cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Country risk, portfolio decisions and regulation in international bank lending☆

Abstract This paper examines the concept of ‘country risk’ and relates it to the construction of efficient loan portfolios in international banking. Applicability of conventional portfolio-theoretic concepts to the management of country lending exposure is examined, as are the requisites of country review systems for national exposure management. The issue of international banking regulation is assessed in this context, focusing on the dangers inherent in national and international regulatory initiatives for optimum global capital allocation.
Role of rheology in boiling studies of viscoelastic liquids

Abstract A number of studies of pool boiling of aqueous polymer solutions have been reported. Unfortunately, none of these studies present adequate rheological information to clearly identify the fluid. Experimental evidence is offered to demonstrate the sensitivity of several aqueous polymer solutions to unexpected chemical reactions. It is obvious that any boiling research on aqueous polymer solutions should, at the very least, include detailed measurements of the steady shear viscosity over a wide range of shear rate. Such measurements should be taken, both before and after the boiling experiments.
High-performance refractometric nanosensor using circular plasmonic interferometer arrays

We report novel circular plasmonic interferomers for refractometric sensing with detection limit of 8.7×10−7 RIU using a multispectral sensing method. The efficient light suppression through destructive interference also allows low-background intensity-based detection with FOM∗ exceeding 140.
Hydrogen From Solar Via Light-Assisted High-Temperature Water Splitting Cycles

Hydrogen production from solar-driven thermochemical water splitting cycles (TCWSCs) provides an approach that is energy efficient and environmentally attractive. Of particular interest are TCWSCs that utilize both thermal (i.e., high temperature) and light (i.e., quantum) components of the solar resource, boosting the overall solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency compared to those with heat-only energy input. We have analyzed two solar-driven TCWSCs: (1) carbon dioxide (CO 2 )/carbon monoxide cycle; and (2) sulfur dioxide (SO 2 )/sulfuric acid cycle. The first cycle is based on the premise that CO 2 becomes susceptible to near-ultraviolet and even visible radiation at high temperatures (greater than 1300 K). The second cycle is a modification of the well-known Westing-house hybrid cycle, wherein the electrochemical step is replaced by a photocatalytic step. At the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a novel hybrid photo-thermochemical sulfur-ammonia (S-A) cycle has been developed. The main reaction (unique to FSEC's S-A cycle) is the light-induced photocatalytic production of hydrogen and ammonium sulfate from an aqueous ammonium sulfite solution. Ammonium sulfate product is processed to generate oxygen and recover ammonia and SO 2 that are then recycled and reacted with water to regenerate the ammonium sulfite. Experimental data for verification of the concept are provided.
First steps in the development of a Program Organizational Architectural Framework POAF

The target audiences for this paper are systems engineers and architects involved in the design of complex systems such as program organizations. This is the first in a series exploring how the design of program organizations developed for the purpose of designing and developing aerospace and defense systems can be optimized. The objective of this paper is to lay the groundwork for an architecture framework for the development of a program organization. The draft standard ISO/IEC 42010 is used to define the structural requirements of the architecture framework. In addition, we use the Zachman Architecture FrameworkTM to organize the framework and the Department of Defense Architecture Framework Version 2.0 DoDAF 2.0 to create the model environment for the Program Organizational Architecture Framework POAF. This approach to defining the POAF ensured that we would have the data needed to support our objective to optimize the design of the program organization and hopefully reduce the number of defects inherent in the design. We also believe that we have sufficiently defined the characteristics of a POAF to spur more research in this area. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng
An asymptotic comparative analysis of the thermodynamics of non-covalent association

There is an ambiguity in the theoretical models for computing association constants, the key observable in a laboratory, of non-covalent associations. We show that three different models give unique result asymptotically in the limit of strong associate. For weak associations, the disagreement reflects the nature of ill-defined ``associated complex'' which can be defined, among various ways, either geometrically or thermodynamically depending on measurement techniques. Furthermore, even when the free energy of association is unique, the corresponding entropy and enthalpy can still be different from different types of measurements – a surprising source of entropy-enthalpy compensation. This work provides a mathematical basis for modeling non-covalent association processes in biology.
Inverse problems: seeing the unseen

This survey article deals mainly with two inverse problems and the relation between them. The first inverse problem we consider is whether one can determine the electrical conductivity of a medium by making voltage and current measurements at the boundary. This is called electrical impedance tomography and also Calderon’s problem since the famous analyst proposed it in the mathematical literature (Calderon in On an inverse boundary value problem. Seminar on numerical analysis and its applications to continuum physics (Rio de Janeiro, 1980), Soc Brasil Mat. Rio de Janeiro, pp. 65–73, 1980). The second is on travel time tomography. The question is whether one can determine the anisotropic index of refraction of a medium by measuring the travel times of waves going through the medium. This can be recast as a geometry problem, the boundary rigidity problem. Can we determine a Riemannian metric of a compact Riemannian manifold with boundary by measuring the distance function between boundary points? These two inverse problems concern visibility, that is whether we can determine the internal properties of a medium by making measurements at the boundary. The last topic of this paper considers the opposite issue: invisibility: Can one make objects invisible to different types of waves, including light?
A Collimator for Reduced Radiation Dose with Improved Visualization of Soft Tissues

