cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The empirical study on influences of television energy consumption on power system frequency and its control strategies in significant holidays

Based on consistency in TV program audience in significant holidays, a new method was put forward for delicate management in power grid dispatching and operation. The basic concept of power system frequency control was analyzed, and the function of pump-storage generators and gas turbine generators in frequency regulation was described. The load variation during the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympic Game was forecasted based on TV energy consumption tests and the relevant frequency control strategies were discussed. Empirical results in power system operation show that the proposed method is necessary and effective.
A Labile Endogenous Na-pump Inhibitor in Man

A circulating, endogenous sodium pump inhibitor (ESPI) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension (3). Efforts to identify this factor have generated a bewildering array of chemically different candidates (1). Previous efforts to isolate such a factor for further characterization have used techniques, which while appropriate for the purification of stable chemical species, have been too long and/or ineffective in protecting chemically labile species. We have developed a procedure to purify ESPI from human fluids that would be rapid and provide protection for air and thermally sensitive chemical species to ascertain whether such compounds exist and to allow for their study. We had previously carried out a clinical study in which we isolated an ESPI from human peritoneal dialysate (PD) from patients with sustained extracellular fluid volume expansion (6). PD levels of this ESPI were correlated with volume status, blood pressure, and serum Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitory activity. Additionally, it appeared to be chemically unstable. We have continued to use this same paradigm to insure isolation of a volume-sensitive ESPI and to exploit PD as a source because it is rapidly available and readily processed.
Applications to Linear Operator Equations

The Best Approximation Method has been examined, in the previous chapters, with respect to several families of linear operator equations. Chapter 7 is dedicated to an important family of linear operator equations involving potential problems (Laplace Equation). In this chapter, several families of linear operator problems will be considered and reviewed. In this way, the generalized Fourier series approach can be examined in generality.
Cognitive Improvement Following Lead Chelation

The short (7 weeks) and long (6 months) term effects of lowered blood lead levels on cognitive performance were measured in 154 previously untreated lead-poisoned children, aged 13 to 87 months, examined at the Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY.
On constant gaps for the K-pair user two-way Gaussian interference channel with interaction

In a K-pair-user two-way Gaussian interference channel (IC), 2K messages and 2K transmitters/receivers form a Gaussian K-user IC in the forward direction (K messages) and another Gaussian K-user IC in the backward direction (K messages) which operate simultaneously in full-duplex mode. All nodes are permitted to interact, i.e. adapt current channel inputs to past received signals. We derive a new sum-rate outer bound for linear deterministic and Gaussian noise channels allowing for interaction, but show that for symmetric scenarios and certain interference regimes (moderately weak and strong), non-interactive schemes achieve to within a constant gap of this outer bound. That is, interaction for symmetric channels in certain interference regimes may only improve the sum-rate by a constant number of bits per channel use.
Topological Reconfigurations of Bennett-Based Linkages

This paper presents the methodology of topological reconfigurations with composite Bennett linkages. A new family of diverse reconfigurable Bennett linkages is discovered. The framework is based on the parallel combination of Bennett chains. Two kinds of expansible frameworks are addressed in detail. The topological reconfigurations of Bennett-based linkage with multiple working-phases can be attained from the composite framework of the compositing Bennett chain by eliminating the revolute angle between its adjacent links. Several examples are provided not only to interpret the construction of extant ones but also to develop more complicated ones. The proposed method systematically discovers all possible permutations of number of joints and links for topological variants of the resultant linkages. The spatial linkage built based on the presented methodology may be either overconstrained or underconstrained because some of their DOFs may not follow the mobility as predicted by Chebychev-Grubler-Kutzbach criterion.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
The Sound and the Fusae: Music Notation as a Means of Time Travel

The Renaissance composer Crispinus van Stappen was born during a time in which luxuries such as cloud storage and back-up files had yet to be invented; if something went missing, it stayed that way. Unfortunately, this happened with one of the voices to his five-voice motet Exaudi nos filia . Without this voice his composition is incomplete and unperformable. If one wanted to complete van Stappen's composition and recreate this missing voice, what would one have to take into consideration to get the most accurate result without creating a time machine, traveling back in time, and listening to the original? I propose to recreate the missing voice to Exaudi nos filia using the original white mensural system of notation, exploring the possibilities that this approach has for historically accurate composition and how the system itself could influence me as a composer when recreating this voice. Composing any piece of music requires the melding of sound and symbol: music theory and analysis take care of the sound and notation takes care of the symbol. With analyzing, transcribing, performing, and listening to contemporaneous pieces one can gain an aural feel for the aesthetic of the music. Likewise, studying the music theory of the era can provide one with the guidelines and rules that composers of that time would have followed. This lays out a map of what procedures were common and what the people of that era were used to hearing. However, theory and intent listening can only provide so much information to a modern ear trained in a modern setting. White mensural notation is a close precursor to our modern notational system and while the similarities between them are enough to render it readable with practice, there are key differences that create an unfamiliar atmosphere for writing music. Modern instruments can play early music, but performing on period instruments allows performers to momentarily time travel and gain the motions naturally existent in the instruments of that era, creating an entirely different sound and gestural vocabulary. Just as playing on period instruments creates a different performance perhaps writing in a period notation, where stylistic elements can happen naturally due to the system, can also create a different composition.
Breast mass detection in mammography and tomosynthesis via fully convolutional network-based heatmap regression

