cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient induction and sustenance of pluripotent stem cells from bovine somatic cells.

Although derivation of naive bovine embryonic stem cells is unachieved, the possibility for generation of bovine induced pluripotent stem cells (biPSCs) has been generally reported. However, attempts to sustain biPSCs by promoting self-renewal have not been successful. Methods established for maintaining murine and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) do not support self-renewal of iPSCs for any bovid species. In this study, we examined methods to enhance complete reprogramming and concurrently investigated signaling relevant to pluripotency of the bovine blastocyst inner cell mass (ICM). First, we identified that forced expression of SV40 large T antigen together with the reprogramming genes (OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and MYC) substantially enhanced the reprogramming efficacy of bovine fibroblasts to biPSCs. Second, we uncovered that TGFβ signaling is actively perturbed in the ICM. Inhibition of ALK4/5/7 to block TGFβ/activin/nodal signaling together with GSK3β and MEK1/2 supported robust in vitro self-renewal of naive biPSCs with unvarying colony morphology, steady expansion, expected pluripotency gene expression and committed differentiation plasticity. Core similarities between biPSCs and stem cells of the 16-cell-stage bovine embryo indicated a stable ground state of pluripotency; this allowed us to reliably gain predictive understanding of signaling in bovine pluripotency using systems biology approaches. Beyond defining a high-fidelity platform for advancing biPSC-based biotechnologies that have not been previously practicable, these findings also represent a significant step towards understanding corollaries and divergent aspects of bovine pluripotency. This article has an associated First Person interview with the joint first authors of the paper.
Neurological outcomes of patients with mycotic aneurysms in infective endocarditis (P4.3-059)

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of mycotic aneurysms (MAs) in a contemporary case series of infective endocarditis. Background: The natural history and outcomes of MAs under contemporary medical therapy has been less well characterized. We hypothesized that the rupture rate of MAs would be lower than historical case series. Design/Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed at two US academic medical centers of patients ≥ 18 years with infective endocarditis and MAs. Information was collected regarding risk factors, imaging, treatments, and outcomes. Outcomes of interest included ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), MA size, and in-hospital mortality. Results: We identified 22 patients (mean age 54, 10 female) with infective endocarditis and MAs. Eighteen patients had positive cultures, 1 of whom had fungal endocarditis and the rest bacterial. Patients averaged 1.4 MAs, and average maximum diameter was 4.5 mm (range 1.2–15.0 mm). Among the 22 patients, 12 had ≥ 1 ruptured MAs, 13 had infarction on imaging, 18 had ICH, and 3 were asymptomatic. No MAs ruptured after aneurysm discovery. Of 12 patients with ruptured MAs, 9 were secured neurosurgically or endovascularly and 3 received antibiotics alone. Of 10 patients with unruptured MAs, 7 received antibiotics alone. Of 10 patients on antibiotics only, 5 underwent repeat imaging of which 1 had enlarging MA; 1 died in hospital. Of 12 patients with secured MAs, 2 died in hospital. Eight unsecured patients underwent CTS and 3 secured patients underwent CTS. One unsecured patient suffered a symptomatic ischemic stroke after CTS, while no others suffered perioperative neurological events including ICH. One unsecured patient after CTS died in hospital, while no secured patients after CTS died in hospital. Conclusions: Treatment with antibiotics alone in MA may have similar outcomes to treatment with neurosurgical or endovascular therapy. Further investigation is warranted to determine the risk of undergoing CTS in unsecured MAs. Disclosure: Dr. Shi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shah has nothing to disclose. Dr. Valenzuela has nothing to disclose. Dr. Parikh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gutierrez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Willey has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with MKSAP 18, American College of Physicians, Edwards Scientific, Medtronic, Grand Rounds Expert Care. Dr. Willey has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Uptodate.com.
Loop-Level Process Control: An Effective Processor Allocation Policy for Multiprogrammed Shared-Memory Multiprocessors

Processor time-sharing is the most common way to increase the overall system utilization for shared-memory multiprocessor systems. However, the performance of individual applications might be sacrificed due to the high overhead of context switching, due to the processing power wasted by busy-waiting synchronization and locking operations, and due to poor cache memory utilization. In this paper, we propose a simple and effective processor allocation scheme, called Loop-Level Process Control (LLPC), for multiprogrammed multiprocessors. At the beginning of each parallel section of each application program, LLPC uses the current system load to determine an upper limit on the number of processes the application can create for that parallel section. Preliminary simulation results using the Perfect Club Fortran benchmarks show that this loop-level process control scheme can produce a high system utilization while maintaining high performance for the individual applications. Another advantage of this strategy is that it is transparent to the programmer and does not require any modifications to the operating system. Consequently, the application can remain portable and compatible.
A targeted peptide controls and reverses type 1 diabetes. (THER5P.838)

