cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High accuracy coronagraph flight WFC model for WFIRST-CGI raw contrast sensitivity analysis

A high-accuracy high-fidelity flight wavefront control (WFC) model is developed for detailed WFIRST-CGI raw contrast sensitivity analysis. Built upon features of recently testbed validated model, it is further refined to combine a full Fresnel propagation diffraction model for high accuracy contrast truth evaluation, and an economical compact model for WFC purposes. Extensive individual raw contrast error sensitivities are evaluated systematically, both as known imperfections and as unknown calibration errors, for two CGI modes: spectroscopy mode and wide field-of-view mode with shaped pupil coronagraph. More than 90 distinct error items were identified, including system aberrations, optical misalignment, component fabrication errors, telescope interface related errors, etc. The result forms the basis for raw contrast error budget flow down to a sub-system level, where detailed specifications needed to aid in component design and manufacturing, mechanical alignment and instrument integration, and verification and validation operations. Evaluations are automated, making it relatively easy for repeat runs of revised design or at new desired error quantity. Observations from the comprehensive analysis and top error sensitivities and contrast floor contributors are noted and discussed. Error budget flowdown process is also briefly described.
Retinoid-Mediated Signaling and CD38 Expression

CD38 was initially identified more than two decades back when murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were being employed to define newer surface molecules expressed by the lymphocytes during various developmental stages. One such mAb (T10) was successfully employed in the analysis of distribution [1] and biochemical characterization of CD38 antigen [2]. The conclusions derived from the biochemical analysis of the molecule were independently confirmed by cloning of a cDNA for human CD38 in 1990 [3]. On the basis of its expression and allocation among immune cells, CD38 was referred to as an “activation marker” and till recently was used for phenotyping the differentiation state of lymphocytes and classifying leukemias.
Gene expression profiling of the olfactory tissues of sex-separated and sex-combined female and male mice.

Olfactory experience can alter the molecular and cellular composition of chemosensory neurons within the olfactory sensory epithelia of mice. We sought to investigate the scope of cellular and molecular changes within a mouse’s olfactory system as a function of its exposure to complex and salient sets of odors: those emitted from members of the opposite sex. We housed mice either separated from members of the opposite sex (sex-separated) or together with members of the opposite sex (sex-combined) until six months of age, resulting in the generation of four cohorts of mice. From each mouse, the main olfactory epithelium (MOE), vomeronasal organ (VNO), and olfactory bulb (OB) were removed and RNA-extracted. A total of 36 RNA samples, representing three biological replicates per sex/condition/tissue combination, were analyzed for integrity and used to prepare RNA-seq libraries, which were subsequently analyzed via qPCR for the presence of tissue- or sex-specific markers. Libraries were paired-end sequenced to a depth of ~20 million fragments per replicate and the data were analyzed using the Tuxedo suite. Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data (ISA-Tab format)
The experiences of behaviorally at-risk adolescent girls in a mentoring program

Research suggests that the mentee’s individual characteristics may impact mentoring relationships; however, less is known about the mentoring experiences of adolescent girls presenting with behavio...
Westinghouse T&D Book: A Reference for the Rest of Us [History]

The opening lines of the foreword in the first edition (1942) of the Westinghouse Electric a Manufacturing Company's Electrical Transmission and Distribution Reference Book (Figure 1) start in this way: Some twenty years ago a well known electrical engineer was ordered by his physician to take a complete rest.
Importance of a tRNA anticodon loop modification and a conserved, noncanonical anticodon stem pairing in tRNACGGPro for decoding

Modification of anticodon nucleotides allows tRNAs to decode multiple codons, expanding the genetic code. Additionally, modifications located in the anticodon loop, but outside the anticodon itself, stabilize tRNA–codon interactions, increasing decoding fidelity. Anticodon loop nucleotide 37 is 3′ to the anticodon and, in tRNACGGPro, is methylated at the N1 position in its nucleobase (m1G37). The m1G37 modification in tRNACGGPro stabilizes its interaction with the codon and maintains the mRNA frame. However, it is unclear how m1G37 affects binding at the decoding center to both cognate and +1 slippery codons. Here, we show that the tRNACGGPro m1G37 modification is important for the association step during binding to a cognate CCG codon. In contrast, m1G37 prevented association with a slippery CCC-U or +1 codon. Similar analyses of frameshift suppressor tRNASufA6, a tRNACGGPro derivative containing an extra nucleotide in its anticodon loop that undergoes +1 frameshifting, reveal that m1G37 destabilizes interactions with both the cognate CCG and slippery codons. One reason for this destabilization is the disruption of a conserved U32·A38 nucleotide pairing in the anticodon stem through insertion of G37.5. Restoring the tRNASufA6 U32·A37.5 pairing results in a high-affinity association on the slippery CCC-U codon. Further, an X-ray crystal structure of the 70S ribosome bound to tRNASufA6 U32·A37.5 at 3.6 A resolution shows a reordering of the anticodon loop consistent with the findings from the high-affinity measurements. Our results reveal how the tRNA modification at nucleotide 37 stabilizes interactions with the mRNA codon to preserve the mRNA frame.
Primary repair of long gap esophageal atresia in a neonate employing circular myotomy on upper pouch and a novel hemicircular myotomy on the distal pouch

