cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Semantic Search Techniques for Learning Smaller Boolean Expression Trees in Genetic Programming

One sub-field of Genetic Programming (GP) which has gained recent interest is semantic GP, in which programs are evolved by manipulating program semantics instead of program syntax. This paper introduces a new semantic GP algorithm, called SGP+, which is an extension of an existing algorithm called SGP. New crossover and mutation operators are introduced which address two of the major limitations of SGP: large program trees and reduced accuracy on high-arity problems. Experimental results on "deceptive" Boolean problems show that programs created by the SGP+ are 3.8 times smaller while still maintaining accuracy as good as, or better than, SGP. Additionally, a statistically significant improvement in program accuracy is observed for several high-arity Boolean problems.
Effect of Streptomycin Treatment on Bacterial Community Structure in the Apple Phyllosphere

We studied the effect of many years of streptomycin use in apple orchards on the proportion of phyllosphere bacteria resistant to streptomycin and bacterial community structure. Leaf samples were collected during early July through early September from four orchards that had been sprayed with streptomycin during spring of most years for at least 10 years and four orchards that had not been sprayed. The percentage of cultured phyllosphere bacteria resistant to streptomycin at non-sprayed orchards (mean of 65%) was greater than at sprayed orchards (mean of 50%) (P = 0.0271). For each orchard, a 16S rRNA gene clone library was constructed from leaf samples. Proteobacteria dominated the bacterial communities at all orchards, accounting for 71 of 104 OTUs (determined at 97% sequence similarity) and 93% of all sequences. The genera Massilia, Methylobacterium, Pantoea, Pseudomonas, and Sphingomonas were shared across all sites. Shannon and Simpson’s diversity indices and Pielou’s evenness index were similar among orchards regardless of streptomycin use. Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM) indicated that long-term streptomycin treatment did not account for the observed variability in community structure among orchards (R = −0.104, P = 0.655). Other variables, including time of summer, temperature and time at sampling, and relative distance of the orchards from each other, also had no significant effect on bacterial community structure. We conclude that factors other than streptomycin exposure drive both the proportion of streptomycin-resistant bacteria and phylogenetic makeup of bacterial communities in the apple phyllosphere in middle to late summer.
Optical calculation of potential fields for robotic path planning

Experimental results of the optical calculation of potential-field maps suitable for mobile robot navigation are presented and described. The optical computation employs two write modes of a microchannel spatial light modulator. In one mode, written patterns expand spatially, and this characteristic is used to create an extended two-dimensional function representing the influence of the goal in a robot’s workspace. Distinct obstacle patterns are written in a second, nonexpanding, mode. A model of the mechanisms determining microchannel spatial light modulator write-mode characteristics is developed and used to derive the optical calculation time for full potential-field maps. Field calculations at a few hertz are possible with current technology, and calculation time versus map size scales favorably in comparison with digital electronic computation.
Is It True Dioxygenase or Classic Autoxidation Catalysis? Re-Investigation of a Claimed Dioxygenase Catalyst Based on a Ru2-Incorporated, Polyoxometalate Precatalyst

A 1997 Nature paper (Nature 1997, 388, 353−355) and a 1998 J. Am. Chem. Soc. paper (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 11969−11976) reported that a novel Ru2-incorporated sandwich-type polyoxometalate, {[WZnRuIII2(OH)(H2O)](ZnW9O34)2}11-, is an all-inorganic dioxygenase catalyst for the hydroxylation of adamantane and the epoxidation of alkenes using molecular oxygen. Specifically, it was reported that the above Ru2-containing polyoxometalate catalyzes the following reaction by a non-radical-chain, dioxygenase mechanism: 2RH + O2 → 2ROH (R = adamantane). A re-investigation of the above claim has been performed, resulting in the following findings: (1) iodometric analysis detects trace peroxides (0.5% relative to adamantane), the products of free-radical-chain autoxidation, at the end of the adamantane hydroxylation reaction; (2) a non-dioxygenase product, H218O, is observed at the end of an adamantane hydroxylation reaction performed using 18O2; (3) kinetic studies reveal a fractional rate law consistent with...
GraphPrism: compact visualization of network structure

Visual methods for supporting the characterization, comparison, and classification of large networks remain an open challenge. Ideally, such techniques should surface useful structural features -- such as effective diameter, small-world properties, and structural holes -- not always apparent from either summary statistics or typical network visualizations. In this paper, we present GraphPrism, a technique for visually summarizing arbitrarily large graphs through combinations of 'facets', each corresponding to a single node- or edge-specific metric (e.g., transitivity). We describe a generalized approach for constructing facets by calculating distributions of graph metrics over increasingly large local neighborhoods and representing these as a stacked multi-scale histogram. Evaluation with paper prototypes shows that, with minimal training, static GraphPrism diagrams can aid network analysis experts in performing basic analysis tasks with network data. Finally, we contribute the design of an interactive system using linked selection between GraphPrism overviews and node-link detail views. Using a case study of data from a co-authorship network, we illustrate how GraphPrism facilitates interactive exploration of network data.
Acetone Fractionation of Blood and Urinary Iodine

Summary1. All of the urinary iodine appears to be acetone-soluble. 2. There is an acetone-soluble; and acetone-insoluble but water-soluble; and an acetone and water-insoluble form or forms of iodine in the blood. 3. The quantitative relationship between the iodine fractions of the blood varies with the form of iodine ingested. 4. The acetone-soluble fraction of the blood iodine may possibly contain the iodine compounds which will later be excreted in the urine. 5. The true significance of these fractions is as yet unknown.
Orientation by polarized light in the crayfish dorsal light reflex: behavioral and neurophysiological studies.

