cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bayesian Wavelet Methodology for Damage Detection of Thermal Protection System Panels

This paper presents an intelligent computational methodology for loose-bolt detection in thermal protection panels, considering uncertainties in sensed data. The proposed methodology is based on the integration of a dynamic artificial neural network, wavelet signal analysis, and Bayesian probabilistic assessment. A dynamic fuzzy wavelet neural-network model is employed to perform the multiple-input/multiple-output nonparametric system identification of the panel using time-series data obtained from the panel under a healthy condition. The trained model is used to predict dynamic responses of the structural system under unknown conditions. Both predicted and sensed-time-history data are decomposed into multiple time-frequency resolutions using a discrete wavelet-packet transform method. The wavelet-packet component energy is computed in terms of the decomposed coefficients and used as a signal feature to detect loose bolts. The effectiveness of the selected features is assessed using both cross-correlation and cross-coherence metrics. The multivariate comparison in damage detection is handled by an interval-based Bayesian hypothesis-testing approach. The methodology is implemented to detect one loose bolt of a prototype thermal protection system panel with four mechanically bolted joints using experimental data collected at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory from seven different sensor configurations.
Characterization of the Yoshida sarcoma: a model of cancer cachexia

Cancer cachexia contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in individuals with cancer. Currently, the mechanisms contributing to the development of cachexia are largely unknown, leading to a paucity of treatment and prevention options. Animal models are necessary in determining causal mechanisms and in testing potential treatments. While the Yoshida sarcoma has been utilized for more than 50 years, the cachexia syndrome produced by this model has not been well characterized in the literature. Tumor allografts were subcutaneously implanted in male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 16) and allowed to grow for 23 days. Control animals (n = 16) received a sham surgery. All rats were monitored daily for the presence of hallmark cachexia symptoms. The results demonstrate the presence of decreased body weight gain, as well as lower levels of body adiposity and skeletal muscle mass, in tumor-bearing animals, as compared to controls. While a large tumor burden was reached, the extent of cachexia was similar to that which is observed in many individuals with cancer cachexia. Future experiments utilizing this model are encouraged to identify mechanisms and effective treatment and prevention strategies.
Expression of the Novel Costimulatory Molecule B7-H5 in Pancreatic Cancer

This study investigated how the B7-H5 protein, a new member of the B7 family, is expressed in normal human pancreas tissues and examined its expression changes in pancreatic cancer. In this analysis, B7-H5 expression was examined by immunohistochemical staining of frozen specimens from patients undergoing pancreatic resection. Membranous B7-H5 protein was expressed on normal ductal epithelium within the pancreas. Other cell types from the normal pancreas, such as acinar cells and islet cells, did not express B7-H5. In adenocarcinoma, B7-H5 staining was decreased or absent. Interestingly, B7-H5 expression in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms varied with grade. No B7-H5 expression was found with other cancer types such as neuroendocrine tumors, but normal ducts adjacent to tumors were highly positive. The findings showed that B7-H5 expression was restricted to ductal cells in the normal pancreas and the expression was downregulated in pancreatic adenocarcinomas. In addition, the findings showed that B7-H5 expression changes within different stages of dysplasia. The study suggests that loss of the B7-H5 signal may contribute to immune evasion of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However future studies are needed.
Cyclomatic numbers of planar graphs

Abstract For a given planar graph G with a set A of independent vertices, we provide a best-possible upper bound for the minimum cyclomatic number of connected induced subgraphs of G containing A . The extremal graphs are also characterized.
LADAR target detection using morphological shared-weighted neural networks

Morphological shared-weight neural networks (MSNN) combine the feature extraction capability of mathematical morphology with the function-mapping capability of neural networks in a single trainable architecture. The MSNN method has been previously demonstrated using a variety of imaging sensors, including TV, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR). In this paper, we provide experimental results with laser radar (LADAR). We present three sets of experiments. In the first set of experiments, we use the MSNN to detect different types of targets simultaneously. In the second set, we use the MSNN to detect only a particular type of target. In the third set, we test a novel scenario, referred to as the Sims scenario: we train the MSNN to recognize a particular type of target using very few examples. A detection rate of 86% with a reasonable number of false alarms was achieved in the first set of experiments and a detection rate of close to 100% with very few false alarms was achieved in the second and third sets of experiments. In all the experiments, a novel pre-processing method is used to create a pseudo-intensity images from the original LADAR range images.
Impact of Drotrecogin alfa (activated) on Resource Use and Implications for Reimbursement