The authors describe a collimator for use in diagnostic radiology. Clinical radiographs show enhanced soft-tissue detail through the use of interchangeable straight and curved wedge filters, and in situ dosimetry using a head phantom shows that the provision for asymmetric beam limitation results in reduction of absorbed dose.
Superconductivity from nonphonon interactions

The claims that the electron-electron interaction via exchange of bosons with energies comparable to the Fermi energy yields a high superconducting transition temperature are studied here by solving the Eliashberg equation containing such interactions. A model for the boson exchange within the random-phase approximation yields an unrealistically high ${T}_{c}$. The inclusion of self-energy, vertex, and spin-fluctuation corrections in the electron-electron interaction lowers ${T}_{c}$ drastically. In our final estimates for a typical metal of Fermi temperature ${10}^{5}$ K, ${T}_{c}$ peaks at 60 K when the boson energy is increased to one-tenth of the Fermi energy. The Coulomb interaction including plasmon effects in the electron gas is estimated to yield net repulsive values of ${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{*}$ between 0.1 and 0.2 for ${r}_{s}$ between 2 and 6.
Basic Math Skills and Performance in an Introductory Economics Class

The authors measure math skills with a broader set of explanatory variables than have been used in previous studies. To identify what math skills are important for student success in introductory microeconomics, they examine (1) the student's score on the mathematics portion of the ACT Assessment Test, (2) whether the student has taken calculus, (3) whether the student has been required to take remedial mathematics, and (4) the student's score on a test of very basic mathematical concepts. All four measures have significant effects in explaining performance in an introductory microeconomics course. The authors find similar results, regardless of whether they use self-reported information from students or official administrative records from the university. The results suggest that improvements in student performance may depend on improved mastery of basic algebra.
A new model of generalized plasticity and its numerical implementation

Abstract A previously proposed simple model of generalized plasticity is modified so that it allows behavior that is asymptotically perfectly plastic or strain-softening. Initially presented in uniaxial form, the model is then generalized to multiaxial stress. Numerical implementation is developed first through direct integration of the rate equations, including special cases in which the solution may be obtained analytically, and then by means of a return-map algorithm, which is particularly well suited to the finite-element method; consistent algorithmic tangent moduli are derived as well. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the various approaches.
Elimination of on-axis waves in hologram formation using anisotropic centers in alkali halides

Abstract A technique is demonstrated for eliminating the on-axis waves from a reconstructed wavefront using reversible photodichroic crystals, i.e., alkali halide crystals with anisotropic color centers.
What are Civil Rights

For all the discussion and debate about civil rights, it is striking how little attention is given initially to the question of what civil rights are. There is no well-understood principle of inclusion or exclusion that defines the category. Nor is there an agreed list of civil rights, except perhaps a very short, avowedly nonexhaustive one, with rather imprecise entries. Yet, if the extension of the category of civil rights is uncertain, its significance is not. All agree that it is a principal task of government to protect civil rights, so much so, indeed, that a failure to protect them usually is regarded as outweighing substantial achievements of other kinds. But a right does not count as a civil right just because it is valuable or valued. Some of the rights most often asserted as civil rights reflect practical interests of their possessors considerably less than other actual or potential rights not so identified.In the United States, familiar legal doctrine provides a shortcut to the specification of civil rights. They are whatever is embraced by the provisions of the federal Civil Rights Acts: the right to vote, fair housing, equal employment opportunity, and so forth. That path, however, is not adequate for the present purpose. For the most part, the statutes refer explicitly or implicitly to federal constitutional rights, and the collective reference to them as civil rights is unexplained. The bases of the constitutional rights are too various to be a reliable guide to an independently designated category of civil rights.
Targeting and implementing payments for ecosystem services: Opportunities for bundling biodiversity conservation with carbon and water services in Madagascar

