cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Omega-3 fatty acids and dementia.

More than a dozen epidemiological studies have reported that reduced levels or intake of omega-3 fatty acids or fish consumption is associated with increased risk for age-related cognitive decline or dementia such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Increased dietary consumption or blood levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) appear protective for AD and other dementia in multiple epidemiological studies; however, three studies suggest that the ApoE4 genotype limits protection. DHA is broadly neuroprotective via multiple mechanisms that include neuroprotective DHA metabolites, reduced arachidonic acid metabolites, and increased trophic factors or downstream trophic signal transduction. DHA is also protective against several risk factors for dementia including head trauma, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. DHA is specifically protective against AD via additional mechanisms: It limits the production and accumulation of the amyloid β peptide toxin that is widely believed to drive the disease; and it also suppresses several signal transduction pathways induced by Aβ, including two major kinases that phosphorylate the microtubule-associated protein tau and promote neurofibrillary tangle pathology. Based on the epidemiological and basic research data, expert panels have recommended the need for clinical trials with omega-3 fatty acids, notably DHA, for the prevention or treatment of age-related cognitive decline—with a focus on the most prevalent cause, AD. Clinical trials are underway to prevent and treat AD. Results to-date suggest that DHA may be more effective if it is begun early or used in conjunction with antioxidants.
Personality characteristics and profiles of employed and outplaced executives using the 16PF

This article examines the psychological profiles of recently terminated executives. The 16PF was used to explore the personality characteristics of outplaced executives. It hypothesizes that recently terminated executives have fundamentally different personality profiles than those of employed executives. The personality profiles of recently terminated executives were compared to personality profiles of a normative group of employed business executives and the personality profiles of a group of executives terminated in 1982. Results indicated that recently terminated executives are identifiable as statistically different from employed executives on 4 of the 16 personality factors. There was no statistical difference between recently terminated executives and the 1982 sample, however, recently terminated executives demonstrated fewer discrepancies from employed executives. Outplacement firms and psychologists working with recently terminated executives need to assist their clients in exploring and modifying these personality profile differences.
Different effects of chronic Na+, Cl−, and K+ depletion on brain vasopressin mRNA and plasma vasopressin in young rats

1. We studied the effects of selective chronic dietary sodium, chloride, or potassium depletion in young rats on vasopressin mRNA levels in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, an index of vasopressin formation, and in plasma vasopressin levels, an index of vasopressin release. 2. All diets significantly increased plasma renin activity, contracted the extracellular fluid volume, and decreased serum osmolarity. 3. In the supraoptic nucleus, vasopressin mRNA levels were significantly decreased in the low-sodium group but were not significantly affected by chloride depletion. 4. There were no significant changes in vasopressin mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus after sodium or chloride dietary depletion. 5. After 2 weeks of potassium depletion, vasopressin mRNA levels were decreased in the supraoptic nucleus. When potassium depletion was prolonged for 3 weeks, vasopressin mRNA levels increased in both supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. 6. Plasma vasopressin levels were high in animals subjected to dietary chloride depletion or to 3 weeks of potassium depletion. Dietary sodium depletion or 2 weeks of dietary potassium depletion did not significantly affect plasma vasopressin. 7. Our results show that chronic sodium, chloride, or potassium depletion differentially affect brain vasopressin mRNA and vasopressin release in young rats. 8. The effect of these diets may be mediated through changes in the extracellular fluid volume, serum osmolarity, and/or renin angiotensin system.
GENOME ANALYSIS ON LINKAGE GROUP VI OF NEUROSPORA CRASSA

Abstract Two chromosome walks covering 420 and 110 kb on the left arm of linkage group VI (LGVIL) of Neurospora crassa were pursued with the goal of cloning carotenogenic loci. Complementation analysis with clones isolated in the 420-kb walk allowed identification of the yellow-1 ( ylo-1 ) gene which is essential for Neurospora carotenogenesis. We have physically located a second gene, unknown-13 ( un-13 ), between the crosspathway control-1, ( cpc-1 ) and ylo-1 loci. Cloning of a second potential carotenogenic locus, vivid ( vvd ), from our walks was attempted using screening of Northern blots with radiolabeled DNA fragments from walk clones to identify gene transcripts. The radiolabeled DNA fragments were used to clone complementary DNA isolates representing an additional four genes in the two walks.
Cloud water chemistry and the production of sulfates in clouds

Measurements are presented of the pH and ionic content of water collected in clouds over western Washington and the Los Angeles Basin. Evidence for sulfate production in some of the clouds is presented. Not all of the sulfur in the cloud water was in the form of sulfate. However, the measurements indicate that the production of sulfate in clouds is of considerable significance in the atmosphere. Comparison of field measurements with model results show reasonable agreement and suggest that the production of sulfate in cloud water is a consequence of more than one conversion mechanism.
Total Dose Effects of Ionizing Radiation on MOS Structures at 90°K

