cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of promoter activity of cotton lipid transfer protein gene LTP6 in transgenic tobacco plants

A cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) genomic clone (1.7-kb DNA insert) harboring the lipid transfer gene Ltp6 specifically expressed in fiber cells had been previously isolated and characterized. By using PCR amplification, the 447 bp Ltp6 promoter and a series of 5% deletions of the promoter were generated and cloned into a pBI101 plasmid upstream of the GUS (b-glucuronidase) reporter gene. These constructs were introduced into Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404, and leaf disks of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) were transformed with A. tumefaciens LBA4404 carrying various promoter-GUS pBI101 plasmids. Histochemical analyses of the transgenic tobacco seedlings indicated that the Ltp6 promoter (from nt 447 to 1, undeleted) directed GUS expression only in trichomes (hair cells). Fluorometric GUS assays showed that the promoter activity of the undeleted Ltp6 promoter was at least 1000 times weaker than that of the 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV). Sequential deletions of the promoter gradually decreased the expression level of the GUS gene. No GUS activity was observed when the 5% deletion of the Ltp6 promoter reached to nt 86, which removed the putative CAAT and TATA promoter elements. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
One-electron reduction of vanadate by ascorbate and related free radical generation at physiological pH

Abstract The one-electron reduction of vanadate (vanadium(V)) by ascorbate and related free radical generation at physiological pH was investigated by ESR and ESR spin trapping. The spin trap used was 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO). Incubation of vanadium(V) with ascorbate generated significant amounts of vanadium(IV) in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) but not in sodium cacodylate buffer (pH 7.4) nor in water. The vanadium(IV) yield increased with increasing ascorbate concentration, reaching a maximum at a vanadium(V) : ascorbate ratio of 2:1. Addition of formate to the incubation mixture containing vanadium(V), ascorbate, and phosphate generated carboxylate radical (·COO − ), indicating the formation of reactive species in the vanadium(V) reduction mechanism. In the presence of H 2 O 2 , a mixture of vanadium(V), ascorbate, and phosphate buffer generated hydroxyl radical (· OH) via a Fenton-like reaction (vanadium(IV) + H 2 O 2 → vanadium(V)+ ·OH+OH − ). The ·OH yield was favored at relatively low ascorbate concentrations. Omission of phosphate sharply reduced the · OH yield. The vanadium(IV) generated by ascorbate reduction of vanadium(V) in the presence of phosphate was also capable of generating lipid hydroperoxide-derived free radicals from cumene hydroperoxide, a model lipid hydroperoxide. Because of the ubiquitous presence of ascorbate in cellular system at relatively high concentrations, one-electron reduction of vanadium(V) by ascorbate together with phosphate may represent an important vanadium(V) reduction pathway in vivo. The resulting reactive species generated by vanadium(IV) from H 2 O 2 and lipid hydroperoxide via a Fenton-like reaction may play a significant role in the mechanism of vanadium(V)-induced cellular injury.
ABYSSAL PERIDOTITE MYLONITES : IMPLICATIONS FOR GRAIN-SIZE SENSITIVE FLOW AND STRAIN LOCALIZATION IN THE OCEANIC LITHOSPHERE

Abstract Microstructures preserved in abyssal peridotites dredged from the oceans record several different physical regimes of deformation. Fabrics associated with deformation processes at slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges form two major classes of abyssal peridotites based on detailed microstructural observations. The most abundant class are medium- to coarse-grained tectonites with microstructures that reflect deformation processes during mantle upwelling and emplacement to the base of the lithosphere. These tectonites give geothermometric temperatures of ∼755°C or higher, interpreted to represent lower temperature limits for diffusive exchange in coarse-grained abyssal peridotites during cooling. This conclusion is consistent with flow laws for olivine at these temperatures. The second class of abyssal peridotites, previously largely undescribed for the mid-ocean ridge environment, include fine-grained mylonites associated with faulting and shear zones that develop during extension and cooling of the oceanic lithosphere when the brittle-plastic transition extends into mantle rocks. These mylonites give temperatures of ∼600°C, which we suggest represent a lower temperature limit for plastic deformation. Reduced grain size in mylonites allows for diffusive exchange to continue to these low temperatures. Relict augen in the mylonitic samples preserve equilibration temperatures similar to those exhibited by the coarse-grained tectonites. Based on flow laws for olivine, we suggest that deformation in some fine-grained mylonites occurred by diffusion creep down to ∼600°C. Rheological data for olivine indicate that dislocation creep is not likely to occur at this temperature. We conclude that a reduction in grain size by cataclasis, or dynamic recrystallization, resulted in a transition in deformation mechanisms from dislocation- to diffusion-creep during uplift (and/or cooling). The observation of these fine-grained mylonites indicates that shear zones that extend into the upper mantle will be weaker than expected if deformation was accommodated by brittle processes or dislocation creep. Weak faults may promote the development of long-lived detachments in the upper mantle. This inference supports mid-ocean-ridge tectonic models that suggest that ultramafic rocks exposed at the inside corners of ridge-axis discontinuities are exhumed along long-lived detachment faults.
U1 snRNA Rewrites the “Script”

