cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of model choice and mitigating bias on the ribosomal tree of life.

Abstract Deep-level relationships within Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya as well as the relationships of these three domains to each other require resolution. The ribosomal machinery, universal to all cellular life, represents a protein repertoire resistant to horizontal gene transfer, which provides a largely congruent signal necessary for reconstructing a tree suitable as a backbone for life’s reticulate history. Here, we generate a ribosomal tree of life from a robust taxonomic sampling of Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya to elucidate deep-level intra-domain and inter-domain relationships. Lack of phylogenetic information and systematic errors caused by inadequate models (that cannot account for substitution rate or compositional heterogeneities) or improper model selection compound conflicting phylogenetic signals from HGT and/or paralogy. Thus, we tested several models of varying sophistication on three different datasets, performed removal of fast-evolving or long-branched Archaea and Eukarya, and employed three different strategies to remove compositional heterogeneity to examine their effects on the topological outcome. Our results support a two-domain topology for the tree of life, where Eukarya emerges from within Archaea as sister to a Korarchaeota/Thaumarchaeota (KT) or Crenarchaeota/KT clade for all models under all or at least one of the strategies employed. Taxonomic manipulation allows single-matrix and certain mixture models to vacillate between two-domain and three-domain phylogenies. We find that models vary in their ability to resolve different areas of the tree of life, which does not necessarily correlate with model complexity. For example, both single-matrix and some mixture models recover monophyletic Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota archaeal phyla. In contrast, the most sophisticated model recovers a paraphyletic Euryarchaeota but detects two large clades that comprise the Bacteria, which were recovered separately but never together in the other models. Overall, models recovered consistent topologies despite dataset modifications due to the removal of compositional bias, which reflects either ineffective bias reduction or robust datasets that allow models to overcome reconstruction artifacts. We recommend a comparative approach for evolutionary models to identify model weaknesses as well as consensus relationships.
The DEFACTO system for human omnipresence to coordinate agent teams: the future of disaster response

Enabling interactions of agent-teams and humans is a critical area of research, with encouraging progress in the past few years. However, previous work suffers from three key limitations: (i) limited human situational awareness, reducing human effectiveness in directing agent teams, (ii) the agent team's rigid interaction strategies that limit team performance, and (iii) lack of formal tools to analyze the impact of such interaction strategies. This paper presents a software prototype called DEFACTO (Demonstrating Effective Flexible Agent Coordination of Teams through Omnipresence). DEFACTO is based on a software proxy architecture and 3D visualization system, which addresses the three limitations mentioned above.
Institutionally Driven Moral Conflicts and Managerial Action: Dirty Hands or Permissible Complicity?

This paper examines what managers ought to do when confronted with apparent moral conflicts between their managerial responsibilities and the general requirements of morality, specifically when those conflicts are driven by the institutional environment. I examine Google’s decision to enter the Chinese search engine market as an example of such a conflict. I consider the view that Google’s managers engaged in justifiable moral compromise in making the choice to engage in self-censorship and show how this view depends on the idea of genuine moral dilemmas or irresolvable moral conflicts. I argue that there are serious reasons to doubt the existence of genuine moral dilemmas both in the abstract, as well as in the context of managerial responsibility. I propose an alternative account for what Google’s managers ought to do, as well as others who face relevantly similar situations. The account contains two conditions for permissibly contributing to another party’s failure to live up to their moral responsibilities. The first condition is that the manager must intend and act in such a way as to minimize the firm’s complicity in the other entity or actor’s failure, which in most cases will imply a duty for the manager to take actions that aim towards changing the institutional context. Under the second condition, managers ought to communicate to the firm’s constituents that they take seriously the importance of the interests at stake.
Perspective in Nanoneural Electronic Implants With Wireless Power-Feed and Sensory Control

New medical device technology is essential for diagnosing, monitoring, and curing wide spectrum of diseases, anomalies, and inflictions. For neural applications, currently available devices are generally limited to either a curing or a probing function. In this paper, we review the technology requirements for a new neural probe and cure device technology currently under development. The concept of the probe-pin device that integrates the probes for neurochemistry, neuroelectricity, temperature, and pressure into a single embodiment with a wireless power transmission was designed for the purpose of deep brain feedback stimulation (DBFS) with in situ neural monitoring. The probe considered for monitoring neurochemistry is a microspectrometer. The feature and size of the microspectrometer are defined for the DBFS device. Two types of wireless power transmission technology were studied for the DBFS device operation. The test results of pig skin showed that both power transmission technologies demonstrated the feasibility of power feed through human tissue.
Recent Approaches to the Eighteenth Century Press. A Review Article

