cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exosomes derived from HIV-1-infected cells promote growth and progression of cancer via HIV TAR RNA

People living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy have increased risk of non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs). However, the underlying mechanism for development and progression of certain NADCs remains obscure. Here we show that exosomes released from HIV-infected T cells and those purified from blood of HIV-positive patients stimulate proliferation, migration and invasion of oral/oropharyngeal and lung cancer cells. The HIV transactivation response (TAR) element RNA in HIV-infected T-cell exosomes is responsible for promoting cancer cell proliferation and inducing expression of proto-oncogenes and Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)-inducible genes. These effects depend on the loop/bulge region of the molecule. HIV-infected T-cell exosomes rapidly enter recipient cells through epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and stimulate ERK1/2 phosphorylation via the EGFR/TLR3 axis. Thus, our findings indicate that TAR RNA-containing exosomes from HIV-infected T cells promote growth and progression of particular NADCs through activation of the ERK cascade in an EGFR/TLR3-dependent manner.
Chapter 16 – Family Togaviridae

Members of the family Togaviridae are enveloped, plus-strand RNA viruses. Virions are ~70 nm in diameter and have T=4 icosahedral symmetry. Members of the genus Alphavirus are transmitted by mosquitos. New World alphaviruses include Eastern equine encephalitis virus and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. Old World alphavirus infections often include joint pain and inflammation among their symptoms. Chikungunya virus is an emerging Old World alphavirus. The genus Rubivirus contains a single virus that causes rubella (German measles). Rubella virus causes very mild disease in children, but can cause severe congenital defects when women are infected early in pregnancy. Rubella virus is transmitted by the respiratory route.
Effect of Postoperative Telephone Calls on Patient Satisfaction and Scar Satisfaction After Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

Background Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the gold standard for high-risk nonmelanoma skin cancer. Postoperative telephone follow-up (TFU) is linked to higher patient satisfaction; however, there are no randomized, blinded studies examining whether TFU after Mohs surgery improves patient satisfaction. Objective To perform a randomized single-blinded prospective survey study examining whether patient satisfaction or scar satisfaction varied between Mohs patients who received a postoperative call and patients who did not. Methods Patients were enrolled into "post-op call" or "no post-op call" groups. Both arms completed surveys at suture removal and 3-month follow-up visits. Results One hundred four subjects were enrolled, and demographics, the number of Mohs stages, and type of repair were controlled. At suture removal, both arms reported similar overall high satisfaction on the 5-point Likert scale (4.90 "call arm" vs 4.88 "no-call arm", p = .80). Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) scores were 3.37 in the "call arm" versus 3.81 in the "no-call arm", p = .31. At 3-month follow-up, results were similar. Conclusion High overall satisfaction was reported in both arms. The TFU group reported higher overall satisfaction, but this difference was not significant. Scar satisfaction did not vary statistically between the arms, but POSAS scores in the call arm trended favorably.
Structure and Evolution of the Human Antithrombin III Gene

Abstract The structure of the human antithrombin III gene has been determined. The locations of the 5 introns of this gene differ from those of other members of the serine protease superfamily and suggests a novel form of evolution for these genes.
Common Mode Votage Compensation for Capacitor Voltage Ripple Reduction of 7-kV SiC-based Modular Multilevel Converter

Modular multilevel converters (MMCs), with the filter-less and transformer-less features, are considered as a promising topology for high-efficiency medium voltage (MV) high voltage (HV) drive systems. However, a large current ripple flowing through the capacitors of each submodule will cause significant capacitor voltage fluctuation. This paper proposes a new compensation method in common mode voltage injection to further reduce the magnitude of the fundamental component in capacitor voltages. The capacitor voltage ripples are reduced significantly by using the proposed control method, which means that smaller size of capacitors can be used for same voltage ripple requirements. Simulation and experimental test results verify the proposed compensation method using a three-phase permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM).
TSLP and IL-33 reciprocally promote each other's lung protein expression and ILC2 receptor expression to enhance innate type-2 airway inflammation.