Selecting therapies in health care requires rigorous review of clinical and economic data. The financial implications of new clinical treatment options are an important component. The preferred method for evaluating the costs and effects of therapies is cost-effectiveness analysis along with an estimation of utility associated with the life-years gained. Preliminary reports suggest patients receiving drotrecogin alfa (activated) for severe sepsis have a faster resolution of cardiovascular and pulmonary dysfunction with minimal additional financial burden despite additional survivors. Furthermore, the reported cost/quality-adjusted life-year of $48,800 is consistent with many other common life-saving measures. Recently approved new technology payments for hospitals treating patients with drotrecogin alfa (activated) minimize financial impact. Clinicians and administrators should work collaboratively to optimize the therapy of patients with severe sepsis, minimize the financial impact on the health care system, and maximize the utility of drotrecogin alfa (activated).
α-Latrotoxin Receptor CIRL/Latrophilin 1 (CL1) Defines an Unusual Family of Ubiquitous G-protein-linked Receptors G-PROTEIN COUPLING NOT REQUIRED FOR TRIGGERING EXOCYTOSIS

Abstract α-Latrotoxin, a potent excitatory neurotoxin, binds to two receptors: a G-protein-coupled receptor calledCIRL/latrophilin 1 (CL1) and a cell-surface protein called neurexin Iα. We now show that CL1 belongs to a family of closely related receptors called CL1, CL2, and CL3. CLs exhibit an unusual multidomain structure with similar alternative splicing and large extra- and intracellular sequences. CLs share domains with other G-protein-coupled receptors, lectins, and olfactomedins/myocilin. In addition, CLs contain a novel, widespread cysteine-rich domain that may direct endoproteolytic processing of CLs during transport to the cell surface. Although the mRNAs for CLs are enriched in brain, CLs are ubiquitously expressed in all tissues. To examine how binding of α-latrotoxin to CL1 triggers exocytosis, we used PC12 cells transfected with human growth hormone. Ca2+-dependent secretion of human growth hormone from transfected PC12 cells was triggered by KCl depolarization or α-latrotoxin and was inhibited by tetanus toxin and by phenylarsine oxide, a phosphoinositide kinase inhibitor. When CL1 was transfected into PC12 cells, their response to α-latrotoxin was sensitized dramatically. A similar sensitization to α-latrotoxin was observed with different splice variants of CL1, whereas CL2 and CL3 were inactive in this assay. A truncated form of CL1 that contains only a single transmembrane region and presumably is unable to mediate G-protein-signaling was as active as wild type CL1 in α-latrotoxin-triggered exocytosis. Our data show that CL1, CL2, and CL3 perform a general and ubiquitous function as G-protein-coupled receptors in cellular signaling. In addition, CL1 serves a specialized role as an α-latrotoxin receptor that does not require G-protein-signaling for triggering exocytosis. This suggests that as an α-latrotoxin receptor, CL1 recruits α-latrotoxin to target membranes without participating in exocytosis directly.
Historical vs. Current Biological Assemblages in the Little Choctawhatchee Watershed, Southeastern AL

The Little Choctawhatchee River watershed is currently affected by effluents from wastewater treatment plants and may be subject to impoundment as a water supply reservoir. We used historical data from the literature and the results of recent surveys (2006–2008) to assess past and current patterns of the diversity of mussels, crayfishes, and fishes throughout the river basin in order to gain information about the past and potential future effects of degraded water and habitat quality to the fauna of this region. Our results suggest that mussel assemblages have declined dramatically from historical levels, with only three of the eleven historically recorded species found. Several statelisted mussel species and candidates for federal protection formerly present are now believed extirpated from the watershed. Fish and crayfish collections during 2006–2008 were more diverse (52 and 6 species) than historical records indicated (39 and 3 species). This increased diversity was probably due to a more concentrated sampling effort in the current study than in the past. Future impoundment may cause further and possibly drastic changes to the remaining freshwater faunal diversity.
Prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and their relation to adjustment among Chinese-American youth.

ABSTRACT Objective The primary purpose of this investigation is to assess psychiatric symptoms of Chinese-American children using Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and to determine the impact of acculturation on these symptoms. Method One hundred eighty-one forms of a Chinese CBCL and a 10-item questionnaire on adjustment and ethnic patterns of socialization were completed by a parent or guardian of Chinese-American children attending a Chinese school in New York City. Results The sample's total problem, internalizing, externalizing, total competence, activities, and social scores were significantly lower than Achenbach's American norms by age and sex. Favorable adjustment was correlated significantly with lower total problem and internalizing scores. Recent immigrants did not have higher symptom scores. Conclusion Lower scores of the Chinese-American children may be due to temperamental differences, underreporting by the respondent, or cultural intolerance of misbehavior.
Corrigendum to “Trends in Traumatic Brain Injury in the U.S. and the public health response: 1995–2009 ☆” [J. Saf. Res. 43 (2012) 299-307]

Abstract, (page 299 of the printed version); in the second paragraph 41 of section 5 (page 302); and in the third line of theConclusions and 42 recommendations section (page 305); these numbers (3.5 million,3.6 million, and 3.6 million, respectively) were incorrect. The Centers 43 for Disease Control and Prevention will be using the corrected esti- 44 mate of 2.4 millionto describe the national burden of TBI(ED visits, 45 hospitalizations, and deaths) in future descriptions for 2009. We 46 continue to pursue methods to identify incident cases of TBI that 47 do not present to EDs to more comprehensively capture the full 48 TBI burden. 49 Arlene I. Greenspan 50 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control 51 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 52 Atlanta, GA 5354 Victor G. Coronado 55National Center for Injury Prevention and Control 56 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 57 Atlanta, GA 5859 Andrew I. Geller 60National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
Millennial-scale fire and vegetation history from a mesic hardwood forest of southeastern Wisconsin, USA

