cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of the CD44 cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains in constitutive and inducible hyaluronan binding.

The role of the CD44 cytoplasmic domain in cells displaying constitutive or inducible hyalu ronan (HA) binding mediated by wild-type CD44 was investigated using mutant CD44 constructs with the cytoplasmic domain truncated or replaced by foreign sequences. In cell lines in which wild-type CD44 bound HA constitutively, chimeric constructs consisting of the CD44 external domain and the transmembrane plus cytoplasmic domains of β5 integrin bound as well as wild-type CD44, arguing that the specific sequence of the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains was not critical for HA binding by the external domain. The cytoplasmic domain sequence did not contribute to the 'inducible' phenotype in cell lines which did not bind HA constitutively, but which could be induced to bind by CD44-specific mAb. Tailless CD44 was inducible in these cells, as was chimeric CD44 with the integrin β5 cytoplasmic domain. Dimer- or oligomerization of CD44 by addition of AP1510 to cells containing CD44 / FKBP chimeric constructs caused a modest enhancement of HA binding in cells that bound constitutively, but did not alter the inducible phenotype. This result suggests that clustering of CD44 from inside the cell is not a sufficient `inside-out' signal to activate HA binding in inducible cells.
Role of Gender in Reviewers' Appraisals of Quality in Political Science Books : A Content Analysis

This study examines the changing roles for women in academia from 1991 to 2001 through a content analysis of quality characteristics in 626 American Political Science Review book reviews. Results revealed increases for women over men in quantity of books and reviews published, as well as quality appraisals of books written.
Terrorism Law between the Executive and Legislative Models

President Barack Obama chose to start his presidency with the promulgation of three executive orders on anti-terrorism measures, aimed at changing important policies promoted by his predecessor, President George Bush. This choice highlights the involvement of the executive branch in the creation and shaping of U.S. anti-terrorism law. It serves as a starting point for this Article which focuses on the institutional aspects of this field. More specifically, the Article evalu ates the significance of the choice between promulgating anti terrorism measures through the executive branch (the executive model) rather than through the legislative branch (the legislative model), while addressing the distinction between a "pure" and a "weak" execu tive model (a term used to denote broad legislative authorizations that do not involve actual normative limitations on the scope of executive power). The Article maps out the two models and evaluates their re spective advantages and disadvantages from a comparative perspective. The analysis reveals that in practice, these two ideal mod els of terrorism law are never adopted exclusively, and that Western democracies have tended to embrace both in different contexts and in a way that does not necessarily reflect the difference between parlia mentary and presidential systems. In fact, preferences for these models vary at different times and in different contexts within the same political system, e.g., a preference for the executive model in the context of law enforcement vis-a-vis a preference for the legislative model in the context of criminal justice. The evaluation of the models focuses on the transparency of anti-terrorism measures, their dura tion, the immediacy of their application, the availability of judicial review, the scope of anti-terrorism measures, and the public debate they elicit.
Scientific support for a space interferometry mission

An astrometric interferometer in space will provide a dramatic improvement in the accuracy with which stellar positions may be measured. The potential and the far ranging impact in science of this capability has deeply impressed the scientific community, with the result that a high priority has been assigned to a mission for precision astrometry. In this talk I will review the origins of the AIM concept, describe the scientific opportunities, and show the relationship to ground capabilities and to other space astronomy missions.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Chemical Control Studies of the Wheat Curl Mite

Little work has been reported on the control of eriophyid mites with synthetic organic acaricides, and virtually none on the wheat curl mite, Aceria tulipae (Keif.). Rolling of the leaves caused by this species and the tendency for some mites to occur deep in the leaf sheaths between two surfaces protects them from sprays and suggested the translocation of systemic insecticides as the most promising means of control. Spraying with 30 different insecticides in greenhouse and field in the spring resulted in none that gave both high initial and long residual control. Eighty to 90% control was obtained at 2 to 3 days in the field with several insecticides but none exceeded 90% control. Best control at 5 weeks following spraying of young wheat in the fall was obtained with endrin in light mineral seal oil. After determining the maximum concentration of each systemic toxicant that was not highly detrimental to germination, three concentrations of each toxicant were tested. Retardation and/or reduction in germination resulted from the use of all seed treatments, although not above the 5% confidence limit in most cases when the toxicant did not exceed 0.125 pound per bushel. Impregnation of the toxicant in 4 pounds of Carhowax-6000 per bushel of seed, gave better control than soil drenches. Am. Cyanamid 12009 (95% control) and 12008 (85% control) at an average from 0.125 to 0.5 pound of toxicant in 4 pounds of Carbowax per bushel of seed, gave the best overall results at the end of 1 week. When these toxicants were impregnated in attac1ay at 1.0 pound toxicant per bushel, 89 and 74% control, respectively, was obtained at 1 week and 98 and 97%, respectively, at the end of 5 weeks. In field studies on plantings of fall-treated seed, best results, using Am. Cyanamid 12008 (89% control) and 12009 (72% control), were recorded at 5 weeks when the toxicant was used without being impregnated in granules. Mites were present in all cases when counts were made 10 weeks following planting as well as during the following spring. In no instance was control of wheat-streak mosaic obtained from seed treatments in 1954 when viruliferous mites were constantly introduced in large numbers onto the young wheat plants.
Notes on Hexamermis spp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae) occurring in the vicinity of Columbia, Missouri.

