cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RNA polymerase alpha and sigma(70) subunits participate in transcription of the Escherichia coli uhpT promoter.

Fundamental questions in bacterial gene regulation concern how multiple regulatory proteins interact with the transcription apparatus at a single promoter and what are the roles of protein contacts with RNA polymerase and changes in DNA conformation. Transcription of the Escherichia coli uhpT gene, encoding the inducible sugar phosphate transporter, is dependent on the response regulator UhpA and is stimulated by the cyclic AMP receptor protein (CAP). UhpA binds to multiple sites in the uhpT promoter between positions −80 and −32 upstream of the transcription start site, and CAP binds to a single site centered at position −103.5. The role in uhpT transcription of portions of RNA polymerase Eς70 holoenzyme which affect regulation at other promoters was examined by using series of alanine substitutions throughout the C-terminal domains of RpoA (residues 255 to 329) and of RpoD (residues 570 to 613). Alanine substitutions that affected in vivo expression of a uhpT-lacZ transcriptional fusion were tested for their effect on in vitro transcription activity by using reconstituted holoenzymes. Consistent with the binding of UhpA near the −35 region, residues K593 and K599 in the C-terminal region of RpoD were necessary for efficient uhpT expression in response to UhpA alone. Their requirement was overcome when CAP was also present. In addition, residues R265, G296, and S299 in the DNA-binding surface of the C-terminal domain of RpoA (αCTD) were important for uhpT transcription even in the presence of CAP. Substitutions at several other positions had effects in cells but not during in vitro transcription with saturating levels of the transcription factors. Two DNase-hypersensitive sites near the upstream end of the UhpA-binding region were seen in the presence of all three transcription factors. Their appearance required functional αCTD but not the presence of upstream DNA. These results suggest that both transcription activators depend on or interact with different subunits of RNA polymerase, although their role in formation of proper DNA geometry may also be crucial.
Gene-Environment Interaction: Overview†

Current biomedical research is guided by the idea that genetic makeup and environmental exposures, broadly construed, work together through time to cause human disease. This idea is the broad essence of gene–environment interaction. The detailed assessment of gene–environment interaction using epidemiologic data involves issues such as how one defines such interactions in a statistical sense and how one might infer that interactions seen in observational studies reflect causal relationships. That gene–environment interaction is hard to detect and estimate, requiring much larger sample sizes than main effects, has prompted research into novel approaches to increase power and precision through both methods of data analysis methods and study designs. Efforts to make studies robust against hidden genetic population structure have prompted other innovations in study design. The needs of biomedical science continue to stimulate research toward improved methods for studying gene–environment interaction. Keywords: antagonism; synergism; additive model; multiplicative model; genetics; epidemiology; complex disease; causal inference; case-only design; case-parents design
Advanced systems traverse research project report

Traverse research on lunar geology, including post-Apollo landing missions and improved photogrammetric reduction techniques
Isolation and Characterization of Ultramicrobacteria from a Gulf Coast Estuary

Viable bacteria were recovered from estuarine waters passed through a 0.2-μm polycarbonate membrane filter. The recovery method included the use of a dilute nutrient broth for primary enrichment followed by conditioning of the organism to a dilute nutrient solid medium. These bacteria were gram-negative rods and coccobacilli having an NaCl requirement and, upon initial culturing, low nutritional requirements. In response to increased nutrient preparations, these microorganisms underwent an increase in size and growth rate, giving rise to visible colonies. Phenotypic characterization suggests that species of Vibrio, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, and Alcaligenes were among the isolates. The abundance and the nutritional requirements of these ultramicrobacteria imply that they represent a class of microorganisms which have successfully adjusted to poor nutrient conditions.
Flatlining: How the Reluctance to Embrace Immigrant Nurses is Mortally Wounding the U.S. Healthcare System

Understaffing of nurses in U.S. hospitals is severely impacting the quality of healthcare and is predicted to worsen in future years. By the year 2020, the nursing workforce is projected to be nearly a million nurses short. The current nurse pool is retiring, and the number of new nurses entering the profession is inadequate. At the same time, an aging baby boomer population will need to be cared for as they reach old age. The nationwide shortage is related to another issue, inadequate staffing. There is a strong relationship between inadequate staffing and adverse patient outcomes, including mortality. Proposed domestic solutions to this problem include mandating the minimum number of nurses per patient, increasing nurse education investment, augmenting existing outreach programs that target young people, and increasing nurse wages. One possible solution is the use of foreign nurses to alleviate the burgeoning shortage. This solution is circumscribed by immigration law, which still remains far behind in terms of meeting the need. Immigration law only authorizes 500 H-1C visas per year. Attempts to expand immigration have been met with a cold response from nurse unions and trade associations. This Article argues for the increased use of foreign nurses in U.S. hospitals as a complement to proposed domestic policy solutions, in order to fully alleviate the shortage and to adequately ensure patient safety. This Article analyzes past and current efforts in the U.S. to use immigrant nurses in times of nurse shortage. The Article concludes by analyzing the challenges associated with the continued nurse migration and also calls for an expansion of the H-1C program, as well as further global investment in nursing care.
Systems analysis of transcriptional data provides insights into muscle's biological response to botulinum toxin.

