cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complement receptors and the shaping of the natural antibody repertoire.

Complement and complement receptors have been known for several decades to play important roles in immune effector mechanisms related to pathogen elimination and tissue inflammation. In addition, studies over the last 10 years have clearly demonstrated a key role for the complement C3d activation fragment receptor designated CR2 (complement receptor type 2) in the switched-isotype, high-affinity and memory humoral immune responses to T-dependent foreign antigens. More recent studies have extended those observations to include a key role for CR2 and C3d in the humoral immune response to T-independent foreign antigens. Conversely, as these studies have proceeded, a parallel series of analyses have linked defects in expression or function of complement C4 and other classical pathway activation pathway proteins, as well as CR2 and the closely related CR1, to the loss of self tolerance to nuclear antigens such as double-stranded DNA and chromatin in systemic lupus erythematosus. With regard to the topic of this issue, it is now becoming increasingly clear that CR2 also plays a major role in the development of the natural antibody repertoire. Specifically, in the absence of this receptor natural IgM and IgG develop in the naive animal that demonstrate clearly altered recognition patterns for specific natural antibody targets. This repertoire change is important physiologically in at least one setting because these CR2-dependent natural antibodies are necessary for the recognition of ischemic self tissues. In addition, it is possible that certain of the phenotypes manifest by CR2-deficient mice may be strongly influenced not only by effects on later stages of B cell activation and maturation, as commonly thought, but also by alterations in the pre-existing pool of natural antibodies that are influenced by this receptor. This review will examine the evidence that has accumulated over the last few years supporting these hypotheses.
Nested loyalties: Local networks' effects on neighbourhood and community cohesion

Recent scholarship has suggested that cohesion at the neighbourhood level may not translate into greater cohesion for the broader community and may even have detrimental effects. Employing a sample from a recently developed 'new urbanist' community within a southern US city, the paper simultaneously explores the determinants of perceived cohesion with the local neighbourhood and with the broader community. It is found that there is indeed a positive relationship between the two in this sample. However, the determinants of the two differ: while both strong and weak informal ties in the neighbourhood increase perceived neighbourhood cohesion, only weak ties foster perceived cohesion with the broader community. No effect is found of residents' structural positions within local networks on perceived cohesion beyond the effect of strong and weak ties. The paper ends with a discussion of the implications of the findings for the broader literature viewing the effects of bridging and bonding social capital.
Analysis of the catalytic center of Cyclomaltodextrinase from Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus 39E

The amino acid sequences of cyclomaltodextrinase (CDase) from Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus 39E (formerly Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum 39E) and other amylolytic enzymes were compared by using linear alignment and hydrophobic cluster analysis. Two Asp and one Glu residue, which were considered to be the catalytic residues of the compared enzymes according to crystallographic or protein engineering experiments, were also conserved in CDase. Asp325, Asp421 and Glu354 of the CDase were individually replaced by means of site-directed mutagenesis. The mutant enzymes completely lost activity, suggesting that these residues play an important role in catalysis.
Generalized Rudin-Shapiro Systems

The classical Rudin–Shapiro construction produces a sequence of polynomials with ±1 coefficients such that on the unit circle each such polynomial P satisfies the "flatness" property ||P||∞ ≤ √2||P||2. It is shown how to construct blocks of such flat polynomials so that the polynomials in each block form an orthogonal system. The construction depends on a fundamental generating matrix and a recursion rule. When the generating matrix is a multiple of a unitary matrix, the flatness, orthogonality, and other symmetries are obtained. Two different recursion rules are examined in detail and are shown to generate the same blocks of polynomials although with permuted orders. When the generating matrix is the Fourier matrix, closed-form formulas for the polynomial coefficients are obtained. The connection with the Hadamard matrix is also discussed.
2,4-Dithiobiuret in rats: cognitive facilitation after acute injection precedes motor impairment after repeated daily injections

2,4-Dithiobiuret (DTB) is a sulfonated derivative of urea that is used as a reducing agent in chemical manufacture. Its low acute toxicity to rodents belies a peripherally mediated, delayed-onset muscle weakness which develops during repeated daily exposure. In experiment 1, a standard dose regimen of DTB (0.5 mg/kg per day IP for 5 days) was used to induce motor dysfunction as a way to dissociate peripheral and central influences on a test of cognitive and motor function in rats. Sixteen male rats were trained to perform a Delayed Matching-to-Position/Visual Discrimination (DMTP/VD) task which permits quantification of working memory (matching accuracy), reference memory (discrimination accuracy), and motor function (choice response latency and nosepoke inter-response time, IRT). The first dose of DTB significantly increased matching accuracy; during the following week, DTB reduced matching accuracy, increased choice response latency and nosepoke IRT, and reduced trial completion. Discrimination accuracy remained unaffected. Experiment 2 explored the effects of single administrations of DTB on DMTP/VD. Sixteen other trained rats were divided into two groups with equal matching accuracy. One group received DTB (0.5,1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg, IP) in separate injections at least 1 week apart; the other group received vehicle at the same times. Matching accuracy increased significantly in the treated rats and not in the controls following each dose of DTB. The magnitude of this increase was dose-dependent, and lasted from 1 to 8 weeks after each injection. Discrimination accuracy, response latency, nosepoke IRT and trial completion remained unaffected throughout the study. After DTB, matching accuracy was less easily disrupted by scopolamine (0.1–0.3 mg/kg, IP). However, DTB did not alter the rats' response to reducing the distance between the response levers, to reversal of the matching rule to a nonmatching rule, or to challenge with MK-801 (0.05–0.10 mg/kg, IP). These data indicate that acute DTB causes a long-lasting facilitation of working memory in rats in the absence of any of the indications of motor impairment which follow repeated, daily injections of the chemical.
A microscopic calculation of fragment formation in nucleus-nucleus collisions☆

