cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of products arising from the metabolism of cis- and trans-chlordane in rat liver microsomes in vitro: Outline of a possible metabolic pathway

Abstract The metabolism of pure cis- and trans-chlordane was studied in vitro. Microsomal preparations from the livers of male rats induced with cis- or trans-chlordane in feed for 10 days were used to metabolize the pure compound corresponding to the inducer. Subsequent extraction, column fractionation, and combined gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy resulted in the characterization of four compounds not previously reported from an in vitro system. In addition to the substrate, trans-chlordane extracts contained species with the following molecular weights and empirical formulas: m e 370, C10H5Cl7, heptachlor; m e 352, C10H6OCl6, a hydroxylated chlordene; and m e 422, C10H6OCl8, a hydroxylated chlordane. Dichlorochlordene, oxychlordane, and 1-chloro-2-hydroxy-dihydrochlordene were also present. With the exception of the hydroxychlordane, cis-chlordane extracts contained all of the metabolites found in the trans incubates. Additionally, a fully saturated compound, m e 372, C10H7Cl7, a dihydroheptachlor, was present. The 1,2-trans-dihydrodiol of heptachlor found in previous in vitro incubates of cis-chlordane was not present in this extract. This information has been incorporated into a proposed route for the biotransformation of the chlordanes that offers an explanation for the observed differences in the metabolism of cis and trans isomers. The pathway is based on the reductive dechlorination of the chlordanes through dihydroheptachlor to dihydrochlordene. Parallel pathways of hydroxylation, desaturation, and epoxide formation arise at each of these species and at chlordane itself.
Using the theory of cyclotomy to factor cyclotomic polynomials over finite fields

We examine the problem of factoring the rth cyclotomic polynomial, Φ r (x), over Fp, r and p distinct primes. Given the traces of the roots of Φ r (x) we construct the coefficients of Φ r (x) in time O(r 4 ). We demonstrate a deterministic algorithm for factoring Φ r (x) in time O((r 1/2+ ∈log p) 9 ) when Φ r (x) has precisely two irreducible factors. Finally, we present a deterministic algorithm for computing the sum of the irreducible factors of Φ r (x) in time O(r 6 ).
The Transport of Bioavailable Phosphorus in Agricultural Runoff

Bioavailable P (BAP) in agricultural runoff represents P potentially available for algal uptake and consists of soluble P (SP) and a variable portion of participate P (PP). Evaluation of the impact of agricultural management on BAP in runoff will aid assessment of the resultant biological productivity of receiving water bodies. Soluble P, PP, and bioavailable PP (BPP) (estimated by NaOH extraction) were determined over a 5-yr period in runoff from 20 unfertilized and fertilized, grassed, and cropped watersheds in the Southern Plains. Soluble P, BPP, and BAP loss in runoff was reduced by practices minimizing erosion and runoff, with respective mean annual amounts ranging from 237 to 122, 1559 to 54, and 1796 to 176 g P ha yr (for peanut-sorghum [ L.- (L.) Moench] and native grass watersheds, respectively). However, as vegetative cover improved, BAP (SP plus BPP) comprised a larger portion of total P (TP) loss (29% for peanut-sorghum and 88% for native grass). This results from an increasing contribution to BAP of SP (13% for peanut-sorghum and 69% for native grass watersheds) and BPP to PP (26% for peanut-sorghum and 69% for native grass watersheds). Clearly, P bioavailability is a dynamic function of physiochemical processes controlling erosion, particle size enrichment, P desorption-dissolution reactions, and plant residue breakdown, in addition to soil and fertilizer P management. Hence, the change in trophic state of a water body may not be adequately reflected by TP inputs only. To more reliably evaluate the biological response of a water body to agricultural P inputs, particularly from conservation tillage practices, it may be necessary to determine BAP in runoff.
Polymer size distribution and average molecular weights for reactions involving variable propagation rates

General equations are derived to predict product distribution and number-average molecular weight of consecutive competitive second-order reactions, where rates of propagation are different for the m first reaction steps and become identical for all subsequent reactions. The equations have been applied to experimental results obtained for the propylene oxide—water reaction.
XRCC1 interaction with the REV1 C-terminal domain suggests a role in post replication repair.

