cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quadrupolar and chemical shift tensors characterized by 2D multiple-quantum NMR spectroscopy

Abstract The present work discusses a new 2D NMR method for characterizing the principal values and relative orientations of the electric field gradient and the chemical shift tensors of half-integer quadrupolar sites. The technique exploits the different contributions that quadrupolar and shielding interactions impart on the evolution of multiple-quantum and of single-quantum coherences, in order to obtain 2D powder lineshapes that are highly sensitive to these nuclear spin coupling parameters. Different spinning variants of this experiment were assayed, but it was concluded that a static version can yield the highest sensitivity to the values of the principal components and to the relative geometries of the local coupling tensors. It was found that correlating the central transition evolution with the highest available order of the spin coherence was also helpful for maximizing this spectral information. Good agreement between data obtained on 87Rb (S = 3 2 ) and 59Co (S = 7 2 ) samples and ideal theoretical lineshape predictions of this experiment was obtained, provided that heterogeneities in the multiple-quantum excitation and conversion processes were suitably accounted by procedures similar to those described in the spin- 1 2 multiple-quantum NMR literature.
Dynamic and Thermodynamic Predictors of Vertical Structure in Radar-Observed Regional Precipitation

AbstractRadar-observed vertical structure of precipitation as defined by contoured frequency by altitude diagrams (CFADs) is related to dynamic and thermodynamic environmental parameters. CFADs from 559 storms occurring over the years 2004–11 in the vicinity of Locarno, Switzerland, combined with Interim ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) data show that the radar-observed vertical structure of precipitation correlates with synoptic pattern (as defined by 1000- and 500-hPa geopotential heights), integrated water vapor flux, atmospheric stability, and vertical profiles of temperature, moisture, and wind. Following the analysis of vertical structure and environmental parameters, a generalized linear model (GLM) is developed for radar-observed vertical structure as a function of data from ERA-Interim. The GLM provides expected values for the vertical extent and magnitude of radar reflectivity and predicts storm vertical structure type with 79% overall accuracy. The relationships found between environmental param...
Filling the Gaps of Graduate School Training: Perceived Relevance and Efficacy of the New School Psychology Bulletin

We examined whether the New School Psychology Bulletin (NSPB), a peer reviewed journal operated by graduate students, was perceived as relevant and effective among individuals pursuing clinical, nonclinical (research and academic), and combined clinical and nonclinical careers. Individuals (N = 155) were surveyed for career goals, current research interests, as well as perceived relevance and efficacy of the NSPB. Although research interests differed by career goals, participants perceived the NSPB as effective for providing valuable writing and peer review experiences, cultivating research, and increasing communication between students and faculty, and relevant for training clinical and nonclinical students. The results of this survey suggest that students perceive those skills offered by the NSPB as relevant and effective in their professional development, which in turn, may foster the scientist-practitioner training model.
Evidence that monensin inhibits vasopressin-stimulated water flow at an early step in the receptor-adenylate cyclase sequence.

Monensin, a highly selective sodium ionophore, inhibits vasopressin-stimulated water flow in toad urinary bladder pretreated with naproxen, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis. Inhibition is partially dependent on the presence of sodium in the serosal medium, but not on serosal calcium. We have found that monensin does not inhibit water flow generated by forskolin, cyclic AMP, or isobutyl methyl xanthine (MIX); indeed, an enhancement of water flow was seen following cAMP and MIX, as well as following 0.2 μM forskolin. Our findings suggest that monensin uncouples the vasopressin-receptor-G protein-adenylate cyclase sequence at some early step, by a mechanism that remains unknown, but that may directly or indirectlyinvolve intracellular sodium.
Biochemical Correlates of Epilepsy in the El Mouse: Analysis of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and Gangliosides

Abstract: The El (epileptic) mouse is considered a model for complex partial seizures in humans. Seizures in El mice begin around 7–8 weeks of age and persist throughout life. To determine if astrocytic gliosis was present in adult seizing El mice, the distribution of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was studied in the hippocampus using an antibody to GFAP. The mean number of GFAP-positive cells per square millimeter of hippocampus was approximately 15- to 40-fold higher in adult El mice than in nonseizing control C57BL/ 6J (B6) mice or in young nonseizing El mice. Relative GFAP concentration (expressed per milligram of total tissue protein) in hippocampus and cerebellum was estimated by densitometric scanning of peroxidase-stained western blots. GFAP concentration was 2.7-fold greater in hippocampus of adult seizing El mice than in the control B6 mice. No differences in GFAP content were detected between the strains in the cerebellum. Because gangliosides can serve as cell surface markers for changes in neuronal cytoarchitecture, they were analyzed to determine if the gliotic response in El mice was associated with changes in neural composition. Although the total ganglioside concentration of hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and cerebellum was similar in adult El and control B6 mice, a synaptic membrane enriched ganglioside, GD1a, was elevated in the adult El cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The findings indicate that El mice express a type of gliosis that is not accompanied by obvious neuronal loss.
Coastal Zone--Search For Options: ABSTRACT

