cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SCFβ-TRCP controls clock-dependent transcription via casein kinase 1-dependent degradation of the mammalian period-1 (Per1) protein

Circadian rhythms are controlled by the periodic accumulation of Period proteins, which act as transcriptional repressors of Clock-dependent genes. Period genes are themselves Clock targets, thereby establishing a negative transcriptional feedback circuit controlling circadian periodicity. Previous data have implicated the CK1ϵ isolog Doubletime (Dbt) and the F-box protein Slimb in the regulation of Drosophila Period (Per) through an unknown mechanism. In this work, we have identified components of the machinery involved in regulating the abundance of human Per1 in tissue culture cells. CK1ϵ and CK1γ2 were found to bind to Per1 and to promote its degradation in an in vivo degradation assay. Per1 turnover was blocked by a dominant negative version of the Cul1 protein, a component of the SCF (Skp1-Cul1-F-box protein) ubiquitin ligase. We screened a panel of F-box proteins for those that would associate with Per1 in a CK1ϵ-dependent manner, and we identified β-TRCP1 and β-TRCP2, isologs of the Drosophila Slimb protein. RNA interference against β-transducin repeat-containing protein (β-TRCP) stabilizes endogenous and exogenous Per1. β-TRCP associates with sequences near the N terminus of Per1 in a region distinct from the previously characterized CK1ϵ-binding site. β-TRCP and CK1ϵ promote Per1 ubiquitination in vitro. Finally, RNA interference against β-TRCP greatly decreases Clock-dependent gene expression in tissue culture cells, indicating that β-TRCP controls endogenous Per1 activity and the circadian clock by directly targeting Per1 for degradation.
Some new transitions in hierarchical level structures

In the context of hierarchical level structured designs, two new level transistions are discussed. A downward transfer to a lower level of the system is introduced which involves a modified return mechanism. An upward return for exception handling using trap registers is generalized to many levels. This results in a level switch which is more flexible without much additional overhead.
Anatomical observations on the specificity of synapse formation in tissue culture

Abstract Explants of rat superior cervical ganglia were cultured either alone or adjacent to pieces of thoracic spinal cord, cervical spinal cord or cerebral cortex. Superior cervical ganglia grown alone contain few synapses. When grown with thoracic or cervical spinal cord, the ganglia are richly innervated; when grown with cerebral cortex the number of synapses the ganglia contain does not differ significantly from that seen in isolated ganglia. When innervated ganglia were observed 5 days after removal of the adjacent spinal cord explants, the number of synapses found was the same as in ganglia grown alone. We conclude that certain spinal cord neurons are capable of providing presynaptic fibers to the SCG in culture, and that neurons from a region which is not normally associated with the autonomic nervous system, i.e. , the cerebral cortex, do not. Similarly no evidence was found for the innervation of the cerebral cortex by adrenergic neurons of the superior cervical ganglion. These data are presented as evidence that certain basic properties of the axonal surface necessary for synaptic specification are expressed in the tissue culture system.
Origin of low frequency (intraseasonal) oscillations in the tropical atmosphere. III - Monsoon dynamics

The issue of the interaction of the monsoon large-scale circulation and intraseasonal oscillations is addressed, showing that, as a result of the interaction of the large scale monsoon flow with the near-equatorial intraseasonal oscillation, unstable baroclinic disturbances are generated over the monsoon region. From a linear stability analysis of quasi-geostrophic motion in a two-level model, it is shown that the westward propagating disturbances generated over the monsoon region are the manifestation of heat-induced unstable Rossby waves. The instability is favored in the region with large vertical wind shear and reduced effective static stability. The monsoon large scale circulation over India and southeast Asia and the plentiful supply of moisture in the region appear to be favorable for the development of these unstable waves.
Ret in the college classroom

Thirty-five undergraduates participated in an outcome study which compared the results of enrollment in an RET seminar with enrollment in a seminar on another psychotherapy topic, Humanistic Psychology, and two seminars which lacked a psychotherapeutic orientation: Social Development and Extra Sensory Perception. RET instruction failed to decrease irrationality significantly. However, students who received RET instruction had significantly higher perceived self-efficacy than did those in the two nontherapy oriented seminars. There was a significant, inverse relationship between academic achievement (grade point average) and irrational beliefs about need for comfort, need for approval, awfulizing, and low frustration tolerance. Perceived self-efficacy was significantly and positively associated with high academic achievement. Superior students were significantly less likely than their peers to awfulize or exhibit low frustration tolerance; the poorest students were the least likely group to perceive themselves as effective. The implications of these findings for educators and counselors were addressed.
Why Do College Students Use Pinterest? A Model and Implications for Scholars and Marketers