Breast mass detection in mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an essential step in computerized breast cancer analysis. Deep learning-based methods incorporate feature extraction and model learning into a unified framework and have achieved impressive performance in various medical applications (e.g., disease diagnosis, tumor detection, and landmark detection). However, these methods require large-scale accurately annotated data. Unfortunately, it is challenging to get precise annotations of breast masses. To address this issue, we propose a fully convolutional network (FCN) based heatmap regression method for breast mass detection, using only weakly annotated mass regions in mammography images. Specifically, we first generate heat maps of masses based on human-annotated rough regions for breast masses. We then develop an FCN model for end-to-end heatmap regression with an F-score loss function, where the mammography images are regarded as the input and heatmaps for breast masses are used as the output. Finally, the probability map of mass locations can be estimated with the trained model. Experimental results on a mammography dataset with 439 subjects demonstrate the effectiveness of our method. Furthermore, we evaluate whether we can use mammography data to improve detection models for DBT, since mammography shares similar structure with tomosynthesis. We propose a transfer learning strategy by fine-tuning the learned FCN model from mammography images. We test this approach on a small tomosynthesis dataset with only 40 subjects, and we show an improvement in the detection performance as compared to training the model from scratch.
Screening one bead one compound libraries against serum using a flow cytometer: Determination of the minimum antibody concentration required for ligand discovery.

One bead one compound (OBOC) libraries can be screened against serum samples to identify ligands to antibodies in this mixture. In this protocol, hit beads are identified by staining with a fluorescent labeled secondary antibody. When screens are conducted against two different sets of serum, antibodies, and ligands to them, can be discovered that distinguish the two populations. The application of DNA-encoding technology to OBOC libraries has allowed the use of 10 µm beads for library preparation and screening, which pass through a standard flow cytometer, allowing the fluorescent hit beads to be separated from beads displaying non-ligands easily. An important issue in using this approach for the discovery of antibody biomarkers is its analytical sensitivity. In other words, how abundant must an IgG be to allow it to be pulled out of serum in an unbiased screen using a flow cytometer? We report here a model study in which monoclonal antibodies with known ligands of varying affinities are doped into serum. We find that for antibody ligands typical of what one isolates from an unbiased combinatorial library, the target antibody must be present at 10-50 nM. True antigens, which bind with significantly higher affinity, can detect much less abundant serum antibodies.
Genomic Approaches for Micronutrients Biofortification of Rice

Abstract Among the micronutrients, iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) mineral deficiencies are the most common and widespread, afflicting more than half of the human population. Improving both Fe and Zn concentration and their bioavailability in food grains will assure major health benefits. Recent advancements in genomics and genome editing bring new possibilities for targeted research. Next-generation sequencing technologies are allowing the mass sequencing of genomes and transcriptomes, which facilitates the discovery of new genes and regulatory sequences. These can help improve our knowledge of gene function and regulation associated with Fe and Zn metabolism in crops. The key genes can then be used for biofortification of micronutrients through breeding or transgenic approaches. Small noncoding microRNAs (miRNAs) have the potential to provide more effective means to engineer improved Fe and Zn in food crops. Conventional plant breeding can thus be integrated with forward or reverse genomic approaches and high throughput methods to help in rice biofortification. In this chapter, we have described the genomics of micronutirents biofortification in rice. Recent advances in QTL (quantitative traits loci) mapping, noncoding miRNAs, and epigenetics of high Fe and Zn traits in rice have been deliberated. Conventional and recent approaches including transgenic and genome editing for genome engineering to enhance Fe and Zn of rice grain have also been elucidated.
Gottschalk’s Engagement with the Ungovernable: Louis Moreau Gottschalk and the Bamboula Rhythm

In 1848 New Orleans, Louisiana pianist and composer Louis Moreau Gottschalk composed “La Bamboula (Danse des Negres), Op. 2”. My discussion centers on the relationship Gottschalk had with the Afric...
Magnetic Ions in Group II–VI Semiconductors

