cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ABCC6 Localizes to the Mitochondria-Associated Membrane

Rationale:Mutations of the orphan transporter ABCC6 (ATP-binding cassette, subfamily C, member 6) cause the connective tissue disorder pseudoxanthoma elasticum. ABCC6 was thought to be located on the plasma membrane of liver and kidney cells. Objective:Mouse systems genetics and bioinformatics suggested that ABCC6 deficiency affects mitochondrial gene expression. We therefore tested whether ABCC6 associates with mitochondria. Methods and Results:We found ABCC6 in crude mitochondrial fractions and subsequently pinpointed its localization to the purified mitochondria-associated membrane fraction. Cell-surface biotinylation in hepatocytes confirmed that ABCC6 is intracellular. Abcc6-knockout mice demonstrated mitochondrial abnormalities and decreased respiration reserve capacity. Conclusions:Our finding that ABCC6 localizes to the mitochondria-associated membrane has implications for its mechanism of action in normal and diseased states.
Childhood gender identity change: Operant control over sex-typed play and mannerisms

Abstract To our knowledge this case is the first successful change of childhood gender identity that is documented by pre- and post-diagnostic assessment procedures. Deviant sex-typed behaviors were modified in a 5-yr-old boy judged by an independent clinician to be a high risk for adult transsexualism. In Study 1, the child's mother was trained to reinforce “masculine” play behaviors and to extinguish “feminine” play behaviors in the clinic. This intrasubject study introduced new procedures designed to maximize the generalization of the treatment effect to play in the alone condition. Study 2 was designed to modify the child's cross-gender mannerisms through the use of a response-cost and verbal prompt procedure. The cross-gender mannerism “flexed elbow” decreased as a function of the treatment. At the follow-up 25 months after treatment terminated, the evaluation by an independent clinician indicated the therapeutic change to a male gender identity.
Low stress tungsten absorber for X-ray masks

Abstract We have developed a process for consistently depositing, by rf sputtering, low stress ( 7 dynes/cm 2 ) alpha-phase tungsten (μ-W) on the Si and Si 3 N 4 membranes of x-ray masks. Consistency of the μ-phase is ensured by first evaporating a 10nm-thick μ-W seed layer and then sputtering W at a substrate temperature of 200°OC. Low stress is ensured by controlling the Ar pressure to within 10 -4 Torr (0.013Pa). Stress was determined by measuring, in a Linnik interferometer, the membrane deflection at a W step edge. This method can detect stress as low as 5x10 7 dynes/cm 2 . Both the thermal and radiation stability of μ-W patterns on Si membranes were tested. Zero stress (i.e., 7 dynes/cm 2 ) W patterns on Si membranes exhibited no changes after annealing at 410°OC for 24 hours and 200°OC for 50 hours. Also, no change was observed after an x irradiation of 9800 J/cm 2 using a synchrotron. This is equivalent to between 10 5 and 10 6 x-ray lithography exposures. Tungsten etching was studied using various gas combinations and reactive ion etching (RIE) parameters. Using Microposit 1400-25 resist patterns, and a 10:1:5 mixture of CHF 3 /CCl 2 F 2 /O 2 , we obtained reasonable etch rates and vertical sidewalls (slope less than 3 O ). We are developing a system for measuring the resonant frequency of membranes in-situ, during rf sputtering of W. The resonant frequency depends on W stress and hence can be used in a feedback loop to control stress under computer control.
Real Estate Market Trends and the Displacement of the Aged: Examination of the Linkages in Manhattan

A real estate market trends analysis of a low-income area on the Upper West Side of Manhattan revealed increases in residential properties of 400% during 1980-1988, and 1,754% in the Manhattan Valley area of this community, compared with 203% in all of Manhattan. An analysis of databases revealed a depletion of 51.9% of the single-room occupancy housing stock in this area. A survey of 115 seniors indicated a population at risk of displacement and vulnerable to homelessness.
The effects of surfactants on drop deformation and breakup

The effects of surface-active agents on drop deformation and breakup in extensional flows at low Reynolds numbers are described. In this free-boundary problem, determination of the interfacial velocity requires knowledge of the distribution of surfactant, which, in turn, requires knowledge of the interfacial velocity field. We account for this explicit coupling of the unknown drop shape and the evolving surfactant distribution. An analytical result valid for nearly spherical distortions is presented first. Finite drop deformation is studied numerically using the boundaryintegral method in conjunction with the time-dependent convective-diffusion equation for surfactant transport. This procedure accurately follows interfacial tension variations, produced by non-uniform surfactant distribution, on the evolving interface. The numerical method allows for an arbitrary equation of state relating interfacial tension to the local concentration of surfactant, although calculations are presented only for the common linear equation of state. Also, only the case of insoluble surfactant is studied. The analytical and numerical results indicate that at low capillary numbers the presence of surfactant causes larger deformation than would occur for a drop with a constant interfacial tension equal to the initial equilibrium value. The increased deformation occurs owing to surfactant being swept to the end of the drop where it acts to locally lower the interfacial tension, which therefore requires increased deformation to satisfy the normal stress balance. However, at larger capillary numbers and finite deformations, this convective effect competes with ‘dilution ’ of the surfactant due to interfacial area increases. These two different effects of surfaceactive material are illustrated and discussed and their influence on the critical capillary number for breakup is presented.
The linear model revisited

