cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A theoretical study on the effect of piezoelectric charges on the surface potential and surface depletion region of ZnO nanowires

The electrostatic potential and depletion width in piezoelectric semiconductor nanowires are derived by considering a non-depleted region and a surface depleted region and solving the Poisson equation. By determining the piezoelectric-induced charge density, in terms of equivalent density of charges, the effect of piezoelectric charges on the surface depletion region and the distributed electric potential in nanowire have been investigated. The numerical results demonstrate that the ZnO NWs with a smaller radius have a larger surface depletion region which results in a stronger surface potential and depletion region perturbation by induced piezoelectric charges.
A Follow-Up Report Card on Computer-Assisted Diagnosis—the Grade: C+

Diagnostic errors result in an estimated 40,000 to 80,000 US hospital deaths annually1; they are the most common type of medical error cited in malpractice claims and result in the largest payouts2; they lead to more patient readmissions than other types of errors3; and autopsy studies confirm the ubiquity of missed diagnoses.4 Although not all diagnostic errors result in harm, many do.5 Typically these mistakes represent either cognitive errors, such as those resulting from a lack of knowledge, or communication errors, such as those resulting from poor handoffs and follow-up.6,7 Differential diagnosis (DDX) generators have the potential to assist in the former, while other types of clinical decision support can address the latter.
Improved syntheses of substrates for radiometric assays of microsomal monooxygenase (arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase) and epoxide hydratase

Abstract Simple and relatively inexpensive synthetic procedures for the preparation of labeled substrates for standard radiometric assays of microsomal monooxygenase (arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase) and epoxide hydratase are described. The microsomal monooxygenase substrate, [4′-3H]benzenesulfonanilide, is prepared by 3HHO quenching of the 4′-lithio salt obtained from 4′-bromobenzenesulfonanilide by halogen-metal interchange with n-butyllithium. The epoxide hydratase substrate, [8-14C]styrene oxide, is prepared by a Wittig reaction between benzaldehyde and [14C]trimethyloxosulfonium chloride. The availability of these labeled substrates via procedures readily carried out in a regularly equipped laboratory should make the sensitive and selective radiometric assays for microsomal monooxygenase and epoxide hydratase activities convenient alternatives to the other available assay procedures.
Gynaecomasty as the first manifestation of sexual precocity (case report).

Summary. We report on a young boy who developed gynaecomastia 15 months before he showed clinical manifestations of sexual precocity. He was treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate with good results. His development to adulthood is presented. The causes of gynaecomastia in the prepubertal child are reviewed.
Fate of the ectatic infrarenal aorta: Expansion rates and outcomes

The natural history of the ectatic infrarenal aorta remains undetermined. While surveillance protocols have been proposed for true aneurysms, no recommendations are currently available for ectatic aortas. The purpose of this study is to define the natural history and recommend surveillance protocols for the infrarenal aorta 2.5-2.9 cm in diameter. Screening of 12,500 yielded 223 patients with an infrarenal abdominal aorta 2.5-2.9 cm in diameter at a university-affiliated VA medical center. All patients were prospectively followed by ultrasound from August 1993 through October 2000 and expansion rates were calculated by comparing the first and last study. Multivariate analysis of risk factors classically associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm was performed. Current data suggest that ectatic infrarenal aortas expand slowly, do not rupture, and rarely meet criteria for operative repair. No risk factors linked to the development of aneurysms were identified. On the basis of this study we recommend that patients with ectatic aortas have a repeat ultrasound 5 years after the initial study.
A comparison of MODIS 250-m EVI and NDVI data for crop mapping: a case study for southwest Kansas

Multi-temporal vegetation index (VI) data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) are becoming widely used for large-area crop classification. Most crop-mapping studies have applied enhanced vegetation index (EVI) data from MODIS instead of the more traditional normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data because of atmospheric and background corrections incorporated into EVI's calculation and the index's sensitivity over high biomass areas. However, the actual differences in the classification results using EVI versus NDVI have not been thoroughly explored. This study evaluated time-series MODIS 250-m EVI and NDVI for crop-related land use/land cover (LULC) classification in the US Central Great Plains. EVI-and NDVI-derived maps classifying general crop types, summer crop types and irrigated/non-irrigated crops were produced for southwest Kansas. Qualitative and quantitative assessments were conducted to determine the thematic accuracy of the maps and summarize their classification differences. For the three crop maps, MODIS EVI and NDVI data produced equivalent classification results. High thematic accuracies were achieved with both indices (generally ranging from 85% to 90%) and classified cropping patterns were consistent with those reported for the study area (> 0.95 correlation between the classified and USDA-reported crop areas). Differences in thematic accuracy ( 90% pixel-level thematic agreement) and classified crop areas between the series of EVI-and NDVI-derived maps were negligible. Most thematic disagreements were restricted to single pixels or small clumps of pixels in transitional areas between cover types. Analysis of MODIS composite period usage in the classification models also revealed that both VIs performed equally well when periods from a specific growing season phase (green, peak or senescence) were heavily utilized to generate a specific crop map.
Reliability of porous low-k dielectrics under dynamic voltage stressing

