cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The noise dose range of the X-59 estimated from propagation simulations

NASA’s X-59 aircraft will soon be flown in a series of low-boom community noise surveys across the USA. Community test experimental designs will include noise dose schedules, which require an estimate of the noise dose range that X-59 can produce. To determine the dose range, propagation simulations using NASA’s PCBoom code were completed using CFD-generated X-59 C612A near-field pressure data for an on-design condition (Mach 1.4 at 53 200 ft) and two off-design conditions (Mach 1.4 at 46 000 ft and Mach 1.3 at 43 000 ft). Near-field data at four cardinal aircraft headings were propagated through one year of realistic atmospheric profiles from the Climate Forecast System Version 2 database at several USA locations. Statistics of the mean and range of the Perceived Level (PL) of the booms in the inner 40 km of each carpet as well as the carpet width were computed. Results indicate the typical inner carpet mean PL is approximately 70–87dB depending on the aircraft condition. The typical PL range across the inner carpet is 6–8 dB (on-design) and 5–13 dB (off-designs). The carpet widths ranged from 32–55 km. Understanding these quantities for various flight and atmospheric conditions is important for planning X-59 community noise surveys.
Evolutionary Modifications of Tristylous Breeding Systems

Tristyly is perhaps the most complex breeding system found in the flowering plants. Three floral morphs are found in populations; in the short-styled morph, stigmas occur in the low position, and the two sets of anthers occur in the mid and high levels of the flower (Fig. 1). In the mid-styled morph, anthers occur in the low and high positions, and the stigmas occupy the mid position. In the long-styled morph, the stigmas occur in the high position, and anthers occupy the mid and low positions. Floral trimorphism is accompanied by strong self-incompatibility. Pollinations occurring between anthers and stigmas at the same level, by necessity those between different floral morphs, were termed legitimate by Darwin (1877); these are normally the only pollinations that lead to fertilization and seed production (Fig. 1). Illegitimate crosses include self- and cross-pollinations between anthers and stigmas occurring at different levels. These pollinations usually fail to produce seed, although in some modified tristylous breeding systems illegitimate crosses may be compatible, and result in seed production.
Molecular cloning and sequence of a novel ommochrome-binding protein cDNA from an insect, Manduca sexta

An ommochrome-binding protein (OBP) from the hemolymph of Manduca sexta has recently been purified and characterized. A cDNA clone was isolated from a fifth instar larval cDNA expression library utilizing antiserum against OBP. Northern blot analysis of total fat body RNA detected a transcript of approximately 1.2 kilobases in fifth instar wandering larvae RNA. The complete nucleotide sequence of the 905-base pair cDNA insert was determined by the dideoxy chain termination method. The OBP cDNA encodes a polypeptide of 274 residues with a predicted molecular weight of 30,580 and with one consensus N-linked glycosylation site. Comparison of the NH2-terminal sequence of the mature protein and the cDNA sequence revealed a typical signal peptide of 18 amino acids. In wandering stage larvae, the OBP transcript appeared to be at least 250-fold less abundant than ribosomal RNA.
Brake Integrated Hydraulic Actuation System Master Cylinder

This paper presents the design and operation of a new stepped bore master cylinder (fast-fill) which also integrates the rear brake proportioning valves and brake failure warning device in one major assembly. This design optimizes weight, performance and package together with several unique design features. It incorporates a combination of a plastic reservoir, permanent mold aluminum body, steel pistons, and miniaturized steel proportioning valves resulting in a significant weight and cost reduction versus equivalent hydraulic actuation systems.
Protein conformational changes during the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle: A fourier transform infrared/resonance Raman study of the alkaline form of the mutant Asp-85 → Asn

Bacteriorhodopsin is a light-driven proton pump, which undergoes a photocycle consisting of several distinct intermediates. Previous studies have established that the M →N step of this photocycle involves a major conformational change of membrane embedded α-helices. In order to further investigate this conformational change, we have studied the photocycle of the high pH form of the mutant Asp-85 →Asn (D85Nalk). In contrast to wild type bacteriorhodopsin, D85Nalk has a deprotonated Schiff base and a blue-shifted absorption near 410 nm, yet it still transports protons in the same direction as wild type bacteriorhodopsin (Tittor, J., Schweiger, U., Oesterhelt, D. and Bamberg, E.(1994) Biophys. J., 67, 1682-1690). Resonance Raman spectroscopy of D85Nalk and D85Nalk regenerated with retinal labeled at the C-15 position with deuterium reveals the existence of an all-trans configuration of the chromophore. Fourier transform infrared difference spectroscopy shows that the photocycle of this light-adapted form involves similar events as the wild type bacteriorhodopsin photocycle including the M →N protein conformational change. These results help to explain the ability of D85Nalk to transport protons and demonstrate that the M →N conformational change can occur even in the photocycle of an unprotonated Schiff base form of bacteriorhodopsin.
Synthesis of juglone derivatives : Hydroxy, acetyl and ethyl substituents

