cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of FX in the heliobacterial reaction center as a [4Fe-4S] cluster with an S = 3/2 ground spin state.

Type I homodimeric reaction centers, particularly the class present in heliobacteria, are not well understood. Even though the primary amino acid sequence of PshA in Heliobacillus mobilis has been shown to contain an F(X) binding site, a functional Fe-S cluster has not been detected by EPR spectroscopy. Recently, we reported that PshB, which contains F(A)- and F(B)-like Fe-S clusters, could be removed from the Heliobacterium modesticaldum reaction center (HbRC), resulting in 15 ms lifetime charge recombination between P798(+) and an unidentified electron acceptor [Heinnickel, M., Shen, G., Agalarov, R., and Golbeck, J. H. (2005) Biochemistry 44, 9950-9960]. We report here that when a HbRC core is incubated with sodium dithionite in the presence of light, the 15 ms charge recombination is replaced with a kinetic transient in the sub-microsecond time domain, consistent with the reduction of this electron acceptor. Concomitantly, a broad and intense EPR signal arises around g = 5 along with a minor set of resonances around g = 2 similar to the spectrum of the [4Fe-4S](+) cluster in the Fe protein of Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase, which exists in two conformations having S = (3)/(2) and S = (1)/(2) ground spin states. The Mossbauer spectrum in the as-isolated HbRC core shows that all of the Fe is present in the form of a [4Fe-4S](2+) cluster. After reduction with sodium dithionite in the presence of light, approximately 65% of the Fe appears in the form of a [4Fe-4S](+) cluster; the remainder is in the [4Fe-4S](2+) state. Analysis of the non-heme iron content of HbRC cores indicates an antenna size of 21.6 +/- 1.1 BChl g molecules/P798. The evidence indicates that the HbRC contains a [4Fe-4S] cluster identified as F(X) that is coordinated between the PshA homodimer; in contrast to F(X) in other type I reaction centers, this [4Fe-4S] cluster exhibits an S = (3)/(2) ground spin state.
Second harmonic generation for molecular contrast in optical coherence tomography

We discuss the relative advantages of dark versus bright field approaches for achieving molecular contrast with OCT, and introduce second harmonic detection as a promising novel example of dark-field, coherence-gated microstructural imaging.
Are Hispanic Women Happier About Unintended Births

Reducing unintended pregnancies—particularly among Hispanic and Black women, who have relatively high rates—is a key public health goal in the United States. However, descriptive literature has suggested that Hispanic women are happier about these pregnancies compared with White and Black women, which could mean that there is variation across groups in the consequences of the resulting births. The purpose of this study was to examine variations in happiness about unintended births by race–ethnicity and to assess possible explanations for these differences. Using data from the National Survey of Family Growth (N = 1,462 births) I find that Hispanic women report being happier about unintended births compared with White and Black women. Higher happiness among Hispanics was particularly pronounced among a subgroup of women: those who were foreign-born and very religious. Overall, results confirm previous findings that intention status alone is incomplete for capturing pregnancy experiences. Happiness offers complementary information that is important when making comparisons by race–ethnicity and nativity.
Percentage of testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroisoandrosterone bound to plasma protein in preadolescent children.

Using equilibrium dialysis, the proportion of bound testosterone in plasma of 20 preadolescent children was found to be significantly higher than that in adult subjects. In contrast, the proportion of bound androstenedione and dehydroisoandrosterone was similar in children and adults. Sex had no effect on the binding of any of the three androgens. The total concentrations of testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroisoandrosterone in peripheral plasma were measured by double isotope derivative technique in 2 separate pools from the 10 boys and 10 girls. Concentrations of unbound androgens were calculated. In prepubertal children, values for total and unbound androstenedione and dehydroisoandrosterone were both lower than in adults, the ratio, total to unbound, being similar in the two groups of subjects. Total concentrations of testosterone were also lower in children, but the unbound values were proportionally much lower as a result of the greater percentage of testosterone bound to protein in preadolescent children.
Estimating lesion volume in low-dose chest CT: How low can we go?