Abstract A microscopic model using effective and free nucleon-nucleon scattering cross sections is used to calculate the yields of projectile-like fragments from nucleus-nucleus collisions from 20 MeV/ A to 2 GeV/ A . Good agreement with reaction cross-section and fragment cross-section measurements is obtained. The enhanced yields of neutron-rich fragments observed experimentally at low beam energies from collisions of projectiles with heavy targets are reproduced somewhat better by the inclusion of a neutron-rich surface on the heavy-target nuclei. Each fragment mass is produced in a strongly localized region of the distance of closest approach between the colliding nuclei; lighter fragments come from small distances and the heavier ones from more peripheral collisions.
Integrated Risk Management and the Role of the Risk Manager

ABSTRACT: Although the transferring of a firm's pure risk historically has been conducted through the insurance and reinsurance markets, risk managers of large corporations are reportedly becoming more sophisticated with regard to their risk financing strategies. This increased sophistication has come in the form of greater use of techniques such as captives, finite risk insurance, financial reinsurance, and risk retention groups. The purpose of this study is to assess the characteristics and extent of integrated risk management. Using survey data, we evaluate several aspects of risk management integration, including (1) the extent to which risk managers are involved in managing both pure and financial risks facing their firms, (2) the nonoperational types of risks handled by risk managers and the techniques being used to handle a broader set of risks, and (3) the effect that factors such as the size of the firm, the firm's industry, and the background and training of the risk manager has on participation in integrated risk management activities.
Perceptions of Social Behavior and Peer Acceptance in Kindergarten

Abstract Forty kindergartners participated in a study using social behavior ratings from observers, teachers, and parents to predict the children's perceptions of peer acceptance. Gender and race differences in social behaviors and peer acceptance also were investigated. Perceptions of peer acceptance were gathered through individual child interviews, sociometric ratings, and teacher and parent ratings. In regression analyses, friendship skill predicted peer acceptance as reported by children and parents. Shyness/withdrawal inversely predicted teacher-reported peer acceptance. Surprisingly, aggression did not predict peer acceptance in any of the regression analyses. Analyses of group differences revealed that girls were rated as more prosocial than boys, and boys were rated as more aggressive than girls. No statistically significant race differences were found. The findings suggest that teachers and parents should encourage child-child interaction in order to promote friendship skills and inhibit shyness...
Deviance and Legitimacy in Ice-Hockey: A Microstructural Theory of Violence

Bensman and Gerver's (1964) theory of structural deviance is employed as a general framework for examining the functional indispensability of the fist-fight in ice-hockey. Qualitative materials con...
Anomalous Diffusion in Poly(vinyl alcohol)−Poly(acrylic acid) Thin Films

Dynamic in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry studies of poly(vinyl alcohol)−poly(acrylic acid) (PVA−PAA) composite films are presented. Thin films immobilized on glass substrates were conditioned over time in aqueous media. Dynamic measurements consisted of thickness (swelling ratio) and optical constant changes in time. The films displayed anomalous diffusion that was characterized by fast initial swelling followed by a much slower thickness reduction. A simple mechanism based on polymer network relaxation was proposed as the likely explanation for thickness reduction. A diffusion/relaxation formalism was used to quantitatively model measured data. From this modeling the diffusion coefficient of water and the network relaxation rate constants were estimated for three different types of composite films that differed in the degree of cross-linking. The diffusion Deborah number was estimated to be a high value ((DEB)D ≈ 5 × 103) which suggested elastic diffusion and non-Fickian behavior. Slow polymer network ...
Potential effects of cloud optical thickness on climate warming

CLIMATE warming can cause changes in the optical properties of low clouds, which may in turn amplify or diminish the warming1,2. But both the sign and magnitude of such feedbacks have been uncertain, largely because the observational evidence for variations in the large-scale optical properties of clouds has been very limited. Recently, analysis of data from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project yielded a relationship between low-cloud optical thickness and cloud temperature that implies a positive feedback between clouds and climate3. Here we use a two-dimensional radiative–convective model to assess the effect of such a feedback on the climate change associated with a doubling of the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. We find that, zonally averaged, the feedback is positive in the Northern Hemisphere and is stronger at lower than at higher latitudes. The positive feedback amplifies the overall global climate sensitivity, and the latitudinal gradient in the strength of the feedback acts to eliminate the highlatitude amplification of the greenhouse warming predicted by most climate models.
Poly(bis-2,2,2-trifluoroethoxymethyl oxetane): Enhanced Surface Hydrophobicity by Crystallization and Spontaneous Asperity Formation

