cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Folding Thermodynamics of Protein-Like Oligomers with Heterogeneous Backbones

The thermodynamics of protein folding are dictated by a complex interplay of interatomic interactions and physical forces. A variety of unnatural protein-like oligomers have the capacity to manifest defined folding patterns. While the energetics of folding in natural proteins is well studied, little is known about the forces that govern folding in modified backbones. Here, we explore the thermodynamic consequences of backbone alteration on protein folding, focusing on two types of chemical changes made in different structural contexts of a compact tertiary fold. Our results reveal a surprising favorable impact on folding entropy that accompanies modifications that increase disorder in the ensemble of unfolded states, due to differences in the solvation of natural and unnatural backbones.
The New Core Paradox

Among the terrestrial planets, Earth is by far the best endowed with energy to drive its internal dynamics. In addition to being the only planet known to have a global system of plate tectonics operating in its crust and mantle, Earth generates a strong magnetic field of its own through self-sustained dynamo action in its iron-rich core. The conventional view is that convection in the liquid outer core provides most of the energy for the geodynamo, and does so not just today, but also in the past, stretching backward in time for at least 3.4 billion years ( 1 ). Now that view is being challenged by fresh laboratory measurements and first-principles electronic structure calculations, indicating a far greater capacity for the core to transport heat by conduction and, by implication, less ability to transport heat by convection.
Child-Care Attitudes and Development of Young Children of Mentally ILL and Well Mothers

Young children of mentally ill mothers and well mothers were administered the WPPSI. Mother and child were observed in the test situation and mothers were administered the Maternal Attitude Scale and a measure of intelligence. Even partialling out mothers' IQ, scores of mothers who believe in encouraging the child's interaction with the environment correlated with child's IQ. Lower birth weight and greater birth complications were related to maternal attitudes reflecting continuation of the mother-child symbiosis and, among well mothers, more intrusive behavior in the test situation was also related to the belief in the importance of continuing the symbiosis as well as to greater denial of child-rearing concerns.
Detection and characterization of the heterozygote state for lipoprotein lipase deficiency

Because there are no characteristic clinical or biochemical manifestations, the heterozygote state for lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency has been difficult to detect. Measurements of postheparin plasma LPL activity and of LPL mass were performed in six families of probands with LPL deficiency to characterize the heterozygote state. LPL mass was measured in a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a monoclonal antibody (5D2) that had been produced against bovine milk LPL. Thirteen obligate heterozygotes from these families had reduced LPL activity and mass below the 95th percent confidence limits of 34 normal controls, while one obligate heterozygote had LPL activity and mass between the 90th and 95th percent confidence limits. Potential heterozygotes in these families were identified as normal (n = 8) or heterozygotes (n = 6) by comparison to the 95th percent confidence limits of the controls. Some relatives in four of the six families exhibited mild hyperlipidemia, similar to the pattern seen in familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL). The hyperlipidemia segregated with the heterozygote state for LPL deficiency in these families (p less than 0.03). High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was significantly reduced in the heterozygotes for LPL deficiency (p less than 0.01). The measurement of LPL activity and mass allows identification of the heterozygote state for LPL deficiency, which is characterized by variable expressions of hyperlipidemia and reduced HDL cholesterol. These results suggest that the heterozygote state for LPL deficiency may form one subset of FCHL.
Selective effects of methylglyoxal-bis-(guanylhydrazone) on the development of antibody-forming cells in mice.

Abstract The effects of methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) on selected cellular immune functions and on S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity were studied in spleen cells from mice given sublethal doses of this drug. The development of antibody-forming cells was markedly inhibited after administration of methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) whereas the functions of cytotoxic effector cells and phagocytes were not affected. The activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase was found to be greatly increased in spleen cells from mice given the drug, and this increase was 4- to 5-fold greater in nylon wool-adherent cell populations as compared to that in non-adherent cell populations. The uptake of methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) was 1.5- to 2-fold greater in nylon wool-adherent cells than in non-adherent cells. These studies suggest that methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) selectively affects antibody-forming cells among mouse spleen cell populations.
Evidence for aneuploidy and recombination in the human commensal yeast Candida parapsilosis

Abstract Isolates of Candida parapsilosis , including representatives of the three major sub-species groups, were screened for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by sequencing five independent loci totaling 4 kb per isolate. Group I isolates were highly conserved and in some cases, group I alleles were found in group II and III strains. Unique alleles were also associated with groups II and III, consistent with earlier observations of intergroup divergence. There was no heterozygosity in any strain, and a FACS analysis demonstrated that for all three groups nuclei are variant in size, ranging from 0.5 to 1.0× the size of other diploid yeast genomes. This suggests that natural isolates of C. parapsilosis are aneuploid, with some isolates being essentially haploid. Taken collectively with the observation of group I alleles within group II and III strains, we propose that some form of recombination is occurring between groups.
Can children with (central) auditory processing disorders ignore irrelevant sounds