Skeletal muscle contraction is controlled by impulses received from the central nervous system via the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). In cases where skeletal muscle function is impaired due to altered activity of nerve impulses, as in disorders such as cerebral palsy (CP), it can be advantageous to suppress muscle contraction by reducing NMJ activity. Signal reduction can be achieved by physically decoupling the muscle and nerve by selective dorsal rhizotomy,1 or through the use of chemical agents such as neurotoxins.2 One such neurotoxin in common clinical use is onabotulinum toxin A (BoNT-A), which has applications ranging from decreasing spasticity, tics, and tremors, to managing pain and controlling glandular secretions.3 BoNT-A is 1 of 7 serotypes produced by Clostridium botulinum that functions to reversibly paralyze muscle by affecting the NMJ. BoNT-A reduces pre-synaptic acetylcholine (ACh) release by specifically cleaving a SNARE protein, SNAP25, required for its exocytosis. BoNT-A–induced neuromuscular block causes physical and physiological changes to the NMJ and skeletal muscle fiber.4,5 Experimental studies have shown that muscle reinnervation via neuronal sprouting begins immediately after injection, with control slowly reverting back to the parent terminal over time.6,7 It has also been observed that, during this time, skeletal muscle is characterized by reduced fiber size, paresis, and atrophy,8 until it gradually regains functionality. When used as a therapeutic agent in disorders such as CP, BoNT-A is administered by intramuscular injection repeatedly over extended periods of time. Although clinical experience has demonstrated that the injection effects last 3–6 months,9 there is not yet a cohesive temporal picture or a clear understanding of underlying muscle functional and transcriptional regulation. Although the effects of BoNT-A treatments in skeletal muscle have been studied extensively experimentally,4,7,10 to the best of our knowledge, only a single genomic study was published that focused on certain genes associated with BoNT-A action in skeletal muscle.11 In contrast, we now report a complete systems analysis of the BoNT-A–treated skeletal muscle transcriptome over a period of 1 year, with the goal of understanding the underlying biological response to BoNT-A and the relationship between transcriptional and functional changes associated with its reversible paralysis. We analyze our results in the context of “physiological families” of skeletal muscle, as presented recently.12,13 Thus, the primary goal for this study was 2-fold: (1) to create a documented model for global transcriptional changes that occur with neurotransmitter blockade using BoNT-A in skeletal muscle; and (2) to gain insights into the biological basis for adaptation and recovery of muscle after BoNT-A treatment.
Holocene evolution of a coastal lagoon, Lake of Tunis, Tunisia

Historical records demonstrate that the Lake of Tunis, Tunisia, was an open bay that became separated from the Mediterranean by an accreting barrier spit, forming a lagoon. Closure of the lagoon was caused by increased sedimentation as a consequence of Roman deforestation of the Medjerda River drainage basin to the north and subsequent accelerated longshore transport. The separation of the lagoon from the Mediterranean was completed in the early 1500s. At present, the 48 km2 lagoon averages less than 1 m in depth and reaches eutrophic conditions in the late summer. Consistent with the historical records, the lagoon sedimentary column shows three distinct successive environments of deposition: (1) an arid continental environment; (2) an open marine bay; and (3) the present brackish to hypersaline lagoon. These depositional environments are represented by the lower grey layer, which is less than 0-5 m thick, the middle olive-grey layer, which varies from 1 to 5 m in thickness, and the upper black layer, which is 1 m thick. All of the strata are predominantly silt plus clay, but usually contain at least 10% sand. The lower grey layer consists of pitted quartz sand, with very few abraded, broken molluscan fragments and benthic foraminifera with thick tests. An arid, subaerial depositional environment of latest Pleistocene time best explains these sediment and fossil assemblages. In the middle olive-grey layer, coral, coralline algae, open marine graeses and the dominance of foraminifera over ostracods (expressed as a low percentage of ostracods/ostracods plus foraminifera) attest to a depositional environment of an open marine bay. A sharp increase in the percentage of ostracods/ostracods plus foraminifera and organic carbon from the middle olive-grey layer to the upper black layer signifies a major change in depositional environment. The predominance of ostracods over foraminifera, abundance of gastropods characteristic of eutrophic conditions, high organic carbon content and absence of macro-fossils characteristic of open marine conditions clearly indicate that the upper black layer was deposited in a brackish to hypersaline, eutrophic lagoon which has persisted to the present. Seismic records indicate a karstic bedrock surface underlying the lagoon. The surface is marked by considerable relief, and shows a linear depression which may represent an early sixteenth century ship canal. Heavy metal analyses of total samples in five cores demonstrate that Mn and Fe vary randomly, and are apparently derived from natural sources only. Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu and Zn are typically highest in the uppermost unit, which reflects levels of human contamination since closure of the lagoon.
Measurement of the haptoglobin concentration in plasma and other fluids by a simple spectrometric procedure.

