cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HiNF-P is a bifunctional regulator of cell cycle controlled histone H4 gene transcription

Cell cycle progression beyond the G1/S phase transition requires the activation of a transcription complex containing histone nuclear factor P (HiNF-P) and nuclear protein mapped to ataxia telangiectasia (p220NPAT) in response to cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2)/cyclin E signaling. We show here that the potent co-activating properties of HiNF-P/p220NPAT on the histone H4 gene promoter, which are evident in the majority of human cell types, are sporadically neutralized in distinct somatic cell lines. In cells where HiNF-P and p220NPAT do not activate the H4 gene promoter, HiNF-P instead represses transcription. Our data suggest that the cell type specific expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitory (CKI) protein p57KIP2 inhibits the HiNF-P dependent activation of the histone H4 promoter. We propose that, analogous to E2F proteins and other cell cycle regulatory proteins, HiNF-P is a bifunctional transcriptional regulator that can activate or repress cell cycle controlled genes depending on the cellular context. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 181–191, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pressure-induced metal-insulator and spin-state transition in low-valence layered nickelates

Ab initio calculations predict a metal-insulator transition at zero temperature to occur in La${}_{4}$Ni${}_{3}$O${}_{8}$ at moderate pressures as a result of a pressure-induced spin-state transition. The spin-state transition that is seen at 105 K at ambient pressure, from a low-temperature high-spin state to a high-temperature low-spin state, has been observed to be shifted to lower temperatures as pressure is applied. From our calculations, we find that a smaller unit cell volume favors the metallic low-spin state, which becomes more stable at 5 GPa. Similar physics appears in the related compound La${}_{3}$Ni${}_{2}$O${}_{6}$, but on a different energy scale, which may account for why the transition has not been observed in this material.
NONEQUILIBRIUM-DISSOCIATED BOUNDARY LAYERS WITH A REACTING INVISCID FLOW

It corresponds to ft ^ 1.5, for which A* (Fig. 4) varies only slightly from unity. If a lower exit pressure is acceptable, however, ft can be chosen larger and an expanding channel can be designed which is much shorter. This would require higher currents, but not as high as the constant area case, since it is found that the maximum current required by the constant area case is about three times higher than the optimum. Conclusions
The slow advance of a calving glacier: Hubbard Glacier, Alaska, U.S.A

Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. In contrast to most glaciers in Alaska and northwestern Canada, Hubbard Glacier thickened and advanced during the 20th century. This a typical behavior is an important example of how insensitive to climate a glacier can become during parts of the calving glacier cycle. As this glacier continues to advance, it will close the seaward entrance to 50 km long Russell Fjord and create a glacier-dammed, brackish-water lake. This paper describes measured changes in ice thickness, ice speed, terminus advance and fjord bathymetry of Hubbard Glacier, as determined from airborne laser altimetry, aerial photogrammetry, satellite imagery and bathymetric measurements.The data show that the lower regions of the glacier have thickened by as much as 83 m in the last 41 years, while the entire glacier increased in volume by 14.1 km 3. Ice speeds are generally decreasing near the calving face from a high of 16.5 md −1in1948 to11.5 md −1in 2001. The calving terminus advanced at an average rate of about 16 m a−1 between 1895 and 1948 and accelerated to 32 m a−1 since 1948. However, since 1986, the advance of the part of the terminus in Disenchantment Bay has slowed to 28 m a−1. Bathymetric data from the lee slope of the submarine terminal moraine show that between 1978 and 1999 the moraine advanced at an average rate of 32 m a−1, which is the same as that of the calving face.
Reduced-Order Modeling of Unsteady Aerodynamics Across Multiple Mach Regimes

A reduced-order model for unsteady aerodynamic calculations across a range of Mach regimes based on linear convolution and a nonlinear correction factor is developed. Separate investigations are conducted for the sub-, trans-, and supersonic Mach regimes, and overall good results are seen when reduced-order model results are compared with full-order computational-fluid-dynamics solutions, though the reduced-order model errors tend to decrease as the Mach number increases. To assist reduced-order model construction, the method-of-segments simplified model has been created and tested throughout these same Mach regimes. Finally, a practical example of the reduced-order model’s applicability is presented by following a single test case from subsonic up through supersonic flight.
Derivation of a Clinical Prediction Model for the Emergency Department Diagnosis of Ectopic Pregnancy

