; Falchuk, 1988; Vallee, 1983; Miller et al., 1985). A role of zinc in growth and development and the teratological abnormalities of zinc deficiency in fetal development have been known for many years. However, its role in cell differentiation and gene expression has been appreciated only recently.
The effect of muscle fatigue on wrist joint position sense in healthy adults

Abstract Study design Pretest and posttest experimental study. Introduction The effect of muscle fatigue on wrist joint position sense (JPS) has yet to be determined. Purpose of the Study The primary aim was to determine whether muscle fatigue affects wrist JPS in healthy adults. The secondary aims were to compare the effect of muscle fatigue on younger and older adults JPS and determine the association between JPS rate of change and total muscle fatigue (TMF) rates postexercise. Methods Forty male and female healthy adults were assigned into younger (18-40 years) and older (41-65 years) groups. Preexercise and postexercise testing consisted of active wrist JPS, handgrip, and wrist extensor strength assessments. Muscle fatigue was induced via a calibrated gripper and wrist extension dumbbell exercises. Dependent variables were the JPS rate of change (ie, preexercise and postexercise), TMF rate (ie, grip and wrist extension average strength decline), and Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale scores. Results Postexercise wrist JPS test scores were significantly higher than preexercise. Exercises induced statistically significant TMF rates and Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scores among all participants. No statistically significant age-group differences on JPS rate of change, and TMF rate was found. A statistically significant mild correlation (r = 0.425) existed between JPS rate of change and TMF rates. Discussion Postexercise fatigue significantly impairs wrist JPS in both younger and older adults. On average, an 18% muscle strength decline led to 215% wrist JPS deficit. Conclusions Significant wrist proprioception deficits persist for ≤5 min following exertional exercises, regardless of age level.
Application of large scale PIV in river surface turbulence measurements and water depth estimation

Abstract Large-Scale Particle Image Velocimetry (LSPIV) has emerged as a reliable technology to measure river surface flow velocity distribution and can be applied to estimate river discharge. Fewer studies have explored the capability of surface turbulence measurements using LSPIV. In this paper, LSPIV is applied to evaluate statistics of surface turbulence of a natural river. Turbulence measurements including velocity fluctuation, velocity spectra and the dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) are validated by comparing with those measured by an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV). Traditionally, estimation of stream discharge through LSPIV needs a secondary measurement to determine river bathymetry and water depth. A new method is presented here to demonstrate that for a fully developed and channel-controlled flow, the cross section geometry can be estimated from the combined measurements of surface mean velocity and the dissipation rate, following the Manning-Strickler formula. Therefore, river discharge can be estimated with LSPIV along with a calibrated Manning's roughness, without additional bathymetry survey. The proposed new method is applied to measure discharge in Milwaukee River (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.), which agreed well with data obtained from a nearby streamgage station.
Agricultural Knowledge Systems: Issues of Accountability

Formal knowledge creation is a critical part of food systems. It occurs in various social spaces: the state (public sector), the market (for-profit private sector), and civil society (formal and informal groups of citizens). These sectors can overlap in a variety of ways. Further, they differ in terms of accountability. They have different stakeholders, different expectations, and different sanctions where those expectations are not met. In this chapter, I discuss the accountability of each of these “intellectual spaces”. First, I present the general situation for each of the three separate spaces, which impacts the degree to which accountability can be achieved and the mechanisms chosen to meet those goals within the knowledge systems. Then I present expectations for knowledge systems that emerge from the different spaces in terms of societal resource stocks and flows: human, social, natural and financial. Finally, I discuss the relations among the sectors in terms of accountability, focussing on what civil society might expect from the market and the state in terms of knowledge systems. The focus is on publicly supported agricultural knowledge systems.
Combining feminist political ecology and participatory diagramming to study climate information service delivery and knowledge flows among smallholder farmers in northern Ghana

Abstract Using innovative diagramming and a feminist political ecology (FPE) approach, this paper examines gender, power, and equity considerations in the delivery of climate information service (CIS) to smallholder farmers. Based upon a multi-method triangulation fieldwork involving a survey (n = 998), participatory listing and scoring activities (n = 82), and network diagramming (n = 180), the paper illuminates several structural barriers to acquiring CIS. These barriers include gender norms and expectations, patriarchal values, time poverty, and the format in which technical climate forecasts are presented to illiterate farmers. Another key finding is the multiple subject positions beyond gender within which women are embedded, such as the intersection of seniority, religion, class, and positions within households, that further reconfigure access to CIS. In addition to contributing to emerging intersectional research in FPE, the paper proposes innovative ways of studying household relations and politics. More specifically, it illustrates how feminist political ecologists could deploy participatory network diagramming to provide a nuanced, powerful, and graphic account of subtle politics at the household scale.
Game-Based Learning Analytics in Physics Playground.

