cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mutagenesis studies toward understanding the mechanism of the cofactor function of thrombomodulin.

Abstract Thrombomodulin (TM) is as essential cofactor in protein C activation by thrombin. To investigate the cofactor effect of TM on the P3-P3′ binding specificity of thrombin, we prepared a Gla-domainless protein C (GDPC) and an antithrombin (AT) mutant in which the P3-P3′ residues of both molecules were replaced with the corresponding residues of the factor Xa cleavage site in prethrombin-2. TM is known to interact with GDPC, but not AT in the complex. Thrombin did not react with either mutant in the absence of a cofactor. While the thrombin-TM complex also did not react with the AT mutant, it activated the GDPC mutant with a normal k cat , but an ∼4-fold impaired K m value. Further studies revealed that the active-site directed inhibitor p -aminobenzamidine acts as a competitive inhibitor of both wild-type and GDPC mutant in reaction with the thrombin-TM complex. These results suggest that the interaction of the P3-P3′ residues of GDPC with the active-site pocket of the thrombin-TM complex makes a dominant contribution to the binding specificity of the reaction. Moreover, the observation that the GDPC mutant, but not the AT mutant, functions as an effective substrate for the thrombin-TM complex suggests that GDPC interaction with the thrombin-TM complex may be associated with the alteration of the conformation of the P3-P3′ residues of the substrate.
Acoustically pumped optical phase conjugation

Several years ago, Shiren, Arnold and Kazaka achieved an acousto-optical analog of optical phase conjugation via degenerate four-wave mixing in glasses. These experiments, which were conducted at 9 GHz, involved the generation of a time-reversed acoustic pulse from a pulsed acoustic probe wave utilizing microwave beams as the pump waves. Here, we examine the reverse situation; i.e., acoustic beams serve as the pump waves and the probe is electromagnetic in nature. It is shown that the medium generates a phase conjugate electromagnetic wave and the physics of this effect is examined.
Correlated Coding: Efficient Network Coding under Correlated Unreliable Wireless Links

Diversity-based protocols such as network coding and opportunistic routing have been proposed in recent years to exploit spatial diversity in wireless communication. By utilizing concurrent links, these protocols achieve significantly better performance than traditional approaches. However, they explicitly or implicitly assume that wireless links are independent, which overestimates the true spatial diversity in reality. For the first time, this paper analyzes the impact of link correlation on network coding and introduces Correlated Coding, a link correlation-aware design that seeks to optimize the transmission efficiency by maximizing necessary coding opportunities. Correlated coding uses only one-hop information, which makes it work in a fully distributed manner and introduces minimal communication overhead. The highlight of our design is its broad applicability and effectiveness. We implement our design with four broadcast protocols and three unicast protocols, and evaluate them extensively with one 802.11 test bed and three 802.15.4 test beds running TelosB, MICAz, and Green Orbs nodes. The experiment results show that (i) more coding opportunities do not lead to more transmission benefits, and (ii) compared to coding aware protocols, the number of coding operations is reduced while the transmission efficiency is improved.
Three-stranded antiviral attack

Mitochondrial antiviral signalling proteins form an intricate three-stranded helical filament that has a central role in the response of cells to viruses.
W‐band six‐port network analyzer for two‐port characterization of millimeter wave transistors

A W-band (75-100 GHz) six-port junction network analyzer was constructed from commercially available descrete waveguide components and was used for the direct two-port S-parameter measurement of active three-terminal devices. A comparison between the six-port and a down-converter-type frequency extender for a conventional network analyzer revealed the superior performance of the six-port. The application of the six-port to characterize a 0.1-micron gate-length HEMT at W-band is described, and representative results are presented.
A Similarity Theory for Unsaturated Downdrafts within Clouds

Abstract Recent observations of cumulus clouds strongly support the hypothesis of Squires (1958) that much of the mixing within such clouds is associated with downward propagating currents initiated near their tops. A similarity theory is here proposed to describe the properties of such currents; the use of similarity is defended on the basis of the observed and predicted scale of the downdrafts. The theory suggests that downward-propagating unsaturated thermals are pervasive throughout all but the largest convective clouds and that quasi-steady unsaturated downdraft plumes may exist in the lower portions of cumulonimbi. In addition to providing a reasonable explanation for the microstructure of and liquid water distribution within cumulus clouds, the theory appears to account for certain severe convective phenomena, including down-bursts. A new but related cloud instability is proposed to account for the occurrence of mamma.
When the Doctor Has AIDS

