cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of technology to facilitate a prospective surveillance program for breast cancer-related lymphedema at the Massachusetts General Hospital

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a negative sequela of breast cancer (BC) caused by trauma to the lymphatic system during surgery or radiation to the axillary lymph nodes. BCRL affects approximately one in five patients treated for BC, and patients are at a lifelong risk for BCRL after treatment. Early diagnosis of BCRL may prevent its progression and reduce negative effects on quality of life, necessitating comprehensive prospective screening. This paper provides an overview of technology that may be used as part of a BCRL screening program, including objective measures such as perometry, bioimpedance spectroscopy, tissue tonometry, and three-dimensional optical imaging. Furthermore, this paper comprehensively reviews the technology incorporated into the established prospective screening program at Massachusetts General Hospital. Our prospective screening program consists of longitudinal measurements via perometry, symptoms assessment, and clinical examination by a certified lymphedema therapist (CLT) as needed. Discussion about use of perometry within the screening program and incorporation of arm volume measurements into equations to determine change over time and accurate diagnosis is included [relative volume change (RVC) and weight-adjusted change (WAC) equations]. Use of technology throughout the program is discussed, including a HIPPA-compliant online research database, the patient's electronic medical record, and incorporation of BCRL-related symptoms [BC and lymphedema symptom experience index (BCLE-SEI) survey]. Ultimately, both subjective and objective data are used to inform BCRL diagnosis and treatment by the CLT. In conclusion, the role of technology in facilitating BCRL screening is indispensable, and the continued development of objective assessment methods that are not only reliable and valid, but also cost-effective and portable will help establish BCRL screening as the standard of care for patients treated for BC.
Peer and Community Influences on Adolescent Substance Use in the Context of Adverse Childhood Experiences

Both adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and peer influences consistently predict early tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use. However, less research considers how peer and community influences c...
Scallop2 enables accurate assembly of multiple-end RNA-seq data

Abstract Transcript assembly (i.e., to reconstruct the full-length expressed transcripts from RNA-seq data) has been a critical but yet unsolved step in RNA-seq analysis. Modern RNA-seq protocols can produce paired-/multiple-end RNA-seq reads, where information is available that two or more reads originate from the same transcript. The long-range constraints implied in these paired-/multiple-end reads can be much beneficial in correctly phasing the complicated spliced isoforms. However, there often exist gaps among individual ends, which may even contain junctions, making the efficient use of such constraints algorithmically challenging. Here we introduce Scallop2, a new reference-based transcript assembler optimized for multiple-end (including paired-end) RNA-seq data. Scallop2 uses an algorithmic frame-work that first represents reads from the same molecule as the so-called multiple-end phasing paths in the context of a splice graph, then “bridges” each multiple-end phasing path into a long, single-end phasing path, and finally decomposes the splice graph into paths (i.e., transcripts) guided by the bridged phasing paths. An efficient bridging algorithm is designed to infer the true path connecting two consecutive ends following a novel formulation that is robust to sequencing errors and transcript noises. By observing that failing to bridge two ends is mainly due to incomplete splice graphs, we propose a new method to determine false starting/ending vertices of the splice graphs which has been showed efficient in reducing false positive rate. Evaluations on both (multiple-end) single-cell RNA-seq datasets from Smart-seq3 protocol and Illumina paired-end RNA-seq samples demonstrate that Scallop2 vastly outperforms recent assemblers including StringTie2, Scallop, and CLASS2 in assembly accuracy.
Usability, functionality, and efficacy of a custom myoelectric elbow-wrist-hand orthosis to assist elbow function in individuals with stroke

IntroductionAfter stroke, upper limb impairment affects independent performance of activities of daily living. We evaluated the usability, functionality, and efficacy of a myoelectric elbow-wrist-h...
A Time-Interleaved SAR ADC With Signal-Independent Background Timing Calibration

This paper presents signal-independent background calibration for timing errors in time-interleaved ADCs, using a random ramp-based calibration signal. A prototype 10-b 500-MS/s 4-channel ADC was fabricated in 40-nm CMOS. With the proposed timing calibration, the SNDR is 50.1 dB at Nyquist while consuming 6.2 mW, giving a figure of merit (FoM) of 48.4 fJ/step. Freezing the calibration after convergence improves the SNDR to 51 dB and reduces the power dissipation to 5.8 mW as well as the FoM to 39.8 fJ/step.
Mechanical performance of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based biocomposites

