cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peripheral expression of rod photoreceptor arrestin induces an epitope-specific, protective response against experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis.

Purpose: To examine the immunological basis for reduced susceptibility to experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in rats expressing retinal photoreceptor cell arrestin in the periphery. Methods: Peripheral expression of arrestin in Lewis rats was achieved by engraftment of syngeneic bone marrow (BM) transduced with retroviruses encoding wild-type arrestin or a mutant arrestin lacking the immunodominant epitope Arr273 − 289 (Δ 273-Arr). EAU was induced by immunization with arrestin peptides Arr273−289 or Arr343−362. Cultured splenocytes and/or lymphocytes from immunized rats were assayed for antigen-induced proliferation, antibody production, and cytokines. Results: Rats expressing Δ 273-Arr were not protected from Arr273 − 289-induced EAU, showing that protection was epitope specific. Proliferation assays found little difference in the ability of draining lymph node cells from arrestin-transduced rats to proliferate in response to the antigen, indicating that antigen-responsive T cells were not delet...
A combined first-principles/CALPHAD modeling of the Al-Ir system

Abstract A combined first-principles/CALPHAD approach was employed to model the thermodynamics of the Al–Ir system. Among the six intermetallic compounds in this system, the formation enthalpies of Al 9 Ir 2 , Al 3 Ir and AlIr were obtained from T = 0 K first-principles total energy calculations. The formation enthalpies of Al 45 Ir 13 , Al 13 Ir 4 and Al 2.7 Ir, whose structures are either unknown or too complicated for first-principles calculations, were estimated using a greedy algorithm developed in this study. The mixing enthalpies of Al 1− x Ir x face-centered cubic (fcc) alloys were calculated at x = 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 using the special quasirandom structure approach. The vibrational formation entropy of AlIr was also calculated using the supercell method within the harmonic and quasi-harmonic approximation, respectively. We demonstrated that, with the incorporation of first-principles energetics, a physically meaningful thermodynamic description of the Al–Ir system can be obtained even with very scarce experimental data. The predicted B2 and fcc two-phase equilibrium in the Al–Ir–Ni ternary system was also in reasonable agreement with experiments.
Chiral tetrathienylene: Synthesis and X-ray structure

Tetrakis(4-bromo-5-trimethylsilyl-2,3-thienylene) 1 with highly functionalized tetrathienylene ring may provide a building block for double helical oligothiophenes. Also, the tetrakis(2,3-thienylene) ring with relatively well-defined conformation provides an interesting probe for cross-conjugation and conjugation between thiophenes. Synthesis and X-ray structure of chiral tetrathienylene, tetrakis(4-bromo-5-trimethylsilyl-2,3-thienylene) 1, are reported. Treatment of 5,5′-bis(trimethylsilyl)-4,4′-dibromo-3,3′-bithienyl with LDA, followed by oxidative coupling provided 1. The compound crystallizes with one chloroform molecule per formula unit in the chiral space group P21212 and is merohedrally twinned. The presence of four bromine atoms in the two bay areas of 1 leads to increased out-of-plane twisting (∼ 60°) of the chiral π-system along the β, β-linkages (CC bonds between the β-positions of thiophenes) within 3,3′-bithienylene units, compared to out-of-plane twisting (∼46°) in the parent tetrakis(2,3-th...
Microelectromechanical Systems and Nephrology: The Next Frontier in Renal Replacement Technology

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are playing a prominent role in the development of many new and innovative biomedical devices, but they remain a relatively underused technology in nephrology. The future landscape of clinical medicine and research will only see further expansion of MEMS-based technologies in device designs and applications. This enthusiasm stems from the ability to create small-scale device features with high precision in a cost-effective manner. MEMS also offers the possibility to integrate multiple components into a single device. The adoption of MEMS has the potential to revolutionize how nephrologists manage kidney disease by improving the delivery of renal replacement therapies and enhancing the monitoring of physiologic parameters. To introduce nephrologists to MEMS, this review will first define relevant terms and describe the basic processes used to fabricate devices. Next, a survey of MEMS devices being developed for various biomedical applications will be illustrated with current examples. Finally, MEMS technology specific to nephrology will be highlighted and future applications will be examined. The adoption of MEMS offers novel avenues to improve the care of kidney disease patients and assist nephrologists in clinical practice. This review will serve as an introduction for nephrologists to the exciting world of MEMS.
Millimeter-wave absorption in La-Ba-Cu-O and Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors.

