cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kim on emergence

Emergence requires that the ultimate physical micro-entities have “micro-latent” causal powers, which manifest themselves only when the entities are combined in ways that are “emergence-engendering,” in addition to the “micro-manifest” powers that account for their behavior in other circumstances. Subjects of emergent properties will have emergent micro-structural properties, specified partly in terms of these micro-latent powers, each of which will be determined by a micro-structural property specified only in terms of the micro-manifest powers of the constituents and the way they are related. If the determiner and the determined properties are distinct, this determination is the basis of the supervenience of emergent properties on non-emergent physical properties. If not, emergence does not involve such supervenience. Either way, there is no problem with diachronic downward causation.
Iron: Mitochondrial Iron Metabolism and the Synthesis of Iron–Sulfur Clusters

Mitochondria play a major role in cellular iron metabolism. These organelles contain respiratory complexes that are rich in hemes and iron–sulfur clusters (ISCs), including [Fe4S4], [Fe3S4], and [Fe2S2] clusters. Moreover, these organelles are able to synthesize ISCs on their own, even in isolation from the cell, in a process mediated by the ISC machinery housed therein. In order for iron to be used by the mitochondrial ISC machinery for new cluster synthesis, it must first transit from the environment into the cellular cytoplasm and from the cytoplasm into the mitochondria. In mitochondria, a regulated transit iron pool, recognized by a characteristic biophysical signature, is used for generating new Fe–S clusters. Iron levels in mitochondria are generally maintained by homeostatic controls, although in some settings iron accumulates in the form of ferric phosphate nanoparticles that remain invisible to the homeostatic control mechanism. This review summarizes recent genetic and biophysical results associated with mitochondrial iron metabolism and ISC assembly, primarily in yeast mitochondria. Keywords: mitochondria; iron; iron–sulfur; heme; oxygen; ferric phosphate nanoparticles; high-spin ferrous ions
Neuroimaging in patients referred to a neuro-ophthalmology service: the rates of appropriateness and concordance in interpretation.

Objective Neuroimaging studies frequently are ordered to investigate neuro-ophthalmic symptoms. When misused, these studies are expensive and time consuming. This study describes the type and frequency of neuroimaging errors in patients referred to an academic neuro-ophthalmology service and measures how frequently these neuroimaging studies were reinterpreted. Design Prospective cohort study. Participants Eighty-four consecutive patients referred to an academic neuro-ophthalmology practice. Methods From November 2009 through July 2010, 84 consecutive new patients who had undergone a neuroimaging study in the last 12 months specifically to evaluate their presenting neuro-ophthalmic symptoms were enrolled prospectively. Participants then underwent a complete neuro-ophthalmic evaluation, followed by a review of prior neuroimaging. Questions regarding appropriateness of the most recent imaging, concordance of radiologic interpretation, and re-evaluation of referring diagnoses were answered by the attending physician. Main Outcome Measures The frequency and types of errors committed in the use of neuroimaging and the frequency of reinterpretation of prereferral neuroimaging studies after neuro-ophthalmic history and examination. Results Most study participants (84.5%; 71/84) underwent magnetic resonance imaging before referral; 15.5% (13/84) underwent only computed tomography. The rate of suboptimal neuroimaging studies was 38.1% (32/84). The 3 most common reasons for suboptimal studies were incomplete area of imaging (34.4%; 11/32), wrong study type (28.1%; 9/32), and poor image quality (21.9%; 7/32). Twenty-four of 84 subjects (28.6%) required additional neuroimaging. The authors agreed with the radiology interpretation of the prior neuroimaging studies in most patients (77.4%; 65/84). The most common anatomic locations for discordance in interpretation were the intraorbital optic nerve (35%; 7/20) and the brainstem (20%; 4/20). Conclusions There was a high rate of suboptimal neuroimaging studies performed in patients referred for neuro-ophthalmology examination. These findings have significant implications given the increasing attention to resource use currently and in the near future. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
On the semantics of (bi)temporal variable databases

Numerous proposals for extending the relational data model to incorporate the temporal dimension of data have appeared during the past several years. These have ranged from historical data models, incorporating a valid time dimension, to rollback data models, incorporating a transaction time dimension, to bitemporal data models, incorporating both of these temporal dimensions. Many of these models have been presented in a non-traditional fashion, allowing the use of variables at the instance level. Unfortunately, the precise semantics of these database objects, e.g. tuples, with variables has not been made clear. In this paper we propose a framework for providing a formal specification of the precise semantics of this type of database, which we call a variable database. In addition, since more than one possible interpretation can be given to the specific temporal variables, such as now and ∞, which have appeared in the literature, we discuss several alternative semantics that can be given to these temporal variable databases incorporating one or more of these variables. We also present a constraint on the way such databases are allowed to evolve in time if they are to support a rollback operator.
Effects of Early Life Pathogenic Exposures and Obesity on Childhood Inflammation Levels in Galápagos, Ecuador

