cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modular fieldbus designs and applications

One of the main benefits of the fieldbus technology is its significant reduction in wiring. This is because each process requires only one wire to be run to the main cable. Installation costs are further reduced because the fieldbus is a multi‐drop rather than a point‐to‐point system. (The multi‐drop network can offer a 5:1 reduction in field wiring expense.) A number of pneumatics manufacturers have already developed devices for various programmable logic controller (PLC) fieldbus protocols, in the form of control blocks mounted directly on to standard pneumatic valve manifolds. The next generation of modular valve manifolds has emerged too. These do not need wiring, because they are based on a virtually “plug‐and‐play” design and installation method. This means that with this modular design one simply selects the valve configuration needed for the process, plugs the modules together, and the manifold is ready to connect into a fieldbus network.
Cardiac toxicity of the echinocandins: chance or cause and effect association?

Summary What is known and objective Fungal infections pose a constant risk to critically ill and immunosuppressed patients. The echinocandin antifungals give practitioners an arsenal of agents with apparently lower toxicity relative to older agents. The objective of this commentary is to review the cardiac toxicity of the echinocandin antifungals in the light of recent evidence and published case reports. Comment Three case reports detail cardiac decompensation following the initiation of anidulafungin and caspofungin and corroborate ex vivo laboratory results, in which rat hearts exposed to anidulafungin and caspofungin had significantly decreased cardiac contractility. Our hypothesized mechanism of toxicity of anidulafungin and caspofungin is mitochondrial toxicity. What is new and conclusion The clinical corroboration of the ex vivo work presented above highly suggests that the cardiac toxicity seen with some of the echinocandin antifungals is a cause and effect pattern, not a chance finding.
Variable intensity of purifying selection on cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes in hepatitis C virus

In an analysis of the patterns of nucleotide diversity in 26 datasets providing population-level data on different genomic regions of different hepatitis C virus (HCV) subtypes, known cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitope regions in most cases showed evidence of the occurrence of purifying selection. Two main factors were found to be associated with the strength of purifying selection: (1) purifying selection was stronger in CTL epitopes in non-envelope proteins than in envelope proteins and (2) purifying selection was stronger when the epitope was "matched", i.e., when the described or "canonical" epitope sequence was present unaltered in at least one sequence in the dataset. Of all polymorphic sites, non-synonymous sites in matched CTL epitopes in non-envelope proteins had the lowest gene diversities, implying that these variants are subject to ongoing purifying selection. This in turn suggests that the population frequency of such variants may of be the result of a balance between opposing forces: on the one hand, positive selection favoring escape mutants in hosts that express the presenting MHC molecule and, on the other hand, purifying selection acting, in the absence of the presenting MHC molecule, to reduce the frequency of slightly deleterious variants.
Actinomycin D Effect on Amino Acid Absorption from Rat Jejunal Loops

The absorption of amino acids from jejunal loops was suppressed in anesthetized rats treated previously with 1.0 or 1.5 micrograms of actinomycin D per gram of body weight. The absorption of the acidic, neutral, and basic amino acids showed selective differences in response that were relative to the degree of inhibition and to the time interval required to demonstrate actinomycin sensitivity.
Origin DNA melting and unwinding in DNA replication

Genomic DNA replication is a necessary step in the life cycles of all organisms. To initiate DNA replication, the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) at the origin of replication must be separated or melted; this melted region is propagated and a mature replication fork is formed. To accomplish origin recognition, initial DNA melting, and the eventual formation of a replication fork, coordinated activity of initiators, helicases, and other cellular factors are required. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the structural and biochemical studies of the initiators and the replicative helicases in multiple replication systems, with emphasis on the systems in archaeal and eukaryotic cells. These studies have yielded insights into the plausible mechanisms of the early stages of DNA replication.
The methamphetamine experience: a NIDA partnership

The neurotoxic properties of the amphetamines such as methamphetamine (METH) were originally described about the time of the National Institute on Drug Abuse's organization, in the early 1970s. It required more than 20 years to confirm these neurotoxic properties in humans. Much like Parkinson's disease, multiple high-dose administration of METH somewhat selectively damages the nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) projection of the brain. This effect appears to be related to the intracellular accumulation of cytosolic DA and its ability to oxidize into reactive oxygen species. Both the dopamine plasmalemmal transporter and the vesicular monoamine transporter-2 seem to play critical roles in this neurotoxicity. METH and related analogs such as methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) can also damage selective CNS serotonin neurons. The mechanism of the serotonergic neurotoxicity is not as well characterized, but also appears to be related to the formation of reactive oxygen species and monoamine transporters. Studies examining the pharmacological and neurotoxicological properties of the amphetamines have helped to elucidate some critical features of monoamine regulations as well as helped to improve our understanding of the processes associated with degenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
Nuisance of decision: Jupiter missiles and the Cuban missile crisis

(1991). Nuisance of decision: Jupiter missiles and the Cuban missile crisis. Journal of Strategic Studies: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 1-26.
Hydrogen trapping mechanisms by permeation techniques

