cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complete genome sequence of plant growth promoting Pseudomonas aeruginosa AJ D 2 an isolate from monocropic cotton rhizosphere.

Abstract A plant growth promoting Pseudomonas aeruginosa AJD 2 was isolated from monocropic cotton rhizosphere of Maharashtra state, India. The strain was identified as per physiological, biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequencing (Accession number MG234531). The strain possess multiple functional plant growth promoting traits and antifungal activity. The genome was extracted, purified and library of avg.515 bp was prepared and sequenced by over Illumina platform. The sequenced genome was studied by using CLC workbench and NCBI pipeline using Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa YL84 as reference assembler. The size of the genome is 6.1 Mb with 5802 genes within it. The study over strain may give an insight into its plant growth promotion mechanism.
Nucleus Pulposus Primary Cilia Alter Their Length in Response to Changes in Extracellular Osmolarity but Do Not Control TonEBP-mediated Osmoregulation

The nucleus pulposus (NP) cells adapt to their physiologically hyperosmotic microenvironment through Tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein (TonEBP/nuclear factor of activated T-cell5 [NFAT5])-mediated osmoregulation. Primary cilia in different organs serve diverse roles including osmosensing, but its contribution to NP cell osmoadaptive response is unknown. A high percentage of cultured primary NP cells possessed primary cilia that changed length in response to osmotic stimuli. Stable silencing of Intraflagellar Transport 88 (Ift88) or Kinesin Family Member 3 A (Kif3a) to inhibit the formation of primary cilia did not affect hyperosmotic upregulation of TonEBP. While ShKif3a blocked hyperosmotic increase of TonEBP-Transactivation Domain (TAD) activity, overall the knockdown of either gene did not alter the hyperosmotic status of proximal promoter activities and transcription of key TonEBP targets. On the other hand, a small decrease in TonEBP level under hypoosmotic condition was attenuated by Ift88 or Kif3a knockdown. Noteworthy, none of the TonEBP target genes were responsive to hypoosmotic stimulus in control and Ift88 or Kif3a knockdown cells, suggesting the primary role of TonEBP in the hyperosmotic adaptation of NP cells. Similarly, in Kif3a null mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), the overall TonEBP-dependent hyperosmotic responses were preserved. Unlike NP cells, TonEBP targets were responsive to hypoosmolarity in wild-type MEFs, and these responses remained intact in Kif3a null MEFs. Together, these results suggest that primary cilia are dispensable for TonEBP-dependent osmoadaptive response.
Toward technically feasible and economically efficient integration of distributed energy resources

This paper formulates the efficient and feasible participation of distributed energy resources (DERs) in complex electricity services as a centralized nonlinear optimization problem first. This problem is then re-stated using the novel energy/power transformed state space. It is shown that the DER dynamics in closed-loop can be made linear in this new state space. The decision making by the DERs then becomes a distributed model predictive control problem and it forms the basis for deriving physically implementable convex market bids. A multi-layered interactive optimization for clearing the distributed bids by higher layer decision makers, such as market aggregators, is posed and shown to lead to near-optimal system-level performance at the slower market clearing rates. A proof-of-concept example is illustrated involving close to one hundred heterogeneous controllable DERs with real consumption data of a distribution feeder in Texas, contributing to automatic generation control (AGC).
Technological and Organizational Innovations and Financial Performance: Evidence from Nonprofit Human Service Organizations

The aim of this research was to explore whether several types of innovations were related to relevant measures of nonprofit organizations’ financial performance. Data on innovations were collected via a survey of nonprofit human service organizations. Financial performance indicators were obtained from IRS 990 forms. The results showed that technological innovation was not a significant predictor of financial performance. Organizational innovation was a significant predictor of total assets, total revenues, and ER. Based on the results of this study, practice implications are discussed along with suggestions for future research.
The Learning Curve for Shared Decision-making in Symptomatic Aortic Stenosis.

Importance Shared decision-making (SDM) is widely advocated for patients with valvular heart disease yet is not integrated into the heart team model for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis. Decision aids (DAs) have been shown to improve patient-centered outcomes and may facilitate SDM. Objective To determine whether the repeated use of a DA by heart teams is associated with greater SDM, along with improved patient-centered outcomes and clinician attitudes about DAs. Design, Setting, and Participants This mixed-methods study included a nonrandomized pre-post intervention and clinician interviews. It was conducted between April 30, 2015, and December 7, 2017, with quantitative analysis performed between January 12, 2017, and May 26, 2017, within 2 academic medical centers in northern New England among 35 patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis who were at high to prohibitive risk for surgery. The qualitative analysis was performed between August 6, 2018, and May 7, 2019. The Severe Aortic Stenosis Decision Aid was delivered by 6 clinicians, with patients choosing between transcatheter aortic valve replacement and medical management. Main Outcomes and Measures Clinician SDM performance was measured using the Observer OPTION5scale with dual-independent coding of audiotaped clinic visits. Previsit and postvisit surveys measured the patient’s knowledge, satisfaction, and decisional conflict. Audiotaped clinician interviews were coded, and qualitative thematic analysis was performed. Results Six male clinicians and 35 patients (19 of 34 women [55.9%; 1 survey was missing]; mean [SD] age, 85.8 [7.8] years) participated in the study. Shared decision-making increased stepwise with repeated use of the DA (mean [SD] Observer OPTION5scores: usual care, 17.9 [7.6]; first use of a DA, 60.5 [30.9]; fifth use of a DA, 79.0 [8.4];P Conclusion and Relevance In a mixed-methods pilot study, use of a DA for severe aortic stenosis by heart team clinicians was associated with improved SDM and patient-centered outcomes. However, in qualitative interviews, heart team clinicians did not perceive a significant benefit of the DA, and therefore sustained implementation is unlikely. This pilot study of SDM clarifies new research directions for heart teams.
Classifying Anomalies for Network Security