Abstract Introduction Pure esophageal atresia (EA) with long gap between the pouches remains a challenge for primary repair. Several techniques to facilitate primary repair in long gap EA have been described: complete mobilization of proximal and/or distal esophageal pouch, single or double circular myotomies or spiral myotomy of upper pouch, circular myotomy of both upper and lower pouch, flaps raised from the upper pouch to bridge the gap and external traction sutures. Some of these techniques are not routinely performed for anatomical reasons or unfamiliarity with the technique. Complete mobilization of upper pouch with circular myotomy is standard and often favored approach. Complete mobilization of lower pouch with or without circular myotomy is described. It has a risk of impairing the blood supply to the lower pouch due to segmental nature of its blood supply. We present a novel case of primary repair of this defect using a circular myotomy on upper pouch along with a hemicircular myotomy of the lower pouch without complete circumferential mobilization of the lower esophageal pouch. This allowed adequate lengthening of the lower pouch without compromising its blood supply facilitating a minimal tension primary repair. Case We report the case of a 38 4/7 term infant with intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) and Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with a long 4.5 cm gap pure esophageal atresia who was repaired aged 16 weeks. Per-operative gap assessment revealed the gap to more than 4 vertebral bodies. Even after complete mobilization of the upper esophageal pouch, a 2.5 cm (cm) gap persisted. The upper pouch was narrow and hence unsuitable to facilitate flap reconstruction. A single circular myotomy was performed on the upper esophageal pouch approximately 1 cm proximal to its blind end. The lower pouch was then mobilized, taking care that its blood supply was not compromised. This still left a one cm gap that was overcome by performing a hemicircular (180°) myotomy on the lower esophageal pouch approximately 1 cm away from the blind end. A tension free primary esophageal anastomosis was then performed. Post operatively patient developed a stricture which was dilated successfully to 12 Fr (4 mm). No other complications are reported. Conclusion Hemicircular myotomy of the distal esophageal pouch can be employed successfully to achieve primary repair in cases of long gap esophageal atresia. This technique does not require full circumferential mobilization of lower pouch as required with full circular myotomy and has less risk of compromising blood supply to the distal esophageal pouch decreasing risks of anastomotic leak, failure and esophageal motility of lower pouch.
“Backwards and in High Heels”*: The Invisibility and Underrepresentation of Femme(inist) Administrative Labor in Academia

This article examines the ways in which embodiments of femme within administrative academic settings intervene in dominant discourses that (incorrectly) frame us as being “in service” of male-ident...
Working for the Well-Being of Children: The Value and Efficacy of Adopting a Cooperative, Inter-agency Approach

This chapter presents a case study illustrating the positive value of cooperation between a research team and policy leaders in strengthening policies that support children’s well-being in Sierra Leone, one of the poorest countries in the world. Having reviewed briefly the science of cooperation and its implications for policy development and practice, it outlines action research with a robust design in which communities themselves took action to support children’s protection and well-being. Its focus, however, is on the cooperative processes surrounding the action research that enabled policy influencing. It highlights the importance of taking a cooperative, inter-agency approach that actively engages researchers and policy leaders in the development and use of the research. It shows the value of enabling government cooperation and ownership at multiple levels, working with a broker to help manage power dynamics, and drawing on the complementary strengths of academics, UN agencies, NGOs, and government collaborators. It illustrates how a cooperative strategy can be useful if there is careful attention to task interdependence, power asymmetries, and ethics. It also examines the usefulness and limits of this approach in other contexts.
Robotics and Deep Learning Framework for Structural Health Monitoring of Utility Pipes

A critical modern-day challenge for utility operators is condition monitoring of underground sewer infrastructure. Existing industry standard for underground sewer line inspection is based on sending a wire-guided robot with a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera through a pipe. A trained operator observes the video feed from the camera, and annotates it to record defects such as cracks, sags, offsets, root infiltrations, grease build up, and lateral protrusions. The success of a CCTV based robot system depends on visual observation and alertness of the operator. There is a likelihood that the operator fatigue and distraction may lead to missed observations. The CCTV based systems are expensive and man-hour intensive. We propose a deep learning based method to make the defect detection process automated without the need for an onsite operator to visually observe the video. The system is based on passing an autonomous camera-mounted robot through the pipe. The recorded video is analyzed using deep learning based algorithms. Our initial focus is to detect presence of cracks in polyvinyl chloride pipes, which are industry standard for sewer installations. We propose a deep learning framework including network architecture to detect presence or absence of a crack in a pipe sample. We also collect empirical data using an autonomous robot during laboratory trials to validate our approach. The data analysis indicates an accuracy of 89.42% in training and 83.3 % in validation. Further data collection and analysis is currently in progress and results will be reported in future.
Abstract TMP82: Young Stroke Questionnaire (YSQ): A Patient Centered Stroke Outcome Measure

Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of disability affecting patients and their caregivers. Current outcome measures inadequately quantify the impact of stroke in young patients (≤65) in terms o...
The Department of Education's Sixth Annual Report to Congress on P;L. 94-142: Is Congress Getting the Full Story?:

The Sixth Annual Report to Congress on implementation of P.L. 94-142 is critically reviewed. The Annual Report fails to alert Congress that students who are difficult to teach and manage appear to ...
Minimum-Mass Limits for Streamlined Venus Atmospheric Probes

Small, expendable drop probes are an attractive method for making measurements in the lower atmosphere of Venus, augmenting the capabilities of orbiters or aerial platforms that must remain in the ...
Lambayeque Paleodiet and Nutrition: A Diachronic Analysis

This chapter places the paleopathological and isotopic results described in the previous chapter in a larger interpretive context. Here, we place our isotopic results in further comparative context, using published reference values for an array of edible animal and plant resources from both terrestrial and aquatic contexts, and employ multivariable statistical analyses to infer diet composition over time and within contemporaneous groups. We then frame our human isotope results and the diet trends inferred from them within the results of our dental paleopathological analysis and previously published paleopathology research on Lambayeque and other north-coast archaeological human remains. Of particular interest in this chapter is the comparison of pre-Hispanic and Spanish Colonial periods, and Early/Middle Colonial versus Middle/Late Colonial periods, which provides significant insights into indigenous lived experience over the course of the Colonial era.
Extended Lyman Alpha Nebulae at z ~ 2.3: An Extremely Rare and Strongly Clustered Population?

To obtain an unbiased sample of bright LyA blobs [L(LyA) > 10^43 ergs/s], we have undertaken a blind, wide-field, narrow-band imaging survey in the NOAO Deep Wide Field Survey Bootes field with the Steward Bok-2.3m telescope. After searching over 4.82 sq. degrees at z=2.3, we discover four LyA blobs with L(LyA) = 1.6-5.3 x 10^43 ergs/s, isophotal areas of 28-57 sq. arcsec, and broad LyA line profiles (FWHM = 900-1250 km/s). In contrast with the extended Lyman alpha halos associated with high-z radio galaxies, none of our four blobs are radio-loud. The X-ray luminosities and optical spectra of these blobs are diverse. Two blobs (3 and 4) are X-ray-detected with L_X(2-7 keV) = 2-4 x 10^44 ergs/s and have broad optical emission lines (C IV) characteristic of AGN, implying that 50% of our sample blobs are associated with strong AGN. The other 50% of blobs (1 and 2) are not X-ray or optically-detected as AGN down to similar limits. The number density of the four blobs is ~3 x 10^{-6} Mpc^{-3}, comparable to that of galaxy clusters at similar redshifts and 3x lower than that found in the SSA22 proto-cluster at z=3.1, even after accounting for the over-density of that region. The two X-ray undetected blobs are separated by only 70" (550 kpc) and have almost identical redshifts (< 360 kpc along the line-of-sight), suggesting that they are part of the same system. Given the rarity of the blobs and our discovery of a close pair, we speculate that blobs occupy the highest density regions and thus may be precursors of today's rich cluster galaxies.
May It Please the Court: A Longitudinal Study of Judicial Citation to Academic Legal Periodicals

Part I of this article examines the proportion of reported opinions from U.S. federal and state courts between 1945 and 2018 that cite at least one academic legal periodical, while Part II applies ...
Preliminary Exploration of Caregiver Stress Responses after a Child’s Premature Delivery

Caregivers frequently find the premature birth of a child as a crisis. This pilot study explored the perceived types of stress experienced by parents of premature infants and the impact on caregivi...
Bicarbonate, carbon dioxide and pH sensing via mammalian bicarbonate-regulated soluble adenylyl cyclase.

Soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC; ADCY10) is a bicarbonate (HCO3−)-regulated enzyme responsible for the generation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). sAC is distributed throughout the cell and ...
Clinical significance and mechanisms associated with segmental UPD.

Whole chromosome uniparental disomy (UPD) has been well documented with mechanisms largely understood. However, the etiology of segmental limited UPD (segUPD) is not as clear. In a 10-year period of confirming (> 300) cases of whole chromosome UPD, we identified 86 segmental cases in both prenatal and postnatal samples. Thirty-two of these cases showed mosaic segmental UPD at 11p due to somatic selection associated with Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome. This study focuses on apparent mechanisms associated with the remaining cases, many of which appear to represent corrections of genomic imbalance such as deletions and derivative chromosomes. In some cases, segmental UPD was associated with the generation of additional genomic imbalance while in others it apparently resulted in restoration of euploidy. Multiple tests utilizing noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniotic fluid samples from the same pregnancy revealed temporal evidence of correction and a “hotspot” at 1p. Although in many cases the genomic imbalance was dosage “repaired” in the analyzed tissue, clinical effects could be sustained due to early developmental effects of the original imbalance or due to its continued existence in other tissues. In addition, if correction did not occur in the gametes there would be recurrence risks for the offspring of those individuals. Familial microarray allele patterns are presented that differentiate lack of gamete correction from somatic derived gonadal mosaicism. These results suggest that the incidence of segUPD mediated correction is underestimated and may explain the etiology of some clinical phenotypes which are undetected by routine microarray analysis and many exome sequencing studies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13039-021-00555-0.
Uranium Oxide Emission from Laser-Produced Plasma