We investigate porous low-k SiCOH under dynamic voltage stress to provide new insights into electrical breakdown. Our results are consistent with the existence of two breakdown mechanisms: the first is independent of trench barrier material and other processing details and is identical for DC, unipolar and high frequency bipolar (AC) stress. This mechanism appears to involve permanent physical damage to the dielectric. The second breakdown mechanism is dependent upon process conditions, and is evident only during low frequency bipolar stress. We discuss our findings in terms of breakdown due to the presence of Cu in the dielectric, charge trapping and bond breakage.
On the Relation between the S-matrix and the Spectrum of the Interior Laplacian

The main results of this paper are: 1) a proof that a necessary condition for 1 to be an eigenvalue of the S-matrix is real analyticity of the boundary of the obstacle, 2) a short proof of the conclusion stating that if 1 is an eigenvalue of the Smatrix, then k2 is an eigenvalue of the Laplacian of the interior problem, and that in this case there exists a solution to the interior Dirichlet problem for the Laplacian, which admits an analytic continuation to the whole space R3 as an entire function.
Sex roles and yielded/expressed self-control

In this study the impact of sex and sex role orientation on reported self-control behaviors is examined. One hundred forty male and 116 female college students were administered the Bex Sex Role Inventory and the Missouri Self-Control Instrument. Sex did not affect self-control or satisfaction with self-control, but sex role orientation did. Androgynous persons reported using more expressed self-control than others, and they were also more satisfied with their level of expressed and yielded self-control. This study lends support to the idea that self-control is a multidimensional construct.
Estrogen Maintains Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Arterioles of Female Hypertensive Rats

Abstract We hypothesized that in female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), estrogen moderates the dysfunction of arterioles by preserving nitric oxide synthesis. To this end, we conducted experiments on isolated gracilis muscle arterioles (approximately 55 μm in diameter) of 12-week-old SHR divided into four groups: females (fSHR), ovariectomized females (fSHR-OV), ovariectomized females with estrogen replacement (fSHR-OV+ES, 50 μg/kg SC 17β-estradiol benzoate every 48 hours), and males (mSHR). Arteriolar diameter in the presence of perfusion pressures of 60, 80, 100, and 120 mm Hg were obtained, and diameter changes were measured (at 80 mm Hg) in response to various concentrations of substance P (10 −9 to 5×10 −8 mol/L), sodium nitroprusside (10 −8 to 10 −6 mol/L), and A23187 (5×10 −8 to 10 −6 mol/L). The pressure-induced diameter of mSHR and fSHR-OV arterioles was significantly less (by approximately 10%) than that of fSHR and fSHR-OV+ES arterioles. N ω -nitro-l-arginine (10 −4 mol/L), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, elicited a significant decrease in basal arteriolar diameter of fSHR (by approximately 19%) and fSHR-OV+ES (by approximately 17%), thereby eliminating the differences in tone among the various groups. Dilations of fSHR and fSHR-OV+ES arterioles to substance P were significantly greater (by 140% at a concentration of 5×10 −8 mol/L) than those of mSHR and fSHR-OV arterioles, whereas dilations to sodium nitroprusside were not different among the groups. A23187 (a nitric oxide releaser) elicited dilations in arterioles of fSHR (5.9±1.5%, 13.0±1.8%, and 19.2±2.1%) and fSHR-OV+ES (4.3±1.0%, 10.3±2.4%, and 15.0±4.0%) but constrictions in those of mSHR (−7.5±1.6%, −25.3±39%, and −36.9±4.1%) and fSHR-OV (−2.6±1.7%, −7.4±3.3%, and −11.5±6.1%). We conclude that estrogen in fSHR is responsible for the preservation of nitric oxide synthesis in skeletal muscle arterioles, resulting in a greater modulation of pressure-induced myogenic tone than in mSHR and maintenance of nitric oxide–mediated dilations.
Spatial Growth and Redevelopment with Perfect Foresight and Durable Housing

Abstract In this paper, I present a theoretical model of the spatial growth of an urban area with durable housing. I combine several assumptions that typically complicate the analysis: (i) housing developers have perfect foresight; (ii) the initial development and many waves of redevelopment are considered in each developer's plan; and (iii) the closed-city assumption is made, so that the time path of population is exogenous and that of consumer utility is endogenous. I still obtain explicit solutions for the spatial pattern of urban growth, and for the timing of the initial residential development and each successive redevelopment at each distance from the urban center. I compare perfect-foresight growth to growth with static expectations, and I examine the comparative statics of both.
Polarisation impedance of pacemaker electrodes: in vitro studies simulating practical operation.