Most historians of the periodicals of eighteenth-century England, France, and America have been in search of an organizing principle. For the most part, such scholars have based their analyses upon the ability of the press to influence public opinion, political events, and other issues in the public arena. Only those investigating the revolutionary press of France and America have run against this tide. Exploring influence yields both excellent results and considerable problems. One basic difficulty of this concept is measurement. Even analysts of the twentieth-century press with vastly superior data bases find it difficult to ascertain what people read, how they understood it, and how it affected them.' However, if one is willing to accept indirect indicators-such as a shift in opinion following a press campaign-as satisfactory, scholars may reasonably employ the concept of influence. Charting influence proves no more problematic than numerous other assertions of historical causality and is hard to eschew; for notions of influence can yield benefits for historians of the press who wish to make their subject central in the study of opinion making. Even an absence of influence may be important in establishing how public opinion emerges. Given the role of the newspaper in the formation and expression of twentieth-century opinion, this interest in the past power of the press is predictable. In addition, the inability to use the eighteenth-century periodical
A Periosteal-Temporalis Fascia Pedicle Flap for Repairing Impending Ocular Perforations and Extruding Keratoprostheses

We repaired four eyes in four patients with impending perforation using a vascular periosteal-temporalis fascia pedicle flap continuous to the periorbita of the orbital wall. Two eyes with extruding keratoprostheses, one eye with severe ocular surface dysfunction and a perforated, infected keratoplasty, and one eye with scleral ectasia were successfully reconstructed. Excellent visual acuity (20/25) was attained in one eye and functional visual acuity (20/100) was maintained in another. Structural integrity was maintained in all eyes. A vascularized flap was an excellent source of tissue for reconstructing eyes with impending perforation and scleral melting.
EFFECTS OF CERTAIN LIMITING CONDITIONS ON THE SYNTHESIS OF B VITAMINS BY YEAST.

In yeast crops which were grown in the presence of various inhibitors, there was considerable variation in content of the various B vitamins. A higher degree of parallelism in variation in content was found to exist between thiamine and niacin than between any other pair of vitamins; this has been interpreted as indicating that the predominant functions of these two vitamins are their established roles in fermentation. Values for inositol indicate that it may be involved in fermentation processes, but this is not the case for other members of the B complex. Biotin appears to be unique since in no case did the biotin content of yeast grown in the presence of an inhibitor fall below that of the control yeast. There was some evidence of synthesis of biotin, or a material with biotin activity, in the presence of certain inhibitors, the most striking instance being with sulfaguanidine. An exogenous supply of biotin was essential for extensive proliferation of F. B. yeast, and yeast grown in a medium to which biotin was the only added vitamin contained the B vitamins in amounts very similar to those found in the control yeast, the most marked differences being in increased vitamin B6 and p-aminobenzoic acid contents. In the absence of biotin, significant amounts of all of the B vitamins except biotin were synthesized, both in the presence and absence of certain other members of the B complex. The addition of thiamine, pyridoxine, inositol, and β-alanine to the culture medium caused a reduction in the amounts of vitamin B6 and p-aminobenzoic acid synthesized. F. B. yeast was able to grow in a xylose medium only when certain of the B vitamins were present, and even then growth was limited. Evidence was obtained for some synthesis of all of the vitamins investigated except biotin and vitamin B6. The most significant differences in vitamin content between galac yeast and the parent F. B. strain were in folic acid and vitamin B6, the former being considerably reduced in amount, the latter being increased.
Engine fuel droplet high-pressure vaporization modeling

The objective of this investigation was to characterize the high-pressure vaporization processes of engine fuels, which are too complex in composition to be described with conventional methods. To do so a comprehensive model was developed for the transient vaporization process of droplets of practical engine fuels using continuous thermodynamics in which high-pressure effects are fully considered. Transport equations are derived in a spherical coordinate system for the semi-continuous systems of both gas and liquid phases. A general treatment of vapor-liquid equilibrium is presented, which can be applied with any type of cubic equation of state. Relations for the properties of the continuous species are formulated. The model is further applied to calculate the transient high-pressure vaporization processes of droplets of representative engine fuels-diesel and gasoline. The high-pressure vaporization processes of droplets of two single-component fuels are also predicted for comparison. The results clarify the characteristics of the vaporization processes of engine fuel droplets and indicate the significant effects of fuel type on the vaporization behavior. The comparison with the results of the single-component cases also emphasizes the importance of considering the influence of multicomponent fuels in practical applications.
Osteoblast-Adipocyte Lineage Plasticity in Tissue Development, Maintenance and Pathology

Osteoblasts and adipocytes share a common precursor in adult bone marrow and there is a degree of plasticity between the two cell lineages. This has important implications for the etiology of not only osteoporosis but also several other diseases involving an imbalance between osteoblasts and adipocytes. Understanding the process of differentiation of osteoblasts and adipocytes and their trans-differentiation is crucial in order to identify genes and other factors that may contribute to the pathophysiology of such diseases. Several transcriptional regulators have been shown to control osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation and function. Regulation of cell commitment occurs at the level of the progenitor cell through cross talk between complex signaling pathways and epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, and microRNAs. Here we review the complex precursor cell microenvironment controlling osteoblastogenesis and adipogenesis during tissue development, maintenance, and pathology.
The Prevalence of Nascent Entrepreneurs in the United States: Evidence from the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics

The Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics (PSED) is a national longitudinal sample of 64,622 U.S. households that were contacted to find individuals who were actively engaged in starting new businesses. The PSED includes information on: the proportion and characteristics of the adult population involved in attempts to start new businesses, the kinds of activities nascent entrepreneurs undertake during the business startup process, and the proportion and characteristics of the start-up efforts that become infant firms. Prevalence rates for nascent entrepreneurs are reported by gender and ethnicity (whites, blacks and Hispanics) on such demographic variables as: age, education, household income, and urban context.
Heterologous expression of the Rhodobacter capsulatus BchI, -D, and -H genes that encode magnesium chelatase subunits and characterization of the reconstituted enzyme.

Abstract Magnesium chelatase inserts Mg2+ into protoporphyrin IX in the chlorophyll and bacteriochlorophyll biosynthetic pathways. In photosynthetic bacteria, the products of three genes, bchI, bchD, andbchH, are required for magnesium chelatase activity. These genes from Rhodobacter capsulatus were cloned separately into expression plasmids pET3a and pET15b. The pET15b constructs produced NH2-terminally His6-tagged proteins. All proteins were highly expressed and were purified to near homogeneity. The BchI and BchH proteins were soluble. BchD proteins were insoluble, inactive inclusion bodies that were renatured by rapid dilution from 6 m urea. The presence of BchI in the solution into which the urea solution of BchD was diluted increased the yield of active BchD. A molar ratio of 1 BchI:1 BchD was sufficient for maximum renaturation of BchD. All of the proteins were active in the magnesium chelatase assay except His-tagged BchI, which was inactive and inhibited in incubations containing non-His-tagged BchI. Expressed BchH proteins contained tightly bound protoporphyrin IX, and they were susceptible to inactivation by light. Maximum magnesium chelatase activity per mol of BchD occurred at a stoichiometry of 4 BchI:1 BchD. The optimum reaction pH was 8.0. The reaction exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to protoporphyrin IX and BchH.
Polycrystalline diamond films as prospective UV photocathodes

Polycrystalline diamond films grown by chemical vapor deposition have been considered recently for a number of UV detection applications. Negative electron affinity, chemical and mechanical stability and relative ease of fabrication make such films attractive candidates for effective and stable UV photoconverters. In this paper we present our study of the absolute quantum efficiency of a thin film diamond reflective photocathode in the spectral range of 25 - 200 nm. Modification of the surface by microwave hydrogen plasma etching resulted in a substantial increase of the photocathode sensitivity. The quantum efficiency of the photocathode at approximately 40 nm was as high as 37 percent and the sensitivity cut off was found to be about 200 nm. We also verified that the photocathode is relatively stable under air exposure. The relative QE degradation in the spectral range studied did not exceed 15 percent after the sample was left in ambient air for 18 hours. In addition, the diamond photocathode appeared to be chemically stable and mechanically robust: alcohol and water ultrasonic cleaning, followed by the same surface activation in hydrogen plasma, did not result in any degradation of the sample UV sensitivity. The photoyield from the diamond film at 256 angstrom exhibited an increase with the angle of radiation incidence, which is in agreement with the results of our calculations.
Cell surface engineering to enhance mesenchymal stem cell migration toward an SDF-1 gradient.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI) has shown considerable promise in clinical trials. A billion MSCs need to be administered for therapeutic efficacy, however, because only ∼1% of the cells reach the ischemic myocardium after systemic infusion. This is due to the loss of the homing signal on the surface of the MSCs during their expansion in culture. Stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is up-regulated immediately after infarction and is released into the peripheral blood. This SDF-1 reaches the bone marrow and recruits CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)-positive stem cells. The CXCR4/SDF-1 axis plays an important role in MSC homing to the ischemic myocardium. Since SDF-1 is highly expressed for only 48 h after infarction, the current approaches requiring long-term culture of MSCs to induce CXCR4 expression are not clinically useful. To provide a clinically viable means to improve the homing of MSCs, we have developed a surface modification method to incorporate recombinant CXCR4 protein on the membrane of MSCs within 10 min. Using this method, we have confirmed the improved migration of MSCs toward an SDF-1 gradient.
Induction and quantification of collagen fiber alignment in a three-dimensional hydroxyapatite-collagen composite scaffold.