Well-designed digital games hold promise as effective learning environments. However, designing games that support both learning and engagement without disrupting flow [1] is quite tricky. In addition to including various game design features (e.g., interactive problem solving, adaptive challenges, and player control of gameplay) to engage players, the game needs ongoing assessment and support of players’ knowledge and skills. In this chapter, we (a) generally discuss various types of learning supports and their influence on learning in educational games, (b) describe stealth assessment in the context of the design and development of particular supports within a game called Physics Playground [2], (c) present the results from recent usability studies examining the effects of our new supports on learning, and (d) provide insights into the future of game-based learning analytics in the form of stealth assessment that will be used for adaptation.
Using Motion Detection to Measure Social Polarization in the U.S. House of Representatives

Although previous scholars have used image data to answer important political science questions, less attention has been paid to video-based measures. In this study, I use motion detection to understand the extent to which members of Congress (MCs) literally cross the aisle, but motion detection can be used to study a wide range of political phenomena, like protests, political speeches, campaign events, or oral arguments. I find not only are Democrats and Republicans less willing to literally cross the aisle, but this behavior is also predictive of future party voting, even when previous party voting is included as a control. However, this is one of the many ways motion detection can be used by social scientists. In this way, the present study is not the end, but the beginning of an important new line of research in which video data is more actively used in social science research.
A systematic review of school health policy measurement tools: implementation determinants and outcomes

Governments in some countries or states/provinces mandate school-based policies intended to improve the health and well-being of primary and secondary students and in some cases the health of school staff. Examples include mandating a minimum time spent per week in programmed physical activity, mandating provision of healthy foods and limiting fat content of school meals, and banning tobacco products or use on school campuses. Although school health researchers have studied whether schools, districts, or states/provinces are meeting requirements, it is unclear to what extent implementation processes and determinants are assessed. The purposes of the present systematic review of quantitative measures of school policy implementation were to (1) identify quantitative school health policy measurement tools developed to measure implementation at the school, district, or state/provincial levels; (2) describe the policy implementation outcomes and determinants assessed and identify the trends in measurement; and (3) assess pragmatic and psychometric properties of identified implementation measures to understand their quality and suitability for broader application. Peer-reviewed journal articles published 1995–2020 were included if they (1) had multiple-item quantitative measures of school policy implementation and (2) addressed overall wellness, tobacco, physical activity, nutrition, obesity prevention, or mental health/bullying/social-emotional learning. The final sample comprised 86 measurement tools from 67 peer-review articles. We extracted study characteristics, such as psychometric and pragmatic measure properties, from included articles based on three frameworks: (1) Implementation Outcomes Framework, (2) Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, and (3) Policy Implementation Determinants Framework. Most implementation tools were developed to measure overall wellness policies which combined multiple policy topics (n = 35, 40%) and were in survey form (n = 75, 87%). Fidelity was the most frequently prevalent implementation outcome (n = 70, 81%), followed by adoption (n = 32, 81%). The implementation determinants most assessed were readiness for implementation, including resources (n = 43, 50%), leadership (n = 42, 49%), and policy communication (n = 41, 48%). Overall, measures were low-cost and had easy readability. However, lengthy tools and lack of reported validity/reliability data indicate low transferability. Implementation science can contribute to more complete and rigorous assessment of school health policy implementation processes, which can improve implementation strategies and ultimately the intended health benefits. Several high-quality measures of implementation determinants and implementation outcomes can be applied to school health policy implementation assessment. Dissemination and implementation science researchers can also benefit from measurement experiences of school health researchers.
Sensitivity of Cercospora sojina to demethylation inhibitor and methyl benzimidazole carbamate fungicides