Abstract A number of hydroxyjuglones were prepared by the Thiele-Winter reaction onjuglone derivatives and by hydroxylation with ethanol-hydrochloric acid: 2-hydroxy, 3-hydroxy, 2,7-dihydroxy, 3,7-di-hydroxy, 6-acetyl-2-hydroxy, and 6-acetyl-3-hydroxyjuglone. By reductive acetylation of hydroxyjuglones, followed by Fries rearrangement and oxidative hydrolysis several acetyljuglones, and from them ethyljuglones by sodium borohydride reduction, were synthesized: 3-acetyl-2-hydroxy, 6-acetyl-2,3-dihydroxy, 6-acetyl-2,7-dihydroxy, and 6-acetyl-2,3,7-trihydroxyjuglone. Several of the newly synthesized compounds had previously been isolated from sea urchin spines.
Configurational and conformational analysis : Axial-axial and axial-equatorial coupling constants in six-membered ring compounds

Abstract Axial-axial and axial-equatorial coupling constants (J aa and J ae ) have been obtained directly from the NMR spectra of simple AB systems in a number of cis - and trans -l-(substituted)-2-arylcyclohexanes-3,3,6,6-d 4 measured in several solvents. Variations in J aa and J ae have been observed with various substituents. No simple correlation is found between electronegativity of substituents and substituent effects on coupling constants. A review of J aa and J ae in six-membered ring compounds is given.
Cosmological gravitational waves

A cosmological background of gravitational waves would alter the propagation of radiation, inducing redshift fluctuations, apparent source position deflections, and luminosity variations. By comparing these astrophysical effects with observations we can deduce upper limits on the energy density present in gravitational waves, Ω GW . We concentrate on microwave background anisotropy from the redshift deviations and galaxy clustering correlation functions from the angular deviations. Many of the gravitational wave effects are shown to be generalizations of gravitational lensing formalism.
Regulation of aldosterone secretion in hypertensive blacks.

Hypertension in blacks is common, often severe, and largely unexplained. Recent studies have suggested that aldosterone secretion in blacks may be reduced, whereas older data demonstrate no racial differences in aldosterone excretion. We performed this study to examine adrenal responsiveness in black hypertensive patients under controlled metabolic conditions. Thirty-one black hypertensive patients and 7 black normotensive subjects were studied on intakes of 10 mmol/d sodium and 100 mmol/d potassium, with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system further stimulated by upright posture or infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II). Forty-six hypertensive and 14 normotensive whites underwent the same protocol as a comparison group. Hypertensive blacks and whites had similar mean basal plasma aldosterone levels on a low salt diet, lower in both groups than in normotensive subjects. In the black patients, however, plasma aldosterone responses were significantly lower than responses in white hypertensive patients when further stimulated by either posture (1451 +/- 216 versus 2571 +/- 225 pmol/L [52.3 +/- 7.8 versus 92.7 +/- 8.1 ng/dL], P < .002) or Ang II infusion (843 +/- 122 versus 1617 +/- 189 pmol/L [30.4 +/- 4.4 versus 58.3 +/- 6.8 ng/dL], P < .001). Renin status did not account for the difference. Basal and stimulated plasma aldosterone concentrations, on the other hand, were similar in normotensive white and black subjects. Blunted adrenal responses to upright posture and Ang II infusion are common among black hypertensive patients. These abnormalities may be part of a larger constellation of abnormalities in blacks, reflecting perhaps a greater, more frequent underlying disturbance in salt handling than in whites.
MHD simulations of magnetic reconnection in a skewed three-dimensional tail configuration

The dynamic evolution of a nonsymmetric magnetotail configuration initiated by the sudden occurrence of (anomalous) resistivity are examined using a three-dimensional resistive MHD simulation developed by Birn (1990) that includes a net cross-tail field and thus breaks the mirror symmetry around the neutral sheet. Results show that the field evolution is similar to that of a symmetric configuration studied by Birn and Hones (1981), pointing to the formation and ejection of a plasmoid. On the other hand, the topological structure of the magnetic field, defined by the field line connections, was remarkably different from the symmetric case. The plasmoid in this case became 'open', connected initially with the earth but gradually becoming connected with the interplanetary field. The openness of the plasmoid and its magnetic connection with interplanetary field lines suggest the possibility of a heat flux out of the plasmoid on interconnected flux tubes.
Lower Limb Joint Kinetics During Moderately Sloped Running

