cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of SEC9 suppression reveals a relationship of SNARE function to cell physiology.

Background Growth and division of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is dependent on the action of SNARE proteins that are required for membrane fusion. SNAREs are regulated, through a poorly understood mechanism, to ensure membrane fusion at the correct time and place within a cell. Although fusion of secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane is important for yeast cell growth, the relationship between exocytic SNAREs and cell physiology has not been established. Methodology/Principal Findings Using genetic analysis, we identified several influences on the function of exocytic SNAREs. Genetic disruption of the V-ATPase, but not vacuolar proteolysis, can suppress two different temperature-sensitive mutations in SEC9. Suppression is unlikely due to increased SNARE complex formation because increasing SNARE complex formation, through overexpression of SRO7, does not result in suppression. We also observed suppression of sec9 mutations by growth on alkaline media or on a non-fermentable carbon source, conditions associated with a reduced growth rate of wild-type cells and decreased SNARE complex formation. Conclusions/Significance Three main conclusions arise from our results. First, there is a genetic interaction between SEC9 and the V-ATPase, although it is unlikely that this interaction has functional significance with respect to membrane fusion or SNAREs. Second, Sro7p acts to promote SNARE complex formation. Finally, Sec9p function and SNARE complex formation are tightly coupled to the physiological state of the cell.
FOLIAR NUTRIENT CONCENTRATIONS AND HARDWOOD GROWTH INFLUENCED BY CULTURAL TREATMENTS

Six species of hardwoods were planted at a 3 by 3 m spacing on a slackwater clay soil (Vertic Haplaquept) in western Mississippi and subjected to three intensities of cultural treatments. Periodic disking significantly increased heights, diameters, and survival of trees. Cultural treatments during the 4 years of the study did not cause any significant changes in soil nutrient levels. Disking eliminated vines and weeds and thus made more water available to trees.
The economics of comprehensive community energy planning

This paper is the result of a survey of cities engaged in the Comprehensive Community Energy Program. It states the underlying themes of local energy analysis and summarizes methodology and conclusions reached in the various studies with special emphasis on economic methodologies.
Factors and influences on high school students' career choices.

Women continue to be disproportionately underrepresented in science and engineering fields. A model for career choice is proposed that includes both the direct and indirect effects that socializers can play in determining career choices. A sample of 2213 high school seniors from nine schools in Rhode Island were surveyed about their academic and career choices and the perceived influences on those choices. Parents and teachers were perceived to be influences on career choice more often for students (both men and women) choosing careers in engineering and science than for those not choosing such careers. Pay was a more important factor in career choice for men in general, and genuine interest was a more important factor for women not choosing careers in engineering or science. However, these gender differences do not appear among students with extremely strong mathematics and science coursework backgrounds, even though there remains a marked disparity in the proportion of men to women planning careers in engineering or science. Teachers may play a particularly important role in influencing the career choice of some of these women. Equity of access and encouragement in mathematics and science is certainly a necessary, but insufficient, condition for improving the representation of women in science and engineering.
Detection and Localization of Multiple R/C Electronic Devices Using Array Detectors

Accurate detection and localization of unintended emissions from multiple radio-controlled electronic devices have a wide range of security applications. First, this paper introduces a cost-effective mobile array detector. Subsequently, a novel scheme is presented for detection and localization of multiple devices emitting unintended passive emissions. Peak detection is employed in detecting the devices with superheterodyne receivers (SHRs). Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed scheme outperforms the traditional methodologies with a single antenna. A 2-D array is also proposed in this paper for localization of devices with SHRs using the angle of arrival. A new, synthetic aperture radar (SAR)-based scheme called edge synthetic aperture radar (ESAR) is also introduced in this paper for localization. Finally, the results for localization and error in localization are analyzed. The ESAR method reduces the error in localization up to 75% and increases accuracy in detection of multiple devices.
The hydrophobic effect

Computer simulation and theoretical studies have improved significantly our understanding of the connection between the structural organization of water surrounding hydrophobic solutes and anomalous thermodynamic behavior associated with the ‘hydrophobic effect’. Recent studies have yielded the quantitative temperature dependence of hydrophobic interactions and the dependence of hydration free energy on solute size and shape. The success of new proximity approximations, which assume that water organization is only locally sensitive to solute structure, has encouraged the study of the hydration of complex hydrophobic solutes.
Effects of Percoll Separation, Cryoprotective Agents, and Temperature on Plasma Membrane Permeability Characteristics of Murine Spermatozoa and Their Relevance to Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation of murine spermatozoa would provide an efficient method for preserving important genotypes. However, to date such methods have resulted in low survivals with significant variability. To address this issue, a series of five experiments was performed to determine the cryobiological characteristics of murine spermatozoa. Experiments 1 and 2 investigated the effect of Percoll separation on the hydraulic conductivity (L(p)) of murine spermatozoa. Both Percoll separation and cryoprotective agents (CPAs) decreased the L(p). However, these effects were not additive. Experiment 3 was performed to determine the effect of temperature on L(p) in the presence of cryoprotectants (L(p)(CPA)), cryoprotectant permeability (P(CPA)), and the reflection coefficient (sigma) in spermatozoa from both ICR and B6C3F1 mice. Permeability parameters decreased as temperature decreased, and permeability characteristics differed between strains. In experiments 4 and 5, theoretical simulations for CPA addition and removal were developed and empirically tested. Strain-specific methods for CPA addition and removal based upon the fundamental cryobiological characteristics of murine spermatozoa resulted in higher survivals than current methods or procedures, which were used as controls.
Scattering of plane plasma waves from a plasma sphere