Abstract Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biopolyesters synthesized as carbon and energy sources by a wide variety of microorganisms. Among PHAs, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) are frequently considered as biodegradable matrix for natural fiber-reinforced biocomposites. With mechanical and physical properties close to polypropylene, PHB and PHBV, however, are susceptible to thermal degradation and possess a highly brittle structure. These drawbacks prevent them from being used in a broad spectrum of applications. To the contrary, owing to their fully biodegradable nature and high mechanical properties, both PHB and PHBV have high demands in the markets of packaging materials, disposable items, automotive parts, and medical devices. Developing biodegradable composites from PHB and PHBV with enhanced mechanical and acceptable thermal properties is a challenging task for researchers and engineers in meeting the ever-increasing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable materials. This chapter will review recent developments in the field of mechanical performance of PHA biocomposites. Specifically, the chapter will focus on PHBV blends, natural fiber-reinforced PHBV composites, and PHBV nanocomposites. The overall characteristics of the reinforcing fibers used in PHA biocomposites, including their sources, types, structures, compositions, as well as mechanical properties, will be reviewed. The development of nanotechnology has facilitated new insights into PHA structures, reinforcement mechanisms, and processing options. A variety of potential applications and research trends are anticipated. In this chapter, such new trends in the selection of natural fibers from waste streams rather than from feed crops are introduced.
Re‐stating financial statements and its reaction in financial market: Evidence from Canadian stock market

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the short‐term reactions of stock prices to the announcement of earnings restatement by the public companies listed in the Toronto stock exchange in Canada.Design/methodology/approach – The paper conducts an empirical study. For the purpose conducting the empirical study, a standard event study methodology has been utilized to examine the effect of restatement announcements on the stock returns. The dates of the announcement of restatement by each company have been collected and the effect of the announcement has been studied surrounding the announcement dates.Findings – The results of empirical works indicate that, in general, the financial market reacts negatively to any restatement of earnings. This is evident from the fact that irrespective of the reasons for restatement, all restatements show a negative effect on the stock price. The impact of the restatement announcements is significant for all the prediction intervals. However, the long‐term reactio...
Nuclear Fuel Recycling - the Value of the Separated Transuranics and the Levelized Cost of Electricity

We analyze the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for three different fuel cycles: a Once-Through Cycle, in which the spent fuel is sent for disposal after one use in a reactor, a Twice-Through Cycle, in which the spent fuel is recycled for a second use in a light water reactor after which the spent fuel is sent for disposal, and a Fast Reactor Recycle in which all of the transuranics are repeatedly recycled in fast reactors. We carefully define the LCOE and provide a simple solution method that involves simultaneously calculating the value of the recycled materials, whether plutonium or the transuranics. We parameterize our formulas and calculate the LCOEs. Earlier reports do not provide general formulas and solution methods for calculating the LCOE. We contrast our methodology with the definitions and solution methods employed in various prior reports, and we compare our parameter inputs and resulting LCOEs. For example, we show that the ‘equilibrium cost’ of fast reactor systems as calculated in other studies exaggerates the LCOE. Our calculations show that, based on current estimates of the costs for the various activities, recycling increases the LCOE by between 1.7 and 2.8 mills/kWh. This is an approximately 20-34% increase in the fuel cycle cost of the Once-Through Cycle, which we estimate at 8.28 mill/kWh. This is an approximately 2-4% increase in the total LCOE of the Once-Through Cycle, which we estimate at 75.32 mill/kWh. For the Twice-Through Cycle, the separated plutonium has a negative value, meaning that a reactor will have to be paid to take the recycled plutonium. For the Fast Reactor Cycle, the separated transuranics have a negative value, meaning that a fast reactor will have to be paid to take the transuranics.
Exchange and Localization of 3H and 18O from Water and Substrates by Mitochondria

Abstract Mitochondria that have catalyzed oxidative phosphorylation at 37° in 3H-labeled water, and which are then chilled and subjected to gel filtration near 0°, retain small amounts of tritium. Retention is decreased by lowering the temperature of incubation below 37°. At 37° most of the response is complete in 1 min of incubation, and after 5 min of incubation only about 3 µatoms of hydrogen from media water are retained per mg of protein. The extent of tritium retention is not modified by inhibitors or uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation. Comparison of 3H and 18O retention in a less sensitive experiment shows that the tritium retention is not accompanied by an equivalent retention of 18O from H18OH. 3H released from 2-3H-glutamate and 18O released from 18O-Pi during oxidative phosphorylation are not demonstrably retained by mitochondria. The results indicate that the tritium retention from media water may represent proton exchange with mitochondrial structures, probably mitochondrial proteins, and that the exchange is largely independent from oxidation or phosphorylation processes. The data give no support for possible transient localization of hydrogen from substrates or oxygen from Pi in mitochondrial water pools during oxidative phosphorylation, or for protein conformation changes associated with phosphorylation.
Advantages of Automated Observing with Small Telescopes

Advances in communications and electronics have made it possible to operate completely automatic telescopes reliably. This mode of operation lets one use moderately small telescopes to conduct research projects that would simply not be practicable otherwise. The principal advantages of automated observing, a) the ability to monitor objects over long times, b) flexibility of scheduling, and c) high productivity, are interrelated. We have operated state-of-the-art automatic photometric telescopes over the past fifteen years and are now adding automatic imaging and spectroscopic telescopes to give an integrated automatic observatory. We discuss how automating small telescopes can make them competitive research instruments through examples from this TSU Completely Automated Observatory.
Hospice and Latinos: a review of the literature.

