cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exposure of RNA Templates and Encapsidation of Spliced Viral RNA Are Influenced by the Arginine-Rich Domain of Human Hepatitis B Virus Core Antigen (HBcAg 165-173)

Previously, human hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutant 164, which has a truncation at the C terminus of the HBV core antigen (HBcAg), was speculated to secrete immature genomes. For this study, we further characterized mutant 164 by different approaches. In addition to the 3.5-kb pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), the mutant preferentially encapsidated the 2.2-kb or shorter species of spliced RNA, which can be reverse transcribed into double-stranded DNA before virion secretion. We observed that mutant 164 produced less 2.2-kb spliced RNA than the wild type. Furthermore, it appeared to produce at least two different populations of capsids: one encapsidated a nuclease-sensitive 3.5-kb pgRNA while the other encapsidated a nuclease-resistant 2.2-kb spliced RNA. In contrast, the wild-type core-associated RNA appeared to be resistant to nuclease. When arginines and serines were systematically restored at the truncated C terminus, the core-associated DNA and nuclease-resistant RNA gradually increased in both size and signal intensity. Full protection of encapsidated pgRNA from nuclease was observed for HBcAg 1-171. A full-length positive-strand DNA phenotype requires positive charges at amino acids 172 and 173. Phosphorylation at serine 170 is required for optimal RNA encapsidation and a full-length positive-strand DNA phenotype. RNAs encapsidated in Escherichia coli by capsids of HBcAg 154, 164, and 167, but not HBcAg 183, exhibited nuclease sensitivity; however, capsid instability after nuclease treatment was observed only for HBcAg 164 and 167. A new hypothesis is proposed here to highlight the importance of a balanced charge density for capsid stability and intracapsid anchoring of RNA templates.
The systems programming language, Malus

This paper reports on the design and development of a high level language, Malus, for use in implementing a time-sharing system. Emphasized are the ways that the language and its compiler accommodate the specialized requirements of systems programming and programmers. Among these are the need to generate highly efficient object code, to allow inter-programmer communication by program self-documentation, and to define and organize system tables and data. In addition, the Malus compiler is highly modular; thus the language may be modified or augmented in response to user needs unforeseen during langauge design. Systems programs cannot be machine independent and Malus allows explicit control of emitted code when an application requires particular efficiency or use of privileged instructions. There is also a facility allowing nested redefinition of identifiers. Efficient storage management and data access is effected by the availability of based structures, a register storage class and built-in functions to facilitate their use. Malus is evaluated both in terms of some general criteria for systems implementation languages and by an appraisal of user reactions. While this assessment shows a few areas where the language might be improved, it is felt that Malus is a valuable and effective tool for systems implementation.
The role of chemical policy in improving supply chain knowledge and product safety

Although the US government has made important improvements in chemical management since the 1970s, these advances have not kept pace with scientific knowledge about chemical hazards. While US federal chemical policy reform is being debated for the first time since 1976, some US businesses have voluntarily sought to improve their knowledge of chemical hazards in their supply chains, and several US states, the European Union, China, and other countries have moved forward with chemical policy reforms. Until policy reforms occur in the USA, the US chemical market will continue to experience problems associated with poor information on hazardous chemicals in supply chains. These market conditions make it difficult for consumer product companies to identify hazards and create safer products. Results from interviews with consumer product company representatives demonstrate that challenges in obtaining chemical-related information exist across sectors, and information on chemical hazards and uses can be conflicting, protected by trade secrets, lost in supply chains, or nonexistent. Interview results illustrate how some consumer product companies are exceeding regulatory requirements by voluntarily restricting from their products chemicals that could harm human health or the environment. Understanding the motivations behind—and barriers to—these actions could inform efforts to modernize US chemicals policies in ways that promote effective chemical management in supply chains. Using examples from the European Union and some US states, we introduce policy suggestions that would increase knowledge, market transparency, and information flows regarding hazardous chemicals and their uses; these would support the efforts of companies to develop and market safer products.
Antitumor effects of anti-CD40/CpG immunotherapy combined with gemcitabine or 5- fluorouracil chemotherapy in the B16 melanoma model

Our previous studies demonstrated that anti-CD40 mAb (anti-CD40) can synergize with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG) to mediate antitumor effects by activating myeloid cells, such as macrophages in tumor-bearing mice. Separate teams have shown that chemotherapy with gemcitabine (GEM) or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) can reduce tumor-induced myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in mice. In this study we asked if the same chemotherapy regimens with GEM or 5-FU will enhance the antitumor effect of anti-CD40 and CpG. Using the model of B16 melanoma growing intraperitoneally in syngeneic C57BL/6 mice, we show that these GEM or 5-FU treatment regimens either did not change or reduced, respectively, the number of MDSC in the peritoneal cavity of tumor-bearing mice. Treatment of mice with GEM or 5-FU did not significantly affect the antitumor function of macrophages as assessed in vitro. In vivo, treatment with these GEM or 5-FU regimens followed by anti-CD40/CpG resulted in antitumor effects similar to those of anti-CD40/CpG in the absence of GEM or 5-FU. Likewise, reduction of MDSC by in vivo anti-Gr-1 mAb treatment did not significantly affect anti-CD40/CpG antitumor responses. Together, the results show that the GEM or 5-FU chemotherapy regimens did not substantially affect the antitumor effects induced by anti-CD40/CpG immunotherapy.
Immobilized tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane as a scaffold for ion-selective ligands: the auxiliary group effect on metal ion binding at the phosphate ligand.

