cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High genetic divergence characterizes populations of the endemic plant Lithophragma maximum (Saxifragaceae) on San Clemente Island

Narrowly-ranging species frequently harbor less genetic variability relative to widespread relatives and face graver extinction threats due to the heightened impacts of stochastic events on ecological and genetic diversity. In this study, we examined the impact of historical and cur- rent threats to the maintenance of genetic variation in Lithophragma maximum (Saxifragaceae), a perennial herb endemic to San Clemente Island, California. This species exists as small populations confined to canyons along 4 km of the southeast coastline of the island. In 15 populations analyzed with 10 microsatellite markers, we identified an average of 2.05 alleles per locus and 58.7% polymorphic loci. Significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg equi- librium existed in six populations; five of these exhibited heterozygote deficiency. Bayesian inference of genetic structure indicated a significant amount of structure among populations and canyons and infrequent gene flow even over very short distances. We also identified a significant and positive correlation between genetic and geographic distances, indicative of isolation by distance. There was no evidence of recent bottlenecks in any of the sampled populations, but older bottlenecks were detected in two populations. These results suggest that populations of L. maximum have historically been small and isolated, which is likely due to the rugged habitat in which this species occurs and limited pollen and seed dispersal. Given the high degree of structure observed across populations, we suggest that conservation efforts should focus on pre- serving populations in multiple canyons, maintaining large population sizes to preserve genetic variation, and controlling the spread of invasive species in areas where L. maximum occurs.
A high-frequency approximation for random rough surface problems

Monte Carlo simulations are performed to investigate the statistical properties of electromagnetic scattering from 2D random rough surfaces in 3D space,. We develop a strategy to solve this high-frequency problem. The surfaces are characterized by perfectly conducting Gaussian random surfaces on a finite plate. The scattering problem is studied for a single realization of a random profile on which the radar cross-section depends. Making a comparison between the multilevel fast multipole algorithm and the proposed high-frequency techniques based on the small perturbation method (SPM), we have confirmed that SPM is effective for the case of small height and small correlation length.
New mixed quantum∕semiclassical propagation method

The authors developed a new method for calculating the quantum evolution of multidimensional systems, for cases in which the system can be assumed to consist of a quantum subsystem and a bath subsystem of heavier atoms. The method combines two ideas: starting from a simple frozen Gaussian description of the bath subsystem, then calculate quantum corrections to the propagation of the quantum subsystem. This follows from recent work by one of them, showing how one can calculate corrections to approximate evolution schemes, even when the Hamiltonian that corresponds to these approximate schemes is unknown. Then, they take the limit in which the width of the frozen Gaussians approaches zero, which makes the corrections to the evolution of the quantum subsystem depend only on classical bath coordinates. The test calculations they present use low-dimensional systems, in which comparison to exact quantum dynamics is feasible.
Split-brain: Stereotaxic section of telencephalic and brain stem structures in rabbits

Abstract A technique is described for sectioning midline telencephalic and brain stem structures in rabbits using a pivoting blade stereotaxically mounted in a swivel carrier. By varying site of entry, height of pivot point above the dura, degree of arc and depth of insertion, a wide variety of sections can be made. Experiments conducted on 12 rabbits established the efficacy of the procedure for severing telencephalic and brain stem commissures and decussations.
Combined effect of hot extrusion and heat treatment on the mechanical behavior of 7055 AA processed via spray metal forming

Abstract The mechanical properties of 7xxx series alloys can be tailored by subjecting them to deformation processing and heat treatment. In the present study dealing with spray forming of 7055 AA, extrusion and heat treatment involving solutionizing followed by peak aging resulted in improved mechanical behavior. The strength and ductility obtained are comparable to that of extruded and heat treated as-cast 7055 AA (Mondal et al., 2011) [1] . Spray forming offers an alternate route to develop high strength aluminum alloys and the current study is an attempt that draws closer to the target value of 1GPa strength and 10% ductility for high strength aluminum alloys.
Investigation of Cu(I)-dependent 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine quinone biogenesis in Hansenula polymorpha amine oxidase.

Copper, a mediator of redox chemistries in biology, is often found in enzymes that bind and reduce dioxygen. Among these, the copper amine oxidases catalyze the oxidative deamination of primary amines utilizing a type(II) copper center and 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine quinone (TPQ), a covalent cofactor derived from the post-translational modification of an active site tyrosine. Previous studies established the dependence of TPQ biogenesis on Cu(II); however, the dependence of cofactor formation on the biologically relevant Cu(I) ion has remained untested. In this study, we demonstrate that the apoform of the Hansenula polymorpha amine oxidase readily binds Cu(I) under anaerobic conditions and produces the quinone cofactor at a rate of 0.28 h-1 upon subsequent aeration to yield a mature enzyme with kinetic properties identical to the protein product of the Cu(II)-dependent reaction. Because of the change in magnetic properties associated with the oxidation of copper, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was employed to investigate the nature of the rate-limiting step of Cu(I)-dependent cofactor biogenesis. Upon aeration of the unprocessed enzyme prebound with Cu(I), an axial Cu(II) electron paramagnetic resonance signal was found to appear at a rate equivalent to that for the cofactor. These data provide strong evidence for a rate-limiting release of superoxide from a Cu(II)( O 2 ⋅ ¯ ) complex as a prerequisite for the activation of the precursor tyrosine and its transformation for TPQ. As copper is trafficked to intracellular protein targets in the reduced, Cu(I) state, these studies offer possible clues as to the physiological significance of the acquisition of Cu(I) by nascent H. polymorpha amine oxidase.
Student Perceptions of Aging and Disability as Influenced by Service Learning