Abstract Hydroxyapatite–collagen composite scaffolds are designed to serve as a regenerative load bearing replacement that mimics bone. However, the material properties of these scaffolds are at least an order of magnitude less than that of bone and subject to fail under physiological loading conditions. These scaffolds compositionally resemble bone but they do not possess important structural attributes such as an ordered arrangement of collagen fibers, which is a correlate to the mechanical properties in bone. Furthermore, it is unclear how much ordering of structure is satisfactory to mimic bone. Therefore, quantitative methods are needed to characterize collagen fiber alignment in these scaffolds for better correlation between the scaffold structure and the mechanical properties. A combination of extrusion and compaction was used to induce collagen fiber alignment in composite scaffolds. Collagen fiber alignment, due to extrusion and compaction, was quantified from polarized light microscopy images with a Fourier transform image processing algorithm. The Fourier transform method was capable of resolving the degree of collagen alignment from polarized light images. Anisotropy indices of the image planes ranged from 0.08 to 0.45. Increases in the degree of fiber alignment induced solely by extrusion (0.08–0.25) or compaction (0.25–0.44) were not as great as those by the combination of extrusion and compaction (0.35–0.45). Additional measures of randomness and fiber direction corroborate these anisotropy findings. This increased degree of collagen fiber alignment was induced in a preferred direction that is consistent with the extrusion direction and parallel with the compacted plane.
Correlates of seat-belt use by adolescents: Implications for health promotion

This study examined the psychosocial and behavioral correlates of seat-belt use among 1,728 10th-graders in four Northern California high schools. Parent and friend seat-belt use patterns were most highly correlated with student seat-belt use (r = 0.66 and r = 0.61, respectively) and together accounted for 46% of the variation in use. These relationships held across differences in sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Failure to wear seat belts was associated with a higher use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and cocaine; more tolerance toward speeding and drinking while driving; less exercise; and more preference for fat in the diet. Our findings attest to the power of parent and peer influences in shaping seat-belt use by adolescents and suggest that not wearing seat belts can be conceptualized as one facet of a pattern of general risk-taking behavior. These findings suggest several possible educational interventions to increase seat-belt use by adolescents.
Stimulation by Prostaglandin E1 of Endocytosis and Glucose Oxidation in Canine Thyroid Slices

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) stimulated canine thyroid tissue in vitro, as exemplified by a 2- to 4-fold increase in glucose oxidation and a 40- to 100-fold increase in the number of intracellular colloid droplets. The effect on colloid droplets was detectable with a concentration of PGE1 as low as 10−7m and that on glucose oxidation at 10−6m. Both actions of PGE1 were inhibited by the lysosome stabilizer, chlorpromazine, and were additive with submaximal doses of TSH. The similarity of PGE1 action to that of TSH was also manifest in vivo; PGE1 stimulated both intracellular colloid droplet formation and 131I release. (Endocrinology 86: 423, 1970)
Preconditioning second-order elliptic operators: condition numbers and the distribution of the singular values

This work deals with theH 1 condition numbers and the distribution of theB-singular values of the preconditioned operators {B h −1 Ah}0{ith<1, whereA h andB h are conforming finite element discretizations of second-order elliptic operatorsA andB, respectively.B is also assumed to be self-adjoint and positive definite. As an improvement of the results of Manteuffel and Parter (1990), we give here an interval on which these singular valuescluster. Such an interval is called aneffective asymptotic range in this paper. In particular, if the leading part ofB is the same as the leading part ofA, then the singular values cluster aboutσ=“1.” Finally, we discuss the effects of replacingB h −1 by an approximation.
Thyroid and adrenal medullary function in chronic "executive" monkeys.

Thyroid hypersecretion measured by increases in serum PBI, serum BEI and decreases in 131I excretion is described in an “executive” monkey subjected to chronic avoidance activity. In a group of 5 such executive monkeys a rise (p < 0.01) in serum PBI occurred at the 60th working day when compared to a control group of animals. Adrenal medullectomy did not greatly influence this pattern of PBI response even though a striking decrease (p < .01) in free adrenaline excretion and increase (p < .01) in free noradrenaline excretion occurred after adrenal medullectomy. The significance of these findings is discussed in terms of their relationship to psychic influences on thyroid hormone secretion. (Endocrinology 78: 685, 1966)
Reactions and reaction intermediates on iron surfaces: II. Hydrocarbons and carboxylic acids

The reactions of hydrocarbons and carboxylic acids on Fe(100) were studied by temperatureprogrammed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Adsorbed methyl groups were observed to be stable surface intermediates formed from CH3Cl adsorption. The methyl groups reacted to form H2 and surface carbide; the rate of this reaction was given by −dσCH3dt = (8 × 1012 s−1)σCH3 exp(− 110 kJ/mole/RT). TPRS results did show that oleflns formed stable surface intermediates, though no definitive identification was possible from the studies reported here. Carboxylic acids were found to form stable carboxylate intermediates, which decomposed by first-order kinetics to form H2 and either CO2 or CO and adsorbed oxygen. The rates for formate and acetate decomposition were −dσHCOOdt = (7 × 1013s−1)σHCOOexp (−130 kJ/mole/RT), −dσCH3COOdt = (8 × 1013s−1)σCH3COOexp(−140 kJ/mole/RT). The stability of surface formates on various metal surfaces were compared and shown to correlate with the oxygen metal bond strength.
Telomere length in Trypanosoma brucei