Abstract. Objective:To derive a clinical prediction model for estimating the pretest probability of ectopic pregnancy in ED patients with first-trimester abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding. Methods:All hemody-namically stable first-trimester patients presenting to the ED of a tertiary care military teaching hospital over a 14-month period with a chief complaint of abdominal pain and/or vaginal bleeding had clinical data coded prior to determining outcome. They were then followed longitudinally until a criterion standard pregnancy outcome was established. Results:Of the 486 patients enrolled, 280 (58%) had viable intrauterine pregnancies, 167 (34%) had nonviable intrauterine pregnancies, and 39 (8%) had ectopic pregnancies. Using a recursive partitioning model, a high-risk group was derived (that was separated from intermediate and low-risk groups), consisting of patients with abdominal peritoneal signs or definite cervical motion tenderness, with a sensitivity of 31% (95% CI: 17–48%), a specificity of 93% (95% CI: 90–95%), a positive likelihood ratio of 4.3, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.74. A low-risk group, consisting of patients with either fetal heart tones or tissue at the cervical os, or the absence of pain other than midline menstrual-like cramping and lacking any pelvic tenderness, was differentiated from an intermediate-risk group, with a sensitivity of 96% (95% CI: 81–100%), a specificity of 22% (95% CI: 18–26%), a positive likelihood ratio of 1.2, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.17. Conclusion:A clinical prediction model for estimating the probability of ectopic pregnancy in ED patients has been derived. It may prove to have practical clinical application for estimating pretest probability of ectopic pregnancy as well as assisting in medical decision making when laboratory and ultrasonographic findings are nondiagnostic. Clinical application should await prospective validation in an independent sample.
Methinin: A peptide inhibitor of methylation

Abstract Five enzymes, active in the transfer of a methyl group to either oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms, were inhibited competitively by a peptide isolated from rabbit liver. The peptide, named methinin, appears to have a chromophore that resembles pyridinoline, a cross linking amino acid found in elastin and collagen.
Greater sensitivity to vanadate of rat renal relative to cardiac (Na++K+)-ATPase

Abstract Vanadate (VO 4 −3 ) produces a positive inotropic effect in rats and also promotes diuresis as well as natriuresis. Although the mechanism(s) of these effects is uncertain, in the kidney, VO 4 −3 may act through inhibition of (Na + +K + )-ATPase activity, whereas in the heart, other or additional mechanisms are likely. Under the assay conditions used in the present study, microsomal (Na + +K + )-ATPase activities from rat kidney cortex and medulla were inhibited to a greater extent than was left ventricular (Na + +K + )-ATPase activity over a range of VO 4 −3 concentrations. The apparent dissociation constant for left ventricular (Na + +K + )-ATPase (10.95 ± 1.26 × 10 −7 M VO 4 −3 ) was significantly greater than that of (Na + +K + )-ATPase from the cortex (3.46±0.96×10 −7 M VO 4 −3 ) or the medulla (3.32±0.7×10 −7 M VO 4 −3 , N=6, P 4 −3 on (Na + +K + )-ATPase from the cortex and medulla. The greater inhibition by VO 4 , of (Na + +K + )-ATPase from the cortex relative to that of the left ventricle, occurred over a range of Na + and K + concentrations, and K + enhanced the inhibition by VO 4 −3 to a greater extent for (Na + +K + )-ATPase from the cortex than the left ventricle. These results suggest that renal (Na + +K + )-ATPase is more sensitive than left ventricular (Na + +K + )-ATPase to inhibition by VO 4 −3 and would, therefore, be more likely to be modulated in vivo.
Towards an integrated high-fidelity linkage representation of the human skeletal system based on surface measurement

Abstract A linkage system remains to be the most commonplace framework for defining body segment lengths and conveying the anthropometrics in ergonomic design or biomechanical modeling. Misconceived or over-simplified linkage representations are however not rare in literature or practice. This article advocates an integrated high-fidelity linkage representation of the human skeletal system for anthropometric data acquisition and application, and describes some initial experimental and computational work in developing such a representation. Criteria for an optimal linkage representation are proposed, and the research voids in that context are identified. Three computational procedures for deriving joint centers of the upper arm (elbow and shoulder), individual finger segments, and individual vertebras are then presented—three body structural units for which conventional derivation methods are inapplicable. Databases as testbeds were established in two experiments involving load lifting and handle grasping movements performed by two groups of subjects ( n =12 and 24, respectively) and measured by an opto-electronic marker-based system. Selected results include comparisons in time-variance between the marker-defined surface link length and internal link length, and derived joint center location variables, synthesized and visualized in various ways. Insights from and limitations of the current study are discussed, along with the foreseen challenges associated with developing an integrated high-fidelity linkage representation. Relevance to industry A high-fidelity linkage representation is an integral part of realistic biomechanical modeling of the human musculoskeletal system. It is also the basis for more accurate biomechanical analyses of the physical stress and injury risk associated with the performance of various industrial tasks. The techniques of determining segmental center of rotation can lead to useful tools for assessing motion aberration or impairment related to physical disability.
Mapping specifications for ranked hierarchical trees in data integration systems

A popular approach to deal with data integration of heterogeneous data sources is to Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) data from disparate sources into a consolidated data store while addressing integration challenges including, but not limited to: structural differences in the source and target schemas, semantic differences in their vocabularies, and data encoding. This work focuses on the integration of tree-like hierarchical data or information that when modeled as a relational schema can take the shape of a flat schema, a self-referential schema or a hybrid schema. Examples include evolutionary taxonomies, geological time scales, and organizational charts. Given the observed complexity in developing ETL processes for this particular but common type of data, our work focuses on reducing the time and effort required to map and transform this data. Our research automates and simplifies the transformation from ranked self-referential to flat representations (and vice-versa), by: (a) proposing MSL+, an extension to IBM's Mapping Specification Language (MSL), to succinctly express the mapping between schemas while hiding the actual transformation implementation complexity from the user, and (b) implementing a transformation component for the Talend open-source ETL platform, called Tree Transformer (TT). We evaluated MSL+ and TT, in the context of biodiversity data integration, where this class of transformations is a recurring pattern. We demonstrate the effectiveness of MSL+ with respect to development time savings as well as a 2 to 25-fold performance improvement in transformation time achieved by TT when compared to existing implementations and to Talend built-in components.
Frequency dependent polarization analysis of ambient seismic noise recorded at a broadband seismometer in the central United States