This study investigated the effects of irrelevant sounds on the serial recall performance of visually presented digits in a sample of children diagnosed with (central) auditory processing disorders [(C)APD] and age- and span-matched control groups. The irrelevant sounds used were samples of tones and speech. Memory performance was significantly disrupted in the presence of irrelevant sounds in all three groups of children. While irrelevant speech was more disruptive than irrelevant tones in the two control groups, children diagnosed with (C)APD did not show larger disruption from irrelevant speech compared to irrelevant tones. Children diagnosed with (C)APD appear to process speech differently from their typically developing peers, and this may be remediated with auditory training procedures and the placement of these children in smaller classes.
Criminal justice education at historically black colleges and universities: Past, present, and future

In 1981, Julius Debro conducted a study to determine the prevalence of criminal justice programs at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). His findings showecfthat less than 20 percent of all HBCUs had undergraduate programs in criminal justice/criminology (CJ/C). He also found that even fewer schools had graduate programs in CJ/C. This paper re‐examines the status of criminal justice education at HBCUs. Surveys were sent to 99 HBCUs to determine the current status of criminal justice programs. Through extensive follow‐up via telephone, the Internet, and additional mailings, data were gathered on most HBCUs. Contrary to Debro's earlier findings, many of the responding HBCUs now offer bachelor's and/or master's degrees in criminal justice. The significance and implications of these findings are discussed.
Relationships among body composition measures in community-dwelling older women.

Objective: To examine whether simple anthropometric measures provide a good estimate of total and visceral fat in 146 community-dwelling, older white women (mean age, 74.0 ± 4.1 years). Research Methods and Procedures: Total body fat and visceral fat were measured using electron beam computed tomography (EBT). Anthropometric parameters (height, weight, BMI, sagittal diameter, and waist circumference) were measured using standard techniques. Total percentage body fat was assessed using DXA. Spearman correlations were used to examine the association between the measures. Linear regression, controlling for age, was used to examine the associations between the anthropometric parameters and total and visceral body fat measured by EBT. Results: Correlations among body composition measures ranged from ρ = 0.46 to 0.93 (p < 0.0001). EBT total fat was strongly correlated with both DXA estimates of total percentage fat (ρ = 0.86) and BMI (ρ = 0.89). Separate linear regression models indicated that BMI, waist circumference, sagittal diameter, and DXA total percentage fat were each independently related to EBT total fat. BMI had the strongest linear relationship, explaining 80% of the model variance (p < 0.0001). Linear regression indicated that BMI, waist circumference, and sagittal diameter were each independently related to EBT visceral fat, with BMI and sagittal diameter explaining ∼53% of the model variance (p < 0.0001). Discussion: The use of simple anthropometric measures such as BMI, sagittal diameter, and waist circumference may be an appropriate alternative for more expensive techniques when assessing total fat but should be used with caution when estimating visceral body fat.
Interferential and burst-modulated biphasic pulsed currents yield greater muscular force than Russian current.

ObjectivePrevious data regarding neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) have suggested that muscle torque production with interferential current (IFC) is inferior to Russian current; however, waveform parameters specific and critical to NMES were inconsistent, making interpretation of previous findings precarious. The purpose of this investigation was to compare muscle force production of three electrical stimulating waveforms when using equivalent stimulus parameters. Design: The percent of maximal voluntary isometric knee extensor force (%MVIF) elicited using interferential, Russian, and burst-modulated biphasic pulsed currents were compared in 23 healthy college-aged subjects. A repeated measures single factor design in a university laboratory setting was used. Results: A significant effect for waveform used was noted. Data showed significantly greater %MVIF of the knee extensors were obtained using IFC or burst-modulated BP current versus conventional Russian current. Conclusions: The results of ...
ATP-induced loss of Alz-50 immunoreactivity with the A68 proteins from Alzheimer brain is mediated by ubiquitin.

Abstract The Alz-50 immunoreactive proteins, designated A68, are detected by electrophoretic blot analysis of 100,000 x g pellet fractions of brain tissue from individuals with Alzheimer disease (AD). In exploring the biochemical nature of these proteins, we have found that a preincubation of such fractions with 5 mM ATP results in loss of Alz-50 immunoreactivity on immunoblots. The loss of antigenicity is complete after a 1-hr incubation at 37 degrees C and is stringently dependent on ATP. Hydrolysis of ATP is required, since the inhibition is not supported by the nonhydrolyzable analog adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (ATP[gamma S]) and is prevented when the ATPase inhibitors o-vanadate and oligomycin are present. Upon further characterization, it was found that certain protease inhibitors, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, antipain, tosylphenylalanine chloromethyl ketone, and aprotonin prevent the loss of the epitope. This suggests that hydrolysis of ATP is coupled with proteolysis of A68, leading to loss of Alz-50 immunoreactivity. Since a variety of proteins are believed to be degraded by an ATP/ubiquitin-dependent pathway, a possible role for ubiquitin (Ub) in this effect was investigated. Two polyclonal antibodies against Ub protected A68 from proteolysis and were also effective in immunoprecipitating A68 after incubation with ATP in the presence of Ub and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. The proteolysis of A68 was also blocked by hemin, an inhibitor of the protease that cleaves Ub-protein conjugates. Taken together, these findings indicate that loss of Alz-50 immunoreactivity with A68 is due to ATP-dependent/Ub-mediated proteolysis. This mechanism may be relevant to the physiological role for A68 in AD or it may simply represent an attempt to abort an aberrant protein.
Transient Hazard Model Using Radar Data for Predicting Debris Flows in Madison County, Virginia