Abstract Context: Knowledge of the kinetic changes that occur during sloped running is important in understanding the adaptive gait-control mechanisms at work and can provide additional information about the poorly understood relationship between injury and changes in kinetic forces in the lower extremity. A study of these potential kinetic changes merits consideration, because training and return-to-activity programs are potentially modifiable factors for tissue stress and injury risk. Objective: To contribute further to the understanding of hill running by quantifying the 3-dimensional alterations in joint kinetics during moderately sloped decline, level, and incline running in a group of healthy runners. Design: Crossover study. Setting: Three-dimensional motion analysis laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Nineteen healthy young runners/joggers (age = 25.3 ± 2.5 years). Intervention(s): Participants ran at 3.13 m/s on a treadmill under the following 3 different running-surface slope condition...
Polarization encoded color camera

Digital cameras would be colorblind if they did not have pixelated color filters integrated into their image sensors. Integration of conventional fixed filters, however, comes at the expense of an inability to modify the camera’s spectral properties. Instead, we demonstrate a micropolarizer-based camera that can reconfigure its spectral response. Color is encoded into a linear polarization state by a chiral dispersive element and then read out in a single exposure. The polarization encoded color camera is capable of capturing three-color images at wavelengths spanning the visible to the near infrared.
A p75 NTR and Nogo receptor complex mediates repulsive signaling by myelin-associated glycoprotein

A p75 NTR and Nogo receptor complex mediates repulsive signaling by myelin-associated glycoprotein
Factors governing rate of invasion: a natural experiment using Argentine ants.

Predicting the success of biological invasions is a major goal of invasion biology. Determining the causes of invasions, however, can be difficult, owing to the complexity and spatio-temporal heterogeneity of the invasion process. The purpose of this study was to assess factors influencing rate of invasion for the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), a widespread invasive species. The rate of invasion for 20 independent Argentine ant populations was measured over 4 years in riparian woodlands in the lower Sacramento River Valley of northern California. A priori predictors of rate of invasion included stream flow (a measure of abiotic suitability), disturbance, and native ant richness. In addition, baits were used to estimate the abundance of Argentine ants and native ants at the 20 sites. A multiple regression model accounted for nearly half of the variation in mean rate of invasion (R2 = 0.46), but stream flow was the only significant factor in this analysis. Argentine ants spread, on average, 16 m year−1 at sites with permanent stream flow and retreated, on average, −6 m year−1 at sites with intermittent stream flow. Rate of invasion was independent of both disturbance and native ant richness. Argentine ants recruited to more baits in higher numbers in invaded areas than did native ants in uninvaded areas. In addition, rate of invasion was positively correlated with the proportion of baits recruited to by native ants in uninvaded areas. Together, these findings suggest that abiotic suitability is of paramount importance in determining rate of invasion for the Argentine ant.
Assessing health-related quality of life in children with spina bifida

OBJECT The purpose of this study is to explore various aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with spinal dysraphism. METHODS The authors enrolled a prospective cohort of 159 patients from the multidisciplinary spina bifida clinic. Surveys were distributed to caregivers of patients with spina bifida who were 5 years old and older. Data were collected using the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 focusing on vision, speech, hearing, dexterity, ambulation, cognition, emotions, and pain. Each participant received an overall HRQOL utility score and individual domain subscores. These were correlated with demographic and treatment variables. Analysis was done using SPSS statistics (version 21). RESULTS There were 125 patients with myelomeningocele, 25 with lipomyelomeningocele, and 9 with other dysraphisms. Among patients with myelomeningocele, 107 (86%) had CSF shunts in place, 14 (11%) had undergone Chiari malformation Type II decompression, 59 (47%) were community ambulators, and 45 (36%) we...
Considerations in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Disease-modifying drugs are available in the United States for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), including interferon (IFN) beta-1a, IFNbeta-1b, and glatiramer acetate. Another formulation of IFNbeta-1a is available in Europe, Canada, and other countries. Mitoxantrone is also indicated for the treatment of worsening forms of RRMS and secondary progressive (SP) MS. In addition to reductions in annual relapse rates and other measures of clinical disability, the disease-modifying drugs appear to reduce MRI measures of disease activity. Available data suggest that the efficacy of disease-modifying therapy is sustained for at least for 4 to 6 years. Results of clinical drug trials have been used as a rationale to support treatment of early MS with a disease-modifying drug. Other medical therapies are used in the management of RRMS, including treatments to help manage MS-related symptoms such as spasticity and bladder dysfunction, and corticosteroids to hasten recovery from acute relapses. In some situations, interventions are used to minimize side effects of disease-modifying drug therapy. Several currently marketed treatments, including IV immunoglobulin, methotrexate, and azathioprine, are being evaluated as treatments for RRMS in combination with the approved therapies. Investigational compounds, including oral formulations of glatiramer acetate and interferon, are in various stages of development.
Testing natural selection.

