cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extremophilic models for astrobiology: haloarchaeal survival strategies and pigments for remote sensing.

Recent progress in extremophile biology, exploration of planetary bodies in the solar system, and the detection and characterization of extrasolar planets are leading to new insights in the field of astrobiology and possible distribution of life in the universe. Among the many extremophiles on Earth, the halophilic Archaea (Haloarchaea) are especially attractive models for astrobiology, being evolutionarily ancient and physiologically versatile, potentially surviving in a variety of planetary environments and with relevance for in situ life detection. Haloarchaea are polyextremophilic with tolerance of saturating salinity, anaerobic conditions, high levels of ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, subzero temperatures, desiccation, and toxic ions. Haloarchaea survive launches into Earth’s stratosphere encountering conditions similar to those found on the surface of Mars. Studies of their unique proteins are revealing mechanisms permitting activity and function in high ionic strength, perchlorates, and subzero temperatures. Haloarchaea also produce spectacular blooms visible from space due to synthesis of red–orange isoprenoid carotenoids used for photoprotection and photorepair processes and purple retinal chromoproteins for phototrophy and phototaxis. Remote sensing using visible and infrared spectroscopy has shown that haloarchaeal pigments exhibit both a discernable peak of absorption and a reflective “green edge”. Since the pigments produce remotely detectable features, they may influence the spectrum from an inhabited exoplanet imaged by a future large space-based telescope. In this review, we focus primarily on studies of two Haloarchaea, Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 and Halorubrum lacusprofundi.
Data-driven Classification and Modeling of Combustion Regimes in Detonation Waves

A data-driven approach to classify combustion regimes in detonation waves is implemented, and a procedure for domain-localized source term modeling based on these classifications is demonstrated. The models were generated from numerical datasets of canonical detonation simulations. In the first phase, delineations of combustion regimes within the detonation wave structure were analyzed through a clustering procedure. The clustering output usefully illuminated distinctions between detonation, deflagration, and intermediary regimes within the wave structure. In the second phase, the resulting delineated fields from the clustering step were used to guide localized source term modeling via artificial neural networks (ANNs), enabling a type of classification-based regression approach for source term estimation. A comparison of the estimations obtained from the local ANNs (trained for a subset of the domain given by a particular cluster) with the global ANN counterparts (trained agnostic to the clustering) showed general improvement of estimations provided by the domain-localized modeling in most cases. Ultimately, this work illuminates the useful role of data-driven classification and regression techniques for both physical analysis of the complex wave structure and for the development of new models which may serve as suitable pathways for long-time simulations of complex combustion systems (such as rotating detonation combustors).
A Situation Awareness-Based Framework for Design and Evaluation of Explainable AI

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have drawn attention to the need for AI systems to be understandable to human users. The explainable AI (XAI) literature aims to enhance human understanding and human-AI team performance by providing users with necessary information about AI system behavior. Simultaneously, the human factors literature has long addressed important considerations that contribute to human performance, including how to determine human informational needs. Drawing from the human factors literature, we propose a three-level framework for the development and evaluation of explanations about AI system behavior. Our proposed levels of XAI are based on the informational needs of human users, which can be determined using the levels of situation awareness (SA) framework from the human factors literature. Based on our levels of XAI framework, we also propose a method for assessing the effectiveness of XAI systems.
Bright lights, big city: an experimental assessment of short-term behavioral and performance effects of artificial light at night on Anolis lizards

With urbanization expanding into natural areas, it is increasingly important to understand how species subject to human-induced habitat alteration respond to novel opportunities and stressors. A pervasive consequence of urbanization is artificial light at night (ALAN), which previous studies have found introduces both costs and benefits for vertebrates. This understanding, however, primarily reflects findings from laboratory-controlled experiments or comparisons of wild populations in areas with long-standing differences in ALAN regimes. Here, we investigated the short-term costs and benefits for Anolis lizards during the period of initial exposure to ALAN using realistic light levels for urban areas (mean ± SD = 87.9 ± 36.7 lx at a distance of 3 m). As compared to controls, we hypothesized that adding ALAN would result in behavioral and physiological changes over the short term for brown anoles and their arthropod prey. In contrast to predictions, ALAN did not increase arthropod abundance or extend anole activity into the night. Structural habitat and sleep site use changed little in response to ALAN, which exposed about one-third of sleeping anoles in ALAN plots to light at night due to our manipulation. However, this direct light exposure resulted in lizards being more easily roused from sleep compared to lizards sleeping in the dark in control plots or in shadows in ALAN plots. The apparent inability of some anoles to adjust their sleep sites to avoid ALAN exposure may have contributed to their increased responsiveness at night and decreased locomotor endurance in the day. Our study suggests brown anoles can experience higher short-term costs than benefits during initial exposure to ALAN.
Re: concerns about the antidepressant-like effects of high-dose ketamine in mice