This study examined the effects of two community service learning experiences on student perceptions of aging in a nursing home and on community-based living with a disability. According to content analysis of student narratives, service learning resulted in increased student awareness of issues pertinent to the students' companions in both settings. This heightened awareness was discussed in terms of the capacity for empathy. While both experiences were effective, there were differences in student responses to the two service learning settings. This suggests a uniqueness in benefit from different settings for service learning. Instructors should design community placements accordingly being cognizant of the desired educational goals.
Kinetics and equilibria of proton exchange in the lowest excited singlet states of 8-methoxyquinoline and 8-methoxyquinaldine: analysis of some complex fluorimetric titration curves

Abstract The determination of the rate constants for proton exchange in the lowest excited singlet states of 8-methoxyquinoline and 8-methoxyquinaldine from the pH dependences of their fluorescence spectra is complicated by overlap of the spectra of the conjugate acids and bases of both compounds and by the enhancement of 8-methoxyquinoline fluorescence at high pH by a process apparently unrelated to proton exchange. The fluorimetric titration data are analyzed in ways which compensate for these difficulties and the kinetic parameters of excited-state proton exchange determined. Qualitative relationships between the parameters of excited-state proton exchange, electronic structure and steric factors are considered.
Theory‐into‐practice: The transformation of biological precepts into mental concepts in recognizing visual images

Comprehending and understanding visual images (particularly moving images) result from a series of complex biological (brain) and mental (mind) processes and activities. The two main academic disciplines that explain the functions performed by the organs of visual and auditory perception (eyes, ears, brain) are perceptual psychology and neurophysiol‐ogy, whereas cognitive and behavioral psychologies are the main academic disciplines that explain the mental activities, processes, and functions of the mind. The transformation of biological precepts into mental concepts are presented as they relate to recognizing and understanding moving visual images. Specifically, this article (a) reviews the various biological and mental functions of the human brain as they relate to moving images, (b) discusses how visual precepts (codified visual bits) are transformed into visual concepts (holistic visual units), and (c) provides suggestions as to the construction of moving images, particularly televised images.
Perceptions of Presidential Greatness and the Flow of Evaluative Political Information: From the Elite to the Informed to the Masses

Since World War II, numerous polls and surveys have been conducted in an attempt to evaluate the performance of past presidents. Their major concern has been to distinguish, in an historical perspective, “great” presidents from those who are “failures.” Ratings from the general public, however, rarely attempt to investigate which characteristics of the individuals in the Oval Office weigh in the minds of the evaluators. Researchers seldom investigate how the general public acquires information to make these assessments. We suggest that information is transmitted from an elite through an informed public to the general public through a “two-step flow.” Using data from surveys of historians and the general public conducted by C-SPAN for its “American Presidents” series, we analyze the flow of information regarding the qualities of presidential leadership among elites, the informed public, and the interested public and suggest that a mediated flow of opinions on presidential greatness from the elite public to the interested public exists. The public at large indirectly acquires elite opinions when making evaluative political judgments, yet it does not acquire the same basis for those judgments.
Technical note: Optimization of lactose quantification based on coupled enzymatic reactions

A colorimetric microplate-adapted lactose assay was developed to quantify lactose in dairy products. The assay was based on the coupled enzymatic reaction of β-galactosidase-glucose oxidase-horseradish peroxidase using Amplex red as detection probe. The assay showed good linearity in the range of 0.1 to 0.5mmol of lactose/L, with a limit of detection of 0.0433mmol/L and a limit of quantification of 0.1313mmol/L. The lactose assay at optimized conditions (5 U of β-galactosidase/mL, 5 U of glucose oxidase/mL, 1 U of horseradish peroxidase/mL, and 100μmol of Amplex red/L for 1h at 37°C in the dark) showed good correlation with a commercial lactose enzymatic kit with intraassay variation below 10% and interassay variations below 7.6%. The developed lactose microplate assay can be adopted as routine analysis for lactose determination in dairy products due to its relatively low cost compared with a commercial kit, relatively short reaction time, and high sensitivity and reproducibility.
Therapy Insight: preserving fertility in cyclophosphamide-treated patients with rheumatic disease.

