cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Water and Small-Molecule Permeation of Dormant Bacillus subtilis Spores

ABSTRACT We use a suspended microchannel resonator to characterize the water and small-molecule permeability of Bacillus subtilis spores based on spores9 buoyant mass in different solutions. Consistent with previous results, we found that the spore coat is not a significant barrier to small molecules, and the extent to which small molecules may enter the spore is size dependent. We have developed a method to directly observe the exchange kinetics of intraspore water with deuterium oxide, and we applied this method to wild-type spores and a panel of congenic mutants with deficiencies in the assembly or structure of the coat. Compared to wild-type spores, which exchange in approximately 1 s, several coat mutant spores were found to have relatively high water permeability with exchange times below the ∼200-ms temporal resolution of our assay. In addition, we found that the water permeability of the spore correlates with the ability of spores to germinate with dodecylamine and with the ability of TbCl 3 to inhibit germination with l-valine. These results suggest that the structure of the coat may be necessary for maintaining low water permeability. IMPORTANCE Spores of Bacillus species cause food spoilage and disease and are extremely resistant to standard decontamination methods. This hardiness is partly due to spores9 extremely low permeability to chemicals, including water. We present a method to directly monitor the uptake of molecules into B. subtilis spores by weighing spores in fluid. The results demonstrate the exchange of core water with subsecond resolution and show a correlation between water permeability and the rate at which small molecules can initiate or inhibit germination in coat-damaged spores. The ability to directly measure the uptake of molecules in the context of spores with known structural or genetic deficiencies is expected to provide insight into the determinants of spores9 extreme resistance.
Arginine Kinase Expression and Localization in Growth Cone Migration

Migrating neuronal growth cones exert traction forces that are generated by ATP-driven F-actin/myosin interactions. Sustained generation of these forces may require an energy supply mediated by the guanidino kinases, creatine kinase and arginine kinase. We cloned and sequenced grasshopper arginine kinase and examined its expression during embryogenesis and its subcellular localization in vivo and in vitro. During the first half of embryogenesis, arginine kinase is expressed selectively in a small percentage of ectodermal cells (dorsal closure cells), in a small percentage of mesodermal cells (muscle pioneers), and throughout the developing CNS. Most of these cell types are motile, including nascent neurons, muscle pioneers, dorsal closure cells, and many CNS glia. Neuroblasts also strongly express arginine kinase; they are nonmotile but are undergoing repeated rounds of (ATP-dependent) mitosis. Arginine kinase is colocalized with F-actin in a narrow band along the leading edges of lamellipodia of migrating glia. In neurons undergoing axonogenesis, arginine kinase is concentrated in growth cones and extends to the tips of filopodia. The amount of arginine kinase varies widely between growth cones, even between different growth cones of the same neuron. Energy for growth cone migration appears to be mobilized by (1) selective expression of arginine kinase by neurons, (2) localization of arginine kinase within growth cones, and (3) concentration of arginine kinase within specific growth cones, depending on the traction forces being generated. Mobilization of guanidino kinases may participate in the selective growth of specific growth cones.
Molecular cloning and analysis of the expression of the E1β subunit of branched chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase in mice

Abstract The cDNA sequence encoding the murine liver E1β subunit of the branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex (BCKAD) was determined. In the region encoding the mature E1β subunit protein, both the nucleotide composition and predicted amino acid sequence are highly conserved between murine, rat, human, and bovine species. In contrast, they are less well conserved in the 5′ sequence encoding the amino terminal preprotein sequence and 3′ untranslated region. The pattern of tissue-specific expression of three BCKAD subunit RNAs was determined to be similar in both rat and murine tissues except for that observed in murine liver, where a higher than expected level of E1β subunit RNA was observed. Variation in the levels of this subunit might play a major role in the regulation of the overall ability of the murine liver to modulate BCKAD content in response to changing physiologic needs.
The role of matrix in fast atom bombardment desorption of chlorophyll

Abstract The fast atom bombardment (FAB) desorbed chlorophyll molecular ions are formed with less internal energy and undergo less fragmentation than those desorbed from thin films. This may be due to the effect of the FAB matrix, which modifies the strong aggregation of chlorophyll molecules in the solid phase. Two other approaches for disrupting chlorophyll aggregation are doping the sample with an alkali salt, or extruding the Mg atom to give the corresponding pheophytin. Reactions of chlorophyll with the FAB matrix, however, are problematic for accurately determining purity of chlorophyll samples.
Football and the politics of place: Football Club Barcelona and Catalonia, 1975–2005

Although Football Club Barcelona has been closely tied to Barcelona and Catalonia throughout its history, the narrative of that relationship has varied. Those narratives provide different understandings of how FC Barcelona is implicated in the social construction of Barcelona and Catalonia as places. The relationship between club and place is dynamic and constantly renegotiated. Not only does the club change, but the political and social context in which FC Barcelona relates to these places also changes. This paper examines the place/identity/club nexus from 1975 to 2005 to illustrate how the club is mobilized to advance different ideas about Barcelona and Catalonia as places.
Neo-liberal poverty governance: race, place and the punitive turn in US welfare policy

This article provides empirical evidence on the operation and effects of the neo-liberal system of poverty governance emerging in the United States. Relying on data collected on Florida, a state recognized for innovation in implementing welfare reform, we present findings that demonstrate systematic inequities in the way sanctions are applied to clients who fail to comply with participation requirements in Florida’s welfare-to-work programme. Our findings underscore how the enduring influence of race, place and their interaction are critical to the emerging neo-liberal system of poverty governance.
The response of a resonator under a turbulent boundary layer to a high amplitude non-harmonic sound field☆

Abstract A method for finding the acoustic response of a Helmholtz resonator in the wall of a pipe containing fully developed turbulent pipe flow is described, for the case of an intense sound field that can be non-harmonic. The equation of motion for the fluid in the orifice is solved numerically in the time domain, and the orifice resistance is made to vary, during the oscillation cycle, in a way that is governed by the grazing flow parameters and the instantaneous mean flow velocity in the orifice. The mass end correction of the orifice is also allowed to be a function of the grazing flow. Predictions of the cavity pressure variation are presented, for a specified pipe pressure variation, and are compared to measurements; generally good agreement between the two is noted.
Cellulose: Energy source for microbial protein

Mixed cultures of bacteria anaerobically attacking cellulosic materials produce sufficient acetic, butyric, lactic and formic acids and ethanol and glucose to account for most of the original carbon. These products contain 60 to 90% of the free energy of the cellulose and are all usable as carbon sources for the aerobic growth of yeast.
Differing patterns of hsp70 gene expression in invasive and native kelp species: evidence for acclimation-induced variation

Temperature is one of the primary factors determining the geographic boundaries of seaweeds. Thus, investigations of how seaweeds cope with temperature stress and what affects their ability for range expansion are particularly important when studying invasive species. In physiological ecology, an established index of thermotolerance is the up-regulation of heat shock genes and subsequent synthesis of heat shock proteins (Hsps). The goal of this study was to examine the up-regulation of the hsp70 gene to assess physiological tolerances of the Eastern Pacific invasive kelp, Undaria pinnatifida, as compared to a potentially competing native kelp, Egregia menziesii. Individuals of both species were collected from six known Undaria invasion sites on the west coast of North America and held in the laboratory for 1–2 weeks for acclimation at 10°C. Samples were then heat shocked at 7 temperatures for 1 h. RNA was extracted, reverse transcribed, and amplified in quantitative PCR reactions to determine relative amounts of hsp70 transcript. Results indicate that the native Egregia may be locally adapted to different thermal regimes across latitude, while the invasive Undaria populations exhibit similar expression profiles across latitude but differ by habitat.
Exogenous choline enhances the synthesis of acetylcholine only under conditions of increased cholinergic neuronal activity.

: The effect of choline (60 mg/kg, i.p.) on fluphenazine- and pentylenetetrazol-induced alterations in the concentration of acetylcholine (ACh) and/or the rate of sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) in rat striatum and hippocampus was studied. Systemic administration of the dopamine receptor blocking agent fluphenazine hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) decreased the concentration of ACh in the striatum; this effect was prevented by the prior administration of choline. The central nervous system stimulant pentylenetetrazol (30 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced the concentration of ACh in both striatum and hippocampus and increased the velocity of HACU in the hippocampus. Pretreatment with choline totally prevented the depletion of ACh induced by pentylenetetrazol in the striatum. In the hippocampus, prior administration of choline prevented the pentylenetetrazol-induced increase in the rate of HACU and attenuated the effect of pentylenetetrazol on the levels of ACh. Results indicate that the acute administration of choline antagonizes pharmacologically induced alterations in cholinergic activity as assessed by the rate of HACU and the steady-state concentration of ACh. Furthermore, data support the hypothesis that the administration of choline increases the ability of central cholinergic neurons to synthesize ACh under conditions of increased neuronal activity.
Using Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes of Hair to Teach About Sustainable Agriculture Through Active Learning

The call for reform of science education is nearly three decades old (National Commission on Excellence in Education, 1983), but the implementation of such education improvements in the form of active learning techniques in large enrollment classes remains difficult. Here we present a class project designed to increase student involvement and quantitative analysis skills in a large enrollment lecture geared towards nonscience majors. We use the stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic analyses of hair to teach students about the impacts of industrial agriculture through quantitative assessment of diet in an environmental science course. Assessment of student learning, which was determined through exam questions and also through a feedback questionnaire, was overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating the usefulness of this technique in bringing active learning to the large enrollment classroom. 2013 National Association of Geoscience Teachers. [DOI: 10.5408/12-309.1]
A Wet Etching Technique for Accurate Etching of GaAs / AlAs Distributed Bragg Reflectors

The authors have demonstrated a wet etching technique capable of producing accurate and uniform etch depths in distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) and other GaAs/AlAs superlattice structures. The process utilizes two selective etchants, citric acid/hydrogen peroxide in a 4:1 ratio and phosphoric acid/hydrogen peroxide/water in a 3:1:50 ratio, to sequentially etch away each pair of superlattice layers. The authors have used this technique to expose a 680 {angstrom} thick conduction GaAs layer buried beneath a 15 period, 2.1 {micro}m thick, undoped GaAs/AlAs DBR mirror. Transmission line measurements pads were formed on the exposed layer to determine the contact and sheet resistance. Comparison with a similar layer on the surface of the wafer reveals that the exposed layer is easily contacted with only a slight increase in sheet resistance indicating less than 125 {angstrom} of overetching, 0.6% of the total etch depth.
Internal cerebral veins varix due to midline arteriovenous malformation: how much is the risk of bleeding?

We report a case of 40-year-old sportsman admitted to our department for a generalized seizure associated with bladder and bowel incontinence occurred during exercise. The patient quickly regained consciousness without postcritical deficits. Neurological examination appeared completely normal. A head computer tomography (CT) scan showed a midline arteriovenous malformation (AVM) without the evidence of bleeding (Fig. 1a, b). A digital subtraction angiography revealed a dysplastic nidus fed by branches of bilateral internal–external carotid and vertebrobasilar arteries, and draining both in the superficial and deep venous system, which showed varicose dilatation with Galen’s vein stenosis (Fig. 1c–g). Cerebral varix is defined as an ectasia which doubles vein diameter. It can be due to an arteriovenous shunt and appears more common in patients with direct fistulas, than in cerebral AVM with dysplastic nidi [1]. Differently from those associated with Galen’s vein fistulae, huge intracranial varix associated with cerebral AVMs were seldom reported. Headache, bruit, focal mass effect and hydrocephalus are common presentation symptoms [2]. Intracranial haemorrhage has been instead less often reported at clinical onset [3]. In the most of the cases of giant varix, direct arteriovenous communications in the context of nidus were observed, especially between feeding arteries and the varicose veins [4]. This discrete angiographic finding separate these vascular malformations from the classical and more common AVMs in which an abnormal vascular network is identified between the arterial feeders and draining veins [4]. Venous hypertension with retrograde drainage often results in focal neurological deficits and seizures [1]. Although it is commonly assumed that venous ectasia increases the bleeding risk, varix haemorrhagic presentation has been rarely reported [4]. It is may be due to the progressive thickening of the arterialized veins wall, with intimal proliferation of synthetic smoothmuscle cells and disappearance of the internal elastic lamina, that make arterialized veins not greatly prone to rupture [1, 4]. On the other hand, instead, the presence of venous varix on the draining veins has been recognized as a factor increasing the risk of haemorrhage in dural arteriovenous fistulae [5]. In the case reported here, the presence of multiple feeders causing high flow shunt rate, direct drainage in a cisternal venous system, and an impaired venous outlet due to the Galen’s vein stenosis, may have contributed to the varix formation. Prolonged sporting activity, instead, has not been a factor influencing AVM rupture.
Spray counterflow diffusion flames of heptane: Experiments and computations with detailed kinetics and transport

Experiments and computations were conducted on counterflow spray diffusion flames of heptane under conditions of modest slip velocity between droplets and gas that ensured the validity of one-dimensional self-similar modeling. Comprisons were made at three different strain rates under conditions encompassing pseudo-gasenous flems, that is, flames without direct droplet-flame interaction, as well as a case in which some droplets penetrated the flame. Measurements of the temperature field by thermocouples and of the gaseous velocity, droplet velocity, and droplet size distribution by phase Doppler interferometric techniques were compared with the predictions of numerical simulations with detailed chemistry and transport. Droplet size distribution effects were modeled by a sectional approach. Good agreement between model predictions and measurements were found in all but one case. The discrepancy in the latter was attributed to buoyancy, a phenomenon that had not been accounted for in the model. The position of the computed flames was rather sensitive to the specification of the velocity boundary conditions, which needed to rely on experimental input rather than on common assumptions of either plug or potential flow. It was found that the rapid-mixing (infinite liquid thermal conductivity) model for individual droplet evaporation adequately described the spray evaporation in these single-compoment diluted sprays.
Pediatric Education and Training of Prehospital Providers: A Critical Analysis

Providing pediatric-specific education and training to prehospital providers is felt to be essential in improving emergency medical services provided to children. This review critically examines the current state of prehospital provider education in pediatrics and the recent literature published in this field. Optimal methods to teach, train, maintain, and evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and skills requisite for prehospital providers of pediatric emergency care will be discussed. Although there have been several studies conducted on pediatric prehospital education, these have been preliminary in nature and lend themselves to additional inquiry to best define the optimal approach to the pediatric education and training of prehospital emergency medical personnel.
Deleting titin’s I-band/A-band junction reveals critical roles for titin in biomechanical sensing and cardiac function

Titin, the largest protein known, forms a giant filament in muscle where it spans the half sarcomere from Z disk to M band. Here we genetically targeted a stretch of 14 immunoglobulin-like and fibronectin type 3 domains that comprises the I-band/A-band (IA) junction and obtained a viable mouse model. Super-resolution optical microscopy (structured illumination microscopy, SIM) and electron microscopy were used to study the thick filament length and titin's molecular elasticity. SIM showed that the IA junction functionally belongs to the relatively stiff A-band region of titin. The stiffness of A-band titin was found to be high, relative to that of I-band titin (∼ 40-fold higher) but low, relative to that of the myosin-based thick filament (∼ 70-fold lower). Sarcomere stretch therefore results in movement of A-band titin with respect to the thick filament backbone, and this might constitute a novel length-sensing mechanism. Findings disproved that titin at the IA junction is crucial for thick filament length control, settling a long-standing hypothesis. SIM also showed that deleting the IA junction moves the attachment point of titin's spring region away from the Z disk, increasing the strain on titin's molecular spring elements. Functional studies from the cellular to ex vivo and in vivo left ventricular chamber levels showed that this causes diastolic dysfunction and other symptoms of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Thus, our work supports titin's important roles in diastolic function and disease of the heart.
TTC, fluoro-Jade B and NeuN staining confirm evolving phases of infarction induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Abstract Considerable debate exists in the literature on how best to measure infarct damage and at what point after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) infarct is histologically complete. As many researchers are focusing on more chronic endpoints in neuroprotection studies it is important to evaluate histological damage at later time points to ensure that standard methods of tissue injury measurement are accurate. To compare tissue viability at both acute and sub-acute time points, we used 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), Fluoro-Jade B, and NeuN staining to examine the evolving phases of infarction induced by a 90-min MCAO in mice. Stroke outcomes were examined at 1.5 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, and 7 d after MCAO. There was a time-dependent increase in infarct volume from 1.5 h to 24 h in the cortex, followed by a plateau from 24 h to 7 d after stroke. Striatal infarcts were complete by 12 h. Fluoro-Jade B staining peaked at 24 h and was minimal by 7 d. Our results indicated that histological damage as measured by TTC and Fluoro-Jade B reaches its peak by 24 h after stroke in a reperfusion model of MCAO in mice. TTC staining can be accurately performed as late as 7 d after stroke. Neurological deficits do not correlate with the structural lesion but rather transient impairment of function. As the infarct is complete by 24 h and even earlier in the striatum, even the most efficacious neuroprotective therapies are unlikely to show any efficacy if given after this point.
Effects of beraprost sodium and prostaglandin E1 on skin blood flow in diabetic rats and normal dogs

Abstract 1. 1. The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of beraprost sodium (BPS), a stable prostaglandin I2 analog, with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the skin blood flow in anesthesized diabetic rats and anesthetized dogs. 2. 2. In anesthetized diabetic rats, BPS, but not PGE1, caused a dose-dependent and significant increase in femoral skin blood flow. 3. 3. In anesthetized dogs, PGE1 significantly increased femoral arterial blood flow than BPS. However, BPS significantly increased in-step skin blood flow than PGE1. 4. 4. The above data suggest that BPS may be clinically useful for the treatment of circulatory insufficiency of lower extremities in diabetic patients.
Blast effect from a pancake shaped fuel drop—air cloud detonation (theory and experiment)

Abstract The tendency of fuel—air clouds to assume a pancake shape on the ground, due to buoyancy effects, significantly increases the ground area affected by subsequent detonation. Blast from a cloud with this configuration was theoretically evaluated using an analysis of planar detonation with side relief due to Sichel and the HEMP hydrocode. Theoretical results compare satisfactorily with pressure data obtained from detonation of a large (∼ 50 m diameter) hydrocarbon fuel-air cloud.
Mutations increasing exposure of a receptor binding site epitope in the soluble and oligomeric forms of the caprine arthritis-encephalitis lentivirus envelope glycoprotein.

Abstract The caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAEV) and ovine maedi-visna (MVV) viruses are resistant to antibody neutralization, a feature shared with all other lentiviruses. Whether the CAEV gp135 receptor binding site(s) (RBS) in the functional surface envelope glycoprotein (Env) is protected from antibody binding, allowing the virus to resist neutralization, is not known. Two CAEV gp135 regions were identified by extrapolating a gp135 structural model that could affect binding of antibodies to the RBS: the V1 region and a short sequence analogous in position to the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 loop B postulated to be located between two major domains of CAEV gp135. Mutation of isoleucine-166 to alanine in the putative loop B of gp135 increased the affinity of soluble gp135 for the CAEV receptor(s) and goat monoclonal antibody (Mab) F7-299 which recognizes an epitope overlapping the gp135 RBS. The I166A mutation also stabilized or exposed the F7-299 epitope in anionic detergent buffers, indicating that the I166A mutation induces conformational changes and stabilizes the RBS of soluble gp135 and enhances Mab F7-299 binding. In contrast, the affinity of a V1 deletion mutant of gp135 for the receptor and Mab F7-299 and its structural stability did not differ from that of the wild-type gp135. However, both the I166A mutation and the V1 deletion of gp135 increased cell-to-cell fusion activity and binding of Mab F7-299 to the oligomeric Env. Therefore, the CAEV gp135 RBS is protected from antibody binding by mechanisms both dependent and independent of Env oligomerization which are disrupted by the V1 deletion and the I166A mutation, respectively. In addition, we found a correlation between side-chain β-branching at amino acid position 166 and binding of Mab F7-299 to oligomeric Env and cell-to-cell fusion, suggesting local secondary structure constraints in the region around isoleucine-166 as one determinant of gp135 RBS exposure and antibody binding.
Peroxidase activity in mycelia of Aspergillus parasiticus that degrade aflatoxin

Extracts of 9-day-old mycelia of Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 were assayed for peroxidase activity and for their ability to degrade aflatoxin. A positive relationship existed between rates of aflatoxin degradation and amount of peroxidase activity in these extracts. The supernatant fluid of homogenates from mycelia grown under similar conditions varied in amount of peroxidase present (170 to 2215 U/g). The fraction obtained, by precipitation with (NH4)2SO4 at 45% of saturation, from six different homogenates prepared from three mycelial mats contained peroxidase and degraded aflatoxin. Rates of aflatoxin degradation by and amounts of peroxidase activity in each sample obtained from mycelial homogenates with (NH4)2SO4 at 60% of saturation varied; however, when increased amounts of peroxidase activity were present, more aflatoxin was degraded and vice versa. Relatively little peroxidase activity was present in the fraction obtained with (NH4)2SO4 at 30% of saturation and little or no aflatoxin was degraded by this precipitate. Trends for degradation of aflatoxin when more or less peroxidase activity was present in mycelial preparations suggest that the enzyme may be involved in degradation of aflatoxin by the Aspergillus.
The Telescope Program for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, West Virginia

A brief account is given of the initiation of the feasibility study on the establishment and operation of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, West Virginia. The principal research facilities will be the radio telescopes, and a series of such telescopes have been proposed. The desired performance characteristics are reviewed. A 140-foot steerable paraboloid on an equatorial mount has been designed. The steps leading to this design are described, as well as the general features of the designed and the expected operating performance. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is being sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
The Effects of Depression on Leisure: Varying Relationships Between Enjoyment, Sociability, Participation, and Desired Outcomes in College Students

Depression leads to negative mood and affect, difficulty experiencing enjoyment in chosen activities (anhedonia), and a reduced desire for social interaction. This study compared 974 college students with different levels of depression (minimal, mild, and moderate to severe) relative to their desired outcomes for leisure, and their enjoyment of, participation and sociability in, different types of chosen leisure activities. Findings indicated consistency in their desired outcomes students, yet there were differences in how social they chose to be, the extent to which they partook, and how much enjoyment they perceived during their leisure participation. In addition, in several activities only a mild state of depression was sufficient to produce differences in leisure involvement. The results question whether depressed individuals experience “leisure” in the same manner as nondepressed individuals and whether elements of “leisure” experiences stressing enjoyment and sociability are applicable for individua...
Charge exchange between Xe44+ and H2 in an ion trap

Abstract Extracted Xe 44+ ions from an electron beam ion trap (EBIT) have been decelerated and captured in a cylindrical Penning trap. The voltage induced between the compensation electrodes by the axial ion oscillation is used to measure charge exchange rate coefficients from H 2 to Xe 44+ at low energies and the resistive cooling time constant as well. The experimentally determined reaction rates are found to be in reasonable agreement with the Langevin model for charge exchange.
Validation of Mars Global Reference Atmospheric Model (Mars-GRAM 2001) and planned new features

Abstract For altitudes below 80 km, Mars Global Reference Atmospheric Model (Mars-GRAM 2001) is based on output climatology from NASA Ames Mars General Circulation Model (MGCM). At COSPAR 2002, results were presented of validation tests of Mars-GRAM versus data from Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) and Radio Science (RS) experiment. Further validation tests are presented comparing Mars-GRAM densities with those from the European Mars Climate Database (MCD), and comparing densities from both Mars-GRAM and MCD against TES observations. Throughout most of the height and latitude range of TES data (0–40 km and 70S to 70N), good agreement is found between atmospheric densities from Mars-GRAM and MCD. However, at the season and latitude zone for Mars Phoenix arrival and landing ( L s = 65°–80° and latitude 65N to 75N), Mars-GRAM densities are about 30%–45% higher than MCD densities near 40 km altitude. Further evaluation is warranted concerning potential impact of these model differences on planning for Phoenix entry and descent. Three planned features for Mars-GRAM update are also discussed: (1) new MGCM and Thermospheric General Circulation Model data sets to be used as a revised basis for Mars-GRAM mean atmosphere, (2) a new feature to represent planetary-scale traveling waves for upper altitude density variations (such as found during Mars Odyssey aerobraking), and (3) a new model for effects of high resolution topographic slope on winds near the surface (0–4.5 km above Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter topography level). Mars-GRAM slope winds will be computed from a diagnostic (algebraic) relationship based on Ye et al. [Ye, Z.J., Segal, M., Pielke, R.A., A comparative study of daytime thermally induced upslope flow on Mars and Earth, J. Atmos. Sci. 47(5), 612–628, 1990]. This approach differs from mesoscale models (such as Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System and Mars Mesoscale Model Version 5), which use prognostic, full-physics solutions of the time- and space-dependent differential equations of motion. As such, slope winds in Mars-GRAM will be consistent with its “engineering-level” approach, and will be extremely fast and easy to evaluate, compared with mesoscale model solutions. Mars-GRAM slope winds are not being suggested as a replacement for sophisticated, full-physics Mars mesoscale models, but may have value, particularly for preliminary screening of large numbers of candidate landing sites for future Mars missions, such as Phoenix and Mars Science Laboratory. Test output is presented from Mars-GRAM slope winds in the area of Gusev Crater and Valles Marineris.
Analysis of Selected Marketing Strategies: A Whole-Farm Simulation Approach

A detailed whole-farm simulation model capable of simulating stochastic daily cash and futures prices was used to evaluate alternative marketing strategies for a Texas High Plains cotton farm over a ten-year planning horizon. Stochastic dominance with respect to a function was used to rank the alternative marketing strategies for risk-averse and risk-neutral producers. Results indicated that risk-averse producers would prefer hedge and hold marketing strategies over discretionary hedging strategies. Sellers' call contracting was not highly preferred by either risk-neutral or risk-averse producers.
Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: in vivo imaging of the pathologic substrate for premature cardiac death?

In vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart with gadolinium-based contrast agents has been performed since the mid-1980s [(1)][1]. A major limitation of the initial techniques was insufficient image contrast between normal and infarcted myocardium. Recently, a number of studies have
Stereochemistry of the Deamination of Spiropentylamine

The stereochemistry of the deamination of (−)-spiropentylamine in acetic acid has been studied, and it was found that one of the major products, (−)-spiropentyl acetate, was formed with essentially complete inversion of configuration. This suggests that it is formed via an SN2 displacement on the spiropentyldiazonium ion. The stereochemistry was established by the conversion of (−)-spiropentanecarboxylic acid to (−)-spiropentylamine via a Curtius rearrangement that proceeds with retention of configuration. The (−) acid also was converted to spiropentyl methyl ketone with methyllithium and then to (+)-spiropentyl acetate via the Baeyer−Villiger reaction that also results in retention of configuration. The deamination of N-nitroso-N-spiropentyl urea was studied in methanol, and spiropentyl methyl ether was a major product. Similarly, the reaction in water led to spiropentanol. The latter reactions also lead to 2-methoxymethyl- or 2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-butadiene, respectively, corresponding to the alternative ...
Excitation energies, polarizabilities, multipole transition rates, and lifetimes of ions along the francium isoelectronic sequence

Relativistic many-body perturbation theory is applied to study properties of ions of the francium isoelectronic sequence. Specifically, energies of the $7s$, $7p$, $6d$, and $5f$ states of Fr-like ions with nuclear charges $Z=87--100$ are calculated through third order; reduced matrix elements, oscillator strengths, transition rates, and lifetimes are determined for $7s\text{\ensuremath{-}}7p$, $7p\text{\ensuremath{-}}6d$, and $6d\text{\ensuremath{-}}5f$ electric-dipole transitions; and $7s\text{\ensuremath{-}}6d$, $7s\text{\ensuremath{-}}5f$, and $5{f}_{5∕2}\text{\ensuremath{-}}5{f}_{7∕2}$ multipole matrix elements are evaluated to obtain the lifetimes of low-lying excited states. Moreover, for the ions $Z=87--92$ calculations are also carried out using the relativistic all-order single-double method, in which single and double excitations of Dirac-Fock wave functions are included to all orders in perturbation theory. With the aid of the single-double wave functions, we obtain accurate values of energies, transition rates, oscillator strengths, and the lifetimes of these six ions. Ground state scalar polarizabilities in $\mathrm{Fr}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\mathrm{I}$, $\mathrm{Ra}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\mathrm{II}$, $\mathrm{Ac}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\mathrm{III}$, and $\mathrm{Th}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\mathrm{IV}$ are calculated using relativistic third-order and all-order methods. Ground state scalar polarizabilities for other Fr-like ions are calculated using a relativistic second-order method. These calculations provide a theoretical benchmark for comparison with experiment and theory.
An Exact Solution for Effects of Topography on Free Rayleigh Waves

An exact solution for the effects of topography on Rayleigh wave amplification is presented. The solution is obtained by incorporating conformal mapping into complex-variable stress functions developed for free Rayleigh wave propagation in an elastic half-space with a flat upper surface. Results are presented for free Rayleigh wave propagation across isolated symmetric ridges and valleys. It is found for wavelengths that are comparable to ridge widths that horizontal Rayleigh wave amplitudes are amplified at ridge crests and that vertical amplitudes are strongly reduced near ridge crests relative to horizontal and vertical amplitudes of free Rayleigh waves in the flat case. Horizontal amplitudes are strongly deamplified at valley bottoms relative to those for the flat case for Rayleigh wavelengths comparable to valley widths. Wave amplitudes in the symmetric ridges and valleys asymptotically approach those for the flat case with increased wavelengths, increased ridge and valley widths, and with horizontal distance from and depth below the isolated ridges and valleys. Also, prograde particle motion is predicted near crests of narrow ridges and near the bottoms of narrow valleys. Finally, application of the theory at two sites known for topographic wave amplification gives a predicted surface wave amplification ratio of 3.80 at the ridge center for a frequency of 1.0 Hz at Robinwood Ridge in northern California and a predicted surface wave amplification ratio of 1.67 at the ridge center for the same frequency at the Cedar Hill Nursery site at Tarzana in southern California.
Dynamic Incentives for Congestion Control

We introduce a new dynamic pricing mechanism for controlling congestion in a network shared by non-cooperative users. The network exhibits a congestion externality and users have private information regarding their willingness to pay for network use. The externalities imply that many simple uniform price adjustment processes (e.g., tatonnement) either fail to effectively control flow demands and/or are subject to strategic manipulation. We propose a dynamic discriminatory pricing mechanism design and show that it effectively controls congestion while ensuring the efficient allocation of network capacity. We show the proposed mechanism is robust to strategic manipulation. To the best of our knowledge, there is no other dynamic pricing mechanism in the literature with these properties.
Robust self-association is a common feature of mammalian visual arrestin-1.

Arrestin-14 binds light-activated rhodopsin phosphorylated by GRK1 (a.k.a. rhodopsin kinase) with high affinity (1), ensuring the termination of light-induced signaling with sub-second kinetics (2). Arrestin-1 knockout in mice dramatically slows the photoresponse shutoff in rod (3) and cone (4) photoreceptors. Arrestin-1 deficiency in humans results in Oguchi disease, a form of stationary night blindness (5). Arrestin-1 is expressed at very high levels in both photoreceptor types, being the second most abundant signaling protein after corresponding opsins (4, 6, 7). Considering that the rhodopsin concentration in rod outer segments (OS) is ~3 mM (8), the average cytoplasmic concentration of arrestin-1 (which is expressed at ~0.8:1 ratio to rhodopsin (6, 7, 9)) is expected to be >1 mM (1). Dark-adapted rods are used in most studies of the molecular mechanisms of rod signaling in genetically modified mice (reviewed in (10–12)). In the dark, ~85% of arrestin-1 resides in the inner segments, cell bodies, and synaptic terminals (6, 9, 13–15), which brings its concentration in these compartments to >2 mM (9). While the majority of the functional studies were performed in mice and humans, the biochemical properties of arrestin-1 were mostly studied using bovine protein. Bovine arrestin-1 robustly self-associates (16, 17), cooperatively forming dimers and tetramers (16, 18, 19). It is unclear whether this is a peculiar property of bovine protein, or a common feature of mammalian arrestin-1 species. In addition, since only monomeric arrestin-1 binds rhodopsin and quenches the signaling (18), the concentration of the monomer is an important functional parameter; it can be calculated based on total arrestin-1 if the self-association constant(s) are known. In view of therapeutic potential of “enhanced” mutants that can compensate for deficits of rhodopsin phosphorylation in vivo (20), characterization of human arrestin-1 is particularly important. Therefore, we explored oligomerization of purified mouse and human arrestin-1 and found that self-association is a common feature of mammalian arrestin-1. Interestingly, we found that while the values of dimerization and tetramerization constants of arrestin-1 from three species are very different, the underlying molecular interactions appear to be similar: the same point mutations render bovine and mouse arrestin-1 constitutively monomeric.
Association between self-report of cognitive impairment, HIV status, and cocaine use in a sample of cocaine-dependent methadone-maintained patients☆

HIV-disease as well as chronic cocaine abuse may both produce neuropsychological deficits that could potentially interfere with psychoeducational treatments for drug abuse. In this study, the Neuropsychological Impairment Scale (NIS), a 95-item self-report assessment instrument, was administered to 120 cocaine-dependent methadone-maintained patients (59 HIV-seropositive; 61 seronegative) to assess self-awareness of cognitive deficits in this patient population. HIV-seropositive cocaine users reported significantly more impairment than did HIV-seronegative cocaine users on all summary scores and six of seven clinical subscales. Controlling for the influence of sociodemographic variables (age, sex, ethnicity, and education), acute and chronic cocaine use, and effective distress, there was still a significant relationship between HIV status and self-report of neuropsychological impairment. Relative to patients with known neuropsychological deficits, 41% of HIV-seropositive cocaine users and 31% of HIV-seronegative cocaine users scored in the impaired range on the Global Impairment Index. Implications for treatment are discussed.
Interpreting the strongest deep earthquake ever observed

Massive earthquakes that strike deep within the Earth may be more efficient at dissipating pent-up energy than similar quakes near the surface, according to new research by Wei et al. The authors analyzed the rupture of the most powerful deep earthquake ever recorded.
Fission fragment energy loss and spectrum parameter changes for 252Cf sources overcoated with carbon and gold

Abstract The self-transfer properties of 252Cf sources in a vacuum environment necessitates the use of thin cover layers if the 252Cf sources are to be used in fission fragment experiments or if the amount of 252Cf on the sources is determined by low geometry alpha or fission fragment counting. The thin cover layers prevent the transfer of the 252Cf to surrounding areas without seriously degrading the fission fragment spectrum. This paper describes how thin carbon and gold cover foils affect the fission fragment energy, fission fragment spectrum parameters, and transfer rates from 252Cf sources.
The relationship between nuclear receptor-estrogen binding and uterotrophic responses.

Abstract Long term uterotrophic responses have been examined as a function of the levels of nuclear receptor·estrogen complex (R·E) in the uteri of immature rats. The uterine growth responses which are measurable at 24 hours after estradiol (E 2 ) injection are proportional to the level of nuclear R·E 2 in the uterus at 6 hours. The presence of R·E in the nuclear fraction for approximately 6 hours is suggested as requisite for the induction of long term uterotrophic responses. The differential lability of receptor·estradiol (R·E 2 ) and receptor·estriol (R·E 3 ) complexes has been employed to test this proposal. Nuclear R·E 2 and R·E 3 are equivalent between 1 and 3 hours after estrogen injection. Early responses such as increases in wet weight are also equivalent. However, at 6 hours after injection, R·E 2 remains significantly higher than R·E 3 which declines to the level of saline-injected controls. In a corresponding manner, E 2 induces long term uterotrophic responses whereas E 3 is incapable of such induction. It seems likely that the R·E complex must be present in the nucleus for some time in order to induce long term uterotrophic responses.
Computer simulation of firefly flash sequences

Experiments involving artificial courtship of female Photinus macdermotti fireflies have been used to develop a functional model of flash analysis for firefly communication. Based on this theory a computer model was designed that simulates the behavior of the female firefly. The model explains both deterministic and stochastic components present in the flashing sequences. The model's long term output is a stochastic process, whose statistical averages are equivalent to the statistical averages of a real firefly sequence. The model recognizes double and triple intervals regardless of their position in the sequence. A comparative study between measured and computer simulated sequences is presented. It is shown that computer generated flash-answer sequences are in very good agreement with observed flash-answer sequences.
Chromosomes segregration and development in Caulobacter crescentus.

Abstract The pattern of genome segregation to progeny stalked and swarmer cells of Caulobacter crescentus has been determined in a study of the localization of information in developing cells. The genome of stalked cells was labeled with [ 3 H]deoxy-guanosine to mark one of the two DNA strands preferentially. The segregation of this labeled strand after one or more rounds of replication and division in non-radioactive medium was determined by (a) the rate of accumulation of radio-activity during three successive generations of swarmer cells released from labeled stalked cells which were attached to glass plates, and (b) electron microscopy autoradiography of stalked and swarmer cell progeny of labeled stalked cells. The results indicate that most of the DNA of a given age in C. crescentus segre-gates randomly to the two cell types at division, and that the genome probably segregates as a single chromosomal unit.
Anaerobic phosphorylation in Ascaris mitochondria and the effects of anthelmintics.

Abstract 1. 1. A rapid anaerobic, malate dependent, net esterification of inorganic radioactive phosphate (32Pi) has been demonstrated in muscle mitochondria obtained from the intestinal nematode, Ascaris lumbricoides var. suum. Of a number of substrates tested, the system was essentially specific for malate or fumarate. 2. 2. 32Pi/malate ratios obtained approximated 0.5. These findings and the observed inhibitory effect of malonate on 32Pi esterification are in accord with the previously postulated mitochondrial dismutation of malate to pyruvate and succinate. 3. 3. Oligomycin, rotenone and other uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation in mammalian mitochondria also inhibit the anaerobic incorporation of 32Pi in Ascaris mitochondria, providing additional evidence for the involvement of an electron transport associated phosphorylation. Antimycin, however, has little inhibitory effect. 4. 4. Low concentrations of a number of anticestodal chemotherapeutic agents and the antinematodal agent, dithiazanine, markedly inhibit this system.
Stereo vision based full-range object detection and tracking

Active safety applications can be divided into two categories according to the sensor technology the system uses: short range applications and long range applications. Short range applications require reliable sensing of a wider field-of-view but limited range, while long range applications require accurate sensing of a long range but within a limited FOV. In this paper, we present a stereo vision based system that is capable of detecting and tracking objects in full range and wide FOV, which effectively enables both short range and long range applications to happen simultaneously in a single system. The system runs at 20 Hz on embedded hardware, computing 1280×456 range maps, road surface estimation, object detection, segmentation and tracking. For vehicle sized objects, the system has a detection capability of 3 to 160 meters, which is needed for the operation of collision warning/ avoidance systems.
A parallel quicksort algorithm

Abstract An optimal parallel version of quicksort, pquicksort, is presented and analyzed. The algorithm is designed for a p-processor MIMD (multiple instruction, multiple data) machine with shared memory and is an exclusive read, exclusive write algorithm. It is shown that in almost all permutations of N values (with probability 1 - o(1/N)) pquicksort will sort in O(N lg N/p) for p ≤ N/lg N.