cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Satellite structure of the core level spectrum of CO adsorbed on nickel surfaces: Model studies

Abstract Linear NiCO clusters are used to model the chemisorptive interaction of CO with the Ni surface. The electronic structures of initial states as well as fully relaxed final CO core hole states of the cluster are obtained from ab initio Hartree-Fock LCAO calculations. For both O 1s and C 1s ionization two relaxed final states are found corresponding to the screened and unscreened core hole states in the Schonhammer-Gunnarsson model. For a given core hole the difference between the two ionization potentials is only weakly dependent on the choice of the NiCO distance, d NiCO , in the cluster whereas the intensity ratio of the two final hole states, computed in the sudden approximation, varies strongly with d NiCO . XPS experiments for both O 1s and C 1s ionization of CO adsorbed on nickel show a two peak structure. The energy separation and intensity ratio of the two peaks are explained by the present cluster model for reasonable d NiCO values.
Ethics and surgical research: what should guide our behavior?

Ethical considerations in biomedical research are ecoming increasingly important for the academic sureon. In the past decade, perhaps more than any other ime, science has developed extraordinary scientific echniques and capabilities and has investigated unrecedented phenomena. Similar to the post World ar II emergence of medical ethics, biomedical reearch ethics has, to a large degree, its origins in this nrelenting pace of technological advance. As reearch continually expands our intellectual horizon, it pawns new possibilities for each of us as individuals nd for society as a whole. With this new knowledge nd understanding come critical and unique ethical oncerns. Science now has among its armamentarium he ability to explore the human genome, to clone hole organisms, and to manipulate genes. While the enetics revolution is still in its infancy, the sensaional payoffs of molecular biologic research are aleady impacting clinical practice. Surgical scientists ill play an increasingly important role in this new rena. These new dilemmas challenge the adequacy of our raditional values and self-understanding. Researchased discoveries, while opening new doors, can also A S m S 1 Current address: Chief of Surgery, HO51, Penn State College of edicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033. 2 Albert Jonsen dates the birth of bioethics to 1962.
Failure to phosphorylate the retinoblastoma gene product in senescent human fibroblasts

Heterokaryon studies suggest that senescent and quiescent human diploid fibroblasts (HDF) contain a common inhibitor of entry into S phase. DNA synthesis can be induced in senescent and quiescent HDF by fusing them with cells containing DNA viral oncogenes such as SV40 T antigen, adenovirus E1A, or human papillomavirus E7. Both senescent and quiescent HDF contained the unphosphorylated form (p110Rb) of the retinoblastoma protein, a putative inhibitor of proliferation. After serum stimulation, senescent HDF did not phosphorylate p110Rb and did not enter S phase, whereas quiescent HDF phosphorylated p110Rb and entered S phase. These findings, combined with the observations that T antigen, E1A, and E7 form complexes with, and presumably inactivate, unphosphorylated p110Rb, suggest that failure to phosphorylate p110Rb may be an immediate cause of failure to enter S phase in senescent HDF.
High-speed data reduction, feature detection, and MS/MS spectrum quality assessment of shotgun proteomics data sets using high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Advances in Fourier transform mass spectrometry have made the acquisition of high-resolution and accurate mass measurements routine on a chromatographic time scale. Here we report an algorithm, Hardklor, for the rapid and robust analysis of high-resolution mass spectra acquired in shotgun proteomics experiments. Our algorithm is demonstrated in the analysis of an Escherichia coli enriched membrane fraction. The mass spectrometry data of the respective peptides are acquired by microcapillary HPLC on an LTQ-orbitrap mass spectrometer with data-dependent acquisition of MS/MS spectra. Hardklor detects 211,272 total peptide isotope distributions over a 2-h analysis (75-min gradient) in only a small fraction of the time required to acquire the data. From these data there are 13 665 distinct, chromatographically persistent peptide isotope distributions. Hardklor is also used to assess the quality of the product ion spectra and finds that more than 11.2% of the MS/MS spectra are composed of fragment ions from mul...
1238 NEW CONSIDERATIONS FOR SODIUM, GLUCOSE AND VOLUME ADMINISTRATION TO VERY LOW BIRTHWEIGHT (VLBW) INFANTS: A CHALLENGE IN FLUID MANAGEMENT