Background The epithelial cell-derived danger signal mediators thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and IL-33 are consistently associated with adaptive Th2 immune responses in asthma. In addition, TSLP and IL-33 synergistically promoted group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) activation to induce innate allergic inflammation. However, the mechanism of this synergistic ILC2 activation is unknown. Methods BALB/c WT and TSLP receptor-deficient (TSLPR-/- ) mice were challenged intranasally with Alternaria extract (Alt-Ext) or PBS for 4 consecutive days to evaluate innate airway allergic inflammation. WT mice pre-administered with rTSLP or vehicle, TSLPR-/- mice, and IL-33 receptor-deficient (ST2-/- ) mice were challenged intranasally with Alt-Ext or vehicle once or twice to evaluate IL-33 release and TSLP expression in the lung. TSLPR and ST2 expression on lung ILC2 were measured by flow cytometry after treatment of rTSLP, rIL-33, rTSLP + rIL-33, or vehicle. Results Thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor deficient mice had significantly decreased the number of lung ILC2 expressing IL-5 and IL-13 following Alt-Ext-challenge compared to WT mice. Further, eosinophilia, protein level of lung IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, and airway mucus score were also significantly decreased in TSLPR-/- mice compared to WT mice. Endogenous and exogenous TSLP increased Alt-Ext-induced IL-33 release into BALF, and ST2 deficiency decreased Alt-Ext-induced TSLP expression in the lung. Further, rTSLP and rIL-33 treatment reciprocally increased each other's receptor expression on lung ILC2 in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion Thymic stromal lymphopoietin and IL-33 signaling reciprocally enhanced each other's protein release and expression in the lung following Alt-Ext-challenge and each other's receptor expression on lung ILC2 to enhance ILC2 activation.
Performance Assessment of Memristor Networks as Shortest Path Problem Solvers

It has been shown that networks of memristors are promising as computing medium for the solution of complex optimization problems. In this context, the solution to the shortest-path problem (SPP) in a two-dimensional plane has been given wide consideration. Some still open problems in such computing approach concern the time required for the network to reach to a steady state, and the time required to read the result, stored in the state of a subset of memristors that represent the solution. This paper presents a circuit simulation-based performance assessment of memristor networks as SPP solvers. A previous methodology is extended to support weighted directed graphs. We use memristor device models with fundamentally different switching behavior, to check their suitability for such applications. Furthermore, the requirement of binary vs. analog operation of memristors is evaluated. Finally, this approach is compared to known algorithmic solutions to the SPP over a set of large random graphs. Our results contribute to the development of bio-inspired memristor network-based SPP solvers.
Surface temperature effects of solar panels of fixed-wing drones on drag reduction and energy consumption

In this paper, the thermal effects of solar panels are investigated experimentally and computationally on the efficiency of an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) in laminar and turbulent flows. At first, the impact of temperature on output power and efficiency of an eFlex 30 Wp solar panel is studied. Then, the surface temperature and output voltage of two different types of solar panels, a flexible and a solid panel, are measured under a heat lamp. The heat lamp provides the radiation and raises the temperature of the solar panels. A thermal camera and laser thermometer are used to measure the surface temperature of the solar panels. Considering a tilt-rotor UAV as a case study, an energy balance is modeled for the wing of UAV, which is assumed as a flat plate. Applying the Blasius boundary layer for laminar flow and 1/5 power law for turbulent flow, it is shown that there is skin friction drag changes on the top surface of the solar panel due to its dark blue color. In order to validate the results of the proposed model, a thermal-fluid study is carried out on the NACA 2412 airfoil through COMSOL to see whether changing the surface temperature on the solar panel relates to skin drag reduction. The results indicate that an increase in the surface temperature of the solar panel will decrease the output power and efficiency to a maximum of 8%; while this increase in temperature reduces drag by up to 10% in laminar flow. This research shows that despite the reduction of efficiency and generated power by solar panels with increasing the surface temperature on top of a UAV, the aerodynamic efficiency can be improved with drag reduction in laminar flow.
The Trouble with Troubles: Sources for Questions About Law and Mental Health

Here is a riddle just for librarians: What do you get when you mix BF with KF? The answer is that you get psychology and law. A lot of people need information about the intersection between these two topics but because the call number ranges are so far apart in the library, users might not make their way to both of them, unless a librarian is involved. It’s not just the call numbers that stump this research; the two topics overlap in so many ways that unknowing information seekers might not realize on their own that they need to separate strands of law from the midst of a psychological situation, or vice-versa, in order to find all of the information they need. And because the very practical aspects of these combined topics involve claims, appeals, and other assertions of legal rights, these readers likely also need their librarian to identify strategic guidance in sources other than books. There are plenty of helpful ways for public librarians to connect law and psychology resources for patrons, all of which begin with envisioning the people who would come looking for this information.
Contact-implicit preference relationships: Two large sample tests.

This work examines relationships between friendships and implicit preferences across two large samples. There is considerable evidence in the contact literature suggesting that friendships relate t...
Blepharitis: Future Directions

Rapid advances in the fields of biology, laboratory science, computer science, and bio-data science are changing how we think about the pathophysiology of disease. The NIH Human Microbiome Project is defining how the microbial environment affects human health and disease. Using culture-independent techniques, bacteria, fungi, and viruses that compose the human microbiome have been identified and will further our understanding of how it influences inflammation, auto-immunity, and ocular surface disease. Expanded use of biomarkers are beginning to be employed to detect disease, and to design and monitor new treatments. The effects of human aging on the eyelids, the immune system, and autoimmunity are briefly reviewed, as well as the potential for regenerative medicine to possibly prevent or reverse its detrimental effects.
More Women Must Lead in Global Health: A Focus on Strategies to Empower Women Leaders and Advance Gender Equality.

