cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 23 Ecology of Lytechinus

Publisher Summary Lytechinus species are dominant in many habitats. Lytechinus variegatus ( L. variegatus ) occurs in a great variety of habitats in shallow water, but the ecological role is primarily known for L. variegatus . In shallow water, the habitat densities of L. variegatus can vary, both seasonally and annually, and densities are generally less than 15 individuals per square meter. In some areas, populations may display a highly patchy spatial distribution. The absence of L. variegatus in an appropriate habitat may be the result of episodic biotic or abiotic factors, particularly in nearshore populations, such as in a bay or lagoon. As a ruderal genus, L. variegatus exhibits characteristics of a ruderal species: rapid growth, early reproductive maturity, and short longevity. Temperature is the most important factor influencing the distribution and abundance of L. variegatus , both latitudinally and locally. Omnivory is the most common strategy used by L. variegatus . The reproductive cycle of L. variegatus varies widely, depending on the location and, most likely, environmental conditions. The primary predators of L. variegatus are fish and several macroinvertebrates.
Activity of Different Classes of Neurons of the Motor Cortex during Postural Corrections

The dorsal side-up body orientation in quadrupeds is maintained by a postural system that is driven by sensory feedback signals. The spinal cord, brainstem, and cerebellum play essential roles in postural control, whereas the role of the forebrain is unclear. In the present study we investigated whether the motor cortex is involved in maintenance of the dorsal side-up body orientation. We recorded activity of neurons in the motor cortex in awake rabbits while animals maintained balance on a platform periodically tilting in the frontal plane. The tilts evoked postural corrections, i.e., extension of the limbs on the side moving down and flexion on the opposite side. Because of these limb movements, rabbits maintained body orientation close to the dorsal side up. Four classes of efferent neurons were studied: descending corticofugal neurons of layer V (CF5s), those of layer VI (CF6s), corticocortical neurons with ipsilateral projection (CCIs), and those with contralateral projection (CCCs). One class of inhibitory interneurons [suspected inhibitory neurons (SINs)] was also investigated. CF5 neurons and SINs were strongly active during postural corrections. In most of these neurons, a clear-cut modulation of discharge in the rhythm of tilting was observed. This finding suggests that the motor cortex is involved in postural control. In contrast to CF5 neurons, other classes of efferent neurons (CCI, CCC, CF6) were much less active during postural corrections. This suggests that corticocortical interactions, both within a hemisphere (mediated by CCIs) and between hemispheres (mediated by CCCs), as well as corticothalamic interactions via CF6 neurons are not essential for motor coordination during postural corrections.
Neuropsychiatric aspects of schizophrenia

Cognitive and affective deficits are prominent clinical features of schizophrenia that impact functioning and are a challenge to effective treatment. The integration of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with cognitive and affective neuroscience paradigms enables examination of the brain systems underlying domain-specific behavioral deficits manifested in schizophrenia. There has been a marked increase in the number of studies that apply fMRI in neurobiological studies of schizophrenia. This article highlights phenotypic features of schizophrenia that emerge from these studies and provides a neuropsychiatric perspective. Such efforts have helped elucidate potential neural substrates of deficits in cognition and affect in schizophrenia by providing measures of activation to neurobehavioral probes and connectivity among brain regions. Studies have demonstrated abnormalities at early stages of sensory processing that may influence downstream abnormalities in more complex evaluative functioning. The methodology can help bridge integration with neuropharmacologic, genomic, and neurorehabilitation investigations.
Reliable Software Systems Design: Defect Prevention, Detection, and Containment

The grand challenge that is the focus of this conference targets the development of a practical methodology for software verification: a methodology that can help us to reduce the number of residual defects in software products. Reducing residual defects is of course not in itself the objective of this exercise; the true objective is to reduce the number of failuresin the use of software products. Or in other words: the objective is the development of a methodology for "reliable software systems design."
Benzo[a]pyrene Uptake by Bacteria and Yeast

Moore, B. G. (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn.), and Arthur P. Harrison, Jr. Benzo[ a ]pyrene uptake by bacteria and yeast. J. Bacteriol. 90: 989–1000. 1965.—Various Enterobacteriaceae and yeast incubated in a medium containing 25 μg/ml of H 3 -benzo[ a ]pyrene (30% serum in the medium dissolves the hydrocarbon) retain radioactivity after washings with fresh 30% serum-medium. This radioactivity is defined as bound and represents intact benzo[ a ]pyrene. Factors relating to the binding of benzo[ a ]pyrene (benzo[ a ]pyrene uptake) have been studied in detail with Escherichia coli Ma, a triple auxotroph requiring l-leucine, uracil, and thymine. In defined medium, benzo[ a ]pyrene uptake by normally growing cells is 10 −10 to 2 × 10 −10 μg per cell. Uptake is the same in suspensions lacking leucine and containing chloramphenicol where there is neither measurable protein synthesis nor cell division. Uptake is diminished, but not eliminated, by autoclaving the cells; thus, some uptake occurs in the absence of enzymatic activity. Uptake is enhanced by heat shock, thymine deprivation, uracil deprivation, and exposure to penicillin. Thus, uptake is affected by the physiological state of the cells. Either the cells play a direct (enzymatic) role in uptake, or they affect uptake indirectly by increasing or altering the benzo[ a ]pyrene-binding structure. Physical fractionation of cells demonstrates that this structure is associated with the cell wall-membrane complex. All but 1% of the bound radioactivity is extracted with ethyl alcohol-ether. This residual radioactivity is defined as fixed, and may be associated with cell protein. The extracted radioactivity is identified as benzo[ a ]pyrene. Very little hydrocarbon is metabolized. Adverse photodynamic effects, increase in mutation, and dimunition in bacteriophage replication (in whole cells) have not been observed in the benzo[ a ]pyrene cultures.
Two Remarks on Skew Tableaux