Early life nutritional and disease environments play a vital role in the development of the immune system. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of inflammation, is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease and associated with obesity. Studies in low resource environments show that pathogenic exposure during infancy is associated with lower CRP in adulthood. However, the consequences of concurrent pathogenic exposure and overnutrition in childhood remain unknown. This paper explores the effects of obesity and E. coli exposure on CRP in 166 children (2-10 years) living on San Cristobal. Longitudinal CRP was assayed from blood spots collected one-week apart. 43% of households had high E. coli levels, quantified from household water samples. Obesity (BMI z-score>2) was present in 19% of the children. Adjusted mixed-effects models tested the impact of E. coli and obesity on repeated measures of log-CRP. Obesity and high E. coli had significant, independent, opposing effects. While obesity increas...
What is Church's Thesis? An Outline

What is Church’s thesis? In bald statement, that the effectively compatable functions are the same as the recursive functions. But thinking carefully about this and other issues has led me to suspect both the formulation and accuracy of this thesis. This paper sketches my doubts. The first three characters on the stage are RF, the recursive functions; OP, the physics of our universe; and E1, the functions computable by (say) the physical operations described by Turing (that is, writing symbols from a finite set of rules.) The first formulation of Church’s thesis is The functions E1 computable in principle by Turing’s operations in OP are the same as RF. By “in principle” we mean to neglect the (supposed) finiteness of matter in our universe. There are many reasons for thinking the identity of E1(OP) and RF to be a (fortuitous) accident of our universe. Gandy attempts to describe, in his Kleene symposium paper, ways in which slight variations in OP make E1 include non-recursive functions, simply by allowing the “same” physical operations to involve more information or information paths than usual. It is also easy to imagine variations in OP so that E1 is a proper subset (even empty!) of RF. For example, if physics allowed no matter, or only gases, the Turing’s operations would not be physically realizable, so E1 would be empty. The fourth character of our story, E2, is the set of functions computable by an extension of Turing’s operations. That is, E2 embodies a different notion of what are “elementary effective operations”. My idea is this. One of the most common abstract phenomena in our world is that of equilibriating systems: parts of the universe that settle into one of a spectrum of equilibrium states once certain boundary conditions are imposed. There are, in fact, many equilibriating systems with discrete spectra, for example the quantum states of molecules. Given the definiteness of these systems, we might take the operation of equilibriating as an effective one. Note carefully, I do not mean that equilibria are computable by Turing’s operations, but that equilibriating can be so easily, reproducibly, and mindlessly accomplished that we grant it equal status with marking and moving slips of paper. My suspicion is that physics is easily rich enough so that E2, the functions compatable in principle given Turing’s operations and equilibriating, include non-recursive functions. For example, I think that chemistry may be rich enough that given a diophantine equation, we can recursively compute a molecular structure (teflon, DNA, proteins, etc.) that has been a quantum level within some interval iff the diophantive equation has a solution. That is, we plug values into the molecule as boundary conditions, and solve the equation iff the molecule finds an equilibrium. Of course, we must still have “in principle” in our claim, since matter is still finite, and possibly because engineering limitations may prevent successful manipulation of arbitrarily sized
Benzo (a) Pyrene and 6-Nitrobenzo (a) Pyrene Metabolism in Human and Rodent Microsomes and Tissue Culture

Chemical carcinogens occur in a number of unrelated chemical structures and comprise a unique set of toxic compounds since they have the common biological endpoint of cancer induction. Characteristically these chemicals are biochemically inert and require some degree of metabolic activation to form the reactive species of the carcinogen molecule. Currently it appears that all reactive forms are electrophilic reagents which readily bind to cellular nucleophiles such as DNA, RNA, and protein. Data from extensive metabolic studies with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and several other carcinogens indicate a qualitative similarity of metabolites formed in both susceptible and resistant species, tissues, and cells. This suggests that there may be divergent processing of the activated carcinogen and/or its immediate precursor that will dictate the probability of the reactive intermediate reaching a critical target site for malignant transformation. Assay of intracellular and extracellular metabolites of benzo(a)pyrene and its relatively inert isomer, benzo(e)pyrene, in epithelial and fibroblast cells display significant biochemical variation and in both conjugation reactions to water-soluble products and the region of the carcinogen molecule where the drug metabolizing enzymes attack. It is critical to the understanding of the mechanism of action of chemical carcinogens to assemble a complete metabolic pathway followed by the parent carcinogen. This includes interspecies variance in terms of processing the molecule from its activated species through formation of its various hydroxylated intermediates and the specificity of the conjugation reactions. Knowledge of these biochemical schemes in concert with the degree of interaction with cellular macromolecules will allow for assembly of the dynamic processing of the carcinogen in both resistant and susceptible tissues and will help explain the diverse activity of the carcinogens.
An inverse method for the calculation of through-thickness fatigue crack closure behavior