The scattering of plane longitudinal and transverse plasma waves from a plasma sphere is investigated. The general expressions of scattering cross-sections are given and for the limiting cases well-known hydrodynamics and electromagnetic solutions are obtained. Furthermore, it is shown that by boundary coupling, incident longitudinal or incident transverse plasma waves generate longitudinal and tranverse plasma waves in scattered and transmitted fields. We find that pure acoustic type of radiation is possible only upon the incidence of a longitudinal wave on the plasma sphere. This mode of radiation is the lowest mode (zero mode) of the scattered waves. Light radiated from the incidence of longitudinal waves is not polarized, whereas the incident transverse waves generate polarized light. The problem of light scattering from a plasma sphere is treated, and as a special case, the results of the problem of Mie are derived. Furthermore, in Rayleigh-wave range, agreement with Born approximation solution is established. In this range of wave-lengths the lowest modes have scattering cross-sections proportional to the fourth power of the wave number, and the scattered longitudinal waves are created more efficiently than the scattered transverse waves.
Encystment and Excystment of the Heterotrichous Ciliate Blepharisma stoltei Isquith

SYNOPSIS. The structure and cytochemistry of encystment and excystment of Blepharisma stoltei Isquith are described. The encystment process may be subdivided into 4 stages: (i) in the precystic stage the buccal apparatus overlaps about the posterior, (ii) in early encystment, the buccal apparatus is resorbed and an ectocyst is secreted, (iii) an interwall space, endocyst, and plug are secreted during late encystment, and (iv) the resting cyst stage typically has disc-like structures on the ectocyst, and a vacuole in the macronucleus. In excystment, 6 distinct stages may be defined: (i) partial kineties are formed in early excystment, (ii) permanent kineties give rise to anlagen of the buccal apparatus during stomatogenesis, (iii) the organism elongates and reforms the vegetative shape in late excystment, (iv) some cysts then divide, (v) the redeveloped organism is liberated thru the plug pore, and (vi) the postcystic stage resembles the vegetative form except for its size and lack of pigmentation. Cortical structures, extracellular membranes, and the macronuclear membrane are composed of protein-lipids. Unbound protein and RNA are found in the cytoplasm thruout the cystic cycle. DNA is present only in the nuclei. Polysaccharides, 1st found in the cytoplasm, are shifted to the plug in encystment. The plug material disappears during excystment, while PAS positive granules appear in the cytoplasm.
Excretion in the house cricket (Acheta domesticus): Relative contribution of distal and mid-tubule to diuresis

Abstract The secretion rates of tubule fluid and monovalent cations (Na + , K + ) from the distal and mid-segments of single isolated Malpighian tubules of Acheta domesticus were compared. Under control conditions, the secretion rate of the distal region was four times that of the mid-tubule, and the rates remained stable for at least 3 h. Thus, although the distal segment comprised only 22% of the immersed tubule length, it contributed more than 55% of the total fluid secretion. Initial cation concentrations in the fluid secreted by the mid-tubule were more than 3-fold greater than in the distal segment, although the cation secretion rates, normalized for volume and immersed tubule length, were identical. Dibutyryl cAMP increased the rate of tubule fluid formation in both segments whereas methanolic extracts of corpora cardiaca increased fluid secretion in the mid-tubule while causing the distal segment secretory rate to decline to near zero within 90 min. In all cases, regardless of whether secretion rate was increased or decreased, both cAMP and corpora cardiaca shifted the Na + :K + ratio to 1:1, from the control value of 1:2. The divalent cation ionophore, A23187, inhibited secretion in both segments, albeit with differing time courses. The implications for these observations on the use of Acheta as a standard bioassay were discussed.
Induction of hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase in salmon exposed to petroleum dissolved in seawater and to petroleum and polychlorinated biphenyls, separate and together, in food

