cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Miniaturized fiber-optic Michelson-type interferometric sensors

We present a novel, miniaturized Michelson-type fiber-optic interferometric sensor that is relatively insensitive to temperature drifts. A fused-biconical tapered coupler is cleaved immediately after the coupled length and polished down to the region of the fused cladding, but short of the interaction region. The end of one core is selectively coated with a reflective surface and is used as the reference arm; the other core serves as the sensing arm. We report the detection of surface acoustic waves, microdisplacements, and magnetic fields. The sensor is shown to be highly stable in comparison to a classic homodyne, uncompensated Michelson interferometer, and signal-to-noise ratios of 65 dB have been obtained.
Testing of a large-scale network optimization program

This paper describes the experimental results of testing a “large-scale” program for solving minimum-cost network flow problems. With this program, general structure transshipment problems with over ten thousand nodes and thirty thousand arcs have been easily solved without resorting to auxiliary storage. The algorithm is a variant of the primal revised simplex method; the computer code is called LPNET illustrating the close connection between linear programming and network graphs. This approach substantially improves computer processing timeand core storage, especially for relatively large network problems. The results of these experiments are provided. It is emphasized that an organized experimental design and a detailed series of empirical tests are crucial for an efficient implementation.
Cardiac gene expression and synthesis of atrial natriuretic peptide in the nitrofen model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in rats: Effect of prenatal dexamethazone treatment

Abstract Background/Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the gene and protein levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the heart of nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in rats and to evaluate the effect of antenatal dexamethazone (Dex) treatment. Methods: CDH model was induced in pregnant rats after administration of 100 mg of nitrofen on day 9.5 of gestation (term, day 22). Dexamethazone (Dex, 0.25 mg/kg) was given by intaperitoneal injection on days 18.5 and 19.5 of gestation. Cesarean section was performed on day 21 of gestation. The fetuses were divided into 3 groups: group I, control (n = 10); group II, nitrofen-induced CDH (n = 10); group III, nitrofen-induced CDH with antenatal Dex treatment (n = 10). ANP protein was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to evaluate the relative amount of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) mRNA expression. Results: There was a significant reduction in ANP mRNA ( P P P Conclusions: The reduced cardiac ANP gene expression and ANP synthesis indicates that the heart in CDH is functionally immature and may be unable to respond to hemodynamic load accompanying persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPH). ANP or drugs such as steroids, which raise endogenous ANP levels, may have a therapeutic application in CDH complicated by PPH. J Pediatr Surg 36:1497-1501. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Levi Factors of the Special Fiber of a Parahoric Group Scheme and Tame Ramification

Let $\cal{A}$ be a Henselian discrete valuation ring with fractions K and with perfect residue field k of characteristic p > 0. Let G be a connected and reductive algebraic group over K, and let $\cal{P}$ be a parahoric group scheme over $\cal{A}$ with generic fiber ${\cal{P}}_{/K} = G$ . The special fiber ${\cal{P}}_{/k}$ is a linear algebraic group over k. If G splits over an unramified extension of K, we proved in some previous work that the special fiber ${\cal{P}}_{/k}$ has a Levi factor, and that any two Levi factors of ${\cal{P}}_{/k}$ are geometrically conjugate. In the present paper, we extend a portion of this result. Following a suggestion of Gopal Prasad, we prove that if G splits over a tamely ramified extension of K, then the geometric special fiber ${\cal{P}}_{/k_{\rm{alg}}}$ has a Levi factor, where k alg is an algebraic closure of k.
Disadvantaged Hispanic Consumers: A Research Perspective and Agenda

Within the limits of sparsely available data, this paper outlines the major barriers to effective consumption for Hispanic-Americans. These barriers are (a) the consumers' own circumstances, attitudes, values and goals; (b) deficiencies in the structure of the markets they typically patronize; and (c) exploitative practices of merchants with whom they come in contact. A research agenda is proposed to provide a basis for overcoming these barriers.
Stochastic Fermi acceleration and the origin of cosmic rays

Abstract The role of stochastic acceleration of charged particles by turbulence or plasma waves is reviewed, with special emphasis on the acceleration of cosmic rays in the interstellar medium or supernova remnants. Observational constraints are discussed. A comparison is made between stochastic Fermi acceleration, and direct acceleration of cosmic rays by shock waves.
The electrical resistivity of tungsten below 1K

Abstract Two high purity tungsten samples, W-1 with RRR = 44 000 and W-3 with RRR = 22 000, displayed electrical resistivities consistent with the equation ϱ = ϱ0 + AT2 from 1.8K down to below 0.1K. For sample W−1, A = 4.8 x 10-13 ω-cm/K2 and for sample W−3, A = 6.4 x 10-13 ω-cm/K2. This quadratic variation of ϱ down to such low temperatures is attributed to electron-electron scattering.
Optimal control of an enzyme reaction subject to enzyme deactivation. I. Batch process