Abstract Following Gerber (1982), the annual gain of an insurance concern, G t , is modeled as an autoregressive moving average process. The surplus process is defined as U t = u + Σ t k = 1 G k . The distribution of U t is obtained. It is proved that the traditional limit theorems, i.e., the central limit theorem, the strong law of large numbers and the law of the iterated logarithm, hold for U t as t → ∞. Under certain conditions, bounds are provided for the probability of non-ruin in a finite time interval. It is proved that, if E[ G t ] > 0 as t → ∞, the probability of non-ruin in an infinite time interval is positive.
Bismaleimide-vinylpolystyrylpyridine graphite composites

Flammability, thermal, and selected mechanical properties of composites fabricated with epoxy and other thermally stable resin matrices are described. Properties which were measured included limiting-oxygen index, smoke evolution, thermal degradation products, total-heat release, heat-release rates, mass loss, flame spread, ignition resistance, thermogravimetric analysis and selected mechanical properties. This paper describes the properties of eight different graphite composite panels fabricated using four different resin matrices and two types of graphite reinforcement. The resin matrices included: XU71775/H795, a blend of vinylpolystyrylpyridine and bismaleimide; H795, a bismaleimide; Cycom 6162, a phenolic; and PSP 6022M, a polystyrylpyridine. The graphite fiber used was AS-4 in the form of either tape or fabric. The properties of these composites were compared with epoxy composites. It was determined that the blend of vinylpolystyrylpyridine and bismaleimide (XU71775/H795) with the graphite tape was the optimum design giving the lowest heat release rate.
Metabolism, distribution, and excretion of the flame retardant, Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (Tris-BP) in the rat: Identification of mutagenic and nephrotoxic metabolites

Abstract The mutagenic, nephrotoxic, and carcinogenic flame retardant Tris-BP underwent rapid and extensive metabolism in the rat. Five days after administration of [14C]Tris-BP, 86% of the radiolabel had been excreted in the form of metabolites in the urine (58%), feces (9%) and expired air (19% as 14CO2); 9% was recovered in the body. [14C]Tris-BP and its metabolites were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chormatography and liquid scintillation counting. Tris-BP was not detected in the excreta. A metabolite present in urine, feces, bile, and tissues was identified by mass spectrometry as bis(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (Bis-BP). 2,3-Dibromopropanol (DBP) was also identified in tissues and in urine. Biliary excretion and enterohepatic recirculation were major routes in the disposition of Tris-BP. All tissues contained Tris-BP-derived radioactivity; however, the concentration of radiolabel in kidney was 11 times the average body concentration 5 days after dosing. Bis-BP was mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium (TA100) in the presence of Aroclor-induced liver homogenates. The mutagenic potency was greater than that of DBP but less than that of Tris-BP. Also, Bis-BP was an acute nephrotoxin and was more potent than Tris-BP itself. Results from these studies demonstrated that the tissues toward which Tris-BP was selectively toxic, kidney and colon, were also the tissues which were exposed to selectively high concentrations of Tris-BP-derived radioactivity. Tris-BP, which has a short in vivo half-life, was metabolized to a long-acting mutagenic and nephrotoxic metabolite, Bis-BP.
Preparation and characterization of uniform submicrometer metal niobate particles. I. Lead niobate

Colloidal amorphous lead niobate particles of different composition and morphologies were obtained by a metal-chelate decomposition method. The nature of the dispersions depended on the conditions of the preparation of the complexes, pH, aging time, and temperature. The structural and chemical changes of the so prepared powders on calcination were investigated by thermal and x-ray diffraction analyses. Chemical mechanisms of the formation and transformation of the particles are suggested.
An algorithm for high-speed curve generation

A fast algorithm for the generation of arbitrary curves is described. The algorithm is recursive, using only integer addition, one-bit right shifts, complementation and comparisons, and produces a sequential list of raster points which constitute the curve. The curve consists of concatenated segments, where each segment is smooth and open. The curve may be arbitrarily complex, that is, it may be smooth or discontinuous, and it may be open, closed, or self intersecting. Implementation of the algorithm in a hardware microprocessor is considered as an extension to incremental plotting devices and other numerically controlled machines. An extension of the algorithm to generate 3-D curves is described, along with techniques for their application to surface representation, nonlinear interpolation, and direction of numerically controlled milling machines and similar devices.
Simulating Electromagnetic NDT Probe Fields

Using computer graphics and film technologies, engineers can now numerically model the nondestructive testing technique that detects flaws in the pressurized steam pipes of nuclear power plants.
Q-band ENDOR spectra of the Rieske protein from Rhodobactor capsulatus ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase show two histidines coordinated to the [2Fe-2S] cluster.

Electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) experiments were performed on {sup 14}N (natural abundance) and {sup 15}N-enriched iron-sulfur Rieske protein in the ubiquinol-cytochrome c{sub 2} oxidoreductase from Rhodobactor capsulatus. The experiments proved that two distinct nitrogenous ligands, histidines, are undoubtedly ligated to the Rieske (2Fe-2S) center. The calculations of hyperfine tensors give values similar but not identical to those of the Rieske-type cluster in phthalate dioxygenase of Pseudomonas cepacia and suggest a slightly different geometry of the iron-sulfur cluster in the two proteins.
Establishing the Moon as a Spectral Radiance Standard

Abstract A new automated observatory dedicated to the radiometry of the moon has been constructed to provide new radiance information for calibration of earth-orbiting imaging instruments, particularly Earth Observing System instruments. Instrumentation includes an imaging photometer with 4.5-in. resolution on a fully digital mount and a full-aperture radiance calibration source. Interference filters within 0.35–0.95 µm correspond to standard stellar magnitude systems, accommodate wavelengths of lunar spectral contrast, and approximate some band-passes of planned earth-orbiting instruments (ASTER, Landsat-7 ETM, MISR, MODIS, and SeaWIFS). The same equipment is used for lunar and stellar observations, with the use of an aperture stop in lunar imaging to comply with Nyquist's theorem and lengthen exposure times to avoid scintillation effects. A typical robotic night run involves observation of about 60 photometric standard stars and the moon; about 10 of the standard stars are observed repeatedly to determi...
Construction and use of a multi-competitor gene for quantitative RT-PCR using existing primer sets

Abstract We describe a simple and inexpensive method for the construction of multi-competitor molecules for use as internal standards in quantitative RT-PCR. The construction involves the linking and annealing of 20mer PCR primers with complementary 40mers using either a step-wise or bulk process. The entire construct is then ligated and amplified by PCR prior to cloning. Using this approach, we have constructed a gene containing priming sites for 18 different products of immunological interest, including murine cytokines and cell surface markers, as well as murine β-actin and T. cruzi rRNA. The cost of production of the competitor is minimized by use of a high-throughput multi-oligonucleotide synthesizer for production of the individual components fo the synthetic gene, and by use of the same oligonucleotides in gene construction and as primers for the RT-PCR reactions. This procedure can be applied to the production of other polycompetitor molecules as well as to the construction of other types of synthetic genes.
Numerical Modeling of Advection and Diffusion of Urban Area Source Pollutants

Abstract A numerical, grid-element model has been developed for the study of air pollution transport from urban area-type sources. This advection-diffusion model is especially useful for the estimation of air pollution concentrations under conditions of spatial and time varying emissions, velocities and diffusion rates. The “pseudo-diffusive” errors associated with conventional finite-difference approximations to advective transport are eliminated by a material-conserving computation procedure involving the zeroth, first and second moments of the concentration distribution within each grid element. Extensions of the procedure are suggested for retention of sub-grid-scale resolution of concentration values necessary in the study of transport of chemically reactive materials, or for the incorporation of emissions from point and line sources. A novel procedure is presented for the numerical simulation of horizontal diffusion from area sources which can be used to model empirically observed dispersive growth ...
Left ventricular outflow obstruction after aortic valve replacement: Detection with continuous wave doppler ultrasound recording

A 33 year old woman developed left ventricular outflow obstruction due to a fibrous subvalvular membrane 2 years after insertion of a Hancock modified orifice, porcine aortic valve prosthesis. M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiographic studies failed to detect the membrane. Continuous wave Doppler study revealed a maximal velocity of 4.8 m/s and a calculated peak pressure gradient of 92 mm Hg between the left ventricle and aorta. This finding was in close agreement with the peak gradient of 100 mm Hg obtained at cardiac catheterization. Because of its ability to accurately measure valvular gradients, continuous wave Doppler ultrasound study appears to be a useful noninvasive technique in the evaluation of patients with suspected prosthetic valve dysfunction.
Ribonucleic acid changes in medial cells in Evans blue positive regions of the dog aorta.

