cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suppressor analysis of temperature-sensitive mutations of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase I in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a suppressor gene encodes the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase I.

Abstract The SRP3-1 mutation is an allele-specific suppressor of temperature-sensitive mutations in the largest subunit (A190) of RNA polymerase I from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two mutations known to be suppressed by SRP3-1 are in the putative zinc-binding domain of A190. We have cloned the SRP3 gene by using its suppressor activity and determined its complete nucleotide sequence. We conclude from the following evidence that the SRP3 gene encodes the second-largest subunit (A135) of RNA polymerase I. First, the deduced amino acid sequence of the gene product contains several regions with high homology to the corresponding regions of the second-largest subunits of RNA polymerases of various origins, including those of RNA polymerase II and III from S. cerevisiae. Second, the deduced amino acid sequence contains known amino acid sequences of two tryptic peptides from the A135 subunit of RNA polymerase I purified from S. cerevisiae. Finally, a strain was constructed in which transcription of the SRP3 gene was controlled by the inducible GAL7 promoter. When this strain, which can grow on galactose but not on glucose, was shifted from galactose medium to glucose medium, a large decrease in the cellular concentration of A135 was observed by Western blot analysis. We have also identified the specific amino acid alteration responsible for suppression by SRP3-1 and found that it is located within the putative zinc-binding domain conserved among the second-largest subunits of eucaryotic RNA polymerases. From these results, it is suggested that this putative zinc-binding domain is in physical proximity to and interacts with the putative zinc-binding domain of the A190 subunit.
Nonlinear control design within the high level modeling framework for an engine cold start scenario

The high level modeling (HLM) paradigm is a rapid modeling method that is being developed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. Emphasizing the use of physical conservation laws, it streamlines the model finding process for control applications. While recent works show the successful application of the high level modeling approach to physical systems of different complexity levels, this work focuses on control design for HLM plant descriptions. Based on the exemplary scenario of automotive cold start emission reduction, this work first explains how model simplification is integrated in the controller development process. Subsequently, a nonlinear sliding controller for reducing harmful emissions during the cold start phase is derived based on a HLM description of the underlying dynamics. Thereby, ideas from dynamic surface control are used to conveniently deal with the computer-generated system equations. The obtained control laws are evaluated using numerical simulations of the closed-loop system.
Extensive investigation of patients with mild elevations of serum amylase and/or lipase is 'low yield'

BACKGROUND: Serum amylase and lipase levels are widely used as markers of pancreatic inflammation. However, it would seem that mild elevations of amylase and lipase rarely predict significant pancreatic pathology. Pancreatic imaging tests are expensive. The gold standard, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, carries risk of morbidity and mortality.
Envelope-binding domain in the cationic amino acid transporter determines the host range of ecotropic murine retroviruses

Infection of rodent cells by ecotropic type C retroviruses requires the expression of a cationic amino acid transporter composed of multiple membrane-spanning domains. By exchanging portions of cDNAs encoding the permissive mouse and nonpermissive human transporters and examining their abilities to specify virus infection upon expression in human 293 cells, we have identified the amino acid residues in the extracellular loop connecting the fifth and sixth membrane-spanning segments of the mouse transporter that are required for both envelope gp70 binding and infection. These findings strongly suggest that the role of the mouse transporter in determining infection is to provide an envelope-binding site. This role is analogous to those of host membrane proteins composed of a single membrane-spanning domain that serve as binding proteins or receptors for other enveloped viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and murine and human coronaviruses.
Dissection of the left coronary artery complicating retrograde left heart catheterization.

Dissection of the coronary artery caused by a catheter is reported. Progressive hematoma formation accounted for the delay in onset of symptoms. There was an extensive area of myocardial infarction. Microscopic examination revealed an intimal tear with dissection into the adventitia and nearly complete occlusion of the coronary artery lumen.
Ionospheric Artifacts in Simultaneous L-Band InSAR and GPS Observations

Phase artifacts in interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) images frequently degrade the interpretability of the phase and correlation signatures of terrain. Often, these distortions are attributed to spatially variable ionospheric propagation delays at two different SAR acquisition times. We present here L-band InSAR data from Iceland, California, and Hawaii. The California and Hawaii interferograms show no significant ionospheric artifacts, while the Iceland interferogram shows a maximum misregistration of three pixels in the azimuth direction, which leads to severe phase decorrelation artifacts in the InSAR image. We relate the misregistration of complex pixels seen in the interferograms to the gradient of the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) observed by global positioning system (GPS) data and confirm that indeed the phase artifacts in the Iceland interferogram are due to dispersive ionospheric propagation rather than other decorrelation factors such as neutral atmospheric delays. We develop a method to measure the spatial TEC variation at synthetic aperture length scales using dual-frequency GPS carrier phase data. We solve for the GPS data ambiguities using a low-resolution ionosphere reference derived from either available ionospheric observations or the GPS carrier phase data themselves. GPS observations show directly the level of ionospheric variability, and the spatial TEC gradient as observed by GPS predicts the misregistration of complex pixels in interferograms in all three areas. This confirmation of the cause of the image artifacts suggests that they can be routinely corrected from the InSAR data alone, provided that the sensor measures the change in TEC along the radar swath.
Securityholder Taxes, Corporate Capital Structures and the Priority Structure of Debt

