cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proteolytic processing of a precursor protein for a growth-promoting peptide by a subtilisin serine protease in Arabidopsis

Phytosulfokines (PSKs) are secreted, sulfated peptide hormones derived from larger prepropeptide precursors. Proteolytic processing of one of the precursors, AtPSK4, was demonstrated by cleavage of a preproAtPSK4-myc transgene product to AtPSK4-myc. Cleavage of proAtPSK4 was induced by placing root explants in tissue culture. The processing of proAtPSK4 was dependent on AtSBT1.1, a subtilisin-like serine protease, encoded by one of 56 subtilase genes in Arabidopsis. The gene encoding AtSBT1.1 was up-regulated following the transfer of root explants to tissue culture, suggesting that activation of the proteolytic machinery that cleaves proAtPSK4 is dependent on AtSBT1.1 expression. We also demonstrated that a fluorogenic peptide representing the putative subtilase recognition site in proAtPSK4 is cleaved in vitro by affinity-purified AtSBT1.1. An alanine scan through the recognition site peptide indicated that AtSBT1.1 is fairly specific for the AtPSK4 precursor. Thus, this peptide growth factor, which promotes callus formation in culture, is proteolytically cleaved from its precursor by a specific plant subtilase encoded by a gene that is up-regulated during the process of transferring root explants to tissue culture.
Novel HIV prevention strategies: the case for Andhra Pradesh.

Estimating the true prevalence and incidence of HIV infection in the general population and high-risk sub-populations in India continues to be a challenge reflected by the wide interval estimated by UNAIDS: 3.4.9.4 million now amended by the more recent UNAIDS re-estimation of approximately 2.5 million adults living with HIV. Several groups have addressed this challenge through population-based studies; however sub-group analyses of high-risk populations are limited by sample size and migrant populations such as truck drivers may not be represented accurately especially those away from their primary residence the most. Although final analyses are pending preliminary evidence from the most recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) demonstrates that with an HIV prevalence of 0.97 (0.7-1.25) in Andhra Pradesh (AP) and 1.13 (0.82-1.44) in Manipur these two states continue to have the highest prevalence of HIV infection among the six high-burden states in India (Andhra Pradesh Manipur Uttar Pradesh Karnataka Maharashatra and Tamil Nadu). (excerpt)
Naloxone reverses ethanol’s effects on sexual behavior of the female Syrian hamster

These studies evaluated the potential for naloxone to modify ethanol’s suppression of sexual reflexes (lateral displacement) of the female golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). In Experiment 1, sexual reflexes were reduced approximately 50% following ethanol administration (1.2 g/kg, sc, in 10% v/v). Naloxone (4 mg/kg, sc) reversed ethanol’s suppressive effect on sexual reflexes. The results from Experiment 2 indicated that naloxone (.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 8.0 mg/kg) reversed ethanol’s suppressive effect on lateral displacement in a dose-related manner. Naloxone (8.0 mg/kg), when administered alone, had no effects on sexual reflexes. Ethanol tended to increase lordosis latency and lordosis duration measures; however, these effects were not consistent across experiments. These observations lead to the suggestion that ethanol administration may modify female sexual behavior by activating, either directly or indirectly, the endogeneous opioid system.
Adolescent Sexual Behaviors at Varying Levels of Substance Use Frequency

Combining substance use and sex compounds the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. However, the association between substance use and sexual behaviors may vary by substance and sexual behavior. The current study sought to examine the relationship between alcohol and marijuana use frequency and specific sexual behaviors. The International Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health was administered to 1432 youths in one middle school and one high school in Minnesota. Results from logistic regression analyses indicated a relationship between alcohol and marijuana use and being sexually active. However, only marijuana use was associated with having multiple partners. To aid researchers in designing more effective HIV prevention interventions, future research should focus on understanding the differential effects of alcohol and marijuana on sexual behaviors.
Influence of frequency and temperature on the mechanisms of nerve conduction block induced by high-frequency biphasic electrical current

The influences of stimulation frequency and temperature on mechanisms of nerve conduction block induced by high-frequency biphasic electrical current were investigated using a lumped circuit model of the myelinated axon based on Schwarz and Eikhof (SE) equations. The simulation analysis showed that a temperature–frequency relationship was determined by the axonal membrane dynamics (i.e. how fast the ion channels can open or close.). At a certain temperature, the axonal conduction block always occurred when the period of biphasic stimulation was smaller than the action potential duration (APD). When the temperature decreased from 37 to 15°C, the membrane dynamics slowed down resulting in an APD increase from 0.4 to 2.4 ms accompanied by a decrease in the minimal blocking frequency from 4 to 0.5 kHz. The simulation results also indicated that as the stimulation frequency increased the mechanism of conduction block changed from a cathodal/anodal block to a block dependent upon continuous activation of potassium channels. Understanding the interaction between the minimal blocking frequency and temperature could promote a better understanding of the mechanisms of high frequency induced axonal conduction block and the clinical application of this method for blocking nerve conduction.
In vitro motilities of the unconventional myosins, brush border myosin‐I, and chick brain myosin‐V exhibit assay‐dependent differences in velocity