Fluid balance in VLBW newborns nursed under radiant warmers was evaluated in 7 premature infants (.720±.40 mean±SEM kg). Infants received fluid volumes on days 1, 2 and 3 of life of 75±9, 109±9 and 133±12 ml/kg/day. Sodium intake (mEq/kg/day) was 3.6±2.5 day 1, 3.75±1.25 day 2 and 3.75±1.25 day 3. Glucose infusion rates were 6.4±1.3, 8.9±1.7 and 8.6±1.5 mg/kg/min on days 1, 2 and 3. Infants were weighed (Potter Scale) a total of 11 one hr. periods to determine insensible water loss (IWL). Daily weights serum and urine chemistries and urine volumes were monitored. Mean IWL was 175±23 ml/kg/day (range 89-379). Infants lost a mean 2.6±1.1% of body weight per day. Serum sodium increased in 6/7 infants, 2 were ≥160 mEq/l. Five became hyperglycemic (>130 mg/dl) and all 7 were glucosuric. 3/7 infants' urine Sp Gr were >1.015. All specimens with Sp Gr >1.015 contained blood, protein or glucose making interpretation difficult. No infant was oliguric (<1 ml/kg/hr for ≥12 hrs). These data demonstrate much larger IWL in VLBW infants than previously reported. Routine increases in fluid volume did not compensate IWL and standard concentrations of sodium and glucose may have been inappropriate. Daily weights, intake-and-outputs, and Sp Gr may not predict significant dehydration, and once serum glucose rises, osmotic diuresis may mask impending oliguria. Consideration should be given to increasing free water intake and decreasing glucose and sodium concentrations in fluids administered to the VLBW infant.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ACID MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES IN DERMAL CONNECTIVE TISSUES OF SOME MAMMALS.

Abstract 1. 1. After papain and trypsin digestion of dry defatted car, rat, rabbit, guinea-pig and human skin, mucopolysaccharides were precipitated with cetylpyridinium chloride and treated successively with 0·4, 1·2 and 2·1 M sodium chloride to extract, respectively, “hyaluronic acid”, “chondroitin sulfates” and “heparin” fractions. The amounts were determined as uronic acid by the carbazole method. 2. 2. In the skin of each species the total mucopolysaccharide content expressed as uronic acid generally varied between 800 and 1100 μg/g of dry defatted skin. This corresponds to about 0·2 per cent of total mucopolysaccharides per gram of moisture- and fat-free skin. 3. 3. The proportion of apparent hyaluronic acid was in the range 55–65 per cent of total uronic acid in all species. The heparin fraction was about 15 per cent for rat skin, and 10 per cent for cat skin. Only traces of heparin or heparin-like compounds seemed to be present in human and rabbit skin, but guinea-pig skin contained no detectable “heparin” materials.
Microenvironmental regulation of metastasis

Metastasis is a multistage process that requires cancer cells to escape from the primary tumour, survive in the circulation, seed at distant sites and grow. Each of these processes involves rate-limiting steps that are influenced by non-malignant cells of the tumour microenvironment. Many of these cells are derived from the bone marrow, particularly the myeloid lineage, and are recruited by cancer cells to enhance their survival, growth, invasion and dissemination. This Review describes experimental data demonstrating the role of the microenvironment in metastasis, identifies areas for future research and suggests possible new therapeutic avenues.
Optimal Guard Bands for Gauges in Series

In many manufacturing settings, a series of gauges is used to screen product before it is shipped to the customer. Semiconductor manufacturing is an example of an industry where this type of serial inspection is used. A common problem is determining the..
Chemical bonding of tetraethylenepentamine to nitric acid-oxidized carbon fibers: An XPS/ISS investigation

The surface reaction of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) with nitric acid-oxidized type II PAN-based carbon fibers has been investigated by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS), and acid/base surface titrations. Initially, nitric acid treatments of varying intensity impart different quantities of oxygenated functional groups onto the fibers, and surface roughening due to formation of pits and crevasses occurs. Subsequent treatment with TEPA at 190 C introduces significant amounts of surface-bound TEPA via reaction with carboxyl groups on the oxidized carbon fiber surfaces. Angle-resolved XPS (ARXPS) spectra are consistent with a TEPA surface concentration that varies as a function of depth (into crevasses and pits) and remains greatest primarily within the outermost 15 A. The extent of the TEPA surface reaction is proportional (but not linearly) to the fibers' initial oxygen content. Nonlinearity may be due to several factors including (1) decomposition of a portion of the carbon fibers' carboxyl groups under the TEPA reaction conditions and (2) a nonuniform reaction with the commercial TEPA mixture, which contains several different pentamine molecular structures together with small amounts of tetra- and hexamine impurities. An accurate determination of the TEPA bonding configuration is difficult to achieve; however, the data suggest that at least 70% of the TEPA molecules form two (or more) bonds to the carbon fiber surfaces.
Equilibrium configurations of Pearl vortices in narrow strips

We have calculated the equilibrium configurations of Pearl vortices in narrow strips of superconducting thin films, within the large thin-film penetration depth limit of the London theory. The results are reminiscent of those for Abrikosov vortices in thin films with parallel magnetic fields. The calculations are compared with recent experimental results of Stan, Field, and Martinis [Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 097003 (2004)]. Reasonable agreement with experiment requires refinement of the theoretical model to account for pinning and an often-neglected contribution to the vortex core energy in thin films identified by Pearl.
The use of disinformation by democracies

(1990). The use of disinformation by democracies. International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence: Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 243-261.
Photic Entrainment of Circannual Rhythms in Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrels: Role of the Pineal Gland

