cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence suggesting reentrant superconductivity in a multiphase TlCaBaCuO system

Evidence suggesting reentrant behavior in the resistivity of a high-Tc superconductor is reported. As the temperature is lowered in a multiphase sample with nominal composition Tl1Ca1.7Ba0.8Cu3Ox, a partial (30%) drop in the resistivity and then reentranc e to the normal state are observed before the sample becomes a bulk superconductor. This quasi-reentrant behavior was recorded in the interval from 105 to 115 K both on cooling and warming the material. The magnetic susceptibility attains a minimum at low temperatures. This minimum shifts with applied external field.
Petrology of submarine volcanics and sediments in the vicinity of the Mendocino Fracture Zone

Abstract Pyroxene-rich basalts, glassy basalts, olivine basalts and paloganite tuff breccias of various sizes were dredged from the top and in the vicinity of the Mendocino Fracture Zone. Some of these rocks have encrustations of ferromanganese oxide minerals. In addition, manganese nodules of different sizes were recovered which contain a nucleus of palagonite tuff. Several sediment cores collected to the north and south of the Mendocino Fracture Zone contain mostly medium yellowish brown clay, commonly known as red clay. Study of the cores revealed two areally restricted bio-lithologic units: (1) Radiolaria-Foraminifera-rich silty clay, and (2) Radiolaria-rich silty clay. The above units grade down into Foraminifera-rich silty clay and silty clay barren of Radiolaria respectively. Red clay is characteristically confined to Radiolaria-rich silty clay, silty clay barren of Radiolaria and contains abundant ferromanganese micronodules. Greater concentrations of ferromanganese micronodules occur below the sediment surface and are associated with palagonite grains. The sediments to the north of the Mendocino Fracture Zone are rich in zircon, rutile? and zeolites. The petrography and petrology of the dredged basalts, manganese nodules and sediments are discussed. It is suggested that the sediments, especially in the Radiolaria-rich clay, are dominantly volcanic in origin and locally derived. It is concluded that manganese nodules and red clay containing manganese micronodules (manganese grains) are genetically associated with palagonite complexes formed by submarine volcanism which was related to the development of the Mendocino Fracture Zone.
Enhanced linear and nonlinear optical phase response of microring resonators for engineerable photonic media

Microring resonators can serve as key elements in the realization of engineerable photonic media. A sequence of resonators coupled to an optical waveguide can be viewed as an optical transmission line with highly controllable dispersive and nonlinear properties, similar to those of photonic crystals or gratings. We have constructed and characterized several optical micro-ring resonators with scale sizes of the order of 10 microns. These devices are intended to serve as building blocks for engineerable linear and nonlinear photonic media. Light is guided vertically by an epitaxially grown structure and transversely by deeply etched air-clad sidewalls. In this work, we chose to construct ring resonators in AlGaAs and probe them at a photon energy below the half-gap of the material. Our motivation for this choice was to maximize the ultrafast bound (Kerr) nonlinearities resulting from virtual transitions while minimizing the two-photon contribution to carrier generation. We report on the spectral phase transfer characteristics of such resonators. We also report the observation of a pi-radian Kerr nonlinear phase shift accumulated in a single compact ring resonator evidenced by all-optical switching between output ports of a resonator-enhanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
Verification of the theory of the thermal trap

Abstract A slab of transparent methyl methacrylate plastic is irradiated by the sun, and the time-temperature response of the slab is recorded. Using the transmission spectrum of the plastic, a mathematical model of an irradiated transparent solid is solved for the temperature distribution in the slab as a function of time and distance in the solid. Comparison of the experiment and theory shows that the mathematical model predicts the thermal trap effect quite well.
Mechanisms of conditioned immunomodulation

Abstract This article presents some recent work from our laboratory indicating that multiple physiological systems play a role in conditioned immunomodulation. The first study shows that naltrexone, but not N -methylnaltrexone, blocks the suppressive effects of an aversive conditioned stimulus on Con-A-induced proliferation and natural killer cell activity of splenic lymphocytes. This finding indicates that central opioid activity is involved in the conditioned effects. The second study shows that the β-adrenergic antagonists atenolol and ICl-118,551 block the suppressive effects of an aversive conditioned stimulus on Con-A-induced proliferation, but have no effect on natural killer cell activity. This result indicates the involvement of the adrenergic system in a subset of the conditioned effects. Collectively, these experiments provide evidence that both the opioid system and the sympathetic nervous system are involved in conditioned immunomodulatory changes elicited by an aversive conditioned stimulus.
Intralaminar and interlaminar progressive failure analyses of composite panels with circular cutouts

A progressive failure methodology is developed and demonstrated to simulate the initiation and material degradation of a laminated panel due to intralaminar and interlaminar failures. Initiation of intralaminar failure can be by a matrix-cracking mode, a fiber-matrix shear mode, and a fiber failure mode. Subsequent material degradation is modeled using damage parameters for each mode to selectively reduce lamina material properties. The interlaminar failure mechanism such as delamination is simulated by positioning interface elements between adjacent sublaminates. A nonlinear constitutive law is postulated for the interface element that accounts for a multi-axial stress criteria to detect the initiation of delamination, a mixed-mode fracture criteria for delamination progression, and a damage parameter to prevent restoration of a previous cohesive state. The methodology is validated using experimental data available in the literature on the response and failure of quasi-isotropic panels with centrally located circular cutouts loaded into the postbuckling regime. Very good agreement between the progressive failure analyses and the experimental results is achieved if the failure analyses includes the interaction of intralaminar and interlaminar failures.
Palliative care for the surgical oncologist: embracing the palliativist within.

