cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of GATA1 Confers Resistance to Chemotherapy in Acute Megakaryocytic Leukemia

It has been previously shown that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with higher levels of GATA1 expression have poorer outcomes. Furthermore, pediatric Down syndrome (DS) patients with acute megakaryocytic leukemia (AMKL), whose blast cells almost universally harbor somatic mutations in exon 2 of the transcription factor gene GATA1, demonstrate increased overall survival relative to non-DS pediatric patients, suggesting a potential role for GATA1 in chemotherapy response. In this study, we confirmed that amongst non-DS patients, GATA1 transcripts were significantly higher in AMKL blasts compared to blasts from other AML subgroups. Further, GATA1 transcript levels significantly correlated with transcript levels for the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL in our patient cohort. ShRNA knockdown of GATA1 in the megakaryocytic cell line Meg-01 resulted in significantly increased cytarabine (ara-C) and daunorubicin anti-proliferative sensitivities and decreased Bcl-xL transcript and protein levels. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and reporter gene assays demonstrated that the Bcl-x gene (which transcribes the Bcl-xL transcripts) is a bona fide GATA1 target gene in AMKL cells. Treatment of the Meg-01 cells with the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid resulted in down-regulation of both GATA1 and Bcl-xL and significantly enhanced ara-C sensitivity. Furthermore, additional GATA1 target genes were identified by oligonucleotide microarray and ChIP-on-Chip analyses. Our findings demonstrate a role for GATA1 in chemotherapy resistance in non-DS AMKL cells, and identified additional GATA1 target genes for future studies.
Nationalism and orthodoxy: Nichifor Crainic and the political culture of the extreme right in 1930s Romania

This article explores the interplay of religion, anti-Semitism, and personal rivalries in building the ultra-nationalist movement in 1930s Romania, using the career of Nichifor Crainic as a case study. As a theologian, Crainic created and taught a synthesis of nationalism and Romanian Orthodoxy which was broadly accepted by most ultra-nationalists in interwar Romania. As a journalist, Crainic directed several newspapers which spearheaded acrimonious attacks on democratic and ultra-nationalist politicians alike. As a politician, he joined and left both Corneliu Zelea Codreanu's Legion of the Archangel Michael and A.C. Cuza's National Christian Defense League before attempting to form his own Christian Workers’ Party. Crainic's writings ultimately earned him a place as a minister in two governments and membership of the Romanian Academy. His career reveals an ultra-nationalist movement rife with division and bickering but united around a vaguely defined ideology of religious nationalism, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism.
A note on the photoluminescence decay of thermalized excitons in quantum structures: Many-bond model

Abstract The temperature dependence of the photoluminescence decay time associated with the radiative decay of a thermalized exciton population in a quantum well or wire is shown to be independent of the number of exciton bands involved.
On the denaturation of deoxyribonucleic acid

Abstract The denaturation of DNA, brought about through the gradual withdrawal of electrolytes by dialysis of conc. solutions in the cold against distilled water for periods up to 216 h, was studied. In most experiments calf thymus DNA was employed; a few experiments were performed with Escherichia coli DNA. The principal criteria of the loss of secondary structure were the hyperchromicity, which amounted to an increase of 40 % over the initial e(P), and the precipitability with metal salts. The effects of denaturation could be abolished nearly completely or partially, depending upon the duration of dialysis, by the addition of NaCl, as shown by the behavior of the reconstituted products upon subsequent thermal denaturation. The differences between the denaturation of mammalian DNA by heat and by dialysis are underlined by the observation that when maximum hyperchromicity is reached, after a dialysis of 24 h, the addition of salt yields preparations exhibiting normal profiles of thermal denaturation. Though extended dialysis produces additional changes, not all reversible by salt, the “renatured” product, even after a dialysis of 216 h, exhibits, on being heated, a hyperchromic rise of which more than half occurs at the normal transition temperature (87°). The view that the dialyzed preparations, even at their maximum hyperchromicity, do not exist as entirely segregated single strands is borne out by the finding that the fractional precipitation of denatured DNA by a variety of cations invariably yields preparations exhibiting full base-pairing and the unchanged dissymmetry ratios of the initial DNA.
Newly launched satellite to study ice clouds

A new satellite to study clouds of water ice that form at the edge of the atmosphere successfully launched on 25 April. Over at least the next 2 years, NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) mission will investigate polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs, also known as noctilucent or ‘night shining’ clouds), which form about 80 kilometers above the Earth's surface in the mesosphere over the polar regions during the polar summer. The clouds are visible only at night when illuminated by sunlight from beyond the horizon. Since PMCs were discovered in 1885, they have increased in brightness and prevalence and have been forming at lower latitudes.
Characteristics and controlling factors of micropore structures of the Longmaxi Shale in the Jiaoshiba area, Sichuan Basin

