cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Energetic Potential for Undiscovered Manganese Metabolisms in Nature.

Microorganisms are found in nearly every surface and near-surface environment, where they gain energy by catalyzing reactions among a wide variety of chemical compounds. The discovery of new catabolic strategies and microbial habitats can therefore be guided by determining which redox reactions can supply energy under environmentally-relevant conditions. In this study, we have explored the thermodynamic potential of redox reactions involving manganese, one of the most abundant transition metals in the Earth’s crust. In particular, we have assessed the Gibbs energies of comproportionation and disproportionation reactions involving Mn2+ and several Mn-bearing oxide and oxyhydroxide minerals containing Mn in the +II, +III and +IV oxidation states as a function of temperature (0 – 100oC) and pH (1 – 13). In addition, we also calculated the energetic potential of Mn2+ oxidation coupled to O2, NO2-, NO3- and FeOOH. Results show that these reactions — none of which, except O2 + Mn2+, are known catabolisms —can provide energy to microorganisms, particularly at higher pH values and temperatures. Comproportionation between Mn2+ and pyrolusite, for example, can yield 10s of kJ (mol Mn)-1. Disproportionation of Mn3+ can yield more than 100 kJ (mol Mn)-1 at conditions relevant to natural settings such as sediments, ferromanganese nodules and crusts, bioreactors and suboxic portions of the water column. Of the Mn2+ oxidation reactions, the one with nitrite as the electron acceptor is most energy yielding under most combinations of pH and temperature. We posit that several Mn redox reactions represent heretofore unknown microbial metabolisms.
Time-Efficient Behavioral Modeling of Switched Reluctance Machines

This study presents a time-efficient modelling approach for dynamic behavior and efficiency analysis of a Switched Reluctance Machines (SRM). It employs a hybrid model combining Simulink, finite element analysis (FEA), and hardware measurements to create an accurate behavioral model of the machine. In order to enhance accuracy of the estimated performance, Steinmetz equation is employed to characterize core loss in the machine across different operating points. This approach serves as a template for developing a time-efficient model to analyze performance of any SRM with a high degree of accuracy. Simulation and experimental results are used to show effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Drought legacy in rhizosphere bacterial communities alters subsequent plant performance

Rhizosphere bacterial communities (‘rhizobacteria’) can mediate plant-soil feedbacks that enhance plant drought tolerance, but the composition and ecological characteristics of these populations are poorly understood. We investigated the impact of drought on rhizobacteria communities and the effect of propagating drought-impacted communities on the drought tolerance of naive plants in a two-phase experiment. We tested whether propagating rhizosphere soils from drought-stressed shrub willow (Salix purpurea), or continuously watered controls, affected the performance of a subsequent generation of droughted plants. The impacts of drought on rhizobacteria and plant fitness were evaluated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and measures of plant growth (root mass and stem length etc.) and stress (abscisic acid, osmolality). Uninoculated reference plants were used to isolate the effects of inoculation. Drought had a significant and lasting impact on the structure of rhizobacterial communities, characterized by increased populations of Actinobacteria (Acidimicrobiia, Thermoleophilia and Micrococcaceae). Foliar osmolality was significantly higher in plants receiving drought-selected communities relative to uninoculated controls, but no significant differences in plant growth were observed. Inoculation with rhizosphere soil from watered controls significantly reduced plant growth. The rhizosphere of watered control plants was dominated by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Our findings demonstrate that plants are affected by the legacy effects of drought on the rhizosphere microbiome. This drought legacy was propagated and persisted throughout nine weeks of plant growth, independent of prevailing water stress. Drought-impacted rhizospheres had larger populations of desiccation-tolerant (ex. Arthrobacter) and putatively endophytic taxa (ex. Rhizobium) with established plant growth promoting capabilities.
Deregulating the Public Service: Can Government be Improved?

Deregulating the public service essentially means altering or abolishing personnel procurement regulations that deplete government workers' creativity, reduce their productivity, and make a career in public service unattractive to many talented, energetic, and public-spirited citizens. With the benefit of a historical perspective on the development of American public service from the days of the progressive to the present, the contributors to this book argue that deregulating the public service is a necessary, but insufficient, condition for many of the needed improvements in governmental administration. They recommend new and large-scale experiments in deregulating the public service at all levels of government.
Generation of Insulin-Producing Cells From Pluripotent Stem Cells: From the Selection of Cell Sources to the Optimization of Protocols