The effects of ionizing dose on MOS device parameters at 90°K are much greater than at 0°C. This behavior is well predicted by the model and analysis developed by Mitchell - provided that the mobility-lifetime product, for electrons near the oxide-silicon interface, is chosen to give a best fit between experiment and theory. From the data on zero-biased and positively-biased devices, this product is Tu 8 ±2 x 10 16i 2/V at 90°K. This value is an order of magnitude greater than that reported by Mitchell for a room-temperature thermal oxide. No direct determination of the AT product near the metal-oxide interface can be made, but it is estimated that it is about a factor of ten larger than that indicated above. The data also show a bias dependence for the form of space charge distributions at both interfaces. At the oxidesilicon interface, the bias dependence of the charge distribution can be explained by assuming that some charge trapped very near the interface is neutralized by electrons tunneling from the silicon under the influence of the high field in that area. At the metal-oxide interface, the charge is compacted near the plate for increasingly negative voltages. Preliminary isochronal annealing data from 90°K to 300°K show that most of the damage anneals out at -2000K. The residual damage is less than that present after irradiation of equivalent devices to the same dose [1 Mrad(Si)] at 0°C.
Effect of dc on the Formability of Ti―6Al―4V

Recent research has demonstrated that the mechanical properties of metals are altered when an electrical current is passed through the material. These studies suggest that titanium alloys, due to their low formability and need for dramatic improvement, should be subjected to additional study. The research presented herein further investigates the use of electricity to aid in the bulk deformation of Ti–6Al–4V under tensile and compressive loads. Extensive testing is presented, which documents the changes that occur in the formability of titanium due to the presence of an electrical current at varying current densities. Using carefully designed experiments, this study also characterizes and isolates the effect of resistive heating from the overall effect due to the electrical flow. This study clearly indicates that electrical flow affects the material beyond that which can be explained through resistive heating. The results demonstrate that an applied electrical current within the material during mechanical loading can greatly decrease the force needed to deform the titanium while also dramatically enhancing the degree to which it can be worked without fracturing. Isothermal testing further demonstrates that the changes are significantly beyond that which can be accounted for due to increases in the titanium’s temperature. The results are also supported by data from tests using pulsed and discontinuously applied current. Furthermore, current densities are identified that cause an enhanced formability behavior to occur. Overall, this work fully demonstrates that an electrical current can be used to significantly improve the formability of Ti–6Al–4V and that these improvements far exceed that which can be explained by resistive heating.
Molecular simulations of thermal transport across interfaces: solid–vapour and solid–solid

Using molecular simulations, we have investigated heat transfer across the solid–fluid interface between water and silicon and silica wafers, and solid–solid interfaces in superlattices and thin so...
Microarray Analysis of microRNA Expression during Axolotl Limb Regeneration

Among vertebrates, salamanders stand out for their remarkable capacity to quickly regrow a myriad of tissues and organs after injury or amputation. The limb regeneration process in axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) has been well studied for decades at the cell-tissue level. While several developmental genes are known to be reactivated during this epimorphic process, less is known about the role of microRNAs in urodele amphibian limb regeneration. Given the compelling evidence that many microRNAs tightly regulate cell fate and morphogenetic processes through development and adulthood by modulating the expression (or re-expression) of developmental genes, we investigated the possibility that microRNA levels change during limb regeneration. Using two different microarray platforms to compare the axolotl microRNA expression between mid-bud limb regenerating blastemas and non-regenerating stump tissues, we found that miR-21 was overexpressed in mid-bud blastemas compared to stump tissue. Mature A. mexicanum (“Amex”) miR-21 was detected in axolotl RNA by Northern blot and differential expression of Amex-miR-21 in blastema versus stump was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. We identified the Amex Jagged1 as a putative target gene for miR-21 during salamander limb regeneration. We cloned the full length 3′UTR of Amex-Jag1, and our in vitro assays demonstrated that its single miR-21 target recognition site is functional and essential for the response of the Jagged1 gene to miR-21 levels. Our findings pave the road for advanced in vivo functional assays aimed to clarify how microRNAs such as miR-21, often linked to pathogenic cell growth, might be modulating the redeployment of developmental genes such as Jagged1 during regenerative processes.
Staffing Personnel: Feminization and Change in Human Resource Management

Abstract Building on insights from queuing theory and institutional theories of organizations, we examine why human resource management feminized after 1970. We use original data collected from scholarly journals, trade journals and relevant government documents and statistics. Women typically gained entry to personnel because the field's traditional labor pool, men, was insufficient to meet demand. Although labor shortages were attributable in large measure to increased demand, they also reflected men's declining interest in HR work, occasioned by a drop in real earnings and the field's low prestige. Women's presence also rose because employers, guided by gender stereotypes about women's and men's natural abilities and the changing expectations of personnel jobs, increasingly chose women to staff personnel jobs. Finally, large numbers of women entered personnel work because they had increasingly supplied themselves to the degree programs that traditionally feed personnel work. Underlying these components...
Mathematical properties of System Readiness Levels