Trypanosoma brucei thwarts the host immune response by replacing its variant surface glycoprotein (VSG). The actively transcribed VSG is located in one of approximately 20 telomeric expression sites (ES). Antigenic variation can occur by transcriptional switching, reciprocal translocations, or duplicative gene conversion events among ES or with the large repertoire of telomeric and non-telomeric VSG. In recently isolated strains, duplicative gene conversion occurs at a high frequency and predominates, but the switching frequency decreases dramatically upon laboratory-adaptation. Uniquely, T. brucei telomeres grow--apparently indefinitely--at a steady rate of 6-12 base pairs (bp) per population doubling (PD), but the telomere adjacent to an active ES undergoes frequent truncations. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we demonstrate that all of the chromosome classes of fast-switching and minimally propagated T. brucei have shorter telomeres than extensively propagated Lister 427 clones, suggesting a link between laboratory adaptation, telomere growth, and VSG switching rates.
Effect of Fiber Surface Texture Created from Silane Blends on the Strength and Energy Absorption of the Glass Fiber/Epoxy Interphase

Most of the research to date has focused on tailoring the interphase adhesion by controlling the degree of chemical bonding between fiber and resin. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) has been increased as much as 40% by modified chemical surface bonding [1—3]. However, it is well known that increasing the interfacial strength of the fiber reinforced polymeric composite material often leads to a reduction in the fracture toughness and vice versa [4—12]. In this study, the effects of mechanical interlocking, in addition to chemical bonding on the strength and energy absorption of glass fiber/epoxy interphase, were studied by creating texture on the fiber surface through the phase separation of silane blends. A series of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS)/3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPS) blends in solutions of ethanol and water was selected to treat the glass fiber surface. The fiber coated with different surface treatments shows the change in fiber surface morphology due to the addition of TEOS. X-ray phot...
Robotic pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer: the console surgeon's perspectives on surgical technique and directing the assistant.

Abstract Objective Our purpose is to describe and demonstrate basic console dissection techniques in robotic hysterectomy, aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy for endometrial carcinoma, and efficient methods to direct the assistant. Methods The operating room and patient are prepared as previously detailed. Adequate exposure is the key to a successful procedure, and a skilled bedside assistant is essential in developing the dissection. Clear communication between the console surgeon and assistant plays a critical role. In addition, proper use of the robotic fourth arm allows additional retraction and permits smooth case progression. Results We have completed more than 120 robotic hysterectomies, pelvic-aortic lymphadenectomies for endometrial cancer with these key steps. Conclusions A systematic routine and effective use of the bedside assistant is essential for successfully completing robotic hysterectomy and aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy. This manuscript and video illustrates our method emphasizing an efficient and comprehensive technique for this procedure.
Quantitation of the Triazine Herbicides Atrazine and Simazine in Water by Thin Layer Chromatography with Densitometry

Abstract A TLC-densitometric method for determination of the triazine herbicides atrazine and simazine in natural and tap water is described. Separation was carried out on silica gel G, followed by detection with silver nitrate and UV exposure. Alumina column cleanup was required for tap water. Recovery of samples fortified at 10 ppb was > 80%, and the relative standard deviation was better than 7.5%.
Acetaldehyde Production by Combined Yogurt Cultures

Abstract Acetaldehyde produced by three commercial yogurt cultures was determined during seven hours of incubation at 45C, and during four weeks of storage at 4C. All three cultures produced maximum acetaldehyde of 22 to 26ppm at the fifth hour and declined thereafter. Acetaldehyde was reduced during storage by Cultures R1 (Hansen's) and 405 (Moseley's), whereas acetaldehyde from Culture 403 (Moseley's) remained constant during two weeks of storage. When a single strain of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus was used, acetaldehyde was greatly reduced compared to that produced by combined commercial cultures.
Job stress and hypertension in younger software professionals in India.

Background: We report the results of a moderately large study (1071) to study the prevalence of hypertension among software professionals in the Indian subcontinent employed at 27 different companies in Bangalore. The focus of our study is on the age gradient of hypertension prevalence and exploring the association of workplace psychosocial predictors of hypertension. Materials and Methods: We used mixed methods sampling strategy, the first stage of which involved stratified sampling to select the clusters of software companies in Bangalore and the second stage involved selecting individual companies through purposive sampling. Job stress questionnaire was self-administered to collect information on job stress and blood pressure classification is done based on 7 th report of Joint National Commission. Results: The prevalence of hypertension among Information Technology/Information Technology Enabled Services professionals was 31% and pre-hypertension was 45.7%. The prevalence of stage-1 hypertension in the age group of 19-25 years was 18% and 23% in 26-30 years group while the prevalence of stage-2 hypertension in the age group of 19-25 years was 5% and 3% in 26-30 years group. The results indicate that dimensions of workplace autonomy and workplace environment are associated with hypertension. Conclusions: Hypertension affects the young urban Indians a decade earlier compared to available evidence. Furthermore, there is an association of autonomy and work-environment with hypertension. This signifies further exploration of underlying endocrine mechanisms. Funding: The funding UCLA International Research and Training Program and the Public Health Foundation of India provided the funding for this study. Results: The study was supported through Fogarty/UCLA International Research and Training Program (Grant Number: D43 TW000013) and the Public Health Foundation of India
Isolation and sequence of an endochitinase-encoding gene from a cDNA library of Trichoderma harzianum.