Two types of in vitro motility assays are currently used for examining the mechanochemical properties of purified myosins. The Nitella bead movement assay (Sheetz and Spudich: Nature 303:31–35, 1983) allows determination of both velocity and directionality of movement, but is of limited utility because of the fragile nature of the dissected Nitella internodal cells. On the other hand, the sliding actin filament assay (Kron and Spudich: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83:6272–6276, 1986) is technically much simpler to perform than the Nitella assay, and is suitable for the study of numerous physiological parameters. As it is currently used, however, the sliding actin filament assay does not indicate the directionality of motor movement. Previous studies have demonstrated that the velocities of filament-forming conventional myosins-II from either muscle or nonmuscle cells are comparable in both motility assays (Umemoto and Sellers: J. Biol. Chem. 265:14864–14869, 1990). However, similar studies using unconventional myosins are lacking. In the present report we have compared the rates of two structurally distinct unconventional myosins: brush border (BB) myosin-I and chick brain (CB) myosin-V (p190-calmodulin), using the sliding actin filament and Nitella-based in vitro motility assays. These two unconventional myosins differ from conventional myosins in that they appear unable to associate in to bipolar filaments, and have extended rod-like neck domains which bind multiple calmodulin light chains in a Ca2+-sensitive manner. Unlike conventional myosins, both of these unconventional myosins exhibit motility rates using the Nitella assay (BB myosin-I:∼10 nm/s; CB myosin-V:∼30 nm/s) that are 5-to 10-fold slower than that determined for these myosins using the sliding filament assay (BB myosin-I: 40–67 nm/s; CB myosin-V: 260–340 nm/s). © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Education and the Cold War: the battle for the American school

I was embarrassed a few years ago when a student asked for a history of American schools during the Great Depression. My mind grasped, unsuccessfully, for monographs about the period, but all I cou...
Stability of the directionally solidified eutectics NiAl-Cr and NiAl-Mo

The eutectics NiAl-Cr with cylindrical chromium fibers and NiAl-Mo with faceted molybdenum fibers were heated at 1400°C to determine the stability of the composite structure and to compare the stability of the nonfaceted fibers with that of the faceted fibers in the NiAl matrix. Fiber size and size distribution and number of fibers per unit area were measured as a function of time at temperature. The number of fibers in the NiAl-Cr eutectic decreased continuously reaching half the initial value in about 30 h at temperature. Spheroidization of the fibers occurred and was complete in 160 h. In the NiAl-Mo eutectic, the number of fibers per unit area remained constant to 150 h and the fiber size was constant to 331 h at 1400°C. In NiAl-Cr, the cylindrical chromium fibers first formed pinchedoff segments at random diameter variations along the length of the fibers. The segments gradually shortened and thickened and finally spheroidized. The faceted molybdenum fibers remained stable because the Mo-NiAl interface is constrained to lie in the facet plane which inhibits the formation of faults leading to pinching off of the fibers.
Measuring the Quality of Service for High Occupancy Toll Lanes Operations

High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane systems have been proposed as one of the most applicable countermeasures against freeway congestion. Under HOT lane operational scheme, a Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) can pay to access HOT lanes in exchange of travel time saving or enhanced trip reliability when excess HOT lane capacity is available. Compared with regular freeway facilities, HOT lane systems demonstrate unique characteristics in facility capacity, driver behavior, travel pattern, demand modeling, and trip reliability. This study aims at conducting a comprehensive performance analysis on two representative HOT lane systems of State Route 167 in Washington and I-394 MnPass in Minnesota based on the field data collected from traffic sensors and transponder toll tags. Performance measurements are proposed to quantify the quality of service for HOT lane operations. Three critical issues are addressed in this study: 1) the speed-flow relationships in HOT lane systems, 2) quantified system-wide travel time savings and travel time reliability achieved, 3) SOVs tolling incentives. Based on the empirical analysis and evaluation results for the SR 167 and I-394 MnPass HOT lane systems, operational problems and challenges are also identified. Although the HOT lane system preserves favorable travel reliability, under-utilized HOT lane capacities were observed. The existing tolling strategies may be modified for better SOV allocation for HOT lane usages and further optimize the overall HOT system operations. The research findings greatly advance our understanding on HOT lane system operation mechanisms and are complementary to the freeway facility performance analysis provided by Highway Capacity Manual 2000.
Levodopa induced Coombs positive haemolytic anaemia.