Purpose: To examine the potential for dose reduction in chest CT studies where lesion volume is the primary output (e.g. in therapy-monitoring applications). Methods: We added noise to the raw sinogram data from 15 chest exams with lung lesions to simulate a series of reduced-dose scans for each patient. We reconstructed the reduced-dose data on the clinical workstation and imported the resulting image series into our quantitative imaging database for lesion contouring. One reader contoured the lesions (one per patient) at the clinical reference dose (100%) and 8 simulated fractions of the clinical dose (50, 25, 15, 10, 7, 5, 4, and 3%). Dose fractions were hidden from the reader to reduce bias. We compared clinical and reduced-dose volumes in terms of bias error and variability (4x the standard deviation of the percent differences). Results: Averaging over all lesions, the bias error ranged from -0.6% to 10.6%. Variability ranged from 92% at 3% of clinical dose to 54% at 50% of clinical dose. Averaging over only the smaller lesions (<1cm equivalent diameter), bias error ranged from -9.2% to 14.1% and variability ranged from 125% at 3% dose to 33.9% at 50% dose. Conclusions: The reader’s variability decreased with dose, especially for smaller lesions. However, these preliminary results are limited by potential recall bias, a small patient cohort, and an overly-simplified task. Therapy monitoring often involves checking for new lesions, which may influence the reader’s clinical dose threshold for acceptable performance.
Variable response of conductance and resistance coronary arteries to endothelial stimulation in patients with heart failure due to nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Attenuation of endothelial-dependent coronary vasodilation has been reported in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and anatomically normal coronaries; however, data are insufficient for understanding the incidence and extent of this finding. The response of conductance and resistance coronary arteries to endothelial stimulation with acetylcholine was examined in 25 patients. Coronary blood flow had a variable response to acetylcholine and suggested coronary endothelial dysfunction in approximately half of the patients. Abnormal endothelial dysfunction involved the large conductance epicardial coronary arteries and the small resistance vessels. Abnormal endothelial response of coronary blood flow to acetylcholine could not be predicted by demographic and hemodynamic data. Conclusions: Coronary artery endothelial function is heterogeneous in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Endothelial dysfunction is present in approximately half of the cases and involves both resistance as well as conductanc...
Microsatellite Variation Indicates Population Genetic Structure of Bocaccio

Abstract The California groundfish fishery has recently experienced a severe decline in both the biomass and harvest of bocaccio Sebastes paucispinis. The conservation and management actions necessary to reverse this trend require biological data, including information on the population structure, that reflect the basis of productivity. Using microsatellite loci, we conducted a population genetic analysis of bocaccio with samples from waters ranging from British Columbia to Baja California. A log-likelihood test of homogeneity of allele frequencies over the entire data set was significant, although partitioning variation by F ST analysis revealed no statistically significant geographic divergence among populations, and no evidence of a geographic cline of structure was detected in a Mantel test. By partitioning the heterogeneity among populations into homogeneous groups of adjacent populations, we observed structure related to geographic location that could be consistent with the divisions of current regi...
Reversion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections to methicillin-susceptible isolates.

Importance The rise of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in the outpatient setting has led to a growing trend of empirical antibiotic treatment for MRSA. The limited oral antibiotics available and the growing resistance to these antibiotics make this a controversial practice. Objective To determine the frequency of patients with MRSA skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) reverting to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) positivity. Design and Setting Retrospective medical record review of inpatients and outpatients from our university hospital and clinics between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2010. Participants Patients in our institutional microbiological database were included if they had a MRSA-positive SSTI and subsequent culture-proven S aureus SSTI more than 1 month later. No sociodemographic restrictions were applied. A sample of at least 200 patients meeting the above criteria was desired. The database was sorted by ascending medical record number, with the first 1681 patients’ medical records reviewed. Of these, 215 patients met our criteria. Main Outcomes and Measures Whether a patient remained MRSA positive in subsequent SSTIs or reverted to MSSA-positive infections. Results Of the total 215 patients, 64 (29.8%) had at least 1 incident of MSSA reversion, and 55 (25.6%) reverted to MSSA infections for the remainder of the study. We assessed various factors that might increase or decrease the likelihood of reversion. The presence of an invasive device was the only factor to demonstrate a statistically significant risk (relative risk, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02-1.41; P = .03) toward remaining MRSA positive in subsequent infections. Conclusions and Relevance Patients with MRSA SSTIs demonstrated the ability to revert to subsequent MSSA SSTIs with a significant frequency. Further study regarding MRSA risk factors and their effects on subsequent infections would be valuable in guiding empirical treatment. Reculturing new infections in previously MRSA-positive patients is a prudent management strategy as we recognize that susceptibilities of the S aureus organisms change.
Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings. 3. A new highly electron-deficient octacationic macrocycle: tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di{2-(N-methyl)pyridiniumyl}pyrazino]porphyrazine, [(2-Mepy)8TPyzPzH(2)]8+.

A new octacationic macrocycle, tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di{2-(N-methyl)pyridiniumyl}pyrazino]porphyrazine, was obtained in its hydrated form as the water-soluble iodide salt. This compound, abbreviated as [(2-Mepy)8TPyzPzH2](I8)·8H2O (2-Mepy = 2(N-methyl)pyridiniumyl moiety), was obtained by demetalation of the corresponding MgII complex, [(2-Mepy)8TPyzPzMg(H2O)](I8)·5H2O, which in turn was prepared from its corresponding neutral hydrated species tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-pyridyl)pyrazino]porphyrazinato(monoaquo)magnesium(II), [Py8TPyzPzMg(H2O)]·4H2O, by reaction with CH3I in N,N-dimethylformamide. The quaternization reactions by using CH3I or methyl p-toluenesulfonate were also conducted on the monomeric precursor 2,3-dicyano-5,6-di(2-pyridyl)-1,4-pyrazine, [(CN)2Py2Pyz], with formation of the monoquaternized ion [(CN)2Py(2-Mepy)Pyz]+ neutralized by iodide and p-toluenesulfonate anions. Single-crystal X-ray work allowed elucidation of the structure of the two salt-like species. The diquaternized ion [(CN)2(2-Mepy)...
Fatty acid stimulated N-demethylation of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine and tetramethylhydrazine by rat colonic mucosa.

