cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acylation of 1-palmitoyl-sn-glycerophosphocholine by chick brain microsomes is unaffected by fatty acid binding protein.

Rates of incorporation of exogenously supplied fatty acids into 1-palmitoyl-sn-glycerophosphocholine were measured using the microsomal fraction from brains of 14–15 day old chick embryos. The substrate preferences for reacylation were: 18: 2(n − 6) = 20: 4(n − 6) ≥ 20: 5(n − 3) = 18: 3(n − 3) ≥ 18 : 1(n − 9) ≥ 22: 6(n − 3) ≥ 18: 0. The normalized rate with 18: 0 was significantly lower than all other rates except for 22: 6(n − 3), and the acylation rate with 22: 6(n − 3) was significantly lower than with 18: 2(n − 6) and 20: 5(n − 3). With the addition of fatty acid binding protein partially purified from brain cytosol, a decrease (not significant) in the rate of incorporation was observed; the substrate preference was unchanged. In the presence of FABP, normalized rates with 18: 2(n − 6) were significantly higher than with 18: 0, 18: 1(n − 9), or 22: 6(n − 3); rates with 20: 4(n - 6) were significantly higher than those with 22: 6(n − 3). Preliminary data on the acylation of 1-palmitoyl-sn-glycerophosphoethanolamine showed lower rates of incorporation than for the choline analogue and no clear substrate preference, but a similar lack of effect of fatty acid binding protein. These results do not support the proposed function of fatty acid binding protein in the establishment of a phospholipid composition rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The results are consistent, however, with the role of the reacylation reaction in the continual turnover of particular substrates [18: 2(n − 6) and 20: 4(n − 6)] used to generate second messengers.
On Passive Implementation of Feedback Control Systems

Presentation d'une implantation passive de systemes de commande lineaires boucles. La technique elimine le besoin de capteurs et d'actionneurs dans un systeme en boucle fermee typique
Elymian regional interaction in Iron Age western Sicily: a preliminary neutron activation study of incised/impressed tablewares

Abstract Neutron activation analysis of indigenous ceramics from western Sicily reveals five compositional clay types used in production, suggesting specific exchange patterns around the 5th century BCE, at a time of escalating Greek and Phoenician colonial intrusions. A sample of 62 incised/impressed tableware specimens suggests that ceramic manufacture was organized on a regional level with distinct patterns of intra-group trade of vessels, and that the distribution of these ceramics has important implications for the refinement of cultural–historical affiliations of western Sicily at this time. In fact, the spatial distribution of one of these compositional groups appears to directly correspond with epigraphic data regarding the presence of the Elymians centered at Segesta.
An Early Requirement for Maternal FoxH1 during Zebrafish Gastrulation

The Forkhead Box H1 (FoxH1) protein is a co-transcription factor recruited by phosphorylated Smad2 downstream of several TGFbetas, including Nodal-related proteins. We have reassessed the function of zebrafish FoxH1 using antisense morpholino oligonucleotides (MOs). MOs targeting translation of foxH1 disrupt embryonic epiboly movements during gastrulation and cause death on the first day of development. The FoxH1 morphant phenotype is much more severe than that of zebrafish carrying foxh1/schmalspur (sur) DNA-binding domain mutations, FoxH1 splice-blocking morphants or other Nodal pathway mutants, and it cannot be altered by concomitant perturbations in Nodal signaling. Apart from disrupting epiboly, FoxH1 MO treatment disrupts convergence and internalization movements. Late gastrula-stage FoxH1 morphants exhibit delayed mesoderm and endoderm marker gene expression and failed patterning of the central nervous system. Probing FoxH1 morphant RNA by microarray, we identified a cohort of five keratin genes--cyt1, cyt2, krt4, krt8 and krt18--that are normally transcribed in the embryo's enveloping layer (EVL) and which have significantly reduced expression in FoxH1-depleted embryos. Simultaneously disrupting these keratins with a mixture of MOs reproduces the FoxH1 morphant phenotype. Our studies thus point to an essential role for maternal FoxH1 and downstream keratins during gastrulation that is epistatic to Nodal signaling.
The influence of ontogenetic dietary fluctuations on zebrafish size and swimming performance.

Phenotypic flexibility is critical in determining fitness. As conditions change during ontogeny, continued responsiveness is necessary to meet the demands of the environment. Studies have shown that subsequent ontogenetic periods of development can interact with one another and shape developmental outcomes. The role genetic variation within populations plays in shaping these outcomes remains unclear. Four full-sub families of zebrafish Danio rerio were raised under for dietary regimes: high food rations for 60 days (HH), low food rations for 60 days (LL), high food rations for 30 days followed by low food rations for 30 (HL), and low food rations for 30 days followed by high food rations for 30 (LH). While diet significantly altered size at 30 days (high vs. low food rations), subsequent dietary change resulted equal sizes across all four feeding treatments. Swimming performance showed variation due to interactions between dietary treatments. Furthermore, there was significant family level variation in the manner in which swimming performance responded to fluctuating dietary conditions. These results suggest that plastic responsiveness to subsequent environmental changes can be trait specific and vary significantly within populations.
Limiting Product Choice: Innovation, Market Evolution, and Antitrust

