cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bank Efficiency and Market Structure: What Determines Banking Spreads in Armenia?

Despite far-reaching banking sector reforms and a prolonged period of macroeconomic stability and strong economic growth, financial intermediation in Armenia has lagged behind other transition countries, and interest rate spreads have remained higher than in most Central and Eastern European transition countries. This paper examines the determinants of interest rate spreads and margins in Armenia using a bank-level panel dataset for the period 2002 to 2006. We find that bank-specific factors, such as bank size, liquidity, and market power, as well as the market structure within which banks operate, explain a large proportion of crossbank, cross-time variation in spreads and margins. The results suggest that there is a large potential to increase cost efficiency and competition in the banking system.
Complications of muscle relaxants: Interaction with neuromuscular disorders

Summary As summarized in Table 1, patients with NM disorders show a wide range of responses to muscle relaxants. Hyperkalemia and contracture after the administration of SDC and either resistance or increased sensitivity to NDNRs are common concerns. Monitoring of the NMJ and titration of NM blockade are recommended.
Possible Drug Interaction Between Digoxin and Azithromycin in a Young Child

1 Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, and the Division of Pediatric Pharmacology and Critical Care, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, USA 2 Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, and the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, USA 3 Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA CASE REPORT Clin Drug Invest 2000 Jul; 20 (1): 61-64 1173-2563/00/0007-0061/$20.00/0
Economic determinants of evolution in international stock market integration

Abstract This study investigates how and why different pairs of national equity markets display differing degrees of co-movement over time. We interpret a greater degree of co-movement to reflect greater stock market integration. We hypothesize the extent of stock market integration may depend upon certain macroeconomic variables that characterize and influence the degree of economic integration between two countries. As the degree of economic integration varies over time for a given pair of countries, we may expect the extent of equity market integration to vary systematically. We empirically investigate this hypothesis by employing a two-step procedure to explore first, how the degree of co-movement for a given pair of markets varies over time and second, why this interdependence varies over time. First, we employ daily data for nine national equity markets over 22 yearly samples to estimate annual Geweke [J. Am. Statist. Assoc. 77 (1982) 304–313] measures of feedback for different pairs of markets. For each pair of markets, the time series of 22 annual Geweke measures reveals the evolution in how co-movement in daily returns varies over time. Second, we specify a set of macroeconomic variables that characterize and influence the degree of economic integration for each pair of countries. Finally, we incorporate these variables in a pooled time series regression model across all possible pairs of these nine markets to estimate the influence of macroeconomic determinants on evolution in stock market integration.
Resonant four-wave interaction of electron plasma oscillations

The time evolution of a uniformly turbulent ensemble of electron fluids is studied in the electrostatic approximation. A kinetic equation for the action density is obtained in the longwavelength limit, in which resonant four-wave processes cause the nonlinear transfer of energy in the oscillation spectrum. It is shown that the entire region of $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$ space (within the limits of the simple-fluid model) is accessible to resonant four-wave interactions. Such fourwave mode coupling serves as a mechanism for the transfer of wave energy into shorter wavelengths.
Studies of C-S bond cleavage reactions of Re(V) dithiolates : Synthesis, reactivity, and mechanism

A series of rhenium(V) complexes, [(X)(ReO)(dt)(PPh3)] and [(o-SC6H4PPh2)(ReO)(mtp)], were prepared to explore electronic effects on the C−S cleavage reaction that occurs upon reaction with PAr3 at ambient temperature [where X = S(C6H4-p-Z) (Z = OMe, Me, H, F, Cl), OPh, Cl, and SC2H5, and dt is the chelating dithiolate ligand derived from 2-(mercaptomethyl)thiophenol, 1,2-ethanedithiol, 1,3-propanedithiol, 1,3-butanedithiol, and 2,4-pentanedithiol]. The scope and selectivity of the C−S activation were examined. The C−S bond cleavage to form metallacyclic Re(V) complexes with a Re⋮S core occurs only for the complexes with mtp and pdt frameworks and X = SAr and SC2H5. The difference in reactivity is due to the different donating abilities of ancillary and dithiolate ligands, especially their π-donating ability, which plays a critical role in C−S activation. The kinetics of the C−S activation process was determined; nucleophilic attack of PPh3 on the oxo group of the ReVO core appears to be the rate-controll...
Application of polydivinylbenzene liquid chromatography columns to remove lipid material from fish tissue extracts for the analysis of semivolatile organics

Liquid chromatography columns of 100% polydivinylbenzene (DVB) (packing) were used to remove lipid material from fish extracts before analysis of several semivolatile organic pollutants by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This packing material was found to be durable as the columns could be operated to about 900 p.s.i. resulting in high efficiency separation. Recoveries and relative standard deviations for 18 polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons fortified into a fish extract and cleaned up by multiple DVB columns in series were in the range of 86 to 123% and 4 to 11%, respectively.
Both Sides of the Looking Glass: Librarian and Teaching Faculty Perceptions of Librarianship at Six Community Colleges

Librarians and teaching faculty often have different perceptions of the roles of the library and the librarian in undergraduate education. A study surveying six community colleges reveals that there is much room for improvement in the interrelationship between librarians and teaching faculty. More effective communication and mutual respect would enhance the educational experience for students and provide a richer learning environment.
Inhibition synchronizes sparsely connected cortical neurons within and between columns in realistic network models.