Millimeter-wave absorption in the new high-T/sub c/ superconducting materials La-Ba-Cu-O and Y-Ba-Cu-O has been studied at a frequency of 80 GHz over the temperature range 4--300 K and in the presence of magnetic fields 0--5.5 T. It is found that there are strong correlations between the changes in microwave absorption and the superconducting transitions at 30 K for La-Ba-Cu-O and at 90 K for Y-Ba-Cu-O samples. The Y-Ba-Cu-O samples display additional microwave features near 250 K which may be associated with a higher-temperature superconductivity.
The growth of piezoelectric alpha quartz crystals

Abstract The emergence of cellular and satellite networks is the driving force for high frequency, smaller, cost effective resonators. Smaller device geometries demand improved uniformity in quartz material. To achieve this, renewed interest in the hydrothermal growth process is surfacing, encouraging the employment of computer modeling of the fluid dynamic and kinetic interactions of the growth process. Investigations of the processes used to prepare material for ‘end’ use are affected primarily by the point defect level range of the material entering the system. The defect level generated by the processing method employed can account for up to 10% of the total yield loss. With the ever increasing use of photolithography in quartz component manufacture, etch channel and dislocation densities play a critical role, as does etch pit formation.
Collaboration with the local community

Colleges and universities continually search for ways to enhance the safety and security of their educational programs and physical plant. This chapter examines how the University of Southern California and other institutions are using collaborative efforts with the local community to enhance their mutual safety and security through dynamic partnerships and expanded service learning, volunteer, and teaching experiences for students, faculty, staff, and campus neighbors.
Ceratopsid dinosaurs from the Upper Cretaceous Almond Formation of southwestern Wyoming

The 1937 American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)–Sinclair Oil Company joint expedition to the late Campanian and early Maastrichtian Almond Formation of the Rock Springs Uplift, southern Wyoming, recovered two ceratopsid cranial specimens. AMNH 3652, a partial skull lacking the frill, is characterized by elongate, procurving postorbital horns and a deep rostrum. Although the specimen cannot be identified to the generic or specific level, it appears to be closely related to the clade of chasmosaurine ceratopsids including Anchiceratops, Arrhinoceratops, Diceratops, Torosaurus , and Triceratops , exclusive of Pentaceratops and Chasmosaurus . AMNH 3656, a frill fragment, is characterized by large, triangular marginal processes and an average thickness in excess of 40 mm. This specimen is similar to previously reported frills from Anchiceratops . The ceratopsid specimens from the Almond Formation are significant because they represent two early occurrences of chasmosaurine ceratopsids as well as a unique occurrence in southern Wyoming. Present address: Department of Anatomical Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, U.S.A. email: afarke{at}ic.sunysb.edu
Central pain mechanisms in the rheumatic diseases: future directions.

Pain is a prominent component of many rheumatologic conditions, and is the result of a complex physiologic interaction of central and peripheral nervous system signaling that results in a highly individualized symptom complex. Pain is frequently categorized as acute or chronic (generally greater than three months duration). Chronic pain is not simply acute pain that has lasted longer, and is more likely to be influenced by input from the central nervous system, whereas acute pain is often attributable primarily to inflammation and/or damage in peripheral structures (i.e., nociceptive input). The prominent role of central factors in chronic pain is highlighted by the fact that there is currently no chronic pain condition in which the degree of tissue inflammation or damage alone (e.g., as measured by radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or endoscopy) accurately predicts the presence or severity of pain. Central factors alter pain processing by setting the “gain”, such that when peripheral input is present, it is processed against a background of central factors that can enhance or diminish the experience of pain. There are very large inter-individual differences in these central nervous system factors that influence pain perception, such that some individuals with significant peripheral nociceptive input (e.g. from joint damage or inflammation) will feel little or no pain, whereas others are very pain sensitive, and they can experience pain with minimal or no identifiable abnormal peripheral nociceptive input. This emerging knowledge has important implications for pain management in individuals with chronic rheumatologic disorders.
Linking Laboratory and Field Approaches in Studying the Evolutionary Physiology of Biting in Bamboo Lemurs

A realistic understanding of primate morphological adaptations requires a multidisciplinary approach including experimental studies of physiological performance and field studies documenting natural behaviors and reproductive success. For primate feeding, integrative efforts combining experimental and ecological approaches are rare. We discuss methods for collecting maximum bite forces in the field as part of an integrated ecomorphological research design. Specifically, we compare maximum biting ability in 3 sympatric bamboo lemurs (Hapalemur simus, H. aureus, and H. griseus) at Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar to determine if biting performance contributes to the observed partitioning of a shared bamboo diet. We assessed performance by recording maximum bite forces via jaw-muscle stimulations in anesthetized subjects from each species. Behavioral observations and food properties testing show that the largest species, Hapalemur simus, consumes the largest and most mechanically challenging foods. Our results suggest that Hapalemur simus can generate larger bite forces on average than those of the 2 smaller species. However, the overlap in maximum biting ability between Hapalemur simus and H. aureus indicates that biting performance cannot be the sole factor driving dietary segregation. Though maximum bite force does not fully explain dietary segregation, we hypothesize that size-related increases in both maximum bite force and jaw robusticity provide Hapalemur simus with an improved ability to process routinely its more obdurate diet. We demonstrate the feasibility of collecting physiological, ecological, and morphological data on the same free-ranging primates in their natural habitats. Integrating traditionally laboratory-based approaches with field studies broadens the range of potential primate species for physiological research and fosters improved tests of hypothesized feeding adaptations.
A unified framework for supervised learning of semantic models

