cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry of Oligonucleotides

MALDI-MS is one of the most useful techniques available for determining biomolecule mass. It offers high mass accuracy, good sensitivity, simplicity, and speed. Because singly charged ions of oligonucleotides are typically observed, MALDI-MS spectra are easy to interpret. This unit presents protocols for sample preparation and purification, matrix preparation, and matrix/analyte sample preparation. It provides an introduction to the instrumentation and its calibration, and a discussion of some of the useful applications of MALDI-MS analysis in the study of oligonucleotides. This technique is typically used for 120-mer or smaller oligonucleotides.
Suppression of the Fix- phenotype of Rhizobium meliloti exoB mutants by lpsZ is correlated to a modified expression of the K polysaccharide.

The rhizobial production of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) is generally required for the symbiotic infection of host plants that form nodules with an apical meristem (indeterminate nodules). One exception is Rhizobium meliloti AK631, an exoB mutant of Rm41, which is deficient in EPS production yet infects and fixes nitrogen (i.e., is Fix+) on alfalfa, an indeterminate nodule-forming plant. A mutation of lpsZ in AK631 results in a Fix- strain with altered phage sensitivity, suggesting that a cell surface factor may substitute for EPS in the alfalfa-AK631 symbiosis. Biochemical analyses of the cell-associated polysaccharides of AK631 and Rm5830 (AK631 lpsZ) demonstrated that the lpsZ mutation affected the expression of a surface polysaccharide that is analogous to the group II K polysaccharides of Escherichia coli; the polysaccharide contains 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonic acid or a derivative thereof in each repeating unit. Rm5830 produced a polysaccharide with altered chromatographic and electrophoretic properties, indicating a difference in the molecular weight range. Similar results were obtained in a study of Rm1021, a wild-type isolate that lacks the lpsZ gene: the introduction of lpsZ into Rm1021 exoB (Rm6903) both suppresses the Fix- phenotype and results in a modified expression of the K polysaccharide. Chromatography and electrophoresis analysis showed that the polysaccharide extracted from Rm6903 lpsZ+ differed from that of Rm6903 in molecular weight range. Importantly, the effect of LpsZ is not structurally specific, as the introduction lpsZ+ into Rhizobium fredii USDA257 also resulted in a molecular weight range change in the structurally distinct K polysaccharide produced by that strain. This evidence suggests that LpsZ has a general effect on the size-specific expression of rhizobial K polysaccharides.
Supporting RFID-based item tracking applications in Oracle DBMS using a bitmap datatype

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based item-level tracking holds the promise of revolutionizing supply-chain, retail store, and asset management applications. However, the high volume of data generated by item-level tracking poses challenges to the applications as well as to backend databases. This paper addresses the problem of efficiently modeling identifier collections occurring in RFID-based item-tracking applications and databases. Specifically, 1) a bitmap datatype is introduced to compactly represent a collection of identifiers, and 2) a set of bitmap access and manipulation routines is provided. The proposed bitmap datatype can model a collection of generic identifiers, including 64-bit, 96-bit, and 256-bit Electronic Product Codes™ (EPCs), and it can be used to represent both transient and persistent identifier collections. Persistent identifier collections can be stored in a table as a column of bitmap datatype. An efficient primary B+- tree-based storage scheme is proposed for such columns. The bitmap datatype can be easily implemented by leveraging the DBMS bitmap index implementation, which typically manages bitmaps of table row identifiers. This paper presents the bitmap datatype and related functionality, illustrates its usage in supporting RFID-based item-tracking applications, describes its prototype implementation in Oracle DBMS, and gives a performance study that characterizes the benefits of the bitmap datatype.
Extraperitoneal cesarean section. A simplified technique.

Abstract 1. 1. The use of extraperitoneal cesarean section in modern obstetrics is discussed and a brief history of the operation is given. 2. 2. A modified technique is described in detail. 3. 3. This technique lessens many of the dangers and difficulties of the old supravesical and paravesical approaches. 4. 4. Extraperitoneal cesarean sections can eliminate the necessity for doing cesarean sections combined with hysterectomies in infected cases.
Shape-based interpolation (CT and MRI)

The need for shape-based interpolation is discussed, and some quantitative experiments are reported which were done to evaluate the relative performance of a number of interpolation methods for tomographic imaging of the human body. The datasets used for comparing the methods were three different sets of computer tomography (CT) slices of human heads and a set of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) slices of a brain specimen. The initial experiments show that the interpolation method using an (approximately optimal) chamfer distance based on a 3*3 template in which pixels with an edge on the boundary are considered to be a unit distance from the boundary appears to be the method of choice. >
The effects of coloured base fabric on electrochromic textile

The colour of electrochromic fabric, and its colour transitions, was explored on the basis of variations in underlying fabric colour. A complete understanding of this phenomenon is essential for the fabric’s use in full-colour wearable displays or other applications. Previous work in this area utilised only white-coloured starting materials. Herein, a large colour swathe of fabrics was chosen. They were loaded with the commercially available conducting polymer, PEDOT-PSS, and were coated with an electrochromic polymer. These all-organic substrates were then switched between their two coloured states via reversible oxidation and reduction. At every stage, coordinates in the CIE Lu′v′ colour space were measured. It was found that darker colours decrease the overall contrast of the electrochromic, with black being entirely unobservable. More vibrant colours affected the observed colour through a subtractive mixing effect, as expected, but no adverse contrast effects between the two states of the electrochromic system was observed.
Sequence and characterization of the sperm protein Sp17 from the baboon.