Detecting and classifying anomalous behaviors in computer networks remains a formidable challenge. This work outlines a machine learning technique that uses deep neural networks to detect and classify a variety of network attacks. Our approach is based on that hypothesis that different network attacks generate a distinguishable change in entropy of certain network flow features. To generate a training and validation dataset, we inject synthetic attacks of different types and intensities into raw packet capture data collected from an internet backbone link by the MAWI group. Experimental results show that our machine learning classification model can achieve high accuracy for network attacks in which attack intensities are as low as 5% of overall traffic.
Ethnic-racial identity, gender identity, and well-being in Cherokee early adolescents.

Objectives We examined ethnic-racial and gender identities and their relations to self-esteem and well-being among Cherokee early adolescents. We also explored gender differences in the significance to boys and girls of ethnic-racial and gender identities. Method The sample consisted of 212 Cherokee 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls and boys (Mage = 12.7 years). Adolescents completed survey measures of gender and ethnic-racial centrality, gender private regard, ethnic-racial private regard, ethnic-racial public regard, self-esteem, and three measures of well-being. Results Both genders reported high levels of the importance of being Cherokee to their identity (i.e., centrality), and strong positive attitudes toward being Cherokee (i.e., ethnic-racial private regard). Boys perceived gender as more important and more positive than girls. Among girls, ethnic-racial identity was more central and was viewed more positively than their gender identity. Mean levels of ethnic-racial and gender centrality did not differ for boys, nor did their reports of ethnic-racial and gender private regard. Youth's perceptions that others hold Cherokees in high regard (public regard) decreased across the grade levels. For both boys and girls, gender identity dimensions had stronger relations than ethnic-racial identity to psychosocial outcomes. Conclusions For this sample of Cherokee adolescents, ethnic-racial identity held more prominence for girls than for boys, although aspects of gender identity were more strongly related to well-being for both genders. Results of the study indicate the significance of considering multiple identities in understanding identity development in American Indian adolescents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Water Controls Membrane Protein Stability

Through the insertion of nonpolar side chains into the bilayer, the hydrophobic effect has long been accepted as a driving force for membrane protein folding. However, how the changing chemical composition of the bilayer affects the magnitude side chain transfer free energies ({Delta}G{degrees}SC) has historically not been well understood. A particularly challenging region for experimental interrogation is the bilayer interfacial region that is characterized by a steep polarity gradient. In this study we have determined the {Delta}G{degrees}SC for nonpolar side chains as a function of bilayer position using a combination of experiment and simulation. We discovered an empirical correlation between the surface area of nonpolar side chain, {Delta}G{degrees}SC, and local water concentration in the membrane that allows for {Delta}G{degrees}SC to be accurately estimated at any location in the bilayer. Using these water-to-bilayer {Delta}G{degrees}SC we have calculated the interface-to-bilayer transfer free energy ({Delta}G{degrees}i,b). We find that the {Delta}G{degrees}i,b are similar to the "biological", translocon-based transfer free energies, indicating that the translocon energetically mimics the bilayer interface. Together these findings should increase the accuracy of computational workflows used to identify and design membrane proteins, as well as increase our understanding of how disease-causing mutations affect membrane protein folding and function.
Use of laser iridoplasty in iris incarceration of a glaucoma drainage device.

Abstract Purpose To describe the use of laser iridoplasty to release iris incarceration occluding a glaucoma drainage device. Observations A 46-year-old male with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus presented with neovascular glaucoma and subsequently had a glaucoma drainage device implanted for control of intraocular pressure. One month post-operatively, he presented with a significantly elevated intraocular pressure, thought to be due to poor drainage from iris incarceration in the device. He had recently developed a vitreous hemorrhage and hyphema, and he had florid neovascularization of the iris, thus raising concern that traditional neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) iridotomy would promote re-formation of the hyphema. Thus, a diode solid-state laser iridoplasty was performed around the site of incarceration, resulting in successful release of the iris from the device without hyphema formation. Conclusions and Importance Glaucoma drainage devices are effective tools to help control intraocular pressure. However, they risk post-operative complications, such as iris incarceration within the device, that prevents them from functioning properly. In such cases, Nd:YAG laser iridotomy is often used around the site of incarceration, thus releasing it from the device. In this case report, we describe how diode solid-state laser can be used to release the iris incarceration via iridoplasty. Such iridoplasty may result in a decreased likelihood of hyphema formation as compared to Nd:YAG iridotomy, so this provides a superior alternative in patients with a propensity for developing a hyphema, such as in patients with iris neovascularization.
A Summary of Recent Urban Form Literature and Discussion of the Implications for Real Estate Developers and Investors