The electrical properties of pacemaker electrodes were studiedin vitro under conditions prevailing in practical pacemaker operation. Emphasis was laid on a clear distinction between the changing modes of the pacemaker action. During sensing, the electrode can be represented by an a.c. series polarisation resistance and capacitance, generally accepted for biological electrodes obeying linearity rules. During stimulation, the electrode operates in the non-linear region. A nearly constant-voltage, short, rectangular pulse applied directly to the electrode-heart system, causes the electrode voltage and current to respond as a transient exponential, characterised approximately by a single time constant. This response allows modelling of the d.c. equivalent circuit of the electrode, in the form of a polarisation capacitance with a small resistance in series, shunted by a parallel resistance. Formulae were derived for calculation of these elements. The response of the electrode-heart system to a single stimulus was tested as a function of the amplitude and duration of the applied pulse. Also, the effect of repetitive stimulations was checked at a normal pacing rate. A nearly constant-voltage pacing source, as compared with a constant-current one, appears to be advantageous for preservation of the longevity of the electrode.
Isolation of mutations defining five new cistrons essential for development of bacteriophage Mu

Abstract Three hundred new mutant strains of bacteriophage Mu with amber mutations in essential genes were isolated and characterized. Measurement of complementation between these new strains and strains carrying mutations in previously identified complementation groups revealed the existence of five new complementation groups: T , U , V , W , and Y . In general, mixed infection of cells by phage carrying mutations in different cistrons resulted in the production of a normal burst of 50 to 200 phage per cell; however, mixed infection with phage carrying mutations in certain pairs of adjacent cistrons gave a 10- to 20-fold lower burst of only 3 to 30 phage per cell. Cistron pairs which showed this reduced complementation were D - E , H - F , J - K , Y - N , Q - V , W - R , and S - U . In addition, mutations assigned to cistron I fell into three groups on the basis of their complementation behavior; phage carrying mutations in one group located at one end of the cistron showed weak complementation with phage carrying mutations in a second group at the opposite end of the cistron, but phage carrying mutations in the third group located between the first two groups showed no complementation with members of any of the three groups. The complementation analysis also showed that mutations previously assigned to separate complementation groups O and P really belong to a single complementation group P .
Art and Religion in Africa: Some Observations and Reflections

Preamble Africa's artistic and religious traditions offer primary evidence of the expressive and intellectual vitality of a vast and fascinating continent (cf. McNaughton 1988:50). Art objects, whether sculpted figures, textiles, paintings or pots, are generally enjoyed, critiqued and used by communities or groups, rather than being the prerogative of individuals alone. Hence they provide important points of entry into people's conceptual worlds. African art is held to be successful at evoking and abstracting the powers which are central to human life because artists are not bound to produce forms that resemble or portray individual humans. Yet, despite this and the obvious ritual significance of many artistic objects, the interactive relationship between art and religion in the African context remains remarkably understudied and misunderstood. Few monographic studies exist which explore this relationship in any systematic or comparative way. There exist a number of localized case studies of the range of ritual art forms in a particular culture, which are undeniably valuable in that they permit the reader to compare the range of artistic techniques and forms employed by a particular people to express, manifest and control the spiritual forces believed to be active in their environment.2 Promising titles of museum exhibitions and catalogues often prove disappointing as they seem more concerned to promote the 'exoticism' and 'otherness' of African art by emphasizing its religious aspects, or they seem satisfied with undeveloped observations regarding its 'symbolic,' 'ancestral' and/or 'ritual' function, rather than to explore the fascinating conceptual fields of art and religion in the African context.
The development of structure in random networks: an analysis of the effects of increasing network density on five measures of structure

Abstract The density of ingroup relations continues to be proposed as an indicator of structural cohesion. Network density is obviously a misleading indicator of structural cohesion when a group has subgroups; in such circumstances, the cohesion may be entirely internal to the subgroups. However, it is plausible that network density is a useful indicator of structural cohesion when it can be assumed that a group lacks subgroups. In order to analyze this possibility, I construct a set of random networks, increase the density of relations in these networks, and observe how the networks' structure develops in terms of five measures. The results show that low densities in large networks may be associated with more structural cohesion than higher densities in smaller networks; it is suggested that in field studies, attempts to control for network size will encounter problems of nonlinearity and heteroscedasticity. I conclude that network density is not a useful indicator of structure and that direct measurement of structure is to be preferred.
Kinetic Analysis of [11C]McN5652: A Serotonin Transporter Radioligand

The impulse response function of a radioligand is the most fundamental way to describe its pharmacokinetics and to assess its tissue uptake and retention pattern. This study investigates the impulse response function of [11C](+)-McN5652, a radioligand used for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the serotonin transporter (SERT) in the brain. Dynamic PET studies were performed in eight healthy volunteers injected with [11C](+)McN5652 and subsequently with its pharmacologically inactive enantiomer [11C](–)-McN5652. The impulse response function was calculated by deconvolution analysis of regional time–activity curves, and its peak value (fmax), its retention value at 75 minutes (fT), and its normalized retention (frel = fT/fmax) were obtained. Alternatively, compartmental models were applied to calculate the apparent total distribution volume (DVT) and its specific binding component (DVs). Both the noncompartmental (fT, frel) and the compartmental parameters (DV) were investigated with and without...
New and interesting Ericaceae (Vaccinieae) from Ecuador

Recent fieldwork in Ecuador has revealed several new and interesting species of Ericaceae. A brief summary of the diversity of Ericaceae in Ecuador is given followed by descriptions and illustrations of one new species,Themistoclesia molaui Luteyn, and one re-discovery,Thibaudia jorgensenii A. C. Smith, and discussions of three new distribution records.
Untangling complex networks: risk minimization in financial markets through accessible spin glass ground states.

