cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography reveals differences in intracellular metabolism between liposomal and free doxorubicin treatment of human leukemia cells.

Abstract Doxil ® is a pegylated liposome formulation of the anthracycline doxorubicin. To better explain observed differences in the toxicity of Doxil ® and free doxorubicin in solution, the intracellular metabolism of the formulations after treatment in CCRF-CEM and CEM/C2 human leukemia cell lines was investigated. Using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection, with a 63 zepto (10 −21 ) mole doxorubicin limit of detection, five common metabolites and doxorubicin were detected upon treatment with both of these drug delivery systems. Two unique metabolites appeared with the Doxil ® and two unique metabolites appeared with the free doxorubicin delivery systems. For common metabolites, the relative amount of metabolite generated from Doxil ® was approximately 10 times higher than for free doxorubicin.
Intracellular imaging of organelles with new water-soluble benzophenoxazine dyes

Five new water-soluble derivatives of Nile Red 1–5 were prepared. These benzophenoxazine dyes fluoresce between 640 and 667 nm with quantum yields of 0.17–0.33 in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer, and at slightly shorter wavelengths and higher quantum yields in EtOH. Two dyes, 3 and 4 permeated into Clone 9 cells and selectively stained mitochondria and golgi, respectively.
The Effect of Oral Doses of Ca45 to Chicks on Changes in Serum Alkaline Phosphatase

Abstract Alkaline phosphatase has been shown to be distributed throughout the body in various tissues and the phosphatase in serum may be one or more enzymes arising from many tissues. Investigations on calcification have consistently implicated alkaline phosphatase, but as yet no direct relationship between the activity of this enzyme and calcium metabolism has been presented. Common (1936) presented data showing that this enzyme activity increased rapidly in the serum of growing chicks fed a rachitogenic ration and that feeding cod liver oil did not cause the enzyme level to return to that of the control birds. Bell (1960) showed that the plasma alkaline phosphatase activity in laying hens and adult cocks were similar. These data showed wide variation in this enzyme activity. Much of this reported variation is no doubt due to experimental conditions such as diet, age, and state of ingested materials prior to sampling. The activity of alkaline…
Bone-anchored hearing devices: indications, outcomes, and the linear surgical technique

Bone conduction hearing systems utilize a surgically implanted osseointegrated fixture to create a method for direct transmission of vibration to the skull and cochlea via a bone conduction sound processor. They are indicated for use in persons over the age of 5 with conductive and/or mixed hearing loss and single-sided deafness. Bone anchored hearing devices are considered when use of a conventional air conduction hearing aid is not possible or effective. The operative technique includes two components—subcutaneous tissue reduction to create thin, immobile skin around the abutment, and bone work for fixture placement performed in such a way to maximize the opportunity for osseointegration. The indications, linear incision surgical technique, special considerations in pediatrics, postoperative care, complications and expected outcomes are presented.
Surface diffusion and relaxation of partially adsorbed polymers

We studied by lattice simulation the surface diffusion and relaxation of isolated, self-avoiding polymers partially adsorbed onto a flat surface. The key parameters describing the system are the number of segments in the chain, N, the adsorption energy of a segment, expressed as a dimensionless surface temperature T s , and the segmental friction factor on the surface relative to that in the bulk, ζ s /ζ b . The simulation data indicate Rouse scaling of the surface diffusion coefficient, D∥, and in-plane relaxation time, T, versus N for all values of T s and ζ s /ζ b studied. A simple application of the Rouse model to a partially adsorbed chain, which ignores fluctuations in adsorbed trains, yields a formula for D | with the correct N-scaling. It can account for the effects of T s when ζ s /ζ b is finite (≤10), but it fails when ζ s /ζ b diverges, predicting no surface diffusion at all, whereas simulations indicate finite surface mobilities facilitated by a caterpillar-like motion.
Designing a Robot Guide for Blind People in Indoor Environments

Navigating indoors is challenging for blind people and they often rely on assistance from sighted people. We propose a solution for indoor navigation involving multi-purpose robots that will likely reside in many buildings in the future. In this report, we present a design for how robots can guide blind people to an indoor destination in an effective and socially-acceptable way. We used participatory design, creating a design team with three designers and five non-designers. All but one member of the team had a visual impairment. Our resulting design specifies how the robot and the user initially meet, how the robot guides the user through hallways and around obstacles, and how the robot and user conclude their session.
The continental slope between San Francisco, California and Cedros Island, Mexico

Abstract During 1961 and 1962 a shipboard programme was conducted of sounding, coring, and dredging the continental slope region between Cedros Island, Mexico, and San Francisco, California. The results showed that this margin of the continent can be divided into three segments, whose boundaries are in line with the landward projections of the Murray Escarpment and the Cedros Escarpment on the deep-sea floor. North of the Murray Escarpment and south of the Cedros Escarpment the continental slope is gentle, cut by submarine canyons, and bordered by continental rises. Between these escarpments the continental slope is steep and bordered by deep to shallow trenches. The characteristics of the sediments mantling the topography reflect the rate of supply : high to the north, moderate to the south, and low between the escarpments—where the basins off southern California serve as traps. Rocks dredged mostly from near the tops of the continental slopes are dominantly metamorphic and sedimentary at the south, sedimentary and intrusive at the north, and sedimentary and extrusive in the middle off southern California. the presence of rock outcrops indicates that the continental slope has undergone no prograding and that it owes its origin to tectonic activity, although details of its shape were produced by subsequent depositional and erosional processes.
Glomerular input patterns in the mouse olfactory bulb evoked by retronasal odor stimuli

