cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New ionic liquids based on the complexation of dipropyl sulfide and AlCl3 for electrodeposition of aluminum

A new kind of ionic liquid based on the complexation of dipropyl sulfide (DPS) and AlCl3 has been prepared. The equivalent concentration of AlCl3 in the ionic liquid is as high as 2.3 M. More importantly, it is highly fluidic and exhibits an ambient ionic conductivity of 1.25 × 10−4 S cm−1. This new ionic liquid can be successfully used as an electrolyte for electrodeposition of aluminum.
Engineering process control

Engineering process control is a reasonably mature discipline. Many books and papers have been published on the subject, and it is an integral part of many engineering curricula. Control systems are used in aircraft, chemical plants, and even robot manipulation. Although there are many other types of control, in this chapter we will discuss only feedback control, and that discussion will be quite limited. The purpose of the chapter is to provide a brief, basic introduction to classical process control. We will then introduce fuzzy process control and, finally, introduce the relatively new idea of probabilistic process control.
Bullying and Peer Victimization at School: Perceptual Differences Between Students and School Staff

Although bullying and other forms of peer victimization at school are a growing concern, there has been little research examining the potential differences between student and staff perceptions of ...
Segmenting the Etiological Agent of Schistosomiasis for High-Content Screening

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease with a global health impact second only to malaria. The World Health Organization has classified schistosomiasis as an illness for which new therapies are urgently needed. However, the causative parasite is refractory to current high-throughput drug screening due to the diversity and complexity of shape, appearance and movement-based phenotypes exhibited in response to putative drugs. Currently, there is no automated image-based approach capable of relieving this deficiency. We propose and validate an image segmentation algorithm designed to overcome the distinct challenges posed by schistosomes and macroparasites in general, including irregular shapes and sizes, dense groups of touching parasites and the unpredictable effects of drug exposure. Our approach combines a region-based distributing function with a novel edge detector derived from phase congruency and grayscale thinning by threshold superposition. The method is sufficiently rapid, robust and accurate to be used for quantitative analysis of diverse parasite phenotypes in high-throughput and high-content screening.
Carnitine and carnitine acetyltransferase in the placenta of mouse, marmoset and man

Abstract 1. 1. Carnitine concentrations were determined in placentae of mouse, marmoset and man. Mouse placenta contained about 10 times more carnitine (>2,000 nmols/g fresh tissue) than the other placentae. 2. 2. Carnitine acetyltransferase (CarAc) activity was abundant in all placentae. 3. 3. Solubility characteristics of human placental CarAc were examined. 4. 4. Some kinetic characteristics of partially purified human placental CarAc were obtained.
Right-angle impaction and rebound of particles

Abstract When a particle impacts on a surface, its kinetic energy is partitioned into energy lost in plastic deformation and energy stored in elastic deformation. Previous theoretical models have recognized that the plastically deformed layer hardens to an elastic stress limit that may significantly exceed the one of the original material. A new model has been developed for right-angle impaction that considers secondary elastic deformation in the plastically deformed layer. Calculations have shown that at high impact velocities about 50% of the impact kinetic energy may be stored in this secondary elastic deformation and more than 40% may be lost in plastic deformation. This secondary deformation energy is, thus, the principal energy component affecting particle rebound over a wide range of impact velocities. Comparisons of calculations with experimental data show reasonable agreement. The ratio of total adhesive energy of impact kinetic energy was found to depend on particle size and target material which results in the dependence of rebound velocity on the same parameters.
Membrane permeability modeling: Kedem-Katchalsky vs a two-parameter formalism.

The analysis of experiments for the purpose of determining cell membrane permeability parameters is often done using the Kedem-Katchalsky (KK) formalism (1958). In this formalism, three parameters, the hydraulic conductivity (Lp), the solute permeability (Ps), and a reflection coefficient (final sigma), are used to characterize the membrane. Sigma was introduced to characterize flux interactions when water and solute (cryoprotectant) cross the membrane through a common channel. However, the recent discovery and characterization of water channels (aquaporins) in biological membranes reveals that aquaporins are highly selective for water and do not typically cotransport cryoprotectants. In this circumstance, sigma is a superfluous parameter, as pointed out by Kedem and Katchalsky. When sigma is unneeded, a two-parameter model (2P) utilizing only Lp and Ps is sufficient, simpler to implement, and less prone to spurious results. In this paper we demonstrate that the 2P and KK formalism yield essentially the same result (Lp and Ps) when cotransporting channels are absent. This demonstration is accomplished using simulation techniques to compare the transport response of a model cell using a KK or 2P formalism. Sigma is often misunderstood, even when its use is appropriate. It is discussed extensively here and several simulations are used to illustrate and clarify its meaning. We also discuss the phenomenological nature of transport parameters in many experiments, especially when both bilayer and channel transport are present.
Physical Sciences: Variations in the 10 µm Flux from NGC 1068