A method for determining the concentration of available haptoglobin in plasma and other solutions is described. The procedure involves absorbance measurements in a mixture of plasma and hemoglobin before and after the addition of sodium dithionite. The haptoglobin content of the solution is calculated from the ratio of the absorbances at the Soret peaks of the oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin. The assay can be performed in minutes, and the error of measurement is well under 10%.
Selection-fusion approach for classification of datasets with missing values

This paper proposes a new approach based on missing value pattern discovery for classifying incomplete data. This approach is particularly designed for classification of datasets with a small number of samples and a high percentage of missing values where available missing value treatment approaches do not usually work well. Based on the pattern of the missing values, the proposed approach finds subsets of samples for which most of the features are available and trains a classifier for each subset. Then, it combines the outputs of the classifiers. Subset selection is translated into a clustering problem, allowing derivation of a mathematical framework for it. A trade off is established between the computational complexity (number of subsets) and the accuracy of the overall classifier. To deal with this trade off, a numerical criterion is proposed for the prediction of the overall performance. The proposed method is applied to seven datasets from the popular University of California, Irvine data mining archive and an epilepsy dataset from Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan (total of eight datasets). Experimental results show that classification accuracy of the proposed method is superior to those of the widely used multiple imputations method and four other methods. They also show that the level of superiority depends on the pattern and percentage of missing values.
System-level modeling for economic evaluation of geological CO2 storage in gas reservoirs

Abstract One way to reduce the effects of anthropogenic greenhouse gases on climate is to inject carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial sources into deep geological formations such as brine aquifers or depleted oil or gas reservoirs. Research is being conducted to improve understanding of factors affecting particular aspects of geological CO2 storage (such as storage performance, storage capacity, and health, safety and environmental (HSE) issues) as well as to lower the cost of CO2 capture and related processes. However, there has been less emphasis to date on system-level analyses of geological CO2 storage that consider geological, economic, and environmental issues by linking detailed process models to representations of engineering components and associated economic models. The objective of this study is to develop a system-level model for geological CO2 storage, including CO2 capture and separation, compression, pipeline transportation to the storage site, and CO2 injection. Within our system model we are incorporating detailed reservoir simulations of CO2 injection into a gas reservoir and related enhanced production of methane. Potential leakage and associated environmental impacts are also considered. The platform for the system-level model is GoldSim [GoldSim User’s Guide. GoldSim Technology Group; 2006, http://www.goldsim.com ]. The application of the system model focuses on evaluating the feasibility of carbon sequestration with enhanced gas recovery (CSEGR) in the Rio Vista region of California. The reservoir simulations are performed using a special module of the TOUGH2 simulator, EOS7C, for multicomponent gas mixtures of methane and CO2. Using a system-level modeling approach, the economic benefits of enhanced gas recovery can be directly weighed against the costs and benefits of CO2 injection.
Using stand-level optimization to reduce crown fire hazard

Abstract This study evaluated the ability to generate prescriptions for a wide variety of stands when the goal is to reduce crown fire potential. Forest managers charged with reducing crown fire potential while providing for commodity and ecological production have been hampered by the complexity of possible management options. A program called Stand-Level Optimization with Multiple Objectives (SLOMO) was developed that uses a dynamic programming based algorithm to find near-optimal solutions for a number of problem formulations. Sixty-four stand types from eastern Oregon were evaluated with SLOMO with the goal of reducing crown fire potential. Two attributes of stand canopies were manipulated, canopy base height (CBH) and canopy bulk density (CBD). Additionally, a baseline case of “grow only” was evaluated for each stand to help understand the potential effects of active management. Results illustrate the potential for optimization methods to provide useful management strategies to reduce crown fires. Relative to the grow only goal, treatments are derived that achieve and maintain target levels for CBH and CBD over a 100-year projection. Simulations show a substantive decrease in crown fires, especially active crown fires, with treatments derived from optimization procedures.
Free Radical Graft Polymerization

A critical review of the development of free radical graft copolymerization is presented. This is done in the context of a broader review of free radical polymerization. We consider in particular (1) free radical polymerization and copolymerization of two monomers, (2) grafting onto natural rubber primarily to improve its oil resistance and mechanochemical phenomenon in natural rubber, (3) grafting onto polystyrene to improve its mechanical toughness, (4) reactive extrusion to improve properties of polyolefins and make reactive polymers, (5) kinetics of graft polymerization, and (6) grafting of multiple monomers.
Mechanisms of trans-synaptic regulation of gene expression

