cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
BMP-4-responsive regulation of dorsal–ventral patterning by the homeobox protein Mix.1

IN an expression screen for factors that pattern or induce ventral mesoderm, we isolated a complementary DNA encoding Mix.1, a paired class homeobox gene with no previously known function1. Injection of Mix.1 messenger RNA results in extensive blood formation in the whole embryo and transforms dorsal mesoderm to a ventral fate. Mix.1 expression is induced by bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4), and a dominant inhibitory mutant of Mix.1 can restore a dorsal axis in embryos ventralized by ectopic BMP-4 expression. Mix.1 can form heterodimers with the dorsalizing gene siamois, which encodes a homeodomain protein that is structurally similar to Mix.1. Furthermore, Mix.1 blocks the duplicated axis induced by ectopic siamois expression. Our findings indicate that Mix.1 participates in a BMP-4 signalling pathway to pattern ventral mesoderm, and suggest a model whereby dimerization of homeodomain proteins regulates dorsal–ventral patterning.
Introducing the acetylome

Abstract Mass spectrometry reveals protein acetylation to be as widespread as phosphorylation.
Insights into insect wing origin provided by functional analysis of vestigial in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

Despite accumulating efforts to unveil the origin of insect wings, it remains one of the principal mysteries in evolution. Currently, there are two prominent models regarding insect wing origin: one connecting the origin to the paranotal lobe and the other to the proximodorsal leg branch (exite). However, neither hypothesis has been able to surpass the other. To approach this conundrum, we focused our analysis on vestigial (vg), a critical wing gene initially identified in Drosophila. Our investigation in Tribolium (Coleoptera) has revealed that, despite the well-accepted view of vg as an essential wing gene, there are two groups of vg-dependent tissues in the “wingless” first thoracic segment (T1). We show that one of these tissues, the carinated margin, also depends on other factors essential for wing development (such as Wingless signal and apterous), and has nubbin enhancer activity. In addition, our homeotic mutant analysis shows that wing transformation in T1 originates from both the carinated margin and the other vg-dependent tissue, the pleural structures (trochantin and epimeron). Intriguingly, these two tissues may actually be homologous to the two proposed wing origins (paranotal lobes and exite bearing proximal leg segments). Therefore, our findings suggest that the vg-dependent tissues in T1 could be wing serial homologs present in a more ancestral state, thus providing compelling functional evidence for the dual origin of insect wings.
A Wearable Gait Monitor and Terrain Prediction System

Nearly one million people in 2009 were discharged from the hospital with stroke as the primary diagnosis [1]. One of the many lasting side effects of a stroke can be foot drop, or an inability to dorsiflex the foot. In order to remedy this, many people wear an ankle-foot orthotic (AFO) post-stroke. Interviews with AFO users revealed that they frequently have difficulty walking on stairs and ramps, because the AFO limits the plantarflexion that is natural in navigating those ground types. An active AFO that adapts to changing ground terrain would provide a more natural gait pattern for these individuals, if it could be designed to respond appropriately to upcoming terrain. In order to respond to terrain, the device must first identify the terrain.This paper outlines a system [2] that simultaneously predicts the type of terrain a user is approaching as they walk, and captures information about that user’s walking activity. Such a system can be used as the control system for an active orthotic or prosthetic device. Additionally, this system can be used as a stand-alone gait and terrain monitor to aid in rehabilitation monitoring in between patient visits with a clinician.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
MO‐FF‐A1‐01: Fluoroscopic Verification of Intensity‐Modulated Rotational Arc Therapy Delivery

Purpose: Intensity modulated rotational arc technique requires verification of leaf positions, gantry angle and dose rate in the entire arc. This study shows how to achieve this with a detailed verification of Varian RapidArc using a fluoroscopic electronic portal imaging device(EPID).Materials and Methods: Three Rapid Arc plans (prostate 1, whole pelvis 1, and head and neck 1) are delivered on a Triology linac (Varian Medical Systems, CA). During delivery, approximately 600 fluoroscopic portal images are acquired (∼8 images/s) per arc with a PV‐aS1000 EPID, without use of secondary phantoms or blocks. Each leaf position of each gantry angle is calculated from the acquired EPIDimages offline. Gantry angle information of each portal image is acquired from the dynalog file generated during beam delivery. Leaf positions from the dynalog file are compared to scheduled positions from the DICOM RT plan file. Results: Online EPIDimage acquisition of Rapid Arc delivery is prompt, involving extension of the EPID system and beam delivery time. The measurement error depends on the displacement of EPID system relatively to the center of rotation, which is only 1mm–1.5 mm. Offline analyses show the accuracy of leaf positions for static leaf and gantry field are better than 1 mm. More than 98.5% of leaf sequences exhibit less than 3mm deviations, 83 % show 2mm and 56% for 1mm. Conclusions: Position of each leaf of each gantry angle for Rapid Arc delivery is verified within 1 mm accuracy with fluoroscopic portal images. Use of fluoroscopic EPIDimages can be considered as a practical QA tool for the verification of the Rapid Arc delivery. This study is partially supported by Varian Medical Systems.
Superconductor–insulator transitions in the two-dimensional limit

Abstract Superconductor–insulator (SI) transitions in ultra-thin metal films, tuned either by magnetic field or disorder, have attracted substantial attention over the last decade, because of the possibility that they are quantum phase transitions. The bosonic picture of SI transitions proposed is at best only in qualitative agreement, as recent measurements suggest behavior more complex than a direct SI transition.
Properties of interictal discharges induced by hippocampal kindling.