Abstract Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) are generating a lot of attention among conservationists because they have the potential to create new funding opportunities for biodiversity protection and other ecosystem services that contribute to human well-being. A number of recent publications have suggested ways to target and implement PES projects in order to maximize their cost-effectiveness and efficiency, and the Heredia Declaration (this issue) sets forth a list of agreed-upon principles concerning the use of PES schemes. One of those principles concerns the “bundling” of joint products of intact ecosystems in PES schemes in order to maximize the benefits to society. There have been several recent studies focusing on the degree of overlap between biodiversity and other ecosystem services and therefore the opportunities and constraints to bundling these services. Building on this idea, the bulk of this paper focuses on developing a method for selecting sites for PES where the main interest is to bundle biodiversity with other ecosystem services. We focus our analysis on Madagascar, a country with globally important biodiversity that is also beginning to explore the utility of PES as a conservation mechanism. Specifically, we assess the opportunities for bundling biodiversity conservation with carbon and water services at the national scale and identify where using PES to protect these areas of multiple benefits would be most cost-effective and efficient. This analysis identifies almost 30,000 km 2 — out of 134,301 km 2 — of natural habitat that could potentially meet biodiversity conservation goals and protect additional ecosystem services through a PES scheme. One of the places identified by our methodology corresponds to an ongoing conservation project that has already begun using payments from carbon emission reductions to protect standing forests and restore important biodiversity corridors — the Ankeniheny-Mantadia-Zahamena Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration Project. This project site was selected for its high biodiversity and carbon values, lending credibility to our spatial targeting methodology and providing a case study to draw insights on how multiple-benefit PES schemes can be implemented in biodiversity “hotspots”. In the discussion section of this paper we draw on experiences from this project to consider how many of the principles outlined in the Heredia Declaration affect implementation of PES schemes in Madagascar, providing lessons for similar countries experimenting with PES for biodiversity conservation.
Rehearsal and free recall in children of superior and average intelligence

Children of similar chronological age who were either of superior or average intelligence were presented with lists of common words for single-trial free recall. Rehearsal was recorded during list presentation. Children of superior intelligence exhibited greater recall and rehearsal. This superiority in performance, however, was limited to the initial and middle portions of the serial position curve. Recall and rehearsal at terminal serial positions did not differentiate the groups. The results were interpreted as supporting a two-process view of immediate recall used to elucidate memory disparities between normal and retarded adolescents.
Spatial distribution of competing ions around DNA in solution.

The competition of monovalent and divalent cations for proximity to negatively charged DNA is of biological importance and can provide strong constraints for theoretical treatments of polyelectrolytes. Resonant x-ray scattering experiments have allowed us to monitor the number and distribution of each cation in a mixed ion cloud around DNA. These measurements provide experimental evidence to support a general theoretical prediction: the normalized distribution of each ion around polyelectrolytes remains constant when ions are mixed at different ratios. In addition, the amplitudes of the scattering signals throughout the competition provide a measurement of the surface concentration parameter that predicts the competition behavior of these cations. The data suggest that ion size needs to be taken into
Revising the Residency

Excerpt To the editor: The recent article by Schroeder and colleagues (1) provides a clear analysis and shows foresight in attempting to match the changing face of medicine and residency training n...
A Spectral Line Survey of Selected 3 Millimeter Bands toward Sagittarius B2(N-LMH) Using the National Radio Astronomy Observatory 12 Meter Radio Telescope and the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Association Array. I. The Observational Data

We have initiated a spectral line survey, at a wavelength of 3 mm, toward the hot molecular core Sgr B2(N-LMH). This is the first spectral line survey of the Sgr B2(N) region utilizing data from both an interferometer (Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Association [BIMA] array) and a single-element radio telescope (NRAO 12 m). In this survey, covering 3.6 GHz in bandwidth, we detected 218 lines (97 identified molecular transitions, one recombination line, and 120 unidentified transitions). This yields a spectral line density (lines per 100 MHz) of 6.06, which is much larger than any previous 3 mm line survey. We also present maps from the BIMA array that indicate that most highly saturated species (three or more H atoms) are products of grain chemistry or warm gas-phase chemistry. Because of the nature of this survey, we are able to probe each spectral line on multiple spatial scales, yielding information that could not be obtained by either instrument alone.
Parental messages concerning Latino/Black interracial dating: An exploratory study among Latina/o young adults

Many immigrant groups have racially distanced themselves from Blacks due to anti-Black prejudice and stigma. Racial distancing can be transmitted to children through regulating intimate contact with Blacks. Few studies have examined how Latino young adults receive racialized messages from their immigrant parents about dating Blacks. In-depth interviews reveal that Latino young adults encounter messages regarding mixed race children, perceived cultural differences and the US racial hierarchy. This regulatory process is gendered with Latinas experiencing more explicit sanctioning than Latino men. This study illuminates how Latino parents create racialized and gendered boundaries between their children and Blacks.
Histochemistry of Leucine Aminonaphthylamidase (LAN) in Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Abstract The histochemistry of leucine aminonaphthylamidase (LAN) was studied in frozen tissue sections of rainbow trout both in yearling and adult fish. Age of fish had relatively little effect upon the results. The most intense LAN color production was in epithelial cells of midgut, pyloric ceca, hindgut, and in some segments of kidney tubules. Lower levels of LAN were evident in liver cells of Kupffer, and still lower or slight levels of LAN activity were found in blood cells, muscle, nerve, connective tissue, gonad, and pancreas. The results indicate that LAN might be useful in assessing histotoxicity to LAN-rich areas of the body.
Medical Student Knowledge of Morphine for the Management of Cancer Pain