Abstract The function of X-ray cross complementing group 1 protein (XRCC1), a scaffold that binds to DNA repair enzymes involved in single-strand break and base excision repair, requires that it be recruited to sites of damaged DNA. However, structural insights into this recruitment are currently limited. Sequence analysis of the first unstructured linker domain of XRCC1 identifies a segment consistent with a possible REV1 interacting region (X1RIR) motif. The X1RIR motif is present in translesion polymerases that can be recruited to the pol ζ/REV1 DNA repair complex via a specific interaction with the REV1 C-terminal domain. NMR and fluorescence titration studies were performed on XRCC1-derived peptides containing this putative RIR motif in order to evaluate the binding affinity for the REV1 C-terminal domain. These studies demonstrate an interaction of the XRCC1-derived peptide with the human REV1 C-terminal domain characterized by dissociation constants in the low micromolar range. Ligand competition studies comparing the XRCC1 RIR peptide with previously studied RIR peptides were found to be inconsistent with the NMR based K d values. These discrepancies were resolved using a fluorescence assay for which the RIR–REV1 system is particularly well suited. The structure of a REV1-XRCC1 peptide complex was determined by using NOE restraints to dock the unlabeled XRCC1 peptide with a labeled REV1 C-terminal domain. The structure is generally homologous with previously determined complexes with the pol κ and pol η RIR peptides, although the helical segment in XRCC1 is shorter than was observed in these cases. These studies suggest the possible involvement of XRCC1 and its associated repair factors in post replication repair.
Molecular Typing to Demonstrate Transmission of Gram-Negative Bacteria in the NICU † 1417

Objectives: To study spread of clones of aerobic gram-negative rods (GNR) in the NICU and the influence of antibiotic resistance on transmission. To evaluate the use of contour clamped homogeneous electric field (CHEF) gel electrophoresis in demonstrating spread of GNR in non-epidemic situations. Setting: 45 bed unit with care by two medical teams covering rooms 1&3 (team A) and 2&4 (team B). Ampicillin and gentamicin are used routinely for empiric treatment of sepsis.Methods: A prospective surveillance study. Sequential stool/rectal swab cultures were obtained on admission, weekly, and on discharge from 1/1-3/31/97. GNR were isolated on selective media, tested for gentamicin susceptibility, and typed by CHEF. Staff hand pool cultures were obtained in the last week of the study. Results: 239 infants had 561 cultures during the study period. 317(56%) cultures had GNR and 145(45%) cultures had>1 GNR for a total of 484 isolates; percentage positive increased linearly with age. 417(86%) isolates were gentamicin susceptible (GS) and 67(14%) were gentamicin non-susceptible (GNS). The species identified were:Klebsiella 184(38%), E.coli 151(31%),Enterobacter 74(15%), Citrobacter 46(10%),Pseudomonas 14(3%), Serratia 12(2%), others 3(1%). All 5 hand pools grew ≥1 GNR and 3 isolates were identical to strain types from colonized infants. Data for E. coli are presented.
Are adjuncts to induction chemotherapy worthwhile in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia

Research in non-transplant therapy of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been focused on approaches to improve the efficacy of the backbone of cytarabine and anthracycline induction and consolidation regimens through modifications of dose and schedule of these agents and the addition of other cytotoxic agents. More recent advances in understanding the molecular biology of the disease have not only led to better prediction of responsiveness to these traditional regimens, but have also led to the identification of molecular targets for development of novel agents. Future research is likely to focus on determining which candidates are the best among such novel agents and what is the most appropriate way of incorporating them into the existing chemotherapy regimens. Identification of potent targeted agents may even have the potential of replacing cytotoxic therapy at least in some subsets of AML.
Do est patents matter

On the other hand, a proliferation of broad, overlapping patent rights on ESTs in the hands of different owners could present a serious obstacle to the development of future products encoded by sequences that span many ESTs. The greater the number of licenses that need to be negotiated, the greater the risk that bargaining will fail[13xHeller, M. and Eisenberg, R.S. Science. 1998; 280: 698Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (1132)See all References][13]. The PTO is optimistic that the challenge of procuring multiple licenses will be manageable in biotechnology, as it has been in other industries. But so far, experience in the biotechnology community gives little reason for such optimism. The first generation of biotechnology products have been plagued by litigation between patent holders who have been unsuccessful, if not completely uninterested, in negotiating cross-licenses[14xSee all References][14]. More recently, as proprietary research tools have proliferated in biomedical research, both academic and for-profit institutions have experienced growing difficulties and delays in negotiating mutually agreeable terms of exchange[15xSee all References][15]. In this setting there are real costs to fragmenting intellectual property rights and handing them out to multiple owners.In the long run, it is likely that broad patents on ESTs will be challenged in the courts, unless patent owners license them on terms that leave users with little motivation to litigate. But it may be many years before the Federal Circuit has an opportunity to decide whether the patents that the PTO is issuing today are consistent with the teachings of prior decisions. Meanwhile, broad patent claims on ESTs, however dubious their validity, can only add to the risks and uncertainty of future genomic research and product development.Note: Decisions of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit are cited below in accordance with the format prescribed in The Bluebook: a Uniform System of Citation (16th edn 1996), compiled by the editors of the Columbia Law Review, the Harvard Law Review, the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, and The Yale Law Journal. The cases appear in the volumes indicated below of West's Federal Reporter, Second Series (abbreviated as `F.2d') or Third Series (abbreviated as `F.3d'), beginning at the cited pages. Decisions since 1995 are also available on the Internet from a United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit home page maintained by Emory Law School at http://www.law.emory. edu/fedcircuit/ The US Supreme Court has declined to review some of the decisions cited below; that fact is indicated by the phrase cert. denied, followed by a citation to a volume and page number of US Reports or West's Supreme Court Reporter.
Development of Synthetic Methodology Suitable for the Radiosynthesis of Combretastatin A-1 (CA1) and Its Corresponding Prodrug CA1P†

