cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of L-Alanine and Inosine Germinants on the Elasticity of Bacillus anthracis Spores

The surface of dormant Bacillus anthracis spores consists of a multilayer of protein coats and a thick peptidoglycan layer that allow the cells to resist chemical and environmental insults. During germination, the spore coat is degraded, making the spore susceptible to chemical inactivation by antisporal agents as well as to mechanical inactivation by high-pressure or mechanical abrasion processes. While chemical changes during germination, especially the release of the germination marker, dipicolinic acid (DPA), have been extensively studied, there is as yet no investigation of the corresponding changes in the mechanical properties of the spore. In this work, we use atomic force microscopy (AFM) to characterize the mechanical properties of the surface of Bacillus anthracis spores during germination. The Hertz model of continuum mechanics of contact was used to evaluate the Young's moduli of the spores before and after germination by applying the model to load-indentation curves. The highest modulus was observed for dormant spores, with average elasticity values of 197 +/- 81 MPa. The elasticity decreased significantly after incubation of the spores with the germinants L-alanine or inosine (47.5 +/- 41.7 and 35.4 +/- 15.8 MPa, respectively). Exposure of B. anthracis spores to a mixture of both germinants resulted in a synergistic effect with even lower elasticity, with a Young's modulus of 23.5 +/- 14.8 MPa. The elasticity of the vegetative B. anthracis cells was nearly 15 times lower than that of the dormant spores (12.4 +/- 6.3 MPa vs 197.0 +/- 80.5 MPa, respectively). Indeed from a mechanical strength point of view, the germinated spores were closer to the vegetative cells than to the dormant spores. Further, the decrease in the elasticity of the cells was accompanied by increasing AFM tip indentation depths on the cell surfaces. Indentation depths of up to 246.2 nm were observed for vegetative B. anthracis compared to 20.5 nm for the dormant spores. These results provide quantitative information on how the mechanical properties of the cell wall change during germination, which may explain how spores become susceptible to inactivation processes based on mechanical forces during germination and outgrowth. The study of spore elasticity may be a valuable tool in the design of improved antisporal treatments.
Gender Differences in S-Nitrosoglutathione Reductase Activity in the Lung

S-nitrosothiols have been implicated in the etiology of various pulmonary diseases. Many of these diseases display gender preferences in presentation or altered severity that occurs with puberty, the mechanism by which is unknown. Estrogen has been shown to influence the expression and activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) which is associated with increased S-nitrosothiol production. The effects of gender hormones on the expression and activity of the de-nitrosylating enzyme S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNO-R) are undefined. This report evaluates the effects of gender hormones on the activity and expression of GSNO-R and its relationship to N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH). GSNO-R activity was elevated in lung homogenates from female compared to male mice. Increased activity was not due to changes in GSNO-R expression, but correlated with GSNO-R S-nitrosylation: females were greater than males. The ability of GSNO-R to be activated by S-nitrosylation was confirmed by: 1) the ability of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) to increase the activity of GSNO-R in murine pulmonary endothelial cells and 2) reduced activity of GSNO-R in lung homogenates from eNOS−/− mice. Gender differences in GSNO-R activity appear to explain the difference in the ability of NAC to induce PH: female and castrated male animals are protected from NAC-induced PH. Castration results in elevated GSNO-R activity that is similar to that seen in female animals. The data suggest that GSNO-R activity is modulated by both estrogens and androgens in conjunction with hormonal regulation of eNOS to maintain S-nitrosothiol homeostasis. Moreover, disruption of this eNOS-GSNO-R axis contributes to the development of PH.
Navigation Interface for Recommending Home Medical Products

Based on users' health issues, an intelligent personal health record (iPHR) system can automatically recommend home medical products (HMPs) and display them in a sequential order. However, the sequential output interface does not categorize search results and is not easy for users to quickly navigate to their desired HMPs. To address this problem, we developed a navigation interface for retrieved HMPs. Our idea is to use medical knowledge and nursing knowledge to construct a navigation hierarchy based on product categories. This hierarchy is added to the left side of each search result Web page to help users move through retrieved HMPs. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our techniques using USMLE medical exam cases.
Holocene vegetation change in the northern Peten and its implications for Maya Prehistory

An ∼8400 cal yr record of vegetation change from the northern Peten, Guatemala, provides new insights into the environmental history of the archaeological area known as the Mirador Basin. Pollen, loss on ignition, and magnetic susceptibility analyses indicate warm and humid conditions in the early to mid-Holocene. Evidence for a decrease in forest cover around 4600 cal yr B.P. coincides with the first appearance of Zea mays pollen, suggesting that human activity was responsible. The period between 3450 cal yr B.P. and 1000 cal yr B.P. is characterized by a further decline in forest pollen types, includes an abrupt increase in weedy taxa, and exhibits the highest magnetic susceptibility values since the early Holocene, all of which suggest further agricultural disturbance in the watershed. A brief drop in disturbance indicators around 1800 cal yr B.P. may represent the Preclassic abandonment of the area. Changing pollen frequencies around 1000 cal yr B.P. indicate a cessation of human disturbance, which represents the Late Classic collapse of the southern Maya lowlands.
A Computational Study of Rising Plane Taylor Bubbles

