cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Removing the Roadblock to Intervention of Right: Wilderness Society v. U.S. Forest Service and the Ninth Circuit’s Decision to Abandon Its Federal Defendant Rule

In 2011, in Wilderness Society v. U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit abandoned its unique federal defendant rule, which prohibited any non-federal entity from intervening of right to defend the federal government’s decisions under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. In doing so, the Ninth Circuit ensured that its typical, liberal intervention of right standard applied equally to all proposed intervenors. This Comment argues that the Ninth Circuit rightfully recognized that the practical realities of NEPA litigation and its own intervention policies require a broad and flexible approach to intervention of right, rather than the federal defendant rule’s categorical prohibition.
The Chains of Left-invariant CR-structures on SU(2)

We compute the chains associated to the left-invariant CR structures on the three-sphere. These structures are characterized by a single real modulus $a$. For the standard structure $a=1$, the chains are well-known and are closed curves. We show that for almost all other values of the modulus $a$ either two or three types of chains are simultaneously present : (I) closed curves, (II) quasi-periodic curves dense on two-torii, or (III) chains homoclinic between closed curves. For $1 < a < \sqrt{3}$ no curves of the last type occur. A bifurcation occurs at $a = \sqrt{3}$ and from that point on all three types of chains are guaranteed to exist, and exhaust all chains. The method of proof is to use the Fefferman metric characterization of chains, combined with tools from geometric mechanics. The key to the computation is a reduced Hamiltonian system, similar to Euler's rigid body system, and depending on $a$, which is integrable.
Teaching-Learning Interchange: an online support community for new teachers

The Teaching-Learning Interchange (TLI), a federal Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technologies project, is developing an online support community for "pre-intern teachers," a designation in California for new teachers who are not credentialed and have not passed subject matter competency. The intent of the pre-intern program is to provide a way for those wishing to enter the teaching profession to attain subject matter competency and a credential while they are working in the classroom. The program originated because of a severe teacher shortage in California; 30000 new teachers are needed each year for the coming ten years. TLI has partnered with 15 county offices to have access to pre-interns and corporate partners who are developing emerging technologies that are being piloted with select mentor and pre-intern teachers. This paper describes how new technologies are being applied to the needs of pre-interns.
Bph1p, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Homologue of CHS1/Beige, Functions in Cell Wall Formation and Protein Sorting

Mutations in the Chediak–Higashi syndrome gene (CHS1) and its murine homologue Beige result in the formation of enlarged lysosomes. BPH1 (Beige Protein Homologue 1) encodes the Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologue of CHS1/Beige. BPH1 is not essential and the encoded protein was found to be both cytosolic and peripherally bound to a membrane. Neither disruption nor overexpression of BPH1 affected vacuole morphology as assessed by fluorescence microscopy. The δbph1 strain showed an impaired growth on defined synthetic media containing potassium acetate buffered below pH 4.25, increased sensitivity to calcofluor white, and increased agglutination in response to low pH. A library screen identified VPS9, FLO1, FLO9, BTS1 and OKP1 as high copy suppressors of the growth defect of δbph1 on both low pH potassium acetate and calcofluor white. The δbph1 strain demonstrated a mild defect in sorting vacuolar components, including increased secretion of carboxypeptidase Y and missorting of alkaline phosphatase. Overexpression of VPS9, BTS1 and OKP1 suppressed the carboxypeptidase Y secretion defect of δbph1. Overexpression of BPH1 was found to suppress the calcofluor white sensitivity of a class E VPS deletion strain, δvta1. Together, these data suggest that Bph1p associates with a membrane and is involved in protein sorting and cell wall formation.
Mechanisms for isoniazid action and resistance

Isoniazid is the most widely used antituberculosis drug. Genetic studies in Mycobacterium smegmatis identified the inhA-encoded, NADH-dependent enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase as the primary target for this drug. A reactive form of isoniazid inhibits InhA by reacting with the NAD(H) cofactor bound to the enzyme active site forming a covalent adduct (isonicotinic acyl NADH) that is apt to bind with high affinity. Resistance can occur by increased expression of InhA or by mutations that lower the enzyme's affinity to NADH. Both of these resistance mechanisms are observed in 30% of clinical tuberculosis isolates. Mutation in katG, which encodes catalase peroxidase, is the most common source for resistance. Another mechanism for isoniazid resistance, in M. smegmatis, occurs by defects in NADH dehydrogenase (Ndh) of the respiratory chain. Genetic data indicated that ndh mutations confer resistance by lowering the rate of NADH oxidation and increasing the intracellular NADH/NAD+ ratio. An increased amount of NADH may prevent formation of isonicotinic acyl NADH or may promote displacement of the isonicotinic acyl NADH from InhA. While our studies have identified this mechanism in M. smegmatis, results reported in early literature lead us to believe that it can occur in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Machine learning methods for computational proteomics and beyond

