cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracking variations in nicotinamide cofactors extracted from cultured cells using capillary electrophoresis with multiphoton excitation of fluorescence

Nicotinamide cofactors play numerous roles in cellular metabolic and biosynthetic reactions and intracellular signaling events. Recently, nicotinamide cofactors have been implicated in the function of cellular biological clocks. To gain insight into the possible roles of nicotinamide cofactors in complex time-related events, we have developed a rapid and sensitive method for extraction of NAD(P)(H) from cultured cells, separation of analytes by capillary electrophoresis, and detection by multiphoton excitation of fluorescence. Extraction and quantitation steps have been systematically characterized for optimal pH, detergent, temperature, sonication, filtration, efficiency, accuracy, and reproducibility. The method is suitable for extractions at 2- to 3-h intervals over 1 day or more or as frequently as every hour for shorter durations. Natively fluorescent NAD(P)H are assayed directly, and nonfluorescent NAD(P) are enzymatically reduced to their fluorescent counterparts before analysis. The method yields accurate values for cellular NADP, NADPH, and total NAD(H) levels and relative information on cellular NADH concentration; modification of the procedure allows full quantitation of all relevant species. We conclude that these assays are more suitable than any yet published for tracking variations in nicotinamide cofactor levels over periods of 1 day or more.
Differences in morphine-induced antinociception and locomotor activity in mature adult and aged mice.

Abstract Mature adult (3–6 months old) and aged (24–27 months old) male ICR mice were injected with 10 to 100 mg/kg morphine, SC. The ED50 values for locomotor behavior representing 5 times control activity were 7.5 mg/kg for aged mice and 17.8 mg/kg for the mature adults. There were striking age- and dose-dependent differences in both intensities and durations of morphine-induced locomotor activity. The ED50 values for antinociception 1 hour after morphine administration were 70 mg/kg for the aged mice and 13 mg/kg for the mature adults. One hour after injecting 30 and 100 mg/kg morphine tagged with 3 H-morphine, 0.13 and 0.14 percent of the doses appeared in brains of aged and mature adult mice, respectively. Distribution of morphine among brain regions was the same for both age groups. The results suggest that the differences in response to morphine by the two age groups were due to age-related differences in affinities, numbers and/or functioning of opioid receptors and not to pharmacokinetic differences.
REPORT OF REEXAMINATION OF 4,994 MEN DISQUALIFIED FOR GENERAL MILITARY SERVICE: BECAUSE OF THE DIAGNOSIS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DEFECTS

The more important results of reexamination of men originally disqualified for general military service require special comment here: A. RECLASSIFICATION AS 1A 7 (a) General Figures, Comparisons with Introduction and Borderline Cases.—The total number of men resubmitted as 1 A among the 4,994 statistically studied in the five cities was 863, or 17.3 per cent, which includes 103 of the borderline cases already referred to (section 5). If these borderline cases were omitted, the number would be considerably reduced, to 760, or 15.2 per cent. Chicago gave the smallest return of 1A cases resubmitted for military service (only 3.8 per cent) as the result of the procedure developed in that city in the original examinations, whereby cardiovascular experts had been freely used in the decision about doubtful cases. It would appear, therefore, at the outset that Chicago's example might profitably be followed by other examining groups throughout the country. Boston,
A protective association between catalase and isocitrate lyase in peroxisomes

Glyoxysomes are specialized peroxisomes in germinating seeds, which catalyze many reactions that convert fatty acids into carbohydrates thus generating H(2)O(2). They are characterized by the presence of catalase (CAT, E.C. 1.11.1.6) in their matrix which protects cells from oxidative stress. Here, we investigated the possibility that a protein can be protected from oxidative damage by its association with CAT. We purified peroxisomal CAT from germinating castor beans by ion exchange, gel filtration, and hydroxylapatite chromatography. Gel filtration of the matrix proteins, cross-linking, and co-immunoprecipitation studies indicate that CAT associates with a glyoxysomal matrix protein, isocitrate lyase (ICL, E.C. 4.1.3.1). In addition, we found that H(2)O(2) inactivates ICL and degrades its product, glyoxylate, when CAT is inactive. ICL and its product appear to be sensitive to oxidative damage; thus, association of CAT with ICL would afford protection from H(2)O(2).
Hydrogen Peroxide Dose Dependent Induction of Cell Death or Hypertrophy in Cardiomyocytes

Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cell death are often observed in the end stages of heart failure. The triggers of these two cellular processes are not known under most pathological conditions. Oxidants are by-products of aerobic metabolism. The level of oxidants increases as a result of ischemic reperfusion. Using H9C2 and primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, we found that a 2-h pulse treatment with H(2)O(2) at 250 microM or lower caused activation of DEVD sequence specific caspases. The activity of DEVD-ase peaked with 200 microM H(2)O(2) at 24 h. While a fraction of the cells detached and showed nuclear condensation, the majority of the cells (>55%) survived the treatment and appeared to enlarge when cultured for 5 days. These cells showed increases in cell surface area, cell volume, and protein content. With 200 microM H(2)O(2), treated cells appeared to be six times bigger in volume and contained three times more protein per cell than untreated cells. The enlarged cells showed enhanced actin stress fibers and disrupted myofibrils. Our data indicate that while H(2)O(2) can cause cell death, the surviving cardiomyocytes undergo hypertrophy.
Transcribed sequences encoded in the region involved in contiguous deletion syndrome that comprises X-linked stapes fixation and deafness

