cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A spherical model for orientation and spatial–frequency tuning in a cortical hypercolumn

A theory is presented of the way in which the hypercolumns in primary visual cortex (V1) are organized to detect important features of visual images, namely local orientation and spatial-frequency. Given the existence in V1 of dual maps for these features, both organized around orientation pinwheels, we constructed a model of a hypercolumn in which orientation and spatial-frequency preferences are represented by the two angular coordinates of a sphere. The two poles of this sphere are taken to correspond, respectively, to high and low spatial-frequency preferences. In Part I of the paper, we use mean-field methods to derive exact solutions for localized activity states on the sphere. We show how cortical amplification through recurrent interactions generates a sharply tuned, contrast-invariant population response to both local orientation and local spatial frequency, even in the case of a weakly biased input from the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). A major prediction of our model is that this response is non-separable with respect to the local orientation and spatial frequency of a stimulus. That is, orientation tuning is weaker around the pinwheels, and there is a shift in spatial-frequency tuning towards that of the closest pinwheel at non-optimal orientations. In Part II of the paper, we demonstrate that a simple feed-forward model of spatial-frequency preference, unlike that for orientation preference, does not generate a faithful representation when amplified by recurrent interactions in V1. We then introduce the idea that cortico-geniculate feedback modulates LGN activity to generate a faithful representation, thus providing a new functional interpretation of the role of this feedback pathway. Using linear filter theory, we show that if the feedback from a cortical cell is taken to be approximately equal to the reciprocal of the corresponding feed-forward receptive field (in the two-dimensional Fourier domain), then the mismatch between the feed-forward and cortical frequency representations is eliminated. We therefore predict that cortico-geniculate feedback connections innervate the LGN in a pattern determined by the orientation and spatial-frequency biases of feed-forward receptive fields. Finally, we show how recurrent cortical interactions can generate cross-orientation suppression.
THE COMPARISON OF PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY AND GENETIC VARIATION IN POPULATIONS OF THE GRASS DANTHONIA SPICATA

A species can persist in a heterogeneous environment either if individuals of that species are phenotypically flexible or if there is genetic variation among individuals (Thoday, 1953; Baker, 1965; Bradshaw, 1965; Jain, 1979). Phenotypic flexibility may be defined as the extent to which an organism can grow and reproduce in a range of environments either by varying its phenotype (plasticity) or by maintaining a constant phenotype (homeostasis or stability) (sensu Thoday, 1953; Hume and Cavers, 1982). Bradshaw (1965) recognized that phenotypic plasticity could itself be under genetic control and would therefore be subject to selective pressures. Bradshaw (1965) and others (Thoday, 1953; Levins, 1963; Marshall and Jain, 1968; Jain, 1979) have postulated that selection for phenotypic flexibility and genetic variation would be antagonistic, that there would be selection for a population to be either phenotypically flexible or genetically variable. Several studies comparing congeneric species (Cumming, 1959; Marshall and Jain, 1968; Jain, 1979) have found evidence that one of the species is more genetically variable and the other more phenotypically plastic. One study (Grant, 1974) has found differences in genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity among adjacent populations of a single species. The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, we present mathematical definitions for plastic variation and plasticity. Second, we compare plastic vari-
Immune surveillance by rhinovirus-specific circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes.

Background It is difficult to experimentally infect volunteers with RV strains to which the subject demonstrates serological immunity. However, in RV challenges, viral clearance begins before de novo adaptive immune responses would develop. We speculated that adaptive immunity to RV reflects heterologous immunity by effector memory cells.
Quiet direct simulation Monte-Carlo with random timesteps

Use of a high-order deterministic sampling technique in direct simulation Monte-Carlo (DSMC) simulations eliminates statistical noise and improves computational performance by orders of magnitude. In this paper it is also shown that if a random timestep is used in place of a fixed timestep, there is an additional improvement in performance. This performance can be increased by using a timestep that samples a random variable with a high-kurtosis probability density function. As a simple example of the method, the one-dimensional diffusion equation with an exponentially-distributed timestep is simulated, and a performance gain of approximately two is obtained. Applications to numerical simulations of fluids and plasmas are indicated.
Introducing computing to smaller colleges and universities—a progress report

By technical means that are now routine, computer service for smaller colleges and universities can be provided by remote terminals of a central facility. Access, however, is not enough—effective organizational and educational methodology for introducing computing at such institutions must also be developed. The experience of two years with a statewide network involving 41 institutions is discussed. Lessons include the importance of a separate organization representing the small colleges, the necessity for on-campus training for the institutions, the need for some special programming and documentation to support such users, and the development of curriculum by evolutionary means.
Maturation and renal digoxin clearance