Odorant stimuli can access the olfactory epithelium either orthonasally, by inhalation through the external nares, or retronasally by reverse airflow from the oral cavity. There is evidence that odors perceived through these two routes can differ in quality and intensity. We were curious whether such differences might potentially have a neural basis in the peripheral mechanisms of odor coding. To explore this possibility, we compared olfactory receptor input to glomeruli in the dorsal olfactory bulb evoked by orthonasal and retronasal stimulation. Maps of glomerular response were acquired by optical imaging of transgenic mice expressing synaptopHluorin (spH), a fluorescent reporter of presynaptic activity, in olfactory nerve terminals. We found that retronasally delivered odorants were able to activate inputs to multiple glomeruli in the dorsal olfactory bulb. The retronasal responses were smaller than orthonasal responses to odorants delivered at comparable concentrations and flow rates, and they displayed higher thresholds and right-shifted dose–response curves. Glomerular maps of orthonasal and retronasal responses were usually well overlapped, with fewer total numbers of glomeruli in retronasal maps. However, maps at threshold could be quite distinct with little overlap. Retronasal responses were also more narrowly tuned to homologous series of aliphatic odorants of varying carbon chain length, with longer chain, more hydrophobic compounds evoking little or no response at comparable vapor levels. Several features of retronasal olfaction are possibly referable to the observed properties of glomerular odorant responses. The finding that retronasal responses are weaker and sparser than orthonasal responses is consistent with psychophysical studies showing lower sensitivity for retronasal olfaction in threshold and suprathreshold tests. The similarity and overlap of orthonasal and retronasal odor maps at suprathreshold concentrations agrees with generally similar perceived qualities for the same odorant stimuli administered by the two routes. However, divergence of maps near threshold is a potential factor in perceptual differences between orthonasal and retronasal olfaction. Narrower tuning of retronasal responses suggests that they may be less influenced by chromatographic adsorption effects.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF STRESS, TYPE A BEHAVIOR AND POWERLESSNESS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES IN FEMALE CLERICAL WORKERS

Abstract The present study examined the relationship of stress levels, Type A behavior, and feelings of powerlessness to physiological reactivity in a group of adult women employed as secretaries. Reactivity was assessed by monitoring blood pressure, heart rate and frontalis EMG while subjects engaged in a series of task: rest, mental arithmetic, vigilance, a structured interview and a work interview. When Type A behavior was assessed by a structured interview, Type A's had higher overall levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, a tendency toward greater EMG reactivity, and high stress Type A's had higher heart rates than low stress Type A's. When Type A was assessed by a questionnaire, Type A interacted with stress levels and lack of control such that high stress, high powerlessness Type A's had higher overall levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and high powerlessness Type A's had higher levels of heart rate than high powerlessness Type B's. While reactivity was not related to Type A behavior, it was related to stress levels. Women with high levels of background stress responded with larger increases in systolic blood pressure and a tendency toward larger increases in heart rate. This research emphasizes the importance of examining multiple factors, especially when relating individual differences in risk to psychophysiological reactivity.
Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, Unclassifiable (MDS/MPN, U): Natural history and clinical outcome by treatment strategy

Myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms, unclassifiable (MDS/MPN, U): natural history and clinical outcome by treatment strategy
Reactions of Etched, Single Crystal (111)B-Oriented InP To Produce Functionalized Surfaces with Low Electrical Defect Densities

Synthetic routes have been developed that allow attachment of a variety of functional groups to etched, single-crystal InP surfaces. Benzyl halides, alkyl halides, silyl halides, and esters reacted readily with InP to yield covalently attached overlayers on the semiconductor surface. High-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that the functionalization chemistry was consistent with the reactivity of surficial hydroxyl groups. Analysis of the XP spectra of the (111)B-oriented (P-rich) face in ultrahigh vacuum revealed signals ascribable to a monolayer of oxidized P atoms on the etched (111)B InP surface. The lack of reactivity of the (111)A-oriented (In-rich) face with these same functionalization reagents is therefore attributed to the difference in the nucleophilicity and acidity of the In and P oxides that are present on the (111)A and (111)B faces, respectively. The coverage of benzylic groups obtained through functionalization of (111)B-oriented InP with benzyl halides was estimat...
Disseminated T-cell lymphoma in a guinea pig with bilateral ocular involvement