Abstract Cercospora sojina, the causal agent of frogeye leaf spot (FLS) of soybean (Glycine max), can cause significant yield losses. Foliar fungicide application is a common strategy used to control FLS; however, C. sojina strains with resistance to quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides have become widespread throughout U.S. soybean production regions. Because of QoI-resistance, demethylation inhibitor (DMI) and methyl benzimidazole carbamate (MBC) fungicides have become more important in managing FLS. Baseline sensitivity assays are important to monitor any shifts in fungicide sensitivity. Sensitivity of the DMI fungicides flutriafol and tetraconazole and the MBC fungicide thiophanate methyl were established for 145 C. sojina isolates collected prior to 2001(baseline isolates) and C. sojina isolates collected from 2007 to 2012 representing 12 states. Bioassays were conducted to assess effective fungicide concentration at which 50% of mycelium growth was inhibited relative to a non-fungicide control (EC50) for each isolate-fungicide combination. Baseline EC50 value means for flutriafol, tetraconazole, and thiophanate methyl were 0.268, 0.153, and 0.521 μg/ml. When means of EC50 values for isolates collected from 2007 to 2012 were compared to baseline sensitivity EC50 means, no significant difference (P
Hedging and the ignorance norm on inquiry

What sort of epistemic positions are compatible with inquiries driven by interrogative attitudes like wonder and puzzlement? The ignorance norm provides a partial answer: interrogative attitudes directed at a particular question are never compatible with knowledge of the question’s answer. But some are tempted to think that interrogative attitudes are incompatible with weaker positions like belief as well. This paper defends that the ignorance norm is exhaustive. All epistemic positions weaker than knowledge directed at the answer to a question are compatible with having an interrogative attitude towards that question. We offer two arguments for this conclusion. The first is based on considerations about the role of hedging in inquiry. The second is conditional on considerations related to the aim of inquiry as a goal-directed activity.
Repeatable Experimentation for Cybersecurity Moving Target Defense.

The scientific method emphasizes that repeatable experimentation is critical for several reasons; to facilitate comparative analysis, to recreate experiments, to re-validate reported results, to critique and propose improvements, and to augment the work. In the field of cybersecurity moving target defense, where assets are shuffled to thwart attackers, it is critical to know what strategies work best, the success factors, and how these strategies may impact system performance. While some researchers make their algorithms, models, and tools available as open source, it is difficult and, in some cases, impossible to recreate studies due to the lack of the original operating environment or no support for software components used within that environment.
Using the Theory of Planned behavior to identify correlates of HPV vaccination uptake among college students attending a rural university in Alabama

Abstract Introduction Humanpapillomavirus (HPV) has infected nearly 80 million people in the U.S., and is associated with most cervical cancer cases. Alabama ranks first in the country for cervical cancer mortality and third for incidence. Although the HPV vaccine can prevent HPV and reduce cancer rates, Alabama is well-below the national average for HPV vaccination. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this Alabama-based study aimed to examine college students’ intentions to get the HPV vaccine; to examine the relationship between the relationship between religious beliefs and HPV vaccination uptake status among college students. Methods Students (n = 257) from a university in rural Alabama completed the survey. Multiple regression analysis, Mann-Whitney U tests, and moderation analysis were used to examine associations among the variables of interest. Findings Consistent with TPB, results showed that attitudes and subjective norms were significant predictors of intention to get vaccinated. Knowledge that both sexes can experience HPV-related health problems, that HPV can cause genital warts, and that the vaccine protects against HPV were each associated with higher attitude scores. The results indicated that the odds of getting at least one HPV shot were higher for females than for males for non-Caucasians than for Caucasians. Students who were not vaccinated were more likely to report that religion influenced their health beliefs. *Abstract. Conclusion TPB was helpful in understanding HPV-related intentions. Communication and education efforts are needed to increase understanding of HPV illnesses and HPV vaccination benefits among peers, parents, and other loved ones of students. in the rural areas of Alabama.
A specific labeling procedure for proteins on the outer surface of membranes.

Abstract The proteins located on the exterior of the membrane of influenza virus can be preferentially labeled by incorporation of tritium. This incorporation is achieved by sodium borotritide reduction of the Schiff's base formed between pyridoxal phosphate and protein amino groups of purified virions. The preferential labeling is due to the inability of phosphate esters, such as pyridoxal phosphate, to penetrate cell membranes. Labeled virions remain fully infectious and retain hemagglutinating activity.
Laplace noise generation for two-party computational differential privacy