ACCORDING TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, palliative care is ‘‘an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.’’ Palliative care began in the hospice movement with the pioneering work of Dame Cicely Saunders, whose focus was the relief of suffering in patients with terminal cancer. Efforts are increasing to integrate palliative care earlier in the course of disease. Unfortunately, a recent survey of U.S. cancer center hospitals revealed that only 23% of centers had dedicated beds for palliative care. The shortage of dedicated beds for palliative care mirrors the limited number of physicians practicing palliative medicine. According to the Center to Advance Palliative Care, although there is one oncologist for every 141 newly diagnosed cancer patients, there is only one palliative medicine physician for every 1,200 persons living with a serious or life-threatening illness. This shortfall in palliative care physicians is even more striking when one considers that surgeons represent currently less than 1% of all physicians with board certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Furthermore, as of December 2011, the American Board of Surgery had only certified 26 Diplomats
The effect of conjugated linoleic acid on plasma lipoproteins and tissue fatty acid composition in humans.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been suggested by some animal studies to possess antiatherogenic properties. To determine, in humans, the effect of dietary CLA on blood lipids, lipoproteins, and tissue fatty acid composition, we conducted a 93-d study with 17 healthy female volunteers at the Metabolic Research Unit of the Western Human Nutrition Research Center. Throughout the study, subjects were fed a low-fat diet [30 energy percent (en%) fat, 19 en% protein, and 51 en% carbohydrate] that consisted of natural foods with the recommended dietary allowances for all known nutrients. After a 30-d stabilization period, subjects were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n=10) supplemented daily with capsules containing 3.9 g of CLA or a control group (n=7) that received an equivalent amount of sunflower oil. The CIA capsules (CLA 65%) contained four major cis/trans geometric isomers (11.4% 9 cis-,11 trans-18∶2; 10.8% 8 trans-,10 cis-18∶2; 15.3% 11 cis-,13 trans-18∶2; and 14.7% 10 trans-, 12 cis-18∶2) and their corresponding cis/cis (6.74% total) and trans/trans (5.99% total) varieties in smaller amounts. Fasting blood was drawn on study days 30 (end of the stabilization period), 60 (midpoint of the intervention period), and 93 (end of the intervention period). Adipose tissue samples were taken on days 30 and 93. CLA supplementation for 63 d did not change the levels of plasma cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. The weight percentage of CLA in plasma increased from 0.28±0.06 to 1.09±0.31 (n=10, P<0.05) after the supplementation. The 9 cis-,11 trans-isomer was the most prominent variety followed by the 11 cis-,13 trans- and 10 trans-,12 cis-isomers in lesser amounts. CLA in adipose tissue was not influenced by the supplementation (0.79±0.18 to 0.83±0.19 wt%) (n=10) and the 9 cis-,11 trans-variety was the only isomer present. Thus, contrary to findings from some animal studies, CLA does not seem to offer health benefits, in the short term, regarding the prevention of atherosclerosis in humans. CLA supplementation for 2 mon did not alter the blood cholesterol or lipoprotein levels of healthy, normolipidemic subjects. The supplementation did increase CLA in the plasma but only 4.23% of the ingested CLA was present in the plasma at any given time. No adverse effect of CLA supplementation was detected in this study.
Structured audio and effects processing in the MPEG-4 and multimedia standard

While previous generations of the MPEG multimedia standard have focused primarily on coding and transmission of content digitally sampled from the real world,MPEG-4 contains extensive support for structured, syntheticand synthetic/natural hybrid coding methods. An overviewis presented of the "Structured Audio" and "AudioBIFS"components of MPEG-4, which enable the description ofsynthetic soundtracks, musical scores, and effects algorithmsand the compositing, manipulation, and synchronization ofreal and synthetic audio sources. A discussion of the separation of functionality between the systems layer and the audiotoolset of MPEG-4 is presented, and prospects for efficientDSP-based implementations are discussed.
Direct analysis of 210Pb in sediment samples: Self-absorption corrections

Abstract A procedure for the direct γ-ray instrumental analysis of 210Pb in sediment samples is presented. The problem of dependence of self-absorption on sample composition is solved by making a direct transmission measurement on each sample. The procedure has been verified by intercalibrations and other tests.
Towards a Low-Q Erbium Doped Silicon Laser

