cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of shape similarity measurement methods for spine X-ray images

Efficient content-based image retrieval (CBIR) of biomedical images is a challenging problem. Feature representation algorithms used in indexing medical images on the pathology of interest have to address conflicting goals of reducing feature dimensionality while retaining important and often subtle biomedical features. At the Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications, an intramural R&D division of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, we are developing CBIR prototype for digitized images of a collection of 17,000 cervical and lumbar spine X-rays taken as a part of the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II). The vertebra shape effectively describes various pathologies identified by medical experts as being consistently and reliably found in the image collection. A suitable shape algorithm must represent shapes in low dimension, be invariant to rotation, translation, and scale transforms, and retain relevant pathology. Additionally, supported similarity algorithms must be useful in retrieving images that are relevant to the queries posed by the intended target community, viz. medical researchers, physicians, etc. This paper describes an evaluation of two popular shape similarity methods from the literature on a set of 250 vertebra boundary shapes. The polygon approximation method achieved a performance score of 55.94% and bettered the Fourier descriptor algorithm which had a performance score of 46.96%.
Anisotropic temperature dependence of the hall effect in Cu and some CuZn crystals

Abstract The Hall effect in single crystals of Cu ( RRR = 2312) and Cu containing 76, 172 and 1100 ppm Zn has been studied in the temperature range 4.2–80°K (i.e. through the low-field/high-field transition). The temperature dependence of the effect is given for H along [111], [110], [100], [211], and other directions which show either a single open orbit or all closed orbits. It is shown how the qualitative features of this dependence can be explained in terms of the known topology of the Fermi surface. Comparable results are also given for polycrystalline samples of Cu, and Cu with 78, and 940 ppm Zn. These indicate that of the singular topological features associated with the open Fermi surface of Cu only orbits of the four-cornered rosette and dog's bone type contribute to the Hall effect in a polycrystal. Some further evidence is given to support the view that the anomalous maximum in the temperature dependence of the effect in a polycrystal, which is centred at about 50°K, arises from the low-field/high-field transition.
The asymmetric rotor as a model for localization

Together with the pendulum, the symmetric and asymmetric rotors are standard models, well studied in both classical and quantum physics. In the limit of high angular momentum $J$, the quantum problem of an asymmetric rotor approaches the classical limit, which is characterized by one unstable and two stable motions. Rotations with respect to the axes with maximum and minimum moments of inertia are stable, while the rotations about the intermediate axis are unstable. Upon diagonalization of the rotor's Hamiltonian at fixed $J$, most eigenvectors are seen to be localized around the directions of maximum and minimum moment of inertia. The asymmetric rotor displays in this regard localization similar to that in many atomic and nuclear few-body systems, wherein external interactions mix degenerate states, particularly at high excitation. Indeed, there is a complete one-to-one correspondence between the rotor and these systems, with the principal ($n$) and angular momentum ($l$) quantum numbers mapping onto $J$, and its azimuthal projection $M$, respectively, for the rotor. Localization at a maximum or a saddle point of a potential is of considerable significance in a variety of problems.
1415 A New Social Capital Scale: Geographic Stability Compared to Mothers' Personal Support and Depressive Symptoms

1415 A New Social Capital Scale: Geographic Stability Compared to Mothers' Personal Support and Depressive Symptoms
A Follow-up Dual-Task Investigation of Lateralized Effects in Right- and Left-Handed Males

Abstract A dual-task follow-up investigation examined the influence of sample size and ideational complexity of cognitive tasks on lateralized effects. With a larger sample (n = 128), results showed a "manual dominance effect" for relaxed and paced nonideational vocalized tasks. A hierarchy of ideational verbal tasks yielded the expected lateralized effects which corresponded with increasingly greater interference in concurrent tapping, but not in strength of lateralized effect. Instead of a trend seen in the earlier work (Steiner, Green, & White, 1992), results revealed a significant difference between handedness groups for one complex spatial task. Finally, outcomes for the other spatial task highlight the importance of assessing tradeoffs in attention.
Contrasting immune responses mediate Campylobacter jejuni-induced colitis and autoimmunity.

Contrasting immune responses mediate Campylobacter jejuni -induced colitis and autoimmunity
Stabilization of the sodium beacon: a proposal to achieve full-sky coverage for laser guidestar adaptive optics