Note from Dr. Merle A. Sande-Twice we have addressed the risk for health care workers of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection from AIDS patients and have debated justifications for proposed HTV testing of patients. Here the responsibility of an HIV-infected health care worker is examined. Does an HIV-infected health care worker ever pose a risk to patients? Is there a reasonable risk that the virus will accidentally be transmitted? Though we know of no case of HIV transmission during invasive procedures or patient care duties, such would be difficult to identify. What constitutes reasonable risk? Could the degree be stratified by estimating the probability of exposure and transmission (e.g., during a vaginal hysterectomy vs. during a pelvic examination)? Should the clinical stage of HIV infection be considered? Viral titers in plasma usually increase as HIV infection progresses. Would antiviral therapy lessen the risk of transmission by reducing titers? Is risk stratification possible given our limited understanding of HIV infectivity? Should health care workers be tested for HIV? Does the patient's right to know outweigh the physician's right to confidentiality? Does the risk of transmission warrant restricting infected clinicians from certain procedures, or should high standards of infection control be emphasized and compliance monitored? If our profession does not effectively grapple with such questions, they will be answered for us in the courts.
High Volume Measurements of Cotton Maturity by a Customized Microscopic System

Information about cotton maturity is desirable to cotton breeders and growers for cotton enhancement and to textile manufacturers for quality control. This paper reports on the development of a dedicated system that facilitates direct, fast and high volume measurements of cotton maturity from longitudinal views, and the experimental results. The system examines cotton fibers in a projected 2-D image to measure the variations in fiber width, which reveal the severity of fiber convolutions, and the fiber translucence that reflects the thickness of the secondary wall. This paper describes the methodology for extracting these features and how they relate to cotton maturity.
An evaluation of solar radiation pressure strategies for the GPS constellation

The subtle effects of different Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite force models are becoming apparent now that mature processing strategies are reaching new levels of accuracy and precision. For this paper, we tested several approaches to solar radiation pressure (SRP) modeling that are commonly used by International GNSS Service (IGS) analysis centers. These include the GPS Solar Pressure Model (GSPM; Bar-Sever and Kuang in The Interplanetary Network Progress Report 42-160, 2005) and variants of the so-called DYB model (Springer et al. in Adv Space Res 23:673–676, 1999). Our results show that currently observed differences between GPS orbit solutions from the various IGS analysis centers are in large part explained by differences between their respective approaches to modeling SRP. DYB-based strategies typically generate orbit solutions that have the smallest differences with respect to the IGS final combined solution, largely because the DYB approach is most commonly used by the contributing analysis centers. However, various internal and external metrics, including ambiguity resolution statistics and satellite laser ranging observations, support continued use of the GSPM-based approach for precise orbit determination of the GPS constellation, at least when using the GIPSY-OASIS software.
On the failure of two butterfly species to respond to the presence of conspecific eggs prior to oviposition

. 1. The eggs of Euptychiine butterflies are laid singly, but their distributions tend to be contagious. However, these insects do not discriminate between egg-laden and egg-free plants. 2. Response to conspecific eggs is not part of the mechanism responsible for clumped egg distribution.
A Permanent Income Approach to the Growth of Income by Sectors in a Leontief Economy

I. Introduction, 145. — II. The model, 146. — III. The effect of lags in consumption and investment, 148.
A MSC-ing link in metastasis?

Mesenchymal stem cells promote the dissemination of neoplastic cells in a mouse model of breast cancer. The findings sound a cautionary note for anticancer therapies that rely on these cells and provoke a re-evaluation of how metastases form.
Inspired by Porcupines

Hypodermic needles are a staple of medical practice, so one might conclude that their design has reached a pinnacle of evolution. After all, they go into skin quite easily with little applied force. But a close look at nature has now revealed subtle design tricks that allow for insertion with even less force (and less damage to the skin). Most surprising is the inspiration of these new tricks: the lowly porcupine. Most of us have not tangled with a porcupine directly, but we still appreciate that barbed porcupine quills are difficult to remove. Cho and colleagues report that the microstructure of the North American porcupine quills also allows for easy tissue penetration—even easier than a hypodermic needle of the same diameter. Using a combination of finite element modeling and experimentation with real porcupine quills, the authors found that the barbs produced localized stress concentrations during insertion, allowing the quill to penetrate pig skin and chicken muscle tissue with very small forces and reduced damage as compared with barbless controls. They replicated the findings with synthetic polyurethane quills created by replica molding and also fabricated quill-mimetic hypodermic needles. Cho et al. also identified different zones of the porcupine quills that contributed either to easy penetration or to resistance to removal, suggesting a complex mechanism of tissue adhesion. These new design concepts may now inspire the production of transdermal devices that can penetrate skin with even less force than required by conventional needles—a major consideration for products such as microneedle arrays, which must be able to penetrate skin without buckling. As an added benefit, patches of microneedles could also be designed to stay put, thanks to porcupine quills’ clever coupling of easy penetration and strong adhesion. W. K. Cho et al. , Microstructured barbs on the North American porcupine quill enable easy tissue penetration and difficult removal. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 109 , 21289–21294 (2012). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.pnas.org/content/109/52/21289
Impact of tracheostomy placement on anxiety in mechanically ventilated adult ICU patients.