The group II–VI materials include a number of technologically important systems ranging from IR detection materials (Hg\(_{1-\mathrm{x}}\)Cd\(_\mathrm{x}\)Te), to X-ray detectors (Cd\(_{1-\mathrm{x}}\)Zn\(_\mathrm{x}\)Te), and the versatile ZnO. With the advent of interest in magnetic semiconductors for possible spintronics application, doping the II–VI compounds with transition metals was seen as potential route to such materials. EXAFS and XANES have proven very useful in characterizing such materials. They can determine the location and valence of the dopants, and are sensitive to potential second phase formation. This chapter looks at the application of XAS methods to a variety of magnetically doped II–VI systems over the last 30 years.
Release of Human Platelet Factor V Activity is Induced by Both Collagen and ADP and is Inhibited by Aspirin

Factor V activity in suspensions of human platelets washed by albumin density gradient separation increased in response to stimulation by both collagen and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). The appearance of factor V activity extracellularly had the characteristics of platelet secretion and was partially inhibited by aspirin and by the antimetabolites 2-deoxyglucose and antimycin A. Some increase in factor V activity was also observed in platelet suspensions during the initial response to ADP; this activity was not detected extracellularly, but remained associated with the platelets. Patients with storage pool deficiency (SPD) whose platelets are deficient only in dense granule substances released normal amounts of factor V activity, whereas decreased amounts were released in a patient whose platelets have both dense and alpha granule deficiencies. These findings suggest that a portion of platelet factor V is associated with, and released from, alpha granules.
Pediatric hip pain.

This presentation deals with acute hip pain problems in children. These include: fractures, avulsion injuries, infection and inflammation, aseptic necrosis, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, and tumor and tumor-like conditions. Emphasis is on plain film findings and how not to miss them in their subtle forms.
Primary PCI: Outcomes and Quality Assessment

Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) constitute a high-risk group who benefit significantly from established community and regional plans aimed at achieving coronary artery reperfusion at the earliest possible time. Public awareness of the symptoms of a heart attack, the presence of rapid response teams to transport and treat STEMI patients, and appropriate hospital facilities are essential components of this effort. Routine patient and health system data collection and analysis and comparison of risk-adjusted outcomes are required to ensure that physician and system performances are comparable to regional and national norms and to permit corrective action where needed. Enhanced regional efforts have been shown to improve treatment times and outcomes with a significant reduction in in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients treated with PCI.
Recovery-informed Theory: Situating the Subjective in the Science of Substance Use Disorder Recovery

As recovery from substance use disorder becomes more than a mere quantifiable outcome, there exists a need to discuss and propose the underlying theoretical constructs that ultimately describe and identify the science of recovery. In this abstract undertaking, we propose an initial formulation of a grand theory of recovery science, built upon the seminal theories of recovery capital, recovery-oriented systems of care, and socioecological theory. This grand theory - labeled recovery-informed theory (RIT) - states that successful long-term recovery is self-evident and is a fundamentally emancipatory set of processes. This paper will discuss, analyze, and explore this theory as it is situated within the larger substance use, misuse, and disorder contexts. The uses, implications, and benefits of RIT as an organizing point of inquiry for recovery science are also discussed. By promoting the role of subjective recovery experience in the formulation of the study of recovery, it may be possible to summon new ideas, metrics, and strategies that can directly address substance use disorders in society. Adopting a recovery-informed understanding as follows from this grand theory may allow individual recovery and wellness trajectories to be explored, adapted, and modified to exemplify person-centered and individualized recovery strategies.
Effects of Coaxial-Lateral and Coaxial-Angular Displacements on Link Efficiency of a Wirelessly Powered Optogenetic Implant: Design, Modeling, and Experimental Validation

In recent years, the wireless power transfer (WPT) system has evolved tremendously as a means to deliver power to miniaturized implantable sensors. Efficiently delivering power to implants is a challenge due to the loose coupling between the transmitter and receiver coils because of the various displacements (coaxial, lateral, and angular). The coupling coefficient deteriorates significantly due to the displacements, thus decreasing the overall power transfer efficiency of the system. In this paper, we present an analysis and modeling of the effects of various displacements on the efficiency and the overall performance of a miniaturized WPT system designed for an optogenetic implant. To emulate the tissue media inside a human head, skin, skull, and gray matter layers are theoretically modeled using dielectric properties, and simulation models are developed using Ansys high-frequency structure simulator (HFSS) software. The propagation loss and the link efficiency are modeled and simulated as a function of various displacement combinations. To validate the theoretical and simulation models, the WPT system is characterized in various displacement conditions using chicken breast as the tissue media. The measurement results also show a good agreement with the simulation results, thus providing estimation for the misalignment tolerance range for given specifications. The efficiency performance analysis of the proposed WPT system for various worst-case scenarios also provides a preliminary model for designing a closed-loop wireless power delivery regulation scheme in the future.
Changing Behavioral Patterns Related to Maternity and Childbirth in Rural and Poor Populations: A Critical Review

