cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Helium effects on void formation in 9Cr-1MoVNb and 12Cr-1MoVW irradiated in HFIR☆

Abstract Up to 2 wt% Ni was added to 9Cr-1MoVNb and 12Cr-lMoVW ferritic steels to increase helium production by transmutation during HFIR irradiation. The various steels were irradiated to ∼39 dpa. Voids were found in all the undoped and nickel-doped steels irradiated at 400°C, most of them at 500°C, but not in any of them at 300 or 600°C. Bubble formation, however, was increased at all temperatures in the nickel-doped steels. Maximum void formation was found at 400°C, but swelling remained less than 0.5% even with up to 440 appm He. Irradiation at 300 to 500°C caused dissolution of as-tempered M23C6 precipitates and coarsening of the lath/subgrain structure in the 9-Cr steels, whereas the microstructure generally remained stable in the 12-Cr steels. Irradiation in this temperature range also caused compositional changes in the as-tempered MC phase in all the steels, and produced combinations of fine M6C, G-phase, and M2X precipitates in various steels. The subgrain boundaries appear to be strong sinks that enhance resistance to void formation. Higher helium production during irradiation appears to shorten the incubation period for void formation. The effects of helium on steady state void swelling behavior, however, remain unknown.
Major evolutionary phases of a forearc basin of the Aleutian terrace: Relation to North Pacific tectonic events and the formation of the Aleutian subduction complex

Combined geologic and seismic reflection data from the Atka Basin region of the Aleutian forearc show that the upper 2-3 km of slightly deformed sediment filling the basin are probably of late Miocene to Holocene age. The depositional axis of the basin shifted arcward over time because of the progressive and differential rise of the basin's outer ridge. Units filling the basin unconformably overlie and, along the edges of the basin, onlap beds of Oligocene age and older(?). The basal units of the basin fill are characterized by little variation in thickness, somewhat irregular internal reflectors, fault offsets, and possible wedge outs against units of Eocene(?) age. A fault with at least 500 m of vertical displacement cuts the outer high of the forearc basin and displaces beds of the basin-filling series relative to those trenchward of the trenchslope break. The Atka Basin appears to have formed in response to a combination of (1) initiation of trench-floor-filling turbidite deposition, in part derived from glacial marine sedimentation from mainland Alaska; (2) an increased rate and normal component in Pacific plate subduction beneath the central Aleutian arc beginning in early Pliocene time; and (3) formation of a broad and thick accretionary wedge that progressively uplifted the outer high of the Aleutian terrace.
Long term visual deprivation in a human.

D.C. had a congenital monocular cataract removed at 19 years of age. Preoperatively, he was virtually blind in the deprived eye. By 4 months after surgery he could resolve about 1.4 c/deg by acuity did not improve further over the next 7 months. Immediately postoperatively, the temporal retina was blind, but over the next 4 months its visual field increased to 20. The temporal retina continued, however, to have elevated thresholds. D.C. also exhibited a peculiar form of binocular competition. Thresholds of the deprived binocular portions of the nasal retina were greatly elevated by light falling on the non-deprived eye. Visual function in the non-deprived eye was normal.
Effects of larval host diameter on body size, adult density, and parasitism of cerambycid beetles

In this study, we assessed the relationship between the size of bolts cut from pin oak trees, Quercus palustris Munchhausen (Fagaceae), and eastern white pines, Pinus strobus Linnaeus (Pinaceae), and the number and body size of cerambycid beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) that develop within them. From oak bolts emerged adult Graphisurus fasciatus (De Geer) (98% of beetles) and Xylotrechus colonus (Fabricius), while pine bolts produced Monochamus carolinensis (Olivier) (95%) and Astylopsis sexguttata (Say). The number of G. fasciatus was positively cor- related with the diameter of the oak bolts, while the greatest number of M. carolinensis emerged from pine bolts of intermediate diameter. Body size of both species was positively correlated with bolt diameter. Rates of parasitism were very low, only 0.9% for oaks, and averaging 5.37 8.6% across pine bolts. Oak bolts yielded the braconid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Wroughtonia ferruginea (Brues) and a species in the genus Atanycolus Forster (similar to Atanycolus charus (Riley)), and an ichneumonid (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in the genus Demopheles Forster. Pine bolts produced a braconid in the genus Digonogastra Viereck, and the tachinid fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) Billaea monohammi (Townsend). Resume´—Nous e dans notre etude la relation entre la taille des billes provenant de chenes des marais, Quercus palustris Munchhausen (Fagaceae), et de pins blancs, Pinus strobus Linnaeus (Pinaceae), et le nombre et la taille corporelle des coleopteres cerambycides (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) qui s'y developpent. Des billes de chene, emergent des adultes de Graphisurus fasciatus (De Geer) (98% des coleopteres) et Xylotrechus colonus (Fabricius), alors que les billes de pin liberent des Monochamus carolinensis (Olivier) (95%) et Astylopsis sexguttata (Say). Il y a une correlation positive entre le nombre de G. fasciatus et le diametre des billes de chene, alors que le plus grand nombre des M. carolinensis e des billes de pin de diametre intermediaire. Il y a une correlation positive entre la taille corporelle des deux especes et le diametre de la bille. Les taux de parasitisme sont tres faibles, seulement 0.9% chez les chenes et en moyenne 5.37 8.6% dans l'ensemble des billes de pin. Les billes de chene ont donneles bracons (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Wroughtonia ferruginea (Brues) et une espece du genre Atanycolus Forster (semblable aAtanycolus charus (Riley)), ainsi qu'un ichneumon (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) du genre Demopheles Forster. Les billes de pin ont genereun bracon du genre Digonogastra Viereck et la mouche tachinide (Diptera: Tachinidae) Billaea monohammi (Townsend).
Intrinsic Piezobirefringence in GaSb, InAs, and InSb