Abstract The present experiment was designed to reveal the characteristics of interictal discharges (IIDs) induced by kindling of the rabbit hippocampus. Out of 21 animals, 13 developed stage 5 convulsions with a mean of 18 stimulations (Kindled (K) group), whereas the remaining eight animals did not (incomplete kindling (IK) group). A correlation between the duration of the afterdischarge and the behavioral stages was found in the K group. However, changes in frequency of total IIDs during kindling did not differ between the two groups. In the acute experiments performed after kindling, IIDs were classified into two types: simple and complex IIDs. The former was further classified into two subtypes (A and B) according to the laminar profile in the CA1 region. The A type of simple IIDs showed a negative polarity in the apical dendritic layer, while the B type showed a negative polarity in the basal dendritic layer. Complex IIDs basically consisted of two to three simple IIDs and were often followed by large irregular activity. Retrospective analysis was done, based on the classification of IIDs in the acute experiments ( n =12). Consequently, in the K group ( n =7), the frequency of complex IIDs rather than that of simple ones was closely related to the enhancement of behavioral responses during kindling. On the other hand, in the IK group ( n =5), simple IIDs occurred at a higher frequency, and did not parallel the changes in seizure behavior. It is concluded that complex IIDs play an important role in the propagation as well as the evolution of kindling effects.
Physician Practices in the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Pulmonary Embolism

To examine the diagnostic work-up and subsequent management of patients with pulmonary embolism, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 60 patients who had arteriographically proven pulmonary embolism. Ventilation-perfusion scans were utilized in 47 patients and were classified as showing a high (55.3%), moderate (14.9%), low (8.5%), or indeterminate (21.3%) probability of pulmonary embolism. Of the 33 patients treated with anticoagulation, complications occurred in 10 (30.3%). Of the 39 patients treated with inferior vena cava filters, complications occurred in 16 (41.0%) patients, with the most clinically significant complication being recurrent pulmonary embolism, found to occur in one (2.6%) patient. For patients treated with anticoagulation, heparin was started an average of 0.3 (±0.5) days following the initial suspicion of a pulmonary embolism. The average time to reach a therapeutic partial thromboplastin time level was 2.0 (±1.8) days, and warfarin was started an average of 6.2 (±4.1) days after heparin was begun. Among the 60 patients, five (8.3%) died from the pulmonary embolism, and two of these had at least a five day delay before diagnosis was made by pulmonary arteriography. Since the ventilation-perfusion scan had a sensitivity of 70.2% and a false negative rate of 8.5%, it is not always sufficiently accurate in making final treatment decisions, so there should be less hesitation in attaining pulmonary arteriograms. Therapeutic partial thromboplastin time levels should be more aggressively sought. Warfarin should be started within the first few days of heparin therapy. Inferior vena cava filters should be utilized in patients who have a contraindication to anticoagulation therapy or a complication from anticoagulation therapy.
Utilization of tunnel diodes in fast trigger circuits

Abstract A basic trigger circuit is described which utilizes tunnel diodes in their switching mode. An important feature of this circuit is its fast switching and reset times (10 −8 sec). Applications of this basic circuit to pulse height discrimination, pulse shaping, coincidence measurements, and square wave generation are discussed. The specific application of these circuits to problems in nuclear instrumentation are also considered.
Response of the periodontal tissues of the beagle dog to polytetrafluorethylene implants.

Abstract The healing response of the periodontal tissues to polytetrafluorethylene was examined in the beagle dog. At midroot level, by way of a mucosal incision and a surgically created fenestration in the facial alveolar bone, a cylinder of polytetrafluorethylene 2 mm. in diameter was fitted tightly into a cavity preparation and cut even with the root surface. Histologic observations were made after 57 and 91 days of healing. In sites with optimal healing (minimal or no inflammation present) a thin layer of connective tissue with capillaries had proliferated into the narrow space between the implant and the cavity walls, and new cementum had formed on the walls and floors of the preparations. Bone replacement occurred in the peripheral parts of the fenestrations and in several instances a complete or nearly complete covering of bone had developed at the outer surface of the implant as well. Osseous tissue often contacted the polymer. Inflammatory infiltrate, concentrated at the cavosurface angles, was observed in sites with the poorest healing. This was associated with microscopic pulpal exposure and/or irritants in the interface between the polymer and the cavity walls. The implant material per se did not appear to produce an inflammatory response or impede the development of cementum and bone. Observations confirm the intertness of polytetrafluorethylene and suggest its use as a covering for reimplanted teeth.
The Counselor As Metaphysician.