High-resolution charcoal analysis of lake sediment cores was used to reconstruct the fire history from two sites in a mesic hardwood forest of south-eastern Wisconsin located in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Pollen data from the region indicate that the sites, which lie within 5 km of each other, have had a consistent presence of mesic hardwood forest for the last 6500 years. A pollen record from one of the sites confirmed the regional vegetation history and the charcoal analysis indicated that fire frequency at each site was temporally linked to regional drought. Periods of high fire occurrence occurred in connection with a region-wide drought 4200 years ago and, over the last 2000 years, shorter-scale regional droughts were centred at 1800, 1650, 1100, 1000, 800, 700 and 600 cal a BP. The fire histories indicate that the last 1000 years have had lower fire frequencies than the previous 6500 years and suggest that the mesic hardwood forests may be resilient to increases in fire that may result from future climate change. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Relationship Between Infections and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: An Overview

Preterm birth with its subsequent morbidity and mortality is the leading perinatal problem in the United States. Infants born before the thirty-seventh week of gestation account for approximately 6% to 9% of all births, but 70% of all perinatal deaths and half of all long-term neurologic morbidity. Current approaches focus on symptomatic treatment. Despite widespread use of drugs to arrest preterm labor (tocolytics), there has been no decrease in low birth weight or preterm infants in the last 20 years. It is likely that therapy directed at preventing or treating underlying causes would be more successful. Evidence from many sources links preterm birth to symptomatic infections, for example, of the urinary or respiratory tracts. In the last decade, great interest has been generated to support the hypothesis that subclinical infection is an important cause of preterm labor. Evidence to support this may be categorized as follows: histological chorioamnionitis is increased in preterm births; clinical infection is increased after preterm birth; there is significant association of some lower genital tract organisms and infections with preterm birth or preterm premature rupture of the membranes; there are positive cultures of amniotic fluid or membranes from some patients with preterm labor and preterm birth; there are markers of infections in preterm birth; bacteria or their products induce preterm birth in animal models; and some antibiotic trials have shown a lower rate of preterm birth or have deferred preterm birth. In the last 5 years, additional exciting information has suggested that not only is subclinical infection responsible for preterm birth but also many serious neonatal sequelae including periventricular leukomalacia, cerebral palsy, respiratory distress, and even bronchopulmonary dysplasia and necrotizing enterocolitis. In sum, a large body of clinical and laboratory information suggests that subclinical infection is a major cause of preterm birth, especially those occurring before 30 weeks. This concept holds promise that new approaches can be developed to prevent prematurity.
Pedogenic hematitic concretions from the Triassic New Haven Arkose, Connecticut: Implications for understanding Martian diagenetic processes

Abstract The Triassic New Haven Arkose locally contains mm-scaled pedogenic hematitic concretions, within red arkosic sandy mudstones, that provide insights into concretion-forming processes on Earth and Mars. Concretions represent ~ 8% of the sediment by mass (~ 7% by volume), are irregularly distributed and have a near-normal size distribution with a mean diameter of 1.53 mm and graphic standard deviation of 0.64 mm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and attenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectroscopy indicate that the concretions are composed of ambient sediments: quartz, montmorillonite, and feldspar, and a minor phosphatic phase that is also implied by geochemistry; however, the concretions preferentially exclude coarser grain sizes, and are cemented by hematite and goethite. Optical observations and synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (XRF) chemical mapping indicate that concretions are massive to weakly zoned with respect to hematitic cements. Compared to the surrounding sediments, concretion rare earth elements (REE) are elevated in total abundances, exhibit light rare earth element (LREE)-enrichment, and possess negative Ce-anomalies; Th/U ratios are lower due to elevated U. Mass balance calculations indicate that ~ 20% of the concretions are composed of iron oxides and that ~ 30 mm3 of ambient sediment is required to provide the hematitic cement in a single 1.5 mm diameter concretion. Element mobility during concretion formation was tested assuming different immobile elements (Al, Ti, Zr). Assuming Zr immobility provides intermediate results, and indicates the following gains in concretions: Pb (572%), Fe (322%), Mn (142%), REE (438–116%), V (138%), U (124%), Ni (84%), and Nb (58%); other elements show either gains or losses of less than ± 50%. Ce-anomalies, low Th/U, and elevated V and U abundances point to a significant redox influence on element distributions in the concretions. High iron content, crude internal concentric banding, and redox controls suggest that the concretions are formed in seasonally variable, but generally moist, soil conditions with annual precipitation > 130 cm. Trace element enrichment patterns are broadly consistent with derivation from downward percolating weathering fluids. Although the New Haven Arkose pedogenic concretions have significant differences and were clearly formed by different mechanisms than hematitic spherules discovered on Mars, they nevertheless exhibit a number of textural (e.g., sphericity, size distributions) and geochemical (e.g., Ni enrichments) similarities that support models suggesting that the Martian spherules are formed as sedimentary concretions.
Charge derivatization by 4-sulfophenyl isothiocyanate enhances peptide sequencing by post-source decay matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

