cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Viking in the plasma universe

Realizing that the magnetosphere cannot be understood until the electric field is mapped, Viking has placed emphasis on electric field measurements. Because energy is transferred from the solar wind mainly through electric currents in the active plasma regions, Viking's orbit is selected so as to include as much of the active regions as possible. The real-time presentation of the results makes it possible to modify the observations as soon as interesting events are seen. As several of the project leaders have experience in plasma laboratory experiments, Viking can be characterized as a new type of space plasma experiment. Some of the results of the Viking mission are important as a basis for drawing the circuit of energy transfer from the solar wind to the magnetosphere and ionosphere (Figure 1) and for understanding the general properties of collisionless plasmas in space (Table 1). They will constitute a platform for a systematic exploration of the plasma universe (Figure 2), which will have an impact on our views on cosmogony and cosmology.
Basal-cell carcinoma on and around the female genitalia

Three cases of basal-cell carcinoma on and around the female genitalia are described. Two of these cases had multiple skin tumors on sun-exposed as well as on covered areas of the body. It is postulated that the biologic age of basal cells may be a factor in the genesis of skin cancer.
Embedded software generation from system level design languages

To meet the challenge of increasing design complexity, designers are turning to system level design languages (SLDLs) to model systems at a higher level of abstraction. This paper presents a method of automatically generating embedded software from system specification written in SLDL. Several refinement steps and intermediate models are introduced in our software generation flow. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method by a tool which can generate efficient ANSI C code from system models written in SLDL.
Cutaneous Manifestations of Adverse Drug Reactions

immune-mediated cutaneous reactions to drugs are usually categorized into four distinct types: Type 1, immediate; Type 11, cytotoxic; Type III, immune-complex: and Type IV, cell-mediated. Nonimmunologic skin reactions are also recognized. Beyond immune vnonimmune classifications, cutaneous drug reactions are generally described according to morphologic patterns of reaction. Common types of reactivity usually include maculopapular and urticarial eruptions. In addition, less common reactions include fixed drug eruption, hyperpigmentation, vasculitis, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, photosensitivity, and alopecia. The drugs most frequently associated with these reactions can be identified and the pharmacist, by accomplishing a thorough systematic drug history, may play a significant role in determining likelihood of drug cause.
Spirituality in Medical Practice

Body, mind, and spirit are integrally connected. Medical training in the Western world has been strong concerning the more easily measured physical aspects, and on the mental needs it has been virtually mute on how to minister to the spiritual needs of our patients. Learning the spiritual aspects of medical care is not a typical part of the medical school curriculum, and yet it is emerging as something that our patients want and expect us to do as part of our caring for them. Herein I discuss the role of spirituality in medical practice, how it relates to alternative medical practices, methods to use to grow spiritually, and ways to apply your spirituality to medical practice.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy Associated With Deficiency of the Cytoskeletal Protein Metavinculin

Background The cytoskeleton plays an important role in maintaining cell structure and integrity. Defects in cytoskeletal proteins can cripple cell strength and may cause cardiomyopathy. We analyzed heart tissues from subjects with dilated cardiomyopathy for abnormalities in the cardiac cytoskeleton. Metavinculin, a cardiac isoform of the cytoskeletal protein vinculin, connects actin microfilaments to the intercalated disk and membrane costameres of the heart. Methods and Results Metavinculin and vinculin transcripts and protein were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting. Thirty-three human heart specimens were studied, including 5 normal controls, 4 subjects with ischemic cardiomyopathy, 1 with X-linked cardiomyopathy, and 23 with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). PCR of cardiac cDNA detected absence of the metavinculin transcript in cardiac tissue from a subject with IDC. PCR of genomic DNA showed that the metavinculin exon was present but not utilized in the cardiac tra...
Integrating Magnetics for On-Chip Power: A Perspective

Integration of efficient power converters requires technology for efficient, high-power on-chip inductors and transformers. Increases in switching frequency, facilitated by advances in circuit designs and silicon or wide-bandgap semiconductors, can enable miniaturization, but only if the magnetics technology works well at the higher frequencies. Technologies, geometries, and scaling of air-core and magnetic-core inductors and transformers are examined, and their potential for integration is discussed. Air-core inductors can use simpler fabrication, and increasing frequency can always be used to decrease their size, but magnetic cores can decrease the required thickness without requiring as high a frequency.
Linear programs with an additional reverse convex constraint

A constraintg(x)⩾0 is said to be a reverse convex constraint if the functiong is continuous and strictly quasi-convex. The feasible regions for linear programs with an additional reverse convex constraint are generally non-convex and disconnected. It is shown that the convex hull of the feasible region is a convex polytope and, as a result, there is an optimal solution on an edge of the polytope defined by only the linear constraints. The only possible edges which can contain such an optimal solution are characterized in relation to the best feasible vertex of the polytope defined by only the linear constraints. This characterization then provides a finite algorithm for finding a globally optimal solution.
Caffeoyl coenzyme A O-methyltransferase and lignin biosynthesis