During the rainstorm of June 27, 1995, roughly 330–750 mm of rain fell within a 16-hour period, initiating floods and over 600 debris flows in a small area (130 km 2 ) of Madison County, VA. We developed a distributed version of Iverson9s transient response model for regional slope stability analysis for the Madison County debris flows. This version of the model evaluates pore-pressure head response and factor of safety on a regional scale in areas prone to rainfall-induced shallow (
Mother–Child Discourse, Attachment Security, Shared Positive Affect, and Early Conscience Development

The separate literatures on parental discipline, maternal discourse about emotion, and autobiographical memory support the idea that parent-child discourse in the context of a supportive relationship plays a role in a child's early conscience development, and this study was designed to examine this issue. Forty-two preschool children and their mothers took part in a 45-min structured laboratory session, and at their homes, mothers completed the Attachment Q-Set. As part of the laboratory session, each mother was asked to discuss with her child one incident that occurred within the last week in which her child behaved well and one in which her child misbehaved. These conversations were transcribed verbatim and coded for maternal references to feelings, rules, consequences of the child's actions, and moral evaluatives. Each child also took part in a behavioral measure of internalization and several compliance tasks, and mothers completed a maternal report of the child's early conscience development. Consistent with attachment theory, attachment security predicted maternal and child references to feelings and moral evaluatives. Attachment security, shared positive affect between the mother and child, and maternal references to feelings and moral evaluatives also predicted specific aspects of early conscience development.
Lithologic and geochemical investigations of the Fire Clay coal bed, southeastern Kentucky, in the vicinity of sandstone washouts

Abstract The Fire Clay (Hazard No. 4) coal bed of the Middle Pennsylvanian Breathitt Formation in eastern Kentucky is interrupted by a series of discontinuous sandstone bodies. This sand belt, which includes two washouts, was studied in Perry County. The coal thickens toward the interruptions and the coal between the sand bodies is highly disturbed. Several prominent durains in the upper bench of the coal bed are laterally continuous within the study area. Statistical analysis indicates that the durain layers contribute much of the vertical coal quality variation. The sandstone bodies are inferred to be a result of post-depositional fluvial activity and the disturbance of the coal between washouts is due to compaction-related slumping. A thin kaolinite-rich lens similar to the flint clay parting was found below the main parting.
A follow-up study of hospitalized adolescents.

Abstract An effort was made to assess 138 patients previossly hospitalized as adolescents by a two-stage longitudinal study extending up to 9 yr following discharge from an adolescent ward. The psychotic patients did poorly over time, with significant improvement rare in more than a third of the cases. In contrast, those patients having neurotic disorders, those patients with adjustment reactions, and those patients having personality disorders did quite well over time in spite of their hospitalizations. Also, between the first and the second stages we tended to lose those patients who were functioning in a lower behavioral levels.
Quality of life and psychosocial relationships in patients with chronic renal insufficiency

Abstract The goal of the present study was to assess the psychological functioning level and the relationship between psychosocial variables and psychological functioning and social support buffering effects among a population of outpatients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). The Beck Depression Inventory, Illness Effects Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Social Support, and Satisfaction With Life Scale were administered to 50 patients with CRI. The patients' nephrologist provided a Karnofsky scale rating to assess physical functioning. Sample scores were also compared for descriptive purposes to a previously reported sample of patients with more advanced disease and chronic renal failure (CRF), and a population of patients who had just started hemodialysis therapy for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients with CRI are minimally depressed and perceive few negative illness effects. Satisfaction with life and cognitive depression scores were similar among the patients with CRI, CRF, and ESRD. Within the CRI sample, perception of illness, depression, and quality of life were significantly intercorrelated, indicating an emerging pattern of negative psychological reactions among some patients. Level of perceived social support was not correlated with other study variables. The mean level of perceived social support was lower among patients with CRI than in patients with ESRD. We conclude that even though most adjustment variables are in normal ranges, higher negative perception of illness is associated with higher depression scores and lower quality of life, even at this early stage of CRI. Additionally, social support may play an important role for those individuals beginning to experience a decline in renal functioning. (Am J Kidney Dis 1998 Oct;32(4):557-66)
Ruthenium-catalyzed photo cross-linking of fibrin-based engineered tissue