Abstract Pore structures in shales are a main factor affecting the storage capacity and production performance of shale gas reservoirs. Taking Longmaxi Shales in the Jiaoshiba area of the Sichuan Basin as a study object, we systematically study the microscopic pore structures of shales by using Argon-ion polishing Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), high-pressure mercury injection and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption and desorption experiments. The study results show that: the Longmaxi Shale in this area are dominated by nano-scale pores which can be classified into organic pores, inorganic pores (intergranular pores, intragranular pores, inter-crystalline pores and dissolution pores), microfractures (intragranular structure fractures, interlayer sliding fractures, diagenetic shrinkage joints and abnormal-pressure fractures from organic evolution), among which organic pores and clay mineral pores are predominant and organic pores are the most common; a TOC value shows an obvious positive correlation with the content of organic pores, which account for up to 50% in the lower-quality shales with a TOC of over 2% where they are most developed; microscopic pore structures are very complex and open, with pores being mainly in cylinder shape with two ends open, or in parallel tabular shape with four sides open and 2–30 nm in diameter, being mostly medium pores. On this basis, factors affecting the micropore structures of shales in this area are studied. It is concluded that organic matter abundance and thermal maturity are the major factors controlling the microscopic pore structures of shales, while the effects of clay mineral content are relatively insignificant.
Application of cognitive theories and knowledge management to requirements engineering

In this paper, we discuss the systems engineering process during front-end phases, with emphasis on capturing requirements related knowledge by inter-organizational and systems of systems teams. We discuss four dimensions of knowledge identified in the knowledge management literature, and apply them to the capture of requirements related knowledge. We discuss and compare three cognitive theories (Situated Action, Activity Theory, and Distributed Cognition) and examine them with respect to improving system requirements engineering and analysis. We find that research in KM and cognition offers significant ideas and insights for improving the requirements process.
Using Ajax for desktop-like geospatial web application development

As one of key components of Web 2.0 architecture, Ajax brings web applications with more responsive, interactive, intuitive and dynamic features. With its rich combination of technologies, Ajax provides a strong foundation for the development of geospatial web applications. An Ajax-enabled and desktop-like online geospatial analysis system is built to provide Geosciences community an easy web access to Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards compliant geospatial data, information and services from multiple sources. In this system, Ajax-enabled Graphic User Interface (GUI) components, Servlet calling and web service invocations are integrated and implemented to create a better web experience for the end users. Ajax helps this data-rich and service-centric geospatial web application be increasingly used.
Human joystick: Wii-leaning to translate in large virtual environments

In this work we present an inexpensive method of exploring a large immersive virtual environment (VE). More specifically, we describe a method of physically leaning to explore a VE on a Nintendo Wii Fit Balance Board, Wii-Leaning. In two experiments described in this paper, we directly compare our Wii-Leaning method to two other methods of exploring a large VE. In Experiment 1, the feasibility and accuracy of our Wii-Leaning is tested by directly comparing it to joystick navigation. In a spatial orientation task, we find that when participants explore the environment by physically leaning that their spatial representation of the VE is more accurate. In Experiment 2, we then directly compare our Wii-Leaning method to "walking in place" using a spatial orientation task. We find that spatial orientation is similar in the two conditions and that Wii-Leaning was more preferred 2:1 by users.
WATER WIRES IN ATOMISTIC MODELS OF THE HV1 PROTON CHANNEL

Abstract The voltage-gated proton channel (Hv1) is homologous to the voltage-sensing domain (VSD) of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels but lacks a separate pore domain. The Hv1 monomer has dual functions: it gates the proton current and also serves as the proton conduction pathway. To gain insight into the structure and dynamics of the yet unresolved proton permeation pathway, we performed all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of two different Hv1 homology models in a lipid bilayer in excess water. The structure of the Kv1.2–Kv2.1 paddle-chimera VSD was used as template to generate both models, but they differ in the sequence alignment of the S4 segment. In both models, we observe a water wire that extends through the membrane, whereas the corresponding region is dry in simulations of the Kv1.2–Kv2.1 paddle-chimera. We find that the kinetic stability of the water wire is dependent upon the identity and location of the residues lining the permeation pathway, in particular, the S4 arginines. A measurement of water transport kinetics indicates that the water wire is a relatively static feature of the permeation pathway. Taken together, our results suggest that proton conduction in Hv1 may occur via Grotthuss hopping along a robust water wire, with exchange of water molecules between inner and outer ends of the permeation pathway minimized by specific water–protein interactions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane protein structure and function.
Checkpoints in ER-associated degradation: excuse me, which way to the proteasome?

