cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of supported membrane disruption by antimicrobial peptide protegrin-1.

While pore formation has been suggested as an important step in the membrane disruption process induced by antimicrobial peptides, membrane pore formation has never been directly visualized. We report on the dynamics of membrane disruption by antimicrobial peptide protegrin-1 (PG-1) on dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-phosphocholine-supported bilayer patches obtained via atomic force microscopy. The action of PG-1 is found to be concentration-dependent. At low PG-1 concentrations (1 < [PG-1] < 4 μg/mL), the peptide destabilizes the edge of the membrane to form fingerlike structures. At higher concentrations, PG-1 induces the formation of a sievelike nanoporous structure in the membrane. The highest degree of disruption is attained at concentrations ≥20 μg/mL, at which PG-1 disrupts the entire membrane, transforming it into stripelike structures with a well-defined and uniform stripe width. This first direct visualization of these membrane structural transformations helps elucidate the PG-1-induced membrane disrupti...
The physical properties of cadmium telluride

This paper reviews the structural, thermal, mechanical, optical, and electrical properties of CdTe and compares them with the physical properties of the other IIB-VIA compounds.
Gamma-ray spectroscopy: Requirements and prospects

The only previous space instrument which had sufficient spectral resolution and directionality for the resolution of astrophysical sources was the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer carried by HEAO-3. A broad variety of astrophysical investigations entail gamma-ray spectroscopy of E/Delta-E resolving power of the order of 500 at 1 MeV; it is presently argued that a sensitivity to narrow gamma-ray lines of a few millionths ph/sq cm, from about 10 keV to about 10 MeV, should typify the gamma-ray spectrometers of prospective missions. This performance is achievable with technology currently under development, and could be applied to the NASA's planned Nuclear Astrophysics Explorer.
Real-time contrast reversal via four-wave mixing in nonlinear media

Abstract We propose and describe a new method of contrast reversal by using optical four-wave mixing in nonlinear media. Using a BaTiO 3 crystal, we have demonstrated such a real-time intensity contrast reversal. The results are presented and discussed.
Special session: What do student-generated diagrams say about their understanding?: developmental trajectories of model-based reasoning in engineering students

The main goal of this special session is to foster a continuing conversation within the FIE community about modelbased reasoning in general and the essential role of diagrams in engineering education in particular. During this session, small groups of participants will develop categorization schemes using a collection of student diagrams. Groups will share their categorization schemes and ideas through a gallery walk.
Behavior of hippocampal stem/progenitor cells following grafting into the injured aged hippocampus

Multipotent neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) from the embryonic hippocampus are potentially useful as donor cells to repopulate the degenerated regions of the aged hippocampus after stroke, epilepsy, or Alzheimer's disease. However, the efficacy of the NSC grafting strategy for repairing the injured aged hippocampus is unknown. To address this issue, we expanded FGF-2-responsive NSCs from the hippocampus of embryonic day 14 green fluorescent protein-expressing transgenic mice as neurospheres in vitro and grafted them into the hippocampus of 24-month-old F344 rats 4 days after CA3 region injury. Engraftment, migration, and neuronal/glial differentiation of cells derived from NSCs were analyzed 1 month after grafting. Differentiation of neurospheres in culture dishes or after placement on organotypic hippocampal slice cultures demonstrated that these cells had the ability to generate considerable numbers of neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Following grafting into the injured aged hippocampus, cells derived from neurospheres survived and dispersed, but exhibited no directed migration into degenerated or intact hippocampal cell layers. Phenotypic analyses of graft-derived cells revealed neuronal differentiation in 3%-5% of cells, astrocytic differentiation in 28% of cells, and oligodendrocytic differentiation in 6%-10% cells. The results demonstrate for the first time that NSCs derived from the fetal hippocampus survive and give rise to all three CNS phenotypes following transplantation into the injured aged hippocampus. However, grafted NSCs do not exhibit directed migration into lesioned areas or widespread neuronal differentiation, suggesting that direct grafting of primitive NSCs is not adequate for repair of the injured aged brain without priming the microenvironment.
Gel electrode imaging of metal fatigue: Part i. cracks in 6061-T6 aluminum

A simple electrochemical technique is described which produces high-resolution, visible images of fatigue cracks in aluminum alloys, without conventional metallographic surface preparation. The only preparation required is the formation of a thin (14 nm) anodic oxide film on the surface. After fatigue cycling, a semisolid electrolyte is placed in contact with the specimen and a voltage applied. As the current flows to the fatigue cracks a clearly defined image is formed. The capabilities of the technique are demonstrated by measurements on6061-T6 aluminum, and the images are correlated with scanning electron micrographs of the specimens. The images are reproducible and record features of the cracks which are barely discernible with a scanning electron microscope. Fatigue cracks only ∼30 µm long have been detected. Measurement of the charge flow during imaging is a quantitative measure of the crack length. These measurements indicate that considerably smaller cracks should also be detectable.
Ion beam nanoscale fabrication and lithography—A review

