cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Art as Propaganda: Bringing Du Bois into the Sociology of Art

We examine WEB Du Bois's writings about the arts in the NAACP journal The Crisis from 1910–1934 in order to construct a Du Boisian social theory of the arts. The key elements of this theoretical framework are: artists, money, freedom, organization, truth, beauty, and propaganda. The most surprising element is propaganda, which for Du Bois meant that art needs to address racial politics. There is a strong sense in Du Bois's writings that art can and should have socially transformative effects. Comparing Du Bois's work to current theories from the sociology of art, we find that Du Bois emphasizes the role of art in social change, while current work treats art primarily as a tool for social reproduction. We argue for expanding the theoretical toolbox of the sociology of the arts through greater consideration of Du Bois's propaganda concept.
How Well Do the CMIP5 Models Simulate the Antarctic Atmospheric Energy Budget

AbstractThe authors evaluate 23 coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation models from phase 5 of CMIP (CMIP5) in terms of their ability to simulate the observed climatological mean energy budget of the Antarctic atmosphere. While the models are shown to capture the gross features of the energy budget well [e.g., the observed two-way balance between the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) net radiation and horizontal convergence of atmospheric energy transport], the simulated TOA absorbed shortwave (SW) radiation is too large during austral summer. In the multimodel mean, this excessive absorption reaches approximately 10 W m−2, with even larger biases (up to 25–30 W m−2) in individual models. Previous studies have identified similar climate model biases in the TOA net SW radiation at Southern Hemisphere midlatitudes and have attributed these biases to errors in the simulated cloud cover. Over the Antarctic, though, model cloud errors are of secondary importance, and biases in the simulated TOA net SW flux are inst...
Near-infrared reflectance analysis of poly(octadecyl methacrylate) adsorbed on alumina

Etude de particules d'alumine recouvertes de polymethacrylate permettant la determination de l'etat des groupes OM de la surface de l'alumine: libre, auto-associe ou associe avec le polymere
Incision activity of human apurinic endonuclease (Ape) at abasic site analogs in DNA.

Abstract The major apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease of human cells, the Ape protein, incises DNA adjacent to abasic sites to initiate DNA repair and counteract the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of AP sites. Here we address the determinants of Ape AP endonuclease activity using duplex DNA substrates that contain synthetic analogs of AP sites: tetrahydrofuranyl (F), propanediol (P), ethanediol (E), or 2-(aminobutyl)-1,3-propanediol (Q). The last of these, a branched abasic structure, was a poor substrate for which Ape had k > 1000-fold lower than for F. In contrast, the specificity constant (k/K) for E or P of Ape purified from HeLa cells was only 5-8-fold lower than for F. Positioning a phosphorothioate ester immediately 5′ to F inhibited Ape incision activity 20-fold (Rp isomer) or > 10,000-fold (Sp isomer). Although Ape did not have detectable endonuclease activity toward single-stranded substrates or unmodified double-stranded DNA, the enzyme displayed a low level of 3′-exonuclease activity for duplex DNA (<0.03% of its AP endonuclease activity), which was influenced by the reaction conditions. The base positioned opposite F did not dramatically affect the cleavage efficiency of Ape, but an F:F arrangement was cleaved at approximately one-third of the efficiency of F:C. A 3′-mismatch diminished P and E cleavage only slightly and F not at all. A 5′-mismatch reduced the Ape cleavage rate 4-10-fold for F and 100-fold for P and E. A series of substrates with F at different positions along the oligonucleotide showed that Ape requires ≥4 base pairs 5′ to the abasic site and ≥3 base pairs on the 3′-side. The implications of these results for substrate recognition by Ape are discussed.
Attenuation of septal hyperemotionality by cerebellar fastigial lesions in the rat.

Abstract Lesions of the cerebellar fastigial nucleus were found to greatly attenuate the hyperemotionality produced by simultaneous septal lesions in the rat. Lesions dorsal or lateral to the fastigial nucleus had no effect. This lesion-related attenuation of emotionality produced by fastigial destruction appeared quite specific. Other motivated behaviors such as food intake and activity were not affected. Further, the characteristic increase in social contacts seen after septal destruction was not altered by the fastigial lesions. The results support the view that the cerebellar fastigial nucleus is part of a complex limbic-brainstem network involved in the control of emotional and motivational behaviors.
Restricted vs. Unrestricted Space for L-Turns: A Debate in Environmental Design

Wheeled mobility device users face challenges in terms of access to the built environment and maneuverability within the built environment has received limited attention. As the wheeled mobility device user population has changed drastically in the recent years, there is a need to update accessibility standards and develop reliable methods for testing user performance in the built environment. This paper presents a comparison of restricted and unrestricted space requirements for angle turns (L-turns) with the aim of highlighting differences between space requirements in these situations and comparing the results to current accessibility standards. One hundred forty wheeled mobility device users completed L-turns to the best of their ability in a restricted space environment, and thirteen performed the same maneuver in an unrestricted space environment. Data indicates that although entrance dimensions of the turns are similar between the restricted space and unrestricted space groups, there is a significan...
Labeling of proteins and oligopeptides with luminescent lanthanide(III) chelates.

