cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stability of model ecosystems with time-delay.

Abstract In this work, we attempt to formulize and partially resolve the “time-delay versus stability” as well as “complexity versus stability” problems in model ecosystems, in the framework of Lyapunov's stability theory. Sufficient conditions are given for stability of models with time-lag under structural perturbations caused by nonlinear interactions among species in the community. As a byproduct of this analysis, we will show important structural properties of the density-dependent models with time-lag, and establish tolerance of community stability to a broad class of nonlinear interactions and to a class of time-delays.
Extremal edges: Evidence in natural images

In complex natural scenes, information about figure ground organization is obtained from a combination of global and local features. In this study, we searched for local features that predict figure-ground assignment in natural images. A large number of image patches were extracted from natural images along the boundary of perceptual objects and Principal Component (PC) Analysis was applied to these patches. Two sets of experiments were carried out. In the first (E1), only patches were included that did not contain any occlusion features (T-junctions) in the background. In the second (E2), both patches with and without occlusions in the background were included. As expected, the first principal component in both datasets is a step edge, and the second PC in E2 is a T-junction in the background. The next principal component (PC2 in E1 and PC3 in E2) in both datasets has uniform intensity on the background side, and a large contrast gradient on the figure side. This is the signature of an extremal edge [1]; the gradient is a local feature indicative of an object occluding a background. To test if these components are predictive of figure-ground segregation, statistical analyses of distributions obtained by the projection of patches on the respective PCs were performed. Both datasets, E1 and E2, show significant differences on Students t-test (p ≤ 10−22) and the Bayesian t-test (JZSbƒ ≤ 10−19) between figure and background distributions. We conclude that: (1) next to the T-junction the second strongest local feature in natural images predictive of figure ground organization is a luminance gradient of the figure side; (2) figure-side gradients are prevalent irrespective of the presence or absence of occlusion features.
GPU accelerated Differential Power Analysis

Differential Power Analysis (DPA) is a powerful technique that has proven devastatingly effective against various encryption algorithms such as AES, Triple-DES and RSA. DPA has been able to successfully extract the secret key from these algorithms during the process of decrypting cyphertext information. Even in implementations with counter-measures, DPA can still be effective with additional traces, however at the cost of a corresponding increase in processing times. Hundreds of thousands to millions of traces may be necessary to defeat counter-measures; even high-end workstations can take days to process such large data sets. Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), available in most desktops as graphics cards on the other hand, have been effectively used in many parallel processing tasks. We use the GPU to accelerate DPA analysis and find a speedup of more than 200 times over workstation processing time. Using this method, we reduce computation time for a particular attack from 41 minutes to 12.24 seconds including the time for data transfer between the GPU and CPU.
Influence of Surface Chemistry on the Binding and Electronic Coupling of CdSe Quantum Dots to Single Crystal TiO2 Surfaces

Sensitization of mesoporous nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells with quantum confined semiconductor nanocrystals (QDs) has some advantages over organic dyes or inorganic complex sensitizers, yet the reported efficiencies of laboratory devices are not currently competitive with those of dye sensitized cells. Several methods previously utilized to bind CdSe QDs to mesoporous TiO2 films were investigated using low index faces of both anatase and rutile TiO2 polytypes as model systems. The in situ ligand exchange method, where 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) covered TiO2 crystal surfaces are treated with trioctylphosphine (TOP)/trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) (TOP/TOPO)-capped CdSe QDs, resulted in very irreproducible and usually low sensitized photocurrents. The ex situ ligand exchange method, whereby MPA-capped QDs are synthesized and directly adsorbed onto bare TiO2 single crystals, resulted in both reproducible sensitized photocurrents and surface coverages that are verified with atomic force microscopy (AFM)....
Three-dimensional color holographic display.

Three-dimensional (3D) color holograms are recorded in a cerium-doped, strontium barium niobate (SBN:60) photorefractive crystal. These holograms are shown to reconstruct true color reproductions of the original object with an observable field of view of 37°. Angle multiplexing of two or more 3D color holograms is also demonstrated with angle tuning of the reference beam corresponding to a separation angle between stored images of 0.082°. Each of these results is compared with corresponding theoretical predictions.
Integrated querying of disparate association and interaction data in biomedical applications

In biomedical applications, network models are commonly used to represent interactions and higher-level associations among biological entities. Integrated analyses of these interaction and association data has proven useful in extracting knowledge, and generating novel hypotheses for biomedical research. For example, integrated mining of clinical similarity among diseases, known disease-gene associations, and molecular interactions among proteins provide insight on prioritizing candidate disease genes. However, since most datasets provide their own schema and query interface, opportunities for exploratory and integrative querying of disparate data are currently limited. In this study, we capitalize on RDF-based representations of biomedical interaction and association data to develop a querying framework that enables efficient processing and flexible specification of graph template matching queries. The proposed framework enables integrative querying of biomedical databases to discover complex patterns of associations among a diverse range of biological entities, including biomolecules, biological processes, organisms, and phenotypes. Our experimental results on the UniProt dataset show the proposed framework can be used to efficiently process complex queries, and identify biologically relevant patterns of associations that cannot be readily obtained by querying each dataset independently.
Automata for Transliteration and Machine Translation