Abstract Neurotransmitters, acting through cell surface receptors linked to the production of second messengers, can increase the synthesis of both small-molecule and peptide neurotransmitters in the postsynaptic neuron via the activation of specific DNA regulatory elements that control gene expression. Short DNA elements that stimulate transcription in response to cAMP have been identified within the promoter regions of several neuropeptide genes. The cAMP regulatory element may serve to regulate and coordinate the synthesis of multiple transmitters expressed in a single cell in response to synaptic signals. Here we review approaches currently available to investigate the regulation of neurotransmitter gene expression.
Parametric and nonparametric detectors based on a sequential sample median test

In the first part of this paper a sequential detection procedure, based on a Sequential Sample Median Test (S.S.M.T.), is introduced for the problem of discriminating between shift alternatives (constant signals in additive noise), in a specified noise environment. This detection procedure is shown to have the desirable properties of ease of implementation and of comparing favorably with efficient rank vector detection procedures. The decision samples are acquired in data groups of M samples on which an intermediate decision, based on the value of the sample median of the data group, is made. The final decision to accept one of the two hypotheses is based on the sum of the intermediate decisions. Each intermediate decision is made by comparing the sample median to two decision thresholds. These thresholds are determined by (i) having the probability of error and average sample size under the two hypotheses equal and (ii) specifying either the average sample size or average probability of error. For both types of constraints a numerical optimization procedure to find the “optimum≓ value of M is used. Specific results are obtained for additive gaussian and Cauchy noise. However, to apply this test to either problem it is necessary to know the c.d.f. of the decision samples, i.e., the decision thresholds are a function of the additive noise distribution, and this c.d.f. may not be known. In the second part of this paper an extension of the S.S.M.T. to an unspecified noise environment, for the average sample size constraint, is presented. Two recursive procedures are developed for estimating the decision thresholds corresponding to the desired average sample size. Both procedures are based on the Robbins-Monro stochastic approximation concept and are shown to converge with probability 1 to the correct decision threshold.
Solution NMR structure of the helicase associated domain BVU_0683(627–691) from Bacteroides vulgatus provides first structural coverage for protein domain family PF03457 and indicates domain binding to DNA

A high-quality NMR structure of the helicase associated (HA) domain comprising residues 627–691 of the 753-residue protein BVU_0683 from Bacteroides vulgatus exhibits an all α-helical fold. The structure presented here is the first representative for the large protein domain family PF03457 (currently 742 members) of HA domains. Comparison with structurally similar proteins supports the hypothesis that HA domains bind to DNA and that binding specificity varies greatly within the family of HA domains constituting PF03457.
Bilateral manual externalization of testis with self-castration in patient with prion disease.

A 62-year-old man with Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome, an inherited prion disease, presented after having manually externalized both his testes, including self-castration of his left testis. The left testis was avulsed, along with 12 in. of spermatic cord. Given the patient's hospice status and the wishes of his family, the patient was not taken to the operating room for an inguinal exploration. This represents an unusual case of genital self-mutilation.
The effects of different maternal dietary iodine concentrations on Japanese quail II. Thyroid function in embryos and hatchlingsi

Abstract Embryos (day I4 of the 16.5 day incubation period) and I day old chicks of Japanese quail ( Coturnix japonica ) were used to study the effects of egg I on thyroid development. The maternal diets were supplemented with 0–1200 μg I/kg of purified diet. Thyroid function, of embryos and chicks (before feeding), adapted to a wide range of egg I availability. We measured body weights, thyroid weights, thyroidal 125 I uptakes, stable I concentrations in thyroid glands and triiodothyronine (T 3 ) and thyroxine (T 4 ) concentrations in the serum. With low egg I (maternal diets with With high egg I (maternal diets with 300–1200 μg I/kg) thyroidal radioiodine uptakes were low but thyroidal I incorporation was related to egg I content. Serum hormone concentrations were not significantly altered by high I availability except that serum T 4 concentrations differed in a comparison of the extremes (0 vs 1200 μg I/kg in the maternal diet). As expected, from the consistency of serum hormone concentrations, embryonic growth was not affected by the I content of the eggs. In agreement with earlier studies on quail hens, our results indicate that feed supplementation of 150 μg I/kg is sufficient to meet needs without requiring alterations in thyroid function to maintain serum hormone concentrations. Developing thyroid glands adapt effectively to egg I concentrations of 0.2 to 4.1 μg I/g yolk which result from maternal diets with 0–1200 μg I/kg.
Performance properties of filter paper devices for whole blood collection

Background: The Newborn Screening Quality Assurance Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assesses the adherence to established performance standards of manufactured lots of whole blood filter paper collection devices that are registered by the US FDA. We examined 26 newborn screening analytes measured from blood applied to filter papers from two FDA-cleared sources, Whatman ® Grade 903 and Ahlstrom Grade 226. The dried blood spots contained analytes at both single levels and dose–response series. Results: We observed overlap at one standard deviation for each analyte, with no more than 4–5% difference between the papers. Conclusion: The data demonstrated similarities of analyte recovery between the papers, indicating comparability of the devices for newborn screening and other applications.
Stereo where-what networks: Unsupervised binocular feature learning