We have used a direct cDNA selection protocol to isolate expressed sequences from yeast artificial chromosome clones that contain approximately 900 Kb of genomic DNA from Xq21 band that is deleted in contiguous gene syndromes comprising of mixed deafness associated with stapes fixation (DFN3). In addition to identifying Brn4 (POU3f4), a POU domain containing transcription factor that is involved in DFN3 phenotype, we have isolated seven short fragment cDNAs mapping to the deleted region. Some of the selected fragments showed X-chromosome specificity and hybridized to autosomal DNA fragments, indicating the presence of a low abundance interspersed repeat in the cDNAs or their homology to some uncharacterized family of genes. In conformity with the inertness of Xq21 band our results demonstrate that the region encodes far less than the average density of genes in other parts of the genome.
Reengineering the undergraduate core computer science curricula for the new era of parallelism

Limitations in power and speed, coupled with the unprecedented levels of integrations in today's semiconductor industry have resulted in massive hardware parallelism in modern computer chips leading to multicore/manycore general purpose processors and graphical processing units (GPUs) with hundreds of simple cores. As a result, all computing is becoming parallel (high performance) computing. On the other hand, future work force (our students) are not well prepared for this new era in processing technology, where parallel programming will be necessary and parallel processing will be the norm rather than just a niche area. In addition, our students are often prepared in an abstract manner with little or no connection to real life applications. This paper seeks to revolutionize our computer science curricula through a comprehensive reengineering of core computer science subjects in order to address the aforementioned pressing issues.
Canonical formulations of full nonlinear topologically massive gravity

First-order forms of the complete nonlinear Einstein plus Chern-Simons third-derivative-order action are exhibited in both metric and dreibein forms. The “hamiltonians” are combinations of diffeomorphism and tangent space rotation generators as expected of generally covariant systems; the pure Chern-Simons hamiltonian has an additional, conformal transformation, term. These constraints reduce the apparent number of degrees of freedom to 1 and 0 respectively. The constraint algebras close, as required by this counting, without second-class constraints. The nature of the noninvariant terms in the Chern-Simons lagrangian density is discussed. For comparison, the linearized limit and the corresponding nonabelian vector action's canonical form are also given.
Nuclear magnetic resonance of water in cold acclimating red osier dogwood stem.

The pulsed and continuous-wave nuclear magnetic resonance of water in cold-acclimating red osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera Michx) stem showed reduced relaxation times and increased line width. The reduction of relaxation times suggests an over-all restriction in the motional characteristics of the water. The increased line width is not related to a molecular property of the water, but is useful in estimating the initiation of cold acclimation. Biphasic relaxation characteristics may be related to partitioning of the water at the cellular level. The liquid water content of the stem was a weak function of temperature between −25 and −55 C, corresponding to approximately 0.15 gram of water per gram of dry stem. The quantity of unfrozen water at subfreezing temperatures was not strongly dependent on the degree of cold acclimation. It is concluded that the ability of dogwood to survive low temperatures depends on its ability to tolerate diminished quantities of liquid water.
Sequence Selectivity of 3-Hydroxypyrrole/Pyrrole Ring Pairings in the DNA Minor Groove

Hairpin polyamides containing the aromatic amino acids 3-hydroxypyrrole (Hp), pyrrole (Py), and imidazole (Im) are capable of discriminating all four Watson−Crick base pairs in the DNA minor groove according to a set of pairing rules. Equilibrium association constants for four eight-ring hairpins containing all four pairings of Hp and Py at a single common position (ImImXPy-γ-ImYPyPy-β-Dp, where X/Y is Py/Py, Py/Hp, Hp/Py, and Hp/Hp) were determined at four DNA sites, 5‘-TGGTCA-3‘, 5‘-TGGACA-3‘, 5‘-TGGCCA-3‘, and 5‘-TGGGCA-3‘, to study the relative binding affinities of the 16 possible complexes. The protected 3-hydroxypyrrole amino acid building block, 3-methoxypyrrole, is prepared on a 50 g scale, and the solid-phase synthesis of hydroxypyrrole−imidazole−pyrrole polyamides is described. Quantitative DNase I footprint titrations demonstrate that a Py/Py pair is partially degenerate for A•T and T•A, but disfavors G•C and C•G base pairs by 53- and 17-fold, respectively. An Hp/Py pair placed opposite T•A binds at least 20-fold more tightly than when placed opposite A•T, G•C, and C•G base pairs. The Py/Hp pair selectively binds A•T with 11-fold higher affinity over T•A and with ≥30-fold selectivity relative to G•C and C•G. An Hp/Hp pairing is disfavored opposite all four base pairs, potentially limiting certain slipped motifs available to unlinked dimers in the minor groove. This study serves to guide the design of second-generation polyamides for DNA recognition.
Ocean heat transport in Simple Ocean Data Assimilation: Structure and mechanisms