Synthesis of a building block that allows introduction of photoluminescent europium(III) and samarium(III) chelates to synthetic oligopeptides on solid phase using standard Fmoc chemistry is described. Upon completion of the oligopeptide synthesis, these conjugates were converted to the corresponding lanthanide(III) chelates by treatment with appropriate lanthanide(III) salt. Also synthesis of a new terpyridine-based europium(III) chelate designed for solution phase protein labeling is demonstrated. Copyright © 2005 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epigenetic therapy in non-small-cell lung cancer: targeting DNA methyltransferases and histone deacetylases.

Introduction: Epigenetics refers to heritable modifications of DNA and associated chromatin components that influence gene expression without altering DNA coding sequence. Epigenetic dysregulation is a central contributor to oncogenesis and is increasingly a focus of interest in cancer therapeutic research. Two key levels of aberrant epigenetic control are DNA methylation and histone acetylation. Primary regulators of these epigenetic changes include DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). Areas covered: This review focuses on epigenetic changes in non-small-cell lung cancer and recent preclinical and clinical studies targeting these changes. DNMT inhibitors were previously explored at or near maximally tolerated doses, levels at which these agents are cytotoxic but have suboptimal effects on DNA methylation. Use of these inhibitors at substantially lower doses, in combination with HDAC inhibitors, can promote re-expression of silenced tumor suppressor genes, can result in major c...
Executive Functioning and Delay Discounting of Four Different Outcomes in University Students

The study investigated a potential relationship between level of executive functioning and rates of delay discounting (i.e., the subjective decrease in the value of an outcome if its delivery is delayed). University students completed an executive-functioning questionnaire and then a delay-discounting task involving four different outcomes (money, cigarettes, dating partner, body image). Results showed that the overall measure of executive functioning was a significant predictor of rates of discounting of three of the four outcomes, and approached significance for the fourth outcome. Further, different subscales of executive functioning were significantly correlated with discounting of different outcomes. These results suggest that executive functioning plays a role in discounting of delayed outcomes and that procedures designed to affect either executive function or delay discounting might result in concomitant changes in the other measure.
Local-Loading Effect in Low-Temperature Selective Epitaxial Growth of 4H-SiC by Halo-Carbon Method

In this work, the local-loading effect and its influence on the growth rate enhancement and the growth rate non-homogeneity is investigated during the halo-carbon low-temperature selective epitaxial growth (LTSEG) using an SiO2 mask. The average growth rate during the LTSEG can be more than three-times higher than in blanket epitaxy at the same growth conditions. Both the size of the LTSEG seed windows and the surrounding area covered with the mask determine the growth rate non-homogeneity. A model for predicting the growth rate distribution is suggested.
Human papillomavirus infection and therapy with interferon

The studies summarized have shown that therapy of condylomata acuminata with interferon is effective. The route of administration does not appear to influence the results; the intralesional, intramuscular, and subcutaneous routes were effective. Additional research is required to determine whether the natural interferon or recombinant product is superior. The appropriate administration schedule may also not have been attained.
Single unit activity in the medial prefrontal cortex during Pavlovian heart rate conditioning: Effects of peripheral autonomic blockade.

Abstract Electrical activity was recorded from single neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex of rabbits during differential Pavlovian heart rate (HR) conditioning. A heterogenous population of cells were found, some of which showed CS-evoked increases and others CS-evoked decreases in discharge, while some cells were biphasic. A subset of cells also showed trial-related changes in discharge that were related to acquisition of the HR discrimination between the reinforced CS+ and non-reinforced CS−. Administration of the peripheral cholinergic antagonist, methylscopolamine, and the andrenergic antagonist, atenolol, either increased or decreased maintained baseline activity of many cells, but had little or no effect on the CS-evoked activity of these cells. Waveform changes also did not result from administration of these drugs. This finding suggests that CS-evoked mPFC activity is not being driven by cardiac afferent input to CNS cardiac control centers. Previous studies have shown that ibotenic acid lesions of this area greatly decreases the magnitude of decelerative heart rate conditioned responses; the latter finding, plus the results of the present study, suggest that processing of CS/US contingencies by the prefrontal cortex contributes to the acquisition of autonomic changes during Pavlovian conditioning.
Neurons Efficiently Repair Glutamate-induced Oxidative DNA Damage by a Process Involving CREB-mediated Up-regulation of Apurinic Endonuclease 1 *

Glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, activates receptors coupled to membrane depolarization and Ca2+ influx that mediates functional responses of neurons including processes such as learning and memory. Here we show that reversible nuclear oxidative DNA damage occurs in cerebral cortical neurons in response to transient glutamate receptor activation using non-toxic physiological levels of glutamate. This DNA damage was prevented by intracellular Ca2+ chelation, the mitochondrial superoxide dismutase mimetic MnTMPyP (Mn-5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)-21H,23H-porphine chloride tetrakis(methochloride)), and blockade of the permeability transition pore. The repair of glutamate-induced DNA damage was associated with increased DNA repair activity and increased mRNA and protein levels of apurinic endonuclease 1 (APE1). APE1 knockdown induced accumulation of oxidative DNA damage after glutamate treatment, suggesting that APE1 is a key repair protein for glutamate-induced DNA damage. A cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) binding sequence is present in the Ape1 gene (encodes APE1 protein) promoter and treatment of neurons with a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase inhibitor (KN-93) blocked the ability of glutamate to induce CREB phosphorylation and APE1 expression. Selective depletion of CREB using RNA interference prevented glutamate-induced up-regulation of APE1. Thus, glutamate receptor stimulation triggers Ca2+- and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species-mediated DNA damage that is then rapidly repaired by a mechanism involving Ca2+-induced, CREB-mediated APE1 expression. Our findings reveal a previously unknown ability of neurons to efficiently repair oxidative DNA lesions after transient activation of glutamate receptors.
The photodissociation of CH+ through absorption into shape resonances of the A 1Π state

Abstract The locations and widths of shape resonances of the A 1 Π state of CH + are calculated together with the absorption oscilla the strengths for absorption into those resonances which predissociate. The photodissociation cross sections through the two broadest resonances are calculated.
Synthesis of high-specific activity tritium and optically pure [14C]CP-101,606. Enantioselective crystallization of a radiochemically racemic mixture

The syntheses of racemic, high-specific activity tritium and optically pure, carbon-14 labelled CP-101,606 is described. The tritium labelled material was prepared at 35.6 Ci/mmol by hydrogenolysis of the dibromo analog 5. In the carbon-14 synthesis, the radiolabel was introduced in the final carbon-carbon bond forming step by alkylation of the readily available aminoketone 8 with [14C]methyl iodide. Threo-selective sodium borohydride reduction of the ketone and deprotection of the phenol gave racemic [14C]CP-101,606. Enantiomerically pure (+)-[14C]CP-101,606 was obtained by addition of optically pure, unlabelled drug and directly recrystallizing the enantiomerically enriched, but radiochemically racemic, mixture. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NI-33THIRD VENTRICULAR GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME: CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) typically presents in the supratentorial white matter, commonly within the centrum semiovale as a ring-enhancing lesion with areas of necrosis. An atypical presentation of this lesion, both anatomically as well as radiographically is significant and must be part of the differential for a neoplasm in this location. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a case of a sixty-two year old female with headaches, increasing somnolence and cognitive decline for several weeks. The MRI showed mild left ventricular dilatation with a well-marginated, homogenous, and non-hemorrhagic lesion located at the ceiling of the third ventricle within the junction of the septum pellucidum (SP) and fornix, without exhibiting the typical radiographic features of hemorrhage or necrosis. Final pathology reports confirmed the diagnosis of GBM. CONCLUSION: This case report describes an unusual location for the most common primary brain neoplasm. Moreover, this case identifies the origin of a GBM related to the paracentral ventricular structures infiltrating the body of the fornix and leaves of the septum pellucidum. To our knowledge this is report is the first reported case of a GBM found in this anatomical location with an entirely atypical radiographic presentation.
Fetal umbilical artery flow velocimetry in postdate pregnancies.

This study prospectively examined the use of umbilical artery flow velocimetry for monitoring fetal health in postdate pregnancies. Forty-six patients with well-established dates were evaluated with semiweekly biophysical profiles and umbilical artery flow velocimetry (characterized by the ratio of the peak systolic to end-diastolic velocity). Their labor records were reviewed, and neonates were examined for signs of postmaturity. Twenty neonates had an abnormal test result or outcome (identified as an abnormal nonstress test, oligohydramnios, meconium, intrapartum fetal distress, or a 5-minute Apgar score
Organizational Inertia and Momentum: A Dynamic Model Of Strategic Change

This study provides an empirical test of Hannan and Freeman's theory of structural inertia. We examined the changes organizations undertook in response to a major environmental change. In addition,...
A Lagrangian method for calculating problems in meteorology

Abstract A new method is presented for the numerical solution of some problems appearing in meteorology. The method is based on Lagrangian coordinates in contrast to other methods, which use the Eulerian representation. Lagrangian descriptions permit the accurate treatment of moving interfaces and free boundaries without using difficult interpolation schemes. Some examples illustrate the advantages of this new technique.
Experimental results using active control of traveling wave power flow

Active structural control experiments conducted on a 24-ft pinned-free beam derived feedback compensators on the basis of a traveling-wave approach. A compensator is thus obtained which eliminates resonant behavior by absorbing all impinging power. A causal solution is derived for this noncausal compensator which mimics its behavior in a given frequency range, using the Wiener-Hopf. This optimal Wiener-Hopf compensator's structure-damping performance is found to exceed any obtainable by means of rate feedback. Performance limitations encompassed the discovery of frequencies above which the sensor and actuator were no longer dual and an inadvertent coupling of the control hardware to unmodeled structure torsion modes.
The thermal conductivity of high modulus Zylon fibers between 400 mK and 4 K