ALTHOUGH there is considerable evidence of rapid variability of the intense infrared sources in the nuclei of galaxies and quasars, conclusive data have been lacking. NGC 1068 is one of the most powerful of the extragalactic infrared sources (LIR = 6×1045 erg s−1) and, with the exception of M82 which is extended, has the highest signal-to-noise ratio at 10 µm. We have therefore monitored NGC 1068 for several years to look for variations. The pertinent observations are summarized in Fig. 1, where data obtained during the past 3 yr have been combined into four points. The results of the individual observations are given in Table 1.
A note on Negami's polynomial invariants for graphs (note)

Abstract Negami has introduced two polynomials for graphs and proved a number of properties of them. In this note, it is shown that these polynomials are intimately related to the well-known Tutte polynomial. This fact is used, together with a result of Brylawski, to answer a question of Negami.
The performance of gallium arsenide/germanium solar cells at the Martian surface

Abstract A theoretical model was used to predict the electrical power output by Gallium Arsenide/ Germanium solar cells at the surface of Mars. This model was validated using measurements from the Mars Pathfinder Lander. It was then used to estimate the solar power output as a function of latitude, local time, and season for airborne dust optical depths between 0.1 and 5. For this range of dust opacities, the power output varies by about a factor of three at low and mid-latitudes. This model was also used to estimate the solar cell performance degradation due to dust accumulation. Dust accumulation reduced the power output by 0.4 to 0.5% Martian day during the first 20 days of the mission, but the power loss rate fell to ∼0.1%/day after that. If these power loss rates are typical, solar power provides a viable option for long-lived stations on the Martian surface.
Performance Enhancement of a Vertical Tail Using Synthetic Jet Actuators

Active flow control with synthetic jets has been shown to increase aerodynamic efficiency by delaying flow separation. The application of flow control to a vertical tail of an aircraft could enable a significant size reduction of that tail. Wind tunnel experiments were conducted at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on a swept back, tapered tail with a 29.6% chord rudder. Flow control was implemented using eight synthetic jet actuators located just upstream of the hinge line. The mechanism of enhancement was characterized with surface pressure measurements and stereoscopic particle image velocimetry. Using flow control, the side force was increased by up to 18% at moderate rudder deflections with actuators operating at dimensionless frequency of O(10). Actuating the synthetic jets with a pulse-modulated waveform yielded superior performance at high rudder deflections. The effect of spanwise spacing was also investigated, as was the relative effect of actuators at different spanwise locations. It was demonst...
Gandhiji on the Central Vista: A Postcolonial Refiguring*

Monuments, memorials and statues, so commonplace in squares and parks of late twentieth-century cities, have interesting histories and convey particular historiographies. In public arenas planned and maintained by state administrations, symbolic representations situated for the purpose of communicating messages to passersby, visitors, and residents often mark the state's attempt to control space, history and popular memory. By extension, changes in statuary or monumental architecture over time may reflect shifts in rulers and their representations of rule. As Hung (1991) demonstrates, the ‘war of monuments’ in Tiananmen Square reflected struggles for power and demands by those excluded from power for rights and access. The ‘statumania’ of post-revolutionary France personalized contests for power and representation (Agulhon 1985). On the other hand, monuments that remain fixed on landscapes can be variously interpreted over time, forming, as Young (1989:70) has noted, ‘a kind of screen across which the projected shadows of a world's preoccupations continue to flicker and dance.’
Isolation of highly purified rat liver lysosomal membranes using two Percoll gradients.

Abstract Normal rat liver lysosomal membranes in the form of membrane vesicles have been purified using Percoll density gradient centrifugation. Lysosomes (density = 1.111) were purified approximately 63 ± 12-fold (mean ± standard deviation, n = 5) using a gradient of Percoll made isotonic with sucrose and buffered to pH 7.0. These lysosomes were then exposed to 10 m m methionine methyl ester, pH 7.0, the uptake of which resulted in swelling and breakage of the lysosomes with subsequent vesicle formation. These vesicles (density = 1.056) were further separated from residual mitochondrial and plasma membrane enzyme activities using a second Percoll density gradient. Marker enzyme analysis and electron microscopy indicated that the lysosomal membranes were essentially free of both β-hexosaminidase, a soluble lysosomal enzyme, and contaminating organelles. The specific activity of lysosomal ATPase in the lysosomal membranes was fourfold greater than in the intact lysosomes.
Human cerebral evoked responses to odorous stimuli

Summary Presentation of brief pulses of odorized to human subjects induces cerebral electrical activity which can be recorded by response averaging. The response is largest in the vertex region and consists mainly of a positive wave with a peak latency of 450–550 msec. It has distinguishing characteristics from vertex potentials evoked in other senses. Evidence suggests that the response may be evoked primarily by stimulation of olfactory receptors, but the possibility of nasal trigeminal afferent stimulation is evaluated.
The Influence of Perceived Health Status on Poor Women's Confidence in Leaving Welfare: Implications for Social Work