This document proposes a method to achieve full-sky adaptive optic coverage using a laser guidestar (LGS) adaptive optics (AO) system. This is done by stabilizing the sodium beacon by using information from the uplink beam so that the downlink tilt, i.e. the atmospheric tilt, can be measured. It is commonly known that tilt cannot be measured from a laser guidestar beacon because the uplink and downlink beams experience the same atmospheric tilt. This is true in itself, but disregards information that can be obtained from the uplink beam. Because the atmospheric structure function is a maximum near the exit aperture and decreases exponentially with altitude, the uplink beam accumulates most of its tilt near the exit aperture. For instance, when using the Hufnagel-Valley atmospheric model with A = 1.7 x 10 -14 and W = 21, g 92% of uplink atmospheric tilt occurs at altitudes below 5Km and 97% by ∼ 20Km. So, the instantaneous position of the uplink beam along the uplink path can be a predictor of the instantaneous position of the sodium beacon; this is this paper's main result. Further, a means of measuring tilt from the uplink beam from its Rayleigh backscatter is presented and for some of the parameters and geometries considered, it is shown that the uplink tilt can be measured at sufficiently high altitudes and camera frames rates that a control system can stabilize the uplink beam, which in-turn stabilizes the sodium beacon, thus allowing atmospheric downlink tilt to be measured. Assuming that such a control loop can be implemented, such stabilization would allow for full sky laser guide star operation with AO performance similar to current LGS AO systems using off-axis natural guide stars.
The CEDAW Effect: International Law's Impact on Women's Rights

Evidence of demonstrable, positive effects for the United Nations’ international human rights treaties has generally eluded researchers. However, the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has a statistically significant and positive effect on women's rights, even when other key factors are controlled. This result is counterintuitive, given that CEDAW's enforcement mechanisms were initially weaker than other human rights treaties. Furthermore, women's rights are implicated in deeply ingrained cultural systems that are difficult to change. This article confirms CEDAW's positive effects, finding that they are robust but not uniform. They are most pronounced for women's political rights, somewhat less pronounced for women's social rights, and absent for women's economic rights. Several possible counterexplanations for CEDAW's effects are tested but garner little support. We conclude by offering alternative hypotheses for CEDAW's effects that focus on the internal ...
Spectral asymptotics of nonlinear pulse propagation in fibers

The variational method is used to establish that the spectrum of a pulse in a nonlinear single-mode fiber asymptotes to a finite limit. The limiting pulse shape and RMS spectral width are calculated in closed form.
Short‐term effects of oral methadone in methadone maintenance subjects

In two experiments the physiologic and subjective status of methadone maintenance patients was assessed during the presumed peak (0 to 6 hr postmethadone) and during the presumed nadir of the daily methadone effect (18 to 30 hr postmethadone). In the first experiment physiologic and subjective responses were measured in seven ambulatory subjects at 2, 4, and 6 hr after a regular daily dose of methadone or placebo. In the second, physiologic measures were continuously monitored for 4 hr in six inactive seated subjects. In both studies, pupil diameter decreased after moderate to high methadone doses (35 to 80 mg). In the second experiment, heart rate fell and skin temperature rose significantly after methadone. Responses to the morphine-benzedrine group scale of the Addiction Research Center Inventory were elevated after methadone for most subjects in both studies, although there were individual differences in the magnitude and time course of this effect. Finally, low methadone maintenance doses of 10 and 20 mg/day had little or no effect on physiologic or subjective responses in two subjects. These studies showed that short-term effects of oral methadone can be readily detected during a 24-hr dosing regimen. The changes in function after the regular maintenance dose may result both from short-term opiate effects and relief of mild withdrawal.
The Use of Intelligent Modules in Brookhaven FASTBUS

Many considerations go into the design of modules for data acquisition. I address some of the more general aspects of this rather than the specifics of a particular design. The experience gained from using Brookhaven Fastbus in two finished experiments and one eminent one is used as a guide for these remarks. The physical size of modules used by Brookhaven Fastbus is such that the number of channels that can be handled is generally limited by front panel space, or front end layout logistics rather than area. One of the effects of large scale integrated circuits is that the cost of computational elements is relatively small. This, plus the space consideration, allows the assignment of low level data processing to the acquisition modules. Since these elements operate in parallel there is an obvious speed advantage.
B-Side Electron Transfer To Form P+HB- in Reaction Centers from the F(L181)Y/Y(M208)F Mutant of Rhodobacter capsulatus

The combination of the Phe(L181) → Tyr and Tyr(M208) → Phe amino acid substitutions in reaction centers (RCs) of Rhodobacter capsulatus yields an RC in which charge separation to the B-side bacteriopheophytin (H B ) occursin about 15% yield. This yield is determined from analysis of the relative bleachings of the Q X bands of H A and H B at 542 and 527 nm, respectively, and comparison to simulations. These results are presented along with comparison to previous work on this "YF" mutant and other mutant RCs that produce electron transfer to the B-side of the RC.
Ligand-based design and synthesis of novel sodium channel blockers from a combined phenytoin-lidocaine pharmacophore.