This paper is concerned with the study of an enzymatic system in a repeated batch process where the enzyme is subject to deactivation. The particular system studied was the enzymatic hydrolysis of Penicillin G to 6-aminopenicillanic acid. Utilizing standard optimization techniques, pH and temperature control policies were determined that would maximize the product yield.
Triplet superconductors: Josephson effect in quasi-one-dimensional systems

Abstract We show that the Josephson effect between triplet superconductors is sensitive to the relative orientation of the d -vectors across the junction. In addition, we point out that the temperature, angular and magnetic field dependencies of the Josephson effect can help distinguish between different order parameter symmetries. We discuss coherent and incoherent tunneling processes, and the role of surface bound states within the framework of non-local lattice Bogoliubov–de Gennes equations. We analyse several weak spin–orbit coupling order parameters candidates (p x , p y , p z and f xyz ) for quasi-one-dimensional superconductors and discuss the connection with very recent bicrystal junction experiments, where the I – V characteristics and differential conductance were measured.
Genetic analysis of the cell-to-cell movement of beet yellows closterovirus.

Abstract A beet yellows closterovirus (BYV) variant expressing green fluorescent protein and leaves of BYV local lesion host Claytonia perfoliata were used to reveal genetic requirements for BYV cell-to-cell movement in leaf epidermis and mesophyll. A series of mutations targeting genes that are not involved in amplification of the viral positive-strand RNA was analyzed. The products of genes coding for a 6-kDa hydrophobic protein (p6) and a 64-kDa protein (p64), as well as for minor and major capsid proteins, were found to be essential for intercellular translocation of BYV. In a previous work, we have demonstrated that the BYV HSP70-homolog (HSP70h) also plays a critical role in viral movement (V. V. Peremyslov, Y. Hagiwara, and V. V. Dolja, 1999, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 96, 14771–14776). Altogether, a unique protein quintet including three dedicated movement proteins (p6, p64, and HSP70h) and two structural proteins is required to potentiate the cell-to-cell movement of a closterovirus. The corresponding BYV genes are clustered in a block that is conserved among diverse representatives of the family Closteroviridae.
Time-interleaved noise-shaping integrating quantisers

A new time-interleaved noise-shaping quantiser architecture is proposed. By employing a time-interleaving technique with a new path-coupling scheme, higher order of noise shaping and increased bandwidth are achieved. This general topology can be employed to synthesise any noise transfer function without the need for dedicated digital-to-analogue converters to extract the quantisation noise. Simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of this structure.
Predictors of Psychosocial Well-Being in Urban African American and European American Youth: The Role of Ecological Factors.

Hierarchical regression analyses were used to identify factors that functioned as either promotive or protective factors against the impact of ecological risk on the psychological adjustment of 112 African American and 94 European American adolescents (13–19 years of age). Indicators of ecological risk, promotive/protective factors, and adjustment were assessed concurrently via adolescent self-report questionnaires. Supportive parenting emerged as a promotive factor for both African American and European American adolescents for academic achievement, competence, and problem behaviors. Additionally, school connectedness served as a promotive factor for both African American and European American adolescents with competence as the criterion. However, in analyses with problem behaviors as the criterion, school connectedness intensified the effect of ecological risk for European American adolescents. Of the three hypothesized positive factors (supportive parenting, ethnic identity, and school connectedness), only ethnic identity emerged as a protective factor for problem behaviors and this effect was only observed for European American adolescents.
Electronic properties of alloy models in the dilute limit

It is shown rigorously that the introduction of random-hopping elements into an impurity potential in a material with a single band does not introduce any of the new phase shifts required to generally satisfy the Friedel sum rule in the dilute limit. With this proof it is now clear that the parameters required to satisfy the Friedel sum rule as suggested by Schwartz, Krakauer, and Fukuyama (SKF) are artificial in spite of the off-diagonal character of their model. Other models are suggested which give rise to phase shifts of more than one character. Also, it is demonstrated that the locator theory of Blackman, Esterling, and Berk (and hence that of Shiba) is a correct $s$-wave theory in the dilute limit in contrast to the claim of SKF.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae and humans perform an evolutionary LINE dance

Horizontal gene transfer is an important mechanism for generating genetic diversity. As the number of sequenced genomes continues to increase, so do the examples of horizontal genetic exchange between both related and divergent organisms. Here we discuss the recent finding that certain strains of the human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae have incorporated a small fragment of human DNA sequence into their genomes. The horizontally acquired sequence exhibits 98-100% nucleotide identity to a 685-bp portion of the highly repetitive retrotransposable element L1 and its presence in the gonococcal genome has been confirmed by multiple molecular techniques. The possibility of similar L1 horizontal gene transfer events having occurred in other bacteria based on genomic sequence evidence is explored. Potential mechanisms of how N. gonorrhoeae was able to acquire and maintain this human sequence are also discussed in addition to the evolutionary implications of such an event.
Lasers and laser–tissue interaction

