cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DISTORTED-WAVE BORN EXPANSIONS

A successive approximation procedure is presented for calculating transition amplitudes for direct and rearrangement collision processes. The essential feature of the method is that the base problem about which the solution is expanded exhibits all the bound states (of subsystems of particles) which appear in initial or final scattering states. While no proof is given that our expansion converges, arguments which have been presented indicating that the ordinary Born expansion diverges for a wide class of problems no longer apply to the expansion proposed here. A particular choice of base problem leads directly to the well-known distorted-wave Born approximation. The variational nature of this approximation is exhibited and, as a consequence of the general formalism, a procedure for systematic improvement is presented. Circumstances are described under which the first term in the modified Born expansion has an error of known sign. The use of separable potentials to generate solutions to the base problem is discussed and is shown, in the three-body case, to lead to a model proposed recently by Amado. As a by-product of our work a variational principle for transition amplitudes is developed which is a generalization of the Kohn principle for the two-body elastic amplitude and is valid for any scattering process described by the Schr\"odinger equation.
The pricing of wireless phone services in the USA: issues and development trends

The growth of wireless phone subscribers in recent years contributes to the myriad of service packages offered by the providers. With the increase of service capabilities, the fee usually increases. Often, the service terms are complicated, and the factors which determine the pricing structures become a public concern. Human factors are the primary drives in the wireless phone services and pricing. The obvious players in driving the rates are service providers and consumers; however, policy makers and investors may also play important roles in the service price. In addition, the wireless phone makers and developers could also decide the base cost of the phones, and when providers offer free phones to the new customers, cost is passed to the subscribers. This paper analyses the relationship between the wireless phone services and their pricing. We will concentrate on policy makers, service providers, and consumers. Their influences on the price of services may be critical to the future development of wireless phone technologies.
Glutamate-mediated astrocyte-neuron signalling.

NEUROTRANSMITTER released from neurons is known to signal to neighbouring neurons and glia1–3 Here we demonstrate an additional signalling pathway in which glutamate is released from astrocytes and causes an NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) receptor-mediated increase in neuronal calcium. Internal calcium was elevated and glutamate release stimulated by application of the neuro-ligand bradykinin to cultured astrocytes. Elevation of astrocyte internal calcium was also sufficient to induce glutamate release. To determine whether this released glutamate signals to neurons, we studied astrocyte–neuron co-cultures. Bradykinin significantly increased calcium levels in neurons co-cultured with astrocytes, but not in solitary neurons. The glutamate receptor antagonists d-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid and d-glutamylglycine prevented bradykinin-induced neuronal calcium elevation. When single astrocytes were directly stimulated to increase internal calcium and release glutamate, calcium levels of adjacent neurons were increased; this increase could be blocked by d-glutamylglycine. Thus, astrocytes regulate neuronal calcium levels through the calcium-dependent release of glutamate.
Cardiovascular Drugs in Pregnancy

Cardiovascular drugs are often used in pregnancy for the treatment of maternal and fetal conditions. The complex physiologic changes occurring during pregnancy may significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of many drugs and, consequently, the toxicity and therapeutic response. Of special concern are the effects of maternal therapy on the fetus and the undesired translactal passage of drugs to newborns. Although the body of information regarding cardiovascular therapy in pregnancy is incomplete, some of the available data are summarized in this article.
Clinical Experience with Ouabain Administered in Small Divided Doses in the Monitored Patient

Ouabain was administered intravenously to 117 monitored patients who required digitalization principally for the treatment of atrial arrhythmias with rapid ventricular response and heart failure associated with acute myocardial infarction. The dosage regimen consisted of 0.2 mg initially (or 0.1 mg if the patient had recently received digoxin) followed by 0.1 mg every hour until a therapeutic response had occurred, toxicity developed, or 1 to 1.3 mg ouabain had been administered. Ouabain given according to this schedule allowed the peak effect of previous doses to be observed before further ouabain was given, and theoretically avoided the development of serious toxicity. The therapeutic dose was found to vary widely among individual patients. The mean dose for control of ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter was 0.79 mg in those not previously on digoxin and 0.73 mg in those on digoxin. The mean dose among patients with acute myocardial infarction who appeared to respond to ouabain was 0.50 mg. Ouabain was effective in 93.5 percent of the patients with atrial arrhythmias and 61.3 percent of those with acute myocardial infarction and failure. Toxicity occurred in 26 percent of the patients but was usually mild and consisted mainly of VPCs. The toxic dose was unpredictable and not significantly different from the therapeutic dose. Because very low doses occasionally caused ventricular irritability, ouabain should be used with caution only in patients who are constantly monitored.
On the probability that k positive integers are relatively prime