1. Fighting brands RD Weller 2001, pp. 879–80). This focus is contrary to that of economists who have long argued that consumer welfare is advanced most directly by innovation and technological advancement, rather than the degree of efficient allocation of resources at one point in time (Scherer 1980, pp. 407–38; Shumpeter 1950, pp. 81–86). Recent analysts posit a similar argument using the term “productivity growth” (Porter 2001; Weller 2001). Traditional antitrust analysis concedes the importance of innovation. In U.S. v. Grinnell Corp. (1966, pp. 570–71), the Supreme Court defined the offense of monopolization as “the willful acquisition or maintenance of [monopoly] power as distinguished from growth or development as a consequence of a superior product, business acumen or historical accident.” Thus, consistent with intellectual property laws, the Court recognized that obtaining monopoly power through genuine innovation is permitted. Business strategists also emphasize the importance of innovation. Porter (1985, p. 164) calls technological change “one of the principal drivers of competition.” Similarly, Foster (1986) suggests that continuing innovation is crucial for long-term survival in many industries. Correctly predicting the timing of innovation is crucial if, as has been recently estimated, most new products are quickly imitated and imitation on average costs a third less than innovation and is a third quicker (Ghemawat 1986). Innovation is important because it enhances consumer choice. Averitt and Lande (1997, p. 713) argue that antitrust analysis should place more emphasis on preserving nonprice competition such as innovation and product variety and quality to ensure that “a meaningful range of options is made available to consumers.” A similar view recently was suggested by Commissioner Leary (2001) of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and reiterated by Lande (2001). To better examine dynamic efficiency concerns, this article proposes that antitrust analysis include the location of the market along a dynamic market evolution model. Examining ten product strategies in light of this dynamic model provides new insight. 1The LPC examines product strategies that exclude specific potential or existing rival offerings. It is thus akin to the theory of raising rivals’ costs (RRC) (Salop and Scheffman 1983) in that it also does not require complete exclusion of rival firms. Rather, RRC simply suggests that competition is weakened when rivals’ costs are increased because, ceteris paribus, profits are reduced. In contrast to RRC in which costs are increased but no immediate effect may be felt by consumers, with LPC, consumers immediately suffer the loss of an actual or potential rival offering that otherwise would have been available (or considered for introduction) in a competitive market (Petty 2001). Model Overview
Models of multifactorial inheritance: II, the covariance structure for a scalar phenotype under selective assortative mating and sex-dependent symmetric parental-transmission

Abstract This study concentrates on a scalar trait for a two-sex population entailing symmetric sex-dependent parent-offspring transmission, a nonlinear (selective) assortative mating pattern, and random perturbation factors. A number of qualitative and comparative properties of the equilibrium covariance structure are set forth. In particular, it is shown that the phenotype variance generally increases under attenuated assortative mating tendencies and for an increased level of parent-offspring transmission. Moreover, with more contrasting sex-dependent transmission the sibling covariances diverge from the parent-offspring covariance. Also, shared residual-environmental covariance enhances the sibling covariances. The absolute product moment of the deviation of a child phenotype from the separate parental phenotypes exhibits a minimum for a mixed assortative random mating scheme rather than under extreme assortative mating or pure random mating. We establish that the equilibrium variance of a married individual is reduced compared to the variance of the population at large. Interpretations and implications are discussed.
The cause of storm after effects in the middle latitude D-region

Abstract Fluxes of outer zone radiation belt electrons are considerably enhanced during the main phase of geomagnetic storms. Throughout the storm recovery the electrons radially diffuse to lower L and decay slowly to reform the characteristic two zone structure. Precipitation loss during the storm recovery is shown to be a major D - region ionization source responsible for storm after effects at middle latitudes. Within the plasmasphere, electron precipitation results primarily from resonant pitch angle scattering with naturally occurring ELF whistler mode turbulence. The pitch angle distribution and energy spectrum of precipitating electrons is obtained by evaluating the overall pitch angle diffusion coefficient due to both wave scattering and atmospheric collisions. Ion production rates from precipitating electrons at L = 4 ( Λ = 60°) are computed to be typically 1–10 cm −3 sec −1 at D - region altitudes. The precipitation is strongly latitude dependent and is insignificant below Λ = 45°. Ion production rates are expected to maximize a few days after the storm main phase due to a combination of delayed inward radial diffusion to lower L and the intensification of scattering turbulence which is strongest in the storm recovery phase. Enhanced D - region ionization should persist for approximately a week following the storm, consistent with electron precipitation lifetimes.
Jacques Rancière and the fictional capacity of documentary

This paper works through the implications of French philosopher Jacques Ranciere's conception of documentary cinema. For Ranciere, documentary and fiction are not opposed, but this does not mean that documentary films are no different from films normally termed fiction. Rather, documentary can be seen as a type of fiction film that, by taking the real as a point of contestation rather than an effect to be produced, opens up new possibilities for fictional invention. This paper shows how Ranciere reframes questions of documentary cinema in relation to political equality in a way that challenges dominant conceptions of the difference between documentary and fiction film within the history of film studies.
Reoxygenation in the RIF-1 tumor after chemotherapy.

