cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A cysteine-rich metal-binding domain from rubella virus non-structural protein is essential for viral protease activity and virus replication.

The protease domain within the RUBV (rubella virus) NS (non-structural) replicase proteins functions in the self-cleavage of the polyprotein precursor into the two mature proteins which form the replication complex. This domain has previously been shown to require both zinc and calcium ions for optimal activity. In the present study we carried out metal-binding and conformational experiments on a purified cysteine-rich minidomain of the RUBV NS protease containing the putative Zn2+-binding ligands. This minidomain bound to Zn2+ with a stoichiometry of ≈0.7 and an apparent dissociation constant of < 500 nM. Fluorescence quenching and 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid fluorescence methods revealed that Zn2+ binding resulted in conformational changes characterized by shielding of hydrophobic regions from the solvent. Mutational analyses using the minidomain identified residues Cys1175, Cys1178, Cys1225 and Cys1227 were required for the binding of Zn2+. Corresponding mutational analyses using a RUBV replicon confirmed that these residues were necessary for both proteolytic activity of the NS protease and viability. The present study demonstrates that the CXXC(X)48CXC Zn2+-binding motif in the RUBV NS protease is critical for maintaining the structural integrity of the protease domain and essential for proteolysis and virus replication.
Intra- and interspecific interference behaviour among sexual and asexual geckos

Abstract The level of inter- and intraspecific aggression between three species of gekkonid lizards was investigated with laboratory contests between pairs of individuals. Two of these species, Lepidodactylus lugubris and Hemidactylus garnotii , are asexual parthenogens. The third species, Hemidactylus frenatus , is sexual and has been implicated in an apparent competitive exclusion of the asexual species in the urban ‘house gecko niche’ on tropical Pacific islands. Hemidactylus frenatus males were more likely to approach and bite an asexual female and less likely to be spatially displaced by the approach of an asexual female than vice versa, suggesting that competitive exclusion is at least partially caused by behavioural interactions. Sexual males are more aggressive than sexual females in interspecific encounters with asexual females, so the presence of males in the sexual population increases the competitive advantage of the sexual population over that of the asexual population. Recent studies of aggression in Cnemidophorus lizards have shown reduced aggression in asexual species compared with that of closely related sexual species, and reduced aggression intra-clonally versus inter-clonally in the asexual species. As in Cnemidophorus , sexual H. frenatus females were more aggressive towards each other than were asexual H. garnotii females belonging to a single clone. However, no difference was found between intra- and inter-clonal aggression in two genetic clones of L. lugubris . The potential for interspecific predation of juveniles as an interference mechanism was also evaluated experimentally. Hemidactylus frenatus was capable of preying on L. lugubris hatchlings but the reverse was not true. This is also consistent with the observed competitive superiority of H. frenatus in the field.
DETERMINATION OF THE FRACTAL DIMENSIONS OF COAL FILTER CAKES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO CAKE PERMEABILITY

ABSTRACT The permeabilities of various fine coal filter cakes were related to cake microstructure through micrographically measured fractal dimensions. Two other porous systems, consolidated glass beads and CaCO3 crystal filter cake, were also analyzed for comparison. A variety of coal mesh sizes were examined spanning a reasonable range of permeability The fractal dimension was determined using the dilation function of the image analyzer. This fractal dimension was then related to the Kozeny parameter, K″, using experimentally measured porosity and permeability, and micrographically measured specific surface. Finally, with K″ as a unique function of fractal dimension, permeabilities were estimated using the Carman-Kozeny equation. Calculated values were in good agreement with experimentally determined values considering the simplicity and direct nature of the approach.
The methods for Smooth estimation of discrete distributions

Let X1,…,Xn be independent and identically distributed random variables with discrete density . This paper gives two methods for smooth estimation of pi. for each i. One method may be viewed as a generalization to the case of an infinite number of nonzero cell probabilities of the Fienberg and Holland (1970) estimator for the multinomial case. Some Monte Carlo simula-tions show that for a small sample, the proposed estimators yield smaller risks under squared error loss than the usual maximum likelihood estimator (m.l.e.). However, under mild conditions the proposed estimators are shown to have the same large sample properties (strong consistency and asymptotic normality) as the m.l.e.
Arcuate Kisspeptin/Neurokinin B/Dynorphin (KNDy) Neurons Mediate the Estrogen Suppression of Gonadotropin Secretion and Body Weight