Abstract Given a set S of positive integers let Z k S (t) denote the number of k-tuples 〈m1, …, mk〉 for which m i ∈ S ▶ [1, t] and (m1, …, mk) = 1. Also let P k S (n) denote the probability that k integers, chosen at random from S ▶ [1, n] , are relatively prime. It is shown that if P = {p1, …, pr} is a finite set of primes and S = {m : (m, p1 … pr) = 1}, then Z k S (t) = (td(S)) k Π ν∉P (1 − 1 p k ) + O(t k−1 ) if k ≥ 3 and Z 2 S (t) = (td(S)) 2 Π p∉P (1 − 1 p 2 ) + O(t log t) where d(S) denotes the natural density of S. From this result it follows immediately that P k S (n) → Π p∉P (1 − 1 p k ) = (ζ(k)) −1 Π p∈P (1 − 1 p k ) −1 as n → ∞. This result generalizes an earlier result of the author's where P = ⊘ and S is then the whole set of positive integers. It is also shown that if S = {p1x1 … prxr : xi = 0, 1, 2,…}, then P k S (n) → 0 as n → ∞.
Determinants of US direct foreign investment in the Caribbean

This study evaluates two groups of variables (economic and structural/locational) associated with US short- and long-run direct foreign investment (DFI) in the Caribbean over the 1983–1994 period. Separate generalized least square models for the Caribbean and Latin America were estimated to determine whether differences existed between the two regions as to the variables associated with the levels of DFI. This helped provide insights as to the strategies that should be maintained or introduced to give the Caribbean a competitive edge in attracting the limited amounts of US DFI likely to be available for investment in the Western hemisphere.
Teaching the Pharmacology of Antiarrhythmic Drugs

Objective. To provide doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students with highly integrated, comprehensive and up-to-date instruction related to the pharmacology of antiarrhythmic drugs. Design. Students were taught the medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutics of antiarrhythmic agents in the cardiology module presented in quarter 7 of the PharmD curriculum. Important foundational information for this topic was presented to students in prerequisite physiology courses and pathophysiology courses offered earlier in the curriculum. Emphasis was placed on student critical thinking and active involvement. Weekly recitation sessions afforded students the opportunity to apply the information they learned regarding arrhythmia pharmacotherapy to comprehensive patient cases. Assessment. Student comprehension was measured using class exercises, short quizzes, case write-ups, comprehensive examinations, group exercises, and classroom discussion. Students were afforded the opportunity to evaluate the course, and the instructors as well as rate the degree to which the course achieved its educational outcomes. Conclusion. Students learned about cardiac arrhythmias through a high-quality, interdisciplinary series of classes presented by faculty members with extensive experience related to the pharmacology and pharmacotherapy of cardiac arrhythmias.
In vivo evidence for short- and long-range cell communication in cranial neural crest cells

The proper assembly of craniofacial structures and the peripheral nervous system requires neural crest cells to emerge from the neural tube and navigate over long distances to the branchial arches. Cell and molecular studies have shed light on potential intrinsic and extrinsic cues, which, in combination, are thought to ensure the induction and specification of cranial neural crest cells. However, much less is known about how migrating neural crest cells interpret and integrate signals from the microenvironment and other neural crest cells to sort into and maintain the stereotypical pattern of three spatially segregated streams. Here, we explore the extent to which cranial neural crest cells use cell-to-cell and cell-environment interactions to pathfind. The cell membrane and cytoskeletal elements in chick premigratory neural crest cells were labeled in vivo. Three-dimensional reconstructions of migrating neural crest cells were then obtained using confocal static and time-lapse imaging. It was found that neural crest cells maintained nearly constant contact with other migrating neural crest cells, in addition to the microenvironment. Cells used lamellipodia or short, thin filopodia (1-2 μm wide) for local contacts (<20 μm). Non-local, long distance contact (up to 100 μm) was initiated by filopodia that extended and retracted, extended and tracked, or tethered two non-neighboring cells. Intriguingly, the cell-to-cell contacts often stimulated a cell to change direction in favor of a neighboring cell's trajectory. In summary, our results present in vivo evidence for local and long-range neural crest cell interactions, suggesting a possible role for these contacts in directional guidance.
Bipolar and tetrapolar cleavage time in sea urchin eggs.

Abstract The cleavage time of sea urchin eggs which were induced to divide into four cells by polyspermy and mercaptoethanol treatment was compared with the division into two cells. Tetrapolar division in eggs treated with mercaptoethanol occurred earlier than bipolar division. This result is consistent with the hypothesis of a diffusible substance from the mitotic centers which induces the cortex to form the cleavage furrow.
Photoemission from Silver into AgCl, KBr, NaCl, and New Bands of Photosensitivity in AgCl