Abstract Zylon is a synthetic polyurethane polymer fiber featuring very high mechanical strength. Measurements of the thermal conductivity λ Z ( T ) of high modulus Zylon fibers at temperatures between 400 mK and 4 K were performed to assess if they can be successfully employed in the design of high performance suspension systems for cold stages of adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators. The linear mass density of the yarn used in these measurements amounts to 3270 dtex, which is also a measure for the yarn’s cross section. 1 The experimental data for the thermal conductivity was fitted to a function of the form λ Z = ( 1010 ± 30 ) · T 1.30 ± 0.03 pW mm dtex - 1 K - 2.3 . This result was normalized to the breaking strength of the fibers and compared with Kevlar. It shows that Kevlar outperforms Zylon in the investigated temperature range. At 1.5 K, the thermal conductivity integral of Zylon yarn is twice as high as the thermal conductivity integral of Kevlar yarn with the same breaking strength.
Formation of acidic phospholipids in rabbit lung during perinatal development.

Summary: Phospholipids were measured in the lamellar bodies and alveolar lavage of perinatal rabbits. Between 28 and 31 fetal days, phosphatidylinositol (PI) increased, and phosphatidylserine decreased. Small amounts of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) appeared at term. After birth, PG markedly increased and PI concomitantly decreased. PG increased prematurely after removal from the uterus of fetuses 29 days gestation or more. Fatty acid analysis of PG and PI revealed the presence of 62 to 63%, and 58 to 59%, of saturated species, respectively. As measured in total lung homogenate, PI increased between 28 and 31 fetal days, and PG increased between term and the first neonatal day. Glycerol incorporation into PG increased at birth, according to the measurement of lung slices. myo-Inositol incorporation into PI increased in the fetus parallel to accumulation of surfactant. The development of the following enzyme activities was studied in subcellular fractions derived from lung homogenates: phosphatidate cytidyltransferase, cytidine 5′-diphosphate (CDP)-diglyceride:inositol transferase, glycerophosphate phosphatidyltransferase, and phosphatidylglycerophosphatase. As measured in the microsomal fraction, all the activities increased between 27 and 30 fetal days. Shortly after birth, phosphatidate cytidyltransferase and glycerophosphate phosphatidyltransferase increased further, whereas the two other enzyme activities decreased somewhat. Cytidine 5′-diphosphate diglyceride:inositol transferase increased after the newborn period. There were only small developmental changes in Km's. In contrast to microsomes, the mitochondrial activities mainly decreased during development. Phosphatidylglycerophosphatase was the only activity that was present in significant amounts in lamellar bodies. It is proposed that the developmental changes in the acidic surfactant phospholipids are due to changes in the biosynthesis rates in type II cell microsomes. This may be controlled both by changes in the enzyme activities (phosphatidate cytidyltransferase, cytidine 5′-diphosphate diglyceride:inositol transferase, and glycerophosphate phosphatidyltransferase) and by changes in substrate concentrations (myo-inositol and sn-glycerol-3-P). Speculation: Besides surfactant lecithin, phosphatidylglycerol is critical to alveolar stability and its absence may precipitate respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn. Surfactant phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol serve as indices of fetal lung maturity or help to specify diagnosis of respiratory distress in the neonate. Because several hormones seem to regulate individual surfactant phospholipids, the measurement of these components (lung profile) could be a way to analyze consequences of hormonal or nutritional balance and eventually correct it if necessary.
Reductive elimination from organometals. Thermal and induced decomposition of arylmethylnickel(II) complexes

Abstract The thermal decomposition of arylmethylbis(triethylphosphine)nickel(II), ArNiMeL 2 , is studied in hydrocarbon solutions, both in the presence and absence of aryl halide. The direct thermolysis affords methylarenes without aryl scrambling, by first-order kinetics. The inverse phosphine dependence of the rate is related to a dissociative mechanism proceeding via reductive elimination directly from the coordinatively unsaturated ArNiMeL intermediate. In contrast, the reductive elimination of methylarene induced by aryl halide is a radical chain process in which there is extensive scrambling of aryl groups, consistent with paramagnetic nickel(I) and nickel(III) species, and not aryl radicals, as reactive intermediates. The induced reductive elimination is a significantly more facile process than direct thermolysis. However, the relative contributions from these pathways in the reductive elimination of ArNiMeL 2 can be deliberately manipulated by additives (inhibitors and promoters) which control the induction period relating the generation of nickel(I, III) intermediates required for chain initiation. The radical chain mechanism for the formation of carboncarbon bonds by reductive elimination in this system is essentially the same as that previously deduced for aryl coupling to biaryls from arylhalonickel(II) and aryl halides.
Precision tracking control of dual-stage actuation system for optical manufacturing