Cyclophosphamide is an important therapy for patients with severe rheumatic diseases; it is, however, responsible for gonadal toxicity. There are a number of interventions aimed at reducing this toxicity, including estrogen-containing oral contraceptives, hormone agonists and antagonists of gonadal receptors in females, and testosterone therapy and storage of gametes for male patients. These strategies are outlined in this article. Cyclophosphamide remains a necessary treatment for severe rheumatic diseases, despite the continued search for alternative therapies with less gonadal toxicity. The risk of premature gonadal failure and sterility might lead young patients to delay treatment with cyclophosphamide. The patient's age at treatment and the cumulative dose received remain important risk factors for cyclophosphamide-induced gonadal failure in both males and females. Estrogen-containing oral contraceptives for females and testosterone for males are suggested to reduce the gonadal toxicity of cyclophosphamide, although few studies support these interventions. Owing to increased side effects, hormonal therapy is often avoided in patients with edema, hypertension, nephrotic syndrome or antiphospholipid antibodies. Agonists and antagonists of gonadotropin receptors are under study. Gonadotropin-receptor agonists might have beneficial effects in addition to suppression of sex-hormone production. The outcome of attempted cryopreservation of eggs, embryos or ovaries remains uncertain for women seeking to preserve their reproductive potential. Storing male gametes before chemotherapy is widely practiced and technically successful. As recovery of menses or production of testosterone does not predict individual fertility, identification of biomarkers of gonadal function and reserve, including serum levels of several hormones, ultrasonographic measurements of ovarian volume and antral follicle count, are necessary.
Experimental concerns in tracer kinetic investigations of apolipoprotein metabolism

Abstract The complexity of the metabolism of the plasma lipoproteins makes it impossible to integrate the details of the reactions of specific apolipoproteins and their associated lipids without the use of computerized modeling methods. Because apolipoproteins impart specificity in the transport and chemical processing of plasma lipids, they have been the focus of many in vivo kinetic tracer investigations. The analysis of such kinetic data by modeling techniques has provided important advances in understanding lipoprotein metabolism. An example is the Delipidation Chain, an hypothesis explaining VLDL metabolism in terms of a sequential delipidation process. As a consequence of the advance in knowledge of apolipoprotein structure and metabolism, coupled with progress in computerized modeling of large systems, it has become important to refine the design of in vivo tracer kinetic investigations of the apolipoproteins. Considerations of particular importance include the selection of apolipoprotein tracers which can be shown to undergo the same reactions as the apolipoproteins whose metabolism they trace. If the physical and chemical processes which convert apolipoproteins from one metabolic pool to another are to be analyzed correctly, it is necessary to describe precisely and to measure accurately these pools. Current methods for delineating metabolic pools of apolipoproteins in vivo need to be refined. When accomplished, this will provide new opportunities to investigate the metabolic pathways of the apolipoproteins and their associated lipids. A very important challenge is to design experiments which will differentiate transfer processes, which result in net transport of a reactant, from exchange processes, whereby a tracer and a tracee are exchanged between pools without a net transport event occuring. Since both types of processes occur readily with apolipoproteins, it is important to develop methods to examine them separately. Computerized kinetic modeling provides a means for describing and understanding the complexities of lipoprotein metabolism. A major challenge is for the experimentalist to acquire data which accurately reflect the physiological processes involved in lipoprotein metabolism.
Applying Canonical Analysis to a Kind of Generalized Regression

This paper is concerned with the generalized model E(φ(Y)! X) =φ(X) involving the transformations on both the predictor vector X and the response variable Y. For this purpose, Taylor expansions and canonical analysis are applied. For optimizing the expansions, it is shown by a simulation study that not only prediction error, the combination of model error and noise error, is an important index, but the distribution of the residuals and the t-values of the coefficients also must be considered. Furthermore, the results of penicillin titrition show that the practical situations often need to be considered in selecting an appropriate model for a real-life problem.
Information Rules: A Strategic Guide to the Network Economy

The article reviews the book “Information Rules: A Strategic Guide to the Network Economy,” by Carl Shapiro and Hal R. Varian.
Real-Time Signal Processing Using The Side-Entry Configuration Of Surface Acousto-Optic Interaction

Signal processing functions, such as correlation and Fourier transformation have been performed for signals with 50 MHz bandwidth and 500 TB product. Correlation experiments using Barker and p-n coded signals show the expected sidelobe and compression ratios. To study the effect of the coherency requirement of the light source, both lasers and incoherent sources were used. Experimental results indicate that incoherent light is sufficient for some applications. This opens up the possibility of a completely packaged surface-acousto-optic signal processor with small dimensions. The performance of this processor will be compared with those of other ones, i.e. silicon-on-LiNb03 SAW convolver, with respect to dynamic range, TB product etc.© (1979) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Multi-robot coordination with periodic connectivity