Despite their scientific temper of mind, counselors should be interested in metaphysics because of its concern with, among other things, the problem of distinguishing the real from the not-real—obviously, a vital issue to every counselor and client. This article sketches the scope of metaphysical inquiry as this discipline is understood in the traditional philosophical sense. The authors also illustrate the significance of metaphysics for counseling by presenting the principal tenets of one metaphysical position—personalistic idealism—and by delineating some implications for counseling that flow from an adherence to this metaphysical view.
Role of the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus in Mediating Stress-Related Litter Deficits in the Golden Hamster

Abstract Primiparous female hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were mated to proven breeders and stressed during early pregnancy. Females were housed singly throughout gestation except for Days 4, 5 and 6 when they were paired for ten-min intervals three times each day with another female matched for age, weight and day of pregnancy. Within each of the pairs, one female was consistently dominant to the other. Controls were exposed to a novel area instead of a conspecific. At parturition, all pups were counted, sexed and weighed. There were no significant differences between control and dominant females' litter sizes or sex ratios (defined as percentage male). Subordinate females produced significantly smaller litters than control or dominant dams and significantly lower sex ratios than control dams. Subordinates produced fewer males than control or dominant dams, but there were no differences in the number of females produced. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus has been implicated as a relay center for the physiological response to stress. Bilateral lesions of the PVN were performed on another group of females and the same protocol described above was followed after the females recovered from surgery. When this 'stress relay center' was lesioned, subordinates did not show the significant deficits in litter size and sex ratio. Sham-operated females showed a similar response to social stress to that of intact females. These results suggest that subordinate dams produce smaller litters via selective resorption of males in utero and that the PVN may be a relay center for the mediation of this response.
A Novel Fiber-Optic Liquid Level Sensor with Adjustable Light Path Based on Principle of Light Refraction

Considering the difficulty to precisely indicate the specified height for transparent or semitransparent thin liquid column, a novel fiber-optic liquid level sensor is reported which remarkably enhances the sensitivity by regulating the external light path based on the principle of light refraction. The structure and working principle of this sensor is introduced. A light path model is developed on the condition that the incident light ray obliquely penetrates the medium in the liquid level indicator. The formulae of deflection angle are deduced. Factors affecting the precision of the sensor are analyzed by means of an example. Finally the feasibility of this novel design is verified by experiments.
Bias-induced forces in conducting atomic force microscopy and contact charging of organic monolayers

Contact electrification, a surface property of bulk dielectric materials, has now been observed at the molecular scale using conducting atomic force microscopy (AFM). Conducting AFM measures the electrical properties of an organic film sandwiched between a conducting probe and a conducting substrate. This paper describes physical changes in the film caused by the application of a bias. Contact of the probe leads to direct mechanical stress and the applied electric field results in both Maxwell stresses and electrostriction. Additional forces arise from charge injection (contact charging). Electrostriction and contact charging act oppositely from the normal long-range Coulomb attraction and dominate when a charged tip touches an insulating film, causing the tip to deflect away from the film at high bias. A bias-induced repulsion observed in spin-coated PMMA films may be accounted for by either mechanism. In self-assembled monolayers, however, tunnel current signals show that the repulsion is dominated by contact charging.
A Protein–Protein Interaction Network for Human Inherited Ataxias and Disorders of Purkinje Cell Degeneration

Many human inherited neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by loss of balance due to cerebellar Purkinje cell (PC) degeneration. Although the disease-causing mutations have been identified for a number of these disorders, the normal functions of the proteins involved remain, in many cases, unknown. To gain insight into the function of proteins involved in PC degeneration, we developed an interaction network for 54 proteins involved in 23 inherited ataxias and expanded the network by incorporating literature-curated and evolutionarily conserved interactions. We identified 770 mostly novel protein-protein interactions using a stringent yeast two-hybrid screen; of 75 pairs tested, 83% of the interactions were verified in mammalian cells. Many ataxia-causing proteins share interacting partners, a subset of which have been found to modify neurodegeneration in animal models. This interactome thus provides a tool for understanding pathogenic mechanisms common for this class of neurodegenerative disorders and for identifying candidate genes for inherited ataxias.
Quantum Mechanics of Fractional-Spin Particles

Composites formed from charged particles and vortices in (2+1)-dimensional models, or flux tubes in three-dimensional models, can have any (fractional) angular momentum. The statistics of these objects, like their spin, interpolates continuously between the usual boson and fermion cases. How this works for two-particle quantum mechanics is discussed here.
Biomedical technology transfer: A manufacturer's viewpoint

In the case of the ultrasonoscope, agree with Professor Enthoven's analysis and his conclusTon. The product is not significantly better than others already on the market to offer a competitive advantage worthy of the investment and uncertainties associated with the process of bringing it to market. Clinical benefits such as portability, safety and flexibility are important in their own right, but seem marginal here in competitive product differentiation. And, for a company without an established position in the field, these are not the sort of contributions that make for successful market entry.
Structure of the natural antibiotic ionophore CP-54,883.