Entrainment of circannual rhythms of body mass and reproduction was monitored for 3 years in female golden-mantled ground squirrels maintained in a simulated natural photoperiod. Both pinealectomized and pineal-intact squirrels generated circannual rhythms of body mass and estrus, but only the intact animals entrained these rhythms to a period of 365 days. In the second and third years after treatment, the period of the body mass rhythm was significantly shorter than 365 days for pinealectomized squirrels, and variance in tau among these animals was significantly greater than for intact squirrels. A similar pattern was evident in the rhythm of reproduction, which was phase-disrupted in pinealectomized squirrels but entrained in intacts. Seasonal changes in duration of nocturnal melatonin secretion by the pineal appear to be necessary to produce phase-delays required to entrain the circannual clock to a period of 12 months.
Fast-neutron, coded-aperture imager

Abstract This work discusses a large-scale, coded-aperture imager for fast neutrons, building off a proof-of concept instrument developed at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The Space Science Division at the NRL has a heritage of developing large-scale, mobile systems, using coded-aperture imaging, for long-range γ-ray detection and localization. The fast-neutron, coded-aperture imaging instrument, designed for a mobile unit (20 ft. ISO container), consists of a 32-element array of 15 cm×15 cm×15 cm liquid scintillation detectors (EJ-309) mounted behind a 12×12 pseudorandom coded aperture. The elements of the aperture are composed of 15 cm×15 cm×10 cm blocks of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The arrangement of the aperture elements produces a shadow pattern on the detector array behind the mask. By measuring of the number of neutron counts per masked and unmasked detector, and with knowledge of the mask pattern, a source image can be deconvolved to obtain a 2-d location. The number of neutrons per detector was obtained by processing the fast signal from each PMT in flash digitizing electronics. Digital pulse shape discrimination (PSD) was performed to filter out the fast-neutron signal from the γ background. The prototype instrument was tested at an indoor facility at the NRL with a 1.8-μCi and 13-μCi 252Cf neutron/γ source at three standoff distances of 9, 15 and 26 m (maximum allowed in the facility) over a 15-min integration time. The imaging and detection capabilities of the instrument were tested by moving the source in half- and one-pixel increments across the image plane. We show a representative sample of the results obtained at one-pixel increments for a standoff distance of 9 m. The 1.8-μCi source was not detected at the 26-m standoff. In order to increase the sensitivity of the instrument, we reduced the fastneutron background by shielding the top, sides and back of the detector array with 10-cm-thick HDPE. This shielding configuration led to a reduction in the background by a factor of 1.7 and thus allowed for the detection and localization of the 1.8 μCi. The detection significance for each source at different standoff distances will be discussed.
Protein kinase C phosphorylates human platelet inositol trisphosphate 5′-phosphomonoesterase, increasing the phosphatase activity

Abstract Phosphoinositide breakdown in response to thrombin stimulation of human platelets results in the formation of the calcium-mobilizing messenger molecules inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,2-cyclic-4,5-trisphosphate and of diglyceride, which activates protein kinase C. We find that protein kinase C phosphorylates and thereby increases the activity of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 5′-phosphomonoesterase, a phosphatase that hydrolyzes these molecules to inert compounds. The 5′-phosphomonoesterase phosphorylated using [γ- 32 P]ATP comigrates on SDS-polyacrylamide gels with a protein (40 kd) phosphorylated rapidly in response to thrombin stimulation of 32 PO 4 -labeled platelets. Peptide maps of proteolytic digests of these two phosphorylated proteins indicate that they are the same. We propose that platelet Ca 2+ mobilization is regulated by protein kinase C phosphorylation of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 5′-phosphomonoesterase. These results explain the observation that phorbol ester treatment of intact human platelets results in decreased levels of inositol trisphosphate and decreased Ca 2+ mobilization upon subsequent thrombin addition.
Angiotensin II-induced Hypertension Differentially Affects Estrogen and Progestin Receptors in Central Autonomic Regulatory Areas of Female Rats

Estrogen receptor (ER) activation in central autonomic nuclei modulates arterial blood pressure (ABP) and counteracts the deleterious effect of hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that hypertension, in turn, influences the expression and trafficking of gonadal steroid receptors in central cardiovascular circuits. Thus, we examined whether ER- and progestin receptor (PR)-immunoreactivity (ir) are altered in medullary and hypothalamic autonomic areas of cycling rats following chronic infusion of the hypertensive agent, angiotensin II (AngII). After 1 week AngII-infusion, systolic ABP was elevated from 103±4 to 172±8 mmHg (p 0.05). Following chronic AngII-infusion, electron microscopy showed a higher cytoplasmic-to-nuclear ratio of ERα-labeling selectively in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-labeled neurons in the cNTS. Furthermore, AngII-infusion increased ERα-ir in the cytosol of TH- and non-TH neuronal perikarya and increased the amount of ERα-ir associated with endoplasmic reticulum only in TH-containing perikarya. The data suggest that hypertension modulates the expression and subcellular distribution of ERα and PR in central autonomic regions involved in blood pressure control. Considering that ERα counteracts the central and peripheral effects of AngII, these receptor changes may underlie adaptive responses that protect females from the deleterious effects of hypertension.
Diabetes and the dental patient