Patterns of interest in dynamical systems are often represented by a number of semantic features such as probabilistic finite state automata (PFSA) and cross machines over possibly different alphabets. Previous publications have reported a Hilbert space formulation of PFSA over the same alphabet. This paper introduces an isomorphism between the Hilbert space of PFSA and the Euclidean space to improve the computational efficiency of algebraic operations. Furthermore, this formulation is extended to cross machines and it shows that these semantic features can be structured in a unified mathematical framework. In this framework, an algorithm of supervised learning is formulated for generating semantic features in the setting of linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The proposed algorithm has the flexibility for adaptation under different environments by tuning a set of parameters that can be updated autonomously or be specified by the human user. The proposed algorithm has been validated on real-life data for target detection as applied to border control.
HLA and Mate Choice

Evidence from studies in rodents suggests that mate selection is influenced by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotypes, with preferences for dissimilar partners. We initiated studies to determine whether avoidance of a mate with the same HLA haplotype as one’s own might be occurring in the Hutterites, a reproductive isolate of European origins. Previously, we reported a statistically significant deficiency of couples matching for 1 or more haplotypes among 411 couples with known HLA haplotypes defined by serology (Ober, Weitkamp, Cox, Dytch, Kostyu, & Elias, 1997). In this report, matching for 5-lo-cus, 11-locus and 16-locus HLA haplotypes defined by serological, molecular, and biochemical methods, we considered the same 411 couples. Using the same two methods for estimating the number of couples expected to match for a haplotype as we did in our earlier report, fewer couples than expected matched for a haplotype (first method, using population genotype frequencies, P = 0.0023-0.0035; second method, using computer simulations, P = 0.001-0.049). These results are consistent with the conclusion that Hutterite mate choice is influenced by HLA haplotypes, with an avoidance of spouses with haplotypes that are the same as one’s own.
Nonoxidative Methane Conversion to Acetylene over Zeolite in a Low Temperature Plasma

Previous investigations have found that the plasma catalytic conversion of methane is a low-temperature process for the activation of methane, the major component of natural gas. In this paper, the production of acetylene via plasma catalytic conversion of methane over NaY zeolite is discussed. Hydrogen is produced as a by-product during this plasma catalytic methane conversion. A methane/hydrogen feed with oxygen as an additive and helium as a diluent has been studied in this investigation. The CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2}/O{sub 2} system is found to be more selective for the production of C{sub 2} hydrocarbons, compared to the CH{sub 4}/O{sub 2}, CH{sub 4}H{sub 2}O, and CH{sub 4}/CO{sub 2} systems reported previously. A higher hydrogen concentration feed is more favorable for acetylene formation. The selectivity and yield of C{sub 2} hydrocarbons are related to the hydrogen feed rate, gas temperature, concentration of oxygen additive, and flowrate. The highest yield of C{sub 2} hydrocarbons (32%) is obtained at the lowest flowrate used (10 cm{sup 3}/s; residence time {approximately}2.3 s). A reaction mechanism is also presented to explain the experimental results.
The complex polynomial method with a least-squares fit to boundary conditions.

We present a new application of the complex polynomial method variant of the complex variable boundary element method. Instead of fitting the boundary conditions using collocation points, we minimize the error of fit in the l2 norm to minimize the least-squares error. This approach greatly enhances the utility and efficiency of the method, allowing us to apply the method to a variety of engineering problems. Numerical solutions of partial differential equations (PDE) involving the Laplace or Poisson equations are important topics in engineering, physics, and applied mathematics. Some applications include heat transport, Fickian diffusion, groundwater flow, contaminant flow in groundwater, stress–strain including torsion in shafts, and electrostatics. The most popular numerical techniques used to approximate solutions to such boundary value problems of these PDE include real variable boundary element methods and the domain methods of finite-difference, finiteelement methods.
A Study of Air Quality in the Southeastern Hampton–Norfolk–Virginia Beach Region with Airborne Lidar Measurements and MODIS Aerosol Optical Depth Retrievals

Abstract A study of air quality was performed using a compact, aircraft aerosol lidar designed in the Science Directorate at NASA Langley Research Center and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrievals. Five flights of lidar measurements conducted in the Hampton–Norfolk–Virginia Beach, Virginia, region showed complex regional aerosol distributions. Comparisons with MODIS AOD at 10 km × 10 km and 5 km × 5 km resolutions show good agreement, with correlation R2 values of 0.82 and 0.88, respectively. Linear regressions of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and AOD within the ranges of 5–40 μg m−3 and 0.05–0.7, respectively, result in R2 values of ∼0.64 and ∼0.82 for MODIS and the Compact Aerosol Lidar, respectively. The linear regressions reflect approximately 51 μg m−3 to 1 AOD. These relationships are in agreement with previous findings for air pollution aerosols in the eastern United States and in northern Italy. However, large v...
Legendre coefficients for series solution of the orientation distribution function for ellipsoidal macromolecules in two-dimensional laminar flow

