cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cloud object storage based Continuous Data Protection(cCDP)

Continuous Data Protection (CDP) enables recoverability to any point in time (time travel) facilitated via journaling of every write made by a system to disk. Stringent storage performance and capacity requirements for journaling make CDP a very high cost solution leading to limited adoption. In this work we first explore the feasibility of building such a CDP function on top of cheap commodity storage exposed via cloud object stores. Based on this analysis, we propose cCDP - a Cloud Continuous Data Protection framework that efficiently combines cloud object stores with edge caching to address requirements of low cost, high capacity, low latency and high storage throughput. cCDP with careful tuning can not only meet but surpasses the write throughput and latency requirements of CDP with minimal buffer overheads (< 1%). Recovery lookup performance (Identification & Ordering) of cCDP with hybrid data layout is within 28% of Btree based temporal data layout and is about 52.7% better than the naive data layout with name encoding with significantly lower edge buffer and write throughput overheads than the Btree based temporal data layout.
FINE STRUCTURE OF MYXOCOCCUS XANTHUS DURING MORPHOGENESIS

Abstract Voelz, Herbert (Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis) and Martin Dworkin. Fine structure of Myxococcus xanthus during morphogenesis. J. Bacteriol. 84:943–952. 1962.—This investigation concerns the nature of the structural changes in Myxococcus xanthus during cellular morphogenesis. These changes have been investigated by means of electromicrographs of thin sections of cells taken during various stages of the life cycle. The conversion of vegetative cells to microcysts involves the formation of a capsule but no drastic reorganization of the limiting cell membranes. Vacuoles appear in the cell during microcyst formation and germination. Microcyst germination involves a separation of the inner cell and the outer sheath, followed by the dissolution of a segment of the outer sheath and the emergence of the cell. Dense bodies within the cytoplasm and peripheral bodies between the two limiting membranes have been observed.
Spontaneous Intestinal Tumorigenesis in Apc (/Min+) Mice Requires Altered T Cell Development with IL-17A.

The control of inflammatory diseases requires functional regulatory T cells (Tregs) with significant Gata-3 expression. Here we address the inhibitory role of Tregs on intestinal tumorigenesis in the Apc (/Min+) mouse model that resembles human familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Apc (/Min+) mice had a markedly increased frequency of Foxp3+ Tregs and yet decreased Gata-3 expression in the lamina propria. To address the role of heterozygous Apc gene mutation in Tregs, we generated Foxp3-Cre, Apc (flox/+) mice. Tregs from these mice effectively inhibited tumorigenesis comparable to wild type Tregs after adoptive transfer into Apc (/Min+) mice, demonstrating that the heterozygous Apc gene mutation in Tregs does not induce the loss of control over tumor microenvironment. Adoptive transfer of in vitro generated Apc (/Min+) iTregs (inducible Tregs) failed to inhibit intestinal tumorigenesis, suggesting that naive CD4 T cells generated from Apc (/Min+) mice thymus were impaired. We also showed that adoptively transferred IL-17A-deficient Apc (/Min+) Tregs inhibited tumor growth, suggesting that IL-17A was critical to impair the tumor regression function of Apc (/Min+) Tregs. Taken together, our results suggest that both T cell development in a functional thymus and IL-17A control the ability of Treg to inhibit intestinal tumorigenesis in Apc (/Min+) mice.
Population Genetic Structure of Southern Flounder Inferred from Multilocus DNA Profiles

AbstractDetermination of stock structure is an important component of fisheries management; incorporation of molecular genetic data is an effective method for assessing differentiation among putative populations. We examined genetic variation in Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma within and between the U.S. South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico basins to improve our understanding of the scale of population structure in this wide-ranging species. Analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprints and analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences found clear divergence between ocean basins. Based on mtDNA sequences, no genetic differentiation was detected within the U.S. South Atlantic at spatial scales that were broad (among states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida) or fine (among estuarine regions within North Carolina). Increased genetic resolution was observed with AFLP fingerprint data, and we found significant subdivision between nearly all ...
Observation of electroweak single top-quark production with the CDF experiment

We present the observation of electroweak single top-quark production using 3.2 fb{sup -1} of data collected by the CDF experiment. Candidate events are selected for further classification by four parallel analysis techniques: one likelihood discriminant, one matrix-element discriminant, one decision-tree discriminant, and one neural-network discriminant. These outputs are combined with a super discriminant based on a neural-network analysis in order to improve the expected sensitivity. In conjunction with one neural-network discriminant using a complementary dataset we observe a signal consistent with the standard model but inconsistent with the background-only model by 5.0 standard deviations, with a median expected sensitivity in excess of 5.9 standard deviations. We also present the most current value of the CKM matrix-element V{sub tb}.
Packed bed thermal energy storage: A simplified experimentally validated model