Marketers are rushing to establish a presence on social media based on the promise of reaching a growing segment of users, and with the intention of achieving brand and sales-related objectives. Our recent study of Pinterest usage among college students was designed to produce findings to aid such endeavors. While there is much in the practitioner press and the blogosphere to suggest that Pinterest is shaping the purchase behavior of users, there is no theory to explain why college students use this social media. This article reports findings from a multistage study of college students’ Pinterest usage. The purpose of the study was to stimulate new thinking and aid future theory development efforts. Findings suggest that Pinterest-using college students are psychologically healthy and grounded, and seek and find authentic experiences and enrichment on Pinterest. We draw implications for scholars interested in developing theories of social media usage, and for practitioners interested in harnessing the pow...
A new capability in isotope geochemistry

International Workshop on Tracer Applications of Noble Gas Radionuclides; Argonne, Illinois, 21–22 June 2012 The noble gas radionuclides krypton-81 (81Kr; 229,000-year half-life), krypton-85 (85Kr; 10.8-year half-life), and argon-39 (39Ar; 269-year half-life) have ideal properties for tracing fluid transport in Earth systems. Their principal applications include determination of groundwater residence times (81Kr, 85Kr, and 39Ar) and seawater ventilation ages (39Ar). In practice, however, few studies have employed noble gas radionuclides because of the large sample sizes required and the complex analytical systems required for measuring their extremely low isotopic abundances (10–16 to 10–11). Most published studies have used low-level radioactive decay counting for 39Ar and 85Kr, but the low activity of 81Kr has necessitated the development of various atom-counting methods over the past 4 decades.
Use of n-lithioethylenediamine in the double bond isomerization and degradation of sterol side chains

Abstract Double bond isomerization of stigmasterol ((24S)-24-ethylcholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol) with N-lithioethy-lenediamine produced stigmasta-5,17(20)-dien-3β-ol, stigmasta-5,20(22)-dien-3β-ol, stigmasta-5,23-dien-3β-ol and stigmasta-5,24-dien-3β-ol. Some starting material was also present in the isomerization mixture along with a small amount of stigmast-5-en-3β-ol. Similar treatment of 3α,5-cyclo-6β-methoxystigmast-22-en (stigmasterol i-methyl ether) followed by ozonization and removal of the ring A-protecting group yielded predominantly 3β-hydroxy-androst-5-en-17-one and 3β-hydroxypregn-5-en-20-one. The isomerization products of fucosterol (24-ethylcholesta- 5, 24(28)E-dien-3β-ol) and 23,24-bisnorchola-5,20-dien-3β-ol are also reported.
The structure of the solar plasma flow generated by solar flares

Geomagnetic storms due to solar flares statistically analyzed to obtain configuration of solar plasma flow generated by solar flares
Recovery of asteroidal metals for terrestrial utilization

Abstract A method for the economically favorable recovery of both base and precious metals from asteroids is presented. After transportation to high Earth orbit, asteroidal material would be processed into silicate glazed, 10 ton, metal cones. These cones would be dropped to remote terrestial sites from Earth orbit. It is estimated that for an investment of $23–57 billion, the first 5 × 10 9 ton asteroid (1566 Icarus) returned to the Earth would yield a return on investment of $100 billion to $2.2 trillion. By reusing the retrieval craft subsequent missions would be even more profitable, costing around $780 million per year to sustain the program.
Salt marsh recovery and oil spill remediation after in-situ burning: effects of water depth and burn duration.

Effects of water depth, burn duration, and diesel fuel concentration on the relationship between recovery of marsh vegetation, soil temperature, and oil remediation during in-situ burning of oiled mesocosms were investigated. The water depth over the soil surface during in-situ burning was a major factor controlling recovery of the salt marsh grass, Spartina alterniflora. Ten centimeters of water overlying the soil surface was sufficient to protect the marsh soil from burn impacts with soil temperatures 100 degrees C at the 2-cm soil depth, which completely inhibited the post-burn recovery of S. alterniflora. Although poor plant recovery was also apparent in the treatments with 0 and 2 cm of water over the soil surface, this result was likely due to the chemical stress of the diesel fuel used to create the fire rather than the heat, per se, which never reached the estimated lethal temperature of 60 degrees C. In-situ burning effectively removed more than 95% of floating oil from the water surface. Thus, in-situ burning prevented the oil from potentially contaminating adjacent habitats. However, in-situ burning did not effectively remediate the oil that had penetrated the soil.
The lighter side of TPF-C: evaluating the scientific gain from a smaller mission concept

For the past several years NASA has been developing the Terrestrial Planet Finder Coronagraph (TPF-C), a space based telescope mission to look for Earth-like extra-solar planets. By evaluating the cumulative number of habitable zones observable with a given observation sequence (completeness) we test the relative merits of the baseline 8-m telescope design and smaller (2.5 - 4 m), less capable TPF-C designs based on various coronagraph technologies as well as external occulters.
Pathology of graft-versus-host disease in the gastrointestinal tract

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a common complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, is a clinical syndrome that requires synthesis of clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic findings for diagnosis. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is commonly affected, and pathologists must recognize subtle morphologic alterations in GI mucosal biopsies to make the diagnosis and to rule out other causes of GI dysfunction such as cytomegalovirus infection and drug effects. This review summarizes the histopathologic features of GVHD in the GI tract and outlines recent recommendations for reporting of GI biopsies with suspected GVHD.
Rapid convergence of lattice sums and structural integrals in ordered and disordered systems.