In decapod crustaceans, the dorsal light reflex rotates the eyestalk so that the dorsal retina faces the brightest segment of dorsal visual space. Stepwise displacements of white stripes elicit eyestalk rotations in the same direction as that of the stripe. Conversely, stepwise displacements of black stripes on a white background elicit eyestalk rotations in the opposite direction as that of the stripe. The reversal of the response with contrast inversion distinguishes the dorsal light reflex from an optokinetic reflex. When the visual scene is composed of polarized light, segmented by variations in e-vector orientation, displacement of segments containing near vertical e-vectors elicit responses similar to those elicited by a white stripe. Displacement of polarized stripes containing near horizontal e-vectors elicit eyestalk rotations similar to those elicited by a black stripe. The results are consistent with the use of polarized light in orientation. The stimulus conditions described above were also applied to visual interneurons (sustaining fibers) and oculomotor neurons and the results were generally in accord with the behavior. In the neural studies, it was possible to show that responses to polarized stripe displacements are predictable from the receptive field location and the neuron’s polarization tuning function.
Explaining US stock market returns from 1980 to 2005: Implications for the next 25 years

This paper uses economic data, political events and social developments to explain the extraordinary US stock market performance from 1980 to 2005. Six variables seemed to be working for the stock market during this period: (1) the boom in international trade due to globalisation; (2) demographics — baby boomers; (3) the credit boom; (4) the technology boom; (5) decreasing interest rates; and (6) geopolitical stability for most of the period. Resulting side effects such as trade deficit, budget deficit, and low US savings rate, however, point to a different direction for the stock prices during the next 25-year period.
Deranged B12 metabolism: Studies of fibroblasts grown in tissue culture

Abstract Studies are reported of fibroblasts cultured from the skin of a patient with abnormalities of sulfur amino acid and of methylmalonic acid metabolism. These cells are unable to grow as do normal cells if methionine in the medium is replaced by homocystine. Addition of hydroxy-B12, 1 μg/ml, to the medium allowed the cells of the patient to grow slowly. Extracts of the cells contained a normal concentration of cystathionine synthase, but an abnormally low concentration of holoenzyme for N5-methyltetrahydrofolate methyltransferase activity. N5-Methyltetrahydrofolate methyltransferase apoenzyme was present, as indicated by assay in the presence of appropriate B12-containing compounds. Growth of control cells in media containing hydroxy-B12, 1 μg/ml, led to a several-fold increase in total methyltransferase activity and a decrease of dependence of activity upon in vitro supplementation with B12-containing compounds. Growth of the patient's cells under these conditions led to formation of a small, but detectable, amount of holoenzyme. However, the major part of the methyltransferase activity in extracts of his cells grown on hydroxy-B12 remained dependent upon in vitro addition of a B12-containing compound. The patient's cells converted propionate-1-14C to 14CO2 at a slow rate compared to control cells. During incubation with propionate-1-14C his cells accumulated abnormally great amounts of methylmalonate-14C but failed to form the usual amounts of radioactive succinate, lactate, glutamate, or aspartate. Growth of the patient's cells with supplemental hydroxy-B12 in the medium partially restored the rate at which these cells converted propionate-1-14C to 14CO2. The specificity of this restorative effect as well as the effects of variation in concentration and time of exposure to hydroxy-B12 are reported. All the available data are consistent with the hypothesis that cells from the patient are deficient in their ability to accumulate coenzymatically active derivatives of B12 with resultant deficits in the activities of N5-methyltetrahydrofolate methyltransferase and methylmalonyl-CoA isomerase, the two enzymes known in mammals to depend upon B12 derivatives.
Coordinated tautomers of a bis-(phosphoryl)-phosphine: assemblage of group VIB metal complexes containing diphosphoxane (POP) linkages

Abstract Reactions of the hydrogen-bridged chelates cis-(CO)4M(PPh2O-)2H− (M  Cr, Mo, W) with Cl2PPh yield complexes of the type cis-(CO)4 M(-P Ph2-P(O)Ph-O-PPh2) containing five-membered chelate rings. X-ray structural determination of the Mo complex confirmed the formation of the heterocycle. Crystal data: space group C2/c; a 16.477(3), b 19.845(3), c 20.512(4) A; β 106.61(2)°; Z = 8, Dcalc 1.421 Mg m−3. The final residual is 0.027 for 4737 observed reflections. The five-membered chelate ring is nonplanar with the phosphoryl P 0.888(2) A out of an approximate plane containing the other four atoms. For the tungsten analogue, 31P NMR data are consistent with the initial formation of a six-membered heterocyclic intermediate: cis-(CO)4W(PPh2-O)2PPh, which tautomerizes readily to give the final product. Six-membered chelate rings containing the (PPh2O)2PPh ligand can be assembled by the reaction of cis-(CO)4Mo(PPh2Cl)2 with (CO)5M-PPhO2H− (M = Cr, Mo). Complexes of the type cis-(CO)4Mo(PPh2O-)2PPh-M(CO)5 (M = Cr, Mo) were isolated. Reaction of Cl2PPh with two equivalents of (CO)5Mo-PPh2O− yields PhP(-OPPh2-Mo(CO)5)2. The above complexes represent coordination-stabilized PhP(-OPPh2)2 and (Ph2P-)-
FXR regulates organic solute transporters α and β in the adrenal gland, kidney, and intestine