Predicting protein structure is a fundamental problem in biology, especially in the genomic era where over one third of newly discovered genes have unknown structure and function. Because sequence and structure data (hence training sets) continue to grow exponentially, this area is ideally suited for machine learning approaches. Neural networks, in particular, have had remarkable success and have led, for instance, to the construction of the best secondary structure predictors. We will provide an overview of our own work and the state-of-the-art for several structure prediction problem including: (1) prediction of protein secondary structures; (2) prediction of relative solvent accessibility; (3) prediction of contacts; (4) prediction of three-dimensional protein structures; (5) prediction of interchain beta-sheet quaternary structures; using machine learning methods. The methods we have developed are based on the theory of graphical models but use deterministic recursive neural networks to speed up learning. We will discuss their applicability to other problems and the lessons learnt for the design of complex neural architectures.
High Blood Pressure and Related Factors Among Individuals at High Risk for HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infections

Data from a social network-based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention study with a total of 330 men and women at high risk for HIV/STIs were used to examine the relationships between substance use, depressive symptoms, general health, cardiovascular disease risk factors, sociodemographic characteristics, and systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP). Approximately 60% of the participants had prehypertension to stage 2 hypertension. In the base model, older patients (P<.0001), men (P=.003), and patients with poorer self-reported health (P=.029) were significantly associated with high SBP, whereas older age (P<.001) and higher body mass index (P<.001) were significantly associated with higher DBP. After adjusting for the base model, high frequency of alcohol drinking and high frequency of binge drinking remained significant for high SBP and DBP. These data suggest that future cardiovascular disease programs should target moderate alcohol consumption to improve blood pressure among individuals at high risk for HIV/STIs.
Preparation and characterization of alkaline-earth substituted superconducting La2CuO4

Metallic-oxygen deficient compounds in ternary systems MO-La/sub 2/O/sub 3/-CuO with M = Ca, Sr, Ba have been prepared by coprecipitation and subsequent low-temperature solid-state reaction, as well as by high-temperature reaction from the corresponding oxides and carbonates. Substitution of trivalent La by divalent alkaline-earth ions results in sharp drops in resistivity in the 30-40K range, first discovered for the Ba-La-Cu-O system. Room-temperature X-ray powder diffraction shows the presence of a perovskite-like layer-type phase of K/sub 2/NiF/sub 4/-type to be responsible for the high T/sub c/ superconductivity. For single-phase samples of La/sub 2/CuO/sub 4/:M composition, the resistivity drop and especially the onset of the diamagnetic susceptibility are enhanced, and occur near the composition where an orthorhombic-to-tetragonal structural phase transition is detected by X-ray diffraction.
An instability at the edge of a tissue of collectively migrating cells can lead to finger formation during wound healing

In wound healing assays, a monolayer of epithelial cells is allowed to migrate onto empty surface area. When the motile cells close the artificial wound, the edge of the tissue does usually not move uniformly but characteristic fingerlike protrusions are observed. We model the collectively moving cells as a system of self-propelled particles using the Toner-Tu equations for an active fluid. A linear stability analysis of perturbations at the tissue edge reveals an instability in the disordered nonmoving state. The instability is purely due to spontaneous motility and velocity alignment between cells. It can account for finger formation in wound healing experiments.
Failure of Dexamethasone Suppression Test To Indicate Bilateral Adrenocortical Hyperplasia in Cushing's Syndrome

A patient with Cushing's syndrome secondary to bilateral nodular adrenocortical hyperplasia is described, in whom large doses of dexamethasone did not suppress urinary 17-OHCS excretion. Hyperresponsiveness to ACTH, however, was found. Following total bilateral adrenalectomy, the Cushing's syndrome slowly subsided and there has been no evidence of extra-adrenal malignancy. The adrenals demonstrated cortical hyperplasia with multiple small cortical nodules bilaterally and one large (23 mm) cortical nodule in the left gland. It is concluded that in certain unusual patients with Cushing's syndrome and bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia (and presumably without extra-adrenal malignancy) there may be a lack of suppression to dexamethasone in the presence of ACTH hyperresponsiveness, which probably reflects a more severe and complicated disturbance in the regulation of pituitary corticotrophic activity.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy at the time of mastectomy does not increase the risk of lymphedema: implications for prophylactic surgery

Women diagnosed with or at high risk for breast cancer increasingly choose prophylactic mastectomy. It is unknown if adding sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) to prophylactic mastectomy increases the risk of lymphedema. We sought to determine the risk of lymphedema after mastectomy with and without nodal evaluation. 117 patients who underwent bilateral mastectomy were prospectively screened for lymphedema. Perometer arm measurements were used to calculate weight-adjusted arm volume change at each follow-up. Of 234 mastectomies performed, 15.8 % (37/234) had no axillary surgery, 63.7 % (149/234) had SLNB, and 20.5 % (48/234) had axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). 88.0 % (103/117) of patients completed the LEFT-BC questionnaire evaluating symptoms associated with lymphedema. Multivariate analysis was used to assess clinical characteristics associated with increased weight-adjusted arm volume and patient-reported lymphedema symptoms. SLNB at the time of mastectomy did not result in an increased mean weight-adjusted arm volume compared to mastectomy without axillary surgery (p = 0.76). Mastectomy with ALND was associated with a significantly greater mean weight-adjusted arm volume change compared to mastectomy with SLNB (p < 0.0001) and without axillary surgery (p = 0.0028). Patients who underwent mastectomy with ALND more commonly reported symptoms associated with lymphedema compared to those with SLNB or no axillary surgery (p < 0.0001). Patients who underwent mastectomy with SLNB or no axillary surgery reported similar lymphedema symptoms. Addition of SLNB to mastectomy is not associated with a significant increase in measured or self-reported lymphedema rates. Therefore, SLNB may be performed at the time of prophylactic mastectomy without an increased risk of lymphedema.
CD25+ CD4+ T Cells, Expanded with Dendritic Cells Presenting a Single Autoantigenic Peptide, Suppress Autoimmune Diabetes