In this paper we characterize the photoluminescence spectra of Erbium doped Yttrium oxide and propose a design for making a low quality factor on chip laser with this material.
The Role of Hydrogen Bonding in Rigid-rod Polymers: The Crystal Structure of a Polybenzobisimidazole Model Compound

Abstract Microstructural information about the nature of the polymer–water interaction in rigid-rod polybenzimidazole polymer fibers (PBI) is derived from the X-ray crystallographic analysis of 1,7-dihydro-2,6-diphenylbenzo-[1,2-d;4,5-d′]diimidazole tetrahydrate, C20H14N4·4H2O, MW=382.20 amu, a model compound for poly(p-phenylene-benzobisimidazole) (PBDI). The model compound crystallizes in a monoclinic crystal system, space group P21/c, with a=9.008(2) A , b=24.967(7) A , c=9.870(5) A , β=119.82(3)°, and Z=4. Molecules pack in a herringbone fashion, interspersed with a network of solvent water molecules. Hydrogen-bonded water molecules bridge molecules of the model compound that are related by an inversion center. Each water molecule acts both as a hydrogen bond donor and as a hydrogen bond acceptor. A plausible model for the packing of chains in heat-treated fibers of PBDI would involve polymer chains extending in the direction of elongation, in the manner found for polybenzothiazoles (PBZT) and polybenzoxazoles (PBO), but with a network of hydrogen-bonded water molecules providing strong lateral interactions between polymer molecules. A comparison is made with the structure of poly-{2,6-diimidazo[4,5-b:4′,5′-e]pyridinylene-1,4(2,5-dihydroxy) phenylene} (PIPD or ‘M5’ fiber) since the enhanced compressive behavior of PIPD is attributed to a hydrogen-bonding network between polymer chains.
Test generation for ultra-high-speed asynchronous pipelines

We propose a methodology for testing ultra-high-speed asynchronous pipelines, the latest and most promising asynchronous circuit design style. Unlike traditional delay-insensitive asynchronous micro-pipelines, which use slow capture-pass latches, these circuits employ aggressive handshaking protocols and transparent latches between fine-grain pipeline stages, in order to achieve high performance. Their functional robustness, however, relies on certain timing constraints that need to be satisfied. As a result, these circuits are no longer delay-insensitive, which means that stuck-at faults are not always leading to pipeline stalling. In addition, delay faults may result in violation of these timing constraints, thus affecting not only performance, as in delay-insensitive micro-pipelines, but also functional correctness. To address these new challenges, we develop a test method for both stuck-at and timing constraint violation faults in fine-grain ultra-high-speed asynchronous pipelines. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated on MOUSETRAP, a recently developed pipeline for high-speed applications
Preparation of [131I] iodinated nonoxynol‐9

A novel method for the radioiodination [131I] of the multicomponent non-ionic surfactant nonoxynol-9 (N-9) is described. The extent of incorporation and distribution of the 131I-label into the aromatic moiety of various ethoxymer units of N-9 was determined utilizing a high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method.
Estimation of microbial densities from dilution count experiments.

Although dilution counts have been widely used in quantitative microbiology, their interpretation has always been widely discussed both in microbiology and in applied statistics. Maximum-likelihood (most-probable-number) methods hae generally been used to estimate densities from dilution experiments. It has not been widely recognized that these methods are intrinsically and statistically biased at the sample sizes used in microbiology. This paper presents an analysis of proposed method for correction of such biases, and the method was found to be robust for moderate deviations from Poisson behavior. For analyses at greater variance with the Poisson assumptions, the use of the Spearman-Karber method is analyzed and shown to yield an estimate of density of lesser bias than that produced by the most-probable-number method. Revised methods of constructing confidence limits proposed by Loyer and Hamilton (M.W. Loyer and M.A. Hamilton, Biometrics 40:907-916, 1984) are also discussed, and charts for the three- and four-decimal dilution series with five tubes per dilution are presented.
Aging--an overview.

At present there are approximately 28 million persons over age 65 in the United States, constituting 11.5% of the total population. It has been estimated that by the year 2020, approximately 20% of America’s population will be over the age of 65. Perhaps more important, however, is the shift toward an “older” geriatric population; by the turn of the century, there will be more persons over the age of 75 than those aged 65–75. The elderly, especially those over the age of 75, constitute the single largest group of consumers of health services in the country and expend 25% of all health care dollars. In fact, one-third of all acute hospital beds and 90% of long-term care beds are occupied by persons over 65 years of age. The elderly use over 25% of prescription and an even higher percentage of over-the-counter medications.
Model of incisura on pressure pulse contours in the aorta

Mathematical models of the ascending and descending parts of the pressure pulse contour in the ascending aorta were previously shown to be exponential functions of time (see A. Chatterjea and J. Njock Libii, Proc. 9th Ann. Conf. IEEE Eng. in Med. and Biol. Soc., vol.2, p.868, 1987). However, in that investigation the presence of incisura was neglected. Here, a mathematical model of the incisura is presented. >
Adapting Engineering Education to Resource-Constrained Middle Schools: Teaching Methodologies and Computing Technologies