In this study, cDNAs encoding the sperm protein Sp17 from the baboon (Papio papio) have been cloned and sequenced. Three clones, differing in the lengths of their 3' untranslated regions, were identified, which were encoded by mRNA transcripts of 0.8-1.35 kb. The open reading frame encodes 163 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 18.8 kDa. The baboon Sp17 protein sequence is 97% identical to human Sp17 but differs significantly by the addition of 12 amino acids at the C-terminal, providing an additional potential protein kinase C phosphorylation site. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the baboon Sp17 mRNA was specific to the baboon testes and was not detected in the ovary, placenta, or any of the other somatic tissues tested. Western blot analysis using anti-Sp17 antibodies demonstrated that the native baboon sperm Sp17 protein consists of a doublet with an apparent M r of 26.5 and 27.2 kDa. Immunocytochemical staining of baboon testis with anti-Sp17 antibodies demonstrated Sp17 in spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa within the seminiferous epithelium. No specific staining was observed on spermatogonia, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, or other somatic cell types.
Does Perceived Organizational Support Mediate the Relationship between Procedural Justice and Organizational Citizenship Behavior

Our purpose was to test an explanation of how procedural justice may influence organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). The model tested suggests that procedural justice affects OCB by influencing perceived organizational support, which in turn prompts employees to reciprocate with organizational citizenship behaviors. Results suggest that procedural justice is an antecedent to perceived organizational support, which in turn fully mediates its relationship to three of four OCB dimensions.
Can Robots in Classrooms Attract More Women to Engineering? [Women in Engineering]

This is a worldwide concern in our community: there are too few women involved in engineering and even fewer in robotics. Each country is trying to tackle this issue with a variety of programs to attract and retain women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Many programs target university students and young professionals to help them design their career and seek a good life balance. Indeed, if we look at global figures, more than 85% of women in the work force manage small teams or are part of a team, and only 15% hold managerial positions, compared with 30% of men. In universities too, less than 18% of women hold professor-level positions, while 40% of assistant professors are women. The programs that do exist try to support the few women already involved in STEM. However, the imbalance in the proportion of men and women is already striking in first-year university students, so how can we recruit more women before then? Several studies have shown that the decision to study STEM occurs in a very early stage of education, and being aware of that, there are some programs that promote STEM in high schools and junior high schools. These programs are often organized by universities (see, for example, the “Women in Engineering” column from September 2013 titled “Attracting and Retaining Young Japanese Women in Robotics”). However, even these programs may be too late.
Residual stresses in a transversely plastically deformed body containing thin tunnel inclusions

Singular integral equations have been used to solve for the approximate residual-stress concentration in the matrix around thin tunnel inclusions; we consider the cases of one isolated inclusion as well as periodic systems of elliptical ones placed coplanar or in parallel planes. Closed solutions are obtained. Laboratory tension tests have been used in estimating the residual stresses in a steel matrix containing a tunnel copper elliptical inclusion.
Long-term earnings and employment effects of housing voucher receipt

Abstract Using a propensity score matching approach coupled with difference-in-differences regression analysis, we estimate the effect of housing voucher receipt on the employment and earnings of a large longitudinal sample of low-income families for 6 years following voucher receipt. Our results indicate that voucher receipt has little effect on employment, but a negative effect on earnings. The negative earnings effect is largest in the years immediately following initial receipt, and fades out over time. In addition, we find that the pattern of recipient earnings responses to voucher receipt differs substantially across demographic subgroups. Several robustness tests are run to support the reliability of our findings. We discuss the implications of our findings for research and policy.
Nonisothermal Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation for Direct Conversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass to Ethanol