The metal ion affinities of a ligand in a polymer-supported reagent can be enhanced by the presence of a proximate group capable of hydrogen bonding. A new polymer-supported reagent has been synthesized by immobilizing tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) onto cross-linked poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) and then phosphorylating the −OH moieties. The −NH− acts as the auxiliary group to increase the extent of complexation by the phosphate ligand. Additionally, Tris acts as a scaffold, wherein the phosphate ligands are in a known stereochemical arrangement. The Tris resin is mono-, di-, and triphosphorylated, depending on the concentration of the phosphorylating agent. The highest metal ion affinities are found with the resin having a phosphorus-to-nitrogen ratio of 2.36, consistent with one-third of the ligands being triphosphorylated and the remainder being diphosphorylated. The unphosphorylated Tris and phosphonate diester resins have no ionic affinities under the same conditions. Trivalent ions (Fe(III), A...
Transgenic Livestock as Genetic Models of Human Disease

Genetic models of human disease can lead to new insights concerning disease aetiology or suggest novel therapeutic interventions. Livestock species, especially pigs, cows, sheep and horses, are often good animal models of human disease. However, genetic models in livestock species have included only the study of spontaneous mutations. Production of transgenic livestock is now possible but owing to a low efficiency of production, it is very expensive and its application limited. Anticipated application of improved technologies such as embryonic stem cells and homologous recombination will allow for increased sophistication of experimental design and wider use of genetically modified livestock. In all cases, the appropriate species for a genetic model of human disease should be the species which best models the physiology of the organ or system under consideration. In the future, livestock will play an increasingly more important role in biomedical research through the application of genetic engineering methodologies.
A Correspondence Principle for Scission-Induced Stress Relaxation in Elastomeric Components

A method is presented for calculating the stress relaxation due to scission in elastomeric components that operate at a fixed deformation while at an elevated temperature. A relationship is established between stresses at different temperatures that is called the correspondence principle for scission/healing materials. Two examples involving cylinders illustrate its use. The first example involves combined tension-torsion, for which an axial force-twisting moment relation is derived, that might be useful in experimental studies to assess the applicability of the correspondence principle. The second example provides a criterion for estimating the lifetime of an annular seal.
The Gillichthys mirabilis Cooper array: a platform to investigate the molecular basis of phenotypic plasticity

A description of the production of a cDNA microarray platform for the goby Gillichthys mirabilis from an associated collection of expressed sequence tags is presented in this study. The arrayed cDNAs were derived from cDNA libraries prepared from RNA sourced from fish that had been acclimating to a wide variety of environmental conditions. The use of the array is illustrated by a study that investigates the gene expression response of emerged fish that switch from aquatic respiration to air breathing. These results show that the gene expression changes associated with air breathing resemble those observed in fish experiencing aquatic hypoxia suggesting that oxygen requirements are not fully met in animals which have been forced to emerge from sea water to air.
A Nullstellensatz for Higher Derivations

Suppose dim R, = 1. (Since the image of Y in R, is a non-nilpotent element in the maximal ideal we have that dim RA > 1.) Let R be the integral closure of R in Q its quotient field. Then by ([2] Corollary 3, 4, p. 13) there is a maximal ideal A? C R with A! = R n 2. By ([6] Theorem 9, p. 267) i? is still finitely generated over k, and so L = R/J? is a finite algebraic extension of k (by the Hilbert Nullstellensatz) so that L is a finite extension of K. The local ring Rx is normal (integrally closed) by ([5] remark, p. 22), and is the integral closure of R, in Q. Since 1 = dim R, = dim Rx we have by ([4] Proposition 8, p. 111-12) that R, is a discrete valuation ring. Then the completion of R& is a discrete valuation ring and is isomorphic to L[[X]] by ([5] Theorem 2 and Remark just below, p. 43). If p is the natural injection of Rx into its completion L[[X]] an d u is the composite of the injective maps R -+ RA -+ Rx 5 L[[X]] then u has the desired properties. Now suppose dim R, = N > 1. Let R be the integral closure of R in Q its quotient field. Then by ([2] Corollary 3, 4 p. 13) there is a maximal ideal J? C R with A = R n J?. The local ring RJ is normal and is the integral closure of RM in Q (and has the same dimension as R&4(). We consider and if JV denotes the unique maximal ideal of R,- then r E Jfr. Since dim R& > 2 it follows from ([4] Theorem 11, ii, p. IV-44) and ([4] Proposition and Definition 6, p. IV-14) that maximal R-sequences in X have at least two elements. Complete
Vibrational analysis of 3-cyclopenten-1-one☆