Man's involvement with the water environment is most intense in the shallow-water zone bordering landmasses. This area provides food, pleasure, mineral commodities, a means of transportation, an avenue for military exploitation, and a convenient place to dump waste. Historically, rewards for utilization were accrued by the aggressive, imaginative, respectful, and the lucky; losses were sustained by those who tempted or disregarded nature. This relation was direct and accountability was short-term. Studies have been presented in which evidence was cited for environmental degradation or an apparent increase in the level of contaminants in the water realm as a result of man's activities. Journalists have publicized these studies, but often have neglected or ignored the less sensational reports which are not amenable to instant analysis. Consequently, the public reacts in alarm by advocating stricter governmental control or abolition of activities which may be detrimental to the environment. Conflicts among users arise and a recipe for a confrontation battleground evolves. This enigmatic situation poses an interesting question: is anyone interested in comprehensive evaluations which require great effort and understanding; or has our capacity for reasoning been limited by impatience, cynicism, and emotionalism? The present dilemma to choose between two alternatives can be illustrated by several incidents involving environmental concern in coastal waters. These case histories lead to the question: are we really limited to only 2 options? End_of_Article - Last_Page 789------------
Educating generalist physicians about chronic pain: live experts and online education can provide durable benefits.

OBJECTIVE Determine whether lectures by national experts and a publicly available online program with similar educational objectives can improve knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (KAB) important to chronic pain management. DESIGN A pretest-posttest randomized design with two active educational interventions in two different physician groups and a third physician group that received live education on a different topic to control for outside influences, including retesting effects, on our evaluation. PARTICIPANTS A total of 136 community-based primary care physicians met eligibility criteria. All physicians attended the educational program to which they were assigned. Ninety-five physicians (70%) provided complete data for evaluation. MEASUREMENTS Physician responses to a standardized 50-item pain management KAB survey before, immediately after, and 3 months following the interventions. RESULTS The study groups and the 41 physicians not providing outcomes information were similar with respect to age, sex, race, percent engaged in primary care, and number of patients seen per week. Physician survey scores improved immediately following both pain education programs (live: 138.0-->150.6, P 150.4, P = 0.007), but did not change appreciably in the control group (139.2-->142.5, P > 0.05). Findings persisted at 3 months. Satisfaction measures were high (4.00-4.72 on 1-5 scale) and not significantly different (P = 0.072-0.893) between groups. CONCLUSIONS When used under similar conditions, national speakers and a publicly available online CME program were associated with improved pain management KAB in physicians. The benefits lasted for 3 months. These findings support the continued use of these pain education strategies.
Punctual Hilbert schemes and resolutions of multiple point singularities

If f : X" ~ YP is a morphism of smooth complex analytic varieties with n < p, then the multiple points of order k of f i n the target are those y E YP with k preimages, each preimage counted with proper multiplicity. It is clear that to understand the geometry o f f it is necessary to understand these multiple point sets and their closures. Much work has also been done recently to calculate characteristic class formulas for these sets and their relatives in the source off(cf . [1, 10, 17]). One approach to the problem of calculating the characteristic class formula of a singularity involves finding resolutions of the singularities [4, 15, 18]. Traditionally in singularities of maps, one uses multi-jet bundles to study and control multiple point singularities. Jet bundles often enter also in the constructions made to resolve singularities. Unfortunately, as will be discussed in detail later, multi-jet bundles are difficult to work with if not useless when the problem involves the closure of the set of multiple points. In this paper we give a new construction, using punctual Hilbert schemes, which we offer as an alternative to multi-jets in the study of multiple point singularities. As an illustration of its usefulness, we use it to find a resolution of the closure of the triple point set of any "good" map f (Theorem 2.3), and of the multiple point set of a " g o o d " f o f any order, provided the m a p f has kernel rank at most 2 (Theorem 1.6). (Recall that the kernel rank of f a t x is the dimension of the kernel of Df(x).) This construction also provides a useful starting point for finding resolutions of multiple point sets for general f, by reducing the problem of resolving the singularity of f t o the problem of resolving the singularities of the corresponding Hilbert schemes. In a later paper we will show how a modification of our construction allows one to resolve triple points in the source as well.
An examination of spherulitic dubiomicrofossils in Precambrian banded iron formations using the transmission electron microscope

Abstract The discovery of microfossils from the banded iron-formations of southern Ontario (Tyler and Barghoorn, 1954) has spurred many researchers to attribute a biogenic origin to a great variety of unusual structures in Precambrian BIFs. In particular, LaBerge (1973) has argued that jaspery and sideritic spherulites common to all major BIF deposits represent the fossilized remains of a unicellular blue-green algae of the Early Proterozoic, Eosphaera tyleri . Oehler (1976b), on the other hand, regards such structures as crystallization products of a viscous and impure silica gel. Examination of these 30-μm spherulites with a transmission electron microscope sheds doubt on both interpretations. Our analysis suggests that the jaspery spheres formed from the local recrystallization of the chert-hematite matrix after contact with an infiltrating fluid; thus, these structures are best viewed as diagenetic features. On the other hand, we discovered that the sideritic spheres contain cores of apatite; consequently, these spheres may have a biogenic origin, though the abundance of phosphate would indicate that they are not fossils of individual cells.
A model for involvement of proline during pseudomonas‐meaiated stimulation of rosmarinic acid levels in oregano shoot clones