Despite comprising 70% of the health workforce, women fill only 25% of senior and 5% of top health organization positions. Greater diversity in global health leadership, particularly greater representation of women, is essential to ensure diverse perspectives and ideas inform policies and priorities. Interviews and literature reviews surfaced many of the key challenges that women in global health face at individual, organizational and societal levels. Initiatives working to advance women’s leadership are encouraged to consider 5 key priorities that address these challenges.
Purification of the Sodium- and Potassium-dependent Adenosine Triphosphatase from Canine Renal Medulla

The (Na+ + K+) adenosine triphosphatase was obtained from canine renal medulla and partially purified. A highly active, membrane-bound enzyme was prepared from the microsomal fraction of a homogenate. The enzyme was then transferred from this particulate state to the supernatant phase by treatment with sodium deoxycholate and, in this form, it was further purified by gel filtration. The final preparation had a high specific activity which was constant over a significant region of the elution profile. When this material was examined by electrophoresis in a sodium dodecyl sulfate solvent, more than 90% of the protein was accounted for by two polypeptide chains which were present in approximately equimolar amounts. The ratio of these two polypeptides remained constant in those fractions from the gel filtration which had the highest specific activity. The protein traveled as a single component in an acetic acid-urea electrophoresis system. These results suggest that a specific complex responsible for the (Na+ + K+) adenosine triphosphatase activity has been isolated.
Cribriform adenocarcinoma of minor salivary gland: A report of two cases with an emphasis on cytology

Cribriform adenocarcinoma of minor salivary gland (CAMSG) is a recently characterized low grade salivary gland malignancy that most commonly presents as a mass in the base of the tongue, frequently with regional lymph node metastasis. Given its relative rarity and overlapping cytomorphology, CAMSG may be confused with polymorphous low grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) in minor salivary gland sites and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in cervical metastasis, in both fine-needle aspiration and excisional specimens. As there are no cytology reports in the literature, we present two new cases of CAMSG and describe the aspiration cytology of the tumor taken from bench top aspirates, compare it with the histomorphology, and discuss the features that may help one avoid misdiagnosis of PTC in the setting of cervical lymph node metastasis. We found that like PTC, aspirates of CAMSG contain polymorphic fragments of epithelial cells arranged in monolayer sheets, papillary fronds and tips, and occasional cribriform configurations, and metachromatic stromal fragments, which may be misinterpreted as colloid. A background of myxoid/mucoid material also reminiscent of colloid was prominent. Differentiation from PLGA is more difficult based strictly on cytology. A review of the most current literature in relation to the molecular and immunohistochemical profiles, therapeutic options, and prognosis is also presented. It is critical for pathologists and clinicians to be aware of this tumor when presented with patients having a cervical lymph node mass in the absence of a primary tumor.
Property Mapping: A Simple Technique for Mobile Robot Programming

The mobile robot programming problem is a software engineering challenge that is not easily conquered using contemporary software engineering best practices. We propose robot observability as a measure of the diagnostic transparency of a situated robot program, then describe property mapping as a simple, language-independent approach to implementing reliable robot programs by maximizing robot observability. Examples from realworld, working robots are given in Lisp and Java.
Hierarchical scheduling of DAG structured computations on manycore processors with dynamic thread grouping

Many computational solutions can be expressed as directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) with weighted nodes. In parallel computing, scheduling such DAGs onto manycore processors remains a fundamental challenge, since synchronization across dozens of threads and preserving precedence constraints can dramatically degrade the performance. In order to improve scheduling performance on manycore processors, we propose a hierarchical scheduling method with dynamic thread grouping, which schedules DAG structured computations at three different levels. At the top level, a supermanager separates threads into groups, each consisting of a manager thread and several worker threads. The supermanager dynamically merges and partitions the groups to adapt the scheduler to the input task dependency graphs. Through group merging and partitioning, the proposed scheduler can dynamically adjust to become a centralized scheduler, a distributed scheduler or somewhere in between, depending on the input graph. At the group level, managers collaboratively schedule tasks for their workers. At the within-group level, workers perform self-scheduling within their respective groups and execute tasks. We evaluate the proposed scheduler on the Sun UltraSPARC T2 (Niagara 2) platform that supports up to 64 hardware threads. With respect to various input task dependency graphs, the proposed scheduler exhibits superior performance when compared with other various baseline methods, including typical centralized and distributed schedulers.
Transformation-defective mutants of polyomavirus middle T antigen associate with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) but are unable to maintain wild-type levels of PI 3-kinase products in intact cells.