Puttler and Thewke (1971) reported Hexamermis arvalis Poinar & Gyrisco as a parasite of several species of noctuid cutworms in Missouri. In a continuing effort to obtain information on the biology and ecology of mermithid nematodes, observations were made in the summer of 1966 on a Hexamermis sp. reared from the red admiral butterfly, Vanessa atalanta (L.); Polygonia comma Harris; P. interrogationis F. (Nymphalidae); and the banded woollybear, Isia Isabella (J. E. Smith) (Arctiidae). They were all collected from wood nettle, Laporta canadensis (L.), and slender nettle, Urtica procera Muhl., growing in creek bottom habitat with an overstory of silver maple, box elder, and elm in the vicinity of Columbia, Mo. Larval collections were initiated earlier in the year in 1967 and 1968 and carried out periodically in those years. V. atalanta was the most prevalent host and it is from this species that most of the observations are reported. An undetermined mermithid from V. atalanta is cited by Van Zwaluwenburg (1928) as occurring in Europe, the United States, and the Hawaiian Islands.
Potential hydrogen bottleneck in nickel-iron hydrogenase.

The role of two-state reactivity at the enzyme active site with respect to binding of molecular H2 for the high- and low-spin of [NiFe] hydrogenase (Ni−SI forms) is examined by density functional theory. In addition to examination of a single H2 molecule binding at either the Ni or Fe of the active site, the possibility that H2 binds simultaneously at each metal center in the active site of this enzyme is examined. The concurrent binding of two molecules of H2 suggests a potential hydrogen bottleneck in which high concentrations might lead to a decrease in the rate of hydrogen oxidation.
A slow obligatory proton release step precedes hydride transfer in the liver glutamate dehydrogenase catalytic mechanism.

We have used the stopped-flow indicator dye method to measure proton release and product formation simultaneously in the initial transient-state portion of the glutamate dehydrogenase-catalyzed oxidative deamination of l -glutamate. We observe a measurably slow release of a proton from the enzyme-NADP- l -glutamate complex. This proton release precedes the hydride transfer step, as indicated by the distinct lag in the product formation signal. We show that the proton release step corresponds to an obligatory intermediate in the reaction sequence. We also find that compounds which are competitive inhibitors of l -glutamate are capable of inducing this phenomenon. We prove that this unanticipated prehydride transfer event cannot be due to the release of an α-amino group proton from the substrate.
Predators, risks and context for mobbing and alarm calls in black-billed magpies

Abstract Black-billed magpie, Pica pica hudsonia, mobbing and alarm calls were recorded for each of several different predator contexts. These were analysed spectrographically to determine whether the callers used temporal variation to communicate (1) the nature of the danger, (2) the identity of the predator and (3) the risks involved in actions resulting from alertness to the presence of the predator (e.g. fleeing or mobbing). The results support the notion that magpies vary call syllable length to give recipients information about the nature of the danger and to respond to a predator in an appropriate manner. Playback experiments were conducted using recordings of the separate call types as stimuli. The aim of the playback experiments was to determine whether one form of call elicits a more intense reaction from recipients than another call. It was found that magpies responded to calls with longer syllables by approaching the speaker while their response to calls with shorter syllables was aversive.
On a Genetics Model of Moran

Wright (14), Feller (2) and others have proposed various stochastic models of genetics to study the fluctuations of gene frequency under the influence of mutation and selection. One of their simplest models has the following structure. There are a fixed number N of gametes each of which may be of two types a or A. The process X(n), n = 0, 1, 2, … which is assumed to have stationary transitions, is said to be in state j when there are j gametes of type a, and N − j of type A. Let γ1 denote the probability that immediately after formation an a gamete mutates into an A gamete and let γ2 denote the probability of an A gamete mutating into an a gamete. Each of the gametes of the next generation is independently formed by making a random selection from the gametes of the present generation. The probability of a particular gamete in the next generation being of type a is then and of type A where j represents the state of the process. Roughly speaking, the chance of a mating resulting in a gamete of a prescribed kind for the next generation is proportional to the fraction of these gametes present in this generation allowing for mutation effects.
The Erf4 Subunit of the Yeast Ras Palmitoyl Acyltransferase Is Required for Stability of the Acyl-Erf2 Intermediate and Palmitoyl Transfer to a Ras2 Substrate