Most cross-linking methods utilize chemistry or physical processes that are detrimental to cells and tissue development. Those that are not as harmful often do not provide a level of strength that ultimately meets the required application. The purpose of this work was to investigate the use of a ruthenium-sodium persulfate cross-linking system to form dityrosine in fibrin-based engineered tissue. By utilizing the tyrosine residues inherent to fibrin and cell-deposited proteins, at least 3-fold mechanical strength increases and 10-fold stiffness increases were achieved after cross-linking. This strengthening and stiffening effect was found to increase with culture duration prior to cross-linking such that physiologically relevant properties were obtained. Fibrin was not required for this effect as demonstrated by testing with collagen-based engineered tissue. Cross-linked tissues were implanted subcutaneously and shown to have minimal inflammation after 30 days, similar to non-cross-linked controls. Overall, the method employed is rapid, non-toxic, minimally inflammatory, and is capable of increasing strength and stiffness of engineered tissues to physiological levels.
Case Study: Worsening Tourette's Disorder or Withdrawal Dystonia?

This case report focuses on withdrawal dystonia, a movement disorder associated with neuroleptics. Its occurrence in a patient with Tourette's disorder complicated the clinical picture. A misinterpretation of the symptoms led to ineffective management of the movement disorder. The presence of increased blinking with facial pain, dystonic movements, and other facial movements at each neuroleptic dose reduction pointed toward withdrawal dystonia rather than toward a worsening of Tourette's disorder. Implications for diagnosis and treatment are discussed.
Asynchronous time-of-arrival-based source localization

In this paper, asynchronous wireless source localization using time-of-arrival (TOA) measurements is studied. In TOA localization, the travel time of the signal between the source node and anchor nodes is measured and used to estimate range. In synchronous networks, the anchor nodes know when the source node starts transmission. In asynchronous networks, however, the source transmit time is unknown and TOA measurements have a positive bias due to the synchronization error which could lead to a large localization error. One way to tackle this problem is to use time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) measurements which do not depend on the source transmission time. However, in this work, applying an alternative approach, we estimate the source transmit time as a nuisance parameter jointly with the source location. The optimal maximum likelihood (ML) estimator is derived. To avoid the ML convergence problem, a novel semidefinite programming (SDP) technique is proposed by converting the noncovex ML problem into a convex one. Computer simulations showing superior performance of the proposed SDP estimator are conducted.
Narcissism and unprovoked aggression

It is widely accepted that narcissists become aggressive when they experience ego-threat. However, there is surprisingly little empirical research on the relationship between narcissism and aggression. Equivocal findings suggest that aggression in narcissists either occurs only in response to provocation, or regardless of provocation. One-hundred and thirty-seven collegiate men completed the Narcissistic Personality Inventory followed by a sham aggression paradigm, which afforded them the opportunity shock, or refrain entirely from shocking an ostensible opponent confederate. Participants were identified as "unprovoked aggressors," "retaliatory aggressors," or "nonaggressors" contingent on when and if they chose to administer electrical shocks to the confederate. Results indicated that participants who were high on narcissistic traits were more likely to be unprovoked aggressors than their low narcissism counterparts. Results are discussed in relation to threatened egotism theory and call for more research on narcissism, aggression, and the moderating effect of provocation.
Abstract 1101: Acidosis-induced NF-κB promotes cell invasion in breast cancer

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Although acidic microenvironment has been previously shown to promote breast cancer growth and invasion, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Because inflammation is a major culprit in cancer progression, we hypothesize that pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-κB in the acidic microenvironment plays a major role in the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer. In this study we showed that acidosis (pH 6.6) activates NF-κB but it has no effect on STAT3 activity in breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, the activation of NF-κB is mediated through phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα; nuclear translocation, and phosphorylation of p65, leading to enhanced cell invasion. Upstream to NF-κB signaling, AKT, PDK1, and ERK1/2 are also activated under acidic condition. Moreover, acidosis induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) which can be suppressed by ROS scavengers such as glutathione and N-acetyl-L-cysteine, reversing the acidosis-induced activation of AKT, ERK1/2 and NF-κB, and invasiveness. In addition, the NADPH oxidase (NOX) inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium can suppressed acidosis-induced ROS. Importantly, we observed all of these effects only in cancer cells, but not in non-malignant cells. Together, these results suggest that production of ROS, activation of AKT, ERK1/2 and NF-κB may constitute key acidosis-induced signaling cascades in breast cancer cells. Citation Format: Subash C. Gupta, Yin-Yuan Mo. Acidosis-induced NF-κB promotes cell invasion in breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1101. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1101
Organic Pollutants in Wastes and Process Streams of Coal Cleaning Plants