Lignin, a complex phenylpropanoid compound, is polymerized from the monolignols p-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol. These three monolignols differ only by the 3- and 5-methoxyl groups. Therefore, enzymatic reactions controlling the methylations of the 3- and 5-hydroxyls of monolignol precursors are critical to determine the lignin composition. Recent biochemical and transgenic studies have indicated that the methylation pathways in monolignol biosynthesis are much more complicated than we have previously envisioned. It has been demonstrated that caffeoyl CoA O-methyltransferase plays an essential role in the synthesis of guaiacyl lignin units as well as in the supply of substrates for the synthesis of syringyl lignin units. Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase has been found to essentially control the biosynthesis of syringyl lignin units. These new findings have greatly enriched our knowledge on the methylation pathways in monolignol biosynthesis.
Evidence implicating the commensal microbiota in shaping anti-tumor immunity in melanoma

T cell infiltration of solid tumors is found in a subset of cancer patients and is associated with favorable patient outcomes. This demonstrates the capacity of the immune system to mount protective anti-tumor responses in some cancer patients, yet the underlying mechanisms mediating the presence or absence of a T cell infiltrate are not well understood. Individuals exhibit remarkable diversity in their commensal microbiota, which in turn influences systemic immune responses, yet the role of microbiota in shaping spontaneous immunity against tumors is not known. Here we sought to examine the effect of microbial composition on the immune response to melanoma by comparing subcutaneous B16 melanoma growth in genetically identical C57BL/6 mice derived from two different facilities, Jackson laboratories and Taconic farms, which have been shown to differ in their commensal microbes. We found that B16.SIY tumors exhibited an increased growth rate in mice derived from Taconic (p < 0.02), which was associated with reduced induction of tumor-specific IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cells (p < 0.009). A markedly increased number of SIY antigen-specific CD8+ T cells was found to accumulate within the tumor microenvironment in Jackson versus Taconic mice (p < 0.03). Strikingly, the differences in tumor growth, endogenous T cell priming, and SIY antigen-specific T cell infiltration were ablated in animals cohoused for at least two weeks prior to injection of tumor cells, consistent with a microbiota-derived effect. We thus asked whether transfer of Jackson fecal material into Taconic mice by oral gavage prior to tumor inoculation was sufficient to confer protective anti-tumor responses. Indeed, Taconic mice that received Jackson feces exhibit dramatically slower tumor growth (p < 0.015) and increased numbers of SIY antigen-specific CD8+ T cells at the tumor site, compared to Taconic mice that received Taconic feces. To pursue mechanisms that might explain these differences, we transferred CFSE-labeled SIY-specific 2C TCR Tg T cells into tumor-bearing Jackson and Taconic mice and tested their proliferation and acquisition of IFN-γ production ex vivo. 2C T cells responding to tumors in Taconic mice produced significantly less IFN-γ than 2C T cells responding to tumors in Jackson mice, likely pointing to a difference at the level of antigen-presenting cells. No difference in Th17 induction was observed. Our data provide evidence implicating the microbiota in shaping anti-tumor immunity in a pre-clinical model of melanoma. Gaining further understanding of the mechanisms underlying this effect may provide the foundation for rational manipulation of commensal microbes as a cancer therapeutic.
A Freshman Class in Solid-State Devices and Integrated Circuits

Cal Tech offers a two-term class in solid-state devices and integrated circuits to about 100 students each year. In the Fall, the students attend 20 lectures that cover both the background material incuits, solid-state physics and electric fields, and a detailed description of diodes, MOS transistors, and inverters. In addition, there are two laboratory exercises in which the students make a light-emitting diode and a Schottky diode. In the Winter term, the students attend a laboratory, where they make and test a series of devices, one after another, including an MOS capacitor, a p-n diode, an MOS transistor, and an MOS inverter. The students design and lay out these circuits on a personal computer, generate the artwork on a dot-matrix printer, and photograph the artwork onto a glass plate that is used to make the integrated circuits. Each student makes each device, and each does every step of the procedure himself.
the American Double-Beta Decay Program

The recent review of the US neutrino program by The Neutrino Science Advisory Group (NUSAG) concluded that high priority be given to start at least two zero-neutrino double-beta decay experiments. They recommended CUORE and Majorana be considered for construction, and EXO for further research and development of the technique to locate and identify the daughter 136 Ba + ion. Here we give brief very brief descriptions and status reports on these three proposed experiments.
Proximal relationships between PTSD and drinking behavior.