Abstract Thermal energy storage in packed beds is receiving increased attention as a necessary component for efficient implementation of concentrated solar power plants. A simplified, one-equation thermal model for the behavior of a packed bed is presented for α-alumina as solid storage material and air as the heat transfer fluid. The model successfully predicts the thermocline behavior over time. Two flow rates during storage are presented for alumina in a cylindrical packed bed. Temperature-dependent thermophysical properties are utilized to accurately model the systems. An additional study of air and alumina at high temperature (700 °C) is presented to further highlight the importance of variable thermophysical properties in real models. Explicit consideration is given to explain situations where the modeling approach is valid based on a Biot number analysis and the thermal capacities of the solid and fluid.
Prehistoric psychotropic drug use in Northeastern Mexico and Trans-Pecos Texas

In the context of this paper, northeastern Mexico refers primarily to the state of Coahuila and immediately adjacent portions of Chihuahua on the west and Nuevo Leon on the south and east. Trans-Pecos Texas herein refers to that portion of the state of Texas west of the Pecos River. The term psychotropic drug collectively designates those agents whose ingestion results in an altered state of consciousness including specifically hallucinations and euphoria. Within the arid area noted above, the use of psychotropic drugs is well documented in early post-contact times. The aboriginal Coahuiltecan speakers of this region were using both peyote, Lophophora williamsi, and the so-called "red" or "mescal bean," Sophora secundiflora at first European contact (La Barre 1938, 1969). Both plants were also used extensively by the Tamaulipecans and Tarahumari of the northern and northeastern deserts (La Barre 1938, 1969). The earliest reference to the use of the red bean from the area under discussion is Cabeza de Vaca's report of 1539 (Schultes 1963), while early references to peyote are many. Though the Pre-Columbian use of psychotropic agents has long been known and a considerable time depth postulated, until quite recently no exact dates were available on the antiquity of this practice. Recently, however, a series of well dated archaeological sites from northeastern Mexico and Trans-Pecos Texas have demonstrated that the use of psychotropic drugs extends back to the ninth millennium B. C. Moreover, as will be shown, the evidence further indicates an evolutionary development
Pressure–volume–temperature behavior of nylon 610

Equilibrium pressure–volume–temperature behavior in both the solid and molten regions was determine for nylon 610. Data were measured with a compressibility device capable of obtaining precise and accurate data. Residual curve treatment showed that the data were true equilibrium data. A volume extrapolated to 2419 atm. at room temperature from the present data compared favorably to the sole literature value reported by Bridgman. The data of this work showed the existence of what appears to be a second-order transition point for nylon 610. This point ranged from 140°C. at 232 atm. to about 170°C. at 1855 atm. The Spencer-Gilmore equation was fitted to the data of this study.
Forage characteristics affecting meat goat preferences for forage chicory cultivars.

Concentration of bitter sesquiterpene lactones (SL), lactucin, lactucopicrin, and 8-deoxylactucin, has been associated with low soil P fertility and reduced livestock preference for forage chicory (Cichorium intybus L.). We evaluated the effect of cultivar and available soil phosphorus (ASP) on meat goat (Capra hircus L.) preferences for 'Grasslands Puna (Puna)' 'Forage Feast,' and 'INIA le Lacerta (Lacerta)'chicory grown under varying P fertility. Soil Bray-P was used to designate ASP as low (LP, mean 8.6 mg kg -1 ), medium (MP, 21.7 mg kg -1 ), and high (HP, 40.1 mg kg -1 ) for the preference test. In September, clipped fresh forage was offered to confined Boer-cross goat kids using a replicated 3 by 3 Latin square design with an extra period. Preferences were measured using dry matter intake for cultivar effects and multidimensional scaling (MDS) for ASP effects. Across cultivars, soil Bray-P was positively related to leaf P and Mg concentrations. Soil Bray-P did not affect lactucopicrin or 8-deoxylactucin, and was positively associated with lactucin, in contrast to the hypothesis. Goats exhibited no preferences among cultivars despite up to fourfold differences in individual SL. Within cultivars, goats preferred Puna with less lactucin and total SL, Lacerta with less lactucopicrin and leaf Mg, and Forage Feast with more cell wall. Goats were able to detect relatively small differences in SL within cultivars, but this had little practical effect on intake of the forage because they ate it even when bitter. Therefore, P fertilization for fall-grown chicory is unlikely to improve forage intake in goats.
$L^1$-Norm of Infinitely Divisible Random Vectors and Certain Stochastic Integrals

Equivalent upper and lower bounds for the $L^1$ norm of Hilbert space valued infinitely divisible random variables are obtained and used to find bounds for different types of stochastic integrals.
Adaptive virus detection using filament-coupled antibodies.