Abstract Infrared spectra of 3-cyclopenten-1-one have been recorded for the vapor, liquid, and solid phases. Raman spectra of the vapor and liquid phases have also been obtained. A complete vibrational analysis has been carried out, and the spectra have been found to be in accord with the planar C 2ν structure of the molecule.
Online adaptive learning of optimal control solutions using integral reinforcement learning

In this paper we introduce an online algorithm that uses integral reinforcement knowledge for learning the continuous-time optimal control solution for nonlinear systems with infinite horizon costs and partial knowledge of the system dynamics. This algorithm is a data based approach to the solution of the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation and it does not require explicit knowledge on the system's drift dynamics. The adaptive algorithm is based on policy iteration, and it is implemented on an actor/critic structure. Both actor and critic neural networks are adapted simultaneously a persistence of excitation condition is required to guarantee convergence of the critic to the actual optimal value function. Novel tuning algorithms are given for both critic and actor networks, with extra terms in the actor tuning law being required to guarantee closed-loop dynamical stability. The convergence to the optimal controller is proven, and stability of the system is also guaranteed. Simulation examples support the theoretical result.
Characterizing the Larkin-Ovchinnikov-Fulde-Ferrel phase induced by the chromomagnetic instability

We discuss possible destinations from the chromomagnetic instability in color superconductors with Fermi surface mismatch $\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\mu}$. In the two-flavor superconducting (2SC) phase we calculate the effective potential for color vector potentials ${\mathbit{A}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ which are interpreted as the net momenta $\mathbit{q}$ of pairing in the Larkin-Ovchinnikov-Fulde-Ferrel (LOFF) phase. When $1/\sqrt{2}l\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\mu}/\ensuremath{\Delta}l1$ where $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ is the gap energy, the effective potential suggests that the instability leads to a LOFF-like state which is characterized by color-rotated phase oscillations with small $\mathbit{q}$. In the vicinity of $\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\mu}/\ensuremath{\Delta}=1/\sqrt{2}$ the magnitude of $\mathbit{q}$ continuously increases from zero as the effective potential has negative larger curvature at vanishing ${\mathbit{A}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ that is the Meissner mass squared. In the gapless 2SC (g2SC) phase, in contrast, the effective potential has a minimum at $g{\mathbit{A}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}\ensuremath{\sim}\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\sim}\ensuremath{\Delta}$ even when the negative Meissner mass squared is infinitesimally small. Our results imply that the chromomagnetic instability found in the gapless phase drives the system toward the LOFF state with $\mathbit{q}\ensuremath{\sim}\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\mu}$.
Canopy element influences on resolved- and subgrid-scale energy within a large-eddy simulation

Large-eddy simulations described here have included the effect of canopy drag through the depth of a plant canopy. Specifically, we have considered the simulation of flow through a forest. Drag forces enter the simulation with the inclusion of form and viscous drag forces in the momentum equation. In addition, we have carried a variable to represent the kinetic energy (KE) associated with the turbulent wakes behind canopy elements. Assigning typical dimensions to canopy drag elements and, hence, to the scale of wake turbulence, we have evaluated wake effects on the dissipation process and on subgrid-scale (SGS) energy arising from the cascade of resolved-scale energy. Despite the fact that the rate of conversion of resolved-scale kinetic energy to wake energy is large, and the observation that wake energy is comparable with SGS energy, an effective diffusivity for wake turbulence can be ignored when calculated from wake-scale kinetic energy and a length scale based on element dimension. Thus, it is unnecessary to carry a wake energy variable in the simulation. On the other hand, it is very important that the process of conversion of SGS energy to wake-scale energy be included in the simulation because the action of wakes is to enhance the dissipation of SGS energy. Viscous drag appears to be of little consequence, at least in our calculations where elements are considered as flat plates and fully exposed to the grid-averaged flow.
Nonlinear Quadratic Optimal Control for Cascaded Multilevel Static Compensators

This paper presents a novel nonlinear quadratic optimal control technique for multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) cascaded multilevel static compensators (STATCOM), based on state-dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) technique. The proposed approach is applied online, using a gradient-type neural network algorithm for the computation of SDRE based nonlinear control. The algorithm is fast, computationally simple, and independent of initial conditions. This new control strategy is applied, in a detailed simulation, to the average d-q model of STATCOM to track a desired DC voltage and a reactive current, that demonstrates a relatively fast control ability and good dynamic performance.
Intensification of Therapy for Children With Lower-Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients Treated on Children’s Cancer Group Trial 1881

