cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phosphorylation of BATF regulates DNA binding: a novel mechanism for AP-1 (activator protein-1) regulation

BATF is a member of the AP-1 (activator protein-1) family of bZIP (basic leucine zipper) transcription factors that form transcriptionally inhibitory, DNA binding heterodimers with Jun proteins. In the present study, we demonstrate that BATF is phosphorylated in vivo on multiple serine and threonine residues and at least one tyrosine residue. Reverse-polarity PAGE revealed that serine-43 and threonine-48 within the DNA binding domain of BATF are phosphorylated. To model phosphorylation of the BATF DNA binding domain, serine-43 was replaced by an aspartate residue. BATF(S43D) retains the ability to dimerize with Jun proteins in vitro and in vivo, and the BATF(S43D):Jun heterodimer localizes properly to the nucleus of cells. Interestingly, BATF(S43D) functions like wild-type BATF to reduce AP-1-mediated gene transcription, despite the observed inability of the BATF(S43D):Jun heterodimer to bind DNA. These data demonstrate that phosphorylation of serine-43 converts BATF from a DNA binding into a non-DNA binding inhibitor of AP-1 activity. Given that 40% of mammalian bZIP transcription factors contain a residue analogous to serine-43 of BATF in their DNA binding domains, the phosphorylation event described here represents a mechanism that is potentially applicable to the regulation of many bZIP proteins.
A comparison of calcium antagonists and diazepam in reducing ethanol withdrawal tremors.

The calcium antagonists nimodipine and dantrolene were compared with diazepam in an animal model of tolerance and physical dependence upon ethanol. Nimodipine and dantrolene were both effective in suppressing withdrawal tremors but diazepam was clearly superior to both agents. These results suggest that the ethanol with-drawal syndrome is only partially mediated by increased calcium flux.
Dynamic Loading of the Structural Wall in a Lithium Fall Fusion Reactor

Abstract We formulated a simple model of a lithium-fall ICF reactor and calculated the fall disassembly and the subsequent fluid-wall interaction resulting from the energy deposition by a laser-imploded fusion pellet. Two potential mechanisms for wall damage were identified: surface erosion and hoop failure. For single fall designs, the erosion problem appears to be serious. Concentric annuli (multiple fall) or packed jet configurations may be feasible but experiments are needed to clarify the physical model.
Preliminary sensitivity analysis of urban airshed model simulations to temporal and spatial availability of boundary layer wind measurements

Abstract The 1992 Atlanta Field Intensive of the Southern Oxidants Research Program on Ozone Non-Attainment (SORP-ONA) provided a unique data set of urban meteorological measurements. The data were used to investigate the sensitivity of Urban Airshed Model (UAM-IV) results to the spatial and temporal resolution of upper-air meteorological measurements. RMS differences and average absolute deviations for winds and model calculated NOy and O3 values were computed for a variety of measurement strategies which differed in the spatial and temporal resolution of the upper-air data. A Lagrangian Particle Dispersion Model (LPDM) was used to study the movement of the plumes from the Atlanta urban core and an elevated power plant located northwest of Atlanta. The results show that placement of upper-air measurements at or near the center of emissions density should be highest priority of field measurements campaigns.
Changes in somatotropin and thyrotropin secretory patterns in aging rats

In order to clarify whether pituitary enlargement influences the secretory patterns of growth hormone (GH) and thyrotropin (TSH) in old rats, we studied the correlation between pituitary weight and plasma levels of GH and TSH in Sprague-Dawley rats of different age and sex. Young female (3–4 months; YF), old female (25 months; OF), and senescent female (33–35 months; SF) rats and young male (3–4 months; YM) and old male (24–26 months; OM) rats carrying chronic intraatrial cannulas were used. Sequential blood samples were removed through the cannulas while the animals remained conscious and undisturbed. Plasma TSH and GH as well as serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were measured by radioimmunoassay. At two years of age, both males and females showed a consistent decline in GH pulse amplitude without change in trough levels. By 33–35 months of age, females showed a reversal in the previous pattern of change for GH secretion: pulse amplitude, trough levels, and mean plasma GH increased significantly with respect to the old females. The correlation between mean plasma GH and anterior pituitary (AP) weight was positive and significant (p<0.01) for females but nonsignificant for males. Old and senescent rats showed significantly lower serum T4, but not T3, than young animals while plasma TSH increased with age in both sexes. The present results show for the first time that senescent females hypersecrete GH and suggest that the age-related alteration of TSH secretion in rats may be due to the low levels of T4 present in the aged animals. The correlation analysis shows that pituitary enlargement is in general associated with increased secretion of both GH and TSH in senescent female rats.
Pretreatment of docetaxel enhances TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising cancer therapeutic agent because of its tumor selectivity. TRAIL is known to induce apoptosis in cancer cells but spare most normal cells. In this study, we examined whether treatment of docetaxel (DTX) can enhance apoptotic cell death by TRAIL against androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC). The cell death effect of combinations of TRAIL and docetaxel on prostate cancer cell lines (androgen-dependent LNCaP and its derived androgen-independent, metastatic C4-2B) was evaluated by synergisms of apoptosis. Western blot assay and DNA fragmentation assay were used to study the underlying mechanisms of cell death and search for any mechanisms of enhancement of TRAIL induced apoptosis in the presence of docetaxel. In addition, we investigated the in vitro anti-tumor effects of combined docetaxel and TRAIL using MAP kinase inhibitors. Docetaxel itself could not induce apoptotic cell death in 24 h even in high concentration. Apoptotic cell death, however, was drastically enhanced by pretreatment of docetaxel 20 h before TRAIL treatment. Docetaxel enhanced the PARP-1 cleavage and caspases activation by TRAIL especially in androgen-independent, metastatic C4-2B cell line, mainly by phosphorylation of Bcl-2 by JNK activation. It appears that apoptotic cell death was protected by the JNK inhibitor SP600125. The results of our study show that pretreatment of docetaxel is able to enhance the apoptosis produced by TRAIL in prostate cancer cells, especially in hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 1636–1646, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Nutria, Myocaster coypus, in Minnesota