Abstract Objective To determine if self-reported anxiety levels decreased after tracheostomy placement in a sample of mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients. Background There is limited research regarding the impact of a tracheostomy on patients' anxiety. Elevated anxiety delays healing and contributes to long-term mental health complications. Methods This was a secondary analysis of data from a large clinical trial conducted in urban Minnesota. Fifty-one of 116 patients received a tracheostomy. Anxiety scores were obtained daily using the Visual Analog Scale-Anxiety. Mixed model analysis was used to compare anxiety ratings pre- and post-tracheostomy. Results There was no significant decrease in anxiety following tracheostomy after controlling for time and gender (all p > .16). Age was the only variable to impact anxiety levels: anxiety scores increased as age increased ( p = .02). Conclusions Prospective studies are needed to more accurately assess the impact of tracheostomy placement on patient anxiety and salient outcomes.
Prophylactic Cpap in the Delivery Room (DR) to Prevent Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN) among Infants Born via Elective CS (ECS), a Prospective RCT

Background: TTN from delayed clearance of fetal lung fluid (FLF) is common NICU admission among FT infants and require clinical management involving expensive resources,excessive and empiric antibiotics use. The increased risk of TTN among ECS born infants (CS in absence of labor) is a consequence of having excessive FLF with subsequent decreased release of counter regulatory hormones at delivery. Aims: To determine whether prophylactic CPAP in the DR via T piece based Neopuff to neonates at risk for TTN, would decrease the incidence of TTN and NICU hospitalization. Methods: IRB approved RCT, Inclusion: FTs born via ECS. Exclusion: presence of risk factors for sepsis, congenital malformations. Eligible infants randomized prior to delivery to intervention (I) group to receive CPAP of 5 cm {administered to spontaneously breathing infants after a notable cry, for 10 minutes with 21% O2} or control (C) group managed with provision of standard care in the DR. Infant and maternal clinical data collected. All infants assessed for respiratory distress and any adverse complications. Results: n=66{C=30, I=36}, enrolled in the ongoing trial are included. No significant difference seen between C and I group including incidence of TTN or adverse complications (Air-leaks) from NCPAP. 7 % of the mothers had history of previous babies with TTN. Conclusions: In this interim analysis we did not see any adverse or beneficial effects of prophylactic CPAP in DR. Inclusion of data from all patients enrolled at time of presentation will permit more complete evaluation of the benefits in this patient cohort.
Macrodynamics of Microparticles

A primary goal of this paper is to describe the development of two, independent engineering models for the oblique mechanical impact dynamics of solid aerosol particles, treated as microspheres, in the presence of adhesion forces. One model is algebraic and is based on rigid body impact theory* using coefficients such as the coefficient of restitution and the impulse ratio. This model is augmented by an energy conservation expression. Being algebraic and based directly on Newton's laws, the model offers a rigor and simplicity that makes it ideal for analyzing, displaying and interpreting experimental data. Dealing with impulses, this model does not require a detailed knowledge of the forces to analyze energy loss. The second model takes the form of a simulation using the differential equations of planar motion of a sphere in contact with a flat barrier. It uses Hertzian theory for the normal restoring force, an idealized tensile line force around the periphery of the contact region to represent adhesion a...
The stereoselectivity of the Clostridium perfringens phospholipase C: Hydrolysis of thiophosphate analogs of phosphatidylcholine

Abstract Thiophosphate containing analogs of phosphatidylcholine have been synthesized with varing degrees of structural complexity. These analogs have been used in a continuous spectrophotometric assay for phospholipase C from Clostridium perfringens in order to examine the requirement for substrate ester functionalities and the stereoselectivity of the enzyme. The substrate analogs with ester groups in the nonpolar portion of the molecule were acceptable substrates for phospholipase C, while those analogs without ester functionalities were not hydrolyzed. Substrate analogs with chiral centers were resolved using the stereospecificity of phospholipase A 2 from Crotalus atrox venom. These resolved substrates were used to study the biphasic hydrolytic time courses observed when rac -dioctanoylphosphatidylthiocholine was used as substrate. The “naturally occurring” enantiomer with R absolute configuration was rapidly hydrolyzed in the presence of phospholipase C while the “nonnaturally occurring” enantiomer with S configuration was slowly hydrolyzed only after a long induction or “lag” period. The selectivity for the R enantiomer over the S enantiomer can be lessened by altering the composition of the substrate micelles resulting in accelerated rates of hydrolysis of the S enantiomer.
On-chip aging sensor to monitor NBTI effect in nano-scale SRAM

Today, the increasing need to store more and more information has resulted in the fact that Static Random Access Memories (SRAMs) occupy the greatest part of a System-on-Chip (SoC). Therefore, SRAM's robustness is considered crucial in order to guarantee the reliability of such SoCs over lifetime. In this context, one of the most important phenomena that degrades Nano-scale SRAMs reliability is related to Negative-Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI), which accelerates memory cells aging. This paper proposes a new approach to detect SRAM aging during system lifetime based on an On-Chip Aging Sensor (OCAS). The OCAS is able to detect any specific aging state of a cell in the SRAM array. The strategy is based on the connection of one OCAS every SRAM column, each periodically performing off-line tests by monitoring the write operations on the SRAM cells in order to detect aging. To prevent the OCAS from aging and from dissipating leakage power, the OCAS circuitry is powered-off during its idle periods. Experimental results demonstrate the sensor's high sensitivity to detect early aging states and therefore, guaranteeing high memory reliability. Finally, the area overhead related to the sensors' insertion is almost negligible.
Electron paramagnetic resonance probes of the radical decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide initiated by metmyoglobin