We consider the problem of multi-robot coordination subject to constraints on the configuration. Specifically, we examine the case in which a mobile network of robots must search, survey, or cover an environment while remaining connected. While many algorithms utilize continual connectivity for such tasks, we relax this requirement and introduce the idea of periodic connectivity, where the network must regain connectivity at a fixed interval. We show that, in some cases, this problem reduces to the well-studied NP-hard multi-robot informative path planning (MIPP) problem, and we propose an online algorithm that scales linearly in the number of robots and allows for arbitrary periodic connectivity constraints. We prove theoretical performance guarantees and validate our approach in the coordinated search domain in simulation and in real-world experiments. Our proposed algorithm significantly outperforms a gradient method that requires continual connectivity and performs competitively with a market-based approach, but at a fraction of the computational cost.
Modelling curved surface wave paths: membrane surface wave synthetics

SUMMARY Earth's heterogeneity near the surface is so severe that surface waves with period 20 s exhibit complicated propagation effects such as curved paths and multiple rays. In order to take account of these effects, a new method to analyse surface waves is developed. the method, which we call the membrane surface wave method, is an approximation to the Green's function method in a 3-D medium and is valid for a laterally, smoothly varying media. We also present the formulae to invert the seismograms. As an example, we apply the method to a preliminary California model. Use of the method for the forward calculation shows that heterogeneity in the model is so severe that the wavefront due to the Whittier Narrows earthquake is split in two by the time it reaches the San Francisco Bay area. the kernels in the inverse formula to the six Berkeley stations show curved paths, multipathings and finite wavelength effects and visually demonstrate how waves sample the medium. the method is attractive in that these complications cause no problems in its application.
Microstructural development in single crystal nickel base superalloy welds

AbstractThe welding behaviour of alloy PWA 1480, a single crystal nickel base super alloy, has been investigated. The ability to successfully weld single crystal nickel base superalloys is desirable for fabrication procedures as well as for potential repair applications in both aircraft and land based turbine systems. The microstructural development in welds of this alloy was characterised and analysed using a geometrical model developed earlier in the study of Fe–Cr–Ni single crystal welds. The microstructural features in the nickel base alloy welds and, in particular, the dendritic growth patterns, were accurately described by this model. However, several potential difficulties with the welding of the nickel base superalloys were identified. First, there is frequent formation of stray crystals which result in the loss of the single crystal nature of the weld. Second, dendritic zones are formed in the weld and these may result in a degradation of the weld properties, even if the single crystal character ...
Genic Differentiation in Pocket Gophers of the Genus Pappogeomys, with Comments on Intergeneric Relationships in the Subfamily Geomyinae

Patterns of genetic differentiation revealed by starch-gel electrophoresis of proteins are examined at the species level within the genus Pappogeomys and at the generic level within the subfamily Geomyinae. Data from electrophoresis and morphology indicate that the subgenera Pappogeomys and Cratogeomys of the genus Pappogeomys deserve generic recognition. These data further suggest that the castanops species group ( Cratogeomys castanops and C. merriami ) is not monophyletic, and that C. gymnurus and C. tylorhinus of the gymnurus species group may be conspecific. Overall patterns of genie and chromosomal variation within Pappogeomys and Cratogeomys are similar to patterns seen in other pocket gopher genera. These patterns are compared to genic and chromosomal variation in Thomomys . The genie data suggest the following intergeneric relationships for the Geomyinae: 1) the tribes (Thomomyini and Geomyini) are distinct, monophyletic assemblages; 2) Orthogeomys and Zygogeomys form a distinct clade; 3) the Pappogeomys-Cratogeomys and Orthogeomys-Zygogeomys lineages may be more closely related to each other than either is to Geomys .
Application of direct recoil spectrometry to determination of the saturation coverage of ethylene on Pt(111)

Abstract The technique of direct recoil spectrometry with time-of-flight analysis (TOF-DRS) is used to determine the saturation coverage θmax of ethylene on Pt(111) at room temperature by using chemisorbed CO on Pt(111) as a standard system for calibration. The measurements are made with a pulsed 4 keV K+ beam, allowing analysis of the directly recoiled hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms. The consistency of the experimental data with the two values of θmax (i.e. 1 4 and 1 2 monolayer (ML) coverage) suggested by previous workers has been investigated. The results strongly support θ max = 1 2 ML of ethylidyne units on the surface. The calibration of the masking and focusing effects associated with the technique, by using shadowing and blocking cone calculations as well as structural information relative to both the investigated and standard systems, is discussed.
Checkerboard patterns in the t-J model

Using the density matrix renormalization group, we study the possibility of real space checkerboard patterns arising as the ground states of the t-J model. We find that checkerboards with a commensurate (pi,pi) background are not low energy states and can only be stabilized with large external potentials. However, we find that striped states with charge density waves along the stripes can form approximate checkerboard patterns. These states can be stabilized with a very weak external field aligning and pinning the CDWs on different stripes.
Diffusion of Paramagnetically Labeled Proteins in Cartilage: Enhancement of the 1-D NMR Imaging Technique