Co-morbid PTSD and alcohol use disorders are both common and debilitating. However, many of these studies rely on cross-sectional studies that obscure more complex relationships between PTSD and drinking. Event-level studies allow for examination of proximal relationships between PTSD and drinking. Among women ( n =136 with past sexual victimization, n =40 no past trauma history), a two-part mixed hurdle model was used to examine daily PTSD and drinking. On days women experienced more intrusive and behavioral avoidance symptoms, they were more likely to drink. For a 2 SD increase in symptoms, there was a 5% increased likelihood of drinking, and for a 2 SD increase in dysphoric symptoms or negative affect, women drank approximately half drink less. Daily-level coping self-efficacy moderated the association between distress and drinking (IRR=0.91, p <0.01). Women who reported less coping drank more as their distress increased on a certain day whereas women who reported more coping drank about the same regardless of distress. Overall, findings suggest that specific PTSD symptoms are associated with higher alcohol use and that these relationships are moderated by daily coping self-efficacy. Implications of these findings for informing models of PTSD/AUD comorbidity, as well as clinical implications will be discussed. Keywords: alcohol abuse; drinking behavior; social support; sexual trauma; victimization; self-efficacy; comorbidity (Published: 9 December 2014) Citation: European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2014, 5 : 26518 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ejpt.v5.26518
Military exclusion and warning zones on the high seas

Abstract The major maritime nations have claimed the right to use areas of the high seas in recent years for military activities such as the testing of missiles and nuclear weapons. When these activities occur, a ‘warning’ zone is typically declared and mariners are strongly advised to stay clear. Sometimes ‘safety’ or ‘exclusion’ zones are established, and other vessels are explicitly barred from entry. This article looks at whether these actions are consistent with the freedom of the sea as traditionally recognized by international law, or whether the establishment of a warning or exclusion zone constitutes an ‘appropriation’ of the high seas. It goes on to look at the concept of conducting any use of the high seas with ‘due regard’ for other legitimate uses.
Nano-cellular carbon current collectors with stable cyclability for Li–S batteries

Li–S batteries have been investigated with a simple modification of the electrode configuration by applying a nano-cellular carbon current collector (NC current collector). This micro-meso-macro-porous electrode is composed of interwoven carbon fibers with the carbon nanofoam firmly attached to them. The nanofoam plate functions as a reservoir to store the active material and localize the dissolved polysulfides, stabilizing the electrochemical reaction within the cathode region. As a result, the NC current collector offers a considerably high discharge capacity and superior cycle stability.
Differential Expression of Three Members of the Multidomain Adhesion CCp Family in Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis and Theileria equi

Members of the CCp protein family have been previously described to be expressed on gametocytes of apicomplexan Plasmodium parasites. Knocking out Plasmodium CCp genes blocks the development of the parasite in the mosquito vector, making the CCp proteins potential targets for the development of a transmission-blocking vaccine. Apicomplexans Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina are the causative agents of bovine babesiosis, and apicomplexan Theileria equi causes equine piroplasmosis. Bovine babesiosis and equine piroplasmosis are the most economically important parasite diseases that affect worldwide cattle and equine industries, respectively. The recent sequencing of the B. bovis and T. equi genomes has provided the opportunity to identify novel genes involved in parasite biology. Here we characterize three members of the CCp family, named CCp1, CCp2 and CCp3, in B. bigemina, B. bovis and T. equi. Using B. bigemina as an in vitro model, expression of all three CCp genes and proteins was demonstrated in temperature-induced sexual stages. Transcripts for all three CCp genes were found in vivo in blood stages of T. equi, and transcripts for CCp3 were detected in vivo in blood stages of B. bovis. However, no protein expression was detected in T. equi blood stages or B. bovis blood stages or B. bovis tick stages. Collectively, the data demonstrated a differential pattern of expression of three orthologous genes of the multidomain adhesion CCp family by B. bigemina, B. bovis and T. equi. The novel CCp members represent potential targets for innovative approaches to control bovine babesiosis and equine piroplasmosis.
pH-sensitive intracellular photoluminescence of carbon nanotube-fluorescein conjugates in human ovarian cancer cells.

To add to the understanding of the properties of functionalized carbon nanotubes in biological applications, we report a monotonic pH sensitivity of the intracellular fluorescence emission of single-walled carbon nanotube–fluorescein carbazide (SWCNT–FC) conjugates in human ovarian cancer cells. Light-stimulated intracellular hydrolysis of the amide linkage and localized intracellular pH changes are proposed as mechanisms. SWCNT–FC conjugates may serve as intracellular pH sensors.
Impulsive Periodic Boundary Value Problems for Dynamic Equations on Time Scale

Let T be a periodic time scale with period such that , and . Assume each is dense. Using Schaeffer's theorem, we show that the impulsive dynamic equation where , , and is the -derivative on T, has a solution.
Sequence variation in the CC-chemokine ligand 2 promoter of pigtailed macaques is not associated with the incidence or severity of neuropathology in a simian immunodeficiency virus model of human immunodeficiency virus central nervous system disease.

