cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The development of face and location processing: an fMRI study

Although a few developmental fMRI studies have shed some light on the neurological development of either object or spatial processing we still know very little about the development of the ‘what’ and ‘where’ processing systems. The present study is the first to address this issue by comparing, concurrently and within the same behavioral paradigm, patterns of functional activation for face processing and location processing in 12 children (10‐12 years old) and 16 adults. For both tasks this study found a developmental shift from a more distributed pattern of activation in children to a more focused pattern of activation in adults. Furthermore, the type of developmental redistribution of activation in children varied depending on the task. The present findings have important implications for theories of visuospatial development. They suggest that the neural systems involved in face and location processing may undergo development and fine-tuning well into late childhood.
Failure criteria for isotropic materials, applications to low-density types

Isotropic failure criteria are derived in a general form that applies to both homogeneous materials and to porous, low-density materials. Specific applications are made to closed-cell foam materials, with the properties type parameters determined from experimental data. It is found that in addition to the usual yielding type of failure behavior, a fracture type behavior can arise under certain tensile stress conditions and must be taken into explicit account in forming the failure criteria for low-density materials.
Design methodology for a membrane/distillation column hybrid process

Abstract Hybrid processes consisting of a distillation column and a membrane separation module have gained some importance in the recent years due to their attractive capital and operating costs and potential in saving energy. For several applications hybrid processes proved to be superior to single separation processes. The aim of an optimal hybrid design should be to take advantage of the specific benefits of both separation methods. This paper introduces some guidelines and general rules which can be applied to distillation/membrane hybrid processes. The results of numerical calculations dealing with an olefin purification hybrid process using a distillation column and a facilitated transport vapor permeation membrane in different configurations are introduced and discussed. A McCabe-Thiele based approach is used to analyze different process configurations and find some short-cut methods to determine the optimal operating conditions for each configuration. Both new column design and augmentation of an existing distillation column by a membrane module are subjects of this paper.
Temperature-Programmed Reaction of CO Adsorbed on Oxygen-Covered Pt(100): Reactivity of High-Coverage Oxygen Phases

We utilized temperature-programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS) to investigate the reactivity of oxygen-covered Pt(100) toward the oxidation of CO. The reaction is facile on oxygen phases that form...
Comparative sensitivity of infectivity assay and mouse antibody production (MAP) test for detection of mouse thymic virus (MTLV)

Mouse thymic virus (murid herpesvirus-3; MTLV) is a naturally occurring T lymphotropic herpesvirus of mice. We compared the sensitivity of infectivity assay, which tests for induction of thymic necrosis in newborn mice, and an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA)-based modified mouse antibody production (MAP) test. Infection in adult mice was verified by infectivity assay of salivary glands. Approximately ten times as much virus was required to infect adult mice as newborns. No adults became infected at the lowest dose (just below 1 ID50 by thymic necrosis in newborn mice); a dose tenfold higher resulted in both infection and seroconversion in three out of five mice. At higher doses tested (up to 8000 ID50), all mice became infected and seroconverted. Infected mice shed virus and remained seropositive for at least six months. False positives were observed in ELISA; these could be eliminated by adding control (uninfected) thymic homogenate (1/10 volume of a 10% homogenate) to the sample diluent. These data suggest that the MAP assay can be a reliable and sensitive indicator of infection in adult mice undergoing primary infection. Although slightly less sensitive than infectivity assay for detecting MTLV, the MAP test is likely to detect most samples containing virus. It is recommended that several mice be used for each sample and that all positive serum samples be retested with control thymic homogenate for increased reliability.
Binding of modified adenine nucleotides to isolated coupling factor from chloroplasts as measured by polarization of fluorescence.

1 Fluorescent nucleotides (1,N6-ethenoadenosine diphosphate and triphosphate, ɛADP and ɛATP) replace the natural nucleotides rather efficiently (65–85%) in several chloroplast reactions (ADP inhibition of electron transport, ATP inhibition of electron transport, ATP stimulation of proton uptake, etc.). 2 ɛAMP does not bind to coupling factor protein. 3 The latent isolated coupling factor protein, which reconstitutes phosphorylation well when added to depleted chloroplasts, binds (in less than 1 min) both ɛADP and ɛATP at two divalent cation-sensitive sites each of similar binding affinity (dissociation constant Kd∼ 1–3 μM) although the ɛADP and ɛATP sites are not the same. 0.1 M NaCl increases Kd by 3–5-fold. 4 Polarization of fluorescence of nucleotides and coupling factor suggest that cation-induced changes of protein conformation exist. 5 Binding of coupling factor to nucleotides is maximal at pH 8 where phosphorylation in chloroplasts is also maximal, but changes (with isolated coupling factor) at other pH values are not directly related to the enzyme action. 6 Interaction of inorganic phosphate (Pi) with coupling factor in the presence of nucleotide occurs as monitored by a sizable increase in Kd for ɛADP-coupling factor and ɛATP-coupling factor binding sites, and by decrease in polarization of fluorescence of coupling factor; this suggests negative interaction of adenine nucleotides and Pi on coupling factor. 7 Interaction of coupling factor with ɛADP and ATP on the one hand, and with ɛATP and ADP on the other, occurs as indicated by sizable increases in the Kd for ɛADP-coupling factor and ATP-coupling factor, respectively; this suggests s negative interaction of ADP and ATP on coupling factor. 8 The kinetics of release of ɛADP and ɛATP from coupling factor when excess ADP or ATP were added in competition were relatively slow compared to the rate at which photophosphorylation proceeds in vivo; this suggests that coupling factor may have to be bound to the hydrophobic HFo protein and/or the thylakoid membrane for fully functional adenine nucleotide binding to be expressed. Already bound ɛATP was more difficult to remove, even with Dowex 2X, from coupling factor than already bound ɛADP suggesting a more ‘internal’ binding of the former.
Slice blotting: A method for detecting the release of immunoreactive substances from living brain tissue