We report a spontaneous increase in the contact angle (104° → 136° ± 4°) for a semicrystalline polyoxetane with symmetrical CF3CH2OCH2 side chains. Poly(bis-trifluoroethoxymethyl)oxetane, P(B-3FOx), Mn = 21 kDa, was prepared by a modification of conventional cationic ring opening polymerization. At ambient temperature, the polymer is between Tg (−39 °C) and Tm (∼70 °C). Tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TM-AFM) revealed an interesting process-dependent topology. Coatings that were melted and slow-cooled displayed increasing roughness over the course of 4−6 weeks at 25 °C. The result was a topology characterized by sharp micrometer-scale ridges and asperities. The heat of fusion increases from an initial value of 21.9 J/g after slow cooling (non-isothermal melt crystallization) to 28 J/g after 6 weeks (non-isothermal melt crystallization plus isothermal melt crystallization). The coating appearance changes from transparent with a slight haze to translucent. The changing topology was accompanied by a 30...
A comparison of mammography screen-film combinations

A comparison study was performed to evaluate the image quality and radiation dose of six mammographic screen-film combinations: a Min-R screen with OM-1, SO-155, and SO-177 films (Eastman Kodak); a Min-R medium screen (Eastman Kodak) with OM-1 film; an HR Mammo medium screen (Fuji Medical Systems USA) with OM-1 film; and a Min-R fast screen with T-Mat M II film (Eastman Kodak). SO-177 films were processed with an extended cycle. Exposures of an acrylic test object with embedded masses, fibers, and specks and of a preserved breast specimen were made, for two paired image comparison tests in which the visibility of diagnostic features, contrast, and noise were judged. In most areas of image quality evaluated, a Min-R screen with OM-1, SO-155, and SO-177 films was superior. These three screen-film combinations had similar imaging characteristics, even though OM-1 film requires a higher radiation exposure. Images produced with a Min-R fast screen and T-Mat M II film were significantly lower in quality.
Chrysophyte reproduction and resting cysts: A paleolimnologist's primer

Chrysophyte algae produce siliceous resting cysts (stomatocysts) that are becoming an increasingly useful class of paleoecological indicator microfossils. This paper provides a review of the role that stomatocysts play in the life cycle and reproductive ecology of freshwater planktonic chrysophytes. Such information provides paleolimnologists with greater insight into the ecology of the vegetative, planktonic growth phase of species contributing stomatocysts to lacustrine microfossil assemblages. Specific chrysophyte reproductive characteristics discussed include: temporal dynamics of vegetative growth and encystment, cyst induction, cyst survivorship, germination requirements and recruitment strategies. This information serves as an introduction to a special issue of the Journal of Paleolimnology which is dedicated to the ‘Application of Chrysophyte Stomatocysts in Paleolimnology’.
Thermal infrared constraints on ammonia ice particles as candidates for clouds in the atmosphere of Saturn

Abstract It is possible for large particles of NH3 ice to explain two phenomena associated with observations of thermal infrared emission from the atmosphere of Saturn: (1) the depression of thermal brightness near the equator, which is coincident with a visibly bright zone-like region, and (2) some disagreements between infrared and radio occultation results. Particles of NH3 ice can provide the requisite opacity to explain the contrast between the equatorial region and the brighter area near 15°S for Pioneer Saturn Infrared Radiometer 45-μm channel data. NH3 ice particle clouds can also reconcile the 45-μm brightness of both regions (near the equator and near 15°S) with the mean temperatures structure of the Voyager 2 radio occultation results. A cloud model with ice particles distributed in equal ratio with gas particles up to the 100-mbar pressure level best fits the equatorial data; a thinner cloud or one which does not extend higher than the 400-mbar limit of the convective region best matches data for the 15°S region. At 20 μm, however, the radio occultation temperature structure predicts brightnesses which are lower than those observed for both regions, and it could indicate the possibility that another source of opacity which is latitudinally variable exists in the stratosphere.
Age of Beginning Instruction

0 Many countries (e.g., Costa Rica, Korea, Japan, Thailand) have recently taken steps to introduce the teaching of English to students in their schools at an earlier age or grade level. This trend-noticed in foreign language education circles in the United States as well-seems to be based on the adage "earlier is better" rather than on any empirical data (cf. Cummins, 1979; d'Anglejan, 1990; Dickson & Cumming, 1996; Genesee, 1978; Pufahl, Rhodes, & Christian, 2001). The belief follows that it is maximally desirable to offer students an early introduction to the target language followed by a long and well-articulated sequence of training (Abbott, 1998). In many situations, the validity of the adage "earlier is better" would seem to depend at least partially on the optimization of a number of factors. These include an explicit or implicit policy with respect to the role of language in education based on sound planning, and the existence of a well-developed curriculum for the various levels or stages of formal education (i.e., a framework that specifies fairly explicitly a set of language, content, cognitive, and affective objectives that are then tied to or illustrated by exemplary techniques and activities, and supported by written materials). Other factors are the availability and adequate distribution of appropriate pedagogical materials and the availability of trained, proficient teachers, as well as the availability and use of appropriate assessment procedures for providing formative and summative feedback. As educators and policy makers in diverse settings worldwide wrestle with the important question of how to improve the quality of instruction and educational attainment for students, a clear understanding of the structure and capacity of the current system would seem to be a critical element in any proposed reform (see, e.g., Dutcher, 1994; Tucker, 1999a). This leads me to propose a number of questions for the TESOL field's collective attention in the near future:
Proportionality between nuclear DNA-content and Feulgen dye-content.