CD40-CD154 interaction is decisive in directing autoimmune inflammation; therefore, controlling this interaction and hence destructive inflammation is a major goal in a number of autoimmune diseases including Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Initial attempts to block CD40-CD154 interaction used antibody, random peptides, and small organic molecules, which all were problematic. Therefore an efficacious treatment remains a major goal. Here we reveal a unique targeted peptide, KGYY15, based on the domain of CD154 that binds to the CD40 receptor. Immunoprecipitation utilizing the peptide demonstrates that it binds directly to the CD40 receptor protein which in turn alters the CD40 signaling outcome. KGYY15 prevents T1D in 87% of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice and histology reveals significant decreases in β-islet infiltration. Interestingly, KGYY15 treatment reverses overt hyperglycemia in 80% of new onset diabetic mice with significant improvement in β-islet insulin granule score. Structure-activity relationship studies demonstrate that the 15-mer peptide is optimal for efficacy and that five specific amino acids are critical in its activity. KGYY15 is well tolerated and functions to control the culprit Th40 effector T cells that are causative in T1D. The peptide sequence is 80% homologous to the human sequence suggesting an important candidate for translational studies.
Remembering Paul Adrien Maurice Dirac

I feel very honored by being asked to review Dr. Dirac’s interests, his contributions to science, and his personality in general. But this is not an easy task — it is difficult to review the interests, accomplishments and the most important events of the life of any person but particularly difficult in the case of a person with as great accomplishments as those of Dr. Dirac whom I used to call “my famous brother-in-law”. But it is difficult in any case — life is complicated and it is difficult to know which events were most important and which left the most lasting effects on the person considered and created the most important consequences. In the case of Paul Dirac surely his scientific contributions were most important, and I will try to relate those which had the most lasting effects on his science, on physics and in particular on quantum theory.
Pathogenic Rickettsia species acquire vitronectin from human serum to promote resistance to complement-mediated killing

Summary Bacteria of the genus Rickettsia are transmitted from arthropod vectors and primarily infect cells of the mammalian endothelial system. Throughout this infectious cycle, the bacteria are exposed to the deleterious effects of serum complement. Using Rickettsia conorii, the etiologic agent of Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF), as a model rickettsial species, we have previously demon- strated that this class of pathogen interacts with human factor H to mediate partial survival in human serum. Herein, we demonstrate that R. conorii also interacts with the terminal comple- ment complex inhibitor vitronectin (Vn). We further demonstrate that an evolutionarily conserved rickettsial antigen, Adr1/RC1281, interacts with human vitronectin and is sufficient to mediate resistance to serum killing when expressed at the outer-membrane of serum sensitive Escherichia coli. Adr1 is an integral outer-membrane protein whose structure is predicted to contain eight membrane-embedded β-strands and four 'loop' regions that are exposed to extracellular milieu. Site-directed mutagenesis of Adr1 revealed that at least two predicted 'loop' regions are required to mediate resistance to complement-mediated killing and vitronectin acquisition. These results demonstrate that rickettsial species have evolved multiple mechanisms to evade complement depo- sition and that evasion of killing in serum is an evolutionarily conserved virulence attribute for this genus of obligate intracellular pathogens.
Evaluating exotic plants as evolutionary traps for nesting Veeries

ABSTRACT Human-induced rapid environmental change, such as the introduction of exotic species, can create novel species interactions that might be detrimental to native organisms. For birds, introduced plant species may represent potentially attractive, but dangerous, locations to place a nest. If the environmental cues that birds use to select safe nest sites are unreliable when they apply to nonnative plant species, these plants could act as evolutionary traps: preferred nest substrates that confer the poorest reproductive outcomes. We tested this possibility by assessing reproductive consequences of nest substrate preference in the Veery (Catharus fuscescens). We followed the fates of nests in native plants and in three nonnative plants associated with reduced nest success in previous studies (Amur honeysuckle [Lonicera maackii], multiflora rose [Rosa multiflora], and Japanese barberry [Berberis thunbergii]). Veeries preferred to locate nests in nonnative plants and in denser patches of vegetation more...
Monoclonal antibody technology

