cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selenoprotein H Is a Nucleolar Thioredoxin-like Protein with a Unique Expression Pattern

The human selenoproteome consists of 25 known selenoproteins, but functions of many of these proteins are not known. Selenoprotein H (SelH) is a recently discovered 14-kDa mammalian protein with no sequence homology to functionally characterized proteins. By sensitive sequence and structure analyses, we identified SelH as a thioredoxin fold-like protein in which a conserved CXXU motif (cysteine separated by two other residues from selenocysteine) corresponds to the CXXC motif in thioredoxins. These data suggest a redox function of SelH. Indeed, a recombinant SelH shows significant glutathione peroxidase activity. In addition, SelH has a conserved RKRK motif in the N-terminal sequence. We cloned wild-type and cysteine mutant forms of SelH either upstream or downstream of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and localized this fusion protein to the nucleus in transfected mammalian cells, whereas mutations in the RKRK motif resulted in the cytosolic protein. Interestingly, the full-length SelH-GFP fusion protein localized specifically to nucleoli, whereas the N-terminal sequence of SelH fused to GFP had a diffuse nucleoplasm location. Northern blot analyses revealed low expression levels of SelH mRNA in various mouse tissues, but it was elevated in the early stages of embryonic development. In addition, SelH mRNA was overexpressed in human prostate cancer LNCaP and mouse lung cancer LCC1 cells. Down-regulation of SelH by RNA interference made LCC1 cells more sensitive to hydrogen peroxide but not to other peroxides tested. Overall, these data establish SelH as a novel nucleolar oxidoreductase and suggest that some functions in this compartment are regulated by redox and dependent on the trace element selenium.
Petrography and geochemistry of Jumara Dome sediments, Kachchh Basin: Implications for provenance, tectonic setting and weathering intensity

In the Kachchh Mainland, the Jumara Dome mixed carbonate-siliciclastic succession is represented by the Jhurio and Patcham formations and siliciclastic-dominating Chari Formation (Bathonian to Oxfordian). The Jumara Dome sediments were deposited during sea-level fluctuating, and were interrupted by storms in the shallow marine environment. The sandstones are generally medium-grained, moderately sorted, subangular to subrounded and of low sphericity. The sandstones are mineralogically mature and mainly composed of quartzarenite and subarkose. The plots of petrofacies in the Qt-F-L, Qm-F-Lt, Qp-Lv-Ls and Qm-P-K ternary diagrams suggest mainly the basement uplift source (craton interior) in rifted continental margin basin setting. The sandstones were cemented by carbonate, iron oxide and silica overgrowth. The Chemical Index of Alteration values (73% sandstone and 81% shale) indicate high weathering conditions in the source area. Overall study suggests that such strong chemical weathering conditions are of unconformity with worldwide humid and warm climates during the Jurassic period. Positive correlations between Al2O3 and Fe2O3, TiO2, Na2O, MgO, K2O are evident. A high correlation coefficient between Al2O3 and K2O in shale samples suggests that clay minerals control the major oxides. The analogous contents of Si, Al, Ti, LREE and TTE in the shale to PAAS with slightly depleted values of other elements ascribe a PAAS like source (granitic gneiss and minor mafics) to the present study. The petrographic and geochemical data strongly suggest that the studied sandstones/shales were deposited on a passive margin of the stable intracratonic basin.
The Classic Wells−Dawson Polyoxometalate, K6[α-P2W18O62]·14H2O. Answering an 88 Year-Old Question: What Is Its Preferred, Optimum Synthesis?

The 88-year-old problem of developing a preferred, optimized synthesis of the prototype Wells−Dawson polyoxometalate, K6[α-P2W18O62]·14H2O, is addressed herein. Specifically, six published syntheses of K6[α-P2W18O62]·14H2O are listed and discussed, with emphasis given to the two most recent syntheses, Nadjo and co-workers’ 2004 synthesis and a 1997 Inorganic Syntheses procedure by Droege, Randall, Finke et al. (hereafter D-R-F). For the starting experiment, the synthesis by Nadjo and co-workers was repeated. Next, the D-R-F synthesis and then the earlier (1984) synthesis in Droege’s Ph.D. thesis were repeated and reinvestigated. The results demonstrate that the Nadjo synthesis produces over 200 g of high α-isomer purity (≥97% by 31P NMR) K6[α-P2W18O62]·14H2O in four steps over 8 days in 93% yield in our hands. A recrystallization step added as part of this work (for a total of five steps over 12 days) produces an increase in purity (>99%) with a concomitant loss of 8% yield (i.e., 85% overall yield) for t...
Atmospheric chemistry: intermediates just want to react.