Computing a differentially private function using secure function evaluation prevents private information leakage both in the process, and from information present in the function output. However, the very secrecy provided by secure function evaluation poses new challenges if any of the parties are malicious. We first show how to build a two party differentially private secure protocol in the presence of malicious adversaries. We then relax the utility requirement of computational differential privacy to reduce computational cost, still giving security with rational adversaries. Finally, we provide a modified two-party computational differential privacy definition and show correctness and security guarantees in the rational setting.
Some remarks on the spectra of the heisenberg linear chain

By means of Bethe’s ansatz, several theorems concerning the Heisenberg linear chain are proved. The total translational quantum numberK for the state of maximum energy for a given value of the total spin is determined by the number of spin deviationsr. Whenr = 2, it takes on a value of 2π for both the state of maximum and minimum energy of the class of « unbound » states. The interaction parameter Φ vanishes identically for the states with total spinS =N/2 andS =N/2 — 1 for the states withr = 2.
Service provisioning to provide per-connection-based availability guarantee in WDM mesh networks

We present availability analysis for WDM-mesh-network protection schemes. Based on the analysis, we propose cost-effective provisioning approaches to provide differentiated per-connection-based services to carry connections by appropriate routes and to protect them according to their availability requirements.
Chapter 6 Probabilistic networks and network algorithms

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses probabilistic networks and network algorithms. Probability enters into the theory of networks and network algorithms in several different ways. The most direct way is through probabilistic modeling of some aspect of the network. For example, in some freight management models the cost of transportation along the arcs of the network are modeled by random variables. In models such as these probability helps us grasp a little better a world that comes with its own physical randomness. A second important way probability enters is through more stylized stochastic models where the aim is to provide deeper insight into our technical understanding of the methods of operations research. Here there is considerably less emphasis on building detailed models that hope to capture aspects of randomness that live in a specific application context; rather, the aim is to provide mathematically tractable models of reasonable generality that can be used to explore a variety of different computational or estimation methods. Among the types of issues that have been studied in such models are the efficacies of deterministic algorithms and of deterministic heuristic methods. Many of the 'average case' analyses of algorithms would fit into this second role for probability. The third path by which probability enters into network theory is through randomized algorithms. This is the newest of the roles for probability, but it is a role that is of increasing importance. To make certain of the distinction that makes an algorithm 'randomized,' consider a version of depth-first search where one chooses the next vertex to be explored by selecting it at random from a set of candidates.
A Holoenzyme Form of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Polymerase III ISOLATION AND PROPERTIES

Abstract A new form of DNA polymerase III (pol III), termed holoenzyme, has been purified to apparent homogeneity from gently lysed Escherichia coli. Three forms of pol III have now been recognized on the bases of their distinctive physical characteristics and their capacity to utilize a predominantly single-stranded template: (a) pol III, a dimer of 90,000-dalton subunits, which is inactive on single-stranded circular DNA (SS DNA); (b) pol III*, a higher polymer of pol III, which is active on SS DNA only in the presence of copolymerase III* (copol III*), a 77,000-dalton polypeptide; and (c) holoenzyme, a 330,000-dalton tetramer composed of the two pol III subunits and two copol III* units, which is distinguished from pol III or pol III* by its activity on SS DNA in the absence of added copol III*. The holoenzyme is dissociated into pol III* and copol III* by chromatography on phosphocellulose; pol III* is converted to pol III by heating, dilution, or aging. Like pol III*, the holoenzyme requires ATP to form an initiation complex with the primer template.
MST neuronal responses to heading direction during pursuit eye movements.

MST neuronal responses to heading direction during pursuit eye movements. As you move through the environment, you see a radial pattern of visual motion with a focus of expansion (FOE) that indicat...
A Study of a Multistage Decision Making Task with an Unknown Duration

Thirteen college students participated individually in a multistage decision making task. The task consisted of eight different computer-controlled problems. The duration of each problem was not known to the decision maker. A dynamic programming model employing Bayesian notions was constructed for the adaptive decision making task, tested and confirmed. An alternative explanation is discussed briefly.
Hardware/software codesign for video compression using the EXECUBE processing array

Real time image processing is an important area of study that requires the computational power of parallel computers. In this paper MPEG video compression is used as a benchmark application to study and improve the performance of the processor-in-memory (PIM) EXECUBE array which has been proposed as a solution for the PetaFlop project. Since parallel computers naturally lend themselves to the display of such pictures, the EXECUBE array of parallel processors is a logical choice. It is shown that the array is nor able to display video in real time due to computational intensive algorithms within MPEG, as well as an internal communication bottleneck. As such, hardware/software codesign is used to overcome these problems while minimizing design time. Through the use of specialized hardware, the timing constraints may be met. Results are shown which illustrate the efficiency of the system as well as the savings achieved.
Orbit inequivalent actions for groups containing a copy of $\mathbb{F}_{2}$