Purpose: From December 1988 through December 1992, the Children’s Cancer Group (CCG) conducted a randomized trial (CCG-1881) designed to evaluate the impact of adding a single delayed intensification phase of therapy to standard therapy for patients with newly diagnosed low-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients and Methods: Patients (n = 778) with newly diagnosed ALL, 2 to 9 years of age at diagnosis with an initial WBC count less than 10,000/μL, were eligible for this protocol. All patients received induction, consolidation, and interim maintenance phases of therapy over the first 16 weeks. At week 16, patients remaining in remission were randomly assigned to receive or not receive a single 7-week delayed intensification (DI) phase of therapy. Maintenance therapy was given in lieu of or after DI, with total duration of therapy approximately 3 years for boys and 2 years for girls. Results: Patients randomized to receive DI experienced fewer relapse events in all categories. Kaplan-Meier life-t...
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk for spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 ATXN2 CAG repeat alleles: A meta-analysis

Importance Repeats of CAG in the ataxin 2 gene ( ATXN2 ) in the long-normal range (sometimes referred to as intermediate ) have been identified as modifiers of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) risk. Prior studies have used thresholding considering various cutoffs for ATXN2 repeat length. Objective To calculate association between ATXN2 CAG repeat alleles and increased risk of ALS across multiple ethnic groups. Data Sources The MEDLINE database was searched for studies published by December 29, 2013, reporting ATXN2 CAG repeat length in patients with ALS and controls. Study Selection Studies were included if they reported original data on relative risks or odds ratios (ORs) from ALS and control populations for individual ATXN2 alleles. Review articles that reported no new data were not included in the analysis. Data Extraction and Synthesis Analysis of allele distribution was performed to ensure that all studies followed identical allele sizing. The ORs, 95% confidence intervals, and population attributable risk percentages were calculated according to standard procedures. Main Outcomes and Measures Occurrence of ALS associated with ATXN2 repeat alleles, expressed as ORs. Results Nine studies were analyzed, including 7505 controls and 6151 sporadic ALS cases. The ALS and control cohorts were recruited from different geographical and ethnic regions including the United States, French Canada/Canada, Belgium and the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, mainland China, Turkey, and Flanders-Belgium. The ATXN2 CAG repeat lengths ranged from 13 to 39 in patients with ALS and from 13 to 34 in controls. The ORs were less than 1.00 for alleles with 25 to 28 repeats. The OR was 1.55 for 30 repeats, but this elevation was not statistically significant (95% CI, 0.88-2.73). The ORs were 2.70 (95% CI, 1.47-4.93) for 31 CAG repeats, 11.09 (95% CI, 4.16-29.57) for 32 repeats, and 5.76 (95% CI, 1.79-18.57) for 33 repeats. Conclusions and Relevance In contrast to prior studies with smaller numbers, risk for ALS associated with long-normal alleles is complex. Alleles with 27 and 28 repeats lower ALS risk slightly. The risk for ALS increases beginning with 29 repeats and reaches a maximum at 32 and 33 repeats. Of note, alleles with repeats of these lengths are known to be predisposed to meiotic expansion to full-penetrance mutant alleles. In patients with ALS, alleles with 31 to 33 repeats may have undergone preferential expansion in motor neurons during mitosis or DNA repair. Our meta-analysis provides a framework for counseling individuals with long-normal ATXN2 repeats.
Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci by Controlling Polygenic Background Effects

A new mixed-model method was developed for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) by incorporating multiple polygenic covariance structures. First, we used genome-wide markers to calculate six different kinship matrices. We then partitioned the total genetic variance into six variance components, one corresponding to each kinship matrix, including the additive, dominance, additive × additive, dominance × dominance, additive × dominance, and dominance × additive variances. The six different kinship matrices along with the six estimated polygenic variances were used to control the genetic background of a QTL mapping model. Simulation studies showed that incorporating epistatic polygenic covariance structure can improve QTL mapping resolution. The method was applied to yield component traits of rice. We analyzed four traits (yield, tiller number, grain number, and grain weight) using 278 immortal F2 crosses (crosses between recombinant inbred lines) and 1619 markers. We found that the relative importance of each type of genetic variance varies across different traits. The total genetic variance of yield is contributed by additive × additive (18%), dominance × dominance (14%), additive × dominance (48%), and dominance × additive (15%) variances. Tiller number is contributed by additive (17%), additive × additive (22%), and dominance × additive (43%) variances. Grain number is mainly contributed by additive (42%), additive × additive (19%), and additive × dominance (31%) variances. Grain weight is almost exclusively contributed by the additive (73%) variance plus a small contribution from the additive × additive (10%) variance. Using the estimated genetic variance components to capture the polygenic covariance structure, we detected 39 effects for yield, 39 effects for tiller number, 24 for grain number, and 15 for grain weight. The new method can be directly applied to polygenic-effect-adjusted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in human and other species.
Spawning and development in Osedax boneworms (Siboglinidae, Annelida)