The work required to move an electron from a metal into an insulator has been investigated photoelectrically. The work function thus found was about 4.3 ev for Ag evaporated in vacuum on KBr (Fowler plot) as well as on NaCl (threshold wavelength). The photoelectrons become trapped in these crystals at vacant anion sites and may be released by $F$-band illumination. For Ag on AgCl a work function of 1.1 ev is measured at the low temperatures used to freeze out ionic conductivity.In AgCl seven new bands of photosensitivity were found; the corresponding optical absorption was too small to be measured directly. These bands have a half-width of $\mathrm{ca}$ 0.2 ev at 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and are bleached by irradiation. The 4400, 5000, 5700, 6600, and 7500A bands increase in intensity with an increasing supply of electrons provided by photoelectric emission. These bands are identified by their location and behavior, with the $F$, $E$, $D$, $C$, and $G$ bands (Petroff's notation) in the alkali halides. The 4800A ($A$ band) and 9200A bands are favored by a scarcity of electrons and may correspond to trapped holes. Photosensitivity in all these bands can be created by irradiation in the intrinsic optical-absorption edge of AgCl at low temperature. They may not be characteristic of a perfect crystal.The intrinsic band-like photoconductive response of AgCl and the absorption edge on which it occurs shift toward shorter wavelengths with decreasing temperature. The maximum of response which appears with decreasing wavelength may arise from a bimolecular recombination of charge carriers released by light. The absorption edge steepens as it shifts toward shorter wavelength with decreasing temperature.
Recoil corrections in bag models

In spite of their success in describing hadron mass spectra, bag models have been largely unsuccessful in explaining bag dynamics. In particular, bag models have failed to provide an insight into the quark effects in nucleon-nucleon interaction, nuclear structure, etc. This appears to be largely due to the lack of an explicit mechanism for bag formation in the MIT-type picture. Some of these questions appear soluble, provided the bag is generated dynamically as in the soliton bag model. Related questions, as e.g. the Goldstone mechanism for the pion, appear more fundamental and are not likely to be resolved within the framework of bag models. Another problem, which is not yet completely solved, is the dynamics of bag interaction with an external probe, e.g. a photon. An understanding of such interaction is necessary in order to calculate hadronic form factors, magnetic moments and other bag properties. Equations for the recoil corrected magnetic moment and the charge radius of the proton are given; and calculations of the recoil corrected electric, magnetic and axial form factors of the nucleon are discussed. (WHK)
Welcome to Biofuels

Professor of Bacteriology, and has been a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for more than 20 years. During this time, his research program has focused on solar energy utilization by photosynthetic bacteria, studying the process and control of photosynthesis and how cells divert the energy captured from sunlight into different pathways. He has been a member of various federal research panels, has served on several editorial boards and advisory committees in microbiology, and helped author reports for the Department of Energy on solar energy generation and the conversion of plant biomass into biofuels. He has experience in leading crossdisciplinary research programs such as the National Institute of General Medical Sciences Biotechnology Training Program. More recently, he was named head of the US Department of Energy Office of Science-funded Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center.
Validity of self-assessment of pubertal maturation in African American and European American adolescents.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate interobserver reliability of physician assessments of pubertal maturation and to evaluate the validity of self-assessment compared to physician assessments of pubertal maturation by girls in a multiethnic sample. Methods: The study design is descriptive. A total of 107 8–17-year-old healthy volunteers from settings with large minority populations in the Houston metropolitan area were recruited for a study on adolescents' energy needs. The two outcome measures were interobserver reliability between two physicians' assessments of breast and pubic hair, and the self-assessment of breast and pubic hair maturation compared to physicians' assessments. Results: The kappa coefficient for physician interobserver agreement for breast maturation was 0.5. The kappa coefficient for physician interobserver agreement for assessment of pubic hair was 0.79. The kappa coefficient for the validity of self-assessment of breast development was 0.34, and that for self-assessment of pubic hair was 0.37. Conclusion: Interobserver agreement for physician assessment of breast maturation was low and self-assessment of breast maturation was not reliable in this group of adolescent girls. However, whereas physician interobserver agreement for pubic hair was good, self-assessment of pubic hair maturation was not reliable in this group of adolescent girls.
Technology Lecture: Developments in Scientific Information Systems [Abstract Only]

Publication of scientific papers has grown in size and range since the middle of the 17th century. The system is now large, costly and slow, and a report published by the Royal Society and the British Library in 1981 concluded that a combination of pressures would put it under considerable strain. ‘Electronic journals’ as substitutes for print on paper have attracted attention over the past decade but, although a number of systems have been developed for communication, no completely electronic primary publication yet exists. The application of technology can improve aspects of the system, but it is first necessary to consider the needs of users and the objectives, nature and limitations of present publishing. Technology has already been applied extensively to secondary publications such as abstracts and the lecture therefore concentrates on application to full length papers.
Excystment in vitro of Notocotylus attenuatus (Trematoda: Notocotyloidea) metacercariae.