Abstract Middle T antigen (MT) of polyomavirus causes transformation by associating with a number of cellular proteins. The association with and activation of two such proteins, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) and pp60c-src, appears to be necessary for transformation by MT. The tyrosine kinase activity of MT-associated pp60c-src is significantly increased when assayed in vitro, and levels of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins are elevated in vivo. Similarly, levels of the PI 3-kinase products phosphatidylinositol-3,4-bisphosphate [PI(3,4)P2] and phosphatiylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate [PI(3,4,5)P3] are constitutively elevated in MT-transformed cells. However, the formation of a complete MT/cellular protein complex and the activation of tyrosine kinase are not sufficient to cause transformation, since the transformation-defective mutants 248m and dl1015 associate with all wild-type MT-associated proteins, including PI 3-kinase and pp60c-src, and neither mutant appears to be defective in MT-associated tyrosine kinase activity. Studies presented here compared (i) the amount of PI 3-kinase activity associated with the MT complex and (ii) levels of [3H]inositol incorporation into PI 3-kinase products in cells expressing mutant or wild-type MT. The results show that dl1015 is defective in both assays, whereas 248m is defective only for incorporation of [3H]inositol into PI(3,4,5)P2 and PI(3,4)P3. These findings identify a biochemical defect in the 248m mutant and corroborate previous results correlating transformation and elevated levels of PI 3-kinase products in vivo. In addition, they indicate that PI 3-kinase product levels are affected by factors other than simply the amount of PI 3-kinase activity associated with the MT complex.
Analysis of scattering from tapered and non-circular cross section struts for reflector antennas

A numerical technique used to calculate scattered fields from feed/subreflector support struts for reflector antenna system has been described in this presentation. Comparison between calculated and measured patterns, with and without the struts, indicates that the technique implemented is valid in predicting scattered fields from struts with arbitrary cross section. The numerical results presented also show that non-circular cross section struts, such as ogival ones, can provide lower scattered field levels that can be very important for reflectors with low sidelobe requirements.
Photophysical observations on Cr(III) bis-cyclam dimers

Abstract Chromium(III) complexes of the mononucleating cyclam , ([14]aneN 4 )X 2 , and binucleating biscyclam , ([14]aneN 4 ) 2 X 4 , ligands were prepared and their photophysical properties examined. Acido amine cis-monomer and cis,cis-dimer pairs containing X=chloro, bromo and thiocyanato complexes were examined for photophysical manifestations of metal–metal coupling in these saturated macrocyclic systems. UV–vis absorption and emission show anomalous features in the dimer spectra versus their monomer parents for the bromo and thiocyanato complexes in accord with what would be predicted based on a charge transfer mediated exchange process; however, the excited state properties of these molecules show an opposite behavior and thus an interpretation of the observed behavior based on an exchange mechanism is not possible.
Effects of synthetic peptido-leukotrienes on bone resorption in vitro.

Peptido-leukotrienes are short-lived organic molecules known to have potent biological effects as mediators of inflammation, hypersensitivity and respiratory disorders. However, little is known concerning their effects on bone cells. We have shown previously that stromal cells isolated from a human giant cell tumor secrete 5-HETE (5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) and the peptido-leukotrienes, also known as the cysteinyl leukotrienes LTC 4 , LTD 4 , and LTE 4 . These eicosanoids were shown to stimulate the multinucleated giant cells obtained from these tumors to form resorption lacunae on sperm whale dentine. Here, we show that the peptido-leukotrienes also stimulate isolated avian osteoclast-like cells to form resorption lacunae and to increase their content of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. LTD 4 increased 45 Ca release from murine calvarial bone organ cultures, but not from fetal rat long bone cultures. Isolated avian osteoclast-like cells were chosen to perform receptor binding studies, as this population is the most homogenous source of osteoclasts available. After the precursors had fused to form multinucleated cells, receptor binding assays were performed. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding data showed a single class of binding sites, with a dissociation constant (K d ) of 0.53 nM and a receptor density of 5,200 receptors per cell. Competition binding studies showed receptor specificity using a specific LTD 4 receptor antagonist ZM 198,615. These data show that the peptido-leukotrienes activate highly enriched populations of isolated avian osteoclast-like cells, and also that specific LTD 4 receptors are present in this cell population.
The potential role of nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 in avian cochlear and vestibular ganglia development

The role of the nerve growth factor family of neurotrophins in the development of cochlear and vestibular ganglia is unclear. In order to predict the potential importance of nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor or neurotrophin-3, we examined the expression of neurotrophin mRNA and full-length neurotrophin receptor mRNA by in-situ hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, as well as whether high affinity 125I-nerve growth factor binding was present, in cochlear and vestibular ganglia of the quail at several stages of development (stages 26, 31 and 36). Nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 mRNA was detected at all ages examined, suggesting that these neurotrophins may serve an autocrine or paracrine function, especially prior to target contact. In addition, we found full-length trkA and trkC mRNA was expressed, the products of which are the functional neuronal receptors for nerve growth factor and neurotrophin-3, respectively. Although full-length trkA mRNA was found, physiologically important high affinity 125I-nerve growth factor binding was not detected. Since nerve growth factor's effects on survival and neurite outgrowth are mediated through high affinity binding, nerve growth factor may serve an as yet unidentified role in this system. Full-length trkB mRNA, the product of which is the functional neuronal receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor, was not detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, however, truncated (non-catalytic) trkB was present, at least in cochlear ganglia at stage 31. It is not known what function may be subserved by these truncated receptors.
Effect of parameter variations on drop placement in an electrostatic ink jet printer

