cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global Mergers and National Security

Global mergers are in a turbo-charged environment, where activity is at a historical high. Corporations look for deals worldwide. International transactions are at the heart of economic globalization, and foreign direct investment is a critical aspect of these transactions. Cross-border acquisitions and global mergers are at the transactions' core. Transnational corporate undertakings have raised national security anxieties worldwide. Resource nationalism and renewed reaction to globalization further stir global anxieties. Combine these concerns with the growing number of global takeovers by private and stateowned firms from China, Russia and India,and a dramatically new and unsettling global landscape emerges.
Observation Of Electron Positron Pair Production And Nonlinear Compton Scattering In Laser-electron Interactions

We report, the observation of the production of electron positron pairs and evidence for nonlinear Compton scattering in the interaction of a high intensity (1018 W/cm) laser pulse with an ultra-relativistic (50 GeV) electron beam.
Development of a fusion algorithm for uncertain and imprecise information

Distributed decision at a central processing site requires combining local decisions and evidence collected from distributed and heterogeneous information sources. A global decision maker at the fusion center is responsible for transforming the collected evidence into a common knowledge framework so that the converted information can be combined in order to deduce a concise and collective inference. There are two major knowledge-processing mechanisms, i.e., fusion techniques which are based on probabilistic and on possibilistic measures. A method that can process information associated both with probabilistic distribution and possibilistic distribution in described. >
Gran historia como historia ambiental

publicado hace 40 anos. Y para resolver mejor las preguntas se remonta hasta unos 50,000 anos, con la llegada de los primeros humanos a lo que sera el continente americano, donde desarrollaron sistemas agricolas variados, y en algunos aspectos superiores a los del Viejo Mundo (mandioca, papa, maiz). Una hectarea de papa, con un poco de leche, permite la supervivencia de toda una familia. Hasta algunas debilidades tienen su contraparte: la ausencia de animales domesticos aparto al Nuevo Mundo de ciertas enfermedades. Pero esto fue causa de una fragilidad fatal despues de 1492, origen de un colapso humano.(Intercambio colombino, mandioca, maiz, papa, epidemias, domesticacion)
Developmental remodeling of relay cells in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus in the absence of retinal input

Background The dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) of the mouse has been an important experimental model for understanding thalamic circuit development. The developmental remodeling of retinal projections has been the primary focus, however much less is known about the maturation of their synaptic targets, the relay cells of the dLGN. Here we examined the growth and maturation of relay cells during the first few weeks of life and addressed whether early retinal innervation affects their development. To accomplish this we utilized the math5 null (math5−/−) mouse, a mutant lacking retinal ganglion cells and central projections.
Hemolymph osmoregulation in three species of beetles

1. 1. Hemolymph osmoregulation was examined in Chrysochus auratus, Tetraopes tetrophthalmus and Tenebrio molitor. These beetles differed in their water loss rates and in the availability of free water in their habitats. 2. 2. During dehydration at comparable rates, osmotic responses were similar in these species. Osmoregulation after rehydration was better in C. auratus. 3. 3. Osmoregulation ability was not significantly affected by the beetle's rate of dehydration.
Technology Support for Knowledge Management

Finding the optimum way to leverage the resources of a firm remains a prominent issue for organizational management.Increasingly, firms are realizing that the ultimate organizational resource is the knowledge that resides in the minds of employees and is embedded in the processes, products, and services of the firm. Knowledge has been identified as the new basis of competition in a post‐capitalist society and has been considered the only unlimited resource. The focus of knowledge management is to capture information which resides in the individual and group experience. This paper discusses the types of knowledge found in organizations, the reasons for which knowledge is sought, and the role of technology in the facilitation of the codification, conversion, and management of knowledge. Specific examples from companies such as Shell, Coopers & Lybrand, Chase Manhatten, and others illustrate the concepts presented.
Photon antibunching in the spontaneous emission from dicke's superradiant state

Abstract Quantum statistical properties of the spontaneous emission from a system of N identical two-level atoms in Dicke's superradiant state initially are studied analytically by solving exactly the superradiant master equation. It is found that photon antibunching exists in approximately the first half of the superradiant pulse duration.
Protein dynamics simulations from nanoseconds to microseconds

There have been a number of advances in atomic resolution simulations of biomolecules during the past few years. These have arisen partly from improvements to computer power and partly from algorithmic improvements. There have also been advances in measuring time-dependent fluctuations in proteins using NMR spectroscopy, revealing the importance of fluctuations in the microsecond to millisecond time range. Progress has also been made in measuring how far the simulations are able to represent the accessible phase space that is available to the protein in its native state, in solution, at room temperature. Another area of development is the simulation of protein unfolding at atomic resolution.
Pancreatic surgery: evolution at a high-volume center.