Abstract Inadequate training of physicians contributes to the undertreatment of cancer pain. To address these concerns, the University of Kentucky has introduced a 4-week course for final-year medical students that teaches the principles of clinical pharmacology and pain management. The purposes of this study are to assess the knowledge deficits of final-year medical students about the use of morphine for cancer pain and to assess the efficacy of a short course on cancer pain management. Eighty-six final-year medical students completed a 22-item questionnaire assessing their knowledge and attitudes toward the use of morphine for cancer pain. Students indicated their agreement with each statement on a four-point scale (one, strongly disagree; four, strongly agree). All students then completed a compulsory short course on pain management. The course content included a 1-hr lecture on chronic nonmalignant pain, a 1-hr lecture on acute pain management, and a 1-hr lecture on cancer pain management. In addition, students completed small-group, problem-based learning modules on several aspects of pain management. After the course, all students completed the same 22-item survey. The alpha reliability score of the pretest instrument was 0.55, and the posttest reliability was 0.86. Upon course completion, students agreed most strongly (mean ± SEM) that morphine should be given on a regular schedule for cancer pain (3.41 ± 0.08), that cancer pain management frequently requires co-analgesics (3.36 ± 0.06), and that patients with good pain relief function better than those with continuing pain (3.39 ± 0.08). A comparison of pretest and posttest means on specific items suggested that the greatest amount of learning took place in the following content areas: morphine is a good oral analgesic; increases in cancer pain should be treated by increasing the morphine dose; respiratory depression is not a concern for cancer pain patients; and morphine can be used over a wide range of doses. The regular use of morphine was recognized as the treatment drug of choice for cancer pain. The students showed improved knowledge scores on ten of the 22 items on the posttest survey. A significant increase in learning occurred on six knowledge and attitude items. On only one item (nausea as a side effect of morphine) did the knowledge scores decrease on the posttest. A significant minority (40%) of senior medical students had deficits in knowledge about the use of morphine for cancer pain. The risk of addiction, respiratory depression, and tolerance were misunderstood by a significant minority (25%) of students.
Transonic Magnetic Slim Accretion Disks and Kilohertz Quasi-periodic Oscillations in Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries

The inner regions of accretion disks of weakly magnetized neutron stars are affected by general relativistic gravity and stellar magnetic fields. Even for field strengths sufficiently small so that there is no well-defined magnetosphere surrounding the neutron star, there is still a region in the disk where magnetic field stress plays an important dynamical role. We construct magnetic slim disk models appropriate for neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), which incorporate the effects of both magnetic fields and general relativity (GR). The magnetic field-disk interaction is treated in a phenomenological manner, allowing for both closed- and open-field configurations. We show that even for surface magnetic fields as weak as 107-108 G, the sonic point of the accretion flow can be significantly modified from the pure GR value (near rGR = 6GM/c2 for slowly rotating neutron stars). We derive an analytical expression for the sonic radius in the limit of small disk viscosity and pressure. We show that the sonic radius mainly depends on the stellar surface field strength B0 and mass accretion rate ${u{M}{"705F}}$ --> through the ratio b -->2 βB -->20/${u{M}{"705F}}$ -->, where β |B/Bz| measures the azimuthal pitch angle of the magnetic field threading the disk. The sonic radius thus obtained approaches the usual Alfven radius for high b2 (for which a genuine magnetosphere is expected to form) and asymptotes to 6GM/c2 as b2 → 0. We therefore suggest that for neutron stars in LMXBs, the distinction between the disk sonic radius and the magnetosphere radius may not exist; there is only one generalized sonic radius, which is determined by both the GR effect and the magnetic effect. We apply our theoretical results to the kilohertz (kHz) quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) observed in the X-ray fluxes of LMXBs. If these QPOs are associated with the orbital frequency at the inner radius of the disk, then the QPO frequencies and their correlation with mass accretion rate can provide useful diagnostics on the (highly uncertain) nature of the magnetic field-disk interactions. In particular, a tight upper limit to the surface magnetic field B0 can be obtained, i.e., B0 3 × 10 -->7(${u{M}{"705F}}$ --> -->17/β) -->1/2 G, where ${u{M}{"705F}}$ --> -->17=${u{M}{"705F}}$ -->/(10 -->17 g s-1), in order to produce kHz orbital frequency at the sonic radius. Current observational data may suggest that the magnetic fields in LMXBs have complex topology.
GE adjunct test report: object-oriented design and scoring for MUC-4

This paper reports on the results of the adjunct test performed by GE for the MUC-4 evaluation of text processing systems. In this test, we evaluated the effect of an object-oriented template design and associated matching conditions on the scores. The results indicate that the current MUC-4 "flat" templade design with cross-references closely approximates a true object-oriented design. However the object-oriented design allows for additional performance data to be calculated, facilitating diagnosis.
Vesicular exocytosis contributes to volume-sensitive ATP release in biliary cells