For every four known cases of diabetes, it is indicated, there are three undiagnosed cases. Lesions in the oral cavity often are an early symptom of diabetes; the dentist may play a lifesaving role by detecting previously unsuspected diabetes. Oral surgical procedures are contraindicated in the patient with uncontrolled diabetes. The patient with controlled diabetes must modify his regimen before he undergoes oral surgery. Dental infection affects diabetes adversely. The diabetic patient should receive a dental checkup every three months. The life of the diabetic patient depends on dental medical liaison.
An autoradiographic and immunocytochemical analysis of ecdysteroids and ecdysteroid binding sites in target cells of Drosophila melanogaster

Summary Ecdysteroid localization in target tissues of Drosophila melanogaster was demonstrated by the utilization of low temperature autoradiography and immunohistochemistry. Autoradiographic studies utilized high specific activity [3H]ponasterone A, an ecdysteroid with exceptional molting hormone activity in Drosophila. The data revealed a selective nuclear concentration of the labelled ligand in cells of the salivary gland, corpus allatum (source of juvenile hormone), prothoracic gland (source of ecdysone) and the central nervous system. Nuclear localization was also observed in epithelial cells of the esophagus and muscle cells of the pharynx and mandibles, etc. The specific labelling of cell nuclei was prevented by incubation of the tissue with [3H]ponasterone A in the presence of excess unlabelled ponasterone A. Nuclear localization of ponasterone A in the salivary gland was also observed when using an antiserum against ecdysteroids and an avidin-biotin-complex (ABC) detection system. The staining sh...
Rippling muscle disease: evidence for phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity.

We describe the clinical features of a family with rippling muscle disease. Muscle stiffness and myalgia were the most prominent symptoms. Muscle rippling, although distinctive, was present in only 6 of the 11 affected family members, whereas persistent muscle contraction to muscle percussion was present in all affected adults. Although this persistent contraction resembled percussion myotonia, it was electrically silent and is therefore more aptly called "percussion contracture." We also observed two clinical features not emphasized in previously reported kindreds: mild but asymptomatic weakness of face or proximal muscles was present in 5 of 11 affected members, and 5 individuals also complained of toe walking after a prolonged period of inactivity, reflecting the disproportionate involvement of the calf muscles. The pedigree suggested autosomal dominant inheritance. Our linkage analysis excluded the region on chromosome 1q identified in a previous linkage study.
Exploring the Relationships among Individual Knowledge Management Outcomes

In knowledge work, it is the individual worker's innovations and performance that make organizations more productive. Previous HICSS discussions have focused on defining knowledge management success at the organizational or project level [20], but largely ignored the factors that define knowledge management success for the individual knowledge worker. This exploratory work proposes a model of the relationships among individual knowledge management outcomes such as conceptual knowledge, contextual knowledge, operational knowledge, innovation, and performance. The model is tested using a sample of 252 knowledge workers. The results suggest that conceptual knowledge enhances operational and contextual knowledge. Contextual knowledge also improves operational knowledge. Contextual knowledge is the key predictor of innovations that, along with operational knowledge, enhance work performance. The results provide a model for defining and measuring knowledge management success (outcomes) at the individual level.
Motivational factors related to female participation in collegiate sports.

Pacheco LA, Soto F, Olivarez A, Avila M. Motivational factors related to female participation in collegiate sports. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 783-793, 2012. Despite the many health benefits, physical activity trends in females have been consistently reported to be lower than that of males. Other demographic variables may also be related to sport participation. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that motivate college females to participate in sports. This was a cross sectional, causalcomparative survey study. Eight motivational factors were explored: fitness, skill/mastery, enjoyment, affiliation/recognition, team factors, ego/competition, parental support, and external rewards. Female college athletes (N=82) from two post-secondary institutions were surveyed using the 35-item Modified Sports Motivation Survey. Results indicated that all factors were important to participants with significant differences found according to eligibility in the motivational factor of fitness. This study represents one of the most comprehensive to date looking into the multifaceted and complex interactions of motivational factors that influence female collegiate sports participation in the United States, yet future research is
A-MAC: Efficient Medium Access for cluster-based wireless sensor networks

In wireless sensor networks, many applications are based on a two-tier architecture. In a typical two-tier architecture, nodes are grouped into clusters and communicate with a cluster head (CH); the CH then transmits compressed data to the base station (BS). In this paper, we mainly focus on the communication between CHs and the BS. The communication between the CH-BS could be accomplished with traditional Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) or Carrier Sensing Multiple Access (CSMA). While protocols such as TDMA work well in some situations, they do not work well when the number of clusters is large and the traffic load between the CH-BS is low. In this paper, we propose a new MAC protocol (called A-MAC) for the CH-BS communication that is more efficient than traditional MAC protocols. A-MAC takes only 1/N (N is the number of clusters in the network) of the time spent by TDMA to transmit the same number of packets. We save time by having packets transmitted in parallel and then resolving the collisions (instead of avoiding them). Specifically, we deploy N relay nodes around the BS and have all CHs send their packets to the BS at the same time. When the BS detects a collision, it asks the relay nodes to transmit what was heard. The BS then resolves the collision after it receives enough information from the relay nodes using a Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) algorithm. In this paper, we also investigate methods to allocate time for the intra-clustering communication and the CH-BS communication, as well as where to place the relay nodes to maximize throughput. Our simulation results illustrate that A-MAC outperforms TDMA in terms of throughput and delay.
Latent transition analysis for longitudinal data