This article focuses on the realities poor women living in Georgia face in the pursuit of employment. The inquiry focuses on 107 women (84.1% African American, 15.9% white) who were respondents to a survey undertaken by the Welfare Reform Project in Georgia to predict the participants' self-reported confidence in leaving welfare. Predictors of confidence to leave welfare involved health, age, welfare dependency, educational attainment, race, and number of children at home. Health was the strongest predictor, followed by age. Based on Bandura's social cognitive theory, findings suggest that the confidence of female welfare recipients may be greater than can be justified by the realities of their lives and the society in which they live. The article identifies implications for social work including the delivery of social services and counseling for poor women who face complex health issues yet who want to enter the workforce.
Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Rapidly Stimulates a Biphasic Secretion of Prolactin and Growth Hormone in GH4C1 Rat Pituitary Tumor Cells*

The characteristics of TRH-induced acute PRL and GH secretion were studied in GH4C1 cells, a clonal rat anterior pituitary tumor cell line which secretes PRL and GH. The experiments were carried out both in a flow system in which microcarrier (Cytodex)-attached cells were perifused at a constant rate and in a conventional static culture system. In both systems, cells responded to TRH in a qualitatively similar manner. TRH significantly stimulated PRL and GH secretion within 5 sec without a detectable lag period. The secretion rate was highest during the initial 1 min, declined sharply thereafter despite the continuous presence of TRH, and plateaued at a lower level. The maximum dose of TRH caused 250-700% of basal secretion during the early period (approximately 8 min; first phase) and about 150% of basal secretion thereafter (second phase). The sustained lower secretion (second phase) was maintained as long as cells were exposed to TRH (up to 2.5 h), and the secretion rate returned to the basal level within 30 min of removal of TRH from the medium. The half-maximal doses for the first and second phase secretion were 2-3 and 0.5-1 nM, respectively, in both the perifusion and static culture systems. Over a 2-day period, TRH stimulated PRL synthesis and inhibited GH synthesis. The dose-response curves for these long term effects on hormone synthesis were similar to the dose-response curves for the first phase of release. [N3-methyl-His2]TRH gave similar results, but was more potent than TRH. [N3-methyl-His2]TRH stimulated first phase release with an ED50 of 0.4-0.8 nM, second phase release with an ED50 of 0.1-0.2 nM, and hormone synthesis with an ED50 of 0.7-0.8 nM. Preincubation of the cells with Ca+2-free medium significantly depressed both first and second phase secretion. Preexposure of the cells to cycloheximide (10 micrograms/ml) had little effect on the first phase of secretion, but reduced second phase secretion. The acute effects of TRH on GH and PRL were identical, except that the secretory response tended to be greater for PRL. We conclude that 1) TRH causes hormone secretion very rapidly in a biphasic manner; 2) the first phase of secretion consists primarily of the release of stored hormone, whereas the second phase includes the release of newly synthesized hormone; 3) the dose-response curve of second phase secretion is shifted to the left compared with that of first phase secretion; and 4) both phases of secretion are at least partially dependent on extracellular Ca+2.
DIFFUSION OF GASES IN SPECIAL INTERSTITIAL SITES IN HAFNIUM

Abstract Both nitrogen and oxygen have been found to cause internal friction peaks to appear in reactor-grade Hf. The mechanism of the peak is discussed in terms of redistribution of strain dipoles formed by the interstitial impurity atoms with the substitutional impurity atoms. The diffusion coefficients were calculated from a simple two position model: D oxygen ∼- 30 exp ( − 58,000 RT ) and D nitrogen ∼- 0.20 exp ( − 50,000 RT ) .
Say it Loud: The Obama Effect and Racial/Ethnic Identification of Adolescents

The current study examined how self-reported racial/ethnic identification of adolescents living in poverty may be related to significant societal events and seminal public figures. Data from a multiple cohort longitudinal study, conducted in Mobile, Alabama between 1998 and 2011, were used to examine the impact of Barack Obama's nomination and presidency on racial/ethnic identification. The results show that significantly more adolescents changed their self-reported racial/ethnic identification from White or Mixed-Race to Black or Mixed Race after the election than before. These results suggest that a distant public figure can serve as a role model with observable effects for adolescents.
Development and Application of a Compact, Tunable, Solid-State Airborne Ozone Lidar System for Boundary Layer Profiling

AbstractThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Earth System Research Laboratory/Chemical Sciences Division (NOAA/ESRL/CSD) has developed a versatile, airborne lidar system for measuring ozone and aerosols in the boundary layer and lower free troposphere. The Tunable Optical Profiler for Aerosol and Ozone (TOPAZ) lidar was deployed aboard a NOAA Twin Otter aircraft during the Texas Air Quality Study (TexAQS 2006) and the California Research at the Nexus of Air Quality and Climate Change (CalNex 2010) field campaigns. TOPAZ is capable of measuring ozone concentrations in the lower troposphere with uncertainties of several parts per billion by volume at 90-m vertical and 600-m horizontal resolution from an aircraft flying at 60 m s−1. The system also provides uncalibrated aerosol backscatter profiles at 18-m vertical and 600-m horizontal resolution. TOPAZ incorporates state-of-the-art technologies, including a cerium-doped lithium calcium aluminum fluoride (Ce:LiCAF) laser, to make it compact an...
Single-mode Faraday waves in small cylinders