The problem of a plane bubble rising in a 2-D tube is revisited using Birkhoff's formulation developed in 1957. The equations in this formulation have a one parameter (Froude number F) family of solutions which are divided into three regimes characterized by distinct topologies at the apex. These equations are solved numerically using a conventional series representation method and Newton's iterations. This numerical method fails for values of F in a range which contains the transition points. In this paper, it is demonstrated through careful numerical computations how and why this method fails. We also analyze the series and provide estimates of the transition points. This strategy of estimating the transition points can be used for some problems where the conventional series representation method fails because it does not adequately account for changes in the nature of the singularity that takes place as these transition points are approached in the parameter space. Furthermore, existence of two new critical Froude numbers is demonstrated numerically. We further show that the previous results on this problem have been incomplete by leaving out the characterization of the topology at the apex of the bubbles for values of F in the regime 0.234
EGF signaling overcomes a uterine cell death associated with temporal mis-coordination of organogenesis within the C. elegans egg-laying apparatus

Abstract We isolated cog-3(ku212) as a C. elegans egg-laying defective mutant that is associated with a connection-of-gonad defective phenotype. cog-3(ku212) mutants appear to have no connection between the vulval and the uterine lumens at the appropriate stage because the uterine lumen develops with a temporal delay relative to the vulva and, thus, is not present when the connection normally forms. The lack of temporal synchronization between the vulva and the uterus is not due to precocious or accelerated vulval development. Instead, global gonadogenesis is mildly delayed relative to development of extra-gonadal tissue. cog-3(ku212) mutants also have a specific uterine fate defect. Normally, four cells of the uterine π lineage respond via their LET-23 epidermal growth factor-like receptors to a vulval-derived LIN-3 EGF signal and adopt the uterine vulval 1 (uv1) fate. In cog-3(ku212) mutants, these four π progeny cells are set aside as a pre-uv1 population but undergo necrosis prior to full differentiation. A gain-of-function mutation in LET-23 EGF receptor and ectopic expression of LIN-3 EGF within the proper temporal constraints can rescue the uv1 defect, suggesting that a signaling defect, perhaps due to the temporal delay, is at fault. In support of this model, we demonstrate that lack of vulval–uterine coordination due to precocious vulval development also leads to uv1 cell differentiation defects.
Photoemission Spectroscopy of Tethered CdSe Nanocrystals: Shifts in Ionization Potential and Local Vacuum Level As a Function of Nanocrystal Capping Ligand

We report the characterization of the frontier orbital energies and interface dipole effects for bare and ligand-capped 3.6 and 6.0 nm diameter CdSe nanocrystals (NC) tethered to smooth gold substrates, using He(I) and He(II) UV photoemission spectroscopy. Changes in the ionization potential (IP) of the NCs and local effective work function of the films were explored as a function of the dipolar nature of the NC capping ligands. The addition of thiol-capping ligands 1-hexanethiol, 1-benzenethiol, and 4-fluorothiophenol to both sizes of NCs produces negligible shifts in energy offset between the high kinetic energy edge of the CdSe NCs and the gold substrate Fermi energy. However, the local vacuum level and IP of the nanocrystal layer are altered by as much as 0.3 eV. We demonstrate the importance of determining both the local vacuum level and the high kinetic energy edge of a tethered NC sample. These studies demonstrate a method that can be used in the future to characterize the frontier orbital energy o...
Weighing benefits and risks--the FDA's review of prasugrel.

Dr. Ellis Unger writes that the FDA grappled with a number of complex issues during the review process of prasugrel. Concerns regarding bleeding led to several risk-mitigation strategies.
Characterization and modeling of dielectric properties of Turkey meat

: The dielectric properties of turkey meat at water activities of 0.84 to 0.98 were measured at 2450 and 915MHz. Equations were developed as a function of temperature, moisture, water activity, and ash, and compared to literature equations. Unexpected results were: as the water activity decreased or ash increased, the dielectric constant increased with temperature, and dielectric loss factor of reduced moisture samples was determined by moisture not ash. It is theorized that the effect of temperature on dielectric constant is a function of the ratio of bound to free water. Glycerol did not affect the dielectric properties, while lactic acid decreases them by promoting water loss during protein denaturation.
Isolation and identification of etiocholan-3α-ol-17-one and etiocholane-3α, 11β-diol-17-one from human blood plasma☆

Abstract Two hitherto unidentified 17-ketosteroids were isolated from 600 ml. of normal human male plasma. By such criteria as infrared and sulfuric acid spectra and mobility of the free, the acetylated, and the oxidized compounds in several systems of paper chromatography, these 17-ketosteroids were identified as etiocholan-3α-ol-17-one and etiocholane-3α-11β-diol-17-one.
The cyclical nature of family income distribution in the united states: An empirical note