Abstract The proportion of hypoxic cells in the RIF-1 tumor was observed for 24 hr after treatments with bleomycin, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, and mitomycin C. The assays were based upon the paired survival curve method for determining the hypoxic fraction using irradiation of aerobic and artificially hypoxic tumors. It was observed that at 1 2 hr after bleomycin, hypoxic fraction was elevated but returned to baseline levels by 2 hr. Following cisplatin, hypoxic fraction did not rise above baseline. However, after cyclophosphamide, hypoxic fraction was elevated and did not return to baseline over the 24-hr observation period of this study. At 1 2 hr after mitomycin treatment, the hypoxic fraction was raised but within 1 hr returned to baseline. These results indicate that tumor reoxygenation varies after different drug treatments and that the determination of drug specificity for aerobic versus hypoxic cells may be strongly biased by the choice of the time after treatment for making the determination.
Involvement of the oxygen minimum in benthic zonation on a deep seamount

LOW oxygen concentration in the seawater column reduces the abundance of midwater consumer populations1,2, which can enhance the supply of undegraded organic matter reaching the benthos. Low oxygen concentration in the water at the bottom can exclude most tolerant species from benthic habitats3–5. The interception of the seafloor with pronounced oxygen-minimum zones can produce steep gradients in benthic assemblages. We now present evidence for this interaction on Volcano 7, an oceanic seamount penetrating the oxygen-minimum zone in the eastern tropical Pacific. Submersible observations revealed only a few benthic species at the summit (730–750 m), where oxygen levels were lowest. Just tens of metres below, megafaunal and macrofaunal abundances were extremely high. Sediment organic carbon, a benthic food indicator, was unusually high. We hypothesize that a dynamic low-oxygen interface physiologically restricts benthos on the upper summit, that the enriched sediment is a result of reduced consumption and degradation of sinking material in the oxygen-minimum zone, and that this high benthic food level supports the unusually high benthic abundance. Sharp benthic zonation associated with oxygen concentrations may also be preserved in the palaeoceanographic record4,6.
Identification of an endothelial cell product as an inhibitor of tissue factor activity

An endothelial cell glycoprotein that inhibits the initiation of the coagulation process promoted by tissue factor has been isolated by heparin-sepharose, hydroxyapatite and gel filtration chromatography. As is the case for several other species synthesized by this cell type, the N-linked carbohydrate moiety is sulfated. The identification of this inhibitor hints at the possible existence of a functional balance, between the activator of the coagulation cascade and its inhibitor, which may become perturbed in various pathophysiological conditions.
Risk adjustment for comparing hospital quality with surgery: how many variables are needed?

Background The American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) will soon be reporting procedure-specific outcomes, and hopes to reduce the burden of data collection by collecting fewer variables. We sought to determine whether these changes threaten the robustness of the risk adjustment of hospital quality comparisons. Study Design We used prospective, clinical data from the ACS NSQIP from 2005 to 2007 (184 hospitals, 74,887 patients). For the 5 general surgery operations in the procedure-specific NSQIP, we compared the ability of the full model (21 variables), an intermediate model (12 variables), and a limited model (5 variables) to predict patient outcomes and to risk-adjust hospital outcomes. Results The intermediate and limited models were comparable with the full model in all analyses. In the assessment of patient risk, the limited and full models had very similar discrimination at the patient level (C-indices for all 5 procedures combined of 0.93 versus 0.91 for mortality and 0.78 versus 0.76 for morbidity) and showed good calibration across strata of patient risk. In assessing hospital-specific outcomes, results from the limited and full-risk models were highly correlated for both mortality (range 0.94 to 0.99 across the 5 operations) and morbidity (range 0.96 to 0.99). Conclusions Procedure-specific hospital quality measures can be adequately risk-adjusted with a limited number of variables. In the context of the ACS NSQIP, moving to a more limited model will dramatically reduce the burden of data collection for participating hospitals.
Left atrial receptor discharge during atrial arrhythmias in the dog.