The pancreas arises from Pdx1-expressing progenitors in developing foregut endoderm in early embryo. Expression of Ngn3 and NeuroD1 commits the cells to form endocrine pancreas, and to differentiate into subsets of cells that constitute islets of Langerhans. β-cells in the islets transcribe gene-encoding insulin, and subsequently process and secrete insulin, in response to circulating glucose. Dysfunction of β-cells has profound metabolic consequences leading to hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. β-cells are destroyed via autoimmune reaction in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Type 2 diabetes (T2D), characterized by impaired β-cell functions and reduced insulin sensitivity, accounts for 90% of all diabetic patients. Islet transplantation is a promising treatment for T1D. Pluripotent stem cells provide an unlimited cell source to generate new β-cells for patients with T1D. Furthermore, derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients captures "disease-in-a-dish" for autologous cell replacement therapy, disease modeling, and drug screening for both types of diabetes. This review highlights essential steps in pancreas development, and potential stem cell applications in cell regeneration therapy for diabetes mellitus.
Progression of Relapsing-Remitting Demyelinating Disease Does Not Require Increased TCR Affinity or Epitope Spread

In this study, we investigate the basis of T cell recognition of myelin that governs the progression from acute symptoms into disease remission, relapse, and chronic progression in a secondary progressive model of demyelinating disease. Until now, the frequency and affinity of myelin-reactive CD4 T cells that elicit relapsing-remitting disease have not been quantified. The micropipette adhesion frequency assay was used to obtain a sensitive and physiologically relevant two-dimensional measurement of frequency and TCR affinity for myelin, as the inherent low affinity does not allow the use of specific peptide:MHC-II tetramers for this purpose. We found the highest affinity and frequency of polyclonal myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-reactive cells infiltrate the CNS during acute disease, whereas affinities during remission, relapse, and chronic disease are not significantly different from each other. Frequency analysis revealed that the vast majority of CNS-infiltrating CD4 T cells are myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein reactive at all time points, demonstrating epitope spread is not a predominant factor for disease progression. Furthermore, time points at which mice were symptomatic were characterized by an infiltration of Th17 cells in the CNS, whereas symptom remission showed an enrichment of cells producing IFN-γ. Also, the ratio of regulatory T cells to Foxp3(-) CD4 T cells was significantly higher in the CNS at remission than during acute disease. The results of this study indicate that a high frequency of T cells specific for a single myelin Ag, rather than increased TCR affinity or epitope spread, governs the transition from acute symptoms through remission, relapse, and chronic disease states.
Novel differences in the expression of inflammation-associated genes between mid- and late-gestational dermal fibroblasts

While cutaneous wounds of late-gestational fetuses and on through adulthood result in scar formation, wounds incurred early in gestation have been shown to heal scarlessly. Unique properties of fetal fibroblasts are believed to mediate this scarless healing process. In this study, microarray analysis was used to identify differences in the gene expression profiles of cultured fibroblasts from embryonic day 15 (E15; midgestation) and embryonic day 18 (E18; late-gestation) skin. Sixty-two genes were differentially expressed and 12 of those genes are associated with inflammation, a process that correlates with scar formation in fetal wounds. One of the differentially expressed inflammatory genes was cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1). COX-1 was more highly expressed in E18 fibroblasts than in E15 fibroblasts, and these differences were confirmed at the gene and protein level. Differences in COX-1 protein expression were also observed in fetal skin by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. The baseline differences in gene expression found in mid- and late-gestational fetal fibroblasts suggest that developmental alterations in fibroblasts could be involved in the transition from scarless to fibrotic fetal wound healing. Furthermore, baseline differences in the expression of inflammatory genes by fibroblasts in E15 and E18 skin may contribute to inflammation and scar formation late in gestation.
10 The Semiotics of Gunung Kawi: Materializing Affiliation at Ancient and Modern Balinese Temples

Comprehending pure symbols generally requires arbitrary culture-specific knowledge. Messages communicated by means of signs with nonsymbolic dimensions, such as indexical symbols and indexical icons, should thus be of particular interest to archaeologists. I demonstrate how site design and communal ritual function as multiplex sign production to materialize religious and social statements at ethnographic Balinese Hindu temples. I apply the semiotic tools thus developed to Gunung Kawi, where nine nearly identical candi (temple building) facades were carved into cliffs beside a Balinese river around the 11th century C.E. Scale-based indices show the importance attached to the meanings of the candis, and their similarity and mutual proximity suggest that alliance (as well as inequality) was important to the builders’ construction of power. This interpretation, initially built by examining indexical and iconic meanings, is buttressed by examination of inscriptions and by comparisons to earlier Javanese and (again) later Balinese temples.
Antiserum production in experimental animals.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses certain aspects of immunization practices, which will help in producing specific antiserum to substances of biological interest. Many practical considerations must be evaluated in the selection of the animal to be used as the source of antiserum—for example, the amount of antiserum desired, the ease of bleeding the animal, and the cost of purchase and maintenance of the animal. Antigens must be kept out of the circulation of the experimental animal. In general, the greater the phylogenetic disparity of the antigen and the experimental animal, the greater will be the immune response the antigen induces. Because of the variation in antibody response seen in experimental animals, at least two precautions should be taken when establishing an immunization schedule. First, sufficient numbers of animals should be used to assure that even if the proportion of animals producing antibody is low, some of them will produce the antibody desired. Second, periodic bleedings should be done during the immunization period and the serum should be examined for the presence of antibody. When the antibody level has reached a plateau, the animal can be exsanguinated or bled successively over a period of days
TCP splice application layer proxy performance

