cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Addressing the Possibility of a Histone-Like Code in Bacteria.

Acetylation was initially discovered as a post-translational modification (PTM) on the unstructured, highly basic N-terminal tails of eukaryotic histones in the 1960s. Histone acetylation constitutes part of the "histone code", which regulates chromosome compaction and various DNA processes such as gene expression, recombination, and DNA replication. In bacteria, nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) are responsible these functions in that they organize and compact the chromosome and regulate some DNA processes. The highly conserved DNABII family of proteins are considered functional homologues of eukaryotic histones despite having no sequence or structural conservation. Within the past decade, a growing interest in Ne-lysine acetylation led to the discovery that hundreds of bacterial proteins are acetylated with diverse cellular functions, in direct contrast to the original thought that this was a rare phenomenon. Similarly, other previously undiscovered bacterial PTMs, like serine, threonine, and tyrosine phosphorylation, have also been characterized. In this review, the various PTMs that were discovered among DNABII family proteins, specifically histone-like protein (HU) orthologues, from large-scale proteomic studies are discussed. The functional significance of these modifications and the enzymes involved are also addressed. The discovery of novel PTMs on these proteins begs this question: is there a histone-like code in bacteria?
Effects of the neonicotinoid acetamiprid in syrup on Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera: Apidae) microcolony development

Worldwide, many pollinator populations are in decline. Population reductions have been documented for the agriculturally important honey bee (Apis mellifera), and other bee species such as bumble bees that are also critical for pollinating crops and natural landscapes. A variety of factors contribute to the observed population reductions, including exposure to agrochemicals. In recent decades, neonicotinoid pesticide use has dramatically increased, as have concerns regarding the safety of these chemicals for pollinator health. Here we assessed the toxicity of the neonicotinoid acetamiprid to the bumble bee Bombus impatiens, a species commercially available for use in agricultural settings in North America. Using the microcolony model, we examined nest growth, development and subsequent nest productivity as measured by drone production. We found that high concentrations of acetamiprid in syrup (11,300 μg/L) significantly impacted nest growth and development, and ultimately drone production, and exposure to 1,130 μg/L acetamiprid also significantly decreased drone production. The no observable adverse effect level was 113 μg/L. Overall, acetamiprid delivered in syrup can negatively impact B. impatiens nest development and productivity, however only at concentrations above which would be expected in the environment when used according to label rates.
Reimagining IRB review to incorporate a clear and convincing standard of evidence.

This commentary is a critical response to the article written by David Resnik regarding the use of a standard of evidence for Institutional Review Board (IRB) decision making. Resnik suggests that ...
Effectiveness of Face Masks in Reducing the Spread of COVID-19: A Model-Based Analysis

BackgroundThe World Health Organization and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that both infected and susceptible people wear face masks to protect against COVID-19.MethodsWe d...
A more reasonable model of insurance demand

The analysis of the demand for insurance has been significantly affected by the failure to recognize the composite commodity theorem. This fact is demonstrated when the composite commodity theorem is used to modify the existing model so that insurance demand is more appropriately calculated. Comparative static properties of the modified model are derived and more reasonable comparative static results are obtained. Most importantly, in the modified model increases in wealth need not lead to a reduction in the quantity of insurance demanded even for decreasing absolute risk averse decision makers.
Exploring Holistic Comfort in Children Who Experience a Clinical Venipuncture Procedure.

Purpose: Children often experience the uncomfortable effects of invasive procedures as a part of primary care and during times of illness. Holistic comfort has been well documented in adult literat...
Dynamics of holomorphic self-maps of ℂ*

In this paper we classify the stable components of holomorphic self-maps of ℂ* which have finitely many singular values. We use this to study a one and a two parameter family of such functions. We examine the dynamic dependence of these functions on the parameters and study the parameter spaces themselves.
Cognitive Architecture for Robust Adaptive Control of Robots in a Team

The objective of this paper is to present a cognitive architecture that utilizes three different methodologies for adaptive, robust control of robots behaving intelligently in a team. The robots interact within a world of objects, and obstacles, performing tasks robustly, while improving their performance through learning. The adaptive control of the robots has been achieved by a novel control system. The Tropism-based cognitive architecture for the individual behavior of robots in a colony is demonstrated through experimental investigation of the robot colony. This architecture is based on representation of the likes and dislikes of the robots. It is shown that the novel architecture is not only robust, but also provides the robots with intelligent adaptive behavior. This objective is achieved by utilization of three different techniques of neural networks, machine learning, and genetic algorithms. Each of these methodologies are applied to the tropism architecture, resulting in improvements in the task performance of the robot team, demonstrating the adaptability and robustness of the proposed control system.
Biogenesis and inactivation of catecholestrogens.

