cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isothermal and heated turbulent upflow in a vertical annular channel – Part I. Experimental measurements

Abstract The velocity and thermal fields were measured in isothermal and heated turbulent upflow of liquid Refrigerant-113 through a vertical annular channel of inner to outer radius ratio 0.415. A two-component laser Doppler velocimeter was used for the velocity measurements and, simultaneously, a cold-wire for the temperature measurements. The dimensions of the LDV measuring volume and the cold-wire, and their proximity to each other were important considerations. Also crucial to the measurements were the LDV coincidence time window and the temporal response of the cold-wire. Time-mean axial and radial velocities, axial and radial turbulent intensities, the single-point cross-correlation between axial and radial velocity fluctuations (∼axial Reynolds shear stress), and single-point cross-correlations between axial velocity and temperature fluctuations (∼axial turbulent heat flux) and radial velocity and temperature fluctuations (∼radial turbulent heat flux) were measured. Results are reported for Reynolds numbers at channel inlet of 22,800, 31,500, and 46,400 at annulus inner wall heat fluxes of 0, 9000 and 16,000 W m −2 . The measured radial turbulent heat flux distribution is compared with that calculated from an approximate form of the thermal energy balance equation in which the measured mean velocity and temperature values are used. Also reported is the radial distribution of turbulent Prandtl number estimated from the measurements.
Row Coincidences in Nonsingular Binary Matrices

We present best possible bounds for the number of coincidences of ones between two distinct rows of a nonsingular binary matrix of constant row sum. The lower bound is shown best possible by examples. We construct two classes of matrices that show the upper bound is best possible.ResumeNous etudions le nombre de coi#x0308;ncidences des chiffres uns dans chaque paire de lignes differentes d?une matrice binaire et inversible dont toutes les lignes contiennent la meme quantite d?unites. Nous presentons des bornes pour ce nombre, et nous demontrons que ces bornes peuvent etre atteintes. Que la borne inferieure peut etre realisee est demontre par moyen des exemples. Quant a la borne superieure, nous presentons la construction de deux familles de matrices pour lesquelles cette borne est atteinte.
Four-week inhalation toxicity study with Ludox colloidal silica in rats: pulmonary cellular responses.

Abstract This study was designed to complement a traditional subchronic inhalation toxicity study with Ludox colloidal silica. CD rats were exposed nose-only for 2 or 4 weeks at concentrations of 0, 10, 50, and 150 mg/m3 Ludox (dried SiO2). Additional groups of rats exposed for 4 weeks were given a 3-month recovery period. Following exposure and/or recovery, fluids and cells were recovered from the lungs by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and measured for cellular and biochemical parameters. Additional groups of animals were processed for cell labeling studies or lung deposition studies. Inhaled doses of Ludox colloidal silica were measured after 4-week exposures and were found to be 489 μg/lung (10 mg/m3 group), 2418 μg/lung (50 mg/m3), and 7378 μg/lung (150 mg/m3), respectively. Results showed that exposures to 150 mg/m3 Ludox for 2 or 4 weeks produced pulmonary inflammation along with increases in BAL protein, LDH, and alkaline phosphatase values (p
An emission sampling probe installed, operated, and retrieved from ground level.

The “Teepee” type wood residue incinerator, similar to many other sources, requires sampling at the point where the emissions enter the atmosphere. Because the location of the emission point is hazardous and unpleasant for the operation of a sampling probe, a portable, tilt-up column was developed which permitted installation, operation, and retrieval of the sampling train from ground level. The sampling train developed permitted determination of the size distribution and weight of the particulate emitted by this highly variable source.
Amplitude modulation of atomic wave functions

When a two-electron-like atom has one electron excited to a Rydberg state, and the other electron is then excited for a time that is short compared to the orbit time of the Rydberg electron, a «notch» is created in the Rydberg wave function, corresponding to that part which autoionised during the small time that the core was excited. This notch is initially localised in space and momentum, and follows a classical trajectory in momentum space. This transient-core-excitation method is a very efficient way to create notched atomic wave functions, and is demonstrated here using a long pulse core excitation
Attitudes toward codes of ethics: the effects of corporate misconduct

Recent news of corporate misconduct at Arthur Andersen, Enron, WorldCom, etc., has focused attention on ethics in business. Government, business, educational institutions, as well as professional organisations have had to rethink ways of addressing this issue. This article presents the findings of a study of attitudes toward business codes of ethics. The attitudes of Master’s‐level US business students at two different points in time, before and after recent reports of corporate misconduct, are compared to see what changes had occurred, to see whether these changes were linked to the disclosures of unethical corporate conduct, and to examine whether taking a course in ethics had an effect on attitudes.
Computer simulation of a quantum particle in a quenched disordered system: Direct observation of Lifshitz traps

A new sampling technique is introduced for the Monte Carlo evaluation of path integrals. The method is used to study a single quantum particle in a rigid bcc lattice, a fluid, and a quenched disordered array of classical hard spheres. In the latter case, the quantum particle is shown to localize at preferred sites (Lifshitz traps).
Bat Occurrence and use of Archaeological Sites at Three National Monuments in Central Arizona