Optimum in vitro excystation of Notocotylus attenuatus (Rudolphi, 1809) methacercarial cysts occured following pretreatment of the cyst for 2 hr in N,N',N'-polyoxyethylene(10)-N-tallow-1,3-diaminopropane/ water solution (1:2), a second pretreatment (15 min) in 1.0% HCl acid-1.0% pepsin (pH 2.0), and then 2 hr treatment in an excystation medium containing 0.5% trypsin plus 0.5% bile salts in Earle's balanced salt solution adjusted with 7.5% NaHCO 3 to pH 7.8-8.0
Monte Carlo Simulation of In-Plane Phonon Transport in Porous Silicon Membranes

The in-plane thermal conductivity of periodic microporous single-crystal silicon membranes is simulated using a Monte Carlo method in the temperature range from 50K to 300K. The study focuses on the effect of pore boundary scattering. A gray body phonon transport is simulated, using a set of average phonon properties derived from the published experimental phonon dispersion curves. The simulation was first performed for bulk Si and the result is compared to the published experimental values. Porous Si membranes corresponding to our previous experimental configurations were then examined.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Minimizing entropy generation in internal flows by adjusting the shape of the cross-section

Abstract Entropy generation in fully-developed flow through a duct with heat transfer is discussed. Methods are presented to minimize entropy generation by adjusting the shape of the duct’s cross-section. Choosing a different cross-sectional shape allows for control of the competing fluid flow and heat transfer irreversibilities. By controlling the competing irreversibilities, the total entropy generation rate can be minimized. Given the flow rate, heat transfer rate, available cross-sectional area, and the fluid properties, a general design correlation is presented that allows for a determination of the optimal shape of a duct.
Spectral Gap and Transience for Ruelle Operators on Countable Markov Shifts

We find a necessary and sufficient condition for the Ruelle operator of a weakly Holder continuous potential on a topologically mixing countable Markov shift to act with spectral gap on some rich Banach space. We show that the set of potentials satisfying this condition is open and dense for a variety of topologies. We then analyze the complement of this set (in a finer topology) and show that among the three known obstructions to spectral gap (weak positive recurrence, null recurrence, transience), transience is open and dense, and null recurrence and weak positive recurrence have empty interior.
Microfluidic device for capture and isolation of single cells

We describe a microfluidic device capable of trapping, isolating, and lysing individual cells in parallel using dielectrophoretic forces and a system of PDMS channels and valves. The device consists of a glass substrate patterned with electrodes and two PDMS layers comprising of the microfluidic channels and valve control channels. Individual cells are captured by positive dielectrophoresis using the microfabricated electrode pairs. The cells are then isolated into nanoliter compartments using pneumatically actuated PDMS valves. Following isolation, the cells are lysed open by applying an electric field using the same electrode pairs. With the ability to capture and compartmentalize single cells our device may be combined with analytical methods for in situ molecular analysis of cellular components from single cells in a highly parallel manner.
A Model Faculty Peer Review Process for Counselor Education Programs

The authors describe a counselor education faculty peer review model that addresses the professional functioning of each member of the counselor education faculty regardless of her or his rank, salary, status, or administrative responsibilities.
THE EARLY USE OF CONSTANT POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE (CPAP) IN HYALINE MEMBRANE DISEASE (HMD)

CPAP improves PaO2 in HMD, but usually is not applied until 70-80% O2 is required. Fourteen prematures met strict x-ray and clinical criteria for HMD and were paired by weight and severity of disease. Each infant was placed in 40% O2 until the PaO2 fell below 60 mmHg, when one of each pair (Group A) was immediately provided nasal CPAP. The other in the pair (Group B) was continued on to 70% O2 as necessary. CPAP was begun when the PaO2 again fell below 60 mmHg. All Group B infants qualified for CPAP. The onset of CPAP therapy averaged 7 hrs later in Group B. There was no significant difference between the two groups in morbidity, mortality or duration of O2 exposure. CPAP caused no rise in PaCO2 in either group. The average duration of CPAP for Group A was 58 hrs and 73 hrs for Group B (P > .05). Group A never required greater than 50% O2 during CPAP. Group B infants generally required 80% O2 at some time and remained over 70% an average of 33 hrs. Infants who cried during nasal CPAP exhibited dramatic transient falls in PaO2 and PaCO2 as well as wide fluctuations in pressure. By 5 hrs of age, 7 of 8 cases under 2000 gms. had a PaO2 < 60 mmHg in 40% O2, and 7 had x-rays characterized by reticulo-granularity, air bronchograms and indistinct heart borders. Early use of CPAP in this study was not associated with an increased incidence of complications, did lessen the severity but not the duration of the disease, and avoided the necessity of exposure to high levels of environmental oxygen.
Thrombin Peptide, TP508, Induces Differential Gene Expression in Fibroblasts through a Nonproteolytic Activation Pathway