Abstract The double refraction and viscosity of a suspension of asymmetrical colloidal particles subject to continuous laminar flow vary with the orientation distribution of the suspended particles produced by the shearing field and Brownian motion. Recursion formulas are developed for the Legendre coefficients of the series solution of the orientation distribution function for a suspension subject to two-dimensional laminar flow, thus, extending the works of Peterlin, Wayland, and Scheraga.
Correction Of SAR-Induced Distortion In Seasat Imagery

In the digital analysis of SEASAT synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery of ocean waves, it is desirable to first correct sensor-induced geometric distortions. Chief among these is the nonlinear range distortion due to the presentation of optically-processed SAR imagery in the slant range plane. For the average SEASAT case of 200 incident illumination angle, range distances are severely compressed, leading to inordinately short wave periods in the imagery's range direction. An efficient digital filtering algorithm that accurately corrects for this distortion has been developed; from a set of equally-spaced slant plane digitized samples the algorithm produces a set of equally-spaced ground plane samples using a table look-up filtering procedure. Consequently, customary FFTs, which operate on uniformly sampled data, may be employed in detecting dominant wave periods and directions from the geometrically corrected SAR imagery. Further, by converting imagery collected at differing illumination angles to a common coordinate system, the correction makes possible a useful comparison of spectra obtained from nonoverlapping image regions, thereby increasing the reliability of the detection decision.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Growth of deformation twins in zinc crystals

Abstract The incorporation of slip dislocations at the coherent twin boundary has been analysed for the (112) [111] type twins in hexagonal close-packed zinc crystal by applying matrix algebra. The effects of the various dislocation incorporation processes on the growth and untwinning of the existing twin are discussed from the geometric and the energetic points of view. The results indicate that for the (112) [111] twin a basal screw dislocation in the matrix with [110] Burgers vector may cross glide onto the basal plane in the twin without causing the twin either to grow or to shrink, whereas a pair of [100] mixed dislocations of the basal slip system or a [111] mixed dislocation of the second-order pyramidal slip system can be incorporated only into the corresponding {100} first-order prism plane in the twin leaving a double twin dislocation at the coherent twin boundary. Other second-order pyramidal slip dislocations would have to be incorporated into high index planes of the twin to become sessile di...
Effects of initial severity of dysfunctional thinking on the outcome of cognitive therapy

The relation between initial severity of dysfunctional thinking and response to cognitive therapy was examined. Participants from four studies were pooled (n = 133) and the relations between the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, Cognitive Error Questionnaire, and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression were examined. Results failed to replicate previous findings of a poorer response to treatment for participants higher in dysfunctional thinking. Failure to replicate was observed across subsamples varying in age and treatment modality. Cognitive therapy may not be contraindicated for persons evidencing higher levels of dysfunctional thinking.
Pheromone Orientation: Role of Internal Control Mechanisms

Male American cockroaches walk a zigzag path upwind toward a source of female sex pheromone. Although the maximum width of the pathway is regulated by the width of an odor plume, many turns are made before the edge of a wide plume is encountered. In addition to the pheromone regulation of the insect's orientation movements, an internal mechanism appears to influence the zigzag turning pattern.
A correlation-based interpolation algorithm for division-of-focal-plane polarization sensors

We propose an interpolation algorithm for Division-of-Focal-Plane (DoFP) polarimeters based on the correlation between neighboring pixels. DoFP polarimeters monolithically integrate pixelated nanowire polarization filters with an array of imaging elements. DoFP sensors have been realized in the visible and near-infrared regime. The advantages of DoFP sensors are twofold. First, they capture polarization information at every frame. Second, they are compact and robust. The main disadvantage is the loss of spatial resolution due to the super-pixel sampling paradigm at the focal plane. These sensors produce four low-resolution images, where each image has been recorded by a linear polarization filter offset by 45 degrees. Our algorithm addresses the loss of spatial resolution by utilizing the correlation information between the four polarization pixels in a super-pixel configuration. The method is based on the following premise: if one or more of three polarization parameters (angle of polarization, degree of polarization, and intensity) are known for a spatial neighborhood, then the unknown pixel values for the 0° image, for example, can be computed from the intensity values from the 45°, 90° and 135° images. The proposed algorithm is applied to select cases and found to outperform the bicubic spline interpolation method.
Advances in tissue engineering of blood vessels and other tissues