Systems engineers need quantifiable metrics for measuring the readiness of a system. The recently developed System Readiness Level (SRL) is such a metric. SRL is a function of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Integration Readiness Level (IRL). The mathematical operations used to define this function have some inherent properties. Four desired mathematical properties of SRL models are developed from these inherent properties and other properties suggested from a review of the literature. Matrix algebra and tropical algebra are discussed in the literature as possible mathematical operations. These mathematical operations are reviewed to determine if they meet the desired properties. Tropical Algebra (TA) is found to inherently meet these desired properties. Future research will be conducted to determine if an SRL model using TA is a viable option. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 16:
Relations between Status and Power Structures: Toward a General Theory*

Contemporary work on the development of status and power structures is reviewed. It is shown that theorists have conceptualized the relationship between these structures in opposite ways. Some have held that the structures tend toward alignment. Specifically, they have held that persons tend to be equally high or low in both structures. Others have held that the structures tend toward non-alignment. Specifically, they have held that the range of persons statuses tends to be greater than the range of their power. An attempt is made to reconcile the different theories underlying these two conceptions by postulating that one conception is correct under certain conditions and that the other is correct under other conditions. The conditions specified involve an important but somewhat neglected aspect of the overall stratification structure, what is called the secondary stratification structure, and the importance persons assign to this structure.
Lack of association between negative priming and Necker Cube reversals.

50 undergraduates were tested on two tasks presented in a counterbalanced fashion: their ability to inhibit irrelevant information measured on a negative priming task involving letter case informat...
Abstract 5379: Mechanism of fludarabine and oxaliplatin combined activity depends on the activity of XPF endonuclease

We set out to determine the mechanism by which fludarabine and oxaliplatin exert more than additive cell killing in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We postulate that enhanced activity of oxaliplatin and fludarabine combination is based on termination by fludarabine of DNA re-synthesis associated with nucleotide excision repair (NER) following removal of oxaliplatin adducts. The blocked repair would result in single-strand and double-strand DNA breaks which would activate cell DNA damage signaling and apoptosis. More than additive apoptotic killing was observed in 49% (±22) of CLL cells after exposure to oxaliplatin and fludarabine in vitro, although single agents showed minimal increase in cell death (3% ±9 for oxaliplatin, 13% ±14 for fludarabine), as demonstrated by Annexin V and PI staining at 24 hr (expected vs. observed p=0.0003; n=10). Oxaliplatin induced a 2-fold increase in DNA synthesis in CLL cells, which was inhibited by fludarabine, as determined by thymidine incorporation (n=5). Knockdown of XPF, the NER 5′ endonuclease, in CLL patient samples (n=3) eliminated oxaliplatin induced DNA synthesis (3-fold increase in thymidine incorporation with scramble siRNA compared to 1.4-fold increase with XPF siRNA). Wild type CHO (AA8) cells showed more than additive killing after combination treatment similar to the observation with CLL patient samples (predicted survival 50%; observed 21%). In contrast, only additive killing was observed in CHO cells lacking XPF (UV41) with equitoxic doses of oxaliplatin and fludarabine (predicted survival 56%; observed 54%) suggesting that XPF function is essential for the cooperative interaction of the combination. Alkaline assays demonstrated that inhibition of repair by fludarabine was accompanied by DNA strand break formation within 12 hr (n=4) in CLL patients samples. The increase in Olive tail moment ranged from 2- to 5-fold, confirming induction of single-strand breaks. The double-strand break repair proteins ATM, SMC1, H2AX and DNA-PKcs were phosphorylated as early as 2 hr post-treatment with the combination and persisted up to 24 hr (3-fold, 24-fold, 10-fold and 10-fold increase, respectively; n=4). This response suggests that DNA damage generated by fludarabine and oxaliplatin exposure was processed to double-strand DNA breaks in CLL cells. Our work provides evidence that the combination of oxaliplatin and fludarabine results in the formation of toxic DNA damage and that their combined activity depends on a functional NER pathway. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5379.
Basic rocks in the eastern Pennsylvania Highlands

Basic rocks originally having diabasic, ophitic, and trachytoid structures but now altered to meta-diabeses and meta-andesites of greenstone character appear in increasing abundance in the Pre-Cambrian belt of Eastern Pennsylvania in passing southwestward from the Delaware River. The problem connected with material discussed in this paper is chiefly one of age-relationships. Other basic rocks in the region include the Pochuck gneiss of Pre-Cambrian age which typically is a hornblende andesine gneiss of medium to coarse-grained texture having gneisose or granulose structure, and the Triassic diabase that occurs with the Triassic sedimentary rocks just southeast of the Pre-Cambrian belt.
γ-Glutamyl Leukotrienase, a Novel Endothelial Membrane Protein, Is Specifically Responsible for Leukotriene D4 Formation in Vivo