Abstract A fatty acid stimulated, NADPH-independent pathway for the N-demethylation of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (1,1-DMH) with the generation of HCHO was demonstrated in 10,000 g soluble fractions of colonie mucosal homogenates. Tetramethylhydrazine and, to a lesser extent, aminopyrine, but not 1,2-DMH or methylhydrazine, were also substrates for this reaction. Isolated superficial colonie epithelial cells metabolized 1,1-DMH at a faster rate than proliferative epithelial cells. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase activity, and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), an inhibitor of both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase activities, suppressed HCHO production from 1,1-DMH by 50 and 80%. However, in the presence of indomethacin or ETYA, arachidonate hydroperoxide stimulated HCHO formation. This suggested a peroxidative mechanism for 1,1-DMH metabolism, related in part to prostaglandin synthesis. A possible role for lipoxygenase activity in mediating 1,1-DMH metabolism was suggested by the ability of linoleate, which did not increase prostaglandin synthesis, to stimulate 1,1-DMH metabolism and by the fact that ETYA was more effective than indomethacin as an inhibitor of 1,1-DMH metabolism. The fatty acid stimulated pathway for N-demethylation was clearly distinct from the mixed function oxidase activities. NADPH did not stimulate 1,1-DMH metabolism to HCHO. 7,8-Benzoflavone or SKF-525A, inhibitors of cytochrome P-450, and methimazole, an inhibitor of N-demethylation catalyzed by the hepatic microsomal FAD-containing monooxygenase, did not suppress HCHO formation. To the extent that 1,1-DMH and tetramethylhydrazine reach the colon unchanged, the results suggest that fatty acid stimulated cooxidation pathways in colonie mucosa may contribute to the metabolism of these agents. Metabolism by superficial cells which are destined to slough may be an important defense mechanism against the toxic and carcinogenic actions of these hydrazines in colon.
Friedreich's ataxia (GAA)n•(TTC)n repeats strongly stimulate mitotic crossovers in Saccharomyces cerevisae.

Expansions of trinucleotide GAA•TTC tracts are associated with the human disease Friedreich's ataxia, and long GAA•TTC tracts elevate genome instability in yeast. We show that tracts of (GAA)230•(TTC)230 stimulate mitotic crossovers in yeast about 10,000-fold relative to a “normal” DNA sequence; (GAA)n•(TTC)n tracts, however, do not significantly elevate meiotic recombination. Most of the mitotic crossovers are associated with a region of non-reciprocal transfer of information (gene conversion). The major class of recombination events stimulated by (GAA)n•(TTC)n tracts is a tract-associated double-strand break (DSB) that occurs in unreplicated chromosomes, likely in G1 of the cell cycle. These findings indicate that (GAA)n•(TTC)n tracts can be a potent source of loss of heterozygosity in yeast.
Melanophore death and disappearance produces color metamorphosis in the polychromatic Midas cichlid (Cichlasoma citrinellum)

We describe the histological basis of color metamorphosis in the polychromatic Midas cichlid, Cichlasoma citrinellum. Eight percent of the individuals in a natural population transform from gray with black markings to orange, simultaneously losing their ability to adjust coloration in response to background and social context. This trait is inherited. Light- and electron microscopy revealed that this transformation is a two-step process. First, the melanophores die, then macrophage-like cells remove the debris. As a result of this initial process, the underlying xanthophores become visible, producing the orange coloration. A similar process may occur in individuals that further transform to white, or go directly from gray to white.
The individuals with disabilities education act: Taking a proactive role in early intervention

Abstract With increased medical advances and technology, more infants and toddlers who are born with or at risk for disabilities are surviving and going home. It is essential for nurses who work with these families and children to understand Part C (formerly Part H) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the importance of accessing early intervention (EI) in a timely manner. Services that are provided through EI make a positive contribution to the overall growth and development of children, birth through age 2, with or at risk for disabilities. This article explains EI from the perspective of the final federal regulations for IDEA (Pub L No. 105-17) Part C, the nurse's role in helping families access services, and the increased emphasis on the family-centered approach. Nurses have a crucial role in the early identification and referral of infants and toddlers who are eligible for EI services. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
The dye-laser equation with saturation and its local linearization