ABSTRACT Many of the issues archaeologists are confronted with are similar to those encountered by natural resource biologists including increased urbanization and industrialization. We investigated bat use of archaeological structures at Montezuma Castle (i.e., Montezuma Castle Unit and Montezuma Well Unit), Tonto, and Tuzigoot National Monuments, Arizona to determine the impact of bats on archaeological structures. Archaeological sites were checked for bats or bat sign (i.e., guano or urine stains) and recommendations were made regarding bat use of the archaeological sites at each of the monuments. Guano was found in all the archaeological sites checked at Montezuma Castle National Monument. We found ≤3 individuals of two species day roosting, and approximately 40 individuals of seven species night roosting in the five-story cliff dwelling at Montezuma Castle Unit. A maternity colony of Townsend's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii) was roosting in Swallet Cave at Montezuma Well Unit. Bats used the...
Exogenous Ganglioside GD1a Enhances Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Binding and Dimerization

Gangliosides are shed by tumor cells and can bind to normal cells in the tumor microenvironment and affect their function. Exposure of fibroblasts to exogenous gangliosides increases epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced fibroblast proliferation and enhances EGF receptor (EGFR)-mediated activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway (Li, R., Liu, Y., and Ladisch, S. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 42782-42792). Here we report that the EGFR itself is the target of this ganglioside effect: Preincubation of normal human dermal fibroblasts with G(D1a) ganglioside enhanced both EGF-induced EGFR autophosphorylation and receptor-tyrosine kinase activity. The enhancement was rapid (within 30 min), not due to alteration of time kinetics of the EGFR response to EGF, and reproduced in purified G(D1a)-enriched cell membranes isolated from ganglioside-preincubated fibroblasts. Evaluating the initial steps underlying activation, EGF binding, and EGFR dimerization, we found that G(D1a) enrichment of the cell membrane increased EGFR dimerization and the effective number of high affinity EGFR without increasing total receptor protein. Unexpectedly, G(D1a) enrichment also triggered increased EGFR dimerization in the absence of growth factor. This resulted in enhanced activation of the EGFR signal transduction cascade when EGF was added. We conclude that membrane ganglioside enrichment of normal fibroblasts (such as by tumor cell ganglioside shedding) facilitates receptor-receptor interactions (possibly by altering membrane topology), causing ligand-independent EGFR dimerization and, in turn, enhanced EGF signaling.
Treatment in the Hypertension Prevention Trial

Abstract The Hypertension Prevention Trial (HPT) was a randomized, controlled, multicenter (four clinics, four resource centers) trial designed to test the feasibility of achieving and sustaining dietary changes in the intake of calories, sodium, and potassium and to assess the effect of those changes on blood pressure in a normotensive population. The trial involved 841 men and women (plus a test cohort of 78) who, at the first baseline (BL) examination were in the age range of 25–49 years and had diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 76 but This chapter describes the counseling methods employed to help participants achieve the desired dietary changes. Counseling was provided to groups by trained interventionists and included instruction in food selection, food preparation, and behavior management skills. Counseling groups met weekly for the first 10 weeks of the trial, twice the following month, and bimonthly thereafter. Techniques used in the counseling program included group discussions, instructions for dietary record keeping, goal setting, individual diet analysis for each participant, cooking demonstrations, and taste testing of new foods.
Uroflowmetry in women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse

Objective To characterize uroflowmetry parameters in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence (UI) and to assess the effects of clinical and urodynamic variables on these parameters. Patients and methods The study comprised 655 consecutive women who presented with UI or POP and who had interpretable uroflowmetry values. Normal uroflowmetry values were defined as a maximum flow (Qmax ) ≥15 mL/s, a mean flow (Qmean ) ≥10 mL/s, a post-void residual volume (PVR) ≤100 mL and a continuous, single-peak waveform. Parametric and non-parametric analysis of variance and chi-square analysis were used to compare differences between diagnostic groups. Multiple linear regression models were developed to evaluate factors considered to influence uroflowmetry. Results Of the 655 patients, 471 (72%) had UI of whom 16% had pure detrusor instability (DI), 69% pure genuine stress incontinence (GSI) and 15% with both, and 184 (28%) had POP, 26% of whom also had DI. Of all patients, 72% had normal uroflowmetry patterns, 13% had multiple peaks and 15% had patterns with interrupted flow; 56% had completely normal uroflowmetry. There were significant differences in uroflowmetry values between the POP and UI groups, with the former having a lower Qmax and Qmean (P 100 mL. Because of the differences, the POP and UI groups were evaluated separately in the regression analysis. In both groups, the most important determinants of flow rate were the volume voided and pressure transmission ratio (PTR). However, when several factors (including age, voided volume, PTR and maximum detrusor pressure with flow and at Qmax ) were included in the model, they accounted for only 23–26% of the variability of flow in the patients with UI and 36–39% of the variability in patients with POP. The subsets of patients with pure DI in both the UI and POP groups had higher PVR volumes than the other subsets. Conclusions These results show that the positive correlation between flow rate and voided volume described in normal populations is also observed in women with UI and POP. However, most of the variability in urine flow was not attributable to factors such as age, voided volume and PTR, confirming the complexity of the micturition mechanism. Women with POP had more objective evidence of emptying-phase dysfunction than women with UI, although most emptied their bladders efficiently. Finally, the results suggest that women with DI exhibit dysfunction of both inhibitory and facilitory detrusor control.
Corneal Penetration Behavior of β-Blocking Agents III: In Vitro–In Vivo Correlations