This note utilizes a cubic polynomial to model the cyclical behaviour of income inequality in the U.S. from 1947 to 2000. Linear and quadratic models have been used to explain the pattern, but they are not capable of detecting more than one extreme point. The simplest model capable of detecting a cycle is a cubic polynomial. By detecting the inflection points, the model can “predict” the turning points, from convergence to divergence. The model performs better with nominal data than with real data. (JEL 015, 040)
ASYMPTOTIC BEHAVIOR OF THE SCATTERING AMPLITUDE AND NORMAL AND ABNORMAL SOLUTIONS OF THE BETHE-SALPETER EQUATION

An integral equation for a scattering amplitude is considered in the ladder approximation. It is assumed that two scalar particles having mass $m$ exchange scalar photons except for the first step, in which a scalar meson having mass $2m$ is exchanged. The exact solution to this equation is found in a compact form in the case of zero energy. Asymptotic behavior of the solution is investigated in the crossed channel. It is shown that the leading term and the second leading term in the asymptotic expansion in $t$ exactly correspond to the normal solutions of the Bethe-Salpeter equation with $n=l+1$ and those with $n=l+2$, respectively, where $n$ is the principal quantum number.
Synthesis, Electronic Properties, and Solid-State Structure of {[(tpy)(Me2bpy)Tc]2(μ-O)}4+/2+

The oxo-bridged technetium(III) polypyridyl complex, [(tpy)(Me{sub 2}bpy)Tc-O-Tc(tpy)(Me{sub 2}bpy)](OTf){sub 4} 1, abbreviated [(N{sub 5}Tc){sub 2}O]{sup 4+}, was prepared from the reaction of TcCl{sub 3}(tpy), TlOTf, and adventitous water. In contrast to other known {mu}-oxo systems of technetium or ruthenium, the cyclic voltammetric data of [(N{sub 5}Tc){sub 2}O]{sup 4+} suggests a relatively weak metal-metal interaction, however the visible absorption spectrum an the apparent magnetic properties suggests that this interaction cannot be completely dismissed. Crystallographic data of 1: triclinic, P1, {alpha}=12.906(2) {Angstrom}, b=14.320(4) {Angstrom}, c = 19.568(2) {Angstrom}, {alpha} = 77.55(1){degrees}, {Beta} = 72.13(1){degrees}, {gamma} = 76.83(2){degrees}, V=3308 {Angstrom}{sup 3}, Z=2. The Tc=O bond lengths are 1.833(6) and 1.830(6) {Angstrom}, and the Tc-O-Tc bond angle is 171.1(3){degrees}. The zinc reduction of 1 results in the two electron reduced oxo-bridged dimer, [(N{sub 5}Tc){sub 2}O]{sup 2+}. Both complexes exhibit intense, low energy bands in the visible region characteristic of {mu}-oxo compounds, and these bands are red shifted by approximately 5000 cnm{sup {minus}1} in the reduced complex.
Photosynthetically active accessory pigments of cryptomonads.

Photoreactive Pigments in Flagellates: Photosynthetically Active Accessory Pigments of Cryptomonads
Zeeman relaxation of CaF in low-temperature collisions with helium.

The collision-induced Zeeman relaxation rate for collisions of CaF ${X}^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}({v}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=0)$ with $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ is measured to be ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{\mathrm{Z}}=(7.7+5.4/\ensuremath{-}2.5)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}15}\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{3}/\mathrm{s}$ at 2 K. This rate is a direct measurement of the influence of spin-rotation coupling on Zeeman relaxation in the first rotational level of CaF. The relationship of this rate to known molecular constants is consistent with recent theory of cold molecular collisions and outlines the $^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ molecules conducive to magnetic trapping.
231 SELECTION OF UBIQUITOUS AND ENDOTHELIUM-SPECIFIC PROMOTERS FOR EXPRESSING TRANSGENES IN PIG

Several promoters of different origins have been used to drive expression of transgenes in pig with variable results. However, there has not been a systemic search to identify the most reliable, ubiquitous, and tissue-specific promoters, such as endothelium-specific promoters, to drive expression of transgenes with high predictability. In this study we tested 9 ubiquitous mammalian promoters, generated by assembling enhancers, minimal promoters, and 5′untranslated region of different origins (Table 1) and 5 endothelial-specific promoters: hFlt-1 (fms-like tyrosine kinase), hICAM-2 (intercellular adhesion molecule-2), andhEndoglin promoters from human; mouse Tie-2 promoter (Schlaeger et al. 1997 PNAS 94, 3058-3063); and pig ICAM-2 promoter (Godwin et al. 2006 Xenotransplantation 13, 514-521). These promoters drive the expression of either GFP or LacZ reporter genes and were electroporated into 9 different pig cell types: endothelium-derived 2A2 and PEDSV15 cells (Seebach et al. 2001 Xenotransplantation 8, 48-61), nasal fibroblasts, kidney epithelial cells, and lung macrophages (ATCC, CRL-2528, 2842, and 2843), pig fetal fibroblasts, liver stem cells, fat-derived stem cells, and immortalized liver endothelial cells (generated in the lab). The expression was graded as week, moderate, or strong depending on the brightness of GFP signal or intensity of LacZ staining. Out of 9 ubiquitous promoters, 7 showed either low expression in all cell types or different levels of expression in some of the cell types. However, 2 promoters, hCMV-hCMV-HTLV and SV40-hCMV-HTLV, showed strong and stable expression across all 9 cell types. Among endothelial-specific promoters, pig ICAM-2 promoter showed moderate and specific expression in all 3 endothelial cell types (strong expression with the enhancer) and no expression in non-endothelial cells. Human EC-specific promoter hFlt-1 showed moderate expression in all 3 endothelial cell types, as well as in some of the non-endothelial cells such as liver stem cells, fat-derived stem cells, and lung macrophages. The other endothelial-specific human and mouse promoters did not show any expression in both endothelial and non-endothelial cells. In summary, we identified hCMV-hCMV-HTLV and SV40-hCMV-HTLV as 2 ubiquitous promoters and pICAM2 as an endothelial-specific promoter for expression of transgenes in pig. In the future, we will test these 3 promoters for in vivo expression studies. Table 1.Ubiquitous promoter characteristics
Early Reaction Determination in Two Hydroxide-Kaolinite Systems by Electron Microscopy and Diffraction