Abstract Evidence is presented supporting the feasibility of using cytophotometric analysis of cellular azure B-RNA dye binding as a cytochemical marker of metabolic alterations in medial smooth muscle cells underlying aortic areas having spontaneously occurring increased uptake of Evans blue dye. Focal areas of enhanced permeability or intra-aortic macromolecular accumulation (demarcated by in vivo uptake of Evans blue dye) exhibited 20–40% higher extents of azure B staining in intimal, medial, and adventitial compartments when compared to corresponding compartments in dye-impermeable regions. No discernible differences were evidenced in deoxyribonucleic acid levels (using Feulgen-DNA cytophotometry) or in the histological appearance (using conventional staining) between Evans blue-positive and negative aortic specimens. The overall data suggest that (1) focal differences in cellular azurophilia are attributable to differences in rates of uptake or accumulation of plasma constituents in Evans blue-permeable and impermeable aortic regions, and (2) the permeability-associated increase in azurophilia is due to an increase in ribosomes and reflects a compensatory activation of metabolic processes in response to an increased uptake and transmural transport of plasma macromolecules.
The expanding frontier of hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Over the past several decades there has been a tremendous expansion of the indications for hematopoietic cell transplantation. This growth has been possible because of advances in supportive care, more effective graft versus host disease prophylaxis and the advent of reduced intensity conditioning regimens which have greatly reduced transplant related morbidity and allowed for the transplantation of older patients and patients with significant co-morbid disease. The role of flow cytometry in transplantation is crucial to both clinical care, for accuracy of diagnosis and monitoring of disease, and research. In this review, we highlight some of the important advances that have been made in the field, including the use of alternative donors for transplantation, novel therapies for the myeloid malignancies, which remain the prototype diseases for transplantation, and advances in diagnosis and treatment of graft versus host disease, which is the principal complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Future directions in hematopoietic cell transplantation, particularly those that attempt to modulate the post-transplant cellular environment to favor separation of graft versus host disease from the graft versus tumor effects of the transplant are discussed. © 2012 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Software Strategies and Hardware Upgrades to the PPL Data Acquisition System (DAS)

This paper describes upgrades to the Data Acquisition System for the Experimental Projects Department at PPPL, especially in support of the PBX-M upgrade to be completed this year. Hardware and software maintenance problems with the old configuration, consisting of a DEC KL-10 and eight PDP-11's, are described. The real-time software and hardware performance requirements and projections for CAMAC I/O and data analysis and display are presented. Described are three applications that have realtime requirements and are located on separate processors, connected to PPPL's VAX Cluster by an Ethernet link. Building upon a previous large software base, general-purpose subroutine libraries and utilities are being emphasized. The most useful of these are described. The use of software packages from DEC, third-party vendors, and the fusion community, is also described. The new approaches to software development that are being incorporated into the DAS efforts are discussed. Specific future challenges are also described.
The synthesis of authentic sea urchin transcriptional and translational products by sea urchin histone genes injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Abstract We have analyzed the transcriptional and translational products of recombinant plasmids containing the sea urchin histone genes following their injection into the germinal vesicle (GV or oocyte nucleus) of Xenopus laevis oocytes. Plasmids pSp2 and pSp102 contain the identical sea urchin DNA fragment with the H1, H2B, and H4 histone protein coding regions and adjacent spacer sequences, but are inserted in different vectors. The plasmid, pRC 39, contains only that segment of the pSp2 eucaryotic fragment corresponding to the sea urchin H2B gene plus 125 base pairs of the “upstream” spacer sequences. The translational products produced under the direction of pSp2 and pSp102 comigrate with authentic sea urchin H1 and H2B histones in a two-dimensional gel system. Since sea urchin H4 histone protein comigrates with endogenous Xenopus H4 histone, the synthesis of the sea urchin protein could not be confirmed. The transcriptional products observed in oocytes injected in the GV with plasmids pSp2 and pSp102 hybridize to a radioactively labeled DNA probe produced from the H1, H2B, and H4 sea urchin histone genes, and comigrate with several of the authentic sea urchin histone mRNAs on polyacrylamide gels under denaturing conditions. These results suggest that the injected sea urchin histone genes are being transcribed properly and are producing functional histone mRNAs in Xenopus oocytes. We calculate that the injected genes are being transcribed at approximately 0.1 transcript per gene per hour. This represents 10 7 to 10 8 transcripts or approximately 0.1% of the total transcriptional activity of stage 6 oocytes. We do not detect proper transcriptional or translational products when plasmid pRC 39 is injected into the GVs of Xenopus oocytes. This result suggests that the eucaryotic fragment present in this plasmid may not contain the information for proper expression of the sea urchin H2B gene.
Pareto optimal policies for harvesting with multiple objectives

The standard recursive function formulation of dynamic programming is shown to extend readily to a problem with multiple objectives. A stochastic model is formulated which is relevant to capital accumulation models, renewable resource management, and economic growth. For relevant special cases, it is proven that the knowledge of the single objective optimal policy functions is sufficient to completely describe the set of dynamically Pareto optimal (or nondominated) policy functions for the multiple objective problem. It is also shown that there is a single policy which is optimal for three related problems: When each objective is given even weighting; when the total “regret” is minimized; and when the maximum regret is minimized.
Hybridization by the maximum overlap method

A brief survey of the maximum overlap method is presented and some computational aspects of the approach are discussed. The hybrid compositions and bond overlaps are reported for some thirty small ring compounds and a list of characteristic hybrids for various structural environments is given. The table of characteristic hybrids is extended to acyclic hydrocarbons and the transferability of the maximum overlap hybrids is demonstrated. Those aspects of the method which depend on geometrical properties of molecules have been considered in some details and the discussion is extended to some structural features of cyclic systems. In particular the asymmetry of bonds of spiro carbon atom is examined and rationalization of puckering of large macrocyclic systems is presented. In the summary it is pointed to the method and its potential to discuss structural aspects of molecules at the particular level of accuracy expected to be of great use in organic and physical organic chemistry. Further development and improvement of the method is mentioned, but already in the present form it can produce hybrids which may constitute a useful basis for other more ambitious semiempirical calculations.
Power laws for the perception of rotation and the oculogyral illusion