Background Advances in imaging, minimally invasive techniques, and regionalization have changed pancreatic surgery. Therefore, the aims of this report are to determine whether the pancreatic operations or the spectrum of disease have evolved at a high-volume center. Methods From 1996 through 2009, 2,004 pancreatic operations were performed at Indiana University Hospital. The operations, pathology, and outcomes for 1996–2003 were compared with 2004–2009. Results In 2004–2009, more operations/year were performed (215 vs 89; P Conclusion At a high-volume pancreatic surgery center, the number and age of the patients, the percentage of pancreatic resections, preservation of the pylorus and spleen as well as laparoscopic procedures, and the percentage of patients with tumors all have increased, whereas the outcomes continued to improve.
Relationship building as integral to British activism: its impact on accountability in broadcasting

Abstract This study examines the strategies and impact of six activist groups concerned about British broadcasting policies and programming. Particular emphasis is placed on strategic relationship building, which played a central role in groups’ interactions with target publics, and on the activists’ perspective. The study is contextualized within the political culture of the United Kingdom and a changing broadcasting landscape. The data suggested that building strategic relationships is one of the major ways in which pressure groups have an impact on their targets. When assessing effectiveness, respondents looked beyond tangible gains by activists to long-term relationships with targets, which were contingent on critical dimensions. These included trust, mutual respect, openness and access. Groups bolstered their credibility by engaging in research and structuring educational events such as conferences and symposia, in which they enhanced the scope and quality of debate about broadcasting policy. Public relations has a role in facilitating both citizen debate within the public sphere of civil society and the relationships that make such debate possible. These groups may be a model for activists in other societies.
SPATIAL COMPETITION AND STRATEGIC FIRM RELOCATION

Firms compete spatially for customers who have some degree of brand loyalty. The number and attractiveness of the alternatives available to these customers dictates the level of competition facing firms. In this study, data on ticket pricing in four professional sports leagues are used to empirically examine the existence of spatial competition in sports, and the impact of space on team relocations. Results, allowing for structural breaks over time while using spatial autoregressive techniques, suggest that sports franchises spatially compete when pricing their tickets, and that spatial characteristics, including the level of spatial competition, have influenced the relocation of teams. (JEL D40, L11, R30, L83)
Neutrino oscillation studies at LAMPF

A search for {anti v}{sub {mu}} {yields} {anti v}{sub e} oscillations has been made by the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector experiment at LAMPF after an initial month and a half run. The experiment observes eight events consistent with the reaction {anti v}{sub e}p {yields} e{sup +}n followed by np {yields} d{gamma} (2.2 MeV). The total estimated background is 0.9{plus_minus}0.2 events.
Dielectric relaxation phenomena associated with hopping ionic conduction

Abstract The dielectric relaxation associated with hopping ionic conduction is investigated within the context of the jump diffusion model with classical activation over a barrier. Expressions relating conductivity and permittivity to lattice parameters and temperature are obtained. A superposition of Debye relaxations leads to a conductivity increasing with frequency and a permittivity which decreases with frequency. The theoretical formulation yields a realistic description of ionic motion in the dc limit.
Preferred Orientation in Microstructures of Eutectics Between Compounds

The microstructures of eutectics between compounds were studied for systems MnO-MnS, NaCl-NaF, NaBr-NaF, LiF-NaF, and FeO-FeS. With the exception of FeS, all the compounds had the NaCl-type structure. In the systems having only NaCl-type structures, the lamellas of the two eutectic phases had matching crystal orientations. There was less consistency among the eutectic systems, however, than between the phase pairs. The crystal growth directions in all five systems were different, and no more than two of the systems had the same set of inter-facial planes. One must conclude that the two phases within a eutectic of compounds do not solidify independently of one another. It is suggested that the two phases of an NaCl-type eutectic pair crystallize as a “single” ionic crystal with imperfections present to accommodate the dimensional mismatch.
BIS, BAS, and bias: the role of personality and cognition in social anxiety

The primary objective of the current study was to test the hypothesis that cognitive biases for negative and threatening social information mediate the effect of Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioral Approach System (BAS) sensitivity on social anxiety. To test this hypothesis, undergraduate participants (N = 207) were initially asked to complete measures of BIS, BAS, and trait social anxiety. Participants were then informed that they would be required to give a speech at the end of the study. This social-threat induction procedure was immediately followed by the administration of a counter-balanced battery of cognitive tasks. After the participants completed the cognitive battery, their level of state anxiety in response to the speech task was assessed via self-report. Participants were then asked to perform a brief impromptu speech. Latent variables were constructed for BIS, BAS, cognitive bias, and social anxiety. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis that cognitive biases mediate the effect of BIS and BAS sensitivity on social anxiety. As predicted, the fully-mediated model showed significantly better fit to the data than did several competing models. These results provide strong support for a mediated model of social anxiety and suggest that cognitive biases for negative and threatening social information may be the mechanism through which BIS and BAS sensitivity exert their influence upon social anxiety.
Therapeutic applications in the chemokine superfamily

The chemokine superfamily is probably complete. There are 42 human chemokines that through interaction with 18 receptors (which belong to the GPCR superfamily-class A) play pivotal roles in many important human diseases. Here we review some of the most compelling opportunities for drug development in this area.
Trace gases and air mass origin at Kaashidhoo, Indian Ocean