Expression of eukaryotic mRNAs requires the collaboration of a host of RNA processing factors acting upon the transcript. Berg et al. describe how a pre-mRNA splicing factor modulates the activity of the polyadenylation machinery to regulate mRNA length, with important implications for isoform expression in activated neuronal and immune cells.
The effect of solar wind dynamic pressure changes on low and mid‐latitude magnetic records

Magnetic records from low and mid latitude stations have been examined to determine their response to solar wind pressure changes. The best correlation between ground level changes and the change in the square root of the solar wind dynamic pressure occurs for stations at latitudes from 15° to 30° such as Tahiti, Honolulu, San Juan and Midway. The horizontal component of the field changes on average 16.5 nT for each change of 1(nPa)½ of the square root of dynamic pressure. This is 50% greater than the vacuum model of Tsyganenko would predict for a non-conducting Earth and therefore what would be expected for a perfectly conducting interior. Thus, low and mid latitude ground level response to solar wind pressure changes is dominated by the variation of the strength and location of the magnetopause current system and the corresponding induced currents within the Earth rather than ionospheric current sources.
A study of image discrepancies due to object time-dependence in transmission and emission tomography

In conventional computed tomography (CT) imaging of a point object, projection filtering causes the back-projected contributions to image positions away from the point to sum to zero. If the point object intensity is time-dependent, and all the projections are not acquired simultaneously, this cancellation cannot be complete and artefacts result. Loss of spatial invariance makes a general linear-systems approach to the problem impossible. We have studied the properties of such artefacts by the computer simulation of decaying exponential time-dependence in three different spatial distributions and four transmission and emission CT geometries. Spatially complex time-dependent objects typically produce artefacts that can be treated as an additional broad-spectrum noise source with a power comparable to that of other CT noises. Artefacts from broad ranges of similar time-dependence can add coherently to cause patches of artefact, particularly in geometries with a strong correlation between projection acquisition time and projection angle. As expected, artefacts are reduced for all geometries as scan duration is reduced. In our model, with a most rapid decay constant of 1.2 min-1, negligible artefacts were observed for a six second scan duration.
Enhanced oligonucleotide binding to self-assembled nanofibers

A peptide nucleic acid/peptide amphiphile conjugate (PNA−PA) that self-assembles into fiber-shaped nanostructures was designed to bind oligonucleotides with high affinity and specificity. Oligonucleotide binding to PNA−PA nanofibers was studied using fluorescence polarization, and thermal stability was examined by UV−vis measurement of duplex melting temperatures. The self-assembled PNA−PA DNA system was observed to bind more strongly than the corresponding DNA−DNA duplex. We also observed single base specificity with a 16 °C in thermal stability. As expected from the previous PNA studies, PNA−PA RNA binding is also stronger than the corresponding RNA−RNA duplex.
The Vegetation Drought Response Index (VegDRI): A New Integrated Approach for Monitoring Drought Stress in Vegetation

The development of new tools that provide timely, detailed-spatial-resolution drought information is essential for improving drought preparedness and response. This paper presents a new method for monitoring drought-induced vegetation stress called the Vegetation Drought Response Index (VegDRI). VegDRI integrates traditional climate-based drought indicators and satellite-derived vegetation index metrics with other biophysical information to produce a 1 km map of drought conditions that can be produced in near-real time. The initial VegDRI map results for a 2002 case study conducted across seven states in the north-central United States illustrates the utility of VegDRI for improved large-area drought monitoring.
The design and synthesis of indazole and pyrazolopyridine based glucokinase activators for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Glucokinase activators represent a promising potential treatment for patients with Type 2 diabetes. Herein, we report the identification and optimization of a series of novel indazole and pyrazolopyridine based activators leading to the identification of 4-(6-(azetidine-1-carbonyl)-5-fluoropyridin-3-yloxy)-2-ethyl-N-(5-methylpyrazin-2-yl)-2H-indazole-6-carboxamide (42) as a potent activator with favorable preclinical pharmacokinetic properties and in vivo efficacy.
Cocaine induced intracerebral hemorrhage: Analysis of predisposing factors and mechanisms causing hemorrhagic strokes

We analyzed 26 autopsy cases of cocaine induced intracerebral hemorrhage and compared those findings with those of 26 autopsy cases of cocaine induced cerebral aneurysm rupture. The incidence of hypertensive cardiovascular disease (HCVD) was significantly higher in persons with intracerebral hemorrhage than in those with aneurysm rupture. Our findings suggest that HCVD predisposes to cocaine induced intracerebral hemorrhage. We propose that the foregoing relationship results from a cocaine induced alteration of cerebral autoregulation in the context of increased cerebral blood flow.
Homoclinic connections of unstable plane waves of the modified nonlinear Schrödinger equation

