cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MORPHOLOGY AND HATCHING POWER OF THE DEVELOPING CHICK EMBRYO FOLLOWING X-IRRADIATION.

Single dose, whole-body x irradiation of Single Comb White Leghorn embryos from 0 through 13 days of development resulted in an increased incidence of morphological abnormalities similar to those commonly observed among embryos of the domestic fowl. The two highest doses, 200 and 300 r above the previously determined LD/sub 50/, were responsible for the majority of the abnormalities which included midgets, foot and leg deformities, and abnormal mandibles. Hatching percentage of treated embryos decreased as the dose increased: no apparent relation existed between hatching weight and dose received. (auth)
Increasing Power Density of LSGM-Based Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Using New Anode Materials

Chemical reactions between the superior perovskite oxide-ion conductor Sr- and Mg-doped LaGaO 3 (LSGM), CeO 2 , and NiO have been studied by powder X-ray diffraction. The results showed that an extensive reactivity occurs as a result of La migration driven by a gradient of La chemical activity. La migration across the LSGM/electrode interfaces in a fuel cell leads to the formation of resistive phases at the interface, either LaSrGa 3 O 7 or LaSrGaO 4 . Use of 40 mol % La 2 O 3 -doped CeO 2 as an interlayer between anode and electrolyte as well as in the NiO-containing anode prevents all reactions found. Consequently, the air-H 2 cell maximum power density was increased to nearly 900 mW/cm 2 at 800°C with a 600 μm thick LSGM electrolyte. No sign of degradation was observed at 800°C over 2 weeks for an interlayered cell under a loading current density of 250 mA/cm 2 .
Relative Incidence of Blood Parasites in Robins of Central New York and of the High Rockies

SUMMARY. A total of 60 robins, nearly equally divided among eastern and western species (Turdus migratorius migratorius and T. m. propinquus respectively), and also almost evenly divided between juvenile and adult birds, has been studied for the relative incidence of blood parasites. Malaria of four species was found among the eastern robins, in most instances caused by Plasmodium vaughani. P. relictum (especially of the variety known as matutinum) was next in frequency. Leucocytozoon was the next most common parasite. Among western robins only one case of malaria (P. vaughani) was found, but other blood parasites were much more common than in the eastern series, especially Leucocytozoon, which occurred in well over half the birds. Juvenile birds, even nestlings, seldom found infected with any of these parasites in the east, were very frequently infected in the western group. The explanation of these differences in incidence is believed to be chiefly differences in the distribution of still unknown vectors.
Archaeal phosphoproteins. Identification of a hexosephosphate mutase and the α‐subunit of succinyl‐CoA synthetase in the extreme acidothermophile Sulfolobus solfataricus

When soluble extracts from the extreme acidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus were incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP, several radiolabeled polypeptides were observed following SDS-PAGE. The most prominent of these migrated with apparent molecular masses of 14, 18, 35, 42, 46, 50, and 79 kDa. Phosphoamino acid analysis revealed that all of the proteins contained phosphoserine, with the exception of the 35-kDa one, whose protein-phosphate linkage proved labile to strong acid. The observed pattern of phosphorylation was influenced by the identity of the divalent metal ion cofactor used, Mg2+ versus Mn2+, and the choice of incubation temperature. The 35- and 50-kDa phosphoproteins were purified and their amino-terminal sequences determined. The former polypeptide's amino-terminal sequence closely matched a conserved portion of the alpha-subunit of succinyl-CoA synthetase, which forms an acid-labile phosphohistidyl enzyme intermediate during its catalytic cycle. This identification was confirmed by the ability of succinate or ADP to specifically remove the radiolabel. The 50-kDa polypeptide's sequence contained a heptapeptide motif, Phe/Pro-Gly-Thr-Asp/Ser-Gly-Val/Leu-Arg, found in a similar position in several hexosephosphate mutases. The catalytic mechanism of these mutases involves formation of a phosphoseryl enzyme intermediate. The identity of p50 as a hexosephosphate mutase was confirmed by (1) the ability of sugars and sugar phosphates to induce removal of the labeled phosphoryl group from the protein, and (2) the ability of [32P]glucose 6-phosphate to donate its phosphoryl group to the protein.
Optically readable bi-material infrared detector

In this paper, we developed 'Optically Readable BM Infrared Detector' of 55μm x 55μm pixel pitch and 266 X 194 array and evaluated the characteristics of this detector. In the infrared imaging test, we succeeded in obtaining infrared image of a person by adding an offset correction to the raw image taken through CCD camera, whereby we made a great progress to embody an infrared camera with this method. In the infrared imaging testing without correction, we succeeded in obtaining an infrared image of an electric heater and we confirmed the feasibility of the direct viewing in this method. This result offers us a hope to explore new application fields as an infrared camera of low power consumption under this method.
Oral manifestations of bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a psychological compulsive eating disorder that appears to be affecting a growing number of young women. It is characterized by repeated episodes of binge-eating followed by vomiting or some other purging behavior. Bulimia is accompanied by a number of physiological disturbances, some of which occur in the oral cavity. The present article reviews the major characteristics of bulimia nervosa, and describes the most significant oral manifestations of this disorder along with their reported incidences and etiologies.
OcuDrain-E™-A noninvasive technique for reduction of intraocular pressure