The formation and emission of molecular species in a laser-produced plasma have been the subject of a number of recent studies. In laser-induced plasmas molecules are formed through a number of reaction pathways: combustion (oxidation) by direct interaction with the ambient atmosphere, recombination between species present within the plasma, and fragmentation of larger molecular clusters. However, even though extensive studies are available in the literature, still there exists a lack of knowledge about when and where the molecules are formed in a transient plasma system like a LPP. Typically, the molecular emissions are observed when the plasma has cooled and undergone significant expansion into the ambient atmosphere, and molecular emission persist for longer periods compared to the excited atomic and ionic emissions. Recent studies have shown that shock waves formed during LPP expansion hinder molecular formation through combustion at early times of its evolution.1 The emission intensity, delay, and persistence of the atomic, ionic, and molecular emissions are influenced by the plasma chemistry.
Food restriction alters energy allocation strategy during growth in tobacco hornworms (Manduca sexta larvae)

Growing animals must alter their energy budget in the face of environmental changes and prioritize the energy allocation to metabolism for life-sustaining requirements and energy deposition in new biomass growth. We hypothesize that when food availability is low, larvae of holometabolic insects with a short development stage (relative to the low food availability period) prioritize biomass growth at the expense of metabolism. Driven by this hypothesis, we develop a simple theoretical model, based on conservation of energy and allometric scaling laws, for understanding the dynamic energy budget of growing larvae under food restriction. We test the hypothesis by manipulative experiments on fifth instar hornworms at three temperatures. At each temperature, food restriction increases the scaling power of growth rate but decreases that of metabolic rate, as predicted by the hypothesis. During the fifth instar, the energy budgets of larvae change dynamically. The free-feeding larvae slightly decrease the energy allocated to growth as body mass increases and increase the energy allocated to life sustaining. The opposite trends were observed in food restricted larvae, indicating the predicted prioritization in the energy budget under food restriction. We compare the energy budgets of a few endothermic and ectothermic species and discuss how different life histories lead to the differences in the energy budgets under food restriction.
Clinical Presentation, Imaging, and Management of Acute Cholecystitis

Acute cholecystitis (AC) is a life-threatening emergency that commonly occurs as a complication of gallstones. Severe right upper quadrant pain, abdominal guarding, fever, and a positive Murphy's sign with an elevated white blood cell count are the classical clinical manifestations of AC. Although ultrasonography is typically the initial diagnostic examination in patients with suspected AC, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are commonly performed to identify complications; cholescintigraphy is recommended in patients with equivocal findings on the other imaging modalities, as this technique has the highest diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of AC. Imaging studies are also helpful in the timely detection of complications associated with AC. Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the gold-standard treatment for AC, percutaneous gallbladder drainage with or without cholecystostomy tube placement is a safe, effective management technique for surgically high-risk patients with multiple medical conditions. This treatment can be used as either a bridging therapy, with elective cholecystectomy performed at a later time after improvement of the patient's condition, or as definitive treatment in surgically unfit patients. Radiologists play a pivotal role in the initial diagnosis and management of patients with AC.
Simulation and Discrete Time Modeling of Machine Tool Feed Drive Dynamics

Some techniques for determining linear discrete time models of machine tool feed drives are described and evaluated here, based on a digital computer simulation of a typical machine tool feed drive. The simulation incorporates features such as feed drive mechanical resonance and SCR amplifier nonlinearity and discontinuous mode of operation. The feed drive models developed include their response to cutting forces. Recommendations are made for improving model accuracy for high performance feed drive applications.
Architecture of the Active DNA Polymerase δ·Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen·Template-Primer Complex

Abstract The relative positions of components of the DNA-dependent DNA polymerase δ (pol δ)·proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)·DNA complex were studied. We have shown that pol δ incorporates nucleotides close to a template biotin-streptavidin complex located 5′ (downstream) to the replicating complex in the presence or absence of PCNA. PCNA-dependent synthesis catalyzed by pol δ was nearly totally (95%) inhibited by a biotin·streptavidin complex located at the 3′-end of a template with a 15-mer primer (upstream of the replicating complex), but was only partially inhibited with a 19-mer primer. With either primer, PCNA-independent synthesis was not affected by the biotin·streptavidin complex. Quantification of results with primers of varying length suggested that pol δ interacts with between 8 and 10 nucleotides of duplex DNA immediately proximal to the 3′-OH primer terminus. Using UV photocross-linking, we determined that the 125-kDa subunit of pol δ, but not the 50-kDa subunit, interacted with a photosensitive residue of a substrate oligonucleotide. Interaction apparently takes place through the C terminus of p125. Based on these results, we conclude that PCNA is located “behind” pol δ in the polymerization complex during DNA synthesis and that only the large subunit of pol δ (two-subunit form) interacts directly with DNA. A detailed model of the enzymatically active complex is proposed.
The Cain Plan v. the Able Plan: An Empirical Analysis