Magnitude estimation was used to measure subjective motion for two indicators of vestibular function. Twelve as made estimates of 5-sec pulses of angular acceleration across the range of angular acceleration × time (at) =10-150 deg/sec. Results were: (1) the power law describes subjective motion for all individual as, (2) the power function exponent (1.41) for the perception of rotation is slightly greater than the exponent (1.25) for the oculogyral illusion, (3) a significant number of as gave higher exponents for the perception of rotation, and (4) the magnitude estimates of the oculogyral illusion and perception of rotation were highly correlated within and across as.
Extraordinary mode resonance cones in the Uranian magnetosphere

This paper considers the previously unidentified waveforms in the Uranian magnetosphere, involving decreasing frequency with time, which were recorded during the Voyager-2 flyby of Uranus. Applying to these waveforms the basic theory of the resonance cone emission in the X mode for a homogeneous plasma, it is shown that the observed waveforms and their features can be created by bands of X-mode waves on the resonance cone. It is demonstrated that the theory can produce simultaneously the arching downward shape of the waveform and the decreasing frequency of the periodic modulation.
Intensity fluctuations in steady-state superradiance

Alkaline-earth-metal-like atoms with ultranarrow optical transitions enable superradiance in steady state. The emitted light promises to have an unprecedented stability with a linewidth as narrow as a few millihertz. In order to evaluate the potential usefulness of this light source as an ultrastable oscillator in clock and precision metrology applications, it is crucial to understand the noise properties of this device. In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of the intensity fluctuations by means of Monte Carlo simulations and semiclassical approximations. We find that the light exhibits bunching below threshold, is to a good approximation coherent in the superradiant regime, and is chaotic above the second threshold.
Nonlinear Aeroelastic-Scaled-Model Optimization Using Equivalent Static Loads

A new methodology for designing nonlinear aeroelastically scaled models is developed that uses direct matching of linear and nonlinear static responses, while simultaneously satisfying modal-frequency constraints. To demonstrate this technique, a one-ninth scaled vehicle is designed to match the nonlinear aeroelastic response of a full-scale joined-wing concept. This is the first demonstration of an optimization that simultaneously considers equivalent static loads for nonlinear statics and modal-frequency constraints. This is also the first scaling demonstration to include nonlinear aeroelastic verification. The results show marked improvement over the results from a scaled vehicle designed using a traditional method intended for linear applications.
Automated application-level checkpointing of MPI programs

The running times of many computational science applications, such as protein-folding using ab initio methods, are much longer than the mean-time-to-failure of high-performance computing platforms. To run to completion, therefore, these applications must tolerate hardware failures.In this paper, we focus on the stopping failure model in which a faulty process hangs and stops responding to the rest of the system. We argue that tolerating such faults is best done by an approach called application-level coordinated non-blocking checkpointing, and that existing fault-tolerance protocols in the literature are not suitable for implementing this approach.We then present a suitable protocol, which is implemented by a co-ordination layer that sits between the application program and the MPI library. We show how this protocol can be used with a precompiler that instruments C/MPI programs to save application and MPI library state. An advantage of our approach is that it is independent of the MPI implementation. We present experimental results that argue that the overhead of using our system can be small.
Arginase Reciprocally Regulates Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity and Contributes to Endothelial Dysfunction in Aging Blood Vessels

BACKGROUND: Although abnormal L-arginine NO signaling contributes to endothelial dysfunction in the aging cardiovascular system, the biochemical mechanisms remain controversial. L-arginine, the NO synthase (NOS) precursor, is also a substrate for arginase. We tested the hypotheses that arginase reciprocally regulates NOS by modulating L-arginine bioavailability and that arginase is upregulated in aging vasculature, contributing to depressed endothelial function. METHODS AND RESULTS: Inhibition of arginase with (S)-(2-boronoethyl)-L-cysteine, HCl (BEC) produced vasodilation in aortic rings from young (Y) adult rats (maximum effect, 46.4+/-9.4% at 10(-5) mol/L, P<0.01). Similar vasorelaxation was elicited with the additional arginase inhibitors N-hydroxy-nor-L-arginine (nor-NOHA) and difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). This effect required intact endothelium and was prevented by 1H-oxadiazole quinoxalin-1-one (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively), a soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor. DFMO-elicited vasodilation was greater in old (O) compared with Y rat aortic rings (60+/-6% versus 39+/-6%, P<0.05). In addition, BEC restored depressed L-arginine (10(-4) mol/L)-dependent vasorelaxant responses in O rings to those of Y. Arginase activity and expression were increased in O rings, whereas NOS activity and cyclic GMP levels were decreased. BEC and DFMO suppressed arginase activity and restored NOS activity and cyclic GMP levels in O vessels to those of Y. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that arginase modulates NOS activity, likely by regulating intracellular L-arginine availability. Arginase upregulation contributes to endothelial dysfunction of aging and may therefore be a therapeutic target.
Role of arginine and lysine in the antimicrobial mechanism of histone-derived antimicrobial peptides