1. Hepatic AHH is induced in coho salmon exposed to 1 ppm PCB's in the diet; however, comparable experiments with 1 ppm of Prudhoe Bay crude oil did not significantly alter the AHH activities. These findings suggest that in aquatic food-chains containing both petroleum hydrocarbons and PCB's, the latter compounds may exert a predominant influence on the induction of the hepatic AHH enzyme system. 2. Despite the lack of induction of hepatic AHH with 1 ppm Prudhoe Bay crude oil in the diet, young coho salmon exposed to 150 ppb (0.15 ppm) of a seawater-soluble fraction for 6 days exhibited a significant induction of this enzyme system. Thus, crude oil components of relatively high water solubility (e.g., methylated naphthalenes and polyalkylated benzenes) may be more effective than high molecular weight insoluble components in inducing AHH.
An Extension of Wideband HF Capabilities

This paper describes the implementation and performance of extensions to the MIL-STD-188-110C Appendix D wideband high frequency (HF) waveforms. Appendix D specifies waveforms to provide data rates from 75 bps to 120 kbps in bandwidths of any integer multiple of 3 kHz from 3 to 24 kHz, providing a range of capabilities that can be supported and tailored to the available spectrum. When more than 3 kHz of spectrum is available, radios and modems implementing the standard can use the unoccupied spectrum to obtain higher data rates with lower transmitted power than would be possible in a traditional 3 kHz channel. The higher data rates supported by the Appendix D waveforms are sufficient to support some services not previously practical over HF radio. This includes real-time video transmission and ad-hoc Internet Protocol (IP) networking. The extensions described in this paper provide for four additional bandwidths, 30, 36, 42 and 48 kHz, featuring data rates up to 240 kbps when a good 48 kHz channel is available. These waveforms have been implemented and tested on a variety of mid-latitude skywave links, and the results of those tests are described. The paper concludes with a discussion of the potential value of the wider bandwidths in supporting ad-hoc networking protocols.
SEASONAL AND IRREGULAR VARIATIONS OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE SEA-LEVEL PRESSURE PROFILE

Abstract The variations of five-day mean sea-level pressure, averaged about selected latitude circles in the northern hemisphere, and the variations of differences between five-day mean pressures at selected pairs of latitudes are examined statistically. The northern hemisphere is found to contain two homogeneous zones, one in the polar regions and one in the subtropics, such that pressures in one zone tend to be correlated positively with other pressures in the same zone and negatively with pressures in the other zone. Considerable difference is found between the seasonal and the irregular pressure-variations which result from mass transport across the equator, but the seasonal and the irregular variations of pressure differences resemble each other closely, as do the seasonal and the irregular pressure-variations which result from rearrangements of mass within the northern hemisphere. The most important rearrangements appear to consist of shifts of mass from one homogeneous zone to the other. These shif...
Analyzing PHP frameworks for use in a project-based software engineering course

Given the popularity of PHP frameworks used in developing web-based applications, a comparative study is conducted to determine which framework is best suited for incorporation into the curriculum of an undergraduate software engineering course that uses project-based learning. The top six PHP frameworks (Zend, Yii, CakePHP, CodeIgniter, PRADO, and Symphony) were initially considered and then narrowed down to two (CakePHP and CodeIgniter) based on their alignment with common functionality in previous class projects, framework complexity for those new to frameworks (learning curve), and developer friendliness (availability of documentation and online resources). An in-depth comparative study is conducted by developing a functionally-equivalent web application using each of the two frameworks as well as plain PHP (no framework). This work was motivated by the difficulties that were encountered in an evolving, content-rich software engineering course and discusses the educational changes that were made to align student learning with sound software engineering principles and current software development practices used in the computing industry.
In‐Situ Measurement of Silica‐Gel Coating on Particles of Alumina

Time-dependent growth of a silica layer on alumina particles suspended in a polymeric silica solution has been measured by monitoring the changes in the zeta potential of the alumina particles. There is an incubation period in the process, suggesting that the silica film forms by a nucleation-and-growth mechanism. The coated alumina particles are found to flocculate as their zeta potential approaches that of silica near its isoelectric point.
SU-E-T-434: Evaluation of the Machine Performance Check (MPC) Program for Truebeam 2.0

Purpose: Machine Performance Check (MPC) is a software application used to verify that the TrueBeam machine is operating within major specifications prior to treatment. Used in combination with a phantom named Isocal, it verifies beam output, beam uniformity, treatment isocenter size, coincidence of treatment and imaging isocenters, positioning accuracy of kV and MV imaging systems, accuracy of collimator and gantry rotation angle, positioning accuracy of jaws and MLC leafs, and couch positioning. The tests can be performed semi-automatically and requires approximately 10 minutes of machine time. It is the purpose of this study to report the performance of this program. Methods: A pre-release version of the MPC tool was installed on a Truebeam linac with 6D couch at our center. Baseline beam output measurements were taken for 5 photon beams (6–15 MV, 6 FFF, 10 FFF) and 5 electron beams (6–20 MeV). Deviations from the baseline output were subsequently recorded for several days and compared against independent measurements from a PTW farmer chamber and our daily QA device (Fluke Biomedical Tracker) as part of an ongoing evaluation. Results: The beam output deviations between the MPC and the PTW chamber measurements were within ±0.7% for photons beams and ±1.0% for electrons beams. This was similar to the tracker performance. There were some isolated incidents where the MPC measurements had unexplained spikes (>3%) that disappeared on a repeat measurement. MPC was also able to detect maximum positioning errors in the jaws (1.12 mm), MLCs (1.14 mm), and couch roll (0.11°). Conclusion: Overall, the ability of the MPC to monitor linac output stability was comparable to that of ionization chamber-based measurements. MPC also provided fast daily mechanical tests not currently available in the clinic. How best to utilize this previously unavailable data is still under investigation.
A portable Software Architecture for Mesh-Independent Particle Tracking Algorithms