Abstract Research on hospice use by Latinos, although increasing since the late 1990s, remains sparse. This article presents a review of the recent available literature on this topic within the past 15 years. The main aspects discussed are access to hospice care and various factors that researchers suggest affect Latino utilization of hospice care. These factors include beliefs about health care, death and end-of-life care, lack of insurance, lower referral rates by health care professionals and the hospice caregiver requirement. Overall, Latinos underutilize hospice but the reasons remain unclear. No evidence exists to indicate that Latinos are dissatisfied with services once they receive them. Also, no evidence exists to indicate they want services but cannot obtain them. Implications for social work practice and research are discussed.
Protective Association Between Neighborhood Walkability and Depression in Older Men

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between neighborhood walkability and depression in older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis using data from Adult Changes in Thought (ACT), a prospective, longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: King County, Washington. PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred forty randomly selected men and women aged 65 and older, cognitively intact, living in the same home for at least 2 years. MEASUREMENTS: Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The Walkable and Bikable Communities Project provided objective data predicting the probability of walking at least 150 minutes per week in a particular neighborhood. ACT data were linked at the individual level via a geographic information system to this walkability score using buffer radii of 100, 500, and 1,000 meters around the subject's home. Multiple regression analysis tests were conducted for associations between the buffer-specific neighborhood walkability score and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: There was a significant association between neighborhood walkability and depressive symptoms in men when adjusted for individual-level factors of income, physical activity, education, smoking status, living alone, age, ethnicity, and chronic disease. The odds ratio for the interquartile range (25th to 75th percentile) of walkability score was 0.31 to 0.33 for the buffer radii (P=.02), indicating a protective association with neighborhood walkability. This association was not significant in women. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a significant association between neighborhood walkability and depressive symptoms in older men. Further research on the effects of neighborhood walkability may inform community-level mental health treatment and focus depression screening in less-walkable areas.
Mutants of Paramecium Defective in Chemokinesis to Folate

Ten mutant lines of Paramecium tetraurelia defective in attraction to folate were isolated and examined. All mutants were normal in response to other attractants and repellents tested. One mutant was able to accumulate in folate given sufficient time. All mutations were recessive and behaved as single site Mendelian lesions. Complementation tests indicate that the mutants fall into three complementation groups. Mutants of Group 2 fall into two phenotypic classes and probably represent two alleles of the mutated fol2 gene. Possible sites of the mutants' blocks in chemoresponse are discussed.
Possible greenhouse effects of tetrafluoromethane and carbon dioxide emitted from aluminum production

Abstract Tetrafluoromethane (CF 4 ) is an extremely stable gas which strongly absorbs infrared radiation at ∼ 8 μm, and therefore is capable of influencing the greenhouse effect. No natural sources have been identified, and the major anthropogenic source appears to be the electrolytic smelting of alumina to produce aluminum. Measurements of CF 4 concentrations in the atmosphere are reviewed, and these are combined with aluminum production rates to provide an estimate of 1.3–3.6 kg of CF 4 emitted per ton of aluminum produced for the period up to ∼ 1985. Aluminum production also requires large amounts of electrical energy, leading to the emission of as much as 22 tons of carbon dioxide per ton of aluminum due to fossil fuel combustion in power plants. The present day contribution of hydroelectric power reduces this figure to about 14 tons of carbon dioxide per ton of aluminum. An estimate of the relative radiative trapping of CF 4 and CO 2 emitted in aluminum production during this same period (1900–1985) indicates that the effect of CF 4 is about one-third that of the CO 2 formed by aluminum production. However, the emission of fluorocarbons from modem aluminum electrolysis cells is much lower than previous estimates indicate, and this factor is considered in estimating potential long-term global warming effects of CF 4 and CO 2 from aluminum production. Possible processes leading to removal of CF 4 from the atmosphere are described.
Microwave response measurement and modeling of high temperature superconducting thin film detectors

We report here a model of a high temperature superconducting detector response to microwaves. The goal of the model is to approximate, based on microscopic theoretical results, the measured response of a superconducting detector to microwave frequency over a wide temperature range (from zero up to the critical temperature of the superconductor, Tc). In this work, the nonbolometric response is emphasized because its detector performance is better than the bolometric response. The nonbolometric response model is based on microwave enhancement of a thermal fluctuation voltage occurring in the networks of inherent Josephson junctions. Modeling the film as a distribution of granular connections with varying critical currents and temperatures yields results similar to those observed in microwave response measurements in granular Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O thin films. We also report here initial measurements and modeling of the microwave (9 GHz) response of a bi-epitaxial thin film showing the simultaneous presence of bolometric and nonbolometric response peaks in the same sample. The response in this Y-Ba-Cu-O thin films gives further evidence of microwave detection in the networks of inherent Josephson junctions presented at the grain boundaries of two epitaxial layers.
Hormonal regulation of casein messenger RNA (mRNA)

