cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microsomal Cholesterol 7α -Hydroxylase Phosphatases

When rat liver microsomes are incubated at 37° in TRIS buffer, there is a time-dependent loss of the activity of cholesterol 7α- hydroxylase (1). This loss of activity can be prevented if the incubation is carried out in phosphate buffer or if fluoride is added to the TRIS buffer system. These results are consistent with the presence of a protein phosphatase in the microsomal fraction. To determine that this activity was not due to other subcellular fractions, we prepared microsomes by our standard procedure and also by the calcium precipitation technique of Kamath et al. (2) as modified by Goodwin and Margolis (3). These preparations were tested for the presence of enzyme activities considered to be markers for other subcellular fractions. The results of these assays are shown in Table I. It can be seen that although the mitochondrial fraction is somewhat contaminated with microsomal enzymes, there is less mitochondrial or lysosomal contamination in our microsomal fraction.
Resistivity and upper critical field of YBa2Cu3-xFexO7-y single crystals.

We report the resistivity and the upper critical field [ital H][sub [ital c]2]([ital T]) of YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3[minus][ital x]]Fe[sub [ital x]]O[sub 7[minus][ital y]] single crystals. In the normal state, no magnetoresistivity is observed within experimental sensitivity in our measurement. The superconducting transition is broadened by the magnetic field. The upper-critical-field slope decreases as the iron composition increases. Based on these experimental results, we estimate the superconducting coherence length and the anisotropy. A possible anomalous local-pairing mechanism in these systems is suggested.
Chapter Thirteen - Translational Opportunities in Plant Biochemistry

This chapter focuses on translational opportunities in plant biochemistry. Genomic approaches and related technologies have widened the spectra of experimental questions for which the potential of obtaining answers exists. These questions include those important for basic sciences as well as applied sciences such as pharmaceutical or food science. Proteomic and metabolomic investigations have brought additional requirements for new and/or improved technology. Continued progress in development of biological systems that can be manipulated, production of custom enzymes, development of screening platforms and strategies, and innovations in analytical technology will be critical to on-going success in the field. Additional contributions to scientific advancement in the “-omics” related fields will be fostered by sharing of samples of and/or information on phytochemicals through the International Natural Products Repository Network.
Prospects for Ultra-High-Temperature Ceramic Composites

In the search to improve the efficiency and performance of existing devices and systems, there is a constant demand for structural materials that are stronger, more reliable, and have higher temperature capability. Other attributes are also often sought such as low cost and a lesser dependence on scarce elements. This paper is concerned with the question of how far can this search continue before nature finally intervenes.
Feature Based, Collision Free Inspection Path Planning

An algorithm which can efficiently generate collision-free paths for coordinate measuring machines is described. Coordinate measuring machines are specialized 3-degree-of-freedom (DOF) gantry robots with 2-DOF revolute wrists used for the dimensional inspection of manufactured parts. The complex 5-DOF configuration of the coordinate measuring machine is reduced to a 3-dimensional configuration space by using heuristics to fix the orientation of the 2-DOF wrist during motion.
Vasovasostomy Techniques for Microsurgery Specialists

Every year, roughly 500,000 vasectomies are performed in the USA, and it is estimated that up to 6% of these men will eventually request a reversal [1, 2]. Surgical technique has evolved since Dr. William Quinby performed the first vasovasostomy in 1919 [3], and microsurgical repair with the aid of stenting or loupe magnification has largely been replaced by microsurgical approaches. The improved visualization and stabilization the operating microscope provides are well suited for re-approximating a delicate, 0.3 mm diameter structure like the vas deferens. This chapter provides a brief history of vasal repair, an overview of the authors’ preferred technique for microsurgical vasovasostomy, and evidence-based recommendations for preoperative and postoperative care.
Cyber-Security Analysis of Transactive Energy Systems

Demand response and active participation of residential houses are expected to play a critical role in the future smart grids. Market based transactive exchanges between prosumers are triggered by the increased deployments of renewable generations and microgrid architectures. Transactive Energy Systems (TES) employ economic and control mechanisms to dynamically balance the demand and supply across the full electrical grid. Effective transactive mechanisms leverage on a large number of distributed edge-computing and a communication architecture. Given the prolific usage of digital devices, the assets within a transactive environment are vulnerable to cyber threats. In this paper, various components within a transactive environment are represented and modelled. The effect of cyber attacks on the operation of transactive energy systems is studied through proxy attacks simulated on the test system.
Web Exclusive. Annals On Call - Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes: How Low Should We Go?

In this episode of Annals On Call, Dr. Centor discusses guidelines regarding targets for glycemic control targets for patients with type 2 diabetes and the controversy around these recommendations.
A Bottom-Up Formation Mechanism of Solid Electrolyte Interphase Revealed by Isotope-Assisted Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry.