Light produced by a laser differs from incandescent light in that it is monochromatic, coherent, and intense; and it is these properties that allow lasers to be used as such unique tools in biomedical research and patient care. The effect of a laser beam on tissue is dependent on the optical and mechanical properties of the tissue, and the wavelength, power parameters, and time domains of the laser exposure. Understanding these principles is not only important for the selection of an appropriate laser system for a specific application, but also is essential for that application to be successful.
Shoulder Arthroplasty: Current State of Affairs and Future Directions

Shoulder arthroplasty is a reliable procedure used to treat glenohumeral arthritis thanks to the efforts of many orthopaedic surgeons and design engineers over the past thirty years. Surgeons such Drs. Charles Neer and Robert Cofield were instrumental to making clinical observations that were effectively translated into improving implant design and clinical outcomes. Yet, there remains much room for further growth and development. With the increase numbers of shoulder arthroplasties performed, new observations and problems have been recognized that remain unanswered.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Relationship between plasma cholesterol level and coronary atherosclerosis in cholesterol-oil fed cockerels.

Abstract In short-term experiments in cockerels, elevation of plasma cholesterol from threshold to excessively high levels induces coronary atherosclerosis in a curvilinear fashion with the largest effect occurring in the lower ranges (from 100–500 mg/100 ml). Similar increments of plasma cholesterol have a progressively smaller effect on coronary atherosclerosis as the plasma cholesterol levels become higher. However, the results of long-term experiments may differ from the short-term ones used in these experiments. These experiments have a possible bearing on the efficacy of hypocholesterolemic procedures clinically. The nomogram established in this report can serve in this species (and at this age and over this duration of the experiment) to distinguish coronary atherogenesis dependent on hypercholesterolemia (per se) from that produced independently by the agent or procedure employed.
Infrared metamaterial phase holograms

As a result of advances in nanotechnology and the burgeoning capabilities for fabricating materials with controlled nanoscale geometries, the traditional notion of what constitutes an optical device continues to evolve. The fusion of maturing low-cost lithographic techniques with newer optical design strategies has enabled the introduction of artificially structured metamaterials in place of conventional materials for improving optical components as well as realizing new optical functionality. Here we demonstrate multilayer, lithographically patterned, subwavelength, metal elements, whose distribution forms a computer-generated phase hologram in the infrared region (10.6 μm). Metal inclusions exhibit extremely large scattering and can be implemented in metamaterials that exhibit a wide range of effective medium response, including anomalously large or negative refractive index; optical magnetism; and controlled anisotropy. This large palette of metamaterial responses can be leveraged to achieve greater control over the propagation of light, leading to more compact, efficient and versatile optical components.
Ray tracing in a finite-element domain using nodal basis functions

A method is presented for tracing rays through a medium discretized as finite-element volumes. The ray-trajectory equations are cast into the local element coordinate frame, and the full finite-element interpolation is used to determine instantaneous index gradient for the ray-path integral equation. The finite-element methodology is also used to interpolate local surface deformations and the surface normal vector for computing the refraction angle when launching rays into the volume, and again when rays exit the medium. The procedure is applied to a finite-element model of an optic with a severe refractive-index gradient, and the results are compared to the closed-form gradient ray-path integral approach.
A model for comet 81P/Wild 2

[1] A model is presented for the nucleus of comet 81P/Wild 2 and its activity, based on analysis of dust coma morphology, water and dust production, and nongravitational perturbations of the orbital motion. A four-apparition composite light curve is derived from ∼500 magnitude estimates. There appear to be two major outgassing sources on the nucleus: one, near a rotation pole, sustains much of preperihelion activity; the other, on the opposite polar hemisphere and closer to the equatorial plane, accounts for the bulk of postperihelion activity. Both regions are active near perihelion. Their surface areas are estimated at 4.5 and 9.5 km2, respectively. With the nucleus probably 4.0 to 6.3 km across, the total outgassing area makes up 11 to nearly 30% of the nucleus surface, unusually high for a short-period comet, yet consistent with relatively small perturbations of the orbital motion, driven by the momentum transferred to the nucleus by water sublimation. The absence of a more prominent nongravitational effect may largely be due to high dust mass loading of the gas flow, implying its subsonic initial speed. Indeed, the dustier, polar source appears to be the less efficient of the two in transferring the momentum to the nucleus. The comet's short history in the innermost solar system region could account for the relatively large outgassing fraction of the surface. At the Stardust encounter time, more than three months after perihelion, only the near-equatorial source (the larger, less dusty one) is expected to be active.
HIV/AIDS Risk Reduction Intervention for Women who have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence

A growing body of literature highlights the association between women who have experienced intimate partner abuse (IPA) and their heightened risk for HIV/AIDS (human immune deficiency syndrome/acquired immune deficiency syndrome) infection. Finding HIV risk reduction strategies that are contextually relevant for this population is an important public policy priority. This qualitative study researched women who have experienced IPA in order to develop a HIV/AIDS risk reduction intervention unique to their circumstances. This pilot study explored the critical components of such an intervention among a racially/ethnically stratified (African–American, Mexican–American and Anglo) sample of women (n = 43) who have experienced IPA. Focus groups were conducted and transcribed, and a content analysis was used to identify major themes. In all five focus groups, participants viewed the research as interesting, good, beneficial, and/or important based on their perceptions of risk for infection. Respondents felt that they knew of ways to protect themselves from infection in non-abusive relationships; however, acknowledged the difficulties of doing so given the context of their abusive relationships. Examining the racial/ethnic differences across focus groups showed that the language used by women is quite variable. The ways in which survivors define rape, sexual abuse, and their own experiences are all unique; however, their actual experiences have many similarities. Discussed at length are the topics participants shared as critical in informing the design of an intervention and the relevance of the findings to social work clinical practice is explained.
A model for neuron firing with exponential decay of potential resulting in diffusion equations for probability density.

A neuron is assumed to receive synaptic input of both excitatory and inhibitory natures from a large number of neighboring neurons; it is also assumed that a large number of such impulses are required to raise the neuron’s transmembrane potential to its threshold potential, at which it “fires” or “spikes”. The model is similar to one of Gerstein and Mandelbrot, except that in the absence of input an exponential decay of potential toward a resting level is introduced. Computational methods of determining the spike timeinterval distribution are discussed, along with the inverse problem of estimating the parameters of the system from observed spike time-interval data.
Maternal corticotropin-releasing hormone levels during pregnancy and offspring adiposity.

Objective: Animal models suggest that fetal exposure to glucocorticoids can program adiposity, especially central adiposity, later in life. We examined associations of maternal corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) levels in the late 2nd trimester of pregnancy, a marker of fetal glucocorticoid exposure, with child adiposity at age 3 years. Research Methods and Procedures: We analyzed data from 199 participants in Project Viva, a prospective cohort study of pregnant women and their children, At age 3 years, the main outcomes were age-sex-specific BMI z score and the sum of subscapular (SS) and triceps (TR) skinfold thicknesses to represent overall adiposity, and ratio of SS to TR (SS:TR) to represent central adiposity. Results: Mean (standard deviation) maternal 2nd trimester log CRH was 4.94 (0.56) pg/mL. At age 3, mean (standard deviation) for BMI z score was 0.52 (1.02); for SS + TR, 16.51 (3.94) mm; and for SS:TR, 0.67 (0.17). Log CRH was mildly inversely correlated with birth weight (r = −0.08), chiefly because of its association with length of gestation (r = −0.21) rather than fetal growth (r = −0.004). After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, maternal smoking, BMI, and gestational weight gain, fetal growth, length of gestation, breastfeeding duration, and (for SS:TR only) child's 3-year BMI, each increment of 1 unit of log CRH was associated with a reduction in BMI z score [−0.43; 95% confidence interval (CI), −0.73, −0.14; p = 0.004] and possible reduction in SS + TR (−1.10; 95% CI, −2.33, 0.14; p = 0.08). In contrast, log CRH was associated with higher SS:TR (0.07; 95% CI, 0.02, 0.13; p = 0.007). Discussion: Fetal exposure to glucocorticoids, although associated with an overall decrease in body size, may cause an increase in central adiposity.
The basic scales of natural convection heat and mass transfer in fluids and fluid-saturated porous media*

Abstract The parallel structure of the fields of natural convection in fluids and natural convection in porous media is reviewed in terms of the most basic scales of flow, heat and mass transfer. In each field, the review includes single vertical boundary layers, enclosures, heat and mass transfer in the presence of temperature and concentration buoyancy effects, Benard flow and new or still unexplored directions of research. In particular, an original scale analysis of the nonDarcy regime in a porous layer heated from below shows that the Darcy-nonDarcy transition occurs when the Darcy-Rayleigh number Rak exceeds O(Prp), where Prp is an important new dimensionless group called “the porous medium Prandtl number.” In the nonDarcy regime the Nusselt number scales as Rak½ times Prp½.
Dynamic Imaging of Purified Individual Synaptic Vesicles

The atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to directly image purified synaptic vesicles. Individual secretory vesicles (approximately 50 nm diameter) were resolved with the AFM when imaged either dry or in solution. Vesicles were observed repeatedly for periods of greater than 2 h. To ask whether the AFM can detect structural change of vesicles the osmolarity of the bathing medium was reduced from 330 to 110 mOsm. Hypo-osmotic treatment caused an expansion and flattening of the vesicles. Thus, using the AFM it is possible to resolve individual vesicles and follow changes in vesicular structure. This opens the possibility that the secretory event can be reconstituted and visualized in vitro in order to elucidate the roles of synaptic proteins in synaptic transmission.
The Hadamard Matroid and an Anomaly in Its Single Element Extensions