Many of the rate parameters used in models of tropospheric chemistry are obtained through laboratory ozonolysis experiments. Now, results on the self-reaction of an important, but long-elusive, intermediate could alter many of those inferences.
New evidence on real wage-employment correlations from U.S. manufacturing data

Abstract The ‘stylized fact’ of positive real wage-employment correlation first noted by Dunlop (1938), Tarshis (1939) and Keynes (1939) is re-examined using alternative price deflators and detrending procedures. We find little evidence that real wages are uniformly procyclical in either aggregate or disaggregated U.S. manufacturing.
Fragmentation of phosphopeptides by atmospheric pressure MALDI and ESI/ion trap mass spectrometry

An investigation of phosphate loss from phosphopeptide ions was conducted, using both atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP MALDI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) coupled to an ion trap mass spectrometer (ITMS). These experiments were carried out on a number of phosphorylated peptides in order to investigate gas phase dephosphorylation patterns associated with phosphoserine, phosphothreonine, and phosphotyrosine residues. In particular, we explored the fragmentation patterns of phosphotyrosine containing peptides, which experience a loss of 98 Da under collision induced dissociation (CID) conditions in the ITMS. The loss of 98 Da is unexpected for phosphotyrosine, given the structure of its side chain. The fragmentation of phosphoserine and phosphothreonine containing peptides was also investigated. While phosphoserine and phosphothreonine residues undergo a loss of 98 Da under CID conditions regardless of peptide amino acid composition, phosphate loss from phosphotyrosine residues seems to be dependent on the presence of arginine or lysine residues in the peptide sequence.
Oxidation of ruthenium red for use as an intercellular tracer.

When ruthenium red (RR) is combined with OsO4, an electronopaque complex forms which readily binds to the cell surface coat. However, the RR-OsO4 complex is often excluded from intercellular spaces in many cell types, and thus is not dependable as a tracer of regions continuous with the extracellular space. Postfixation of erythrocytes agglutinated by the lectin helix (Helix promatia) and intact carotid artery endothelium with a freshly prepared mixture of 1% OsO4 containing 0.1% ruthenium red (RR) resulted in a dense surface deposit of these cells, but intercellular regions were penetrated to a minimal degree by the stain. When a similar mixture of RR-OsO4 was allowed to stand 3 h before use, RR is oxidized by OsO4 to yield a ruthenium compound that has a spectrophotometric absorbance maximum at 365 nm. This RR molecule has a reduced number of cationic sites due to binding with osmium dioxide OsO 2 = . Postfixation of agglutinated RBCs and carotid artery endothelium with this oxidized ruthenium-OsO4 mixture resulted in a 50–80% decrease in surface deposition but markedly enhanced penetration into intercellular regions. The enhanced penetration is attributed to decreased binding affinity of the oxidized ruthenium for anionic surface membrane components, permitting effective stain penetration into regions of cell-to-cell contact rather than extensive surface deposition. These studies indicate that the ruthenium compound formed by OsO4 oxidation of ruthenium red may be a useful tracer for ultrastructural visualization of intercellular spaces and junctions.
Ossification Centers and Skeletal Development in the Postnatal Virginia Opossum

The opossum, Didelphis marsupialis virginiana , has been the subject of much study in regard to its anatomy, physiology, and ecology. The earliest accounts were morphological including descriptions of osteology by Tyson (1698) and Coues (1872). The extensive studies of Hartman (1923, 1928, 1952) cover breeding habits, development, and parturition as well as rate of development as determined by external characteristics. A detailed account of the embryology of the opossum by McCrady (1938) treats the development of various organ systems during the 12 to 13 day intrauterine period, but does not discuss the time of appearance of early bone centers in any detail. In the absence of published reports on skeletal development, a study covering the period from birth to the time the young leave the pouch was suggested to the writer by Professor W. J. Hamilton, Jr., to whom thanks are due for critical reading of the manuscript. The research was supported in part by the New York State Science Service. The pouch-young opossums used in this study were obtained partly from the Cornell University Mammal Collection, from pouches of females killed on the highway, and by trapping pregnant females. A total of 234 specimens was prepared by the potash-alizarin method described by Dawson (1926) and Evans (1948). The length of time for clearing and staining and the strengths of the solutions varied with the size and general conditions of each specimen, but the general procedure was as follows. Preparation and fixation .—Most specimens over two weeks old were eviscerated, especially if the gut was full. Larger individuals in which pigment and hair had appeared were skinned except for the feet and tail where removal of skin was difficult. Bleaching with hydrogen peroxide proved unsuccessful. Fat deposits were removed with the aid of forceps. Most …
Isolation and purification of Fasciola hepatica eggs.

Abstract The present egg isolation method is both a rapid and simple technique for recovering large numbers of Fasciola hepatica eggs (1 × 10 7 eggs/gradient) from bovine bile. Bile from infected cattle was first passed through a 45 μm screen sieve. The F. hepatica eggs were collected from the surface of the screen by backwashing with a jet of distilled water. The resultant egg suspension was layered on a 60% to 100% (v/v) linear Percoll gradient prepared in distilled water. Centrifugation at 450 g for 20 min resulted in the formation of 2 visible bands and a pellet. The top band (density of 1.075 g ml −1 ) contained viscous debris and crystallized bile pigments. The second visible band (density of 1.093–1.099 g ml −1 ) consisted of a relatively pure population of F. hepatica eggs (> 93%) while the pellet contained only F. hepatica egg shells.
Effects of chronic ethanol consumption on male Syrian hamster hepatic, microsomal mixed-function oxidases.