Understanding the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation mechanism is critically important for the performance and durability of lithium-ion batteries. However, the details of how SEI builds up into a nanometer-thick layer from molecular level reduction reactions on negative electrodes are missing. Here, isotope-assisted time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses were designed to answer this fundamental question. By investigating the isotope ratio profile in SEI during the initial SEI formation cycle, it is discovered that the topmost SEI near the electrolyte formed first and the SEI near the electrode formed later. This new “bottom-up” SEI growth mechanism was then correlated to the electrolyte one-electron and two-electron reduction reaction dynamics, which in turn explains the formation of the two-layered organic–inorganic SEI composite structure.
Toward the Rational Design of Sustainable Hair Dyes Using Cheminformatics Approaches: Step 2. Identification of Hair Dye Substance Database Analogs in the Max Weaver Dye Library

We report on part 2 of the cheminformatics-assisted development of sustainable hair dyes with enhanced technical and toxicological properties. In this study, an initial similarity search analysis was performed using two reference probes (C.I. Basic Orange 1 and Orange 2) as structural templates for the identification of potential analogs among the Max Weaver Dye Library (MWDL). The analysis revealed an interesting subset of 158 MWDL compounds that were close analogs of the classical aminoazobenzene dyes. A more detailed similarity search analysis of this subset ultimately led to the selection of four dyes for further in silico quantum calculations and experimental dye uptake (color depth on hair) studies. Results from quantum calculations indicated that the ESP surface properties of these dyes were consistent with nonionic interactions between dye and keratin. Among the four dye analogs, 2-amino-6-methyl-5-(phenyldiazenyl)pyrimidin-4-ol and 2-amino-4-chloro-1,6-dimethyl-5-(phenyldiazenyl)-pyrimidin-1-ium ...
Global Sensitivity of Roughness-Induced Fuel Consumption to Road Surface Parameters and Car Dynamic Characteristics:

Pavement roughness is one of the key contributors to rolling resistance and thus vehicle fuel consumption. Roughness-induced fuel consumption is the result of energy dissipation in the suspension s...
The Role of CT Perfusion in Defining the Clinically Relevant Core Infarction to Guide Thrombectomy Selection in Patients with Acute Stroke.

Background and purpose Infarct core assessment on presentation is important to evaluate salvageable tissue to select patients for thrombectomy. Our study aims to evaluate the correlation between infarct core volume measured by computed tomography (CT) perfusion (CTP) and magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (MR-DWI) in patients with acute large-vessel occlusion. Methods We studied patients who underwent CTP on presentation to the emergency department for stroke symptoms. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), collateral status, symptomatic vessels, and modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 90 days were collected. Admission infarct core volume was measured on initial relative cerebral blood volume and final infarct core volume on follow-up DWI. The correlation between two measures was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results Seventy-four patients were studied of which 41.9% were female. Median NIHSS was 13 (2-30). Middle cerebral artery occlusion was present in 53 (71.6%) patients and 54 (72.9%) had good collaterals. Good functional outcome of mRS 0-2 was achieved by 60.8% at 90 days. There was a strong correlation between CTP and MR-DWI (r = .94). There was no significant difference between volume (in milliliters) on CTP (54.1 ± 69.8) and volume on DWI (50.3 ± 59.7; P = .18) using the paired t-test. Conclusion CTP provides a good estimation of the core infarct volume. It performs well within the clinically relevant thresholds for patient selection for thrombectomy.
17.6 A Sub-40μW 5Mb/s Magnetic Human Body Communication Transceiver Demonstrating Trans-Body Delivery of High-Fidelity Audio to a Wearable In-Ear Headphone

Emerging wearable devices such as wireless headphones, smart glasses, and medical monitors require increasingly high-throughput wireless communications at ultra-low-power. Since far-field RF has significant path loss around the human body (e.g., up to 70dB at 2.4GHz), most RF body-area-network (BAN) systems such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) have significant energy-expensive amplification requirements consuming milliwatts of power, and thus do not meet the energy demands of emerging small devices. Popular wireless earbuds, for example, only achieve a battery life of a few hours. Exasperatingly, emerging high-fidelity streaming audio and video content requires higher data rates than what BLE can currently accommodate. Human body communication (HBC) systems, for example ones based on electric fields (eHBC), in theory have lower path loss and can thus potentially offer more efficient links [1], [2]. However, measurements from form-factor-accurate prototypes reveal path loss that is still rather large (e.g., 30-to-45dB across 20cm [3]), with unfortunately severe variation with posture and environments that requires energy-expensive compensation. Since the human body is magnetically inert, magnetic HBC (mHBC) systems, illustrated in Fig. 17.6.1, offer much lower path loss (e.g., 5-to-30dB over 1m [4]) without severe variation, and can thus theoretically achieve lower communication energy. However, to date there has not been any mHBC transceiver (TRX) developed to exploit this inherently efficient communication channel, and if there were, the high Q of employed coils would limit data rate of a straightforward approach to <800 kb/s.
Alpha blockers to speed ureteral stone passage.