The voltage-gated sodium channel remains a rich area for the development of novel blockers. In this study we used comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), a ligand-based design strategy, to generate a 3D model based upon local anesthetics, hydantoins, and α-hydroxyphenylamides to elucidate a SAR for their binding site in the neuronal sodium channel. Correlation by partial least squares (PLS) analysis of in vitro sodium channel binding activity (expressed as pIC50) and the CoMFA descriptor column generated a final non-cross-validated model with q2 = 0.926 for the training set. The CoMFA steric and electrostatic maps described a binding site predominately hydrophobic in nature. This model was then used to design and predict a series of novel sodium channel blockers that utilized overlapping structural features of phenytoin, hydroxy amides, and the local anesthetic lidocaine. Synthesis and evaluation of these compounds for their ability to inhibit [3H]-batrachotoxin revealed that these compounds have potent sodium channel blockade. Furthermore, the CoMFA model was able to accurately predict the binding of these compounds to the neuronal sodium channel. Synthesis and subsequent sodium channel evaluation of compound 37 (predicted IC50 = 7 μM, actual IC50 = 6 μM), established that novel compounds based on overlapping regions of phenytoin and lidocaine are better binders to the sodium channel than phenytoin itself (IC50 = 40 μM).
Overcoming obstacles to sustainability: Can liberal democracy help?

Cet article commente l'ouvrage suivant: Sustaining Liberal Democracy: Ecological Challenges and Opportunities de John Barry et Marcel Wissemburg. Cet ouvrage propose, sous la forme d'une anthologie, une connexion entre la durabilite comme ideal ecologique, politique, economique et social, et la structure sociopolitique et economique dominante de notre epoque, a savoir la democratie liberale
Blockade of CD2-LFA-3 interactions protects human skin allografts in immunodeficient mouse/human chimeras

A human skin allograft injury model in immunodeficient mice, engrafted with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a different donor, has been used to test whether reagents that block human T cell CD2 interactions with its principal ligand, LFA-3 (CD58), can inhibit immune reactions in vivo. In this model, human skin grafts show a reproducible pattern of progressive human T-cell infiltration and human graft microvascular injury that resembles human first-set skin graft rejection. Murine Mab to human LFA-3 or human LFA-3-IgG1 fusion protein, but not isotype-matched control antibodies, each markedly protected skin grafts from leukocyte infiltration and injury. These data provide the first evidence that LFA-3 functions in vivo and establish the ability of this new model to test human-specific immune modulators.
Oh, the places they'll go: Female sperm storage and sperm precedence in Drosophila melanogaster

Among most animals with internal fertilization, females store sperm in specific regions of their reproductive tract for later use. Sperm storage enables prolonged fertility, physical and temporal separation of mating from fertilization and, when females mate with multiple males, opportunities for differential use of the various males’ sperm. Thus, stored sperm move within the female reproductive tract as well as to several potential fates – fertilization, displacement by other sperm or ejection by the female. Drosophila melanogaster is a leading model system for elucidating both the mechanisms and evolutionary consequences of female sperm storage and differential male fertilization success. The prominence of Drosophila is due, in part, to the ability to examine processes influencing sperm movement and fate at several biological levels, from molecules to organ systems. In this review, we describe male and female factors, as well as their interactions, involved in female sperm storage and differential male ...
The unique origin of rod photoreceptors in the teleost retina

Abstract A population of mitotic cells that produce new neurons has recently been discovered in the layer of photoreceptors in retinas of several species of larval and adult fish. These cells generate new rods which are inserted into the photoreceptor mosaic at locations scattered across the entire expanse of the differentiated retina. Subsequently these new rods establish synaptic connections with retinal neurons already present. The continued production of rods in the fish is apparently needed to maintain visual sensitivity during postembryonic growth of the eye.
Evaluation of normal and metastatic mammary cells grown in different biomaterial matrices: establishing potential tissue test systems

The in vitro growth and differentiation of normal mammalian cells is quite different than the growth of cells derived from tumors. Additionally, cells of the same origin (tissue) behave differently depending on the biomaterial matrix in or on which they are grown in vitro. We examined both MatrigelTM and a collagen/agarose blend and demonstrated that two murine mammary derived cells lines, 4T1 and NMuMG, derived from a metastatic mammary tumor or a normal mammary gland, respectively, exhibit different growth and differentiation patterns depending on the three-dimensional matrix in which they are grown. The shape and size of the colonies that formed were matrix dependent. The two cell lines produced different levels of growth factors and metalloproteinases, and expressed differentiation markers specific to a matrix. Through the classification of different cell behaviors in different growth matrices, we will be able to intelligently design and tune tissue test systems to ask and answer specific challenging ...
Construction, analysis, and application to 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis of a recombinant phage DNA library from flow-sorted human Y chromosomes.