This paper discusses the sensitivity of drop-to-drop spacing in the print plane of an ink jet printer to other printer variables. Two designed experiments, a fractional factorial and a central composite, combined with standard analysis identified the critical variables and provided a mathematical expression useful for setting tolerances.
On Ignorance: A Vindication of the Standard View

Rik Peels has once again forcefully argued that ignorance is not equivalent to the lack or absence of knowledge. In doing so, he endeavors to refute the Standard View of Ignorance according to which they are equivalent, and to advance what he calls the “New View” according to which ignorance is equivalent (merely) to the lack or absence of true belief. I defend the Standard View against his new attempted refutation.
LIGAND-INDUCED CONFORMATIONAL CHANGES OF GROEL ARE DEPENDENT ON THE BOUND SUBSTRATE POLYPEPTIDE

Ligand-induced conformational changes of GroEL alone and with bound rhodanese, citrate synthase, or dihydrofolate reductase were studied by limited proteolysis. Similar digestion patterns of GroEL, with or without bound substrate polypeptide, were obtained in the absence and presence of the chaperonin ligands, K+, Mg2+, or ATP. The rates of formation and degradation of the six produced proteolytic fragments were significantly different, however. Strikingly, only with Mg2+/ATP or K+/Mg2+/ATP an additional fragment of approximately 25 kDa was generated during digestion of GroEL alone or with bound rhodanese or dihydrofolate reductase, but not with bound citrate synthase. Most of the trypsin-sensitive sites in GroEL were localized in the flexible apical domain, which contains the putative polypeptide-binding region. Our data indicate that subtle structural changes in the trypsin-sensitive regions of GroEL occur as a result of the binding of the chaperonin ligands. However, these structural changes are influenced by the GroEL substrate polypeptides.
Macroscopic physics of the silicon inversion layer

The diffusion-drift description of electrons and holes in a semiconductor is frequently used to obtain a detailed understanding of the physics and engineering of semiconductor devices. We show that, by generalizing the equation of state of the electron gas to include density-gradient dependences, this standard description can be extended to describe much of the quantum-mechanical behavior exhibited by strong inversion layers.
On a number of poisson matrices in Bang-Bang representations for 3 × 3 embeddable matrices

We give a counterexample to the Strong Bang-Bang Conjecture according to which any 3 × 3 embeddable matrix can be expressed as a product of six Poisson matrices. We exhibit a 3 × 3 embeddable matrix which can be expressed as a product of seven but not six Poisson matrices. We show that an embeddable 3 × 3 matrix P with det P ≥ 18 can be expressed as a product of at most six Poisson matrices and give necessary and sufficient conditions for a 3 × 3 stochastic matrix P with det P ≥ 18 to be embeddable. For an embeddable 3 × 3 matrix P with det P < 18 we give a new bound for the number of Poisson matrices in its Bang-Bang representation.
Neonatal Induced Hypothermia

Abstract Neonatal induced hypothermia is a new treatment option for term and near-term infants who have experienced a significant neurologic insult in the perinatal period. Induced hypothermia lowers the core temperature of the brain by 2°C to 5°C. This treatment, when initiated within 6 hours after birth and maintained for 72 hours, lowers the metabolic demands of the brain and therefore reduces the damage from hypoxemia-ischemia and subsequent reperfusion injury. This therapy has been shown in recent studies to reduce the incidence of death and disability in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
On Transmit Beamforming for Physical-Layer Multicasting

The paper considers transmit beamforming for physical-layer multicasting in a wireless system consisting of a single transmitter with multiple antennas and multiple single antenna users. The beamforming weights are obtained so that the transmitted power is minimized subject to meeting the minimum signal-to-noise (SNR) requirements of each user. As in previous works, semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxation is considered. The contribution of this paper lies in that it provides effective and convergent algorithms to obtain the solution for the cases in which SDP yields a solution with rank greater than one. Two methods are proposed, namely, the coordinate descent method, which is applicable for the case of at least as many transmit antennas as users, and the $p$-norm approximation, which is is applicable for general case. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed algorithms.
Lubricant rheological properties at high pressure

Various types of rheometric apparatus have been developed to study and measure the shear stress behaviour of liquid lubricants. Elastohydrodynamic (EHD) lubrication is better studied with a high-pressure rheometer which allows independent control of temperature, pressure, and shear strain. With this, the authors propose an improved relation for the variation of viscosity through the glass transition, and present refined relations for shear modulus and limiting shear stress.
Cratering in Marine Environments and on Ice

