cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Air-cooled absorbers for extreme-ambient absorption heat pumps

Abstract An investigation of air-coupled absorbers for an ammonia-water absorption system operating in extreme ambient conditions was conducted. Heat and mass transfer modeling was used to predict the performance of round-tube corrugated-fin absorbers for a 2.64-kW absorption chiller operated at high ambient temperatures. A single-pressure ammonia-water test facility was used in conjunction with a temperature- and humidity-controlled air-handling unit to evaluate the absorbers at design and off-design conditions. Absorber performance was studied over a range of air temperatures and flow rates, inlet solution temperatures, and concentrated solution flow rates and concentrations. At design conditions, round-tube corrugated-fin absorbers of 394 and 551 fins per meter (FPM) demonstrated comparable performance, and measured heat transfer rates were predicted well. Results from this investigation can be used to guide the development of air-coupled heat and mass exchangers for compact absorption heat pumps.
Abstract 3348: Exogenous DNA upregulates DUOX2 expression in pancreatic cancer via activation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway

Dual oxidase 2 (DUOX2) is a transmembrane protein that produces hydrogen peroxide in the extracellular environment, mediates innate immunity at mucosal surfaces, contributes to chronic inflammation-related tissue injury and angiogenesis, and can promote the initiation of epithelial-derived cancers. In pancreatic adenocarcinomas (PDAC), the composition of the tumor microbiome significantly affects patient outcomes. However, it remains unclear how microbes in the tumor microbiome affect PDAC on a cellular level. In recent years, the cGAS-STING signaling pathway has been identified as a crucial mediator of anti-viral defense by recognizing the presence of DNA in the cytosol and subsequently producing Type I interferons (IFNs) as well as a host of other anti-viral genes. Using Western blot and qPCR, we show that the introduction of exogenous DNA into the cytosol significantly upregulates DUOX2 expression in human PDAC cells after activating cGAS-STING signaling. Expression of DUOX2 occurs most strongly 2 days post-transfection of DNA, while cGAS-STING signaling is activated within hours. Treatment of BxPC-3 cells with exogenous cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) for 24 hrs increases DUOX2 expression in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting the necessity of cGAS activity for DUOX2 induction. Furthermore, Western analysis of phospho-NF-κB p65 in BxPC-3 cells demonstrates activation of NF-κB that mirrors the time-dependent induction of DUOX2. In CFPAC-1 cells, another PDAC line, Jak-Stat signaling is activated along with the components of cGAS-STING. These data suggest that DNA-induced DUOX2 upregulation in PDAC cells may be mediated in a cell context-specific fashion, beyond the canonical components of the cGAS-STING pathway. Upregulation of DUOX2 by exogenous DNA is not observed in colon cancer cell lines. In summary, these data suggest that extracellular DNA could contribute to a DUOX2-induced, H2O2-mediated pro-inflammatory milieu that specifically contributes to the pathogenesis of PDAC, in part through activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. Citation Format: Stephen L. Wang, Yongzhong Wu, Smitha Antony, Agnes Juhasz, Jennifer Meitzler, Goujian Jiang, Iris Dahan, Jiamo Lu, Krishnendu Roy, James Doroshow. Exogenous DNA upregulates DUOX2 expression in pancreatic cancer via activation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 3348.
Conformational dynamics during high-fidelity DNA replication and translocation defined using a DNA polymerase with a fluorescent artificial amino acid.

We address the role of enzyme conformational dynamics in specificity for a high-fidelity DNA polymerase responsible for genome replication. We present the complete characterization of the conformational dynamics during the correct nucleotide incorporation forward and reverse reactions using stopped-flow and rapid-quench methods with a T7 DNA polymerase variant containing a fluorescent unnatural amino acid, (7-hydroxy-4-coumarin-yl) ethylglycine, which provides a signal for enzyme conformational changes. We show that the forward conformational change (>6000 s−1) is much faster than chemistry (300 s−1) while the enzyme opening to allow release of bound nucleotide (1.7 s−1) is much slower than chemistry. These parameters show that the conformational change selects a correct nucleotide for incorporation through an induced-fit mechanism. We also measured conformational changes occurring after chemistry and during pyrophosphorolysis, providing new insights into processive polymerization. Pyrophosphorolysis occurs via a conformational selection mechanism as the pyrophosphate binds to a rare pretranslocation state of the enzyme–DNA complex. Global data fitting was achieved by including experiments in the forward and reverse directions to correlate conformational changes with chemical reaction steps. This analysis provided well-constrained values for nine rate constants to establish a complete free-energy profile including the rates of DNA translocation during processive synthesis. Translocation does not follow Brownian ratchet or power stroke models invoking nucleotide binding as the driving force. Rather, translocation is rapid and thermodynamically favorable after enzyme opening and pyrophosphate release, and it appears to limit the rate of processive synthesis at 4 °C.
Identifying Children at Readmission Risk: At-Admission versus Traditional At-Discharge Readmission Prediction Model.