The enzymatic reaction in the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) is operated at a temperature much lower than its optimum level. This forces the enzyme activity to be far below its potential, consequently raising the enzyme requirement. To alleviate this problem, a nonisothermal simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process (NSSF) was investigated. The NSSF is devised so that saccharification and fermentation occur simultaneously, yet in two separate reactors that are maintained at different temperatures. Lignocellulosic biomass is retained inside a column reactor and hydrolyzed at the optimum temperature for the enzymatic reaction (50°C). The effluent from the column reactor is recirculated through a fermenter, which runs at its optimum temperature (20-30°C). The cellulase enzyme activity is increased by a factor of 2-3 when the hydrolysis temperature is raised from 30 to 50°C. The NSSF process has improved the enzymatic reaction in the SSF to the extent that it reduces the overall enzyme requirement by 30-40%. The effect of temperature on β-glucosidase activity was the most significant among the individual cellulase compounds. Both ethanol yield and productivity in the NSSF are substantially higher than those in the SSF at the enzyme loading of 5 IFPU/g glucan. With 10 IFPU/g glucan, improvement in productivity was more discernible for the NSSF. The terminal yield attainable in 4 d with the SSF was reachable in 40 h with the NSSF.
EFFECT OF LIGHT HISTORY ON THE ULTRASTRUCTURE AND PHYSIOLOGY OF PROROCENTRUM MARIAE-LEBOURIAE (DINOPHYCEAE)1

Ultrastructural and physiological responses of Prorocentrum mariae-lebouriae (Parke & Ballantine) Faust are reported for cultures maintained at growth irradiances (Ig) ranging from 20.6 to 0.3 E m−2.d−1 and following downward shifts in light intensity. We tested the hypothesis that Prorocentrum grown under light regimes that elicit different responses in photosynthesis and pigmentation exhibit distinctive cell ultrastructures. Prorocentrum from high-light conditions had high saturation intensities for photosynthesis (Ik) and low levels of Chl a, Chl c and peridinin-cell−1 These cultures were morphologically distinguished by a large starch volume fraction (Vv), small chloroplast Vv and fewer thylakoids lamella−1. Ik values were lower and pigment concentrations higher in low-light treatments, and cells showed reduced starch Vv, large chloroplast Vv, and higher numbers of thylakoids · lamella −1. Cells grown under extremely low-light conditions appeared stressed as indicated by the absence of starch reserves and the presence of large vacuoles within the cytoplasm. Results for presence of large vacuoles within the cytoplasm. Results for quantiative electron microscopy, photosynthesis-irradiance (P-I) relations and cell pigmentation indicate that photoadaptation in P. mariae-lebouriae involves a strategy that encompasses changes in both the “size” and “number” of photosynthetic units.
Prenatal ethanol exposure decreases hippocampal NMDA-sensitive [3H]-glutamate binding site density in 45-day-old rats.

The effect of prenatal ethanol exposure on N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA)-sensitive [ 3 H]-glutamate receptor binding site density was studied in rat brain. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a liquid diet containing 3.35% ethanol throughout gestation. This diet produced maternal peak blood ethanol levels of about 39 mg/dl eight hours after the administration of the liquid diet. Pair-fed dams received an isocalorically matched liquid diet and an ad lib lab chow group served as control for the paired feeding technique. At 45 days of age, offspring from each of the three diet groups were sacrificed and brain NMDA-sensitive [ 3 H]-glutamate binding site density measured using in vitro radiohistochemical techniques. NMDA-sensitive [ 3 H]-glutamate binding site density was reduced significantly by 19 to 29% in the apical dendritic field regions of dentate gyrus, hippocampal CA 1 and subiculum of dorsal hippocampal formation of fetal alcohol rats compared to pair-fed and ad lib controls. NMDA-sensitive [ 3 H]-glutamate binding site density was not significantly different among the three groups in the ventral hippocampal formation, posterior neocortex, lateral entorhinal cortex or cerebellum. These results are consistent with out previous observations of a reduction in total [ 3 H]-glutamate receptor binding site density in the dorsal hippocampal formation of fetal alcohol rats, as well as more electrophysiological observations of a decrease in the sensitivity of fetal alcohol hippocampal slices to NMDA.
A nitrone-based approach to the synthesis of cis-3-amido azetidinones

Abstract The utilization of a nitrosation reaction in concert with a nitrone-based approach to the synthesis of important 3-oximino β-lactams, 7a, b, c is described.
Lipoxygenase metabolites modulate vascular-derived platelet activating factor production following endotoxin challenge

Endotoxin promotes the production of potent pro-inflammatory lipid mediators, such as platelet activating factor (PAF) and eicosanoids, which contribute to the pathophysiology of endotoxic shock. Endothelial cells are both a target for and producers of these lipid mediators so it is vital to understand the pathways leading to their production in these cells. Previous research suggested a positive feedback loop between eicosanoids and PAF during endotoxemia. This study sought to determine if eicosanoids derived from the 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX1) pathway can modulate the biosynthesis of PAF in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) following endotoxin stimulation. Endotoxin stimulation increased the production of 15-LOX1-derived eicosanoids prior to PAF in primary BAEC. Exogenous addition of specific 15-LOX1 eicosanoids, as well as overexpression of 15-LOX1 in endotoxin-stimulated BAEC, further increased the endotoxin-induced production of PAF. Whereas increased expression of 15-LOX1 activity can further exacerbate endotoxin-induced PAF biosynthesis, inhibition of 15-LOX1 activity is not capable of abrogating the initial onset of endotoxin-induced PAF production. The results indicate that 15-LOX1 activity is not necessary for the initial induction of PAF following endotoxin stimulation. There may exist, however, a role for elevated 15-LOX1 activity in further escalating the extent of PAF biosynthesis in BAEC during endotoxic shock. Determining factors that can potentiate endotoxin-induced vascular dysfunction may lead to the development of novel therapeutic targets to diminish the pathophysiological effects of endotoxic shock.
Is there implicit memory after propofol sedation