Abstract The modified nonlinear Schrodinger (MNLS) equation is a model equation for the propagation of ultra-fast pulses in long-haul optical fiber transmission systems. Here we identify the linearized instabilities of plane wave solutions to both the defocusing and the focusing MNLS equation. Extending the results of Doktorov and Rothos [Phys. Lett. A 314 (2003) 59] for spatially independent plane waves of the focusing equation, the entire homoclinic manifold of both focusing and defocusing unstable plane waves of arbitrary wave number is explicitly constructed using an auto-Backlund transformation obtained via the dressing method [Theory of Solitons and the Inverse Scattering Method, Consultant Bureau, New York, 1984]. The MNLS equation is integrable via the Wadati–Konno–Ichikawa quadratic spectral problem [J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 46 (1979) 1965] and there is a correspondence between pairs of elements of the solution basis of the linearized equation and quartets of multiple points of the Floquet spectral curve, similar to the NLS and sine-Gordon equations [Phys. D 43 (1990) 349, J. Nonlinear Sci. 10 (2000) 291, Phys. D 141 (2000) 104].
Short-range atmospheric dispersion of carbon dioxide.

We present a numerical study aimed at quantifying the effects of concentration-dependent density on the spread of a seeping plume of CO2 into the atmosphere such as could arise from a leaking geologic carbon sequestration site. Results of numerical models can be used to supplement field monitoring estimates of CO2 seepage flux by modelling transport and dispersion between the source emission and concentration-measurement points. We focus on modelling CO2 seepage dispersion over relatively short distances where density effects are likely to be important. We model dense gas dispersion using the steady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with density dependence in the gravity term. Results for a two-dimensional system show that a density dependence emerges at higher fluxes than prior estimates. A universal scaling relation is derived that allows estimation of the flux from concentrations measured downwind and vice versa.
Impact of EUVL mask buffer and absorber material properties on mask quality and performance

The success of extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) mask fabrication process depends on the correct choice of EUVL mask buffer and absorber materials. There are four criterion to take into account for the right buffer and absorber materials for EUVL masks. The first is the material choice impact on the mask quality such as critical dimension (CD) control, defect control, registration control, cleaning durability. The second is the impact on the mask lithography performance such as imaging contrast, shadowing effect, focus shift effect, thermal effect. The third is the impact on the mask inspection and repair, such as repair etch rate and selectivity to the Mo/Si multiplayer (ML) and optical inspection contrast of the absorber to the buffer layer as well as that of the absorber to the ML. The last is the impact on the lithography integration, such as mask stress due to buffer and absorber versus mask chucking, mask conductivity versus mask protection scheme. In the past, most attention on buffer and absorber material consideration has been paid to the processing side (as long as the absorber materials have a relatively high EUV absorption). The mask performance difference with different buffer and absorber combinations has not been fully explored. In this paper, the impact of buffer and absorber material properties on all these aspects will be discussed with special emphasis of the material property impact to the mask lithographic performance. Detailed simulation studies of EUVL mask performance with different combinations of buffer and absorber materials will be presented. It, however, will be shown that buffer and absorber material properties such as the real and imaginary part of the index of refraction coefficient, play an important role in mask lithographic performance such as the image contrast, the shadowing effect, and the focus shift effect, especially at the small design rules, such as 30nm generations. The comparison of different buffer and absorber material properties and the corresponding mask performances will allow us to understand the tradeoffs between the choice of different buffer and absorber combinations so that the most promising buffer and absorber materials can be identified and corresponding mask fabrication process can be developed.
Photodissociation rates of OH, OD, and CN by the interstellar radiation field

The photoabsorption cross sections for OH, OD, and CN in the vacuum ultraviolet region are measured. The cross sections for the hydroxyl radicals are of the order of 10 to the -17th sq cm, but the photoabsorption for CN is so low that only an upper limit of 2 x 10 to the -18th sq cm is obtained. The molecular photodissociative processes are discussed. The photodissociation cross sections are inferred from the photoabsorption cross sections. On the basis of the measured data, the photodissociation rates by the interstellar radiation field are computed and discussed.
Religious Homogamy and Marital Quality: Historical and Generational Patterns, 1980 – 1997

Despite significant social changes in the past 50 years, research continues to find a strong and enduring link between religious homogamy and marital quality. Yet, research has not explicitly examined whether this link has changed over time or over generations. To address historical and generational trends, I use national, longitudinal data collected between 1980 and 1997 that represents 3,211 respondents in the parental and offspring generations and 2 measures each of marital quality and religious homogamy. The findings show that the relationship between religious homogamy and marital quality weakened significantly between 1980 and 1997 from intragenerational change and generational replacement. The homo gamy-marital quality link was weaker in both generations partly because of the increasing relative influence of gender, work, and family issues. Additionally, a decline in perceptions of religious authority has altered the religion-marital quality connection, though mostly among the younger generation. Even so, religiously homogamous couples still report higher marital quality.
GTP-binding proteins couple cardiac muscarinic receptors to a K channel.

