cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes in the alteration of maize mitochondrial orf221 transcripts.

The interaction of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes in the alteration of maize (Zea mays L.) mitochondrial orf221 transcript patterns was examined. Northern analyses involving specific maize nuclear genotypes associated with N, C or S cytoplasms revealed considerable orf221 transcript heterogeneity. F1 progenies were developed from maize inbred-cytoplasm combinations that differed for orf221 transcript patterns. Northern analyses revealed that the presence or level of abundance of certain orf221 transcripts was dependent on nuclear genotype. The maize inbred B37(C) exhibits orf221 transcripts of 3500, 3200, 2800, and 1300 nt whereas the F1 of B37(C) x Ky21(N) does not exhibit a 2800-nt transcript but does give transcripts of 2100 and 1250 nt in addition to 3500-, 3200- and 1300-nt transcripts. Northern analyses also suggested that the size or the presence of certain orf221 transcripts was related to the mitochondrial genome configuration. Maize inbred A619 exhibits a 2300-nt orf221 transcript when associated with N cytoplasm and a 2100-nt orf221 transcript when associated with C and S cytoplasms. As a result of deletion of the gene T-urf13, the A188(T7) mitochondrial mutant exhibits only a 3100-nt orf221 transcript and not the very complex T-urf13/orf221 transcript pattern associated with A188(T). The genetic stock A188(T7) x W64A(N)2 gives a highly abundant 2100-nt orf221 transcript not detected in A188(T7). Deletion of T-urf13 has enabled the nuclear genotype of W64A(N) to alter orf221 transcript patterns in a manner not detected in T cytoplasm. This observation suggests that alteration of the mitochondrial genomic configuration adjacent to orf221 results in a different response to nuclear gene products from that observed when or2f21 is present in the T mitochondrial genome configuration.
Nanolayers with Advanced Properties for Superconducting Spintronics

The rapid development of semiconductor electronic industry requires revolutionary ideas for a jump to the next level of complexity. One of the possible level of 21st century microelectronics could be superconducting spin-sensitive electronics - spintronics. We are working for solutions of realization the superconducting spin-valve (spin-switch), the base component of spin-sensitive electronics with a high potential. The core of spin-valve comprises two separated ferromagnetic nano-layers and superconducting thin layer. In present work we report on main milestones of development of F/S/F - structures, giving description of the deposition process, characterization of grown samples, TC characterization of F/S/F sets patterns and discussion.
Acting for Happiness: Financial Behavior and Life Satisfaction of College Students

Recent research on well-being suggests that domain-specific behaviors contribute to domain-specific satisfactions, which in turn contribute to an individual’s overall satisfaction with life. Our study is an attempt to add to the literature by observing these phenomena from a financial perspective. Using data collected from a sample of undergraduate students at a major state university in the U.S. and employing structural equation modeling, we have found evidence suggesting that positive financial behaviors contribute to financial satisfaction and financial satisfaction in turn contributes to life satisfaction. In addition, positive financial behaviors contribute to life satisfaction through two more mediating variables: academic performance and academic satisfaction.
Elongation and spheroidization of phase-separated particles in glass

Abstract When certain phase-separated glasses are elongated by redrawing near their softening point, the spherical second-phase particles are found to elongate as well. The elongation process is discussed, and the conditions under which high particle elongations are possible are estimated. Annealing the glass tends to spheroidize cylindrical-shaped particles by an ‘ovulation’ process. The spacing of the resulting spheroidal particles is compared with theoretical predictions.
Innovation in Higher Education: A Case Study of the Western Governors University.

Western Governors University shows how both foreseen and unforeseen challenges shape innovative management responses.
Do you know your guidelines? An initiative of the American Head and Neck Society's Education Committee

Clinical practice guidelines abound in medicine. Head and neck oncology is no exception. Well-crafted guidelines can promote evidence-based diagnosis, treatment, and followup for patients with head and neck cancers. Recognizing this, the Education Committee of the American Head and Neck Society has developed a series of articles to review clinical practice guidelines germane to our field, the evidence behind them, and opportunities for improvement and better adherence to them. This paper serves to introduce the concepts relevant to guideline development and clinical application. It serves as a framework for the topical guideline papers that will follow. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 165–167, 2016
Tuning PEDOT:PSS conductivity with iron oxidants

Abstract Controlling the electrical properties of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is crucial for its use in a wide range of energy and sensing applications. We have polymerized PEDOT:PSS using a new iron oxidant, hemin, and compared the resulting polymer to PEDOT:PSS polymerized with the iron oxidant, FeCl 3 . We characterize these polymers with five different techniques: visible and near IR spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electron spin resonance spectroscopy, four point probe conductivity measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Although the elemental composition of both polymers is nearly identical, hemin-oxidized PEDOT:PSS is six orders of magnitude more conductive than FeCl 3 -oxidized PEDOT:PSS. This difference is associated with a change in oxidation state of the polymer. In hemin-oxidized PEDOT:PSS, bipolarons are the dominant charge carrier species. In FeCl 3 -oxidized PEDOT:PSS, polarons dominate. These results demonstrate that the properties of PEDOT:PSS can be controlled in a single step aqueous reaction by the choice of iron oxidant used for polymerization.
Single-molecule DNA detection in microfabricated capillary electrophoresis chips