Assessing outcome is a critical problem for the study of addictive behaviors. Traditional approaches often lack power and sensitivity. Latent Transition Analysis is an alternative procedure that is applicable to categorical latent variable models such as stage models. The method involves four different types of parameters, each of which may be relevant to different research questions. Two examples that employ the Stages of Change construct are used to illustrate the method. In the first example, three different models of longitudinal change are compared. In the second example, the effects of an expert system intervention for smoking is compared to a control condition. The method permits the investigation of a series of specific comparisons: (1) the effectiveness of the intervention for individuals in different stages can be assessed; (2) the effectiveness of the intervention can be evaluated for different time intervals; and (3) the effects of intervention on both progression through the stages and regression through the stages or relapse can be assessed. Other potential applications of the method are also discussed.
miRNA Temporal Analyzer (mirnaTA): a bioinformatics tool for identifying differentially expressed microRNAs in temporal studies using normal quantile transformation

Background Understanding the biological roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) is a an active area of research that has produced a surge of publications in PubMed, particularly in cancer research. Along with this increasing interest, many open-source bioinformatics tools to identify existing and/or discover novel miRNAs in next-generation sequencing (NGS) reads become available. While miRNA identification and discovery tools are significantly improved, the development of miRNA differential expression analysis tools, especially in temporal studies, remains substantially challenging. Further, the installation of currently available software is non-trivial and steps of testing with example datasets, trying with one’s own dataset, and interpreting the results require notable expertise and time. Subsequently, there is a strong need for a tool that allows scientists to normalize raw data, perform statistical analyses, and provide intuitive results without having to invest significant efforts.
An Argument for Comprehensiveness as the “Special Sauce” in a Recipe for the Patient-Centered Medical Home

How can we study and quantify potential value that may be added by having primary care specialists (PCSs) from both family medicine and internal medicine provide preventive care services for women? Does seeing one’s personal physician (PCP) make a difference? Early answers come from the study by Cohen and Coco in this issue: “Do physicians address other medical problems during preventive gynecologic visits?” Their assessment of a nationally representative sample of preventive gynecological visits uses self-reported data from the physicians to tell us “yes” and to quantify to what extent by specialty, region, and PCP status. This sampling of the content of women’s preventive health visits allows us to get a flavor for how the majority of PCSs provide comprehensive care for concomitant acute and chronic issues in the context of individual preventive care visits. Patients are unlikely to parse their presenting concerns into the acute or chronic or preventive categories. The practice of addressing multiple issues during one visit improves the efficiency of addressing patient concerns. This may be a key to the special flavor of a true patient-centered medical home. (J Am Board Fam Med 2014;27:8 –10.) We all recognize clinical sessions similar to these scenarios: a mom comes in for her child’s preventive care, but she needs a refill on her contraceptive pill. A teacher is scheduled for a physical examination, has readied himself to quit smoking, but started attending 12-step meetings to cope with anxiety about his wife’s excessive drinking and needs to talk. In a visit booked to discuss chronic diabetes, grief and sadness about the patient’s elderly mother arise when questions about food choices, time for exercise, and money for test strips are posed. In these cases, we are gratified that the comprehensiveness of our training and the continuity of our relationships allow us to assess and address the patient’s concerns and make an appro
Accurate estimation of influenza epidemics using Google search data via ARGO

Accurate real-time tracking of influenza outbreaks helps public health officials make timely and meaningful decisions that could save lives. We propose an influenza tracking model, ARGO (AutoRegression with GOogle search data), that uses publicly available online search data. In addition to having a rigorous statistical foundation, ARGO outperforms all previously available Google-search-based tracking models, including the latest version of Google Flu Trends, even though it uses only low-quality search data as input from publicly available Google Trends and Google Correlate websites. ARGO not only incorporates the seasonality in influenza epidemics but also captures changes in people's online search behavior over time. ARGO is also flexible, self-correcting, robust, and scalable, making it a potentially powerful tool that can be used for real-time tracking of other social events at multiple temporal and spatial resolutions.
Identification of an Outer Membrane Lipoprotein Involved in Nasopharyngeal Colonization by Moraxella catarrhalis in an Animal Model