Abstract There are no reports of gene sequences coding for extracellular chitinolytic enzymes from filamentous fungi, even though these enzymes are considered critical to the biological control of plant pathogenic fungi. The purpose of this paper was to report the isolation of a gene ( ThEn-42 ) encoding endochitinase (Ech) from Trichoderma harzianum strain P1, describe its sequence, and to determine whether it was related to genes coding for enzymes with similar functions from prokaryotic or other eukaryotic sources. A clone containing a 1096-bp foreign cDNA fragment was isolated from thalli grown under induced conditions. This cDNA molecule was sequenced and found to lack a portion of the 5′ terminus. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to isolate a fragment from the λgt11 library which contained the 5′ terminus plus an overlap region with the 1096-bp cDNA clone. The full-length cDNA sequence, consisting of 1554 bp, contained an open reading frame (ORF) expressing a protein of 424 amino acids (aa). Southern analysis of genomic DNA indicated that there is only a single gene in strain P1 with sequence identity to the sequence described in this report. One region within the protein, thought to be required for catalytic activity of the enzyme, was highly conserved between genes coding for Ech from Th, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus circulons, Streptomyces plicatus, Vibrio parahemolyticus and Kluyveromyces lactis .
Cyclotron resonance in pyrolytic and single crystal graphite

Abstract Cyclotron resonance experiments on pyrolytic and single crystal graphite have yielded a sequence of resonances which can be explained solely on the basis of resonances from majority holes near point K in the Brillouin zone. Due to the interaction between the Π-bands in graphite in the presence of a magnetic field, no resonance is expected or observed from the majority electrons.
Isolation of a high-cysteine kafirin protein and its cross-reactivity with gamma-zein antiserum

Two methods were developed for the isolation of M r 30k kafirin protein from immature sorghum, one involving direct extraction with 20% (v/v) 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) and the other involving extraction with 20% (v/v) 2-ME followed by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromotography (RP-HPLC). The amino acid compositions of these isolated proteins were similar to each other and to a partially purified M r 30k kafirin from mature sorghum grain. These M r , 30k kafirins contained high levels of cysteine, proline and histidine, with low levels of aspartic acid and lysine. The molecular weight, solubility, and amino acid composition of M r 30k kafirin were similar to values published for maize gamma-zein. Structural similarity between gamma-zein and M r 30k kafirin was demonstrated through an immunological study showing cross-reactivity of the M r 30k kafirin protein and a gamma-zein antiserum. This high-cysteine M r 30k kafirin protein was named gamma-kafirin based on similarities in molecular weight, solubility and structure between it and gamma-zein of maize.
The effect of carcinogenic hydrocarbons on rodent and primate cells in vitro.

The effect of polycyclic hydrocarbons on rodent and primate cells in vitro was studied using dimethyl sulfoxide as the initial solvent for the hydrocarbons prior to their addition to the cell cultures. Because the dimethyl sulfoxide was not toxic to the cells at a final concentration in which relatively high concentrations of the hydrocarbons remained in solution in the medium, the effects of the compounds could be measured quantitatively. The carcinogenic hydrocarbons, benzpyrene and methylcholanthrene, but not the non-carcinogenic hydrocarbon, pyrene, inhibited the multiplication of normal embryonic cells from several rodent species. However, concentrations of the carcinogens as high as 10 μg/ml did not affect the growth of virus-transformed or malignant cells from these species. In contrast to the differential cytotoxic response of normal and malignant rodent cells to the carcinogenic hydrocarbons, the multiplication of normal, as well as transformed, monkey and human cells was not inhibited by benzpyrene or methylcholanthrene at concentrations of 10 to 20 μg/ml. Organ cultures of human embryonic skin initiated and maintained for ten weeks in medium containing 5 μg benzpyrene/ml showed no abnormalities in the growth rate or morphology of the fibroblasts that grew out of the explants.
Rapid Discovery of Potent siRNA-Containing Lipid Nanoparticles Enabled by Controlled Microfluidic Formulation

The discovery of potent new materials for in vivo delivery of nucleic acids depends upon successful formulation of the active molecules into a dosage form suitable for the physiological environment. Because of the inefficiencies of current formulation methods, materials are usually first evaluated for in vitro delivery efficacy as simple ionic complexes with the nucleic acids (lipoplexes). The predictive value of such assays, however, has never been systematically studied. Here, for the first time, by developing a microfluidic method that allowed the rapid preparation of high-quality siRNA-containing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for a large number of materials, we have shown that gene silencing assays employing lipoplexes result in a high rate of false negatives (~90%) that can largely be avoided through formulation. Seven novel materials with in vivo gene silencing potencies of >90% at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg in mice were discovered. This method will facilitate the discovery of next-generation reagents for LNP-mediated nucleic acid delivery.
Design, fabrication, and measurement of dielectric reflectarray antennas at 100 GHz