Prior studies have shown that synthetic peptides representing the domain of thrombin responsible for high-affinity binding to fibroblasts stimulate chemotactic and cell proliferative signals through a nonproteolytic mechanism. One of these peptides, TP508, has recently been shown to be chemotactic for neutrophils, to enhance collagen accumulation in wounds, to enhance revascularization of wounds, and to accelerate the healing of incisional and open wounds in normal animals and in animals with impaired healing. To determine whether TP508 activates the proteolytically activated receptor for thrombin (PAR1), or the signals that are activated by PAR1, we treated human fibroblasts with TP508 and the PAR1-activating peptide, SFLLRNP, and analyzed the effects of these peptides on gene expression using differential display reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. TP508 induces expression of a number of specific message fragments with short tyrosine kinase-like domains that are not induced by SFLLRNP. Sequencing full-length clones prepared by Marathon extension of TP508-induced fragments revealed that among the induced transcripts, there was a sequence with 88% homology to human annexin V. Northern analysis with authentic annexin V cDNA confirms that TP508, but not SFLLRNP, induces expression of annexin V in human fibroblasts. These results demonstrate that TP508 activates a cellular response separate from that activated through PAR1 and supports the hypothesis that TP508 acts through a separate nonproteolytically activated thrombin receptor that may be responsible for high-affinity thrombin binding and for nonproteolytic signals that are required for thrombin stimulation of cell proliferation.
The relationship of inflammatory periodontal disease to diabetic status in insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus patients

This study was designed to evaluate the relationship of inflammatory periodontal disease to the diabetic status of the insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patient. 52 IDDM patients, ages 11-22 years, were evaluated. These patients were closely monitored at regular intervals in the University of Kentucky pediatric diabetic clinic. A periodontal examination was carried out for each patient. The patients were then assigned to a periodontitis or non-periodontitis group. Moderate to advanced periodontitis was found in 5.8% of the subjects. The gingival index and sulcular bleeding index were significantly higher in the periodontitis group (P less than 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups for plaque index, age of diabetic onset, duration of diabetes, present age, insulin dosage/weight, or serum glucose (P greater than 0.05). There was a greater % of ketoacidosis, retinopathy and neuropathy in the periodontitis group. IDDM patients with neurological complications or a history of chronic infections had a significantly higher gingival index score than those without the complication (P less than 0.05).
Membrane permeability and internal volume as factors in ATP synthesis by spinach chloroplasts.

Abstract Osmotic shock of frozen and thawed spinach chloroplasts produces separable “heavy” and “light” fractions. The “heavy” fraction is completely uncoupled: although electron transport is possible in the light, neither illumination nor an acidbase transition can cause either ATP formation, or activation of ATPase. The “light” fraction is competent in both reactions, activated in either fashion. The loss of energy coupling in “heavy” particles is correlated with a loss of osmotic response (swelling or shrinking in response to graded sucrose concentrations) and with a loss in the ability to store succinate in a space inaccessible to inulin. When “light” particles are shrunken by exposure to sucrose, their ability to store succinate, and the amount of ATP formed after an acid-base transition, are both decreased more markedly than are other functions. Chloroplasts uncoupled by EDTA retain their osmotic properties and their ability to store succinate, so the effect of this treatment is not perceptibly due to an alteration of membrane properties. These data are interpreted as illustrating the need for an intact, osmotically sound graua membrane as a necessary but not a sufficient prerequisite for energy coupling. A sufficient free internal space is needed for massive storage of organic acids used as buffers at pH 4, and these in turn are needed for ATP formation upon return to alkali.
The lower paleolithic of the Near East

The Near East forms the geographic crossroads between Africa, Asia and Europe and was certainly a main route for the dispersal of Homo erectusinto Eurasia. The study of Lower Paleolithic sites in this region and in the neighboring Caucasus area sheds some light on several potential colonization events. Sites such as ‘Ubeidiya (Jordan Valley) and Dmanisi (Georgia) suggest the early sorties took place around 1.4-1.0 Ma. Despite the lack of radiometric dates, sequences of raised beaches, marine deposits, river terraces, and paleolake formations have enabled various investigators to identify several series of major aggradation and erosion periods within the Pleistocene. Lithic assemblages derived from a few systematic excavations and collections from stratigraphically dated outcrops led to a threefold subdivision of the Acheulian sequence into the Lower, Middle, and Upper Acheulian. The study of nonbiface assemblages, however, has not resolved the question of whether these assemblages deserve inclusion as separate entities or should be viewed as sites within the Acheulian settlement pattern. While the typotechnological definitions of each major phase can be compared to what is known from other regions of the Old World, the Acheulo-Yabrudian (or the Mugharan Tradition) is seen as a local entity. Rare human remains and scarce data concerning subsistence activities do not warrant a comparative discussion with what is known from African and some European sites.
Moral education and the social studies

If one peruses current literature in social studies education, one cannot help notice the renaissance of interest in moral education. A few years ago, the National Council for Social Studies considered values education' of such importance to the field that it devoted an entire yearbook to the subject.2 More recently, social studies educators have expressed an avid interest in Lawrence Kohlberg's theories of moral development and how these theories can be utilized for teaching about moral dilemmas within the classroom.3
A distillate collection and measurement system with a non-contact photoelectric level controller

Abstract A system for the uninterrupted collection of distillate and for the accurate measurement of its production rate, developed for a flash evaporation research apparatus, is described. The system incorporates a non-contact level controller which can also have other applications.
Optimum Lifetime Planning of Bridge Inspection and Repair Programs