[1] Carbon monoxide (CO) was measured at the Kaashidhoo Climate Observatory (KCO, Republic of Maldives) between February 1998 and March 2000 to assess the regional pollution of the remote atmosphere in the northern Indian Ocean. CO showed a distinct annual cycle with maximum daily mixing ratios of around 240 parts per billion (ppb), a seasonal difference of about 200 ppb, and high variability during the dry seasons. Detailed air mass trajectory analysis for 1998, 1999, and 2000 was used to identify source regions and to associate them with various levels of pollution encountered at KCO. We conclude that most significant changes in local pollution throughout the year are caused by changes in air masses. Air at KCO generally originated from three main regions with decreasing pollution: India and southeast Asia, the Arabian Sea, and the Southern Hemisphere. We show that isentropic air mass trajectories can be used to predict CO pollution levels at KCO to a certain extent and vice versa. Nitrous oxide, CFC-11, CFC-12, CCI4, and SF6 were measured during the Indian Ocean Experiment (February to March 1999) to support pollution analysis and to confirm that India is the main source for heavy pollution measured at KCO. Correlations between CO and other gases and aerosol properties measured at the surface illustrate that CO may also be used as a proxy for aerosol loading and general pollution at the surface.
A special coordinate basis of multivariable linear systems- Finite and infinite zero structure

A special coordinate basis of multivariable linear systems is introduced here. Several fundamental properties of linear systems regarding controllability (stabilisability), observability (detectability), invariant zeros, decoupling zeros, infinite zero structure, effect of feedback on zero structure, squaring down, diagonal and triangular decoupling .... etc can be directly displayed in terms of the special coordinate basis. Moreover, connections between the special coordinate basis and the important invariant subspaces of geometric theory of linear systems are established.
Axial chirality in 1,4-disubstituted (ZZ)-1,3-dienes. Surprisingly low energies of activation for the enantiomerization in synthetically useful fluxional molecules.

Trialkylsilyltrialkylstannes (R3Si−SnR'3) add to 1,6-diynes in the presence of Pd(0) and tris-pentaflurophenylphosphine to give 1,2-dialkylidenecyclopentanes with terminal silicon and tin substituents. The (ZZ)-geometry of these s-cis-1,3-dienes, resulting from the organometallic reaction mechanisms involved, forces the silicon and tin groups to be nonplanar, thus making the molecules axially chiral. There is rapid equilibration between the two helical forms at room-temperature irrespective of the size of the Si and Sn substituents. However, the two forms can be observed by 1H, 13C, and 119Sn NMR spectroscopy at low temperature. The rates of enantiomerization, which depend on the Si and Sn substituents, and the substitution pattern of the cylopentane ring can be studied by dynamic NMR spectroscopy using line shape analysis. The surprisingly low energies of activation (ΔG⧧ = 52−57 kJ mol-1) for even the bulky Si and Sn derivatives may be attributed to a widening of the exo-cyclic bond-angles of the diene c...
Remarks on signal-processing explanations of the trichromacy of vision

We present criticism of signal-processing arguments recently used to explain the trichromacy of color vision. In particular, we note that illuminant spectral power distributions (SPD’s) can be metameric even when the signal-processing arguments state that trichromatic vision represents such SPD’s without ambiguity. Being statistical in nature, these arguments need not apply to each individual SPD; however, further use of the arguments calls for attributing them to some ensemble of SPD’s and then testing whether the ensemble satisfies the underlying statistical assumptions.
Challenges for Numerical Modeling of Enhanced Geothermal Systems

A recent guest editorial by Wood (2009) pointed out the potential of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) as a future source of “green” energy and suggested that EGS offers research opportunities for hydrogeologists seeking to become involved in the world’s energy future. Although EGS may have a bright future as a sustainable, low-carbon emission energy source, significant technical challenges must be overcome before this promising energy resource can be commercially viable. Because pilot EGS projects in the United States face very different economic constraints than current European projects, there is a real need to make technological advances to improve the return on capital investment. In this article, we amplify on Wood’s excellent editorial by describing some of the challenges that exist for the simulation of EGS.
Allocating HIV prevention funds in the United States: recommendations from an optimization model.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had an annual budget of approximately $327 million to fund health departments and community-based organizations for core HIV testing and prevention programs domestically between 2001 and 2006. Annual HIV incidence has been relatively stable since the year 2000 [1] and was estimated at 48,600 cases in 2006 and 48,100 in 2009 [2]. Using estimates on HIV incidence, prevalence, prevention program costs and benefits, and current spending, we created an HIV resource allocation model that can generate a mathematically optimal allocation of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention’s extramural budget for HIV testing, and counseling and education programs. The model’s data inputs and methods were reviewed by subject matter experts internal and external to the CDC via an extensive validation process. The model projects the HIV epidemic for the United States under different allocation strategies under a fixed budget. Our objective is to support national HIV prevention planning efforts and inform the decision-making process for HIV resource allocation. Model results can be summarized into three main recommendations. First, more funds should be allocated to testing and these should further target men who have sex with men and injecting drug users. Second, counseling and education interventions ought to provide a greater focus on HIV positive persons who are aware of their status. And lastly, interventions should target those at high risk for transmitting or acquiring HIV, rather than lower-risk members of the general population. The main conclusions of the HIV resource allocation model have played a role in the introduction of new programs and provide valuable guidance to target resources and improve the impact of HIV prevention efforts in the United States.
Sensitivity of North American Monsoon Rainfall to Multisource Sea Surface Temperatures in MM5