In the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of type 1 diabetes, the immune system recognizes many autoantigens expressed in pancreatic islet β cells. To silence autoimmunity, we used dendritic cells (DCs) from NOD mice to expand CD25+ CD4+ suppressor T cells from BDC2.5 mice, which are specific for a single islet autoantigen. The expanded T cells were more suppressive in vitro than their freshly isolated counterparts, indicating that DCs from autoimmune mice can increase the number and function of antigen-specific, CD25+ CD4+ regulatory T cells. Importantly, only 5,000 expanded CD25+ CD4+ BDC2.5 T cells could block autoimmunity caused by diabetogenic T cells in NOD mice, whereas 105 polyclonal, CD25+ CD4+ T cells from NOD mice were inactive. When islets were examined in treated mice, insulitis development was blocked at early (3 wk) but not later (11 wk) time points. The expanded CD25+ CD4+ BDC2.5 T cells were effective even if administered 14 d after the diabetogenic T cells. Our data indicate that DCs can generate CD25+ CD4+ T cells that suppress autoimmune disease in vivo. This might be harnessed as a new avenue for immunotherapy, especially because CD25+ CD4+ regulatory cells responsive to a single autoantigen can inhibit diabetes mediated by reactivity to multiple antigens.
Properties of TAN-67, a nonpeptide δ-opioid receptor agonist, at cloned human δ-and μ-opioid receptors

Abstract 2-methyl-4a α(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,12,12a α-octahydro-quinolino[2,3,3-g]isoquinoline (TAN-67) is a nonpeptidic δ-opioid receptor agonist. This report describes its receptor binding affinity and agonist potency at human and mouse δ and μ-opioid receptors. The binding affinities of TAN-67 and the cyclic enkephalin analog, [D-Pen2, 4′-Cl-Phe4, D -Pen5]enkephalin (pCl-DPDPE) were measured by the radioligand binding inhibition studies at mouse and human variants of the δ and μ-opioid receptor using [3H]Naltrindole and [3H] D -Phe- Cys  Tyr  D  Trp  Orn  Thr  Pen -Thr-NH2, respectively. TAN-67 showed high binding affinity (Ki = 0.647 nM) at the human δ-opioid receptor and high δ-opioid receptor binding selectivity (> 1000-fold) relative to the human μ-opioid receptor. TAN-67 also showed high potency (EC50 = 1.72 nM) for the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation at human δ-opioid receptors expressed by intact Chinese hamster ovary cells but low potency (EC50 = 1520 nM) at human μ-opioid receptors expressed by intact B82 mouse fibroblast cells. The results show that TAN-67 has similar binding affinities, selectivity and potencies as pCl-DPDPE at human δ and μ-opioid receptors. These results combined with the nonpeptidic structure of TAN-67 suggest that this compound has therapeutic potential as a δ-opioid receptor agonist.
Air Force hierarchy of models: a look inside the great pyramid

The widely-used Air Force hierarchy of models and simulations is generally depicted as a four-level pyramid; ranging from Engineering/Component Level up to Theater/Campaign Level. While it does present a concise picture of the scope of military models and simulations, it gives the impression that there is a smooth and natural transition from one level to the next. That is not the case. In fact, there is a great variance in degree of complexity from one level to the next. This paper looks at the state- of-practice in modeling and simulation in the context of this hierarchy; and in particular, at traditional and revolutionary techniques involving inter-level relationships.
Continuous extensions of skew product diffusions

Etant donne une diffusion R conservative, non-singuliere et a valeurs non-negatives, une fonctionnelle additive K de R qui est definie et au moins continue sur [0,σ 0 ), ou σ 0 est le premier temps de collision de R au point O, et une diffusion θ conservative non singuliere independante sur la sphere unite dans R n , on definit le produit gauche comme etant le processus stochastique: Z 0 (t)=R(t)θ(K t ) si t<σ 0 et Z 0 (t)=∞ sinon. On appelle extension de Z 0 un processus de Markov fort, continu a droite, conservateur et a valeurs dans R n qui est continu en σ 0 et qui coincide en loi avec Z 0 s'il y a extinction en σ 0 . On l'appelle continue si elle part de l'origine de facon continue et si elle n'a pas de sejour a l'origine, c.-a.-d. E ∞ ∫ 0 ∞ 1 { 0}(Z t )dt=0. Le probleme est de trouver toutes les extensions continues pour un produit gauche donne
Plasma lactate dehydrogenase and spleen heme biosynthetic activity following Friend and Rauscher leukemia virus infections.

