cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Model-Based Control of Thin-Film Drying for Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

This paper considers the model-based control of composition and thickness for a thin-film drying process used in the continuous manufacturing of pharmaceutical tablets. In this nonlinear distributed dynamical system, a drug formulation solution is coated onto a moving surface and then dried to form thin films of approximately 250 μm in thickness. A dynamic optimizer is designed that employs a first-principles process model to simulate the spatial distribution of solvent concentration in the film and the thin film shrinkage during drying. A critical parameter to describe the highly nonlinear dynamics of the thin-film drying is the mutual polymer–solvent diffusion coefficient, which strongly depends on solvent concentration and film temperature. Two optimal control problems are studied for set point tracking of solvent concentration and minimization of energy consumption in the dryer while satisfying various operational and product quality constraints. An unscented Kalman filter is designed to facilitate th...
Divergent Effects of Acute and Chronic Ethanol Exposure on Contraction and Ca2+ Mobilization in Cultured Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

In cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), acute preincubation of 100 mmol/L ethanol for 30 min attenuated the number of contracting cells in response to (10(-7) mol/L) arginine vasopressin (AVP) (P < .01). In contrast, VSMC cultured chronically for 3 days in medium supplemented with 100 mmol/L ethanol enhanced (10(-7) mol/L) AVP-induced shape change (P < .01). Specific 3H-AVP binding to VSMC after acute or chronic exposure to 100 mmol/L ethanol did not differ from those of control experiments. Acute ethanol pretreatment attenuated basal, 10(-7) mol/L AVP-, 65 mmol/L K(+)-stimulated Ca2+ uptake, in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, 100 mmol/L ethanol for 4 days enhanced the (P < .001) AVP- 10(-7) mol/L and (P < .01) 65 mmol/L K(+)-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake. Acute ethanol exposure inhibited and chronic ethanol administration enhanced Ca2+ uptake stimulated by 6 x 10(-7) mol/L Bay K 8644, an activator of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels. Nifedipine, a blocker of these Ca2+ channels, diminished AVP-stimulated (P < .02) and K(+)-induced (P < .001) Ca2+ uptake more potently in VSMC pretreated for 4 days with 100 mmol/L ethanol than in control cells. Acute ethanol preexposure for 30 min attenuated AVP-stimulated inositol trisphosphate (IP3) formation (P < .05) and the rise in cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) (P < .01). In contrast, chronic ethanol-treated VSMC enhanced IP3 formation (P < .05) and the rise in [Ca2+]i (P < .01) in response to AVP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Quark-cluster-model predictions for the nuclear Drell-Yan process.

We evaluate the quark-cluster-model predictions for lepton pair production in proton-nucleus, pion-nucleus, and nucleus-nucleus interactions. We examine the issue of a possible ambiguity between the K factor and the probability of six-quark clusters in nuclei. We present predictions for cross sections and cross-section ratios which show substantial sensitivity to different features of the model. The model compares well with the existing data.
The hunting of the Snrk

In this issue of Blood , Chun and colleagues define snrk-1 as a novel participant in angioblast migration and arteriovenous speciation. Sucrose nonfermenting-related kinase-1 (snrk-1) has been found to be essential for signaling through notch activation, and the kinase function of snrk-1 has been
Bithalamic Lesions of Butane Encephalopathy

Butane inhalation can cause serious medical complications and is particularly toxic to the nervous system. This is a report of an acutely encephalopathic youth with prominent abulia. MRI revealed severe bithalamic injury attributed to butane toxicity. Clinical issues, including particular radiologic findings, related to butane inhalation are reviewed.
Terrazzo Design: Avoiding Stress-Related Deterioration and Cracking

Terrazzo is a high-grade flooring widely specified by architects for its aesthetic and durable characteristics. However, misunderstanding of material behavior and specifications can result in early deterioration, leading to additional cost and questions of liability. Deficient terrazzo performance is usually avoidable and clearly unacceptable in a material specified for its durability. In this paper, examples are used to define common cases of inadequate performance and mitigation strategies. The underlying causes of terrazzo deterioration are addressed in regard to stress concentrations, differential movements, impact loads, and terrazzo material properties. Ultimately, expected performance relies on effective interaction among the multidisciplinary team working on the project, including the architect, engineer, contractor, and terrazzo subcontractor. It is therefore important to provide a comprehensive program of defined expectations, proper specifications, intelligent design and detailing, quality assu...
Endoplasmic reticulum in the sieve element of Cucurbita.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in immature sieve elements of Cucurbita maxima Duchesne resembles that of other types of nucleate cells in morphology and distribution. In mature sieve elements the ER assumes two forms. One of these is represented by a network closely applied to the plasma membrane lining the cell wall. The other consists of stacked membranes. The second form, which occurs next to the wall in various regions of the cell, is encountered only occasionally. The netted parietal ER is possibly continuous through the sieve-plate pores and may be associated with the plasmodesmata connecting the sieve element with the companion cells.
Long Term Management of Liver Transplant Rejection in Children

