cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel peptide sequence in perlecan domain IV supports cell adhesion, spreading and FAK activation

Perlecan/HSPG2 is a large, multi-domain, multifunctional heparan sulfate proteoglycan with a wide tissue distribution. With the exception of its unique domain I, each of perlecan's other four domains shares sequence similarity to other protein families including low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, laminin alpha chain, neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily members, and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Previous studies demonstrated that glycosaminoglycan-bearing perlecan domain I supports early chondrogenesis and growth factor delivery. Other sites in the core protein interact with other matrix molecules and support cell adhesion, although the peptide sequences involved remain unidentified. To identify novel functional motifs within perlecan, we used a bioinformatics approach to predict regions likely to be on the exterior of the folded protein. Unique hydrophilic sequences of about 18 amino acids were selected for testing in cell adhesion assays. A novel peptide sequence (TWSKVGGHLRPGIVQSG) from an immunoglobulin (Ig) repeat in domain IV supported rapid cell adhesion, spreading and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation when compared to other peptides, a randomly scrambled sequence of the domain IV peptide or a negative control protein. MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells, epithelial cells and multipotent C(3)H10T1/2 cells, but not bone marrow cells, rapidly, i.e., within 30 min, formed focal adhesions and assembled an actin cytoskeleton on domain IV peptide. Cell lines differentially adhered to the domain IV peptide, suggesting adhesion is receptor specific. Adhesion was divalent cation independent and heparin sensitive, a finding that may explain some previously poorly understood observations obtained with intact perlecan. Collectively, these studies demonstrate the feasibility of using bioinformatics-based strategies to identify novel functional motifs in matrix proteins such as perlecan.
Angiotensin receptors in glomeruli differ from those in renal arterioles

Angiotensin receptors in glomeruli differ from those in renal arterioles. Angiotensin receptors in afferent and efferent arterioles and in the glomerulus are strategically located to influence renal perfusion and glomerular function. With the size of isolated glomeruli as the index, we have demonstrated identical dose-response relationships for graded concentrations (10 -13 to 10 -3 g/liter) of angiotensin II (AII) and angiotensin III (AIII). An octapeptide analogue (saralasin 10 -6 to 10 -2 g/liter) was equally effective at blocking glomerular responses to both AII and AIII, but two heptapeptide analogues (des-asp,8-ile AII and des-asp,8-gly AII; 10 -6 to 10 -2 g/liter) failed to block responses to either agonist. The relative influence of octapeptide and heptapeptide analogues on GFR was examined in anesthetized dogs with partial occlusion of the thoracic inferior vena cava. In 18 dogs, caval occlusion reduced renal blood flow (35%), GFR (29%), and arterial pressure (13%). Saralasin (300 to 3000 ng/kg/min, i.v.) and des-asp,8-ile All (100 to 3000 ng/kg/min, i.v.) increased renal blood flow by 0.41 ± 0.11 and 0.62 ± 0.11 ml/g/min, respectively, but only the octapeptide induced a concomitant increase in GFR (octapeptide: ΔGFR = 0.11 ± 0.03 ml/g/min; heptapeptide: ΔGFR = -0.08 ± 0.07 ml/g/min; P Les recepteurs glomerulaires de l'angiotensine sont differents de ceux des arterioles renales. Les recepteurs de l'angiotensine dans les arterioles afferentes et efferentes et dans le glomerule sont localises de facon a influer sur la perfusion renale et la fonction glomerulaire. En utilisant la taille de glomerules isoles comme index nous avons mis en evidence des relations dose-response identiques pour des concentrations croissantes (10 -13 to 10 -3 g/litre) d'angiotensine II (AII) et d'angiotensine III (AIII). Un octapeptide analogue (saralasine 10 -6 to 10 -2 g/litre) est aussi efficace dans le blocage des reponses glomerulaires a l'angiotensine II qu'a l'AIII, mais deux heptapeptides analogues (des-asp,8-ile Ail et des-asp,8-gly AII; 10 -6 to 10 -2 g/litre) ne bloquent pas les reponses a ces agonistes. Les influences relatives des analogues octapeptide et heptapeptide sur le GFR ont ete etudiees chez le chien anesthesie au cours d'une occlusion partielle de la veine cave inferieure thoracique. Chez 18 chiens l'occlusion cave a diminue le debit sanguin renal (35%), le GFR (29%) et la pression arterielle (13%). La saralasine (300 to 3000 ng/kg/min, i.v.) et la des-asp,8-ile Ail (100-3000 ng/kg/min) ont augmente le debit sanguin renal de 0,41 ± 0,11 et 0,62 ± 0,11 ml/g/min, respectivement, mais seul l'octapeptide a determine une augmentation concomitante du GFR (octapeptide: ΔGFR = 0,11 ± 0,03 ml/g/min; heptapeptide: ΔGFR = -0,08 ± 0,07 ml/g/min; P
Depletion of epinephrine in rat hypothalamus by a dopamine agonist, pergolide.

