cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of 6 different intestinal bacteria on broiler breeder sperm motility in vitro

Male fertility is often evaluated by measuring sperm parameters, including concentration, viability, and motility. This is important because after copulation occurs, sperm must overcome many barriers in the female reproductive tract to fertilize the ovum. In mammalian species, sperm have been shown to have reduced motility when bacteria are present. In male broiler breeders, bacteria have been associated with spermatozoa, but their effect on motility has not been investigated. The sperm quality index is a modern rapid method of evaluating avian sperm motility. Therefore, the objective of this study was to use the sperm quality index to determine if broiler breeder sperm motility is reduced when semen is exposed to various bacteria. In this experiment, semen was collected from 20 broiler breeders to obtain a pooled neat semen sample. Six different intestinal bacteria, Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium bifermentans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium animalis were cultured overnight. For each bacterium, 50 µL of semen was diluted in 450 µL of saline, sterile broth, or the overnight culture, creating 3 treatments. The experiment was repeated twice. In each treatment, 3 replicates were evaluated at 0 and 10 min postinoculation, creating a completely randomized design with a split plot over time. Also, the pH was measured for each treatment at 0 and 10 min. The results indicated that all broths containing bacteria immediately reduced broiler breeder sperm motility when compared with the controls (P < 0.0001), but broths containing Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus virtually made sperm immotile. Although broth containing Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Bifidobacterium immediately reduced sperm motility, the reduction did not change over time. Broths containing E. coli, Clostridium, and Lactobacillus reduced sperm motility immediately, but over time motility continued to decrease. However, pH was increased when semen was exposed to the E. coli and Campylobacter treatment, but when semen was exposed to Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus treatments, pH was reduced. In conclusion, the results indicate that bacteria can reduce broiler breeder sperm motility upon exposure.
Optimal data-space partitioning of spatial data for parallel I/O

It is desirable to design partitioning methods that minimize the I/O time incurred during query execution in spatial databases. This paper explores optimal partitioning for two-dimensional data for a class of queries and develops multi-disk allocation techniques that maximize the degree of I/O parallelism obtained in each case. We show that hexagonal partitioning has optimal I/O performance for circular queries among all partitioning methods that use convex non-overlapping regions. An analysis and extension of this result to all possible partitioning techniques is also given. For rectangular queries, we show that hexagonal partitioning has overall better I/O performance for a general class of range queries, except for rectilinear queries, in which case rectangular grid partitioning is superior. By using current algorithms for rectangular grid partitioning, parallel storage and retrieval algorithms for hexagonal partitioning can be constructed. Some of these results carry over to circular partitioning of the data-which is an example of a non-convex region.
Fully Extended Poly(β-amino acid) Chains: Translational Helices with Unusual Theoretical π-π* Absorption and Circular Dichroic Spectra

Calculations of ultraviolet absorption and circular dichroic (CD) spectra in the π−π* band for fully extended chains of poly(β-amino acids) yield simple spectra dominated by a single normal mode, using our classical dipole interaction theory with parameters developed previously for peptides and proteins. These molecules represent the unusual case of a purely translational helix, in which the array of amide chromophores is achiral. The CD spectra are thus unusual in deriving all of their rotational strength by “borrowing” from the nonchromophoric atoms in the molecule. Calculations are presented also for parallel and antiparallel sheet structures, whose existence is known, and for both single chains and sheets in the presence of solvent, using a lattice-filled cavity model for the surrounding medium. The molecules treated are poly(β-alanine), poly(β-aminobutyric acid), poly(β-aminoisobutyric acid), poly(3-amino-2-methylbutanoic acid), and poly(2-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid).
Hyperactivation of BDNF-TrkB signaling cascades in human hypothalamic hamartoma (HH): a potential mechanism contributing to epileptogenesis.

Summary Aims Although compelling evidence suggests that human hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is intrinsically epileptogenic for gelastic seizures, the molecular mechanisms responsible for epileptogenesis within HH remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that hyperactivation of BDNF-TrkB signaling pathways in surgically resected HH tissue is a possible mechanism for downregulation of KCC2 expression, which in turn underlies GABA-mediated excitation within HH. Methods Activation of three major BDNF-TrkB signaling pathways including MAPKs, Akt, and PLCγ1 were evaluated in surgically resected HH tissue (n = 14) versus human hypothalamic control tissue (n = 8) using combined methodologies of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and electrophysiology. Results Our data show that compared with hypothalamic control tissue, in HH tissue, (i) activation of TrkB and expression of mature BDNF are elevated; (ii) MAPKs (including ERK1/2, p38, and JNK), Akt, and PLCγ1 are highly activated; (iii) KCC2 expression is downregulated; and (iv) pharmacological manipulation of TrkB signaling alters HH neuronal firing rate. Conclusion Our findings suggest that multiple BDNF-TrkB signaling pathways are activated in HH. They act independently or collaboratively to downregulate KCC2 expression, which is the key component for GABA-mediated excitation associated with gelastic seizures.
A phase II trial of subcutaneous amifostine and radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