Lactogenesis in mammary gland of the mouse requires cortisol (or corticosterone) and prolactin. In this paper we review some recent findings in our laboratory regarding influence of the corticosteroid on casein mRNA activity of lactating mammary gland. Adrenal ablation in nursing mothers results in loss of larger ribosomal aggregates (polysomes) from mammary cells; and this is accompanied by virtual abolition of immunologically detectable casein synthesis activity of the polysomes. Immunologically determined casein mRNA activity in phenol-chloroform-extracted lactating mammary cell RNA was assayed in ascites tumor cell ribosome cell-free protein synthesis system. Adrenalectomy induces 90% loss of casein mRNA activity of mammary cells of nursing mothers; this adverse response is also preventable by cortisol therapy of the animal. This suggests that the glucocorticoid influences the concentration of functionally active casein mRNA in the mammary cells. Cortisol treatment of adrenalectomized mothers also causes a pronounced increase of precursor ([3H]uridine) incorporation into both rRNA and poly(A) mRNA. The latter includes mRNA species having a sedimentation value lower than 18S rRNA. Isolated nuclei of lactating mammary cells were assayed in an in vitro RNA polymerase system. RNA synthesized by the isolated nuclei in vitro after analysis on Sigmacell revealed that it includes poly(A) mRNA. This finding improves the feasibility of monitoring the influence of the glucocorticoid on mRNA transcriptional activity by the mammary chromatin. In addition results are presented to show that casein mRNA is inducible in the mammary cells in organ culture of the whole mammary gland in medium containing insulin, prolactin and cortisol. The significance of these findings concerning elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of synergism between the glucocorticoid and prolactin on modulation of the milk protein mRNA, and hence the developmental biology of the mammary gland, is discussed.
Color center laser spectroscopy of ν1 + ν2 + ν3 of NO2 using magnetic rotation

Abstract The ν1 + ν2 + ν3 combination band of NO2 has been investigated under high resolution using a color center laser spectrometer with magnetic rotation sensitivity enhancement. The electron spin fine structure of this band has been resolved for the first time. The fine structure constants obtained for (1, 1, 1) expressed as differences from the corresponding ground state values are Δϵaa = 0.0115(5), Δ (ϵ bb + ϵ cc ) 2 = −3.6(11) × 10 −5 , and ΔΔKs = −4.0(6) × 10−5 in cm−1. Analysis of the magnetic rotation spectrum, which emphasizes high K transitions, in combination with the previous high resolution data for this band provides somewhat improved K dependent rotational (A) and centrifugal distortion constants (ΔK, HK, ΔNK, and HKN). The lineshapes in magnetic rotation were observed to depend significantly upon the experimental conditions, especially when the fine structure splittings of the energy levels involved are comparable to the Doppler width of the transition. These lineshape effects limited the accuracy of the magnetic rotation data and suggest a need for precise control of operating conditions with this technique.
Efficient flow control in a multiclass telecommunications environment

Efficient (Pareto optimal) flow control in a multiclass telecommunications environment is analysed. Several classes of users compete for the resources provided by an exponential server, using power as their performance criterion. The neces- sary and sufficient conditions that the throughputs of the different classes have to satisfy are present- ed. Relations with definitions of global per- formance measures are analysed. Several algorithms that converge to efficient points are considered.
Turning skin into embryonic stem cells

Introducing four genes into mouse skin fibroblasts reprograms these cells into embryonic stem cells. If similar techniques work in human cells, patient-specific stem cells for tissue engineering and cell-based therapies may be closer to reality.
Studies of the Interaction of Betacyclodextrin with Ampicillin, Methicillin and Phenytoin

AbstractThe interaction of betacyclodextrin with ampicillin, methicillin and phenytoin has been investigated. All three drugs, (in the unionized form) interact strongly with betacyclodextrin. It is suggested that the interaction of all three drugs with betacyclodextrin could perhaps be exploited to pharmaceutical advantage. For ampicillin it is possible that the complex may have an improved bioavailability and a reduction in the incidence of gastro-intestinal side effects in comparision with the uncomplexed drug. For methicillin the significant extension of the hydrolytic half life for the complex makes the oral route a possibility for this drug, which is normally given intravenously because of stability problems. The interaction of phenytoin with betacyclodextrin produces a complex with a substantially enhanced solubility likely to give greatly improved bioavailability and a reduction in intra and inter subject blood level variation.
Prizes and Parasites: Incentive Models for Addressing Chagas Disease

Recent advances in immunology have provided a foundation of knowledge to understand many of the intricacies involved in manipulating the human response to fight parasitic infections, and a great deal has been learned from malaria vaccine efforts regarding strategies for developing parasite vaccines. There has been some encouraging progress in the development of a Chagas vaccine in animal models. A prize fund for Chagas could be instrumental in ensuring that these efforts are translated into products that benefit patients.
Selective detection of gas-phase TNT by integrated optical waveguide spectrometry using molecularly imprinted sol-gel sensing films.