Automata theory, transliteration, and machine translation (MT) have an interesting and intertwined history. Finite-state string automata theory became a powerful tool for speech and language after the introduction of the ATT furthermore, these machines can be pipelined to attack complex problems like speech recognition. Likewise, n-gram models can be captured by finite-state acceptors, which can be reused across applications. It is possible to mix, match, and compose transducers to flexibly solve all kinds of problems. One such problem is transliteration, which can be modeled as a pipeline of string transformations. MT has also been modeled with transducers, and descendants of the FSM toolkit are now used to implement phrase-based machine translation. Even speech recognizers and MT systems can themselves be composed to deliver speech-to-speech MT. The main rub with finite-state string MT is word re-ordering. Tree transducers offer a natural mechanism to solve this problem, and they have recently been employed with some success. In this talk, we will survey these ideas (and their origins), and we will finish with a discussion of how transliteration and MT can work together.
Genetics of adrenal tumors associated with Cushing's syndrome: a new classification for bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasias

Bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasias (BAHs) are one cause of adrenocorticotropin-independent Cushing's syndrome. Until recently BAHs were relatively unknown and thought to be infrequent. This article reviews the molecular genetics of adrenocortical tumor development with an emphasis on BAHs. It also suggests a classification for BAHs that is based on their genetics and histology. Adrenocortical causes of Cushing's syndrome include the following: common cortisol-producing adenomas, which are usually isolated (without associated tumors) and sporadic (without a family history); rare, but often clinically devastating, adrenocortical carcinomas; and a spectrum of adrenocorticotropin-independent, and almost always bilateral, hyperplasias, which are not rare, and are the most recently recognized cause. The majority of benign lesions of the adrenal cortex seem to be linked to abnormalities of the cyclic AMP signaling pathway, whereas cancer is linked to aberrant expression of insulin-like growth factor II, tumor protein p53 and related molecules. In this article, we propose a new clinical classification and nomenclature for the various forms of adrenocorticotropin-independent adrenocortical hyperplasias that is based on their histologic and genetic features. We also review the molecular genetics of adrenocortical tumors, including recent discoveries relating to the role of phosphodiesterase 11A. This is a timely Review because of recent advances in the clinical and molecular understanding of these diseases.
Response-times of schizophrenics in a perceived velocity task.

A VARIABLE such as the perceived velocity of a moving stimulus is usually assessed by procedures depending appreciably upon the subject’s ability to understand and make judgments about the variable. Schizophrenic subjects present a particularly difficult problem in such perceptual tests, since deviant results might be due basically to disturbances in language and thought rather than in perception. Recently a method has been developed with normal subjects in which response-time is taken as a measure of perceived velocityu-3) and no communication with the subject about this specific variable is required. In an exploratory application it was found that schizophrenic patients could perform the task well but developed extraordinarily long response-times with repeated testing. The present report describes an experimental verification of this phenomenon and demonstrates that the long delays are not due simply to a general deterioration in performance.
A paradigm of integrative physiology, the crosstalk between bone and energy metabolisms

Thanks to integrative physiology, new relationships between organs and homeostatic functions have emerged. This approach to physiology based on a whole organism approach has allowed the bone field to make fundamental progress. In the last decade, clinical observations and scientific evidences in vivo have uncovered that fat with leptin controls bone mass through brain including a hypothalamic relay and sympathetic nervous system. The finding that energy metabolism affects bone remodelling suggested that in an endocrine perspective, a feedback loop should exist. Beside its classical functions, bone can now be considered as a true endocrine organ secreting osteocalcin, a hormone pharmacologically active on glucose and fat metabolism. Indeed osteocalcin stimulates insulin secretion and β-cell proliferation. Simultaneously, osteocalcin acts on adipocytes to induce Adiponectin which secondarily reduce insulin resistance. This cross regulation between bone and energy metabolism offers novel therapeutic targets in type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis.
Photogenerated Carrier Confinement During the Laser-Controlled Aqueous Etching of GaAs/AlGaAs Nultilayers

The sensitivity of the laser-controlled aqueous etching to the optical and electrical properties of semiconductors was utilized during the etching of n-GaAs/n-AlGaAs multilayers to produce novel microstructures. Since this process is controlled by the transport of photogenerated holes to the semiconductor/solution interface, we found that the morphology of etched features is dependent on the bandgap and hole diffusion length of each layer within the heterostructure.
Out of Russia: Two Narratives and a Conversation

