cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Payment by Results

Today the public is demanding that it exercise more control over how tax dollars are spent in the educational sphere, with multitudes also canvassing that education become closely aligned to the marketplace's economic forces. In this paper I examine an historical precedent for such demands, i.e. the comprehensive 19th century system of accountability, "Payment by Results," which endured in English and Welsh elementary schools from 1862 until 1897. Particular emphasis is focused on the economic market-driven aspect of the system whereby every pupil was examined annually by an Inspector, the amount of the governmental grant being largely dependent on the answering. I argue that this was a narrow, restrictive system of educational accountability though one totally in keeping with the age's pervasive utilitarian belief in laissez-faire. I conclude by observing that this Victorian system might be suggestive to us today when calls for analogous schemes of educational accountability are shrill.
Genetics of Cardiac Disease in the Small Animal Patient

There is increasing evidence that many forms of congenital and acquired cardiovascular disease in small animal patients are of familial origin. The large number of familial diseases in domestic purebred animals is thought to be associated with the desire to breed related animals to maintain a specific appearance and the selection of animals from a small group of popular founders (founder effect). Clinicians can use knowledge that a particular trait or disease may be inherited to provide guidance to owners and animal breeders to reduce the frequency of the trait. Even if the molecular cause is not known, identification of a pattern of inheritance and information on clinical screening can be useful for a breeder trying to make breeding decisions. Common forms of inheritance for veterinary diseases include autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, X-linked recessive, and polygenic. These genetic traits and their possible involvement in cardiac disease in small animals are discussed in this article.
Review: Limited evidence suggests that clobetasol or mometasone is effective in genital lichen sclerosus

Source Citation Chi CC, Kirtschig G, Baldo M, et al. Topical interventions for genital lichen sclerosus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(12):CD008240. 22161424
Carrier protein recognition in siderophore-producing nonribosomal peptide synthetases.

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) use phosphopantetheine (pPant) bearing carrier proteins to chaperone activated aminoacyl and peptidyl intermediates to the various enzymes that effect peptide synthesis. Using components from siderophore NRPSs that synthesize vibriobactin, enterobactin, yersiniabactin, pyochelin, and anguibactin, we examined the nature of the interaction of such cofactor−carrier proteins with acyl-activating adenylation (A) domains. While VibE, EntE, and PchD were all able to utilize “carrier protein-free” pPant derivatives, the pattern of usage indicated diversity in the binding mechanism, and even the best substrates were down at least 3 log units relative to the native cofactor−carrier protein. When tested with four noncognate carrier proteins, EntE and VibE differed both in the range of substrate utilization efficiency and in the distribution of the efficiencies across this range. Correlating sequence alignments to kinetic efficiency allowed for the construction of eight point ...
Determination of all stabilizing fractional-order PID controllers that satisfy a weighted sensitivity constraint

This paper presents a method for determining all stabilizing fractional-order (FO) proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers that satisfy an H ∞ weighted-sensitivity constraint for a system of integer or non-integer order. All the parameters of such FO PID controllers are calculated in the frequency domain and are given in terms of the proportional gain K p , integral gain K i , and derivative gain K d . In this paper, they will be plotted on the (K p , K i ), (K p , K d ), and (K i , K d ) planes. In particular, this approach provides all the possible values of the gain parameters of the FO PID controllers that satisfy a given weighted-sensitivity condition even when the transfer function of a system is not available, as long as the frequency response thereof can be obtained. An example is given by way of illustrating the usefulness and effectiveness of the method.
Molecular determinants and guided evolution of species-specific RNA editing

Most RNA editing systems are mechanistically diverse, informationally restorative, and scattershot in eukaryotic lineages. In contrast, genetic recoding by adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing seems common in animals; usually, altering highly conserved or invariant coding positions in proteins. Here I report striking variation between species in the recoding of synaptotagmin I (sytI). Fruitflies, mosquitoes and butterflies possess shared and species-specific sytI editing sites, all within a single exon. Honeybees, beetles and roaches do not edit sytI. The editing machinery is usually directed to modify particular adenosines by information stored in intron-mediated RNA structures. Combining comparative genomics of 34 species with mutational analysis reveals that complex, multi-domain, pre-mRNA structures solely determine species-appropriate RNA editing. One of these is a previously unreported long-range pseudoknot. I show that small changes to intronic sequences, far removed from an editing site, can transfer the species specificity of editing between RNA substrates. Taken together, these data support a phylogeny of sytI gene editing spanning more than 250 million years of hexapod evolution. The results also provide models for the genesis of RNA editing sites through the stepwise addition of structural domains, or by short walks through sequence space from ancestral structures.
Comparison of hippocampal depression and hippocampal lesion