Trapping phenomena may be well characterized by transport measurements carried out as a function of lattice concentration of the species undergoing diffusion and trapping. Although the reasoning in general, applications are probably most feasible for gas-solid systems, and in particular for hydrogen in metals.
Determination of Sulfonamides and Local Anesthetics with 9-Chloroacridine by Quenching Fluorometry

Sulfonamides and local anesthetics containing a primary aromatic amino group react with 9-chloroacridine to yield aminoacridine hydrochlorides. The formation of these derivatives results in quenching of fluorescence of the 9-chloroacridine reagent solution. Monitoring the fluorescence at activation and emission wavelengths of 385 and 420 nm., respectively, enables one to analyze drug in the 10−5−10−6M range. The method was applied to various sulfonamides, local anesthetics, and mixtures of pharmaceuticals containing these entities. A comparative study of this technique was made with other known fluorometric procedures.
Evolution of a Late Mesozoic back-arc fold and thrust belt, Northwestern Great Basin, U.S.A.

Abstract The Luning-Fencemaker fold and thrust belt was active from the Middle or Late Jurassic through the Early Cretaceous and involves rocks of the Mesozoic marine-province of the northwestern Great Basin. Rocks of the marine-province were deposited in a back-arc basin bound on the west by the Sierran arc. They are underlain by simatic crust formed either in a Paleozoic marginal-basin formed on the west coast of North America or in an exotic oceanic-arc accreted to North America in the Permo-Triassic. Deposition in the marine-province was localized by the underlying simatic crust, which later controlled the locus of back-arc thrusting. To the south, in areas of the back-arc region overlying continental crust, Mesozoic rocks are terrestrial volcanic and volcanogenic deposits. Rocks of this area are not disrupted by thrusts of significant magnitude until the southwestern end of the Sevier thrust belt is encountered. During contraction, the Luning-Fencemaker thrust belt underwent several hundred kilometers of NW-SE shortening which was not developed in the Sierra Nevada to the west. The arc and back-arc regions were separated by a regionally extensive left-lateral fault system that was active during back-arc thrusting. The marine-province was partially coupled with the Sierra Nevada during transpressional motion on the left-lateral fault, resulting in imbrication and emplacement of the Luning-Fencemaker thrust belt. In the continental region to the south, decoupling was more complete and only minor thrusting was associated with the southerly displacement of the Sierran arc. Farther south, where the Paleozoic miogeoclinal hingeline was encountered, conditions apparently changed and the Sevier thrust belt developed. Timing relations suggests that the Andean-type margin of the western United States had paired back-arc thrust belts (Luning-Fencemaker and Sevier) for much of the late Mesozoic. The belts were separated by a region that underwent relatively minor internal shortening. The intervening region probably was decoupled at depth and the thrust belts may have shared a decollement. Development of the Luning-Fencemaker thrust belt and the associated left-lateral fault system extended over a period of 40–50 m.y. and is best explained as a product of plate convergence. The NW-SE shortening axis for the thrust belt and the inferred left-slip on the strike-slip fault are not compatible with the generally accepted right-oblique subduction proposed for the Sierran arc since the Early Triassic. They suggest an interval of left-oblique convergence for the Middle to Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. Regionally developed structures indicate a return to right-oblique convergence in the late Early Cretaceous.
The measurement of PM2.5, including semi-volatile components, in the EMPACT program: results from the Salt Lake City Study

Abstract The Salt Lake City EPA Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT) project, initiated in October 1999, is designed to evaluate the usefulness of a newly developed real-time continuous monitor (RAMS) for total (non-volatile plus semi-volatile) PM2.5 mass and the health relevance of PM2.5 measured by this method as compared to other measurements of PM2.5 parameters. Ammonium nitrate and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) are significant components of fine particles in many urban atmospheres. These components however, are not properly measured by current EPA accepted methods, such as the PM2.5 FRM, due to loss of semi-volatile material (SVM) from the filter during sampling. Continuous PM2.5 mass measurements are attempted using methods such as the R&P TEOM monitor. This method however, heats the sample to remove particle-bound water. This results in evaporation of significant amounts of semi-volatile material. Similarly, continuous carbonaceous material monitors are expected to lose semi-volatile organic material during sample collection. Continuous RAMS and collocated TEOM monitor data have been obtained at the EMPACT sampling site in Salt lake City, Utah during a 2-year period. Results obtained for the continuous determination of total PM2.5 mass with the RAMS have been validated by comparison with results obtained from collocated PC-BOSS diffusion denuder integrated samples at the EMPACT sampling site in Salt Lake City, Utah during three intensive sampling periods (winter 1999–2000, summer 2000, and winter 2000–2001). While the RAMS is shown to measure total PM2.5, including semi-volatile nitrate and organic material, commercially available semi-continuous TEOM and C monitors do not reliably measure these species.
Pregnancy and Myasthenia Gravis

Pregnancy is an immunological balancing act in which the mother’s immune system has to remain tolerant of paternal major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens while maintaining normal immune competence for defence against microorganisms.
Vibration reduction of a flexible arm by time-optimal open-loop control