Increased expression of CC-chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain is consistently observed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) central nervous system (CNS) disease. The molecular basis for the correlation between increased expression of CCL2 and HIV neuropathogenesis has been linked to a polymorphism at −2578 in the promoter of human CCL2, which was reported to influence the rate of progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the predisposition of HIV-infected individuals to develop HIV-associated dementia. However, because the rate of neurological deterioration essentially parallels the progression of immunosuppression, it is inherently difficult to uncouple the influence of this polymorphism on increased progression to AIDS from increased propensity to develop CNS complications. To further investigate the correlation between CCL2 and HIV/SIV CNS disease, the authors sequenced the CCL2 promoter of 29 pigtailed macaques examined in their accelerated and consistent SIV model in which all infected macaques develop AIDS but only 69% developed moderate/severe CNS lesions. Sequence analysis identified 39 sites of nucleotide variation in the pigtailed macaque CCL2 promoter/enhancer regions, with the resulting consensus sequence aligning with 94.7% homology to the human CCL2 promoter. After genetic analyses, no variation was found to correlate with the incidence or severity of CNS lesions or with levels of CCL2 in plasma or CSF. These findings suggest that the determinants of neuropathogenesis in this SIV model are distinct from variation in these regions of the CCL2 promoter.
Alignments anchored on genomic landmarks can aid in the identification of regulatory elements

Motivation: The transcription start site (TSS) has been located for an increasing number of genes across several organisms. Statistical tests have shown that some cis-acting regulatory elements have positional preferences with respect to the TSS, but few strategies have emerged for locating elements by their positional preferences. This paper elaborates such a strategy. First, we align promoter regions without gaps, anchoring the alignment on each promoter's TSS. Second, we apply a novel word-specific mask. Third, we apply a clustering test related to gapless BLAST statistics. The test examines whether any specific word is placed unusually consistently with respect to the TSS. Finally, our program A-GLAM, an extension of the GLAM program, uses significant word positions as new 'anchors' to realign the sequences. A Gibbs sampling algorithm then locates putative cis-acting regulatory elements. Usually, Gibbs sampling requires a preliminary masking step, to avoid convergence onto a dominant but uninteresting signal from a DNA repeat. However, since the positional anchors focus A-GLAM on the motif of interest, masking DNA repeats during Gibbs sampling becomes unnecessary. Results: In a set of human DNA sequences with experimentally characterized TSSs, the placement of 791 octonucleotide words was unusually consistent (multiple test corrected P < 0.05). Alignments anchored on these words sometimes located statistically significant motifs inaccessible to GLAM or AlignACE. Availability: The A-GLAM program and a list of statistically significant words are available at ftp://ftp.ncbi.nih.gov/pub/spouge/papers/archive/AGLAM/. Contact: spouge@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Engineering Deinococcus geothermalis for Bioremediation of High-Temperature Radioactive Waste Environments

Deinococcus geothermalis is an extremely radiation-resistant thermophilic bacterium closely related to the mesophile Deinococcus radiodurans, which is being engineered for in situ bioremediation of radioactive wastes. We report that D. geothermalis is transformable with plasmids designed for D. radiodurans and have generated a Hg(II)-resistant D. geothermalis strain capable of reducing Hg(II) at elevated temperatures and in the presence of 50 Gy/h. Additionally, D. geothermalis is capable of reducing Fe(III)-nitrilotriacetic acid, U(VI), and Cr(VI). These characteristics support the prospective development of this thermophilic radiophile for bioremediation of radioactive mixed waste environments with temperatures as high as 55°C.
Identification of 3α-hs4, a novel Ig heavy chain enhancer element regulated at multiple stages of B cell differentiation

Abstract In addition to E mu, several elements downstream of the IgH cluster, i.e. 3' of the C alpha gene, are involved in regulating IgH gene rearrangement and expression. This entire downstream regulatory region was shown to be deleted in the mutant myeloma cell line, LP1.2. The deletion encompasses approximately 34 kb and is presumably responsible for the reduced levels of IgH expression in this cell line. An additional regulatory element, included in the LP1.2 deletion, was identified by investigation of a DNase I hypersensitivity site located approximately 33 kb downstream of the alpha gene and present in pre-B and plasma cells. This novel IgH gene enhancer element, termed 3' alpha-hs4, is capable of activity throughout B cell development. Transient transfection of 3' alpha-hs4 in a CAT reporter gene construct shows transcriptional enhancement activity approximating that of E mu in S194 plasmacytoma and M12.4.1 and A-20 B cell lines; while in a pre-B cell line, 18-81, the average activity is 25% that of E mu. Enhancer activity was localized to an 800 bp fragment. The activity of 3' alpha-hs4 is orientation independent and appears to be B cell specific. Tight regulation of 3' alpha-hs4 is inferred from its variable activity in different plasmacytoma cell lines and within the pre B cell line, 18-81.
“Like you, I want to feel excitement and hope about our city”: ‘Christchurch the city’ in campaign material of the 2013 Christchurch City Council election