Abstract The various methodological aspects of the Feulgen technique were investigated. Within wide limits the duration of the staining as well as that of the subsequent dehydration were found not to influence the intensity of staining. The passage through alcohol, however, renders the slides sensitive to a second treatment (after de-mounting) with the sulphurous acid bleaching solution (“SO2 water”). The results of several series of measurements covering a total of up to nearly nine hours of such treatments can be interpreted as follows: During this whole period a “loss” of aldehyde groups which are available for staining takes place at a constant relative rate (half time: three hours and 26 minutes). Within half an hour after the first passage through alcohol (which is essential for this effect) a considerable fraction of stain is removed which, however, can be replaced by sufficiently prolonged re-staining. Later the nuclear dye-content decreases apparently only because of the continuous loss of aldehyde groups. The SO2 experiments provided clear evidence of proportionality errors. The ratio of dye-contents of nuclei of different mitotic stages, as also of the same stage, is apt to change somewhat both during what seems to be a mere loss of dye and a loss of aldehyde groups. This demonstration of proportionality errors does not directly apply to the standard Feulgen technique but there is certainly no reason to suppose that the hydrolysis affects all nuclei in a slide in precisely the same way, if the treatment with SO2 water in the above experiments does not.
Reducing agents and light break an S-S bond activating rhodopsin in vivo in Chlamydomonas.

Light induces retinal synthesis via photoactivation of a small amount of Chlamydomonas rhodopsin pigment (Foster et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 6379-6383). A reducing agent [dithiothreitol (DDT) or mercaptoacetic acid (MAA)] also induces retinal synthesis in the dark via a rhodopsin with a chromophore. If the opsin is saturated with retinal and is bleached with light in the presence of a thiol trapping agent, the bleaching becomes irreversible. We conclude that the reducing agent as well as light break a disulfide bond resulting in activation of the rhodopsin and induction of carotenogenesis. Both the chemical and light induction is inhibited by GDPbetaS and pertussis toxin. Breaking the bridge between the 3rd and 5th helix may lead to increased proton accessibility of Asp134 leading to the rolling of the 3rd helix and MetaIIb formation.
Clay influence on the crystallization of aluminum hydroxide polymorphs in the presence of citrate, sulfate or chloride

Abstract The stability of montmorillonite—Al(OH) x interlayer complexes at pH 7–9 increased with lesser amounts of Al precipitate and in the presence of electrolytes. The relative effectiveness of the anions in stabilizing interlayering was in the order, citrate ⪢> sulfate > chloride. Montmorillonite catalyzed the formation of the crystalline Al(OH) 3 polymorphs, nordstrandite and gibbsite, in preference to bayerite. In clay-free systems, particularly in the presence of citrate, stable pseudoboehmite formed readily at pH 8–10. On the contrary, the surface of montmorillonite inhibited the crystallization of pseudoboehmite, probably nucleating gibbsite and/or nordstrandite from amorphous Al(OH) 3 . Only in the presence of very high concentrations of electrolyte (2 or 3 N NaCl at pH 9) did pseudoboehmite crystallize as a separate phase with montmorillonite also present. Electron microscopy showed ovoidal crystal morphology of nordstrandite in the presence of clay in citrate systems at 25°C and pH 9; thin, elongated, radial clusters of nordstrandite and/or gibbsite formed at 35°C and pH 9 or higher. In sulfate or chloride systems, nordstrandite occurred as platey, thin ovoid to rectangular particles.
Word/World Knowledge: Prediction of College GPA

-The predicrion of college grade point average has been extensively investigated. The present study examined two salient domains (word knowledge and world knowledge) with two groups of 137 student teachers (elementary and secondary) and 36 freshman students in introductory psychology classes. The resxlts support past research indicating high school GPA to be a good predictor of college GPA. The addition of vocabulary ability improved prediction.
Methylselenocysteine - a Promising Antiangiogenic Agent for Overcoming Drug Delivery Barriers in Solid Malignancies for Therapeutic Synergy with Anticancer Drugs

