cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence of Fe3+ interaction with the plug domain of the outer membrane transferrin receptor protein of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: implications for Fe transport

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an obligate pathogen that hijacks iron from the human iron transport protein, holo-transferrin (Fe2-Tf), by expressing TonB-dependent outer membrane receptor proteins, TbpA and TbpB. Homologous to other TonB-dependent outer membrane transporters, TbpA is thought to consist of a β-barrel with an N-terminal plug domain. Previous reports by our laboratories show that the sequence EIEYE in the plug domain is highly conserved among various bacterial species that express TbpA and plays a crucial role in iron utilization for gonococci. We hypothesize that this highly conserved EIEYE sequence in the TbpA plug, rich in hard oxygen donor groups, binds with Fe3+ through the transport process across the outer membrane through the β-barrel. Sequestration of Fe3+ by the TbpA-plug supports the paradigm that the ferric iron must always remain chelated and controlled throughout the transport process. In order to test this hypothesis here we describe the ability of both the recombinant wild-type plug, and three small peptides that encompass the sequence EIEYE of the plug, to bind Fe3+. This is the first report of the expression/isolation of the recombinant wild-type TbpA plug. Although CD and SUPREX spectroscopies suggest that a non-native structure is observed for the recombinant plug, fluorescence quenching titrations indicate that the wild-type recombinant TbpA plug binds Fe 3+ with a conditional log Kd = 7 at pH 7.5, with no evidence of binding at pH 6.3. A recombinant TbpA plug with mutated sequence (NEIEYEN → NEIAAAN) shows no evidence of Fe3+ binding under our experimental set up. Interestingly, in silico modeling with the wild-type plug also predicts a flexible loop structure for the EIEYE sequence under native conditions which once again supports the Fe3+ binding hypothesis. These in vitro observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the EIEYE sequence in the wild-type TbpA plug binds Fe3+ during the outer membrane transport process in vivo.
The degradation of promyelocytic leukemia and Sp100 proteins by herpes simplex virus 1 is mediated by the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcH5a.

Abstract Infected cell protein 0 (ICP0) of herpes simplex virus 1 expresses two E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligase activities mapping in the domains encoded by exons 2 and 3, respectively. Site 1 (exon 3) is responsible for the degradation of the E2 Ub-conjugating enzyme cdc34 whereas site 2 (exon 2) is associated with a ring finger and has been shown to mediate the degradation of promyelocytic leukemia (PML) and Sp100 proteins and the dispersal of nuclear domain 10 (ND10). In in vitro assays site 2 polyubiquitylates the E2 enzymes UbcH5a and UbcH6 but not other (e.g., UbcH7) enzymes. In this article, we show that ectopic expression of dominant negative UbcH5a carrying the substitution C85A delayed or blocked the degradation of PML and Sp100 and dispersal of ND10 whereas ectopic expression of wild-type UbcH5a or dominant negative UbcH6 and UbcH7 carrying the substitutions C131A and C86A, respectively, had no effect. These results link the degradation of PML and Sp100 and the dispersal of ND10 to the E3 activities of ICP0 associated with the UbcH5a E2 enzyme.
E-009 Rescue Therapy with TPA is Associated with Higher Rate of ICH in the SWIFT Trial

Introduction The main aim of this study is to investigate the mechanistic and clinical factors contributing to the beneficial effect of Solitaire over Merci in lowering symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (SICH) in the SWIFT trial. We also sought to determine which radiographic ICH subtype affects clinical outcome. Methods The SWIFT trial database was analysed for incidence of different ICH subtypes in all 144 enrolled patients. Each ICH subtype was correlated with baseline clinical and imaging characteristics, procedural factors, and clinical outcome. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the most significant predictors of the individual ICH subtypes. Results Table Among all analysed clinical and procedural factors for each ICH subtype, rescue therapy with TPA was the most common ICH predictor and occurred more frequently in the Merci group, although this difference was not statistically significant (10.9% vs 3.4%; p=0.085). Basal ganglia ICH was the only radiographic subtype associated with worsened outcome at 90 days (OR 3.33; p=0.025). SICH was associated with higher mortality (OR 5.73; p=0.048), mRS shift (OR 2.41; p=0.011), and high NIHSS (mean effect 22.35 points; p=0.004) at 90 days. Conclusions The higher rate of ICH in the Merci arm was mainly related to increased occurrence of SAH, and to a lesser degree of IVH, PH2, and cortical ICH. Each one of these ICH subtypes was strongly associated with TPA rescue therapy. In comparison to Merci device, Solitaire likely offsets SICH due to lower incidence of vascular injury and decreased need for additional TPA administration. Other predictors of PH2, SAH, and SICH were high baseline INR, ASPECTS, and NIHSS, respectively, none of which differed between the two treatment arms. Basal ganglia ICH was the only radiographic subtype affecting clinical outcome. This type of haemorrhage was associated with higher reperfusion, prolonged time to treatment, and was also influenced by rescue therapy with TPA. Disclosures R. Raychev: None. R. Jahan: 2; C; Stryker Neurovascular. D. Liebesekind: 2; C; Stryker Neurovascular. J. Saver: 2; C; Stryker Neurovascular.
Microcontact printing of quantum dot bioconjugate arrays for localized capture and detection of biomolecules