The structural formula of the novel antibiotic ionophore CP-54, 883 is deduced by systematic reduction from its 13C and 1H NMR spectra. The molecule consists of a polyether ring network and side chain terminated by an aromatic ring containing a phenoxy and two chlorine substituents. Based partly on an assumed analogy to corresponding regions of the similar structure nigericin-A1, the configurations about the sixteen asymmetric carbons are also derived. A belated crystal structure determination confirms, with the exception of one configuration assumed from nigericin-A1, the conclusions drawn, and shows that the anionic charge is in the phenoxy group, rather than the carboxylic acid function.
β‐catenin promotes bone formation and suppresses bone resorption in postnatal growing mice

Genetic studies in the mouse have demonstrated multiple roles for β-catenin in the skeleton. In the embryo, β-catenin is critical for the early stages of osteoblast differentiation. Postnatally, β-catenin in mature osteoblasts and osteocytes indirectly suppresses osteoclast differentiation. However, a direct role for β-catenin in regulating osteoblast number and/or function specifically in the postnatal life has not been demonstrated. Addressing this knowledge gap is important because low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), a coreceptor for WNT signaling proposed to function through β-catenin, controls osteoblast number and function in postnatal mice or humans. To overcome the neonatal lethality caused by embryonic deletion of β-catenin in early-stage osteoblast-lineage cells, we use the Osx-CreER(T2) mouse strain to remove β-catenin in Osterix (Osx)-expressing cells by administering tamoxifen (TM) temporarily to postnatal mice. Lineage-tracing experiments in the long bones demonstrate that Osx-CreER(T2) targets predominantly osteoblast-lineage cells on the bone surface, but also transient progenitors that contribute to bone marrow stromal cells and adipocytes. Deletion of β-catenin by this strategy greatly reduces the bone formation activity of the targeted osteoblasts. However, the targeted osteoblasts rapidly turn over and are replaced by an excessive number of non-targeted osteoblasts, causing an unexpected increase in bone formation, but an even greater increase in osteoclast number and activity produces a net effect of severe osteopenia. With time, the mutant mice also exhibit a marked increase in bone marrow adiposity. Thus, β-catenin in postnatal Osx-lineage cells critically regulates bone homeostasis by promoting osteoblast activity and suppressing osteoblast turnover, while restraining osteoclast and marrow fat formation.
Help seeking and satisfaction among Latinas: The roles of setting, ethnic identity, and therapeutic alliance

This study explored help seeking among primary Spanish speaking women of Hispanic origin who had behavioral health needs. We evaluated relational and cultural aspects of care and service utilization by using qualitative and quantitative measures of perceived behavioral health needs, therapeutic relationships, ethnic identity and degree of acculturation, and satisfaction with services among 103 women. We explored the nature of the therapeutic relationship and satisfaction with services among Latinas who received behavioral health services at: (1) a community behavioral health center, (2) a community health center, and (3) a faith-based agency. Overall, results demonstrated that participants had strong therapeutic alliances and were satisfied with services at the three different treatment sites. Differences noted, including clinical and research implications, are also described. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 33: 299–312, 2005.
Effect of HIV infection on tolerability and bacteriologic outcomes of tuberculosis treatment.

SETTING Two international, multicenter Phase 2 clinical trials examining fluoroquinolone-containing regimens in adults with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), conducted from July 2003 to March 2007. Both trials enrolled human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected participants who were not receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at TB treatment initiation. OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of HIV infection on TB treatment outcomes in Phase 2 clinical trials. DESIGN Cross-protocol analysis comparing the safety, tolerability and outcomes of anti-tuberculosis treatment by HIV status. RESULTS Of 750 participants who received at least one dose of study treatment, 123 (16%) were HIV-infected. Treatment completion rates were similar by HIV status (81% infected vs. 85% non-infected), as were rates of week 8 culture conversion (66% infected vs. 63% non-infected), and treatment failure (5% infected vs. 3% non-infected). Among HIV-infected participants, treatment failure detected using liquid media was more frequent in those treated thrice weekly (14% thrice weekly vs. 2% daily, P = 0.03). HIV-infected participants more frequently experienced an adverse event during the intensive phase treatment than non-HIV-infected participants (30% vs. 15%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION HIV-infected persons not receiving ART had more adverse events during the intensive phase of anti-tuberculosis treatment, but tolerated treatment well. Failure rates were higher among HIV-infected persons treated with thrice-weekly intensive phase therapy.
Inflammatory Pseudotumor of the Thymus