Introduction: Despite progress, chemotherapeutic response in solid malignancies has remained limited. Although initial results of the use of antiangiogenic agents in combination chemotherapy indicated an enhanced therapeutic response, recent data indicate that the surviving cancer is not only able to surmount therapy, but also actually able to adapt a more aggressive metastatic phenotype. Thus, selecting an antiangiogenic agent that is less likely to lead to tumor resurgence is a key to future therapeutic success of antiangiogenic agents in a combinatorial setting. Areas covered: Against the broad spectrum of antiangiogenic agents used at present in the clinic, the putative benefits of the use of organoselenium compounds, such as methylselenocysteine (MSC), are discussed in this review. Expert opinion: MSC, being part of the mammalian physiology, is a well-tolerated, versatile and economical antiangiogenic agent. It downregulates multiple key upstream tumor survival markers, and enhances tumor drug delive...
13C-NMR Spectral study of possible metastable states of glycophorin A

Abstract Glycophorin A was alkylated with 90% 13 CH 3 I in 8 M urea to produce ( S-[ 13 C ]methylmethionine-8 and -81)glycophorin A. 13 C-NMR magnetic resonance spectra, taken after the removal of the urea, showed multiple peaks for the ( S-[ 13 C ]methylmethionine-8 and -81) carbon resonances as well as the carbohydrate carbon resonances. The metastable state(s) of glycophorin can be eliminated by either heating the sample to 80°C for 1 h or by freezing the concentrated sample. These processes then produce a sample which gives 13 C-NMR spectra where only one peak is observed for the S-[ 13 C ]methylmethionine carbon resonances and the carbohydrate carbon resonances resemble those of the virgin glycophorin A spectrum.
Ultrastructure of the formation of a melanotic capsule in Diabrotica (Coleoptera) in response to a parasitic nematode (Mermithidae).

The present paper is an ultrastructural study of the formation of a melanotic capsule in the beetles Diabrotica balteata and D. u. undecimpunctata , in response to the mermithid nematode Filipjevivermis leipsandra . Soon after the infective stages of F. leipsandra entered the body cavity of third stage Diabrotica larvae, they were encapsulated by host blood cells and subsequently killed. Initial hemocytes making contact with the parasite lysed and liberated their cytoplasm over the nematode's cuticle. Within 6–8 hours, the inner layer of cytoplasm was replaced by an electron dense material, probably melanin. The definitive 72-hour capsule was composed of four major regions; (a) an inner partially melanized region, (b) a layer of spherical, necrotic cells, (c) a region containing 3–4 layers of very elongate cells, and (d) an outer zone consisting of loosely attached hemocytes bearing close resemblance to normal blood cells.
Two-phase co-ordinates of a four-phase network

SUBSTITUTION of variables (voltage, current, impedance, and so forth) in order to simplify solution of problems on polyphase networks is a well-established practice. A polyphase network may be regarded as several single-phase networks which are coupled to one another in many places and all of which contain power sources. Simplification of network problems results from the replacement of the original phase networks by an equal number of single-phase substitute networks which are not coupled to one another or are coupled in fewer places or in a simpler manner than the phase networks, and which, preferably, have fewer power sources. In these substitute networks, the substitute currents and voltages exist.
Ultrastructural effects of estrogen on epiphyseal cartilage.

Ten male weanling Holtzman rats, injected intraperitoneally with aqueous estradiol (Progynon, Schering), in daily doses of 1 μg. per g body weight, were sacrificed, simultaneously with controls receiving an equivalent amount of diluent, at intervals ranging from one hour to six days. Upper tibial epiphyseal cartilage plates (ECP), procesed for electron microscopy, revealed, as early as three hours after injection, appreciable enhancement of secretory activity, evidenced, in the zone of matrix secretion, by the abundance in Golgi cisternae of stippled material representing proteinpolysaccharide complexes. Disintegration of the lining membrane of individual Golgi vesicles was advanced after twenty-four hours; following three days of treatment, few vesicles remained intact, and pools of initially intravacuolar material were observable in the gound plasm. Long filaments, suggestive of primary or precursor collagen fibrils were apparent in this secretion. After six days, virtual lakes of this substance filled cells in the zone of prehypertophy, with consequent displacement of the rough endoplasmic reticulum against the cell periphery. Cytoplasmic vacuoles, containing mateerial similar to that found in the lacunar moat, and displaying finely beaded, radially arrayed filaments on the lining membrane were frequently encountered. Our observations suggest an initial acclleration of chondrocytic secretory activity, with subsequent retardation of transport. The resultant retention and intracellular polymerization of precollagenous products accelerates hypertrophy, thereby promoting early degeneration of chondrocytes. These ultrastructural alterations are apparently estrogen-specific.
Cyclic GMP-activated channels of the chick pineal gland: effects of divalent cations, pH, and cyclic AMP.