Abstract Electron paramagnetic resonance studies have provided evidence for metmyoglobin initiation of the radical decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide, carried out in buffered aqueous solutions at ambient temperatures. The radicals formed oxidize aminopyrine to a free radical, readily detected at acidic pH, or react with the spin trap nitrosobenzene. The only species so trapped was the cumyl radical (optimal pH, 9.0), previously observed in a similar spin-trapping study of the chemical decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide in organic solvents. The earlier proposal that the cumyl radical arises from breakdown of an initially formed, unstable phenylcumyloxy nitroxide is consistent with the experimental findings of this study. Moreover, it was shown that the decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide initiated by ferrous ion or by other heme compounds occurs by the same mechanism. Thus, the very low peroxidatic activities of several hemeproteins with cumene hydroperoxide involve oxidizing free radicals, unlike H 2 O 2 -dependent oxidations catalyzed by true hemeprotein peroxidases, in which enzyme species are the functional oxidants.
Clinical implications of quantitative infrared pupillometry in neurosurgical patients

Pupillometry has been widely employed in the evaluation of a large number of pathological conditions, including intracranial pathology. The recent introduction of a portable, user-friendly, infrared pupillometer (ForSite, NeurOptics Inc., Irvine, CA) has enabled the accurate and reproducible measurement of several pupillary parameters, such as maximum and minimum apertures, constriction and dilation velocities, and latency period. It should be noted that various clinical conditions, especially neurological and ocular diseases, as well as numerous medications, may interfere with the measurements. Furthermore, a number of physiological parameters, such as the intensity of retinal illumination, the level of patient's alertness, the intensity of ambient light, as well as the time of day that the examination is performed may alter the obtained values. The potential implications of pupillometry in the clinical assessment of neurosurgical patients, including its complex relationship to intracranial pressure changes, mandate the undertaking of prospective clinical studies validating the clinical significance of this noninvasive, diagnostic modality.
Improved alcohol biosensor based on ruthenium-dispersed carbon paste enzyme electrodes

The advantages which accrue from the use of metalized graphite for preparing reagentless alcohol carbon paste biosensors are described. In particular, ruthenium-dispersed graphite exhibits a marked decrease in the overvoltage for the oxidation of the liberated NADH. The ruthenium centers are integral parts of the graphite particles, thus eliminating dissolution (leakage) problems characterizing mediator-based alcohol sensors. The electrocatalytic behavior is characterized, the sensor operation is optimized and the analytical performance is reported. Applicability to flow injection assays is illustrated.
Intraoperative allergic reactions to hydroxyethyl starch: a report of two cases.

The presentation, evolution, and treatment of two cases of intraoperative allergic reactions are described. In each case, the offending agent was felt to be hydroxyethyl starch (HES), a synthetic polymer colloid solution used for intravascular volume expansion. Symptoms included urticaria, angioedema, and hypotension in the first patient, and urticaria, hypoxia, andhaemoconcentration in the second patient. Both patients had earlier received multiple drugs and/or blood products. However, HES administration in both patients immediately produced allergic symptomatology. The first patient had concurrent depression of serum total complement levels (CH50) and no elevation of plasma histamine levels, which suggested a complement-mediated reaction to HES. Levels of CH50 and histamine were not obtained from the second patient. Direct stimulation of mast cell degranulation by the offending agent, complement activation, or conventional antigen-antibody interaction in a previously exposed patient may initiate intraoperative allergic reactions. Anaesthesia personnel should be aware of the risk of intraoperative allergic reactions to HES and be prepared to treat them rapidly and effectively.
Facilitation of time-dependent memory processes with posttrial epinephrine injections.

This experiment examined the effect of posttraining epinephrine injections on memory-storage processes. Rats were trained with a weak footshock (0.7 mA, 0.35 sec) on a one-trial inhibitory avoidance task. The animals received epinephrine injections immediately, 10 min, 30 min, or 2 hr after training. On a retention test 24 hr after training, animals which received subcutaneous injections of epinephrine (0.01, 0.05, or 0.1 mg/kg) immediately after training had retention performance which was significantly better than that of saline control animals. A lower (0.001 mg/kg) or a higher (0.5 mg/kg) dose did not affect retention performance. Epinephrine injections (0.1 mg/kg) given 10 min after training also significantly facilitated retention, but injections given 30 min or 2 hr after training did not affect retention performance significantly. These findings suggest that the hormonal consequences of a training experience (e.g., epinephrine release) may normally modulate memory-storage processes in untreated animals.
Regularity of solutions to a dynamic frictionless contact problem with normal compliance