Expression of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR; NR1H4) is limited to the liver, intestine, kidney, and adrenal gland. However, the role of FXR in the latter two organs is unknown. In the current study, we performed microarray analysis using RNA from H295R cells infected with constitutively active FXR. Several putative FXR target genes were identified, including the organic solute transporters α and β (OSTα and OSTβ). Electromobility shift assays and promoter-reporter studies identified functional farnesoid X receptor response elements (FXREs) in the promoters of both human genes. These FXREs are conserved in both mouse genes. Treatment of wild-type mice with 3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-4-(3′-carboxy-2-chloro-stilben-4-yl)-oxymethyl-5-isopropyl-isoxazole (GW4064), a synthetic FXR agonist, induced OSTα and OSTβ mRNAs in the intestine and kidney. Both mRNAs were also induced when wild-type, but not FXR-deficient (FXR−/−), adrenals were cultured in the presence of GW4064. OSTα and OSTβ mRNA levels were also induced in the adrenals and kidneys of wild-type, but not FXR−/−, mice after the increase of plasma bile acids in response to the hepatotoxin α-naphthylisothiocyanate. Finally, overexpression of human OSTα and OSTβ facilitated the uptake of conjugated chenodeoxycholate and the activation of FXR target genes. These results demonstrate that OSTα and OSTβ are novel FXR target genes that are expressed in the adrenal gland, kidney, and intestine.—Lee, H., Y. Zhang, F. Y. Lee, S. F. Nelson, F. J. Gonzalez, and P. A. Edwards. FXR regulates organic solute transporters α and β in the adrenal gland, kidney, and intestine.
Abstract B71: Phellodendron bioactive molecule (PBM): A potential natural agent for prevention of colon cancer

PBM is a yellow colored compound isolated from extracts of Phellodendron species. In the current study, PBM was subjected to understand the effect on colon cancer using human cancer cell lines. The activity was studied using three cancer cells having different degree if malignancy induction namely, SW‐480, HT‐29 and Caco‐2 cells. The colon fibroblast (112CoN) cells, which are non cancerous were used to understand the toxicity of compound. The cell viability assay of PBM demonstrated both dose and time dependent activity in all the cells. This naturally occurring compound was found be effective after 24 h of treatment (IC50 value at 12 h was more than 75 µM) showing minimum IC50 against SW‐480, which was 24, 16 and 5 µM at 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. The IC50 was in the range of 42–50 µM for HT‐29 cells and 18–53 µM for Caco‐2 cells. Furthermore, the toxicity to normal cell was not significant indicating the non‐toxicity compound at 100 µM in the model. Treatment at 10 µM has shown induction of aneuploidy (35±2% of cells) in SW‐480 cells and treatment at 25 and 10 µM has increased accumulation of cells in G0/G1 phase. Protein expression results suggest that, PBM is capable of inhibiting cancer through inducing caspases dependant apoptosis in case of SW‐480 cells. The inhibition was also found to be through inhibiting inflammatory proteins. Both the apoptosis and anti‐inflammatory activity were higher at 48 and 72 h of treatment. Result of the current study provides an evidence for inhibition of colon cancer by PBM through multiple targets such as cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and inhibition of inflammation. In summary, PBM may be an ideal compound to be considered for in vivo studies to explore its application in colon cancer prevention. This project is based upon work supported by the USDA‐CSREES # 2009‐34402‐19831 “Designing Foods for Health” through the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):B71.
Quantitative Sampling with Three Benthic Dredges

(1970). Quantitative Sampling with Three Benthic Dredges. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society: Vol. 99, No. 3, pp. 603-607.
Genetics of graft-versus-host reactions

Intracardiac injection of lymph node cells into newborn allogeneic recipients incompatible with congenic donors at multiple loci within theH-2 complex (B10→B10.A) led to GVH splenomegaly, retarded growth, and mortality. In contrast,H-2I region differences [B10.A(4R)→B10.A(2R)] required fortyfold more cells to produce a comparable splenomegaly, and did not produce runting or GVH mortality despite a strong proliferative response in the spleen. However, when 4R donors were preimmunized with host lymphoid cells, 51 percent of 2R recipients died of allogeneic disease. GVHR was also observed in the reciprocal combination (2R→4R), in contrast to previous reports. The phenotypic determinants governing GVHR in the 4R→2R combination are probably coded for byI-C subregion genes. Disparities at theI-B orI-J subregions did not evoke detectable GVHR. The data indicate thatI-C subregion loci have the impact of so-called minor or moderate histocompatibility (MoH) loci. Possible implications for allogeneic human bone marrow transplantation are discussed.
In vitro assembly of 30S ribosomal particles from precursor 16S RNA of Escherichia coli.