Particle tracking methods are central to a wide spectrum of scientific computing applications. To support such applications, this paper presents a compact software architecture that can be used to interface parallel particle tracking software to computational mesh management systems. A detailed description is presented of the in-element particle tracking framework supported by this software architecture—a framework that encompasses most particle tracking applications. The use of this parallel software architecture is illustrated through the implementation of two differential equation solvers, the forward Euler and an implicit trapezoidal method, on a distributed, unstructured, computational mesh. A design goal of this software effort has been to interface to software libraries such as Scalable Unstructured Mesh Algorithms and Applications (SUMAA3d) in addition to application codes (e.g. FEMWATER). This goal of portability is achieved through a software architecture that specifies a lightweight functional ...
On-Line Monitoring of Reactions of Epichlorohydrin in Water Using Liquid Membrane Introduction Mass Spectrometry

The industrially significant chain extender epichlorohydrin (chloromethyloxirane) can be quantified on-line at the low parts per million level in aqueous solution using membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS). Solid membranes composed of microporous poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) and nonporous silicone were used to establish this methodology using an ion trap mass spectrometer; both gave similar performance, even though they are based on different transport mechanisms. In addition, a liquid polyphenyl ether membrane reinforced with a microporous support was shown to give similar results. The predominant ions produced in an ion trap mass spectrometer using electron ionization (EI) were m/z 57 ([M − Cl]+) and 62/64 ([M − CH2O]+) while those produced under chemical ionization (CI) conditions were m/z 57 ([M + H − HCl]+), 63/65 ([M + H − CH2O]+), and 93/95 ([M + H]+). Further, the hydrochloric acid-catalyzed ring opening of epichlorohydrin to yield 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol and other products was moni...
Research opportunities in new energy-related materials

Abstract This review is a summary of a study carried out for the Council on Materials Science, which was established by the Division of Materials Sciences, U.S. Department of Energy, to provide in-depth information needed to formulate research policy. It covers research on new materials including polymers, intermetallic compounds, amorphous solids, thin films, solid state ionics, catalysts and semiconductors. For each of these materials an evaluation of the state of the art is given followed by a summary of the research opportunities and needs and a discussion of technological opportunities. The study concluded (1) that a large number of new materials can be prepared without a massive effort by imaginative application of established techniques, (2) that a close coupling of synthesis, characterization and measurement of properties is highly desirable, (3) that amorphous and thin film materials offer a wide range of systems that can increase basic understanding and can offer solutions to technical problems and (4) that the major share of innovative inorganic synthesis has been undertaken recently in Europe with the U.S.A. playing a minor role.
The Semantics of Addiction: Moving Beyond Expert Models to Lay Understandings

Abstract Five expert discourses on addiction purport to explain the phenomenon of the semantics of addiction. An assessment of the burgeoning use of this term by the lay public, however, reveals a plethora of socially contextualized and culturally mediated meanings related to addiction that are generally not considered by expert models. Addiction has meanings that index the loss of self-control and individual responsibility, as well as political and moral meanings and meanings that index social modes of consumption, the range and limits of normative behavior, and the constitution of deviance. The category of addiction interacts with other socially produced categories, including “drugs” and “desires,” and implies an unfolding history linked to specific cultural conventions of what is proper. This paper briefly reviews expert debates over the meanings of addiction and explores the semantics of how this term is used in both popular discourse and among those who use substances associated with physical addicti...
Assessing the Responses of Native Small Mammals to an Incipient Invasion of Beech Bark Disease through Changes in Seed Production of American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

Abstract Exotic tree diseases have direct impacts on their host and may have indirect effects on native fauna that rely on host tree species. This paper reports on relative preference for European beech [Fagus sylvatica (L.)] and sugar maple [Acer saccharum (Marsh.)] seed to small mammals, the direct impacts of beech bark disease (BBD) on seed production of American beech [F. grandifolia (Ehrh.)], and indirect impacts of this disease complex on native small mammal fauna in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We expected these indirect effects to result from altered seed production in American beech, both in the short and long term. If present, a preference for beech could suggest a mechanism for an indirect impact of BBD on native small mammals. Seed production of infected American beech declined throughout the 3 y of the study, while production of trees in healthy stands varied annually. We found that the abundance of Peromyscus spp. were related to seed crop in the previous autumn but that the presence of ...
Behavioral simulation of fractional-N frequency synthesizers and other PLL circuits