The intricate circuitry of the CNS forms highly organized structures containing a multitude of transmitters, modulators and other chemical signals expressed in specific patterns and pathways. Anatomical studies with immunohistochemical and molecular biological techniques have mapped in fine detail the distribution of these substances in fixed tissue. However, the release of neuroactive substances is often under precise spatial control and is regulated by numerous physiological factors. Understanding such complex intercellular signaling systems will require the development of new spatially resolved methods for detecting secretion in living systems. A simple but powerful method is described here for visualizing and quantifying the time-integrated spatial pattern of release of chemical signals from living neural tissue. The method combines the in vitro brain slice preparation with immunostaining protocols used for antigen detection on Western blots. It has widespread potential application in biological research because it can map in vitro patterns of release of cytokines, growth factors, chemoattractants, chemorepellents, morphogens, enzymes, and other paracrine signals in spatially organized systems, subject to a variety of stimuli and conditions.
Infrared Spectra of Trimethylamine-Carbon Monoxide-Borane and its Deuterated Derivatives

Low temperature infrared spectral data are given for the adducts H3BC(O)N(CH3)3, D3BC(O)N(CH3)3, H3BC(O)N(CD3)3, D3BC(O)N(CD3)3 over the range 3000 to 300 cm−1. Boron-11 NMR data are given for H3BCO and H3BC(O)N(CH3)3. The spectra allow the assignment of the structure of the adducts as (CH3)3N→C=O→BH3.
Micromorphology and formation of pedogenic ooids in calcic soils and petrocalcic horizons

Abstract Ooids, pisoids, nodules, concretions, and a host of other terms are used to describe concentrically-zoned pedogenic carbonate, phyllosilicates, silica, and other minerals in calcic and petrocalcic horizons worldwide. The pedogenic and paleoenvironmental significance of such features is not always easy to interpret because variations in size, structure, composition, and soil-geomorphic context have been used to infer distinct modes of genesis for features that appear similar. Using both optical and scanning electron microscopy, petrocalcic soil samples from the Jornada La Mesa geomorphic surface in New Mexico and the Mormon Mesa geomorphic surface in Nevada were studied to reconsider the formation of pedogenic ooids. In this paper, “ooids” are 2 mm in diameter and have a range of internal morphologies. Ooids were especially common within features including clast pendant laminae, pisoids, and laminar horizons or laminar horizon caps. We propose a possible new mode of ooid genesis, suggesting that crystal growth can move ooids tiny, incremental distances over time, and that phyllosilicates are an important genetic component. Ooids are interpreted to form via: (1) mineralization during the evaporation of solutions held by surface tension around mineral grains, clasts, or petrocalcic fragments, with or without the presence of organic matter, (2) hydration and plastic behavior of pervasive, pedogenic, fibrous phyllosilicates that co-precipitate with pedogenic calcite, and (3) tiny, successive movements caused by the crystallization pressure of pedogenic carbonate and other minerals during soil solution evaporation. Spheroidal morphology is initially promoted by chemical precipitation from evaporating solutions around grains. Next, crystallization pressures from the surrounding matrix displace grains non-uniformly, promoting stochastic contacts or ‘knocking’ of ooids against one another and against the soil matrix. Over long time spans, this micrometer-scale, episodic translocation and rotation, in tandem with the plastic behavior of fibrous phyllosilicates, enhances the spherical shape of ooids. The model described here does not preclude possible biological contributions to ooid genesis, nor refute the role of other processes in producing similar features in the same soil. Finally, ooid size is limited by physical and hydrological thresholds. Pisoids, as larger features, are more complex and are more likely to involve erosion; they do not form in the same manner as ooids. This study has implications for paleoenvironmental interpretations of calcic and petrocalcic horizons, and for the selection of pedogenic features for isotopic analysis.
A tool for distributed software design collaboration

In this video demonstration, we present our collaborative software design tool, Calico, for use at both the interactive whiteboard and the tablet PC. Calico has several unique features to fluidly manipulate sketches and make them into scraps to represent software design notations. Further, a grid helps organize sketches in a design session, and also serves as a metaphor for coordinating a distributed design activity across both drawing spaces and users.
The destruction of organic pollutants under mild reaction conditions : A review