Compared with patients receiving standard therapy (e.g., fluids, analgesics), placebo, or calcium channel blockers, patients receiving alpha blockers had about three fewer days to ureteral stone expulsion and were less likely to be hospitalized. Adverse effects of alpha blocker therapy are generally tolerable.
Experience with Ascochyta blight of chickpea in the United States

Ascochyta blight of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) incited by Ascochyta rabiei was first observed in the United States in chickpea germplasm evaluation trials at Pullman, Washington, in 1983. In 1984, Ascochyta blight was found in over 50% of the commercial fields of“UC-5” chickpea in the Palouse region of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. In 1986, Didymella rabiei (syn. Mycosphaerella rabiei), the teleomorph (sexual stage) of A. rabiei, was discovered on overwintered infested chickpea debris from a field near Genesee, Idaho. The fungus, which is heterothallic, requires the presence of two compatible mating types for the teleomorph to form. Ascospores from the teleomorph are important in the long distance spread of the pathogen. In 1987, over 4,500 hectares of UC-5 and“Surutato 77” chickpea in the Palouse region were devastated by Ascochyta blight. Many kabuli and desi chickpea lines from different countries have been screened for resistance to pathotypes of the fungus that occur in the Palouse region. A chickpea breeding program is incorporating blight resistance into large-seeded kabuli cultivars. An integrated program to control Ascochyta blight is needed in areas where the disease occurs in the US Pacific Northwest if chickpea is to remain a viable crop. The program will need to include the use of blight-free seed, seed treatment fungicides, crop rotation, management of infested crop debris, and resistant cultivars.
Protein-coding changes preceded cis-regulatory gains in a newly evolved transcription circuit.

Changes in both the coding sequence of transcriptional regulators and in the cis-regulatory sequences recognized by these regulators have been implicated in the evolution of transcriptional circuits. However, little is known about how they evolved in concert. We describe an evolutionary pathway in fungi where a new transcriptional circuit (a-specific gene repression by the homeodomain protein Matα2) evolved by coding changes in this ancient regulator, followed millions of years later by cis-regulatory sequence changes in the genes of its future regulon. By analyzing a group of species that has acquired the coding changes but not the cis-regulatory sites, we show that the coding changes became necessary for the regulator’s deeply conserved function, thereby poising the regulator to jump-start formation of the new circuit.
Associations Between Multiple Remote Mild TBIs and Objective Neuropsychological Functioning and Subjective Symptoms in Combat-Exposed Veterans.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate relationships between multiple mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) and objective and subjective clinical outcomes in a sample of combat-exposed Veterans, adjusting for psychiatric distress and combat exposure. METHOD In this cross-sectional study, 73 combat-exposed Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans were divided into three groups based on mTBI history: 0 mTBIs (n = 31), 1-2 mTBIs (n = 21), and 3+ mTBIs (n = 21). Veterans with mTBI were assessed, on average, 7.78 years following their most recent mTBI. Participants underwent neuropsychological testing and completed self-report measures assessing neurobehavioral, sleep, and pain symptoms. RESULTS MANCOVAs adjusting for psychiatric distress and combat exposure showed no group differences on objective measures of attention/working memory, executive functioning, memory, and processing speed (all p's > .05; ηp2 = .00-.06). In contrast, there were significant group differences on neurobehavioral symptoms (p's = < .001-.036; ηp2 = .09-.43), sleep difficulties (p = .037; ηp2 = .09), and pain symptoms (p < .001; ηp2 = .21). Pairwise comparisons generally showed that the 3+ mTBI group self-reported the most severe symptoms, followed by comparable symptom reporting between the 0 and 1-2 mTBI groups. CONCLUSIONS History of multiple, remote mTBIs is associated with elevated subjective symptoms but not objective neuropsychological functioning in combat-exposed Veterans. These results advance understanding of the long-term consequences of repetitive mTBI in this population and suggest that Veterans with 3+ mTBIs may especially benefit from tailored treatments aimed at ameliorating specific neurobehavioral, sleep, and pain symptoms.
Delayed Anxiolytic-Like Effects of Psilocybin in Male Mice Are Supported by Acute Glucocorticoid Release