Abstract OcuDrain-E™ is a noninvasive technique in which electrical pulses are applied across the cornea to enhance the rate of transcorneal water evaporation (TCWE). In vitro studies were carried out with rabbit cornea mounted on a Franz diffusion cell. Application of 30 pulses each of 1 millisecond (ms) duration at ≥40 V/cm2 decreased the corneal resistivity ∼80% indicating permeabilization of the cornea. The corneal resistivity was almost completely recovered within 6 h when the pulse voltage was
Intracellular localization of group 3 LEA proteins in embryos of Artemia franciscana

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are accumulated by anhydrobiotic organisms in response to desiccation and improve survivorship during water stress. In this study we provide the first direct evidence for the subcellular localizations of AfrLEA2 and AfrLEA3m (and its subforms) in anhydrobiotic embryos of Artemia franciscana. Immunohistochemistry shows AfrLEA2 to reside in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and the four AfrLEA3m proteins to be localized to the mitochondrion. Cellular locations are supported by Western blots of mitochondrial, nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions. The presence of LEA proteins in multiple subcellular compartments of A. franciscana embryos suggests the need to protect biological structures in many areas of a cell in order for an organism to survive desiccation stress, and may explain in part why a multitude of different LEA proteins are expressed by a single organism.
Synergistic Capsicum‐tea mixtures with anticancer activity

We have demonstrated a synergy between a decaffeinated green tea concentrate and a vanilloid-containing Capsicum preparation obtained commercially. At a ratio of 25 parts green tea concentrate to 1 part Capsicum preparation, the resultant product exhibited efficacy in the killing of cancer cells in culture 100-times that of green tea on a weight basis. These studies were guided by assays of the putative catechin-vanilloid target protein tNOX, a cell surface growth-related enzymatic activity specific to cancer. The activity of the protein target was inhibited by the tea catechins and the Capsicum vanilloids. As with growth, the tea and Capsicum preparations evaluated were synergistic in their inhibition of the target enzymatic activity.
An analytical approach to the measurement of equilibrium binding constants: application to EGF binding to EGF receptors in intact cells measured by flow cytometry.

In ligand binding studies, ligand depletion often limits the accuracy of the results obtained. This problem is approached by employing the simple observation that as the concentration of receptor in the assay is reduced, ligand depletion is also reduced. Measuring apparent KD's of a ligand at multiple concentrations of receptor with extrapolation to infinitely low receptor concentration takes ligand depletion into account and, depending on the binding model employed, yields a KD within the defined limits of accuracy. We apply this analysis to the binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to the EGF receptor expressed in intact 32D cells, using a homogeneous fluorescein-labeled preparation of EGF and measuring binding by flow cytometry. Binding isotherms were carried out at varying cell densities with each isotherm fit to the generally applied model with two independent binding sites. Examination of the variation in the KD's versus cell density yields a high-affinity site that accounts for 18% of the sites ...
Molecular characterization and temporal expression analyses indicate that the MIC (Meloidogyne Induced Cotton) gene family represents a novel group of root-specific defense-related genes in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

The molecular events underlying the resistance of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to the root-knot nematode (RKN) are largely unknown. In this report, we further characterize the previously identified MIC3 gene including the identification of 14 related MIC cDNAs in nematode-infected roots of allotetraploid cotton that show >85% identity with MIC3. A time-course analysis of RKN infection in resistant and susceptible cotton lines showed that maximum MIC transcript accumulation occurred immediately prior to the phenotypic manifestation of resistance. MIC expression was not induced by mechanical wounding or by virulent reniform nematode infection. MIC expression was undetectable in cotton leaves undergoing a hypersensitive response to Xanthomonas campestris. A time-course analysis of defense gene expression (PR10, ERF5, CDNS, LOX1, POD4, POD8) in resistant and susceptible cotton roots showed that RKN infection specifically elicits the induction of MIC in resistant roots and not other common defense-signaling pathways. These results suggest that cotton resistance to RKN involves novel defense-signaling pathways and further supports the idea that the MIC genes are intimately involved in this resistance response and represent a group of root-specific defense-related genes in cotton.
A Finch–Foster Duality between ‘Pull’ and ‘Push’ Production Systems

This paper views ‘push’ and ‘pull’ production systems as mutually dual in a sense originally proposed by Finch and Foster. Four measures of production effectiveness are analysed for both systems in the light of this duality, using continuous-time Markov process modelling. Two of the four measures are found to be identical for the two systems, while the other two are found to be complementary in a sense explained in the body of the paper.
Magnetic fields in the ionospheric holes of venus: evidence for an intrinsic field