The intrinsic piezobirefringence in InAs, GaSb, and InSb has been measured at room temperature with uniaxial stresses along the [001] and [111] directions. The experimental results were fitted with a theoretical expression involving two adjustable parameters. From one of the parameters, the shear deformation potentials $b$ and $d$ of the valence band edge were obtained. The results are compared with those obtained by other methods. The long-wavelength piezobirefringence is discussed in the light of Phillips's theory of the dielectric constant. A quadratic dependence of the piezobirefringence on stress was observed in the vicinity of the absorption edge, especially for GaSb. This nonlinear effect can be theoretically interpreted without any adjustable parameters. The possibilities of obtaining phase matching in second-harmonic generation with InAs and GaSb by uniaxial stress using a ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$ laser are also discussed.
High-fidelity simulation and emergency preparedness

Ongoing threats of bioterrorism and the consequences of natural disasters require nurses entering the workforce to be competent in emergency preparedness. Nurses need to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and use their critical thinking skills to provide safe nursing care during potentially chaotic public health emergencies. Using Institute of Medicine recommendations and Quality and Safety Education for Nurses competencies, the authors describe a public health emergency simulation exercise with undergraduate senior nursing students enrolled in a public health clinical course. Students applied chronic disease, mental health, and pharmacology knowledge acquired in previous nursing courses to an unfolding infectious disease outbreak while practicing their assessment, treatment, delegation, organizational, and leadership skills. The students' quantitative evaluation of the experience indicated that 90.36% thought the purpose of the experience was clear, 91.5% thought the importance of delivering safe care during a public health emergency was stressed, and 79.5% thought the presimulation briefing and postsimulation debriefing helped them understand and participate in the drill. Qualitatively, the students' reflections of the exercise indicated that although they initially felt overwhelmed and anxious, they realized the importance of participating in emergency preparedness and recognized their ability to apply nursing skills learned in previous courses.
Abstract 5053: ß-catenin inhibitor SST-024 selectively kills tumor initiating cells (TICs)

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Recent studies have shown that tumor initiating cells (TICs) are more resistant to therapies than differentiated cancer cells. We have previously shown that aberrant Wnt signaling contributes to the radio-resistance of TICs in breast cancer. Herein, we used SST-024 (StemSynergy), an inhibitor of s-catenin and WNT signaling, to test whether pharmacologic inhibition of s-catenin can selectively kills TICs. Sum-149 and MDA-IBC-3, two inflammatory breast cancer cell lines, Sum-159, a non-inflammatory basal-type breast cancer cell line and MCF-12F, a non-tumorigenic breast cell line were used in these studies. We found that SST-024 inhibits proliferation in Sum-159, Sum-149 and MDA-IBC-3 cells with an IC-50 of 140 nM, 200 nM and 15 nM respectively. We also found that SST-024 inhibits mammosphere formation in Sum-159, Sum-149 cells, and MDA-IBC-3 at IC-50 ∼ 5 nm, 0.5nm and 5 nM respectively. On the other hand, the IC-50 for mammosphere formation inhibition in MCF-12F was 100 nM. To test the effect of SST-024 on TICs self-renewal, the secondary mammosphere formation was examined. IC-50 of SST-024 for secondary mammosphere formation inhibition is 3 nM for Sum-159, 5 nM for Sum-149 and 15 nM for MBA-IBC-3. They are all lower than the IC-50 of proliferation inhibition except MAB-IBC-3. Similar efficacy against TICs was seen in assessments of alternative TIC surrogates including aldefluor staining by flow cytometry. In in vivo assay, intra-tumor injection at 0.1µg/per tumor caused tumor growth delay and massive necrosis in tumor. In the meantime, we also tried to find if SST-024 can sensitize the cancer stem cell to radiation therapies. In an in vitro assay, we found that SST-024 can not sensitize the cancer stem cell to radiation therapies, but can sensitize the differentiated cells to radiation therapies. Moreover, we found that SST-024 can significantly reduce the expression of a panel of EMT markers. In summary, SST-024 demonstrates significant efficacy against breast cancer TICs in vivo and in vitro. It can not sensitize TICs to radiation, but sensitize non-TICs to IR. The mechanism is probably through the down-regulation of EMT signaling. All these findings imply targeting Wnt β-catenin signaling may be a feasible strategy to target breast cancer TICs. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5053. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5053
THE MAMMALIAN CELL-VIRUS RELATIONSHIP : V. SUSCEPTIBILITY AND RESISTANCE OF CELLS IN VITRO TO INFECTION BY COXSACKIE A9 VIRUS.