Recent evidence indicates that implicit memory may be preserved during general anaesthesia. We tested for the presence of explicit and implicit memory in patients undergoing surgical procedures with local or regional anaesthesia and sedation with propofol. Initial i.v. boluses of propofol 0.5 mg kg-1 and fentanyl 1 microgram kg-1 were administered, followed by an infusion of propofol 50 micrograms kg-1 min-1. Administration of one or more doses of propofol 30 mg i.v. during operation was controlled either by the patient or the anaesthetist. At the start of the last skin stitch, patients were presented with a list of 15 stimulus words and the most frequently associated response. The infusion was then discontinued. After 1 h in the recovery area, all patients were tested for free recall, free association, cued recall and recognition on the list presented during surgery (critical list) and a matched list not presented (neutral list). Data of all patients without free recall (explicit memory) were analysed with repeated-measures analysis of variance. Of 36 patients, five demonstrated free recall. For the remaining 31 patients, cued recall and recognition showed no evidence of explicit memory. However, the free association tests demonstrated significant priming. The mean number of critical free associations was 6.6 (SEM 0.4) compared with 5.5 (0.4) neutral free association (P
Using the yeast two‐hybrid assay to discover protein partners for the leucine‐rich amelogenin peptide and for tuftelin‐interacting protein 11

The established structural proteins of the enamel matrix are amelogenin, ameloblastin, and enamelin. Historically, tuftelin and tuftelin-interacting protein 11 (TFIP11) have also been discussed as possible enamel proteins. Protein complexes are achieved by protein-protein interactions, and it is protein complexes that control biomineralization. The purpose of our recent studies was to catalog protein partners for these proteins that are, or have been, implicated in tooth formation. We used the sensitive yeast two-hybrid assay to identify proteins that interact directly with amelogenin, ameloblastin, enamelin, the leucine-rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP) and TFIP11. In this manuscript we refer to, or document, potential protein partners for the proteins listed above. The yeast two-hybrid assay may ultimately prove to be a valuable proteomics methodology for using to decipher molecular events that ultimately result in enamel biomineralization.
The partial underlay preperitoneal with panniculectomy repair for incisional abdominal hernia in the morbidly obese

Abstract Background Because of high frequency, high morbidity, and difficulty of repair, incisional hernias in obese patients represent a particularly vexing and common problem for surgeons. The objective of this study was to describe a highly selective technique for incisional hernia repair with panniculectomy in the morbidly obese. We also describe perioperative characteristics and preliminary outcomes for a limited series of patients who underwent this procedure. Methods We performed a preperitoneal partial mesh underlay with a panniculectomy (PUPP) on 10 patients with incisional hernias and a body mass index (BMI)>40 kg/m 2 . The hernia repair was performed by a general surgery team, and the panniculectomy was performed by a plastic surgery team. We retrospectively analyzed perioperative variables for each patient. Phone interviews were conducted to obtain follow-up. Results Mean patient age was 53 years (range 32–75 yr) with mean BMI of 46 kg/m 2 (range 41–60 kg/m 2 ). Patients had a history of 3.4 average prior abdominal operations, and a median of 3 prior hernia repairs. The average operative time was 371 minutes with a mean estimated blood loss of 162 ccs. Three patients experienced a minor wound complication. There were no major wound complications, and the 30-day mortality rate was zero. At a median and average follow-up time of 805 and 345 days, respectively, one patient developed a hernia recurrence. Patients were satisfied with their appearance and the hernia repair, with mean satisfaction scores of 4.3 and 4.9 out of 5 (very satisfied), respectively. Conclusion The PUPP hernia repair is a viable option for incisional herniorrhaphy and concurrent panniculectomy in the morbidly obese.
Biomphalaria glabrata Hemolymph Lectins: Binding to Bacteria, Mammalian Erythrocytes, and to Sporocysts and Rediae of Echinostoma paraensei

Polyclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits to two groups of diffusely staining M line Biomphalaria glabrata plasma polypeptides, of 150-210 and 70-120 kDa, designated as Group 1 molecules (G1M) and group 2 molecules (G2M), respectively. G1M and G2M are known to increase in abundance and to become more diverse following infection of B. glabrata with the digenetic trematode Echinostoma paraensei. These antibodies were used in conjunction with immunoblotting and slot blotting procedures to document binding of G1M/G2M from plasma of unexposed control snails (C plasma) or plasma from snails with 8-day infections of E. paraensei (I plasma) to various targets. Binding of G1M/G2M to both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, human A, B, and O and rabbit erythrocytes, and to sporocysts and rediae of E. paraensei was documented. Immunoblots revealed that erythrocytes are bound by a particular G2M band of 100-120 kDa present in I plasma that is in low concentration or lacking in C plasma. This explains previous results indicating that I plasma agglutinates all 4 erythrocytes examined whereas C plasma agglutinates only rabbit erythrocytes. More G1M/G2M binding to sporocysts occurred if I plasma rather than C plasma was used for incubations. Also, monosaccharide inhibition of G1M/G2M binding to sporocysts was observed in I plasma but not in C plasma. The results indicate that infection with E. paraensei induces production by B. glabrata of unique plasma polypeptides and that molecules present in I plasma can bind to the surfaces of non-self objects including E. paraensei larvae in a lectin-like fashion.
Determination of contrast media administration to achieve a targeted contrast enhancement in CT

Contrast enhancement is a key component of CT imaging and offer opportunities for optimization. The design and optimization of new techniques however requires orchestration with the scan parameters and further a methodology to relate contrast enhancement and injection function. In this study, we used such a methodology to develop a method, analytical inverse method, to predict the required injection function to achieve a desired contrast enhancement in a given organ by incorporation of a physiologically based compartmental model. The method was evaluated across 32 different target contrast enhancement functions for aorta, kidney, stomach, small intestine, and liver. The results exhibited that the analytical inverse method offers accurate performance with error in the range of 10% deviation between the predicted and desired organ enhancement curves. However, this method is incapable of predicting the injection function based on the liver enhancement. The findings of this study can be useful in optimizing contrast medium injection function as well as the scan timing to provide more consistency in the way that the contrast enhanced CT examinations are performed. To our knowledge, this work is one of the first attempts to predict the contrast material injection function for a desired organ enhancement curve.
PorchLight: a tag-based approach to bug triaging

Bug triaging is an important activity in any software development project. It involves developers working through the set of unassigned bugs, determining for each of the bugs whether it represents a new issue that should receive attention, and, if so, assigning it to a developer and a milestone. Current tools provide only minimal support for bug triaging and especially break down when developers must triage a large number of bug reports, since those reports can only be viewed one-by-one. This paper presents PorchLight, a novel tool that uses tags, attached to individual bug reports by queries expressed in a specialized bug query language, to organize bug reports into sets so developers can explore, work with, and ultimately assign bugs effectively in meaningful groups. We describe the challenges in supporting bug triaging, the design decisions upon which PorchLight rests, and the technical aspects of the implementation. We conclude with an early evaluation that involved six professional developers who assessed PorchLight and its potential for their day-to-day triaging duties.
a Wall Plume Fed by the Discharge of a Vertical Channel

Abstract A finite-difference marching scheme was employed to obtain numerical solutions for a wall plume spawned by the discharge from a vertical, natural convection channel flow. The plume is bounded by an isothermal vertical wall that is the continuation of one of the walls of the channel. The wall-plume solutions were carried out for a range of dimensionless heights of the channel and for a Prandtl number of 0.7. Since the channel height controls the velocity and temperature profiles at the channel exit, it also plays a key role in the development of the wall plume because these profiles serve to initiate the plume. Just downstream of the channel exit, the newly exposed flank of the plume interacts with and is cooled by the ambient fluid, while the wall-adjacent portion of the plume retains its channel heritage. Subsequently, the ambient fluid penetrates deeply into the plume, effectively obliterating its channel origins. Thereafter, the plume approaches a natural convection vertical-plate boundary lay...
Platinum nanocrystals selectively shaped using facet-specific peptide sequences

The properties of a nanocrystal are heavily influenced by its shape. Shape control of a colloidal nanocrystal is believed to be a kinetic process, with high-energy facets growing faster then vanishing, leading to nanocrystals enclosed by low-energy facets. Identifying a surfactant that can specifically bind to a particular crystal facet is critical, but has proved challenging to date. Biomolecules have exquisite specific molecular recognition properties that can be explored for the precise engineering of nanostructured materials. Here, we report the use of facet-specific peptide sequences as regulating agents for the predictable synthesis of platinum nanocrystals with selectively exposed crystal surfaces and particular shapes. The formation of platinum nanocubes and nanotetrahedrons are demonstrated with Pt-{100} and Pt-{111} binding peptides, respectively. Our studies unambiguously demonstrate the abilities of facet-selective binding peptides in determining nanocrystal shape, representing a critical step forward in the use of biomolecules for programmable synthesis of nanostructures.
Hyperspectral imaging utility for transportation systems