Abstract Both spreading depression and lesion of the hippocampus produced perseverative tendencies which impaired the ability of rats to learn several tasks. The effects of the depression were shown to be immediate and reversible. The similarity of the treatments in producing hippocampal dysfunction suggests that spreading depression does in fact produce a “functional” lesion.
Channel-coupling, target-structure, and second-order effects in electron-impact ionization of ar(3p) and Ar(3s)

The importance of second-order effects in the projectile-target interaction, channel coupling in the ejected-electron--residual-ion interaction, and multiconfiguration effects in the target description is investigated for electron-impact ionization of argon. For incident projectile energies of 200 and $113.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$, a scattering angle of 15\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, and ejected-electron energies between 2 and $20\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$, we find a strong sensitivity of the theoretical predictions to the target structure, channel coupling, and the proper treatment of nonlocal exchange. In some cases, accounting for these effects seems more important than extending a local-exchange, single-configuration distorted-wave theory by including the accurate three-body Coulomb asymptotic boundary condition. Despite encouraging improvement in agreement between our predictions and recent experimental results in some cases, severe discrepancies remain in others. More experimental data, preferably absolute but at least cross-normalized to each other for a variety of kinematic conditions, seem necessary to further guide ongoing theoretical efforts.
Nuclear extrusion in rabbit embryos.

A reexamination of nuclear extrusion in preimplantation rabbit embryos led to new observations which were used to reconstruct details of this process. Small portions of both membranes of the nuclear envelope protrude toward the cytoplasm after cell division. The extrusions formed by the inner membrane are spherical or pear-shaped and their basal portion is constricted. The outer membrane of the nuclear envelope either follows the contours of the inner membrane or it forms large dilatations portions of which pinch off into the cytoplasm. A density appears at the constricted basal portion of the extrusions and is thought to close off the extrusion from the nucleoplasm. When the extrusions of the inner membrane separate from the nuclear envelope they may or may not be enveloped by the outer membrane. The fate of the extrusions in the cytoplasm is uncertain.
Correlation of Nucleoside and Nucleobase Transporter Gene Expression with Antimetabolite Drug Cytotoxicity

Antimetabolite drugs that inhibit nucleic acid metabolism are widely used in cancer chemotherapy. Nucleoside and nucleobase transporters are important for the cellular uptake of nucleic acids and their corresponding anticancer analogue drugs. Thus, these transporters may play a role both in antimetabolite drug sensitivity, by mediating the uptake of nucleoside analogues, and in antimetabolite drug resistance, by mediating the uptake of endogenous nucleosides that may rescue cells from toxicity. Therefore, we examined the relation of the expression of nucleoside and nucleobase transporters to antimetabolite cytotoxicity. We measured the RNA levels of all eight known nucleoside and nucleobase transporters in 50 cell lines included in the National Cancer Institute's Anticancer Drug Screen panel. RNA levels of concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNTs), equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) and nucleobase transporters (NCBTs) were determined by quantitative RT-PCR using real-time fluorescence acquisition. This method was validated by measuring the expression of the MDR1 gene, and correlating our results with independently determined measurements of MDR1 RNA levels and protein function in these cell lines. We then correlated the pattern of RNA levels to the pattern of cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs in the NCI drug screen database using the COMPARE analysis. Several hypothesized relations between transporter gene expression and cytotoxicity, based upon known interactions between certain nucleoside analogues and transporter proteins, were not observed, suggesting that expression of individual transporters may not be a significant determinant of the cytotoxicity of these drugs. The most closely correlated drug cytotoxicity patterns to transporter gene expression patterns (where increased expression corresponds to increase sensitivity) included those between CNT1 and O6-methylguanine and between ENT2 and hydroxyurea. We also observed that p53 status influenced correlations between ENT1 transporter gene RNA levels and sensitivity to the drugs tiazafurin, AZQ and 3-deazauridine. One of three drugs identified by correlation of cytotoxicity patterns with ENT1 RNA levels, 3-deazauridine, inhibited uptake of the classic ENT1 substrate uridine, demonstrating a physical interaction between an identified drug and the transporter. These studies demonstrate that it is possible to correlate genetic information to functional databases to determine the influence of transport gene expression on drug sensitivity and to identify transporter-drug interactions.
Effect of cyclosporine on colchicine partitioning in the rat liver.

Colchicine is secreted into bile as a major pathway of elimination. Cyclosporine (CsA) inhibits colchicine biliary secretion. In the present study, the effects of cyclosporine and its vehicle (cremophor) on the partitioning of colchicine across the liver were studied. CsA decreased the colchicine bile/plasma ratio from 484±39 to 53±3 (P 0.2 vs control). Inhibition at the canalicular membrane is consistent with the location of gp-170, the presumed transporter of colchicine.
In search of the unicorn: Where is the invariance in speech?