The current management of hepatic allograft rejection after liver transplantation in children requires effective baseline immunosuppression to prevent rejection and rapid diagnosis and treatment to manage acute rejection episodes. The subsequent impact on chronic rejection is dependent on the combination of adequate prevention and the treatment of acute rejection. Tacrolimus is a macrolide lactone that inhibits the signal transduction of interleukin-2 (IL-2) via calcineurin inhibition. Introduced in 1989, tacrolimus was first used in the salvage of refractory acute or chronic rejection under cyclosporin or to rescue patients with significant cyclosporin-related complications. The majority of paediatric transplant centres use a combination of steroids with tacrolimus as a basic immunosuppressant regimen following paediatric liver transplantation. This combination has allowed the acute cellular rejection-free rate to increase to between 30 and 60%, while lowering the rate of refractory rejection to less than 5%. Corticosteroid-resistant rejection is commonly treated with monoclonal (muromonab CD3) or polyclonal preparations. Although most episodes of acute cellular rejection occur during the first 6 weeks after liver transplant, the appearance of late acute liver allograft rejection must raise the question of noncompliance, especially in the adolescent population. Chronic rejection is becoming increasingly rare under tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. Tacrolimus is effective in reversing refractory acute cellular rejection or early chronic rejection in patients initially treated with cyclosporin-based regimens. Patients with a history of noncompliance as well as children with autoimmune liver disease are at risk of chronic rejection. Retransplantation therapy for chronic rejection has, fortunately, become more rare in the tacrolimus era with only 3% of retransplants being performed for this indication. Newer immunosuppressive agents are further modifying the long term management of liver allograft rejection. These include mycophenolate mofetil, rapamycin and IL-2 antibodies such as daclizumab. The development of these agents is allowing patient-specific immunosuppressive management to minimise rejection as well as the complications related to immunosuppression.
Selective Crystallization of the Metastable Anhydrate Form in the Enantiotropic Pseudo-Dimorph System of l-Phenylalanine using Concentration Feedback Control

A batch recipe for the selective crystallization of the metastable anhydrate form of an enantiotropic pseudo-dimorph system, l-phenylalanine, in a mixed solvent system (75 wt % water and 25 wt % 2-propanol) was implemented by controlled tracking of a designed trajectory in the phase diagram. The solubility curves of both the anhydrate and monohydrate forms were determined using attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, coupled with chemometrics. Laser backscattering (focused beam reflectance measurement, FBRM) was used to determine the seeded metastable limit with the nucleated forms identified using in situ video microscopy. Batch operations seeded with the anhydrate form were implemented following various preset supersaturation profiles using concentration feedback control which regulated the cooling rate based on in situ measurement of the solute concentration. Undesired secondary nucleation at the metastable limit provided the operating constraints in terms of the...
On the stability problem for conditional expectation

Abstract The behavior of the conditional expectation Es{;Xvb;Ys}; under a small perturbation Z of the conditioning random variable Y is analyzed. We show that if Y and Z are independent then Es{;Xvb;Y + eZs}; converges to Es{;Xvb;Ys}; in mean as e → 0 for all integrable X, provided the distribution of Y is absolutely continuous. We also show that the limit is Es{;Xvb;Y, Zs}; rather than Es{;Xvb;Ys};, i.e., there is no stability, when Y is a discrete (i.e., countably valued) random variable. Finally, we show that in general Es{;Xvb;Y + eZs}; might have no limit in distribution as e → 0.
Key issues in perinatal growth.

. The key stages and progression of fetal growth are described, together with the related growth-controlling and influencing fetal, maternal, and feto-maternal factors. Placental and genetic influences are discussed. Perinatal outcome for the fetus is emphasized as the key endpoint, and the need, therefore, of fetal growth curves that have predictive value. This is of particular importance in studying the differing outcomes for pre-term and small-for-gestational-age infants.
Habitat structure and ecological drivers of disease

Habitat can influence disease directly, through effects on hosts and parasites, or indirectly, through effects on ecological drivers of disease. We illustrated direct and indirect connections between habitat and outbreaks using a case study in the plankton. We sampled yeast epidemics in 18 populations of the lake zooplankter Daphnia dentifera. Lake size drove variation in two types of habitat structure, size of predation refuges and strength of stratification. Those habitat factors, in turn, indirectly linked to epidemics through two pathways involving nonhost species. In the first pathway, larger lakes had larger hypolimnetic refuges from vertebrate predation and greater densities of Daphnia pulicaria, a completely resistant species that can reduce disease risk for D. dentifera hosts by removing parasite spores from the environment. In lakes with more D. pulicaria, epidemics started later in autumn and remained smaller. In the second pathway, smaller lakes had shallower penetration of light, which correlated with stronger thermal stratification and higher densities of an invertebrate predator (Chaoborus) that spreads disease by releasing spores from infected hosts. Lakes with weaker stratification had fewer of these predators and smaller epidemics. In the second pathway, deeper light penetration may also decrease disease by imposing direct mortality on spores. Thus, this case study shows how habitat structure could influence epidemics through direct and indirect effects on the host–parasite system. Understanding these multiple mechanisms can enhance prediction of disease outbreaks as habitat modification continues in lakes and other ecosystems worldwide.
Results of the bone-anchored hearing aid in unilateral hearing loss.