Abstract The progression of plasma lactate dehydrogenase and heme biosynthetic activity in the spleen was followed in mice infected with Friend and Rauscher viruses. Plasma lactate dehydrogenase increased progressively in both viral diseases and paralleled the increase in spleen weight. Despite the similarity of the spleen weight responses, Friend virus promoted an earlier and more potent erythroid response as measured by porphobilinogen and porphyrin production than did Rauscher virus. The possible origin of the substantial increases in plasma lactate dehydrogenase is discussed.
Induced Micro-Variations in Hydrodynamic Bearings

Fluid-structure interactions in hydrodynamic bearings result in load carrying and drag forces which give the bearing its characteristics. While these bearings offer many benefits as machine components, one of their shortcomings is their limited efficient range. In this paper, we demonstrate the use of micron-scale actuators to actively control the thrust and drag forces on a slider bearing. We show that for a set of control parameters, we are able to affect the performance of a bearing by more than 100 percent during operation, increasing the bearing's range of operation.
Reflections on the catalytic power of a TIM-barrel.

Abstract The TIM-barrel fold is described and its propagation throughout the enzyme universe noted. The functions of the individual front loops of the eponymous TIM-barrel of triosephosphate isomerase are presented in a discussion of: (a) electrophilic catalysis, by amino acid side chains from loops 1 and 4, of abstraction of an α-carbonyl hydrogen from substrate dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) or d -glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (DGAP). (b) The engineering of loop 3 to give the monomeric variant monoTIM and the structure and catalytic properties of this monomer. (c) The interaction between loops 6, 7 and 8 and the phosphodianion of DHAP or DGAP. (d) The mechanism by which a ligand-gated conformational change, dominated by motion of loops 6 and 7, activates TIM for catalysis of deprotonation of DHAP or DGAP. (e) The conformational plasticity of TIM, and the utilization of substrate binding energy to “mold” the distorted active site loops of TIM mutants into catalytically active enzymes. The features of the TIM-barrel fold that favor effective protein catalysis are discussed.
Spatial Mapping of Complex Turfgrass Sites: Site-Specific Management Units and Protocols

Site-specific management units (SSMUs), similar in soil, plant, and irrigation requirements, are foundational to efficient management in precision agriculture. This concept is applied to management of complex turfgrass sites to improve irrigation practices. An experimental mobile unit mapped two golf fairways' turfgrass (Paspalum vaginatum SW.; 'Salam') in Naples, FL in summer 2006 on a 2.5 m grid for volumetric water content (VWC) by time-domain reflectrometry at field capacity and normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI). Objectives were to determine suitability of the GPS-enabled mapping device and to develop protocols for defining and characterizing SSMUs by geographic information system (GIS) methods. Semivariogram analysis revealed that the mapping grid of 2.5 m was within the lowest observed range of 11.7 m for geospatial dependence for either VWC or NDVI. SSMU delineation was based on stable landscape traits of VWC at field capacity and topographic factors; with NDVI data as secondary. Descriptive and geostatistical means to best characterize SSMUs are presented. Use of field capacity VWC based distribution uniformity (DU) parameters is discussed for efficient irrigation scheduling applications within SSMUs.
Changing Teachers – Teachers Changing Schools: assessing a graduate program in technology education

ABSTRACT Innovative uses of technology may require a revision of educational policy and practice if technology is going to have an impact on the educational system. In 1993 the University of New Mexico College of Education began a four semester in‐service graduate program to develop teacher knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that might assist the teacher to confront today's challenges without being restricted by past patterns. During the second year of its implementation, a comprehensive research study was instituted to assess the impact of the program. This paper presents findings relevant to the outcomes of the program. The results reveal that significant shifts occurred among participants in the frequency of use of technology and student‐oriented strategies and that participants were increasingly concerned with assuming leadership roles in their schools and school districts. Four dimensions of the program were central in achieving these results: its cohort nature, the fact that it was graduate, the us...
A Talent Development Model of Career Counselling

Existing models of career counseling are not consistent with the goals of talent development. The limitations of the congruence model of career counseling, a dominant career development paradigm, are identified. The assumptions, goals, assessment focus, and practices of a talent development model of career counseling are described. The thesis of this article is that existing models of career development and counseling are not adequate to guide and inform the process of talent development that culminates in the mature expression of knowledge, skills, and abilities in meaningful adult work and productivity. The assumptions, goals, and assessment practices of the predominant career development models meet the goals of talent development for only a limited number of students. A new model of career counseling for talent development will be introduced.
Short Term Clinical Outcome after Laparoscopic Cryoablation of the Renal Tumor ≤ 3.5 cm

Between September 2000 and September 2006, 26 patients underwent primary laparoscopic cryosurgical procedures (28) for an organ-confined renal tumor(s). In one case, cryosurgery was done sequentially on both kidneys. All patients had been carefully selected based on the following criteria: tumor size ≤ 3.5 cm, the absence of local and systemic spread on cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the ability to tolerate general anesthesia. A pure laparoscopic approach was employed using third generation cryotechnology (Galil Medical Inc., Plymouth Meeting, USA). Patients were followed by serial CT or MRI scan, creatinine level, and physical examination at least every six months after cryotherapy. The mean patient age was 64 years (range: 44–79) and the mean follow-up was 20.9 +/- 17.2 months. The median tumor size was 2.0 cm (range: 1–3.5 cm). Only one patient required a blood transfusion and one patient developed a transient ileus. The median length of stay was 2.0 d...
Binding of rat IgE with the subcellular components of normal rat mast cells.