Results of the study of the kaolinite-sodium hydroxide interaction showed extensive dissolution of the kaolinite structure at particle edges, with some production of “silicate relicts” as a secondary effect. The method of specimen preparation for electron micro-scopy precluded electron-diffraction study of soluble reaction products. The study of the kaolinite-calcium hydroxide interaction revealed a similar attack on particle edges and formation of “silicate relics” and, in addition, formation of an insoluble reaction product that was tentatively identified by electron diffraction as prehnite, Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2. Both studies showed an ephemeral phase that, by selected area elec- tron diffraction, appeared to be a layer lattice silicate in (001) orientation. In the calcium hydroxide-treated kaolinite, formation of the reaction product was followed from nucleation along particle edges, after 24 hr, to growth of particles about 0.5 to 1 μ in size after 15 days. The combination of electron microscopy of surface replicas to detect changes in morphology with selected area electron diffraction of parallel pseudoreplicas for identification shows promise as a tool for study of the early stages in mineral- chemical interaction.
Intact p53-dependent responses in miR-34-deficient mice

MicroRNAs belonging to the miR-34 family have been proposed as critical modulators of the p53 pathway and potential tumor suppressors in human cancers. To formally test these hypotheses, we have generated mice carrying targeted deletion of all three members of this microRNA family. We show that complete inactivation of miR-34 function is compatible with normal development in mice. Surprisingly, p53 function appears to be intact in miR-34–deficient cells and tissues. Although loss of miR-34 expression leads to a slight increase in cellular proliferation in vitro, it does not impair p53-induced cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. Furthermore, in contrast to p53-deficient mice, miR-34–deficient animals do not display increased susceptibility to spontaneous, irradiation-induced, or c-Myc–initiated tumorigenesis. We also show that expression of members of the miR-34 family is particularly high in the testes, lungs, and brains of mice and that it is largely p53-independent in these tissues. These findings indicate that miR-34 plays a redundant function in the p53 pathway and suggest additional p53-independent functions for this family of miRNAs.
Characterization of a Dio-9-resistant strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract The ATPase inhibitor Dio-9 effectively suppressed a number of physiological processes in a wild-type strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae , X2180-1A. Low levels of the antibiotic inhibited cell growth, amino acid transport, hydrogen ion efflux, and ATPase activity. In addition, Dio-9 acted as a permeabilizing agent for the yeast plasma membrane. A mutant yeast strain, XC24, was selected on the basis of its ability to grow on minimal medium containing 200 μg/ml of Dio-9. Strain XC24 had acquired a pH-conditional ability to resist the permeabilizing effects of Dio-9. In addition, amino acid transport and hydrogen ion pumping exhibited a reduced senstivity to Dio-9 at low pH in the mutant strain. Strain XC24 was also resistant to the permeabilizing effects of the basic polymers protamine and deacylated chitin.
Physical models for muscle

Muscle behaves in a variety of exotic, esoteric, and protean ways. Interestingly enough, a good deal of this exotic behavior has been revealed from laboratory experiments on excised muscle, rather than from observation of intact, in situ, in vivo muscles. Naturally a satisfactory physical model of muscle would have to be capable of behaving like real muscle in a wide variety of ways. This presentation will acquaint you with the laboratory behavior of muscle and with models that have been devised to help quantify that behavior and/or to understand the basis for it. Only a model capable of simulating all known behavior should be considered competent to serve such purposes. One such model will be defined and used for obtaining a set of parameters for muscles.
Seasonal variation of acid volatile sulfide concentration in sediment cores from three northeastern Minnesota lakes