Networks of compartmental model neurons were used to investigate the biophysical basis of the synchronization observed between sparsely-connected neurons in neocortex. A model of a single column in layer 5 consisted of 100 model neurons: 80 pyramidal and 20 inhibitory. The pyramidal cells had conductances that caused intrinsic repetitive bursting at different frequencies when driven with the same input. When connected randomly with a connection density of 10%, a single model column displayed synchronous oscillatory action potentials in response to stationary, uncorrelated Poisson spike-train inputs. Synchrony required a high ratio of inhibitory to excitatory synaptic strength; the optimal ratio was 4∶1, within the range observed in cortex. The synchrony was insensitive to variation in amplitudes of postsynaptic potentials and synaptic delay times, even when the mean synaptic delay times were varied over the range 1 to 7 ms. Synchrony was found to be sensitive to the strength of reciprocal inhibition between the inhibitory neurons in one column: Too weak or too strong reciprocal inhibition degraded intra-columnar synchrony. The only parameter that affected the oscillation frequency of the network was the strength of the external driving input which could shift the frequency between 35 to 60 Hz. The same results were obtained using a model column of 1000 neurons with a connection density of 5%, except that the oscillation became more regular.
A Study of the Sensitivity of Numerical Forecasts to an Upper Boundary in the Lower Stratosphere

Abstract The impact of an upper boundary on numerical forecasts is studied by comparing the results of a nine-layer model with a top in the lower stratosphere, to those of a 15-layer model with a top near the stratopause. A single case is considered for which initial conditions are taken from a climatologically adjusted winter simulation produced by the 15-layer model. It is found that, as a result of the lowered upper boundary, them is a marked equatorward shift of upper-level westerlies. Significant errors in the ultra-long waves appear at SW mb within the first five days. Errors at 500 mb then spread to progressively shorter waves with large errors in cyclone-scale waves by day 12. Large errors in an ultra-long, wave (wavenumber 3) after day 10 am associated with the climatological adjustment of the stationary flow to the lowered boundary. Two different assumptions in the radiation calculation in the nine-layer model am used. Results indicate that radiative effects are of secondary importance to the pr...
Chemistry and Microbiology of a Sewage Spill in South San Francisco Bay

During three weeks of September 1979, the breakdown of a waste treatment plant resulted in the discharge of a large volume (1.5×107m3) of primary-treated sewage into a tributary of South San Francisco Bay, California. Chemical and microbial changes occurred within the tributary as decomposition and nitrification depleted dissolved oxygen. Associated with anoxia were relatively high concentrations of particulate organic carbon, dissolved CO2, CH4, C2H4, NH 4 + , and fecal bacteria, and low phytoplankton biomass and photosynthetic oxygen production. South San Francisco Bay experienced only small changes in water quality, presumably because of its large volume and the assimilation of wastes that occurred within the tributary. Water quality improved rapidly in the tributary once normal tertiary treatment resumed.
Cartilage‐Derived Retinoic Acid–Sensitive Protein and Type II Collagen Expression During Fracture Healing Are Potential Targets for Sox9 Regulation

Cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein (CD-RAP) and mRNA were examined in the mouse fracture model by immunohistochemistry and Northern blot analysis and compared with the expression of type II collagen. We also studied the expression of the transcription factor Sox9, reported to enhance type II collagen and CD-RAP gene expression in vitro. CD-RAP was first detected in immature chondrocytes on day 5. Intense signals for CD-RAP were found in fracture cartilage on days 7 and 9. CD-RAP decreased at the phase of endochondral ossification. Throughout fracture healing, CD-RAP was detected in cartilage and not in bone or fibrous tissue, thus CD-RAP may be a molecular marker of cartilage formation during fracture healing. Northern blot analysis revealed similar changes in CD-RAP and type II collagen mRNA levels. However, with respect to protein levels, CD-RAP decreased faster than type II collagen implying the stability is lower than type II collagen. Increased levels of Sox9 mRNA and protein were detected on day 5 and coincided with the initial increase of CD-RAP and type II collagen mRNAs. Sox9 mRNA levels declined with the progress of chondrocyte hypertrophy, followed by a concomitant decrease in CD-RAP and type II collagen mRNA levels. These changes in Sox9 expression compared with the cartilage-specific genes (CD-RAP and type II collagen) suggest that cell differentiation during fracture healing may be controlled by specific transcriptional factors which regulate phenotypic changes of the cells.
Hemochromatosis (HFE) gene mutations and peripheral neuropathy during antiretroviral therapy.