The suggestion that the radial magnetic fields observed in the regions of depleted plasma density in the nightside Venus ionosphere arise from an intrinsic planetary field was recently made by Knudsen et al. (1982). In this report the polarities of these radial fields, as measured by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter magnetometer, are examined in detail in order to determine if there is a geographical organization of the field polarity, or if the polarity of the radial field depends on the interplanetary field as previously proposed. The results of the data analysis indicate that a source in a planetary intrinsic field is unlikely.
The equatorial dynamics of a shallow, homogeneous ocean

Abstract It is shown that the linear equatorial dynamics of a shallow ocean is characterized by two boundary layers of width γ⅓ L and γL (γ is the Ekman number of the flow, assumed small, and L is a horizontal dimension of the basin). In the γ⅓ layer stress in the bottom Ekman layer is comparable to that in the surface Ekman layer. In the γ layer vertical friction is important throughout the depth of the ocean. Should the Rossby number e be so large as to invalidate a linear theory (e > γ5/3), then inertial effects become important at a distance e2/5 L from the equator. The role played in the circulation of the basin by the non-linear equatorial current first studied by Charney (1960) is shown to be similar to that of the γ layer of the linear theory. Though lateral friction is unimportant in a linear model of the flow, shear layers at the equator are found to be a necessary feature of non-linear flow.
Autobiographical Correlates of Achievement Motivation in Men and Women

Structured autobiographies were written by 352 male and 337 female entering freshmen. Separately for males and females, groups were formed of the high scorers (top 27%) and low scorers (bottom 27%) on each of the CPI variables, Achievement via Conformity (Ac) and Achievement via Independence (Ai). Chi square comparisons were made of the high and low scorers on all the variables resulting from a content analysis of the autobiographies. High-Ac male and female students perceived their parental and sibling relationships as more positive than the low-Acs. High-Ais report a less favorable perception of their mothers. During adolescence high-Ac girls apparently fare markedly better, while high-Ai boys seem significantly less happy and well adjusted during this period.
Dental Condition of Two Tribes of Taiwan Aborigines-Ami and Atayal

A low incidence of dental caries, periodontal disease, and malocclusion was demonstrated by this study of 166 Ami and 128 Atayal Taiwan aborigine adolescents. As for dental morphology, a high frequency of shovel-shaped incisors and Carabelli's trait but a relatively low frequency of protostylid were noticed as well as the sex dimorphism of tooth size.
Digital image processing for clinicians, part II: Filtering

Learning how to see an image in terms of its different frequency components leads to an intuitive understanding of the Fourier transform and the utility of manipulating different components of an image. This makes it much easier to understand the artifacts from image noise and blurring and how to use filters to correct for them.
Determination of carrier-mediated transport of 2',3'-dideoxypurine nucleosides in the rat ileum using a bidirectional perfusion technique.

Purpose. Previous attempts to ascertain the role of uptake and efflux transporters in the oral absorption of anti-HIV dideoxypurine nucleosides have been inconclusive. A novel in situ intestinal perfusion technique with complete mesenteric arterial/venous cannulation was used to examine the asymmetry of ileal dideoxynucleoside permeability under near in vivo conditions.
Motivational Factors in Vigilance: Effects of Instructions on Performance in a Complex Vigilance Task:

Summary.-Pre-task instructions have been a neglected source of motivation in vigilance. In the present study, 32 Ss monitored a complex visual vigilance display for 40 min. with a signal rate of 6O/hr. 16 Ss were told that such casks ace usually challenging (positive set) and 16 were told such tasks are usually monotonous (negative set). Performance was significantly better throughout the session by Ss with the positive set and decrements did not occur with either group. The results indicate the importance of motivational factors in vigilance. Implications for vigilance research are discussed. Proper instruction of experimental Ss is a necessary prerequisite to effective research. In vigilance studies, instruction frequently includes some attempt to apprise Ss beforehand of the boredom or monotony that is generally experienced in vigilance scudies. While such a procedlire may be defensible on the grounds that a realistic picture of the nature of the task may prepare Ss to endure the typical vigilance situation better, it can also be argued that their motivation levels and task performance may be reduced. In the present study, the effects of two types of instr~~ctions on Ss' performance on a complex vigilance task were studied. Specifically, it was hypothesized that Ss provided with a positive set would perform better than Ss given a negative set.
Left ventricular mechanics in aortic stenosis: fancy tool or clinically useful?