The nanometer size scale of quantum dots (QDs) along with their unique luminescent properties offers great potential as photostable, color-metrically addressable nanoparticle platforms for high-throughput detection and identification of proteins. Here we apply microcontact printing for assembling quantum dot nanoparticle arrays with retained biomolecular capture functionality onto glass surfaces. This method allows the creation of addressable QD arrays on macroscopic glass surfaces. Using fluorescence and AFM imaging, we find that microcontact-printed QDs self-assemble predominantly as monolayers with highly resolved definition. Microcontact-printed streptavidin-conjugated red QDs exhibit retained adsorption onto silane-treated glass and exhibit functionality as demonstrated by the capture of discrete groups of biotin-conjugated red QDs by printed streptavidin-green QD bioconjugates that is at the detection limit of a few discrete protein binding events. These results indicate that microcontact printing of QD bioconjugate arrays serves as a simple technique that allows localized spatial capture and sensitive detection of proteins. This technique may be useful for development of future fluorescent QD-based systems aimed at the parallel capture and detection of trace concentrations of protein.
P-016 Mycotic aneurysms of the cerebrovasculature: experience at a high volume center

Introduction Mycotic aneurysms of the cerebrovascular system are an uncommonly encountered entity, more often seen in patients with infective endocarditis. While it has been estimated that ruptured mycotic aneurysms result in 5% of the neurologic complications of infective endocarditis, no definitive screening protocol for patients with infective endocarditis has been established, nor is there a universally accepted treatment paradigm. Methods This is a retrospective review of 169 patients who underwent cerebral angiography with a diagnosis or presumptive diagnosis of infective endocarditis or left ventricular assist device at the Cleveland Clinic spanning from January 2003 to March 2010 in accordance with institutional IRB guidelines. Chart review and review of imaging was performed, identifying patient demographics, presence of occlusions, mycotic aneurysms and treatment modality. Results There were 16 (9.46%) patients harboring mycotic aneurysms out of 169 patients on angiography. Out of these, 15 presented with hemorrhage (93.7%), and 10 (66.6%) had acute ischemic findings on tomographic imaging. Vegetations were seen on the atrial valve in 6 (37.5%) of the patients and on the mitral valve in 9 (56.2%), with one patient with a left ventricular assist device (6.25%). There were three rehemorrhages (20%) in the aneurysms that presented with hemorrhage, two of which were in during conservative management, one post aneurysm excision. With regards to treatment, 7/16 were treated with excision, 2/16 by embolization, and the remainder by conservative management. In the 156 patients without angiographic evidence of mycotic aneurysm, 48/156 (30.7%) had evidence of hemorrhage, while 115/156 with evidence of stroke, TIA or amaurosis fugax (73.7%). There were 3/156 rehemorrhages (1.9%) in this group. In patients that presented with hemorrhage, 15/63 (23.8%) harbored an aneurysm, while in patients presenting with ischemic changes, it was 10/166 (6%). Conclusion Patients with infective endocarditis or similar sources of bacterial emboli are prone to neurovascular complications of either hemorrhage or ischemia. Presentation with hemorrhage and endocarditis appears to be more predictive of an underlying aneurysm. As such, in patients with infective endocarditis, presentation with intracranial hemorrhage should prompt vascular imaging. An optimal treatment paradigm has yet to be established.
Transformations of a baccatin III-steroidal hybrid: Unique reactivity patterns in oxidation and reduction reactions

Abstract The exocyclic methylene group positioned at C 10 of compounds 3 and 8 exhibited remarkable resistance to conventional oxidative cleavage reactions.
Phytoplankton in a Temperate-Zone Salt Marsh: Net Production and Exchanges with Coastal Waters*

Phytoplankton production and associated variables were measured in Flax Pond, a 52 ha salt marsh on the north shore of Long Island, New York, from July 1972 to October 1973. Measurements made up to five times per day, once per week, yielded a mean annual net primary production, determined by the 14C technique, of 20.5 mg C/m3/h; daily means were as high as 60.0 mg C/m3/h. However, when productivity was calculated for the entire marsh ecosystem, the shallow water in the salt marsh produced only 11.7 g C/m2 of marsh/year. There was a net flux of phytoplankton from the coastal waters into the marsh; during the summer up to 0.2 g chlorophy 11/m2 of marsh was carried in with the tides daily and remained in the marsh. Analysis of the productivity data, as well as variables associated with productivity (pH, standing crop, nutrients, extinction coefficient), indicated that the aquatic portion of the marsh behaved more as a net consumer rather than a net producer of phytoplankton.
Reinforcement of aggression through intracranial stimulation)

Intracranial stimulation was used as a reinforcer to condition fighting in paired rats. Stimulation for an implanted animal was made contingent upon responses which successively approximated those typical of attack. A stable pattern of aggression developed, the maintenance of which was possible on intermittent reinforcement schedules although at depressed frequencies.
Thiophene Analogs of Sulfanilamide: Bacterial Growth Inhibitors