This article discusses the development of evolutionary genetics as a science that analyzes the regulation of genetic mutations through natural selection. Research into DNA and the role of genetic fitness in the regulation of mutations is considered. Examples from microbial and plant genetics are presented. INSETS: Mutation and Natural Selection;"Neutral" Evolution and Genetic Drift;EVOLUTION IN ACTION;Speciation and the Single Gene
Integration Of Medical Imaging Modalities

Current technological developments suggest that in the very near future all medical imaging modalities will have been converted to digitally based systems requiring no film or other intermediate media for either data recording or information storage. However, the full potential of medical imaging to diagnostic medicine will be realized only with the integration of the various imaging modalities into a single unified imaging system. Clearly the computer, and in particular, distributed computer systems, will play a central and unifying role in all future medical imaging systems. This paper outlines the architecture of a particular distributed system for the acquisition, processing, and filing of medical images produced by several different imaging modalities. Although the system is based in part on digital optical disc technology, other storage technologies could also be adopted. Methods for the standardization and unification of the various imaging modalities will be described. This unification is centered on key computer, microprocessor, and communication elements. The picture or image base is managed by a superior data base which permits user-oriented hierarchical access to data and related pictures. Separated hardware levels are provided for management, control, and signal processing. The processing level is equipped with image processors based on unified modular architecture. This paper also describes a possible historical scenario indicating how the integration of the various imaging modalities might be accomplished. The scenario begins with ultrasound, continues with CT, NMR, and nuclear medicine imaging, and concludes with digital radiography.
Waldron's Locke and Locke's Waldron: A Review of Jeremy Waldron's God, Locke, and Equality

At this particular moment in American political history, when a yawning chasm between liberal and religious worldviews is widely perceived to exist, a book that boldly asserts an integral relations...
Drug addiction: I. A theoretical framework for behavior therapy.

Literature on drug treatment efficacy consistently shows a disappointing 10 to 20% recovery rate which may suggest a Hawthorne-like effect. Contrary to the pessimism resulting from poor treatment o...
The theory of the measurement of surface viscosity

The problem of the interpretation of measurements of surface viscosity of a monomolecular film is complicated by the fact that calculations do not exist, except in a few cases, for the classic effects of bulk viscosity of the substrate fluids, between which the film lies. Methods are given for calculating these effects, where the basic measurement is a torque, or by the “viscous traction” method, where the basic measurement is a time, or velocity. Exactly the same equations used to evaluate the end effect torque correction due to the finite length of the rotating cylinders in a Couette viscometer, are used to evaluate the change in period of rotation in the viscous traction method.
Interdisciplinary research teams.

Health problems today are often not discipline specific and require a team approach to (a) identify the correct methodological approaches, (b) have the access to population data sets to pursue the most pressing research questions, and (c) create synergy of expertise to pursue complex research questions. As a nurse researcher, it is beneficial to garner the skills needed to pursue research with interdisciplinary teams. I have had the pleasure of participating or leading several interdisciplinary research teams. Based on these experiences, it is critical to clarify each team member’s role in the study as the first step. This may seem obvious yet it doesn’t always occur. Here are a few pearls that may be helpful as you develop your own interdisciplinary research teams or join an interdisciplinary research team. The first tip, or pearl, for finding interdisciplinary colleagues starts with your statistician. Statisticians often collaborate with colleagues in other disciplines and have inside information on interdisciplinary colleagues who are strong collaborators. Ideally, the statistician can provide potential collaborators early in the planning stage of a proposal development. Involving interdisciplinary colleagues early in the grant planning is a crucial step for inclusion in the grant budget. Word of mouth is another method for finding strong interdisciplinary colleagues. This is most effective when investigators are looking for an interdisciplinary colleague who is local. Experts may not be at your home institution but could still be local. A review of the literature from other disciplines with your area of need may identify potential collaborators. The National Institutes of Health Reporter is an additional source for interdisciplinary researchers in the area of interest for the research grant.
Rape prevention: Methodological problems and new directions

Abstract Interventions targeting males and aimed at the primary prevention of rape are reviewed. Because the causes of rape are not clearly known, primary prevention efforts are hampered. Moreover, etiological accounts of rape have largely ignored situational variables, Situation × Person interactions, and the development of an appropriate taxonomy of rapists. Psychometrically adequate dependent measures of rape proclivity have yet to be developed. Moreover, most existing rape prevention research fails to distinguish between statistically significant and clinically significant results, and fails to assess the durability of any treatment effects. In addition, most programs are based on the problematic assumption that changes in attitudes will result in changes in actual incidence of rape. Finally, issues such as the need to assess whether other prosocial changes occur (e.g., a decrease in potential to abuse children) and the need to evaluate the specific mechanisms of change, as well as the need to assess possible iatrogenic effects of these efforts, are discussed.
Quantitative Radiography: Submicron Dimension Calibration for ICF Ablator Shell Characterization

AbstractNational Ignition Facility (NIF) ignition target specifications require submicron dimensional measurement accuracy for the spherical ablator shell, which requires the proper corrections of various distortions induced by the imaging lens, the point projection geometry, and x-ray refraction. The procedures we developed allow measurement accuracies of 0.5 μm for the capsule diameter, ±0.2 μm for the out-of-round (which is the amplitude of the radius variations), ±0.3 μm for the wall thickness (including each sub-layer), and ±0.1 μm for wall thickness profile.
What is the nature of nurse practitioners' lived experiences interacting with patients?