This paper shows that the firm has an incentive to issue multiple classes of debt that are differentiated by seniority to enhance securityholder tax-timing option values. The analysis establishes that there is at least one mix of senior and junior debt that maximizes the tax option gain from having multiple priority classes of debt. An analytic example provides specifications for the optimal amount of leverage and the optimal mix of senior and junior debt. Relative to the case of only one class of debt, a multiple debt priority structure increases the optimal amount of corporate leverage.
Integrity and function of the subscapularis after total shoulder arthroplasty

Background Reported healing rates of a subscapularis tenotomy have been extremely variable in the literature. The purpose of this study was to document the subscapularis healing rate after subscapularis tenotomy using ultrasound, and to correlate healing with physical examination findings and shoulder internal rotation strength. Methods Fifteen patients who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty due to unilateral osteoarthritis were evaluated after a minimum of 6 months follow-up with ultrasound, physical examination, and internal rotation strength testing. At surgery, a subscapularis tenotomy utilized to approach the shoulder. Postoperatively, no formal physical therapy program was utilized. Results Seven of the 15 shoulders had a complete tear of the repaired subscapularis tendon based on ultrasound examination. The lift-off and abdominal compression tests correlated poorly with the ultrasonographic condition of the subscapularis. The bear hug test using dynamometry did correlate with tendon integrity. Patients with a subscapularis tear after arthroplasty experienced significant weakness in isometric ( P = .01) and isokinetic ( P P = .04). No patient demonstrated anterior subluxation on examination or by radiograph. Conclusion Subscapularis tear after total shoulder arthroplasty is a common finding, which cannot be diagnosed reliably by physical examination or radiographs. In this population, subscapularis integrity did not correlate with pain or subjective patient outcome. Failure to heal the subscapularis tenotomy is probably more common than has been previously reported based on only physical examination testing.
Creating dialogue, creating change through the arts.

The “wellness picnic,” an interactive hands-on learning activity, was developed to engage people in reflective conversations about their health behaviors and wellness journey. Participants used pictures, colors, and words to transform a paper plate into a symbolic representation of what wellness looked like to them. Within the wisdom of each participant’s paper plate drawing, there emerged pathways for living well, creating a respectful place for sharing wellness understandings and cancer risk reduction activities.
Color & weak triplet scalars, the dimuon asymmetry in B s decay, the top forward-backward asymmetry, and the CDF dijet excess

The new physics required to explain the anomalies recently reported by the D0 and CDF collaborations, namely the top forward-backward asymmetry (FBA), the like-sign dimuon charge asymmetry in semileptonic b decay, and the CDF dijet excess, has to feature an amount of flavor symmetry in order to satisfy the severe constrains arising from flavor violation. In this paper we show that, once baryon number conservation is imposed, color & weak triplet scalars with hypercharge Y = −1/3 can feature the required flavor structure. The color & weak triplet model can simultaneously explain the top FBA and the dimuon charge asymmetry or the dimuon charge asymmetry and the CDF dijet excess. However, the CDF dijet excess appears to be incompatible with the top FBA in the minimal framework. Our model for the dimuon asymmetry predicts the observed pattern h d ≪ h s in the region of parameter space required to explain the top FBA, whereas our model for the CDF dijet anomalyis characterized by the absence of beyond the SM b-quark jets in the excess region. Compatibility of the color & weak triplet with the electroweak constraints is also discussed. We show that a Higgs boson mass exceeding the LEP bound is typically favored in this scenario, and that both Higgs production and decay can be significantly altered by the triplet. The most promising collider signature is found if the splitting among the components of the triplet is of weak scale magnitude.
Background illumination effects upon in vitro conditioning in Hermissenda.

Abstract In the marine snail Hemissenda, associative learning can be accomplished by paired presentations of light and vestibular stimulation. It is generally assumed that associative learning depends upon the intensity or salience of the conditioned or unconditioned stimulus (CS and US, respectively). Accordingly, during Hermissenda conditioning a stronger dark adaptation is expected to render the CS (the light) more salient and hence facilitate association. We studied the influence of background illumination level using an in vitro pairing procedure in Hermissenda. This procedure allows one to assess the effect of conditioning upon a single cell, the B photoreceptor, which is implicated in this learning process. After 15 min of adaptation to a dim background light, B photoreceptors maintained a basal rate of firing, while after adaptation to complete darkness, they stopped firing. Paired and unpaired groups received 10 training trials in either a completely dark or a dim light environment. Although a trial to trial cumulative increase in excitability was found in the paired group trained in darkness, only the paired group trained under dim background light showed a higher input resistance and cell excitability 10 min after training. These results suggest that the background dim illumination was not needed for the induction but played a role in the maintenance of the pairing effect. Possible mechanisms for such a modulatory effect are discussed.
Apoptosis Accompanies a Change in the Phenotypic Distribution and Functional Capacity of Murine Bone Marrow B-Cells Chronically Exposed to Prednisolone