We report observations on spawning and early development in bone-eating worms of the genus Osedax. Individual females of Osedax rubiplumus were observed at 1820 m depth freely spawning hundreds of oocytes, and females of an undescribed species, Osedax “orange collar”, were observed spawning in laboratory aquaria. Cytological and molecular analysis of the spawned oocytes of two Osedax species revealed no evidence for the bacterial endosymbionts that the female worms require for their nutrition, suggesting that the bacteria must be acquired later from the environment, as they are in other siboglinids. Individual O. “orange collar” females released an average of 335 (±130) eggs per day, but the number of oocytes spawned per day varied greatly, suggesting that not all the females spawned daily. Fertilization rates of the spawned oocytes varied from 0 to 100%, though most females showed nearly 100% fertilization rates. Oocytes spawned in the laboratory at 4–6°C were negatively buoyant. If fertilized, these oocytes extruded polar bodies and then after at least four hours cleaved unequally. Subsequent cleavages occurred in a spiral pattern at roughly 2-h intervals, resulting in free-swimming trochophore larvae after 24 h. These lecithotrophic trochophores swam for 9–16 days before settling with several hooked chaetae, similar to those of dwarf Osedax males. The larval life span of the Osedax species studied in the laboratory appears to be shorter than in closely related Vestimentifera. Osedax rubiplumus, on the other hand, has much larger oocytes and so may have greater dispersal potential than these other Osedax species. The high fecundity and apparently continuous reproduction of Osedax boneworms permits the opportunistic exploitation of sunken vertebrate bones.
A quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 6q influences birth weight in two independent family studies.

Low birth weight is an important cause of infant mortality and morbidity worldwide. Birth weight has been shown to be inversely correlated with adult complex diseases such as obesity, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the genetic factors influencing variation in birth weight and its association with diseases that occur in later life. We, therefore, have performed a genome-wide search to identify genes that influence birth weight in Mexican-Americans using the data from the San Antonio Family Birth Weight Study participants (n 5 840). Heritability of birth weight was estimated as 72.0+ 8.4% (P < 0.0001) after adjusting for the effects of sex and term. Multipoint linkage analysis yielded the strongest evidence for linkage of birth weight (LOD 5 3.7) between the markers D6S1053 and D6S1031 on chromosome 6q. This finding has been replicated (LOD 5 2.3) in an independent European-American population. Together, these findings provide substantial evidence (LODadj 5 4.3) for a major locus influencing variation in birth weight.Thisregionharborspositionalcandidategenessuchaschorionicgonadotropin,alphachain;collagen, type XIX,alpha-1; andprotein-tyrosine phosphatase, type4A, 1thatmay play aroleinfetal growth anddevelopment. In addition, potential evidence for linkage (LOD � 1.2) was found on chromosomes 1q, 2q, 3q, 4q, 9p, 19p and 19q with LODs ranging from 1.3 to 2.7. Thus, we have found strong evidence for a major gene on chromosome 6q that influences variation in birth weight in both Mexican- and European-Americans.
Dietary phosphorus intake and mortality in moderate chronic kidney disease: NHANES III

Background. Dietary phosphorus intake is usually restricted in dialysis patients but the associations of dietary phosphorus intake with mortality in moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) are unknown. Therefore, we examined these associations in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III.
Teaching writing teachers about assessment

Abstract The assessment of student writing is an essential task for writing teachers, and yet many graduate programs do not require students to take a course in assessment or evaluation, and courses on teaching writing often devote only a limited amount of time to the discussion of assessment. Furthermore, teachers frequently need to prepare their students for externally mandated large-scale writing assessments, and thus they need to have an understanding of the uses and misuses of such tests. This article outlines some of the essential considerations in classroom and large-scale assessments and provides suggestions for how to incorporate considerations about assessment into a course on teaching writing or as a stand-alone course.
Effect of lymphokine-containing sera on adenocarcinoma bw10232 and melanoma b16 in c57bl/6 mice.

Lymphokine-containing sera (LKS) inhibited the growth of adenocarcinoma BW10232 and melanoma B16 in C57BL/L mice. Resistance to tumor growth was conferred by daily injections into the challenge site. The injection of LKS did not provide long-term resistance, inasmuch as termination of treatment permitted resumption of tumor growth at the primary tumor site. Whether LKS exerted a direct or indirect effect on the tumor cells to retard their was not certain.
Triple junction InGaP/GaAS/Ge solar cell optimization: The design parameters for a 36.2% efficient space cell using Silvaco ATLAS modeling & simulation

This paper presents the design parameters for a triple junction InGaP/GaAs/Ge space solar cell with a simulated maximum efficiency of 36.28% using Silvaco ATLAS Virtual Wafer Fabrication tool. Design parameters include the layer material, doping concentration, and thicknesses. An initial dual junction InGaP/GaAs model of a known Japanese solar cell was constructed in Silvaco ATLAS to an accuracy of less than 2% with known experimental V oc and J sc performance results, validating the use of computer modeling to accurately predict solar cell performance. Once confidence of the model's meshing, material property statements, model statements, light file, and numerical methods were established, only the layer doping concentration levels and thicknesses were modified in order to improve the cell's power out efficiency. Simulations of the dual junction cell began by first changing only the doping concentrations and thicknesses to the values obtained from previous work using a genetic algorithm which showed a 0.6% increase in efficiency. Further improvements to the genetic algorithm design parameters showed an overall increase of 0.83% efficiency. Next, a triple junction InGaP/GaAs/Ge cell was modeled by adding a Ge layer to the validated dual junction InGaP/GaAs model. (The triple junction model could not be validated due to lack of published experimental data.) Applying the same process showed increased power output for the triple junction cell. The additional improvement to the genetic algorithm design parameters was principally based on the knowledge that the top InGaP layer is the current limiting layer. Hence, the top layer thickness was maximized until middle and bottom layer shadowing effects began to decrease power output. Over 250 simulations were performed and recorded. Maximum doping concentrations used real world limitations of 5e19 cm−3 for InGaP and GaAs and 3e18 cm−3 for Ge for all simulations. This process produced the design parameters for a 36.28% efficient triple junction solar cell. A provisional patent has been filed for this design.
A hybrid PAPR reduction scheme for coded OFDM