The development, production, limitations, and uses of monoclonal antibody (MoAb) technology are presented. The first MoAbs were developed in 1975 using a process whereby the antibody-producing spleen cells of mice that had been immunized against sheep red blood cells were fused with the cells of a mouse myeloma cell line, producing hybridomas. These hybridoma cells are used to produce MoAbs, which are antibodies that will bind to only one specific target site on an antigen. Large quantities of MoAbs are grown, either in cell cultures or in the peritoneum of mice, and harvested. Although large quantities of MoAbs can be produced, these techniques are limited because of the potential for contamination by mouse viruses and the inability of the hybridomas to yield sufficient quantities of MoAbs. MoAbs are currently used in diagnostic techniques, including pregnancy tests and drug assays, as well as in tests for detecting viral and bacterial infections and cancer. MoAbs, coupled with dyes or radioactive isotopes, can be used in imaging techniques. Other possible applications of MoAbs include tissue typing, purification, therapy of cancer and autoimmune diseases, and treatment of drug toxicities. As the use of MoAbs in health care increases, pharmacists will need to have a good understanding of the functions and applications of these agents.
Transsphenoidal surgery for Rathke’s cleft cyst can reduce headache severity and frequency.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of transsphenoidal surgery for Rathke’s cleft cyst (RCC) on headache frequency, severity, and duration. The medical records of 43 consecutive patients who underwent transsphenoidal resection of a pathologically-proven RCC at our institution by the senior author (E.R.L.) between April 2008 and April 2014 were reviewed. Patients were called by telephone and asked to answer questions about the severity, location, type, duration, and quality of their headaches, both pre- and post-operatively. This information was joined with detailed data collected directly from each patient’s medical record regarding headaches upon presentation and at 1-week, 6-week, 3-month, and annual post-operative appointments. Twenty-three patients (53 %) responded to our telephone survey after repeated attempts at contact. Median follow-up was 64 months (range 6–83 months). Of these patients, 19 (82.6 %) reported pre-operative headaches, compared to 12 (52.2 %) who reported post-operative headaches (OR = 1.75, p = 0.02). Average headache severity on a 1–10 scale decreased from 6.4 (SD = 2.0) pre-operatively to 3.4 (SD = 1.9) post-operatively (p = 0.006), while average maximum severity decreased from 8.6 (SD = 2.2) pre-operatively to 4.0 (SD = 3.3) post-operatively (p < 0.001). The frequency of headaches also decreased, from 18.1 (SD = 12.6) per month pre-operatively to 3.7 (SD = 8.4) per month post-operatively (p < 0.001). Overall, 14 patients (60.9 %) reported improvement in their headaches, and three patients (13.0 %) reported that their headaches had completely resolved. In a carefully selected patient population, transsphenoidal surgery for RCC can reduce headache monthly frequency, average typical severity, and average maximum severity with minimal risk of morbidity or mortality.
Physical Fitness and the Stress Process.

In the current paper we focus on the role of physical fitness in the life stress process for both psychological and physical well-being. The major research question posed in the current study is: Does physical fitness deter distress in a model containing the major components of the life stress process? That is, do individuals who exercise show higher levels of well-being than those that do not exercise? Is this relationship independent of the stress they experience and the resources they possess? Using data from a representative community sample, the current study finds that physical fitness is directly related to both psychological and physical distress. The more a person exercises, the less psychological and physical symptoms he or she manifests. Physical fitness is associated with decreased distress. This finding holds up, even when stressors and psychosocial resources are included in the model. While physical fitness was not found to mediate the effects of stressors on distress, there was some evidence of a moderating effect of fitness in the stressor–distress relationship, both for psychological and for physical distress. That is, fitness served to buffer the effects of stressors on both psychological and physical distress. In addition, physical fitness is associated with psychological resources that, in turn, are associated with lower levels of distress. The more a person exercises, the greater the self-esteem. Thus, in addition to directly deterring distress, physical fitness was found to have the potential to indirectly deter distress through its positive association with the level of psychological resources (i.e., self-esteem) that individuals possess. These and other findings are discussed in the context of the life stress paradigm. Implications for future stress research are presented. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 32: 81–101, 2004.
Green's theorem and potentials in a volume conductor

In their recent paper Barr, Pilkington, Boineau and Spach (ibid., vol. BME-13, pp. 88-92, April 1966) present a method for solving the boundary-value problems of interest to electrocardiography based on Green's theorem. An earlier method was presented Gelernter and Swihart (1964) and the purpose of this note is to point out how it also can be related to Green's theorem. A more extensive treatment of aspects of this problem is contained in a recent preliminary report by the author (MIT, Research Lab. of Electrollics, Cambridge, MA, Quarterly Progress Rept. 81, pp. 218-226, April 15, 1966. also Biophys. J., January 1967).
Quantification of the dilute sedimentary soot phase : Implications for PAH speciation and bioavailability

Existing field data indicate that soot may significantly affect the environmental speciation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To expand hydrophobic partition models to include soot partitioning, we need to quantify fsc, the soot fraction of the solid matrix, and Ksc, the soot-carbon-normalized partition coefficient. To this end, we have developed a method that allows quantification of soot carbon in dilute and complex sedimentary matrices. Non-soot organic carbon is removed by thermal oxidation, and inorganic carbonates are removed by acidification, fol lowed by CHN elemental analysis of the residual soot carbon. The selectivity of the soot carbon method was confirmed in tests with matrices of known compostion. The soot quantification technique was applied to two sets of natural sediments, both previously analyzed for PAHs. The input histories of PAHs and soot recorded in a lacustrine sediment core followed the same general trends, and we thus infer a coupling between the two. Our measures of f...
Psychology of the scientist. LXVII: Assignment of authorship credit in psychological research