Application layer proxies already play an important role in todays networks, serving as firewalls and HTTP caches - and their role is being expanded to include encryption, compression, and mobility support services. Current application layer proxies suffer major performance penalties as they spend most of their time moving data back and forth between connectionss context switching and crossing protection boundaries for each chunk of data they handle. We present a technique called TCP Splice that provides kernel support for data relaying operations which runs at near router speeds. In our lab testing, we find SOCKS firewalls using TCP Splice can sustain a data throughput twice that of normal firewalls, with an average packet forwarding latency 30 times less.
Folic Acid Supplements and Fortification Affect the Risk for Neural Tube Defects, Vascular Disease and Cancer: Evolving Science,

Folic acid supplements reduce the risk of neural tube defects and may be associated with reduced risk for vascular disease and cancer. Research data from both observational and controlled intervention studies provide strong support for the existing public health policies related to folic acid and neural tube defects. However, educational efforts to promote daily intake of folic acid supplements by women of reproductive age have not, in most cases, resulted in increased supplement use. In contrast, food fortification appears to be associated with a reduction in neural tube defects in the United States and Canada but is not practiced universally. The potential for folic acid supplements to reduce the incidence and severity of vascular disease and cancer is the focus of major research efforts including ongoing intervention studies.
Cold climate performance analysis of on-site domestic wastewater treatment systems.

Household on-site septic systems with secondary wastewater treatment in Anchorage, Alaska, were sampled and analyzed for performance parameters during the winter to spring months. System types included intermittent dosing sand filters (ISF), three types of recirculating trickling filters (RTF), and suspended-growth aeration tanks. Total nitrogen from the trickling filter and aeration tank effluent was fairly uniform, at approximately 30 mg/L. Total suspended solids (TSS) means were mostly less than 15 mg/L. The 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5 ) showed considerable variability, with means ranging from 9.2 mg/ L for ISFs up to 39.5 mg/L for one type of RTF, even though this type has shown excellent results in several test programs. The data suggested that effluent temperature within the sample range had almost no effect on effluent concentrations of BOD 5 or TSS and only a small effect on the removal of total nitrogen. Non-climatic factors were probably of equal importance to treatment results.
Passive strain distribution in the interosseous ligament of the forearm: implications for injury reconstruction

Abstract Purpose For severe forearm injuries such as an Essex-Lopresti fracture-dislocation, functional reconstruction necessitates repair of the interosseous ligament (IOL) to restore normal load sharing between the radius and ulna. Locating or tensioning such a reconstruction improperly can lead to abnormal load sharing and/or restriction of forearm rotation. The normal IOL strains should indicate the proper location of reconstruction grafts and the proper forearm rotation for tensioning the grafts. The objective of this study was to quantify the passive strain distribution of the IOL of the forearm with passive rotation of the forearm throughout the range of motion. Methods The 3-dimensional motions of the radius with respect to the ulna were measured throughout forearm rotation in 10 cadaveric forearms by using an instrumented spatial linkage. From the bone motions and ligament insertion site geometry from dissection and computed tomographic scanning, insertion site motions were determined and used to calculate changes in ligament fiber lengths. Results The measured strain distribution in the IOL was nonuniform and varied with forearm rotation. The overall magnitude of IOL strain was found to be greatest in supination and smallest in pronation. In supination the strains varied across fibers with strains being greatest in the distal fibers and lowest in the proximal fibers. Strains in neutral rotation were uniform across fibers. Although fibers were generally slack in pronation proximal fibers were less slack than distal fibers. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that fiber strains in the IOL vary from proximal to distal and depend on forearm rotation. Our data suggest that to prevent restriction of forearm rotation all grafts should be tensioned in supination, where measured strains were generally highest. Our data also suggest that a 2-bundle IOL reconstruction may be necessary for proper load transfer between the radius and ulna in both supination and pronation.
s-Cis...and s-trans isomerism in acylproline analogs. Models for conformationally locked proline peptides.

