cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An investigation of the modulation of capillary and short gravity waves in the open ocean

A preliminary investigation of the modulation of capillary and gravity waves by long ocean waves is described. A pressure transducer is used to obtain water surface displacements, and a high-response laser-optical system is used to detect short-wave slopes. Analytical techniques are developed to account for the orbital motion of long waves. The local mean squared wave slope is found to be maximum leeward of the long-wave crests. For the long waves studied here and for short waves from 1 cm to 1 m, the longer a short-wave component is, the more leeward its maximum tends to occur. Also, the shortest waves tend to modulate least. The modulation of short waves is found to be strong enough to be an important component of the synthetic aperture radar image formation mechanism for long ocean waves.
Oxygen adsorption on hydrated gold cluster anions: experiment and theory.

The discovery that supported gold clusters act as highly efficient catalysts for low-temperature oxidation reactions has led to a great deal of work aimed at understanding the origins of the catalytic activity. Several studies have shown that the presence of trace moisture is required for the catalysts to function. Using near-atmospheric pressure flow reactor techniques, we have studied humidity and temperature effects on the reactivity of gas-phase gold cluster anions with O2. Near room temperature, the humid source produces abundant gold-hydroxy cluster anions, AuNOH-, and these have a reversed O2 adsorption activity: Nonreactive bare gold clusters become active when in the form AuNOH-, while active bare clusters are inactive when −OH is bound. The binding energies for the stable structures obtained from density functional calculations confirm fully these findings. Moreover, the theory provides evidence that electron-transfer induced by the binding of a OH group enhances the reactivity toward molecular...
Blueprint of a Cost Analysis Approach for Early Intervention: Application to a Home Visiting Program to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect

In the current context of accountability, analysis of early intervention program costs can help decision makers allocate resources. This paper describes a cost analysis approach, known as the ingre...
Synthesis of Polyisobutylene-Based Miktoarm Star Polymers from a Dicationic Monoradical Dual Initiator

A dicationic monoradical dual initiator 3-[3,5-bis(1-chloro-1-methylethyl)phenyl]-3-methylbutyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropionate (DCCBMP) was designed for the preparation of A2B type miktoarm star copolymers, where A is a polyisobutylene (PIB)-based homo or block copolymer that is produced by living carbocationic polymerization (LCP), and B is a polyacrylate or other polymer block produced by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). DCCBMP was obtained by chlorination of 3-[3,5-bis(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)phenyl]-3-methylbutyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropionate (DCOHBMP), which was synthesized in a pure form via aerobic oxidation of 3-(3,5-diisopropylphenyl)-3-methylbutyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropionate using N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI)/Co(OAc)2·4H2O catalyst system. Initiation efficiency of DCCBMP was 0.89–0.98 for LCP of isobutylene (IB) at −70 °C targeting molecular weights of 5K, 10K, and 20K g/mol, which was comparable to the standard dicationic initiator 5-tert-butyl-1,3-(1-chloro-1-methylethyl)benzene (t-Bu-m-DCC...
The Time of Ovulation in Cattle

Summary 1.Observations were made at 73 estrual periods of 47 cows of beef and dairy breeds. The time from the end of estrus to ovulation was determined by rectal palpations of the ovaries. 2.Ovulation occurred within the first day after the end of estrus, the average time from the end of estrus to ovulation for 53 ovulations being 13.57±0.68 hours. Sixty-seven per cent of the ovulations occurred between 8 and 16 hours after the end of estrus. 3.Time of day and breed or type of animal had no influence on the time of ovulation. 4.Both ovaries produced follicles with equal frequency. 5.Heifers required an average of 3.04 hours less time to ovulate than cows that had calved.
A panel data analysis of the impact of trade on human development

Abstract Arguments for a positive link between trade and per-capita income are often met with the counterargument that “there is more to life than income”—the implication being that trade improves income, but degrades “quality of life.” In this paper, we attempt to address this counterargument by examining the impact of trade on countries’ social developments as measured by the Human Development Index (HDI)—a composite measure of education, literacy, and income published by the United Nations Development Programme. Utilizing a generalized method of moments (GMM) procedure in a panel data framework, we find that increases in trade are positively associated with future increases in social welfare.
Optimum pre-pulsing and target geometry of LPP for efficient EUV and BEUV sources