Purpose To illuminate the nature of the lived experiences of nurse practitioners (NPs)interacting with patients, to discover the essential meanings of those lived experiences, and to articulate a structure gleaned from the essential meanings. Data Sources Six NPs provided concrete descriptions of their experiences interacting with patients. Data were collected and analyzed using a descriptive, phenomenological method of inquiry. Conclusions The data revealed eight essential meanings for interacting with patients: openness, connection, concern, respect, reciprocity, competence, time, and professional identity. The nature of NPs’ lived experiences interacting with patients is an authentic attending to health-related concerns, originating and enduring within the context of an intersubjective relationship. Through the dialogues that evolve within the context of intersubjective relationships, both NPs and patients become more as persons, amenable to understanding the meanings each has assigned to his or her life-world situations, regardless of the outcomes of any health-related interventions. Implications for Practice The NPs in this study valued the relationships that ensued from their interactions with patients. From these relationships they derived both personal and professional growth. Intersubjective relating is the “art of nursing” for the participants in this study.
Kinetics of pore coarsening in glassy carbon

Abstract One third of the microstructure of glassy carbon (GC) consists of closed pores. Density measurements indicate that the total pore volume depends only on the heat treatment temperature and not on the heat treatment time, a characteristic of coarsening. The kinetics of coarsening of these pores on heat treatment has been investigated by analyzing the changes in specific surface area of the pores as determined by the small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique. A part of the surface area change is due to thermal expansion induced microcracking. Both the superposition method after correcting the thermal expansion induced surface area change and the curve fitting method give an activation energy of 64 ± 10 kcal / mole . This value is compared with the activation energies of various rate processes in graphite. A model of coarsening of the pores based on a vacancy migration mechanism is proposed.
Cyclophilin A Binds to the Viral RNA and Replication Proteins, Resulting in Inhibition of Tombusviral Replicase Assembly

Replication of plus-stranded RNA viruses is greatly affected by numerous host-encoded proteins that act as restriction factors. Cyclophilins, which are a large family of cellular prolyl isomerases, have been found to inhibit Tomato bushy stunt tombusvirus (TBSV) replication in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae model based on genome-wide screens and global proteomics approaches. In this report, we further characterize single-domain cyclophilins, including the mammalian cyclophilin A and plant Roc1 and Roc2, which are orthologs of the yeast Cpr1p cyclophilin, a known inhibitor of TBSV replication in yeast. We found that recombinant CypA, Roc1, and Roc2 strongly inhibited TBSV replication in a cell-free replication assay. Additional in vitro studies revealed that CypA, Roc1, and Roc2 cyclophilins bound to the viral replication proteins, and CypA and Roc1 also bound to the viral RNA. These interactions led to inhibition of viral RNA recruitment, the assembly of the viral replicase complex, and viral RNA synthesis. A catalytically inactive mutant of CypA was also able to inhibit TBSV replication in vitro due to binding to the replication proteins and the viral RNA. Overexpression of CypA and its mutant in yeast or plant leaves led to inhibition of tombusvirus replication, confirming that CypA is a restriction factor for TBSV. Overall, the current work has revealed a regulatory role for the cytosolic single-domain Cpr1-like cyclophilins in RNA virus replication.
Decreased oxidative burst activity of monocytes from asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals

Abstract Although changes in function of monocytes from AIDS patients have previously been reported, the functional deficits that could occur in monocytes from asymptomatic HIV-seropositive individuals has not been extensively investigated. The goal of this study was to evaluate the oxidative burst response and cell surface marker expression of monocytes from this group. Both the oxidative burst, as measured by 2′, 7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate oxidation, and cell surface markers were evaluated on CD14 + (Leu-M3) monocytes by two-color flow cytometry. A significantly lower oxidative burst capacity was observed in asymptomatic, seropositives after phorbol myristate acetate and calcium ionophore stimulation when compared to seronegative controls. However, differences in oxidative burst between the two groups were not observed after stimulation with heat-aggregated IgG. The oxidative burst of monocytes from seropositive HIV antigen + or antigen − subjects was not significantly different. The most significant difference in monocyte surface markers between seropositive and seronegative controls was a decrease in the proportion of complement receptor 3 + (CD11b + ) cells while slightly decreased numbers of CD13 + and CD33 + monocytes were observed. The decreased expression of CD11b + cells in seropositives was found entirely within the seropositive, HIV antigen + group. Similarly, when monocytes from seropositive HIV antigen + and antigen − were compared, significantly lower numbers of CD4 + and HLA-DR + cells were noted. These results indicate that significant changes in monocyte function and surface markers occure early during the course of HIV infection and are associated with the expression of serum HIV antigen.
Crystal structure of the Alcanivorax borkumensis YdaH transporter reveals an unusual topology