High-sensitivity, rapid identification of proteins in proteomic studies normally uses a combination of one- or two-dimensional electrophoresis together with mass spectrometry. The simplicity and sensitivity of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) have increased its application in recent years. The most common method of 'peptide fingerprinting' often may not provide robust identification. Normally additional sequence information by post-source decay (PSD) MALDI-TOFMS provides additional constraints for database searches to achieve highly confident results. Here we describe a derivatization procedure to facilitate the acquisition of such sequence information. Peptide digests from a skin-expressed protein were modified with 4-sulfophenyl isothiocyanate. The resulting peptides carry a fixed negative charge at the N-terminal end and the resulting PSD spectrum is dominated by C-terminal y-type ions. The sequence information in most cases can be obtained manually or with simple programming tools. Methods of optimizing the procedure and increasing the sensitivity are discussed.
Multi Criteria Decision Making and the Analytic Hierarchy Process

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (Saaty, 1977 and 1980) is a multiple criterion evaluation methodology that is both descriptive and prescriptive. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is, in many ways, similar to Multi Attribute Utility Theory. However, unlike MAUT, AHP does not prescribe that judgments be perfectly consistent, nor does it prescribe when or when not to allow for rank reversals. AHP allows the decision makers to decide how much inconsistency is reasonable, if any, and whether nor not rank reversal (a reflection of relative rather absolute worth) should be permitted.
Neonatal Ovine Uterine Development Involves Alterations in Expression of Receptors for Estrogen, Progesterone, and Prolactin

Abstract Effects of age on uterine histoarchitecture, cell proliferation, and hormone receptor expression were determined for neonatal ewe lambs from birth (Postnatal Day [PND] 0) to PND 56. Uteri were histologically evaluated and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α), progesterone receptor (PR), and prolactin receptor (PRL-R) expression were characterized by in situ hybridization (ISH), immunohistochemistry, or both. The most striking feature of neonatal uterine development was the genesis and development of glands in the intercaruncular areas of endometrium. After birth, endometrial glandular epithelium (GE) budded and differentiated into the underlying stroma from the luminal epithelium (LE) between PNDs 1 and 7. Between PNDs 14 and 56, extensive coiling and branching morphogenesis of nascent endometrial glands occurred. By PND 56, the uterine wall appeared to be histoarchitecturally mature. At birth, nuclear PCNA protein was strongly detected in LE. Between PNDs 7 a...
A case presenting with myocardial ischemia-like electrocardiogram findings after laryngopharyngoesophagectomy.

Laryngopharyngoesophagectomy and reconstruction by using stomach roll with retrocardiac anastomosis were performed in a 60-year-old man with hypopharyngeal cancer. Postoperative electrocardiogram showed marked ST-segment elevation in leads I and a VL and depression in leads II, III, aVF, and V1–6. However, the patient did not present with abnormal findings on physical examination and vital signs were normal. Further, the laboratory data were normal. Echocardiography was a poor technique, but the stomach roll was observed to be expanded due to wall edema with exudates and exerted pressure on the posterior side of the heart. These findings were also ascertained by contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography scanning. Technetium-99m-tetrofosmin myocardial scintigraphy clearly showed that coronary blood perfusion and left ventricular wall motion were quite normal. The characteristic electrocardiogram returned to a near-normal state, and the expanded stomach roll shrank back to its ordinary size after one week. Coronary angiography showed neither organic stenoses nor vasospasm. The physical pressure of the expanded stomach roll might have influenced the electrocardiogram findings.
Possible Greenschist Facies Metamorphism of the Oceanic Crust

Compressional wave velocities are reported to pressures of 6 kb for 15 cores of greenstone. The experimental velocities for greenstone are shown to be similar to velocities obtained from seismic refraction measurements of layer 3 of the oceanic crust, thus suggesting that greenschist facies metamorphism may be important in lower oceanic crustal rocks.
Training and Practice in Trauma, Catastrophes, and Disaster Counseling

Trauma-related assistance in response to disasters or catastrophes is needed locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, and the authors argue that there is a necessity for counseling psychologists and counseling psychology programs to incorporate it into their prevention, training, and social justice repertoire. Counseling psychologists are in a unique position to engage in disaster relief efforts because of their values and training, particularly around work with diverse clients. The authors present examples from two training programs of disaster mental health work completed in the field with students and their preparation of students for this work. They discuss some struggles and challenges in involving students and interventions for resolutions and further show how real-world crisis situations and interventions can easily be used as training tools. The authors discuss a number of themes that emerged throughout the disaster site examples, including students’ flexibility, openness to cultural ...
New Studies of the Arc Discharge