The timing of 30-day pediatric readmissions is skewed with approximately 40% of the incidents occurring within the first week of hospital discharges. The skewed readmission time distribution coupled with delay in health information exchange among healthcare providers might offer a limited time to devise a comprehensive intervention plan. However, pediatric readmission studies are thus far limited to the development of the prediction model after hospital discharges. In this study, we proposed a novel pediatric readmission prediction model at the time of hospital admission which can improve the high-risk patient selection process. We also compared proposed models with the standard at-discharge readmission prediction model. Using the Hospital Cost and Utilization Project database, this prognostic study included pediatric hospital discharges in Florida from January 2016 through September 2017. Four machine learning algorithms—logistic regression with backward stepwise selection, decision tree, Support Vector machines (SVM) with the polynomial kernel, and Gradient Boosting—were developed for at-admission and at-discharge models using a recursive feature elimination technique with a repeated cross-validation process. The performance of the at-admission and at-discharge model was measured by the area under the curve. The performance of the at-admission model was comparable with the at-discharge model for all four algorithms. SVM with Polynomial Kernel algorithms outperformed all other algorithms for at-admission and at-discharge models. Important features associated with increased readmission risk varied widely across the type of prediction model and were mostly related to patients’ demographics, social determinates, clinical factors, and hospital characteristics. Proposed at-admission readmission risk decision support model could help hospitals and providers with additional time for intervention planning, particularly for those targeting social determinants of children’s overall health.
Effects of Temperature, Drought, and Fertilizer Levels on Grain Development and Gluten Protein Gene Expression in a US Wheat Cultivar

In controlled growth experiments, defined regimes of temperature, water and fertilizer between anthesis and maturity influenced the developmental program of a US hard red spring wheat and resulted in kernels that varied in size and protein content. Temperature exerted a pronounced effect on the progression of kernel development. Elevated daytime temperatures significantly compressed the developmental program and decreased mature kernel weights. These effects were intensified by water deficit. In contrast, different fertilizer levels had only moderate effects on the progression of grain development, but had large effects on protein accumulation. Understanding the interacting effects of environmental variables on grain development is an important step towards defining the molecular mechanisms by which the grain responds to abiotic stress.
Trends in Standardization of Vocabulary in Microbiology

Historically, biologists have established formal rules for the naming of organisms. The drive to standardize the naming conventions in biology, including microbiology, began long before the advent of computers and the attendant construction of databases. The wish to classify gave the impetus to the creation of procedures and standards for publishing and legitimizing the names of taxa.
Advanced techniques for thermal and catalytic diesel particulate trap regeneration

Advanced techniques for regenerating diesel particulate traps are described. A bypassable trap system minimized regeneration thermal energy requirements. Thermal regeneration systems with burners or electric resistance heaters were evaluated. Regeneration emissions and fuel consumption penalties were measured. Catalytic fuel additives consisting of octoate based compounds of copper and nickel, and copper and cerium provided reductions of up to 410/sup 0/F in trap regeneration temperature. Durability tests confirmed frequent self regeneration with fuel additives.
English to Hindi Translation Protocols for an Enterprise Crowd

We present early results on crowd sourcing translations in an enterprise setting. We show that several weak translators can together converge to translation quality higher than individually plausible. We share learning about post editing of translations and the effort perceived by the crowd. A key observation is that a protocol “ machine-human-human ” that utilizes two-hop post editing can provide an almost expert quality translation. Finally, we discuss methods that can choose the best translation among several candidates.
A nano-chemo-mechanical actuator based on artificial molecular machines

The success of future molecule-driven actuators most likely lies in the development of artificial molecular motors because of their ability to provide large forces from low voltage inputs while also featuring bistable actuation characteristics and molecular design flexibility. With these advantages in mind, we have developed a mechanical device utilizing the force produced from the relative movement of artificial molecular motors - rotaxanes - in conjunction with a hybrid top-down/bottom-up fabrication approach. This process has produced insight into the promise but also the limitations of molecule-driven actuators which inspires redirected efforts for an eventually optimized new class of multiscale mechanical, optical, and medical devices.
Measurements of the size and pressure of the local bubble towards eridanus

We have measured the size and pressure of the Local Bubble in the direction of the constellation Eridanus using ROSAT PSPC observations of soft X-ray “shadows” cast by neutral clouds against the bright X-ray emission from the Orion-Eridanus superbubble. We discuss the technique and present our results for the size of the Local Bubble in the directions of our shadowing fields. Using these distances and the measured soft X-ray emission measures, we derive the Local Bubble’s thermal pressure. For four lines of sight in Eridanus, we obtain pressures of about 1.2 × 104 K cm−3, in good agreement with measurements in several other directions.
Replication of Sindbis Virus V. Polyribosomes and mRNA in Infected Cells