The regularity in time of solutions to a problem of frictionless dynamic contact between a viscoelastic body and a reactive foundation is established. Contact is modeled with the normal compliance condition. It is shown that the differentiability of the normal compliance function, its behavior at the onset of contact, determines the regularity of the solution, and additional differentiability of the data and appropriate compatibility on the initial conditions yield higher solutions' differentiability. Unlike the case when the Signorini condition is used, in this problem there is no intrinsic regularity ceiling. A simple example shows that these results are close to being optimal.
Almost sure L 1 -norm convergence for data-based histogram density estimates

Abstract The main result of this paper is summarized in Theorem 1, which states that when certain conditions of a general nature are satisfied, the data-based histogram density estimator is strongly consistent in the sence that the mean absolute derivation of the estimator and the density function converges to zero almost surely for any density function, as the sample size increases to infinity.
Neutron activation cross sections at 14.4 MeV For some naturally occurring heavy elements in the region 76 ≦ Z ≦ 82

Abstract Neutron activation cross sections at 14.4 MeV were determined for isotopes of the following naturally occurring heavy elements: Os, Pt, Au, Hg, Tl and Pb. The mixed-powder method with Ge(Li) γ-detection was used, and the cross sections in mb are as follows. For (n, 2n) reactions ( m = metastable ; g = ground state ); 192 Os, 1993±200 ( m+g ); 192 Pt , 2035±150; 198 Pt , 1009±100 ( m ); 198 Pt , 707±85 ( g ); 197 Au , 151 ±18 ( m ); 197 Au , 1986±150( m+g ); 196 Hg , 1617±160( m ); 196 Hg , 363±54( g ); 198 Hg , 885±80( m ); 198 Hg , 1125±100( g ); 200Hg, 789±120( m ); 204 Hg , 2077±166; 203 TI , 1950±200; 204 Pb , 1737±140 . For (n, n′) reactions: 199Hg, 128±20( m ); 204 Pb , 51±10( m ) . For (n, 3n) reactions: 197Au, 61±20. For (n, p) reactions: 194Pt, 4.3±0.6; 196 Pt , 1.1±0.2; 198 Hg , 4.5±0.5; 199 Hg , 2.3±0.3; 208 Pb , 0.46±0.06 . For the (n, α) reaction; 203Tl, 2.2±0.4. For the [(n, np)+(n, pn)+(n, d)] reaction: 199Hg, 0.40±0.06. Cross sections calculated with the statistical-model equation of Pearlstein and an optimized level-density parameter equation are compared with a consistent set of measured (n, 2n) values over the region 30 ≦ Z ≦ 82; it is shown that deviations of the calculated cross sections from the respective measured values become larger as the energy needed to emit the second neutron increases, probably because fewer exit channels are available and the continuum assumption in the statistical model of the compound nucleus becomes invalid.
A COMPARISON OF THERMAL ENHANCEMENT OF CIS-DIAMMINEDICHLORO- PLATINUM (II) INDUCED RENAL AND INTESTINAL TOXICITIES BY WHOLE BODY HYPERTHERMIA IN THE RAT

Thermal enhancement of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (DDP) induced renal and intestinal toxicities by whole body hyperthermia (WBH) were compared using a F344 rat model. Thermal enhancement ratios (TER) for DDP-induced nephrotoxicity were calculated using renal functional assays and morphological techniques. TER values for gastrointestinal (G.I.) toxicity were calculated using "severity of diarrhea" and jejunal crypt cell survival as assays. TER's for renal damage varied between 3 and 3.4, whereas the TER measured for G.I.-toxicity was 1.8. Physiological changes caused by WBH or intrinsic differences in the sensitivities of normal tissues to DDP +/- WBH may be responsible for the differences in thermal enhancement of DDP-induced renal and intestinal toxicities.
Photonic topological insulators

Recent progress in understanding the topological properties of condensed matter has led to the discovery of time-reversal-invariant topological insulators. A remarkable and useful property of these materials is that they support unidirectional spin-polarized propagation at their surfaces. Unfortunately topological insulators are rare among solid-state materials. Using suitably designed electromagnetic media (metamaterials) we theoretically demonstrate a photonic analogue of a topological insulator. We show that metacrystals-superlattices of metamaterials with judiciously designed properties-provide a platform for designing topologically non-trivial photonic states, similar to those that have been identified for condensed-matter topological insulators. The interfaces of the metacrystals support helical edge states that exhibit spin-polarized one-way propagation of photons, robust against disorder. Our results demonstrate the possibility of attaining one-way photon transport without application of external magnetic fields or breaking of time-reversal symmetry. Such spin-polarized one-way transport enables exotic spin-cloaked photon sources that do not obscure each other.
Modified ring currents to treat axial caustics and slope diffraction in edge-diffraction analysis

The letter describes a modified ring-current procedure which provides identical on-axis fields and also merges into the standard two-point edge-diffraction results.
Post-translational modifications as key regulators of bacterial metabolic fluxes