In 1998 and 2000, Laurel Richardson, a sociologist/ethnographer, and Ernest Lockridge, novelist, traveled to Russia. In “Out of Russia,” each of them writes independently about their experiences, making sense of them through cultural, social, literary, and autobiographical lenses. Then, after reading each other’s papers, they have a conversation, which is transcribed and edited. The conversation focuses on the relationship between cultural critique, writing methods and techniques, the power of the unconscious, and thinking about writing (and reading) as a kind of sacramental activity, a process through which the writer/reader connects to the self and others.
The amino acid sequence of "heavy chain disease" protein ZUC. Structure of the Fc fragment of immunoglobulin G3

The sequence of the Fc fragment of human IgG3 was studied, using a naturally-occurring γ3 heavy chain variant (ZUC). Though the molecule is internally deleted, it contains 248 residues, including the entire Fc fragment. The almost complete sequence of the CH2 and CH3 domains (position 234 to 446) indicates an extremely close evolutionary relationship with γ1 and γ4 chains. There is a 95% homology between IgG3 and IgGl and 92% between IgG3 and IgG4 in the CH2 in the CH3 domains.
Studying enzyme binding specificity in acetylcholinesterase using a combined molecular dynamics and multiple docking approach.

A combined molecular dynamics simulation and multiple ligand docking approach is applied to study the binding specificity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with its natural substrate acetylcholine (ACh), a family of substrate analogues, and choline. Calculated docking energies are well correlated to experimental kcat/KM values, as well as to experimental binding affinities of a related series of TMTFA inhibitors. The “esteratic” and “anionic” subsites are found to act together to achieve substrate binding specificity. We find that the presence of ACh in the active site of AChE not only stabilizes the setup of the catalytic triad but also tightens both subsites to achieve better binding. The docking energy gained from this induced fit is 0.7 kcal/mol for ACh. For the binding of the substrate tailgroup to the anionic subsite, both the size and the positive charge of the tailgroup are important. The removal of the positive charge leads to a weaker binding of 1 kcal/mol loss in docking energy. Substituting each ...
MSET: A Mobility Satellite Emulation Testbed

Satellite systems are ideal for distributing the same content to a large number of users, as well as providing broadband connectivity in remote areas or backup in case of terrestrial network failures. Unlike terrestrial networks, satellite networks face a unique set of challenges, such as signal fading and interference from multiple transmitters combined with long propagation delays. A well known challenge is that these unique characteristics can have an adverse impact on various protocols, making it necessary to study protocol behavior in satellite networks. The challenge of our research, and the focus of this paper, is to develop an architecture for a high-fidelity and scalable emulation testbed tailored for mobile satellite communications research. The testbed is designed to provide multi-beam, multi-satellite, TDMA, and mobility functionality. Our validation studies demonstrate that the testbed is capable of achieving delay, loss, and jitter that can be associated with a mobile satellite link.
Arterial platelet accumulation in experimental hypercholesterolemia.

Abstract Accumulation of arterial platelets was calculated from 51 Cr radioactivity in the intima-inner media of flushed, perfuse-fixed aortas and branch vessels of cynomolgus monkeys 48 hours after labeling of the blood platelets. In normocholesterolemic controls the radioactivity per square centimeter of tissue was consistently higher in aortic branching sites (circumostial aorta) than in the remainder of the aorta. In monkeys given 10 and 100 days of hypercholesterolemic diet radioactivity rose in circumostial aorta in proportion to increases in the remainder of the aorta. Focally high counts were found in gross fatty streaks and in areas of Evans blue uptake. In branch artery inner wall, where intimal changes were minimal and usually absent, counts were significantly greater in animals given 100 days of hypercholesterolemic diet than in controls. After 10 days of hypercholesterolemic diet the mean radioactivity in aortic branch artery inner wall uniformly exceeded control values, but usually nonsignificantly, permitting the speculation that changes in platelet-intima interactions may occur in widespread fashion throughout the arterial tree very early in hypercholesterolemia when lesion formation is incipient or absent.
On the configuration of the phosphatidyl group and the distribution of fatty acids on phosphatidylinositol

d -2,3-Diglyceride was obtained by enzymic cleavage of beef liver phosphoinositide. The l configuration of the phosphatidyl group is thereby established. As its main component, beef liver inositide contained the distearoyl compound. Diglycerides obtained from beef heart inositide and from rat liver inositide were subjected to the attack of pancreatic lipase to determine the distribution of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids on the α and β positions of the phosphatidyl group. The results indicate that there is no positional specificity in the location of the fatty acids in these inositides. Rat liver inositide was shown to contain a diarachidonoyl inositide. The possible metabolic connection of phosphatidylinositols with lecithins and triglycerides is discussed.
Hypothalamic Integration of Nutrient Status and Reproduction in the Sheep