We prove that if a countable group Γ contains a copy of F_2, then it admits uncountably many non orbit equivalent actions
First Measurement of Short Length-Scale Density Fluctuations in a Large Laser Plasma

The technique of near forward laser scattering is used for the first time in an ignition-relevant laser plasma to obtain a background and laser driven fluctuation spectrum. The fluctuations cause beam spray which can affect the symmetry in an inertial confinement fusion experiment. These results provide a benchmark for developing numerical models of beam spray.
Label-free measurements of membrane tether thickness using optical tweezers combined with SLIM

Various cellular activities such as motility, division, and endocytosis involve a change in the cell shape. The mechanical interactions between the cell membrane and cytoskeleton play an important role in regulating changes in the cell shape. Tether formation from cell membranes provides a technique to characterize the mechanical properties of cell membranes and membrane-cytoskeleton interactions. Accurate measurement of the nano-scale tether diameter is relevant to quantification of membrane tension, bending modulus, and adhesion energy of the membrane-cytoskeleton structure. We have integrated optical tweezers with quantitative phase imaging, based on spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM), to simultaneously form tethers from HEK-293 cells and measure their diameters. Tether thickness along the illumination axis was measured using the quantitative phase map of the sample, and the refractive index (RI) mismatch between the sample and the surrounding media. The RI of the tethers ranged from 1.354 to 1.368 (cell culture medium RI=1.337). Our SLIM imaging system provided a 38 nm resolution in tether thickness measurements. Tether diameter fluctuations of <100 nm were resolved on tethers that ranged between 600-900 nm in diameter. Our integrated platform also provides the ability to simultaneously manipulate and image cell organelles in a non-contact and marker-free manner at nanometer spatial resolution.
Bonding thin mirror segments without distortion for the International X-Ray Observatory

The International X-Ray Observatory (IXO) uses thin glass optics to maximize large effective area and precise low angular resolution. The thin glass mirror segments must be transferred from their fabricated state to a permanent structure without imparting distortion. IXO will incorporate about fourteen thousand thin mirror segments to achieve the mission goal of 3.0 square meters of effective area at 1.25 keV with an angular resolution of five arc-seconds. To preserve figure and alignment, the mirror segment must be bonded with sub-micron movement at each corner. Recent advances in technology development have produced significant x-ray test results of a bonded pair of mirrors. Three specific bonding cycles will be described highlighting the improvements in procedure, temperature control, and precision bonding. This paper will highlight the recent advances in alignment and permanent bonding as well as the results they have produced.12
The effect of ATP-MgCl2 and dipyridamole pretreatment in renal preservation.

Abstract The effect of ATP-MgCl 2 alone and in combination with dipyridamole administered prior to ischemia and cold-storage preservation was evaluated in canine kidneys. Fifteen adult mongrel dogs were divided into three groups. All dogs underwent left nephrectomy and 30 min of in situ warm ischemia followed by Collin's C-4 flush and 24 hr of cold-storage preservation. Heterotopic allotransplantation and delayed (2 weeks) contralateral nephrectomy were performed in all dogs. Group A served as ischemic controls. Group B dogs were treated with intravenous ATP-MgCl 2 (2.5 m M ) and Group C dogs with intravenous ATP-MgCl 2 (2.5 m M ) and dipyridamole (10 mg) administered 10 min prior to the ischemic insult. All kidneys underwent cortical biopsies at 0, 4, and 24 hr of preservation for determination of ATP. Mean values for cortical ATP (μmole/g) were 0.165 ± 0.062, 0.046 ± 0.013 and 0.015 ± 0.007 in Group A, 1.101 ± 0.429, 0.352 ± 0.110, and 0.077 ± 0.033 in Group B and 2.296 ± 0.888, 0.496 ± 0.174 and 0.192 ± 0.064 in Group C. The cortical ATP levels were significantly greater at all time intervals in the kidneys pretreated with ATP-MgCl 2 and dipyridamole; however, no significant difference could be demonstrated in dog survival, peak, or final serum creatinine in the three groups. In conclusion, pretreatment with ATP-MgCl 2 with or without dipyridamole does not improve graft function in ischemically injured kidneys.
THE DIMENSIONS OF INTERNATIONAL EQUITY STYLE