An inverse technique was used to calculate through-thickness fatigue crack closure behavior. The through-thickness variation in crack opening stress-intensity factor was calculated by considering the variation in the three-dimensional stress-intensity factor, the variation in crack growth rate along the crack front, and a relationship between the crack growth rate and effective stress-intensity factor range (da/dN-Delta-K(eff)). The three-dimensional stress-intensity factor variation was obtained from an elastic finite element analysis of specific crack-front profiles observed experimentally. The variation in crack growth rate along the crack front was obtained experimentally from comparison of observed crack front changes. The da/dN-Delta-K(eff) relationship was estimated from high stress ratio, constant load amplitude, and fatigue crack growth tests. The through-thickness crack opening stress-intensity factor results agreed with crack opening measurements obtained from fatigue striations, near-tip strain gages, and remote strain and displacement gages.
The Perceived Service Quality of Technology Markets and Its Effect on Customer Satisfaction

The customer satisfaction concept has been becoming more and more important for companies all around the world. To increase this satisfaction level, perceived service quality is one of the main factors that companies must take into consideration. As a result of the rapid change in technology and the decrease in time spent on shopping, the usage of technology markets has become more common. Measurement of perceived service quality and its impact on customer satisfaction has also become crucial for technology markets. In this study, SERVQUAL method, built up by Parasuraman, Zeithaml and Berry, has been used to measure perceived service quality. The population consists of 417 people above 18 years of age who live in Istanbul. A public survey is used as the data collecting method and a factor analysis, T-tests, an ANOVA/Welch test and a reliability analysis are performed from the acquired data by using the SPSS package program. Moreover, the model structured for the study is tested through a LISREL structural equation model.
Mammalian Embryo: Hox Genes

Hox genes are evolutionarily conserved transcription factors that play important roles in establishing the basic body plan of animals. Mammals have 39 Hox genes clustered into four chromosomal complexes. This gene family regulates the regional character and patterning of diverse structures along the anterior–posterior (A/P) axis of the embryo. Nested patterns of Hox gene expression generate a Hox combinatorial protein code that orchestrates the morphogenesis of structures in the nervous system, axial skeleton, limbs, intestine and many other tissues. In light of their key role in regulating morphogenesis across animal species, modulation of Hox expression or function over the course of evolution is believed to have been important in generating diversity. Key concepts: Axial patterning is the process that generates different regional characteristics during the development of a tissue, such as the nervous system or skeleton. Hox genes encode a family of transcription factors that regulate the identity of structures along the anterior–posterior axis of embryos. Colinearity is the correlation between the order of Hox genes along a chromosome and their expression along the axis of an embryo. The collection of Hox proteins expressed in a region provides a combinatorial code for specifying diversity. Posterior prevalence is a model for explaining why some Hox proteins dominate over others when they are coexpressed. Selector genes control the identity of a tissue. Homeotic transformation is the conversion of one structure into another due to loss or gain of selector gene activity. Segmentation subdivides a developing tissue, such as the hindbrain or skeleton, into repeating units that ultimately generate different structures along an axis. Subfunctionalization is the partitioning of function and regulation between duplicated genes compared with the ancestral gene. Changes in Hox expression or function may be important for generating differences in structures during evolution of vertebrates. Cooption refers to the redeployment or coupling of a common molecular pathway to multiple patterning processes. Keywords: homeobox; axial patterning; gene regulation; transcription factors; embryogenesis
Magnesium sulfate, chorioamnionitis, and neurodevelopment after preterm birth

Objective To assess the neuroprotective effect of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) in preterm children exposed to chorioamnionitis. Design A secondary analysis of a multicentre randomised controlled trial of antenatal MgSO4 administered to women at risk of preterm birth for the prevention of cerebral palsy (CP). Singleton, non-anomalous pregnancies with clinical chorioamnionitis, delivering at ≥24 weeks of gestation, were selected. Cases were exposed to antepartum MgSO4; controls received placebo. Setting Multicentre randomised controlled trial. Population Singleton, non-anomalous pregnancies with clinical chorioamnionitis, delivering at ≥24 weeks of gestation. Methods All data were analysed by intention to treat. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Main outcome measures Primary outcome was a composite of stillbirth, death by the age of 1 year, or moderate or severe CP by the age of 2 years. Secondary outcomes included a composite neonatal outcome as well as neurodevelopmental delay, defined as Bayley II mental and psychomotor developmental indices <70 at the age of 2 years. Subgroup analysis assessed these outcomes in children born at <28 weeks of gestation. Results A total of 396 children were included, with 192 (48.5%) randomised to MgSO4. Maternal and delivery characteristics were similar between the groups. The primary outcome occurred in 14.1% of children exposed to MgSO4 and 12.7% of children exposed to placebo (relative risk, RR 1.29; 95% CI 0.70–2.38). Rates of stillbirth, death, moderate–severe CP, and neurodevelopmental delay did not differ between groups. In the subgroup analysis of children born at <28 weeks of gestation, there was no difference in the rates of the primary outcome, nor in the secondary outcomes assessed. [Correction added on 02 March 2016 after online publication: There were errors in statistical data analysis and these have been corrected throughout the article.] Conclusions Among children at risk for early preterm delivery exposed to chorioamnionitis, antenatal administration of MgSO4 was not associated with improved neurodevelopmental outcome. We do not recommend any change in the guidelines on the administration of MgSO4 for neuroprotection based on this study. Tweetable abstract MgSO4 was not associated with improved neurodevelopmental outcome in setting of chorioamnionitis.
Controlling an integrator through data networks: stability in the presence of unknown time-variant delays