Nutrient availability is a determinant of reproductive success. It is well known that inadequate nutrition results in reproductive failure due to a number of factors including delay of puberty or anoestrous in post-pubertal animals. The lack of nutrients is detected primarily by changes in circulating nutrient molecules and hormones and communicated directly or indirectly to the hypothalamus and brain stem for integration. The general effect is that low nutrition leads to increased appetite stimulation and reduced reproductive performance. When nutrition is adequate, the reverse is true. Both aspects will be the focus of this review. One result of the lack of nutrients is a reduction in luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations and pulse frequency. Nutrient signals, such as glucose availability, hormonal signals, such as insulin and leptin, and neuroendocrine signals, such as neuropeptide Y and corticotropin-releasing hormone, have been clearly demonstrated to interact to produce changes in LH and reproductive success. Other signals, such as fatty acids, ghrelin, agouti-related peptide, melanin-concentrating hormone, orexin, melanocyte-stimulating hormone, kisspeptin, neurokinin, dynorphin and gonadotropin inhibitory hormone may also play a role in integrating nutrition and reproduction. This review will focus on the major features of the reciprocal control of appetite and reproduction in sheep.
Focal plane image restoration using the 2D4 algorithm

A highly parallel image restoration algorithm is described and compared with several other popular methods including the Wiener filter, projection onto convex sets, and the Viterbi algorithm. Parallel focal plane implementations are also discussed.
Intramolecular carboxylate catalysis in the depurination of a 7-methylguanosine derivative

Abstract We have compared the pH-independent rates of glycosidic hydrolysis in a carboxylate-bearing 7-methylguanosine derivative with those of a reference compound and with that of 7-methylguanosine itself. A syn -oriented carboxylate group affords catalysis in the hydrolysis reaction, although the instability of 7-alkylguanosines above pH 7 severely limits the useful pH range that could be studied. The effect of the carboxylate near neutral pH can be viewed in three different ways: it provides a 3-fold acceleration as compared to underivatized 7-methylguanosine, an approximately 30-fold acceleration when the decelerating effect of the ketal group is considered, and because of slow decomposition of the reference compound under the reaction conditions, we conclude that the carboxylate provides an acceleration of ≥43-fold as compared to the protio reference compound.
Reflective Practice in Group Co-Leadership

Group literature on co-leaders' experiences and perceptions while leading groups illuminate reflective practice as highly influential to co-leader relationships and performances. Using practical examples grounded by interdisciplinary literature on reflective practice, this article explores and expands dialogue on the complex interplay between co-leaders' intrapersonal processes, interactions with co-leaders and group members, and decision-making within the co-leader role. Discussion presents implications for clinical practice, training, supervision, and future research.
Brief report on the clinical reappraisal of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule carried out at the Johns Hopkins site of the Epidemiological Catchment Area Program of the NIMH

A psychiatric examination was conducted on 810 community dwelling subjects previously given a diagnosis derived from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS). The agreement in allocating subjects to a particular disorder was never high enough to encourage the confident replacement of a psychiatric diagnosis with a DIS diagnosis.
EFFECTS OF USING ONLINE NARRATIVE AND DIDACTIC INFORMATION ON HEALTHCARE PARTICIPATION FOR BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

Objectives To determine the effects of online narrative and didactic information on breast cancer patients’ healthcare participation and the interaction effects of race.
Prediction of crack paths in a quenched glass plate by using peridynamic theory

The peridynamic theory is employed to predict crack growth patterns in quenched glass plates previously considered for an experimental investigation. The plates containing single and multiple pre-existing initial cracks are simulated to investigate the effects of peridynamic and experimental parameters on the crack paths. The critical stretch value in the peridynamic theory and the gap size between the heat reservoirs are determined to be the most significant parameters. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental observations published in the literature.
Socialism and incentives: Developing a framework

Abstract This paper proposes a framework for comparative analysis of economic systems that is broad enough to encompass not only variants of socialism, but also laissez-faire and other cases. The two basic components of the framework deal with information and incentives. A central problem is that of designing an incentive-compatible, informationally decentralized mechanism satisfying the requirements of optimality and fairness. Recent results show that there are limitations on the design of such mechanisms; in particular, it may be impossible to avoid lowering the level of satisfaction of some members of society in order to achieve equity and efficiency. J. Comp. Econ. , Sept. 1979, 3 (3), pp. 207–216. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455.
Does housework matter anymore? The shifting impact of housework on economic inequality

In recent years, American women’s housework time has declined while American men’s housework time has risen. We examine how these changes have affected economic inequality in the United States. Using time-diary data from the Time Use in Economic and Social Accounts, 1975–1976 (N = 1,484) and the American Time Use Survey, 2003 (N = 5,534), we value adults’ housework using two alternative methodologies and assess its influence on households’ real access to goods and services in both years. Results suggest that housework reduces economic inequality in both years. But, between 1975–1976 and 2002–2003, overall economic inequality rose largely because of the growing wage inequality and also, in part, because of growth in housework inequality. Socio-demographic change partially inhibited the overall growth in economic inequality.
A distinct meta-active conformation in the 1.1-A resolution structure of wild-type ApoCheY.