Recent literature using the city and its shape as a lens through which to examine various socio-technical phenomena adds new and important perspective to conversations about real estate, efficient ...
A stress-induced Tyrosine tRNA depletion response mediates codon-based translational repression and growth suppression

SUMMARY Eukaryotic transfer RNAs can become selectively fragmented upon various stresses, generating tRNA-derived small RNA fragments. Such fragmentation has been reported to impact a small fraction of the tRNA pool and thus presumed to not directly impact translation. We report that oxidative stress can rapidly generate tyrosine tRNAGUA fragments in human cells—causing significant depletion of the precursor tRNA. Tyrosine tRNAGUA depletion impaired translation of growth and metabolic genes enriched in cognate tyrosine codons. Depletion of tyrosine tRNAGUA or its translationally regulated targets USP3 and SCD repressed proliferation—revealing a dedicated tRNA-regulated growth suppressive pathway for oxidative stress response. Tyrosine fragments are generated in a DIS3L2 exoribonuclease-dependent manner and inhibit hnRNPA1-mediated transcript destabilization. Moreover, tyrosine fragmentation is conserved in C. elegans. Thus, tRNA fragmentation can coordinately generate trans-acting small-RNAs and functionally deplete a tRNA. Our findings reveal the existence of an underlying adaptive codon-based regulatory response inherent to the genetic code.
Equity short selling and the cost of debt

Empirical evidence suggests that short sales have pertinent information about firm fundamentals. If so, then information from short selling in liquid equity markets can be informative for infrequently traded corporate bonds. The adverse information conveyed by short interest should mean higher cost of debt. Using a large sample of corporate bonds, we examine whether lagged equity short interest affects credit spreads. Highly shorted firms do experience wider credit spreads in the subsequent months. Moreover, the increase in short interest leads to higher credit spreads. Short interest thus seems to contain adverse information about firm fundamentals that can prove useful to bond investors.
The algorithmic turn in conservation biology: Characterizing progress in ethically-driven sciences.

Abstract As a discipline distinct from ecology, conservation biology emerged in the 1980s as a rigorous science focused on protecting biodiversity. Two algorithmic breakthroughs in information processing made this possible: place-prioritization algorithms and geographical information systems. They provided defensible, data-driven methods for designing reserves to conserve biodiversity that obviated the need for largely intuitive and highly problematic appeals to ecological theory at the time. But the scientific basis of these achievements and whether they constitute genuine scientific progress has been criticized. We counter by pointing out important inaccuracies about the science and rejecting the apparent theory-first focus. More broadly, the case study reveals significant limitations of the predominant epistemic-semantic conceptions of scientific progress and the considerable merits of pragmatic, practically-oriented accounts.
Discussing Issues of Information Technology in Country Development

The development of countries with laggard economies is becoming a global concern. The harmful complications of poverty and illiteracy are beginning to show up outside those countries in violent forms. The precautions against this migration of harm are splitting the world apart at the same time as technology may become able to bring it together. Over the last few years, information technology (IT) has grown very fast and is still spreading into all aspects of life in developed countries. The recent research in those countries is bringing more evidence that IT is a leveraging tool for business and not a luxury. This paper discusses the potential role IT could play in developing a country. We start by raising the awareness about the major factors of development of relevance to the thesis topic: natural resources, location, industrialization and education. We identify the two main approaches to development and point out the potential of each using cases of two exemplary
Maternal high fat diet during pregnancy induces similar miRNA changes in F1 generation male germ cells and F3 generation female mammary glands (LB309)

Maternal dietary exposures during pregnancy can initiate epigenetic inheritance of increased breast cancer risk, perhaps including changes in miRNAs. In this study, we investigated whether the epigenetic inheritance occurs through paternal lineage by studying changes in miRNAs in the male germ cells. Pregnant C57BL/6NTac mothers were fed either a control (CON, 6% corn oil) or isocaloric high n-6 polyunsaturated fat (HF) diet (18% corn oil) between gestation days 8 and 21. Offspring in the subsequent generations (F1-F3) were not exposed to any further dietary modifications and were kept on CON diet. F3 female HF offspring exhibited significantly higher mammary tumor incidence (50% had mammary tumors) than the control offspring (32%). We extracted germ line RNA from the sperm cells of 50-day-old F1 male offspring and RNA from the mammary glands of F3 female offspring. Expression levels of miRNAs were examined between CON and HF sperm cells and between CON and HF exposed mammary glands. A total of 10 miRNAs ...
Full Abstraction and Unnested Recursion