Afferent receptor discharge originating in the atria was recorded from slips of the cervical vagus in the open-chest dog. The activity of two types of atrial receptor endings was identified. Type A receptors exhibited a discharge pattern that was synchronous with the a wave of the atrial pressure pulse in the control recordings, and type B receptors discharged only during the v wave of the atrial pressure pulse in the control recordings. Atrial arrhythmias (flutter or fibrillation) were induced by mechanical stimulation of the area around the sinoatrial node. During atrial arrhythmias, there was a moderate rise in mean left atrial pressure (7.5 ± 0.7 cm H2O to 8.6 ± 0.6 cm H2O during arrhythmias in which type B receptors were studied, 6.1 ± 0.1 cm H2O to 7.8 ± 0.4 cm H2O during arrhythmias in which type A receptors were studied), a fall in aortic blood pressure, and a decrease in right atrial force. Atrial contractions were asynchronous and rapid. Type A atrial receptors showed a relatively greater increa...
Chemical applications of topology and group theory 13. Chirality and framework groups [1]

Pople has recently introduced the concept of a framework group to specify the full symmetry properties of a molecular structure. Furthermore, Pople has developed powerful algorithms for the use of framework groups to generate all distinguishable skeletons with a given number of sites. This paper studies the systematics of chirality arising from different framework groups. In this connection framework groups can be classified into four different types: linear, planar, achiral, and chiral. Chiral framework groups lead to chiral systems for any ligand partition including that with all ligands equivalent. Linear framework groups are never chiral even for the ligand partition with all ligands different. Planar framework groups are also never chiral since all sites are in the same plane, which therefore remains a symmetry plane for any ligand partition. However, the mirror symmetry of the molecular plane of a planar framework group can be destroyed by a process called polarization; this process can be viewed as the mathematical analogue of complexing a planar aromatic hydrocarbon to a transition metal. The chirality of four-, five-, and six-site framework groups is discussed in terms of the maximum symmetry ligand partitions resulting in removal of all of the symmetry elements corresponding to improper rotations S n (including reflections S 1 and inversions S 2) from achiral and polarized planar framework groups. The Ruch-Schonhofer group theoretical algorithms for the calculation of chiral ligand partitions and pseudoscalar polynomials of lowest degree (“chirality functions”) are adapted for use with these framework groups. Other properties of framework groups relevant to a study of their chirality are also discussed: these include their transitivity (i.e. whether all sites are equivalent or not), their normality (i.e. whether proper rotations correspond to even permutations and improper rotations correspond to odd permutations), and the number of sites in their symmetry planes.
REM sleep deprivation and exploration in rats.

Summary.-Two conflicting srudies, which had measured the relationship between REM sleep deprivation and exploration in rats, were evaluated. Both reporting and design inadequacies specified for each study made it impossible to identify the factors which might have contributed to these conflicting results. Therefore research, which eliminated the major flaws in the previous studies, was carried our. No significant relationship between REM sleep deprivation and exploration was observed. Two studies, i.e., Albert, Cicala, and Siegal (1970) and Boyaner (1970), measured the effects of REM sleep deprivation (REMd) of the exploratory behavior of rats and have reported conflicting results. Albert, et al. tested animals in an activity box after 3, 6, and 9 days of REMd. When compared with a group of large-platform controls, these animals showed a significant increase in exploration. Conversely, Boyaner found that his rats showed a steady decrement in exploration of a Y-maze, as REMd was increased from I to 4 days, in one-day increments. Over-all, his REMd group did not differ significantly from
First-principles study of L10 Ti-Al and V-Al alloys.

As a first step towards understanding the reduced embrittlement of L1/sub 0/ Ti-Al alloys which accompanies the introduction of small concentrations of V, we have determined from first principles, using full-potential linearized--augmented-plane-wave calculations, the equilibrium values of the structural parameters and the associated electronic structure for the stoichiometric (L1/sub 0/) Ti-Al (tetragonal) compound. Our calculated values of c/a and a are in good agreement with experiment. Using the same method of calculation, we have also studied the electronic structure associated with the (hypothetical) L1/sub 0/ V-Al alloy that would form when V is substituted for Ti. We find that (1) the electronic structures of these V-Al alloys are relatively insensitive to variations of c/a and a; (2) near the Ti-Al equilibrium geometry, the electronic structures of the V-Al and Ti-Al alloys are very similar; and (3) that a rigid-band model involving substitution of V for Ti can be used to gain a qualitative understanding of the reduction in c/a which accompanies the introduction of small concentrations of V. We relate the reduction in c/a to important changes in the bonding that accompany the occupation of bands immediately above the Fermi level of the stoichiometric Ti-Al compound.
Improving student interest in the spanish 1 classroom through democratic teaching

Abstract This action research describes the curricular and activity changes in my classroom when a new curriculum was adopted. Interest-orientated classrooms can increase the amount of learning that takes place among students. Mortimer Adler's Paideia Philosophy gave the incentive to rewrite the Spanish 1 curriculum, and use the textbook as a reference only and allow students to make decisions about what to learn, how to learn the material and how to assess. The Paideia Philosophy is described, including its objectives and the teacher's role in the learning process.
Effect of (des-Tyr1)-γ-endorphin on Prolactin Secretion