Light sources for extreme ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL) are continued to face challenges in the demanding performance for high volume manufacture. Currently EUV and beyond EUV (BEUV) community are focused on the dual-pulse laser produced plasma (LPP) using droplets of mass-limited targets. These systems require extensive optimization to enhance the conversion efficiency (CE) and increase components lifetime that requires significant experimental and development efforts. We continued to enhance our comprehensive HEIGHTS simulation package and upgrade our CMUXE laboratories to study and optimize LPP sources and to make projections and realistic predictions of near future powerful devices. HEIGHTS package includes 3-D detail description of all physical processes involved in LPP devices. The models continued to be well benchmarked in each interaction physics phase of plasma evolution and EUV/BEUV production as well as in the integrated LPP systems. We simulated LPP sources in full 3-D geometry using Sn and Gd droplets and fragmented targets composed of microdroplets as a result of prepulse or from mist of tiny droplets distribution. We studied mass dependence, laser parameters effects, atomic and ionic debris generation, and optimization of EUV/BEUV radiation output, the requirements for mitigating systems to reduce debris effects. Our enhanced modeling and simulation include all phases of laser target evolution: from laser/droplet interaction, energy deposition, target vaporization and fragmentation, ionization, plasma hydrodynamic expansion, thermal and radiation energy redistribution, and EUV/BEUV photons collection as well as detail mapping of photons source location and size. Modeling results were benchmarked against experimental studies for the in-band photons production and for debris and ions generation.
Publishing in the Psychological Sciences: Enhancing Journal Impact While Decreasing Author Fatigue

The publication process in the psychological sciences is unduly tedious and would benefit from the adoption of a publishing model typical of the neurosciences and basic sciences. The author argues that such a change would result in higher impact publications in the psychological sciences and would also conserve the time of busy scientists.
Modification of phospholipase C-γ-induced Ca2+ signal generation by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate

The mechanisms by which Ca(2+)-store-release channels and Ca(2+)-entry channels are coupled to receptor activation are poorly understood. Modification of Ca(2+) signals by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), suggests the agent may target entry channels or the machinery controlling their activation. In DT40 B-cells and Jurkat T-cells, complete Ca(2+) store release was induced by 2-APB (EC(50) 10-20 microM). At 75 microM, 2-APB emptied stores completely in both lymphocyte lines, but had no such effect on other cells. In DT40 cells, 2-APB mimicked B-cell receptor (BCR) cross-linking, but no effect was observed in mutant DT40 lines devoid of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP(3)) receptors (InsP(3)Rs) or phospholipase C-gamma2 (PLC-gamma2). Like the BCR, 2-APB activated transfected TRPC3 (canonical transient receptor potential) channels, which acted as sensors for PLC-gamma2-generated diacylglycerol in DT40 cells. The action of 2-APB on InsP(3)Rs and TRPC3 channels was prevented by PLC-inhibition, and required PLC-gamma2 catalytic activity. However, unlike BCR activation, no increased InsP(3) level could be measured in response to 2-APB. Also, calyculin A-induced cytoskeletal reorganization prevented 2-APB-induced InsP(3)R and TRPC3-channel activation, but not that induced by the BCR. 2-APB still activated TRPC3 channels in DT40 cells with fully depleted Ca(2+) stores, indicating its action was not via Ca(2+) release. Significantly, 2-APB-induced InsP(3)R and TRPC3 activation was prevented in DT40 knockout cells devoid of the BCR- and PLC-gamma2-coupled adaptor/kinases, Syk, Lyn, Btk or BLNK. The results suggest that 2-APB activates Ca(2+) signals in lymphocytes by initiating and enhancing coupling between components of the BCR-PLC-gamma2 complex and both Ca(2+)-entry and Ca(2+)-release channels.
Electron excitation and auroral emission parameters

Auroral luminosities of the main emission lines in the aurora have been calculated for excitation by an isotopic primary electron flux with spectra of the form J(E) = AE exp (−EE1) + B(E2)E exp (−EE1). The variation of emissions from O and N2+ with height are shown, as are the variations of column integrated intensities and pertinent intensity ratios with the characteristic energy E2, this leading to a method of estimating the electron spectrum from ground observation.
Efficiency and accuracy in simulation of random fields

A direct method for the conditional simulation of a stationary, Gaussian scalar random field is compared with an alternative formulation which uses frequency domain probability density functions. In both cases the random field is described by given correlation or spectral density functions, and no restrictions are placed on these functions, except that they must be positive definite. Efficient implementation techniques are investigated for both general methods. The major computational effort in the most efficient implementations of both procedures is in the solution of linear algebraic equations in which the coefficients are spectral densities. The direct method is shown to be significantly more efficient than existing methods for applying the probability density function technique. However, a new implementation method for the latter technique is also presented, and it equals the efficiency of the direct method. Problems of numerical accuracy due to ill-conditioned matrices are shown not to be severe except when using an inherently problematic form for the spectral density. Numerical examples demonstrate that either method can simulate highly coherent time histories.
EFFECT OF UNIMODAL PARTICLE SIZE AND PULP CONTENT ON RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF TOMATO PUREE