A survey of the literature covering the destruction of organic pollutants accomplished under mild reaction conditions is presented. Technologies presented are segregated according to two main reaction pathways; oxidation and reduction. Sub-topics discussed are representative of the main component of the degradation system, including the following; electrochemical reactors, hydrogen as a reducing agent, zero-valent metals, biological based systems, photolytic processes, Fenton reaction, and a recently discovered process that is a form of room temperature and pressure oxygen activation.
Heat capacity of pure and doped V2O3 single crystals

Abstract Heat capacities have been measured for single crystals of V2O3, either pure or doped with 1 and 1.4 mole% Cr2O3 and Al2O3 over the temperature range 100–700°K. V2O3 undergoes a fairly sharp transition at low temperatures (∼170°K) but fails to exhibit any thermal anomaly above 300°K. The thermal behavior of (MxV1−x)2O3, M = Cr, Al, is manifested by two transitions: one at low temperatures, 170–180°K for x = 0.01 and 180–190°K for x = 0.014, and the other at high temperatures. For x = 0.01, the high-temperature (HT) anomaly extended over the range 325–345°K (Cr-doped V2O3) and 345–365°K (Al-doped V2O3), respectively. The corresponding ranges for x = 0.014 were found to be 260–280°K and 270–290°K, respectively. Further, the HT anomaly was characterized by a large hysteresis (∼50°K). The values of lattice heat capacity of pure and doped V2O3 were, however, found to be almost the same and could be empirically represented by the Debye (D)−Einstein (E) function D ( 580 T ) + 4 E ( θ T ) with θ values 430°K (T = 100–230°K) and 465°K (T > 230°K), respectively. Further, the enthalpy change ΔH associated with the HT anomaly in doped V2O3 (80 ≤ ΔH ≤ 510 J/mole) was 5–10 times smaller than the ΔH corresponding to the lower-temperature transition. The results cited here appear incompatible with the Mott transition model that has been invoked to explain the HT anomaly.
Age of the Grabens in Southeastern Utah

A zone of high-angle normal faults trends eastward across southeastern Utah and southwestern Colorado. Locally these faults bound huge blocks of downthrown sedimentary strata to form grabens of considerable length. Two of these grabens cross the Abajo Mountains, one of a group of laccolithic centers that dot the Colorado Plateau. Evidence from prior work suggested that the age of one of these grabens–and, by inference, of the other grabens–was the age of the uplift of the Abajo Mountains. New evidence, including two dikes along one of the faults that bound a graben and a laccolith wholly confined to a graben, suggests that the grabens were in existence before the Abajo Mountains were formed.
A kinetic study of solar wind mass loading and cometary bow shocks

The kinetic processes associated with solar wind mass loading due to pickup of cometary ions, and the formation of cometary bow shocks were investigated numerically using a hybrid simulation code described by Leroy et al. (1981), in which solar wind protons and heavy cometary ions are treated kinetically, but the electrons are treated as a massless fluid. It was found that the solar wind decelaration and pickup of cometary ions take place through both the macroscopic electromagnetic fields embedded in the solar wind and the microscopic field associated with low-frequency electromagnetic waves that are generated by the unstable velocity distribution function of the cometary ions. The results of the main simulation runs at various cone angles are described and compared with the recent observations of comets Giacobini-Zinner and Halley.
Enzymic properties of chemically prepared diphosphopyridine nucleotide analogs

Abstract Potassium ferricyanide oxidation of the addition reaction products of DPN with dihydroxyacetone, glyceraldehyde, and acetone results in the formation of oxidized analogs of the coenzyme. These analogs are hydrolyzed by pig brain and beef spleen DPNases. Only the acetone analog of DPN is hydrolyzed by the Neurospora crassa enzyme, and this occurs at a slow rate. The addition compounds are not split by any of the DPN-ases. The products of the DPNase hydrolysis of the analogs of DPN-dihydroxyacetone [DPN-D ox (I) and DPN-D ox (II)] have been isolated. One product is adenosine diphosphate ribose. The two analogs each yield substituted nicotinamide moieties, designated α [from DPN-D ox (I)] and β [from DPN-D ox (II)], whose properties are presented. The synthetic analogs will inhibit the cleavage of diphosphopyridine nucleotide by the various DPNases. The Neurospora enzyme appears to be inhibited non-competitively. The addition products of diphosphopyridine nucleotide and dihydroxyacetone, glyceraldehyde, and acetone are oxidized by the reduced pyridine nucleotide oxidase of Clostridium kluyveri at a slow rate. The analogs are not effective in any of the dehydrogenase systems studied, either as coenzyme or as inhibitors. They will not support or inhibit the growth of the DPN-requiring organism, Hemophilus parainfluenza .
New theory for incompressible fluid turbulence