The i.p. injection of pergolide mesylate, a dopamine agonist, at doses of 0.3–0.6 mg/kg led to a decrease in epinephrine concentration in rat hypothalamus. After a 0.6 mg/kg dose of pergolide mesylate, epinephrine concentration in hypothalamus decreased within 2 hr, reached a minimum concentration at about 8 hrs, and then returned toward control values. Norepinephrine N-methyltransferase activity was not decreased after pergolide injection in vivo nor was it inhibited by pergolide added in vitro at concentrations as high as 10−3 M. Higher i.p. doses of less potent dopamine agonists, apomorphine (10 mg/kg) and lergotrile (3 mg/kg), also decreased epinephrine concentration in hypothalamus. The pergolideinduced decrease in hypothalamic epinephrine concentration was prevented by pretreatment with haloperidol or spiperone., antagonists of dopamine receptors. Activation of dopamine receptors appears to result in a decrease in epinephrine concentration in rat brain, possibly due to, enhanced release of epinephrine.
Heavy metals in mammals from two unmined copper-zinc deposits in Wisconsin

This paper describes concentrations of zinc, copper, cadmium, lead, nickel, mercury and arsenic fom eight species of mammals collected at two areas in northern Wisconsin where zinc and copper deposits have been discovered and mines will be developed. The purposes of these analyses were: (1) to determine if differences existed in heavy metal concentrations in mammals between the two areas with different ore compositions and with the different amounts of glacial deposits over the ore bodies; and (2) to provide background levels which can be used for comparison of concentrations of these metals in mammals from other areas and from these same areas after the mines have been developed.
The Kinetics of Ethylidyne Formation from Ethylene on Pd(111)

Recent density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the activation energy for the conversion of ethylene to ethylidyne on Pd(111) (Moskaleva, L. V.; Chen, Z.-X.; Aleksandrov, H. A.; Mohammed, A. B.; Sun, Q.; Rosch, N. J. Phys. Chem. C 2009, 113, 2515) predicted an activation barrier with respect to gas-phase ethylene of ∼46 kJ/mol, substantially lower than the results of previous DFT calculations. Thus, the kinetics of formation of ethylidyne from ethylene on Pd(111) are measured as a function of sample temperature using reflection−absorption infrared spectroscopy to monitor the ethylidyne coverage as a function of time. The results yield an experimental value of the height of the activation barrier with respect to gas-phase ethylene of 49 ± 5 kJ/mol, in good agreement with the results of the DFT calculations. The agreement between experiment and theory indicates that the proposed ethylidyne formation pathway involving an initial, rate-limiting ethylene dehydrogenation step to form vinyl species that f...
Mate selection by female katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae, Conocephalus nigropleurum)

Abstract Female katydids receive a large spermatophore at mating which they subsequently eat. Available evidence indicates that spermatophore nutrients are important to female reproduction. Heavier males produce larger spermatophores. When given the choice between two singing males of different weights, females always mated with the larger individual.
Distributed curve matching in camera networks using projective joint invariant signatures

An efficient method based on projective joint invariant signatures is presented for distributed matching of curves in a camera network. The fundamental projective joint invariants for curves in the real projective space are the volume cross-ratios. A curve in m-dimensional projective space is represented by a signature manifold comprising n-point projective joint invariants, where n is at least m + 2. The signature manifold can be used to establish equivalence of two curves in projective space. However, without correspondence between the two curves, matching signature manifolds is a computational challenge. In this paper we overcome this challenge by finding discriminative sections of signature manifolds consistently across varying viewpoints and scoring the similarity between these sections. This motivates a simple yet powerful method for distributed curve matching in a camera network. Experimental results with real data demonstrate the classification performance of the proposed algorithm with respect to the size of the sections of the invariant signature in various noisy conditions.
Methodology for the economic assessment of PACS

Most economic studies of Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS) to date, including our own, have focused on the perspective of the radiology department and its direct costs. However, many researchers have suggested additional cost savings that may accrue to the medical center as a whole through increased operational capacity, fewer lost images, rapid simultaneous access to images, and other decreases in resource utilization. We describe here a new economic analysis framework we have developed to estimate these potential additional savings. Our framework is comprised of two parallel measurement methods. The first method estimates the cost of care actually delivered through online capture of charge entries from the hospital's billing computer and from the clinical practices' billing database. Multiple regression analyses will be used to model cost of care, length of stay, and other estimates of resource utilization. The second method is the measurement of actual resource utilization, such as technologist time, frequency and duration of film searches, and equipment utilization rates. The costs associated with changes in resource use will be estimated using wage rates and other standard economic methods. Our working hypothesis is that, after controlling for the underlying clinical and demographic differences among patients, patients imaged using a PACS will have shorter lengths of stay, shorter exam performance times, and decreased costs of care. We expect our analysis framework to explain and resolve some of the conflicting views of the cost-effectiveness of PACS.
Environmental effects on the friction of hydrogenated DLC films