We present a new interpretation of the Ewald technique that suggests a simple rule to guide the transformation of any lattice sum into a pair of sums, one over the original lattice and the other over the reciprocal lattice, both converging faster than any power law in the distance from the origin. The rule sets conditions needed in finding an approximation to the long-range part of the function being summed, and it is the Fourier transform of this approximation that then appears in the reciprocal-lattice sum. Once such an approximation is found, the same transformation can be used not only for lattice sums over Bravais lattices or lattices with a basis, but also for the structural integrals associated with noncrystalline systems, including glasses and liquids. The approach can also be applied to quasicrystals, where the transformation takes two different forms depending on whether the sum is viewed in three dimensions or six, for the icosahedral case. Finally, other implications of the interpretation are presented, including a set of conditions under which an alternative planewise summation method can be used.
Cloning and characterization of the proximal murine Phex promoter.

Phex is an endopetidase that regulates systemic phosphate homeostasis. We investigated Phex gene transcription by cloning and performing functional analysis of the 2736 bp of the 5′ flanking region of the mouse Phex gene containing its promoter. We identified a transcription start site, a consensus TATA-box, and multiple potential cis-acting regulator elements. To determine whether the promoter directs cell-type restricted Phex expression, we transfected full-length and 5′-deleted Phex luciferase reporter constructs into various cell lines. Phex-expressing C5.18 chondrocytes displayed the highest activity of the transfected Phex promoter constructs compared with non-Phex-expressing COS-7 cells, whereas promoter activity was intermediate in ROS 17/2.8 osteoblasts and maturation stage-dependent in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Analysis of sequential 5′-deletion mutants of the Phex promoter in ROS 17/2.8 cells revealed bimodal activity, suggesting that both positive and negative cis-acting regions may be present. Th...
Retinal neovascularization associated with retinoblastoma.

Purpose To report retinal neovascularization associated with retinoblastoma in a 14-month-old infant. Design Observational case report. Methods Review of clinical and pathologic findings. Results A large frond of retinal neovascularization was present posterior to the lens in the right eye, which also contained a retinoblastoma. Conclusions Retinal neovascularization is an unusual association with retinoblastoma.
Formulation and In Vitro Characterization of Composite Biodegradable Magnetic Nanoparticles for Magnetically Guided Cell Delivery

Purpose Cells modified with magnetically responsive nanoparticles (MNP) can provide the basis for novel targeted therapeutic strategies. However, improvements are required in the MNP design and cell treatment protocols to provide adequate magnetic properties in balance with acceptable cell viability and function. This study focused on select variables controlling the uptake and cell compatibility of biodegradable polymer-based MNP in cultured endothelial cells.
Swelling equilibria for heterogeneous polyacrylamide gels

To correlate swelling equilibria for heterogeneous polyacrylamide gels in water to the monomer concentration at preparation, it is necessary to modify the classic Flory–Rehner theory. The necessary modification concerns the relation which links the number of segments between juction points to the monomer concentration at preparation; that relation is here adjusted empirically. Modified theory is compared to experimental swelling equilibria for polyacrylamide gels synthesized in water by free-radical copolymerization of acrylamide (AAm) and N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) (BIS) at various monomer concentrations. Synthesis conditions studied are (1) different AAm-to-BIS ratios with fixed total monomer concentrations, (2) different total monomer concentrations with fixed AAm-to-BIS ratios, and (3) different AAm-to-BIS ratios with a fixed number of BIS moleculcs. The modified theory and experiment show good agreement. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Changing concepts in the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia

The principal common pathway for myocardial ischemia is an oxygen supply-demand imbalance; more recently, greater emphasis has been placed on limitations of myocardial blood supply, as well as excessive myocardial oxygen demand. Myocardial ischemia is a metabolic event resulting from inadequate oxygen delivery to local tissues. The physiologic effects of ischemia are observed through abnormalities in left ventricular function, electrocardiographic changes, and often, by angina pectoris. Prognostic and therapeutic outcomes are significantly related to the pathophysiology of the underlying coronary lesion. Because myocardial ischemia often occurs without symptoms, clinical distinctions based on angina stability may more appropriately be represented by stable or unstable ischemic syndromes that incorporate silent ischemia. Stable ischemic syndromes occur secondary to coronary plaques, whereas unstable syndromes are the result of active lesions caused by plaque rupture with local thrombus and vasoreactivity that produce intermittent critical decreases in coronary supply. The prognosis of patients with stable ischemia is related to the extent of myocardium at jeopardy and overall left ventricular function. In contrast, unstable syndromes are associated with a worse short-term prognosis, which may be predictable by the presence of silent ischemia or left ventricular dysfunction or both. Therapeutic decisions based on an improved pathophysiologic understanding of ischemic mechanisms as well as the physiologic impact of therapy on cardiac function can enhance efficacy while avoiding adverse effects. Calcium channel blockers appear to afford certain advantages in the treatment of myocardial ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Change of surface roughness and the planetary boundary layer