Two techniques are presented that allow fast and accurate simulation of fractional-N synthesizers. A uniform time step allows implementation of these techniques in various simulation frameworks, such as Verilog, Matlab, and C or C++ programs. The techniques are also applicable to the simulation of other PLL systems, such as clock and data recovery circuits.
Association of Toll-like receptor polymorphisms with HIV status in North Americans

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Toll-like receptor (TLR) genes TLR2– 4 and TLR7– 9, but not in TLR1 and TLR6, have been previously evaluated regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition and disease progression in various populations, most of which were European. In this study, we examined associations between a total of 41 SNPs in 8 TLR genes (TLR1–4, TLR6–9) and HIV status in North American subjects (total n=276 (Caucasian, n=102; African American, n=150; other, n=24)). Stratification of the data by self-identified race revealed that a total of nine SNPs in TLR1, TLR4, TLR6 and TLR8 in Caucasians, and two other SNPs, one each in TLR4 and TLR8, in African Americans were significantly associated with HIV status at P<0.05. Concordant with the odds ratios of these SNPs, significant differences were observed in the SNP allele frequencies between HIV+ and HIV− subjects. Finally, in Caucasians, certain haplotypes of single (TLR1 and TLR4) and heterodimer (TLR2_TLR6) genes may be inferred as ‘susceptible’ or ‘protective’. Our study provides in-depth insight into the associations between TLR variants, particularly TLR1 and TLR6, and HIV status in North Americans, and suggests that these associations may be race specific.
Adding a length scale to the polyamorphic ice debate.

X-ray scattering and molecular dynamics simulations have been used to correlate the short range oxygen-oxygen structure with the intermediate range ordering (IRO) upon annealing very high density amorphous ice. While it is clear that the IRO that defines the network structure breaks down continuously to a minimum level, where there are weakened correlations extending beyond 7 \AA{}, at this point the local structure (O-O-O angles) is observed to change abruptly, allowing a continuous reemergence of a new IRO network. This is very different from a classic first order transition and helps reconcile previous data.
Brief Report: Avoidance Extinction as Treatment for Compulsive and Ritual Behavior in Autism

Treatment options for maladaptive repetitive behaviors associated with autism are limited. This is particularly so for ritual and compulsive forms of repetitive behavior, which commonly interfere with adaptive activities and may cause distress to individuals with autism and their families. The present study assessed an avoidance extinction approach to treatment of frequent, idiosyncratic ritual and compulsive behaviors among a small clinical sample (n = 3) of adults with autism and intellectual disability. Single case experimental design results indicate that intervention achieved extinction for 2 of the 3 participants, with the third showing a marked decrease in target behavior. A distinct extinction pattern consistent with functionally avoidant behavior was noted for the two participants who best responded to treatment.
Analysis and comparison of very large metagenomes with fast clustering and functional annotation.

Background The remarkable advance of metagenomics presents significant new challenges in data analysis. Metagenomic datasets (metagenomes) are large collections of sequencing reads from anonymous species within particular environments. Computational analyses for very large metagenomes are extremely time-consuming, and there are often many novel sequences in these metagenomes that are not fully utilized. The number of available metagenomes is rapidly increasing, so fast and efficient metagenome comparison methods are in great demand.
Celebrating Soft Matter’s 10th Anniversary: Toward jamming by design

In materials science, high performance is typically associated with regularity and order, while disorder and the presence of defects are assumed to lead to sub-optimal outcomes. This holds for traditional solids such as crystals as well as for many types of nanoscale devices. However, there are circumstances where disorder can be harnessed to achieve performance not possible with approaches based on regularity. Recent research has shown opportunities specifically for soft matter. There, the phenomenon of jamming leads to unique emergent behavior that enables disordered, amorphous systems to switch reversibly between solid-like rigidity and fluid-like plasticity. This makes it possible to envision materials that can change stiffness or even shape adaptively. We review some of the progress in this direction, discussing examples where jamming has been explored from micro to macro scales in colloidal systems, suspensions, granular-materials-enabled soft robotics, and architecture. We focus in particular on how the jammed aggregate state can be tailored by controlling particle level properties and discuss very recent ideas that provide an important first step toward actual design of specifically targeted jamming behavior.
The Priming Effects of Avatars in Virtual Settings