The subject of controlling an integrator via a communication network finds many applications in modern control systems. Stability conditions in closed form are derived for the arising feedback system, which consists of a controller, an integrator and time-variant links between integrator and controller. It will be shown, that these derived stability conditions are not conservative and easily applicable, even for systems with long delays. In order to draw from a recent result on time-variant discrete system stability, FIR controllers are assumed.
Nitrate, Arsenic and Selenium Concentrations in The Pecos Valley Aquifer, West Texas, USA

Nitrate, arsenic, and selenium concentrations in the Pecos Valley Aquifer of west Texas were compiled, mapped, and analyzed in the context of local geology and land use. Alluvial deposits of sand, silt, clay, and gravel compose the unconfined aquifer. Ranching and farming are predominant land uses in the rural study area. Data were tabulated from 79 water wells with a median depth of 75 m and mapped with a geographic information system (GIS). The wells were sampled between the years 2003 and 2008. Total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations in the aquifer were very high, with a median value of 2,687 mg/L. Approximately 18% of observations exceeded the 44.27 mg/L drinking water standard for nitrate, whereas 6% exceeded the 10 I¼g/L standard for arsenic, and only 4% surpassed the 50 I¼g/L standard for selenium. There was a statistically significant, direct correlation between arsenic and selenium, as well as between nitrate and selenium concentrations Moreover, arsenic and selenium concentrations were significantly higher in shallower wells. Probable sources of groundwater contamination in the study area include natural (geological) sources and agricultural activity.
Internet interventions for improving psychological well‐being in psycho‐oncology: review and recommendations

Objective Too few cancer patients and survivors receive evidence-based interventions for mental health symptoms. This review examines the potential for Internet interventions to help fill treatment gaps in psychosocial oncology and presents evidence regarding the likely utility of Internet interventions for cancer patients. Methods The authors examined available literature regarding Internet interventions tailored to cancer patients' mental health needs and reviewed elements of Internet interventions for mental health relevant to advancing psycho-oncology Internet intervention research. Results Few rigorous studies focusing on mental health of cancer patients have been conducted online. A growing body of evidence supports the efficacy, accessibility, and acceptability of mental health Internet interventions for a variety of general and medical patient populations. The authors present recommendations and guidelines to assist researchers in developing, testing, and disseminating Internet interventions for cancer patients and survivors, to manage and improve their mental health. Issues unique to Internet interventions—including intervention structure, customization, provider interaction, and privacy and confidentiality issues—are discussed. These guidelines are offered as a step toward establishing a set of “best practices” for Internet interventions in psycho-oncology and to generate further discussion regarding the goals of such interventions and their place in cancer care. Conclusions Internet interventions have the potential to fill an important gap in quality cancer care by augmenting limited available mental health services. These interventions should be developed in a manner consistent with best practices and must be empirically tested and validated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hormonal regulation of testicular descent.

The involvement of testosterone in testicular descent and the mechanism of testicular descent were analyzed and discussed.
Clay mineral distributions and source discrimination of upper Quaternary sediments, lower Chesapeake Bay, Virginia

Discriminant function analysis of clay mineral data from five cores of upper Quaternary sediment indicates that marine inputs are a significant source of fine-grained sediment near Thimble Shoal Channel, a major natural channel in lower Chesapeake Bay. Illite, of predominantly marine origin, is found to be enriched in clay fractions of three cores adjacent to the channel, relative to two cores near the mouth of the James River estuary. Thimble Shoal Channel is a significant repository and conduit for fine-grained sediment from the shelf. This result is analogous to previous results showing that the shelf is the dominant source of fine sand in the lower bay. Sediment in Thimble Shoal Channel reflects a shelf source even at the landward end, an area which was previously thought to be dominated by deposition from the James River.
Usable, Secure, Private Search

Real-world applications commonly require untrusting parties to share sensitive information securely. This article describes a secure anonymous database search (SADS) system that provides exact keyword match capability. Using a new reroutable encryption and the ideas of Bloom filters and deterministic encryption, SADS lets multiple parties efficiently execute exact-match queries over distributed encrypted databases in a controlled manner. This article further considers a more general search setting allowing similarity searches, going beyond existing work that considers similarity in terms of error tolerance and Hamming distance. This article presents a general framework, built on the cryptographic and privacy-preserving guarantees of the SADS primitive, for engineering usable private secure search systems.
Are emotions frightening? An extension of the fear of fear construct