[1] The trend and variability of global ocean heat transport for the period 1958-2004 are investigated using the Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) analysis. The ocean model is forced with the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) ERA-40 atmospheric reanalysis winds from 1958 to 2001 and with QuikSCAT winds from 2002 to 2004. The assimilation is based on a sequential estimation algorithm, with observations from the historical archive of hydrographic profiles supplemented by ship intake measurements, moored hydrographic observations and remotely sensed sea surface temperature. Heat transport is calculated using temperature and velocity from the ocean analysis. Mean heat transport from the analysis generally agrees with previously published estimates from observational and modeling studies. Trends of heat transport show a range of behaviors. In the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans there is mostly increasing poleward heat transport with two important exceptions. In the Atlantic Ocean there is decreasing heat transport around 50°N and 60°N, and in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans there is decreasing heat transport near 10°S. There is also prominent interannual and decadal variability in all of the ocean basins. The results suggest that ocean heat transport variability is primarily determined by the strength of the meridional overturning circulation (MOC), which is controlled by complex processes governing fresh water flux in the northern North Atlantic and surface wind stress. However, the role of temperature variability increases at high latitude, particularly in the northern North Atlantic Ocean. Eddies play an important role in heat transport in the Gulf Stream and its extension in the Atlantic Ocean, and the Kuroshio and its extension in the Pacific Ocean and enhanced Subtropical cells (STCs) affect heat transport estimates in the tropics. In the northern North Atlantic Ocean, a small increase in meridional heat transport and a slight weakening of MOC are detected. Weakening in the northern North Atlantic MOC mainly arises from a freshening in the Labrador Sea and slowdown of the overflows from the Nordic Seas into the northern North Atlantic Ocean. Trends in North Atlantic surface momentum forcing are uniform across several atmospheric reanalyses, however there is less agreement in the role of precipitation in forcing trends of MOC and this exists as a primary source of uncertainty in our analysis.
ESTRADIOL-STIMULATED NITRIC OXIDE RELEASE IN NERVOUS TISSUE, VASCULATURE, AND GONADS OF THE GIANT COCKROACH BLABERUS CRANIIFER*

The vertebrate system of steroid hormones appears to have been conserved widely throughout the animal kingdom. The sex hormone estrogen, 17-β-estradiol (E2), long considered to be exclusively a vertebrate hormone, is found also in invertebrates related to reproductive and developmental processes such as spawning, vitellogenesis and molting. These processes are affected by estrogen induced changes at the genomic level and take place at a large time scale. The discovery of surface membrane receptors for E2 has opened new possibilities for the involvement of estrogen in biological functions other than reproductive. These processes take place within a few seconds to minutes and involve sudden cytosolic calcium transients, activation of adenylate cyclase or activation of phospholipase C (PLC). E2 can modulate the production of nitric oxide (NO) in endotheliar and other cells. A similar mechanism linking estrogen to cNOS catalized nitric oxide (NO) release is reported herein for the first time in several tissues of the giant cockroach Blaberus craniifer. This process has been identified in the brain, nerve cord, vasculature and ovaries. This effect is concentration dependent and is inhibited by tamoxifen an estrogen receptor blocker.
Lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) tracks deter oviposition by the goldeneyed lacewing, Chrysopa oculata

Abstract Field-collected female goldeneyed lacewing (Chrysopa oculata) strongly avoided ovipositing on substrates exposed over 24 h to three of four lady beetle species tested, resulting in circa 3-fold higher egg deposition on control versus coccinellid-exposed substrates. The effect was stage-specific for Coleomegilla maculata; it was observed for adult and third-instar larvae but not for unfed first-instar larvae.
Re-Use or Re-Invent? Understanding and Supporting Learning from Experience of Peers in a Product Development Community*

In this paper, we describe usage patterns of a design information system, and discuss issues of learning from experience of peers through socially and technologically mediated interactions in a product development community. The study spanned from 1994–1999 and involved a graduate level project-based course at Stanford University. A web-based design information system was put in place to enable project teams to store design information, and to access information previously stored by their peer teams from the current year and from prior years. Quantitative analyses of access logs to the system identified patterns of usage, and qualitative interviews identified social issues on such usage. The analyses answer two underlying assumptions associated with such systems to show that with regards to re-use: 1) more data do not correlate with more usage, and 2) more usage does not necessarily correlate with higher performance, except when over a longer-term basis. Additionally, patterns of usage show a significantly higher ratio of access to process-related files than to project-related files, and show a temporal access pattern that is demand-driven and closely matches project deliverables and milestones. User interviews identified social factors that significantly influence how teams use the system, such as teaching staff recommending particular information to particular teams.
Salivary cues in the mouse: a preliminary study.