The failure of secreted proteins to fold results in their retrotranslocation from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and degradation by the proteasome in a process called ‘ER-associated degradation' (ERAD). Two recent studies indicate that ERAD substrates are targeted to different pathways depending on the topology of the substrate and the subcellular location of the misfolded domain.
The relationship between social norm consensus, perceived similarity, and observer reactions to coworker theft

This research examines observers' reactions to coworker theft in a restaurant chain. This study focuses on the role of social information, such as the social norm consensus regarding the specific type of theft behavior, and on the perceived similarity between the observer and the perpetrator. In general, observers are less likely to label coworkers' behavior as theft when social norm consensus is low and when they perceive the perpetrator as similar to themselves. Also, observers are less likely to report and more likely to imitate the theft behavior of similar coworkers as the amount of consensus regarding the type of theft decreases. Analyses indicate that the relationship between similarity, reporting, and imitation of theft behavior is not mediated by the labeling of an event as theft. Implications for employee theft research and human resource management practice are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Trade Policy Review of Japan

The literature on the impact of the demutualization of stock exchanges on performance is growing since the percentage of demutualized exchanges has risen from 10% in the mid-1990s to 63% in 2002. The Bombay Stock Exchange, established in 1875, demutualised in 2005 to follow the â€œfor profit companyâ€ model of the National Stock Exchange incorporated in 1992. The performance of the Bombay Stock Exchange is analysed using data from 1998 until 2016 to cover pre and post demutualization, but a significant relation between demutualisation and performance could not be found. Comparing the Bombay Stock Exchange with performance data from the National Stock Exchange showed the latter having a significantly higher performance implying that the value enhancing effects of demutualisation is yet to be fully achieved.
Dioxin alters inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has well characterized effects on specific immune responses, but the effects on the innate immune system are less understood. The effect of TCDD on inflammatory responses induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was evaluated in C57BL/6J female mice. Mice were treated with 30 µg kg−1 TCDD or vehicle once, p.o., and 4 days later, animals received LPS (0.05 × 107 EU kg−1, i.p.) or vehicle. Inflammatory mediators and the liver injury marker, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), were measured, and liver histology was evaluated. TCDD-treated animals had higher plasma ALT activity than vehicle-treated animals, but the effect was mild and time-dependent. Few changes in liver histopathology were observed, mainly represented in greater steatosis in TCDD/LPS-treated mice compared to mice treated with LPS or TCDD alone. LPS produced a time-dependent increase in the plasma concentrations of interleukins (IL)-6, -10, and -12 and interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and mo...
NEW TECHNIQUES IN EYEBROW SURGERY

Significant advances in eyebrow elevation surgery have occurred over the past 10 years spurred on in part by the public's general desire for less invasive procedures with faster healing times. 15 Standard eyebrow elevation techniques include the direct, midforehead, and coronal lift, with incisions of varying length and location. 18 Performed for both functional and aesthetic reasons, the endoscopic brow lift represents the most advanced eyebrow and forehead elevation technique. Brow muscle dissection and release can be carried out through significantly smaller incisions and with endoscopic visualization, resulting in less potential morbidity. 2 A thorough understanding of the regional anatomy, the importance of brow position in eyelid surgery, and proper patient selection are crucial to the success of the endoscopic brow lift.
The induction of B cells refractory to antibody-specific immunoregulation

Subsequent to primary immunization with a hapten-carrier conjugate, and concomitant with an initial antibody response to that antigen, a regulatory mechanism is induced that specifically limits the stimulation of hapten-specific primary B cell responses through the recognition of B cell antibody. Nonimmune B cells are sensitive to this regulation, while secondary B cells are refractory to its suppressive effects. Experiments were conducted to determine the conditions under which refractory B cell populations are generated. B cells from BALBlc and athymic BALB/c nu/nu mice were examined following immunization with the T-dependent antigen dinitropheny-lated (DNP) hemocyanin and the T-independent antigen DNP-Ficoll to assess the T cell dependence of the generation of refractory B cells. Evidence is presented that this process is not dependent on the presence or participation of T cells during in vivo immunization, since both T-dependent and T-independent antigens have the potential to induce a refractory B cell population. However, under certain circumstances, T cells can regulate the induction of refractory B cells during in vivo immunization. In addition, it was determined that the immunoregulatory phenomenon can be induced following immunization with both T-dependent and T-independent antigens.
Spatial segmentation and feature selection for desi imaging mass spectrometry data with spatially-aware sparse clustering