Objectives: The advantages of binaural hearing are well established and universally accepted. However, a tendency remains to withhold the benefits of binaural hearing to adults and children with one normal ear. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the benefit of the bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) in a group of patients with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss. Study Design: This is a prospective study of nine patients (five males and four female patients) with conductive or mixed hearing loss who met the criteria for BAHA except for having normal hearing in the other ear. They had congenital aural atresia or mastoidectomies secondary to chronic ear infections with or without cholesteatoma or had a temporal bone tumor excised Methods: Patients had evaluations before and after implantation, including audiological testing and responses to a standardized hearing handicap questionnaire. Statistical analyses of the data were made using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the paired Student t test for repeated measures. Results: All patients had tonal and spondee threshold improvement with BAHA when compared with thresholds before treatment. Speech recognition performance in BAHA-aided conditions was comparable to the patient's best score in unaided condition. Patients reported a significant improvement in their hearing handicap scores with the BAHA. Conclusions: The use of BAHA has significantly improved the hearing handicap scores in patients with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss. The proven safety and efficacy of the device promote its use in unilateral cases that traditionally had been left unaided.
Quorum sensing in Vibrio fischeri: elements of the luxI promoter

Although cell density-dependent regulation of the luminescence genes in Vibrio fischeri is a model for quorum sensing in Gram-negative bacteria, relatively little is known about the promoter of the luminescence operon. The luminescence operon is activated by the LuxR protein, which requires a diffusible acylhomoserine lactone signal. The lux box, a 20 bp inverted repeat, is located in the luxl promoter region and is required for LuxR-dependent induction of the luminescence genes. Using primer extension, we mapped the LuxR-dependent transcriptional start site of the lux operon to 19 bp upstream of the luxl start codon. This indicates that the lux box is centred at -42.5 bp from the start of transcription. To gain evidence about the location of the -10 sequence, we placed a consensus -35 hexamer at different locations relative to the luxl transcriptional start site and measured constitutive levels of luminescence in recombinant Escherichia coli. The strongest constitutive promoter contained a TATAGT hexamer 17 bp from the -35 consensus sequence and 6 bp from the transcriptional start site. We propose that this is the -10 hexamer. Also in recombinant E. coli, both half-sites of the lux box were required for LuxR-dependent gene activation and for activation by an autoinducer-independent, monomeric LuxR deletion protein. LuxR-dependent activation of luminescence was eliminated when the lux box was centred at -47.5, -52.5 and -62.5 with respect to the luxl transcriptional start site. Our evidence, taken together with other information, points to a model in which a LuxR dimer overlaps the -35 region of the luxl promoter and functions as an ambidextrous activator with each LuxR subunit interacting with a different region of RNA polymerase.
MembershipMap: Data Transformation Based on Granulation and Fuzzy Membership Aggregation

We propose a new data-driven transformation that facilitates many data mining, interpretation, and analysis tasks. Our approach, called MembershipMap, strives to granulate and extract the underlying subconcepts of each raw attribute. The orthogonal union of these subconcepts are then used to define a new membership space. The subconcept soft labels of each point in the original space determine the position of that point in the new space. Since subconcept labels are prone to uncertainty inherent in the original data and in the initial extraction process, a combination of labeling schemes that are based on different measures of uncertainty will be presented. In particular, we introduce the CrispMap, the FuzzyMap, and the PossibilisticMap. We outline the advantages and disadvantages of each mapping scheme, and we show that the three transformed spaces are complementary. We also show that in addition to improving the performance of clustering by taking advantage of the richer information content, the MembershipMap can be used as a flexible preprocessing tool to support such tasks as: sampling, data cleaning, and outlier detection
Juvenile Assessment Centers: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Potential

Increases in recent years in both violent crime and substance use among United States youth necessitate the development of more efficient and clinically effective approaches to intervention with juvenile offenders. One such approach calls for development and implementation of Juvenile Assessment Centers (JACs) to centralize the screening of juveniles who have been placed in some form of police custody and better coordinate justice and human service system activities. This article presents a summary of data from interviews and surveys conducted at five JACs in three states. It discusses the findings in the context of an “ideal model” specifically designed to better address substance use among justice-involved juveniles.
Using Social Network Theory Towards Development of Wireless Ad Hoc Network Trust