All primary cell cultures tested from numerous human and rhesus monkey tissues were susceptible to Coxsackie A9 virus infection and were found to contain a specific A9 virus receptor. Ability of these cells to adsorb actively virus correlated with the presence of this receptor. Attachment of A9 virus to cell receptor was specifically enhanced by calcium and magnesium ions. Human cells established in continuous culture from pretested susceptible cultures were found to have lost A9 virus susceptibility and A9 receptors but not receptors for adsorption of type 1 poliovirus or B1, B3, B5 Coxsackie viruses. These cultures were able also to produce infectious A9 virus after exposure to viral RNA. Coxsackie A9 virus as well as type 1 poliovirus, inactivated following reaction with debris prepared from susceptible cells, could be recovered fully in infectious form by treatment of the inactive systems at low pH. Recovery of infectious A9 virus was also possible with a chelating compound. Coxsackie A9 virus could also be dissociated by means of low pH after adsorption onto susceptible cells for 2 minutes at 1 degrees C., but not after 1 hour incubation at 37 degrees C., indicating that viral host cell activity may be required in order for irreversible enterovirus attachment to take place.
Slip kinematics and dynamics during and after the 1995 October 9 Mw = 8.0 Colima–Jalisco earthquake, Mexico, from GPS geodetic constraints

We use horizontal and vertical crustal displacements derived from GPS measurements at 26 sites in western Mexico to study the coseismic and post-seismic kinematics and dynamics of the 1995 October 9 (M_w=8.0) Colima–Jalisco earthquake along the Middle America Trench. The measurements bracket the entire landward edge of the approximately 150 km long rupture zone and span a 4 yr period for most sites. We solve for the temporal evolution of slip along the subduction interface by inverting GPS displacements for the coseismic and four post-seismic intervals (March 1995–March 1999), subject to the assumption that the crust responds elastically to slip along a shallow-dipping, curved subduction interface. Coseismic rupture of up to 5 m was largely focused above depths of 20 km and was limited to a 120–140 km long segment of the subduction zone. Within one week of the earthquake, post-seismic slip migrated downdip to depths of 16–35 km, where it has since decayed logarithmically. We also find evidence for shallow aseismic slip during 1996 or early 1997 northwest of the coseismic rupture zone and increasingly widespread relocking of shallow regions of the subduction interface after early 1997. The relative lack of afterslip in shallow regions of the subduction interface suggests that the interface lies in the unstable frictional regime and hence is strongly coupled between earthquakes. By 1999, the cumulative slip moment associated with post-seismic slip equaled ∼70 per cent of the coseismic moment, with nearly all of this slip occurring downdip from the coseismic rupture zone. The migration of slip after the earthquake to a deeper and presumably velocity-strengthening area of the subduction interface and the logarithmic decay of afterslip conform to the qualitative and quantitative predictions of a model in which the fault kinematics are prescribed by rate- and state-variable frictional laws. However, misfits to the geodetic displacements exceed the average displacement uncertainties for all epochs, implying one or more of the following: (1) the elastic response is heterogeneous due to slip along unmodelled upper crustal faults or variations in the elastic properties of the crust; (2) other post-seismic mechanisms such as viscoelastic or poroelastic effects contribute to or possibly dominate the post-seismic response; (3) we have underestimated the uncertainties in the GPS displacements.
Image-guided frontal sinus surgery in children

Abstract Surgical management of frontal sinus disease in children is often a challenge, given the wide variation in frontal sinus development. A thorough understanding of the embryology and anatomy of the frontal sinus is essential to safe surgical intervention. With current advances in technology including endoscopy and image guidance, new operative techniques are evolving to safely instrument the pediatric frontal sinus. Here, we review the embryology, anatomy, surgical indications, and contemporary surgical techniques of the frontal sinus in children.
A Screening Life Cycle Metric to Benchmark the Environmental Sustainability of Waste Management Systems

The disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) can lead to significant environmental burdens. The implementation of effective waste management practices, however, requires the ability to benchmark alternative systems from an environmental sustainability perspective. Existing metrics--such as recycling and generation rates, or the emissions of individual pollutants--often are not goal-oriented, are not readily comparable, and may not provide insight into the most effective options for improvement. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an effective approach to quantify and compare systems, but full LCA comparisons typically involve significant expenditure of resources and time. In this work we develop a metric called the Resource Conservation Efficiency (RCE) that is based on a screening-LCA approach, and that can be used to rapidly and effectively benchmark (on a screening level) the ecological sustainability of waste management practices across multiple locations. We first demonstrate that this measure is an effective proxy by comparing RCE results with existing LCA inventory and impact assessment methods. We then demonstrate the use of the RCE metric by benchmarking the sustainability of waste management practices in two U.S. cities: San Francisco and Honolulu. The results show that while San Francisco does an excellent job recovering recyclable materials, adding a waste to energy (WTE) facility to their infrastructure would most beneficially impact the environmental performance of their waste management system. Honolulu would achieve the greatest gains by increasing the capture of easily recycled materials not currently being recovered. Overall results also highlight how the RCE metric may be used to provide insight into effective actions cities can take to boost the environmental performance of their waste management practices.
The Illegal and the Dead: Are Mexicans Renewable Energy?