The vane method in controlled shear stress mode was used to determine the yield stress and the shear rate ― shear stress data of tomato purees containing 10-35% pulp of two different average particle sizes: 0.34 and 0.71 mm. Consistency index and apparent viscosity increased significantly with pulp content and decreased with average particle size. The effect of pulp weight fraction (P) on relative viscosity (η r ) could be described by the single parameter equation: η r = [1−(P/A)] −2 , while the effect of particle diameter on η r could be described using Peclet number. Magnitudes of yield stress determined directly by the vane method were higher than those obtained by using the Casson model, and were proportional to the square of pulp content. Reduced Casson yield stress P data on purees of both particle sizes followd a single curve. Effects of pulp content and particle size on vane yield stress and apparent viscosity were evident from the correlation forms with high values of R 2
The value of nonindigenous species risk assessment in international trade

Abstract Managing the introduction of nonindigenous species is becoming a major goal of policy-makers at regional, national and international scales. Here we investigate, at the national level, the ideal design and expected net benefits of a risk assessment program for evaluating the desirability of nonindigenous species imports. We show how to enhance the statistical rigor of such a system by correcting a common non-random sampling problem encountered in the data. This correction enables model output to be interpreted in an economically relevant way and facilitates a theoretically rigorous characterization of the balance between trade and nonindigenous species establishment risk. Using reptiles and amphibians imported to the U.S. as a case study, we characterize economic outcomes over a range of cases and demonstrate substantial expected returns to such a screening program, relative to the current effectively open-door policy. Our results are informative for the current debate in the U.S. about whether to require federal agencies to apply risk assessment before allowing a species for import. The framework presented decomposes a complex argument about risk management into component economic and statistical parts, allowing for debate and improved understanding over each element to inform the overall program in a transparent fashion.
Vaccine-induced immunity in children after orthotopic liver transplantation: A 12-yr review of the Swiss national reference center

Infections represent a significant threat in solid-organ recipients. However, a certain number of infections can be prevented by immunizing patients before their transplantation. The aim of this study is to determine the level of immunity of children undergoing liver transplantation and to assess their capacity to maintain protective levels after surgery. Charts of 44 children transplanted with deceased donation livers between 1990 and 2002 at the Children's Hospital of Geneva were reviewed. Vaccine antibody responses were established pre- and post-transplantation. Only 43% of patients were up to date for diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, and polio vaccines at the pretransplantation visit, while 44% of children older than 12 months had received their required measles-mumps-rubella vaccines. Six of 44 children had received at least one dose of hepatitis B vaccine, while only two patients had received at least one dose of hepatitis A vaccine. After immunization, and one yr after transplantation, only 14 of 44 patients had detectable anti-HBs antibodies and seven of 18 had anti-HAV antibodies. Varicella antibodies were undetectable in 15 of 19 patients immunized prior to transplantation. This study highlights the need to enforce vaccination before transplantation, follow-up on vaccine- induced immunity, and adapt vaccination schedules after liver transplantation in children, especially for non-live vaccines, which are universally recommended in this population.
Fiscal space and sovereign risk pricing in a currency union

Abstract We examine how membership in a currency union affects public debt sustainability and market assessments of default risk in eurozone countries. We argue that there exist offsetting effects: expectations of bailouts tend to make a given level of debt more sustainable, lowering bond yields and CDS rates, but constraints on the use of monetary policy would tend to have the opposite effect, pushing rates up especially as room for fiscal maneuver gets exhausted. We develop a formal concept of fiscal space (which takes account of the notion of fiscal fatigue under which there are limits to the government's ability to raise the primary surplus in response to higher debt), and apply it to the eurozone countries, investigating in particular how currency union membership affects CDS and bond rates during both quiet and turbulent times for a given amount of fiscal space. We find that in quiet times, CDS and bond rates for eurozone members were below what would be expected given their fiscal space (a bonus from currency union membership). But when the crisis erupted, CDS and bond yields rose more sharply for eurozone members than would be predicted based on their available fiscal space. Our interpretation is that sovereign bailouts did not occur with the hoped-for alacrity in euro-crisis countries, generating sharper penalties for sovereigns that belong to a currency union.
XVII. Lipid metabolism of Pneumocystis: toward the definition of new molecular targets

