cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toll‐like receptor 2 mediates inflammatory cytokine induction but not sensitization for liver injury by Propioni‐ bacterium acnes

Recognition of Gram-positive bacte- ria by Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) induces acti- vation of proinflammatory pathways. In mice, sensitization with the Gram-positive Propioni- bacterium acnes followed by a challenge with the TLR4 ligand, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), results in fulminant hepatic failure. Here, we investi- gated the role of TLR2 in liver sensitization to LPS-induced injury. Stimulation of Chinese ham- ster ovary cells and peritoneal macrophages with heat-killed P. acnes required expression of TLR2 but not of TLR4, suggesting that P. acnes was a TLR2 ligand. Cell activation by P. acnes was myeloid differentiation primary-response protein 88 (MyD88)-dependent, and it was aug- mented by coexpression of CD14 in mouse peri- toneal macrophages. In vitro, P. acnes behaved as a TLR2 ligand and induced TLR4 hetero- and TLR2 homotolerance in peritoneal macro- phages. In vivo priming of wild-type mice with P. acnes, but not with the selective TLR2 ligands peptidoglycan and lipotheicoic acid, resulted in hepatocyte necrosis, hyperelevated serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-), interleukin (IL)-6, interferon- (IFN-), and IL-12 (p40/p70), and increased RNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-12p40, IL-1, IL-6, IL-1, IL-18, IFN-) in the liver after a LPS challenge. Further- more, P. acnes priming sensitized TLR2-deficient (TLR2 / ) but not MyD88 / mice to LPS-in- duced injury, evidenced by hepatocyte necrosis, increased levels of serum TNF-, IFN-, IL-6, and liver proinflammatory cytokine mRNA expression. IFN-, a cytokine sensitizing to endotoxin, was induced by P. acnes in splenocytes of TLR2 / and TLR9 / but not MyD88 / mice. These results suggest that although P. acnes triggers TLR2-me- diated cell activation, TLR2-independent but MyD88-dependent mechanisms mediate in vivo sensitization by P. acnes for LPS-induced liver injury. J. Leukoc. Biol. 78: 1255-1264; 2005.
Cognitive-behavioral group psychotherapy of bulimia nervosa: importance of logistical variables.

Although much of the psychotherapy for psychiatric disorders is conducted on a weekly basis, several researchers in the field of bulimia nervosa have utilized a more intensive approach as a means to strengthen treatment effects. A second issue concerns the amount of emphasis that should be placed on encouraging the interruption of bulimic symptoms early in treatment. In the current study we systematically studied these two issues. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four forms of cognitive-behavioral group psychotherapy, the four cells differing on the variables of intensity and emphasis on abstinence. The results indicate that a high intensity approach, an early abstinence approach, or a combination of these two approaches are all significantly more effective in inducing remission in patients with bulimia nervosa compared with a weekly psychotherapy that uses the same manual-based cognitive-behavioral therapy approach. © 1993 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Blow-Up of solutions of hamilton-jacobi equations

On considere les solutions de viscosite du probleme de Cauchy pour l'equation d'Hamilton-Jacobi. On etudie la nature de la surface d'explosion a l'infini et le comportement des solutions au voisinage de cette surface
The Urban Antiregime Progressive Politics in San Francisco

San Francisco is in transition between two urban regimes, a crumbling business-dominated progrowth regime and an emerging progressive slow-growth regime, which is best described as an antiregime be...
Colon and rectal cancer in pregnancy

Colorectal carcinoma presenting in pregnancy is an uncommon disease that is reported to be associated with an extremely poor prognosis. To better characterize this disease, we surveyed the membership of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons by mailed questionnaire and reviewed the literature. Forty-one new cases of women with large bowel cancer who presented during pregnancy or the immediate postpartum period were identified. The mean age at presentation was 31 years (range, 16-41 years). Tumor distribution was as follows: right colon-3, transverse colon-2, left colon-2, sigmoid colon-8, and rectum-26. Dukes stage at presentation was A = 0, B = 16, C = 17, and D = 6 (two patients were unstaged). Average follow-up was 41 months. Stage for stage, survival was found to be similar to patients with colorectal tumors in the general population. Large bowel cancer coexistent with pregnancy presents in a distal distribution (64 percent of tumors in the current series and 86 percent of those reported in the literature were located in the rectum) and presents at an advanced stage (60 percent were Stage C or more advanced at the time of diagnosis). While patient survival is poor, it is no different stage for stage from the general population with colorectal tumors.
Transvenous retrieval of a Greenfield filter lodged in the tricuspid valve

A 77-year-old man had an inferior vena cava Greenfield filter placed for bilateral deep venous thrombosis acquired during a complicated hospitalization for a hip fracture. The filter migrated and lodged at the level of the tricuspid valve. We describe a transvenous retrieval approach which is safer and performed under more controlled technique than previously reported. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 44:310–312, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Experimental Study on Utilizing Delayed-Feedback for Ultra-Sensitive Sensing