A 2-year-old female shorthair guinea pig was presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of Wisconsin-Madison, for evaluation of a unilateral corneal opacity of 1 week duration. Physical examination revealed a markedly thickened right cornea and lymphadenopathy of the submandibular and prescapular lymph nodes. Cytology of a lymph node aspirate was highly suggestive of lymphoma. The animal was humanely euthanized. Postmortem examination revealed a disseminated lymphadenopathy involving the submandibular, anterior cervical, prescapular, bronchial, anterior mediastinal, and mesenteric nodes, and hepatomegaly with accentuation of lobular morphology. The right cornea was dark red, dry and dull, and diffusely thickened, and the globe was exophthalmic. Microscopically, pleomorphic neoplastic lymphoblasts were present in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, lungs, heart, rhinarium, bone marrow, and kidneys. Bilateral infiltration of the eyes by neoplastic lymphoblasts was noted, which was more extensive on the right. The neoplastic cells stained immunohistochemically as T-lymphocytes using antibodies directed against CD3 antigen.
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of Fcα receptors on isotype-specific T cells☆

A sensitive and reproducible enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed using T cell hybridomas as coating antigen, for detection of Fc receptors for IgA (Fc alpha R). T-T hybridomas were generated from fusions of Fc alpha R+ T cell clones from mouse Peyer's patches with the Fc alpha R- R1.1 T lymphoma cell line. The 2 T-T hybridomas (designated Th HA) used here express Fc alpha R as determined by a rosette method and by ELISA. Th HA cells were cultured under conditions for maximum Fc alpha R expression, were added to individual wells of 96-well EIA plates, and were fixed in situ with glutaraldehyde. Plates were incubated with purified mouse monoclonal IgA, IgM or IgG1 and were developed with beta-galactosidase-coupled goat IgG antibodies specific for mouse heavy chains. Using the ELISA, both Th HA cell lines were shown to express significant levels of Fc alpha R, lower but detectable Fc mu R, and no discernible Fc gamma 1R. Interestingly, the rosette assay only allowed detection of receptors for IgA. When splenic lymphocytes were used, good Fc mu R and less Fc alpha R expression occurred on these cells as determined by ELISA and rosetting; however, no Fc gamma 1R cells were detected by either method. Thus, the ELISA is sensitive and reproducible, and allows an objective measurement of FcR expressed on T cells.
The Train Paradox

When two omnipotent beings are randomly and sequentially selecting positive integers, the being who selects second is almost certain to select a larger number. I then use the relativity of simultaneity to create a paradox by having omnipotent beings select positive integers in different orders for different observers.
An experimental field investigation utilizing an expectancy theory view of participation

Abstract The present research was designed to use an expectancy motivation theory framework to clarify discrepancies in the participative decision-making literature. It was hypothesized that increments in productivity and effort levels should occur only when the participation process clarifies the effort—performance linkage and when valent outcomes are attached to high performance levels. Four retail firms were used in a 32-week investigation assessing such hypotheses. In one store, employees took part in discussion groups dealing with a job-related issue, rated as being important to them. In another store, a “cafeteria” incentive scheme was instituted to reward high hourly sales levels. The third store served as the experimental group and had both discussion groups and “cafeteria” incentives. A fourth store was utilized for the control condition. As hypothesized, productivity and effort levels increased only in the experimental store. The design was internally replicated on the control store, further substantiating the hypotheses.
Comparison of voice relative fundamental frequency estimates derived from an accelerometer signal and low-pass filtered and unprocessed microphone signals

The relative fundamental frequency (RFF) surrounding the production of a voiceless consonant has previously been estimated using unprocessed and low-pass filtered microphone signals, but it can also be estimated using a neck-placed accelerometer signal that is less affected by vocal tract formants. Determining the effects of signal type on RFF will allow for comparisons across studies and aid in establishing a standard protocol with minimal within-speaker variability. Here RFF was estimated in 12 speakers with healthy voices using unprocessed microphone, low-pass filtered microphone, and unprocessed accelerometer signals. Unprocessed microphone and accelerometer signals were recorded simultaneously using a microphone and neck-placed accelerometer. The unprocessed microphone signal was filtered at 350 Hz to construct the low-pass filtered microphone signal. Analyses of variance showed that signal type and the interaction of vocal cycle × signal type had significant effects on both RFF means and standard deviations, but with small effect sizes. The overall RFF trend was preserved regardless of signal type and the intra-speaker variability of RFF was similar among the signal types. Thus, RFF can be estimated using either a microphone or an accelerometer signal in individuals with healthy voices. Future work extending these findings to individuals with disordered voices is warranted.
Stability of Evaluations of Bulls Sampled by Artificial Insemination and Other Organizations

Abstract Changes in evaluations during first and second-crop periods were computed from up to 8 Modified Contemporary Comparison evaluations during each period for 1232 AI- and 217 non-AI-sampled Holstein bulls; repeatability at last Modified Contemporary Comparison evaluation was ≥.90. Evaluations were numbered consecutively within period. Effect of evaluation number within testing period on the bull's milk or fat evaluation was estimated with a model, including fixed effect of bull in addition to evaluation number. For subsets of AI- and non-AI-sampled bulls born from 1970 to 1975 and from 1976 to 1981, evaluations of both types of bulls increased from the initial first-crop evaluation and then remained fairly constant during the remainder of the first-crop period. With the inclusion of second-crop daughters, evaluations decreased significantly more for non-AI- than for AI-sampled bulls born from 1970 to 1975 (milk, 108 vs. 28 kg; fat, 3.5 vs. 1 kg). The reduction in evaluations was larger for non-AI-sampled bulls born after 1976 (milk, 184 kg; fat, 7 kg) but was unchanged for AI-sampled bulls. Last second-crop evaluation minus the second to last first-crop evaluation (difference 1) was calculated. Expected standard deviation of change for each difference of each bull was calculated and used to stratify bulls into eight change classes. Percentages of bulls in each class were compared. Relatively more non-AI- than Al-sampled bulls had first-crop evaluations that decreased more than could be explained by chance alone. Results indicated that evaluations of non-AI-sampled bulls were less stable than evaluations of AI-sampled bulls and that stability of evaluations of non-AI-sampled bulls has diminished over time. It appears that daughters in the first-crop of many non-AI-sampled bulls have received some kind of preferential treatment.
Stress release in ion implanted lattice mismatched semiconductor heterostructures