This study proposes a general methodology for determining the optimal lifetime planning of bridge inspection and repair programs based on minimizing the expected cost while maintaining an acceptabl...
Functional Components of Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) Signal Transduction in Pituitary Cells IDENTIFICATION OF FGF RESPONSE ELEMENTS IN THE PROLACTIN GENE

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) have been implicated in pituitary lactotroph tumorigenesis; however, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of FGF signal transduction. We used a transient transfection approach, in GH4 cells, to identify components of the FGF signaling pathway leading to activation of the rat prolactin (rPRL) promoter. Using dominant-negative constructs of p21Ras, Raf-1 kinase, and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, we show that FGF activation of the rPRL promoter is independent of Ras and Raf-1 but requires MAP kinase. Furthermore, MAP kinase but not Raf-1 kinase catalytic activity is stimulated by FGFs. The rPRL promoter FGF response maps to two Ets binding sites, centered at −212 (FRE1) and −96 (FRE2), and co-transfection of dominant-negative Ets inhibits FGF activation. FRE1 co-localizes with a composite, Ets/GHF-1, Ras response element. However, overexpression of Ets-1 and GHF-1, which potentiate the Ras response, inhibits FGF stimulation of the rPRL promoter, implying that Ras and FGF signaling pathways target distinct factors to elicit their effects. These data suggest that Ets factors serve to sort and integrate MAP kinase-dependent growth factor signals, allowing highly specific transcriptional responses to be mediated via the interaction of distinct Ets proteins and cofactors at common response elements.
Countershading in the colourful reef fish Chaetodon lunula: Concealment, communication or both?

Abstract The widespread occurrence of countershading in coral reef fish seems to be evidence that the colours and patterns of these animals, however conspicuous they may appear to the human observer, are at least partially concerned with camouflage from predators. The alternative presented here, particularly relative to a butterfly fish Chaetodon lunula , is that countershading can be an adaptation to concealing a conspicuous signal. The conclusion is supported by the observation that this species eliminates its countershading by rapid colour change during intense intraspecific encounters. This colour change exposes highly conspicuous yellow areas. Colour change can thus make the signal dynamic. These signals may function to establish dominance relationships, especially between evenly matched individuals.
Gold-coated nanoporous substrates for SERS studies

The Raman signal of inelastically scattered photons represents the fingerprint of a chemical molecule. Therefore, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can be employed as the selective mechanism for an extraordinary optics sensor sensitive enough to detect a single molecule. Such sensitivity makes SERS ideal to detect chemicals at parts per billion to parts per trillion concentrations. SERS studies benefit from a signal enhancing substrate that is both reproducible and cost effective. Commercial substrates produced by electron beam lithography cost approximately $100 a piece to manufacture and can only be used once. The purpose of this study is to design a SERS substrate that offers enhancement equivalent to the commercial standard and is cheaper to produce. Experiments confirm that gold (Au) coated nano-pores can be used as an optimal SERS substrate offering a promising enhancement with durability that rival commercial products.
Oscillatory responses of biosynthetic systems in yeast

A series of experiments were designed to show whether biosynthetic systems in yeast can exhibit oscillations as predicted by B. Goodwin's dynamic theory of cellular control processes. Some metabolic intermediates would be expected to oscillate in amount normally or when approaching a new steady state. To enable detection in a population of cells it is first necessary to synchronize the normal oscillations, if they exist, or to start oscillations going in all cells at the same time. This was attempted by abruptly altering the concentrations of certain non-required metabolites in the growth medium. The effects of shift of concentration of homoserine and of uracil were investigated. Using 14C-acetate and 14C-aspartate as tracers the responses of many different small molecules in the cells to nutrient shift were screened for oscillatory behavior. Only two components, one of them lactic acid, showed evidence of semi-periodic response.
The behavior of 1-(5-oxazolyl)-1-alkylidenes and 1-(5-isoxazolyl)-1-alkylidenes

Abstract Capture, rearrangement and/or fragmentation of 1-(5-oxazolyl)-1-alkylidenes and 1-(5-isoxazolyl)-1-alkylidenes are described.
Metanephrine: cardiovascular responsiveness in normotensive and renal hypertensive dogs.

Abstract Metanephrine, infused intravenously into normotensive and renal hypertensive dogs at the rate of 0.02 mg/kg/min, caused a pressor response. The response elicited in chronic hypertensive dogs was significantly higher than the evoked either in normotensive or in acute hypertensive animals, and it was significantly reduced after bilateral adrenalectomy but not after nephrectomy. Moreover, phentolamine and P-286 (a drug which selectively blocks the adrenal discharge of catecholamines) inverted and reduced the pressor response respectively in chronic hypertensive dogs. This strong pressor response was not accompanied by an increase in renin-release from the kidney. The pre-infusion with catecholamines sensitized the normotensive dogs to subsequent infusion with metanephrine.
A conceptual framework for value-delivery system lead time management