We recently reported the development of a filament- antibody recognition assay FARA, in which the presence of virions in solution initiates the formation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent as- say ELISA-like antibody complexes. The unique features of this assay are that processing is achieved by motion of a filament and that, in the presence of a virus, antibody-virus complexes are coupled to the fila- ment at known locations. In this work, we combine the unique fea- tures of this assay with a 638-nm laser-based optical detector to en- able adaptive control of virus detection. Integration of on-line fluorescence detection yields approximately a five-fold increase in signal-to-noise ratio SNR compared to the fluorescence detection method reported previously. A one-minute incubation with an M13K07 test virus is required to detect 10 10 virions/ml, and 40 min was required to detect 10 8 virions/ml. In tests of the components of an adaptive strategy, a 30-min virus 3.310 10 virions/ml incuba- tion time, followed by repositioning the filament-captured virus either within the detecting antibody chamber, 20g/ml or within the virus chamber, found an increase in signal roughly proportional to the cu- mulative residence times in these chambers. Furthermore, cumulative fluorescence signals observed for a filament-captured virus after re- peated positioning of the filament within the virus chamber are similar to those observed for a single long incubation time. The unique fea- tures of the FARA-like design combined with online optical detection to direct subsequent bioprocessing steps provides new flexibility for developing adaptive molecular recognition assays. © 2006 Society of Photo-
Timing Uncertainty of the Lightning Imaging Sensor

AbstractThe timing uncertainty of the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS), on orbit, is not currently accurately known. This is due to an imprecise value of the frame rate in the literature; the conceptual design value of 500 frames per second (fps) is often quoted. As researchers explore more ways to apply LIS data—in particular, the utility of group-level data, which correspond to strokes—a more precise value of the frame rate and timing uncertainty is important for proper understanding and use of the data. In this study, the average on-orbit frame rate was documented. From this, the timing uncertainty for LIS data was determined. Using on-orbit LIS data, the average frame rate of LIS is 558.58 fps and the timing uncertainty for LIS groups and events is 250 μs. It is shown that this uncertainty is associated with the quantization of the time of each frame. Further, the source time of optical pulses from lightning can have a bias that is not currently accounted for in the LIS data. This study shows how this c...
The effects of pentylenetetrazol on molluscan neurons. I. Intracellular recording and stimulation

The effects of the convulsant drug pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) were studied in neurons from isolated ganglia of the nudibranch molluscs, Archidoris montereyensis and Anisodoris nobilis, using conventional techniques of intracellular recording and constant current stimulation. PTZ was selected because it causes changes in the intracellularly recorded responses similar to the depolarization shifts recorded in mammalian epileptic neurons. When perfusate containing 120-140 mM PTZ is introduced, the intracellular recording is characterized by an initial silent period followed by small oscillations in membrane potential and irregular firing of spikes. Within 5-15 min, bursts of 2-3 spikes occurred followed by the appearance of episodic prolonged depolarizations with superimposed high-frequency spikes. In the presence of PTZ the prolonged depolarizations were evoked by intracellular stimulation and at the termination of conditioning hyperpolarizations. The prolonged depolarizations were also recorded in neurons isolated from all synpatic input by axonal ligation. Prolonged depolarizations showed threshold behavior since they can be terminated early by an intracellularly applied hyperpolarizing current.
Real-time animal functional magnetic resonance imaging and its application to neuropharmacological studies

In pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging (phMRI) with anesthetized animals, there is usually only a single time window to observe the dynamic signal change to an acute drug administration since subsequent drug injections are likely to result in altered response properties (e.g., tolerance). Unlike the block-design experiments in which fMRI signal can be elicited with multiple repetitions of a task, these single-event experiments require stable baseline in order to reliably identify drug-induced signal changes. Such factors as subject motion, scanner instability and/or alterations in physiological conditions of the anesthetized animal could confound the baseline signal. The unique feature of such functional MRI (fMRI) studies necessitates a technique that is able to monitor MRI signal in a real-time fashion and to interactively control certain experimental procedures. In the present study, an approach for real-time MRI on a Bruker scanner is presented. The custom software runs on the console computer in parallel with the scanner imaging software, and no additional hardware is required. The utility of this technique is demonstrated in manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) with acute cocaine challenge, in which temporary disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical step for MEMRI experiments. With the aid of real-time MRI, we were able to assess the outcome of BBB disruption following bolus injection of hyperosmolar mannitol in a near real-time fashion prior to drug administration, improving experimental success rate. It is also shown that this technique can be applied to monitor baseline physiological conditions in conventional fMRI experiments using blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) contrast, further demonstrating the versatility of this technique.
HCO interactions on the terraces and step edges of a stepped Pt surface

Abstract We have studied coadsorbed CO and H on the stepped Pt(335) surface with electron energy loss spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption. Radically different coadsorption behavior is found on the step edges and the terraces. Along the edge coadsorbed H strongly affects CO's vibrational spectrum, shifting CO from atop to bridge sites and enhancing the cross section of bridge CO. On the terrace coadsorbed H has virtually no effect on CO's spectrum, even at very high H coverage. Both of these behaviors differ from the interactions observed on Pt(111). Possible explanations are discussed.
The expression of growth-associated protein GAP-43 mRNA in the rat hippocampus in response to adrenalectomy and aging

GAP-43 is expressed in axonal growth cones during development and regeneration. High levels of GAP-43 persist in the adult hippocampus, reflecting perhaps the ongoing neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity characteristic of this brain region. Since the morphology and survival of hippocampal neurons are altered by adrenal steroids and aging, we have investigated the effects of adrenalectomy and of aging on the expression of hippocampal GAP-43 mRNA, as a molecular marker for these events. Adrenalectomy for 7 days results in an increase in GAP-43 mRNA expression, as assessed by in situ hybridization, in the pyramidal cell layers of the hippocampus. Both male and female aged rats exhibit levels of GAP-43 mRNA in hippocampal pyramidal cells lower than those of their younger counterparts.
SU-GG-I-51: The Effect of Number of Projections On the Accuracy of Volumetric Data Reconstructed Using Digital Tomosynthesis