To evaluate the effect of maturation on the renal disposition of digoxin, the ratio of digoxin clearance to creatinine clearance was determined in 35 patients who were 3 days to 79 yr old. All were at steady-state levels for digoxin treatment. A mean ratio of 1.49 ± 0.67 (SD) was obtained in the group of prepubertal children and infants ≥2 mo of age. The mean ratio decreased to 0.82 ± 0.25 (SD) in the adult group; adults were defined as sexually mature adolescents or older (P < 0.005). The decrease in net renal tubular secretion of digoxin appears to occur at puberty. This observation can provide one explanation for the apparently larger doses of digoxin required by infants and children than by adults. It may also represent a developmental change in renal tubular physiology with broader significance than for digoxin disposition alone. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1981) 30, 735–738; doi:10.1038/clpt.1981.231
A streptavidin-metallothionein chimera that allows specific labeling of biological materials with many different heavy metal ions.

Abstract We have designed a streptavidin-metallothionein chimeric protein in which the streptavidin moiety provides a means of binding the metallothionein moiety tightly to specific biological targets. A gene fusion of streptavidin with mouse metallothionein I was efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli, and the expressed chimeric protein was purified to homogeneity by a simple procedure. The purified chimera, consisting of four identical subunits, bound one biotin and approximately seven Cd2+ ions per subunit (19.5 kDa). This indicates that both the streptavidin and the metallothionein moieties are fully functional. The high binding affinity of the chimera both for biotin and for heavy metal ions allows the specific labeling or conjugation of any biological material containing unhindered biotin with a variety of different heavy metal ions and their isotopes, thereby opening the way for simultaneous assay systems for a large number of biological targets.
Crystal and molecular structure of benzophenone azine: evidence for an Fe(II) carbene intermediate

Benzophenone azine crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupA2/a (No. 15) witha=16.303(3) A,b=5.4864(2) A,c=21.973(5) A, β=85.52(2)°,V=1959.4(8) A3, andD calc=1.22 g cm−3 forZ=4. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined againstF to a finalR value of 0.047. The unit cell contains four molecules of the title compound; the asymmetric unit consists of half a molecule. Despite the high crystallographic symmetry, the two halves of the molecule arenot related by a center of symmetry; instead, the molecule adopts C2 symmetry; the molecular C2 axis is coincident with the crystallographic twofold axis. The formation of benzophenone azine from the reaction of the iron-containing Lewis acid complex [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2(THF)]+ [BF4]− and diphenyldiazomethane provides strong evidence for an Fe(II) carbene intermediate.
Sexual rights of people with serious and persistent mental illness: Gathering evidence for decision making

Abstract Management of sexual relationships between adults with serious and persistent mental illness in residential care is a complex issue. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 is a federal law that defines the need for long-term care facilities to protect the privacy and visitation rights of residents. State interpretations of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 and patient advocacy groups may exert pressure on administrators to consider the need to allow consensual sexual activity between residents. This research review of sexual behavior of people with serious and persistent mental illness provides evidence to guide decision making for policy formation, clinical practice, and research.
An analysis for a mini robot gripper using SMA springs

The development of a compact and lightweight gripper suitable for a mini mobile robot for field applications poses many challenges. This is because conventional gripper actuation methods may be infeasible due to their size, weight and power requirements. This study focuses on the development of a suitable linkage mechanism for such a mini gripper, using two different actuation methods. The first design investigates the use of shape memory alloy (SMA) springs as a newer method for the gripper actuation. For comparison, the second design is developed using a more conventional, servomotor-based actuation. The design of the SMA springs used in the first gripper, and the kinematic analysis for both gripper designs, are presented. Prototypes of both designs were built and tested, and the results are also shown. Additionally, an accuracy analysis involving the gripper mechanism's tolerances and clearances is developed for both grippers, and a tolerance allocation technique to facilitate such gripper designs is also presented. The study shows that SMA spring actuated grippers hold promise for certain applications and should be considered in the design of mini mobile robot devices.
A least-squares primal-dual algorithm for solving linear programming problems

We have developed a least-squares primal-dual algorithm for solving linear programming problems that is impervious to degeneracy, with strict improvement attained at each iteration. We tested our algorithm on a range of linear programming problems including ones that require many pivots, usually because of degeneracy, using the primal simplex method and the dual simplex method with steepest edge pivoting. On average, our algorithm took less than half the number of iterations required by the primal and dual simplex methods; on some problems, it took over 30 times fewer iterations.
Clanship andK’È: The Relatedness of Clinicians and Patients in a Navajo Counseling Center:

I examine the significance of clanship ties among mental health clinicians and patients in a counseling center on the Navajo Nation. Navajo clans are matrilineal, exogamous, and geographically dispersed social units. Clan relatives are expected to observe the rules of conduct embodied in the behavioral code of k’E. This code structures social interaction among clan relatives, obliging each party to employ intimate, age-appropriate kin designations in personal address and to act towards kinfolk compassionately and respectfully. I explore the ethical dilemmas that can arise when clinicians and Navajo patients invoke clan relatedness to shape the contours of their therapeutic relationships.
Insect Cell Culture and Biotechnology

The continued development of new cell culture technology is essential for the future growth and application of insect cell and baculovirus biotechnology. The use of cell lines for academic research and for commercial applications is currently dominated by two cell lines; the Spodoptera frugiperda line, SF21 (and its clonal isolate, SF9), and the Trichoplusia ni line, BTI 5B1-4, commercially known as High Five cells. The long perceived prediction that the immense potential application of the baculovirus-insect cell system, as a tool in cell and molecular biology, agriculture, and animal health, has been achieved. The versatility and recent applications of this popular expression system has been demonstrated by both academia and industry and it is clear that this cell-based system has been widely accepted for biotechnological applications. Numerous small to midsize startup biotechnology companies in North America and the Europe are currently using the baculovirus-insect cell technology to produce custom recombinant proteins for research and commercial applications. The recent breakthroughs using the baculovirus-insect cell-based system for the development of several commercial products that will impact animal and human health will further enhance interest in this technology by pharma. Clearly, future progress in novel cell and engineering advances will lead to fundamental scientific discoveries and serve to enhance the utility and applications of this baculovirus-insect cell system.
Michaelis-Menten Analysis of Alkaline Phosphatase by Capillary Electrophoresis Using Plug-Plug Reaction

Abstract This work evaluated the use of an alkaline phosphatase plug, slowly migrating in a polyacrylamide-coated capillary filled with buffer/soluble polymer, to convert p-nitrophenylphosphate (which was injected into the capillary as a separate plug, and migrated faster than the enzyme) to p-nitrophenol under a constant applied potential. The elution of assay components was monitored on-capillary at 230 nm. The initial reaction velocity of the enzymecatalyzed reaction was estimated from the peak area ratio of the enzyme product to the internal standard. Using the Lineweaver-Burk plots, an average Michaelis constant (KM) for alkaline phosphatase was calculated to be 4.8 ± 0.3 mM (n = 4, CV = 6%). With the constant potential electrophoresis (8 kV/57 cm), the method had a detection limit of 4.4 × 10−5 IU for alkaline phosphatase and a linear range up to 2.1 × 10−3 IU.
Geo-visualizing China's changing urban hierarchy 1985 to 2005

In a prior study, a rank mobility index (RMI) was applied to China's 137 urban agglomerations and mapped using a graduated symbol map to show dramatic changes in China's urban hierarchy from 1985 to 2005. This paper improves the visualization of those rank changes by applying advanced spatial analysis techniques. We use a Moran's scatter plot and a Getis-Ord G i to examine the regional difference and change for these urban agglomerations ranks. We then use a weighted Voronoi diagram (WVD) approach to produce polygons whose size reflects the magnitude of the RMI. The paper concludes with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the various geo-visualization approaches.
Cidades na era Lula o lento abandono dos processos participativos

Os protestos que varreram o pais em junho de 2013 nos deixaram a certeza de que apesar de todos os avancos da Era Lula (crescimento economico com distribuicao de renda e estabilidade politica), as cidades brasileiras nao estao melhores do que ha 10 anos. Enquanto, por um lado, avancamos em areas como acessibilidade e saneamento de vilas e favelas, por outro lado, gastamos bilhoes para subsidiar o automovel quando deveriamos pensar no transporte de 2050, nao no de 1950. Este artigo analisa os principais modelos de intervencao urbana das ultimas cinco decadas, suas convergencias e divergencias com os processos que definem a gestao do espaco urbano na Era Lula.
Phospholipid lung surfactant and nanoparticle surface toxicity: Lessons from diesel soots and silicate dusts

Because of their small size, the specific surface areas of nanoparticulate materials (NP), described as particles having at least one dimension smaller than 100 nm, can be large compared with micrometer-sized respirable particles. This high specific surface area or nanostructural surface properties may affect NP toxicity in comparison with micrometer-sized respirable particles of the same overall composition. Respirable particles depositing on the deep lung surfaces of the respiratory bronchioles or alveoli will contact pulmonary surfactants in the surface hypophase. Diesel exhaust ultrafine particles and respirable silicate micrometer-sized insoluble particles can adsorb components of that surfactant onto the particle surfaces, conditioning the particles surfaces and affecting their in vitro expression of cytotoxicity or genotoxicity. Those effects can be particle surface composition-specific. Effects of particle surface conditioning by a primary component of phospholipid pulmonary surfactant, diacyl phosphatidyl choline, are reviewed for in vitro expression of genotoxicity by diesel exhaust particles and of cytotoxicity by respirable quartz and aluminosilicate kaolin clay particles. Those effects suggest methods and cautions for assaying and interpreting NP properties and biological activities.
The Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (BNBAS).

The Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment attempts to capture the behaviors of the neonate as he defends himself from intrusive, negative stimuli, and controls interfering motor and autonomic responses in order to attend to important social and nonsocial stimuli. In order to conceptualize the 26 behavioral items and 20 reflex scores, four clusters or typologies have been identified which help to reduce the data for analytic purposes with small numbers of subjects. So far few long-term validation studies have been completed, although the scale is in use in many different areas, such as obstetrical medication, predicting to neurological deficits, cross-cultural differences, and with low birth weight infants.
Machine sharing and performance of cellular manufacturing systems

In this paper, we examine the impact of machine sharing on performance of traditional cellular manufacturing systems. We present an analytical model for evaluating the desirability of sharing machines of the same type among two or more cells. The effect of machine sharing on several performance measures, such as machine utilizations, cell production rates, and part flow times, is studied under varying conditions of system loading, setup time, and batch sizes. Conditions under which machine sharing may be of value and the operating requirements necessary for realizing this value are identified. A model for trading off costs and benefits of machine sharing and determining optimal levels of machine sharing is also presented.
Developmental regulation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) glycohydrolase in Neurospora crassa.

Abstract The formation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) glycohydrolase [NAD(P)ase; EC 3.2.2.6] in Neurospora crassa was found to be both spatially and temporally programmed. Ascospores were devoid of the enzyme. Vegetative hyphae contained little or no NADase activity. During the differentiation of aerial cell types (aerial hyphae and macroconidia), the specific activity of the enzyme increased by at least three orders of magnitude. Although transiently associated with young aerial hyphae, the enzyme became an integral and stable part of the mature macroconidia. NAD(P)ase could also be “derepressed” under conditions that permitted aerialogenesis in the absence of conidiation. The increase in the specific activity of NAD(P)ase during cell differentiation required concomitant RNA and protein synthesis; in vitro mixing experiments revealed no cell-specific activators or inhibitors of enzyme activity. The temperature-critical period for the in vitro inactivation of a temperature-sensitive enzyme variant was restricted to the period of actual enzyme expression. The data reported in this paper combined with data reported in a previous paper (Nelson et al., 1975b) underscore an important distinction in studies of development, namely, developmental regulation of a macromolecule versus regulation of development by a macromolecule. This paper provides evidence that NAD(P)ase is developmentally regulated. The previous paper provides evidence that the appearance of this enzyme need not regulate development.
Use of Aspirin and Clopidogrel After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Objective:To evaluate the evidence for the use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and Clopidogrel following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.Data Sources:Literature was accessed through PubMed (1950-November 2011), EMBASE (1976-November 2011), and the Cochrane databases using the terms Clopidogrel and coronary artery bypass graft. Citations from available articles were used for additional references and ClinicalTrials.gov was accessed for abstracts of ongoing studies.Study Selection Ano Data Extraction:Peer-reviewed studies that evaluated DAPT use after CABQ surgery in adult humans were assessed for inclusion.Data Synthesis:Four randomized clinical trials evaluating surrogate end points and 9 studies (3 subgroup analyses, 6 observational) evaluating clinical outcomes were reviewed. Three clinical trials assessing surrogate end points failed to demonstrate an improvement in graft patency with DAPT use, while 1 clinical trial found an increase in graft patency. As for clinical outco...
Financing social protection floors: Considerations of fiscal space

The effectiveness of social protection in combating poverty and vulnerability, cushioning shocks, attenuating inequality, and supporting long-term growth is well-established, but effective social protection systems have long been seen as an unaffordable luxury in many developing and low-income countries. The social protection floor concept aims at providing a guaranteed minimum of social protection at a reasonable cost, even in resource-constrained circumstances, serving as a platform for the gradual implementation of a full social protection system. Introducing and maintaining or extending the floor requires the mobilization of fiscal space, both immediately and in the future. The article argues that efforts to generate fiscal space must carefully consider issues of predictability, as well as the impact of present funding choices on fiscal and debt sustainability, macroeconomic stability, inequality, poverty reduction and growth, and hence on future fiscal space. It examines from this perspective some of the implications of generating fiscal space through additional domestic resource mobilization, expenditure reallocation or efficiency gains, reduction of debt service, or external funding. The article also presents some evidence of a wide range of recent interventions that have been financed at reasonable cost on a sustainable basis in countries at different levels of income and development, using both own resources and external funds.
Analysis of the major large polypeptides of rat seminal vesicle secretion: SVS I, II, and III.