Structure versus activity study of thiophene analogs of sulfanilamides indicated: ( a ) the parent aminothiophene-2-sulfonamide is a better bacterial growth inhibitor than is sulfanilamide (I); ( b ) 5-aminothiophene-2-sulfonamide (II) is a better inhibitor than the 4-amino isomer (III); ( c ) substitution of the sulfonamide N with groups which enhance I's antibacterial activity does not necessarily similarly enhance the activity of the thiophene analog (VI, VII); ( d ) 5-(IV) and 4-nitrothiophene-2-sulfonamides(V) are more inhibitory than the corresponding 5- and 4-amino compounds (II, III) with the 5-nitro compound (IV) being bactericidal at very low concentrations. Folic acid or PABA reversed the growth inhibition produced by the thiophene-2-sulfonamides, indicating both the nitro and amino thiophene-2-sulfonamides prevent intracellular folic acid biosynthesis.
How can western China attract FDI? A case of Japanese investment

This paper adopts a conditional logit model to empirically examine the changes of Japanese investors’ location choices in response to China’s recent reorientation of its development strategy from the eastern coast to interior areas. This strategy adjustment is intended to attract FDI into China’s western region in hopes of promoting its economic growth and reducing economic inequality. Future policy suggestions on FDI attraction to western China are proposed based on the empirical details.
Immunocytochemical staining with antibodies against protein kinase C and its isozymes in the turtle retina

An LM immunocytochemical study has investigated the patterns of staining in turtle retina with monoclonal antibodies to the α, β and γ isozymes of protein kinase C. The protein kinase C-γ antibody reveals cells in the ganglion cell layer, occasional amacrine cells and faint banding in strata 2 and 4 of the inner plexiform layer. The protein kinase C-β antibody stains primarily amacrine cells that have dendrites running in strata 2, in 4 close to the 3/4 border and on the 4/5 border of the inner plexiform layer. Protein kinase C-α immunoreactivity is seen in a population of bipolar cells. The latter are characterized by stained axon terminals in strata 3 and 4 of the inner plexiform layer. A type of amacrine cell, different from those seen with the other antibodies, is also immunoreactive to protein kinase C-α. EM immunocytochemistry (using a polyclonal antibody) reveals protein kinase C immunoreactivity in photoreceptor cells, bipolar cells, amacrine cells and ganglion cells. In photoreceptors protein kinase C immunoreactivity occurs as patchy staining associated with vesicles and the plasmalemma in pedicles and telodendria. Some varieties of bipolar cell display protein kinase C reaction product throughout the entire cell. Their dendrites contact photoreceptor pedicles at wide-cleft basal junctions and ribbon and non-ribbon related narrow cleft junctions. A few lateral elements per cone or rod pedicle are always protein kinase C-immunoreactive. Amacrine and ganglion cells typically show small clumps of protein kinase C immunoreactivity around vesicles and close to the postsynaptic membranes. Synaptic boutons of some varieties of amacrine cell stain more uniformly. Protein kinase C-immunoreactive bipolar cells are most commonly presynaptic in stratum 4 of the inner plexiform layer, while protein kinase C-immunoreactive amacrine cells are both pre- and postsynaptic throughout strata 1, 2, 3 and 4. Stratum 5 appears to be almost devoid of protein kinase C-immunoreactive neural profiles.
Antimicrobial activity of marine invertebrate extracts

Abstract Selective solvent extracts prepared from 25 species of marine invertebrates collected in the waters of the Pacific Northwest were evaluated for antimicrobial activity. 52 instances of inhibition of microbial growth were observed, including 23 against Staphylococcus aureus, 13 against Escherichia coli, and 8 against each of Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The inhibitory activities were obtained from ethanol or ethanol-water crude extracts. Partitioning of the crude extracts with a series of immiscible solvents revealed that the majority of the active components were soluble in ethyl acetate.
Thermal Model for a Li-Ion Cell

A thermal model for a lithium-ion cell is presented and used to predict discharge performance at different operating temperatures. The results from the simulations are compared to experimental data obtained from lithium-ion pouch cells. The model includes a set of parameters (and their concentration and temperature dependencies) that has been obtained for a lithium-ion cell composed of a mesocarbon microbead anode, LiCoO 2 cathode in 1 M LiPF 6 salt, in a mixture of ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, ethyl-methyl carbonate, and diethyl carbonate electrolyte. The parameter set was obtained by comparing the model predictions to the experimental discharge profiles obtained at various temperatures and rates. The concentration and temperature dependence of the extracted parameters were correlated through empirical expressions. Also, the effect of including the thermal dependence of various parameters in the model on the simulated discharge profiles is discussed.
Using insolubility wave-front for polymer deposition on self-assembling microfabricated parts