Attempts were made to obtain subcellular components of rat mast cells which contain receptors for IgE. Rat peritoneal cells were treated with 125I-labeled rat IgE to label mast cells, and disrupted by ultrasonication. More than 90% of cell-bound IgE was recovered in the 20,000 g supernatant fraction which had the ability to block passive cutaneous anaphylaxis with mouse and rat reaginic antibodies. Gel-filtration of the supernatant fraction through a Sepharose 6B column showed that both radioactivity and PCA blocking activity were associated with subcellular components which were eluted in the void volume. When the 20,000 g supernatant fraction of normal peritoneal cells was incubated with 125I-rat IgE, the protein combined with the subcellular components. Incubation of the 20,000 g supernatant with an IgE-rich rat serum inhibited the binding of 125I-IgE with the components, whereas normal rat serum failed to do so. When the sepharose void volume fraction was obtained from purified mast cells and labeled with 125I, approximately 25% of radioactive material was coprecipitated with IgE-anti-IgE complexes. Evidence was obtained that subcellular components of macrophages were not coprecipitated with the antigen-antibody complexes. These results indicated that the components eluted in the void volume fraction contained receptors for IgE. In another experiment, the 20,000 g supernatant fraction was obtained from rat peritoneal cells or purified mast cells whose membrane was labeled with 125I, and fractioned by gel filtration followed by DEAE cellulose chromatography. More than 23 of the radioactivity and PCA-blocking activity associated with the sepharose void volume fraction were recovered in the 3 M NaCl fraction which contained 12–15% of total protein. When the 3 M fraction obtained from purified mast cells was labeled with 125I and incubated with an IgE-rich serum, a significant amount of radioactive material in the fraction was precipitated with IgE-anti-IgE complexes. The results indicate that blocking of the PCA reaction by this fraction is due to the presence of receptors for IgE.
Infection with murine gammaherpesvirus 68 exacerbates inflammatory bowel disease in IL-10-deficient mice

We questioned whether infection with murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (HV-68) might exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease using mice deficient in IL-10 (IL-10−/−) as a model of developing colitis. Groups of C57BL/6 mice and IL-10−/− mice were mock-treated or infected with HV-68. Two months following infection, mice were euthanized and a variety of parameters were measured to quantify the extent of inflammation and the presence of virus. Measurements included survival, body weight, splenomegaly, colonic disease scores, liver histopathology, viable bacteria in the liver, and splenic viral burden. IL-10−/− mice infected with HV-68 displayed reduced survival, lower body weights, increased splenomegaly, exacerbated colonic disease scores, increased numbers of viable bacteria in the liver, and increased leukocyte liver infiltration when compared to mock-treated IL-10−/− mice or HV-68 infected C57BL/6 mice. Surprisingly, levels of infectious or latent virus were not significantly different between the groups of mice exposed to HV-68. The presence of HV-68 in IL-10−/− mice exacerbates the developing clinical disease in this animal model of colitis.
An unusual pattern of recurring seismic quiescence at Kalapana, Hawaii

An unusual pattern of recurring seismic quiescence is observed in the Kalapana, Hawaii region of Kilauea Volcano. Statistically significant intervals of quiescence preceded the Kalapana earthquakes of 1975 (M7.2) and 1989 (M6.1) and a third quiescence is presently underway. The sensitivity of the volcano flank to continuing magmatic activity in the nearby east rift zone complicates interpretation of these observations. The current quiescence episode may be caused by magmatic processes in the east rift zone or by changes within the flank of Kilauea. The latter possibility, if correct, may represent a precursor to another earthquake.
Nucleosome mass distribution using image averaging

Scanning transmission electron microscopy has been used to obtain mass distribution data for unstained, randomly oriented dinucleosomes. These data were then subjected to computer analysis to increase the signal/noise ratio, and define the major sources of image variation within the population. Average images of groups of similar particles have a mass distribution consistent with current models of nucleosome structure, and a resolution approaching 3 nm. The potential value of this method for analyzing structural variants of nucleosomes is discussed.
Fracture Permeability Alteration due to Chemical and Mechanical Processes: A Coupled High-Resolution Model