Synthetic methodology has been established suitable for the preparation of combretastatin A-1 (CA1) and its corresponding phosphate prodrug salt (CA1P) in high specific activity radiolabeled form. Judicious selection of appropriate phenolic protecting groups to distinguish positions on the A-ring from the B-ring of the stilbenoid was paramount for the success of this project. Methylation of the C-4′ phenolic moiety by removal of the tert-butyldimethylsilyl protecting group in the presence of methyl iodide was accomplished in excellent yield without significant Z to E isomerization. This step (carried out with 12C-methyl iodide as proof of concept in this study) represents the process in which a 14C radioisotope could be incorporated in an actual radiosynthesis. CA1 is a natural product isolated from the African bush willow tree (Combretum caffrum) that has important medicinal value due, in part, to its ability to inhibit tubulin assembly. As a prodrug, CA1P (OXi4503) is in human clinical trials as a vascu...
Group differences in the enjoyability of driving through rural landscapes

Abstract Most landscape preference research has focused on finding an empirical basis for public consensus. Few studies to date have examined why different groups prefer some landscapes over others. This paper explores some of the factors that may explain differences in preference for roadside landscapes in rural Wisconsin. Of the six groups selected to participate in this study, three of them earned their livelihood from the land — dairy farmers, professional foresters, and logging contractors. Three other groups sought rural landscapes, we surmised, for their amenities — members of lake associations and two groups of prospective tourists. Videotapes were the presentation media, and sequences of photographs along state highways in Wisconsin simulated the experience of driving through farm, forest and urban edge landscapes. Participants rated the enjoyability of driving through each landscape type. Significant differences were found among the participant groups, landscape types and the interaction between groups and landscape types. Of the background variables used in the study, only the participant’s reported knowledge regarding land management was found to be significant.
Localization of Cardiac-Induced Signal Change in fMRI

Abstract Signal detection in the analysis of blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) may be greatly hindered by cardiac pulsatility artifacts. Vessel pulsation, cerebrospinal fluid movement, and tissue deformation are all associated with the cardiac cycle and all can produce fMRI signal variance. Most cognitive fMRI studies do not utilize a method of cardiac-related noise reduction, in part because of the lack of information on the regional significance and magnitude of cardiac-related signal variance in the brain. In this paper we present a topographical description of the regions showing significant contributions of cardiac-related signal variance. The results are highly consistent across subjects and suggest that reduced sensitivity due to cardiac-induced noise in the BOLD signal is systematically greater in specific areas, typically near major blood vessels. Significant effects of cardiac-related variability were found on average in 27.5 ± 8.0% of voxels. Strong influences were found along the vertebrobasilar arterial system near the medial areas of the brain, along the middle cerebral artery near the anterior temporal lobes and in the insula, and along the anterior cerebral artery in the anterior interhemispheric fissure in the medial frontal lobes. Significant effects were also observed in the sigmoid transverse and superior sagittal sinus regions. These results identify regions in which fMRI will have reduced sensitivity due to increased signal variation produced by cardiac pulsatility.
Proposal to isolate the origin of the 17-keV kink in the β spectrum

An experiment is proposed which can definitively test for the presence of a 17-keV neutrino in {beta} decay. By measuring the recoil ion direction and energy in coincidence with the emitted electron, the neutrino mass may be reconstructed. This method can also distinguish among more exotic explanations for a 17-keV threshold, such as radiative or Coulomb corrections, a nuclear excitation, or a fourth particle in the decay. Some details of a possible experiment using {sup 35}S are discussed.
Intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation from a femoral venous approach

Abstract A 47-year-old man with advanced portal hypertension was refractory to conservative therapy. Decompression of the portal system by placement of a portosystemic shunt was considered as a temporizing method in anticipation of a liver transplant. Due to variant hepatic venous anatomy, placement of a portosystemic shunt through the jugular approach was not possible. After careful planning and preprocedural imaging, an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was successfully created from a femoral venous approach. This procedure was technically feasible; however, technical difficulties related to the design of the available access needle were encountered.
Stereochemical effects in the mass spectra of 2‐hydroxy‐, 5‐hydroxy‐ and 2,5‐dihydroxyprotoadamantanes