In this article, four continually processed sea surface temperature (SST) datasets, including the Reynolds SST (RYD), the global final analysis of skin temperature at oceans (FNL), and two Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua SSTs retrieved from thermal infrared imagery (TIR) and midinfrared imagery (MIR), were compared. The results show variations from each other. In comparison with the RYD SST, the FNL data have 0.5° 0.5°C perturbations, while the TIR and MIR SSTs possess larger deviations of 2° 1°C, mainly due to algorithm and/or sensor differences in these SST datasets. A regional model, the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research (Penn State–NCAR) Mesoscale Model (MM5), was used to investigate whether model atmospheric predictions, especially those concerning precipitation during the North American monsoon season, are sensitive to these SST variations. A comparison of rainfall, atmospheric height, temperature, and wind fields produced by model results, reanalysis data, and observations indicates that, at monthly scale, the model shows changes in the simulations for three consecutive years; in particular, rainfall amounts, timing, and even patterns vary at some specific regions. Forced by the MODIS Aqua midinfrared SST (MIR), which includes large regions with SST values lower than the conventional Reynolds SST, the MM5 rain field predictions show reduced errors over land and oceans compared to when the model is forced by other SST data. Specifically, rainfall estimates are improved over the offshore of southern Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico, the coastal regions of southern and eastern Mexico, and the southwestern U.S. monsoon active region, but only slightly improved over the monsoon core and the high-elevated Great Plains. Using MIR SST data, one is also capable of improving geopotential height and temperature fields in comparison with the reanalysis data.
Antibacterial Activities of Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimers Terminated with Amino and Poly(ethylene glycol) Groups

Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer derivatives have been investigated for their biological applications, especially for delivery of drugs, including antimicrobial drugs to eukaryotic cells, but their effects on bacterial cells are largely unexplored. Herein we report that amino-terminated PAMAM dendrimers are highly toxic to the common Gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The concentration that kills 50% of the bacteria (EC50) was in the range of approximately 0.9-1.5 microg/mL for the generation 5, amino-terminated dendrimers with or without partial (43%) coating of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). These EC50 values were lower than that ( approximately 1.9-2.8 microg/mL) for LL-37, a potent antimicrobial peptide expressed in a variety of epithelia. On the contrary, the dendrimers were far less toxic (EC50 > 21 microg/mL) to the Gram-positive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus than LL-37 (EC50 = approximately 1.9 microg/mL). In agreement with the previous studies on other cell types, the dendrimers were not cytotoxic to human corneal epithelial cells at the concentrations that were toxic to P. aeruginosa. Our findings indicate that amino-terminated PAMAM dendrimers and their partially PEG-coated derivatives possess attractive antimicrobial properties, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria, thus expanding the potential biological application of the dendrimers.
Experimental determination of velocity profiles and wall shear rate along the rabbit aortoiliac bifurcation: Relationship to vessel wall low-density lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism

Abstract We have determined the velocity profiles and wall shear rates along the New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit aortoiliac bifurcation. A pulsatile perfusion apparatus was used to impose physiologic pressure and flow waveforms on nine freshly excised NZW bifurcation segments. Pulsed Doppler velocimetry (PDV) was utilized to construct velocity profiles at five measurement sites: within the infrarenal aorta; immediately distal to the apex of the bifurcation; and, more distally along the iliac arteries. Wall shear rate was derived from a numerical differentiation of the experimental velocity profiles. The results of this study indicate that the average shear rate was lower along the lateral (≈40 s −1 ) vs medial (≈240 s −1 ) wall of the proximal iliac branch. The degree of flow reversal along the proximal lateral walls (20±2%) exceeded that along the proximal flow divider wall (1±1%). Flow at the distal iliac measurement sites and within the infrarenal aorta was approximately symmetric. These findings complement our companion in vivo study [Berceli et al., Arteriosclerosis 10 , 688–694 (1990)] wherein we determined the rates of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) incorporation and catabolism along this symmetrically bifurcating conduit. Taken together, these studies provide original information regarding the effects of hemodynamics on one presumed atherogenic risk factor, namely, LDL metabolism.
Reversing trains: a turn of the century sorting problem