Extracellular ATP is a potent autocrine/paracrine signal that regulates a broad range of liver functions through activation of purinergic receptors. In biliary epithelium, increases in cell volume ...
Chamomile Consumption and Mortality: A Prospective Study of Mexican Origin Older Adults

Purpose: Approximately 20% of adults use some kind of herbal; however, little data exists from population-based study or clinical trials to support effectiveness of most herbal products. Chamomile is a commonly used herb among older adults of Mexican origin. We examined the effects of herbal chamomile consumption on mortality among older adults of Mexican origin. Methods and Design. A sample from the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly , a population-based study of noninstitutionalized Mexican Americans aged 65 and older from five Southwestern states (Texas, California, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona). We included all men and women from 2000 to 2007 (n = 1,677). Results. Chamomile w as used by 14% of the sample. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses showed that chamomile was associated with a decreased risk of mortality in the total sample (hazard ratio [HR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55–0.92) and for women (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49–0.92) but not for men. In models adjusted for sociodemographic variables, health behaviors, and chronic conditions, chamomile remained significantly associated with reduced mortality in women (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.53–0.98). Implications. The use of chamomile shows protecti ve effects against mortality in this sample of older adults of Mexican origin for women. Further research is warranted in other populations to determine if these effects are consistent.
Cancer Stem Cells in Solid Tumors

Confirmation and assessment of general applicability of cancer stem cell concept towards solid tumors greatly depends on development of reliable approaches to selectively identify populations of neoplastic cells carrying “stemness” features, such as extensive capacity for self-renewal and ability to undergo a range of differentiation events. This chapter describes such assays as sphere formation, side population isolation and cancer stem cell marker detection and addresses their potential pitfalls. Also discussed are the cell of origin of stem cells and remaining challenges in solid tumor stem cell research.
Shorter Length of Stay Is Associated With Worse Functional Outcomes for Medicare Beneficiaries With Stroke

Background Understanding of the potential impact that length of stay (LOS) may have on Medicare beneficiaries' poststroke discharge function and discharge destination since implementation of a prospective payment system is lacking. Objective This study examined the trends and associations between LOS and discharge outcomes in Medicare beneficiaries with stroke treated in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs). Design A serial, cross-sectional analysis of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Patient Assessment Instrument dataset was conducted. The sample consisted of 371,211 patients with stroke who were over 65 years of age in all IRFs in the United States between January 1, 2002, and June 30, 2007. Methods Annual trends for means of LOS, admission and discharge Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, and percent community discharge were examined using generalized estimating equations (GEEs) with facility level control and post hoc testing. The association between discharge FIM scores and LOS was examined using a continuous, multivariate GEE model. The association between community discharge and LOS was examined using a logistic, multivariate GEE model. Results Time trends showed mean LOS decreased 1.8 days; admission and discharge FIM scores declined 4.4 points and 3.6 points, respectively; and mean community discharges declined 5.4%. Controlling for study year and covariates, each day was associated with an increase of 0.50 discharge FIM points (95% confidence interval=0.48, 0.52). Each day also was associated with a 0.3% decrease in odds of community discharge (95% confidence interval=0.994, 0.999). Limitations Reliability and validity of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Patient Assessment Instrument (IRF-PAI) are lacking. Results may have been biased by a lack of control at the patient and facility levels. Conclusions Medicare beneficiaries with stroke treated in IRFs experienced shorter LOS, had worsening admission and discharge function, and had fewer community discharges. Worsening admission function and shorter LOS may contribute to worsening discharge outcomes, which may indicate a lack of readiness for IRF treatment and that facility-level factors may be playing a role in shorter LOS.
Transplantation of localized anterior determinants in Chironomus eggs by microinjection.

In most animal embryos early determinative steps appear to be controlled by uneven distributions of cytoplasmic components (Davidson, 1976). The segregation of localized cytoplasmic components into different blastomeres seems to determine certain cell lineages, or to set up polarities, which in turn become the basis for cell interactions later. Early investigators were often guided by the localization of visible markers such as pigments or basophilic granules in animal eggs. Removal or local inactivation of cytoplasm containing such components was usually followed by embryonic defects. However, studies of this kind do not prove that the visibly localized components determine cells, or that the defects were caused by inactivation of localized components. Localized determinants are best defined by operational criteria. First, the components under consideration must be localized. The localization may be exclusive or merely quantitative. Second, it must be shown that the localized components are necessary and/or sufficient for cell determination.
Cooperation of protein disulfide isomerase and redox environment in the regulation of NF‐κB and AP1 binding to DNA