Abstract Prednisolone (PD) is commonly used for the treatment of inflammation accompanying diseases such as arthritis, allergy, asthma, and autoimmunity. While it is well documented that PD induces apoptosis in immature T-cells of the mouse, the effects of PD on development of immature B-cells in normal bone marrow (BM) was not known. An implantation system was developed which chronically delivered PD at a rate of a few nanograms per milliliter of plasma to mice. Ten days of exposure to such levels of PD caused splenic and thymic atrophy, which was accompanied by a 50% decrease in the numbers of circulating lymphocytes. Flow cytometric analysis (FACS) of the effects of PD on the BM revealed a threefold decrease in the proportion of B220+IgM- pre-B-cells and immature IgM+IgD- B-cells. However, the mature IgM+IgD+ cells were reasonably resistant to the effects of PD. A 25% decrease in small nucleated cells presumed to be part of the lymphocyte compartment was also noted from the scatter profiles of the marrow of PD-treated mice. These marked changes in BM composition were also accompanied by significant reductions in capacity of the BM to respond to trinitrophenylated-lipopolysaccharide (TNP-LPS) after exposure to PD either in vivo or in vitro. Studies to ascertain whether apoptosis played a role in the decline in the number of developing B-cells of marrow exposed to PD were performed in vitro in order to reduce the possibility of phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. A recent modification of FACS cell cycle analysis, which is highly quantitative and allows rapid analysis of heterogenous tissues such as the marrow, was used to detect the apoptotic cells. After 16 hr of culture in 10-7M PD approximately 40% of IgM+ and B220+ cells of BM resided to the left of G0 /G1 in a region associated with apoptotic cells previously termed the A0 or "hypodiploid" region. Thus, these data indicate that chronic exposure to low levels of PD significantly altered the B-cell compartment of the murine bone marrow both in vivo and in vitro, potentially inducing apoptosis in these cells.
BisGMA/TEGDMA dental composite containing high aspect-ratio hydroxyapatite nanofibers

Objectives The objectives of this study are to investigate the properties of high aspect-ratio hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanofibers and the reinforcing effect of such fibers on bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate (BisGMA)/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) dental resins (without silica microparticle filler) and dental composites (with silica microparticle filler) with various mass fractions (loading rates).
The polar and neutral lipid composition of Methanosphaera stadtmanae

Summary Methanosphaera stadtmanae is a mesophilic, coccoid-shaped methanogen which has been placed in the family Methanobacteriaceae based primarily on its cell wall composition and oligonucleotide catalogue of its 16S rRNA. However, the organism is unique to the Methanobacteriaceae in its coccoid morphology and ability to grow only via a H 2 -mediated reduction of methanol to methane. In this study, the polar and neutral lipids of M. stadtmanae were analyzed by supercritical fluid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in order to further characterize this isolate. The major component of the neutral lipids consisted of 2, 6, 11, 15-tetramethylhexadecane. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a tail-to-tail linked C 20 isoprenoid was identified in a biological system. The remaining predominant neutral lipids consisted of C 30 isoprenoids (squalene and dihydrosqualene) and small amounts of tricyclic terpenes. The polar lipids of M. stadtmanae were typical of those found in Methanobacteriaceae and consisted primarily of diphytanyl glycerol diether and traces of dibiphytanyl diglycerol tetraether. A most unusual characteristic of this methanogen was the fact that it contained a broad distribution of fatty acids, ranging from C 14 to C 30 structures. In addition, an unusual component, 11-hydroxy-nonadecanoic acid, was identified. These results have important implications regarding the regulation of lipid biosynthesis and the diversity of lipid components in closely related methanogens.
Phospholemman-Mediated Activation of Na/K-ATPase Limits [Na]i and Inotropic State During β-Adrenergic Stimulation in Mouse Ventricular Myocytes

Background— Cardiac Na/K-ATPase (NKA) regulates intracellular Na ([Na]i), which in turn affects intracellular Ca and thus contractility via Na/Ca exchange. Recent evidence shows that phosphorylation of the NKA-associated small transmembrane protein phospholemman (PLM) mediates β-adrenergic–induced NKA stimulation. Methods and Results— Here, we tested whether PLM phosphorylation during β-adrenergic activation limits the rise in [Na]i, Ca transient amplitude, and triggered arrhythmias in mouse ventricular myocytes. In myocytes from wild-type (WT) mice, [Na]i increased on field stimulation at 2 Hz from 11.1±1.8 mmol/L to a plateau of 15.2±1.5 mmol/L. Isoproterenol induced a decrease in [Na]i to 12.0±1.2 mmol/L. In PLM knockout (PLM-KO) mice in which β-adrenergic stimulation does not activate NKA, [Na]i also increased at 2 Hz (from 10.4±1.2 to 17.0±1.5 mmol/L) but was unaltered by isoproterenol. The PLM-mediated decrease in [Na]i in WT mice could limit the isoproterenol-induced inotropic state. Indeed, the is...
The magnitude distribution of dynamically triggered earthquakes