Abstract Process waters and coal wastes from the physical cleaning of coals were collected at heavy media cyclone and water washing plants. The process wastewaters and leachates of the wastes were extracted and the organic compounds in these extracts were characterized by gas chromatography (GC) and combination gas chromotography/mass spectrometry (GC/ MS). Most of the identified compounds were aliphatic acids present at less than 1 mgL−1. Base/neutral compounds were present at less than 10μgL−1 in 22 different samples.
Subacute cervical spine instability

A case of delayed onset of C5-6 subluxation after a motor vehicle accident, with normal initial cervical spine roentgenograms and neurological findings consistent with concomitant cerebral trauma, is presented. Damage to the cervical spine was due to fractures of the C-6 body and superior articular facet undetected by routine radiologic studies.
Structural mining: self-consistent design on flexible protein-peptide docking and transferable binding affinity potential.

A flexible protein−peptide docking method has been designed to consider not only ligand flexibility but also the flexibility of the protein. The method is based on a Monte Carlo annealing process. Simulations with a distance root-mean-square (dRMS) virtual energy function revealed that the flexibility of protein side chains was as important as ligand flexibility for successful protein−peptide docking. On the basis of mean field theory, a transferable potential was designed to evaluate distance-dependent protein−ligand interactions and atomic solvation energies. The potential parameters were developed using a self-consistent process based on only 10 known complex structures. The effectiveness of each intermediate potential was judged on the basis of a Z score, approximating the gap between the energy of the native complex and the average energy of a decoy set. The Z score was determined using experimentally determined native structures and decoys generated by docking with the intermediate potentials. Using...
Editorial overview: Cell nucleus: The nucleus: a dynamic organelle

The nucleus is perhaps the defining feature of ‘eukaryotes’ (Greek ‘eu-’ (with) ‘-karyon’ (kernel, nucleus)), and the emperor of all eukaryotic organelles in terms of scale and complexity of organization. It is, of course, the repository for almost all genomic information, encoded in DNA sequences wrapped into chromatin as discrete polymer packages termed chromosomes, surrounded in turn by a double-membrane nuclear envelope (NE). Our investment in genomics in humans and other eukaryotes has been rightly huge; however, the return has been slow, as we discovered that sequence assemblies alone reveal little about how genetic information is utilized. Instead, genome functions are greatly influenced by processes that control nuclear and chromosome architecture and dynamics — chromatin factors and modifications, epigenetic mechanisms, and pathways for controlling transport of molecules into and out of the nucleus.
Stimulus response curves of single carotid body chemoreceptor afferent fibres.

STUDIES of the characteristics of activity recorded from single carotid body chemoreceptor afferent fibres have so far been concerned with the statistics of the pattern of discharge and the effects of drugs1–3. There has been no adequate description of the activity of single fibres in response to independent changes in blood gas tensions and pH for extended ranges, and it is unclear whether or not the multifibre response curves described by Hornbein and Roos4, for example, are composed of a spectrum of differently shaped single fibre response curves showing an array of thresholds. Accordingly, we have investigated the effects of changes in arterial O2 and CO2 tensions and pH on the rate of discharge of single chemoreceptor afferent fibres dissected from the sinus nerve of the cat. The animals were anaesthetized with 0.6 ml./kg of ‘Dial-Urethane’, paralysed with 5 mg/kg of gallamine triethiodide and artificially ventilated. The arterial blood pressure and oxygen tension and end-tidal carbon dioxide tension were continuously recorded on a Grass polygraph. Arterial blood samples were taken for measurement of pH and carbon dioxide tension, which were changed by intravenous administration of 1 molar sodium bicarbonate, 1 molar ammonium chloride or 0.1 normal hydrochloric acid and by appropriate changes in rate and volume of artificial ventilation. The arterial oxygen tension was altered by varying the oxygen content of the inspired gas. Single chemoreceptor afferent nerve impulses were displayed on an oscilloscope and their frequency of discharge was monitored with a ratemeter whose output was recorded on the Grass polygraph. After a change in arterial PO2, and, in particular, after a change in either PCO2 or pH, an average 15–20 min were spent in adjusting the respiratory pump level or infusion until a new steady level of discharge, measured with the ratemeter, was obtained. After a further 5–10 min at this level, the fibre activity was photographed on moving film for 20 sec periods. The numbers of potentials in 10 sec periods were later counted from the filmed records and these counts were used to construct the graphs which show response curves.
Effects of nanostructure-covered femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures on optical absorptance of metals

In this paper, we find, for the first time, that optical absorptance of metals can be significantly enhanced by a new type of surface structures following femtosecond laser ablation, namely nanostructure-covered periodic surface structures. Especially, the effect of the nanostructure-covered periodic structures on optical absorptance of metals has a clear polarization dependence that suggests a more controllable way to modify material optical properties with femtosecond laser processing.
Effect of Aerosols on the Transfer of Solar Energy Through Realistic Model Atmospheres. Part I: Non-Absorbing Aerosols