We consider schemes for reducing the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) in coded orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. We develop a new PAPR reduction technique using the label-inserted encoder of a random-like code and the soft amplitude limiter (SAL). Using this hybrid scheme provides 5.5 dB PAPR reduction in an OFDM system with 128 subcarriers, 4-bit selection and 3 dB clipping. Besides the significant PAPR reduction, the scheme also enjoys other advantages such as small overhead, low complexity, no side information transmission, and little performance loss. Among various random-like codes, the irregular repeat accumulate (IRA) code is the best choice for its simple encoder and capacity achieving performance. The scheme can be directly applied to multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) OFDM systems. The capacity of the clipped MIMO-OFDM systems is analyzed based on a Gaussian approximation of the clipping noise. We consider an iterative receiver with soft MAP MIMO-OFDM detector. For both single antenna and multiple antenna systems, the encoder part is independent in the hybrid scheme, thus no additional constraint is applied to the IRA code optimization. The IRA codes are designed for the ergodic MIMO-OFDM systems with different PAPR reduction settings, more specifically different clipping ratios, based on the extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) charts. Simulation results show that the hybrid scheme with 3 dB clipping can achieve as good PAPR reduction performance as the simple clipping with 0 dB ratio but incurs much less performance loss at the receiver
Temporal Analysis of the Magnaporthe Oryzae Proteome During Conidial Germination and Cyclic AMP (cAMP)-mediated Appressorium Formation

Rice blast disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most serious threats to global rice production. During the earliest stages of rice infection, M. oryzae conidia germinate on the leaf surface and form a specialized infection structure termed the appressorium. The development of the appressorium represents the first critical stage of infectious development. A total of 3200 unique proteins were identified by nanoLC-MS/MS in a temporal study of conidial germination and cAMP-induced appressorium formation in M. oryzae. Using spectral counting based label free quantification, observed changes in relative protein abundance during the developmental process revealed changes in the cell wall biosynthetic machinery, transport functions, and production of extracellular proteins in developing appressoria. One hundred and sixty-six up-regulated and 208 down-regulated proteins were identified in response to cAMP treatment. Proteomic analysis of a cAMP-dependent protein kinase A mutant that is compromised in the ability to form appressoria identified proteins whose developmental regulation is dependent on cAMP signaling. Selected reaction monitoring was used for absolute quantification of four regulated proteins to validate the global proteomics data and confirmed the germination or appressorium specific regulation of these proteins. Finally, a comparison of the proteome and transcriptome was performed and revealed little correlation between transcript and protein regulation. A subset of regulated proteins were identified whose transcripts show similar regulation patterns and include many of the most strongly regulated proteins indicating a central role in appressorium formation. A temporal quantitative RT-PCR analysis confirmed a strong correlation between transcript and protein abundance for some but not all genes. Collectively, the data presented here provide the first comprehensive view of the M. oryzae proteome during early infection-related development and highlight biological processes important for pathogenicity.
An anesthesiologist’s perspective on inhaled anesthesia decision-making

Purpose To describe the culture and content of anesthesia practice; the stages, types, and goals of anesthesia; nomenclature and factors that can affect dosing of inhaled anesthesia; basis for anesthesiologist choices among inhaled anesthesia agents; and special considerations in using inhaled anesthesia in bariatric surgery patients, pediatric patients, and cardiac surgery patients; and to provide insights into myths associated with inhaled anesthesia. Summary The practice of anesthesiology requires complex monitoring, detailed knowledge of pharmacology, and the ability to make quick decisions about patient management. Four stages of anesthesia have been characterized on the basis of patient responsiveness to surgical stimuli. The second stage (“excitement”) occurs during induction of or emergence from anesthesia; patients in this stage are particularly vulnerable to problems with laryngospasm, airway obstruction, uncontrolled motor movements, regurgitation, vomiting, and aspiration. In the United States, most general anesthesia involves inhaled agents. The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of inhaled anesthetic agents, which anesthesiologists use in dosing these drugs, can be affected by age, a variety of medications, and other patient-specific factors. MAC can be thought of as a measure of drug potency. Both MAC and solubility in blood and tissues differ among inhaled anesthetic agents. Agents with low solubility have a rapid onset and offset of effect and may allow for faster recovery. The choice among inhaled anesthetic agents may depend on their solubility, as well as the propensity to cause airway irritation and coughing, drug cost, and characteristics such as patient age, obesity, and duration of surgery. Anesthesia care providers’ experience and habits may also influence drug choice. Emergence delirium (i.e., agitation) can occur with all three inhaled anesthetic agents in common use (isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane). Other potential issues such as hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity are of minimal concern with these agents. Using low flow rates of fresh gas is one strategy for minimizing inhaled anesthesia costs, but it is not always feasible. Conclusion Experience and careful consideration of the characteristics of inhaled anesthesia agents and surgery- and patient-specific factors allow anesthesia care providers to meet the rapidly changing needs of patients receiving inhaled anesthesia in a safe and cost-effective manner.
Diagonal isoelectric focusing on immobilized pH gradients: Concept and preliminary performance tests†