THE concept of self-assembly has been shown to apply to the assembly of the Escherichia coli 30S ribosome in vitro by Nomura and his co-workers1,2. The reconstitution of functional 30S ribosomes from purified mature 16S RNA (m16 RNA in the nomenclature of Hecht and Woese3) and total 30S proteins has been studied in detail. The macromolecular information necessary for this in vitro assembly clearly resides in the component parts with no requirements for enzymes or cellular structures (such as membranes) which are not ultimately part of the 30S ribosome. The reconstitution system developed by Traub and Nomura1 has been useful in a variety of studies which have greatly aided our understanding of ribosome assembly, structure, and function. The biosynthesis of ribosomes, however, is known to differ in several ways from this in vitro reconstitution. The in vivo process is composed of a series of cooperative and sequential interactions between the primary ribosomal UNA transcripts and of ribosomal proteins, as well as the modification of both RNA and protein4,5.
Meeting AYP: Affective or Effective on School Leadership?.

‘The commander of our ship knows that the eyes and ears of the shipmates will provide valuable information; that when combined with the experience and knowledge of leadership will navigate the ship...
The transcription unit for poly(I) . poly(C)-induced human fibroblast interferon messenger RNA.

Abstract The size of the transcription unit for poly(I) · poly(C)-induced human fibroblast interferon mRNA was estimated by monitoring the inactivation of interferon mRNA synthesis by ultraviolet irradiation of induced FS-4 cell cultures. The transcription unit for human fibroblast interferon mRNA (12 S), which is itself approximately 850–900 residues long, is in the size range 4–11 kilobases.
Dynamics of melt-crystal interface and coupled convection-stress predictions for Czochralski crystal growth processes

A coupled thermal-elastic model is developed to study the transport phenomena of Czochralski crystal growth and thermal stresses in the grown crystal, both at low- and high-pressures. A multizone adaptive scheme for transport and phase-change processes (MASTRAPP) is used to predict the melt and gas flows as well as the temperature distribution. Using the grid field and temperature distributions generated by MASTRAPP, a finite-element software package, ALGOR calculates the stresses in the crystal. The numerical results demonstrate that the convective flows in both the melt and the gas have significant effects on thermal stresses in the crystal. Indeed, a realistic model for a high-pressure CZ process must account for thermal interaction between the melt and the gas. Also, the novel approach of combined finite-volume/finite-element methods can be successfully used for thermo-mechanical problems.
The Fallacy of Partitioning: Epigenetics' Validation of the Organism-Environment System

Ecological psychologists have long championed the importance of the concept of the organism-environment system and highlighted its value to our understanding of perception, action, and cognition (G...
Analysis of solidification in sand and permanent mold castings and shrinkage prediction

Abstract A finite element program has been developed and applied for the simulation of two-dimensional and axisymmetric solidification processes to predict temperature history, shrinkage and porosity distributions. A contact thermal resistance was introduced for handling the interface heat transfer between molds and casting with exothermic powders, chills, and pads. The developed program was tested by simulating axisymmetric sand castings of steel and steel piston crown, and an axisymmetric low pressure die casting of an aluminum alloy. The numerical predictions were in good agreement with the experimental results available in the literature.
Nanostructured TiO 2 and ZnO solar cells using CdS as sensitizer: Stability investigation

Exploring quantum dots or nano-sized particles of CdS as an alternative sensitizer for organic dye in dye sensitized solar cells have attracted great interest due to the high cost and the UV instability of the organic dye. In this work, a 2.46% (V oc =0.69 V, J sc = 6.54 mA/cm2, F.F. = 0.55) CdS sensitized nanoparticle TiO 2 solar cell is achieved under AM 1.5. The control sample of N3 dye sensitized TiO 2 solar cell has efficiency of 7.88%. However, the CdS sensitized TiO 2 cell degrades rapidly even under dark environment. Replacing TiO 2 with ZnO can increase the CdS sensitized solar cell stability. In addition, a solid state CdS sensitized DSSC is fabricated as another approach to improve cell stability.
Condensation nucleation light scattering detection with microbore liquid chromatography for lipid analysis

Methods of analysis for both neutral and phospholipids based on microbore high-pressure liquid chromatography HPLC coupled with detection by condensation nucleation light scattering detection are described. The limits of detection for phospholipids were below 100 ng/mL, corresponding to less than 0.5 ng or less than 1 pmole, but were even lower for neutral lipids, and down to 12 ng/mL (0.06 ng, 0.074 pmole). The method was applied to the determination of lipids in egg yolk samples. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Micro Sep 12: 204–210, 2000
Estimating the global pagerank of web communities