Publisher Summary Catecholestrogens (CEs) can be generated by several discrete enzymatic pathways that can result in the formation of both 2- and 4- hydroxylated CEs (4-OH-CEs). These two classes of CEs differ in their properties both as catechols and as estrogens (Es). This chapter summarizes the value of these insights, availability of specific and sensitive assays for measuring CE synthase activities, and molecular biological tools now available for probing the role of CEs as local mediators of the physiological actions of Es. Hydroxylation of Es at C-2 and C-4 can be catalyzed by two distinct biochemical mechanisms. The two differ in their cofactor requirement and in the profile of CEs they generate. It generates predominantly either 2- Or 4-OH-CEs, depending on the form of P450 involved. The second generates 2- and 4-OH-CEs in similar amounts. As peroxidative activity generates 2- and 4-OH-CEs in similar amounts, and 2-OH-CEs can inhibit the inactivation of 4-OH-CEs by COMT, the peroxidative pathway of CE formation could be especially relevant to pathophysiology. The 2- and 4-OH-CEs differ also in their properties as catechols. Thus, although 2- and 4-OH-CEs have similar apparent affinity for catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and similar maximal velocities of O-methylation, 2-OH-CEs can inhibit the O-methylation of 4-OH-CEs. COMT in liver and red blood cells plays a major role in bulk inactivation of catechols, including CEs generated in liver. In extrahepatic organs, such as brain, uterus, kidney, and mammary gland, COMT has been shown to be expressed only in a few anatomically defined loci and cell populations. COMT participates in regulation of local concentrations of catechols, including CEs. Studies of expression of COMT in uterus in relationship to implantation also support this notion.
Characteristic and noncharacteristic harmonics in AC power systems operation

The characteristic and noncharacteristic harmonics generated by an industrial rectifier have been assessed. The results of the analysis showed that the rectifier is not only a source of characteristic harmonics as it is usually assumed, but that it is also capable of injecting nonharmonic frequencies into the AC system. It is concluded that past practices of harmonic mitigation techniques based solely on the presence of characteristic harmonics need to be reviewed, and appropriate changes in the approach must be made to reduce the generation and possible injection of nonharmonic frequencies into the AC system by this type of converter installation. >
A systematic approach to support the idea generation phase of the user interface design process

Human-computer interaction researchers have primarily focused on systematic techniques and tools for two phases of the user interface design process: design by prototyping and evaluation. Studies have shown that the advent of a number of rapid prototyping techniques and tools have not significantly reduced the amount of time and costs involved in the design and programming of user interfaces. This is due to the fact that designers do not spend enough time thinking about the design problem; instead, they resort to "aimless" prototyping with a complex set of tools. We introduce the need for a formal planning and idea generation phase in the user interface design process prior to prototyping, to minimize the effects of ad hoc design practices. This is the phase when preliminary requirements for an information system are available and the designer starts thinking and planning about the problem, making mental and written notes about it. This phase is similar to the problem formulation and idea generation phases discussed by researchers in the area of creative problem solving. We also propose a systematic design methodology containing fifteen non-sequential, highly connected, and iterative set of design tasks to structure the creative and opportunistic thought processes of the designer with appropriate guidance. A tool called HyperDesign has also been developed, incorporating hypertext functionality, to facilitate application of this methodology during this early phase of interface design.
Chronic schistosomiasis in a patient with rectal cancer.

A previously healthy 66-year-old Filipino woman presented with a 2-month history of intermittent rectal bleeding, pain with defecation and a 9-lb weight loss. A 5-cm anal tumor, found on colonoscopy and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging scan ( Figure 1 ) was surgically removed. Histopathologic examination of the specimen showed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and heavily calcified, nonviable Schistosoma japonicum ova in the rectum, vessels, and lymph nodes (eggs roughly 60 µm in diameter, oval to round in shape with no spine or a small barely detectable subterminal spine). The eggs were predominantly submucosal ( Figure 2 ), with no predilection for carcinomatous versus non-carcinomatous bowel ( Figure 3 ). The patient immigrated to the United States when she was 8 years old (she grew up in rural Philippines, a known endemic region) and had never been to a Schistosomiasisendemic region since that time. She had, therefore, acquired the infection almost 60 years ago in the Philippines. We speculate that the inflammation caused by chronic S. japonicum infection contributed to the development of rectal cancer. An association between urinary bladder cancer and S. hematobium has been well established 1 ; a similar association
ORC proteins in the mammalian zygote

The origin recognition complex (ORC) proteins, ORC1-6, are the first known proteins that bind DNA replication origins to mark the competency for the initiation of DNA synthesis. These proteins have complex mechanisms of assembly into the ORC complex and unexpected localizations in the mitotic chromosomes, cytoplasm, and nuclear structures. The mammalian zygote is a potentially important model that may contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms and features influencing origin establishment and in the identification of other functions of the ORC proteins. Together with expected localizations to the chromatin during G1, we found an unexpected distribution in the cytoplasm that appeared to accumulate ORC proteins suggesting potential roles for ORC subunits in mitosis and chromatin segregation. ORC1, 2, 3, and 5 all localize to the area between the separating maternal chromosomes shortly after fertilization. ORC4 forms a cage around the set of chromosomes that will be extruded during polar body formation before it binds to the chromatin shortly before zygotic DNA replication. These data suggest that the ORC proteins may also play roles in preparing the cell for DNA replication in addition to their direct role in establishing functional replication origins.
Basal ganglia regional glucose metabolism asymmetry during a catatonic episode.