Most transcription factors are multimeric complexes whose subunits depend on strict conformation requirements to form the active unit. Among these requirements is the presence of appropriate sulfhydryl interactions that are critical to transcription factor binding to cognate DNA recognition sites. Our experiments now suggest that modulation of these sulfhydryls may involve the action of thiol-modifying oxido-reductases such as protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). Electrophoretic mobility shift titration experiments incorporating different ratios of GSH:GSSG indicated that changes in GSH and GSSG concentrations corresponding to redox potential differences of as little as +/- 15 mV enabled or abolished binding of NF-kappaB and AP1 to their cognate DNA sites. Moreover, this binding range was modulated significantly by the addition of purified protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). Collectively, these results suggest that a reversible oxidation/reduction signalling pathway may exist in the cell whereby localized changes in redox potentials and/or oxido-reductase activity can be functionally relevant in the regulation of critical gene expression events.
Structures of the Oligosaccharides of the Glycoprotein Coded by Early Region E3 of Adenovirus 2

Abstract Early region E3 of adenovirus 2 encodes a glycoprotein, E3-gp25K, that is a good model with which to study structure-function relationships in transmembrane glycoproteins. We have determined the structures of the oligosaccharides linked to E3-gp25K. The oligosaccharides were labeled with [2-3H]mannose in adenovirus 2-early infected KB cells for 5.5h (pulse) or for 5.5 h followed by a 3-h chase (pulse-chase). E3-gp25K was extracted and purified by chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel in 7 M urea, followed by gel filtration on a column of Bio-Gel A-1.5m in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride. An analysis of the purified protein by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that it was >95% pure. The oligosaccharides were isolated by pronase digestion followed by gel filtration on a column of Bio-Gel P-6, then by digestion with endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase H, followed by gel filtration on Bio-Gel P-6, and finally by paper chromatography. The pulse sample contained equal amounts of Man9GlcNAc and Man8GlcNAc and small amounts of Man7GlcNAc and Man6GlcNAc. The pulse-chase sample had predominantly Man8GlcNAc and much less Man9GlcNAc, indicating that processing of the Man9GlcNAc to Man8GlcNAc had occurred during the chase period. Thus, Man8GlcNAc is the major oligosaccharide on mature E3-gp25K. The structures of these oligosaccharides were established by digestion with α-mannosidase, methylation analysis, and acetolysis. The oligosaccharides found had typical high-mannose structures that have been observed in other membrane and soluble glycoproteins, and the branching patterns and linkages of the mannose residues of Man9GlcNAc were identical to those of the lipid-linked Glc3Man9GlcNAc2 donor. Thus, adenovirus 2 infection (early stages) apparently does not affect the usual cellular high-mannose glycosylation pathways, and despite being virus coded, E3-gp25K is glycosylated in the same manner as a typical mammalian cell-coded glycoprotein.
Crystallographic phase transition within the magnetically ordered state of Ce 2 Fe 17

X-ray diffraction experiments were performed on polycrystalline and single-crystal specimens of Ce{sub 2}Fe{sub 17} at temperatures between 10 and 300 K. Below T{sub t}=118{+-}2 K, additional weak superstructure reflections were observed in the antiferromagnetically ordered state. The superstructure can be described by a doubling of the chemical unit cell along the c direction in hexagonal notation with the same space group R3m as the room-temperature structure. The additional antiferromagnetic satellite reflections observed in earlier neutron diffraction experiments can be conclusively related to the appearance of this superstructure.
Alternative biofuel production in non-natural hosts

Global energy and environmental concerns have stimulated increased efforts in synthesizing petroleum-derived products from renewable resources. Biological production of metabolites for fuel is increasingly becoming a feasible, renewable, environmentally sound alternative. However, many of these chemicals are not highly produced in any known native organism. Here we review the current progress of modifying microorganisms with heterogeneous elements for the production of biofuels. This strategy has been extensively employed in a variety of hosts for the development of production of various alcohols, fatty acids, alkenes and alkanes.
Grain morphology and cation composition heterogeneity of Pb(ZrxTi1–x)O3 thin films deposited by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition

The preferred orientation, grain morphology, and composition heterogeneity of the polycrystalline Pb(ZrxTi1–x)O3 (PZT) thin films were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). PZT thin films with nominal x = 0.5 were grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on (110)- and (101)-textured RuO2 bottom electrodes at temperatures ≤525 °C. Columnar grain microstructure with strongly faceted surface morphology was observed in both films. The grain morphology and surface roughness of the PZT films were observed to depend on those of the underlying RuO2 layers. TEM-EDS analysis shows notable cation composition heterogeneity in length scales of 0.2–2 μm. Pronounced Pb composition deficiency and heterogeneity were also observed in PZT/(110)RuO2 in length scales above 40 μm. The grain morphology and cation heterogeneity of the PZT films are discussed on the basis of diffusion-limited columnar growth mechanism.
Novel Cartilage Imaging Techniques for Hip Disorders

