cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Continuous-Discrete Mathematical Model Simulates In Vitro Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in formative life stages such as embryogenesis, tissue remodeling such as wound healing, and in pathological conditions such as excessive proliferation of blood vessels in tumorigenesis. In all cases, angiogenesis consistently follows a sequence beginning with detachment and migration of endothelial cells from existing vasculature and ending with formation of a new vessel network. This process is influenced by chemical and mechanical factors. While the chemical processes governing angiogenesis have been studied extensively and are still an active topic for research, the mechanical aspects have received less attention [1].Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Influence of d-, l-, and dl-propranolol, and practolol on β-aminopropionitrile-induced aortic ruptures of turkeys

Turkeys were fed five diets: β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) only; BAPN plus d-propranolol, l-, or dl-propranolol; and BAPN plus practolol. Mortality from aortic dissecting aneurysms and rhexis was as follows: BAPN 54.2%; BAPN plus d-propranolol 62.5%; BAPN plus l-propranolol 0.0%; BAPN plus dl-propranolol 0.0%; and BAPN plus practolol 13.1%. Blood pressure, heart rate, and dpdtmax, as judged by carotid artery cannulation, were lowest in turkeys fed BAPN plus l- or dl-propranolol, and BAPN plus practolol. Aortic tensile strengths were higher in turkeys fed BAPN plus l- or dl-propranolol, or practolol, than in turkeys fed BAPN plus d-propranolol or BAPN alone. As assessed by light microscopy, elastic fiber alteration was most severe in the aortas of turkeys fed only BAPN, or BAPN plus d-propranolol. When electron miroscopy was used, elevations on the surface of altered aortic elastic fibers of turkeys fed BAPN plus dl- or l-propranolol containing striated bands were observed. Such striations were not seen on altered aortic elastic fibers of turkeys fed BAPN alone, BAPN plus d-propranolol, or BAPN plus practolol. It was concluded that the reason more turkeys died of aortic rupture when fed BAPN plus practolol (13.1%) than when fed BAPN plus l- or dl-propranolol (0%) was that the latter two drugs, in combination with BAPN, not only lowered dpdtmax, but also directly or indirectly affected the ultrastructural morphology of altered aortic elastic fibers. However, among these three treatment groups, pulse pressure was greater in those fed BAPN and practolol.
Extensions and developments on the Schilling and Dodge mixed dependent acceptance sampling plans

Abstract The Schilling and Dodge (1969) [2] formulation of mixed dependent acceptance sampling plans has a number of favorable properties; so we decided to build on their results and extend them to better levels. One genuine important weakness of their procedure is that it is not safeguarded against departure (of the parent distribution) from normality when accepting a batch based on the first sample by ‘average-testing ’ basis. One argues that rejection occurs only after re-sampling and, that too, on the ‘quantity-based attribute-testing’ basis according to the setup of their plans. Acceptance, according to their scheme, can possibly occur on the average-testing basis based on first sample. And as a consequence of the reliance of the variables plan (especially the σ -plans) on normality assumption, and lack of distributional robustness, the acceptance decision may not be very solidly based. With the developments suggested in this paper we propose to modify the plan in a way to strengthen this weak area.
Quantum theory of measurement

Abstract When a quantum mechanical measurement is made, the initial wave which otherwise evolves continuously under a time-dependent Schrodinger process collapses discontinuously to the measured state. Von Neumann formalized this process by defining the general transformation whereby a pure state is converted discontinuously into a statistical mixture in a measurement interaction. It is concluded by von Neumann and others that the continuous Schrodinger process and the mixture conversion process are both fundamental theoretical necessities, and that they together represent a nonclassical relationship between observer and the observed. The present paper shows that the more intuitive classical observer-observed relationship can be made consistent with quantum mechanical measurement, and that when this is done the Schrodinger theory is entirely sufficient to account for measurement processes without “essential” discontinuity. This requires, however, that the notion of boundary conditions be extended to include four-volume qualifications of a kind that were not necessary in classical physics, and that the task of the theory be given a special formulation. The scheme is shown to make a sound and natural connection with mixture theory for the purpose of handling inaccurate and (or) incomplete boundary observations. In addition, the assumptions of the scheme are compared with the classical and current assumptions, and some comments are added bearing on further theoretical study.
Leselinyana la Lesotho and Sotho Historiography