Electron ionization and methane and isobutane chemical ionization mass spectra have been obtained for the four configurationally isomeric 2,5-protoadamantanediols and the corresponding model monoalcohols. Although the electron impact (both 70 and 15 eV) and methane chemical ionization mass spectra of the 2,5-protoadamantanediols are distinct, the variations are not large and in general they are difficult to rationalize in terms of specific structural features. In contrast, the isobutane chemical ionization mass spectra of these diols show significant differences which can easily be correlated with sterochemical orientations of the substituents.
The conceptual framework of the theory-driven perspective

Abstract This paper attempts to outline the conceptual framework of the theory-driven perspective. Six essential domain theories in a program are identified: (a) treatment, (b) implementation environment, (c) outcome, (d) impact, (e) intervening mechanism, and (f) generalization. Based upon these domain theories, different types of theory-driven evaluations are constructed. This conceptual framework provides a heuristic scheme which enables stakeholders and evaluators to work together to select a theory-driven evaluation that fits the nature of the program and stakeholders' needs within the constraints of resources and timeliness. The theory testing procedures and the role of the theory-driven evaluator are also discussed.
Column chromatography of nucleotides over thymidylatecellulose

Abstract The synthesis of thymidylate-cellulose was accomplished through condensation of 5′-thymidylate and cellulose using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in pyridine. The thymidylate-cellulose was shown to selectively retain adenosine, 5′-adenylate, and polyadenylate compounds under conditions of high salt concentration and low temperature which favor hydrogen bonding of the complementary base. Increased temperature was effective during elution of polyadenylate and yeast soluble nucleic acid. Acid hydrolysis was used to cause extensive cleavage of polynucleotides to form mononucleotides, thus indicating the differences in retention on thymidylate-cellulose of polymers as opposed to monomers.
Pathological effects of orally administered estradiol to rainbow trout

Abstract Mortality was high in an experimental group of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) fed estradiol as part of a sex reversal study. Pathology included hypertrophy of the kidneys and liver and heavy accumulations of presumptive vitellogenin.
Smart Material Electrohydrostatic Actuator for Intelligent Transportation Systems

Future intelligent transportation systems require actuation systems that are lightweight, compact and have a large power density. Due to their solid-state operation, fast frequency response, and high power-to-weight ratio, electrohydrostatic actuators based on smart materials are attractive as a replacement for conventional hydraulic actuators. This paper is focused on the development of a smart material pump for EHAs in which mechanical vibrations produced by a magnetostrictive terbiumiron-dysprosium alloy are rectified by means of diode-type mechanical reed valves. A maximum blocked pressure differential of 1100 psi is achieved with a power consumption of 84 W. A linear dynamic system model of the magnetostrictive pump is presented. The linear model quantifies the maximum pressure and electromechanical coupling of the magnetostrictive pump and facilitates the determination of system parameters from simple experimental measurements.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
THE EVALUATION OF BLOOD DONOR DEFERRAL CAUSES

Safety of blood and blood products is a major problem all over the world. Screening for the markers of infectious diseases is an incomplete solution. One of the most important steps in improving the safety of blood and blood products is donor selection. In this study, causes of donor deferral were evaluated retrospectively in the blood center of a children's hospital. Analysis of the deferrals showed that the most commonly defined causes were recent sexual exposure in high-risk activity, recent ingestion of medication, low hemoglobin level, abnormal blood pressure, being underweight, tattoos, piercing or acupuncture in the preceding 6 months, recent history of infection and presenting for a subsequent donation too soon, elevation of transaminases, presence of the markers of the infectious diseases.
R & D, Defense, and Spatial Divisions of Labor in Twentieth-Century Britain

New spatial patterns, with areas specializing by function rather than industry, reflect twentieth-century developments in industrial organization, the role of the state, and Britain's system of cities. In the short run, World War II and postwar regional policy increased factory-building and employment in formerly depressed areas. Longer-run effects of both helped concentrate research and development within the South near London and dispersed routinized production to other areas. Organizational links within firms and to government departments, intellectual and commercial contacts in London, and locational preferences of professional and technical workers influenced R & D location.
Using Linkage Information to Weight a Genome-Wide Association of Bipolar Disorder

Issues of multiple-testing and statistical significance in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have prompted statistical methods utilizing prior data to increase the power of association results. Using prior findings from genome-wide linkage studies on bipolar disorder (BPD), we employed a weighted false discovery approach (wFDR; [Roeder et al. 2006. Am J Hum Genet 78(2): 243–252]) to previously reported GWAS data drawn from the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD). Using this method, association signals are up or down-weighted given the linkage score in that genomic region. Although no SNPs in our sample reached genome-wide significance through the wFDR approach, the strongest single SNP result from the original GWAS results (rs4939921 in myosin VB) is strongly up-weighted as it occurs on a linkage peak of chromosome 18. We also identify regions on chromosome 9, 17, and 18 where modestly associated SNP clusters coincide with strong linkage scores, implicating them as possible candidate regions for further analysis. Moving forward, we believe the application of prior linkage information will be increasingly useful to future GWAS studies that incorporate rarer variants into their analysis. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Molecular Diagnosis of Herpes Simplex Virus Infections in the Central Nervous System