The pathophysiology of catatonic symptoms remains unknown, although several anatomical sites, including the basal ganglia (Kleist et al. 1960) and brainstem (Blasco et al. 1986), have been implicated. We have attempted to study the physiological substrate of these symptoms by employing positron emission tomography (PET) in the first PET study of a patient with catatonia. The patient was a 22-year-old black woman admitted to our research unit with a DSMIIf diagnosis of schizoaffect~ve disorder. She had a 4-year history of episodes of psychoses associated with auditory hallucinations and loose associations. She had been treated with antipsychotic medications during most of this period. On admission, she showed labile effect with racing thoughts, hypersexuality. and paranoid delusions. During a s-week drug-free period. she became increasingly psychotic and catatonic. Despite a subsequent week of lithium treatment (1200 mg daily, lithium level 0.8 mEqiliter), she continued to show mutism, posturing, waxy flexibility, and decreased psychomotor activity. In this state, she underwent a first PET scan. Seventeen days later, while on the same dose and blood level of lithium, she was retested in the PET procedure. At this time, there was no evidence of catatonia.
The effect of portacaval shunt on 7,12-dimethylbenz( a ) anthracene-produced mammary carcinoma in the rat☆

Abstract Portacaval shunt significantly reduces the incidence of DMBA-produced mammary carcinoma in the rat. Tumorogenesis is inhibited whether the shunt is done before or as long as 2 weeks after DMBA administration, indicating that tumor inhibition is related to an effect of the shunt on the metabolism of the host rather than to a direct effect on absorption and metabolism of the carcinogen. The reason for tumor inhibition by the shunt is unknown. Major circulatory, metabolic, and hormonal changes evidently occur after portasystemic bypass; further studies are required to explain the relationship of these changes, individually or collectively, to the significantly decreased incidence of tumor production after portacaval shunting.
Immediate regional endocardial surface expansion following coronary occlusion in the canine left ventricle: disproportionate effects of anterior versus inferior ischemia

The exact time of onset of functional expansion after acute myocardial infarction/ischemia remains unclear in spite of its potential link to chronic pathologic infarct expansion and its potential implications for therapy. To examine this early change in ventricular morphology, 14 open-chest dogs were studied with two-dimensional echocardiography before and after occlusion (10 minutes) of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD, n = 7) or circumflex artery (CIRC, n = 7). The endocardial surface area (ESA) and the area of abnormal wall motion (AWM) were reconstructed from the echocardiographic data using a previously reported technique for quantitatively mapping the ESA and extent of AWM. For the total group (N = 14), the mean ESA before occlusion was 48.9 +/- 9.8 cm2, increasing to 65.7 +/- 18.9 cm2 at 10 minutes occlusion (p less than 0.001). For the LAD subgroup, the mean ESA before occlusion was 50.7 +/- 9.3 cm2, increasing to 79.1 +/- 14.1 cm2 at 10 minutes following occlusion (p less than 0.001). For the CIRC subgroup, the mean ESA before occlusion was 47.1 +/- 10.8 cm2, increasing to 52.3 +/- 12.6 cm2 at 10 minutes after occlusion (p less than 0.001). The ESA increase for the LAD subgroup was significantly larger than that of the CIRC subgroup (LAD range 14.5 to 49.9 cm2 versus CIRC range 1.5 to 9 cm2, p less than 0.0001). Coronary occlusion resulted in similarly sized regions of AWM for both subgroups (LAD, 31.3 +/- 12.2 cm2 versus CIRC, 25.9 +/- 10.3 cm2, p = n.s.). For the LAD group, the largest increase in endocardial circumference occurred within the zone of AWM at the apex (39.9 +/- 12%). The endocardial surface area therefore expands immediately after coronary occlusion and the magnitude of this process is primarily related to the site (anteroapical) rather than to the extent of AWM.
Geochemical modeling of coal mine drainage, Summit County, Ohio

Geochemical modeling was used to investigate downstream changes in coal mine drainage at Silver Creek Metro-park, Summit County, Ohio. A simple mixing model identified the components that are undergoing conservative transport (Cl–, PO4 3–, Ca2+, K+, Mg2+ and Na+) and those undergoing reactive transport (DO, HCO3 –, SO4 2–, Fe2+, Mn2+ and Si). Fe2+ is removed by precipitation of amorphous iron-hydroxide. Mn2+ are removed along with Fe2+ by adsorption onto surfaces of iron-hydroxides. DO increases downstream due to absorption from the atmosphere. The HCO3 – concentration increases downstream as a result of oxidation of organic material. The rate of Fe2+ removal from the mine drainage was estimated from the linear relationship between Fe+2 concentration and downstream distance to be 0.126 mg/s. Results of this study can be used to improve the design of aerobic wetlands used to treat acid mine drainage.
Aligning Employees Through Line of Sight