This paper contains two results on the number f σ/τ of standard skew Young tableaux of shape �/�. The first concerns generating functions for certain classes of “periodic” shapes related to work of Gessel-Viennot and Baryshnikov-Romik. The second result gives an evaluation of the skew Schur function sλ/� (x) at x = (1,1/2 2k ,1/3 2k ,...) for k = 1,2,3 in terms of f σ/τ for a certain skew shape �/� depending on �/µ.
Chapter 12 Tissue culture studies of interactions between axons and myelinating cells of the central and peripheral nervous system

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes recent tissue culture observations on neuronal influences on the proliferation and functional expression of nonneuronal cells. It emphasizes the importance of extracellular matrix production in the development of full functional expression of Schwann cells. The evidence that the axonal signal for Schwann cell proliferation involves an axonal membrane-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycan is reviewed in the chapter. It also reviews very recent evidence that direct axonal contact influences the proliferation of oligodendrocytes obtained from mature rat spinal cord. Nonneuronal cells are frequently studied in isolation in tissue culture; however, the studies described in the chapter indicate the importance of observations on cultures allowing direct interaction between neurons and nonneuronal cells. The studies of Schwann cells grown with neurons in long-term tissue culture have established that these Schwann cells synthesize and release a variety of extracellular matrix materials. These materials include types I, III, IV, and V collagen, as well as the basal lamina components, laminin, entactin, and a heparan sulfate proteoglycan.
Preferences of retail investors and institutions for corporate social performance

I examine the preference of investors for corporate social performance (CSP). The evidence suggests that retail stock investors tend to be attracted to companies that have CSP strengths in community, employee relations, corporate governance and human rights. As a group, institutions tend to express their CSP preference through negative screening. Aggregate institutional holdings are not positively associated with CSP strengths, but are negatively associated with CSP weaknesses in diversity, environment, human rights and product. The negative screens used by most types of institutions focus on diversity and human rights. The holdings of specific institutional types such as banks, investment companies and pension funds are positively correlated with various CSP strengths, while those of insurance companies and investment advisors are not.
Theory of two-photon induced fluorescence anisotropy decay in membranes

We report the first theoretical description for the time-dependent fluorescence anisotropy decay resulted from two-photon excitation (r[2](t)) for fluorophores in macroscopically isotropic and oriented membranes. In case of two-photon excitation, the initial value of the fluorescence anisotropy r[2](0) immediately after excitation by a flash of polarized light is a function of the components of the two-photon absorption transition tensor [unk]S and the projections of the emission transition moment to the principal axes of [unk]S. The components of [unk]S depend on the symmetries of all molecular states relevant to the two-photon absorption process. The maximal value of r[2](0) is proven to be as large as 0.61 in contrast to 0.4 for the conventional one-photon induced fluorescence anisotropy r[1](0). It is shown that only for some special cases the ratio of the two-photon r[2](t) over the conventional one-photon r[1](t) will be a constant at all times for fluorophores in macroscopically isotropic membrane systems. In oriented membrane systems, an additional order parameter can be determined by the use of angle-resolved fluorescence depolarization measurements resulted from two-photon excitation. The advantages of measuring time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy decays or angle-resolved fluorescence depolarization ratios by two-photon excitation for the study of orientational dynamics in isotropic or oriented membranes are discussed from the theoretical point of view.
γ ( d , n ) p reaction with polarized and unpolarized gamma rays

The asymmetry function for the ..gamma..(d,n)p reaction is calculated for the Paris and supersoft core potentials for gamma-ray energies, E/sub ..gamma../, extending from 20 to 150 MeV, at center of mass angles 45/sup 0/, 90/sup 0/, and 135/sup 0/. The relative photo-neutron yield at E/sub ..gamma../ = 20 MeV is also calculated. In addition the differential cross section, total cross section, and polarization of the outgoing protons are reported. The Paris potential gives good agreement with the experimental data for the differential and total cross sections. However, the discrepancy at 0/sup 0/ still remains. It is found that the asymmetry function can not be used to distinguish between the various nucleon-nucleon potentials.
Brachypterizing effect of group rearing, juvenile hormone III and methoprene in the wing-dimorphic cricket, Gryllus rubens