In our recent paper titled “CD-1 and Balb/cJ mice do not show enduring antidepressant-like effects of ketamine in tests of acute antidepressant efficacy,” we explored the effects of a wide range of ketamine doses to investigate the lasting antidepressant effects of ketamine in mice. Yang et al. expressed concern about the use of high doses of ketamine in such studies. Like many groups, we recognize the importance of the finding that ketamine produces sustained antidepressant effects in humans. We sought to model this effect in mice so that we could design studies to examine its neurobiology. We were surprised by the lack of antidepressant-like effects within what we considered to be a broad and extremely thorough range of doses, from low to high doses. Of course, dose response curves may be different across species, and we wanted to test all possibilities. Therefore, we included doses that we considered very high to determine whether there are any conditions under which ketamine can produce in mice effects that resemble the therapeutic effects seen in humans. During our studies we remained mindful of a concern shared by many depression researchers: that current animal models may only identify standard antidepressant medications and may not be sensitive to drugs that work via truly novel mechanisms.
The Future of Work in America: Demise of Employer-Sponsored Insurance and What Should Replace it

The COVID-19 pandemic has wrought fundamental changes in the US workplace, placing employer-sponsored health insurance (ESI) in disarray. Before the pandemic, ESI was the single largest share of private health insurance in the country, including some 150 million Americans. Even before the pandemic, however, ESI had become increasingly volatile and more unaffordable for both employers and employees. During the pandemic, many workers found that they could work at home remotely. Job losses during the pandemic left many millions uninsured, with many jobs lost indefinitely. Today, many Americans are rethinking how and where they want to be involved in the workplace, while many businesses are considering a future when more people are working from home or being replaced by robots, placing ESI in further jeopardy. This article brings historical perspective to these problems, showing how the private health insurance industry has failed the public interest by being too fragmented and unreliable to be afforded or depended upon. Three major reform alternatives are described, only 1 of which-single-payer improved Medicare for All-can provide stable universal coverage that meets the needs of all Americans while being affordable for patients, families, and taxpayers.
Using circulating tumor DNA for colon cancer adjuvant therapy: to be or not to be?

Detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) postoperatively is prognostic for recurrence for patients with stage III colon cancer. Those with sustained undetectable ctDNA will likely be cured. Eradication of minimal residual disease (per ctDNA clearance) with chemotherapy did not occur in most ctDNA-positive patients and led to eventual disease relapse.
Chaotic Heart Rate Dynamics in Isolated Perfused Rat Hearts

The application of the theory of chaotic dynamical systems has gradually evolved from computer simulations to assessment of erratic behavior of physical, chemical, and biological systems (Rossler, 1976; Swinney, 1983; Glass, et al., 1983; West, et al., 1986, Zbilut, et al., 1988). Whereas physical and chemical systems lend themselves to fairly good experimental control, biological systems are limited in this respect. Indeed, investigations in this area are often restricted by constrained experimental designs necessary for laboratory control, or ethical concerns regarding human subjects (Koslow, et al., 1987). Moreover the transitions from the behavior of discrete units such as cardiac cells to synergistic cooperation and self-organization as in a heart have not yet been fully explored (Haken, 1982). To overcome some of these lacunae, we studied the heart beat intervals (R wave to R wave of the electrocardiogram) of isolated, perfused rat hearts and their response to a variety of external perturbations. We have chosen the interbeat interval as a primary observable because we are interested in the long time dynamics of the heart as opposed to the temporal pattern of individual heart beats, which have been the subject of clinical studies for some time. The results indicate bifurcations between complex patterns, states with positive dynamical entropies and low values of fractal dimensions frequently seen in physical, chemical and cellular systems. The fact that these chaotic dynamical states can be elicited by global forcing situations and external perturbations suggest a hierarchical self-similarity in the organization of the heart.
Studies with hydroxyurea: I. The reversible inhibition of bacterial DNA synthesis and the effect of hydroxyurea on the bactericidal action of streptomycin

Abstract 1. Hydroxyurea is bacteriostatic for Escherichia coli. 2. Concentrations of hydroxyurea, which do not affect the synthesis and metabolism of RNA and proteins, induce a reversible inhibition of DNA synthesis. 3. The ribosomes, ribosomal RNA and messenger RNA from cells treated with hydroxyurea appear to be normal and functional. 4. The DNA from hydroxyurea-treated cells is not degraded nor does it appear to be cross-linked. 5. The mode of action of hydroxyurea appears to be different from that of compounds that irreversibly inhibit the synthesis of bacterial DNA. 6. Using hydroxyurea to inhibit the synthesis of DNA in E. coli, it could be shown that DNA synthesis is not required for the bactericidal effect of streptomycin.
Uridine Diphosphate Glucose Pyrophosphorylase from Sorghum vulgare PURIFICATION AND KINETIC PROPERTIES