Abstract A chemical sensor was developed to detect the explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) utilizing planar integrated optical waveguide (IOW) attenuated total reflection spectrometry. Submicron thick films of organically modified sol–gel polymers were deposited on the waveguide surface as the sensing layer. Sol–gels were molecularly imprinted for TNT using covalently bound template molecules linked to the matrix through 1 or 2 carbamate linkages. Upon chemical cleavage of the template and displacement of the TNT-like pendant groups from the matrix, shape-selective binding sites were created that possess a primary amine group. The amine was used to deprotonate bound TNT yielding an anionic form that absorbs visible light. Binding of TNT and subsequent conversion to the anion results in the attenuation of light propagating through the waveguide, thus creating a spectrophotometric device. Sensitivity can be achieved by taking advantage of the substantial pathlength provided by the use of single mode IOWs. The limit-of-detection to gas-phase TNT was found to be five parts-per-billion (ppbV) in ambient air at a flow rate of 40 mL min −1 given a 60 s sampling time. The sensor is highly selective for TNT due to the selectivity of binding site recognition of TNT and the subsequent generation of the TNT anion. Response to TNT is not reversible which results in an integrating sensor device which, in theory, can improve the ability to detect small amounts of the explosive if the exposure time is sufficient in length.
N-gram analysis of 970 microbial organisms reveals presence of biological language models

Background It has been suggested previously that genome and proteome sequences show characteristics typical of natural-language texts such as "signature-style" word usage indicative of authors or topics, and that the algorithms originally developed for natural language processing may therefore be applied to genome sequences to draw biologically relevant conclusions. Following this approach of 'biological language modeling', statistical n-gram analysis has been applied for comparative analysis of whole proteome sequences of 44 organisms. It has been shown that a few particular amino acid n-grams are found in abundance in one organism but occurring very rarely in other organisms, thereby serving as genome signatures. At that time proteomes of only 44 organisms were available, thereby limiting the generalization of this hypothesis. Today nearly 1,000 genome sequences and corresponding translated sequences are available, making it feasible to test the existence of biological language models over the evolutionary tree.
Multilattice microcanonical simulation

Abstract A numerical lattice simulation technique is presented that is efficient for use on general purpose computers. This algorithm is a combination of the microcanonical simulation introduced by Creutz, and the multilattice coding technique demonstrated by Bhanot et al. The algorithm is tested with the two-dimensional Ising model. We achieve a maximum speed of 660000 Ising spin flips per second (without measurements) on a VAX 11 780 . Satisfactory agreement with exact results is found.
Theory of the mobility of electrons in a semiconducting-surface inversion layer

The dc mobility for the lowest subband electrons in a Si(100) surface inversion layer have been calculated by the standard memory-function approach and also by the Boltzmann equation. We show that the results obtained from these two methods do not agree with each other when the temperature becomes finite. The scattering mechanisms due to the oxide charges at the semiconductor-insulator interface and the surface roughness are considered. Our numerical results seem to indicate that the dc resistivities derived from both methods can be fitted to agree with experiments at low temperature if the parameters involved are varied slightly.
Does Performance Measurement Improve Strategic Decision Making? Findings From a National Survey of Nonprofit Social Service Agencies

Nonprofits have encountered increased pressures for accountability and performance in recent years, both from their funding entities as well as the public. The adoption of performance measurement systems assumes that managers will use performance information to make better decisions. However, little research has focused on performance information use in the nonprofit sector. This study seeks to address this gap in the literature. Using survey data from several hundred nonprofit social service organizations in the United States, this article examines the extent to which reliance on various performance measures improves strategic decision making within nonprofit organizations. Authors find a positive relationship between the range of performance measures used by nonprofits and their level of effectiveness in strategic decision making. Other factors that also contribute to strategic decision making within nonprofits include effective governance, funding diversity, and education level of the executive director.
Ca2+ Binding and Energy Coupling in the Calmodulin-Myosin Light Chain Kinase Complex