Abstract We have established three clonal lines of oregano (Origanum vulgare) for the purpose of investigating the possible link between de novo synthesis of proline and the phenylpropanoid pathway. We used Pseudomonas as inoculation in the otherwise sterile micropropagated oregano shoots to stimulate a defense response. Oregano clones, like other plants, carry out an elicitor‐mediated defense response by inducing the phenylpropanoid pathway. Free phenolics and rosmarinic acid are produced via this pathway. We measured free proline, rosmarinic acid, and free phenolics in oregano shoots. We found that the induced higher levels of rosmarinic acid in some Pseudomonas inoculated clones and at several stages is often correlated to higher levels of proline in those same clones. We found no conclusive link between free phenolics and free proline levels. From this study clonal line 0–4 appeared to be the best line to investigate the role of proline‐linked pentose phospahte pathway in regulating rosmarinic acid sy...
Natural Toxicants in Foods

The purpose of exploring the potential naturally occurring toxic hazards of food plants is not to suggest an irrational avoidance of these common foods. However, it is important to identify, define, and investigate the natural toxicants in our foods and to provide some perspective on these chemicals and to show clearly that their toxicology is unknown in most cases. Many natural toxicants have functions in a manner similar to synthetic pesticides or other biohazardous chemicals. Humans apply synthetic pesticides to food and ornamental plants to prevent insect, fungal, and other pest damage. However, plants produce natural toxicants to protect themselves from pathogens and pests. The natural pesticide concentration in our foods may be as much as 10,000 times higher than that of synthetic pesticide residues (Ames, 1983). Because of the protection they provide to plants, these natural chemicals are prime candidates to be bred into plants by plant producers and plant breeders (Barz et al., 1990).
Operational use of SSM/I ice concentration in the initialization of a coupled ice-ocean model

The Polar Ice Prediction System (PIPS), the Regional Polar Ice Prediction System - Barents (RPIPS-B) and the Regional Polar Ice Prediction System Greenland Sea (RPIPS-G) are all operational sea ice forecasting systems which have been run daily at the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) since September 1987, June 1989 and October 1991, respectively. The basis for all three models is the Hibler ice model. The Hibler ice model calculates ice drift, ice thickness, ice concentration, ice edge and the growth/decay of ice based on both dynamic and thermodynamic effects. The Polar Ice Prediction System 2.0 (PIPS2.O), a new version of PIPS, is presently undergoing its final test phase. PIPS2.0 has been modified into a spherical coordinate version of PIPS and coupled with an ocean model (Cox, 1984). Daily atmospheric fields from the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) are used to produce a 24-hour forecast. PIPS forecasts over the entire Arctic basin, the Barents Sea and the Greenland/Norwegian Sea using a grid resolution of 127 km. RPIPS-B, a higher resolution version of PIPS, forecasts over the Barents Sea and the western part of the Kara Sea using a grid resolution of 2.5 km. RPIPS-G, another higher resolution version of PIPS, forecasts over the region adjacent to the Fast Greenland coast using a grid resolution of 20 km. PIPS2.0 forecasts over most of the ice-covered regions in the northern hemisphere using a variable grid resolution ranging from 17 to 33 km at the North Pole. By the end of 1994, PIPS2.0 will replace all the existing operational forecast sytems at FNMOC. >
Is visual image segmentation a bottom-up or an interactive process?

Visualimage segmentation is the process by which the visual system groups features that are part of a single shape. Is image segmentation a bottom-up or an interactive process? In Experiments 1 and 2, we presented subjects with two overlapping shapes and asked them to determine whether two probed locations were on the same shape or on different shapes. The availability of top-down support was manipulated by presenting either upright or rotated letters. Subjects were fastest to respond when the shapes corresponded to familiar shapes—the upright letters. In Experiment 3, we used a variant of this segmentation task to rule out the possibility that subjects performed same/different judgments after segmentation and recognition of both letters. Finally, in Experiment 4,we ruled out the possibility that the advantage for upright letters was merely due to faster recognition of upright letters relative to rotated letters. The results suggested that the previous effects were not due to faster recognition of upright letters; stimulus familiarity influenced segmentation per se. The results are discussed in terms of an interactive model of visual image segmentation.
Comparison of the leachability of three TRU cement waste forms

Cement waste forms prepared by three processes, casting, cold pressing, and FUETAP (Formed Under Elevated Temperatures and Pressure) have been compared for their leachability by using the MCC-1 leach test. The results indicate that releases of plutonium are not controlled by the waste form matrix and that there is no significant overall advantage to any of the three cement processes from a leachability viewpoint.
Model problems for the tear film in a blink cycle: single-equation models