Abstract The effects of group rearing, topical application of juvenile hormone III, and topical application of methoprene on winglength development were studied in the wing-dimorphic cricket, Gryllus rubens. Group rearing had a strong brachypterizing effect on both an outbred polymorphic stock recently initiated from field-collected crickets and on a laboratory stock nearly pure-breeding for long wings. Transfer experiments demonstrated that group versus individual rearing during at least the first third of nymphal life exerts virtually no influence on the development of long versus short wings. Development could be redirected from long wings to short wings by transferring crickets from individual to group rearing as late as the last stadium. Topical application of juvenile hormone III during both the penultimate and last stadia and methoprene during the penultimate stadium also redirected development from long to short wings. Methoprene applied during the last stadium produced juvenile-adult intermediates. Both the brachypterizing and juvenilizing effect of methoprene occurred at a concentration one to two orders of magnitude lower than the lowest brachypterizing concentration of juvenile hormone. The results suggest that juvenile hormone is a morph-regulating hormone in G. rubens and provide the foundation for future physiological studies of sensitive periods in winglength development.
‘Single addition’ and ‘transnucleotidation’ reactions catalyzed by polynucleotide phosphorylase. Effect of enzymatic removal of inorganic phosphate during reaction

The reaction of the tetranucleotide, pA-A(2)-A, with 2'(3')-0-(alpha-methoxyethyl)uridine 5'-diphosphate, Mg(2+) ions, and M. luteus polynucleotide phosphorylase followed by mild acid treatment to remove the blocking groups results in a 49% yield of the desired single addition product, pA-A(3)-U, together with smaller amounts of pA-A-U, pA-A-A, pA-A(2)-U, pA-A(2)-A, pA-A(3)-A, pA-A(4)-U, and pA-A(4)-A. The side products are thought to arise from the phosphorolysis of the acceptor molecule by the inorganic phosphate formed in the reaction mixture and from subsequent additions to the various oligonucleotide species by the resulting adenosine 5'-diphosphate. A system developed for the removal of inorganic phosphate as it is formed in the synthesis involves the addition to the reaction mixture of calf spleen nucleoside phosphorylase and nicotinamide riboside and, under these conditions, pA-A(3)-U can be prepared in 90% yield with essentially no side products. Under similar conditions, pA-A(3)-A, pA-A(3)-G, and pA-A(3)-C may be prepared from pA-A(2)-A and the appropriate blocked nucleoside diphosphate in yields of 85-94%. The incubation of pA-A(2)-A alone with polynucleotide phosphorylase exhibits the phenomenon of "transnucleotidation" in that the molecule is partially converted to oligonucleotides of smaller and larger chain lengths. In the presence of the phosphate removal system, however, the tetranucleotide is not attacked by the enzyme, and thus, "transnucleotidation" appears to be simply a combination of phosphorolytic and addition reactions catalyzed by trace amounts of inorganic phosphate contaminating the enzyme and/or the substrate.
Sequential importance sampling for nonparametric Bayes models: The next generation

There are two generations of Gibbs sampling methods for semiparametric models involving the Dirichlet process. The first generation suffered from a severe drawback: the locations of the clusters, or groups of parameters, could essentially become fixed, moving only rarely. Two strategies that have been proposed to create the second generation of Gibbs samplers are integration and appending a second stage to the Gibbs sampler wherein the cluster locations are moved. We show that these same strategies are easily implemented for the sequential importance sampler, and that the first strategy dramatically improves results. As in the case of Gibbs sampling, these strategies are applicable to a much wider class of models. They are shown to provide more uniform importance sampling weights and lead to additional Rao-Blackwellization of estimators. Deux generations d'echantillonneurs de Gibbs ont ete popularisees pour les modeles semi-parametriques ou intervient le processus de Dirichlet. La premiere generation etait lourdement handicapee du fait que la localisation des grappes, ou groupes de parametres, pouvait devenir quasi-stationnaire. La deuxieme generation d'echantillonneurs a comble cette lacune en incorporant deux strategies: I'integration et I'ajout d'une eeape de relocalisation des grappes. Les auteurs montrent ici que ces strategies sont egalement applicables a la methode d'echantillonnage sequentiel pondere et que I'integration est particulierement efficace dans ce contexte. Comme dans le cas de l'echantillonnage de Gibbs, les deux strategies s'appliquent en fait a une classe beaucoup plus grande de modeles. Comme les auteurs le font valoir, elles produisent des poids d'echantillonnage plus uniformes et permettent une Rao-Blackwellisation additionnelle des estimateurs.
Structure-function correlations in cryopreserved allograft cardiac valves

This communication briefly summarizes a morphologic investigation of explanted cryopreserved heart valves and discusses the findings in the context of ongoing debates regarding modes of failure, cellular viability, durability of the extracellular matrix, and the contribution of immune responses. We studied 20 cryopreserved human heart valve allografts functioning up to 9 years as either orthotopic aortic valves/root replacements or right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduits explanted for valve failure, infection, or growth-related conduit or valve stenosis. Implanted valves had progressively severe loss of normal layered structure and were devoid of stainable deep connective tissue cells. Inflammation was minimal. Other late findings included minimal inflammation, mild cuspal hematomas, mural thrombus, and calcification, most prominent in the aortic wall. Transmission electron microscopy of late expiants revealed nonviable cells and their debris, and a collagenous skeleton that was largely intact. We conclude that cryopreserved allograft heart valves have minimal, if any, viable cells, but largely retain the original collagen network; preservation of the autolysis-resistant collagenous skeleton likely provides the structural basis of function. Our results also suggest that immune responsiveness has little, if any, impact on late allograft function or degradation.
Spreadsheet or database: Which makes more sense?