This article reflects on the production of injury and death among Latino workers in the agro-industrial food complex, with attention to systemic relationships between the United States and Mexico in the post–North American Free Trade Agreement period, which has been characterized by waves of new labor migration that directly enhanced US agricultural profitability. The article draws parallels between literatures on labor productivity and new writings on energy and sustainable agriculture. It examines the usefulness of embodiment as a dialectical approach to eco-social theory, and the concept of “body politic,” or a politics of moral ecology, as a means of reasserting the human shape of production systems that have become deformed by the impersonal calculus of neoliberal capitalism.
Perinatal treatment to prevent early onset group B streptococcal sepsis

Implementation of the 1996 consensus recommendations for perinatal antibiotic prophylaxis has produced a remarkable reduction in the rate of early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis.
Aftershock decay, productivity, and stress rates in Hawaii: Indicators of temperature and stress from magma sources

[1] We examined dozens of aftershock sequences in Hawaii in terms of Gutenberg-Richter and modified Omori law parameters. We studied p, the rate of aftershock decay; Ap, the aftershock productivity, defined as the observed divided by the expected number of aftershocks; and c, the time delay when aftershock rates begin to fall. We found that for earthquakes shallower than 20 km, p values >1.2 are near active magma centers. We associate this high decay rate with higher temperatures and faster stress relaxation near magma reservoirs. Deep earthquakes near Kilauea's inferred magma transport path show a range of p values, suggesting the absence of a large, deep magma reservoir. Aftershock productivity is >4.0 for flank earthquakes known to be triggered by intrusions but is normal (0.25 to 4.0) for isolated main shocks. We infer that continuing, post-main shock stress from the intrusion adds to the main shock's stress step and causes higher Ap. High Ap in other zones suggests less obvious intrusions and pulsing magma pressure near Kilauea's feeding conduit. We calculate stress rates and stress rate changes from pre-main shock and aftershock rates. Stress rate increased after many intrusions but decreased after large M7–8 earthquakes. Stress rates are highest in the seismically active volcano flanks and lowest in areas far from volcanic centers. We found sequences triggered by intrusions tend to have high Ap, high (>0.10 day) c values, a stress rate increase, and sometimes a peak in aftershock rate hours after the main shock. We interpret these values as indicating continuing intrusive stress after the main shock.
Yeast Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β Pathway Inhibitors from an Organic Extract of Streptomyces sp.

Investigation of a microbial fermentation organic extract of Streptomyces sp. H7667 led to the isolation of three new imides, 3-[(5E)-5-methyl-4-oxo-2-hydroxy-5-octenyl]glutarimide (1), 2-amino-N-2'-(phenylacetyl)propanimide (5), and 2-amino-N-(2'-(cyclohex-2''-enyl)acetyl)acetimide (6), and one new isoflavonoid glycoside, 6-O-methyl-7-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyldaidzein (7), along with four known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by HRESIMS, 1H and 13C NMR, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY spectra. Compounds 1-8 were evaluated for their inhibitory activities in the yeast glycogen synthase kinase-3beta assay.
Novel streptococcal-integration shuttle vectors for gene cloning and inactivation.

Abstract Seven new streptococcal integration shuttle vectors have been constructed which contain different antibiotic-resistance-encoding genes capable of expression in both Streptococcus sp. and Escherichia coli. These plasmids can replicate in E. coli, but not in streptococci because of the absence of a streptococcal origin of replication. The size, antibiotic resistance, and number of unique restriction sites available for cloning for each plasmid are as follows: pSF141 (7.6 kb, CmR and KmR 7 sites), pSF143 (5.7 kb, TcR 6 sites), pSF148 (7.3 kb, CmR and SpR 7 sites), pDL285 (3.4 kb, KmR, 3 sites), pDL286 (3.1 kb, SpR 4 sites), pSF151 (3.5 kb, KmR, 10 sites), pSF152 (3.2 kb, SpR 9 sites). If these plasmids carry a fragment of streptococcal DNA they can specifically integrate into the chromosome via Campbell-like, homologous recombination. Therefore, they should be useful for gene inactivation, cloning, chromosomal walking, or linkage analysis in streptococci. The availability of these integration plasmids resistant to different antibiotics, along with the previously described plasmid, pVA891 (ErR), should also allow the construction of mutants possessing multiple insertionally inactivated genes useful for a variety of genetic studies.
A comparison of carbon stock estimates and projections for the northeastern United States

We conducted a comparison of carbon stock estimates produced by three different methods using regional data from the USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA). Two methods incorporated by the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) were compared to each other and to the current FIA component ratio method. We also examined the uncalibrated performance of FVS growth simulations for predicting net carbon accumulation in live trees. In general, the three carbon stock estimation approaches do not produce estimates that are either equivalent or are simply convertible. A strong spatial pattern of relationships between estimates was associated with regional variation in stand top height. Uncalibrated growth projections gave downwardly biased results that were also poorly correlated with observed carbon accumulation rates, yielding little improvement in root mean square error over the use of a simple regional average. These results reinforce the need for managers and scientists to be careful in choosing methods and reporting carbon stock estimates and to use appropriate model calibration methods in projecting future carbon accumulation.
A content analysis of visual cancer information: prevalence and use of photographs and illustrations in printed health materials.