Abstract CheY is the best characterized member of the response regulator superfamily, and as such it has become the principal model for understanding the initial molecular mechanisms of signaling in two-component systems. Normal signaling by response regulators requires phosphorylation, in combination with an activation mechanism whose conformational effects are not completely understood. CheY activation involves three events, phosphorylation, a conformational change in the β4–α4loop, and a rotational restriction of the side chain of tyrosine 106. An outstanding question concerns the nature of an active conformation in the apoCheY population. The details of this 1.08-A resolution crystal structure of wild-type apoCheY shows the β4–α4 loop in two distinctly different conformations that sterically correlate with the two rotameric positions of the tyrosine 106 side chain. One of these conformational states of CheY is the inactive form, and we propose that the other is a meta-active form, responsible for the active properties seen in apoCheY.
FUZZY CASH FLOW ANALYSIS USING PRESENT WORTH CRITERION

ABSTRACT In practice, engineering economic analysis involves uncertainty about future cash flows. To deal quantitatively with imprecision or uncertainty, fuzzy set theory is primarily concerned with vagueness in human thoughts and perceptions. As an alternative to conventional cash flow models where cash flows are defined as either crisp numbers or risky probability distributions, we propose an engineering economic decision model in which the uncertain cash flows and discount rates are specified as triangular fuzzy numbers. The present worth formulation of this fuzzy cash flow model is derived. The result of the present worth is also a fuzzy number with nonlinear membership function. The present worth can be approximated by a triangular fuzzy number. Deviation between exact present worth and its approximate form is examined. Finally, the fuzzy project selection is performed by applying different dominance rules. To demonstrate the application of the fuzzy present worth function, a comprehensive numerical ...
Shaping the Field of Theology and Science: A Critique of Nancey Murphy

Nancey Murphy is a key second-generation figure in the field of religion and science. Through a variety of responsibilities, some of which are reviewed here, she has worked as a discipline builder over the last fifteen years. After trying to convey the general spirit of Murphy's work, the author focuses on five areas where readers might resist her conclusions, including her “postmodern” theory of scientific (and religious) knowledge and truth, her treatment of theology and science as “separate but equal,” and her defense of physicalism.
Effects of 2,2'-dibromobiphenyl and 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptabromobiphenyl on liver microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes.

Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) cause a mixed-type induction of liver microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes. We have shown that 2,2′4,4′,5,5′-hexabromobiphenyl (HBB 6 ), the major component (56%) of PBBs (Firemaster), is strictly a phenobarbital-type inducer, and are examining the effects of other purified PBB components on these hepatic enzymes Male rats were given one 90 mg/kg ip injection of either 2,2′-dibromobiphenyl (DBB) or of 2,2′,3,4,4′,5,5′-heptabromobiphenyl (HBB 7 ), a major (27%) congener, and were sacrificed 1–22 days later. Eleven tissues were examined microscopically: Only HBB 7 caused lesions which were confined to hepatocyte swelling and vacuolation. DBB had little if any effect on any parameter examined. In contrast, HBB 7 increased liver weights and strongly induced microsomal protein, NADPH-cytochrome P -450 reductase, cytochrome P -450, aminopyrine demethylation, and epoxide hydratase. These effects were apparent within several days after treatment, and were still pronounced at Day 22. HBB 7 caused only small increases in benzo[ α ]pyrene hydroxylation and p -nitrophenol-UDP-glucuronyltransferase and failed to shift the cytochrome P -450 spectral maximum from 450 nm. These results, and the results of sodium dodecylsulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicate that HBB 7 , like HBB 6 , is strictly a phenobarbital-type inducer of hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes, and that all brominated biphenyls are not inducers. Seventeen percent by weight of Firemaster remains uncharacterized; one or more of these components is responsible for the 3-methylcholanthrene-like aspects of the mixed-type induction caused by the PBB mixture.
Fourier‐transform infrared study of coextrusion‐drawn poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The effects of initial morphology and extrusion temperature on the orientational anisotropy and conformational changes on coextrusion drawing of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) have been determined by Fourier-transform polarized infrared spectroscopy. The samples were drawn from both amorphous and semicrystalline (50%) PET at 50 and 90°C. A strong influence of coextrusion drawing temperature was observed for overall chain orientation evaluated from the dichroic ratio of the 795-cm−1 band for the samples prepared from the amorphous state: this dependence was less prominent in samples drawn from the semicrystalline state. Under the same drawing conditions, the dichroic ratio for the 973-cm−1trans band for samples prepared from the amorphous state was higher than from the semicrystalline state. Furthermore, in all samples, the relative intensity of this band was almost proportional to the degree of crystallinity. In all samples, the gauche content, evaluated from the 896-cm−1 band, decreased with increasing draw ratio. However, the dichroic ratio of this band was near unity regardless of draw ratio, initial morphology, or extrusion temperature. From these results it is considered that all gauche units in the amorphous phase are almost isotropic in the extrusion-drawn samples with overall orientation arising largely from the crystalline chains possessing totally the trans conformation (973 cm−1) in its content. In order to evaluate the deformation mechanism of the coextrusion drawing method, the relationship between the bulk and film surface orientation is also reported.
Biochemical and Morphological Assessment of Normal and Pre-Cancerous Engineered Tissue using Two-Photon Excited Autofluorescence

