cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased volume and glial density in primate prefrontal cortex associated with chronic antipsychotic drug exposure.

Abstract Background: Long term medication with antipsychotic drugs is known to produce changes in neurotransmitter levels and receptor sensitivity in the cortex; however, the anatomic consequences of chronic antipsychotic exposure are not well established. Methods: Accordingly, rhesus monkeys were given daily oral doses of typical or atypical antipsychotic drugs (TAP or AAP) or a placebo for 6 months. After treatment, a stereologic method was used to assess neuronal and glial density and cortical thickness in prefrontal area 46. Results: Neuronal density in drug-treated monkeys and controls did not differ in any cortical layer. Glial density was elevated in monkeys that received antipsychotic medications: as much as 33% in layers that receive dense excitatory afferents (layers I in TAP monkeys and IV in AAP monkeys). In addition, layer V was wider in all drug-treated monkeys. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that glial proliferation and hypertrophy of the cerebral cortex is a common response to antipsychotic drugs. We hypothesize that these responses play a regulatory role in adjusting neurotransmitter levels or metabolic processes. Finally, the negative results with respect to neuronal density indicate that the elevated neuronal density found in the schizophrenic cortex is unlikely to be a medication effect.
Longitudinal predictive research: An approach to methodological problems in studying contraception

Due to the fact that the psychological study of contraceptive behavior is a new and loosely defined field there are numerous inconsistences in the definitions procedures and results of different studies. 1 set of problems is related to sampling procedures sample sizes and missing or inappropriate comparison groups. A 2nd set of problems relates to measurement issues -- objectivity completeness timing and duration of measurement -- and includes questions of reactivity and investigator bias in retrospective and cross-sectional studies. Longitudinal predictive research which uses intensive measurement may provide a solution to many of these problems. The longitudinal research on contraceptive behavior of these 2 researchers is summarized as an example of longitudinal research on this subject. Attention is directed to sample-related considerations and measurement related issues. Advantages of longitudinal research include the following: it can eliminate many methodological artifacts; it is vital in the study of long-range behavior patterns; and it encourages methodological rigor in several ways. Disadvantages of longitudinal research are related to its costs in amount of time effort and money. Administration of measures over long periods of time may produce greater complications and there are often serious problems of subject attrition. Finally there may at times be problems in determining a clearcut criterion classification of long-term behavior or outcomes. For the field of contraception research an optimum strategy calls for a combination of research methods.
Comparison of normal and rachitic rat matrix vesicles

Accumulated information about MVs in PO4-deficient rachitic rats shows them to be normal in most aspects. Both normal and rachitic MVs show the same ultrastructural features and selective spatial distribution in the growth plate, and both contain a nearly identical array of major proteins. Rachitic and normal MVs show the same avidity to calcify in vivo and in vitro. A slightly greater specific activity of ALP in rachitic MVs may enhance their calcifiability. We conclude that rachitic rat MVs are essentially 'normal' and can be used as an adequate model to study the mechanism of biological calcification.
Selective Induction of Apoptosis of Human Oral Cancer Cell Lines by Avocado Extracts Via a ROS-Mediated Mechanism

Avocados have a high content of phytochemicals with potential chemopreventive activity. Previously we reported that phytochemicals extracted from avocado meat into a chloroform partition (D003) selectively induced apoptosis in cancer but not normal, human oral epithelial cell lines. In the present study, we observed that treatment of human oral cancer cell lines containing high levels of reactive oxygen (ROS) with D003 increased ROS levels twofold to threefold and induced apoptosis. In contrast, ROS levels increased only 1.3-fold, and apoptosis was not induced in the normal cell lines containing much lower levels of basal ROS. When cellular ROS levels in the malignant cell lines were reduced by N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), cells were resistant to D003 induced apoptosis. NAC also delayed the induction of apoptosis in dominant negative FADD-expressing malignant cell lines. D003 increased ROS levels via mitochondrial complex I in the electron transport chain to induce apoptosis. Normal human oral epithelial cell lines transformed with HPV16 E6 or E7 expressed higher basal levels of ROS and became sensitive to D003. These data suggest that perturbing the ROS levels in human oral cancer cell lines may be a key factor in selective apoptosis and molecular targeting for chemoprevention by phytochemicals.
DIGRAF—a FORTRAN implementation of the proposed GSPC standard

A machine-independent FORTRAN implementation of the GSPC proposed standard is presented. DIGRAF (Device Independent GRAphics from FORTRAN) has been designed to closely parallel level-3 of the 'CORE' system. The present implementation allows portability to any computer with a FORTRAN compiler and a word length of at least 16-bits.Several CORE system design issues are discussed from the implementor's viewpoint. A breakdown of the functional modules reinforces the portability aspects. Special features of the user interface are presented. A storage structure for retained segments is presented with a review of the memory management alternatives. The device-dependent interface for two common classes of devices is discussed. Finally, the design and data structure techniques used to implement several CORE functions is presented.
Magnetization, Curie temperature, and magnetic anisotropy of strained (111) Ni/Au superlattices.