Protein S-palmitoylation is a posttranslational modification in which a palmitoyl group is added to a protein via a thioester linkage on cysteine. Palmitoylation is a reversible modification involved in protein membrane targeting, receptor trafficking and signaling, vesicular biogenesis and trafficking, protein aggregation, and protein degradation. An example of the dynamic nature of this modification is the palmitoylation-depalmitoylation cycle that regulates the subcellular trafficking of Ras family GTPases. The Ras protein acyltransferase (PAT) consists of a complex of Erf2-Erf4 and DHHC9-GCP16 in yeast and mammalian cells, respectively. Both subunits are required for PAT activity, but the function of the Erf4 and Gcp16 subunits has not been established. This study elucidates the function of Erf4 and shows that one role of Erf4 is to regulate Erf2 stability through an ubiquitin-mediated pathway. In addition, Erf4 is required for the stable formation of the palmitoyl-Erf2 intermediate, the first step of palmitoyl transfer to protein substrates. In the absence of Erf4, the rate of hydrolysis of the active site palmitoyl thioester intermediate is increased, resulting in reduced palmitoyl transfer to a Ras2 substrate. This is the first demonstration of regulation of a DHHC PAT enzyme by an associated protein.
Design and performance analysis of preallocation protocols for WDM photonic networks

Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) enables partitioning the enormous bandwidth of photonic networks into multiple smaller, more manageable, multiple access channels. These channels operate at a data rate which matches the electronic interface speed, viz. Gbps. Media access protocols for an optically interconnected star-coupled WDM network with no control channel are introduced and compared. The channels are preallocated to nodes where each node has a home channel that it uses for all data reception. If the number of nodes exceeds the number of channels, home channels are shared among nodes. This approach does not require both tunable transmitters and tunable receivers reducing system complexity and is not limited by the number of channels available. A generalized random access protocol and an interleaved time division multiplexed protocol are compared. Both protocols require a fast tunable transmitter and a slow (or fixed) tunable receiver per node. Each node has a set of queues of variable capacity -- one per data channel. The switching time of tunable transmitters has a significant impact on system performance and techniques are developed to reduce the impact. Detailed discrete-event simulation results are used to evaluate system performance in terms of network throughput and average packet delay with variation in the number of nodes and channels and transmitter switching latency.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The relationship of brain development and breastfeeding in the late-preterm infant

Late-preterm infants (34 0/7–36 6/7 weeks gestation) are physiologically and developmentally immature at birth. The relationship between brain development and feeding is important since adequate oral intake is imperative to prevent feeding-related morbidity and mortality associated with being late preterm. One third of brain growth occurs in the last 6–8 weeks of gestation. The ontogeny of coordinated oral feeding appears to follow a chronological, predictable pattern in preterm neonates. This suggests that neurodevelopmental maturation, rather than experience or learned behavior, is largely responsible for feeding behaviors. The aim of this article is to provide a review of the literature that establishes the relationship between brain development and feeding in the late-preterm infant.
A block spin construction of ondelettes Part II: The QFT connection

We apply the Lemarie basis of ondelettes to the Battle-Federbush cluster expansion for the φ34 quantum field theory. Since there is no infrared problem for this model, we also show how the large-scale ondelettes can be thrown away and replaced by unit-scale functions. Finally, we apply the block spin machine of Part I to the construction of exponentially localized ondelettes orthogonal with respect to the free, massless action of the scalar field.
Towards an Understanding of ‘Why Sport Tourists Do What They Do’

A conceptual framework drawing upon role theory, life span and family life cycle models, motivation theories, and the effects of social structure (gender, race and social class) can be used to further our understanding of sport tourism behaviour. In this essay, each of the theoretical perspectives are outlined in turn, their current applications to tourism or sport studies is discussed and their applications to sport tourism research is recognized. By adopting a multi-disciplinary approach such as this, it is hoped that scholarship in sport tourism can move beyond descriptive profile work to understanding ‘why sport tourists do what they do’.
Laser performance operations model

The laser performance operations model (LPOM) is developed to provide real-time predictive capabilities for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. LPOM uses diagnostic feedback from previous NIF shots to maintain accurate energetics models for each of the 192 NIF beamlines (utilizing one CPU per laser beamline). This model is used to determine the system setpoints (initial power, waveplate attenuations, laser diagnostic settings) required for all requested NIF shots. In addition, LPOM employs optical damage models to minimize the probability that a proposed shot may damage the system. LPOM provides postshot diagnostic reporting to support the NIF community. LPOM was deployed prior to the first main laser shots in NIF, and has since been used to set up every shot in NIF's first quad (four beamlines). Real-time adjustments of the code energetics parameters allow the LPOM to predict total energies within 5%, and provide energy balance within the four beamlines to within 2% for shots varying from 0.5 to 26 kJ (1.053 µm) per beamline. The LPOM has been a crucial tool in the commissioning of the first quad of NIF.
Modified fluorescence assay for oxidized and reduced glutathione in tissue.