Abstract This review discusses some of the issues that will govern future commercial adoption of ion beam nanoscale fabrication and lithography, with special reference to some major fields of application. Selected recent research advances are highlighted, as they indicate new experimental successes, new insights into complex ion interaction mechanisms, and a fast evolving variety of advanced instrumentation and fabrication resources. It is evident that robust fabrication involving few-nanometer features will be enabled by strategic applications of ion beams, especially if they can be coupled with directed self-assembly.
Value of Instream Recreation in the Sonoran Desert

This study investigates recreation use value for access to a Sonoran Desert canyon, and associated instream flow, through a case study of Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness. The Wilderness is one of the last perennial streams in Southern Arizona, tributary to the famed and imperiled San Pedro River. Available permit information is combined with zip-code level census data to estimate a zonal travel cost model of recreation trip demand. Estimated consumer surplus per visitor day values are $25.06 and $17.31 (in 2003 dollars), for two separate access sites. Results indicate a significant recreation value of surface water sites in the Sonoran Desert region, while the value discrepancy may imply a premium for remote recreation.
Scanning electrochemical microscopy: Investigation of hydrogen oxidation at polycrystalline noble metal electrodes

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was used to study the kinetics of hydrogen oxidation on platinum, iridium, and rhodium substrates in acidic media. Hydrogen was generated at a platinum tip by reduction of H+ and oxidized at a Pt, Ir, or Rh substrate. The Tafel slope (117 mV, corresponding to a transfer coefficient, α, of 0.50) and the rate constant for hydrogen oxidation on Pt obtained by fitting approach curves (0.22 cm/s at the halfwave potential) agree with a previous SECM result. Kinetic data were also obtained on Ir (Tafel slope = 113 mV, k° = 0.25 cm/s, α = 0.48), and Rh (Tafel slope = 138 mV, k° = 0.010 cm/s, α = 0.58) substrates. These results demonstrate that hydrogen oxidation on Pt and Ir occurs at a similar rate, but is much slower on Rh.
ANESTHESIA AND PAIN MANAGEMENT

Orofacial emergencies arise from various causes and require an array of therapies for their amelioration and resolution. A commonality in almost all of these emergencies, however, is pain. The oral cavity and surrounding structures are richly endowed with nociceptive neurons. This region is also psychologically important, given its strong association with sensory gratification and physical attractiveness, so clinicians faced with orofacial emergencies also are confronted with apprehensive patients seeking immediate relief. The effective control of pain is often a prerequisite to definitive care and, in cases of protracted discomfort, may be necessary to avoid malnutrition, dehydration, and other medical complications. The acute management of orofacial pain in conscious patients relies heavily on the administration of local anesthetics and systemic analgesics, often in combination. 13 This article assists clinicians in using these therapeutic agents to the best advantage.
First-principles aluminum database: Energetics of binary Al alloys and compounds

Using an extensive series of first-principles density functional calculations, we have constructed a ``first-principles aluminum database'' of thermodynamic properties of binary Al-based alloys with 26 different solute elements, $X$. In all cases, first-principles results are critically compared to experimental data for observed Al-rich ordered compounds, dilute impurities in Al, disordered $\mathrm{Al}\text{\ensuremath{-}}X$ solid solutions, and pure elements, $X$, in a variety of structure types. We find the following: (i) In all $\mathrm{Al}\text{\ensuremath{-}}X$ systems, first-principles formation enthalpies of ordered compounds are in excellent agreement with experimental data. Impurity energetics for $X$ in Al also agree rather well with thermodynamically assessed values from the COST507 database. (ii) Formation enthalpies of ordered compounds and energies of dilute impurities for elements from the $3d$ series are most negative at the beginning and the end of the series, and reach a maximum near the middle of the series for Cr. The ordering tendency decreases dramatically in the Al-Cu system with filled $d$ bands. (iii) The special quasirandom structure approach has been used to obtain mixing energies of disordered solid solutions across the whole composition range for all systems. We find that mixing energies follow the same general trend across the $3d$ series as the ordered and impurity formation enthalpies. Asymmetry in the mixing energies is also similar in all systems, giving less negative mixing energies for Al-rich compositions. (iv) Calculation of the solubility enthalpy, which is the difference in the formation energy per solute atom between the ordered and dilute solid solution phases, shows that the observed low solubility in $\mathrm{Al}\text{\ensuremath{-}}X$ systems is due to very negative values of the ordered formation enthalpies in comparison with those for the dilute solid solution.
Reconciling Diversification: Random Pulse Models of Speciation and Extinction