The magnetic properties of well-characterized strained (111) Ni/Au superlattices with bilayer thickness \ensuremath{\Lambda}5 nm are examined as a function of Ni layer thickness ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathrm{Ni}}$. The saturation magnetization of Ni is found to decrease inversely with ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathrm{Ni}}$, while the decrease in Curie temperature ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{C}}$ follows a power law. Superlattices grown on 625-K substrates show larger magnetization, higher ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{C}}$, and lower magnetic anisotropy than ones grown at room temperature. In both cases, an abrupt decrease in the anisotropy is found at the same \ensuremath{\Lambda} where a coherent-to-incoherent transition is observed in structural studies. Additional structural data indicate that, in this thickness region, the Ni layers are strongly strained both parallel and perpendicular to the growth direction, and thus do not follow conventional elastic behavior. This underlines the importance of an accurate determination of the structural properties when analyzing the magnetic properties of short-period metallic superlattices.
Photosynthesis at low water potentials

Low leaf water potentials result in large reductions in photosynthesis. In higher plants, the reductions are caused both by decreases in the photosynthetic activity of a unit of leaf and in the production of new leaf surface. Photosynthetic activity declines because of decreased stomatal opening and the inhibition of chloroplast activity, either of which may control photosynthesis depending on which is more limiting at low leaf water potentials. The production of new leaf area is highly sensitive to water deficits and is usually reduced before photosynthetic activity decreases. This may be attributed to the high responsiveness of leaf enlargement to turgor, which expands the cells. When low leaf water potentials are prolonged, leaf senescence often occurs and the quantity of existing leaf area may decline. There is evidence that translocation is less sensitive than photosynthesis to low leaf water potentials. Consequently, grain yield, which depends on both photosynthesis and translocation, is more likely to be limited by photosynthesis than translocation. Since substantial translocation to the grain may occur from parts of the plant other than the leaves during desiccation, the total photosynthate accumulated during the growing season is more important than that produced during the grain-filling period alone when plants have had low water potentials.
Gene expression analysis in mitochondria from chagasic mice: alterations in specific metabolic pathways

Cardiac hypertrophy and remodelling in chagasic disease might be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. In the present study, we characterized the cardiac metabolic responses to Trypanosoma cruzi infection and progressive disease severity using a custom-designed mitoarray (mitochondrial function-related gene array). Mitoarrays consisting of known, well-characterized mitochondrial function-related cDNAs were hybridized with 32P-labelled cDNA probes generated from the myocardium of mice during immediate early, acute and chronic phases of infection and disease development. The mitoarray successfully identified novel aspects of the T. cruzi-induced alterations in the expression of the genes related to mitochondrial function and biogenesis that were further confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase–PCRs. Of note is the up-regulation of transcripts essential for fatty acid metabolism associated with repression of the mRNAs for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in infected hearts. We observed no statistically significant changes in mRNAs for the enzymes of tricarboxylic acid cycle. These results suggest that fatty acid metabolism compensates the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiencies for the supply of acetyl-CoA for a tricarboxylic acid cycle, and chagasic hearts may not be limited in reduced energy (NADH and FADH2). The observation of a decrease in mRNA level for several subunits of the respiratory chain complexes by mitoarray as well as global genome analysis suggests a limitation in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation-mediated ATP-generation capacity as the probable basis for cardiac homoeostasis in chagasic disease.
Influence of a Misleading Context on a Design-Copying Task With Children With and Without Learning Disabilities

OBJECTIVE. I investigated developmental and ability differences on a visual�motor task that requires inhibition of misleading information. METHOD. Children, including those with and without learning disabilities, and adults copied simple line or dot figures inside a tilted frame with instructions to make the figures straight. Two response methods were used: drawing (motor) and placement of bars or washers (motor reduced). RESULTS. All participants were influenced by the misleading frame, making figures that deviated from true vertical in both motor and motor-reduced formats. Adults were less influenced than children, and children with learning disabilities were more influenced than their peers. Production of more complex figures resulted in increased influence of the misleading frame. CONCLUSION. The ability to inhibit misleading contextual information and find an appropriate frame of reference may be an important developmental process in visual�motor skill development. Implications for assessment and task analysis are discussed.
Why tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance is common in advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Tomasetti et al. were combining clinical and experimental observations with mathematical formulas to estimate that in advanced GIST, the genetic changes responsible for resistance are already present from the beginning of treatment. The model is of highest interest, especially in respect of second and third line treatment with targeted therapies. However, prospective validation is required before this model can be incorporated in combination drug trials. I have read this submission. I believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.
Performance evaluation and design considerations of 2D semiconductor based FETs for sub-10 nm VLSI