Hip deformity such as acetabular dysplasia and cam and pincer deformities are thought to be a major cause of hip osteoarthritis. Currently, clinically effective surgical procedures such as pelvic osteotomies and femoral and acetabular osteoplasties are available to correct the underlying deformity. These procedures are most effective in the presence of minimal chondral damage in the joint. Currently, and more so in the future, high-resolution morphologic imaging and biochemical imaging techniques such as Delayed gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging of cartilage, T2, and T1rho will have a clinically important role in diagnosing and staging chondral damage in the hip.
A 1.48-mW low-phase-noise analog frequency modulator for wireless biotelemetry

This paper presents a low-phase-noise, hybrid LC-tank, analog frequency modulator for wireless biotelemetry employing on-chip NMOS varactors in the inversion region as the frequency tuning element. We demonstrate that a correct estimate for the destination signal-to-noise ratio, which quantifies the quality of the wirelessly received signal in a frequency-modulated biotelemetry system, is only achieved after taking into account the large-signal oscillation effect on the tank varactor. A prototype chip is fabricated using AMI 1.5-/spl mu/m double-poly double-metal n-well CMOS process, and exhibits a measured gain factor of 1.21 MHz/V in the mid-range of the tuning voltage and a phase noise of -88.6 dBc/Hz at 10-kHz offset from the 95.1-MHz carrier while dissipating 1.48 mW from a 3 V power supply leading to a figure of merit (FOM) of -166.5 dBc/Hz. The VCO is successfully interfaced with a penetrating silicon microelectrode with 700 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ iridium recording sites for wireless in vitro recording of a 50 Hz simulated normal sinus rhythm signal from saline over a distance of /spl sim/0.25 m. Given a typical gain of /spl sim/40 dB for fully integrated front-end bioamplifiers, a wireless recording microsystem employing this VCO would be capable of detecting input biopotentials down to the submilivolt range.
A Frequency Reconfigurable Dielectric Resonator Antenna Using Colloidal Dispersions

The vertical displacement of a columnar fluidic colloidal dispersion is examined as a frequency reconfigurable dielectric resonator antenna (DRA). The coaxial probe-fed structure has tunable impedance properties that are reversibly controlled by adjusting the columnar height of the dispersion. Colloidal barium strontium titanate was dispersed in hydrotreated naphthenic oil and placed at several heights into a section of polycarbonate tubing over an aluminum ground plane to demonstrate the impedance properties of this structure. Measured, simulated, and calculated results for a range of heights that corresponded to single-mode operation are provided for a design operating between 2.5 and 4.5 GHz.
Nonlinear stress-strain curves for solids containing closed cracks with friction

Abstract Solutions for the uniaxial stress-strain response of a body containing a distribution of non-interacting nonlinear cracks are derived. First, building on energy formalisms outlined by previous workers, general solutions are derived for the body containing cracks with dissipative tractions at their surfaces, in either tension or compression loading. The special case of a body in compression loading with sliding closed cracks governed by a general friction law is then considered as a case study. The friction law contains two shear resistance terms: a “friction coefficient” term proportional to the resolved normal compression stress across the crack plane; and a “cohesion” term representing the intrinsic shear resistance of the closed crack. Inclusion of the latter term is critical to the existence of a well-defined yield point in the stress-strain curve. It is assumed that the cracks do not extend at their ends during the loading-unloading-reloading cycle; they are, however, allowed to undergo reverse sliding during the unloading. Two crack distributions are considered: all cracks aligned, leading to linear expressions for both the elastic and quasi-plastic stressstrain regions; and cracks randomly oriented, with more complex (but nonetheless tractable) expressions for the quasi-plastic regions. The resultant nonlinear stress-strain curves exhibit cyclic hysteresis, to an extent dependent on friction and crack configuration parameters. Illustrative stress-strain curves are generated for selected ranges of these controlling parameters. An outcome of the analysis is the potential link to microstructural variables, via the crack configuration parameter, offering the prospect for predictions of damage accumulation in real microstructures. The model also offers the prospect of accounting for fatigue properties, via attrition of the frictional resistance at the sliding crack surfaces.
Of Money and Love Joint Banking, Relationship Quality, and Cohabitation

This research examines whether being engaged and having a joint banking account influence relationship quality among cohabitors. Drawing on interviews with 936 young cohabitors from Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we estimated ordinary least squares regression of relationship quality on joint banking and engagement. The main effects of joint banking and engagement on relationship quality were both significant and positive, but their interaction was negative. These results indicated that nonengaged cohabitors with joint banking have levels of relationship quality similar to engaged cohabitors, but are advantaged relative to those who are neither engaged nor share a joint bank account. The results suggest the need for increased attention to joint-banking arrangements in cohabitation.
Theoretical investigation of length-dependent flicker-phase noise in opto-electronic oscillators