The equation V = A + B/In which correctly represents all normal arc characteristics is used as the starting point for a general discussion of arc phenomena and industrial applications. Tests of this equation are applied to iron arcs in various gas atmospheres to obtain a series of values for A and B, making possible certain deductions about arc voltage variations and significance of the characteristics. In limiting the current exponent n, the anode temperature must exert considerable influence on the discharge as a whole. Suggestions are given why this may be so. A value of n is predicted from the arc stream geometry, and is compared with actual values of n for various arcs. From energy considerations of this equation new concepts of the ``minimum energy'' and the ``excess energy'' requirements in the arc conduction process are gained. Some applications to arc problems prove these concepts valuable. On this basis high temperature arcs are shown to be the most efficient. Light intensity and probe measurements on the arc stream suggest a new physical picture of high current arcs. Some difficulties are removed in accounting for energy equilibrium at the welding arc cathode.
Prevalence of 24-hour urine collection in high risk stone formers.

Purpose: Secondary prevention has an important role in urinary stone disease. The core of secondary prevention is the identification of modifiable risk factors by a 24-hour urine collection, which then directs selective medical therapy. While this decreases the recurrence rate, little is known about the frequency with which 24-hour urine collections are obtained.Materials and Methods: Using medical claims from 2002 to 2006 we identified adults with incident urinary stone episodes. With appropriate diagnosis codes we determined those at high risk for recurrence. Of these patients we determined the proportion in whom a 24-hour urine collection was done within 6 months of diagnosis. Finally, we fitted regression models to measure associations between patient and provider level factors, and obtaining a 24-hour urine collection.Results: We identified 28,836 patients at high risk for recurrence. The prevalence of 24-hour urine testing increased from 7.0% in 2003 to 7.9% in 2006 (p = 0.011), although the overall...
Analysis of pseudo-random timing for lowobservable communication signals

It is often desirable to transmit a communication signal in such a way that information cannot be extracted from it by a non-cooperative receiver. Typically, this is accomplished via encryption, which codes the bits such that information cannot be extracted from them. In this paper, we consider an added layer of protection to make it difficult for a non- cooperative receiver to reliably extract bits from the received signal. This will be termed "low observable (LO) communications." Specifically, we investigate the use of a pseudorandom (PR) timing phase as a means of disrupting blind cyclostationarity-based equalization algorithms. We model the PR timing pattern as a doubly (time and frequency) selective channel. We show that if the PR timing pattern is known, channel identification can be performed, and otherwise it cannot be reliably performed. As opposed to spread-spectrum techniques, PR timing provides LO communications without consuming additional bandwidth.
Compensatory endocytosis in bladder umbrella cells occurs through an integrin-regulated and RhoA- and dynamin-dependent pathway

Compensatory endocytosis (CE) ensures recycling of membrane components and maintenance of plasma membrane size; however, the mechanisms, regulation, and physiological functions of clathrin-independent modes of CE are poorly understood. CE was studied in umbrella cells, which undergo regulated exocytosis of subapical discoidal/fusiform vesicles (DFV) during bladder filling, and may then replenish the pool of DFV by internalizing apical membrane during voiding. We found that voiding-stimulated CE, which depended on β1 integrin-associated signalling pathways, occurred by a dynamin-, actin-, and RhoA-regulated mechanism and was independent of caveolins, clathrin, and flotillin. Internalized apical membrane and fluid were initially found in ZO-1-positive vesicles, which were distinct from DFV, classical early endosomes, or the Golgi, and subsequently in lysosomes. We conclude that clathrin-independent CE in umbrella cells functions to recover membrane during voiding, is integrin regulated, occurs by a RhoA- and dynamin-dependent pathway, and terminates in degradation and not recapture of membrane in DFV.
Mutations in Bartonella bacilliformis gyrB Confer Resistance to Coumermycin A1

This study describes the first isolation and characterization of spontaneous mutants conferring natural resistance to an antibiotic for any Bartonella species. The Bartonella bacilliformis gyrB gene, which encodes the B subunit of DNA gyrase, was cloned and sequenced. The gyrB open reading frame (ORF) is 2,079 bp and encodes a deduced amino acid sequence of 692 residues, corresponding to a predicted protein of ∼77.5 kDa. Sequence alignment indicates that B. bacilliformis GyrB is most similar to the GyrB protein from Bacillus subtilis (40.1% amino acid sequence identity) and that it contains the longest N-terminal tail (52 residues) of any GyrB characterized to date. The cloned B. bacilliformis gyrB was expressed in an Escherichia coli S30 cell extract and was able to functionally complement a temperature-sensitive E. coli Cou r gyrB mutant (strain N4177). We isolated and characterized spontaneous mutants of B. bacilliformis resistant to coumermycin A 1 , an antibiotic that targets GyrB. Sequence analysis of gyrB from 12 Cou r mutants of B. bacilliformis identified single nucleotide transitions at three separate loci in the ORF. The predicted amino acid substitutions resulting from these transitions are Gly to Ser at position 124 (Gly124→Ser), Arg184→Gln, and Thr214→Ala or Thr214→Ile, which are analogous to mutated residues found in previously characterized resistant gyrB genes from Borrelia burgdorferi , E. coli , Staphylococcus aureus , and Haloferax sp. The Cou r mutants are three to five times more resistant to coumermycin A 1 than the wild-type parental strain.
Control of seed size in plants.