Chick pineal cells maintained in dissociated cell culture express an intrinsic photosensitive circadian oscillator, but the mechanisms of phototransduction in avian pinealocytes are not fully understood. In this study, we have used inside-out patches to examine the characteristics of cyclic GMP-activated channels of chick pinealocytes in more detail, concentrating on the effects of factors known to modulate the secretion of melatonin and/or the function of circadian pacemakers. In most patches, the predominant conductance state was 19 pS in symmetrical 145 mM NaCl. But in some patches, a second cyclic GMP-activated channel with a unitary conductance of 29 pS was also present. The current flowing through cyclic GMP-activated channels was not affected by application of salines containing 1 μM Ca2+ to the cytoplasmic face of the patch membrane. By contrast, application of 1 mM Ca2+ caused a partial reduction in cyclic GMP-activated current at all membrane potentials. Application of 1–5 mM Mg2+ ions caused a virtually complete blockade of current at positive membrane potentials, but caused only a small decrease in current at negative membrane potentials. No obvious differences in the gating of cyclic GMP-activated channels were observed in pH 8.2, 7.4 or 6.2 salines. Application of salines containing 100 μM, 500 μM, or 1 mM cyclic AMP did not cause activation of the channels, but 5 mM cyclic AMP evoked a low level of channel activity. Application of 5 mM but not 100 μM cyclic AMP decreased the probability of channel activation caused by 20–100 μM cyclic GMP and also increased the percentage of openings to an 11 pS subconductance state. Thus, cyclic AMP acts as a weak partial agonist. Nevertheless, the gating of these channels does not seem to be controlled directly by physiologically relevant changes in intracellular Ca2+, pH, or cyclic AMP.
The effect of high pressure on the formation of LRu2 and LOs2 (LLanthanide) compounds

Abstract The compounds SmRu 2 , NdRu 2 and LaOs 2 have the cubic MgCu2-type structure when prepared at atmospheric pressure. By application of pressures up to 88 kbar, these compounds were prepared with the hexagonal MgZn 2 -type structure. The hexagonal lattice parameters ( a , c ) are (5.298, 8.939), (5.323, 9.004), and (5.42, 9.00), respectively. The formation of these hexagonal polymorphs is attributed to the effect of pressure on the relative atomic size of the lanthanide vs. that of Ru or Os. The amount of 4 f bonding in these compounds has no influence on the type of polymorph formed.
Oviposition schedules, survivorship curves, and mortality factors within trees of two cerambycid beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), the Japanese pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus Hope, and sugi bark borer, Semanotus japonicus Lacordaire

Oviposition schedules under laboratory conditions, survivorship curves, and mortality factors within trees of two cerambycid beetles, Japanese pine sawyer (JPS),Monochamus alternatus Hope, and sugi bark borer (SBB),Semanotus japonicus Lacordaire, were investigated. Average longevities of reared adults of JPS were 38.1 days for males and 42.3 days for females; those of SBB were 15.7 days for males and 23.8 days for females. It was confirmed that the JPS must feed on the pine branches for full maturation after emergence, but SBB need not; they are able to lay eggs soon after emergence. The average fecundities of JPS and SBB were 32.9 and 90.5, respectively. Thus, the JPS lay fewer eggs for a long time with continuous maturation feeding, whereas the SBB lay more eggs for short time without maturation feeding. Average survivorship curves of JPS within dead pine trees in 8 pine forests were theDeevey's B type, showing a constant mortality through the pre-imaginal stages in the trees. On the other hand those of SBB in 4 cedar stands approached theDeevey's type, suggesting that the high mortality occurred at an early stage in the trees. Average mortalities of JPS between the appearance of oviposition scars and adult emergence in 8 forests ranged from 62.3% to 95.2%. Intraspecific ompetition of JPS resulting from overcrowding in dead pine trees appeared to be main mortality factor. For SBB, as most larvae were killed by resin flow in living trees, this appeared to be the main mortality factor for this species.
Moloney Leukaemia Virus as a Helper in retrieving Friend Virus from a Non-infectious Reticulum Cell Sarcoma

A TRANSPLANTABLE reticulum cell sarcoma induced by Friend virus (FV) and subsequently grown in tissue culture no longer contained detectable infectious FV, and was incapable of inducing either protective or viral neutralizing antibodies1,2. This tumour (FVTCT) has been maintained in vitro for several years, and except for its apparent lack of virus it behaves in an identical way to the tumour from which it originated3. It is highly specific for syngeneic BALB/c mice and produces tumours morphologically indistinguishable from other reticulum cell sarcomas induced by FV.
Vowel development in English and Korean: Similarities and differences in linguistic and non-linguistic factors

This study presents an acoustic examination of vowels produced by English and Korean-speaking male and female children in two age groups, 5 and 10 years. In response to picture cards, a total of 80 children (10 each in eight groups categorized according to age, sex and language) produced tokens of seven vowels which are typically transcribed using the same IPA symbols in both languages. Fundamental as well as first and second formant frequencies were measured. In addition, vocal tract length was estimated on the basis of the F"3 values of /@?/. As expected, these properties differed between the two age groups. However, the two non-linguistic elements (fundamental frequency and vocal tract length) were similar between sexes and between languages whereas the linguistic factors (frequencies of the first and second formants) varied as a function of sex and language. Moreover, the F"2 differences between English and Korean-speaking children were similar to those between English and Korean-speaking adults as reported by Yang [Yang, B., 1996. A comparative study of American English and Korean vowels produced by male and female speakers. J. Phonet. 24, 245-261], with children as young as 5 years thus reflecting the formant frequencies of their ambient languages. The results of this study suggest that formant frequency differences between sexes during the pre- and peri-puberty periods can be attributed chiefly to behavioral rather than to anatomical differences.
Impact of top management team on firm performance in small and medium-sized enterprises adopting commercial open-source enterprise resource planning