We begin with the assumption that we are given a basic programming language L without identifiers (i.e., variables), which is, nonetheless, fairly expressive. We also assume L has been provided with both an operational semantics and a denotational semantics. Furthermore, the denotational semantics is adequate and fully abstract with respect to the operational semantics. After clarifying exactly what these assumptions entail, 1. we discuss what it means to extend L algebraically to a language L[X] by the addition of identifiers, 2. we discuss the semantics of L[X] in the context of possibly self-referential environments (i.e., systems of recursive definitions of the identifiers), and 3. we show that extremely mild topological assumptions about the operational model ensure that adequacy and full abstraction of the denotational semantics of L[X] with respect to its operational semantics follow automatically from the corresponding results for L.
A Framing Analysis of African-American and Native-American Owned Micro-enterprises: How Can Information and Communication Technology Support Their Development?

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been touted as means of increasing economic development by providing improvements in the lives of people where the use of technology leads to better livelihoods. Despite the high access and use of ICTs in the United States, high unemployment and poverty rates among Native Americans and African Americans continues to rise while deepening existing income inequalities. Through a framing analysis of Native American and African American micro-entrepreneurs, this paper investigates the use of ICTs in six micro-enterprises. Our findings reveal strong community and infrastructure frames in Native American micro-enterprises and their use of Information Technology (IT) products and services for business and economic development. The African American micro-enterprises studied showed low levels of trust affecting their use of ICTs in their businesses. This has important implications for how ICTs may support these micro-enterprises.
Self‐Fulfilling Prophesies, Placebo Effects, and the Social–Psychological Creation of Reality

In this essay, we pull together foundational research from the psychological, sociological, and medical sciences to illuminate the undeniable influence of the psychosocial context in constructing objective reality. From psychology, we review the growing body of research on how beliefs and expectations about common experiences (e.g., nutrition, stress, and aging) can fundamentally alter the impact of those experiences. From sociology, we review the role of social influence in constructing the quality and impact of cultural products and experiences. And from medicine, we review the neurological and physiological underpinnings of the placebo effect, a powerful demonstration of expectation and social context to produce physiological changes in the body. As we align evidence from these related—although currently disconnected—fields, we uncover important limitations from within each field of study and portray how an integrative approach can offer a more rich and comprehensive understanding of the phenomena underlying the social–psychological creation of reality. Combining foundational research with the interdisciplinary findings from our laboratory, we explore how psychological and social contexts can fundamentally alter the psychological, behavioral, and physiological effects of one of the most common human experiences: drinking water. To conclude, we present a series of questions and suggestions to assist and inspire further interdisciplinary collaboration. We offer a pathway for researchers to more frequently acknowledge, more thoroughly understand, and more effectively utilize the power of psychosocial influence to effect positive change in a number of disciplines including marketing, medicine, and public health. Keywords: mindset; perception; belief; social influence; self-fulfilling prophesy; expectancy; valuation; placebo effect
Diode-Laser-Pumped 551-nm Upconversion Laser in YLiF4;Er3+

A single-mode diode laser at 802 nm was used to pump the 4I15/2➝4I9/2 transition of YLiF4Er3+, producing up to 2.3 mW of laser output at 551 nm (4S3/2 - 4I15/2) at 50 K; 0.5 mW of green output were obtained at 77 K. The upconversion mechanisms were found to depend on the pump wavelength. Energy transfer crossrelaxation is generally the dominant mechanism, but at certain pump wavelengths two-step absorption becomes important. Lasing at 560.6 nm from the 2H9/2 level is also reported. Although the upconversion excitation of 2H9/2 requires more than two pump photons, the efficiency of this laser is comparable to that at 551 nm which uses a two-step process.
Regional anesthesia does not consistently block ischemic pain: two further cases and a review of the literature.

Objective Ischemic pain is complex and poorly understood. There is controversy regarding whether or not regional anesthetic techniques block ischemic pain. We present two further cases where regional anesthesia did not block ischemic pain despite adequate motor and sensory block. Case Report 1 A 29-year-old healthy male underwent elective right lateral ankle ligament reconstruction for ankle instability with single-injection femoral and sciatic nerve blocks as the sole anesthetic. He reported no pain during or after surgery; approximately 90 min after the cast dressing was applied, he complained of severe pain in his medial ankle despite persistent complete sensory and motor blockade. The cast was removed, and he had immediate and complete resolution of his pain, which was thought to be due to ischemia. Case Report 2 A 45-year-old female with a history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and 30 pack-year smoking history presented with increasingly cold, cyanotic, and painful fingers in her right hand. She suffered necrotic lesions of her 4th and 5th fingers accompanied by severe ischemic type pain. A continuous C7 cervical paravertebral block was placed. Despite dense sensory and motor blockade, she still reported excruciating pain that ultimately required amputation after developing demarcated gangrene. Conclusion The two cases support the growing body of evidence that ischemic pain is largely unaffected by regional anesthesia, even with adequate sensory and motor block. The prevailing understanding regarding peripheral nerve blocks in patients in danger of developing compartment syndrome should be reconsidered.
Low-power electrically controlled thermoelastic microvalves integrated in thermoplastic microfluidic devices