We have previously shown that 3 Ca2+ ions are released cooperatively and 1 independently from the complex between (Ca2+)4-calmodulin and skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase or a peptide containing its core calmodulin-binding sequence. We now have found that three Ca2+-binding sites also function cooperatively in equilibrium Ca2+ binding to these complexes. Replacement of sites I and II in calmodulin by a copy of sites III and IV abolishes these cooperative effects. Energy coupling-dependent increases in Ca2+-binding affinity in the mutant and native calmodulin complexes with enzyme are considerably less than in the peptide complexes, although the complexes have similar affinities. Ca2+ binding to three sites in the native calmodulin-enzyme complex is enhanced; the affinity of the remaining site is slightly reduced. In the mutant enzyme complex Ca2+ binding to one pair of sites is enhanced; the other pair is unaffected. In this complex reversal of enzyme activation occurs when Ca2+ dissociates from the pair of sites with enhanced affinity; more rapid dissociation from the other pair has no effect, although both pairs participate in activation. Ca2+-independent interactions with calmodulin clearly play a major role in the enzyme complex, and appear to weaken Ca2+-dependent interactions with the core calmodulin-binding sequence.
Optical-DC-Field Induced Space Charge Fields and Photorefractive-Like Holographic Grating Formation in Nematic Liquid Crystals

Abstract We present a detailed theoretical discussion of the fundamental mechanisms for dc field assisted optically induced space charge fields and molecular reorientation effects in nematic liquid crystal films. In fullerene C60-doped film, persistent director axis reorientation is observed, allowing the recording of holographic and other optical phase gratings.
The schizophrenia susceptibility gene DTNBP1 modulates AMPAR synaptic transmission and plasticity in the hippocampus of juvenile DBA/2J mice

The dystrobrevin binding protein (DTNBP) 1 gene has emerged over the last decade as a potential susceptibility locus for schizophrenia. While no causative mutations have been found, reduced expression of the encoded protein, dysbindin, was reported in patients. Dysbindin likely plays a role in the neuronal trafficking of proteins including receptors. One important pathway suspected to be affected in schizophrenia is the fast excitatory glutamatergic transmission mediated by AMPA receptors. Here, we investigated excitatory synaptic transmission and plasticity in hippocampal neurons from dysbindin-deficient sandy mice bred on the DBA/2J strain. In cultured neurons an enhancement of AMPAR responses was observed. The enhancement of AMPAR-mediated transmission was confirmed in hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses, and was not associated with changes in the expression of GluA1–4 subunits nor an increase in GluR2-lacking receptor complexes. Lastly, an enhancement in LTP was also found in these mice. These data provide compelling evidence that dysbindin, a widely suspected susceptibility protein in schizophrenia, is important for AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission and plasticity in the developing hippocampus.
Depression and pain among inpatients with spinal cord injury and spinal cord disease: differences in symptoms and neurological function

Purpose: To examine the relationship between depression and pain severity during inpatient rehabilitation for those with new onset of spinal cord injury or spinal cord disease (SCI/D), along with patient characteristics, neurological function and etiology. Method: This cross-sectional study reviewed medical records of 100 adults with SCI/D including their admission scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), a measure of depression, and pain ratings collected at admission and discharge. Results: Upon admission, 28% reported moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression and 69% reported pain. PHQ-9 scores were associated with pain only among those with the least severe impairments, for whom higher scores were associated with greater pain. While depression levels did not differ by etiology, those with traumatic injuries had higher pain ratings. Conclusions: In general, depressive symptoms were not associated with pain severity in this sample. Etiology was associated with pain, those with traumatic SCI...
Mitogenic effect of epidermal growth factor on sheep thyroid cells in culture

Abstract Sheep thyroid follicles enzymatically released from fragmented tissue were used for primary and clonal monolayer culture. Bovine thyrotropin in combination with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxantine (MIX), induced morphological differentiation with the formation of follicular lumina. An autoradiographical analysis of the incorporation of [3H]thymidine in primary cultures showed that epidermal growth factor (EGF) caused an increase (about 50%) in the labeling index. Further, it was shown that EGF, when combined with a low serum concentration in Eagle's minimum essential medium (EMEM), allowed clonal growth of epithelial cells, whereas high serum concentration governed growth of stromal fibroblasts as well. Clonal growth could be quantitatively determined using an automatic colony counter and it was found that maximal growth response was obtained with 0.5 ng EGF per ml. Using a modified MCDB 151 medium, originally designed for human keratinocytes, clonal growth in low serum and EGF was further improved. The present results thus show that EGF is a potent growth factor for sheep thyroid cells in primary and in clonal culture. Since EGF is a physiologically occurring plasma hormone, it is suggested that it may also be involved in thyroid growth in vivo.
Understanding slow voltage instability