In order to survive and compete in natural settings, bacteria must excel at quickly adapting their metabolism to fluctuations in nutrient availability and other environmental variables. This necessitates fast-acting post-translational regulatory mechanisms, that is, allostery or covalent modification, to control metabolic flux. While allosteric regulation has long been a well-established strategy for regulating metabolic enzyme activity in bacteria, covalent post-translational modes of regulation, such as phosphorylation or acetylation, have previously been regarded as regulatory mechanisms employed primarily by eukaryotic organisms. Recent findings, however, have shifted this perception and point to a widespread role for covalent posttranslational modification in the regulation of metabolic enzymes and fluxes in bacteria. This review provides an outline of the exciting recent advances in this area.
Thermal profiling for optical characterization of waveguide devices

We demonstrate a thermal profiling technique for wafer-scale testing of the optical power distribution in photonic integrated circuits. Radiative cooling of the lattice of a semiconductor optical amplifier is observed in response to an optical signal; likewise, lattice heating occurs in an optically injected absorber. We develop a total energy balance model that can be used to quantify modal gain or absorption within these devices, along with longitudinal and vertical thermal impedances and heat transfer coefficients. Spatially resolved thermal profiling in conjunction with our energy balance model accurately describes the optical power distribution inside optoelectronic devices, without recourse to direct optical measurement.
NO Reduction with H2or CO over La2O3and Sr-Promoted La2O3

NO reduction with either H2or CO was studied between 773 and 973 K over La2O3and Sr-promoted La2O3. In the absence of O2with H2as a reductant, the specific activity for NO disappearance (moles/s/m2) over La2O3at 773 K was 10-fold greater than that with CH4, and at 973 K it was 19 times higher; however, the N2/N2O product ratio was only 0.27 at 773 K, although it increased to 1.4 at 973 K. With CO as the reductant and no O2, specific activities were 4.4 and 6.5 times higher than with CH4at 773 and 973 K, respectively. In contrast to behavior with CH4, the inclusion of 1% O2in the feed with H2or CO dramatically decreased activities because of direct combustion of the reductants. Specific activities were enhanced by the addition of 4% Sr to the La2O3catalyst, particularly for N2O formation. Adsorption of NO, O2, CO, and H2was determined at 300 and 573 K, and substantial amounts of all but H2were adsorbed at the latter temperature. Based on sites counted by irreversible NO adsorption at 300 K, turnover frequencies on La2O3for N2and N2O formation with H2were 0.074 and 0.059 s−1at 973 K, whereas the respective values with CO were 0.026 and 0.019 s−1. A model is proposed for each reaction in the absence of O2that provides a rate expression that correlates very well with both the well-behaved Arrhenius plot for N2formation and the significant bend-over in N2O formation as temperature increases.
‘Who is a bigger terrorist than the police?’ Photography as a politics of encounter in Delhi's Batla House

Though spectacularly televised, the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai were not the only live event of terror in 2008. In September, news channels broadcast a live encounter in which police killed two young Muslim men in Batla House, Delhi, sparking a widespread local campaign against state violence. This essay explores the publicizing work of photography in the campaign as a political act that disrupts dominant narratives of Islamic terrorism generated by the state and news media. Photographs of the dead men worked as forensic, evidentiary documents, oriented to a future moment of judicial redress. I suggest the politics of encounter in Batla House emphasize marginality in two ways, positioning the Muslims of Batla House as inviting the state to fulfil its promises of justice, even as that very state uses the discourse and practice of law to mark the Muslim as terrorist.
Cytokines in Murine Lyme Carditis: Th1 Cytokine Expression Follows Expression of Proinflammatory Cytokines in a Susceptible Mouse Strain

The cardiac infiltrate seen in murine Lyme carditis is composed predominantly of macrophages, but small numbers of T cells are also present. To identify the cytokines present in cardiac lesions from susceptible mice, semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction was done on cardiac tissue from mice infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. The temporal expression of proinflammatory and T cell-derived cytokines was characterized in cardiac tissue at days 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 42 after infection with B. burgdorferi. Early in the course of infection, up-regulation of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha was detected. The Th1 cytokine interferon-gamma appeared after the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines and remained elevated throughout the study. Interleukin-4 was not detectable at any time in cardiac lesions. These data are the first to identify cytokines expressed at the lesional level in murine Lyme carditis and to demonstrate a Th1 pattern of cytokine expression in this lesion.
Preparation of transparent silica-PMMA nanocomposite hard coatings

Abstract The preparation of silica–PMMA nanocomposite was reported. The surface modified-silica nanoparticles can be well dispersed in organic solvent and incorporated into the polymer resin. The nanocomposite showed improved mechanical property and can be applied on different acrylic functional materials. DSC analysis showed that the glass transition temperature of the hybrids was increased with increasing content of silica. Good transparency (>90%) and hardness grade (>5H) is observed in nanocomposite with 10 wt% silica content.
The “growth tax” in the United States