Binding of acetylcholine (ACh) to cardiac muscarinic ACh receptors (mAChR) activates a potassium channel that slows pacemaker activity1–3. Although the time course of this activation suggests a multi-step process with intrinsic delays of 30–100 ms4–6 no second-messenger system has been demonstrated to link the mAChR to the channel. Changes in cyclic nucleotide levels (cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP) do not affect this K channel or its response to muscarinic agonists7,8. Indeed, electrophysiological experiments argue against the involvement of any second messenger that diffuses through the cytoplasm9. We report here that coupling of the mAChR in embryonic chick atrial cells to this inward rectifying K channel requires intracellular GTP. Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with IAP (islet-activating protein from the bacterium Bordetella pertussis) eliminates the ACh-induced inward rectification. As IAP specifically ADP-ribosylates two GTP-binding proteins, Ni and No, that can interact with mAChRs10, we conclude that a guanyl nucleotide-binding protein couples ACh binding to channel activation. This represents the first demonstration that a GTP-binding protein can regulate the function of an ionic channel without acting through cyclic nucleotide second messengers.
Development and testing of a backscatter absorption gas imaging (BAGI) system capable of imaging at a range of 300 m

In this paper, we summarize the design and preliminary performance evaluation of a new raster-scanning BAGI imager that is intended for long-range operation, at a target range of 300 m. A system capable of imaging at this range is desired to make airborne gas imaging from a low-flying airplane or helicopter possible. The system uses a 20 W CO2 laser and a redesigned scanner that employs telescopic transmission and receiving optics. Model predictions of the performance of the new system and some recent field testing results are presented. Issues relating to gas imaging at long ranges are also discussed.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
New Release: An Empirical Analysis of VHS/DVD Rental Success

This paper studies movie rental revenue in the home video industry. Using a cross-section of the top 100 films from 2001 as a sample, domestic Video Home System (VHS) and Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) rental revenues are tested for responsiveness to independent variables including: box office gross revenue, production budget, aggregate critic rating, Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating, genre, star power, word-of-mouth information, total award nominations, and economic variables. Results for the Ordinary Least Squares regressions reveal positive impacts of box office revenue, stardom, Restricted (R) and Parents Strongly Cautioned (PG-13) MPAA ratings, and some genres on VHS and DVD gross rental revenues. The positive and significant coefficient on the income variable for the DVD regression and the uniform lack of significance for the award, critic rating, and word-of-mouth variables are of particular interest.
Image rotation of misoriented letter strings: effects of orientation cuing and repetition.

Three experiments were designed to investigate whether the characteristic function relating response time to stimulus orientation reflects the observer imagining the rotation of the stimulus to upright (the “image rotation” hypothesis) or rotation of an internal reference frame in response to the misoriented stimulus (the “frame rotation” hypothesis). Identification times in response to misoriented words were measured in Experiment 1, whereas in Experiments 2 and 3, lexical decision times in response to misoriented letter strings were measured. Trials occurred in blocks; words within a block were presented at the same orientation. It was argued that this mode of presentation would facilitate the use of a frame rotation strategy by allowing for a gradual readjustment of an internal reference frame. The characteristic “mental rotation” function was observed in all three experiments. However, the data indicated that observers continued to imagine the rotation of the word to upright in each trial; there was no evidence of readjustment of an internal reference frame. An additional finding of interest occurred in Experiment 1, in which observers identified the same set of misoriented words across two sessions. The identification times were faster, and the slope of the mental rotation function was lower, in the second session. These results are discussed as in relation to the image rotation hypothesis of mental rotation and to “instance-based skill acquisition” (Masson, 1986) in word recognition.
MBO, political rationality and information inductance

Abstract Management by Objectives (MBO) was adopted by the Federal government as a means for managing agencies and programs. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate MBO as a management technique and as a political strategy using concepts developed in the organizational theory, general systems theory, planning and control, and political science literatures. It is concluded that as a management technique, MBO falls short of its mark and that it has been primarily used as a political strategy for controlling and directing controversy.
Initial decomposition mechanism for the energy release from electronically excited energetic materials: FOX-7 (1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene, C2H4N4O4)