Unsupervised feature learning has been shown promising in the field of machine learning. However, the learning algorithms used in these methods, e.g., Deep Belief Networks based on Restricted Boltzman Machines, are typically restricted in different ways, e.g., hard to train and calculate the partition function [1]. In this article, we present a cortex-inspired learning network, Where-What Networks (WWN), for the problem of unsupervised learning of binocular local features. The results show that the learned features autonomously developed selectivity for disparity, profile and location of the input patterns. We present a novel algorithm, Dynamic Synapse Lobe Component Analysis (DSLCA), which not only resembles the pattern of neural connections in the visual cortex, but also results in the autonomous development of “domain disparity”. To our knowledge, this work is the first to introduce unsupervised learning of both domain and weight disparities between left and right local receptive fields. Moreover, given the theoretical optimality of WWNs [2] and their empirically proven strength in supervised learning, the presented work is the first step towards creating a semi-supervised learning network for simultaneous type, location (including distance) and 3D shape perception.
Comparison of a Modified Atmosphere Stunning-Killing System to conventional electrical stunning and killing on selected broiler breast muscle rigor development and meat quality attributes

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to compare the effects of a 70:30 argon:carbon dioxide Modified Atmosphere Stun-Kill (MASK) system to both a low voltage (LV) and a high current (HC) electrical stunning and conventional killing system on broiler breast rigor development and meat quality. In Experiment 1, the effects on breast muscle pH and meat tenderness of the MASK system and the LV system were compared. In Experiment 2, the MASK system was compared to both HC and LV stunning for pH, R-value, C.I.E. L*, a*, b*, cooked yield, and tenderness of broiler breast meat. In Experiment 1, there were no significant differences in breast muscle pH between LV and MASK, except at 24 h. Only at 5 h post-mortem did the MASK system result in significantly tougher breast meat. In Experiment 2, there were no significant differences between treatments in breast muscle color or cooked yield at any sampling time. The breast muscle from birds subjected to the HC stun had consistently higher pH values until 5 h post-mortem, at which time the breast meat from birds subjected to the MASK system had higher pH. R-value data showed a similar trend, with the HC stunned birds having the lower R-values until 5 h post-mortem. Breast meat tenderness values for the three treatments were significantly different only at 3 and 5 h post-mortem, when birds stunned with HC had the highest shear values. The MASK system did not exhibit any rigor accelerating benefits when compared to LV stunning and conventional killing, and only minimal rigor acceleration when compared to HC killing.
Development and experimental validation of a full-scale solar desiccant enhanced radiative cooling system

Abstract A full scale SDERC (solar desiccant enhanced radiative cooling) system with a conditioned house has been set up and tested on the roof of Building 64, Energy and Resources Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan. The system consists of three independent subsystems, which were built on the upper roof and the two sides of the conditioned house. Basically, during one 24 h cycle, each subsystem undergoes a regeneration process when it is exposed to sunlight and undergoes a dehumidification process when it is covered by shadow or in the dark at night. Each subsystem contains three solid desiccant beds and the upper one has an additional radiative cooling facility. The solid desiccant used in the system is silica gel, of which the particle size is 6–8 mesh. By analysis of the experimental data, the upper subsystem has the best performance for both the dehumidification and regeneration processes, followed by the East subsystem; the West one is the worst. There are several characteristics of this system: firstly, it can continuously supply the conditioned space with processed (or dehumidified) air 24 hours a day; secondly, it contains many functions which are suitable for public use like air conditioning, drying, dehydration and active cooling. Thirdly, since the only energy consumption of the system is from the ventilation fans plus the enormous free solar energy input to regenerate the system, its energy efficiency is incredibly high, and finally, a large potential for dehumidification in such a humid area as Taiwan is expected.
STEREOSELECTIVITY OF OXIDATION OF 2-SUBSTITUTED-1,3-DITHIOLANES

Abstract The stereoselectivity of oxidation of 2-methyl-1,3-dithiolane (3), 2-phenyl-1,3-dithiolane (7), and 2-tert-butyl-1,3-dithiolane (15) with sodium metaperiodate and with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid affords primarily the trans-1-oxide corresponding to attack from the less-hindered side. The trans/cis ratio varies from 3/2 for oxidation of 3 to cleanly trans for 15. Further oxidation of 1,3-dithiolane 1-oxides produces trans-1,3-dioxides. The 13C NMR spectra of the oxidation products provide valuable clues for stereochemical determination.
Enrichment of Methane concentration via separation of gases using vortex tubes