On 3 November 1863 the first issue of Leselinyana la Lesotho , datelined Morija, was published by the Revd. Adolphe Mabille of the Paris Evangelical Mission Society. Leselinyana continues to be published today. Its contents have been recently used by two biographers of Moshoeshoe and in the present paper I hope to suggest some other ways in which the materials in this publication can be of value to historians of the Sotho. Mabille had arrived among the Sotho in 1860 and had already published several small pamphlets written by himself on a small primitive printing press. The first issue of Leselinyana comprised just a single sheet containing two pieces of writing -- an editorial signed “Leselinyana la Lesutho” in which, inter alia , the newspaper introduced itself in the first person to the Basotho. The other piece was the first of what came to be a series of articles with the general title “Mogaogeli oa Moetsalibe” (“The Sinner's Pardoner”). From the beginning Leselinyana emphasized articles of a religious and catechetical nature, clearly indicating its basic purpose as a vehicle for religious instruction and propaganda. According to Gerard the publication of Leselinyana was interrupted only twice. The first hiatus was from 1865 to 1869 when the Boers of the Orange Free State invaded and temporarily occupied areas west of the Drakensberg mountains, evicting the French missionaries who had supported the Africans there. The second occurred during the so-called Gun War of 1880/81 when the Sotho successfully resisted efforts by the Cape government to disarm them and to open Sotho lands to white settlement. In the following discussion I will touch briefly on a few representative materials in Leselinyana which suggest the richness of the paper as a source for historians, not only of the Sotho themselves but of their relations with the whites of the area and with the missionaries.
An analysis of Streptococcus pneumoniae identification using biochemical and serological procedures

Five methods for identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae were evaluated with stock strains representing all 83 capsular types and 130 fresh clinical isolates of alpha-hemolytic streptococci. The identification methods included bile solubility, optochin sensitivity, countercurrent-immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP), and coagglutination (CoA) using laboratory-prepared reagents (LPR) and the Phadebact Pneumococcus Test (Phadebact). The Quellung reaction was performed on the 83 capsular types of S. pneumoniae and on the clinical isolates that produced serological cross reactions with the three serological tests and those that were bile-soluble and optochin-sensitive. All 83 pneumococcal types were in complete agreement with each of the different test methods. Of the 130 alpha-hemolytic streptococci, 26 were identified as S. pneumoniae, and 104 isolates were identified as viridans streptococci using biochemical, physiologic, Quellung, or mouse virulence tests. All 104 viridans streptococci were bile-insoluble and optochin-resistant; however, 63 reacted with either one, both, or all three serological methods. Our data suggest that bile solubility and optochin tests are more reliable for pneumococcal identification than serological methods currently available.
Virus-like Peptide Vaccines Against Aß N-terminal or C-Terminal Domains Reduce Amyloid Deposition in APP Transgenic Mice without Addition of Adjuvant

Immunotherapy against the As peptide is increasingly viewed as an effective means of preventing and even decreasing As deposition in transgenic mouse models and human cases of Alzheimer's disease. A prior active immunization trial was halted due to adverse events which occurred subsequent to a change in the adjuvant used in the vaccine preparation. Although widely used in experimental studies, adjuvants available for use in vaccines intended for humans are limited. We compared two vaccine preparations in which an immunogenic bacteriophage was conjugated with either an N-terminal (As1-9) or C-terminal (As28-40) peptide sequence from the As molecule. We found that both produced significant antibody titers without use of additional adjuvants. Surprisingly, the response to the N-terminal sequence was comprised largely of a stable IgM response, while the C-terminal vaccine produced an IgG response with minimal IgM reactivity. Both of these immunogens reduced As levels when tissues were examined 8 months after the first inoculation. These data demonstrate that (a) C-terminal specific vaccines can effectively lower As and (b) IgM antibodies against As may be capable of lowering As, possibly through action in the brain rather than the periphery.
Drawing the electric: storytelling with conductive ink

We explore conductive ink as an expressive medium for narrative storytelling and interaction design with children, introducing StoryClip, a toolkit that integrates functional materials, computation, and drawing. The StoryClip kit consists of silver ink, ordinary art supplies, and a hardware-software tool, allowing a child's drawing to function as an audio recording-and-playback interface. We exploit craft and artistic practice to motivate technological exploration, turning a conventional illustration into a multimedia interface that promotes multi-level engagement with children. In this note, we describe the design of our system and discuss our findings from two workshops with children.
Physical properties and chemical compositions of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase from Physarum polycephalum

The malate dehydrogenase isoenzymes from Physarum polycephalum have been purified to homogeneity as confirmed by gel filtration chromatography, polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis and analytical ultracentrifugation. Certain physical and chemical parameters of the malate dehydrogenase isoenzymes reported here include sedimentation, molecular weight and subunit molecular weight. Most unique of the differences between the isoenzymes were the widely separate isoelectric points of 9.83 for mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase and 6.14 for the supernatant malate dehydrogenase. The amino acid analyses of each form were done revealing the isoenzymes were unquestionably unique proteins differing in the content of ten amino acids.
Diagenesis and Sea Level Change in a Pleistocene Coral Reef, San Salvador, Bahamas: ABSTRACT