Cantilever-based mass sensors have recently emerged as an effective device for label-free detection of ultra small masses. To improve their sensitivity, a new concept based on delayed-position feedback is proposed and implemented. The proposed approach utilizes feedback delays and inherent system nonlinearities to produce stable limit-cycle oscillations. These limit cycles are generated as a result of the trivial solutions loosing stability via a supercritical Hopf bifurcation. The amplitude of the limit cycles is shown to be ultra sensitive to variations in the sensor natural frequency. This creates an ultra-sensitive cantilever-based mass sensing platform which does not require any changes or additions to the current sensor geometry and can be implemented in real time.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
The epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy: findings from the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy.

La glycemie et la tension arterielle sont 2 facteurs associes a la presence et a la gravite de la retinopathie diabetique
On the complexity of a special basis problem in LP

In a linear program (LP) in standard form, we show that the problem of finding a cheapest feasible basic vector among those containing a specified variable as a basic variable, is an NP-hard problem.
Heritability of plasma amyloid β in typical late‐onset Alzheimer’s disease pedigrees

Plasma amyloid beta42 peptide (Abeta42) levels are significantly elevated in all genetic forms of early-onset Alzheimer's disease caused by familial Alzheimer's disease mutations or Down's syndrome. Moreover, recent studies have determined that both plasma Abeta42 and Abeta40 levels are significantly elevated in late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) patients, their cognitively normal first-degree relatives, and members of typical LOAD families when compared to appropriate controls. To determine the magnitude of the genetic component affecting plasma Abeta levels, we estimated the heritability of plasma Abeta42 and Abeta40 in 15 extended, multigenerational LOAD pedigrees, using a variance components method. Heritability estimates as high as 73 and 54% were found for plasma Abeta42 and Abeta40 levels, respectively. Inclusion of the ApoE epsilon4 dosage as a covariate was not found to have a significant effect on the heritability of these traits. These results suggest that genetic determinants other than ApoE account for a very substantial percentage of the phenotypic variance in plasma Abeta levels. The high heritability and the significant elevation of these traits in LOAD pedigrees suggest that at least some of the genetic determinants of plasma Abeta levels may lead to elevated Abeta and LOAD in these families. Thus, we suggest that plasma Abeta levels are quantitative traits that may be excellent surrogate markers for use in linkage analysis to identify loci that are important in typical LOAD.
Association between interactive voice response adherence and subject retention in a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Introduction Interactive voice response (IVR) technology uses the telephone to collect patient reports. This study examined whether IVR adherence during a year-long clinical trial was related to subject retention in the trial. Methods As part of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of daily multivitamin supplementation for recurrent aphthous stomatitis, 160 study participants were asked to make 1 weekly IVR call for the one-year study duration. Results The 114 subjects who completed the study made 90.5% of their expected number of IVR calls, as compared to 55.7% of expected calls made by the 46 subjects who withdrew prematurely ( p p Discussion Subjects who withdrew prematurely had more missing data than study completers, even after accounting for period of study participation, potentially introducing bias into IVR results. Sub-optimal adherence to weekly IVR might provide an early signal of subsequent premature withdrawal in clinical trials. IVR adherence could be used as a screening tool during a trial period, to identify subjects most likely to stay on long clinical trials. Conclusion IVR adherence may be useful in anticipating retention in long-term clinical studies.
Origin of the Eukaryotic Nucleus

In support of William Martin and Miklos Muller's hypothesis that the eukaryotic nucleus originated in a methanogen (G. Vogel; Research News, 13 Mar., [p. 1633][1]) ([1][2]), we note that, whereas most eukaryotes use histones to compact their nuclear DNA into nucleosomes, the only prokaryotes that
Precision stabilization simulation of a ball joint gimbaled mirror using advanced MATLAB ® techniques

With the increasing use of smart weapons and sensors, there is a need to consider potential areas of improvement that could positively affect large numbers of systems with common concepts and approaches. One area that lends itself to this desire is the improvement of high precision high bandwidth antenna and mirror steering systems that can be utilized across a broad range of sensor systems. Pointing and tracking motions of typical antenna/mirror systems have been accomplished using gimbaled control systems in one or more axes. While these systems generally exhibit high dynamic range, and excellent accuracy and precision, they suffer from the common problems of weight and power requirements, and mechanical envelope constraints. This paper presents techniques and results for the simulation of stabilization characteristics of a joint gimbaled mirror using advanced MATLAB tools and packages.
Differences in thyroid activity in several inbred strains of mice