Abstract It is shown that a determining dynamical equation for the two-point velocity correlation tensor can be obtained deductively from the Hopf characteristic functional space-time formulation without any additive statistical postulate.
What Constitutes a Nesting Attempt? Variation in Criteria Causes Bias and Hinders Comparisons Across Studies

Abstract.— Because reliable estimates of nesting success are very important to avian studies, the defnition of a “successful nest” and the use of different analytical methods to estimate success have received much attention. By contrast, variation in the criteria used to determine whether an occupied site that did not produce offspring contained a nesting attempt is a source of bias that has been largely ignored. This problem is especially severe in studies that deal with species whose nest contents are relatively inaccessible because observers cannot determine whether or not an egg was laid for a large proportion of occupied sites. Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) often lay their eggs ≥3 m below ground, so past Burrowing Owl studies have used a variety of criteria to determine whether a nesting attempt was initiated. We searched the literature to document the extent of that variation and examined how that variation influenced estimates of daily nest survival. We found 13 different sets of criteria use...
General Solution for Regge Residues and Trajectories

A parametrization for Regge vertices is presented. These vertices have the most general $t$ dependence consistent with constraints at $t=0$ and pseudothresholds, and are valid for general spins and general masses and for nonparallel trajectories. The assumptions upon which this work is based are analyticity, crossing symmetry, factorization (unitarity), and Regge asymptotic behavior. In the unequal-mass case, we find that the general Regge vertex has a particularly simple expansion around $t=0$.
Formation of epitaxial yttrium and erbium silicide on Si(111) in ultra-high vacuum

Abstract The growth of epitaxial yttrium and erbium silicide on Si(111) in ultra-high vacuum is studied. Resistivity, epitaxial quality, and pinhole distributions are studied as a function of annealing temperature. The best films result from the growth of a thin template layer ( 2− x to 900°C and ErSi 2− x to 850°C results in the lowest resistivities (48 μΩ cm for 425 A YSi 2− x and 30 μΩ cm for 200 A ErSi 2− x films). Furthermore, these films have Rutherford backscattering minimum channeling yields χ min ≈ 3% and 2% for Y- and Er-silicides,respectively. YSi 2− x appears to have a sharper interface with Si(111) than does ErSi 2− x from RBS, while pinhole sizes increase with annealing temperature for both silicides, with well-defined hexagonal features prevalent in the ErSi 2− x films only. These are perhaps indicative of the differences in lattice matching with Si(111) of the two silicides.
Scopolamine reversal of tremor produced by low doses of physostigmine in rats: evidence for a cholinergic mechanism

In order to provide evidence for the involvement of cholinergic mechanisms in low-dose physostigmine-induced tremor, a novel technique for measuring forelimb tremor in rats was used. Rats that were administered physostigmine (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg, s.c.), scopolamine (0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg, s.c.), and combinations of the two drugs, pressed a force-sensing operandum while a computer measured force output and performed Fourier analyses on resulting force-time waveforms. When given alone, both drugs decreased task engagement but mutually antagonized this effect when given together. Physostigmine increased tremor as well as peak force. Scopolamine decreased tremor and force when administered alone and reversed physostigmine-induced increases in force and tremor. Physostigmine's low-dose induction of increased tremor during rats' skilled forelimb use appears to have a prominent cholinergic component.
The verification of numerical models with multivariate randomized block permutation procedures

Multivariate randomized block permutation procedures (MRBP) can be used effectively to verify numerical models. Compared to other statistical methods, MRBP shows several distinct advantages. First of all, MRBP operates in the same Euclidean analysis space as its input data. The root mean square error (RMSE) is discussed, since it is a natural choice as a distance measure between two data sets and is closely related to the distance measure on which MRBP is based. The RMSE by itself provides no basis for inferential comparisons, whereas MRBP is well suited for such deductions. Since MRBP is computationally economical and requires only a few case studies for meaningful comparisons, it is also useful for model development.
Haiti, an urban nation? Revisiting Michel-Rolph Trouillot’s Haiti: State against Nation

In 1991, Michel-Rolph Trouillot published Haiti: State against Nation, which forcefully argued that in Haiti the peasantry is the nation. The peasantry is described as the “productive class,” from whom the state and urban elite extract value through a system of tariffs on agricultural exports, primarily coffee, and imported staples. The burden on the peasantry is further exacerbated by the country’s growing dependence on predatory loans from foreign states and International Financial Institutions. When Trouillot’s work was published, Haiti was on the eve of its first democratic elections. Amidst the optimism of those elections, he cautioned that the historical rift between state and nation had not yet been reconciled. In the years since the publication of State against Nation, much has changed. Here, I revisit Trouillot’s work in light of recent history to ask who, or what, is the nation today?
Complicated well problems solved by the membrane analogy

The two general equations for well flow, whether confined or unconfined are outlined for steady-state conditions. The membrane theory is presented and the experimental equipment and results outlined for the case of a well discharging from storage in an aquifer bounded by a circular line source. It is shown that with certain limitations the membrane analogy will yield solutions for Steady-state problems of groundwater flow with complicated boundary or well-distribution geometry, whether flow is confined or unconfined. The principles of model design necessary to duplicate the sample boundary conditions are presented. The membrane analogy should be considered as another tool to augment present techniques used in the solution of well problems.
Investigation of RFID tag readability for pharmaceutical products at item level