Researchers and practitioners have an increasing interest in visual components of health information and health communication messages. This study contributes to this evolving body of research by p...
Active transportation: do current traffic safety policies protect non-motorists?

Abstract Objective This study investigated the impact that state traffic safety regulations have on non-motorist fatality rates. Methods Data obtained from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) were analyzed through a pooled time series cross-sectional model using fixed effects regression for all 50 states from 1999 to 2009. Two dependent variables were used in separate models measuring annual state non-motorist fatalities per million population, and the natural log of state non-motorist fatalities. Independent variables measuring traffic policies included state expenditures for highway law enforcement and safety per capita; driver cell phone use regulations; graduated driver license regulations; driver blood alcohol concentration regulations; bike helmet regulations; and seat belt regulations. Other control variables included percent of all vehicle miles driven that are urban and mean per capita alcohol consumption per year. Results Non-motorist traffic safety was positively impacted by state highway law enforcement and safety expenditures per capita, with a decrease in non-motorist fatalities occurring with increased spending. Per capita consumption of alcohol also influenced non-motorist fatalities, with higher non-motorist fatalities occurring with higher per capita consumption of alcohol. Other traffic safety covariates did not appear to have a significant impact on non-motorist fatality rates in the models. Conclusion Our research suggests that increased expenditures on state highway and traffic safety and the initiation/expansion of programs targeted at curbing both driver and non-motorist intoxication are a starting point for the implementation of traffic safety policies that reduce risks for non-motorists.
Bilateral Wilms' tumor: The need to improve outcomes

Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common primary malignant renal tumor of childhood, accounting for 6% of all pediatric tumors, and represents one of the great success stories in pediatric cancer therapy. The paradigm for the treatment of a child with WT has evolved from a primary goal of survival alone to a risk-based approach. Unfortunately, despite 35 years of clinical trials by cooperative groups, bilateral WT (BWT) patients have not been formally studied. The most recent survival, rated for patients treated on National WT Study-5 with BWT, was 61-80.8% with favorable histology and 43.8% for a child with anaplastic or unfavorable histology. This article reviews outcomes and surgical considerations in the treatment of patients with synchronous BWT and proposes possible future directions in the treatment.
Ancillary Therapies in the Management of Lung Cancer: Photodynamic Therapy, Laser Therapy, and Endobronchial Prosthetic Devices

Endoscopic therapy for cancer that involves the tracheobronchial tree is currently available for two distinct types of lesions: radiographically occult superficial squamous cell carcinoma and advanced malignant tumors that cause severe airway obstruction. Photodynamic therapy, which uses a photosensitizing agent, is effective for managing early superficial squamous cell carcinoma. Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser therapy has been effective in the palliative management of patients with advanced or recurrent malignant obstructive airway lesions, either alone or in combination with intraluminal radiation therapy. Most recently, endobronchial prosthetic devices (stents) have been used in patients with advanced airway obstruction. The use of each of these modalities in the management of lung cancer is reviewed.
The knowledge instinct, cognitive algorithms, modeling of language and cultural evolution

The talk discusses mechanisms of the mind and their engineering applications. The past attempts at designing "intelligent systems" encountered mathematical difficulties related to algorithmic complexity. The culprit turned out to be logic, which in one way or another was used not only in logic rule systems, but also in statistical, neural, and fuzzy systems. Algorithmic complexity is related to Godel's theory, a most fundamental mathematical result. These difficulties were overcome by replacing logic with a dynamic process "from vague to crisp," dynamic logic. It leads to algorithms overcoming combinatorial complexity, and resulting in orders of magnitude improvement in classical problems of detection, tracking, fusion, and prediction in noise. I present engineering applications to pattern recognition, detection, tracking, fusion, financial predictions, and Internet search engines. Mathematical and engineering efficiency of dynamic logic can also be understood as cognitive algorithm, which describes fundamental property of the mind, the knowledge instinct responsible for all our higher cognitive functions: concepts, perception, cognition, instincts, imaginations, intuitions, emotions, including emotions of the beautiful. I present our latest results in modeling evolution of languages and cultures, their interactions in these processes, and role of music in cultural evolution. Experimental data is presented that support the theory. Future directions are outlined.
Identification of the Nonlinear Response of Ionic Polymer Actuators using the Volterra Series

Ionic polymer transducers exhibit coupling between three physical domains: electrical, chemical, and mechanical. This coupling enables their use as both sensors and actuators. Because this phenomenon was only recently discovered, the fundamental mechanisms governing the actuation and sensing response are still open for debate. However, since ionic polymers are very compliant, low-voltage transducers have become an increasingly researched intelligent material. In this paper we aim to gain a better understanding of the physical mechanisms involved in the actuation response by studying the nonlinear harmonic distortion. The Volterra series was the chosen identification technique for its potential to extract information about the nonlinearities. Results show that the solvent appears to play a significant role in the actuation response, as evidenced by a changing distortion from different solvents.
A Investigation of the Sensitivity of Simulated Precipitation to Model Resolution and Its Implications for Climate Studies