Middle school students are at a critical age where exposure to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields can greatly impact their career goals. Unlike other STEM fields, many schools do not have the expertise or resources needed to acquire and utilize existing engineering education platforms. Thus, we have begun to investigate how to adapt proven interactive project-based learning techniques for resource-constrained middle school environments as well as evaluate interactive platforms or platform characteristics that can be adapted to ensure greater accessibility of these materials.
Leucine reduces the duration of insulin-induced PI 3-kinase activity in rat skeletal muscle

Leucine (Leu) is known to stimulate translation initiation of protein synthesis at mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in the insulin signaling pathway. However, potential feedback from mTOR to up...
Mining call and mobility data to improve paging efficiency in cellular networks

Locating mobile users and devices efficiently is a critical operation in cellular networks. This is done using a combination of location update(by the mobile) and paging (by the network). The paging scheme determines how and where to search for a mobile user given the latestlocation update information from that user. In this paper, we considerhow to increase the efficiency of the paging scheme.Much previous work has relied on simulation or modeling to design and evaluate the performance of proposed paging schemes. We take a different, data-driven approach in how we design and evaluate our solution. Specifically, we mine more than 300 million call records from a large cellular operator to characterize user mobility and create mobility profiles. We then develop a family ofprofile-based paging techniques, considering both static schemes and dynamic schemes which adapt as user profiles continuously get updated. We find that our paging techniques can dramatically reducesignaling load (up to 80%) with minimal increase in paging delay (usually less than 10%).
A Common Network of Functional Areas for Attention and Eye Movements

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and surface-based representations of brain activity were used to compare the functional anatomy of two tasks, one involving covert shifts of attention to peripheral visual stimuli, the other involving both attentional and saccadic shifts to the same stimuli. Overlapping regional networks in parietal, frontal, and temporal lobes were active in both tasks. This anatomical overlap is consistent with the hypothesis that attentional and oculomotor processes are tightly integrated at the neural level.
On the rate regions for wireless MIMO ad hoc networks

In this paper, the rate regions are studied for MIMO ad hoc networks. We first apply a framework developed for single antenna systems to MIMO systems, which gives the ultimate capacity region. Motivated by the fact that the ultimate capacity regions allow an optimization that may he unrealistic in some networks, a new concept of average rate region is proposed. We show the large gap between the ultimate capacity region and the new average rate region, while the latter is an upper bound on the performance of many existing ad hoc routing protocols. On the other hand, the average rate region also gives the average system performance over fading or random node positions. The outage capacity region is also defined. Through the study of the different rate regions, we show that the gain from multiple antennas for networks is similar to that for point-to-point communications. The gains obtained from multi-hop routing and spatial reuse are also shown for MIMO networks.
Oxygen consumption rate of shrimp exposed to crude oil extract

Abstract The shallow water shrimp Palaemon adspersus was exposed to 200, 100 and 0 ppb WSF of crude oil for 14 days after which the oxygen consumption rate was measured in a closed chamber with an electrode. Previous work has shown a changed oxygen consumption rate in animals exposed to WSF in concentrations 100 to 1000 times the concentrations used in the present experiments. The oxygen consumption rate was also significantly increased by the low concentrations used in the present work. Although the oxygen consumption rate was significantly increased, as an effect of WSF-pollution, the method is very time-consuming.
Septation of the anorectal and genitourinary tracts in the human embryo: crucial role of the catenoidal shape of the urorectal sulcus.

Background Previous studies of the tracheoesophageal sulcus and the sulci of the developing heart have suggested that the catenoidal or saddle-shaped configuration of the sulcus had mechanical properties that were important to developmental processes by causing regional growth limitation. We examined the development of the human perineal region to determine if a similar configuration exists in relation to the urorectal septum. We wished to re-examine the controversial issue of the role of the urorectal sulcus in the partitioning of the cloaca. Methods Digitally scanned photomicrographs of serial histologic sections of embryos from Carnegie stages 13, 15, 18, and 22, obtained from the Carnegie Embryological Collection were used. Each image was digitally stacked, aligned, and isolated using image-editing software. Images were compiled using 3-D image-visualization software (T-Vox), into full 3-D voxel-based volume renderings. Similarly, digital models were made of the urogenital sinus, anorectum, cloaca, allantois, mesonephric ducts, ureters, and kidneys by isolating their associated epithelium in each histologic section and compiling the data in T-Vox. Methods were developed to create registration models for determining the exact position and orientation of outlined structures within the embryos. Results Models were oriented and resectioned to determine the configuration of the urorectal sulcus. The results show that the urorectal sulcus maintains a catenoidal configuration during the developmental period studied and, thus, would be expected to limit caudal growth of the urorectal septum. Conclusion The observations support the concept that the urorectal septum is a passive structure that does not actively divide the cloaca into urogenital and anorectal components. Teratology 66:144–152, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with sleep apnea: serious implications and cogent management strategy