AbstractInferring the underlying speciation-extinction dynamics of a clade from the phylogenetic relationships of contemporary species has proven difficult, primarily because the record of extinction is absent. Moreover, models of diversification tend to emphasize either time homogeneity or gradual trends in speciation and extinction rates. In contrast, the fossil records of many groups exhibit repeated increase and decrease of species richness within clades. Modeling this dynamic in the structure of phylogenetic trees has had limited application. Here, I consider the idea that pulses of diversification followed by declines in clade size—such pulses having short life spans in evolutionary time—occur frequently and more or less randomly among lineages. I suggest that this model might characterize diversification quite generally. Analyses of a recent phylogeny of the ovenbirds and treecreepers (Aves: Furnariidae) supports the random pulse model in that ancestral lineages at 15, 10, and 5 Ma exhibit diversif...
Enteral Feeding Intolerance: An Indicator of Sepsis-Associated Mortality in Burned Children

Objective: To determine if enteral feeding intolerance (EFI) is associated with sepsis and increased mortality in children with severe burns. Design: A survey. Setting: A pediatric burn unit. Patients: Ninety-one children surviving longer than 5 days with greater than 80% total body surface area burns. Interventions: None. Main Outcome Measures: Enteral feeding intolerance indicated by high gastric residuals (>150 mL/h) or uncontrollable diarrhea (>2500 mL/d); thrombocytopenia (platelet count 11.1 mmol/L [>200 mg/dL]); sepsis (pathogenic bacteremia or fungemia noted on blood culture results); and mortality. Results: Neither EFI nor sepsis developed in 71 patients, EFI alone developed in 2 patients, sepsis alone developed in 5 patients, and EFI and sepsis developed in 13 patients. Enteral feeding intolerance and sepsis were associated by contingency table analysis (P Conclusions: Enteral feeding intolerance was associated with the development of sepsis and increased mortality in children with greater than 80% total body surface area burns. This sign was identified in 70% of the cases before pathogens were found in the blood; no difference could be shown between the identification of EFI, thrombocytopenia, and hyperglycemia before sepsis. These data indicate that the development of EFI should be used as an indicator of infection and should prompt a search for an inciting focus. Arch Surg. 1997;132:1310-1314
Treatment of clitoromegaly of culturally diverse patients.

Abstract Objective Clitoroplasty is a procedure usually performed in young children, but its long-term psychosexual importance is controversial. We present two adult women from different cultural backgrounds who desired surgery for clitoromegaly. Methods A similar clitoroplasty procedure with preservation of the neurovascular bundle was performed on both patients. Preoperative and postoperative interviews were conducted by an independent observer to learn about the effects of the condition and the surgery. Results The Icelandic patient had bilateral ovarian dysgerminomas and a gonadoblastoma. The Bolivian patient had a 17β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase deficiency. Both patients reported normal libido but sexual inactivity because they felt ‘embarrassed’. Postoperatively, our patients reported normal clitoral sensation and that they were sexually active. They differed in their opinion regarding the optimal timing of clitoroplasty – one suggesting surgery soon after birth and the other recommending deferral until informed consent by the patient is possible. Conclusions Regardless of cultural background patients are affected by clitoromegaly. This is demonstrated in these cases by the reported feelings of discomfort, distress, and sexual inactivity due to embarrassment. The long-term significance of clitoromegaly and the value of clitoroplasty for young patients with disorders of sexual differentiation remain controversial.
It is not about size: a further thought on big data

Every day, millions of users dutifully follow suggestions made by unknown algorithms housed on a global network of servers (who knows where they are actually located!) owned by companies like Google, Facebook and Amazon who collect, aggregate and constantly dissect ‘user-generated’ data. We ‘like’ friends’ photos, links and everyday thoughts. We ‘share’ our moments, even right after crash landing of an airplane. We follow the ‘recommendations’ for music, movie, books, recipe and even dating. Not only these data affect our online behaviors on social media, they affect local traffic patterns, political elections and stock prices. It seems as if we all love big data, and it turns out that our governments like it even more. We are indeed living in the era of big data.
Carrier multiplication yields in PbS and PbSe nanocrystals measured by transient photoluminescence

We report here an assessment of carrier multiplication (CM) yields in PbSe and PbS nanocrystals (NCs) by a quantitative analysis of biexciton and exciton dynamics in transient photoluminescence decays. Interest in CM, the generation of more than one electron and hole in a semiconductor after absorption of one photon, has renewed in recent years because of reports suggesting greatly increased efficiencies in nanocrystalline materials compared to the bulk form, in which CM was otherwise too weak to be of consequence in photovoltaic energy conversion devices. In our PbSe and PbS NC samples, however, we estimate using transient photoluminescence that at most 0.25 additional e-h pairs are generated per photon even at energies hv > 5Eg, instead of the much higher values reported in the literature. We argue by comparing NC CM estimates and reported bulk values on an absolute energy basis, which we justify as appropriate on physical grounds, that the data reported thus far are inconclusive with respect to the importance of nanoscale-specific phenomena in the CM process.
Neuronal Inactivation of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ Coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) Protects Mice from Diet-induced Obesity and Leads to Degenerative Lesions