Cells infected with wild-type Sindbis virus contain at least two forms of mRNA, 26S and 49S RNA. Sindbis 26S RNA (molecular weight 1.6 x 10^6) constitutes 90% by weight of the mRNA in infected cells, and is thought to specify the structural proteins of the virus. Sindbis 49S RNA, the viral genome (molecular weight 4.3 x 10^6), constitutes approximately 10% of the mRNA in infected cells and is thought to supply the remaining viral functions. In cells infected with ts2, a temperature-sensitive mutant of Sindbis virus, the messenger forms also include a third species of RNA with a sedimentation coefficient of 33S and an apparent molecular weight of 2.3 x 10^6. Hybridization-competition experiments showed that 90% of the base sequences in 33S RNA from these cells are also present in 26S RNA. Sindbis 33S RNA was also isolated from cells infected with wild-type virus. After reaction with formaldehyde, this species of 33S RNA appeared to be completely converted to 26S RNA. These results indicate that 33S RNA isolated from cells infected with either wild-type Sindbis or ts2 is not a unique and separate form of Sindbis RNA.
Therapeutic Efficacy of a 188Re-Labeled α-Melanocyte–Stimulating Hormone Peptide Analog in Murine and Human Melanoma-Bearing Mouse Models

The purpose of this study was to examine the therapeutic efficacy of 188Re-(Arg11)[Cys3,4,10,d-Phe7]α-melanocyte–stimulating hormone3–13 (CCMSH) in the B16/F1 murine melanoma- and TXM13 human melanoma-bearing mouse models. Methods: (Arg11)CCMSH was synthesized and labeled with 188Re to form 188Re-(Arg11)CCMSH. B16/F1 melanoma-bearing mice were administrated 7.4 MBq, 22.2 MBq, and 2 × 14.8 MBq of 188Re-(Arg11)CCMSH via the tail vein. TXM13 melanoma-bearing mice were separately injected with 22.2 MBq, 2 × 14.8 MBq, and 37.0 MBq of 188Re-(Arg11)CCMSH through the tail vein. Two groups of 10 mice bearing either B16/F1 or TXM13 tumors were injected with saline as untreated controls. Results: In contrast to the untreated control group, 188Re-(Arg11)CCMSH yielded rapid and lasting therapeutic effects in the treatment groups with either B16/F1 or TXM13 tumors. The tumor growth rate was reduced and the survival rate was prolonged in the treatment groups. Treatment with 2 × 14.8 MBq of 188Re-(Arg11)CCMSH significantly extended the mean life of B16/F1 tumor mice (P
Haplotypes at the Tas2r locus on distal chromosome 6 vary with quinine taste sensitivity in inbred mice

The detection of bitter-tasting compounds by the gustatory system is thought to alert animals to the presence of potentially toxic food. Some, if not all, bitter stimuli activate specific taste receptors, the T2Rs, which are expressed in subsets of taste receptor cells on the tongue and palate. However, there is evidence for both receptor-dependent and -independent transduction mechanisms for a number of bitter stimuli, including quinine hydrochloride (QHCl) and denatonium benzoate (DB). We used brief-access behavioral taste testing of BXD/Ty recombinant inbred (RI) mouse strains to map the major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for taste sensitivity to QHCl. This QTL is restricted to a ~5 Mb interval on chromosome 6 that includes 24 genes encoding T2Rs (Tas2rs). Tas2rs at this locus display in total 307 coding region single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between the two BXD/Ty RI parental strains, C57BL/6J (quinine-sensitive) and DBA/2J (quinine insensitive); approximately 50% of these mutations are silent. Individual RI lines contain exclusively either C57BL/6J or DBA/2J Tas2r alleles at this locus, and RI lines containing C57BL/6J Tas2r alleles are more sensitive to QHCl than are lines containing DBA/2J alleles. Thus, the entire Tas2r cluster comprises a large haplotype that correlates with quinine taster status. These studies, the first using a taste-salient assay to map the major QTL for quinine taste, indicate that a T2R-dependent transduction cascade is responsible for the majority of strain variance in quinine taste sensitivity. Furthermore, the large number of polymorphisms within coding exons of the Tas2r cluster, coupled with evidence that inbred strains exhibit largely similar bitter taste phenotypes, suggest that T2R receptors are quite tolerant to variation.
PENICILLIN RESISTANCE OF COMPETENT CELLS IN DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID TRANSFORMATION OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS.

Nester, E. W. (University of Washington, Seattle). Penicillin resistance of competent cells in deoxyribonucleic acid transformation of Bacillus subtilis. J. Bacteriol. 87:867–875. 1964.—Transformants are resistant to penicillin killing for several hours after deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) addition. The present study indicates that this resistance is a consequence of such cells still remaining competent and is not the result of any interaction of donor DNA with the recipient cell. The following data support this conclusion: (i) the frequency of transformation can be increased five- to tenfold if penicillin acts on a competent culture prior to DNA addition; (ii) the percentage of competent cells in such a penicillin-treated culture calculated on the basis of a random coincidence of DNA molecules entering the same cell increases some 25-fold over that of a penicillin-nontreated population; (iii) the kinetics of penicillin killing of a recipient culture are identical whether or not transforming DNA has been added; (iv) the extent of killing by penicillin is related to the level of competence of the recipient culture; and (v) the kinetics of appearance and disappearance of competence in a population as well as in individual cells indicate that a cell may remain competent for 3 to 4 hr.
Third-order Mindlin plate theory predictions for the frequency-temperature behavior of straight crested wave modes in AT- and SC-cut quartz plates