Translocation of cell-penetrating peptides is often promoted by increased content of arginine or other guanidinium groups. However, relatively little research has considered the role of these functional groups on antimicrobial peptide activity. This study compared the activity of three histone-derived antimicrobial peptides-buforin II, DesHDAP1, and parasin-with variants that contain only lysine or arginine cationic residues. These peptides operate via different mechanisms as parasin causes membrane permeabilization while buforin II and DesHDAP1 translocate into bacteria. For all peptides, antibacterial activity increased with increased arginine content. Higher arginine content increased permeabilization for parasin while it improved translocation for buforin II and DesHDAP1. These observations provide insight into the relative importance of arginine and lysine in these antimicrobial peptides.
Decomposition-Based Assembly Synthesis of Multiple Structures for Minimum Production Cost

An extension of decomposition-based assembly synthesis for structural modularity is presented where the early identification of shareable components within multiple structures is posed as an outcome of the minimization of estimated production costs. The manufacturing costs of components are estimated under given production volumes considering the economies of scale. Multiple structures are simultaneously decomposed and the types of welded joints at component interfaces are selected from a given library, in order to minimize the overall production cost and the reduction of structural strength due to the introduction of joints. A multi- objective genetic algorithm is utilized to allow effective examination of trade-offs between manufacturing cost and structural strength. A new joint-oriented representation of structures combined with a "direct" crossover is introduced to enhance the efficiency of the search. A case study with two aluminum space frame automotive bodies is presented to demonstrate that not all types of component sharing are economically justifiable under a certain production scenario.
Control of an Integrated Biological Wastewater Treatment System

This paper presents the design of a model predictive controller (MPC) for a set of integrated biological reactors, which is a part of NASA's advanced regenerative wastewater treatment system. A first principles model developed by [1] is used to design the a centralized control system to regulate the performance of the integrated biological reactors for on-supply & on-demand operations simultaneously. The MPC design is implemented and tested on a testbed that is 1/20th the scale of the actual biological reactors. For comparison, the performance of a set of decentralized single loop feedback controllers is compared to the centralized MPC for an expected set of disturbances.
Concentrations of Major Free Fatty Acids and Flavor Development in Italian Cheese Varieties

Abstract Major individual free fatty acids in commercial samples of four Italian cheese varieties were measured during aging at 2 or 7°C. Romano cheeses had the greatest amounts of free fatty acids and the strongest free fatty acid flavors. Concentrations of carbons 4 and 6 free fatty acids decreased, whereas those of carbons 14 to 18 increased during latter stages of aging. Full flavored, aged Parmesan cheeses contained only moderate amounts of major free fatty acids, and after initial development, concentrations remained essentially constant during further aging. Higher flavor intensities but variable flavor qualities were associated with higher free fatty acid concentrations in Provolone cheeses through 7 mo of aging at 2 or 7°C. Mozzarella cheeses had low free fatty acid concentrations and mild flavors, and except for carbon 4, a role for free fatty acids in the characteristic flavor of this cheese was not apparent. Analysis of retail Italian cheeses in the same varieties showed great variability of concentrations of individual major free fatty acids, flavor intensity, and flavor quality.
Chemoprevention of esophageal cancer with black raspberries, their component anthocyanins, and a major anthocyanin metabolite, protocatechuic acid.

Diets containing either freeze-dried black raspberries (BRBs) or their polyphenolic anthocyanins (ACs) have been shown to inhibit the development of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)-induced esophageal cancer in rats. The present study was conducted to determine whether PCA, a major microbial metabolite of black raspberry (BRB) ACs, also prevents NMBA-induced esophageal cancer in rats. F344 rats were injected with NMBA three times a week for 5 weeks and then fed control or experimental diets containing 6.1% BRBs, an anthocyanin (AC)-enriched fraction derived from BRBs, or protocatechuic acid (PCA). Animals were exsanguinated at weeks 15, 25, and 35 to quantify the development of preneoplastic lesions and tumors in the esophagus, and to relate this to the expression of inflammatory biomarkers. At weeks 15 and 25, all experimental diets were equally effective in reducing NMBA-induced esophageal tumorigenesis, as well as in reducing the expression of pentraxin-3 (PTX3), a cytokine produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to interleukin (IL)-1β and TNF-α. All experimental diets were also active at reducing tumorigenesis at week 35; however, the BRB diet was significantly more effective than the AC and PCA diets. Furthermore, all experimental diets inhibited inflammation in the esophagus via reducing biomarker (COX-2, iNOS, p-NF-κB, and sEH) and cytokine (PTX3) expression. Overall, our data suggest that BRBs, their component ACs, and PCA inhibit NMBA-induced esophageal tumorigenesis, at least in part, by their inhibitory effects on genes associated with inflammation.
Datacenter power savings through high ambient datacenter operation: CFD modeling study