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) is a transcriptional coactivator that regulates diverse aspects of energy metabolism in peripheral tissues. Mice deficient in PGC-1α have elevated metabolic rate and are resistant to diet-induced obesity. However, it remains unknown whether this alteration in energy balance is due to the action of PGC-1α in peripheral tissues or the central nervous system. In this study, we generated neuronal PGC-1α knock-out mice (BαKO) using calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα (CaMKIIα)-Cre to address its role in the regulation of energy balance and neuronal function. Unlike whole body PGC-1α null mice, BαKO mice have normal adaptive metabolic response to starvation and cold exposure in peripheral tissues. In contrast, BαKO mice are hypermetabolic, and similar to whole body PGC-1α null mice, are also resistant to diet-induced obesity, resulting in significantly improved metabolic profiles. Neuronal inactivation of PGC-1α leads to striatal lesions that are reminiscent of neurodegeneration in whole body PGC-1α null brain and impairs nutritional regulation of hypothalamic expression of genes that regulate systemic energy balance. Together, these studies have demonstrated a physiological role for neuronal PGC-1α in the control of energy balance. Our results also implicate CaMKIIα-positive neurons as an important part of the neural circuitry that governs energy expenditure in vivo.
Functional rating index: a new valid and reliable instrument to measure the magnitude of clinical change in spinal conditions.

Study design A prospective cohort design was used to evaluate the Functional Rating Index in a multicentered setting with 139 participants. The Functional Rating Index is a self-reporting instrument consisting of 10 items, each with 5 possible responses that express graduating degrees of disability. Objectives The goal of this study was to evaluate the psychometric qualities of the Functional Rating Index. Summary of background data The Functional Rating Index combines the concepts of the Oswestry Low Back Disability Questionnaire and the Neck Disability Index and seeks to improve on clinical utility (time required for administration). Methods One hundred thirty-nine subjects with spinal complaints participated in four different cohorts to study reliability, validity, responsiveness, and clinical utility. Results Reliability: Test-retest: Intraclass correlation coefficient was excellent (ICC3,k = 0.99); interitem correlation: Item efficiency was good, ranging between 0.54 and 0.82, with a moderate correlation among all items; Cronbach's alpha was excellent (0.92). Validity construct: The Functional Rating Index correlated with the Disability Rating Index (0.76), the Short Form-12 Physical Component Score (0.76), and the Short Form-12 Mental Component Score (0.36). Responsiveness: Overall, the size effect was 1.24, which is commendable. Clinical utility: Time required by the patient and staff averaged 78 seconds per administration, which is noteworthy. Effect of Sociodemographics: Total scores were not affected by education, gender, nor age, suggesting minimal external validity bias. Conclusions The Functional Rating Index appears to be psychometrically sound with regard to reliability, validity, and responsiveness and is clearly superior to other instruments with regard to clinical utility. The Functional Rating Index is a promising useful instrument in the assessment of spinal conditions.
An evaluation of identification of suspected autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cases in early intervention (EI) records

The rising prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the United States points to an increased need for services across the life span. Specialized services beginning at the earliest age possible are critical to maximizing long-term outcomes for children with ASD and their families. Many children later diagnosed with ASD will begin to receive services through the federally funded Early Intervention (EI) system that serves infants and toddlers from birth to age three. However, without formal recognition, services may not fully address the constellation of ASD symptoms. While ASD training in EI is becoming more widespread, there is still a need for better detection of ASD symptoms at younger ages. We hypothesized that initial EI assessment records which document the strengths and needs of children in EI, could be an important source for detecting ASD warning signs and aid state EI systems in earlier identification. In this research, we used EI records to evaluate classification techniques to identify suspected ASD cases. We improved the performance of machine learning techniques by developing and applying a unified ASD ontology to identify the most relevant features from EI records. The results indicate that using Support Vector Machine (SVM) with ontology-based unigrams as features yields the best performance. Our study shows that developing automatic approaches for quickly and effectively detecting suspected cases of ASD from non-standardized EI records earlier than most ASD cases are typically detected is promising.
Atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization in transmission geometry.

In both atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP MALDI) and vacuum MALDI, the laser typically illuminates the analyte on the front side of an opaque surface (reflection geometry). Another configuration consisting of laser illumination through the sample backside (transmission geometry) has been used in conventional MALDI; however, its use and the number of reports in the literature are limited. The viability of transmission geometry with AP MALDI is demonstrated here. Such a geometry is simple to implement, eliminates the restriction for a metallic sample holder, and allows for the potential analysis of samples on their native transparent surfaces, e.g., cells or tissue sections on slides.
Monte Carlo and analytical modeling of the effects of grain boundaries on diffusion kinetics

We examine quantitatively the impact of a grain boundary on the kinetics of diffusion in a concentrated lattice gas. In our model the lattice gas particles move via Kawasaki dynamics on the sites of a simple cubic lattice in which a high-diffusivity slab (i.e. grain boundary) has been embedded. Their motion is constrained such that multiple occupancy of a site is forbidden. By examining various subsets of particles, it is found that a temporal bias exists and can be explained in terms of approximate rate equations which embody the dynamical inhomogeneity of the system. It is observed that particles tend to migrate toward the grain boundary region for a definite period of time. As it has been useful experimentally to relate bulk and grain boundary diffusivities from an analysis of concentration profiles, we identify analogous quantities here which relate these diffusivities in our simulations. In particular, by identifying correlations between particle position and site transition frequencies, we have constructed an accurate analytical model of diffusion kinetics that is applicable both near to and far from grain boundaries. It is found that a volume-weighted diffusivity is not appropriate normal to the boundary due to dynamical correlations.
An Exploration of Perceptions of Masculinity among Gay Men Living with HIV