Abstract A nonstandard vector space is formulated, whose bases afford a representation of what is called a Hadamard matroid, M p . For prime p , existence of M p is equivalent to the existence of both a classical Hadamard matrix H ( p , p ) and a certain affine resolvable, balanced incomplete block design AR ( p ). An anomaly in the representable single element extension of a Hadamard matroid is discussed.
Shifting analytics and linking theories: A conversation about the “meaning-making” of intersectionality and transnational feminism

Synopsis Transnational feminism and intersectionality have been widely celebrated in women's studies and feminist scholarship as a theory, framework, and politics. As antiracist feminist scholars who research and teach in these areas, this conversational essay grapples with the shifting meanings of these analytics within our research and how we have experienced their institutionalization in women's studies and related fields. This essay explores the “desires” – to borrow Robyn Wiegman's language – that underpin feminist engagement with transnationalism and intersectionality and considers the potential spaces of intellectual co-existence between intersectionality and transnational feminism, especially given how they have traveled and circulated across the humanities and social sciences.
A 51-year-old woman with bipolar disorder who wants to quit smoking.

Smoking among patients with mental illness is a major and underappreciated public health problem. The case of Ms G, a 51-year-old woman with bipolar disorder who wishes to quit smoking, illustrates the importance and feasibility of smoking cessation in patients with psychiatric disorders. Persons with chronic mental illness and/or substance abuse constitute 22% of the US population yet are estimated to consume 44% of cigarettes. As many as 200 000 of the 435 000 annual deaths related to smoking in the United States are estimated to occur in this population. On average, patients with mental illness die 25 years earlier than the general population, and smoking is a major contributor to these premature deaths. In the past, mental health clinicians have tended not to address smoking cessation with their patients, but increasing evidence suggests that such reticence is unwarranted, as smoking cessation in this population is feasible. The approach to cessation should include standard interventions of counseling and pharmacotherapy, for which substantial evidence of efficacy exists in patients with and without mental illness. If patients with mental illness are to achieve wellness, smoking cessation must be an integral component of their treatment regimen.
Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride: Vapor pressure and liquid density

Abstract The vapor pressure of HF has been redetermined between 273 and 303°K and is represented by log10P(torr) = 1·3428 − 947·26/T + 3·0233 log10T. The calculated boiling point is 292·90° K. Using 3·753 for the association factor at 292·90°K, 1623·77 cal/20·006 g is obtained for the heat of vaporization at the boiling point. Between 273 and 296°K, the density of HF is given by d (g/ cm 3 ) = 1·77304 − 3·27036 × 10 −3 T + 1·81459 × 10 −6 T 2 .
On the fundamental theorem of asset pricing with an infinite state space

An example is given of a securities market in which there is no arbitrage and a risk-neutral agent has an optimal demand subject to a minimum wealth constraint, yet there is no risk-neutral probability measure and no state price density. Also, there is no linear pricing rule on Lp for any p < ∞. This failure of the ‘Fundamental Theorem of Asset Pricing’ is due to a lack of countable additivity of the pricing operator in the market. Some sufficient conditions are also given for the existence of a risk-neutral probability measure and state price density for pricing L∞ claims.
Pleistocene Stratigraphy in Southern Florida Based on Amino Acid Diagenesis in Fossil Mercenaria

Diagenetic conversion of isoleucine to alloisoleucine in shells of Mercenaria provides a quantitative geochemical aid for interpreting the Pleistocene sequence in southern Florida. At least seven different cycles of marine sedimentation, reflecting high sea levels, and seven unconformities, indicating low sea levels, are recorded. The technique can be applied to other Pleistocene deposits in the Atlantic Coastal Plain and could be a useful adjunct in Quaternary biostratigraphic interpretations. In addition, the alloisoleucine content provides an independent check on the validity of radiocarbon dates.
Morphometric analysis of lumbar vertebra UMP 67-28: Implications for spinal function and phylogeny of the Miocene Moroto hominoid

Fossil hominoid remains from the Miocene site of Moroto II include a well preserved lumbar vertebra (UMP 67-28). This vertebra is associated with a palate that has been included in the hominoid tribe Afropithecini and referred by some to Afropithecus. UMP 67-28 originally was described as having close morphological affinities with lumbar vertebrae from African apes and humans (Walker & Rose, 1968). The present analysis, however, indicates that UMP 67-28 shares no exclusive proportional or structural similarities with lumbar vertebrae from any particular extant catarrhine. The Moroto vertebra is the size of lumbar elements from female chimpanzees and orang-utans or large male cercopithecoids. Regression analysis of vertebral body surface area suggests that the individual represented by UMP 67-28 had a body weight of approximately 38 kg. UMP 67-28 is similar to large-bodied hominoids in general, in position and orientation of its transverse process, absence of anapophyses, inclination of its neural spine, and pedicular shape, marking the earliest appearance in the catarrhine fossil record of lumbar morphology resembling that of modern hominoids. Conversely, vertebral body proportions in UMP 67-28 most closely resemble those in male baboons, and in other traits the specimen cannot be differentiated between hominoids and cercopithecoids. The overall morphology of UMP 67-28 indicates that lumbar vertebrae of the Moroto hominoid were mole derived toward the great ape condition than those of Proconsul heseloni and P. nyanzae. In contrast to Proconsul, UMP 67-28 shares features with other dorsostable-backed mammals, suggesting that the Moroto hominoid and Proconsul possessed very different locomotor capabilities. Dental traits linking the Moroto hominoid with other afropithecins are thought to correspond functionally to a fundamental shift in diet, relative to the primitive catarrhine condition. It is possible that evolution of the lumbar region of early hominoids toward the morphotype of extant large-bodied hominoids, evidenced in UMP 67-28, was adaptively driven by modifications in substrate use coincident with changes in resource acquisition.
Work in progress — Early improvement in report writing skills using critiques