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects an estimated 20 million adult Americans and is present in a large proportion of patients with hypertension and in those with other cardiovascular disorders, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This review seeks to highlight concepts and evidence important to understanding the interactions between OSA and HCM, with particular attention to more recent advances in patient-oriented research. Studies of patients with HCM have found the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing to range from 40 to 80%. Increased sympathetic activity, impaired vagal activity, increased afterload, insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction have been proposed as potential mechanisms for the association. Specific questions include whether OSA is important in unmasking symptoms in hitherto undiagnosed patients with HCM, whether OSA in patients with established HCM accelerates disease progression and whether treatment of OSA results in clinical improvement, fewer cardiovascular events and reduced mortality. Because obesity, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes are often present in patients with OSA, it can be difficult to attribute abnormalities evident in the sleep apnea patient with HCM to the effects of OSA, the effects of HCM or synergies between these conditions. Although further research is needed to answer these specific questions, recent investigations have clearly shown the coexistence of OSA and HCM, as well as elucidated the contribution of heightened sympathetic nerve activity in OSA to drug-refractory symptoms and worsening left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. This review aims to highlight the current literature available on the association of OSA and HCM, provide directions for future research and summarize the key features related to this association based on the authors' best understanding and experience.
The Usefulness of Consumer Sentiment: Assessing Construct and Measurement

Given the scholarly and popular prominence of the concept of consumer confidence, it is striking that there are no examinations of the quality of the most commonly used measure of the concept—the University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment. This study fills that gap, evaluating both the reliability and validity of the measure. Our analyses lead us to question the reliability of the ICS, as well as the validity of the Index itself (but not its components) as a measure of the concept of consumer confidence. ∗The authors can be reached at kellstedt@pols.tamu.edu, slinn@la.psu.edu, and lee.hannah@psu.edu, respectively.
Proteus mirabilis mutants defective in swarmer cell differentiation and multicellular behavior.

Proteus mirabilis is a dimorphic bacterium which exists in liquid cultures as a 1.5- to 2.0-microns motile swimmer cell possessing 6 to 10 peritrichous flagella. When swimmer cells are placed on a surface, they differentiate by a combination of events that ultimately produce a swarmer cell. Unlike the swimmer cell, the polyploid swarmer cell is 60 to 80 microns long and possesses hundreds to thousands of surface-induced flagella. These features, combined with multicellular behavior, allow the swarmer cells to move over a surface in a process called swarming. Transposon Tn5 was used to produce P. mirabilis mutants defective in wild-type swarming motility. Two general classes of mutants were found to be defective in swarming. The first class was composed of null mutants that were completely devoid of swarming motility. The majority of nonswarming mutations were the result of defects in the synthesis of flagella or in the ability to rotate the flagella. The remaining nonswarming mutants produced flagella but were defective in surface-induced elongation. Strains in the second general class of mutants, which made up more than 65% of all defects in swarming were motile but were defective in the control and coordination of multicellular swarming. Analysis of consolidation zones produced by such crippled mutants suggested that this pleiotropic phenotype was caused by a defect in the regulation of multicellular behavior. A possible mechanism controlling the cyclic process of differentiation and dediferentiation involved in the swarming behavior of P. mirabilis is discussed. Images
Totalitarian Power Structure and Russian Foreign Policy

W A / HEN A SUBJECT is as complex as is the motivation of Russian foreign policy much depends on choosing the proper categories for its evaluation. Some of the categories which figure prominently in current thinking on the subject are not relevant at all, and the significance of others can be determined only if their mutual relation is borne in mind. The first category to be disregarded is that of geography. It causes us to speak of an "East-West conflict," and this carries the subconscious implication that the complex of institutions, ideologies and policies characteristic of the two sides in the current world struggle bears an ultimate relationship to geographical location. Obviously, however, some of the countries involved do not fit into the lines of this division. Thus, while Japan is not "Western" geographically, her recent policies appear to be based on the assumption of a fundamental identity of her interests with those of the "West." The political institutions of South Korea and Vietnam differ from those of Japan as well as from those of the major "Western" nations. Yet, these countries are strongly opposed to the foreign policy of the leading "Eastern" countries. It should be equally clear that the political values which underlie the policies of Russia, China, and the satellites are not indigenous to the "East." Marx, Engels and Lenin were definitely "Westerners." The goal of five-year plans has been to bring the "East" the results of the industrial revolution which had taken place in the "West." This was not an innovation by Stalin, but the implementation of fundamental Communist policy. At one time Stalin said that Lenin had "Americanized" the Russians.' The geo-political category, next to be considered, comes closer to reality, but it is also inadequate. Russian foreign policy has often been explained as an attempt to provide, by means of expansion, security for a country which lacks the protection of natural boundaries, and has wide open plains to defend. Similar features are,
EXOGENOUS VLDL STIMULATES APOLIPOPROTEIN B SECRETION FROM HEPG2 CELLS BY BOTH PRE- AND POST- TRANSLATIONAL MECHANISMS