In patients with left ventricular (LV) pressure overload from aortic stenosis (AS), there is a close relationship among LV function, flow, and transvalvular gradients. The association between a low gradient and low flow (reduced stroke volume or cardiac output) has long been recognized and is highlighted in the Gorlin formula, but this has traditionally been considered relevant only in the setting of overt LV dysfunction with a decreased ejection fraction (EF). 1,2 However, the limitations of EF as an accurate measure of LV systolic function in patients with pressure overload and hypertrophic LV remodeling from AS have been described. 3 Chamber volume and contractile function both influence LV ‘‘pump’’ function and, accordingly, the stroke volume generated. In 2007, Hachicha et al. 4 first described a group of patients with paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient severe AS. These patients are characterized by an indexed aortic valve area < 0.6 cm 2 /m 2 , stroke volume index < 35 mL/m 2 , mean transvalvular gradient < 40 mm Hg, and EF $ 50%. 5 Since then, several studies have demonstrated that despite the calculated gradient, which suggests only moderate disease, these patients actually do have advanced disease and hemodynamically severe stenosis. It is important to note that these patients have a better prognosis with transcatheter or surgical valve replacement compared with medical therapy. 5,6 Flow, in fact, is emerging as a better predictor of clinical outcomes than EF. 6,7 In patients with AS, flow is affected by multiple factors; principal among them are LV pump function (influenced mostly by contractile function and chamber volumes) and LV afterload. Although the valvular contribution to LV afterload in patients with AS is selfevident, it is also important to recognize the contribution of vascular afterload to total LV afterload in these patients. Afterload is not ‘‘fixed’’ (i.e., not due entirely to the valve) in patients with AS. Indeed, increased vascular and global LV afterload are associated with lower stroke volume index and impaired myocardial function. 4,8 Acute reduction in systemic vascular load (decreased systemic vascular resistance and increased systemic arterial compliance) is associated with increased flow in patients with severe symptomatic AS. 9,10 Given the emerging role of stroke volume index as an integrative surrogate of the balance of LV afterload and LV pump function and as a predictor of clinical outcomes, is there a role for more sensitive, quantitative measures of LV mechanics and function to improve clinical management and treatment decisions in patients with AS?
Safety in Numbers: Mainstream-Seeking Diffusion in Response to Executive Compensation Regulations

Safety in Numbers: Mainstream-Seeking Diffusion in Response to Executive Compensation Regulations
Crossing the intersection: the representation of disadvantaged identities in advocacy

This paper is motivated by current research in political science and women's studies on interest groups, representation, and intersectional disadvantage. Using original survey data from over 200 advocacy groups (women's rights; socio-economic justice; racial-minority rights; disability rights; and lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender rights) in 14 states across the USA, this study examines whether groups disproportionately advocate on behalf of some intersectional identities over others. Descriptive analysis of the correspondence between the demographics of organizations' supporter networks and their issue agendas revealed that groups consistently over-represent class-based issues and under-represent gender-based issues relative to the proportions of low-income and female individuals contained within their constituencies.
Enhanced albumin production by malignantly transformed hepatocytes during in vitro exposure to dimethylsulfoxide

Abstract The murine BW 1 and rat 32 III 6 d tumor cell lines, derived from a spontaneous mouse hepatoma and a carcinogen-induced rat hepatocellular carcinoma, were used to investigate the effect of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on liver cells in vitro. After a 4-day exposure to DMSO in final concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0%, BW 1 cell-associated albumin increased by 41.6 and 94.2%; extra-cellular albumin levels in these same cultures rose by 131.4 and 214.2%. Exposure of 32 III 6 d cells to 2% DMSO produced increases in cell-associated and extra-cellular albumin concentrations of 67.8 and 188.7%, respectively. The lack of inducible γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in BW 1 cells and its decrease in 32 III 6 d cultures following DMSO treatment suggests that the DMSO-mediated enhancement of albumin production is not reflective of a random increase in the expression of cellular genes.
Methodology to Quantify Human Cervical Spine Uncovertebral Joint Anatomy

The uncovertebral joints appear in the adult human cervical spinal column. While the descriptions of this structure have been reported, methods to quantify the dimensions of these joints are lacking. Therefore, in this study a preliminary attempt was made to develop a methodology to quantify the three-dimensional anatomical details of these joints in the adult human cervical spine using sequential cryomicrotome anatomic sections. Bilateral dorsal to ventral length, medial to lateral depth, and caudal to cranial height measurements were obtained from C2-T1 levels. The well developed larger joints were observed in the mid to lower cervical (C3-C7) regions and the smaller joints were noted in the most cranial and caudal (C2-C3, C7-T1) levels. Uncovertebral joints in the mid to lower cervical region extended further ventrally compared to the most cranial and caudal levels. The height of the uncovertebral joints was equal to the lateral height of the intervertebral discs throughout the extent of the joint. The mean overall medial to lateral depth of the joint was 3.8 mm (± 1.8). These quantitative three-dimensional descriptions assist in describing uncovertebral joints in stress analysis based finite element models to understand its effects on the cervical spine biomechanical behavior.
Exploring Chromophore Tethered Aminoethers as Potential Photoinitiators for Controlled Radical Polymerization.