Objective: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) often complicates nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) therapy of HIV infection and may involve mitochondrial dysfunction. Since iron deficiency is associated with some types of PN, and iron is essential for mitochondrial function, we tested the hypothesis that hemochromatosis (HFE) gene mutations influence susceptibility to NRTI-induced PN. Design: Case-control study involving multicenter, AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) protocol 384 and ACTG Human DNA Repository specimens. Methods: Study participants were randomized to receive three- or four-drug antiretroviral therapy with didanosine (ddl) plus stavudine (d4T) or zidovudine plus lamivudine, given with efavirenz, nelfinavir, or both, with up to three years of follow-up. PN was ascertained based on signs and symptoms. HFE C282Y and H63D genotypes were determined, and associations with PN were assessed using logistic regression. Results: Of 509 participants, 147 (29%) developed PN, 73% of whom had been randomized to receive ddl plus d4T. Among ddl/d4T-ever-treated individuals, HFE C282Y heterozygotes developed PN on ddl/d4T significantly less often than C282Y non-carriers, adjusting for age, CD4 lymphocyte count and viral load at baseline, and concomitant antiretroviral drugs [6% vs. 35%, respectively, in whites; adjusted odds ratio (OR), 0.17; 95% confidence interval (Cl) 0.03-0.83; P = 0.021]. Regardless of race/ethnicity, ddl/d4T-associated PN was uncommon in C282Y heterozygotes [race-adjusted OR, 0.30; 95% CI 0.09-0.96); P = 0.042]. Conclusions: Iron-loading HFE mutations such as C282Y are associated with a decreased risk of PN during antiretroviral therapy. This finding has potential implications for the prediction and prevention of NRTI-associated PN, particularly in populations at risk of iron deficiency.
Recapitulation of developing artery muscularization in pulmonary hypertension

Excess smooth muscle accumulation is a key component of many vascular disorders, including atherosclerosis, restenosis, and pulmonary artery hypertension, but the underlying cell biological processes are not well defined. In pulmonary artery hypertension, reduced pulmonary artery compliance is a strong independent predictor of mortality, and pathological distal arteriole muscularization contributes to this reduced compliance. We recently demonstrated that embryonic pulmonary artery wall morphogenesis consists of discrete developmentally regulated steps. In contrast, poor understanding of distal arteriole muscularization in pulmonary artery hypertension severely limits existing therapies that aim to dilate the pulmonary vasculature but have modest clinical benefit and do not prevent hypermuscularization. Here, we show that most pathological distal arteriole smooth muscle cells, but not alveolar myofibroblasts, derive from pre-existing smooth muscle. Furthermore, the program of distal arteriole muscularization encompasses smooth muscle cell dedifferentiation, distal migration, proliferation, and then redifferentiation, thereby recapitulating many facets of arterial wall development.
P300 and blink instructions

Abstract Objectives : The effects of instructions to refrain from blinking on the P300 event-related brain potential (ERP) from auditory and visual stimuli were assessed. Methods : An oddball paradigm was employed in which young adult subjects ( n =20) silently counted the infrequent target stimuli and were given either no instructions or told "do not blink" in different conditions, with auditory and visual stimulus tasks employed for all subjects. ERPs were recorded from the midline electrodes, with amplitude and latency of the P300 and other components obtained. Results : P300 amplitude for both modalities and target/standard stimulus conditions was smaller and visual peak latency longer in the "do not blink" condition. Blink instructions did not directly affect the other components. Conclusions : Instructions to refrain from blinking can decrease P300 amplitude and can increase peak latency.
Financial prediction with constrained tail risk.

Abstract A new class of asymmetric loss functions derived from the least absolute deviations or least squares loss with a constraint on the mean of one tail of the residual error distribution, is introduced for analyzing financial data. Motivated by risk management principles, the primary intent is to provide “cautious” forecasts under uncertainty. The net effect on fitted models is to shape the residuals so that on average only a prespecified proportion of predictions tend to fall above or below a desired threshold. The loss functions are reformulated as objective functions in the context of parameter estimation for linear regression models, and it is demonstrated how optimization can be implemented via linear programming. The method is a competitor of quantile regression, but is more flexible and broader in scope. An application is illustrated on prediction of NDX and SPX index returns data, while controlling the magnitude of a fraction of worst losses.
Adrenergic regulation of glycogenolysis in isolated guinea-pig hepatocytes: Evidence that β2-receptors mediate catecholamine stimulation of glycogenolysis