Understanding spoken language involves far more than decoding a linear sequence of phonetic elements. In view of the inherent variability of the acoustic signal in spontaneous speech, it is not entirely clear that the sort of representation derived from locus equations is sufficient to account for the robustness of spoken language understanding under real-world conditions. An alternative representation, based on the low-frequency modulation spectrum, provides a more plausible neural foundation for spoken language processing.
Optimizing free electron laser incisions at 6.45 μm with Computer-Assisted Surgical Techniques and the utilization of a heat-conducting template

Background and Objective We sought to optimize laser incisions by evaluating the effects of varying the slit width of a heat-conducting template and the step size with the Computer-Assisted Surgical Techniques (CAST) system on free electron laser (FEL) incisions at 6.45 μm. Study Design/Materials and Methods Stainless steel calipers were used as a heat-conducting template on human skin in vitro. The CAST system made the incisions as a series of spot ablations with set step sizes of 50 μm or 1,250 μm. At each step size, incisions were made with or without the calipers, by using varying slit widths. Histologic specimens were analyzed for lateral thermal damage over the entire depth of the incision and over the superficial 150 μm of dermis. Results Lateral thermal damage over the superficial 150 μm of dermis was most significantly reduced with the calipers at a slit width approximating the FEL's beam diameter (636 μm ± 100 μm). Also, incisions made with the larger step size (1,250 μm) had significantly less lateral thermal damage over the entire depth of the incision. Conclusions The use of a heat-conducting template with an aperture approximating the FEL's beam diameter and larger step size improved FEL incisions at 6.45 μm. Lasers Surg. Med. 28:162–167, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Induced Fields and Heating Within a Cranial Structure Irradiated by an Electromagnetic Plane Wave

The induced fields and the static heating patterns within a multilayered spherical model that approximates the primate cranial structure irradiated by plane waves in the microwave spectrum are calculated. The relation of the model to the biological structure and the sensitivity of the results to the uncertainties in the dimensions and electrical properties of biological material are investigated. A method of solution for both the scattered and the interior fields for a sphere with an arbitrary number of electrically different concentric layers is developed in a form readily amenable to machine computation. It is shown that the semi-infinite slab model is inappropriate for calculating the microwave radiation dosage for the human head and similar structures.
A family-based genetic association study of variants in estrogen-metabolism genes COMT and CYP1B1 and breast cancer risk.

In this paper, we report findings from a family-based association study examining the association between polymorphisms in two key estrogen-metabolism genes CYP1B1 (codon 432 G → C and codon 453 A → G variants) and COMT (codon 158 G → A variant) and female breast cancer. We conducted the study among 280 nuclear families containing one or more daughters with breast cancer with a total of 1124 family members (702 with available constitutional DNA and questionnaire data and 421 without). These nuclear families were selected from breast cancer families participating in the Metropolitan New York Registry (MNYR) — one of the six centers of NCI's Breast Cooperative Family Registry. We used likelihood-based statistical methods to examine the allelic associations. We found none of the variant alleles of the CYP1B1 and COMT genes to be associated with breast cancer in these families. This was consistent with results from matched case-control analyses using all available sib-ships in these families. However, we found that parental carrier status of the CYP1B1 codon 453 variant G allele and the COMT codon 158 variant A allele was associated with breast cancer risk in daughters (independent of the daughters' own genotype). In conclusion, findings from this family-based study indicate that a woman's own CYP1B1 or COMT genotypes are not associated with her breast cancer risk. Although the study found that parental carrier status of certain CYP1B1 or COMT genotypes might be associated with daughter's breast cancer risk, the biological basis as well as independent confirmation of this finding need to be investigated in future larger family-based studies before making meaningful inferences.
The effects of vision and task complexity on Hoffmann reflex gain

Abstract Previous research demonstrates modulation of the Hoffmann reflex amplitude and gain during changes in environmental conditions. H-reflex gain (defined in this study as the ratio of H-reflex amplitude to average soleus background EMG) is considered a functional measure of reflex modulation. In this study the effects of manipulating visual input and surface stability were investigated in 17 subjects under four experimental conditions: (1) vision-stable surface, (2) no vision-stable surface, (3) vision-unstable surface, and (4) no vision-unstable surface. In each condition, subjects performed fifteen trials of a single leg stance for 7 s. The H-reflex was electrically elicited at the end of each trial by delivering a 1 ms square wave stimulation to the tibial nerve in the popliteal fossa of the dominant leg. Average background EMG (40 ms window) and peak to peak amplitude of the H-reflex were measured online for each trial (sampling rate = 2 kHz). An analysis of variance revealed significant decreases in H-reflex gain for the visual ( F 1, 16 = 4.71, P ) and, surface conditions ( F 1, 16 = 7.67, P ), however there was no interaction ( F 1, 16 = 0.48, P ), between these variables. These results suggest that supraspinal mechanisms, possibly presynaptic inhibition, modulate H-reflex gain across environmental conditions. We conclude that visual and possibly cutaneous inputs were responsible for driving presynaptic inhibition and thus decreasing H-reflex gain.
LSRN: A PARALLEL ITERATIVE SOLVER FOR STRONGLY OVER- OR UNDERDETERMINED SYSTEMS.