We consider model problems for the tear film over multiple blink cycles in limits that yield a single equation for the tear film; the single nonlinear partial differential equation that governs the film thickness arises from lubrication theory. The two models arise from considering the absence of naturally occurring surfactant and the case when the surfactant strongly affects the surface tension. The film is considered on a sinusoidally varying domain length with specified film thickness and volume flux at each end; only one end of the domain is moving, which is analogous to the upper eyelid moving with each blink. A main contribution of this article is computation of solutions for multiple complete blink cycles; the results of these non-trivial computations show a distinct similarity to quantitative in vivo observations of the tear film under partial blink conditions. A transition between periodic and non-periodic solutions has been estimated and this may be a criterion for what is effectively a full blink according to fluid dynamic considerations.
Epidermal growth factor inhibits intestinal NHE8 expression via reducing its basal transcription

Sodium/hydrogen exchangers (NHEs) play a major role in Na+ absorption, cell volume regulation, and intracellular pH regulation. Of the nine identified mammalian NHEs, three (NHE2, NHE3, and NHE8) are localized on the apical membrane of epithelial cells in the small intestine and the kidney. Although the regulation of NHE2 and NHE3 expression has been extensively studied in the past decade, little is known about the regulation of NHE8 gene expression under physiological conditions. The current studies were performed to explore the role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on NHE8 expression during intestinal maturation. Brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) were isolated from intestinal epithelia, and Western blot analysis was performed to determine NHE8 protein expression of sucking male rats treated with EGF. Real-time PCR was used to quantitate NHE8 mRNA expression in rats and Caco-2 cells. Human NHE8 promoter activity was characterized through transfection of Caco-2 cells. Gel mobility shift assays (GMSAs) were used to identify the promoter sequences and the transcriptional factors involved in EGF-mediated regulation. Our results showed that intestinal NHE8 mRNA expression was decreased in EGF-treated rats and Caco-2 cells, and NHE8 protein abundance was also decreased in EGF-treated rats. The activity of the human NHE8 gene promoter transfected in Caco-2 cells was also reduced by EGF treatment. This could be explained by reduced binding of transcription factor Sp3 on the NHE8 basal promoter region in the presence of EGF. Pretreatment with MEK1/2 inhibitor UO-126 could prevent EGF-mediated inhibition of NHE8 gene expression. In conclusion, this study showed that EGF inhibits NHE8 gene expression through reducing its basal transcription, suggesting an important role of EGF in regulating NHE expression during intestinal maturation.
Kana Tamata or Feasts of Men: An Interdisciplinary Approach for Identifying Cannibalism in Prehistoric Fiji

By integrating osteological, taphonomic, archaeological and stable isotopic data, we test for cannibalism in the Lau Group, Fiji and discuss the potential underlying cause(s) and context(s) of this behaviour. First, we compare taphonomic and element representations of human skeletal material from two contexts in Fiji, examining human bone fragments from archaeological sites, including middens and burials in the Lau Island Group. Fourteen sites produced human remains. Only two of those sites included distinct human burial contexts, but in the remaining 12 sites, the human bone was recovered from middens or contexts where midden was mixed with possible secondary burials. A total of 262 number of identified specimens per species, representing an estimated 15 minimum number of individuals make up the Lau human assemblage. Second, we analysed bones contained in 20 individual human burials from four different sites that are housed at the Fiji Museum for comparative purposes. Third, we examine previously published stable isotopic (δ13C, δ15N) analysis of bone collagen to gauge protein consumption of likely cannibalised humans in midden contexts and potential cannibals from primary burials. We model a cannibalistic diet category within the context of isotopically measured Pacific Islands food groups and apply an isotopic mixing model to gauge plausible dietary contributions from six sources including human flesh. Isotopic mixing models of the Lauan samples illustrate a high diversity in reconstructed diets. The percent contribution of human flesh is low for all individual Lauans. We conclude that mortuary rituals evidenced by sharp-force trauma may suggest non-nutritive and non-violent practices that may have included the consumption of small amounts of human flesh. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the identification of AR systems excited by periodic signals of unknown phase

Results pertaining to the short and long term covariance identification of AR models driven by periodic sequences of possibly unknown phase are presented. The work is motivated by problems relating to LPC analysis of voiced speech, but results are formulated in general. Short term and asymptotic effects of such inputs on the invertibility of the covariance matrix are considered. Short term criteria with respect to the input for exact solution are established and an asymptotic bound for the case of inexact solution is developed.
The Association of BMI Status With Adolescent Preventive Screening