Spreadsheets and database management systems are two tools for record keeping and data analysis, spreadsheets being by far the more popular of the two. Originally quite distinct in concept and design, they have been adopting functionality and ease-of-use features from each other in recent years. This article explores situations in which one might encounter difficulties using a spreadsheet and discusses how one might overcome them, either by using a database or by taking advantage of the database-like features in modern spreadsheets.
Effects of native language and training on lexical tone perception: an event-related potential study.

Abstract Tone languages such as Thai use pitch differences to distinguish lexical meaning. Previous behavioral studies have reported that naive listeners can discriminate among lexical tones, but that native language background affects performance. The present study uses ERPs to determine whether native speakers of a tone language (Mandarin Chinese) and of a non-tone language (English) differ in their pre-attentive discrimination among Thai lexical tones, and whether training has a different effect in these two language groups. EEGs were obtained from 10 native Mandarin Chinese speakers, 10 English and 10 Thai speakers in an oddball paradigm: The Thai syllable [kha:] pronounced with a high rising or low falling tone, was presented as an infrequent deviant amidst a standard mid level tone [kha:] syllable, while participants watched a silent movie. Next, the Chinese and English participants completed a 2-day perceptual identification training on the mid level and low falling tones, and returned for a post training EEG. The low falling tone deviant elicited a Mismatch Negativity (MMN) in all participant groups before and after training; the high rising deviant elicited no, or a smaller, MMN, which became larger after training only in the English group. The high rising deviant also elicited a later negativity (350–650 ms) versus the mid level standard, which decreased after training in the Chinese group. These results suggest that non-Thai speakers can pre-attentively discriminate among Thai tones, but are sensitive to different physical properties of the tones, depending on their native language. English speakers are more sensitive to early pitch differences, whereas native speakers of Mandarin Chinese are more sensitive to the (later) pitch contour.
Cryoprecipitated antihemophilic factor production from blood collected in quad packs or from blood with delayed processing. The importance of plasma thawing method

Two alternate approaches to increasing the supply of plasma suitable for the production of cryoprecipitated AHF (cryo) were evaluated. In the first, cryo was prepared from blood collected in quadruple packs from which red cells and platelets also were made. This procedure resulted in a mean reduction of starting plasma volume of about 25 percent with a concomitant decrease in factor VIII coagulant activity (FVIII:C) of cryo when compared to approximately 2000 cryos made in triple packs assayed in our laboratory during the past year. However, American Red Cross (ARC) regions using a higher yield waterbath method of thawing plasma successfully produced quadruple pack cryos with a mean potency of 109 international units per container and about 90 percent of them met federal potency requirements. This was not the case for ARC regions using the lower yield method of thawing plasma in a refrigerator. The second approach involved cryo production from plasma frozen following 15 hours of cold storage of either the separated plasma or whole blood. Cold storage of plasma resulted in small but insignificant decreases in FVIII:C potency and yield in the cryo. However, there was a 20 percent decrease in FVIII:C yield in cryo produced from frozen plasma following 15 hours of cold storage of whole blood. Again, the decrease in FVIII:C yield resulting from interim blood storage was compensated for by the use of the higher yield waterbath method.
Tree inference with factors selectively influencing processes in a processing tree

Abstract We show how to systematically construct a processing tree using data from an experiment in which two experimental factors are intended to selectively influence two different processes. Only two arrangements are possible for the two selectively influenced processes: ordered and unordered. We show that there are only two standard trees that need be considered, one for each arrangement. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for each tree to be applicable. If the conditions do not hold, no tree is possible. If the selectively influenced processes are ordered, their order is sometimes determined by the data. We consider two factors that selectively influence two processes in every tree in a set of trees, such that on a given trial, a tree is selected from the set at random. We show that if the influenced processes are ordered in every tree or unordered in every tree, then the mixture of trees is equivalent to one of the two standard trees. To illustrate the method, a tree is constructed from simulated data from a model of Batchelder and Riefer [Batchelder, W.H., Riefer, D.M. (1980). Separation of storage and retrieval factors in free recall of clusterable pairs. Psychological Review, 87 , 375–397].
Urea pellets coated with starch that contains entrapped herbicides