We present a new approach to polarization analysis of seismic noise recorded by three-component seismometers. It is based on statistical analysis of frequency-dependent particle motion properties determined from a large number of time windows via eigenanalysis of the 3-by-3, Hermitian, spectral covariance matrix. We applied the algorithm to continuous data recorded in 2009 by the seismic station SLM, located in central North America. A rich variety of noise sources was observed. At low frequencies ( 3 Hz), Rayleigh-type energy was again dominant in the form of Rg waves created by nearby cultural activities. Analysis of the time dependence of noise power shows that a frequency range of at least 0.02–1.0 Hz (much larger than the microseism band) is sensitive to annual, meteorologically induced sources of noise.
An X-Ray Diffraction Analysis of the Patina of the Statue of Liberty

An X-ray powder diffraction analysis has been performed on several samples from the naturally occuring patina of the Statue of Liberty. This work, which was conducted as a service to the National Park Service as part of the restoration activities for the Statue, was performed to assess the impact of acid deposition on the phase composition of the patina. Samples of the patina that were obtained from various locations on the copper skin of the Statue were found to consist primarily of the basic copper sulfate known as brochantite or CuSO4·3Cu(OH)2. Another less stable form of basic copper sulfate CuSO4·2Cu(OH)2 known as antlerite was also observed in samples taken from areas that are more exposed to the incoming weather in New York harbor. The presence of antlerite supports the contention that acid deposition is promoting undesirable changes in the phase composition of the patina. Analyses were also performed on patina samples that were taken from pieces of the Statue's copper skin that had been removed in the years 1905 and 1980. X-ray powder diffraction of the corrosion product on the 1905 sample showed that it consisted primarily of the stable brochantite phase, while the 1980 sample displayed both copper chlorides as well as the less stable antlerite. Both samples also contained cuprite (Cu2O) which appears to have formed prior to either of the sulfates.
Light reflection visualization to determine solute diffusion into clays.

Abstract Light reflection visualization (LRV) experiments were performed to investigate solute diffusion in low-permeability porous media using a well-controlled two-dimensional flow chamber with a domain composed of two layers (one sand and one clay). Two different dye tracers (Brilliant Blue FCF and Ponceau 4R) and clay domains (kaolinite and montmorillonite) were used. The images obtained through the LRV technique were processed to monitor two-dimensional concentration distributions in the low-permeability zone by applying calibration curves that related light intensity to equilibrium concentrations for each dye tracer in the clay. One dimensional experimentally-measured LRV concentration profiles in the clay were found to be in very good agreement with those predicted from a one-dimensional analytical solution, with coefficient of efficiency values that exceeded 0.97. The retardation factors ( R ) for both dyes were relatively large, leading to slow diffusive penetration into the clays. At a relative concentration C / C 0 = 0.1, Brilliant Blue FCF in kaolinite ( R = 11) diffused approximately 10 mm after 21 days of source loading, and Ponceau 4R in montmorillonite ( R = 7) diffused approximately 12 mm after 23 days of source loading. The LRV experimentally-measured two-dimensional concentration profiles in the clay were also well described by a simple analytical solution. The results from this study demonstrate that the LRV approach is an attractive non-invasive tool to investigate the concentration distribution of dye tracers in clays in laboratory experiments.
Effects of an evidence‐based text on scepticism, methodological reasoning, values and juror decision‐making

Research in social cognition laboratories and in simulated legal settings demonstrates that people often do not understand the statistical properties of evidence and are unable to detect scientifically flawed studies. In a mock jury study, we examined the effects of an evidence‐based transcript on scepticism towards evidence obtained in flawed scientific studies, methodological reasoning, personal values (bias) regarding athletes and juror decision‐making. Relative to the group that read a trial transcript that appealed to juror emotion, the group that read a transcript that included the steps for analysing the trial’s scientific evidence was more likely to show greater scepticism towards the disputed scientific evidence, to display methodological reasoning, to exhibit positive values regarding college athletics and to reject conventional wisdom in rendering a final verdict. Furthermore, the students’ scepticism towards the scientific evidence mediated the effect of type of transcript on verdict behaviour.
Cytoplasmic and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase activities in heart and brain of a diving pseudemys scripta and nondiving elaphe obsoleta reptile