AbstractThe Christchurch City Council election of 2013 provides a compelling case study through which to consider the interaction between politics and city space. On the one hand, through the careful placement of campaign posters, politics encroached on the physical terrain of the city. On the other hand, candidates included in their campaign material multitudinous references to ‘Christchurch the city,’ demonstrating the extent to which the physical environment of the post-disaster city had become central to local politics.
A scaling law to characterize fault-damage zones at reservoir depths

We analyze fracture-density variations in subsurface fault-damage zones in two distinct geologic environments, adjacent to faults in the granitic SSC reservoir and adjacent to faults in arkosic sandstones near the San Andreas fault in central California. These damage zones are similar in terms of width, peak fracture or fault (FF) density, and the rate of FF density decay with distance from the main fault. Seismic images from the SSC reservoir exhibit a large basement master fault associated with 27 seismically resolvable second-order faults. A maximum of 5 to 6 FF/m (1.5 to 1.8 FF/ft) are observed in the 50 to 80 m (164 to 262 ft) wide damage zones associated with second-order faults that are identified in image logs from four wells. Damage zones associated with second-order faults immediately southwest of the San Andreas Fault are also interpreted using image logs from the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) borehole. These damage zones are also 50–80 m wide (164 to 262 ft) with peak FF density of 2.5 to 6 FF/m (0.8 to 1.8 FF/ft). The FF density in damage zones observed in both the study areas is found to decay with distance according to a power law . The fault constant is the FF density at unit distance from the fault, which is about 10–30 FF/m (3.1–9.1 FF/ft) in the SSC reservoir and 6–17 FF/m (1.8–5.2 FF/ft) in the arkose. The decay rate ranges from 0.68 to 1.06 in the SSC reservoir, and from 0.4 to 0.75 in the arkosic section. This quantification of damage-zone attributes can facilitate the incorporation of the geometry and properties of damage zones in reservoir flow simulation models.
Caption™: a filtration-based platelet concentration system

Despite significant advances, wound management remains a medical challenge and a major health-expense problem. Currently, a wide range of therapeutic interventions are available for wound care. This is only partially explained by the variability in the presenting clinical situation and shows that there is no panacea for this complex medical problem. Over time, a multitude of interventions have been proposed as solutions for faster and more effective healing; however, only a few are still part of the wound care armamentarium today. Based on the fact that platelets contain a high concentration of growth factors, the application of platelet-enriched plasma over wound sites was recently introduced as a novel therapeutic modality. As increasing evidence started to validate its benefit, several devices for platelet-rich plasma preparation became available. Here, we present the most recently introduced platelet concentration system and provide insights on the current and possible future applications of this trea...
Magnetic induction micromachine-part I: Design and analysis

Most microscale electric and magnetic machines studied in the last decade lack the power density to support many practical applications. This paper introduces a design for a magnetic induction machine that offers power densities in excess of 200 MW/m/sup 3/ and efficiencies of up to 50%, while providing more than 10 W of mechanical power. This is a substantial performance increase in MEMS electromagnetic machines studied to date.
Edward Phelps Allis: discovery of his anatomical illustrations

The anatomical illustrations for the scientific papers of Edward Phelps Allis, one of the foremost comparative anatomists and evolutionary morphologists in the early twentieth century, have been discovered at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University. The discovered work includes many unpublished illustrations, large numbers of color drawings of serial sections of primitive actinopterygian fishes, and complete series of figures for several papen (rough copies, final drawings and proofs), clearly showing the progress of the investigations. A summary of the published and unpublished material is provided. All illustrations have been deposited in the archives of the Museum of Comparative Zoology Library. KEY WORDS-E. P. Allis-vertebrate morphology - illustrations.
Knowledge-sharing connections across geographical boundaries in global intra-firm networks

To boost project performance, managers of engineering and construction organizations are interested in sharing knowledge between employees across the organization. Global project-based organizations that operate in diverse markets are particularly keen to share knowledge collectively across projects and regions to gain a competitive advantage. Unfortunately, creating knowledge-sharing connections (KSCs) and knowledge-sharing networks (KSNs) can be particularly challenging for global project-based organizations. They face not only typical knowledge-sharing barriers of resources, organizational structures and individual motivations, but also physical and cultural barriers due to geographical distance. Although the benefits of global knowledge sharing are established, little is known about how KSCs and KSNs are established and maintained. In order to better understand the network structure and the formation of KSCs within these global organizations, the research analysed the KSC within a KSN focused on susta...
Real-time SVD for the control of redundant robotic manipulators