Nutria, large, semi-aquatic rodents, were brought from South America to the United States by fur farmers. Either through liberation or escape, wild populations have been established, notably in Louisiana. In Minnesota both specimens and reports of feral individuals were received between 1947 and 1949. One specimen …
Lower bounds on the area of finite-state machines

Abstract There are certain straightforward algorithms for laying out finite-state machines. This paper shows that these algorithm are optimal in the worst case for machines with fixed alphabets. That is, for any s and k, there is a deterministic finite-state machine with s states and k symbols such that any layout algorithm requires Ω(ks log s) area to lay out its realization. Similarly, any layout algorithm requires Ω(ks 2 ) area in the worst case for nondeterministic finite-state machines with s states and k symbols.
Characteristics and availability of fatal road-crash databases in 20 countries worldwide

Abstract Introduction This study examined the characteristics and availability of fatal road-crash databases worldwide. Method The study involved two parts. First, the major international road databases were briefly reviewed. Second, the national databases in 20 selected countries were examined. Results (a) the available international databases of fatal road crashes typically include aggregated data; (b) there is a national database of fatal road crashes in each country examined; (c) all countries provide aggregated crash data, but there are substantial restrictions on the availability of disaggregated data; and (d) overall, the crash data at the accident level are relatively similar, but there are substantial differences in the information at the person level. Conclusion The results imply that international road safety research would greatly benefit from expanded availability of disaggregated fatal crash data worldwide.
A single crystal silicon thermal neutron filter

Abstract Single crystals of silicon have been examined as thermal neutron filters and found to be quite effective. While the free atom cross section is 2.25 b, the cross section near thermal was measured to be σ (54meV, 300 K)=0.54b and σ (54meV, 77 K )=0.25 b.
Faculty participation in licensing: Implications for research☆

Abstract We exploit a unique database on research and invention disclosure of faculty at 11 major US universities over a period of 17 years to explore the extent to which faculty involvement in license activity has affected their research profiles. We relate faculty disclosures to their industry and government-sponsored research, publications, and citations. Recent disclosure by faculty has a positive effect on industry and government funding, but, if they disclose multiple times, the effect on government funding can be negative. Recent and repeated disclosures increase the faculty member's publication count as well as the importance of these publications in terms of citations. We also examine life-cycle effects and find that the ability to attract funding and the rate of publication increase as the faculty member ages but at a decreasing rate. We also find that post-tenure, both types of funding decrease.
Local Electronic Structure of Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8 near Oxygen Dopants: A Window on the High- T c Pairing Mechanism

The cuprate material ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ (BSCCO-2212) is believed to be doped by a combination of cation switching and excess oxygen. The interstitial oxygen dopants are of particular interest because scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiments have shown that they are positively correlated with the local value of the superconducting gap, and calculations suggest that the fundamental attraction between electrons is modulated locally. In this work, we use density functional theory to try to ascertain which locations in the crystal are energetically most favorable for the O dopant atoms, and how the surrounding cage of atoms deforms. Our results provide support for the identification of STM resonances at $\ensuremath{-}1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}$ with dopant interstitial O atoms, and show how the local electronic structure is modified nearby.
Sum-frequency generation via a resonant quadrupole transition in sodium