'The Cain Plan v. the Able Plan' is an empirical analysis of the 9-9-9 plan proposed by Mr. Cain and supported by Mr. Laffer. The author reviews the simplicity of the plan and concludes that the Cain tax plan does not support its intended results. The Cain tax plan has gained traction with the general public even though it does not appear to have any substance behind the plan or thought as to the intended results. Laffer also offers conclusions without any substantiation as to how the conclusions will be reached. A brief read for a simple plan.
Current velocity and spatial scale as determinants of the distribution and abundance of two rheophilic herbivorous insects

Organisms frequently show marked preferences for specific environmental conditions, but these preferences may change with landscape scale. Patterns of distribution or abundance measured at different scales may reveal something about an organism's perception of the environment. To test this hypothesis, we measured densities of two herbivorous aquatic insects that differed in body morphology and mobility in relation to current velocity measured at different scales in the upper Colorado River (Colorado, USA). Streambed densities of the caddisfly larva Agapetus boulderensis (high hydrodynamic profile, low mobility) and mayfly nymph Epeorus sp. (low hydrodynamic profile, high mobility) were assessed at 3 spatial scales: whole riffles, individual cobbles within riffles, and point locations on cobbles. Riffles were several meters in extent, cobbles measured 10–30 cm in size, and the local scale was within a few centimeters of individual larvae (themselves ca. 0.5–1.0 cm in size). We also quantified the abundance of periphytic food for these herbivores at the cobble and riffle scales. Agapetus favored slow current (<30 cm s−1) across all scales. Epeorus, by contrast, favored fast current (60–80 cm s−1) at the local and riffle scale, but not at the cobble scale. Only Agapetus showed a significant relationship to current at the cobble scale, with greatest larval densities occurring at velocities near 30 cm s−1. We had predicted an inverse correlation between grazer density and periphytic abundance; however, this occurred only for Agapetus, and then only at the cobble scale. These data suggest that organisms respond to environmental gradients at different spatial scales and that the processes driving these responses may change with scale, e.g., shifting from individual habitat selection at local and cobble scales to population responses at the riffle scale. This study also highlights the importance of using the appropriate scale of measurement to accurately assess the relationship between organisms and environmental gradients across scale.
The Brain and Behavior: Gross anatomy of the brain

The brain is that portion of the central nervous system (CNS) that lies within the skull. Three major subdivisions are recognized: the brainstem, the cerebellum, and the cerebrum. The cerebrum includes both the cerebral hemispheres and the diencephalon. Brainstem The brainstem is the rostral continuation of the spinal cord. The foramen magnum, the hole at the base of the skull, marks the junction of the spinal cord and brainstem. The brainstem consists of three subdivisions: the medulla, the pons, and the midbrain (Figure 2.1). Medulla The caudal limit of the medulla lies at the foramen magnum. The central canal of the spinal cord expands in the region of the medulla to form the fourth ventricle (IV in Figure 1.2). Cranial nerves associated with the medulla are the hypoglossal, spinal accessory, vagus, and the glossopharyngeal. Pons The pons lies above (rostral to) the medulla (see Figure 2.1). The bulk of the medulla is continuous with the pontine tegmentum. The tegmentum consists of nuclei and tracts that lie between the basilar pons and the floor of the fourth ventricle (IV in Figure 1.2; see Figure 10.2). The basilar pons consists of tracts along with nuclei that are associated with the cerebellum. The fourth ventricle narrows at the rostral end of the pons to connect with the cerebral aqueduct of the midbrain (see Figures 1.2, 10.2–10.4). Cranial nerves associated with the pons are the statoacoustic (previously known as the auditory), facial, abducens, and trigeminal.
Christian Parental Reactions When a LGB Child Comes Out

The purpose of this study was to understand how parents who identify as Christian responded to and coped with their child's disclosure of same-sex sexuality and/or having a lesbian, gay, or bisexual identity (LGB). Research has shown the effect parental responses can have on the psychological health of sexual minorities, as well as the emotions Christian parents may experience post disclosure. Little research highlights the struggle Christian parents can experience due to tension between their religious beliefs and the love they have for their child. This study highlights a unique aspect of how parents attempt to negotiate this tension.
Program evaluation in the human services

It is...a rare occurrence to read an introductory text written by an accomplished practitioner in which the essentials are identified and addressed and the temptations to pursue the subject in depth appropriately avoided...The resulting product is enlightening to the sophisticater as well as to the novice."--Harold Smith, Dean, Hunter College School of Social Work
ClpB is the Escherichia coli heat shock protein F84.1.