Large dynamic strains carried by seismic waves are known to trigger seismicity far from their source region. It is unknown, however, whether surface waves trigger only small earthquakes, or whether they can also trigger large earthquakes. To partially address this question, we evaluate whether current data can distinguish between the magnitude distribution of triggered and untriggered small earthquakes. We use a mixing model approach in which total seismicity is decomposed into two classes: “triggered” events initiated or advanced by far-field dynamic strains and “untriggered” spontaneous events consisting of everything else. The b-value of a mixed data set, bMIX, is decomposed into a weighted sum of b-values of its constituent components, bT and bU. We utilize the previously observed relationship between triggering rate and dynamic strain amplitude to identify the fraction of triggered events in populations of earthquakes and then invert for bT. For Californian seismicity, data are consistent with a single-parameter Gutenberg-Richter hypothesis governing the magnitudes of both triggered and untriggered earthquakes.
Stochastic approximation with discontinuous dynamics and state dependent noise: w.p. 1 and weak convergence☆

Abstract Stochastic approximations of the form Xn + 1 = Xn + anh(Xn, ξn) are treated where h(·, ·) might not be continuous and the noise sequence {ξn} might depend on {Xn}. An ‘averaging’ and an ‘ordinary differential equation’ method are combined to get w.p.1 convergence for both the above algorithm and for the case where the interates are projected back onto a bounded set G if they ever leave it. Two examples are developed, the first being an automata problem where the dynamics are not smooth and the noise is state dependent, and the second a Robbins-Monro process with observation averaging (which causes the noise to be state dependent). Each example is typical of a larger class. The results hold if {an} is a sequence of random variables, an being dependent on {Xi, i ⩽ n}. If an → 0 but Σan2
Synthesis of phosphatidylcholine under possible primitive earth conditions

Using a primitive Earth evaporating pond model, the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine was accomplished when a reaction mixture of choline chloride and disodium phosphatidate, in the presence of cyanamide and traccs of acid, was evaporated and heated at temperatures ranging from 25° to 100°C for 7 hours. Optimum yields of about 15% were obtained at 80°C. Phosphatidylcholine was identified by chromatographic, chemical and enzymatic degradation methods. On enzymatic hydrolysis with phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C, lysophosphatidylcholine and phosphorylcholine were formed, respectively. Alkaline hydrolysis gave glycerophosphorylcholine. The synthesis of phosphatidylcholine as the major compound was accompanied by the formation of lysophosphatidylcholine in smaller amounts. Cyanamide was found to be essential for the formation of phosphatidylcholine, and only traces of HCl, of the order of that required to convert the disodium phosphatidate to free phosphatidic acid were found necessary for the synthesis. This work suggests that phosphatidylcholine, which is an essential component of most biological membranes, could have been synthesized on the primitive Earth.
Validation of average error rate over classifiers

We examine methods to estimate the average and variance of test error rates over a set of classifiers. We begin with the process of drawing a classifier at random for each example. Given validation data, the average test error rate can be estimated as if validating a single classifier. Given the test example inputs, the variance can be computed exactly. Next, we consider the process of drawing a classifier at random and using it on all examples. Once again, the expected test error rate can be validated as if validating a single classifier. However, the variance must be estimated by validating all classifiers, which yields loose or uncertain bounds.
A dynamical system model of eco‐geomorphic response to landslide disturbance

Vegetated landscapes form through the interactions of ecologic and geomorphic processes. These interactions are generally slow and steady, but they are occasionally the subject of abrupt disturbance. In humid uplands, for example, landslides episodically disrupt forest growth and regolith development, suddenly mobilize soil, regolith and bedrock, and facilitate runoff-driven erosion by abruptly removing canopy protection over a wide area. Here we model such an environment as a stochastically perturbed dynamical system whose simplified low dimensionality makes its eco-geomorphic interactions easier to explore and understand. The model captures some of the spatial variability across a catchment by treating an ensemble of subcatchments: in each, aggregated biomass and regolith coevolve as a two-dimensional dynamical system subject to episodic disturbance by slope failure. This coevolution gives rise to a notional stable equilibrium between regolith and biomass, but one that is not achieved in practice where landslide disturbance is significant. Instead, a catchment-scale, ensemble-average state arises in which higher storm frequency entails thinner regolith, less biomass, and weaker canopy protection against runoff erosion. The model makes the counter-intuitive prediction that, as rainfall-triggered landslides become more frequent, their contribution to the erosion of weathered bedrock will diminish as the role from storm runoff erosion rises. In some environments apparently dominated by landsliding, the model predicts that runoff erosion may be more important in the removal of regolith and fine sediment from hillslopes than mass wasting.
Large-Scale, Solution-Phase Growth of Single-Crystalline SnO2 Nanorods