Proposed in this paper is an expansion of the concept of fear of fear to include fear of other emotions (anger, depression, and positive emotions). In Study 1, initial evidence of the reliability and validity of a questionnaire designed to measure this construct, the Affective Control Scale, is provided. In Study 2, an analogue experiment of susceptibility to panic disorder was conducted. The ability of fear of anger, depression, and positive emotions to predict fear of laboratory-induced bodily sensations in a population with no history of panic attacks was demonstrated.
Effect of Omission of Machine Stripping on Milk Production and Parlor Throughput in East Friesian Dairy Ewes

Due to the large cisternal storage capacity and non-vertical teat placement in most dairy ewes, machine stripping is commonly performed to remove milk not obtained by the machine. However, stripping requires individual manual intervention, lengthens the milking routine, and could inadvertently lead to overmilking of other ewes in the parlor. The objective of the present experiment was to estimate the effect of omission of machine stripping on milk production and parlor throughput. East Friesian crossbred dairy ewes that had been machine milked and stripped twice daily from d 0 to 79 postpartum, were randomly assigned to two stripping treatments for the remainder of lactation: normal stripping (S, n = 24), or no stripping (NS, n = 24). The NS ewes yielded 14% less commercial milk during the experiment, but had similar lactation length, milk composition, and somatic cell count compared to S ewes. Average machine milk yield (amount of milk obtained without manual intervention) tended to be greater for NS compared to S ewes. Average machine-on time for S ewes was longer than for NS ewes because of stripping, which may have resulted in over-milking of many ewes in the S group. Results from a milking simulation indicated that parlor throughput would increase by 33%, and overmilking would not occur when stripping was omitted from the milking routine. These results collectively suggest that residual milk left in the udder as a result of omission of machine stripping does not negatively influence milk quality and the loss in commercial milk yield could be compensated for by improved parlor throughput.
Technical note—computer sculpture

This technical note illustrates the graphic techniques used to generate the cover of this issue. It should be read in conjunction with the paper on WINSOM 1 which describes the computer program used to generate the computer sculptures.
The effect of ceanothyn on blood coagulation time.

Oral administration of 3.5-7.0 ml. Ceanothyn decreased blood coagulation time for a period of approximately 1 hour. Accelerated clotting was noted within 10 to 20 minutes after administration. Repeated oral doses of Ceanothyn kept the blood coagulation time diminished. Dialysed Ceanothyn reduced clotting time when added to whole blood, indicating that the active fraction was of small molecular size. At low concentrations Ceanothyn acted as a coagulant, while increasing the concentration caused it to become an anticoagulant.
The Antimicrobial Activity and Composition of Fleischmannia pratensis Leaf Essential Oil from Monteverde, Costa Rica

Abstract The leaf essential oil of Fleischmannia pratensis (Asteraceae) was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. A total of 35 compounds were identified in the leaf oil (99.4 % of the composition), which was dominated by the sesquiterpenes (E)-caryophyllene (26.1 %) and germacrene D (49.1 %). The essential oil was screened for antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. F. pratensis leaf oil only showed activity against Bacillus cereus (MIC = 39μg/mL).
Interaction with the IQ3 motif of myosin-10 is required for calmodulin-like protein-dependent filopodial extension

Calmodulin-like protein (CLP) is a specific light chain of unconventional myosin-10 (Myo10) and enhances Myo10-dependent filopodial extension. Here we show that phenylalanine-795 in the third IQ domain (IQ3) of Myo10 is critical for CLP binding. Remarkably, mutation of F795 to alanine had little effect on calmodulin binding to IQ3. Fluorescence microscopy and time-lapse video microscopy showed that HeLa cells expressing CLP and transiently transfected with GFP-Myo10-F795A exhibited significantly shorter filopodia and decreased intrafilopodial motility compared to wildtype GFP-Myo10-transfected cells. Thus, F795 represents a unique anchor for CLP and is essential for CLP-mediated Myo10 function in filopodial extension and motility.
Bipolar plates for PEM fuel cells: A review

Abstract Bipolar plates (BPs) are a key component of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells with multifunctional character. They uniformly distribute fuel gas and air, conduct electrical current from cell to cell, remove heat from the active area, and prevent leakage of gases and coolant. BPs also significantly contribute to the volume, weight and cost of PEM fuel cell stacks. Hence, there are vigorous efforts worldwide to find suitable materials for BPs. The materials include non-porous graphite, coated metallic sheets, polymer composites, etc. This paper reviews various types of materials, in use and proposed, for BPs and critically examines their physical and chemical properties.
Growth Kinetics of Escherichia coli and Expression of a Recombinant Protein and Its Isoforms under Heat Shock Conditions