In a typical datacenter, almost 40% of the total power consumption is spent on datacenter cooling. In addition, the capital expenditure costs for the cooling infrastructure are also significant. Large Internet Portal Datacenters are looking at every possible way to reduce the cooling cost. One of the emerging trends in the industry is to move to higher ambient datacenter operation. Some datacenter operators are even wanting to operate the datacenters at ambient as high as 40C. It is shown that both server power increase and facility level cooling power savings must be considered to determine net power savings at the datacenter level. CFD modeling is used to demonstrate that following best practices in airflow management: using blanking panels, floor layout, eliminating cable obstructions, hot/cold aisle containment and bypass and re-circulation reduction are first important steps to get ready for high ambient datacenter operation. It is shown that without these practices, there is large variation in inlet air temperature from one server to other creating hotspots forcing thermostats on CRAC units to be set low. It is shown that CFD modeling can be used to quantify how cooling path management improves with hot/cold aisle containment. The study shows that significant datacenter level power savings can be achieved by operating the datacenter up to 35C with the use of Economizers.
A compilation of soybean ESTs: generation and analysis.

Whole-genome sequencing is fundamental to understanding the genetic composition of an organism. Given the size and complexity of the soybean genome, an alternative approach is targeted random-gene ...
Psychoanalytic perspectives on theories regarding the development of antisocial behavior.

Abstract A great deal of concern currently exists over the increasing surge of crime and violence among young people, not only in the United States, but also in many other countries in the industrialized world as well as in third world countries with emerging economies. The fear of violence and crime has created climates of intimidation in many communities. Disruptive behavior disorders account for the highest rates of referral to mental health services for adolescents. In their more severe and pervasive forms, these disorders include those adolescents who are considered juvenile delinquents and those who exhibit criminal behavior. The care and management of these youngsters involve substantial financial costs to society. We also know that a sizeable proportion of those children who exhibit antisocial behaviors become adults who are antisocial personalities. This article highlights issues relevant to classification and diagnosis of antisocial behaviors, the evolution of the diagnostic classification of an...
Is cytoskeletal tension a major determinant of cell deformability in adherent endothelial cells

We tested the hypothesis that mechanical tension in the cytoskeleton (CSK) is a major determinant of cell deformability. To confirm that tension was present in adherent endothelial cells, we either cut or detached them from their basal surface by a microneedle. After cutting or detachment, the cells rapidly retracted. This retraction was prevented, however, if the CSK actin lattice was disrupted by cytochalasin D (Cyto D). These results confirmed that there was preexisting CSK tension in these cells and that the actin lattice was a primary stress-bearing component of the CSK. Second, to determine the extent to which that preexisting CSK tension could alter cell deformability, we developed a stretchable cell culture membrane system to impose a rapid mechanical distension (and presumably a rapid increase in CSK tension) on adherent endothelial cells. Altered cell deformability was quantitated as the shear stiffness measured by magnetic twisting cytometry. When membrane strain increased 2.5 or 5%, the cell stiffness increased 15 and 30%, respectively. Disruption of actin lattice with Cyto D abolished this stretch-induced increase in stiffness, demonstrating that the increased stiffness depended on the integrity of the actin CSK. Permeabilizing the cells with saponin and washing away ATP and Ca2+ did not inhibit the stretch-induced stiffening of the cell. These results suggest that the stretch-induced stiffening was primarily due to the direct mechanical changes in the forces distending the CSK but not to ATP- or Ca(2+)-dependent processes. Taken together, these results suggest preexisting CSK tension is a major determinant of cell deformability in adherent endothelial cells.
Data processing algorithms for on-board satellite event analysis

The authors describe the data analysis and reduction schemes employed by the data processing unit (DPU) supporting the magnetospheric ion composition spectrometer sensor aboard the CRRES satellite. One method of reducing output telemetry requirements is to partition the underlying event parameter spaces into disjoint classes, and to downlink statistics based on these classes rather than individual events. The DPUs utilize a hardware implemented binary search algorithm to classify each valid event into one of several mass and mass per charge-state groups, using lookup tables written under software control. The tables contain discrete approximation to polynomial curves which separate adjacent groups. The curves were derived from extensive preflight sensor calibration data using a novel curve-fitting and extrapolation algorithm combining local and global least-squares approximations. Both the onboard table writing software and the techniques employed to derive the boundary curves are described. >
Forest tree pollen dispersal via the water cycle