Glycogenolysis in hepatocytes isolated from fed guinea pigs was much more enhanced by the beta-agonist, isoproterenol, than by equimolar concentrations of the alpha-agonists, phenylephrine and norepinephrine. The stimulatory effects of catecholamines occurred with the following order of potency: isoproterenol greater than epinephrine greater than norepinephrine. This order of potency is characteristic of beta 2-adrenergic receptors. That beta 2-receptors are responsible for mediating catecholamine stimulation of glycogenolysis in guinea-pig hepatocytes was further deduced from the inhibition of agonist-stimulated glycogenolysis by beta-receptor sub-type-selective antagonists. Thus, IPS 339, a beta-antagonist which has higher affinity at beta 2-sites than at beta 1-sites, was three orders of magnitude more potent in inhibiting isoproterenol-stimulated glycogenolysis than either atenolol or practolol, both of which are beta 1-selective antagonists. The beta 2-agonists zinterol and procaterol also stimulated glycogenolysis in hepatocytes and their effects were inhibited by propranolol and IPS 339, but not by practolol. Furthermore, activation of phosphorylase in these hepatocytes by isoproterenol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine also occurred with the potency order expected for beta 2-receptors. These results are in sharp contrast to those obtained with rat hepatocytes and emphasize that species differences occur in the regulation of hepatic glycogenolysis by catecholamines.
OpenFire: Using deception to reduce network attacks

Remote network attacks are a serious problem facing network administrators today. OpenFire uses deception to interfere with the reconnaissance phase. Unlike traditional firewalls, instead of blocking unwanted traffic, it accepts all traffic, forwarding unwanted messages to a cluster of decoy machines. To the outside, all ports and all IP addresses appear open in an OpenFire network. OpenFire uses the honeypot concept in its design. However, unlike traditional honeypots, OpenFire attempts to present additional false targets by making it appear to an attacker that all ports, including unused ones, and all unused IP addresses of an organization are open, with the thesis that this will help divert attacks from real services to false services. In our experiments, we defined an attack to be snort’s priority 1 alert. During a 21-day evaluation period, we found that OpenFire reduced the number of attacks on real services by 65% as compared to an unprotected system and by 46% as compared to a Honeypot-protected system. We present OpenFire’s design, its performance, and defenses against some potential attacks.
Genetic heterogeneity in acid phosphatase deficiency

Lysosomal Acid Phosphatase Deficiency (LAPD) is characterized by vomiting, lethargy, opisthotonus, terminal bleeding and death in early infancy (Nadler & Egan, NEJM: 282: 302, 1970). Acid phosphatase (AcP) activity in fibroblast from patients with this disorder is decreased to 30% of normal in original homogenates (OH) and to less than 2% in the lysosomal fraction (Lys). Recently we have observed a patient with similar clinical manifestations but who expired at 36 hours of age. AcP in his fibroblasts was reduced to 2% of normal in OH and was not detectable in Lys. Therefore, this was considered to represent a total acid phosphatase deficiency (TAPD). In comparing the AcP activities of the two patients with normal, several differences were notes. Addition of 1 ug/ml of prednisolone to these cultures induced AcP to 50% of normal in LAPD cells but had no effect on TAPD cells. This induction was inhibited by actinomycin D, puromycin and chloramphenicol. After mixing and hybridization of LAPD and TAPD cells an increase in AcP activity up to 50% of normal could be observed in OH and Lys after one week. Addition of prednisolone could not induce any further AcP activity in the mixed or hybrid cultures. These studies clearly indicate genetic heterogeneity for acid phosphatase deficiency. The stimulation of AcP activity by prednisolone suggests that the basic defect in LAPD is an altered regulatory mechanism in contrast to that of a structural gene defect in TAPD. The potential usefulness of prednisolone theraphy in patients with LAPD is suggested.
Managing security from the perspective of the business executive

Business executives often do not understand the environment in which the security function operates and what questions they should be asking their network administrators and security personnel. The purpose of this article is to address this environment and the issues from the perspective of senior management. It does not address the technical details of security implementation but strives to establish a framework from which to view the security function and the impact it has on the operations of a business. First, the tension that results from the required balancing act that must exist between security and productivity is addressed. The extended risk analysis model is then employed to show how the interaction of threats and vulnerabilities produces risk. The available options risk management are also addressed. Finally, the CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability) model is used to show the design alternatives that are available for the implementation of a security system.
Crystal Chemistry of the Plagionite Group

LEAD forms a large number of complex sulphosalts. At least twelve Pb–As and nineteen Pb–Sb sulphosalt minerals are known1 and, although the Pb–As minerals have received considerable study, no structure for a Pb–Sb sulphosalt has been completely determined. Curiously, minerals in the two systems exhibit little similarity in either composition or lattice constants in spite of the fact that isomorphism and even complete solid solubility are found for a number of arseno- and antimonian sulphosalts. This is undoubtedly due to the rather different sizes of As and Sb coordination groups relative to the dimensions of a Pb–S polyhedron.
Simultaneous Lasing on the D1 and D2 Lines of Sodium

Lasing at both 589.0 nm and 589.6 nm in Na has been realized by photoassociating Na-rare gas pairs.
Kinetics and thermodynamics of end-functionalized polymer adsorption and desorption processes.