The metabolism of cysteinyl leukotrienes in vivo and the pathophysiological effects of individual cysteinyl leukotrienes are primarily unknown. Recently we identified an additional member of the γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) family, γ-glutamyl leukotrienase (GGL), and developed mice deficient in this enzyme. Here we show that in vivo GGL, and not GGT as previously believed, is primarily responsible for conversion of leukotriene C4 to leukotriene D4, the most potent of the cysteinyl leukotrienes and the immediate precursor of leukotriene E4. GGL is a glycoprotein consisting of two polypeptide chains encoded by one gene and is attached at the amino terminus of the heavy chain to endothelial cell membranes. In mice it localizes to capillaries and sinusoids in most organs and in lung to larger vessels as well. In contrast to wild-type and GGT-deficient mice, GGL-deficient mice do not form leukotriene D4 in vivo either in blood when exogenous leukotriene C4 is administered intravenously or in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of Aspergillus fumigatus extract-induced experimental asthma. Further, GGL-deficient mice show leukotriene C4 accumulation and significantly more airway hyperreponsiveness than wild-type mice in the experimental asthma, and induction of asthma results in increased GGL protein levels and enzymatic activity. Thus GGL plays an important role in leukotriene D4 synthesis in vivo and in inflammatory processes.
Optimal source codes for geometrically distributed integer alphabets (Corresp.)

Let P(i)= (1 - \theta)\theta^i be a probability assignment on the set of nonnegative integers where \theta is an arbitrary real number, 0 . We show that an optimal binary source code for this probability assignment is constructed as follows. Let l be the integer satisfying \theta^l + \theta^{l+1} \leq 1 and represent each nonnegative integer i as i = lj + r when j = \lfloor i/l \rfloor , the integer part of i/l , and r = [i] mod l . Encode j by a unary code (i.e., j zeros followed by a single one), and encode r by a Huffman code, using codewords of length \lfloor \log_2 l \rfloor , for r , and length \lfloor \log_2 l \rfloor + 1 otherwise. An optimal code for the nonnegative integers is the concatenation of those two codes.
Cockpit Automation Technology

This paper presents a prototype methodology conceived by the United States Air Force to establish a baseline approach in the development of a new human factors crew station design methodology for emerging weapon systems. The goal of the project is to develop a structured human factors design methodology that can be used by designers to assess emerging technologies and relate them to system requirements and human performance characteristics so that the features of the resulting designs satisfy specific operational mission objectives. Language: en
Inference of emergent cattle pastoralism in the southern Sahara desert based on localized hypoplasia of the primary canine

There are limited data on the health effects of the transition to food production in North Africa where Middle Holocene peoples adopted pastoralism to mitigate a deteriorating climate. Unlike other areas of domestication the advent of food production throughout the Sahara, and much of Africa, was decoupled from increasing sedentism and population aggregation. Here, we consider the effects of this dietary transition on early childhood health by examining localized hypoplasia of the primary canine (LHPC). We focus on the Gobero region of Niger which preserves cemeteries containing skeletal remains from two occupation phases: (1) an Early Holocene/Kiffian fisher-forager phase, and (2) a Middle Holocene/Tenerian cattle pastoralism phase. The fisher-foragers exhibited one of the highest recorded frequencies of LHPC which we interpret as reflecting a diet of aquatic and terrestrial taxa of low fat content. The Middle Holocene population had a significantly lower frequency of LHPC, consistent with cattle providing much needed dietary fat. Because cattle remains were uncommon at Gobero, the most parsimonious interpretation suggests these peoples were incipient cattle pastoralists who had yet to develop into ideological pastoralists. The health benefits of cattle pastoralism demonstrate the importance of pastoral products for peoples coping with a deteriorating desert climate.
The challenges in creating tools for improving the software development lifecycle

Creating successful software systems for end user applications is a complex task. It is often proposed that tools can be built for development teams to help them do their job more efficiently and to help them communicate with their team members. The success of these tools relies on how well the technical community that builds software tools understands the needs of the technical community that uses these tools. How can we effectively apply a user centered design approach to building these tools?
Is community important for health?: examining the biopsychosocial interface.