We show that second-order nonlinear optical processes such as sum and difference generation can be observed in isotropic media, despite the fact that such processes are forbidden in the electric-dipole approximation. A theoretical treatment of quadrupole sum- and difference-frequency generation is given, which includes the effects of spin-orbit and Zeeman splittings. The quadrupole nonlinear susceptibility is evaluated and expressions for phase matching and output power are found. We have generally confirmed the theoretical predictions by observing quadrupole sum-frequency generation of ultraviolet light in sodium vapor. Deviations of the data from the simple theory can be satisfactorily accounted for by the effects of two-photon saturation, induced index of refraction changes, and single- and multi-photon absorption. Generalization of the dipole forbidden susceptibilities to the case of quadrupole-pumped processes is discussed, with difference-frequency generation in Cs vapor considered as an example.
Dependence management in component-based distributed systems

The authors present a generic model for reifying dependencies in distributed component systems. They discuss how a representation model makes it possible to develop efficient, reliable and dynamically configurable component-based systems.
DNA damage response to different surface chemistry of silver nanoparticles in mammalian cells

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have recently received much attention for their possible applications in biotechnology and life sciences. Ag NPs are of interest to defense and engineering programs for new material applications as well as for commercial purposes as an antimicrobial. However, little is known about the genotoxicity of Ag NPs following exposure to mammalian cells. This study was undertaken to examine the DNA damage response to polysaccharide surface functionalized (coated) and non-functionalized (uncoated) Ag NPs in two types of mammalian cells; mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF). Both types of Ag NPs up-regulated the cell cycle checkpoint protein p53 and DNA damage repair proteins Rad51 and phosphorylated-H2AX expression. Furthermore both of them induced cell death as measured by the annexin V protein expression and MTT assay. Our observations also suggested that the different surface chemistry of Ag NPs induce different DNA damage response: coated Ag NPs exhibited more severe damage than uncoated Ag NPs. The results suggest that polysaccharide coated particles are more individually distributed while agglomeration of the uncoated particles limits the surface area availability and access to membrane bound organelles.
Thermal hydraulic performance of a moisture separator reheater at the 900 MWe PWR Saint Laurent Unit B1

Abstract A FORTRAN computer code is written to model the thermal hydraulic performance and behavior of a moisture separator reheater (MSR) at the 900 MWe PWR Saint Laurent Unit B1. MSR unit heat transfer coefficients, axial variations of steam quality, void fraction and local heat transfer coefficients in the MSR superheater sub-bundles are computed. Agreement between the global numerical results and measurements collected by Electricite de France (EDF) varied between 7.3% and 12%. No axial data were available for comparison. Correlations for MSR unit and sub-bundle overall heat transfer coefficients as functions of steady-state electrical power are given. The temperature response time of the MSR tube walls during transition from wavy/stratified to plug/slug flow is determined to be on the order of half a second.
Electromagnetic duality and light-front coordinates

We review the light-front Hamiltonian approach for the Abelian gauge theory in 3+1 dimensions, and then study electromagnetic duality in this framework.
Probability-based validation of protein identifications using a modified SEQUEST algorithm.

Database-searching algorithms compatible with shotgun proteomics match a peptide tandem mass spectrum to a predicted mass spectrum for an amino acid sequence within a database. SEQUEST is one of the most common software algorithms used for the analysis of peptide tandem mass spectra by using a cross-correlation (XCorr) scoring routine to match tandem mass spectra to model spectra derived from peptide sequences. To assess a match, SEQUEST uses the difference between the first- and second-ranked sequences (ΔCn). This value is dependent on the database size, search parameters, and sequence homologies. In this report, we demonstrate the use of a scoring routine (SEQUEST-NORM) that normalizes XCorr values to be independent of peptide size and the database used to perform the search. This new scoring routine is used to objectively calculate the percent confidence of protein identifications and posttranslational modifications based solely on the XCorr value.
Evaluating Dosage Effects in a Social-Emotional Skills Training Program for Children: An Application of Generalized Propensity Scores

ABSTRACTIn a study of the Making Choices social-emotional skills training program for children, generalized propensity scores (GPS) were used to estimate treatment effects by dosage. Dosage analyses provide information regarding the optimal amount of exposure to interventions. In addition to applying dosage analysis to an evaluation of the Making Choices program, this article reviews issues encountered during dosage analyses. It introduces GPS methods, a relatively recent development within the family of propensity score methods. Based on data from 267 3rd graders who participated in a trial of Making Choices, intervention effects varied significantly by dosage, with greater social competence demonstrated by children who had higher intervention exposure.
A finite element method for contact/impact

Abstract Ideas from the analysis of differential-algebraic equations are applied to the numerical solution of frictionless contact/impact problems in solid mechanics. Index-one and two formulations for dynamic contact–impact within the context of the finite element method are derived. The resulting equations are shown to stabilize the kinematic fields at the contact interface, at the expense of a small energy loss, which is shown to decrease consistently with mesh refinement. This energy dissipation is shown to be necessary for the establishment of persistent contact. A Newmark-type time integration scheme is derived from the proposed formulation, and shown to yield excellent results in modeling the transition to contact/impact.
Tablet-based education to reduce depression-related stigma