Single-molecule fluorescence burst counting is a highly sensitive method for detecting electrophoretic separations of ds-DNA fragments. In previous work we demonstrated the detection of single DNA fragments as small as 100 bp in capillary electrophoresis separations. To further enhance the applicability of this method to low level pathogen and mutation detection, we have now successfully performed single molecule detection of DNA separations in microfabricated glass capillary electrophoresis (CE) chips. By fabricating CE chips with a 200 micrometers thick top cover plate and by using a 40X, 1.3 NA immersion microscope objective, the S/N ratio for single molecule detection is enhanced by more than two-fold over conventional capillaries. By constricting the sample in the detection region to an approximately 10 micrometers wide by approximately 10 micrometers deep cross section, approximately 10% of the molecules passing through the channel are probed by the approximately 2 micrometers wide focused laser beam. This is a 1000-fold improvement over our previous work. We have now achieved an on-column detection limit of approximately 600 fM or 500 molecules for 500 bp DNA fragments (S/N equals 3).© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
TYROSINOSIS: METABOLISM OF 15N-TYROSINE

It has been suggested that urinary p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate In Medes-type tyrosinosis may arise from renal deamination of tyrosine. Two siblings with tyrosinosis were studied. The propositus has tyrosinemia (7-10 × normal), and prominant p-hydroxyphonyl-pyruvic aciduria. His sister has tyrosinemia (18 × normal) but urinary organic acids are less well characterized. Neither child has hepatic or renal disease or Richner-Hanhart Syndrome. Both children and a control subject received L-15N tyrosine and D-15N tyrosine orally on separate occasions. Of the 15N excreted as ammonia and urea in 5 hrs after D-tyrosine, 43% and 63% were excreted as ammonia by the affected children, and 48% by the control. After L-tyrosine, 14% and 16% were excreted as ammonia by the tyrosinotic children, and 16% by the control. Since D-amino acids are metabolized only through oxidative deamination, these results show that oxidative deamination of amino acids can be expected to yield urinary ammonia. Failure to find increased 15N-NH3 in the urine of the affected children after L-15N-tyrosine indicates that oxidative deamination of L-tyrosine does not play a quantitatively significant role in the metabolism of tyrosine in these children. Furthermore, kinetic analysis of 15N excretion in these studies does not suggest any qualitative abnormality in the metabolism of the amino nitrogen of tyrosine in the affected children, indicating that their physiologic abnormality is failure of catabollsm of the carbon skeleton of tyrosine.
Through-Space Effects of Substituents Dominate Molecular Electrostatic Potentials of Substituted Arenes.

Model systems have been studied using density functional theory to assess the contributions of π-resonance and through-space effects on electrostatic potentials (ESPs) of substituted arenes. The results contradict the widespread assumption that changes in molecular ESPs reflect only local changes in the electron density. Substituent effects on the ESP above the molecular plane are commonly attributed to changes in the aryl π-system. We show that ESP changes for a collection of substituted benzenes and more complex aromatic systems can be accounted for mostly by through-space effects, with no change in the aryl π-electron density. Only when π-resonance effects are substantial do they influence changes to any extent in the ESP above the aromatic ring. Examples of substituted arenes studied here are taken from the fields of drug design, host−guest chemistry, and crystal engineering. These findings emphasize the potential pitfalls of assuming ESP changes reflect changes in the local electron density. Since ES...
Chaperonin-mediated folding of actin and tubulin.

T HE central dogma of molecular biology holds that proteins contain within their primary amino acid sequence all the information that is required to dictate their three-dimensional structure. In principle, therefore, proteins can fold spontaneously (2). It is now clear, however, that the proper folding of many proteins requires facilitation. The facilitation reaction is accomplished via interaction with chaperonins, a class of multisubunit toroidal complexes which hydrolyzes ATP as part of the mechanism whereby its members contribute to the productive folding of their target polypeptides (4, 5, 11, 12, 15, 16, 20). Chaperonins are both structurally and functionally distinct from a class of molecules (typified by the heat shock protein hsp70) that is also thought to participate in the overall protein folding pathway by maintaining polypeptides in a partially unfolded conformation pending their translocation or presentation to chaperonin (for a review see reference 15). Bacteria, chloroplasts, mitochondria, and the cytosol of eukaryotes each contain a single kind of chaperonin molecule. These are different from one other, but homologous. No chaperonin has so far been found in the endoplasmic reticulum. Here we present our view of how the eukaryotic cytosolic chaperonin functions, particularly in relation to what is known about the mechanism of facilitated folding by chaperonin from prokaryotes.
Conservation equations of gasdynamics in curvilinear coordinate systems