Preinduction culture conditions were found to have significant impact on the expression and post-translational modification of a recombinant human protein in Escherichia coli under heat shock conditions (30 to 42 degrees C shift). Higher preinduction growth rates (micrograms) favored better cell viability, greater cell mass yields, and increased cloned gene expression during induction. Formation of recombinant protein isoforms (those containing N epsilon-modified lysine residues) exhibited an increasing trend with increasing micrograms. The different extents of post-translational modifications were suspected to be linked to the different concentrations of certain heat shock protein chaperones resulting from different micrograms. In view of the extensive involvement of E. coli heat shock proteins in cellular activities-including the synthesis, processing, modification, and degradation of proteins-at elevated temperatures, it is believed that micrograms dictated the cellular resources available for synthesizing the heat shock proteins required for cell survival, which in turn determined the ability of the cells to respond to the heat shock. With a higher micrograms both the synthesis of host proteins (as indicated by cell growth and survival) and the cloned gene expression were enhanced. The results demonstrate that there exists an intermediate micrograms for optimum production of the unmodified foreign protein in a heat shock environment. More importantly, they also illustrate the feasibility of improving the recombinant protein homogeneity in fermentation, thereby facilitating downstream processing.
A hyperspectral imager for high radiometric accuracy Earth climate studies

We demonstrate a visible and near-infrared prototype pushbroom hyperspectral imager for Earth climate studies that is capable of using direct solar viewing for on-orbit cross calibration and degradation tracking. Direct calibration to solar spectral irradiances allow the Earth-viewing instrument to achieve required climate-driven absolute radiometric accuracies of 5 higher than typical Earth scenes. To facilitate this calibration, the instrument features an attenuation system that uses an optimized combination of different precision aperture sizes, neutral density filters, and variable integration timing for Earth and solar viewing. The optical system consists of a three-mirror anastigmat telescope and an Offner spectrometer. The as-built system has a 12.2° cross track field of view with 3 arcmin spatial resolution and covers a 350-1050 nm spectral range with 10 nm resolution. A polarization compensated configuration using the Offner in an out of plane alignment is demonstrated as a viable approach to minimizing polarization sensitivity. The mechanical design takes advantage of relaxed tolerances in the optical design by using rigid, non-adjustable diamond-turned tabs for optical mount locating surfaces. We show that this approach achieves the required optical performance. A prototype spaceflight unit is also demonstrated to prove the applicability of these solar cross calibration methods to on-orbit environments. This unit is evaluated for optical performance prior to and after GEVS shake, thermal vacuum, and lifecycle tests.
Attitudes of Heterosexual Assisted Living Residents Toward Gay and Lesbian Peers

Sexual minorities in long-term care and assisted living facilities fear discrimination and suboptimal care due to homophobia and heteronormative policies. This qualitative study explored the attitudes of 13 heterosexual assisted living facility residents toward gay and lesbian peers in their facility. Although most participants reported that they were comfortable talking about homosexuality, their feelings, beliefs, and behaviors toward gay and lesbian residents ranged from favorable, to ambivalent, to unfavorable. Results indicated that heterosexual residents still view sexual minorities as “others” who are unlikely to inhabit the same spaces they do. Recommendations for further research are provided in order to ameliorate the conditions of aged care facilities for all residents, including sexual minorities.
Diode probes for spatiotemporal optical control of multiple neurons in freely moving animals

Neuronal control with high temporal precision is possible with optogenetics, yet currently available methods do not enable to control independently multiple locations in the brains of freely moving animals. Here, we describe a diode-probe system that allows real-time and location-specific control of neuronal activity at multiple sites. Manipulation of neuronal activity in arbitrary spatiotemporal patterns is achieved by means of an optoelectronic array, manufactured by attaching multiple diode-fiber assemblies to high-density silicon probes or wire tetrodes and implanted into the brains of animals that are expressing light-responsive opsins. Each diode can be controlled separately, allowing localized light stimulation of neuronal activators and silencers in any temporal configuration and concurrent recording of the stimulated neurons. Because the only connections to the animals are via a highly flexible wire cable, unimpeded behavior is allowed for circuit monitoring and multisite perturbations in the intact brain. The capacity of the system to generate unique neural activity patterns facilitates multisite manipulation of neural circuits in a closed-loop manner and opens the door to addressing novel questions.
The Influence of Microarthropods on Symbiotic and Non-symbiotic Mutualism in Detrital-based Below-ground Food Webs