Abstract 1. 1. Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activity was measured in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial fractions from heart and brain of the freshwater turtle, Pseudemys scripta and the terrestrial snake, Elaphe obsoleta 2. 2. Cytoplasmic MDH activity was much greater than mitochondrial activity in both tissues of both species. 3. 3. Mitochondrial MDH activity of Pseudemys was greater than mitochondrial MDH activity of Elaphe in both tissues. 4. 4. High cytoplasmic MDH activity could facilitate nonglycolytic energy mobilization under anaerobic conditions in both species. 5. 5. The high mitochondrial MDH activity of Pseudemys may be important in sustaining fumarate reduction during the long dive periods which are characteristic of this species.
Environmental Impact Assessment of Shoreline Bulkheading: A Historical Approach

One limitation to the environmental impact assessment of incremental developments, such as private bulkhead-fill projects, is the lack of historical data on the rate and extent of development. Analysis of a historical series of aerial photographs provided a baseline for demonstrating the need for and effectiveness of regulation of shoreline bulkheading. Projections of preregulation bulkheading rates into the regulatory period make wetlands regulation seem highly effective in reducing the overall rate of bulkheading in a Virginia county. However, this bulkheading appears to be spatially contagious and it is suggested that the causes of this contagion need to be carefully examined by decision-makers unless lowering the rate of activity is the only objective.
NetiNeti: discovery of scientific names from text using machine learning methods.

A scientific name for an organism can be associated with almost all biological data. Name identification is an important step in many text mining tasks aiming to extract useful information from biological, biomedical and biodiversity text sources. A scientific name acts as an important metadata element to link biological information. We present NetiNeti (Name Extraction from Textual Information-Name Extraction for Taxonomic Indexing), a machine learning based approach for recognition of scientific names including the discovery of new species names from text that will also handle misspellings, OCR errors and other variations in names. The system generates candidate names using rules for scientific names and applies probabilistic machine learning methods to classify names based on structural features of candidate names and features derived from their contexts. NetiNeti can also disambiguate scientific names from other names using the contextual information. We evaluated NetiNeti on legacy biodiversity texts and biomedical literature (MEDLINE). NetiNeti performs better (precision = 98.9% and recall = 70.5%) compared to a popular dictionary based approach (precision = 97.5% and recall = 54.3%) on a 600-page biodiversity book that was manually marked by an annotator. On a small set of PubMed Central’s full text articles annotated with scientific names, the precision and recall values are 98.5% and 96.2% respectively. NetiNeti found more than 190,000 unique binomial and trinomial names in more than 1,880,000 PubMed records when used on the full MEDLINE database. NetiNeti also successfully identifies almost all of the new species names mentioned within web pages. We present NetiNeti, a machine learning based approach for identification and discovery of scientific names. The system implementing the approach can be accessed at http://namefinding.ubio.org
Oral feeding of isolated lectins from red kidney bean stimulates rat small intestinal mucosal DNA synthesis and crypt cell division.

A lectin preparation containing enterokinase inhibitor purified or partially purified from red kidney bean (RKB) when fed to weanling rats was shown to cause small intestinal hyperplasia. To see if this hyperplastic effect on the rat small intestine was due to the mitogenic properties of the isolated lectin, male weanling rats were fed a chow containing 0.1% of the isolated lectin for six days. Age-matched control rats were fed regular chow. Both control and lectin-fed rats were sacrificed at one, two, three, four, and six days after the start of lectin feeding. The proximal small intestinal mucosa of rats fed lectin showed gradual increases in protein and DNA contents throughout the experimental period. Morphological studies showed marked increases in crypt depth from days I through 6 in these rats with essentially no change in mucosal thickness or villous height. DNA synthetic activity peaked at day 2, but was higher than control throughout the experimental period. Labeling index was 0.36±0.03 in duodenum of controls as compared to 0.45±0.02 in duodenum of weanling rats fed lectin for two days. These results demonstrate that RKB lectin stimulates overall DNA synthetic activity and increases crypt cell proliferation on the small intestine of weanling rats. The observed mucosal hyperplasia is probably due to increases in crypt cell population as shown by the increase in crypt depth.
Phage P22 procapsids equilibrate with free coat protein subunits.

Assembly of bacteriophage P22 procapsids has long served as a model for assembly of spherical viruses. Historically, assembly of viruses has been treated as a non-equilibrium process. Recently alternative models have been developed that treat spherical virus assembly as an equilibrium process. Here we have investigated whether P22 procapsids assembly reactions achieve equilibrium or are irreversibly trapped. To assemble a procapsid-like particle in vitro, pure coat protein monomers are mixed with scaffolding protein. Here we present data that show that free subunits can exchange with assembled structures, indicating that assembly is a reversible, equilibrium process. When empty procapsid shells (procapsids with the scaffolding protein stripped out) were diluted so that the concentration was below the dissociation constant (~5 μM) for coat protein monomers, free monomers were detected. The released monomers were assembly-competent; when NaCl was added to metastable partial capsids that were aged for an extended period, the coat subunits were able to rapidly re-distribute from the partial capsids and form whole procapsids. Lastly, radioactive monomeric coat subunits were able to exchange with the subunits from empty procapsid shells. The data presented here illustrate that coat protein monomers are able to dissociate from procapsids in an active state, that assembly of procapsids is consistent with reactions at equilibrium and follows the law of mass action.
X-chromosomal (p21) muscular dystrophy and left ventricular diastolic and systolic function.