Background: The applications of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology carry a tremendous potential for pharmaceutical industry. There is a pressing need to analyze the performance of RFID tags attached to various pharmaceutical dosage forms. Method: The readability of RFID-tagged pharmaceutical products is, for the first time, systematically investigated by experiments. Factors considered include dosage forms, ion concentration in solution, angle of rotation, and distance between the RFID tag and the interrogator. Results: Compared with empty container, the filling of any representative dosage forms causes deteriorated readability for the tag attached to container. Analysis of variance reveals that the effects of dosage forms, angle of rotation, and their interaction are statistically significant. In addition, an increase in distance (equivalent to higher RF attenuation level) and higher ion concentration in solution beyond a certain level have detrimental effect on tag readability. Conclusion:...
Terahertz vibrational modes induced by heterogeneous nucleation in n-alkanes

We describe the observation of a broad and strongly temperature-dependent peak in the terahertz absorption spectrum of several linear n-alkanes. On cooling from the liquid into the rotator phase, the absorption is enhanced within a very narrow temperature range at the temperature of the first-order phase transition. This peak is associated with an enhancement in the vibrational density of states, induced by the heterogeneous nucleation of the rotator phase from the liquid. This is similar to the well-known Boson peak in glassy solids, and provides a new experimental tool for the characterization of nucleation dynamics in non-polar molecular liquids.
Public perceptions towards various energy sources in Sweden

Abstract This paper deals with the Swedish energy debate of the summer of 1989 from a risk-perception approach. What are the attitudes (both environmental and economic) of the citizens in two towns in Sweden to the various energy sources which can be used to replace the electricity lost from a nuclear phase-out? The following three important conclusions are reached: 1. (i) a majority of the respondents in both towns oppose an early phase-out of nuclear power if the electricity lost is replaced by fossil fuels. 2. (ii) The people interviewed in the two areas had differences of opinion concerning various energy sources. 3. (iii) Citizens' perceptions of risks played a major role in determining their attitudes towards various energy sources.
Highlights of the DARPA Advanced Machining Research Program

Results of a four-year Advanced Machining Research Program (AMRP) to provide a science base for faster metal removal through high-speed machining (HSM), high-throughput machining (HTM) and laser-assisted machining (LAM) are presented. Emphasis was placed on turning and milling of aluminum-, nickel-base-, titanium-, and ferrous alloys. Experimental cutting speeds ranged from 0.0013 smm (0.004 sfpm) to 24,500 smm (80,000 sfpm). Chip formation in HSM is found to be associated with the formation of either a continuous, ribbon-like chip or a segmental (or shear-localized) chip. The former is favored by good thermal properties, low hardness, and fcc/bcc crystal structures, e.g., aluminum alloys and soft carbon steels, while the latter is favored by poor thermal properties, hcp structure, and high hardness, e.g., titanium alloys, nickel base superalloys, and hardened alloy steels. Mathematical models were developed to describe the primary features of chip formation in HSM. At ultra-high speed machining (UHSM) speeds, chip type does not change with speed nor does tool wear. However, at even moderately high speeds, tool wear is still the limiting factor when machining titanium alloys, superalloys, and special steels. Tool life and productivity can be increased significantly for special applications using two novel cutting tool concepts – ledge and rotary. With ledge inserts, titanium alloys can be machined (turning and face milling) five times faster than conventional, with long tool life (~ 30 min) and cost savings up to 78 percent. A stiffened rotary tool has yielded a tool life improvement of twenty times in turning Inconel 718 and about six times when machining titanium 6A1-4V. Significantly increased metal removal rates (up to 50 in.3 /min on Inconel 718 and Ti 6A1-4V) have been achieved on a rigid, high-power precision lathe. Continuous wave CO2 LAM, though conceptually feasible, limits the opportunities to manufacture DOD components due to poor adsorption (~ 10 percent) together with high capital equipment and operating costs. Pulse LAM shows greater promise, especially if new laser source concepts such as face pump lasers are considered. Economic modeling has enabled assessment of HSM and LAM developments. Aluminum HSM has been demonstrated in a production environment and substantial payoffs are indicated in airframe applications.
253 ORGANOTYPIC CULTURES OF RAT PULMONARY EPITHELIAL CELLS: MORPHOLOGIC DIFFERENTIATION