This study examined the value researchers assign to specific research activities and the assignment of authorship relative to the reported contributions to these tasks. All single, first, and second authors of empirical articles in the 1989 volume of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology were surveyed by mail. “Writing the paper” and “Having the idea” were the two research tasks most highly valued. Most authors followed the weighted value of each author's contribution to the completion of the research, but for some the order of authorship was misplaced and in some cases assigned when the person had made no direct contribution. The merit of having discipline-wide standardized guidelines for research activities was discussed.
The Medieval Warrior Aristocracy: Gifts, Violence, Performance, and the Sacred

The process of identity formation during the central Middle Ages (10th-12th centuries) among the warrior aristocracy was fundamentally cantered on the paired practices of gift giving and violent taking, inextricably linked elements of the same basic symbolic economy. These performative practices cannot be understood without reference to a concept of the sacred, which anchored and governed the performances, providing the goal and rationale of social and military action. After focussing on anthropological theory, social history, and chronicles, the author turns to the 'literary' persona of the hero as seen in the epic.He argues that the hero was specifically a narrative touchstone used for reflection on the nature and limits of aggressive identity formation among the medieval warrior elite; the hero can be seen, from a theoretical perspective, as a 'supplement' to his own society, who both perfectly incarnated its values but also, in attaining full integrity, short-circuited the very mechanisms of identity formation and reciprocity which undergirded the society. The book shows that the relationship between warriors, heroes, and their opponents (especially Saracens) must be understood as a complex, tri-partite structure - not a simple binary opposition - in which the identity of each constituent depends on the other two. Andrew Cowell is Associate Professor of the Department of French and Italian, and the Department of Linguistics, at the University of Colorado.
FLAVONOID RACES OF CLAYTONIA VIRGINICA (PORTULACACEAE)

Four flavonoid races have been found in the Claytonia virginica aneuploid complex, differing from one another in the accumulation of 12 kaempferol and quercetin 3-glycosides. Each of these races has a distinctive geographical distribution within the overall range of the species. The three major diploid cytotypes of C. virginica each belong to different races, two of which also include polyploids; a fourth race consists entirely of polyploids. An examination of biosynthetic pathways indicates that a small number of genetic changes are responsible for the observed variation; polyploidy per se does not appear to have contributed significantly to the production of novel compounds. Flavonoid data also suggest strongly that polyploidy within rather than between modern chemical races has been responsible for the bulk of chromosome number variation in the species. OVER 50 CYTOTYPES are known from the single
Macrocystic serous cystadenoma of the pancreas: A morphologic variant differing from microcystic adenoma

Abstract The term “microcystic adenoma” of the pancreas has gained nearly universal acceptance among pathologists owing to the characteristic gross and microscopic features of this tumor. The possible existence of macrocystic variants of serous cystadenoma has been largely ignored in the literature. We report five cases of macrocystic serous cystadenoma of the pancreas, two of which were of the unilocular type. These tumors exhibited distinctly different macroscopic features from microcystic adenoma, which created diagnostic difficulties for both the radiologist and pathologist. Computed tomography scans on all five cases were thought to represent either mucinous cystic neoplasms or pseudocysts and the tumors were misclassified in two of three cases on which intraoperative frozen sections were performed. In our opinion, microcystic and macrocystic serous tumors represent morphologic variants of the same benign pancreatic neoplasm and we suggest that the term “serous cystadenoma” be used to encompass all variants of this benign neoplasm.
Advice to Beginners--And to Myself.

I walked into my first formal setting as a religious educator—a boys' Catholic high school with a class of sophomores—at the age of 21, now some 40 years ago. It seems only like yesterday; make the...
Conversion of deciduous forest to silvopasture produces soil properties indicative of rapid transition to improved pasture

Differences in soil properties between forests and pastures have been well documented in the literature, especially under coniferous forests. However, since nearly all of these reports have been time-point comparisons, utilizing long-term paired-sites, properties of transitional states and time of their appearance can only be inferred at present. In this study, a deciduous forest ecosystem was converted to a silvopasture ecosystem by tree thinning, fertilization, and sheep incorporation of seed and forest litter. After 2 years, topsoil (0–15 cm) physico-chemical properties, particularly P fractions, and phosphatases were monitored over the growing season in these ecosystems, and a nearby pasture ecosystem. Initially, before spring vegetative growth, differences were found for pH, exchangeable cations and soil moisture, most of which could be explained by management history. Compared to forest, organic-C (Co) and organic-N (No) concentrations were reduced in silvopasture by 17 and 9%, respectively, indicative of substantial litter decomposition. Most values for all these physico-chemical properties for silvopasture were intermediate between forest and pasture, and generally remained so throughout the growing season. Initial total P (TPt), organic-P (TPo) and inorganic-P (TPi) concentrations were generally as anticipated for the forest and pasture. Silvopasture, however, had 36 and 23% greater TPo than forest and pasture, respectively, presumably due to fertilizer-P immobilization induced by incorporation of forest litter. Total P components remained essentially constant over the growing season in all ecosystems, with the exception of pasture, likely due to high forage TPi uptake. Bray I-extractable-organic-P (BrPo) and bicarbonate-extractable-organic-P (BiPo) concentrations, although consistently highest in the forest and silvopasture soils, were not reflective of the increase in TPo under silvopasture. Acid phosphatase (PMEac) activities were highest in spring in all the ecosystems, then gradually declined to typically 25–50% initial activities. Alkaline phosphatase (PMEal) activities showed a broadly-similar pattern, with exception of forest and silvopasture soils, which exhibited low activities throughout the season. For the entire data set, PMEac and PMEal activities were poorly correlated with TPi, BrPi, and BiPi. These results demonstrate that conversion of forest to silvopasture results in soil changes indicative of its rapid transition to pasture and that an increased Po reservoir results that should be taken into account in fertilizer-P recommendations for temperate silvopastures.
Electrochemical nucleation and growth of copper on Si(111)