Abstract Recurrent international financial crises inflict significant damage to societies and stress the need for mechanisms or strategies to control risk and tamper market uncertainties. Unfortunately, the complex network of market interactions often confounds rational approaches to optimize financial risks. Here we show that investors can overcome this complexity and globally minimize risk in portfolio models for any given expected return, provided the margin requirement remains below a critical, empirically measurable value. In practice, for markets with centrally regulated margin requirements, a rational stabilization strategy would be keeping margins small enough. This result follows from ground states of the random field spin glass Ising model that can be calculated exactly through convex optimization when relative spin coupling is limited by the norm of the network’s Laplacian matrix. In that regime, this novel approach is robust to noise in empirical data and may be also broadly relevant to complex networks with frustrated interactions that are studied throughout scientific fields.
Stratospheric influence on the northern North American free troposphere during TOPSE: 7Be as a stratospheric tracer

[1] We use 7Be, with HNO3 and O3, to identify air masses sampled from the NCAR C-130 during TOPSE that retained clear evidence of stratospheric influence. A total of 43 such air masses, spread fairly evenly across the February to May sampling period, and 40°N–86°N latitude range, were encountered. South of 55°N, nearly all clear stratospheric influence was restricted to altitudes above 6 km. At higher latitudes stratospherically influenced air masses were encountered as low as 2 km. Approximately 12% of all TOPSE sampling time at altitudes above 2 km was spent in stratospherically impacted air, above 6 km this increased to more than half of the time. Because it is not certain how much of this stratospherically influenced air irreversibly injected mass (and chemical compounds) into the troposphere, we estimate the stratospheric fraction of O3 in high latitude TOPSE samples based on a linear relationship to 7Be and compare it to in situ O3. This analysis indicates that the stratospheric source can account for a dominant fraction (>85%) of in situ O3 throughout TOPSE, but that the stratospheric contribution was nearly constant through the 4 month campaign. In February and March the 7Be based estimates of stratospheric O3 account for 10–15% more O3 than was measured, but by April and May there is up to about 10% more O3 than expected from the stratospheric source. This trend suggests that a seasonal transition from O3 depletion to photochemical production in the high latitude North American troposphere is the major cause of the springtime increase in O3.
Recent seismicity near Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, and its tectonic implications

On the basis of a limited historical record, the seismicity of the Colorado Plateau appears to be of very low level, with diffusely distributed earthquakes of small to moderate magnitude (M L ⩽ 5.5). From December 1978 to January 1980, a spatially and temporally isolated swarm of earthquakes was observed near Capitol Reef National Park in south-central Utah. This sequence of at least 38 earthquakes, M L 1.0 to 3.6, represents the highest level of seismicity historically observed within the interior of the Colorado Plateau physiographic province, with the exception of coal-mining-induced seismicity in the Book Cliffs of east-central Utah. The earthquakes occurred in a structurally complex area near the juncture of Waterpocket fold and the Caineville monocline just west of the Henry Mountains. The location of the swarm suggests a possible association with the Laramide basement faults that controlled the development of the fold and monocline. A focal mechanism for one of the events exhibited (1) normal faulting trending northwest and (2) crustal extensional stress in a northeast-southwest direction. These observations are inconsistent with the expected reverse or strike-slip faulting and the compressional tectonic stress field of the Colorado Plateau interior. The observed Capitol Reef seismicity may therefore (1) represent an occurrence of Basin and Range extensional tectonism along a reactivated Laramide structure and (2) refine Zoback and Zoback9s boundary of the Basin and Range-Colorado Plateau transition zone.
Loss of electrical communication, but not plaque formation, after mutations in the cytoplasmic loop of connexin43.

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to determine if the structural integrity of a region in the cytoplasmic loop (amino acids 119–144; region “L2”) of connexin43 (Cx43) is necessary to maintain normal channel function. Background Cx43 is the most abundant gap junction protein in the heart. The ability of these channels to close under pathologic conditions such as ischemia may be a key substrate for cardiac arrhythmias. Previous studies have shown that Cx43 regulation involves the intramolecular interaction of its carboxyl terminal domain (a “gating particle”) with a separate region of the molecule acting as a receptor. We recently proposed that a region in the cytoplasmic loop of Cx43 (amino acids 119–144; region “L2”) might function as a receptor. Methods Using site-directed mutagenesis and patch clamp analysis, as well as fluorescent microscopy, we examined gap junction plaque formation and channel properties of Cx43 L2 mutants. Results Deletions of 5 to 6 amino acids within the L2 domain interfered with the formation of functional gap junction channels, although gap junction plaques were clearly visible. Selected point mutations in the region (including those present in patients with oculodentodigital dysplasia) caused modifications ranging from complete channel closure to changes in unitary conductance. Conclusions These results show that the L2 region is essential for maintenance of the normal architecture of the channel pore. This information is consistent with the notion that the L2 region could be a receptor for the carboxy terminal domain; the latter interaction would lead to channel closure under conditions such as myocardial ischemia and infarction.
A novel cDNA from Drosophila encoding a protein with similarity to mammalian cysteine-rich secretory proteins, wasp venom antigen 5, and plant group 1 pathogenesis-related proteins