Abstract Compounds 1–4 containing various light absorbing chromophores attached covalently to a hindered aminoether (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) aminoether) were synthesized, and their photochemistry and photophysics studied in an attempt to develop photoinitiators for radical “living” polymerization. Significant shortening of the chromophore's triplet lifetime was observed in 1–4 as compared to analogous compounds containing no alkylated TEMPO moiety, which suggests an intramolecular quenching of the excited chromophore by the aminoether functionality. The efficiency of the quenching process depends on the chromophore. Employing 1–4 as unimolecular photoinitiators for styrene “living” polymerization was proven to be difficult due to rapid quenching of the excited state of the initiator by this monomer. Compound 4 was demonstrated as an initiator for controlled photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate.
Helix Packing in the Lactose Permease Determined by Metal−Nitroxide Interaction†

The magnetic dipolar interaction between site-directed metal−nitroxide pairs can be exploited to measure distances within proteins [Voss, J., Salwinski, L., Kaback, H. R., and Hubbell, W. L. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92, 12295−12299; Voss, J., Hubbell, W. L., and Kaback, H. R. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92, 12300−12303], and the approach is utilized here to measure helix proximities in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli. A high-affinity divalent metal binding site was created by replacing Arg302 (helix IX) and Glu325 (helix X) with His residues in permease mutants containing single Cys residues in helices II, V, or VII and a biotin acceptor domain to facilitate purification. Mutant proteins were purified by avidin affinity chromatography, labeled specifically with a nitroxide free radical and investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in the absence or presence of Cu(II). Spectral broadening due to bound Cu(II) was used to estimate distances between the metal c...
Labile protein-methyl ester: comparison between chemically and enzymatically synthesized.

The rate of hydrolysis of protein-methyl ester, the enzymatic product of S-adenosylmethionine: proteincarboxyl methyltransferase (EC.2.1.1.24) acting on oxidized ribonuclease, was measured at pH 7.1 and 8.6 at 37°C. The half-life of the hydrolysis of the ester is 25 min at pH 7.1, and 4 min at 8.6. The rate of hydrolysis of the enzymatically formed esters at pH 7.0, in 0.1M phosphate buffer, was about 25 times faster than that of esters formed chemically by reaction with methanol in HCl. The lability of the enzymatically synthesized protein-methyl ester suggests that the esterification is specific to sites such that ionization of neighboring amino acid side chains enhances the rate of the hydrolysis.
Phosphorylation of the Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein and Its Possible Regulatory Effects in Cells

The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene is etiologically associated with familial adenomatous polyposis and gastrointestinal malignancies, but its cellular function and role in tumorigenesis are unclear. Recent reports indicate that wild-type, but not mutant, APC gene product (APC) is associated with and promotes the assembly of cytoskeletal microtubules in vitro, suggesting that this mechanism has importance in tumor development. Because other microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) undergo phosphorylation in their normal functioning, we postulated that APC is a phosphoprotein. HCT116 cells, containing full-length APC protein, were [32P]-prelabeled, and a 300-kDa band corresponding to phosphorylated APC was immunoprecipitated using each of three different anti-APC antibodies. High voltage electrophoresis of [32P]-labeled APC showed the presence of phospho-serine and phospho-threonine residues. Further immunoprecipitation analyses showed phosphorylation of i) full-length APC in human lymphoblastoid cells and ii) carboxyl-truncated APC in SW480 and DiFi colon carcinoma cells. Thus, APC is probably a phosphoprotein in normal and malignant tissues. We hypothesize a mechanism whereby phosphorylation of APC may play a regulatory role in its interaction with microtubules. This may involve phosphorylation of (Ser/Thr)-Pro amino acid motifs in APC′s basic domain. We propose that deletion of this domain disrupts APC binding to microtubules, explaining how APC mutations are linked to cancer development.
The Penner Matrix Model and c = 1 Strings

The steepest descent solution of the Penner matrix model has a one-cut eigenvalue support. Criticality results when the two branch points of this support coalesce. The support is then a closed contour in the complex eigenvalue plane. Simple generalizations of the Penner model have multi-cut solutions. For these models, the eigenvalue support at criticality is also a closed contour, but consisting of several cuts. We solve the simplest such model, which we call the KT model, in the double-scaling limit. Its free energy is a Legendre transform of the free energy of the c = 1 string compactified to the critical radius of the Kosterlitz–Thouless phase transition.
Anomalies in Ward Identities for Three-Point Functions

We study the Ward identities for three-point functions of vector, axial-vector, scalar, and pseudoscalar densities constructed in a free-quark model. Divergences in the integral representations for the two- and three-point functions have the effect that not all of the formal Ward identities are satisfied in the model. After making full use of the ambiguities inherent in the definition of linearly divergent objects, as well as adding known polynomials to certain of the three-point functions, we find that only the Ward identities for three axial-vector densities and for one axial-vector and two vector densities remain unsatisfied. Arguments are presented that for $n$-point functions with $ng3$, the Ward identities are satisfied.
Reactive Co-Evaporation of YBCO for 2G HTS Tapes