The analysis of a recombinant human Y-enriched Hind III total digest phage library prepared from the DNA of flow sorted human Y chromosomes is described. Out of 43 phage inserts from the library thus far mapped, 25 revealed hybridization with Y chromosomal DNA. These inserts may be divided into five groups according to their degree of Y specific hybridization: inserts that hybridize with 1) one single copy or slightly repeated Y-specific DNA sequence, 2) Y-specific repeated sequences of various restriction fragment lengths, 3) Y-chromosomal DNA sequence(s) shared by a sequence on the X and/or on autosomes, 4) Y-specific DNA sequences in addition to multiple X and/or autosomal sequences, or 5) Y-specific repeated DNA in addition to multiple X and/or autosomal sequences. Application of probes from this library for diagnostic purposes is shown in two 46, XY patients with gonadal dysgenesis and small deletions of the Y short arm.
Inducible bacteriophages of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

Doses of 0.1 to 1.0 micrograms/ml of mitomycin C induced cell lysis of six of eight strains of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans tested. Infectious phages were induced from ATCC strains 43717, 29524, 33384, and 43719; non-plaque-forming, possibly defective phages were induced from ATCC strains 29522 and 29523. No phages were detected in strain FDC 651 or ATCC strain 43718. No correlation between lysogeny and leukotoxin production or serotype of the strains could be established. Gel electrophoresis of phage DNAs indicated that the induced phages were of three types, based on size. By electron microscopy, the phages were found to belong to either morphotype A1 or morphotype B1; no other morphotypes were observed. Curing experiments led to the isolation of nonlysogenic derivatives of two strains, which supported plaque formation by the phages they originally carried. On the basis of our results, lysogeny appears to be widespread in A. actinomycetemcomitans.
Minimum Information Stochastic Modelling of Linear Systems with a Class of Parameter Uncertainies

This paper considers the problem of mean-square optimal control for a linear system with stochastic parameters and limited prior information. For specific application to flexible mechanical systems, consideration is limited to the class of multiplicative parameter perturbations of skew-hermitian type. To avoid ad hoc assumptions regarding a priori statistics, a prior probability assignment is induced from available data through use of a maximum entropy principle. Moreover, we discern a minimum set of a priori data which is just sufficient to induce a well-defined maximum entropy probability assignment. The statistical-description induced by this minimum data set is tantamount to a form of Stratonovich state-dependent noise.
A WW-like module in the RAG1 N-terminal domain contributes to previously unidentified protein–protein interactions

More than one-third of the RAG1 protein can be truncated from the N-terminus with only subtle effects on the products of V(D)J recombination in vitro or in a mouse. What, then, is the function of the N-terminal domain? We believe it to be regulatory. We determined, several years ago, that an included RING motif could function as an ubiquitin E3 ligase. Whether this activity is limited to automodification, or may alter other proteins in the cell, remains an open question. We revisited the issue of additional protein-protein interactions between RAG1 and other proteins by means of the yeast two-hybrid assay. We confirmed the interaction already described with KPNA2/RCH1/SRP1alpha and found two others--to the transcription factor GMEB1/PIF p96 and the splicing factor SF3A2/SF3a66. A luciferase reporter assay demonstrates that a protein complex containing RAG proteins and the transcription factor can assemble in cells. Further mapping identified a region within the N-terminal domain resembling a WW motif. Point mutation directed at residues conserved in WW motifs eliminated binding to one of the partners. Phylogenetic analysis shows the WW-like module to be highly conserved. The module contributes to protein-protein interactions that may also influence how RAG1 binds DNA targets.
Measurement of the triple differential jet cross section at √s = 1800 GeV

Abstract We present a measurement of the triple differential cross section for dijet production in proton-antiproton scattering at a center of mass energy of 1800 GeV. The data were taken with the DO detector at the Fermilab Tevatron and are compared to next to leading order QCD theoretical predictions with differing parton distribution functions. The data are of sufficient accuracy to rule out or favor parton distribution functions over a wide range in x.
Systematic, RNA-Interference-Mediated Identification of mus-101 Modifier Genes in Caenorhabditis elegans

The Mus101 family of chromosomal proteins, identified initially in Drosophila, is widely conserved and has been shown to function in a variety of DNA metabolic processes. Such functions include DNA replication, DNA damage repair, postreplication repair, damage checkpoint activation, chromosome stability, and chromosome condensation. Despite its conservation and widespread involvement in chromosome biogenesis, very little is known about how Mus101 is regulated and what other proteins are required for Mus101 to exert its functions. To learn more about Mus101, we have initiated an analysis of the protein in C. elegans. Here, we show that C. elegans mus-101 is an essential gene, that it is required for DNA replication, and that it also plays an important role in the DNA damage response. Furthermore, we use RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated reverse genetics to screen for genes that modify a mus-101 partial loss-of-function RNAi phenotype. Using a systematic approach toward modifier gene discovery, we have found five chromosome I genes that modify the mus-101 RNAi phenotype, and we go on to show that one of them encodes an E3 SUMO ligase that promotes SUMO modification of MUS-101 in vitro. These results expand our understanding of MUS-101 regulation and show that genetic interactions can be uncovered using screening strategies that rely solely on RNAi.
Adolescents’ brand sensitivity in apparel: influence of three socialization agents