The process of reducing the computational expense of determining the singular value decomposition (SVD) of the Jacobian matrix to such an extent that online calculation becomes feasible is presented. It is shown that the incremental manner in which the Jacobian changes, along with the perturbation bounds on singular values and vectors, allows the reduction of the computational expense of calculating the SVD in three ways. First, the singular vectors from the previous calculation can be used to preorthogonalize the current Jacobian. Second, by virtue of nearly orthogonal columns, the iterative nature of the calculations can be prevented, thus avoiding convergence tests. Finally, since the few rotations required for orthogonalization are small in magnitude, approximations can be used. >
Physiological Differentiation within a Single-Species Biofilm Fueled by Serpentinization

ABSTRACT Carbonate chimneys at the Lost City hydrothermal field are coated in biofilms dominated by a single phylotype of archaea known as Lost City Methanosarcinales . In this study, we have detected surprising physiological complexity in single-species biofilms, which is typically indicative of multispecies biofilm communities. Multiple cell morphologies were visible within the biofilms by transmission electron microscopy, and some cells contained intracellular membranes that may facilitate methane oxidation. Both methane production and oxidation were detected at 70 to 80°C and pH 9 to 10 in samples containing the single-species biofilms. Both processes were stimulated by the presence of hydrogen (H 2 ), indicating that methane production and oxidation are part of a syntrophic interaction. Metagenomic data included a sequence encoding AMP-forming acetyl coenzyme A synthetase, indicating that acetate may play a role in the methane-cycling syntrophy. A wide range of nitrogen fixation genes were also identified, many of which were likely acquired via lateral gene transfer (LGT). Our results indicate that cells within these single-species biofilms may have differentiated into multiple physiological roles to form multicellular communities linked by metabolic interactions and LGT. Communities similar to these Lost City biofilms are likely to have existed early in the evolution of life, and we discuss how the multicellular characteristics of ancient hydrogen-fueled biofilm communities could have stimulated ecological diversification, as well as unity of biochemistry, during the earliest stages of cellular evolution. IMPORTANCE Our previous work at the Lost City hydrothermal field has shown that its carbonate chimneys host microbial biofilms dominated by a single uncultivated “species” of archaea. In this paper, we integrate evidence from these previous studies with new data on the metabolic activity and cellular morphology of these archaeal biofilms. We conclude that the archaeal biofilm must contain cells that are physiologically and possibly genetically differentiated with respect to each other. These results are especially interesting considering the possibility that the first cells originated and evolved in hydrothermal systems similar to Lost City.
Investigating the evolutionary effects of one feature on another: does muscle spread suppress caudal autotomy in lizards?

Hypotheses of secondary evolutionary change, where alteration in a particular feature is thought to result in change in another, can be tested in two main ways. First, phylogenies can be used to identify separate cases where one of the features changes and each case can then be examined to see whether the other change also actually takes place and if the perceived sequence of the alterations is appropriate. Secondly, the mechanism by which change in the second feature is supposed to be effected can be scrutinized and, in some cases, subjected to experimental investigation. This approach was applied to a recent hypothesis, that backward spread of the caudifemoralis longus muscle in the tail base of lizards was the primary cause of loss of capacity to autotomize the tail. Some 23 to 25 independent cases of total autotomy loss in adult lizards were identified. In all but six of these there was no substantial spread of the muscle. In two of the remainder, the muscle appears to have spread ufiev autotomy loss, and another case cannot be tested properly as information about relationships is equivocal. The final three cases exhibit extension of the caudifemoralis longus before autotomy loss, but the latter is not found in related species that also inherit muscle extension, which suggests that other causal factors may be involved. In about 15 other cases, where autotomy becomes restricted to the tail base, there is no marked spread of the caudifemoralis longus. The proposed functional link between muscle extension and autotomy loss is also discussed and discounted
Deltex acts as a positive regulator of Notch signaling through interactions with the Notch ankyrin repeats

We present a molecular and genetic analysis which elucidates the role of deltex in the Notch signaling pathway. Using the yeast ‘interaction trap’ assay, we define the protein regions responsible for heterotypic interactions between Deltex and the intracellular domain of Notch as well as uncover homotypic interaction among Deltex molecules. The function of the Deltex-Notch interaction domains is examined by in vivo expression studies. Taken together, data from overexpression of Deltex fragments and from studies of physical interactions between Deltex and Notch, suggest that Deltex positively regulates the Notch pathway through interactions with the Notch ankyrin repeats. Experiments involving cell cultures indicate that the Deltex-Notch interaction prevents the cytoplasmic retention of the Suppressor of Hairless protein, which otherwise is sequestered in the cytoplasm via association with the Notch ankyrin repeats and translocates to the nucleus when Notch binds to its ligand Delta. On the basis of these findings, we propose a model wherein Deltex regulates Notch activity by antagonizing the interaction between Notch and Suppressor of Hairless.
Exploiting Local and Global Invariants for the Management of Large Scale Information Systems