Two-dimensional (2D) crystal semiconductors, such as the well-known molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ), are witnessing an explosion in research activities due to their apparent potential for various electronic and optoelectronic applications. In this paper, dissipative quantum transport simulations using non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) formalism are performed to rigorously evaluate the scalability and performance of monolayer/multilayer 2D semiconductor based FETs for sub-10 nm node VLSI technologies. Device design considerations in terms of the choice of prospective 2D materials/structure/technology to fulfill the sub-10 nm ITRS requirements are analyzed for the first time. Firstly, it is found that MoS 2 FETs can meet high-performance (HP) requirement up to 6.6 nm node by employing bilayer MoS 2 as the channel material, while low-standby-power (LSTP) requirements present significant challenges for all sub-10 nm nodes. Secondly, by studying the effects of underlap (UL) FET structures, scattering strength and carrier effective mass, it is found that the high mobility and suitably low effective mass of tungsten diselenide (WSe2), aided by UL, enable 2D FETs for both HP and LSTP applications at the smallest foreseeable (5.9 nm) node. Finally, possible solutions for sub-5 nm nodes are also proposed based on the effects of critical parameters on device performance.
Small molecule chemisorption on indium-tin oxide surfaces: enhancing probe molecule electron-transfer rates and the performance of organic light-emitting diodes.

Indium−tin oxide (ITO) surfaces have been modified by chemisorption of carboxylic acid functionalized small molecules: ferrocene dicarboxylic acid (1), 3-thiophene acetic acid (2), and 6-{4-[{4‘-[[4-(5-carboxy-pentyloxy)-phenyl]-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-amino]-biphenyl-4-yl}-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-amino]-phenoxy}-hexanoic acid (p-OMe)2-TPD-(C5-COOH)2) (3). Voltammetrically determined surface coverages of 1−3 increased in two stages, the first stage completing in minutes, the latter stage taking several hours. Electron-transfer rate coefficients, kS, for the probe molecule ferrocene in acetonitrile likewise increased in two stages with increasing surface coverages of 1, 2, and 3. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of In2O3 powders, exposed for long periods to ethanol solutions of each modifier, confirmed the formation of indium oxalate-like surface species. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of carboxy-terminated alkanethiol-modified gold surfaces, exposed to these same In2O3(powder)/small molecule modifier solut...
Contaminant bands on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis are recognised by antibodies in normal human serum and saliva

Abstract Contamination of sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis samples has commonly produced artefactual bands when sensitive detection systems, such as silver staining or immunoblotting procedures, have been used. Evidence suggests that these bands originate from human skin contamination of reagents and equipment. The presence of antibodies to contaminating bands, in serum and saliva samples from normal donors, detected in immunoblotting experiments, is described; the isotype distribution of these naturally occuring antibodies has also been investigated.
CNK3 and IPCEF1 produce a single protein that is required for HGF dependent Arf6 activation and migration

Epithelial cells are largely immotile under normal circumstances, but become motile during development, repair of tissue damage and during cancer metastasis. Numerous growth factors act to initiate epithelial cell movements. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induces many epithelial cell lines to begin crawling. A number of small GTPases act downstream of HGF to alter cell shape and promote movement. Arf6 is one of these GTPases that can alter the cortical actin cytoskeleton and promote epithelial movement. Activation of Arf6 in MDCK cells by its guanine nucleotide exchange factor cytohesin 2/ARNO produces a scattering response strikingly reminiscent of the action of HGF. We have previously shown that IPCEF1, a scaffold that binds to cytohesin 2, is required for cytohesin-induced scattering. We report here that IPCEF1 is actually the C-terminal half of CNK3. CNKs are scaffolds involved in signal transduction downstream of Ras. We have found that both MDCK and CaCo-2 cells express a fused CNK3/IPCEF1 protein. Knockdown of this protein impairs HGF-induced Arf6 activation and migration in response to HGF treatment.
Changes in calmodulin main-chain dynamics upon ligand binding revealed by cross-correlated NMR relaxation measurements

The fast dynamics of protein backbones are often investigated by nuclear magnetic relaxation experiments that report on the degree of spatial restriction of the amide bond vector. By comparing calmodulin in the peptide-bound and peptide-free states with these classical methods, we observe little difference in the dynamics of the polypeptide main chain (average order parameter decrease of 0.01 unit upon binding). However, when using NMR methods that monitor the mobility of the CO-Calpha bond vector, we reveal a significant reduction of dynamics of the protein main chain (average order parameter decrease of 0.048 units). Previous investigations have suggested that the side-chain dynamics is reduced by an average of 0.07 order parameter units upon ligand binding (Lee, A. L.; Kinnear, S. A.; Wand, A. J. Nat. Struct. Biol. 2000, 7, 72-77). The current findings suggest that the change of the CO-Calpha bond vector dynamics is intermediate between the changes in NH and side-chain dynamics and report a previously undetected loss of main-chain entropy. Weak site-to-site correlations between the different motional indicators are also observed.
Measuring the Impacts of Solid Waste Disposal Site Location on Property Values

