cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bactericidal Activity of Alveolar Macrophages is Suppressed by V-ATPase Inhibition

Bafilomycin A1, a selective inhibitor of V-type H+-translocating ATPase (V-ATPase), may be a useful adjunct in cancer chemotherapy (Altan et al. [1998] J Exp Med 187:1583–1598). Therapeutic uses of the enzyme inhibitor need to consider the agent's potential effects on normal (nontumor) cells. This study determined the effects of bafilomycin A1 on resident alveolar macrophages (mφ). Treatment of alveolar mφ with bafilomycin A1 (10 μM, 1 h) caused a significant decrement in cytosolic pH. This was accompanied by marked alteration of mφ bactericidal capabilities. The enzyme inhibitor caused a marginal reduction in the phagocytosis of opsonized Staphylococcus aureus and significantly suppressed intracellular killing of the phagocytosed bacteria. In keeping with the effects on intracellular killing, bafilomycin A1 significantly reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). On the other hand, cell spreading was enhanced significantly by bafilomycin A1. Comparable changes in ROS generation and mφ spreading were produced by altering cytosolic pH through changes in extracellular pH (pHo) in the absence of bafilomycin A1. These findings suggest that the agent's effects on ROS production and mφ spreading were related to the accompanying changes in cytosolic pH. The enzyme inhibitor also altered mφ morphology, leading to the shortening of microvilli and focal loss of surface ruffles. These morphologic effects differed from those produced by altering cytosolic pH by changes in pHo. The results demonstrate that V-ATPase activity is an important determinant of mφ functioning and structure. Therapeutic use of V-ATPase inhibitors might be expected to compromise the bactericidal activity of alveolar mφ.
Regional changes in GnRH immunoreactivity with puberty in the male Syrian hamster.

Gonadotropin-releasing-hormone immunopositive (GnRH+) neurons were identified in juvenile and adult male Syrian hamsters. There were significantly fewer GnRH+ cells in the diagonal band of Broca/organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (DBB/OVLT) and medial septum (MS) in adults as compared to juvenile males, while no cell number difference was found in the preoptic area (POA). The decrease in cell number likely reflects reduced somal stores of GnRH in DBB/OVLT and MS, suggesting that these subpopulations promote increased GnRH release during pubertal maturation in male hamsters.
Possibility of critical field enhancement due to field penetration in high-T/sub c/ sponges and thin films

Magnetic susceptibility measurements of a sample of sintered high-T/sub c/ ceramic superconductor of nominal composition Y/sub 1/Ba/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-y/ were conducted as a function of temperature from liquid-He temperatures to T/sub c/. The fitted form of the susceptibility temperature dependence yielded a sample-particle size that was only a few times larger than the field-penetration depth. The particle size was much less than the grain size and commensurate with the thickness of the optical twins. The results of the enhancement studies are also discussed in the light of C.P. Bean's (1964) early experiments on Pb sponges (in this case lambda >> particle size) which exhibited spectacular enhancements of H/sub c/ in association with flux trapping at or between the Pb filaments. It is predicted that it should be possible, using presently available film-deposition techniques, to produce high-T/sub c/ films possessing severalfold enhancements of H/sub c1/ beyond the bulk value, and that, as with the Pb sponges, the magnetization loops, even when taken within what passes for the Meissner state in such materials, will be hysteretic. >
Chemical shifts of the coalesced hydroxy proton resonance signal and departures from ideality in aqueous alcohol mixtures II. Methanol-water, ethanol-water, propanol-1-water, and propanol-2-water systems

Abstract Correlations of excess chemical shift of coalesced hydroxy proton resonance signals with reinterpreted thermodynamic data for methanol-water, ethanolwater, propanol-l-water, and propanol-2-water systems were consistent with those reported for the tert-butanol-water system (Paper I of this series). In all cases there was evidence that the greatest degree of solution structuring occurred at low concentrations of alcohol. It was proposed that phase separation at low alcohol concentrations in other aqueous systems of monohydric alcohols may be associated with a molecular geometry which interferes with this solution structuring factor.
Diversification and Firm Performance: Exploring the Moderating Effects of Information Technology Spending

A large body of research has examined the performance effects of diversification. However, these results have been mixed, and scholars have called for examining contingencies under which the effects of different types (related, unrelated, geographic) and levels of diversification on performance vary. This study attempts to fill this gap in the literature by arguing that examining the performance effects of diversification is incomplete without taking into consideration the firm's information technology (IT) spending. We posit that IT, by enabling coordination and control in firms, is likely to moderate the relationship between diversification and performance. Combining arguments from both resource-based view and the organizational controls literature, we theorize about the moderating effects of IT spending under different types and levels of diversification. Using data from large U.S. manufacturing firms, we test our research hypotheses. Our results indicate that while IT spending interacts with related diversification to have a positive effect on firm performance, similar interactions with unrelated diversification do not have any effects on firm performance. Furthermore, the interaction between IT spending and geographic diversification is positively associated with performance only when the level of geographic diversification is low. We interpret and discuss these results and highlight the theoretical and practical implications of our findings.
An AI-Based Robot Program Generation System for Assembly Automation