Since the discovery of plate tectonics, impact cratering is arguably the most significant geologic process now recognized as an important process on Earth. Impacts into ice, another main topic covered in this book, may be important on other worlds. Large numbers of impact craters that formed in marine environments on Earth have only been discovered in the last 10 years. Twenty-five craters that formed in marine environments have been documented, according to the first chapter of this book, although none are known that excavated oceanic crust. The papers in Cratering in Marine Environments and on Ice will whet your appetite for the exciting and ambitious range of topics implied by the title, which stems from a conference in Svalbard, Norway in September 2001. This book provides a flavor of the rapidly advancing and diverse field of impact cratering.
Comparison of nucleoside concentrations in blood of fish with and without tumors

The objective of this study was to develop and use HPLC based analytical methodology to characterize nucleosides in blood plasma and serum from fish with and without tumors, with a goal of determining if fish blood nucleoside concentrations could similarly be used as a bioindicator of tumor development in fish. The approach was to develop analytical methodology and quality assurance criteria for the analysis of nucleosides in fish blood, and to characterize nucleoside concentrations in blood of fish for which both healthy and tumor-bearing samples were available. Data would then be used to establish parameters with which tumor-bearing fish could be distinguished from healthy fish. Blood samples used to establish the diagnostic parameters were from control rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and those with tumors developed after exposure to aflatoxins. A second set of blood samples was from field collected black bullheads (Ictalurus melas).
A model for the channel noise of MESFETs including hot electron effects

Abstract Noise is an important consideration in the reliability of microelectronic circuits determining the sensitivity of the circuits and placing a lower limit on the regions of operation. Proper modeling of noise in integrated circuits is essential for reliable operation. A derivation is given for the channel noise coefficient of FET’s operating in the saturation region. Some simple approximations are made for hot electron effects which can be incorporated into the derivation and accounted for by a numerical integration technique. Experimental results of measured and calculated noise coefficients are compared for depletion mode MESFETs of different gate lengths. This model gives a much more realistic representation of the channel noise coefficients for short gate length devices rather than the simple 2/3 value currently used in circuit simulations.
Police officers and civil liability: “the ties that bind”?

Civil liability is a concern of all police agencies. Research has tended to focus on the extent of liability and factors that lead tocivil suits. However, few have studied howofficers perceive civil liability issues. This article explores how officers perceive the impact of civil liability on their actions in the field. Furthermore, it considers how officers feel about administrative measures used by departments to reduce liability.
Temporal evolution of the phase correction response in synchronization of taps with perturbed two-interval rhythms

Human sensorimotor synchronization is flexible but subject to temporal constraints. Previous research has shown that musicians tend to lose synchrony with target tones in an isochronous sequence when the sequence rate exceeds 8–10 Hz, presumably because phase correction ceases to function. The present study investigated directly the time required for an immediate phase correction response (PCR). Musicians tapped in synchrony with cyclic two-interval (short-long) rhythms, using the two hands in alternation. Perturbations were applied to the long interval, and the compensatory shift of the next tap (the PCR) was measured following the short interval, whose duration was varied from 100 to 300 ms. The PCR was found to increase gradually within this range, being nearly absent at 100 ms. Similar results were obtained when participants tapped only with the second tone in each rhythmic group, which confirms that the PCR is based on the preceding tone rather than on the preceding tap-tone asynchrony, and also when the second tone was omitted in the pacing sequence, which indicates that the PCR occurs automatically even when there is no synchronization target for the critical tap. These results extend earlier findings regarding rate limits of synchronization and also provide further support for an event-based phase resetting account of the PCR.
Relevance of specimen size in distribution studies of deep-sea benthic foraminifera

There is no agreement among investigators of abyssal benthic foraminifera on the sieve-size of samples best suited for distribution studies; 63, 125, and 250 Fxm + sizes are commonly used. A faunal analysis of these fractions in two sets of deep-sea samples, one from the Caribbean, the other from the equatorial North Atlantic, demonstrates that a signifcant amount of information, including that on species diversity and dominance, is lost when the coarser sieves are used. The reported abundances of species in known water-mass associations of benthic foraminifera are not independent of specimen size. In an Antarctic Bottom Water assemblage from the Equatorial North Atlantic, a 250 ,um threshold size obliterates the dominance of Epistominella eidgua and inflates the proportion of Cibicides wuellerstorfi. Eponides turgidus, another dominant member of this assemblage, is almost absent in both the 125 and 250 ,um + fractions. The same is true for Nuttallides decorata, the dominant benthic foraminifer in the Caribbean Bottom Water in the southeastern Venezuela Basin. Eponides polius, common in the Venezuela Basin assemblage, is absent in the coarsest fraction. We suggest that researchers choosing to work with coarser sieves in the context of their particular problems indicate what the proportions of common species would be if the 63 ,um sieve is used. This test could be made with just a few samples.
GLUT4 trafficking in insulin-stimulated rat adipose cells: evidence that heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins regulate the fusion of docked GLUT4-containing vesicles.