Chronic alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of drug interactions. We have described its effects on hamster microsomal monooxygenases. Male Syrian hamsters (85 g) were given 10% ethanol in water and food ad lib for up to 6 weeks. Microsomal electron transport components and metabolism of ethylmorphine, benzphetamine, aniline, and acetaminophen were measured. At 4 weeks, SDS-PAGE of ethanol microsomes showed an induced band with an Mr of 53,900 daltons and there was a 2–3 fold stimulation of aniline and acetaminophen metabolism. Cytochrome P-450 increase was not significant. For the six week period, Caloric intake (3 weeks, p<0.001), liquid consumption (3 weeks, p<0.05) and body weights (6 weeks, p<0.05) of ethanol animals were significantly greater than controls; kidney weights were significantly less (p<0.05). Ethanol consumption increased from 20% of the daily caloric intake (week 1) to 31% (week 6). Induction of specific substrate metabolism without apparent deleterious physiological changes establishes hamsters fed 10% ethanol in drinking water as a biochemical model for the study of chronic alcohol consumption and specific drug interactions.
Extensions of pushdown automata and Petri nets

A new class of "concurrent automata" is constructed. These automata are extensions of pushdown automata and Petri nets. They lie properly between ordinary Petri nets and Turing machines. In the September 1977 issue of Computing survey James Peterson states that "Any significant extension of the Petri net model tends to be equivalent to a Turing machine". This paper settled his conjecture negatively. The formal languages that are accepted/reconized by this automata lie properly between context free languages and context sensitive languages.
[123I]β-CIT SPECT imaging of dopamine transporter availability after mazindol administration in human cocaine addicts

The in vivo potency of mazindol for binding to striatal dopamine transporters (DAT) was assessed by [123I]β-CIT ([123I]2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)tropane) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Cocaine-dependent subjects (n=12) underwent three SPECT scans; one before, between, and after subchronic (1 week) administration of 2mg/day and 4mg/day mazindol. For each scan, subjects were injected with [123I]β-CIT and imaged 24h later under equilibrium conditions. Results showed a statistically significant main effect of mazindol dose (df=2, F=10.30, P<0.001, repeated measures ANOVA) in reducing the specific to non-displaceable equilibrium partition coefficient, V3″ (a measure proportional to DAT binding potential). Regression analysis of the logit transformed data enabled estimation of the 50% displacement dose of mazindol (ED50 =30mg/ day). These data suggest that low doses of mazindol (i.e., 2–4mg) occupy a small percentage (i.e., <25%) of DAT in human cocaine abusers and that much higher, potentially intolerable doses (i.e., ≥30mg/day) may be required to antagonize significantly cocaine binding in vivo.
A theoretical study of methylidyne chemisorption on Ni(111) and Co(0001) surfaces

Abstract Methylidyne is a key intermediate in hydrocarbon growth reactions over transition metal surfaces. However, experimental data characterizing its interaction with various surfaces are scarce. Therefore, to deepen our understanding of the chemisorption of methylidyne and to quantify its role in the catalytic formation of hydrocarbons, we have calculated the binding energy of methylidyne on Ni(111) and Co(0001) surfaces using density-functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation and the full-potential linear augmented planewave (FP-LAPW) method. The dependence of the binding energy on both the adsorption site and the surface coverage was significant on both surfaces. The binding energy of CH adsorbed in the fcc threefold hollow site of Ni(111) decreased by 1.1 eV as the surface coverage increased from 0.25 to 1.0 ML, whereas the increase of 0.74 eV observed over Co(0001) for the hcp threefold hollow site was slightly less pronounced. The density-of-state plots revealed that rehybridization of the carbon atom interacting with the surface occurred, and the electronic changes induced upon chemisorption were similar for both surfaces.
A Pharmacological Primer of Biased Agonism

Biased agonism is one of the fastest growing topics in G protein-coupled receptor pharmacology; moreover, biased agonists are used in the clinic today: carvedilol (Coreg®) is a biased agonist of beta-adrenergic receptors. However, there is a general lack of understanding of biased agonism when compared to traditional pharmacological terminology. Therefore, this review is designed to provide a basic introduction to classical pharmacology as well as G protein-coupled receptor signal transduction in order to clearly explain biased agonism for the non-scientist clinician and pharmacist. Special emphasis is placed on biased agonists of the beta-adrenergic receptors, as these drugs are highly prescribed, and a hypothetical scenario based on current clinical practices and proposed mechanisms for treating disease is discussed in order to demonstrate the need for a more thorough understanding of biased agonism in clinical settings. Since biased agonism provides a novel mechanism for treating disease, greater emphasis is being placed to develop biased agonists; therefore, it is important for biased agonism to be understood in equal measure of traditional pharmacological concepts. This review, along with many others, can be used to teach the basic concepts of biased agonism, and this review also serves to introduce the subsequent reviews that examine, in more depth, the relevance of biased agonism towards the angiotensin type 1 receptor, parathyroid hormone receptor, and natural biased ligands towards chemokine receptors.
Attenuation of Illusory Correlation