While life expectancy has increased worldwide in recent decades, dramatic health inequalities persist across and within countries and between different population groups. Maternal mortality in low-...
Echocardiography, Transcranial Doppler, and Oximetry for Imaging and Quantification of PFO-Mediated Shunts

Abstract Multiple imaging modalities play an important role in the identification and quantification of right-to-left shunts, which determine the management pathway of patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO). The most commonly used screening modalities are transthoracic echocardiography and transcranial Doppler bubble studies. Following the initial screening study, transesophageal echocardiography, intracardiac echocardiography, or angiography and catheter probing are used for further confirmation of the presence of an intracardiac shunt and quantification of its severity. In rare occasions, other imaging modalities such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging could be used. This chapter discusses the techniques, advantages, and limitations of each modality for the detection of an intracardiac right-to-left shunt due to a PFO, with reference to the available evidence supporting each test.
Profiling HEXACO factors on self-presentation tactic use

Abstract The idea that personality is closely connected to the strategic presentation of the self is occasionally echoed across social-personality and clinical psychology; although self-presentation may be a feature of personality, investigations into this possibility are rather rare and possess various shortcomings that make them somewhat inconclusive. To advance understanding, MTurk participants (N = 298) first completed indices of HEAXCO factors and then reported their past use of various self-presentation tactics. Data revealed that each HEXACO factor generally positively related to self-presentation tactics that, together, portray the factor's social orientation and characteristics. In sum, our data show that the apparent basic elements of personality relate to strategic portrayals of identities consistent with those elements; we discuss the implications of these findings for understanding self-presentation and personality.
Fiscal Policy and Institutions in Imperial China

Up until the final four decades of the Qing Dynasty, fiscal extraction in imperial China was primarily a matter of taxing agricultural production, generally in the form of an annual property tax assessed on the basis of landholding, and collected in either grain or cash. All major dynasties prior to the Qing wielded this fiscal instrument somewhat flexibly, with large-scale reforms, usually leading to significantly higher taxes, occurring around mid-dynasty, but the Qing broke this trend: the absolute volume of agricultural taxes remained locked in place for the great majority of its 278-year life-span, despite a near tripling of both the population and the economy. This eventually rendered the Qing fiscal state an extreme outlier in both horizontal and vertical comparisons: relative to the economy it governed, not only was it much smaller than its major early modern competitors, ranging from Japan to Western European states to other central Asian empires, but it was also probably the smallest post-Qin dynastic state by far. Preexisting scholarship has largely failed to identify, let alone explain, this sudden and dramatic shift in fiscal policy towards the end of China’s imperial history. There are a number of possible explanations for it, some of which have appeared in the preexisting literature, but the most promising one — which has not appeared — seems to be that the extraordinary circumstances of the Ming-Qing transition served as the catalyst for a decisive conservative turn in Chinese fiscal thought, pushing the Qing state into a fundamentally different political and institutional equilibrium than its predecessors.
A Novel Deep Reinforcement Learning Algorithm for Online Antenna Tuning

The interactions between the cells, most notably due to their coupled interference and the large number of users, render the optimization of antenna parameters prohibitively complex. To cope with this problem, we propose a novel practical deep learning (DL) based reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm to jointly optimize antenna tilt angle and vertical and horizontal half-power beamwidths of the macrocells in a heterogeneous cellular network (HetNet). In the proposed algorithm, DL is used to extract the features by learning the locations of users, and mean field RL is used to learn the average interference values for different antenna settings. Our results illustrate that the proposed deep RL algorithm can approach the optimum weighted sum rate with hundreds of online trials, as opposed to millions of trials for standard Q-learning, assuming relatively low environmental dynamics. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm is compact and implementable, and empirically appears to provide a performance guarantee regardless of the amount of environmental dynamics.
Improving Transition to Adult Care for Those With Developmental Disabilities: An Unclear Path

In this issue of Pediatrics , Levy et al1 present a systematic review focused on the transition from pediatric to adult care for adolescents and young adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The transition from pediatric to adult health care is a challenge for patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families.2–4 Patients are not only changing from pediatric to adult health systems but also working on such things as getting the appropriate educational supports in college, applying for disability (if appropriate), or finding services for adults to replace the support services provided in the school setting. With this review, Levy et al1 sought to identify those interventions that providers and systems can use to support families during this difficult process, ultimately concluding that although interventions may help with transition readiness and patient disease knowledge, the data are limited, especially with respect to patient quality of life, the primary outcome of interest in this review. The review by Levy et al1 is notable for its expansive consideration of transition interventions. The interventions themselves could consist of a specialized transition clinic, educational materials, a formal transition curriculum, or … Address correspondence to Laura C. Hart, MD, MPH, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205. E-mail: laura.hart{at}nationwidechildrens.org
Pleasure, power, and pathology—between two worlds: Killing Eve’s queer/feminist post-Cold War appraisal