Abstract The single-mode dye laser has been a generic example for the study of stochastic systems driven by colored noise, in part because of its experimental accessibility. Furthermore, the evolution of the field amplitude can be described by a stochastic differential equation that can be easily simulated and therefore used to test approximate theories. In a previous paper we tested one of these theories, the “best Fokker-Planck equation” (BFPE) method against direct simulations of the dye-laser equation with saturation. The BFPE can be solved analytically when the laser gain parameter is much greater than the loss parameter, i.e. far from the resonance condition. The theorical steady-state distribution was found to reproduce the simulated results extremely accurately for wide ranges of parameter values. In this paper we consider the situation near resonance, a parameter regime that is closer to existing experimental results. The BFPE method does not yield analytic results in this regime, so instead we use a geometrical treatment that is particularly useful in the absence of additive white noise (spontaneous emission). In this case the resulting laser description is equivalent to that obtained by the “local linearization” method. Once again, the approximate theoretical steady-state distribution is found to agree extremely well with the results obtained from the direct simulation of the laser equation. With these twp approximations it has therefore been possible to describe the steady-state operation of a single-mode dye laser analytically and extremely accurately over wide ranges of parameter values.
“At Your Service”: Voter Evaluations of Poll Worker Performance

The experiences in Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004 demonstrate that the election process can fall short of voters' expectations. In the wake of reforms, such as the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of...
Effect of the duration and direction of storm movement on planar flow with full and partial areal coverage

Using kinematic wave equations, analytical solutions are derived for flow resulting from storms moving either up or down the plane and covering it fully or partially. By comparing the flow resulting from a moving storm with that from a stationary storm of the same duration and areal coverage, the influence of storm duration, direction and areal coverage is investigated. It is found that the direction, duration and areal coverage of storm movement have a pronounced effect on the discharge hydrograph. The runoff hydrographs resulting from storms moving downstream are quite different from those from storms moving upstream. Likewise, the areal coverage of the storm has a pronounced effect on the runoff hydrograph. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retinopathy of prematurity: Lack of association with prenatal care

Abstract Objectives: The overall goal of this study was to prospectively assess risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants of birth weight Methods: A consecutive sample of patients admitted to Bellevue Hospital Center's neonatal intensive care unit/special care nursery who weighed Results: Ninety infants were evaluated. Sixty-one (68%) had ROP; 29 (32%) had no ROP. No differences in incidence or severity of ROP were detected with regard to prenatal care when the 2 groups were compared. In this population Conclusions: Lack of prenatal care was not associated with an increased risk for ROP in infants with birth weight
Numerical simulation of atmospheric mercury in mid-south USA

As a continuation of our recent work that studied temporal patterns of atmospheric mercury (Hg) species in northern Mississippi during 2011–2012, we applied an air quality modeling system, the Community Multi-scale Air Quality (CMAQ), to evaluate model ability in capturing ambient concentration of atmospheric Hg in both summer and winter. The model captured well in the surface ozone and nitrogen dioxide concentrations for both summer and winter months. But it lacked skill in reproducing sulfur dioxide concentration, with significant overestimates in both summer and winter. The model underestimated weekly wet deposition of total Hg partly because of errors in precipitation from the meteorological model. The air quality model overestimated atmospheric ambient elemental Hg (GEM) concentration in summer and slightly underestimated it in winter. The model exhibited good skill in capturing seasonal variability of reactive gaseous mercury (GOM), while it produced a significant overestimate for particulate mercury (PBM) in both summer and winter. Sensitivity tests revealed that anthropogenic emissions had great influences on local/regional ambient concentrations of GEM, GOM, and PBM, with anthropogenic emissions, making a contribution of 10–20 % for ambient GEM, 20–40 % for GOM, and 40–60 % for PBM. The evident influence of anthropogenic sources on Hg concentration suggests that discrepancies between modeled and observed are partly attributable to the uncertainties associated with the anthropogenic emission inventory used in the air quality modeling system. In the future, model performance is expected to be improved by use of 2011 emission data.
A novel HIS with a perforated ground plane for miniaturization and bandwidth enhancement

Because of the design limitations of conventional high impedance surfaces (HIS), it is not possible to miniaturize the HIS and increase the bandwidth, simultaneously. To overcome this, a novel HIS is proposed with a periodically perforated ground plane. The magnetic flux flowing through the perforations results in an extra inductance which increases the fractional bandwidth and decreases the center frequency.
Structure and function of ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2-25K: the tail is a core-dependent activity element

Individual members of the conserved family of ubiquitin conjugating enzymes (E2s) mediate the ubiquitination and turnover of specific substrates of the ubiquitin-dependent degradation pathway. E2 proteins have a highly conserved core domain of approximately 150 amino acids which contains the active-site Cys. Certain E2s have unique terminal extensions, which are thought to contribute to selective E2 function by interacting either with substrates or with trans-acting factors such as ubiquitin-protein ligases (E3s). We used the mammalian ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2-25K in a biochemical test of this hypothesis. The properties of two truncated derivatives show that the 47-residue tail of E2-25K is necessary for three of the enzyme's characteristic properties: high activity in the synthesis of unanchored K48-linked polyubiquitin chains; resistance of the active-site Cys residue to alkylation; and an unusual discrimination against noncognate (nonmammalian) ubiquitin activating (E1) enzymes. However, the tail is not sufficient to generate these properties, as shown by the characteristics of a chimeric enzyme in which the tail of E2-25K was fused to the core domain of yeast UBC4. These and other results indicate that the specific biochemical function of the tail is strongly dependent upon unique features of the E2-25K core domain. Thus, divergent regions within the conserved core domains of E2 proteins may be highly significant for function. Expression of truncated E2-25K as a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein resulted in the apparent recovery of E2-25K-specific properties, including activity in chain synthesis. However, the catalytic mechanism utilized by the truncated fusion protein proved to be distinct from the mechanism utilized by the wild-type enzyme. The unexpected properties of the fusion protein were due to GST-induced dimerization. These results indicate the potential for self-association to modulate the polyubiquitin chain synthesis activities of E2 proteins, and indicate that caution should be applied in interpreting the activities of GST fusion proteins.
Normal Modes of the World Ocean. Part IV: Synthesis of Diurnal and Semidiurnal Tides