Aqueous humor levels were determined over time after the topical administration to rabbit eyes of 1% isotonic buffered (pH 7.3) solutions of three beta-blocking agents, acebutolol hydrochloride, timolol maleate, and bufuralol hydrochloride (arranged in order of increasing lipophilicity). Corneal permeability coefficients, determined from a previous in vitro study, were inversely related to the observed time to peak for the three drugs, as expected. Two of the drugs, bufuralol and timolol, did not give the expected rank order for Cmax and AUC, which could result from differences in distribution and/or elimination processes. Aqueous boundary layers were postulated for in vivo corneal permeability which suggested that bufuralol and timolol may have nearly identical effective permeability coefficients in vivo.
Calculations of lattice vibrational mode lifetimes using Jazz: a Python wrapper for LAMMPS

Jazz is a new python wrapper for LAMMPS [1], implemented to calculate the lifetimes of vibrational normal modes based on forces as calculated for any interatomic potential available in that package. The anharmonic character of the normal modes is analyzed via the Monte Carlo-based moments approximation as is described in Gao and Daw [2]. It is distributed as open-source software and can be downloaded from the website http://jazz.sourceforge.net/.
The serotonin subtype 1A receptor regulates cortisol secretion in the Gulf toadfish, Opsanus beta.

It is well established that serotonin (5-HT; 5-hydroxytryptamine) plays a role in mammalian regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis via the 5-HT receptor subtype 1A (5-HT1A). To date, there has not been a comprehensive investigation of the molecular, pharmacological and physiological aspects of the 5-HT1A receptor and its role in the activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–interrenal (HPI) axis in teleost fish. The 5-HT1A receptor of the Gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta) was cloned and sequenced, showing 67.5% amino acid similarity to the human homologue. The 5-HT1A receptor was distributed throughout the brain, with the whole brain containing significantly higher levels of 5-HT1A mRNA compared to all other tissues and the midbrain/diencephalon region containing significantly higher levels of transcript than any other brain region. Substantial levels of transcript were also found in the pituitary, while very low levels were in the kidney that contains the interrenal cells. Xenopus oocytes injected with toadfish 5-HT1A receptor cRNA displayed significantly higher binding of [ 3 H]5-HT
Correlates of voluntary childlessness in a select population.

(1971). Correlates of voluntary childlessness in a select population. Social Biology: Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 277-284.
Performance Evaluation of Content-Based Information Retrieval Schemes for DTNs

Mobile nodes in some challenging network scenarios suffer from intermittent connectivity and frequent partitions e.g. battlefield and disaster recovery scenarios. Disruption Tolerant Network (DTN) technologies are designed to enable nodes in such environments to communicate with one another. Several DTN routing schemes have been proposed. However, not much work has been done on providing information access in such challenging network scenarios. Existing client/server paradigm for information access will not be feasible in such scenarios since end-to-end path does not exist. Thus, in this paper, we explore how a content-based information retrieval system can be designed for DTNs. There are three important design issues, namely (a) how should data be replicated and stored at multiple nodes, (b) how should a query be disseminated in sparsely connected networks, (c) how should a query response be routed back to the querying node. We first describe two data caching schemes: (a) K-copy random caching, (b) K-copy intelligent caching. Then, we describe an L-hop Neighborhood Spraying (LNS) scheme for query dissemination. For message routing, we either use Prophet routing scheme or Highest Encounter First Routing (HEFR) scheme. We conduct extensive simulation studies to evaluate different combinations of these algorithms. Our results reveal that the scheme that performs the best is the one that uses the K-copy intelligent caching combined with the LNS query dissemination and HEFR scheme.
QQ-HSQC: a quick, quantitative heteronuclear correlation experiment for NMR spectroscopy

Quantitative heteronuclear single quantum coherence (Q-HSQC) is a variant of the HSQC experiment that provides quantitative peak areas. This is accomplished by combining signals acquired using four different INEPT delays. Consequently, the experiment requires four times as many scans as the HSQC experiment to achieve the same resolution in the indirect dimension. We have removed this drawback by modifying the Q-HSQC experiment so that signals corresponding to different INEPT delays are acquired simultaneously from different parts of the sample. This new experiment, which we call Quick, Quantitative HSQC (QQ-HSQC), has the quantitative properties of the Q-HSQC experiment but only requires as many scans as a conventional HSQC experiment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Object‐Oriented View of the User Interface