Abstract Quantifying the diffusive transport of large molecules in avascular cartilage tissue is important both for planning potential pharamacological treatments and for gaining insight into the molecular-scale structure of cartilage. In this work, the diffusion coefficients of gadolinium–DTPA and Gd-labeled versions of four proteins—lysozyme, trypsinogen, ovalbumin, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) with molecular weights of 14,300, 24,000, 45,000, and 67,000, respectively—have been measured in healthy and degraded calf cartilage. The experimental technique relies on the effect of the paramagnetic on the relaxation properties of the surrounding water, combined with the time course of a 1-dimensional spatial profile of the water signal in the cartilage sample. The enhanced technique presented here does not require a prior measurement of the relaxivity of the paramagnetic compound in the sample of interest. The data are expressed as the ratio of the diffusion coefficient of a compound in cartilage to its diffusion coefficient in water. For healthy cartilage, this ratio was 0.34 ± 0.07 for Gd–DTPA, the smallest compound, and fell to 0.3 ± 0.1 for Gd–lysozyme, 0.08 ± 0.04 for Gd–trypsinogen, and 0.07 ± 0.04 for Gd–ovalbumin. Gd–BSA did not appear to enter healthy cartilage tissue beyond a surface layer. After the cartilage had been degraded by 24-h trypsinization, these ratios were 0.60 ± 0.03 for Gd–DTPA, 0.40 ± 0.08 for Gd–lysozyme, 0.42 ± 0.09 for Gd–trypsinogen, 0.16 ± 0.14 for Gd–ovalbumin, and 0.11 ± 0.05 for Gd–BSA. Thus, degradation of the cartilage led to increases in the diffusion coefficient of up to fivefold for the Gd-labeled proteins. These basic transport parameters yield insights on the nature of pore sizes and chemical–matrix interactions in the cartilage tissue and may prove diagnostically useful for identifying the degree and nature of damage to cartilage.
Mineralogy and petrology of the Abee enstatite chondrite breccia and its dark inclusions

A model is proposed for the petrogenesis of the Abee E4 enstatite chondrite breccia, which consists of clasts, dark inclusions and matrix, and whose dark inclusions are an unusual kind of enstatite chondritic material. When the maximum metamorphic temperature of the breccia parent material was greater than 840 C, euhedral enstatite crystals in metallic Fe, Ni, and sulfide-rich areas grew into pliable metal and sulfide. Breccia parent material was impact-excavated, admixed with dark inclusions, and rapidly cooled. During this cooling, the clast and matrix material acquired thermal remanent magnetization. A subsequent ambient magnetic field imparted a uniform net magnetic orientation to the matrix and caused the magnetic orientation of the clasts to be less random. The Abee breccia was later consolidated by shock or by shallow burial and long period, low temperature metamorphism.
The borehole controlled‐source audiomagnetotelluric response of a three‐dimensional fracture zone

Approximate theoretical borehole CSAMT profiles of the normalized vertical electric and magnetic fields Ez/Hx0 and Hz/Hy0 were computed for several models of practical interest using a 3-D MT computer program based on the method of integral equations. Hx0 and Hy0 are the horizontal fields measured at the surface. A conductive tabular prism in a layered and homogeneous half‐space was chosen to simulate a 3-D fracture zone composed of individual, interconnected fractures. Model parameters varied during this study were depth and dip of the tabular body, the conductivity and layering of the half‐space, the frequency of the plane‐wave source, and the separation between the borehole and target. In addition, a model composed of two horizontal prisms was investigated. Decreasing the host conductivity, the depth of the prism, or the separation between the borehole and prism increases the magnitude of the subsurface normalized vertical electric and magnetic fields. Depth to the top of a dipping prism in a half‐spac...
Military applications for uncooled infrared: airborne sensors at Alliant Techsystems

Uncooled IR has been predicted to dominate commercial IR design within five years. The military market is moving in the same direction but with unique requirements. Alliant Techsystems is currently designing and field testing uncooled IR sensors for dual mode seekers, aerial surveillance, fire control systems, and RSTA applications. This paper will review the tradeoffs for several of our airborne program applications. Performance models are given for several microbolometer sensor approaches.
Extended Sobolev Scale and Elliptic Operators

We obtain a constructive description of all Hilbert function spaces that are interpolation spaces with respect to a pair of Sobolev spaces $$ \left[ {{H^{{\left( {{s_0}} \right)}}}\left( {{{\mathbb{R}}^n}} \right),{H^{{\left( {{s_1}} \right)}}}\left( {{{\mathbb{R}}^n}} \right)} \right] $$ of some integer orders s 0 and s 1 and form an extended Sobolev scale. We propose equivalent definitions of these spaces with the use of uniformly elliptic pseudo-differential operators positive-definite in $$ {L_2}\left( {{{\mathbb{R}}^n}} \right) $$ . Possible applications of the introduced scale of spaces are indicated.
Survival, injury, and virulence of freeze-stressed plasmid-bearing virulent Yersinia enterocolitica in ground pork.