A previously reported enzymatic-fluorometric assay for reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione was modified through the use of heat precipitation of sample protein and hydrogen peroxide oxidation of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione. These modifications were made to eliminate two critical pH adjustments present in the original assay and the possibility of interference with the assay of oxidized glutathione by the perchloric acid protein precipitant and the cupric-ion oxidant used in the original assay. The reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione content of Harding-Passey melanoma was determined using the modified assay. The reduced glutathione content was similar to literature values. The precision of the assay was not adversely affected by these modifications.
Redox regulation of neuronal migration in a down syndrome model

Abstract Down syndrome (DS), one of the major genetic causes of mental retardation, is characterized by disrupted corticogenesis produced, in part, by an abnormal layering of neurons in cortical laminas II and III. Because defects in the normal migration of neurons during corticogenesis can result in delayed cortical radial expansion and abnormalities in cortical layering, we have examined neuronal migration in murine trisomy 16 (Ts16), a mouse model for DS. Using an in vitro assay for chemotaxis, our data demonstrate that the number of acutely dissociated Ts16 cortical neurons migrating in response to glutamate or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), known chemotactic factors, was decreased compared to normal littermates, suggesting a defect in NMDA receptor- (NMDAR-) mediated events. Ts16 neurons did not lack NMDAR since expression of mRNA and protein for NMDAR subunits was observed in Ts16 cells. However, the number of cells that generated an observable current in response to NMDA was decreased compared to normal littermates. Similar to DS, Ts16 CNS demonstrated an inherent oxidative stress likely caused by the triplication of genes such as SOD1. To determine if the abnormal redox state was a factor in the failure of NMDAR-mediated migration in Ts16, we treated Ts16 neurons with either n-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or dithiothrietol (DTT), known antioxidants. The reduction in NMDAR-mediated migration observed in Ts16 neurons was returned to normal littermate values by NAC or DTT. Our data indicate that oxidative stress may play a key role in the abnormal glutamate-mediated responses during cortical development in the Ts16 mouse and may have an impact on neuronal migration at critical stages.
Molecular Theory of Atomic Collisions: Fine-Structure Transitions

The theory of fine-structure transitions in atom-atom collisions is formulated in terms of the molecular states of the diatomic collision complex. The Born-Oppenheimer (BO) electronic wave functions are implicit functions of the interatomic coordinate $R$, and the molecular theory is analogous to the "perturbed-stationary-state" method. Expansion in molecular channel states incorporates the effects of polarization, exchange, and valence forces on the electronic portion of the scattering wave function and embodies the "adiabatic" contribution of the entire set of closed-channel excited states that are generated in the more usual asymptotic-atomic-state expansion. The channel states are expressed explicity in terms of the body-fixed molecular wave functions, and the resultant interaction matrix elements in the close-coupling scattering formalism are related to the molecular potentials. The theory is developed specifically for proton collisions with the fluorine atom in its ground $^{2}P_{j,\mathrm{mj}}$ state, with explicit account being taken of the spin-orbit splitting between the $j=\frac{3}{2}$ and $j=\frac{1}{2}$ multiplet states. Use is made of the accurate H${\mathrm{F}}^{+}$ ($^{2}\mathrm{II}$) and ${\mathrm{HF}}^{+}(^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma})$ wave functions calculated by Wahl, Julienne, and Krauss. These molecular states asymptotically approach ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ +F($^{2}\mathrm{P}$), and accurate quadrupole and induced-dipole interaction parameters which describe the asymptotic interaction potentials are obtained from the calculations. Estimates are made of the BO coupling terms and they are found to be negligible compared to the spin-orbit couplings. In the following paper close-coupling calculations are made of the cross sections for the fine-structure transitions ($j,{m}_{j}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{j}^{\ensuremath{'}},{m}_{j}$).
Isoforms of soluble alpha-tubulin in oocytes and brain of the frog (genus Rana): changes during oocyte maturation.

Rana oocytes have previously been shown to contain much more soluble tubulin than does the brain, suggesting different assembly and disassembly dynamics of frog oocyte tubulin compared to that in brain. By using centrifugation, SDS-PAGE, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and Western blots, probed with anti-α-tubulin monoclonal antibodies, polymorphic α-tubulins (isoforms) were compared in brains and follicle-enclosed oocytes of northern (Rana pipiens) and southern (R. berlandieri) frogs. Oocyte tubulin in both species had isoforms with greater ranges of isoelectric point (pI) than those of brain tubulins; in particular, the oocyte tubulin pIs ranged further into the acidic region of the isoelectric-focusing gels than corresponding brain tubulin. This difference may, in part, be responsible for the previously reported assembly differences between oocyte tubulin (undetectable assembly) and brain tubulin (high assembly). Isoforms of α-tubulin with relat ively acidic pI were more abundant in northern frog brain and oocyte soluble extracts than in analogous extracts from southern frogs. Furthermore, additional acidic α-tubulin isoforms were found in progesterone-treated oocytes (i.e., eggs), indicating increased heterogeneity of acidic a-tubulin isoforms during oocyte meiotic maturation. Among northern frog oocyte soluble components fractionated on Superose-6b columns, tubulin complexes with apparent molecular mass of about 1800 kDa were found to contain acidic α-tubulin isoforms while the putative oligomeric tubulins with an apparent molecular mass of about 250 kDa contained an additional relatively basic α-tubulin isoform. The acidic α-tubulin isoforms, therefore, are proposed to be associated with cold-adaptable cells of brain and oocytes, and may also be involved in stabilization of large soluble tubulin complexes in oocytes of the northern frog.
Phases and transformations in the curium-oxygen system