Abstract Time-based competitors must continually reduce total value-delivery system lead time to develop and maintain a competitive advantage. A systematic approach is needed for monitoring all activities within the value-delivery system and for identifying specific improvement opportunities. A framework is presented for managing value-delivery system lead time reduction activities within a manufacturing firm. The framework is based on an empirical study of six world-class manufacturing organizations.
Evolutionary origins of the estrogen signaling system: Insights from amphioxus

Classically, the estrogen signaling system has two core components: cytochrome P450 aromatase (CYP19), the enzyme complex that catalyzes the rate limiting step in estrogen biosynthesis; and estrogen receptors (ERs), ligand activated transcription factors that interact with the regulatory region of target genes to mediate the biological effects of estrogen. While the importance of estrogens for regulation of reproduction, development and physiology has been well-documented in gnathostome vertebrates, the evolutionary origins of estrogen as a hormone are still unclear. As invertebrates within the phylum Chordata, cephalochordates (e.g., the amphioxus of the genus Branchiostoma) are among the closest invertebrate relatives of the vertebrates and can provide critical insight into the evolution of vertebrate-specific molecules and pathways. To address this question, this paper briefly reviews relevant earlier studies that help to illuminate the history of the aromatase and ER genes, with a particular emphasis on insights from amphioxus and other invertebrates. We then present new analyses of amphioxus aromatase and ER sequence and function, including an in silico model of the amphioxus aromatase protein, and CYP19 gene analysis. CYP19 shares a conserved gene structure with vertebrates (9 coding exons) and moderate sequence conservation (40% amino acid identity with human CYP19). Modeling of the amphioxus aromatase substrate binding site and simulated docking of androstenedione in comparison to the human aromatase shows that the substrate binding site is conserved and predicts that androstenedione could be a substrate for amphioxus CYP19. The amphioxus ER is structurally similar to vertebrate ERs, but differs in sequence and key residues of the ligand binding domain. Consistent with results from other laboratories, amphioxus ER did not bind radiolabeled estradiol, nor did it modulate gene expression on an estrogen-responsive element (ERE) in the presence of estradiol, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, diethylstilbestrol, bisphenol A or genistein. Interestingly, it has been shown that a related gene, the amphioxus "steroid receptor" (SR), can be activated by estrogens and that amphioxus ER can repress this activation. CYP19, ER and SR are all primarily expressed in gonadal tissue, suggesting an ancient paracrine/autocrine signaling role, but it is not yet known how their expression is regulated and, if estrogen is actually synthesized in amphioxus, whether it has a role in mediating any biological effects. Functional studies are clearly needed to link emerging bioinformatics and in vitro molecular biology results with organismal physiology to develop an understanding of the evolution of estrogen signaling. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Marine organisms'.
Copper Artifacts: Correlation with Source Types of Copper Ores

Six out of eight minor chemical elements, determined by spectroscopic and neutron-activation techniques, were found to be critical in computing a probability that a given copper artifact was derived from one of three types of copper ore: native metal, oxidized ore, reduced ore. Two elements, gold and tin, were apparently alloyed deliberately in many artifacts from both the Old World and the New World.
Outlier Detection in Spatial Databases Using Clustering Data Mining

Data mining refers to extracting or “mining” knowledge from large amounts of data. Thus, it plays an important role in extracting spatial patterns and features. It is an essential process where intelligent methods are applied in order to extract data patterns. In this paper, we have proposed a technique with which it is possible to detect whether a given data set is erroneous. Furthermore, our technique locates the possible errors and comprehends the pattern of errors to minimize outliers. Finally, it ensures the integrity and correctness of large databases. We have made use of some of the existing clustering algorithms (like PAM, CLARA, CLARANS) to formulate our proposed technique. The proposed outlier detection and minimization method is simpler to implement, efficient comparing with respect to both time and memory complexity than other existing methods.
Controlled Incorporation of Nitrogen at The Top Surface of Silicon Oxide Gate Dielectrics

During a high RF power (60–100 W) N20/He remote plasma oxidation of Si(100) at 300 °C, nitrogen atoms have been incorporated at the top surface of an ultra-thin (1.0–2.5 nm) oxide. Online Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) has been used to estimate the dielectric film thickness and track the evolution of the film growth. A chemically shifted Si-LW feature from the high RF power oxidation sample indicates that the nitrogen is bonded to the silicon at the top surface of the oxide film. The stability of the bonded nitrogen is also evident in the persistence of the N-KLL Auger peak following (i) a 30 s rapid thermal anneal (RTA) in Ar at 900 °C and (ii) a remotely excited He plasma treatment at 300 °C for 15 s.
Radiologic manifestations of extra-cardiac complications of infective endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a disease with high morbidity and a mortality rate of 9-30%, even with appropriate diagnosis and therapy. Septic emboli, caused by IE, can affect any organ or tissue in the body with an arterial supply and occur in 12-40% of IE cases. The most common extra-cardiac organ system involved in IE is the central nervous system. Other organs frequently involved are the lungs (especially in right-sided IE), spleen, kidneys, liver, and the musculoskeletal system. In addition, the arterial system itself is susceptible to the development of potentially fatal mycotic aneurysms. As extra-cardiac complications often antedate the clinical diagnosis of IE, it is important that the diagnosis is suggested when characteristic findings are encountered during imaging. In addition, imaging is often used to monitor the extent of complications in patients with a known diagnosis of IE.
Classification, distribution, and fatigue life of pitting corrosion for aircraft materials