We present a method to non-invasively identify quantitative morphological and biochemical changes between normal and pre-cancerous engineered tissue from depth resolved autofluorescence. Morphology and metabolic activity were assessed using fractal modeling spectral deconvolution.
Photosynthetic performance of Laminaria solidungula measured in situ in the Alaskan High Arctic

Photosynthetic performance in the kelp Laminaria solidungula J. Agardh was examined from photosynthesis irradiance (P-I) parameters calculated from in situ 14C uptake experiments, using whole plants in the Stefansson Sound Boulder Patch, Alaskan Beaufort Sea, in August 1986. Rates of carbon fixation were determined from meristematic, basal blade, and second blade tissue in young and adult sporophytes. Differences in saturating irradiance (I k, measured as photosynthetically active radiation, PAR), photosynthetic capacity (P max), and relative quantum efficiency (α) were observed both between young and adult plants and between different tissue types. I k was lowest in meristematic tissue (20 to 30 μE m−2 s−1) for both young and adult plants, but consistently 8 to 10 μE m−2 s−1 higher in young plants compared to adults in all three tissues. Average I k for non-meristematic tissue in adult plants was 38 μE m−2 s−1. Under saturating irradiances, young and adult plants exhibited similar rates of carbon fixation on an area basis, but under light limitation, fixation rates were highest in adult plants for all tissues. P max was generally highest in the basal blade and lowest in meristematic tissue. Photosynthetic efficiency (α) ranged between 0.016 and 0.027 μmol C cm−2 h−1/μE m−2 s−1, and was highest in meristematic tissue. The relatively lower I k and higher α exhibited by L. solidungula in comparison to other kelp species are distinct adaptations to the near absence of light during the eight-month ice-covered period and in summer when water turbidity is high. Continuous measurement of in situ quantum irradiance made in summer showed that maximum PAR can be less than 12 μE m−2 s−1 for several days when high wind velocities increase water turbulence and decrease water transparency.
Doctoral Students and U.S. Immigration Policy

Whether the United States should make it easier for foreign graduates of U.S. universities to acquire visas and permanent residency is an important question raised by current immigration reform proposals ( 1 ). Such policies should be informed by rigorous analyses of whether international doctoral students are important for research and support technological innovation. We discuss the evidence on this point, its implications, and some new policy ideas.
Can Changing Cod End Mesh Size and Mesh Shape Affect the Nearshore Trawl Fishery off the West Coast of the United States

Abstract A study, spanning the years 1988–1990, on the impact of trawl cod end mesh size and mesh shape was undertaken onboard nearshore bottom trawl vessels operating under production conditions off the west coast of the United States. Short-term impacts with experimental cod ends were analyzed. Six cod ends were used as treatments: 76-, 114-, 127-, and 140-mm diamond mesh, and 114- and 127-mm square mesh. Three response variables were used to compare these cod ends: utilized catch weight (weight of marketable-sized fish), size-discard catch weight (weight of fish discarded due to small size), and giller weight (weight of fish wedged between meshes). Species composition differed between the “inner nearshore” area (0–91 m depth) and the “outer nearshore” area (>91–183 m depth). For all cod ends, the inner nearshore had a consistently greater percent total discard than the outer nearshore. The individual cod end results showed that the 76-mm diamond gave excessively high size-discard rates for both areas. ...
Density dependence of the symmetry energy and the nuclear equation of state: A dynamical and statistical model perspective

The density dependence of the symmetry energy in the equation of state of isospin asymmetric nuclear matter is of significant importance for studying the structure of systems as diverse as the neutron-rich nuclei and the neutron stars. A number of reactions using the dynamical and the statistical models of multifragmentation, and the experimental isoscaling observable, are studied to extract information on the density dependence of the symmetry energy. It is observed that the dynamical and the statistical model calculations give consistent results assuming the sequential decay effect in dynamical model to be small. A comparison with several other independent studies is also made to obtain important constraints on the form of the density dependence of the symmetry energy. The comparison rules out an extremely ``stiff'' and ``soft'' forms of the density dependence of the symmetry energy with important implications for astrophysical and nuclear physics studies.
Counterstreaming suprathermal electron events upstream of corotating shocks in the solar wind beyond ∼2 Au: Ulysses

Enhanced fluxes of suprathermal electrons are commonly observed upstream of corotating forward and reverse shocks in the solar wind at heliocentric distances beyond approximately 2 AU by the Los Alamos plasma experiment on Ulysses. The average duration of these events, which are most intense immediately upstream from the shocks and which fade with increasing distance from them, is approximately 2.4 days near 5 AU. These events are caused by the leakage of shock-heated electrons into the upstream region. The upstream regions of these shocks face back toward the Sun along the interplanetary magnetic field, so these leaked electrons commonly counterstream relative to the normal solar wind electron heat flux. The observations suggest that conservation of magnetic moment and scattering typically limit the sunward propagation of these electrons as beams to field-aligned distances of approximately 15 AU. Although it seems unlikely that these shock-associated events are an important source of counterstreaming events near 1 AU, remnants of the backstreaming beams may contribute importantly to the diffuse solar wind halo electron population there.
Correlations between tropospheric and ionospheric parameters