Since a resurgence on the world stage by a post-Soviet capitalist Russian state, fictional media representations of Russians in the U.S. and Britain have become increasingly commonplace. In order t...
Artificial intelligence for disparities in knee pain assessment

An algorithm developed through machine learning on existing radiological data from diverse people has the potential to improve the diagnosis and management of knee pain from osteoarthritis and reduce racial disparities in the assessment of knee pain.
Effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and CPAP on Cognitive Function.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by repetitive episodes of complete or partial upper airway obstruction during sleep. Studies indicate that OSA is an independent risk factor for cognitive decline in older patients. The purpose of this paper is to critically review the recent literature on the cognitive effects of untreated OSA and the benefits of treatment across cognitive domains. OSA’s greatest impact appears to be on attention, vigilance, and information processing speed. Furthermore, the presence of OSA seems to have a significant impact on development and progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Impact of OSA treatment, particularly with CPAP, appears to mitigate and slow the rate of cognitive decline and may reduce the risk of dementia. Larger properly controlled studies, of a prospective nature, are required to further elucidate the degree of treatment effect. More studies are needed on other treatments for OSA such as oral mandibular devices and hypoglossal nerve stimulation.
Blast response of double curvature, composite sandwich shallow shells

Abstract An analytical model was developed for predicting the blast response of a double-curvature, composite sandwich shallow shell with PVC foam core. Based on Donnell’s nonlinear shallow shell formulation, the PVC foam core was modeled with isotropic and transversely isotropic elastic–plastic properties. The predicted transient response was shown to be in good agreement with Finite Elements (ABAQUS Explicit) when assuming isotropic foam crushing. For sandwich shells with higher curvature and in-plane membrane resistance, lower blast resistance was found with transversely isotropic than isotropic core crushing. This indicated that modeling the core of the sandwich shell as isotropic instead of transversely isotropic would give non-conservative estimates of the structure’s ability to resist blast loading for some sandwich shell geometries.
Fast head tilt detection for human-computer interaction

Accurate head tilt detection has a large potential to aid people with disabilities in the use of human-computer interfaces and provide universal access to communication software. We show how it can be utilized to tab through links on a web page or control a video game with head motions. It may also be useful as a correction method for currently available video-based assistive technology that requires upright facial poses. Few of the existing computer vision methods that detect head rotations in and out of the image plane with reasonable accuracy can operate within the context of a real-time communication interface because the computational expense that they incur is too great. Our method uses a variety of metrics to obtain a robust head tilt estimate without incurring the computational cost of previous methods. Our system runs in real time on a computer with a 2.53 GHz processor, 256 MB of RAM and an inexpensive webcam, using only 55% of the processor cycles.
Use Of World Wide DSP Low Power 0.72 μm "S3" Standard Cell Library For Dedicated GSM Peripherals

This paper describes how the "S3" standard-cell library helps optimising the speed of circuits; and reduce their power dissipation and the silicon area they occupy. The "S3" standard-cell library is designed and used with automated compilers to produce blocks layout with a performance close to one of layouts produced by hand. The cells are interconnected by rows and overall layout nevertheless benefits of regularity in placement inherent to such compilers. The "S3" Standard-cell library is used at world-wide level by TI-DSP design centers and by selected customers to develop DSP cores and peripherals for applications like cellular phone, DTAD, HDD, and modem. This library was used to create modular and reusable peripherals which were integrated on several low voltage high performance circuits like standard DSP such TMS320C56, 320C57, 320C542.
Immunoelectron microscopic localization of small, acid-soluble spore proteins in sporulating cells of Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract Small, acid-soluble spore proteins SASP-alpha, SASP-beta, and SASP-gamma as well as a SASP-beta-lacZ gene fusion product were found only within the forespore compartment of sporulating Bacillus subtilis cells by using immunoelectron microscopy. The alpha/beta-type SASP were associated almost exclusively with the forespore nucleoid, while SASP-gamma was somewhat excluded from the nucleoid. These different locations of alpha/beta-type and gamma-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins within the forespore are consistent with the different roles for these two types of proteins in spore resistance to UV light.
Fetal pulmonary maturity as determined by fluorescent polarization of amniotic fluid

Abstract A special technique, fluorescent polarization (F.P.) has been used to measure the microviscosity of amniotic fluid. A total of 151 samples of amniotic fluid from 118 patients, both normal and high-risk, were included in this study. The results were compared to L/S ratios and to the neonatal outcomes. The F.P. value was found to decrease as pregnancy progressed, and a value of 0.345 or less was found to be associated with apparent fetal lung maturity. The correlation between the F.P. value and the L/S ratio was good when mature results were compared (L/S >2 and F.P.≤0.345). When the L/S ratio was immature ( 345) developed RDS and three of these died with hyaline membrane disease. In 83 patients delivered within 48 hours of the amniotic fluid sampling, the predictive value of the F.P. increased to 100 per cent but that of the L/S ratio remained 14 per cent.
Does agriculture really matter for economic Growth in Developing Countries