The evolution and existence of stable trust relations have been studied extensively in the context of social theory. However, reputation systems or trust schemes have only been recently used in the domain of wireless ad hoc net works. It has been shown that these schemes provide positive results as a self-policing mechanism for the routing of data in wireless ad hoc network security. This paper develops a relationship between the trust concepts in the social network theory and wireless ad hoc networks. In addition, the paper maps existing trust schemes in wireless ad hoc networks to a long-standing theory in social networks. Most importantly, a refined model of trust evaluation in social networks is constructed and mapped to a new trust scheme for ad hoc networks. The new trust scheme is analyzed and shown to outperform existing schemes using scenario and simulation analysis.
Soil erosion assessment tools from point to regional scales—the role of geomorphologists in land management research and implementation

Geomorphological research has played an important role in the development and implementation of soil erosion assessment tools. Because policy and management approaches include the use of soil erosion assessment tools, soil erosion research directly affects the public in terms of providing information on natural hazards and human impacts, and also as the basis for regulatory policy on land management. For example, soil loss calculations and geomorphological expertise are used to support soil conservation planning, both through agricultural legislation that defines maximum tolerable soil loss rates, and through federal and local legislation that requires soil erosion controls on many construction sites. To be useful for decision makers, soil erosion models must have simple data requirements, must consider spatial and temporal variability in hydrological and soil erosion processes, and must be applicable to a variety of regions with minimum calibration. The growing use of erosion models and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in local to regional scale soil and water conservation raises concerns about how models are used. This has prompted interest in methods to assess how models function at management scales and with the types of data that are commonly available to users. A case study of a GIS-based soil erosion assessment tool using the process-based Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) shows that using commonly available data rather than research grade data can have (predictably) a significant impact on model results. If model results are then used in management decisions, it is critical to assess whether the scale and direction of variation in results will affect management and policy decisions. Geomorphologists provide unique perspectives on soil erosion and can continue to affect policy through soil erosion research. This research should focus on fundamental processes, but equally important is continued development and evaluation of models that are matched to real world data availability, geomorphic settings, and information needs. D 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Associations Between Transition-Specific Stress Experience, Nocturnal Decline in Ambulatory Blood Pressure, and C-Reactive Protein Levels Among Transgender Men

This study documents a number of important physiological manifestations of stress associated with the process of transition, describing the physical impacts of psychosocial stress during various stages of transition for trans men. Using a combination of interviews to assess stress levels and data on physical indicators and behaviors, the study finds that trans men in the early stages of transition who reported stress related to being “out” experienced significant physiological impacts in terms of blood pressure. Trans men in the middle to later stages of transitioning who reported stress related to “passing” as having been assigned a male sex at birth had significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein levels, which has been linked to cardiovascular disease. Though some physical impacts related to stress are significant for trans men, stress related to transition tends to decline over time. The study cites other studies that found trans men experience improved quality of life and decreased depression among those who have received testosterone therapy. Furthermore, 100% of participants in the study reported that transitioning was “the right thing for them to do.”
Has psychology “found its true path”? Methods, objectivity, and cries of “crisis” in early twentieth-century French psychology

This article explores how French psychologists understood the state of their field during the first quarter of the twentieth century, and whether they thought it was in crisis. The article begins with the Russian-born psychologist Nicolas Kostyleff and his announcement in 1911 that experimental psychology was facing a crisis. After briefly situating Kostyleff, the article examines his analysis of the troubles facing experimental psychology and his proposed solution, as well as the rather muted response his diagnosis received from the French psychological community. The optimism about the field evident in many of the accounts surveying French psychology during the early twentieth century notwithstanding, a few others did join Kostyleff in declaring that all was not well with experimental psychology. Together their pronouncements suggest that under the surface, important unresolved issues faced the French psychological community. Two are singled out: What was the proper methodology for psychology as a positive science? And what kinds of practices could claim to be objective, and in what sense? The article concludes by examining what these anxieties reveal about the type of science that French psychologists hoped to pursue.
Human Behavioral Differences in Southern Africa During the Later Pleistocene1

An examination of four “Middle Stone Age” archaeological occurrences with specific attention to details of paleo-environmental conditions (determined from archaeological data and by inference from the contemporary setting) and to the composition of stone artifact assemblages from each, suggests: (1) that each site is strategically located for the exploitation of more than one micro-environment and (2) that the nature of exploitation of specific plant and animal resources may be largely responsible for differences in lithic inventory between the sites. These hypotheses, which seem very probable now, should be tested by future work.
THE RELEASE OF SPERMS FROM THE ANTHERIDIA OF POLYTRICHUM JUNIPERINUM HEDW.