Abstract Aligning employees with the firm's larger strategic goals is critical if organizations hope to manage their human capital effectively and ultimately attain strategic success. An important component of attaining and sustaining this alignment is for employees to have a “line of sight” (LOS) with their organization's strategic objectives. In this article, we illustrate how the translation of calculated firm goals into tangible results requires that employees not only understand the organization's strategy, but also accurately appreciate what actions are aligned with realizing that strategy. Using recent empirical evidence, theoretical insights, and tangible examples of exemplary firm practices, we provide thought-leaders with a comprehensive view of LOS by showing how it can be created, how it can be enhanced or stifled, and how it can be effectively managed. Further, we integrate LOS with current thinking on employee alignment to help managers more effectively benefit from understanding human capital potential.
Comparative effects of spore-crystal complexes and thermostable exotoxins of six subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis on Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract The relative activities of spore-crystal complexes and thermostable exotoxin produced by six subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis were investigated using larvae of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis. Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kenyae, subsp. galleriae, and subsp. kurstaki produced spore-cystal complexes active against the borer. Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. thuringiensis and subsp. darmstadiensis produced thermostable exotoxins active against the borer. Only one subspecies, B. thuringiensis subsp. tolworthi, produced both a spore-crystal complex and a thermostable exotoxin active against corn borer larvaer.
A novel and specific NADPH oxidase-1 (Nox1) small-molecule inhibitor blocks the formation of functional invadopodia in human colon cancer cells

The NADPH oxidase (Nox) proteins catalyze the regulated formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which play key roles as signaling molecules in several physiological and pathophysiological processes. ROS generation by the Nox1 member of the Nox family is necessary for the formation of extracellular matrix (ECM)-degrading, actin-rich cellular structures known as invadopodia. Selective inhibition of Nox isoforms can provide reversible, mechanistic insights into these cellular processes in contrast to scavenging or inhibition of ROS production. Currently no specific Nox inhibitors have been described. Here, by high-throughput screening, we identify a sub-set of phenothiazines, 2-acetylphenothiazine (here referred to as ML171) (and its related 2-(trifluoromethyl)-phenothiazine) as nanomolar, cell-active and specific Nox1 inhibitors that potently block Nox1-dependent ROS generation, with only marginal activity on other cellular ROS-producing enzymes and receptors including the other Nox isoforms. ML171 also blocks the ROS-dependent formation of ECM-degrading invadopodia in colon cancer cells. Such effects can be reversed by overexpression of Nox1 protein, which is suggestive of a selective mechanism of inhibition of Nox1 by this compound. These results elucidate the relevance of Nox1-dependent ROS generation in mechanisms of cancer invasion, and define ML171 as a useful Nox1 chemical probe and a potential therapeutic agent for inhibition of cancer cell invasion.
Damage detection in sandwich composite materials using laser vibrometry in conjunction with nonlinear system identification

Fiberglass sandwich panels are tested to study a vibration-based method for locating damage in composite materials. This method does not rely on a direct comparison of the natural frequencies, mode shapes, or residues in the forced vibration response data. Specifically, a nonlinear system identification based method for damage detection is sought that reduces the sensitivity of damage detection results to changes in vibration measurements due to variations in boundary conditions, environmental conditions, and material properties of the panel. Damage mechanisms considered include a disbond between the core and face sheet and a crack within the core. A panel is excited by a skewed piezoelectric actuator over a broad frequency range while a three-dimensional scanning laser vibrometer measures the surface velocity of the panel along three orthogonal axes. The forced frequency response data measured using the scanning laser vibrometer at multiple excitation amplitudes is processed to identify areas of the panel that exhibit significant nonlinear response characteristics. It is demonstrated that these localized nonlinearities in the panel coincide with the damaged areas of the composite material. Because changes in the measured frequency response functions due to nonlinear distortions associated with the damage can be identified without comparing the vibration data to a reference (baseline) signature of the undamaged material, this vibration technique for damage detection in composite materials exhibits less sensitivity to variations in the underlying linear characteristics than traditional methods. It is also demonstrated that the damage at a given location can be classified as either due to a disbond or core crack because these two types of damage produce difference signatures when comparing the multi-amplitude frequency response functions.
Tranylcypromine vs nortriptyline vs placebo in depressed outpatients: a controlled trial