Developing the written communication skills of engineering students has become a higher priority learning outcome since the advent of the ABET EC2000 criteria. Increased numbers of writing intensive courses, refinements to document requirements and proliferation of rubric development indicate the effort used to address the elevated priority. The sharing of rubrics and standards for the formatting and content of various report styles is intended to help students understand the writing assessment process. While sharing reduces the “we can't read your mind” comments associated with qualitatively assessed assignments, it does not always improve the outcome, since it does not provide a “learn by example” experience. Consequently, the first two or three reports submitted are typically of low quality, and many receive failing grades. In an effort to significantly improve student performance on early semester reports, a critique-based exercise has been inserted early in a junior level laboratory class. Students are randomly assigned previously graded student reports which have been stripped of identifying information to protect the original authors. The reports were previously evaluated using a rubric which included both qualitative assessment information and guidelines for assigning point deductions. The students were instructed to evaluate the sample reports guided by the rubrics and standards for formatting and content. The deliverable for the critique assignment included assessing a numerical “grade” for their report sample, along with justifications for the assessments. Initial results indicated an average increase in the quality of the initial report submissions when compared to initial reports from three previous years. The technique is being expanded into a multidisciplinary design methodology course, where different standards and rubrics apply, to see if the critique exercise can produce notable improvements in the quality of early course writing skills among a more discipline diverse set of students.
Coordinated elevation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and autophagy help drive hepatocyte polarization

Cell polarization requires increased cellular energy and metabolic output, but how these energetic demands are met by polarizing cells is unclear. To address these issues, we investigated the roles of mitochondrial bioenergetics and autophagy during cell polarization of hepatocytes cultured in a collagen sandwich system. We found that as the hepatocytes begin to polarize, they use oxidative phosphorylation to raise their ATP levels, and this energy production is required for polarization. After the cells are polarized, the hepatocytes shift to become more dependent on glycolysis to produce ATP. Along with this central reliance on oxidative phosphorylation as the main source of ATP production in polarizing cultures, several other metabolic processes are reprogrammed during the time course of polarization. As the cells polarize, mitochondria elongate and mitochondrial membrane potential increases. In addition, lipid droplet abundance decreases over time. These findings suggest that polarizing cells are reliant on fatty acid oxidation, which is supported by pharmacologic inhibition of β-oxidation by etomoxir. Finally, autophagy is up-regulated during cell polarization, with inhibition of autophagy retarding cell polarization. Taken together, our results describe a metabolic shift involving a number of coordinated metabolic pathways that ultimately serve to increase energy production during cell polarization.
STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF EPINEPHRINE ON THE PITUITARY-ADRENOCORTICAL SYSTEM

IN 1908, Babes and Jonescu observed that conditions of stress in man and laboratory animals were associated with the depletion of suprarenal lipid. Multiple intravenous injections of epinephrine produced a similar depletion, accompanied by adrenal hypertrophy in rabbits (1). Vogt later demonstrated that following the administration of epinephrine, cortical hormones could be detected in the adrenal venous blood of cats and dogs (2). Long and Fry (3) studied this response of the adrenal cortex to epinephrine, using the assay of Sayers (4) for adrenal corticotropic hormone (ACTH). They described a significant ACTH release in response to injected epinephrine in normal rats; on the other hand, hypophysectomized rats failed to show this response, in spite of the fact that their adrenal cortices were maintained with exogenous pituitary hormone injections. From these data Long postulated that the effect of epinephrine on the adrenal cortex was mediated by the pituitary. Vogt subsequently reported similar differen...
Comparison between normal tissue reactions and local tumor control in head and neck cancer patients treated by definitive radiotherapy