Description of a new method of writing the conservation equations of gasdynamics in curvilinear coordinates which eliminates undifferentiated terms. It is thus possible to readily apply difference schemes derived for Cartesian coordinates which conserve mass, momentum, and energy in the total flow field. The method is derived for orthogonal coordinates, and then extended to cover the most general class of coordinate transformations, using general tensor analysis. Several special features of the equations are discussed.
Correlating palynofacies assemblages with sequence stratigraphy in Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) sedimentary rocks of the Book Cliffs, east-central Utah

Some of the most important factors that govern the preservation of depositional sequences in passive margins are the rate of sediment supply, the type of sediment, subsidence history, sea-level changes, and climate. These factors also control the nature of components, such as organic matter, palynomorphs, and other fossils incorporated within the sediments. Because detrital organic matter (palynodebris) behave like sedimentary particles, their distribution in sediments can be used to infer palynofacies, and consequently depositional conditions. This study correlates palynofacies assemblages with sequence stratigraphic interpretations of Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) sedimentary rocks in the Book Cliffs, east-central Utah, namely the Kenilworth, Grassy, and Desert Members of the Blackhawk Formation, Mancos Shale, Castlegate Sandstone, and Buck Tongue of the Mancos Shale. Sedimentological criteria have been used to identify the depositional framework at 8 localities, and 12 palynodebris types have been identified in the sediments: sporomorphs, marine palynomorphs, fresh-water algae, fungal remains, amorphous organic matter, resins, cuticles, parenchyma, degraded bundles, wood, black debris, and degraded debris. The samples and palynodebris were analyzed statistically using average linkage cluster analysis, principal components analysis, and detrended correspondence analysis. Cluster analysis yielded seven palynofacies assemblages, which have been integrated with sedimentological criteria, and correlated with sequence stratigraphic interpretations. Although all the samples are dominated by woody debris, the palynofacies assemblages are defined primarily by marine palynomorphs, degraded bundles, black debris, and sporomorphs, and to a lesser extent by cuticles and resins. Highstand systems tracts and lowstand systems tracts are each represented by major palynofacies assemblages, indicating that there is some correlation with sequence stratigraphy. Two other minor assemblages are indicative of the highstand systems tract. In addition, three assemblages, which are dominated by siltstone and shale samples interbedded with sandstones, are richer in black debris; this is probably due to the effect of oxidation in the depositional environment and, possibly, microbial respiration in the interbedded sandstones. Marine environments are usually characterized by an abundance of marine palynomorphs and palynodebris over sporomorphs and other nonmarine palynodebris, and this characteristic has been used to recognize initial marine flooding events and maximum flooding intervals (condensed sections) in several palynological studies. In this study, however, one possible initial marine flooding event was not easily detected palynologically. In situations such as this, there is a need to integrate palynology with sedimentological and other criteria in order to establish valid regional sequence stratigraphic interpretations.
Trait Impressions as Heuristics for Predicting Future Behavior

The dispositionist bias manifests itself when (a) behavior is over attributed to dispositions and (b) contextual factors are underused when predicting behavior. The psychological processes underlying the former bias have been more thoroughly examined than the latter. Three studies support the hypothesis that the trait implications of past behavior function as heuristics used to predict high levels of cross-situational consistency. Subjects in Experiment 1 used both dispositional and situational information to predict behavior, but the level of consistency predicted was inversely related to how much time was spent integrating the available information. In Experiment 2, attributionally complex subjects were less likely to predict high levels of behavioral consistency and were more sensitive to the context in which behavior was to occur. Imposing a cognitive load in Experiment 3 increased noncomplex subjects' tendency to predict consistency across situations.
Difficulties in panic studies

In DSM-IV, panic attack is defined ‘‘as a discrete periodof intense fear or discomfort, in which four or more of thefollowing symptoms developed abruptly and reached apeak within 10 minutes.’’ There follows 13 well-recog-nized associated symptoms. This definition raises majordifficulties. For instance, the term ‘‘intense’’ is quantita-tively ambiguous, but plainly means more than slight.Conversely, in the definition of panic used in the twopapers, the mere presence of a symptom counts. Also, itis not clear whether the symptoms recorded in a diary areor not restricted to panic occurrence.Another major problem is the minimum cutoff at foursymptoms. This was selected to ensure coverage, so thatpatients will not be left out. However, this increase insensitivity results in decreased specificity. It should benoted that panic attacks, as occurring in longitudinallyestablished cases of panic disorder, regularly endorse farmore than four symptoms. Therefore, other conditionsare often confused with panic.Many different anxiety disorders are associated withstrong anticipatory anxiety. In these cases, when con-fronted with a feared situation, there may be a crescendoof anticipatory anxiety. For instance, the social phobicwho has to enter a crowded party may have a rush ofpalpitations, sweating, and tremor, as also occurs inordinary fear, which may be confused with panic. It isstriking that air hunger (dyspnea) is not associated withsocial phobia or ordinary fear. However, it is the panicthat occurs ‘‘out of the blue’’ that is defining for panicdisorder. Therefore, the minimum of four associatedsymptoms is a clinical estimate aiming at high sensitivity,but it is not scientifically definitive.Freire et al.
Hybrid mode-locked diode lasers for synchronous optical network applications