Abstract In this paper we study a reversing train puzzle proposed by Sam Loyd near the turn of the century. We concern ourselves with a version of this puzzle described most recently by A. K. Dewdney in Scientific American. There is a train, locomotive and n cars, that must be entirely reversed using only a short spur line attached to the main track. The efficiency of a solution is determined by summing, for all cars, the total distance moved by each car, where distance is measured in car lengths. We present an O(n2 log2 n) algorithm for accomplishing this task.
Surface Antireflection and Light Extraction Properties of GaN Microdomes

GaN microdomes were fabricated and measured as both an antireflection surface and a light extraction enhancement structure. The combination of self-assembled micro/nanosphere lithography and reactive ion etching process was used to fabricate GaN microdomes with different aspect ratios. ${\rm SiO}_{2} $ microspheres with diameters of 1000 and 500 nm, deposited on top of the GaN substrate using a dip-coating method, serve as the mask for the formation of GaN microdomes. The GaN microdome shapes and sizes were determined through control of the plasma etching conditions. The antireflection properties of the GaN microdomes with different sizes and shapes were characterized. Two different mechanisms were proposed to explain the surface reflection properties of incidence wavelength below and above GaN band gap, respectively. The trend shows that the surface reflection is reduced with the increase in the aspect ratio of the GaN microdomes for incidence wavelength above the band gap. For incidence wavelength below the band gap, the trend is totally different. Studies indicate that the microdomes are applicable not only as antireflection structures in solar cells but for enhancing light extraction in light-emitting diodes as well.
Characterization of ftsZ, the cell division gene of Buchnera aphidicola (endosymbiont of aphids) and detection of the product.

Buchnera aphidicola, the endosymbiont of the aphid Schizaphis graminum, contains the gene ftsZ, which codes for a protein involved in the initiation of septum formation during cell division. With immunological techniques, this protein has been detected in cell-free extracts of the endosymbiont. Nucleotide sequence determination of a 6.4-kilobase B. aphidicola DNA fragment has indicated that, as in E. coli, ftsZ is adjacent to genes coding for other cell division proteins as well as genes involved in murein synthesis (murC–ddlB–ftsA–ftsZ). Although B. aphidicola ftsZ is expressed in E. coli, it cannot complement E. coli ftsZ mutants. High levels of B. aphidicola FtsZ results in the formation of long filamentous E. coli cells, suggesting that this protein interferes with cell division. The presence of FtsZ indicates that in this, as well as in many other previously described properties, B. aphidicola resembles free-living bacteria.
Thrips That Affect Production of Grass Seed in Oregon

The thrips Anaphothrips obscurus (Muller), Aptinothrips rufus (Gmelin), A. stylifer Trybom, and Rhipidothrips brunneus Williams, either alone or in mixed populations can inflict economic injury to grasses grown for seed. A. obscurus is a highly mobile and destructive thrips in Oregon grasslands and has a high reproductive potential when conditions are favorable. The cultural practice of burning fields to kill plant pathogens also reduces the number of overwintering thrips but surviving thrips may produce economic injury the following year. The relatively small number of overwintering thrips in certain grasses in early spring produce a type of silvertop by feeding on the inflorescence within the leaf sheath and, thereby, reduce the yield of bentgrass. After the heads emerge from the leaf sheathes, thrips move to the protected environment of the lower leaves and do little damage to the heads. The number of thrips that developed under favorable conditions after heads have emerged from the leaf sheath can destroy 1/2-2/3 of the leaves, which undoubtedly reduces the quality and yield of seed.
Unusual proton Zeeman spin relaxation in an organic solid: several crystal polymorphs or different glass structures?

Abstract Solid state proton Zeeman relaxation rate R 1z measurements in two isomers of an organic solid (1- and 2-ethylnaphthalene) are reported. The samples are liquids at room temperature and the temperature T and Larmor frequency ω dependence of R 1z depends strongly on how the sample is solidified. Methyl group (CH 3 ) rotation is responsible for the proton spin relaxation and the methyl groups serve as probes of the local environment. The R 1z measurements clearly distinguish between different solid states due to the differences in local structure at the several-molecule level. The experiments cannot be used to determine the states of these Van der Waals solids although interpreting the relaxation rate data suggests the states are unusual. We propose that these systems might exist in two (2-ethylnaphthalene) or more (1-ethylnaphthalene) polycrystalline polymorphs or that we are observing distinguishable glassy states, or, both. A phase transition is observed in 1-ethylnaphthalene. Variable temperature X-ray studies of organic systems that solidify well below room temperature are difficult, or at least not routine, and proton spin relaxation measurements serve as a convenient starting point for investigating such systems.
Polymer membrane-based polyion sensors: Development, response mechanism, and bioanalytical applications