The authors describe a case of Coombs positive haemolytic anaemia induced by levodopa. The similarities between the red cell autoantibodies induced by levodopa and those induced by methyldopa are discussed.
Biology and field observations of Penthobruchus germaini (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), a biological control agent for Parkinsonia aculeata (Caesalpiniaceae)

Abstract The life cycle of the bruchid beetle Penthobruchus germaini (Pic) was studied in the laboratory and some field observations were recorded. Most adults (90.5%) emerged from the seeds of Parkinsonia aculeata L. by making an exit hole at the end of the seed opposite the radicle. Adult longevity with different food types ranged from 11.2 to 59 days and oviposition from 22 to 348 eggs per female. Females laid an average of 2 eggs per day during their life span. The life cycle (oviposition to adult emergence) was completed in 38.7 days at 30 °C in the laboratory, including 8.6 days for the egg stage, 21.8 for the larval stage, and 8.3 for the pupal stage. The larval stage had four instars. Larvae destroyed the seeds by consuming 90–100% of the cotyledons, preventing germination. They pupated inside the seeds, and only one adult emerged per seed. At three field sites, 48% of the pods were found to have eggs; the mean number of eggs per seed was 0.37 and per pod was 0.98. Females preferred the swelling of the pod as oviposition site. Mature (purple) and larger pods contained more eggs than immature (green) and smaller pods. Larvae overwintered in the seeds on the ground, began pupating in late winter, and adults emerged in the spring. Depending on plant phenology, two generations per year are possible. Natural parasitism of P. germaini was
A coupled multichannel filter bank and sniffer spectrum analyzer

The FFT, the efficient algorithm for implementing the DFT, enjoys great acceptance as the signal processing tool for spectrum analysis, for channelized receivers, and for fast convolution. In the first applications, spectrum analysis, the FFT is supported by a set of weights, the window, applied to data multiplicatively. In the second application the FFT is supported by a set of weights, the filter, applied to data convolutionally. Both operations accomplish the same task; that of spectral decomposition with controlled spectral response. In reality, the two operations are identically the same since the sliding windowed FFT is in fact a particular implementation of a resampling filter bank. Since the two processes are the same, when a system includes both a channelizer and a spectrum analyzer that steers the channelizer to spectral areas of interest the two can be combined or coupled to share their computational burden. In this paper we illustrate the benefit of this merged option.
Resistance and Magnetoresistance of Li ( N H 3 ) 4

Measurements are reported on the resistivity and magnetoresistance of the bronze-colored compound formed on freezing a saturated solution of lithium in ammonia. The lithium compound freezes at 89\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The residual resistivity at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K is 0.30 \ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\Omega} cm. The lithium compound shows a nonsaturating magnetoresistance of the form $\frac{\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\rho}}{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{0}}=A{B}^{2}$ where $A=46$ ${m}^{4}$ ${\mathrm{volt}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ ${\mathrm{sec}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, at fields up to 43 kG. The large magnetoresistance is assumed to originate from hole and electron bands containing equal numbers of carriers; that is, the material taken to be completely compensated.
Reliability of Complex Structures by Large Admissible Perturbations

The perturbation approach of reliability (PAR) is a powerful methodology for reliability analysis and design of large structures. Its main features are: (F1) PAR provides the exact global failure equation for any failure criterion for which the corresponding structural analysis can be performed by finite elements. (F2) Geometry, material, and loads appear explicitly in the global failure equations and are treated as random variables. No need arises for load path selection or load pattern specification. (F3) PAR introduces an invariant and consistent redundancy/reliability of the structure is expressed in terms of the redundancy/reliability of the structure is expressed in terms of the redundancy/reliability of its structural components. (F4) The norm of the Rosenblatt transformed reliability injection is the reliability index. (F5) For each global failure equation or combination of failure equations, PAR computes the individual or joint design points without enumerating paths to failure, trial and error, or repeated finite element analyses. (F6) Serviceability or ultimate global structural failure is defined by specifying a threshold value of any quantity that can be computed by finite elements: natural frequencies, dynamic normal modes, static deflections, static stresses, buckling loads, and buckling modes are implemented in PAR. Stress failure equations are used alongmore » with linearized plasticity surfaces to identify element failure. Several applications are presented to asses PAR.« less
Phosphoinositide 3-kinase is required for aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption.

Aldosterone, a steroid hormone, regulates renal Na+ reabsorption and, therefore, plays an important role in the maintenance of salt and water balance. In a model renal epithelial cell line (A6) we ...
Painful piezogenic pedal papules: response to local electro-acupuncture

We report the case of a woman who had pain in both heels which was exacerbated by long periods of exercise. On examination, there were small flesh-coloured papules which appeared over the medial and lateral aspects of the heels only on weight bearing. Coincidentally, she was noted to have larger flesh-coloured papules over the anterior surface of the shins. The diagnoses of painful piezogenic pedal papules and bilateral tibialis anterior muscle herniation, respectively, were made. After many attempts to control the pain, a course of electro-acupuncture was commenced. A good subjective clinical response was achieved which has been maintained by fortnightly treatments. We discuss the prevalence, pathogenesis and treatment of painful piezogenic pedal papules. We believe that our patient is the first to have 'herniations' at both heel and shin sites and the first to have successful sustained pain relief for painful piezogenic pedal papules.
Seven Pillars of Defense Mechanism Theory

Defense mechanisms are cognitive processes that function to protect the individual from excessive anxiety or other negative emotions. They also protect the person from loss of self-esteem and, in the extreme, the loss of self-integration. Although past critics questioned the existence of defense mechanisms, recent research has supported seven basic tenets regarding defenses. These include: (1) defenses function outside of awareness; (2) there is a chronology of defense development; (3) defenses are present in the normal personality; (4) defense use increases under conditions of stress; (5) defense use reduces the conscious experience of negative emotions; (6) defense function is connected to the autonomic nervous system; (7) excessive use of defenses is associated with psychopathology. Research supporting the seven pillars of defense mechanism theory is described in this essay.
Transformation of Sézary syndrome and the sign of Leser-Trélat: a histopathologic study.