T HE large and growing quantity of solid wastes poses an increasingly complex disposal problem for rural and urban areas. One important effect of the location of disposal sites is the external effect on adjacent property values. This paper attempts to estimate external effects on property prices resulting from the location of landfill types of solid waste disposal sites. This has important implications for public policy on site location and possible compensation to internalize the resultant external effects. A single equation linear regression model for price estimation is hypothesized. The data sample is 182 observations of single-unit house sales over the period 1962-1970 in the neighborhoods around five solid waste disposal sites in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Date and price of sale, as well as location of the property and detailed information about dwelling characteristics, were obtained. Three general categories of predetermined variables are used: (1) Physical attributes of residential property-size of house and lot, number of bathrooms and bedrooms, age of house, amount of encumbrance and ownership-tenant occupancy (the key features of the quantity and quality of living service provided by a piece of residential property); (2) year of sale-the best available measure of the general level of cost of housing; (3) factors representing amenities and disamenities associated with solid waste disposal sites and neighborhood characteristics. Based on a diffusion phenomenon, the impacts of solid waste disposal sites on residential property prices were measured by distance from the nearest disposal site and the absolute degrees that the resiential property is away from downwind (prevailing) of the disposal site. Zero-one variables were used to represent differences among disposal sites. The predetermined variables in the linear model explained approximately 78 percent of the variation in residential property prices. Coefficients of the physical attribute variables were all s g ificantly different from zero at the .05 level and all had the hypothesized sign except the number of bedrooms. The distance and angle v riables are key policy variables in the model. Both coefficients were positive as hypothesized, suggesting that a premium is placed on being a g eater distance away and being away from downwind of disposal sites. The estimated coefficients indicate that on the average the price of residential property increases 61 cents per foot of distance and $10.30 per degree away from downwind of a disposal site. This first attempt to measure external effects f solid waste disposal sites on adjacent property values has important implications for community development and policy. The empirical results suggest magnitudes of costs imposed and indicate the nature of their distribution around solid waste disposal sites. In decisions concerning disposal site location, external social cost and benefit are an integral and possibly major factor. Further research is therefore warranted in refining the model and its variables to more accuately measure these effects.
THE IN VIVO EFFECTS OF BISGMA ON MURINE UTERINE WEIGHT, NUCLEIC ACIDS AND COLLAGEN

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the ability of commercial bisGMA to stimulate growth in an estrogen-sensitive target tissue. Adult, female, Swiss-Webster mice were ovariectomized and received either oil, estradiol (100 microg/kg), or one of two bisGMA doses (25 microg/kg or 100 microg/kg). Starting on the day of surgery, the hormone, drug or oil was injected subcutaneously 3 times a week. After 3 wk of treatment, the animals were sacrificed, the uteri removed, weighed and stored at -80 degrees C for biochemical analysis. The uteri from ovariectomized mice receiving high dose (100 microg/kg) bisGMA or estradiol showed a significant increase in normalized wet weight that was 29% and 786%, respectively, greater than the ovariectomized control uterine normalized weights. In the low bisGMA dose (25 microg/kg) group, normalized uterine wet weights were not statistically significant from ovariectomized controls. Biochemical analyses of uterine tissues revealed that estradiol resulted in maintaining DNA content, RNA content, RNA/DNA ratios and collagen content significantly above the ovariectomized control. Neither the low nor high doses of bisGMA stimulated RNA content, DNA content or RNA/DNA ratios above ovariectomized controls. However, the high dose (100 microg/kg) of bisGMA caused a significant increase above ovariectomized controls in uterine collagen content.
How Do Engineering Managers Evaluate Technologies for Acquisition? A Review of the Electronics Industry

Abstract:This article presents technology evaluation and acquisition practices in the U.S. electronics manufacturing industry. Through these results a process of technology evaluation and acquisition for engineering managers is explained. The results are acquired through a survey of the U.S. electronics manufacturing industry. An engineering manager can use this article to develop a technology evaluation and acquisition strategy based on the goals of his/her company.
Rumen fermentation pattern of dairy heifers fed restricted amounts of low, medium, and high concentrate diets without and with yeast culture☆

Restricted feeding and high concentrate diets are potential strategies for growing dairy heifers. Ruminal manipulation with additives such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast culture (YC) has been shown to alter digestibility when added to this type of diet. An experiment was conducted to investigate the ruminal fermentation and in situ digestibility of diets with 3 different levels of forage to concentrate (F:C) fed at restricted intake without and with YC addition. Three cannulated post-pubertal Holstein heifers (age 18.0 ± 1.2 months; body weight 449.6 ± 19.7 kg) were fed diets consisting of corn silage as the sole forage source in a 3 period (35-day) Latin square design. Heifers were fed diets for 21 days with no YC addition, followed by 14 days where YC was added to the diet (1 g/kg as fed basis). Low (LC), medium (MC), and high (HC) concentrate diets (20, 40, and 60% concentrate) were fed once daily on a restricted basis to provide 0.22 Mcal ME/kg empty BW 0.75
Palladium-103 eye plaque brachytherapy for primary adenocarcinoma of the ciliary body epithelium.