Many low temperature techniques exist for the deposition of polymer material. However, existing techniques require macroscopic substrates and are therefore inadequate for small, released microfabricated parts. We present a method for depositing material on microparts or substrates which utilizes a macroscopic solubility change to induce microscopic precipitation and selective deposition. Selectivity was achieved by modification of surface energy using self-assembled monolayers. We term this method insoluble liquid energy minimization, or ILEM. Macroscale substrates were used to characterize ILEM, and the method was applied to 20-100 /spl mu/m-sized microfabricated parts which self-assembled into three-dimensional microstructures.
Pancreatic Acinar Cells Express Vesicle-associated Membrane Protein 2- and 8-Specific Populations of Zymogen Granules with Distinct and Overlapping Roles in Secretion *

Previous studies have demonstrated roles for vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP 2) and VAMP 8 in Ca(2+)-regulated pancreatic acinar cell secretion, however, their coordinated function in the secretory pathway has not been addressed. Here we provide evidence using immunofluorescence microscopy, cell fractionation, and SNARE protein interaction studies that acinar cells contain two distinct populations of zymogen granules (ZGs) expressing either VAMP 2 or VAMP 8. Further, VAMP 8-positive granules also contain the synaptosome-associated protein 29, whereas VAMP 2-expressing granules do not. Analysis of acinar secretion by Texas red-dextran labeling indicated that VAMP 2-positive ZGs mediate the majority of exocytotic events during constitutive secretion and also participate in Ca(2+)-regulated exocytosis, whereas VAMP 8-positive ZGs are more largely involved in Ca(2+)-stimulated secretion. Previously undefined functional roles for VAMP and syntaxin isoforms in acinar secretion were established by introducing truncated constructs of these proteins into permeabilized acini. VAMP 2 and VAMP 8 constructs each attenuated Ca(2+)-stimulated exocytosis by 50%, whereas the neuronal VAMP 1 had no effects. In comparison, the plasma membrane SNAREs syntaxin 2 and syntaxin 4 each inhibited basal exocytosis, but only syntaxin 4 significantly inhibited Ca(2+)-stimulated secretion. Syntaxin 3, which is expressed on ZGs, had no effects. Collectively, these data demonstrate that individual acinar cells express VAMP 2- and VAMP 8-specific populations of ZGs that orchestrate the constitutive and Ca(2+)-regulated secretory pathways.
Are ethical considerations culture specific in international technology transfer

Summary form only given. One of the great debates in ethics has always been to decide if there is one great master plan for ethical behavior that is universally acceptable. The problem with this debate is that there are dozens of different models of what ethical behavior should be. This paper is the result of research, interviews and case studies with a variety of different nationalities. It expresses and compares the differing points of view on the cultural-ethical conflicts of technology transfer.
Zyxin: zinc fingers at sites of cell adhesion.

Zyxin is a low abundance phosphoprotein that is localized at sites of cell-substratum adhesion in fibroblasts. Zyxin displays the architectural features of an intracellular signal transducer. The protein exhibits an extensive proline-rich domain, a nuclear export signal and three copies of the LIM motif, a double zinc-finger domain found in many proteins that play central roles in regulation of cell differentiation. Zyxin interacts with α-actinin, members of the cysteine-rich protein (CRP) family, proteins that display Src homology 3 (SH3) domains and Ena/VASP family members. Zyxin and its partners have been implicated in the spatial control of actin filament assembly as well as in pathways important for cell differentiation. Based on its repertoire of binding partners and its behavior, zyxin may serve as a scaffold for the assembly of multimeric protein machines that function in the nucleus and at sites of cell adhesion.
Document Retrieval Using A Fuzzy Knowledge-Based System

This paper presents the design and development of a prototype document retrieval system using a knowledge-based systems approach. Both the domain-specific knowledge base and the inferencing schemes are based on a fuzzy set theoretic framework. A query in natural language represents a request to retrieve a relevant subset of documents from a document base. Such a query, which can include both fuzzy terms and fuzzy relational operators, is converted into an unambiguous intermediate form by a natural language interface. Concepts that describe domain topics and the relationships between concepts, such as the synonym relation and the implication relation between a general concept and more specific concepts, have been captured in a knowledge base. The knowledge base enables the system to emulate the reasoning process followed by an expert, such as a librarian, in understanding and reformulating user queries. The retrieval mechanism processes the query in two steps. First it produces a pruned list of documents pertinent to the query. Second, it uses an evidence combination scheme to compute a degree of support between the query and individual documents produced in step one. The front-end component of the system then presents a set of document citations to the user in ranked order as an answer to the information request.
Changing Same-Sex Marriage Attitudes in America from 1988 Through 2010

This research note examines changes in attitudes toward same-sex marriage over time. Using OLS regression and decompos- ition techniques to analyze General Social Survey data, I explain indi- viduals' attitudes toward same-sex marriage from 1988 to 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010. The influences on same-sex marriage attitudes differed substantially over time. Many of the characteristics commonly thought to increase opposition to same-sex marriage (including being African American, living in the southern United States, being an evangelical Protestant, and being Republican) are associated with attitudes only in the later years. In 1988, opposition was generally much higher for every- one; most respondents expressed at least some to strong disapproval of same-sex marriage in 1988, which was then reduced for the highly edu- cated, urban residents, and those with less conservative or no religious affiliations. That is, support for same-sex marriage was fairly localized to specific subgroups in 1988. But, by 2010, support for same-sex mar - riage was much more broad-based, and opposition to same-sex marriage became more localized to specific subgroups—older Americans, south- erners, African Americans, evangelical Protestants, and Republicans. The decomposition analysis finds that changing same-sex marriage attitudes are not due to demographic changes in the American population. Rather, the liberalization in same-sex marriage attitudes from 1988 to 2010 is due primarily to a general societal change in attitudes, as is evidenced by the large change in the constant. Taken together, the results suggest that changing attitudes toward same-sex marriage reflect a cultural shift.
Responses and signaling pathways in human optic nerve head astrocytes exposed to hydrostatic pressure In vitro