This study was designed to compare the therapeutic and adverse effects of tranylcypromine (a monoamine oxidase inhibitor), nortriptyline (a tricyclic antidepressant), and placebo. A total of 122 depressed outpatients randomly assigned to double-blind treatment with one of these agents completed the 4-week protocol. Treatment groups were balanced for proportions of endogenous versus nonendogenous depressions, defined according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria; however, nonendogenous depressions outnumbered endogenous depressions by such a large proportion (4:1) that meaningful statistical comparisons were limited to the nonendogenous group. In this group, both active drugs proved more effective than placebo, with little differences between the two active drugs except in the areas of side effects and of differential sensitivity of the outcome scales to a given drug. It was concluded that tranylcypromine, a drug which has received relatively little use and study in recent years, represents an effective and reasonably safe treatment for nonendogenous depression, although significant advantages over tricyclics with this disorder remain to be demonstrated.
Aerobic Exercise Is Promoted when Individual Performance Affects the Group: A Test of the Kohler Motivation Gain Effect

Background A key barrier to achieving recommended intensity and duration of physical activity is motivation.
Who doesn't authorize the linking of survey and administrative health data? A general population-based investigation.

Purpose To determine the extent of authorization bias in a study linking survey and medical record data in a general population-based investigation. Methods Authorization status (authorized data linkage vs. not) was ascertained through a sequential mixed mode mail and telephone survey conducted in Olmsted County, MN. Respondents (regardless of authorization status) were linked to the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP), the medical record system for health care providers in Olmsted County. The REP provided data on gender, age, race, health status (co-morbid conditions), and health care utilization (ER admission, hospital admission, clinical office visits and procedures). Authorizers (n=1357) are compared to non-authorizers (n=217) with respect to these demographic and clinical characteristics. Results 86.2% of respondents authorized data linkage. Non-authorizers were younger, healthier (lower Charlson score), and less likely to have 3 or more recent clinical office visits. In multivariate analysis, Charlson score was no longer a significant predictor of authorization while an ER visit did predict authorization. Conclusions Younger subjects are less likely to authorize data linkages. As such, researchers should be aware of this source of potential bias when analyzing population-based linked survey and administrative data. The presence of bias with respect to health care use is more complicated. It is dependent on how the concept is operationalized with heavy clinical users more likely to authorize and those with ER visits less so.
Some Observations on Equivalence Handling Methods

The online disjoint set union problem is solved essentially by implementing two operations which manipulate disjoint sets. FIND(x) computes the name of the unique set of which x is a member. UNION(A,B) merges the two sets A and B into one new set named either A or B. Given a set of n elements, we may perform f ≥ n FIND's and n−1 intermixed UNION's in time 0(fα(f,n)) and space 0(n), where α(f,n) is related to a functional inverse of Ackermann's function and grows slowly. We show that certain modifications to the UNION operation that are convenient in some applications do not affect the running time complexity. We also show that under appropriate input restrictions, UNION and FIND can be made to run in linear time. However, the space required is 0(n+e), where e is the number of equivalence pairs to be processed.
Preventing Medication Errors in Hospitals through a Systems Approach and Technological Innovation: A Prescription for 2010

Medication errors in hospital settings are considered both widespread and costly to the American healthcare system; yet, it is tractable to available solutions. This article offers a novel prescription for the problem that could be implemented by 2010. It consists of a systems approach—failure mode effects analysis (FMEA)—in combination with emerging technologies, such as a decision support system (DDS) with integrated real-time medical informatics, electronic medical records (EMR), computer physician order entry (CPOE), bar coding, automated dispensing machines (ADM), and robotics. Cost and benefit analysis reveals that this proposed integrated solution will radically reduce medication errors in hospitals and save the lives of thousands of Americans who frequent such facilities on an annual basis, as well as reduce healthcare costs.
RADIOACTIVITY IN WOOL

WITH the development of highly sensitive γ-ray detectors, it has become possible to carry out nondestructive measurements of the low levels of γ-ray activity emitted by various biological materials. Since γ-ray measurements may be made rapidly without any special preparation or modification of the material measured, the application of this technique to agricultural research problems has much to recommend it. The advantages of the nondestructive γ-ray measurement technique appear to justify exploratory research to determine if such measurements may be used to estimate other factors to which they may be related1.
Interaction of "supplementary" scintigraphic indicators of ischemia and stress electrocardiography in the diagnosis of multivessel coronary disease.