This phase II trial was designed to verify that subcutaneous (SC) administration of Amifostine (Ethyol) protects against radiation therapy (RT)-induced xerostomia and ameliorates amifostine-related side effects (including nausea, vomiting, and hypotension). Patients receiving amifostine SC plus RT had a 56% incidence of acute xerostomia, comparable with previous phase III data with intravenous administration of amifostine. There was good tolerability, with cutaneous toxicity as the most significant side effect. These data suggest that amifostine SC provided comparable protection against RT-induced acute xerostomia as amifostine intravenously.
Development of seminal vesicles and coagulating glands in neonatal mice. I. The morphogenetic effects of various hormonal conditions.

Seminal vesicles (SV) and coagulating glands (CG) from neonatal mice 1- to 7-days old were observed in whole mount preparations. Untreated, normal SV developed elaborate epithelial branches beginning on day 3 with secondary branches appearing on day 6. Castration (C), estradiol treatment (E), and castration combined with estradiol treatment (C + E) inhibited the morphogenesis of the epithelial branches. Untreated CG formed solid epithelial stalks that developed lateral epithelial buds on day 3 which attained a complex morphological pattern by day 7. Treatment groups (C, E, and C + E) displayed a pattern of retarded growth with few epithelial buds appearing even at day 7. The effects of castration on both SV and CG were reversed by the addition of testosterone. Short term in vitro culture of 1-day-old SV and CG glands in control medium or medium supplemented with estradiol did not exhibit visible growth. Culture of SV and CG glands with testosterone or a piece of testis showed pronounced development.
Inflection, thematic roles and abstract Case

This keynote article proposes a new model of language development based on processing, the sole mechanism of acquisition for the Acquisition by Processing Theory (APT). The language module – adapted from Jackendoff's distinction between integration (building complex structures) and interface (facilitating information transfer at the intersections of the sub-modules) – has phonological, syntactic and conceptual processors that interact with each other, working memory and lexical entries. On the one hand, the application of Jackendoff's model to language learning bridges a gap between syntactic theory and processing. On the other hand, its breadth sometimes brings together strange bedfellows, as, for example, minimalist syntax and APT's ‘clear affinities with connectionism’ (p. 17). In order to explore this hybrid model within a focused area, I will limit my comments to a discussion of features of I(nflection), Case and thematic (theta) roles, highlighting the question of how much syntactic theory APT needs. I will suggest that the model could profit from a greater exploitation of morphological input and its role in parameter setting.
Metastatic follicular carcinoma of the thyroid to the skin: a case confirmed by immunohistochemistry.

A 78-year-old woman with a history of follicular carcinoma of the thyroid developed a painless nodule on her face. A skin biopsy showed a dermal tumor composed of cells with granular, cosinophilic cytoplasm. Immunoperoxidase staining demonstrated thyroglobulin in the tumor cells, confirming the diagnosis of meta-static thyroid carcinoma.
Ordinary and Higher Random-Phase Approximations on the Luttinger Model

The exactly solvable Luttinger model for a system of one-dimensional, massless, two-component fermions interacting via general two-body forces is used as a test case for a systematically generated sequence of decoupling approximations commonly referred to as random-phase approximations (RPA) of which the simple RPA is the lowest. It is found, irrespective of both the nature and strength of the interaction, that the exact (collective) spectrum, as well as the exact correlation energy, can already be obtained in the simple RPA, and furthermore, that the next higher RPA gives a vanishing correction to these quantities. It is also shown, quite in contradistinction to the exact result, that the free-gas momentum distribution ${\overline{n}}_{k}$ persists in the second RPA as well as in the first, thereby eliminating the higher RPA as a possible approach to the calculation of ${\overline{n}}_{k}$. Thus, in the context of this particular model, although the first few orders of RPA are highly effective for calculating the excitation spectrum and correlation energy, they are sensibly powerless in their ability to predict any variation in structure beyond that of the free-gas distribution, a result which most probably holds as well in the realistic three-dimensional case.
A Randomized Trial of a DWI Intervention Program for First Offenders: Intervention Outcomes and Interactions with Antisocial Personality Disorder Among a Primarily American-Indian Sample