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between BMI status (normal, overweight, and obese) and preventive screening among adolescents at their last checkup. METHODS: We used population-based data from the 2003–2007 California Health Interview Surveys, telephone interviews of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with a checkup in the past 12 months (n = 9220). Respondents were asked whether they received screening for nutrition, physical activity, and emotional distress. BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight: (1) normal weight or underweight ( 95th percentile). Multivariate logistic regression models tested how screening by topic differed according to BMI status, adjusting for age, gender, income, race/ethnicity, and survey year. RESULTS: Screening percentages in the pooled sample (all 3 years) were higher for obese, but not overweight, adolescents for physical activity (odds ratio: 1.4; P CONCLUSIONS: Obese adolescents receive more preventive screening versus their normal-weight peers. Overweight adolescents do not report more screening, but standards of care dictate increased attention for this group. These results are discouraging amid a rise in pediatric obesity and new guidelines that recommend screening by BMI status.
A new wafer-level packaging technology for MEMS with hermetic micro-environment

We report a new wafer-level packaging technology for miniature MEMS in a hermetic micro-environment. The unique and new feature of this technology is that it only uses low cost wafer-level processes such as eutectic bonding, Bosch etching and mechanical lapping and thinning steps as compared to more expensive process steps that will be required in other alternative wafer-level technologies involving thru-silicon vias or membrane lids. We have demonstrated this technology by packaging silicon-based AlN microsensors in packages of size 1.3 × 1.3 mm2 and 200 micrometer thick. Our initial cost analysis has shown that when mass produced with high yields, this device will cost $0.10 to $0.90. The technology involves first preparing the lid and MEMS wafers separately with the sealring metal stack of Ti/Pt/Au on the MEMS wafers and Ti/Pt/Au/Ge/Au on the lid wafers. On the MEMS wafers, the Signal/Power/Ground interconnections to the wire-bond pads are isolated from the sealring metallization by an insulating AlN layer. Prior to bonding, the lid wafers were Bosch-etched in the wirebond pad area by 120 um and in the center hermetic device cavity area by 20 um. The MEMS and the lid wafers were then aligned and bonded in vacuum or in a nitrogen environment at or above the Au-Ge Eutectic temperature, 363°C. The bonded wafers were then thinned and polished first on the MEMS side and then on the lid side. The MEMS side was thinned to 100 ums with a nearly scratch-free and crack-free surface. The lid side was similarly thinned to 100 ums exposing the wire-bond pads. After thinning, a 100 um thick lid remained over the MEMS features providing a 20 um high hermetic micro-environment. Thinned MEMS/Lid wafer-level assemblies were then sawed into individual devices. These devices can be integrated into the next-level assembly either by wire-bonding or by surface mounting. The wafer-level packaging approach developed in this project demonstrated RF Feedthroughs with 50% hermetic yields.
Single Wafer sSOI by SIMOX

Globally strained (tensile) silicon-on-insulator (sSOI) is being studied extensively to obtain higher performance CMOS. sSOI offers three key advantages over bulk-Si: (i) reduced parasitic capacitance; and (ii) enhanced electron mobility; and (iii) compatibility with ultra thin SOI device design. Conventionally, sSOI is fabricated by wafer bonding and layer transfer of strain Si. Although this technique has successfully been used to produce sSOI substrates, its fabrication cost is a concern for commercial applications. Some of the key process/substrate elements in fabricating such sSOI include: (i) a device wafer that contains epitaxially grown thick graded buffer layers (GBL) of SiGe with strain-Si on top; (ii) deposition of an oxide layer on (i); (iii) bonding of the device wafer with a handle wafer (bulk-Si); and (iv) layer transfer of strain-Si/oxide stack onto the handle wafer. This work was aimed at finding lower cost alternatives to fabricate sSOI substrates. We demonstrate that sSOI can be fabricated by separation of implanted oxygen (SIMOX) method using only a single wafer (described as the device wafer above). The method is compatible with existing commercial SIMOX process
Letter versus dot stimuli as tools for "splitting the normal brain with reaction time".

Filbey and Gazzaniga (1969) found simple dot-present or -absent reports averaged 35 ms slower for the left than for the right visual field. Other data suggests that verbal processing efficiency differences between the cerebral hemispheres, rather than transcallosal transfer time alone, must be tapped to obtain half-field differences as large as 35 ms. Three experiments were conducted. The first failed to show any half-field differences in vocal RT for dot detection; the second replicated previous reports of significant right field superiority of vocal RT to letter stimuli for right handers, and also showed a substantially smaller half-field difference for left handers; the third experiment, utilizing the fixation control procedure of the second experiment, again failed to show half-field differences for the dot detection paradigm. Differences between the Filbey and Gazzaniga and present results probably reflect important procedural differences. We conclude that transcallosal transfer time for simple dot i...
Re: The sinoatrial node, connexin distribution patterns and specific immunodetection of connexin45.