1. Gorlin RJ, Goltz RW. Multiple nevoid basal-cell epithelioma, jaw cysts and bifid rib. A syndrome. N Engl J Med 1960;262:903-12. 2. Gorlin RJ, Sedano HO. Multiple nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. In: Vinken PJ, Bruyn GW, eds. Handbook of clinical neurology; vol 14. Amsterdam: Elsevier-North Holland, 1972:455-73. 3. Kraemer KH. Heritablediscases with increased sensitivity to cellular injury. In: Fitzpatrick TB, Eisen AZ, Wolff K, et a!., eds. Dermatology in general medicine. 3rd cd. New York: McGraw-Hili, 1987:1805-6. 4. Murphy MJ, Tenser RB. Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome and epilepsy. Ann Neurol 1982;11:372-6. 5. Godin RJ, Vickers RA, Kelln E, et a!. The multiple basalcell nevi syndrome. An analysis of a syndrome consisting of multiple nevoid basal-cell carcinoma, jaw cysts, skeletal anomalies, medulloblastoma and hyporesponsiveness to parathormone. Cancer 1965;18:89-104. 6. Starkman SP, Brown TC, Linell EA. Cerebral arachnoid cysts. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 1958; I 7:484-500. 7. Rengachany SS, Watanabe I. Ultrastructure and pathogenesis of intracranial arachnoid cysts. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 1981 ;40:61-83. 8. Yoshioka H, Shigeru I, Ishimura K, et al. An arachnoid cyst in an 8-year-old boy with neurofibromatosis. Brain Dev 1984;6:551-3. 9. Dyck P, Gruskin P. Supratentorial arachnoid cysts in adults. A discussion of two cases from a pathophysiologic and surgical perspective. Arch Neurol 1977;34:276-9.
Very High Hole Concentrations in C-Doped InGaAs Using New Sources with APOMVPE

New sources have been used to grow the first carbon doped, highly p-type InxGa1-xAs (0.2<x<0.7) epilayers on InP substrates by atmospheric pressure organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (APOMVPE). Excellent morphology was obtained simultaneously with high hole concentrations at growth temperatures near 450 °C. High hole concentrations of 1.6×1019 - 8.7×1019 cm-3 (the highest reported to date for APOMVPE), and the corresponding room temperature hole mobilities of 65 - 25 cm2/s, respectively, have been obtained from Hall measurements. X-ray diffraction is consistent with excellent crystal quality. Annealing at temperatures of T=400–500 °C in the presence of either nitrogen or hydrogen was found to change the carrier concentration by only 0–15%. However, after annealing at T=650 °C, irreversible changes occurred in the InGaAs. After a high temperature anneal, reversible order of magnitude changes in the hole concentration was obtained upon further annealing at low temperatures, depending upon the ambient. These results conclusively show that hydrogen does not passivate C acceptor ions in InGaAs. Since changes in the carrier concentration become substantial and reversible only after high temperature annealing, the results strongly suggest that a structural change occurred in the crystal at high temperatures. We consider it likely that this structural change is the precipitation of carbon out of a supersaturated solid solution, and that hydrogen atoms associated with these precipitates act as donors which compensate the hole concentration.
IN SPACE PROPULSION ASSESSMENT PROCESSES AND CRITERIA FOR AFFORDABLE SYSTEMS

In a world of high launch costs to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and of costs nearly twice as high to Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), it is clear that processes and criteria are required which will surface the path to greater affordability. Further, with propulsion systems making up a major part of the systems placed into multiple orbits, or beyond, it is clear that addressing propulsion systems for in-space propulsion (ISP) is a key part to breaking the barriers to affordable systems. While multitudes of Earth to Orbit transportation system efforts focus on reduced costs, the often neglected costs and related interactions of the in-space system equally require improvements that will enable broad end-to end customer affordability.
Batch-fabricated milli-actuators

The authors describe the design, process and characterization of microfabricated structures with dimensions an order of magnitude larger than conventional structures in all three dimensions, while still keeping the minimum in-plane features. Some special considerations, such as low intrinsic stress, become very important in millimeter-sized structures for controlling minimum feature distortion between stress-released and unreleased parts. Electrostatically driven flexures 20- mu m thick and up to 3 mm in size are made with this process. The air gaps between electrodes are less than 2 mu m. Laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) is applied to measure the in-plane motion to better than 5-nm resolution. Small-scale linearization is used for the square-law electrostatic actuator, and frequency response functions are measured using LDV for open-loop and closed-loop servo configuration. The first resonance is electronically damped in the closed-loop case. >
RNAi Screening Implicates a SKN-1-dependent transcriptional response in stress resistance and longevity deriving from translation inhibition.