Reproductive success in seed plants depends on a healthy seed set. The viability of the embryo is enhanced if a seed contains substantial reserves of starch and protein to nourish the seedling when it germinates months or years later in uncertain conditions. Increased reserves will generally result in an increased seed size, but large seeds are less efficiently dispersed, unless there is human or other intervention. Since the beginning of agriculture, food grains have been subjected to selection and breeding for size as well as for other qualities, and most of the grains consumed today have seeds far larger than their wild relatives. Although grain size has been much analyzed and used by plant breeders over the past century, it is only in the past decade that we have at last begun to identify the molecular regulators of seed size in plants, mainly from studies in the model plant Arabidopsis (reviewed in ref. 1). The article by Luo et al. (2) in a recent issue of PNAS marks another step toward understanding the nature of these controls. The life cycle of plants involves an alternation of generations between the haploid gametophyte and the diploid sporophyte. In angiosperms (flowering plants), seed development begins with double fertilization. Pollen grains (male gametophytes) carry two haploid sperm cells, which fertilize the egg cell and the central cell of the haploid embryo sac (female gametophyte) contained within the maternal tissues of the ovule. This event results in the formation of the diploid embryo and the triploid endosperm, respectively, the latter arising from the central cell that contains two identical haploid sets of chromosomes. Seed development is marked by the rapid growth of the endosperm and the embryo, until seed maturation, which is accompanied by desiccation. Simultaneously, the maternal ovule also undergoes regulated growth to accommodate …
Relationship between and measurement of differential scattering coefficient ( sigma /sup 0/) and bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF)

The microwave and optical scattering formulations are reviewed, a relationship between them at the same wavelength is presented, and the measurement conditions for obtaining range-independent and equipment-independent values are discussed. It is shown that the physical mechanism of scattering of electromagnetic beams from a surface can be quantified by either a differential scattering coefficient ( sigma /sup 0/) or a bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). For a diffuse surface, sigma /sup 0/=4 pi BRDF cos theta /sub i/ cos theta /sub r/, where theta /sub i/ and theta /sub r/ are the incident and reflected angles, respectively, from the surface normal. The geometrical constraints inferred in the measurement of coherent electromagnetic wave scattering from relatively small objects are easily satisfied to obtain range- and equipment-independent values, but care in experimental design is required when dealing with large surfaces. More care is also required when dealing with surfaces entailing specular features in addition to diffuse features. >
Identification of a Malate Chemoreceptor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Screening for Chemotaxis Defects in an Energy Taxis-Deficient Mutant

We found that a robust energy taxis response mediated by the Aer receptor can sometimes mask chemotaxis mediated by other methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We identified PA2652 as a chemoreceptor for malate by screening aer mcp double mutants by using swarm plate assays.
Self-esteem, diet self-efficacy, body mass index, and eating disorders: modeling effects in an ethnically diverse sample

Disordered eating patterns, particularly binge eating, are prevalent in Hispanic samples, yet the biopsychosocial risk factors remain understudied in minority populations. The relationship between diet self-efficacy and bulimic symptoms has been established in non-Hispanic white samples but not yet in Hispanics. This study sought to identify the direct role of diet self-efficacy on eating disorder risk and symptomology in a multicultural Hispanic sample, and to investigate the potential indirect relations among diet self-efficacy, self-esteem, body mass index (BMI), and eating disorder risk and symptomology in Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. The present study surveyed 1339 college students from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Participants completed four standardized scales to assess acculturation, diet self-efficacy, global self-esteem, and eating disorder symptomology and risk. Self-reported height and weight were used for BMI calculations, and the data were analyzed in a robust maximum-likelihood structural equation modeling (SEM) framework. The findings highlighted diet self-efficacy as a predictor of eating disorder risk and symptomology. Diet self-efficacy partially explained the covariation between self-esteem and eating disorder risk and symptomology, and between BMI and eating disorder risk and symptomology for the entire sample. Diet self-efficacy emerged as an important construct to consider in developing eating disorder prevention and treatment models.
Tuning the Tg-confinement effect in thin polymer films via minute levels of residual surfactant which “cap” the free surface