Abstract This paper examines the sensitivity of a regional atmospheric model to horizontal resolution and topographic forcing. The model is run for January and July month-long simulations over the European region at gridpoint spacings ranging from 200 to 50 km and with various topography configurations. Different precipitation parameterizations of complexity and structure similar to those used in present-day climate models are tested. When averaged over the whole continent, the precipitation amounts are more sensitive to gridpoint spacing than to topographic forcing. Topography mostly contributes to spatially redistributing precipitation, and its effect is dominant only over subregions characterized by complex topographical features (e.g., the Alps). Other variables, such as cloudiness, surface energy fluxes, and precipitation intensity distributions are also sensitive to resolution. Finally, simulated precipitation amounts vary with the parameterization scheme used at all resolutions. These results have ...
The ndhF chloroplast gene detected in all vascular plant divisions

A 335-bp segment of the NADH dehydrogenase F (ndhF) gene from a representative of each nonflowering vascular plant division (Coniferophyta, Filicophyta, Ginkgophyta, Gnetophyta, Lycophyta, Psilophyta, Sphenophyta) has been sequenced and aligned with those of rice, tobacco, an orchid and a liverwort. Because ndhF is apparently absent in the genus Pinus L. (Coniferophyta), it has been speculated that this gene may be absent in the gymnosperms. However, this study suggests that the absence of the ndhF gene in Pinus may be unique and is not a general characteristic of the gymnosperms.
Synthetic Aperture Radar Ghost Image Cancellation Using Broadband Time Reversal Averaging Techniques

In this paper, we present a time reversal averaging scheme for removing ghost images which occur in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) target imaging in a rich scattering environment. In the highly cluttered environment, the ghost images due to secondary scattering significantly deteriorate the quality of conventional SAR image. The time reversal (TR) method enables focusing on the target, significantly enhancing signal-to-noise ratio. By averaging TR-SAR images produced using different probing angles, the target image is coherently enhanced and the ghost images due to secondary scattering are significantly reduced. The effectiveness of the scheme is demonstrated via both computer simulation analysis and experimental measurements.
Intraperitoneal and intraportal administration of droloxifene to the Sprague-Dawley rat: assessing the first-pass effect

1. Employing droloxifene as a probe substrate, we have compared the use of intraperitonealinjectionand intraportalinfusion,wheretherate and duration of intraportal drug administration were designed to approximate those observed after oral drug delivery, as methods of discriminating between high first-pass hepatic extraction and poor oral absorption. 2. Intraperitoneal injection of droloxifene (1 mg kg) yielded an AUC approximately twice that observed following intraportal infusion or oral delivery of equal doses. 3. Our findings suggest that hepatic first-pass metabolism may have been saturated following intraperitoneal drug administration due to the rapid rate of absorption and the corresponding high drug concentrations achieved. 4. Application of a model in which intraportal drug infusion rates are designed to mimic the oral absorption rate appears warranted under such circumstances.
Regulation of the nucleosome unwrapping rate controls DNA accessibility.

Eukaryotic genomes are repetitively wrapped into nucleosomes that then regulate access of transcription and DNA repair complexes to DNA. The mechanisms that regulate extrinsic protein interactions within nucleosomes are unresolved. We demonstrate that modulation of the nucleosome unwrapping rate regulates protein binding within nucleosomes. Histone H3 acetyl-lysine 56 [H3(K56ac)] and DNA sequence within the nucleosome entry-exit region additively influence nucleosomal DNA accessibility by increasing the unwrapping rate without impacting rewrapping. These combined epigenetic and genetic factors influence transcription factor (TF) occupancy within the nucleosome by at least one order of magnitude and enhance nucleosome disassembly by the DNA mismatch repair complex, hMSH2–hMSH6. Our results combined with the observation that ∼30% of Saccharomyces cerevisiae TF-binding sites reside in the nucleosome entry–exit region suggest that modulation of nucleosome unwrapping is a mechanism for regulating transcription and DNA repair.
Orbital optimization in electronic wave functions; equations for quadratic and cubic convergence of general multiconfiguration wave functions

We derive variational equations for optimization of the orbitals of arbitrary multiconfiguration wave functions. Expressing the transformation matrix connecting the set of orthonormal trial vectors and the set of final optimal orbitals as an exponential matrix of independent rotation angles allows a simple derivation of the coupled variational equations to arbitrary order. We include the explicit results through third order which are sufficient for cubic convergence in the iterative solution of the optimum orbitals. The equations were programmed (including all terms), and applications to Hartree-Fock and generalized valence bond wave functions of the carbon atom, ${\mathrm{FeO}}_{2}$, and ${\mathrm{NiCH}}_{2}$ are reported.
SIMBORGS AND SIMULATED TASK ENVIRONMENTS FOR ENGINEERING NEXT GENERATION WORKSTATIONS FOR INTELLIGENCE ANALYSTS