The frequency-temperature behavior of straight crested wave modes in AT- and SC-cut quartz plates are studied using Mindlin first- and third-order plate equations. The first order Mindlin plate theory with shear correction factors was previously found to yield an inaccurate frequency spectra of the modes in the vicinity of the fundamental thickness shear frequency. The third order Mindlin plate equations without correction factors, on the other hand, predict well the frequency spectrum in the same vicinity. In general, the frequency-temperature curves of the fundamental thickness-shear obtained from the first-order Mindlin plate theory are sufficiently different from those of the third-order Mindlin plate theory that they raise concerns. The least accurately predicted mode of vibration is the flexure mode which results in discrepancies in its frequency-temperature behavior. The accuracy of other modes of vibrations depends on the degree of couplings with the flexure mode. Mindlin first-order plate theory with only the shear correction factors is not sufficiently accurate for high frequency crystal vibrations at the fundamental thickness-shear frequency. Correction factors for the flexure and face-shear branches may be needed. Hence, a total of five correction factors may be needed for the first-order plate theory to yield accurate frequency spectra and frequency-temperature curves.
Who Discovered Bayes's Theorem?

(1983). Who Discovered Bayes's Theorem? The American Statistician: Vol. 37, No. 4a, pp. 290-296.
A Comparison among LATEX, NCEP, and ERS-1 Scatterometer Winds over the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Hourly wind fields for the northwestern Gulf of Mexico (here called LATEX winds) were constructed from in situ measurements for the period April 1992 through November 1994 using statistical (optimal) interpolation. Here the LATEX winds are compared with the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and the European Remote Sensing Satellite (ERS-1) scatterometer winds for the same period and region. Comparisons show no significant bias between LATEX and ERS-1 wind speeds or directions. LATEX and ERS-1 wind fields nearly coincide except during extreme meteorological events when ERS-1 fields may show noncoherent patterns over distances for which coherence is expected; for those situations, LATEX winds appear more realistic. Although there is no significant bias between wind speeds, the direction bias is more than 10° between the LATEX and NCEP winds. The largest differences between LATEX and NCEP winds occurred near the coast. In summer, the NCEP and LATEX winds showed larger differences ...
ON A PROPERTY OF BASES IN A HILBERT SPACE

In this paper we study a seemingly unnoticed property of bases in a Hilbert space that falls in the general area of constructing new bases from old, yet is quite atypical of others in this regard. Namely, if .
Oral loading single dose flecainide for pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation

The efficacy and safety of the single oral loading dose of flecainide for cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation was examined by reviewing the trials on the subject identified through a comprehensive literature search. Most of the trials used a single dose of 300 mg for oral loading. The success rate ranged from 57 to 68% at 2-4 h and 75 to 91% at 8 h after drug administration. The conversion time ranged from 110+/-82 to 190+/-147 min, depending on the duration of observation after drug administration, which in most trials was of 8 h. Single oral loading regimen of flecainide was significantly more efficacious than placebo, and was as efficacious as the single oral loading regimen of propafenone. Both the single oral loading and the intravenous loading regimens of flecainide were equally efficacious but the intravenous regimen resulted in an earlier conversion. Adverse effects reported were mild non-cardiac side effects, reversible QRS complex widening, transient arrhythmias and left ventricular decompensation. The transient arrhythmias were chiefly at the time of conversion and included appearance of atrial flutter and sinus pauses. No life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia or death was reported. The single dose oral loading regimen of flecainide appears to be effective for cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation with a relatively rapid effect within 2-4 h, and is free of serious complications in patients without structural heart disease. Patients with substantial structural heart disease were excluded from most of the trials.
Cloning, expression, purification and preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of Escherichia coli Hsp100 ClpB N-terminal domain.

Escherichia coli Hsp100 ClpB plays critical roles in multi-chaperone systems in cell physiology. After the ATPase activity is stimulated by protein or peptide binding, ClpB disaggregates denatured polypeptides by employing ATP hydrolysis and allows other molecular chaperones such as Hsp70 DnaK and Hsp40 DnaJ to more efficiently refold the non-native polypeptides. The mechanisms by which the ClpB acts as a molecular chaperone to disaggregate non-native polypeptides are unknown. The N-terminal domain of ClpB has been proposed to interact with non-native polypeptides. To investigate whether the N-terminal domain participates in polypeptide recognition and binding or modulates the activity of ClpB, the ClpB N-­terminal domain has been cloned, purified and crystallized. The ClpB N-­terminal domain crystals diffract to 1.95 A using a synchrotron X-ray source and belong to the space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 50.2, b = 52.6, c = 56.8 A, α = 90.5, β = 111.8, γ = 107.1°. Structure determination by the multiple anomalous dispersion (MAD) method is under way.
The predatory snail Euglandina rosea successfully follows mucous trails of both native and non-native prey snails