Reactive fluid-flow experiments in fractures subjected to normal stress suggest the potential for either increased or decreased permeability resulting from fracture-surface dissolution. We present a computational model that couples mechanical deformation and chemical alteration of fractures subjected to constant normal stress and reactive fluid flow. The model explicitly represents micro-scale roughness of the fracture surfaces and calculates elastic deformation of the rough surfaces using a semi-analytical approach that ensures the surfaces remain in static equilibrium. A depth-averaged reactive transport model calculates chemical alteration of the surfaces, which leads to alteration of the contacting fracture surfaces. The mechanical deformation and chemical alteration calculations are explicitly coupled, which is justified by the disparate timescales required for equilibration of mechanical stresses and reactive transport processes. An idealized analytical representation of dissolution from a single contacting asperity shows that under reaction-limited conditions, contacting asperities can dissolve faster than the open regions of the fracture. Computational simulations in fractures with hundreds of contacting asperities show that the transition from transport-limited conditions (low flow rates) to reaction-rate-limited conditions (high flow rates) causes a shift from monotonically increasing permeability to a more complicated process in which permeability initially decreases and then increases as contacting asperities begin to dissolve. These results are qualitatively consistent with a number of experimental observations reported in the literature and suggest the potential importance of the relative magnitude of mass transport and reaction kinetics on the evolution of fracture permeability in fractures subjected to combined normal stress and reactive fluid flow.
Modeling of roll/pitch determination with horizon sensors - Oblate Earth

Fairly complete analytical models are developed, relating horizon sensor locations, measurements and their mounting geometry with rolUpitch attitude of a spacecraft orbiting an oblate earth. Two arrangements of a pair of horizon sensors are considered: left and right of the velocity vector (that is, along the pitch axis), and aft and forward (along the roll axis). RolYpitch oblateness corrections are formulated involving a) noncircularity of earth disc and b) slight changes in azimuth angles of horizon crossing points and in scanwheel angles spanning the earth. A simple algorithm is developed to determine these small changes numerically, arriving at results in agreement with those in the literature. The analysis retains only the first order terms of the flattening factor in a standard oblateness model. The rolYpitch corrections thus computed are compared with the alternate closed-form rolYpitch components of the angle between geodetic and geocentric normals along the spacecraft orbit. This alternate approach is also developed in the paper. The two approaches yield nearly the same result if a spacecraft is equipped with a pair of sensors, suggesting, in that circumstance, the use onboard of the simple closed-form expressions for oblateness corrections, independent of sensor geometry and location. However, if due to cost weight, or configuration constraints, only one earth sensor is used, the corrections will then depend on the sensor geometry and location and may be determined for a given orbit before flight, and stored numerically, to minimize processing load on the flight computer.
Comparison of perioperative complications after total elbow arthroplasty in patients with and without diabetes.

Background: Few studies have analyzed the effect of diabetes on outcomes after total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). We investigated the perioperative complications after TEA in patients with and without diabetes. Methods: We evaluated the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2005 to 2010 for patients who underwent a TEA. Our retrospective study included 3184 patients based on International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. We compared outcomes in 488 patients with diabetes and in 2696 patients without diabetes. Results: Patients with diabetes had a significantly older mean age (66.8 vs 58.5 years, P < .001). There was no statistically significant difference when comparing length of stay (4.1 vs 3.7 days, P ¼ .056) and cost of surgery ($56,582 vs $56,092, P ¼.833). A significantly higher percentage of diabetic patients underwent TEA for the indication of fracture (73.4% vs 65.3%), but a lower percentage for rheumatoid arthritis (10.2% vs 19.2%). They also had significantly increased rates of pneumonia (odds ratio [OR], 2.7), urinary tract infection (OR, 2.2), blood transfusion (OR, 2.1), and nonroutine discharge (OR, 1.9). After adjusting for significantly increased rates of comorbidities in diabetic patients, our multivariate analysis showed that having diabetes was independently associated with an increased risk of pneumonia (relative risk [RR], 2.6), urinary tract infection (RR, 1.9), and cerebrovascular accident (RR, 9.1). However, diabetes was not independently associated with hospital length of stay (P ¼.75), after correction, hospital cost (P ¼ .63), or proportion of routine discharges (P ¼ .12). Conclusion: Patients with diabetes have higher rates of comorbidities and perioperative complications after TEA. Level of evidence: Level III, Retrospective Cohort Design, Treatment Study. 2014 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees.
Consider the uncertainty

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) technology is based upon reductionist aspects of the gate-control theory, but reductionism, per se, is not a com­ prehensive model for explaining pain as a dynamic process that is personal, private, and subjective. Likewise, the breadth of gate control theory is not fully captured by reductionist thought and its broad implica­ tions for clinical practice may not be fully appreciated. Thus, there is a need to examine the full scope of gate control with different explanatory models. Heisenberg's uncertainty principle in physics demonstrates that reality can never be objectively grasped because the observer, with his or her technology, always affects the observed [5]. Biomedicine is the primary language in our culture [7], and the treatment of pain is largely influenced, per­ haps lopsidedly, by the sociocultural web of reductionist thought that underlies it. The holistic paradigm, proposed by Cassidy [3], is a model that holds considerable power for examining aspects of gate control that are uncaptured in a reductionist model. Reductionist and holistic paradigms, respectively, endorse the processes of objec­ tification versus personification, either/or versus both/and thinking, hierarchical versus cooperative approach, future versus past time orientation, and cure versus manage­ ment. Utilizing these two explanatory paradigms, our efforts will be focused upon examining the selection pro­ cess in implantable SCS, with recommendations based upon consistent application of gate control theory. Nelson and colleagues have noted the limitations of explanatory models for understanding chronic pain. If we accept that the current state of modern physics
The Use of E-Dictionary to Read E-Text by Intermediate and Advanced Learners of Chinese.