One of the major needs for the successful miniaturization of microfluidic systems is the integration of portable, low-voltage, low-power microvalves to manipulate the fluid flow through a network of microchannels. We report here a low-power, thermally actuated, elastomer-based microvalve with thermal isolation, which is then integrated in a thermoplastic microfluidic device. In the 6-layer design of each microvalve, the microfabricated heater that provides the thermal energy for the valve actuation is thermally isolated via an insulation cavity which reduces the heat dissipation to the surrounding. The 6-layer all-plastic microvalve was fabricated and showed a 40 % reduction in power consumption compared to the 4-layer design when the same duration was used for closing valves. A thermal model using COMSOL software was created to obtain further insight to the temperature profile in the microvalve region. The model was validated by comparing the simulated temperatures with experimentally measured values. The simulated values closely agreed with the measured temperatures. In addition, a two-step power application was created, which further reduced the power requirement. An initial power of 37 mW was used to close the valve in 11 s. After closure, a lower second-step power of 12 mW enabled the valve to remain closed for 15 min, which was only one-third of the initial power. By combining structural and operational improvement, the overall power consumption of the microvalve was reduced by 80 %. The 6-layer microvalve with two-step operation has the potential to realize a battery-operated microfluidic device for biological assays.
A hybrid PO/NF-FF method to estimate the blockage effects on the performance of spacecraft mounted reflector antennas

This paper addresses a hybrid PO/NF-FF method using near-field to far-field transformation combined with null-fill hypothesis to estimate the effect of blockage on the far-field pattern and beam efficiency of reflector antennas. The main advantage of this method is that it can be potentially used for any arbitrary shape of blockage or side components. To estimate the blocking effect on the beam efficiency, a new definition of beam efficiency is introduced based on the total forward radiated power in the near-field measurement plane. A new parameter, "power ratio", is also defined for the cases where the blocking effect of deployed components can not be observed easily. Lastly, the results are shown for a case study in which the effect of some side panels is estimated on the reflector performance.
The missing piece of the puzzle: the discovery of the Higgs boson

The missing piece of the puzzle: the discovery of the Higgs boson On July 4, 2012 the CMS and ATLAS collaborations at the large hadron collider jointly announced the discovery of a new elementary particle, which resembled the Higgs boson, the last remaining undiscovered piece of the standard model of elementary particles. Both groups claimed to have observed a five-standard-deviation (five sigmas) effect above background, the gold standard for discovery in high-energy physics. In this essay I will briefly discuss the how the CMS collaboration performed the experiment and analyzed the data. I will also show the experimental results.
Identity of peroxy radicals produced from vitamin K in oxygenated solutions as studied by pulse radiolysis technique

Summary The transient optical absorption spectra of the peroxy radicals of vitamin K were observed in aqueous solutions using the fast reaction technique of pulse radiolysis and kinetic absorption spectrophotometry. From the change in absorbance of the transient spectra with pH, the ionization constants (pK) for these radicals were determined. The pK values for the hydroxyl and peroxy radical adducts were found to be 5.7 and 5.5, respectively. The efficiency and rate of electron transfer from these peroxy radicals to p-benzoquinone (BQ) were determined. Electron transfer from the peroxy radical anion to BQ is very efficient (60%) leading to the formation of BQ − . The importance of these radicals in oxidation and biochemical reactions are discussed.
Smoothing methods for complementarity problems in process engineering

Complementarity is central to all constrained optimization problems. However, direct enforcement of complementarity conditions is difficult because of the inherent nondifferentiability associated with them. Here, a class of smoothing methods for solving the complementarity problem by using a continuation algorithm to solve nonlinear equations is studied. The applicability of smoothing methods to approximate complicated nested derivative discontinuities is investigated using simple functions with a single smoothing parameter. In addition, an equation-based formulation for solving the phase equilibrium problem with complementarity conditions is formulated. This approach can model the appearance and disappearance of phases directly in phase equilibrium problems. Moreover, it is shown how smoothing methods can be used to solve limiting distillation cases, such as dry and vaporless trays, modeled within an equation-based formulation.
TEACHING INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN A BASIC TECHNICAL WRITING COURSE : A SURVEY OF OUR CURRENT PRACTICES AND METHODS

This research article reports the results of an online survey distributed among technical writing instructors in 2006. The survey aimed to examine how we teach intercultural communication in basic technical writing courses: our current practices and methods. The article discusses three major challenges that instructors may face when teaching about intercultural communication. These challenges concern teacher preparation, time and proposed goals and objectives, and teaching materials and methods. This article provides some suggestions for addressing the challenges and enriching a technical writing curriculum.
Radiation-induced nucleation in superheated liquid droplet neutron detectors