The ratio between upstream and far downstream surface friction velocities relative to a change in surface roughness is given on the basis of results from surface Rossby number similarity theory. By simple theories for the internal boundary layer, which are found here to compare quite well with recent numerical results from higher-order closure models, it is found that even at a downwind distance such that the internal boundary layer has grown to the full height of the planetary boundary layer, the surface stress still considerably exceeds the equilibrium value.
Pickled Vegetable Condiments: A Global Industry and Its Literature

Cucumbers, peppers, and sauerkraut, are by far the leading industrially pickled or fermented solid condiments purchased by foodservice operations and consumers in America. Seventeen other countries, some with specialty pickles for which they are world famous, also compete in the international market. After a review of the three main pickle processing methods in use today, a search for articles and patents in Food Science & Technology Abstracts, 2003–2012, under pickles, disclosed which countries were conducting ongoing scientific and market research on pickling, which categories of journals most often carried it, and what vegetables and topics were most often discussed.
Alloys based on NiAl for high temperature applications

The NiAl alloys for potential high temperature applications were studied. Alloys were prepared by powder metallurgy techniques. Flow stress values at slow strain rates and high temperatures were measured. Some ternary alloying additions (Hf, Ta and Nb) were identified. The mechanism of strengthening in alloys containing these additions appears to be a form of particle dislocation interaction. The effects of grain size and stoichiometry in binary alloys are also presented.
African American Learners

In this article, the authors describe the unique and complex challenges that educators face when working in low-performing schools in impoverished communities. Further, the authors examine the impact these challenges may have on the academic achievement and special education placement of African American students. The authors also discuss how educational outcomes can be improved for African American learners through collaborative efforts among stakeholders, the use of empirically validated academic and social behavior strategies, and culturally responsive instruction.
Composition of Histone prepared from Rat Liver Deoxypentosenucleoprotein

THE recent report1 by Hamer on the amino-acid composition of calf thymus histone prompts us to communicate some corresponding observations on a histone prepared from rat liver deoxypentosenucleoprotein. Nuclei were isolated from briefly homogenized suspensions of perfused rat liver (Sprague–Dawley–Holtzmann strain) and washed four times. A citric acid technique at pH 6.1 was employed in the preparation2. The nuclei were subjected to differential extraction with sodium chloride, 1.0 M salt being used for the extraction of the deoxypentosenucleoprotein and dilution to 0.14 M salt for its precipitation. Unlike the preparations described in the literature, these are non-fibrous on precipitation, readily soluble in water, non-viscous in either water or molar sodium chloride solution, and of low molecular weight. The deoxypentosenucleoprotein was dialysed against water and the solution so obtained was lyophilized.
Transcription and autoregulation of the stabilizing functions of broad-host-range plasmid RK2 in Escherichia coli, Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Summary The broad-host-range plasmid RK2 has been shown to encode several proteins important for its maintenance within bacterial populations of a number of Gram-negative bacteria. Their genes are organized into two operons: parCBA and parD. These operons have been proposed to be transcribed from two divergent promoters, p-parCBA and p-parD, located within a sequence of approximately 150 bases. In this report we identify and characterize the sequences required for regulated transcription from these promoters in Escherichia coli, Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Both of these promoters are repressed by their own gene products in the same manner in all three bacteria tested, with ParA functioning as the primary repressor of p-parCBA and ParD functioning as the repressor of p-parD. The binding regions of these proteins were determined through deletion analyses, DNA mobility shift assays, and an examination of the effect of mutations in this region. Based on these observations, the ParA protein appears to bind to either two inverted repeat or two direct repeat sequences, one downstream from the transcriptional initiation site and the other upstream of the p-parCBA -35 box. The ParD protein appears to bind to one inverted repeat sequence, located between the -35 and -10 boxes of p-parD.
Relative partitioning of acoustic and seismic energy during Strombolian eruptions