Actuators with high linear motion speed, high positioning resolution and long motion stroke are needed in many precision machining systems. In some current systems, voice coil motors (VCMs) are implemented for servo control. While the voice coil motors may provide long motion stroke needed in many applications, the main obstacle that hinders the improvement of the machining accuracy and efficiency is its limited bandwidth. To fundamentally solve this issue, we propose to develop a dual-stage actuation system that consists of a voice coil motor that covers the coarse motion and a piezoelectric stack actuator that induces the fine motion to enhance the positioning accuracy. A flexure hinge-based mechanism is developed to connect these two actuators together. A series of numerical and experimental studies are carried out to facilitate the system design and preliminary control development.
A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Currency Futures and Currency Options in the Context of Foreign Exchange Risk Management

Exposure risk managers can hedge exchange rate risk with either currency futures or currency options. It is generally suggested that hedgers should choose a hedge instrument that matches the risk profile of the underlying currency position as closely as possible. This advice, however, ignores the possibility that the hedging effectiveness may differ for the alternate risk management tools. This study compares the effectiveness of currency futures and currency options as hedging instruments for covered and uncovered currency positions. Based on Ederington's portfolio theory of hedging, the results show that currency futures provide the more effective covered hedge, while currency options (used to construct a synthetic futures contract) are more effective for an uncovered hedge. Hence, exposure risk managers do not have to sacrifice hedging effectiveness to obtain the desired risk profile. Corporations engaged in international business transactions are commonly exposed to exchange rate risk. Since management is concerned with currency exposure, it can hedge the anticipated exchange rate risk either with futures or options. The choice of the appropriate hedging tool is generally influenced by the type of currency exposure (transaction, translation, or economic risk), the size of the firm, the industry effect, the risk preference of the manager or the firm and his/her familiarity with the available financial instruments and techniques. It is also suggested that a hedger should choose a hedge instrument that matches the risk profile of the underlying currency position as closely as possible. Hence, futures contracts are more suitable for covered hedges, while option contracts are best used for uncovered hedges. Hedging effectiveness of these two hedge instruments must be considered as well in order to evaluate the cost of obtaining the desired risk profile. Some empirical research has shown that the futures contract provides both an appropriate risk profile and a more effective hedge than an options contract for covered positions. If these findings also hold for uncovered currency positions, then the hedging decision involves a trade‐off between the desired risk profile and hedging effectiveness. That is, a hedger would have to decide whether the extra risk protection afforded by the attractive risk profile of options is worth the loss in hedging performance. This study compares the hedging effectiveness of currency futures and currency options for both covered and uncovered positions. Ederington's risk‐minimizing approach is applied to estimate the hedging effectiveness and the least risk hedge ratios which, in turn, are used to assess the trade‐off between risk profile and hedging performance.
Toxicological and biochemical interactions of the fungal metabolites fusaric acid and kojic acid with xenobiotics in Heliothis zea (F.) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)

Abstract The effect of coapplying the fungal metabolites kojic acid and fusaric acid with selected mycotoxins, plant allelochemicals, and insecticides in diets of caterpillars was tested. Kojic acid synergized the toxicity of aflatoxin B 1 to both Heliothis zea (F.) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). Fusaric acid synergized the toxicity of some trichothecenes to both insect species. Fusaric acid also synergized the toxicity of the allelochemicals gossypol and 6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone to H. zea , but not S. frugiperda . Malathion toxicity was antagonized by both kojic acid and fusaric acid, while pyrethrin toxicity was synergized by kojic acid in both insect species. Both compounds inhibited 4-nitroanisole O -demethylation in vitro and in vivo in both insect species. The apparent interaction of both compounds with unspecific monooxygenases as an explanation of their synergistic properties is discussed.
Plasma Membrane Estrogen Receptors Are Coupled to Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase through Gαi

Abstract Estrogen causes rapid endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production because of the activation of plasma membrane-associated estrogen receptors (ER) coupled to endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). In the present study, we determined the role of G proteins in eNOS activation by estrogen. Estradiol-17β (E2, 10− 8 m) and acetylcholine (10− 5 m) caused comparable increases in NOS activity (15 min) in intact endothelial cells that were fully blocked by pertussis toxin (Ptox). In addition, exogenous guanosine 5′-O-(2- thiodiphosphate) inhibited E2-mediated eNOS stimulation in isolated endothelial plasma membranes, and Ptox prevented enzyme activation by E2 in COS-7 cells expressing ERα and eNOS. Coimmunoprecipitation studies of plasma membranes from COS-7 cells transfected with ERα and specific Gα proteins demonstrated E2-stimulated interaction between ERα and Gαi but not between ERα and either Gαq or Gαs; the observed ERα-Gαi interaction was blocked by the ER antagonist ICI 182,780 and by Ptox. E2-stimulated ERα-Gαi interaction was also demonstrable in endothelial cell plasma membranes. Cotransfection of Gαi into COS-7 cells expressing ERα and eNOS yielded a 3-fold increase in E2-mediated eNOS stimulation, whereas cotransfection with a protein regulator of G protein signaling, RGS4, inhibited the E2 response. These findings indicate that eNOS stimulation by E2 requires plasma membrane ERα coupling to Gαi and that activated Gαimediates the requisite downstream signaling events. Thus, novel G protein coupling enables a subpopulation of ERα to initiate signal transduction at the cell surface. Similar mechanisms may underly the nongenomic actions of other steroid hormones.
Complexity of learning subspace juntas and ICA