The object-oriented view of the user interface presented here is a model of object responsibilities-sharing and cooperation for a typical user interface. The model regards the user interface as a three-layer architecture, with the application contributing to one of the layers called the application exposure, The model seeks to promote user interface software reuse by coupling the user interface and the application with well-defined message protocols, by properly allocating user interfacefunctions to the layers so as to reduce and discipline their dependencies, and byfactoring complex abstractions into reusable secondary components.
Commentary on "Vascular cognitive impairment: today and tomorrow".

c p S t 1 b n b d d t This review paper raised important controversies in the eld of vascular cognitive impairment. The notion that erebrovascular disease (CVD) can cause cognitive deficits as been recognized in the literature for several centuries 1]. However, as noted by Dr. Chui, the diagnosis of vasular dementia (VaD) remains problematic. Although we ave multiple clinical criteria oriented to diagnose VaD vailable to us [2–6], the phenotype still remains elusive 7,8]. This is, in part, caused by 2 important factors. The rst concerns the heterogeneity of the CVD. VaD can deelop after a single ischemic lesion or after multiple lesions, r some patients can manifest progressive cognitive decline ssociated with multiple “silent” ischemic lesions [9,10]. he second relates to the concomitant manifestation of lzheimer’s disease (AD) and CVD. Because AD is the ost frequent form of dementia in the elderly and can oexist with severe CVD, it is difficult to determine whether he cognitive deterioration is solely consequence of vascular actors or to underlying AD. There have been significant linical, pathologic, and radiologic advances in this field ver the last decade that can help clarify its most controersial aspects. Nevertheless, there is still a need to solve ome basic issues before we move forward in the study of he relationship between AD and vascular disease and the isk factors associated with both diseases. The different definitions of dementia used by current linical criteria are a critical aspect that warrants discusion before we can move to more elaborated descriptions f vascular cognitive impairment syndromes. The Naional Institute of Mental and Neurological Disorders and he Association Internationale pour la Researche et ’Enseigment en Neurosciences (NINDS-AIREN) [3], the iagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th dition (DSM-IV) [4], and the International Classification f Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10) [6] criteria for VaD ased their definition of dementia on the fact that memory eficits must be present. However, cerebral infarcts can ccur in any brain territory and do not always affect memory-
Retrieval of subpixel Tamarix canopy cover from Landsat data along the Forgotten River using linear and nonlinear spectral mixture models

Abstract Repeatable approaches for mapping saltcedar ( Tamarix spp.) at regional scales, with the ability to detect low density stands, is crucial for the species' effective control and management, as well as for an improved understanding of its current and potential future dynamics. This study had the objective of testing subpixel classification techniques based on linear and nonlinear spectral mixture models in order to identify the best possible classification technique for repeatable mapping of saltcedar canopy cover along the Forgotten River reach of the Rio Grande. The suite of methods tested were meant to represent various levels of constraints imposed in the solution as well as varying levels of classification details (species level and landscape level), sources for endmembers (space-borne multispectral image, airborne hyperspectral image and in situ spectra measurements) and mixture modes (linear and nonlinear). A multiple scattering approximation (MSA) model was proposed as a means to represent canopy (image) reflectance spectra as a nonlinear combination of subcanopy (field) reflectance spectra. The accuracy of subpixel canopy cover was assessed through a 1-m spatial-resolution hyperspectral image and field measurements. Results indicated that: 1) When saltcedar was represented by one single image spectrum (endmember), the unconstrained linear spectral unmixing with post-classification normalization produced comparable accuracy (OA = 72%) to those delivered by partially and fully constrained linear spectral unmixing (63–72%) and even by nonlinear spectral unmixing (73%). 2) The accuracy of the fully constrained linear spectral unmixing method increased (from 67% to 77%) when the classes were represented with several image spectra. 3) Saltcedar canopy reflectance showed the strongest nonlinear relationship with respect to subcanopy reflectance, as indicated through a range of estimated canopy recollision probabilities. 4) Despite the considerations of these effects on canopy reflectance, the inversion of the nonlinear spectral mixing model with subcanopy reflectance (field) measurements yielded slightly lower accuracy (73%) than the linear counterpart (77%). Implications of these results for region-wide monitoring of saltcedar invasion are also discussed.
An Applied Research Intervention Breast Cancer and Preventive Services in African American Women

Introduction. The Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program 2000-2006 data reported that African American women experienced a higher incidence of early-onset invasive breast cancer and in situ breast cancer in comparison with other racial/ethnic groups. Of the total of 25,100 cases reported; in situ breast cancer represented 6,460 cases and invasive breast cancer represented 18,640 cases. This intervention focused on women younger than 40 years to increase understanding and the utilization of preventive services. Method. Over a course of 10 months, the researcher designed, implemented, and evaluated an evidence-based breast cancer course intervention integrating the health belief model. The methodology was implemented in 4-week cohorts through in-class and asynchronous learning-centered environments tailored to African American women aged 20 to 39 years at 2-year and 4-year postsecondary schools and culturally relevant community-based organizations. Results. The intervention was statistically sign...
Dickinson Technologies, Inc.: Assessing Control Environment and Fraud Risk