By providing public goods, including law and order, national defense, and income redistribution that expands the gains from exchange (the scope and membership of the constitutional agreement), government expenditures act as a positive externality on the growth rate. Beyond that level, taxes act as a negative externality. In this paper a simple model is formulated and the optimal (growth-maximizing) tax rate found. Empirical estimation finds it to be in the range of 21.5–22.9 percent. The effect of taxation beyond this level is a cumulative loss of about $30 trillion (1972 dollars) in GNP over the period 1949–89.
Strategic buyer-supplier relationships, information technology and external logistics integration

SUMMARY The advent of vertical disintegration coupled with the globalization of markets has brought about increased attention to how firms coordinate flow of materials and information across their supply chain partners. The current research explores the impact of strategic buyer–supplier relationships and information technology on a firm's external logistics integration and agility performance using data collected from over 200 firms. The proposed structural equation model reveals that strategic buyer–supplier relationships and information technology engender external logistics integration, which in turn, affects agility performance of firms. Furthermore, information technology moderates the link between buyer–supplier relationships and logistics integration. Implications for future research and practice are also discussed.
Termination of pregnancy in the rat by the antiserum to the beta subunit of ovine interstitial cell stimulating hormone.

SummaryIt has been shown that rabbit an-tiserum to the β subunit of ovine ICSH causes termination of pregnancy in the rat when it was injected for three days, beginning on Day 8 of pregnancy.
Volume fraction effects on interfacial adhesion strength of glass-fiber-reinforced polymer composites

Abstract The performance of fiber-reinforced composites is often controlled by the properties of the fiber–matrix interface. Good interfacial bonding (or adhesion), to ensure load transfer from matrix to reinforcement, is a primary requirement for effective use of reinforcement properties. Thus, a fundamental understanding of interfacial properties and a quantitative characterization of interfacial adhesion strength can help in evaluating the mechanical behavior and capabilities of composite materials. A large number of analytical techniques have been developed for understanding interfacial adhesion of glass-fiber-reinforced polymers. Among these techniques, the vibration damping technique has the advantage of being non-destructive as well as highly sensitive for evaluating the interfacial region, and it can allow the materials industry to rapidly determine the mechanical properties of composites. In the present study, a simple optical system was contributed for measuring the damping factor of uniaxial fiber-reinforced polymer composites in the shape of cantilever beams. The interfacial damping factors in glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites were correlated with transverse tensile strength, which is a qualitative measurement of adhesion at the fiber–matrix interface. Four different composite systems were tested in this study. In each system, three different surface treatments of glass-fiber at three different volume fractions were evaluated. The experimental results show an inverse relationship between damping contributed by the interface and composite transverse tensile strength.
A Comparative Test Method to Determine Thermal Resistance under Field Conditions

This paper presents the development and application of a test method to determine thermal resistance of a material under transient conditions. The method consists of testing two material slabs placed in contact with one another, one of them being a reference material with known dependence of thermal conductivity and heat capacity on temperature and the other being a test specimen whose thermal proper ties are to be determined.Thermocouples are placed on each surface of the standard and reference materials to measure temperatures during a transient heat transport process. These tempera tures are used as the boundary conditions in a series of calculations. First, the heat flux across the contact surface between the reference and the test specimen is calculated using a numerical algorithm to solve the heat transfer equation through the reference material. Then, imposing the requirement of heat flux continuity at the contact surface, corresponding values of thermal conductivity and heat capacity of the test s...
Efficient CW diode-pumped Tm, Ho:YLF laser with tunability near 2.067 mu m

A conversion efficiency of 42% and slope efficiency of approximately 60% relative to absorbed pump power are reported from a continuous wave diode-pumped Tm, Ho:YLF laser at 2 mu m with output power of 84 mW at sub-ambient temperatures. The emission spectrum is etalon tunable over a range of 16 cm/sup -1/ centered on 2.067 mu m, with fine tuning capability of the transition frequency with crystal temperature at a measured rate of approximately -0.03 cm/sup -1/-K/sup -1/. The effective emission cross section is measured to be 5*10/sup -21/ cm/sup 2/. These and other aspects of the laser performance are discussed in the context of calculated atmospheric absorption characteristics in this spectral region and potential use in remote sensing applications. >
A general strain approach comparing the effects of victimization, social support, and perceived self-efficacy on LGBQ and heterosexual youth suicidality

LGBQ youth are more likely to consider, plan, and/or attempt suicide compared to their heterosexual peers. Evidence from the general population suggests that risky behaviors, like suicide, may be mediated by protective factors, including social support and self-efficacy. Using Agnew’s general strain theory and data from a statewide probability sample, the results of this study suggest that victimization, as a source of strain, is a risk factor for both LGBQ and heterosexual youth suicidality. While social support and self-efficacy reduce the risk of suicidality among heterosexual youth, they are not significant protective factors for LGBQ youth. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.
Selective inhibition of thromboxane synthesis with dazoxiben in animals and man

z include stimulation of PGI2 synthesis (perhaps leading to a rise in CAMP levels), preservation of PC1 or selective inhibition of thromboxane synthe ~s~:ockWaedehaofeT~~~s~~~~~~of~; fourth approach. We anticipated that a selective inhibitor of thromboxane synthetase would not only inhibit production of TxA but also would preserve or even enhance production of prostacyclin un ike 5.. the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents that inhibit both platelet and vascular cycle-oxygenase. The possibility of such an inhibition increasng PG12 synthesis was based upon the observations that blood vessel segments use platelet-derived prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxides to synthesize PGI when thromboxane production is inhibited (2). Therefore, a number of s udies z
A summer engineering-science program