This paper revisits the debate on the role of agriculture in promoting economic growth in a selection of nine developing countries. We investigated the causal linkages between agriculture and gross domestic product growth with the aid of directed acyclic graphs, a recently developed algorithm of inductive causation. The results suggest that while agriculture could be an engine of economic growth, the impact varies across countries. In some cases, we found strong evidence in support of the agriculture-led growth hypothesis. In contrast, the results for some other countries indicate that having a vibrant aggregate economy is a prerequisite for agricultural development.
Biochemical and Molecular Biological Characterization of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylases

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) catalyzes the ATP-dependent carboxylation of acetyl-CoA to form malonyl-CoA. Classically this reaction is considered to be the first, rate-limiting reaction of de novo fatty acid biosynthesis. In contrast to all other organisms, which synthesize fatty acids in the cytosol, plants are unique in that de novo fatty acid biosynthesis occurs almost exclusively in plastids. In addition, plants utilize malonyl-CoA for the synthesis of a number of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, very long chain fatty acids, stilbenoids, and many malonyl derivatives; these reactions are thought to occur in the cytosol of plant cells (1, 2, introduction of reference #3). To characterize how malonyl-CoA is generated from acetyl-CoA, in at least two compartments, we have been characterizing ACCase via a comprehensive study of biotinylated proteins. Our studies, and those from other labs, indicate that plants contain at least two structurally distinct ACCases. One form of ACCase has a biotin-containing subunit of approximately 240 kDa, and a second form has a biotin-containing polypeptide of about 60 kDa.
The structure of optimal controllers of spatially-invariant distributed parameter systems

We consider distributed parameter systems where the underlying dynamics are spatially invariant, and where the controls and measurements are spatially distributed. These systems arise in many applications such as the control of platoons, flow control with large arrays of sensors/actuators (e.g. in micro electromechanical systems), and systems described by partial differential equations with constant coefficients and distributed controls and measurements. We consider a variety of optimality criteria, and show that optimal controllers inherit the spatial invariance structure of the plant. We comment on the significant implications of this fact to controller design and implementation for such distributed parameter systems.
Protein supplementation for growing cattle fed a corn silage-based diet.

ABSTRACT The objectives were to determine effects of protein supplementation in corn silage–based diets on growing cattle performance and economics of gain. In Exp. 1, steers (n = 144; initial BW = 269 ± 60 kg) were blocked by BW. The 6 pens within each block were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 protein supplements: 1) urea, 2) soybean meal, or 3) dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). The diets contained 79% corn silage and 21% CP, vitamin, and mineral supplement (DM basis). Protein supplements were formulated to achieve 11.5% total dietary protein (DM basis) and were fed for 84 d. In Exp. 2, steers (n = 34, initial BW = 198 ± 28 kg) and heifers (n = 19, initial BW = 194 ± 42 kg) were blocked by sex and allotted to 9 pens (3 pens of heifers and 6 pens of steers). Pens within block were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 protein supplements: 1) 11% CP, 2) 12% CP, or 3) 13% CP. Urea was used to increase protein concentrations by treatment, and diets contained 90% corn silage and 10% corn-based supplement containing urea, vitamins, and minerals (DM basis). In Exp. 1, cattle fed DDGS and soybean meal had greater (P
Fidelity of Thermococcus litoralis DNA polymerase (VentTM) in PCR determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

DNA synthesis fidelities of two thermostable DNA polymerases, Thermus aquaticus (Taq) and Thermococcus litoralis (Tli, also known as Vent), and a non-thermostable enzyme, a modified T7 DNA polymerase (Sequenase), were determined by analyzing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The error rates were 4.4, 8.9, and 2.4 x 10(-5) errors/bp for modified T7, Taq, and Tli polymerase, respectively. Reducing the nucleotide triphosphate concentration for Tli polymerase during PCR did not alter the fidelity. The ability of DGGE to detect a mutant present at several percent in a wild type population is related to the polymerase fidelity. To examine the sensitivity of mutant detection, human genomic DNA containing a 1% fraction of a known base pair substitution mutant was PCR-amplified with the three enzymes using primers that flank the mutant sequence. The PCR products were analyzed by DGGE. The signal from the mutant present at 1% was visible in the samples amplified with modified T7 and Tli polymerase, but the higher error rate of Taq polymerase did not permit visualization of the signal in DNA amplified with Taq polymerase.
Impaired Sociability and Cognitive Function in Nrcam-null Mice