Near the Cockburn Town reef (dated 125,000 yr B.P.), precisely surveyed bench marks are related to accurately measured mean sea level, and they provide a convenient datum plane. This coral reef developed during a sea level highstand of no more than 10,000 yr, which was insufficient time for significant subsidence; however, subsidence of approximately 3 m may have occurred since the formation of the reef. Sea level changes were caused by fluctuations in glacial-ice volume. The upper beach to dune transition, which is in the calcarenites overlying the reef, is at +4 m. A minimum highstand of +7 m is indicated when corrected for subsidence. Below +2.5 m, marine aragonite cement occurs within the intragranular pore space of the following: Halimeda plates, benthic foraminifera, Favreina (Callianassid fecal pellets), gastropods, and corals. Marine aragonite cement also occurs as intergranular isopachous rims on matrix grains of coral rubblestone. Remaining pore space was partly to completely occluded by freshwater vadose calcite cements, which occur without marine cements in the overlying shallow subtidal, beach, and dune calcarenites. No unequivocal freshwater phreatic cements have been found, although syntaxial overgrowths and irregular calcite rims about grains do occur in finer grained sediments where local patches of freshwater saturation occurred within the vadose zone. Later calichification, which affected all facies is characterized by alveolar texture, whisker calcite, microsparite, rare bladed calcite spar, Microcodium, and rhizocretions. End_of_Article - Last_Page 316------------
Estimating the voltage-dependent free energy change of ion channels using the median voltage for activation

Voltage-gated ion channels are crucial for electrical activity and chemical signaling in a variety of cell types. Structure-activity studies involving electrophysiological characterization of mutants are widely used and allow us to quickly realize the energetic effects of a mutation by measuring macroscopic currents and fitting the observed voltage dependence of conductance to a Boltzmann equation. However, such an approach is somewhat limiting, principally because of the inherent assumption that the channel activation is a two-state process. In this analysis, we show that the area delineated by the gating charge displacement curve and its ordinate axis is related to the free energy of activation of a voltage-gated ion channel. We derive a parameter, the median voltage of charge transfer (Vm), which is proportional to this area, and prove that the chemical component of free energy change of a system can be obtained from the knowledge of Vm and the maximum number of charges transferred. Our method is not constrained by the number or connectivity of intermediate states and is applicable to instances in which the observed responses show a multiphasic behavior. We consider various models of ion channel gating with voltage-dependent steps, latent charge movement, inactivation, etc. and discuss the applicability of this approach in each case. Notably, our method estimates a net free energy change of approximately −14 kcal/mol associated with the full-scale activation of the Shaker potassium channel, in contrast to −2 to −3 kcal/mol estimated from a single Boltzmann fit. Our estimate of the net free energy change in the system is consistent with those derived from detailed kinetic models (Zagotta et al. 1994. J. Gen. Physiol. doi:10.1085/jgp.103.2.321). The median voltage method can reliably quantify the magnitude of free energy change associated with activation of a voltage-dependent system from macroscopic equilibrium measurements. This will be particularly useful in scanning mutagenesis experiments.
Accurate mass fragment library for rapid analysis of pesticides on produce using ambient pressure desorption ionization with high-resolution mass spectrometry.

U.S. food imports have been increasing steadily for decades, intensifying the need for a rapid and sensitive screening technique. A method has been developed that uses foam disks to sample the surface of incoming produce. This work provides complimentary information to the extensive amount of published pesticide fragmentation data collected using LCMS systems (Sack et al. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59, 6383–6411, 2011; Mol et al. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 403, 2891–2908, 2012). The disks are directly analyzed using transmission-mode direct analysis in real time (DART) ambient pressure desorption ionization coupled to a high resolution accurate mass-mass spectrometer (HRAM-MS). In order to provide more certainty in the identification of the pesticides detected, a library of accurate mass fragments and isotopes of the protonated parent molecular ion (the [M+H]+) has been developed. The HRAM-MS is equipped with a quadrupole mass filter, providing the capability of “data-dependent” fragmentation, as opposed to “all -ion” fragmentation (where all of the ions enter a collision chamber and are fragmented at once). A temperature gradient for the DART helium stream and multiple collision energies were employed to detect and fragment 164 pesticides of varying chemical classes, sizes, and polarities. The accurate mass information of precursor ([M+H]+ ion) and fragment ions is essential in correctly identifying chemical contaminants on the surface of imported produce. Additionally, the inclusion of isotopes of the [M+H]+ in the database adds another metric to the confirmation process. The fragmentation data were collected using a Q-Exactive mass spectrometer and were added to a database used to process data collected with an Exactive mass spectrometer, an instrument that is more readily available for this screening application. The commodities investigated range from smooth-skinned produce such as apples to rougher surfaces like broccoli. The minimal sample preparation and absence of chromatography has shortened the analysis time to about 15 min per sample, and the simplicity and robustness of the technique make it ideal for rapid screening.
On the Capacity of Directionally Selective Mechanisms to Encode Different Dimensions of Moving Stimuli