We have investigated environmental effects on hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (H-DLC) films under various pressures of H2O, O2, and N2 by ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) tribometry. The H-DLC film exhibits an ultralow coefficient of friction (μ = 0.004 in UHV). The μ value increases with increasing pressure of H2O and O2. Specifically, μ increases up to 0.07 under 10 Torr of H2O, and up to 0.03 under 150 Torr of O2; these are typical H2O and O2 contents respectively in ambient air. Our results are consistent with similar environmental effects previously reported. But, we have also discovered that these friction changes are reversible, returning to the ultralow value when UHV is restored. The reversibility of the friction behavior in both environments, coupled with the lack of evidence of tribochemical changes by Auger electron spectroscopy, suggest that the observed friction changes are due to the weakly adsorbed gas molecules that influence the friction property by physically separating the H-DLC interface. Speed-dependent tribometry also supports this argument. In addition, two DLC films with different hydrogen contents and with widely different friction coefficients in UHV are shown to exhibit identical μ values under humid environments, further demonstrating that the frictional properties of these DLC films are essentially determined by the surface layer of adsorbed gas molecules.
Compressing measurements in quantum dynamic parameter estimation

We present methods that can provide an exponential savings in the resources required to perform dynamic parameter estimation using quantum systems. The key idea is to merge classical compressive sensing techniques with quantum control methods to significantly reduce the number of signal coefficients that are required for reconstruction of time-varying parameters with high fidelity. We show that incoherent measurement bases and, more generally, suitable random measurement matrices can be created by performing simple control sequences on the quantum system. Random measurement matrices satisfying the restricted isometry property can be used efficiently to reconstruct signals that are sparse in any basis. Because many physical processes are approximately sparse in some basis, these methods can benefit a variety of applications such as quantum sensing and magnetometry with nitrogen-vacancy centers.
Dynamic inertia tensor at high spins.

A generalized Inglis formula is derived for the dynamic inertia tensor {ital scr}{bold I}{sup (2)}. This formula is valid at high spins. It also describes rotations about nonprincipal axes. If the rotation axis is parallel to a principal axis, then the formula determines how the nucleus responds to a perturbation away from the principal axis.
Push and pull factors in international nurse migration.

Purpose: To describe the push and pull factors of migration in relation to international recruitment and migration of nurses. Organizing Construct: Review of literature on nurse migration, examination of effects of donor and receiving countries, and discussion of ethical concerns related to foreign nurse recruitment. Findings: The primary donor countries are Australia, Canada, the Philippines, South Africa, and the United Kingdom (UK); the primary receiving countries are Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UK, and the United States (US). The effects of migration on donor countries include the loss of skilled personnel and economic investment; receiving countries receive skilled nurses to fill critical shortages with less economic investment. Ethical concerns include the potential for exploitation of foreign nurses. Conclusions: Nurses migrate to seek better wages and working conditions than they have in their native countries. Given the current conditions, developed countries continue to actively recruit foreign nurses to fill critical shortages. Migration is predicted to continue until developed countries address the underlying causes of nurse shortages and until developing countries address conditions that cause nurses to leave.
Respiratory Viruses and Eosinophils: exploring the connections

In this review, we consider the role played by eosinophilic leukocytes in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of respiratory virus infection. The vast majority of the available information on this topic focuses on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; Family Paramyxoviridae, genus Pneumovirus), an important pediatric pathogen that infects infants worldwide. There is no vaccine currently available for RSV. A formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine used in a trial in the 1960s elicited immunopathology in response to natural RSV infection; this has been modeled experimentally, primarily in inbred mice and cotton rats. Eosinophils are recruited to the lung tissue in response to formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine antigens in humans and in experimental models, but they may or may not be involved in promoting the severe clinical sequelae observed. Pulmonary eosinophilia elicited in response to primary RSV infection has also been explored; this response is particularly evident in the youngest human infants and in neonatal mouse models. Although pulmonary eosinophilia is nearly always perceived in a negative light, the specific role played by virus-elicited eosinophils – negative, positive or neutral bystander – remain unclear. Lastly, we consider the data that focus on the role of eosinophils in promoting virus clearance and antiviral host defense, and conclude with a recent study that explores the role of eosinophils themselves as targets of virus infection.
Critical issues in plasma-assisted vapor deposition processes

The currently used plasma-assisted vapor deposition processes are reviewed. They are analyzed in terms of the three steps in deposition processes, i.e. generation of the depositing species, transport from source to substrate, and film growth on the substrate. The role of the plasma in each of the steps for the various processes is discussed. All processes involve two sets of parameters: the plasma parameters and the process parameters. These parameters couple to a greater or lesser degree in each of the basic processes, which reflects their versatility. The roles of plasma volume chemistry and plasma diagnostics are discussed. It is clear that a deeper basic understanding of plasma-assisted deposition processes necessitates a much greater volume of work on plasma diagnostics coupled with theoretical estimates. The influence of ion bombardment on the structure, composition, and properties of the films is considered. Hybrid processes which attempt to circumvent the somewhat deleterious intercoupling of the plasma and process parameters are briefly discussed. >
Self-referenced measurements of the dielectric properties of metals using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy via the excitation of surface plasmon-polaritons