Estrogen withdrawal increases gonadotropin secretion and body weight, but the critical cell populations mediating these effects are not well understood. Recent studies have focused on a subpopulation of hypothalamic arcuate neurons that coexpress estrogen receptor α, neurokinin 3 receptor (NK(3)R), kisspeptin, neurokinin B, and dynorphin for the regulation of reproduction. To investigate the function of kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin (KNDy) neurons, a novel method was developed to ablate these cells using a selective NK(3)R agonist conjugated to the ribosome-inactivating toxin, saporin (NK(3)-SAP). Stereotaxic injections of NK(3)-SAP in the arcuate nucleus ablated KNDy neurons, as demonstrated by the near-complete loss of NK(3)R, NKB, and kisspeptin-immunoreactive (ir) neurons and depletion of the majority of arcuate dynorphin-ir neurons. Selectivity was demonstrated by the preservation of proopiomelanocortin, neuropeptide Y, and GnRH-ir elements in the arcuate nucleus and median eminence. In control rats, ovariectomy (OVX) markedly increased serum LH, FSH, and body weight, and these parameters were subsequently decreased by treatment with 17β-estradiol. KNDy neuron ablation prevented the rise in serum LH after OVX and attenuated the rise in serum FSH. KNDy neuron ablation did not completely block the suppressive effects of E(2) on gonadotropin secretion, a finding consistent with redundant pathways for estrogen negative feedback. However, regardless of estrogen status, KNDy-ablated rats had lower levels of serum gonadotropins compared with controls. Surprisingly, KNDy neuron ablation prevented the dramatic effects of OVX and 17β-estradiol (E(2)) replacement on body weight and abdominal girth. These data provide evidence that arcuate KNDy neurons are essential for tonic gonadotropin secretion, the rise in LH after removal of E(2), and the E(2) modulation of body weight.
Periodic solutions of second-order nonlinear difference equations containing a small parameter. IV: Multi-discrete time method

It is shown that a discrete multi-time method can be constructed to obtain approximations to the periodic solutions of a special class of second-order nonlinear difference equations containing a small parameter. Three examples illustrating the method are presented.
Investigation of data quality in a wireless sensing unit composed of off-the-shelf components

This paper presents the preliminary findings of a study on data and system identification results (derived from collected data) in a wireless sensing environment. The goal of this study is to understand how various hardware design choices and operational conditions affect the quality of the data and accuracy of the identified results; the focus of this paper is packet and data loss. A series of experimental investigations are carried out using a laboratory shaking table instrumented with off-the-shelf Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometers. A wireless sensing unit is developed to interface with these wired analog accelerometers to enable wireless data transmission. To reduce the overall design variance and aid convenient application in civil infrastructure health monitoring, this wireless unit is built with off-the-shelf microcontroller and radio development boards. The anti-aliasing filter and analog-to-digital convectors (ADC) are the only customized components in the hardware. By varying critical hardware configurations, including using analog accelerometers of different commercial brands, taking various designs for the anti-aliasing filter, and adopting ADCs with different resolutions, shaking table tests are repeated, the collected data are processed, and the results are compared. Operational conditions such as sampling rate and wireless data transmitting range are also altered separately in the repeated testing. In all of the cases tested, data is also collected using a wire-based data acquisition system to serve as a performance baseline for evaluation of the wireless data transmission performance. Based on this study, the challenges in the hardware design of wireless sensing units and data processing are identified.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Carbynes: Carriers of Primordial Noble Gases in Meteorites

Five carbynes (triply bonded allotropes of carbon) have been found by electron diffraction in the Allende and Murchison carbonaceous chondrites: carbon VI, VIII, X, XI, and (tentatively) XII. From the isotopic composition of the associated noble-gas components, it appears that the carbynes in Allende (C3V chondrite) are local condensates from the solar nebula, whereas at least two carbynes in Murchison (C2 chondrite) are of exotic, presolar origin. They may be dust grains that condensed in stellar envelopes and trapped isotopically anomalous matter from stellar nucleosynthesis.
Raman spectroscopic analysis of the speciation of dilute chromate solutions

Abstract The relative concentrations of various Cr VI species are important to several mechanisms for corrosion inhibition by chromate conversion coatings and chromate containing primers. The pH dependent conversion of CrO 4 −2 to Cr 2 O 7 −2 is well known, but the existence and importance of bichromate, HCrO 4 − , is more controversial. Past reports have described the pH and concentration dependence of the CrO 4 −2 /HCrO 4 − /Cr 2 O 7 −2 distribution, while recent reports have concluded that HCrO 4 − does not exist in aqueous media. The current work shows that HCrO 4 − does indeed exist at a pH below 6 and at low total Cr VI concentration. The Raman signature of the Cr–O–Cr bond in dichromate decreases relative to the Cr–O symmetric stretch as [Cr VI ] decreases. The results are quantitatively consistent with previous reports on the CrO 4 −2 /HCrO 4 − /Cr 2 O 7 −2 equilibrium, and establish that HCrO 4 − is the dominant Cr VI species for low [Cr VI ]. In the low concentration and slightly acidic conditions likely to be present during corrosion inhibition by Cr VI in the field, HCrO 4 − is the most prevalent form of Cr VI in water.
Non-absorbable gas effects on heat and mass transfer in wavy laminar falling film absorptin