Colonization of the human nasopharynx by Moraxella catarrhalis is presumed to involve attachment of this bacterium to the mucosa. DNA microarray analysis was used to determine whether attachment of M. catarrhalis to human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells in vitro affected gene expression in this bacterium. Attachment affected expression of at least 454 different genes, with 163 being upregulated and 291 being downregulated. Among the upregulated genes was one (ORF113) previously annotated as encoding a protein with some similarity to outer membrane protein A (OmpA). The protein encoded by ORF113 was predicted to have a signal peptidase II cleavage site, and globomycin inhibition experiments confirmed that this protein was indeed a lipoprotein. The ORF113 protein also contained a predicted peptidoglycan-binding domain in its C-terminal half. The use of mutant and recombinant M. catarrhalis strains confirmed that the ORF113 protein was present in outer membrane preparations, and this protein was also shown to be at least partially exposed on the bacterial cell surface. A mutant unable to produce the ORF113 protein showed little or no change in its growth rate in vitro, in its ability to attach to HBE cells in vitro, or in its autoagglutination characteristics, but it did exhibit a reduced ability to survive in the chinchilla nasopharynx. This is the first report of a lipoprotein essential to the ability of M. catarrhalis to persist in an animal model.
Squeeze-film damping in solid-state accelerometers

Criteria are set forth that are aimed at altering the designer to the onset of nonlinear and compressible effects in accelerometers. A finite-element technique is presented that essentially solves Reynold's equation for small displacements and squeeze numbers by analogy with heat conduction in a solid with internal heat generation. Examples are presented that show film pressure profiles generated for complex geometries with nonuniform film thicknesses and squeeze velocities. A technique for mitigation of compressibility effects through film pressurization is suggested. Ideal damping results if both the squeeze number and the relative displacement are kept much less than 1.0. If these conditions are satisfied, one can then use finite-element techniques to estimate damping coefficients for other than simple geometries. >
CIM: A Reliable Metric for Evaluating Program Phase Classifications

We propose the use of the confidence interval of estimated mean (CIM), a metric based on statistical sampling theory, to evaluate the quality of a given phase classification and for comparing different phase classification schemes. Previous research on phase classification used the weighted average of coefficient of variation (CoVwa) to estimate phase classification quality. We found that the phase quality indicated by CoVwa could be inconsistent across different phase classifications. We explain the reasons behind this inconsistency and demonstrate the inconsistency using data from several SPEC CPU2000 benchmark programs. We show that the confidence interval of estimated mean (CIM) correctly estimates the quality of phase classification with a meaningful statistical interpretation.
Diagnostic testing and the average absolute likelihood ratio: application to diagnosing wide QRS complex tachycardia and other ED diseases.

Abstract The Bayesian approach to disease diagnosis in the emergency department is facilitated by the use of likelihood ratios (LRs) to evaluate diagnostic tests. The use of dichotomous, interval, and joint LRs for single and multiple tests is reviewed, and comparison is made to regression modeling. The clinical motivation for a single statistic to describe the average change in the odds of disease associated with the use of a particular test or series of tests is described. This new extension of the LR concept is termed the average absolute LR (AALR). Illustrative examples include the use of elevated electrocardiogram ST segment and troponin to diagnose acute myocardial infarction, and serum d-dimer and computed tomographic angiography to diagnose pulmonary embolism. Finally, a detailed example with original data demonstrating the use of the AALR to compare QRS duration, QRS axis, and the 2 tests combined to diagnose ventricular tachycardia in patients with stable sustained regular wide QRS tachycardia is provided. Application of both tests together to patients with wide QRS complex tachycardia changes the odds of ventricular tachycardia, on average, by a factor of 3.5 (95% confidence interval, 2.4-6.2). Challenges are described, and methods are provided to estimate the 95% confidence interval of the LR and AALR using bootstrapping techniques. The AALR is a test statistic that may be helpful for clinicians and researchers in evaluating and comparing diagnostic testing approaches.
Plasma Uniformity for a 13 cm Ion Thruster

*† ‡ The effect of magnet geometry on the exit density distribution of plasma from a ring-cusp ion thruster was studied. Plasma non-uniformity has been shown to have an adverse effect on useful lifetime of the thruster due to accelerator grid deterioration. Using a 30-in diameter high vacuum chamber and a prototype Xenon Ion Propulsion System (XIPS), the plasma density was measured across the exit plane of the thruster using a Langmuir probe mounted on a traversing mechanism. Varying density profiles were produced by different magnet geometries which control the distribution of the plasma at the thruster exit. Various geometries were obtained by adding a fourth row of magnets around the anode body and by changing the position and orientation of the magnets. The standard magnet geometry created a density gradient that increased from the wall to the center of the thruster. By changing the magnet geometry, it was found that the density profile at the exit plane could be significantly flattened, at the expense of a decrease in the discharge efficiency in producing the plasma. These results suggest that by simple changes in the magnet geometry, the plasma density gradient can be optimized to increase thruster performance and lifetime.
An assumed-gradient finite element method for the level set equation

The level set equation is a non-linear advection equation, and standard finite-element and finite-difference strategies typically employ spatial stabilization techniques to suppress spurious oscillations in the numerical solution. We recast the level set equation in a simpler form by assuming that the level set function remains a signed distance to the front/interface being captured. As with the original level set equation, the use of an extensional velocity helps maintain this signed-distance function. For some interface-evolution problems, this approach reduces the original level set equation to an ordinary differential equation that is almost trivial to solve. Further, we find that sufficient accuracy is available through a standard Galerkin formulation without any stabilization or discontinuity-capturing terms. Several numerical experiments are conducted to assess the ability of the proposed assumed-gradient level set method to capture the correct solution, particularly in the presence of discontinuities in the extensional velocity or level-set gradient. We examine the convergence properties of the method and its performance in problems where the simplified level set equation takes the form of a Hamilton–Jacobi equation with convex/non-convex Hamiltonian. Importantly, discretizations based on structured and unstructured finite-element meshes of bilinear quadrilateral and linear triangular elements are shown to perform equally well. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microfossils of the Early Archean Apex Chert: New Evidence of the Antiquity of Life