Abstract In this paper we report on the deposition of copper on n-Si(1 1 1) from 1 mM CuSO4+0.1 M H2SO4 (pH=1) solution. Voltammograms revealed a deposition peak characteristic of diffusion limited growth. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images after deposition of a few monolayers showed that deposition occurs by Volmer–Weber island growth. From analysis of AFM images obtained as a function of deposition time, we show that the nucleus density increases linearly with time, consistent with progressive nucleation. Deposition transients follow the rate law for progressive nucleation and 3D diffusion limited growth over a wide range of potentials. Ex situ AFM imaging of copper deposition on annealed miscut surfaces revealed that the copper cluster density is higher in regions of high step density and that nucleation occurs preferentially at step edges.
An investigation of a putative photoreaction of dinitrogen with ferrofluid

Abstract This work is an investigation of the putative photocatalytic reduction of N 2 to NH 3 in dilute aqueous ferrofluid, a recently reported reaction. We tested four different types of commercially available ferrofluid. Diluted ferrofluids were irradiated under nitrogen or argon, and the concentrations of ammonia , nitrate and nitrite in the reactor were measured at regular intervals. The substitution of argon for nitrogen produced no discernible difference in the experimental results. The possibility of the photocatalytic degradation of ammonia in aqueous solutions of ferrofluid was also investigated. In all of our experiments, variations in the measured concentrations of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate were small and random with respect to the irradiation time. There was no evidence that ammonia was either produced or degraded. Isotope-labeling experiments were performed, in which 15 N 2 was irradiated in the presence of dilute ferrofluid. Small amounts of excess 15 NH 3 (0.5–1.5 nmol) were measured in experimental samples and in control samples in which no nitrogen could have been fixed. The levels of 15 NH 3 were too low to establish that any photocatalytic nitrogen reduction had occured, and were consistent with the hypothesis that no ammonia was produced.
Clinical Decision Making during Public Health Emergencies: Ethical Considerations

Recent public health emergencies involving anthrax, the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and shortages of influenza vaccine have dramatized the need for restrictive public health measures such as quarantine, isolation, and rationing. Front-line physicians will face ethical dilemmas during public health emergencies when patients disagree with these measures. Patients might request interventions that are not recommended or for which they are not eligible, or they might object to intrusive or restrictive measures. The physician's primary responsibility in such emergencies is to the public rather than to the individual patient. In public health emergencies, physicians need to address the patient's needs and concerns, recognize their changed roles, and work closely with public health officials. Physicians can still work on behalf of patients by advocating for changes in policies and exceptions when warranted and by mitigating the adverse consequences of public health measures. Before an emergency occurs, physicians should think through how they will respond to foreseeable dilemmas arising when patients disagree with public health recommendations.
Effects of ILD thickness and slope-etch depth on via performance and metal filling characteristics

The interaction of ILD (interlevel dielectric) thickness with slope etch depth on the performance of single and stacked vias has been characterized on a four-layer metal high performance bipolar device. Both wet and dry slope etches, which have significantly different cross sectional profiles, were investigated. As expected, the aspect ratio (AR) of the vertical wall of the via was critical in determining how well the via filled with hot Al/Cu: at AR > 0.8, some open vias were observed. However, it was also found that excessive dry slope etch could cause via performance to degrade. For a given ILD thickness, increasing the depth of the dry slope etch could cause via resistance to increase. In addition, for a constant RIE time (varied ILD thickness), deeper slope etches resulted in higher via resistance. These results are discussed in terms of an interaction between the dry slope etch and the amount of RIE overetch time.
Diazepam binding of dissociated hippocampal cultures from fetal mice