N-Acetyl-2,3-dehydroproline, N-acetyl-5-oxo-L-proline, N-acrylyl-L-proline, N-acetyl-L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid and N-acetyl-D,L-pipecolic acid have been examined in 2H2O by 1H and 13Cn.m.r. for the purpose of finding s-cis or s-trans locked acylprolines. Conformationally locked acylprolines could be incorporated into proline-containing peptide hormones such as angiotensin and thyroliberin in order to determine the rotational state of the peptide bond to proline in the hormone receptor complex. The populations of trans and cis rotational isomers were determined as a function of p2H in order to assign the trans and cis isomers and to compare the populations in all the acylprolines at neutral p2H, where the cis isomer is normally present. Proton spectra were also recorded at from 7 degrees to 75 degrees in order to qualitatively determine the exchange rate between the isomers. The majority of these analogs exhibit a cis-trans isomerization similar to that of N-acetyl-L-proline in the ratio of trans to cis rotational isomer found at neutral p2H (about 1:1), the temperature dependence of the population ratio (none), and the coalescence temperature for proton resonances (greater than 75 degrees). However, N-acetyl-5-oxo-L-proline was found to be greater than 98% s-trans at neutral pH, compared to 50% s-trans in N-acetyl-L-proline, and therefore a good candidate for synthesis of an s-trans locked peptide hormone. N-Acetyl-2,3-dehydroproline rapidly exchanges between s-cis and s-trans in contrast to all other proline analogs examined and exhibits coalescence of the beta-proton cis and trans resonances at 45 degrees. Titration with the shift reagent Pr+++ was employed to confirm the assignments of the cis and trans methyl resonances of all of the N-acetyl compounds except N-acetyl-5-oxo-L-proline.
Properties of some states in Dy160

Abstract Using the bent-crystal gamma spectrometer the low energy transitions in the decay of Tb 160 into Dy 160 have been investigated. Precise energies and relative intensities of 9 transitions are given. From this information, combined with the studies of other workers, the hindrance factors for the transitions are extracted and some properties of the odd-parity states at 1264.4 keV, 1286.5 keV, 1358.3 keV and 1398.5 keV are discussed. Evidence is given for an even parity state at 1155.2 keV and an odd parity state at 1385.9 keV not reported previously in the Tb 160 decay.
Comment on “A critical assessment of the Hapke photometric model” by Y. Shkuratov et al.

Abstract Criticism of theories and models is an important part of science and can lead to increased understanding and improvement of the models. Unfortunately, the paper by Shkuratov et al. [1] , which severely criticizes a model for the reflectance of a particulate medium, does little to advance this goal. The paper contains a large number of misrepresentations and statements that are completely false. Important references that address the supposed errors are ignored. Many of the criticisms appear to arise from a profound misunderstanding of the model. The paper correctly criticizes the model for being approximate. However, the assumptions and approximations have been clearly identified and justified in the relevant papers, and it should be noted that all extant models for the reflectance of a close-packed particulate medium are approximate. One of the problems that the model shares with all physically-based models is that some of the parameters have similar effects on the reflectance, which sometimes makes it difficult to retrieve unique values. However, this arises from the properties of the physical processes involved in reflectance. Thus, it is a property of nature and does not mean that the model is wrong. This problem can often be overcome by judicious choice of parameter retrieval methods.
Phenylpyrazole Insecticide Photochemistry, Metabolism, and GABAergic Action: Ethiprole Compared with Fipronil

Ethiprole differs from fipronil, the major phenylpyrazole insecticide, only in an ethylsulfinyl substituent replacing the trifluoromethylsulfinyl moiety. This study compares their photochemistry, metabolism, action at the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, and insecticidal potency. On exposure to sunlight as a thin film, ethiprole undergoes oxidation (major), reduction, and desethylsulfinylation but not desulfinylation whereas the major photoreaction for fipronil is desulfinylation. Metabolic sulfone formation is more rapid with ethiprole than fipronil in human expressed CYP3A4 in vitro and mouse brain and liver in vivo. High biological activity is observed for the sulfide, sulfoxide, sulfone, and desulfinyl derivatives in both the ethiprole and the fipronil series in GABA receptor assays (human recombinant beta3 homomer and house fly head membranes) with [(3)H]EBOB and in topical toxicity to house flies with and without the P450-inhibiting synergist piperonyl butoxide. On an overall basis, the ethiprole series is very similar in potency to the fipronil series.
Data preparation and evaluation techniques for x-ray diffraction microscopy

The post-experiment processing of X-ray Diffraction Microscopy data is often time-consuming and difficult. This is mostly due to the fact that even if a preliminary result has been reconstructed, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not a better result with more consistently retrieved phases can still be obtained. We show here that the first step in data analysis, the assembly of two-dimensional diffraction patterns from a large set of raw diffraction data, is crucial to obtaining reconstructions of highest possible consistency. We have developed software that automates this process and results in consistently accurate diffraction patterns. We have furthermore derived some criteria of validity for a tool commonly used to assess the consistency of reconstructions, the phase retrieval transfer function, and suggest a modified version that has improved utility for judging reconstruction quality.
Sex Differences in Career Development: Locus of Control and Career Commitment Effects

In this research attitudes and behavioral dispositions of men and women in two age groups that may correspond to different career stages were compared. Locus of control and career commitment were studied using a sample of 293 full-time employed MBA students. Analysis supported the hypothesis that older men would have a more internal locus of control than older women who would be more external. No other differences were found. Explanations and implications of the findings for sex differences in career development are discussed.
Comparing the prothrombin time INR versus the APTT to evaluate the coagulopathy of acute trauma