We describe a parallel iterative least squares solver named \textttLSRN that is based on random normal projection. \textttLSRN computes the min-length solution to $\min_{x \in \mathbb{R}^n} \|A x - b\|_2$, where $A \in \mathbb{R}^{m \times n}$ with $m \gg n$ or $m \ll n$, and where $A$ may be rank-deficient. Tikhonov regularization may also be included. Since $A$ is involved only in matrix-matrix and matrix-vector multiplications, it can be a dense or sparse matrix or a linear operator, and LSRN automatically speeds up when $A$ is sparse or a fast linear operator. The preconditioning phase consists of a random normal projection, which is embarrassingly parallel, and a singular value decomposition of size $\lceil \gamma \min(m,n) \rceil \times \min(m,n)$, where $\gamma$ is moderately larger than $1$, e.g., $\gamma = 2$. We prove that the preconditioned system is well-conditioned, with a strong concentration result on the extreme singular values, and hence that the number of iterations is fully predictable ...
An Infeasible-Interior-Point Potential-Reduction Algorithm for Linear Programming

This paper studies a new potential-function and an infeasible-interior-point method based on this function for the solution of linear programming problems. This work is motivated by the apparent gap between the algorithms with the best worst-case complexity and their most successful implementations. For example, analyses of interior-point algorithms are usually carried out by imposing several regularity assumptions on the problem, but implementations can solve problems which do not satisfy these assumptions. Furthermore, most state-of-the-art implementations incorporate heuristic tricks, but these modifications are rarely addressed in the theoretical analysis of the algorithms. The method described here and its analysis have the flexibility to integrate any heuristic technique for implementation while maintaining the important polynomial complexity feature.
Preparation and assessment of glutaraldehyde-crosslinked collagen–chitosan hydrogels for adipose tissue engineering

A portfolio of crosslinked chitosan:collagen blends was prepared, and their microarchitecture and water binding capacity were studied to investigate their application for adipose tissue engineering. Glutaraldehyde (GA) concentration had little effect on scaffold morphology or water binding capacity. However, the processing freezing temperature prior to lyophilization affected both. In vitro cytocompatibility of pre-adipocytes (PAs) was assessed for a candidate collagen:chitosan blend using two assays. Results confirm the viability of PAs on GA-crosslinked collagen:chitosan scaffolds. A rat subcutaneous pocket assay was employed to assess PA-seeded scaffolds in vivo. Animal tests proved that PA-seeded scaffolds were biocompatible, could induce vascularization, and form adipose tissue.
Human tissue thickness measurements from excised sleeve gastrectomy specimens.

Little basic science data exists regarding the thickness of transected stomach as the limits of smaller gastric sleeves are created closer to the lesser curvature in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG). We sought to determine the tissue thickness trends along the staple line and examine what factors might predispose to thicker tissue. This was a single-center, single-surgeon nonrandomized prospective study of patients undergoing SG. Excised SG specimens, with patient consent, underwent tissue measurement at multiple predetermined locations and at the midpoint of each fired staple cartridge. After 9 months, ending in July 2012, we met our goal enrollment of 50 gastric sleeve specimens. Most of the patients were female (80 %) and white (92.5 %). Average age was 42 years (range, 19–60 years), and average body mass index (BMI) was 49 kg/m2 (range, 34–82 kg/m2). Tissue thickness was significantly different (p 50 kg/m2) and gender (male) are associated with increased tissue thickness, but only in the antrum. Surgeons should consider using a thicker staple load, such as black, when these factors are present. Also, significant changes in tissue thickness at the fourth and fifth staple fires suggest stepwise alteration in staple cartridge color selection.
Effective Data Representation and Compression in Ground Data Systems

Storing vast amounts of multidimensional telemetry data presents a challenge. Telemetry data being relayed from sensors to the ground station comes in the form of text, images, audio, and various other formats. Compressing this data would optimize bandwidth usage during transmission and reduce storage resources needed at the ground level. However, the multitude of heterogeneous data types present in telemetry data and the need for data precision makes compression quite difficult. The application of a single compression technique for all data types usually yields ineffective results. We will present a telemetry data compression algorithm that utilizes Discrete Fourier Transforms (DFTs) along with different compression algorithms for different data types, including Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW) and Flate (which combines LZW with adaptive Huffman coding) for textual and numerical data and JPEG coding for images. Although these algorithms do not yield the greatest compression ratios, the Portable Document Format (PDF) standard supports decoding of all of them, which allows us to write our encoded data streams directly to a PDF file. This approach alleviates the need for traditional database storage systems. It also standardizes and simplifies the data retrieval, decoding, and viewing process. This work results in packets-oriented telemetry data encapsulated with multiple compression stream algorithms, which can be decoded, rendered and viewed by any standard PDF viewer. This paper presents the aforementioned algorithms and its development status as applicable proof-of-concept prototypes.
A useful insight into 2 occlusal indexes: HLD(Md) and HLD(CalMod)