Abstract Two experiments were designed to explore the possible role of mouse saliva in modulating social interactions. Experiment 1 examined the investigatory sniffing behavior of an intact male toward either another intact male or castrated male. It was found that castrates received more mouth, ears-eyes, and hind sniffing than intacts. In addition, the temporal patterning of mouth and ears-eyes sniffing was found to be different for the two stimulus conditions. The findings of Experiment 2 indicated that saliva from testosterone-treated castrates contained aggression-promoting cues relative to saliva from castrated control animals. Possible sources of the salivary chemosignal were discussed.
The effect of task and stimulus variability on habituation of electrodermal and vasomotor reactions

The effects of reaction time (RT) task and stimulus variability upon the habituation of skin conductance responses (SCR) and vasomotor responses (VMR) were studied in two experiments. In Experiment 1, subjects who performed an RT response to stimulus onset or who received stimuli which varied in frequency required more trials to reach an SCR habituation criterion than subjects who did not perform the task or receive frequency variability. While the overall VMR magnitude was affected by RT task and frequency variability, no VMR habituation itself was observed. In Experiment 2, the effects of RT task to stimulus offset and stimulus-duration variability were investigated. RT task again produced retardation of SCR habituation. This indicated that the task effect was not simply due to contraction-elicited SCRs, since the task reactions occurred well after the onset-elicited SCRs. Stimulus-duration variability reduced the overall effect of task, and it was hypothesized that manipulations which tend to increase postonset SCR reactivity have a negative effect on the persistence of onset reactivity.
Normal modes for plasmonic nanolasers with dispersive and inhomogeneous media

We derive the quasi-orthogonality condition of optical modes in a dispersive and inhomogeneous medium. This condition leads to the proper normalization rule of the optical field in a general linear medium with inhomogeneity. The derived rule also provides a physically meaningful method in estimating the magnitude of the field-enhanced spontaneous and stimulated emission rates, for example, in a microcavity or nanocavity.
Tradable permit programs: What are the lessons for the new Alaska halibut catch sharing plan?

Abstract To address long-standing allocation conflicts between the Pacific halibut commercial fishing sector and recreational charter (for-hire) sector in Alaska, an Alaska halibut catch sharing plan (CSP) is being implemented in 2014 that has a provision allowing the leasing of commercial individual fishing quota to recreational charter businesses. This one-way inter-sectoral trading allows for the charter sector to increase its share of the total allowable catch while compensating commercial fishermen. This type of catch shares program is novel in fisheries. In this paper, the literature on non-fisheries tradable permit programs (TPPs) that have similarities to the Alaska halibut CSP program is examined. Several successful TPPs are discussed, including ones from emissions trading programs, water quality trading programs, water markets, and transferable development rights programs. They are then evaluated in terms of their similarities and differences to the Alaska CSP program. Characteristics not part of the current CSP that other TPPs have used and that may increase the likelihood for the CSP to be effective in achieving its primary goals (if they are implemented) are identified, such as allowing more flexible transfers (e.g., internal transfers), intertemporal banking, cooperative structures, and multi-year leasing.
Multifocal granular cell tumor presenting as an esophageal stricture.

Introduction Granular cell tumors are uncommonly found in the gastrointestinal tract with slow progression and are usually benign though they may have propensity for malignant transformation. Initially attributed to neuronal origin through immunohistochemistry, there has been controversy with increasing reports of granular cell tumors of non-neural origin.
The beginning of the end? Extensive dieback of an open-grown Amur honeysuckle stand in northern Kentucky, USA

Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) is recognized as one of the most important invasive species in the Ohio River Valley. In 2012–2013, an outbreak of honeysuckle leaf blight on this species was observed in the region around Cincinnati, OH, USA. Dieback of open-grown honeysuckle stands was then noted in 2013, along with reduced physiological performance. One of these stands with signs of blight and dieback was surveyed in late summer 2013. The honeysuckle dead/total stem density fraction was 61.8 %, compared to 3.2 % reported in the 1980s. The dead/total basal area fraction was 36.9 %. The stem population size structure may also indicate a decline. Future work is needed to determine how widespread the decline is and if the leaf blight is the causative agent or an opportunistic infection.
Phox homology domains specifically bind phosphatidylinositol phosphates.

The recruitment of specific cytosolic proteins to intracellular membranes through binding phosphorylated derivatives of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) controls such processes as endocytosis, regulat...
Observer Agreement: Cumulative Effects of Rating Many Samples.