To the Editor.— Verhoeven and colleagues (Archives1979;36:294-298) have reported that (des-Tyr 1 )-γ-endorphin (DTγE; β-lipotropin 62-77 ) has antipsychotic properties in some schizophrenic patients, but this was not replicated in two recent studies. 1.2 Animal experiments have suggested that DTγE may have direct or indirect neuroleptic properties. Neuroleptics are potent stimulants of prolactin secretion in the rat; most neuroleptics, with the exception of clozapine and melperone, are also potent stimulants of prolactin secretion at therapeutic dosages in man. 3 (Des-Tyr 1 )-γ-endorphin has been identified in the pituitary of man and the rat. 4 We were interested in determining the effect of DTγE on prolactin secretion in man and laboratory rats. Subjects and Methods.— We have now treated four male schizophrenic patients (diagnosis by Research Diagnostic Criteria) with intramuscular injections of DTγE in dosages of 1 to 10 mg/day. All were admitted because of a recent exacerbation of their psychoses. Dosages greater
Optimal process adjustment by integrating production data and design of experiments

This paper proposes a method to improve the process model estimation based on limited experimental data by making use of abundant production data and to achieve the optimal process adjustment based on the improved process model. The proposed method is called an Estimation-adjustment (EA) method. Furthermore, this paper proves three properties associated with the EA, which guarantee the feasibility and effectiveness of using EA for integrating production and experimental data for optimal process adjustment. Also, the paper develops a sequential hypothesis testing procedure for implementing the EA. The properties and implementation of the EA are demonstrated in a cotton spinning process. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Folic acid fortification of food.

To the Editor. —The meta-analysis by Dr Boushey and colleagues 1 provides an excellent overview of the relationship between homocysteine and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but places undue emphasis on the role of folic acid. Despite acknowledging that no appropriate clinical trials have been conducted with folic acid, the authors limited their "quantitative estimates to studies... of folic acid alone that reported fasting tHcy [total homocysteine]." Unfortunately, this homogenization of the literature inadequately addresses both the pathogenesis of hyperhomocysteinemia and appropriate homocysteine-lowering therapy. Experimental 2 and clinical 3 studies have clearly documented that there are two distinct forms of hyperhomocysteinemia: fasting and postmethionine load (PML). Impaired remethylation of homocysteine to methionine, due to either poor folate/ vitamin B 12 status or homozygous severe methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency, results in fasting hyperhomocysteinemia, but no abnormal increase in fasting homocysteine after a methionine load. Conversely, poor vitamin B 6 status or heterozygous cystathionine synthase
Some problems related to the origin of methane on Mars

Abstract The following problems related to the origin of methane on Mars have been considered. (1) Laboratory simulations of the impact phenomena confirm effective heterogeneous chemistry between the products of the fireball. This chemistry lowers the fireball freezing temperature from 2000 to 750 K for methane and to 1100 K for CO/CO2. Production of methane on Mars by cometary impacts is 0.8% of the total production. A probability that the observed methane on Mars came from impact of a single comet is 0.0011. (2) The PFS observations of variations of methane on Mars require a very effective heterogeneous loss of methane. Heterogeneous effect of dust is half that of the surface rocks. Thermochemical equilibrium requires production, not loss, of methane. Existing kinetic data show a very low efficiency of heterogeneous reactions of methane. Highly reactive superoxide ions generated by the solar UV photons on the martian rocks cannot remove methane. The required efficiency of heterogeneous loss of methane on Mars is higher than that on Earth by a factor of ⩾1000, although the expected efficiency on Earth is stronger than that on Mars because of the liquid ocean and the abundant oxygen. All these inconsistencies may be removed if variations of the rock reflectivity contribute to the PFS observations of methane on Mars. The PFS data on H2CO, HCl, HF, and HBr also raise doubts. (3) Although geologic sources of methane are possible, the lack of current volcanism, hydrothermal activity, hot spots, and very low seepage of gases from the interior are not favorable for geologic methane. Any proposed geological source of methane on Mars should address these problems. Some weak points in the suggested geologic sources are discussed. (4) Measurements of 13C/12C and D/H in methane would be difficult because of the low methane abundance. These ratios are mostly sensitive to a temperature of methane formation and cannot distinguish between biogenic and low-temperature geologic sources. Their analysis requires the carbon isotope ratio in CO2 on Mars, which is known with the insufficient accuracy, and D/H in water, which is different in the atmosphere, polar caps, regolith and interior. Therefore, the stable isotope ratios may not give a unique answer on the origin of methane. (5) Ethane and propane react with OH much faster than methane. If their production relative to methane is similar to that on Earth, then their expected abundances on Mars are of a few parts per trillion. (6) Loss of SO2 in the reaction with peroxide on ice is smaller than its gas-phase loss by an order of magnitude. The overall results strengthen the biogenic origin of martian methane and its low variability.
Developments in management of the newborn foal in respiratory distress 1: Evaluation.