An ethnographic investigation was undertaken to explore the social construct of masculinity. Fifteen HIV seropositive gay men in New York City were interviewed via electronic medium in order to characterize behaviors and associated meanings attached to the conception of masculinity as physicality. Structured interviews were utilized to ascertain these data in order to illustrate how some men define masculinity in terms of their physical appearance and sexual adventurism. The data indicate that men who possess this ideological stance regarding masculinity seek to remain healthy, appear physically strong, and attract sexual partners. This hegemonic standard of masculinity is a result of both the men's HIV infection as well as their perceptions of gay community norms. Emphasis on physical strength and sexual prowess as means of defining masculinity has become a standard in the last two decades for some seropositive gay men.
Small Sample Power Curves for the Two Sample Location Problem

The two major assumptions required by the two-sample t test to guarantee α are normality and a known ratio (usually 1) of variances in the two populations. Alternatives to this test are reviewed for situations where either or both of these assumptions are in doubt. Small sample power curves were derived for each test procedure by Monte-Carlo sampling. The sampling was done under conditions most favorable to the t test. The results showed that, for the cases studied, the power curves for two of the alternative tests compared very well with the t even for small samples.
Drought avoidance aspects and crop coefficients of Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue turfs in the semiarid west

Increasing demand for the scarce water resources of the semiarid western USA, coupled with the highly visible practice of landscape irrigation, has fostered concern regarding turfgrass water conservation. Our objectives were (i) to assess some of the physiological responses and morphological factors which contribute to the drought avoidance capabilities of Kentucky bluegrass (KBG, Poa pratensis L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreber) turfs subjected to increasing levels of drought through the use of a line-source irrigation system (LSIS), and (ii) to develop water-conserving crop coefficients (K c ) to be used with Penman equation estimates of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) reference evapotranspiration (ET r ), while maintaining these turfs at an acceptable level of quality. The effects of turfgrass species and irrigation level on root dry weight, leaf firing, canopy temperatures, gravimetric soil moisture content, and quality were investigated at Fort Collins, CO on a Nunn clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Aridic Argiustoll). Irrigation treatments were delivered with a LSIS. In 1993, turf-type tall fescue (TF) had 65% more root dry weight from 31 to 90 cm than KBG. In 1994, tall fescue had 45% more total root dry weight from 31 to 90 cm than KBG. Consequently, tall fescue gravimetric soil moisture contents at the two deeper sample depths (31-60 and 61-90 cm) were generally lower than those of KGB. Tall fescue's capacity to exploit deep soil moisture when surface inputs became limiting were reflected in significantly higher quality ratings, lower leaf-firing ratings, and lower canopy temperatures relative to KBG. Our conclusion is that, in Colorado, water can be conserved while maintaining acceptable turfgrass quality by irrigating these two turfs every 3 d by adjusting ET, with a KBG coefficient of 0.70 and a TF coefficient of 0.60, provided that soil conditions are such that tall fescue can produce a deep root system.
Similarities between antigens derived from ragweed pollen and from other botanical sources.

Abstract 1.1. The use of ammonium sulfate to precipitate antigen-antibody complexes provides a means of studying the primary interaction between I 131 labeled ragweed pollen antigens and specific antibody. 2.2. Similarities of molecular groups between ragweed and grass pollen extracts were demonstrated by the specific binding of I 131 labeled ragweed pollen extracts by heterologous pollen extract antisera. 3.3. These molecular group similarities between ragweed and grass pollen antigens were further illustrated by the partial inhibition of the interaction between I 131 labeled ragweed pollen extract and ragweed pollen antisera with unlabeled heterologous pollen extracts. 4.4. Quantitative inhibition of the I 131 labeled pollen-antiserum interaction by the prior addition of increasing concentrations of unlabeled homologous and heterologous pollen extracts offers a method of evaluating the possible role of pollen contamination in the demonstrated molecular group similarities between pollen extracts.
Background Spectrum Classification for Cognitive Radio