Maryland and California are among the states that have adopted the Handicapping Labiolingual Deviation (HLD) Index to determine eligibility for public funding of orthodontic treatment. As a result of several lawsuits against the state, California has developed and employed a modification of that index, called the HLD(CalMod) index. This study compared and contrasted the effects of analyzing prospective patients with the HLD(Md)-the HLD index as used in Maryland-and the HLD(CalMod) indexes. The specific aims of this study were to observe (1) the correlation between the 2 occlusal indexes in determining patients' eligibility for treatment with public funding, (2) the characteristics of patients eligible according to each index, and (3) the major contributing factors in assigning patients as eligible under each index. Initial study models of 313 patients from the orthodontic clinic at the University of Maryland were scored by both HLD(Md) and HLD(CalMod) indexes. According to the scores, the patients were divided into 2 groups-those with handicapping malocclusions and those without handicapping malocclusions. Scores from each index were analyzed by the Pearson product moment correlation. The Angle classification for each patient was also recorded with the HLD variables. The mean and the percentage of the total score for each variable were calculated. The following conclusions were obtained: (1) Of the 313 patients, 127 (41%) were approved for treatment by the HLD(Md) index, and 110 (35%) were approved for treatment by the HLD (CalMod) index.(2) The correlation between the 2 indexes (R = 0.78) was not very strong, indicating the power of the additional variables introduced in the HLD(CalMod) index. (3) The use of the HLD(CalMod) index directs more public funding toward patients with severe Class II malocclusions than does the HLD(Md) index.
Diagnosis with oligonucleotides.

Abstract Protein-based immunohistochemical techniques like immunoperoxidase methods are now routinely used in many diagnostic dermatopathology laboratories. This is possible because of the availability of antibodies that react with specific, diagnostically useful proteins and because there are simple but sensitive detection systems. Despite their promise of equal or greater specificity, techniques based on the detection of specific nucleic acids have not been as useful as immunoperoxidase techniques because of a relative lack of such reagents and detection systems. This chapter describes how oligonucleotides, short single-stranded pieces of DNA or RNA, may be used to circumvent some of the problems associated with current in situ hybridization techniques and how they may eventually allow the use of nucleic acid-based detection systems for diagnosis in dermatopathology.
Error correcting codes for satellite communication channels

This paper addresses the problem of efficient forward error correction on differentially encoded, quadriphase-shift-keying (DQPSK) channels. The approach is to design codes to correct the most probable error patterns. First the probability distribution of error patterns is derived. Then a class of convolutional codes that correct any single two-bit error is described. Finally a threshold decodable code that corrects all single, and many double, two-bit errors is presented.
On the problem of isolation of the specific acetylcholine receptor.

Abstract A protein fraction derived from the electric organ of Electrophorus electricus has been examined for homogeneity and binding of d -tubocurarine. This fraction was previously considered homogeneous and identified by others as the acetylcholine receptor. It is shown in this paper that this fraction is readily resolved by chromatography on cellulose DEAE into numerous subfractions, no one of which represents a large portion of the total protein in the fraction. The binding of d -tubocurarine to several of these subfractions is compared to binding by other proteins isolated from the tissue. There is no indication that any of these subfractions binds d -tubocurarine more tightly than many other proteins obtained from the tissue. Mass-action plots of the binding curves of the various subfractions tested show departure from linearity which may be due to inhomogeneity, different classes of binding sites, or both. It is shown that the analysis which led to the conclusion that the specific receptor had been isolated is erroneous. A discussion is presented of the difficulties associated with the isolation and identification of this cellular constituent.
Polymerization of maleic acid and itaconic acid studied by FT‐Raman spectroscopy

In this research, we used a new redox free radical initiation system consisting of potassium persulfate (K2S2O8) and sodium hypophosphite (NaH2PO2). In the presence of NaH2PO2, the thermal decomposition of K2S2O8 is accelerated, and the temperature required for the formation of free radical is reduced. We polymerized maleic acid (MA) using the K2S2O8/NaH2PO2 initiation system in an aqueous solution, and monitored the polymerization process with FT-Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectroscopy data indicate the formation of a saturated carboxylic acid with the disappearance of the characteristic bands of MA as the thermal decomposition of K2S2O8 progresses, thus indicating the formation of poly(maleic acid) (PMA). We also found that itaconic acid (IA) polymerizes in the presence of the new initiation system. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 223–228, 2001
The effect of SCN− on the extraction of Fe(III)-TTA☆