Abstract Urea pellets were combined with herbicides entrapped in starch to reduce herbicide volatility and to increase safety of handling. One method involved coating the pellets with a dispersion of herbicide in gelatinized starch to render the herbicide immediately available upon dissolution of urea. In another, a solution of polystyrene containing suspended encapsulated herbicide was used. This mixture was applied to urea pellets to provide a product with rate of release of herbicide proportional to the square root of time.
Relationship between substrate bias and microstructure in magnetron-sputtered AlCu films

Abstract The relationship between substrate bias and microstructure in 0.6 microm thick AlCu films deposited from a target containing Al−4wt.%Cu (Al−1.7at.%Cu) by magnetron sputtering has been studied. In-depth copper distributions in films deposited at 0, −100 and −200V r.f. were profiled by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), and corresponding microstructures were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The copper distribution in the grounded film shows a 1.9at.% plateau region near the film-substrate interface. By contrast, the copper distribution in the biased film shows a peak at the interface, with the copper concentration increasing with bias. In the grounded film, θ-Al 2 Cu precipitates approximately 0.2 microm in diameter, identified by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and selected area diffraction, are located at grain boundaries, whereas smaller θ precipitates are distributed within grains. In biased films, θ precipitates approximately 0.06 microm in diameter are located on the interface. At higher bias level, the number of precipitates increases, whereas the width of columnar grains decreases. The existence of interfacial θ precipitates in biased films provides the microstructural evidence for copper segregation at the interface as determined by RBS, and this may lead to serious problems in reactive ion etching. The formation of interfacial θ precipitates is caused by the effects of ion bombardment and rising temperature induced by substrate bias as sputtering proceeds. All films exhibit a predominant texture with {111} crystallographic planes parallel to the interface.
DNA methylation and expression of KCNQ3 in bipolar disorder

Objectives Accumulating evidence implicates the potassium voltage-gated channel, KQT-like subfamily, member 2 and 3 (KCNQ2 and KCNQ3) genes in the etiology of bipolar disorder (BPD). Reduced KCNQ2 or KCNQ3 gene expression might lead to a loss of inhibitory M-current and an increase in neuronal hyperexcitability in disease. The goal of the present study was to evaluate epigenetic and gene expression associations of the KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 genes with BPD. Methods DNA methylation and gene expression levels of alternative transcripts of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 capable of binding the ankyrin G (ANK3) gene were evaluated using bisulfite pyrosequencing and the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in the postmortem prefrontal cortex of subjects with BPD and matched controls from the McLean Hospital. Replication analyses of DNA methylation findings were performed using prefrontal cortical DNA obtained from the Stanley Medical Research Institute. Results Significantly lower expression was observed in KCNQ3, but not KCNQ2. DNA methylation analysis of CpGs within an alternative exonic region of KCNQ3 exon 11 demonstrated significantly lower methylation in BPD, and correlated significantly with KCNQ3 mRNA levels. Lower KCNQ3 exon 11 DNA methylation was observed in the Stanley Medical Research Institute replication cohort, although only after correcting for mood stabilizer status. Mood stabilizer treatment in rats resulted in a slight DNA methylation increase at the syntenic KCNQ3 exon 11 region, which subsequent analyses suggested could be the result of alterations in neuronal proportion. Conclusion The results of the present study suggest that epigenetic alterations in the KCNQ3 gene may be important in the etiopathogenesis of BPD and highlight the importance of controlling for medication and cellular composition-induced heterogeneity in psychiatric studies of the brain.
Alternative splicing of papilin and the diversity of Drosophila extracellular matrix during embryonic morphogenesis.

Papilins are extracellular matrix proteins that share a particular, common order of types of protein domains. They occur widely, from nematodes to man, and can differ in the number of repeats of a given type of domain. Protein variety is increased by differential splicing of pre-mRNA. We report that Drosophila, which has a compact genome, expresses three splice variants of papilin during embryogenesis in developmentally defined patterns. These isoforms have different numbers of Kunitz and IgC2 domains. The papilin isoforms are expressed in specific cell types and contribute to different extracellular matrices in gastrulation folds, early mesoderm, heart formation, basement membranes, and elaboration of the excorporeal peritrophic membrane that lines the gut. This finding indicates an unexpectedly broad spectrum of different pericellular matrices in Drosophila embryos. Such papilin-containing matrices have developmental as well as functional significance, as we previously showed that both suppression of papilin synthesis and ectopic overexpression lethally disrupt organogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 226:634–642, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effect of surface treatments on the chemical durability and surface composition of soda-lime glass bottles

Chemical analyses show that water and 1% KHCO3 solutions extract material that resembles the bulk glass composition for both untreated and treated soda-lime bottles although much less material is extracted from treated bottles. Also, fluorine appears to be deeply dispersed at perhaps 1% concentration in a fluorocarbon-treated glass surface. Electron spectra obtained before and after ion milling detected no fluoride and indicated calcium and some sodium depletion for fluorocarbon-treated surfaces, and a depletion of calcium as well as sodium for sulfur-treated surfaces. There also is evidence from electron spectra of some sodium and calcium depletion in untreated glass surfaces.
A distribution stability result for a stochastic optimal control problem

A stability result for a stochastic optimal control problem is presented, where the distribution of the random input in the differential equation is perturbed in the sense of weak convergence of distributions.
Conformational equilibria in formic acid and the adduct of formic acid and hexafluoroacetone, HCO2C(CF3)2OH.