Abstract Despite observed correlations between acute glucocorticoid release, self-reported anxiety, and long-term treatment outcomes for human studies using psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy approaches, the mechanistic relationship between psychedelic-dependent stress and subsequent behavioral responses remains unclear. Using rodents, direct manipulation of stress-associated hormone responses can be achieved with established pharmacologic models for the assessment of antidepressant and anxiolytic therapeutics. Here, chronic oral corticosterone-induced suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is used to assess the relevance of drug-induced glucocorticoid release on the acute, post-acute, and long-term effects of psilocybin in male C57BL/6J mice. In these studies, psilocybin-induced acute anxiogenesis was found to be correlated to post-acute anxiolysis in a dose-dependent manner. Psilocybin also displayed acute increases in plasma corticosterone, but a post-acute anxiolytic effect in the novelty suppressed feeding test. Both effects were lost when psilocybin was administered in animals pre-exposed to chronic oral corticosterone. A similar long-term interaction between chronic corticosterone and psilocybin administration was observed in an open field test occurring one week after drug administration. Psilocybin administration alone led to more time spent in the center of the arena, but animals spent less time in the center with chronic corticosterone exposure. Intriguingly, these interactive effects were absent in animals exposed to brief isoflurane anesthesia after drug treatment. Overall, these experiments identify acute glucocorticoid release as a relevant biological modifier for the post-acute and long-term behavioral effects of psilocybin in mice. Rodent studies are thus suggested as a tractable means to address neuroendocrine mechanisms supporting context-dependent psychedelic effects in mammalian species.
Insider Trading When an Underlying Option is Present

We argue that increased leverage, lower litigation risk, and reduced trading costs in the options market result in lower incentives for informed market participants to trade in stocks that have options listed than in stocks without traded options. We also hypothesize that the underlying market for optioned stocks is informationally more efficient than that for nonoptioned stocks. Our cross-sectional tests of U.S. market data show that the level of insider trading is significantly lower, as a percentage of total trading volume, for optioned stocks than for nonoptioned stocks during months when insider trading is intense. When we compare the magnitude of stock-price adjustments to insider trades, our results indicate that the price reaction to insider-trading events is less pronounced for optioned stocks. Both pieces of evidence are consistent with the view that informed trading is less likely to occur and its price effect is better anticipated in the underlying market for optioned stocks than for nonoptioned stocks.
Tiled-ClickSeq for targeted sequencing of complete coronavirus genomes with simultaneous capture of RNA recombination and minority variants

High-throughput genomics of SARS-CoV-2 is essential to characterize virus evolution and to identify adaptations that affect pathogenicity or transmission. While single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) are commonly considered as driving virus adaption, RNA recombination events that delete or insert nucleic acid sequences are also critical. Whole genome targeting sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 is typically achieved using pairs of primers to generate cDNA amplicons suitable for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). However, paired-primer approaches impose constraints on where primers can be designed, how many amplicons are synthesized and requires multiple PCR reactions with non-overlapping primer pools. This imparts sensitivity to underlying SNVs and fails to resolve RNA recombination junctions that are not flanked by primer pairs. To address these limitations, we have designed an approach called ' Tiled-ClickSeq '. Tiled-ClickSeq uses hundreds of tiled-primers spaced evenly along the virus genome in a single reverse-transcription reaction. The other end of the cDNA amplicon is generated by azido-nucleotides that stochastically terminate cDNA synthesis, obviating the need for a paired-primer. A sequencing adaptor containing a Unique Molecular Identifier (UMI) is appended using click-chemistry and a PCR reaction using Illumina adaptors generates a final NGS library. Tiled-ClickSeq provides complete genome coverage, including the 5'UTR, at high depth and specificity to virus on both Illumina and Nanopore NGS platforms. Here, we analyze multiple SARS-CoV-2 isolates and simultaneously characterize minority variants, sub-genomic mRNAs (sgmRNAs), structural variants (SVs) and D-RNAs. Tiled-ClickSeq therefore provides a convenient and robust platform for SARS-CoV-2 genomics that captures the full range of RNA species in a single, simple assay.
A Machine Learning Method for Parameter Estimation and Sensitivity Analysis

We discuss the application of a supervised machine learning method, random forest algorithm (RF), to perform parameter space exploration and sensitivity analysis on ordinary differential equation models. Decision trees can provide complex decision boundaries and can help visualize decision rules in an easily digested format that can aid in understanding the predictive structure of a dynamic model and the relationship between input parameters and model output. We study a simplified process for model parameter tuning and sensitivity analysis that can be used in the early stages of model development.
Deep learning-based detection and segmentation of diffusion abnormalities in acute ischemic stroke

Background: Accessible tools to efficiently detect and segment diffusion abnormalities in acute strokes are highly anticipated by the clinical and research communities. Methods: We developed a tool with deep learning networks trained and tested on a large dataset of 2,348 clinical diffusion weighted MRIs of patients with acute and sub-acute ischemic strokes, and further tested for generalization on 280 MRIs of an external dataset (STIR). Results: Our proposed model outperforms generic networks and DeepMedic, particularly in small lesions, with lower false positive rate, balanced precision and sensitivity, and robustness to data perturbs (e.g., artefacts, low resolution, technical heterogeneity). The agreement with human delineation rivals the inter-evaluator agreement; the automated lesion quantification of volume and contrast has virtually total agreement with human quantification. Conclusion: Our tool is fast, public, accessible to non-experts, with minimal computational requirements, to detect and segment lesions via a single command line. Therefore, it fulfills the conditions to perform large scale, reliable and reproducible clinical and translational research.
28 The Family Thermoplasmataceae