This instructional case provides you an opportunity to perform realistic audit tasks using evidence obtained from an actual company. Through the use of engaging materials, the case helps you to develop an understanding of the control environment concepts presented in SAS No. 78 (AICPA 1995), Consideration of Internal Control in a Financial Statement Audit, and fraud risk assessment presented in SAS No. 99 (AICPA 2002), Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statement Audit. This case involves making a series of fraud risk assessments based on company background information and a detailed and realistic control environment questionnaire, which provide you a context that makes the often abstract concepts relating to control environment and fraud risk assessment more concrete.
THE PREPARATION OF THE GRADED COLLODION MEMBRANES OF ELFORD AND THEIR USE IN THE STUDY OF FILTERABLE VIRUSES

In Vol. 18, No. 2, November 20, 1934, page 152, the first word in the eighth line from the foot of the page, for "stop-cock" read "stop-clock." On the same page, in the third paragraph, the thirteenth line from the top, for 15.75 cm. read 15.75 mm.
Impact of NBTI on the temporal performance degradation of digital circuits

Negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) has become one of the major causes for reliability degradation of nanoscale circuits. In this letter, we propose a simple analytical model to predict the delay degradation of a wide class of digital logic gate based on both worst case and activity dependent threshold voltage change under NBTI. We show that by knowing the threshold voltage degradation of a single transistor due to NBTI, one can predict the performance degradation of a circuit with a reasonable degree of accuracy. We find that digital circuits are much less sensitive (approximately 9.2% performance degradation in ten years for 70 nm technology) to NBTI degradation than previously anticipated.
Genome Sequences of Serotype A6 Mannheimia haemolytica Isolates D174 and D38 Recovered from Bovine Pneumonia

ABSTRACT Here, we report two genomes, one complete and one draft, from virulent bovine strains of Mannheimia haemolytica serotype A6 recovered prior to the field usage of modern antimicrobial drugs.
NF1 Regulatory Element Functions as a Repressor of Tissue Plasminogen Activator Expression

Objective— Analysis of the distribution of endothelial cell tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the vasculature of rodents and primates demonstrated that tPA is constitutively expressed predominately in small artery endothelial cells of brain and lung. The regulatory elements responsible for the highly selective expression of arterial endothelial cell tissue plasminogen activator were sought. Methods and Results— Transcription factor binding sites were defined by electrophoretic mobility-shift assay (EMSA) analysis using rat lung and brain nuclear extracts and the tPA promoter sequence from −609 to +37 bp. Protein binding to the promoter was found to be mediated by an NF1 site between −158 and −145 bp upstream from the transcriptional start site. Specific binding was confirmed through mutational analysis and competition binding studies. Infection of endothelial cells with a tPA promoter-green fluorescent protein (GFP) (−609 to +37 bp) reporter construct resulted in expression of the GFP, whereas no expression was found in smooth muscle cells. Mutation of the NF1 site increased the GFP expression indicating that the element acts as a repressor. Conclusions— These results suggest that the 600 bp of the tPA promoter upstream of the transcription start site conveys cell specificity to tPA expression and that an NF1 site within this region acts as a repressor.
PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON EXTRACTIVE PHENYLALANINE FERMENTATION WITH UNCHARGED POLYMERIC BEADS

Extractive fermentation was used for phenylalanine production to prevent the crystallization of phenylalanine during the fermentation. Instead of the conventionally used ion exchange resin, uncharged polystyrene beads (Amberlite XAD-16) were used to extract phenylalanine from the fermentation broth. The experimental results obtained using a baffled shake flask showed that phenylalanine was not produced when the beads were added at the same time as the inoculum. From the detailed studies, it was found that hydrophobic nutrients such as tyrosine and colored materials from the soybean hydrolysate adsorbed onto the beads as well as phenylalanine. In order to overcome this problem, the beads were gradually added during the course of the fermentation to minimize the adsorption of the hydrophobic medium components. Using the gradual addition of the polymeric beads during fermentation, an equivalent amount of phenylalanine was produced as compared to the control, and 40% of the phenylalanine produced was extracte...
Assessing and Improving Methods Used in Operational Taxonomic Unit-Based Approaches for 16S rRNA Gene Sequence Analysis

In spite of technical advances that have provided increases in orders of magnitude in sequencing coverage, microbial ecologists still grapple with how to interpret the genetic diversity represented by the 16S rRNA gene. Two widely used approaches put sequences into bins based on either their similarity to reference sequences (i.e., phylotyping) or their similarity to other sequences in the community (i.e., operational taxonomic units [OTUs]). In the present study, we investigate three issues related to the interpretation and implementation of OTU-based methods. First, we confirm the conventional wisdom that it is impossible to create an accurate distance-based threshold for defining taxonomic levels and instead advocate for a consensus-based method of classifying OTUs. Second, using a taxonomic-independent approach, we show that the average neighbor clustering algorithm produces more robust OTUs than other hierarchical and heuristic clustering algorithms. Third, we demonstrate several steps to reduce the computational burden of forming OTUs without sacrificing the robustness of the OTU assignment. Finally, by blending these solutions, we propose a new heuristic that has a minimal effect on the robustness of OTUs and significantly reduces the necessary time and memory requirements. The ability to quickly and accurately assign sequences to OTUs and then obtain taxonomic information for those OTUs will greatly improve OTU-based analyses and overcome many of the challenges encountered with phylotype-based methods.
The nonclassic secretion of thioredoxin is not sensitive to redox state.