Tissue engineering is a new and rapidly expanding field, in which techniques are being developed for culturing a variety of tissues both in vitro and in vivo using polymer 'scaffolds' to support tissue growth. Polymer scaffolds used in tissue engineering are generally biodegradable, often involving compounds which are already approved for human implantation. In some cases, these polymers may be chemically modified to exhibit selective cell adhesion properties, which enhance cell attachment and subsequent tissue growth. Many cell types have been successfully cultured on these scaffolds, including smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, hepatocytes and chondrocytes. Tissue engineering holds the potential for the in vitro development of autologous or allogeneic transplantable vascular conduits. Each year in the USA, there are approximately 1.4 million procedures performed which require arterial prostheses. Most of these procedures are in small calibre (< 6 mm) vessels, for which synthetic graft materials are not generally suitable. While autologous venous or arterial vessels are generally used, not all patients possess adequate conduit for revascularization. Tubular scaffolds have been specially designed for culturing small calibre arteries in vitro. Bovine aortic vascular cells were seeded and cultured on these polymer scaffolds, and grown under conditions of pulsatile pressure and intra-luminal flow. To minimize contamination during the weeks of tissue culture required to produce an arterial prosthesis, a sterile incubator system was developed. Preliminary studies have achieved good cell densities of both smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells on biodegradable polymer scaffolds.
Linear Functions of Concomitants of Order Statistics with Application to Nonparametric Estimation of a Regression Function

Abstract Let (Xi , Yi )(i = 1, 2, …, n) be independent identically distributed as (X, Y). Then the rth ordered X variate is denoted by Xr:n and the associated Y variate, the concomitant of the rth order statistic, by Y [r:n]. This paper considers statistics of the form and more generally of the form , where J is a bounded smooth function and may depend on n. Under certain regularity conditions, the asymptotic normality of these statistics is established. These statistics are used to construct consistent estimators of various conditional quantities, for example E(Y | X = x), P(Y ∈ A | X = x) and var(Y | X = x).
Modulated Optical Crystals as Computer-Generated Volume Holograms

The optical properties of modulated three-dimensional periodic structures are studied and different encoding techniques are proposed. The structures are fabricated using femtosecond laser pulses to modify the refractive index in the volume of dielectric materials.
Hormonal contraceptive use and response to antiretroviral therapy among adolescent females

Abstract Background To assess hormonal contraceptive use and response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) as measured by changes in HIV-1 RNA viral load (VL) and CD4 + cell counts in HIV positive female adolescents on ART. Material and Methods This study used prospective longitudinal data from the REACH cohort to compare the response to ART in adolescent females using hormonal contraception to the response to ART in adolescent females not using hormonal contraception. Outcome measures were VL and CD4 + T cell counts assessed every 3 months. The association between hormonal contraception exposure and the response to ART was assessed using repeated measures multivariate analysis while adjusting for additional covariates. Results The majority of participants were African American (73%). Median baseline age was 17 years (IQR 16 – 18). VL of ART users decreased over time in both hormonal contraception users (−0.0152 log copies/ml per day) and non-users (−0.0154 log copies/ml per day). However, the decrease was slightly lower (1.2 × 10 −3 , 95%CI: 6.2 × 10 −5 –2.4 × 10 −3 copies/ml log VL per day, p -value = 0.03) among hormonal contraceptive users. Conclusions This study shows a significant association between hormonal contraception use and a diminished response to ART. However, the impact of hormonal contraception on HIV-1 acquisition, progression, and treatment is still not clear.
Towards a net-zero data center

A world consisting of billions of service-oriented client devices and thousands of data centers can deliver a diverse range of services, from social networking to management of our natural resources. However, these services must scale in order to meet the fundamental needs of society. To enable such scaling, the total cost of ownership of the data centers that host the services and comprise the vast majority of service delivery costs will need to be reduced. As energy drives the total cost of ownership of data centers, there is a need for a new paradigm in design and management of data centers that minimizes energy used across their lifetimes, from “cradle to cradle”. This tutorial article presents a blueprint for a “net-zero data center”: one that offsets any electricity used from the grid via adequate on-site power generation that gets fed back to the grid at a later time. We discuss how such a data center addresses the total cost of ownership, illustrating that contrary to the oft-held view of sustainability as “paying more to be green”, sustainable data centers—built on a framework that focuses on integrating supply and demand management from end-to-end—can concurrently lead to lowest cost and lowest environmental impact.
Predictors of Reading Comprehension in Children with Cerebral Palsy and Typically Developing Children

Predictors of reading comprehension were evaluated in 41 children with cerebral palsy and 74 typically developing children between the ages of 6 and 12 years. Regression analyses were conducted to determine the relative contributions of measures of phonemic awareness, receptive vocabulary, and general reasoning to variance in reading comprehension. All three independent variables were statistically significant predictors of reading comprehension in both groups of participants. The impact of phonemic awareness on reading comprehension was moderated by age, but only in the typically developing group. Within the group with cerebral palsy, there was an indirect effect of functional expressive ability on reading comprehension, mediated by phonemic awareness. It is concluded that largely the same variables predict reading comprehension in children with cerebral palsy as in typically developing children, but that children with cerebral palsy continue to rely on phonological processing for a more protracted perio...
New Developments in Radar and Radio Sensors for Aircraft Navigation