Caenorhabditis elegans SKN-1 (ortholog of mammalian Nrf1/2/3) is critical for oxidative stress resistance and promotes longevity under reduced insulin/IGF-1–like signaling (IIS), dietary restriction (DR), and normal conditions. SKN-1 inducibly activates genes involved in detoxification, protein homeostasis, and other functions in response to stress. Here we used genome-scale RNA interference (RNAi) screening to identify mechanisms that prevent inappropriate SKN-1 target gene expression under non-stressed conditions. We identified 41 genes for which knockdown leads to activation of a SKN-1 target gene (gcs-1) through skn-1-dependent or other mechanisms. These genes correspond to multiple cellular processes, including mRNA translation. Inhibition of translation is known to increase longevity and stress resistance and may be important for DR–induced lifespan extension. One model postulates that these effects derive from reduced energy needs, but various observations suggest that specific longevity pathways are involved. Here we show that translation initiation factor RNAi robustly induces SKN-1 target gene transcription and confers skn-1-dependent oxidative stress resistance. The accompanying increases in longevity are mediated largely through the activities of SKN-1 and the transcription factor DAF16 (FOXO), which is required for longevity that derives from reduced IIS. Our results indicate that the SKN-1 detoxification gene network monitors various metabolic and regulatory processes. Interference with one of these processes, translation initiation, leads to a transcriptional response whereby SKN-1 promotes stress resistance and functions together with DAF-16 to extend lifespan. This stress response may be beneficial for coping with situations that are associated with reduced protein synthesis.
Stiffness matrix adjustment using mode data

A procedure is introduced that uses, in addition to mode data, structural connectivity information to optimally adjust deficient stiffness matrices. The adjustments performed are such that the percentage change to each stiffness coefficient is minimized. The physical configuration of the analytical model is preserved and the adjusted model will exactly reproduce the modes used in the identification. The theoretical development is presented and the procedure is demonstrated by numerical simulation of a test problem.
Information Sharing in Innovation Networks

Innovation networks help members develop new products at a faster rate with lower investment commitments. The RD Van de Ven, 2005). Since organizations join networks to mitigate costs and uncertainties, the question of how network characteristics affect (or not) the transfer of information is relevant to both practitioners as well as researchers in knowledge management and/or organizational learning. For instance, some innovation networks are composed of members engaged in similar activities while other networks are composed of members engaged in very different activities. Some networks tolerate more competition among their members than others. Finally, some networks are more centrally governed than others. These differences in how an innovation network is formed and governed raises an important question—Given that firms embedded within organizational networks experience greater exchange of information relative to firms operating outside of a network, how do the different characteristics of these networks impact the movement of that information? In this chapter, we will first review the two primary factors that have been demonstrated to influence the transfer of information—absorptive capacity and causal ambiguity. We then review three characteristics of multi-organizational networks—governance structure, scope of operations, and intensity of competition—with particular attention to the issue of information transfer. We develop six testable propositions regarding how these network characteristics would be expected to affect absorptive capacity and causal ambiguity among networked firms. Finally, we discuss future and emerging trends related to the transfer of information among networked firms.
The Arabidopsis PLEIOTROPIC DRUG RESISTANCE8/ABCG36 ATP Binding Cassette Transporter Modulates Sensitivity to the Auxin Precursor Indole-3-Butyric Acid

Plants have developed numerous mechanisms to store hormones in inactive but readily available states, enabling rapid responses to environmental changes. The phytohormone auxin has a number of storage precursors, including indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), which is apparently shortened to active indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in peroxisomes by a process similar to fatty acid β-oxidation. Whereas metabolism of auxin precursors is beginning to be understood, the biological significance of the various precursors is virtually unknown. We identified an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant that specifically restores IBA, but not IAA, responsiveness to auxin signaling mutants. This mutant is defective in PLEIOTROPIC DRUG RESISTANCE8 (PDR8)/PENETRATION3/ABCG36, a plasma membrane–localized ATP binding cassette transporter that has established roles in pathogen responses and cadmium transport. We found that pdr8 mutants display defects in efflux of the auxin precursor IBA and developmental defects in root hair and cotyledon expansion that reveal previously unknown roles for IBA-derived IAA in plant growth and development. Our results are consistent with the possibility that limiting accumulation of the IAA precursor IBA via PDR8-promoted efflux contributes to auxin homeostasis.
Protracted anemia associated with chronic, relapsing systemic inflammation induced by arthropathic peptidoglycan-polysaccharide polymers in rats.