Abstract Primary cultures of dissociated hippocampi from fetal mice were examined for the presence of binding sites for [3H]diazepam. The binding assays were done with living cells still attached to the culture dish. The cells contain high affinity binding sites for [3H]diazepam, Kd = 5 nM, which are completely inhibited with 20 nM R05-4864 but only 26% with 20 nM lorazepam. The binding was inhibited by purinergic compounds and by quinidine. The living cell did not exhibit increased binding of [3H]diazepam in the presence of GABA and in fact a slight decrease in binding was found. This was also found when live, intact C6 glial cells were investigated. These observations suggest that the use of living cells to study the benzodiazepine receptor is valuable and maybe necessary to fully characterize this receptor.
Partially pinned tilt boundaries

This paper presents the results of a theoretical study of the conditions under which small angle tilt boundaries in a crystal can be moved when subjected to a stress which does not produce general slip. The dislocations in the boundary are assumed to be partially pinned by Cottrell atmospheres, intersecting substructure, or precipitates along the dislocation lines. The results show that partially pinned dislocation boundaries may move at lower stresses than similarly pinned isolated dislocations if the density of pinned segments is sufficiently low. Stress concentrations at pinned segments on a small angle boundary are discussed. A “yield condition” for motion of certain partially pinned boundaries is described in which pinned dislocations are left behind when the boundary is moved.
Low-loss slow light in high contrast grating hollow-core waveguides

A chip-scale hollow-core waveguide using high-contrast grating yields slow light with a group velocity <0.02c and loss as low as 0.2dB/cm over 50GHz bandwidth. Loss and group velocity are independently optimized for the first time.
Banded Glacial Slates of Permo-carboniferous Age, Showing Possible Seasonal Variations in Deposition.

great, as is shown by the checking measurements made on both negatives between the points indicated by lines "A" and "B." The ratio of negative number 2 (the one made six months later than the other) to negative number 1, as shown by measurement "A" on both negatives is 1.338 * 0.002. The ratio of negative 2 to negative 1, as shown by measurement "B" on both negatives, is 1.339 =? 0.002. The following results were obtained by measurements of areas numbered 1, 2, and 3 on Plate I.
Clinical application of the P300 event-related brain potential

The P300 brain potential can provide information about cognition that is quantitatively comparable to other clinically used biomedical assays. Causes of P300 variability with respect to task and biologic determinants have been well characterized so that refinement of ERP methods for clinical applications is possible. Elaboration of how P300 and other ERP components reflect neuropsychologic processes would help to increase their clinical relevance. In particular, development of reliable P3a paradigms used in conjunction with P3b tasks promises to augment dramatically the applicability and sensitivity of ERPs. Use of P300 as a clinical evaluation tool should be revisited with contemporary theory, methods, and analysis procedures because a reliable neuroelectric measure of mental function would redefine the assessment of cognitive disorders.
The Idiosyncratic Fit Heuristic: Effort Advantage as a Determinant of Consumer Response to Loyalty Programs

Abstract Over the past few years, customer relationship management and loyalty programs (LPs) have been widely adopted by companies and have received a great deal of attention from marketers, consultants, and, to a lesser degree, academics. In this research, the authors examine the effect of the level of effort required to obtain an LP reward on consumers’ perception of the LP’s attractiveness. The authors propose that in certain conditions, increasing program requirements can enhance consumers’ likelihood of joining the program, thus leading consumers to prefer a dominated option. Specifically, the authors hypothesize that consumers often evaluate LPs on the basis of their individual effort to obtain the reward relative to the relevant reference effort (e.g., the effort of typical other consumers). When consumers believe they have an effort advantage over typical others (i.e., an idiosyncratic fit with the LP), higher program requirements magnify this perception of advantage and can therefore increase th...
Atomic-scale view of AlGaAs/GaAs multilayers with cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract Atomically-resolved cross-sectional topographic images of AlGaAs/GaAs multilayers, which includes a sequence of 1, 2, 5, and 10 nm AlGaAs and GaAs layers, have been made using a scanning tunneling microscope. All the layers appear distinct and the dimensions of the as-grown layers can be accurately measured. Furthermore, alloy fluctuations and interface roughness over 2 nm length scales and ordering along certain directions are clearly observed.
hnRNP A2 and hnRNP L bind the 3'UTR of glucose transporter 1 mRNA and exist as a complex in vivo.

Recent work identified an RNA binding protein whose presence in brain tumors correlated with translational repression of Glut1 expression. RNase T1 mapping demonstrated that this protein bound an AU-rich response element (AURE) in the Glut1 3'UTR. Facilitated by its differential expression in brain tumor cytosols, we identified this Glut1 RNA binding protein as hnRNP A2. Studies further demonstrated that hnRNP A2 was the major Glut1 RNA binding activity in other cell lines. Recombinant hnRNP A2 exhibited equivalent Glut1 RNA binding specificity, quite distinct from the related AURE binding protein hnRNP A1. These data indicate that hnRNP A2 is the Glut1 AURE binding protein whose cytoplasmic expression in gliomas is associated with translational repression and mRNA instability. Using this approach, we also identified the other major Glut1 3'UTR RNA binding activity as hnRNP L. Stimuli (hypoxia and hypoglycemia) which increase Glut1 mRNA stability selectively decreased polysomal levels of hnRNP A2 and L. Immunoprecipitation demonstrated that hnRNP A2 and L exist as a complex in vivo. As a result of these and other studies, we conclude that hnRNP A2 and L associate in vivo and independently bind the 3'UTR of Glut1 mRNA.
Nitrate and the Course of Lemna perpusilla Carbon Dioxide Output under Daily Photoperiodic Cycles