Small-diameter (<5 nm), single-crystalline SnO2 nanorods were synthesized in solution with a mean length of 17 +/- 4 nm (mean aspect ratio of 4:1) with the [001] direction along the major axis. Two characteristic peaks at 576 and 356 cm-1 in the Raman spectrum further confirmed the small crystal size. The SnO2 nanorods exhibit a red emission at 580 nm.
Physical design tools for hierarchy

There are a number of factors that motivate the use of hierarchical physical design approaches for ASIC and mircroprocessor designs. While microprocessor designs have traditionally been done using hierarchy, the trend in ASIC designs is more recent. The growing use of hierarchy presents new challenges to the design automation community. Tools and algorithms that are designed to work well on flat chips certainly can be applied to individual partitions of a hierarchical design. This works well for some tasks, but there are a host of new problems introduced by hierarchy boundaries that are not addressed by such an approach. This talk will focus on some of the new and interesting physical design automation tasks, with an emphasis on the placement and timing closure aspects of the hierarchy problem.
Computation of through-space NMR shielding effects by aromatic ring-cation complexes: substantial synergistic effect of complexation.

Abstract The HF-GIAO method in Gaussian 03 was employed to calculate the NMR isotropic shielding values of a diatomic hydrogen probe and to predict the through-space proton NMR shielding increment surfaces above benzene complexed with ammonium, lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium ion. The sum of the calculated isotropic shielding values for the proximal hydrogen of a diatomic hydrogen probe over benzene and those calculated at appropriate positions relative to cations were subtracted from the isotropic shielding values calculated for the complexes. The result is a shielding increment for complexation. Complexation results in a synergistic effect on NMR shielding. Enhanced shielding was observed over the π electron cloud of benzene upon complexation with the cations, more than the sum of the separate effects of the aromatic ring and the charge. The results are interpreted in terms of polarization of the π cloud of benzene by the cation and its consequences.
Negative-Stain Immunoelectron-Microscopic Analysis of Small Macromolecules of Immunologic Significance

We have demonstrated that unlabeled antibodies or their antigen-reactive fragments, Fab and F(ab′)2, can be readily visualized by negative-stain immunoelectron microscopy and can be quite useful as probes for detailed epitope mapping and structural analysis of relatively small macromolecules. In addition, information on segmental flexibility of the target molecules can be deduced as can information on the geometry and kinetics of immune complex formation in solution. The various target molecules used to illustrate these points include IgG, IgM, C-reactive protein, and complement receptor 1.
Effect of ph on the speciation and solubility of divalent metals in human and bovine milks

Computer models estimated the ligand speciation and solubility of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper over a pH range for low molecular weight fractions characteristic of either human or bovine milks. Above pH 4 calcium is the only metal predicted to precipitate. Most of the remaining soluble calcium, magnesium, and zinc should be complexed with citrate. The solubility of calcium, magnesium, and zinc in human and bovine milks was measured experimentally from pH 2 to 7. The solubility of all three metals decreased as the pH increased. Calcium and zinc were soluble over a narrower pH range in bovine milk than in human milk. Increasing the levels of either calcium or inorganic phosphate alone in decaseinated human milk did not affect the solubility of zinc, but when both calcium and inorganic phosphate were added at levels comparable to bovine milk the solubility of zinc decreased at the higher pH's. The decreased solubility of zinc in skimmed milks in pH's characteristic of the small intestine is likely due to coprecipitation of zinc with calcium phosphate--a reaction not predicted for milk systems from known chemical solubility product data.
Cosmology on compact and stable supergravity background

We propose a cosmological model of a D3-brane universe on a compact and stable supergravity background of wrapped D7-branes in type IIB string theory, previously argued to be dual to pure $\mathcal{N}=1$ $SU(N)$ gauge theory in four dimensions. A model universe of order Planck size near the UV boundary dynamically flows toward the IR with constant total energy density and accelerating expansion, followed by smooth transition to decelerating expansion, and collides with the wrapped D7-branes at the IR boundary. The model addresses the horizon and flatness problems, with most of the expansion produced during the decelerating expansion phase. The inflationary scenario is used to generate sources of inhomogeneities in the cosmic microwave background radiation and seeds for large-scale structure formation from quantum fluctuations which exit the Hubble radius early during the accelerating expansion phase, and the model addresses the inhomogeneity problem with red tilt in the power spectrum. We propose that the kinetic energy of the model universe is converted to matter and radiation by the collision followed by the formation of baryons, stabilizing the model universe against gravitational force from the background at a finite distance from the IR boundary, with the wrapped D7-branes serving as sources of color. Friedmann evolution then takes over, with a positive cosmological constant term coming from the remaining potential energy density, which is interpreted as dark energy. The magnitude of the dark energy density is smaller than the total energy density during the flow by a ratio of the scale factor when the model universe appears in the UV to the scale factor at the moment of collision, and stays constant while the matter-radiation density falls during Friedmann expansion.
Is the Ketogenic Diet Safe for Children? An Evaluation of Biochemical and Growth Parameters. † 473