The enzyme uridine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase was purified to a final specific activity of approximately 1200 units per mg from etiolated Sorghum vulgare seedlings. The purified enzyme was highly specific for both UTP and UDP-glucose. The divalent cation requirement was most readily satisfied by magnesium, but manganese and cobalt were also effective. The enzyme was characterized kinetically with regard to the mechanism of catalysis. Product inhibition studies indicate an ordered Bi Bi reaction mechanism in which the nucleotide substrate adds first and is released last as product. Evidence was obtained supporting mechanisms in which either free magnesium ion activates catalysis of UDP-glucose synthesis by forming a complex with enzyme in addition to its role in formation of MgUTP2-, or UTP4- inhibits the reaction. In contrast, magnesium ion had no effect on the rate of pyrophosphorolysis beyond its role in formation of MgPPi2-. Michaelis constants for each substrate and dissociation (inhibition) constants for nucleotides combining with enzyme were determined in the presence of excess or limiting concentrations of free magnesium ion. The influence of these mechanisms on the regulation of carbohydrate flow in higher plants is discussed.
Multielemental analysis of powder samples by direct measurement with TXRF

Total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis was used to measure various powder samples directly put on an adhesive carbon tab placed on a quartz carrier. In this paper, the ability of the method to perform quantitative multielemental analysis without sample digestion was demonstrated. To assess the optimal measurement conditions, angular scans to find the best glancing angle were carried out, different kinds of reference standard powders were measured, and matrix effects and detection limits were evaluated. The results show a good agreement of data obtained with certified values. This quick method can be applied to characterize powders without any chemical treatment, thus reducing time for analysis and minimizing the risk of sample contamination. As a consequence, a great advantage is that a large number of samples can be analyzed in a short time: This method can be very useful in environmental applications such as the analysis of many atmospheric particulate samples from a wide area and for repeated monitoring. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TELEVISION ADVERTISING IN MAYORAL CAMPAIGNS

TELEVISION ADVERTISING IN MAYORAL CAMPAIGNSTimothy B. KrebsAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Political ScienceUniversity of New Mexico1915 Roma NE, SSCI 2070Albuquerque, NM 87131Phone: 505/277-6235Fax: 505/277-2821tbkrebs@unm.eduDavid B. HolianAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Political ScienceUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro229 Graham BuildingGreensboro, NC 27402Phone: (336) 256-0514Fax: (336) 334-4315dbholian@uncg.eduPrepared for presentation at the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association,September 3-6, 2009, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Strategies to Enhance Patient Adherence: Making it Simple

The problem of poor patient adherence has been extensively researched, but the rates of nonadherence have not changed much in the past 3 decades. Healthcare providers play a unique and important role in assisting patients' healthy behavior changes. We conducted a narrative review of the current literature to help providers become more familiar with proven interventions that can enhance patient adherence. We then grouped the interventions into categories that can be remembered by the mnemonic "SIMPLE":1. Simplifying regimen characteristics; 2. Imparting knowledge; 3. Modifying patient beliefs; 4. Leaving the bias; and 6. Evaluating adherence. Chronic lifestyle behavior change often requires a combination of all the aforementioned strategies. We suggest a conceptual framework, which calls for a multidisciplinary approach with the above strategies in the context of a healthcare team and system-related factors. We hope that this framework would not only help design scientifically proven interventions, but also reduce the time and cost involved with implementing these strategies in a healthcare setting.
Patterns of Use of a Free Nicotine Patch Program for Medicaid and Uninsured Patients

This study assessed the use and effectiveness of a free nicotine patch program among Medicaid and uninsured smokers. Patterns of patch use, associated behaviors with quit attempt, side effects, and self-reported abstinence from smoking for 6 months were evaluated prospectively among patients from five urban family practice offices and a nicotine dependence clinic located in a comprehensive cancer center in Western New York. Results indicated that the majority of participants used the program as intended, and 90% of the participants found the patch useful in their quit attempt. Fourteen percent of participants were abstinent for 6 months or more. We found no support for inappropriate use of transdermal nicotine patches among patients with no health insurance or those on Medicaid. Transdermal nicotine patches are an effective cessation aid for smokers. Given the tall of the consequences of smoking on health costs, barriers to access to effective treatment for smoking cessation among individuals covered by Medicaid for health insurance need to be eliminated.
Macrophage production of innate immune protein C1q is associated with M2 polarization (INM1P.434)

C1q is an important recognition molecule of the innate immune response. It plays a dual role in vivo, triggering inflammation via activation of the classical complement pathway, to clear pathogens. However, it can also directly opsonize targets including apoptotic cells and damaged-self molecules, leading to increased macrophage phagocytosis and M2-like anti-inflammatory cytokine production. C1q is primarily synthesized by macrophages. Therefore we investigated C1q production by macrophages under various conditions. Raw 264.7, a murine macrophage cell line, were incubated with different targets or under conditions associated with M1 or M2 polarization. C1q gene expression levels were measured by quantitative RT-PCR from isolated mRNA. C1q protein expression and secretion was measured in cell media by hemolytic titer. The results showed a decrease in C1q production at the gene and protein level when cells were treated with M1-associated inflammatory stimuli such as high levels of LPS, and/or IFNγ. Interestingly, treating the cells with M2-associated stimuli such as IL-4, or interaction of macrophages with “self” targets such as damaged self molecules oxidized or acetylated LDL yielded an increase in C1q production. These data support a non-complement associated role for C1q in resolving inflammation and prevention of autoimmune disease, and suggest it may act as a novel biomarker for M2-like inflammation resolving macrophage polarization.
Establishing and Using Nuclei