Summary Developments in evaluation of newborn foals with respiratory distress are discussed. Major causes of respiratory distress are outlined and discussed in terms of the similar respiratory signs exhibited by foals with this clinical syndrome. History, physical examination, clinical pathology, chest radiography and blood gas analyses are discussed as important elements of the evaluation of the condition of these foals. Foals with respiratory disease are grouped into three major categories on the basis of clinical signs and arterial blood gas profiles. The evaluation of foals with respiratory distress is designed not only to reach an accurate diagnosis of the aetiology but also to define the foal's need for respiratory support.
Fluctuation-flipping orbits of freely-draining rigid dumbbells in converging-diverging pore flows

This paper addresses the deterministic translational-rotational motion of a freely-draining rigid dumbbell that is freely suspended in pressure-driven Stokes flow through a periodically corrugated pore or channel. As is demonstrated by numerical integration of the coupled, nonlinear equations of motion within a sinusoidally corrugated, axisymmetric pore, passage of the dumbbell through successive converging and diverging local flow environments engenders rotary fluctuations relative to the local streamlines that gradually increase in amplitude, over many pore wavelengths, until it eventually flips over. Then the dumbbell slowly realigns itself with the flow, with diminishing fluctuations-whereupon the whole cycle begins again. To analyze the cumulative effect of zero-mean rotary fluctuations, we first consider a simpler problem in which a prolate body of zero axis ratio is subjected to externally applied, harmonic rotary oscillations while immersed in steady, homogeneous shear. Two-timescale asymptotics c...
Connection of translational and rotational dynamical heterogeneities with the breakdown of the Stokes-Einstein and Stokes-Einstein-Debye relations in water

We study the Stokes-Einstein SE and the Stokes-Einstein-Debye SED relations, Dt =kBT /6 R and Dr =kBT /8 R 3 , where Dt and Dr are the translational and rotational diffusivity, respectively, T is the temperature, the viscosity, kB the Boltzmann constant, and R the “molecular” radius. Our results are based on molecular dynamics simulations of the extended simple point charge model of water. We find that both the SE and SED relations break down at low temperature. To explore the relationship between these breakdowns and dynamical heterogeneities DHs, we also calculate the SE and SED relations for subsets of the 7% “fastest” and 7% “slowest” molecules. We find that the SE and SED relations break down in both subsets, and that the breakdowns occur on all scales of mobility. Thus these breakdowns appear to be generalized phenomena, in contrast with a view where only the most mobile molecules are the origin of the breakdown of the SE and SED relations, embedded in an inactive background where these relations hold. At low temperature, the SE and SED
Towards a human Lassa fever vaccine.

Arenaviruses, such as Lassa fever, establish chronic infections in rodents, leading to incidental transmission to humans. Lassa fever is a clinically severe disease, yet the absence of second attacks implies life-long immunity. The aim of this review is to consider whether such immunity could be provided by vaccines. The South American arenaviruses are controlled by neutralising antibody and a clinical trial of live, attenuated vaccine for Argentinian haemorrhagic fever provided 84% protection. In contrast, there is no evidence for protective humoral immunity against Old World arenaviruses which are controlled by cell-mediated immune responses. Nevertheless, vaccination with Lassa glycoproteins can protect monkeys from disease, implying that protection may be achievable, even though the immunological mechanisms are distinct. Recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing various forms of Lassa glycoproteins can protect both guinea-pigs and primates, while additional protective responses can be mounted against nucleocapsid genes. However, vaccines based upon vaccinia constructs are no longer tenable for African populations with a high seroprevalence of HIV infection. The scientific challenge now remains to find alternative methods of delivering T-cell immunity against glycoproteins from Lassa virus in ways which can overcome the local economic and political hurdles to vaccine development.
When ‘Simplification’ is a Trojan Horse for Great Harm

In this article, Johnson argues that simplification is sometimes used as a cover for terrible tax policy. A flat tax, for instance, will increase harm by shifting the burden of tax from Uncle Scrooge, who can bear tax on a dollar without much loss in value, to the Little Match Girl, who cannot. Flat tax does not accomplish substantial simplification. An add-on VAT is not a simplification, but another level of complication. So too, expensing of inventory, repeal of net operating loss carryover limitations, and repeal of straddle rules are not are not well illuminated by calling them simplification and are not justified by simplification. Johnson recommends 10 proposals to simplify the law while improving its efficiency and fairness. He suggests repealing all qualified pension plans, and that withholding would depend on the amount paid. Johnson also recommends simplifying partnership tax law and that partnership tax should be computed and collected at the entity level. He further suggests disallowing deductions for the cost of tax planning, and would require tax liens to be filed via the internet. Moreover, he would require capitalizing prepayments, and he recommends ways to reduce valuation disputes in both charitable deductions and estate tax cases.
Methanol and methane formation over palladium dispersed on the lanthanide rare earth oxides