In this paper we present an AI-based technique to build an automatic robot programming system. This system uses assembly task descriptions as well as domain knowledge to produce a desired robot control program. This system can be divided into two functional parts-- (1) the task planner which produces an abstract level assembly plan, and (2) the control program generator which decomposes the assembly plan into a sequence of executable robot commands. The high-level task planner is a knowledge-based hierarchical system containing four types of system knowledge: (i) assembly parts description, (ii) workpiece structures, (iii) assembly operations, and (iv) assembly principles. An assembly plan is generated by constructing a task hierarchy which divides a main goal into subgoals. Orders of subgoals are suggested by assembly principles. Conflicts that arise from constructing the task hierarchy can be eliminated by posting constraints along each subgoal. Generating subgoals will continue until all subgoals are described by task primitives. Based on these primitives, the robot program generator checks the mounting specifications, and then determines the detailed spatial data pertaining to the location and orientation of each part. Finally, a robot control program is composed. A case study has been conducted by implementing the proposed method in OPS5 language. The implemented system can generate control programs for the IBM 7545 manufacturing system which includes a robot manipulator controlled by textual programs in AML (A Manufacturing Language). Planning efficiency is assured by a designed control structure to execute this automatic programming system. A user interface is also provided to accept assembly task description and update the knowledge base. Accuracy of the automatic programming is tested by the robot performing an assembly task planned by this system. A description of an automatically generated robot assembly task program is included to demonstrate the success of this research.
A Noncoulombic Model for Adsorbing Colloid Flotation

Abstract A model for floc foam flotation is examined in which the driving force for bubble attachment to a floc particle derives from a nonzero contact angle of the air–water interface with the solid surface. Binding energies are calculated and found to be sufficient to overcome random thermal forces and also the viscous drag forces occurring in wet foams in stripping columns. Adsorption isotherms of floc particles at the air–water interface are calculated; a Langmuir isotherm is found to be an excellent approximation in most cases.
Selection of control populations for clinical cerebrospinal fluid GABA investigations based on comparison with normal volunteers

Abstract Altered cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) GABA levels have been implicated in various neurologic and psychiatric disorders, therefore, the establishment of the normal range of human CSF GABA is essential. The GABA content in 111 samples of lumbar CSF from 87 drug-free normal individuals obtained from three medical centers was measured by ion-exhange/fluorometric assay. The overall mean value (± SD) was 214 ± 74 pmol / ml ; however, significant variations in lumbar CSF GABA concentrations with respect to age, sex, and aliquot were documented among homogeneous subgroups of the overall population. CSF GABA levels were negatively correlated with age among females ( p
A Flash Photolysis Method to Characterize Hexacoordinate Hemoglobin Kinetics

Abstract A flash photolysis method is described for analyzing ligand binding to the new and growing group of hemoglobins which are hexacoordinate in the unligated, ferrous state. Simple analysis of a two exponential fit to time courses for CO rebinding at varying CO concentrations yields rate constants for formation and dissociation of the hexacoordinate complex, and the bimolecular rate constant for CO binding. This method was tested with a nonsymbiotic plant hemoglobin from rice for which these values had not previously been determined. For this protein, dissociation and rebinding of the hexacoordinating amino acid side chain, His 73 , is rapid and similar to the rate of CO binding at high CO concentrations. These results indicate that hexacoordination must be taken into account when evaluating the affinity of hexacoordinate hemoglobins for ligands.
XViews: XML views of relational schemas

The Mediation of Information using XML (MIX) project is a joint effort between the the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) and the Database Lab at the University of California, San Diego where we are investigating the use of XML as the medium for information modeling and information interchange among heterogeneous information sources. Relational databases represent an important type of information source. We discuss issues in providing XML document views of relational schemas. We refer to these as, XViews. We also discuss related work from a project funded by DARPA and the US Patent and Trademark Office where we investigated issues in mapping SGML document type definitions to relational schemas. The work described here reflects initial results from the above mentioned projects.
Test–Retest Reliability of Single Transverse versus Panoramic Ultrasound Imaging for Muscle Size and Echo Intensity of the Biceps Brachii