This paper discusses the general aspects of troposphere-ionosphere relationships and a suggested mechanism of a possible coupling between lower and upper atmosphere. The presentation includes results of a correlation analysis surface pressure and electron density of the ionosphericF2 layer for Washington, D.C., covering a time interval of 23 months. The correlation is significant for only three months and the sign of the correlation is not consistent. The three significant correlations between surface pressure andF2 electron density occur at times of an «index cycle»; i.e., the periodic fluctuations in the zonal circulation of the atmosphere and for a month of heavy hurricane activity. The review of correlations obtained by other authors also indicates that their significant correlations occur at times when intensive changes in the tropospheric circulation occur, especially in winter and spring (the time favored by index cycles) and at the beginning and retreat of the summer monsoon in India. The variable sign of correlation between surface pressure and ionospheric characteristics is considered to be the result of the ambiguity of surface pressure as an indicator for dynamic changes in the lower atmosphere which may possibly initiate certain changes in the upper atmosphere. It is speculated that the observed correlations are the effect of upward propagation of strong disturbances from the troposphere to the ionosphere. At the present time, however, no definite conclusion can be drawn as to the reality of the suggested troposphere-ionosphere relationships.
"English Is Here to Stay": A Critical Look at Institutional and Educational Practices in India.

Based on an ongoing ethnographic project, this article examines ways in which the Indian middle class, with its relatively easy access to English, represents an inner circle of power and privilege that for a variety of reasons remains inaccessible to particular groups of people in India. Specifically, the data revealed that certain institutional and teaching practices keep English out of the reach of lower income and lower caste groups and push them into outer circles. The students central to this article are Dalit (lower-caste) students and students from the so-called Other Backward Classes who have been socialized in Gujarati-medium schools in Grades K-12 and who have to contend with English at the tertiary level.
Reply: Tissue IgG4-positive plasma cells in inflammatory bowel disease: a study of 88 treatment-naïve biopsies of inflammatory bowel disease

Reply: Tissue IgG4-positive plasma cells in inflammatory bowel disease: a study of 88 treatment-naive biopsies of inflammatory bowel disease
Pharmacodynamic Imaging Guides Dosing of a Selective Estrogen Receptor Degrader

Purpose: Estrogen receptor (ER) targeting is key in management of receptor-positive breast cancer (BrCa). Currently, there are no methods to optimize anti-ER therapy dosing. This study assesses the utility of 16α-18F-fluoroestradiol (18F-FES) PET for fulvestrant dose optimization in a preclinical ER+ BrCa model. Experimental Design: In vitro, 18F-FES retention was compared to ERα protein expression (ELISA) and ESR1 mRNA transcription (qPCR) in MCF7 cells (ER+) after treatment with different fulvestrant doses. MCF7 xenografts were grown in ovariectomized nude mice and assigned to vehicle, low-(0.05mg), medium-(0.5mg) or high-dose(5mg) fulvestrant treatment groups (5-7 per group). Two and three days after fulvestrant treatment, PET/CT was performed using 18F-FES and 18F-FDG, respectively. ER expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and qPCR on xenografts. Tumor proliferation was assessed using Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. Results: In vitro, we observed a parallel graded reduction in 18F-FES uptake and ER expression with increased fulvestrant doses, despite enhancement of ER mRNA transcription. In xenografts, ER expression significantly decreased with increased fulvestrant dose, despite similar mRNA expression and Ki-67 staining among the treatment groups. We observed a significant dose-dependent reduction of 18F-FES PET mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) with fulvestrant treatment, but no significant difference among treatment groups in 18F-FDG PET SUVmean. Conclusions: We demonstrated that 18F-FES uptake mirrors the dose-dependent changes in functional ER expression with fulvestrant resulting in ER degradation and/or blockade; these precede changes in tumor metabolism and proliferation. Quantitative 18F-FES PET may be useful for tracking early efficacy of ER blockade/degradation and guiding ER-targeted therapy dosing in BrCa.
Evaluation of ageing accuracy of bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis) rockfish using bomb radiocarbon

The accuracy of bocaccio rockfish age assignments was evaluated using radiocarbon levels measured in otoliths collected from fish taken off the coast of Washington state (USA). Otoliths from 24 randomly selected fish with estimated birth years from 1950 to 1977, based on paired otolith age estimates, were used in this study. The level of radiocarbon measured in the core of each otolith was compared to a reference radiocarbon chronology based on radiocarbon levels in otoliths from known-age Pacific halibut. The degree of graphical phase correspondence between the two series was sufficient to support the hypothesis that the annuli were formed yearly in bocaccio otoliths but were somewhat difficult to identify. Statistical analysis of the ageing errors could not document a bias in production ageing of bocaccio. Pre-bomb radiocarbon levels measured in otolith cores confirm that bocaccio can live at least 37 years.
A recursive algorithm for reducing algorithmic complexity of scattering problems