Cantilever-beam measurements of ion-implantation induced stress in (InGa)As/GaAs, Ga(AsP)/GaP, and Ga(AsP)/GaAs strained layer superlattices (SLSs), grown either by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) or metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), have shown that a mechanism for precipitous stress-relief can be operative for room-temperature damage-energy deposition values above approx. 2 x 10/sup 20/ keV/cm/sup 3/. This phenomenon is correlated with the initial residual compressive stress on the composite structure and is determined by the differences in lattice parameter between the substrate and the buffer alloy-layer.
Sexually-dimorphic targeting of functionally-related genes in COPD

There is growing evidence that many diseases develop, progress, and respond to therapy differently in men and women. This variability may manifest as a result of sex-specific structures in gene regulatory networks that influence how those networks operate. However, there are few methods to identify and characterize differences in network structure, slowing progress in understanding mechanisms driving sexual dimorphism. Here we apply an integrative network inference method, PANDA (Passing Attributes between Networks for Data Assimilation), to model sex-specific networks in blood and sputum samples from subjects with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). We used a jack-knifing approach to build an ensemble of likely networks for each sex. By adapting statistical methods to compare these network ensembles, we were able to identify strong differential-targeting patterns associated with functionally-related sets of genes, including those involved in mitochondrial function and energy metabolism. Network analysis also identified several potential sex- and disease-specific transcriptional regulators of these pathways. Network analysis yielded insight into potential mechanisms driving sexual dimorphism in COPD that were not evident from gene expression analysis alone. We believe our ensemble approach to network analysis provides a principled way to capture sex-specific regulatory relationships and could be applied to identify differences in gene regulatory patterns in a wide variety of diseases and contexts.
Selectively increasing the clearance of protein-bound uremic solutes

Background. The toxicity of bound solutes could be better evaluated if we could adjust the clearance of such solutes independent of unbound solutes. This study assessed whether bound solute clearances can be increased while maintaining urea clearance constant during the extended hours of nocturnal dialysis. Methods. Nine patients on thrice-weekly nocturnal dialysis underwent two experimental dialysis treatments 1 week apart. The experimental treatments were designed to provide the same urea clearance while providing widely different bound solute clearance. One treatment employed a large dialyzer and high dialyzate flow rate (Qd) of 800 mL/min while blood flow (Qb) was 270 mL/min. The other treatment employed a smaller dialyzer and Qd of 300 mL/min while Qb was 350 mL/min. Results. Treatment with the large dialyzer and higher Qd greatly increased the clearances of the bound solutes p-cresol sulfate (PCS: 27 ± 9 versus 14 ± 6 mL/min) and indoxyl sulfate (IS: 26 ± 8 versus 14 ± 5 mL/min) without altering the clearance of urea (204 ± 20 versus 193 ± 16 mL/min). Increasing PCS and IS clearances increased the removal of these solutes (PCS: 375 ± 200 versus 207 ± 86 mg/session; IS: 201 ± 137 versus 153 ± 74 mg/session), while urea removal was not different. Conclusions. The removal of bound solutes can thus be increased by raising the dialyzate flow and dialyzer size above the low levels sufficient to achieve target Kt/Vurea during extended treatment. Selectively increasing the clearance of bound solutes provides a potential means to test their toxicity.
A Computational Screen for Regulators of Oxidative Phosphorylation Implicates SLIRP in Mitochondrial RNA Homeostasis

The human oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) system consists of approximately 90 proteins encoded by nuclear and mitochondrial genomes and serves as the primary cellular pathway for ATP biosynthesis. While the core protein machinery for OxPhos is well characterized, many of its assembly, maturation, and regulatory factors remain unknown. We exploited the tight transcriptional control of the genes encoding the core OxPhos machinery to identify novel regulators. We developed a computational procedure, which we call expression screening, which integrates information from thousands of microarray data sets in a principled manner to identify genes that are consistently co-expressed with a target pathway across biological contexts. We applied expression screening to predict dozens of novel regulators of OxPhos. For two candidate genes, CHCHD2 and SLIRP, we show that silencing with RNAi results in destabilization of OxPhos complexes and a marked loss of OxPhos enzymatic activity. Moreover, we show that SLIRP plays an essential role in maintaining mitochondrial-localized mRNA transcripts that encode OxPhos protein subunits. Our findings provide a catalogue of potential novel OxPhos regulators that advance our understanding of the coordination between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes for the regulation of cellular energy metabolism.
Using data mining of spontaneous adverse event reports and multivariate statistical methods for assessing abuse potential