The objective of this work was to determine if a vortex tube can be used as a gas separation device. A vortex tube is a simple mechanical device that has no moving parts. It separates a compressed inlet fluid into two streams, one hot and the other cold. There are a variety of theories to explain this separation. It has been hypothesized that a mixture of compressed gases flown into the vortex tube may separate into individual gas streams by virtue of differential centrifugal forces acting on them. During previous studies by others, conflicting results have been obtained using this hypothesis. Further study of the gas separation process in a vortex tube was carried out. An attempt has been made to separte methane and nitrogen gases using vortex tubes. This particular separation or the resulting enrichment of Methane concentration has applications in the mining industry. Methane is emitted in an underground coal mine. It leaks from the coal seams and is extremely hazardous for workers because of its high explosivity in air. A conventional but costly means of circumventing this problem is methane drainage before mining. Yet another effective method is to blow large amounts of air through the mine to locally dilute methane concentration. The mixture of methane and air is directly passed into the atmosphere. There are advantages to separating methane from air at the ventilation exhaust of the mine. First, methane being a greenhouse gas has strict EPA emission standards, and second, methane can be directly used for generating power. In this experimental work, a laboratory size setup was used to investigate the feasibility of using a fixed geometry vortex tube for separating methane and nitrogen from a mixture. It was found that there was partial gas separation leading to a higher concentration of methane at one exit in comparison to the inlet and a lower concentration at the other exit.
Effects of estrogen, age, and calpain on MAP kinase and NMDA receptors in female rat brain

Abstract 17-β-Estradiol (E2), by activating Src and ERK/MAP kinases, enhances NMDA receptor phosphorylation and function. NR2 subunits of NMDA receptors are truncated by calpain, an effect prevented by tyrosine phosphorylation of the subunits. The present study investigated whether E2-mediated activation of ERK and NR2 subunits phosphorylation were altered in 24-month-old female rats. Ovariectomy reduced ERK2 phosphorylation in brains from 3- but not 24-month-old female rats. In ovariectomized rats, restoration of estrogen levels increased ERK2 and NR2 phosphorylation in young but not aged animals. Calcium treatment of frozen–thawed brain sections decreased NR2 levels in both young and aged female rats. This effect was absent in E2-treated young ovariectomized female rats, but was not modified in aged ovariectomized female rats. These results indicate that E2 activation of ERK2 and NR2 phosphorylation is markedly reduced in aged female rats, whereas calpain-mediated truncation of NR2 subunits is not different in young and aged rats. They suggest that several key elements of the mechanisms involved in estrogen-mediated regulation of synaptic plasticity are altered in aged animals.
Mass discrimination in mammography

Abstract Rationale and Objectives. In a previous publication concerning detection of masses in mammograms it was shown that the amplitude (contrast) required for detection increased as mass size increased. The work presented here was designed to measure the variation of amplitude threshold for discrimination between masses as a function of lesion size. Materials and Methods. A hybrid image method with digitized masses added to digitized normal mammograms was used. The masses were extracted from surgical specimen radiographs. Observer experiments were performed using the two-alternative forced-choice method with images displayed on a computer monitor. There were two tasks: (1) discrimination between a ductal carcinoma and a fibroadenoma, and (2) discrimination between two ductal carcinomas. Masses were scaled to cover the linear size range from 1 to 16 mm. Three observers took part, two physicists and a radiologist. Results. The discrimination contrast-detail (CD) diagrams were found to have minimum threshold amplitudes at lesion sizes near 4 mm. The detection results had demonstrated an unusual contrast-detail diagram form with threshold amplitudes monotonically increasing with lesion size for lesions larger than 1 mm, which was opposite the usual result for image noise. Discrimination thresholds or masses larger than 4 mm were approximately 1.5–2 times those reported for detection of the lesions. Conclusion. The detection results had been explained using a relatively simple model based on signal detection theory with some characteristics of the human visual system included. The observer model cannot explain the discrimination results, so additional complexity must be introduced to the observer model.
DUAL: reliability-aware power management in data centers

A virtualized data center hosts users and applications within a large number of virtual machines (VM) to achieve easy provisioning and high utilization of physical resources. Energy efficiency and reliability are two primary concerns for operating a data center. Power saving techniques, such as dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS), are often employed to reduce the supply voltages of the CPUs in runtime when the computer system utilization is low. However, DVFS can potentially decrease the system reliability - the processors at low voltages are more likely to encounter soft errors that may result in VM or system crashes. In this work, we propose a data center management framework, DUAL, which consists of the new virtual machine power and reliability analysis tools. The framework is designed to balance the dual needs of a data center: reducing energy consumption and providing high reliability. The evaluations show that DUAL can help maintain the desired reliability and significantly reduce power consumption, which in turn will lower the overall operational cost of a data center.
The Effects of Pubertal Timing on Body Image, School Behavior, and Deviance.