The potential of the folic acid biosynthesis pathway as a target for the development of antibiotics has been clinically validated. However, many pathogens have developed resistance to these antibiotics, prompting a re-evaluation of potential drug targets within the pathway. The ydaH gene of Alcanivorax borkumensis encodes an integral membrane protein of the AbgT family of transporters for which no structural information was available. Here we report the crystal structure of A. borkumensis YdaH, revealing a dimeric molecule with an architecture distinct from other families of transporters. YdaH is a bowl-shaped dimer with a solvent-filled basin extending from the cytoplasm to halfway across the membrane bilayer. Each subunit of the transporter contains nine transmembrane helices and two hairpins that suggest a plausible pathway for substrate transport. Further analyses also suggest that YdaH could act as an antibiotic efflux pump and mediate bacterial resistance to sulfonamide antimetabolite drugs.
Endoscopic vesicourethropexy Experience and complications

Thirty-one patients with stress urinary incontinence were treated with the optical vesicourethropexy. Of these patients, 70.9 per cent had previous pelvic or vaginal operations, of which 59 per cent also had failed stress incontinence procedures. In 90 per cent of the cases, cure or improvement was obtained. However, the procedure is not free of complications (38%). Aside from the problems reported by others, vaginal bleeding or discomfort due to erosion of the mucosa by the Dacron pledget was observed. We also had a case complicated by an obstruction of the small bowel secondary to fixation of a jejunal loop to the retropubic area. We believe that excellent results may be obtained with this technique in patients with previous pelvic surgery or concomitant medical problems. Remarks in the evaluation of these patients and technical aspects of the procedure are presented.
Efficient privacy preserving content based publish subscribe systems

The ability to seamlessly scale on demand has made Content-Based Publish-Subscribe (CBPS) systems the choice of distributing messages/documents produced by Content Publishers to many Subscribers through Content Brokers. Most of the current systems assume that Content Brokers are trusted for the confidentiality of the data published by Content Publishers and the privacy of the subscriptions, which specify their interests, made by Subscribers. However, with the increased use of technologies, such as service oriented architectures and cloud computing, essentially outsourcing the broker functionality to third-party providers, one can no longer assume the trust relationship to hold. The problem of providing privacy/confidentiality in CBPS systems is challenging, since the solution to the problem should allow Content Brokers to make routing decisions based on the content without revealing the content to them. The previous work attempted to solve this problem was not fully successful. The problem may appear unsolvable since it involves conflicting goals, but in this paper, we propose a novel approach to preserve the privacy of the subscriptions made by Subscribers and confidentiality of the data published by Content Publishers using cryptographic techniques when third-party Content Brokers are utilized to make routing decisions based on the content. Our protocols are expressive to support any type of subscriptions and designed to work efficiently. We distribute the work such that the load on Content Brokers, where the bottleneck is in a CBPS system, is minimized. We extend a popular CBPS system using our protocols to implement a privacy preserving CBPS system.
21.1: Invited Paper: 3‐inch Full‐color OLED Display using a Plastic Substrate

We developed a full-color Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display on a plastic substrate. The display area is a 3- inch diagonal area with 160 × RGB × 120 pixels. Silicon oxynitride (SiON) was used as a moisture barrier film on the substrate and silicon nitride (SiN) as a passivation film on the device. The display was approximately 0.2 mm thick, weighted approximately 3 g, and it was bendable.
Deletion Mutagenesis of Human Cystathionine β-Synthase IMPACT ON ACTIVITY, OLIGOMERIC STATUS, ANDS-ADENOSYLMETHIONINE REGULATION

Abstract Cystathionine β-synthase is a tetrameric hemeprotein that catalyzes the pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent condensation of serine and homocysteine to cystathionine. We have used deletion mutagenesis of both the N and C termini to investigate the functional organization of the catalytic and regulatory regions of this enzyme. Western blot analysis of these mutants expressed in Escherichia coliindicated that residues 497–543 are involved in tetramer formation. Deletion of the 70 N-terminal residues resulted in a heme-free protein retaining 20% of wild type activity. Additional deletion of 151 C-terminal residues from this mutant resulted in an inactive enzyme. Expression of this double-deletion mutant as a glutathioneS-transferase fusion protein generated catalytically active protein (15% of wild type activity) that was unaffected by subsequent removal of the fusion partner. The function of the N-terminal region appears to be primarily steric in nature and involved in the correct folding of the enzyme. The C-terminal region of human cystathionine β-synthase contains two hydrophobic motifs designated “CBS domains.” Partial deletion of the most C-terminal of these domains decreased activity and caused enzyme aggregation and instability. Removal of both of these domains resulted in stable constitutively activated enzyme. Deletion of as few as 8 C-terminal residues increased enzyme activity and abolished any further activation byS-adenosylmethionine indicating that the autoinhibitory role of the C-terminal region is not exclusively a function of the CBS domains.
Daily and Periodic Mobility Patterns of the Urban Homeless