The CAP protein family is made up of a group of secreted proteins that share sequence similarity. Members of this family are found in animals, plants, and fungi, and their shared sequence similarity suggests that members share a common, but as yet unknown, molecular function. As a first step in defining the function of CAP family proteins, an 878 bp partial cDNA encoding a novel member of the CAP family was cloned by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from total RNA of adult Drosophila. The cDNA contained the complete coding sequence for a protein 256 amino acids in length, as well as the complete 3' untranslated region (UTR) and a portion of the 5' UTR. The protein, named Antigen 5-related (Agr), was most similar in sequence to antigen 5 (Ag5), a CAP family member found in social wasps and ants. The corresponding Agr RNA is about 1 kb in length and is present at all stages of development, with highest levels observed in adults. Agr RNA is transcribed from a single gene that is located within region 12F of the X chromosome. The identification of Agr in Drosophila expands the number of known CAP family members to well over four dozen. Further studies of Agr and the gene which encodes this protein using the Drosophila model system may help provide important insight into the molecular functioning of this little known, but increasingly significant protein family.
Comparison of compositional and morphological atom-probe tomography analyses for a multicomponent Fe-Cu steel.

A multicomponent Fe-Cu based steel is studied using atom-probe tomography. The precipitates are identified using two different methodologies and subsequent morphological and compositional results are compared. The precipitates are first identified using a maximum separation distance algorithm, the envelope method, and then by a concentration threshold method, an isoconcentration surface. We discuss in detail the proper selection of the parameters needed to delineate precipitates utilizing both methods. The results of the two methods exhibit a difference of 44 identified precipitates, which can be attributed to differences in the basis of both methods and the sensitivity of our results to user-prescribed parameters. The morphology of the precipitates, characterized by four different precipitate radii and precipitate size distribution functions (PSDs), are compared and evaluated. A variation of less than ∼8% is found between the different radii. Two types of concentration profiles are compared, giving qualitatively similar results. Both profiles show Cu-rich precipitates containing Fe with elevated concentrations of Ni, Al, and Mn near the heterophase interfaces. There are, however, quantitative disagreements due to differences in the basic foundations of the two analysis methods.
Use of Rifampin-Soaked Gelatin-Sealed Polyester Grafts for in Situ Treatment of Primary Aortic and Vascular Prosthetic Infections

Abstract Background. In situ treatment of artery/graft infection has distinct advantages compared to vessel excision and extra-anatomic bypass procedures. Based on animal studies of a rifampin-soaked, gelatin-impregnated polyester graft that demonstrated prolonged in vivo antibacterial activity, this antibiotic-bonded graft was used selectively in patients for in situ treatment of low-grade Gram-positive prosthetic graft infections or primary aortic infections not amenable to excision and ex situ bypass. Methods. In a 5-year period (1995–1999), 27 patients with prosthetic graft infection (aortofemoral, n = 18, femorofemoral, n = 3; axillofemoral, n = 1) or primary aortic infection (mycotic aneurysm, n = 3; infected AAA, n = 2) underwent excision of the infected vessel and in situ replacement with a rifampin soaked (45–60 mg/ml for 15 min) gelatin-impregnated polyester graft. All prosthetic graft infections were low grade in nature, caused Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis, 16; Staphylococcus aureus, 5; Streptococcus, 1), and were treated electively. Patients with mycotic aortic aneurysm presented with sepsis and underwent urgent or emergent surgery. Results. Two (8%) patients died—1 as a result of a ruptured Salmonella mycotic aortic aneurysm and the other from methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection following deep vein replacement of an in situ replaced femorofemoral graft. No amputations or late deaths as the result of vascular infection occurred in the 25 surviving patients. Two patients developed recurrent infection caused by a rifampin-resistant S. epidermidis in a replaced aortofemoral graft limb and were successfully treated with graft excision and in situ autogenous vein replacement. Eighteen patients remain alive and clinically free of infection after a mean follow-up interval of 17 months. Conclusions. In situ replacement treatment using a rifampin-bonded prosthetic graft for low-grade staphylococcal arterial infection was safe, durable, and associated with eradication of clinical signs of infection. Failure of this therapy was the result of virulent and antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.
L-Lysine biosynthetic pathway of Methylophilus methylotrophus and construction of an L-lysine producer.