The rate of daily secretion of thyroid hormone was compared in male mice of five inbred strains, the DBA/2, the C57B1/6, the St/6J, the CBA/J and the Swiss Albino strain. The method employed to measure thyroid secretion rates is based on a procedure which involves the production of goiters by daily propylthiouracil (PTU) administration in the drinking water and determining subsequently the effective dose of the exogenous thyroxin required to inhibit goiter development and maintain normal control weights of thyroid glands. Statistically significant differences were observed in output of thyroid hormone between the different genetic strains tested. The levels of thyroid activity were lowest in the temperamentally most active strains (DBA/2 and CBA/J) while the more placid strains exhibited higher levels of thyroid secretion (Swiss Albino and ST/6J). This unexpected finding is interpreted to indicate that, if there exists any correlation between thyroid hormone and behavior, the more active strains differ from the more placid ones in tissue sensitivity to thyroid hormone rather than in concentration of levels of circulating hormone.
SU‐D‐217A‐01: A High‐Resolution in Vivo Molecular Imaging Technique Based on X‐ Ray Fluorescence

Purpose: Traditional molecular imaging techniques such as PET/SPECT have many limitations, including relatively low spatial resolution, short lifetime of radioisotope probes, limited availability due to reliance on cyclotron, relatively high dose, and lack of effective molecular probes for certain tumor cells. In this work we demonstrate the feasibility of a novel x‐ ray fluorescence molecular imaging (XFMI) technique using high‐power carbon nanotube(CNT) x‐ray array technology. The XFMI overcomes some limitations and will be a significant advance in molecular imagingtechnology for cancer drug development and cancer biology research. Methods: A testing chamber was constructed containing two Amptek energy‐resolving detectors analyzing a copper collimated fluorescence beam placed opposite each other symmetric about the sample and perpendicular to the primary incoming x‐ray beam, also using the copper collimator. Different concentrations of indium trichloride and iodine were tested to determine the minimum detectable concentration (MDC) for each. Results: The MDC for indium was found to be 80 ug/mL and 100 ug/mL for iodine at 50 kVp, 30mAs (5 minutes imaging time). This is on the order of magnitude of the MDCs determined at large synchrotron facilities using XFI. Higher concentrations above 1mg/mL of both elements were detectable at 1.5 mAs (15 seconds). Conclusions: These results show that it is possible to not only measure low concentrations of the above elements, but also distinguish between similar L‐alpha peaks. This allows for future work of obtaining 2D and 3D imaging to determine element types and concentrations diffused in different parts of the body. Carolina Center of CancerNanotechnology, University Cancer Research Fund
Decay of visual adaptation to tilt and displacement

Persistence in the dark following 48 min of visual adaptation to tilt and displacement was compared in two experiments to determine if same or different processes are involved in the two kinds of adaptation. Decay of tilt adaptation occurred rapidly, all within about 16 min. However, it was not complete and some residual tilt adaptation persisted for at least as long as 56 min. Decay of displacement adaptation occurred more slowly but was clearly complete after at most 56 min in the dark. Displacement adaptation appears to be entirely subject to decay, while tilt adaptation involves an additional, more long-term component. Results are interpreted in terms of independent systems for the perception of location and orientation.
DNA repair responses in human skin cells

Sunlight and some environmental chemical agents produce lesions in the DNA of human skin cells that if unrepaired may interfere with normal functioning of these cells. The most serious outcome of such interactions may be malignancy. It is therefore important to develop an understanding of mechanisms by which the lesions may be repaired or tolerated without deleterious consequences. Our models for the molecular processing of damaged DNA have been derived largely from the study of bacterial systems. Some similarities but significant differences are revealed when human cell responses are tested against these models. It is also of importance to learn DNA repair responses of epidermal keratinocytes for comparison with the more extensive studies that have been carried out with dermal fibroblasts. Our experimental results thus far indicate similarities for the excision-repair of ultraviolet-induced pyrimidine dimers in human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Both the monoadducts and the interstrand crosslinks produced in DNA by photoactivated 8-methoxypsoralen (PUVA) can be repaired in normal human fibroblasts but not in those from xerodenna pigmentosum patients. The monoadducts, like pyrimidine dimers, are probably the more mutagenic/carcinogenic lesions while the crosslinks are less easily repaired and probably result in more effective blocking of DNA function. It is suggested that a split-dose protocol that maximizes the production of cross-links while minimizing the yield of monoadducts may be more effective and potentially less carcinogenic than the single ultraviolet exposure regimen in PUVA therapy for psoriasis.
Global Health Diplomacy and Management Mechanisms of US-China Public Health Collaborations in China: Lessons for Emerging Markets