Based on the large number of small and medium-sized enterprises SMEs in the United States, their increasing interest in enterprise-wide software systems and their impact on the US economy, it is important to understand the determinants that can facilitate the successful implementation and assimilation of such technology into these firms' daily operations. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the top management team in SMEs that have adopted and implemented commercial open-source enterprise systems and to investigate the impact assimilation has on firm performance. Our results represent a significant contribution to understanding the use of open-source enterprise resource planning ERP software for SMEs, as these data are not publicly available. Findings suggest that 1 the information technology IT experience and knowledge of the team and the absorptive capacity of the SME play a significant role in the ability of the firm to assimilate open-source ERP systems, 2 assimilation mediates the role between customisation and operational performance and 3 the more aligned the open-source ERP system to the SME's business processes, the greater the opportunity to assimilate the technology and achieve higher levels of performance.
A savings paradox for integer-valued gambling strategies

Under the assumption that wagers remain integer-valued, as would happen in most casinos, we identify the following bizarre situation: there exists a sequence of coin flips \(X\) such that some effective gambler manages to accumulate arbitrary wealth by betting on \(X\), however any such gambler goes bankrupt whenever he tries to take his winnings outside the casino.
Trade-offs between precision and computation horizon in real-time optimal control of switched systems

In this paper the problem of real-time optimal control is considered. In particular, we will study dynamical systems that switch between different modes at controlled switching times. Ideally, one would want the switching controller to provide sufficiently good values for the switching times at every instant of time. However, due to the limited computational resources available in many real-time applications, questions concerning trade-offs between the computation horizon and the precision of the solution arise naturally. These trade-offs constitute the main focus of this paper, and a solution will be provided based on the minimization of a conservative bound on the error between the true gradient and the gradient obtained in real-time.
Plasma oxytocin levels during human pregnancy and labor as determined by radioimmunoassay.

Abstract Plasma oxytocin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay with the use of unextracted plasma in 285 pregnant patients. In nonpregnant women the mean plasma oxytocin level was
Configuring a load-balanced switch in hardware

The load-balanced switch architecture is a promising way to scale router capacity. We explained previously (Keslassy, I. et al., Proc. ACM SIGCOMM, 2003) how it can be used to build a 100 Tb/s router with no centralized scheduler, no memory operating faster than the line-rate, no packet mis-sequencing, a 100% throughput guarantee for all traffic patterns, and an optical switch fabric that simply spreads traffic evenly among linecards. This switch fabric uses optical MEMS switches that are reconfigured only when linecards are added and deleted, allowing the router to function when any subset of linecards is present and working. We have also introduced a configuration algorithm that can find a correct configuration of the MEMS switches in polynomial time (Keslassy et al., Proc. IEEE Infocom '04, 2004). However, we found that our algorithm takes over 50 seconds to run in software for a 100 Tb/s router. Our goal is to restore the router to operation within 50 ms of failure. We have modified our algorithm for implementation in dedicated hardware. In particular, to simplify the Ford-Fulkerson algorithm in bipartite matches, we reduce memory accesses and use bit manipulation schemes. Then, we decompose permutations using the Slepian-Duguid algorithm and reduce the configuration time with a simplified memory scheme. Our experimental results show that it is possible to achieve the 50 ms target.
Involvement of oxidative pathways in cytokine-induced secretory phospholipase A2-IIA in astrocytes.

Recent studies have suggested the involvement of secretory phospholipase A2-IIA (sPLA2-IIA) in neuroinflammatory diseases. Although sPLA2-IIA is transcriptionally induced through the NF-κB pathway by pro-inflammatory cytokines, whether this induction pathway is affected by other intracellular signaling pathways has not been investigated in detail. In this study, we demonstrated the induction of sPLA2-IIA mRNA and protein expression in astrocytes by cytokines and detected the protein in the culture medium after stimulation. We further investigated the effects of oxidative pathways and botanical antioxidants on the induction pathway and observed that IL-1β-induced sPLA2-IIA mRNA expression in astrocytes is dependent on ERK1/2 and PI-3 kinase, but not p38 MAPK. In addition to apocynin, a known NADPH oxidase inhibitor, botanical antioxidants, such as resveratrol and epigallocatechin gallate, also inhibited IL-1β-induced sPLA2-IIA mRNA expression. These compounds also suppressed IL-1β-induced ERK1/2 activation and translocation of the NADPH oxidase subunit p67 phox from cytosol to membrane fraction. Taken together, these results support the involvement of reactive oxygen species from NADPH oxidase in cytokine induction of sPLA2-IIA in astrocytes and promote the use of botanical antioxidants as protective agents for inhibition of inflammatory responses in these cells.
A large-aperture, piston-tip-tilt micromirror for optical phase array applications