Localized search engines are small-scale systems that index a particular community on the web. They offer several benefits over their large-scale counterparts in that they are relatively inexpensive to build, and can provide more precise and complete search capability over their relevant domains. One disadvantage such systems have over large-scale search engines is the lack of global PageRank values. Such information is needed to assess the value of pages in the localized search domain within the context of the web as a whole. In this paper, we present well-motivated algorithms to estimate the global PageRank values of a local domain. The algorithms are all highly scalable in that, given a local domain of size n, they use O(n) resources that include computation time, bandwidth, and storage. We test our methods across a variety of localized domains, including site-specific domains and topic-specific domains. We demonstrate that by crawling as few as n or 2n additional pages, our methods can give excellent global PageRank estimates.
The impact of ocean coupling on hurricanes during landfall

The impact of ocean coupling on landfalling hurricanes is studied using a coupled hurricane-ocean model with idealized atmospheric and oceanic conditions. We focus here on coastal sea surface temperature responses and their effects on hurricanes during landfall. We find that given the ocean thermal stratification, the hurricane-induced sea surface cooling is nearly independent of the ocean depth as long as the ocean is considerably deeper than the mixed layer. After the storm center moves inland, the near-surface processes around the storm core area are influenced by the sea surface cooling behind and on the right side of the storm track via reduction of near-surface entropy advection into this area. The impact of ocean coupling is generally limited to the early times after landfall and nearly disappears after the hurricane center reaches about 200 km inland.
What age trajectories of cumulative deficits and medical costs tell us about individual aging and mortality risk: Findings from the NLTCS-Medicare data

An important feature of aging-related deterioration in human health is the decline in organisms' resistance to stresses, which contributes to an increase in morbidity and mortality risks. In human longitudinal studies of aging, such a decline is not measured directly, so indirect methods of statistical modeling have to be used for evaluating this characteristic. Since medical interventions reflect severity of occurring health disorders, data from Medicare service use files can be used for such modeling. In this paper, we use the National Long Term Care Survey (NLTCS) data merged with the Medicare service use files to investigate dynamics of stress resistance in the U.S. elderly. We constructed individual indices of cumulative deficits and medical costs and investigated their separate and joint effects on dynamics of mortality risks using the quadratic hazard model (QHM). We found that males show a faster decline in stress resistance with age than females.
The gene lin-3 encodes an inductive signal for vulval development in C. elegans

The lin-3 gene is necessary for induction of the Caenorhabditis elegans vulva by the anchor cell. It encodes a molecule similar to epidermal growth factor and to transforming growth factor-a and acts through the epidermal growth factor receptor homologue let-23. Expression of lin-3 in the anchor cell stimulates vulval induction; lin-3 may encode the vulval inducing signal.
Temperature Dependence of the Absorption Edge in Crystalline and Vitreous As2S3

Optical absorption below and near the interband absorption edge has been measured from helium temperatures up to the molten state of As2S3 Irreversible changes in absorption below the band edge suggest that heating above 530 K produces defect states in crystalline As2S3. The exponential absorption tail and thus the absorption edge is temperature independent t o about 200K. Between 300 and 400K it decreases a t a rate of about 1.6 × 10−3, eV/K. This temperature dependence is predominantly caused by electron-phonon interaction. Die optische Absorptionskonstante von As2S3, wurde im Bereich der Bandkante zwischen Heliumtemperaturen und dem Schmelzzustand gemessen. Irreversible Anderungen in der Absorption unterhalb der Bandkante legen nahe, das sich oberhalb 530 K Defektstellen in As2S3, -Kristallen bilden. Die der Bandkante vorgelagerte exponentiell ansteigende Absorptionskurve und somit die Lage der Bandkante ist teinperaturunabhsngig his hinauf zu 200 K. Zwischen 300 und 400 K verschiebt sich die Absorptionskante zu kleineren Photonenenergien mit einem Temperaturkoeffizienten von etwa 1,6 × 10−3, eV/K. Diese Temperaturabhangigkeit ist weitgehend durch die Elektronen-Phononen-Wechselwirkung bedingt.
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Minority Adolescents

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To examine the impact of a RD managed school based cardiovascular risk reduction program on diet, knowledge, weight, blood pressure and usual activity in minority adolescents. The African American population has an excess prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) disease including hypertension. Risk factors for future CV disease can be identified in the young. The purpose of this study was to determine if CV risk related behaviors can be modified in urban minority adolescents. Students (9th and 10th grade) at 6 urban public high schools were screened. High risk students, defined as systolic and or diastolic blood pressure >90th percentile or body weight 30% > ideal, were randomized to a health promotion program or to control. The intervention consisted of biweekly sessions for 10 weeks. Each session included education and behavior modification directed at diet, weight control and physical activity. Before and following the intervention both treatment and control groups were assessed for weight, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP), diet content by 24 hour intake, CV knowledge and usual physical activity. The treatment group included 163, and control group included 134 adolescents. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. The results showed a significant increase in CV knowledge (p
The terminus of SV40 DNA replication and transcription contains a sharp sequence-directed curve