Abstract Absorption of water vapor in a liquid film is an important process in a proposed solar cooling system. Film absorption involves simultaneous heat and mass transfer in the gas—liquid system. The heat of absorption gives rise to temperature gradients leading to the transfer of heat while temperature affects the vapor pressure-composition equilibrium at the interface between the two phases which in turn influences mass transfer. The composition of the gas phase, in which a non-absorbable gas is combined with the absorbate, also influences the combined heat and mass transfer. The non-absorbable gas, in conjunction with the absorbate, is transported by convection and diffusion toward the liquid-gas interface. Since the interface is impermeable to the non-absorbable gas, the concentration of the non-absorbable gas at the interface is significantly greater than that in the bulk of the gas resulting in a reduction in absorbate mass transfer. An experimental program has been utilized to study this non-absorbable gas effect on the combined heat and mass transfer in film absorption. As expected from numerous previously reported studies, the experimental results indicate that significant increases in the heat and mass transfer rates can be obtained by reducing the non-absorbable gas concentration to levels approaching 0%. The Sherwood number and film Nusselt number are correlated using the film Reynolds number, Prandtl number, Schmidt number, Lewis number and air concentration. These effects are shown to have similar trends when compared to a numerical solution of the smooth falling film problem in which the absorbent and absorbate flow concurrently.
Relative reliability of circumferences and skinfolds as measures of body fat distribution

The question has arisen whether patterns of body fat distribution can be identified by body circumferences, a method which is said to be more reliable and simpler than skinfold thickness or like measures of subcutaneous fat (Ashwell et al., Int. J. Obes. 6: 143-152, 1982). Here we address the question of whether body circumferences are inherently more reliable than skinfold thicknesses in 77 intra- and 224 interexaminer replicates from the Health Examination Survey of 12 to 17-year-olds in the U.S.A. Reliability of six body circumferences (0.96) was significantly (P less than .01) higher than that of skinfold thicknesses at five sites (0.91), suggesting that circumferences are a more reliable method. However, the reliability of skinfolds is still high, and skinfolds may be used in studies which focus on preadults or other groups in which the validity of circumferences as measures of body fat distribution is unknown.
Magnetic Mirror Confinement of Exploding Wire Plasma

THE exploding wire phenomenon has recently been investigated by several laboratories as a high-density, high-temperature plasma source. For short durations temperatures in excess of 250,000° K. have been observed1. Further work has been carried out to confine the exploding wire plasma, making use of its very high current-densities and self-magnetic field2.
Postnatal changes in rat hypoglossal motoneuron membrane properties

Abstract Intracellular recording techniques were used to characterize changes that take place in rat hypoglossal motoneuronal excitability from early postnatal stages to adulthood. This study focused primarily on the first two weeks of postnatal life, when major changes in the maturation of the neuromuscular system take place. Neonatal hypoglossal motoneurons were identified by their location within the hypoglossal nucleus and by their characteristic electrophysiology. These criteria were supported by antidromic activation and intracellular staining of retrogradely labeled hypoglossal motoneurons. Action potential duration decreased progressively during postnatal development. The reduction was primarily due to a more rapid repolarization, suggesting developmental changes in voltage-dependent potassium conductances. The duration of the calcium-dependent afterhyperpolarization decreased by half during the first two weeks of postnatal life. Changes in subthreshold responses included a decrease in input resistance and an increase in the degree of hyperpolarizing sag and inward rectification with age. Rheobase current was negatively correlated with input resistance, and increased progressively during postnatal development. Membrane time constant decreased almost four-fold over the first two postnatal weeks, suggesting that membrane resistivity is not constant. This decrease in membrane resistivity could account for a large fraction of the change in input resistance and rheobase with age. Thus, the early postnatal development of the rat includes systematic changes in the electrophysiological properties of motoneurons innervating tongue muscles. Some of these modifications are not easily explained by a mere change in neuronal surface area but likely involve changes in the density of expressed ion channels.
Soil Aggregation and Glomalin under Pastures in the Southern Piedmont USA

Soil aggregation is important for maintaining soil surface integrity and allowing water to infiltrate, rather than runoff and cause erosion. The effect of grazing animals on soil aggregation compared with other conservation management strategies in the Southern Piedmont USA is not well known. We tested a hypothesis that grazing animals might negatively affect soil aggregation characteristics. Water-stable macro-aggregates (>0.25 mm), mean-weight diameter, and their stabilities were (i) similar between conservation-tillage cropping and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)-common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) pasture; (ii) similar between 15- to 19-yr-old grazed and hayed hybrid bermudagrass; (iii) 7 to 14% greater in 30-yr-old than in 10-yr-old grazed tall fescue and hybrid bermudagrass pastures; (iv) similar among long-term grazingland, hayland, and forestland; and (v) 5 to 11% lower under cattle grazing than under monthly haying or unharvested management during the first 4 yr following conversion of cultivated cropland to pastureland. Water-stable aggregate distribution at a depth of 0 to 50 mm was 0.30 ± 0.07 g g -1 in the 1.0- to 4.75-mm class, 0.46 ± 0.07 g g -1 in the 0.25- to 1.0-mm class, 0.15 ± 0.02 g g -1 in the 0.05- to 0.25-mm class, and 0.07 ± 0.01 g g -1 in the <0.05-mm class, averaged across management systems and replications (n = 56). Total glomalin of the 1.0- to 4.75-mm dry-stable aggregate class was highly related to whole soil organic C content, but neither of these properties was particularly well related with water-stable macroaggregation, mean-weight diameter, or their stabilities. We conclude, overall, that grazing of pastures in the Southern Piedmont USA has little detrimental effect on soil aggregate distribution and stability and is comparable in soil conservation with other land conservation strategies.
THE BACTERIAL INDUCTION OF HOMOGRAFT SENSITIVITY III. EFFECTS OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCAL MEMBRANE ANTISERA