Abstract Mild hypoproliferative anemia with abnormal iron metabolism frequently accompanies chronic inflammation and infection in humans. To determine whether anemia is associated with chronic relapsing arthritis induced by bacterial cell wall polymers, serial determinations of the hematocrit were measured in rats injected intraperitoneally with sonicated peptidoglycan-polysaccharide fragments from group A streptococci. Acute anemia peaked 5 to 10 days after injection, and chronic, spontaneously relapsing anemia persisted for 309 days. 51Cr labeling demonstrated decreased erythrocyte survival, i.e., a half-life of 8.4 days in cell wall-injected rats versus 11.8 days in controls. Erythrocytes were mildly microcytic, and leukocyte counts were elevated during early spontaneous reactivation of arthritis, 15 days after injection of peptidoglycan-polysaccharide. Bone marrow myeloid/erythroid precursor ratios were elevated in arthritic rats (P less than 0.0001). Purified peptidoglycan produced an acute anemia lasting 10 days, while injection of group A streptococcal polysaccharide and mutanolysin-digested cell wall did not affect the hematocrit. The minimal effective dose of peptidoglycan-polysaccharide was 5 micrograms of rhamnose per g (body weight). Serum iron and transferrin levels were decreased in cell wall-injected rats (P less than 0.005) and were closely correlated with hematocrit values and joint inflammatory scores. Stainable iron was increased in the liver, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes and unchanged in the bone marrow of cell wall-injected rats. Anemia accompanying chronic, relapsing systemic inflammation induced by peptidoglycan-polysaccharide polymers appears to be an excellent animal model of the anemia of chronic disease.
Calibration of the delayed‐gamma neutron activation facility

The delayed-gamma neutron activation facility at Brookhaven National Laboratory was originally calibrated using an anthropomorphic hollow phantom filled with solutions containing predetermined amounts of Ca. However, 99{percent} of the total Ca in the human body is not homogeneously distributed but contained within the skeleton. Recently, an artificial skeleton was designed, constructed, and placed in a bottle phantom to better represent the Ca distribution in the human body. Neutron activation measurements of an anthropomorphic and a bottle (with no skeleton) phantom demonstrate that the difference in size and shape between the two phantoms changes the total body calcium results by less than 1{percent}. To test the artificial skeleton, two small polyethylene jerry-can phantoms were made, one with a femur from a cadaver and one with an artificial bone in exactly the same geometry. The femur was ashed following the neutron activation measurements for chemical analysis of Ca. Results indicate that the artificial bone closely simulates the real bone in neutron activation analysis and provides accurate calibration for Ca measurements. Therefore, the calibration of the delayed-gamma neutron activation system is now based on the new bottle phantom containing an artificial skeleton. This change has improved the accuracy of measurement for total bodymore » calcium. Also, the simple geometry of this phantom and the artificial skeleton allows us to simulate the neutron activation process using a Monte Carlo code, which enables us to calibrate the system for human subjects larger and smaller than the phantoms used as standards. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.}« less
A Multi-Theoretic Model of Strategic Decision Making Processes

This chapter develops an overarching theoretical framework for one important aspect of the strategy process literature, namely, strategic decision making (SDM) processes. We develop a multi-theoretic framework which draws on the linear, adaptive, and interpretive views of strategy (Chaffee 1985). A focused review of the literature along the theoretical linkages embedded in the framework highlights the major gaps in our understanding of the what, the why, and the how of SDM processes. We conclude with an agenda for future research to address these gaps.
Laser Frequency Noise Cancelation in a Phase-Shifted Fiber Bragg Grating Ultrasonic Sensor System Using a Reference Grating Channel

In an ultrasonic sensor system based on $\pi$ phase-shifted fiber Bragg gratings $(\pi\text{FBGs})$ , a cost-effective way for sensor demodulation is to set the laser wavelength at the center of the steep spectral slope of the $\pi\text{FBG}$ refection spectrum. Frequency noise of the laser source ultimately limits the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the sensor system. Here, we demonstrate a noise cancelation method based on a pair of $\pi\text{FBGs}$ , which is capable of improving the SNR of system beyond the limitation set by the laser frequency noise. In this method, one of the gratings is used as the sensor to detect the acoustic signal, and the other grating, isolated from the signal, is used as a reference that gives the noise information. Employing a data postprocessing method, the noise is subtracted from the original detected signal. We show that the SNR of the sensor system can be improved by up to 20 dB using this method.
Reply to “Comment on ‘Optically pumped spin-exchange polarized-electron source’ ”

In the proceeding Comment [1] on our recent report of a Rb spin-exchange polarized-electron source [2], Williams et al. contend: (a) that our source is poorly characterized compared with modern GaAs sources, (b) that we have overstated the difficulties of using GaAs photoemission sources, and (c) that our explanation of various physics issues related to the source's operating principles are not cogent.
Analysis and Design of Advanced Marine Propulsors

Recently, there has been a significant interest in the use of composites for marine applications because of their higher strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios, better corrosion characteristics, and the ability to be elastically tailored to improve hydrodynamic and/or structural performance. The objective of this work is to review advances made, and discuss current challenges, related to the design and modeling of advanced composite marine propulsors. The areas of focus include 1) the design and application of composite marine propellers, 2) the numerical modeling of the fluid-structure interaction responses and potential failure mechanisms of composite marine propellers, and 3) the scaling of the fluid-structure interaction responses and failure mechanisms of composite marine propellers.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Effect of chlorpromazine on swimming time of rats at different temperatures.