Moore, J.C., 1988. The influence of microarthropods on symbiotic and non-symbiotic mutualism in detrital-based below-ground food webs. Agric. Ecosystems Environ., 24: 147-159. Microarthropods play an important role in the regulation of microbial populations and the decomposition of organic matter in detritus-based below-ground food webs. The functional roles of arthropods are largely consumer/predator but can influence and contain elements of direct and indirect mutualism. For example, mycophagous arthropods disrupt the symbiosis between vesicular mycorrhizal fungi and plants by grazing the spores and the external hyphae of the fungus. However, these same arthropods interact with saprophytic fungi as predators and nonsymbiotic mutualists by grazing and disseminating fungal propagules, or by stimulating fungal growth and activity (optimal grazing/apparent predation). Previous studies on the structure and stability of below-ground food webs have considered direct mutualism but have ignored indirect and non-symbiotic mutualism. These later forms of arthropod-mediated mutualism can have profound effects on the structure and activity of soil microbial communities, the decomposition of organic matter, and ultimately plant growth.
Dynamic Recruitment of Functionally Distinct Swi/Snf Chromatin Remodeling Complexes Modulates Pdx1 Activity in Islet β Cells

Pdx1 is a transcription factor of fundamental importance to pancreas formation and adult islet β cell function. However, little is known about the positive- and negative-acting coregulators recruited to mediate transcriptional control. Here, we isolated numerous Pdx1-interacting factors possessing a wide range of cellular functions linked with this protein, including, but not limited to, coregulators associated with transcriptional activation and repression, DNA damage response, and DNA replication. Because chromatin remodeling activities are essential to developmental lineage decisions and adult cell function, our analysis focused on investigating the influence of the Swi/Snf chromatin remodeler on Pdx1 action. The two mutually exclusive and indispensable Swi/Snf core ATPase subunits, Brg1 and Brm, distinctly affected target gene expression in β cells. Furthermore, physiological and pathophysiological conditions dynamically regulated Pdx1 binding to these Swi/Snf complexes in vivo. We discuss how context-dependent recruitment of coregulatory complexes by Pdx1 could impact pancreas cell development and adult islet β cell activity.
Entrapment syndromes in musicians

Summary Entrapment syndromes are overuse inflammatory conditions that develop in specific anatomic areas where narrowing and constriction of a nerve trunk or a moving tendon exists. They deserve maximum conservative treatment such as reduced stress, splinting, and anti-inflammatory medication for a finite period of time. Unlike nonlocalized inflammatory conditions such as myositis and tendinitis, inflammation in such areas is more likely to persist after conservative treatment because such treatment does not significantly alter the abnormal anatomy, and some element of constriction or entrapment may persist. Rather than continuing conservative treatment indefinitely, surgical interruption of the compression-pain cycle brings about rapid relief and permits early return to a temporarily compromised musical career. Unfortunately, continuing pain brings about progressive discouragement, with fading hopes and a devastating psychological effect on the career plans of the affected musician.
A conjecture on semi-field planes. II

The results in the previous sections lend strong support to the conjecture made in the Introduction. Furthermore, if the long-standing conjecture concerning the solvability of autotopism groups for semi-field planes is correct then the probability of our conjecture being true is greatly increased. In any case the existence of a semi-field plane π for which u(π) = 2, 3, or 4 would provide a counterexample to the earlier conjecture.
Velocity measurements of flow through a step stenosis using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a versatile noninvasive tool for achieving full-field quantitative visualization of complex fluid flows. The MRI signal results from the interaction of radio-frequency (RF) pulses with nuclear spins exposed to a strong static magnetic field. The two main techniques of MRI velocimetry are time-of-flight and phase contrast techniques. Time-of- flight techniques involve tagging and tracking a material volume of fluid, whereas phase contrast techniques use magnetic field gradients to encode velocity information into the phase of the MRI signal. In this study, both techniques are used to probe the pressure-driven steady flow of water in a pipe with a step stenosis. The velocity measurements were then compared with computational results obtained using the FIDAP software package. The experiments show that the phase contrast method gives more accurate results, with 90% of the measurements within 10% of the local computational fluid dynamics (CFD) velocity predictions at Re = 100 and 94% of the measurements within 10% of the local CFD predictions at Re = 258. Although the time-of-flight experiments were not as accurate, they provide a good qualitative image of the flow field. Sources of the discrepancies between the MRI data and the CFD results are also discussed, including acceleration and spin flow-through artifacts.
Thermodynamic Entropy of Partially Coherent Light Beams

The thermodynamic entropy of partially coherent light beams, as shown by M. von Laue, is given by the sum of the entropy of the principal waves, which represent the given light beams and are statistically independent of each other. The principal waves and their intensities are respectively the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues of the mutual intensity, cross-correlation function of waveamplitudes, which is positive semidefinite Hermitian operator. The well-known entropy of thermal radiation is applied to principal waves obtained after appropriate reversible optical transmission.
Combination therapy with lamivudine and famciclovir for chronic hepatitis B infection