NRCAM (Neuronal Cell Adhesion Molecule) has an important role in axonal guidance and the organization of neural circuitry during brain development. Association analyses in human populations have identified NRCAM as a candidate gene for autism susceptibility. In the present study, we evaluated Nrcam-null mice for sociability, social novelty preference, and reversal learning as a model for the social deficits, repetitive behavior, and cognitive rigidity characteristic of autism. Prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle responses was also measured, to reflect sensorimotor-gating deficits in autism spectrum disorders. Assays for anxiety-like behavior in an elevated plus maze and open field, motor coordination, and olfactory ability in a buried food test were conducted to provide control measures for the interpretation of results. Overall, the loss of Nrcam led to behavioral alterations in sociability, acquisition of a spatial task, and reversal learning, dependent on sex. In comparison to male wild type mice, male Nrcam-null mutants had significantly decreased sociability in a three-chambered choice task. Low sociability in the male null mutants was not associated with changes in anxiety-like behavior, activity, or motor coordination. Male, but not female, Nrcam-null mice had small decreases in prepulse inhibition. Nrcam deficiency in female mice led to impaired acquisition of spatial learning in the Morris water maze task. Reversal learning deficits were observed in both male and female Nrcam-null mice. These results provide evidence that NRCAM mediates domains of function relevant to symptoms observed in autism.
The IMF, austerity and the state in Latin America

(1986). The IMF, austerity and the state in Latin America. Third World Quarterly: Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 425-448.
Weak reaction freeze-out constraints on primordial magnetic fields

We explore constraints on the strength of the primordial magnetic field based upon the weak reaction freeze-out in the early universe. We find that limits on the strength of the magnetic field found in other works are recovered simply by examining the temperature at which the rate of weak reactions drops below the rate of universal expansion $({\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{w}l~$ H). The temperature for which the $n/p$ ratio at freeze-out leads to acceptable helium production implies limits on the magnetic field. This simplifies the application of magnetic fields to other cosmological variants of the standard big bang. As an illustration we also consider effects of neutrino degeneracy on the allowed limits to the primordial magnetic field.
Policy redesign for solving the financial bottleneck in demand side management (DSM) in China

Abstract DSM is one of the best and most practical policy tools for China to balance environmental protection and economic growth. However, the bottleneck lies in the lack of long-term, stable, sufficient and gradually increasing funds to flow into DSM projects. The author redesigns the practical ‘system benefit charge (SBC)’ policy, which will provide long-term and stable funding for DSM, the policy to facilitate the financial support from banking sector and capital market, and investigates the possibility of DSM funding from CDM projects. SBC is the best way to boost long-term stable and sufficient funding for DSM at present in China. The current low inflation rate and natural resource price are favored to expedite the implementation of SBC and DSM developments. With regard to the uneven development, China needs to design relative policies to offset the impact in different areas, such as tax reduction and fiscal subsides. It is time for China to develop a definite and clear target and timetable to implement DSM, which will give the public and enterprises a definite and clear expectation for the future. The government should publicize a clear and integrated DSM development plan and relative policy outline in the near, medium, and long term.
Inhibition of CO2 fixation in intact spinach chloroplasts by 3-phosphoglyceric acid.

Glycerate-3-P inhibits CO2 fixation of isolated spinach chloroplats at concentrations higher than 1 mM but does not inhibit O2 evolution. Glycerate-3-P inhibition of photosynthesis is not overcome by higher bicarbonate concentrations.
A computer simulation of the unwinding of a DNA-like helix

This paper investigates the use of a high-speed computer to simulate the unwinding of DNA. A Langevin equation of motion for the well-known bead-spring statistical macromolecule is written in difference form. An appropriate set of boundary conditions is developed to simulate a helical molecule and the resulting set of rules for the motion of the chain elements is used to produce the strand unwinding. The unwinding appears to proceed via initial end-unwinding followed by progressive unwinding inward. The latter process appears to occur by diffusion of twist outward from the central portion of the macromolecule. A computer simulation, using the Langevin equation, of linear tensile relaxation is compared with the appropriate analytical solution via the Rouse treatment of polymer dynamics, good agreement being obtained. The helical results are compared both with tensile relaxation and with Crothers' (1964) analytical treatment of the unwinding problem, which is analogous to the well-known temperature diffusion problem. The tensile results and Crothers' results are identical in form, and agree quantitatively remarkably closely with the computer-simulated helical unwinding, although the helical unwinding is somewhat slower.
Hydrograph separation in a small alpine basin based on inorganic solute concentrations