SummaryWhen rats are swimming at 19 or 28°C, swimming time is markedly reduced by chlorpromazine (10 mg/kg) treatment. This difference is not due to differences in body temperature but is probably caused by sedation and muscular paralysis caused by this drug. At 9°C the detrimental effect of bath temperature on swimming time is so marked that chlorpromazine fails to display any action whereas at 32°C the stress is so small as to allow the animal to perform as well even when treated with chlorpromazine.
Corrigendum: On the Dirichlet problem for weakly non-linear elliptic partial differential equations

The proof of Lemma 6 (and thus of Theorem 9) has a gap in it. While m ( B ) → 0 as r → ∞ for each fixed h in N i , it is not clear (and probably false) that this holds uniformly for h in . However Lemma 6 (and thus Theorem 9) holds with only trivial modifications of the given proof if one of the following holds: (i) yg i ( y ) → ∞ as | y | → ∞; (ii) m { x ∈Ω: h ( x ) = 0} = 0 for every h in (iii) N i is one dimensional; (iv) there is a subset A of Ω such that h ( x ) = 0 if x ∈ A and h ∈ and m { x ∈Ω\ A : h ( x ) = 0} = 0 for every h ∈ . Assumption (ii) holds under very weak conditions. For example, the methods in [1] and regularity theorems imply that (ii) holds if there is a closed subset T of Ω of measure zero such that either (a) Ω\ T is connected and a ij ( i, j = 1, …, n ) are locally Lipschitz continuous on Ω\ T or (b) for each component A of Ω\ T , the a ij have Lipschitz extensions to Ā and T is a “nice” set. (For example, it suffices to assume that T is a smooth submanifold of Ω though much weaker conditions would suffice.) Remember that we are assuming Ω is connected.
The Relationship of Self-Compassion with Perfectionistic Self-Presentation, Perceived Forgiveness, and Perceived Social Support in an Undergraduate Christian Community

Past research indicates that self-compassion is a unique predictor of variation in clergy burnout. Self-compassion may be a relevant and beneficial construct in Christian communities at large, but as of yet no studies have analyzed self-compassion in non-clergy Christians. This study assesses the relationship of self-compassion with perfectionistic self-presentation, perceived forgiveness, and perceived support from one's Christian community. The study sample (N = 129) was drawn from undergraduates at a mid-sized, private, secular university in the southeastern United States who self-identified as Christians and were actively involved in a Christian campus ministry. Participants completed measures of the variables listed above through an online survey. Results indicated that those with low self-compassion reported more perfectionistic self-presentation, less perceived forgiveness, and lower perceived support from their campus ministry than those with high levels of self-reported compassion. Potential bene...
Immune reconstitution following bone marrow transplantation: comparison of recipients of T-cell depleted marrow with recipients of conventional marrow grafts

The reconstitution of hematopoietic cells and in vitro assays of immunologic function have been followed in leukemic patients after conventional bone marrow transplantation (BMT) (N = 34) and T-cell depleted BMT (N = 52) from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical sibling donors. No effects of the T-cell depletion could be seen on the recovery of myeloid or lymphoid cells as measured by the day to engraftment or by the absolute number of cells through day 100. Normal numbers of lytically active natural killer cells returned the earliest and were rapidly followed in both groups of patients by the appearance of circulating B cells and normalization of the responses to B-cell mitogens. However, the recovery of normal T-cell proliferative responses were more delayed in recipients of T-cell depleted grafts. Significant quantitative differences were seen only during the first 3 months after transplantation. Neither the number of CD3+ T cells nor the ratio of CD4:CD8 positive cells differed markedly between the two transplant groups. Mitogen-induced immunoglobulin production by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from patients following T-cell depleted BMT was quantitatively less than that of conventional marrow recipients through the first year, with low normal IgM production reached by 4 to 6 months in both groups. IgG production reached low normal 7 to 9 months after conventional BMT but did not remain at this level until 1 year following either type of transplant. Assessment of the incidence of infections from the day the absolute neutrophil count reached 500 until day 180 after transplant revealed no significant differences between the two groups; indeed, the overall nonleukemic mortality was higher in the recipients of conventional bone marrow. Thus, in our series, the removal of mature cells from the marrow graft did not affect the rate or degree of recovery of myeloid and lymphoid cells but did affect the regeneration of in vitro T-cell dependent functions. We noted early quantitative differences and a delay in the normalization of the T-cell functions measured rather than prolonged absolute deficiencies. The in vitro deficiencies did not result in significant clinically apparent differences between the two groups.
Understanding game balance with quantitative methods