The intraurban mobility patterns of a sample of homeless individuals in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles is examined. Findings indicate that the voluntary mobility of homeless persons in the sample is related less to individual characteristics than to the availability and location of resources, particularly social supports.
Meeting the Social and Behavioral Health Needs of Students: Rethinking the Relationship Between Teachers and School Social Workers

BACKGROUND: While school-based mental health professionals obviously must provide mental health services to students directly, the literature is increasingly identifying an empowerment role for these professionals, whereby they support teachers as primary service providers. The purpose of this study was to identify subtypes of school social workers within the context of collaborative practice, and to identify individual and contextual factors associated with these classifications as well as overall levels of collaboration. METHODS: Latent class analysis, conducted using data collected as part of the National School Social Work Survey 2008 (N = 1639), was employed to examine underlying subtypes of school social work practitioners in relation to collaborative practices and to examine predictors of collaborative practice. RESULTS: Four broad categories of school social workers were identified, including (1) noncollaborators, (2) system-level specialists, (3) consultants, and (4) well-balanced collaborators. These classes were associated with the number of schools served, grade level, education, and clinical licensure status; level of administrative responsibility was not associated with class membership. CONCLUSION: While school social workers varied in collaborative practices, opportunities exist to enhance their role in educating and supporting teachers to serve as primary providers to students with social, mental health, and behavioral needs. The implications for school-based mental health providers, teachers, administrators, policymakers, and researchers are discussed.
Airy stress function for atomic models

Abstract A simple method is shown for computing the Airy stress function for two-dimensional problems. The method is applied to a simple mechanics example and to large computer-generated atomic models whose properties are independent of some coordinate z. The method has recently proved useful for analyzing topological defects in computer-generated models of amorphous solids.
Role of the epithelial-stromal interaction during the development and expression of ovary-independent vaginal hyperplasia.

Abstract The tissue interactions involved in the induction and perpetuation of ovary-independent vaginal hyperplasia were studied by growing recombinants prepared with vaginal epithelium and stroma from untreated and neonatally estrogenized mice. As expected, recombinants prepared with untreated tissues developed an atrophied epithelium, while those prepared with estrogenized epithelium and stroma exhibited epithelial hyperplasia in ovariectomized hosts. Recombinants prepared with estrogenized stroma and untreated epithelium and the reciprocal recombination of untreated stroma and estrogenized epithelium also exhibited ovary-independent hyperplasia in many cases. This suggests that the expression of ovary-independent hyperplasia is due to irreversible changes in vaginal epithelium and inductive activities in vaginal stroma. Development of ovary-independent hyperplasia in response to neonatal exposure to estradiol is facilitated when the epithelial-stromal association is maintained and is blocked if this association is disrupted. Finally, Takasugi's (1971, Proc. Japan Acad. 47, 193–198) hypothesis, that the age-dependent loss in sensitivity of the vagina to permanent, irreversible effects of estradiol at 5 days postpartum is due to maturational changes in the epithelium, was confirmed through analysis of the developmental response of heterochronal vaginal recombinants.
Linear Polymerization of a Gastropod Hemocyanin

The decreased solubility of a gastropod hemocyanin in the region of the isoelectric point has been correlated with a sharp increase in light scattering produced by the protein in solution. Electron microscopic observations on negatively stained spray preparations in the isoelectric region demonstrated that the formation of linear polymers of the molecule underlies both the increase in light scattering as well as the decreased solubility of the protein. While the linear polymerization produces chains of varying length with no evidence of interaction between chains, the polymerization proceeds with a high degree of ordering of individual molecules. On either side of the isoelectric region of this hemocyanin two forms of molecules are present, rectangular and circular. The rectangular molecules polymerize in an end-to-end fashion in the isoelectric region. The rectangular molecules which participate in the polymerization appear to be divided perpendicularly to their length into three major segments.
A Linear Approach to Matching Cuboids in RGBD Images

We propose a novel linear method to match cuboids in indoor scenes using RGBD images from Kinect. Beyond depth maps, these cuboids reveal important structures of a scene. Instead of directly fitting cuboids to 3D data, we first construct cuboid candidates using super pixel pairs on a RGBD image, and then we optimize the configuration of the cuboids to satisfy the global structure constraints. The optimal configuration has low local matching costs, small object intersection and occlusion, and the cuboids tend to project to a large region in the image, the number of cuboids is optimized simultaneously. We formulate the multiple cuboid matching problem as a mixed integer linear program and solve the optimization efficiently with a branch and bound method. The optimization guarantees the global optimal solution. Our experiments on the Kinect RGBD images of a variety of indoor scenes show that our proposed method is efficient, accurate and robust against object appearance variations, occlusions and strong clutter.
Education curricula of the UN-affiliated regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education☆