Surfactant is synthesized by Type II pneunocytes which arise by differentiation of pre-Type II cells. In the present study, differentiation of pre-Type II cells was characterized in organotypic cultures of lung epithelial cells isolated on day 18 and 19 of gestation. Cells were incubated in 10% carbon-stripped fetal calf serum on collagen pads for 3–4 days in presence and absence of (1μM) T3 and/or hydrocortisone (HC); epithelial cells were then plated in rnonolayers. Morphologic differentiation was assessed after isolation from the collagen matrix. Synthesis and secretion of surfactant apolipoproteins A (apo A) was used as a biochemical marker of differentiation. Epithelial cells from cultures in carbon stripped media were poorly differentiated consisting of uniform populations of cells in clumps with abundant cytoplasmic polyribosomes and glycogen. Cells (co-cultured with fibroblasts) in the presence of HC with and without T3, demonstrated marked differentation of purified epithelial cells. Morphologic markers of differentiation included: 1) acinar structures, microvillous lined lumens, defined junctional complexes surrounded by spindle cells, 2) loss of cytoplasmic glycogen, 3) appearance of lamellar bodies and tubular myelin. Synthesis and secretion of apo A was demonstrated by 2D-IEF-SDS-PAGE. Differentiation increased with time of culture, was enhanced by T3 and hydrocortisone, maximal effects on differentiation observed with both hormones. We demonstrate in vivo differentiation of Type II cells in organotypic culture and stimulatory effects of HC and T3 on Type II cell differentiation.
Conformational Equilibria and Rates of Localized Motion within Hepatitis B Virus Capsids

Functional analysis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core particles has associated a number of biological roles with the C terminus of the capsid protein. One set of functions require the C terminus to be on the exterior of the capsid, while others place this domain on the interior. According to the crystal structure of the capsid, this segment is strictly internal to the capsid shell and buried at a protein-protein interface. Using kinetic hydrolysis, a form of protease digestion assayed by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry, the structurally and biologically important C-terminal region of HBV capsid protein assembly domain (Cp149, residues 1-149) has been shown to be dynamic in both dimer and capsid forms. HBV is an enveloped virus with a T=4 icosahedral core that is composed of 120 copies of a homodimer capsid protein. Free dimer and assembled capsid forms of the protein are readily hydrolyzed by trypsin and thermolysin, around residues 127-128, indicating that this region is dynamic and exposed to the capsid surface. The measured conformational equilibria have an opposite temperature dependence between free dimer and assembled capsid. This work helps to explain the previously described allosteric regulation of assembly and functional properties of a buried domain. These observations make a critical connection between structure, dynamics, and function: made possible by the first quantitative measurements of conformational equilibria and rates of conversion between protein conformers for a megaDalton complex.
Local spinal cord glucose utilization in conscious and halo-thane-anaesthetized rats

The authors used the 2-[14C]deoxyglucose method to study local spinal and cerebral glucose utilization simultaneously during 1.2 per cent halothane anaesthesia in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. In conscious animals (n = 5) the rate of glucose utilization in lumbar spinal gray matter was about 50 per cent lower than that of cerebral cortex. Halothane anaesthesia (n = 6) reduced spinal cord and cerebral metabolic rate. Spinal glucose utilization was reduced 12-35 per cent, but this was less than the 45-70 per cent decrease halothane produced in 8 of 16 cerebral structures examined and was independent of the hypotension produced. These results indicate that halothane is a spinal metabolic depressant but that its effects on this tissue are substantially less than those it has on many cerebral structures.
Intracellular potentials and discharge patterns of expiratory neurons in the caudal ventral respiratory group: influence of phasic pulmonary afferent input

In decerebrate paralyzed cats, the membrane potential (MP) patterns of 12 augmenting expiratory (E) neurons in the caudal ventral respiratory group, and phrenic and recurrent laryngeal activities, were compared for inspiratory (I) phases with and without lung inflation. No-inflation produced, in the MPs of E neurons, larger hyperpolarization during I and during early E (associated with increased early-E laryngeal activity), suggesting an increase of inhibitory inputs from I neurons and early-E neurons, respectively.
Cancer chemopreventive activity of sulforamate derivatives

Abstract Chemoprevention can be defined as an intervention in the carcinogenic process by use of natural or synthetic substances. Induction of Phase II enzyme is an important mechanism of chemoprevention. In the present studies we have synthesized several derivatives of (+)(–) 4-methylsulfinyl-1-( S- methyldithiocarbamyl)-butane (sulforamate) and evaluated their effectiveness as monofunctional inducer of the NAD(P)H Quinone oxidoreductase [quinone reductase (QR)] a phase II enzyme in cultured Hepa1c1c7 murine hepatoma cells. The cytotoxicity of some of the derivatives was strongly reduced in comparison to [(–)-1-isothiocyanato-4(R)-(methylsulfinyl)butane] (sulforaphane). However, the induction potential of these compounds was comparable to sulforaphane. On the basis of these results sulforamate derivatives can be regarded as simple, inexpensive and readily available chemopreventive agents.
Coexistence of Obesity and Anemia in Older Mexican Adults