The attenuation of distinctiveness-based illusory correlations in judgments of groups was investigated. Subjects read about desirable and undesirable behaviors performed by members of either two or three groups. The behavioral information about two of the groups (A and B) was identical in all conditions, Group B and undesirable behavior occurring infrequently. When only information about Groups A and B was presented, results replicated the usual distinctiveness-based illusory correlation. That is, judgments of Group B were biased to be more negative than those of Group A. In three other conditions, behavioral descriptions of a third group (C) were also presented. The pattern of information about Group C differed, but in each case it was designed to undermine the basis on which illusory correlations are formed. In all three conditions the additional information about a third group attenuated, but did not eliminate, the illusory correlation evident in the two-group case. The attenuation involved changes in ...
WEAK SEPARABILITY AND A TEST FOR THE SPECIFICATION OF INCOME IN DEMAND MODELS WITH AN APPLICATION TO THE DEMAND FOR MEAT IN AUSTRALIA

Most studies of the demand for meat in Australia have used some measure of total income or expenditure, but two recent studies have assumed weak separability of a meat group and used expenditure on the meat group instead. These specification differences are of interest to the extent that they affect the economic interpretation, goodness-of-fit, elasticity estimates, predictive performance or hypothesis tests in empirical demand equations. In this paper, non-nested hypothesis testing procedures are used to test the alternative specifications of the income variable and the hypothesis of separability. The results favour the use of the expenditure variable implied by separability but are mixed concerning whether separability holds.
Deterioration in psychosocial functioning predicts relapse/recurrence after cognitive therapy for depression

Abstract Background Associations between major depressive disorder (MDD) and psychosocial functioning are incompletely understood across time and during continuation phase cognitive therapy (C-CT). We examined the validity of the Range of Impaired Functioning Tool (RIFT; [Leon, A.C., Solomon, D.A., Mueller, T.I., Turvey, C.L., Endicott, J., Keller, M.B., 1999. The Range of Impaired Functioning Tool (LIFE-RIFT): A brief measure of functional impairment. Psychol. Med. 29, 869–878.]) as a measure of psychosocial functioning and its relations to depressive symptoms in C-CT and assessment-only control conditions. Methods Outpatients with recurrent MDD who responded to acute-phase cognitive therapy (A-CT) were randomized to 8 months of C-CT ( n = 41) or assessment-only ( n = 43) and followed 16 additional months [Jarrett, R.B., Kraft, D., Doyle, J., Foster, B.M., Eaves, G.G., Silver, P.C., 2001. Preventing recurrent depression using cognitive therapy with and without a continuation phase: A randomized clinical trial. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 58, 381–388.]. Interviewers rated depressive symptoms and psychosocial functioning monthly. Patients completed additional self-reports. Results The RIFT converged appropriately with other measures of psychosocial functioning, depressive symptoms, cognitive content, and personality. About half (55%) of patients were psychosocially “well” (RIFT ≤ 8) during the first month post-A-CT. C-CT improved psychosocial functioning only transiently compared to the assessment control. Examined prospectively, depressive symptom level did not predict monthly changes in psychosocial functioning significantly, whereas psychosocial dysfunction level predicted monthly changes in depressive symptoms and relapse/recurrence. Limitations Findings may not generalize to other patient populations, treatments, and assessment methods. The cross-lagged correlational data structure allows only tentative conclusions about the causal effect of psychosocial functioning on depressive symptoms. Conclusions The RIFT is a valid measure of psychosocial functioning among responders to A-CT for depression. After such response, deteriorations in psychosocial functioning may signal imminent major depressive relapse/recurrence and provide targets for change during treatments focused on relapse/recurrence prevention.
Governance in a Global Economy: Political Authority in Transition

Governance in a Global Economy: Political Authority in Transition. Edited by Miles Kahler and David A. Lake. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2003. 472p. $70.00 cloth, $24.95 paper. The social scientific study of “globalization” has not been especially productive. Varying and expansive definitions of the phenomenon are used, cause and effect tend to be confused, and positive and normative claims are sometimes mixed. In this volume, Miles Kahler and David A. Lake offer a tractable and fruitful approach to the study of globalization by defining the phenomenon narrowly—in terms of economic integration made possible by reduced barriers to exchange and capital mobility—and by adopting a “second image reversed” perspective. Globalization is the independent variable used to explain changes in governance policies and institutions at the national level. This coherent focus allows the individual contributions to speak to each other while building on landmark works, such as Ronald Rogowski's (1989) Commerce and Coalitions and Robert Keohane and Helen Milner's (1996) Internationalization and Domestic Politics .
Assess the Accuracy of the Variational Asymptotic Plate and Shell Analysis (VAPAS) Using the Generalized Unifled Formulation (GUF)