Agents that activate the G-protein G(i) (e.g. adenosine) increase, and agents that activate G(s) [e.g. isoprenaline (isoproterenol)] decrease, steady-state insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity and cell-surface GLUT4 in isolated rat adipose cells without changing plasma membrane GLUT4 content. Here we have further examined the effects of R(s)G(s) and R(i)G(i) ligands (in which R(s) and R(i) are G(s)- and G(i)-coupled receptors respectively) on insulin-stimulated cell-surface GLUT4 and the kinetics of GLUT4 trafficking in these same cells. Rat adipose cells were preincubated for 2 min with or without isoprenaline (200 nM) and adenosine deaminase (1 unit/ml), to stimulate G(s) and decrease the stimulation of G(i) respectively, followed by 0-20 min with insulin (670 nM). Treatment with isoprenaline and adenosine deaminase decreased insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity by 58%. Treatment with isoprenaline and adenosine deaminase also resulted in similar decreases in insulin-stimulated cell-surface GLUT4 as assessed by both bis-mannose photolabelling of the substrate-binding site and biotinylation of the extracellular carbohydrate moiety when evaluated under similar experimental conditions. After stimulation with insulin in the absence of G(s) and the presence of G(i) agents, a distinct sequence of plasma membrane events took place, starting with an increase in immunodetectable GLUT4, then an increase in the accessibility of GLUT4 to bis-mannose photolabel, and finally an increase in glucose transport activity. Pretreatment with isoprenaline and adenosine deaminase before stimulation with insulin did not affect the time course of the increase in immunodetectable GLUT4 in the plasma membrane, but did delay both the increase in accessibility of GLUT4 to photolabel and the increase in glucose transport activity. These results suggest that R(s)G(s) and R(i)G(i) modulate insulin-stimulated glucose transport by influencing the extent to which GLUT4 is associated with occluded vesicles attached to the plasma membrane during exocytosis, perhaps by regulating the fusion process through which the GLUT4 in docked vesicles becomes exposed on the cell surface.
A classification of economic activities based on location patterns

Abstract The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) groups activities without regard to locational behavior. Any SIC group may—and often does—contain two or more activities that have different locational patterns. Starting with data describing the number of people employed in each of 480 activities in each of 311 metropolitan areas of the United States in 1965, we have devised a new classification based on similarity of locational behavior. The results are presented in the form of a 5-digit classification of these 480 SIC activities. Some of the more interesting clustering patterns are discussed and some patterns that might have been expected but did not appear are mentioned. This paper builds upon earlier research reported in “The Agglomeration Process in Urban Growth,” by Joel Bergsman, Peter Greenston and Robert Healy ( Urban Studies , October 1972) and is part of a continuing inquiry into the economic development of cities.
RNA structure, not sequence, determines the 5' splice-site specificity of a group I intron.

Abstract The group I self-splicing introns act at exon-intron junctions without recognizing a particular sequence. In order to understand splice-site selection, we have developed an assay system based on the Tetrahymena ribozyme to allow the study of numerous 5'-splice-site variants. Cleavage at the correct site requires formation of the correct secondary structure and occurs most efficiently within a 3-base-pair window centered on base pair 5 from the bottom of the P1 stem. Within this window the ribozyme recognizes and cleaves at a "wobble" base pair; the base pair above the cleavage site also influences splicing efficiency. The recognition of RNA structure rather than sequence explains the ability of these transposable introns to splice out of a variety of sequence contexts.
Open Sesame? Increasing Access to Medical Literature

Over the past few years there has been a growing concern within the world’s scientific communities about access to scientific, technical, and medical (STM) literature. This concern has given rise to a movement within scientific and medical circles known as the “open-access” movement. Over the last 12 months, this concern has leapt from the acid-free pages of the world’s STM journals to the newsprint of the mainstream media. Articles on the subject have appeared in The Washington Post , The Boston Globe , The Guardian , the San Francisco Chronicle , and The Chronicle of Higher Education , among other prominent media sources.1–5 Many of these articles have painted open-access advocates as something akin to Ali Baba standing before the locked portal of a cave in which the highwaymen of publishing have stashed the plundered treasure of the scientific world.6 All one needs to do is chant the magic words and the portal will open wide. Although this makes for dramatic storytelling, the reality is far more complex. Broadly defined, open access simply means that content is freely available on the World Wide Web without the need of a subscription or payment. It gets more complicated when one asks which content is freely available and when. For example, the Journal of Biological Chemistry makes preprints of accepted articles freely available on its Web site shortly after acceptance. To view the final revised, copy-edited, full-featured article, however, one must have a subscription. Is this an open-access journal? Many journals, including Pediatrics and the Journal of Biological Chemistry , make all content freely accessible after a certain period of time, usually ranging from 6 months to 2 years. Are these open-access journals? The answer varies depending on whom one asks. Another component sometimes included in definitions of open …
Ergonomic evaluation of manufacturing system designs