To complete our study of the effect of the rare earth oxide (REO) support on the CO hydrogenation reaction over Pd, this metal was dispersed on the oxides of the late lanthanide elements—Tb through Lu. The Pd surface area was measured before and after kinetic runs at 0.1 MPa (1 atm) and 1.5 MPa with these PdREO catalysts. Methanation activation energies were 30.4 ± 1.1 kcal mole−1', which was virtually the same as that for those determined for the early PdREO catalysts. The turnover frequency (TOF) at 548 K for methane ranged from 1.2 × 10−3 to 4.8 × 10−3 s−1, which is up to 40 times that on Pd powder. At 1.5 MPa and 523 K, stable activity was achieved after 48 h on stream and all catalysts showed a selectivity of 83–90% to oxygenates (excluding CO2), with over 90% of this fraction composed of CH3OH. The average activation energy for methanol synthesis was 19.6 ± 0.8 kcal mole−1, again nearly identical to values for Pd on the early REOs, and TOFs varied from 1.6 × 10−3 to 6.1 × 10−3 s−1. When these results are combined with those of the previous study (C. Sudhakar and M. A. Vannice, J. Catal., 95, 227 (1985)), the patterns for methanation at 0.1 MPa and CH3OH synthesis at 1.5 MPa are established as a function of the position of the REO in the periodic table. There is a clear influence of the support on catalytic properties. No trend occurs between methanation activity and the acidity of the support, but a correlation exists between the CH4 TOF and the activation energy for electrical conductivity, which is consistent with a redox sequence involving oxygen vacancies at the PdREO interface which enhance activity by facilitating bond rupture of the CO molecule. The TOF for CH3OH synthesis shows a strong correlation with the basicity of the REO, which varies with the lanthanide contraction. This behavior also indicated that the support participates directly in the reaction sequence, and this trend strongly supports a mechanism involving formate species on the REO surface, which are formed most readily on the most basic oxides, such as La2O3. The possibility of a heterogeneous analog of the Cannizzaro reaction is pointed out, and this route may also influence methanol formation.
MOT2 encodes a negative regulator of gene expression that affects basal expression of pheromone-responsive genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract Pheromones induce haploid cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to differentiate into a mating-competent state. Ste11p is one of several protein kinases required to transmit the pheromone-induced signal and to maintain basal expression of certain mating-specific genes in the absence of pheromone stimulation. To identify potential regulators of Ste11p, we screened for suppressors that restored mating and basal transcriptional competence to a strain with a conditionally functional Ste11p. This screen uncovered a novel gene we call MOT2, for modulator of transcription. A mot2 deletion mutation leads to modest increases in the basal amounts of mRNA for several pheromone-responsive genes. Yet mot2 deletion does not affect the signal transmission activity of the pathway in either the presence or absence of pheromone stimulation. Therefore, we propose that Mot2p, directly or indirectly, represses basal transcription of certain mating-specific genes. Because mot2 deletion mutants also have a conditional cell lysis phenotype, we expect that Mot2p regulatory effects may be more global than for mating-specific gene expression.
Optimal information transfer in synchronized neocortical neurons

The output precision and information transnl~ssion was studied in a model neocortical neuron that was driven by a periodic presynaptic spike train w~th a variable number of inhibitory inputs on each cycle. Spike-timing precision was maintained during feedforward propagation during entrainment. The range of presynaptic firing rates and precision for entrainment was determined. During entrainment the Shannon information of the output spike phase was reduced but the amount of information the neuron transmitted about the synaptic input was increased. We quantify how robust information transmission is against intrinsic neuronal noise. We propose how neurotnodulation, via entrainment, can regulate the information transfer in neocortical networks. 0 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The biochemistry of antioxidants revisited.

Biochemical relationships between oxidative stress, antioxidant nutrients, and chronic diseases are complicated and often conflicting. Basic research supports the concept that reactive oxygen species precipitate changes that result in oxidative damage to lipid, protein, and DNA biomolecules. Oxidative stress is implicated in the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, sepsis, various eye diseases, and neurologic conditions. Supplementation with antioxidant nutrients seems plausible to counter the effects of oxidative stress, but the preferred mode of delivery for these nutrients may be through the patient's diet rather than as supplements to the diet. In fact, evidence supporting consumption of at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables continues to grow. To better understand the role of antioxidant nutrients in disease promotion or prevention, this review will discuss basic nutritional biochemistry relating to oxidative stress and antioxidant defense systems, followed by a discussion o...
Modeling continuous shape change for facial animation

The movement of landmarks on the human face can be recorded in 3D using motion capture equipment. We describe methods for the analysis of data collected on groups of subjects with a view to describing and assessing the differences between the facial motions of those groups. We focus on the smile motion in particular. The methods presented can be used more generally for continuous shape change data. We introduce a novel parameterization of shape change that allows the parsimonious description of facial motion. We allow for a distinction between static facial shape and dynamic facial motion. We describe statistical methods for modeling differences in facial motion including a comparison of mean motions, principal components for describing the variation in motion and linear models for describing the effects of predictors.
Influence of Obesity on Immune Function