The small, young colonies of bees referred to by beekeepers as nuclei, or more familiarly nucs, should form part of every beekeeping establishment, whether it is a large commercial enterprise, a garden apiary, or one used for teaching. Many beekeepers share the aesthetic experience of their first hive started up with a small, quiet colony building exquisitely delicate combs. Such nuclei are easy and pleasant to handle—whereas the “monstrous, boiling colonies” inhabiting piled up boxes of dark comb, which sometimes later take their place, are definitely not. This article collects together much information on nuclei, and encourages the practice of keeping them, for good and sufficient reasons which are set out, as well as for pleasure. Some notes on the history of nuclei are included on page 32.
Framing Human-Robot Task Communication as a POMDP

As general purpose robots become more capable, pre-programming of all tasks at the factory will become less practical. We would like for non-technical human owners to be able to communicate, through interaction with their robot, the details of a new task; we call this interaction "task communication". During task communication the robot must infer the details of the task from unstructured human signals and it must choose actions that facilitate this inference. In this paper we propose the use of a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) for representing the task communication problem; with the unobservable task details and unobservable intentions of the human teacher captured in the state, with all signals from the human represented as observations, and with the cost function chosen to penalize uncertainty. We work through an example representation of task communication as a POMDP, and present results from a user experiment on an interactive virtual robot, compared with a human controlled virtual robot, for a task involving a single object movement and binary approval input from the teacher. The results suggest that the proposed POMDP representation produces robots that are robust to teacher error, that can accurately infer task details, and that are perceived to be intelligent.
Delay-Dependent Output Feedback Control of Time-Delay LPV Systems

Presented in this chapter, is a method for the design of output feedback \({\mathcal{H}}_{\infty }\) controllers for linear parameter-varying (LPV) time-delay systems. Towards this goal, a delay-dependent bounded real lemma (BRL) condition is first developed by taking advantage of parameter-dependent Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals. An existence condition for an output feedback controller with delay in its dynamics is then developed to guarantee a prescribed \({\mathcal{H}}_{\infty }\) performance level for the closed loop system by relaxing the obtained BRL through the introduction of additional slack variables. The proposed synthesis condition is formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) that can be solved using existing efficient interior-point algorithms. A numerical example based on a lumped parameter model of a milling process is finally employed to validate the presented design method of this chapter.
Factors Contributing to Infant Overfeeding in Low‐Income Immigrant Hispanic Mothers

Paper Presentation Objective To describe multidimensional factors and maternal feeding practices that may correlate with infant overfeeding in Latina mothers. A secondary aim was to determine whether there was an association between these factors and infant weight. Design A descriptive correlational cross‐sectional study. Setting Participants were recruited through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Sample Sixty‐two low‐income immigrant Latina mothers receiving WIC assistance and their infants age 4 to 12 months. Methods A native Spanish speaking investigator who guided the participants through the options administered all the measures, including acculturation indicators, maternal feeding beliefs, maternal feeding practices, maternal knowledge and self‐efficacy, food availability/insecurity indicators, infant's temperament, infant's 24‐hour dietary recall, and infant's height and weight measures. Univariate and multiple linear regressions were used to examine relationships. Results More than 46% of infants were at >85 th percentile for weight for length; of those, 21% were at >98 th percentile. Among infants at the >85 th percentile for weight for length, 27% of the mothers wished their infants were heavier. Only one mother was breastfeeding exclusively. Almost one third of mothers (24%) preferred supplementing breast milk with formula feeding, and 74% used formula feeding. Healthier maternal feeding practices were inversely correlated with maternal age and the number of people living at home. Multiple regression results showed infant's age and maternal education as significant positive predictors of less controlling maternal feeding practices. None of the analyzed factors were significant predictors of infant weight. Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice Future intervention efforts should focus primarily on the promotion of healthy feeding practices that encourage and support exclusive breastfeeding among this ethnic group. A clearer understanding of the socioeconomic and cultural contexts that promote conditions for infants becoming overweight is necessary for developing culturally sensitive screening tools to assess infants at risk and promoting targeted preventive interventions that begin early in life and are meaningful to Latina mothers.
Nanoparticles for cardiovascular imaging and therapeutic delivery, Part 1: Compositions and features