To the editor: In a recent paper in Cardiovascular Research, Verheijck et al. [1] examine the important topic of the electrophysiological properties of the sinoatrial (SA) node in relation to the distribution of different connexin types. It is certainly pleasing to see that these authors' results and conclusions on connexin distribution in the mouse SA node in many respects parallel our earlier published findings in the rabbit [2]. Unfortunately, however, these parallels are largely concealed to the reader by the authors' confused representation of our work. Muddling up citations (as, for example, in their statement referring to our report of connective tissue between the atrium and nodal tissue; Ref. [2], not Ref. [3] as cited) would alone be too trivial a matter to merit comment. However, the authors go on to state that Coppen et al. [2] reported the rabbit SA node to be connexin43 (Cx43) positive when, in fact—just as in the study of Verheijck et al. [1] in the mouse—we found the central SA node to be Cx43 negative. The confusion is then compounded by a series of comments that appear to cast doubt on the reliability and specificity of the Cx45 antibody used in our work demonstrating the SA node to be connexin45 positive [2]. Such comments undermine the research effort we have devoted to re-appraising and advancing investigation of the spatial and temporal expression patterns of Cx45 in cardiovascular and other tissues [2–11]. From this perspective, we feel it imperative that the record be set straight. The authors state that “Coppen et al. [3] showed that the Cx45 …
Muscle-specific expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 improves outcome in Lama2Dy-w mice, a model for congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A

MDC1A, the second most prevalent form of congenital muscular dystrophy, results from laminin-α2 chain deficiency. This disease is characterized by extensive muscle wasting that results in extremely weak skeletal muscles. A large percentage of children with MDC1A are faced with respiratory as well as ambulatory difficulties. We investigated the effects of overexpressing insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) as a potential therapeutic target for the disease in the Lama2(Dy-w) mouse, a model that closely resembles human MDC1A. IGF-1 transgenic Lama2(Dy-w) mice showed increased survivability, body weight and muscle weight. In addition, these mice showed better ability to stand up on their hind limbs: a typical exploratory behavior seen in healthy mice. Histology and immunohistochemistry analyses revealed increased regenerative capacity and proliferation in IGF-1 transgenic Lama2(Dy-w) muscles. Western blot analysis showed increased phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2, both known to enhance myogenesis. Additionally, we saw increases in the expression of the regeneration markers MyoD, myogenin and embryonic myosin (myosin heavy chain 3, MYH3). We conclude that overexpression of IGF-1 in Lama2(Dy-w) mice increases lifespan and improves their overall wellbeing mainly through the restoration of impaired muscle regeneration, as fibrosis or inflammation was not impacted by IGF-1 in this disease model. Our results demonstrate that IGF-1 has a promising therapeutic potential in the treatment of MDC1A.
Mood regulation beliefs in depressed psychiatric inpatients: Examining affect, behavior, cognitive, and social strategies*

The present study was designed to evaluate patient expectations regarding their ability to manage negative emotional reactions. Strategies for managing negative emotional reactions were classified in terms of a focus on affect regulation, behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, and social involvement. Depressed psychiatric inpatients (N=137) reported weak expectations regarding their ability to regulate their negative moods (M = 82.37, SD = 16.61). Depression severity was closely related to male patients' expectations regarding their ability to control negative moods through affect regulation (r(44)=- 0.37, P<0.05), behavioral activation (r(44)=- 0.59, P< 0.01), cognitive restructuring (r(44)- 0.50, P<0.01), and social involvement (r(44)=- 0.33, P<0.05). Suicide risk was significantly related to male patients' expectations regarding their ability to control negative moods. Similar results were observed for female patients. Recent suicide attempters, past attempters, and non-suicidal depressed inpatients reported similar mood regulation expectations (F(2,134)=0.46, ns). Therapy may help patients develop confidence in their ability to manage negative emotional reactions. It may be useful to assess patient expectations in order to guide therapy toward specific coping actions that may help them control their negative moods.
Homologous Interference Induced by Sindbis Virus

Abstract Homologous interference during Sindbis virus infection has been investigated. Prior infection of either chicken embryo fibroblast or BHK21 cell cultures results in reduced yields of progeny virions of the superinfecting genotype. This reduction in yield results from a reduction in the number of cells in the cultures capable of producing the superinfecting genotype. The development of interference parallels the attachment kinetics of Sindbis virus. Interference requires an active viral genome since the activity is sensitive to inactivation by ultraviolet light, and an RNA− mutant, ts-24, fails to induce interference under nonpermissive conditions. However, ts-6, an RNA− mutant belonging to a different complementation group, and the RNA+ mutants, ts-2 and ts-20, interfere at both permissive and nonpermissive temperatures.
Light Regulation of Chlorophyll Biosynthesis at the Level of 5-Aminolevulinate Formation in Arabidopsis