Electrofocusing on diagonal immobilized pH gradients was designed to combine high field strength with a flat pH gradient over a wide pH range, circumventing the need for extremely high voltage in long, conventionally oriented focusing gels. The technique was found to be applicable at 500 V cm−1 to gels of 35 cm length of a flat pH gradient with a predicted pH range of 3.8 to 9.8, allowing for a focusing time of 2 h. Note that the equivalent flat pH gradient gel of 25 cm length at the same field strength would require application of 12 500 V. However, preliminary results indicate that the theoretically expected improvement in resolution due to high field strength does not materialize. This may be due to a distorted electric field caused by non-uniform conductance features inherent in the method and by the passage of the current through the isoelectric protein zones.
PSFQ: a reliable transport protocol for wireless sensor networks

We propose PSFQ (Pump Slowly, Fetch Quickly), a reliable transport protocol suitable for a new class of reliable data applications emerging in wireless sensor networks. For example, currently sensor networks tend to be application specific and are typically hard-wired to perform a specific task efficiently at low cost; however, there is an emerging need to be able to re-task or reprogram groups of sensors in wireless sensor networks on the fly (e.g., during disaster recovery). Due to the application-specific nature of sensor networks, it is difficult to design a single monolithic transport system that can be optimized for every application. PSFQ takes a different approach and supports a simple, robust and scalable transport that is customizable to meet the needs of different reliable data applications. To our knowledge there has been little or no work on the design of an efficient reliable transport protocol for wireless sensor networks, even though some techniques found in IP networks have some relevance to the solution space, such as, the body of work on reliable multicast. We present the design and implementation of PSFQ, and evaluate the protocol using the ns-2 simulator and an experimental wireless sensor testbed based on Berkeley motes. We show through simulation and experimentation that PSFQ can out perform existing related techniques (e.g., an idealized SRM scheme) and is highly responsive to the various error conditions experienced in wireless sensor networks, respectively.
The Origins and Ideals of Water Resource Economics in the United States

An abbreviated history of water resource economics is reported within the context of coevolving water issues and the emerging institutions of the United States’ past two centuries. Notable principles of water economics and their US origins are discussed. Some of the long-standing wisdom of the field is recalled. Landmarks for the founding doctrines of water marketing and efficient water pricing are identified.
Effect of source and level of vitamin D on immune function in growing broilers

Abstract Cholecalciferol and especially 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol have been reported to have immunomodulatory effects in various mammals. A study was conducted to evaluate source and level of vitamin Don various aspects of innate and adaptive immunity in broiler chicks. Nutritionally adequate starter (0 to −21 d) and grower (21 to −42 d) diets were fortified with either cholecalciferol (VIT-D3) or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) to provide 125, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 IU/kg, based on the conversion of 0.025 μg to 1 IU. Male birds of a commercial broiler strain were grown in litter floor pens in a house of commercial design with curtain sidewalls. Four pens of 60 birds were assigned to each dietary treatment. Various measures of innate and acquired immunity were conducted. No significant differences were observed related to source or level of vitamin D on macrophage function at 21 d and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity at 35 d. Significant differences in concentration and proportion among white blood cells were observed but followed no consistent pattern. Feeding levels of 2,000 or 4,000 IU of vitamin D, as commonly fed in the poultry industry, did not positively or negatively affect the immune system within the parameters measured.
Effect of Cooking Rates in Electric or Microwave Oven on Cooking Losses and Retention of Thiamin in Broilers

A study was conducted to determine the effect of two microwave oven and two electric oven cooking rates on retention of thiamin and cooking losses with broiler chickens. Thiamin was determined by a microbiological turbidimetric assay of raw and cooked meats. Broilers cooked in the microwave oven retained more thiamin than broilers cooked in the electric oven. There was no difference in thiamin retention between broilers cooked in the microwave oven at 800 and 1600 watts. Broilers cooked in the electric oven at 204°C retained more thiamin than broilers cooked at 121°C. Broilers cooked in a 1600 watt microwave oven had the greatest weight loss. No difference in weight loss occurred between broilers cooked in an 800 watt, 121°C or 204°C oven.
The thermistor problem with conductivity vanishing for large temperature