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations in the central nervous system (CNS) of infants (encephalitis with or without disseminated visceral infection) and adults; the virus likely accounts for at least 10 to 20% of all viral encephalitis in the United States ([60
Discrete Hertzian chains and solitons

Abstract We consider elastic grains which repel upon contact according to the Hertz potential V=aδ n , n>2 , where δ is the overlap between adjacent grains and report numerical and analytical studies for the case of a 1-D chain of spherical grains to show that an impulse initiated at an end of a chain of Hertzian grains in contact, eventually propagates as a soliton for all n>2.
Hyperthermic effect of disodium edetate injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle of the unanesthetized cat.

La chelation des ions de calcium par l'EDTA Na2 injecte dans le ventricule cerebral des chats non anesthesies a produit une reaction hyperthermique caracterisee par une installation rapide et une duree breve. Cette reaction peut etre bloquee par l'anesthesie au pentobarbital, mais non pas par les antipyretiques, le N-acetyl-paraaminophenol ou le salicylate de sodium. Les resultats indiquent une action plus tardive dans la chaine des evenements que celle des pyrogenes.
Obesity, diabetes, and links to congenital defects: a review of the evidence and recommendations for intervention.

Objective. To review evidence on the link between obesity and diabetes in pregnant women and the incidence of birth defects. In addition, the article offers recommendations for facilitating the broader scale implementation of evidence-based approaches to preventing obesity, particularly among pregnant women.Methods. A review of the evidence, primarily from epidemiologic studies, linking obesity and obesity-related metabolic disturbances in pregnant women to a range of birth defects. It also reviews potential mechanisms by which obesity and diabetes during pregnancy lead to damage in the developing embryo and highlights some evidence-based approaches to prevention. Finally it reviews policy options for positively impacting obesity and diabetes in this population.Results. Obesity and diabetes are a growing problem in the US population. This problem is particularly acute among women of childbearing age because the combination of obesity and diabetes is toxic to the developing fetus, which each contributing i...
ABSOLUTE MEASUREMENT OF DIELECTRONIC RECOMBINATION FOR C3+ IN A KNOWN EXTERNAL FIELD

An absolute measurement of the rate coefficient for dielectronic recombination (DR) of ${\mathrm{C}}^{3+}$, via the 2s-2p core excitation, in an external electric field of 11.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9(1\ensuremath{\sigma}) V ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ is presented. An inclined-beam arrangement is used and the stabilizing photons at \ensuremath{\sim}155 nm are detected in delayed coincidence with the recombined ions. The full width at half maximum of the electron energy spread in the ion rest frame is 1.74\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.22(1\ensuremath{\sigma}) eV. The measured DR rate, at a mean electron energy of 8.26\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07(1\ensuremath{\sigma}) eV, is (2.76\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.75)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}10}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. The uncertainty quoted for the DR rate is the total uncertainty, systematic and statistical, at the 1\ensuremath{\sigma} level. In comparing the present results to theory, a semiempirical formula is used to determine which recombined ion states are ionized by the 4.65 kV ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ fields in the final-charge-state analyzer and not detected. For the present results, any DR of the incident electrons into n levels greater than 44 is assumed to be field ionized in the final-charge-state analyzer. A more precise treatment of field ionization, which includes the lifetime of the ${\mathrm{C}}^{2+}$ ions before they are ionized and the time evolution and rotation of the fields experienced by the recombined ions, is needed before a definitive comparison between experiment and theory can be made. Our DR measurement, within the limits of that approach, agrees reasonably well with an intermediate coupling calculation that uses an isolated resonance, single-configuration approximation, but does not agree with pure LS-coupling calculations. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Evaluating the utility of satellite soil moisture retrievals over irrigated areas and the ability of land data assimilation methods to correct for unmodeled processes

Earth's land surface is characterized by tremendous natural heterogeneity and human-engineered modifications, both of which are challenging to represent in land surface models. Satellite remote sensing is often the most practical and effective method to observe the land surface over large geographical areas. Agricultural irrigation is an important human-induced modification to natural land surface processes, as it is pervasive across the world and because of its significant influence on the regional and global water budgets. In this article, irrigation is used as an example of a human-engineered, often unmodeled land surface process, and the utility of satellite soil moisture retrievals over irrigated areas in the continental US is examined. Such retrievals are based on passive or active microwave observations from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System (AMSR-E), the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2), the Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission, WindSat and the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT). The analysis suggests that the skill of these retrievals for representing irrigation effects is mixed, with ASCAT-based products somewhat more skillful than SMOS and AMSR2 products. The article then examines the suitability of typical bias correction strategies in current land data assimilation systems when unmodeled processes dominate the bias between the model and the observations. Using a suite of synthetic experiments that includes bias correction strategies such as quantile mapping and trained forward modeling, it is demonstrated that the bias correction practices lead to the exclusion of the signals from unmodeled processes, if these processes are the major source of the biases. It is further shown that new methods are needed to preserve the observational information about unmodeled processes during data assimilation.
Analysis of multilayer-multiconductor structures on anisotropic substrates using the finite difference method