Is the Ketogenic Diet Safe for Children? An Evaluation of Biochemical and Growth Parameters. † 473
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE, RATIONAL CHOICE, AND ALTERNATIVE WORLD VIEWS

Repondant aux critiques de M. Battin sur la conception de la medecine developpee par la science chretienne, l'A. montre que l'approche spirituelle de la guerison definie par la science chretienne ne resulte pas de choix irrationnels ni de pratiques ecclesiastiques non-ethiques. Rejetant la rationalite pure au profit de la conscience, la science chretienne releve d'une autre conception du monde que celle admise par la science medicale
Production approaches for microbubbles loaded with nanoparticles

A new production approach to make microbubbles (MBs) loaded with nanoparticles (NPs) (Protocol 1) was evaluated and compared with the more common procedure that was based on covalent linking of functionalized NPs (f-NPs) to MBs (Protocol 2). MBs were produced by sonicating bovine serum albumin (BSA) and dextrose solution. NPs consisted of Cy5-PLA conjugate. Protocol 1 involved incorporating the NPs into the BSA-dextrose solution before the sonication step. Protocol 2 involved mixing MBs and f-NPs, resulting from mixing the initial Cy5-PLA and PLA-PEG-COOH conjugates. For each protocol, unloaded MBs were produced as a reference. Two parameters were quantitatively analyzed using both analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test: diameter was estimated using a circle detection routine based on the Hough transform while the number density was estimated using a hemocytometer. Both parameters were evaluated for the NP-loaded MBs and unloaded MBs at 5 time points (2 hours to 5 days post MB fabrication). Protocols 1 and 2 resulted in significantly different loaded MBs: the more common approach of linking functionalized NPs to the MB surface (Protocol 2) was much more efficient than directly embedding NPs in the MB shell.
Operation of TCSU with Internal Flux-Conserving Rings

The Translation, Confinement, and Sustainment Upgrade (TCSU) device is a facility to form and sustain a field-reversed configuration (FRC) in quasi-steady state using rotating magnetic fields (RMF). Recent campaigns include Ti gettering, the installation of a set of internal flux rings, and RMF frequency scans. The Ti gettering campaign was successful, reduced impurities, and reduced deuterium recycling from the walls allowing density control and hotter FRCs [J.A. Grossnickle et al., Phys. Plasmas 17, 032506 (2010)]. Internal flux rings have been installed to provide a uniform flux surface and minimize plasma-wall contact. Results from the internal flux ring operation and an additional Ti gettering campaign are reported. RMF frequencies of 123 kHz and 170 kHz have been investigated and initial results are reported.
Simulation of vertical Bridgman growth of benzene, a material with anisotropic solid-phase thermal conductivity

Many materials grown by Bridgman solidification have anisotropic solid-phase thermal conductivities. To date, computational simulation of directional solidification of these materials has accounted for conduction heat transfer in the melt and solid, and for phase change. We develop a computational model for steady axisymmetric Bridgman solidification of anisotropic materials that includes buoyancy-driven convection and shrinkage flow in the melt, and for conduction in the ampoule. The results are illustrated for benzene, for which the thermal conductivity has been measured parallel and perpendicular to the growth direction of directionally solidified specimens. We study the effects of anisotropy by performing computations using measured components of the thermal conductivity tensor, and by considering macroscopically isotropic (e.g., polycrystalline) solid benzene, as well as fictitious materials whose properties differ from those of benzene only in that they have a larger solid-phase conductivity in the direction of growth. Besides concave and convex interface shapes commonly associated with vertical Bridgman growth, we also find, for a range of solidification conditions, interface shapes that are neither convex nor concave. We find that increasing the conductivity parallel to the growth direction has the effect of planarizing the interface over a large central core, and increasing the curvature near the wall. The differences between our computations and those not accounting for buoyancy-driven and solidification shrinkage flow in Bridgman solidification of anisotropic materials are discussed.
A peak to peak frame synchronization algorithm for data frames transmitted asynchronously over fading channels

Space-division multiple access communication system architectures employing frame-switching, where ingress frames from one of N ingress ports are switched to one of N egress ports, can support the simultaneous transmission of data from multiple users. If the switched inputs have undergone channel fading, the frame switch may (incorrectly) switch ingress frames to (incorrect) egress ports. When frame switch errors occur, the egress port data streams may contain an incorrect number of data frames and/or erroneous frame sequence numbers resulting in frame synchronization problems at the end receiver associated with that particular egress port. A maximum-likelihood algorithm is employed to run at the end receiver to correctly recover frames and corresponding frames sequence numbers for proper frame synchronization.
Interleukin-2-activated lymphocytes from brain tumor patients: a comparison of two preparations generated in vitro