We present results from a Monte Carlo study of adsorption processes of end-functionalized polymers from a solution to an adsorbing solid surface. We consider moderately large polymer chains with up to 200 monomers, and study the kinetics of polymer brush formation in a situation where the brush is in contact with a bulk reservoir which can supply chains to the brush without any limit. In our simulations, we consider both the kinetics of the adsorption process and the equilibrium structure of the brushes thus formed. Once the brushes are formed and in equilibrium, we study the desorption of such an equilibrium brush layer under the conditions of (i) rinsing by a pure solvent, and (ii) keeping the brush in contact with a solution containing other ``attacking'' chains with either stronger functional groups or shorter lengths. The results of these studies are compared with analytical theories and experiments.
h, p, k Least Squares Finite Element Processes for 1-D Helmholtz Equation

The paper presents mathematical details of the finite element processes using the Galerkin method with weak form and least square processes for 1-D Helmholtz equation with Robin boundary condition in h,p,k framework. The concepts of variational consistency (VC) and variational inconsistency (VIC) are discussed. It is shown that Galerkin method with or without weak form is variationally inconsistent (VIC). The VIC of the Galerkin method is due to non-zero wave number (κ term) as well as Robin boundary condition. These two aspects of VIC of the integral forms and their consequences are investigated individually as well as jointly. It is shown that the integral forms yield non-symmetric functional B(.,.) and hence the possibility of complex basis for the coefficient matrix for some choices of h, p and k, which may lead to spurious or oscillatory non-physical numerical solutions. It is demonstrated that the variational consistency of the Galerkin method or galerkin method with weak form cannot be restored thr...
Neoconservative democratization in theory and practice: Developing democrats or raising radical Islamists?

Neoconservative democratization took on new life after 9/11: the United States should be a global guarantor of liberty, even if coercing this freedom. The justification was a hybrid of liberal democratic peace and realist national security. However, this aggressive democratization is contradictory: the philosophical foundation is insincerely decorated by liberal language that overlooks damaging compromises when ideology is put into practice. Uzbekistan, with whom a close partnership in the war against terror was developed and then was further deepened along supposedly democratic development lines, is used as a critical case study. In short, the contradictions in neoconservative ideology create flaws in policy implementation that do not create smoother paths to development, prevent democratic consolidation and weaken American security interests.
A general superposition solution for electromagnetic scattering by multiple spherical domains of optically active media

Abstract The superposition solution for scattering by a system of optically active spheres is extended to the case where any of the spheres can be located at points that are either internal and external to the other spheres. The sole restriction on the formulation are that a sphere surface cannot be cut by another surface. The formulation has been integrated into the Multiple Sphere T Matrix code, and illustrative calculation results that demonstrate the veracity of the formulation are presented.
Sohlh2 is a germ cell-specific bHLH transcription factor

Germ cell-specific transcriptional regulation is essential to understand pathways that confer germ cells their unique biology. Germ cell-specific transcription factors such as Figla and Nobox are critical in oogenesis, while Zfp148 and Taf4b are also critical in spermatogenesis. Identification and characterization of the full complement of germ cell-specific transcription factors is necessary to understand germ cell-specific regulatory networks. Here, we describe a discovery of a novel spermatogenesis- and oogenesis-specific basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, Sohlh2. Sohlh2 is expressed both in the male and female germline. In females, Sohlh2 transcripts are detectable in the female embryonic gonad but confined to oocytes of small follicles in the immature ovary. In adult ovaries, SOHLH2 protein is present in primordial follicles but not detected in growing oocytes. SOHLH2 expression in testes is confined to spermatogonia. The expression pattern of SOHLH2 suggests that it may be a critical regulator of early germ cell development.
Conformational stability of secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor: a protein with no hydrophobic core and very little secondary structure.

Abstract Conformational stability of proteins (including disulfide containing proteins) has been routinely characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Proteins which lack adequate signal of circular dichroism may require unconventional technique. Secretory Leucocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI) is a 107 amino acids protein with a high density of disulfide pairing (eight). The native SLPI has no hydrophobic core and contains very little hydrogen bonded secondary structure [Gruetter, M., Fendrich, G., Huber, R., and Bode, W. (1988) The 2.5 A X-ray crystal structure of the acid stable proteinase inhibitor from human mucous secretions analyzed in its complex with bovine α-chymotrypsin. The EMBO J. 7, 345–352.]. In this study, conformational stability of SLPI has been investigated by the method of disulfide scrambling, which permits quantification of the native and denatured (scrambled) proteins by HPLC. Due to high heterogeneity of denatured SLPI, the native and scrambled SLPI are extensively overlapped on HPLC. This impediment was further overcome by the development of a novel method which distinguishes the native and scrambled isomers of SLPI by exploiting the relative stability of their disulfide bonds. The study reveals mid-point denaturation of SLPI at 1.36 M of GdmSCN, 4.0 M of GdmCl and > 8 M urea. Based on the GdmCl denaturation curve, the unfolding free energy (Δ G H20 ) of SLPI was estimated to be 4.56 kcal/mol. The results of our studies suggest an alternative strategy for analyzing conformational stability of disulfide proteins that are not suitable to the conventional spectroscopic techniques.
Confirmation of the presence of β(AgHg) in dental amalgam