The study extends research on the Proteus effect by demonstrating that avatars can prime negative attitudes and cognition in desktop virtual settings. Experiment 1 shows that, after virtual group discussions, participants using black-cloaked avatars developed more aggressive intentions and attitudes but less group cohesion than those using white-cloaked avatars. In Experiment 2, individual participants using a Ku Klux Klan (KKK)-associated avatar created more aggressive Thematic Apperception Test stories in comparison to a control group. Participants using the KKK avatar also wrote less affiliative stories in comparison to those employing avatars dressed as doctors. Overall, the resulting pattern of activation of negative thoughts (i.e., aggression) coupled with the inhibition of inconsistent thoughts (i.e., cohesion, affiliation) is consistent with principles of current priming models and provides initial evidence for automatic cognitive priming in virtual settings.
A role for angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic debilitating disease characterized by distinct autoimmune, inflammatory and fibrovascular components which lead to synovial proliferation and joint destruction. However, existing treatments specifically target only autoimmune and inflammatory components despite the fact that neovascularization of the inflamed synovium is a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis. Angiogenesis may contribute to synovial growth, leukocyte recruitment and tissue remodeling, thus potentiating disease progression. Although no therapies currently target angiogenesis, several existing therapies have anti-angiogenic activity. Recent advances in anti-angiogenic strategies in oncology, including the identification of integrin avs3 as a crucial effector of angiogenesis, suggest a means to assess the role of angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis. Synovial endothelial cells have been shown to express integrin avs3, suggesting that these cells may be targeted for angiogenesis inhibition. Prior studies in rat arthritis models have shown benefit after the addition of broad spectrum integrin antagonists. However, formal assessment of integrin-targeted anti-angiogenic activity is now underway. These controlled studies will be important in assessing the efficacy of therapies which target angiogenesis in RA.
Adaptation and creativity in cultural context

Adaptation is the fit between the individual and the environment. The dynamic interplay between person, culture, and environment is one of the most important issues in analyzing creativity. Adaptation is defined as the fit or adjustment of the individual to external conditions, but adaptation can also mean moving from one environment to another more suitable, or even forcing the environment to adapt in response to creative efforts. Culture impacts creativity in limiting acceptable boundaries, yet providing the artifacts used in creating. Culture is impacted and changed by creative efforts. Tight conformity to confining environments or cultures can stifle. The creator must be aware of cultural values and not overstep these boundaries for work to be accepted. A developmental continuum of adaptive, creative behaviors suggests a shift from individual adaptation to the environment to adaptation by the world to the individual.
A Transform for Logic Networks

The transform presented in this paper applies to functions which describe logic network behavior. Given a function G defined over a finite domain, it is shown that G(u) = Et F(t)ut for each element u in the domain, where finite-field arithmetic is assumed. Here, function F is the transform of G, and it is shown that F(t) = Eu G(u)(-u)-t for each integer t in a finite set. Both form and development of this transform pair resembles the Fourier transform in harmonic analysis.
Analysis of Risk Factors for Progression in Patients with Pathologically Confined Prostate Cancers After Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy

AbstractPurpose: Up to 26 percent of patients with pathologically organ confined prostate cancer will experience clinical progression after radical prostatectomy. We attempted to identify patients at greatest risk for future clinical failure despite a favorable pathological outcome.Materials and Methods: The study group included 904 patients treated with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy for disease confined to the prostate gland. Preoperative serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), clinical stage, pathological grade and stage, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ploidy were evaluated by multivariate analysis to determine relative value in predicting treatment failure. A prognostic scoring system was created using the regression coefficients from the Cox multivariate model to classify patients further according to risk of progression.Results: Preoperative PSA concentration, clinical stage, grade and DNA ploidy were significant univariate predictors of progression (p less tha...
High power varactor package for multichip application

A new package is designed which will satisfy both the requirements of better electrical performance and efficient heat dissipation for use with high power multichip stacked varactor application. This is achieved by separating the electrical path from the heat path. The total heat dissipation capability is estimated to be about an order of magnitude higher than that of the conventional package. A doubler was built with six chips in one package. It handled 80 watts input power at 0.9 GHz and delivered 52 watts at the output frequency of 1.8 GHz.
The 68 kDa DNA compacting nucleoid protein from soybean chloroplasts inhibits DNA synthesis in vitro

Nucleoids were purified from chloroplasts of dividing soybean cells and their polypeptide composition analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Of the 15–20 nucleoid-associated polypeptides, several demonstrated DNA binding activity. Upon disruption of the nucleoids with high concentrations of NaCl, a subset of these proteins and the majority of chloroplast DNA were recovered in the supernatant after centrifugation. Removal of the salt by dialysis resulted in formation of nucleoprotein complexes resembling genuine nucleoids. Purification of these structures revealed three major proteins of 68, 35 and 18 kDa. After purification of the 68 kDa protein to homogeneity, this protein was able to compact purified chloroplast DNA into a nucleoid-like structure in a protein concentration-dependent fashion. Addition of the 68 kDa protein to an in vitro chloroplast DNA replication system resulted in complete inhibition of nucleotide incorporation at concentrations above 300 ng of 68 kDa protein per μg of template DNA. These results led to in situ immunofluorescence studies of chloroplasts replicating DNA which suggested that newly synthesized DNA is not co-localized with nucleoids. Presumably, either the plastid replication machinery has means of removing nucleoid proteins prior to replication or the concentration of nucleoid proteins is tightly regulated and the proteins turned over in order to allow replication to proceed.
Time-varying characteristics of postural sway differ between balance impaired and unimpaired populations