Recent changes in policy regarding the opportunistic use of licensed radio spectrum have paved the way for new innovative technologies like cognitive radio (CR). This technology puts tight demands on systems built to sense spectrum occupancy. Any strategy employed for opportunistic spectrum usage has to consider the tradeoffs between time spent searching for empty channels and time spent using those empty channels. In most cases the spectrum sensing that is employed by a CR system starts with no prior information about the occupancy of the channels it intends to use. A classifier can be run before the CRs attempt transmission to provide the CRs' spectrum sensing sub-systems with a set of occupancy probability categories for some of the channels. By providing priors it may be possible for the CR to reach a transmission strategy in a shorter time frame. We propose a novel method of addressing this lack of prior knowledge by employing an efficient strategy that classifies some of the channels the CR intends to use within a fixed time limit. Our classification algorithm is based on multiple sequential probability ratio tests (multi-SPRT) and a heuristic allocation strategy for measurements that considers the completion time of each multi-SPRT. We will show that this strategy will achieve a bounded error by prioritizing channels that give consistent measurement results. We also compare the performance of the proposed system to simpler systems that do not require as many computations.
Influence of oxygen ingress on fine scale precipitation of α-Ti during oxidation of Beta21S β-Ti alloy

The formation of a surface oxide layer along with α precipitation in the subsurface oxygen-enriched zone, during the oxidation of a β-Ti alloy, has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy, electron probe micro analysis, X-ray diffraction, (Scanning) transmission electron microscopy, 3D-Atom Probe studies, and nano-indentation. Immediately below the nanocrystalline oxide layer, a two-phase mixture consisting of nanoscale equiaxed α grains and rutile grains are formed. With increasing depth, the α morphology below the oxide layer varied from nanoscale equiaxed to lathlike, coupled with substantial changes in size-scale and nucleation density of α precipitates. A distinct change in the lattice parameters of α and β phases below the oxide layer and the overall micro hardness of the material is also noted. The role of oxygen ingress on the scale and morphology of α precipitation has been discussed.
Follicular Development and Expression of the Messenger Ribonucleic Acid for the Inhibin/Activin Subunits in Two Genetic Lines of Turkey Hens that Differ in Total Egg Production

The characterization of the follicular hierarchy and the expression of the mRNA for the inhibin/activin subunits was investigated in the follicles of 2 lines of turkey hens selected for over 40 generations for increased egg production (Egg line) or increased body weight (Growth line). The follicular hierarchies of 6 hens from the Egg and Growth lines were characterized in middle (45 wk of age) and late production (58 wk of age). Relative follicular weights for individual hierarchical follicles (>12 mm), pooled small yellow follicles (5 to 12 mm), and large white follicles (2 to 5 mm) were calculated. Total RNA was extracted for Northern blot analysis from individual granulosa cell layers of the F1 through F4 follicles, and from the combined granulosa and theca layers of small yellow follicles and large white follicles from an additional 6 hens from each genetic line. Egg line hens displayed a more distinct follicular size hierarchy than Growth line hens at 45 and 58 wk. Although total follicular weight relative to body size was greater at 45 and 58 wk of age for the Egg line hens than the Growth line hens, the total number of hierarchical follicles was greater in the Growth line hens at 45 and 58 wk of age. Expression of follistatin and the inhibin beta(B)-subunit was highest in nonhierarchical follicles, whereas the expression of the inhibin alpha- and beta(A)-subunits was highest in the hierarchical follicles. The inhibin alpha- and beta(A)-subunit mRNA expression pattern in the 4 largest follicles of the Growth line hens was not similar to the Egg line hens or characteristic of laying hens that have a high rate of egg production. The unusual inhibin subunit mRNA expression in the largest hierarchical follicles of the Growth line hens may account for their development of an abnormal follicular size hierarchy and for their poor egg production.
Durable Biomolecular Assemblies for Protein-Powered Device Concepts

Physically encapsulated droplet-interface bilayers are formed by confining aqueous droplets surrounded by lipid mono-layers in connected compartments within a solid substrate. The droplets reside within each compartment and are positioned on fixed electrodes built into the solid substrate. Full encapsulation of the network is achieved with a solid cap that inserts into the substrate to form a closed volume. Encapsulated networks provide increased portability over unencapsulated networks by limiting droplet movement and by integrating the electrodes into the supporting fixture. The formation of encapsulated droplet-interface bilayers is confirmed with electrical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry is also used to measure the effect of alamethicin proteins incorporated into the resulting lipid bilayers. The durability of the networks is quantified using a mechanical shaker to oscillate the bilayer in a direction transverse to the plane of the membrane and the results show that single droplet-interface bilayers can withstand several g’s of acceleration. Observed failure modes include both droplet separation and bilayer rupturing, where the geometry of the supporting substrate and the presence of electrodes are key contributors. Physically encapsulated DIBs can be shaken, moved, and inverted without bilayer failure, enabling the creation of portable, protein-powered devices.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Cytokine inhibition in the treatment of rheumatic and inflammatory diseases

This review briefly summarizes recent information on the role of cytokines in pathophysiologic events in human rheumatic and inflammatory diseases. The major focus is on rheumatoid arthritis and on the role of interleukin (IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) in mediating synovial events of inflammation and tissue destruction. The results of clinical trials with therapeutic agents designed to inhibit the production or effects of IL-1 and TNF are reviewed. Although some of these agents show promise, more long-term studies are necessary to examine both safety and possible beneficial effects on the tissue destruction phase of the disease process.
Fibers in monkey posterior articular nerves