Game balancing is the fine-tuning phase in which a functioning game is adjusted to be deep, fair, and interesting. Balancing is difficult and time-consuming, as designers must repeatedly tweak parameters and run lengthy playtests to evaluate the effects of these changes. Only recently has computer science played a role in balancing, through quantitative balance analysis. Such methods take two forms: analytics for repositories of real gameplay, and the study of simulated players. In this work I rectify a deficiency of prior work: largely ignoring the players themselves. I argue that variety among players is the main source of depth in many games, and that analysis should be contextualized by the behavioral properties of players. Concretely, I present a formalization of diverse forms of game balance. This formulation, called 'restricted play', reveals the connection between balancing concerns, by effectively reducing them to the fairness of games with restricted players. Using restricted play as a foundation, I contribute four novel methods of quantitative balance analysis. I first show how game balance be estimated without players, using simulated agents under algorithmic restrictions. I then present a set of guidelines for using domain-specific models to guide data exploration, with a case study of my design work on a major competitive video game. I extend my work on this game with novel data visualization techniques, which overcome limitations of existing work by decomposing data in terms of player skill. I finally present an advanced formulation of fairness in games—the first to take into account a game's metagame, or player community. These contributions are supported by a detailed exploration of common understandings of game balance, a survey of prior work in quantitative balance analysis, a discussion of the social benefit of this work, and a vision of future games that quantitative balance analysis might one day make possible.
Application of the PEN-3 Model to Tobacco Initiation, Use, and Cessation Among American Indian and Alaska Native Adults

American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) communities confront some of the highest rates of tobacco use and its sequelae. As part of a formative research project investigating stakeholder understandings, preferences, and needs surrounding the use of pharmacogenetics toward tobacco cessation treatment, we sought to characterize sociocultural issues related to tobacco use and cessation. We used the PEN-3 cultural model to frame the research question and analysis of stakeholder interviews with 20 AI/AN patients, 12 health care providers, and 9 tribal leaders. Our study found high knowledge levels of the negative health effects of tobacco use; however, most patient participants ascribed negative health effects only to regular, heavy tobacco use and not to light use, which is more common in the population. The majority of patient participants did not endorse use of tobacco cessation treatment despite evidence of efficacy among AI/AN adults. Health promotion messaging to target low-tobacco consuming AI/AN people is needed. Additionally, messaging to promote tobacco cessation treatment using successful AI/AN former tobacco users to improve community perception of tobacco cessation treatment is recommended.
How Relevant Is the MBA? Assessing the Alignment of Required Curricula and Required Managerial Competencies

Masters of business administration (MBA) programs are being met with escalating criticism from academics, students, and various organizational stakeholders. Central to these criticisms is the conte...
Using Ozone Lidar to Investigate Sources of High Ozone Concentrations in the Western United States

We have used NOAA’s Tunable Optical Profiler for Aerosol and oZone (TOPAZ) ozone lidar to investigate the sources of high surface ozone concentrations in two different regions of the western United States (US): the Uintah Basin in northeast Utah and Clark County in southern Nevada, which includes the city of Las Vegas. The Uintah Basin is a booming oil and gas producing region that often suffers from very high wintertime ozone concentrations. Clark County experiences violations of the US ozone standard primarily in spring and early summer despite a lack of any major local pollution sources. TOPAZ lidar observations, in conjunction with surface in situ measurements and model results, provided strong evidence that the high wintertime ozone concentrations in the Uintah Basin are primarily driven by local emissions associated with oil and gas exploration, whereas the Clark County ozone exceedances are often caused by ozone-rich air that is transported from the lower stratosphere all the way down to the earth’s surface.
Photoprotection and Skin Cancer Prevention

Ultraviolet radiation is a major risk factor for the development of skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States.
FireFly: reconfigurable optical wireless networking data centers

We explore a novel, free-space optics based approach for building data center interconnects. Data centers (DCs) are a critical piece of today’s networked applications in both private and public sectors. The key factors that have driven this trend are economies of scale, reduced management costs, better utilization of hardware via statistical multiplexing, and the ability to elastically scale applications in response to changing workload patterns. A robust DC network fabric is fundamental to the success of DCs and to ensure that the network does not become a bottleneck for high-performance applications. In this context, DC network design must satisfy several goals: high performance (e.g., high throughput and low latency), low equipment and management cost, robustness to dynamic traffic patterns, incremental expandability to add new servers or racks, and other practical concerns such as cabling complexity, and power and cooling costs. Current DC network architectures do not seem to provide a satisfactory solution, with respect to the above requirements. In particular, traditional static (wired) networks are either overprovisioned or oversubscribed. Recent works have tried to overcome the above limitations by augmenting a static (wired) “core” with some flexible links (RF-wireless or optical). These augmented architectures show promise, but offer only incremental improvement in performance. Specifically, RFwireless based augmented solutions also offer only limited performance improvement, due to inherent interference and range constraints of RF links. This paper explores an alternative design point—a fully flexible and all-wireless DC interrack network based on free-space optical (FSO) links. We call this FireFly as in; Free-space optical Inter-Rack nEtwork with high FLexibilitY. We will present our designs and tests using various configurations that can help the performance and reliability of the FSO links.