Abstract The implementation of time-optimal open-loop control to reduce residual vibrations of a flexible arm in point-to-point motion is presented, with emphasis on the numerical and experimental aspects of the problem. The modal state-space approach is used to represent the dynamic behavior of the system. The final time and the residual vibrations are minimized with symmetric multi-switch bang-bang control, using only the lower vibratory modes of the distributed system, in a control model with finite dimensions. The performance of the multi-switch bang-bang control is compared with that of minimum-time single-switch bang-bang control. In the experiments a 60% reduction in the residual vibrations of a flexible arm is achieved by multi-switch bang-bang control. The practical limitations of such an implementation resulting from the actuator and the effects of control spillover on the system are discussed.
Radiographic and Molecular Correlates of Progression in Patients with Recurrent Low-Grade Gliomas Treated with Everolimus Under a Phase II Clinical Trial

previously reported improvement in PFS (10.4 vs. 4.0 years, p Z 0.002; HR Z 0.50). Treatment arm was identified as a prognostic variable in favor of RT + PCV for both OS (p Z 0.003; HR Z 0.59) and PFS (p < 0.001; HR Z 0.49). Histology was prognostic for OS (p < 0.001; HR Z 2.16) and PFS (p < 0.001; HR Z 1.85) in favor of O compared to A. Male gender was prognostic for inferior OS (p Z 0.02; HR Z 1.51). Molecular markers were not pre-specified; post-hoc analysis of these is ongoing. Conclusions: For “high-risk” LGG, defined as age < 40 years with subtotal resection/biopsy or 40 years with any degree of resection, RT followed by 6 cycles of PCV prolongs both OS and PFS, and RT plus chemotherapy should therefore be considered a new standard of care for such patients. Astrocytic histology and male gender predict for poorer survival. Acknowledgment: This project was supported by RTOG grant U10 CA21661, and CCOP grant U10 CA37422 from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Author Disclosure: M.P. Mehta: E. Research Grant; Novocure. F. Honoraria; Research to Excellence, Soreno Foundation. G. Consultant; Abbvie, BMS, Elekta, Merck, Novocure, Novelos, Phillips. I. Travel Expenses; Abbvie, Celldex, Elekta, Phillips, Roche. K. Advisory Board; Celldex, Roche. N. Stock Options; Pharmacyclics, Accuray. P. Royalty; Demos. S. Leadership; RTOG. M. Won: None. E.G. Shaw: None. J. Buckner: None. M. Gilbert: E. Research Grant; Merck, Genentech, GSK. F. Honoraria; Genentech, Merck. K. Advisory Board; Merck, Genentech, BMS, Abbvie, EMD Serono. G. Barger: None. S. Coons: None. P. Ricci: None. D. Bullard: None. P.D. Brown: None. K. Stelzer: None. D.G. Brachman: None. J.H. Suh: G. Consultant; Varian. C. Schultz: None. J. Bahary: None. B.J. Fisher: None. H. Kim: None. A.D. Murtha: None. W.J. Curran: S. Leadership; RTOG.
Introduction to “Ecological and Evolutionary Consequences after Invaders Hybridize”

The motivation for this special issue was a symposium organized by Ayres and Schierenbeck at the 2006 American Botanical Society annual meeting that took its title from Ellstrand and Schierenbeck’s highly cited 2000 paper in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, ‘‘Hybridization as a Stimulus for the Evolution of Invasiveness’’. Ellstrand was the keynote speaker. As explored previously by Ellstrand and Schierenbeck (2000), the mixing of divergent genotypes can result in the creation of populations of hybrids that are more invasive than the parental species. The symposium sparked such interest in the participants and audience that Ellstrand suggested we collaborate on a special issue. Here we revisit the earlier examples (Schierenbeck and Ellstrand 2009), and in a series of papers, present case studies examining the ecological and evolutionary consequences of hybridization in plants which range from hybridization between cultivars in ornamental pears (Culley and Hardiman 2008), to introgressive hybridization between species (Gaskin and Kazmer 2008; Sloop et al. 2009), to the formation of diploid (Abbott et al. 2008) and allopolyploid hybrid species (Ainouche et al. 2008; Ayres et al. 2008). We also consider the interplay between sexual and clonal reproduction in invaders (Bailey et al. 2008) whether hybrid plants are by their nature more invasive than non-hybridized taxa in a meta-analysis (Whitney et al. 2008), and outline approaches to modeling hybrid population dynamics (Hall and Ayres 2008). The case studies should serve as cautionary tales against the casual introduction of nonnative taxa into areas occupied by conspecifics or congeners while this special issue illustrates the potential for hybrid studies to increase our understanding of evolution.
The chondrocranium of a 23‐mm. necturus