Abstract We have examined nucleosome positioning on two DNA segments containing sharp sequence-directed curvatures. A 223 bp DNA from Crithidia fasiculata was cloned into two sites in pBR325 separated by 28%. These sites were found to selectively reconstitute nucleosomes 5- to 7-fold more effectively than the adjoining straigth DNA. The terminus of replication and termini of transcription of SV40 DNA are contained within a region of ∼200 bp centrally located in a 1216 bp fragment. Visualization of this fragment by electron microscopy revealed a sharp curve of ∼200° in the terminal region. Reconstitution of histone protein with this fragment revealed a 2- to 5-fold higher probability of assembling nucleosomes in the terminal region over the adjacent DNA.
An investigation of the 1.4 GeV/c2 nucleon isobar in proton-proton interactions

Abstract The production of N ∗ (1400) isobar in the reaction pp → pN ∗+ (1400), where N ∗ (1400) → n π + and p π 0 , is investigated with the aid of one-pion exchange model. The one-pion exchange mechanism does not seem to dominate the production process. The isospin of N ∗ (1400) is found to be I = 1 2 , and the elasticity of the resonance is estimated to be 0.66.
Experimental Investigation of Multielement Airfoil Lift Hysteresis due to Flap Rigging

A study is reported on a particular type of lift hysteresis discovered while developing experimental geometry optimization techniques for high-lift airfoils. A modern three-element airfoil model with a remotely actuated e ap wasdesigned, tested, and used in low-speed wind tunnel experimentsto investigate optimum e ap positioning based on lift. Hysteresis in lift as a function of e ap position was discovered when tests were conducted using continuous e ow conditions. It was shown that optimum or near-optimum lift coefe cients determined using continuous e ow conditions exist over an extended range of e ap positions when compared to those determined using traditional intermittent conditions.
Airborne lidar sensing of massive stony coral colonies on patch reefs in the northern Florida reef tract

In this study we examined the ability of the NASA Experimental Advanced Airborne Research Lidar (EAARL) to discriminate cluster zones of massive stony coral colonies on northern Florida reef tract (NFRT) patch reefs based on their topographic complexity (rugosity). Spatially dense EAARL laser submarine topographic soundings acquired in August 2002 were used to create a 1-m resolution digital rugosity map for adjacent NFRT study areas characterized by patch reefs (Region A) and diverse substratums (Region B). In both regions, sites with lidar-sensed rugosities above 1.2 were imaged by an along-track underwater videography system that incorporated the acquisition of instantaneous GPS positions. Subsequent manual interpretation of videotape segments was performed to identify substratum types that caused elevated lidar-sensed rugosity. Our study determined that massive coral colony formation, modified by subsequent physical and biological processes that breakdown patch reef framework, was the primary source of topographic complexity sensed by the EAARL in the NFRT. Sites recognized by lidar scanning to be topographically complex preferentially occurred around the margins of patch reefs, constituted a minor fraction of the reef system, and usually reflected the presence of massive coral colonies in cluster zones, or their derivatives created by mortality, bioerosion, and physical breakdown.
Further characterization of the process of in vitro uptake of radiolabeled copper by the rat brain.

Abstract We have previously demonstrated that hypothalmic slices obtained from adult male rats accumulate 67 Cu by two ligand-dependent, saturable processes: a high and low affinity process. To further establish the generality of these uptake processes, we defined the ligand requirements and the saturation kinetics of 67 Cu uptake by tissue slices obtained from the newborn hypothalamus (HT); adult male hypothalamus, hippocampus, cortex, median eminence, and caudate nucleus; hypothalamus and hippocampus of castrated (14 days) males and of pregnant (19 days) and ovariectomized (14 days) females. It was found that ionic 67 Cu 2+ was poorly taken up by newborn HT and adult caudate, complexation with His enhanced 67 Cu uptake 3–4-fold, and complexation with albumin inhibited 67 Cu uptake. These ligand requirements are identical to those we have previously shown for the adult HT. When 67 Cu uptake was evaluated under conditions optimal for the high or the low affinity process, for each process the dose response curves generated from these various tissues were very similar. In addition, we assessed the uptake of both components of the CuHis 2 complex by incubating tissues with 67 Cu 3 H-His 2 and found that the tissue ratio of 67 Cu: 3 H was a sigmoidal function of the concentration of the Cu complex such that at > 5 μM, the ratio was about 3-fold greater than the medium ratio; indicating preferential uptake of 67 Cu relative to 3 H-His. The changes in isotope ratios were observed in newborn HT and adult HT, as well as caudate. These similarities in the ligand requirements and saturation kinetics of 67 Cu uptake establish the generality of these two processes of in vitro uptake of copper in the rat brain.
Kinetics of interaction of disopyramide with the cardiac sodium channel: fast dissociation from open channels at normal rest potentials.