Dielectric reflectarray antennas are proposed as a possible low-loss solution for high gain THz antennas. A 3-D printing technology is utilized to fabricate the antenna, and numerical and experimental results are presented for a prototype operating at 100 GHz. This study shows that the proposed design approach is well suited for high gain THz antennas.
Kv2.1 and electrically silent Kv6.1 potassium channel subunits combine and express a novel current.

Heteromultimer formation between Kv potassium channel subfamilies with the production of a novel current is reported for the first time. Protein-protein interactions between Kv2.1 and electrically silent Kv6.1 α-subunits were detected using two microelectrode voltage clamp and yeast two-hybrid measurements. Amino terminal portions of Kv6.1 were unable to form homomultimers but interacted specifically with amino termini of Kv2.1. Xenopus oocytes co-injected with Kv6.1 and Kv2.1 cRNAs exhibited a novel current with decreased rates of deactivation, decreased sensitivity to TEA block, and a hyperpolarizing shift of the half maximal activation potential when compared to Kv2.1. Our results indicate that Kv channel subfamilies can form heteromultimeric channels and, for the first time, suggest a possible functional role for the Kv6 subfamily.
Dynamically learning sources of trust information: experience vs. reputation

Trust is essential when an agent must rely on others to provide resources for accomplishing its goals. When deciding whether to trust, an agent may rely on, among other types of trust information, its past experience with the trustee or on reputations provided by third-party agents. However, each type of trust information has strengths and weaknesses: trust models based on past experience are more certain, yet require numerous transactions to build, while reputations provide a quick source of trust information, but may be inaccurate due to unreliable reputation providers. This research examines how the accuracy of experience- and reputation-based trust models is influenced by parameters such as: frequency of transactions with the trustee, trustworthiness of the trustee, and accuracy of provided reputations. More importantly, this research presents a technique for dynamically learning the best source of trust information given these parameters. The demonstrated learning technique achieves payoffs equal to those achieved by the best single trust information source (experience or reputation) in nearly every scenario examined.
Effective heat capacity of interior planar thermal mass (iPTM) subject to periodic heating and cooling

Abstract Thermal mass can be effectively used for controlling temperature in buildings. Based on its location and function, building thermal mass can be classified as interior thermal mass and exterior (envelope) thermal mass. In this paper, the dynamic heat transfer performance of exterior Planar Thermal Mass (ePTM) subject to sinusoidal heating and cooling is investigated. When the mean value of outdoor air temperature is equal to indoor air temperature, solutions of temperature distribution and heat flux in ePTM are deduced analytically. Using the analytical solutions, heat exchange and thermal storage of ePTM are attained. Correspondingly, the time lag and the decrement factor are obtained; they show similarity characteristics—independent of environment temperatures. When the two temperatures are not equal, an approximated temperature distribution solution is developed based on the principle of superposition, which has been validated by numerical solutions. The approximated solution is then used to investigate the heat exchange between the ePTM and the environment. In contrast to the common belief that a large thermal mass has an apparent insulating effect, no “insulating effect of mass” under sinusoidal heating and cooling is found in this investigation. Another two rules of thumb based on common belief are corrected: a wood wall is better than a concrete wall of same thickness as exterior walls in terms of the time-lag effect and the decrement factor. The effect of the time lag is not the longer the time lag is the better its contribution to thermal comfort becomes.
A pairing method which improves convergence in Monte-Carlo estimation of quantum mechanical expectation values

Abstract The “pairing” method reduces the variance in Monte-Carlo estimates of expectation values by combining the locations of the largest and smallest contributors to these estimates. The number of paired locations and hence the variance reduction increase with the number of wave function evaluations Ne. This allows Monte-Carlo-like calculations to converge at rates faster than N e −1 2 . In particular, an evaluation of the expectation values of the potential, 〈V〉, for H2+ has a standard deviation which decreases as Ne−0.72 and an evaluation of 〈V〉 for spin-aligned H2 at the minimum in its potential well has a standard deviation which decreases as Ne−0.62.
A model of decision-making involving two information processors

Two assumptions which are generally made in decision theory are: (a) all the information necessary for decision-making is available, and thus the decision problem reduces to utilizing the information to make the best decision possible, and (b) the decision-maker is human, and if he is assisted in decision-making, the assistance is provided by humans. In this paper, we propose a model which does not make either of these assumptions. In the model, we consider information acquisition to be an integral part of the decision problem. Moreover, we consider the issue of the human and computer working jointly towards solving decision problems. Thus, the model explicitly considers the issue of more than one agent's performing information-gathering actions. The model also considers the impact of a time constraint on decision-making.
Forbidden Transitions in Pole Models with Unitary Symmetry