Abstract Snowmelt hydrographs for the 8 ha Martinelli Basin on Niwot Ridge, Colorado Front Range, show a well marked diurnal periodicity for much of the summer melt season. The discharges have been separated into ground-surface and subsurface components on the basis of the major ion concentrations and specific conductance of the streamwater. The results suggest a high (up to 50%) contribution by subsurface routing through the superficial mantle of the basin, even during the highest flows of the melt season. Both surface and subsurface components retain the diurnal pattern of the hydrograph, with the latter lagged by only about one hour. This suggests that even subsurface routing gives a quick hydrologic response from this basin.
Towards a Dynamic Model of Interpersonal Trust: The Role of Communicative Action in Workflow Negotiation

This article focuses on the process affecting interpersonal trust in the workflow of organizations. We propose a dynamic model which highlights the impact of interpersonal communicative action in ongoing task negotiations in trust formation among organization members. According to our model, individuals approach initial negotiations with a baseline of trust in their organization which influences their initial level of cooperativeness and assertiveness when engaging in interpersonal task negotiations. Individuals' levels of cooperativeness and assertiveness then influences their communicative action (i.e., information acquisition, selection, and transmission), which, in turn, impacts the amount of trust these individuals perceive toward their counterpart (i.e., interpersonal trust). Finally, interpersonal trust impacts trust in the organization as a whole, at which point new tasks build on the previous cycle of negotiation and trust formation. We conclude by highlighting the conceptual contribution of the ...
Power-temperature cycle accelerated testing

Two separate reliability models are proposed which one may wish to use to assess product performance. By combining stresses associated with traditional high temperature tests, temperature cycling tests and power cycling tests, we believe more representative and comprehensive reliability tests can be created. Although this understandably makes the models employed slightly more complex, the introduction of a step-stress methodology compensates for this, thereby eliminating the requirement for additional test cells to determine the particular model's parameters. Estimates for the model parameters, or their associated acceleration factors relative to the normal use environment, will enable us to make accurate reliability predictions.
Adrenal Cortical Activation in Murine Colitis

Abstract Background & Aims: Proper adrenal glucocorticoid secretion is crucial in the course of inflammatory diseases. However, the function and structure of the adrenal glands have not been examined in inflammatory bowel diseases. Methods: After induction of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) colitis in SJL/J mice, plasma hormone and cytokine levels were measured, adrenal structure was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, and adrenal cytokine/cytokine receptor expression were studied by RNase protection. Results: Adrenals of colitic animals were enlarged and hypervascularized. These animals had a marked increase in plasma corticosterone levels during the course of colitis (270 ± 34 vs. 16 ± 11 ng/mL; P P Conclusions: Colitis is associated with a profound stimulation of adrenocortical cell function and glucocorticoid release. Direct immune-adrenal interactions seem to contribute to this activation of the adrenal glands during colitis. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2000;119:1560-1568
Dependence of perovskite/pyrochlore phase formation on oxygen stoichiometry in PLT thin films

Thin films in the Pb-La-Ti-O (PLT) system were prepared under two different oxygen partial pressure (Po2) conditions by multi-ion-beam reactive sputtering (MIBERS). The oxidation of the depositing species was determined from the deposition rate dependence on Po2 and the Po2 dependence of the positive secondary ion emission from the sputtering targets. Films deposited at high Po2 (Po2 greater than the critical partial pressure for oxidation of the Pb target surface) were fully oxidized, and they formed the pyrochlore phase during annealing. The low Po2 conditions (Po2 less than or equal to the critical partial pressure for oxidation of the Pb target surface) caused sputtering of incompletely oxidized Pb species, and the resulting oxygen deficient films produced phase-pure perovskite. The formation of the pyrochlore phase at high Po2 and the perovskite phase at low Po2 is independent of Pb content within the film; the phase formation is dependent on the oxidation state of the Pb, which is sensitive to both the Po2 and the sputtering rate of the Pb. A perovskite/pyrochlore phase formation model (PPFM) that incorporates annealing time, temperature, and heating rate, and thin film oxygen deficiency was developed to explain the formation of the perovskite and pyrochlore phase during postdeposition annealing of PLT thin films.
Ultraviolet action spectra for aerobic and anaerobic inactivation of Escherichia coli strains specifically sensitive and resistant to near ultraviolet radiations

— Action spectra for the lethal effects of ultraviolet light (254–434 nm) irradiation delivered under aerobic or anaerobic conditions to Escherichia coli RT2 (specifically sensitive to near-UV radiation; > 320 nm) and E. coli RT4 (near-UV resistant) were prepared. Negligible oxygen dependence was observed for both strains below about 315 nm. The oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) for RT4 increased above this wavelength to the longest wavelength used, whereas for RT2 there was a greater increase in the OER to a large peak at 365 nm, then a progressive decrease at longer wavelengths. The results are consistent with the possibility that the sensitivity of strain RT2 to near-UV radiation may be due to hyperproduction of photosensitizer, operating via photodynamic type reactions involving excited species of oxygen.