This study is based on a wax model reconstructed from serial sections stained with basic fuchsin and picro-indigo-carmine. It shows: 1) that the columna ethmoidalis and planum basale are chondrified at this stage; 2) that a cartilaginous antorbital process is present; 3) that the stapedial plate is cut out from the wall of the otic capsule; 4) that the so-called crista trabecularis is an independent element homologous with the sphenolateralis of the Anura; 5) that the fourth visceral arch is not present and that the fifth is still in the precartilaginous stage; and, 7) that there is no evidence that a pro-occipital vertebra is formed.
Kinetic determination of substrates and enzymes by integration of response curves which show maxima, minima or inflections

Abstract This paper describes quantitative kinetic procedures based on the integration of response vs. time curves. In these procedures, concentrations or activities are evaluated from the difference between integrals of signal vs. time before the reaction has been initiated and during a significant fraction of the reaction. The procedure have the advantage that they are applicable to response curves with maxima, minima, or inflections. Results are presented for computed response curves and for experimental measurements on selected enzyme-catalyzed reactions used for quantifying glucose, ethanol and creatine kinase. For situations in which calibration plots pass through maxima or minima, supplementary information such as the times at which maxima or minima occur in response curves are used to differentiate between low and high values of concentration that could yield the same differences between integrals. Relative standard deviations of triplicate runs are generally quite good, ranging from 0.5% to 1%.
Resveratrol: potential as anticancer agent.

ABSTRACTBackground: Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths in the world. Current chemotherapeutic agents are associated with serious side effects in patients therefore researchers are trying to find an alternative agent that is effective against cancer as well as less toxic. Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene), commonly found in red wine and grape skins, is a phytoalexin agent that was originally extracted from the roots of Polygonum cuspidatum. Resveratrol is believed to work as a chemopreventive agent by producing its effect on cell apoptosis, antiproliferation, and anti-inflammation. Purpose: To determine whether resveratrol is effective as an anticancer agent. Methods: A systematic review was performed by searching various databases for primary, secondary, and tertiary references. Databases included PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane, AccessPharmacy, and StatRef by using key terms of “resveratrol,” “cancer,” and “anticancer.” Review search looked at both animal and human studies limited within 10 year...
The nature of the new employment relationship: A content analysis of the practitioner and academic literatures

At a general level, there appears to be almost universal agreement that the nature of the employment relationship is undergoing fundamental changes that have potentially enormous implications for how companies attract, motivate, and retain talent. This article is intended to assist HRM professionals in understanding, evaluating, and responding to those changes. The results of a study that evaluates current thinking regarding the nature of the new employment relationship by systematically analyzing the content of relevant articles are reported. Implications of the results for the management of employee relationships are discussed, and specific recommendations are provided. © 2000 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
From UMPCs to Cell Phones: How Does Diminishing Screen Real Estate Affect Screen Access and Working Memory?:

The goal of this study was to conduct preliminary research to inform system design for an advanced NASA assembly task. The primary objective of this research was to compare procedure-based task performance with three common mobile screen sizes: Ultra Mobile Personal Computer (7in/17.8cm), Personal Data Assistant (3.5in/8.9cm), and SmartPhone (2.8in/7.1cm). Study participants used these three screen sizes to view and complete a computer maintenance procedure. Results from 65 student participants indicated a significant difference in completion times between the three screen sizes (F(2, 120) = 690, p < 0.050), but no differences in subjectively-assessed cognitive workload, errors, or performance time. Competing task completion strategies were revealed through video analysis of access frequency and amount of time subjects spent reading the procedure before starting the experiment (F(2, 105) = 25.17, p<0.001). The 3.5 inch screen appeared to appropriately balance time spent reading the procedure before task s...
Conflict of concepts in early vitamin studies.

The concept that foods must contain organic trace nutrients in addition to adequate amounts of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals was clearly enunciated in 1912 and became firmly established as part of a continuing tradition during the next decade. The notion that traces of specific organic materials are necessary for satisfactory nutrition had been put forth many times in the past, and in some cases, quite convincingly. But these tentative hypotheses generally failed to make a lasting impression on public health personnel, and they failed to dislodge the belief, widely held in the last half of the nineteenth century, that the gross constituents of foods, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and minerals would provide adequate nourishment for man and farm animals. As a consequence of studies at the Lister Institute, where he had been isolating fractions of rice polishings and yeast which were curative of polyneuritis in birds, Casimir Funk suggested in 1912,
Degradation and Volatilization of the Fumigant Chloropicrin after Soil Treatment

Chloropicrin (CP) is used in fumigation of soil-borne pests. Because of its high volatility and toxicity, atmospheric emission of CP during soil application may become a source of air pollution. We investigated degradation of CP in three different soils as a function of soil temperature and moisture conditions, and evaluated its volatilization against methyl bromide (MeBr) from packed soil columns. Chloropicrin degraded much faster than MeBr in the same soil, mainly via microbial degradation. Degradation of CP accelerated as soil temperature increased, but was relatively independent of changes in soil moisture. When the soil surface was uncovered, overall volatilization loss of CP was similar to that of MeBr. Covering the soil surface with a polyethylene or high-barrier film was much more effective in reducing volatilization of CP than MeBr. Therefore, surface covers may be used in sensitive areas to reduce human exposure to CP.
Monte Carlo Modeling of Interphase Boundaries in Cu-Ag and Cu-Ag-Au Alloys