The carbon dioxide output of Lemna perpusilla 6746 on modified Hutner's media under light (dark) cycles of 8 (16) hours is entrained in either of two forms depending on the level of nitrate. With nitrate low or absent, the peak occurs shortly after the start of each dark period, and the minimum, shortly after the start of each light period. With high (about 10 mm) nitrate, an additional or sole major peak occurs about 17 hours after the start of each light period; the minimum does not shift. This generalization probably also holds for cycles at least from 3 (21) to 18 (6). Apparent slow or unstable entrainment in some earlier data was undoubtedly a result of the progressive lowering of nitrate in the medium and, thus, of the nitrate peak. Future work under stable conditions, with or without the nitrate peak, should make possible the more accurate testing of models of entrainment and hypotheses concerning photoperiodic timing in this and related systems.
Surfactant-free method for the synthesis of poly(vinyl acetate) masterbatch nanocomposites as a route to ethylene vinyl acetate/ silicate nanocomposites

Poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc)/silicate nanocomposites have been prepared using a novel surfactant-free method comprising a copolymer of 2-(acryloxyethyl)trimethylammonium chloride (AETMC) and vinyl acetate (VAc) as the modifier for layered silicates. The nanocomposites maintained the exfoliated morphology even at silicate contents greater than 20 wt % as evidenced by the absence of peaks in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and absence of silicate bundles in the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. These high silicate-containing PVAc nanocomposites served as masterbatches for the preparation of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/silicate nanocomposites by solution blending with EVA. A combination of XRD and TEM studies confirmed mostly exfoliated morphology for the final nanocomposites containing varying amounts of silicate. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in both nitrogen and air revealed that thermal stability of the nanocomposites in air was enhanced. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of the EVA/s...
Attractor local dimensionality, nonlinear energy transfers and finite-time instabilities in unstable dynamical systems with applications to two-dimensional fluid flows

We examine the geometry of the finite-dimensional attractor associated with fluid flows described by Navier–Stokes equations and relate its nonlinear dimensionality to energy exchanges between dynamical components (modes) of the flow. Specifically, we use a stochastic framework based on the dynamically orthogonal equations to perform efficient order-reduction and describe the stochastic attractor in the reduced-order phase space in terms of the associated probability measure. We introduce the notion of local fractal dimensionality to describe the geometry of the attractor and we establish a connection with the number of positive finite-time Lyapunov exponents. Subsequently, we illustrate in specific fluid flows that the low dimensionality of the stochastic attractor is caused by the synergistic activity of linearly unstable and stable modes as well as the action of the quadratic terms. In particular, we illustrate the connection of the low-dimensionality of the attractor with the circulation of energy: (i) from the mean flow to the unstable modes (due to their linearly unstable character), (ii) from the unstable modes to the stable ones (due to a nonlinear energy transfer mechanism) and (iii) from the stable modes back to the mean (due to the linearly stable character of these modes).
The intersection of the Siqueiros Transform Fault and the East Pacific Rise

Abstract A near-bottom geological and geophysical survey was conducted at the western intersection of the Siqueiros Transform Fault and the East Pacific Rise. Transform-fault shear appears to distort the east flank of the rise crest in an area north of the fracture zone. In ward-facing scarps trend 335° and do not parallel the regional axis of spreading. Small-scale scarps reveal a hummocky bathymetry. The center of spreading is not a central peak but rather a 20–40 m deep, 1 km wide valley superimposed upon an 8 km wide ridge-crest horst. Small-scale topography indicates widespread volcanic flows within the valley. Two 0.75 km wide blocks flank the central valley. Fault scarps are more dominant on the western flank. Their alignment shifts from directions intermediate to parallel to the regional axis of spreading (355°). A median ridge within the fracture zone has a fault-block topography similar to that of the East Pacific Rise to the north. Dominant eastward-facing scarps trending 335° are on the west flank. A central depression, 1 km wide and 30 m deep, separates the dominantly fault-block regime of the west from the smoother topography of the east flank. This ridge originated by uplift due to faulting as well as by volcanism. Detailed mapping was concentrated in a perched basin (Dante's Hole) at the intersection of the rise crest and the fracture zone. Lineations with the basin are aligned in three directions: 1. (1) parallel to the trend of the transform fault; 2. (2) parallel to the axis of ridge-crest spreading; and 3. (3) intermediate to the above. Structural features suggest that Dante's Hole is an area subject to extreme shear and tensional drag resulting from transition between non-rigid and rigid crustal behavior. Normal E–W crustal spreading is probably taking place well within the northern confines of the basin. Dante's Hole may be a drag-fold depression, created by shear drag across the accreting zone of the East Pacific Rise. The Median Ridge could have once been an attached portion of East Pacific Rise crest, partially severed by opposing forces of shear during shifting of the locus of transform faulting from the south to the north of the Median Ridge. Possible residual spreading of this isolated rise crest coupled with shear drag within the transform fault could explain the structural isolation of Dante's Hole from the remainder of the Siqueiros Transform Fault.
Combined thiazolidinedione-metformin treatment synergistically improves insulin signalling to insulin receptor substrate-1-dependent phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, atypical protein kinase C and protein kinase B/Akt in human diabetic muscle