Imaging agents made from nanoparticles are functionally versatile and have unique properties that may translate to clinical utility in several key cardiovascular imaging niches. Nanoparticles exhibit size-based circulation, biodistribution, and elimination properties different from those of small molecules and microparticles. In addition, nanoparticles provide versatile platforms that can be engineered to create both multimodal and multifunctional imaging agents with tunable properties. With these features, nanoparticulate imaging agents can facilitate fusion of high-sensitivity and high-resolution imaging modalities and selectively bind tissues for targeted molecular imaging and therapeutic delivery. Despite their intriguing attributes, nanoparticulate imaging agents have thus far achieved only limited clinical use. The reasons for this restricted advancement include an evolving scope of applications, the simplicity and effectiveness of existing small-molecule agents, pharmacokinetic limitations, safety concerns, and a complex regulatory environment. This review describes general features of nanoparticulate imaging agents and therapeutics and discusses challenges associated with clinical translation. A second, related review to appear in a subsequent issue of JNM highlights nuclear-based nanoparticulate probes in preclinical cardiovascular imaging.
Dynamics of Ammonia Photodesorption from GaAs(100): A Vibration-Mediated Mechanism

UV photodesorption of NH3 from GaAs(100) is characterized by a strong isotope effect in the cross section, σNH3/σND3 = 4.1 ± 0.5, a fact which cannot be accounted for by the mass difference of the leaving particles. We take this as the first evidence for UV-photodesorption from electronically quenched, but vibrationally hot ground state adsorbates.
Comparison of bursting strength between suture- and laser-anastomosed vessels

The bursting strength of suture- and laser-assisted vascular anastomosis (LAVA) was assessed using a standard rat femoral artery model. Vessels were studied from 1 hour to 3 weeks. LAVA arteries consistently demonstrated lower bursting strengths than those of suture controls, with significant differences at 1 day, 3 days (P less than 0.001), and 1 weeks (P less than 0.01). Return of strength occurred in a pattern reminiscent of wound-healing models. Relatively low bursting strengths at 1 and 3 days in the LAVA cohort may explain the high aneurysm rate reported to complicate this procedure.
Laser polishing of GaN

The ablative decomposition of GaN films induced with a XeCl excimer laser ((lambda) equals 308 nm) was investigated for a potentially low-damage surface planarization process. Samples, 2-micrometers -thick, were grown on (0001) sapphire by ammonia molecular beam epitaxy. They had a characteristic micro-hillock type surface morphology with a roughness, averaged over 5 x 5 micrometers 2 area, typically, of 13 nm. Following the laser irradiation, this roughness could be reduced to 3.6 nm. The results indicate that the ablation process follows the Lambert-Beer's law, with an absorption coefficient of 3 x 105 cm-1. The experiment was carried out with relatively short pulses ((tau) equals 10 ns), which appear to be responsible for the observed onset of the laser-induced decomposition of GaN and surface planarization at significantly smaller laser fluences than reported in the literature. The ability to carry out decomposition of GaN with low laser fluences is of practical importance for achieving a low-damage GaN planarization process and/or intentional delaminating of this material from the sapphire substrate by the back side irradiation technique.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Staining Method for the Banding Patterns of Human Mitotic Chromosomes

SUMMARYA method is described which, through the combined use of warm phosphate saline and a Giemsa-trypsin mixture, consistently produces G-bands in metaphase chromosomes of human leukocytes.
Theoretical study of a nucleophilic addition reaction in the gas phase and in aqueous solution: peptide bond hydrolysis

Nucleophilic addition of hydroxide anion to N,N-dimethyl acetamide in the gas phase and in solution was elucidated using a combination of ab initio molecular orbital theory and self-consistent reaction field model. The gas phase reaction is exothermic, with a tetrahedral adduct being the product. An ion-dipole complex formed between hydroxide and N,N-dimethyl acetamide, of comparable stability to the tetrahedral adduct, was located on the potential energy surface. There is a considerable potential energy barrier separating the ion-dipole complex and the tetrahedral adduct in the gas phase. However, in aqueous solution, the ion-dipole complex disappears as a minimum. The calculated free energy barriers in solution at the HF/6–31+G∗∗ level of theory are 27.7 and 7.4 kcal mol−1 for the forward and reverse reactions respectively; the corresponding experimental values, according to Guthrie's analysis, are 24.6 and 5.8 kcal mol−1. In view of the previous difficulties in reproducing experimental free energy barriers in solution for nucleophilic addition of hydroxide to formaldehyde, the present study has clearly demonstrated the potential of the ab initio self-consistent reaction field approach to study chemical reactions in solution. The effects of geometry relaxation on calculated free energy barriers have also been evaluated.
A thermostable phosphofructokinase from the extreme thermophile Thermus X-1