Rat seminal vesicle secretion (SVS) contains a variety of protein complexes that seem to be linked by interchain disulfide bonds. Upon reduction and analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis, this pattern resolves to 3 major high molecular weight (SVS 1-100,000, SVS 11-50,000, SVS 111-3 7,000) and 3 major low molecular weight protein bands (SVS IV, V, and VI). A two-dimensional SDS gel (1st dimension unreduced, 2nd dimension reduced) permitted identification of the components of the cross-linked species. In the native secretion, SVS Iforms a series of oligomers that include both SVS 11 and III. Essentially all of SVS III is involved in these complexes, while the bulk of SVS II occurs instead as an apparent homodimer. The smaller proteins (SVS IV- VI) are not involved in covalently crosslinked complexes. The reduced forms of the larger polypeptides were isolated by a variety of procedures involving agarose gel filtration in 6M guanidine hydrochloride, reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography, ammonium sulfate fractionation, and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Based on its size, solubility, and amino acid composition, SVS II was identified as the major clottable protein of the secretion.
ZMap: fast internet-wide scanning and its security applications

Internet-wide network scanning has numerous security applications, including exposing new vulnerabilities and tracking the adoption of defensive mechanisms, but probing the entire public address space with existing tools is both difficult and slow. We introduce ZMap, a modular, open-source network scanner specifically architected to perform Internet-wide scans and capable of surveying the entire IPv4 address space in under 45 minutes from user space on a single machine, approaching the theoretical maximum speed of gigabit Ethernet. We present the scanner architecture, experimentally characterize its performance and accuracy, and explore the security implications of high speed Internet-scale network surveys, both offensive and defensive. We also discuss best practices for good Internet citizenship when performing Internet-wide surveys, informed by our own experiences conducting a long-term research survey over the past year.
Equality of talent

If one is an egalitarian, what should one want to equalize? Opportunities or outcomes? Resources or welfare? These positions are usually conceived to be very different. I argue in this paper that the distinction is misconceived: the only coherent conception of resource equality implies welfare equality, in an appropriately abstract description of the problem. In this section, I motivate the program which the rest of the paper carries out.
Buckling of Segments of Toroidal Shells

Equilibrium nonlinear differential and buckling equations for segments of toroidal shallow shells near equator and crown
Improvement of Highway Safety I: Identification of Causal Factors Through Fault‐Tree Modeling1

As the first article of a two-part series, the purpose of this paper is to examine the functional factors that contribute to automobile accident occurrence and to model the causation structure in the form of a fault-tree. The fault-tree model provides an intuitive framework for qualitatively decomposing possible pathways to accident occurrence. Fault-tree analysis also provides a statistical representation of how interacting driver, vehicle, and environmental factors contribute to the likelihood of automobile accident occurrence. The application of this model facilitates pinpointing those factors that most contribute to accident causation and subsequently enables the identification and comparison of potential crash avoidance technologies.
Pulse beam wave scattering from one-dimensional very rough surfaces: experimental and numerical studies

Presents analytical and experimental studies on the time-dependent scattering from one-dimensional rough surfaces. The scattering of a Gaussian beam pulse from a rough surface is investigated analytically using the tangent plane approximation. The two-frequency mutual coherence function is then derived from the scattered held using a stationary phase method. The pulse broadening and lateral spread for different surface roughnesses and observation ranges are obtained from the analytical results. In the experimental study, the scattering of a wide-band pulse from very rough surfaces is investigated. The frequency coherence functions as a function of observation angles are derived from scattering cross sections obtained from controlled scattering experiments using a wide-band millimeter wave scatterometer (75-100 GHz). Numerical Monte Carlo simulations are compared with the experimental results showing good agreement. >
The Arabidopsis salt overly sensitive 4 Mutants Uncover a Critical Role for Vitamin B6 in Plant Salt Tolerance