his article provides a comprehensive summary of the dunensions of international equity style in the developed world from T January 1975 through December 1996. It describes eight dunensions of equity style using twenty-two years of returns on twenty countries grouped into four time periods and s i x geographc regions. Other studies have looked at various aspects of international equity style for smaller samples of countries and shorter time periods. See, e.g., Capaul, Rowley, and Sharpe [1993], Umstead [1993a, 1993b, 1995, 19971, and Sinquefield [1996]. To our knowledge, ours is the first study to present such a comprehensive overview of international equity style.
COMPARISON OF ACETALS AS IN SITU MODIFIERS FOR THE SUPERCRITICAL FLUID EXTRACTION OF β-CAROTENE FROM PAPRIKA WITH CARBON DIOXIDE

This study investigated various acetals for the purpose of improving the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using carbon dioxide of β-carotene from an aqueous matrix. Results showed that the presence of water decreases the extraction efficiency of β-carotene from paprika by a factor of 2. Upon the addition of 2,2-dimethoxypropane (DMP), the extraction efficiency of β-carotene from wet paprika was increased by a factor of about 2.5 and from dry paprika a factor of 1.5. Diethoxypropane (DEP) and triethylorthoformate (TEOF) proved to be less effective for improving the extraction of β-carotene from paprika. Although the addition of an acid catalyst enhances the reaction between DMP or TEOF with water under SFE conditions, an actual decrease in the extraction of carotene from paprika was found. It is possible, even without an acid catalyst, that DMP can remove a little water, improving extraction efficiency. However, its main impact on improving SFE seems to be as a modifier.
Domain Structure and DNA Binding Regions of β Protein from Bacteriophage λ

β protein from bacteriophage λ promotes a single-strand annealing reaction that is central to Red-mediated recombination at double-strand DNA breaks and chromosomal ends. β protein binds most tightly to an intermediate of annealing formed by the sequential addition of two complementary oligonucleotides. Here we have characterized the domain structure of β protein in the presence and absence of DNA using limited proteolysis. Residues 1–130 form an N-terminal “core” domain that is resistant to proteases in the absence of DNA, residues 131–177 form a central region with enhanced resistance to proteases upon DNA complex formation, and the C-terminal residues 178–261 of β protein are sensitive to proteases in both the presence and absence of DNA. We probed the DNA binding regions of β protein further using biotinylation of lysine residues and mass spectrometry. Several lysine residues within the first 177 residues of β protein are protected from biotinylation in the DNA complex, whereas none of the lysine residues in the C-terminal portion are protected. The results lead to a model for the domain structure and DNA binding of β protein in which a stable N-terminal core and a more flexible central domain come together to bind DNA, whereas a C-terminal tail remains disordered. A fragment consisting of residues 1–177 of β protein maintains normal binding to sequentially added complementary oligonucleotides and has significantly enhanced binding to single-strand DNA.
Development of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the detection of deacetoxycephalosporin C and isopenicillin N synthase activity.

Although there are a number of existing assays for monitoring the activity of both isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS) and deacetoxycephalosporin C synthase (DAOCS), none have demonstrated the qualities required for screening a mutant library. Hence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for IPNS and DAOCS were developed based on the detection of the catalytic turnover products isopenicillin N and cephalexin/phenylacetyl-7-aminodeacetoxycephalosporanic acid (G-7-ADCA), respectively. These assays are relatively fast compared to existing assays, such as the hole-plate bioassay, and are amenable with high-throughput screening. Both the IPNS and DAOCS-ELISAs were optimised for use with crude protein extracts rather than purified protein, thereby eliminating any additional time required for purification. The ELISA developed for the detection of cephalexin had an IC50 value of 154±9 ngmL−1 and LOD of 7.2±2.2 ngmL−1 under conditions required for the assay. Good recoveries and correlation was observed for spiked samples when the concentration of crude protein was kept below 1 mgmL−1. The DAOCS-ELISAwas found to have increased sensitivity compared to the hole-plate bioassay (10.3 µgmL−1). The IPNS-ELISA did not significantly increase the sensitivity (approximately 5 µgmL−1) compared to that of the hole-plate bioassay (16 µgmL−1) for isopenicillin N. The minimum amount of crude protein extract required for producing detectable amounts of product for both assays was below 0.5% of the maximum amount of protein that the assay could contain without any effect on the ELISA. This suggests that when screening a mutant library, mutants producing low amounts of the product could still be detected using these assays.
Characteristics of Red Drum and Spotted Seatrout Commercial Fishermen in Texas