Abstract This study compared test–retest reliability and sensitivity to change for muscle size and echo intensity (EI) measurements from single transverse (EI ST ) versus panoramic (EI P ) ultrasound (US) images of the biceps brachii. Forearm flexor muscle thickness and EI ST and biceps brachii muscle cross-sectional area and EI P were quantified from single transverse and panoramic US images in 14 men (age = 21.8 ± 2.5 y [mean ± standard deviation]) on two separate days. The intra-class correlation coefficients, coefficients of variation, and minimum differences for muscle thickness, EI ST , muscle cross-sectional area and EIP ranged from 0.78 to 0.99, from 2.26% to 3.29%, and from 6.26% to 9.12%, respectively. These findings suggested that single transverse imaging and panoramic US imaging are comparable, reliable techniques for quantifying muscle size and EI of the biceps brachii. Single transverse images may be simpler to obtain; thus, future studies may choose to quantify muscle size and EI from a single transverse US image in the biceps brachii.
A family of perfect graphs associated with directed graphs

Abstract From a digraph D form a graph G whose vertices are the arcs of D, two vertices are joined if they are in a common minimum cut of D. It is shown that G is perfect, and consequently that the largest size of a pairwise disjoint collection of minimum cut transversals in D is equal to the size of a minimum cut.
Analytic and geometric isoperimetric inequalities

We prove uncountably many new analytic and geometric isoperimetric inequalities associated with the solutions of second order ordinary differential equations.
The Limbaugh Effect: A Rush to Judging Cross-Party Raiding in the 2008 Democratic Nomination Contests

This paper examines the potential for strategic Republican crossover voting in the March 4,2008 Democratic primaries. Some observers note that conservative media ﬁgures encouragedRepublicans to raid the Democratic primary in order to weaken the Democratic Party’s chances inthe November election. Analysis of exit poll data from 38 states suggests that Republicans mayhave been voting strategically in Democratic primaries, but there is little evidence that March 4
Labor-Productivity Changes in Regional Econometric +Input−Output Models:

In 1988 Moghadam and Ballard first introduced the interindustry demand variable (IDV) as an innovative approach to integrate regional econometric and input—output models. Since then, several extensions of the IDV have been suggested in the literature, including adjustments for labor-productivity differentials across sectors to generate an interindustry employment demand variable (IEDV). In this paper we revisit the IEDV variable, and offer extensions that transform it from a static to a dynamic form. We implement the range of these specifications for the San Diego labor market, and evaluate their estimation properties and forecasting performance in the context of simulation and projection analyses. The results suggest that problems of multicollinearity plague the conventional specification, and have obscured the assessment of the value of adjustments for industry productivities and the nature of productivity specification. Based on an alternative specification, we find that dynamic labor-productivity adju...
The use of monoclonal antibodies with colloidal gold-labeled probes in postembedding immunoelectron microscopy

This article focuses on procedures for the use of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) in immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) for the subcellular localization of antigens or to relate function with structure in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells using postembedding immunoelectron microscopy techniques. The use of MAbs greatly increases the specificity and quality of information when used in combination with gold-labeled probes. Because of its specificity, the reactivity of MAb may be very sensitive to antigenic changes resulting from the process of sample preparation when performing IEM studies. Specific protocols for each particular combination of epitope/MAb must be usually specifically devised, since it is impossible to predict an experimental system that will successfully preserve structures and antigenic determinants for every combination. In this article, we discuss critical technical aspects that usually result in improved resolution when the procedure is used to identify structure in diverse prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
In search of an elusive Antarctic circumpolar wave in sea ice extents: 1978–1996

For ease in discerning an Antarctic circumpolar wave in the perimeter of the ice pack, we construct a time series of the sea ice extents (essentially the area within the ice perimeter) in 1-degree longitudinal sectors for the period 1978–1996, as observed with the multichannel microwave imagers on board the NASA Nimbus 7 and the DOD (Dept. of Defense) DMSP (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) F8. F11, and F13 satellites. After converting the time series into complex numbers by means of a Hilbert transform, we decompose the time series of the 360 sectors into its complex principal components (CPCs), effectively separating the spatial and temporal values. Then we decompose the real and imaginary parts of the temporal portions of the first three CPCs (complex principal compenents) by Empirical Mode Decomposition into their intrinsic modes, each representing a narrow frequency band, resulting in a collection of three CPCs for each intrinsic mode. Finally, we reconstruct the data in two different ways. First, we low-pass filter the data by combining all of the intrinsic modes of each CPC with periods longer than two years, which we designate as low-pass filtered. Next, we select the intrinsic mode of each CPC with periods of approximately four years, which we designate the quasiquadrennial (QQ) modes. The low-pass filtered time series shows eastward propagating azimuthal motion in the Ross and Weddell Seas, but no clearly circumpolar motion. The QQ time series, on the other hand, clearly shows castward propagating circumpolar waves, but with occasional retrograde motion to the west.
Synthesis of Phenyl‐13C6‐ethene