Abstract Previously, we showed that the enzymes aspartokinase (AK) and dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DDPS), which are involved in l -lysine biosynthesis in the Gram-negative obligate methylotroph Methylophilus methylotrophus AS1, were inhibited by allosteric effectors, including l -lysine. To elucidate further the regulation of l -lysine biosynthesis in M. methylotrophus, we cloned the genes encoding three other enzymes involved in this pathway, l -aspartate-β-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, dihydrodipicolinate reductase (DDPR) and diaminopimelate decarboxylase, and examined their properties. DDPR was markedly inhibited by l -lysine. Based on this and our previous results, we constructed an l -lysine-producing strain of M. methylotrophus by introducing well-characterized genes encoding desensitized forms of AK and DDPS, as well as dapB (encoding DDPR) from Escherichia coli, using a broad host range plasmid. l -Lysine production was significantly increased by employing an S-(2-aminoethyl)-l-cysteine ( l -lysine analog)-resistant mutant as the host. This derivative accumulated l -lysine at a concentration of 1 g l−1 of medium using methanol as a carbon source.
Parallel Satellite Orbit Prediction Using a Workstation Cluster

Abstract In this paper, the benefits of parallel computing using a workstation cluster are explored for satellite orbit prediction. Data and function decomposition techniques are used. Speedup and throughput are the performance metric studied. The software employed for parallelization was the Parallel Virtual Machine (PVM) developed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. PVM enables a network of heterogeneous workstations to appear as a parallel multicomputer to the user programs. A speedup of almost 6 was achieved when using 8 SUN workstations.
An explicit formulation for multiscale modeling of bcc metals

Many materials for specialized applications exhibit a body-centered cubic structure; e.g., tantalum, vanadium, barium and chromium. In addition, the successful modeling of body-centered cubic (bcc) metals is a necessary step toward modeling of common structural materials such as iron. Implicit formulations for this class of materials exist [e.g., Stainier, L., Cuitino, A., Ortiz, M., 2002. A micromechanical model of hardening, rate sensitivity, and thermal softening in bcc crystals. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 50 (7), 1511–1545; Kuchnicki, S., Radovitzky, R., Cuitino, A., Strachan, A., Ortiz, M., 2007. A pressure-dependent multiscale model for bcc metals], but are impractical to resolve large-scale dynamic deformation processes. In this article, we describe a procedure analogous to Kuchnicki et al. [Kuchnicki, S., Cuitino, A., Radovitzky, R., 2006. Efficient and robust constitutive integrators for single-crystal plasticity modeling. International Journal of Plasticity 22 (10), 1988–2011]. wherein we construct an explicit formulation for the multiscale physics models. This update is based on the model of Kuchnicki et al. (in preparation) using a power law representation for the plastic slip rates. The existing implicit form of the model provides qualitative matching with experiments at quasi-static strain rates. The model is recast in an explicit form and applied first to a high quasi-static strain rate to verify that the two forms of the model return similar predictions for similar input parameters. The explicit model is also applied to several high strain rates, showing that it captures characteristic features observed in experimental tests of high-rate deformations, such as the drop in stress immediately after yield that is present in split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) experiments. This test provides qualitative evidence that the model is suitable for high-strain-rate applications. The utility of the model is further demonstrated by a one-dimensional simulation of a SHPB test. Finally, a test case modeling pressure impact of a Tantalum plate using 600,000 elements is shown. The simulations show that the explicit model is capable of recovering the salient features of the experiments while integrating the constitutive update in a robust manner.
Externalization of host cell protein kinase C during enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a common cause of diarrhea in children in developing countries. Protein kinase C (PKC), a serine- and threonine-directed protein kinase, is rapidly activated following EPEC infection and this is accompanied by its translocation to a membrane-bound location where it is tightly bound to phosphatidylserine (PS). EPEC infection causes host cell death, one of whose features is externalization of PS. We hypothesized that externalization of PS would be accompanied by externalization of PKC as well. We report that EPEC infection triggers the externalization of PKC to the outer surface of the host cell. Ecto-PKC remains firmly tethered to the cell but can be released by incubation with peptide or protein substrates for the enzyme. Ecto-PKC is intact and biologically active and able to phosphorylate protein substrates on the surface of the host cell. Phosphorylation of whole EPEC bacteria or EPEC-secreted proteins could not be detected. Externalization of PKC could be reproduced by the combination of an apoptotic stimulus (ultraviolet (UV) irradiation) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a procedure which resulted in externalization of >25% of the total cellular content of PKC-α. In the presence of ATP, ecto-PKC inhibited UV-induced cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, and propidium iodide uptake but not the activation of caspases 3 and 7. This is the first report that expression of an ecto-protein kinase is altered by a microbial pathogen and the first to note that externalization of PKC can accompany apoptosis.
Hypoglycemia and maple syrup urine disease: defective gluconeogenesis.