Aims/hypotheses Insulin-stimulated glucose transport in muscle is impaired in type 2 diabetes, presumably reflecting reduced activation of atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt). As previously shown, reductions in aPKC activation are seen at sub-maximal and maximal insulin stimulation, reductions in PKB activation are best seen at sub-maximal insulin stimulation and aPKC reductions at maximal insulin are partly improved by thiazolidinedione or metformin treatment. However, effects of combined thiazolidinedione–metformin treatment on aPKC or PKB activation by sub-maximal and maximal insulin are unknown.
A checklist of Cicadidae (Insecta: Hemiptera) in Palawan with five new species.

This paper provides a faunal checklist for Cicadidae (Insecta: Hemiptera) in Palawan, Philippines, comprising 18 species belonging to 12 genera. Five new species, Platypleura elizabethae Lee, sp. nov., Puranoides goemansi Lee, sp. nov., Purana opaca Lee, sp. nov., Dundubia dubia Lee, sp. nov. and Dundubia flava Lee, sp. nov., are described. Pomponia lactea (Distant, 1887) and Ayesha spathulata (Stal, 1870) are newly added to the cicada fauna of Palawan. Four species, Chremistica pontianaka (Distant, 1888), Tanna pallida Distant, 1906, Dundubia rufivena Walker, 1850 and Tosena fasciata Fabricius, 1787, are removed from the cicada fauna of Palawan because the records have been incorrectly documented. Information on geographic distributions is provided.
Stimulation of the mesencephalic locomotor region constricts the airways of cats.

Abstract The neural mechanisms causing the airway dilation evoked by exercise are not understood. Three candidates are central command, a reflex arising from contracting skeletal muscle, and the Hering-Breuer reflex. Activation of the latter two mechanisms has been shown to dilate the airways. In contrast, the role played by central command in the control of airway caliber is not known. We, therefore, tested the hypothesis that stimulation of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) in paralyzed decerebrate cats decreased total lung resistance (TLR). Electrical stimulation (20–80 μA) of the MLR increased TLR from 28.2 ± 1.9 to 38.1 ± 2.4 cmH2O L−1 sec−1 (24 sites in 19 cats; p
Retainer wear and compliance in the first 2 years after active orthodontic treatment.

Introduction The purpose of this descriptive study was to estimate retainer wear and compliance among orthodontic patients in the first 2 years after active orthodontic treatment. Methods A random sample of 1200 orthodontic patients was selected from 4 offices. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire that consisted of 6 items: type of retainer prescribed, age, sex, length of time since debond, and hours per day and nights per week that patients wore their retainers. Responses were solicited by mail or the Internet. Data were gathered on a categorical scale and analyzed. Results The overall response rate was 36% during a 6-week period. In the first 3 months after debond, 60% of patients were wearing their retainers more than 10 hours during a 24-hour cycle, and 69% were wearing the retainers every night. At 19 to 24 months after debond, 19% of the patients were not wearing their retainers, and 81% wore their retainers at least 1 night per week. Compliance rates during the periods of 0 to 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 9, 10 to 12, 13 to 18, and 19 to 24 months were 69%, 76%, 55%, 62%, 45%, and 45%, respectively. Age, sex, and type of retainer did not influence the levels of compliance. Conclusions Most continued to wear their retainers at least 1 night per week, with compliance rates, as defined, tending to decrease in our sample. It was encouraging that 81% of the patients in this sample largely maintained their orthodontic result.
Losing the Safety Net: How a Time-Limited Welfare Policy Affects Families at Risk of Reaching Time Limits

The authors examined the effects of Florida's Family Transition Program (FTP), one of the first welfare reform initiatives to include a time limit on the receipt of federal cash assistance with other welfare requirements, on single-mother welfare-receiving families. Using a regression-based subgroup approach, they identified a group of families who were at risk of reaching the welfare time limit and subsequently assessed the experimental effects of the time-limited welfare policy on this group as compared to an otherwise comparable group of single-mother welfare-recipient families. For the families who were at risk of reaching the welfare time limit, FTP had few effects. FTP decreased mothers' depressive symptoms, and mothers in the FTP group reported higher levels of children's school achievement. There were no effects on parenting behavior or mothers' reports of children's social-emotional outcomes.