Decomposition of the energetic material FOX-7 (1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene, C2H4N4O4) is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The NO molecule is observed as an initial decomposition product subsequent to electronic excitation. The observed NO product is rotationally cold (<35 K) and vibrationally hot (2800 K). The initial decomposition mechanism is explored at the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) level. Potential energy surface calculations at the CASSCF(12,8)/6-31G(d) level illustrate that conical intersections play an essential role in the decomposition mechanism. Electronically excited S2 FOX-7 can radiationlessly relax to lower electronic states through (S2/S1)CI and (S1/S0)CI conical intersections and undergo a nitro-nitrite isomerization to generate NO product on the S0 state. The theoretically predicted mechanism is consistent with the experimental results. As FOX-7 decomposes on the ground electronic state, thus, the vibrational energy of the NO product from FOX-7 is high. The observed rotational energy distribution for NO is consistent with the final transition state structure on the S0 state. Ground state FOX-7 decomposition agrees with previous work: the nitro-nitrite isomerization has the lowest average energy barrier, the C–NH2 bond cleavage is unlikely under the given excitation conditions, and HONO formation on the ground state surface is energy accessible but not the main process.
Thin‐layer chromatographic separation of dimethylphosphatidates derived from lecithins

The separation of lecithin derivatives based on their fatty acid substituents has been investigated. Several synthetic and natural lecithins were converted to their corresponding dimethylphosphatidates by hydrolysis with phospholipase D (phosphatidylcholine phospholipase D (phosphatidylcholine phosphatidohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.4) and methylation of the resulting phosphatidic acids with diazomethane. These dimethylphosphatidates were separated into fractions by reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography. Separations were dependent on the total number of methylene groups and double bonds in the two fatty acid chains. Fractionated dimethylphosphatidates were extracted from the plates and fatty acids were determined.
The geochemistry of coprostanol in waters and surface sediments from Narragansett Bay

A geochemical study of coprostanol (5β-Cholestan-3β-ol) was undertaken, to examine the transport and fate of a compound of moderate polarity and reactivity in the marine environment, and also because of the interest in coprostanol for use as a sewage tracer. During 1985–86, 20 sites in Narragansett Bay, including the major point sources and rivers discharging into the bay estuary, were sampled at four different times. In addition, surface sediments from 26 stations in the bay were collected. The large number and diversity of samples allowed for an assessment of major inputs of sewage into the bay as well as the recent fate of sewage-derived particles in surface sediments. Results from the study revealed that 50% of the total particulate coprostanol entering the bay was discharged into the Providence River, primarily due to inputs from the wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) at Fields Point, as well as input from the Pawtuxet and Blackstone Rivers. In the lower bay, the Newport WWTF was the largest single source of coprostanol (37% of the total particulate coprostanol) to the bay. Effluent concentrations of coprostanol from secondary WWTFs were consistently lower than those of primary treatment facilities, demonstrating the usefulness of corporstanol as an indicator of treatment plant efficiency. The distribution of coprostanol in waters and surface sediments showed a gradient of decreasing concentration downbay. When coprostanol concentrations in surface sediments were normalized to organic carbon (OC) concentrations, elevated levels were seen only in the Providence River, with a more or less even distribution throughout the rest of the bay. Results also suggest that coprostanol degrades more rapidly in the water column compared to the petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), however, it is relatively stable once it is buried in the sediments. Coprostanol concentrations in waters (0·02–0·22 μg 1 −1 ) and surface sediments (0·22–33 μg g −1 ) were as high or higher than values reported in the literature, indicating that the estuary is impacted by sewage.
Investigations in spontaneous discounting.

Oppenheimer’s (2004) demonstration that causal discounting (when the presence of one cause casts doubt on the presence of another) can happen spontaneously addressed the standing concern that discounting was an artifact of experimental demands, but these results could have resulted from memory inhibition. The present studies rule out this alternative using the same surname frequency estimation paradigm. In Study 1, individuals discounted surname familiarity even when it could be attributed to semantic meaning; in Study 2, participants under cognitive load discounted less; in Study 3, participants who were promised a prize for accuracy discounted more. All three results conform to a spontaneous causal discounting account better than to the inhibition alternative.
Tapered photonic crystal fibers

Tapered photonic crystal fibers (PCFs), similar to tapered conventional fibers, can be either adiabatic of nonadiabatic. Here, we examine the adiabaticity of the PCF taper and obtain three-dimensional plots showing the evolution of power flow inside the tapered PCF. Also, we analyze different taper shapes, such as the linear taper, raised-cosine taper, and the modified exponential taper. Other factors, such as the taper length and the number of air hole rings are also investigated.
ULF wave characteristics at geosynchronous orbit during the recovery phase of geomagnetic storms associated with strong electron acceleration