The accuracy of the Variational Asymptotic Plate and Shell Analysis (VAPAS) is assessed against several higher order, zig zag and layerwise theories generated by using the invariant axiomatic framework denoted as Generalized Unifled Formulation (GUF). All the axiomatic and asymptotic theories are also compared against the elasticity solution developed for the case of a sandwich structure with high Face to Core Stifiness Ratio. GUF allows to use an inflnite number of axiomatic theories (Equivalent Single Layer theories with or without zig zag efiects and Layerwise theories as well) with any combination of orders of the displacements and it is an ideal tool to precisely assess the range of applicability of the Variational Asymptotic Plate and Shell Analysis or other theories in general. In fact, all the axiomatic theories generated by GUF are obtained from the kernels or fundamental nuclei of the Generalized Unifled Formulation and changing the order of the variables is \naturally" and systematically done with GUF. It is demonstrated that VAPAS achieves accuracy comparable to a fourth (or higher) order zig-zag theory. The computational advantages of VAPAS are then demonstrated. The difierences between the axiomatic Zig-zag models and VAPAS are also assessed. Range of applicability of VAPAS will be discussed in detail and guidelines for new developments based on GUF and VAPAS are provided.
An examination of the catalytic properties of several aminotransferases in brain and liver by means of an improved radiometric assay with dinitrophenylhydrazine.

— The assay of aminotransferases, performed by solvent extraction of keto acids formed from labelled amino acids, has been modified to enhance the recovery of both aliphatic and aromatic keto acid products. The keto acids are first converted to their respective dinitrophenylhydrazones which are more completely extracted into less polar organic solvents. By this manoeuvre, both keto acid extraction is increased and the extraction of the precursor amino acid is reduced. Employing this technique, the kinetics of brain-stem γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), tryptophan, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) aminotransferases and brain-stem and liver tyrosine aminotransferases were examined. Brain-stem aminotransferases, particularly the aromatic amino acid transferases, have a higher affinity for both the amino acid and the keto acid when the aromatic keto acid, phenylpyruvate (0·8 mM), is employed as amino group acceptor, whereas maximal velocities for aminotransferase reactions are much greater when α-ketoglutarate (0·8 mm) is the amino group acceptor. Brain-stem tyrosine aminotransferase exhibits a much lower affinity for tyrosine in the presence of either 0·8mm-α-ketoglutarate or 0·8 mm-phenylpyruvate than does liver tyrosine aminotransferase. p-Chlorophenylpyruvate and phenylpyruvate exhibit similar properties as amino group acceptors for brain-stem tryptophan aminotransferase. Cysteine inhibits tryptophan aminotransferase when phenylpyruvate is the amino group acceptor, in a manner which is competitive with the amino acid. Benzoylformate inhibits both tryptophan and DOPA aminotransferases when phenylpyruvate is the amino group acceptor, but this inhibition does not appear to be competitive with phenylpyruvate.
Legislative Intentionalism and Proxy Agency

Legislation is sometimes vague or ambiguous. For this reason and perhaps for others it is often claimed that there is no single objective and determinate way to apply legislation to particular cases or issues. This indeterminacy creates obvious problems for those required to interpret legislation: they must decide whether to apply legislation in cases of inde terminacy, and if they decide to apply it, there may be more than one way to do so. There are a number of different views about the methods interpreters should use, but a view commonly called 'inten tionalism' has traditionally been the most influential.1 Inten tionalism can be described as the view that a piece of legislation should be interpreted in accordance with the intentions of the
Independent Events in a Discrete Uniform Probability Space

Abstract Consider a random experiment with N equally likely outcomes. This article derives conditions in terms of the prime factorization of N for the existence of classes of pairwise independent and mutually independent events. Some examples are given to elucidate the conditions.
Career Development Strivings: Assessing Goals and Motivation in Career Decision-Making and Planning.

This article describes and demonstrates a novel approach to assessing goals and motives among individuals engaged in the career decision-making and planning process. Participants generated five career development strivings, rated each striving along several dimensions (self-efficacy, outcome expectations, sense of calling, spiritual significance, and materialism), and completed measures of conceptually related and unrelated variables. Results indicated adequate to strong internal consistency reliability for the strivings appraisal scale scores, and the pattern of correlations support the convergent and discriminant validity for scores obtained using this approach. We conclude that the career development strivings strategy has great potential as a flexible and efficient tool for use in career development research and practice.
Natural history of mild congenital aortic stenosis elucidated by serial hemodynamic studies.