Abstract Two relatively simple procedures are described for the purification of phosphofructokinase from the extreme thermophile, Thermus X-1. The native enzyme has a molecular weight of 1.32 × 10 5 and contains four apparently identical polypeptide chains. One substrate, fructose-6-phosphate, induces a cooperative protein transition while the other substrate, ATP, does not. Phosphoenolpyruvate functions as an avid negative effector and ADP is a positive effector. The enzyme has an optimum temperature for catalysis of 80 °C. Persistence of the catalytic and allosteric properties over the temperature range 20–80 °C suggests that the same protein structure is retained throughout this temperature range. Thermus X-1 phosphofructokinase is more stable to inactivation by heat, urea, guanidine hydrochloride or acidification than the phosphofructokinases obtained from the mesophilic organisms Escherichia coli and Clostridium pasteurianum . Comparison of the amino acid compositions of the three enzymes indicates no substantive differences in their hydrophobicity, hydrogen bonding potential or average residue size. The markedly elevated optimum temperature for catalysis exhibited by the Thermus enzyme appears to result from stabilization of its catalytically functional conformational to a reversible thermal inactivation above 40 °C and to ligation of the substrate fructose-6-phosphate.
200 GHz CMOS amplifier working close to device f T

A 200 GHz CMOS amplifier with a compact fully differential configuration is presented. Accurate device modelling and creative circuit design indicate the amplifier can support gain at frequencies close to device fT. Measurement results are reported and validate the design by achieving 8.1 dB gain at 200 GHz and over 20 GHz positive gain bandwidth.
Identification of PSR1758 - 23 as a runaway pulsar from the supernova remnant W28

The discovery of the pulsar 1758 – 23 in the vicinity of the radio supernova remnant W28 has prompted speculation that the two might be physically associated. Although the brightening of the supernova remnant in the direction of the pulsar suggests such an association, the large column density of electrons in the interstellar medium towards PSR1758 – 23 (evident from the pronounced dispersion of the radio signal) and the anomalously large scattering observed in the pulses seem to indicate a distance much greater than that to W28. Here we present new observations which indicate that the large dispersion and scattering of the pulses is instead caused by a dense screen of ionized material located along the line of sight, and thus the distances to the pulsar and W28 can be reconciled. Similar scattering screens have been reported previously and appear to be associated with HII regions; the properties of these screens seem, however, to be inconsistent with current models of turbulent structure in the interstellar medium.
Annexin 6 Immunoreactivity in Select Cell Populations in the Rat Brain

We examined the distribution of annexin 6 (ANX6) in rat brain with immunohistochemistry (IHC). Several neuronal cell populations were intensely labeled with the ANX6 monoclonal antibody (MAb), including layer 5 of neocortex, the lateral septum, the lateral hypothalamic area, the red nucleus, and the Purkinje cell layer in cerebellum. Neuronal immunolabeling was localized to the nucleus and the cytosol. Darkly stained ANX6-immunoreactive glia, with the morphology characteristic of astrocytes, were abundant in the hippocampus, substantia nigra reticulata, and cerebellum. Evidence suggests that ANX6 may function in neuronal and glial calcium-dependent processes.
Raising the Colorado Plateau: Comment and Reply

Kilty's main objection to raising the Colorado Plateau via crustal flow is what he might call the failure of a crucial test: verifying the predicted implications of the model for the upper crust. We welcome the opportunity to defend the necessity of the tests we proposed and also to explain how the
Physiological Responses in Rats Fed Extracts of Endophyte Infected Tall Fescue Seed

Three trials involving 184 male Sprague Dawley rats were conducted to identify the biologically active fraction of endophyte-infected tall fescue seed. In trial 1, seed infected (greater than 95%) with the endophytic fungus Acremonium coenophialum and shown to be toxic to cattle, was serially extracted with hexane, ethylacetate, and methanol, respectively. A second sample of this seed was extracted with chloroform only. Controls included a solvent treatment (spraying the various solvents on endophyte-free seed and carrying the mixture to dryness), the seed post-extraction, endophyte-infected seed and endo-phyte-free seed. Laboratory chow was mixed with all diets to provide 50% of the mix. Trial 2 examined the same treatments as trial 1 except that the chloroform treatment was omitted. Dosages 3 times (equivalent to 22.5 g seed) those used in trial 1 were applied to endophyte-free seed (7.5 g) in an attempt to accentuate any differences. Trial 3 examined the methanol fraction extracted serially, a methanol fraction extracted batchwise, and a water fraction extracted batchwise. Controls included seed residues post-extraction, solvent residue from methanol sprayed on endophyte-free seed, and endophyte-infected seed. Lowered feed intake and weight gains, and depressed serum prolactin concentrations were used as indicators of toxicity. Feed intake was lower in all three trials for rats fed the methanol fraction. In all three trials mean serum prolactin concentrations in rats fed the methanol extracts were not different from those fed endophyte-infected fescue seed. Rats fed the water extract in trial 3 had lower feed intakes than rats fed endophyte-free seed. However, rats fed the seed, post-water extraction, had serum prolactin concentrations similar to that of the negative control. Results suggest that the toxic factor(s) may be concentrated in the methanol extract.
Influence of target hemoglobin in dialysis patients on morbidity and mortality.