[1] We identified 17 geomagnetic storms between January 2007 and December 2008. Using particle measurements, each storm is classified as a high-flux event or a low-flux event. High-flux events are those storms associated with enhanced flux of relativistic electrons at geosynchronous orbit, and low-flux events show no such enhancement. We study the characteristics of ultralow frequency waves between 0 and 80 mHz during the recovery phase of the high-flux storms using magnetic field data. By determining the wave propagation direction and magnetic perturbation direction, we are able to calculate how the power is distributed between toroidal, poloidal, and compressional wave modes. We find that on the nightside most wave power is compressional at all frequencies below 80 mHz. On the dayside compressional wave power dominates the lowest frequencies below 20 mHz; toroidal waves carry most energy between 20 and 50 mHz, and poloidal waves are associated with higher power levels between 50 and 80 mHz. This suggests that on the nightside electrons are predominantly transported and energized by mechanisms involving the compressional wave mode; on the dayside, electron energization is achieved by acceleration mechanisms involving toroidal waves and mechanisms dependent on poloidal and compressional waves.
The Continuous Mutual Evolution of Equatorial Waves and the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation of Zonal Flow in the Equatorial Stratosphere

AbstractThe continuous mutual evolution of equatorial waves and the background quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) is demonstrated using daily NCEP–U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reanalysis for the period from 1 January 1979 to 31 December 2010. Using a novel diagnostic technique, the phase speed, vertical tilting, and form stress of equatorial waves in the stratosphere are obtained continuously on a daily basis. The results indicate that, on top of a weak-amplitude annual-cycle signal, all of these wave properties have a pronounced QBO signal with a downward propagation that evolves continuously together with the background QBO. The analysis also highlights the potential role of wave-induced form stress in driving the QBO regime change.Dominant waves in the equatorial stratosphere propagate very slowly relative to the ground at all times, implying that their observed intrinsic phase speed evolution follows the background QBO nearly exactly but with opposite sign, as the established theory predicts. By reve...
Stability studies for a class of nonlinear difference equations using Liapunov's Second Method

Abstract In this paper a discrete analogue of Liapunov Direct Method is applied to the stability analysis of nonlinear, nonautonomous difference equations. A class of second and third order equations are analyzed. The Liapunov functions are generated by the use of a Routh canonical transformation. Concrete examples for the second and third order cases are considered.
Quantification of Scalp Hair-A Computer-Aided Methodology

Abstract A method for obtaining a quantitative assessment of hair density is described. First, a photographic image of the scalp is digitized onto a high-resolution computer graphics screen. Second, the frequency of each of 256 gray levels (one for each of 500 vertical × 500 horizontal=250,000 locations on the screen) is obtained and the frequency histogram of gray levels is displayed. Third, a statistical procedure, gaussian mixture analysis, is used to resolve the frequency distribution into two normally distributed component distributions. The first component distribution describes the range of gray levels that are typically associated with hair. The second component distribution describes shades of gray that are typically associated with scalp. The statistical model provides a precise measure of the proportion of the head that exhibits gray levels in each of the two component distributions (hair or scalp). The proportion of the first component distribution is a scale-independent measure of hair density. The difference in this quantity before and after treatment provides an accurate quantitative determination of the change in hair density and hence of the efficacy of treatment.
Aggregation and dynamics of oligocholate transporters in phospholipid bilayers revealed by solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

Macrocycles made of cholate building blocks were previously found to transport glucose readily across lipid bilayers. In this study, an 15N, 13Cα-labeled glycine was inserted into a cyclic cholate trimer and attached at the end of a linear trimer, respectively. The isotopic labeling allowed us to use solid-state NMR spectroscopy to study the dynamics, aggregation, and depth of insertion of these compounds in lipid membranes. The cyclic compound was found to be mostly immobilized in DLPC, POPC/POPG, and POPC/POPG/cholesterol membranes, whereas the linear trimer displayed large-amplitude motion that depended on the membrane thickness and viscosity. 13C-detected 1H spin diffusion experiments revealed the depth of insertion of the compounds in the membranes, as well as their contact with water molecules. The data support a consistent stacking model for the cholate macrocycles in lipid membranes, driven by the hydrophobic interactions of the water molecules in the interior of the macrocycles. The study also sh...
Recombinant outer membrane protein F ofPseudomonas aeruginosa elicits antibodies that mediate opsonophagocytic killing, but not complement-mediated bacteriolysis, of various strains ofP. aeruginosa

Recombinant outer membrane protein F ofPseudomonas aeruginosa was purified by extraction from polyacrylamide gels of cell envelope proteins of anEscherichia coli strain expressing the cloned gene for protein F. Rats were immunized intramuscularly with 25 μg of recombinant protein F adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide adjuvant on days 1, 14, and 28 and then challenged on day 42 via intratracheal inoculation of agar beads containing cells of a clinical isolate ofP. aeruginosa. On day 49 the lungs were examined macroscopically for the presence and severity of lesions and submitted for quantitation of the bacteria present. The recombinant protein F vaccine afforded significant protection against subsequent challenge withP. aeruginosa in the immunized rats, as compared with control rats immunized with bovine serum albumin. Antisera from the recombinant protein F-immunized rats mediated opsonophagocytic uptake by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes of wild-type cells ofP. aeruginosa but exhibited no opsonic activity against a protein F-deficient mutant ofP. aeruginosa. The antisera to recombinant protein F did not promote complement-mediated bacteriolysis ofP. aeruginosa. These data demonstrate that recombinantP. aeruginosa protein F has efficacy as a protective vaccine in a rat model of chronic pulmonary infection.
Unified Theories of Cognition