Block of cardiac sodium channels is enhanced by repetitive depolarization. It is not clear whether the changes in drug binding result from a change in affinity that is dependent on voltage or on the actual state of the channel. This question was examined in rabbit ventricular myocytes by analyzing the kinetics of block of single sodium channel currents with normal gating kinetics or channels with inactivation and deactivation slowed by pyrethrin toxins. At −20 and −40 mV, disopyramide 100 μm blocked the unmodified channel. Mean open time decreased45 and34% at −20 and −40 mV during exposure to disopyramide. Exposure of cells to the pyrethrin toxins deltamethrin or fenvalrate caused at least a tenfold increase in mean open time, and prominent tail currents could be recorded at the normal resting potential. The association rate constant of disopyramide for the normal and modified channel at −20 mV was similar, ∼10×106/m/sec. During exposure to disopyramide, changes in open and closed times and in open channel noise at −80 and −100 mV are consistent with fast block and unblocking events at these potentials. This contrasts with the slow unbinding of drug from resting channels at similar potentials. We conclude that the sodium channel state is a critical determinant of drug binding and unbinding kinetics.
Pathway recognition by neuronal growth cones: genetic analysis of neural cell adhesion molecules in Drosophila

Genetic analysis has finally come of age in the study of neural cell adhesion molecules and their function during growth cone guidance in Drosophila. Recent studies have shown that fasciclin II, a neural cell adhesion molecule of the immunoglobulin superfamily, functions as a recognition molecule for the MP1 axon pathway, thus serving as the first molecular confirmation for the existence of functional labels on specific axon pathways in the developing organism.
Behavioral Maintenance of High Concentrations of Blood Ethanol and Physical Dependence in the Rat

Rats maintained on an intermittent food schedule with an available ethanol solution drink to excess (13.1 grams of ethanol per kilogram of body weight, daily). Removal of ethanol produces symptoms of physical dependence including death from tonic-clonic seizures. Overindulgence in oral self-administration of an aqueous ethanol solution, resulting in unequivocal physical dependence, approximates a model of human alcoholism.
The medical physics of ventricular assist devices

Millions of patients, from infants to adults, are diagnosed with congestive heart failure each year all over the world. A limited number of donor hearts available for these patients results in a tremendous demand for alternative, supplemental circulatory support in the form of artificial heart pumps or ventricular assist devices (VADs). The development procedure for such a device requires careful consideration of biophysical factors, such as biocompatibility, haemolysis, thrombosis, implantability, physiologic control feasibility and pump performance. Conventional pump design equations based on Newton's law and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are readily used for the initial design of VADs. In particular, CFD can be employed to predict the pressure-flow performance, hydraulic efficiencies, flow profile through the pump, stress levels and biophysical factors, such as possible blood cell damage. These computational flow simulations may involve comprehensive steady and transient flow analyses. The transient simulations involve time-varying boundary conditions and virtual modelling of the impeller rotation in the blood pumps. After prototype manufacture, laser flow measurements with sophisticated optics and mock circulatory flow loop testing assist with validation of pump design and identification of irregular flow patterns for optimization. Additionally, acute and chronic animal implants illustrate the blood pump's ability to support life physiologically. These extensive design techniques, coupled with fundamental principles of physics, ensure a reliable and effective VAD for thousands of heart failure patients each year.
Toward automated peak resolution in complete GC × GC–TOFMS chromatograms by PARAFAC

We have previously developed automated PARAFAC methods for resolving peaks from small subsections of data, obtained using comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatography with mass spectral detection (GC × GC–TOFMS). Herein, we build upon those previous methods and present a new method for resolving peaks across much larger sections or even entire GC × GC–TOFMS chromatograms using PARAFAC in an automated fashion. In addition, the method presented is demonstrated on three GC × GC–TOFMS data sets: (1) a complete chromatogram of a test mixture of 32 compounds, (2) several compounds spiked into a diesel sample at two known concentrations and (3) a large section of the chromatogram of the headspace of a urine sample collected by solid phase microextraction (SPME), i.e. containing volatile metabolites. The results of these analyses show that the presented method resolves peaks (including overlapping peaks) and provides useful quantitative and identification information as long as some care is taken in the selection of parameters (such as the size of subsections to be analyzed individually by PARAFAC). Analysis time using PARAFAC remains a challenge, but a technique for reducing the amount of time is demonstrated and future possibilities for greatly reducing the analysis time are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Orthogonal load resolution and statical-kinematic stiffness matrix

The structural behavior of underconstrained systems is explored with an emphasis on statically indeterminate ones. The roles of the elastic stiffness and the statical-kinematic stiffness (induced by prestress or an equilibrium load) are investigated and compared. The linearized response of a prestressed underconstrained system is shown to go beyond the simple notion of the first-order stiffness induced by prestress and independent of the member stiffnesses. Some interesting features of structural behavior under a general load and stability under an equilibrium load are revealed and illustrated with an example of a quasi-variant pin-bar system. Finally, a comprehensive stiffness matrix with coefficients representing various sources of first-order stiffness is introduced, to replace, when necessary, the conventional elastic stiffness matrix. The comprehensive matrix is valid for structural systems of any type and is always invertible.
Finite width model sequence comparison

Sequence comparison is a widely used computational technique in modern molecular biology. In spite of the frequent use of sequence comparisons, the important problem of assigning statistical significance to a given degree of similarity is still outstanding. Analytical approaches to filling this gap usually make use of an approximation that neglects certain correlations in the disorder underlying the sequence comparison algorithm. Here, we use the longest common subsequence problem, a prototype sequence comparison problem, to analytically establish that this approximation does make a difference to certain sequence comparison statistics. In the course of establishing this difference we develop a method that can systematically deal with these disorder correlations.
Public transportation demand in a border metropolitan economy