Mucous trail following is a primary means by which many predatory snails locate prey. I compared the ability of individuals of Euglandina rosea to follow mucous trails of two groups of gastropods: those found within its native habitat (southeastern USA), and those found outside its native range (Kansas). Members of E. rosea followed trails for both species found inside and outside its native range equally well. In contrast to previous studies, I found that the predatory snails consistently followed trails in the direction in which they were laid. I quantified the kinematics of trail-following behavior using inter-tentacle angle as the primary metric. In both prey groups, there were significant differences in the predator's inter-tentacle angle when tracking a trail versus not, and when successfully following (in the direction the trail was laid) versus unsuccessfully following (opposite the direction that the trail was laid) trails. In addition, in both prey groups, there were significant differences in the predator's velocity when tracking a trail versus not, and when successfully versus unsuccessfully following trails. This study confirmed that members of E. rosea are robust generalist predators, capable of successfully tracking native and non-native snails, and should not be introduced as biologic control agents. These results may be useful to managers, as they provide insight into how trail following could be used to trap members of this invasive species.
An analysis of prehistoric greenstone artifacts in Northeast Alabama

Lithic artifacts consisting of celts, atlatls, pipes, knives, scrapers, and ceremonial placards were excavated from 54 archaeological sites throughout four counties of northeast Alabama. An analysis of mineralogy, texture, and structure of the lithic implements was employed. Samples were studied visually and microscopically by thin section. Rock samples indigenous to the study area were also examined and compared to the artifacts to determine similarities and differences. All artifacts analyzed were formed from meta-morphic rock types derived from outcrops ranging from less than 1 km to 60 km away from a respective archaeological site. Variance in mineralogy was notable; however, the most significant difference was in the texture and internal structure of the minerals within the artifacts. A total of 50 lithic samples were ultimately accepted as actual worked artifacts. Forty-one (82%) exhibit a texture, structure, and mineralogy indicative of the Hillabee (Greenstone Schist) Formation, while nine (18%) exhibit physical characteristics indicative of the Heflin Phyllite. Trade and migration routes with minimum distances to known outcrops hosting rocktypes most indicative of the artifacts collected from these prehistoric camps and villages are inferred. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Determination of Solvation Numbers of Rhodamine B in Various Solvents by Viscosity and Gas Chromatography Measurements

Abstract Viscosity and gas chromatography measurements indicate that the solvation and hydration numbers for rhodamine B change when the compound is extracted into an organic phase. The results for several extraction systems are presented.
The relationship between serum or plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor α and neuropsychological functioning in early human immunodeficiency virus infection

Vaca, & Noonan, 1990). Serum levels of one neurotoxic macrophage product, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a), have been shown to be elevated in persons with AIDS (Lahdevirta, Maury, Teppo, & Repo, 1988). Moreover, elevations in TNF-a levels in cerebrospinal fluid have been associated with neurological abnormalities in patients with AIDS (Grimaldi et al., 1991). Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine whether elevated serum or plasma levels of TNF-et are associated with the neuropsychological functioning of AHIV-positive or ARC patients. METHODS
INTERTIDAL MICROHABITAT AND SELECTION AT MPI: INTERLOCUS CONTRASTS IN THE NORTHERN ACORN BARNACLE, SEMIBALANUS BALANOIDES

Barnacles were sampled from various microhabitats in the rocky intertidal at multiple sites in two years. At sites in which there were large differences among microhabitats in temperature profiles, Mpi genotype frequencies were consistently and significantly different. Genotype frequencies for another allozyme locus (Gpi) as well as a DNA marker shown to be neutral (the mtDNA control region) were statistically homogeneous among thermal microhabitats at all sites in both years. The data indicate that temperature and/or desiccation mediated selection is operating at Mpi or a linked locus and that Mpi genotypes experience differential mortality in the various habitat types. If the relative fitness of genotypes is dependent on habitat type, the Mpi polymorphism may be actively maintained by a Levene model of balancing selection (Levene 1953). Because barnacle larvae are produced in abundance each year and spend five to eight weeks dispersing in the water column, there is little opportunity for the accumulation of adaptive divergence over the environmental grain size relevant in intertidal habitats. The Mpi polymorphism may be an important component of a suite of traits involved in the adaptation of barnacles to heterogeneous environments. Due to the relatively high concentration of mannose in a variety of algal groups, the metabolism of mannose may substantially affect individual performance and fitness in this and other species that feed on algae and phytoplankton. Because the Mpi locus is one of the most strongly polymorphic in marine organisms, these findings may be relevant for a diversity of other such species.
Scopolamine patch withdrawal syndrome.

To the Editor: Scopolamine patch, Tranderm Scop, is marketed by Baxter Healthcare for Novartis for surgical antiemetic control or for the control of motion sickness. Each patch contains 1.5 mg of scopolamine programmed to deliver 1 mg over 3 days transdermally through a layer of rate controlling membrane.1 It was designed to be removed 24 hours after surgery. For control of motion sickness, it was to be changed every 72 hours and removed from the skin after the condition for motion sickness had passed. Scopolamine patch withdrawal syndrome is under-recognized and under-appreciated. A literature search and discussion with medical and pharmacy colleagues yielded very little information about adverse effects associated with discontinuation of scopolamine. Scopolamine is generally believed to be the most effective drug to control motion sickness, with a 75% reduction in motion-induced nausea and vomiting; others dispute that it is not any more effective than antihistamines like meclizine.2 Scopolamine patch is generally not recommended for children or the elderly because of toxicity. We had received several patient complaints about scopolamine patch withdrawal after using them for motion sickness control on vacations. The associated symptoms were described as being very debilitating, similar to exacerbated motion sickness with severe headache.3 This syndrome affected mostly patients who used the patch for 3 days or more, although there was at least one case in which a patient who only used the patch for 24 hours was affected. Typically, symptoms manifested 18 to 72 hours after the patch was removed and could last from several days to weeks. Common symptoms included nausea, headache, and blurred vision. These symptoms were consistent with rebound cholinergic activity and included dizziness, nausea, vomiting, paresthesias of the hands and feet, dysphoria, and hypotension.
RAPD and SCAR Markers Linked to an Introgressed Gene Conditioning Resistance to Peronospora tabacina D.B. Adam. in Tobacco