Introduction The Nature of Theories What Are Unified Theories of Cognition? Is Psychology Ready for Unified Theories? The Task of the Book Foundations of Cognitive Science Behaving Systems Knowledge Systems Representation Machines and Computation Symbols Architectures Intelligence Search and Problem Spaces Preparation and Deliberation Summary Human Cognitive Architecture The Human Is a Symbol System System Levels The Time Scale of Human Action The Biological Band The Neural Circuit Level The Real-Time Constraint on Cognition The Cognitive Band The Level of Simple Operations The First Level of Composed Operations The Intendedly Rational Band Higher Bands: Social, Historical, and Evolutionary Summary Symbolic Processing for Intelligence The Central Architecture for Performance Chunking The Total Cognitive System RI-Soar: Knowledge-Intensive and Knowledge-Lean Operation Designer-Soar: Difficult Intellectual Tasks Soar as an Intelligent System Mapping Soar onto Human Cognition Soar and the Shape of Human Cognition Summary Immediate Behavior The Scientific Role of Immediate-Response Data Methodological Preliminaries Functional Analysis of Immediate Responses The Simplest Response Task (SRI) The Two-Choice Response Task (2CRT) Stimulus-Response Compatibility (SRC) Discussion of the Three Analyses Item Recognition Typing Summary Memory, Learning, and Skill The Memory and Learning Hypothesis of Soar The Soar Qualitative Theory of Learning The Distinction between Episodic and Semantic Memory Data Chunking Skill Acquisition Short-Term Memory (STM) Summary Intendedly Rational Behavior Ciyptarithmetic Syllogisms Sentence Verification Summary Along the Frontiers Language Development The Biological Band The Social Band The Role of Applications How to Move toward Unified Theories of Cognition References Name Index Subject Index
Effectiveness of a handle flange for reducing manual effort during hand tool use

Abstract Forceful manual exertion is a risk factor for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Mechanical considerations and previous research suggest this risk can be reduced by redesigning tools to decrease manual effort. This study sought to determine whether adding a flange to handles would reduce grip force requirements by providing an additional source of coupling between the hand and handle. In the first of two experiments, participants grasped and lifted handles with and without a flange at the top lip of the handle. In the second experiment, participants grasped and pulled handles with and without a flange at the bottom edge of the handle. Each task was performed at three levels of weight or resistance. Grip force was measured using a strain gage mounted inside the handles. Electrical activity (EMG) of select forearm muscles was also monitored using surface electrodes. The main finding was that adding a flange to the handle did not significantly reduce the grip force required to perform either task. However, grip force significantly increased with increased weight or pull resistance. The study indicates that reducing tool weight should be a primary objective for reducing the risk of fatigue and injury during hand tool use.
Pathway of actin filament branch formation by Arp2/3 complex revealed by single-molecule imaging

Actin filament nucleation by actin-related protein (Arp) 2/3 complex is a critical process in cell motility and endocytosis, yet key aspects of its mechanism are unknown due to a lack of real-time observations of Arp2/3 complex through the nucleation process. Triggered by the verprolin homology, central, and acidic (VCA) region of proteins in the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) family, Arp2/3 complex produces new (daughter) filaments as branches from the sides of preexisting (mother) filaments. We visualized individual fluorescently labeled Arp2/3 complexes dynamically interacting with and producing branches on growing actin filaments in vitro. Branch formation was strikingly inefficient, even in the presence of VCA: only ∼1% of filament-bound Arp2/3 complexes yielded a daughter filament. VCA acted at multiple steps, increasing both the association rate of Arp2/3 complexes with mother filament and the fraction of filament-bound complexes that nucleated a daughter. The results lead to a quantitative kinetic mechanism for branched actin assembly, revealing the steps that can be stimulated by additional cellular factors.
Normal approximation for a random elliptic equation

We consider solutions of an elliptic partial differential equation in \(\mathbb{R }^d\) with a stationary, random conductivity coefficient that is also periodic with period \(L\). Boundary conditions on a square domain of width \(L\) are arranged so that the solution has a macroscopic unit gradient. We then consider the average flux that results from this imposed boundary condition. It is known that in the limit \(L \rightarrow \infty \), this quantity converges to a deterministic constant, almost surely. Our main result is that the law of this random variable is very close to that of a normal random variable, if the domain size \(L\) is large. We quantify this approximation by an error estimate in total variation. The error estimate relies on a second order Poincare inequality developed recently by Chatterjee.
Half of kidney transplant candidates who are older than 60 years now placed on the waiting list will die before receiving a deceased-donor transplant.