Variation in the timing of pubertal maturation may result in behavioral differences among early, mid-, and late maturers. Using data from the National Health Examination Survey, a national probability sample of children and youth aged 12-17, we investigated the relationships between maturational timing and body image, school behavior, and deviance. In terms of body image, the early maturing boys were the group most satisfied with height and weight. The early maturing girls were most dissatisfied with weight, with 69% wishing to be thinner. This great dissatisfaction with weight reported by early maturing girls is probably not an affect of early maturation, but a concomitant of maturation in general. The majority of girls became dissatisfied with their weight as they matured, and females from the higher social groups were more likely to want to be thinner than females from lower groups. Thus, a normal developmental process is being viewed negatively by females and positively by males. Male early maturers more often had deviant behavior, but there were no consistent findings for girls. There was no effect of maturational timing on teacher reports of school absence, adjustment, popularity, need for discipline, or grade repetition.
Uniform semiclassical quantization of multi-dimensional systems: application to vibration-rotation eigenvalues

Abstract A new means for obtaining approximate uniform semiclassical eigenvalues of multi-dimensional systems is examined. Vibration-rotation eigenvalues for a rigid bender model of H 2 O at j = 10 and v = 3 are found to be in good agreement with the corresponding quantum eigenvalues.
Computational methods for nonlinear elliptic eigenvalue problems

Abstract In this paper, methods for finding nontrivial solutions of the nonlinear eigenvalue problem − δu = λF ′( u ) are considered. An equivalent variational formulation is used to obtain an iterative procedure for solving the problem with a general (non-convex) function F ( u ). The global convergence of this procedure is established, i.e., convergence from any initial guess. The method is applied to a test problem with F ( u ) = − cos u .
Competitive relationships of Oenothera species with different recombination systems

The hypothesis that outcrossers are competitively superior to close relatives with specialized genetic systems was tested. Interspecific competition between three closely related Oenothera species was examined in common garden environments. Oenothera grandis, an obligate outcrosser, is competitively superior to its derivative, 0. laciniata, an obligate chromosomal heterozygote. Both of these species are superior to 0. mexicana, a closely related facultative selfer. These relationships were consistent over two levels of density stress. Therefore, in this species triad, the outcrosser has a competitive advantage over its close relatives with derived breeding systems.
Stability of Mercury Concentrations in Frozen Avian Blood Samples

It is unclear whether mercury concentration in wildlife tissues changes appreciably after lengthy frozen storage. To test whether such freezer-archived samples are stable, small (~10–50 μL) avian blood samples stored in capped glass capillary tubes were analyzed for total mercury concentration, and then reanalyzed after being frozen for up to 3 years. Mercury concentrations increased 6% on average over the 3 year period, but time spent frozen explained only 11% of the variation between measurements. This small amount of change suggests that archived blood samples remain useful for at least several years.
Visionaries: the 20th century's 100 most important inspirational leaders

Visionaries: the 20th century's 100 most important inspirational leaders, by Satish Kumar and Freddie Whitefield, (Eds.), White River Junction, VT, Chelsea Green Publishing, 2006, 222 pp., US$25.00...
A survey of substance abuse prevention efforts at Virginia's colleges and universities.

The extremes of college student substance use and the negative consequences students face as a result of such use are of great public health concern. Although a multitude of campusbased substance abuse prevention efforts have appeared in literature, a clear picture of the programs and policies currently in use at colleges and universities is not readily available. This research was undertaken to detail both the efforts aimed at general student samples and those targeting at-risk (eg, Greeks, student athletes) and historically underserved (eg, ethnic minorities, students with disabilities) student groups at colleges and universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. While a variety of efforts were being made, there was a reliance on program orientations with limited scientific support. Four-year institutions used a wider array of outlets for their prevention messages. Targeted programs for at-risk groups were common but were largely unavailable specifically for ethnic minority students and students with dis...
Dark Repair of DNA Containing "Spore Photoproduct" in Bacillus subtilis*

The major thymine-containing photoproduct—5-thyminyl-5, 6-dihydrothymine, or TDHT—in DNA of UV-irradiated bacterial spores is known to be removed during spore germination. In normal Bacillus subtilis this removal is now shown to occur both by excision and by a second, distinct, “spore repair” process, which changes the photoproduct to a harmless form in situ. An energy source for the cells, suppliable by glucose, is required for excision to function at all, and for the “spore repair” process to proceed beyond a limited photoproduct removal. Both repairs can function fully in spores germinated in the presence of 150 μg-ml chloramphenicol or 5 μg-ml rifampincin. The “spore repair” mechanism does not function in vegetative cells when these are transformed by TDHT-containing DNA extracted from irradiated baceterial spores.
Handheld computing in pathology

Handheld computing has had many applications in medicine, but relatively few in pathology. Most reported uses of handhelds in pathology have been limited to experimental endeavors in telemedicine or education. With recent advances in handheld hardware and software, along with concurrent advances in whole-slide imaging (WSI), new opportunities and challenges have presented themselves. This review addresses the current state of handheld hardware and software, provides a history of handheld devices in medicine focusing on pathology, and presents future use cases for such handhelds in pathology.
Factors moderating the effect of oral sulfonylureas on free water clearance.