China is the largest emerging market in the world. It is also on the front lines of health diplomacy, where the tools of diplomatic statecraft are being employed by public health professions of both the US and China to help improve the practice of public health. This article examines the US Department of Health and Human Servicesâ€™ (HHS) and the US Centers for Control and Prevention (US CDC) in China, describes critical features of the Chinese health system, presents two examples of US-China collaborations, and describes common management mechanisms and strategies supporting both. This examination will help inform other global health collaborations between the US and China as well as lessons for supporting global health collaborations in other middle income countries.
Partitioning of Hopfield networks and its application to image restoration

Partitioning of Hopfield networks into submodules is important in large-scale problems for ease of implementation, say, with optical systems having limited space-bandwidth product. Two types of decomposition and their application to image restoration are discussed. In the case of two-stage partitioning, the system functions as a pair of Hopfield subnetworks that iteratively force the energy function to a minimum. The least-squares solution is attained by iteratively switching between the two networks until convergence. The algorithms are valid for any number of partitions. Partitioning also helps avoid the problem of possible limit cycles when threshold nonlinearities are used, and the problem of nonzero diagonal elements in the interconnection matrix when the partitions are implemented in parallel.
Odor-based runway performance as a function of deprivation state, squad size, and subject-rotation procedures

The results of a two-phase experiment investigating odor-based alleyway performance of rats are reported. During both phases, two squads (n = 8) received daily double-alternation training. Each squad was composed of two subgroups (n = 4), one food deprived and one water deprived. The water-deprived animals were tested first in one squad, whereas the food-deprived animals were tested first in the second squad. During Phase 2, a daily subject-rotation procedure, under which the last subject in each of the second subgroups was rotated to the initial position in that subgroup, was implemented. Odor-based patterning was developed in Phase 1 only by the subgroup run last within each of the larger squads. Phase 2 rotation failed to disrupt patterned responding in the rotated animals. The results of this experiment support the contention that, even though specific deprivation conditions may have a bearing upon the use of odors as discriminative stimuli, such constraints are certainly not absolute.
The role of parental preferences in the management of fever without source among 3- to 36-month-old children: a decision analysis.

OBJECTIVES. Recent analyses assessing the impact of the conjugate pneumococcal vaccine on the care of febrile children do not reflect the role parental preferences play in physicians9 decisions. The objective of this study was to identify the management strategy that would best suit parents, on the basis of their values for possible outcomes of fever of ≥39°C without source among well-appearing, 3- to 36-month-old children. METHODS. A decision analysis was performed to compare the benefits and outcomes of 3 management options (treat: blood culture and antibiotics for all children; test: blood culture and complete blood count for all children, with antibiotics for selected children; observe: no immediate intervention). A hypothetical cohort of 100000 children with fever of ≥39°C with no obvious source of infection was modeled for each strategy. Using this model, we identified the treatment option that would best suit each parent9s preferences, on the basis of parental utilities (from a prior study) for various interventions and outcomes at vaccine efficacies of 0% (ie, no vaccine) and 95%. In addition, we performed survival analyses to assess the morbidity and mortality rates associated with each treatment strategy at various vaccine efficacies. RESULTS. At a vaccine efficacy of 0%, the majority of parents9 preferences suggested the treat option, the strategy with the lowest mortality rate. At a vaccine efficacy of 95%, mortality rates were similar for all 3 management options (∼1 in 100000), but parental preferences were still aligned with different options; 50% suggested observe, 42% suggested test, and 8% suggested treat. CONCLUSIONS. Like physicians, parents have different approaches to risk. With the conjugate pneumococcal vaccine, risks of complications from fever without source are low regardless of treatment strategy. Rather than having a “one size fits all” approach, it is reasonable to incorporate parental preferences into the treatment decision.
Collaboration for Innovation in Tourism Organizations

Collaboration for innovation is a key contributor to successful innovations in the tourism industry. Research, however, has not fully understood how tourism organizations with less than 10 employees (also known as micro organizations) can foster collaboration for innovation. This study contributes to tourism research by successfully testing the effect of innovation formality, interorganizational communication, and leadership support on collaboration for innovation at destination marketing organizations with less than 10 employees. It was found that leadership support for both innovation and collaboration is the most important driver to collaborate with partners in the innovation process. Interorganizational communication and innovation formality were driven by leadership support but did not have a strong direct effect on collaboration for innovation. This suggests that micro destination marketing organizations need to identify and invest in leadership rather than develop or rely on organizational processe...
Post-FESS Middle Meatal Dressings: Avoiding the Inevitable?