This article reports on a randomized trial study of a driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) intervention program for first offenders. The authors focuses on intervention outcomes and interactions with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) among a primarily American Indian sample. The study was conducted in conjunction with 28 days of incarceration; the study incorporated motivational interviewing principles for first-time DWI offenders (n = 305; 52 participates were also diagnosed with ASPD). Self-reported frequency of drinking and driving as well as various measures of drinking over the preceding 90 days were also available 244 participants. The authors included DWI rearrest data for 274 participants in their analysis. The results showed that participants who were randomized to receive the first offender incarceration and treatment program reported greater reductions in alcohol consumption from baseline levels when compared with participants who were only incarcerated. Antisocial personality disorder participants reported heavier and more frequent drinking but showed significantly greater declines in drinking from intake to posttreatment assessments. The authors conclude that nonconfrontational treatment may significantly enhance outcomes for DWI offenders with ASPD when delivered in an incarcerated setting.
A new serial system for CAMAC

Abstract A new high speed serial CAMAC system developed at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center for general use in control systems and experimental applications is described in this paper. The line protocol on which the system is based will be described, followed by the serial branch driver and CAMAC crate controller which support this protocol. The serial branch driver contains an assortment of scan modes particularly useful for data gathering in experiments.
Factors involved in nuclear reprogramming during early development in the rabbit.

Mechanisms of nuclear reprogramming and assessment of potential malfunctions that could be deleterious for development were evaluated in rabbit zygotes, parthenotes, and nuclear transfer embryos by analysis of DNA replication, nucleolar fibrillarin label, and localization of nuclear material reactive to the MPM-2 antibody. Nuclear transfer embryos were derived from G1/early S-phase donor nuclei and MII oocytes. In nuclear transfer embryos, DNA rerelication was likely to have occurred because label was incorporated, possibly in the centromeric regions of the chromosomes, prior to premature chromosome condensation and again following pronuclear formation. In parthenotes, DNA replication began very late in the cell cycle, which may be due to deficiencies in the artificial activation stimulus. The presence of fibrillarin label in the nucleolus was used as an indication of nucleolar transcriptional activity. Fibrillarin label was absent in embryos of all types up to the 16-32-cell stage. Although fibrillarin reappeared in nuclear transfer and parthenote embryos at the appropriate stage, not all blastomeres showed label indicating impaired development in these embryos. Labelling of phosphorylated epitopes by MPM-2 antibody showed a change in pattern of labelling during early development. Early cleavage stage embryos did not exhibit labelling over the spindle poles as did blastomeres from 32-cell embryos and tissue culture cells. All cell types exhibited labelling during interphase as dots located primarily over the nucleus in blastomeres from 32-cell embryos and in tissue culture cells, together with cytoplasmic label in embryos at early cleavage stages. Nuclear transplant embryos had a normal pattern of MPM-2 label. In contrast, the appearance of MPM-2 label in parthenotes depended on the type of calcium stimulation. These results demonstrate defects in DNA synthesis, nucleolar activity, and specific phosphorylation events, likely resulting from an improper activation stimulus and chromosome condensation in the transplanted nucleus. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Paradigm crisis in modern human origins research

L'auteur fait le point sur la situation de la recherche sur l'evolution humaine depuis plusieurs annees, se developpant au rythme de l'interminable debat sur les branches de l'evolution (la theorie de l'evolution multiregionale, et la theorie de l'Eve africaine) separant la communaute scientifique en deux et aboutisant a une impasse
Preroughening transitions in surfaces.

We introduce a new type of phase of crystal surface and interfaces. This disordered flat phase appears intermediate between the familiar flat and rough phases in the presence of short-range interactions of a type common in experiments. The surface remains flat on average although it contains a disordered array of steps. The preroughening transition into the disordered flat phase belongs to a new universality class. Finite-size-scaling calculations for the restricted solid-on-solid model confirm the existence of the disordered flat phase and the preroughening transition.
The relationship of season of birth and special education referral

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether children with summer birthdates, or the youngest children within their respective grades, comprised a larger portion of an annual elementary-age special education referral population than would be expected by chance. The 1,222 referrals from grades K-5 of a Southeastern school district were classified according to three seasons of birth (months 6-9, 10-1, and 2-5), three age groups (ages 5-7, 8-9, and 10 and up), and gender. Expected numbers of referrals for each season of birth were computed based on the numbers of children within the respective groups for the overall elementary-age school population of 16,379. Independent chi-square analyses revealed differences at the <.0001 level of significance between the expected and obtained numbers of referrals for both the 5- to 7-year-old children overall and the 5- to 7-year-old boys, and at the .0011 level of significance for 5- to 7-year-old girls. No significant differences between the expected and obtained numbers of referrals were found for the two older groups. Alternative means for providing educational services for the younger, at-risk primary-age student population were discussed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
DNA stretch during electrophoresis due to a step change in mobility.