Immunization of rabbits with Group A Type 12 streptococcal cell membranes has elicited serum antibodies which have the ability to cause rapid rejection of skin allografts in guinea pigs. Intradermal injection of such antisera has resulted in skin reactions characterized by prominent polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltrates, similar to those noted in the Arthus reaction. The combined use of membrane antisera and epinephrine has resulted in hemorrhagic necrosis of the skin of guinea pigs. The ability of membrane antisera to exert these effects appears to be dependent upon the presence in the host tissues of antigen(s) shared by or cross-reacting with streptococcal membrane antigens. Such cross-reacting antigens may have a group distribution in the outbred guinea pig population. The results highlight the potential biological importance of antigens present in the Group A streptococcal membrane in the induction of altered tissue reactivity in the mammalian host.
Florida's medicaid reform: informed consumer choice?

ABSTRACT: Florida is among the first states to implement Medicaid reform using a competitive consumer choice model. Using data from a 2006–07 Kaiser Family Foundation survey of Medicaid recipients ...
The nature of substitution between transport modes

In this paper, we have derived a non-linear demand function for gasoline by means of a two-stage optimization of the S-2 branch utility function. The demand function was simplified by employment of the Kuhn-Tucker optimization conditions and the Shephard-Samuelson theorem.
Supercritical fluid extraction of acetic acid, alcohols and other amphiphiles from acid-water mixtures

Abstract Common supercritical fluid solvents cannot effectively extract highly water-soluble contaminants from either soils or waters. Two questions then arise: (1) how effective is SCF extraction from aqueous solution of contaminants only slightly soluble in water, when highly soluble organics are present; and (2) how will the extractability of the highly soluble contaminant be affected by the slightly soluble one? We have explored SCF extractions of this type, the solvent being CO2 at 7–17 MPa and temperatures to 323 K, for a range of amphiphilic or surfactant compounds including simple alcohols (1-hexanol and 1-octanol), longer chain oxyalcohols (polyethylene glycol-200 and the methyl ether of polyoxyethylene-3), and a fluorinated polyether carboxylate. Acetic acid was used as the model contaminant of high aqueous solubility. We found that the presence of the amphiphiles decreases the already limited extractability of acetic acid from aqueous solution by SCF-CO2; this was especially true of materials regarded as nonionic or anionic surfactants. Meanwhile, the presence of acetic acid apparently decreased the extractabilities of alcohols by CO2, especially for alcohols of higher molecular weight. Possible reasons for this behavior and its implications for SCF extraction of natural waters are discussed.
Lead/ethanol interactions. I: rate-depressant effects.

Adult male rats were exposed to a diet containing 500 ppm added lead as lead acetate (group lead-diet) or a control diet containing no added chemicals (group control-diet) for 61 days prior to commencing fixed-ratio 32 (FR 32) lever press training for water reinforcement. After steady state responding was achieved, all animals received serial administrations of acute doses of ethanol prior to the daily training session. Specifically, lead-diet and control-diet rats received i.p. injections of .25, .5, .75, 1.0, and 1.25 g/kg ethanol, in ascending order, alternating daily with injections of saline. The results revealed a dose-dependent rate-depressant effect, with higher doses of ethanol producing more behavioral suppression than lower doses for both groups. In addition, at the dose of 1.0 g/kg it was observed that the suppressive effects of ethanol on schedule-controlled responding were reduced among lead-treated animals relative to controls. These data are discussed in terms of lead-induced attenuation of the pharmacologic effects of ethanol.
Improved production of recombinant AAV by transient transfection of NB324K cells using electroporation