Abstract The extraction of iron from perchloric acid solution into TTA-benzene is known to be very slow and does not reach equilibrium within a practical contact time of the two phases. The addition of thiocyanate was found to enhance the rate considerably. From the results of detailed investigation, the reason for this effect is considered to be the replacement of a slow step, the direct formation of Fe-TTA complex, by a series of fast reactions, i.e. the formation of Fe-SCN complex in aqueous phase, followed by its extraction into the organic phase and the replacement of SCN − in the complex with TTA in the organic phase. The possibility for a synergistic effect based on this phenomenon is suggested.
Amino Acid Residues in the Nicotinamide Binding Site Contribute to Catalysis by Horse Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase

Amino acid residues Thr-178, Val-203, and Val-292, which interact with the nicotinamide ring of the coenzyme bound to alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), may facilitate hydride transfer and hydrogen tunneling by orientation and dynamic effects. The T178S, T178V, V203A, V292A, V292S, and V292T substitutions significantly alter the steady state and transient kinetics of the enzyme. The V292A, V292S, and V292T enzymes have decreased affinity for coenzyme (NAD+ by 30−50-fold and NADH by 35−75-fold) as compared to the wild-type enzyme. The substitutions in the nicotinamide binding site decrease the rate constant of hydride transfer for benzyl alcohol oxidation by 3-fold (for V292T ADH) to 16-fold (for V203A ADH). The modest effects suggest that catalysis does not depend critically on individual residues and that several residues in the nicotinamide binding site contribute to catalysis. The structures of the V292T ADH−NAD+−pyrazole and wild-type ADH−NAD+−4-iodopyrazole ternary complexes are very similar. Only subtle c...
Reply [to Comment on “Opportunities for research in the geological sciences”]

I think that Dr. Watts is quite incorrect to assert that marine geology and geophysics were given a “low priority” in the NAS-NRC report on “Opportunities for Research in the Geological Sciences.” To the contrary, “Marine Geology and Geophysics” is explicitly identified in chapter 3 (pp. 59–61) as one of the five key areas for research in the geological sciences. Detailed discussion of the marine field was deliberately not included in the report because such treatment lay beyond the charge of the study committee. The “Committee on Opportunities for Research in the Geological Sciences” was constituted at the specific request of the Director of the Division of Earth Sciences of the National Science Foundation to provide an evaluation and overview of research opportunities that might form part of programs funded by that particular segment of NSF. This task was regarded as a critical one that should be completed within a short time frame. The committee did its best to respond to the need for its advice in a timely fashion. The existence of its report of restricted scope certainly does not preclude a future broader study of the sort envisioned by Dr. Watts.
Dynamic diversity and small-molecule evolution: a new paradigm for ligand identification

A longstanding goal of organic, medicinal and bioorganic chemists has been the discovery of efficient methods for designing or identifying biologically active compounds. Recently, several groups have reported using the directed evolution of combinatorial libraries as a new method of identifying compounds capable of binding tightly to a target molecule. Although significant development remains to be done, the initial results suggest that dynamic diversity and associated selection methods will prove to be valuable additions to the drug-discovery process.
Semiempirical Model for Determining PEM Electrolyzer Stack Characteristics

A semiempirical equation was used to represent the performance characteristics of a 20-cell proton exchange membrane electrolyzer stack. The coefficients of the equation are the exchange current densities and membrane conductivity. These coefficients were determined using experimental data and a nonlinear curve fitting method. The anode exchange current density was found to be 1.65× 10 -8 A cm -2 , the cathode exchange current density 0.09 A cm -2 , and the membrane conductivity 0.075 S cm -1 . External programmable power supplies were used to obtain the (I-V) characteristic curve of a commercial proton exchange membrane electrolyzer. Stack current, voltage, and system temperature were monitored while 1 A current steps were applied to the electrolyzer stack.
New insights into the nerve end organ of human skin

Bearing the sensory nerve end organ, the skin establishes contact to our environment. So far, the analysis of the cutaneous nervous system was dependent on the use of tissue serial sections. Because such samples inherently allow visualization of only a small part of the mainly horizontally oriented nervous system of the skin, we searched for possibilities enabling a more comprehensive view. Here, we present a method based on the immunostaining of dermal sheet preparations for subsequent analysis by electron microscopy and light, or laser scanning microscopy. We used antibodies against PgP9.5 and NCAM/CD56, both showing a regular network of fibers covering the entire superficial dermis. The bulk of free ending nerve fibers ramified within 25 µm of the dermo–epidermal junction, whereas below that only larger nerve bundles were present. Along the course of nerve fibers, we observed NCAM/CD56+ protrusions with diameters ranging from 5 to 15 µm. We further characterized these protrusions demonstrating the ultrastructural features of terminal non-myelinating Schwann cells ensheathing nerve fibres. Depending on the body region, we detected between 140 and over 300 individual terminal Schwann cells/mm2 skin surface. In a double staining for NCAM/CD56 and vWF, we analyzed the topographical relationship of the nerve end organ to the blood vessels of the skin. In conclusion, this novel method allows for the first time a complex three-dimensional depiction of the cutaneous nervous system over several cm2. Additionally, terminal Schwann cells can be studied in detail in situ for the first time. Furthermore, application of this method may provide new impetus in the investigation of the cutaneous nerve end organ under physiological and pathological conditions.
Prevalence of high‐risk human papilloma virus among women with hepatitis C virus before liver transplantation