Lung uptake, ventricular cavitary dilation and basal myocardial uptake represent abnormalities that have been associated with myocardial ischemia on stress thallium-201 images, but that are supplementary to the conventional assessment of perfusion distribution. These “supplementary” indicators of ischemia were related to the coronary distribution of perfusion abnormalities, the results of electrocardiographic stress testing and to the findings on coronary angiography in 73 patients. Forty patients had multivessel coronary disease; 19 of these had three vessel disease. Perfusion abnormalities were seen in 39 of these 40 patients but were indicative of multivessel coronary disease in only 28 and of three vessel disease in only 6. However, supplementary indicators were present in 33 of 40 patients with multivessel disease and in 15 of 19 with three vessel disease. Furthermore, they were seen in 16 of 22 patients with multivessel disease in whom conventional perfusion abnormalities underestimated the extent of disease, but in only 4 of 12 patients in whom the extent of disease was overestimated. The presence of either perfusion abnormalities in a multivessel distribution or supplementary indicators identified 38 (95%) of 40 patients with multivessel disease. A markedly positive electrocardiographic treadmill test was a less sensitive indicator of multivessel disease, appearing in only 15 of 40 patients. However, it was present in only 4 of 33 patients without multivessel coronary disease and was more specific for that diagnosis than were supplementary scintigraphic indicators (88 versus 67%, p
Gauge invariance and unitarity in higher-derivative quantum gravity

The question of unitarity is examined in the renormalizable, ``higher-derivative'' theory of quantum gravity. It is pointed out that the presence of a massive spin-2 ghost in the bare propagator is inconclusive, since this excitation is unstable. In the presence of unstable particles, expansions using bare propagators are impossible---modified expansions with dressed propagators that exhibit the complex nature of the unstable pole must be employed. It is found, however, that the position of the complex poles in the dressed propagator is explicitly gauge dependent. It turns out that this is a specifically gravitational effect; it does not occur in gauge theories with an internal-symmetry gauge group. On the other hand, a physical S matrix between in and out states containing only transverse, massless gravitons and physical massless matter fields is shown to be gauge independent. It then follows by a standard, albeit formal, argument that the contribution of all gauge-variant poles to its intermediate states must cancel. The physical S matrix should therefore, be unitary. In this development, the standard rules of quantum field theory are followed throughout; no ad hoc modifications, such as the Lee-Wick prescription, are ever invoked.
Consistency of the Semi-parametric MLE in Linear Regression Models with Interval-censored Data

Consider the model Y = β'X + e. Let F 0 be the unknown cumulative distribution function of the random variable e. Consistency of the semi-parametric Maximum likelihood estimator of (β,F 0 ), denoted by (?,?), has not been established under any interval censorship (IC) model. We prove in this paper that? is consistent under the mixed case IC model and some mild assumptions.
Cardiovascular Responses to Epinephrine During Acute Hypercapnia in Dogs: Effects of Autonomic Blocking Drugs

The reduction of cardiovascular responsiveness to epinephrine which develops during hypercapnia has been investigated in the pen-tobarbital-anesthetized dog. Parameters evaluated include arterial blood pH and pressor, chronotropic, and inotropic responses to epinephrine. Hypercapnia was induced by ventilation with either 15 or 30% carbon dioxide for a constant interval (either 2 or 10 minutes) before administration of epinephrine. In this species and under the conditions employed, it was shown that the chronotropic, pressor, and inotropic responses to epinephrine were reduced in that order by hypercapnia. These responses were found to be reduced both in amplitude and duration. Phentolamine enhances the cardiac blocking activity of carbon dioxide. The depressor response to epinephrine, following phentolamine, was found to be exquisitely sensitive to elimination by hypercapnia. Cardiac stimulatory responses elicited by acetylcholine in atropinized dogs were not reduced by the intensity of hypercapnia employ...
Microinjection of the ras oncogene protein into PC12 cells induces morphological differentiation

To investigate the possible role of ras proteins in the differentiation process signaled by nerve growth factor, we have microinjected the proto-oncogenic and oncogenic (T24) forms of the human H-ras protein into living rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12). PC12 cells, which have the phenotype of replicating chromaffin-like cells under normal growth conditions, respond to nerve growth factor by differentiating into nonreplicating sympathetic neuron-like cells. Microinjection of the ras oncogene protein promoted the morphological differentiation of PC12 cells into neuron-like cells. In contrast, microinjection of similar amounts of the proto-oncogene form of the ras protein had no apparent effect on PC12 cells. The induction of morphological differentiation by the ras oncogene protein occurred in the absence of nerve growth factor, was dependent on protein synthesis, and was accompanied by cessation of cell division. Treatment of PC12 cells with nerve growth factor or cAMP analogue prior to injection did not alter the phenotypic changes induced by the ras oncogene protein.
Short communication: Pharmacokinetics of intramammary hetacillin in dairy cattle milked 3 times per day