We present experimental measurements that show direct determination of the dielectric properties of various metals relevant to plasmonics. In contrast to traditional measurements that typically rely on transmission and reflectance measurements, we launch surface plasmon-polaritons on a variety of different substrates and measure the propagation properties using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. Surprisingly, we find that the extracted values for the dielectric constant for these metals differ by orders of magnitude from published data. In order to validate the obtained results, we separately measure the 1/e decay length, both along the propagation direction and normal to the metal surface, and show that the results are fully self-consistent with experimental data. The generality of the measurement technique makes it a useful tool to estimate the properties not only of planar conducting substrates but also a wide variety of more complex plasmonic structures.
Identification of the active site residues in the nsP2 proteinase of sindbis virus

The nonstructural polyproteins of Sindbis virus are processed by a virus-encoded proteinase which is located in the C-terminal domain of nsP2. Here we have performed a mutagenic analysis to identify the active site residues of this proteinase. Substitution of other amino acids for either Cys-481 or His-558 completely abolished proteolytic processing of Sindbis virus polyproteins in vitro. Substitutions within this domain for a second cysteine conserved among alphaviruses, for four other conserved histidines, or for a conserved serine did not affect the activity of the enzyme. These results suggest that nsP2 is a papain-like proteinase whose catalytic dyad is composed of Cys-481 and His-558. Since an asparagine residue has been implicated in the active site of papain, we changed the four conserved asparagine residues in the C-terminal half of nsP2 and found that all could be substituted without total loss of activity. Among papain-like proteinases, the residue following the catalytic histidine is alanine or glycine in the plant and animal enzymes, and the presence of Trp-559 in alphaviruses is unusual. A mutant enzyme containing Ala-559 was completely inactive, implying that Trp-559 is essential for a functional proteinase. All of these mutations were introduced into a full-length clone of Sindbis virus from which infectious RNA could be transcribed in vitro, and the effects of these changes on viability were tested. In all cases it was found that mutations which abolished proteolytic activity were lethal, whether or not these mutations were in the catalytic residues, indicating that proteolysis of the nonstructural polyprotein is essential for Sindbis replication.
Living planktic foraminifera: tracers of circulation and productivity regimes in the central equatorial Pacific

Abstract Planktic foraminifera (shelled protozoans from ∼0.01 to 1 mm in size) respond to equatorial circulation and ecosystem dynamics. In the JGOFS survey I cruise of the equatorial Pacific (9°N-12°S, 140°W, in February–March 1992), responses to upwelling, advection, and biological activity occurred in spite of little upper-ocean temperature contrast. Rather than being abundant within the entire productive equatorial zone, foraminifera concentrated off the equator at convergent fronts. For example, non-spinose, mostly herbivorous species (G. conglomerata, G. tumida, P. obliquiloculata, and N. dutertrei) dominated near 3°N, in the convergence between the South Equatorial Current and the North Equatorial Countercurrent. Juvenile forms outnumbered adults within the convergence, indicating that these foraminifera succeeded and reproduced here (rather than passively accumulating by advection) perhaps by maintaining buoyancy to stay within the convergent, food-rich zone. The South Equatorial Current was favored by spinose, endosymbiont-bearing G. aequilateralis and non-spinose, herbivorous G. glutinata, G. menardii, and P. obliquiloculata, perhaps an advected assemblage. Species hosting dinoflagellate endosymbionts (G. sacculifer, G. ruber, and G. conglobatus) prevailed in food-poor oligotrophic regions, perhaps because they obtain nutrition from their symbionts. Distributions of living foraminifera suggest that paleoceanographic transfer functions to estimate primary productivity in the geological record have merit, but controls of foraminiferal species distributions also include food stocks, light intensity, and advection.
Savings and loan and finance industry PAC contributions to incumbent members of the House Banking Committee

This paper examines the relationship between campaign contributions from savings and loan and finance industry PACs and membership on the House Banking Committee. The distinguishing features of this paper are that we focus on campaign contributions at an industry level, and we use regression analysis to determine whether membership on the House Banking Committee, the committee with oversight responsibility for the savings and loan industry, influences the level of contributions received by an individual legislator. We find that members of the House Banking Committee do receive significantly greater contributions from the savings and loan and finance PACs than do other members of Congress and that being chairman of the House Banking Committee also pays a dividend.
Evaluation of diamond gauge factor up to 500 °C

Abstract Gauge factors of boron-doped polycrystalline diamond films were investigated in the ranges from room temperature to 500 °C and from 0 to 0.07 MPa of applied pressure. A VCR fitting was used as a package for a measurement at high temperature. Undoped and boron-doped polycrystalline diamond films were deposited on a Si substrate by hot filament chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. A chip was fabricated with bulk micro machining technique. The gauge factors were evaluated in the ranges from room temperature to 500 °C in furnace. The calculated values of the gauge factors were found to vary in a range of 5–241. The gauge factors decreased with increased temperature from room temperature to around 100–300 °C. However, with higher temperature up to 500 °C, it increased.
Field equation for interface propagation in an unsteady homogeneous flow field.