Drugs targeted against lipids or their biosyntheses have proved highly effective against fungi. Polyene antibiotics such as amphotericin B bind to sterols (particularly with ergosterol), the complexes aggregate, and then form pores in the organism's membranes, thus abolishing ion gradients. Fluconazole and other related drugs inhibit specific steps in fungal sterol biosynthesis, and are effective against systemic mycoses. Parasites typically scavenge nutrients from their hosts, and metabolize them or utilize them directly for elaborating cellular structures. Thus, membranes can be formed by inserting some host-derived molecules into the bulk phase of lipid bilayers. However, it is believed that some lipids, intimately associated in domains serving important physiological functions (e.g., pumps, enzymes, signal transduction) require parasite lipids having specific three-dimensional configurations. Thus, if host lipids cannot provide the appropriate molecules, the parasite must synthesize at least a low amount of these lipids for those domains. Vital pathogen-specific lipids that are not available from the host have been described as ‘metabolic’ lipids [1, 2] because they enable the organism to function properly and proliferate. These make attractive targets for elimination of the pathogen. Studies on Pneumocystis carinii lipids have been performed on organism preparations for which purity was not rigorously defined by both qualitative and quantitative criteria [3–28]. It became apparent that extensive ground work was required before credible, reproducible and interpretable lipid biochemical data were to be obtained from organisms isolated from infected animal models. The alveolar lining in which P. carinii proliferates is bathed in lung surfactant, which is composed primarily of lipids and lesser amounts of proteins and carbohydrates. The lipids of lung surfactant are characterized by the predominance (about half) of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (disaturated PC). Lung surfactant lipids [3] and proteins [9] bind avidly to P. carinii surfaces which are not removed by washing with …
Intramedullary Spinal Sarcoidosis Masquerading as Cervical Stenosis

Objective Intramedullary spinal sarcoidosis is a difficult diagnosis to make because of its nonspecific clinical and imaging features and its imitation of other common spine disorders. We present a patient with intramedullary spinal sarcoidosis that mimicked spinal cord injury from a cervical disk herniation. Methods Relevant information was extracted from the patient's medical and imaging records. A thorough literature review subsequently was performed. Results A 59-year-old woman presented to our institution with several months of intermittent parathesias, pain, and subjective weakness in her right upper and lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine demonstrated a large osteophyte-disk complex at C4-5 adjacent to a small area of intramedullary spinal cord enhancement. The patient underwent C4-5 anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion for the osteophyte-disk complex. She initially improved postoperatively but subsequently worsened after a few months. Because of more prominent spinal cord enhancement, a posterior laminectomy and biopsy of the enhancing lesion was performed. Intramedullary spinal sarcoidosis was diagnosed, and she was treated medically with steroids and immunosuppressive agents. Conclusion Spinal sarcoidosis can mimic more common disease processes, such as cervical spondylosis. It is an important consideration in the diagnosis of intramedullary or intradural lesions of the spinal cord because early medical treatment may improve the course of the disease process. Surgery should be limited to biopsy for diagnostic purposes.
PULSED LASER ABLATION SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LAYERED PT/SRBI2TA2O9/PT FERROELECTRIC CAPACITORS WITH PRACTICALLY NO POLARIZATION FATIGUE

Pulsed laser ablation deposition was used to synthesize polycrystalline SrBi2Ta2O9 layered ferroelectric thin films on platinized silicon substrates. Top electrodes were produced by dc magnetron sputter deposition to fabricate capacitors for electrical tests. The polarization electric field hysteresis loops showed saturation in the 2–4 V range with a coercive field of 25 kV/cm. The capacitors showed practically no polarization fatigue up to 1011 switching cycles. The resistivity of the SrBi2Ta2O9 for a coercive field of 100 kV/cm was approximately 2×1011 Ω cm. Retention and imprint characteristics of these capacitors showed no degradation as a function of cumulative waiting times.
Sedimentation velocity studies of the vinca-alkaloid-induced self-association of tubulin

Vinca alkaloids induce tubulin to self-associate into coiled spirals that further align into sheets and macrotubes. The energetics of spiral formation has been studied by sedimentation velocity in a Beckman Optima XLA analytical ultracentrifuge. The analysis process involves conversion of an absorption based sedimentation pattern into a sedimentation distribution, g(s), and determination of mechanism involving isodesmic ligand-medicated or ligand- mediated plus ligand-facilitated self-association. We have compared the vinca alkaloid-induced self-association of porcine brain tubulin in the presence of 50 (mu) M GTP or GDP. For each drug investigated the affinity is shown to be enhanced by GDP and allosterically linked to GDP/GTP, NaCl and divalent cation binding. These allosteric effectors differentially interact with one another. Thus, GDP enhances self-association over GTP by 0.90 kcal/mol, but the enhancement is reduced to 0.35 kcal/mol by increasing NaCl concentration to 150 mM. High salt stimulates spiral formation but it affects GTP-tubulin preferentially over GDP-tubulin. Divalent cations stimulate spiral formation but GDP-tubulin differentiates between Mg+2, Ca+2, and Mn+2, while GTP-tubulin does not. Divalent cations, Ca+2 and Mn+2, induce spiral condensation and macrotube formation, but this is also inhibited by high salt. The differential action of these effectors suggests an interpretation of the energetics in terms of a structural model where charge localization, binding domains and conformational interactions within and between the tubulin heterodimers are responsible for the observed allosteric effects.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Automated Synthesis of Digital systems