In order to screen for cardiac abnormalities, we prospectively studied 15 patients (age 8–25 years, mean 15.5 years) with Duchenne's (DMD) (n= 9) and Becker's (BMD) (n= 6) muscular dystrophy using the echocardiogram. Data were compared to a control group of 92 healthy individuals (age 7.9–25 years, mean 14.3 years). Left ventricular filling in diastole showed a different pattern when comparing echocardiographic Doppler results in patients and controls: Patients had lower peak velocity of early left ventricular diastolic filling (E-vmax)(P < 0.0001) and smaller time velocity integral of the E-wave (E-tvi)(P < 0.0001). In contrast, the atrial component (A-vmax, A-tvi) of diastolic filling in DMD/BMD showed no significant difference to controls. The mean area of the mitral valve orifice was significantly larger in patients (P < 0.0001) without presence of mitral regurgitation. Systolic left ventricular function was significantly impaired in the DMD/BMD group; we found lower heart rate corrected fiber shortening velocity VCFc (P < 0.001) and higher peak systolic wall stress (P < 0.001) in DMD/BMD. In 8 of 15 patients, peak systolic wall stress was above 95th percentile of controls. In 6 of 15 patients, VCFc was lower than the 5th percentile of controls. Systolic and diastolic myocardial impairment was found even in young patients and at low stages of disability—equally among patients with DMD or BMD. Diastolic left ventricular impairment predominantly affected the early diastolic filling, but atrial compensation was poor. Peak systolic wall stress measurements were particularly useful in patients with CMP, reflecting the left ventricular afterload.
A Frequency-Modulation Monitoring System

In operation of a frequency-modulated station it is necessary to monitor the frequency deviation accurately so that the signal remains within the allocated band. This is important from the standpoint of adjacent-channel interference and the distortion produced in a receiver when the frequency devsation exceeds the limits of the detector. This paper presents an analytical discussion and computed charts of the spectra produced by frequency-modulated waves. A monitor which plots the amplitude and frequency distribution of the spectrum on the screen of a cathode-ray oscilloscope is described and calibration of the monitor is discussed. Photographs taken from the screen of the monitor are presented and compared with computed patterns.
Structure of the pinacol formed via sodium-promoted reductive dimerization of 12-methyleneheptacyclo-[6.6.02,6.03,13.04,11.05,9.010,14]tetradecan-7-one

The pinacol resulting from sodium promoted reductive coupling of a methyleneheptacyclo-[6.6.02,6.03,13.04,11.05,9.010,14]tetradecanone possesses a conformation in which equivalent groups on the pinacol carbon are virtually perpendicular to each other. This rotation minimizes steric interactions, thus the geometries of all the fragments in the molecule are within expected values.
Significant differences in drug susceptibility among species in the Candida parapsilosis group.

Candida parapsilosis family has 3 proposed species: C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, Candida orthopsilosis, and Candida metapsilosis. C. parapsilosis sensu stricto had significantly higher caspofungin (CAS) and anidulafungin MICs than C. orthopsilosis or C. metapsilosis; C. metapsilosis was least susceptible to fluconazole. C. parapsilosis sensu stricto more frequently displayed (37%) paradoxical growth in CAS (P ≤ 0.02). These species susceptibility differences could affect therapeutic choices.
Increased Glutathione Conjugation of Atrazine Confers Resistance in a Wisconsin Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) Biotype

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine the mechanism of resistance to atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino- s -triazine) in a Wisconsin velvetleaf ( Abutilon theophrasti Medicus) biotype (WRB1) and to determine if the same mechanism is responsible for atrazine resistance in a Maryland velvetleaf biotype (MRB). Atrazine equally inhibited photosynthetic electron transport by isolated thylakoids of WRB1 and a Wisconsin atrazine-susceptible velvetleaf accession (WSA1), suggesting that the mechanism of atrazine resistance is not a less-sensitive site of atrazine action in photosystem II. WRB1 and WSA1 seedlings did not differ in uptake of hydroponically fed [ 14 C]atrazine or nutrient solution over a 12-hr time course, but atrazine uptake was greater in WRB1 than MRB. Concentration of radioactivity was greater in WRB1 than WSA1 stems at both 6 and 12 hr of atrazine exposure, but was less in WRB1 than WSA1 leaves at 12 hr of exposure. These results suggest that decreased translocation of atrazine to leaves is a factor in the mechanism of resistance in WRB1. WSA1, WRB1, and MRB all metabolized atrazine via glutathione conjugation and N -dealkylation, as well as producing nonextractable residues. Compared to WSA1, both WRB1 and MRB metabolized more atrazine in stems and leaves. Predominant extractable metabolites in the two resistant biotypes were the glutathione, L -cysteine, and N -acetyl- L -cysteine conjugates of atrazine, metabolites produced in the glutathione conjugation pathway. Concentration of nonextractable residues was greater in WRB1 than WSA1 stems at both 6 and 12 hr of atrazine exposure. Thus, increased atrazine metabolism was the major factor accounting for WRB1 resistance to atrazine. Furthermore, in WRB1 and MRB, atrazine metabolism was qualitatively and quantitatively similar, after consideration of the lower atrazine uptake by MRB than WRB1. Hence, resistance in both of these geographically isolated velvetleaf biotypes results from increased glutathione conjugation of atrazine.
Data Center Business Continuity Best Practice