An investigation of the pitting corrosion classie cation, distribution, and prediction of corrosion-fatigue life of aircraft panels is carried out. A probabilistic neural network was developed to classify the pit size ranges and determine the distribution based on the availableexperimental data. The results obtained indicatethat the pit sizes can be classie ed into three groups. The gamma distribution function e t the experimental data of pit size ranges quite well. A neural network model was also developed for predicting the fatigue life of aircraft panels subjected to corrosion-fatigue loading. The developed neural network model was validated against the experimental data and other analytical methods available in the literature. Overall, the predictions from this study demonstrate the usefulness of neural network approach over other analytical methods for determining the fatigue life of aircraft structures.
On absorption by non-axially excited slabs of dielectric thin-film helicoidal bianisotropic mediums

The spectral signatures of non-axially excited, absorbing TFHBM slabs are determined, after using a single-resonance Lorentzian model to describe the dispersive properties of the medium. Optical phenomena such as the optical rotation, circular dichroism and ellipticity transformation by absorbing TFHBM slabs are described. The effect of absorption on the functionality of TFHBM-based devices, such as multi-notch filters and ultranarrow-bandpass filters, are noted and engineering guidelines on the fabrication of such devices are provided.
Language and the teaching of art

Summary This paper is concerned with language and art teaching. Language is identified as an important focus for ideas about the thinking and learning that goes on in all classrooms. As language contributes significantly to understanding concepts in art, clearly it warrants investigation in the context of art education. The relationship between language and art teaching is examined in this paper through an investigation of a teaching intention which I have identified in my own practice. The piece of small‐scale classroom research reported here was undertaken in an effort to discover how far the teaching intention, of the development of a vocabulary relevant to the subject field of art, was being realized through my classroom practice. As the purpose of the research work was to improve teaching through a process of critical reflection, hypotheses are suggested at the end of the paper which identify changes in teaching strategy.
Planning and Scheduling under Uncertainty: A Review Across Multiple Sectors

This paper provides an overview of the key contributions within the planning and scheduling communities with specific emphasis on uncertainty analysis. As opposed to focusing in one particular industry, several independent sectors have been reviewed in order to find commonalities and potential avenues for future interdisciplinary collaborations. The objectives and physical constraints present within the planning and scheduling problems may vary greatly from one sector to another; however, all problems share the common attribute of needing to model parameter uncertainty in an explicit manner. It will be demonstrated through the literature review that two-stage stochastic programming, parametric programming, fuzzy programming, chance constraint programming, robust optimization techniques, conditional value-at-risk, and other risk mitigation procedures have found widespread application within all of the analyzed sectors. This review is the first work which attempts to provide a comprehensive description of t...
Understanding DC-bias sputtered thorium oxide thin films useful in EUV optics

We used spectroscopic ellipsometry to determine the optical constants of seven thin-film ThO2 samples deposited by radio-frequency sputtering, thickness ranging between 24 and 578 nm, for the spectral range of 1.2 to 6.5. We used a hollow-cathode light source and vacuum monochromator to measure constants at 10.2 eV. None of the deposition parameters studied including DC-bias voltages successfully increase the n of (that is, densify) thoria films. 1, 2 The value of n at 3.0 eV is 1.86 ± 0.04. We find compelling evidence to conclude that the direct band gap is at ~5.9 eV, clarifying the results of others, some of whom observed the absorption edge below 4 eV. The edge in the two thickest films is of a narrow feature (FWHM=0.4 eV) with modest absorption (α~ 6µm -1 , k~0.1). Absorption may go down briefly with increasing energy (from 6.2 to 6.5 eV). But at 10.2 eV absorption is very high and index low as measured by variableangle reflectometry, α= 47.3 ± 5.5 µm -1 and k= 0.48 ±0.05, and n=0.87 ±0.12.
Colour Psychophysics And Display Technology: Avoiding The Wrong Answers And Finding The Right Questions

It is common knowledge that the human engineering of displays is equally important to electro-optical or software engineering. To make human engineering a routine part of display design we must have quantitative rules of thumb describing the performance of the human visual system. For colour visual psychophysics is the scientific discipline that creates such measurements. Some aspects of colour psychophysics are well understood, mostly concerned with very low level processes in the visual system. This paper describes where they can be useful applied in display design. It also discusses measurements needed for human performance to play a greater role in display design for a wider range of tasks.
Neurological Aspects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is often regarded as a structural disorder causing narrowing of the airway. This article reviews the neurological aspects of obstructive sleep apnea, including the upper airway reflex, cortical arousal thresholds, and motor function as they pertain to the pathophysiology of disease. We also discuss the relationship of obstructive sleep apnea to other neurological diseases.