Extract: We are reporting a patient with classic, thiamine-unresponsive maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) associated with severe fasting hypoglycemia. The potential gluconeogenic amino acids, with the exception of glutamate, were markedly depressed. Glutamine and alanine concentrations increased rapidly with the concomitant fall in branched chain amino acids following initiation of a diet free of leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Intravenous glucagon and oral fructose resulted in normal glycemic responses (Δ76 and Δ40 mg/100 ml, respectively) and no significant rise in blood lactate or pyruvate. During two fasting periods (day 17 and 49) when the branched chain amino acids were elevated, hypoglycemia ensued within 9 hr (47 and 44 mg/100 ml, respectively). Blood lactate and alanine decreased, and blood ketone bodies rose rapidly with fasting. Plasma insulin was undetectable (< 5 μUU/ml) in the face of hypoglycemia, plasma growth hormone was detectable at all times, and plasma cortisone increased with fasting. At the time of the third fast (day 58), when branched chain amino acids were in the normal range, blood glucose was maintained for 13 hr (62 mg/100 ml). Ketone bodies increased but lactate concentration did not change. Plasma alanine concentration was within the normal range (354 μUm) and fell during the fast. Both before and after specific dietary therapy, alanine infusions resulted in no rise in plasma glucose. Plasma insulin remained < 5 μUU/ml during each infusion. With each infusion, regardless of the plasma branched chain amino acid concentrations, there was a transient rise in glutamate and a marked and sustained increase in glutamine. Hyperlactic and hyperpyruvic acidemia were not observed. Concentrations of valine, isoleucine, α-ketoisocaproic acid, α-ketoisovaleric acid, or α-keto-β-methyl valeric acid 10-fold greater than that present in the patient's plasma or in those reported in other patients with MSUD had little or no effect on the in vitro activity of bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase, an enzyme which serves as a major link between carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. In contrast, there was a 22–42% stimulation of glutamate dehydrogenase activity with concentrations of leucine similar to that found in our patient's plasma. Speculation: Hypoglycemia associated with MSUD appears to be related to a defect in gluconeogenesis from amino acids, which cannot be accounted for by abnormalities of the ratelimiting gluconeogenic enzymes or hyperinsulinemia. It would appear that there is a preferential shunting of 3-carbon substrates from amino acids into glutamine leading to decreased net oxaloacetate production and impaired gluconeogenesis.
Cell fusion: A hidden enemy?

The recent findings that cell fusion may be involved in stem cell differentiation (Medvinsky and Smith, 2003) raise a possibility that cell fusion has undiscovered functions, some of which can perhaps be found by revisiting the old ideas that cell fusion can promote disease, especially cancer. Cell fusion is a process in which two or more cells become one by merging their plasma membranes. The ability of a cell to fuse to other cells is referred to as fusogenicity. The progeny of cell fusion are known as hybrids. Perhaps the best-known hybrids are hybridomas, which are made by fusing myeloma cells with lymphocytes to produce monoclonal antibodies. Although cells can be easily fused in the laboratory using readily available chemicals, cell fusion in live organisms appears to be a complex, poorly understood, multistep process that involves cell-cell recognition, cell adhesion, and membrane fusion (reviewed in Hernandez et al., 1996).
A systematic approach to the design of structures for addition and subtraction — Case of radix r = m k

The results of Robertson concerning, a systematic approach to the design of Adder/Subtracter structures of radix r=2k, k ≥ I are generalised to cover all structures of radix r = mk, k ≥ I and m ≥ 2 The use of Quasi binary representations help reduce the number of types of fundamental structures required. In addition to the types encountered in the earlier case, only one new type of fundamental structures called Radix-m Carry Generator is needed. Examples in the particular case of Decimal Adder/Subtracter structures are used to illustrate the results.
Systematic fluctuations in the cellular protein, RNA and DNA during growth of mammalian cell cultures.

Abstract HeLa cell cultures, grown in suspension or as monolayers adherent to glass, show three distinct phases of growth, the lag, the logarithmic, and the stationary phase. In monolayer cultures, the lag phase was characterized by rapid synthesis of RNA, DNA, and protein. Within 6 h after subculture the DNA approached a level twice that found in logarithmic cultures; nevertheless, no cell division occurred until the cultures were 20–24 h old. Suspension cultures showed a similar increase in cellular RNA and protein during the lag phase, but there was no change in cellular DNA. In monolayer and suspension cultures alike, both RNA and protein were lost from the cell during the stationary phase.
Observation of parametric decay correlated with edge heating using an ion Bernstein wave antenna on DIII-D

Significant levels of parametric decay activity and correlated edge ion heating were observed during injection of high power ion Bernstein waves (IBWs) in DIII-D. Both minority hydrogen ions and majority deuterium ions showed the formation of a high energy perpendicular tail; no parallel heating was observed. The edge ion heating and the parametric decay activity were both strongest when an ion cyclotron harmonic was present at the plasma edge. Ion tail formation had a power threshold of several hundred kilowatts, above which the tail size increased with antenna power; a comparable power threshold for parametric decay instability (PDI) was observed. Both the PDI and the associated edge deuterium heating were found to be sensitive to the hydrogen-to-deuterium ratio
A Novel in Vitro Replication System for Dengue Virus INITIATION OF RNA SYNTHESIS AT THE 3′-END OF EXOGENOUS VIRAL RNA TEMPLATES REQUIRES 5′- AND 3′-TERMINAL COMPLEMENTARY SEQUENCE MOTIFS OF THE VIRAL RNA