Twelve observers rated the stuttering severity of 400 different samples during four sessions to see if the experience of listening to and rating many samples affected parameters of observer agreeme...
Flies Get a Head Start on Meiosis

Few distinctions in biology are as clearly drawn as the one between mitosis and meiosis. The function of mitosis is to produce two identical daughter cells, while the purpose of the first division of meiosis is to ensure the segregation of homologous chromosomes, and the second division is to create haploid gametes. These meiotic segregations usually rely on meiosis-specific processes such as the induction of preprogramed double-strand breaks, homolog pairing, synaptonemal complex (SC) formation, synapsis, and recombination between homologs to form crossovers. While not all meiotic systems function identically, enough commonalities exist to allow us to draw clear distinctions between meiosis and mitosis. Mitotic cells simply do not build SC, and the process of full-length homolog pairing is almost always a prerogative of cells entering meiosis, not mitosis. Vexingly for those of us who like our distinctions made clearly, all this has changed, at least in Drosophila, as a result of two papers in this issue of PLOS Genetics [1], [2]. These authors show that although homologs are neither paired nor synapsed in germline stem cells (GSCs) of Drosophila females, both homolog pairing and the accumulation of SC components in pericentromeric regions initiate during the five mitotic divisions preceding meiosis. While the mechanisms and consequences of these interactions remain to be elucidated, it is clear that pairing and synapsis begin earlier than previously imagined—indeed, they initiate during the premeiotic mitotic divisions.
Closed Nanocontainer Enables Thioketones to Phosphoresce at Room Temperature in Aqueous Solution

Thiocarbonyl compounds possess unusual photophysical properties: they fluoresce from S(2), phosphoresce from T(1) only at extremely low concentrations in solution at room temperature, have unit quantum yield of intersystem crossing from S(1) to T(1), undergo self-quenching at diffusion-controlled rates, and are quenched by ground-state oxygen leading to self-destruction. In this article, we are concerned with finding a new method to observe phosphorescence from thioketones at room temperature in aqueous solution at high concentrations. To achieve this goal, one needs to find ways to eliminate diffusion-limited self-quenching and oxygen quenching. We present here a general strategy that has allowed us to record phopshorescence from a number of thioketones in aqueous solution at room temperature. The method involves encapsulation of thioketone molecules within a "closed nanocontainer" made up of two cavitand molecules known by its trivial name as octa acid. In these supramolecular complexes, despite two thiocarbonyl compounds being present in close proximity, no self-quenching occurs within the confined space due to curtailment of their rotational freedom. Although phosphorescence could also be observed when these thioketones are included in open containers, such as cucurbiturils and cyclodextrines, the closed container made up of octa acid is found to be the best medium to observe phosphorescence from thioketones whose excited state chemistry is essentially controlled by self-quenching.
Reactions that generate aromatic molecules: is aromatic stabilization less or more advanced than bond changes at the transition state? Kinetic and thermodynamic acidities of rhenium carbene complexes.

A kinetic study of the reversible deprotonation of the rhenium carbene complexes 1H(+)(O), 1H(+)(S) and 2H(+)(O) by carboxylate ions, primary aliphatic and secondary alicyclic amines, water and OH(-) in 50% MeCN-50% water (v/v) at 25 degrees C is reported. These carbene complexes are of special interest because in their deprotonated form they represent derivatives of the aromatic heterocycles furan, thiophene and benzofuran. Intrinsic rate constants (k(o) for Delta G degrees = 0) determined from appropriate Bronsted plots for these rhenium carbene complexes and for the corresponding selenophene (1H(+)(Se)) and benzothiophene (2H(+)(S)) derivatives investigated earlier follow the orders furan < selenophene < thiophene and benzofuran less, similar benzothiophene. These orders indicate that an increase in aromaticity leads to an increase in the intrinsic rate constant or a decrease in the intrinsic barrier. This is an unexpected result; it implies that, in contrast to common resonance effects, the development of aromaticity at the transition state is ahead of proton transfer, i.e., the percentage development of the aromatic stabilization energy at the transition state is higher than the percentage of proton transfer.
In vitro effect of n-Hexane and its metabolites on selected enzymes in glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway and citric acid cycle

Abstract The effect ofn-hexane, 2-hexanol, 5-hydroxy-2-hexanone, 2,5-hexanediol, methyln-butyl ketone (MnBK) and 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) has been studied in vitro on crystalline glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), dl -glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate: NAD oxidoreductase (phosphorylating) EC. 1.2.1.12 and phosphofrucktokinase (PFK) ATP: d -fructose-6-phosphate-1-phosphotransferase; EC. 2.7.1.11 and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) l -lactate: NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC. 1.1.1.27.MnBK and 2,5-HD both inhibited GAPDH and PFK activities selectively.n-Hexane and 2-hexanol had no effect on GAPDH and PFK activities; 5-hydroxy-2-hexanone and 2,5-hexanediol exhibited a slight inhibitory effect on these enzymes. Neither metabolites ofn-hexane have any effect on LDH activity. 2,5-Hexanedione did not inhibit transketolase ( d -sedoheptulose-7-phosphate: d -glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate glycolaldehyde transferase, EC. 2.2.1.1.) and succinate dehydrogenase (succinate: 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol oxidoreductase, EC. 1.3.99.1) activities. The levels of ATP were reduced in 2,5-HD-treated cat sciatic nerves and returned to normal levels by exposing the nerve to sodium pyruvate.
Parallel operation of solid state transformer