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the efficacy of a tablet-based multimedia education application, the Project Not Alone Depression Module, in improving depression literacy and reducing depression stigma among a community-based mental health clinic population. Methods: A total of 93 participants completed either a tablet-based multimedia education or a print education module containing the same content on depression. Primary outcomes were changes in depression literacy as measured by a knowledge quiz and stigma as measured by the Depression Stigma Scale administered before and after the education intervention. Secondary outcomes included participant preference, ease of use, and likeliness to discuss topic with a physician. Results: In comparison to print education, tablet-based multimedia education significantly increased depression-related knowledge and reduced depression stigma (p Conclusion: With advantages of scalability, user preference, and efficacy in improving depression literacy and stigma, tablet-based multimedia education has the potential to improve the health outcomes of mental health clinic populations. Although the study findings are limited by small sample size and lack of randomisation, the results are encouraging for future research and development in tablet-based multimedia patient education. Language: en
Capturing reading patterns through a real-time smart camera iris tracking system

A real-time iris detection and tracking algorithm has been implemented on a smart camera using LabVIEW graphical programming tools. The program detects the eye and finds the center of the iris, which is recorded and stored in Cartesian coordinates. In subsequent video frames, the location of the center of the iris corresponding to the previously detected eye is computed and recorded for a desired period of time, creating a list of coordinates representing the moving iris center location across image frames. We present an application for the developed smart camera iris tracking system that involves the assessment of reading patterns. The purpose of the study is to identify differences in reading patterns of readers at various levels to eventually determine successful reading strategies for improvement. The readers are positioned in front of a computer screen with a fixed camera directed at the reader's eyes. The readers are then asked to read preselected content on the computer screen, one comprising a traditional newspaper text and one a Web page. The iris path is captured and stored in real-time. The reading patterns are examined by analyzing the path of the iris movement. In this paper, the iris tracking system and algorithms, application of the system to real-time capture of reading patterns, and representation of 2D/3D iris track are presented with results and recommendations.
Performance of a High Flow Rate, Thermally Extractable Multicapillary Denuder for Atmospheric Semivolatile Organic Compound Concentration Measurement

A high flow rate (300 L min−1) multicapillary denuder was designed to collect trace atmospheric semivolatile organic compounds (SOCs). The denuder is coated with a reusable, polydimethylsiloxane stationary phase as a nonselective absorbent for SOCs. A solvent-free thermal desorption method was developed, including sample cleanup, that is selective for nonpolar SOCs, and has low consumables cost per sample. The entire sample is transferred into the gas chromatograph to minimize the sampling time required to collect detectable analyte mass. Trace concentrations (0.1−100 pg m−3) of polychlorinated biphenyls and hexachlorobenzene were measured in the atmosphere near Lake Superior in sample times of 3.2−6.2 h. Overall method precision was determined using field duplicates and compared to the conventional high-volume sampler method. Method precision (coefficient of variation) of 16% was found for the high-flow denuder compared to 21% for the high-volume method. The relative difference between the two methods wa...
Vadose Zone Temperature Measurements at a Site in the Northern Albuquerque Basin Indicate Ground-Surface Warming due to Urbanization

The present study presents temperature measurements taken across the vadose zone at three piezometer-nest sites in the Albuquerque Basin. A new sensor having a relatively fast response time in air allows temperatures to be measured in the vadose zone every meter going down a piezometer at ∼2 m/min. This technique yields good depth resolution of temperature data. The resulting temperature–depth profile at one of the sites in the Albuquerque Basin (Lincoln Middle School) is noticeably curved, indicating a surface temperature change or the presence of fluid movement. The best statistical fit to the data is the expression representing a single temperature step of 3.7–3.8°C occurring ∼20 years before the piezometer logging (the suggested temperature increase occurred ∼1984–1985). From aerial photos it is noted that significant development occurred near and around the piezometer site between 1982 and 1986. During this interval natural vegetation was scraped off the ground, nearby roads were constructed and paved with asphalt, and houses were built across the two streets passing near the piezometer nest. The large amount of suggested ground-surface warming appears to directly correlate with urbanization and development.
Identification of flaws in metallic surfaces using specular and diffuse bispectral light sources

A computer vision based automated method for identifying and quantifying flaws in cast metal parts is presented. The specific defects to be isolated consist of small circular concavities in the surface (pits) and larger isolated regions (scratches) that may have been abraded due to cutting or handling operations. The approach taken identifies these anomalous features using two spatially separated light sources with different spectral characteristics to produce highly specular illumination at one wavelength and shallow diffuse illumination at a different wavelength. A bispectral image is processed to yield the sought flaws. This processing consists of identifying regions of interest in the original image that may contain potential flaws and applying a morphological region labelling operation to extract candidate pits and scratches. Geometric constraints are applied to the extracted regions in order to isolate the true flaws. The discussion that follows details the algorithmic approach used to identify flaws as well as characterizing the results obtained.
Validity of the continuous-slowing-down approximation in electron degradation, with numerical results for argon