Abstract Purpose To present an interventional case report on the use of plaque brachytherapy for adenocarcinoma of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium. Methods and materials A 36-year-old woman with unilateral right eye pain and finger counting vision was noted to have an anterior segment intraocular mass. It extended between the iris and lens and into the pupillary aperture. High-frequency ultrasound imaging revealed a ciliary body origin. A minimally invasive biopsy technique allowed for a cytology and histopathology diagnosis of primary adenocarcinoma of the ciliary epithelium. Treatment was performed with palladium-103 ophthalmic plaque brachytherapy (80-Gy apex). Main outcome measures include visual acuity, local control, radiation complications, and metastatic disease. Results The patient presented with counting fingers vision, focal angle closure, cataract, and a 5.5-mm thick ciliary body malignancy. At 3 years after radiation therapy and 2.5 years after cataract extraction, her visual acuity was improved to 20/30 and the tumor residua stabilized at 60% of its initial thickness. There has been neither radiation-related keratopathy, retinopathy, optic neuropathy nor metastatic disease. Conclusions Plaque brachytherapy was used to treat primary adenocarcinoma of the ciliary epithelium. With 3-year followup, there has been excellent local control, preservation of the eye, and recovery of vision.
INHIBITION OF HOMOGRAFT ACCEPTANCE AND HOMO- AND HETERO-GRAFT REJECTION IN CHIMERAS BY RETICULOENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM STIMULATION.

SummaryThe subsequent survival of lethally X-irradiated mice transplanted with homologous bone marrow is dependent, in part, upon the functional state of the RES existing at time of transplantation. As phago-cytic activity of the RES is increased, incidence of mortality is similarly increased. RE stimulation of heterologous chimeras is associated with the subsequent death of the host. The lesser degree of mortality observed in homologous chimeras subjected to RE stimulation suggests that the severity of the reaction may be related to the degree of anti-genicity of the transplanted marrow. This is further supported by the observation that RE stimulation does not effect the survival of isologous chimeras.
Synthesis and characterization of phosphates containing alkali metals and plutonium or lanthanides

Abstract The compounds Na 3 Pu(PO 4 ) 2 has been synthesized and positively identified for the first time by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and absorption spectrophotometry. The literature of quaternary phosphates containing alkali metals (M) and lanthanides (Ln) or actinides (An) has been critically reviewed. Since the existence of compounds of the type Mn 3 (Ln,An) 2 (PO 4 ) 3 appeared to be questionable, we conducted several replicate experiments with Ln = La to Gd. Our results did not reveal the existence of such compounds.
Chymotrypsin Inhibition of Muscular Contraction

The effects of chymotrypsin and its various pharmaceutical preparations on skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles were tested. Chymotrypsin inhibited the development of adenosine 5′-triphosphate-induced tension by glycerol-extracted fibers and caused the relaxation of contracted fibers. When adenosine 5′-triphosphate-contracted muscle fibers were exposed to chymotrypsin and then washed, the muscle fibers failed to respond to the addition of the nucleotide triphosphate. If added to Tyrode's solution containing strips of tensed guinea pig gut, crystalline chymotrypsin or its various pharmaceutical preparations caused loss of tone, tension, and peristaltic movements. The enzyme preparations also inhibited the response of the gut strip to histamine or serotonin. When a perfusing rat heart was subjected to chymotrypsin, the enzyme caused an immediate short-term increase in cardiac tone and a series of abnormal contractions. These changes continued until the heart failed. Ultrasonication of chymotrypsin increased its hydrolytic activity on low molecular weight substrates and abolished its effects on muscle contraction.
A Laser Interferometer Based Accelerometer Calibrator

This paper discusses the design and testing of a new accelerometer calibrator that will be used to calibrate United States Primary Standard Transducers at the U.S. National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg Maryland. Accelerometers are currently calibrated by mounting them to the moving coil of an electrodynamic exciter and driving it with a sinusoidal signal of known frequency. The amplitude of oscillation is measured using laser interferometry techniques. Knowing the frequency and amplitude of oscillation, the acceleration can be determined and the sensitivity calculated. The uncertainty of the existing system at the NBS is ±1.0%, the double amplitude displacement is 7.4 mm (1 7/8 in), and the bandwidth is 2 to 49 Hz. In this paper, the design evolution and component selection reasoning for a new calibrator is presented. A new calibrator was designed and built using the following components: linear air bearing with 0.5 m (20 in) travel, linear brushless DC motor, and laser interferometer transducer system with 2.5 nm (0.1 pin) resolution and maximum allowable slew rate of 1.8 m/s (70 in/s). The new design has the following characteristics: 0.4 m (16 in) double amplitude displacement, 0.8g peak acceleration, 1.3 m/s (50 in/s) peak velocity and 20 Hz bandwidth.
The Investigation of R-Curves of Asphalt Concrete