This qualitative multiple case study analysis reviews well documented past information technology disasters with a goal of identifying disaster recovery and business continuity best practices. The topic of cyber infrastructure resiliency is explored including barriers to cyber infrastructure resiliency. Factors explored include: Adherence to established procedures, staff training in recovery procedures, chain of command structure, recovery time and cost, and mutual aid relationships. Each of these factors is analyzed in the four cases included in the study and recommendations are presented. Automated fail over and regular disaster recovery drills were found to be key factors for success in actual disaster situations.
The effect of glucose and insulin on the activity of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase and cystathionine-β-synthase: studies in hepatocytes

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a well established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and multiple factors likely lead to abnormal regulation of plasma homocysteine in patients with diabetes. To examine a possible role for insulin and glucose in homocysteine metabolism, we examined the activity of two important enzymes of homocysteine metabolism in hepatocytes. In various tissues of six mice, methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) activity was present in all tissues tested and the highest concentration (per gram) was in the brain. In contrast, cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) activity appeared to be present only in the liver and to a small extent in the kidney. Using HEP G2 cells in culture, MTHFR activity was 3.3+/-0.8 nmol/h when the glucose concentration in the medium was 100 mg/dl and fell to 2.3+/-0.3 nmol/h when glucose was increased to 300 mg/dl. MTHFR activity was 3.4+/-0.3 nmol/h when cells were exposed to an insulin concentration of 5 mU/ml and fell to 2.8+/-0.3 nmol/h when insulin concentration was increased to 200 mU/ml (P<0.01). In contrast CBS activity increased from 0.017 to 0.13 U/ml by increasing the glucose concentration in the medium (P<0.01), but decreased from 0.04 to 0.02 (P<0.01) when the insulin concentration was increased from 5 to 200 mU/ml, respectively. We conclude that CBS and MTHFR have different tissue distributions, with CBS being present predominantly in liver and kidney, and MTHFR found in many tissues. In addition, both insulin and glucose affect the activity of the two enzymes when added to hepatocytes in vitro. If such effects occur in humans with hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, then alterations in homocysteine metabolism may contribute to the accelerated macrovascular disease associated with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.
Hypervelocity orbital intercept guidance using certainty control

Terminal guidance of a hypervelocity exoatmospheric orbital interceptor with free end time is examined. A new approach called certainty control is developed where control energy expenditure is reduced by constraining the expected final state to a function of projected estimate error. Conceptually, the constraint produces a shrinking sphere about the predicted impact point with the radius being a function of estimated error. If the predicted miss is inside or touching the sphere, thrusting is not necessary. The interceptor is modeled as a satellite with lateral thrusting capability using two-body orbital dynamics. The target is modeled as an intercontinental ballistic missile (IBM) in its final boost phase prior to burnout. Filtering is accomplished using an eight-state extended Kalman filter with line-of-sight and range updates. The estimated relative trajectory and variances are propagated numerically to predicted impact time and then approximated by splines, eliminating the need to propagate new data repeatedly when present conditions are varied. A search is then made for a new impact time and point that will minimize present interceptor velocity changes and final mass distance. This control strategy, which is applied to two intercept problems, substantially reduces fuel consumption. 28 refs.
Stable Microreentrant Sources as a Mechanism of Atrial Fibrillation in the Isolated Sheep Heart

Background—Atrial fibrillation (AF) has traditionally been described as aperiodic or random. Yet, ongoing sources of high-frequency periodic activity have recently been suggested to underlie AF in the sheep heart. Our objective was to use a combination of optical and bipolar electrode recordings to identify sites of periodic activity during AF and elucidate their mechanism. Methods and Results—AF was induced by rapid pacing in the presence of 0.1 to 0.5 μmol/L acetylcholine in 7 Langendorff-perfused sheep hearts. We used simultaneous optical mapping of the right and left atria (RA and LA) and frequency sampling of optical and bipolar electrode recordings (including a roving electrode) to identify sites having the highest dominant frequency (DF). Rotors were identified from optical recordings, and their rotation period, core area, and perimeter were measured. In all, 35 AF episodes were analyzed. Mean LA and RA DFs were 14.7±3.8 and 10.3±2.1 Hz, respectively. Spatiotemporal periodicity was seen in the LA d...
Hybrid electro-optic polymer/sol-gel waveguide modulators fabricated by all-wet etching process, using straight channel and Mach-Zehnder waveguides