We consider the system (∂/∂t)u = ∆u + σ(u)|∇φ| 2 , div (σ(u)∇φ) = 0 in a bounded region of ℝ N coupled with initial and boundary conditions, where σ( s ) ∈ C(ℝ) is nonnegative and σ(u) = 0 if and only if u ≧ a for some a > 0. Owing to the degeneracy involved, solutions of the problem display new phenomena that cannot be incorporated into the classical weak formulation. The notion of a capacity solution introduced in [14,15] is employed to study the problem. It turns out that this notion of a solution is just general enough to encompass the new phenomena involved.
Reliability Analysis of Load and Resistance Factor Design of Slopes

AbstractA logical framework is developed for the LRFD of slopes based on reliability analysis. The LRFD of slopes with resistance factors developed in this manner ensures that a target probability of slope failure is not exceeded. Three different target probabilities of failure (0.0001, 0.001, and 0.01) are considered in this paper. The ultimate limit state for slope stability (formation of a slip surface and considerable movement along this slip surface) is defined using the Bishop simplified method with a factor of safety equal to 1. Gaussian random field theory is used to generate random realizations of the slope with values of strength and unit weight at any given point of the slope that differ from their mean by a random amount. A slope stability analysis is then performed for each slope realization to find the most critical slip surface and the corresponding driving and resisting moments. The probability of slope failure is calculated by counting the number of slope realizations for which the factor...
Dependency of hypoxic chemotransduction in cat carotid body on voltage-gated calcium channels.

The hypothesis that the entry of extracellular calcium ions into some compartment, quite possibly the type I cells, through voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) is essential for hypoxic chemotransduction in the cat carotid body was tested using an in situ perfusion technique. The neural output of the carotid body of anesthetized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated cats in response to perfusions with Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution (KRB), calcium-free KRB, KRB containing calcium channel blockers, or KRB containing BAY K 8644 was recorded. Selective perfusion of the carotid body with hypoxic calcium-free KRB significantly decreased carotid chemoreceptor activity, suggesting that extracellular calcium is essential for hypoxic chemotransduction. Selective perfusion of the carotid body with hypoxic KRB containing verapamil (10–100 microM), diltiazem (10–100 microM), or nifedipine (10–100 microM) dose dependently attenuated the increase in chemoreceptor activity produced by hypoxia, suggesting that VGCC need to be activated for hypoxic chemotransduction. The carotid body response to hyperoxic KRB containing the calcium channel agonist BAY K 8644 (10 microM) was 267 +/- 87% of hyperoxic control KRB, suggesting that an enhanced influx of calcium ions through VGCC stimulates carotid chemoreceptor activity. Selective perfusion of the carotid body with severely hypoxic KRB containing BAY K 8644 did not increase chemoreceptor activity above that produced by severe hypoxia alone. This suggests that severe hypoxia increases intracellular calcium in some compartment of the carotid body to achieve stimulatory maximum response and that further increase in intracellular calcium does not produce further elevation of neural activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Mechanism analysis on instability caused by multiple HVDC power drop of multiple sending HVDC systems

As the high-voltage direct current (HVDC)s with large capacity are continually being commissioned, the "strong DC and weak AC" characteristic of the power gird is furtherly being presented, the influence of the multiple sending HVDC system on the stability of the interconnected power system is becoming significant. In this paper, the HVDC power drop characteristic caused by contingencies of the sending-side system is analyzed, on the base of the three-area AC/DC equivalent model, the impact of the multiple HVDC power drop on the stability of the interconnected system under different power flow directions is analyzed, and the single HVDC blocking is taken to be compared. Finally, the results are verified by the "North China-Central China-East China" power grid case system. The results show that the instability mode of the sending-side system caused by the multiple HVDC power drop is the first/second angle instability, the severity of the impact of which on the sending-side system stability is close to that of the single HVDC blocking, and further study on the effective counter-measures is quite necessary.
Visualizing Site-Specific Redox Potentials on the Surface of Plasmonic Nanoparticle Aggregates with Superlocalization SERS Microscopy

In this Letter, we demonstrate site-specific redox potentials for Nile Blue adsorbed to Ag nanoparticle electrodes using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) superlocalization microscopy. Nile Blue is electrochemically modulated between its oxidized and reduced form, which can be optically read out through a corresponding gain or loss in SERS intensity. SERS emission centroids are calculated by fitting the diffraction-limited SERS emission to a two-dimensional Gaussian to determine the approximate location of the emitter with 5–10 nm precision. With molecular coverage above the single molecule level, the SERS centroid trajectories shift reversibly with applied potential over multiple reduction and oxidation cycles. A mechanism is proposed to explain the centroid trajectories based on site-specific redox potentials on the nanoparticle electrode surface, where the first molecule reduced is the last to be oxidized, consistent with reversible electrochemical behavior of redox probes adsorbed to electrode ...