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is detected in >90% of cervical cancers. A causal relationship between HPV and lower genital tract neoplasms has been established. In 2010, there were 12,200 estimated new cases of cervical cancer in the United States and 4210 estimated deaths (1, 2). Annual incidence of newly diagnosed HPV is an estimated 6.2 million cases worldwide, with approximately 500,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 274,000 related deaths. Oncogenic or high-risk HPV infection has been identified as an underlying cause of cervical cancer (3) and the World Health Organization has designated HPV infection as necessary for cervical cancer development (4). High-risk HPV types include 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68, 73, and 82 (5). Persistent infection with oncogenic or high-risk types of HPV is strongly associated with the development of cervical cancer (6). The immune system plays a major role in persistence of HPV infections, and the oncogenic potential of HPV may be enhanced by immunosuppression (7). Immunocompetent women infected with HPV usually eradicate virus within 24 months, regardless of viral oncogenicity (8). Reactivation of latent DNA viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and hepatitis B, and of RNA viruses, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human T-lymphotropic virus 1, has been documented in immunocompromised hosts and organ transplant recipients (9). Similarly, HPV reactivation can occur and lead to malignancies without proper surveillance in long-term transplant survivors. Organ transplant recipients have a high risk of developing other malignancies, because of lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. These patients are susceptible to cancers that have been linked to viral infections, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma (to Epstein–Barr virus), Kaposi sarcoma (to human herpesvirus-8), adult T-cell leukemia (to human T-lymphotropic virus 1) (10), hepatocellular carcinoma (to hepatitis B virus and HCV), and anogenital cancers, which include cervical, vaginal, perianal, and vulvar malignancies (to HPV) (11). We conducted a retrospective chart review of 266 female livertransplant (LT) recipients, ages 18–70 years, followed in our center. Sixteen patients (6%) were documented to have had a pre-transplant Pap smear, and of these only 1 was tested for HPV. To address this deficiency in clinical practice, a protocol was introduced that offers gynecology exam and HPV screening to women, ages 18–70, referred for transplant evaluation. All women with abnormal Pap smears and/or positive HPV test receive follow-up care according to the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology treatment guidelines.
Touch, status, and gender at professional meetings

Observers unobtrusively recorded instances of interpersonal touch at three large academic meetings (two of psychologists, one of philosophers). The names and affiliations of the individuals involved in these touches were later referred to published sources in order to develop codes reflecting the relative personal and institutional statuses of these individuals. There was mixed but on balance no overall evidence that higher-status individuals touched lower-status individuals more than vice versa. However, higher- and lower-status individuals initiated different kinds of touch. Higher-status individuals initiated touch that was judged more often to be affectionate and that was more often directed to the arm or shoulder, whereas lower-status individuals initiated more formal touches and handshakes. Gender asymmetry in touch was very weak overall, but favored male-to-female over female-to-male touch when the two individuals had equal professional status.
Combined Experimental and Numerical Study of a New Configuration of Multiple Microchannel Heat Sink for Heat Removal

In this paper, single phase incompressible liquid flow in a new microchannel heat sink design, which includes flow bifurcation, is studied experimentally and numerically. The experimental setup and device fabrication are briefly explained. The experimental results are presented with uncertainty in the measurements. The numerical model is based on a commercial code and is validated by experimental results with the same initial and boundary conditions. Numerical results with both constant fluid properties and variable properties are compared with the experimental data. The thermal-hydraulic performance of the new design is investigated. The effects of the resulting fluid flow and the geometry on the thermal resistance of the system are discussed.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Superconductivity and hydromagnetism

Abstract I review recent work on a new point of view to understand the origin of superconductivity and metallic ferromagnetism in solids. Both of these collective effects are proposed to originate in the Coulomb interactions between band electrons. The common aspects of the physics that leads to both instabilities is stressed. It is pointed out that the validity of these ideas is likely to be convincingly established or disproved once metallic hydrogen is synthesized in the laboratory.
Dynamic least-squares kernel density modeling of Fokker-Planck equations with application to neural population.