Thioredoxin (Trx) is a cytosolic, redox-active protein that is secreted from many cells and has several extracellular functions. In activated lymphocytes, the pathway of secretion does not involve ...
Beta-catenin directly displaces Groucho/TLE repressors from Tcf/Lef in Wnt-mediated transcription activation.

Wnt growth factors mediate cell fate determination during embryogenesis and in the renewal of tissues in the adult. Wnts act by stabilizing cellular levels of the transcriptional coactivator β-catenin, which forms complexes with sequence-specific DNA-binding Tcf/Lef transcription factors. In the absence of nuclear β-catenin, Tcf/Lefs act as transcriptional repressors by binding to Groucho/TLE proteins. The molecular basis of the switch from transcriptional repression to activation during Wnt signaling has not been clear, in particular whether factors other than β-catenin are required to disrupt the interaction between Groucho/TLE and Tcf/Lef. Using highly purified proteins, we demonstrate that β-catenin displaces Groucho/TLE from Tcf/Lef by binding to a previously unidentified second, low-affinity binding site on Lef-1 that includes sequences just N-terminal to the DNA-binding domain, and that overlaps the Groucho/TLE-binding site.
Neuromorphic electronic systems

It is shown that for many problems, particularly those in which the input data are ill-conditioned and the computation can be specified in a relative manner, biological solutions are many orders of magnitude more effective than those using digital methods. This advantage can be attributed principally to the use of elementary physical phenomena as computational primitives, and to the representation of information by the relative values of analog signals rather than by the absolute values of digital signals. This approach requires adaptive techniques to mitigate the effects of component differences. This kind of adaptation leads naturally to systems that learn about their environment. Large-scale adaptive analog systems are more robust to component degradation and failure than are more conventional systems, and they use far less power. For this reason, adaptive analog technology can be expected to utilize the full potential of wafer-scale silicon fabrication. >
Deficits in latent inhibition induced by estradiol replacement are ameliorated by haloperidol treatment

There are sex differences in the symptomatology of schizophrenia, and in the response to antipsychotic treatments. One hallmark symptom of schizophrenia is a deficit in selective attention. Selective attention can be measured using a latent inhibition (LI) paradigm in humans; LI can be measured in rodents, and is used as an animal model of the selective attention deficits observed in schizophrenia. In the current experiments LI was used to clarify whether selective attention differs between male rats and ovariectomized (OVX) female rats receiving different estradiol (E2) replacement regimens. An additional aim was to determine whether haloperidol’s (HAL) facilitation of LI is enhanced by E2. Males and OVX female rats were trained in a conditioned emotional response LI paradigm. Females received no E2 replacement, a chronic low dose of E2 via silastic capsule, or a high phasic dose of E2 via silastic capsule accompanied by E2 (10 µg/kg subcutaneous (SC)) injections every 4th day. Actual plasma levels of E2 were determined using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Rats were also administered a vehicle treatment, a 0.05 mg/kg, or a 0.1 mg/kg IP injection of HAL. Males and OVX females that did not receive E2 replacement both exhibited LI, but LI was not observed in the low and high E2 replacement groups. HAL restored LI at a lower dose in the females receiving high E2 replacement compared to females receiving low E2 replacement, indicating that E2 replacement facilitates HAL in restoring LI.
Timing of bone marrow cell therapy is more important than repeated injections after myocardial infarction.

Abstract Background Bone marrow cell treatment has been proposed as a therapy for myocardial infarction, but the optimal timing and number of injections remain unknown. Methods Myocardial infarction was induced in mice followed by ultrasound-guided injection of mouse bone marrow cells at different time points post myocardial infarction (Days 3, 7, and 14) as monotherapy and at Days 3+7 as "double" therapy and at Days 3+7+14 as "triple" therapy. Controls received saline injections at Day 3 and Days 3+7+14. Left ventricular ejection fraction was evaluated post myocardial infarction prior to any therapy and at Day 28. Hearts were analyzed at Day 28 for infarct size and survival of donor cells. Results Left ventricular ejection fraction decreased from 55.3±0.9% to 37.6±0.6% ( P P =.05) and improved LV function (left ventricular ejection fraction 40.3±2.0% vs. 31.1±8.3%; P P Conclusions Injection of bone marrow cells at Day 3 reduced infarct size and improved left ventricular function. Multiple injections of bone marrow cells had no additive effect. Delaying cell therapy post myocardial infarction resulted in no functional benefit at all. These results will help inform future clinical trials.
Streptokinase triggers conformational activation of plasminogen through specific interactions of the amino-terminal sequence and stabilizes the active zymogen conformation.