This paper introduces a high performance controller for voltage source converter (VSC) used as front-end interface of solid state transformer (SST). The closed-loop controlled VSC is the core entity that enables the SST to work as both inverter and rectifier. Different from other converters that interface renewable energy source to microgrids, the SST can connect both dc load and energy sources. Based on the dc power balance, some SSTs out of a parallel array of SSTs can operate as inverters while others as rectifiers, which can be easily implemented if taut regulation of the VSCs is achieved using an outer control loop. A proportional+resonant (PR) controller with active damping is adopted to achieve the sought dynamic response and system stability. The effectiveness of the VSC controller and parallel scheme is verified both by experiments and simulations.
Analytical comparison of local and end-to-end error recovery in reactive routing protocols for mobile ad hoc networks

In this paper we investigate the effect of local error recovery vs. end-to-end error recovery in reactive protocols. For this purpose, we analyze and compare the performance of two protocols: the Dynamic Source Routing protocol (DSR[2]), which does end-to-end error recovery when a route fails and the Witness Aided Routing protocol (WAR[1]), which uses local correction mechanisms to recover from route failures. We show that the performance of DSR degrades extremely fast as the route length increases (that is, DSR is not scalable), while WAR maintains both low latency and low resource consumption regardless of the route length.
Grading of Mitral Regurgitation by Quantitative Doppler Echocardiography Calibration by Left Ventricular Angiography in Routine Clinical Practice

Background Quantitative Doppler echocardiography and proximal flow convergence methods are validated techniques for quantifying mitral regurgitation. However, the clinical interpretation of the values calculated is hindered by the absence of calibration of ranges of severity in large numbers of patients. Methods and Results In 180 consecutive patients (men, 62%; mean age±SD, 66±11 years), the results of Doppler quantification of isolated mitral regurgitation were calibrated by use of left ventricular angiographic grading performed within 3 months in routine practice and without intervening events. The thresholds of the quantitative variables corresponding to the angiographic grades were identified by maximizing the sum of sensitivity and specificity and minimizing their difference. The mitral regurgitation grade by angiography was 2.7±1.3. The mean value and correlation with angiographic grades for effective regurgitant orifice were 43±37 mm and r=.79 (P<.0001); for regurgitant volume, 62±45 mL and r=.80 ...
A joint space-borne radar technology demonstration mission for NASA and the Air Force

NASA and the Air Force are currently studying joint technology demonstration concepts for large aperture Space Based Radar (SBR) systems. The mission focuses on elements of NASA's earth science enterprise strategic plan and Air Force long term needs for global airborne and ground moving target indication (GMTI and AMTI) surveillance, and represents an unprecedented multi-agency approach to scientific and technological advancement of spaceborne radar. The preliminary design for the system specifies a low center frequency such as L-band, a large physical aperture between 50 and 150 square meters, and on-board processing capability for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and moving target indication applications. The key technologies requiring demonstration of technical maturity and affordability are the active electronic scanned aperture (AESA) and the realtime On-Board Processing (OBP). The system concept incorporates active metrology for measurement of the shape of the aperture, and electronics and processing capability for active compensation of the aperture surface deformation. The goal of the mission is to demonstrate the ability to maintain coherence in a very large aperture in the space environment, to show scalability to larger apertures, and to demonstrate the ability to deliver fault-tolerant real-time products in space. The systems also permit characterization of spaceborne L-band phenomenology and validate adaptive processing for moving target detection. This paper describes the trades and a technology risk addressed in this study, and highlights those elements in that could be developed in concern with other SBR programs. The work is being conducted jointly by Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, and the Air Force Research Laboratory, both under contract with NASA.
Non-linear filtering in reproducing Kernel Hilbert Spaces for noise-robust speaker verification

In this paper, we present a non-linear filtering approach for extracting noise-robust speech features that can be used in a speaker verification task. At the core of the proposed approach is a time-series regression using Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space (RKHS) based methods that extracts discriminatory non-linear signatures while filtering out the non-informative noise components. A linear projection is then used to map the characteristics of the RKHS regression function into a linear-predictive vector which is then presented as an input to a back-end speaker verification engine. Experiments using the YOHO speaker verification corpus demonstrate that a recognition system trained using the proposed features demonstrate consistent improvements over an equivalent Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) based verification system for signal-to-noise levels ranging from 0 – 30dB.
Field dependence-independence and physical activity engagement among middle school students

Background: Field dependence–independence (FDI) is a tendency to rely on external frames (given situations and authoritative people) or internal frames (oneself, including one's own body) for one's information processing and behavior. Literature has constantly reported that field-dependent (FD) individuals, who are less autonomous in decision-making processes and less effective in detecting and using body information (kinesthetic feedback and proprioceptive awareness), tend to demonstrate less desirable performance in sport, motor learning, and physical education settings compared with their field-independent (FI) counterparts. Little attempt, however, has been made to investigate whether FD individuals have less desirable physical activity (PA) levels than FI individuals. Lack of knowledge might pose a potential risk of health problems to FD individuals. Purpose: This study was intended to investigate and compare PA levels as well as organized sports participation between FI and FD middles school student...
Microtubule Plus-End-Tracking Proteins Target Gap Junctions Directly from the Cell Interior to Adherens Junctions