Experiments on single-mode Faraday waves in small rectangular and circular cylinders in which both capillary and viscous effects were significant aie reported. Measurements of threshold forcing (for neutral stability) and steady-state wave amplitudes are compared with theoretical predictions. Theoretical predictions of the resonant frequency of a single mode and of the threshold amplitude for its excitation on the hypothesis of linear boundary-layer damping agree well with the measured data. (The theory must use the measured damping rate to predict these quantities for waves in the rectangular cylinder.) Theoretical predictions of wave amplitudes are in reasonable agreement with those observed in the circular cylinder; however, the theory provides only qualitative predictions of amplitudes for waves in the rectangular cylinder. In experiments in which two modes are theoretically admissible, the one with the smaller damping rate is observed; however, a single-mode calculation proves inadequate for the prediction of the stability boundary.
MHC class I molecules and kirs in human history, health and survival

MHC class I molecules are ligands for the killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), which are expressed by natural killer cells and T cells. The interactions between these molecules contribute to both innate and adaptive immunity. KIRs and MHC class I molecules are encoded by unlinked polymorphic gene families that distinguish all but the most related individuals. Combinations of MHC class I and KIR variants influence resistance to infections, susceptibility to autoimmune diseases and complications of pregnancy, as well as outcome after haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. Such correlations raise the possibility that interplay between KIR and MHC class I polymorphisms has facilitated human survival in the presence of epidemic infections and has influenced both reproduction and population growth.
Correction: Chapman, E.; et al. Inhibitors of the AAA+ chaperone p97. Molecules 2015, 20, 3027-3049.

The authors wish to make the following correction to paper [1], doi:10.3390/molecules20023027, website: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/20/2/3027/. [...]
Virtues of verisimilitude in design and art

Abstract While most design firms, professional artists, and educational programs continue to use conventional graphic modalities to communicate design intent and aesthetic expression, recent developments in computer graphics promise to revolutionize attitudes artists and designers now hold toward their work. Artists and designers will have to adopt new attitudes regarding the information utility of optical realism now found only occasionally in architectural rendering and the visual arts. Old attitudes relegate optical realism to a limited role in sales and promotion. New attitudes promise to relegate conventional graphics to history and substitute a seamless, nonsymbolic, information laden, visual, tactile, and kinetic art and design communication technique called virtual reality.
Analytic structure of the triple-regge vertex

We study the triple-Regge, helicity-pole and related asymptotic behaviors of the six-line amplitude using the dual-resonance model (DRM) as a guide. We show that the triple-Regge vertex in the (DRM) can be expressed as a sum of four terms, which we interpret as exhibiting the allowed tree-like configurations of singularities in the asymptotic channel invariants. These four terms have counterparts in the helicity-pole limit where there exist several distinct terms with differing powers of the asymptotic variable, i.e., several different helicity poles. As an application we investigate the interesting property of the (DRM) that the triple-Regge or helicity-pole contribution to single-particle production at zero momentum transfer vanishes for trajectory intercepts near unity. We trace this effect to a nonsense zero. This suggests a mechanism for fulfilling one of the unitarity requirements for general six-line amplitudes. We discuss the possible generality of our results.
Associations between maternal scaffolding and executive functioning in 3 and 4 year olds born very low birth weight and normal birth weight

Abstract Background Deficits in executive function, including measures of working memory, inhibition and cognitive flexibility, have been documented in preschoolers born very low birth weight (VLBW) compared with preschoolers born normal birth weight (NBW). Maternal verbal scaffolding has been associated with positive outcomes for both at-risk and typically developing preschoolers. Aims The purpose of this study was to examine associations between maternal verbal scaffolding, Verbal IQ (VIQ) and executive function measures in preschoolers born VLBW. Subjects A total of 64 VLBW and 40 NBW preschoolers ranging in age from 3 ½ to 4 years participated in the study. Outcome measures VIQ was measured with the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence — Third Edition. Executive function tests included the Bear Dragon, Gift Delay Peek, Reverse Categorization and Dimensional Change Card Sort-Separated Dimensions. Study design Maternal verbal scaffolding was coded during a videotaped play session. Associations between maternal verbal scaffolding and preschoolers' measures of VIQ and executive function were compared. Covariates included test age, maternal education, and gender. Results Preschoolers born VLBW performed significantly worse on VIQ and all executive function measures compared to those born NBW. Maternal verbal scaffolding was associated with VIQ for VLBW preschoolers and Gift Delay Peek for the NBW group. Girls born VLBW outperformed boys born VLBW on VIQ and Bear Dragon. Conclusion Integrating scaffolding skills training as part of parent-focused intervention may be both feasible and valuable for early verbal reasoning and EF development.
Fluorescence Fluctuation Spectroscopy in the Presence of Immobile Fluorophores