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is useful as an integrating vector for gene transfer. AAV recombinants are generally produced by transient co-transfection methods since it has proven difficult to generate stable packaging cell lines. Acceptable titers of transducing recombinants should be obtainable by optimizing conditions for transient co-transfection. Here, using a luciferase reporter derivative of the AAV infectious plasmid psub201, we show that substantially higher yields of transducing virus can be obtained using electroporation, rather than calcium phosphate transfection. Furthermore, we observed that electroporation of NB324K cells (an SV40-transformed human cell line) with the helper plasmid, pAAV/Ad, with concomitant adenovirus dl309 infection, gave yields of luciferase transducing recombinant AAV equal or superior to those obtained from the more commonly employed 293 cells. NB324K cells are easier to manipulate and show increased cell-association of the recombinant virus (facilitating its concentration and purification). We also adapted an in situ infected cell hybridization procedure, using a digoxigenin labeled probe, as a general method for determining infectious titer. Titers thus estimated were similar for luciferase-transducing and for alkaline phosphatase-transducing AAV vectors: the estimated titer of the latter agreed with that determined by in situ expression of alkaline phosphatase. We also describe a multiple cloning site derivative of psub201 which should facilitate generation of further AAV recombinants.
Screening for common problems in ambulatory elderly: clinical confirmation of a screening instrument.

Purpose To develop a test that will be administered by nonphysician office staff to screen elderly persons seen in ambulatory settings for problems commonly contributing to functional disability. methods We reviewed the literature to identify problems that reduce function and screening measures appropriate for use in office settings. Using this information, we developed an instrument including screening items for malnutrition/weight loss, visual impairment, hearing loss, cognitive impairment, urinary incontinence, depression, physical disability, and reduced leg mobility. The instrument was tested on 109 new patients at a university-based ambulatory geriatrics medicine clinic and validated using two standards: blinded and unblinded geriatricians' assessments. For each of the individual items on the screening instrument, we calculated sensitivity and specificity using both the blinded and unblinded geriatricians' evaluations as the reference standards, prevalence of the disorders, positive and negative predictive values, interrater reliability, and the direct annual costs of administering the test for an individual physician's office. Results The screen was administered in 8 to 12 minutes. Inter-rater agreement varied by item from 77% to 100%. The sensitivities of the items varied between 0.65 to 0.93 (blinded) and 0.70 to 0.95 (unblinded). Specificities ranged between 0.50 to 0.95 (blinded) and 0.64 to 0.95 (unblinded). Problem prevalences varied from 21% to 72%. Positive and negative predictive values were 0.60 to 0.91 and 0.77 to 0.96, respectively. Direct annual costs for a clinical practice include a one-time $530 fee for equipment and, depending on the screening administrator's salary, between $1 to $7 per patient screened. Conclusions The screening instrument is relatively inexpensive and brief and easy to use in the ambulatory setting. It has good validity and reliability when compared to the assessment of a geriatrician. We are currently conducting a randomized trial to assess the effectiveness of the screen among older persons seen in community physicians' offices.
Iron pnictide superconductors: Electrons on the verge

An optical analysis reveals that the electronic correlations in the 'parent' compounds of the iron pnictide superconductors are sufficiently strong to significantly impede the mobility of the electrons.
Investigating the West African Climate System Using Global/Regional Climate Models

Abstract A three-day workshop took place at Howard University in Washington D.C. 27 July through 29 July 2000 to examine scientific and social issues associated with climate research in West Africa. Atmospheric scientists from West Africa and United States presented research and sought solutions to various problems that exist with respect to the state of science in West Africa. Presentations covered global climate model (GCM) and regional climate model simulations for West Africa, easterly wave representation in GCMs and the NCEP reanalysis, land-surface processes and atmospheric chemistry. A number of obstacles currently inhibit West African-U.S. collaboration including a lack of resources, communications, technology, and language. In order to overcome these obstacles, sustained efforts by numerous individuals in United States and West Africa are necessary. An institute in West Africa should be identified that can serve as a center for education, research, and a base for international field studies in th...
The UNESCO Framework for Cultural Statistics and a Cultural Data Bank for Europe.

The Unesco projects on the development of a Framework for Cultural Statistics and on a Cultural Data Bank for Europe started in the mid-Seventies. They have moved forward slowly and many evolutionary developments can still be expected. This paper describes the status of the current Unesco efforts to improve the quality of cultural information and dissemination in a way that highlights issues that may concern the cultural economist.
Lumbo‐sacral malformations and spina bifida occulta in a group of proto‐historic Modoc Indians

A complex lumbo-sacral malformation has been found in an unusually high frequency in a group of proto-historic Modoc Indians. Following a short review of vertebral abnormalities in general, the condition is described. It is suggested tentatively that inbreeding might be in part responsible for the high frequency.
Decreasing Work Refusals in an Adult With Intellectual Disability

The authors describe an intervention for work refusals in a 49-year-old man with mild mental retardation, more commonly referred to as mild intellectual disability, and other comorbid Axis I diagno...
β‐Alanine oxidation in the liver of the little skate, Raja erinacea

The pathway of β-alanine (BALA) oxidation was examined in the liver of the little skate, Raja erinacea. BALA oxidation in liver slices was reduced by inhibitors of transamination and mitochondrial electron transport. Experiments with liver homogenates indicated that BALA was oxidized by a two step process: (1) transamination of BALA to malonate semialdehyde (MSA) and (2) conversion of MSA to CO2 and acetate. Increases in BALA oxidation during osmotic stress are probably mediated by changes in substrate concentration rather than alterations in enzyme levels.
The Roles of Growth Factors in Keratinocyte Migration