Acid volatile sulfide (AVS) is a natural agent in sediments which complexes some cationic metals and thereby influences the toxicity of these metals to benthic organisms. Because of its influence on metal bioavailability, AVS has been proposed as a key normalization phase for the development of sediment quality criteria for metals. However, studies conducted primarily in marine and estuarine systems have shown that AVS concentrations can vary markedly both temporally and with (sediment) depth. In this study, AVS concentrations were measured monthly for 16 mo in several segments of sediment cores from three freshwater lakes: Caribou Lake, Fish Lake and Pike Lake in northeastern Minnesota, USA. The concentrations of AVS in cores from the three lakes varied inversely with sediment depth. AVS concentrations also varied seasonally by as much as two orders of magnitude and were directly correlated with changes in water temperature. The correlation between AVS and temperature likely was related both to changes in primary productivity and sediment microbial activity.
Resilience in consensus dynamics via competitive interconnections

Abstract We show that competitive engagements within the agents of a network can result in resilience in consensus dynamics with respect to the presence of an adversary. We first show that interconnections with an adversary, with linear dynamics, can make the consensus dynamics diverge, or drive its evolution to a state different from the average. We then introduce a second network, interconnected with the original network via an engagement topology. This network has no information about the adversary and each agent in it has only access to partial information about the state of the other network. We introduce a dynamics on the coupled network which corresponds to a saddle-point dynamics of a certain zero-sum game and is distributed over each network, as well as the engagement topology. We show that, by appropriately choosing a design parameter corresponding to the competition between these two networks, the coupled dynamics can be made resilient with respect to the presence of the adversary. Our technical approach combines notions of graph theory and stable perturbations of nonsymmetric matrices. We demonstrate our results on an example of kinematic-based flocking in presence of an adversary.
Comparison of primary-care practitioners and sleep specialists in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

We wished to determine if being treated for sleep apnea by a sleep specialist increased patient awareness or long-term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) compliance. We performed a retrospective telephone survey and laboratory chart review in patients with a diagnosis of sleep apnea evaluated either at a laboratory in which only sleep specialists can order polysomnography (University Specialty Hospital, noted as USH) or at a laboratory serving the medical community at large (Kernan Hospital, noted as K). Both laboratories are under the same medical director, use the same policies and procedures, equipment, and technician pool. One hundred three patients participated in the survey (approximately 37% of those contacted), 59 from USH and 44 from K. The groups were comparable in terms of demographics, presenting complaints, and apnea severity. In patients treated by sleep specialists, awareness of the disease process was greater and the evaluation was timelier than in patients treated by generalists. However, there was no difference between the groups' long-term self-reported CPAP acceptance or compliance. The most robust predictor of continued CPAP use was the patient's self-report of feeling better.
Evaluation of different types and levels of triglycerides, singly and in combination with different levels of n−3 highly unsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters in diets of juvenile red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus

Abstract Two separate feeding trials were conducted to assess different aspects of lipid nutrition of juvenile red drum. In the first 8-week trial, growth, survival, feed efficiency, total lipid and fatty acid composition of whole-body, muscle and liver tissues were used to establish the nutritional efficacy of different triglycerides for this species. Semipurified diets contained 7% total lipid from tristearin, triolein, linseed oil or menhaden fish oil, sources rich in 18:0, 18:1, 18:3 n −3 and n −3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), respectively. Fish were maintained in a recirculating system containing brackish water (5 ± 2 ppt) with a temperature of 25 ± 2°C. Growth was influenced by dietary lipid, with progressive increases in weight gain of fish fed linseed oil and menhaden oil. The latter contains substantial amounts of the n −3 HUFA that are necessary to satisfy the essential fatty acid (EFA) requirements of this species. Elevated monoenes were present in tissue lipids of fish fed tristearin and triolein, and n −3 HUFA were conserved in the polar lipid fractions. The second 6-week feeding trial was conducted to assess the quantitative EFA requirements of red drum in relation to total dietary lipid. Diets contained 7 or 14% total lipid from menhaden oil, or linseed oil with or without supplemental n −3 HUFA in the form of ethyl esters. Quantitative EFA requirements increased with dietary lipid, and growth was best in fish fed 20:5 n −3 plus 22:6 n −3 at 10% of dietary lipid.
War on crime : bandits, G-men, and the politics of mass culture

War on Crime revises the history of the New Deal transformation and suggests a new model for political history--one which recognizes that cultural phenomena and the political realm produce, between them, and idea of "the state." The war on crime was fought with guns and pens, movies and legislation, radio and government hearings. All of these methods illuminate this period of state transformation and perceptions of that emergent state in the years of the first New Deal. This study of the creation of G-men and gangsters as cultural heroes in this period not only explores the Depression-era obsession with crime and celebrity, but it also lends insight on how citizens understood a nation undergoing large political and social changes. Anxieties about crime today have become a familiar route for the creation of new government agencies and the extension of state authority. It is important to remember the original "war on crime" in the 1930s--and the opportunities it afforded to New Dealers and established bureaucrats like J. Edgar Hoover--as scholars grapple with the ways states assert influence over populations, local authority, and party politics while they pursue goals such as reducing popular violence and protecting private property.
Short term nitrate losses and associated microbial populations in soil columns