In this study, we examined the effects of mechanical stress induced by elevated hydrostatic pressure (HP) on the migration of human optic nerve head (ONH) astrocytes, using an in vitro model that follows repopulation of a cell-free area (CFA) created on a monolayer of cultured astrocytes. alpha-Tubulin staining detected phenotypic changes in astrocytes exposed to HP. The influence of proliferation in closure of the CFA was determined by incorporation of BrdU under 1.5-cm H2O, control pressure (CP), and 10-cm H2O HP with or without 5-fluorouracil. Under control and experimental conditions, closure of the CFA occurred mostly by migration and less by proliferation. Exposure to 10-cm H2O HP induced faster closure of the CFA at 1, 3, and 5 days. The signaling pathways involved in responses to HP were determined using genistein, tyrphostin A25, AG1478, and AG1295, inhibitors of receptor tyrosine kinases; wortmannin and LY294002, inhibitors of phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI-3K); and SC58236, an inhibitor of inducible cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2). Genistein and tyrphostin A25 blocked HP-induced migration at 1, 3, and 5 days, but did not affect closure of the CFA under CP. AG1478 and AG1295 blocked HP-induced migration and partially inhibit closure of the CFA under CP. LY294002 blocked HP-induced migration. SC58236 markedly inhibited closure of the CFA under CP by inhibiting COX2 activity. Exposure to HP, a physical stress, induced faster closure of the CFA via activation of members of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family and PI-3K pathways. Under CP, closure of the CFA in response to denudation, a form of injury, is due to activation of COX2 in ONH astrocytes.
Decomposition of Composite Explosives Containing Ammonium Nitrate by transient adiabatic gas compression

The decomposition products of emulsion explosives and of other composite explosives containing ammonium nitrate, such as ANFO, were investigated. The compounds were thermolyzed at high temperature and pressure on the microsecond and millisecond time scales by adiabatic gas compression. It was found that the first step in emulsion decomposition is pyrolysis of the oil to form reactive intermediates like Hċ and CH3ċ. These reactive species are oxidized by the decomposition products of ammonium nitrate in a later sequence of reaction steps.
Modeling transport processes in heat and mass releasing porous media

A computer algorithm was developed which estimates the latent and sensible heat loads due to the heating or cooling of heat and moisture releasing porous media. The algorithm also predicts the moisture loss and temperature distribution which occurs during the heating or cooling process. This paper discusses the modeling methodology utilized in the current computer algorithm and describes the development of the heat and mass transfer models. The results of the computer algorithm are compared to experimental data taken from the literature.
FPGA-Based adaptive data acquisition scheduler-on-chip (SchoC) for heterogeneous signals

Data acquisition (DAQ) is a crucial component in instrumentation and control. It typically involves the sampling of multiple analog signals, and converting them into digital formats so that they can be processed. DAQ systems also involve microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processing, and/or storage devices. Many multi-channel DAQs, which utilize some sort of processing for simultaneous input channels, are found in various applications. In this research, for heterogeneous multi-channel signals, different sampling rates are identified for each channel, and optimized for best data quality with minimal storage requirement. Accordingly, power consumption and transmission times can be reduced. The fidelity of the proposed Scheduler-on-Chip (SchoC) is increased by using reconfigurable chip technology, where flexibility, concurrency, speed and reconfiguration can be achieved in hardware. Therefore, SchoC can be utilized in various real world applications especially hazardous environments, or for remote architecture reconfiguration, while keeping the cost of the device low. Preliminary performance evaluations show improvements in the speed and memory requirements of the proposed SchoC over a comparable software-based scheduler. The proposed SchoC can be utilized in many applications since different applications need to schedule multi-rate tasks on a single core processor. The proposed SchoC can be used in a low cost, high performance multi-channel DAQ system for custom sensing applications which have a matrix of different analog sensors. Alongside with analog sensors (voltage, current or charge output), quasi-digital sensors and transducers (frequency, period, PWM output) can use the proposed SchoC. Moreover, in the environmental measurements, the operational satellite synthetic radar was used to acquire different data at different frequencies in order to estimate the soil moisture in different sites on the earth. The system needs to acquire many signals within a short period of time due to the uncontrollable changing site conditions. In addition, it can be used in a versatile instrument that can be the base of developing a spectroscopic imaging.
Decentralizing query processing in sensor networks

Recent research has led to the advent of software systems capable of performing query processing in sensor networks. They perform query processing in a sensor network by constructing a routing tree rooted at an access point (i.e., a base station), where the queries are submitted, parsed, and optimized. This approach to query processing is centralized in nature. Performing query optimization at a single node (base station) does not generate efficient query plans, and requires each node to report metadata to the access point. In addition, the routing tree infrastructure inefficiently aggregates data packets. To address these issues, this paper proposes several decentralized query processing systems that utilize sensor node's innate spatial and semantic characteristics. Experimental results conclude that decentralizing query processing significantly reduces energy costs. In addition, experimental results show that the spatial and semantic properties of nodes are influential in designing a decentralized query processing system.
Entropy reduction in unfolded peptides (and proteins) due to conformational preferences of amino acid residues.