Abstract ClpB is thought to be involved in proteolysis because of its sequence similarity to the ClpA subunit of the ClpA-ClpP protease. It has recently been shown that ClpP is a heat shock protein. Here we show that ClpB is the Escherichia coli heat shock protein F84.1. The F84.1 protein was overproduced in strains containing the clpB gene on a plasmid and was absent from two-dimensional gels from a clpB null mutation. Besides possessing a slower growth rate at 44 degrees C, the null mutant strain had a higher rate of death at 50 degrees C. We used reverse transcription of in vivo mRNA to show that the clpB gene was expressed from a sigma 32-specific promoter consensus sequence at both 37 and 42 degrees C. We noted that the clpB+ gene also caused the appearance of a second protein spot, F68.5, on two-dimensional gels. This spot was approximately 147 amino acids smaller than F84.1 and most probably is the result of a second translational start on the clpB mRNA. F68.5 can be observed on many published two-dimensional gels of heat-induced E. coli proteins, but the original catalog of 17 heat shock proteins did not include this spot.
Sea urchin microtubules.

Publisher Summary From the first demonstration that the mitotic apparatus could be isolated as a discrete entity, to the identification of the colchicine-binding protein, tubulin, to the purification of an mRNA-polyribosome-microtubule complex, sea urchin eggs and embryos have been a model system for the study of microtubule formation and function during the cell cycle. Sea urchins can be induced to spawn in the laboratory, yielding a great volume of eggs that contain a large amount of unassembled tubulin subunits and few detectable microtubules. These eggs can be fertilized in vitro and within a short period of time, the microtubules of the mitotic apparatus assemble and disassemble with remarkable synchrony throughout the early cleavage divisions. Thus, sea urchin eggs are viewed as an inducible model system for studying microtubule assembly and disassembly during the embryonic cleavage cycles. This chapter focuses on the molecular components that may regulate microtubule formation and function during the embryonic cell cycles and cytoplasmic microtubule arrays are also considered.
Optical absorption and fluorescence of fluorescent protein conjugates

Abstract A method is presented for measuring the molar extinction coefficient of free and protein-bound fluorescein-isothiocyanate. The molar extinction coefficient of the free dye is 1.18 times higher than that of the bound dye in a fluorescent conalbumin conjugate. The knowledge of the correct extinction coefficient is important for the accurate calculation of the fluorescein to protein ratio and the fluorescence quenching of fluorescent protein conjugates. The presence of serum proteins enhances the fluorescence of the conjugated protein, but decreases the fluorescence of the free dye.
Mechanism reduction for multicomponent surrogates: A case study using toluene reference fuels

Abstract Strategies and recommendations for performing skeletal reductions of multicomponent surrogate fuels are presented, through the generation and validation of skeletal mechanisms for a three-component toluene reference fuel. Using the directed relation graph with error propagation and sensitivity analysis method followed by a further unimportant reaction elimination stage, skeletal mechanisms valid over comprehensive and high-temperature ranges of conditions were developed at varying levels of detail. These skeletal mechanisms were generated based on autoignition simulations, and validation using ignition delay predictions showed good agreement with the detailed mechanism in the target range of conditions. When validated using phenomena other than autoignition, such as perfectly stirred reactor and laminar flame propagation, tight error control or more restrictions on the reduction during the sensitivity analysis stage were needed to ensure good agreement. In addition, tight error limits were needed for close prediction of ignition delay when varying the mixture composition away from that used for the reduction. In homogeneous compression-ignition engine simulations, the skeletal mechanisms closely matched the point of ignition and accurately predicted species profiles for lean to stoichiometric conditions. Furthermore, the efficacy of generating a multicomponent skeletal mechanism was compared to combining skeletal mechanisms produced separately for neat fuel components; using the same error limits, the latter resulted in a larger skeletal mechanism size that also lacked important cross reactions between fuel components. Based on the present results, general guidelines for reducing detailed mechanisms for multicomponent fuels are discussed.
Nuclear physics: symmetrical tin.

The tin isotope 100Sn is the heaviest 'doubly magic nucleus' that has an equal number of protons and neutrons. It is now finally starting to give up its secrets, thanks to the persistent efforts of nuclear physicists. See Article p.341
Leaf litter water content and soil surface CO2 fluxes in a deciduous forest