SUMMARY The release of sperms from an antheridium of Polytrichum juniperinum occurs in two phases: a rapid phase, completed within a few seconds, and a slow phase, usually completed in 1–5 min. The rapid phase depends on an elastic contraction of the jacket that forces all or most of the sperms out of the chamber. The contraction has this effect because the base of the chamber contains a fluid that accounts for more than half the volume of the chamber. The fluid accumulates during maturation of the antheridium, and the jacket is stretched, storing the potential energy required for the expulsion of the sperms. The rapid phase of sperm release occurs in hypertonic solutions and in petroleum jelly, which confirms that the uptake of water by the antheridium is not required for the opening of the antheridium. The slow phase of release is distinguishable only when a substantial residue of sperms remains after the rapid release, and can be prevented by high osmotic concentration in the bathing medium. The slow release probably depends on the net uptake of water by osmosis, resulting from the relatively high osmotic concentration of the fluid in the antheridial chamber.
Effect of temperature on stresses and delamination failure of z-pinned joints

Abstract Although z-pins have been shown effective in preventing delaminations in adhesively bonded and co-cured joints, their applicability depends on a reliable assessment of the strength of a z-pin-composite assembly. In particular, high residual thermal stresses that have been found in experiments dictate the necessity in a local stress analysis. Elevated temperature applied to the joint during its lifetime may also affect its effectiveness in preventing delaminations. The present paper illustrates an approach to determining local residual stresses confirming the observations regarding a possible delamination and cracking in the composite structure due to high post-processing transverse stresses. The analysis of the effect of elevated temperature applied at one of the surfaces on the response of a z-pinned joint is conducted using the concept of a double cantilever beam with an “insulated” crack. In addition, it is illustrated that an elevated temperature may actually benefit the integrity of the joint if it causes an increase in the z-pin-composite interfacial strength.
Health Locus of Control and Assimilation of Cervical Cancer Information in Deaf Women

This study assessed the relationship between Deaf women's internal health locus of control (IHLC) and their cervical cancer knowledge acquisition and retention. A blind, randomized trial evaluated Deaf women's (N = 130) baseline cancer knowledge and knowledge gained and retained from an educational intervention, in relation to their IHLC. The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales measured baseline IHLC, and a cervical cancer knowledge survey evaluated baseline to post-intervention knowledge change. Women's IHLC did not significantly predict greater cervical cancer knowledge at baseline or over time. IHLC does not appear to be a characteristic that must be considered when creating Deaf women's cancer education programs.
A Reply to Bright: Virtuousness and the Virtues of the Market

This article presents a response to a letter submitted by David Bright regarding the article, “The Relationship Between Corporate Philanthropy and Shareholder Wealth: A Risk Management Perspective,” by Paul C. Godfrey. The author responds to Bright's belief that philanthropic action needs to be motivated by virtuous intentions in order to be genuine. He also provides a distinction between the term values and the more specific term virtues. The author suggests that managers work to ensure that an organization's philanthropic activities remain consistent with the firm's identity.
A SEROSURVEY TO IDENTIFY THE WINDOW OF VULNERABILITY TO WILD-TYPE MEASLES AMONG INFANTS IN RURAL MALI

As infants lose maternally derived antibody, they experience a period when antibody levels are insufficient to protect against measles yet may interfere with immunization. In Kangaba Mali, sera were collected from 89 2-8-month-old infants and 32 9-10-month-old infants without a history of measles or vaccination; post-vaccination sera were collected from 24 of the 9-10-month-old infants 3-5 weeks after receiving measles vaccine. Measles antibody was measured by plaque reduction neutralization (PRN) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. At two months of age, 30% had protective PRN titers; among six-month-old infants, none had protective titers. Prior to vaccination, 16% of 9-10-month-old infants exhibited protective titers; all demonstrated protective titers post-vaccination. The early onset of the window of vulnerability in Kangaba infants likely reflects the changing ecology of measles in Africa. Ways to protect these vulnerable infants against measles must be devised.
Bridging the Gap between Response Time and Energy-Efficiency in Broadcast Schedule Design

In this paper, we propose techniques for scheduling data broadcasts that are favorable in terms of both response and tuning time. In other words, these techniques ensure that a typical data request will be quickly satisfied and its reception will require a low client-side energy expenditure. By generating broadcast schedules based on Acharya et al.'s broadcast disk paradigm, we bridge the gap between these two mutually exclusive bodies of work-response time and energy expenditure. We prove the utility of our approach analytically and via experiments. Our analysis of optimal scheduling is presented under a variety of assumptions about size and popularity of data items, making our results generalizable to a range of applications.
Experiment for teaching a fundamental principle in electrostatics