The relative elastic energy partitioning during Strombolian eruptions can be estimated from acoustic pressure and seismic velocity records. We outline methods for determining acoustic and seismic energies for sensors deployed within several kilometers of erupting vents. We use these energies to introduce the concept of the volcano acoustic–seismic ratio (g, or VASR), which is the ratio of elastic energy propagated through the atmosphere and into the earth. Eruption VASR is a physical diagnostic of explosive degassing that is appropriate for comparing eruption mechanisms at individual and between various volcanoes. Here we assess acoustic and seismic energies and corresponding VASR for discrete Strombolian explosive events at Karymsky and Erebus Volcanoes. We attribute the relatively high and stable VASR at Erebus (g=8, standard deviation 41%) to repeatable source conditions occurring at the surface of a persistent lava lake, with accompanying strong coupling to the atmosphere. Lower and more variable VASR at Karymsky (g=0.18 in 1998 to g=1.51 in 1991, with standard deviations of 93% and 313%, respectively) is attributed to changing conditions within a narrow, partially choked conduit. Variable seismoacoustic energy partitioning for Karymsky, as manifested by the large VASR standard deviation, suggests that conduit conditions affecting VASR, which include magma properties, conduit obstruction, or fragmentation depths can evolve both during the course of an explosion and between successive events. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Virtually balanced incomplete block designs for v = 22, k = 8, and λ = 4

When basic necessary conditions for the existence of a balanced incomplete block design are satisfied, the design may still not exist or it may not be known whether it exists. In either case, other designs may be considered for the same parameters. In this article we introduce a class of alternative designs, which we will call virtually balanced incomplete block designs. From a statistical point of view these designs provide efficient alternatives to balanced incomplete block designs, and from a combinatorial point of view they offer challenging new questions. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Low-velocity impact damage monitoring of a sandwich composite wing

Impact damage has been identified as a critical form of defect that constantly threatens the reliability of composite structures, such as those used in aircrafts and naval vessels. Low-energy impacts can introduce barely visible damage and cause structural degradation. Therefore, efficient structural health monitoring methods, which can accurately detect, quantify, and localize impact damage in complex composite structures, are required. In this article, a novel damage detection methodology is demonstrated for monitoring and quantifying the impact damage propagation. Statistical feature matrices, composed of features extracted from the time and frequency domains, are developed. Kernel principal component analysis is used to compress and classify the statistical feature matrices. Compared with traditional principal component analysis algorithm, kernel principal component analysis method shows better feature clustering and damage quantification capabilities. A new damage index, formulated using the Mahalano...
Identification of an Antigen Localized to an Apparent Septum within Dividing Chlamydiae

The process of chlamydial cell division has not been thoroughly investigated. The lack of detectable peptidoglycan and the absence of an FtsZ homolog within chlamydiae suggest an unusual mechanism for the division process. Our laboratory has identified an antigen (SEP antigen) localized to a ring-like structure at the apparent septum within dividing chlamydial reticulate bodies (RB). Antisera directed against SEP show similar patterns of antigen distribution in Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia psittaci RB. In contrast to localization in RB, SEP in elementary bodies appears diffuse and irregular, suggesting that the distribution of the antigen is developmental-stage specific. Treatment of chlamydiae with inhibitors of peptidoglycan synthesis or culture of chlamydiae in medium lacking tryptophan leads to the formation of nondividing, aberrant RB. Staining of aberrant RB with anti-SEP reveals a marked redistribution of the antigen. Within C. trachomatis-infected cells, ampicillin treatment leads to high levels of SEP accumulation at the periphery of aberrant RB, while in C. psittaci, treatment causes SEP to localize to distinct punctate sites within the bacteria. Aberrancy produced via tryptophan depletion results in a different pattern of SEP distribution. In either case, the reversal of aberrant formation results in the production of normal RB and a redistribution of SEP to the apparent plane of bacterial division. Collectively these studies identify a unique chlamydial-genus-common and developmental-stage-specific antigen that may be associated with RB division.
Biology of the blueberry bud mite.

Descriptions are presented of the immature stages of Acalitus vaccinii (Keifer). A minimum of 15 days was required for the bud mite to complete its life cycle at 19°C. Symptoms of bud bite injury appeared about 14 days following bud infestation. Bud mite populations reached their maximum during February, with the largest number of mites concentrated in the more terminal buds. Bud mite populations in newly formed buds in late spring or early summer were found only in the outer, basal bud scales. However, by late August or September bud mites were found throughout infested buds. Bees pollinating blueberries appeared to aid in dispersal of the mite. Numerous mites and insects, including some predaceous species, were found associated with the bud mite. However, none of the predators was abundant enough to have a noticeable effect on bud mite populations.
Neurobiological Basis of Sensory Perception: Welfare Implications of Beak Trimming