The nonlinear scalar field equation governing the propagation of an unsteadily convected interface is used to derive a convenient expression for the average volume flux through such an interface in a homogeneous flow field. For a particular choice of the initial scalar field, the average volume flux through any such interface is expressed as a volume-averaged functional of the evolving scalar field, facilitating analysis based on renormalized perturbation theory and numerical simulation. It is noted that this process belongs to a different universality class from the propagation model of M. Kardar, G. Parisi, and Y.-C. Zhang (Phys. Rev. Lett. 56, 889 (1986)).
Trends in the use of tracheotomy in the pediatric patient: the Iowa experience.

Background. The role of tracheotomy in airway management in children has been widely discussed. Improved medical care and technology have resulted in improved survival rates, and increased survival rates have been associated with changes in the indications for and the use of tracheotomy. The purpose of this review was to evaluate trends in the use of tracheotomy over a 15-year period. Methods. We reviewed the medical charts of patients who underwent tracheotomy from 1975 to 1989 and analyzed them over three 5-year time intervals: Block 1, 1975–79; Block 2, 1980–84; and Block 3, 1985–89. Results. In the defined age group, 305 patients underwent tracheotomy during the study period. Records from 281 patients were analyzed; the remaining charts either were unavailable for review or did not contain adequate documentation of the tracheotomy. We observed an increase in the number of tracheotomies over time, especially in the younger population. Across blocks, median age decreased, duration of tracheotomy increased, and indications for tracheotomy changed. Conclusions. Mean age, duration of tracheotomy, and indications for tracheotomy changed over the 15-year period. Additionally, these parameters were strongly related. © 1995 Jons Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ballistic limit velocity for long rods from ordinance velocity through hypervelocity impact

The ballistic limit velocity for long rods impacting targets of finite thickness is explored in a range from ordnance velocity though hypervelocity impact. While several formulas have existed for some time, notable ones of Recht and Ipson, Woodward and de Morton, and Lambert are limited because they either relate primarily to only short rods, bullets, or fragments or apply to long rods but are empirical, as in the case of Lambert's formula. There is, however, a growing need to have a general description of the ballistic limit problem since, today, there is more interest in launching long rods at velocities extending into the hypervelocity range of impact. The current work explores Grace's previous theoretical development of plate penetration/perforation dynamics, providing an iterative solution as well as a derived, approximate, semi-empirical, analytic expression for the limit velocity. Both analyses are applied throughout extended ranges of impact velocity and compared to Lambert's formula and experimental data for long rods of steel and tungsten striking steel armor targets.
MarA-mediated transcriptional repression of the rob promoter

The Escherichia coli transcriptional regulator MarA affects functions that include antibiotic resistance, persistence, and survival. MarA functions as an activator or repressor of transcription utilizing similar degenerate DNA sequences (marboxes) with three different binding site configurations with respect to the RNA polymerase-binding sites. We demonstrate that MarA down-regulates rob transcripts both in vivo and in vitro via a MarA-binding site within the rob promoter that is positioned between the -10 and -35 hexamers. As for the hdeA and purA promoters, which are repressed by MarA, the rob marbox is also in the "backward" orientation. Protein-DNA interactions show that SoxS and Rob, like MarA, bind the same marbox in the rob promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift analyses with a MarA-specific antibody demonstrate that MarA and RNA polymerase form a ternary complex with the rob promoter DNA. Transcription experiments in vitro and potassium permanganate footprinting analysis show that MarA affects the RNA polymerase-mediated closed to open complex formation at the rob promoter.
Development of multiple complications in type 2 diabetes is associated with the increase of multiple markers of chronic inflammation.