Abstract Objective To compare immune function in obese and nonobese subjects. Design Obese and nonobese subjects were compared cross-sectionally. To test for the influence of other factors on immunity, aerobic fitness, psychological well-being, and serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol were measured and included in multiple regression models to determine their comparative effects. Subjects/setting Community-based subjects included 116 obese women (age=44.3±9.7 years, body mass index=33.2±6.5) and 41 nonobese women (age=42.2±10.9 years, body mass index=2 0.2±1.9). Statistical analyses performed Independent t tests, Pearson product moment correlations, and step wise multiple regression procedures. Results Obesity was linked to elevated leukocyte and lymphocyte subset counts (except for natural killer and cytotoxic/suppressor T cells), suppressed mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation (an index of T- and B-cell function), higher monocyte and granulocyte phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity, and normal activity of natural killer cells. Applications/conclusions These data support the contention that obesity is associated with alterations in immune function. Further research is needed to link immunosuppression with the previously reported elevated risk of infection among the obese. J Am Diet Assoc. 1999;99:294-299 .
A Prospective Study of Calf Factors Affecting Age, Body Size, and Body Condition Score at First Calving of Holstein Dairy Heifers

Data were collected prospectively on parameters related to first calving on 18 farms located in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This project was designed to study possible residual effects of calf management practices and events occurring during the first 16 wk of life on age, BW, skeletal growth, and body condition score at first calving. Multiple imputation method for handling missing data was incorporated in these analyses. This method has the advantage over ad hoc single imputations because the appropriate error structure is maintained. Much similarity was found between the multiple imputation method and a traditional mixed model analysis, except that some estimates from the multiple imputation method seemed more logical in their effects on the parameter measured. Factors related to increased age at first calving were increased difficulty of delivery, antibiotic treatment of sick calves, increased amount of milk or milk replacer fed before weaning, reduced quality of forage fed to weaned calves, maximum humidity, mean daily temperature, and maximum ammonia levels in calf housing areas. Body weight at calving tended to increase with parity of the dam, increased amount of grain fed to calves, increased ammonia levels, and increased mean temperature of the calf housing area. Body condition score at calving tended to be positively influenced by delivery score at first calving, dam parity, and milk or milk replacer dry matter intake. Withers height at calving was positively affected by treatment of animals with antibiotics and increased mean temperature in the calf area. This study demonstrated that nutrition, housing, and management factors that affect health and growth of calves have long-term effects on the animal at least through first calving.
Root growth dependence on soil temperature for Opuntia ficus-indica: influences of air temperature and a doubled CO2 concentration

1. Root elongation as a function of soil temperature was determined for the CAM succulent Opuntia ficus-indica, under three different day/night air temperatures (15 °C/5 °C, 25 °C/15 °C and 35 °C/25 °C) and an ambient (360 μmol mol–1) vs a doubled CO2 concentration (720 μmol mol–1) at 25 °C/15 °C, the optimum temperature for net CO2 uptake. 2. Root elongation occurred at soil temperatures from 12 °C (at 15 °C/5 °C) to 43 °C (at 35 °C/25 °C) with optimum temperatures of 27–30 °C, similar to other CAM succulents and consistent with the distribution of this shallow-rooted species in warm regions. Although a doubled CO2 concentration did not alter the optimum or limiting soil temperatures, increases of up to 5 °C in these temperatures accompanied the 20 °C increase in day/night air temperatures. 3. Root elongation rates at optimum soil temperatures ranged from 5·4 mm day–1 (15 °C/5 °C), through 6·6 mm day–1 (25 °C/15 °C), to 10·4 mm day–1 (35 °C/25 °C) with a 25% increase under a doubled CO2 concentration. Highest root elongation rates at 35 °C/25 °C may reflect changing root vs shoot sink strengths in a species with a highly plastic root system. 4. At limiting soil temperatures, the length of the cell division zone was reduced by an average of 20% and cell length at the mid-point of the elongation zone by 10%. Increased root elongation rates under a doubled CO2 concentration reflected increased cell elongation. 5. The temperature response for the roots of O. ficus-indica and stimulation of elongation by a doubled CO2 concentration indicate that root growth for this highly productive species should be enhanced by predicted global climate change.
The impact of weight loss on health-related quality-of-life: implications for cost-effectiveness analyses

Purpose To assess the impact of weight loss on health-related quality-of-life (HRQL), to describe the factors associated with improvements in HRQL after weight loss, and to assess the relationship between obesity as assessed by body mass index (BMI) and HRQL before and after weight loss.
Collaborative visualization and modeling

Rapid advances in computing hardware (workstations, PCs), infrastructure (networks, cable, telephone), product development software (geometric modeling, process simulations, graphics), and business models (emerging economies, international currency exchange) have provided the raw material to support true globalization of product development. This globalization in turn raises a strong need for members of an enterprise (design, manufacturing maintenance, sales, management) to exchange product information in a concurrent manner and collaborate throughout the life cycle of families of products. We summarize some of the key issues in computer supported cooperative work (CSCW) related to product development, and then cover some of our ongoing work in collaborative visualization and modeling. On visualization, we cover the collaborative aspects of: (a) geometry based rendering (3DIX) and (b) image based rendering (PanoramIX), and on modeling: (c) solid modeling (procedural solids, shape control), (d) real time reverse engineering (3D reconstruction), and (e) product data management (PM).