Abstract The thermal decomposition of curium dioxide and the polymorphism of curium sesquioxide have been investigated by high-temperature X-ray diffractometry and thermogravimetric analysis. Curium dioxide has the fluorite (fcc) structure with a = 5·357 ± 0·001 A at room temperature; radiation damage from α-decay of curium-244 causes the cell to swell to a saturation value of 5·373 A within 3 days. Thermal decomposition of the dioxide proceeds through two intermediate phases, CmO1·81 with apparent fluorite symmetry ( a = 5·435 ± 0·001 A ) and Cm7O12 with a rhombohedral cell ( a = 6·677 ± 0·004 A , α = 99·52 ± 0·07° ), to form a nonstoichiometric phase CmO1·64−1·52 with the C-type (bcc) rare earth sesquioxide structure and a lattice parameter varying between 10·922 and 10·996 A. The C-type sesquioxide phase transforms irreversibly to monoclinic B-type Cm2O3 ( a = 14·276 ± 0·008 A , b = 3·656 ± 0·001 A , c = 8·913 ± 0·004 A , and β = 100·39° ± 0·03°) between 800 and 1300°C with a 0·1 per cent weight loss. B-Type Cm2O3 transforms reversibly to hexagonal A-type Cm2O3 ( a = 3·845 ± 0·005 A , c = 6·092 ± 0·005 A at 1600°C) at 1600°C; the A-type Cm2O3 is stable to the melting point.
The impact of inertial forces on morphing wind turbine blade in vertical axis configuration

A novel flexible blade concept with the ability to morph and geometrically adapt to changing flow conditions has been proposed to improve part-load performance of horizontal-axis wind turbines. The extension of these benefits to a vertical axis wind turbine would make wind technology a more competitive player in the energy market. Both flexible and rigid wind turbine rotor blades for vertical axis application were modeled, designed, manufactured and tested. Their performances were tested in a low speed wind tunnel. The predicted magnitude and direction of blade morph was validated using a high speed camera as well as finite element analysis. The comparative results of straight rigid and straight morphing blades show that the coefficient of performance greatly depends on the tip speed ratio. Overall, the morphing blade has better performance at low RPMs, but the rigid blade performed better at high RPMs. It was observed that the flexible blade self-started in the majority of the experiments. At high RPM, the centrifugal force overwhelmed the lift force, bending the flexible blade out of phase in an undesired direction increasing drag and therefore reducing the coefficient of performance.
Molecular biology and gene transfer in atherosclerosis in the stenting era.

Atherosclerosis is the major cause of death in the developed world. Understanding the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has been a major challenge to cardiovascular research over the past several decades. During this period a number of advances in various scientific disciplines has increased our understanding of this disease. These include improved understanding of the structural and functional components of normal vessel wall and more recently the use of cell biology and molecular biology techniques to elucidate the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. None of these advances has been more dramatic nor has potentially more far reaching consequences as the application of molecular biology and gene technology to the practice of cardiovascular medicine. These developments have already opened new and exciting areas of vascular research and may in the future provide for earlier identification of genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis, strategic planning of preventive therapy and more tailored pharmacologic approa...
Rural Ozone: Trends and Exceedances at CASTNet Sites

Emission reductions were mandated in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 with the expectation that they would result in major reductions in the concentrations of atmospherically transported pollutants. This paper used generalized additive models to characterize the form and magnitude of changes in ground-level ozone concentrations adjusted for concomitant meteorological conditions at 35 rural sites in the eastern US from 1989 to 1995. At all sites and for all three measures, ozone concentrations declined over the period by about 5% for the two daily measures and about 7% for the weekly average. These declines were statistically significant at 18, 17, and 21 sites (for the daily maximum 1-h, daily 8-h maximum, and weekly averages, respectively), and the median percent total change at these sites for all three measures was approximately {minus}9%. All sites were evaluated with respect to the old and new National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone. Under the new standard, 23 sites would not have met the standard for at least one triennial evaluation period as compared to seven sites under the old standard.
U.S. warm‐season rainfall in NCAR CAM3: An event‐oriented perspective