The United States has created the most expensive, technologically advanced medical system in the world. Health outcomes, however, fail to achieve results commensurate with investment. After identifying the scope of population health concerns untreated by the current U.S. healthcare system, an explanatory model suggests that the relational basis of health and adaptation has been neglected by providers and policymakers. Finding root sources of health in the strength of relationships between individuals and within communities, recommendations are made for applying an integrated model of personal, community, and national health.
Pew commission defends oceans report

Several fisheries groups and others have charged that a 4 June report by the Few Oceans Commission presents recommendations for reform of U.S. ocean govenance that are illfounded or unworkable. However, Christophe Tulou, executive director of the independent commission, defended the report for using the best science available, and for presenting solutions to serious problems facing the oceans.
Cochlear Distortion: Effect of Direct-Current Polarization

Intermodulation components (combination tones) appearing in microphonic potentials were measured from guinea pig cochleas with and without polarizing direct currents passing through the cochlear partition. At moderate intensities of stimulus the polarization had a qualitatively different effect on the distortion components than on their eliciting primaries or on pure tones simulating the distortion products. At high intensities, the primaries and the combination tones were similarly influenced by the polarizing current. It is concluded that cochlear distortion is a two-stage process, mechano-electrical at low levels and mechano-hydraulic at high levels.
Exploring the association between lifetime physical activity and pelvic floor disorders: study and design challenges.

Background One in four women has moderate to severe symptoms of at least one pelvic floor disorder. Lifetime physical activity, a modifiable risk factor, may theoretically predispose women to, or protect them from, developing pelvic floor disorders. It is neither feasible nor ethical to test this association using the most rigorous (level I) study design.
Axonal sprouting at the neuromuscular junction of adult and aged rats

Abstract We compared the extent of the repair response (terminal and nodal sprouting) that followed motor nerve damage in young (3 months old) and aged rats (27 months old). Two weeks after unilateral partial denervation of the soleus muscle (transection of the L4 spinal root), muscles were removed and stained using the zinc iodide-osmium tetroxide procedure. Sprouting was assessed by determining (a) the percentage of end-plates with terminal sprouts, (b) the percentage of preterminal axons with nodal sprouts, and the lengths of (c) the end-plate and (d) terminal sprouts. Relative to control (unoperated) animals, young adults showed significant increases in all four parameters after partial denervation. Aged animals exhibited evidence of considerable sprouting prior to any surgery: end-plates were long and complex, greater than 50% of preterminal axons had nodal sprouts, there was a high degree of terminal sprouting, and terminal sprouts were longer than in young animals. Partial denervation in the aged animals significantly increased only end-plate length and the degree of terminal sprouting. In both age groups, there were no differences between soleus muscles contralateral to the transection and those from control animals. The decreased response to partial denervation in aged animals may possibly be attributed to a longer latency or higher threshold for repair than in adults, or to the existence of an upper limit for axonal growth which has already been attained in the older age group.
Occurrences of cycling and other phenomena arising in a class of linear programming models

An investigation into the average queue size for a certain class of queues has resulted in the formulation of linear programming problems which are ill-conditioned in some cases. In attempting to solve these linear programming models, using IBM's MPS package, instances of cycling were encountered. Small perturbations in the input data resulted in problems which did not cycle. This fact, plus several other observed phenomena suggest that the primary reason that cycling is not known to occur more frequently is that round-off errors in the computations perturb the problem sufficiently to prevent cycling (or at least to prevent indefinite cycling). In one case maximizing and minimizing an objective function subject to the same constraint set was attempted, but MPS solved only one of these while giving an indication of infeasibility for the other.
Parental care in captive siamangs (Hylobates syndactylus)

Siamangs exhibit paternal care to the extent that the male of a monogamous unit carries its infant offspring beginning late in the infant's first year of life. Field studies have documented this but without behavioral detail. It has been hypothesized that the transfer is facilitated by a desertion of the infant by the female. An infant siamang born in captivity at the Washington Park Zoo, Portland, Oregon, was observed through its first year of life. The infant transfer to the male was documented in captivity and was associated with a high rate of infant-initiated contact with the male and a high rate of infant retrieval by the female. The study concludes that the infant probably played a key role in facilitating the transfer to the male.
Magnetic film storage elements. A novel analysis of known systems which leads to new systems tolerating misorientated films

The simple theory behind the design of magnetic film matrices is presented, and it is shown that complete cycles representing switching operations can be traced out on diagrams of critical field values. Three known modes of operation are illustrated in the diagrams, and new ones are derived from the diagrams which use more than one film element per bit to combat troubles caused by film misorientation. The magnetization rotations expected in four modes are illustrated, together with the associated waveforms in the corresponding matrices. Figures of merit are derived for the tolerances to variations in digit current and in film orientation for the useful situation where the word current is high, both for the simplest theoretical model and for more realistic cases. The new modes of operation are found to be the most tolerant.
MODELING PHYTOPLANKTON ABUNDANCE IN SAGINAW BAY, LAKE HURON: USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS TO DISCERN FUNCTIONAL INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES AND RELEVANCE TO A GREAT LAKES OBSERVING SYSTEM1

Phytoplankton abundance, as chl a, in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron was modeled using artificial neural networks. Suites of abiotic variables served as predictors for the trends/patterns in chl a concentrations. Spatial and temporal gradients of sampling stations throughout the bay were evident, with physical/chemical differences arising from hydrological/meteorological forcing and zebra mussel recruitment. Chlorophyll a concentrations displayed corresponding disparities; concentrations differed between the inner and outer bays and varied intra- and inter-annually. Trained networks reproduced the intrinsic variance and magnitude of chl a dynamics. Modeled-measured concentrations best approximated a 1:1 relationship in a hybrid network incorporating both supervised and unsupervised training whereas concentrations greater than 15 μg/L were underestimated in networks utilizing only supervised training, likely because of inadequate training data. Variables indicative of phytoplankton nutrition, acting as proxy measurements of algal biomass, and/or corresponding to descriptors of hydrological and meteorological forcing had the greatest influence upon modeled concentrations. A conjunctive decision tree and a novel sensitivity analysis provided rule-based information and comprehensible interpretation of relationships among multiple predictor variables. From this, the "knowledge" embedded in trained networks proved extractable and usable for ecological theory generation and/or decision making within water-quality problem solving. Forecasting initiatives within the developing Great Lakes Observing System may be best served by embedding neural networks in mechanistic models to quantitatively initialize variables, qualitatively delineate conditions for projecting ecological structure, and/or estimate deviations from predictability within mechanistic simulations.
Comparative Efficacy of Neuraminidase-Specific and Conventional Influenza Virus Vaccines in Induction of Antibody to Neuraminidase in Humans

Groups of college students received either conventional A/England/42/72 (H3N2) vaccine (X-37), an antigenic hybrid (Heq1N2) vaccine (X-38) containing the same neuraminidase (and thus effectively neuraminidase-monospecific), or a placebo injection. The vaccines contained 798 and 643 chick cell-agglutinating units per dose, respectively, and equivalent immunogenic units of N2 as defined in antigenic extinction tests in rabbits. All subjects had antibody to N2 before immunization, and mean initial titers were comparable in both vaccine groups. Homotypic hemagglutination-inhibition response to vaccine hemagglutinin was slightly more frequent (77%) but of lower magnitude in the students vaccinated with X-38 than in those vaccinated with X-37. Significant antibody response to N2 was observed in 25% of those vaccinated with X-37 and in 69% of those vaccinated with X-38. Mean antibody response to N2 was twofold greater in those vaccinated with X-38. Heterotypic hemagglutination-inhibition was seen in 56% of those receiving X-38 vaccine. In preliminary plaque-inhibition titrations this heterotypic antibody did not have neuralizing activity. Testing of antibody response to N2 with earlier neuraminidase antigens demonstrated "original antigenic sin" from earlier priming. The superiority of the "neuraminidase-specific" X-38 (Heq1N2) vaccine as an immunogen for antibody to neuraminidase may reflect different processing of N2 when it is associated with a hemagglutinin to which the study population has not been previously exposed.
Quantitation of free sulfate and total sulfoesters in human breast milk by ion chromatography.

A method for the assay of free sulfate and total sulfoesters in human breast milk by ion chromatography is described. After incubation in 1 M hydrochloric acid at 95 ° C for 90 min, hydrolytic cleavage of sulfoester standards was essentially complete. The increase in free sulfate after hydrolysis was used as a measure of total acid-labile sulfoesters. We found that this fraction [222 ± 16 μmol/l (mean ± standard error), n=29] comprised 87% of the total sulfate in mature milk. Free sulfate (35 ± 3 μmol/1 ) therefore makes only a small contribution to the total sulfate pool available to human infants.
Overlay accuracy fundamentals

Currently, the performance of overlay metrology is evaluated mainly based on random error contributions such as precision and TIS variability. With the expected shrinkage of the overlay metrology budget to < 0.5nm, it becomes crucial to include also systematic error contributions which affect the accuracy of the metrology. Here we discuss fundamental aspects of overlay accuracy and a methodology to improve accuracy significantly. We identify overlay mark imperfections and their interaction with the metrology technology, as the main source of overlay inaccuracy. The most important type of mark imperfection is mark asymmetry. Overlay mark asymmetry leads to a geometrical ambiguity in the definition of overlay, which can be ~1nm or less. It is shown theoretically and in simulations that the metrology may enhance the effect of overlay mark asymmetry significantly and lead to metrology inaccuracy ~10nm, much larger than the geometrical ambiguity. The analysis is carried out for two different overlay metrology technologies: Imaging overlay and DBO (1st order diffraction based overlay). It is demonstrated that the sensitivity of DBO to overlay mark asymmetry is larger than the sensitivity of imaging overlay. Finally, we show that a recently developed measurement quality metric serves as a valuable tool for improving overlay metrology accuracy. Simulation results demonstrate that the accuracy of imaging overlay can be improved significantly by recipe setup optimized using the quality metric. We conclude that imaging overlay metrology, complemented by appropriate use of measurement quality metric, results in optimal overlay accuracy.
E-box-binding repressor is down-regulated in hepatic stellate cells during up-regulation of mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor-II receptor expression in early hepatic fibrogenesis.

Abstract Hepatic stellate cells become activated during the early stages of hepatic injury associated with fibrogenesis. The mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor-II receptor (M6P/IGFIIR) plays an important role in early fibrogenesis by participating in the activation of latent transforming growth factor-β, a potent inducer of the matrix proteins in activated stellate cells that define the fibrotic phenotype. In this study we examined hepatic stellate cell regulation of M6P/IGFIIR expression and found that M6P/IGFIIR mRNA transcript levels increased in stellate cells from rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a potent fibrogenic stimulant. Two E-boxes residing in the proximal promoter of M6P/IGFIIR were found to each bind a novel 75-kDa transcription factor (P75) in quiescent stellate cells of normal livers. This E-box binding was down-regulated as an early response in stellate cells exposed to CCl4, coinciding with increased M6P/IGFIIR transcript levels. Mutagenized E-boxes in M6P/IGFIIR promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter constructs produced a substantial increase in reporter expression when compared with the corresponding native promoter-CAT construct when transfected in culture-activated stellate cells, suggesting P75’s role as a repressor. The results indicate P75’s participation in the regulation of M6P/IGFIIR transcription in hepatic stellate cells during fibrogenesis.
Pattern degradation, discrimination difficulty, and quantified stimulus attributes

Diffusion and brightness contrast were varied to degrade random polygons. Latency to discriminate five-choice oddity problems was a function of noise conditions and was linearly related to measures of compactness, jaggedness, and rotation under noisy viewing conditions.
Multimodal magneto-plasmonic nanoclusters for biomedical applications

Multimodal nanostructures can help solve many problems in the biomedical field including sensitive molecular imaging, highly specific therapy, and early cancer detection. However, the synthesis of densely packed, multicomponent nanostructures with multimodal functionality represents a significant challenge. Here, a new type of hybrid magneto-plasmonic nanoparticles is developed using an oil-in-water microemulsion method. The nanostructures are synthetized by self-assembly of primary 6 nm iron oxide core-gold shell particles resulting into densely packed spherical nanoclusters. The dense packing of primary particles does not change their superparamagnetic behavior; however, the close proximity of the constituent particles in the nanocluster leads to strong near-infrared (NIR) plasmon resonances. The synthesis is optimized to eliminate nanocluster cytotoxicity. Immunotargeted nanoclusters are also developed using directional conjugation chemistry through the Fc antibody moiety, leaving the Fab antigen recognizing region available for targeting. Cancer cells labeled with immunotargeted nanoclusters produce a strong photoacoustic signal in the NIR that is optimum for tissue imaging. Furthermore, the labeled cells can be efficiently captured using an external magnetic field. The biocompatible magneto-plasmonic nanoparticles can make a significant impact in development of point-of-care assays for detection of circulating tumor cells, as well as in cell therapy with magnetic cell guidance and imaging monitoring.
A convenient and highly stereoselective synthesis of 4α-deuterio and -Tritio steroids catalyzed by Pd

Abstract A simple and highly stereoselective synthesis of [4α- 2 H]- and [4α- 3 H]-Δ 5 -3β-hydroxysteroids is presented. Palladium(0)-mediated borodeuteride reduction of readily-available cholest-5-en-3β,4β-diol cyclic carbonate provides [4α- 2 H]- Δ 5 -and Δ 4 -cholesterol in a 12:1 ratio. Reduction of [4α- 3 H]-cholest-5-ene-3β,4β-diol cyclic carbonate with NaB 1 H4 and Pd(0) resulted in [4β- 3 H]-cholesterol.
Preparation and oxidation of a thin Ba film

A method of determining the thickness of vapor-deposited thin Ba films is described. The thickness is expressed in terms of numbers of Ba monolayers which were defined and characterized on W(100) and Ir(100) substrates using Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED) and Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). The changes in the electronic properties of a 10-layer Ba film on Ir(100) during oxidation were studied using Low Energy Electron Reflectivity (LEER) measurements. When the oxidation of Ba was nearly complete (as shown by AES), the LEER patterns were similar to that found for a randomly oriented BaO layer with perhaps a partial layer of Ba on the surface. Additional O2 exposure, however, resulted in the formation of a BaO crystal whose characteristic LEER patterns indicated a Fermi level position which suggested a high density of oxygen-vacancy donors and whose large electron affinity indicated non-stoichiometry at the surface. Further O2 exposure resulted in a BaO-type surface dipole and oxygen vacancy donor densities more typical of BaO lattices. At this level of oxidation, a minimum work function of 1.4 eV was attained, which was identical to that of an active thin BaO film. Furthermore, AES indicated a Ba to O ratio identical to that of a BaO film. Any change from this stoichiometry through the addition of either oxygen or barium resulted in an increase in the work function.
Achromatic Figure Formation by Multiple Centrioles of Barbulanympha

SUMMARY. The role of centrioles in achromatic figure production is considered when the number present varies from 1–8. Each centriole after it becomes elongate produces astral rays from its distal end. Some of these rays remain free; some, by joining centromeres, become chromosomal fibers; and some, by joining and growing along those produced by one or more other centrioles, produce the central spindle portion of the achromatic figures. Thus, one centriole may function cooperatively with one to several others in the production of central spindles. But at least two centrioles must be present, and in the proper spacial relation to each other, to form a central spindle; one by itself can form only free astral rays, no central spindle or chromosomal fibers. The flagellated areas (to which the centrioles are anchored anteriorly) play an important role in determining the position of the distal ends of the centrioles with respect to one another, and the position of these ends, in turn, in a large measure, determines the types of achromatic figures produced, particularly the number of central spindles.
Northward Propagation Mechanisms of the Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillation in the ERA-Interim and SP-CCSM

AbstractMechanisms for the northward propagation (NP) of the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO) and associated Asian summer monsoon (ASM) are investigated using data from the interim ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim, herein called ERAI) and the superparameterized Community Climate System Model (SP-CCSM). Analyzed mechanisms are 1) destabilization of the lower troposphere by sea surface temperature anomalies, 2) boundary layer moisture advection, and boundary layer convergence associated with 3) SST gradients and 4) barotropic vorticity anomalies. Mechanism indices are regressed onto filtered OLR anomaly time series to study their relationships to the intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) and to equatorial Rossby (ER) waves.Northward propagation in ERAI and SP-CCSM is promoted by several mechanisms, but is dominated by boundary layer moisture advection and the barotropic vorticity effect. SST-linked mechanisms are of secondary importance but are nonnegligible. The magnitudes of NP mechanisms vary from...
Nanoscale Measurements of Coupled Mechanical Electrical and Thermal Properties Using a Novel Characterization Tool

This paper presents the design and development of a nano-mechanical, electrical and thermal (NMET) characterization tool for coupled measurements of one-dimensional nanostructures. The device is designed to operate inside an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) to facilitate in-situ imaging, positioning and testing. The design includes a custom nanomanipulator system, which assists in controlled placement of individual one-dimensional nanostructures (specimens) between two probes. Sample straining and unique direct force and displacement measurements are achieved by the use of a commercially available actuator. The “next generation” tool is also discussed.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Cross-modal effects on visual and auditory object perception.

Cross-modal influences on perceptual organization were demonstrated using a display that combined a stimulus for auditory stream segregation with its visual apparent movement analogue. Both phenomena give rise to the perception of either one or two objects, depending on the rate of presentation of the stimuli. At slower rates, one object is perceived, while two are perceived at faster rates. Subjects indicated the stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) between successive stimuli at which the perceptual shift occurred in each modality. Then visual and auditory stimuli were presented concurrently and subjects responded to the “target” modality sequence. Two intergroup separations for the nontarget stimuli were used. Distances were chosen, based on the subject’s calibration data, which represented one and two objects, respectively, at the stream segregation point for the target sequence. Segregation occurred at larger SOAs when the nontarget stimulation indicated two objects than when it represented one. This was true for both visual and auditory target sequences.
Model Robust, Linear-Optimal Designs

Motivated by a pioblem concerning the estimation of uranium content in calibration standards, a new design criterion is developed that generalizes linear optimality to a situation in which, a priori, the exact form of the regression model need not be known. An equivalence theorem is given, some properties of the new designs are delineated, and iterative methods for design construction are presented. Finally, by using methods developed within, optimal designs are computed in a number of situations, including that of the motivating example.
How do abused elderly persons and their adult protective services caseworkers view law enforcement involvement and criminal prosecution, and what impact do these views have on case processing?

This study examined law enforcement and prosecution involvement in 71 cases of elder abuse where pure financial exploitation (PFE), physical abuse (PA), neglect (Neglect), or hybrid financial exploitation (HFE) (financial exploitation co-occurring with physical abuse and/or neglect) occurred in a domestic setting. Victims of elder abuse and assigned Adult Protective Services (APS) caseworkers were systematically interviewed. Law enforcement officials were involved in 54% of the cases, and 18% of the cases were prosecuted. PA was significantly more likely to trigger a law enforcement response and to be prosecuted than Neglect or PFE. HFE involved prosecution for assault rather than financial exploitation. Generally, the victims of elder abuse were not receptive to criminal justice involvement, which appears to have a significant impact upon the level of this involvement. The reasons for this reluctance are discussed, as well as the challenges and limitations of criminal justice system involvement and relat...