Purpose: To investigate the effect of the number of projections used as source data on the volume of objects recreated by tomosynthesis when using the shift‐and‐add algorithm. Method and Materials: A phantom was created in Matlab to represent a cube of water within which a cube, sphere and cylinder of bone were inserted. The phantom was imported into the Pinnacle treatment planning system and DRRs were produced at every degree from 340° to 20°. Different volumetric reconstructions were performed by using 2 to 41 of these DRRs. Slices were created every 2.5 mm and imported into Pinnacle to be contoured for the volume of each object to be determined. Results: For the cube and cylinder, the volume calculated from the contours grew closer to the true volume as the number of projections used was increased, with the calculated volume agreeing with the true volume when nine projections were used to recreate the object. For the sphere, the volume oscillated about a value that is much larger than the real volume and never reached the true value. Conclusion: Due to the nature of the shift‐and‐add algorithm, it is easier to determine the presence of an object on a slice if it has a uniform signal. Thus presence of the cylinder and cube on a slice was determined by ensuring no ghosting was present around the object. However, the sphere, which has an inherently varying signal on a two‐dimensional projection, made it much harder to decide whether a slice contains the full object or if it is being partially smeared out, explaining the erroneous volumes from the contours. Therefore, while as few as seven projections are enough to identify the volume of certain objects, different reconstruction algorithms may be required to be used to the reconstruction of any arbitrary object.
63 Years and 715 Days to the “Boxed Warning”: Unmasking of the Propylthiouracil Problem

715 days after potential problems related to PTU use in children were presented in a debate in front of the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society (LWPES), the US Food and Drug Administration issued a "black-box" warning about the hepatotoxicity risk of the antithyroid drug propylthiouracil (PTU). This safety advisory followed the collective actions of academic societies, medical publishers, the National Institutes of Health, and the FDA. Considering that surgery and radioactive iodine are the legitimate treatment options for Grave Disease (GD), and are now the preferred alternative therapy in individuals who developed toxic reactions to MMI, the use of PTU should now be limited to exceptional circumstances and pregnancy. Long-term PTU therapy, especially in children, is not justifiable. The current advisory comes 63 years after the introduction of PTU for clinical use in 1947.
Water‐table elevations in some pacific coast beaches

The University of California in cooperation with the Bureau of Ships, United States Navy, has been engaged in field investigations of beach and surf conditions at many of the more important beaches of the West Coast of the United States. One of the first problems encountered in these studies was that of establishing a datum on each beach which would be related to the tidal datum (Meat lower low water) without running long lines of levels from points of known elevation. In an effort to discover a simple way of determining this datum, investigations were initiated, by means of which it was hoped to be able to connect, empirically, the elevation of the ground water in the teach with the predicted tide. Although the original purpose did not prove practicable, considerable interesting data have been obtained. It is the purpose of this paper to present some of these data for the benefit of other investigators.
BioPortal: a case study in infectious disease informatics

We present the BioPortal system, an integrated cross-jurisdictional data sharing and analysis environment to facilitate detection, prevention, and management of infectious disease outbreaks.
In vivo regulation of renal expression of (pro)renin receptor by a low-sodium diet.

Effects of low salt (LS) on (pro)renin receptor (PRR) expression are not well established. We hypothesized that LS enhances renal PRR expression via the cGMP-protein kinase G (PKG) signaling pathwa...
Butorphanol increases food-reinforced operant responding in satiated rats

In the present series of studies we examined the effect of butorphanol tartrate on food-reinforced operant responding in satiated rats. In the first experiment, 8.0 mg/kg butorphanol was administered subcutaneously, once per day for 4 days, to satiated rats responding under an fixed ratio 10 (FR 10) reinforcement schedule. In the second experiment, butorphanol (0, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, 10.0 mg/kg) was administered to satiated rats responding under an FR 80 (first pellet) FR 3 (subsequent pellets) reinforcement schedule for 4 consecutive days. Repeated butorphanol administration increased total amount of food consumed over sessions in both experiments. Under the FR 80 schedule component, butorphanol initially increased latency to acquire the first pellet, an effect attenuated by repeated administration. Whereas vehicle administration was associated with consumption of relatively large quantities of food within the first 10 min of receiving the first pellet, butorphanol was associated with continued feeding as the session progressed. These data suggest that butorphanol-induced food intake is associated with maintenance rather than initiation of feeding.
First results of the Starfire Optical Range 3.5-m telescope adaptive optics system: point spread functions and tracking performance

The Starfire Optical Range (SOR) division of the Air Force Research Laboratory operates a 3.5m aperture telescope system near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The SOR conducts advanced research into adaptive optics and the imaging of space objects. September of 1997 saw the 'first light' for a 941 actuator adaptive optics system for this 3.5m telescope.
Assembly of Exogenous Fibronectin by Fibronectin-null Cells Is Dependent on the Adhesive Substrate