Abstract Using high-level, 3-D computer graphics simulation and other engineering analysis tools, this research investigates the ergonomic advantages of one manufacturing system design over another. The designs compared are lean manufacturing (manufacturing cells) and the functional (job shop) design. Simulation models based on an actual manufacturing cell and its workers are used to generate corresponding functional workstations with identically modeled workers. Three ergonomic areas—kilocalorie expenditure, potential for harmful postures, and potential for repetitive motion disorders—are analyzed from simulated and monitored data on energy expenditure, postures, repetitive motion, and other processing functions, such as cycle time. Initial research indicates a substantially lower risk from work-related injuries when using the cellular manufacturing design rather than the functional job shop design; thus, the design of the manufacturing system may inherently reduce or eliminate physiological problems before they develop. In addition, 3-D simulation software with ergonomic analysis functions is shown to be an extremely effective tool for the manufacturing system designer and the ergonomist.
Feedback control for router congestion resolution

Queueing is a crucial component in effective router congestion control. If packets are dropped indiscriminately by the queueing system, in some cases, the effect can be to encourage senders to actually increase their transmission rates, worsening the congestion and destabilizing the system.We approach this congestion problem from the point of view of the elementary concepts of game theory and control theory. We provide a queueing mechanism with feedback-control. Our analysis shows that the protocol achieves high throughput as well as fairness in allocating capacity among sources, while maintaining bounded queue lengths and responding dynamically to changes in network flow conditions. Perhaps most importantly, the new protocol is shown in network simulations to have superior ability (compared with previous solutions) to protect responsive flows (specifically TCP) against router flooding by multiple high-volume unresponsive (e.g., UDP) flows.
Magnesium-induced nucleophile activation in the guanylyltransferase mRNA capping enzyme

The mRNA guanylyltransferase, or mRNA capping enzyme, cotranscriptionally caps the 5'-end of nascent mRNA with GMP during the second reaction in a set of three enzymatic reactions that result in the formation of an N7-methylguanosine cap during mRNA maturation. The mRNA capping enzyme is characterized, in part, by a conserved lysine nucleophile that attacks the α-phosphorus atom of GTP, forming a lysine-GMP intermediate. Experiments have firmly established that magnesium is required for efficient intermediate formation but have provided little insight into the requirement's molecular origins. Using empirical and thermodynamic integration pK(a) estimates, along with conventional molecular dynamics simulations, we show that magnesium binding likely activates the lysine nucleophile by increasing its acidity and by biasing the deprotonated nucleophile into conformations conducive to intermediate formation. These results provide additional functional understanding of an important enzyme in the mRNA transcript life cycle and allow functional analogies to be drawn that affect our understanding of the metal dependence of related superfamily members.
NEW SPECIES OF DINOFLAGELLATE CYSTS FROM THE PALEOCENE OF THE ANAMBRA BASIN, SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Abstract Six new species of dinoflagellate cysts and one new combination from the Paleocene to ?lowermost Eocene succession in the Alo-1 well, southeast Nigeria, are proposed herein. The new species are Achomosphaera quadrata, Diphyes bifidum, Ifecysta fusiforma, Ifecysta heterospinosa, Palaeocystodinium rafii, and Wilsonidium stellatum. Furthermore, Fibrocysta lappacea (Drugg 1970) Stover & Evitt 1978 is transferred to Ifecysta, and the diagnosis of Ifecysta is emended.
Next‐generation imaging development for nanoparticle biodistribution measurements

As nanotechnologies move closer to use in humans, quantitative imaging methods will play a vital role in answering questions of biodistribution. Accurate knowledge of the location and quantity of in vivo nanoconstructs and carriers is a challenging task, and new methods of quantitative imaging at appropriate resolutions are being developed and tested. Sustaining simultaneous advancement in both imaging development and nanotechnology research requires multidisciplinary research teams conducting experiments with interconnected goals. On an even greater scale, networks of multidisciplinary teams focused on similar issues of imaging and probe development offer opportunities for leveraging resources, as well as providing a forum for sharing ideas and creating consensus on solutions to common challenges. The Network for Translational Research (NTR): Optical Imaging in Multimodal Platforms from the National Cancer Institute is just such a network. Four multidisciplinary centers are accepting the challenges of developing and optimizing multimodal imaging hardware and software along with imaging probe development. These efforts are similar to the efforts that will be required for future studies of in vivo nanoparticle biodistribution. In addition to technology development and optimization, the network is organized to confront the challenges of validation of the imaging hardware and associated imaging agents, similar to the methods needed for validating nanomedicine. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2011 3 5–10 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.117 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website