The practice of beak trimming in the poultry industry occurs to prevent excessive body pecking, cannibalism, and to avoid feed wastage. To assess the welfare implications of the procedure, an emphasis of this paper has been placed on the anatomical structures that comprise the beak and mouth parts and a representation of the structures removed following beak trimming. Five animal welfare concerns regarding the procedure have been addressed, including the following: loss of normal beak function, short-term pain and temporary debilitation, tongue and nostril damage, neuromas and scar tissue, and long-term and phantom limb pain. Because all of the concerns involve the nervous system, the current knowledge of the avian somatosensory system was summarized. The critical components include touch, pain, and thermal receptors in the buccal cavity and bill, the trigeminal system, and neural projections mapped to the pallium (cortical-like tissue in the avian forebrain). At the present time, a need remains to continue the practice of beak trimming in the poultry industry to prevent head, feather, and vent pecking in some lines of birds. The procedure, however, should involve conservative trimming and be limited to young birds. Importantly, data show that removing 50% or less of the beak of chicks can prevent the formation of neuromas and allow regeneration of keratinized tissue to prevent deformed beaks and therefore positively affect the quality of life of birds during their lifetime.
A miniature robotic boundary layer data acquisition system

A sophisticated, highly miniaturized, mobile robot has been developed to collect boundary layer velocity profile data over the surfaces of wind tunnel models. To reduce aerodynamic interference effects the robot was built with dimensions of only 150mm tall X 70mm long X 35mm wide, yet it contained a substantial number of electro-mechanical and electronic systems for accurately positioning small pressure probes, and for transducing their pressure data. The robot system, which could be controlled in a tele-operator mode from outside the wind tunnel, was capable of traversing a pressure probe normal to the model surface at two speeds, and was able to stop the probe at any desired location with a positional accuracy of 0.022mm. The robot also included systems that enabled it to move over the model surfaces in a chordwise sense, and to rotate the probe through 180° for use in reversed flow regions. When used operationally during actual wind tunnel testing, the robot functioned flawlessly, and returned high quality boundary layer data.
Yield optimization for nondifferentiable density functions using convolution techniques

A method of yield derivative estimation for nondifferentiable or truncated probability-density functions (PDFs) is proposed and applied to yield optimization. The method applies convolution techniques and is based on the recently introduced perturbation approach. It constructs some approximation to the original PDF and requires a small number of samples per yield-optimization-algorithm step. The method is efficient and provides fast convergence in the solution, especially for problems of high dimensionality. Several yield-gradient estimation formulas are given. Some theoretical and practical aspects of the proposed method are discussed. Practical applications are demonstrated on several analog filters, and the method is compared with some other existing methods. >
Averroes and Narboni on the Material Intellect

Questions regarding the human intellect haunted Averroes throughout his philosophic career; no less than seven of his preserved works treat the human intellect formally, while others, naturally enough, also do so incidentally. Here I shall point out that the seven aforementioned works fall into a sequence, that a recently published text of Averroes' has its place within the sequence, and that Moses Narboni misread Averroes for reasons to be explained.
Efficient bulk-loading of gridfiles

This paper considers the problem of bulk-loading large data sets for the gridfile multiattribute indexing technique. We propose a rectilinear partitioning algorithm that heuristically seeks to minimize the size of the gridfile needed to ensure no bucket overflows. Empirical studies on both synthetic data sets and on data sets drawn from computational fluid dynamics applications demonstrate that our algorithm is very efficient, and is able to handle large data sets. In addition, we present an algorithm for bulk-loading data sets too large to fit in main memory. Utilizing a sort of the entire data set it creates a gridfile without incurring any overflows.
Impact of surface curvature on dose delivery in intraoperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

Abstract In intraoperative high-dose-rate (IOHDR) brachytherapy, a 2-dimensional (2D) geometry is typically used for treatment planning. The assumption of planar geometry may cause serious errors in dose delivery for target surfaces that are, in reality, curved. A study to evaluate the magnitude of these errors in clinical practice was undertaken. Cylindrical phantoms with 6 radii (range: 1.35–12.5 cm) were used to simulate curved treatment geometries. Treatment plans were developed for various planar geometries and were delivered to the cylindrical phantoms using catheters inserted into Freiburg applicators of varying dimension. Dose distributions were measured using radiographic film. In comparison to the treatment plan (for a planar geometry), the doses delivered to prescription points were higher on the concave side of the geometry, up to 15% for the phantom with the smallest radius. On the convex side of the applicator, delivered doses were up to 10% lower for small treated areas (≤ 5 catheters) but, interestingly, the dose error was negligible for large treated areas (>5 catheters). Our measurements have shown inaccuracy in dose delivery when the original planar treatment plan is delivered with a curved applicator. Dose delivery errors arising from the use of planar treatment plans with curved applicators may be significant.
Surface Plasmon-Coupled Emission: A New Method for Sensitive Fluorescence Detection