5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is the universal precursor of tetrapyrroles, such as chlorophyll and heme. The major control of chlorophyll biosynthesis is at the step of ALA formation. In the chloroplasts of plants, as in Escherichia coli, ALA is derived from the glutamate of Glu-tRNA via the two-step C5 pathway. The first enzyme, Glu-tRNA reductase, catalyzes the reduction of Glu-tRNA to glutamate 1-semialdehyde with the release of intact tRNA. The second enzyme, glutamate 1-semialdehyde 2,1-aminomutase, converts glutamate 1-semialdehyde to ALA. To further examine ALA formation in plants, we isolated Arabidopsis genes that encode the enzymes of the C5 pathway via functional complementation of mutations in the corresponding genes of E. coli. The Glu-tRNA reductase gene was designated HEMA and the glutamate 1-semialdehyde 2,1-aminomutase gene, GSA1. Each gene contains two short introns (149 and 241 nucleotides for HEMA, 153 and 86 nucleotides for GSA1). The deduced amino acid sequence of the HEMA protein predicts a protein of 60 kD with substantial similarity (30 to 47% identity) to sequences derived from the known hemA genes from microorganisms that make ALA by the C5 pathway. Purified Arabidopsis HEMA protein has Glu-tRNA reductase activity. The GSA1 gene encodes a 50-kD protein whose deduced amino acid sequence shows extensive homology (55 to 78% identity) with glutamate 1-semialdehyde 2,1-aminomutase proteins from other species. RNA gel blot analyses indicated that transcripts for both genes are found in root, leaf, stem, and flower tissues and that their levels are dramatically elevated by light. Thus, light may regulate ALA, and hence chlorophyll formation, by exerting coordinated transcriptional control over both enzymes of the C5 pathway.
Calculation of charge-state ratios for satellite Tori

The diffusion of ions in a satellite plasma torus is presently modeled in terms of a one-dimensional random walk in which the particle source is at 0, the particle sink is at an N value that is an integer greater than 2, and the scale size of the diffusion cell is unity. The probability distribution function of the number of steps to exit for an ion is obtained and used in a model which incorporates ionization by electron impact to derive steady state expressions for the ratio of doubly to singly ionized ions, as well as the total number of ions in the torus. The results thus obtained are applied to the torus of the Jovian satellite Io, in order to predict mean residence times for sulfur and oxygen ions.
Rate-limiting step analysis of the microbial desulfurization of dibenzothiophene in a model oil system.

A mechanistic analysis of the various mass transport and kinetic steps in the microbial desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT) by Rhodococcus erythropolis IGTS8 in a model biphasic (oil-water), small-scale system was performed. The biocatalyst was distributed into three populations, free cells in the aqueous phase, cell aggregates and oil-adhered cells, and the fraction of cells in each population was measured. The power input per volume (P/V) and the impeller tip speed (vtip ) were identified as key operating parameters in determining whether the system is mass transport controlled or kinetically controlled. Oil-water DBT mass transport was found to not be limiting under the conditions tested. Experimental results at both the 100 mL and 4 L (bioreactor) scales suggest that agitation leading to P/V greater than 10,000 W/ m(3) and/or vtip greater than 0.67 m/s is sufficient to overcome the major mass transport limitation in the system, which was the diffusion of DBT within the biocatalyst aggregates.
Application of VOx/Al2O3 and Fe2(MoO4)3–MoO3 catalysts for the selective reaction and detection of ethanol in multi-component hydrocarbon fuel mixtures

Abstract This work presents for the first time the development of a selective catalyst to enable selective hydrocarbon detection when coupled with a microcalorimetric sensor. Specifically, the application of VOx/Al2O3 and Fe2(MoO4)3–MoO3 catalysts as selective sensor substrates for thermal microsensor detection of ethanol in automotive fuel is described. At 453 K, 8VOx/Al2O3 (monolayer surface density of ∼8 V/nm2) and Fe2(MoO4)3–MoO3 (Mo:Fe = 1.9) catalysts convert ethanol towards one highly exothermic oxidative dehydrogenation product, acetaldehyde, with selectivities of 95% and 98%, respectively. For 8VOx/Al2O3 and Fe2(MoO4)3–MoO3, rates at 453 K are 1.3 × 10−6 and 3.4 × 10−6 mol ethanol converted/g s, respectively, and they are independent of ethanol concentration from 0.2 to 2.0 kPa ethanol. At 453 K, these catalysts provide excellent reaction selectivity towards all classes of hydrocarbons present in automotive fuels. No reaction is observed for common constituents of gasoline such as benzene, toluene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 2-methyl butane, butyraldehyde, and 2-methyl pentane at 453 K in binary or ternary mixtures with ethanol. All of these non-target hydrocarbons except butyraldehyde also have no impact on the ethanol partial oxidation rate or selectivity. MTBE proves to be active at 453 K over both 8VOx/Al2O3 and Fe2(MoO4)3–MoO3. Both MTBE and butyraldehyde decrease the ethanol reaction rate due to competitive surface adsorption on active sites but have no impact on the selectivity of the ethanol partial oxidation reaction.
Metagenomic epidemiology: a new frontier