Monte Carlo simulation, in conjunction with the embedded atom method, has been used to model the composition and structure of a semicoherent (001) interphase boundary separating coexisting Cu-rich and Ag-rich phases in a binary Cu-Ag alloy. The results are compared with earlier simulations of the same boundary in a Cu-Ag-Au alloy, in which Au was found to segregate to the interface, and the boundary was found to be unstable with respect to break-up into {111} facets. The boundary in the binary system is also unstable to faceting, but displays both {100} as well as {111} facets. It is concluded that Au segregation in the ternary alloy plays an important role in stabilizing the {111} facets. The interplay between the misfit dislocations present at the interface, and the compositional features of the boundary are also discussed.
Persistent headache after supratentorial craniotomy.

OBJECTIVE: Although the incidence, possible causes, and treatment of persistent headache after suboccipital craniotomy have been discussed extensively, few data have been published regarding persistent headache after supratentorial craniotomy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the senior author's patient series of 145 consecutive anterior temporal lobectomies for intractable epilepsy performed during a 9-year period. To eliminate confounding causes of headache, all patients studied were seizure-free, none had progressive mass lesions or persisting vascular anomalies, and none had major complications of surgery. With the permission of the institutional review board, information on headache was obtained from patient records, the patients' neurologists, and the patients themselves. RESULTS: Of the 145 consecutive patients who underwent operations, 126 patients had adequate follow-up for analysis. Of the 126 patients, 104 did not have headaches and were not using regular analgesics 2 months postoperatively. Twenty-two patients had headaches persisting beyond 2 months. Seven (5.6%) of the 126 patients had headaches that lasted more than 2 months but less than 1 year, and they were free of recurrent headaches 1 year postoperatively. Fifteen (11.9%) of the 126 patients had ongoing headaches 1 year after surgery. Regarding headache severity, 4.0% of patients had medically uncontrolled headaches, and 3.2% continued to require prescription drugs for headaches 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Although the incidence of persistent head pain after supratentorial craniotomy is lower than that reported for posterior fossa procedures, the incidence is not trivial. The cause of persistent pain deserves further investigation.
Foundation heat loss from heated concrete slab-on-grade floors

Abstract In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in heated concrete slab floors to provide for space heating in both residential and commercial buildings. The existing design procedures for these heating systems are based on simplified thermal models with several assumptions. In particular, the simplified models assume that both the upper and the lower concrete slab surface are isothermal and that the heat transfer through the bottom of the slab surfaces is uniformly distributed over the entire surface. In this paper, a more realistic and flexible model for heated or cooled concrete slab floors is considered to determine the heat transfer between the concrete slab and the ground. In particular, steady-state and steady-periodic semi-analytical solutions are developed to determine the temperature field within the ground medium and within the concrete slab-on-grade floor where hot or chilled water pipes are embedded. The solution presented in this paper is applied to determine the ground heat loss/gain for a heated or cooled floor under various design conditions including the level of floor insulation, and the temperature of the water pipes. These solutions are obtained using the interzone temperature profile estimation (ITPE) procedure. Detailed analysis is presented to determine the effect of the slab insulation configuration on soil and slab temperature field and on the monthly variation of the total slab heat loss.
The Treatment and Prevention of Chicken-Pox (Contagious Epithelioma) of Fowls

ABSTRACT The relationship between the various pathological conditions of the head of domesticated fowls has been the subject of much controversy. These conditions are variously designated as chicken pox, contagious epithelioma, avian diphtheria, canker, colds, contagious catarrh, swelled-head, roup, etc. Ward and Gallagherl in their recently published work, “Diseases of Domesticated Birds,” express the opinion that all of these conditions are due to the same etiological factor, namely, “the filterable virus of chicken-pox or contagious epithelioma.” The results of extensive study of these diseases at the California Agricultural Experiment Station, however, have led us to the conclusion that, as they occur in California, there is a distinct difference between some of them. Classification of Diseases Involving the Skin or Mucous Membrane of the Head:—In order that there may be no misunderstanding of the nomenclature of lesions or diseases used in this discussion, I will give briefly our conception of them. . . .
Modification of mammalian fatty acid synthetase activity by NADP

Experiments are described which show that the mammalian fatty acid synthetase, in the presence of NADP, synthesizes stoichiometric amounts of enzyme-bound acetoacetyl moieties. The acetoacetyl moieties can neither undergo the normal transfer reaction to a CoA acceptor, nor participate in the normal reaction sequence once NADPH is made available. Our results indicate that, since it is the product of the condensation reaction which accumulates on the inhibited enzyme, the previously held view that NADP inhibits the condensation step in fatty acid synthesis is probably incorrect.
Transposon-mediated random insertions and site-directed mutagenesis prevent the trafficking of a mouse mammary tumor virus superantigen.