Inspired by feature selection problems in machine learning and statistics, we study classification problems where the label function depends only on an unknown low dimensional relevant subspace of the data (we call this a k-subspace junta). Assuming that the relevant subspace is truly independent of the irrelevant subspace, and that the distribution over the irrelevant subspace is Gaussian, we give a polynomial-time algorithm for recovering the relevant subspace and for learning; additionally, we require only a polynomial number of samples. Our main tool is the solution of a tensor optimization problem. In general, finding the global optimum of a tensor is NP-hard, but we avoid this difficulty by using only local optima.
Dissolution Characteristics of Polycaprolactone-Polylactide Microspheres of Chlorpromazine

AbstractStudies were conducted on the preparation of controlled release polycaprolactone-polylactide microcapsules of chlorpromazine and on release of the drug from the microcapsules in pH 7.0 buffer medium. A wide range of release rates of the drug was obtained by simple change in the polymer system. Chlorpromazine was released from the microspheres in a biphasic manner consisting of an initial fast release phase followed by a slow-release phase. Increasing the drug content increased the initial drug release rate but no significant drug loading effect on the second stage dissolution rate was noted. There was no significant effect of particle size on the drug release rate from the microspheres. The swelling property of the microspheres and the agglomerate nature of the sieve fractions may complicate the drug release kinetics and obscure the particle size effect on dissolution rate.
Write-beam induced crystal damage in the conducting PRIZ

Abstract Surface and sub-surface crystal damage of the conducting PRIZ spatial light modulator is reported. The damage, induced by 442 nm write-beam power densities as small as 100 μW/cm 2 , is limited to the surface and the near surface region on the negative electrode side of the device. Surface layer disorder resulting from mechanical surface preparation plays a key role in the damage process. As the surface layer perfection is improved, the density of the induced damage decreases and the threshold increases. The damage threshold level is strongly coupled to the non-uniform electric field in the near surface region of the crystal.
Modeling oncolytic virotherapy: Is complete tumor-tropism too much of a good thing?

The specific targeting of tumor cells by replication-competent oncolytic viruses is considered indispensable for realizing the potential of oncolytic virotherapy. Yet off-target infections by oncolytic viruses may increase virus production, further reducing tumor load. This ability may be critical when tumor-cell scarcity or the onset of an adaptive immune response constrain viral anti-tumoral efficacy. Here we develop a mathematical framework for assessing whether oncolytic viruses with reduced tumor-specificity can more effectively eliminate tumors while keeping losses to normal cell populations low. We find viruses that infect some normal cells can potentially balance the competing goals of tumor elimination and minimizing the effects on normal cell populations. Particularly when infected tissues can be regenerated, moderating rather than completely eliminating the ability of oncolytic viruses to infect and lyse normal cells could improve cancer treatment, with potentially fewer side-effects than conventional treatments such as chemotherapy.
Antigenic Epitopes of the Hepatitis A Virus Polyprotein

Forty-two antigenic domains were identified across the hepatitis A virus (HAV) polyprotein by using a set of 237 overlapping 20-mer synthetic peptides spanning the entire HAV polyprotein and a panel of serum samples from acutely HAV-infected patients. The term "antigenic domain" is used in this study to define a protein region spanned with consecutive overlapping immunoreactive peptides. Nineteen antigenic domains were found within the structural proteins, and 22 were found within the nonstructural proteins, with 1 domain spanning the junction of VP1 and P2A proteins. Five of these domains were considered immunodominant, as judged by both the breadth and the strength of their immunoreactivity. One domain is located within the VP2 protein at position 57-90 aa. A second domain, located at position 767-842 aa, contains the C-terminal part of the VP1 protein and the entire P2A protein. A third domain, located at position 1403-1456 aa, comprises the C-terminal part of the P2C protein and the N-terminal half of the P3A protein. The fourth domain, located at position 1500-1519 aa, includes almost the entire P3B, and the last domain, located at position 1719-1764 aa, contains the C-terminal region of the P3C protein and the N-terminal region of the P3D protein. It is interesting to note that four of the five most immunoreactive domains are derived from small HAV proteins and/or encompass protein cleavage sites separating different HAV proteins. The HAV-specific immunoreactivity of each antigenically reactive peptide was confirmed by using seven HAV seroconversion panels. Collectively, these data demonstrate that HAV structural and nonstructural proteins contain antigenic epitopes that can be efficiently modeled with short synthetic peptides.
Gamma-irradiation immobilization of lactate oxidase in poly(vinyl alcohol) on platinized graphite electrodes