Significance: The re-epithelialization of wounded skin requires the rapid and coordinated migration of keratinocytes (KC) into the wound bed. Almost immediately after wounding, cells present at or attracted to the wound site begin to secrete a complex milieu of growth factors. These growth factors exert mitogenic and motogenic effects on KCs, inducing the rapid proliferation and migration of KCs at the wound edge. Recent Advances: New roles for growth factors in KC biology are currently being discovered and investigated. This review will highlight the growth factors, particularly transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF-7), FGF-10, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which have conclusively been shown to be the most motogenic for KCs. Critical Issues: The cellular and molecular heterogeneity of wounded tissue makes establishing direct relationships between specific growth factors and KC mig...
Human startle reflex: technique and criteria for abnormal response.

Abstract Because quantitative norms for the normal audiogenic startle response to repeated stimuli have not been previously reported, we now describe a technique for eliciting the startle response and anlaysing its habituation with repeated stimuli. We used binaural 105 dB tones delivered in 5 blocks of 4 tones. Successive blocks were separated by a 5 min period without tones stimuli and had progressively shorter inter-stimulus intervals (ISIs) beginning with 5 min in the first block and reducing to 1 min in the final, fifth block. We contrast the response and its habituation in a group of 8 normal subjects with that in a patient with clinically exaggerated startle. Based on the differences observed, we propose that the following criteria may be used to ascertain an abnormally increased startle response: (1) excessive duration of the myogenic response; (2) persistence of extracranial responses after the initial two blocks of stimuli; and (3) reduced habituation of the response (as measured by decreases in response duration and in the area under the curve of rectified EMG for the orbicularis oculi myogenic response). Our patient was abnormal on each of these measures. This result is consistent with past qualitative reports which have indicated that abnormal startle is associated both with excessive startle and with subnormal habituation. Study of further patients with hyperekplexia will be necessary to either confirm our data or modify our proposed criteria.
Multiplication by complements

An innovative multiplication method is proposed which solves the problem of finding the product of two unsigned binary numbers by forming successively smaller one's complements of the operands. The foundation of the algorithm lies in an ancient Vedic algorithm for multiplication. The Vedic multiplication algorithm is adapted to operate on binary numbers. The correctness of the method is demonstrated formally and translated into hardware. The resulting n-bit multiplier architecture consists of n-stages, each stage reducing the size of the operands by 1-bit.
Milk Prices and Cost of Milk Production

The present study pertains to the seasonal cost of producing milk for direct consumption. Numerous organizations in various parts of the United States have made from time to time many studies of the cost of mil]~ production, but in most instances these data involve what is known as the year cost of milk production. Little or no attention has been given to the seasoIia] variations in the cost of producing this important commodity. The question of seasonal variations in the cost of fat production was discussed briefly in 1914 before the American Farm Management Association and later the proceedings were pubfished by the association.~ The present study presents quantitative results which set forth in rather precise form the large variation in the cost of producing milk for urban consumption in the different months of the year.
Absolute configuration of (+)‐trans‐2‐o‐tolylcyclohexanol by X‐ray crystallography

Abstract The determination of the absolute configuration of the 3-nitro-4-bromobenzoate ester of (+)- trans -2- o -tolylcyclohexanol by X-ray crystallographic analysis is reported. The results give unequivocal proof that the original assignments of (1S,2R)-(+)- trans -2- o -tolylcyclohexanol ± (1R,2R)-(—)- cis -2- o -tolylcyclohexanol, and (2R)-(+)-2- o -tolylcyclohexanone are correct.
SafaPani: A Household Electrocoagulation Arsenic Water Filter for Nepal and other Developing Countries

Abstract Arsenic contamination of drinking water is a major problem for many people worldwide, especially the inhabitants of Bangladesh and Nepal. Through Dartmouth Humanitarian Engineering (DHE) at Dartmouth College, we are working to create a home-based arsenic filtration system. The ultimate goal of this project is to provide highly effective, reliable and affordable filters for the people affected by this problem in Nepal and other countries. This paper illustrates the purpose of the project, reports results obtained while creating various components of the filer, and discusses future plans to create a fully assembled, deployable prototype. Our current working prototype can get arsenic concentration below the WHO safe drinking limit of 10ppb – specifically to 2.58ppb starting from 260 ppb.
Interferon and c-ets-1 Genes in the Translocation (9;11)(p22;q23) in Human Acute Monocytic Leukemia

Gene probes for interferons alpha and beta 1 and v-ets were hybridized to metaphase chromosomes from three patients with acute monocytic leukemia who had a chromosomal translocation, t(9;11)(p22;q23). The break in the short arm of chromosome 9 split the interferon genes, and the interferon-beta 1 gene was translocated to chromosome 11. The c-ets-1 gene was translocated from chromosome 11 to the short arm of chromosome 9 adjacent to the interferon genes. No DNA rearrangement was observed when these probes were hybridized to genomic DNA from leukemic cells of two of the patients. The results suggest that the juxtaposition of the interferon and c-ets-1 genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of human monocytic leukemia.
Native Americans and the constant death instinct hypothesis.