Background and objectives: Waiting times to deceased-donor transplantation (DDTx) have significantly increased in the past decade. This trend particularly affects older candidates given a high mortality rate on dialysis. Design, setting, participants, & measurements: We conducted a retrospective analysis from the national Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database that included 54,669 candidates who were older than 60 yr and listed in the United States for a solitary kidney transplant from 1995 through 2007. Using survival models, we estimated time to DDTx and mortality after candidate listing with and without patients initially listed as temporarily inactive (status 7). Results: Almost half (46%) of candidates who were older than 60 yr and listed in 2006 through 2007 are projected to die before receiving a DDTx. This proportion varied by individual characteristics: Diabetes (61%), age ≥70 yr (52%), black (62%), blood types O (60%) and B (71%), highly sensitized (68%), and on dialysis at listing (53%). Marked variation also existed by United Network for Organ Sharing region (6 to 81%). The overall projected proportion was reduced to 35% excluding patients who initially were listed as status 7. Conclusions: These data highlight the prominent and growing challenge facing the field of kidney transplantation. Older candidates are now at significant risk for not surviving the interval in which a deceased-donor transplant would become available. Importantly, this risk is variable within this population, and specific information should be disseminated to patients and caregivers to facilitate informed decision-making and potential incentives to seek living donors.
State-reuse Test Generation for Progressive Random Access Scan: Solution to Test Power, Application Time and Data Size

Three issues that are dominating test research today are test application time, test data volume and test power. Researchers have focused on these issues mostly considering the popular serial scan architecture for its relatively low hardware overhead while ignoring the fact that exponential drop in hardware cost offers opportunities for implementing a test architecture that previously may have been unacceptable. This paper takes such a paradigm shift into account and studies the simultaneous solution of all three problems of serial scan by making use of progressive random access scan test architecture. This architecture only increases the hardware cost marginally while providing marked improvements for the three issues. This paper explains the test architecture and then develops a test generation methodology which reduces the test application time by nearly 75%, test data volume by 50% for the benchmark circuits. Above all, the architecture is inherently so efficient that it reduces the test power by nearly 99% or more of the test power consumption compared to serial scan
Reflex bladder activation via pudendal nerve and intraurethral stimulation depends on stimulation pattern and location

Pudendal nerve (PN) stimulation and intraurethral stimulation via a catheter have been demonstrated previously to trigger reflex bladder contractions for 20–40 Hz and 2 & 20 Hz continuous stimuli, respectively. However, thorough studies of the stimulation parameter space and optimal urethral locations are required for translation to clinical feasibility studies for potential neural prostheses. Stimulation-evoked bladder activation was evaluated in fourteen male cats via PN stimulation or intraurethral stimulation before and after spinal transection. In all testing scenarios, the use of pulse bursting led to a greater evoked bladder pressure than with single-pulse continuous waveforms. PN stimulation evoked contractions with 1 Hz and 33 Hz stimuli before spinalization in eight cats. Post-spinalization testing in four cats only elicited excitation for 33 Hz stimuli. For PN stimulation, spinalization eliminated the excitability of low frequency stimulation. Intraurethral stimulation in the proximal and prostatic urethra (2 Hz and 33 Hz range stimuli) and the distal urethra (33 Hz range stimuli) evoked contractions in six cats before spinalization. After spinalization, intraurethral testing in five cats only evoked contractions in the distal and prostatic urethra using 33 Hz range stimuli. For intraurethral stimulation, spinalization eliminated both proximal and low frequency responses. This research improves the knowledge base of several main factors involved in the development of neuroprostheses for bladder control - optimal stimulation paradigms and the understanding of lower urinary tract neurophysiology.
Cataract extraction in patients with pars planitis.

Background: The authors analyzed the results of cataract surgery performed on patients with pars planitis from January 1985 through August 1992. Methods: One hundred twenty-six patients with pars planitis were evaluated and treated during this period. Cataracts that warranted surgery developed in 12 patients (18 eyes) from this tertiary referral population. These 12 patients were evaluated with respect to pars planitis duration, systemic disease association, treatment regimens, macular and disc pathology, and final visual result. Results: The average final visual acuity of these 18 eyes was 20/38, and 83% of the patients achieved a final visual acuity better than or equal to 20/40. The factors that limited visual recovery to this level were primarily macular and optic nerve pathology (cystoid macular edema [CIVIE], macular epiretinal membrane, and optic atrophy). Control of inflammation required regional steroids in all patients, systemic steroids in ten patients, and immunosuppression in four patients. Posterior chamber lens implantation accompanied the surgery in 14 eyes (10 patients). Recurrent episodes of inflammation in two patients (3 eyes) resulted in accumulation of deposits on the posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) surface. Deposits were removed by a YAG laser lens "polishing" session. Conclusions: Absolute control of inflammation in patients with pars planitis through a stepladder approach may reduce the incidence of cataract development, and can certainly improve visual rehabilitation after cataract extraction. Implantation of a posterior chamber lens can be well tolerated in selected cases.