The genus Thermoplasma is the only described genus of the family Thermoplasmataceae and is represented by two species, T. volcanium and T. acidophilum. These facultative aerobes morphologically resemble bacterial mycoplasmas in that they do not have a cell wall or S-layer and form colonies that have a ‘‘fried-egg’’ appearance on agar. The Thermoplasma are obligate thermoacidophilic heterotrophs, growing optimally at 60 C and pH 2, and are motile pleomorphic cocci. Both species genomes have been sequenced, providing additional insight to their thermoacidophilic lifestyle. Although T. acidophilum is a Euryarchaeota, it shares 58 % gene homology to the crenarchaeote Sulfolobus solfataricus, likely a result of adaptations and lateral gene transfer events due to their shared ecological niche. 16S rRNA gene sequences related to Thermoplasmataceae have been found in terrestrial solfataras, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and several other environments, suggesting a broad niche range for this family and its relatives in the order Thermoplasmatales.
The Interaction of Ribonuclease with Metal Ions II. GEL FILTRATION STUDIES OF CUPRIC ION-RIBONUCLEASE INTERACTIONS

Abstract Gel filtration studies indicate that ribonuclease has five cupric ion-binding sites in the pH region 5.5 to 7.0. At pH 5.5, there are one "strong" and four weaker sites, all of which can bind both free cupric ion and the copper-monoacetate complex. At pH 7, the distribution of cupric ion among the five sites is acetate-dependent. Affinities of the different sites for cupric ions are given.
Examining the Effects of Text Genre and Structure on Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Students' High-Level Comprehension as Evidenced in Small-Group Discussions

Although there is a rich literature on the role of text genre and structure on students’ literal comprehension, more research is needed regarding the role of these text features on students’ high-level comprehension as evidenced in their small-group discussions. As such, the present study examined the effects of text genre (i.e., narrative and informational) and structure (i.e., story, comparison, causation, problem/solution, and sequence) on fourth- and fifth-grade students’ small-group discussions, and the text-based discussions were coded for high-level comprehension discourse indicators (i.e., authentic questions, elaborated explanations, and exploratory talk). The results indicated that students evidenced more indices of high-level comprehension when discussing narrative texts than when discussing informational texts. Meanwhile, teachers tended to initiate more questions in discussions on informational texts. The deeper structure of the texts was also shown to influence the discussions. Specifically, students generated significantly more authentic questions during discussions on texts with comparison structures than for any of the other four text structures, while causation structure texts triggered more authentic questions from teachers. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of the effects of text factors on students’ high-level comprehension.
Craniosynostosis associated with limb reduction malformations and cleft lip/palate: a distinct syndrome.

Craniosynostosis associated with short stature, radial and fibular aplasia, and cleft lip and/or palate represents a distinct syndrome. One original case and one previously undiagnosed case from the literature were found to have many distinct features in common, permitting them to be separated from craniosynostosis with radial or fibular aplasia, Robert9s syndrome, pseudothalidomide or SC syndrome, and the hypomelia-hypotrichosis-facial hemangioma syndrome. Each had multiple craniofacial abnormalities: dysplastic ears, hypertelorism, strabismus, and malocclusion. Ulnae and humeri were hypoplastic; tibiae were bowed and hypoplastic. Testes were small. Associated mild to moderate mental retardation may be related to early institutionalization.
Cell-type-specific expression of alternatively spliced human fibronectin IIICS mRNAs.

Abstract Fibronectin polypeptide diversity is generated to a large extent by alternative splicing of the fibronectin primary transcript at three sites: two extra domain exons encoding extra structural repeats and a region of nonhomologous sequence termed the type-III connecting segment (IIICS). A novel double primer extension assay was developed to identify and quantify simultaneously each of the five human IIICS mRNA splicing variants. Expression of the five IIICS variants was analyzed in a variety of human normal and tumor cell types as well as in human liver. Differences in IIICS expression patterns were observed among different cell types, among fibroblasts of different tissue origins, and between comparable normal and transformed cells. The most predominant cell-type-specific differences were in the abundance of the one IIICS- mRNA variant relative to the four IIICS+ variants. The percentage of O variant (IIICS-) mRNAs within the total fibronectin mRNA pool varied between 3 and 17% among tumor cells and between 7 and 46% among normal cells. The O variant composed 57% of the fibronectin mRNA in liver tissue, correlating with the previously described increased abundance of IIICS- polypeptide subunits in plasma fibronectin, compared with those in cellular fibronectins. Additional cell-type-specific changes among the expression levels of the four IIICS+ mRNA variants are consistent with a proposed model in which regulation of an alternative selection of a 3'splice site predominates over regulation of the selection of a 5' splice site in generating specific patterns of IIICS mRNA expression.
Interpersonal Relationships in Research: Balancing Reciprocity and Emergencies