A 44-year-old man with inflammatory pseudotumor of the thymus is reported. The patient was seen with fever, myalgia, and dyspnea and was found to have an anterior mediastinal mass and bilateral pleural effusions. The resected lesion consisted of a well-circumscribed mass of chronic inflammatory and fibrous tissue that virtually replaced the thymus. There was no morphological evidence of neoplasia. The patient's symptoms and roentgenographic abnormalities resolved with excision of most of the mass. To our knowledge, this report is the first instance of inflammatory pseudotumor of the thymus.
Tiwanaku and Its Precursors: Recent Research and Emerging Perspectives

The Lake Titicaca Basin provides a fascinating case study for examining the prehistoric rise of complexity and archaic state development. The development of the Tiwanaku state and preceding polities involved conjunctions of regional environmental, socioeconomic, and ideological transformations. Significant social, economic, and ideological diversity characterized each major phase, indicating that the creation of inclusive domains of shared values, practices, and identities was critical to the formation of polities in the region. Tiwanaku and its precursors were, in great part, incorporative sociopolitical phenomena in which social diversity remained vital throughout their histories.
Geometrical Transformations Of Density Images

With proper calibration several image acquisition modalities produce images whose intensity is proportional to the density of some conserved quantity or to the projection of such a density. Such "density" images may be obtained for example in computer assisted tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); projected density images may be obtained via radiography or scintigraphy. Within a given imaging modality, density images of a given set of objects are related through one-to-one geometrical transformations. Differences among the images may arise from object motion between acquisitions or from changes in the acquisition device itself. In this paper techniques are presented for finding approximate geometrical transformations between density images of a set of objects acquired via the same modality. Applications are discussed with respect to motion artifacts that obscure artery images in digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and field inhomogeniety artifacts in MRI. Experimental results in DSA are presented to demonstrate that the principle difficulty lies not in finding an effective transformation for removing motion artifacts, but in selecting one that distinguishes between the artifacts and the artery.
Inhibition of pentylenetetrazol induced genetically-detrmined stereotypic convulsions in tottering mutant mice by diazepam

Abstract Genetically-determined sterotypic behavioral convulsions (GDSC) resulting from the autosomal recessive mutation tottering ( tg ) were studied in C57BL/6J mice. GDSC was found to be reliably induced in ( tg / tg ) homozygotes with 30 mg/kg pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), a dose that is significantly below the threshold for induction of generalized clonic convulsions in ( tg /+) heterozygotes and (+/+) wild type C57BL/6J mice. The effects of anticonvulsant drugs on GDSC were studied in ( tg / tg ) mice induced by 30 mg/kg PTZ. Ethosuximide (250 mg/kg), phenytoin (25 and 50 mg/kg), sodium phenobarbital (25 and 50 mg/kg), naloxone (6 mg/kg), valproic acid (150 mg/kg), sodium valproate (200 mg/kg) and aminooxyacetic acid (25 mg/kg) were all without effect on PTZ induced GDSC. In contrast to its usual anticonvulsant action, phenytoin caused GDSC in ( tg / tg ) mice. Diazepam (4 mg/kg) was completely effective in blocking GDSC 2 hr post administration. Ethosuximide (250 mg/kg), which did not protect ( tg / tg ) mice against GDSC, was able to protect both ( tg / tg ) and ( tg /+) mice against generalized clonic-tonic convulsions induced by 85 mg/kg PTZ. These results suggest a novel mechanism of action for the induction of GDSC by 30 mg/kg PTZ in ( tg / tg ) mice which may involve benzodiazepine receptors.
Localized magnetic modification of permalloy using Cr + ion implantation

Doping ferromagnetic nickel–iron alloys with chromium causes the Curie temperature to be reduced. We have demonstrated that solid state solutions of Ni–Fe–Cr can be formed by implanting Cr ions into ferromagnetic NiFe alloy films, thus creating paramagnetic films. We find that the magnetic moment and coercivity decrease steadily with Cr+ dose, reaching zero at room temperature with the onset of paramagnetism. Using Cr+ implantation in conjunction with a lithographic mask we have patterned continuous Ni80Fe20 films into separate regions that are ferromagnetic and paramagnetic at room temperature. This magnetic patterning process may have applications for the manufacture of magnetic write heads, such as for the notching process used to constrain the stray field from the write gap.
Adolescent personality and two measures of response inconsistency.