A recursive algorithm for calculating the exact solution of field scattering from a dielectric object is proposed. As in the method of moments, the object is first divided into N subobjects. Then, every subject is treated as a single scatterer in an N-scatterer problem. The recursive algorithm is then employed to calculate the (n+1)-scatterer tensor-T matrix from the n-scatterer tensor-T matrix. With this recursive algorithm, the N-scatterer tensor-T matrix can be derived. From this N-scatterer tensor T-matrix, the scattered field from the object can be obtained. This results in an N/sup 2/ and a linear in N algorithm in the long wavelength limit rather than the N/sup 3/ algorithm as in the method of moments. >
Linear Theory Calculations for the Sea Breeze in a Background Wind: The Equatorial Case

The equatorial coastal circulation is modeled in terms of the linear wave response to a diurnally oscillating heat source gradient in a background wind. A diurnal scaling shows that the solution depends on two parameters: a nondimensional coastal width L and a nondimensional wind speed U. The solutions are interpreted by comparing to the U 5 0 theory of Rotunno. For U 6 0 the Fourier integral solution consists of three distinct wave branches. Two of these branches correspond to the prior no-wind solution of Rotunno, except with Doppler shifting and associated wave dispersion. The third branch exists only for U 6 0 and is shown to be broadly similar to flow past a steady heat source or a topographic obstacle. The relative importance of this third branch is determined largely by the parameter combination U/L. For sufficiently large U/L the third branch becomes the dominant part of the solution. The spatial structures of the three branches are described in terms of group velocity arguments combined with a desingularized quadrature method.
Biological Races of the Black Scale, Saissetia Oleae, and Their Specific Parasites

In California a race of Saissetia oleae (Bern.) was found with a unique capacity to attack commercial fig trees, and with other distinctive biological characteristics. Another race of S. oleae , imported from Mexico, was inhabited by a race of the common California encyrtid wasp Metaphycus luteolus Timb. which would not attack the ordinary California race of S. oleae but would attack its fig-infesting race. A series of interrelation tests on the two distinctive races of the parasite and the races of S. oleae confirmed their discrete biological identity. Adaptation of the imported race of the encyrtid to the local race of the scale insect could not be effected. The existence of taxonomically indistinguishable biological races of S. oleae was never suspected previously.
Detection and characterization of soluble CD93 released during inflammation

CD93 is a cell surface glycoprotein that is required for efficient engulfment of apoptotic cells via an unknown mechanism. Recently, it was demonstrated that CD93 is proteolytically cleaved from the surface of activated human monocytes and neutrophils in response to inflammatory signals in vitro and that a soluble form of CD93 (sCD93) exists in human plasma. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship among production of sCD93, inflammation, and engulfment of apoptotic cells. Sterile peritonitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice, and lavage fluid was analyzed for presence of sCD93 by ELISA and Western blot. Cellular infiltrate was assessed by flow cytometry and analyzed for its capacity to shed CD93 in vitro. Peritoneal lavage fluid (PLF) was examined for its ability to regulate engulfment of apoptotic cells. There was an 8.9-fold increase in sCD93 following induction of peritonitis. Macrophages accounted for the majority of infiltrating leukocytes into the peritoneum when sCD93 levels were highest. Inflammatory peritoneal macrophages constitutively shed CD93 in vitro suggesting that this cell type contributes to elevated levels of sCD93 in vivo. Inflammatory PLF from wild-type mice containing elevated sCD93 significantly enhanced engulfment of apoptotic cells in vitro when compared to inflammatory fluid from CD93-deficient mice. These data demonstrate that inflammation triggers release of sCD93 in vivo, identify the inflammatory macrophage as a source of sCD93, and provide insight into the mechanism by which CD93 contributes to engulfment of apoptotic cells.
Nutritional Implications of Genetic Taste Variation: The Role of PROP Sensitivity and Other Taste Phenotypes

Genetic sensitivity to the bitter taste of phenylthiocarbamide and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) is a well-studied human trait. It has been hypothesized that this phenotype is a marker for individual differences in taste perception that influence food preferences and dietary behavior with subsequent links to body weight and chronic disease risk. Steady progress has been made over the past several decades in defining the involvement of this phenotype and its underlying gene, TAS2R38, in this complex behavioral pathway. However, more work needs to be done to fully determine its overall nutritional and health significance. The primary goal of this review is to assess our current understanding of the role of the PROP bitter taste phenotype in food selection and body weight in both children and adults. A brief history of the field is included and controversies surrounding the use of different PROP screening methods are addressed. The contribution of other receptors (both bitter and nonbitter) to human taste variation is also discussed.