Abstract There is a paucity of information on the natural history of congenital aortic stenosis. This report analyzes serial clinical and hemodynamic data obtained prospectively from 15 initially asymptomatic children with congenital aortic stenosis. The first hemodynamic study was performed at an average age of 8.5, and the follow-up study at an average age of 15.1 years. The cardiac index was consistently normal in all patients. The peak pressure difference across the left ventricular outflow tract increased between initial and final studies in 12 of the 15 patients. The gradient ranged from 5 to 45 mm Hg (mean 26) during the first study, and from 15 to 81 mm Hg (mean 44) at follow-up examination. Severe obstruction (gradient > 50 mm Hg, normal cardiac output; or calculated aortic valve orifice
The trellis architecture for intelligent monitors

The process trellis is a software architecture that imposes a simple and regular organization on a complex, diverse set of parallel processes. The organization it imposes is well suited to parallel real-time monitors and expert systems. The trellis architecture is based on a hierarchical graph of decision processes, reflecting the conceptual hierarchy of the problem domain. All processes in the graph execute continuously and concurrently, and they communicate among themselves and with the outside world using a simple and uniform protocol. The trellis is amenable to parallel real-time scheduling strategies, to 'abstraction strategies' that synopsize the structure of complex trellises, and to visualization; it is a highly flexible architecture that seems well suited to a variety of domains. Extensive work on the trellis to date has focused both on design and analytical studies, and on the implementation, using C-Linda, of a substantial prototype trellis for patient monitoring in intensive care units. >
Glycoprotein I of Varicella-Zoster Virus Is Required for Viral Replication in Skin and T Cells

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) glycoprotein I (gI) is dispensable in cell culture; the SCIDhu model of VZV pathogenesis was used to determine whether gI is necessary in vivo. The parental and repaired viruses grew in human skin and thymus/liver implants, but the gI deletion mutant was not infectious. Thus, gI is essential for VZV infectivity in skin and T cells.
Enhancing metal-insulator-insulator-metal tunnel diodes via defect enhanced direct tunneling

Metal-insulator-insulator-metal tunnel diodes with dissimilar work function electrodes and nanolaminate Al2O3-Ta2O5 bilayer tunnel barriers deposited by atomic layer deposition are investigated. This combination of high and low electron affinity insulators, each with different dominant conduction mechanisms (tunneling and Frenkel-Poole emission), results in improved low voltage asymmetry and non-linearity of current versus voltage behavior. These improvements are due to defect enhanced direct tunneling in which electrons transport across the Ta2O5 via defect based conduction before tunneling directly through the Al2O3, effectively narrowing the tunnel barrier. Conduction through the device is dominated by tunneling, and operation is relatively insensitive to temperature.
Climate and the Amazon

Titulo en espanol : Clima en el Amazonas Summary : When concerning ourselves with the future of the earth’s climate we must not make the grave mistake of counting only the quantities of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels, while neglecting those from changes in vegetation cover. But, there is another crucial dimension too: the role of natural ecosystems in giving us a climate we can live with. In this context the future of the Amazon forest is absolutely vital.
Cost and Target-Based Scheduling for Switch Power Control

In this paper we propose two advanced algorithms which allow for both differentiated quality-of-service (QOS) and power conservation in input-queued packet switches. These algorithms are based on two core ideas: first, we assume that the switch can operate in a number of operational speed modes; a higher speed mode serves more packets per time slot at the cost of higher power consumption. Second, each virtual output queue may tolerate a certain low backlog which is called a target in this setting. Thus, one can control power by adjusting the speed mode and QOS by setting the targets appropriately. We first survey previous work to provide the necessary background behind our approach. We then describe our algorithms and evaluate their performance experimentally through simulation. Our preliminary results show that these new procedures offer significant performance gains compared to existing approaches.
Local control of an ISOP push-pull converter with uneven load sharing

This paper discusses how load current can be unevenly shared among multiple modules in a DC-DC converter. Each module is controlled locally instead of using a supervisory controller or a master-slave approach. The goal is to have a truly modular converter. Focus will be given to an input series, output parallel (ISOP) configuration whose modules have a push-pull topology. A key challenge to overcome is interleaving the switching signals of the distributed modules. Sensorless current mode (SCM) control is implemented on separate FPGAs to digitally control each of the modules. Simulation and experimental results that support the proposed method are included.
A major grain protein content locus on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) chromosome 6 influences flowering time and sequential leaf senescence

Timing of various developmental stages including anthesis and whole-plant ('monocarpic') senescence influences yield and quality of annual crops. While a correlation between flowering/seed filling and whole-plant senescence has been observed in many annuals, it is unclear how the gene networks controlling these processes interact. Using near-isogenic germplasm, it has previously been demonstrated that a grain protein content (GPC) locus on barley chromosome 6 strongly influences the timing of post-anthesis flag leaf senescence, with high-GPC germplasm senescing early. Here, it is shown that the presence of high-GPC allele(s) at this locus also accelerates pre-anthesis plant development. While floral transition at the shoot apical meristem (SAM; determined by the presence of double ridges) occurred simultaneously, subsequent development was faster in the high- than in the low-GPC line, and anthesis occurred on average 5 d earlier. Similarly, sequential (pre-anthesis) leaf senescence was slightly accelerated, but only after differences in SAM development became visible. Leaf expression levels of four candidate genes (from a list of genes differentially regulated in post-anthesis flag leaves) were much higher in the high-GPC line even before faster development of the SAM became visible. One of these genes may be a functional homologue of Arabidopsis glycine-rich RNA-binding protein 7, which has previously been implicated in the promotion of flowering. Together, the data establish that the GPC locus influences pre- and post-anthesis barley development and senescence, and set the stage for a more detailed analysis of the interactions between the molecular networks controlling these important life history traits.
Some Decomposition Methods for Revenue Management