The electron degradation spectrum plays a key role in describing the electron slowing-down processes in matter. The validity of a method to obtain the electron degradation spectrum approximately, i.e., the continuous-slowing-down approximation with full accounting of electron production, is examined. Numerical results derived with this method are compared with the direct solution of the Spencer-Fano equation for argon using the same set of electron-collision cross sections. The method is effective at electron kinetic energies much higher than the first ionization threshold but fails at low electron kinetic energies even when the kinetic energy of an incident electron is high. Reasons for this failure are discussed in detail.
Thiocyanatobis(diorganodithiocarbamato)iron(III) complexes. effect of organic substituent

Abstract Nine Fe(S 2 CNR 2 ) 2 NCS(where R = organic substituent) compounds have been successfully prepared. Attempts to prepare pure complexes where R = phenyl, benzyl or alkoxy by several preparative methods failed. The IR spectra of the complexes revealed that ν CN (NCS) was related to the steric requirements of -NR 2 . Integrated absorption studies of the ν CN (NCS) are in accord with Fe-NCS coordination. The Mossbauer spectra indicated a narrow range of isomer shifts (0.62–0.65 mm/s) and quadrupole splittings (2.34–2.53 mm/s) which were consistent with earlier studies.
MULTIPOLE THEORY OF NEUTRINO--NUCLEAR REACTIONS: APPLICATION TO $sup 12$C.

The cross section for neutrino-induced nuclear reactions is presented in the form of a multipole expansion, appropriate for the excitation of nuclear levels of a definite spin and parity. The theory is then applied to the $T=1$ levels of $^{12}\mathrm{C}$, knowledge of their excitation cross sections being required for both low-energy ${E}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{\le}53$ MeV, with neutrinos from stopped muons) and high-energy (${E}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{\sim}\mathrm{GeV}$) neutrino experiments that use counters containing carbon. We take a phenomenological approach, determining the needed transition densities from fits to the measured form factors of these levels for the closely related electroexcitation process. While the low-energy cross section is dominated by the excitation of the ${1}^{+}$ ground state of $^{12}\mathrm{N}$, the high-energy cross sections receive their largest contributions from both positive-parity spin-flip states and especially from the ${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ giant-resonance levels, with additional strength from ${3}^{+}$ and ${2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${4}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ levels.
Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of chemically modified DNA

A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed to determine the sites of reaction and the product distribution of modified salmon sperm DNA. The DNA was reacted with methyl methanesulfonate in neutral solution, and then degraded into deoxyribonucleosides by snake venom phosphodiesterase and alkaline phosphatase. Four products were identified and quantitated: 7-methyldeoxyguanosine (37.1%), 7-methylguanine (7.3%), 3-methyldeoxycytidine (28.8%), and 1-methyldeoxyadenosine (26.8%). This method provides a rapid procedure for analysis of chemically or biochemically modified nucleic acids.
Reducing Energy Inputs in the US Food System

Petroleum and natural gas are the primary fuels in the US food system. Both fuels are now in short supply and significant quantities are being imported into the USA from various nations. An investigation documented that fossil energy use in the food system could be reduced by about 50% by appropriate technology changes in food production, processing, packaging, transportation, and consumption. The results suggest that overall, farmers benefit as well as consumers.
A modular fast two-dimensional cyclic convolver and its application to real-time synthetic aperture radar processing

In this paper, the architecture of a modular fast two-dimensional (2-D) cyclic convolver is presented. This architecture utilizes the property of polynomial factorization to decompose a large 2-D cyclic convolution into many small and identical 2-D cyclic convolutions such that these small convolutions can be realized by VLSI functional modules composed of very large scale integration (VLSI) digital signal processor chips. The application of this architecture to real-time synthetic aperture radar processing is also presented in this paper.
Methods for Analyzing Immunodeficiency Data with a Lower Limit of Quantification

Methods for Analyzing Immunodeficiency Data with a Lower Limit of Quantification Appropriate modeling of the limit of detection is critical in the sense that detecting small amount or concentration of agents can be extremely important to assess disease status, identify environmental exposure or quantify levels of viral load and vaccine antibody. In AIDS studies, for example, researchers have recently shown great interest in modeling viral load (plasma HIV-1 RNA copies) data after initiation of a potent antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.
Adenovirus particles that display the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein NANP repeat induce sporozoite-neutralizing antibodies in mice