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are known at risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), nephropathy, and cancer. We were interested to find out whether multiple markers associated with chronic inflammation are detectable in patients with T2DM and are increased in patients with T2DM who developed additional clinical complications. A sequence of multiple risk markers for atherogenesis, associated with chronic inflammation, was measured in patients with T2DM before and after the development of clinical complications. We found that multiple clinical complications frequently developed simultaneously in patients with T2DM. At the early stage of T2DM, only low levels and low percent elevations of multiple risk markers were detected. However, both the level and the percent elevation of these markers were found to increase with disease progression and the development of clinical complications. We believe that chronic inflammation not only contributes to the pathogenesis of T2DM but also continues to increase in T2DM patients who are developing additional clinical complications. It appears that these multiple markers are potentially useful not only for monitoring the progression of T2DM but also predicting the risk of developing macro- and microvascular disease, nephropathy, and cancer. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:6–13, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Development of a three-meter Ka-band reflectarray antenna

With the development of inflatable technologies, inflatable structures used as large space antennas are becoming very possible for near term space missions. This paper discusses the development of an inflatable/self-rigidizable structure for a three-meter Ka-band reflectarray antenna.
Impact of Solid State Imaging on Optical Astronomy

It has been ten years since solid state devices, such as CCDs, have been discussed for use in astronomy. There is by now enough information, in the form of laboratory data on a variety of devices and published scientific results, to confirm the original assessment that solid state arrays will become a permanent entry in the repertory of astronomical instruments.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Isolation as a Factor in Lowering the Threshold of Visual Perception

(1950). Isolation as a Factor in Lowering the Threshold of Visual Perception. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 30, No. 1, pp. 191-194.
Reduction of iron by extracellular iron reductases: implications for microbial iron acquisition.

Abstract The extracellular enzymatic reduction of iron by microorganisms has not been appropriately considered. In this study the reduction and release of iron from ferrioxamine were examined using extracellular microbial iron reductases and compared to iron mobilization by chemical reductants, and to chelation by EDTA and desferrioxamine. A flavin semiquinone was formed during the enzymatic reduction of ferrioxamine, which was consistent with the 1 e− reduction of iron by an enzyme. The rates for the enzymatic reactions were substantially faster than both the 2 e− chemical reductions and the chelation reactions. The rapid rates of the enzymatic reduction reactions demonstrated that these enzymes are capable of accomplishing the extracellular mobilization of iron required by microorganisms. The data suggest that mechanistically there are two phases for the mobilization and transport of iron by those microorganisms that produce both extracellular iron reductases and siderophores, with reduction being the principle pathway.
Asymmetric spline surfaces: characteristics and applications.

Asymmetric spline surfaces appear useful for the design of high-quality general optical systems (systems without symmetries). A spline influence function defined as the actual surface resulting from a simple perturbation in the spline definition array shows that a subarea is independent of others four or more points away. Optimization methods presented in this paper are used to vary a reflective spline surface near the focal plane of a decentered Schmidt-Cassegrain to reduce rms spot radii by a factor of 3 across the field.
The Effects of Web-Based Reading Curriculum on Children's Reading Performance and Motivation:

This study investigated the benefits of using a Web-based reading curriculum program featuring music and video, on struggling readers' performance and motivation. A sample of 36 third grade student...
The category of roots and the roots of categories: what we learn from selection in derivation

Selection—the tendency of derivational affixes to choose the category of their base—has most often been couched in terms of syntactic categories such as Noun, Verb, and Adjective. In recent years several theories have claimed, however, that roots are categoryless, and receive category only by virtue of being merged with functional projections of various sorts. This article examines three such theories—Distributed Morphology, Borer’s Exo-Skeletal model, and DiSciullo’s Asymmetrical Morphology, and determines that none of them can handle the phenomenon of affixal selection. We may, however, maintain the claim that roots lack syntactic category if we make use of a system of lexical semantic categorization that allows us to state selection in terms of semantic categories. It is shown that the framework of Lieber (2004) allows for such categorization, and moreover that semantic categorization permits us to make generalizations that are not available in a theory in which selection is purely on the basis of syntactic category.
Titin PEVK segment: Charge-driven elasticity of the open and flexible polyampholyte

The giant protein titin spans half of the sarcomere length and anchors the myosin thick filament to the Z-line of skeletal and cardiac muscles. The passive elasticity of muscle at a physiological range of stretch arises primarily from the extension of the PEVK segment, which is a polyampholyte with dense and alternating-charged clusters. Force spectroscopy studies of a 51 kDa fragment of the human fetal titin PEVK domain (TP1) revealed that when charge interactions were reduced by raising the ionic strength from 35 to 560 mM, its mean persistence length increased from 0.30 +/- 0.04 nm to 0.60 +/- 0.07 nm. In contrast, when the secondary structure of TP1 was altered drastically by the presence of 40 and 80% (v/v) of trifluoroethanol, its force-extension behavior showed no significant shift in the mean persistence length of approximately approximately 0.18 +/- 0.03 nm at the ionic strength of 15 mM. Additionally, the mean persistence length also increased from 0.29 to 0.41 nm with increasing calcium concentration from pCa 5-8 to pCa 3-4. We propose that PEVK is not a simple entropic spring as is commonly assumed, but a highly evolved, gel-like enthalpic spring with its elasticity dominated by the sequence-specific charge interactions. A single polyampholyte chain may be fine-tuned to generate a broad range of molecular elasticity by varying charge pairing schemes and chain configurations.
EIC Editorial: Introducing New Associate Editors