The global transportation system is massive, open, and dynamic. Existing performance and condition assessments of the complex interacting networks of roadways, bridges, railroads, pipelines, waterways, airways, and intermodal ports are expensive. Hyperspectral imaging is an emerging remote sensing technique for the non-destructive evaluation of multimodal transportation infrastructure. Unlike panchromatic, color, and infrared imaging, each layer of a hyperspectral image pixel records reflectance intensity from one of dozens or hundreds of relatively narrow wavelength bands that span a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Hence, every pixel of a hyperspectral scene provides a unique spectral signature that offers new opportunities for informed decision-making in transportation systems development, operations, and maintenance. Spaceborne systems capture images of vast areas in a short period but provide lower spatial resolution than airborne systems. Practitioners use manned aircraft to achieve higher spatial and spectral resolution, but at the price of custom missions and narrow focus. The rapid size and cost reduction of unmanned aircraft systems promise a third alternative that offers hybrid benefits at affordable prices by conducting multiple parallel missions. This research formulates a theoretical framework for a pushbroom type of hyperspectral imaging system on each type of data acquisition platform. The study then applies the framework to assess the relative potential utility of hyperspectral imaging for previously proposed remote sensing applications in transportation. The authors also introduce and suggest new potential applications of hyperspectral imaging in transportation asset management, network performance evaluation, and risk assessments to enable effective and objective decision- and policy-making.
Enhanced expression of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases in aniline-induced cell proliferation in rat spleen

Aniline exposure is associated with toxicity to the spleen leading to splenomegaly, hyperplasia, fibrosis and a variety of sarcomas of the spleen on chronic exposure. In earlier studies, we have shown that aniline exposure leads to iron overload, oxidative stress and activation of redox-sensitive transcription factors, which could regulate various genes leading to a tumorigenic response in the spleen. However, molecular mechanisms leading to aniline-induced cellular proliferation in the spleen remain largely unknown. This study was, therefore, undertaken on the regulation of G1 phase cell cycle proteins (cyclins), expression of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRB) and cell proliferation in the spleen, in an experimental condition preceding a tumorigenic response. Male SD rats were treated with aniline (0.5 mmol/kg/day via drinking water) for 30 days (controls received drinking water only), and splenocyte proliferation, protein expression of G1 phase cyclins, CDKs and pRB were measured. Aniline treatment resulted in significant increases in splenocyte proliferation, based on cell counts, cell proliferation markers including proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), nuclear Ki67 protein (Ki67) and minichromosome maintenance (MCM), MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis. Western blot analysis of splenocyte proteins from aniline-treated rats showed significantly increased expression of cyclins D1, D2, D3 and E, as compared to the controls. Similarly, real-time PCR analysis showed significantly increased mRNA expression for cyclins D1, D2, D3 and E in the spleens of aniline-treated rats. The overexpression of these cyclins was associated with increases in the expression of CDK4, CDK6, CDK2 as well as phosphorylation of pRB protein. Our data suggest that increased expression of cyclins, CDKs and phosphorylation of pRB protein could be critical in cell proliferation, and may contribute to aniline-induced tumorigenic response in the spleen.
Composite technique for regional neurochemical studies: measurement of energy and neurotransmitter metabolites in single tissue sample.

: A combined method is described for the determination of various metabolites from a single tissue sample of the brain. It comprises a quick inactivation of cerebral enzymes by microwave irradiation, easy separation of the desired brain regions, and perchloric acid extraction of tissue substances, which are assayed either by specific enzymatic techniques or by HPLC with electrochemical detection. The obtained values of most energy and neurotransmitter metabolites in the brain are in agreement with those reported using other methods. However, this technique, in contrast to the brain freezing in vitro or freeze-blowing, provides a more efficient procedure for rapid arrest of cerebral metabolism even in the deep brain structures and is therefore suitable for detection of early changes particularly those occurring in experimental pathological conditions such as ischemia.
Organizational interventions to improve health outcomes of older persons.

Background. With the reorganization of the financing of health care and creation of systems of care, it is possible to design and implement organizational interventions to improve the care of older persons beyond the services that can be provided by an individual provider.Objectives. To review the e
Yohimbine and sexual stimulation in the male rat

Abstract Castrated and intact male rats, receiving daily s.c. injections of yohimbine HCl, were observed weekly for copulatory behavior. No differences in frequencies or latencies of the various components were apparent when they were compared to their respective control group. Body weight and weights of the testes, prostate and anterior pituitary were not statistically different between yohimbine-treated and control animals. Mean interstitial cell stimulating hormone levels of the anterior pituitary were not affected by yohimbine treatment.
Observation of charge-sharing in an HPGe double-sided strip detector