This tutorial describes the automatic synthesis of digital implementations from higher-level specifications. The synthesis process is described in terms of four mechanisms: resource allocation, design transformation, composition, and scheduling. These mechanisms are illustrated with examples taken from three synthesis categories: algorithm synthesis, register-transfer synthesis, and logic synthesis. The latter two categories encompass both data-path and control design. An early history of synthesis research is given, highlighting work done at IBM and Carnegie-Mellon University. The tutorial summarizes the difficulties of automating synthesis, including the combinatorial explosion of design possibilities, the interaction between different synthesis tasks, and the difficulty of estimating design attributes such as cost and speed. Finally, the tutorial summarizes the success of automated synthesis.
On Halley iteration

This paper proposes some modified Halley iterations for finding the zeros of polynomials. We investigate the non-overshoot properties of the modified Halley iterations and other important properties that play key roles in solving symmetric eigenproblems. We also extend Halley iteration to systems of polynomial equations in several variables.
Analysis of human ovarian tumor antigens using heterologous antisera: detection of new antigenic systems.

Rabbits were immunized with extracts of human ovarian cystadenocarcinomas in an attempt to identify the spectrum of ovarian tumor antigens recognizable by heteroimmune sera. After absorption, the reactivity of the sera with extracts of tumors and normal tissues was examined by double diffusion in agar. Six antigens (OvC-1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6), which could not be detected in normal ovary, were found in a variable proportion of ovarian tumors. Two of these antigens (OvC-4 and 5) proved to be previously recognized tissue antigens, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and the related normal glycoprotein (NGP). A third antigen (OvC-3) was shown to be identical to pregnancy-zone protein (PZP, SP3, PAG). It was detected in 20 of 93 epithelial cancers of the ovary and in 20 of 22 sera from ovarian cancer patients. OvC-6 was an individually specific antigen detectable only in the immunizing tumor. OvC-1 and OvC-2 are unrelated to well-defined tumor antigens. The former was detectable in 48 of 93 epithelial cancers of the ovary, in some cervical, breast, gastric and pancreatic cancers and also in normal kidney and lung. Its presence in cord and pregnancy sera, and in placenta and amniotic fluid, indicates that it may be a new pregnancy-associated protein. OvC-2 is confined to ovarian cancers (8/93) and cannot be detected in tumors of other types or in normal adult tissues. Since it is present in placenta, amniotic fluid and fetal intestine it can be considered to be a fetal or differentiation antigen.
A novel prolyl endopeptidase inhibitor, JTP-4819, with potential for treating Alzheimer's disease.

The pharmacological actions of JTP-4819, a new prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) inhibitor targeted for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, are reviewed with respect to its effects on PEP activity, brain neurotransmitters, and memory-related behaviour in rats. JTP-4819 was shown to be a very potent and specific inhibitor of PEP. At nanomolar concentration, JTP-4819 inhibited the degradation of substance P, arginine-vasopressin, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone by PEP in supernatants of the rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Repeated administration of JTP-4819 reversed the aging-induced decrease in brain substance P-like and thyrotropin-releasing hormone-like immunoreactivity, suggesting that this drug may be able to improve the imbalance of peptidergic neuronal systems that develops with senescense by inhibiting PEP activity. JTP-4819 increased acetylcholine release from the frontal cortex and hippocampus, regions closely associated with memory, in both young and aged rats. In addition, it improved performance in several memory and learning-related tests (e.g., the Morris water maze task in aged or MCA-occluded rats and the passive avoidance test). This memory-enhancing effect of JTP-4819 may result from prevention of the metabolic degradation of brain neuropeptides by PEP as well as from the enhancement of acetylcholine release. Taken together, these unique and potent pharmacological actions of JTP-4819 suggest that it may have the potential to be used for treating Alzheimer's disease.
Managers and their organizations: An interactive approach to multidimensional job satisfaction

Individual and structural characteristics were combined in this multidimensional study of managerial job satisfaction. One thousand, one hundred and fifty-eight managers from three organizations were given the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire. A factorial nested analysis of variance was used to test hypotheses. Independent variables were age, education, and hierarchical level; and the dependent variables were four specific job satisfaction factor scores plus a global dimension. Results indicate that the structural characteristic of hierarchical level has the most significant pervasive effect on managers' job satisfaction; and that, when individual characteristics do have significant effect, it is most frequently within the top level of management. Results also indicate a very strong relationship between satisfaction with personal progress and development and overall job satisfaction.
Separation and identification of pteroylglutamates by ion-exchange thin-layer chromatography.