Mouse mammary tumor viruses (MMTVs) encode superantigens (Sags) which are critical to the life cycle of infectious virus and can mediate extensive deletion of T lymphocytes when expressed by endogenous proviruses. Little is known about the structure, intracellular trafficking, or nature of Sag association with major histocompatibility (MHC) class II products. In order to gain a better understanding of Sag structure–function relationships, we extensively mutagenized this type II glycoprotein using two different approaches: transposon-mediated random in-frame insertion mutagenesis and site-directed mutagenesis targeting clusters of charged residues. We find that 31 codon insertions are infrequently tolerated inMtv-7Sag, with just 1 of 14 insertion mutants functionally presented on the surface of B cells. Surprisingly, similar effects were observed with Sag mutants with substitutions at pairs of charged residues; only 2 of 6 mutants trafficked to the plasma membrane and stimulated T cells, 1 with a temperature-sensitive phenotype. The data suggest that the nonfunctionalMtv-7Sag mutants are stringently retained in the endoplasmic reticulum due to conformational defects rather than disrupted interactions with MHC class II, thus identifying charged amino acids critical to the structural stability of viral superantigens.
Cyclic and linear oligocarbamate ligands for human thrombin.

Abstract Several classes of compounds have been tested as potential inhibitors of the serine protease thrombin, an important regulator of blood coagulation cascades. We describe here the discovery of a new class of thrombin inhibitors based on an unnatural carbamate biopolymer. Oligocarbamate thrombin inhibitors were identified through the screening of diverse cyclic trimer, cyclic tetramer, and linear tetramer libraries using the one bead, one peptide method. Whereas the cyclic trimer oligocarbamate ligands bound thrombin with modest affinity, a cyclic tetramer oligocarbamate inhibited thrombin with an apparent K i of 31 nM. Linear oligocarbamate tetramers bound thrombin with inhibition constants in the 100-nM range. These nonpeptidic, oligomeric molecules may provide the basis for further drug development and studies of thrombin–ligand interactions.
A developmental algorithm for multi-agent swarms with scalable hierarchies

In this paper we present a novel developmental, evolutionary approach for evolving scalable, hierarchical control structures for large (100-1000 agent), multi-agent swarms. Although hierarchical, the control structure does not suffer from single point of failures as do many hierarchical structures. The results show that for some problems using an evolved control hierarchy to guide the agents leads to significantly better performance and scaling properties than fully distributed swarms using standard behavioral rules.
Wide-beam high-power femtosecond pulse propagation in air

Large-scale computer simulations of wide-beam, high-power femtosecond laser pulse propagation in air are presented. Our model, based on the nonlinear Schroedinger equation for the vector field, incorporates the main effects present in air, including diffraction, group-velocity dispersion, absorption and defocusing due to plasma, multiphoton absorption, nonlinear self-focusing and rotational stimulated Raman scattering. The field evolution is coupled to a model that describes the plasma density evolution. Intense femtosecond pulses with powers significantly exceeding the critical power for self-focusing in air are simulated to study turbulence-induced filament formation, their mutual interaction via a low-intensity background, dynamics of the field polarization, and evolution of the polarization patterns along the propagation direction.
Computing away the magic

Computer simulations and quantitative imaging of Drosophila embryos have been used to recreate the dynamic activities of a complex transcriptional enhancer.
Numbers and Positions Of Women Elected to Corporate Boards

The article presents a study which investigated the number and positions of women elected to corporate boards in the United States from the period 1971 to 1980. The author investigated the composit...
The Athabascans of Interior Alaska: A Culture and Personality Perspective

Traditional Athabascan institutions are related to the modal personality and culture of the group. It is shown how otherwise pathic aspects of personality were creatively integrated into these institutions. The collapse of these institutions due to acculturative pressure is discussed and the release of these pathic aspects described. Finally it is suggested that a new creative reintegration is under way, based upon old Athabascan personality dimensions and new institutions which function in a fashion similar to traditional ones.
Variation and Outcomes Associated With Direct Hospital Admission Among Children With Pneumonia in the United States

Importance Although the majority of children with an unplanned admission to the hospital are admitted through the emergency department (ED), direct admissions constitute a significant proportion of hospital admissions nationally. Despite this, past studies of children have not characterized direct admission practices or outcomes. Pneumonia is the leading cause of pediatric hospitalization in the United States, providing an ideal lens to examine variation and outcomes associated with direct admissions. Objectives To describe rates and patterns of direct admission in a large sample of US hospitals and to compare resource utilization and outcomes between children with pneumonia admitted directly to a hospital and those admitted from an ED. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study of children 1 to 17 years of age with pneumonia who were admitted to hospitals contributing data to Perspective Data Warehouse. We developed hierarchical generalized linear models to examine associations between admission type and outcomes. Main Outcomes and Measures Outcome measures included (1) length of stay, (2) high turnover hospitalization, (3) total hospital cost, (4) transfer to the intensive care unit, and (5) readmission within 30 days of hospital discharge. Results A total of 19 736 children from 278 hospitals met eligibility criteria, including 7100 (36.0%) who were admitted directly and 12 636 (64.0%) through the ED. Rates of direct admission varied considerably across hospitals, with a median direct admission rate of 33.3% (interquartile range, 11.1%-50.0%). Children admitted directly were more likely to be white, to have private health insurance, and to be admitted to small, general community hospitals. In adjusted models, children admitted directly had a 9% higher length of stay (risk ratio, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.07-1.11]), 39% lower odds of high turnover hospitalization (odds ratio [OR], 0.61 [95% CI, 0.56-0.66]), and 12% lower cost (risk ratio, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.87-0.90]) than those admitted through the ED, with no significant differences in transfers to the intensive care unit (OR, 1.29 [95% CI, 0.83-2.00]) or 30-day readmissions (OR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.57-1.13]). Conclusions and Relevance Increasing rates of direct admission among children with access to outpatient care might be an effective strategy to reduce hospital costs and the volume of patients in the ED. Additional research is needed to establish direct admission policies and procedures that are safe and cost-effective.
p-type emitters covered with a thin CdS layer show a substantial improvement of Voc and FF