Abstract Extensive calculations aimed at determining the effect of aerosols on the solar energy absorbed, reflected and transmitted by cloudless, nonhomogeneous, plane-parallel atmospheric models were recently carried out with the object of treating the radiation transfer in as comprehensive a manner as possible consistent with reasonable computing time. The concentration of aerosol (spherical particles with size distribution and refractive index independent of height), ozone and water vapor were specified for 160 layers of varying thickness from the surface to 45 km. The solar spectrum (0.285–2.5 μm) was divided into 83 intervals with appropriate functions representing the scattering and absorption of gases and aerosol assigned to each, the index of refraction of the aerosol taken to be wavelength-independent. Upward and downward fluxes for each spectral interval at each level were computed taking into account all orders of scattering. Results will be presented for four model atmospheres to show the abso...
Short- and long-term physiologic and pharmacologic control of blood pressure in pediatric patients

The incidence of hypertension is rising in the general population. A parallel trend is present in children and adolescents. This reflects more intensive treatment and improved patient survival after a wide range of serious systemic illnesses that can lead to hypertension. In addition, primary or essential hypertension is more prevalent because of the epidemic of obesity and metabolic syndrome in pediatric and adult patients of both genders and in all ethnic groups. As a consequence of the changing demographic pattern of hypertension, more patients are requiring therapy for elevated blood pressure. This review summarizes key aspects of the treatment for hypertension in pediatric patients and the long-term management of this problem, including nonpharmacologic strategies and drug treatment.
Atomistic calculations of the thermodynamic properties of mixing for tetravalent metal dioxide solid solutions: (Zr, Th, Ce)O2

Abstract The thermodynamic mixing properties for isometric Th x Ce 1− x O 2 , Ce x Zr 1− x O 2 , and Th x Zr 1− x O 2 were determined using quantum-mechanical calculations and subsequent Monte-Carlo simulations. Although the Th x Ce 1− x O 2 binary indicates exsolution below 600 K, the energy gain due to exsolution is small ( E exsoln =1.5 kJ/(mol cations) at 200 K). The energy gain for exsolution is significant for the binaries containing Zr; at 1000 K, E exsoln =6 kJ/(mol cations) for the Ce x Zr 1− x O 2 binary, and E exsoln =17 kJ/(mol cations) for the Th x Zr 1− x O 2 binary. The binaries containing Zr have limited miscibility and cation ordering (at 200 K for x =0.5). At 1673 K, only 4.0 and 0.25 mol% ZrO 2 can be incorporated into CeO 2 and ThO 2 , respectively. Solid-solution calculations for the tetragonal Th x Zr 1− x O 2 binary show decreased mixing enthalpy due to the increased end-member stability of tetragonal ZrO 2 . Inclusion of the monoclinic ZrO 2 is predicted to further reduce the mixing enthalpy for binaries containing Zr.
Modification of PET surfaces with self-assembled monolayers of organosilane precursors

Abstract We report on a facile, robust and rapid method by which poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) surfaces can be chemically modified while avoiding chemical degradation. Specifically, we demonstrate that brief exposure of PET surfaces to ultraviolet/ozone (UVO) generates a large surface concentration of hydrophilic moieties that serve as points of chemical attachment, thereby facilitating subsequent chemisorption of organosilane precursors. The feasibility of this methodology is tested by decorating UVO-modified PET surfaces with semifluorinated organosilane (SFOS) molecules, which serve to alter the surface energy of PET without compromising its bulk characteristics. The physico-chemical properties of the SFOS layers attached to PET are studied with a palette of experimental probes, including near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and ellipsometry. Experimental results indicate that ≈2 min of UVO treatment is optimal for covering PET with dense self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of SFOS. Longer UVO treatment times contaminate and correspondingly roughen PET surfaces with low-molecular-weight organic compounds (LMWOCs) generated from degradation of the topmost PET material. As a consequence, SFOS SAMs attached to the LMWOC layer readily wash off from UVO-treated PET.
Forceful balloon dilation: an outpatient procedure for achalasia

The initial treatment of choice in patients with achalasia is balloon dilation. Heretofore, this procedure was performed on an in-hospital basis resulting in high patient cost. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of pneumatic dilation as an outpatient procedure. Sixty-one procedures were performed on 50 patients at two centers. An overall treatment success rate of 95% (47 of 50 patients) was achieved. Two patients had elective surgical treatment and a third underwent surgery for perforation secondary to dilation. A total of three patients complained of post-procedure chest pain within 4 hours and were hospitalized. Two had perforations; one required surgical repair. The third patient had resolution of symptoms. We conclude that performing balloon dilation as an outpatient procedure is safe, efficacious, and cost effective.
The method of vector fields for catadioptric sensor design with applications to panoramic imaging