Background Recent experimental advances in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) have demonstrated the usefulness of these technologies in the molecular imaging of biological samples. However, development of computational methods for the statistical interpretation and analysis of the chemical differences present in the distinct regions of these samples is still a major challenge. In this poster, we propose statistically-minded methods and computational tools for analyzing DESI imaging experiments. Specifically, we present techniques for signal processing and unsupervised multivariate image segmentation, which are also applicable to other imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) methods such as MALDI. Method Signal processing of DESI spectra typically involves binning to reduce dimensionality, but this inefficient for downstream analysis as it retains empty regions of the mass spectrum. In our proposed processing step, we apply a novel peak picking algorithm based on windowed smoothing splines that allows adaptive resolution based on spectral profile. With this approach, peaks are aligned using a recursive dynamic programming algorithm which accounts for the heterogenous nature of IMS data by making pairwise alignments between pixels based on their proximity. Peaks are then normalized using total ion count. In order to segment the sample into sub-regions of homogenous chemical composition in MALDI images, Alexandrov & Kobarg [1] proposed two efficient spatiallyaware clustering techniques. We demonstrate that these approaches are also useful for DESI. Moreover, we extend one of these clustering methods using statistical regularization techniques that enable simultaneous feature selection of structurally-important peaks and facilitate interpretation. Conclusions We evaluate the performance of the proposed methods in two applications. First, in a non-biological application of DESI-imaging, we recreate a painting from the clustering of its DESI mass spectra (Figure 1). Since the visual content of the painting is known, it can be used as a gold standard to evaluate the performance of these methods. In the second application, we present the spatial segmentation of a fetal pig section, and evaluate the performance of our methods by the quality of the mapping between the spatial segmentation and the morphological and functional structures (Figure 2). We show that statistical regularization improves accuracy and interpretation of the spatial segmentation over existing approaches.
The selection of mesh size for computation of waves over long times

We examine numerical errors in finite-difference schemes for a linear wave-propagation problem from the point of view of how the propagation time influences the selection of the mesh size. We find that for a difference scheme with order of accuracyp and a long propagation timet, the mesh size should be scaled proportional to t-1/p.
Discriminating adaptive attributions: Agreement between self-report and objective ratings

According to the reformulated learned helplessness model of depression, causal attributions are an important mediator of the effects on mood of positive and negative experiences. Adaptive attributions for negative events are assumed to be external, unstable, and specific. In the present study, subjects exposed to one of two attribution training procedures or a control condition made attributions for hypothetical events under neutral and “adaptive” instructional sets. Attributions were rated by subjects and coders blind to the purpose of the study. Results indicated that subjects' views of adaptive causal attributions were congruent with predictions from the learned helplessness model. The ratings of the objective coders indicated that subjects' attributions really did change in response to the “adaptive” instructions in the predicted direction. Implications of these results for the reformulated learned helplessness model and depression therapies that include an attribution retraining component are discussed.
Patient vs physician follow-up for melanoma: a clarification.

To the Editor. —In 1995, our group 1 wrote an abstract that was presented at the annual meeting of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) describing a series of melanoma patients whose recurrences were detected much more frequently (94%) by patient self-examination than at follow-up physician visits (6%). Weiss et al 2 have cited our abstract in recommending that carefully educated patients may not need frequent follow-up examinations. When we were preparing our study for full publication, we found a critical flaw in our data collection mechanism. In fact, of the 66 recurrences, 29 patients (44%) had symptoms that signaled recurrence that they called to the attention of their physicians, and the other 37 recurrences (56%) were diagnosed solely by frequent physician surveillance. Although many recurrences were recognized by informed patients, half in our series might not have been found early without frequent and thorough follow-up examinations. The revised data
Control-Volume Finite Element Analysis of Phase Change During Direct Chill Casting

A fully implicit control-volume finite element method is used to analyze the phase change during DC casting of aluminum alloy. The mathematical model is based on the integral form of the enthalpy equation. A Eulerian-Lagrangian transformation, together with a deforming grid technique, is introduced to efficiently track the evolution of the physical domain. The temperature distribution predicted by the numerical model is in good agreement with that measured in previous experiments.
No-net-rotation model of current plate velocities incorporating plate motion model NUVEL-1

NNR-NUVEL1 is presented which is a model of plate velocities relative to the unique reference frame defined by requiring no-net-rotation of the lithosphere while constraining relative plate velocities to equal those in global plate motion model NUVEL-1 (DeMets et al., 1990). In NNR-NUVEL1, the Pacific plate rotates in a right-handed sense relative to the no-net-rotation reference frame at 0.67 deg/m.y. about 63 deg S, 107 deg E. At Hawaii the Pacific plate moves relative to the no-net-rotation reference frame at 70 mm/yr, which is 25 mm/yr slower than the Pacific plate moves relative to the hotspots. Differences between NNR-NUVEL1 and HS2-NUVEL1 are described. The no-net-rotation reference frame differs significantly from the hotspot reference frame. If the difference between reference frames is caused by motion of the hotspots relative to a mean-mantle reference frame, then hotspots beneath the Pacific plate move with coherent motion towards the east-southeast. Alternatively, the difference between reference frames can show that the uniform drag, no-net-torque reference frame, which is kinematically equivalent to the no-net-rotation reference frame, is based on a dynamically incorrect premise.
Antibacterial Activity of Synovial Fluid During Therapy of Septic Arthritis