Abstract Introduction In trauma patients, PT/INR or aPTT cutoffs of ≥ 1.5× normal are often used as triggers for the transfusion of plasma. Material and methods To evaluate the ability of the PT/INR or aPTT to predict low coagulation factor levels, these tests were compared to coagulation factor levels in samples with artificially prepared single and multiple factor deficiencies, 9 heparin-contaminated samples, 10 lupus inhibitor-containing samples, 21 samples with elevated factor VIII levels, and 35 samples from acute trauma patients. Results and conclusions The PT/INR and aPTT showed comparable sensitivity for single or multiple factor deficiencies in artificially deficient plasmas, but the PT/INR was more sensitive than the aPTT to low coagulation factor levels in actual trauma patients (sensitivity 84% versus 50%). The aPTT can show false positives with lupus anticoagulants and heparin contamination and false negatives in samples with elevated factor VIII. Thus, in the acute trauma setting, the PT/INR cutoff is a more reliable indicator of reduced coagulation factor levels.
Deposition of Polypyrrole Onto a Novel Polymer Electrode for Use in a Biomimetic Artificial Excitable Cell Membrane

A novel and inexpensive bucky gel electrode has been investigated for use as the electrode substrate for deposition of polypyrrole. The electroactive polymer membrane was successfully deposited and the surface morphology studied using scanning electron microscopy. Given the properties of the bucky gel electrode and its ability to conduct ions, this work establishes the first step towards a semi-solid ion-gating system to be used in further applications.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Hemodynamic effects of pneumatic external counterpressure in canine hemorrhagic shock

To assess the effects of external counterpressure in a hypovolemic canine model, mean right atrial pressure (RA), left ventricle end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), mean aortic pressure (Ao), and cardiac output (CO) (indicator dilution technique or electromagnetic ascending aortic flow) were measured in eight closed-chest mongrel dogs following phlebotomy to an Ao of 50 to 60 mm Hg. Inferior vena cava (IVC) flow was measured electromagnetically with a cannulating probe in four animals. The antishock garment was inflated to pressures of 40, 60, 80, and 100 mm Hg. An extended shock "control" period preceded inflation to minimize the effect of reflex circulatory responses to acute blood loss. IVC flow (2 ± 1 mL/min/kg) during and immediately following antishock garment inflation was not significantly different from control (3 ± 1 mL/min/kg) regardless of inflation pressure. Ao, RA, and LVEDP measured 30 seconds and 15 minutes after garment inflation were increased, but CO was not significantly different from control values at each inflation pressure. Garment inflation significantly increased peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) at all inflation pressures, and there was a significant correlation (r = .53; P
Face recognition despite missing information

Missing or degraded information continues to be a significant practical challenge facing automatic face representation and recognition. Generally, existing approaches seek either to generatively invert the degradation process or find discriminative representations that are immune to it. Ideally, the solution to this problem exists between these two perspectives. To this end, in this paper we show the efficacy of using probabilistic linear subspace models (in particular variational probabilistic PCA) for both modeling and recognizing facial data under disguise or occlusion. From a discriminative perspective, we verify the efficacy of this approach for attenuating the effect of missing data due to disguise and non-linear speculars in several verification experiments. From a generative view, we show its usefulness in not only estimating missing information, but also understanding facial covariates for image reconstruction. In addition, we present a least-squares connection to the maximum likelihood solution under missing data and show its intuitive connection to the geometry of the subspace learning problem.
Compositional Modifications of 10%‐Pb‐Doped Bi0.5Na0.5Tio3 for High‐Temperature Dielectrics

Modifications of 10%-Pb-doped Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 were studied for consideration as possible high-temperature dielectrics. Composition with potassium gave a broader dielectric response and a lower temperature of the ferroelectric-antiferroelectric transition. With La doping, a low-temperature-stable dielectric constant was obtained. Barium modifications increased the dielectric constant and also lowered the first transition temperature. However, doped with 10% Ba, the composition ordered and the first transition ceased to exist.
Buprenorphine detoxification from opiod dependence: A pilot study

Abstract Sixteen opioid dependent patients were assigned to treatment with buprenorphine for one month at three doses — 2 mg (n=10), 4 mg (n=4), 8 mg (n=2). Treatment retention was excellent — only one patient left due to withdrawal symptoms. Illicit opioid use was infrequent, with only 22% of the urines containing illicit opioids. Although buprenorphine dose was not associated with retention or illicit opioid use, patterns of withdrawal symptoms differed among dosage groups during the 30 day study. The 4 mg group had a substantial decline in symptoms, while the other two groups did not. Symptom levels were comparable to those during successful clonidine detoxification and much lower than those found in clonidine failures.
Speech and language therapy in Sure Start Local Programmes: a survey-based analysis of practice and innovation.