In an effort to prepare an improved carbon-rich target material for the accelerator production of 13N labelled ammonia for use in positron emission tomography (PET), sulfonated poly(styrene/divinylbenzene) has been evaluated. The preparation of this target material using naturally abundant carbon-12 compounds was investigated in an effort to optimize conditions for the preparation of the analogous carbon-13 target material which may provide a cost-effective method for producing nitrogen-13 labelled ammonia via proton irradiation. As part of this study, phenyl-13C6-ethene was synthesized in three steps starting from benzene-13C6. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A machine learning based approach to improve sidechain optimization

Side chain optimization is the process of packing the sidechains of a protein onto a fixed backbone structure, such that the energy of the resultant structure is minimized. The continuous space of sidechain conformations is typically handled by discretizing (sampling) into a finite set of representative conformations called a "conformer library". The key contribution of this work is to use machine learning methods to distribute (conformational) sampling among different positions in a protein. The idea is that different positions in a protein backbone have different sampling requirements, for example, solvent exposed positions require less sampling than positions in the core of a protein. We propose a 3-ary categorization of every position in a target protein based on its sampling requirements and evaluate it by comparing against an unbiased distribution of conformers. Our results demonstrate that this strategy helps to distribute the sampling more efficiently for sidechain optimization.
The Taphonomy of Resource Intensification: Zooarchaeological Implications of Resource Scarcity Among Bofi and Aka Forest Foragers

Zooarchaeological analyses often rely on bone fragmentation, cut marks, and other taphonomic indicators to bolster interpretations of resource intensification that are based on observed changes in prey types and frequencies. While these taphonomic indicators are assumed to be good proxy measures of processing effort, this assumption is based on inadequate actualistic data and analysts often conflate one or more taphonomic indicators as manifestations of the same process. In this paper, we present zooarchaeological data from two villages occupied by Central African forest foragers with very different foraging efficiencies. These data provide the first case where known disparities in diet breadth and foraging efficiency are matched with prey assemblages and taphonomic attributes. Observational and quantitative data show differences between the villages in diet breadth and access to high-ranked prey, but specific taphonomic indicators such as cut mark distribution and intensity do not match predictions generated from models of resource intensification. We propose that linking different taphonomic processes to resource scarcity and intensification can provide powerful adjunctive information. However, because different processing outcomes may be associated with different kinds of resource intensification in response to different kinds of scarcity, we need to strengthen the validity of purported taphonomic indicators with more rigorous independent studies.
Quadric shell intersections

The paper considers intersections of natural quadric shells (surfaces with thickness). A natural quadric shell can be thought of as a solid defined by a natural quadric surface and its offset (which is again a quadric). Thus, the intersection of quadric shells is essentially the same as the set of intersections of quadric surfaces and their offsets. An approach is presented to obtain the intersection of any two offset surfaces (of the initial quadrics) in terms of the offset distances. For the intersection of any two shells (which contain the initial quadrics as one of their surfaces), the intersection curve can be obtained directly by substituting the appropriate shell thickness (offset distances) in the general solution.
Location and competition in retail banking

Abstract We investigate the impact of banking deregulation during the 1990s on consumer welfare. We estimate a spatial model of consumer demand for retail bank deposits that explicitly accounts for consumer disutility from distance traveled. This is important given the substantial changes in banks' branch networks observed in the data. Our model indicates that cross-price elasticities between banks whose branches are close to consumers (‘close’ banks) are larger than those between ‘far’ banks and more than double the cross-price elasticity of ‘close’ banks with respect to ‘far’ banks. We distinguish between thrifts and other banks and find that within-thrift competitive effects are stronger than within-bank effects or those between thrifts and banks. We use our estimates to predict the effect of changes in market structure on consumer welfare following the branching deregulation of the Riegle–Neal Act of 1994. Our results indicate that the median household gained around $60 per year from the changes. Approximately two thirds of the gains come from within-market changes in market structure. The gains were greater in markets with high initial numbers of banks than elsewhere.
Efficient Gröbner Basis Reductions for Formal Verification of Galois Field Arithmetic Circuits

Galois field arithmetic is a critical component in communication and security-related hardware, requiring dedicated arithmetic architectures for better performance. In many Galois field applications, such as cryptography, the data-path size in the circuits can be very large. Formal verification of such circuits is beyond the capabilities of contemporary verification techniques. This paper addresses formal verification of combinational arithmetic circuits over Galois fields of the type F2k using a computer-algebra/algebraic-geometry-based approach. The verification problem is formulated as membership testing of a given specification polynomial in a corresponding ideal generated by the circuit constraints. Ideal membership testing requires the computation of a Grobner basis, which is computationally very expensive. To overcome this limitation, we analyze the circuit topology and derive a term order to represent the polynomials. Subsequently, using the theory of Grobner bases over F2k, we show that this term order renders the set of polynomials itself a minimal Grobner basis of this ideal. Consequently, the verification test reduces to a much simpler case of Grobner basis reduction via polynomial division, significantly enhancing verification efficiency. To further improve our approach, we exploit the concepts presented in the F4 algorithm for Grobner basis, and show that the verification test can be formulated as Gaussian elimination on a matrix representation of the problem. Finally, we demonstrate the ability of our approach to verify the correctness of, and detect bugs in, up to 163-bit circuits in F2163-whereas verification utilizing contemporary techniques proves infeasible.
Specification and analysis of the FDDI MAC protocol using systems of communicating machines