Hypothesis Use of dressings in the middle meatus after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) improves clinically meaningful outcomes in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
Funktionen, deren Maxima eine asymptotisch konstante Folge bilden

Es sei M 1 die Klasse der reellwertigen Funktionen f derart, das $\lim \limits _{t_k\to \infty } |f(t_k)| = c$ gilt, wobei $|f(t_k)|$ die lokalen Maxima von | f | und c = c (f) eine positive Konstante ist. Diese Klasse tritt haufig im Zusammenhang mit Differentialgleichungen auf und ist kurzlich Gegenstand von mehreren Arbeiten geworden. Oft gelingt es, nur $mf \in M_1$ mit einer passenden Funktion $m\sim 1$ zu zeigen, und es erhebt sich die Frage, ob daraus $f \in M_1$ folgt. Diese Frage wird hier fur eine Unterklasse $M \subset M_1$ untersucht. Unsere Ergebnisse fullen eine Lucke in fruheren Arbeiten und sind unserer Meinung nach auch fur sich selbst von Interesse.
Cell- Cell Transmission of VSV-G Pseudotyped Lentivector Particles

Many replicating viruses, including HIV-1 and HTLV-1, are efficiently transmitted from the cell surface of actively infected cells upon contact with bystander cells. In a previous study, we reported the prolonged cell surface retention of VSV-G replication-deficient pseudotyped lentivector prior to endocytic entry. However, the competing kinetics of cell surface versus dissociation, neutralization or direct transfer to other cells have received comparatively little attention. Here we demonstrate that the relative efficiency of cell-cell surface transmission can outpace “cell-free” transduction at limiting vector input. This coincides with the prolonged half-life of cell bound vector but occurs, unlike HTLV-1, without evidence for particle aggregation. These studies suggest that cell-surface attachment stabilizes particles and alters neutralization kinetics. Our experiments provide novel insight into the underexplored cell-cell transmission of pseudotyped particles.
Potential for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Linkages and Reforms in the European Community

in agricultural pollution. Even moderate reduction, however, could have large effects on agricultural production, prices, producer rents, and other politically sensitive variables. These effects are likely to depend strongly on the agricultural price support policies in the U.S., EC, and other regions. Although some initial efforts have been made (e.g., Abler and Shortle 1992), there is a need for research on linkages between environmental and price support policies for agriculture.
Newly minted IT professionals: a conversation with their perspective employers

In this paper, we report the results of focused interviews with six large companies about skill needs for new IT graduates. They describe what it takes to succeed in their organization, areas in which new graduates are adequately (and not adequately) prepared, and topics they would like to see added to information systems/technology curricula. A summary of conclusions and overall findings points out the good (and the bad) in our newly minted IT professionals.
Alignment sensing and control in advanced LIGO

The advanced LIGO detectors are currently in their final design stage, and the installation phase will start at the end of 2010: they will have about 10 times better sensitivity than initial LIGO, with a sensitive band ranging from 10 Hz to 10 kHz. As compared with previous LIGO detectors, there will be increased complexity in the optical configuration, improved seismic isolation system and significantly higher power circulating in the arm cavities. In the new detectors, the control of the angular orientation of the mirrors will be particularly challenging. The advanced LIGO (aLIGO) mirrors need to have a residual angular motion of the order of 1 nrad RMS in order to achieve high sensitivity. In the high power regime, the torque induced by radiation pressure effects will be comparable with the restoring torque of the mirror suspension, such that we must think of the opto-mechanical response, instead of just the mechanical response. These modifications have to be considered in order to design the control strategy for keeping the mirrors well aligned. Moreover, to meet the sensitivity target the alignment control noise coupled to the gravitational-wave channel must be well below at 10 Hz. We developed a model of the alignment sensing and control scheme of aLIGO which takes into account radiation pressure effects and meets the noise target.
Numerical simulation of the formation of thin ionization layers at high latitudes

A one-dimensional simulation of high latitude sporadic-E layers has been developed to investigate the role of electric field in layer formation. The simulation model computes the ion densities (O+, O2+, N+, N2+, NO+, Fe+) and temperatures as a function of altitude. The stationary state momentum equation and continuity equation is solved for each ion species. Then the energy equation is solved for electrons, neutrals, and a generic ion having the mean ion mass and velocity. The model does not include any photoionization or particle precipitation. Chemical production and loss are included for the five standard ion species, but not for the Fe+ ions. An initial altitude profile is assumed for the ions, and the model computes the altitude distribution as a function of time. The horizontal direction of the electric field is important for determining the layer structure and its altitude. An electric field directed between magnetic west and north results in convergent plasma flow and thus layer formation at about 120–130 km altitude. For fields directed to the west and south layers form at lower altitudes(100–115km). With an assumed dip angle of 75° the layers formed by the N-W quadrant fields form quickly (<10min), are quite thin, and remain stationary in altitude. Layers formed by S-W quadrant fields are initially thick but compress in time (15–20 min). Additionally they move down in altitude as they compress. The large perpendicular electric field (50 mV/m) used in the simulation leads to significant heating of the ions and to a smaller extent the electrons and neutrals. The layer formed by the field directed in the N-W quadrant occurs in the region of significant heating, and the temperature profile shows some enhancement at the layer altitude.
Therapy options in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

The treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is continually evolving, as new and emerging drugs are added to the growing arsenal of CTCL therapy. The availability of newly approved investigational therapies, such as bexarotene, denileukin diftitox (DAB389-IL2), monoclonal antibodies and novel chemotherapeutic agents, adds complexity to decisions on the management and treatment of CTCL patients. In formulating a treatment plan, therapeutic options are best approached through consideration of overall clinical staging (stage IA–IVB) and skin staging (T1–T4), which affect prognosis and the characteristics of each individual patient’s disease. This article will present and discuss the optimal therapeutic agents for all clinical stages of CTCL patients, based on currently available and investigational agents.
Bromination of pyrimidines using bromide and monoperoxysulfate: A competition study between cytidine, uridine and thymidine

Abstract Bromination of pyrimidine nucleotides in aqueous conditions can be conveniently carried out using a mixture of potassium bromide and potassium monoperoxysulfate (Oxone). Deoxycytidine can also be selectively brominated in reaction mixtures containing uridine and thymidine. NMR studies show the course of the reaction and formation of 5-bromopyrimidine products.
Differential contributions of archaeal ammonia oxidizer ecotypes to nitrification in coastal surface waters

The occurrence of nitrification in the oceanic water column has implications extending from local effects on the structure and activity of phytoplankton communities to broader impacts on the speciation of nitrogenous nutrients and production of nitrous oxide. The ammonia-oxidizing archaea, responsible for carrying out the majority of nitrification in the sea, are present in the marine water column as two taxonomically distinct groups. Water column group A (WCA) organisms are detected at all depths, whereas Water column group B (WCB) are present primarily below the photic zone. An open question in marine biogeochemistry is whether the taxonomic definition of WCA and WCB organisms and their observed distributions correspond to distinct ecological and biogeochemical niches. We used the natural gradients in physicochemical and biological properties that upwelling establishes in surface waters to study their roles in nitrification, and how their activity—ascertained from quantification of ecotype-specific ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) genes and transcripts—varies in response to environmental fluctuations. Our results indicate a role for both ecotypes in nitrification in Monterey Bay surface waters. However, their respective contributions vary, due to their different sensitivities to surface water conditions. WCA organisms exhibited a remarkably consistent level of activity and their contribution to nitrification appears to be related to community size. WCB activity was less consistent and primarily constrained to colder, high nutrient and low chlorophyll waters. Overall, the results of our characterization yielded a strong, potentially predictive, relationship between archaeal amoA gene abundance and the rate of nitrification.
Modeling and Estimation of Transient Carrier Frequency Offset in Wireless Transceivers

Future wireless devices have to support many applications (e.g., remote robotics, wireless automation, and mobile gaming) with extremely low latency and reliability requirements over wireless connections. Optimizing wireless transceivers while switching between wireless connections with different circuit characteristics requires addressing many hardware impairments that have been overlooked previously. For instance, switching between transmission and reception radio functions to facilitate time-division duplexing can change the load on the power supply. As the supply voltage changes in response to the sudden change in load, the carrier frequency drifts. Such a drift results in transient carrier frequency offset (CFO) that cannot be estimated by conventional CFO estimators and is typically addressed by inserting or extending guard intervals. In this paper, we explore the modeling and estimation of the transient CFO, which is modeled as the response of an underdamped second order system. To compensate for the transient CFO, we propose a low complexity parametric estimation algorithm, which uses the null space of the Hankel-like matrix constructed from phase difference of the two halves of the repetitive training sequence. Furthermore, to minimize the mean squared error of the estimated parameters in noise, a weighted subspace fitting algorithm is derived with a slight increase in complexity. The Cramer-Rao bound for any unbiased estimator of the transient CFO parameters is derived. The performance of the proposed algorithms is also confirmed by the experimental results obtained from the real wireless transceivers.
Feature labelling in infrared oceanographic images

Abstract Thermal infrared images of the ocean obtained from satellite sensors are widely used for the study of ocean dynamics. The derivation of mesoscale ocean information from satellite data depends to a large extent on the correct interpretation of infrared oceanographie images. The difficulty of the image analysis and understanding problem for oceanographic images is due, in large part, to the lack of precise mathematical descriptions of the ocean features, coupled with the time varying nature of these features and the complication that the view of the ocean surface is typically obscured by clouds, sometimes almost completely. Towards this objective a technique that utilizes a non-linear probabilistic relaxation method for the oceanographie feature labelling problem is described. A unified mathematical framework that helps in solving the problem is presented, and the advantages of using the contextual information in the feature labelling algorithm is highlighted. The feature labelling technique makes use of a new, efficient edge detection algorithm based on cluster shade texture measures. This algorithm is found to be more suitable for labelling the mesoscale features present in the oceanographie satellite images. Some important results of a series of experiments conducted at NOARL's Remote Sensing Branch on NOAA AVHRR imagery data are presented. A motivation for using this technique to build an automatic image interpretation system is also given.
Test of the linearity of quantum mechanics in optically pumped 201Hg.