Adenovirus particles can be engineered to display exogenous peptides on their surfaces by modification of viral capsid proteins, and particles that display pathogen-derived peptides can induce protective immunity. We constructed viable recombinant adenoviruses that display B-cell epitopes from the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) in the major adenovirus capsid protein, hexon. Recombinants induced high-titer antibodies against CSP when injected intraperitoneally into mice. Serum obtained from immunized mice recognized both recombinant PfCSP protein and P. falciparum sporozoites, and neutralized P. falciparum sporozoites in vitro. Replicating adenovirus vaccines have provided economical protection against adenovirus disease for over three decades. The recombinants described here may provide a path to an affordable malaria vaccine in the developing world.
Verifying Topological Indices for Higher-Order Rank Deficiencies

It has been known how to use computational fixed point theorems to verify existence and uniqueness of a true solution to a nonlinear system of equations within a small region about an approximate solution. This can, be done in O(n3) operations, where n is the number of equations and unknowns. However, these standard techniques are only valid if the Jacobi matrix for the system is nonsingular at the solution. In previous work and a dissertation (of Dian), we have shown, both theoretically and practically, that existence and multiplicity can be verified in a complex setting, and in the real setting for odd multiplicity, when the rank defect of the Jacobi matrix at an isolated solution is 1. Here, after reviewing work to date, we discuss the case of higher rank defect. In particular, it appears that p-dimensional searches are required if the rank defect is p, and that the work increases exponentially in p.
Advantages, Disadvantages, and Lessons Learned in Conducting Telephone Focus Groups to Discuss Biospecimen Research Concerns of Individuals Genetically at Risk for Cancer

Advances in telecommunication technology allow biomedical researchers to explore new, inexpensive opportunities for conducting focus group research. This article reports our experiences using such technology to engage individuals genetically at risk for cancer about biospecimen research. Telephone-based focus groups were conducted with a total of 40 individuals, and participants were asked about their experiences and perceived benefits and limitations of participating in a telephone focus group about biospecimen research. The lessons learned can effectively be applied to other areas of health research. In particular, this method may be most useful to engage individuals who are less apt to speak in public, and/or when there are concerns over privacy if face-to-face discussions methods are used.
The Genus Siro Latreille, 1796 (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi, Sironidae), in North America with a Phylogenetic Analysis Based on Molecular Data and the Description of Four New Species

Abstract The North American fauna of the Laurasian family Sironidae is examined phylogenetically and compared with species from Europe and Japan. The North American clade is not resolved as monophyletic. The phylogenetic analyses and detailed morphological study identified four cryptic species of sironids in the western United States, formerly considered within the geographical and morphological range of Siro acaroides (Ewing, 1923). These four species are described as Siro boyerae sp. nov., Siro calaveras sp. nov., Siro clousi sp. nov., and Siro shasta sp. nov. We also provide new localities for the previously known species in the western United States. Siro boyerae sp. nov. forms a clade with Siro kamiakensis (Newell, 1943) and with the East Coast species Siro exilis Hoffman, 1963, characterized by the presence of narrow coxae III that do not meet along the midline. The affinities of S. calaveras sp. nov., S. clousi sp. nov., and S. shasta sp. nov. remain largely unresolved, but S. clousi sp. nov., is n...
Robust pole assignment using closed loop controllability conditions

The problem of optimal selection of closed loop eigenvalues for single input systems is discussed. The elements of the closed-loop system mode controllability matrix (controllability condition) are used to design robust closed-loop systems. The main result shows that a robust closed loop system can be obtained by choosing closed-loop eigenvalues with minimal absolute value mode controllability elements. A criterion for the selection of robust closed-loop eigenvalues is provided. This criterion assures that the desired closed-loop system has low sensitivity to the variation of feedback gain, state estimate errors, or measurement errors. >
Correcting the loss of cell-cycle synchrony in clustering analysis of microarray data using weights

Motivation: Due to the existence of the loss of synchrony in cell-cycle data sets, standard clustering methods (e.g. k-means), which group open reading frames (ORFs) based on similar expression levels, are deficient unless the temporal pattern of the expression levels of the ORFs is taken into account. Methods: We propose to improve the performance of the k-means method by assigning a decreasing weight on its variable level and evaluating the 'weighted k-means' on a yeast cell-cycle data set. Protein complexes from a public website are used as biological benchmarks. To compare the k-means clusters with the structures of the protein complexes, we measure the agreement between these two ways of clustering via the adjusted Rand index. Results: Our results show the time-decreasing weight function---exp[-(1/2)(t2/C2)---]which we assign to the variable level of k-means, generally increases the agreement between protein complexes and k-means clusters when C is near the length of two cell cycles.
Thalamotelencephalic projections in the turtle (Pseudemys scripta).