Abstract Background & Aims: Lamivudine suppresses hepatitis B replication, but drug-resistant mutants emerge with long-term therapy. In vitro data suggest that lamivudine and famciclovir might synergistically inhibit hepadnaviral replication. We reviewed our experience with lamivudine and famciclovir in 24 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. Methods: Patients with chronic hepatitis B infection and detectable HBV DNA received lamivudine and famciclovir combination therapy. The primary end point was HBV DNA suppression at week 48. Follow-up was reviewed for those who remained on combination therapy beyond the first 48 weeks. Results: Thirteen treatment-naive HBeAg-positive subjects received 48 weeks of therapy; all had undetectable HBV DNA levels (less than 2.5 pg/mL) at week 48. Three patients underwent HBeAg seroconversion at week 48 and discontinued therapy. Ten patients remained on combination therapy; 3 developed YMDD (tyrosine-methionine-aspartate-aspartate) mutations at year 2, although HBV DNA levels remained below 2.5 pg/mL at a mean of 39 months. A second heterogeneous group of 5 subjects including interferon therapy failures and those with HBeAg-negative infection also received 48 weeks of combination therapy, with 1 subject developing redetection of HBV DNA by week 48. YMDD mutations were noted in the other 4 subjects at year 2, although just 1 subject had HBV DNA greater than 2.5 pg/mL at 39 months of therapy. Conclusions: In this small pilot study, 48 weeks of therapy with lamivudine and famciclovir was effective in suppressing HBV replication. A randomized controlled trial is required to define the role of combination therapy with lamivudine and famciclovir in delaying the clinical emergence of resistant strains.
Esophageal electrocardiography: A new technology revives an old technique

This study evaluates the clinical use of an easily swallowed bipolar electrode for recording an esophageal electrocardiogram (ECG). Fourteen patients were selected for bedside diagnosis (ECG group) because of arrhythmias difficult to evaluate using a standard 12-lead ECG. A second group of 27 non-selected patients scheduled for routine 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings (ambulatory ECG group) had an esophageal ECG recorded as the "third channel." All 14 patients (100%) in the ECG group had excellent-quality tracings, and the esophageal ECG was diagnostic in 12 cases (86%). Of 27 patients in the ambulatory ECG group, 19 (70%) had fairly good to excellent-quality 24-hour esophageal pill tracings, with the esophageal ECG contributing to correct arrhythmia diagnosis in 11 patients (41%). It is concluded that this easily swallowed esophageal electrode provides an excellent-quality short-term ECG and often permits proper arrhythmia diagnosis in selected patients with arrhythmias. Good-quality 24-hour esophageal ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings can also be obtained that contribute to arrhythmia diagnosis in a limited number of unselected patients, and should be even more clinically useful in carefully selected patients.
The influence of superelastic NiTi interlayers on tribological properties of CrN hard coatings

The tribological performance of hard-coatings such as chromium nitride depends intimately on the mechanical properties of the support structure beneath the coating. For soft substrates, poor support characteristics severely degrade hard coating performance. The present work examines the potential for sputtered thin films of superelastic NiTi to improve hard-coating performance on soft substrates by limiting asperity contact stresses and mitigating the effects of compliance and thermal expansion coefficient mismatches between base metal and coating. NiTi thin films were deposited on 6061-T6 aluminum substrates using dc magnetron sputtering. CrN hard-coatings were then deposited by unbalanced reactive magnetron sputter deposition. Reversible stress-induced martensite transformations and mechanical properties of the NiTi films were investigated by temperature-controlled X-ray diffraction and nano-indentation experiments. The tribological properties of CrN coatings, with and without superelastic NiTi interlayers, were measured by ball-on-disk wear and scratch tests at different temperatures. It is shown that reversible martensite transformations in NiTi interlayers can exert a significant influence on the tribological properties of CrN coatings.
Japan's Economic Dilemma: The Institutional Origins of Prosperity and Stagnation

1. Introduction 2. Three theoretical issues 3. The rise of the coordination and stability principles 4. Coordination, excessive competition, and the high growth 5. Stability, total employment, and the welfare society 6. The roads toward the bubble 7. The crisis of the welfare society 8. Epilogue.
A rule-based neural network approach to model driver naturalistic behavior in traffic

Abstract This paper proposes a rule-based neural network model to simulate driver behavior in terms of longitudinal and lateral actions in two driving situations, namely car-following situation and safety critical events. A fuzzy rule based neural network is constructed to obtain driver individual driving rules from their vehicle trajectory data. A machine learning method reinforcement learning is used to train the neural network such that the neural network can mimic driving behavior of individual drivers. Vehicle actions by neural network are compared to actions from naturalistic data. Furthermore, this paper applies the proposed method to analyze the heterogeneities of driving behavior from different drivers’ data. Driving data in the two driving situations are extracted from Naturalistic Truck Driving Study and Naturalistic Car Driving Study databases provided by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute according to pre-defined criteria. Driving actions were recorded in instrumented vehicles that have been equipped with specialized sensing, processing, and recording equipment.
First-Line and Salvage Therapy of Metastatic Breast Cancer with Mitomycin/Vinblastine

The combination chemotherapy regimen of mitomycin/vinblastine has been used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer since the early 1980s. We report results of use of mitomycin/vinblastine in 35