Mastitis remains a critical disease in the dairy industry and the use of intramammary antibiotics plays a critical role in mastitis treatment. Hetacillin is currently approved as an intramammary antibiotic that is used to treat mastitis in dairy cows. It is approved for once a day administration and can be used for a total of 3 d. An increasing number of dairy farms are milking 3 times per day (instead of the traditional 2 times per day) and very little pharmacokinetic data exists on the use of intramammary drugs in a 3×system. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if once a day intramammary infusion of hetacillin is sufficient to maintain therapeutic drug concentrations in cattle milked 3 times per day. Eight Holstein cattle milked 3 times per day were used in this study. After collecting a baseline milk sample, each cow received intramammary infusions of hetacillin in the left front and right rear quarters once a day for 3 d. Milk samples from each of the treated quarters were collected at each milking and frozen until analysis. Milk samples were analyzed for ampicillin concentrations using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography method. All treated quarters had antibiotic concentrations well above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for gram-positive mastitis pathogens at 8 and 16 h postinfusion. Milk concentrations had fallen well below the MIC by the 24-h period (before the next infusion). All 8 cows in this study consistently had individual quarter milk ampicillin concentrations below the FDA tolerance of 0.01 μg/mL (10 ppb) within 48 h of the last infusion. Based on this study, milk ampicillin concentrations exceed the minimum inhibitory concentration required to inhibit the growth of 90% of organisms (MIC90) for at least 65% of the dosing interval, which is sufficient for once-daily dosing with most cases of gram-positive mastitis. Therefore, intramammary hetacillin should be an effective treatment for the vast majority of gram-positive mastitis pathogens when used according to label (once per day) in cows milked 3 times per day.
Role of Advanced Technologies in Transportation Engineering

Transportation engineering is a major component of the civil engineering profession. It involves planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of transportation facilities. Advanced technologies in the area of information systems, automation, and telecommunications have the potential of achieving cost savings and productivity improvements as well as enabling new developments in transportation. The purpose of this paper is to review the areas where advanced technologies can significantly affect the way transportation engineering is practiced. Strategies for implementation of the necessary changes in practice are also discussed, along with the expected impact on civil engineering curriculum. The emphasis of the paper is on surface transportation.
THE CONTINUUM SHELL MODEL WITH FULL CORRECTION FOR TARGET RECOIL

A brief history of the continuum shell model with full correction for target recoil is provided. Past applications to nucleon induced reactions, nucleon capture, knockout reactions by pions and electrons, and strangeness exchange reactions are provided. Recent progress of the model is reviewed. Examples of continuum states for p-shell nuclei, derived from both two and three-body interactions, are given. Finally, the general model is presented in which any core states and any states of the composite system may be incorporated in a calculation.
Evidence for a smaller magma chamber beneath the East Pacific Rise at 9°30′ N

THE size and shape of magma chambers beneath mid-ocean ridges are fundamental features that control the availability of melt, composition of magmas and formation of oceanic crust. Models derived from the study of ophiolites1, and from thermal considerations2, include a very large magma chamber, which can exceed 10–20 km in width. Cross-axis seismic reflection profiles from the East Pacific Rise, however, constrain the width of the axial magma chamber to be < 3–4 km (ref. 3). Even this may be an over-estimate, arising from the under-migration of diffracted energy generated at the edges of a smaller magma chamber. Here we show that forward modelling of these diffraction hyperbolae yields a distance between the best-fitting point diffractors, and by inference a magma chamber width, of only 800–1,200 m. Reflectivity modelling also suggests that the available data are consistent with a magma chamber comprising only a thin layer of melt. A narrow and thin axial magma chamber would inhibit along-axis mixing4, and might thereby account for variations in magma composition along the East Pacific Rise5.
Performance of a MEMS reflective wavefront sensor

An all reflective Shack Hartmann style wavefront sensor has been developed using a Sandia National Laboratory segmented Micro-Electro-Mechanical (MEM) deformable mirror. This wavefront sensor is presently being explored for use with adaptive optics systems at the Naval Prototype Optical Interferometer and other experimental adaptive systems within the Naval Research Laboratory. The 61 MEM mirror segments are constructed in a hexagonal array and each segment can be constructed with either flat or optically powered surfaces. The later allows each mirror segment to bring its subaperture of light to a focus on an imaging array, creating an array of spots similar to a Shack Hartmann. Each mirror segment has tip, tilt and piston functionality to control the position of the focused spot such that measurement of the applied voltage can be used to drive a deformable mirror. As the system is reflective and each segment is controllable, this wavefront sensor avoids the light loss associated with refractive optics and has larger dynamic range than traditional Shack Hartmann wavefront sensors. This wavefront sensor can detect large magnitude aberrations up to and beyond where the focused spots overlap, due to the ability to dither each focused spot. Previous publications reported on this novel new technique and the electrical specifications, while this paper reports on experiments and analysis of the open-loop performance, including repeatability and linearity measurements. The suitability of using the MEM deformable mirror as a high dynamic range reflective wavefront sensor will be discussed and compared to current wavefront sensors and future work will be discussed.
Rethinking the Digital Media Library for RIT's The Wallace Center