Eleven taxa (including eight heretofore undescribed species) of cellularly preserved filamentous microbes, among the oldest fossils known, have been discovered in a bedded chert unit of the Early Archean Apex Basalt of northwestern Western Australia. This prokaryotic assemblage establishes that trichomic cyanobacteriumlike microorganisms were extant and morphologically diverse at least as early as about 3465 million years ago and suggests that oxygen-producing photoautotrophy may have already evolved by this early stage in biotic history.
Pulsed single-mode laser ionization of hyperfine levels of zirconium-91

We identify a considerable improvement in proposed schemes for isotopic depletion of zirconium-91 on the basis of the atomic vapor laser isotope separation (AVLIS) method. The improvement lies in applying a single-longitudinal-mode dye laser for selective excitation of all hyperfine split levels of the ground state of zirconium-91. High-resolution laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of atomic beams of zirconium produced through laser vaporization–supersonic expansion has been used to identify transitions of zirconium with suitable hyperfine structure. Casimir magnetic-dipole and electric-quadrupole coupling constants and isotope shifts have been derived and are reported for five excited configurations. Suitable intermediate levels in a multistep resonance ionization pathway have been identified by two-color resonance ionization spectroscopy. Isotope depletion has been demonstrated on one ground-state-transition ( z F33∘←a F32at 593.7 nm) by using a specially constructed pulsed, single-longitudinal-mode dye-laser oscillator. Prospects and future directions in zirconium AVLIS are discussed.
Partial BACE1 reduction in a Down syndrome mouse model blocks Alzheimer-related endosomal anomalies and cholinergic neurodegeneration: role of APP-CTF

β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) are strongly implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, although recent evidence has linked APP-βCTF generated by BACE1 (β-APP cleaving enzyme 1) to the development of endocytic abnormalities and cholinergic neurodegeneration in early AD. We show that partial BACE1 genetic reduction prevents these AD-related pathological features in the Ts2 mouse model of Down syndrome. Partially reducing BACE1 by deleting one BACE1 allele blocked development of age-related endosome enlargement in the medial septal nucleus, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus and loss of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-positive medial septal nucleus neurons. BACE1 reduction normalized APP-βCTF elevation but did not alter Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptide levels in brain, supporting a critical role in vivo for APP-βCTF in the development of these abnormalities. Although ameliorative effects of BACE1 inhibition on β-amyloidosis and synaptic proteins levels have been previously noted in AD mouse models, our results highlight the additional potential value of BACE1 modulation in therapeutic targeting of endocytic dysfunction and cholinergic neurodegeneration in Down syndrome and AD.
GABAA and excitatory amino acid receptors in dorsomedial hypothalamus and heart rate in rats

We have previously shown that microinjection of drugs that interfere with the function of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) into the hypothalamus produces cardiorespiratory and behavioral changes resembling those seen in emotional stress. The purpose of this study was to determine whether excitatory amino acids (EAAs) can produce a cardiovascular response similar to that caused by the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline methiodide (BMI) when microinjected at the same hypothalamic site in urethan-anesthetized rats and to clarify the precise locus of action of these agents. N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA, 0.68-6.8 pmol/50 nl) and kainic acid (KA, 0.47-4.7 pmol/50 nl) produced dose-related increases in heart rate and blood pressure when injected at sites in the dorsomedial hypothalamus reactive to BMI (20 pmol/50 nl). Higher doses of NMDA (68 pmol), however, failed to elicit consistent increases in heart rate and blood pressure when injected at these same sites. The effects of NMDA were selectively blocked by the NMDA receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, whereas the effects of KA were selectively blocked by the non-NMDA EAA receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione. These results demonstrate that 1) blockade of inhibitory amino acid receptors or stimulation of EAA receptors in the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus produces tachycardic and pressor responses in urethan-anesthetized rats and 2) use of high doses of EAAs may be an unreliable method of evoking local neuronal excitation in certain regions of the central nervous system.
A Robotic Vehicle for Aquatic Environmental Monitoring

Environmental monitoring is critical for assessing and protecting our natural resources. Robotics can greatly benefit this field be enabling rapid assessment of large areas with minimal human supervision. Here, we describe an aquatic mobile robot for data collection in a polluted waterway. The robot is part of an environmental monitoring project known as “Brooklyn Atlantis,” and collects water quality data and images within the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY. Water quality is analyzed offline, while images are classified using citizen science through a web-based interface. To provide an added degree of interactivity to the participants of the project, an automated pan-tilt camera rig is developed, capable of providing 360° panorama photos that can be manipulated by a user. Beyond data collection, the robot serves as a useful tool for outreach and directly engaging the local community in science-based activities.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
OVIPOSITION SITE SELECTION BY DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER AND DROSOPHILA SIMULANS.