Abstract A novel method for enzyme immobilization in a polymer matrix was examined with lactate oxidase (LOD) to make a sensor for lactate. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAL) and LOD were applied in layers on platinized graphite electrodes and cross-linked by exposure to a 60 Co gamma radiation source. When the sensor is dipped in lactate solution, the product of the enzymatic reaction, hydrogen peroxide, is detected at +300 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. The LOD-PVAL lactate sensor exhibits a fast response (10–50 s), a linear range between 26 μM and 1.7 mM, a detection limit of 13 μM and a sensitivity of 2.94 μA mmol −1 . The sensitivity and the linearity of the electrode were improved considerably by bubbling oxygen continuously through the lactate solution. Optimum response to lactate was obtained with a radiation dose of 3–10 Mrad. LOD was found to be active in the presence of the polymer under radiation doses as high as 40 Mrad. Repeated use of the sensors under various conditions showed a stable and reproducible response to lactate for over 80 days.
Nanotechnology Applications in Vascular Disease

The confluence of nanotechnology and medicine: Nanomedicine is poised to revolutionize the delivery of health care to individuals and populations in the 21st century. Every medical specialty stands to be impacted as emerging nanotechnologies propel modalities for prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Medical interventions targeting vascular disease are becoming increasingly important, given current epidemiologic trends in morbidity and mortality due to these diseases. Vascular disease is a term that encompasses a collection of pathologies that affect the vessels (arteries, veins, and lymphatics) or vasculature in the body. The purpose of this article is to highlight current and emerging nanotechnologies aimed at vascular disease. Select, clinically relevant examples are described in the categories of drugs and drug delivery, imaging, sensors, biomaterials, diagnostics, and novel therapeutics. Several promising nanomedicine applications that target vascular disease are currently under various stages of development from bench top research to clinical trials. Given the rate of investment, promising research results and progression of many products to market nanomedicine applications in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of vascular disease holds great promise for improving the stand of care.
Development, Visualization, and Application of the ARIES Systems Code

The ARIES research program has utilized its comprehensive ARIES systems code (ASC) and a new graphical user interface for visualizing the parameter space as important tools in its analysis of fusion power plant designs. Recently, the ASC has undergone modifications to accommodate different divertor designs, each having unique pumping powers, helium and liquid-metal pump thermal heat recovery, and the latest material, fabrication, and costing algorithms. The modifications and changes made to the code have been documented and verified by members of the ARIES team to ensure accuracy of implementation and self-consistency of design. The code has also been modified to display a wider range of input and output files, formulas, and algorithms for a greater degree of transparency and verification. After the changes to the code were completed and the version was locked, the ASC was employed to scan the physics and technology operating space for relevant power plant designs. Four corners of aggressiveness and conservativeness in both physics and technology serve as the boundaries for the scans within which a range of possible tokamaks exist. The Visual ARIES Systems Scanning Tool (VASST) has been used in parallel with the ASC scans to visualize the tremendous amounts of data resulting from these detailed systems scans. Displaying the data in a colorful and intuitive visual environment and giving the user explorative and visual interaction have helped extract meaningful relationships and trends from the data. Initially, broad scans from the ASC and VASST indicated areas of interest where additional detail was needed. Further scans of higher fidelity helped enhance and further refine the database. After the final scans were completed, VASST facilitated in displaying and filtering the large database to choose two “strawmen” data points at two of the four corners of the aggressive/conservative operating space. These points now serve as reference designs, so more detailed design and calculations can be done. The results of the in-depth designs assist the ASC by feeding back information into the code that can then be generalized for a wider range of operating scenarios relevant to the scanning range. This substantiates the ASC and helps mesh simple formulas with detailed design.
Mean reversion of industry stock returns in the U.S., 1926–1998

Abstract Within the past few years, several articles have criticized the properties of tests used to determine the predictability of stock prices. Further, such articles have suggested that stock prices follow a random walk. Using cross-sectional power gained from industry-sorted portfolios, I address previous criticisms of tests for stock price predictability and find strong evidence of mean reversion in portfolio prices. My findings imply a significantly positive speed of reversion with a half-life of approximately four and a half to eight years. Parametric contrarian investment strategies that exploit mean reversion outperform buy-and-hold and standard contrarian strategies.
Nonlinear current–voltage characteristics of ilmenite–hematite ceramic

Abstract Current–voltage ( I – V ) characteristics of solid solutions of ilmenite–hematite (IH) (1− x )FeTiO 3 · x Fe 2 O 3 , with x varying from 0 to 0.45, were studied. All compositions except x =0 exhibit a low-voltage varistor behavior. The switching voltage for these devices was found to be well below 10 V, with the lowest value being about 2 V. The nonlinear coefficient, α , of the devices varied between 1.75 and 3.7. These results indicate that varistors based on some members in the family of IH are suitable for protecting the Si-based microelectronic circuits from surge of transient currents.
Depressant effect of Δ1-tetrahydrocannabinol enhanced by inhibition of its metabolism