Blue mold, caused by the fungal pathogen Peronospora tabacina D.B. Adam, is one of the most important foliar diseases of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). Identification of molecular markers linked to genetic factors controlling resistance would facilitate development of resistant cultivars. Bulked segregant analysis was used to screen 1216 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers for their ability to reveal polymorphism between DNA bulks from susceptible doubled haploid (DH) lines and resistant DH lines possessing resistance derived from cultivar Ovens 62. Fifteen RAPD markers were tentatively identified as being linked to a major gene conditioning resistance to blue mold. These 15 markers (12 in coupling phase linkage with resistance and three in repulsion phase) were found to lie within a single linkage group of 36.6 cM and were subsequently tested on 122 DH lines derived from crosses between resistant and susceptible parents. F tests revealed statistically significant associations between resistance and each of the 15 RAPD markers. Interval mapping was used to more accurately place the quantitative trait locus (QTL) controlling resistance on the linkage map. The RAPD markers were screened on a set of 45 resistant and susceptible cultivars or breeding lines and four Nicotiana species. At variance with previous reports, marker genotypes indicated that resistance in Ovens 62 and most other blue mold resistant lines likely originated from N. debneyi Domin. Two RAPD markers flanking the most likely QTL position were converted to sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. These markers should aid in development of blue mold-resistant tobacco cultivars worldwide.
CAD programs: a tool for crime scene processing and reconstruction

Computer aided drafting (CAD) programs have great potential for helping the forensic scientist. One of their most direct and useful applications is crime scene documentation, as an aid in rendering neat, unambiguous line drawings of crime scenes. Once the data has been entered, it can easily be displayed, printed, or plotted in a variety of formats. Final renditions from this initial data entry can take multiple forms and can have multiple uses. As a demonstrative aid, a CAD program can produce two dimensional (2-D) drawings of the scene from one's notes to scale. These 2-D renditions are court display quality and help to make the forensic scientists's testimony easily understood. Another use for CAD is as an analytical tool for scene reconstruction. More than just a drawing aid, CAD can generate useful information from the data input. It can help reconstruct bullet paths or locations of furniture in a room when it is critical to the reconstruction. Data entry at the scene, on a notebook computer, can assist in framing and answering questions so that the forensic scientist can test hypotheses while actively documenting the scene. Further, three dimensional (3-D) renditions of items can be viewed from many 'locations' by using the program to rotate the object and the observers' viewpoint.
"Reminiscence" in the cold flour beetle (Tenebrio molitor).

Retention of a T-maze task by adults of the species Tenebrio molitor was facilitated by exposure to 1.7°C. The facilitation effect was seen after 1, 3, 4, or 5 days of retention, but is was reversed after 2 days. The increment from day 2 to day 5 was termed "reminiscence." That these effects represented alterations in memory and not nonspecific motivational factors was determined by requiring another group of beetles to reverse their learning of the original task. Since reversal performance was inversely related to relearning, it was concluded that "reminiscence" represented alterations in memory. A multistage memory mechanism in the beetle was postulated.
The membrane skeleton--a distinct structure that regulates the function of cells.

It has long been known that the red blood cell contains a membrane skeleton that stabilizes the plasma membrane, determines its shape, and regulates the lateral distribution of the membrane glyco-proteins to which it is attached. The way in which these functions are regulated in other cells has not been understood. It has now been shown that platelets also contain a membrane skeleton. In contrast to the membrane skeleton of the red blood cell, the platelet membrane skeleton has actin-binding protein, not spectrin, as a major component. The platelet membrane skeleton regulates the same cellular functions as the red blood cell membrane skeleton. Other cells may contain a membrane skeleton that is critical to their viability and normal functioning.
Diiron Complexes of 1,8-Naphthyridine-Based Dinucleating Ligands as Models for Hemerythrin