Abstract The relationship between NO 3 − loss from solution and associated microbial populations as a function of time and depth in soil was studied. Soil columns were leached with a NO 3 − solution under flood conditions. Soil columns were cut into top, middle and bottom sections following 4.5, 12, 24, 48 and 120 h of leaching. Soil was subsequently analyzed for NO 3 − and NO 2 − content and microbial counts were made for denitrifiers, nitrate reducers and total microbial population. Nitrate losses were found to be directly related to an increase in the denitrifier population and proportional to the residence time of solution in the soil. The total microbial population and nitrate reducer population remained nearly constant throughout the experiment.
Perceptions of persons with multiple sclerosis on cognitive changes and their impact on daily life

Purpose. Cognitive changes occur in over 50% of persons diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Although previous research has provided information of the nature and severity of cognitive changes among persons with MS, it has offered relatively limited insight on the impact of these changes on levels of functioning and disability. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of cognitive changes on the lives of four individuals with MS with different life roles (worker, parent, retired older adult).Method. Qualitative methodologies were used in the study and included multiple open-ended interviews with the study participants and the completion of Cognitive Experience Forms in between interviews. In addition, the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire and a demographics form were administered. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the study data.Results. Participants described the types of cognitive changes they are experiencing and how these changes affect their ability to participate and engage in desir...
The public demand for smoking bans

Smoking bans are gaining widespread support in the United States and other countries. While supporters argue that bans are necessary to resolve market failures associated with negative externalities, the Coase Theorem predicts that, under various conditions, private markets internalize negative externalities. We examine the smoking issue within the framework of the Coase Theorem and hypothesize that smoking bans misallocate air space resources shared by smokers and nonsmokers. Because smoking bans shift ownership of scarce resources, they are also hypothesized to transfer income from one party (smokers) to another party (nonsmokers). Supporting evidence for these hypotheses is provided by an examination of a comprehensive smoking ban imposed in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Failure of TLR4-Driven NF-κB Activation to Stimulate Virus Replication in Models of HIV Type 1 Activation

The interaction of HIV-1 with Toll-like receptors (TLR) on host target cells is incompletely understood. Data from several in vivo and in vitro model systems suggests TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 remain functional and if stimulated, cause an upregulation of viral replication. In the present studies employing two different chronically HIV-1 infected cell lines and highly purified TLR agonists, we found ligation of TLR2 and TLR9, but not TLR4, resulted in significant up-regulation of HIV-1 production. This result was not due to a lack of TLR4 expression or impaired NF-κB activation. Using 293T cells transfected with individual TLRs and an HIV-1 LTR reporter confirmed that TLR4 signaling does not directly activate the HIV-1 LTR. Finally, ultra-purified LPS did not enhance production of IL-1β or IL-6 in chronically infected U1 cells, whereas significant cytokine production was observed in uninfected U937 cells. These results confirm the biological activity of ultra-purified LPS and raise the possibility that TLR4 signaling pathways may be altered during chronic HIV-1 infection. Collectively, these studies suggest that although several TLR can upregulate NF-κB in HIV-1 infected cells, upregulation of NF-κB alone is insufficient to activate the viral LTR. Further dissection of the TLR signaling pathways is necessary to determine how TLR stimulation leads to LTR activation and whether HIV-1 infection can alter signaling through TLR4.
The Interaction between Quasilinear Elastodynamics and the Navier-Stokes Equations

The interaction between a viscous fluid and an elastic solid is modeled by a system of parabolic and hyperbolic equations, coupled to one another along the moving material interface through the continuity of the velocity and traction vectors. We prove the existence and uniqueness (locally in time) of strong solutions in Sobolev spaces for quasilinear elastodynamics coupled to the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Unlike our approach in [5] for the case of linear elastodynamics, we cannot employ a fixed-point argument on the nonlinear system itself, and are instead forced to regularize it by a particular parabolic artificial viscosity term. We proceed to show that with this specific regularization, we obtain a time interval of existence which is independent of the artificial viscosity; together with a priori estimates, we identify the global solution (in both phases), as well as the interface motion, as a weak limit in strong norms of our sequence of regularized problems.
MO-D-108-02: A Secondary Monitor Unit Calculation Algorithm Using Superposition of Symmetric, Open Fields for IMRT and VMAT Treatment Plans

Purpose: To perform a secondary dose calculation for an IMRT or VMAT plan to a point on or off axis within 2% using open field data. Methods: The calculation is performed by subdividing dose into the contributions from each opposing leaf pair for a given MLC configuration. Leaf pair dose is determined by drawing four rectangular fields based on leaf positions that are symmetric about the point of calculation. Field dose is determined using isocentric monitor unit calculation formalism with open field data. Superposition of these fields yields the dose from the leaf pair to the point. VMAT plans are approximated by a static MLC configuration at four degree intervals. The algorithm requires standard open field data (e.g., Scps, TPRs), and the MLC control point information. These calculations were done with additional measured small field output factors down to a 1.2 cm2. Algorithm doses were compared with homogeneous and heterogeneous Pinnacle calculations of a series of prostate, head and neck, and chest wall treatment plans. For each treatment plan the calculation point was taken as the isocenter and/or the center of the PTV. Delivery techniques included SMLC‐IMRT and VMAT. Results: Good agreement was obtained between doses calculated by the algorithm and the Pinnacle Treatment Planning System. For homogeneous cases, the total calculated doses were within 2% for all patient plans. Individual beam errors were as high as 7.8% with an average of 2.8%. Larger errors were associated for beam segments with leaf positions very near the calculation point. Larger errors were also found for heterogeneous calculations, where a simple ratio of TPR correction factor was utilized in the algorithm. Conclusion: Results demonstrate that clinically acceptable agreement is obtained using this method. Further improvement could be made with more accurate heterogeneity correction factors and/or incorporation of MLC leaf end effects. This work was supported in part by a research agreement with Oncology Data Systems, Inc.
Hybrid organic-silicon dual RF-optical nanoslot waveguide