sample of out-of-treatment (n=10) and in-treatment participants (n=14). Results: The user systemnorm supported trying newdrugs, and both drugs were confirmed to be available in the environment. For the innovation-decision process, knowledge was greater for SCann than SCath as SCath was viewed as causing harm and users were unsure how to ingest it. In contrast SCann was compatible with known drug (i.e., marijuana) and used similarly. Both SCann and SCath were viewed as accessible and inexpensive (i.e., high trialability). The persuasion stage also favored SCann as almost all the users knew someone who had used SCann but few knew anyone who had used SCath. These differences lead to greater implementation of SCann than SCath as evidenced by total admissions, substance abuse treatment providers’ survey, and users’ experiences. However, after SCann and SCathwere removed from shelves due to communitymobilization, health alert, and Scheduling, there was disenchantment discontinuity in the confirmation stage. Few users expressed ongoing demand for synthetic compounds (either SCann or SCath) if theywere not easily available and legal. All users expressed preference for what they called “real” drugs, indicating SCann and SCath had no relative advantage over other drugs of abuse. Conclusions: This qualitative study showed SCann and SCath experienced different and declining demand in this region. Diffusion of Innovation provides a framework for understanding the differential use of substances and subsequent decline. Financial support: Fundingwasprovidedbygrants fromSoutheast Michigan Community Alliance and the state of Michigan (Lycaki-Young funds).
TITANIUM BULK MICROMACHINING FOR BIOMEMS APPLICATIONS: A DEP DEVICE AS A DEMONSTRATION

Titanium has been widely used as a biomedical material in orthopedics, dentistry, cardiology, and cardiovascular surgery due to the excellent biostability and biocompatibility that results from its spontaneous formation of a highly passivating oxide layer in air and blood. However, little research has been done on the development of titanium for bioMEMS applications. This is likely due to the immaturity of titanium bulk micromachining technology to date. Here we report the application of new high-aspect-ratio bulk titanium micromachining techniques recently developed within our group towards the fabrication of a titanium-based multifrequency traveling wave dielectrophoresis (DEP) device targeted for the separation of bioparticles. The device serves to illustrate the potential of these techniques for enabling the realization of novel bioMEMS devices with enhanced functionality and capability.
CrdS and CrdA Comprise a Two-Component System That Is Cooperatively Regulated by the Che3 Chemosensory System in Myxococcus xanthus

Myxococcus xanthus serves as a model organism for development and complex signal transduction. Regulation of developmental aggregation and sporulation is controlled, in part, by the Che3 chemosensory system. The Che3 pathway consists of homologs to two methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs), CheA, CheW, CheB, and CheR but not CheY. Instead, the output for Che3 is the NtrC homolog CrdA, which functions to regulate developmental gene expression. In this paper we have identified an additional kinase, CrdS, which directly regulates the phosphorylation state of CrdA. Both epistasis and in vitro phosphotransfer assays indicate that CrdS functions as part of the Che3 pathway and, in addition to CheA3, serves to regulate CrdA phosphorylation in M. xanthus. We provide kinetic data for CrdS autophosphorylation and demonstrate specificity for phosphotransfer from CrdS to CrdA. We further demonstrate that CheA3 destabilizes phosphorylated CrdA (CrdA~P), indicating that CheA3 likely acts as a phosphatase. Both CrdS and CheA3 control developmental progression by regulating the phosphorylation state of CrdA~P in the cell. These results support a model in which a classical two-component system and a chemosensory system act synergistically to control the activity of the response regulator CrdA. IMPORTANCE While phosphorylation-mediated signal transduction is well understood in prototypical chemotaxis and two-component systems (TCS), chemosensory regulation of alternative cellular functions (ACF) has not been clearly defined. The Che3 system in Myxococcus xanthus is a member of the ACF class of chemosensory systems and regulates development via the transcription factor CrdA (chemosensory regulator of development) (K. Wuichet and I. B. Zhulin, Sci. Signal. 3:ra50, 2010; J. R. Kirby and D. R. Zusman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 100:2008-2013, 2003). We have identified and characterized a homolog of NtrB, designated CrdS, capable of specifically phosphorylating the NtrC homolog CrdA in M. xanthus. Additionally, we demonstrate that the CrdSA two-component system is negatively regulated by CheA3, the central processor within the Che3 system of M. xanthus. To our knowledge, this study provides the first example of an ACF chemosensory system regulating a prototypical two-component system and extends our understanding of complex regulation of developmental signaling pathways.
Affective Predictors of Reading Comprehension

In a rural school in the Southeast, 60 fourth grade boys and girls were randomly chosen from the total population of 155 fourth graders. After the students read a 300-word passage from their basal ...
An Exomalopsine Bee in Early Miocene Amber from the Dominican Republic (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

ABSTRACT The first fossil exomalopsine bee is described and figured from two females, one very partially preserved in Early Miocene amber from the Dominican Republic. Anthophorula (Anthophorula) persephone Engel, new species, is distinguished from its modern counterparts mainly by the broader pterostigma in which its inner breadth is greater than that of its marginal veins. This record expands the Dominican amber melittofauna to 21 species. Brief comments are made on the discovery as well as the Dominican amber bees in general. The new combination Thaumatosoma (Chalicodomopsis) glaesaria (Engel) is established.
The N-terminal 22 amino acid residues in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli are not obligatory for membrane insertion or transport activity.