Abstract A model designed for the specification of communication protocols called systems of communicating machines is used to specify the FDDI token ring protocol, and to analyse its safety and ‘liveness’ properties. This model specifies each node as a finite state machine which has a set of local variables. With each transition is an enabling predicate and action. The predicates determine whether transitions may be taken, and actions alter the variable values as the transition executes. Communication between nodes is through shared variables. Our contributions include the specification of the basic FDDI protocol using a formal description technique; the use of this specification to analyse the safety and liveness properties of the network; the extension of the formal model to include the timing of transitions; and confirmation of the timing properties of the protocol.
National Bureau Of Standards Data Base Of Photon Absorption Cross Sections From 10 eV To 100 deV

The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) has maintained a data base of experimental and theoretical photon absorption cross sections (attenuation coefficients) since 1950. Currently the measured data include more than 20,000 data points abstracted from more than 500 independen.t literature sources including both published and unpublished reports and private communications. We have recently completed a systematic comparison over the energy range 0.1-100 keV of the measured cross sections in the NBS data base with cross sections obtained using the photoionization cross sections calculated by Scofield and the semi-empirical set of recommended photoionization cross section values of Henke et al. Cross sections for coherent and incoherent scattering were added to that of photoionization to obtain a value which could be compared to the experimental results. At energies above 1 keV, agreement between theory and experiment is rather good except for some special situations which prevent the accurate description of the measured samples as free atoms. These include molecular effects near absorption edges and solid state and crystal effects (such as for silicon). Below 1 keV the comparison indicates the range of atomic numbers and energies where the theory becomes inapplicable. The results obtained using Henke et al. agree well with the measured data when such data exist, but there are many elements for which data are not available over a wide range of energies. Comparisons with other theoretical data are in progress. This study also enabled us to show that a suggested renormalization procedure to the Scofield calculation (from dartree-Slater to Hartree-Fock) worsened the agreement between the theory and experiment. We have recently developed a PC-based computer program to generate theoretical cross section values based on Scofield's calculation. We have also completed a related program to enable a user to extract selected data from the measured data base.
Growth Inhibition of Mastitis Pathogens by Long-Chain Fatty Acids

Abstract Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus hyicus, Streptococcus agalactiae , and Corynebacterium bovis were tested for sensitivity to long-chain fatty acids predominant in teat canal keratin. Anti-bacterial activity of free fatty acids on each bacterial species was measured after 12 and 24h in chemically defined media. Polyene C 18:2 and C 18:3 acids were bactericidal to each species at ⩽10 5 ng/ml −1 . The most bacteriostatic saturated fatty acids were C 12 and C 14 . Streptococcus agalactiae growth was inhibited more by fatty acids after 24h than after 12h. No incubation time effect on growth responses of other species was determined. Polyoxyethylenesorbitan monooleate had a neutralizing effect on the bactericidal activity of polyene acids on C. bovis. Corynebacterium bovis were unable to grow in synthetic media containing individual free fatty acids as the sole source of preformed fatty acids. A relationship between bacterial species commonly isolated from bovine teat canals with resistance to fatty acids predominant in keratin was not evident.
Effects on bone of vascular interruption: Turnover and morphology in isotope-prelabelled rats

The effects of bone devascularization were evaluated histologically and metabolically in rats prelabelled with 45Ca, 3H-tetracycline and 3H-proline by quantifying cortical bone resorption and formation. The interruption of blood supply to bone without invading its integrity resulted in a marked increase in bone turnover (resorption and formation) during the first and second months. The stimulated increase in bone resorption and formation did not affect the resultant mass of collagen and calcium. Thus, the increase in bone resorption was compensated by an equivalent increase in bone formation.
A Potent Hypotensive Factor in Chicken Left Ventricle