This paper presents a data oriented approach to modeling the complex computing systems, in which an ensemble of correlation models are discovered to represent the system status. If the discovered correlations can continually hold under different user scenarios and workloads, they are regarded as invariants of the information system. In our previous work, we have developed an algorithm to automatically search the invariants between any pair of system attributes, which we call local invariants. However that method is unable to deal with the high order dependency models due to the combinatorial explosion of search space. In this paper we use Bayesian regression technique to discover those high order correlation models, called global invariants. We treat each attribute as a response variable in turn and express its dependency with the other attributes in a regression model. By adding the prior constraint of Laplacian distribution to the regression coefficients, we can find the solution in which only the correlated attributes with respect to the response have nonzero regression coefficients. After that we further consider the temporal dependencies of those extracted attributes by incorporating their past observations. We also provide a confidence metric and a validation procedure to measure the reliability of learned models. If the model does not break down in the validation, it is regarded as a true invariant of the system. Experimental results on a real wireless networking system show that the discovered invariants can be used to effectively detect system failures as well as provide valuable information about the failure source.
Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in Pediatric Cancer Patients

We reviewed the available literature and describe our own experience with management of femoral head osteonecrosis in patients with pediatric hematologic malignancies. Osteonecrosis has become a major complication lowering quality of life among survivors of pediatric leukemia and lymphoma. Periodic imaging during anticancer therapy allows for early detection of osteonecrosis. Most patients with greater than 30% femoral head involvement will require arthroplasty. More studies are desperately needed to find interventions for early stage osteonecrosis that would preserve the integrity of the articular surface. Bone-conserving surgeries are preferred in young patients in anticipation of multiple revisions needed during their expected lifespan.
The processing, properties and use of the pyrotechnic mixture titanium subhydride/potassium perchlorate

Development of this pyrotechnic occurred because of the need for a static insensitive material to meet personnel safety requirements and related system safety issues in nuclear weapon energetic material component designs. Ti subhydride materials are made by the thermal dehydrding of commercial Ti hydride powder to the desired equivalent hydrogen composition in the Ti lattice. These Ti subhydrides, when blended with K perchlorate, meet the static insensitivity requirement of not being initiated from an equivalent human body electrostatic discharge. Individual material and blend qualification requirements provide a reproducible material from lot to lot. These pyrotechnic formulations meet the high reliability requirements (0.9995) for initiation and performance parameters and have the necessary stability and compatibility to meet long lived requirements of more than 25 years. Various experiences and problems are also discussed that have led to a mature technology for Ti subhydride/K perchlorate during its use in energetic material component designs.
From Sorting Endosomes to Exocytosis: Association of Rab4 and Rab11 GTPases with the Fc Receptor, FcRn, during Recycling

A longstanding question in cell biology is how is the routing of intracellular organelles within cells regulated? Although data support the involvement of Rab4 and Rab11 GTPases in the recycling pathway, the function of Rab11 in particular is uncertain. Here we have analyzed the association of these two Rab GTPases with the Fc receptor, FcRn, during intracellular trafficking. This Fc receptor is both functionally and structurally distinct from the classical Fcgamma receptors and transports immunoglobulin G (IgG) within cells. FcRn is therefore a recycling receptor that sorts bound IgG from unbound IgG in sorting endosomes. In the current study we have used dual color total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) and wide-field imaging of live cells to analyze the events in human endothelial cells that are involved in the trafficking of FcRn positive (FcRn(+)) recycling compartments from sorting endosomes to exocytic sites at the plasma membrane. Our data are consistent with the following model for this pathway: FcRn leaves sorting endosomes in Rab4(+)Rab11(+) or Rab11(+) compartments. For Rab4(+)Rab11(+) compartments, Rab4 depletion occurs by segregation of the two Rab proteins into discrete domains that can separate. The Rab11(+)FcRn(+) vesicle or tubule subsequently fuses with the plasma membrane in an exocytic event. In contrast to Rab11, Rab4 is not involved in exocytosis.
Axonal Transport in the Sprouting Neuron: Transfer of Newly Synthesized Membrane Components to the Cell Surface

During the formation of axons and dendrites, massive increase in cell surface area necessitates rapid expansion of the neuron’s plasma membrane. From the diameter of the processes and the rate of advancement of the nerve growth cones, the rate of addition of new membrane to the cell surface can be calculated. In a sympathetic neuron of the rat, grown in culture under the influence of nerve growth factor, elongation of neuntes occurs at a rate of approximately 1 mm/day. Their diameter being approximately 0.5 µm, the rate of increase in plasmalemmal surface is approximately 1 µm2/min per neurite. Thus, at least 1 µm2 of plasmalemmal precursor material needs to be transported each minute to the surface of each sprouting neurite. A priori, membrane components could be transferred from sites of synthesis to the cell surface singly, in small aggregates, or in already assembled, membranous form; they could be inserted into the plasmalemma at specific sites such as the tip or the base of the sprouting neurite or, alternatively, they could be inserted in random fashion in proximal and distal parts of the neuron. Both Hughes [3] and Bray [1,2] have suggested that newly synthesized membrane components are inserted into the plasmalemma at the tip of the growing neurite. The analyses carried out in this laboratory confirm this hypothesis, albeit with certain modifications. It follows that axonal transport plays an important role in the transfer of membrane components from sites of synthesis (which are predominantly, if not exclusively, located in the perikaryon) to the surface of the sprouting neuron.
Research Issues in Training Device Design