Abstract When the lactose (lac) permease of Escherichia coli is expressed from the lac promoter at relatively low rates, deletion of amino acid residues 2-8 (delta 7) or 2-9 (delta 8) from the hydrophilic N terminus has a relatively minor effect on the ability of the permease to catalyze active lactose transport. Activity is essentially abolished, however, and the permease is hardly detected in the membrane when two additional amino acid residues are deleted (delta 10), and mutants deleted of residues 2-23 (delta 22) or 2-39 (delta 38) also exhibit no activity and are not inserted into the membrane. Dramatically, when the defective deletion mutants are overexpressed at high rates via the T7 promoter, delta 10 and delta 22 are inserted into the membrane in a stable form and catalyze active lactose transport in a highly significant manner, whereas delta 38 is hardly detected in the membrane and exhibits no activity. Interestingly, a fusion protein consisting of delta 38 and the ompA leader peptide is inserted into the membrane but exhibits no transport activity. The results indicate that the N-terminal hydrophilic domain of lac permease and the N-terminal half of the first putative transmembrane alpha-helix are not mandatory for either membrane insertion or transport activity.
Diabetes Enhances Periodontal Bone Loss through Enhanced Resorption and Diminished Bone Formation

Using a ligature-induced model in type-2 Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat and normoglycemic littermates, we investigated whether diabetes primarily affects periodontitis by enhancing bone loss or by limiting osseous repair. Diabetes increased the intensity and duration of the inflammatory infiltrate (P < 0.05). The formation of osteoclasts and percent eroded bone after 7 days of ligature placement was similar, while four days after removal of ligatures, the type 2 diabetic group had significantly higher osteoclast numbers and activity (P < 0.05). The amount of new bone formation following resorption was 2.4- to 2.9-fold higher in normoglycemic vs. diabetic rats (P < 0.05). Diabetes also increased apoptosis and decreased the number of bone-lining cells, osteoblasts, and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (P < 0.05). Thus, diabetes caused a more persistent inflammatory response, greater loss of attachment and more alveolar bone resorption, and impaired new bone formation. The latter may be affected by increased apoptosis of bone-lining and PDL cells.
Limits on spin-independent interactions of weakly interacting massive particles with nucleons from the two-tower run of the cryogenic dark matter search.

We report new results from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. Two towers, each consisting of six detectors, were operated for 74.5 live days, giving spectrum-weighted exposures of 34 kg-d for germanium and 12 kg-d for silicon targets after cuts, averaged over recoil energies 10-100 keV for a WIMP mass of 60GeV/c{sup 2}. A blind analysis was conducted, incorporating improved techniques for rejecting surface events. No WIMP signal exceeding expected backgrounds was observed. When combined with our previous results from Soudan, the 90% C.L. upper limit on the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross section is 1.6 x 10{sup -43} cm{sup 2} from Ge, and 3 x 10{sup -42} cm{sup 2} from Si, for a WIMP mass of 60GeV/c{sup 2}. The combined limit from Ge (Si) is a factor of 2.5 (10) lower than our previous results, and constrains predictions of supersymmetric models.
One-pin oscillators and voltage multipliers

In today's ICs low pin count is important to save space and reduce cost. The one-pin oscillator and the on-chip voltage multiplier are, among others, two analog circuits that help to accomplish this.
Methane-derived authigenic carbonates formed by subduction-induced pore-water expulsion along the Oregon/Washington margin: Discussion and reply

Methane-derived authigenic carbonates in terrigenous sediments described from the Pacific Ocean along the Oregon/Washington margin (Ritger and others, 1987) have their counterparts in the outer continentalshelf setting of the western Atlantic Ocean. Lithified sandstones, containing a modern microfauna and resulting from submarine cementation, underlie extensive stretches of the shelf between New Jersey and Florida (Allen and others, 1969; Friedman, 1975; Friedman and others, 1971; Friedman and Sanders, 1978, esp. p. 157-158). In a dredged shelly molluscan sandstone, the radiocarbon age of the molluscan shells is 4,390 ± 120 yr and that of cement is 15,600 ± 250 yr. At first sight, the radiocarbon ages give what appears to be an impossible result: cementation of "young" shells by "old" cement. To explain these ages, one may invoke the idea that the actual precipitation of the cement occurred less than 4,390 yr ago but that the carbon in the aragonite did not come directly out of sea water (in which case, the carbon would be "new," that is, 4,390 yr old) and rather was derived from a source of older carbon. Analyses of stable-carbon isotopes show that the cement is enriched in the light stable isotope 12C; its S13C value is -44.8. This contrasts with a S13C value of -8.4 for the molluscan shells of the rock. The strongly negative 613C value of the cement suggests that carbon of the aragonite cement came from methane (CH4) (Allen and others, 1969; Friedman and others, 1971; Friedman, 1975); no other material is known in which the lighter carbon isotope has been that much enriched. The stable isotopic compositions of cement and skeletal carbonates overlap with those of the Oregon/Washington margin (Fig. 7, p. 151 of Ritger and others, 1987).
Music indexing and retrieval