Abstract A method of ion-exchange thin-layer chromatography had been developed which is effective in resolving a number of pteroylglutamates and related compounds. This technique has been employed in the study of the degradation of H 2 PteGlu- 14 C and the in vivo determination of H 2 PteGlu- 14 C in placental tissue and blood plasma in the rat. This technique should prove useful for separation of specific pteroylglutamates, groups of pteroylglutamates, and/or their products in specific metabolic or chemical reactions.
The Mitotic Chromosome Binding Activity of the Papillomavirus E2 Protein Correlates with Interaction with the Cellular Chromosomal Protein, Brd4

The papillomavirus transcriptional activator, E2, is involved in key functions of the viral life cycle. These include transcriptional regulation, viral DNA replication, and viral genome segregation. The transactivation domain of E2 is required for each of these functions. To identify the regions of the domain that mediate binding to mitotic chromosomes, a panel of mutations has been generated and their effect on various E2 functions has been analyzed. A structural model of the bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV1) E2 transactivation domain was generated based on its homology with the solved structure of the human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) domain. This model was used to identify distinct surfaces of the domain to be targeted by point mutation to further delineate the functional region of the transactivation domain responsible for mitotic chromosome association. The mutated E2 proteins were assessed for mitotic chromosome binding and, in addition, transcriptional activation and transcriptional repression activities. Mutation of amino acids R37 and I73, which are located on a surface of the domain that in HPV16 E2 is reported to mediate self-interaction, completely eliminated mitotic chromosome binding. Mitotic chromosome binding activity was found to correlate well with the ability to interact with the cellular chromosomal associated factor Brd4, which has recently been proposed to mediate the association between BPV1 E2 and mitotic chromosomes.
Fetal and neonatal exposure to the endocrine disruptor methoxychlor causes epigenetic alterations in adult ovarian genes.

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals during development could alter the epigenetic programming of the genome and result in adult-onset disease. Methoxychlor (MXC) and its metabolites possess estrogenic, antiestrogenic, and antiandrogenic activities. Previous studies showed that fetal/neonatal exposure to MXC caused adult ovarian dysfunction due to altered expression of key ovarian genes including estrogen receptor (ER)-β, which was down-regulated, whereas ERα was unaffected. The objective of the current study was to evaluate changes in global and gene-specific methylation patterns in adult ovaries associated with the observed defects. Rats were exposed to MXC (20 μg/kg·d or 100 mg/kg·d) between embryonic d 19 and postnatal d 7. We performed DNA methylation analysis of the known promoters of ERα and ERβ genes in postnatal d 50–60 ovaries using bisulfite sequencing and methylation-specific PCRs. Developmental exposure to MXC led to significant hypermethylation in the ERβ promoter regions (P < 0.05), whereas the ERα promoter was unaffected. We assessed global DNA methylation changes using methylation-sensitive arbitrarily primed PCR and identified 10 genes that were hypermethylated in ovaries from exposed rats. To determine whether the MXC-induced methylation changes were associated with increased DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) levels, we measured the expression levels of Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b, and Dnmt3l using semiquantitative RT-PCR. Whereas Dnmt3a and Dnmt3l were unchanged, Dnmt3b expression was stimulated in ovaries of the 100 mg/kg MXC group (P < 0.05), suggesting that increased DNMT3B may cause DNA hypermethylation in the ovary. Overall, these data suggest that transient exposure to MXC during fetal and neonatal development affects adult ovarian function via altered methylation patterns.
Real time densification of barium titanate using gas isostatic hot pressing

A gas hot isostatic press (HIP) with a dilatometer was used to study the densification of barium titanate in real time. Temperature, pressure, and linear shrinkage were monitored in real time by a computer. This allowed a study of sintering and gas isostatic hot pressing of barium titanate in only a few runs. Postsinter HIP and sinter HIP runs were performed at pressures of 20 MPa and temperatures of 1300-1350 degrees C. Enhanced densification through gas isostatic hot pressure was demonstrated. >
Use of an isolated joint model to detect early changes induced by intra-articular injection of paclitaxel-impregnated polymeric microspheres

Paclitaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent that suppresses cellular proliferation and angiogenesis and has been effective in suppressing proliferative synovitis in animal models. Local joint delivery ofpaclitaxel is being pursued as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in humans, to avoid systematic toxicity of the drug. We used an extracorporeal, isolated metacarpophalangeal joint preparation that uniquely permitted the simultaneous evaluation of codependent hemodynamic, microvascular, and transsynovial flow responses of a joint. Specifically in this study, the isolated joint preparation provided quantitative assessment of vascular flow, transsynovial flow, and morphologic changes in response to intraarticular injection of paclitaxel (50 ng) in poly-(DL)-lactide co-glycolide 50:50 microspheres (50 microm diameter) to assess initial intra-articular biocompatibility. Control joints were isolated but not injected. Serial hemodynamic measurements, transsynovial fluid forces, synovial fluid analysis, synovial and capillary permeability, and oxygen metabolism were measured every 30 min during a subsequent 3-h isolation period. At termination, synovium and cartilage were harvested from bilateral metacarpophalangeal joints for histopathologic assessment. Intra-articular injection of this formulation of paclitaxel did not significantly affect hemodynamic parameters in the joint during this short-term study, and early joint inflammatory reaction was minimal. However, transsynovial fluid forces were significantly greater in treated joints as evidenced by greater synovial fluid flow, intra-articular pressure, transitional microvascular pressure, and permeability to fluid transport. Gross and histologic morphology of synovium and articular cartilage were normal in all isolated joints. In conclusion, this extracorporeal in vivo isolated joint model permitted investigation of the early changes in joint physiology induced by this microsphere formulation and dose ofpaclitaxel in joints and could provide a more physiologic and dynamic model for study of the pharmacokinetics of drug absorption following intra-articular administration. Due to the minimal inflammation and lack of evidence of gross or histologic change in the joint, this formulation of paclitaxel should be adequately biocompatible for use in an in vivo animal model for further study of its feasibility for human use.
Evaluation of track following servo performance for patterned servo sectors in hard disk drives

A promising approach for ultra high data storage capacities in magnetic hard disk drives is the use of bit-patterned media (BPM) that allows both higher track densities and increased linear bit spacing of data. To allow for such ultra high track densities, it is important to select an embedded servo pattern within the BPM that provides a Position Error Signal (PES) with sufficient quality to maintain (high bandwidth) head positioning. This paper discusses servo pattern performance from a closed-loop point of view for several servo patterns that could be incorporated in a BPM. A dedicated magnetic readback signal simulation and signal decoding along with a closed-loop simulation are used to evaluate tracking and PES quality. Due to PES nonlinearity in the conventional amplitude based servo pattern currently used in most drives, a timing based chevron pattern and a differential frequency pattern are considered as case studies in this paper. For the timing based servo patterns, both readback signal sampling and transition jitter were found to greatly affect PES quality. It is shown by the simulation studies in this paper that the differential frequency servo pattern can surpass the chevron and amplitude based servo patterns when subjected to sampling and jitter noise due to the averaging effects of the rotational symmetry of the pattern.
Fine structural aspects of postnatal development of feline lung.

Summary Lung development was studied in late prenatal, 1-, 7-, 14-, and 21-days postnatal and adult cats. Cats were born with a few alveoli, and the lungs appeared to have patches of primitive air spaces (saccules). The saccules of prenatal kittens were thick walled, very cellular, and lined by type II pneumocytes. Eosinophils were observed in the septum, intraepithelially, and in the alveolar space of growing cats. Secondary septa were flanked by a double capillary network and divided saccules into multiple shallow alveoli. Septation was irregular and time dependent and not completed by day 231 of postnatal life. Elastic fibers accumulated at the tip of the septa, seemingly playing an important role in alveolar formation. Type II pneumocytes were located at the base of the secondary septa in growing cats, thus strengthening secondary septa to withstand the stresses of respiration. Pores of Kohn were not observed in growing cats.
A case study of mimo system identification applied to building seismic records

A large number of high quality strong-motion records of building response are obtained from recent earthquake events in California. The accelerometers are typically deployed at several levels from the basement up. In order to learn as much as possible about the building behaviour from these records, a multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) system identification procedure is implemented to analyse these records in a systematic way. The procedure is an extension of the least-square-output-error method applied to a classically damped linear second order system. The time varying behaviour is modelled through a time window approach. The procedure includes (i) preliminary record analysis, (ii) input and model selection, (iii) parameter identification and (iv) drift analysis. The records of a 15-storey reinforced concrete building obtained during the Whittier earthquake are analysed. It is found that the fundamental period is much longer than that of a regular building. The torsional response is significant and is caused by both the translational and the torsional motions at the ground level. The maximum drift occurs at the ground storey. The second and the third translational modes in each direction are as important as the first modes in making up the ground storey drift. When the maximum drift occurs in one direction the corresponding drift in the orthogonal direction can be as high as 30 per cent of the maximum drift.
Elastic modulus measurement of thin films coated onto magnetoelastic ribbons

A model is presented to describe the change of the resonant frequency of a magnetoelastic sensor when the sensor is coated with a material of given elasticity. With a mass load coated on the surface of the sensor, its characteristic resonant frequency changes depending on the ratio of the sound velocities in the sensor and the coating. A measurement technique is derived that allows the determination of Young's modulus of elasticity of thin film coatings, with thickness greater than approximately 75 nm, based on the measurement of mass and resonant frequency of a sensor before and after coating. Comparing the measurement to the model delivers the value of Young's modulus of elasticity for a coating of known density.
Nonlinear radiated and diffracted waves due to the motions of a submerged circular cylinder