ABSTRACT We report hybrid electro-optic (EO) polymer/sol-gel waveguide modulators with a structure for an EO polymer confined laterally in a sol-gel over cladding, which is fabricated by all-wet etching process. The structure enables an adiabatic transition between the sol-gel waveguide and thick EO polymer overlayer. Intensity mode is confined well in 0.9- µ m-thick EO polymer overlayer, which reduces a half wave voltage (V ) due to increased overlap integral in the hybrid EO modulator. Straight channel birefringence EO modulators with the structure reduce the V by the factor of 4 after guided wave well confined in the EO polymer. The straight channel waveguide modulator with 2.4-cm-long electrode demonstrated the V of 13 V. Preliminary testing results using a Mach-Zehnder waveguide modulator were investigated to reduce the V further. Keywords: Electro-optic polymer, sol-gel waveguide, fiber-coupling loss, wet etching, hybrid modulators 1. INTRODUCATION Polymeric waveguide electro-optic (EO) modulators have a great potential to realize high-speed optical communication. Compared to inorganic modulators, polymeric EO modulators have large bandwidth
Correlates and Implications for Agreeableness in Children

Abstract This study is an examination of the relationship between agreeableness and other constructs related to children's social relationships. Third through 6th graders (N = 76; 46 boys, 30 girls) completed self-reports on agreeableness (based on the adult version of the NEO Personality Inventory Manual; Costa & McCrae, 1985), social skills (Social Skills Rating System for Children; Gresham & Elliot, 1991). empathy (Feshbach, 1990) and trust (Children's Trust Scale; Imber, 1973). Using multiple regression, agreeableness was predicted by social skills, empathy, and trust for girls. There were no significant predictors of agreeableness for boys. The discussion focuses on the mutability of childhood personality.
Discussion of alternatives, risks and benefits in pediatric acute care.

Abstract Objective Across adult healthcare, discussions of alternatives, risks and benefits vary in inclusiveness or are even absent. We examine these discussions and their associated factors in pediatric visits. Methods Coders noted speaker and recipient for alternatives, risks and benefits from 98 videotaped visits. Outcomes included discussion of alternatives, risks or benefits (yes/no) and involvement of parent or child in discussions (active or passive). Bivariate techniques were used to relate visit factors to outcomes. Results Most visits included discussion of alternatives (58% of visits), risks (54%) and benefits (69%). Longer visits were more likely to include risk discussions. For alternatives, active parent/child involvement was more likely with college graduate parents; for risks active involvement was more likely with female and more experienced physicians. Parents and children raised risks more frequently than benefits, often focusing on disadvantages such as taste or frequency/duration of therapy. Conclusion Most pediatric visits include alternatives, risks and benefits but parent/child involvement in raising these topics is limited. Practice implications When parents or children initiate these discussions, they often mention risks salient to adherence. Future work could explore whether longer visits or interventions targeted for specific participants could foster such discussions.
Detection of enantiomeric impurities in a simple membrane-based optical immunosensor

Currently available methods for the detection of enantiomeric impurities generally require expensive and sophisticated instrumentation. Here, we describe a simple and inexpensive membrane-based chiral immunosensor that allows quantitative determination of chiral analytes up to an enantiomer excess of 99.9%. The experimental setup is based on a competitive reaction between the analyte and a biotin-derivatized analog for the binding sites of a stereoselective antibody, which is immobilized onto a membrane. The antibody-bound analog is detected with peroxidase-conjugated avidin that converts a colorless substrate into an insoluble dye on the membrane surface. The color intensity, which is inversely related to the concentration of analyte in a sample, can be evaluated with standard image analysis programs.
Type II Hyperlipoproteinemia in Mother and Twins

A 36-year-old housewife with type II hyperlipoproteinemia became pregnant with twins. Although the pregnancy was uneventful, the serum triglycerides were elevated during the third trimester, the delivery, and early puerperium. The mother had no complications directly related to the pregnancy despite hypercholesterolemia, coronary atherosclerosis, and hypertension. Cord blood cholesterol and beta lipoprotein in both twins were greater than twice normal. Despite this genetic defect in lipid transport the twins have developed normally during their first year of life. Since lipids and lipoproteins do not cross the placental barrier, it is concluded that type II hyperlipoproteinemia may have been present at birth.
The DOCLINE Electronic Funds Transfer System (EFTS)

Medical libraries in the United States have been fortunate to have the National Library of Medicine (NLM) as an advocate for resource sharing. From the development of the Regional Medical Library (RML) program to the development of DOCLINE, the NLM, together with the National Network of Medical Libraries (NN/LM) has facilitated interlibrary loan and resource sharing. The EFTS (Electronic Fund Transfer System) was developed to automate the labor-intensive interlibrary loan functions of billing and paying invoices. With NLM's financial support and staff vision and technical support, the Electronic Fund Transfer System (EFTS), established at the University of Connecticut Health Center Library, has become the automated invoicing band payment component of DOCLINE for over 1,000 libraries in the US and Canada.
A mechanical destoner for small processing plants

A mechanical destoner was designed and built. The unit is suitable for small scale potato processing. It efficiently removes all stones from potatoes while rejecting less than 1% of the potatoes.
A behavioral mindset on environment policy

Abstract Environmental policy is made in a complex confluence of markets, missing markets, and no markets. Despite this messy mixture, economists offer working rules to help guide policy based on classic rational choice theory. But numerous behavioral studies suggest that rational choice is a poor guide—anomalous behavior like preference reversals and unexpected gaps in measures of value undercut the rational underpinnings of environmental policy. Other studies find, however, that these anomalies disappear once people must make choices within reach of others who can punish irrational choices. This paper reviews these conflicting behavioral views to better understand the power and limits of the rational economic rules used to guide environmental policy
The availability of US government depository publications on the World Wide Web