The presence of the β1 phase in dental amalgam after 60°C heating has been confirmed by x-ray diffraction, metallography, microhardness tests, and electron beam analysis. It appeared that the γ1 β1 transformation began at preferred sites, believed to be possibly areas deficient in Hg, and grew outward from these sites. Even after heating for nearly a year, however, some γ1 still remained in the sample.
Isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel using buffer electrode solutions.

Abstract Isoelectric focusing in ampholytes of pH 6–8 range has been carried out in polyacrylamide gels using ammonia buffer at pH 10.0 and acetate buffer at pH 4.0 for the cathode and anode solutions, respectively. This system requires low voltages but compares well with isoelectric focusing using strong acid and strong base electrode solutions. The advantages of this method are the less extreme pH's in the electrode solutions and lower resistance in the neutral region of the pH gradients.
Novel Genetic Approach for In Vivo Vascular Imaging in Mice

Rationale: The formation and maintenance of a functional vasculature is essential for normal embryonic development, and genetic changes that affect the vasculature underlie pathogenesis in many human diseases. In vivo imaging in mouse models is required to understand the full complexity of mammalian vascular formation, which is a dynamic and 3-dimensional process. Optical microscopy of genetically expressed fluorescent reporter proteins offers high resolution but limited depth of penetration in vivo. Conversely, there are a plethora of molecular probes for alternative in vivo vascular imaging modalities, but few options for genetic control of contrast enhancement. Objective: To develop a reporter system for multimodal imaging of genetic processes involved in mammalian vascular biology. Methods and Results: To approach this problem, we developed an optimal tagging system based on Biotag-BirA technology. In the resulting Biotag reporter system, coexpression of 2 interacting proteins results in biotin labeling of cell membranes, thus enabling multimodal imaging with “avidinated” probes. To assess this approach for in vivo imaging, we generated transgenic mice that expressed the Biotag-BirA transgene from a minimal Tie2 promoter. A variety of imaging methods were used to show the utility of this approach for quantitative analysis in embryonic and adult models of vascular development, using intravascular injection of avidinated probes for near infrared, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusions: The present results demonstrate the versatility of the Biotag system for studies of vascular biology in genetically engineered mice, providing a robust approach for multimodal in vivo imaging of genetic processes in the vasculature.
The comforting presence of relational agents

In this paper we describe an on-going experiment on the calming effects of a relational agent on users following a social bonding interaction. Applications to a range of health care problems are discussed.
Tracking multiple objects through occlusions

Visual tracking of multiple objects with continuous interactions is important for many applications such as surveillance and effective user interfaces. Complex interactions between objects results in both temporally and spatially significant occlusions, making multi-object tracking a challenging problem. We present an approach for tracking varying number of objects through significant occlusions. Our approach builds on the idea of object permanence. That is, partially or fully occluded objects, even though not observable, still exist in the close proximity of their occluders. To demonstrate the viability of this approach, we have concentrated on tracking hands and objects as a person interacts with multiple objects on a desktop. We experimented with 5 indoor video sequences and present the results of two representative ones: lego sequence and shell game.
Development of High-Content Assays for Kidney Progenitor Cell Expansion in Transgenic Zebrafish

Reactivation of genes normally expressed during organogenesis is a characteristic of kidney regeneration. Enhancing this reactivation could potentially be a therapeutic target to augment kidney regeneration. The inductive events that drive kidney organogenesis in zebrafish are similar to the initial steps in mammalian kidney organogenesis. Therefore, quantifying embryonic signals that drive zebrafish kidney development is an attractive strategy for the discovery of potential novel therapeutic modalities that accelerate kidney regeneration. The Lim1 homeobox protein, Lhx1, is a marker of kidney development that is also expressed in the regenerating kidneys after injury. Using a fluorescent Lhx1a-EGFP transgene whose phenotype faithfully recapitulates that of the endogenous protein, we developed a high-content assay for Lhx1a-EGFP expression in transgenic zebrafish embryos employing an artificial intelligence-based image analysis method termed cognition network technology (CNT). Implementation of the CNT assay on high-content readers enabled automated real-time in vivo time-course, dose-response, and variability studies in the developing embryo. The Lhx1a assay was complemented with a kidney-specific secondary CNT assay that enables direct measurements of the embryonic renal tubule cell population. The integration of fluorescent transgenic zebrafish embryos with automated imaging and artificial intelligence-based image analysis provides an in vivo analysis system for structure-activity relationship studies and de novo discovery of novel agents that augment innate regenerative processes.
Replication protein A is sequentially phosphorylated during meiosis