Abstract We compare the effect of confinement on the glass transition temperature ( T g ) of ultrathin supported films of polystyrene produced via emulsion polymerization (E-PS) and anionic polymerization (A-PS). Using spectroscopic ellipsometry and fluorescence to characterize T g , we find that E-PS films supported on silica exhibit T g -confinement effects that are suppressed and even eliminated when compared to A-PS films on silica. We prepared E-PS samples with varying dodecyl sulfate surfactant concentration made via sequential purification. Using Epton’s Method, we determined the amount of surfactant present in bulk unwashed E-PS sample and in several washed samples. Films made from E-PS containing as little as 0.023 wt% surfactant show elimination of the T g -confinement effect within error down to a thickness of 14 nm. Films made from E-PS containing 0.0058 wt% surfactant show suppression of the T g -confinement effect relative to that observed by both ellipsometry and fluorescence in A-PS films. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we observe that the sulfur atom in the surfactant is localized at the top 2–4 nm of the film next to the polymer-air interface. The residual surfactant left from emulsion polymerization at or very near the free surface restricts the perturbation of T g by the free surface, thereby suppressing and even eliminating the T g -confinement effect in ultrathin E-PS films relative to that in A-PS films.
Identification and Characterization of an Arabidopsis Ecotype Which Fails to Mount a Hypersensitive Response When Infiltrated with Pseudomonas Syringae Strains Carrying a Vrrpt2

Effective plant defense responses against particular pathogens often involve a one-for-one correspondence between an avirulence (avr) gene in the pathogen and a resistance gene in the host [1]. Resistance genes are thought to encode receptors that perceive signals generated by avr genes and these specific recognition events are hypothesized to trigger the host defense response, including the so-called hypersensitive response (HR), which involves localized programmed cell death in the plant host in response to infection by an avirulent pathogen. Challenge of resistant plants with high doses of avirulent pathogens results in a visible HR, characterized by formation of dry, necrotic lesions, whereas lower doses lead to an HR that is only detectable microscopically. At the molecular level, several bacterial and fungal avr genes have been cloned, and in a few cases, avrgenerated signals have been identified [2, 3]. In contrast to avr genes, until recently only a single plant resistance gene, the tomato PTO gene, corresponding to a specific avr gene, had been cloned [4]. PTO encodes a serine threonine kinase, indicating that phosphorylation occurs in the signal transduction pathway leading to the HR.
High-efficiency aperiodic two-dimensional high-contrast-grating hologram

High efficiency phase holograms are designed and implemented using aperiodic two-dimensional (2D) high-contrast gratings (HCGs). With our design algorithm and an in-house developed rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) package for periodic 2D HCGs, the structural parameters are obtained to achieve a full 360-degree phase-tuning range of the reflected or transmitted wave, while maintaining the power efficiency above 90%. For given far-field patterns or 3D objects to reconstruct, we can generate the near-field phase distribution through an iterative process. The aperiodic HCG phase plates we design for holograms are pixelated, and the local geometric parameters for each pixel to achieve desired phase alternation are extracted from our periodic HCG designs. Our aperiodic HCG holograms are simulated using the 3D finite-difference time-domain method. The simulation results confirm that the desired far-field patterns are successfully produced under illumination at the designed wavelength. The HCG holograms are implemented on the quartz wafers, using amorphous silicon as the high-index material. We propose HCG designs at both visible and infrared wavelengths, and our simulation confirms the reconstruction of 3D objects. The high-contrast gratings allow us to realize low-cost, compact, flat, and integrable holograms with sub-micrometer thicknesses.
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and the Restructuring of American Capitalism

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) played the lead role in pursuing large-scale leveraged buyouts in the U.S. market for corporate control in the 1980s by taking advantage of investment opportunities created by three decades of public policies regarding antitrust, pensions, corporate governance, and banking. KKR's innovations were its ability to overcome investors' collective action and monitoring problems by arranging takeovers through limited partnerships and by managing acquired firms through shared equity ownership with management. These organizational innovations, when combined with the financial changes of the 1980s, allowed KKR and its investor-controlled associations to challenge managerially controlled firms.
Chronic Uridine Administration Induces Fatty Liver and Pre-Diabetic Conditions in Mice

Uridine is a pyrimidine nucleoside that exerts restorative functions in tissues under stress. Short-term co-administration of uridine with multiple unrelated drugs prevents drug-induced liver lipid accumulation. Uridine has the ability to modulate liver metabolism; however, the precise mechanism has not been delineated. In this study, long-term effects of uridine on liver metabolism were examined in both HepG2 cell cultures and C57BL/6J mice. We report that uridine administration was associated with O-GlcNAc modification of FOXO1, increased gluconeogenesis, reduced insulin signaling activity, and reduced expression of a liver-specific fatty acid binding protein FABP1. Long-term uridine feeding induced systemic glucose intolerance and severe liver lipid accumulation in mice. Our findings suggest that the therapeutic potentials of uridine should be designed for short-term acute administration.
Effect of Swimming Exercise on Serum Glutamic-Oxalacetic Transaminase and Hematocrit of Rats.∗

SummaryThe hematocrit and SGOT activity were determined in intact and splenectomized rats before and after swimming exercises of varying durations. The hematocrit was elevated in both the intact and splenectomized rats following a swimming exercise of any duration. SGOT activity was decreased by the very short duration swim (1 minute), but was elevated after swimming 5 minutes. A 10 or 15 minutes swim produced no significant change in the SGOT activity but swimming for 30, 60 or 120 minutes caused a progressive rise in such activity.
Photoemission-based microelectronic devices