Working within a Markov decision process (MDP) framework, we study revenue management policies that combine aspects of mathematical programming approaches and pure MDP methods by decomposing the problem by time, state, or both. The “time decomposition” policies employ heuristics early in the booking horizon and switch to a more-detailed decision rule closer to the time of departure. We present a family of formulations that yield such policies and discuss versions of the formulation that have appeared in the literature. Subsequently, we describe sampling-based stochastic optimization methods for solving a particular case of the formulation. Numerical results for two-leg problems suggest that the policies perform well. By viewing the MDP as a large stochastic program, we derive some structural properties of two-leg problems. We show that these properties cannot, in general, be extended to larger networks. For such larger networks we also present a “state-space decomposition” approach that partitions the network problem into two-leg subproblems, each of which is solved. The solutions of these subproblems are then recombined to obtain a booking policy for the network problem.
Chemical Ecology of the Nudibranchs

The fact that nudibranchs often contain interesting natural products has been known for over a decade. These natural products were quickly recognized as defensive agents usually sequestered from their particular prey. Recently more fundamental questions, requiring the close collaboration between chemists and biologists, have been addressed. These include the questions of chemoreception and chemosignalling of nuibranchs. The activities in this field are reviewed for the first time with particular emphasis on the defense mechanisms of nudibranchs and the chemical ecology of nudibranchs in all stages of their life cycle.
Impact damage and residual strength predictions of 2D woven SiC/SiC composites

Lightweight, Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) are very attractive alternatives to superalloys for applications in hot turbine sections. However, debris, such as dirt, ice and metallic particles may be ingested by aero-engines and impact from them may cause serious damage and/or degradation to CMC components of the engines. It is important to develop predictive models and computational tools that would address this problem. The objective of this paper is to develop a progressive damage model for Ceramic Matrix Composite and implement it into ABAQUS Explicit to numerically predict impact damage and residual strength of a CMC component. To achieve this objective, experimental data on 2D woven SiC/SiC beams subjected to high velocity impact and subsequent four-point-bending tests were used. Modified Hashin-Rotem criteria were assumed for damage initiation and specialized cohesive traction-separation laws were developed to address the fiber toughening mechanism experienced by the CMC in tension and shear modes. Impact damage and four-point-bending of the SiC/SiC specimens were simulated in ABAQUS Explicit, and relatively good agreement was found between FEA predictions and test results, including the impact zone shape and size, as well as the load-deflection response and residual bending strength from the four-point-bending tests. Specialized progressive damage model for fiber-toughening of CMC was developed.ABAQUS Explicit numerically predicted impact damage and residual strength of CMC.Good agreement between FEA predictions and test results was found.
Giant, completely calcified lumbar juxtafacet cyst: report of an unusual case.

Study Design Case report. Objective To report the case of one patient who developed a giant, completely calcified, juxtafacet cyst. Methods A 57-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of progressively worsening lower back pain, left leg pain, weakness, and paresthesias. Imaging showed a giant, completely calcified mass arising from the left L5–S1 facet joint, with coexisting grade I L5 on S1 anterolisthesis. The patient was treated with laminectomy, excision of the mass, and L5–S1 fixation and fusion. Results The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course and had complete resolution of her symptoms as of 1-year follow-up. Conclusions When presented with a solid-appearing, calcified mass arising from the facet joint, a completely calcified juxtafacet cyst should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis.
An Ion Probe Study of Plasma-Assisted Laser Deposition

The ionic content of an excimer laser ablated YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) plume has been investigated by using an ion probe detection system. The time-of-flight ion signals indicate a bifurcation of the plume, where the degree of bifurcation is dependent on both the oxygen pressure and the laser spot size at the target. A significant enhancement in the ionic content is observed when the plume is passed through a high voltage discharging ring. The results describing the effect of the pressure, laser spot size and the discharge parameters on the propagating laser plume are presented in this paper.
Do Conservation Organizations Influence the Production of Natural Resource Violations

This research extends the study of natural resource violations by examining the association between conservation organizations and the enforcement of natural resource violations across 67 Florida counties in 2006. Specifically, the authors look at natural resource violations as an organizational outcome that is influenced by perceived community organization around environmental conservation. To do this, they examine the association between the number of conservation organizations and the level of enforcement for natural resource violations. The results suggest that even while controlling for organizational capacity (i.e., number of officers), offenders and targets, proportion rural population, and economic benefits from natural resource use, a positive association exits between conservation organizations and natural resource enforcement levels. This relationship is not replicated in the case of animal rights and hunting and fishing organizations. Although issues related to environmental justice are always...
The idea of human prehistory: the natural sciences, the human sciences, and the problem of human origins in Victorian Britain