In recent years, there has been a growing interest among the scientific community in the modification of the fluorescence properties of dyes near metallic surfaces. It has been well established that the brightness of fluorophores significantly increases at close proximity to silvered surfaces (deposited colloids or islands) [1-6]. This effect is accompanied by dramatically decreased lifetimes, indicating a significant increase in radiative decay rates [3, 6-8]. Shorter lifetimes enable higher photostability of fluorophores [8-10]. The strongest enhancements were observed for fractal silver structures [11] and for overlabeled macromolecules where the self-quenching was released [12-13]. The effects of noble metal particles on fluorescence are described in several chapters in this volume.
A unified model of acting and inference

A unified model of acting and inference (called rational engine) for an intelligent architecture is presented. The integrated architecture uses propositional semantic network representations of beliefs, goals, acts, plans, and deduction rules. A message passing scheme implements the underlying logic, and has forward, backward, and bidirectional inference capabilities. It also incorporates the notions of truth maintenance, spreading activation, and a unified representational formalism for acting and inference called transformers. >
Unique Issues in Rural Couple and Family Counseling

During the past several decades, a variety of authors has suggested that rural mental health practice differs significantly from that of urban practice. Several studies have examined rural mental health service delivery issues. Frequently, couple and family counseling issues have not been addressed in these studies. The purpose of this article is to review the available literature regarding rural couple and family counseling, in conjunction with the findings of research in closely related fields. This review is conducted in an effort to identify unique practice issues facing rural couple and family counselors.
Ultrasonic Evaluation of High‐Density Silicon Carbide Ceramics

Nondestructive ultrasound testing has been evaluated as a technique for analyzing isolated bulk defects and microstructural inhomogeneities in silicon carbide (SiC). Three SiC samples of varying thickness, two of which were fabricated by hot pressing and a third that was fabricated by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), were characterized using pulse–echo ultrasound characterization at a frequency of 75 MHz. Point analysis techniques were utilized to measure variations in time-of-flight (TOF), or ultrasound travel time through each sample, for calculation of regional differences in material velocity and elastic properties. C-scan imaging was used to evaluate differences in both TOF and reflected signal amplitude over the area of each sample. Area-under-the-curve (AUTC) and full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) data were obtained from normalized histograms to establish trends for direct sample comparison. It was determined that lower AUTC and FWHM values correlated to higher density samples with fewer inhomogeneities. However, the histogram tail area and distribution were also important features, providing information about specific inhomogeneities and their distributions.
Internal Kinematics of Dward Spheroidal Galaxies

We discuss the quality of kinematic data in dwarf spheroidal galaxies, the current interpretations of those data, and prospects for actually deriving the mass profile in these galaxies. We then discuss stellar populations constraints on some of the models that attempt to explain the kinematics and formation of the dSph's.
The MADS-domain protein AGAMOUS-like 15 accumulates in embryonic tissues with diverse origins

AGL15 (AGAMOUS-like 15), a member of the MADS-domain family of regulatory factors, accumulates preferentially in the organs and tissues derived from double fertilization in flowering plants (i.e. the embryo, suspensor, and endosperm). The developmental role of AGL15 is still undefined. If it is involved in embryogenesis rather than some other aspect of seed biology, then AGL15 protein should accumulate whenever development proceeds in the embryonic mode, regardless of the origin of those embryos or their developmental context. To test this, we used AGL15-specific antibodies to analyze apomictic embryogenesis in dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), microspore embryogenesis in oilseed rape (Brassica napus), and somatic embryogenesis in alfalfa (Medicago sativa). In every case, AGL15 accumulated to relatively high levels in the nuclei of the embryos. AGL15 also accumulated in cotyledon-like organs produced by the xtc2 (extra cotyledon2) mutant of Arabidopsis and during precocious germination in oilseed rape. Furthermore, the subcellular localization of AGL15 appeared to be developmentally regulated in all embryogenic situations. AGL15 was initially present in the cytoplasm of cells and became nuclear localized before or soon after embryogenic cell divisions began. These results support the hypothesis that AGL15 participates in the regulation of programs active during the early stages of embryo development.
Interaction between a cavitation bubble and shear flow

The deformation of a cavitation bubble in shear and extensional flows is studied numerically. The Navier–Stokes equations are solved to observe the three-dimensional behaviour of the bubble as it grows and collapses. During the collapse phase of the bubble, two re-entrant jets are observed on two sides of the bubble. The re-entrant jets are not the result of interaction with a solid wall or free surface; rather, they are formed due to interaction of the bubble with the background flow. Effects of the viscosity, surface tension and shear rate on the formation and strength of re-entrant jets are investigated. Re-entrant jets with enough strength break up the bubble into smaller bubbles. Post-processing and analysis of the results are done to cast the disturbance by the bubble on the liquid velocity field in terms of spherical harmonics. It is found that quadrupole moments are created in addition to the monopole source.
ECM techniques generator