Polymer membrane type ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) are now used routinely to measure clinically important ions (e.g., Na+, K+, Ca2+) in undiluted blood. However, efforts to develop similar sensors suitable for the direct detection of larger biomolecules have been less successful owing to the difficulty in identifying appropriate membrane chemistries that yield a significant and selective response toward the desired macromolecular analytes. Recently, we have found that poorly plasticized polymer membranes (PVC) doped with lipophilic anion and cation exchangers exhibit unexpectedly large and reproducible potentiometric responses to low levels (< 1 μM) of certain biomedically important macromolecular polyionic species (heparin and protamine). This article provides data demonstrating how the specific membrane formulation and electrode geometry used influence the magnitude of the polyion EMF responses observed. The results suggest a non- equilibrium/steady-state polyion extraction process is responsible for the potentiometric heparin and protamine responses exhibited by appropriately formulated membranes. The practical utility of these sensors for monitoring heparin levels in blood as well as heparin/ protamine binding to other biologically important macromolecules will be described. Further, the prospects of adapting the same polyion extraction chemistry to devise optically sensitive thin polymer films for monitoring heparin will also be addressed.
[SYNTHESIS OF C-14-LABELED PHOSPHOLIPIDS].

Es werden die Synthesen von im Basenteil 14C-markiertem L-1.2-Dipalmitoylglycerin-3-[phosphorsaure-mono-(2-amino-athylester)] bzw. -[phosphorsaure-mono-L-serinester] beschrieben.
Soybean Nodule Size and Relationship to Nitrogen Fixation Response to Water Deficit

Decreased N2 fixation in response to drought in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] constrains grain and protein production, but differences exist among cultivars in sensitivity of N2 fixation to drought. We tested the hypothesis that large nodules may help confer drought tolerance because the fraction of N2-fixing tissue (i.e., noncortical) is greater in large than small nodules. Consequently, the high energy demand of N2 fixation may create a greater sink demand by large nodules than small nodules during water deficit, increase phloem water supply to nodules, maintain nodule permeability to O2, provide sugars to support nodule activity, and supply water for the export of ureides from nodules. This hypothesis was evaluated for the cultivars Jackson (drought tolerant) and KS4895 (drought sensitive) in greenhouse and growth chamber experiments. Individual nodule mass and permeability to O2 were 0.65 to 0.70 times greater in Jackson than in KS4895 under well-watered and water-deficit conditions. For both cultivars, large nodules maintained a higher relative water content than small nodules across a range of soil-water deficits. One day after labeling leaves of well-watered plants with 14CO2, nodules less than or equal to 2 mm diam. had approximately 3.5 times the 14C concentration of nodules greater than or equal to 4 mm diam. For plants of the water-deficit treatment, 14C concentration of nodules less than or equal to 2 mm diam. was only 1.6 times that of nodules greater than or equal to 4 mm diam. Nodules from the plants of the water-deficit treatment had a greater 14C concentration than nodules from the well-watered treatment for all nodule size classes >2 mm diam. Additionally, 14C concentration for all nodule size classes was greater for Jackson than for KS4895. We conclude that drought tolerance of Jackson is partially due to the advantages of large nodules, but that drought tolerance in Jackson also results from an inherently greater supply of photosynthates to nodules.
A Statistical Rationale for the Use of Forced Expired Volume in 6 s

The purpose of the study was to determine the best surrogate for FVC when performing spirometry to detect obstruction or restriction. Volume-time curves from 3,539 participants in the Family Heart Study with acceptable quality test sessions were analyzed. An index of the variability of each timed volume (FEVx) from 1 to 12 s was determined for each subject. The least within-test session variability was seen for forced expired volume in 6 s (FEV 6 ) and forced expired volume in 7 s (for both, mean range was 95 mL). The sensitivity and specificity for detecting obstruction and restriction when substituting the FEV 6 for the FVC were then determined before and after allowing for measurement errors of 50 mL (approximately the lower limit of spirometers ability to detect volume). Sensitivity was 76% before the 50-mL error analysis and 95% after. Specificity was 98% before the 50-mL error analysis and 99.5% after. We conclude that use of FEV 6 to replace the FVC for spirometry testing will result in improved reproducibility, with no significant loss of sensitivity or specificity, after allowing a 50-mL measurement error, for detecting obstruction or restriction.
Prostaglandin E levels in third ventricular cerebrospinal fluid of rabbits during fever and changes in body temperature.

1. A method was devised to sample cerebrospinal fluid (c.s.f.) from the third ventricle of conscious rabbits. 2. Levels of PGE were measured in c.s.f. withdrawn from the third ventricle of rabbits exposed to a variety of manipulations of both brain and body core temperatures which mimicked various facets of fever in these animals. These results were compared to the levels of PGE in the c.s.f. of the same rabbits made febrile by I.V. injections of endogenous pyrogen. 3. Levels of PGE in ventricular c.s.f. remained unaltered at 2-3 ng/ml. during exposure to cold, hyperthermia due to heat exposure, hypothalamic cooling or hypothalamic heating, whereas during fever produced by endogenous pyrogen, they rose to an average of 11-12 ng/ml. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was established between the level of PGE measured in the c.s.f. and the subsequent height of the fever produced by the pyrogen. 4. Since production of PGE within the brain is not caused by changes in the brain or body temperatures which are comparable to those observed during fever, and yet greater than fivefold increases in the PGE levels in c.s.f. are produced by I.V. injections of endogenous pyrogen, it is concluded that PGE production in the brain is involved in the pathogenesis of fever.
A diffusion model account of response time and accuracy in a brightness discrimination task: Fitting real data and failing to fit fake but plausible data.