The role of endogenously synthesized fibronectin (FN) in assembly was studied with cells lacking or expressing FN. Cells were cultured as homogeneous or mixed populations on surfaces coated with different matrix proteins. Compared with FN-expressing cells, FN-null cells poorly assembled exogenous plasma FN (pFN) when adhered to vitronectin or the recombinant cell-binding domain (III7–10) of FN. Vitronectin had a suppressive effect that was overcome by co-adsorbed pFN or laminin-1 but not by soluble FN. In co-cultures of FN-expressing cells and FN-null cells, endogenous FN was preferentially assembled around FN-expressing cells regardless of the adhesive ligand. If the adhesive ligand was vitronectin, exogenous pFN assembled preferentially around cells expressing cellular FN or recombinant EDa- or EDa+ FN. In co-cultures on vitronectin of FN-null cells and β1 integrin subunit-null cells, fibrils of cellular FN and pFN were preferentially deposited by FN-null (β1-expressing) cells immediately adjacent to (FN-secreting) β1-null cells. In co-cultures on vitronectin of FN-null cells and β1-null cells expressing a chimera with the extracellular domain of β1 and the cytoplasmic domain of β3, preferential assembly was by the chimera-expressing cells. These results indicate that the adhesive ligand is a determinant of FN assembly by cells not secreting endogenous FN (suppressive if vitronectin, non-suppressive but non-supportive if III7–10, supportive if pFN or laminin-1) and suggest that efficient interaction of freshly secreted cellular FN with a β1 integrin, presumably α5β1, substitutes for integrin-mediated adherence to a preformed matrix of laminin-1 or pFN to support assembly of FN.
Removal of Cyanide Contaminants from Rhizosphere Soil

ABSTRACT Cyanide and cyanide-containing compounds from anthropogenic sources can be an environmental threat because of their potential toxicity. A remediation option for cyanide-contaminated soil may be through the use of plants and associated rhizosphere microorganimsms that have the ability to degrade cyanide compounds. Cyanogenic plant species are known to produce cyanide, but they also have the ability to degrade these compounds. In addition, the presence of these plants in soil may result in an increase in cyanide degrading microorganisms in the rhizosphere. Two cyanogenic species (Sorghum bicolor and Linum usitassium) and a noncyanogenic species (Panicum virgatum) were selected for a 200-day phytoremediation study to assess their potential use for removal of cyanide from soil. For both cyanogenic species, approximately 85% of the iron cyanide in soil was removed, whereas very little iron cyanide was removed in the unvegetated control or in the presence of Panicum virgatum. In addition, the activity ...
Effects of feedback on discriminative avoidance acquisition and extinction in the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

An exteroceptive feedback stimulus (FS) consequent upon an avoidance response was found functionally equivalent to the traditional warning signal termination (WST) contingency in reinforcing shuttlebox avoidance in the Mongolian gerbil. Thus, presentation of an FS in acquisition led to successful avoidance learning even in the absence of immediate WST, while no evidence of summation of the FS and WST contingencies was obtained. In extinction, relatively abrupt loss of responding was observed regardless of the programmed consequences of an avoidance response. These results were discussed in terms of an informational hypothesis of avoidance behavior, especially with respect to the notion of redundancy of information.
Analysis of Structural Requirements for Ah Receptor Antagonist Activity: Ellipticines, Flavones, and Related Compounds

A number of studies have examined the structure-activity relationships for the agonist activity of Ah receptor (AhR) ligands. Fewer studies have considered the structural basis for potential antagonist properties. Certain ellipticine derivatives have been reported to bind to the AhR and inhibit the ability of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) to transform the AhR to a form that recognizes a dioxin-responsive enhancer element (DRE) upstream of the cytochrome P4501A1 gene. In the present study, over 30 ellipticine derivatives and structurally related compounds were examined for their ability to bind to the AhR, activate it to a DRE-binding form, induce the luciferase gene under control of a DRE-containing enhancer, and block activation of the AhR by TCDD. The ability of several ellipticine derivatives to inhibit TCDD-elicited DRE binding and TCDD-induced luciferase activity was inversely related to their ability to alone stimulate these responses. The most potent antagonist activity was related to good AhR binding characteristics in terms of conforming to previously predicted 14 x 12 x 5 A van der Waals dimensions and the presence of an electron-rich ring nitrogen at or near a relatively unsubstituted X-axis terminal position. Based on these data, a number of flavone derivatives were synthesized and tested for their relative agonist/antagonist activity. These additional data were consistent with the hypothesis that an electron-rich center near or along a lateral position of the van der Waals binding cavity is a characteristic that enhances AhR antagonist activity.
DYNAMIC RESPONSE OF BOUNDARY-LAYER TURBULENCE TO OSCILLATORY SHEAR

The temporal response of a well‐developed turbulent boundary layer to the superposition of oscillatory shear has been measured experimentally, over a wide range of frequencies. The response is primarily a periodic organization in magnitude of components of the turbulent velocity field at the forcing frequency. Oscillatory production of turbulence arises predominantly as a modulation of the mean production process in the parent boundary layer. Close to the wall, the relative phases of response of components of turbulent kinetic energy indicate that temporal redistribution of turbulent kinetic energy is driven by robust coherent motions of the underlying mean flow. The local directions of redistribution deduced from these measurements indicate a wall impingement (splatting) effect, consistent with characterizations from numerical simulation.
A Rapprochement of Feedforward and Feedback Linearization with Process Control Practice

A finite-state nonlinear observer and a nonlinear state feedback controller are constructed for an exothermic stirred-tank reactor operated in either batch or continuous mode. The observer is used to implement a combined feedforward/feedback control scheme. Simulation results are reported. The example generally demonstrates the utility of nonlinear geometric methods for output feedback about a chemical reactor.
Chemoenzymatic synthesis of the next generation of ultralow MW heparin therapeutics.