Previous studies have suggested that oleic acid (OA), by increasing availability of triglyceride (TG) and/or cholesteryl ester (CE), increases the secretion of apolipoprotein B (apoB) from HepG2 cells. The present studies were conducted to determine the effect of exogenous very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), which can provide TG and cholesterol to cells and be returned to the liver after secretion, in the regulation of hepatic apoB secretion. Addition of exogenous VLDL (50 micrograms protein/ml) to culture media was found to significantly stimulate apoB secretion from HepG2 cells. This effect was observed consistently with VLDL isolated from either normal or hyperlipidemic subjects. The effects of addition of VLDL were compared to that of OA, which was previously shown to stimulate apoB secretion by a posttranslational mechanism. VLDL appeared to increase apoB secretion by two mechanisms; the dominant one being posttranslational. Thus, VLDL protected newly synthesized apoB from rapid intracellular degradation in a manner similar to OA. Although treatment with VLDL increased the mass of both TG and CE, 3-fold and 2.6-fold, respectively, it appeared that the increase in TG was the critical factor associated with increased apoB secretion. Triacsin D, which is a potent inhibitor of TG synthesis, significantly inhibited the VLDL-induced stimulation of apoB secretion. Inhibition of apoB secretion by Triacsin D was associated with the loss of the protective effect of VLDL on newly synthesized apoB. In addition to its posttranslational effects, exogenous VLDL also regulated apoB secretion at the pretranslational level. Thus, we also observed that VLDL treatment consistently increased synthesis of apoB protein by 20-30%, an effect that is not observed after treatment of HepG2 cells with OA. A sensitive solution hybridization/RNase protection assay indicated that the increased apoB synthesis was associated with a 20-30% increase in apoB mRNA in VLDL-treated HepG2 cells. OA treatment had no effect on apoB mRNA levels. We conclude that VLDL treatment stimulates apoB secretion in HepG2 cells primarily by supplying fatty acids for TG synthesis. However, 20-30% of the stimulatory effect was due to a second mechanism that appeared to be pretranslational. Based on studies with OA, it appears that some component of VLDL other than TG-derived fatty acid was responsible for this effect.
The stable carbon isotope composition of soil organic carbon and pedogenic carbonates along a bioclimatic gradient in the Palouse region, Washington State, USA

Isotopic signatures of soil components are commonly used to infer past ecologic and climatic shifts in the soil record. The theory behind the fractionation of isotopes that occurs during ecosystem processes is well understood; however, few isotopic studies have explored ecosystem relationships in modern soils. We discuss relationships of stable carbon isotopic signatures in plant tissue, soil organic carbon (SOC), laboratory-respired CO2, and modern carbonates at 10 sites (seven containing pedogenic carbonates) along a C3-dominated climatic gradient (mean annual precipitation (MAP) ranging from 200 to 1000 mm) in the Palouse region of eastern Washington state. A horizon soil organic carbon (SOC) d 13 C values varied from � 24.3xto � 25.9xPDB. Values in the arid portion of the gradient (200 to approximately 500 mm MAP) generally decreased and linear regression of SOM 13 C vs. MAP was significant (r 2 =0.71,p=0.02). Trends in plant- 13 C of two grass species (Agropyron spicatum andFestuca idahoensis) found throughout this portion of the gradient were similar to that of SOC. Mean pedogenic carbonate d 13 C values varied from � 4.1xto � 10.8x PDB. Linear regression was significant for carbonate 13 C vs. MAP (r 2 =0.79, p=0.007), estimated above-ground productivity (r 2 =0.88, p=0.002) and soil carbon content (r 2 =0.83, p=0.004). Carbonate d 13 C values at the most arid site exhibited higher variability than other sites (presumably due to greater spatial variation in plant respiration vs. atmospheric diffusion). Our data suggest that carbon isotopic relationships among ecosystem components may prove useful in determining ecosystem level properties in modern systems, and potentially in ancient systems as well. D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Labour market or labour movement? The union density bias as barrier to labour renewal:

Most labour scholars view the unionised share of the labour market, union density, as the movement’s primary source of power. Conversely, social movement scholars usually consider power embedded in disruption, organisational networks, resources, or political opportunities. Although many labour scholars promote ‘social movement unionism’ to reverse labour’s decline, they have largely failed to adopt a thoroughgoing social movement perspective. A sign of this is that union density remains the sacrosanct indicator of organised labour’s success and power. I argue that this density bias has significant analytical implications, leading observers to overlook non-market sources of movement power, to reduce a heterogeneous movement to a single organisational form, and to oversimplify the complex processes of movement organizing. I contend that treating labour explicitly as a social movement rather than implicitly as an agent in a market will open new lines of inquiry that may strengthen analyses of labour’s prospe...
Inexact Hessian-vector products in reduced-space differential-equation constrained optimization

Reduced-space inexact-Newton–Krylov (RSNK) algorithms provide a modular and scalable framework for solving differential-equation-constrained optimization problems; thus, this class of algorithms provides an attractive compromise between poorly scaling “black-box” methods and more intrusive, full-space optimization algorithms. One of the challenges of implementing RSNK methods is the efficient solution of the linear subproblems, which involve the reduced Hessian. This paper explores inexact Hessian-vector products to improve the efficiency of these subproblems. The reduced-Hessian-vector products, which are required by the Krylov solver in RSNK, can be determined by solving two second-order adjoint equations. To reduce computational cost, we consider the approximate (i.e. inexact) solution of the second-order adjoints. We present bounds for the second-order adjoint tolerances that ensure the Hessian-vector product remains sufficiently accurate for inexact-Krylov methods. The bounds involve the 2-norm of the state and first-order adjoint sensitivities, and we provide an inexpensive Lanczos algorithm to estimate these matrix norms. Using numerical experiments, we investigate the proposed RSNK algorithm and compare it to other optimization algorithms.
Multi-step information-directed sensor querying in distributed sensor networks

Sensor tasking is essential to many sensing applications in resource-constrained wireless ad hoc sensor networks. In this paper, we present a multi-step lookahead algorithm for sensor selection and information routing. The algorithm is based on the information-driven sensor querying (IDSQ) that uses mutual information as a utility measure for potential information contribution of individual sensors, and extend it to prediction of information gain over a finite horizon while balancing cost such as the number of communication hops. Simulation results on target tracking problems have shown that the multi-step lookahead algorithm significantly improves the tracking performance compared to the original greedy algorithm, when "sensor holes" are present in a sensor network.
Partition of fatty acids.

The partition ratios of radioactive fatty acids between n-heptane and a physiological buffer at 37°C were measured. The fatty acids included the saturated acids with an even num- ber of carbons from 10 to 18 and the unsaturated acids oleic, linoleic, and linolenic. In addition, the partition ratios of deca- noate, myristate, and palmitate were determined over a wide pH range. Any single plot of partition ratio vs. aqueous concentra- tion of an acid gave a nearly straight line, a finding consistent with very little association in the aqueous phase. In the case of the acids with 16 and 18 carbon atoms, however, comparison of the constants calculated from these plots with the assumption of no aqueous phase association revealed several inconsistencies. These inconsistencies cannot be resolved completely by assuming the existence of fatty acid association in the aqueous solution. We believe that at least some of the deviations are due to the presence of trace quantities of radioactive impurities in the la- beled fatty acids. For example, purification of a sample of sup- posedly pure ( l-14C)myri~tate by a series of solvent extractions increased the partition ratio by a factor of 1.5. Although all of the observations cannot be explained by this interpretation, we believe that our studies suggest that there is no appreciable asso- ciation of fatty acids under the usual physiological conditions. The partition of long-chain fatty acids between n-hep- tane and an aqueous phosphate buffer was measured by Goodman (1, 2) in conjunction with his studies on fatty acid binding to serum albumin. His work was done at 23°C in a sodium phosphate solution of ionic strength 0.16, pH 7.45. The model employed by Goodman for the analysis of these data assumed the existence of fatty acid dimerization in the heptane phase but no association in the aqueous phase. Consistent deviations from this model were noted with the longer-chain saturated and unsatu- rated fatty acids when the fatty acid concentration was high. To account for these deviations, Mukerjee (3) pro- posed the existence of fatty acid anion dimerization in aqueous media; and quite recently, Smith and Tanford (4) suggested that other forms of association occur in the aqueous phase. Subsequent studies, however, indicate that the hypothesis of Mukerjee is untenable (5, 6). Moreover, in our opinion, the hypothesis of Smith and Tanford (4) does not satisfactorily explain all of the available partition data. In an attempt to gain further insight into this ques- tion, we have conducted an extensive series of fatty acid partition measurements. Although we employed the same general method as Goodman (l), our experiments were done at 37°C in a buffered salt solution of physiological ionic strength and composition. Several of the acids were studied over a wide pH range.
Stepwise activation of the mouse acetylcholine receptor delta- and gamma-subunit genes in clonal cell lines.

Abstract We used the DNase I-hypersensitive sites around the mouse acetylcholine receptor delta-subunit gene as a guide toward the cloning and sequencing of delta and gamma transcriptional regulatory regions and as a means to assess chromatin structural activation of the delta- and gamma-subunit genes during myogenesis. Genomic cloning of hypersensitive sites downstream of the delta-subunit gene revealed the presence of the gamma-subunit gene approximately 5 kilobases away; the hypersensitive sites mapped to the 5' end of the gamma-subunit gene. Sequence comparison of restriction fragments containing hypersensitive sites in analogous locations at the 5' ends of the delta- and gamma-subunit genes uncovered little overall homology between the two genomic fragments; however, an 11- of 13-base-pair match between the two sequences was found. Homologs to this sequence were also found to be present in the upstream regions of the chicken alpha- and mouse beta-subunit genes. By RNase protection and primer extension analyses, the delta-subunit gene transcription start site was mapped to 56 base pairs upstream of the initiator ATG codon. Clonal cell lines with various potentials to differentiate to the skeletal muscle phenotype were examined for their hypersensitive site pattern within the delta-gamma locus. Only remote hypersensitive sites flanking the locus appear in pluripotential mesodermal cells. A cell line of determined but inducible myoblasts expressed only one more intergenic site, while in permissively differentiating myoblasts hypersensitive sites were already present at the 5' ends of the delta and gamma genes prior to differentiation. Terminal differentiation resulted in an identical pattern of hypersensitive sites in all muscle cell lines examined so far, with an intergenic site near the gamma-subunit gene being the only site specific to the differentiated muscle phenotype.
Family Ties: The Role of Family Context in Family Health History Communication About Cancer