I this issue, I announce the retirement of Ron Shamir who has been on the inaugural editorial board of TCBB since the beginning in 2004 and has contributed so much to make TCBB function and thrive. I would like to express my great appreciation for his service and support. As TCBB continues to grow, we need to strengthen expertise in areas that keep witnessing an important increase in their number of submissions. This will allow us to minimize the burden put on volunteers who serve generously on IEEE journals. I am therefore happy to welcome the addition of Doctor Teresa Przytycka, investigator at the NCBI, NLM, NIH Computational Biology Branch, USA, and Professor Roded Sharan from Tel Aviv University, Israel, to the editorial board. I am very much looking forward to working with them alongside the remaining Associate Editors in the next years.
Breast Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship: Cost, Quality, and Lessons Learned

There are an estimated 11.1 million cancer survivors in the United States, and cancer is increasingly being seen as a manageable chronic disease. Unfortunately, cancer survivors may experience both physical and psychosocial long-term and late effects of cancer and its treatments that can have a profound effect on both health status and quality of life. Specialized cancer survivorship clinics have been started in many cancer centers in response to the needs of the growing number of survivors, but the overall costs and effectiveness associated with providing survivorship-focused care have yet to be evaluated. This paper explores the body of knowledge that contributed to the development of survivorship clinics and examines the potential benefits of these clinics along with a real-world description of a dedicated adult survivorship clinic.
Ion—molecule reactions of tetramethylethylene radical cations in zeolites☆

Abstract Radical cations were produced by γ-irradiation of solutes in zeolites at 77 K. The radical cation of tetramethylethylene (TME) was examined by EPR in a variety of zeolites at different temperatures and loading. The TME monomer radical cation, the TME dimer radical cation and the neutral radical formed by proton transfer in the dimer cation were observed. The radical cation dimermonomer aggregation is reversible at low temperatures; above ≈ 110 K the neutral radical was observed. The effect of host zeolite interactions on the reactivity of tetramethylethylene radical cations in mazzite (Na-Ω-5) and pentasil (MFI-Na-ZSM-5 and silicalite S115) are reported. γ-irradiation of TME in Na-ZSM-5 and silicalite S115 gives rise to a dimer radical cation below 50 K when the concentration of TME is ⪢ 1 wt%. EPR spectra from 50 to 110 K correspond to the monomer radical cation and the neutral radical was observed above 110 K. EPR spectra observed in Na-Ω-5 show the co-existence of all three radical species in varying proportions at different temperatures. The differences in the zeolite interior surface topology (e.g., cage size and type of channel) are invoked to explain the observed effects on the radical cation chemistry.
Failure to demonstrate serotonergic neurons in the myenteric plexus of the rat

Several recent studies suggested that serotonergic neuron-like elements are present in the guinea pig ileum. The present paper reports an extensive study of the digestive tract of the rat with the use of a histofluorescence technique. Administration of the serotonin precursor, tryptophan, associated with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, did not allow histochemical demonstration of rapidly fading, yellow fluorescent, 6-hydroxydopamine-resistant neurons; conversely such neurons were readily detected in the brain. It is concluded that serotonergic neuron-like elements cannot be detected histochemically in the rat myenteric plexus area after chemical sympathectomy.
Climate change and conflict: Making sense of disparate findings

Abstract This introduction to the special issues starts with a general overview of the literature. The relationship between climate, climate change, and conflict has been empirically tested in a wide variety of studies, but the literature has yet to converge on a commonly accepted set of results. This is mainly due to poor conceptualization of research designs and empirical measurements. Data are often collected at different temporal, geographic, and social scales. In addition, “climate” and “conflict” are rather elusive concepts and scholars have utilized different measures of each. The choice of measures and empirical tests is not a trivial one, but reflects different theoretical frameworks for understanding environmental influences on conflict. Therefore, results from different analyses are often not commensurable with one another and readers should be wary of broad, sweeping characterizations of the literature. The individual contributions to the special issue are also discussed. Articles herein focus on different geographic regions, temporal periods, and levels of conflict, adding additional layers of complexity to our understanding of the climate/conflict nexus.
The arterial blood supply of the distal radius and ulna and its potential use in vascularized pedicled bone grafts