Therapeutic concentrations of antimicrobial agents in infected joints during systemic therapy were demonstrated in 29 patients by measuring synovial fluid antibacterial activity. Antimicrobial agents used were penicillin G, phenoxymethyl penicillin, nafcillin, cephaloridine, tetracycline, erythromycin and lincomycin. Passage of antibiotic into synovial fluid was evaluated in simultaneously collected serum and synovial fluid specimens by two methods: a) a tube-dilution procedure for antibacterial liter of the two fluids against the microorganism recovered from the joint or a suitable laboratory species and b) a bioassay test of antibiotic concentration. In general, the bioassay results closely supported the information obtained by tube-dilution antibacterial activity determination. Demonstration that effective concentrations of an antibiotic are present in an infected joint during systemic therapy obviates the need for local instillation of drug into the synovial space. Since passage of antimicrobial agents into synovial fluid during systemic therapy can be reliably established by the more simple tube-dilution method, every patient with septic arthritis should be monitored by such determinations during the course of therapy.
Courts, Criminal Process, and AIDS: The Institutionalization of Culture in Legal Decision Making*

This study views legal process as part of an interactive web of social and cultural relationships. While law may create public policy, its own creation is part of a complex system of institutional deference and subjective behaviors which reflect a larger cultural context. The fears engendered by AIDS help to highlight the underlying cultural biases and patterns of disease scare management ingrained in legal policymaking. These patterns are again enhanced when placed in a criminal context where the resident focus is one of controlling those who precipitate anxiety. Using a method of qualitative comparative analysis, this study concludes that the historical patterns of bias and institutional deference in disease scare management continues in modern criminal court process.
Regulation of endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression by mast cells, macrophages, and neutrophils.

Background Leukocyte adhesion to the vascular endothelium and subsequent transendothelial migration play essential roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. The leukocyte adhesion is mediated by localized activation of the endothelium through the action of inflammatory cytokines. The exact proinflammatory factors, however, that activate the endothelium and their cellular sources remain incompletely defined.
Combined toxicity of prenatal bacterial endotoxin exposure and postnatal 6-hydroxydopamine in the adult rat midbrain

We previously reported that injection of the Gram (-) bacteriotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), into gravid females at embryonic day 10.5 led to the birth of animals with fewer than normal dopamine (DA) neurons when assessed at postnatal days (P) 10 and 21. To determine if these changes continued into adulthood, we have now assessed animals at P120. As part of the previous studies, we also observed that the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) was elevated in the striatum, suggesting that these animals would be more susceptible to subsequent DA neurotoxin exposure. In order to test this hypothesis, we injected (at P99) 6-hydroxydopamine (6OHDA) or saline into animals exposed to LPS or saline prenatally. The results showed that animals exposed to prenatal LPS or postnatal 6OHDA alone had 33% and 46%, respectively, fewer DA neurons than controls, while the two toxins combined produced a less than additive 62% loss. Alterations in striatal DA were similar to, and significantly correlated with (r(2)=0.833) the DA cell losses. Prenatal LPS produced a 31% increase in striatal TNFalpha, and combined exposure with 6OHDA led to an 82% increase. We conclude that prenatal exposure to LPS produces a long-lived THir cell loss that is accompanied by an inflammatory state that leads to further DA neuron loss following subsequent neurotoxin exposure. The results suggest that individuals exposed to LPS prenatally, as might occur had their mother had bacterial vaginosis, would be at increased risk for Parkinson's disease.
A statistical study on the homogeneity of zinc-base spectrographic standards

Abstract A lack of good zinc-base spectrographic standards from commercial sources prompted a co-operative programme between the General Motors Corporation and the National Bureau of Standards to attempt to cast six good heats of these standards. A homogeneity study of the six heats is presented. A large number of spectrographic determinations were made using a direct-reading spectrograph and following a predetermined pattern. The results were then evaluated using a three-variable analysis of variance which indicated whether there was significant inhomogeneity of the minor constituents of the alloys. When the inhomogeneity was significant, the Duncan [1, 2] test was used to find homogeneous regions in the standards material which can be used satisfactorily.
Fungicide Resistance of Two Species of Alternaria from Potato in the Columbia Basin of Washington.

Abstract Fungicides are extensively used in the Columbia Basin of Washington in an effort to manage early blight and brown spot on potato caused by Alternaria solani and A. alternata, respectively. Azoxystrobin and boscalid interfere with cellular respiration, and fungicide resistance is expected to occur in fungal populations due to the narrow modes of action dictated by each fungicide. The objective of this research was to assess A. solani and A. alternata populations in the Columbia Basin of Washington for azoxystrobin and boscalid resistance by initially screening isolates at a threshold concentration using mycelial growth and spore germination. Fifty isolates of A. solani and 58 of A. alternata were randomly selected for screening from 671 isolates collected from potato in the Columbia Basin from 2009 to 2011. Screening at a threshold concentration was done to estimate the range of fungicide resistance within the populations of A. solani and A. alternata in the region. Resistance of five isolates tha...
Microeddy current damping