One of the primary distress mechanisms in asphalt concrete is cracking. Whether it is caused by fatigue, low temperature, or reflective mechanisms, the development of cracks in the pavement surface is undesirable. Currently, there are several performance tests that quantify cracking, including the four-point bending beam (fatigue), the Superpave Indirect Tension Test (low temperature), and the Texas Overlay Tester (reflective). Another type of test has gained traction in recent years in quantifying cracking of asphalt concrete: fracture testing. To date, most fracture testing has simply reported a single value, such as the stress intensity factor, the J-integral, or the fracture energy. However, when a single value is reported, valuable information about the crack initiation and crack propagation is lost. By using resistance curves, or R-curves, much of this information can be retained. This research introduces the concept of R-curves through two different methods: plotting the cumulative energy versus the crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) and plotting the cumulative energy versus the crack length. Several laboratories are equipped to capture energy/CMOD data, but relatively few are able to capture energy/crack length data. Therefore, both methodologies are beneficial for discussion. The University of Arkansas has evaluated both of these methodologies at two test temperatures, two loading rates, and two test geometries on a single asphalt concrete mix. Not only has the fracture energy been calculated, but new information about the physical state of the material (linear elastic, inelastic, quasi-brittle, compliant, etc.), the development of the cumulative energy during testing over time, and the energy required to form the cohesive zone of asphalt concrete has been captured. With this preliminary data, the use of R-curves appears to have the capability of capturing new and vital data that furthers the understanding of how cracks develop and move through asphalt concrete.
Locating a sunken vessel using SAR imagery: detection of oil spilled from the SS Jacob Luckenbach

While Radarsat-1 SAR has been used in oil pollution monitoring, it has been mostly used for large spills because using it to differentiate between oil slicks and natural features is difficult. In this investigation, when visual observations failed to pinpoint the source of oil fouling birds off the California coast, Radarsat-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images were analysed using a methodology initially developed by Advanced Resources International, Inc. (ARI) for locating small oil seeps from submerged abandoned wells. Two images contained areas that were consistent with an oil source. Subsequent sighting of oil by recreational divers near a sunken vessel linked the features observed on the imagery to an oil source. The link demonstrates the ability of SAR to detect similar persistent episodes, as well as the validity of the modified ARI approach used.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A cDNA ENCODING INTERLEUKIN 2 FROM THE FLORIDA MANATEE, TRICHECHUS MANATUS LATIROSTRIS

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) production is essential for optimal mammalian immune response; therefore, a cDNA encoding IL-2 was isolated and characterized for the endangered Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris. The manatee IL-2 cDNA was cloned by reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using primers derived from IL-2 regions conserved among various mammalian species. Manatee IL-2 cDNA consisted of 450 base pairs encoding a predicted product of 150 amino acid residues and displayed 87%, 82%, 79%, 78%, 75%, and 73% DNA sequence homology and 74%, 69%, 63%, 62%, 61%, and 57% amino acid sequence homology with human, pig, sheep, cow, rat, and mouse IL-2, respectively.
Monte Carlo simulation of the growth of semiconductor quantum wires

Abstract The results of Monte Carlo simulation of the growth of semiconductors on (001), (111), and (411) surfaces are presented. The simulation model includes tetrahedral lattice coordination of material, atom-atom interactions out to second-nearest neighbors, and surface reconstruction effects. The simulation results show that the transition from rough to smooth growth mode for the (111) surface occurs at lower temperatures than for growth on the (001) surface, indicating a higher diffusion coefficient of adatoms on the (111) surface in comparison with (001). The results of simulation growth on the (411) surface do not show any essential difference from (001) growth. The formation of structures on the top of ridges formed on (001) and (411) planes has been simulated. The (111) side walls were found to be flat in both cases owing to a substrate temperature which is high enough to ensure high mobility of adatoms on the (111) surface. The (001) and (411) surfaces on the top of the ridges showed approximately the same quality and the only difference found was in their shape, which was symmetric for the (001), and not symmetric for the (411) case.
Waker Cells and Subcultural Resistance