Music is a particular case of audio media that has peculiar requirements for retrieval. Its representation, parallelism and multiple features are some examples of the challenges encountered. In this paper, these challenges are characterized and the techniques commonly used for classification, indexing and searching of music content are described. Whenever possible, comparisons are drawn with text information retrieval.
On the identity of European Baridini (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea) named before 1832

Twenty-nine names of European weevils usually regarded as Baridini in the literature are checked. Neotypes are designated for Curculio coerulescens Scopoli, 1763 (emend.), C. glaber Herbst, 1784, C. chalybeus Gmelin, 1790, C. laticollis Marsham 1802, and C. picicornis Marsham, 1802. Lectotypes are designated for C. atriplicis Fabricius, 1777, C. cuprirostris Fabricius, 1787, C. timidus Rossi, 1792, C. absinthii Panzer, 1794 (emend.), C. artemisiae Panzer, 1794, C. chloris Panzer, 1794, C. artemisiae Herbst, 1795, Baris chlorizans Germar, 1824, B. lepidii Germar, 1824, and B. impunctata Stephens, 1831. New synonyms are C. t-album Linnaeus, 1758 (= C. nigrinus Herbst, 1795 syn. n., Baridius pusio Boheman, 1844 syn. n., Limnobaris t-album var. reitteri Munster, 1928 syn. n.); C. glaber Herbst, 1784 (= C. nitens Fabricius, 1793 syn. n.), C. artemisiae Panzer, 1794 (= C. artemisiae Herbst, 1795 syn. n., Rhynchaenus absinthii Lepeletier & Serville, 1825 syn. n.), C. chloris Panzer, 1794 (= C. chlorizans Germar, 1824 syn. n.), and Baris lepidii Germar, 1824 (= B. impunctata Stephens, 1831 syn. n.). Curculio atriplicis, C. glaber, and C. absinthii are suppressed as nomina oblita, preserving their junior synonym, C. laticollis nomen protectum. Curculio viridisericeus Goeze, 1777 and C. parisinus Thunberg, 1784 are suppressed as nomina oblita, preserving their junior synonym, C. cuprirostris nomen protectum. Curculio chloris is suppressed as a nomen oblitum, preserving its junior synonym, B. chlorizans nomen protectum. Hence, the valid names of European Baridini described before 1832 are C. coerulescens Scopoli, 1763, C. cuprirostris Fabricius, 1787, C. analis Olivier, 1791, C. timidus Rossi, 1792, C. artemisiae Panzer, 1794, C. laticollis Marsham, 1802, C. picicornis Marsham, 1802, Baris scolopacea Germar, 1819, B. chlorizans Germar, 1824, and B. lepidii Germar, 1824. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Intentional Behaviorism And The Intentional Scheme: Comments On Gordon R. Foxall's 'Intentional Behaviorism'

This commentary discusses critically the proposal of Foxall's intentional behaviorism that, when the use of intentional categories can be justifiably portrayed as heuristic overlay to theories incorporating radical behaviorist principles, intentionality may be part of behaviorist interpretations of behavior that occurs outside of the controlled conditions of the laboratory and practical behavioral interventions. I sketch an argument that typical uses of intentional categories for the explanation of human agency (e.g., its exercise in conducting scientific research) are not properly grasped as being such heuristic overlay and so are not illuminated by behaviorist interpretations.
Transparent, Polycrystalline Upconverting Nanoceramics: Towards 3‐D Displays

Although the concept of transparent, polycrystalline ceramics is now 40 years old, only recently has control of processing parameters been sufficient to produce photonic quality materials, Nd:YAG and Yb:Yttria lasers in particular. [1‐7] In all instances, average grain sizes (AGSs) in these fully dense materials are in the range 10‐50 mm. Furthermore, photonic quality transparency has only been achieved for materials with cubic crystal structures thereby avoiding scattering due to birefringence. Recent work by Krell points to the possibility of also obtaining photonic transparency in materials with submicron AGSs, in a-Al2O3 in particular. [8‐10] In principle, the
Optimum area allocation for resistors and capacitors in continuous-time monolithic filters

In this paper, the issue of optimal area allocation for passive components in monolithic active-RC filters is formalized. Optimal area allocations for several popular first- and second-order structures are derived. A conjecture is presented for optimal area allocation for more general filter structures.
Nonlinear response of electrons in a solid to X-rays

A nonrelativistic, quantum-mechanical calculation of the second- and third-order electromagnetic nonlinearities of electrons in a solid at X-ray frequencies is presented. The case of Bloch electrons, as well as the case of electrons moving in a periodic potential together with a surface barrier potential, are considered. Because of the rapid variation of electronic density at the surface, it is shown that the surface terms must be retained in nonlinear current densities even at X-ray frequencies. Since the wavelength of X-rays is small, we have retained the interactions due to the electronic spin-moment and the spin-orbit coupling. However, it is found that when all the relevant frequencies are high, these terms do not contribute to the current density. We also consider the second-order difference mixing of waves in which the difference frequency is of the order of an optical transition frequency and the case of mixing of X-ray and optical frequencies.
Traffic Behavior on One-Way Signalized Arterials