The vast majority of modern microelectronic devices rely on carriers within semiconductors due to their integrability. Therefore, the performance of these devices is limited due to natural semiconductor properties such as band gap and electron velocity. Replacing the semiconductor channel in conventional microelectronic devices with a gas or vacuum channel may scale their speed, wavelength and power beyond what is available today. However, liberating electrons into gas/vacuum in a practical microelectronic device is quite challenging. It often requires heating, applying high voltages, or using lasers with short wavelengths or high powers. Here, we show that the interaction between an engineered resonant surface and a low-power infrared laser can cause enough photoemission via electron tunnelling to implement feasible microelectronic devices such as transistors, switches and modulators. The proposed photoemission-based devices benefit from the advantages of gas-plasma/vacuum electronic devices while preserving the integrability of semiconductor-based devices. Most microelectronic devices today exploit the electronic properties of semiconductors. Here, the authors demonstrate a microelectronic device for free-space electrons by using the enhanced fields in a microstructured metal surface to induce effective photoemission.
In the Margins: Writing on Medicine in Korea After 1876

The goals of this article are to survey American scholarship of medicine in Korea during the modern period and to suggest perspectives such studies offer to the fields of Korean history, Asian studies, and "mainstream" history of medicine. Until recently, the history of medicine in modern Korea has been peripheralized in the larger fields within which it is subsumed for various reasons. Earlier researchers tended to operate from "Orientalist" frameworks or were informed by "modernization theory," and thus have focused generally on American interventions in Korean public health and medicine (through missionaries, the US military, and other aid organizations) or that which has been conventionally perceived as "traditional" medicine. Critical scholarship in fields of STS and post-colonial studies, however, have recently inspired new research that reassess polemic issues such as technology transfer, translation of knowledge, cultural encounters, governmentality, processes involved in the revitalization of Hanŭi, construction of gender, and nexus among medicine, science, and technology. As such the field as expanded beyond Korean history to include anthropology, sociology, STS, and linguistics. Moreover, given the transnational nature of academia and possibilities for productive comparative research, Korean history of medicine may soon no longer remain in the margins.
Works in progress #5. Total knee arthroplasty using a long-stem tibia component A novel approach to traumatic arthritis accompanying nonunion and multiple stress risers of the tibia

Constrained total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a long-stem modular tibia component has been successful in three cases that presented an unusual combination of technical problems. The constrained TKA described allows successful salvage in patients with traumatic arthritis, extreme ligamentous damage, and either nonunion or the presence of multiple screw holes of the proximal tibia. The average follow-up period for these three cases has been only 18 months, but the results so far are very promising.
Active Superconducting Microwave Lumped Circuit Elements using High-Tc/Dielectric Multilayer Films

We have studied the feasibility of a d. c. voltage bias controlled superconducting microwave lumped-circuit capacitor as an active device. A series-LC circuit was designed and fabricated using YBa2Cu3O7/SrTiO3 films. When a d. c. bias of 35 V was applied across the STO film at ~20 K, the total series capacitance of the circuit, measured at 1 MHz by an LCR meter, decreased by ~3% and the microwave resonant frequency of ~14 GHz increased by ~1.4%, in consistence with the predictions of a simple series-LC resonator model.
A Primate Model of Anterior Segment ischemia after Strabismus Surgery: The Role of the Conjunctival Circulation

Fornix conjunctival incisions in strabismus surgery may provide partial protection against anterior segment ischemia by preserving the perilimbal conjunctival-Tenon's circulation, which is disrupted with limbal conjunctival incisions. Six adult cynomolgus monkeys underwent tenotomies of three or four rectus muscles by making limbal conjunctival incisions in one eye and fornix incisions in the other. Iris fluorescein angiography and slit-lamp biomicroscopy were used to monitor changes. The eyes that had limbal incisions exhibited more severe anterior segment ischemic changes than the eyes that had fornix incisions in every instance of four rectus muscle surgery.
Estimating the Pyrolysis Kinetic Parameters of Coal, Biomass, and Their Blends: A Comparative Study

The pyrolysis kinetic parameters of two coal ranks (DECS-25 lignite and DECS-38 sub-bituminous), two biomass materials (corn stover and switchgrass), and their respective blends were investigated at various heating rates ranging between 5 and 40 °C/min using thermogravimetric analysis. Complex models for devolatilization of the feedstocks were solved for obtaining and predicting the global kinetic parameters. Distributed activation energy model (method 1) and matrix inversion algorithm (method 2) were utilized and compared for this purpose. The results indicate that the matrix inversion algorithm predicts the kinetic parameters such that the weight loss characteristics can be best represented for both single fuels as well as that of blended materials. The algorithm can also be used for determining the number of reactions occurring in the devolatilization temperature interval. The number of reactions occurring during the devolatilization of blended materials falls between those that occur during the devola...