Abstract Diurnal and semidiurnal tides of second and third degree are synthesized from 60 normal modes with period in the range 8 to 96 h. Diurnal tides, especially those of second degree, can be represented by remarkably few modes. The principal lunar diurnal constituent, for example, consists almost entirely of a single forced mode excited mainly in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Semidiurnals are spectrally more heterogeneous, and more resonant, than diurnals, but some specific features can be attributed to individual modes. Several of the most energetic modes in the principal lunar semidiurnal constituent are prominent in the Atlantic Ocean. Together with the fact that diurnally excited modes are relatively weak in that region, this presumably accounts for the observed tendency for the total tide to be predominantly semidiurnal in the Atlantic but mixed diurnal and semidiurnal in many parts of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
p12CDK2-AP1 gene therapy strategy inhibits tumor growth in an in vivo mouse model of head and neck cancer.

Purpose: To test the potential of p12 CDK2-AP1 (p12), a cell cycle regulator and cyclin-dependent kinase-2-associating protein commonly down-regulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (∼70%), as a gene therapy in inhibiting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma growth in vivo . Experimental Design: We addressed the effect of p12 expression on tumor growth by using a well-established squamous cell carcinoma VII/SF floor of mouth xenograft mouse model. The effect of therapy on tumor growth was determined for: ( a ) no treatment, ( b ) PBS, ( c ) vehicle (1,2-dioleoyloxy-3-trimethylammonium propane:cholesterol liposomes / 5% dextrose), ( d ) empty vector controls, and ( e ) p12-encoding vector experimental groups. Results: p12 gene therapy significantly induced antitumor effects as compared with controls, including ( a ) size and weight of p12 -treated tumors decreased by 51% to 72% compared with all controls ( P b ) tumor growth rate post-therapy was inhibited by 55% to 64% compared with empty vector controls ( P c ) p12 expression was higher in p12 -treated than controls ( P t test analyses. Mechanistically, p12 treatment affected cell turnover kinetics as assessed by apoptotic and cell proliferation indices. p12 therapy significantly increased terminal nucleotidyl transferase–mediated nick end labeling ( P P P p12 -treated tumors. Conclusions: We show that this novel therapeutic modality can significantly induce antitumor responses in vivo . These results support a role for p12 as a novel tumor growth suppressor gene therapy and suggest that optimization and/or combination with current therapies may hold considerable promise in preparation for clinical trials.
MicroRNA-146a regulates both transcription silencing and translation disruption of TNF-α during TLR4-induced gene reprogramming

Following the TLR-dependent initiation phase of acute systemic proinflammatory responses such as sepsis, an adaptive phase represses or activates a specific pattern of gene expression until the inflammation resolves. Here, we used the THP-1 sepsis cell model of bacterial LPS/endotoxin tolerance to show that TLR4-induced miR-146a supports the feed-forward adaptive processes that silence transcription and disrupt translation of acute proinflammatory genes. First, we found that miR-146a regulates a pathway that promotes the binding of transcription repressor RelB to the TNF-α promoter, a step known to precede histone and DNA modifications, which generate facultative heterochromatin to silence acute proinflammatory genes. However, once RelB binding occurred, miR-146a inhibition could not reverse compacted chromatin, and endotoxin tolerance persisted. Second, we observed that miR-146a regulates a pathway that supports assembly of the translation repressor complex of TNF-α by preventing the interaction of the RNA-binding protein effector Ago2 and RBM4. We also determined that once endotoxin tolerance is established, and specific genes have been reprogrammed, transcription and translation disruption can be reversed only by simultaneously depleting RelB and inhibiting miR-146a. Thus, miR-146a induction supports the TLR4-dependent shift from initiation to gene-specific repression at two levels. Our results also imply that therapies designed to reverse endotoxin tolerance as potential therapies for sepsis should be directed at the transcription and translation pathways of reprogramming.
Inducible recombination in the cardiac conduction system of minK: CreERT2 BAC transgenic mice

Inducible Cre recombination is a powerful technology that allows for spatial and temporal modulation of gene expression in vivo. Diseases of the cardiac conduction system (CCS) pose a significant clinical burden but are not currently well understood at the molecular level. To enable inducible recombination in the murine CCS, we created a minK:CreERT(2) bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mouse line. Cre activity is present after tamoxifen administration in the atrioventricular (AV) node, AV bundle, and bundle branches of adult transgenic mice. We anticipate that by enabling inducible recombination specifically in the AV node, bundle, and bundle branches, minK:CreERT(2) BAC transgenic mice will prove useful in advancing our understanding of CCS disease and function.
Analysis of Apparent Coupling between an Oceanic Kelvin Wave and Atmospheric Convection during the Winter of 1986/87