The classical description of magnetomechanical damping is thrown into doubt by noticing that the calculated dependence of damping on domain size suggests that the microeddy current damping might be amplitude dependent. A review of the older models suggests that they are insufficient. A look at the advances in the study of hysteresis as a result of magnetic cycling suggests that study of an extended version of the Pry and Bean model is more appropriate for the microeddy current damping, and may shed some light on the hysteretic damping.
Nucleosomes in solution exist as a mixture of twist-defect states

The 2.0 A crystal structure of a nucleosome core particle in complex with a bivalent pyrrole-imidazole polyamide reveals that this “clamp” effectively crossbraces the two gyres of the DNA superhelix, thereby stabilizing the nucleosome against dissociation. Using X-ray crystallography and footprinting techniques, we show that the clamp preferentially binds nucleosomes over free DNA, and that nucleosomal DNA exists as a mixture of multiple twist-defect intermediates in solution. The nucleosomes exist in one of two different conformations in various crystal structures that trap twist-defect intermediates, even on a strong positioning sequence. Evidence has been obtained supporting the existence of twist-defect states in nucleosomal DNA in solution that are similar to those obtained in crystal structures. Our results also substantiate the idea that twist diffusion may represent an important means of altering the accessibility of nucleosomal DNA both in the presence and in the absence of ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling enzymes.
Genome-wide de novo prediction of cis-regulatory binding sites in prokaryotes

Although cis-regulatory binding sites (CRBSs) are at least as important as the coding sequences in a genome, our general understanding of them in most sequenced genomes is very limited due to the lack of efficient and accurate experimental and computational methods for their characterization, which has largely hindered our understanding of many important biological processes. In this article, we describe a novel algorithm for genome-wide de novo prediction of CRBSs with high accuracy. We designed our algorithm to circumvent three identified difficulties for CRBS prediction using comparative genomics principles based on a new method for the selection of reference genomes, a new metric for measuring the similarity of CRBSs, and a new graph clustering procedure. When operon structures are correctly predicted, our algorithm can predict 81% of known individual binding sites belonging to 94% of known cis-regulatory motifs in the Escherichia coli K12 genome, while achieving high prediction specificity. Our algorithm has also achieved similar prediction accuracy in the Bacillus subtilis genome, suggesting that it is very robust, and thus can be applied to any other sequenced prokaryotic genome. When compared with the prior state-of-the-art algorithms, our algorithm outperforms them in both prediction sensitivity and specificity.
Development of NOx gas sensors based on nitrate‐selective polypyrrole electrodes

A nitrate-selective polypyrrole-based electrode was used in the development of NOx sensor. The nitrate-selective film was prepared by electropolymerizing pyrrole in presence of a nitrate salt. This resulted in a film that responded to nitrate in buffered media with near-Nernstian slopes and excellent reproducibility. This electrode was incorporated into a gas-sensing arrangement where it was immersed in a buffered compartment and separated from an acidified sample solution by a gas-permeable membrane. Additions of nitrite to the acidified solution resulted in the production of NOx, which can cross the gas-pemeable membrane into the buffered internal filling solution where it is trapped as nitrate and sensed by the nitrate-selective polypyrrole electrode. This sensor arrangement resulted in detection limits in the μM range and had excellent selectivity characteristics.
In pursuit of excellence in teaching: An ESL educator’s narrative

This is an educator’s story about the pursuit of excellence in teaching. The narrative of an ESL teacher is examined using the analysis tool, Burke’s Pentad (Burke 1945). This qualitative examination considers contributing factors of teacher self-efficacy and agency connected with the development, implementation, and sustenance of exemplary professional practice targeted at meeting the needs of each student. Application is made from the analysis of the narrative considering educators’ self-perceptions, self-reflections, self-efficacy, and agency in their pursuit of excellence in teaching. The questions of how and why the professional practices of working ESL teachers are impacted relative to the dialogical and dynamic encounters within the teaching, working, and learning contexts are addressed.
Determination of diarylheptanoids from Alpinia officinarum (Lesser Galangal) by HPLC with photodiode array and electrochemical detection.

Normal-phase column chromatography followed by semi-preparative reversed-phase HPLC has been used to isolate, from the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum, five diarylheptanoids identified as 5-hydroxy-7-(4″-hydroxy-3″-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-3-heptanone, 5-methoxy-7-(4″-hydroxy-3″-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-3-heptanone, 7-(4″-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylhept-4-en-3-one, 7-(4″-hydroxy-3″-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-hept-4-en-3-one, 1,7-diphenylhept-4-en-3-one. The levels of these five diarylheptanoids in root material were determined quantitatively by HPLC with UV detection and the assay methods so developed were simple, rapid and accurate. Four of the diarylheptanoids could also be detected by HPLC with electrochemical detection (ECD) in the oxidative mode, and ECD was found to have a higher sensitivity than photodiode array detection. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subjective Time and Perceptual Skill