Heparin, a sulfated glycosaminoglycan, is a widely used injectable anticoagulant. This polysaccharide is a natural product extracted from porcine intestinal tissue. A specific pentasaccharide sequence is responsible for heparin’s high affinity towards anti-thrombin III, which undergoes a conformational change and, as a result, inhibits the blood coagulation Factor Xa, a critical serine protease at the convergence on the intrinsic and extrinsic activation pathway of the coagulation cascade. Due to its structural complexity and heterogeneity, the synthesis of the anti-thrombin III-binding sequence of heparin has been limited to a few approaches. The heparin contamination crisis in 2007 has motivated the development of alternative methods for the efficient preparation of safe heparin products. In this article, we discuss the current methods and recent advances in heparin and low MW heparin syntheses and the recent successful chemoenzymatic preparation of ultralow MW heparins.
Calculation of free energies of Lennard-Jones crystals via molecular dynamics

The effectiveness of the determinant method and of energy distribution methods for the calculation of free energies with molecular dynamics sampling in the isothermal–isobaric ensemble has been demonstrated. The accuracy of the methods employed has been characterized. The quasiharmonic and anharmonic free energies of two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional crystals have been estimated over a wide range of temperatures.
Takahasi's Results on Tchebycheff and Butterworth Ladder Networks

A Japanese paper published by H. Takahasi in 1951 gives formulas for element values of ladder networks with Tchebycheff characteristics. For a resistance-terminated low-pass ladder with a series inductance as the first reactance, these formulas are given by L_1= \frac{R_{1} s_{1}}{(k-k^{-1}) - (h - h^{-1})} K_{r,r+1}=\frac{s_{2r-1}s_{2r+1}}{b_r} (r = 1, 2, \cdots , n-1 ) where R_1 , is the input resistance and K_{r,r+1}= L_{r} C_{r+1} if r is odd; C_{r}L_{r+1} if r is even. b_r = \xi^{2} - c{2r}\xi \eta + \eta^{2} + s_{2r}^2 s_r = 2 \sin \frac{\pi r}{2n} c_r = 2 \cos \frac{\pi r}{2n} \xi = k - k^{-1} \eta = h - h^{-1} The positive constants k and h are related to the zeros and poles of the squared magnitude of the reflection coefficient |\rho (j \omega )|^{2} ; more specifically, the poles are \alpha_{2m+1}= k \epsilon^{2m+1} + k^{-1} \epsilon^{-(2m+1)} for m = 0, 1, 2, \cdots , 2n - 1 and \epsilon = e^{\frac{j \pi}{2n}} , and the zeros are \beta_{2m+1}= h \epsilon^{2m+1} + h^{-1} \epsilon^{-(2m+1)} for m = 0, 1,2, \cdots , 2n -1 . The final reactance can also be related to the output resistance RP so that the elements can be determined by starting from either the first or last element: L_n = \frac{R_{2} s_{1}}{(k-k^{-1})+(h-h^{-1})} if n is odd C_n = \frac{ s_{1}}{R_{2}[(k-k^{-1})+(h-h^{-1})]} if n is even The formulas for the Butterworth characteristic are derived from those for the Tehebycheff characteristic by a limiting process. A proof is also furnished by Takahasi. These results, which have been previously unknown to most network theorists, anticipate the work of many authors in the field. In the present paper Takahasi's results are given and his concise proof is expanded so that its potential application to presently unsolved problems may be more easily investigated.
Merlin/NF-2 mediates contact inhibition of growth by suppressing recruitment of Rac to the plasma membrane.

Introduction of activated p21-activated kinase (PAK) is sufficient to release primary endothelial cells from contact inhibition of growth. Confluent cells display deficient activation of PAK and translocation of Rac to the plasma membrane at matrix adhesions. Targeting Rac to the plasma membrane rescues these cells from contact inhibition. PAK's ability to release human umbilical vein endothelial cells from contact inhibition is blocked by an unphosphorylatable form of its target Merlin, suggesting that PAK promotes mitogenesis by phosphorylating, and thus inactivating, Merlin. Merlin mutants, which are presumed to exert a dominant-negative effect, enable recruitment of Rac to matrix adhesions and promote mitogenesis in confluent cells. Small interference RNA–mediated knockdown of Merlin exerts the same effects. Dominant-negative Rac blocks PAK-mediated release from contact inhibition, implying that PAK functions upstream of Rac in this signaling pathway. These results provide a framework for understanding the tumor suppressor function of Merlin and indicate that Merlin mediates contact inhibition of growth by suppressing recruitment of Rac to matrix adhesions.
Arabidopsis: Sensitivity of growth to high temperature

Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings as measured by an electrolyte leakage assay, have been found to be extremely sensitive to high temperature stress as compared to a high temperature tolerant variety (Tracy) of soybean. Over 50% ion leakage occurred in Arabidopsis leaves during a 15-minute exposure to 50°C, indicating a heat killing time of less than 15 minutes. In contrast, the heat killing time for soybean at 50°C was over five times longer. When soybean or Arabidopsis seedlings in culture plates were exposed to 37°C for 2 hours and then returned to 23°C, they suffered no apparent short-term or long-term damage. Soybean seedlings given a 42°C, treatment for 2 hours also showed no damage. Arabidopsis seedlings after a 42°C treatment for 2 hours showed no apparent immediate damage, but 48 hours after return to 23°C severe damage symptoms were visible and after 96 hours all the seedlings were dead. Both soybean and Arabidopsis seedlings synthesize heat shock proteins (hsps) when exposed to 42°C for 2 hours. The hsps synthesized are of similar molecular weights, although the relative abundances of the different size classes are very different in the two plants. Even though hsps are produced in Arabidopsis seedlings after a 2 hour exposure to 42°C their presence is not sufficient for the seedlings to recover from the effects of rhe heat shock when returned to 23°C. Our results show that Arabidopsis has a heat sensitive genotype. This along with its other characteristics should make it a good model system in which to assay in transgenic plants, the functions of homologous and heterologous genes that might be candidates for determining heat tolerance in plants.
Motility of the spirochete Leptospira.

Spirochetes are a group of bacteria with a unique ultrastructure and a fascinating swimming behavior. This article reviews the hydrodynamics of spirochete motility, and examines the motility of the spirochete Leptospira in detail. Models of Leptospira motility are discussed, and future experiments are proposed. The outermost structure of Leptospira is a membrane sheath, and within this sheath are a helically shaped cell cylinder and two periplasmic flagella. One periplasmic flagellum is attached subterminally at either end of the cell cylinder and extends partway down the length of the cell. In swimming cells, each end of the cell may assume either a spiral or a hook shape. Translational cells have the anterior end spiral shaped, and the posterior end hook shaped. In the model of Berg et al., the periplasmic flagella are believed to rotate between the sheath and the cell cylinder. Rotation of the anterior periplasmic flagellum causes the generation of a gyrating spiral-shaped wave. This wave is believed sufficient to propel the cells forward in a low-viscosity medium. The cell cylinder concomitantly rolls around the periplasmic flagella in the opposite direction—which allows the cell to literally screw through a gel-like viscous medium without slippage. This model is presented, and it is contrasted to previous models of Leptospira motility.
Recurrent bilateral amiodarone induced epididymitis.

Amiodarone is a benzofuran derivative that has been used as a potent class 111 antidysrythmic agent for more than 20 years to treat refractory ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmia.’ A concentration up to 300-fold the plasma level may occur in many body tissues, leading to such diverse side effects as corneal microdeposits, bluish skin discoloration, hepatic and thyroid dysfunction, and interstitial fibrosis of the lung.’ Only 14 cases of amiodarone induced epididymitis have been reported previously.1.2 To our knowledge we report the first case of bilateral amiodarone induced epididymitis. CASE REPORT A 25-year-old man with congestive heart failure secondary to Eisenmenger’s syndrome and transposition of the great vessels was taking 200 mg. amiodarone orally twice daily 1 year before presentation. Three months before presentation exacerbation of cardiac disease prompted a dose increase to 400 mg., which was accompanied by the onset of bilateral scrota1 pain that progressively worsened. At presentation the patient denied dysuria, fever, chills or penile discharge. He had been sexually inactive for 5 years. Physical examination demonstrated that the heads of the epididymides were tender to palpation and swollen bilaterally. No induration or erythema was noted. Urinalysis and culture were negative. Scrota1 ultrasound revealed bilateral epididymal swelling. No antibiotic therapy was initiated. Amiodarone was discontinued due to these symptoms as well as significant nausea, and the patient was given sotalol, an alternative antiarrhythmic agent. Epididymitis resolved within 3 months. Unfortunately cardiac status subsequently deteriorated, and so amiodarone was reinstituted at a dose of 400 mg. orally twice daily after hospital admission for the loading doses. Epididymal symptoms returned within 2 months. The patient is currently being treated by the anesthesia pain service for chronic epididymal pain because discontinuation of the
Refinement of the Asymptotic Z Expansion for the Ground-State Correlation Energies of Atomic Ions