Abstract This study analyzes the apparent coupling between an intraseasonal oceanic Kelvin wave in the Pacific Ocean and atmospheric moist deep convection for a particularly high-amplitude event during the winter of 1986/87. This wave was initiated initially by westerly wind bursts that developed in association with the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). After initiation by the MJO, the active convective anomaly slowed to roughly 1.5 m s−1, suggesting that the event became distinct from the MJO, which usually propagates at roughly 5–7 m s−1. This study demonstrates how surface winds, currents, SST anomalies, fluxes of sensible and latent heat across the sea surface, and atmospheric convection evolve throughout the event. Results suggest that the convective envelope and oceanic Kelvin wave are mutually beneficial and serve to prolong and enhance each other.
Multiscale modeling and simulation of nanotube-based torsional oscillators

In this paper, we propose the first numerical study of nanotube-based torsional oscillators via developing a new multiscale model. The edge-to-edge technique was employed in this multiscale method to couple the molecular model, i.e., nanotubes, and the continuum model, i.e., the metal paddle. Without losing accuracy, the metal paddle was treated as the rigid body in the continuum model. Torsional oscillators containing (10,0) nanotubes were mainly studied. We considered various initial angles of twist to depict linear/nonlinear characteristics of torsional oscillators. Furthermore, effects of vacancy defects and temperature on mechanisms of nanotube-based torsional oscillators were discussed.
Smooth biorthogonal wavelets for applications in image compression

We introduce a new family of smooth, symmetric biorthogonal wavelet basis. The new wavelets are a generalization of the Cohen, Daubechies and Feauveau (CDF) biorthogonal wavelet systems proposed in 1992. Smoothness is controlled independently in the analysis and synthesis bank and is achieved by optimization of the discrete finite variation (DFV) measure introduced for orthogonal wavelet design. The DFV measure dispenses with a measure of differentiability (for smoothness) which requires-a large number of vanishing wavelet moments (e.g., Holder and Sobolev exponents) in favor of a smoothness measure that uses the fact that only a finite depth of the filter bank tree is involved in most practical applications. Image compression examples applying the new filters using the embedded wavelet zerotree (EZW) compression algorithm due to Shapiro (1993) shows that the new basis functions performs better when compared to the classical CDF 7/9 wavelet basis.
A Model for Comprehensive Studies of Porosity in Mesoporous Low-K Dielectrics

The successful integration of a porous low dielectric constant (k) material as an interlevel dielectric depends on the morphology of the embedded porosity. Simple site percolation models are utilized here to investigate porosity properties of low-k dielectrics with respect to the current technology trends. Significant differences between two generations of porous dielectrics, k < 2.4 and k < 2.1, are found. The porosity fraction in the latter is above the percolation threshold, which may have serious impact on the materials physical properties and its compatibility with production steps.
Arctic System Reanalysis: Call for Community Involvement

Arctic climate encompasses multiple feedbacks, the most important of which is the ice-albedo feedback. Enhanced Arctic changes, first recognized in the nineteenth century, increasingly are being observed across terrestrial, oceanic, atmospheric, and human systems, inspiring interdisciplinary research efforts, including the Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) program, to understand the nature and future development of the Arctic system. In response to the need for enhanced understanding outlined in the 2005 SEARCH Implementation Plan [Arctic Research Consortium of the United States, 2005], an ongoing Arctic System Reanalysis (ASR) project builds on previous programs to observe the Arctic climate. The ASR is a multi-institutional, interdisciplinary collaboration that optimally merges measurements and modeling to provide a high-resolution description of the region's atmosphere/sea ice/land system by assimilating a diverse suite of observations into a regional model. The project builds upon lessons learned from past reanalyses by optimizing model physics parameterizations and methods of data assimilation for Arctic conditions. The ASR, which is a partnership with the broader Arctic research community, represents a synthesis tool for assessing and monitoring variability and change in the Arctic system.
Comparative Induction of Nitrate and Nitrite Uptake and Reduction Systems by Ambient Nitrate and Nitrite in Intact Roots of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Seedlings