The idea of human prehistory was a provocative and profoundly influential new notion that took shape gradually during the nineteenth century. While archaeology played an important role in providing the evidence for this idea many other sciences such as geology, paleontology, ethnology, and physical anthropology all made critical contributions to discussions about human prehistory. Many works have explored the history of prehistoric archaeology but this paper examines the conceptual content of the idea of "human prehistory" as it developed in the British scientific community. Both the natural and the human sciences contributed to what was in fact a complex collection of individual elements that together constituted the prevailing idea of human prehistory, although there were other competing conceptions of human prehistory endorsed by various scientists and critics of the new view of early human history.
Breast cancer and social environment: getting by with a little help from our friends

Social environment is a well-recognized determinant in health and wellbeing. Among breast cancer patients, inadequate social support is associated with a substantial increase in cancer-related mortality. A common explanation is that socially isolated individuals fare worse due to reduced instrumental support (i.e., assistance meeting the demands of treatment). However, the ability to replicate the detrimental effects of social isolation on mammary tumor growth in rodents strongly suggests an alternative explanation; i.e., socially isolated individuals have a physiological milieu that promotes tumor growth. This review summarizes the clinical and basic science literature supporting social influences on breast cancer, and provides a conceptual physiological framework for these effects. We propose that social environment contributes to the vast individual differences in prognosis among breast cancer survivors because social environment is capable of altering basic physiological processes, which in turn can modulate tumor growth. Appreciation of the role of social environment in breast cancer progression could promote the identification of patients at increased risk for poor outcomes. In addition, characterization of the underlying physiological mechanisms could lead to targeted disruption of detrimental pathways that promote tumor progression in socially isolated individuals, or exploitation of protective pathways activated through social engagement as novel therapeutic complements to contemporary treatments.
High-performance short-wavelength infrared photodetectors based on type-II InAs/InAs1-xSbx/AlAs1-xSbx superlattices

We present a high-performance short-wavelength infrared n-i-p photodiode, whose structure is based on type-II superlattices with InAs/InAs1-xSbx/AlAs1-xSbx on GaSb substrate. At room temperature (300K) with front-side illumination, the device shows the peak responsivity of 0.47 A/W at 1.6mm, corresponding to 37% quantum efficiency at zero bias. At 300K, the device has a 50% cut-off wavelength of ~1.8mm. For −50mV applied bias at 300 K the photodetector has dark current density of 9.6x10-5 A/cm2 and RxA of 285 Ω•cm2, and it revealed a detectivity of 6.45x1010 cm•Hz1/2/W. Dark current density reached to 1.3x10-8 A/cm2 at 200 K, with 36% quantum efficiency which leads to the detectivity value of 5.66x1012 cm•Hz1/2/W.
Effects of processed cheese on human plaque pH and demineralization and remineralization.

This two-part study was undertaken to examine the effects of processed cheese on human plaque pH and de- and remineralization of enamel and root lesions in a human in situ caries model system. In the first part of the study the selected processed cheese (Kraft American Singles Processed Cheese Food) was eaten alone and followed by a 10% sucrose rinse after the acidogenicity of the plaque was demonstrated. A 10% sucrose rinse alone resulted in a mean minimum pH of 4.26. The cheese alone showed a mean minimum pF of 6.32 and cheese followed by sucrose resulted in a mean minimum pH of 6.48. The plaque pH of cheese eaten alone stayed at pH above 5.7 (the "safe for teeth" level). Cheese consumption also prevented the acid challenge when followed by sucrose. The second part of the study utilized the thin-sections of artificially created caries-like lesions on enamel and root, and sound root sections. One-month periods were used in a cross-over design to examine the effect of eating the cheese q.i.d. Polarized light microscopy was used to determine changes in the size of lesion areas. The addition of the processed cheese to the diet resulted in statistically significant reductions in enamel lesion size as well as a reduction in progression of root lesions. Lesions created on the sound root surfaces were approximately one-third the size of those created during the control period. This study indicates that processed cheese is hypoacidogenic, anti-acidogenic, and prevents demineralization as well as enhances remineralization.
The Role of Academic Health Centers in Disaster Preparedness

Academic Health Centers (AHCs) have been pioneers in their contributions to emergency preparedness in their communities as well as nation-wide. They filled an important role following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks by providing emergency preparedness (bioterrorism) competencies for clinicians and academic-based curriculum for healthcare professions (Colleges AoAM. Training future physicians about weapons of mass destruction: report of the expert panel on bioterrorism education for medical students. Washington, DC: AAMC; 2003; Gebbie and Qureshi, Am J Nurs. 2002;102(1):46–51). AHCs housed many of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded Centers for Public Health Preparedness (CPHP) to provide for workforce development for public health workers. Another essential service that AHCs provide in disaster preparedness is their expertise in caring for the elderly population. Geriatric centers of excellence, housed in AHCs, provide disaster planners with clinical expertise in geriatric care to assure that this vulnerable population’s needs are considered in community disaster response planning (Warshaw et al. JAMA. 2002;288(18):2313–9). This chapter will explore the role that AHCs have played in the past, their contributions to disaster preparedness today, and why they should continue to partner with the growing infrastructure of emergency preparedness in future disaster preparedness activities contributing to the public health and medical response.