In this paper, the finite difference method (FDM) is employed to study the effects of anisotropy on open, closed, or partially shielded multilayer-multiconductor structures. Effects of tilting the optical axis of the substrate with respect to the axes of the structure are investigated. The method was found to be suitable for the analysis of circuit geometries appearing in microwave integrated circuits (MIC's), printed circuit boards (PCB's) and in surface acoustic wave (SAW) applications for frequencies up to 5, and in some cases, to 10 GHz. >
Capacitive Inter-Chip Data and Power Transfer for 3-D VLSI

We report on inter-chip bidirectional communication and power transfer between two stacked chips. The experimental prototype system components were fabricated in a 0.5-mum silicon-on-sapphire CMOS technology. Bi-directional communication between the two chips is experimentally measured at 1Hz-15 MHz. The circuits on the floating top chip are powered with capacitively coupled energy using a charge pump. This is the first demonstration of simultaneous nongalvanic power and data transfer between chips in a stack. The potential use in 3-D VLSI is aimed at reducing costs and complexity that are associated with galvanic inter-chip vias in 3-D integration
Perturbation theory for semi-Markov control problems

In earlier work, the authors considered the perturbation of systems undergoing Markov processes in which the times between two consecutive decision time points were equidistant. They now consider perturbations of processes for which the times between transition are random variables. These are called semi-Markov processes. A semi-Markov control process is observed at decision time points t=0.1,. . .; starting at t=0. At each decision time point the system is one of a finite number of states and an action has to be chosen. The discounted semi-Markov control problem and the limiting average semi-Markov control problem are considered. >
VLSI Chips for Vision-Based Vehicle Guidance

Abstract Sensor-based vehicle guidance systems are gathering rapidly increasing interests because of theirpotential for increasing safety, convenience, environmental friendliness, and traffic efficiency. Examples of applications include intelligent cruise control, lane following, collision warning, and collision avoidance. This paper reviews the research trends in vision-based vehicle guidance with an emphasis onVLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) chip implementations of the vision systems. A large portion of thispaper comes from the proceedings of the 1992 International Symposium on Intelligent Vehicles which theauthor served as the general chairman [masaki 92]. As an example of VLSI chips for vision-based vehicleguidance, a stereo vision system is described in detail.1 . Vision Sensors vs. Other Types of Sensors Types of sensors for vehicle guidance include millimeter, laser, acoustic, and vision systems. There is no consensus about what type of sensors would be most appropriate for a specific application.We chose a visual approach over millimeter, laser, and acoustic approaches, for intelligent cruise controland similar applications, because of the following reasons:(Merit -
Elevation of vacuolar pH inhibits the cytotoxic activity of furin-cleaved exotoxin A

Exotoxin A (ETA) inhibits protein synthesis in cells by a process that involves receptor-mediated endocytosis and the transport of a 37-kDa proteolytic fragment across a membrane into the cytoplasm. The fragment is apparently generated by the endoprotease furin after the toxin has been endocytosed. Cleavage of ETA by furin requires a low pH in vitro, and presumably also in vivo. Drugs that raise the pH of intracellular compartments are known to protect cells from ETA. The simplest hypothesis to explain this protection has been that the drugs interfere with furin cleavage. To test this idea, we measured the effect of pH-elevating drugs on the action of ETA that had been precleaved with recombinant furin before addition to cells. Surprisingly, we found that pH-elevating drugs protected cells from precleaved ETA as well as intact ETA. These results suggest that the process by which ETA intoxicates cells requires a low vacuolar pH for another event in addition to proteolysis by furin.
Relational learning with statistical predicate invention: better models for hypertext

We present a new approach to learning hypertext classifiers that combines a statistical text-learning method with a relational rule learner. This approach is well suited to learning in hypertext domains because its statistical component allows it to characterize text in terms of word frequencies, whereas its relational component is able to describe how neighboring documents are related to each other by hyperlinks that connect them. We evaluate our approach by applying it to tasks that involve learning definitions for (i) classes of pages, (ii) particular relations that exist between pairs of pages, and (iii) locating a particular class of information in the internal structure of pages. Our experiments demonstrate that this new approach is able to learn more accurate classifiers than either of its constituent methods alone.
New coding techniques for improved bandwidth utilization