As established by several groups over the last 20 years, amino acid residues in unfolded peptides and proteins do not exhibit the unspecific random distribution as assumed by the classical random coil model. Individual amino acid residues in small peptides were found to exhibit different conformational preferences. Here, we utilize recently obtained conformational distributions of guest amino acid residues in GxG peptides to estimate their conformational entropy, which we find to be significantly lower than the entropy of an assumed random coil like distribution. Only at high temperature do backbone entropies approach random coil like values. We utilized the obtained backbone entropies of the investigated amino acid residues to estimate the loss of conformational entropy caused by a coil → helix transition and identified two subsets of amino acid residues for which the thus calculated entropy losses correlate well with the respective Gibbs energy of helix formation obtained for alanine based host–guest systems. Calculated and experimentally derived entropic losses were found to be in good agreement. For most of the amino acid residues investigated entropic losses derived from our GxG distributions correlate very well with corresponding values recently obtained from MD simulations biased by conformational propensities derived from truncated coil libraries. Both, conformational entropy and the entropy of solvation exhibit a strong, residue specific temperature dependence, which can be expected to substantially affect the stability of unfolded states. Altogether, our results provide strong evidence for the notion that conformational preferences of amino acid residues matter with regard to the thermodynamics of peptide and protein folding.
Interconnect simulation in a fast timing simulator ILLIADS-I

This paper presents a new technique to simulate RLC/RC interconnects and driving nonlinear circuits with high computational efficiency. We introduce ILLIADS-I, a fast transistor-level timing simulator for MOS circuits driving RLC/RC interconnects. The RLC/RC interconnect networks are reduced to an appropriate model and then simulated in the timing simulator as a modified generic circuit primitive. The accuracy and speed have been demonstrated for a number of circuits for various loads and input waveforms. Experimental results show ILLIADS-I is both accurate and fast. The speed advantage Is shown to increase with the circuit size for multilevel interconnect networks with nonlinear driver and load circuits.
Dimensions of Human-Work Domain Interaction: A Preliminary Analysis for the Design of a Corporate Digital Library.

The author applies the cognitive system engineering approach to investigate human-work interaction at a corporate setting. This study reports the preliminary analysis of data collected from diary analysis and interview of 20 subjects. The results present the identification of three dimensions for each of four interactive activities involved in human-work interaction and their relationships. An enhanced model and its implications for the development of a corporate digital library are further discussed.
A coherent second-order scattering model for short vegetation

A polarimetric electromagnetic scattering model for short branching vegetation is presented. With the realistic structures which reasonably describe the relative positions of the particles, this model is able to consider the coherent effect due to the phase difference between the scattered fields from different particles, and account for the second-order near-field interaction between particles to which the relative positions and orientation of the particles are essential. The model validation with measurements is also presented, and excellent agreement is obtained. The polarimetric radar backscatter measurements for soybean plants using truck-mounted scatterometers were conducted at L-band and C-band under different soil-moisture conditions. Through an extensive ground truth, the important plant and rough surface parameters, such as the soil moisture and surface roughness, vegetation dielectric constant, and geometry of the soybean plants, were characterized for model verification. It is found that the second-order near-field scattering is significant at C-band for fully-grown soybeans due to the high vegetation particle density, and at L-band the contribution from the second-order near field is negligible. The coherence effect is shown to be important at L-band and to a much lower extent at C-band.
Determinants Of Success In International Involvement Of Large U.S. Corporations

The findings of this study help to identify factors explaining success in international operations of large U.S. corporations. Successful foreign direct investment (FDI) and continuous involvement of large U.S. corporations is crucial for economic development of a country and social uplifting of many citizens of the world. Data were collected on selected U.S. corporations’ perception of the success variables in their international operation. Results indicate that large market size, geographical diversification, and low production/operating cost are the three most important success determinants of international operations.
Major microbial hazards associated with packaged seafood