The continuous implementation of new and improved electronic counter measure/electronic counter-counter measure (ECM/ECCM) techniques has always been an information technology battle ever since their inception during WWII. The outcomes of various information exploitation experiments are vital in protecting both manned and unmanned airborne platforms. The development of jamming waveforms and ECM techniques are based upon the exploitation data and circuit analysis of various threat hardware and firmware. Unfortunately these current manual methods are very time consuming and nontrivial. Vast resources are allocated just to the setup and investigation/evaluation of a particular system's circuit design. Several very complex information technology exploitation tests must also be executed for the purpose of deriving basis waveforms from the resultant empirical data. Since the results are empirical and not optimized, additional problems may arise at a later date. Consequently, the use of genetic algorithms (GAs) executing inside special signal-processing platforms that are integrated into existing ECM/ECCM testing systems may offer an innovative computational approach/solution in the development of optimized jamming information technology waveforms and techniques. If successful, the time required for developing these techniques could possibly be reduced from years to days if not hours.
Efficient computation of the free-space periodic Green's function

The application of Shanks's transform is shown to improve the convergence of the series representing the doubly infinite free-space periodic Green's function. Higher order Shanks transforms are computed via Wynn's epsilon algorithm. Numerical results confirm that a dramatic improvement in the convergence rate is obtained for the on-plane case, in which the series converges extremely slowly. In certain instances, the computation time can be reduced by as much as a factor of a few thousands. A relative error measure versus the number of terms taken in the series is plotted for various values of a convergence factor as the observation point is varied within a unit cell. Computation times are also provided. >
Free Gracilis Transfer for Smile in Children The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Experience in Excursion and Quality-of-Life Changes

Background Free muscle transfer for facial reanimation has become the standard of care in recent decades and is now the cornerstone intervention for dynamic smile reanimation. We sought to quantify smile excursion and quality-of-life (QOL) changes in our pediatric free gracilis recipients following reanimation. Methods We quantified gracilis muscle excursion in 17 pediatric patients undergoing 19 consecutive pediatric free gracilis transplantation operations, using our validated SMILE program, as an objective measure of functional outcome. These were compared against excursion measured the same way in a cohort of 17 adults with 19 free gracilis operations. In addition, we prospectively evaluated QOL outcomes in these children using the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) instrument. Results The mean gracilis excursion in our pediatric free gracilis recipients was 8.8 mm ± 5.0 mm, which matched adult results, but with fewer complete failures of less than 2-mm excursion, with 2 (11%) and 4 (21%), respectively. Quality-of-life measures indicated statistically significant improvements following dynamic smile reanimation ( P = .01). Conclusions Dynamic facial reanimation using free gracilis transfer in children has an acceptable success rate, yields improved commissure excursion, and improves QOL in the pediatric population. It should be considered first-line therapy for children with lack of a meaningful smile secondary to facial paralysis.
Recognition and Time Distribution of Texturally Altered Welded Tuff

One of the results of a lack of clearly defined welded shards in ancient silicic volcanic rocks is a lack of recognition that many of these rocks areash-flow tuff. Ash-flow tuff units of Cambrian age in the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma and of Precam-brian age in the St. Francois Mountains of Missouri contain only a few examples of clearly defined shards. That they are, nevertheless, ash-flow tuff is shown by their widespread occurrences, broken phenocrysts, common compaction foliation, and common snowflake texture. The abundance of petrographically similar rocks in the Precambrian basement of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas suggests that the previously reported low relative abundance of Precambrian ash-flow tuff resulted more from lack of recognition than from progressive crustal differentiation.
THE NEW MAIDS, TRANSNATIONAL WOMEN AND THE CARE ECONOMY

Helma Lutz (translated by Deborah Shannon), THE NEW MAIDS, TRANSNATIONAL WOMEN AND THE CARE ECONOMY, London: Zed Books, 2011, viii +241 pp., $34.95 (paper) Using empirical research from interviews ...
AMPA receptor trafficking and synaptic plasticity require SQSTM1/p62

SQSTM1/p62 is a multidomain/scaffold for the atypical protein kinase Cs (aPKC). Phosphorylation of AMPA receptors by PKC has been shown to regulate their insertion in the postsynaptic membrane. Here, we directly tested whether p62 could interact with AMPA receptor subunits and influence their trafficking and phosphorylation. GluR1 receptor intracellular loop L2-3 and the ZZ-type zinc finger domain of p62 are essential for the interaction between these two proteins. In this context, both p62 and aPKC-mediated phosphorylation were necessary for surface delivery of the receptor. Our findings reveal that p62 is the first protein identified that interacts with a region of the GluR receptor other than the C-terminal tail. Furthermore, mice deficient in p62 displayed impaired hippocampal CA1 long-term potentiation (LTP), along with diminished surface expression of GluR1 and phosphorylation of S818. Lastly, we identify a conserved sequence (ISExSL) shared by all p62 interacting-aPKC substrates. These findings support a model where p62 interaction and aPKC phosphorylation act together to mediate AMPA receptor trafficking and long-term synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.