To test Tabachnick and Klugman's hypothesis that the amount of death instinct per capita in different regions is constant, 1975-1977 death rates for motor vehicle accidents, cirrhosis, and suicide were obtained from the US Indian Health Service for all 11 health service areas. In contrast to predictions derived from the hypothesis that the death instinct is constant, no negative correlations were found among these three variables. Although an analysis of other behaviors might yield different findings, these results do not support an hypothesis of a constant death instinct among Indian Health Service regions. Language: en
Object-Based Evaluation of the Impact of Horizontal Grid Spacing on Convection-Allowing Forecasts

AbstractForecasts generated by the Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms with 1- and 4-km grid spacing using the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting Model (ARW-WRF; ARW1 and ARW4, respectively) for the 2009–11 NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed Spring Experiments are compared and verified. Object-based measures, including average values of object attributes, the object-based threat score (OTS), and the median of maximum interest (MMI) are used for the verification. Verification was first performed against observations at scales resolvable by each forecast model and then performed at scales resolvable by both models by remapping ARW1 to the ARW4 grid (ARW1to4). Thirty-hour forecasts of 1-h accumulated precipitation initialized at 0000 UTC on 22, 36, and 33 days during the spring of 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively, are evaluated over a domain covering most of the central and eastern United States. ARW1, ARW1to4, and ARW4 all significantly overforecasted the number of objects during diur...
Two-Dimensional Localization with a Single Diffuse Ultrasound Field Excitation

Traditional ultrasound imaging methods rely on the bandwidth and center frequency of transduction to achieve axial and radial image resolution, respectively. In this study, a new modality for spatially localizing scattering targets in a two-dimensional field is presented. In this method, the bandwidth of field excitation is high, and the center frequency is lowered such that the corresponding wavelengths are substantially larger than the target profiles. Furthermore, full two-dimensional field measurements are obtained with single send-receive sequences, demonstrating a substantial simplification of the traditional scanning techniques. Field reconstruction is based on temporal-spectral cross-correlations between measured backscatter data and a library of region of interest (ROI) backscatter data measured a priori. The transducer design is based upon a wedge-shaped geometry, which was shown to yield spatially frequency-separated bandwidths of up to 156% with center frequencies of 1.38 MHz. Initial results with these send-and-receive transducer parameters and cylindrical reflection targets in a 10-mm times 10-mm ROI demonstrate two-dimensional target localization to within 0.5 mm. Spatial localization of point scatterers is demonstrated for single and multiple scattering sites.
The Vacant “We”: Remarks on Public Sociology

I am temperamentally incompatible with public sociology. As an introvert who prefers to deal with things and ideas rather than with people, I avoid activities that engage some public sociologists. When William Gamson and Charlotte Ryan describe their participation in countless meetings over several years discussing media strategies with grass-roots community organizations, my eyes glaze over. I want to go home and take a nap. I feel relief when Burawoy writes "there is no implication that we should all become public sociologists" (Burawoy et al. 2004:125). Thank you, Michael. Public sociology is not for me. I will happily remain in my professional cell. If public sociology is so much a question of personal choice, what could possibly be the matter? Researchoriented professional sociologists have, in fact, legitimate concerns with public sociology. There are concerns with assumptions of a common moral political agenda for sociologists, with the Marxist roots of public sociology, with its emphasis on advocacy, and with the role of public sociology within the American Sociological Association (ASA). I will discuss each of these issues in turn.
Mutual coupling and sidelobe tapers in phase-only antenna synthesis for linear and planar arrays

A method of obtaining the lowest possible peak sidelobe levels, given a specified sidelobe envelope, by phase-only variation of the generator phases is presented. A generalization of earlier work by the authors, this technique involves the optimization of a piecewise differentiable objective function using the method of steepest descent to obtain desired generator phases, given prescribed excitation magnitudes. The method has been applied to both linear and planar arrays of radiators, with single-mode mutual coupling effects included to provide realistic data. Values for the various array performance indices are presented, and results indicate that introduction of sidelobe taper improves the array gain while raising the peak sidelobe level somewhat. Inclusion of mutual coupling effects alters the required phases for optimum patterns but does not significantly affect the performance indices of the array. >
Information fusion techniques for pattern analysis in large sensor data networks: an overview

Many defense and civilian applications require algorithms with great correctness and precision, and work with limited or incomplete information. This paper provides an overview of a new data analysis technique for many of these applications. r 2001 The Franklin Institute. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Maximum Entropy Based Restoration of Arabic Diacritics