Two preparations of human recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2)-activated lymphocytes from patients harboring malignant brain tumors were characterized as autologous-stimulated lymphocytes (ASL) and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. ASL were generated from Ficoll-Paque-isolated, nonadherent, defibrinated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) that were stimulated overnight with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and cultured with rIL-2 (100 U/ml) for 10 days. LAK cells were produced by culturing all PBL in rIL-2 (500 U/ml) for 4 days. In 4-hour chromium release assays, LAK cells showed greater cytotoxicity than ASL against natural killer (NK)-sensitive and NK-resistant tumor cell lines; by 18 hours, the effectiveness of ASL equaled that of LAK cells. By electron microscopic study, PBL, LAK cells, and ASL showed differences. The helper/inducer to suppressor/cytotoxic ratio (T4+/T8+) of PBL, LAK cells, and ASL was 1.1:1, 1.0:1, and 0.4:1, respectively. ASL, when compared with PBL or LAK cells, have a significantly higher percentage of MO1+/DR+ and T8+/9.3+ subpopulations. ASL and LAK cells, used for the therapy of gliomas, are distinct.
Equilibrium treatment of spin-depolarizing modes in mass asymmetric heavy-ion systems

Abstract A two-sphere model is developed for the thermal excitation of spin-depolarizing modes in mass asymmetric heavy-ion systems. The effect of these modes on the spin distributions and the spin alignment of the fragments is investigated.
Why Have So Many Drugs with Stellar Results in Laboratory Stroke Models Failed in Clinical Trials

: The failure, in the clinic, of at least fourteen potential neuroprotective agents expected to aid in recovery from stroke, after studies in animal models had predicted that they would be successful, is examined in relation to principles of extrapolation of data from animals to humans. Allometric scaling of glutamate data, especially duration of elevated glutamate levels in CSF and plasma, is used to support a hypothesis that treatment needs to be extended for the time that glutamate is elevated in the individual patient. According to this scenario, trials should be restricted to patients with progressing stroke and associated elevated glutamate levels, and patients without elevated glutamate might show adverse effects of drug treatment if normal levels of glutamate, which may be associated with neuroprotection, are antagonized.
Thin-film encapsulation of the air-sensitive organic-based ferrimagnet vanadium tetracyanoethylene

The organic-based ferrimagnet vanadium tetracyanoethylene (V[TCNE]x∼2) has demonstrated potential for use in both microwave electronics and spintronics due to the combination of high temperature magnetic ordering (TC > 600 K), extremely sharp ferromagnetic resonance (peak to peak linewidth of 1 G), and low-temperature conformal deposition via chemical vapor deposition (deposition temperature of 50 °C). However, air-sensitivity leads to the complete degradation of the films within 2 h under ambient conditions, with noticeable degradation occurring within 30 min. Here, we demonstrate encapsulation of V[TCNE]x∼2 thin films using a UV-cured epoxy that increases film lifetime to over 710 h (30 days) as measured by the remanent magnetization. The saturation magnetization and Curie temperature decay more slowly than the remanence, and the coercivity is unchanged after 340 h (14 days) of air exposure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicates that the epoxy does not react with the film, and magnetometry m...
Active control of slow light on a chip with photonic crystal waveguides

It is known that light can be slowed down in dispersive materials near resonances. Dramatic reduction of the light group velocity-and even bringing light pulses to a complete halt-has been demonstrated recently in various atomic and solid state systems, where the material absorption is cancelled via quantum optical coherent effects. Exploitation of slow light phenomena has potential for applications ranging from all-optical storage to all-optical switching. Existing schemes, however, are restricted to the narrow frequency range of the material resonance, which limits the operation frequency, maximum data rate and storage capacity. Moreover, the implementation of external lasers, low pressures and/or low temperatures prevents miniaturization and hinders practical applications. Here we experimentally demonstrate an over 300-fold reduction of the group velocity on a silicon chip via an ultra-compact photonic integrated circuit using low-loss silicon photonic crystal waveguides that can support an optical mode with a submicrometre cross-section. In addition, we show fast (approximately 100 ns) and efficient (2 mW electric power) active control of the group velocity by localized heating of the photonic crystal waveguide with an integrated micro-heater.
Perspectives on software quality assurance (session QS4 addition): my perspective

The moderator has offered seven propositions relative to the meaning and conduct of effective software quality assurance. Although I find it difficult to give unqualified acceptance or rejection to any of these propositions, in response to the rules of the session I accept propositions 1, 2, 3 and 5 and reject 4, 6 and 7.After a number of years experience in the software quality arena, both in government and industry, I have come to the conclusion that the most important aspect of software quality assurance is to make a positive contribution to the objective of the software project. I define this objective as the development of a quality software product delivered on time and within budget. I further define a quality software product as one which meets customer requirements and provides usable service. In short my perspective of software quality assurance is one of contribution in contrast to the “righteousness of the cause.”To this end I suggest an “engineering analysis approach” to software quality. Such an approach can take the form of a typical engineering problem solving model with steps of problem formulation, problem analysis, search, decision, specification and implementation. Using such an approach the advocates for quality software can use empirical evidence to establish the contributions software quality assurance efforts make toward the software project objective.
DNA damage by fasicularin