Developing countries in Latin America (LA) are experiencing rapid aging as a result of advances in medical interventions. This rapid aging has not occurred with comparable improvements in standards of living. Chronic conditions are becoming highly prevalent while exposure to infectious communicable diseases is very common. This unique situation where communicable and non-communicable diseases coexist in the presence of low socioeconomic status place countries in LA in a unique epidemiological situation. Mexico presents a very good example where the impact of this situation on health warrants further analysis. We use data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANut 2006), a cross-sectional study representative of all urban and rural areas of Mexico. A total of 5,605 adults older than 60 years of age with valid values for Body Mass Index and Hemoglobin were analyzed. We first included a descriptive analysis of the coexistence of anemia and obesity by age, gender and characteristics of the living environment. We reported the weighted percentages for each covariate by each of four nutritional condition categories (obese and anemic, only-obese, only-anemic, not obese and not anemic). We used multinomial logit regressions to determine the association of socioeconomic characteristics, health status and the living environment with the presence of the three nutritional condition categories. In the ENSANut cohort 10.3% of older adults are anemic, 25.0% are obese and 2.6% are both anemic and obese. Approximately 62% has neither anemia nor obesity. Within the 38% that fall in the three nutritional condition categories, the co-existence of obesity and anemia appears to be associated with metropolitan area residence, living alone, being male, having relatively high wealth, and reporting two or more chronic health conditions. Analyzing the effect of the covariates to distinguish between outcome categories, living environment, age, gender, wealth, and smoking show a significant effect when comparing across the three nutritional categories. Older Mexican adults with both obesity and anemia have a different profile compared to that of adults with only one of the conditions. Future studies need to do a careful clinical evaluation of this group and design clinical interventions to avoid complications. Additionally, social support initiatives that target specific groups of older adults according to their health and social needs must be established.
Pricing superheroes: How a confident sales team can influence firm performance

Abstract Despite strong evidence of substantial impact on the bottom line, most companies counter-intuitively neglect the pricing function — as do most scholars. Although pricing is gaining in popularity, only a few articles published in major marketing journals focus on it, and scholars have long asked how organizational and behavioral characteristics of firms affect the link between pricing practices and firm performance. To address these practical and theoretical deficits, we surveyed 507 professionals involved in account and sales management at business-to-business (B2B) firms from around the world to measure the influence of five organizational factors on sales collective confidence associated with pricing and relative firm performance. Results demonstrate that four of the five factors (pricing capabilities, delegation of pricing authority, incentive and goal systems, and knowledge before negotiation) positively and significantly influence sales collective confidence associated with pricing. In turn, we find collective confidence in the sales force to be significantly and positively related to relative firm performance, suggesting that firms that are able to design organizations and allocate resources in a way that maximizes pricing confidence can achieve superior financial outcomes. In aggregate, these organizational factors promote competitive advantage and comparative firm performance.
Searching for the Future: Challenges Faced by Destination Marketing Organizations

Threats in the external environment and changes in the industry’s markets and structures have challenged destination marketing organizations to change in fundamental ways. The strategic responses to these developments are essentially decisions to proactively shape, adapt to, or passively struggle through a crisis. Envisioning the future of tourism and examining possible ways of reaching various future scenarios are essential exercises in this process of deciding which strategic approach to adopt. In response to the increasing need for new visions of the future of tourism and particularly destination marketing, leading destination marketers from the midwestern United States were invited to participate in a large focus group to discuss the specific challenges encountered by their organizations. This article summarizes the issues raised and their implications for destination marketing organizations as well as tourism research.
Interactive flowing of highly viscous volumes in virtual environments

We present a simple and linear 3D cellular automata approach for animating the behaviors of viscous flow volumes in virtual environments. An accurate modeling of fluid flow usually requires complicated physical simulations. In this paper, we concentrate on the behaviors of highly viscous fluids, such as wax, lava, plastic, metal, chocolate, etc. We animate the smooth behaviors of viscous fluid based on a local 3D cellular automata. The dynamic changing volume data is rendered directly on a VolumePro board or texture mapping hardware to achieve an interactive speed.
DYNAMICS OF FLAME-BALL FORMATION FROM LOCALIZED IGNITION: EFFECTS OF ELEVATED PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE

A computational study was conducted on expanding spherical premixed flames to investigate dynamics of flame-ball formation at elevated temperatures and pressures. Lean H2/air mixtures were investigated using a time-dependent, spherically symmetric code with detailed chemistry, transport, and radiation submodels. Results show that, with inceasing pressure, both the steady-state flame-ball radius and the H2 consumption rate for a given mixture composition decrease monotonically up to 50 atm, varying approximately as p−0.57. Furthermore, a window of pulsating flame behavior, near the upper dynamic flame-ball limit, was discovered and investigated. Within this window, an outwardly propagating flame begins to self-extinguish due to radiative losses but revives suddenly due to low-Lewis-number effects and evolves into a flame ball. More than one such cycle of behavior can occur for a given mixture concentration. Results further show that as the ambient mixture temperature is increased, the initial trend is a downward shift of the upper dynamic flame-ball limit. With reduced radiative loss, spherical flames continue to propagate outwardly for leaner mixture compositions without degenerating into flame balls, but at the same time, expand themselves into radiative extinction. Again, the role of radiative loss as both the requisite mechanism for and the limiting mechanism against the dynamic transformation of spherically propagating flames into flame balls is emphasized. Nonetheless, as the ambient temperature is increased to near 700 K (in an attempt to investigate the boundary defining the flameless combustion regime), steady flame balls are no longer attainable, with chemical reactions occurring at the boundary.
Solutions to hybrid inclusions via set and graphical convergence with stability theory applications