Low-temperature 1H and 13C NMR spectra of formic acid (1) showed separate signals for the E and Z conformations in solvents containing a hydrogen bond acceptor, dimethyl ether. The population of E-1 (6.2% in 3:1:1 CHClF2/CHCl2F/(CH3)2O) was larger than that for 13C-labeled methyl formate in the same solvent (0.2%), which indicated that the relative populations are not determined by steric effects. The free-energy difference between the E and Z conformations of 1 was 0.9 kcal/mol. In a 1:3 CD2Cl2/(CH3)2O solvent mixture, peaks for E and Z conformations were found at low temperatures by 1H and 13C NMR for both formic acid and an adduct with hexafluoroacetone, HCO2C(CF3)2OH (2). The population of E-1 in this solvent mixture was 4.3% by 13C NMR. The carbon spectrum showed two peaks in the carbonyl carbon region of nearly equal intensities at −151.6 °C, with E-2 (48%) absorbing downfield of the major Z-2 (52%). The large population of E-2 confirms that electron-withdrawing groups R‘ in RCO2R‘ enhance the popul...
Price taking behavior and trading in options

Abstract Equilibrium prices of options are arbitrage prices in economies in which prices are determined endogenously and all agents are price takers. This paper shows that the price taking assumption in options' markets is unreasonable because a small agent can make huge gains by not being a price taker.
Prognostic factors in gliomas. A multivariate analysis of clinical, pathologic, flow cytometric, cytogenetic, and molecular markers.

Background. The ability to divide subsets of patients with glial neoplasms into prognostic groups currently is limited because only a few clinical and pathologic variables are available. The goal of this investigation was to identify biologic factors of potential prognostic value in patients with cerebral gliomas. Methods. This prospective investigation used clinical, pathologic, flow cytometric, cytogenetic, and molecular genetic variables as potential prognostic factors in 207 patients with newly diagnosed gliomas (153 astrocytic tumors of the fibrillary type, 31 oligodendrogliomas, and 23 pilocytic astrocytomas). Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was performed as part of the multivariate statistical analysis. Results. The age of the patient and the grade of the tumor were confirmed as strong prognostic factors. Cytogenetic or molecular genetic abnormalities of chromosomes 7 and 10 were associated with poor survival in univariate analysis (P < 0.0001). CART multivariate analysis identified several subsets of patients with different prognoses. In the subset of patients younger than 66.5 years with Grade 4 tumors, the survival time was longer for those with aneuploid tumors than for those with nonaneuploid tumors. In the subset of patients with Grades 1-3 tumors, the survival time was longer for those whose tumors had a %G2M of less than 6.9 than for those whose tumors had a %G2M of 6.9 or greater. Conclusion. This investigation provides further evidence that flow cytometry, cytogenetic, and molecular genetic factors that may have prognostic value in patients with gliomas can be identified.
Influence of the nature of the (0001) alumina surface on thin film growth

Abstract The bulk lattice of α-alumina can, in principle, be terminated parallel to the (0001) plane in different ways. The influence of the different structures of this surface on the overgrowth of thin films has been investigated using transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Results are presented for the cases of pulsed-laser deposited NiO, Cu 2 O and TiO 2 films. Growth of NiO produces continuous films consisting of two twin-related variants irrespective of the surface termination; observations show both variants grow on the same (0001) terraces and cross to adjacent terraces. For depositions of Cu 2 O, the size and morphology of copper oxide islands that evolved showed two distinct variants depending on the surface terrace on which they grew. In the growth of TiO 2 , an additional phase was found to nucleate on one set of terraces. These observations can be understood if the film-growth process is influenced by the lattice termination at the (0001) alumina surface; conversely, they also confirm that the termination can indeed occur at distinctly different points within the unit cell.
Looking up and Seeing Green Women’s Everyday Experiences With Physical Appearance Comparisons

Psychological research documents the extent to which physical appearance comparisons are associated with negative emotional experiences, but researchers typically study physical appearance comparisons isolated from other comparison experiences. As part of a signal-contingent experience sampling design, 87 female undergraduate students recorded whether they had made any comparison about any topic after they received a text message at three randomly chosen times a day for 7 days. In contrast to other comparisons, physical appearance comparisons were more likely to be upward contrasts to dissimilar targets associated with increased envy, less inspiration, less pride, and less anxiety. Women who reported more demographically similar close friends reported more envy following physical appearance comparisons in contrast to women who reported more demographically diverse close friends. Women who associated their body with a better quality of life reported more inspiration and less envy following physical appeara...
Use of calcium imaging for analysis of neuronal gap junction coupling