Fasicularin is a structurally novel thiocyanate-containing alkaloid isolated from the ascidian Nephteis fasicularis. Early biological experiments suggested that this compound's cytotoxic properties may stem from its ability to damage cellular DNA. Sequence gel analysis reveals that treatment of a 5‘-32P-labeled DNA duplex with fasicularin in pH 7.0 buffer causes strand cleavage selectively at guanine residues. Further experiments indicate that production of these base-labile lesions in DNA involves alkylation of guanine residues by a fasicularin-derived aziridinium ion. This work reveals fasicularin as the first natural product found to generate a DNA-alkylating aziridinium ion via a mechanism analogous to the clinically used anticancer drugs mechlorethamine, melphalan, and chlorambucil.
Assimilation and stratification in the homeownership patterns of racial and ethnic groups.

This study investigates homeownership differences among twelve racial/ethnic groups using the Public Use Sample data (PUMS) of the 1980 census. The analysis draws inspiration from two broad ap? proaches in the literature on spatial processes?one approach is la? beled as "assimilation" and the other as "stratification"?and includes both individual-level and contextual determinants. The study identi? fies a number of differences among non-Hispanic whites, blacks, American Indians, and Asian and Hispanic groups in access to homeownership. Majority group members have the greatest probabil? ity of homeownership, net of compositional characteristics. They also are the most likely to be able to respond to the housing needs of married persons and households with children by buying a home, and they have one of the smallest disparities in ownership between persons of low and high income. Homeownership opportunities in the subur? ban portions of metropolitan areas have their greatest impact on majority group members, while minority homeownership is more responsive to die composition of the central-city housing stock. Nev? ertheless, for every group there is a strong correspondence between homeownership and various individual-level factors: age, household composition, socioeconomic position and language acculturation. The observed differences in ownership are substantially attenuated when group differences in some of these variables are controlled.
ATM evolution in wireless communication network infrastructure

The deployment of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) systems in the wireless network has been used for soft handoff (SHO). This adds benefits to the wireless network such as increased capacity, improved operation management, and migration to the 3G/IP unified network. This article is two folds. First, the network architecture and the benefits of utilizing the ATM systems in the current wireless PCS service providers' network are presented. Second the future of ATM systems, network architecture, and the emerging wireless backhaul access network are discussed.
The implementation and application of micro rollback in fault-tolerant VLSI systems

The authors present a technique, called micro rollback, which allows most of the performance penalty for concurrent error detection to be eliminated. Detection is performed in parallel with the transmission of information between modules, thus removing the delay for detection from the critical path. Erroneous information may thus reach its destination module several clock cycles before an error indication. Operations performed on this erroneous information are undone using a hardware mechanism for fast rollback of a few cycles. The authors discuss the implementation of a VLSI processor capable of micro rollback as well as several critical issues related to its use in a complete system. >
The politics of water scarcity in the western states

Abstract Water is a scarce and highly prized commodity in the arid Western states. Not surprisingly, water policy creation is very much a challenge for a number of reasons. Citizens hold multiple water values such as economic development and the protection of wildlife which are often contradictory. State prior appropriation laws are not easily reconciled with federal reserve rights and the public trust doctrine. There are multiple governmental and nongovernmental actors who work to influence and implement policy in a decentralized political system. If actors lose a policy battle in one decisionmaking arena (such as a legislature), they often try to influence policy at another venue (a court, Congress or an agency). Policymaking involves water issues that are dynamic over time. Furthermore, there are several types of water policy (distributive, allocative, redistributive and cooperative) that vary according to who pays costs and receives benefits, the level of conflict, the openness of decisionmaking to interested parties, and the level of government which dominates. Long ago, Mark Twain was correct when he said “Whiskey’s for drinking, water’s for fighting about.”
On the Independence of Compliance and Reliance: Are Automation False Alarms Worse Than Misses?

OBJECTIVE: Participants performed a tracking task and system monitoring task while aided by diagnostic automation. The goal of the study was to examine operator compliance and reliance as affected by automation failures and to clarify claims regarding independence of these two constructs. BACKGROUND: Background data revealed a trend toward nonindependence of the compliance-reliance constructs. METHOD: Thirty-two undergraduate students performed the simulation that presented the visual display while dependent measures were collected. RESULTS: False alarm-prone automation hurt overall performance more than miss-prone automation. False alarm-prone automation also clearly affected both operator compliance and reliance, whereas miss-prone automation appeared to affect only operator reliance. CONCLUSION: Compliance and reliance do not appear to be entirely independent of each other. APPLICATION: False alarms appear to be more damaging to overall performance than misses, and designers must take the compliance-reliance constructs into consideration. Language: en