Abstract Prolongation of barbital sleeping time in mice by Δ1-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ1-THC), 10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p., was enhanced when its hydroxylation to the 7-hydroxymetabolite was blocked by SKF 525-A (β-diethylaminoethyldiphenylpropylacetate hydrochloride), 12.5 and 25 mg/kg, i.p., which inhibits the drug-metabolizing microsomal enzymes. The SKF-525 alone had slight effect. Sleeping time was reliably longer after the lower dose of both compounds than afer the higher dose of either one alone. This central depressant effect of Δ1-THC is thus due to the parent compound rather than its metabolite.
Characterization of the Reaction Products of Laser-Ablated Early Lanthanide Metal Atoms with Dinitrogen. Infrared Spectra of LnN, LnN2, (LnN)2, and Ln(NN)x Molecules

This paper summarizes the first part of a systematic study of the small nitride molecules and simple dinitrogen complexes of the lanthanide metals except promethium. Simple nitrides of the general formulas LnN and (LnN)2 have been identified for Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd; LnN2 has been identified for Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, and Sm. Several dinitrogen complexes of the type Ln(N2), Ln(NN), Ln(NN)2, and Ln(NN)x have also been observed in matrix infrared investigations. The tendency of the identified nitrides to complex dinitrogen is readily determined from experimental data, which provide frequencies for observed fundamentals both before and after dinitrogen complexation. Several reaction pathways to formation of the small nitrides have been explored. The favored pathway to the (LnN)2 molecule involves reduction of N2 by two Ln metal atoms concurrent with complete scission of the N≡N triple bond.
Culture, place and urban growth in the U.S. South

People’s connection to land is an important contributor to identity in traditional southern society. In small southern communities, to know where someone lives is to know who someone is because place assigns biography. Studies have investigated the physical and economic implications of landscape change in the South, but comparatively little research focuses on the impacts to culture of urban growth. We consider how sense of place (as an indicator of culture) may be impacted, over time, by physical and structural changes in a locale. This point of departure examines the temporal dimension of sense of place, or how place perceptions may vary as familiar places and practices are altered by landscape moderations. We review the literature on sense of place and changing Southern landscapes and also offer a conceptual framework for analyzing sense of place over the long-term.
Qualitative and quantitative scoring and evaluation of the eye movement classification algorithms

This paper presents a set of qualitative and quantitative scores designed to assess performance of any eye movement classification algorithm. The scores are designed to provide a foundation for the eye tracking researchers to communicate about the performance validity of various eye movement classification algorithms. The paper concentrates on the five algorithms in particular: Velocity Threshold Identification (I-VT), Dispersion Threshold Identification (I-DT), Minimum Spanning Tree Identification (MST), Hidden Markov Model Identification (I-HMM) and Kalman Filter Identification (I-KF). The paper presents an evaluation of the classification performance of each algorithm in the case when values of the input parameters are varied. Advantages provided by the new scores are discussed. Discussion on what is the "best" classification algorithm is provided for several applications. General recommendations for the selection of the input parameters for each algorithm are provided.
Rod and cone signals inS-potentials of the isolated perfused cat eye

Abstract Two types ofS-potentials have been identified in the dark-adapted retina of isolated, perfused cat eyes. One type shows the action of rods exclusively, the other shows both rod and cone activity. In all of the latter units the cones make a much larger contribution to the total response than the rods and in some of these units little or no rod response can be detected at all. Although an unusual effect occurs with strong short wavelength stimulation that suggests some antagonistic receptor interaction, the results in the main support hypotheses proposing considerable independence between rod and cone signals at or before the inner nuclear layer of the retina.
Distributed production of hydrogen by auto-thermal reforming of fast pyrolysis bio-oil

Abstract We demonstrated an auto-thermal reforming process for producing hydrogen from biomass pyrolysis liquids. Using a noble metal catalyst (0.5% Pt/Al 2 O 3 from BASF) at a methane-equivalent space velocity of around 2000 h −1 , a reformer temperature of 800 °C–850 °C, a steam-to-carbon ratio of 2.8–4.0, and an oxygen-to-carbon ratio of 0.9–1.1, we produced 9–11 g of hydrogen per 100 g of fast pyrolysis bio-oil, which corresponds to 70%–83% of the stoichiometric potential. The elemental composition of bio-oil and the bio-oil carbon-to-gas conversion, which ranged from 70% to 89%, had the most significant impact on the yield of hydrogen. Because of incomplete volatility the remaining 11%–30% of bio-oil carbon formed deposits in the evaporator. Assuming the same process efficiency as that in the laboratory unit, the cost of hydrogen production in a 1500 kg/day plant was estimated at $4.26/kg with the feedstock, fast pyrolysis bio-oil, contributing 56.3% of the production cost.