The telencephalic projections of the turtle thalamus were studied using the Fink-Heimer ('67) technique for staining degenerated axons and their terminals. Large thalamic lesions produced terminal degeneration in the basal telencephalic nuclei, the core of the dorsal ventricular ridge and the outer half of layer I in general cortex. A variety of control lesions confirmed that these projections arise in the thalamus. Circumscribed thalamic lesions revealed first, that there is some degree of spatial organization in the turtle's thalamocortical projection system and second, that at least one sensory relay nucleus, the dorsal lateral geniculate, projects to general cortex. Detailed comparisons of the turtle's thalamotelencephalic projections with those present in two primitive mammalian species, the hedgehog and the opossum, provided a basis for identifying probable homologies in the forebrains of reptiles and mammals.
Analysis of supershear transition regimes in rupture experiments: the effect of nucleation conditions and friction parameters

SUMMARY We consider the effect of the rupture initiation procedure on supershear transition of Mode II ruptures on interfaces governed by linear slip-weakening friction. Our study is motivated by recent experiments, which demonstrated the transition of spontaneous ruptures from sub-Rayleigh to supershear speeds in the laboratory. In these works the experiments were analysed using the Burridge–Andrews model of supershear transition, in which a supershear daughter crack is nucleated in front of the main mother rupture. It was concluded that the critical slip of the linear slip-weakening formulation needs to be pressure-dependent for a good match with experiments. However, the dynamic rupture initiation mechanism in the experiments was conceptually different from the quasi-static one adopted in the numerical work used for comparison. Here, our goal is to determine the effect of the nucleation by numerically modelling the experiments using a rupture initiation procedure that captures the dynamic nature of the wire explosion mechanism used in the experiments. We find parameter regimes that match the experimentally observed transition distances for the entire range of experimental conditions. Our simulations show that the dynamic rupture initiation procedure significantly affects the resulting transition distances, shortening them by about 30–50 per cent compared to those predicted through the quasi-static rupture initiation process. Moreover, for some cases, the dynamic initiation procedure changes the very mode of transition, causing a direct supershear transition at the tip of the main rupture instead of the mother–daughter mechanism. We find reasonable parameter regimes which match experimentally determined transition distances with both direct supershear transition at the rupture tip and the Burridge–Andrews (mother– daughter) mechanism, using both pressure-independent and pressure-dependent critical slip. The results show that there are trade-offs between the parameters of the rupture initiation procedure and the properties of interface friction. This underscores the importance of quantifying experimental parameters for proper interpretation of the experiments and highlights the importance of the rupture initiation procedure, in simulations of both experiments and real-life earthquake events.
Design and analysis of a 70-ps SiGe differential RF switch

This paper presents the design and analysis of an SiGe high isolation single-pole double-throw (SPDT) differential absorptive switch at 24 GHz for pulsed ultra-wideband applications. Sub-100-ps envelope rise times are achieved through the use of differential current steering. The SPDT results in 1.9 dB of gain in the passband and an isolation of 35 dB while remaining matched at its ports (absorptive). The measured rise time of the RF envelope is 70 ps using a transistor with an f/sub T/ of 80 GHz and agrees with both the simulated and analytically determined values.
Three-Dimensional Characterization and Simulation of Anisotropic Soil Fabric

A procedure for constructing resin impregnated sand specimens for fabric (microstructure) analysis is presented. The impregnation device provides excellent control of the impregnation rate and confinement for different types of soils. Such control is necessary to minimize disturbance to the soil fabric during impregnation. The proposed technique also allows monitoring of the uniformity of impregnation throughout the process. Image analysis techniques are used to examine the variation of porosity at the microscopic and macroscopic levels within specimens. The analysis shows that about twice the deviation in local porosity from average porosity is obtained when microscopic measurements are used, as compared with the macroscopic measurements. Soil fabric anisotropy is characterized using two directional functions. Each of these functions has two components: an average value that describes the isotropic condition and a deviatoric tensor that represents the deviation from the average. They are shown to capture the relative distribution of air voids and their connectivity in different directions. The functions are also used to simulate the three-dimensional anisotropic fabric of soils in a computer.
Rhombencephalosynapsis Spectrum of Severity

Investigators at University of Washington, Seattle, University of Southern California, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles evaluated neuroimaging findings in 42 patients (17 female, 25 male; age range, 2 days to 44 years) with rhombencephalosynapsis (RES).
Techniques for improving estimates of maturity ogives in groundfish using double-reads and measurement error models

The reproductive output of a population depends upon physiological factors, including maturation rates and fecundity -at-size and -at-age, as well as the rate at which post-maturation females fail to spawn (i.e. skipped spawning). These rates are increasingly included in stock assessment models, and are thought to change over time due to harvest and environmental factors. Thus, it is important to accurately estimate maturation and skipped spawning rates while also including information on imprecision. For this task, we developed a new double-read and measurement-error modeling protocol for estimating maturity that is based on the use of multiple histological reads of ovaries to account for reader error caused by poorly prepared slides, nuclear smear, and early yolk development. Application to three U.S. West Coast groundfishes (Pacific hake Merluccius productus, darkblotched rockfish Sebastes crameri, and canary rockfish Sebastes pinniger) indicates that reader uncertainty is strongly predictive of reader error rates. Results also show differences in rates of skipped spawning among species, which should be further investigated. We recommend that future maturity studies record reader certainty, use models that incorporate covariates into the analysis, and conduct an initial double reader analysis. If readers exhibit little variation, then double reads may not be necessary. In addition, slide quality should also be recorded, so that future studies do not confuse this with reader imprecision. This improved protocol will assist in estimating life history, as well as environmental, and anthropogenic effects on maturity.
Study on injury mortality in Zhabei District,Shanghai from 2007 to 2012