Recent developments in airborne Doppler and ground mapping navigation radars and ground and satellite based radio systems are described. Simultaneous lobing and slope tracking techniques can remove the well-known Doppler sea bias error in fast and slowly moving vehicles. Doppler velocity information can be extracted from coherent forward-looking mapping radars, and high position fixing accuracy can be achieved by synthetic aperture radars. In radio navigation systems, such as Loran, Omega, and satellite systems, direct-ranging and differential techniques greatly reduce the geometric dilution and propagation effects which have plagued conventional radio navigation systems. The advantages gained by mixing of the data from these and other navigation sensors in a digital multisensor system are discussed and approaches for processing these data are suggested.
Coupling of Ribosomal L1 Stalk and tRNA Dynamics during Translation Elongation

By using single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET), we observe the real-time dynamic coupling between the ribosome, labeled at the L1 stalk, and transfer RNA (tRNA). We find that an interaction between the ribosomal L1 stalk and the newly deacylated tRNA is established spontaneously upon peptide bond formation; this event involves coupled movements of the L1 stalk and tRNAs as well as ratcheting of the ribosome. In the absence of elongation factor G, the entire pretranslocation ribosome fluctuates between just two states: a nonratcheted state, with tRNAs in their classical configuration and no L1 stalk-tRNA interaction, and a ratcheted state, with tRNAs in an intermediate hybrid configuration and a direct L1 stalk-tRNA interaction. We demonstrate that binding of EF-G shifts the equilibrium toward the ratcheted state. Real-time smFRET experiments reveal that the L1 stalk-tRNA interaction persists throughout the translocation reaction, suggesting that the L1 stalk acts to direct tRNA movements during translocation.
Polysensory and cortico-cortical projections to frontal lobe of squirrel and rhesus monkeys

Abstract The frontal lobe of the chloralose-anesthetized squirrel monkey was explored in detail for responses to brief auditory, photic and somatic stimuli. Similar but less detailed observations were made on the macaque. 1. 1. Four responsive areas were found, in: (a) fronto-opercular cortex, perhaps extending deep into insula; (b) orbital cortex, and (c) two polysensory areas (a post- and a pre-arcuate one) on the superior frontal surface extending onto the medial wall. The dorsal areas were confirmed in the macaque; the others were not explored. 2. 2. The responses of the various modalities interacted with each other, so probably represent activation of neuron pools common to all modalities tested. 3. 3. Electrical stimulation in the vicinity of primary sensory areas revealed projections from these to the dorsal frontal region responsive to sensory stimulation. The responses were still present after thalamectomy, suggesting cortico-cortical rather than cortico-thalamo-cortical pathways. With the exception of somato-frontal connections, the projections probably originate from sensory “association” areas rather than from the anatomically defined primary cortex. 4. 4. The primary sensory areas are not essential for elicitation of non-primary sensory responses in frontal lobe. 5. 5. The frontal polysensory responses reversed polarity in white matter under the recording site, in unanesthetized as well as anesthetized monkeys.
Geometrical models for symmetrical tilt boundaries in L12 ordered compounds

Abstract A modified hard sphere model and coincident site lattice theory were used to analyze the possible configurations of symmetrical tilt boundaries in compounds with the L12 structure. The minimum allowed interatomic distances used in the model were estimated from the structures of stable intermetallic phases in the corresponding binary system. Two different compounds were analyzed, Cu3Au and Ni3Al. For Cu3Au, the grain boundary structures obtained were similar to those reported by other investigators for pure f.c.c. metals. Several boundaries were found to present two possible structures, differing in composition and ordering state. The contribution of disordering to the grain boundary energy was calculated in a point approximation based on the first coordination shell. For compounds of the Ni3Al type the grain boundary structures that are most dense were found to be generally different from configuration of boundaries in pure f.c.c. metals and Cu3Au. These configurations preserve order, but are less dense. The possibility of grain boundary “phases” that are not present in other f.c.c. materials may constitute an explanation for the extreme g.b. weakness observed in Ni3Al and other L12 compounds with high ordering energy.
Expression Profiling of Autism Candidate Genes during Human Brain Development Implicates Central Immune Signaling Pathways

The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) represent a clinically heterogeneous set of conditions with strong hereditary components. Despite substantial efforts to uncover the genetic basis of ASD, the genomic etiology appears complex and a clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying Autism remains elusive. We hypothesized that focusing gene interaction networks on ASD-implicated genes that are highly expressed in the developing brain may reveal core mechanisms that are otherwise obscured by the genomic heterogeneity of the disorder. Here we report an in silico study of the gene expression profile from ASD-implicated genes in the unaffected developing human brain. By implementing a biologically relevant approach, we identified a subset of highly expressed ASD-candidate genes from which interactome networks were derived. Strikingly, immune signaling through NFκB, Tnf, and Jnk was central to ASD networks at multiple levels of our analysis, and cell-type specific expression suggested glia—in addition to neurons—deserve consideration. This work provides integrated genomic evidence that ASD-implicated genes may converge on central cytokine signaling pathways.
Oceanographic events during el nino.