Influence of target hemoglobin in dialysis patients on morbidity and mortality. Since the introduction of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in 1989, the level of anemia correction has been debated. Information developed from clinical trials and observational studies have given conflicting results. The normal hematocrit (Hct) trial of Besarab et al showed no benefit, and a possible risk, of correcting the Hct from 30% to 42% in hemodialysis patients with NYHA class I to III cardiac disease. The study of Moreno et al in non-cardiac patients showed improved Sickness Impact Profile and Karnofsky scores in hemodialysis patients when their Hct was increased from 31% to 38.5%. Hospitalizations were significantly reduced. Observational studies from Madore et al, Xia et al, Ma et al, and Collins et al all show that increased morbidity and mortality are significantly associated with Hct
Assimilation of altimeter data into a quasigeostrophic ocean model using optimal interpolation and EOFs.

Abstract An ensemble of fraternal-twin experiments is used to assess the utility of optimal interpolation and model-based vertical empirical orthogonal functions (eofs) of streamfunction variability to assimilate satellite altimeter data into ocean models. Simulated altimeter data are assimilated into a basin-wide 3-layer quasi-geostrophic model with a horizontal grid spacing of 15 km. The effects of bottom topography are included and the model is forced by a wind stress curl distribution which is constant in time. The simulated data are extracted, along altimeter tracks with spatial and temporal characteristics of Geosat, from a reference model ocean with a slightly different climatology from that generated by the model used for assimilation. The use of vertical eofs determined from the model-generated streamfunction variability is shown to be effective in aiding the model's dynamical extrapolation of the surface information throughout the rest of the water column. After a single repeat cycle (17 days), the analysis errors are reduced markedly from the initial level, by 52% in the surface layer, 41% in the second layer and 11% in the bottom layer. The largest differences between the assimilation analysis and the reference ocean are found in the nonlinear regime of the mid-latitude jet in all layers. After 100 days of assimilation, the error in the upper two layers has been reduced by over 50% and that in the bottom layer by 38%. The essence of the method is that the eofs capture the statistics of the dynamical balances in the model and ensure that this balance is not inappropriately disturbed during the assimilation process. This statistical balance includes any potential vorticity homogeneity which may be associated with the eddy stirring by mid-latitude surface jets.
Electron Spin Resonance Investigations of Radiation-Induced Free Radicals in DNA and RNA at Low Temperatures: Effects of Water

Samples of DNA and RNA were irradiated with a 700 deg C Co/sup 60/ source directly in an absorption cell, which was maintained at a temperature of 4.2 deg K. Dosages of the order of 10/sup 6/ rads were given. Electron spin resonance observations were made at the same temperature, at a frequency of 23 kMc. The electron spin resonance signals for pure DNA and RNA (with no water) are similar to those found at room temperature, only much stronger for the same dosage of radiation. When the samples irradiated at 4.2 deg K were allowed to warm to room temperature, spinrecombination reduced the electron spin resonance signal to that obtained after irradiation of the samples with the same dosage at room temperature. A marked decrease in the formation of free radicals from DNA and RNA was found when the water concentration is increased above 50% (by weight). The effects of water indicate transfer of energy from the nucleic acid to the water matrix. Hydrogen-atom and Mn/sup 2+/ resonance in the nucleic acidwater complex are discussed. (P.C.H.)
Exploratory Data Analysis in Reservoir Characterization Projects

The process to characterize the reservoirs of a mature field encapsulates the analysis of large data sets collated from well tests, production history and core analysis results enhanced by high resolution mapping of seismic attributes to reservoir properties. It is imperative to capture the more subtle observations inherent in these data sets, to comprehend the structure of the data. Invariably, geostatistical methods can be implemented to accurately quantify heterogeneity, integrate scalable data and capture the scope of uncertainty. However, between 50 and 70 per cent of allotted time for any reservoir characterization study worth its investment should be concentrated on Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA). As an overture to spatial analysis, simulation and uncertainty quantification, exploratory data analysis ensures consistent data integration, data aggregation and data management, underpinned by univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis. This paper not only details some of the more common EDA steps that initiate efficient reservoir characterization projects, but also underlines the importance of the EDA school of thought often overlooked or even precluded prior to the spatial analysis, kriging, simulation and uncertainty quantification steps. See Figure 1 for a comprehensive reservoir characterization project flow chart as it cycles through each step from EDA to uncertainty analysis. Illustrated by a case study to optimize recovery factors, the EDA techniques are enumerated and graphically explicated. Using a suite of statistical tools in various workflows across an enterprise business intelligence framework, data integrity is preserved and managed efficiently to enable various regression models to be deemed appropriate, implementing stepwise algorithms and other techniques to render reliable knowledge of those reservoir properties that are most influential in increasing recovery factors.
Markov chains and tensor multiplications