Abstract The 67th Texas Legislature directed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1981 to predict the economic impact of pending legislation banning the sale of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) caught from Texas waters. Commercial fishing licenses and individual finfish sales reports were used to determine numbers, ages, and sexes of licensed and reporting commercial finfish fishermen in Texas; license renewal rates; continuity of fishing activity; method of harvest; extent of licensing; reporting and harvesting violations; earnings from the finfish fishery; and economic dependence upon red drum and spotted seatrout landings. Over 1,000 commercial finfish fishermen were licensed or reported finfish sales from fiscal year 1979 to fiscal year 1981. However, less than 300 had a significant economic dependence upon red drum and spotted seatrout landings. The impact of a sales ban was predicted to be greatest in the areas around the Corpus Christi and lower Laguna...
Physiological evidence for repressive coping among avoidantly attached adults

Research suggests that the quality of childhood attachments to caregivers influences the development of capacities and strategies for emotion regulation. Avoidantly attached individuals are characterized by emotion-regulation strategies involving the suppression of negative thoughts and feelings. Psychophysiological research on repressive coping suggests that these strategies might be associated with patterns of heightened and escalating sympathetic nervous system reactivity in the absence of correspondingly heightened self-reported affect. The present study tested this hypothesis by subjecting 148 adults to psychological stressors and discussions of attachment-related issues while monitoring their skin conductance level (SCL). Attachment avoidance – but not anxiety – was associated with heightened SCL reactivity to all tasks, especially among women, as well as escalation in reactivity. Additionally, on one stressor avoidance was associated with greater disassociation between subjective and physiological ...
Super-resolution photon-efficient imaging by nanometric double-helix point spread function localization of emitters (SPINDLE)

Super-resolution imaging with photo-activatable or photo-switchable probes is a promising tool in biological applications to reveal previously unresolved intra-cellular details with visible light. This field benefits from developments in the areas of molecular probes, optical systems, and computational post-processing of the data. The joint design of optics and reconstruction processes using double-helix point spread functions (DH-PSF) provides high resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging over a long depth-of-field. We demonstrate for the first time a method integrating a Fisher information efficient DH-PSF design, a surface relief optical phase mask, and an optimal 3D localization estimator. 3D super-resolution imaging using photo-switchable dyes reveals the 3D microtubule network in mammalian cells with localization precision approaching the information theoretical limit over a depth of 1.2 µm.
Energy requirement for biosynthesis of DNA in Escherichia coli: Role of membrane-bound energy-transducing ATPase (coupling factor)

Abstract A mutant of Escherichia coli missing energy-transducing ATPase and known to be defective in a variety of membrane functions from earlier studies (Yamamoto, T. H., Mevel-Ninio, M. and Valentine, R. C. (1973) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 314, 267–275; Thipayathasana, P. and Valentine, R. C. (1974) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 347, 464–468; Mevel-Ninio, M. and Yamamoto, T. (1974) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 357, 63–66) has been found to be blocked for anaerobic DNA synthesis. The rate of anaerobic DNA synthesis in the mutant, measured as radioactive adenine incorporation into the alkali-resistant fraction of whole cells, is about 1 6 the rate of DNA synthesis in the wild type culture under similar conditions. Addition of NO3- or O2 restores DNA biosynthesis in the mutant. The entry of radioactive adenine is not appreciably affected in the mutant by anaerobiosis. It is concluded that coupling factor plays a role in some step(s) of DNA biosynthesis.
The enzymic properties of N-ethylmaleimide modified myosin

Abstract The catalytic properties of native myosin and of myosin in which one SH-group per subunit chain has been blocked with N-ethylmaleimide have been compared. The Ca2+-ATPase activity of this N-ethylmaleimide-modified myosin resembles the EDTA-ATPase activity of unmodified myosin with respect to substrate affinity and specificity and ionic strength and pH-dependence of activity. There is a marked alteration of the temperature dependence of ATP hydrolysis by myosin when modified with N-ethylmaleimide, the activity of the altered enzyme resembling the EDTA-ATPase and Ca2+-ITPase of native myosin in its temperature-dependence.
Loss of striatal angiotensin-converting enzyme following intrastriatal AF64A is not related to destruction of cholinergic interneurons.