Direction-specific losses of contrast sensitivity for sinusoidal test gratings as a function of the contrast of a sinusoidal adapting grating were found to be similar to those measured previously with square-wave gratings. Furthermore, both relationships were similar to that between motion aftereffect duration and the contrast of sinusoidal adapting gratings, and all three sets of data can be fit by a single function. The function shows that the magnitude of direction-specific adaptation effects increases linearly with the logarithm of adapting contrast in the low contrast region, but is essentially independent of contrast once the contrast exceeds threshold by more than a factor of five—six. In addition, it was found that direction-specific losses of contrast sensitivity are restricted to limited ranges of spatial frequency.
The use of rewards and punishment in early childhood classrooms

Abstract Much has been written about the problems associated with reliance on extrinsic rewards and punishment in controlling behavior and motivating students. This study explores the use of extrinsic rewards and punishment by prekindergarten ‐ grade 3 teachers in Missouri. The purpose of the study was to (a) determine the most common motivational practices and classroom management strategies being used by prekindergarten ‐ grade 3 teachers; (b) determine the range of costs of rewards given to children and the source of these funds; (c) determine administrative and parental support; and (d) determine what influenced the teachers’ choices of behavior management strategies. Results of the study indicated that a significant majority of the respondents chose good instructional practices of the teacher as having the most positive influence on child behavior. However, most of the teachers responding continued to use extrinsic rewards and punishment to achieve acceptable behavior management and student motivatio...
Asthma in Head Start children: effects of the Breathmobile program and family communication on asthma outcomes.

Background Asthma morbidity and mortality rates are high among young inner-city children. Lack of routine primary care provider visits, poor access to care, and poor patient-physician communication might be contributing factors. Objective This study evaluated the effects of providing Breathmobile services only, a Facilitated Asthma Communication Intervention (FACI) only, or both Breathmobile plus FACI on asthma outcomes relative to standard care. Methods Children with asthma (n = 322; mean age, 4 years; 53% male; 97% African American) were recruited from Head Start programs in Baltimore City and randomized into 4 groups. Outcome measures included symptom-free days (SFDs), urgent care use (emergency department visits and hospitalizations), and medication use (courses of oral steroids and proportion taking an asthma controller medication), as reported by caregivers at baseline, 6-month, and 12-month assessments. Generalized estimating equations models were conducted to examine the differential treatment effects of the Breathmobile and FACI compared with standard care. Results Children in the combined treatment group (Breathmobile plus FACI) had an increase of 1.7 (6.6%) SFDs that was not maintained at 12 months. In intent-to-treat analyses the FACI-only group had an increase in the number of emergency department visits at 6 months, which was not present at 12 months or in the post hoc as-treated analyses. No significant differences were found between the intervention groups compared with those receiving standard care on all other outcome measures. Conclusions Other than a slight improvement in SFDs at 6 months in the Breathmobile plus FACI group, the intervention components did not result in any significant improvements in asthma management or asthma morbidity.
Frozen Shoulder: Diagnosis and Management

“Frozen shoulder” comprises a group of conditions caused by different processes. Effective treatment depends on recognition of the underlying pathologic disorder in each individual case. Idiopathic adhesive capsulitis usually responds to nonoperative therapy or closed manipulation, but shoulder stiffness due to trauma or surgery may necessitate either an arthroscopic or an open-release procedure. Both of these technically demanding techniques are effective in restoring motion in cases of frozen shoulder refractory to nonoperative treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 1997;5:130-140
“Leap into the Boundless …”: Teacher Freedom and Philosophies of Teaching

The purpose of this paper is to consider whether any single philosophy of teaching can provide teachers with the freedom necessary to meet the needs of the diverse range of students they face in classrooms and move those students toward flexibility, creativity, and freedom. Using the writings of Chuang Tzu, a Taoist philosopher from the fourth century BCE, I discuss the three most central factors he considered to be limitations to true understanding and impediments to complete freedom (conceptualization, attachment, and language), and I consider how these factors apply to educational philosophies, particularly whole language and eclecticism. The paper closes by considering how Chuang Tzu understood “effective” actions and “true freedom” and the implications of these understandings for teachers.
Treatment of Secondary Osteonecrosis of the Knee With Local Debridement and Osteoprogenitor Cell Grafting

Secondary osteonecrosis of the knee (SOK) affects young individuals with chronic diseases and corticosteroid use. We report a series of young patients in whom the osteonecrotic lesion was openly debrided, and concentrated bone marrow osteoprogenitor cells (OPCs) harvested from the iliac crest were placed in the defect. Twelve patients (fourteen knees) have undergone debridement and grafting of distal femoral osteonecrotic lesions. Age at surgery averaged 23 years. Follow-up averaged 5 years. None of the patients have undergone further surgery, or were taking medications for ipsilateral knee pain. Knee Society Score and Knee Function Score averaged 87 and 85 respectively. The technique of open debridement and osteoprogenitor cell grafting for SOK is relatively simple, efficacious, has low morbidity, and does not preclude future interventions.
Caretaker-Machine Collaborative Manipulation With an Advanced Hydraulically Actuated Patient Transfer Assist Device