This research note is part of the thematic section, Limits to Giving Back, in the special issue titled “Giving Back in Field Research,” published as Volume 10, Issue 2 in the Journal of Research Practice.
Design of Stabilizing Arm Mechanisms for Carrying and Positioning Loads

Stabilizing arm mechanisms are used to support and position a load with minimal force from the user. Further, stabilizing arm mechanisms enable operators to stabilize the motion of the load while walking or running over variable terrain. Although existing stabilizing arm mechanisms have reached fairly broad adoption over a range of applications, it remains unknown exactly how the spring properties and geometric parameters of the mechanism enable its overall performance. We developed a simplified model to analyze the vertical dynamics of stabilizing arms to determine how the spring properties and mechanism geometry affect the natural frequency of the load mass, the range of load masses that can be supported, and the equilibrium position of the load mass. We found that decreasing the unstretched spring free length is the most effective way to minimize the natural frequency; the spring lever arm can be used to adjust for a desired load mass range, and the linkage length can be used to adjust the range of motion of the stabilizing arm. The spring stiffness should be selected based on the other parameters. This work provides a systematic design study of how the parameters of a stabilizing arm mechanism affect its behavior and fundamental design principles that could be used to improve existing mechanisms, and enable the design of new mechanisms.
The oviposition‐deterring pheromone in the western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens Curran (Dipt., Tephritidae)

Laboratory and field studies indicate that the oviposition deterring pheromone (ODP) of the western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens Curran, is a biologically active compound(s). The pheromone which is deposited on the ovipositing surface by female flies soon after egg laying is capable of deterring repeated oviposition in the same fruit for an extended length of time. Even under confined laboratory conditions, the flies were able to perceive this compound(s) and discriminate between previously oviposited and unoviposited fruit. The ODP of R. indifferens is highly soluble in distilled water and methanol and can be washed off the substrate (real cherries or artificial wax cherries) by using any one of these 2 solvents. It retains its effectiveness in both water and methanol washings, and also after heating in boiling water for 2 minutes and refrigeration at 3 °C for 17 days. It is effective at concentrations as low as only half the amount deposited during a single oviposition. Described here is a simple bioassay technique which was used to establish ODP(s) in R. indifferens. The oviposition-behaviour in this species, and the role of this peromone in egg dispersal and control of the species is discussed. Zusammenfassung Uber das Anti-Eiablagepheromon bei der Westlichen Kirschfruchtfliege, Rhagoletis indifferens Cur. (Dipt., Tephritidae). 1. Biologische Eigenschaften Labor- und Freilandstudien ergaben, das das Anti-Eiablagepheromon von R. differens eine biologisch aktive Verbindung ist. Sie wird von den weiblichen Fliegen bald nach der Eiablage auf die Eiablagestelle ausgebracht und ist imstande, fur langere Zeit eine weitere Eiablage auf die gleiche Frucht zu verhindern. Selbst unter den beschrankten Laborverhaltnissen konnten die Fliegen das Pheromon wahrnehmen und zwischen belegten und unbelegten Fruchten unterscheiden. Das Pheromon ist in aqua dest. und in Methanol loslich und kann mit diesen beiden Losungsmitteln von echten oder kunstlichen Fruchten abgewaschen werden. Es behalt seine Wirkung in kochender Losung 2 min bei sowie bei Abkuhlung auf 3 °C 17 Tage lang. Es ist bei Konzentrationen wirksam, die nur halb so hoch sind wie jene, die bei einer einzigen Eiablage ausgebracht werden. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird eine einfache Versuchstechnik beschrieben, mit der man Anti-Eiablagepheromone auch bei anderen Arten feststellen kann. Das Eiablageverhalten bei R. indifferens, die Rolle des genannten Pheromons bei der Eiverteilung sowie die Moglichkeit, es fur eine biotechnische Bekampfung zu verwenden, werden erortert.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of the craniofacial surface with stereopair images

A simple method is described for adding texture to the relatively smooth surface of the human face by projecting fine textural patterns drawn on transparency. Experiments show that these fine patterns can improve the accuracy of cross-correlation data and thus the accuracy of surface height calculated from such cross correlation. The average percent error of height determination on a face phantom improved from 79% without a projected pattern to 18% with such a pattern, or a 438% improvement. >
IRS Takes Another Swing at Intercompany Obligations Issues

George White discusses the third attempt by the IRS to straighten out the treatment of intercompany debt in consolidated returns.
A dynamic model of human dispersal in a land-based economy