This paper reports the design, fabrication and characterization of a 4x4 micromirror array consisting of piston-tip-tilt electrothermal MEMS mirrors. Each mirror has an optical aperture size of 0.5x0.5 mm2. Both tip and tilt angles of over plusmn30deg are obtained at less than 5 Vdc, and the piston displacement reaches 215 mum at 4 Vdc. Two-dimensional scanning was demonstrated. Thermal analysis and transient response were also reported.
Europe and the Japanese Banking Challenge

The dramatic overseas expansion of Japanese banks during the 1980s provoked major policy debates within the European Community. Fears that Japanese firms in the banking industry might replicate earlier successes in other industries, together with charges that Japan did not grant reciprocal access to European banks, raised important questions for EC member states committed to the implementation of common banking policies. Adoption of the crucially important Second Banking Coordination Directive and other public measures enabled the Community flexibly to impose strong controls on Japanese banks in the region. The nature of these public measures toward Japanese firms in the Community's banking industry, together with related EC policies toward local Japanese competition in other industries, suggested the emergence of a more general EC policy model for confronting the vaunted ‘Japanese challenge.’
Markedly increased periprocedure mortality of cardiac catheterization in patients with severe narrowing of the left main coronary artery

In early reports, coronary arteriography in patients with left main (LM) coronary artery disease (CAD) had a substantial risk, but recent reports suggest that arteriography in these subjects is now associated with a low mortality. The present study was performed to examine the periprocedure mortality in patients with LMCAD undergoing catheterization, to compare the periprocedure mortality in these patients with that in subjects with less CAD and to identify the variables associated with pericatheterization mortality in this patient cohort. Of 4,009 patients undergoing elective coronary arteriography from 1978 to 1992, 176 had LMCAD. Of the 10 deaths during or within 24 hours of catheterization, 5 occurred in these 176 subjects. This periprocedure mortality of 2.8% in patients with LMCAD was >20 times that of those without LMCAD (0.13%). In comparison with the 171 patients with LMCAD who survived, the 5 who died were older (67 ± 8 vs 58 ± 12 years), and had more severe LMCAD (92 ± 10% vs 72 ± 16%) and a lower cardiac index (1.9 ± 0.4 vs 2.6 ± 0.7 liters/min/m2) (p < 0.05 for all 3 variables). Thus, even in the 1980s and early 1990s, patients with LMCAD have a high pericatheterization mortality, especially those who are older and have severe LMCAD.
Image contrast enhancement by constrained variational histogram equalization

Histogram equalization is a simple and effective method for image contrast enhancement as it can automatically define the enhancement transformation function based on the image content. However, it tends to change the global appearance of the processed image by shifting its mean brightness toward the middle of the graylevel range, thus making it unsuitable for some applications, such as consumer electronics. In this paper we propose a new method referred as Constrained Variational Histogram Equalization, which builds on the variational formulation of histogram equalization to automatically define an optimal transformation function that would compromise between contrast enhancement and the preservation of the image mean brightness. Experimental evaluation proved this new method to outperform the classical histogram equalization method.
Preablation 131-I Scans With SPECT/CT in Postoperative Thyroid Cancer Patients: What Is the Impact on Staging?

Context: The utility of preablation radioiodine scans for the management of differentiated thyroid cancer remains controversial. Objective: To determine the contribution of preablation Iodine 131 (131-I) planar with single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT; diagnostic [Dx] scans) to differentiated thyroid cancer staging. Design: Prospective sequential series at university clinic. Methods: Using American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) staging, seventh edition 320 patients post–total thyroidectomy were initially staged based on clinical and pathology data (pTN) and then restaged after imaging (TNM). The impact of Dx scans with SPECT/CT on N and M scores, and TNM stage, was assessed in younger, age <45 years, n = 138 (43%), and older, age ≥45 years, n = 182 (57%) patients, with subgroup analysis for T1a and T1b tumors. Results: In younger patients Dx scans detected distant metastases in 5 of 138 patients (4%), and nodal metastases in 61 of 138 p...
PATHOGENESIS OF HUMAN CYSTIC RENAL DISEASE

Cystic diseases of the kidney are common, often progressive disorders. The best of several alternative hypotheses to explain their development cites tubular dilation and compression of adjacent tissue. The initiating event may involve focal proliferation of epithelial cells and a consequent increase in the resistance to flow along affected tubules. Decompression of cysts has re-emerged as a potentially beneficial approach to therapy in selected cases of renal cystic disease.
Late preconditioning induced by NO donors, adenosine A1 receptor agonists, and δ1-opioid receptor agonists is mediated by iNOS

Although ischemia-induced late preconditioning (PC) is known to be mediated by inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS), the role of this enzyme in pharmacologically induced late PC remains uncl...
Seismic Analysis and Design of Modern Steel Highway Connectors

Abstract This paper discusses the seismic analysis and design of modern steel plate girder connectors. Full 3‐D finite element analyses were conducted on a two‐span two‐girder bridge to determine its seismic load path and to establish the seismic performance of the bridge with several cross frame configurations. The results of the study showed that the cross frames play a significant role in the seismic behavior since they transfer the inertia forces to the substructure, a phenomenon not accounted for in the current design bridge codes.