Salt stress is a major environmental factor influencing plant growth and development. To identify salt tolerance determinants, a genetic screen for salt overly sensitive (sos) mutants was performed in Arabidopsis. We present here the characterization of sos4 mutants and the positional cloning of the SOS4 gene. sos4 mutant plants are hypersensitive to Na+, K+, and Li+ ions. Under NaCl stress, sos4 plants accumulate more Na+ and retain less K+ compared with wild-type plants. SOS4 encodes a pyridoxal kinase that is involved in the biosynthesis of pyridoxal-5-phosphate, an active form of vitamin B6. The expression of SOS4 cDNAs complements an Escherichia coli mutant defective in pyridoxal kinase. Supplementation of pyridoxine but not pyridoxal in the growth medium can partially rescue the sos4 defect in salt tolerance. SOS4 is expressed ubiquitously in all plant tissues. As a result of alternative splicing, two transcripts are derived from the SOS4 gene, the relative abundance of which is modulated by development and environmental stresses. Besides being essential cofactors for numerous enzymes, as shown by pharmacological studies in animal cells, pyridoxal-5-phosphate and its derivatives are also ligands for P2X receptor ion channels. Our results demonstrate that pyridoxal kinase is a novel salt tolerance determinant important for the regulation of Na+ and K+ homeostasis in plants. We propose that pyridoxal-5-phosphate regulates Na+ and K+ homeostasis by modulating the activities of ion transporters.
A SEARCH FOR A CLOSE MASS LEPTON DOUBLET

Described is a search for a heavy charged lepton with an associated neutrino of nearly the same mass, together known as a close-mass lepton doublet. The search is conducted in e/sup +/e/sup/minus// annihilation data taken with the Mark II detector at a center-of-mass energy of 29 GeV. In order to suppress contamination from conventional two-photon reactions, the search applies a novel, radiative-tagging technique. Requiring the presence of an isolated, energetic photon allows exploration for lepton doublets with a mass splitting smaller than that previously accessible to experiment. No evidence for such a new lepton has been found, enabling limits to be placed on allowed mass combinations. Mass differences as low as 250-300 MeV are excluded for charged lepton masses up to 10 GeV. 78 refs., 64 figs., 8 tabs.
Friction Slope Models for M2 Profiles

: Results of studies which have considered the relative merit of various friction slope averaging equations previously used in water surface profile computations are described. Limitations of the most accurate equation known for the M2 profile have indicated that a new equation which gives more emphasis to the upstream energy gradient is desirable. Based upon friction slope curves developed for M2 water surface profiles two new equations, one a parabolic and the other an elliptical approximation, are presented. The behavior of the new equations and of the previously most recommended equation is described by test calculations. The elliptical equation performed more satisfactorily than the harmonic method commonly recommended for M2 profile computations. Insertion of an additional cross-section about 50 feet upstream from a critical depth section was found to reduce computational errors for any energy gradient averaging method.
Transient conductivity in wide band-gap solids probed by THz pump-probe measurements

Summary form only given. We have investigated sapphire (band-gap E/sub g/ = 8.7 eV) as a prototype crystalline insulator. The laser source for these measurements was an amplified, mode-locked Ti:sapphire system, which provided pulses of 100-fs duration and centered at a wavelength of 810 nm. Charge carriers in sapphire were created through a two-photon absorption process by femtosecond ultraviolet pulses (third harmonic). The pump-induced changes of the material were probed by THz electromagnetic pulses subsequent to the generation of the charge carriers. The THz pulse was generated and detected, respectively, by optical rectification and electro-optic sampling of the Ti:sapphire laser pulses in ZnTe crystals.
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR LANGUAGE ALONE: THE HIDDEN STATUS AGENDAS WITHIN CORPUS PLANNING IN LANGUAGE POLICY

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR LANGUAGE ALONE: THE HIDDEN STATUS AGENDAS WITHIN CORPUS PLANNING IN LANGUAGE POLICY. Joshua A. Fishman . Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum, 2006. Pp. xi + 158. $22.50 paper. Although it does not directly target the field of SLA, this volume provides invaluable information, related to various language practices in the world, that would enrich SLA researchers' knowledge. In language policy, making the distinction between corpus and status planning is one way to differentiate decisions relating to language use and language choice (Shohamy, 2006; Spolsky, 2004; Wright, 2004). In this volume, Fishman, however, notes that the two types of language planning are not as fundamentally separate as has traditionally been assumed to be the case; rather, they are linked in a variety of ways. According to Fishman, the nature and direction of corpus planning reflects and is guided by the status-planning environment.
Biomedical Applications of Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized Using Hetero-Bifunctional Poly(ethylene glycol) Spacer

To increase the targeting potential, circulation time, and the flexibility of surface-attached biomedically-relevant ligands on gold nanoparticles, hetero-bifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, MW 1,500) was synthesized having a thiol group on one terminus and a reactive functional group on the other. Coumarin, a model fluorescent dye, was conjugated to the PEG spacer and gold nanoparticles were modified with coumarin-PEG-thiol. Surface attachment of coumarin through the PEG spacer decreases the fluorescence quenching effect of gold nanoparticles. The results of cellular cytotoxicity and fluorescence confocal analyses showed that the PEG spacer modified nanoparticles were essentially non-toxic and could be efficiently internalized in the cells within one hour of incubation.
Comparative Effectiveness Research and Demonstrating Clinical Utility for Molecular Diagnostic Tests