A significant market need has been identified for an improved assist device for transferring mobility limited patients, particularly those who are heavier or bariatric. This paper discusses our needs assessment for a new patient transfer assist device (PTAD), an initial design for a multiple degree of freedom hydraulically actuated device, and possible solutions for the caretaker interface design. The relevant patient population includes those with spinal cord injuries, neuromuscular disorders, and the elderly; most patients are wheelchair users and unable to perform independent transfers. The caretaker interface design for the PTAD presents a unique challenge in terms of human-machine collaborative manipulation, as well as control of a powerful and intrinsically stiff machine in a delicate environment with both the caretaker and patient in the workspace. This paper presents a needs assessment to determine the specific problems with the antiquated current market patient lifts, as well as user input on proposed improvements. It also presents the design of a functional first prototype PTAD, a mechanical simulation, preliminary simulation results on an impedance control approach, and next steps toward design and implementation of a caretaker- and patient-friendly operator interface and control system.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
NEST BUILDING OF TRYPOXYLON POLITIFORME ROH

On Tuesday morning, July 17, 1933 I noticed a Trypoxylon politiforme Roh. starting to build its nest against the side of a vertical cement pillar in our basement, by Friday night, July 20, 1933 the first row of cells was completed. This wasp builds a mud cell about one inch long and somewhat larger in diameter than a lead pencil. It provisions this cell with paralyzed spiders, then it closes the cell leaving about one-fourth inch of the cell projecting. It then extends the cell for another inch, and fills the second compartment or cell with paralyzed spiders, closing this second cell off with another mud partition. The first row of cells were slightly more than seven inches long, and contained seven cells. The second row of cells was started on Saturday morning, July 21, these being built along the side of the first row. I noticed two wasps bringing in mud. I dropped some white Duco paint upon one of the wasps, which later I found to be a male.
A Neuroendocrine-specific Protein Localized to the Endoplasmic Reticulum by Distal Degradation

Regulated endocrine-specific protein, 18-kDa (RESP18),was previously cloned from rat neurointermediate pituitary based on its coordinate regulation with proopiomelanocortin and neuroendocrine specificity. RESP18 has no homology to any known protein. Although RESP18 is translocated across microsomal membranes after in vitro translation, AtT-20 pituitary tumor cells, which endogenously synthesize RESP18, do not release it into the culture medium. In this work, immunostaining and subcellular fractionation have identified RESP18 as an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein. Biosynthetic labeling and temperature block studies of AtT-20 cells demonstrated the localization of RESP18 to the ER lumen by a unique mechanism, degradation by proteolysis in a post-ER pre-Golgi compartment. Proteases in this compartment were saturated by exogenous RESP18 overexpression in AtT-20 cells. Furthermore, a calpain protease inhibitor enhanced secretion of RESP18 from AtT-20 cells overexpressing RESP18. Saturation and inhibition of the RESP18 degrading proteases allowed RESP18 to enter secretory granules and acquire a post-translational modification, likely O-glycosylation; this modified 21-kDa RESP18 isoform was the only RESP18 secreted. Rat anterior pituitary extracts contain 18-kDa and O-glycosylated RESP18 with similar properties. Exogenous RESP18 expression in hEK-293 cells demonstrated ER localization and RESP18 metabolism similar to AtT-20 cells, indicating that the cellular machinery involved in localizing RESP18 is not specific to neuroendocrine cells. The data implicate a novel ER localization mechanism for this neuroendocrine-specific luminal ER resident.
Uplink channel capacity of space-division-multiple-access schemes

The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and signal bandwidth have been viewed as the dominant factors determining the channel capacity. In wireless communications, the channel capacity can be increased for a given SNR and a given spectral region, by exploiting the spatial diversity provided by the use of multiple antennas and transceivers at a base station. We calculate the channel capacity enhancement of a so-called space-division-multiple-access (SDMA) system and investigate its dependence with respect to different decoding schemes, terminal positions, and receiver numbers. Inner and outer capacity boundaries for joint decoding and independent decoding are presented, along with physical explanations as to how these boundaries can be achieved. We show that exploitation of the spatial diversity not only increases the overall achievable rates of both joint and independent decoding, but also closes the gap between their corresponding capacity regions, thus bringing the performance of the low-cost independent decoding scheme close to that of the optimal joint decoding. Practical issues of optimum projection and power control are also addressed.
Differential downregulation of beta 2-adrenergic receptors in tissue compartments of rat heart is not altered by sympathetic denervation.