Positive strand viral replicases are membrane-bound complexes of viral and host proteins. The mechanism of viral replication and the role of host proteins are not well understood. To understand this mechanism, a viral replicase assay that utilizes extracts from dengue virus-infected mosquito (C6/36) cells and exogenous viral RNA templates is reported in this study. The 5′- and 3′-terminal regions (TR) of the template RNAs contain the conserved elements including the complementary (cyclization) motifs and stem-loop structures. RNA synthesis in vitro requires both 5′- and 3′-TR present in the same template molecule or when the 5′-TR RNA was added in trans to the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) RNA. However, the 3′-UTR RNA alone is not active. RNA synthesis occurs by elongation of the 3′-end of the template RNA to yield predominantly a double-stranded hairpin-like RNA product, twice the size of the template RNA. These results suggest that an interaction between 5′- and 3′-TR of the viral RNA that modulates the 3′-UTR RNA structure is required for RNA synthesis by the viral replicase. The complementary cyclization motifs of the viral genome also seem to play an important role in this interaction.
Wearable computers: no longer science fiction

By using devices carried on the body, wearable computers allow the exploration of the principles of pervasive computing immediately instead of waiting for the deployment of the ubiquitous infrastructure often associated with the field. However, wearable computers are often misunderstood, both in their research and application. I've been wearing a computer as part of my daily life since 1993, and in this article, I explore the attributes that make wearable computers a unique approach to ubiquitous computing and discuss current topics in the wearable computing field.
Stimulation of RNA polymerase activity by histones, polyamino acids, and polypeptide hormones

Decalysin, Polyarginin, Polylysin, Polyornithin, Kalbsthymushistone und Polypeptidhormone stimulieren in niedriger Konzentration die DNA-abhangige RNS-Polymerase-Aktivitat vonEscherichia coli, wahrend sie in hoher Konzentration die Enzymaktivitat hemmen.
Hybrid virtual-physical entities

Mixed reality (MR) combines virtual elements with the real, physical world. Virtual elements can be more dynamic - easily moving around or changing appearance. Physical elements are more static but improve immersion and presence. The combination of the two creates dynamic, immersive MR environments. However, individual entities in MR environments, e.g. an object or a character, are typically either purely physical or purely virtual. We propose using both virtual and physical elements in a hybrid virtual-physical entity. We implemented this idea with a hybrid virtual human and ran several user studies. These studies helped us develop guidelines for implementing hybrid entities.
Energy propagation by interacting Rossby Waves

Abstract An explanation is sought for the rapid dispersal of Rossby‐wave energy over large distances such as is often observed at mid‐latitudes. In the proposed mechanism, a pair of Rossby waves is allowed to resonantly interact with an ultra‐long wavelength primary wave fixed in position by orographic or thermal forcing. The group velocity associated with the slow spatial modulation of the pair is shown to strongly depend upon the amplitude of the primary and can achieve meteorologically‐significant values for modest amplitudes. These velocities are maintained even for slight deviations from exact resonance. The implication then is that the mechanism might be relevant in the real atmosphere provided a mechanism to lock the waves into a condition of near resonance for a few days is found.
Lymphocytes in Congenital Absence of the Thymus

Lymphocytes of presumably extrathymic origin were obtained from an immunologically deficient child in whom there was complete failure of development of the thymus. They were poorly responsive to phytohaemagglutinin and to antigens, and responsiveness was not induced by incubation with thymic or transfer factors.
Searching beyond Google

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the alternatives to Google web searching.Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses the alternatives to Google web searching, focusing on different approaches, specific topics and particular formats.Findings – That competition is especially fruitful for those who make our livings searching for information.Originality/value – The paper presents different approaches to searching by Google.
Glycerol translocation in Condylactis gigantea

Sodium cyanide (NaCN) was used to partially uncouple respiration and photosynthesis in the symbiotic sea anemone Condylactis gigantea. NaCN significantly increased the ratio of gross photosynthesis to respiration in both intact tentacles and isolated zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium microadriaticum), increased carbon translocation from 17.7±3.5% of total fixed in controls to 43.5±5.8%, and doubled the amount of photosynthetically fixed carbon accumulating in the coelenterate host over that in controls. Only 2% of the non-particulate radioactivity recovered in the host tissue was 14C-glycerol when uninhibited symbiotic tentacles were incubated in 14C-bicarbonate for 1 h. At 10-5M NaCN, approximately 25% of the host nonparticulate radioactivity was recovered as 14C-glycerol, the absolute concentration of glycerol in the host tissue was three times higher than in controls, and 14C-glycerol was found in the medium. While glycerol has been proposed to play a major role in the translocation of photosynthetically fixed carbon from zooxanthellae to their coelenterate hosts, its concentration has never been measured in the animal and algal components of the symbiosis. The isolated zooxanthellae contained 3.62±0.33 mM glycerol, 26x the 0.141±0.02 mM found in the anemone. Aposymbiotic anemone tissue contained 0.169±0.06 mM glycerol. The rate of glycerol mineralization was not saturated even when exogenous glycerol levels were 70x internal concentrations. These data show that respiration and photosynthesis in symbiotic associations may be partially uncoupled by NaCN, and that this uncoupling allows the verification of the translocation and rapid catabolism of glycerol within the host.