Abstract A number of p -type emitters of solar cells, covered with a thin, copper-doped CdS layer, show a significant increase in open circuit voltage and fill factor. This is caused by field limitation in the junction to 50 kV/cm, and induced by field quenching in photo-conducting CdS. As a result, the junction field increases when the bias is reduced from forward toward V oc ; however, it cannot increase above the critical field for the onset of field quenching. Consequently, electron leakage through the junction interface is reduced, which could otherwise occur in uncoated solar cells when the junction field approaches tunneling fields. In addition, with increasing quenching the Fermi level moves further away from the conduction band, causing the bands at the junction interface to disconnect. As a consequence of field quenching, the CdS enters a range of negative differential conductivity, creating a high-field domain that absorbs increased voltage in the reverse bias range without increasing the junction field. The doping density with Cu is critical; it is self-adjusted by limited solubility of Cu in CdS and is extremely difficult to realize homogeneously for any other known semiconductor cover layer.
Use of human plasma for continuous in vitro cultivation of Plasmodium falciparum

Plasma from units of human blood collected in CPDA-1 preservative were compared with human serum in cultures of Plasmodium falciparum. No significant differences in parasite growth and multiplication were seen between cultures containing serum or plasma. The wider availability of plasma makes it an attractive alternative to serum, especially in large scale cultures.
INVESTIGATING THE COSMIC-RAY IONIZATION RATE IN THE GALACTIC DIFFUSE INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM THROUGH OBSERVATIONS OF H+ 3

Observations of H{sup +}{sub 3} in the Galactic diffuse interstellar medium have led to various surprising results, including the conclusion that the cosmic-ray ionization rate ({zeta}{sub 2}) is about one order of magnitude larger than previously thought. The present survey expands the sample of diffuse cloud sight lines with H{sup +}{sub 3} observations to 50, with detections in 21 of those. Ionization rates inferred from these observations are in the range (1.7 {+-} 1.3) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -16} s{sup -1} < {zeta}{sub 2} < (10.6 {+-} 8.2) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -16} s{sup -1} with a mean value of {zeta}{sub 2} = (3.5{sup +5.3}{sub -3.0}) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -16} s{sup -1}. Upper limits (3{sigma}) derived from non-detections of H{sup +}{sub 3} are as low as {zeta}{sub 2} < 0.4 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -16} s{sup -1}. These low upper limits, in combination with the wide range of inferred cosmic-ray ionization rates, indicate variations in {zeta}{sub 2} between different diffuse cloud sight lines. A study of {zeta}{sub 2} versus N{sub H} (total hydrogen column density) shows that the two parameters are not correlated for diffuse molecular cloud sight lines, but that the ionization rate decreases when N{sub H} increases to values typical of dense molecular clouds. Bothmore » the difference in ionization rates between diffuse and dense clouds and the variation of {zeta}{sub 2} among diffuse cloud sight lines are likely the result of particle propagation effects. The lower ionization rate in dense clouds is due to the inability of low-energy (few MeV) protons to penetrate such regions, while the ionization rate in diffuse clouds is controlled by the proximity of the observed cloud to a site of particle acceleration.« less
Differences in Paradox between Islam and Christianity: a statistical comparison

Abstract Historically Islam has been recognized as a religion that is logical. Christianity has long been recognized as having a number of beliefs or doctrines that could be described as paradoxical. Sixty-nine religious doctrines or beliefs were evaluated for paradoxical content and in terms of whether Islam and Christianity agreed or disagreed with respect to each doctrine or belief. It was hypothesized that disagreement between the two religions would be much more common with respect to paradoxical doctrines or beliefs. Nearly 90% of doctrinal agreement or disagreement could be traced to the paradoxical or non-paradoxical content of the beliefs evaluated. The relationship between agreement and paradox was very significant statistically. Implications for future Christian–Muslim dialogue are discussed.
Degradation analysis of 1900 PV modules in a hot-dry climate: Results after 12 to 18 years of field exposure