This paper will explain the dynamics of slow voltage instability on large power systems at a basic and intuitive level. This paper will outline the voltage instability phenomenon and leave the specific details for individual investigation. Slow Voltage Instability is a phenomenon which occurs over several minutes to an hour; where as Transient Voltage Collapse occurs over several seconds. Understanding what causes voltage instability and why this may cascade into a voltage collapse requires knowledge of how key components of the power system are affected by low voltage. Some of these components will respond at different time frames, contributing to faster transient voltage instability, and/or slower long term voltage instability. Simulations will show how the components of voltage instability contribute to cause low voltage. Popular power flow methods such as PV and QV curves are used to show how a system can be analyzed for voltage stability. Finally, there are several possible solutions that will be discussed that could help stabilize voltage for large power systems.
Taxation of U.S. foreign direct investment abroad: Effective tax rates and tax policy competition in developed and developing countries

Abstract The study tests whether tax policy is effective in attracting foreign direct investment and examines differences in tax policies between developed and developing countries. The study found that, during the 1968–1982 period, a sample of 17 developed countries, on average, had high effective tax rates (compared to the developing countries), appeared to compete vigorously through tax policies, and had tax rates that tended to converge over time. During the same period, a sample of 48 developing countries exhibited divergent tax behavior within the group, suggesting less competition. The study also found that the tax sensitivity of foreign direct investment is significantly greater within the developed country group than within the developing country group. These findings have implications for both governments and multinational corporations.
Two-Photon Fluorescence Microscopy: A New Tool for Tissue Imaging and Spectroscopy

AbstractTwo-photon microscopy is probably the most important invention in optical microscopy during the last decade. This new technology allows non-invasive imaging of in vivo biological specimens, generates images from deeper tissue depth, and provides higher signal-to-noise images as compared with confocal microscopy. The technology has been used extensively in the study of neurobiology, embryology, and tissue physiology. This paper presents a review of this interesting new technique. (The J Histotechnol 23:221, 2000)
Modeling of terrain impact caused by tracked vehicles

Analytical models that can predict the terrain impact caused by tracked vehicles on a horizontal plane were developed and tested. The models included a disturbed width model and an impact severity model. Inputs of the terrain impact models included vehicle static properties, vehicle dynamic properties, and terrain properties. The tested vehicles included an M1A1 tank, an M577 Armored Personal Carrier (APC), and an M548 cargo carrier. The models were verified with field tests conducted in Yakima Training Center in Yakima, WA, Fort Riley, KS, and Camp Atterbury, Indiana. The average percentage errors of the disturbed width model for the M1A1, M577, and the M548 were 10.0%, 27.3%, and 8.5%, respectively. The average percentage errors of the impact severity model of the M1A1 and M577 were 25.0% and 21.4%, respectively.
The psychological burden of proof: On the evolutionary development of Richard Whately's theory of presumption

Previous analysis of Richard Whately's theory of presumption and burden of proof have been unable to resolve the apparent difficulty posed by his treatment of both legal (rule‐assigned) and psychological (audience‐determined) presumptions. Critics have either avoided this question entirely or have attempted to reconcile the dual forms of presumption in a legal interpretation of the theory, denigrating the psychological aspects, and suggesting that Whately was confused about his own system. In contrast, a chronological analysis of the evolution of Whately's doctrine, 1830–1846, produces evidence in favor of a broad psychological interpretation of the theory, having implications for modern argumentation theory.
Safety at nuclear power plants: Economic incentives under the Price-Anderson Act and state regulatory commissions

Abstract The Price-Anderson Act has indemnified the commercial nuclear power industry since its inception. This article proposes a present value model of firm investment in reactor safety systems to investigate the safety incentives of the 1988 amendments to the Act. While the amendments increase safety incentives for electric utilities through insurance regulation, safety behavior depends crucially on the anticipated reaction of the state regulatory commission after a reactor accident.
A highly enantio-selective hexitol nucleic acid template for nonenzymatic oligoguanylate synthesis.

The authors compare the enantiomeric cross-inhibition of D- and L-guanosine 5'-phosphoro-2-methyl-imidazole (I) polymn. on C10 (RNA), dC10 (DNA), or hC10 (hexitol nucleic acid) (II). RNA or DNA templates catalyze efficient oligomerization of D-I, with a strong enantiomeric cross-inhibition by L-I, but II shows efficient oligomerization of D-I with a less sever cross-inhibition, resulting in G6-9 polymers, thus showing that efficient selection of one optical isomer from a racemic mixt. of nucleotides during nonenzymic oligo-nucleotide synthesis on an analog of a nucleic acid template is possible, which may be of relevance to prebiotic conditions. [on SciFinder (R)]
Shadow Effect in the Scattering of GeV Pions and Nucleons by Deuterons

The experimental total cross sections for the individual pion-nucleon and nucleon-nucleon processes have been used to deduce the pion-deuteron and nucleon-deuteron total cross sections using a geometrical optic model
Detection a Fibrous Component in Keratohyalin Granules of Newborn Rat Epidermis