The hydroxo-bridged diiron(II) compounds [Fe2(BPEAN)(μ-OH)(OTf)](OTf)2 (1) and [Fe2(BEPEAN)(μ-OH)](OTf)3 (2) were prepared by using 1,8-naphthyridine-based dinucleating ligands BPEAN and BEPEAN, where BPEAN = 2,7-bis{bis[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]aminomethyl}-1,8-naphthyridine and BEPEAN = 2,7-bis{bis[2-(2-(5-ethyl)pyridyl)ethyl]aminomethyl}-1,8-naphthyridine. When compound 2 was treated with excess 30% aqueous H2O2 in acetonitrile at −40 °C, a red-brown species (3) was produced. The UV−vis spectrum of 3 exhibited an absorption maximum at 505 nm (e = 1500 M-1 cm-1), close to that observed for oxyHr. Resonance Raman experiments revealed an isotope-sensitive O−O stretching band at 868 cm-1. When a mixture of 1:1 H2O2/D2O2 (25% in 1:1 H2O/D2O) was used to generate 3, a broader Raman band centered at 870 cm-1 appeared, indicating the peroxide group to be protonated. The 1H ENDOR spectrum of 3, cryoreduced to the diiron(II,III) state, showed a signal with A ≈ 12 MHz that disappeared when D2O2 in D2O was used to gener...
Sexual Selection and Mate Choice: Insights from Neutralist Perspectives

Darwin’s concept of sexual selection has been an area of intense research interest for the past half-century. Research has mainly focused on intersexual selection (selection arising from mate choice), and has particularly focused on the hypothesis that mates are chosen on the basis of “genetic quality” which is “honestly” signaled by sexually dimorphic traits. I discuss these models in the light of evidence that most genetic variation in real populations is either selectively neutral or slightly deleterious. Since several well-known models have focused on the immune system as a source of heritable variation in fitness, I examine evidence from studies of the vertebrate major histocompatibility complex and its interaction with pathogens. Finally, I discuss alternative hypotheses for the evolution of secondary sexual characteristics that are consistent with the prevalence of purifying selection rather than positive selection in most populations. One such model, the random walk model, relies only on the well-attested processes of mutation, purifying selection, and genetic drift, thereby providing an attractive alternative to models that assume ubiquitous positive selection.
Optimized polynomial expansions: Potentials and pp phase shift analyses

We have examined the Cutkosky-Deo-Ciulli-Chao optimized polynomial expansion as applied to the proton-proton scattering amplitudes. We found that we could not reproduce Chao's positive numerical results for intermediate energy scattering data. Instead, we reached a negative conclusion as to the method's usefulness for that application. We also examined the method's ability to predict the higher angular momentum parts of the amplitudes for three different potentials having realistic parts. Again we found the method to have very meager successes.
The m.3244G>A mutation in mtDNA is another cause of progressive external ophthalmoplegia

We sequenced all mitochondrial tRNA genes in a 61-year-old man with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia and mitochondrial myopathy but without mtDNA rearrangements, and identified a heteroplasmic m.3244G>A mutation in the tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene. This mutation had been previously associated with the MELAS phenotype, but not described in any detail. The mutation load in muscle was 84% and COX-negative fibers harbored greater levels of mutant genomes than COX-positive fibers. The m.3244G>A mutation affects a highly conserved nucleotide in the dihydrouridine loop and has been associated with a wobble modification deficiency of the mutant tRNA.
Perceptions of cries of full-term and preterm infants

Sixty-one mothers rated 12 infant cries. There were four cries (30 sec each) of healthy full-term neonates, four cires of very low-risk preterm infants, and four cires of medium-risk preterm infants. The cries were each rated on five 7-point scales with the conceptually “negative” polarity representing the urgent, grating, sick, arousing, and immature qualities of cries. Preterm cires were not uniformly rated as more urgent, grating, sick, arousing or immature than cries of full-term infants of the same conceptional age and of similar racial and socioeconomic background. Some preterm cries were rated as significantly more urgent, grating, sick, arousing or immature than full-term cries; other preterm cires were rated as significantly less urgent, etc., than full-term cries. Even though all the preterm infants were ostensibly healthy when their cries were recorded at expected date of birth, the ratings of the cries were related to the medical risk associated with the cryers' neonatal medical condition. The findings have implications for future research regarding cry features as adaptive and maladaptive communications that influence infants' development.
Ueber die Kolloidchemie der Zuckerdiurese

Es wurden im Vorstehenden detaillierte Versuchsergebnisse beigebracht, welche die diuretische Wirkung der drei Zuckerarten Dextrose, Lavulose und Saccharose auf gesunde Kaninchen erweisen. Bei gleicher Konzentration sind Dextrose und Lavulose ungefahr von gleicher Wirksamkeit bezuglich Hervorbringung der Diurese, wahrend Saccharose bedeutend wirksamer ist. Diese diuretische Wirkung ist nicht in erster Linie die Folge eines Einflusses auf die Niere, sondern vielmehr einer dehydratisierenden Einwirkung der Zucker auf samtliche Korpergewebe, wobei Wasser aus kolloider Bindung freigemacht und fur die Sekretion verfugbar wird; denn die diuretische Aktivitat der verschiedenen untersuchten Substanzen steht in enger Beziehung zu ihrem Dehydratisierungsvermogen gegenuber solchen einfacheren Eiweiskolloiden wie Gelatine und Fibrin. Die Trockenheit der Gewebe des Diabetikers, sein Durstgefuhl und seine auserordentliche Harnabsonderung finden ihre Erklarung durch diese Wirkungen der Dextrose auf sein Korpergewebe.
Disciplinary Enculturation Experiences of Three Korean Students in U.S.-Based MATESOL Programs