Subjective time estimation was hypothesized as correlated with the number of discrete events one discerns per interval and one's attentiveness, interest in the experience, and efficiency. It was pr...
Laminin-5 inhibits human keratinocyte migration

Laminin-5 (previously known as kalinin, epiligrin, and nicein) is an adhesive protein localized to the anchoring filaments within the lamina lucida space of the basement membrane zone lying between the epidermis and dermis of human skin. Anchoring filaments are structures within the lamina lucida and lie immediately beneath the hemidesmosomes of the overlying basal keratinocytes apposed to the basement membrane zone. Human keratinocytes synthesize and deposit laminin-5. Laminin-5 is present at the wound edge during reepithelialization. In this study, we demonstrate that laminin-5, a powerful matrix attachment factor for keratinocytes, inhibits human keratinocyte migration. We found that the inhibitory effect of laminin-5 on keratinocyte motility can be reversed by blocking the alpha3 integrin receptor. Laminin-5 inhibits keratinocyte motility driven by a collagen matrix in a concentration-dependent fashion. Using antisense oligonucleotides to the alpha3 chain of laminin-5 and an antibody that inhibits the cell binding function of secreted laminin-5, we demonstrated that the endogenous laminin-5 secreted by the keratinocyte also inhibits the keratinocyte's own migration on matrix. These findings explain the hypermotility that characterizes keratinocytes from patients who have forms of junctional epidermolysis bullosa associated with defects in one of the genes encoding for laminin-5 chains, resulting in low expression and/or functional inadequacy of laminin-5 in these patients. These studies also suggest that during reepithelialization of human skin wounds, the secreted laminin-5 stabilizes the migrating keratinocyte to establish the new basement membrane zone.
Geosecs North Atlantic radiocarbon and tritium results

Abstract Radiocarbon data for 11 stations and tritium data for 16 stations in the North Atlantic Ocean from 74°N to 3°N are presented. For radiocarbon, normal errors inΔ14C are± 4‰, and in tritium,± 0.09TU or± 3%, whichever is larger. There is a remarkable, but not simply linear, correlation between oceanic bomb transients in14C and3H. The deep convective mixing in the Greenland Sea is reflected in substantial bomb tracer penetration to all depths, with residence time for the deep, cold core water that seems to be 20 to 30 years. The outflow in the bottom layer southward over the sills of the Denmark Strait and Faroe Passage carries significant tritium concentration, at least to 40°N. Complicated, but coherent, profile structures in the subtropical Atlantic suggest effects of large-scale lateral advection. In particular, a pronounced minimum in both14C and3H might be associated with the Antarctic intermediate water.
A new look at infinitives in business and technical writing

This article begins by arguing that the infinitive phrase has not been taken seriously in writing because writers have been too concerned with Bishop Robert Lowth's proscription against the split infinitive. However, careful examination of three types of technical prose (instructions, annual reports, and junk mail) reveals that more than one sentence in four contains an infinitive phrase. The article then argues that two linguistic theories do not adequately explain the overwhelming presence of infinitives in the three types of prose. The reason for the presence of infinitives seems to be that they fulfill several rhetorical purposes, including vigor, symmetry, emphasis, variety, economy, and depersonalization. Implications for writing and teaching are also discussed.
Mining from Time Series Human Movement Data

Human motion not only contains a wealth of information about actions and intentions, but also about identity and personal attributes of the moving person. Research also indicates that there are positive relationships between the health of a person and their pattern of motion. In this research we utilize human walking data collected from volunteers to identify age categories and to detect possible changes in the individual's health condition. The approach is based on transforming biological motion data into a representation that subsequently allows for analysis using artificial intelligence techniques. Using wireless accelerometer sensors we were able to collect and transform the data into a numeric representation. We then applied the numeric data to various artificial intelligence algorithms to form classification models and use it for our analysis.
Microchannel plasma devices fabricated in a single sheet of aluminum foil: Large scale arrays for photonic applications

Microchannel plasma devices have been fabricated in a single sheet of aluminum foil, ranging in thickness from 100 to 127 µm, by electrochemical processes. Precisely controlled electrochemical processing enables the integration of 200 microchannels in an area as large as 42 cm2. The width and length of each microchannel in the device is ∼75 µm and 7 cm, respectively. All the electrodes and interconnects along the microchannels are patterned by standard photolithography, and they are encapsulated by nanoporous Al 2 O 3 , acting as the dielectric barrier layer for a capacitive discharge. An entire sheet of aluminum is converted into Al 2 O 3 with the exception of thin aluminum electrodes lying in each barrier rib structure and electrically isolated from each other. Individual electrodes can be driven by applying an external power input between two neighboring electrodes. The capacitance and power consumption of the device are decreased by more than 50% relative to the previously reported Al/Al 2 O 3 microplasma devices of the same area.1,2
Sintering Alumina: Effect of Atmospheres