[1] A modified form of the Community Atmosphere Model, ver. 3 (CAM3) developed at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is validated in its warm-season mean precipitation diurnal cycle for two regions of the United States. For all grid boxes of each region, simulated and observed precipitation records over four four-month periods are separated into discrete precipitation events. These events are binned into mutually-exclusive categories, and the diurnal harmonic for each category is estimated. In this way, the model is validated over the spectrum of precipitation episodes, and biases in the overall seasonal-mean diurnal cycle can be attributed to particular kinds of events. The results of the study indicate that the model's total seasonal precipitation is overwhelmingly weighted in the extremely long events and that these events contain the source of any biases in the seasonal mean.
Control of potato greening with household detergents

Greening and light-induced glycoalkaloid synthesis were inhibited for a period of 240 hours when tubers were immersed in a dilute detergent solution before exposing them to fluorescent light. The efficiency of the treatment was dependent on the variety and the length of time the tubers had been held in storage. A 30-minute treatment with 3% detergent solution inhibited chlorophyll development 92% for the first 48 hours in Russet Burbank tubers. The inhibitory effect decreased with increase in exposure time, but inhibiton remained more than 50% after 240 hours of continuous light exposure.
Mutations That Alter a Conserved Element Upstream of the Potato Virus X Triple Block and Coat Protein Genes Affect Subgenomic RNA Accumulation

Abstract The putative subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) promoter regions upstream of the potato virus X (PVX) triple block and coat protein (CP) genes contain sequences common to other potexviruses. The importance of these sequences to PVX sgRNA accumulation was determined by inoculation of Nicotiana tabacum NT1 cell suspension protoplasts with transcripts derived from wild-type and modified PVX cDNA clones. Analyses of RNA accumulation by S1 nuclease digestion and primer extension indicated that a conserved octanucleotide sequence element and the spacing between this element and the start-site for sgRNA synthesis are critical for accumulation of the two major sgRNA species. The impact of mutations on CP sgRNA levels was also reflected in the accumulation of CP. In contrast, genomic minus- and plus-strand RNA accumulation were not significantly affected by mutations in these regions. Studies involving inoculation of tobacco plants with the modified transcripts suggested that the conserved octanucleotide element functions in sgRNA accumulation and some other aspect of the infection process.
Probing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas aureofaciens, Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Pseudomonas putida with the ferripyochelin receptor A gene and the synthesis of pyochelin in Pseudomonas aureofaciens, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Pseudomonas putida.

The ferripyochelin receptor A (fptA) gene codes for the transport of the ferrisiderophore ferripyochelin in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A P. aeruginosa fptA internal fragment was used to probe chromosomal DNA from P. aureofaciens, B. cepacia, P. fluorescens, P. putida, and five strains of P.aeruginosa. These bacteria all contained DNA that hybridized to the fptA fragment. Four of the five P. aeruginosa strains displayed marked and identical patterns, indicating a high degree of sequence similarities among these strains. DNA from the non-P. aeruginosa bacteria, in contrast, hybridized less to the fptA fragment. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and B. cepacia synthesize pyochelin. Experiments were performed to confirm P. fluorescens pyochelin synthesis and to determine if pyochelin, cepabactin or salicylic acid were made by P. aureofaciens, P. putida, and P. fluorescens. Only pyochelin was isolated and identified from P. fluorescens. P. aureofaciens and P. putida produced none of these compounds. While all of these bacteria contain chromosomal DNA that hybridized to the fptA fragment probe, pyochelin synthesis did not occur in all, indicating that fptA fragment hybridization cannot always be correlated with pyochelin biosynthesis.
Measuring The Impact Of Atmospheric Turbulence On Target Recognition In FLIR Imagery

Standard measures of image quality are used to quantify the effect of atmospheric turbulence on specific target and background signatures from digital images. The degraded signature corresponding to any atmospheric coherence diameter can be computed with a direct convolution model developed in previous work. Image analysis software has been developed to compute image quality factors by comparing the original and degraded signatures. Regions of maximum clutter can also be be located and evaluated with the image quality factors. Results are presented for signatures gathered with a FLIR imaging sensor under typical field conditions.
Handedness in great apes: A review of findings

We present data on hand preference in great apes and discuss them in the context of theoretical models of hand preference in nonhuman primates presented by MacNeilageet al. (1987) and by Fagot and Vauclair (1991). We also discuss several methodological and statistical issues as they pertain to the assessment of hand preference in great apes and other primate species. Finally, we present a comparative framework for the study of hand preference, emphasizing the importance of studies with great apes in developing evolutionary models of hemispheric specialization.
The surgical treatment of labial adhesions in pre-pubertal girls.