For the past four years, Albuquerque public high schools and Sandia Laboratories have cooperated in a summer engineering program to attract young people into engineering and science careers. In a joint venture, both organizations have selected students, faculty, and curricula. Sandia Laboratories furnishes instruction and classroom materials, while the Albuquerque Public School System provides students, classrooms, and a high-school supervisor. Although the impact on student participants is difficult to measure, student surveys and faculty comments indicate that the course has been received with enthusiasm. Sandia Laboratories instructors, in particular, have been so positive in their reaction to the students and the public high-school faculty that the summer program is now a permanent part of Sandia's education effort. The structure of this program may be of interest to other engineering and scientific organizations desiring to start a similar cooperative effort with secondary school systems in their communities.
Risks to Coastal Wastewater Collection Systems from Sea-Level Rise and Climate Change

Abstract Daily flow data from four central wastewater treatment systems in coastal North Carolina were examined for responses to rainfall, tide level, and other environmental variables during the period January 2005 through December 2008. Flow data revealed substantial variation at several timescales, indicating external effects on flow volumes, most likely through inflow and infiltration (I&I). Daily flow volumes were strongly influenced by short-term rainfall quantities, as expected, but other factors contribute on a longer-term basis. The portion of total flow attributable to I&I varied from 100% of base flow. Multiple regression analysis showed that infiltration, defined in this analysis as flow responses to rainfall integrated over 3 day or longer periods, contributed the majority of increased flow. Significant infiltration effects indicate that collection systems are leaky and that elevated groundwater levels drive increased influent flows through central treatment systems. Sea-level variat...
Direct observation of a diblock copolymer‐induced microemulsion at a polymer/polymer interface

We have studied the segregation of a block copolymer of poly(d8-styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine) (dPS-PVP) at the interface between polystyrene and a random copolymer of poly(styreneran-4-hydroxystyrene) (PS-r-PPHS). Forward recoil spectrometry (FRES) was used to measure the equilibrium excess (z*) of the dPS-PVP chains at the interface as a function of its volume fraction in the bulk PS phase (ϕ∞). It was found that there is a sharp increase in z* at a critical value of ϕ∞. This upturn indicates the formation of a microemulsion of PS and the random copolymer PS-r-PPHS due to a vanishing of the interfacial tension caused by the strong adsorption of the block copolymer. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the interface shows that this microemulsion starts to form at the interface by forming a deeply corrugated structure where the “wavelength” of the corrugations is of the order of 50 nm. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Metrics and Evolution in Open Source Software

This paper presents an analysis of the evolution of an open source software system, JFreeChart, which is an open source charting library [1], based on its size, fan-in/out coupling, and cohesion metrics. We developed JamTool, a Java automated measurement tool [4] to obtain the metrics and to observe the quality change along the evolution of the twenty-two released versions of JFreeChart. The empirical study clearly indicates that there are positive relations between the number of classes and the fan-in/out coupling, and the added class group has better software quality than the removed class group. Moreover, the experimental results follow Lehman's 1st, 2nd, 6th laws 6th but against 7th law of software evolution.
The COXEN Principle: Translating Signatures of In vitro Chemosensitivity into Tools for Clinical Outcome Prediction and Drug Discovery in Cancer

Substantial effort has been devoted to in vitro testing of candidate chemotherapeutic agents. In particular, the United States National Cancer Institute Developmental Therapeutics Program (NCI-DTP) Human Tumor Cell Line Screen has screened hundreds of thousands of compounds and extracts, for which data on more than 40,000 compounds tested on a panel of 60 cancer cell lines (NCI-60) are publically available. In tandem, gene expression profiling has brought about a sea change in our understanding of cancer biology, allowing discovery of biomarkers or signatures able to characterize, classify, and prognosticate clinical behavior of human tumors. Recent studies have used tumor profiling matched to clinical trial outcome data to derive gene expression models predicting therapeutic outcomes, though such efforts are costly, time-consuming, tumor type-specific, and not amenable to rare diseases. Furthermore, addition of new or established drugs to multidrug combinations in which such models are already available requires the entire model to be re-derived. Can the aforementioned in vitro testing platform, coupled to the universal language of genomics, be used to develop, a priori, gene expression models predictive of clinical outcomes? Recent advances, including the CO-eXpression ExtrapolatioN (COXEN) algorithm, suggest that development of these models may be possible and raise important implications for future trial design and drug discovery.