Abstract This study has examined the ability of a commercial, miniature soil moisture probe to measure water content within the leaf litter layer found on the floor below a deciduous forest site in Oak Ridge, eastern Tennessee. With its small size and high moisture sensitivity, this probe provides a potential opportunity for monitoring the water content beneath complex vegetation systems within the soil–air interface normally characterized by a large spatial variability and small magnitude of energy, water and carbon fluxes. With its low-cost and low-power, many of these probes can be easily deployed at a much lower cost than the single traditional soil moisture probe that is usually used for monitoring local-site soil moisture and is unsuitable for litter wetness. Miniature probe measurements of litter moisture were compared with gravimetric measurements from litter sample baskets positioned across the forest floor and the change in the magnitude of the probe output correlated linearly to the water content of the litter. Gravimetric measurements of the litter water content ranged from 1 to 3 g (H 2 O) g −1 (litter dry weight), and hourly values varied with precipitation, radiation, and wind speed. Measurements of the litter and soil water content were incorporated into empirical models adopted from the literature for estimating the litter and soil components of the CO 2 flux. The comparison between the modeled and the measured hourly CO 2 flux on the forest floor produced root means square differences (RMSD) of about 1.11 and 1.32 umol m −2 s −1 for estimates with and without litter layer, respectively, and about 25% of the forest floor CO 2 flux was due to direct contributions from the litter layer. The results of the study indicate that the probes performed well in a complex forest environment and can be used to help evaluate the water, energy and CO 2 fluxes on the soil surface inside a variety of vegetation stands.
A contextual, flexibility‐based model of the HR‐firm performance relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a more refined and comprehensive explanation of the HR‐firm performance relationship. Based on the recent conceptual and empirical research that is grounded in attribution theory, the model posits that flexibility regarding firm's HR system is a key mediator in the focal relationship, and that environmental dynamism determines the extent to which flexibility may be required. Specifically, the model specifies that a firm's high commitment work system will have a direct influence on the flexibility of the HR system, as well as climate perceptions about commitment and performance. HR flexibility and climate will in turn influence employees' evaluative attributions regarding the effectiveness of the firm's HR system, which will in turn affect employee commitment and performance and ultimately, firm‐level performance outcomes. And finally, the model specifies that environmental dynamism will have a direct influence on HR flexibility and the resulting employee‐ ...
Chapter 10 - Devising An Especially Efficient Route to the ‘Miracle’ Nutrient Coenzyme Q10

CoQ is also known as “ubiquinone.” This coenzyme is in every human cell and is localized mainly in the organs that work the hardest for the life of the body, such as the liver, pancreas, kidneys, and brain. It is this natural product that mediates electron transfer in the mitochondria—a phenomenon directly tied to energy transport going into the making of cellular ATP. Thus, given the fact that CoQ mediates respiration, a net 4-electron reduction of oxygen to water, this process derives energy. As human ages, the levels of CoQ 10 , which peak around age 20, drop precipitously as the efficiency of biosynthetic machinery continues to drop. CoQ 10 has documented its beneficial impact on the progression of Parkinson's disease. Given that over one million Americans alone are afflicted with this neurological disorder and the levels at which CoQ 10 has been administered and found most effective (1.2 g/day), the demand on this nutraceutical could increase significantly.
Estimation of Crop Coefficients Using Satellite Remote Sensing

Crop coefficient ( Kc ) based estimation of crop evapotranspiration ( E Tc ) is one of the most commonly used methods for irrigation water management. The standardized FAO56 Penman-Monteith approach for estimating E Tc from reference evapotranspiration and tabulated generalized Kc values has been widely adopted worldwide to estimate E Tc . In this study, we presented a modified approach toward estimating Kc values from remotely sensed data. The surface energy balance algorithm for land model was used for estimating the spatial distribution of E Tc for major agronomic crops during the 2005 growing season in southcentral Nebraska. The alfalfa-based reference evapotranspiration ( E Tr ) was calculated using data from multiple automatic weather stations with geostatistical analysis. The Kc values were estimated based on E Tc and E Tr (i.e., Kc =E Tc /E Tr ). A land use map was used for sampling and profiling the Kc values from the satellite overpass for the major crops grown in southcentral Nebraska. Finally,...
Experimental Study of a Self-Excited Piezoelectric Energy Harvester

In the present experimental work, we explore the possibility of using piezoelectric based fluid flow energy harvesters. These harvesters are self-excited and self-sustained in the sense that they can be used in steady uniform flows. The configuration consists of a piezoelectric cantilever beam with a cylindrical tip body which promotes sustainable, aero-elastic structural vibrations induced by vortex shedding and galloping. The structural and aerodynamic properties of the harvester alter the vibration amplitude and frequency of the piezoelectric beam and thus its electrical output. This paper presents results of energy-harvesting tests with one configuration of such a self-excited piezoelectric harvester using a PZT bimorph. In addition to the electrical voltage output, the strain on the surface of beam close to its clamped tip was also measured The measured strain and voltage output were perfectly correlated in the frequency range containing the first natural mode of vibration of the system. It was observed that about 0.24 mW of electrical power can be attained with this harvester in a uniform flow of 28 m/s.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Force development with inosine triphosphate and uridine triphosphate in chemically skinned vascular smooth muscle