Since 1988 the United Nations, through its Programme on Space Applications, has been supporting the establishment and operation of regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Asia. Simultaneously, education curricula have been developed for remote sensing and geographic information systems, satellite communications, satellite meteorology and global climate, and space and atmospheric science. The report briefly reviews these developments and highlights the most recent updated education curricula in the four disciplines that have been made available in 2002, in the six official languages of the United Nations, for implementation at the regional centres and beyond.
Measurement based power system dynamics prediction with multivariate AutoRegressive Model

Power system dynamics prediction is important for online situation awareness and adaptive control. Model-based simulation is not applicable for dynamics prediction due to constant change of network configuration. With more and more Phasor Measurement Units (PMU), power system dynamics can be studied with pure measurement data. This paper proposes a dynamics prediction method based on measurement data. A mulit-input multi-output Multivariate AutoRegressive model (MAR) is developed and dynamics prediction procedure is proposed. Both simulation data and field measurement data are tested. Examples show that the proposed method can predict power system dynamics with high accuracy for simulation data and give reasonable result for measurement data. It provides an alternative approach to study power system dynamics. Index Terms—Power systems, dynamics prediction, phasor measurement, multivariate autoregressive
On the coincidence of the position of Mercury with the 90-day oscillation of Jupiter's red spot

Abstract Recent observations have been utilized to investigate the proposed temporal connection between the 90-day oscillation of Jupiter's Red Spot and the inferior conjunction of Mercury. The oscillations appear to be synchronized with the inferior conjunction of a “mean Mercury” rather than the real Mercury implying that the period of oscillation of the Red Spot is constant. Although the probability of a synchronization due to chance is small, the failure of the oscillation to coincide with the motion of the real Mercury offers a strong argument against a physical connection between the two phenomena.
Stoichiometric Interaction of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor with the Clathrin-associated Protein Complex AP-2

Plasma membrane clathrin-associated protein complexes (AP-2) have been shown to co-immunoprecipitate with the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (Sorkin A., and Carpenter, G. (1993) Science 261, 612-615). Hence, we analyzed the stoichiometry of the EGF receptor interaction with AP-2 using a new antibody that efficiently immunoprecipitates native AP-2. EGF receptor•AP-2 complexes were isolated from 35 S-labeled cells treated with EGF by EGF receptor affinity chromatography followed by precipitation with the antibody to AP-2. Quantitation of the relative molar concentrations of the proteins found in the complex revealed that 1 mol of AP-2 was associated with approximately 1.1 mol of EGF receptor. No other proteins were present in significant molar concentrations relative to AP-2, indicating that other proteins are not stoichiometrically involved in the interaction of EGF receptors and AP-2 in vivo. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments in cells expressing a mutant EGF receptor demonstrated that the cytoplasmic carboxyl-terminal 214 residues of the EGF receptor are essential for interaction with AP-2.
Shaken baby syndrome: A review of 20 cases

Twenty cases of shaken baby syndrome are reviewed to determine important signs, symptoms, physical findings, laboratory parameters, and prognosis. The signs and symptoms of this form of head trauma are nonspecific. The findings may mimic infection, intoxication, or metabolic abnormalities. Diagnosis depends on a high index of suspicion and the physical findings of a bulging fontanelle, head circumference greater than the 90th percentile, and retinal hemorrhage. The finding of bloody fluid from a lumbar or subdural tap is also highly suggestive. Computed cranial tomography findings confirm the diagnosis. The prognosis in the shaken baby syndrome is poor. Three of our 20 patients died and ten others sustained significant morbidity. The emergency physician must be alert to making this diagnosis in order to promptly institute therapy for acute head trauma.
Multivariate analysis of Monte Carlo generated images for diagnosis of dysplastic lesions

Early detection of malignant melanoma is critical to improve the survival rates of patients with this aggressive malignancy. We constructed an imaging system employing two liquid-crystal tunable filters to acquire in vivo spectral images of dysplastic lesions from patients at 31 wavelengths from 500 to 950nm. These reflectance images were analyzed in search of optical signatures for quantitative characterization of dysplastic nevi and malignant melanoma. A principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm was developed to examine the spectral imaging data in the component space and an index of spreading of clustering pixels (SCP) was defined to measure the degree of clustering in the distribution of image pixel scores in a component space. We found that SCP of differential polarimetric images correlate strongly with the degree of dysplasia for 4 lesions. However, many questions remain unanswered on the relations between PCA results and the spatial and spectral characteristics of the image data because of limited spectral image data from the patients. To fully improve our understanding on the multivariate analysis of spectral imaging data, we have developed a parallel Monte Carlo code to efficiently generate reflectance images from given distribution of optical parameters in a skin lesion phantom. With this tool, we have investigated numerically the dependence of score distribution and SCP in the component sub-spaces on lesion size and position. These numerical results provide a foundation for our future study to identify optical signature of dysplastic lesion and melanoma in the skin.