Abstract Superheated liquid droplet (“bubble”) dosimeters are relatively new devices which utilize the nucleation of liquid droplets to detect neutrons. A theoretical model was developed to predict the response of such detectors to both polyenergetic and monoenergetic thermal neutron fluxes. Experiments were conducted with spontaneous fission neutron sources as well as purely thermal neutrons at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, confirming the model. Additionally, an inhibition temperature was predicted, below which no response to thermal neutrons is expected. Data was obtained to verify this prediction.
Influence of surface orientation and defects on early-stage oxidation and ultrathin oxide growth on pure copper

We investigate oxidation and oxide growth on single-crystal copper surfaces using reactive molecular dynamics simulation. The kinetics of surface oxide growth are strongly correlated with the microstructure of the metal substrates. Simulating oxide layer growth along the (100), (110), and (111) orientations of crystalline copper, oxidation characteristics are investigated at temperatures of 300 K and 600 K. The oxidation kinetics are found to strongly depend on the surface orientation, ambient temperature, and surface defects. The effect of surface morphology on oxidation characteristics is analyzed by comparing oxygen adsorption on various sites and the structure factor. The surface oxide formed on (100) retains the initial crystal structure in the 300–600 K range. The (100) surface shows the highest oxidation rate at both temperature conditions but saturates, facilitating oxygen adsorption on hollow sites. The oxidation kinetics of the (100) orientation are found to be not significantly affected by surf...
Finding genes underlying risk of complex disease by linkage disequilibrium mapping.

Abstract Identification of genes that harbor variation associated with inter-individual differences in risk of complex diseases remains one of the most challenging and important problems in human genetics. For genetic variants that are sufficiently common and have sufficiently large effects, direct tests of association through linkage disequilibrium with anonymous SNPs may prove effective. But the two critical parameters — the frequency of risk-inflating alleles and the magnitudes of their effect on risk — remain largely unknown. In this review we consider the latest information regarding the likely efficacy of the linkage disequilibrium mapping approach.
Oxytocin receptors in bovine mammary tissue.

AbstractOxytocin receptors were identified and characterized in bovine mammary tissue. [3H]-oxytocin was specifically bound to the 105,000 × g particulate fractions from 5 lactating cows and 5 non-lactating cows. Binding reached equilibrium by 50 min at 20°C and by 8 hr at 4°C. The half-time of displacement at 20°C was approximately 1 hr. ACTH, TRH, angiotensin I, angiotensin II, pentagastrin, bradykinin, xenopsin and L-valyl-histidyl-L-leucyl-L-threonyl-L-prolyl-L-valyl-L-glutamyl-L-lysine were not competitive in the dose range tested at 20°C. The ability of other peptides to inhibit 3H-oxytocin binding was as follows: oxytocin > vasotocin > arginine - vasopressin >lysine - vaso-pressin > Pen1 Phe2 Thr4 - oxytocin. The Kd of the oxytocin receptor averaged 1.66 ± 1.19 nMol/L for lactating cows and 0.97± 0.49 nMol/L for non-lactating cows, respectively. The maximum number of binding sites was 0.14 ± 0.12 nM/mg protein and 0.15 ± 0.08 nM/mg protein for lactating cows and non-lactating cows, respectively. Id...
A Comparative Study of Approaches for Predicting Prostate Cancer from Longitudinal Data

Disease prediction based on longitudinal data can be done using various modeling approaches. Alternative approaches are compared using data from a longitudinal study to predict the onset of disease. The data are modeled using linear mixed-effects models. Posterior probabilities of group membership are computed starting with the first observation and sequentially adding observations until the subject is classified as developing the disease or until the last measurement is used. Individuals are classified by computing posterior probabilities using the marginal distributions of the mixed-effects models, the conditional distributions (conditional on the group-specific random effects), and the distributions of the random effects.
Evidence That the Mammary Fat Pad Mediates the Action of Growth Hormone in Mammary Gland Development

Recent evidence from our laboratory suggests that GH and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mediate glandular mammary development together with estrogen. It has also been well established that both stromal and epithelial elements must interact for mammary glandular development to occur. To determine whether the effect of GH is mediated by the stromal or epithelial tissue, we set up the following experiment. Bovine GH (bGH; 100 microg) or BSA (as a control), without or with estradiol (E2), was injected i.p. into sexually immature female rats that were hypophysectomized and oophorectomized. Mammary glands and subscapular fat pads were removed from the animals. The mammary glands were divided into two parts: a gland-free fat pad and remaining glandular tissue. The end point of bGH activity was induction of IGF-I messenger RNA (mRNA). This was determined quantitatively by solution hybridization and also by RT-PCR. We found that the effects of GH on stimulation of IGF-I mRNA in the gland-free mammary fat pad and the remainder of the mammary gland were similar (3.6- vs. 3.9-fold, respectively; P < 0.001). In both sorts of mammary tissue, bGH was found to synergize with E2 in the induction of IGF-I mRNA (5.8- vs. 5.3-fold; P < 0.001). There was also an increase in IGF-I mRNA in subscapular fat pads in response to 100 microg bGH (5.3-fold; P < 0.001); however, no synergism between bGH and E2 was found. These data indicate that bGH works as well on mammary stromal tissue as on tissue with glands and suggests that GH acts on the stromal compartment of the mammary gland to induce IGF-I mRNA and possibly IGF-I itself, which, in turn, causes differentiation of epithelial ducts into terminal end buds. These data also might explain why mammary epithelium is also able to differentiate in nonmammary fat pads when transplanted there.
Oil and Gas Developments in West Virginia in 1951