We recently used Western blots for connexin 36 and neuronal dye coupling with neurobiotin to measure developmental decrease in neuronal gap junction coupling in cell cultures. To ask whether Ca2+ imaging also can be used to measure changes in the amount of neuronal gap junction coupling, we defined a Ca2+ coupling coefficient as the percentage of neurons with bicuculline-induced increases in intracellular Ca2+ that are suppressed by blocking gap junctions. We demonstrate in rat and mouse hypothalamic neuronal cultures that the Ca2+ coupling coefficient decreases during culture development, this decrease is prevented by manipulations that also prevent developmental decrease in neuronal gap junction coupling, and the coefficient is low in cultures lacking connexin 36. The results indicate that Ca2+ imaging is a useful tool to quantify the amount of neuronal gap junction coupling in cultures.
Hematologic and coagulation studies on cotton rats, Sigmodon hispidus

Abstract 1. 1. Blood coagulation factor levels and the normal ranges of commonly used coagulation tests were established for Sigmodon hispidus . 2. 2. The white cell, red cell and platelet counts have been determined together with the red cell parameters as measured by the Coulter model S-plus. 3. 3. The relationship between the results reported here and those published for related species are discussed.
Photocurrent Sensitivities, Surface Color, and Auger Spectroscopy of Silicon Carbide (siC) by Photoelectro-Chemical (Pec) Etching

This novel technique involves the ultraviolet (UV) lamp-assisted photoelectrochemical etching of n-type 3C- and 6H-SiC for device processing. In order for this method to be effective, the UV light must be able to enhance the production of holes in the SiC during the etching process thus providing larger currents with light from the photocurrents generated than those currents with no light. Otherwise dark methods would be used as in the case of p-type 3C-SiC. p ]Experiments have shown that the I/V characteristics of the SiC-electrolyte interface reveal a minimum etch voltage of 3 V and 4 V for n- and p-type 3C-SiC, respectively. Hence, it is possible for etch-stops to occur. From Auger spectroscopy, an oxide formation is present on n-type 3C-SiC where after etching a yellowish layer corresponds to a low silicon to carbon (Si/C) ratio with large photocurrents and a white layer corresponds to a high Si/C ratio with small photocurrents. P-type 3C-SiC shows a grayish or silver layer with a high Si/C ratio and a green layer with a low Si/C ratio. Additionally, η-type 6H-SiC shows a brown or blue layer with a minimum etch voltage of 3 V. p ]The colors of the etched regions of SiC represent layers that have some degree of porousity formed by the electrochemical process. As a result, the photo-excitation allows control of the porousity and changes the electrical properties of SiC. The nature of these porous layers with its increased resistivity can lead to the formation of devices.
THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF SCHOPFIPOLLENITES: ORBICULES AND TAPETAL MEMBRANES'

A B S T R A C T Electron microscopy of in situ fossil (Pennsylvanian) pollen assignable to the taxon Schopfipollenites indicates the presence of orbicules and tapetal membranes similar to those associated with the secretory tapetum of extant plants. Orbicules are spheroidal, hollow and associated with a complex tapetal membrane system. Each membrane is three-parted, consisting of two thin layers attached by beads of electron-dense material. A thicker, outer layer is suggestive of the orbicule reticulum described in some angiosperm families. A comparison between the fossil orbicules and membrane systems and those of extant plants is presented. AT SOME STAGE in the development of pollen grains, sporogenous tissue is enclosed by a cellular, nutritive layer termed the tapetum. Two principal types of tapetum are recognized depending upon the developmental events associated with sporogenesis and the functional longevity of the tissue. In the secretory or glandular type, tapetal cells maintain a continuous position but become disorganized and eventually undergo autolysis. In the amoeboid or plasmodial form, tapetal cell walls break down early, forming a plasmodium that becomes associated with the developing pollen grains. For a review of the tapetum during microsporogenesis in angiosperms, the reader is referred to the comprehensive treatment by Echlin (1971).
Relationship between the corpus cardiacum-allatum complex and ovaries with the haemolymph ecdysteroid profile in the housefly, Musca domestica

Abstract Haemolymph from female houseflies at 4, 48 and 96 h after emergence contained approximately equivalent amounts of 20-hydroxyecdysone that varied from 2.9 to 4.1 pg/μl. Polar ecdysteroids decreased with the insect age from 12.9 pg/μl at 4 h to 5.1 pg/μl at 96 h. At 48 h the haemolymph contained ecdysone and 20,26-dihydroxyecdysone in addition to 20-hydroxyecdysone and the polar materials. When ovaries were culture in vitro , the culture medium contained ecdysone as the major ecdysteroid (70%) with lesser concentrations of 26-hydroxyecdysone, 20-hydroxyecdysone, and 20,26-dihydroxyecdysone. Haemolymph from ovariectomized flies contained 20-hydroxyecdysone, some polar materials, and very little ecdysone. Thus, it appears that the ovaries are the source of ecdysone. Since all samples contained 20-hydroxyecdysone, its source is not known. Removal of the corpus allatum-cardiacum complex decreased the amounts of all ecdysteroids in the haemolymph sample. Ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone were both present in amounts of 1 pg/μl and 20,26-dihydroxyecdysone was barely detectable.
A comparison of the effect of a variety of thermal and vibratory modalities on skin temperature and blood flow in healthy volunteers.