Abstract According to the theory of electrostatics, the potential difference, or simply “voltage” between two given points in an electrostatic field is a measure of the energy required to move a unit charge between those points. This fundamental principle is usually taught to engineering and physics students in introductory electricity and magnetism (E&M) courses. Unfortunately, experience has shown that students usually have great difficulty grasping that voltage in electrical circuits and systems is actually a measure of energy. This paper describes an advanced experiment that was designed at the University of West Florida for demonstrating the concept practically. In the experiment, a programmable robot arm moves a charged metal plate between two electrodes connected to a voltage source, while a control computer (connected to interface circuitry and a force sensor) directly provides a measurement of the energy exerted in moving the plate. Assessment of the students' understanding of the concept after they perform the experiment has shown an improvement from about 10% (of the total number of students) to nearly 98%.
Conjugal Transfer of Chromosomal DNA Contributes to Genetic Variation in the Oral Pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major oral pathogen that contributes to the development of periodontal disease. There is a significant degree of genetic variation among strains of P. gingivalis, and the population structure has been predicted to be panmictic, indicating that horizontal DNA transfer and recombination between strains are likely. The molecular events underlying this genetic exchange are not understood, although a putative type IV secretion system is present in the genome sequence of strain W83, implying that DNA conjugation may be responsible for genetic transfer in these bacteria. In this study, we provide in vitro evidence for the horizontal transfer of DNA using plasmid- and chromosome-based assays. In the plasmid assays, Bacteroides-derived shuttle vectors were tested for transfer from P. gingivalis strains into Escherichia coli. Of the eight strains tested, five were able to transfer DNA into E. coli by a mechanism most consistent with conjugation. Additionally, strains W83 and 33277 tested positive for the transfer of chromosomally integrated antibiotic resistance markers. Ten chimeras resulting from the chromosomal transfer assay were further analyzed by Southern hybridization and were shown to have exchanged DNA fragments of between 1.1 and 5.6 kb, but the overall strain identity remained intact. Chimeras showed phenotypic changes in the ability to accrete into biofilms, implying that DNA transfer events are sufficient to generate measurable changes in complex behaviors. This ability to transfer chromosomal DNA between strains may be an adaptation mechanism in the complex environment of the host oral cavity.
Merging the CCA component model with the OGSI framework

The most important recent development in Grid systems is the adoption of the Web Services model as its basic architecture. The result is called the Open Grid Services Architecture (OGSA). This paper describes a component framework for distributed Grid applications that is consistent with that model. The framework, called XCAT, is based on the U.S. Department of Energy Common Component Architecture (CCA) but with an implementation based on the standard Web Services stack. Using this framework, an application programmer can compose an application from a set of distributed components. The result is a set of Web Services that collectively represent the executing application instance. This paper describes the basic architecture of XCAT and the design issues to be considered for a component to serve as both a CCA and Open Grid Service Infrastructure (OGSI) service.
STABILIZATION OF STREPTOCOCCUS FAECALIS PROTOPLASTS BY SPERMINE

HAROLD, F.M. (National JewishHospital, Denver,Colo.). Stabilization ofStreptococcus faecalis protoplasts byspermine. J.Bacteriol. 88:1416-1420. 1964.-Lysis ofprotoplasts ofStreptococcus faecalis subjected toosmotic shockwas prevented bythepresence of10-3 Mspermine and other divalent cations. Protein andnucleic acids werelargely retained, butcompounds oflowmolecular weight weredischarged intothemedium andthecapacity forglycolysis waslost. Under these conditions, spermine wasboundtotheprotoplasts. Itcouldnotberemovedbywashing withwaterornonelectrolytes, butwasdisplaced bysalts, polyanions, andpolycations. Removalof thespermine restored theosmotic fragility ofthe protoplasts, whichcould onceagain beprotected fromlysis by impermeant solutes. Protoplasts werealsostabilized, intheabsence ofosmotic shock, byprolonged incubation withcations in 0.5Msucrose. Byeither procedure, theprotoplasts becameresistant notonlytoosmotic lysis but alsotosonic oscillation. Itisconcluded thatthe stabilization ofprotoplasts resulted fromionic binding ofthecation toacidic sites ontheexternal surface oftheplasmamembrane. This conferred uponthemembrane additional mechanical strength, perhaps bythecross-linking ofsubunits, butdidnotalter itspermeability toextracellular solutes. Bacterial protoplasts, unlikeintact cells, undergo osmotic lysis whenexposed tohypotonic media; toremain stable, theymustbeprotected by highconcentrations ofa nonpenetrating solute. Recently, however, Mager(1959) and Tabor(1962) foundthatosmotic lysis isprevented bylowconcentrations ofcertain cations, particularly spermine andrelated polyamines. Polyamines havebeenfound tostabilize various biological systems (Tabor, Tabor, andRosenthal, 1961), andinorganic divalent cations havelong beenusedtoenhance thestability ofprotoplasts; thephysical basis ofthisphenomenon isnot clear. Thepurpose ofthiscommunication isto present evidence thatthestability ofsperminetreated protoplasts inhypotonic mediaresults frominteraction ofspermine withacidic groups located ontheexternal surface oftheplasma membrane, andtoconsider somephysical and biological properties ofstabilized protoplasts. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS
Programmable Synaptic Chip for Electronic Neural Networks