With agonist stimulation, cardiac beta 2-adrenergic receptors (beta 2ARs) are downregulated to a much greater extent than are beta 1ARs. It has been hypothesized that this effect is due to sympathetic innervation inhibiting the downregulation of beta 1ARs. To test this hypothesis, the technique of coverslip autoradiography was used to localize and quantify beta 1AR and beta 2AR subtypes in tissue compartments of the heart in rats subjected to sympathetic denervation by two intravenous injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (50 mg/kg per dose). After denervation, the rats were infused with L-isoproterenol (400 micrograms.kg-1 x h-1 for 7 days) or vehicle (0.001N HCI) by implantation of osmotic minipumps. Sections were incubated with 70 pmol/L of the beta AR antagonist [125I]iodocyanopindolol (ICYP) alone or in the presence of 5 mumol/L DL-propranolol or 5 x 10(-7) mol/L CGP 20712A (a beta 1AR antagonist). Binding of ICYP to sections of rat hearts was saturable and stereoselective and was displaced by beta AR agonists with the rank order of potency expected for beta ARs. There was an 89% reduction in catecholamine concentration in rat ventricles after 1 week of 6-hydroxydopamine treatment, before implantation of the minipumps. Chronic infusion of isoproterenol induced significant downregulation (63% to 74%) of beta 2ARs in atrial and ventricular myocytes, coronary arterioles, and connective tissue but no change in beta 1ARs in these regions in rats with intact sympathetic innervation. Similar changes were seen in denervated animals. There was a marked reduction in beta 2ARs but small insignificant decreases in beta 1ARs, despite the fact that in the denervated animals there was upregulation of beta 1ARs in atrial and ventricular myocytes (approximately 25%). Our study suggests that beta 1ARs in the heart are not significantly downregulated by chronic agonist exposure and that this is unrelated to sympathetic innervation. The underlying mechanism of preferential regulation of beta AR subtypes remains to be elucidated but may be related to differences in the molecular structure between beta 1ARs and beta 2ARs.
The entropy of traces in parallel computation

The following problem arises in the context of parallel computation: how many bits of information are required to specify any one element from an arbitrary (non-empty) k-subset of a set? We characterize optimal coding techniques for this problem. We calculate the asymptotic behavior of the amount of information necessary, and construct an algorithm that specifies an element from a subset in an optimal manner.
Iterative control of dynamics-coupling effects in piezo-based nano-positioners for high-speed AFM

This article addresses the compensation of dynamics-coupling effects in piezo-actuators used for positioning in atomic force microscopes (AFMs). Piezo-actuators are used to position (or scan) the AFM probe (relative to the sample) both parallel to the sample surface (x-y-axes) and perpendicular to the sample surface (z-axis). During AFM operation, such as nanofabrication and imaging of soft biological samples, the probe-sample distance (in the z-axis) needs to be precisely controlled to maintain the probe-sample interaction at a desired value; otherwise, large variation of the probe-sample distance can result in distortions of the fabricated parts (in nanofabrication) and can cause sample damage (when imaging soft biological samples). In this article, we show that dynamics-coupling from the scan axes (x-y-axes) to the perpendicular z-axis can generate significant variations in the probe-sample distance during high-speed AFM operation, i.e., when the sample is scanned at high speed. We use an inversion-based iterative control approach to compensate for these dynamics-coupling effects. Convergence of the iterative approach is investigated and experimental results show that the coupling-caused errors can be reduced to the noise level using the proposed approach. Thus, the main contribution of this article is the development of an approach to substantially reduce the coupling-caused positioning errors and thereby, to enable high-speed AFM operation.
Day-night difference in the preferred ambient temperature of human subjects

To investigate the existence of a day-night difference in thermal preference, 32 college students (16 male, 16 female) were asked to indicate a threshold of discomfort in a climate-controlled environment. The experiment was performed at two distinct times of day that corresponded to the peaks and troughs of the subject's circadian rhythm of body temperature. Males, but not females, felt comfortable at a higher ambient temperature during the trough than during the peak of the body temperature rhythm. These data support the hypothesis (derived from animal studies) that behavioral thermoregulation opposes the circadian rhythm of body temperature.
Extremum Seeking Based on Atmospheric Turbulence for Aircraft Endurance

DOI: 10.2514/1.53825 Traditional extremum seeking depends on adding a perturbation to the control input, but it is untenable to continuously perturb the throttle in a controller meant to minimize fuel consumption. Inspired by a recent application of extremum seeking to a fusion reactor where internal nonperiodic perturbations were employed in the seeking process, a novel variant of extremum seeking is proposed that uses naturally occurring stochastic disturbances in lieu of the traditionally added perturbation signal. Relying on airspeed perturbations from atmospheric turbulence to reveal the local slope of the drag curve, the scheme induces a gradient descent to the minimum drag speed. Using stochastic averaging, it is proven analytically that the extremum-seeking controller stabilizesairspeedtotheminimumdragspeed,withanaverageoffsetproportionaltothethirdderivativeofthedrag curve and the variance of the airspeed. Brief simulation results illustrate the performance of the algorithm.
Contrast-enhanced peripheral magnetic resonance angiography using time-resolved vastly undersampled isotropic projection reconstruction.