Abstract In double-sided strip high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors, improved position resolution can be obtained through axial and lateral strip interpolation by means of pulse shape analysis. Yet, only a small fraction of events can be interpolated in both the axial and lateral dimensions, meaning that the best possible imaging performance is delivered at the cost of low imaging efficiency. Lateral position interpolation is complicated by the bipolar nature of induced bystander signals, charge-sharing between neighboring strips, and close interaction sequences. The first two complications were observed in our HPGe double-sided strip detector, and their significance is explored. An algorithm has been developed to calculate detector signals for clouds of drifting charge in three dimensions. Simulated bystander signals are in agreement with the family of waveforms produced in our detector. Based upon simulation, the nature of the bipolar signals and fundamental limits on position resolution are discussed. To determine the significance of charge-sharing, our detector was irradiated with high-energy gamma-ray sources, and then preamplifier signals were digitized and analyzed offline. Charge-sharing between adjacent strips was found to increase with gamma-ray energy, occurring for approximately 18% of all Ba-133 interactions (356 keV) and 30% of all Co-60 interactions (1173 and 1333 keV).
Tandem promoters direct E. coli ribosomal RNA synthesis

To determine the special feature of ribosomal RNA promoters that might account for the highly efficient and regulated synthesis of rRNA in E. coli, we have analyzed the beginnings of two ribosomal RNA operons, rrnD and rrnX. DNA sequences for 425 bp preceding those specifying mature 16s rRNA are reported. In vitro transcription of restriction endonuclease fragments containing this region from either operon reveals the presence of two promoters about 110 nucleotides apart; they are denoted P1 and P2. RNA synthesis from P1 is initiated with GTP at position -284 (relative to 16s sequences) in rrnD and with ATP at position -285 in rrnX. At P2, the RNA starts with CTP primarily at position-176 in both operons. The DNA sequences of the two operons are identical for 231 bp preceding the 16s rDNA (including a substantial region around P2); they then diverge almost completely, except for a notable 18 bp homology just preceding the transcription start site for P1. Certain sequences implicated in the recognition of promoters by E. coli RNA polymerase are clearly identifiable in both P1 and P2; other features include an extended region preceding P1 which is strikingly rich in AT base pairs. Possible mechansims by which these tandem promoters contribute to the high frequency of rRNA transcription and to the differential expression of the E. coli rrn operons are discussed.
Experience with the expanded endonasal approach for resection of the odontoid process in rheumatoid disease.

BackgroundOne of the common indications for removal of the odontoid process includes decompression of the cervicomedullary junction in patients with arthritic degeneration. Resection of the odontoi...
Poster: SUNSHINE extension: a hardware-software emulator for flexible sensor nodes in wireless networks

Most current sensor nodes are composed of a microcontroller and a radio. Their real-time and peak performance would be a bottleneck when executing compute-intensive tasks. Several works demonstrate that adding a hardware co-processor could accelerate the execution speed of the sensor nodes. So far, no simulators can simulate these new sensor nodes in wireless networks. An extension to SUNSHINE [1], a hardware-software emulator is developed to fill the void.
Sensitization of E. coli to the Serum Bactericidal System and to Lysozyme by Ethyleneglycoltetraacetic Acid

SummaryEGTA, but not Mg EGTA, was found to enhance the effects of the serum bactericidal system and of lysozyme on the survival of E. coli ATCC 25922. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that Mg2+ is the critical divalent cation for maintaining the structural integrity of the E. coli cell wall.
Hydrogen in aluminum during alkaline corrosion

Abstract The thermodynamic state of hydrogen in aluminum during alkaline corrosion was investigated, using a two-compartment hydrogen permeation cell with an Al/Pd bilayer membrane. The open-circuit potential of the Pd layer in a pH 7.0 buffer solution was monitored to sense the hydrogen chemical potential, μ H . At pH 12.5–13.5, the measurements established a minimum μ H of 0.55 eV relative to the ideal gas reference, equivalent to a H 2 gas pressure of 5.7 GPa. Statistical mechanics calculations show that vacancy-hydrogen defects are stable in Al at this condition. A dissolution mechanism was proposed in which H at very high μ H is produced by oxidation of interfacial aluminum hydride. The mechanism explains the observed rapid accumulation of H in the metal by extensive formation of vacancy-hydrogen defects.
Distribution of Microbial Biomass and Potential for Anaerobic Respiration in Hanford Site 300 Area Subsurface Sediment