We present a design technique for realizing given projections as catadioptric sensors. In general, these problems do not have solutions, but approximate solutions may often be found that are visually acceptable. Our approach, which we call the "method of vector fields", reduces the problem to solving a linear system. A given transformation between the image plane object surface is shown to determine a vector field which is normal to the surface in the case where the vector field is a gradient. If the vector field is not a gradient, we present several functional that may be minimized to give approximate solutions.
H ∞ Filtering with Inequality Constraints for Aircraft Turbofan Engine Health Estimation

H∞ filters (also called minimax filters) can estimate the state variables of a dynamic system. However, in the application of state estimators, some known signal information is often either ignored or dealt with heuristically. The contribution of this paper is three-fold: first, this paper extends previous work on equality-constrained H ∞ filtering and derives some new theoretical results; second, this paper shows how the inequality-constrained H∞ filtering problem can be reduced to a standard quadratic programming problem; third, this paper shows how inequality-constrained H∞ filtering can be applied to aircraft engine health estimation. The incorporation of state constraints significantly increases the computational effort of the filter but also improves its estimation accuracy. The improved estimation accuracy is shown in this paper both theoretically and experimentally. We also show that the Kalman filter performs better for aircraft engine health estimation under nominal conditions, but (in agreement with theory) the H∞ filter performs better in the presence of unmodeled errors with respect to worst case estimation error.
Genes Involved in Intrinsic Antibiotic Resistance of Acinetobacter baylyi

Bacterial genes defining intrinsic resistance to antibiotics encode proteins that can be targeted by antibiotic potentiators. To find such genes, a transposon insertion library of Acinetobacter baylyi was screened with subinhibitory concentrations of various antibiotics to find supersusceptible mutants. A DNA microarray printer was used to replica plate 10,000 individual library clones to select mutants unable to grow at 1/10 the MICs of 12 different antibiotics. Transposon insertions in 11 genes were found to cause an eightfold or higher hypersusceptibility to at least one antibiotic. Most of the mutants identified exhibited hypersusceptibility to β-lactam antibiotics. These included mutants with disruptions of genes encoding proteins involved in efflux (acrB and oprM) as well as genes pertaining to peptidoglycan synthesis and modification (ampD, mpl, and pbpG). However, disruptions of genes encoding proteins with seemingly unrelated functions (gph, argH, hisF, and ACIAD0795) can also render cells hypersusceptible to β-lactam antibiotics. A knockout of gshA, involved in glutathione biosynthesis, enhanced the susceptibility to metronidazole, while a knockout of recD, involved in recombination and repair, made the bacteria hypersusceptible to ciprofloxacin. Disruption of acrB in Escherichia coli rendered the cells hypersusceptible to several antibiotics. However, knockout mutants of other homologous genes in E. coli showed no significant changes in antibiotic MICs, indicating that the intrinsic resistance genes are species specific.
ELECTRIC PROPULSION IN 1964 -- A STATUS REVIEW

IntroductionThe year 1964 has not yet brought the ex-pected flight test of an electric thrust engine.However, the development of electric propulsion ,as a new branch of rocket technology has madesignificant progress in many ways. Power effi-ciency, propellant efficiency, and lifetime ofthrustors have increased. Studies of propulsionsystems for specific applications have resultedin realistic appraisals of performance figuresand optimization Schemes.Desirable features of power sources havebeen identified to an extent that guidelines forpower supply development can be specified. Mis-sion studies have further demonstrated the super-iority of electric propulsion systems over othersystems on a number of unmanned and mannedmissions. Most significant, however, is probablythe growing recognition of the fact that the develop-ment of electric propulsion systems should not beshelved until an indisputable "requirement" arises.Our national space program is evolving under acharter which makes unmanned and manned explor-ation of space a national goal. In this light, elec-tric propulsion is one very promising propulsionsystem of great potentialities. It is not a com-petitor, but a complement to other systems, andit will extend our payload capabilities considerablywith respect to mass, flight times, and missionfeasibility. It should be noted that none of the de-cisive accomplishments in our space program sofar was achieved as fulfilment of an immediate"requirement, " but rather in response to thechallenge of a new technology which had comewithin reach.Electrothermal ThrustorsElectrothermal thrustors, because oftheir inherent simplicity in design and operation,are of interest for mission applica'ions which re-quire an optimum exhaust velocity on the orderof 10 000 to 15 000 m sec"
A mimetic tensor artificial viscosity method for arbitrary polyhedral meshes

We construct a new mimetic tensor artificial viscosity on general polyhedral meshes. The tensor viscosity is designed as a discretization of the differential operator div (μ∇u) with the full fourth-order tensor μ. We demonstrate performance of the new artificial viscosity on a set of test problems.
Deep Spatiotemporal Feature Learning with Application to Image Classification