Short vowels and other diacritics are not part of written Arabic scripts. Exceptions are made for important political and religious texts and in scripts for beginning students of Arabic. Script without diacritics have considerable ambiguity because many words with different diacritic patterns appear identical in a diacritic-less setting. We propose in this paper a maximum entropy approach for restoring diacritics in a document. The approach can easily integrate and make effective use of diverse types of information; the model we propose integrates a wide array of lexical, segment-based and part-of-speech tag features. The combination of these feature types leads to a state-of-the-art diacritization model. Using a publicly available corpus (LDC's Arabic Treebank Part 3), we achieve a diacritic error rate of 5.1%, a segment error rate 8.5%, and a word error rate of 17.3%. In case-ending-less setting, we obtain a diacritic error rate of 2.2%, a segment error rate 4.0%, and a word error rate of 7.2%.
Eyebrow position recognition and correction in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.

Objectives: To improve (1) recognition of eyebrow ptosis, asymmetry, or deformity and (2) selection of the appropriate surgical technique based on the patient's underlying etiology. Design: Nonrand...
Screening for Acinetobacter baumannii Colonization by Use of Sponges

There is currently no consensus method for the active screening of Acinetobacter baumannii. The use of swabs to culture nostrils, pharynx, and skin surface of various anatomical sites is known to yield less-than-optimal sensitivity. In the present study, we sought to determine whether the use of sterile sponges to sample large areas of the skin would improve the sensitivity of the detection of A. baumannii colonization. Forty-six patients known to be colonized with A. baumannii, defined by a positive clinical culture for this organism as defined by resistance to more than two classes of antimicrobials, participated in the study. The screening sites included the forehead, nostrils, buccal mucosa, axilla, antecubital fossa, groin, and toe webs with separate rayon swabs and the forehead, upper arm, and thigh with separate sponges. Modified Leeds Acinetobacter medium (mLAM) agar plates that contained vancomycin and either aztreonam or ceftazidime were used as the selective medium. An enrichment culture grown overnight substantially increased the sensitivity for most sites. The sensitivity ranged between 69.6 and 82.6% for individual sponge sites and 21.7 to 52.2% for individual swab sites when mLAM plates with ceftazidime were inoculated after a 24-h enrichment period. The sponge and swab sites with the best sensitivity were the leg and the buccal mucosa, respectively (82.6% and 52.2%; P = 0.003). The combined sensitivity for the upper arm and leg with a sponge was 89.1%. The novel screening method using sterile sponges was easy to perform and achieved excellent sensitivity for the detection of A. baumannii colonization.
Plasmon-controlled fluorescence: a new paradigm in fluorescence spectroscopy

Fluorescence spectroscopy is widely used in biological research. Until recently, essentially all fluorescence experiments were performed using optical energy which has radiated to the far-field. By far-field we mean at least several wavelengths from the fluorophore, but propagating far-field radiation is usually detected at larger macroscopic distances from the sample. In recent years there has been a growing interest in the interactions of fluorophores with metallic surfaces or particles. Near-field interactions are those occurring within a wavelength distance of an excited fluorophore. The spectral properties of fluorophores can be dramatically altered by near-field interactions with the electron clouds present in metals. These interactions modify the emission in ways not seen in classical fluorescence experiments. In this review we provide an intuitive description of the complex physics of plasmons and near-field interactions. Additionally, we summarize the recent work on metal-fluorophore interactions and suggest how these effects will result in new classes of experimental procedures, novel probes, bioassays and devices.
Ensemble-based Kalman filters in strongly nonlinear dynamics

This study examines the effectiveness of ensemble Kalman filters in data assimilation with the strongly nonlinear dynamics of the Lorenz-63 model, and in particular their use in predicting the regime transition that occurs when the model jumps from one basin of attraction to the other. Four configurations of the ensemble-based Kalman filtering data assimilation techniques, including the ensemble Kalman filter, ensemble adjustment Kalman filter, ensemble square root filter and ensemble transform Kalman filter, are evaluated with their ability in predicting the regime transition (also called phase transition) and also are compared in terms of their sensitivity to both observational and sampling errors. The sensitivity of each ensemble-based filter to the size of the ensemble is also examined.
Basic Definitions and Essential Concepts of Small-Angle Scattering

This chapter provides introductory information about the specifics of x-ray and neutron interactions with matter, as well as the basics of small-angle scattering (SAS). The scattering principles of x-rays and neutrons are discussed based on a single approach. Although the physics of small-angle light scattering is similar to that of x-rays and neutrons, it is not discussed here because it cannot be used to study confined fluids in generally nontransparent porous solids. In most cases formula derivations have been intentionally omitted as they are already found in the literature. The text presented is not intended as a substitute for general books and chapters on scattering and diffraction theory, and an extensive list of advanced texts and World Wide Web resources for further reading is given at the end of the chapter.