Measurement of the free precession of nuclear spins in optically pumped ground-state $^{201}\mathrm{Hg}$ atoms has allowed a test of Weinberg's nonlinear generalization of quantum mechanics. Shifts among the three resolved precession frequencies in the spin-3/2 system were studied as a function of the projection of spin polarization along the precession axis. Our results set an upper limit on \ensuremath{\epsilon}, Weinberg's nonlinearity parameter, of \ensuremath{\Vert}\ensuremath{\epsilon}\ensuremath{\Vert}/2\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\Elzxh}3.8\ensuremath{\mu} Hz, which corresponds to 2.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}27}$ of the binding energy per nucleon. This is the most stringent such limit to date.
Effect of Nitrate on the Repassivation Potential of Alloy 22 in Chloride-Containing Environments

The study of Alloy 22 was undertaken in several selected nitrate/chloride (NO{sub 3}{sup -}/Cl{sup -}) electrolytes with chloride concentrations [Cl{sup -}] of 1.0, 3.5 and 6.0 molal with [NO{sub 3} {sup -}]/[Cl{sup -}] ratios of 0.05, 0.15 and 0.5 at temperatures up to 100 C. Results showed that the repassivation potentials increased with increase in [NO{sub 3} {sup -}]/[Cl{sup -}] ratio and decreased with increase in temperature. The absolute [Cl{sup -}] was found to have less of an effect on the repassivation potential compared with temperature and the NO{sub 3} {sup -}/Cl{sup -}. Regression analyses were carried out and expressions were derived to describe the relationship between the repassivation potential, temperature, [Cl{sup -}] and [NO{sub 3} {sup -}] for the conditions tested.
Elaboration of the Messenger Transport Organizer Pathway for Localization of RNA to the Vegetal Cortex of Xenopus Oocytes

Abstract Previous studies demonstrated that there were two pathways, the messenger transport organizer (METRO) or early and the Vg1 or late, which function during stages 1 to 3 of oogenesis for the localization of RNAs at the vegetal cortex of Xenopus oocytes. In the present study we analyzed the properties of the METRO pathway, which localizes Xlsirt, Xcat2, and Xwnt11 RNAs to a specific region of the vegetal cortex during stage 1 of oogenesis. A combination of methodologies involving both fixed material and living oocytes was used to analyze RNA localization. We show that in early diplotene pre-stage 1 oocytes (25–50 μm in diameter) both endogenous and injected exogenous METRO RNAs translocated to multiple mitochondrial aggregates (pre-mitochondrial clouds) that surround the germinal vesicle (GV). However, by early stage 1 (diplotene oocytes, 50–200 μm), all three of the RNAs discriminated between the different clouds and translocated exclusively within the METRO of a single mitochondrial cloud. Therefore, in stage 1 diplotene oocytes there is a unique mechanism causing a change in the intrinsic property of the mitochondrial clouds which designates one of them as the RNA transport vehicle. During translocation through the cytoplasm Xlsirt and Xcat2 RNAs were detected associated with cytoplasmic particles of different morphologies. Additionally, we also found that the translocation of RNAs through the early or METRO pathway, unlike that of the late pathway, occurred in the absence of intact microtubule and actin microfilament cytoskeletal elements. This supports a cytoskeletal-independent model for localization of RNAs through the METRO pathway.
Reliability, Availability and Maintainability of the General Electric LM2500 System: A Discussion of Factors Especially Relevant to Cogeneration and Similar Continuous-Duty Applications

The capability of continuous operation with interruptions as infrequent and brief as possible is important in cogeneration applications. Reliability and availability constitute key parts of the economic equation that determines whether cogeneration is a financially viable activity. Long-term operational experience of the gas turbine and off-engine system components in various applications combined with the provisions for rapid and efficient maintenance contribute significantly to the attractiveness of the LM2500 in cogeneration service. Actual cogeneration experience demonstrates good and improving performance in support of continuous processes and the generation of revenue-producing power.Copyright © 1985 by ASME
Multipath Routing in Wireless Mesh Networks

Wireless mesh networks are envisioned to support the wired backbone with a wireless backbone for providing Internet connectivity to residential areas and offices. Routing protocols designed for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) primarily concentrate on finding a single best possible route to any destination out of the various paths available. However in wireless mesh networks, traffic is primarily routed either towards the Internet gateways (IGWs) or from the IGWs to the access points (APs). Thus, if multiple APs choose the best throughput path towards a gateway, the traffic loads on certain paths and mesh routers increases tremendously thereby deteriorating the overall performance of the network. To this end, we propose a novel multi-path hybrid routing protocol, multipath mesh (MMESH), that effectively discovers multiple paths. We also propose elegant traffic splitting algorithms for balancing traffic over these multiple paths to synergistically improve the overall performance. Through extensive simulations, we observe that our protocol works very well to cope with the variations in the network. Our protocol also improves the performance of flows traversing multiple hops
Gender differences in the prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury: A meta-analysis