This study focuses on the pedagogical outcomes connected with the use of an e-dictionary by intermediate and advanced learners of Chinese to aid in reading an expository Chinese e-text. Twenty intermediate and advanced participants read an e-text twice aided by an e-dictionary and wrote recalls of the text in English. In addition to low frequency words, intermediate students frequently looked up high and middle frequency words, whereas advanced participants did not have much difficulty with either high or middle frequency words. The e-dictionary helped intermediate participants consolidate word meaning, learn new words and close the vocabulary knowledge gap between them and advanced learners; in contrast, the e-dictionary afforded less reading development for the advanced group. As for reading comprehension, the e-dictionary enhanced reading comprehension of intermediate participants to a level comparable to advanced students. The low comprehension of advanced participants might partly have been caused by...
Syntheses and Characterization of Chiral Branched-Arm Liquid Crystals-Basing on Isosorbide as Chiral Core

A new series of two-arm (MB1, MB2), four-arm (MB3), six-arm (MB4) chiral liquid crystalline compound containing isosorbide as chiral core were first synthesized. Four precursors of branched-arm B1~B4 were obtained at first and then were esterized separately with isosorbide and got four chiral branched-arm liquid crystals (MB1~MB4). The chemical structures and LC properties of the liquid crystalline molecule were measured by spectrum and thermal analysis techniques. XRD curves of MB1~MB4 samples only showed broad peaks at wide-angle, but no sharp peak was seen for all the samples. The results showed that MB1~MB4 appeared cholesteric phase with oily streak texture or lined texture and finger print texture. Isosorbide successfully induced cholesteric phase. The values of melting point and clearing point for MB1~MB4 decreased. The quantity of branched-arm and chiral core had effects on their liquid crystalline properties.
STRUCTURAL STUDIES ON SULPHATIDES IN METACHROMATIC LEUCODYSTROPHY

SUMMARY Sulphatides have been isolated by a newly developed method from the brain white matter of normal human adult and child, and of two patients with metachromatic leucodystrophy. Only galactose was found in chromatographic analysis of the carbohydrate component. Following permethylation of the sulphatides, the methylated hexose, in all cases, was 2,4,6-trimethylgalactose. The sulphate group is located solely at the C-3 position of the galactopyranose moiety, and in metachromatic leucodystrophy, although there is an accumulation of sulphatides, their composition and structure remain normal.
Too fat or too thin? Body habitus assessment in children listed for heart transplant and impact on outcome.

Background Body habitus assessment (BHA), be it wasted or obese, is a useful marker of nutritional status and overall medical condition. Wasting and obesity pre–heart transplant adversely affects outcomes in adults. The utility of BHA as a prognostic factor in children post-transplant is unknown. Methods Weight and height at listing and standard growth charts were used to determine the ideal body weight (%IBW) and percentiles for body mass index for age (BMI%) and weight-for-length (W:L%). Wasting was defined as 120%IBW and/or ≥95th percentile BMI% or W:L%. Outcomes of cohorts based on these criteria were compared. Results From June 1990 to December 2006, 180 children, aged 5.81 ± 6 years, were listed for transplant. Wasting occurred in 66 (37%) and obesity in 22 (12%) children, without differences between diagnoses of cardiomyopathy or congenital heart disease. %IBW was a prognostic factor for survival post-transplant on multivariate analysis: obese patients had a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.82 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.81 to 8.06) compared with normal BHA ( p p = 0.032). There were no significant differences between cohorts in incidence of infections, first-year rejections or graft vasculopathy. Conclusions Abnormal BHA at listing was a prognostic factor for survival post-transplant. Obese children had increased mortality, but wasting did not adversely affect post-transplant survival in our population. Body habitus assessment may risk-stratify children at listing, potentially providing a complex target for intervention.
Directional response properties of saccular afferents of the toadfish, Opsanus tau