Abstract An m -dimensional matrix of order n over a field F is an array A = [ a i 1 , a i 2 … i m ]; 1 ⩽ i j ⩽ n ; 1 ⩽ j ⩽ m , of n m elements of F . This definition coincides with the notion of an m -fold tensor over F n , and also of an n × n matrix when m = 2. In this paper two multiplications on such objects are examined. The first is nonassociative and is motivated by a generalization of a Markov chain. The second is associative, and related to the first by a certain generalized transpose operator. Spectral and unitary properties of the associative multiplication are discussed, as well as connections with block-diagonal matrix multiplication. A connection between graphs and the nonassociative multiplication is exhibited.
Three-tesla diffusion tensor imaging of Meyer's loop by tractography, color-coded fractional anisotropy maps, and eigenvectors

The aim of this study was to evaluate Meyer's loop by 3-T MRI with fiber tractography, color-coded fractional anisotropy maps, and eigenvector maps. The anteroposterior distance from the anterior bundle of the Meyer's loop to temporal pole ranged from 26.3 to 34 mm, overlapping with the previously published anatomical dissection studies. Diffusion tensor imaging with fiber tractography, color-coded FA maps, and color maps of the principal eigenvector at 3 T appear to be promising techniques for the virtual dissection of Meyer's loop.
Effectiveness of a Bioreadiness Training Program

Abstract BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This descriptive study was undertaken to measure the effectiveness of an 8-hour Bioreadiness training program. A pre- and post-test design was utilized to gauge baseline knowledge, as well as learning from the presented materials. The null hypothesis assumed there was no significant difference between the pre- and post-test scores. METHODS: An identical test (nine multiple choice and one short answer questions) was administered to participants before and after the program. Data were analyzed with a paired T-Test and a Wilcoxin Signed rank test. RESULTS: The analysis included 230 of 300 participants who completed both tests. Mean scores on pre-and post-tests were 63% and 79%, respectively. The obtained T value (12) was greater than the critical T value (1.645), which indicates a significant difference. The paired T-test (alpha= 0.05) had a significant value of CONCLUSIONS: Familiarity with bioreadiness issues increased after an 8-hour training program. However, the effect may be under-represented because 39% of persons left the short-answer question blank on the post-test. On the pre-test, only 9% did not complete this exercise. In both cases, a missing answer was scored as an incorrect response. Based on these observations, the program was redesigned to ensure that all objectives are covered in the program. In addition, the short-answer question is now only in the post-test. Persons involved in training may find this format useful.
Psychiatric emergencies in travelers to Hawaii.

Abstract The popularity of traveling and tourism is such that it is now commonplace for tourists to travel through several time zones and to immerse themselves for a few days in cultures very different from their own. Although the psychiatric literature contains a number of studies relevant to migrant populations, little is known about the stresses and psychiatric problems that are closely related to the travel experience itself. That emotional difficulties might be associated with travel is implied by the fact that “vacation” is worth 13 points on Holmes and Rahe's Social Readjustment Rating Scale.1 In an exploratory study, Kimura, Mikolashek, and Kirk2 stated that many newcomers to Hawaii experienced psychiatric crises resulting in their being seen in the emergency room. They hypothesized that a common dynamic among those who developed psychiatric crises was that of trying to escape problems at home but finding instead that their difficulties had come with them and were compounded by the stress of traveling and relocation. This syndrome is known locally as the “coconuts and bananas syndrome,” referring to the myth that life is so easy in Hawaii that one can simply pick food off of trees. In this paper, the psychiatric emergencies associated with travel to Hawaii are systematically evaluated and certain patterns are delineated. Hawaii is an ideal place to study the psychiatric problems associated with travel and tourism. In 1976, over 9,000 visitors entered Hawaii per day, according to data from the Hawaii Visitors Bureau. The daily census of tourists on the island of Oahu alone was about 77,000. The great majority of newcomers to Hawaii are, of course, tourists, but some come for other reasons including relocation. This group accounted for roughly 2,500 persons per month. The present study was untertaken to discover more fully the psychiatric problems of newcomers to Hawaii.
CASSCF and CASPT2 ab initio electronic structure calculations find singlet methylnitrene is an energy minimum

(12/11)CASSCF and (12/11)CASPT2 ab initio electronic structure calculations with both the cc-pVDZ and cc-pVTZ basis sets find that there is a barrier to the very exothermic hydrogen shift that converts singlet methylnitrene, CH3N, to methyleneimine, H2CNH. These two energy minima are connected by a transition structure of Cs symmetry, which is computed to lie 3.8 kcal/mol above the reactant at the (12/11)CASPT2/cc-pVTZ//(12/11)CASSCF/cc-pVTZ level of theory. The (12/11)CASSCF/cc-pVTZ value for the lowest frequency vibration in the transition structure is 854 cm-1, and CASPT2 calculations concur that this a‘ ‘ vibration does indeed have a positive force constant. Thus, there is no evidence that this geometry is actually a mountain top, rather than a transition structure, on the global potential energy surface or that a C1 pathway of lower energy connects the reactant to the product. Therefore, our computational results indicate that the bands seen for singlet methylnitrene in the negative ion photoelectron...