The distribution of axons in the posterior articular nerves in rhesus monkey has been studied in terms of ratio of myelinated to unmyelinated fibers, and size of myelinated fibers. Conduction velocity measurements were also made. The nerves contained 2,000 to 2,200 unmyelinated fibers of 0.2 to 1.2 μm. diameter. They contained 399 to 478 myelinated fibers, varying in size from 1.4 to 12.3 μm. Thus 80 to 85% of fibers in these nerves were unmyelinated. The maximum conduction velocity of 70 to 80 meters per second corresponded to an initial small deflection, with most fibers conducting at slower rates. These results are compared to previous reports which severely underestimated the number of unmyelinated fibers because electron microscope counts were not utilized. It is suggested that pain fibers from the knee joint of monkey make up much of this large population of unmyelinated axons. An unknown number of post-ganglionic sympathetic fibers is also included in the unmyelinated fiber group.
Infrared emission from dissociative excitation of HONO2 at 193 nm

Abstract The differential fluorescence cross section for photodissociative excitation of HONO2 at 193 nm has been measured in the 0.4-2 μm region. The fluorescence spectrum starts at 0.4 μm, increases to a plateau of 4.4 × 10-19 cm2/μm at 0.65 μm, and then decreases to 0.4 × 10-19 cm2/μm at 2 μm. The total fluorescence cross section integrated over the observed wavelength region is 2.41 × 10-19 cm2, which represents a fluorescence quantum yield of about 2%. Two sharp peaks produced by two-photon excitation are observed at 1.086 and 1.115 μm, which are attributed to the P- and R-branches of the NO(D→A) emission band. The fluorescence spectra produced by photoexcitation of NO and NO2 at 193 nm have also been observed for comparison.
Estimating loss-of-power probabilities of stand-alone photovoltaic solar energy systems

Abstract This paper describes an approximate approach to evaluating the performance, including the probability of loss-of-power (or loss-of-load, as some would have it) of stand-alone photovoltaic solar energy systems. The method treats the energy capture, storage and disbursement process as a random walk in the storage domain. To apply the technique, one must know the variance, as well as the mean, of the probability density of the daily solar insolation impinging onto the photovoltaic array. Analytical expressions are obtained for the probability of depleting the system's storage, as well as how much auxiliary energy, on the average, would be required to cover the load in that event.
Rethinking historical and cultural source of spontaneous mental models of water cycle: in the perspective of South Korea

This review explores Ben-Zvi Assaraf, Eshach, Orion, and Alamour’s paper titled “Cultural Differences and Students’ Spontaneous Models of the Water Cycle: A Case Study of Jewish and Bedouin Children in Israel” by examining how the authors use the concept of spontaneous mental models to explain cultural knowledge source of Bedouin children’s mental model of water compared to Jewish children’s mental model of water in nature. My response to Ben-Zvi Assaraf et al.’s work expands upon their explanations of the Bedouin children’s cultural knowledge source. Bedouin children’s mental model is based on their culture, religion, place of living and everyday life practices related to water. I suggest a different knowledge source for spontaneous mental model of water in nature based on unique history and traditions of South Korea where people think of water in nature in different ways. This forum also addresses how western science dominates South Korean science curriculum and ways of assessing students’ conceptual understanding of scientific concepts. Additionally I argue that western science curriculum models could diminish Korean students’ understanding of natural world which are based on Korean cultural ways of thinking about the natural world. Finally, I also suggest two different ways of considering this unique knowledge source for a more culturally relevant teaching Earth system education.
Translational Control Is Required for the Unfolded Protein Response and In Vivo Glucose Homeostasis

The accumulation of unfolded protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) attenuates protein synthesis initiation through phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2alpha) at Ser51. Subsequently, transcription of genes encoding adaptive functions including the glucose-regulated proteins is induced. We show that eIF2alpha phosphorylation is required for translation attenuation, transcriptional induction, and survival in response to ER stress. Mice with a homozygous mutation at the eIF2alpha phosphorylation site (Ser51Ala) died within 18 hr after birth due to hypoglycemia associated with defective gluconeogenesis. In addition, homozygous mutant embryos and neonates displayed a deficiency in pancreatic beta cells. The results demonstrate that regulation of translation through eIF2alpha phosphorylation is essential for the ER stress response and in vivo glucose homeostasis.
Structure of Alumina Grain Boundaries Prepared with and without a Thin Amorphous Intergranular Film

The presence of a thin amorphous intergranular film along grain boundaries in alumina is expected to affect the properties of the interface and hence those of the material. In the present study, two types of grain boundaries have been formed in hot-pressed alumina bicrystals. In one case, the surfaces of the sintered crystals were kept as clean as possible, while in the other a thin layer of SiO2 was intentionally deposited onto the surface of one crystal. The distribution of SiO2 along the resulting grain boundary was then monitored by transmission electron microscopy and compared with the morphological features of the interface. In the special cases chosen here, the glass receded into large pores which grew into the alumina itself. However, the presence of the glassy phase during the early stages of sintering clearly did influence the characteristics of the resulting grain boundaries.
A new traveling wave expansion for the UTD analysis of the collective radiation from large finite planar arrays