El Nino events, the most spectacular instances of interannual variability in the ocean, have profound consequences for climate and the ocean ecosystem. The 1982-1983 El Nino is perhaps the strongest in this century. El Nino events usually have followed a predictable pattern, but the recent event differs markedly. The physical oceanography of this El Nino is described and compared with that of earlier events.
Mechanism of action of cesalin, an antitumor protein.

Abstract A protein, cesalin, isolated from Caesalpinia gilliesii is cytotoxic to KB cells in tissue culture. It has been shown to bind to the plasma membrane of this cell line and to inhibit Na+, K+-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase EC 3.6.1.3). Similar studies with HTC cells show no cytotoxicity or inhibition of plasma membrane Na+, K+-ATPase. The Na+, K+-ATPase of human erythrocytes and rat brain and kidney tissues are not inhibited. 5′-Nucleotidase and Mg++-ATPase are not inhibited by cesalin in any cells tested.
Binding studies as an approach to the study of intestinal transport.

s 11:276a, 1971 40. Martin DL, DeLuca HF: Calcium transport and the role of vitamin D. Arch Biochem Biophys 34:139-148, 1969 41. Younoszai MK, Urban E, Schedl HP: Vitamin D and the mechanism of intestinal calcium transport. Gastroenterology 60:810, 1971 42. Holick MF, Schnoes HK, DeLuca HF: Identification of 1, 25-dihydroxy-cholecalciferol, a form of vitamin D, metabolically active in the intestine. Proc Nat! Acad Sci USA 68:803-
Impact of an alien octocoral, Carijoa riisei, on black corals in Hawaii

In 2001 Carijoa riisei, an octocoral native to the tropical Western Atlantic, was discovered overgrowing black corals in the Au’au Channel in Hawaii. In this paper data from a 2001 survey are reanalyzed and combined with new data from 2003 and 2004 to assess the ecological impact in greater detail. C. riisei differentially affected reproductively mature black coral colonies with maximum impact between 80 and 105 m. The pattern of C. riisei overgrowth on black corals and C. riisei on the substrata appears to be bounded by high irradiance in shallow water and cold temperature in deep water. Evidence suggests that the C. riisei settlement on black corals is facilitated by other epifauna. Once established, C. riisei spreads vegetatively and smothers the coral. The success of the C. riisei invasion appears to be unaided by anthropogenic disturbance and is at least partially attributable to Hawaii’s depauperate shallow-water (<100 m) octocoral fauna.
Interior noise considerations for powered-lift STOL aircraft

Several powered‐lift configurations which are currently under development for future use on STOL aircraft involve impingement of the jet engine exhaust onto wing and flap surfaces. Previous studies have suggested that the impinging jet produces higher noise levels at lower frequencies than does the jet alone. These higher levels, together with the closer proximity of the engine and flap noise sources to the fuselage sidewall than for present‐day jet aircraft, suggest that the noise levels in these aircraft may be high enough to interfere with passenger comfort. To investigate this possibility, interior noise levels were estimated for both “upper surface blown” (USB) and “externally blown flap” (EBF) configurations. The estimated levels were found to be very high, especially at low frequencies, compared with interior noise levels found on existing commercial jet aircraft. As a result of this finding, a research program has been initiated to develop better understanding of low‐frequency noise transmission through aircraft fuselage structures and to develop prediction and control technology for application to power‐lift STOL aircraft. This paper describes the interior noise estimation procedure, compares the estimated levels with levels on existing jets and other transportation modes, and describes the recently initiated research program.
The profile of successful applicants for endocrine surgery fellowships: results of a national survey

BACKGROUND: The American Association of Endocrine Surgeons initiated a fellowship match in 2007. The profile of applicants who successfully match into an endocrine surgery (ES) fellowship has not previously been characterized. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved, web-based survey was distributed to recent and current ES fellows. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 62% (56/90). The overall mean age was 33 years (standard deviation 63), 54% were female, and 37% self-identified as non-white. Only 5% entered their surgical training with the aim of specializing in ES. During residency, respondents were exposed to high volumes of index ES cases. Sixty-two percent had dedicated research time. At the time of fellowship application, the median number of publications was 5 (range, 0 to 25), and 30% of respondents had additional advanced degrees. CONCLUSION: Entering ES fellows has diverse backgrounds, with strong academic credentials. These data help inform the career mentoring of aspiring ES applicants.
Regulation of ROMK by Extracellular Cations