This study examined the disciplinary enculturation experiences of three Korean students in U.S.-based Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MATESOL) programs. Guided by theories of situated learning (Lave & Wenger, 1991; Wenger, 1998) and social identities (Block, 2007; Clarke, 2008; Norton, 2009), and largely drawn from in-depth interview data, this study discovered key factors that affect students' disciplinary enculturation experiences. Findings suggest that students' different participation modes resulted from the negotiation of their new social identities and meaning-making in their MATEOL academic Communities of Practice (CoP). However, the degree of their engagement embodied in the form of peripheral participation or nonparticipation was influenced by multiple factors, including supportive networks and institutional support. These findings imply that creating a space where international students (re)position themselves as contributing and legitimate members takes the mu...
Angular dependences in electron-excited auger emission

Abstract An experimental study of the variations of Auger emission with primary beam angle and angle of emission has verified that the observation depth is limited by the scattering of the low-energy emitted electrons, and that, by varying the angle of observation, surface atoms can be distinguished from those distributed more deeply within the specimen. An idealized model of the system is shown to be useful in predicting most of the principal features observed.
Designing human friendly human interaction proofs (HIPs)

HIPs, or Human Interactive Proofs, are challenges meant to be easily solved by humans, while remaining too hard to be economically solved by computers. HIPs are increasingly used to protect services against automatic script attacks. To be effective, a HIP must be difficult enough to discourage script attacks by raising the computation and/or development cost of breaking the HIP to an unprofitable level. At the same time, the HIP must be easy enough to solve in order to not discourage humans from using the service. Early HIP designs have successfully met these criteria [1]. However, the growing sophistication of attackers and correspondingly increasing profit incentives have rendered most of the currently deployed HIPs vulnerable to attack [2,7,12]. Yet, most companies have been reluctant to increase the difficulty of their HIPs for fear of making them too complex or unappealing to humans. The purpose of this study is to find the visual distortions that are most effective at foiling computer attacks without hindering humans. The contribution of this research is that we discovered that 1) automatically generating HIPs by varying particular distortion parameters renders HIPs that are too easy for computer hackers to break, yet humans still have difficulty recognizing them, and 2) it is possible to build segmentation-based HIPs that are extremely difficult and expensive for computers to solve, while remaining relatively easy for humans.
Single-photon imaging inspired by human vision

Single photon detectors are regarded as a key enabling technology in a wide range of medical, industrial, and military applications. However, the existing single photon detectors that can operate at or near room temperature have poor efficiency and high noise. Interestingly, the counterparts of these devices in nature, namely the rod cells, have amazingly high efficiency and low noise. In particular, the noise performance of the rod cells is five to six orders of magnitude better than the semiconductor based single photon detectors at room temperature. At Bio-inspired Sensors and Optoelectronics Laboratory, we explored the origin of such a high noise performance, and designed and implemented a novel semiconductor device based on the underlying detection mechanism in the rod cells. Our device shows very promising properties including orders of magnitude higher gain and lower noise compared with the existing devices. More interestingly, the low operating voltage of the device combined with high gain uniformity should allow, for the first time, realization of large imaging arrays with a high internal gain. Such imagers would open new opportunities for novel applications such as quantum ghost imaging.
Mitotic activity in the skin of mice deficient in essential fatty acids

THE most striking difference between the skin of essential fatty acids deficient mice and that of normal mice is the number of layers of cells in the epidermis; the epidermis of essential fatty acids deficient mice is nearly three times thicker than normal1. A similar difference has been found in the skin of rats kept on a fat-free diet2. The greater thickness of the epidermis under these dietary conditions could conceivably have resulted from either: (a) a decrease in the rate of epidermal keratinization and cell sloughing; (b) an increase in the rate of cellular proliferation; or (c) a combination of these. The accumulation of abnormally large amounts of lipid in the cells of the distal epidermal layers of essential fatty acids deficient mice1 suggested that these cells may, indeed, keratinize and slough at a slower rate than normal. The mitotic indices of the epidermis of normal and essential fatty acids deficient mice are compared in the present communication in an effort to deal with the second and third of the possible explanations for epidermal thickening.
Aggregation of Stilbene Derivatized Fatty Acids and Phospholipids in Monolayers and Vesicles1

Synthetic fatty acid and phosphatidylcholine amphiphiles incorporating a trans-stilbene (TS) chromophore in the fatty acid chain have been found to exhibit sharp changes in absorption and fluorescence spectra upon self-assembly in Langmuir−Blodgett films and aqueous dispersions. The spectral changes are readily associated with aggregates in which there is a strong noncovalent interaction between the TS chromophores. In this paper, we report determination of the size, structure, and properties of these “supramolecular” aggregates using both experiments and simulations. Important findings are that the key “unit aggregate” having distinctive spectroscopic properties is a cyclic “pinwheel” tetramer characterized by strong edge−face interactions. These tetramers may be packed together to form an extended aggregate with only small changes in absorption or fluorescence properties. While it was initially expected that aggregation occurred as a consequence of amphiphile self-assembly, studies of films of the stilb...