The introduction of parallel models that account for communication between processors has shown that interprocessor bandwidth is often the limiting factor in parallel computing. In this paper, we introduce a new coding technique for transmitting the XOR of carefully selected patterns of bits to be communicated which greatly reduces bandwidth requirements in some settings. This technique has broader applications. For example, we demonstrate that the coding technique has a surprising application to a simple I/O (Input/Output) complexity problem related to finding the transpose of a matrix. Our main results are developed in the PRAM(M) model, a limited bandwidth PRAM model where P processors communicate through a small globally shared memory of M bits. We provide new algorithms for the problems of sorting and permutation routing. For the concurrent read PRAM(M), as P grows with M held constant, our sorting algorithm outperforms any previous algorithm by /spl Omega/(log/sup c/ P) for any constant c. The combination of a known lower bound for sorting in the exclusive read PRAM(M) model and this algorithm implies that the concurrent read PRAM(M) is strictly more powerful than the exclusive read PRAM(M).
Polymer Pen Lithography (PPL)‐Induced Site‐Specific Click Chemistry for the Formation of Functional Glycan Arrays

Polymer pen lithography (PPL) can be combined with the Cu(I) -catalyzed azide-alkyne click reaction to create molecular arrays with control over orientation and sub-1 μm feature sizes over cm(2) areas. The process has been applied to the deposition of carbohydrates to form functional glycochips.
Dynamic response of RNA editing to temperature in Drosophila

Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing is a highly conserved process that post-transcriptionally modifies mRNA, generating proteomic diversity, particularly within the nervous system of metazoans. Transcripts encoding proteins involved in neurotransmission predominate as targets of such modifications. Previous reports suggest that RNA editing is responsive to environmental inputs in the form of temperature alterations. However, the molecular determinants underlying temperature-dependent RNA editing responses are not well understood. Using the poikilotherm Drosophila, we show that acute temperature alterations within a normal physiological range result in substantial changes in RNA editing levels. Our examination of particular sites reveals diversity in the patterns with which editing responds to temperature, and these patterns are conserved across five species of Drosophilidae representing over 10 million years of divergence. In addition, we show that expression of the editing enzyme, ADAR (adenosine deaminase acting on RNA), is dramatically decreased at elevated temperatures, partially, but not fully, explaining some target responses to temperature. Interestingly, this reduction in editing enzyme levels at elevated temperature is only partially reversed by a return to lower temperatures. Lastly, we show that engineered structural variants of the most temperature-sensitive editing site, in a sodium channel transcript, perturb thermal responsiveness in RNA editing profile for a particular RNA structure. Our results suggest that the RNA editing process responds to temperature alterations via two distinct molecular mechanisms: through intrinsic thermo-sensitivity of the RNA structures that direct editing, and due to temperature sensitive expression or stability of the RNA editing enzyme. Environmental cues, in this case temperature, rapidly reprogram the Drosophila transcriptome through RNA editing, presumably resulting in altered proteomic ratios of edited and unedited proteins.
The Wagner Act, Again: Politics and Labor, 1935–37

Why write about the Wagner Act again? There is no shortage of commentary, yet disagreement persists on basic questions: Why did the measure pass? Did the Wagner Act make any difference. If so, how?Here I argue that the Wagner Act was passed by Progressive liberals inside and outside the government, in alliance with a mass labor movement. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) played a major positive role in the emergence of new industrial unions.
Metabolic modulation of carbon monoxide toxicity.

Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is a product of the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels and substances. From a public health perspective, CO poisoning may be the cause of more than 50% of fatal poisonings in many industrial countries. The adverse effects of CO poisoning may be more widespread because of unreported situations and delayed neurologic effects, which may be linked to CO exposure. Chronic CO effects that are subtle, such as the adverse effects on vascular diseases, may increase the number of people at risk. The apparent role of CO as an important mediator of cell signaling is a paradox and may represent an example of hormesis, i.e. beneficial effects at low concentration but adverse effects at higher concentrations. Nevertheless, because CO can form ligands with iron (heme) and copper sites, the potential for metabolic intervention is likely. Furthermore, CO-induced oxidative stress opens the opportunity for modulating the adverse effects of CO with antioxidants (both water- and lipid-soluble compounds) and various factors involved with reducing oxidative stress. However, consideration must be given to the micro-environment in some situations that could potentially create more oxidation and subsequent metabolic damage if the combinations and concentrations of antioxidants are not correct, i.e. pro oxidant effects. Likewise, it is important that we take precautions in the development of antioxidant adjuvants to use with oxygen therapies in CO poisoning.
Genotypic and environmental effects on cottonseed oil, nitrogen, and gossypol contents in 18 years of regional high quality tests