Background Circulation plays an essential role in tissue healing. Moist heat and warm water immersion have been shown to increase skin circulation; however, these heating modalities can cause burns. Recent research has shown that passive vibration can also increase circulation but without the risk of burns. Material/methods The aim of this study is to compare the effects of short-duration vibration, moist heat, and a combination of the two on skin blood flow (SBF) and skin temperature (ST). Ten (10) subjects, 5 female and 5 male, aged 20-30 years of age, received two interventions a day for 3 consecutive days: Intervention 1--Active vibration only (vibration exercise), Intervention 2--passive vibration only, Intervention 3--moist heat only, Intervention 4--passive vibration combined with moist heat, Intervention 5--a commercial massaging heating pad, and Intervention 6--no intervention, resting in supine only (control). SBF and ST were measured using a laser Doppler imager during the 10 minute intervention and then throughout the nine minute recovery period. Results The mean skin blood flow following a ten-minute intervention of the combination of passive vibration and moist heat was significantly different from the control, active vibration, and the commercial massaging heating pad. Skin temperature following the ten-minute interventions of moist heat alone and passive vibration alone were both significantly different from the commercial massaging heating pad and active vibration interventions. Conclusions The combination of passive vibration and moist heat produced the greatest increase in skin blood flow and the second highest increase in skin blood flow nine minutes post application.
Application of nodes with multiple orthogonal sensors in moving light vehicles study

A sensor node having two types of sensors: sound and seismic units was used for signal collection in a test with different moving light vehicles on a gravel road in a quiet area. An analysis of signals from the node at low frequencies (less than 100 Hz) shows the possibility of tested vehicles detection at long distance. The sound signals for the vehicle motion were detected above the lowest frequencies of 15-20 Hz only while the seismic signals had the maxima in that frequency band. Another test was conducted on the ground to find the common vibrations of a light vehicle and the ground due to vehicle passby in frequencies below 100 Hz. For this signal collection the same sensor node was used. An additional 3-x accelerometer was installed in the vehicle cabin above the transmission. For start time synchronization of recorded signals from the node on the ground and 3-x accelerometer in the vehicle cabin a radio channel was used. Results for this test revealed the vehicle vibrations due to motion were detected on the ground with all three components of the 3-axes geophone for the test track entire distance.© (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An investigation of the efficiencies of various buffer gases in Na-Xe spin exchange

Abstract Measurements of the efficiencies of He, Ne and Xe as buffer gases in Na-Xe spin exchange are presented, and earlier values determined for N 2 revised slightly. The spin-rotation coupling of Na-Xe van der Waals molecules is also measured and found to be consistent with recent theoretical work.
Intrinsic rotation and molecular structure.

The intrinsic rotation, limiting value of specific rotation at zero concentration, of (R)-(–)-epichlorohydrin was measured in four different solvents, CH3OH, CH2Cl2, CHCl3 and CCl4. It was found that the sign of rotation in CH3OH, and CH2Cl2 solvents is opposite to that in CCl4. The intrinsic rotation in CHCl3 is close to zero. This observed pattern was explained using density functional calculations of specific rotation using very large basis sets. It was found that the g-I and g-II conformations of epichlorohydrin have nearly the same magnitude of specific rotation but with opposite sign. When these two conformations have equal populations, as in CHCl3 solvent, the net rotation is close to zero. When g-II conformation dominates, as in CCl4 solvent, the observed sign of rotation will be opposite to that when g-I conformation dominates, as in CH2Cl2 and CH3OH solvents. A combination of intrinsic rotation measurement with density functional prediction of specific rotation is demonstrated to be a practical method for determining the structures of molecules. Chirality 15:S143–S149, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Protection against an aerogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in BCG-immunized and DNA-vaccinated mice is associated with early type I cytokine responses.

Abstract Although vaccination against tuberculosis (TB) was initiated more than 80 years ago, the correlates of protective immunity against infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis have still not been well defined. To investigate the vaccine-induced immune responses against TB, we evaluated the early pulmonary cytokine responses elicited by a low dose M. tuberculosis aerogenic challenge in mice that had been immunized with either BCG or a TB DNA vaccine cocktail, two vaccine preparations that induce long-term protection in the mouse model of pulmonary TB. Using three different assays, we showed that specific cytokine responses were elevated in the lungs of vaccinated mice (relative to naive controls) during the second week post-challenge. By measuring cytokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) and cytokine mRNA concentrations in pulmonary cells, the levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, and RANTES were shown to be elevated from days 7–14 post-challenge in the lungs. By intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), increased numbers of lung CD4 and CD8 cells expressing IFN-γ were also seen at days 10 and 14 after the infection. Moreover, increased post-challenge IFN-γ levels were detected using the ICS and cytokine mRNA assays in aging BCG-immunized mice that had been effectively boosted with a TB DNA vaccine. Taken together, these data suggest that the post-infection induction of early type 1 cytokine responses correlate with the induction of long-term protective immunity in vaccinated mice.