Compact and efficient sources of high power ultrafast optical pulses are needed to incorporate high speed optical information processing techniques into future photonic networks. In this paper, the robust timing stability associated with optical mode-locked pulse trains from semiconductor diode lasers is examined as an alternative to standard methods of providing synchronous timing signals in future photonic networks. Here, it is demonstrated how these sources may play a role in several photonic network scenarios, such as optical clock distribution, photonic network synchronization, and all optical clock recovery.
Optimized enterprise risk management

As the result of the increasing costs of risk and compliance activities, enterprises are beginning to integrate compliance and risk management into a comprehensive enterprise risk management function and thus proactively address all sorts of risk, including operational risk and the risk of noncompliance. We present the IBM Research enterprise risk management framework, designed to address risk and compliance management in a strategic, integrated, and comprehensive manner. We demonstrate how enterprises evolve along an enterprise-risk-management maturity continuum from a state of mere penalty avoidance through a state of improvement until they finally reach a state of continuous, risk-based transformation. We then explain our high-level model of the enterprise and its environment and describe the central issues, systems, models, and technologies involved. We conclude by presenting the tactical steps necessary to successfully launch enterprise risk management in accordance with our framework.
Nanoscale Resolution, Multicomponent Biomolecular Arrays Generated By Aligned Printing With Parylene Peel-Off

We present “Print-and-Peel”, a high-throughput method to generate multicomponent biomolecular arrays with sub-100 nm nanoscale feature width. An inkjet printer is first aligned to a parylene template containing nanoscale openings. After printing, the parylene is peeled off to reveal uniformly patterned nanoscale features, despite the imperfect morphologies of the original inkjet spots. We further patterned combinatorial nanoarrays by performing a second print-run superimposed over the first, thereby extending the multiplexing capability of the technique.
Testicular Cancer: The Quest Continues

Treatment for testicular cancer has dramatically improved during the last 15 years. Much of this success has come about because of improved staging and operative techniques but, most importantly, through the introduction of successful systemic chemotherapy. Nonetheless, relevant issues still remain to be addressed in regard to the optimal therapy for patients with germ cell neoplasms. Included in these issues is delineating the most effective but minimally morbid treatment for patients with early-stage and low-volume metastatic disease while continuing to create innovative treatment approaches for poor-risk patients with metastatic disease. The unique association of primary mediastinal germ cell neoplasms with the development of non-germ cell cancers and Klinefelter's syndrome may provide some early clues for the determination of factors controlling differentiation. These observations issue a challenge to both clinical and preclinical researchers involved in the study of this neoplasm.
Uptake and Cytotoxicity of Docetaxel-Loaded Hyaluronic Acid-Grafted Oily Core Nanocapsules in MDA-MB 231 Cancer Cells

Purpose It is hypothesized that docetaxel (Doc)-loaded hyaluronic acid (HA)-polyethylene glycol/poly(e-caprolactone)-grafted oily core nanocapsules (NCs) can enhance the drug cytotoxicity and uptake in CD44 expressing breast cancer (BC) cells (MDA-MB 231).
HIV/AIDS Disparity between African-American and Caucasian Men Who Have Sex with Men: Intervention Strategies for the Black Church

This manuscript examines the HIV/AIDS health disparity among African-American (AA) men who have sex with men (MSM) as compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) MSM, and proposes faith-based intervention strategies as a means of reducing the disparity. Effective faith-based HIV/AIDS intervention programs to encompass AA MSM must include community-based participatory research; engage the faith community through data sharing; specifically target and equip church leaders in addition to laity; involve effective collaboration and compromise between public health practitioners and faith leaders; emphasize spirituality and compassion; utilize popular opinion leaders; and be intergenerational.
The eyes absent gene: Genetic control of cell survival and differentiation in the developing Drosophila eye

The eyes absent (eya) gene is required at an early stage in development of the D. melanogaster compound eye. In eya mutants, progenitor cells in the eye disc undergo programmed cell death anterior to the morphogenetic furrow, rather than proceeding into the pathway of retinal differentiation. A low level of cell death normally occurs at this stage, suggesting that eya activity influences the distribution of cells between differentiation and death. Molecular analysis identifies a nuclear protein expressed in progenitor cells prior to differentiation. Transformation with the cDNA prevents progenitor cell death and allows the events that generate the eye to proceed. eya activity is required for the survival of eye progenitor cells at a critical stage in morphogenesis.
Geotaxis by motile spermatozoa: Hydrodynamic reorientation.