: Seafood is a highly perishable product. Unlike some meats that are aged to enhance tenderness, seafood decomposition begins immediately post-mortem. Pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus are common to seafood and terrestrial muscle foods; however, others such as Clostridium botulinum Type E, Vibrio species and Aeromonas are more commonly associated with or exclusive to marine food products. Packaging of seafood products has historically been passive, or used to protect from oxygen, desiccation and microbial contamination. Tamper-evident packaging became the norm 30 years ago. Around the same time, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) appeared to be a panacea for shelf-life extension, but is tightly regulated in the United States because of the concern for temperature abuse and toxin production by Clostridium botulinum Type E. Time temperature indicators (TTIs) present the obvious solution to MAP but are seldom used due to cost. Nanotechnology is the newest wave in food processing, but its long-term effects on the human metabolism are unknown and there is inertia over defining its properties and its regulatory oversight. Momentum appears largely to be driven by large retailers that prefer case-ready seafood products in standard package sizes for rapid stocking with limited effort.
Resilience Complements Vulnerability

In this chapter we discuss the perspective on resilience as it relates to vulnerability. Resilience refers to the ability of an individual, group, or community to cope with adversity. Resilience emerges after a disaster or stressful event. Coping with adversity means to recuperate or return relatively quickly to a previous state of normal functioning, or to recover better than expected. Resilience is most widely understood as a process and not as a characteristic of individuals, groups, or communities. References to resilience in the literature are often inspirational but unfounded. We agree with Raphael and Maguire (2009, p. 17) who state that “…theory, conceptualization, and research are required to develop the resilience field and its complex interfaces with disaster …” In order for the process of resilience to become recognized in vulnerability theory and useful in disaster recovery it needs to be more carefully conceptualized and reliably measured (Norris, Stevens, Pfefferbaum, Wyche, & Pfefferbaum, 2008).
Anti- Salmonella Activity of Olive Flavor Compounds and Their Modes of Action

(2E)-Hexenal was found to possess bactericidal activity against Salmonella choleraesuis with the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 100 μg/mL (0.98 mM). Subsequently, a series of aliphatic alkanals and (2E)-alkenals from C5 to C13 were tested against S. choleraesuis. Among them, (2E)-dodecenal was noted to be the most effective against this food born bacterium with an MBC of 6.25 μg/mL (34 μM), followed by (2E)-undecenal with an MBC of 12.5 µg/mL (77 μM). The time-kill curve study showed that these α,β-unsaturated aldehydes are in general bactericidal against S. choleraesuis at any stage of growth. The bactericidal action of these aldehydes comes in part from their ability to act as nonionic surfactants.
ST segment monitoring with a derived 12-lead electrocardiogram is superior to routine cardiac care unit monitoring

Background Prior studies have shown that a derived 12-lead electrocardiogram with a simple electrode configuration is comparable with the standard electrocardiogram for arrhythmia analysis. Methods A prospective, comparative, within subjects design was used to compare the value of the derived 12-lead electrocardiogram with that of routine monitoring of leads V1 and II for detection of transient myocardial ischemia in 250 patients treated for unstable angina or myocardial infarction. Results During 11,532 hours of derived 12-lead ST segment monitoring, 55 (22%) of 250 patients had 176 episodes of ischemia. Of the 55 patients with ischemia, 75% reported no chest pain and 64% had no ischemic ST changes with routine monitoring leads. All five patients who developed angiographically confirmed abrupt reocclusion after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty had ischemic ST changes with the derived electrocardiogram (sensitivity, 100%), compared with only two patients with routine monitoring (sensitivity, 40%). Serious complications occurred in 17% of angina patients with ischemic events compared to 3% of those without ischemia. Length of stay in the cardiac care unit was twice as long in angina patients who had ischemic events. In patients with acute myocardial infarction, ischemic events were not associated with a more complicated hospital course; however, length of stay in the cardiac care unit was longer in patients with recurrent ischemia. Conclusions The findings show that derived 12-lead ST monitoring is superior to routine monitoring of leads V1 and II for detecting transient myocardial ischemia. ST monitoring of the derived 12-lead electrocardiogram may identify high-risk patients with unstable angina and provide prognostic information that would not be otherwise available from the usual clinical measures.
Isoimmunity to blood platelets in the rabbit.

The occurrence of platelet isoimmunity was studied in rabbits sensitized by 3 to 12 transfusions of homologous blood. Platelet isoimmunity in the transfused animals was detected and measured by two different technics: (1) determination of the survival of homologous platelets labeled in vivo with P32 and infused in the sensitized recipient rabbits; and (2) study of platelet agglutinins in the serum of the multitransfused animals. It was found that: 1. After 3 to 12 blood transfusions, platelet sensitization, as determined by reduction in survival of homologous platelets in the transfused rabbits, occurred in most animals. 2. Survival of homologous specific platelets, i.e., platelets collected from the sensitizing donor and infused in the respective recipient, usually had lower values than the survival of homologous non-specific platelets. 3. Higher degrees of depression in survival of homologous platelets were found in the rabbits which had received larger numbers of blood transfusions. 4. Platelet isoagglutinins could be found only in three of the five rabbits which had been sensitized with 12 blood transfusions and the test was strongly positive in only one rabbit. 5. Repeat studies performed 2½ months after the transfusions demonstrated persistence of platelet isosensitization, while after 15 months isosensitization had greatly decreased; although in one rabbit a good degree of depression in homologous platelet survival wa still present after this time interval. These studies mainly demonstrate the high frequency of platelet isoimmunity in multitransfused rabbits and the inadequacy of the agglutinin test in the detection of even relatively severe degrees of platelet isosensitization.
Perception of Emotional Expressions in Adults: The Role of Temperament and Mood