We present a new reel-to-reel method for growth of high temperature super-conducting (HTS) films by reactive co-evaporation on flexible metal tapes. We have demonstrated proof of principle for this method with a small laboratory-scale setup using 8 cm long tape pieces. YBa2Cu3O7-δ is deposited on ion-beam assisted deposition textured MgO layers on top of flexible polycrystalline metal tapes. Critical current densities at 75.5 K of over 2 MA/cm2 have been achieved in HTS films with over 2 μm in thickness, yielding a self field critical current of 450 A/cm-width. A 4.5 μm thick film had a self field critical current of 590 A/cm. We discuss some practical possibilities for manufacturing of superconducting wire using this process and present new areas of research that are still needed.
Zircaloy Performance in Light-Water Reactors

The Zircaloys-2 and -4 are the principal metallic components of light-water reactor (LWR) fuel assemblies. This paper reviews progress in our understanding of Zircaloy behavior in the LWR environment. A significant body of data has been obtained on the characteristics of stress corrosion cracking pellet-cladding interaction (PCI) failures and on the mechanical stability of both fuel rod and assembly. All indications are that the mechanical performance of Zircaloy components is well understood and that cladding and assembly distortions can be controlled to avoid problems with operation, handling, or licensing. However, uncertainties still exist in our understanding of the resistance of Zircaloy to chemical attack from both the fission product environment and the coolant. Therefore, future emphasis will be on demonstrating improved resistance to PCI of various fuel rod design/material modifications and on establishing Zircaloy waterside corrosion limits for the new, higher-temperature, pressurized water reactor (PWR) cores that might be required to operate to higher exposures.
Adjuvanted vaccines against influenza in the elderly

Influenza is an important public health issue, especially with the aging of the population, since the most serious consequences of the illness affect the elderly. Between 1979 and 2001, approximately 41000 annual deaths have been attributed to influenza in the United States (Dushoff, 2005). Annual vaccination is a key strategy employed to combat this illness, and while it is very effective in healthy young adults, it is much less successful in the elderly. The impaired immune system with aging may contribute to this diminished ability of the vaccine to afford protection. Strategies to improve vaccine efficacy, particularly for the aged population, are necessary. One potential strategy is the inclusion of adjuvants in the vaccine formulations to enhance the immune response. Adjuvants have been shown to improve antibody production, allow dose-sparing, and potentially increase cross-reactivity. These benefits are important in combating both seasonal influenza and pandemic influenza, as current seasonal vaccine effectiveness depends on close matching to the circulating virus, and fast production of pandemic vaccines are key to their effectiveness. While much is still unknown about adjuvants, especially their mechanisms of action, their potential at improving the efficacy of influenza vaccines has been well recognized, particularly in the elderly.
Spiritual Assessment in African-Americans: A Review of Measures of Spirituality Used in Health Research

Background A number of instruments have been developed for investigating relationships between spirituality and health, and have been used to assess spirituality in African-Americans. Yet, the cultural appropriateness for African-Americans of these instruments has not been investigated to date. Objectives To evaluate the construct validity and reliability of spirituality measures used in health research from 1982 to 2005. Method Systematic review of the literature. Results Thirty five studies and five measures of spirituality met the inclusion criteria. Most of the spirituality measures were developed in primarily Caucasian-American samples. African-Americans were represented in 71% of the studies (n = 25) using spirituality measures in health research. Distinct cultural attributes of African-American spirituality were omitted in most of the spirituality measures. Two studies were retrieved in which psychometric evaluation was conducted in entirely African-American samples. Discussion Spirituality is a significant cultural experience and belief that influences the health behaviors of African-Americans. The lack of a culturally appropriate measure of African-American spirituality is a major limitation of studies investigating spirituality and health in this population. Development of a culturally appropriate and sensitive measure of spirituality in African-Americans is suggested to strengthen the quality of research in this area.
Polar amplification of climate change in coupled models

The Northern Hemisphere polar amplification of climate change is documented in models taking part in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project and in the new version of the Community Climate System Model. In particular, the magnitude, spatial distribution, and seasonality of the surface warming in the Arctic is examined and compared among the models. The range of simulated polar warming in the Arctic is from 1.5 to 4.5 times the global mean warming. While ice-albedo feedback is likely to account for much of the polar amplification, the strength of the feedback depends on numerous physical processes and parametrizations which differ considerably among the models. Nonetheless, the mean sea-ice state in the control (or present) climate is found to influence both the magnitude and spatial distribution of the high-latitude warming in the models. In particular, the latitude of the maximum warming is correlated inversely and significantly with sea-ice extent in the control climate. Additionally, models with relatively thin Arctic ice cover in the control climate tend to have higher polar amplification. An intercomparison of model results also shows that increases in poleward ocean heat transport at high latitudes and increases in polar cloud cover are significantly correlated to amplified Arctic warming. This suggests that these changes in the climate state may modify polar amplification. No significant correlation is found between polar amplification and the control climate continental ice and snow cover.
Barriers To Obesity Prevention In Head Start