The Army Research Institute (ARI) has an ongoing research program to systematically accumulate the data necessary to provide design guidance for the development of training simulators. As part of this research program, an extensive literature review was conducted. On the basis of this literature review, a series of research questions, which require empirical investigation was accumulated. This presentation is designed to bring these research issues to the largest possible audience. The goal of this paper is to sensitize researchers to the types of questions that have the highest payoff for the Army and the training community. The research questions are organized around a model of the Instructional Systems Development (ISD) process. Each ISD section is further subdivided into specific subareas where empirical research is needed.
Urinary incontinence among older women. Measurement of the effect on health-related quality of life.

For women, urinary incontinence and other related lower urinary tract symptoms (e.g., nocturia, urinary urgency, frequency) are common, often increasing as women age. Urinary incontinence, however, is more than just a physiologic loss of urine. Emotional distress is also a significant issue for incontinent individuals. Researchers and clinicians are increasingly aware of the importance of identifying urinary incontinence and, in particular, urinary incontinence that causes distress or adversely effects health-related quality of life. This article addresses the effect of urinary incontinence on health-related quality of life among elderly women. Selected methods for evaluating health-related quality of life are highlighted and discussed. Suggestions are included for gerontological nurses interested in evaluating the effect of urinary incontinence on older women.
Effect of direct cortical electrical stimulation to brain function area during gliomas resection

Objective: Application of direct cortical electrical stimulation during operation of gliomas for inducing neurological sequelae , when the tumor is located whthin eloquent brain areas . Methods; To resect gliomas in 26 patients involving language functional area and 26 patients involving motor function area , the intraoperative electrical stimulations were performed for judgment of eloquent brain area. Results : The motorcortex area and language area were comfirmed by direct cortical electrical stimulation under the awake anesthesia , Compared with the patients preoperative evaluation , the postoperative neurological examination and KPS scores were obviously improved . Conclusion: Intraoperative direct cortical electrical stimulation under awake anesthesia is reliable to preciselty localize brain eloquent area , which allows a maximum resection of the gliomas and protection of the normal function .
A bright side of NP-hardness of interval computations: interval heuristics applied to NP-problems

It is known that interval computations are NP-hard. In other words, the solution of many important problems can be reduced to interval computations. The immediate conclusion is negative: in the general case, one cannot expect an algorithm to do all the interval computations in less than exponential running time.
Basic Course Forms and Work

It is imperative, of course, that teachers get themselves organized and prepared for their contributions to a course. I find, however, that for me it is not any longer a problem; possibly because of my long experience in having to do it. What remains a problem, however, is trying to work out what exactly the students are going to do besides just sit their at attention, soaking up my brilliant lectures (at the usual 5% efficiency). This chapter treats the matter of what the students do.
Telomere-related lung fibrosis is diagnostically heterogeneous but uniformly progressive.

Heterozygous mutations in four telomere-related genes have been linked to pulmonary fibrosis, but little is known about similarities or differences of affected individuals. 115 patients with mutations in telomerase reverse transcriptase ( TERT ) (n=75), telomerase RNA component ( TERC ) (n=7), regulator of telomere elongation helicase 1 ( RTEL1 ) (n=14) and poly(A)-specific ribonuclease ( PARN ) (n=19) were identified and clinical data were analysed. Approximately one-half (46%) had a multidisciplinary diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); others had unclassifiable lung fibrosis (20%), chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (12%), pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (10%), interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (7%), an idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (4%) and connective tissue disease-related interstitial fibrosis (3%). Discordant interstitial lung disease diagnoses were found in affected individuals from 80% of families. Patients with TERC mutations were diagnosed at an earlier age than those with PARN mutations (51±11 years versus 64±8 years; p=0.03) and had a higher incidence of haematological comorbidities. The mean rate of forced vital capacity decline was 300 mL·year−1 and the median time to death or transplant was 2.87 years. There was no significant difference in time to death or transplant for patients across gene mutation groups or for patients with a diagnosis of IPF versus a non-IPF diagnosis. Genetic mutations in telomere related genes lead to a variety of interstitial lung disease (ILD) diagnoses that are universally progressive. Mutations in four telomere-related genes lead to progressive pulmonary fibrosis, regardless of ILD diagnosis