Summary This study examined the relationship between the Response Inconsistency Scale (RINC) of the Adolescent Personality Questionnaire and the Variable Response Inconsistency Scale (VRIN) of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for Adolescents (MMPI-A) in a group of 62 participants. RINC and VRIN were positively correlated 30 (p < .01). Additionally, both scales were correlated with five broad personality scales available from the Adolescent Personality Questionnaire. Scores on both inconsistency scales correlated negatively with those on Extraversion, Independence, and Self-control (but the latter two not significantly).
Adaptations to avoid victimization

Abstract From an evolutionary perspective, victims are individuals who incur fitness costs as the result of the actions of external agents. The external agents that inflict the costs are often other humans. In the evolutionary past, there were recurrent contexts of conflict in the fitness interests of different individuals. Evidence suggests that many instances of the infliction of costs on conspecifics are the evolved products of adaptations that function to acquire and control fitness-enhancing resources and goals. We propose that an antagonistic, coevolutionary arms race that has churned through the deep time of human evolutionary history has produced adaptations to strategically exploit others and defenses to avoid the costs of victimization.
A differential geometric description of the relationships among perceptions

Abstract We present a differential geometric method for measuring and characterizing the perceptions of an observer of a continuum of stimuli. Because the method is not based on a model of perceptual mechanisms, it can potentially be applied to a wide variety of observers and to many types of visual and auditory stimuli. The observer is asked to identify which small transformation of one stimulus is perceived to be equivalent to a small transformation of a second stimulus, differing from the first stimulus by a third small transformation. The observer's identification of a number of such transformations can be used to calculate an affine connection on the stimulus manifold. This quantity describes how the observer encodes an evolving stimulus as a perceived sequence of “reference” transformations. This type of encoding is a multidimensional generalization of Fechner's method and reduces to his psychophysical scale when the stimulus manifold is one dimensional and the reference transformation is chosen to be a just noticeable difference. The intrinsic aspects of the nature of the observer's perceptions can be characterized by the curvature and torsion tensors derived from the connection. The multidimensional analogues of psychophysical scale functions exist if and only if these quantities vanish. Differences between the affine connections of two observers characterize differences between their perceptions of the same evolving stimuli. The affine connections of two observers can also be used to map a stimulus perceived by one observer onto another stimulus, perceived in the same way by the other observer. Unlike multidimensional scaling techniques, this method does not assume that the observer has a sense of distance (a metric) or that he/she can otherwise compare stimulus pairs that are oriented along perceptually different directions in the manifold. The method was used to measure the affine connections of observers of a dot moving on different background graphics; e.g., a blank screen, a grid, or two converging lines similar to those used to create the Ponzo illusion. The results comprise quantitative measurements of the background graphic's influence on each observer's perceptions of straightness, parallelism, and distance. The measurements demonstrate differences between the perceptions of the two observers.
Transformation of retained austenite in carburized 4320 steel

A systematic study of stress-induced and thermal-induced transformation of retained austenite in carburized 4320 steel with an initial retained austenite of 35 pct has been conducted. The transformation was monitored by recording the change in volume of smooth fatigue specimens. Stress-induced transformation was studied by conducting monotonic and cyclic tests at temperatures in the range from 22 °C to 150 °C. The volumetric transformation strain was as large as 0.006 at 22 °C. The anisotropy of the transformation was such that the axial transformation strain component exceeded the diametral transformation strain component by a factor of 1.4. Thermal-induced transformation was investigated with temperature stepup tests in the range from 150 °C to 255 °C at constant stress (-500 MPa, 0 MPa, and 500 MPa) and with static tests where temperature was held constant at zero load. The maximum thermal-induced volumetric transformation strain of 0.006 was independent of stress. However, the anisotropy of the transformation strain components was dependent on stress direction and magnitude. An axial tensile stress increased the axial transformation strain relative to the diametral transformation strain. The influence of low-temperature creep(T = 150 °C) on the anisotropy of strains is noted. The differences between stress-induced and thermal-induced transformation mechanisms are discussed. Thermal-induced transformation primarily occurred at temperatures between 100 °C and 200 °C, with the rate of transformation increasing with temperature, while the stress-induced transformation primarily occurred at 22 °C, with the rate of transformation decreasing with increasing temperature. There was no stress-induced transformation above 60 °C.
How we hear what is not there: a neural mechanism for the missing fundamental illusion.