Davidson and co-workers (Phys. Rev. A 1991, 44, 7071; 1993, 47, 3649) have estimated the nonrelativistic correlation energies and relativistic corrections to ionization potentials for atomic ions with up to 18 electrons. However, due to the lack of theoretical values for the high-Z limits and lack of more accurate compilations of experimental ionization potentials, the analysis for 11−18 electrons required further investigation. In this work, we have accurately determined the exact high-Z limit employing degenerate second order perturbation theory for the correlation contribution to the energies of atomic ions with 3−18 electrons. We have also incorporated the experimental compilation of the electron affinity data of Hotop and Lineberger for the low-Z limit. This high-Z limit is compared with the results of the LYP correlation energy functional. The LYP correlation functional is also compared with the correlation energy of electrons in an external harmonic potential of infinite force constant.
Do offensive words harm people

The harm thesis—the assumption that words harm people—is a defining feature of sexual harassment, hate speech, verbal abuse, and obscene telephone call (OTC) offenses. This thesis ignores the possibility that swearing can be advantageous, cathartic, or an acceptable substitute for physical aggression. Observational data, courtroom evidence and verbal abuse research reviewed here produce conflicting conclusions on the question of harm. The best evidence of harm resides in harassment and OTC studies, but verbal abuse research is indeterminate because of flawed research methodology. Public swearing research reveals that swearing is a common conversational practice resulting in no obvious harm. "Common sense" (folk psychology) views of swearing are mistaken and inadequate for some decisions regarding harm. Meanwhile, efforts to restrict speech in media and instructional settings continue, despite the lack of a convincing need to do so. Harm from offensive speech is contextually determined; therefore attempts to restrict speech on a universal basis are misguided. Psychologists’ research needs to be informed by public policy and courtroom practices, and public policy and litigation need to be better informed by psychologists’ research.
Restructuring of Cardiovascular Services at Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts

Background In recent years there has been growing concern about the turbulence and many uncertainties in the health care environment. The leaders of the Cardiovascular Departments at Children's Hospital in Boston recognized the need to position themselves more effectively for providing quality cardiovascular services in the future. Methods A transformational strategy for leadership and organization of cardiovascular services was designed by the physician and nursing leaders of the Cardiovascular Departments. The new Cardiovascular Program included changes in governance administration and clinical operations. Results A Governance Board was appointed to oversee the fiscal and clinical affairs of the unified Cardiovascular Program. The operating budget was reduced by 10% (2.1 million dollars) over a 2-year period. This goal was achieved with creative restructuring in three areas: (1) personnel, (2) supplies, and (3) ancillary usage. Conclusions This organizational innovation is a model for collaborative practice. It is hoped that this new model will allow the faculty and staff to improve upon a tradition of excellence in clinical care and will help in retaining an environment and spirit conducive to the generation of new knowledge.
Slepian-Wolf Coding Using Parity Approach and Syndrome Approach

The binning/syndrome approach and the parity approach together constitute the primary methodologies for practical distributed source coding, whereas the former is known for its (proven) optimality and the latter for its operational simplicity. Since the practice of the former in an general channel code has not been popular, except low density parity check (LDPC) codes, and since a good theoretic understanding of the latter is still incomplete, this paper performs a comprehensive study of these approaches to fill the gap. The study covers both theoretical and practical aspects, including the practical implementation of the source encoder and decoder for both approaches, the criterion for designing the base channel codes, and their respective performances and robustness in both the noiseless and the noisy transmission environments.
Broadband mid-infrared frequency upconversion and spectroscopy with an aperiodically poled LiNbO3 waveguide.

We convert a mid-infrared frequency comb to near-infrared wavelengths through sum-frequency generation with a 1.064 μm CW laser in an aperiodically poled ZnO:LiNbO3 waveguide. Upconversion of light in the range of 2.5–4.5 μm to 0.76–0.86 μm is demonstrated in a single device, and the efficiency of the conversion is measured across this bandwidth. We additionally characterize the spatial mode of the upconverted light. We then use this upconversion technique to detect and resolve individual lines from a methane gas sample with a common near-infrared optical spectrum analyzer. The stability of the spectrum of the upconverted light is analyzed with the goal of evaluating this technique for precise spectroscopic measurements.
Internet presence and historically black colleges and universities: Protecting their images on the World Wide Web?☆

Abstract This study examines how historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) use their home pages to present images of themselves. The home pages of 96 institutions were examined using content analysis. The findings suggest that HBCUs are not using their home pages to project a strong image. For example, less than 10% of these institutional home pages made mention of institutional rankings, and less than 20% made mention of students, athletics or faculty. The authors make suggestions for how HBCUs can better project institutional image with changes to home page content and design.
Electric generator using a triangular diamagnetic levitating rotor system

This paper describes a feasibility study of creating a small low friction and low maintenance generator using a diamagnetically stabilized levitating rotor. The planar rotor described in this paper uses a triangular configuration of magnets that generates emf by passing over coils placed below the rotor. Equations were developed to predict the generated emf from coils with two different coil geometries. Additionally, this paper provides a method for estimating optimal coil size and position for the planar rotor presented for both segmental arc and circular coils to obtain maximum power output. Experiments demonstrated that the emf generated in the coils matches well with the predicted wave forms for each case, and the optimization theory gives good prediction to outcome of induced waveforms. For the segmental arc coil design, the induced emf was 1.7 mV at a radial frequency of 21.8 rad/s. For the circular coil design, the emf was 1.25 mV at a radial frequency of 28.1 rad/s.