Molecular diagnostic tests continue to expand outside of the esoteric genetic laboratory into primary care, oncology, neurology, and for any provider of prescribed medications. Some of the newer molecular tests represent an advance in technology enabling more refined and comprehensive analysis, such as the evolution from standard G-banded karyotyping to chromosomal microarrays to gene panels based on massively parallel (“next gen”) sequencing. These technical innovations promise to deliver more accurate and complete information at progressively lower costs to laboratories and ultimately the health care system. Yet patients will not have access to these tests without adequate coverage and reimbursement by payers, since most patients cannot afford to pay for the tests out of pocket. Recently, there have been significant changes to the coding for molecular diagnostics in an effort to increase transparency and specificity in billing (1), with the net effect that reimbursed prices for many molecular diagnostic tests have actually decreased. Nevertheless, due to increased utilization of tests by clinicians and continued introduction of new tests, payers remain concerned that in the aggregate, molecular diagnostic tests represent a technology category with considerable potential for cost growth that merits additional scrutiny. For example, in a recent report focused on the topic of personalized medicine, UnitedHealthcare found that their expenditures on molecular diagnostic tests increased 14% annually between 2008 and 2010, a rate significantly higher than that of clinical laboratory services overall (2). Approximately 70% of this increase was due to increased test use; the remainder was due to higher prices and test complexity and intensity. Projections of the rate of growth of the molecular diagnostics market over the next 5–10 years are dependent on assumptions about test adoption rates, pricing trends, and technical innovations, but most analysts predict continued rapid expansion. This same study surveyed a statistically representative sample of …
Developmental constraints aid the acquisition of binocular disparity sensitivities

This article considers the hypothesis that systems learning aspects of visual perception may benefit from the use of suitably designed developmental progressions during training. We report the results of simulations in which four models were trained to detect binocular disparities in pairs of visual images. Three of the models were developmental models in the sense that the nature of their visual input changed during the course of training. These models received a relatively impoverished visual input early in training, and the quality of this input improved as training progressed. One model used a coarse-scale-to-multiscale developmental progression, another used a fine-scale-to-multiscale progression, and the third used a random progression. The final model was nondevelopmental in the sense that the nature of its input remained the same throughout the training period. The simulation results show that the two developmental models whose progressions were organized by spatial frequency content consistently outperformed the nondevelopmental and random developmental models. We speculate that the superior performance of these two models is due to two important features of their developmental progressions: (1) these models were exposed to visual inputs at a single scale early in training, and (2) the spatial scale of their inputs progressed in an orderly fashion from one scale to a neighboring scale during training. Simulation results consistent with these speculations are presented. We conclude that suitably designed developmental sequences can be useful to systems learning to detect binocular disparities. The idea that visual development can aid visual learning is a viable hypothesis in need of study.
Thermally actuated MEMS resonant sensors for mass measurement of micro/nanoscale aerosol particles

This work presents thermally actuated Micro-electromechanical resonant sensors capable of measuring the mass of micro/nanoscale aerosol particles deposited on them. The resonators were specifically designed for maximum tolerance of air viscous damping and deposited particles and were fabricated using a single-mask fabrication process on SOI substrates. The fabricated resonators were placed in a custom-made aerosol particle collection and deposition system. We have successfully shown up to 6kHz (0.33%) shift in resonance frequency resulting from the particle mass loading. Sensor sensitivities are calculated to be in the order of hundreds of Hz/ng. The sensors presented in this work offer the prospect of implementing miniaturized and low-cost instruments for air quality monitoring and environmental research.
Interaction of Extracellular Matrix and Activin-A in the Initiation of Follicle Growth in the Mouse Ovary

The precise mechanism for the initiation of follicle growth and progression through the earliest stages of follicle development remains largely unknown. Activins play a role during early follicle development, and evidence suggests that the extracellular matrix plays a role during later stages of follicular growth. We investigated the role of activin-A and extracellular matrix in follicle growth initiation and early follicular development in the mouse ovary. Ovaries were collected from 5-day-old mice and cultured for 10 days on polylysine, collagen, or laminin in the presence or absence of recombinant human activin-A. Follicle density, indices of follicle growth initiation (primary:primordial follicle [PY:PD] and primary:total follicle [PY:TF] ratios), ratios of multilayer follicle:total follicle (ML:TF), and follicle growth rates were compared between groups. Follicle densities were significantly higher in the extracellular matrix treatment group compared with the polylysine group (P < 0.01). Also, compared with polylysine, both collagen and laminin significantly increased indices of follicle growth initiation (PY:PD ratio: P < 0.001, odds ratio of 3.3; PY:TF ratio: P < 0.001, odds ratio of 2.5), and these were not altered by activin treatment. In the absence of activin-A, exposure to neither collagen nor laminin had an effect on multilayer follicle development. When activin-A was added, collagen and laminin had opposing effects on multilayer follicle development. Activin-A stimulated multilayer follicle development in the presence of laminin (ML:TF ratio: P = 0.01, odds ratio of 10.8), whereas it suppressed follicle growth in collagen (P = 0.01). Activin-A did not affect the ML:TF ratio in the polylysine-treated groups. These results strongly suggest that extracellular matrix components and activin-A interact with each other, and that they regulate follicle growth initiation and multilayer follicle development.
Vaccination Against Schistosomiasis in Mice With Killed Schistosomula without Adjuvant