The displacement sensitivity, frequency response, and directional response properties of primary saccular afferents of toadfish (Opsanus tau) were studied in response to a simulation of acoustic particle motion for which displacement magnitudes and directions were manipulated in azimuth and elevation. Stimuli were 50, 100, and 200 Hz sinusoidal, translatory oscillations of the animal at various axes in the horizontal and midsagittal planes. Thresholds in these planes defined a cell's characteristic axis (the axis having the lowest threshold) in spherical coordinates. Recordings were made from afferents in rostral, middle, and caudal bundles of the saccular nerve. The most sensitive saccular afferents responded with a phase-locked response to displacements as small as 0.1 nm. This sensitivity rivals that of the mammalian cochlea and is probably common to the sacculi and other otolith organs of most fishes. Most afferents showed lower thresholds at 100 Hz than at 50 or 200 Hz. Eighty percent of afferents have three-dimensional directional properties that would be expected if they innervated a group of hair cells having the same directional orientation on the saccular epithelium. Of the afferents that are not perfectly directional, most appear to innervate just two groups of hair cells having different orientations. The directional characteristics of afferents are qualitatively correlated with anatomically defined patterns of hair cell orientation on the saccule. In general, azimuths of best sensitivity tend to lie parallel to the plane of the otolith and sensory epithelium. Elevations of best sensitivity correspond well with hair cell orientation patterns in different regions of the saccular epithelium. Directional hearing in the horizontal plane probably depends upon the processing of interaural differences in overall response magnitude. These response differences arise from the gross orientations of the sacculi and are represented, in part, as time differences among nonspontaneous afferents that show level-dependent phase angles of synchronization. Directional hearing in the vertical plane may be derived from the processing of across-afferent profiles of activity within each saccule. Fishes were probably the first vertebrates to solve problems in sound source localization, and we suggest that their solutions formed a model for those of their terrestrial inheritors.
Occurrence of Cowpea Stunt Disease Causing Viruses on Wild Bean in Arkansas.

Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV) and blackeye cowpea mosaic potyvirus (BlCMV) interact synergistically in dually infected plants to cause cowpea stunt disease (1,2). During a July 1996 survey of cowpea stunt-affected fields in the Arkansas River valley, several wild bean (Strophostyles helvola L. Elliott) plants expressing mosaic symptoms were observed and collected. Sap was extracted from symptomatic leaves and used as inoculum to conduct a host range study. Virus symptoms diagnostic for BlCMV, CMV, or cowpea stunt were observed 6 to 8 days post-inoculation on Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. subsp. unguiculata cv. Coronet, while chlorotic lesions and mild systemic mosaic symptoms developed on Nicotiana benthamiana. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) conducted on extracts from symptomatic cowpea and N. benthamiana 14 days after inoculation verified the presence of CMV and BlCMV in single and mixed infections. Additional symptomatic wild bean plants were collected from the same site in October 1996....
Assessing risk to fresh water resources from long term CO2 injection- laboratory and field studies

Abstract In developing a site for geologic sequestration, one must assess potential consequences of failure to adequately contain injected carbon dioxide (CO2). Upward migration of CO2 or displacement of saline water because of increased pressure might impact protected water resources 100s to 1000s of meters above a sequestration interval. Questions posed are: (1) Can changes in chemistry of fresh water aquifers provide evidence of CO2 leakage from deep injection/sequestration reservoirs containing brine and or hydrocarbons? (2) What parameters can we use to assess potential impacts to water quality? (3) If CO2 leakage to freshwater aquifers occurs, will groundwater quality be degraded and if so, over what time period? Modeling and reaction experiments plus known occurrences of naturally CO2-charged potable water show that the common chemical reaction products from dissolution of CO2 into freshwater include rapid buffering of acidity by dissolution of calcite and slower equilibrium by reaction with clays and feldspars. Results from a series of laboratory batch reactions of CO2 with diverse aquifer rocks show geochemical response within hours to days after introduction of CO2. Results included decreased pH and increased concentrations of cations in CO2 experimental runs relative to control runs using argon (Ar). Some cation (Ba, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Sr) concentrations increased over and an order of magnitude during CO2 runs. Results are aquifer dependant in that experimental vessels containing different aquifer rocks showed different magnitudes of increase in cation concentrations. Field studies designed to improve understanding of risk to fresh water are underway in the vicinity of (1) SACROC oilfield in Scurry County, Texas, USA where CO2 has been injected for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) since 1972 and (2) the Cranfield unit in Adams County, Mississippi, USA where CO2 EOR is currently underway. Both field studies are funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regional carbon sequestration partnership programs and industrial sponsors. Preliminary results of groundwater monitoring are currently available for the SACROC field study where researchers investigated 68 water wells and one spring during five field excursions between June 2006 and July 2008. Results to date show no trend of preferential degradation below drinking water standards in areas of CO2 injection (inside SACROC) as compared to areas outside of the SACROC oil field.
A correction to Hull's law on delay of reinforcement and its extension to fixed-interval operant schedules

Hull’s law on delay of reinforcement was corrected for internal consistency by testing the law against the data from which it was derived. Using these same data, the law was extended to be a function of trials. The resulting equation was extended further by mathematically transforming the latency of responding into the rate of responding, and equating the delay of reinforcement with the fixed interval of an operant schedule. The prediction of the transformed equation was that the logarithm of the rate of responding of an organism is a linear function of the logarithm of the number of trials or reinforcements, with the slope of this linear function being dependent upon the numerical value of the fixed interval.
Photon-number resolution using time-multiplexed single-photon detectors

Photon-number-resolving detectors are needed for a variety of applications including linear-optics quantum computing. Here we describe the use of time-multiplexing techniques that allow ordinary single-photon detectors, such as silicon avalanche photodiodes, to be used as photon-number-resolving detectors. The ability of such a detector to correctly measure the number of photons for an incident number state is analyzed. The predicted results for an incident coherent state are found to be in good agreement with the results of a proof-of-principle experimental demonstration.