The effects of texture and larval residues in the medium on oviposition site selection (OSS) by Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans were studied. Drosophila melanogaster laid over 95% of its eggs in sieved medium (vs. unsieved medium); D. simulans laid all of its eggs in sieved medium. Surgical removal of antennal segments, and of fore-, mid-, or hindtarsi did not affect this result, indicating that sense organs involved in discriminating between sieved and unsieved medium are not confined to only one of the tested structures. In a "multiple choice" experiment, females were allowed to lay eggs in sieved medium of three types: unconditioned (fresh) medium, medium conditioned by D. melanogaster larvae (i.e., medium containing larval residues of D. melanogaster), and medium conditioned by D. simulans larvae. This choice experiment was performed with D. melanogaster and with D. simulans, using three densities of females (10, 20, and 40 per experimental unit). Both species laid more eggs in unconditioned medium than in either of the conditioned media, and density had no effect. D. melanogaster laid more eggs near the edges of food patches than in the center, whereas D. simulans showed no preference for edge or center. Under crowded conditions, both species survived at a higher rate in conditioned media (egg-to-adult survival) than in unconditioned medium, leading to the anomalous conclusion that females of these species seem not to maximize the survival of their offspring. This anomaly was partially resolved by the finding that medium already containing larvae gave lower survival rates than unoccupied medium.
PLASMA OXYTOCINASE, CYSTINE AND LEUCINE NAPHTHYLAMIDASES OF SNAKE, TURTLE AND CHICKEN.

SummaryPlasma of a turtle, a snake and a bird were assayed for leucine naphthylamid-ase, cystine naphthylamidase and oxytocin-ase. Levels of both naphthylamidases were very high, did not vary with sex or stages of estrous cycles, and migrated in the same electrophoretic fractions. Oxytocinase was absent from the turtle and bird but was present in both male and female snakes.
The minimal polynomial of cos(2π/n)

(1993). The Minimal Polynomial of cos(2π/n) The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 100, No. 5, pp. 471-474.
Fluorometric Detection of Ochratoxin A Using Signaling Aptamer

By using fluorescein labeled aptamer for ochratoxin A(OTA) and quencher labeled complementary oligonucleotides,a fluorometric method for OTA detection was developed.In the absence of OTA,the fluorescein-labeled aptamer(FDNA) bound to complementary ssDNA containing a quencher moiety of BHQ(Black Hole Quencher)(QDNA),and the fluorescein and the quencher were close,resulting in fluorescence quenching.In the presence of OTA,FDNA bound to OTA with high affinity and specificity and was separated from QDNA,so that the fluorescence signal of FDNA was recoveried.According to the changes of the fluorescence intensity,OTA could be quantitatively detected.An optimal analytical performance could be achieved by applying FDNA at 36 nmol/L,QDNA at 126 nmol/L,binding buffer solution containing 10 mmol/L Tris-HCl(pH 8.5),120 mmol/L NaCl,20 mmol/L CaCl2 and 0.02% Tween 20,and incubation of solution at room temperature for 15 min.Under the optimal conditions,the linear concentration range for the OTA detection was from 10 nmol/L to 100 nmol/L with a detection limit of 10 nmol/L.The relative standard deviation was 5.8%.This method was easy to be operated with good selectivity.
Construction and Application of Digital Synchronizing Network in Power Grid

Clock synchronization network plays an important role in power communication network.This paper introduces the importance and principle of synchronization network,analyses the points for attention during the planning and designing period.Based on the current situation of clock synchronization network in power grid,it discusses the classification of clock synchronization network,the organization of clock timing links and the transmission of synchronization timing benchmark,points out the shortcomings and hidden dangers in existing clock synchronization network.The development trends of power clock synchronization network are also discussed in the paper.It has reference value for future work.
Potassium depletion and acid-base transporters in rat kidney: differential effect of hypophysectomy.

Potassium depletion is involved in the pathophysiology of metabolic alkalosis. In the present study, the expression of renal acid-base transporters that are involved in HCO3- reabsorption was studied in potassium depletion. Rats fed potassium-deficient (KD) diet developed significant hypokalemia at 14 days (serum K+ 1.9 +/- 0.2 in KD vs. 4.2 +/- 0.2 meq/l in control, P 0.05). Kidney mRNA for colonic H(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (H(+)-K(+)-ATPase, cHKA) increased by approximately 3- and 11-fold at 6 and 14 days of KD diet, respectively, indicating that increased expression preceded the onset of hypokalemia. The expression of Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE-3) mRNA and its cognate protein remained unchanged at 6 and 14 days of KD diet. The mRNA levels for NHE-1, NHE-2, and NHE-4 also remained unchanged at 6 and 14 days of KD diet. Hypophysectomized (HPX) rats fed KD diet for 14 days developed similar hypokalemia. However, the ex...