We discuss possible sources for the experimentally-observed length-dependent phase noise in opto-electronic oscillators. We eliminate several possibilities and show that conversion of laser amplitude noise to phase noise is a likely candidate.
AID-dependent histone acetylation is detected in immunoglobulin S regions

Class switch recombination (CSR) is regulated by the expression of activation-induced deaminase (AID) and germline transcripts (GLTs). AID-dependent double-strand breaks (DSBs) are introduced into switch (S) regions and stimulate CSR. Although histone acetylation (Ac) has been well documented in transcription regulation, its role in DNA damage repair remains largely unexplored. The 1B4.B6 B cell line and normal splenic B cells were activated to undergo CSR and analyzed for histone Ac by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). A detailed study of the Iγ3-Sγ3-Cγ3 locus demonstrated that acetylated histones are focused to the Iγ3 exon and the Sγ3 region but not to the intergenic areas. Histone H3 Ac is strongly correlated with GLT expression at four S regions, whereas H4 Ac was better associated with B cell activation and AID expression. To more directly examine the relationship between H4 Ac and AID, LPS-activated AID KO and WT B cells were analyzed and express comparable levels of GLTs. In AID-deficient B cells, both histones H3 and H4 are reduced where H4 is more severely affected as compared with WT cells. Our findings raise the intriguing possibility that histone H4 Ac at S regions is a marker for chromatin modifications associated with DSB repair during CSR.
A comparison of individual versus community influences on youth smoking behaviours: a cross-sectional observational study.

Objectives To compare individual with community risk factors for adolescent smoking. Design A cross-sectional observational study with multivariate analysis. Setting National telephone survey. Participants 3646 US adolescents aged 13–18 years in 2007 recruited through a random digit-dial survey. Outcome measures Ever tried smoking and, among experimental smokers, smoking intensity (based on smoking in past 30 days). Results One-third of participants (35.6%, N=1297) had tried smoking. After controlling for individual risk factors, neither tobacco outlet density nor proximity were associated with tried smoking or smoking intensity. Associations with trying smoking included age (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.23, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.31), lower socioeconomic status (AOR=0.82, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.91), sibling smoking (AOR=2.13, 95% CI 1.75 to 2.59), friend smoking (AOR=2.60, 95% CI 2.19 to 3.10 for some and AOR=7.01, 95% CI 5.05 to 9.74 for most), movie smoking exposure (AOR=2.66, 95% CI 1.95 to 3.63), team sports participation (AOR=0.69, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.89) and sensation seeking (AOR=7.72, 95% CI 5.26 to 11.34). Among experimental smokers, age (AOR=1.32, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.44), minority status (AOR=0.48, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.79 for Black; AOR=0.46, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.69 for Hispanic; AOR=0.53, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.85 for mixed race/other), friend smoking (AOR=3.37, 95% CI 2.37 to 4.81 for some; AOR=20.27, 95% CI 13.22 to 31.08 for most), team sports participation (AOR=0.38, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.55) and sensation seeking (AOR=6.57, 95% CI 3.71 to 11.64) were associated with smoking intensity. Conclusions The study suggests that interventions and policies to prevent and reduce youth smoking should focus on individual risk factors for smoking, including supporting participation in team sports, minimising exposure to movie smoking, addressing the social influence of friend smoking and addressing experience seeking among high sensation-seekers.
Causal Categorization with Bayes Nets

A theory of categorization is presented in which knowledge of causal relationships between category features is represented as a Bayesian network. Referred to as causal-model theory, this theory predicts that objects are classified as category members to the extent they are likely to have been produced by a categorys causal model. On this view, people have models of the world that lead them to expect a certain distribution of features in category members (e.g.. correlations between feature pairs that are directly connected by causal relationships), and consider exemplars good category members when they manifest those expectations. These expectations include sensitivity to higher-order feature interactions that emerge from the asymmetries inherent in causal relationships.
Using graphs to analyze high-dimensional classifiers

We present a method to extract qualitative information from any classification model that uses decision regions, independent on the dimensionality of the data and model. The qualitative information can be directly used to analyze the classification strategies employed by a model, and also to directly compare strategies across different models. We apply the method to compare between two types of classifiers using real-world high-dimensional data.
Associations between depressive symptoms and sexual risk behavior in a diverse sample of female adolescents.

Study Objective To determine associations between depressive symptoms, locus of control, and sexual outcomes in a predominantly African-American cohort of female adolescents.
Radiology–Pathology Conference: Juvenile granulosa cell tumor

Juvenile granulosa cell tumor (GCT) of the ovary is a rare neoplasm occurring in premenarchal girls and young women. Juvenile GCT that occurs in premenarchal girls usually produces sexual precocity as a consequence of estrogen secretion. Juvenile GCTs are more likely to grow to a relatively large size with a much smaller likelihood of peritoneal spread, unlike their counterpart, epithelial ovarian neoplasms. We report the radiology and pathology of a patient with juvenile GCT and review the literature of this rare tumor.