The effect of external potassium (K) and cesium (Cs) on the inwardly rectifying K channel ROMK2 (Kir1.1b) was studied in Xenopus oocytes. Elevating external K from 1 to 10 mM increased whole-cell outward conductance by a factor of 3.4 6 0.4 in 15 min and by a factor of 5.7 6 0.9 in 30 min (n 5 22). Replacing external Na by Cs blocked inward conductance but increased whole-cell conductance by a factor of 4.5 6 0.5 over a period of 40 min (n 5 15). In addition to this slow increase in conductance, there was also a small, rapid increase in conductance that occurred as soon as ROMK was exposed to external cesium or 10 mM K. This rapid increase could be explained by the observed increase in ROMK single-channel conductance from 6.4 6 0.8 pS to 11.1 6 0.8 pS (10 mM K, n 5 8) or 11.7 6 1.2 pS (Cs, n 5 8). There was no effect of either 10 mM K or cesium on the high open probability (Po 5 0.97 6 0.01; n 5 12) of ROMK outward currents. In patch-clamp recordings, the number of active channels increased when the K concentration at the outside surface was raised from 1 to 50 mM K. In cell-attached patches, exposure to 50 mM external K produced one or more additional channels in 9/16 patches. No change in channel number was observed in patches continuously exposed to 50 mM external K. Hence, the slow increase in whole-cell conductance is interpreted as activation of pre-existing ROMK channels that had been inactivated by low external K. This type of time-dependent channel activation was not seen with IRK1 (Kir2.1) or in ROMK2 mutants in which any one of 6 residues, F129, Q133, E132, V121, L117, or K61, were replaced by their respective IRK1 homologs. These results are consistent with a model in which ROMK can exist in either an activated mode or an inactivated mode. Within the activated mode, individual channels undergo rapid transitions between open and closed states. High (10 mM) external K or Cs stabilizes the activated mode, and low external K stabilizes the inactivated mode. Mutation of a pH-sensing site (ROMK2-K61) prevents transitions from activated to inactivated modes. This is consistent with a direct effect of external K or Cs on the gating of ROMK by internal pH.
Forensic casework in contemporary perspective

Recent developments have changed forensic casework in largely positive ways. New technology, expanded databases, enhanced statistical treatment and improved laboratory procedures enable better in- terpretation of evidentiary analysis and more thoughtful summaries presented in reports and testimony. Increased scrutiny has focused attention on the need for advancement in forensic science through research and structural adjustments.
Intersexual conflict during mate guarding in an androdioecious crustacean

Traditional interpretations of mating behaviors assume cooperation between the sexes. The field of sexual conflict provides a contrasting view: The sexes are commonly in conflict because they diverge in benefits/costs of reproduction. Precopulatory mate guarding, wherein males attempt to monopolize mates by physically pairing before fertilization, is one expected case of conflict. Initial guarding models focused mainly on male reproductive success, considering mate guarding as a pure male mating strategy. Intersexual conflict models instead consider costs and benefits for both sexes. We provide new insights exploiting a promising study system for intersexual conflict: the androdioecious crustacean Eulimnadia texana. Androdioecy (coexistence of males and hermaphrodites) provides unique opportunities to test sexual conflict hypotheses because hermaphrodites can facultatively self-fertilize. The ability to self-fertilize is expected to decrease the benefits of mating with males, whereas it is less likely to affect guarding costs. This asymmetry can thus intensify conflicts, which can be easily detected, if present. We show that hermaphrodites suffer higher costs than males during a guarding event and thus prefer shorter guarding times, whereas males, seeking to avoid loss of mating opportunities, prefer longer guarding times. Moreover, larger male size (relative to hermaphrodite size) confers greater control over hermaphrodites, leading to increased guarding durations. As sexual conflict theory predicts, guarded mates are not ‘‘passive’’ interactors but struggle to maximize their own fitness. The result of the conflict is a compromised guarding time that differs from the optimal strategy of either single sex. Key words: androdioecy, Eulimnadia texana, intersexual conflicts, mate guarding. [Behav Ecol]
Sheath thickness evaluation for collisionless or weakly collisional bounded plasmas

The widely used Child-Langmuir law for sheath thickness evaluation in semi-infinite collisionless plasmas makes the assumptions of quasi-neutrality (n/sub e/=n/sub i/) and zero electric field intensity E=0 at the sheath edge, as well as applying the Bohm criterion for ions entering the sheath. However, through a whole region fluid model, Poisson's equation has been solved numerically for the steady-state solution through the sheath and presheath without these assumptions. With the sheath edge defined, as in the Child-Langmuir law, at the place where the ion velocity is equal to the Bohm velocity, the sheath thickness of a bounded collisionless or weakly collisional plasma has been found with this model in some cases to be much larger than that obtained with the Child-Langmuir Law. The sheath thickness discrepancy is significant under conditions found in low pressure high density plasma (HDP) tools for plasma processing. Results presented indicate that the sheath thickness is very sensitive to the electric field and space charge density at the sheath edge. The electric field and space charge density can be successfully estimated by an intermediate scale matching method, and are used to derive a modified expression for the potential in the sheath that can be solved numerically for sheath thickness. With these results, the matching problem, arising when sheath and plasma are modeled separately, can be overcome.