We study the high-harmonic surface wave associated with nonlinear diffraction and radiation of gravity waves by a near-surface circular cylinder. Based on nonlinear potential-flow theory, we show analytically, using a boundary-integral equation method, that: (a) for a circular motion of the cylinder, the leading-order outgoing radiated waves at any harmonic are generated only in one direction; (b) for a cylinder free to respond to regular incident waves, the total leading-order scattered waves at any harmonic are two orders smaller upstream of the body. These theoretical results are substantially confirmed by direct time-domain simulations of the problem.
Global health-related publications in otolaryngology are increasing

Objectives/Hypothesis Determine trends in global health-related publication in otolaryngology. Study Design A review of research databases. Methods A search of publications available on PubMed and nine additional databases was undertaken reviewing two time periods 10 years apart for the timeframes 1998 to 2002 (early time period) and 2008 to 2012 (recent time period) using specific search terms to identify global health-related publications in otolaryngology. Publications were examined for region of origin, subspecialty, type of publication, and evidence of international collaboration. χ[2] and t test analyses were used to identify trends. Results In the 1998 to 2002 time period, a total of 26 publications met inclusion criteria for the study, with a mean of 5.2 ± 2.8 publications per year. In the 2008 to 2012 time period, a total of 61 publications met inclusion criteria, with a mean of 12.3 ± 5.6 publications per year. The 235% increase in global health-related publications identified between the two study periods was statistically significant (P = .02). The absolute number of publications in which collaboration occurred between countries increased from three in the early time period to nine the recent time period. Conclusions There has been a significant increase in the volume of global health-related publications in English language otolaryngology journals over the past decade, providing strong evidence of the increasing trend of global health as an academic pursuit within the field of otolaryngology. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 125:848–851, 2015
Agaricales of the Hawaiian Islands 9. Five new white-spored species from native montane wet forests

Five new species of white-spored agarics are described from native montane wet forests in the Hawaiian Islands as follows: Callistosporium vinosobrunneum, Marasmiellus hapuuarum, Marasmius koae, Mycena marasmielloides, Pleurocybella ohiae. Comprehensive descriptions, illustrations and comparisons with phenetically similar species are provided. An itemization of the 24 known putatively endemic agarics described from this unique habitat is provided.
Inter-organizational information systems research: a critical review and an integrative framework

This paper reviews the literature on inter-organizational information systems. It has long been argued that information technology can have profound effects on the structure and process of interfirm relationships. This proposition has gained additional importance with the advent of Internet, and resultant forms of business to business transactions over the Web. Despite the interest and volume of research on this topic few theoretical generalizations have emerged. The lack of theorization has been compounded by the fact that the literature has grown in many directions to address various technological and practitioner concerns. To date, there have not been many reviews that put this body of work in perspective. To address this gap we propose a framework to review this field of research, and provide a means to reconcile the differences and appreciate the complementarities that run through this research stream. Our framework is based on two important themes, inter-organizational information systems, and inter-organizational relationships. We argue that the research in this area can be effectively analyzed by understanding the persuasion of the researchers regarding these two central themes. The review is followed by a discussion of future research directions in this area.
MiSearch adaptive pubMed search tool

Summary: MiSearch is an adaptive biomedical literature search tool that ranks citations based on a statistical model for the likelihood that a user will choose to view them. Citation selections are automatically acquired during browsing and used to dynamically update a likelihood model that includes authorship, journal and PubMed indexing information. The user can optionally elect to include or exclude specific features and vary the importance of timeliness in the ranking. Availability: http://misearch.ncibi.org Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The characteristics of model-following systems as synthesized by optimal control

Synthesis through linear optimal-control theory is applied to two types of model-following systems. Although the two system concepts are fundamentally different, the optimal-control theory in both cases generates constant feedback gains which modify the plant dynamics so that the resultant system response approaches that of the model. Each synthesis method produces an optimal-control law that has a closed-form solution and minimizes an integral quadratic performance index involving both system errors and control motions. The first type of model-following system is generated by incorporating the model only in the performance index. The integral square error between the model and the system is minimized by one term in the performance index. The basic idea in this system is to alter, by the feedback, the coefficients in the equations of motion for the plant so that these coefficients approach those of the model. The feedback control obtained from this method depends on the solution of the matrix Riccati equation, and also on a product of constant matrices. For an infinite weight on the error term in the performance index, the solution of the Riccati equation approaches zero. The second type of model-following system incorporates the model as part of the control system, and places it ahead of the plant as a prefilter. The difference between the model output and the plant output is minimized in the performance index. The resulting system has not only feedback gains for the plant state variables but also feedforward gains for the model state variables. Evaluation shows that the feedback gains are independent of the model, and are exactly those which would be obtained for the normal regulator problem. The feedforward gains depend on both plant and model.