Abstract Purpose: This study was conducted to test for the relationship between tumor and normal tissue radiosensitivity, by comparing local tumor control to the severity of acute and late normal tissue reactions in head and neck cancer patients treated by definitive radiotherapy. Methods and Materials: Two hundred eighty-six patients with head and neck cancer who were treated at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1983 and 1993 were selected for the study. Of these, 124 (43%) were treated by a concomitant boost regimen and 162 (57%) by hyperfractionation. All patients had at least 1 year of follow-up. The tumor stage distribution according to the 1992 American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system was as follows: T1, 3%; T2, 53%; T3, 40%; T4, 4%. The average doses delivered were 71.2 Gy and 76.2 Gy for the concomitant boost and hyperfractionation regimens, respectively, with no significant variation between patients. Acute and late reactions were recorded using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)/European Organization for Reasearch on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) grading system (0 to 4). The median follow-up period was 38 months (range: 12–107 months). The time to local tumor recurrence was analyzed in relation to the severity of acute and late reactions expressed as the maximum recorded grades, and to the time intensity of acute mucositis, expressed as the area under the curve of mucositis grade vs. time. Univariate and multivariate analyses also included T stage, N stage, and site of origin as other prognostic variables, and were carried out using a proportional hazards model. Results: Fifty-four patients (19%) suffered local failure. T stage was found to significantly influence local control ( p = 0.009). There was a nonsignificant trend for higher failure rates in patients with maximum Grade 1 or 2 vs. those with Grade 3 or 4 acute mucositis (28 and 18%, respectively; p = 0.17). No correlation was found between the severity of late reactions and local tumor control after radiotherapy. Analysis by time intensity of mucositis revealed a wide variation between individuals with a nonsignificant trend for higher local failure rates in patients with low mucositis time intensity scores. Conclusions: These clinical results suggest a possible relationship between normal tissue and tumor radiosensitivity. However, additional studies with a larger numbers of patients, and using refined normal tissue endpoints that incorporate a time function are needed to fully elucidate this question.
Fast Algorithms for Bayesian Uncertainty Quantification in Large-Scale Linear Inverse Problems Based on Low-Rank Partial Hessian Approximations

We consider the problem of estimating the uncertainty in large-scale linear statistical inverse problems with high-dimensional parameter spaces within the framework of Bayesian inference. When the noise and prior probability densities are Gaussian, the solution to the inverse problem is also Gaussian and is thus characterized by the mean and covariance matrix of the posterior probability density. Unfortunately, explicitly computing the posterior covariance matrix requires as many forward solutions as there are parameters and is thus prohibitive when the forward problem is expensive and the parameter dimension is large. However, for many ill-posed inverse problems, the Hessian matrix of the data misfit term has a spectrum that collapses rapidly to zero. We present a fast method for computation of an approximation to the posterior covariance that exploits the low-rank structure of the preconditioned (by the prior covariance) Hessian of the data misfit. Analysis of an infinite-dimensional model convection-diffusion problem, and numerical experiments on large-scale three-dimensional convection-diffusion inverse problems with up to 1.5 million parameters, demonstrate that the number of forward PDE solves required for an accurate low-rank approximation is independent of the problem dimension. This permits scalable estimation of the uncertainty in large-scale ill-posed linear inverse problems at a small multiple (independent of the problem dimension) of the cost of solving the forward problem.
Sleep Fragmentation and Motor Restlessness in a Drosophila Model of Restless Legs Syndrome

Summary Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), first chronicled by Willis in 1672 and described in more detail by Ekbom in 1945 [1], is a prevalent sensorimotor neurological disorder (5%–10% in the population) with a circadian predilection for the evening and night. Characteristic clinical features also include a compelling urge to move during periods of rest, relief with movement, involuntary movements in sleep (viz., periodic leg movements of sleep), and fragmented sleep [2, 3]. Although the pathophysiology of RLS is unknown, dopaminergic neurotransmission and deficits in iron availability modulate expressivity [1, 4–9]. Genome-wide association studies have identified a polymorphism in an intronic region of the BTBD9 gene on chromosome 6 that confers substantial risk for RLS [2, 3, 10–12]. Here, we report that loss of the Drosophila homolog CG1826 ( dBTBD9 ) appreciably disrupts sleep with concomitant increases in waking and motor activity. We further show that BTBD9 regulates brain dopamine levels in flies and controls iron homeostasis through the iron regulatory protein-2 in human cell lines. To our knowledge, this represents the first reverse genetic analysis of a "novel" or heretofore poorly understood gene implicated in an exceedingly common and complex sleep disorder and the development of an RLS animal model that closely recapitulates all disease phenotypes.
Uptake of biotin by human hepatoma cell line, Hep G2: A carrier‐mediated process similar to that of normal liver