Deep machine learning is an emerging framework for dealing with complex high-dimensionality data in a hierarchical fashion which draws some inspiration from biological sources. Despite the notable progress made in the field, there remains a need for an architecture that can represent temporal information with the same ease that spatial information is discovered. In this work, we present new results using a recently introduced deep learning architecture called Deep Spatio-Temporal Inference Network (DeSTIN). DeSTIN is a discriminative deep learning architecture that combines concepts from unsupervised learning for dynamic pattern representation together with Bayesian inference. In DeSTIN the spatiotemporal dependencies that exist within the observations are modeled inherently in an unguided manner. Each node models the inputs by means of clustering and simple dynamics modeling while it constructs a belief state over the distribution of sequences using Bayesian inference. We demonstrate that information from the different layers of this hierarchical system can be extracted and utilized for the purpose of pattern classification. Earlier simulation results indicated that the framework is highly promising, consequently in this work we expand DeSTIN to a popular problem, the MNIST data set of handwritten digits. The system as a preprocessor to a neural network achieves a recognition accuracy of 97.98% on this data set. We further show related experimental results pertaining to automatic cluster adaptation and termination.
THE CYTOPLASMIC ZINC FINGER PROTEIN ZPR1 ACCUMULATES IN THE NUCLEOLUS OF PROLIFERATING CELLS

The zinc finger protein ZPR1 translocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus after treatment of cells with mitogens. The function of nuclear ZPR1 has not been defined. Here we demonstrate that ZPR1 accumulates in the nucleolus of proliferating cells. The role of ZPR1 was examined using a gene disruption strategy. Cells lacking ZPR1 are not viable. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that the loss of ZPR1 caused disruption of nucleolar function, including preribosomal RNA expression. These data establish ZPR1 as an essential protein that is required for normal nucleolar function in proliferating cells.
Insight Into Neurocognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia

Insight into psychotic symptoms is typically poor in schizophrenia; however, it is not known whether insight into neurocognitive impairment is similarly impaired. Most people with schizophrenia experience cognitive dysfunction, and the deficits in attention, memory, and critical thinking have been associated with poor functional outcome. As new treatments are developed for the cognitive impairments, it will be important to know whether patients will be receptive to yet another therapy. Insight is an important factor in treatment compliance and treatment outcome; however, it is not known if patients have insight into their cognitive dysfunction. In order to assess insight into neuro cognitive dysfunction, 75 subjects were administered the Measure of Insight into Cognition-Clinician Rated, a newly created measure based on the Scale to Access the Unawareness of Mental Disorder, that assesses insight into cognitive impairment. Subjects were also administered the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia and Independent Living Scale-Problem Solving to objectively assess neuropsychological status and problem-solving skills needed for independent living. Results demonstrated that virtually all subjects had cognitive impairment, yet insight into their neuro cognitive symptoms was limited. This finding has potential implications for treatment programs seeking to improve cognitive functioning in schizophrenia.
Management of infected hemodialysis access grafts using cryopreserved human vein allografts.

Abstract Background: One of the most feared complications of dialysis access is prosthetic arteriovenous (AV) graft infection, which is typically treated with AV graft removal followed by a staged dialysis graft placement elsewhere. Such a treatment approach often presents a challenge since many hemodialysis-dependent patients have limited venous access that may preclude a new AV graft or dialysis catheter placement. In this article, we review the management of AV graft infection using in situ cryopreserved human vein allografts. Data sources: Functional and antigenic characteristics as well as the clinical experience of cryopreserved human vein allograft in dialysis access are reviewed. Surgical technique of in situ cryopreserved human allograft placement for infected prosthetic AV graft is also described. Conclusions: Cryopreserved vein allograft is an acceptable graft conduit in difficult hemodialysis access situations. It offers surgeons the ability to deal with the infected graft in one operative procedure with low incidence reinfection and graft patency similar to conventional prosthetic graft replacement.
Implications of macromolecular crowding for protein assembly.

Recent studies have led to increased appreciation of the influence of excluded volume in solutions of high total macromolecular content ('macromolecular crowding') upon the various classes of reaction that lead to the assembly of proteins and protein complexes. In general, crowding is expected to stabilize native protein structure relative to less compact non-native structures and to favor the formation of functional complexes of native proteins. Under certain pathological conditions, 'overcrowding' may enhance the formation of nonfunctional aggregates of non-native protein (e.g. amyloid and inclusion bodies).
Performance effects of node mappings on the IBM bluegene/l machine

The IBM BlueGene/L supercomputer consists of up to 65536 compute nodes connected by several networks including a three-dimensional torus. The BlueGene/L control system allows a user to re-map MPI ranks to different physical torus coordinates at run-time. Effects of node mapping on application performance are investigated for Gray-code mappings with differing aspect ratios, permutations of the X, Y, and Z coordinates, random mappings and four new mapping types. Results are presented for three NAS parallel benchmarks – BT, CG, and MG – on 128-way partitions in co-processor mode and virtual node mode on the prototype BlueGene/L hardware.