AbstractChicken artria and ventricles both have membrane-bound granules which resemble those containing atriopeptin.(ANP) in mammals. However, nothing is known about the contents of the avian granules. A previous study in chickens showed that although extracts of whole chicken heart or synthetic rat ANP both caused profound hypotension, ANP caused both natriuresis and diuresis, while chicken heart extract did not. The present study sought to locate the region(s) of chicken heart containing the hypotensive activity, and to observe the effect on sodium and water excretion and blood pressure in rats. Acid extracts of either atrium, either ventricle, ventricular septum, skeletal muscle, and liver were identically prepared from chickens and rats. Extracts were adjusted to the same protein concentration and injected (0.15 ml/kg) into anesthetized Single Comb White Leghorn roosters. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the time for recovery were measured. The most potent extract from chicken hearts was from the left...
Why people (don't) shop online: A lifestyle study of the internet consumer

This study examines the lifestyle characteristics of on-line households. By means of a U.S. national probability sample of on-line heads of households, this descriptive research is the first of its kind to provide a lifestyle perspective of who is using the Internet to shop, who does not shop, and why. It is hypothesized and shown that, compared with on-line nonshoppers, on-line shoppers are younger, wealthier, better educated, have higher computer literacy, spend more time on their computer, spend more time on the Internet, find on-line shopping to be easier and more entertaining, and are more fearful of financial loss from on-line shopping. The study further hypothesizes that on-line shoppers, and on-line nonshoppers, are heterogeneous groups comprised of particular market segments having unique Internet-related lifestyles. Four on-line shopper segments and four on-line nonshopper segments are identified. Each segment is profiled and its marketing implications discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
FeO 4 : A unique example of a closed-shell cluster mimicking a superhalogen

First-principles calculations based on the generalized gradient corrected density-functional theory reveal that iron tetraoxide $({\mathrm{FeO}}_{4}),$ in spite of its closed-shell structure, has an electron affinity that is larger than that of any known halogen atom. This novel property is shown to be a manifestation of the special bonding characteristics of d-electron systems and can play an important role in chemical and biological processes.
Characterization of mismatch and high-signal intensity probes associated with Affymetrix genechips

Motivation: For Affymetrix microarray platforms, gene expression is determined by computing the difference in signal intensities between perfect match (PM) and mismatch (MM) probesets. Although the use of PM is not controversial, MM probesets have been associated with variance and ultimately inaccurate gene expression calls. A principal focus of this study was to investigate the nature of the MM signal intensities and demonstrate its contribution to the experimental results. Results: While most MM intensities were likely associated with random noise, a subset of ~20% (99 485) of the MM probes displayed relatively high signal intensities to the corresponding PM probes (MM > PM) in a non-random fashion; 13 440 of these probes demonstrated exceptionally high ‘outlier’ intensities. About 15 938 PM probes also demonstrated exceptionally high outlier intensities consistently across all hybridizations. About 92% of the MM > PM probes had either a dThymidine (dT) or a dCytidine (dC) at the 13th position of the probe sequence. MM and PM probes displaying extremely high outlier intensities contained high dC rich nucleotides, and low dA contents at other nucleotides positions along the 25mer probe sequence. Differentially expressed genes generated using Genechip Operating System (GCOS) or modified PM-only methods were also examined. Of those candidate genes identified in the PM-only method, 157 of them were designated by GCOS as absent across all datasets and many others contained probes with MM > PM signal intensities. Our data suggests that MM intensity from PM signal can be a major source of error analysis, leading to fewer potentially biologically important candidate genes. Contact: wangyong@mail.nih.gov Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Comparison of seasonal and spatial variations of albedos from Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Common Land Model

[1] This paper compares seasonal and spatial variations of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) albedos with those from the Common Land Model (CLM) by land cover type. MODIS albedo data in the year 2001 were used to determine seasonal, spatial, and land cover dependence at 1 km resolution and to investigate the biases in CLM. Albedo dependence on vegetation type is smaller than that on snow and soil. Snow causes the largest temporal and spatial variations, especially in the visible band (0.3–0.7 μm). CLM has visible albedos that are lower by up to 0.4–0.5 in winter over northern high latitudes but are globally higher by 0.02–0.04 in summer over most vegetation, mainly due to its overestimated leaf and stem area index in winter and slightly higher prescribed canopy albedos in summer, respectively. MODIS and CLM differ considerably in soil albedo over desert and semidesert regions, especially in the near-infrared band (0.7–5.0 μm), with the largest low bias of about 0.1 in the Sahara. Adjustments of the prescribed albedos in CLM based on MODIS observations could reduce such biases. Therefore the model should better represent leaf and stem area index, vegetation albedo in the presence of snow, and soil albedo.
An exact distribution-free test comparing two multivariate distributions based on adjacency