Abstract This paper studies the tendency of a motile human spermatozoon to reorient in the direction of an applied gravitational field. The dynamics of this process are formulated from first principles. The hydrodynamic forces and moments acting upon the spermatozoon are determined by means of resistive force theory. The solution of the dynamical equations of motion indicates that if the center of mass of the spermatozoon lies along its geometrical symmetry axis, then the angular reorientation rate is proportional to the sine of the angle of inclination to gravity. For flagellar beat shapes typical of human spermatozoa this simple relationship is not strictly true. However it is approximately valid, and for practical purposes useful, in the time-average sense. On the basis of this theory, possible geotactic distinctions between X- and Y-bearing human spermatozoa are considered.
Population-wide principal component-based quantification of blood-brain-barrier dynamics in multiple sclerosis.

The processes by which new white-matter lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) develop are only partially understood. Much of this understanding has come through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the human brain. One of the hallmarks of new lesion development in MS is enhancement on T1-weighted MRI scans following the intravenous administration of a gadolinium-based contrast agent that shortens the longitudinal relaxation time of the tissue. Visible enhancement in the MRI results from the opening of the blood-brain barrier and reveals areas of active inflammation. The incidence and number of existing enhancing lesions are common outcome measures used in MS treatment clinical trials. Dynamic-contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) can estimate the rate at which contrast agents pass from the plasma to MS lesions. In this paper, we develop a principal component-based framework for the analysis of these data that provides biologically meaningful quantification of blood-brain barrier opening in new MS lesions. To accomplish this, we use functional principal components analysis to study directions of variation in the voxel-level time series of intensities both within and across subjects. The analysis reveals and allows quantification of typical spatiotemporal enhancement patterns in acute MS lesions, providing measures of magnitude, rate, shape (ring-like vs. nodular), and dynamics (centrifugal vs. centripetal). Across 10 subjects with relapsing-remitting and primary progressive MS, we found subjects to have between 0 and 12 gadolinium-enhancing lesions, the majority of which enhanced centripetally. We quantified the spatiotemporal behavior within each of these lesion using novel measures. Further application of these techniques will determine the extent to which these lesion measures can predict or track response to therapy or long-term prognosis in this disorder.
Evaluating Low-Cloud Simulation from an Upgraded Multiscale Modeling Framework Model. Part II: Seasonal Variations over the Eastern Pacific

AbstractThe eastern Pacific is a climatologically important region. Conventional coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation models produce positive sea surface temperature biases of 2–5 K in this region because of insufficient stratocumulus clouds. In this study, a global multiscale modeling framework (MMF), which replaces traditional cloud parameterizations with a 2D cloud-resolving model (CRM) in each atmospheric column, is used to examine the seasonal variations of this Pacific region. The CRM component contains an advanced third-order turbulence closure, helping it to better simulate boundary layer turbulence and low-level clouds. Compared to available satellite observations of cloud amount, liquid water path, cloud radiative effects, and precipitation, this MMF produces realistic seasonal variations of the eastern Pacific region, although there are some disagreements in the exact location of maximum cloudiness centers in the Peruvian region and the intensity of ITCZ precipitation. Analyses of profi...
The Effect of Delayed Placement and Day-Old Debeaking on the Performance of White Leghorn Pullets

Abstract S.C. White Leghorn pullets were placed on feed and water on the day of hatching or 1 or 2 days after the day of hatching. Precision block type debeaking was performed with a Lyon’s electric debeaker immediately before feeding and watering. Debeaking at the time of placement significantly reduced body weight at 25 days, 22, and 51 weeks of age. The fact that the reduction in body weight persisted through 51 weeks of age would indicate that it was a permanent effect. Age at first egg was significantly delayed in the debeaked pullets. No effect was noted on egg size or egg production. Delaying placement for 2 days produced a significant reduction in body weight at 25 days of age that was equal to the debeaking effect. However, as the pullets grew older the placement effect grew less pronounced so that at 22 weeks of age the chicks delayed in placement by 2 days were only 3% lighter than their controls. At 51 weeks of age there was no difference between these groups. Delayed placement pullets did not differ from their controls in days to sexual maturity, egg weight or egg production. Neither debeaking, delayed placement or a combination of the two increased mortality. Non-debeaked controls housed two to a cage had significantly more mortality than debeaked pullets. The placing of 2 stresses on White Leghorn pullets did not increase mortality, but the double stress was noticeable in 3 week and 22 week body weights. The birds which were debeaked and placed 2 days after hatching were lighter in body weights than any other combination groups. The two effects were additive.
Palatability of Twelve Species of Anuran Larvae in Eastern Texas