Epidemiological research on the prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) has found inconsistent results in terms of gender differences, with some studies showing a higher prevalence for women compared to men and other studies showing no difference. The goal of the current study was to use meta-analytic techniques to better conceptualize the presence and size of gender differences in the prevalence of NSSI. We also examined two factors proposed to explain gender differences in NSSI prevalence: the gender difference would be larger for clinical samples relative to community samples, and the gender difference would be larger for younger (versus older) samples. The results showed that across studies women were significantly more likely to report a history of NSSI than men. Moderator analyses showed that the gender difference was larger for clinical samples, compared to college/community samples. However, there was not a significant relation between age and effect size. Women were more likely to use some methods of NSSI (e.g., cutting) compared to men, but for other methods there was no significant difference (e.g., punching). These results increase our knowledge of NSSI and fit with a larger literature examining gender, emotion regulation, and psychopathology.
Microstructure and tensile properties of nanostructured Cu-25wt%Ag

The microstructure and textures of nanostructured Cu-25wt%Ag are shown to relate to its phase transformation, fabrication and mechanical properties. The analysis was undertaken by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray texture, tensile tests and analytical modeling. The Cu-25wt%Ag is described by two components in the model: (1) eutectic component which is a composite of nanosized Cu and Ag (2) proeutectic Cu component embedded with Ag nano-fibers formed below the eutectic temperature. In both cast and forged samples, the Cu and Ag always have cube-on-cube orientation relationship in proeutectic component, but they have the orientation relationship only in selected eutectic areas. The orientation relationship maintains the same in cast, forged and drawn Cu-Ag materials only in proeutectic regions. The deformation enhances the tensile strength of the materials by decreasing the size of various Cu and Ag phases in the radial direction of the wire in both components.
Chastity as a virtue

Aquinas's analysis of chastity as a part of temperance points the way towards a positive virtue ethic of sexuality, even though he himself did not develop his analysis in this direction. This alternative illustrates that ‘the tradition’, that is to say, the moral heritage in terms of which Christians define themselves through affirmation or rejection, is more complex than we sometimes assume, including diverse approaches to difficult topics even within one author. Even more importantly, considered on its own merits a broadly Thomistic, virtue-oriented approach offers an attractive sexual ethic which implies that ideals of restraint and consideration for others have substantive content, without tying these ideals to specific norms in a reductive or overly inflexible way.
Good hope for making osteoporosis a disease of the past

There is currently very strong cross-sectional and prospective epidemiological data showing that low bone mass is a major risk factor for osteoporotic fractures. The prevention of bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency, calcium and vitamin D deficiency or other causes could therefore significantly reduce the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. Increased understanding of the pathophysiology of the bone loss that commonly occurs after the fourth decade in life, and the ability to control it by hormone replacement therapy or pharmacological means, offer good hope for making osteoporosis, as we know it today, a disease of the past.
Consumption Factor and Power-Efficiency Factor: A Theory for Evaluating the Energy Efficiency of Cascaded Communication Systems

This paper presents a new theory, called the consumption factor theory, to analyze and compare energy efficient design choices for wireless communication networks. The approach presented here provides new methods for analyzing and comparing the power efficiency of communication systems, thus enabling a quantitative analysis and design approach for "green engineering" of communication systems. The consumption factor (CF) theory includes the ability to analyze and compare cascaded circuits, as well as the impact of propagation path loss on the total energy used for a wireless link. In this paper, we show several examples how the consumption factor theory allows engineers to compare and determine the most energy efficient architectures or designs of communication systems. One of the key concepts of the consumption factor theory is the power efficiency factor, which has implications for selecting network architectures or particular cascaded components. For example, the question of whether a relay should be used between a source and sink depends critically on the ratio of the source transmitter power-efficiency factor to the relay transmitter power-efficiency factor. The consumption factor theory presented here has implications for the minimum energy consumption per bit required to achieve error-free communication, and may be used to extend Shannon's fundamental limit theory in a general way. This work includes compact, extensible expressions for energy and power consumption per bit of a general communication system, and many practical examples and applications of this theory.
Exploring and Explaining the Variability: Cross-National Perspectives on the School Performance of Minority Students.

This article introduces the theme issue on ethnicity and school performance and provides an overview of five international case studies—from the Netherlands, France, Britain, Israel, and Canada—each of which examines the variability in the school performance of ethnic minority youth in their respective countries.