Summary. A new test is proposed comparing two multivariate distributions by using distances between observations. Unlike earlier tests using interpoint distances, the new test statistic has a known exact distribution and is exactly distribution free. The interpoint distances are used to construct an optimal non-bipartite matching, i.e. a matching of the observations into disjoint pairs to minimize the total distance within pairs. The cross-match statistic is the number of pairs containing one observation from the first distribution and one from the second. Distributions that are very different will exhibit few cross-matches. When comparing two discrete distributions with finite support, the test is consistent against all alternatives. The test is applied to a study of brain activation measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging during two linguistic tasks, comparing brains that are impaired by arteriovenous abnormalities with normal controls. A second exact distribution-free test is also discussed: it ranks the pairs and sums the ranks of the cross-matched pairs.
Optimistic message logging for independent checkpointing in message-passing systems

Message-passing systems with a communication protocol transparent to the applications typically require message logging to ensure consistency between checkpoints. A periodic independent checkpointing scheme with optimistic logging to reduce performance degradation during normal execution while keeping the recovery cost acceptable is described. Both time and space overhead for message logging can be reduced by detecting messages that need not be logged. A checkpoint space reclamation algorithm is presented to reclaim all checkpoints which are not useful for any possible future recovery. Communication trace-driven simulation for several hypercube programs is used to evaluate the techniques. >
Nucleus-vacuole junctions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are formed through the direct interaction of Vac8p with Nvj1p.

Vac8p is a vacuolar membrane protein that is required for efficient vacuole inheritance and fusion, cytosol-to-vacuole targeting, and sporulation. By analogy to other armadillo domain proteins, including β-catenin and importin α, we hypothesize that Vac8p docks various factors at the vacuole membrane. Two-hybrid and copurfication assays demonstrated that Vac8p does form complexes with multiple binding partners, including Apg13p, Vab2p, and Nvj1p. Here we describe the surprising role of Vac8p-Nvj1p complexes in the formation of nucleus–vacuole (NV) junctions. Nvj1p is an integral membrane protein of the nuclear envelope and interacts with Vac8p in the cytosol through its C-terminal 40–60 amino acids (aa). Nvj1p green fluorescent protein (GFP) concentrated in small patches or rafts at sites of close contact between the nucleus and one or more vacuoles. Previously, we showed that Vac8p-GFP concentrated in intervacuole rafts, where is it likely to facilitate vacuole-vacuole fusion, and in “orphan” rafts at the edges of vacuole clusters. Orphan rafts of Vac8p red-sifted GFP (YFP) colocalize at sites of NV junctions with Nvj1p blue-sifted GFP (CFP). GFP-tagged nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) were excluded from NV junctions. In vac8-Δ cells, Nvj1p-GFP generally failed to concentrate into rafts and, instead, encircled the nucleus. NV junctions were absent in both nvj1-Δ and vac8-Δ cells. Overexpression of Nvj1p caused the profound proliferation of NV junctions. We conclude that Vac8p and Nvj1p are necessary components of a novel interorganelle junction apparatus.
Contributions of Direct and Indirect Alloresponses to Chronic Rejection of Kidney Allografts in Nonhuman Primates

The relative contribution of direct and indirect allorecognition pathways to chronic rejection of allogeneic organ transplants in primates remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated T and B cell alloresponses in cynomolgus monkeys that had received combined kidney/bone marrow allografts and myeloablative immunosuppressive treatments. We measured donor-specific direct and indirect T cell responses and alloantibody production in monkeys (n = 5) that did not reject their transplant acutely but developed chronic humoral rejection (CHR) and in tolerant recipients (n = 4) that never displayed signs of CHR. All CHR recipients exhibited high levels of anti-donor Abs and mounted potent direct T cell alloresponses in vitro. Such direct alloreactivity could be detected for more than 1 y after transplantation. In contrast, only two of five monkeys with CHR had a detectable indirect alloresponse. No indirect alloresponse by T cells and no alloantibody responses were found in any of the tolerant monkeys. Only one of four tolerant monkeys displayed a direct T cell alloresponse. These observations indicate that direct T cell alloresponses can be sustained for prolonged periods posttransplantation and result in alloantibody production and chronic rejection of kidney transplants, even in the absence of detectable indirect alloreactivity.
Demystifying Weight Loss Diets

For virtually every letter of the alphabet there is a diet book and the numbers are growing. It is becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to make sound choices among the various weight loss books with conflicting weight loss approaches. Embattled by the burden of escalating rates of obesity and limited successes with achieving long term weight loss in a slimness-revered society many consumers opt for the diet that is receiving the most media coverage and word of mouth promos at the time. This article presents a rubric for evaluating weight loss diet books to reduce the likelihood that nutritional, health, and economic status will be compromised by such unreliable decision-making. The criteria of the rubric—nutritional adequacy, balance, calorie control, disease prevention, and economic affordability (A, B, C, D, E) are simple and familiar enough for most consumers to grasp and apply with minimal guidance from nutrition professionals or paraprofessionals.
Interpreting Consensus: A Reply to Price

tery scale was determined (Wright and Stone 1979; Andrich 1983; Rasch 1980). Thus the Spartacus question could become a key measurement for recognizing aberrant individuals in this population. These methods could be used to recognize both individuals who are "lacking general knowledge" and those who are privy to views/knowledge not shared by the majority of the group. Romney, Weller, and Batchelder's instrument is best suited not
Adding a Visual Dimension to Counseling.