Objective To understand the characteristics and trend of injury mortality in Zhabei District of Shanghai,and provide scientific basis for further injury prevention and control.Methods Data was analyzed by epidemiological descriptive methods from 2006 to 2012.Results In 7 years,it was found a downward trend in injury mortality,decreased from 41.75 /105in 2006 to 28.64 /105in 2012,standardized mortality rate of injury decreased from 20.47 /105in 2006 to12.64 /105in 2012,accounting for 38.26%.Standardized mortality rate of injury in male was 1.24 times higher than in females.The elderly persons above 65 years old were the main population,accounted for 63.01%.And falling was the first cause of injury death in elderly persons,of which mortality rate was 77.18 /105.Traffic accidents were the first cause of injury death of people under 65 years old,of which mortality rate was 4.87 /105.Conclusion Injury is becoming a serious public health problem,it should be carried out targeted intervention and strengthened education and guidance of falling and traffic accidents.
Preparation and Characterization of Metal Oxide-Coated Supports for Oxidase Enzymes

In our early studies on the immobilization of L-amino acid oxidase (1), we co-immobilized catalase in order to decompose H2O2 that is produced in the primary reaction of L-amino acids to α-keto acids. The catalase activity was lost relatively rapidly, leading to a loss in oxidase activity. This problem led us to investigate other methods for achieving in situ degradation of H2O2 by non-enzymatic catalysis. Similar approaches to this problem have also been investigated recently using glucose oxidase (2–4) and D-amino acid oxidase (5) systems.
Research Letter: PTSD has shared polygenic contributions with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in women

Twin studies have demonstrated overlap between genetic contributions to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric disorders.1 These findings have prompted interest in examining shared genetic risk between PTSD and other psychopathology at the molecular level. With genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and collaborative consortia-based efforts, replicable risk variants have been identified for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.2,3 Analyses of genetic loci in aggregate (polygenic effects4) have demonstrated shared genetic risk between schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder (MDD), with greatest overlap for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.3 Using 3,742 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), an initial polygenic analysis of PTSD by our group5 suggested overlap in genetic risk for bipolar disorder and PTSD in European American (EA) women that was replicated in a male EA sample with genome-wide data.6
Interactions of cAMP-mediated vasodilators with angiotensin II in rat kidney during hypertension.

In previous studies [C. Chatziantoniou and W.J. Arendshorst. Am. J. Physiol. 263 (Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 32): F573-F580, 1992], we reported that vasodilator prostaglandins (PGs) are defective in buffering the angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced vasoconstriction in the renal vasculature of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The purpose of the present study was to determine whether this defect in SHR kidneys is specific to PGs or generalized to the action of vasodilators and to gain insight into which intracellular signal(s) mediates this abnormality. Renal blood flow (RBF; electromagnetic flowmetry) was measured in 7 wk-old anesthetized, euvolemic SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats pretreated with indomethacin to avoid interactions with endogenous PGs. ANG II (2 ng) was injected into the renal artery before and during continuous intrarenal infusion of fenoldopam [DA1 receptor agonist and G protein-dependent stimulator of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)], forskolin (G protein-independent stimulator of cAMP), dibutyryl-cAMP (soluble cAMP), and acetylcholine (cGMP stimulator). Each vasodilator was infused at a low dose that did not affect baseline arterial pressure or RBF. In the control period, ANG II reduced RBF by 50% in both strains. Infusion of fenoldopam significantly blunted the ANG II-induced vasoconstriction in WKY, but not in SHR. In contrast, forskolin, dibutyryl-cAMP, and acetylcholine effectively buffered the vasoconstriction due to ANG II in both SHR and WKY. These results suggest that renal vasodilators acting through receptor binding to stimulate the cAMP signaling pathway are ineffective in counteracting the ANG II-induced vasoconstriction in SHR kidneys. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Poisson Duality and Zeta Functions

This chapter recalls some standard facts about the Poisson summation formula on a euclidean space. It will be applied when the euclidean space is the space of matrices, with the trace scalar product, so we make all the standard formalism explicit in this case. We give two classical applications to the Epstein zeta function, which serve as prototypes. In the extension of the theory to Posn, we have to generalize the definition of the Bessel functions to this higher dimensional case, and this will be done in the next chapter. Then we can put all these results together in the study of Eisenstein series.