Phosphorylation of the cellular single-stranded DNA-binding protein, replication protein A (RPA), occurs during normal mitotic cell cycle progression and also in response to genotoxic stress. In budding yeast, these reactions require the ATM homolog Mec1, a central regulator of the DNA replication and DNA damage checkpoint responses. We now demonstrate that the middle subunit of yeast RPA (Rfa2) becomes phosphorylated in two discrete steps during meiosis. Primary Rfa2 phosphorylation occurs early in meiotic progression and is independent of DNA replication, recombination and Mec1. In contrast, secondary Rfa2 phosphorylation is activated upon initiation of recombination and requires Mec1. While the primary Rfa2 phosphoisomer is detectable throughout most of meiosis, the secondary Rfa2 phosphoisomer is only transiently generated and begins to disappear soon after recombination is complete. Extensive secondary Rfa2 phosphorylation is observed in a recombination mutant defective for the pachytene checkpoint, indicating that Mec1-dependent Rfa2 phosphorylation does not function to maintain meiotic delay in response to DNA double-strand breaks. Our results suggest that Mec1-dependent RPA phosphorylation could be involved in regulating recombination rather than cell cycle or meiotic progression.
Can CRF1 receptor antagonists become antidepressant and/or anxiolytic agents?

Significant progress has been made in the development of several nonpeptide antagonists of the type 1 receptor for corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). The present review outlines the properties of this drug class that point to their potential as agents for depression and/or anxiety. Behavioral tests of CRF1 receptor antagonists relevant to depression have been mixed. For example, most CRF1 receptor antagonists did not lower swim test immobility in a subacute paradigm, where three injections of the drug are given in the 24 hrs between a 15-min pre-swim and a 5-min test swim. However, reliable effects in other tests of antidepressant action were observed in the chronic mild stress protocol or the Flinders Sensitive Line rat that exhibits innately high swim test immobility when the drugs were given chronically. Because these latter tests have a very good record of predicting antidepressant activity, CRF1 receptor antagonists are good candidates for clinical trials for depression. Evidence indicates that the CRF1 receptor antagonists do not exhibit changes in anxiety-like behavior under basal conditions. However, this drug class effectively blocks the anxiogenic states produced by withdrawal from chronic alcohol, by exposure to stress, or in rats selectively bred for high anxiety. CRF1 receptor antagonists also prevent the anxiety associated with multiple ethanol withdrawals when given only during the earlier withdrawals. Thus, these agents may also have clinically relevant anxiolytic effects, not only in individuals with anxiety disorders but also in individuals who have anxiety episodes during alcohol or drug withdrawal. Drug Dev. Res. 65:191–204, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Direct comparison of photoemission spectroscopy and in situ Kelvin probe work function measurements on indium tin oxide films

The work function of commercially available indium tin oxide (ITO) films on glass substrates was measured using photoemission spectroscopy (PES) and ultra-high vacuum (UHV) Kelvin probe in direct comparison. Absolute Kelvin probe work function values were determined via calibration of the measured contact potential difference (CPD) using an in situ sputtered Au reference sample. The Kelvin probe data confirmed that ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) measurements change the work function of ITO surfaces previously exposed to ambient environment, when measured without in situ surface cleaning procedures. The results also demonstrate that both Kelvin probe and PES yield virtually identical work function values, as long as the Kelvin probe data are calibrated against a known standard. As a consequence, previously reported higher work function values determined with Kelvin probe as compared to values obtained with UPS on similar samples are likely related to a photochemically generated surface dipole during UPS measurements. Comparison between Kelvin probe and low intensity X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (LIXPS) work function measurements demonstrated that accurate work function measurements on ITO previously exposed to the ambient are possible with PES.
A Comparison of the Incidence of Advertising Strategies in Business-Related Magazines: Services versus Goods

A content analysis of 515 magazine ads from business-related magazines comparing ads for services and goods identifies that both categories rely on cognitive message strategies, rational message appeals and an informative execution style.
In vitro systems for investigating group B streptococcal : host cell and extracellular matrix interactions