A back alley hovel amidst the glimmer of 1990s Seattle, the Blaek Cat Cafe proelaimed a disjunction with the spaee of "Ameriea." Hidden amidst asphalt, painted blaek, and surrounded by junk, the Cat was uninviting to most passers-by. Like gargoyles meant to scare off demons, the Cat's facade seared away most everyone but punks, and declared the space to be an autonomous zone; as if to say, "All Ye Who Enter, cheek your hierarchical, law-bound, regulated, capitalist ideas of domination at the door, for you are about to enter an underground." Here, in this underground, in this place lurking below the dominant landscape, punks practiced and elaborated a defiant eulture, a life and polities steadfastly eritical of "the System." The sentiment here is based largely on my extensive experienee at the Blaek Cat Cafe, a eooperatively owned and run restaurant, whieh thrived for five years (1993—1998) in Seattle. It was primarily a place defined by anarehopunks—those punks who adhere to anarchist principles and ways of being—and it was a powerful site for solidarity and resistanee. Indeed, the poteney and tenor of the Black Cat Cafe starkly eontrasts with the composition of many subcultural trends. Consider, if you will, the punks of the Cat in a context where youth subeultures are increasingly experienced through eapitalist and internet mediations. Corporate music, fashions, and entertainment are ready-made with an "alternative" sales pitch. Meanwhile, eleetronic media are subsuming more interpersonal time; friendships and subcultures often rely on email more than on group outings. The neighborhood "hangout," a site for subeultural activity, is on the wane, and internet "ehat rooms" are encroaching on its territory. The neatly bounded subeulture is more in doubt than ever before and eyberculture is increasingly central to many eultures. There ean be no doubt that subcultures are thriving through electronic media, but their characteristics are markedly divergent from those of classical youth subcultures. Subculture is practiced differently at a computer than when it is shared in a bed or a basement. Subcultural compromises, however, are not new to youth subeultures, whieh have often had to negotiate with the dominant culture. Subcultural resistance in wealthy nations has frequently depended upon eapitalist institutions; subeultures can be, in this sense, parasites on eapitalist businesses. Things such as music venues, the reeording industry, bars, restaurants, and universities have long been used by subcultures, and this dependence upon capitalism has often compromised subcultural resistance. When a subculture is bathed in alcohol at a club, centered on reverence for musieians, or forced to endure constant surveillance, its ability to resist and be autonomous is in jeopardy.
Addition of tetrodotoxin alters the morphology of thalamocortical axons in organotypic cocultures

Living organotypic cocultures of rat thalamic and cortical explants were used to examine the effects of blocking action potential activity on the morphological development of axons in the mammalian neocortex. Studies in vivo have suggested that blocking sodium channel-dependent activity influences the growth characteristics of thalamocortical axons during development. We have extended these observations by using an in vitro system that affords more direct observational analysis of the early events of axonal growth in an accessible cellular environment DiI-labeled thalamocortical axons grow exuberantly into the target cortex and establish axonal connections that reflect the events of early thalamocortical afferent development. Within these cocultures, the morphological features of DiI-labeled axons can be readily distinguished. Tracings of thalamocortical axons were quantitated with respect to number, length, and termination pattern of axonal branches, as well as number of varicosities. Addition of the voltage-dependent sodium channel blocker, tetrodotoxin, to cocultures did not change the general pattern of thalamocortical axonal ingrowth or the average length of collateral branches of these axons. However, in the presence of tetrodotoxin, axons were more highly branched, with an increased number of varicosities as compared to untreated cocultures. This pattern of axonal growth and branching may reflect the activity-dependent fine-tuning and trimming of collaterals that occur as thalamic afferents begin to refine their cortical territory. Our observations in thalamocortical cocultures are consistent with the view that neuronal activity modulates the pattern of axonal growth and development.
Optimization of detector sampling for mutlislice CT scanners

In computed tomography (CT), the elapsed time of a complete organ coverage is an important parameter for many clinical applications. This requirement has let to the development of both sub-second and multi-slice CT scanners. Examples of the multi-slice scanners include twin beam CT and quad CT (QCT). Although they are different in terms of number of detector rows employed in the design, they share the common property that the spacing between adjacent detector rows is essentially identical to the detector cell size, and the spacing remains constant regardless of the scanning conditions. This restriction has led to a sub-optimal sampling along the patient axis. In this paper, we present an optimized detector sampling scheme. In the proposed scheme, the detector spacing is dynamically adjusted based on the helical pitch. This allows an improved sampling pattern along the patient axis. In conjunction with the proposed sampling scheme, an helical interpolation reconstruction algorithm is proposed. Detailed analysis and computer simulations are performed to validate our approach.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of Divalent Cations on Binding of Aminoglycoside Antibiotics to Human Serum Proteins and to Bacteria