We investigate DNA stretching during electrophoresis when the mobility abruptly changes. This is a simplified geometry that produces a nonhomogeneous strain rate over the scale of a single molecule. An effective Weissenberg number (Wi) and Deborah number were identified, and the degree of stretching was examined as a function of these two parameters. The system does not undergo a coil-stretch transition. The finite extensibility of the chains only affects the response if the chain is stretched to a significant fraction of the contour length. The wormlike chain shows a characteristic approach to full extension of ${\text{Wi}}^{\ensuremath{-}1∕2}$.
Observing trends in total ozone and extreme ozone events

The ozone layer in the stratosphere has been recovering since the 1989 Montreal Protocol reduced the use of ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbons. Fitzka et al. observed trends in total ozone levels and the vertical distribution of ozone at Hoher Sonnblick, a mountain in Austria, from 1994 to 2011.
Variation of the Coulomb staircase in a two-junction system by fractional electron charge.

We report a measurement of the Coulomb staircase in a two-junction system where the fractional residual charge ${\mathit{Q}}_{0}$ on the center electrode is varied without an external electrode. We present a simple analytic equation for I(V) that depends on the parameters of the junctions, ${\mathit{C}}_{1,2}$, ${\mathit{R}}_{1,2}$, and ${\mathit{Q}}_{0}$, and allows us to obtain them directly from the data. Full ``orthodox'' theory simulations incorporating these parameters are in remarkable agreement with our data. Asymmetric gaplike features in the I-V curve are seen to vary with ${\mathit{Q}}_{0}$, and can be well understood by use of a ${\mathit{C}}_{2}$/${\mathit{C}}_{1}$-${\mathit{Q}}_{0}$ phase diagram.
Electromechanical Modeling and Normal Form Analysis of an Aeroelastic Micro-Power Generator

Combining theories in continuous-systems vibrations, piezoelectricity, and fluid dynamics, we develop and experimentally validate an analytical electromechanical model to predict the response behavior of a self-excited micro-power generator. Similar to music- playing harmonica that create tones via oscillations of reeds when subjected to air blow, the proposed device uses flow-induced self-excited oscillations of a piezoelectric beam embedded within a cavity to generate electric power. To obtain the desired model, we adopt the non- linear EulerBernoulli beam's theory and linear constitutive relationships. We use Hamilton's principle in conjunction with electric circuits theory and the inextensibility condition to derive the partial differential equation that captures the transversal dynamics of the beam and the ordinary differential equation governing the dynamics of the harvesting circuit. Using the steady Bernoulli equation and the continuity equation, we further relate the exciting pressure at the surface of the beam to the beam's deflection, and the inflow rate of air. Subsequently, we employ a Galerkin's descritization to reduce the order of the model and show that a single- mode reduced-order model of the infinite-dimensional system is sufficient to predict the response behavior. Using the method of multiple scales, we develop an approximate analytical solution of the resulting reduced-order model near the stability boundary and study the normal form of the resulting bifurcation. We observe that a Hopf bifurcation of the super- critical nature is responsible for the onset of limit-cycle oscillations.
Cost-effectiveness of all-oral ledipasvir/sofosbuvir regimens in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection.

SummaryBackground An all-oral, pegylated interferon (pegIFN)-free and ribavirin (RBV)-free single-tablet of ledipasvir (LDV) and sofosbuvir (SOF) is now approved for the treatment of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1. Aim To estimate the health economic outcomes for LDV/SOF compared with current treatments in US patients infected with HCV genotype 1. Methods A hybrid decision-tree and Markov state-transition model was developed. For a cohort of 10 000 patients, the model captured outcomes for several pairings of LDV/SOF with comparators, including long-term health outcomes, number need to treat, life-years gained, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYS) gained, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and costs per sustained virologic response (SVR). Patients with different levels of treatment experience and different cirrhosis stages were included. Results LDV/SOF decreased the number of advanced liver disease cases by 0–93% compared with current regimens or no treatment in treatment-naive patients. In treatment-experienced [pegIFN plus ribavirin (PR) or protease inhibitor (PI) + PR] patients, treatment with LDV/SOF decreased the incidence of advanced liver disease complications in most of the cases analysed, except SOF + SMV. For all patient sub-cohorts, LDV/SOF was associated with the lowest 1-year costs per SVR and, with regard to lifetime incremental costs per QALY gained, was either dominant or the most cost-effective treatment. Overall, treatment initiation at earlier stages of liver fibrosis resulted in improved health economic outcomes. Conclusion LDV/SOF is associated with more favourable short- and long-term health economic outcomes compared with current therapies for patients across all levels of treatment experience and cirrhosis stages.
Diseases of Periocular Hair

Diseases of the periocular hair range from localized disease to systemic processes and may present challenging diagnostic questions. We present a comprehensive clinical guide to the evaluation and diagnosis of these disorders. Deficiencies in growth, excess production, changes in pigmentation, aberrant position, or abnormalities in form may affect this region's hair. These range from benign to sight-, and even life-, threatening pathologies.
Water and poverty in the United States