Abstract The contraction of vascular smooth muscle is thought to be regulated by reversible phosphorylation of the 20,000 dalton light chains of myosin, catalyzed by myosin light chain kinase that is dependent on calcium and calmnodulin. With phosphorylation, there is a coincident increase in the actin-activated myosin NTPase activity, cross bridge interaction and contractile activity. However, this myosin phosphorylation mechanism may not be the sole factor controlling actin-myosin interaction in vascular smooth muscle. Other mechanisms may function in addition to this myosin-linked regulation. A calcium-insensitive regulation of contraction was observed in helical strips of chemically skinned (Triton X-100) arterial smooth muscle. Millimolar concentrations of inosine triphosphate and uridine triphosphate supported concentration dependent force development in the absence of calcium. Force development was a function of the MgNTP concentration. At high free calcium concentrations, an additional component of force was observed. ITP and UTP, in contrast to ATP, are less effective substrates for the myosin light chain kinase, and their effect on actin-myosin interaction is thus less than that of ATP. They are, however, utilized by the myosin NTPase after treatment by ATP-γ-S. The efficacy of the substrate for the activated NTPase is greater for UTP than ITP than for ATP.
Anhydrobiotic potential and long-term storage of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae).

Abstract Anhydrobiosis is considered to be an important means of achieving storage stability of entomopathogenic nematodes that are used in biological control. This study explored the effects of anhydrobiosis on longevity and infectivity of infective juveniles (IJs) of three species of entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae , Steinernema feltiae , and Steinernema riobrave at 5 and 25°C. Anhydrobiosis was induced in water-dispersible granules (WG) at 0.966–0.971 water activity and 25°C following a 7-day preconditioning of IJs at 5°C in tap water. Survival and infectivity of the desiccated (anhydrobiotic) IJs was compared with non-desiccated IJs stored in water for different periods. Anhydrobiosis increased longevity of S. carpocapsae IJs by 3 months and of S. riobrave by 1 month in WG at 25°C as compared with IJs stored in water. However, desiccation decreased S. feltiae longevity at 25°C and of all three species at 5°C. These results demonstrate a shelf-life of 5 months for S. carpocapsae at 25°C and 9 months at 5°C in WG with over 90% IJ survival. For S. feltiae, over 90% survival occurred only for 2 months at 25°C and 5 months at 5°C in WG. Steinernema riobrave had over 90% survival only for 1 month at 25°C and the survival dropped below 85% within 1 month at 5°C. Induction of anhydrobiosis in WG resulted in 85, 79 and 76% reduction in oxygen consumption by S. carpocapsae , S. feltiae , and S. riobrave IJs, respectively. Differences in IJ longevity among three species in water at 25°C were related both to the initial lipid content and the rate of lipid utilisation, but not at 5°C. The one-on-one infection bioassays indicated that desiccation had no negative effect on the infectivity of any of the nematode species suggesting no harmful effect on the IJs and/or their symbiotic bacteria. The species differences in IJ longevity and desiccation survival at different temperatures are discussed in relation to their foraging strategy and temperature adaptation.
Effect of contrast media on single-shot echo planar imaging: implications for abdominal diffusion imaging.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to determine the effect of contrast media on the signal behavior of singleshot echo planar imaging (ssEPI) used for abdominal diffusion imaging. Materials and Methods: The signal of an ssEPI spin echo sequence in a water phantom with varying concentrations of gadolinium was modeled with Bloch equations and the predicted behavior validated on a phantom at 1.5T. Six volunteers were given gadolinium contrast and signal intensity (SI) time courses for regions of interest (ROIs) in the liver, pancreas, spleen, renal cortex, and medulla were analyzed. Student’s t-test was used to compare precontrast SI to 0, 1, 4, 5, 10, and 13 minutes following contrast. Results: The results show that following contrast ssEPI SI goes through a nadir, recovering differently for each organ. Maximal contrast-related signal losses relative to precontrast signal are 20%, 20%, 53%, and 67% for the liver, pancreas, renal cortex, and medulla, respectively. The SIs remain statistically below the precontrast values for 5, 4, and 1 minute for the pancreas, liver, and spleen, and for all times measured for the renal cortex and
Damage Detection Using Impedance Measurement With Magnetic Transducer

Impedance method has been explored for damage detection and identification. Typically, when the impedance sensor is integrated onto the mechanical structure to be monitored, its electrical impedance is directly related to the mechanical impedance of the host structure. Thus the change of impedance measurement before and after damage occurrence can be used as the damage indicator. Since the impedance information may be measured at relatively high frequency range, the impedance method could be sensitive to small-sized damage. Generally, piezoelectric transducers are employed in the impedance approach, which can serve as actuator and sensor simultaneously. In this research, a magnetic transducer approach is investigated for impedance based damage detection. To provide design guidelines, the analytical model of the resistive magnetic impedance measurement circuit is formulated. During the formulation, the two-way magneto-mechanical coupling between the transducer and the structure is systematically studied by using the Maxwell’s equations. The preliminary sensor enhancement is achieved by selecting the number of turns of wire in the electrical coil. Moreover, in order to reduce the negative effects of the high inherent inductance and large parasitic resistance of the coil with a large number of turns of wire, a new measurement circuitry is proposed, in which a negative resistive element and a capacitor are introduced to be serially connected with the original resistive circuit. Correlated numerical and experimental studies are carried out to validate the magnetic transducer in impedance based damage detection.Copyright © 2009 by ASME