Wearing clothes with prestigious brand names seems to be very important for adolescents. This phenomenon was studied in the context of consumer socialization by examining the influence of three socialization agents, namely parents, peers and TV, on the development of French Canadian adolescents’ brand sensitivity and their relative importance. Controlling for socio-economic variables, multiple regression analyses were conducted separately for boys and for girls. For both genders, brand sensitivity is related to peer influence. Girls’ brand sensitivity is related to the importance fathers give to clothing brands. TV exposure is not related to adolescents’ brand sensitivity. For boys and girls, peers represent the most important predictor of this consumer socialization. The results are discussed in the light of social and economic pressures and family relationships.
Role of cellular iron and oxygen in the regulation of HIV-1 infection

Despite efficient antiretroviral therapy, eradication of HIV-1 infection is challenging and requires novel biological insights and therapeutic strategies. Among other physiological and environmental factors, intracellular iron greatly affects HIV-1 replication. Higher iron stores were shown to be associated with faster progression of HIV-1 infection and to inversely correlate with the survival of HIV-1 infected patients. Iron is required for several steps in the HIV-1 life cycle, including reverse transcription, HIV-1 gene expression and capsid assembly. Here, the authors present a comprehensive review of the molecular mechanisms involved in iron- and oxygen-mediated regulation of HIV-1 replication. We also propose key intracellular pathways that may be involved in regulating HIV-1 replication, via protein kinase complexes, CDK9/cyclin T1 and CDK 2/cyclin E, protein phosphatase-1 and other host factors.
The Poverty of Clio: Resurrecting Economic History

Francesco Boldizzoni (2012), xi+216 (Princeton University Press, Princeton and Oxford, £27.95/$39.50). Francesco Boldizzoni does not like cliometrics. This much the title of his book makes clear. H...
The effect of Ta to Si ratio on magnetron sputtered Ta-Si-N thin films

The role of composition on the resistivity and thermal stability of reactively sputtered Ta-Si-N films have been studied using x-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and sheet resistance measurement. Films with higher silicon to tantalum ratio were found to be more thermally stable and have higher sheet resistance than films with lower Si to Ta ratio. While Ta0.28Si0.07N0.65 starts to crystallize at about 900°C, for example, Ta0.24Si0.10N0.66, and Ta0.24Si0.12N0.64 remained amorphous and thermally stable for heat treatment up to 1100°C. In-situ sheet resistance measurement showed that the resistivity of the alloys varies with composition and decreases with temperature; films with higher Ta/Si ratio have lower resistivity. The resistivity of the films, at 30°C, was about 675 Θ-cm, 285 Θ-cm, and 135 Θ-cm and decreased to 61.5 Θ-cm, 22.5 Θ-cm, and 19.5 Θ-cm at 480°C for Ta0.24Si0.12N0.64, Ta0.24Si0.10N0.66, and Ta0.28Si0.07N0.651 in that order. Our results indicate that the composition of Ta-Si-N films could be manipulated to obtain low resistivity films that could be used in device applications.
Cell-adhesive and mechanically tunable glucose-based biodegradable hydrogels

The development of materials with biomimetic mechanical and biological properties is of great interest for regenerative medicine applications. In particular, hydrogels are a promising class of biomaterials due to their high water content, which mimics that of natural tissues. We have synthesized a hydrophilic biodegradable polymer, designated poly(glucose malate)methacrylate (PGMma), which is composed of glucose and malic acid, commonly found in the human metabolic system. This polymer is made photocrosslinkable by the incorporation of methacrylate groups. The resulting properties of the hydrogels can be tuned by altering the reacting ratio of the starting materials, the degree of methacrylation, and the polymer concentration of the resultant hydrogel. Hydrogels exhibited compressive moduli ranging from 1.8 ± 0.4 kPa to 172.7 ± 36 kPa with compressive strain at failure from 37.5 ± 0.9% to 61.2 ± 1.1%, and hydration by mass ranging from 18.7 ± 0.5% to 114.1 ± 1.3%. PGMma hydrogels also showed a broad range of degradation rates and were cell-adhesive, enabling the spreading of adherent cells. Overall, this work introduces a class of cell-adhesive, mechanically tunable and biodegradable glucose-based hydrogels that may be useful for various tissue engineering and cell culture applications.
Meeting the Needs of Middle Level Students through Service Learning.

Service learning integrates service into student instruction and learn ing. It promotes personal, social, and intellectual growth; develops a sense of civic responsibility; provides opportunities for leadership; and prepares students for the world of work. Employing service learning activities in middle level schools allows students to help others white involving them in activities that contribute to their learning.
Alternative designs of denominator controls for uncertain systems

Abstract We provide a geometric interpretation for the existing denominator control and saturation control. Under this interpretation, new designs of denominator control emerge. Then an algebraic interpretation can be used to unify all the denominator and saturation controls. We also show an alternative design of each denominator control, under which the control can be made arbitrarily close to the saturation control. The alternative designs of denominator controls combine the advantages of saturation control and denominator controls
Carbonic anhydrase activity in developing sea urchin embryos

Abstract A 13-fold increase in carbonic anhydrase specific activity was found during the first 24 h in developing embryos of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus . Carbonic anhydrase activity was sensitive to inhibition by 10 −4 M acetazolamide. Roles for carbonic anhydrase activity in intracellular pH regulation and spicule formation are discussed.
ELP-z and ELP-zz capturing scaffolds for the purification of immunoglobulins by affinity precipitation