How the brain estimates the pitch of a complex sound remains unsolved. Complex sounds are composed of more than one tone. When two tones occur together, a third lower pitched tone is often heard. This is referred to as the “missing fundamental illusion” because the perceived pitch is a frequency (fundamental) for which there is no actual source vibration. This phenomenon exemplifies a larger variety of problems related to how pitch is extracted from complex tones, music and speech, and thus has been extensively used to test theories of pitch perception. A noisy nonlinear process is presented here as a candidate neural mechanism to explain the majority of reported phenomenology and provide specific quantitative predictions. The two basic premises of this model are as follows: (I) The individual tones composing the complex tones add linearly producing peaks of constructive interference whose amplitude is always insufficient to fire the neuron (II): The spike threshold is reached only with noise, which natur...
A variationally modified Thomas-Fermi approach to the repulsive potential between noble gas atoms and positive and negative ions of spherically symmetric electron configurations

Recent beam experiments (in the keV range) have shed light on the repulsive potentials that exist between closed-shell positive and negative ions of spherically symmetric electron configurations and noble gas atoms. It is shown that the measured repulsive potentials, which arise from such scattering events, can be calculated to within at least a factor of two, or better, on the basis of simple theoretical considerations which make use of recent variational modifications of the Thomas-Fermi (TF) model for neutral atoms, and for positive and negative ions. In advancing the present theory, a discussion is given why the criticisms of Teller and Balazs concerning the use of the original TF model in such calculations are believed to be rescinded when the variationally modified TF models of atoms and ions are used. It is concluded that the present theory might be a desirable one for obtaining estimates of the repulsive potentials that exist between colliding systems whose study might not be amenable to experiments in the laboratory. Into this category fall collision events, whose existence might be of interest in astrophysical problems.
Calorimetric and Spectroscopic Characterization of Zone Refined and Regrown Lead Lodide

Lead iodide starting materials have been purified by vertical zone refining process. The purest materials of the zone-refined ingot, middle zone, were used for single crystal growth by Bridgman method. Differential scanning calorimetry, current-voltage and low temperature photoluminescence measurements were employed to investigate the effectiveness of zone refining process and as-grown crystal. The results showed that the materials from the middle section of zone-refined ingot is the purest, followed by first-to-freeze and last-to-freeze materials. No second phase and deviation from stoichiometry have been observed after zone refining process and Bridgman crystal growth method. The resistivities increase as the purity and crystallinity of materials increases. Cleavage of as-grown crystal did damage the surface and caused additional emission at 2.0 eV. This emission band was not observed after a 10% NaI solution etching.
Shear wave velocities in the Earth's mantle

Direct measurement of the travel time gradient for S waves together with travel time data are used to derive a shear velocity model for the earth's mantle. In order to satisfy the data it is necessary to discard the usual assumption of lateral homogeneity below shallow depths. A shear velocity differential is proposed for a region between western North America and areas of the Pacific Ocean. Distinctive features of the velocity model for the upper mantle beneath western North America are a low-velocity zone centered at 100 km depth and zones of high velocity gradient beginning at 400, 650, and 900 km.
Processes of microstructural evolution during superplastic deformation

Abstract Microstructural changes occurring at the surface and in the bulk of superplastically deformed materials have been considered. Surface studies showed formation of macroscopic surface steps and fibers, which determine surface roughness and can affect corrosion properties, respectively. Bulk microstructural changes include morphological and crystallographic changes, as well as defect accumulation. Phase/grain growth, phase spatial distribution, and phase/grain shape changes control the morphology of the phase constituents. Weakening of preexisting texture and an increase in the ratio of high angle grain boundaries determine crystallographic changes. Defect accumulation is related to cavity formation; density of lattice dislocation is superplastically deformed materials is low. Various explanations proposed for these processes of microstructural evolution in superplastic materials are considered. It is shown that these processes are closely related to cooperative grain boundary sliding—that is, the sliding of grain groups.
Structure of the guide-strand-containing argonaute silencing complex

The slicer activity of the RNA-induced silencing complex is associated with argonaute, the RNase H-like PIWI domain of which catalyses guide-strand-mediated sequence-specific cleavage of target messenger RNA. Here we report on the crystal structure of Thermus thermophilus argonaute bound to a 5'-phosphorylated 21-base DNA guide strand, thereby identifying the nucleic-acid-binding channel positioned between the PAZ- and PIWI-containing lobes, as well as the pivot-like conformational changes associated with complex formation. The bound guide strand is anchored at both of its ends, with the solvent-exposed Watson-Crick edges of stacked bases 2 to 6 positioned for nucleation with the mRNA target, whereas two critically positioned arginines lock bases 10 and 11 at the cleavage site into an unanticipated orthogonal alignment. Biochemical studies indicate that key amino acid residues at the active site and those lining the 5'-phosphate-binding pocket made up of the Mid domain are critical for cleavage activity, whereas alterations of residues lining the 2-nucleotide 3'-end-binding pocket made up of the PAZ domain show little effect.
Incorporation of selectivity factor in modeling binary component adsorption isotherms for heavy metals-biomass system

The single and binary biosorption of copper and lead ions from aqueous solution using a low cost agro-based resource (i.e. rice straw) has been demonstrated in this work. The biosorption experiments were performed in a static mode. Experimental parameters affecting the sorption process namely biosorbent dose, pH, and temperature were studied. Two empirical adsorption models (i.e. Langmuir and Freundlich) were used for the evaluation of biosorption equilibrium data in single system. Both models were able to correlate experimental data satisfactorily. The adsorptivity of solute (KL) and maximum sorption capacity of the solid (qm) were increased at higher temperatures. For binary metal system, we modified the adsorption parameters of extended-Langmuir model (i.e. KL-bin and qm-bin) by introducing selectivity factor of the solute (S). It was found that the modified extended-Langmuir model with incorporation of solute’s selectivity factor gave good correlation results against binary adsorption data with reasonable fitted parameter values. The feasibility and biosorption performance of rice straw in sequestering copper and lead ions was also tested using real effluent along with its regeneration possibility.
Recombination sequence-binding protein in thymocytes undergoing T-cell receptor gene rearrangement.