In this paper, a new and improved traveling wave (TW) expansion is introduced for the efficient uniform geometrical theory of diffraction (UTD) analysis of the collective radiation from large finite planar arrays. The array distribution which can be obtained by using the method of moments (MoM) solution of the governing array integral equation was represented, in the recent past, in terms of a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) based TW expansion because it was found to be highly compact. The DFT is superseded in this paper by the new TW expansion in which a highly compact sequence of TWs adequately represents the array distribution. It is seen that the TW expansion requires a total number of terms which are typically less than 1% of the total number of array elements, which is far less than the required DFT terms for the same accuracy.
Yeast Rmi1/Nce4 Controls Genome Stability as a Subunit of the Sgs1-Top3 Complex

Genome stability requires a set of RecQ-Top3 DNA helicase-topoisomerase complexes whose sole budding yeast homolog is encoded by SGS1-TOP3. RMI1/NCE4 was identified as a potential intermediate in the SGS1-TOP3 pathway, based on the observation that strains lacking any one of these genes require MUS81 and MMS4 for viability. This idea was tested by confirming that sgs1 and rmi1 mutants display the same spectrum of synthetic lethal interactions, including the requirements for SLX1, SLX4, SLX5, and SLX8, and by demonstrating that rmi1 mus81 synthetic lethality is dependent on homologous recombination. On their own, mutations in RMI1 result in phenotypes that mimic those of sgs1 or top3 strains including slow growth, hyperrecombination, DNA damage sensitivity, and reduced sporulation. And like top3 strains, most rmi1 phenotypes are suppressed by mutations in SGS1. We show that Rmi1 forms a heteromeric complex with Sgs1-Top3 in yeast and that these proteins interact directly in a recombinant system. The Rmi1-Top3 complex is stable in the absence of the Sgs1 helicase, but the loss of either Rmi1 or Top3 in yeast compromises its partner's interaction with Sgs1. Biochemical studies demonstrate that recombinant Rmi1 is a structure-specific DNA binding protein with a preference for cruciform structures. We propose that the DNA binding specificity of Rmi1 plays a role in targeting Sgs1-Top3 to appropriate substrates.
Cryptogram Decoding for OCR Using Numerization Strings

OCR systems for printed documents typically require large numbers of font styles and character models to work well. When given an unseen font, performance degrades even in the absence of noise. In this paper, we perform OCR in an unsupervised fashion without using any character models by using a cryptogram decoding algorithm. We present results on real and artificial OCR data.
Evolution of temperate pathogens: the bacteriophage/bacteria paradigm.

Background: Taking as a pattern, the T4 and lambda viruses interacting with each other and with their Gram-negative host, Escherichia coli, a general model is constructed for the evolution of 'gentle' or temperate pathogens. This model is not simply either pure group or kin selection, but probably is common in a variety of host-parasite pairs in various taxonomic groups. The proposed mechanism is that for its own benefit the pathogen evolved ways to protect its host from attack by other pathogens and this has incidentally protected the host. Although appropriate mechanisms would have been developed and excluded related viral species and also other quite different pathogens, the important advance would have been when other individuals of the same species that arrive at the host subsequent to the first infecting one were excluded. Results: Such a class of mechanisms would not compete one genotype with another, but simply would be of benefit to the first pathogen that had attacked a host organism. Conclusion: This would tend to protect and extend the life of the host against the detrimental effects of a secondarily infecting pathogen. This leads to the pathogens becoming more temperate via the now favorable co-evolution with its host, which basically protects both host and virus against other pathogens but may cause slowing of the growth of the primary infecting pathogen. Evolution by a 'gentle' strategy would be favored as long as the increased wellbeing of the host also favored the eventual transmission of the early infecting pathogen to other hosts.
The Impact of US Policy on Labor and Capital: The Case of Puerto Rico

US corporations have enjoyed special tax provisions in Puerto Rico since the Revenue Act of 1921. With the Industrial Incentives Act of 1948, US subsidiaries in Puerto Rico have been at least partially exempt from taxes in the US and Puerto Rico. US possessions received the benefit of Section 936 of the Internal Revenue Code in 1976. Ever since 1983, more than 99% of the benefits have gone to corporations in Puerto Rico. This paper measures the direct and indirect requirements of labor and capital, using Pasinetti's vertical integration approach, for the decades of 1960s and 1970s.
Self-identifying software

The self-identifying software (SIDS) concept, which has reduced software maintenance costs by greatly reducing the time required to determine the revision level of the software being diagnosed, is described. The SIDS (revision) elements can easily be controlled by an automated software configuration manager if a large number of software modules are involved. Implementation of SIDS does require additional execution-time memory. Smaller, nonvirtual machines must pursue alternatives, such as establishing revision attributes. The most important benefit derived from SIDS implementation, though, is the increased customer satisfaction that has resulted. >