Abstract Contrary to reports of 100% access to safe water and sanitation in international surveys, the United States (US) has a complex landscape of low-income water problems. This paper begins with a critical international perspective on water and poverty in the US. It shows that the US had a declining role in international water programs during the late-20th century, which contributed to limited international awareness of low-income water programs in the US, and limited US awareness of low-income water issues. To address the first problem, we provide an overview of low-income water programs in the US with an emphasis on those that serve small communities. We then examine census data on inadequate water systems in Colorado, which indicate that severe plumbing deficiencies persist despite these public water programs. Inadequate plumbing rates are lower than income poverty rates, however, which indicate partially successful strategies for achieving low-income water services. Analysis of local data in urban, rural, and mountainous areas of the state shows that poverty and water problems are correlated in complex ways, which has implications for all nations striving for universal access to safe water and sanitation.
Symmetric formulation of the Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov lemma and exact losslessness condition

This paper presents a new algebraic framework for robust stability analysis of linear time invariant systems with an emphasis on symmetry. The main motivation for this work is to provide a unified theory to answer when the the KYP lemma provides an exact LMI test for robust stability. The notions of weak and strong mutual losslessness are introduced to characterize for lossless S-procedures and the KYP lemma. The new framework has sufficient flexibility to unify some recent extensions of the KYP lemma, including the Generalized KYP lemma for finite frequency analysis, the KYP lemma for nD systems, and the diagonal KYP lemma for positive systems. Finally, we show that the new theory also suggests that the structured singular value of internally positive systems with arbitrary number of scalar uncertainties can be exactly computed.
Radiative decay width of the ρ − meson

We present data on coherent ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ production on nuclear targets and our application of the Primakoff formalism for extracting the radiative decay width for the transition ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$. Assuming the presence of both electromagnetic and strong contributions to coherent production, we obtain $\ensuremath{\Gamma}({\ensuremath{\rho}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\gamma})=71\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}7$ keV, a result in good agreement with SU(3).
Thin-Film Nanofibrous Composite Ultrafiltration Membranes Based on Polyvinyl Alcohol Barrier Layer Containing Directional Water Channels

A new class of thin-film nanofibrous composite (TFNC) membranes, composed of a chemically cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) barrier layer containing directional water channels through the incorp...
Impact of Fungal Infections on Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients

Invasive fungal infections in solid-organ transplant recipients are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The vast majority of these infections are attributable to Candida species and Aspergillus species. The risk of fungal infection and the types of pathogen involved are largely determined by the history of exposure to fungal pathogens, degree of host immune suppression, type of organ(s) transplanted, and time elapsed since transplantation. Knowledge of these factors, as well as of common clinical manifestations of fungal infections, combined with vigilance in the assessment of transplant recipients, is pivotal for early diagnosis. Future tasks in this field include development of effective chemoprophylaxis strategies, accurate rapid diagnostic methods, and optimal therapeutic regimens.
CT Bone Density in a Case of Osteogenesis Imperfecta-type 1 (OI) Presenting with Suspected Child Abuse

Infants with OI can be mistaken as victims of child abuse when they present with multiple unexplained fractures (MUF). Some believe that radiographic features can distinguish child abuse from OI (ie metaphyseal fractures and posterior rib fractures are diagnostic of child abuse), and that infants with OI will have other features such as a positive family history, Wormian bones, or radiographic evidence of osteopenia that would distinguish the two entities(J Ped 128:542-547,1996). We have evaluated an infant with OI whose findings challenge this position. A 4 month old female presented when the mother noted the infant began screaming after she tried to dress the infant in a shirt. The infant had 3 old, posterior rib fractures, a fracture of the right acromium process, a left clavicle fracture, and a metaphyseal fracture of the left humerus. Evaluation by a child abuse team concluded that this was child abuse and not OI, because there were no other features of OI and the types of fractures were diagnostic of child abuse. The infant was removed from the parents, although they denied wrongdoing. At 5 months of age, while in foster care, the infant presented with new, metaphyseal fractures of the right humerus and left femur. At 9 months of age a CT bone density study showed a very low cortical bone density (CBD) of -3.8 SD compared to 7 control infants. Other children with OI who have been studied have also shown a very low CBD. A skin biopsy was then performed for collagen analysis which was consistent with OI. We conclude that: 1) infants with OI can present with only fractures and have no other findings indicative of OI, 2) infants with OI can develop metaphyseal fractures and posterior rib fractures, and 3) CT bone density measurements can help in distinguishing child abuse from OI.
Transferrin receptor recycling in rat hepatocytes is regulated by protein phosphatase 2A, possibly through effects on microtubule-dependent transport