Keratohyalin granules of frozen newborn rat epidermis were stained histologically and immunohistochemically and studied by light and electron microscopy. They showed a variety of reactivity to eosin, hematoxylin, uranyl acetate and rabbit monospecific antikeratin IgG. We found that good preservation of ultrastructure can be obtained from quickly frozen skin, and filamentous components remain after extraction of tissue substances by 0.14 m NaCl in 0.1 m-Tris-HCl buffer, pH 8.0. Furthermore, filaments in keratohyalin granules became immunologically reactive with rabbit anti-keratin IgG after extraction. Poststain with uranyl acetate further facilitated ultrastructural demonstration of filaments in the granules. These results indicate that filaments are one of the constituents of keratohyalin granules and the staining property changes occur in tonofilaments as they associate with other components to form keratohyalin granules.
Vacuum polarization by solitons in (1+1)-dimensions

Abstract We have computed the vacuum polarization of fermions by solitons of any topological charge in (1+1) dimensions by a modification of the adiabatic method of Goldstone and Wilczek. We have obtained solutions which continuously interpolate between the adiabatic and nonadiabatic regimes and have investigatedthe effect of the scale of variation of the solitons on the vacuum polarization ( VP ) that they induce and have verified that energy level crossing occurs only for sharply varying solitons. However we have shown explicitly that in all cases, every time the topological charge ( TC ) of the system increases by one, one unit of fermion number escapes from the system, thereby showing that the adiabatic results of Goldstone and Wilczek hold even in the nonadiabatic case. Hence we have verified that in the adiabatic case VP = − TC for all TC . However, we have obtained the suprising result that even in the nonadiabatic case, the solitons will polarize the vacuum provided that they have a high enough TC (although in this case | VP | TC |). Only the infinitely sharp solitons can never polarize the vacuum. We have also shown that, during the entire process of building up a soliton of any TC , the total “number” of eigenfunctions of the Hamiltonian is conserved, the total spatial density of the spectrum remains uniform and the eigenfunctions remain complete.
Microsatellite variation in a social insect.

We undertook a study to explore the potential of microsatellite loci as genetic markers for investigating kinship patterns in a social waspParachartergus colobopterus. A plasmid library with small inserts was screened for several oligonucleotide repeat motifs. Positive clones were sequenced and several were selected for further work. PCR primers were constructed that would amplify the tandem repeat region and a number of female wasps were scored for variation in the number of tandem repeats at these loci. The five amplified loci were far more variable than allozymes, with an average heterozygosity of 0.35.
Adhesion force during microcontact interaction between cylindrical-segment-on-flat and flat bodies

Adhesion force including its both attractive and repulsive components during microcontact interaction between cylindrical-segment-on-flat and flat bodies is formulated using the volumetric integration of interactions among the atoms. Thenceforth the corresponding formulation for cylinder-on-flat and flat-on-flat is developed and compared with the available counterpart attractive force and they are in excellent agreement with each other. However, the present study provides also the repulsive component of adhesion force for these contact geometries. The formulation is also extended for a cylindrical segment with two radii to model the elastic–plastic deformation. Several phenomena related to adhesion during microcontact are then studied leading to the following salient observations. The adhesion force during microcontact interaction can be of the same order as the applied force, and thus causes the plastic deformation. The attractive force from the cylindrical segment is the major component of adhesion force for its radius/height ratios smaller than 1000 while that from the bulk body is the major for the larger ratios, i.e. when the cylindrical segment is similar to an asperity. There is considerable difference in the attractive force between a cylinder and a cylindrical-segment-on-flat for the smaller values of radius. The difference between attractive and total adhesion force is significant (∼60%) when adhesion force is the maximum, but it rapidly decreases with increasing separation distance and can be neglected at the separation distance larger than the twice of inter-atomic equilibrium distance. The equilibrium separation distance is about 60% of the inter-atomic equilibrium distance and adhesion force is maximum at about 80% of the inter-atomic equilibrium separation distance for both deformed and undeformed configurations. The adhesion force also increased with the deformation of cylindrical segment.
A receiver with m-level integration

Using the information obtained by quantizing a sampled signal into m-levels, the optimal decision rule is given for the classification as noise alone or noise with signal. This is a generalization of Szajnowski's result [4]. Expressions for the detection and false-alarm probabilities are given.
Differential resistance to distortion as a functional property of two structural parameters of two dimensional line drawings

Two structural parameters of two dimensional drawings, sidedness and regularity, are systematically varied and their relationship to the breakdown of binocular fusion (doubling of image) as a function of increasing lateral separation of dichoptically presented images is explored. Sidedness is not found to be systematically significant parameter, while regularity is seen to operate across figures (independently of sidedness). A predictive analysis, in terms of the Gestalt variables of “good form” is examined, and the results discussed in terms of these variables, a personality dimension and uncertainty.