Fluorescence contributions from immobile sources present a challenge for fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy (FFS) because the absence of signal fluctuations from stationary fluorophores leads to a biased analysis. This is especially of concern for cellular FFS studies on proteins that interact with immobile structures. Here we present a method that correctly analyzes FFS experiments in the presence of immobile sources by exploiting selective photobleaching of immobile fluorophores. The fluorescence decay due to photobleaching of the immobile species is modeled taking into account the nonuniform illumination volume. The experimentally observed decay curve serves to separate the mobile and immobile fluorescence contribution, which is used to calculate the molecular brightness from the FFS data. We experimentally verify this approach in vitro using the fluorescent protein EGFP as our immobilized species and a diffusing dye of a different color as the mobile one. For this special case, we also use an alternative method of determining the brightness by spectrally resolving the two species. By conducting a dilution study, we show that the correct parameters are obtained using either technique for a wide range of mobile fractions. To demonstrate the application of our technique in living cells, we perform experiments using the histone core protein H2B fused with EGFP expressed in COS-1 cells. We successfully recovered the brightness of the mobile fraction of H2B-EGFP.
A network-based approach to counterfeit detection

Counterfeit devices are wreaking havoc in the industry today and are causing billions of dollars of loss in revenue to companies. These devices usually have fake components or have components that are re-marked as better ones. Illegitimate workshops even manufacture counterfeit devices on a large scale. Hence, counterfeit detection is of utmost importance. However, most counterfeit detection techniques today have complex and expensive setups that are slow in generating results. Some methods are also destructive to the device under test, and can hence only be applied to a small portion of the suspect devices. Most methods are also usually intended to target a specific set of devices. In this paper, we propose a simple and cheap technique of counterfeit detection, which we believe is a first-of-its-kind, network-based solution. Being network-based, it can be used to swiftly test a broad range of networked devices. The technique only monitors the network traffic of the device, therefore it is non-destructive. We first illustrate the general efficacy of the technique using FPGAs. Next, we show that lower-end processors (i.e., Core i3) in real systems can be differentiated from higher-end processors (i.e., Core i7) based on the host node's network traffic. This technique is effective against devices with counterfeit components or even with legitimate, but re-marked (as higher capacity) components. Using a neural network based classifier, we show classifier recall values (i.e., the ratio of the number of true positives to the sum of the number of true positives and false negatives) of up to 78.7% using traffic captures of 2,500 packets.
Conflict management within cohabitation relationships

Data from 33 cohabiting couples are analyzed from a conflict theory perspective. Commitment balance in a cohabiting relationship (i.e., equal commitment to the relationship rather than one partner valuing it more) is found to be important in understanding conflict processes. Five hypotheses are developed from this theoretical perspective and these findings.
Perceived stress and everyday memory complaints among older adult women

Memory complaints among older adults are often influenced by depression and anxiety, but the association of stress to memory complaints has received little attention. We examined the associations o...
Reintroduction of imatinib in GIST.

Purpose This review examines the clinical evidence showing that imatinib can be prescribed to treat recurrence or progression of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in patients who interrupted first-line imatinib therapy in the adjuvant or advanced/metastatic setting.
Fluorescent Ribonucleoside as a FRET Acceptor for Tryptophan in Native Proteins

A new fluorescent ribonucleoside analogue, containing 5-aminoquinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione, acts as a Forster resonance energy transfer acceptor for tryptophan (R0 = 22 A) and displays visible emission (440 nm). As tryptophan is frequently found at or near the recognition domains of RNA binding proteins, this FRET pair facilitates the study of RNA binding to native proteins and peptides, which is demonstrated here for the HIV-1 Rev association with the Rev Response Element (RRE).
Rheology of Blends of a Rodlike Polymer (PBO) and its Flexible Chain Analog

Rheological properties of isotropic solutions of rodlike poly(p-phenylene benzbisoxazole), PBO, flexible chain poly(2,5-benzoxazole), ABPBO, and their miscible blends in solution are described. Measurements include steady state properties (the viscosity and recoverable compliance as functions of shear rate), transient properties (the recoverable compliance), and dynamic mechanical properties (the loss and storage compliances as functions of frequency). The relaxation spectrum of the blends is broader than that for the rodlike chain, and tends to occur at longer times, reflecting a viscosity enhancement that occurs with the blends. The measured zero shear viscosities for rod and blend solutions are compared with predictions based on the model of Doi and Edwards.
Perceived Overweight, BMI, and Risk for Suicide Attempts: Findings from the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Among U.S. youth (N = 14,041), perceived (odds ratio [OR]adj. = 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-1.72) and actual overweight (ORadj. = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.07-1.60) were associated with suicide attempts in analyses controlling for demographic characteristics and potential confounders. There is a need to better understand associations between perceived and actual overweight and risk for suicide attempts and to develop appropriate strategies for prevention.
GABA induces terminal differentiation of Dictyostelium through a GABAB receptor