We investigated the extra- and intraosseous blood supply of the distal radius and ulna (descriptive anatomy) and defined potential vascularized pedicled bone grafts to the carpal bones (applied anatomy). We studied 41 cadaver upper limbs using several techniques including angiography, Batson's compound and latex injections, and bone clearing using a modified Spalteholtz technique. Several known arteries were described in greater detail, and numerous previously undescribed arteries were found and investigated. Vascularized pedicled grafts have potential applicability for carpal pathology. Several grafts have been described from the radius, second metacarpal, and pisiform. We have identified several vascular pedicles that provide the hand surgeon with additional options. Some of these grafts provide a wider arc of rotation, greater ease of harvest and/or improved vascularity compared to many previously described grafts.
Severe odontogenic infections, part 1: prospective report.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate a series of patients with severe odontogenic infections (OI). Patients and Methods In this study, 37 consecutive hospitalized patients with odontogenic infection were treated with intravenous penicillin (PCN) (unless allergic), and prompt incision and drainage. Standardized data collection included demographic, preadmission, time-related, preoperative, anatomic, treatment, microbiologic, and complications information. Appropriate descriptive statistics were computed. Results The sample consisted of 37 subjects (38% female) with a mean age of 34.9 years. Three subjects (8%) had immunocompromising diseases. Caries was the most frequent dental disease (65%) and the lower third molar was the most frequently involved tooth (68%). Trismus and dysphagia were present on admission in over 70% of cases. The masticator, perimandibular (submandibular, submental, and/or sublingual), and peripharyngeal (lateral pharyngeal, retropharyngeal, and/or pretracheal) spaces were infected in 78%, 60%, and 43% of cases, respectively. Abscess was found in 76% of cases. PCN-resistant organisms were identified in 19% of all strains isolated and in 54% of patients with sensitivity data. PCN therapeutic failure occurred in 21% of cases and reoperation was required in 8%. Length of hospital stay was 5.1 ± 3.0 days. No deaths occurred. Conclusions This study indicated that PCN resistance, resulting in PCN therapeutic failure, was unacceptably high in this sample. Alternative antibiotics, such as clindamycin, should be considered in hospitalized patients with OI. Masticator space infection occurred much more frequently than previously reported. Trismus and dysphagia should be appreciated as significant indicators of severe OI.
Venous tissue replanted on roots of teeth in monkeys

Abstract In an attempt to preserve the original periodontal membrane and stimulate fibrosis of tooth to bone in rhesus monkeys, venous segments were adapted over roots of teeth prior to replantation. Both intima and adventitia exposed to the cemental surface of roots were tested. The venous segments, as employed in this experiment, induced increased sulcus depth and varying degrees of root resorption and ankylosis. Control teeth were replanted without venous segments, and their recovery was uneventful. More extensive studies aimed at regenerating physiologic periodontal attachment in tooth grafting seems to be definitely indicated.
The duration of residence approach to a dynamic stochastic model of internal migration: A test of the axiom of cumulative inertia

Abstract The data presented indicate a definite trend that tends to support the axiom of cumulative inertia. The probabilities of movement decline by increasing duration of residence for each year. Not only is information on duration of residence an important element in any study of migration, but it also provides a necessary modification for the Markov chain approach to migration probabilities. Future studies of the mathematical model will require data that will satisfy the criteria stipulated in this paper and will be of sufficient quantity to assure reliable within‐cell probabilities of movement.
Relationships among developmental stage, metamorphic timing, and concentrations of elements in Bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana)

We collected bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) larvae from a coal combustion waste settling basin to investigate the effects of developmental stage and timing of metamorphosis on concentrations of a series of trace elements in bullfrog tissues. Bullfrogs at four stages of development (from no hind limbs to recently metamorphosed juveniles) and bullfrogs that metamorphosed in the fall or overwintered in the contaminated basin and metamorphosed in the spring were analyzed for whole-body concentrations of Al, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Pb, Cd, Zn, Ag, Sr, and Se. After the effects of dry mass were removed, tissue concentrations of six elements (Al, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, As, and Pb) decreased from the late larval stage through metamorphosis. Decreases in concentrations through metamorphosis ranged from 40% for Cu to 97% for Al. Tissue concentrations of these elements were also similar or higher in spring; Al and Cr concentrations were 34 and 90% higher in the spring, respectively, whereas As, Ni, Cu, and Pb concentrations were <10% higher. Concentrations of Cd, Se, and Ag varied among seasons but not among stages; Cd and Ag concentrations were 40 and 62% lower, respectively, and Se concentrations were 21% higher in spring. Concentrations of Zn varied only among stages; concentrations decreased gradually through late larval stage and then increased through metamorphosis. Concentrations of Sr varied among stages, but this variation was dependent on the season. Concentrations of Sr were higher in larval stages during the spring, but because concentrations of Sr increased 122% through metamorphosis in the fall and only 22% in the spring, concentrations were higher in fall metamorphs when compared with spring metamorphs. Our results indicate that metamorphosis and season of metamorphosis affects trace element concentrations in bullfrogs and may have important implications for the health of juveniles and the transfer of pollutants from the aquatic to the terrestrial environment.
Effect of rapid quenching on Sb grain-boundary segregation in Cu

Abstract Cu–2 wt.% Sb alloys in the form of 3-mm rod and 0.10-mm-thick ribbon were prepared and the Sb grain-boundary segregation was studied by using X-ray mapping in the analytical electron microscope. The rod and ribbon were prepared by Cu mold casting and single roller melt spinning, respectively. These two methods correspond to cooling rates of 10 2 and 10 6 K/s, respectively. Despite the difference in cooling rates, Sb grain-boundary segregation was revealed in both alloys.