Intelligence analysts require innovative software environments for searching massive databases, hypothesis generation and test, record keeping, crosschecking and so on. Yet, as important as such tools are, their development cannot be allowed to ignore the hard won lessons from cognitive science and humancomputer interaction – that human cognition is embodied cognition and that interface design has a large role to play in increasing productivity and reducing human error. We propose an approach to the cognitive engineering of integrated task environments by the use of simulated cyborgs (simBorgs) that combine computational embodied-cognitive models of interactive behavior with artificial intelligence based reasoning components in a simulated task environment. Our goal is the creation of intelligent agents, simBorgs, that will work tirelessly to perform usability testing on various combinations of tasks and interfaces.
Iron chelation properties of an extracellular siderophore exochelin MN.

The coordination chemistry of an extracellular siderophore produced by Mycobacterium neoaurum, exochelin MN (ExoMN), is reported along with its pKa values, Fe(III) and Fe(II) chelation constants, and aqueous solution speciation as determined by spectrophotometric and potentiometric titration techniques. Exochelin MN is of particular interest as it can efficiently transport iron into pathogenic M. leprae, which is responsible for leprosy, in addition to its own parent cells. The Fe(III) coordination properties of ExoMN are important with respect to understanding the Fe(III) acquisition and uptake mechanism in pathogenic M. leprae, as the siderophores from this organism are very difficult to isolate. Exochelin MN has two hydroxamic acid groups and an unusual threo-β-hydroxy-l-histidine available for Fe(III) chelation. The presence of threo-β-hydroxy-l-histidine gives rise to a unique mode of Fe(III) coordination. The pKa values for the two hydroxamic acid moieties, the histidine imidazole ring and the alkyl...
Blood Flukes (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) of Stingrays (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae): Orchispirium heterovitellatum From Himantura imbricata in the Bay of Bengal and a New Genus and Species of Aporocotylidae From Dasyatis sabina in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

We redescribe Orchispirium heterovitellatum based on the holotype and 3 original voucher specimens collected from the mesenteric blood vessels of scaly whiprays Himantura imbricata (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) (as Dasyatis imbricatus) captured in the western Bay of Bengal off Waltair, India. We emend the diagnosis of Orchispirium to include anterior sucker present, testis looping, cirrus sac enveloping large internal seminal vesicle, oviducal seminal receptacle present, and metraterm short and thin-walled. We describe Myliobaticola richardheardi n. gen., n. sp. based on live observations, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy of adult specimens collected from between the cardiac trabeculae of Atlantic stingrays Dasyatis sabina (Lesueur, 1824) captured in Mississippi Sound (type locality), Mississippi, and Apalachicola Bay, Florida. The new species has a minute, aspinous body lacking lateral tubercles; an aspinous and eversible anterior sucker lacking a peduncle; a posterior esophageal swelling; an inverse U-shaped intestine; smooth ceca terminating in the anterior body half; a looping testis lacking lobes; a cirrus sac enveloping a large internal seminal vesicle; a medial and primarily post-testicular ovary; an oviducal seminal receptacle; a postgonadal uterus flanking the internal seminal vesicle; a short and thin-walled metraterm; and a common genital pore. It lacks a pharynx and Laurer's canal. No other named aporocotylids infect a member of cohort Batoidea or have the combination of an aspinous body, an aspinous anterior sucker, a posterior esophageal swelling, an inverse U-shaped intestine, a looping testis, a cirrus sac enveloping a large internal seminal vesicle, and a common genital pore; these observations indicate that O. heterovitellatum and M. richardheardi are closely related. The discovery of a second species representing a second genus of Aporocotylidae in diamond stingrays (Dasyatidae) suggests that Batoidea is an undersampled host group for aporocotylid infections.
Cooling heads and hearts versus cooling our heels.

Evidence suggests that full implementation of therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest could save thousands of lives each year. Critical unanswered questions persist, beginning with a lack of evidence in regard to how early cooling should be initiated, which cooling strategy is most effective at cooling the brain, and, ultimately, what method of cooling is most optimal for survival. Two reports in this issue of Circulation , from Castren et al1 and Bernard et al,2 begin to provide some of these needed data. Given the immense logistic difficulty of performing randomized field studies, the teams of investigators involved in both studies are to be congratulated for conducting this important research. The presented results begin to explore the important question of how quickly and by what methods cooling should be started in the field. Although they provide some answers, they also provoke new questions. For clinicians using therapeutic hypothermia with cardiac arrest patients, it is important to clearly understand the pros and cons of earlier cooling initiated in the field with the newer techniques explored in these 2 reports. It is also important to understand the differences between the findings in these studies, along with the practical implications and limitations of each technique, before conclusions are drawn about the manner in which these studies may influence practice. Articles see pp 729 and 737 Bernard and colleagues2 report on the use of cooling with intravascular ice-cold Ringer’s solution delivered during ambulance transport of the subset of cardiac arrest patients presenting with ventricular fibrillation only and after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Castren and colleagues1 report on a novel intranasal intra-arrest cooling strategy used for cooling all cardiac arrest patients, irrespective of rhythm, before ROSC. Intra-arrest cooling is novel because it attempts to cool during the cardiac arrest in the …
Alkyne-Protected AuPd Alloy Nanoparticles for Electrocatalytic Reduction of Oxygen