Abstract Study Objective: A review of our experience with the surgical treatment of labial adhesions refractory to medical treatment. Design: Retrospective review. Setting: University tertiary care hospital same-day surgery center. Participants: Nine prepubertal females, age 3–6 yrs, presenting with thick, symptomatic labial adhesions refractory to medical management. Intervention: All patients underwent surgical lysis of labial adhesions under general anesthesia. Adhesions were incised sharply and the cut edges were reapproximated with 7-0 chromic suture by a pediatric urologist (JGB). Main Outcome Measures: Duration of recurrence-free follow-up. Results: No patient had recurrence in an average of 8.6 months of follow-up. Surgery was well tolerated in all cases. Conclusion: This technique effectively treats and prevents the recurrence of moderate to severe labial adhesions that are unresponsive to medical therapy.
Tyrosine supplementation in chronic experimental uremia.

Abstract The occurrence of low tyrosine tissue levels in uremic subjects, possibly due to impaired phenylalanine hydroxylation, suggests that tyrosine may be an essential amino acid in uremia. Additional dietary tyrosine may thus re-dress the deficiency. This study examined growth and tyrosine/phenylalanine metabolism in uremic rats during tyrosine supplementation. Rats made uremic (U) by 7 8 nephrectomy were compared to pair-fed (CP) and ad libitum-fed (CA), sham-operated controls. Two sets of each group of rats were studied after 21 days on the resepctive diets: I = Purina Lab Chow; II = same + 3.5% tyrosine. Plasma tyrosine was below normal in U and CP-fed diet I. With diet II, the tyrosine: phenylalanine ratio in U was lower than both CA and CP. In rats fed diet II, the tyrosine: phenlalanine ratio became indistinguishable among the three groups. Growth parameters in U and CP were similar, regardless of the diet. Body weight gain, tibial length, muscle mass, and tissue protein did not improve in uremic animals supplemented with tyrosine. The specific activity of liver phenylalanine hydroxylase in U was not different from CA or CP. However, loss of cortical renal mass appeared to be the major determinant of decreased kidney phenylalanine hydroxylation in experimental uremia. This alteration is likely to be the greatest contributory factor to the alteration of plasma levels of tyrosine and phenylalanine. The data presented do not support a proposed essentiality of tyrosine in uremia.
How family planning ideas are spread within social groups in rural Malawi.

Using data from in-depth interviews conducted between March and June 2002 in a rural district of Malawi, this study explores how family planning attitudes and practices spread among members of social groups. Gender differentials are found in how people determine other group members’ practices: Men “knew” about such practices from their observations of others’ family size and child spacing, whereas women's knowledge was based on their conversations with other women. The discussion topics relating to family planning also varied by sex: Men spoke about the pros and cons of limiting family size, whereas women spoke in detail about types of contraceptive methods, where to get them, their side effects, and covert contraceptive use. For men and women, the main trigger for family planning discussions was gossip. Whereas, generally, women first heard about family planning at the hospital, men stated that their first source of information was the radio or health-drama group.
We've been over this before!: tracking the lifecycles of scheduled events

One of the greatest struggles for our Help Desk was handling regularly scheduled events like account deactivations or the distribution of financial aid letters. Year after year slightly different versions of these events caught us off guard causing confusion amongst the staff which in turn led to poor customer service. We were exclusively reactive to these situations. Our responses were not standard and would pass without a proper dissection of how the event should be handled in the future.A series of events made us realize that a passive reaction could not be our action plan. The Help Desk got slammed with a variety of issues that we had seen before, but yet we couldn't respond in a quick and consistent way. We didn't have documentation that recalled all the actions we previously took. We needed to come up with a way to track these events so that we could keep ourselves and our colleagues aware of events and figure out how to deal with issues before they hit the Help Desk.The Lifecycle and Problem Tracker was our solution to this problem. Using our campus wiki, we devised a series of templates and a calendar that would allow us to track re-occurring events. Liaisons were assigned to these events and departments so that we could meet with various stakeholders before an event happened to ensure that the information we gave our customers was accurate. Templates allowed us to keep canned text and knowledgebase solutions in a single location to make deploying them a snap. We could also track unexpected issues and keep ticket counts and follow-up conversations so they could be easily accessed in the future or used in a post mortem.This system has allowed us to be agile, responsive, transparent and generally less frustrated with issues that shouldn't be causing us or our customers any stress.
Laboratory measurements of absorption coefficients for the 727 nm band of methane at 77 K and comparison with results derived from spectra of the Giant planets

Abstract A high resolution absorption spectrum of the 727 nm band of methane at 77 K is obtained using the intracavity laser spectroscopy technique. Absorption coefficients are determined and are reported as averages over 1 cm−1 intervals throughout the region 13,470–14,025 cm−1. An intensity of 753 cm−1 km−1 am−1 is obtained for the entire band. Positions of the vibration-rotation lines in this band are determined to an accuracy of ±0.02 cm−1 and, for the stronger lines, absorption coefficients at the center of the absorption line are reported. The results are compared with previous room temperature measurements on methane, with the gas phase band intensity calculated from measurements on liquid methane, and with absorption coefficients derived from methane features observed in the albedo spectra of the Giant planets and Titan.
Annealing of amorphous ice films