Our recently-proposed optical-RF dual slot modulator achieves nanoscale confinement and can afford extremely low V π modulators. These devices require the convergence of novel materials and processing techniques to integrate organic materials and silicon.
An asymptotic model of work roll heat transfer in strip rolling

An asymptotic model of work roll heat transfer is developed using a multiple time scale approach. The model is appropriate under typical high Peclet number rolling conditions and provides a unified framework for relating previous roll heat transfer models. The solution consists of a fast time scale thermal boundary layer near the roll surface, along with a slow time scale core heat transfer problem. Several features of the model are illustrated. First, boundary layer behavior is examined under steady and dynamic conditions. Here, the decay rate for boundary layer transients is determined and theoretical steady-state temperature distributions are compared against previously reported experimental data. Heat transfer within the core is then considered under relatively general surface heating conditions. In the special case where the surface heat flux is constant, core temperatures are shown to increase linearly with time. In the last illustration, the model is used to obtain inverse estimates of circumferentially varying roll surface heat flux and temperature distributions. In this case, comparisons are made with the finite difference-based inverse estimates recently reported by Huang et al., International Journal of' Heat and Mass Trans,fhr, 1995, 38, 1019-1031. 0 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.
A simulation study of the thermosphere mass density response to substorms using GITM

The temporal and spatial variations of the thermospheric mass density during a series of idealized substorms were investigated using the Global Ionosphere Thermosphere Model (GITM). The maximum mass density perturbation of an idealized substorm with a peak variation of hemispheric power (HP) of 50 GigaWatts (GW) and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz of -2 nT was ~14% about 50 min after the substorm onset in the nightside sector of the auroral zone. The mass density response to different types of energy input has a strong local time dependence, with the mass density perturbation due to only an IMF Bz variation peaking in the dusk sector and the density perturbation due to only HP variations peaks in the nightside sector. Simulations with IMF Bz changes only, and HP changes only showed that the system behaves slightly nonlinearly when both IMF and HP variations are included (a maximum of 6% of the non-linearity), and that the non-linearity grows with energy input. The neutral gas heating rate due to Joule heating was of same magnitude as the heating rate due to precipitation, but the majority of the temperature enhancement due to the heating due to precipitation occurs at lower altitude as compared to the auroral heating. About 110 min after onset, a negative mass density perturbation (~-5%) occurred in the night sector, which was consistent with the mass density measurement of the CHAMP satellite.
Acquisition, placement, and folding of fabric materials

This paper discusses the technical issues associated with the acquisition, placement, and folding of fabric materials with mechatronic devices and machines. Earlier work in this area considered the acquisition of fabrics from a stack of materials. Numerous techniques were evaluated and suggested as a satisfactory way to provide “pick and placement” of such materials for various automated processes. Several end‐effector devices were developed which used “pinching and stretching” and “multiple roller” approach for handling, placing, and smoothing fabrics on a flat surface. Fabric wrinkles were detected using a feedback laser sensor to assist in the placement and positioning of fabrics. Later work focused on the positioning of fabrics that required issues of alignment, placement and folding for a variety of fabric operations. A two‐dimensional process considered precise placement, laying down, and then folding of a fabric material to have matched ends using a robot manipulator using visual feedback sensing. Additionally, three‐dimensional diagonal folding of fabric was considered based on knowledge developed from the two‐dimensional case. Work was also conducted to mathematically model and measure deformations of limp fabrics and how wrinkling influenced the process of fabric smoothing, alignment, and folding. The results of this work showed that different fabric types (lighter versus heavier) have different sensitivities and hysteritic effects with respect to wrinkling, smoothing, alignment, and folding.
Computer-aided color coding for data display

The paper shows how unordered or ordered color sets (color scales) can be generated in a device-independent color space and used for data representation in a computer-aided color coding system based on fundamental principles of human vision. >
Teaching and Learning Principles of Microeconomics Online: An Empirical Assessment.