Motivated by questions in stability theory for hybrid dynamical systems, we establish some fundamental properties of the set of solutions to such systems. Using the notion of a hybrid time domain and general results on set and graphical convergence, we establish under weak regularity and local boundedness assumptions that the set of solutions is sequentially compact and ''upper semicontinuous'' with respect to initial conditions and system perturbations. The general facts are then used to establish several results for the behavior of hybrid systems that have asymptotically stable compact sets. These results parallel what is already known for differential inclusions and difference inclusions. For example, the basin of attraction for a compact attractor is (relatively) open, the attractivity is uniform from compact subsets of the basin of attraction, and asymptotic stability is robust with respect to small perturbations.
Latent class analysis of symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Background. Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia continue to be perplexing conditions of unknown validity. Aetiological and symptomatic heterogeneity is likely and the distinctiveness of these disorders remains unclear. Our aims were to investigate empirically symptomatic heterogeneity in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Methods. Latent class analysis was applied to data from 646 patients who met accepted criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome and/or fibromyalgia who were systematically evaluated at a specialist fatigue clinic. Thirty-two symptoms commonly found in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia were entered into the latent class analysis. Results. We chose to interpret a four class solution. The classes appeared to differ in a graded fashion (rather than qualitatively) for symptom endorsements, pre-morbid characteristics, and comorbidity with panic disorder and major depression. Conclusions. These results were unexpected given the usual assumption of the distinctiveness of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. These results support a conceptualization of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia as being characterized by greater similarities than differences.
Compact 160-Gb/s add-drop multiplexer with a 40-Gb/s base rate using electroabsorption modulators

We report on the first 40-Gb/s-based 160-Gb/s add-drop multiplexer (ADM) using a pair of standing-wave enhanced electroabsorption modulator (EAM). Direct time-domain switching is performed without interferometers or optical control pulses as required by previously reported approaches, which indicates great advantages in compactness for the EAM-based ADM. Also, a 40-Gb/s base rate is attractive in realizing a more efficient 160-Gb/s system. Error-free operation for all channels is obtained with an average power penalty as low as 1 dB.
SFBC MIMO-OFDM peak-to-average power ratio reduction by polyphase interleaving and inversion

Many PAPR reduction schemes have been proposed for OFDM systems. Among these, the signal scrambling methods such as the partial transmit sequences (PTS) (S. H. Muller, et al., 1997) and selective mapping (SLM) (R. W. Bauml, et al., 1996) are attractive as they obtain better PAPR property by modifying OFDM signals without distortion. These schemes can also be applied to a SFBC MIMO-OFDM system, which is advantageous for dispersive channels, in a straightforward way by performing signal scrambling on data sequence before it is distributed to the transmit antennas according to employed encoding scheme. Note however that in the case of PTS PAPR reduction in the time domain is not possible, which leads to prohibitively large complexity of such scheme. In this letter, we introduce more effective approach, the polyphase interleaving and inversion (PII) PAPR scheme and its reduced complexity version (RC-PII), which is designed to suppress peaks in SFBC-OFDM, transmit diversity.
Influences of Physical Environment on Corridor Walking Among Assisted Living Residents: Findings From Focus Group Discussions

Walking has multiple physical and psychological benefits for older people. This study explores corridor walking behaviors and perceptions of corridor walkability in assisted living residents. Focus...
I131-Labelled Antigen Precipitation as a Measure of Quantity and Quality of Antibody

In experiments designed to determine the effect of external factors such as X radiation on the production of precipi­ tins, the natural animal to animal varia­ tion in the degree of the immune re­ sponse and in the time of the peak re­ sponse! requires that several antibody bleedings be done on each of a large number of animals if significant results are to be obtained. In this type of ex­ periment it is usually desirable to study the primary immune response, but the low concentrations of antibody obtained make impractical the use of the quanti­ tative precipitin techniques requiring nitrogen determinations on the specific precipitate. This is true not only because of the time involved, but because the repeated removal of the large quantities of blood required for analyses produces unphysiological effects in the experi­
Linearity of low microwave noise AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

The linearity of low microwave noise AlGaN/GaN HEMTs was evaluated with two-tone excitation measurements at optimum low noise biases. A 0.15×100 µm2 device yields an output third-order intercept point (OIP3) of 23 dBm at Vds=3 V, and Vgs=−5V, where a noise figure (NF) of 1.0 and 1.75 dB was obtained at 10 and 20 GHz, respectively. The C/IM3, linearity figure-of-merit under the large RF signals, saturates near −28 dBc as Vds becomes greater than the knee voltage. Both applied bias and gate periphery dependence of the linearity were evaluated. Realisation of highly linear low-noise GaN HEMTs is feasible.