To study potential time-varying dynamics of postural sway as measured via center-of-pressure (COP), the authors applied time-frequency analysis to COP data from ten vestibularly impaired subjects and thirteen unimpaired controls, during quiet stance and in response to visual perturbation. This analysis revealed that: (1) the spectral characteristics of the COP change over time; (2) there are time-dependent and frequency-dependent differences in the COP between impaired and unimpaired populations during visual perturbation; and (3) there is no difference in the COP during quiet stance (eyes open) between impaired and unimpaired populations for the parameters investigated. A novel finding of this research is that controls appear to adapt to constant frequency visual perturbation, while vestibularly impaired subjects do not.
Using Otoacoustic Emissions to Screen Young Children for Hearing Loss in Primary Care Settings

OBJECTIVES: Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) technology, used widely in newborn hearing screening programs and validated by professional organizations as a reliable and objective tool, is beginning to be recognized as superior to subjective methods when screening young children in a variety of settings. This study examines the efficacy of integrating OAE hearing screening into services routinely provided in health care settings. METHODS: Three federally funded clinics serving low-income and uninsured people in a metropolitan area participated in the 10-month study. Subjects included 846 children (842 in the target population RESULTS: Of the 846 children screened, 814 (96%) ultimately passed the screening or audiological assessment and 29 (3%) exited the study. Three children (1 was 5) were identified with permanent hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of identification of permanent hearing loss in this study is similar to findings from a study of OAE screening in early childhood educational settings. OAE screening holds the potential for being an effective method for helping to identify young children with permanent hearing loss in primary care settings.
“Let Momma Take ‘em” Portrayals of Women Supporting Male Former Prisoners

Women provide support for many vulnerable groups, work that is frequently discounted with gendered stereotypes. One growing vulnerable group is former prisoners who often return to women family members. We completed a qualitative study with 25 former prisoners and criminal justice staff to examine their conceptualizations of the demands placed on women supporters of former prisoners. Results indicate a significant burden of support experienced by women, discounted by prisoners and criminal justice staff through a dynamic of gendered idealization and stigmatization. Implications include the importance of exposing this dynamic and providing supports to decrease the burden of care that women experience.
Distribution of total serum homocysteine and its association with parental history and cardiovascular risk factors at ages 12-16 years: the Third National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey.

Abstract Purpose To describe the distribution and to assess the association of serum total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration with variables associated with insulin resistance syndrome in adolescent boys and girls. Methods In the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, adolescents aged 12 to 16 years (n = 941) had parental medical history ascertained and glycated hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), body fat distribution, HDL cholesterol, and serum tHcy concentrations were measured. Results Cumulative distribution of serum tHcy in boys was shifted to the right compared with that in girls. A parental history of high blood pressure or stroke before age 50 was significantly positively associated with the subjects' log serum tHcy after adjustment for confounders (β 0.156, p = 0.003). Log serum tHcy was significantly positively associated with systolic blood pressure in boys after adjustment for confounders (β = 0.21, p = 0.03). Log serum tHcy was not significantly associated with glycated hemoglobin percent or most other risk factors other than age. Log serum tHcy concentration showed borderline significant (r = −0.15, p = 0.044) inverse association with BMI in girls. Conclusion tHcy was associated with parental history of high blood pressure or stroke before age 50 and with systolic blood pressure in adolescent boys.
Memory chip for 24-port global register file

The design of 256*32 bit 24-port global register file is discussed. An eight-read- and eight-write-port SRAM (static random-access memory) chip is proposed as a building block of such a global register file. Design trade-offs and performance measurements obtained from a 65 K+transistor, experimental, CMOS implementation of this SRAM chip are reported in detail. >
Stochastic Space Exploration with Microscale Spacecraft

Advancements in microelectronics have enabled the construction of low-cost “ChipSats” ‐ entire spacecraft integrated onto a few square centimeters of silicon. This paper explores the use of statistical methods to plan exploration missions using large collections or “clouds” of such spacecraft. The equations governing the time-evolution of a cloud of ChipSats are developed in terms of probability distributions and several methods for solving them are discussed. The passive evolution of ChipSat clouds are then explored under the influence of a spherical gravitational potential and a case study is performed for an asteroid impact mission.
Accelerometer-determined physical activity, mobility disability, and health