A binary synaptic matrix chip has been developed for electronic neural networks. The matrix chip contains a programmable 32×32 array of "long channel" NMOSFET binary connection elements implemented in a 3-um bulk CMOS process. Since the neurons are kept off-chip, the synaptic chip serves as a "cascadable" building block for a multi-chip synaptic network as large as 512×512 in size. As an alternative to the programmable NMOSFET (long channel) connection elements, tailored thin film resistors are deposited, in series with FET switches, on some CMOS test chips, to obtain the weak synaptic connections. Although deposition and patterning of the resistors require additional processing steps, they promise substantial savings in silcon area. The performance of a synaptic chip in a 32- neuron breadboard system in an associative memory test application is discussed.
Identification, Source, and Metabolism of N-Ethylglutamate in Escherichia coli

N-Ethylglutamate (NEG) was detected in Escherichia coli BL21 cells grown on LB broth, and it was found to occur at a concentration of 4 mM in these cells under these conditions. The same cells grown on M9 glucose medium contained no detectable amount of NEG. Analysis of the LB broth showed the presence of NEG, a compound never before reported as a natural product. Isotope dilution analysis showed that it occurred at a concentration of 160 M in LB broth. Analyses of yeast extract and tryptone, the organic components of LB broth, both showed the presence NEG. It was demonstrated that NEG can be generated during the autolysis of the yeast used in the preparation of the yeast extract. Growth of these E. coli cells in LB broth prepared in deuterated water showed no incorporation of deuterium into NEG, demonstrating that E. coli cells did not generate the NEG. Cell growth rates were not affected by the addition of 5 mM NEG to either LB or M9 glucose medium. L-[ethyl- 2 H4]NEG was found to be readily incorporated into the cells and metabolized by the cells. From these results, it was concluded that all of the NEG present in the cells was taken up from the medium. NEG could serve as the sole nitrogen source for E. coli when grown on M9 glucose medium in the presence of glucose but could not serve as the sole carbon source on M9 medium in the absence of glucose. During work on developing methods for the analysis of the amino acids generated by recombinant archaeal mutases, I developed procedures for the recovery and analysis of the free amino acids present in cell extracts of Escherichia coli. When these methods were applied to analysis of E. coli grown on LB broth, I always found a large amount of an unknown amino acid. Here I report on the identification of this amino acid as N-ethylglutamate (NEG). NEG has never been reported as a natural product. I demonstrate that NEG is readily taken up by E. coli and can serve as the sole source of nitrogen when the cells are grown on M9 glucose medium. MATERIALS AND METHODS Extraction and analysis of NEG in E. coli cells. The procedure used consisted
High mortality among children with sickle cell anemia and overt stroke who discontinue blood transfusion after transition to an adult program

BACKGROUND Chronic blood transfusion is the standard of care in the management of overt stroke due to sickle cell anemia (SS) to prevent recurrence of stroke. The problem arises when children are transitioned to adult care where blood transfusion may be discontinued. The purpose of this study was to report the outcome of 22 patients with SS and overt stroke who were transitioned to our adult program between 1993 and 2009. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Transitioned patients were kept on chronic blood transfusion they had as children. Blood bank data were performed and computerized according to FDA and AABB regulations. Records were kept prospectively. Blood counts and percent hemoglobin (Hb)S were obtained before and after transfusion. HbS was kept below 30% after transfusion. Metabolic profiles were obtained every 6 months or more often if needed. Statistical analysis was by the two-tailed t-test. RESULTS Patients who were compliant with blood transfusion were rarely hospitalized for painful crises. Alloimmunization and iron overload were the major complications of blood transfusion. Eight patients who refused to be maintained on chronic blood transfusion or who were noncompliant died within 1 to 5 years after transition. Causes of death included stroke in two, sudden in three, and multiorgan failure in three. The overall rate of death after transition was 36% and the major cause was discontinuation of blood transfusion. CONCLUSION Efforts must be made to maintain adequate chronic simple or exchange blood transfusion for children with SS and stroke after transition to adult care.
Cellular and Molecular Effects of Radon and Other Alpha Particle Emitters

It has long been known that the inhalation of radon gas induces lung cancer, as indicated by evidence provided by epidemiological studies of uranium (R.D. Evans et al. 1981; Samet 1989; Samet et al. 1989) and tin (Lubin et al. 1990) miners as well as by studies using experimental animals (Cross et al. 1985; Lafuma et al. 1989). The induction of lung cancer increases linearly with dose, and the efficiency of induction increases with a decrease in the exposure rate (Little et al. 1985; BEIR IV Report 1988; Lubin et al. 1990; Moolgavcar et al. 1990). However, the realization that indoor radon can reach levels sufficient to cause a significant increase in the risk of lung cancer for the general population became an issue of concern in 1986, when engineer Stanley Watras set off the radiation monitor at the Limerick nuclear power plant in eastern Pennsylvania. Subsequent measurements showed radon levels in his home amounting to 2700 pCi/l, a level markedly higher than that experienced by the majority of uranium miners (10–20 pCi/l), and decidedly higher than the estimated average US indoor radon level of 1.5 pCi/l (Nero et al. 1986). It has been calculated that as many as 16 000 of the 140 000 cases of lung cancer occurring annually in the United States may result from the inhalation of radon (Brenner 1989).
The GAO's Assault on the Executive Branch