Head Start provides early childhood education to nearly one million low-income children, through federal grants to more than 2,000 local programs. About one-third of children who enter Head Start are overweight or obese. But program directors face difficulty in implementing policies and practices to address obesity—and in our national survey, they identified the key barriers as lack of time, money, and knowledge. Also, parents and staff sometimes shared cultural beliefs that were inconsistent with preventing obesity, such as the belief that heavier children are healthier. Minimizing those barriers will require federal resources to increase staff training and technical assistance, develop staff wellness programs, and provide healthy meals and snacks.
Effects of local variations in skull and scalp thickness on EEG's and MEG's

The results of a computer modeling study are reported. They indicate that local variations in skull and scalp thickness have effects on electroencephalograms (EEGs) and magnetoencephalograms (MEGs) which range from a simple intuitive effect to complex effects which depend on such factors as source depth and orientation, the geometry of the variation in skull and scalp thickness, etc. These results also indicate that local variations in skull and scalp thickness cause EEG localization errors which are generally much less than 1 cm and MEG localization errors which are even smaller. These results also indicate that multichannel and single-channel MEG measurements will produce localization errors of approximately the same amplitude when there is a bump on the external surface of the head but that multichannel measurements will produce significantly smaller localization errors than single-channel measurements when a depression is present in that surface. >
Psychobiology, sex research and chimpanzees: philanthropic foundation support for the behavioral sciences at Yale University, 1923—41

Behavioral science research in American universities was promoted and influenced by philanthropic foundations. In the 1920s and 1930s, Rockefeller philanthropies in particular financed behavioral s...
Experimental evidence of four-wave-mixing in THz wave generation in laser induced air plasma

We performed a systematic study of THz wave generation from laser-induced air plasma with individual controls of the omega and 2 omega beams. Our experimental result confirms that the four-wave-mixing is the major mechanism.
Towards optimal k-anonymization

When releasing microdata for research purposes, one needs to preserve the privacy of respondents while maximizing data utility. An approach that has been studied extensively in recent years is to use anonymization techniques such as generalization and suppression to ensure that the released data table satisfies the k-anonymity property. A major thread of research in this area aims at developing more flexible generalization schemes and more efficient searching algorithms to find better anonymizations (i.e., those that have less information loss). This paper presents three new generalization schemes that are more flexible than existing schemes. This flexibility can lead to better anonymizations. We present a taxonomy of generalization schemes and discuss their relationship. We present enumeration algorithms and pruning techniques for finding optimal generalizations in the new schemes. Through experiments on real census data, we show that more-flexible generalization schemes produce higher-quality anonymizations and the bottom-up works better for small k values and small number of quasi-identifier attributes than the top-down approach.
The Reform of the Cuban Economy, 1976–86: Organisation, Incentives and Patterns of Behaviour

‘As far as salaries go, there is chaos all over the country’, Fidel Castro exclaimed in 1986,1 and as he and other revolutionary leaders made clear throughout that year more than salaries was involved. Prices, credit, employment practices, administrative procedures and many other important aspects of the economy could be characterised as ‘chaotic’. It would be wrong, however, to take such characterisations at face value. For underlying this ‘chaos’ was a certain order: patterns of behaviour that this article will seek to disclose and explain.
Heart and ventilatory measures in crayfish during copulation

Monitoring heart rate (HR) and ventilatory rate (VR) during defined sensory stimuli and during aggressive and submissive social interactions has provided addi- tional information of a crayfish's physiological state which is not achieved by behavioral observations. In this study, the HR and VR of crayfish were moni- tored before, during and after the act of copulation in both heterosexual partners. The female crayfish abruptly reduces HR and VR during copulation but the male maintains HR and VR. After separation from copulation the female HR and VR are elevated, potentially paying back the O2 debt. The tight rela- tionship with HR and VR in direction of change in- dicates a potential neural coupling. These physio- logical changes in cardiac and respiratory systems suggest an autonomic-like regulation of HR and VR. How these neuronal functions are driven and regu- lated remains to be determined. Olfactory cues from the female to the male during copulation may be re- duced by the reduction in VR in the female. These studies offer experimental paradigms for future neu- ronal and pharmacological investigations into auto- nomic regulation of HR and VR as well as the neural circuitry involved.
Quorum-sensing non-coding small RNAs use unique pairing regions to differentially control mRNA targets.