To understand the regulation of receptor-mediated endocytosis in hepatocytes, we have used two specific inhibitors of serine-threonine protein phosphatases (PP), microcystin (MCYST) and okadaic acid (OKA) as probes to alter protein phosphorylation in hepatocytes. We have then examined the impact of these changes on the specific binding and uptake of transferrin (Tf) in hepatocytes. The measurement of PP activity in hepatocyte lysates showed that OKA and MCYST shared a common inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Our results showed that both OKA (250 nmol/L) and MCYST (500 nmol/L) significantly reduced Tf uptake at steady state (P < or = .05). The measurement of Tf internalization after 15 minutes in protein phosphatase inhibitor-pretreated cells revealed that the initial uptake was also significantly reduced. Binding studies showed that pretreatment with either of the phosphatase inhibitors did not result in significant changes in the K(d) for Tf binding to transferrin receptor (TfR). Additionally, no significant changes in the number of TfR in the plasma membrane were observed in phosphatase inhibitor-pretreated cells. The treatment of hepatocytes with nocodazole (NOC), which results in microtubule disassembly and inhibition of microtubule-based vesicle transport, caused comparable reductions in initial and steady state levels of transferrin accumulation. The changes in transferrin accumulation by both phosphatase inhibitors and nocodazole were accompanied by redistribution of the microtubule-anchored Golgi apparatus and lysosomal network from the perinuclear region to the cell periphery. Our data show that the regulation of Tf uptake by receptor-mediated endocytosis is mediated by PP2A and additionally may occur through regulation of microtubule-based vesicle transport.
Dependency status and Economic Development of Arab States

'Dependency' relations emerge when two or more economies, including their world trade, create a situation in which some countries can expand while others can do so only as a reflection of that expansion. The gradual integration of the Arab states into the international economic system and the requirement that economic development in such states be articulated with the needs of technologically more advanced countries, generated the patterns of dependency relations in the Arab world. While, before the increasing importance of oil, Arab countries did not show much economic disparity, the disparity became highly significant when some Arab countries exported oil and others could not. The circumstances in the oil-producing countries gave rise to 'secondary dependency' in that several developing countries began to depend for aid on the oil-producing countries, themselves dependent on the economic conditions and policies of industrial nations.
Variations in photovoltaic performance due to climate and low-slope roof choice

Abstract With urban space at a premium, roofs are being targeted as an opportunity to deploy sustainable energy technologies for buildings. This research evaluates the combination of green roofs and solar photovoltaics specifically through their temperature and electricity production relationship. Measurements over a one year study period from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 from a large field project in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania were used to determine the differences in power output from green and black roofs as well as to derive two regression functions for back-surface panel temperature and photovoltaic (PV) output. These estimation functions were applied to three different cities (San Diego, CA; Huntsville, AL; and Phoenix, AZ) chosen to represent a wide range of irradiance and temperature values. Based on the specific test-bed configuration, the green or black roof choice under the PV panels had little impact on the PV performance. The difference in magnitude of power generation for green roof–PV compared with black roof–PV assemblies was small (0.5%) corresponding to an annual loss of $9/60 panels in Pittsburgh and a benefit of approximately $8/60 panels per year in Phoenix. Results also suggest that sites consistently above 25 °C (77 °F) will most likely see a small, positive impact from a green roof–PV combination. Building managers and designers should consider this temperature and power output interaction a minor economic factor in roof decisions.
Laser cooling in materials with high concentration of erbium

Laser cooling of solids has many potential applications in communications, surveillance and medical science, etc. This paper reviews our recent work on laser refrigeration of solids in stoichiometric hexa-chloroelpasolite crystals with high concentrations of erbium. Our results are one to two orders of magnitude improvements over any previously reported cooling in erbium based materials. We have seen bulk crystal cooling by as low as 6 degrees Celsius below room temperature in elpasolite crystals. The high efficiency and low temperatures of cooling have been attributed to a high concentration of erbium, as high as 80% by formula, in the crystal. This cooling has been achieved by pumping near the IR transition at 870 nm which is the weakest transition of erbium. We report cooling in the 1.5 micron transition as well, using a diode laser to pump this transition. The result is cooling by only a fraction of a degree from room temperature.
Voting cycles and the structure of individual preferences

Empirical studies have shown that cyclical preferences are infrequent, but they have been less clear about why. Using ‘thermometer’ ratings from nationally-representative samples of the U.S., we examine preferences for presidential candidates in order to determine what it is about them that leads to few cycles. Single-peaked preferences as usually construed (meaning that all of a set of preferences satisfy single-peakedness criteria) are, of course, rare. Yet we find a high degree of unidimensionality in the sense that for any given set of preferences, a relatively high proportion of the preference orders are consistent with single-peakedness. We also find that the highest amounts of unidimensionality often do not occur along partisan or left/right lines. Strong feelings for or against candidates, often not derived from an issue base, form the basis for the dimensionality discovered.
The Relationships of Concentration and Time to the Temperature of Coagulation of Evaporated Skim and Whole Milk