A study was conducted to investigate platoon movements on urban arterials and to relate variation in platoon behavior to variation in signal control and to signal spacing. This objective is accomplished in the form of determining platoon characteristics for traffic traveling on signalized urban arterials and developing a mathematical model to simulate the behavior of a group of vehicles as it passes through a series of signalized intersections. A helicopter-mounted aerial camera was used to collect continuous spacing and velocity data as traffic platoons traveled through a series of signalized intersections on one-way urban arterials. Regression equations are developed for relating mean travel time and the standard deviation of travel time to signal spacing at a given volume level. A mathematical model is developed to generate queue and delay statistics for any combination of signal spacings and signal offsets.
Biology and Immature Stages of Compsobata univitta (Walker, 1849) (Diptera: Micropezidae: Calobatinae)

Abstract. The life cycle of Compsobata univitta (Walker, 1849) is described. Larvae are saprophagous, feeding on moist, decomposing vegetation. Data on the habitat, distribution, phenology, behavior, and feeding habits are presented. Morphological features of the egg, three larval instars, and puparium are figured and described.
The Restless Spirit of Thomas Francis, Jr., Still Lives

(1970). The Restless Spirit of Thomas Francis, Jr., Still Lives. Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal: Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 273-275.
The Impact of Advanced Age on Peri-Operative Outcomes in the Surgical Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Nationwide Study Between 2001 and 2010.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective multicenter database review. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate national postoperative outcomes and hospital characteristics trends from 2001 to 2010 for advanced age CSM patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Recent studies show increases in US cervical spine surgeries and CSM diagnoses. However, few have compared national outcomes for elderly and younger CSM patients. METHODS A Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) analysis from 2001 to 2010, including CSM patients 25+ who underwent anterior and/or posterior cervical fusion or laminoplasty. Fractures, 9+ levels fused, or any cancers were excluded. Measures included demographics, outcomes, and hospital-related data for 25 to 64 versus 65+ and 65 to 75 versus 76+ age groups. Univariate and logistic regression modeling evaluated procedure-related complications risk in 65+ and 76+ age groups (OR[95% CI]). RESULTS Discharges for 35,319 patients in the age range of 25 to 64 years and 19,097 at the age 65+ years were identified. Average comorbidity indices for patients at 65+ years were higher compared to the 25 to 64 years age group (0.79 vs. 0.0.44, P < 0.0001), as was the total complications rate (11.39% vs. 5.93%, P < 0.0001) and charges ($57,449.94 vs. $49,951.11, P < 0.0001). Hospital course for aged 65+ patients was longer (4.76 vs. 3.26 days, P < 0.0001). Mortality risk was higher in the 65+ cohort (3.38[2.93-3.91]), adjusted for covariates. 65+ patients had increased risk of all complications except device-related, for which they had decreased risk (0.61[0.56-0.67]). Patients 76+ years displayed increased hospital charges ($59,197.60 vs. $56,601.44, P < 0.001) and courses (5.77 vs. 4.28 days, P < 0.001) compared to those in the age group 65 to 75 years. These same patients presented with increased Deyo scores (0.83 vs. 0.77, P < 0.001), had increased total complications rate (13.87% vs. 10.20%, P < 0.001), and displayed increased risk for postoperative shock (6.34 [11.16-3.60], P < 0.001), digestive system (1.92 [2.40-1.54], P < 0.001), and wound dehiscence (1.71 [2.56-1.15], P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Patients aged 65+ years undergoing CSM surgical management have a higher mortality risk, more procedure-related complications, higher comorbidity burden, longer hospital course, and higher charges. This study provides clinically useful data for surgeons to educate patients and to improve outcomes.
Home Range of Microtus Ochrogaster as Determined by a Modified Minimum Area Method

Home ranges of six Microtus ochrogaster were determined by radioisotopic tagging. A modified minimum area method, of delineating home range was derived, using one-fourth of the range length as a standard to determine whether outside points in the range were to be connected directly. Home ranges as determined by the new method varied from 0.05 to 0.18 (averaging 0.11) acres for five males. A single female had a range of 0.02 acres. These figures are on the order of 50% of the range size determined by the minimum area method. Overlapping of home ranges occurs, and one individual showing a marked shift in home range was observed.
A matrix study of Ax=b for implicit factored methods

In this paper, the linear system resulting from a typical implicit high-resolution Newton type flow solver is analyzed in great detail. Two methods of solution are developed. One is direct, yet appears highly efficient and the other is a fully vectorized iterative approximate factorization method. These are compared to a couple of common factoring and iterative methods. To facilitate the development of the two methods, diagonal indexing is employed to reorder the system matrix to exploit specific matrix structure. The flow solver used to numerically simulate the flowfield is based on a finite-volume method to solve the twodimensional unsteady Euler/Navier-Stokes equations on structured curvilinear grids. Interface fluxes are determined using a high-resolution approximate Riemann scheme. From the limited test cases run the methods appear comparable to current state-of-the-art techniques.