Determination of environmental influence on seed traits is critical for genetic improvement of seed quality in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The objective of this study was to analyze the relative contribution of environment and genotype (G) for seed oil, nitrogen (N), and gossypol contents using historical data from the regional high quality (RHQ) tests conducted from 1996 through 2013. The 18-year tests of RHQ were divided into six 3-year cycles with an average of about 20 genotypes and 7–10 testing locations (loc) in each cycle. Variance components of oil, N, and gossypol contents were estimated in each cycle and expressed as percentages of the total variance. Highly significant G × loc effects were identified for all seed quality traits in each cycle. For oil content, variance estimates of G to the total variance ranged from 20 to 57 % in different cycles. For N content, loc was the main source of variance with variance estimates of loc to the total variance ranging from 44 to 73 % in different cycles. In most cycles, loc and G were the main source of variance for free-gossypol content. For most seed quality traits, there was not a clear trend of changes among testing cycles for the variance estimates of G to the total variance. Broad-sense heritability for oil content, N content, and free-gossypol ranged from 0.79 to 0.96, 0.65 to 0.86, and 0.28 to 0.93, respectively. Highly significant G × loc interactions indicate that multiple location trials for testing seed quality traits are necessary. However, heritability estimates for these seed traits indicate stability across environments as well as the potential for genetic improvement. Significant reduction in seed index was observed in half of the testing cycles with a range of 10.4–9.52 within cycles. Correlation between seed index and oil content was positive with r values ranging from 0.23 to 0.77 in different cycles.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Advance Directive Possession: Role of Demographic Factors, Religious Affiliation, and Personal Health Values in a National Survey of Older Adults.

Abstract Background: Black and Hispanic older Americans are less likely than white older Americans to possess advance directives. Understanding the reasons for this racial and ethnic difference is necessary to identify targets for future interventions to improve advance care planning in these populations. Methods: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether racial and ethnic differences in advance directive possession are explained by other demographic factors, religious characteristics, and personal health values. A general population survey was conducted in a nationally representative sample using a web-enabled survey panel of American adults aged 50 and older (n = 2154). Results: In a sample of older Americans, white participants are significantly more likely to possess advance directives (44.0%) than black older Americans (24.0%, p < 0.001) and Hispanic older Americans (29.0%, p = 0.006). Gender, age, retired or disabled employment status, educational attainment, religious affiliation, Internet acces...
Anomalous negative electrocaloric effect in a relaxor/normal ferroelectric polymer blend with controlled nano- and meso-dipolar couplings

In general, a dielectric material will eject (or absorb) heat when an electric field is applied and absorb (or eject) heat when the field is removed, under isothermal condition, which is known as the normal (or negative) electrocaloric (EC) effect. For some applications, it is highly desired that an EC material will absorb heat (cooling the surrounding) without subsequent heating under an electric pulse. Here, we show that such an EC material can be realized in a properly designed hybrid normal ferroelectric/relaxor ferroelectric polymer blend in which the normal ferroelectric component induces dipole ordering in the relaxor polymer in the poled state, which can be switched to a de-poled state by an external field. More importantly, the de-poled state can be maintained by the relaxor component when the de-poling field is removed. Consequently, the hybrid blend exhibits a large cooling (an isothermal entropy change ΔS = 11.5 J kg−1 K−1) without the subsequent heating upon the application of an electric pulse.
Probiotic Administration in Infants With Gastroschisis: A Pilot Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACTObjectives:Infants with gastroschisis often require long periods of gastric suctioning and hospitalization. The impact of these interventions on the intestinal microbiota and attempts to alter the microbial community have not been studied. We sought to determine how the intestinal microbiota
Natural Autofluorescence in Fungi, and its Correlation With Viability

This is the first report of natural autofluorescence in fungal propagules. It was observed in the cytoplasm of conidia, pycnidiospores, ascospores, and mycelia of twelve species in? cubated on agar plates, soil, or in suspension and in antagonistic relationships with organisms. Autofluorescence was compared with germination, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to establish the relationship between fluorescence and viability. Qualitative observations showed that fluorescing fungal propagules did not germinate. Quantitative assays also gave a high negative correlation (r = -0.909) between fluorescence and germination. Deviation from a perfect negative correlation between fluorescence and germination was due to dormancy of viable nonfluorescent spores, or nonfluorescence of dead spores devoid of cytoplasm. With this inverse relationship, fluorescence microscopy may be used to determine fungal viability.
High-Resolution Methods for Diagnosing Cartilage Damage In Vivo:

Advances in current clinical modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, allow for earlier diagnoses of cartilage damage that could mitigate progression to osteoarthritis. However, current imaging modalities do not detect submicrometer damage. Developments in in vivo or arthroscopic techniques, including optical coherence tomography, ultrasonography, bioelectricity including streaming potential measurement, noninvasive electroarthrography, and multiphoton microscopy can detect damage at an earlier time point, but they are limited by a lack of penetration and the ability to assess an entire joint. This article reviews current advancements in clinical and developing modalities that can aid in the early diagnosis of cartilage injury and facilitate studies of interventional therapeutics.
Endoscopic examination of the colon in infancy and childhood.

This article attempts to familiarize the practicing pediatrician with the technique of colonoscopy. It also serves to emphasize the role of colonoscopic examination in the evaluation of the pediatric patient.