When prespore cells approach the top of the stalk in a Dictyostelium fruiting body, they rapidly encapsulate in response to the signalling peptide SDF-2. Glutamate decarboxylase, the product of the gadA gene, generates GABA from glutamate. gadA is expressed exclusively in prespore cells late in development. We have found that GABA induces the release of the precursor of SDF-2, AcbA, from prespore cells. GABA also induces exposure of the protease domain of TagC on the surface of prestalk cells where it can convert AcbA to SDF-2. The receptor for GABA in Dictyostelium, GrlE, is a seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptor that is most similar to GABAB receptors. The signal transduction pathway from GABA/GrlE appears to be mediated by PI3 kinase and the PKB-related protein kinase PkbR1. Glutamate acts as a competitive inhibitor of GABA functions in Dictyostelium and is also able to inhibit induction of sporulation by SDF-2. The signal transduction pathway from SDF-2 is independent of the GABA/glutamate signal transduction pathway, but the two appear to converge to control release of AcbA and exposure of TagC protease. These results indicate that GABA is not only a neurotransmitter but also an ancient intercellular signal.
THE MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Atrial fibrillation is an extremely common rhythm disturbance in adults and is frequently encountered by both the generalist and the specialist. It is more common in the elderly and in persons with underlying cardiac conditions. The consequences of this rhythm are potentially significant, including thromboembolism, hemodynamic instability, decreased cardiac performance, and increased mortality. Because of the substantial heterogeneity of patients with this arrhythmia, medical treatment strategies may differ. In some patients, restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm may be preferable; in others, control of ventricular rate and anticoagulation may be more sensible. Selected aspects of therapy, particularly anticoagulation, have been evaluated rigorously in large randomized, controlled trials. Other decisions, such as restoration of sinus rhythm or ventricular rate control, have not been compared in well-designed trials. This article addresses the epidemiology of atrial fibrillation, various treatment strategies, and trials currently underway that attempt to clarify some of the unresolved issues in treatment.
Underwater Target Localization

This contribution focuses on the problem, intrinsic to autonomous underwater manipulation, of medium-range target localization for guiding the vehicle toward the target area. Based on the use of the dual-frequency identification sonar (DIDSON) sonar, the goal is to acquire the Earth-referenced Cartesian coordinates of a known target, with the necessary accuracy required for positioning the vehicle, so that the target falls within the manipulator workspace.
Learning set in squirrel monkeys as affected by encasement of problem objects in plexiglas bins.

The effect of the presence or absence of the Plexiglas shell portion of the bins used to encase learning set (LS) problem objects, as in the apparatus used by Rumbaugh and Rice (1962), was assessed with 2 groups of 5 squirrel monkeys in the learning of a single discrimination problem, 6-trial/problem LS training, and the learning of 10 LS problems to a criterion. It was determined that quite apart from the fact that the transparent shell prevents direct hand contact with the stimulus objects, the bins appear to have characteristics that render squirrel monkeys nearly learning-setless in a 6-trial LS training situation.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON PNEUMOCOCCUS INFECTIONS.

1. Phagocytosis of pneumococci in vitro runs parallel with phagocytosis in vivo . 2. Virulence depends not only on resistance to phagocytosis, but also on the ability to grow in the body of the animal. 3. The biological reaction of the pigeon to pneumococcus infection does not differ from that of the mouse. 4. The "immunity" of the pigeon to pneumococcus infection is due to its normal high temperature.
A strong generating test and short presentations for permutation groups

The group membership problem for permutation groups is one of the most important problems of computational group theory. Solution of this problem seems to depend intrinsically on constructing a strong generating set. Until now, recognizing if a set of generators is strong has been thought to be as hard as constructing a strong generating set from an arbitrary generating set. This paper shows how to verify a strong generating set in O(n^4) time, where n is the size of the set on which the group acts. This is faster than the best known algorithms in the literature. The work also leads to related algorithms for discovering all orbit information contained in an arbitrary set of generators S in O(n|S| + n log n) time, and, if S is strong, for finding a presentation with no more than |S|(n -1) relations. Refinements in the analysis are given for the case in which a small base exists.
Onion yield and quality response to two irrigation scheduling strategies

Abstract Irrigation technologies that conserve water are necessary to assure the economic and environmental sustainability of commercial agriculture. This study was conducted in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to evaluate yield and quality of subsurface drip irrigated onions ( Allium cepa L.) using different scheduling strategies and water stress levels. One strategy consisted of initiating irrigation when the reading of a granular matrix sensors (Watermark ® 1 soil moisture sensor, Irrometer, Co., Riverside, CA) installed at 0.2 m depth reached −20 kPa (optimum), −30 kPa and −50 kPa. The second strategy was to replace 100%, 75%, and 50% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) weekly. Higher total yields, and jumbo onion size yields were obtained when the soil moisture was kept above −30 kPa. Yields were not affected when water applications were reduced from 100% to 75% ETc and from −20 to −30 kPa. The ETc strategies of 100%, and 75% ETc resulted in similar water usage to the soil moisture monitoring strategies of initiating irrigation at −20 and −30 kPa. Total yields dropped significantly when soil water stress increased below −50 kPa. For the ET based strategy yields also dropped with the 50% ETc treatment. Onion bulb pungency and brix were unaffected by water level.
A calculus of logical relations for over- and underapproximating static analyses