Family health history about cancer is an important prevention and health promotion tool. Yet few studies have identified family context factors that promote such discussions. We explored relations among family context (cohesion, flexibility, and openness), self-efficacy, and cancer communication (gathering family history, sharing cancer risk information, and frequency) in a diverse group of women enrolled in a randomized control trial. Baseline survey data for 472 women were analyzed. The women's average age was 34 years, 59% identified as Black, 31% had graduated high school, and 75% reported a family history of any cancer. Results showed that greater family cohesion and flexibility were related to higher communication frequency and sharing cancer information. Women who reported greater self-efficacy were more likely to have gathered family history, shared cancer risk information, and communicated more frequently with relatives. Openness was not associated with communication but was related to greater family cohesion and flexibility. Adjusting for demographic variables, self-efficacy, and family cohesion significantly predicted communication frequency. Women with higher self-efficacy were also more likely to have gathered family health history about cancer and shared cancer risk information. Future research may benefit from considering family organization and self-efficacy when developing psychosocial theories that in turn inform cancer prevention interventions.
Quantitative Chemical Analysis of the Adrenal Glands of Wild Norway Rats

SummaryQuantitative analysis of the adrenal glands of the wild Norway rat reveals that the total fats comprise 6.5% of the gland and that of this 3.7% are cholesterols. These figures are lower than...
Chlorpyrifos Formulation Effect on Airborne Residues Following Broadcast Application for Cat Flea (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) Control

Airborne residues of 3 chlorpyrifos formulations were measured up to 50 h after broadcast treatment for flea control in residences. Insecticide formulation, time after treatment, ventilation regime, and height above floor affected airborne residues. Before spraying, chlorpyrifos residues were low or undetected. In nonventilated residences, chlorpyrifos residues peaked in 0-6 h after treatment at 38 ng/liter for emulsifiable, remained low at < 12 ng/liter for the microencapsulated, and sharply peaked in 1-2 h after treatment at 52 ng/liter for the aerosol formulation. Residues for all formulations then slowly declined through 50 h. In ventilated residences, chlorpyrifos residues peaked from 2 to 10 h after treatment at 25-27 ng/liter for emulsifiable, remained low at < 10 ng/liter, and sharply peaked in 0-2 h after treatment at 21 ng/liter for the aerosol formulation. Maximum airborne concentrations were 74 ng/liter for emulsifiable, 17 ng/liter for microencapsulated, and 61 ng/liter for aerosol chlorpyrifos.
[Ru(Me4phen)2dppz]2+, a Light Switch for DNA Mismatches

[Ru(Me4phen)2dppz](2+) serves as a luminescent "light switch" for single base mismatches in DNA. The preferential luminescence enhancement observed with mismatches results from two factors: (i) the complex possesses a 26-fold higher binding affinity toward the mismatch compared to well-matched base pairs, and (ii) the excited state emission lifetime of the ruthenium bound to the DNA mismatch is 160 ns versus 35 ns when bound to a matched site. Results indicate that the complex binds to the mismatch through a metalloinsertion binding mode. Cu(phen)2(2+) quenching experiments show that the complex binds to the mismatch from the minor groove, characteristic of metalloinsertion. Additionally, the luminescence intensity of the complex with DNA containing single base mismatches correlates with the thermodynamic destabilization of the mismatch, also consistent with binding through metalloinsertion. This complex represents a potentially new early cancer diagnostic for detecting deficiencies in mismatch repair.
Expression of protein kinase C beta (PKCß) as a prognostic marker in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and mesothelioma

7656 Background: The protein kinase C (PKC) family of serine-threonine protein kinases has been shown to be involved in tumor cell growth, survival, and progression. Tumor-induced angiogenesis requires activation of PKCs, particularly PKCβ, through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathways. PKCβ-2 appears to be a major down-stream signaling protein for the VEGFR. This makes PKCβ an attractive target in treatment of malignancies, including lung cancer. Methods: 135 tumor samples (111 Non-small cell lung cancer tissues (52 adenocarcinomas (AC), 34 large cell (LC), 25 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)) and 24 mesotheliomas (MT)) arranged in tumor microarrays (TMAs) were subject to immunohistochemical staining of PKCβ-1 and PKCβ-2. Results were analyzed manually and scored for intensity (1+, 2+, 3+). Clinical information was available for the AC, LC, and SCC group. Survival curves were generated and median survival between groups was compared utilizing the Log-rank methodology. Results: In NSCLC the expr...