Summary In order to make the results obtained upon various milks comparable with respect to time and temperature of coagulation it is necessary to calculate all concentrations upon the basis of the proportion of solids not fat to the total weight minus the weight of the fat. While calculations of solids upon the basis of total solids (including fat) will hold for all milks with approximately the same fat content, any variations in the percentage of fat will introduce error into the data of true concentration of proteins and consequently will introduce error into coagulation data. A calculation of results upon the basis suggested will give a true basis for the comparison of the stability of evaporated milks toward heat, and make possible a comparison of milks from day to day, as well as of skim and whole milks, whatever may be their fat content. The presence of a high fat content in a milk will raise its coagulating temperature slightly over that of skim milk from the same sample, due in all probability to the absorption of heat by the fat present in the whole milk. It would seem therefore that in studying the mechanism of coagulation the most reliable results would be obtained with skim milk. The relation of the coagulation temperature to the concentration of evaporated milk, between the concentrations of 16 and 26 per cent, has been determined. The greater the concentration the greater the variation between skim and whole evaporated milk from the same sample. In the region of concentration which is of most interest (18 to 20 per cent) the change of coagulation temperature for every 1 per cent change in concentration is approximately 1.5°C. In higher concentrations the change is slightly more. The relation between concentration and coagulation temperature in a milk of poor quality seems to parallel that in a milk of good quality. The relation of the temperature of coagulation to the time of coagulation has been determined between ten and sixty minutes and found to approximate very closely a logarithmic relation, with respect to time. Knowing the time and temperature of coagulation of a milk of certain concentration, therefore, one can approximate the temperature of coagulation for any other period of time. The same relationship between time and temperature seems to hold for milks of poorer grade.
Exotic emerging viral diseases: progress and challenges

The agents causing viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) are a taxonomically diverse group of viruses that may share commonalities in the process whereby they produce systemic and frequently fatal disease. Significant progress has been made in understanding the biology of the Ebola virus, one of the best known examples. This knowledge has guided our thinking about other VHF agents, including Marburg, Lassa, the South American arenaviruses, yellow fever, Crimean-Congo and Rift Valley fever viruses. Comparisons among VHFs show that a common pathogenic feature is their ability to disable the host immune response by attacking and manipulating the cells that initiate the antiviral response. Of equal importance, these comparisons highlight critical gaps in our knowledge of these pathogens.
Duration neglect by numbers-And its elimination by graphs

People tend to neglect duration when retrospectively evaluating aversive experiences, causing memories to be at odds with experienced pain. However, memory was not involved in the original demonstration of duration neglect. Instead, people evaluated others’ experiences represented by lists of discomfort ratings. Duration was said to be neglected because attention was focused on peak and end ratings. Three experiments are reported demonstrating that graphs rather than number lists can make duration neglect disappear without increasing attention to episode duration. Graphs can eliminate duration neglect because, relative to number lists, strategies that incorporate duration are more easily employed. The results suggest that when hedonic information does not have to be remembered, people will use all, not just peak and end, moments when evaluating experiences, and that format presentation affects how people combine those moments. Caution is recommended when making theoretical and prescriptive generalizations based on duration neglect.
The effect of temperature on ammonia assimilation in a Mycobacterium.

Abstract 1. 1. Mycobacterium A.T.C.C. No. 8420 heated to 51 ° for 10 min. loses its ability to assimilate ammonium ion, although the autorespiration and oxidation of added substrates is normal and there is no evidence of uncoupling of oxidation and phosphorylation. Recovery occurs after 90–120 min., but the rate of assimilation is still slower than normal. Certain drugs prolong the recovery period. 2. 2. Addition of succinate or certain other substrates when no assimilation is occuring causes immediate assimilation which continues as long as there is substrate to be oxidized. This process is not sensitive to drugs in concentrations which prolong the recovery of the “endogenous” assimilation. 3. 3. Apparently two separate mechanisms exist in these cells for ammonium ion assimilation: one activated by endogenous metabolism, the other by the metabolism of exogenous compounds. 4. 4. Glutamine and a number of amino acids have been identified in the heated cells following assimilation both in the presence and absence of succinate.
Robust Design for Profit Maximization With Aversion to Downside Risk From Parametric Uncertainty in Consumer Choice Models

In new product design, risk averse firms must consider downside risk in addition to expected profitability, since some designs are associated with greater market uncertainty than others. We propose an approach to robust optimal product design for profit maximization by introducing an a-profit metric to manage expected profitability vs. downside risk due to uncertainty in market share predictions. Our goal is to maximize profit at a firm-specified level of risk tolerance. Specifically, we find the design that maximizes the a-profit: the value that the firm has a (1 � a) chance of exceeding, given the distribution of possible outcomes. The parameter a [ (0,1) is set by the firm to reflect sensitivity to downside risk (or upside gain), and parametric study of a reveals the sensitivity of optimal design choices to firm risk preference. We account here only for uncertainty of choice model parameter estimates due to finite data sampling when the choice model is assumed to be correctly specified (no misspecification error). We apply the delta method to estimate the mapping from uncertainty in discrete choice model parameters to uncertainty of profit outcomes and identify the estimated a-profit as a closed-form function of decision variables for the multinomial logit model. An example demonstrates implementation of the method to find the optimal design characteristics of a dial-readout scale using conjoint data. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4007533]
Using Video Capture and Image Analysis to Quantify Apparel Fit