The induction by ambient NO3- and NO2- of the NO3- and NO2- uptake and reduction systems in roots of 8-d-old intact barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings was studied. Seedlings were induced with concentrations of NaNO3 or NaNO2 ranging from 0.25 to 1000 [mu]M. Uptake was determined by measuring the depletion of either NO3- or NO2- from uptake solutions. Enzyme activities were assayed in vitro using cell-free extracts. Uptake and reduction systems for both NO3- and NO2- were induced by either ion. The Km values for NO3- and NO2- uptake induced by NO2- were similar to those for uptake induced by NO3-. Induction of both the uptake and reduction systems was detected well before any NO3- or NO2- was found in the roots. At lower substrate concentrations of both NO3- and NO2- (5–)10 [mu]M), the durations of the lag periods preceding induction were similar. Induction of uptake, as a function of concentration, proceeded linearly and similarly for both ions up to about 10 [mu]M. Then, while induction by NO3- continued to increase more slowly, induction by NO2- sharply decreased between 10 and 1000 [mu]M, apparently due to NO2- toxicity. In contrast, induction of NO3- reductase (NR) and NO2- reductase (NiR) by NO2- did not decrease above 10 [mu]M but rather continued to increase up to a substrate concentration of 1000 [mu]M. NO3- was a more effective inducer of NR than was NO2-; however, both ions equally induced NiR. Cycloheximide inhibited the induction of both uptake systems as well as NR and NiR activities whether induced by NO3- or NO2-. The results indicate that in situ NO3- and NO2- induce both uptake and reduction systems, and the accumulation of the substrates per se is not obligatory.
A Knowledge- and Optimization-Based Approach to Scheduling in Automated Manufacturing Systems

In this paper a knowledge-based scheduling system (KBSS) designed for an automated manufacturing environment is presented. Frames and production rules have been applied to represent declarative and procedural scheduling knowledge. A heuristic algorithm is incorporated into the knowledge-based system. The KBSS allows to consider basic and alternative process plans. Each process plan specifies manufacturing resources such as: machines, tools, fixtures, material handling carriers as well as their sequence. The knowledge-based system is illustrated with a numerical example. The system has been tested on a number of scheduling problems. Computational experience proves that the solutions generated are of good quality.
P1D-1 A Rapid Method for Classification of Interfacial Processes Using Multi-Harmonic Thickness Shear Mode(MTSM) Sensors

This paper describes a novel technique to analyze the response of multi-harmonic thickness shear mode (MTSM) sensor. In this method a MTSM sensor was operated not only at its fundamental frequency (5 MHz) but also at the 3rd, 5th, and 7th harmonics. Then the ratios of the changes in the resonant frequency of motional arm for the harmonics were calculated and compared with the ratios of the penetration depths of acoustic waves at the same harmonics. These comparisons showed that if the main cause of the frequency shifts of the harmonics is because of the mass loading, these two ratios are equal each other.
Measuring identification with the mothering role.

Three summated rating scales entitled Feelings of Motherliness (FOM), Conception of the Fetus as a Person (CFP), and Appropriateness of Fantasies about the Baby-to be (AFB) were constructed. During instrument development, data were collected from a sample of 169 women selected using the criteria of gravidity, ethnicity, and experience. Thirty-four of these women were used to test the final versions of the scales. Coefficient alphas for FOM, CFP, and AFB were.87, .89, and .67, respectively. Coefficient alphas for the subscales ranged from .88 to 1.0. Content validity was built into the scales. The data supported the concept validity of FOM and CFP, but not AFB. Three subscales of the Parental Attitude Research Instrument were used as criterion measures; criterion validity was not established. Construct validity was assessed using convergent and discriminant measures. Data provided support for convergent validity, but not for discriminant validity. Further modification and testing of the scales are needed.
The Van Allen Hypothesis—The Origin of the Magnetic Fields of the Planets and Stars

Van Allen experimentally observed that the magnetic moments of the planets and stars are proportional to their angular momentum over some 12 orders of magnitude. ldquoThis graph is purely empirical and is regarded with disdain by theorists of planetary magnetism.rdquo - Van Allen. In this paper, I develop a model that both predicts the proportionality between magnetic moment and angular momentum and also fits the experimental results with no adjustable parameters. The model is based on the fact that each rotating planet and star is immersed in a nonrotating conducting plasma cloud, which constitutes a Faraday electrical generator. This Faraday generator is assumed to be the primary source of the magnetic field, in contrast to present models that assume that the flow of magma in the planets' cores is responsible.
Refactor, Reduce, Recycle: Restructuring the I/O Stack for the Future of Storage

Emerging nonvolatile storage technologies promise orders-of-magnitude bandwidth increases and latency reductions, but fully realizing their potential requires minimizing storage software overhead and rethinking the roles of hardware and software in storage systems. The Web extra at http://youtu.be/pAALQ6k-CbE is an audio interview in which guest editor Simon S.Y. Shim interviews Steven Swanson about emerging nonvolatile storage technologies.
Spinal distribution of ascending lamina I axons anterogradely labeled with Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) in the cat.