Gap junctions are intercellular channels that connect the cytoplasms of adjacent cells. For gap junctions to properly control organ formation and electrical synchronization in the heart and the brain, connexin-based hemichannels must be correctly targeted to cell-cell borders. While it is generally accepted that gap junctions form via lateral diffusion of hemichannels following microtubule-mediated delivery to the plasma membrane, we provide evidence for direct targeting of hemichannels to cell-cell junctions through a pathway that is dependent on microtubules; through the adherens-junction proteins N-cadherin and β-catenin; through the microtubule plus-end-tracking protein (+TIP) EB1; and through its interacting protein p150(Glued). Based on live cell microscopy that includes fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF), deconvolution, and siRNA knockdown, we propose that preferential tethering of microtubule plus ends at the adherens junction promotes delivery of connexin hemichannels directly to the cell-cell border. These findings support an unanticipated mechanism for protein delivery to points of cell-cell contact.
Denitrifier Community Composition along a Nitrate and Salinity Gradient in a Coastal Aquifer

Nitrogen flux into the coastal environment via submarine groundwater discharge may be modulated by microbial processes such as denitrification, but the spatial scales at which microbial communities act and vary are not well understood. In this study, we examined the denitrifying community within the beach aquifer at Huntington Beach, California, where high-nitrate groundwater is a persistent feature. Nitrite reductase-encoding gene fragments (nirK and nirS), responsible for the key step in the denitrification pathway, were PCR amplified, cloned, and sequenced from DNAs extracted from aquifer sediments collected along a cross-shore transect, where groundwater ranged in salinity from 8 to 34 practical salinity units and in nitrate concentration from 0.5 to 330 muM. We found taxonomically rich and novel communities, with all nirK clones exhibiting <85% identity and nirS clones exhibiting <92% identity at the amino acid level to those of cultivated denitrifiers and other environmental clones in the database. Unique communities were found at each site, despite being located within 40 m of each other, suggesting that the spatial scale at which denitrifier diversity and community composition vary is small. Statistical analyses of nir sequences using the Monte Carlo-based program integral-Libshuff confirmed that some populations were indeed distinct, although further sequencing would be required to fully characterize the highly diverse denitrifying communities at this site.
Readability of online patient resources for the operative treatment of breast cancer.

Background Increasing use of Internet resources for health information is important in promoting patient involvement in medical care and decision-making. The National Institutes of Health and American Medical Association have recommended that patient health information should be written at a sixth-grade reading level. This study evaluates the readability of the most commonly used Internet resources for the operative treatment of breast cancer in the context of average American literacy. Methods The top 10 websites for “breast cancer surgery” based on public Internet search engines were identified. Patient-directed content was downloaded from all relevant articles on these sites. A total of 104 articles were assessed with the use of 10 established readability analyses. Average readability scores were analyzed for all articles as well as by website. Results The overall average reading level across all sites was 12.9; this was similar between tests (Coleman-Liau 12.6, Flesch Kincaid 12.3, FORCAST 11.2, Fry 14, Gunning Fog 14.4, New Dale-Chall 12.4, New Fog 11, Raygor 14, and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook 14.3). Comparing readability by website showed disparity in average reading level from 11.2 to 16.5. Conclusion Online patient resources for breast cancer surgery exceed recommended reading levels and are too difficult to be understood by a large portion of the United States population.
A Protein Kinase Cδ-Dependent Protein Kinase D Pathway Modulates ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 Phosphorylation and Bim-Associated Apoptosis by Asbestos

Inhalation of asbestos and oxidant-generating pollutants causes injury and compensatory proliferation of lung epithelium, but the signaling mechanisms that lead to these responses are unclear. We hypothesized that a protein kinase (PK)Cδ-dependent PKD pathway was able to regulate downstream mitogen-activated protein kinases, affecting pro- and anti-apoptotic responses to asbestos. Elevated levels of phosphorylated PKD (p-PKD) were observed in distal bronchiolar epithelial cells of mice inhaling asbestos. In contrast, PKCδ−/− mice showed significantly lower levels of p-PKD in lung homogenates and in situ after asbestos inhalation. In a murine lung epithelial cell line, asbestos caused significant increases in the phosphorylation of PKCδ-dependent PKD, ERK1/2, and JNK1/2/c-Jun that occurred with decreases in the BH3-only pro-apoptotic protein, Bim. Silencing of PKCδ, PKD, and use of small molecule inhibitors linked the ERK1/2 pathway to the prevention of Bim-associated apoptosis as well as the JNK1/2/c-Jun pathway to the induction of apoptosis. Our studies are the first to show that asbestos induces PKD phosphorylation in lung epithelial cells both in vivo and in vitro. PKCδ-dependent PKD phosphorylation by asbestos is causally linked to a cellular pathway that involves the phosphorylation of both ERK1/2 and JNK1/2, which play opposing roles in the apoptotic response induced by asbestos.
A 2 GB/s high speed link with differential simultaneous bi-directional IO