This paper presents a dynamic state variable model that examines human dispersal in a land-based economy. In humans, like other animals, many individuals disperse during their lifetimes, with extensive variability in the timing and likelihood of dispersal by individuals of different states. The model places human and non-human dispersal in a common framework, specifically by utilizing a cost-benefit approach. As with other animals, individual access to resources likely plays an important role in shaping human dispersal, and the model explores the mechanisms underlying this relationship. Over a series of time steps, individuals must decide whether to stay in their natal area or disperse, given their states (wealth, marital, and inheritance status) and the environmental constraints on dispersal. Costs of dispersal include time and an initial drop in wealth, while the benefit is the potential of the dispersal area to increase wealth. The model determines whether dispersing or staying results in the highest fitness, where fitness is a function of individual wealth and years married. The model shows that dispersal is favorable under a wide range of environmental conditions, but that it also varies predictably according to individual states. Men of middle wealth values disperse under a wider variety of circumstances than poorer or wealthier men. Wealthy men, who are particularly sensitive to the time cost and mortality risk associated with dispersing, appear to adopt a more conservative dispersal strategy than poorer men, who are more sensitive to the wealth cost and wealth growth rate associated with dispersing. Dispersal behavior is also contingent on its effects on an individual's probability of marrying or inheriting wealth. Finally, the model fosters an examination of how the interaction of life events, and their directions of causation, can be studied.
Optimum displacement estimates using mean field annealing

In this paper a new algorithm to estimate dense displacement fields from a sequence of images is developed. The algorithm is based on modeling the displacement fields as Markov Random fields. The Markov Random fields-Gibbs equivalence is then used to convert the problem into one of finding an appropriate energy function that describes the motion and any constraints imposed on it. Mean field annealing, a technique which finds global minima in nonconvex optimization problems, is used to minimize the energy function, and solve for the optimum displacement fields. The algorithm results in accurate estimates even for scenes with noise or discontinuities.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Vertical pneumatic conveying: A theoretical study of uniform and annular particle flow models

Two models for vertical pneumatic conveying, a uniform flow model at high gas velocities and an annular flow model near the particle terminal velocity, have been examined theoretically. The uniform flow model leads to the following relationship between gas and particle velocity and line porosity: No simple analytical solution was found for the annular flow model but a numerical solution was possible. Both models indicate that slip velocity may exceed the particle terminal velocity under certain conditions. The theoretical predictions agree reasonably well with experimental observations.
Molecular mechanisms of peptide loading by the tumor rejection antigen/heat shock chaperone gp96 (GRP94).

Abstract Complexes of gp96/GRP94 and peptides have been shown to elicit immunogenicity. We used fluorescence to understand peptide association with gp96. A pyrene-peptide conjugate was complexed with gp96 under a variety of conditions. At room temperature in low salt (20 mm NaCl), the peptide binds gp96 with a strong affinity (∼100–150 nm) and forms pyrene excimers, suggesting that the peptides were assembled as dimers. In high salt (2.2 m NaCl), although peptide binding was stronger (K a ≈ 55 nm) than in low salt, pyrene excimers were absent, implying that peptides were farther apart in the complex. Heat shock-activated peptide binding exhibited characteristics of both low salt and high salt modes of binding. Anisotropy and average lifetime of the bound pyrene suggested that peptides were probably located in a solvent-accessible hydrophobic binding pocket in low salt, whereas in high salt, the peptide may be buried in a less hydrophobic (more hydrophilic) environment. These results suggested that peptide-gp96 complexes were assembled in several different ways, depending on the assembly conditions. Resonance energy transfer between the intrinsic tryptophan(s) in gp96 and pyrene suggested that one or more tryptophan residues were within the critical Forster distance of 27–30 A from the pyrene in the bound peptide. It is proposed that peptides are assembled within higher order gp96 complexes (dimers, etc.) in a hydrophobic pocket and that there may be a conformational change in gp96 leading to an open configuration for peptide loading.
The Efficient Acceleration of Thermal Protons by Perpendicular Shocks

The physics of charged-particle acceleration from near-thermal to much higher energies by collisionless shocks is investigated using large-scale self-consistent plasma simulations. The focus here is on acceleration at shocks that move normal to the average magnetic field. It is shown that a fraction of thermal protons incident on a perpendicular shock are readily accelerated to energies much higher than the ram energy of the incident plasma. This indicates that there is not an injection problem at perpendicular shocks. It is found that some (initially) thermal protons are reflected by the shock and move upstream along magnetic field lines that are multiply connected to other locations on the shock. This leads to efficient acceleration and results in a distribution function, averaged over a large spatial region downstream of the shock, having a high-energy tail that originates directly from the thermal population. It can be concluded from our results that perpendicular shocks are important sites of particle acceleration in a wide variety of astrophysical plasmas.
Possible deletion of a developmentally regulated heavy-chain variable region gene in autoimmune diseases.