Motivated by Dennis Dams' studies of over- and underapproximation of state-transition systems, we define a logical-relation calculus for Galois-connection building. The calculus lets us define overapproximating Galois connections in terms of lower powersets and underapproximating Galois connections in terms of upper powersets. Using the calculus, we synthesize Dams' most-precise over- and underapproximating transition systems and obtain proofs of their soundness and best precision as corollaries of abstract-interpretation theory. As a bonus, the calculus yields a logic that corresponds to the variant of Hennessy-Milner logic used in Dams' results. Following from a corollary, we have that Dams' most-precise approximations soundly validate most properties that hold true for the corresponding concrete system. These results bind together abstract interpretation and abstract model checking, as intended by Dams.
A transcription factor IIB homolog from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus binds Zn or Fe in an N-terminal Cys 4 motif

The gene for an archaeal homolog of the eukaryotic transcription factor TFIIB has been cloned from the marine hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. This TFB gene displays a sequence that is identical to a gene sequence in P. woesei. A gene for the 49-residue N-terminal domain of TFB that contains a putative C-X2-C-X15-C-X2-C metal-binding motif was subcloned and overexpressed as TFB-NTD. Purification of the TFB-NTD gene product yields Zn- and Fe-containing forms, which have been characterized by mass spectrometry and UV-visible, electron paramagnetic resonance, and X-ray absorption (XAS) spectroscopies. Only the Zn form of the TFB holoprotein has been (partially) purified, and it has been characterized by XAS. All spectroscopic characteristics are consistent with a nearly tetrahedral MS4 metal-binding site made up of the four cysteine residues in the N-terminal domain. The relatively greater thermal stability of the Zn form suggests that TFB may be a Zn-containing protein involved in archaeal transcription.
Reducing Fiber Readout of Structural Composite Panels

A new molding process concept aimed at producing fabric-based structural composites with minimized out-of-mold surface fiber readout was proposed and validated in this study. The process first incorporates and lightly cures resins in fiber reinforcements to form fabric preforms. The partially cured preforms are subsequently over-molded with fresh resins to produce the finished panels. The concept was demonstrated using a vinyl ester resin reinforced with a large roving, plain weave glass fabric. By controlling the volumetric shrinkage of resin matrices through adding low profile additives and fillers, the proposed molding process successfully produced composite panels with significantly reduced surface fiber readout as indicated by surface profiles and corresponding Ra values measured by optical profilometry. The results also indicated that the surface texture of the fabric-based structural composites can eventually be made comparable to that of an ELPO-coated steel sheet.
Oncolytic viral therapy and immunotherapy of malignant brain tumors: two potential new approaches of translational research.

Brain tumors arise at a rate of nearly 5/100,000 in the general population, with over 17,000 U.S. residents being diagnosed each year. Approximately 60% of all brain tumors are gliomas, which are derived from interstitial tissue of the brain, such as astrocytic or ependymal tissue, or oligodendrocytes. The traditional protocols for treatment of malignant gliomas include diagnostic surgery, followed by regimens of radio‐ and chemotherapies. In the case of chemotherapy, the treatment protocols have remained nearly unchanged for over 30 years despite high mortality rates, and with little to no improvement in outcome. New advances in the fields of molecular biology and immunology have resulted in new possibilities for treating malignant gliomas by targeting cellular and molecular mechanisms of tumor cells, and stand in contrast to traditional forms of treatment. In the field of gene therapy, the possibility of using oncolytic viruses, such as HSV‐1, for glioma therapy — specifically, of high grade astrocytoma...
Improved Models of Short-Chain Phosphoinositide Efficacy on Ion Channels

In determining the efficacy of phosphoinositides on ion channels in inside-out patches, we and others typically measure channel activity as a function of the solution concentration of short-chain phosphoinositides such as di-C8-PI(4,5)P2. However, channels are believed to bind phosphoinositides not from solution, but from the phosphoinositide lipids incorporated into the plasma membrane. The extent to which different phosphoinositide lipids partition into membranes is expected to vary widely depending on charge, chain length, and head-group structure, such that the same solution concentration of different phosphoinositides will produce very different concentrations in the plasma membrane. We have previously shown that the polymodal ion channel TRPV1 has a higher apparent affinity for di-C8-PI(4,5)P2 than for diC8-PI(4)P. We re-examined this apparent PI(4,5)P2 selectivity using a model that incorporates an established description of phosphoinositides' partition between solution and the lipid membrane. We found that the data could not distinguish between two very different interpretations: that the channel itself is activated more easily by di-C8-PI(4,5)P2 than di-C8-PI(4)P; or that di-C8-PI(4,5)P2 and di-C8-PI(4)P are equally effective in activating TRPV1, but for a given phosphoinositide lipid solution concentration, there is more di-C8-PI(4,5)P2 in the membrane than there would be di-C8-PI(4)P. We further tested our model on a channel mutant that appears to invert the selectivity for di-C8-PI(4,5)P2 and di-C8-PI(4)P. Our examples have wide ranging implications for the interpretation of dose-response relations of any ligand that binds to lipid membranes, especially when comparing the efficacy of different membrane binding ligands.
Presurgical sunitinib reduces tumor size and may facilitate partial nephrectomy in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Objective To determine whether presurgical sunitinib reduces primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) size and facilitates partial nephrectomy (PN). Methods Data from potential candidates for PN treated with sunitinib with primary RCC in situ were reviewed retrospectively. Primary outcome was reduction in tumor bidirectional area. Results Included were 72 potential candidates for PN who received sunitinib before definitive renal surgery on 78 kidneys. Median primary tumor size was 7.2 cm (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.3–8.7 cm) before and 5.3 cm (IQR: 4.1–7.5 cm) after sunitinib treatment ( P P P = 0.0017), and higher nuclear grade ( P = 0.023). Surgery was performed for 68 tumors (87%) and was not delayed in any patient owing to sunitinib toxicity. Grade≥3 surgical complications occurred in 5 patients (7%). PN was performed for 49 kidneys (63%) after sunitinib, including 76% of patients without and 41% with metastatic disease ( P = 0.0026). PN was completed in 100%, 86%, 65%, and 60% of localized cT1a, cT1b, cT2, and cT3 tumors, respectively. Conclusion Presurgical sunitinib leads to modest tumor reduction in most primary RCC, and many patients can be subsequently treated with PN with acceptable morbidity and preserved renal function. A randomized trial is required to definitively determine whether presurgical therapy enhances feasibility of PN.
Using Vertical Aerial Photography to Estimate Mass Balance at a Point