Cleavage of Arg561-Val562 in plasminogen (Pg) generates plasmin (Pm) through a classical activation mechanism triggered by an insertion of the new amino terminus into a binding pocket in the Pg catalytic domain. Streptokinase (SK) circumvents this process and activates Pg through a unique nonproteolytic mechanism postulated to be initiated by the intrusion of Ile1 of SK in place of Val562. This hypothesis was evaluated in equilibrium binding and kinetic studies of Pg activation with an SK mutant lacking Ile1 (SK2–414). SK2–414 retained the affinity of native SK for fluorescein-labeled [Lys]Pg and [Lys]Pm but induced no detectable conformational activation of Pg. The activity of SK2–414was partially restored by the peptides SK1–2, SK1–5, SK1–10, and SK1–15, whereas Pg562–569 peptides were much less effective. Active site-specific fluorescence labeling demonstrated directly that the active catalytic site was formed on the Pg zymogen by the combination of SK1–10 and SK2–414, whereas sequence-scrambled SK1–10 was inactive. The characterization of SK1–10 containing single Ala substitutions demonstrated the sequence specificity of the interaction. SK1–10 did not restore activity to the further truncated mutant SK55–414, which was correlated with the loss of binding affinity of SK55–414 for labeled [Lys]Pm but not for [Lys]Pg. The studies support a mechanism for conformational activation in which the insertion of Ile1 of SK into the Pg amino-terminal binding cleft occurs through sequence-specific interactions of the first 10 SK residues. This event and the preferentially higher affinity of SK2–414 for the activated proteinase domain of Pm are thought to function cooperatively to trigger the conformational change and stabilize the active zymogen conformation.
Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products Improves Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1 Activity in Model Diabetic Environments.

Objective: In diabetes, hyperglycemia causes the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that trigger reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through binding the receptor for AGEs (RAGE). Because exogenous growth factors have had little success in enhancing chronic wound healing, we investigated whether hyperglycemia-induced AGEs interfere with cellular responses to extracellular signals. We used stromal cell–derived factor-1 (SDF-1), an angiogenic chemokine also known to promote stem cell recruitment in skin wounds. Approach: Human leukemia-60 (HL-60) cells and mouse peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which express the SDF-1 receptor CXCR-4, were incubated for 24 h in medium supplemented with 25 mM d-glucose. Soluble RAGE (sRAGE) was used to block RAGE activation. Response to SDF-1 was measured in cellular migration and ROS assays. A diabetic murine excisional wound model measured SDF-1 liposome and sRAGE activity in vivo. Results: Hyperglycemia led to significant accumulation of...
Performing Rhizobial Antigen-Antibody Reactions by Gel Immunodiffusion

Immunodiffusion in gel allows for the recognition of antigenically identical strains and for differentiating between closely related nonidentical strains. In this chapter, soluble and diffusible heat-stable somatic antigens of varying molecular sizes are studied. The antigen and test antiserum are filled in separate wells and allowed to diffuse toward each other slowly through agar, which provides the support medium. Line(s) of precipitation would form where optimal proportions of antigen and antibody molecules meet. Immunodiffusion is useful in analyzing the number of soluble somatic antigens present on the cells of rhizobia.
Characteristics and Applications of Pediocin(S) of Pediococcus Acidilactici: Pediocin PA-1/AcH.

Many food-grade lactic acid bacteria produce a group of peptides, classified as bacteriocins, that are bactericidal to many gram-producer bacteria. On the basis of the presence of a modified amino acid, lanthionine, they are grouped as lantibiotics and nonlanthionine bacteriocins. Due to the stability of the antibacterial action at high heat and in the environment of many foods, there is an interest in using bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria as food biopreservatives.
Treatment of Generalized Convulsive Status Epilepticus

Generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) is the most common type of status epilepticus and carries the greatest risk of morbidity and mortality (1). It is a neurologic emergency requiring immediate evaluation and treatment. The traditional definition of GCSE requires continuous, repetitive seizure activity for at least 30 min, or two or more discrete seizures within a 30-min period without recovery of consciousness between attacks. The temporal marker of 30 min is arbitrary and not based on physiologic or clinical data (2). Several epileptologists have proposed a “mechanistic” definition of GCSE: Most seizures stop spontaneously in 1 or 2 min; therefore, longer seizures generally reflect a problem with the usual mechanisms of seizure termination. The “mechanistic” definition refers to any seizure that will not terminate spontaneously, consisting of convulsive movements and loss of consciousness (3,4). This definition, however, is not practical for clinical and research purposes because there is presently no clear way to distinguish a seizure that will terminate on its own from one that will not. An “operational” definition of GCSE must still be described in terms of time (4).
Restoration of Hemoglobin Function in Stored EDTA Blood: Application in Identification of Hemoglobin Variants with Abnormal Oxygen Affinity