The data bandwidth of an existing 1 GB/s high speed link is increased to 2 GB/s by use of differential simultaneous bi-directional signaling. This signaling technique allows a physical channel to carry two independent data streams, effectively doubling the data rate per IO. The driver also provides digital precompensation to counteract intersymbol interference due to skin effect attenuation.
A low-and-high gain approach to semi-global stabilization and/or semi-global practical stabilization of a class of linear systems subject to input saturation via linear state and output feedback

In this paper we propose a linear low-and-high gain design technique to solve the semi-global stabilization problem for a class of linear systems subject to input saturation. The central idea behind this new technique is to increase the utilization of the available control capability of the system. The power of this new semi-global design technique is shown by solving the problem of semi-global stabilization with input-additive disturbance rejection which is formulated as semi-global practical stabilization problem. >
Synthesis of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (HETEs) and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) by cultured bovine coronary artery endothelial cells.

Abstract Endothelial cells release several factors which influence vascular tone, leukocyte function and platelet aggregation. Some of these factors are metabolites of arachidonic acid, most notably prostacyclin. However, many of the endothelial metabolites of arachidonic acid have not been positively identified. The purpose of these studies is to identify the arachidonic acid metabolites synthesized by bovine coronary endothelial cells. Cultured bovine coronary artery endothelial cells were incubated with [ 14 C]arachidonic acid. The incubation media was extracted and the radioactive metabolites resolved by a combination of reverse phase- and normal phase-high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The cells synthesized 6-keto prostaglandin (PG)F 1α , PGE 2 , 12-hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid (HHT), 12-, 15-, and 11- hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETE), and 14,15-, 11,12-, 8,9-, and 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET). Several of the HETEs were further analyzed by chiral-phase HPLC. The cells synthesized predominately 12( S )-, 15( S )-, and 11( R )-HETE. The synthesis of the S optical isomers of 12- and 15-HETE suggested that the 12- and 15-lipoxygenases were present in these cells. 11( R )-HETE is probably derived from cyclooxygenase. They also synthesized smaller amounts of 9-, 8- and 5-HETEs. The structures of the HETEs and EETs were confirmed by mass spectrometry. The release of 6-keto PGF 1α and 15-HETE was measured by specific radioimmunoassays. Melittin, thrombin, arachidonic acid and A23187 stimulated the release of both eicosanoids in a concentration-related matter. Under all conditions, the release of 6-keto PGF 1α exceed the release of 15-HETE. Therefore, cultured bovine coronary artery endothelial cells synthesize cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and cytochrome P -450 metabolites of arachidonic acid.
STIMULUS FADING AND TRANSFER IN THE TREATMENT OF SELF‐RESTRAINT AND SELF‐INJURIOUS BEHAVIOR

We conducted several manipulations of mechanical restraint properties during the course of treatment for two profoundly retarded adolescents who exhibited both self-restraint and self-injurious behavior. In study 1, a combination of prompting, differential reinforcement, and stimulus fading reduced one subject's self-restraint, which consisted of holding rigid tubes on his arms. Subsequently, stimulus control of both self-restraint and self-injurious behavior was transferred to tennis wrist bands. In study 2, a second subject's self-restraint--placing his hands in his pants--was immediately eliminated by the use of air splints. Additionally, differential reinforcement and air-pressure fading resulted in the complete mobility of his arms and a substantial increase in appropriate behaviors. Results of this investigation suggest that stimulus fading and transfer may be valuable components in the elimination of self-restraint.
On the relationship between environmental and morphological complexity in evolved robots

The principles of embodied cognition dictate that intelligent behavior must arise out of the coupled dynamics of an agent's brain, body, and environment. While the relationship between controllers and morphologies (brains and bodies) has been investigated, little is known about the interplay between morphological complexity and the complexity of a given task environment. It is hypothesized that the morphological complexity of a robot should increase commensurately with the complexity of its task environment. Here this hypothesis is tested by evolving robot morphologies in a simple environment and in more complex environments. More complex robots tend to evolve in the more complex environments lending support to this hypothesis. This suggests that gradually increasing the complexity of task environments may provide a principled approach to evolving more complex robots.
Nano-optical imaging and spectroscopy of order, phases, and domains in complex solids

The structure of our material world is characterized by a large hierarchy of length scales that determines material properties and functions. Increasing spatial resolution in optical imaging and spectroscopy has been a long standing desire, to provide access, in particular, to mesoscopic phenomena associated with phase separation, order, and intrinsic and extrinsic structural inhomogeneities. A general concept for the combination of optical spectroscopy with scanning probe microscopy emerged recently, extending the spatial resolution of optical imaging far beyond the diffraction limit. The optical antenna properties of a scanning probe tip and the local near-field coupling between its apex and a sample provide few-nanometer optical spatial resolution. With imaging mechanisms largely independent of wavelength, this concept is compatible with essentially any form of optical spectroscopy, including nonlinear and ultrafast techniques, over a wide frequency range from the terahertz to the extreme ultraviolet. ...