If the annual degradation rate is known and is assumed to be linear for a PV module throughout its lifetime, then the lifetime can easily be calculated as the degradation limit is typically set at the time of procurement or the project initiation. The degradation rate is dependent on the module design, installation configuration and the environmental conditions of the site. The degradation rate of the individual modules in a module-string may also be influenced by the operating system voltage, grounding polarity (positive, negative or floating) and by the module position in the module-string; these degradations are commonly referred as PID, Potential Induced Degradation. The study presented in this paper was carried out in a PV power plant located in a hot-dry climate of Tempe, Arizona. This study was initiated to determine the annual degradation losses/rates of field aged modules and analyze if these losses are caused or influenced by the PID effects. In this study, about 1900 field exposed modules between 12 and 18 years from several manufacturers were evaluated. This includes modules with different construction schemes (glass/glass or Glass/polymer). In order to carry out this evaluation, the PV systems were shut down, the individual modules were electrically isolated from the string (but not physically removed from the installation) and the I-V curves of every individual module were collected on clear sunny days over several months. Assuming a linear degradation and the conventional 20-year warranty with 20% degradation limit from the nameplate rating, more than 80% of the tested modules in this hot-dry climate do not meet the warranty expectation.
Von Willebrand factor/factor VIII adsorption to surfaces from human plasma

The adsorption of human von Willebrand factor/factor VIII (VWF/VIII) from citrated plasma to a series of polymeric surfaces and glass was measured with both prelabelled 125I VWF/VIII and an 125I antibody to VWF/VIII. Adsorption to the various surfaces differed but was generally quite low (0.24 to 6.5 ng/cm2). Results from both techniques agreed well. The relationship between VWF/VIII adsorption and the thrombogenicity of the surfaces was examined but no clear trend could be discerned. Further studies will therefore be required to determine whether the variation in VWF/VIII adsorption influences the thrombogenicity of the surfaces.
Lamb Receives 2012 Luna B. Leopold Young Scientist Award: Citation

Michael Lamb received the 2012 Luna B. Leopold Young Scientist Award at the 2012 AGU Fall Meeting, held 3–7 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes “a young scientist for making a significant and outstanding contribution that advances the field of Earth and planetary surface processes.”
New genetic algorithms (GA) to optimize PWR reactors: Part II: Simultaneous optimization of loading pattern and burnable poison placement for the TMI-1 reactor

Abstract In this paper, the GARCO–PSU (Genetic Algorithm Reactor Code Optimization–Pennsylvania State University) code simultaneously optimizes the core loading pattern (LP) and the burnable poison (BP) placement in a pressurized water reactor (PWR). The LP optimization and BP placement optimization are interconnected, but it is difficult to solve the combined problem due to its large size. Separating the problem into two sequential steps provides a practical way to solve the problem. However, the result of this method alone may not develop the real optimal solution. GARCO–PSU achieves solving the LP optimization and BP placement optimization simultaneously by developing an innovative genetic algorithm (GA). The classical representation of the genotype has been modified to incorporate in-core fuel management basic knowledge. GARCO has three modes; the first mode optimizes the LP only, the second mode optimizes the LP and BP placement in sequence. The third mode, which optimizes the LP and BP placement simultaneously, is described in this paper. GARCO, as stated in Part I, can be applied to all types of PWR core structures having different geometries with an unlimited number of fuel assembly (FA) types in the inventory.
UNIPALS: Software for principal components analysis and partial least squares regression

Abstract Software for the analysis of multivariate chemical data by principal components and partial least squares methods is included on disk. The methods extract latent variables from the chemical data with the UNIversal PArtial Least Squares or UNIPALS algorithm. The software is written in BASIC, provides a number of editing and preprocessing options and is interactive. The method provided here is limited to the analysis of 20 × 20 matrices. It contains options for the graphical display of scores and loadings for interpretation of the results of analyses.
Intracranial arachnoid cysts in children: a review of pathogenesis, clinical features, and management

Arachnoid cysts are developmental anomalies that are most often diagnosed in childhood. They are often discovered as incidental findings found on imaging. Occasionally they may produce symptoms because of expansion or bleeding. There may be underlying maldevelopment of the cortex especially the temporal lobe. There is controversy regarding the role and the type of surgery indicated in its treatment. Recent descriptions of aphasia and attention-deficit disorders associated with these cysts indicate that we do not fully understand this entity. There is also no acceptable explanation for the male preponderance and increased incidence on the left side. The distribution, clinical features, treatment modalities, and some unusual syndromes associated with arachnoid cysts in children are discussed in this review.
Fuzzy regression by fuzzy number neural networks

In this paper, we describe a method for nonlinear fuzzy regression using neural network models. In earlier work, strong assumptions were made on the form of the fuzzy number parameters: symmetric triangular, asymmetric triangular, quadratic, trapezoidal, and so on. Our goal here is to substantially generalize both linear and nonlinear fuzzy regression using models with general fuzzy number inputs, weights, biases, and outputs. This is accomplished through a special training technique for fuzzy number neural networks. The technique is demonstrated with data from an industrial quality control problem.