Streptococcus agalactiae or group B streptococci (GBS) are gram-positive diplococci and are the leading bacterial cause of pneumoniae, sepsis, and meningitis in neonates. Neonatal GBS infections may occur prior to or during birth. GBS have been cultured from the chorioamnionic membrane of pregnant women and have therefore been associated with chorioamnionitis and premature labor. A potential route for GBS to establish infection of a neonate would be to penetrate the placental membrane of colonized pregnant women. In our laboratory, we have constructed in vitro systems to emulate certain events during the colonization and invasion of host epithelial cell tissues by GBS. By utilizing techniques to grow primary cultures of both chorion cells and amnion cells isolated from human C-section placentas, we have established a relevant model to investigate certain aspects of GBS adherence and invasion into the placental membrane. To identify relevant molecules required for GBS to colonize the multiple tissues it encounters during an infection, we have applied a variety of biochemical approaches with host cell membrane preparations as well as purified extracellular matrix proteins. These techniques are enabling us to further characterize the pathogenic mechanisms utilized by GBS.
The Global Hydrological Cycle and Atmospheric Shortwave Absorption in Climate Models under CO2 Forcing

Abstract The spread among the predictions by climate models for the strengthening of the global hydrological cycle [i.e., the global mean surface latent heat flux (LH), or, equivalently, precipitation] at a given level of CO2-induced global warming is of the same magnitude as the intermodel mean. By comparing several climate models from the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 3 (CMIP3) database under idealized CO2 forcings, it is shown that differences in the increase in global atmospheric shortwave heating (SWabs) induced by clear-sky absorption, presumably by water vapor, partly explains this spread. The increases in SWabs and LH present similar spreads across models but are anticorrelated, so the sum SWabs + LH increases more robustly than either alone. This is consistent with a recently proposed theory (Takahashi) that predicts that this sum (or, equivalently, the net longwave divergence minus the surface sensible heat flux) is constrained by energy cons...
THE REINFORCEMENT OF DISAGREEMENT IN A SMALL GROUP.

Abstract The present studies were conducted to determine whether differentially reinforcing decisions of a three-person group can modify how often individuals will disagree in making a decision. The results indicate that disagreement is likely to occur more often in groups where reinforcement in achieving a decision is made contingent on disagreement as compared with groups where reinforcement is not contingent on this interaction. Some methodological, theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
A bad eye and a sore lip.

A 48-year-old woman developed painful visual loss in the left eye, meningismus, and painful oral ulcers. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain with gadolinium demonstrated enhancement of the left optic nerve. Lumbar puncture showed a lymphocytic pleocytosis, and a biopsy specimen of one of the oral ulcerations was consistent with Behcet's disease. Epidemiologic factors and diagnostic criteria for Behcet's disease are discussed.
Role of Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins in the Regulation of Gαi2 Expression in Cultured Atrial Cells

We have previously demonstrated that growth of embryonic chick atrial cells in medium supplemented with lipoprotein-depleted serum (LPDS) resulted in a coordinate increase in the expression of genes involved in the parasympathetic response of the heart (the M2 muscarinic receptor; the alpha-subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein, Galpha(i2); and the inward rectifying K+ channel protein, GIRK1) and a marked increase in the negative chronotropic response of atrial cells to muscarinic stimulation. In the present study, we demonstrate that regulation of Galpha(i2) promoter activity by LPDS is mediated by the binding of a sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) to a sterol regulatory element (SRE) in the Galpha(i2) promoter. Deletion and point mutation of this putative SRE interfered with the regulation of the Galpha(i2) promoter by SREBP and LPDS. Furthermore gel shift assays demonstrated that point mutations in the putative Galpha(i2) SRE markedly inhibited the binding of purified SREBP to oligonucleotides containing the Galpha(i2) SRE sequence. The expression of a dominant-negative SREBP mutant interfered with LPDS stimulation of Galpha(i2) promoter activity. Finally, we demonstrate that SREBP-1 is markedly more potent than SREBP-2 for the stimulation of Galpha(i2) promoter activity, suggesting that SREBP1 may play a role in the regulation of Galpha(i2) expression. These are the first data to demonstrate SREBP regulation of a protein not involved in lipid homeostasis and suggest a new relationship between lipid metabolism and the parasympathetic response of the heart.
Flexible organic light-emitting diodes with transparent carbon nanotube electrodes: Problems and solutions

We study in detail here the application of transparent, conductive carbon single-wall nanotube (SWNT) networks as electrodes in flexible organic light-emitting diodes (FOLEDs). Overall comparisons of these networks to the commonly used electrodes poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and indium tin oxide (ITO) are made, and SWNT networks are shown to have excellent optical and superior mechanical properties. The effects of protruding nanotubes, rough surface morphology, and SWNT network-adjacent layer dewetting are shown to be problematic, and approaches for addressing these issues are identified. The mechanical properties of SWNT networks and ITO are compared, and SWNT networks are shown to exhibit more durable sheet conductance under bending, which leads to bendable FOLEDs. We demonstrated FOLEDs with SWNT network anodes that exhibit outstanding light output and meet display requirements. SWNT-based FOLEDs show comparable lifetime performances to ITO-based devices. The promise and the remaining challenges for implementing SWNT networks in organic light-emitting diodes are discussed.