Background: Sure Start has been a flagship policy for the UK Labour Government since 1998. Its aim was to improve the life chances of children under five years of age who live in areas of socio-eco...
Reason and cultural evolution

THE FATAL CONCEIT: THE ERRORS OF SOCIALISM by F. A. Hayek edited by W. W. Bartley, III Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1989. 180 pp., $24.95
Surface states and spin density wave periodicity in Cr(110) films

Using angle-resolved photoemission, we have mapped the dispersion relations and Fermi contours for surface-localized electron states onto clean and hydrogen-covered Cr(110) surfaces. In particular, we have probed the relationship between hydrogen adsorption and the evolution of the spin density wave (SDW) periodicity in chromium thin films observed previously. We find qualitatively similar surface band dispersion relations to those on W(110) and Mo(110), although with a narrower bandwidth, broader spectral features, and a smaller impact from the spin–orbit interaction. We compare our results to existing first-principles calculations and find a significant disagreement for a surface band that produces a prominent surface Fermi contour. Upon hydrogen adsorption, the Fermi contour for a particular surface band becomes well nested at a wave vector that stabilizes a commensurate SDW. We suggest that a competition between commensurate two-dimensional (2D) and incommensurate 3D Fermi surface nesting plays an important role in the SDW energetics in thin Cr(110) films.
Blockade of Wnt-5A/frizzled 5 signaling inhibits rheumatoid synoviocyte activation

Objective It is not understood why cultured fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often display a persistently activated phenotype, despite removal from an inflammatory environment. Previously, we found that these FLS expressed high levels of both Wnt-5A and Frizzled 5 (Fz5), a receptor–ligand pair implicated in both limb bud and bone marrow stem cell development. The objective of the present experiments was to determine whether Wnt-5A/Fz5 signaling contributes to FLS activation. Methods Wnt-5A expression in FLS was inhibited by transfection with both antisense and dominant negative (dn) vectors. Fz5 signaling was blocked with an antibody to the extracellular domain of the receptor. The effects of these treatments on the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-15 and on the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) were assessed by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. Results Both antisense Wnt-5A and dnWnt-5A vectors, but not empty vector, diminished IL-6 and IL-15 expression in RA FLS. Anti-Fz5 antibody exerted similar effects and also reduced RANKL expression. Conclusion Wnt-5A/Fz5 signaling may contribute to the activated state of FLS in RA. Receptor antagonists of Fz5 should be considered for the treatment of refractory synovitis.
Radioiodine and thyroid disease: the beginning***

In 1936, Karl Compton, then president of the Massachusetts Insitute of Technology (MIT) and the thyroid group of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), undertook a joint study that led to the production of small amounts of short-lived radioiodine (iodine 128, half-life, 25 min). The original intent was to use it for diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease, but in order to explore the underlying physiology, their first work was performed in rabbits and published in 1938. It clearly showed that the radioiodine was selectively and avidly taken up by the thyroid gland. It was immediately apparent to the MGH-MIT group and another team working at the Berkeley, CA cyclotron that longer-lasting iodine isotopes were needed, and soon both developed procedures for cyclotron-produced 130 I (half-life, 12.5 hr) and 131 I (half-life, 8 d). In 1939, the Berkeley group, using 131 I, was the first to show that the normal human thyroid gland accumulated radioiodine. By 1941, the MGH-MIT team, using mainly 130 I, was able to successfully treat a few patients with hyperthyroidism, and so achieved their original goal. The Berkeley group did the same a few months later, using mainly 131 I. Both presented results at the same meeting of the American Society for Clinical Investigation in Atlantic City, NJ in the spring of 1942. This was in the midst of World War II and it was not easy to get much 130 I or 131 I, so experience was limited. Although effective, radioiodine treatment of hyperthyroidism had not been widely adopted by the end of the war in 1945, partly because radioiodine remained in short supply and partly because another medical therapy for hyperthyroidism, antithyroid drugs, had been invented. However, by 1946, fission-derived radioiodine became readily available as a by-product of the Manhattan project in Oak Ridge, TN; hundreds of patients were treated within a few years, both for hyperthyroidism and for thyroid cancer. A new treatment, based on the physiological application of a radioisotope of iodine, was then a reality.
Microscale pressure fluctuations in a mature deciduous forest

Static pressure fluctuations in the microscale range were measured in a mature deciduous forest. Pressure measurements were taken at the ground and above the canopy, and mean profile data of windspeed were collected from above the canopy to near the forest floor. Time series, spectra, and cross-correlations were calculated under different canopy conditions, and relationships between surface pressure fluctuations and mean windspeeds were determined. High-frequency pressure fluctuations that occur over aerodynamically smoother surfaces do not occur at the forest floor. These surface fluctuations are advected by the wind above the canopy, not that within the trunk space. The shapes of the pressure spectra are affected by changes in windspeed. Comparisons of spectra above and below the canopy also show some effect of the canopy itself on the shape of the pressure spectra.
TimeCapsule: secure recording of accesses to a protected datastore

We present an approach for transparently recording accesses to protected storage. In particular, we provide a framework for data monitoring in a virtualized environment using only the abstractions exposed by the hypervisor. To achieve our goals, we explore techniques for efficiently harvesting application code pages resident in memory at the time disk operations hit the I/O ring, and subsequently apply novel heuristics to overcome the "semantic gap" issue between file-system objects and disk blocks. Our forensic layer records all transactions in a version-based audit log that allows for faithful reconstruction of accesses to the datastore over time. We provide an empirical evaluation of our design that shows our approach to be promising, and very accurate in mapping application to block level access patterns---even under very noisy conditions.
Adults' speech disfluency: single-syllable word repetition.