Purpose To investigate the application of time-resolved vastly undersampled isotropic projection reconstruction (VIPR) in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the distal extremity (single station), and peripheral run-off vasculature in the abdomen, thigh, and calf (three stations). Materials and Methods Time-resolved distal extremity imaging was performed using VIPR sequence through the comparison of two acquisition matrix sizes: 256 with TR/TE = 3.7/1.4 msec and 320 with TR/TE = 4.5/1.8 msec under the same scan time of two minutes. VIPR acquisition was combined with a bolus-chase technique to image the peripheral run-off vasculature. The time-resolved images were reconstructed using a revised sliding window reconstruction filter whose temporal aperture remained narrow for low spatial frequencies and increased quadratically to include all the projection data for high spatial frequencies. Results The new temporal filter significantly suppressed the undersampling streak artifacts and venous contamination, while maintaining a high temporal resolution. Both high spatial resolution (ranging from 1.56 × 1.56 × 1.56 mm to 1.25 × 1.25 × 1.25 mm) and high temporal resolution (three seconds per frame) distal extremity images and peripheral run-off images were generated using time-resolved VIPR acquisition, which provides isotropic spatial resolution and isotropic coverage. Conclusion Time-resolved VIPR acquisition was demonstrated to be well suited for distal extremity imaging by providing isotropic spatial resolution, isotropic coverage, and high temporal resolution. The combination of time-resolved VIPR and bolus chase technique provided a novel approach for peripheral run-off examinations. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:894–900. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Early Infant Social Interaction with Parents and Strangers

Abstract This paper extends the observations of early mother-infant face-to-face interaction to situations in which infants 1 to 6 months of age interact with fathers and strangers. Videotaped records of these laboratory interactions were scored second by second. We saw differences in the behavior of both infants and adults in these interactions. Even infants less than 2 months of age behaved distinctively with the different adults in these settings. Infants showed more positive affective displays with both parents than with strangers. The implications of these findings for the theoretical understanding of the infant's affective development as well as for public health concerns are discussed.
Natriuresis in conscious dogs during arginine vasopressin infusion and after oxytocin injection.

SummaryLow doses of arginine vasopressin cause natriuresis in conscious dogs only if administered during water diuresis. If vasopressin is infused there is an initial natriuresis which rapidly subsides, although antidiuresis persists for the duration of the infusion. Oxytocin, in low doses, produces natriuresis only at low urine flows produced by withholding water or by infusing vasopressin. Antidiuresis appears to be a prerequisite for the natriuretic response to oxytocin.
How embryos work: a comparative view of diverse modes of cell fate specification

Embryonic processes in the nematode C. elegans, the gastropod mollusc Ilyanassa, the dipteran Drosophila, the echinoid Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, the ascidian Ciona, the anuran Xenopus, the teleost Brachydanio and mouse are compared with respect to a series of parameters such as invariant or variable cleavage, the means by which the embryonic axes are set up, egg anisotropies and reliance on conditional or on autonomous specification processes. A molecular interpretation of these modes of specification of cell fate in the embryo is proposed, in terms of spatial modifications of gene regulatory factors. On this basis, classically defined phenomena such as regulative development and cytoplasmic localization can be interpreted at a mechanistic level, and the enormous differences between different forms of embryogenesis in the Animal Kingdom can be considered within a common mechanistic framework. Differential spatial expression of histospecific genes is considered in terms of the structure of the gene regulatory network that will be required in embryos that utilize cell-cell interaction, autonomous vs conditional specification and maternal spatial information to differing extents. It is concluded that the regulatory architectures according to which the programs of gene expression are organized are special to each form of development, and that common regulatory principles are to be found only at lower levels, such as those at which the control regions of histospecific structural genes operate.
Structural basis for the evolutionary inactivation of Ca2+ binding to synaptotagmin 4