Abstract The potent angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor 351 A was radioiodinated (125I-351A) and used to quantitate ACE in the striatum of rats treated with the cholinergic neurotoxin AF64A. Unilateral administration of 4nmol of AF64A into the striatum, which caused a 42% reduction in striatal choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, reduced binding of125I-351A in the lesioned striatum by 37% relative to the untreated striatum. The AF64A treatment also reduced the dopamine (DA) concentration by 59% in the lesioned striatum, but did not significantly reduce the serotonin (5-HT) concentration. Despite the reductions in ACE and these neurochemical markers, there was no significant correlation between the extent of reduction of the specific neurochemical markers and ACE. These results suggest that the AF64A treatment caused non-specific damage to striatal non-cholinergic neurons as well as destroying cholinergic neurons, and that ACE is contained in non-cholinergic neurons.
A method for universal beacon code allocation

Beacon codes or squawk codes are a set of limited National Airspace System (NAS) resource. The Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRS) was deployed for civilian use by FAA after World War II. With the increase in demand for codes resulting from the growth in air traffic, the current system of beacon code allocation leads to code reassignments which are inefficient. Also, the current system is vulnerable to code shortages as the traffic grows. This paper describes a new algorithm of beacon code assignment that eliminates the need for “reassignment” and is also more scalable to increasing traffic in the NAS. The method, Space-Time Adjacency (STA) algorithm, assigns unique codes to flights by exploiting the temporal and spatial opportunities in individual flightplans. Five high traffic volume days across different seasons of 2007 were used to test the algorithm performance and robustness. The results show that this method of code assignment required zero reassignments.
Telomerase activity in the differentiation of benign and malignant adrenal tumors.

Abstract Background: Telomerase is an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that extends the ends of chromosomes by synthesizing the 6 oligonucleotide repeat TTAGGG and thus serves as a marker for cellular immortality. Although absent in most adult somatic tissues, telomerase activity is present in stem cells and is reactivated in nearly all primary human malignancies. In this study we sought to determine whether tumors of the adrenal glands contain telomerase activity and whether telomerase activity can be used to differentiate benign and malignant tumors of the adrenal glands. Methods: Tissue was obtained from 23 specimens at adrenalectomy. Adjacent normal adrenal tissue was obtained for control. All specimens were rapidly frozen and stored at –80°C until assay. Telomerase activity was determined by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP). Results: Telomerase activity was present in 5 of 23 (22%) of the adrenal tumors. All 3 malignant tumors were strongly TRAP positive. There was a single cortical adenoma that had very weak telomerase activity. The single TRAP-positive tumor of the adrenal medulla was a ganglioneuroma. Conclusions: Benign adrenal tumors infrequently contain telomerase activity, whereas telomerase reactivation appears to be common in malignant tumors of the adrenal glands. These data suggest that determination of telomerase activity may offer a novel way to facilitate the differentiation of benign and malignant adrenal tumors. (Surgery 1998;124:1123-7.)
Computing surface hyperbolic structure and real projective structure

Geometric structures are natural structures of surfaces, which enable different geometries to be defined on the surfaces. Algorithms designed for planar domains based on a specific geometry can be systematically generalized to surface domains via the corresponding geometric structure. For example, polar form splines with planar domains are based on affine invariants. Polar form splines can be generalized to manifold splines on the surfaces which admit affine structures and are equipped with affine geometries.Surfaces with negative Euler characteristic numbers admit hyperbolic structures and allow hyperbolic geometry. All surfaces admit real projective structures and are equipped with real projective geometry. Because of their general existence, both hyperbolic structures and real projective structures have the potential to replace the role of affine structures in defining manifold splines.This paper introduces theoretically rigorous and practically simple algorithms to compute hyperbolic structures and real projective structures for general surfaces. The method is based on a novel geometric tool - discrete variational Ricci flow. Any metric surface admits a special uniformization metric, which is conformal to its original metric and induces constant curvature. Ricci flow is an efficient method to calculate the uniformization metric, which determines the hyperbolic structure and real projective structure.The algorithms have been verified on real surfaces scanned from sculptures. The method is efficient and robust in practice. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work of introducing algorithms based on Ricci flow to compute hyperbolic structure and real projective structure.More importantly, this work introduces the framework of general geometric structures, which enable different geometries to be defined on manifolds and lay down the theoretical foundation for many important applications in geometric modeling.