Two effects of atmosphere on the sintering of alumina powder compacts were investigated. Changing the oxidizing conditions during early-stage sintering measurements showed that, within the range −70°F dew point oxygen to −70°F hydrogen equilibrated with alumina, there was no observable effect on sintering rate. The effect of trapped atmosphere on closure of pores was determined from apparent density limits obtained at high sintering temperatures and long sintering times. The complete elimination of porosity during sintering of alumina was possible if discontinuous grain growth was controlled and if the ambient atmosphere was hydrogen, oxygen, or vacuum. Porosity could not be completely eliminated when the ambient atmosphere was helium, argon, or nitrogen (or therefore air).
A Map of the Intervention Literature in Secondary Special Education Transition

The intervention-based literature that has appeared in the past 20 years in the field of secondary special education transition is reviewed. Published and unpublished original research studies that...
Sensitivity analysis and applications to nuclear power plant

Sensitivity analysis is used to ascertain important variables for a nuclear power plant system in order to control the variation of the plant thermal performance. In this project, thermal performance data have been taken weekly from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Sequoyah nuclear power plant units one and two, which include about 40 measured or calculated variables. Recorded data indicate that the heat rate is changing constantly, and the plant may lose some megawatts of electric power due to the heat rate variation. Hybrid neural networks and neural modeling provide useful information to power plant personnel in determining the cause of the deviation of thermal performance and heat rate, and provide a controlling basis for them in order to operate the plant more efficiently. >
Neural correlates of different self domains.

Introduction The neural substrates of states devoted to processing self-related information (“self-related states”) remain not fully elucidated. Besides the complexity of the problem, there is evidence suggesting that self-related states vary according to the information domain being considered. Here, we investigated brain correlates for self-related states concerning historical aspects of one's life (autobiographical self), and one's ongoing body status (core self). We focused on memory-related regions, body-related regions, CMSs (cortical midline structures), and ICs (insular cortices). Methods This was a block-design fMRI study contrasting brain activity for core self (interoception and exteroception) and autobiographical self (personality traits and biographic facts) information domains. It involved 19 participants, who answered questions about each domain (four conditions). Results All conditions appeared to engage the regions of interest. Nonetheless, autobiographical self compared with core self showed greater activity in memory-related regions (e.g., hippocampus), MPFC (medial prefrontal cortex), superior PMC (posteromedial cortex), and anterior ICs. Core self compared with autobiographical self was associated with greater activity in body-related regions (e.g., somatosensory cortices, and EBA [extrastriate body area]), superior PMC, and posterior ICs. In addition, (1) facts compared with traits showed greater activity in body-related regions, memory-related regions, MPFC, and PMC; (2) traits compared with facts were associated with greater activity in the posterior part of the anterior cingulate cortex; (3) interoception compared with exteroception was associated with greater activity in body-related regions (e.g. postcentral gyrus), memory-related regions, MPFC, inferior PMC and ICs; (4) exteroception compared with interoception showed greater activity in some body-related regions (e.g., premotor cortices and EBA) and superior PMC. Conclusions The results support the notion that the neural correlates of self-related states depend on the information domain. Those states seem distinguishable in terms of activity in memory-related and body-related regions, and activity in regions that have been associated with self processes (CMSs and the ICs).
Roles of Cyclic Diguanylate in the Regulation of Bacterial Pathogenesis

Cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) is a bacterial second messenger of growing recognition involved in the regulation of a number of complex physiological processes. This review describes the biosynthesis and hydrolysis of c-di-GMP and several mechanisms of regulation of c-di-GMP metabolism. The contribution of c-di-GMP to regulating biofilm formation and motility, processes that affect pathogenesis of many bacteria, is described, as is c-di-GMP regulation of virulence gene expression. Finally, ways in which c-di-GMP may mediate these regulatory effects are proposed.
Diagnostic imaging modalities for Müllerian anomalies: the case for a new gold standard.

Female reproductive tract anomalies are difficult to number in the general population but are often discovered in evaluations of menstrual complications or fertility disorders. Traditionally, assessment of the reproductive tract entailed hysterosalpingography to image the uterine cavity with the final diagnosis provided by combined hysteroscopy/laparoscopy. These approaches, while providing important information, were uncomfortable and invasive and for HSG, involved radiation exposure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MIR) allowed for the avoidance of these issues while offering accuracy, thus becoming the gold standard diagnostic imaging modality but entailing cost, patient discomfort, and inconvenience. Current advances in ultrasound technology, specifically 3-dimensional ultrasound, achieve the same benefits of MRI in being accurate and noninvasive but also offer the following advantages: they are available in the office, they are cost-effective, and they provide immediate results. As 3-dimensional technology continues to become more accessible and more providers become proficient in using it, ultrasound may replace MRI as the new gold imaging standard in diagnosing mullerian anomalies.