Abstract The increasing demand of monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic applications along with the high manufacturing cost have made it necessary to evaluate better process options and technologies for their purification. Affinity precipitation is an attractive alternative to traditional chromatographic methods by affording effective purification using a simple environmental trigger. The feature of elastin-like-protein (ELP) fused with antibody binding domains has already been explored for the purification of antibodies. However, ELP when fused with the bulkier domains such as Protein A, resulted in lower protein production. In this study, ELP was fused to smaller synthetic IgG binding domains such as the z or zz domain, resulting in up to 10-fold higher level of production. Both ELP-z and ELP-zz bind tightly to human immunoglobulin (HIgG) with a dissociation constant of 768 ± 142 nM and 68 ± 23 nM, respectively. Owing to the higher binding affinity, the use of ELP-zz resulted in more than 99% recovery of HIgG in four repeated binding and elution cycles with no observable decrease in the purification performance. The same binding and elution cycle was successfully implemented for the purification of monoclonal antibodies from hybridoma culture supernatant with close to 100% recovery.
Experience with the formal semantic definition of HAL/S

HAL/S is a large general purpose real-time programming language somewhat similar to ADA. Its major applications are for embedded real-time systems, in particular for the Space Shuttle on-board computer software and similar applications within NASA. After the language had been in regular use for several years, we were requested by NASA to prepare a formal semantic definition of the language using the method of H-graph semantics. This paper reports on the method and structure of that definition and on experience with its use in finding and correcting errors in the language specification and in the design of implementations for the language.
The presence of multiple rat DSP-PP transcripts.

Phosphoproteins or phosphophoryns (PPs) are the most abundant (>50%) non-collagenous proteins (NCPs) in dentin. PPs bind to calcium and hydroxyapatite and are believed to play a crucial role in dentin mineralization. Dentin sialoprotein (DSP), a highly glycosylated protein, comprised 5-8% of NCPs in dentin. The coding sequences for these two major NCPs are known to be contiguously located (i.e. DSP-PP) at the cDNA and genomic DNA levels in both rat and mouse. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of multiple DSP-PP transcripts in the total RNA of adult rat incisors. To further understand the nature of these multiple transcripts, we performed reverse transcription-PCR and obtained a PP cDNA variant which encoded a 171 amino acid peptide (PP(171)) that shares many of the same characteristics as that of the published rat PP(240) sequence [Ritchie, H.H. and Wang, L.-H., J. Biol. Chem. 271 (1996) 21695-21698]. Due to its reduced size, as compared to PP(240), this cDNA encodes a phosphorylated protein with a reduced negative charge that may differentially affect mineralization processes. We provide evidence that there are multiple DSP-PP transcripts with various sizes of PP sequences in rat.
Percolation of phases in a three-dimensional cement paste microstructural model

Abstract A three-dimensional digital-image-based simulation model of cement hydration is used to study the percolation or connectivity of phases as a function of hydration. Results from an investigation of the effects of water-to-cement ratio, degree of hydration, and the substitution of inert and pozzolanic mineral admixtures for cement, on the connectivity of the capillary porosity are presented. For all scenarios studied, plotting pore connectivity vs. total porosity results in a single universal curve. Based on this curve, the degree of hydration required to achieve pore discontinuity as a function of water-to-cement ratio and pozzolanic mineral admixture concentration has been determined. Similar universal curves have been obtained for the connectivity of the calcium silicate hydrate and calcium hydroxide phases in hydrated neat cement when plotted against the appropriate phase fraction. Simulation results are analyzed using percolation theory, and are applied to interpreting observed experimental results concerning cement properties as a function of hydration.
Rationale and Parameters for Medication-Free Research in Psychosis

Bola (this issue) makes a case for off-medication periods being relatively safe in schizophrenia, at least in some circumstances. What are the implications of this for research and for the clinical care of research participants? In 1977 Carpenter, Strauss, and I argued that a place should remain in psychosis research for medication-free investigation.1 Our ultimate rationale for this position was that “we know virtually nothing about the etiology of schizophrenia.”1p14 Today I maintain that our ignorance remains as profound as it was 29 years ago and that unraveling the mysteries of schizophrenia still requires observing it under natural conditions, ie, without antipsychotic medications. On the other hand, medication has revolutionized the treatment of psychosis, and it is absolutely required under certain circumstances. My comments here will touch upon both elements of this conundrum and will address the conditions under which the dual aims of scientific clarity and patient safety can be realized.
Microwave phase retardation in saturated InGaAs photodetectors

Under high optical fluence, the time-domain saturation of photodetectors is observed by a broadened peak as well as an increase in fall time. As the intensity of an optical pulse train of 2-ps pulses at 1 GHz is increased, an InGaAs p-i-n photodetector moves from an unsaturated to a saturated regime. The resulting electrical pulse's centroid moves later in time as the optical fluence is increased. This pulse centroid motion during photodetector saturation fits a linear shift in the detected phase of the microwave oscillator impressed upon the optical carrier producing an amplitude-to-phase converter
Quasicoherent nucleation mode in two-phase nanomagnets

Magnetization processes in advanced magnetic nanostructures are investigated. For the case of spherical soft or semihard grains surrounded by a very hard matrix a bulging nucleation mode is discovered. The bulging mode exhibits the radial angular symmetry of the coherent mode, but it is incoherent due to its radial variation. The radial dependence of the bulging mode is obtained by solving a spherical Bessel equation which is subject to appropriate boundary conditions. In contrast to the coherent mode, the bulging mode yields a nucleation-field coercivity which depends on the exchange stiffness and on the size of the grain. There is a critical grain radius $7.869\sqrt{A/{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{0}{M}_{s}^{2}}$ above which the bulging mode is replaced by a modified curling mode. The nucleation modes realized in nanostructures affect the demagnetizing-field corrections necessary to account for the external shape of magnetic samples. Since strong but short-range exchange and weak but long-range magnetostatic interactions compete on nanostructural length scales, the sample-shape dependence of the hysteresis loops cannot be mapped onto a purely magnetostatic demagnetizing factor.
Utilization of vitamin E

Natural (RRR) or synthetic (all-rac) forms of alpha-tocopherol are available (usually as acetate esters) for use as vitamin E supplements. In animal tests, the natural stereoisomer, RRR-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, is 1.36 times more biologically potent than all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, an equimolar mixture of eight stereoisomers [8,15,40-43]. The higher biologic activity of natural compared with synthetic vitamin E does not result from differences in antioxidant activity [2,3], but could hypothetically be explained by differences in (1) absorption, (2) plasma transport, (3) delivery to tissues, or (4) metabolism. These possibilities will be considered in this review.
BLOOD PRESSURE VARIATION AMONG ETHIOPIANS ON THE SIMIEN PLATEAU

This report presents information on determinants of blood pressure variation in a rural sample of 263 Ethiopian highlanders 14–86 years of age, resident at 3530 m on the Simien Plateau. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures for males and females were 109/75 and 106/73, respectively, and there were no age differences. These findings confirmed that men and women can have low normal blood pressure throughout adulthood. Blood pressures increased with increasing body mass index (BMI) among adult males, although the mean BMI of 19·1 kg/m 2 was low compared with US values. This illustrates that BMI variation may be associated with blood pressure variation in men even at low mean values of both. Blood pressure did not vary with adult haemoglobin concentration.
Speech enhancement for bandlimited speech

Throughout the history of telecommunication, speech has rarely been transmitted with its full analog bandwidth (0 to 8 kHz or more) due to limitations in channel bandwidth. This impaired legacy continues with tactical voice communication. The passband of a voice terminal is typically 0 to 4 kHz. Hence, high-frequency speech components (4 to 8 kHz) are removed prior to transmission. As a result, speech intelligibility suffers, particularly for low-data-rate vocoders. In this paper, we describe our speech-processing technique, which permits some of the upperband speech components to be translated into the passband of the vocoder. According to our test results, speech intelligibility is improved by as much as three to four points even for the Department of Defense-standard mixed excitation linear predictor (MELP) 2.4 kb/s vocoder. Note that speech intelligibility is improved without expanding the transmission bandwidth or compromising interoperability with others.
Adenovirus F protein as a delivery vehicle for botulinum B.

Immunization with recombinant carboxyl-terminal domain of the heavy chain (Hc domain) of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) stimulates protective immunity against native BoNT challenge. Most studies developing a botulism vaccine have focused on the whole Hc; however, since the principal protective epitopes are located within β-trefoil domain (Hcβtre), we hypothesize that immunization with the Hcβtre domain is sufficient to confer protective immunity. In addition, enhancing its uptake subsequent to nasal delivery prompted development of an alternative vaccine strategy, and we hypothesize that the addition of targeting moiety adenovirus 2 fiber protein (Ad2F) may enhance such uptake during vaccination. The Hcβtre serotype B immunogen was genetically fused to Ad2F (Hcβtre/B-Ad2F), and its immunogenicity was tested in mice. In combination with the mucosal adjuvant, cholera toxin (CT), enhanced mucosal IgA and serum IgG Ab titers were induced by nasal Hcβtre-Ad2F relative to Hcβtre alone; however, similar Ab titers were obtained upon intramuscular immunization. These BoNT/B-specific Abs induced by nasal immunization were generally supported in large part by Th2 cells, as opposed to Hcβtre-immunized mice that showed more mixed Th1 and Th2 cells. Using a mouse neutralization assay, sera from animals immunized with Hcβtre and Hcβtre-Ad2F protected mice against 2.0 LD50. These results demonstrate that Hcβtre-based immunogens are highly immunogenic, especially when genetically fused to Ad2F, and Ad2F can be exploited as a vaccine delivery platform to the mucosa.
An oxygenase enzyme system for Trametes versicolor

An oxygenase enzyme was isolated from the basidiomycete fungus Trametes versicolor, that is capable of attacking lignin and a large number of di- and tri-substituted benzene rings containing at least one hydroxy group. This enzyme system was produced late in the growth cycle without the requirement for any inducer. This non-selective enzyme system is thermophilic and operates at pH 3–5 in the presence of air or oxygen. The action of this enzyme system caused the loss of UV absorption in ferulic acid solution, the formation of hydroxy muconic semialdehyde from catechol, and transformation with the production of CO2 from a number of hydroxy aromatics as well as lignin.
Magnetospheric influence on the Moon's exosphere

[1] Atoms in the thin lunar exosphere are liberated from the Moon's regolith by some combination of sunlight, plasma, and meteorite impact. We have observed exospheric sodium, a useful tracer species, on five nights of full Moon in order to test the effect of shielding the lunar surface from the solar wind plasma by the Earth's magnetosphere. These observations, conducted under the dark sky conditions of lunar eclipses, have turned out to be tests of the differential effects of energetic particle populations that strike the Moon's surface when it is in the magnetotail. We find that the brightness of the lunar sodium exosphere at full Moon is correlated with the Moon's passage through the Earth's magnetotail plasma sheet. This suggests that omnipresent exospheric sources (sunlight or micrometeors) are augmented by variable plasma impact sources in the solar wind and Earth's magnetotail.
A simple typed intermediate language for object-oriented languages

Traditional class and object encodings are difficult to use in practical type-preserving compilers because of the complexity of the encodings. We propose a simple typed intermediate language for compiling object-oriented languages and prove its soundness. The key ideas are to preserve lightweight notions of classes and objects instead of compiling them away and to separate name-based subclassing from structure-based subtyping. The language can express standard implementation techniques for both dynamic dispatch and runtime type tests. It has decidable type checking even with subtyping between quantified types with different bounds. Because of its simplicity, the language is a more suitable starting point for a practical type-preserving compiler than traditional encoding techniques.
On dangers of overtraining steganography to incomplete cover model

A modern direction in steganography calls for embedding while minimizing a distortion function defined in a sufficiently complex model space. In this paper we show that, quite surprisingly, even a high-dimensional cover model does not automatically guarantee immunity to simple attacks. Moreover, the security can be compromised if the distortion is optimized to an incomplete cover model. We demonstrate these pitfalls with two recently proposed steganographic schemes and support our arguments experimentally. Finally, we discuss how the corresponding models might be modified to eliminate the security flaws.
Enhancing the Utilization of Photovoltaic Power Generation by Superconductive Magnetic Energy Storage

The authors demonstrate that a superconductive magnetic energy storage (SMES) system can enhance large-scale utilization of photovoltaic (PV) generation. Results show that power output from a SMES system can be used to smooth out PV power fluctuations so that the combined PV/SMES output is dispatchable and free from fluctuations. Power generated from PV arrays is shown to be fully utilized under different weather conditions, and PV penetration is increased to significant levels without adversely affecting the power system. Coupled with PV generation, a SMES system is even more effective in performing diurnal load leveling. A coordinated PV/SMES operation scheme is proposed, and its demonstration under different weather conditions is discussed. >
Forecasting faunal and floral homogenization associated with human population geography in North America

Abstract Human population and urbanization is unprecedented in its rate of growth and geographic scope. With the help of humans, exotic species have piggybacked their way to distant lands, which in combination with the loss of endemic native species, has led to the convergence of biological communities toward common and ubiquitous forms. However, the extent to which this “biotic homogenization” varies along gradients of human population size and urbanization remains mostly unexplored, especially at broad spatial scales. The present paper combines a recent conceptual model of homogenization with estimates of species invasions and extinctions to provide the first estimates of homogenization for five major taxonomic groups – land birds, freshwater fish, terrestrial mammals, plants, and freshwater reptiles and amphibians – at the continental-scale of North America (exclusive of Mexico). On average, the greatest levels of biotic homogenization were predicted for plants (22%) and fishes (14%), followed by reptiles/amphibians (12%), mammals (9%) and birds (8%). Substantial spatial variation in predictions of community similarity exists and emphasize that the outcome of species invasions and extinctions may not only increase community similarity, but may also decrease it (i.e., differentiation). Homogenization is predicted to be greatest for fish in southwestern and northeastern US, highest in eastern North America for plants, greatest for birds and mammals along the west coast of North America, and peak in southern US for reptiles and amphibians. We show that predicted change in community similarity for all taxonomic groups is positively related to human population size and urbanization, thus providing the first quantitative linkage between human population geography and homogenization for a number of major taxonomic groups at the continental-scale of North America. Our study helps identify regional hotspots of biotic homogenization across North America, thus setting the stage for future studies where more directed investigations of biotic homogenization along urban gradients can be conducted.