AbstractAttempts to develop a killed vaccine against schistosomiasis have generally resulted in failure. There are two recent reports, but unfortunately, harsh adjuvants were used in conjunction with the antigenic materials. In our laboratory, a killed vaccine was developed by freezing (-196°C) and thawing the schistosomula of S. mansoni. The use of such a preparation without adjuvant was effective in vaccinating mice. A worm reduction of 36.4-41.1% was achieved by one vaccinating injection, a 60.2% worm reduction by 3 injections, and a 63.7-66.0% reduction by 5 injections. The sequence of the development and the expression of the immune reactions were similar to those previously found in hosts immunized with highly X-irradiated schistosome organisms. Delayed hypersensitivity was demonstrated in histological sections of the skin in the challenged mice after one vaccination, showing that an adjuvant was not necessary to initiate the induction of cellular immunity.
Resmap: automated representation of macromolecular interfaces as two-dimensional networks

Summary: To aid detailed comparison of a large number of macromolecular structures, Resmap imports Protein Data Bank files and represents subunit/domain interfaces as two-dimensional networks. Availability: http://www.kumc.edu/biochemistry/resmap/ Contact: lswint-kruse@kumc.edu Supplementary information: Default definitions and directions for graphically managing networks are available at the same website.
The impact of generic advertising and the free rider problem: A look at the US orange juice market and imports

Increased demand for an advertised product may increase price, that, in turn, may lead to a free rider problem where competitive imports increase and result in a smaller price increase than otherwise. A study of Florida Department of Citrus advertising for orange juice indicated that the free rider problem has notably limited the impact of advertising on price in the US market. High US orange juice demand, which in part has been a result of advertising, has attracted substantial amounts of orange juice imports. Imports have eroded the impact of advertising on price by an estimated two-thirds. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
eReply. Re: Balancing the pulmonary circulation in tricuspid atresia with an aortopulmonary window

We thank Dr Sainathan for his eComment on our article [1, 2]. The author suggests an alternative strategy of placing bilateral branch pulmonary artery bands while leaving the aortopulmonary (AP) window intact as was used by Hosein et al. [3] for the management of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). While there may be different ways of managing rare complex anatomies such as tricuspid atresia and aortopulmonary window, in addition to the surgical strategy, we once again would like to highlight the interesting physiology in this patient, which we believe is related to ventricular volume unloading following AP window ligation leading to restriction at the level of the ventricular septal defect. We have successfully used bilateral branch pulmonary artery bands as a bridge to decision in high-risk patients with HLHS [4]. While this approach is to be recommended in certain selected patients, it is not a procedure free of problems, as Hosein et al. themselves in their report have accepted as ‘fundamentally flawed’ [2]. Conflict of interest: none declared
Altered hippocampal muscarinic receptors in acetylcholinesterase‐deficient mice

A primary therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease includes acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors with the goal of enhancing cholinergic transmission. Stimulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) by elevated levels of ACh plays a role in the effects of AChE inhibitors on cognition and behavior. However, AChE inhibitors only demonstrate modest symptomatic improvements. Chronic treatment with these drugs may cause mAChR downregulation and consequently limit the treatment efficacy. AChE knockout (-/-) mice were utilized in this study as a model for investigating the effects of selective, complete, and chronic diminished AChE activity on mAChR expression and function. In AChE -/- mice, the M(1), M(2), and M(4) mAChRs showed strikingly 50 to 80% decreased expression in brain regions associated with memory. In addition, mAChRs showed decreased presynaptic, cell surface, and dendritic distributions and increased localization to intracellular puncta. Furthermore, mAChR agonist-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, a signaling pathway associated with synaptic plasticity and amyloidogenesis, is diminished in the hippocampus and cortex of AChE -/- mice. Therefore, chronic diminished ACh metabolism produces profound effects on mAChR expression and function. The alterations of mAChRs in AChE -/- mice suggest that mAChR downregulation may contribute to the limited efficacy of AChE inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease treatment.