The total number of wells drilled in West Virginia in 1951 reported to March 21, 1952, was 696, a decrease of 48, or 6.3 per cent. Permits to drill or deepen total 744, or 104 less than in 1950, or a decrease of 12.3 per cent. Abandoned during the year were approximately 345 gas wells and 654 oil wells, which includes estimates for wells abandoned under original drilling permit numbers. Wells completed were: gas, 463; oil, 71; oil and gas, 15; storage, brine, water injection, and pressure, 30; dry holes, 117. Compared with 1950, gas wells increased 46, or 11 per cent; oil wells decreased 35, or 49 per cent; oil and gas wells decreased 19, or 56 per cent; storage and other wells, no change; dry holes decreased 40, or 25.5 per cent. Depth of wells completed ranged from 200 o 9,085 feet, compared with 220 to 6,097 feet in 1950. The 9,085-foot well was actually shut down at that depth at end of 1950 as reported last year but was not then considered completed. Total footage drilled (2,014,576) increased 29,636 feet, or 1.5 per cent over 1950. The average depth of wells (2,895 feet) increased 227 feet, or 8.5 per cent over 1950. The total initial daily open flow of the gas wells was 355,853 MCF, a decrease of 112,541 MCF, or 24 per cent under 1950. The size of the gas wells ranged from 6 to 16,817 MCF, compared with 11 to 25,000 MCF in 1950. The total daily initial oil was 1,122 barrels, 406¼ barrels less than in 1950, or 26.6 per cent. The size of the oil wells ranged from 2 to 180 barrels daily, compared with ¼ to 80 barrels in 1950. The number of ells drilling or unreported if completed at the end of the year was 306, 7 less than at the end of 1950. Letters were sent to 223 operators regarding 442 wells not reported. Replies were received from 155 operators regarding 353 wells, leaving 68 operators unheard from regarding 89 wells. The average size of gas wells was 757 MCF compared with 1,079 MCF in 1950, a 30 per cent decrease. The average size of the oil wells was 14.2 barrels compared with 12.4 barrels in 1950, an increase of 14.5 per cent. Preliminary estimates of production for 1951: gas, 194,630,000 MCF, a decrease of 2,580,000 MCF under 1950, or 1.3 per cent; oil, 2,757,000 barrels, a decrease of 31,000 barrels under 1950, or 1 1/8 per cent. The estimated number of producing wells at the end of 1951: gas, 14,000; oil, 14,00 . Table gives statistics by counties.
Clusterin, a Binding Protein with a Molten Globule-like Region†

Clusterin is a heterodimeric glycoprotein found in many tissues of the body and is the most abundant protein secreted by cultured rat Sertoli cells. The function of clusterin is unknown, but it has...
X-ray tomographic microscopy investigation of the ductile rupture of an aluminum foil bonded between sapphire blocks

Metal/ceramic interfaces play a critical role in determining the mechanical behavior of composite materials. In metal-matrix composites (MMCs), the presence of the reinforcing phase places the normally ductile matrix phase in a highly constrained state of stress. Strong interfaces between matrix and reinforcement favor crack advance by ductile rupture of the metal, while weak interfaces favor debonding. In practice, the introduction of reinforcements into a metal produces a variability in behavior that limits its commercial application. Because of this, micromechanics models of failure have been developed for these systems that attempt to describe the failure mechanisms. The authors have experimentally duplicated the simplified geometry of the micromechanics models and subjected the specimens to a well defined stress state in bending. The bend tests were interrupted and XTM was performed to reveal the mechanism of crack extension.
Distorted segregation and linkage of alcohol dehydrogenase genes in Camellia japonica L. (Theaceae).

Alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes in Camellia japonica are encoded by two genes, Adh-1 and Adh-2. Both loci are expressed in seeds, and their products randomly associate into intragenic and intergenic dimers. Electrophoresis of leaf extracts reveals only the products of Adh-2. Formal genetic analysis indicated that the two Adh loci are tightly linked (combined estimate of r=0.004). Most segregations fit expected Mendelian ratios, but in some families distorted segregation was observed at Adh-1, Adh-2, or both loci. The deficient progeny class varied across families, and in two apparent backcrosses three rather than two phenotypic classes were recovered. The mechanism underlying these distortions is not known, but evidence is presented that suggests that the phenomenon is genic or segmental in nature. Plausible hypotheses include linkage of the Adh structural genes with a gametophytic self-incompatibility locus, translocation heterozygosity involving the segment bearing Adh-1 and Adh-2, or a combination of these two mechanisms.
Endoscopic Ultrasonography in the Differential Diagnosis of Pancreatic Disease: A Preliminary Report

Endoscopic ultrasonography was performed in 14 patients with suspected pancreatic disease. Cancer of the pancreas was recognized in 60% of the cases, while chronic pancreatitis was recognized 100% of the time. Technical difficulties limited the success of the examination in 28.5% of cases. The presence or absence of pancreatic disease can be determined in most cases by endoscopic ultrasonography, although we have not as yet discovered any specific finding(s) that reliably differentiate pancreatic cancer from chronic pancreatis.
Plant nitrogen and phosphorus limitation in 98 North American grassland soils

The availability of nutrients is a critical determinant of ecological dynamics in grasslands, but the relationships between soil resource availability and nutrient limitation across ecosystems are not clear. To better understand how soil nutrient availability determines nutrient limitation in vegetation, we grew the same species of grass (Schizachyrium scoparium) in 98 North American grassland soils and fertilized them factorially with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). On average adding N, P, and the two nutrients together increased biomass relative to unfertilized plants by 81%, 22%, and 131%, respectively. Plants grown on low-P soils were not primarily limited by P. Instead, these plants were colimited by N and P, while plants grown on high-P soils were primarily limited by N and only secondarily limited by P. Limitation was not predicted by total soil N. The preponderance of colimitation between N and P on low-P soils suggests that low P availability alters the N cycle to constrain supplies to plants such that N and P are made available in proportion to their demand by plants.
Plasmodesmata dynamics are coordinated by intracellular signaling pathways

Membrane-lined channels called plasmodesmata (PD) connect the cytoplasts of adjacent plant cells across the cell wall, permitting intercellular movement of small molecules, proteins, and RNA. Recent genetic screens for mutants with altered PD transport identified genes suggesting that chloroplasts play crucial roles in coordinating PD transport. Complementing this discovery, studies manipulating expression of PD-localized proteins imply that changes in PD transport strongly impact chloroplast biology. Ongoing efforts to find genes that control root and stomatal development reveal the critical role of PD in enforcing tissue patterning, and newly discovered PD-localized proteins show that PD influence development, intracellular signaling, and defense against pathogens. Together, these studies demonstrate that PD function and formation are tightly integrated with plant physiology.
Study of effect of extrusion rate on the stability of polypropylene fiber with chemiluminescence techniques

Emploi de cette methode pour voir si les defauts de la fibre peuvent etre detectes par les differences dans les periodes d'induction de l'oxydation autocatalytique a 150°C
Low-field loss in ferrites-relevance to broadband circulator design

The criteria for selecting ferrite materials for broadband circulator applications are discussed. Transmission measurements in a circulator-like microstrip fixture are used to select materials for applications in a given frequency band. Data concerning the frequency dependence of transmission loss in the partially magnetized state at various values of bias field are presented. >
Recent progress in engineering α/β hydrolase‐fold family members

The members of the alpha/beta hydrolase-fold family represent a functionally versatile group of enzymes with many important applications in biocatalysis. Given the technical significance of alpha/beta hydrolases in processes ranging from the kinetic resolution of enantiomeric precursors for pharmaceutical compounds to bulk products such as laundry detergent, optimizing and tailoring enzymes for these applications presents an ongoing challenge to chemists, biochemists, and engineers alike. A review of the recent literature on alpha/beta hydrolase engineering suggests that the early successes of "random processes" such as directed evolution are now being slowly replaced by more hypothesis-driven, focused library approaches. These developments reflect a better understanding of the enzymes' structure-function relationship and improved computational resources, which allow for more sophisticated search and prediction algorithms, as well as, in a very practical sense, the realization that bigger is not always better.
A shell-model calculation of the even-mass tin isotopes including core excitation

Abstract The Tabakin interaction is used as the residual interaction in a shell-model calculation of the even-mass tin isotopes in which twelve single-particle proton and neutron levels are included and in which the BCS quasi-particle approximation is made. The Hamiltonian is diagonalized in a space consisting of neutron two-quasi-particle states and proton particle-hole states. The calculation is done including second-order corrections in the matrix elements; the results are insensitive to these. The calculated excitation energies of the first 2+ and 3− states agree with experiment to within a few hundred keV for all isotopes. Inclusion of the proton states is important. The lowest 1− level occurs below the ground state and has a large overlap with the spurious center-of-mass state; levels with other spins occur at reasonable values.
Phonon scattering by oxygen vacancies in ceramics

Abstract The theory of phonon scattering by vacancies is applied to oxygen vacancies in zirconia and rutile. These vacancies are the major source of point defect scattering in stabilized zirconia. It is shown that the theory agrees well with thermal diffusivity reductions in reduced rutile. This lends confidence to the effect of oxygen vacancies on the thermal conductivity of stabilized zirconia, particularly in thermal barrier coatings.