The neuronal protein synaptotagmin 1 functions as a Ca(2+) sensor in exocytosis via two Ca(2+)-binding C(2) domains. The very similar synaptotagmin 4, which includes all the predicted Ca(2+)-binding residues in the C(2)B domain but not in the C(2)A domain, is also thought to function as a neuronal Ca(2+) sensor. Here we show that, unexpectedly, both C(2) domains of fly synaptotagmin 4 exhibit Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipid binding, whereas neither C(2) domain of rat synaptotagmin 4 binds Ca(2+) or phospholipids efficiently. Crystallography reveals that changes in the orientations of critical Ca(2+) ligands, and perhaps their flexibility, render the rat synaptotagmin 4 C(2)B domain unable to form full Ca(2+)-binding sites. These results indicate that synaptotagmin 4 is a Ca(2+) sensor in the fly but not in the rat, that the Ca(2+)-binding properties of C(2) domains cannot be reliably predicted from sequence analyses, and that proteins clearly identified as orthologs may nevertheless have markedly different functional properties.
Ethnic Conflict’s Dilemmas and Paradoxes

bonds in the aftermath of war. Oberschall explores these topics through a "conciliation and conflict dynamics" (CCD) framework. Developed by Oberschall to analyze both the moments of violence between ethnic communities and the periods of peace that come between them, the framework is intended "to explain how a conflict moves back and forth over various stages to an eventual outcome, with a changing cast of players, issues, and strategies. CCD is less than a fully articulated theory of ethnic conflict yet more than an elaborate descriptive account with ex post plausible explanations" (p. 34). The conciliation and conflict dynamics framework seeks to explain conflict processes and their resolution by identifying dilemmas and paradoxes that define different stages of a confrontation between ethnic communities. Oberschall's consideration of "issue accumulation" is representative of the types of dilemmas that he identifies within the framework. In this instance, he argues that, even if ethnic conflicts develop over a single core issue, once hostilities have begun, the range of issues dividing the communities grows exponentially. Among the derivative issues that further separate groups and erode trust are disagreements over the responsibility for war crimes and over the necessity of reforming government institutions such as the police and the military. Similarly, in Oberschall's discussion of efforts at conflict resolution following ethnic violence, he describes the "paradox of peace making." Oberschall notes that efforts to reach a peace settlement between ethnic groups are typically complicated by disagreements among extremists and moderates within each ethnic community about the appropriateness of concessions specified in an agreement. The unexpected result is that schisms within the parties to the conflict have the potential to dominate or even derail the peace process. The series of dilemmas and paradoxes that Oberschall develops within the conciliation and conflict dynamics approach focuses the theoretical discussion and provides a framework for the case studies. Oberschall includes separate chapters examining ethnic conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, Israel, and Northern Ireland. As he notes, each of these conflicts centers on the issue of "stateness," in which a significant portion of the population questions the legitimacy of the government currently controlling the territory. Even though the history of these three disputes will already be familiar to most readers concerned with the subject of ethnic conflict, the application of the conciliation and conflict
Coalescence and break-up of nearly inviscid conical droplets

In the presence of electric fields, pairs of liquid drops can be rapidly drawn together such that, at contact, the deformed interface resembles a double-cone. Following contact, these drop pairs are observed to either coalesce or recoil. Experimental and theoretical results suggest that the transition between coalescence and recoil is due to the conical drop topology rather than charge effects. However, even with this assumption, existing models disagree on how the transition develops, leading to different predictions of the critical cone angle and bridge morphology. Here we use high-resolution numerical simulations to highlight the impact of the initial double-cone angle on drop coalescence and reconcile the differences in the previous models. The results demonstrate a self-similar behaviour at intermediate scales for both coalescence and recoil that is independent of the other length scales in the problem. We calculate a critical polar angle of rad ( ), or a complementary angle of . This calculated critical angle for morphological transition is in agreement with previous experimental observations of .
Environmentally-conscious disk drives

Technology advancements have resulted in a number of environmentally measurable improvements in IBM disk drives. Large gains in such areas as power consumption, heat generation, and floor space per gigabyte have made them one of the great bargains of the computer world. In addition, eliminating hazardous chemicals in processing, using aqueous cleaning and incorporating modular designs come as a result of environmental and life-cycle considerations. Setting up an environmentally-conscious product (ECP) team on their plantsite has allowed them to bring these concepts to product design, product development and manufacturing groups. An environmental specification for materials has been written detailing what chemicals and materials to avoid in processes and products. This paper illustrates how the IBM plant in San Jose, USA has used environmental concepts in improving disk drive products and manufacturing processes. >
The ubiquitin landscape at DNA double-strand breaks

The intimate relationship between DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and cancer susceptibility has sparked profound interest in how transactions on DNA and chromatin surrounding DNA damage influence genome integrity. Recent evidence implicates a substantial commitment of the cellular DNA damage response machinery to the synthesis, recognition, and hydrolysis of ubiquitin chains at DNA damage sites. In this review, we propose that, in order to accommodate parallel processes involved in DSB repair and checkpoint signaling, DSB-associated ubiquitin structures must be nonuniform, using different linkages for distinct functional outputs. We highlight recent advances in the study of nondegradative ubiquitin signaling at DSBs, and discuss how recognition of different ubiquitin structures may influence DNA damage responses.