How do students enrolled in online courses perform relative to those who choose a more traditional classroom environment? What student characteristics help explain differences in student academic achievement in the two modes of instruction? What factors affect the students' choice of instruction mode? The authors address these questions in relation to the teaching of introductory economics courses. They find that the two groups of students are significantly different in age, gender composition, marital status and number of children, GPA, previous economics exposure, planned major, and other important characteristics. The raw data suggested a higher mean score for the online class sections. But after considering course selection bias, the findings indicated that age and GPA positively affect students' performance in the course, whereas the online teaching mode has a narrowly insignificant, or even negative, effect. Semester effects are most important for the online subsample, and male students enjoy a prem...
Concurrent sizing, Vdd and V/sub th/ assignment for low-power design

We present a sensitivity-based algorithm for total power including dynamic and subthreshold leakage power minimization using simultaneous sizing, Vdd and Vth assignment. The proposed algorithm is implemented and tested on a set of combinational benchmark circuits. A comparison with traditional CVS based algorithms demonstrates the advantage of the algorithm including an average power reduction of 37% at primary input activities of 0.1. We also investigate the impact of various low Vdd values on total power savings.
Late aortic remodeling persists in the stented segment after endovascular repair of acute complicated type B aortic dissection

Objective Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for acute complicated type B aortic dissection (AD) promotes early positive aortic remodeling. However, little is known about the long-term effect of TEVAR on the dissected aorta, which is the goal of this study. Methods Between August 2005 and August 2009, 31 patients with complicated type B AD were treated with TEVAR and had >1-year follow-up imaging. Computed tomography angiograms obtained at 1 month, 1 year, and long term (average, 42 months) were compared with baseline scans. The largest diameters of the stented thoracic aorta, stented true lumen, and stented false lumen were recorded at each time point, as were the values in the unstented distal thoracic aorta and the abdominal aorta. Changes over time were evaluated by a mixed effect analysis of variance model of repeated measures. Results The average age of the cohort was 56 years, and 74% were male. Indications for TEVAR were as follows: 61% malperfusion, 32% refractory hypertension, 45% impending rupture, and 32% persistent pain; 58% had more than one indication. All patients were treated in the acute phase within 7 days of the initial presentation. The average length of aorta covered was 19 cm. Observation of the stented segment over time showed that the maximum diameter of the stented thoracic aorta was stable ( P = NS), the diameter of the stented true lumen increased ( P P P = .014), as did the visceral segment of the aorta ( P P = .004). One patient had aneurysmal degeneration of the false lumen and required an additional endograft at 18 months. Conclusions TEVAR of acute AD promotes long-term remodeling across the stented segment, with false lumen obliteration in 84% of patients. However, false lumen obliteration beyond the stented segment appears necessary to prevent late aneurysmal degeneration of the distal aorta.
World Bank contribution to building national HIV/AIDS monitoring and evaluation capacity in Africa: Going beyond indicator development and conceptual training

An operational plan for monitoring and evaluation with a detailed budget is an essential step in moving from an indicator set to a functioning monitoring and evaluation system. Experience suggests that this will happen only with appropriate funding incentives.
Gas sensors based on tin oxide nanoparticles synthesized from a mini-arc plasma source

Miniaturized gas sensors or electronic noses to rapidly detect and differentiate trace amount of chemical agents are extremely attractive. In this paper, we report on the fabrication and characterization of a functional tin oxide nanoparticle gas sensor. Tin oxide nanoparticles are first synthesized using a convenient and low-cost mini-arc plasma source. The nanoparticle size distribution is measured online using a scanning electrical mobility spectrometer (SEMS). The product nanoparticles are analyzed ex-situ by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) for morphology and defects, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy for elemental composition, electron diffraction for crystal structure, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for surface composition. Nonagglomerated rutile tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles as small as a few nm have been produced. Larger particles bear a core-shell structure with a metallic core and an oxide shell. The nanoparticles are then assembled onto an e-beam lithographically patterned interdigitated electrode using electrostatic force to fabricate the gas sensor. The nanoparticle sensor exhibits a fast response and a good sensitivity when exposed to 100 ppm ethanol vapor in air.
Role of bacterial adhesion in the microbial ecology of biofilms in cooling tower systems

The fate of the three heterotrophic biofilm forming bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Flavobacterium sp. in pilot scale cooling towers was evaluated both by observing the persistence of each species in the recirculating water and the formation of biofilms on steel coupons placed in each cooling tower water reservoir. Two different cooling tower experiments were performed: a short-term study (6 days) to observe the initial bacterial colonization of the cooling tower, and a long-term study (3 months) to observe the ecological dynamics with repeated introduction of the test strains. An additional set of batch experiments (6 days) was carried out to evaluate the adhesion of each strain to steel surfaces under similar conditions to those found in the cooling tower experiments. Substantial differences were observed in the microbial communities that developed in the batch systems and cooling towers. P. aeruginosa showed a low degree of adherence to steel surfaces both in batch and in the cooling towers, but grew much faster than K. pneumoniae and Flavobacterium in mixed-species biofilms and ultimately became the dominant organism in the closed batch systems. However, the low degree of adherence caused P. aeruginosa to be rapidly washed out of the open cooling tower systems, and Flavobacterium became the dominant microorganism in the cooling towers in both the short-term and long-term experiments. These results indicate that adhesion, retention and growth on solid surfaces play important roles in the bacterial community that develops in cooling tower systems.