The location of the ascending axons of spinal lamina I cells was studied in cats that received injections of Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) in the superficial dorsal horn of the cervical or lumbosacral enlargement. Lamina I axons that could be ascribed to the spinothalamic tract (STT) were of particular interest. The cases were divided into three sets: in seven optimal cases the injections were restricted to lamina I; in ten nominal cases the injections involved laminae I-II or laminae I-III and occasionally lamina IV; and in eight mixed cases laminae I-V were injected. Since ipsilateral propriospinal and bilateral supraspinal axons originate from laminae I and V, but only ipsilateral propriospinal axons from laminae II-IV, this categorization facilitated a comparative analysis. Ascending axons labeled immunohistochemically with avidin/Texas Red were observed in oblique transverse sections from the C1, C3/4, T6, T12, and L3/4 levels. Incidental axonal labeling occurred in the ipsilateral dorsal columns because of passing primary afferent fiber uptake and, in nominal and mixed cases with involvement of laminae III-IV, in the superficial dorsolateral funiculus at the location of the spinocervical tract. Ipsilateral ascending lamina I axons in optimal cases were located in Lissauer's tract and in the white matter adjacent to the dorsal horn. Since these appeared to terminate in lamina I, and few remained at C1, they were ascribed to propriospinal projections. Contralateral ascending lamina I axons in optimal and nominal cases were distributed throughout the dorsal and ventral portions of the lateral funiculus (LF), but, despite considerable variability between animals in their location and dispersion, they were consistently concentrated in the middle of the LF (i.e., at the level of the central canal). This concentration was observed in a slightly more ventral location at C1, and a similar but weaker concentration of lamina I axons was located slightly more dorsally in C1 on the ipsilateral side. These supraspinal lamina I projections were ascribed to the spinomesencephalic tract (SMT) and to the STT. In mixed cases, additional ascending axons ascribed to lamina V cells were labeled in the ventrolateral and ventral funiculi. Many labeled axons were found in this region following a large injection of biocytin into lumbosacral laminae V-VIII in a supplementary case. These results thus together support previous descriptions of a dorsoventral distribution of STT axons according to laminar origin, but they contradict recent reports that lamina I axons ascend in the dorsolateral funiculus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The effects of surfactant monolayers on free surface natural convection

Abstract An experimental investigation of the effects of surfactant monolayers on free surface natural convection is presented in which the Rayleigh number, Ra , is used to parameterize the Nusselt number, Nu , with the power law scaling Nu = A · Pr n Ra m . Experiments were conducted in water under the following free surface conditions: (1) clean surface, (2) oleyl alcohol covered surface, (3) stearic acid covered surface, and (4) stearyl alcohol covered surface. The use of an infrared (IR) camera permitted confirmation of these surface conditions and the measurement of the surface temperature. The results reveal a reduction of Nu by approximately one order of magnitude in the presence of any of the three surfactants investigated, compared to the clean surface at equivalent Ra . This reduction in convective ability is attributed to the shear-yielding hydrodynamic boundary condition imposed by the monolayers compared to the shear free condition of the clean surface. All four surface conditions yield an exponent m > 1/3, which is attributed to a relatively non-homogeneous temperature boundary condition at the free surface compared to the boundary condition of a Rayleigh–Benard study. A dependence of Nu upon aspect ratio Γ was also discovered in contrast to earlier work which suggested that Nu is independent of Γ , at least for large Γ .
High-temperature CW mid-infrared interband cascade lasers

The ICL performance has improved dramatically in recent years, with maximum cw operating temperatures of 264 and 269 K being reported by the groups at JPL and NRL, respectively. Narrow ridges were quite recently fabricated from the latest ICL wafers, using epitaxial-side-up mounting topped by Au-electroplating to enhance the heat removal. The longer-wavelength ICL operated cw to 229 K, which is considerably higher than for any earlier interband laser emitting at such long. The ridge was generated over 80 mW of cw power at 78 K, where the lasing threshold was only 4.7 A/cm.
Novel technique for fragment removal after percutaneous management of large-volume neobladder calculi.

Objective To describe a novel method for fragment evacuation after percutaneous lithotripsy of neobladder calculi. Methods The technique was developed using a Urovac bladder evacuator, which was attached to a standard 30F Amplatz working sheath. Results The attachment of the Urovac evacuator to the Amplatz sheath rapidly evacuated large quantities of stone material. Careful attention should be paid to maintaining low-pressure irrigation by ensuring the bladder is not overly full and the Urovac device is not vigorously manipulated, to minimize the likelihood of bladder injury. Conclusion Percutaneous ultrasonic/hydraulic lithotripsy for large-volume neobladder calculi often results in a substantial burden of stone fragments that can be difficult to clear using standard techniques. Attaching a Urovac bladder evacuator to the 30F Amplatz sheath can simplify the management of this task.
Inductive Inference by Using Information Compression

Inductive inference is of central importance to all scientific inquiries. Automating the process of inductive inference is the major concern of machine learning researchers. This article proposes inductive inference techniques to address three inductive problems: (1) how to automatically construct a general description, a model, or a theory to describe a sequence of observations or experimental data, (2) how to modify an existing model to account for new observations, and (3) how to handle the situation where the new observations are not consistent with the existing models. The techniques proposed in this article implement the inductive principle called the minimum descriptive length principle and relate to Kolmogorov complexity and Occam’s razor. They employ finite state machines as models to describe sequences of observations and measure the descriptive complexity by measuring the number of states. They can be used to draw inference from sequences of observations where one observation may depend on previous observations. Thus, they can be applied to time series prediction problems and to one-to-one mapping problems. They are implemented to form an automated inductive machine.