Preschoolers have been observed to demonstrate a a k e d tendenq to repeat whole words of one syllable (1 ). Whether adults also would tend to exhibit a marked tendenq to repeat monosyllabic words apparently has not been determined. If they would, then a marked tendency to repeat single-syllable words could nor be considered a stage in the developmental fluency process but rather a characteristic of disfluent spealung. The purpose of this study was to determine whether repetition of whole words by adults is comparable to that of preschoolers. Speech samples collected from 10 male university undergraduates by Silverman and Zimmer's (2 ) sampling procedures were analyzed. The subjects' ages ranged from 19 to 32 yr. ( M = 25.3 yr.). None had ever been considered stutterers. The samples, extemporaneous monologues in response to the topic "A Memorable Life Experience." ranged in size from 250 to 627 words (M, 409 words). Verbatim transcripts were prepared from the recordings before the fluency analysis. The percentages of the total number of words produced by each subject that were monosyllabic and of the total number of words repeated by each subject that were monosyllabic were computed. These percentages were compared to those of syllabic words produced and repeated as reported previously for 10 4-yr.-old boys ( 1 ) . These data are presented in the table.
The determination of the factor loadings of a given test from the known factor loadings of other tests

A technique is indicated by which approximations to the factor loadings of a new test may be obtained if factor loadings of a given group of tests and the correlations of the new test with the other tests are known. The technique is applicable to any orthogonal system and is especially adapted to cases in which Σa ji a jk = 0 wheni ≠k. Application is also made to the simultaneous determination of the factor weights of a group of tests in which no additional common factor is present. The technique is useful in adding tests to a completed factorial solution and in using factorial solutions involving errors to give results which are approximately correct.
An Investigation Into the Penetration of Phase Change Material in Carbon Foam for Transient Thermal Management

Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are used for thermal management and are ideal for cyclic operations due to their high capacity to store heat. Most PCMs do not exhibit sufficient conductivity to be effective at larger sizes. Enhancing conductivity can be done in a number of ways including carbon foam. It is not widely known how well PCMs penetrate inside the carbon foam structure. Initial research suggests that the carbon foam-PCM matrix acts more as a conductor than a thermal storage device. Through the use microscopy, we will examine how the well the PCM penetrates into the carbon foam. We will also use experimental data comparing carbon foam enhanced modules to pure PCM modules. A volume displacement test will also be used to determine the quantity of PCM that enters into the carbon foam structure. This knowledge will allow better design of enhanced PCM modules and will determine if carbon foam is indeed a viable conduction enhancer for PCM thermal management.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Origin of plantlets and callus obtained from chile pepper anther cultures

Androgenesis occurred from chile pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) anthers incubated in a continuous warm environment (29° C) with continuous light. Forty plantes and embryoids were retrieved from anther cultures and anllyzed for isozyme markers. Of these, 35 exhibited a single allele for markers suggesting microspore origin, while 5 were heterozygous indicating somatic tissue origin. Chromosome numbers were confirmed for 21 plantlets, of which 16 were haploid and 5 were diploid. However, two plants exhibited a single allele for an isozyme marker but possessed the diploid chromosome number, suggesting spontaneous doubling. Anther cultures also produced callus. Nearly 92% of the slow-growing calli sampled were heterozygous for the isozyme marker, suggesting somatic tissue origin. More than 46% of the fast-growing calli exhibited only one allele for the marker, indicating microspore origin. Callus did not regenerate plantlets. The occurrence of both heterozygous and homozygous diploid plantlets from pepper anther cultures has important implications for applied breeding programs.
On the design of observers by matrix generalized inverses

A method for the design of Luenberger observers for linear systems is developed utilizing generalized inverses of matrices. The method can be applied both to time-invariant and to time-varying systems.
Using Non Market Valuation to Inform the Choice Between Permits and Fees in Environmental Regulation

The purpose of this short note is to open an exploration regarding the use of non market valuation to help guide the selection of economically efficient pollution control instruments. As long as non market valuation techniques can correctly estimate the slope of the marginal benefit of abatement curve, this information along with engineering cost estimates of the unit costs or slope of the marginal abatement cost will provide useful information to policy makers in choosing between fees and permits. An illustrative review of the literature suggests that both stated and revealed preference methods have estimated slopes of marginal benefit functions for reducing several pollutants. To investigate the efficiency of permits versus fees, an illustrative review of corresponding marginal abatement costs is also made. For air pollutants affecting visibility, the slope of the marginal benefit curve is far greater than the slope of the marginal abatement costs, suggesting permits as the efficient instrument. For nitrates in groundwater used for drinking, the marginal benefit curve is flatter than the rather steep marginal abatement cost, suggesting fees/taxes would be a more efficient economic instrument. We hope this note stimulates more emphasis in non market valuation on estimating the slope of the marginal benefit function to enhance environmental economists ability to make policy recommendations regarding the choice of pollution instruments for specific pollutants.
Infections in recipients of kidney transplants.