: The effects of the antidiuretic agent chlorpropamide and the diuretic agent tolazamide on solute-free water clearance (CH2O) were compared in noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients undergoing water diuresis. Hyperglycmia (fasting serum glucose above 200 mg/dl) obscured the effects of these two sulfonylureas on CH2O. Thiazide or ethacrynic acid enhancement of chlorpropamide antidiuresis was also blunted by hyperglycemia and attendant osmotic diuresis. Thus, the low incidence of symptomatic hyponatremia during chlorpropamide treatment of diabetic patients may be explained by persistent hyperglycemia in such patients.
On the independence of physical and nominal codes: A correlational analysis

In studies of college students, normal children at three grades, and learning-disabled children, physical and nominal matching procedures were highly correlated, (range .72-.96). In each instance, expected time differences favoring physical matches were replicated. Comparable results were found with both tachistoscopic and paper-and-pencil methods. In two studies where relevant data were available, correlations were not significantly attenuated when the effects of motor speed were partialled out. The results challenge the premise that nominal and physical matching measures are empirically independent, invalidate their application as measures of independent types of information processing, and help explain inconsistent findings in hemispheric specialization research.
Management of the patient with a low HDL-cholesterol

While there is epidemiologic evidence linking a low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level with coronary disease events, and interventions that raise HDL while lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels have been shown to reduce subsequent coronary events, there are no studies showing benefit from raising HDL when a low HDL level is the sole lipid abnormality. HDL is thought to play a key role in reverse cholesterol transport, removing lipids from peripheral cells, but the precise role of HDL in cholesterol metabolism is not understood. The measurement of HDL levels has not been well standardized. Reliance on ratios relating HDL to LDL or to total cholesterol may be misleading in the management of patients. It has not been shown that measuring HDL subfractions or apolipoprotein levels is superior to measuring total HDL levels in predicting coronary risk. HDL levels may be raised by hygienic measures such as smoking cessation and exercise, but a considerable amount of exercise over a long period of time is required. Alcohol consumption and weight loss through dieting inconsistently raise HDL. Estrogen therapy raises and progestational agents lower HDL. Certain beta-blocking drugs lower HDL levels. For the patient with an isolated low HDL level the hygienic measures may be advised, but drug therapy such as nicotinic acid or gem-fibrozil should be prescribed only when low HDL is accompanied by elevated LDL levels that are unresponsive to diet and hygienic measures.
The Seed’s Protein and Oil Content, Fatty Acid Composition, and Growing Cycle Length of a Single Genotype of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) as Affected by Environmental Factors

As a botanical source, variability in chia seed composition could be expected between growing locations, and between years within a location, due to genotype and environment effects as well genetic x environment's interactions. The objective of the present study was to determine the location effect on the growing cycle length, and seed's protein content, lipid content, and fatty acid profiles, of a single chia genotype. Seeds of chia genotype Tzotzol grown on eight sites in five different ecosystems were tested. One site was in Argentina, in the Semi-Arid Chaco ecosystem (T(5)); one was in Bolivia, in the Sub-Humid Chaco ecosystem (T(4)); and six in Ecuador, one in the Coastal Desert (T(3)), two on the Tropical Rain Forest (T(2)), and three in the Inter-Andean Dry Valley ecosystem (T(1)). Seeds from plants grown in T(4) and in T(3) contained significantly (P <0.05) more protein percentage than did seeds from the other three ecosystems. No significant (P <0.05) differences in protein content were found between T(3) and T(4), and between T(1), T(2), and T(5). Seeds from T(1) and T(5) ecosystems, with 33.5 and 32.2%, respectively, were the numerically highest oil content producers, but their results were only significantly (P <0.05) higher when compared with the T(2) seeds. Significant (P <0.05) differences in palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and alpha-linolenic fatty acids between oils from seeds grown in different ecosystems were detected, however. Oil of seeds grown in the T(3) ecosystem had the palmitic, stearic and oleic fatty acids' highest contents. Palmitic and oleic fatty acid levels were significantly (P <0.05) higher when were compared to that of seeds grown in the T(1) ecosystem, and stearic when was compared to that of seeds grown in the T(5) ecosystem; omega-6 linoleic fatty acid content was significantly (P <0.05) lower in oils of seeds produced in T(1), and T(2) than in those produced in T(3), T(4), and T(5) ecosystems; omega-3 alpha-linolenic fatty acid content was significantly (P <0.05) higher in seeds produced in T(1), than in those produced in T(3), T(4), and T(5), but not in those produced in T(2).