Abstract Shear modulus and internal friction of amorphous water ice films of ≈ 1 μm thickness formed by vapor deposition below 100 K onto a silicon double paddle oscillator were measured, and their annealing up to 160 K was studied. As the deposition temperature decreases to 50 K, the shear modulus decreases to less than 5% of its bulk value, explained by increasing porosity, which exceeds 60% at 50 K. The internal friction, which is temperature independent below 10 K, as is common to all amorphous solids, increases with decreasing deposition temperature, i.e., with increasing porosity. During annealing at a constant temperature, the internal friction decreases with a logarithmic time dependence. Even after annealing at 160 K, when the film is fully dense, and its shear modulus has reached its bulk value, its internal friction is still over one order of magnitude larger than that of films deposited at substrate temperatures at which the films form as crystals. Thus, annealing amorphous ice does not lead to the same kind of order as is achieved by depositing crystalline ice.
Growth factor makes memories stick

We all wish that there were a magic pill to strengthen our memories. But for scientists to discover such a pill, they first need to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in memory consolidation, the process through which newly learned information sticks in the mind. Now, Chen et al. show that brain administration of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II), a protein involved in growth and metabolism, prevents forgetting by enhancing long-term potentiation and memory retention. The transcription factors adenosine 3´,5´-monophosphate (cAMP) response element–binding protein (CREB) and CCAAT enhancer–binding protein (C/EBP) are known to play critical roles in memory consolidation, and their activities correlate with synaptic changes, which represent the neuroanatomical basis of memory. In a previous study, the authors found that within 6 to 9 hours after the learning of new information, C/EBPβ is activated. Because the IGF -II gene is a transcriptional target of C/EBPβ, the authors tested whether IGF-II expression was increased during memory formation, and indeed, it was. The ability of IGF-II to enhance memory was temporally restricted to a time window of 24 hours after either learning something new or after memory retrieval. The authors then used a combination of specific inhibitors of the IGF-II receptor or knocked down production of the receptor protein so as to show that the observed effects were mediated specifically through the IGF-II receptor and not through other IGF or the insulin receptor(s), which IGF-II can also activate. IGF-II–mediated memory enhancement did not require C/EBPβ but was accompanied by an increase in the activation of synaptic glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β). Known to be involved in long-term potentiation, GSK3β activation may account for the increase in concentrations of glutamate receptor 1 protein in synapses during memory boosting. Thus, these studies define a previously unknown role for IGF-II and the IGF-II receptor in the brain and raise the possibility that IGF-II represents a novel target for cognitive enhancement therapies. D. Y. Chen et al. , A critical role for IGF-II in memory consolidation and enhancement. Nature 469 , 491–497 (2011). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v469/n7331/full/nature09667.html
Anatomy of wintertime ozone associated with oil and natural gas extraction activity in Wyoming and Utah

Winter maximum daily 8-hour average (MDA8) ozone concentrations in the Upper Green River Basin, Wyoming (UGRBWY) and the Uintah Basin, Utah (UBUT) have frequently exceeded 100 ppb in January, February and March, in the past few years. Such levels are well above the U.S. air quality standard of 75 ppb. In these two remote basins in the Rockies, local ozone precursor emissions result from intense oil and gas extraction activities that release methane, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to the atmosphere. These emissions become trapped beneath a stable and shallow (~50–200 m) boundary layer maintained in low wind conditions. Wintertime surface ozone formation conditions are more likely in the UBUT than in the UGRBWY as the topography of the UBUT is an enclosed basin whereas the UGRBWY is open on its southern perimeter thus allowing for more air turnover. With snow-covered ground, high ozone events regularly begin in mid-December and last into early March in the UBUT whereas they usually do not begin in earnest until about a month later in the UGRBWY and may persist until mid-March. Winters without snow cover and the accompanying cold pool meteorological conditions do not experience high ozone events in either basin. For nine years with ozone observations in the UGRBWY (2005–2013) and four in the UBUT (2010–2013), all years with adequate (≥6 inches) and persistent snow cover, experienced days with ozone values ≥75 ppb except in 2012 in the UGRBWY when persistent high wind (>5 m/s) conditions were prevalent. Year to year differences in the occurrences of high ozone episodes appear to be driven primarily by differing meteorological conditions rather than by variations in ozone precursor levels.
Multi-functionalization of helical block copoly(α-peptide)s by orthogonal chemistry

Diblock copoly(α-peptide)s bearing functional side-chains (i.e., azido or allyl) that are readily derivatized by “click” chemistry have been synthesized by primary amine-initiated sequential polymerization of the corresponding N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs). Facile derivation of the side-chains has been demonstrated, in which mannose moieties are quantitatively attached via the alkyne–azide [2 + 3] Huisgen cycloaddition to form amphiphilic block copoly(α-peptide)s that retain their helical conformations in solution. Allyl side-chains residing in the hydrophobic core can be further functionalized with high efficiency by radical thiol–ene addition reactions despite the tendency of the amphiphilic precursors to aggregate.