The optimal approach to infection in recipients of kidney transplants is prevention; failing prevention, prompt and aggressive diagnosis and therapy are essential. The sources of infectious agents posttransplant include endogenous organisms, the allograft itself, and the environment. An important principle to consider when evaluating recipients of kidney transplants for infection is that the usual inflammatory response to an infectious organism may be attenuated because of immunosuppressive therapy, and therefore the signs and symptoms of infections may be blunted and diagnostic techniques compromised. Aggressive and often invasive investigations of seemingly minor findings may be warranted. In this article, a review of infections in kidney transplant recipients is presented, beginning with a discussion of the pretransplant infectious diseases evaluation and an overview of the timing of infection posttransplant, and then focusing on individual types of infection.
Acousto-optic precision direction-finding system

The Acousto-Optic Precision Direction Finding (AOPDF) system is a demonstration EW receiver in development at the Naval Research Laboratory as a DARPA sponsored activity. A two-dimensional Acousto-Optic processing element extracts frequency, angle of arrival (AOA), and time of arrival (TOA) on a pulse-by-pulse basis. Performance advantages achieved through use of Acousto-Optic technology include a wide instantaneous RF bandwidth, multiple simultaneous signal capture, and accurate AOA measurement over a quadrant field of view. This paper describes the conceptual design, system development, and evaluation of a demonstration unit based on the AOPDF concept.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Efficacy and safety of oral cibenzoline for ventricular arrhythmias.

Abstract This study evaluates acute and chronic therapy with cibenzoline, a new class I antiarrhythmic drug, in 49 patients with ventricular arrhythmias. Acute therapy with 260 to 330 mg/day of cibenzoline resulted in a significant reduction in the number of hourly ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) (from 377 ± 60 to 116 ± 33, p
Transmission line delay‐based radio frequency identification (RFID) tag

This paper presents the design, simulation, fabrication, and characterization of a transmission delay line-based RFID tag. The ID generating circuit is designed based on the transmission delay line concept. A compact, inset-fed triangular patch antenna resonant at 915 MHz frequency is developed for integration with the tag application. The layout of the tag has been realized using conventional photolithography. Tags with a 5- and 10-ns delay ID generation circuits have been tested using input signals of 10-ns width. An OOK (On-Off Keying) modulation technique is employed for characterization of the tag. The received output consists of delayed signal from the tag added to the direct signal from the transmitter. Transmission delay line-based RFID technology can be exploited for low-end commercial applications that has a large market. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 1900–1904, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22599
Binding specificity of chemically and enzymatically activated anthracycline anticancer agents to nucleic acids.

Abstract Partial reduction of the quinone containing anticancer drugs, adriamycin and daunorubicin, generated semiquinone intermediates. Incubation of these intermediates with DNA in vitro resulted in covalent binding. The activated adriamycin has a greater binding affinity for nucleic acids, than the daunorubicin intermediate. This covalent binding reaction is essentially complete in 0.5 h. Studies with synthetic polynucleotides have shown a very high preference for poly(dG); however, poly(dC) is also an excellent substrate. Polymers containing either poly(dA) or poly(dT) showed lesser binding. Activation of adriamycin and daunorubicin by microsomes and NADPH also resulted in covalent binding to DNA with identical binding affinities. Longer incubation of these drugs with microsomes decreased binding. This binding is also decreased by Mg 2+ .
Renal effects of dopamine infusion in conscious horses

An ultrasonic flow probe was implanted around a branch of the left renal artery in five horses. The effects of dopamine were studied in the unsedated horses 10 days after surgery. Three experiments, separated by at least two days, were performed in random order on each horse. In two experiments, dopamine was infused intravenously for 60 mins at either 2.5 and 5.0 micrograms/kg bodyweight (bwt)/min. Saline was infused for 60 mins before and after each infusion, and for 180 mins in the third experiment as a control. Renal blood flow increased during administration of dopamine at both dose rates (P = 0.0001). Urine volume increased (P = 0.055), and osmolality decreased (P < 0.05), with infusion of dopamine at 5.0 micrograms/kg bwt/min. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate were not significantly affected. Fractional excretions of sodium and potassium were not significantly changed with dopamine infusion. The higher dopamine dose rate was accompanied by dysrhythmias in some horses.