Subsurface sediments were recovered from a 52-m-deep borehole cored in the 300 Area of the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington State to assess the potential for biogeochemical transformation of radionuclide contaminants. Microbial analyses were made on 17 sediment samples traversing multiple geological units: the oxic coarse-grained Hanford formation (9 to 17.4 m), the oxic fine-grained upper Ringold formation (17.7 to 18.1 m), and the reduced Ringold formation (18.3 to 52 m). Microbial biomass (measured as phospholipid fatty acids) ranged from 7 to 974 pmols per g in discrete samples, with the highest numbers found in the Hanford formation. On average, strata below 17.4 m had 13-fold less biomass than those from shallower strata. The nosZ gene that encodes nitrous oxide reductase (measured by quantitative real-time PCR) had an abundance of 5 to 17 relative to that of total 16S rRNA genes below 18.3 m and <5 above 18.1 m. Most nosZ sequences were affiliated with Ochrobactrum anthropi (97 sequence similarity) or had a nearest neighbor of Achromobacter xylosoxidans (90 similarity). Passive multilevel sampling of groundwater geochemistry demonstrated a redox gradient in the 1.5-m region between the Hanford-Ringold formation contact and the Ringold oxic-anoxic interface. Within this zone, copies of the dsrA gene and Geobacteraceae had the highest relative abundance. The majority of dsrA genes detected near the interface were related to Desulfotomaculum spp. These analyses indicate that the region just below the contact between the Hanford and Ringold formations is a zone of active biogeochemical redox cycling.
Measurement of attractive interactions produced by the ion wakefield in dusty plasmas using a constrained collision geometry

Plasma dust particle interactions, charges, and screening lengths are derived from measurements of time-dependent particle positions in a simplified geometry. The magnitude and structure of the ion wakefield potential below a negatively charged dust particle levitated in the plasma sheath region were measured as functions of the pressure and interparticle spacing. Attractive and repulsive components of the interaction force were extracted from a trajectory analysis of low-energy dust collisions between different mass particles in a well-defined electrostatic potential that constrained the dynamics of the collisions to be one-dimensional. Typical peak attractions varied between 60 and 230 fN while the peak particle-particle repulsion was on the order of 60 fN. Random thermal motion of the particles contributed to observable rates for transitions between different equilibrium configurations of vertically separated particles. The influence of nearest- and non-nearest-neighbor interactions on calculated particle parameters is examined using several methods.
Generalized Sampled State Hold Functions Applied to Feedback Control of Non Periodic Linear Systems

Sample and hold functions have been described for periodic linear system control applications where they are used to assign the eigenvalues of the system monodromy matrix. If the system is controllable in one period it was shown that the complete monodromy matrix can be assigned. In this paper we apply these methods to non periodic continuous time linear systems. When the system is controllable across each sampling interval, the state transition matrix associated with each interval can be completely assigned with full state feedback. Thus the resulting closed loop system resembles a closed loop periodic system whose monodromy matrix is completely specified.
Diagnosis of leakage faults with I DDQ

Recently there has been renewed interest in fault detection in static CMOS circuits through I DDQ monitoring. This work shows that, in addition to fault detection, accurate fault diagnosis may be performed using a combination of current and voltage observations. The proposed system combines a simple single fault model for test generation with a more realistic multiple defect model for diagnosis, and as a result requires only minor modifications to existing stuck-at fault ATPG software. The associated hardware is sufficiently simple that on-board implementation is possible. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method on a standard-cell ASIC.
On boundary layers associated with oscillating streams

The paper gives a description of the effects which are produced in laminar boundary layers by the presence of oscillations in the free stream. These are two in number. First, the external oscillations induce oscillations in the boundary layer itself; the phases of the oscillations at different distances from the wall in the boundary layer are shifted with respect to each other and to the forcing oscillation. This is a purely viscous effect. Secondly, the oscillation occurs about a different mean profile from the steady state profile which would correspond to the average external velocity. The latter effect is equivalent to a secondary flow. It is lost in a mathematical analysis in which the inertia terms are neglected and depends, therefore, on an interplay between the inertia and viscous forces.
Solvent mediated self-assembly of organic nanostructures

Appropriately taking advantage of solvent properties including but not limited to size, polarity, and aprotic/protic behavior can induce the formation of different supramolecular moieties. With the use of mixed (Rs:Pg) macrocycles, intermolecular interactions dictate the overall order and structure. Single crystal X-ray diffraction was utilized to investigate the subsequent macromolecules' hydrogen bonding networks and the resultant Rs to Pg ratios. The data are consistent with separation of 2:2 and 1:3 products achieved through solvent mediation.
Lumbar disk disease in pregnancy

Background : Lumbar disk herniation is rare in pregnancy. We report on three pregnant women with this disorder seen over 2 years. Cases : Three women were seen with progressive back pain, paresthesias, and urinary retention. In all three cases, magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis. All failed conservative treatment and required surgery. All did well postoperatively, with improvement of symptoms and delivery at or near term. Conclusion : Lumbar disk herniation should be considered in pregnant women presenting with considerable back or leg pain. Magnetic resonance imaging is a useful diagnostic tool. Most patients can be treated conservatively, but those with incapacitating pain, progressive neurologic deficits, or bowel or bladder dysfunction may require surgical treatment.