The effect of freezing at –20°C on survival, injury, stability of the virulence plasmid, and expression of virulenceassociated determinants of Yersinia enterocolitica (YEP+) in ground pork was asse...
Association of conditioned stimuli during serial conditioning by pigeons

CS2-CS1-US autoshaping was given to hungry pigeons and evidence of CS2-CS1 association was sought. Pigeons pecked that key of a two-key compound CS2 located where the upcoming CS1 key light was to occur. Such CS2-CS1 association was: (1) quickly acquired, (2) quite durable, and (3) stronger with simultaneous than with successive discrimination tasks.
Command & Data Handling for the magnetospheric multiscale mission

The Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission is the fourth mission of the Solar Terrestrial Probes (STP) program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The MMS mission, consisting of four identically instrumented spacecraft, will use Earth's magnetosphere as a laboratory to study magnetic reconnection, a fundamental plasma-physical process that taps the energy stored in a magnetic field and converts it - typically explosively - into heat and kinetic energy in the form of charged particle acceleration and large-scale flows of matter.
Osmolyte-induced separation of the mechanical folding phases of ubiquitin

Solvent molecules play key roles in the conformational dynamics of proteins. Here we use single molecule force-clamp spectroscopy to probe the role played by the stabilizing osmolyte glycerol on the conformational ensembles visited by a single ubiquitin protein folding after mechanical extension. Using a variety of force-pulse protocols, we find that glycerol stabilizes the native state of ubiquitin, making it more resistant to mechanical unfolding. We also find that although glycerol enhanced the hydrophobic collapse of unfolded and highly extended ubiquitins, it had no effect on the resulting collapsed states that are essential precursors of the folded state. These disparate effects of glycerol may be the result of distinct structural roles played by solvent molecules at the transition state of each folding ensemble. Our results open the way for a detailed analysis of the transition state structures that form along the folding trajectory of a mechanically extended protein.
Paleoproterozoic tectonic history of the Cerbat Mountains, northwestern Arizona: Implications for crustal assembly in the southwestern United States

Structural mapping, metamorphic analysis, and U-Pb geochronology from the Cerbat Mountains of northwestern Arizona place new constraints on the tectonic significance and timing of the boundary between the Mojave and Yavapai Proterozoic crustal provinces in the southwestern United States. The Cerbat Mountains are the easternmost range that exhibits wholly Mojave Pb isotopic signatures, yet their Paleoproterozoic structural history is strikingly similar to that of the Yavapai province. Two pervasive deformational events are recognized in the Cerbat Mountains. D1 fabrics are well preserved in the northern Cerbat Mountains, and are characterized by a north-northwest−striking, moderately northeast-dipping foliation (S1) that is axial planar to macroscopic recumbent folds that we interpret to be west to southwest vergent. Similar structures have been documented locally in the Yavapai province. D1 is bracketed between 1740 and 1721 Ma in the Cerbat Mountains on the basis of U-Pb zircon ages of the Big Wash granite (1737 ± 4.3 Ma) and the Diana and Chloride granites (1719 ± 1.2 and 1721 ± 2.4 Ma, respectively). D2 fabrics dominate the central and southern Cerbat Mountains and include a subvertical, northeast-striking foliation that truncates and transposes S1. D2 is bracketed between 1721 and 1682 Ma, on the basis of U-Pb ages of the Diana and Chloride granites and post-D2 granite dikes in the eastern Cerbat Mountains (1682.5 ± 2.4 Ma). The structural style, orientation, and timing of D1 and D2 fabrics in the Cerbat Mountains are identical to those of the Yavapai province. Supracrustal rocks within the Cerbat Mountains were subjected to two periods of metamorphism that correspond temporally to the two periods of deformation. The early phase occurred at 675–725 °C and 5–6 kilobars. The later phase occurred at 650– 700 °C and 3.5–4.5 kilobars. We propose that the Mojave and Yavapai provinces were sutured together between ca. 1740 and 1720 Ma during regional D1 deformation. Collisional orogenesis in the eastern Mojave province may have resulted in the tectonic burial of rocks in the Cerbat Mountains to depths of 20 km. D2, between 1720 and 1682 Ma, corresponds to the widespread Yavapai orogeny, and is interpreted to record accretion of the amalgamated Mojave-Yavapai terrane to Proterozoic terranes that are now located in Colorado.
The translation theorem

We state and prove the Translation Theorem. Then we apply the Translation Theorem to Soare's Extension Theorem, weakening slightly the hypothesis to yield a theorem we call the Modified Extension Theorem. We use this theorem to reprove several of the known results about orbits in the lattice of recursively enumerable sets. It is hoped that these proofs are easier to understand than the old proofs.
Measurements of 2s–2p transition energies in helium-like and lithium-like nickel☆