A brightness discrimination experiment was performed to examine how subjects decide whether a patch of pixels is “bright” or “dark,” and stimulus duration, brightness, and speed versus accuracy instructions were manipulated. The diffusion model (Ratcliff, 1978) was fit to the data, and it accounted for all the dependent variables: mean correct and error response times, the shapes of response time distributions for correct and error responses, and accuracy values. Speed-accuracy manipulations affected only boundary separation (response criteria settings) in the model. Drift rate (the rate of accumulation of evidence) in the diffusion model, which represents stimulus quality, increased as a function of stimulus duration and stimulus brightness but asymptoted as stimulus duration increased from 100 to 150 msec. To address the argument that the diffusion model can fit any pattern of data, simulated patterns of plausible data are presented that the model cannot fit.
WHAT IS THE PERCEIVED SERIOUSNESS OF CRIMES

Although criminologists have measured the perceived seriousness of offenses for decades, there is no consensus on the meaning of seriousness, nor is there clear evidence as to what individuals have in mind when they rate the seriousness of crimes. Seriousness judgments could reflect normative evaluations of offenses (i.e., their wrongfulness) or factual judgments about their harmfulness to victims. Survey data from Dallas residents show that the two dimensions are distinct and that conventional classes of crime (personal, property, public order) systematically differ on the two dimensions. Where crimes are perceived to be more wrong than harmful, seriousness mirrors wrongfulness. Where crimes are perceived to be more harmful than wrong, harmfulness predominates. A substantial minority of respondents, however, did not perceive differences in the moral gravity of crimes, judging the seriousness of crimes solely on the basis of harmfulness. These and other findings indicate that seriousness judgments are more structured and complex than commonly supposed and that conventional measures of seriousness, when applied to substantive problems, may mask or obscure distinct mechanisms of evaluation.
Introduction of the soybean to Illinois

Events leading to the planting of the first soybeans in Illinois and the subsequent distribution of the seed throughout the United States are documented. In December 1850 theAuckland left Hong Kong for San Francisco. The ship came across a Japanese junk floundering on the sea. The Japanese crew was removed from the junk and placed on board theAuckland, which continued on to San Francisco. In March 1851 Dr. Benjamin Franklin Edwards obtained soybean seeds from the Japanese and brought the seeds to Alton, Illinois. Mr. John H. Lea of Alton planted the soybeans in his garden in summer 1851. These events took place 3 yr prior to the famous introduction of soybeans from Japan into the United States by the Perry Expedition.
Characterization of viral double-stranded RNA-binding proteins.

Several viruses have been shown to code for proteins that specifically bind to double-stranded RNA or RNA with large amounts of secondary structure. These proteins have been implicated in providing interferon resistance to viruses and in inhibiting induction of apoptosis by viruses, and have been suggested to be involved in regulation of viral and cellular protein synthesis in infected cells. This article describes methods for detecting and analyzing viral double-stranded RNA-binding proteins.
Contact Urticaria to Parabens

Contact urticaria developed in a patient after topical application of paraben-containing compounds. Positive open patch test results and a positive passive transfer (Prausnitz-Kustner reaction) test demonstrated an immunologic mechanism for the patient's skin reaction. The importance of parabens to contact urticaria is described. ( Arch Dermatol 115:1231-1232, 1979)
Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Potentiates Renal Tubular Epithelial Cell Death by a Mechanism Independent of Smad Signaling

Abstract Tubular atrophy resulting from epithelial cell loss is one of the characteristic features in the development of chronic renal interstitial fibrosis. Although the trigger(s) and mechanism for tubular cell loss remain undefined, the hyperactive transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 signaling has long been suspected to play an active role. Here we demonstrate that although TGF-β1 did not induce cell death per se, it dramatically potentiated renal tubular cell apoptosis initiated by other death cues in vitro. Pre-incubation of human kidney epithelial cells (HKC) with TGF-β1 markedly promoted staurosporine-induced cell death in a time- and dose-dependent manner. TGF-β1 dramatically accelerated the cleavage and activation of pro-caspase-9, but not pro-caspase-8, in HKC cells. This event was followed by an accelerated activation of pro-caspase-3. To elucidate the mechanism underlying TGF-β1 promotion of tubular cell death, we investigated the signaling pathways activated by TGF-β1. Both Smad-2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase were rapidly activated by TGF-β1, as demonstrated by the early induction of phosphorylated Smad-2 and p38 MAP kinase, respectively. We found that overexpression of inhibitory Smad-7 completely abolished Smad-2 phosphorylation and activation induced by TGF-β1 but did not inhibit TGF-β1-induced apoptosis. However, suppression of p38 MAP kinase with chemical inhibitor SC68376 not only abolished p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation but also obliterated apoptosis induced by TGF-β1. These results suggest that hyperactive TGF-β1 signaling potentiates renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis by a Smad-independent, p38 MAP kinase-dependent mechanism.
COMPARISON BETWEEN OBSERVATION AND SIMULATION OF MAGNETIC FIELD CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH FLARES

It has been a long-standing question in solar physics how magnetic field structure changes with eruptive events (e.g., flares and coronal mass ejections). In this Letter, we present the eruption-associated changes in the magnetic inclination angle, the horizontal component of magnetic field vectors, and the Lorentz force. The analysis is based on the observation of the X3.4 flare on 2006 December 13 and in comparison to the numerical simulation of Fan. Both observation and simulation show that (1) the magnetic inclination angle in the decayed peripheral penumbra increases, while that in the central area close to the flaring polarity inversion line (PIL) deceases after the flare; (2) the horizontal component of magnetic field increases at the lower altitude near the flaring PIL after the flare. The result suggests that the field lines at the flaring neutral line turn to more horizontal near the surface, that is in agreement with the prediction of Hudson et al.
Communications: Adverse Effects of Heated Bouin's Solution on Fish Preservation

Abstract Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (formerly Salmo gairdneri) and lake trout Salvelinus namaycush preserved by immersion in Bouin's solution at 48°C became severely deformed due to muscle contraction. This was reflected in tissue changes, indicating that this technique induces undesirable artifacts that are likely to interfere with histological examination.
Acoustic harmonic generation from fatigue-generated dislocation substructures in copper single crystals

Dislocations generated during cyclic loading of metals self-organize into substructures that produce substantial changes in the nonlinear response. The nonlinearity is quantified by the material nonlinearity parameter extracted from acoustic harmonic generation measurements. Measurements of on copper single crystals oriented for single-slip ([1 2 3] loading axis) and fatigued in plastic strain control are compared to calculations of obtained from the Cantrell model for which measured values of model parameters associated with the substructures are required. Transmission electron microscopy measurements of the volume fractions of veins and persistent slip bands, dislocation loop lengths, dipole heights and the densities of primary and secondary dislocations in the fatigue-generated substructures are obtained for input into the model calculations. The model predictions agree with the values observed experimentally. In particular, the experimental data show an increase in proportional to where is the cumulat...
Hormonal control of growth of the infant rat II. Effects of hypophysectomy, thyroidectomy and the combination of these operations: Evidence that neither TSH nor thyroxine is transferred via milk to suckling young

Abstract The relative importance of the pituitary and thyroid glands for growth of infant rats was investigated in experiments which also provided information on the possible role of the milk as a source of thyroxine (T4) or TSH for suckling pups. Following neonatal hypophysectomy (H) or radiothyroidectomy (RT) body weight gain and skeletal growth (tail growth) were inhibited by about 40% compared to sham H controls. Combined H and T did not inhibit growth any more than either operation alone. Chemical thyroidectomy (CT) by tapazole injections was less effective at inhibiting body weight gain and tail growth than was RT. CT combined with H did not inhibit growth more than H alone. Total serum thyroxine (T4) levels, as measured by radioimmunoassay, correlated well with the growth occuring following each procedure. H, RT, H plus RT and H plus CT lowered serum T4 to the limit of sensitivity of the assay (0.5 ug %). CT alone was less effective in lowering serum T4 levels than was H or RT. These results demonstrate that RT is about as effective as H at inhibiting growth of infant rats. They also show that T of H pups does not further inhibit their growth. Thus, 50–60% of the growth of infant rats is independent of the pup's pituitary and thyroid. Our results also indicate that significant passage of T4 or TSH from mother to pup via milk does not occur. If TSH were transferred via milk the H pups should have grown more than the T pups. If T4 were transfered, the plasma level of T4 should not have been reduced so drastically by T or H. The reduced but steady growth of the H, T or H plus T pups may still be maintained by as yet undefined milk factors, such as tri-iodothyronine or growth factors.
Tracking children's mental states while solving algebra equations

Behavioral and function magnetic resonance imagery (fMRI) data were combined to infer the mental states of students as they interacted with an intelligent tutoring system. Sixteen children interacted with a computer tutor for solving linear equations over a six-day period (days 0-5), with days 1 and 5 occurring in an fMRI scanner. Hidden Markov model algorithms combined a model of student behavior with multi-voxel imaging pattern data to predict the mental states of students. We separately assessed the algorithms' ability to predict which step in a problem-solving sequence was performed and whether the step was performed correctly. For day 1, the data patterns of other students were used to predict the mental states of a target student. These predictions were improved on day 5 by adding information about the target student's behavioral and imaging data from day 1. Successful tracking of mental states depended on using the combination of a behavioral model and multi-voxel pattern analysis, illustrating the effectiveness of an integrated approach to tracking the cognition of individuals in real time as they perform complex tasks.