We tested the palatability of 12 species of anuran larvae that occur in eastern Texas using four common predators. Palatability was determined by offering larvae to predators and recording the behavior of the predator. We also tested for ontogenetic shifts in palatability in twelve species of anuran larvae. Incilius nebulifer, Anaxyrus woodhousii, Lithobates catesbeianus, L. clamitans and L. sphenocephalus all showed evidence of unpalatability in laboratory experiments. These noxious larval anurans also showed ontogenetic shifts in palatability to one or more predators by becoming more palatable throughout development. Predator tolerance to noxiousness also played a key role in predation trials. Bluegills were the least tolerant, followed by green sunfish and dragonfly larvae. Crayfish had the highest tolerance to noxiousness.
Identifying Blalock-Taussig shunts using a Silastic band

Abstract Placement of an encircling Silastic band around Blalock-Taussig shunts facilitates identification and ligation of the shunt at the time of corrective operation. This technique of "shunt banding" is particularly useful for left-sided shunts, both native and modified. We have noted no complications, specifically shunt constriction.
SU-E-T-286: Verification of Treatment Delivery Monitor Unit (MU) Calculation and Dose Estimation of Bilateral Total Body Irradiation (TBI).

Purpose: TBI treatment delivery MU and patient dose estimation are calculated manually at our institution. This study was to verify the accuracyof MU calculation and dose estimation of bilateral TBI by application of tissue heterogeneity correction. Methods: Twelve TBI patients were simulated from neck to thigh in bilateral TBI position. CTimages were imported into the treatment planning system (Philips, Pinnacle3). Treatment dose was prescribed to the midpoint at the level of the umbilicus. Treatment distance was 519 cm. Both 6MV and 23 MV opposite lateral beams delivered 200 cGy to the dose prescription point with a 40 ×40 cm2field size and 45o collimator angle. A 1 cm thick spoiler was placed about 15 cm from patient skin. Adaptive convolution superposition with and without heterogeneity correction was used for calculation of MUs and doses at the midpoints of the shoulder, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Results:Monitor units calculated with heterogeneity correction were 1.1% and 0.9% smaller on average than those without heterogeneity correction for 6MV and 23MV beams respectively. The maximum deviations of MU were 3.8% and 2.8% smaller. Average percentage differences of point doses with and without heterogeneity corrections were −0.2%, 17.0%, −0.3%, and −2.7% at the levels of shoulder, chest, abdomen, and pelvis for 6MV beam and 0.4%, 11.0%, 0.2%, and ‐1.7% for 23MV beam. Discrepancy of doses to the points at the shoulder level varied from −6.8% to 8.9% for 6MV beam and from −1.6% to 5.1% for 23MV beam. Conclusions: Bilateral TBI MU calculation errors caused by ignoring tissue inhomogeneity would be less than 4% and 3% for 6MV and 23 MV beam. Dose estimation is less accurate using 6MV beam and the inaccuracy could be more than 8% for shoulder midpoint and 4% for pelvis midpoint.
CD-HIT Suite

Summary: CD-HIT is a widely used program for clustering and comparing large biological sequence datasets. In order to further assist the CD-HIT users, we significantly improved this program with more functions and better accuracy, scalability and flexibility. Most importantly, we developed a new web server, CD-HIT Suite, for clustering a user-uploaded sequence dataset or comparing it to another dataset at different identity levels. Users can now interactively explore the clusters within web browsers. We also provide downloadable clusters for several public databases (NCBI NR, Swissprot and PDB) at different identity levels. Availability: Free access at http://cd-hit.org Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
One Size Does Not Fit All

Seismic networks are complicated collections of hardware, software, people, and personalities. The Alaska Seismic Network (ASN) is actually a combination of the resources from the state of Alaska, the USGS, and the NOAA Tsunami Warning Center. We collectively operate and maintain nearly 550 stations for monitoring earthquakes and volcanoes in Alaska. Both the Alaska Earthquake Information Center and the Alaska Volcano Observatory are cooperative agencies involving the state of Alaska, the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, and the USGS through two MOU's. We all have our own responsibilities, but we all agree on the concept that our seismic stations should be considered multiple-use observatories. We have a long understanding, and implementation, of cooperative sharing of data in real time between agencies. In this opinion piece, I will use a description of the ASN developmerits over the past few years to reach the conclusion that seismic networks are NOT all the same, that it is good to share both data and technology, and that a “one size fits all” philosophy for requiring common software at all regional networks is inappropriate. Seismic networks are complicated collections of hardware, software, people, and personalities. When I accepted the position of State Seismologist for Alaska five years ago, I was presented with the interesting and challenging task of modernizing this regional seismic network for detection and location of tectonic earthquakes. This modernization was to have two parts: (1) upgrade the network to a hybrid system consisting of a mix of current analog short-period single-component stations, and high-dynamicrange, digital, 3-component broadband stations; and (2) introduce real-time processing with a relational database system into the seismology laboratory at the Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. This was no easy task. However, it was and still is both interesting and challenging. The approach we adopted, which is still …
Cross-validation of Jason-1 and QuikSCAT wind speeds