In 2012, the Digital Preservation Team at Rochester Institute of Technology's The Wallace Center undertook an assessment of its Institutional Repository, the Digital Media Library. The Digital Preservation Team looked at the repository's current performance and requirements for ensuring its future success, and then examined four different philosophical approaches to configuring an IR that are in use by research institutions today: All-in-one, Archival, Researcher-centric and Subject. The team also compared open source vs. in-house repository providers and services including DSpace, Digital Commons, IR+, and Discovery Garden. A decision was made to move from the open source software DSpace to the full-service hosted software bepress from Digital Commons. The new repository will have a narrower research focus and will be rebranded RIT Scholar Works. It will be launched in fall of 2013. This article describes the configuration approaches that were considered and how each approach would impact the Digital Media Library, leading to the final recommendation.
Cloning of several lignin peroxidase (LIP)-encoding genes : sequence analysis of the LIP6 gene from the white-rot basidiomycete, Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Abstract A Phanerochaete chrysosporium BKMF1767 genomic library, constructed in the BamHI site of vector YRp12, was screened with the lignin peroxidase(LIP)-encoding cDNAs, CLG4 and CLG5, that have been shown to encode LIP2 (previously H2) and LIP6 (previously H10), respectively. Six distinct LIP genomic clones, designated pGLG1, pGLG2, pGLG3, pGLG4, pGLG5, and pGLG6, were isolated in this study. Probe CLG4 hybridized only to pGLG1. Probe CLG5 gave intense hybridization to pGLG2 and weaker hybridization to clones pGLG3 through pGLG6, but showed little or no hybridization to pGLG1. These results, in agreement with previous biochemical results, indicate the existence of LIP gene subfamilies. The limits and transcriptional orientation of the LIP gene in each clone were determined. The sequence data showed that pGLG2 contains the LIP6 gene, which encodes a protein identical in amino acid (aa) composition to that encoded by CLG5. It contains a leader sequence of 27 aa and a mature protein of 344 aa (Mr 36607). Archetypal TATA-box-like and CAAT-box-like sequences in the 5'-noncoding region are located 51 and 97 nt upstream from the cDNA start point, respectively. S1 nuclease analysis of the 5' region of LIP6 revealed two transcription start points 8 nt apart downstream from the TATA box. Comparison of the sequence of LIP6 with its corresponding cDNA CLG5 showed that the gene contains nine small introns which range in size from 50 to 62 bp. These introns contained consensus splice junction sequences similar to those reported in other fungal and yeast introns.
Raman-Mie lidar measurements of low and optically thin cloud

In this paper, we implement and compare two complementary methods for the measurement of low cloud optical depth with a Raman-Mie lidar over the metropolitan area of New York City. The first approach, based on the method of S. Young, determines the cloud optical depth by regressing the elastic signal against a molecular reference signal above and below the cloud. Due to high aerosol loading below and above the low cloud, correction for aerosol influence was necessary and achieved with the combined Raman-elastic returns. The second approach uses N2-Raman signal to derive cloud extinction profiles and then integrate them to determine optical depth. We find excellent agreements between these two retrievals for cloud optical depths as large as 1.5. Extinction-to-backscatter ratio within the low cloud is obtained and is shown to be consistent to values calculated from liquid water cloud model. The varied lidar ratios at cloud edge may imply the changes of cloud droplet size providing clues to the CCN seeding process. Furthermore, multiple-scattering effects on retrieving cloud optical depths are estimated by using an empirical model and specific lidar parameters.
Are primary cultures realistic models of prostate cancer

Primary cultures fill a unique niche among the repertoire of in vitro model systems available to investigate the biology of the normal and malignant human prostate. This review summarizes some of the properties of primary cultures, with special emphasis on two questions: are primary cultures from adenocarcinomas really comprised of cancer rather than normal cells, and do primary cultures faithfully retain characteristics of cells of origin? © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
INDIRECT FACILITATION: EVIDENCE AND PREDICTIONS FROM A RIPARIAN COMMUNITY

Indirect facilitation occurs when the indirect positive effect of one species on another, via the suppression of a shared competitor, is stronger than the direct competitive effect. Although theory predicts that these interactions may be common in assemblages of three or more competitors, experimental studies of this process are rare. Here, I report a study of a northern California riparian community, where I tested the hypothesis that the sedge Carex nudatahad direct competitive effects on other plant species, as well as indirect facilitative effects, by suppressing a second competitor, the common monkey-flower Mim- ulus guttatus. Results of a field experiment, in which I manipulated the presence of Carex and M. guttatus in a factorial design, uncovered three qualitatively different interactions between Carex and three target species. I found evidence of indirect facilitation for the liverwort Conocephalum conicum, such that Carex ''facilitated'' Conocephalum in the presence of M. guttatus, while Carex competed with Conocephalum in the absence of M. guttatus. Plant distribution patterns supported the widespread occurrence of this interaction. Carex also had an indirect positive effect on the scarlet monkey-flower M. cardinalis, though the magnitude of this effect was similar to direct Carex competition. Lastly, Carex had no influence on the moss Brachythecium frigidum. The mechanisms underlying the plant interactions in this study are discussed and incorporated into a general hypothesis that indirect facilitation among competitors is most important in assemblages of species that vary in competitive mechanism.