Little is known about the cellular and molecular regulation of the uptake process of the water-soluble vitamin biotin into liver cells, the major site of biotin utilization and metabolism. Such studies are best done using a highly viable and homogeneous cellular system that allows examination of prolonged exposure to an agent(s) or a particular condition(s) on the uptake process. Isolated hepatocytes when maintained in primary culture lose their ability to transport biotin by the specialized carrier system. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to examine the mechanism(s) of biotin uptake by the cultured human-derived liver cells, Hep G2. Uptake of biotin by Hep G2 cells was appreciable and linear for up to 10 min of incubation. The uptake process was Na+ gradient-dependent as indicated by studies of Na+ replacement and pretreatment of cells with gramicidin and ouabain. Biotin uptake was also dependent on both incubation temperature and intracellular energy. Unlabeled biotin and the structural analogs with free carboxyl groups (thioctic acid, desthiobiotin) but not those with blocked carboxyl group (biocytin, biotin methyl ester, and thioctic amide) caused significant inhibition of 3H-biotin uptake at 37 degrees C but not 4 degrees C. Initial rate of biotin uptake was saturable as a function of concentration at 37 degrees C but was lower and linear at 4 degrees C. Pretreatment of Hep G2 cells with sulfhydryl group inhibitors (e.g., p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate) led to a significant inhibition in biotin uptake; this inhibition was effectively reversed by reducing agents (e.g., dithiothreitol). Biotin uptake was also inhibited by the membrane transport inhibitors probenecid (noncompetitively), DIDS and furosemide but not by amiloride. Pretreatment of Hep G2 cells with valinomycin did not alter biotin uptake. The stoichiometric ratio of biotin to Na+ uptake in Hep G2 cells was also determined and found to be 1:1. These findings demonstrate that biotin uptake by these cultured liver cells is mediated through a specialized carrier system that is dependent on Na(+)-gradient, temperature, and energy and transports the vitamin by an electroneutral process. These findings are similar to those seen with native liver tissue preparations and demonstrate the suitability of Hep G2 cells for in-depth investigations of the cellular and molecular regulation of biotin uptake by the liver.
Photochemical fractionation of O-16 in the space medium modeled by resonance excitation of CO by H-Lyman alpha

Analyses of meteorite matter, the present structure of the solar system, and the evolution of matter in stellar systems are used to provide inferences concerning the formation of primordial matter in the solar system. Results indicate that molecular excitation processes similar to those observed today in circumstellar regions and dark interstellar clouds were operating in the early solar nebula. It is suggested that resonance excitation of broad isotopic bands by strong UV line sources may have resulted in the anomalous isotopic compositions noted in meteorites.
Characterization of the Reaction Products of 2‘-Deoxyguanosine and 1,2,3,4-Diepoxybutane after Acid Hydrolysis: Formation of Novel Guanine and Pyrimidine Adducts

1,2,3,4-diepoxybutane (DEB), an important in vivo metabolite of 1,3-butadiene (BD), is a potent mutagen and a known carcinogen. Recently, DEB has been shown to react with 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4 to yield a series of nucleoside adducts, resulting from alkylation at the 7-, 1-, and N(2)-positions of dG. In addition, adducts with fused ring systems are formed. In the present study, new adducts are characterized after DEB was allowed to react with dG at pH 7.4 and the reaction mixture was then subjected to acid hydrolysis. These adducts are 7-hydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrimido[1,2-a]purin-10(1H)one (H2), 2-amino-1-(4-chloro-2,3-dihydroxybutyl)-1,7-dihydro-6H-purin-6-one (H4), 2-amino-1-(2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl)-1,7-dihydro-6H-purin-6-one (H1'/H5'), 7,8-dihydroxy-1,5,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-1,3-diazepino[1,2-a]purin-11(11H)one (H2'), and 5-(3,4-dihydroxy-1-pyrrolidinyl)-2,6-diamino-4(3H)pyrimidinone (H3'). The previously characterized guanine adducts, 2-amino-7-(3-chloro-2,4-dihydroxybutyl)-1,7-dihydro-6H-purin-6-one (H3) and 2-amino-7-(2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl)-1,7-dihydro-6H-purin-6-one (H4'), were also detected. Acid hydrolysis of purified dG-DEB adducts confirmed that H2, H3/H4', H2', and H4/H1'/H5' are the hydrolysis products of N-(2-hydroxy-1-oxiranylethyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (P4-1 and P4-2), 6-oxo-2-amino-9-(2-deoxy-beta-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-7-(2-hydroxy-2-oxiranylethyl)-6,9-dihydro-1H-purinium ion (P5 and P5'), 7,8-dihydroxy-3-(2-deoxy-beta-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-3,5,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-1,3-diazepino[1,2-a]purin-11(11H)one (P6), and 1-(2-hydroxy-2-oxiranylethyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (P8 and P9), respectively. On the other hand, the novel pyrimidine adduct H3' is formed by the decomposition of P5 and P5' during the incubation and hydrolysis. These results may facilitate the development of useful biomarkers of exposure to DEB and its precursor BD.
Interpretation of oscillatory structures in Rb− photodetachment

Oscillations observed by Frey et al. in the photodetachment cross section of Rb− near the 5p1/2 threshold are shown to derive from a static external electric field of strengthF ≃ 1.3 V/cm. This field was used in the experiment to discriminate between slow and fast electrons, but it causes a quasiperiodic energy dependence just above threshold, with a maximum peak separation of roughly 0.1 cm−1.