Quorum sensing is a mechanism of cell–cell communication that bacteria use to control collective behaviours including bioluminescence, biofilm formation and virulence factor production. In the Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio cholerae quorum-sensing circuits, multiple non-coding small regulatory RNAs called the quorum-regulated small RNAs (Qrr sRNAs) function to establish the global quorum-sensing gene expression pattern by modulating translation of multiple mRNAs encoding quorum-sensing regulatory factors. Here we show that the Qrr sRNAs post-transcriptionally activate production of the low cell density master regulator AphA through base pairing to aphA mRNA, and this is crucial for the accumulation of appropriate levels of AphA protein at low cell density. We find that the Qrr sRNAs use unique pairing regions to discriminate between their different targets. Qrr1 is not as effective as Qrr2–5 in activating aphA because Qrr1 lacks one of two required pairing regions. However, Qrr1 is equally effective as the other Qrr sRNAs at controlling targets like luxR and luxO because it harbours all of the required pairing regions for these targets. Sequence comparisons reveal that Vibrionaceae species possessing only qrr1 do not have the aphA gene under Qrr sRNA control. Our findings suggest co-evolving relationships between particular Qrr sRNAs and particular mRNA targets.
Interaction of bacteriochlorophyll with the LH1 and PufX polypeptides of photosynthetic bacteria: use of chemically synthesized analogs and covalently attached fluorescent probes

The protein components of the reaction center (RC) and core light-harvesting (LH 1) complexes of photosynthetic bacteria have evolved to specifically, but non-covalently, bind bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl). The contribution to binding of specific structural elements in the protein and Bchl may be determined for the LH 1 complex because its subunit can be studied by reconstitution under equilibrium conditions. Important to the determination and utilization of such information is the characterization of the interacting molecular species. To aid in this characterization, a fluorescent probe molecule has been covalently attached to each of the LH 1 polypeptides. The fluorescent probes were selected for optimal absorption and emission properties in order to facilitate their unique excitation and to enable the detection of energy transfer to Bchl. Oregon Green 488 carboxylic acid and 7-diethylaminocoumarin-3-carboxylic acid seemed to fulfill these requirements. Each of these probes were utilized to derivatize the LH1 β-polypeptide of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. It was demonstrated that the β-polypeptides did not interact with each other in the absence of Bchl. When Bchl was present, the probe-labeled β-polypeptides interacted with Bchl to form subunit-type complexes much as those formed with the native polypeptides. Energy transfer from the probe to Bchl occurred with a high efficiency. The α-polypeptide from LH 1 of Rb. sphaeroides and that from Rhodospirillum rubrum were also derivatized in the same manner. Since these polypeptides do not oligomerize in the absence of a β-polypeptide, reversible binding of a single Bchl to a single polypeptide could be measured. Dissociation constants for complex formation were estimated. The relevance of these data to earlier studies of equilibria involving subunit complexes is discussed. Also involved in the photoreceptor complex of Rb. sphaeroides and Rhodobacter capsulatus is another protein referred to as PufX. Two large segments of this protein were chemically synthesized, one reproducing the amino acid sequence of the core segment predicted for Rb. sphaeroides PufX and the other reproducing the amino acid sequence predicted for the core segment of Rb. capsulatus PufX. Each polypeptide was covalently labeled with a fluorescent probe and tested for energy transfer to Bchl. Each was found to bind Bchl with an affinity similar to the affinity of the LH 1 polypeptides for Bchl. It is suggested that PufX binds Bchl and interacts with a Bchlċα-polypeptide component of LH 1 to truncate, or interupt, the LH 1 ring adjacent to the location of the QB binding site of the RC.
FACTORS AFFECTING RISK ASSESSMENT OF SMALL MAMMALS TO PESTICIDES

The quotient method (QM), a laboratory-based risk assessment methodology used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate pesticides for registration and use, has not been thoroughly field-tested and its performance has not always been reliable. Our objective was to compare predictions of risk using the QM with results from small mammal field studies to identify factors that cause variation in the performance of the QM. We regressed estimated mortality of herbivorous gray-tailed voles (Microtus canicaudus) and omnivorous deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) against predictions of mortality based on LC50 probit analyses for pesticide concentrations in spray-tank mixtures and residues on the top and bottom 15 cm of alfalfa plants. Predictions of risk generally were correlated with estimated mortality in the field, but slopes often differed significantly from the predicted 1:1 relationship and were much greater than 1.0 for several relationships during the 1993 experiment. Risk predictions may be influenced by a number of factors, including estimation of estimated environmental concentration (EEC), vegetation structure, weather patterns, species of concern, and demographic characteristics of the exposed populations. More accurate risk assessments may be accomplished by improving vegetation nomogram estimates of EEC and by incorporating vegetation structure and differences in natural history among species into QM predictions. Weather following application and the demographic characteristics of the exposed populations are likely to remain unknown and will cause imprecision in risk assessments.
Low-density parity check codes and iterative decoding for long-haul optical communication systems

A forward-error correction (FEC) scheme based on low-density parity check (LDPC) codes and iterative decoding using belief propagation in code graphs is presented in this paper. We show that LDPC codes provide a significant system performance improvement with respect to the state-of-the-art FEC schemes employed in optical communications systems. We present a class of structured codes based on mutually orthogonal Latin rectangles. Such codes have high rates and can lend themselves to very low-complexity encoder/decoder implementations. The system performance is further improved by a code design that eliminates short cycles in a graph employed in iterative decoding.