Observing near-surface ocean winds is important to the understanding of global weather patterns. Wind speed information can be retrieved from /spl sigma//spl deg/ measurements made by Jason-1 and SeaWinds on QuikSCAT. Though co-located measurements from the two satellites generally agree, significant differences between the co-located measurements are occasionally observed, particularly associated with rain events. Co-located data from TRMM PR 2A25 and ECMWF is used to study the effects of rain on Jason-1. Key observations are discussed.
Collaborative node localization in surveillance networks using opportunistic target observations

A collaborative vision-based technique is proposed for localizing the nodes of a surveillance network based on observations of a non-cooperative moving target. The proposed method employs lightweight in-node image processing and limited data exchange between the nodes to determine the positions and orientations of the nodes participating in synchronized observations of the target. A node with an opportunistic observation of a passing target broadcasts a synchronizing packet and triggers image capture by its neighbors. In the cluster of participating nodes, the triggering node and a helper node define a relative coordinate system. Once a small number of joint observations of the target are made by the nodes, the model allows for a decentralized or a cluster-based solution for the localization problem.No images are transferred between the network nodes for the localization task, making the proposed method efficient and scalable. Simulation and experimental results are provided to verify the performance of the proposed technique.
Pulmonary artery fibrous bands : Report of a case with extensive lung infarction and superinfection with coccidioides immitis, pseudomonas, and acid-fast bacilli

A 46-year-old woman presented with shortness of breath and frequent lower respiratory tract infections. A ventilation-perfusion scan showed markedly reduced perfusion of the right lung, and pulmonary arteriogram showed stenosis of the right pulmonary artery. A right pneumonectomy revealed dense white fibrous bands partially occluding the pulmonary artery branches and two large abscess cavities filled with pus in the upper and lower lobes. Microscopic examination revealed extensive necrosis of lung parenchyma, suppurative granulomatous inflammation with Coccidioides immitis organisms and rare acid-fast bacilli. Pulmonary artery fibrous bands were originally believed to be congenital; however, they are now known to be sequelae of thromboembolic phenomena.
Using mirror visual feedback and virtual reality to treat fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by long term body-wide pain and tender points in joints, muscles and soft tissues. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue, morning stiffness, and depression. It is well known that these symptoms are exacerbated under periods of high stress. When pain becomes severe enough, the mind can enter what is known as a dissociative state, characterized by depersonalization - the feeling of detachment from one's physical body and the illusion of watching one's physical body from outside. In evolutionary terms, dissociative states are thought to be an adaptive mechanism to mentally distance oneself from pain, often during trauma. Similar dissociative experiences are reported by subjects who have used psychoactive drugs such as ketamine. We have previously used non-invasive mirror visual feedback to treat subjects with chronic pain from phantom limbs and suggested its use for complex regional pain syndrome: once considered intractable pain. We wondered whether such methods would work to alleviate the chronic pain of fibromyalgia. We tested mirror visual feedback on one fibromyalgia patient. On 15 trials, the patient's lower limb pain rating (on a scale from 1 to 10) decreased significantly. These preliminary results suggest that non-invasive dissociative anesthetics such as VR goggles, ketamine, and mirror visual feedback could be used to alleviate chronic pain from fibromyalgia. This would furnish us with a better understanding of the mechanism by which external visual feedback interacts with the internal physical manifestation of pain.
Analysis of cell proliferation and migration during regeneration in Lumbriculus variegatus (Clitellata: Lumbriculidae)

Abstract Regeneration of anterior and posterior structures following fragmentation is a well-known characteristic of Lumbriculus variegatus, a freshwater oligochaete. Elucidation of cellular activities occurring during regeneration in oligochaetes has relied on classic histological methods. In this project, molecular and chemical approaches were used to analyze the role of cell proliferation and cell migration in L. variegatus regeneration. Mitosis was blocked through incubation of worm fragments in 2.5 mM colchicine or 25 μg/ml vinblastine sulfate. Worm fragments incubated in these drugs no longer regenerated heads or tails. Because colchicine and vinblastine may affect cellular processes other than mitosis, more direct evidence of cell proliferation was obtained by soaking regenerating worms in 5 mM bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). At various times following BrdU treatment, worms were fixed and macerates of regenerating tissues were prepared. The dispersed cells were stained with antibodies against BrdU follow...
Dobzhansky's Genetics and the Origin of Species: Is It Still Relevant?