Two selection rules are derived which explain vanishing transition matrix elements found for many processes. A decay is forbidden in a pole model having a momentum-independent symmetry-breaking vertex and a symmetry-conserving vertex with arbitrary form factors if either (1) all propagators are equal in magnitude and the matrix elements of the symmetry-breaking vertex are proportional to those of a generator of the symmetry group, or (2) the propagators involve only known mass differences described by the Gell-Mann-Okubo mass formula and the matrix elements of the symmetry-breaking vertex are described by the $D$ coupling of three unitary octets. Applications to $K$ decays and nonleptonic $\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ decays are discussed.
Prader-Willi Syndrome

Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a relatively common complex genetic disorder that is diagnostically and therapeutically challenging to health-care professionals. Nursing observations of significant neonatal feeding problems may assist in identification of the infant with PWS. Once nurses become familiar with the characteristics of this multi-system condition, they can provide specific assistance to PWS infants and their families.
A software package for the processing and reconstruction of electron holograms

SUMMARY Electron holography is leaving its state of infancy and is rapidly becoming a tool for everyday use. This is due to the increasing availability of field-emission electron microscopes as well as the increasing use of slow-scan CCD cameras, which provide the linear image recording so essential to electron holography. At the same time, the continuing boost in performance of desktop computers both in hardware and in software has facilitated the handling of many of the complex reconstruction and processing tasks of electron holography. We describe here the software package ‘HoloWorks©’, recently developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratories. This package is designed for the processing of electron holograms stressing easy-to-use functions and is a plug-in module for Gatan's software DigitalMicrograph®.
Important Event-Tree and Fault-Tree Considerations in the Reactor Safety Study

This article discusses certain key considerations in using event trees and fault trees for risk analyses, as applied in the Reactor Safety Study. The discussions emphasize applications and practical modeling implementation.
Some Local Climate Trends in Four Cities of New York State

Abstract From historical weather records, a preliminary assessment was made of local climate changes in four major urban areas of New York State. Particular emphasis was placed on cold season precipitation and possible relationships to man's activities. Total snowfall was found to have increased significantly from about 1940, the start of a period of sharp increases in urbanization and industrialization. The relationship was merely coincidental, with the underlying cause of snowfall increases due to natural causes, apparently in part to a corresponding decline in ambient temperature. A few climate trends appeared linked to anthropogenic causes, particularly in New York City.
Exploring Kriging for Fast and Accurate Design Optimization of Nanoscale Analog Circuits

The increasing complexity of modern electronic devices driven by consumer demand and technological advancements presents significant challenges for designers. The reduced feature size and increased capabilities lead to more complex designs as more sub-systems are packed into a single chip. Traditional synthesis and optimization methods which involve CAD tools for accurate simulation are computationally time expensive and even become infeasible especially in designs using nanoelectronic technology due to increased design factors and the exponentially increasing design space. The current objective is to explore techniques that produce optimal designs while reducing the design effort. Metamodeling techniques have been used in this respect to reduce the cost of manual iterative circuit sizing during synthesis. Existing metamodeling techniques however are unable to capture the effects of process variation which are dominant in deep nanometer regions. This work explores Kriging techniques for fast and accurate design optimization of nanoscale analog circuits.
MAPK pathways activate and phosphorylate the osteoblast-specific transcription factor, Cbfa1.

The bone-specific transcription factor, Cbfa1, regulates expression of the osteocalcin (OCN) gene and is essential for bone formation. However, little is known about the mechanisms regulating Cbfa1 activity. This work examines the role of the MAPK pathway in regulating Cbfa1-dependent transcription. Stimulation of MAPK by transfecting a constitutively active form of MEK1, MEK(SP), into MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells increased endogenous OCN mRNA, while a dominant negative mutant, MEK(DN), was inhibitory. MEK(SP) also stimulated activity of a 147-base pair minimal OCN promoter, and this stimulation required an intact copy of OSE2, the DNA binding site for Cbfa1. Effects of MEK(SP) were specific to Cbfa1-positive osteoblast-like cells. A purified His-tagged Cbfa1 fusion protein was directly phosphorylated by activated recombinant MAPK in vitro. Furthermore, 32P metabolic labeling studies demonstrated that MEK(SP) clearly enhanced phosphorylation of Cbfa1 in intact cells, while MEK(DN) decreased phosphorylation. The specific MEK1/MEK2 inhibitor, PD98059, inhibited extracellular matrix-dependent up-regulation of the OCN promoter, indicating that the MAPK pathway and, presumably, Cbfa1 phosphorylation are also required for responsiveness of osteoblasts to extracellular matrix signals. This study is the first demonstration that Cbfa1 is controlled by MAPKs and suggests that this pathway has an important role in the control of osteoblast-specific gene expression.