Abstract In order to explore the prevalence of federal government information on the World Wide Web, the authors examined two random samples of material sent to federal depository libraries in the first half of the year 2000. Over the course of 18 months, the authors made four separate attempts to find each of the sample publications on the World Wide Web using a variety of search engines. During the first attempt, 1–5 months after the Government Printing Office (GPO) sent publications to depository libraries, the authors located 47% of the sample publications on the Web. During the final and most successful attempt, 18–23 months after the distribution, the authors located 63% of the sample publications. Based on the sample, at present, almost two-thirds of US depository material is available on the Web approximately 2 years after the GPO sent the material to depository libraries.
The distribution and fate of 32P-labelled poliomyelitis virus type I (Mahoney strain) in HeLa cell cultures.

Abstract 32P-labelled poliomyelitis virus Type I (Mahoney strain) was obtained in sufficient yield to determine the fate and distribution of the virus into cellular phosphorus fractions (inorganic, nucleotides, nucleic acids, phospholipid and phosphoprotein) upon infection of HeLa cell cultures. There appears to be an active reorganization of cellular nucleic acids as infection takes place. This is indicated in the specific activities of nucleotide precursors where the highest values in this fraction were observed. The increased uptake into nucleic acids has been related to the increase of virus titer in the medium.
Mast cells, T cells and abnormal fibrosis

Inflamed, fibrotic lesions containing mast cells are characteristic of several clinical disorders and have been noted in graft versus host disease. Here Henry Claman reviews recent insights into the interactions between mast cells, T lymphocytes and fibroblasts which may account for abnormal collagen deposition.
Electrical Conductivity of Pristine and Halogen-Doped Polycrystalline Tungsten Disulfide

Abstract Polycrystalline tungsten disulfide is shown to be an electrical semiconductor with a moderate resistivity in the pristine state. Doping tungsten disulfide with bromine and iodine produced electrical semiconductors with energy gaps of 1.2 and 1.1 e.V., respectively. The major charge carrier is negatively charged, i.e., both WS2Br0.1 and WS210.1 are n-type materials.
Dipyrenylphosphatidylcholines as membrane fluidity probes : pressure and temperature dependence of the intramolecular excimer formation rate

We have measured the pressure dependence of the intramolecular excimer formation rate, K(p), for di-(1'-pyrenedecanoyl)-phosphatidylcholine (dipy10PC) probes in single-component lipid multilamellar vesicles (MLV) as a function of temperature. Apparent volumes of activation (V(a)) for intramolecular excimer formation are obtained from the slopes of plots of log K(p) versus P. For liquid-crystalline saturated lipid MLV (DMPC and DPPC), these plots are linear and yield a unique V(a) at each temperature, whereas for unsaturated lipids (POPC and DOPC) they are curvilinear and V(a) appears to decrease with pressure. The isothermal pressure induced phase transition is marked by an abrupt drop in the values of K(p). The pressure to temperature equivalence values, dPm/dT, estimated from the midpoint of the transitions, are 47.0, 43.5, and 52.5 bar degree C-1 for DMPC, DPPC, and POPC, respectively. In liquid-crystalline DMPC, V(a) decreases linearly as a function of temperature, with a coefficient -dVa/dT = 0.65 +/- 0.11 ml degree C-1 mol-1. Using a modified free volume model of diffusion, we show that this value corresponds to the thermal expansivity of DMPC. Both the apparent energy and entropy of activation, Ea and delta Sa, increase with pressure in DMPC, whereas both decrease in POPC and DOPC. This difference is attributed to the sensitivity of the dynamics and/or packing of the dipy10PC probes to the location of the cis-double bonds in the chains of the unsaturated host phospholipids. Finally, the atmospheric pressure values of Ea and delta Sa for the four host MLV examined are shown to be linearly related. The relevance of this finding with respect to the structure of the excimers formed by the dipy10PC probes is briefly discussed.
Metformin for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abstract Objective To familiarize obstetrician–gynecologists with the use of metformin for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Data sources Using OVID, 94 English-language articles published after 1966 indexed with the key words “metformin” and “polycystic ovary syndrome” were identified. Methods of study selection Studies were excluded if they did not have a control group, did not use the National Institutes of Health definition of PCOS, did not have a clinical outcome as an end point, and were not in the English language. Reviews were also excluded, leaving 21 articles for inclusion. Tabulation, integration, and results Three clinical trials reported that for the treatment of anovulatory infertility caused by PCOS, metformin plus clomiphene is more effective than clomiphene alone in inducing ovulation. For the treatment of irregular menses caused by PCOS in women not attempting conception, metformin therapy may restore ovulatory menses in the majority of women. However, most women will require 4–6 months of metformin therapy before they achieve ovulatory menses. In obese women, metformin plus a low-calorie diet may be associated with more weight loss than a low-calorie diet alone. Conclusion Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common gynecologic endocrine disorder. Obstetrician–gynecologists should be familiar with the indications and contraindications for the use of metformin in their practice.