The mass balance distribution over a 0.5 km2 area of the lower part of South Cascade Glacier is obtained from remotely sensed measurements of its geometry and velocity field over two periods, 1992–93 and 1993–94. Vertical aerial photography from late summer 1992, 1993, and 1994 is analyzed photogrammetrically to get surface topography of South Cascade Glacier on a 100-meter square grid. The known bed topography is subtracted from the surface topography to get the ice thickness, and the surface topographies are subtracted from each other to get the thickness change. Annual displacement vectors, determined at points where natural features could be tracked from one year to the next, are contoured by hand and interpolated to the grid. Assuming that the ice follows Glen's flow law with exponent n = 3, and that 10% of the ice flow is due to sliding at the bed, the surface velocity is scaled by 0.82 to get the average velocity in the vertical ice column. The average velocities are combined with the thicknesses to calculate the flux divergence at each of 46 gridpoints on a 100-m square grid, where it is subtracted from the thickness change to get the mass balance. Use of the same control points from year to year makes any systematic error in photogrammetric coordinates temporally constant, so such error has no effect on the mass balance estimate. Random error in coordinates is assumed to be uncorrelated from coordinate to coordinate, from point to point, from year to year; the standard error is estimated to be 1 m, resulting in a standard error in coordinate differences of about 1.5 m. A 1 m error in a vertical coordinate has nearly twice the effect on the estimated balance that one in a horizontal coordinate has and more than ten times the effect that one in ice thickness has. Compared with measurements at a stake, the estimated balances are about 1 m too negative.
Synergistic toxicity induced by prolonged glutathione depletion and inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB signaling in liver cells

TNF-α, GSH depletion and CYP2E1 are factors that play an important role in alcoholic liver disease. Activation of NF-κB prevents hepatocyte damage caused by TNF-α. This work describes the effect of NF-κB inhibition on toxicities caused by GSH depletion or arachidonic acid (AA) treatment in liver cells, and evaluates the possible influence of CYP2E1 overexpression. Cells were exposed to the NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082, in the absence or presence of L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) to block GSH synthesis. BSO toxicity was higher in CYP2E1-expressing E47 HepG2 cells compared to control cells; the incubation with BAY11-7082 potentiated BSO toxicity in both cell lines comparably. Several other agents which suppress activation of NF-κB increased BSO toxicity in E47 cells. NF-κB inhibition, however, did not sensitize E47 cells to AA toxicity. Suppressing activity of NF-κB also potentiated BSO, but not AA toxicity, in isolated rat hepatocytes. BAY11-7082 plus BSO induced a greater p38 MAPK activation as compared to BAY11-7082 or BSO alone, and a p38 MAPK inhibitor protected against the synergistic toxicity. In summary, inhibition of NF-κB sensitizes liver cells to toxicity linked to GSH depletion, probably accelerating the processes of thiol homeostasis deregulation and induction of apoptosis through a mechanism mediated by p38 MAPK.
Transition metal catalyzed alternating copolymerizations of olefins and co

Well defined Pd(II) catalysts of the type (N′N)Pd(CH3)(Solv.)+ B(Arf)4- (Arf = −3, 5-(CF3)2C6H3) have been prepared for living alternating copolymerizations of olefins with CO. This talk will focus on the mechanistic details of chain growth as elucidated by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, model studies of key migratory insertion steps and synthesis and properties of various copolymers and block copolymers based on styrenes, CH2=CHC6H4X [X = p-C(CH3)3, p-OC(O)CH3, p-OC(O)C-t-Bu), p-NHC(O)(C-t-Bu)]. Use of the catalysts based on the C2 symmetric, homochiral ligand 2, 2'-bis[2-[4(S)-(Alkyl)-1, 3-oxazolinyl]]propane [Alkyl = CH3, CH(CH3)2] produces a copolymer, 1, with a highly isotactic microstructure and high optical activity in contrast to achiral ligands such as 1,10-phenanthroline which produce copolymers with predominantly syndiotactic microstructure.