The dynamic least-squares kernel density (LSQKD) model [C. Pantano and B. Shotorban, Phys. Rev. E 76, 066705 (2007)] is used to solve the Fokker-Planck equations. In this model the probability density function (PDF) is approximated by a linear combination of basis functions with unknown parameters whose governing equations are determined by a global least-squares approximation of the PDF in the phase space. In this work basis functions are set to be Gaussian for which the mean, variance, and covariances are governed by a set of partial differential equations (PDEs) or ordinary differential equations (ODEs) depending on what phase-space variables are approximated by Gaussian functions. Three sample problems of univariate double-well potential, bivariate bistable neurodynamical system [G. Deco and D. Mart\'{\i}, Phys. Rev. E 75, 031913 (2007)], and bivariate Brownian particles in a nonuniform gas are studied. The LSQKD is verified for these problems as its results are compared against the results of the method of characteristics in nondiffusive cases and the stochastic particle method in diffusive cases. For the double-well potential problem it is observed that for low to moderate diffusivity the dynamic LSQKD well predicts the stationary PDF for which there is an exact solution. A similar observation is made for the bistable neurodynamical system. In both these problems least-squares approximation is made on all phase-space variables resulting in a set of ODEs with time as the independent variable for the Gaussian function parameters. In the problem of Brownian particles in a nonuniform gas, this approximation is made only for the particle velocity variable leading to a set of PDEs with time and particle position as independent variables. Solving these PDEs, a very good performance by LSQKD is observed for a wide range of diffusivities.
Inter-socket victim cacheing for platform power reduction

On a multi-socket architecture with load below peak, as is often the case in a server installation, it is common to consolidate load onto fewer sockets to save processor power. However, this can increase main memory power consumption due to the decreased total cache space. This paper describes inter-socket victim cacheing, a technique that enables such a system to do both load consolidation and cache aggregation at the same time. It uses the last level cache of an idle processor in a connected socket as a victim cache, holding evicted data from the active processor. This enables expensive main memory accesses to be replaced by cheaper cache hits. This work examines both static and dynamic victim cache management policies. Energy savings is as high as 32.5%, and averages 5.8%.
First-principles calculations of the electronic structure, phase transition and properties of ZrSiO4 polymorphs

First-principles periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to understand the electronic structure, chemical bonding, phase transition, and physical properties of the mineral zircon (in the chemical composition of ZrSiO4) and its high pressure phase reidite. Temperature effect on phase transition and thermal–mechanical properties such as heat capacity and bulk modulus have been studied by combining the equation of states obtained from DFT calculations with the quasi-harmonic Debye model to take into account the entropy contribution to free energy. Local density approximation (LDA) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA) DFT functionals have been systematically compared in predicting the structure and property of this material. It is found that the LDA functional provides a better description of the equilibrium structure and bulk modulus, while GGA predicts a transition pressure closer to experimental values. Both functionals correctly predict the relative stability of the two phases, with GGA giving slightly larger energy differences. The calculated band structures show that both zircon and reidite have indirect bandgaps and the reidite phase has a narrower bandgap than the zircon phase. The electronic density of states and atomic charges analyses show that bonding in the high-pressure reidite phase has a stronger covalent character.
The Impact of Identity Orientation on Individual and Organizational Outcomes in Demographically Diverse Settings

Our present understanding of identification processes poses a serious limitation to diversity research. In this article I present a preliminary model explicating how organizational, task, and reward structures affect the activation of members' personal relational, and collective identity orientations. I further outline the manner in which the identity orientations of majority and minority individuals link to cognition, affect, and behavior of members of each group, as well as to diversity-related organizational outcomes. Activating a relational identity orientation may promote benefits and inhibit disadvantages associated with diversity. I also discuss apparent theoretical and practical contributions of the model.
In defense of resources

Abstract In response to C. J. Brainerd and V. F. Reyna's ( Journal of Experimental Child Psychology , 47 , 1–18, 1989) paper, we defend our use of a model of mental effort which proposes a common pool of cognitive resources. This model allows us to interpret a series of dual-task experiments and serves as a model for cognition and cognitive development in general. We argue that the common resources hypothesis can be applied to a wider range of phenomena than the output-interference hypothesis and can be used to explain phenomena at various levels of analysis. Rather than being “postdictive” (as argued by Brainerd and Reyna), the resources hypothesis makes specific predictions about age differences in performance on the primary task. The results of a dual-task experiment under bidirectional deficits are presented. We conclude that dual-task studies do not provide the critical tests of the resources hypothesis and thus that the resources hypothesis should not be rejected on the basis of Brainerd and Reyna's argument.
The photochemistry of riboflavin--VI. The photophysical properties of isoalloxazines.

— Many of the photophysical properties of riboflavin and several other N-10 substituted isoal-loxazines have been measured and these include: quantum yields of fluorescence at 77 K and 298 K, φ, quantum yields of phosphorescence at 77 K, φP, lifetimes of the triplet state by electron spin resonance and phosphorescence at 77 K, φp,. and the quantum yield of intersystem crossing. φisc. For riboflavin in an alcoholic matrix at 77 K the limiting values were: φJ= 0.32, φP= 0.007, φp= 0.20s and φisc= 0.7. At 298 K, φf for riboflavin in water and alcohol were 0.25 and 0.32, respectively. The results for the photophysical processes are compared with several photochemical processes known to involve the triplet state of riboflavin in aqueous solution. It is concluded that the φisc decreases from 0.7 in alcohol to 0.6 in water at 298 K.