Dodecyne-capped AuPd alloy nanoparticles of varyin gc ompositions were prepared through the co-reduction of metal-salt precursors with NaBH4 .T EM measurements showed that the particles were largely in the range of 2–6 nm in diameter .X PS studies showed that the atomi cP dc oncentration varied from 65 to 100 %. Infrared spectroscopic measurements confirmed the bonding attachment of the dodecyn el igand so nt he nanoparticl es urfaces, which rendered the nanoparticles readily dispersible in commo no rganic media. Electrochemically ,t he resulting nanoparticles exhibited apparent catalytic activity in oxygen reduction with av olcano-shaped variation wit ht he metal composition. The best performance was identified with the sample composed of 91.2 at %P dt hat exhibited am as sa ctivity over eight times better than that of commercial palladium black, and almost twice as good in terms of specific activity .T his remarkable performance wa sa ccounted for by both alloying with gold and surface functionalization with alkyne ligands that manipulated the electroni ci nteractions between palladium and oxygen species.
Proteomic identification of nitrated brain proteins in traumatic brain-injured rats treated postinjury with gamma-glutamylcysteine ethyl ester: insights into the role of elevation of glutathione as a potential therapeutic strategy for traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs suddenly and has damaging effects to the brain that are dependent on the severity of insult. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe. Oxidative damage is associated with traumatic brain injury through reactive oxygen/nitrogen species production. One such species, peroxynitrite, is elevated in TBI brain tissue (Orihara et al. [ 2001] Forensic Sci. Int. 123:142–149; Deng et al. [ 2007] Exp. Neurol. 205:154–165). Peroxynitrite can react with carbon dioxide and decompose to produce NO2 and carbonate radicals, which in turn can lead to 3-nitrotyrosine, an index of protein nitration. Gamma-glutamylcysteine ethyl ester (GCEE) is an ethyl ester moiety of gamma-glutamylcysteine, an agent that up-regulates glutathione (GSH) production in brain (Drake et al. [ 2002] J. Neurosci. Res. 68:776–784). Many preclinical studies of TBI have employed pretreatment of animals with proposed beneficial agents prior to the injury itself. However, in the real world of TBI, treatment begins postinjury. Hence, insights into agents that improve outcome following injury are desperately needed. This study is one of the first to investigate a potential GSH-based therapy for TBI postinjury. Protein carbonyls, an index of protein oxidation, were significantly elevated in brain of animals subjected to TBI. However, if, after TBI, GCEE was administered i.p., protein carbonyl levels were significantly reduced. Similarly, 3-nitrotyrosine levels were elevated in brain following TBI but significantly decreased following TBI if GCEE was administered i.p. Redox proteomics analysis showed that several brain proteins were nitrated after TBI. However, if GCEE was given i.p. following TBI, many of these proteins were protected from nitration. The results are encouraging and are discussed with reference to potential therapeutic strategies for TBI involving elevated GSH. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Attenuation of Hypertension and Heart Hypertrophy by Adeno-Associated Virus Delivering Angiotensinogen Antisense

Angiotensinogen (AGT), one of the major components in the renin-angiotensin system, has been linked to hypertension in humans and animals. We have previously systemically administered antisense oligonucleotides and plasmid vectors with DNA that targeted AGT and attenuated hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The aim of the present study was to prolong the effect of antisense treatment by the use of a recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector targeted to AGT. Using a model of lifelong hypertension in which 5-day-old spontaneously hypertensive rats are treated, a single intracardiac injection of rAAV-AGT-antisense (rAAV-AGT-AS) delayed the onset of hypertension for 91 days and significantly attenuated hypertension in adulthood for up to 6 months. Systolic blood pressure was always lower, by up to 23 mm Hg in the AS-treated group. The vector was stable and expressed a reporter gene in liver, kidney, and heart. The rAAV-AGT-AS treatment significantly decreased left ventricular hypertrophy (P=0.01) and also lowered levels of AGT in the liver (2.78+/-0.61 microgram/g tissue versus 5.23+/-0.41 microgram/g tissue for the sense-treated group, P<0.01). Measurement of liver transaminases showed no evidence for liver toxicity. We conclude that rAAV-AGT-AS offers a safe, stable approach for gene therapy of hypertension.
Introduction—Authority Migration: Defining an Emerging Research Agenda

In every modern political system, power is shared to a greater or lesser extent between levels of government. These power sharing arrangements are perhaps most explicit in formal federal systems like the United States and Canada, where federal constitutions define the relative powers of central and subnational governments. They may be no less important, however, in unitary democracies and even authoritarian regimes where central governments require local actors to implement policy on the ground and often delegate significant authority to them. Indeed, in any large and complex modern society, effective governance requires some sharing of power between higher levels of government, capable of coordinating many disparate actors and interests, and lower levels of government, capable of responding to local conditions.