The wavelength of the fine structure transition 1s2s /sup 3/S/sub 1/ - 1s2p /sup 3/P/sub 2/ in Ni XXVII has been measured using fast-ion spectroscopy. The transition energy is sensitive to relativistic and Lamb shift corrections in this high-Z two-electron system. Comparison is made with measurements in other high-Z ions and with recent theoretical calculations. A preliminary measurement of the 1s/sup 2/2s /sup 2/S/sub 1/2/ - 1s/sup 2/2p /sup 2/P/sub 1/2/ find structure transition in Ni XXVI is also reported. 18 refs., 1 fig., 2 tabs.
Characterizing the Ex-Vivo Properties of Prolapse Meshes

Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition that affects roughly 30–40% of women in their lifetime (1). Although not all women become symptomatic, 225,000 to 280,000 require surgery for prolapse each year (1). Prolapse occurs when the vagina can no longer support the pelvic organs. Thus, many urogynecological procedures use synthetic meshes to restore the supportive capacity of the vagina. However, a significant underreported proportion of women undergoing mesh procedures require a procedure to remove surgically placed mesh due to pain, exposure, erosion, and dyspareunia (2). It is suspected that these complications are related to mesh structural properties. However, since there are a wide variety of mesh products in use with little known about their properties before and after implantation, identifying the role of mesh in surgical failure has been difficult.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Social and cultural characteristics of fishing peoples

The paper focuses on interrelationships between characteristics of the environment and technology of marine fishing and aspects of the society and culture of fishermen. Specifically, aspects of the work environment such as resource variability, relative isolation of the workplace, workplace hazards and spatial constraints, control over productive factors, and common property characteristics of the resource are related to social and cultural attributes such as migration and seasonal labor, sexual division of labor, workgroup structure, status of women, ownership of productive equipment, and insulation of fishing communities. It is argued that it is essential to understand the interrelationships between these various variables prior to making any decisions which would affect the fishery.
Factors influencing density, distribution, and mesohabitat selection of juvenile wild salmonids and residual hatchery winter steelhead

To best manage Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery, negative interactions between hatchery salmonids and Endangered Species Act listed wild salmonids in the Eagle Creek Basin need to be minimized. Our objectives were: 1) to compare summer rearing densities in two similar streams, where one stream received a release of hatchery salmonids and one stream did not receive a release of hatchery salmonids, 2) to determine if residual hatchery winter steelhead were present in the Eagle Creek Basin, and 3) if so, determine how their presence and density relates to mesohabitat selection and distribution of naturally produced salmonids. A comprehensive snorkel survey identified significantly higher densities of juvenile coho salmon rearing in North Fork Eagle Creek, compared to upper and lower Eagle Creek. We found age 0 winter steelhead in significantly higher densities in upper Eagle Creek as opposed to lower Eagle Creek and North Fork Eagle Creek. Residual hatchery steelhead were located only in Eagle Creek and were rearing in the same 15 mesohabitat units that contained the estimated majority of wild fish populations. In Eagle Creek, the probability of occurrence for all species, regardless of origin, was highest in the vicinity of the hatchery. Residual hatchery winter steelhead density indicated a negative relationship with age 0 winter steelhead density. Due to residual hatchery winter steelhead being present in only 15 sampled habitat units we recommend future sampling effort be focused in areas with known populations of residual hatchery winter steelhead to determine if a distinct relationship between these population densities exists. From these data it is unclear if residual hatchery steelhead are affecting densities, distributions, and mesohabitat selection of wild salmonids in the basin. However, while we were unable to detect any direct impacts of residual hatchery fish on the wild population, these results do suggest the potential exists for competitive ecological interactions between hatchery and wild populations.
Light-actuated optofluidics

Optofluidic devices with photosensitive electrodes enables direct addressing of single cells and liquid droplets using project light image. Such light-actuated optofluidics provides a powerful platform for studying single cell biology.
Visual reinforcement: Operant acquisition in the presence of a free mirror*

In Experiment I Siamese fighting fish performed operant responses that produced a mirror image to which the fish could display; consistent detectable display was not necessary for maintenance of operant performance. In Experiment II fish acquired and continued to perform an operant response that produced a mirror, although a “free” mirror was continually present; display rate to the contingent mirror increased while display rate to the “free” mirror was decreasing. An interpretation of these and previous data in terms of sensory reinforcement is suggested.
EbEST: An Automated Tool Using Expressed Sequence Tags to Delineate Gene Structure