magna Opera, who would disagree WithJEFFREY POWELL’S 50th anniversary assessment that “it is the most important and influential book on evolution of the twentieth century” (POWELL 1987). It must be remembered, however, that the book was only the concrete form of the Jesup Lectures given the previous year at the invitation of L. C. DUNN and others at Columbia, an invitation that signaled the importance that influential biologists already placed on DOBZHANSKY’S previous 10 years of work on genetics and evolution. In an important sense, the publication of the book, to be followed by other Jesup Lectures books by MAYR (1942) and SIMPSON (1944) and eventually STEBBINS (1950), was a manifesto representing a view that was already taking hold. Nothing would be gained by plagiarizing POWELL’S masterful summary of the schism between the communities of genetics and evolutionary biology at the time, and of the highlights of DOBZHANSKY’S integration of Mendelism and Darwinism. In this respect, two things that were unique to DOBZHANSKY’S book need to be emphasized. First, Genetics and the Origin of Species seemed to be essentially a treatise in observational biology, speaking in the language and using the biological materials of experimentalists and natural historians. Second, DOBZHANSKY’S entire schema began with the origin of variation and culminated with the formation of species, thus seeming to engage DARWIN’S outline directly. Some years before, FISHER (1930), WRIGHT (1931), and HALDANE (1932) had already completed syntheses of genetics and evolution at the conceptual level, showing how Mendelism served as a basis for evolutionary change. But their expositions did not rely, as DOBZHANSKY’S did, on a large amount of description of observations from nature, and the problem of the origin of species was treated by them only en passant (FISHER spent three and a half pages on it), although
Statistical Performance of classifiers for a maritime ATR Task

This research explores the statistical performance of several classifiers (Bayes, nearest neighbor, and a neural network) on a maritime ATR problem. The features employed were derived from range profiles and inspired by the physical structure of the ship targets to maximize the generalizability of the classifiers. The ship targets were created using Pro Engineer (parametric technology corporation), facetized, and input into XPATCH. XPATCH was used to create range profiles from 0 to 30 degree aspect. A likelihood based confidence measure was employed to force the classifiers to output at 98% confidence. The confidence measure was based on a discriminant that was the distance between a classifier output and a template.
Improved Head Restraint Design for Safety and Compliance

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently revised Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 202, which governs head restraints. The new standard, known as FMVSS 202a, establishes for the first time in the U.S. a requirement for the fore-aft position of the head restraint. The fore-aft distance between the head restraint and headform representing a midsize male occupant must not exceed 55 mm when measured with the seat back angle set to 25 degrees. The goal of the rule change is to reduce the incidence of whiplash-associated disorders caused by rear impacts. Moving the head restraint closer to the head prior to impact decreases the amount of relative motion between the occupants’ heads and torsos and is believed to decrease the risk of soft-tissue neck injury. As manufacturers phase in seats that meet the new criterion, some vehicle models are producing complaints from drivers that the head restraint causes discomfort by interfering with their preferred head position, forcing them to select a more reclined seat back angle than they would prefer. To address this issue, an analysis of driver head locations relative to the seat was conducted using a new optimization-based framework for vehicle interior optimization. The approach uses simulations with thousands of virtual occupants to quantity distributions of postural variables of interest. In this case, the analysis showed that smaller-stature occupants are disproportionately likely to experience head-position interference from a head restraint that is rigidly affixed to the seat back. Using an analysis approach that considers both postural and anthropometric variability, design guidelines for the kinematics of an articulated head restraint are proposed. Such a restraint would provide optimal head restraint positioning across occupant sizes while minimizing interference.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Timed pattern generation for noise-on-delay calculation

Computing the effects of noise on delay is required for all circuits from simple ASIC designs to microprocessors. Transistor-level simulation engines make accurate delay calculation affordable only if the number of simulation per stage is very small. We propose a solution that predicts the alignment of aggressor signals with respect to the victim signal to induce the worst-case noise effect on delay. The aggressor alignment can be used to setup a detailed simulation. The worst-case delay in the presence of noise is predicted within 5% error for more than 99% of the cases tested using an average of 1.27 simulations per stage transition.
Antilymphocyte antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus. Effect on lymphocyte surface characteristics.

Antilymphocyte antibodies in SLE bind to normal lymphocytes and are not always associated with lymphocytotoxic activity. Detection of these antibodies on the surface of normal lymphocytes by immuno-fluorescent techniques is enhanced by short incubation periods, reduced temperature, and metabolic inhibition. The same effects occur in SLE blood and May-June influence the enumeration of B lymphocytes as determined by surface immunoglobulin. The percent of T lymphocytes forming sheep erythrocyte rosettes is not affected by these antibodies.
SBS and nonlinearities reduction of analog optical links via polarization modulation

We propose using analog polarization modulation (PolM) to tackle SBS and nonlinearities due to amplitude modulation in analog optical links, e.g. HFC systems. Experimental results show that SBS threshold is improved compared to amplitude modulation (AM) systems.