Cavemen drew pictures to tell their story. Greek scholars used sandpiles as blackboards to teach students. Eliza Doolittle told Professor Higgins to stop talking and “show me.” Experience constantly reminds us of the powerful nature of the visual. Yet counselors overlook visual possibilities in their dependence on talk. This article maintains that counselees would benefit from the application of “show me” visual aids. This article discusses possibilities and values of the visual dimension, and illustrates visual applications in counseling.
To Transfuse or Not to Transfuse

Preoperative anemia in a patient requiring cardiac surgery generally is not considered an independent risk factor for an unfavorable outcome. Older and sicker patients, especially women, are more likely to be anemic, but these patients often are at higher risk because of other coexisting comorbidities. It is these other comorbidities and risk factors that are accounted for in most risk-prediction models of patients undergoing heart surgery. The present report by Kulier et al1 demonstrates that anemia itself is a risk factor and that the degree of risk is proportional to the level of anemia. This finding, however, uncovers a common dilemma in the management of cardiac surgery patients. The controversy revolves around whether and even how best to deal with the anemia that is encountered in most cardiac surgery patients before, during, and after the surgery. This “transfusion” dilemma is a result of many equally compelling reports on the detrimental effects of blood transfusions in critically ill postoperative patients, including specific reports in cardiac surgery populations. Article p 471 It is well recognized that moderate to severe preoperative anemia, with hemoglobin (Hb) levels of 10 g/dL or less, can complicate what would otherwise be a straightforward cardiac operation. The hemodilution that occurs as a result of the pump priming volume required to establish cardiopulmonary bypass may not be tolerated by anemic patients without the addition of red blood cells (RBCs) to the prime or to the pump circuit once bypass has begun. In addition, tolerable levels of anemia in the perioperative and early postoperative phase for younger cardiac surgery patients may not be tolerated in older patients who are prone to excessive vasodilation and inadequate cerebral or renal perfusion in the perioperative period without RBC transfusion and better oxygen-delivery capacity. Overshadowing these considerations has been the suggestion by some …
Microwave VCO susceptibility to substrate noise in a fully-integrated 150 GHz SiGe HBT BiCMOS technology

This work presents two K-band voltage controlled oscillators (VCO) implemented in a fully-integrated SiGe HBT BiCMOS technology, and analyzes their susceptibility to substrate noise. The two VCOs are identical in design, with one utilizing a spiral inductor for the resonant tank, and the other incorporating a thin film microstrip transmission line. Both VCOs exhibit significant (but different) substrate coupling behavior and performance degradation with the injection of parasitic substrate noise. An explanation of the coupling differences between the two VCOs and its relationship to VCO phase noise degradation versus control voltage, and the overall VCO design implications, are addressed.
Kinetics of cytokine expression during healing of acute colitis in mice

The mechanisms of wound healing in the gut are poorly understood but are mediated by cytokines in other tissues. In this study we wanted to determine which cytokines were expressed after nonspecific colonic injury, the kinetics of that expression, and how cytokine expression correlated with tissue histology. At 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after intrarectal administration of 3% acetic acid to C3H/HeJ mice, their colons were removed for histology, organ culture, and RNA extraction. Cytokine mRNA expression for various cytokines was assessed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction with primers specific for each cytokine. Cytokine production in organ cultures was measured with bioassays. Shortly after colonic injury and during colonic regeneration, proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) were expressed. In contrast, expression of T cell-derived cytokines was not detected at any time point. Cytokines such as IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and MIP-1 are important mediators of tissue repair and restitution after nonspecific colonic injury and may subserve a similar role in human colitis.
bFGF increases collateral blood flow in aged rats with femoral artery ligation

We tested the hypothesis that aged animals are as responsive as the young adult animals in expanding collateral vasculature under a similar treatment of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Two a...
Neuromodulatory influence of norepinephrine during developmental experience-dependent plasticity

Critical periods represent phases of development during which neuronal circuits and their responses can be readily shaped by stimuli. Experience-dependent plasticity that occurs within these critical periods can be influenced in many ways; however, Shepard et al. (J Neurosci 35: 2432-2437, 2015) recently singled out norepinephrine as an essential driver of this plasticity within the auditory cortex. This work provides novel insight into the mechanisms of critical period plasticity and challenges previous conceptions that a functional redundancy exists between noradrenergic and cholinergic influences on cortical plasticity.