Large numbers of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) continue to fill public and private databases with partial cDNA sequences. However, using this huge amount of ESTs to facilitate gene finding in genomic sequence imposes a challenge, especially to wet-lab scientists who often have limited computing resources. In an effort to consolidate the information hidden in the vast number of ESTs into a readable and manageable format, we have developed EbEST—a program that automates the process of using ESTs to help delineate gene structure in long stretches of genomic sequence. The EbEST program consists of three functional modules—the first module separates homologous ESTs into clusters and identifies the most informative ESTs within each cluster; the second module uses the informative ESTs to perform gapped alignment and to predict the exon‐intron boundary; and the third module generates text file and graphic outputs that illustrate the orientation, exonic structure, and untranslated regions (UTRs) of putative genes in the genomic sequence being analyzed. Evaluation of EbEST with 176 human genes from the ALLSEQ set indicated that it performed in-line with several existing gene finding programs, but was more tolerant to sequencing errors. Furthermore, when EbEST was challenged with query sequences that harbor more than one gene, it suffered only a slight drop in performance, whereas the performance of the other programs evaluated decreased more. EbEST may be used as a stand-alone tool to annotate human genomic sequences with EST-derived gene elements, or can be used in conjunction with computational gene-recognition programs to increase the accuracy of gene prediction.
A multiple species approach to biomass production from native herbaceous perennial feedstocks

Due to the rapid rate of worldwide consumption of nonrenewable fossil fuels, production of biofuels from cellulosic sources is receiving increased research emphasis. Here, we review the feasibility to produce lignocellulosic biomass on marginal lands that are not well-suited for conventional crop production. Large areas of these marginal lands are located in the central prairies of North America once dominated by tallgrass species. In this article, we review the existing literature, current work, and potential of two native species of the tallgrass prairie, prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) as candidates for commercial production of biofuel. Based on the existing literature, we discuss the need to accelerate research in the areas of agronomy, breeding, genetics, and potential pathogens. Cropping systems based on maintaining biodiversity across landscapes are essential for a sustainable production and to mitigate impact of pathogens and pests.
Carbon Emissions, Energy Consumption and Income in SAARC Countries

With global warming and the extreme climate changes in the world, controlling emissions has now become an area of focus for most countries. Although the Kyoto protocol (ratified by over 170 countri...
Abnormal plasminogen: A genetically determined cause of hypercoagulability *

Abstract An inherited disorder of the fibrinolytic system has been discovered as a cause of unusual clotting. An abnormal immunoreactive plasminogen was identified in eight patients who presented with unexplained thrombosis. Six patients presented with spontaneous arterial or venous thrombosis, and two patients developed postoperative occlusion of an arterial reconstruction. Five of the six patients with spontaneous thrombosis had recurrent episodes involving both the arterial and venous system at time intervals between the thrombotic episodes varying from 1 month to several years. Detection of an abnormal plasminogen was made by immunoelectrophoresis of the patient's serum with an antiplasminogen sera. In normal patients, plasminogen migrates as a single band toward the anode. In these eight patients a separate immunoreactive band located nearer the anode and distinct from the normal band was detected. Examination of family members of two patients identified a similar abnormal plasminogen with an overall incidence suggestive of an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. This study suggests the presence of a genetically determined plasminogen variant resulting in a functional deficiency of the plasminogen system causing a reduction of fibrinolytic activity and a latent thrombotic tendency. Recommended treatment is long-term warfarin anticoagulation. (J VASC SURG 1984;1:896-902.)
Tris/Tris·HCl: A Standard Buffer for Use in the Physiologic pH Range

A buffer solution containing tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane (0.01667 mol/kg) and its hydrochloride salt (0.0500 mol/kg) is proposed as a pH standard for the physiologically important pH range of 7.3 to 7.5. Standard pH values were assigned to this reference solution at temperatures from 0° to 50°C by means of measurements with hydrogen/silver chloride cells without transference. At 37°C, the assigned pH of this buffer solution is 7.382, with a temperature coefficient of -0.026 pH unit per degree Celsius. This new standard is more compatible with biologic fluids than is the previously certified phosphate buffer.
Ultra-relativistic thermodynamics and aberrations of the cosmic microwave background radiation

Ultra-relativistic inertial and non-inertial reference frames would be subjected to a forward-directed heat bath from the Lorentz transformed temperature of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation. Although the Lorentz transformations of heat and temperature continue to be unresolved issues in the literature,1–6 this paper makes use of occupation number (number density of occupied states per phase space element) to support a Lorentz factor inflation of the rest frame temperature. Additionally, Doppler Boosting is examined.
Epizootiological study of bacterial cold-water disease in Pacific salmon and further characterization of the etiologic agent, Flexibacter psychrophila.

Abstract Isolates of Flexibacter psychrophila were obtained from chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and coho salmon O. kisutch that had previously sustained epizootics of coldwater disease. The pathogen was readily isolated from kidney and mucus of convalescent fish. The organisms were relatively inert in most standard microbiological media but were structurally and serologically homogenous by examination of whole cell protein lysates by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In contrast to the homogeneity observed in phenotypic and serologic assays, the isolates studied elaborated varied ribotypes. All isolates produced a single rDNA spacer amplification product of about 240 base pairs.