This article explores the constitutional issues involved with the General Accounting Office's suit to force Vice President Cheney to disclose notes and attendance records from confidential, executive-branch meetings of an energy task force established by the President to give advice on a national energy policy. Noting that the presidency was deliberately designed to be able to operation with secrecy and dispatch, when necessary, the article concludes that the GAO's suit is a dangerous violation of separation of powers principles.
Advances in Amorphous Silicon Integrated Photonics Science and Technology

Over the past few years we have been developing a scientific basis for amorphous silicon-based integrated photonics technology. Waveguides using hydrogen-implanted, optically-smooth, hot-wire-deposited films have been prepared and demonstrated, and structures were characterized by Raman spectroscopy of the implanted and the non-implanted regions of the waveguide samples. The analysis is consistent with greater disorder in the film structure induced through implantation. More recently, materials prepared by femtosecond laser ablation of silicon powder have been characterized by Raman spectroscopy indicating a structure having both amorphous and crystalline components. As amorphous silicon photonics continues to evolve, the patterning of materials of differing crystallinity may become an issue of interest.
Safe inductive power transmission to millimeter-sized implantable microelectronics devices

Power transfer efficiency (PTE) and power delivered to the load (PDL) are key inductive link design parameters for powering millimeter-sized implants. While several groups have suggested increasing the power carrier frequency (ƒ p ) of inductive links to 100s of MHz to maximize PTE, we have demonstrated that operating at 10s of MHz offers higher allowable PDL under the safety absorption rate (SAR) constraints. We have proposed a closed-form power function that relates maximum power levels that can safely be transferred at different frequencies under the SAR constraints. Three sets of inductive links at different frequencies of 50 MHz, 200 MHz, and 400 MHz have been optimized for powering a 1 mm3-sized implant. We have shown in simulations that reducing ƒ p from 200 MHz to 50 MHz along with shrinking the size of the transmitter coil results in ∼7.8 times higher PDL under SAR constraints, at the cost of only 52% drop in PTE.
Editorial Essay: What Is Organizational Research For?

Organizational research is guided by standards of what journals will publish and what gets rewarded in scholarly careers. This system can promote novelty rather than truth and impact rather than coherence. The advent of big data, combined with our current system of scholarly career incentives, is likely to yield a high volume of novel papers with sophisticated econometrics and no obvious prospect of cumulative knowledge development. Moreover, changes in the world of organizations are not being met with changes in how and for whom organizational research is done. It is time for a dialogue on who and what organizational research is for and how that should shape our practice.
What you see isn’t always what you get: Auditory word signals trump consciously perceived words in lexical access

Human speech perception often includes both an auditory and visual component. A conflict in these signals can result in the McGurk illusion, in which the listener perceives a fusion of the two streams, implying that information from both has been integrated. We report two experiments investigating whether auditory-visual integration of speech occurs before or after lexical access, and whether the visual signal influences lexical access at all. Subjects were presented with McGurk or Congruent primes and performed a lexical decision task on related or unrelated targets. Although subjects perceived the McGurk illusion, McGurk and Congruent primes with matching real-word auditory signals equivalently primed targets that were semantically related to the auditory signal, but not targets related to the McGurk percept. We conclude that the time course of auditory-visual integration is dependent on the lexicality of the auditory and visual input signals, and that listeners can lexically access one word and yet consciously perceive another.
A Descriptive Study of the Pilotaxy of a Modal Culex Pipiens Fourth Stage Larva

This paper is a descriptive study of the larval pilotaxy of a stenogamous, autogenous strain of Culex pipiens from the laboratory in the department of Bacteriology and Parasitology at the University of Chicago. The study was initiated by observations on a mounted fourth instar larva which was then described and drawn. One hundred additional mounted larvae, constituting a random sample, were examined and the findings were tabulated. The result is given here as the description of the pilotaxy of a modal fourth-stage larva.
Poly(ferulic acid-co-tyrosine): Effect of the Regiochemistry on the Photophysical and Physical Properties en Route to Biomedical Applications.

The photophysical and mechanical properties of novel poly(carbonate-amide)s derived from two biorenewable resources, ferulic acid (FA) and l-tyrosine ethyl ester, were evaluated in detail. From these two bio-based precursors, a series of four monomers were generated (having amide and/or carbonate coupling units with remaining functionalities to allow for carbonate formation) and transformed to a series of four poly(carbonate-amide)s. The simplest monomer, which was biphenolic and was obtained in a single amidation synthetic step, displayed bright, visible fluorescence that was twice brighter than FA. Multidimensional fluorescence spectroscopy of the polymers in solution highlighted the strong influence that regioselectivity and the degree of polymerization have on their photophysical properties. The regiochemistry of the system had little effect on the wettability, surface free energy, and Young’s modulus (ca. 2.5 GPa) in the solid state. Confocal imaging of solvent-cast films of each polymer revealed mic...