The incubation of stored blood in a mixture of inosine, pyruvate, glucose, and phosphate restores the O2 affinity of hemoglobin to physiologic levels, as measured by the configuration of the dissociation curve and the P50. This regeneration of normal hemoglobin function not only is consistent for samples anticoagulated with EDTA and stored eight days at 4 C but also is demonstrable for at least 19 days of 4 C storage of EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood. This regeneration procedure is simple to perform and makes it possible to measure reliably O2 affinity in blood samples transmitted by mail.
Stress calculation method for elasto-plastic problem of solid motor case

On the basis of elementary theory of elasto-plastic mechanics,the stress calculation method for elasto-plastic problems during the hydrostatic test of SRM case was summarized.FORTRAN program was compiled for 31Si2MnCrMoVE case.Compared with FE calculation results,the error of the method is less than 3.3%,which proves that the method is correct.In addition,according to three groups of measured test data,the calculation results of the method agree well with actual results,which further verifies effectiveness of the method.
Coherent ground mapping of polar format images with applications to high-resolution wide-area SAR imaging

In this article, we consider some approaches to using the polar format algorithm for high-resolution wide-area synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging. We will broadly discuss two general approaches to extending the polar format algorithm to produce focused high-resolution imagery over wide areas. First, we will describe a fast backprojection-like algorithm based on coherently mapping polar formatted subapertures to the ground and coherently combining the ground-mapped images. Second, we will discuss an alternative approach to generating high-resolution wide-area imagery, which starts with an initial polar format image and then subsequently refines the image in subpatches in a coherently consistent manner across the image. Central to both methods is a general framework for coherently mapping polar format images to the ground.
The Gauss–Bonnet Theorem

The Gauss–Bonnet theorem is the most famous result in the study of surfaces. It provides a satisfying final chapter of this textbook because it interrelates many fundamental concepts from the previous five chapters.
Elasticity of Stishovite Revisited

The belief that stishovite is a mineral present in the earth’s mantle as a separate phase makes this material rather important in geophysics. Construction of the proper equations of state of stishovite is then particularly useful for improving our understanding of the composition and the physical state of the earth’s interior. Speculations and experiments on the elasticity and equation of state properties of stishovite abound, supported sometimes by assumptions of sufficient flexibility to accommodate any postulate. Given the present state of technology, we have been unable to measure these properties reliably, although some attempts have been reported in the literature. The difficulties here are twofold. First, it is sill a difficult task to produce stishovite in sufficient quantity and sinter it into a dense form without converting it back to a low-pressure phase (or, the present state of crystal growth technology at high pressure and temperature cannot provide stishovite single crystals large enough to make the acoustic measurements). Second, there are still well-known problems with measurement of acoustic velocities in small samples under high pressure and temperature.
Gender and Racial Differences in Stress, Coping, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Abstract Context Living with chronic kidney disease can be stressful and influence an individual's health-related quality of life. Effective coping strategies may reduce stress and improve quality of life in individuals with chronic medical conditions. Objectives Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important outcome for patients living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and it is necessary to better understand potential gender and racial differences and predictors associated with reduced HRQOL, so that effective interventions can be developed. Methods Participants included 182 patients with CKD who were administered a battery of questions that included the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36, Perceived Stress Scale, and the Brief COPE. Demographic and disease-specific information was abstracted from the patients' medical record. Results No differences by race were observed with regard to stress, quality of life, or coping with the exception that minority patients reported use of religious coping more often ( P = 0.001) and had higher levels of energy compared with nonminority patients with CKD ( P = 0.27). Women with CKD tended to use self-distraction ( P = 0.002), positive reframing ( P = 0.035), venting ( P = 0.024), and religious coping ( P = 0 P = 0.001–0.02) but not men. Perceived stress was associated with poorer quality of life for men ( P = 0.017 to P = 0.001 to Conclusions The findings of the study suggest that the wider range of coping strategies used by women may be associated with buffering the link between perceived stress and quality of life. Men with CKD may benefit from interventions that not only reduce stress but also facilitate the use of a broader range of coping strategies to reduce stress and improve quality of life.
On polystyrene–block polyisoprene–block polystyrene filled with carbon-coated Ni nanoparticles

The manuscript focuses on the dispersion of magnetic nanoparticles within self-assembling block copolymers, on the preferential localization of nanoparticles and on the effect of their concentration on the magnetic properties of the nanocomposites and on the self-assembly features of the matrix. Carbon-coated nickel nanoparticles dispersed within polystyrene–block polyisoprene–block polystyrene have been investigated by Raman, X-ray, SQUID, differential scanning calorimetry, and electron microscopy. The effect of nanofiller on the self-assembly features of the block copolymer is reported. Preferential localization of nanofiller within the soft phase was noticed below 20 wt% nanofiller. Higher loadings with nanoparticles showed an uniform distribution of nanofiller within the block copolymer, consistent with the destruction of self-assembly. The effect of nanoparticles’ concentration on blocking temperature is discussed.