Abstract Several autoantibody-associated variable region (V) genes are preferentially expressed during early ontogenic development, suggesting strongly that they are of developmental and physiological importance. As such, it is possible that polymorphisms in one or more of these genes may alter susceptibility to autoimmune disease. We have searched extensively for a probe related to a developmentally regulated V gene that has the power to differentiate among highly homologous V genes in human populations. Using such a probe (i.e., Humhv3005/P1) related to both anti-DNA and anti-IgG autoantibodies, we studied restriction fragment length polymorphisms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus and found an apparent heavy-chain V (VH) gene deletion that was nearly restricted to the autoimmune patients. These data suggest that deletions of physiologically important VH genes may increase the risk of autoimmunity through indirect effects on the development and homeostasis of the B-cell repertoire.
Detection of sulfur analog of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in the environment

Abstract High-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) combined with a screening bioassay for dioxinlike activity was used to identify 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorothianthrene (2,3,7,8-TCTA), the sulfur analog of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD), in sediment from a sanitary sewer. The dioxinlike activity detected by the bioassay was considerably higher than could be accounted for by the 2,3,7,8-TCDD concentration as determined by HRGC/HRMS. Identification of a sediment component as 2,3,7,8-TCTA was confirmed by interpretation of its high-resolution mass spectrum and comparison of its mass spectrum and gas-chromatographic retention time with those of pure 2,3,7,8-TCTA. The sample was taken from a sanitary sewer near the chemical company which patented 2,3,7,8-TCTA. This combination of a screening bioassay with HRGC/HRMS can increase the likelihood of detecting and identifying compounds that are not targeted in a chemical analysis but may have important biologic activity.
Broadband coplanar waveguide‐fed slot antenna for wireless local area networks and microwave imaging applications

A broadband CPW-fed semicircular slot antenna is proposed for 2–6 GHz WLAN (wireless local area networks) and microwave imaging applications. The total dimension of the bidirectional slot antenna is 80 mm by 50 mm and is designed on a 0.5-mm-thick Duroid 5880 substrate (dielectric constant = 2.2). The antenna operates from 2 to 6 GHz within VSWR of 2.5:1. The same antenna on a combination rectangular cylindrical cavity with cavity depth of 10 mm provides a directional beam, 11 dB front-to-back (F/B) ratio and a bandwidth of 63% (2.8–5.4 GHz). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 846–852, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22276
Social Fairness in Multi-Emergency Resource Management

Resource management is a well studied field. Existence of multiple emergencies in a locality, in a time overlapped manner, demands an optimal allocation of required resources to the emergencies. This is an intricate problem if the availability of resources is limited. Involvement of human lives in such situations poses a very important constraint of social fairness on the optimality criteria of allocation. Hence, these situations necessitate an allocation methodology that could allocate the requested resources to the emergencies such that even a lower criticality emergency is serviced in a socially optimal manner. In this research, an emergency management tool is developed that models the problem as a game theoretic framework in which the crisis events are modeled as the players, the emergency response centers as the resource locations with the possible emergency unit allocations as strategies. The pay-off is modeled as a function of the criticality of the event and the anticipated response times. A single step, non-cooperative, normal form game is formulated and a Nash equilibrium based solution methodology is implemented to provide fair allocation of resources to the emergencies. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the efficacy of the proposed methodology and metrics are derived to quantify the fairness of the solution. A regression analysis is performed to establish the statistical significance of the results.
Bacillus subtilis aminopeptidase: specificity toward amino acid amides, dipeptides, and oligopeptides.

Abstract Bacillus subtilis aminopeptidase hydrolyzed amino acid amides with a specificity similar to that determined using amino acyl-β-naphthylamides, but at much greater catalytic rates. Neutral and basic amino acid amides were the best substrates. A series of Leu and Lys NH 2 -terminal dipeptides hydrolyzed by Co 2+ -activated aminopeptidase showed that the k cat K m ratios for the Lys substrates were fourfold greater than the corresponding Leu substrates and that catalytic differences reflected the identity of COOH terminal residues. Greatest catalytic rates were obtained when aromatic residues were in the COOH terminal position of the substrate (Trp, Tyr, Phe); but, significant hydrolysis was achieved when aliphatic residues were COOH-terminal in the dipeptide. The Co 2+ -activated enzyme would not hydrolyze peptide bonds composed of the imide nitrogen of Pro, thus, bradykinin was not a substrate. However, the Co 2+ -activated enzyme removed sequentially the first four residues from eledoisin-related peptide and the A chain of bovine insulin.
Tainting is not pointless

Pointer tainting is a form of Dynamic Information Flow Tracking used primarily to prevent software security attacks such as buffer overflows. Researchers have also applied pointer tainting to malware and virus analysis.A recent paper by Slowinska and Bos has criticized pointer tainting as a security mechanism, arguing that it is has serious, inherent false positive and false negative defects. We present a rebuttal that addresses the confusion due to the two uses of pointer tainting in security literature. We clarify that many of the arguments against pointer tainting apply only to its use as a malware and virus analysis platform, but do not apply to the application of pointer tainting to memory corruption protection. Hence, we argue that pointer tainting remains a useful and promising technique for robust protection against memory corruption attacks.