A new frontier of basic human biology has opened up, which is changing our understanding of what constitutes the human body. This new knowledge is fuelling a paradigm shift from the dominant, 20th century view that viruses, bacteria and fungi operated independently to cause disease. Now, we are beginning to view a more complex and nuanced interpretation with increased recognition of the importance of commensalism, synergy and balance of microbiota in human health.1 In this commentary we hope to briefly summarise studies into the bacterial and viral microbiome and how this shifting paradigm affects epidemiology. The distribution of human diseases is directly linked to how different people form groups and interact with each other and their environment box 1. This interaction defines a community structure. Community structure has been long recognised as a major determinant of the spread of traditional infectious diseases. Examples range from tuberculosis in crowded slums to the recent spread of Ebola in Africa, where the human behaviours that create community structure often dictate infectious disease spread. These diseases are very sensitive to the social network configuration of the population in which they occur.2 Moreover, social networks within these populations are also important determinants of chronic and traditionally non-infectious diseases. For example, obese individuals are more likely to have other obese individuals as contacts.3 However, even in these ‘non-infectious’ diseases, microorganisms may play a greater role than previously thought. Box 1 ### Definitions: METAGENOMIC EPIDEMIOLOGY- The study of the distribution and determinants of the microbiome structures and their relationship to disease. MICROBIOTA- A community of microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi, archea) living in a defined niche MICROBIOME- The community of commensal, symbiotic, and pathogenic microorganisms (microbiota) or their genomes sharing the human body. METAGENOME- The totality of non-human nucleic acids belonging to all the microbiotas …
Optimal Housing Supply Over Time Under Uncertainty

One of the major concerns in urban economics, relevant to both centralized and decentralized economies alike, is the provision of adequate housing in a growing and changing society. Attending singularly to this challenge, this paper presents an analytical model aimed at the achievement of policy-specified housing goals. The model developed emphasizes multiple-goal behavior (i.e., cost cotainment and the achievement of minimum target levels) in a framework of multiple planning options (i.e., demolition, replacement, and rehabilitation of deteriorated structures). Attention is focused on the process of physical deterioration. It is seen that the latter, referred to as “physical filtering,” constitutes a stochastic element which seriously complicates planning. Our concern will be with housing supply over time, hence a dynamic framework, and with cost effectiveness, hence the positing of cost minimization. The primary goal of the paper is to demonstrate that it is possible to develop a model which captures the complicated interaction of dynamic and stochastic elements in a multi-choice planning process, and to show that such a model yields operationally implementable solutions.
The internal features of some Paleozoic rhynchonellid brachiopods

The genera Lissopleura, Sphaerirhynchia, Pectorhyncha, Yanishewskiella, and Terebratuloidea have been investigated to elucidate their internal features and taxonomic relationships. Specimens of the type species of these genera were sectioned. Lissopleura remains slightly enigmatic in that the holotype of Lissopleura aequivalvis is thinner and has a less pronounced fold than most specimens in the collection, including the one sectioned by us. The holotype is probably immature and is within the range of variation of specimens from the type area. The internal features lead us to assign Lissopleura to the Trigonirhynchiidae. Sphaerirhynchia wilsoni has a short septalium without a cover plate and other features that place it in the Hebetoechiidae. Pectorhyncha obtusiplicata has a very thick shell and a septalium filled by a large, bilobed cardinal process. The genus has several features similar to Obturamentella, and is assigned to the Obturamentellidae. Yanishewskiella angulata, which is retained within the Tetracameridae, has a spondylium with lateral buttresses, and a septalium into which the medium septum projects. Terebratuloidea davidsoni has small dental plates, and is assigned to the Allorhynchidae.
Method for generating all uniform π -pulse sequences used in deterministic dynamical decoupling

Dynamical decoupling has been actively investigated since Viola first suggested using a pulse sequence to protect a qubit from decoherence. Since then, many schemes of dynamical decoupling have been proposed to achieve high-order suppression, both analytically and numerically. However, hitherto, there has not been a systematic framework to understand all existing uniform $\ensuremath{\pi}$-pulse dynamical decoupling schemes. In this report, we use the projection pulse sequences as basic building blocks and concatenation as a way to combine them. We derived a concatenated-projection dynamical decoupling, a framework in which we can systematically construct pulse sequences to achieve arbitrary high suppression order. All previously known uniform dynamical decoupling sequences using $\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulse can be fit into this framework. Understanding uniform dynamical decoupling as successive projections on the Hamiltonian will also give insights on how to invent new ways to construct better pulse sequences.
GLAF: A Visual Programming and Auto-tuning Framework for Parallel Computing

The past decade's computing revolution has delivered parallel hardware to the masses. However, the ability to exploit its capabilities and ignite scientific breakthrough at a proportionate level remains a challenge due to the lack of parallel programming expertise. Although different solutions have been proposed to facilitate harvesting the seeds of parallel computing, most target seasoned programmers and ignore the special nature of a target audience like domain experts. This paper addresses the challenge of realizing a programming abstraction and implementing an integrated development framework for this audience. We present GLAF -- a grid-based language and auto-parallelizing, auto-tuning framework. Its key elements are its intuitive visual programming interface, which attempts to render expressing and validating an algorithm easier for domain experts, and its ability to automatically generate efficient serial and parallel Fortran and C code, including potentially beneficial code modifications (e.g., With respect to data layout). We find that the above features assist novice programmers to avoid common programming pitfalls and provide fast implementations.