The apparel industry relies on subjective traditional fit measures of expert analysis and subject responses and objective body dimension measurements to quantify the fit and size of garment prototypes. In this study, an objective method for the analysis of fit is validated by comparison with traditional measures. Assessment of apparel fit for all measures focuses on the effect of postural differences and garment fit for mature women between the ages of 55 and 65. The objective method uses slashed garments and image analysis tools. Results of the analysis of high contrast video-captured images of subjects dressed in test jackets are compared to traditional fit measures. Expert analysts and the image analysis method developed for this study are both capable of defining the complex interactions of the garment/body interface.
Statistical profiles of highly-rated web sites

We are creating an interactive tool to help non-professional web site builders create high quality designs. We have previously reported that quantitative measures of web page structure can predict whether a site will be highly or poorly rated by experts, with accuracies ranging from 67--80%. In this paper we extend that work in several ways. First, we compute a much larger set of measures (157 versus 11), over a much larger collection of pages (5300 vs. 1900), achieving much higher overall accuracy (94% on average) when contrasting good, average, and poor pages. Second, we introduce new classes of measures that can make assessments at the site level and according to page type (home page, content page, etc.). Finally, we create statistical profiles of good sites, and apply them to an existing design, showing how that design can be changed to better match high-quality designs
Human Cytomegalovirus 86-Kilodalton IE2 Protein Blocks Cell Cycle Progression in G1

The 86-kDa IE2 protein of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an important regulator of viral and host cell gene expression. Still, besides its function as a transcription factor, little is known about the biological activities of IE2. Here, we show that IE2 can induce a G(1) arrest in several different cell lines, including HCMV-permissive U-373 cells. The known transcriptional activation domains of IE2 are dispensable for G(1) arrest, favoring a posttranscriptional mechanism mediating this cell cycle effect. We show that like human primary fibroblasts U-373 cells arrest in G(1) upon infection with HCMV. This G(1) arrest occurs within 24 h after infection and in proliferating cells depends on viral gene expression. Our data therefore suggest that IE2 is at least partially responsible for blocking the transition from G(1) to S phase, which is induced when cells are infected with HCMV.
Self-sensing of flexural strain and damage in carbon fiber polymer-matrix composite by electrical resistance measurement

The self-sensing of flexural strain and damage has been demonstrated in carbon fiber polymer-matrix composite by measuring the DC electrical resistance. Upon strain in the elastic regime, the compression surface resistance decreases reversibly (due to increase in the current penetration), while the tension surface resistance increases reversibly (due to decrease in the current penetration), and the oblique resistance increases reversibly. Upon minor damage, (i) the oblique resistance after unloading decreases, (ii) the oblique resistance decreases during load increase near the start of loading, and (iii) the curve of the oblique resistance or the resistance of the tension or compression surface vs. deflection becomes nonlinear. Upon major damage, all resistances abruptly and irreversibly increase, such that the onset occurs earlier for the compression surface resistance and the oblique resistance than the tension surface resistance. The surface resistances are superior indicators of strain, whereas the oblique resistance is a superior indicator of damage.
Single-step fabrication of patterned gold film array by an engineered multi-functional peptide.

This study constitutes a demonstration of the biological route to controlled nano-fabrication via modular multi-functional inorganic-binding peptides. Specifically, we use gold- and silica-binding peptide sequences, fused into a single molecule via a structural peptide spacer, to assemble pre-synthesized gold nanoparticles on silica surface, as well as to synthesize nanometallic particles in situ on the peptide-patterned regions. The resulting film-like gold nanoparticle arrays with controlled spatial organization are characterized by various microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. The described bio-enabled, single-step synthetic process offers many advantages over conventional approaches for surface modifications, self-assembly and device fabrication due to the peptides’ modularity, inherent biocompatibility, material specificity and catalytic activity in aqueous environments. Our results showcase the potential of artificially-derived peptides to play a key role in simplifying the assembly and synthesis of multi-material nano-systems in environmentally benign processes.
Spectral versus classical Nevanlinna-Pick interpolation in dimension two

A genericity condition is removed from a result of Agler and Young which reduces the spectral Nevanlinna-Pick problem in two dimensions to a family of classical Nevanlinna-Pick problems. Unlike the original approach, the argument presented here does not involve state-space methods.