Abstract Rearrangement of T-cell antigen receptor and immunoglobulin genes occurs in immature lymphoid cells by an unknown mechanism. To identify components of the rearrangement machinery, we isolated a population of murine thymocytes enriched for rearranging pre-T cells. In the nuclear fraction of these cells, we detected a protein that specifically bound the recombination sequences that flank T-cell receptor and immunoglobulin genes and are required for their rearrangement. This protein recognized both heptamer and nonamer motifs of the recombination sequence, separated by either 12 or 23 bp. The protein complexed with the recombination sequence oligonucleotide had an apparent molecular mass of 30 kDa. The binding characteristics of the protein and its presence in rearranging thymocytes and cell lines suggest that it could serve as the recognition unit of a recombinase complex.
Heavy Quarks and e+ e− Annihilation

The effects of new, heavy quarks are examined in a colored quark-gluon model. The e+e- total cross section scales for energies far above any quark mass. However, it is much greater than the scaling prediction in a domain about the nominal two-heavy-quark threshold, despite σe+e- being a weak-coupling problem above 2 GeV. We expect spikes at the low end of this domain and a broad enhancement at the upper end.
Beta Decay of Naturally Radioactive In 115

A liquid scintillator loaded with indium has been used to study the fourth-forbidden beta decay of ${\mathrm{In}}^{115}$. Specific activity measurements yield a half-life of (6.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.5)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{14}$ years. A crude beta spectrum was obtained. Linear extrapolation of the Fermi-Kurie plot gives an end-point energy of 625\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}70 kev.
An interdisciplinary course in women's health integrating basic and clinical sciences: clinical anatomy and women's health.

Abstract Traditionally, undergraduate medical education is divided into preclinical and clinical years, with basic sciences taught during the first years and clinical sciences taught during the latter years. In an effort to better integrate the basic and clinical sciences in undergraduate medical education, and focus on women's health, we have developed a new interdisciplinary fourth-year elective at the University of Michigan Medical School. The elective, titled “Clinical Anatomy and Women's Health,” is a joint effort between the Division of Anatomical Sciences and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan Health System. During the course students participate in didactic, laboratory, cadaveric dissection, and clinical-correlate sessions that focus on gynecologic anatomy and clinical issues in women's health. Educational goals and learning objectives were used to assess the effectiveness of the curriculum; revisions, based on outcomes of the educational assessment, will be implemented in the next offering of the course. Preliminary data from the first offering of the course in February 2002 are provided. The goals of this course include integrating basic science and clinical concepts while reducing the division between preclinical and clinical medical education, addressing issues of women's health, and encouraging lifelong learning by using basic science concepts and techniques of discovery in clinical practice. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:S49-52.)
Impaired acquisition of a successive visual pattern discrimination following hippocampal ablations in cats

Three groups of mature cats were tested for acquisition of a successive visualpattern discrimination. Ammon’s horn and pyriform cortex of Group 1 (N = 6) had been ablated. Group 2 (N = 4) were sham-operated and Group 3 (N = 3) were intact normal animals. Group 1 was significantly inferior to the combined control groups (p < 0.004). Hence, ablation of the hippocampal region severely impairs the acquisition of successive discriminations in cats.
D1 dopamine receptors mediate neuroleptic‐induced Fos expression in the islands of Calleja

Systemic injections of the selective, full, D1 agonists A-77636 and SKF-82958 induced pronounced Fos-like immunoreactivity in the islands of Calleja in the olfactory tubercle of intact rats. Fos expression in this region could also be induced by injections of the D2-like dopamine antagonist raclopride (0.5 mg/kg). Pretreatment with the selective D1 dopamine antagonist SCH-23390 (0.2 mg/kg) completely abolished this response, but was without significant effect on raclopride-induced Fos expression in the dorsolateral region of the striatum. SCH-23390 was also able to prevent the atypical neuroleptic clozapine (30 mg/kg) from inducing Fos expression in the islands of Calleja. These findings demonstrate that stimulation of D1 dopamine receptors plays an essential role in neuroleptic induction of Fos-like immunoreactivity in the islands of Calleja, but not in the dorsal striatum, and thus suggest that different mechanisms underlie neuroleptic stimulation of immediate early gene expression in these two structures.