UNLABELLED PREMISE OF THE STUDY Pine pollen (Pinus spp.), along with other atmospheric particles, is dispersed by the water cycle, but this mode of dispersal requires cloud-pollen interactions that depend on taxon-specific biological properties. In the simplest form of this dispersal, pine pollen ascends vertically to altitudes of 2 to 6 km, where a fraction is captured by mixed-phase cloud formation. Captured pollen accretes into frozen droplets, which ultimately descend as rain, snow, or hail. Whether Pinus pollen can still germinate after its exposure to high-altitude freezing is pertinent to (1) how forests adapt to climate change and (2) potential gene flow between genetically modified plantation species and their conspecific relatives. • METHODS To address this question, pollen from four Old World and two New World Pinus species were subjected to immersion freezing, a common cloud formation mode, under laboratory conditions. • KEY RESULTS Some pollen grains immersed at -20°C for 15, 60, or 120 min in either a dehydrated or a water-saturated state were still capable of germination. After exposure, dehydrated pine pollen had higher germination (43.3%) than water-saturated pollen (7.6%). • CONCLUSIONS Pine pollen exposed to freezing during cloud formation can still germinate, raising the question of whether rain-delivered live pollen might be linked to rain-facilitated pollination. Dispersal of live pine pollen via cloud formation and the water cycle itself deserves closer study.
Visual organization for figure/ground separation

A common factor in all illusory contour figures is the perception of a surface occluding part of a background. In our previous work, we have shown we could diffuse a proper set of junction hypothesis (what is salient or background) to obtain a surface where their boundaries represented illusory contours. Amodal completions emerge at the overlapping surfaces. We address the problem of selecting the best image organization (set of hypothesis). We propose an optimization criteria based on a coherence measure between pairs of junctions (correlation between the diffusion of each pair). A statistical physics approach to select the best organization is applied. The experiments suggest that despite the large number of possible organizations our approach may take only a few steps (in organization space) to select the best one.
Rasagiline for the symptomatic treatment of fatigue in Parkinson's disease.

Background Fatigue affects 40% to 50% of all PD patients and is a leading cause of disability, with no clearly established or efficacious established treatments. Methods In this double-blinded, placebo-controlled, pilot trial, we investigated whether rasagiline improved fatigue among PD patients. Subjects were randomized to 1 mg daily of rasagiline or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was a change in the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale from baseline to week 12. Results Thirty PD subjects (16 men), with Modified Fatigue Impact Scale baseline score of 67 ± 15, were randomized (16 to rasagiline vs. 14 to placebo). Significant improvement was noted in the mean Modified Fatigue Impact Scale score of the rasagiline group (12 points) as compared to placebo (8.5 points) from baseline to week 12 (P = 0.003). Conclusion In this pilot study, rasagiline at a dose of 1 mg per day improved fatigue. Larger randomized studies are needed to confirm this finding. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
A NEW SPECIES OF ZODIOLESTES (MAMMALIA, MUSTELIDAE) FROM THE EARLY MIOCENE OF FLORIDA

(2007). A new species of Zodiolestes (Mammalia, Mustelidae) from the early Miocene of Florida. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology: Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 532-534.
Gradients of Hardening in Nonlocal Dislocation Based Plasticity

In this work, a thermodynamically consistent framework for a gradient enhanced plasticity model is given to introduce material length scales through the second order gradients of both the kinematic and isotropic hardening variables. In order to give a micromechanical basis for the gradient enhanced continuum model, the evolution equations of the internal state variables derived through the gradient theory are compared to the evolution equations based on dislocation theories involving mobile and immobile dislocations, and the gradient coefficients are defined using material parameters from thes dislocation theories.
On championship TEAMS

Championship teams tap the strengths of the individuals working toward a common goal. Surgery is a team sport, which seeks to provide the very best patient care. For surgeons we seek to cure disease, alleviate suffering, and train the next generation of surgeons. When at our best, we build teamwork with a winning attitude, trust, respect, and love. Together there are no limits to what championship teams can achieve with passion, dedicated practice, mutual respect, and a little luck.
A Kinematic Description of the Key Flow Characteristics in an Array of Finite-Height Rotating Cylinders

Experimental data are presented for large arrays of rotating, finite-height cylinders to study the dependence of the three-dimensional (3D) mean flows on the geometric and rotational configurations of the array. Two geometric configurations, each with two rotational configurations, were examined at a nominal Reynolds number of 600 and nominal tip-speed ratios of 0, 2, and 4. It was found that the rotation of the cylinders drives the formation of streamwise and transverse flow patterns between cylinders and that net time–space averaged transverse and vertical flows exist within the developed flow region of the array. This net vertical mean flow provides an additional mechanism for the exchange of momentum between the flow within the array and the flow above it, independent from the turbulent exchange mechanisms which are also observed to increase by almost a factor of three in a rotating array. As an array of rotating cylinders may provide insight into the flow kinematics of an array of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs), this planform momentum flux (both mean and turbulent) is of particular interest, as it has the potential to increase the energy resource available to turbines far downstream of the leading edge of the array. In the present study, the streamwise momentum flux into the array could be increased for the rotating-element arrays by up to a factor of 5.7 compared to the stationary-element arrays, while the streamwise flow frontally averaged over the elements could be increased by up to a factor of four in the rotating-element arrays compared to stationary-element arrays.