Abstract Background We have a limited understanding of the objectively-determined physical activity levels among those with mobility limitations. Further, the association between objectively-measured physical activity and biomarkers among those with mobility limitations is relatively unknown. Objective Therefore, the primary objectives of this study were to compare accelerometer-determined physical activity levels among those with and without mobility limitations and determine if greater participation in physical activity was associated with more favorable health outcomes among those with mobility disability. Methods Data from the 2003–2006 NHANES were used. Mobility limitation status was self-reported; accelerometer-measured estimates of sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were determined; and blood samples were taken to measure various biomarkers. Results In general, adults with mobility limitations, compared to those without, engaged in more sedentary behavior and less light-intensity physical activity and MVPA. Adults with mobility limitations, had a higher BMI, waist circumference, C-reactive protein, white blood cells, neutrophil levels, triglycerides, glucose, Hb A1C and homocysteine levels. If an adult were to increase their sedentary behavior by 60-min, their rate ratio for chronic disease would be expected to increase by a factor of 1.04. Similarly, for an increase of 60-min in light-intensity physical activity, the rate ratio for chronic disease would be expected to decrease by a factor of 0.95. MVPA was also significantly associated with chronic disease (RR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.85–0.97). Conclusions Minimizing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity (even light-intensity) among those with mobility limitations may help to improve health outcomes.
Application of Toeplitz covariance estimation to adaptive beamforming and detection

Array processing algorithms for adaptive beamforming and the adaptive detection of radar targets in unknown interference are proposed and simulated. These algorithms rely on estimates of the interference covariance which are constrained to be Toeplitz. It is shown that the incorporation of this constraint into the covariance estimation has a significant impact on the adaptive beamformer and adaptive detector performance. >
BF3.OEt2 promotes fast, mild, clean and regioselective dehydration of tertiary alcohols

Abstract BF 3 ·OEt 2 in methylene chloride at 25°C for 2 hours or less is shown to be effective for easy conversion of tertiary alcohols into the corresponding thermodynamically most stable alkenes.
The Intermountain Risk Score (including the red cell distribution width) predicts heart failure and other morbidity endpoints.

Aims The complete blood count (CBC) and basic metabolic profile are common, low-cost blood tests, which have previously been used to create and validate the Intermountain Risk Score (IMRS) for mortality prediction. Mortality is the most definitive clinical endpoint, but medical care is more easily applied to modify morbidity and thereby prevent death. This study tested whether IMRS is associated with clinical morbidity endpoints. Methods Patients seen for coronary angiography (n = 3927) were evaluated using a design similar to a genome-wide associand results ation study. The Bonferroni correction for 102 tests required a P-value of ≤ 4.9 x 10 -4 for significance. A second set of angiography patients (n = 10 413) was used to validate significant findings from the first patient sample. In the first patient sample, IMRS predicted heart failure (HF) (P trend = 1.6 x 10 -26 ), coronary disease (P trend = 2.6 x 10 -11 ), myocardial infarction (MI) (P trend = 3.1 x 10 -25 ) , atrial fibrillation (P trend = 2.5 × 10 -20 ), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P trend = 4.7 × 10 -4 ). Even more, IMRS predicted HF readmission [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.29/category, P trend = 1.2 x 10 -6 ), incident HF (HR = 1.88/category, P trend = 0.02), and incident MI (HR = 1.56/category, P trend = 4.7 x 10 -4 ). These findings were verified in the second patient sample. Conclusion Intermountain Risk Score, a predictor of mortality, was associated with morbidity endpoints that often lead to mortality. Further research is required to fully characterize its clinical utility, but its low-cost CBC and basic metabolic profile composition may make it ideal for initial risk estimation and prevention of morbidity and mortality. An IMRS web calculator is freely available at http://intermountainhealthcare.org/IMRS. Trial Registration: Database registry ofthe Intermountain Heart Collaborative Study: NCT00406185 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
Bayesian journey‐to‐crime modelling of single and multiple crime‐type series in Baltimore County, MD

This study tested different Bayesian Journey-to-Crime (JTC) models on a sample group of 850 serial offenders apprehended in Baltimore County, MD from 1993 to 1997. In this research, Bayesian JTC models were being used to predict the home locations of the offenders. The sample group data included 133 assaults, 90 burglaries, 497 larcenies, 81 robberies, and 49 vehicle thefts. The main question this research aimed to answer was whether the addition of crimes of a different type to an existing crime series of a single type would result in more accurate and/or precise Bayesian JTC models. The standard practice by law enforcement has been to consider the same-type crime series only when modelling the anchor point of the offender. Similarly, in research, geographic profiles have been constructed exclusively with the same-type crime series. The results of this study clearly indicated that the inclusion of crimes of a different type into a single crime-type series will result in significantly more accurate and more precise Bayesian JTC models. In contrast, crime series with predominantly assault and burglary showed results that were inconclusive or indicated no significant differences. These results should encourage law enforcement agencies to re-evaluate their standard practice of constructing geographic profiles with only the same-type crime series. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.