Empirical research for public transport demand has uncovered numerous interesting commonalities across metropolitan economies. This study examines the demand for municipal bus services over time in El Paso, Texas, USA. El Paso is one of the largest metropolitan economies in the USA located directly adjacent to an international boundary with another country. This study not only models the demand for municipal bus services as a function of traditional variables such as price, income and weather, but also includes regressors designed to measure the potential impacts of cross-border economic conditions on El Paso ridership. Results from a Linear Transfer Function (LTF) modelling approach indicate that rider volumes are affected by domestic as well as international economic conditions in this border metropolitan area.
A mechanism for the poleward propagation of zonal mean flow anomalies

Abstract Observational studies have shown that tropospheric zonal mean flow anomalies frequently undergo quasi-periodic poleward propagation. A set of idealized numerical model runs is examined to investigate the physical mechanism behind this poleward propagation. This study finds that the initiation of the poleward propagation is marked by the formation of negative zonal wind anomalies in the Tropics. These negative anomalies arise from meridional overturning/breaking of waves that originate in midlatitudes. This wave breaking homogenizes the potential vorticity (PV) within the region of negative zonal wind anomalies, and also leads to the formation of positive zonal wind anomalies in the subtropics. Subsequent equatorward radiation of midlatitude waves is halted, which results in wave breaking at the poleward end of the homogenized PV region. This in turn generates new positive and negative zonal wind anomalies, which enables a continuation of the poleward propagation. The shielding of the homogenized ...
Biosynthesis of chondroitin sulfate: microsomal proteoglycans.

Abstract A microsomal preparation from chick embryo epiphyseal cartilage was incubated with UDP-[ 14 C]glucuronic acid and UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine to form [ 14 C] chondroitin-labeled proteoglycan. Two [ 14 C]proteoglycan populations were obtained which differed in size, [ 14 C]glycosaminoglycan content, and susceptibility to alkali. One population of [ 14 C]proteoglycan appeared near the void volume on Sepharose 2B, while the other population was smaller, similar in size to monomer proteoglycan. The larger [ 14 C]proteoglycan contained long [ 14 C]chondroitin chains added to short primers; these chains were in part resistant to alkali cleavage from protein. The smaller [ 14 C]proteoglycan contained mainly [ 14 C]chondroitin chains of intermediate length added to endogenous chondroitin sulfate; these chains were all susceptible to alkali cleavage from protein. The larger [ 14 C]proteoglycan may represent a precursor proteoglycan present at the site of glycosaminoglycan chain synthesis.
Boulder weathering and erosion associated with a wildfire, Sierra Ancha Mountains, Arizona

An April-May 2000 "Coon Creek Fire" burned - 37.5 km 2 of the Sierra Ancha Mountains, 32.3 km miles north of Globe, AZ-including 25 sandstone and 19 diorite boulders surveyed in 1989 and resurveyed after the burn, after the summer 2000 monsoon season, and after the winter 2001 season. When viewed from the perspective of cumulative eroded area, both sandstone and diorite displayed bimodal patterns with 79% of sandstone boulder area and 93% of diorite boulder area undergoing either no fire-induced erosion or fire-induced erosion >76 mm. When stretched over cumulative boulder areas. erosion due to the fire averaged >26 mm for sandstone and >42 mm for diorite. Post-fire erosion from thunderstorm summer rains averaged < I mm for 5 diorite and I mm for 10 sandstone boulders. While only a single diorite boulder eroded an average of 1.2 mm after the winter, winter erosion removed an average of 5.5 mm from 14 sandstone boulders. Thus, fire appears to increase a rock's susceptibility to post-fire weathering and erosion processes, as predicted by Goudie et al. [Earth Surf. Process. Landf. 17 (1992) 605]. In contrast to experimental research indicating the importance of size in fire weathering, no statistically significant relationship exists between erosion and boulder height or boulder surface area--a result similar to Zimmerman et al. [Quat. Res. 42 (1994) 255]. These data exclude 12 original sites and 85 boulders at sites impacted by the fire that could not be relocated, with a reasonable cause for the lack of relocation being boulder obliteration by the fire. Given evidence from 1 0 Be and 2 6 Al cosmogenic nuclides [Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 186 (2001) 269] supporting the importance of boulders in controlling evolution of nonglaciated, bouldered landscapes [Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull. 76 (1965) 1165], fire obliteration of boulders could be an important process driving drainage evolution in nonglaciated mountains.
Adrenal involvement in conditioned immunosuppression.

Abstract A taste aversion was induced in rats by pairing cyclophosphamide, an immunosuppressive drug, with the consumption of saccharin, a novel drinking solution. Three days after conditioning, animals were injected with sheep erythrocytes; hemagglutinating antibody titers were determined 6 days later. Relative to control groups, conditioned animals provided with saccharin at the time of antigen injection showed an attenuated antibody response, confirming the results of previous studies. The injection of LiCl to elicit an adrenocortical response or the exogenous administration of corticosterone in place of the conditioned stimulus (saccharin) at the time of antigen injection did not lower antibody titer significantly. The results provide no support for the hypothesis of an adrenocortical mediation of conditioned immunosuppressive effects.