Binding of gentamicin and related deoxystreptamine-containing aminoglycoside antibiotics to proteins in human serum can vary significantly with changes in experimental conditions. The concentrations of divalent cations are important variables, and binding increases progressively as the concentrations of calcium and magnesium decrease. Maximal binding of deoxystreptamine-containing aminoglycosides to human serum is approximately 70% in the absence of divalent cations. The binding of (3)H-labeled gentamicin to Pseudomonas aeruginosa increases and its bactericidal activity against P. aeruginosa is enhanced in the absence of divalent cations. In contrast, binding of (3)H-labeled gentamicin to Escherichia coli and bactericidal activity against E. coli do not vary significantly in the presence and in the absence of divalent cations. Interference with uptake of gentamicin provides a plausible explanation for the observation that the minimal inhibitory concentration of gentamicin for P. aeruginosa increases as the concentration of calcium or magnesium in bacteriological media increases. Although significant binding of deoxystreptamine-containing aminoglycosides to plasma proteins does not occur under normal physiological conditions in man, the possibility remains that variations in protein binding of these aminoglycosides might be significant under pathological conditions.
Syntheses of a Selective Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Modulator and Practical New Preparations of 2-(4-Alkoxyphenyl)ethylamines†

This article describes chemistry that was developed to give access to multigram quantities of the selective peroxisome proliferator activated receptor modulator (SPPARM), compound 1.1 Fischer esterifications, phase transfer-catalyzed alkylations, amide couplings, crystallizations, and a new synthesis were developed to accomplish this task. In addition, an efficient method for preparing 2-(4-alkoxyphenyl)ethylamines 7a−d from tyramine 9 was developed that involves O-alkylation of intermediate Schiff base 11 and subsequent acid-catalyzed hydrolysis to afford the target molecules as crystalline hydrochloride salts.
Sign patterns that require repeated eigenvalues

Abstract Motivated by the question of which sign patterns allow a diagonalizable matrix, we relate a number of properties to that of requiring repeated eigenvalues. These are then used to make several observations about sign patterns that allow diagonalizability. The only barrier to diagonalizability is a required nontrivial Jordan structure associated with zero. We note that the question of sign patterns that require diagonalizability is also open.
Chronic cold stress alters prefrontal cortical modulation of amygdala neuronal activity in rats.

Background Recent studies suggest that long-term exposure to stress can sensitize animals to subsequent novel or acute stressors. Stressors affect amygdala activity, and the prefrontal cortex has been implicated in the regulation of responses to stress. Little is known, however, about how the physiology of amygdala neurons is altered by chronic stressors or the role of the prefrontal cortex in these changes. Methods We used in vivo extracellular recordings from neurons in the rat central and basolateral amygdala nuclei to examine the effects of chronic stress on the basal firing and responses of amygdala neurons to a novel stressor. Additionally, prefrontal cortical afferents were severed to examine its role in the modulation of the response to stressors. Results Chronic exposure to cold enhanced the sensitivity of central amygdala neurons to footshock. A portion of this may be due to enhanced basolateral amygdala output. Furthermore, prefrontal cortical regulation of this response is weakened by chronic stress. Conclusions The physiology of the amygdala is altered by chronic stress. Furthermore, the prefrontal cortical regulation of these responses may be weakened after chronic stress. This is a potential biological substrate for abnormal affect upon chronic stress and its effect on affective disorders.
Clinical Perspectives on Targeting of Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells in the Treatment of Cancer

Tumors escape immune recognition by several mechanisms, and induction of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) is thought to play a major role in tumor mediated immune evasion. MDSC arise from myeloid progenitor cells that do not differentiate into mature dendritic cells, granulocytes, or macrophages, and are characterized by the ability to suppress T cell and natural killer cell function. They are increased in patients with cancer including renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and their levels have been shown to correlate with prognosis and overall survival. Multiple methods of inhibiting MDSCs are currently under investigation. These can broadly be categorized into methods that (a) promote differentiation of MDSC into mature, non-suppressive cells (all trans retinoic acid, vitamin D), (b) decrease MDSC levels (sunitinib, gemcitabine, 5-FU, CDDO-Me), or (c) functionally inhibit MDSC (PDE-5 inhibitors, cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors). Recently, several pre-clinical tumor models of combination therapy involving sunitinib plus vaccines and/or adoptive therapy have shown promise in MDSC inhibition and improved outcomes in the tumor bearing host. Current clinical trials are underway in RCC patients to assess not only the impact on clinical outcome, but how this combination can enhance anti-tumor immunity and reduce immune suppression. Decreasing immune suppression by MDSC in the cancer host may improve outcomes and prolong survival in this patient population.
A task-based linear algebra Building Blocks approach for scalable graph analytics

It is challenging to obtain scalable HPC performance on real applications, especially for data science applications with irregular memory access and computation patterns. To drive co-design efforts in architecture, system, and application design, we are developing miniapps representative of data science workloads. These in turn stress the state of the art in Graph BLAS-like Graph Algorithm Building Blocks (GABB). In this work, we outline a Graph BLAS-like, linear algebra based approach to miniTri, one such miniapp. We describe a task-based prototype implementation and give initial scalability results.