Abstract. Past research suggests that transient mood influences the perception of facial expressions of emotion, but relatively little is known about how trait-level emotionality (i.e., temperament...
Solution to the 0/1 knapsack problem based on particle swarm optimization of death penalty function

In this paper,we try to apply Binary System Particle Swarm Optimization(BSPSO) with death Penalty function to solve 0/1 knapsack problem.It confirms the movement equation of particle and adopts death penalty function to deal with all constraint term,and provides with the step of algorithms to solve 0/1 knapsack problem.The simulation result indicates that the performance of BSPSO on knapsack problem,with a quicker convergence,is superior to the greed and genetic algorithms.
OverUDP: Tunneling Transport Layer Protocols in UDP for P2P Application of IPv4

The majority of Internet services today are client-serverbased, where the server is often designed to be a centralizedsystem that serves many clients. In this model mostuser credentials and profiles are stored in corporate servers. There have been many security and privacy breaches happeningin the latter model that cause a lot of personal identifiableinformation and private content exposure. The peer-to-peermodel was introduced as an alternative to the previous model forsome Internet applications such as file sharing in a decentralizedsystem. Current P2P-based solutions suffer from covering alltransport layer protocols. In this research, we address these issuesand introduce the OverUDP approach that enables all transportlayer protocol such as TCP, UDP, ICMP, SCTP, DCCP, RUDP, etc. to be used in P2P model.
Nonlinear Dynamics, Fractals, Cardiac Physiology and Sudden Death

As implied by the commonly used term “clinical disorder,” there is a tendency to equate healthy function with order and disease with chaos. This correlation is more than colloquial. The theory that fibrillation represents cardiac turbulence or chaos was proposed by MOE and colleagues [1 ] and more recently by SMITH and COHEN [ 2]. The latter investigators went a step further by suggesting that ventricular fibrillation, the dysrhythmia most commonly associated with sudden cardiac death, may occur at the end of a Feigenbaum-type period-doubling sequence.
Classification of genes using probabilistic models of microarray expression profiles

Microarray expression data provides a new method for classifying genes and gene products according to their expression profiles. Numerous unsupervised and supervised learning methods have been applied to the task of discovering and learning to recognize classes of co-expressed genes. Here we present a supervised learning method based upon techniques borrowed from biological sequence analysis. The expression profile of a class of co-expressed genes is summarized in a probabilistic model similar to a position-specific scoring matrix (PSSM). This model provides insight into the expression characteristics of the gene class, as well as accurate recognition performance. Because the PSSM models are generative, they are particularly useful when a biologist can identify a priori a class of co-expressed genes but is unable to identify a large collection of non co-expressed genes to serve as a negative training set. We validate the technique using expression data from S. cerevisiae and C. elegans.
Current Status of Dialysate Regeneration for the Treatment of Chronic Uremia

The removal of uremic solutes from dialysate by chemical compounds with adsorptive capacity provides a methodology for achieving a major reduction in the volume of dialysate necessary for conducting effective dialysis. Sorbent regeneration of dialysate permits a system with a small volume of recirculating dialysate to maintain maximal blood to dialysate concentration gradients and to potentially achieve mass transfer efficiency equal to that of a large volume recirculating or single pass dialysate flow system. Activated carbon, by virtue of its ability to adsorb organic nitrogenous compounds has served as the basic component of virtually all sorbent systems applied to the treatment of uremia. Yatzidis(1) demonstrated that activated carbon could adsorb creatinine, uric acid, phenols, indolic compounds, guanidines and organic acids. The adsorption of endogenous uremic metabolites of middle molecular weight configuration has also been demonstrated and there is presumptive clinical evidence derived from patients treated with sorbent systems that activated carbon probably adsorbs all organic uremic metabolites, known or as yet unidentified, which are of toxic significance(2–4). Unfortunately, there is one exception to this remarkable affinity of carbon for nitrogenous uremic metabolites.
Nutritional, Genetic, and Molecular Aspects of Manganese Intoxication

Abstract Manganese (Mn) is an essential heavy metal and a neurotoxicant. Daily intake through dietary sources provides the necessary amount of Mn required for several physiological processes, including antioxidant defense, energy metabolism, immune function, and bone development. Nevertheless, excessive exposure to Mn is toxic and may arise from environmental sources, occupational exposure, total parenteral nutrition, or methcathinone drug abuse. Several proteins have been identified to transport Mn, such as divalent metal tranporter-1, SLC30A10 (solute carrier family 30, member 10), transferrin, and ferroportin, to name a few. Accumulation of Mn occurs mainly in basal ganglia and leads to a syndrome called manganism. The molecular mechanisms of Mn neurotoxicity include oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, and neurotransmitter dyshomeostasis leading to cognitive dysfunction and motor symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease (PD). Given the similarities between manganism and PD, understanding nutritional and molecular aspects of Mn transport and toxicity may help to understand the mechanisms underlying the etiology of PD and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders.