cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subduction dynamics and structural controls on shear wave splitting along the South American convergent margin

Abstract Observations of shear wave splitting have provided constraints on patterns of deformation in the mantle in a variety of tectonic settings, including those with complex dynamics such as subduction zones. The South American subduction system is characterized by the longest laterally continuous subducting slab present today. As such, it represents an excellent natural laboratory to study variability in anisotropy along thousands of kilometers of a subduction zone. We perform shear wave splitting analyses at 59 stations along the Chilean coast spanning over 2500 km of the subducting Nazca slab. This dataset specifically targets stations that sample minimal amounts of thickened South American crust and mantle wedge material making it easier to attribute splitting to the sub-slab mantle. We observe a stark transition in splitting from the central Bolivian Orocline to southern Chile indicative of a transition in mantle deformation beneath the subducting slab from convergent flow beneath the Orocline to trench parallel flow farther south. This supports previous conceptual models of mantle dynamics in the region where a stagnation point exists beneath the Bolivian Orocline resulting in plate motion driven flow with trench parallel escape flow to both the north and south. Our results as well as previous measurements largely agree with a recent numerical modeling study that has proposed similar large-scale deformation patterns as well as local deviations due to slab structures like tears. The agreement between model predictions and our observations, however, is not universal along strike. We see several regions where measured splitting deviates significantly from predictions. These areas warrant further study and will aid in refining future geodynamic modeling efforts.
Multiple Computational Approaches for Predicting Drug Interactions with Human Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter 1.

Equilibrativenucleoside transporters (ENTs) participate in the pharmacokinetics and disposition of nucleoside analog drugs. Understanding drug interactions with the ENTs may inform and facilitate the development of new drugs, including chemotherapeutics and antivirals that require access to sanctuary sites such as the male genital tract. This study created three-dimensional pharmacophores for ENT1 and ENT2 substrates and inhibitors using Kt and IC50 data curated from the literature. Substrate pharmacophores for ENT1 and ENT2 are distinct, with partial overlap of hydrogen bond donors, whereas the inhibitor pharmacophores predominantly feature hydrogen bond acceptors. Mizoribine and ribavirin mapped to the ENT1 substrate pharmacophore and proved to be substrates of the ENTs. The presence of the ENT-specific inhibitor 6-S-[(4-nitrophenyl)methyl]-6-thioinosine (NBMPR) decreased mizoribine accumulation in ENT1 and ENT2 cells (ENT1, ∼70% decrease, P = 0.0046; ENT2, ∼50% decrease, P = 0.0012). NBMPR also decreased ribavirin accumulation in ENT1 and ENT2 cells (ENT1: ∼50% decrease, P = 0.0498; ENT2: ∼30% decrease, P = 0.0125). Darunavir mapped to the ENT1 inhibitor pharmacophore and NBMPR did not significantly influence darunavir accumulation in either ENT1 or ENT2 cells (ENT1: P = 0.28; ENT2: P = 0.53), indicating that darunavir’s interaction with the ENTs is limited to inhibition. These computational and in vitro models can inform compound selection in the drug discovery and development process, thereby reducing time and expense of identification and optimization of ENT-interacting compounds. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study developed computational models of human equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) to predict drug interactions and validated these models with two compounds in vitro. Identification and prediction of ENT1 and ENT2 substrates allows for the determination of drugs that can penetrate tissues expressing these transporters.
Endosomal cAMP production broadly impacts the cellular phosphoproteome

Endosomal signaling downstream of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has emerged as a novel paradigm with important pharmacological and physiological implications. However, our knowledge of the functional consequences of intracellular signaling is incomplete. To begin to address this gap, we combined an optogenetic approach for site-specific generation of the prototypical second messenger generated by active GPCRs, cyclic AMP (cAMP), with unbiased mass-spectrometry-based analysis of the phosphoproteome. We identified 218 unique, high-confidence sites whose phosphorylation is either increased or decreased in response to cAMP elevation. We next determined that the same amount of cAMP produced from the endosomal membrane led to more robust changes in phosphorylation than the plasma membrane. Remarkably, this was true for the entire repertoire of 218 identified targets and irrespective of their annotated subcellular localizations (endosome, cell surface, nucleus, cytosol). Furthermore, we identified a particularly strong endosome bias for a subset of proteins that are dephosphorylated in response to cAMP. Through bioinformatics analysis, we established these targets as putative substrates for protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), and we propose compartmentalized activation of PP2A by cAMP-responsive kinases as the likely underlying mechanism. Altogether, our study extends the concept that endosomal signaling is a significant functional contributor to cellular responsiveness to cAMP by establishing a unique role for localized cAMP production in defining categorically distinct phosphoresponses.
The Application of Using Supervised Classification Techniques in Selecting the Most Optimized Temporary House Type in Post-disaster Situations

The United States spends around 450 million dollars just for lodging the survivors and creating temporary shelters in the wake of hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria in 2017. Post-disaster temporary housing is a multi-objective process, thus reaching the optimized model relies on numerous objectives and their interaction with each other. The construction activities, especially in a post-disaster scenario, is considered challenging, leading to ineffective management in post-disaster housing reconstruction. Acknowledging and creating a balance between these issues by the policymakers who provide accommodations to post-disaster victims is one of the main challenges that need to be addressed.Post-disaster temporary housing is an integral part of the recovery process; however, not many research types have been done regarding how the factors and to what degree factors can affect the classification. One way to categorize the temporary housing units (THU) is based on how they get built, either made onsite or created offsite. However, the mechanism of selecting the THU types is mainly based on expert opinion and tacit knowledge, which can result in the insufficiency of the process.This model aims to study how and to what degree the factors that affect the post-disaster temporary housing process dictate the type of THU in terms of being built onsite or modeled offsite. The researchers designed a questionnaire to understand each main factor's importance compared to each other through a ranking process. It also asks each participant to rate the different THUs being used based on their importance. In this study, an ordinal classification framework is introduced using the K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) model to help decision-makers choose the right type of temporary houses based on their needs. This model’s results show how supervised classification models can be an efficient tool and holistic approach to providing more robust, efficient decisions as an alternative to the current strategy, which relies on tacit knowledge.
Low-power, thin and flexible, stacked digital LC lens for adaptive contact lens system with enhanced tunability

By stacking multiple thin and flexible LC based lenses, we experimentally demonstrate a low-power adaptive optical system with enhanced focusing tunability that is suitable for integration with a smart contact lens system.
Toward anticipatory governance of human genome editing: a critical review of scholarly governance discourse

The rapid development of human genome editing (HGE) techniques evokes an urgent need for forward-looking deliberation regarding the aims, processes, and governance of research. The framework of ant...
A Two-Step Resolution-Reconfigurable Time-to-Digital Converter Using SAR ADC

This paper presents a resolution reconfigurable ADC-assisted time-to-digital converter (TDC). The reconfigurable resolution and range are achieved by adjusting reference currents in the time-to-voltage converter (TVC) and the reference voltages in the ADC. The proposed resolution-reconfigurable approach combined with a two-step hierarchical architecture can be employed in a wide range of applications with different spatial range and resolution requirements. A prototype chip is fabricated using AMS 350nm process, with a core area of 0.15mm2. Measurement results show that the TDC achieves a resolution of 39ps with a 100MHz clock, or 78ps with a 50MHz reference clock. In both cases, the measurement rate is 384kS/s while consuming less than 6.7mW from a 3.3V supply.
Influence of solvent structure and hydrogen bonding on catalysis at solid-liquid interfaces.

Solvent molecules interact with reactive species and alter the rates and selectivities of catalytic reactions by orders of magnitude. Specifically, solvent molecules can modify the free energies of liquid phase and surface species via solvation, participating directly as a reactant or co-catalyst, or competitively binding to active sites. These effects carry consequences for reactions relevant for the conversion of renewable or recyclable feedstocks, the development of distributed chemical manufacturing, and the utilization of renewable energy to drive chemical reactions. First, we describe the quantitative impact of these effects on steady-state catalytic turnover rates through a rate expression derived for a generic catalytic reaction (A → B), which illustrates the functional dependence of rates on each category of solvent interaction. Second, we connect these concepts to recent investigations of the effects of solvents on catalysis to show how interactions between solvent and reactant molecules at solid–liquid interfaces influence catalytic reactions. This discussion demonstrates that the design of effective liquid phase catalytic processes benefits from a clear understanding of these intermolecular interactions and their implications for rates and selectivities.
A food web model of mercury transfer from stream sediment to predators of fish for ecological risk based clean-up goals

A linear steady-state model of the food web linking sediment to piscivorous predators was used to derive ecological risk based clean-up concentrations for mercury in sediment of East Fork Poplar Creek (EFPC), Oak Ridge, TN. The model partitions aquatic invertebrates into two classes based on the primary source of exposure to mercury in sediment, and the prey-fish community into three classes based on differences in their diets and feeding habits. Biotransfer factors for the links between sediment and sediment-dwelling invertebrates, water and aquatic biota and fish, and prey and predators are published values. The model uses site specific data on the fraction of methylmercury in sediment, the relative abundance of prey fish, and the predicted flux of mercury from sediment. Monte Carlo analysis quantifies the uncertainty in the risk to top predators of fish. At 96 mg/kg mercury in sediment, less than 20% of the exposures exceed dietary limits for endpoint receptors. The fraction of methylmercury in sediment, the three biotransfer factors for methylmercury, and diet are sensitive parameters.
Temperature-Sensitive Mutants of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus: Synthesis of Virus-Specific Proteins

Viral proteins synthesized in L cells infected with temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of vesicular stomatitis (VS) virus at permissive (31 C) and nonpermissive (39 C) temperatures were compared by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Mutant ts 5, deficient in synthesis of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA(-)), failed to synthesize any of the five identifiable viral proteins at 39 C. Each of three RNA(+) mutants, representing three separate complementation groups, showed distinctive patterns of viral protein synthesis at nonpermissive temperature. Equivalent amounts of (3)H-amino acids were incorporated into the five viral proteins made in cells infected with RNA(+) mutant ts 45 at 31 and 39 C. Complete virions of ts 45 could be identified by electron microscopy of infected cells incubated at the nonpermissive temperature; the defect in ts 45 appeared to be due in part to greater thermolability of virions as compared with the wild-type. RNA(+) mutant ts 23 was deficient in synthesis of viral envelope protein S and failed to make detectable virions at the nonpermissive temperature. Infection of cells at 39 C with the third RNA(+) mutant, ts 52, resulted in synthesis of all five viral proteins, but the peak of radioactivity representing the viral membrane glycoprotein migrated more rapidly on gels than coelectrophoresed authentic virion (14)C-glycoprotein or viral (3)H-glycoprotein extracted from cells infected at 31 C. These data and results of experiments on incorporation of radioactive glucosamine suggest that the primary defect in mutant ts 52 at nonpermissive temperature is failure of glycosylation of the viral glycoprotein. The viral structural proteins made in cells infected with ts 52 at the nonpermissive temperature did not assemble into sedimentable components as they did at permissive temperature; this observation indicates failure of insertion of the nonglycosylated protein (G') into cell membrane. In support of this hypothesis was the finding that antiviral-antiferritin hybrid antibody did not detect VS viral antigen on the plasma membrane of L cells infected at 39 C with ts 52. In contrast, VS viral antigen localized in plasma membrane of L cells infected at 39 C with mutants ts 23 and ts 45 was readily detected by electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy.
A Mesh Optimization Algorithm to Decrease the Maximum Error in Finite Element Computations

We present a mesh optimization algorithm for adaptively improving the finite element interpolation of a function of interest. The algorithm minimizes an objective function by swapping edges and moving nodes. Numerical experiments are performed on model problems. The results illustrate that the mesh optimization algorithm can reduce the W 1, ∞ semi-norm of the interpolation error. For these examples, the L 2, L ∞ , and H 1 norms decreased also.
Engineering of cytochrome P450 2B1 specificity. Conversion of an androgen 16 beta-hydroxylase to a 15 alpha-hydroxylase.

Abstract Six site-directed mutants of cytochrome P450 2B1 were constructed, and function was evaluated in COS cell microsomes by monitoring testosterone and androstenedione hydroxylation and inactivation by chloramphenicol. Mutants Ile-114-->Val and Ile-114-->Ala exhibited marked decreases in androgen 16 beta-OH:16 alpha-OH ratios and increases in 15 alpha-OH:16-OH ratios. Since substitution of Gly-478 with Ala or Ser reduces 16 beta-hydroxylation in favor of 15 alpha-hydroxylation, four double mutants containing Val or Ala at position 114 and Ala or Ser at position 478 were examined. For any given residue at position 114 (Ile, Val, or Ala), the 15 alpha-OH:16-OH ratio increased as residue 478 was changed from Gly to Ala to Ser, and for any residue at position 478, this ratio increased as residue 114 was changed from Ile to Val to Ala. As a consequence, the Ile-114-->Ala, Gly-478-->Ser mutant displayed an approximately 1000-fold higher androgen 15 alpha-OH:16-OH ratio compared with the parental enzyme and functionally resembles mouse P450 2A4 much more closely than P450 2B1. All three mutants with Val at position 114 retained susceptibility to inactivation by chloramphenicol, whereas inactivation was suppressed by Ala at this position. The results suggest the feasibility of an empirical approach to P450 engineering involving the appropriate combination of residues at a few critical sites to confer new regio- and stereoselectivity with retention of overall monooxygenase activity.
Very-long-period volcanic earthquakes beneath Mammoth Mountain, California

[1] Detection of three very-long-period (VLP) volcanic earthquakes beneath Mammoth Mountain emphasizes that magmatic processes continue to be active beneath this young, eastern California volcano. These VLP earthquakes, which occurred in October 1996 and July and August 2000, appear as bell-shaped pulses with durations of one to two minutes on a nearby borehole dilatometer and on the displacement seismogram from a nearby broadband seismometer. They are accompanied by rapid-fire sequences of high-frequency (HF) earthquakes and several long-period (LP) volcanic earthquakes. The limited VLP data are consistent with a CLVD source at a depth of ∼3 km beneath the summit, which we interpret as resulting from a slug of fluid (CO2–saturated magmatic brine or perhaps basaltic magma) moving into a crack
The Retinoblastoma Tumour Suppressor

The retinoblastoma tumour suppressor (pRB) is functionally inactivated in most human cancers. pRB regulates cell cycle checkpoints, cell death, cellular senescence, and terminal differentiation through interactions with members of the E2F family of transcription factors, chromatin-remodelling factors and with tissue-restricted transcription factors. The RB-related “pocket proteins”, p107 and p130 also interact with E2Fs to regulate cell cycle, although neither p107 nor p130 are known tumour suppressors in human cancer, despite data from mouse models indicating their ability to compensate for Rb loss under certain circumstances. This chapter discusses the latest findings on the role of pRB in development and tumourigenesis to help determine which functions of pRB contribute most to its tumour-suppressor activity, why certain tumours select against RB but others do not, and what kind of additional mutations are likely to cooperate with RB loss in cancer as a function of tissue type. Keywords: cell cycle checkpoint control; cell death; senescence; differentiation
Markov Decision Problems

Continuing the central themes of this book, as an application of the asymptotic properties of singularly perturbed Markov chains, this chapter focuses on hierarchical controls for a class of Markov decision problems. Our main attention is on finite-state continuous-time Markov decision processes (MDP) having weak and strong interactions.
A Hybrid LSMR Algorithm for Large-Scale Tikhonov Regularization

We develop a hybrid iterative approach for computing solutions to large-scale ill-posed inverse problems via Tikhonov regularization. We consider a hybrid LSMR algorithm, where Tikhonov regularization is applied to the LSMR subproblem rather than the original problem. We show that, contrary to standard hybrid methods, hybrid LSMR iterates are not equivalent to LSMR iterates on the directly regularized Tikhonov problem. Instead, hybrid LSMR leads to a different Krylov subspace problem. We show that hybrid LSMR shares many of the benefits of standard hybrid methods such as avoiding semiconvergence behavior. In addition, since the regularization parameter can be estimated during the iterative process, it does not need to be estimated a priori, making this approach attractive for large-scale problems. We consider various methods for selecting regularization parameters and discuss stopping criteria for hybrid LSMR, and we present results from image processing.
Various effects of angiotensin II on amygdaloid neuronal activity in normotensive control and hypertensive transgenic [TGR(mREN-2)27] rats

The effects of iontophoretically ejected angiotensin II (Ang II) on the firing rate of neurons in the basolateral complex and the central and cortical amygdala were investigated in two strains of urethane anesthetized rats. In normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats, Ang II induced a significant increase in the discharge rate of responsive amygdaloid neurons. In contrast, in the hypertensive transgenic [TGR(mREN-2)27] rats with higher brain Ang II level, Ang II more often caused inhibitory effects on the amygdaloid firing rate in comparison with controls. The distribution of nonresponsive, excited, and inhibited neurons differed significantly in the two rat strains. Moreover, the responsiveness of amygdaloid neurons was significantly higher in transgenic rats in comparison with controls. Both the increase and the decrease in the firing rate caused by Ang II could be blocked either by angiotensin AT1 or by AT2 receptor-specific antagonists. In many cases, the Ang II-induced decrease in the firing rate was antagon...
Bounding the number of favorable functions in stochastic search

According to the No Free Lunch theorems for search, when uniformly averaged over all possible search functions, every search algorithm has identical search performance for a wide variety of common performance metrics [1], [2], [3], [4]. Differences in performance can arise, however, between two algorithms when performance is measured over non-closed under permutation sets of functions, such as sets consisting of a single function. Using uniform random sampling with replacement as a baseline, we ask how many functions exist such that a search algorithm has better expected performance than random sampling. We define favorable functions as those that allow an algorithm to locate a search target with higher probability than uniform random sampling with replacement, and we bound the proportion of favorable functions for stochastic search methods, including genetic algorithms. Using active information [5] as our divergence measure, we demonstrate that no more than 2-b of all functions are favorable by b or more bits, for b ≥ 2 and reasonably sized search spaces (n ≥ 19). Thus, the proportion of functions for which an algorithm performs relatively well by a moderate degree is strictly bounded. Our results can be viewed as statement of information conservation [6], [7], [1], [8], [5], since identifying a favorable function of b or more bits requires at least b bits of information, under the conditions given.
Ionotropic glutamate receptor mRNA expression in the human thalamus: absence of change in schizophrenia.

Abstract Abnormalities in glutamate neurotransmission are thought to be among the major contributing factors to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Although schizophrenia has been regarded mostly as a disorder of higher cortical function, the cortex and thalamus work as a functional unit. Existing data regarding alterations of glutamate receptor subunit expression in the thalamus in schizophrenia remain equivocal. This postmortem study examined mRNA expression of ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) subunits and PSD95 in 5 precisely defined and dissected thalamic subdivisions (medial and lateral sectors of the mediodorsal nucleus; and the ventral lateral posterior, ventral posterior, and centromedian nuclei) of persons with schizophrenia and matched controls using quantitative PCR with normalization to multiple endogenous controls. Among 15 genes examined (NR1 and NR2A-D subunits of the NMDA receptor; GluR1-4 subunits of the AMPA receptor; GluR5-7 and KA1-2 subunits of the kainate receptor; PSD95), all but two (GluR4 and KA1) were expressed at quantifiable levels. Differences in iGluR gene expression were seen between different thalamic nuclei but not between diagnostic groups. The relative abundance of transcripts was: NR1≫NR2A>NR2B>NR2D>NR2C for NMDA, GluR2>GluR1>GluR3 for AMPA, and KA2>GluR5>GluR7>GluR6 for kainate receptors. The expression of PSD95 correlated with the expression of NR1, NR2A, NR2B, NR2D and GluR6 in all nuclei. These results provide detailed and quantitative information on iGluR subunit expression in multiple nuclei of the human thalamus but suggest that alterations in their expression are not a prominent feature of schizophrenia.
Bond formation and fiber embedment during ultrasonic consolidation

The quality of ultrasonically consolidated parts critically depends on the bond quality between individual metal foils. This necessitates a detailed understanding of interface microstructures and ultrasonic bond formation mechanisms. In this work, the interface microstructures of a variety of ultrasonically consolidated similar and dissimilar metal samples were investigated. Samples with embedded SiC fibers were also investigated. Based on detailed microstructural studies, the mechanisms of foil bonding and fiber embedment in ultrasonic consolidation have been discussed.
Pathfinders and precursors for the SKA

I will discuss pathfinding activities in science, technology development and cyber-infrastructure that are relevant to the Square Kilometre Array. Technology development includes work on dish antennas, wideband dipole arrays, wideband feed antennas, and widefield phased array feeds. Science applications include time-domain exploration, deep continuum imaging, and high-rate surveys. The implied data volumes are growing exponentially and need to be matched with data management and mining systems.
Automatically Generating Natural Language Status Reports

In this paper, we describe a system which generates compact natural language status reports for a set of inter-related processes at various stages of progress. The system has three modules - a rule-based domain knowledge representation module, an elaborate text planning module, and a surface generation module. The knowledge representation module models a set of processes that are encountered in a typical office environment, using a body of explicitly sequenced production rules implemented by an augmented Petri net mechanism. The system employs an interval-based temporal network for storing historical information. A text planning module traverses this network to search for events which need to be mentioned in a coherent report describing the current status of the system. The planner combines similar information for succinct presentation whenever applicable. It also takes into consideration various issues such as relevance and redundancy, simple mechanisms for viewing events from multiple perspectives and the application of discourse focus techniques for the generation of good quality text. Finally, an available surface generation module which has been suitably augmented is used to produce well-structured textual reports for our chosen domain.
Force enhancement by PEG during ramp stretches of skeletal muscle.

We have investigated the effects of a stronger actomyosin bond on force (P s) during rapid stretch of active permeabilized rabbit psoas muscle fibers as a function of temperature from 5 to 30°C. The strength of the actomyosin bond is enhanced by addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG), especially in pre-powerstroke states [Chinn et al. (2000) Biophys J 49: 437–451]. We have hypothesized that such states produce much of the force when activated muscles are stretched [Getz et al. (1998) Biophys J 75: 2971–2983]. Addition of PEG to activated fibers produced a small increase in isometric tension, P o (50–90 kN/m2), which was approximately independent of temperature. In contrast PEG produced a dramatic increase in P s at low temperatures (200–300 kN/m2), but a modest increase at higher temperatures (70–90 kN/m2). We also measured P s and P o in solutions containing the phosphate analog aluminum fluoride (AlF4) with and without PEG. In the absence of PEG, AlF4 reduced P o much more than P s. Addition of PEG did not enhance P o, but enhanced P s significantly. The contrasting effects of PEG on P s and P o, and the effect of temperature can be explained by a model in which stretch force is produced by pre-powerstroke cross-bridges whose maximum distension is increased by PEG, and isometric force is produced by strongly bound cross-bridges whose bond strength is also enhanced by PEG, but to a lesser extent.
Underwater target classification using the wing BOSS and multi-channel decision fusion

In this paper, two different multi-aspect underwater target classification systems are evaluated based on their ability to correctly detect and classify mine-like objects. These methods are tested on a recently collected database that consists of sonar returns from various buried mine-like and non-mine-like objects in different operating and environmental conditions. In one approach, coherent features are extracted from the data using canonical correlation analysis (CCA) between two sonar pings. Classification is performed using a collaborative multi-aspect classifier (CMAC), which utilizes a group of collaborative decision-making agents capable of producing a high-confidence final decision based on these features. The second approach uses features generated by a multi-channel coherence analysis (MCA), which is an extension of CCA utilizing multiple sonar pings. The MCA features are then applied to a simple classifier. Results are presented in terms of correct classification rate and general detection and classification performance of each system in relation to the various operating and environmental conditions.
A dynamic programming-finite element procedure for the design of nonlinear magnetic devices

A novel procedure for the optimum design of nonlinear magnetic circuits is presented. The optimum choice of a set of geometry is based on that set which gives the minimum size of the magnetic circuit topology. At the same time, the chosen set of geometries should not violate the specified flux density in the core, as well as the specified current in the coil. The first step in the procedure is to express the nodal coordinates as Newton-Raphson unknowns using local Jacobian derivatives. Following the specifications of flux density and current in the coil, a set of nodal coordinates are found. The obtained set of nodal coordinates identify an initial topology and outline of the magnetic circuit. The obtained topology is then perturbed. The difference in flux density in the core due to topology changes is determined and minimized using least squares. Since this step is obtained due to the change of one of the geometries defining the outline of the circuit, it is repeated every time a different geometry is perturbed. The optimum geometries can be picked utilizing a backward dynamic programming procedure. This method was implemented in the design of a single-phase transformer and the results were verified using standard finite-element analysis. >
Large deformation model of ion-exchange actuators using electrochemical potentials

A composite actuator based on a polymer electrolyte and metal electrodes is described. Electrode deposition is described qualitatively with corresponding experimental results. A general continuum model describing the transport and deformation of solid polymer electrolyte processes is developed. The formulation is based on global integral postulates for the conservation of mass, momentum, energy, charge, and the second law of thermodynamics. The global equations are then localized in the volume and on the material surfaces bounding the polymer. The model is simplified to a three component system of a fixed negatively charged polymeric matrix, diffusing hydroxonium ions, and free water within the polymer matrix. Contrary to the existing electrostatic models, the deformation is attributed to water induced swelling. The proposed internal pressure based model includes the stress relaxation phenomenon due to water redistribution governed by Darcy's law.
Closed-loop intracavity photoacoustic overtone spectroscopy

Abstract A technique is described whereby photoacoustic spectra of sample gases may be taken without the need for subsequent calibration of the wavelength scale. Laser power is measured externally with a pyroelectric detector, rather than internally with a silicon photodiode. Previously observed etaloning effects are dramatically reduced. Recent improvements in photoacoustic cell design by Zare et al. are employed. The technique is demonstrated by measuring the fifth CH stretching overtone spectrum of diethyl ether.
Synovial cell activation induced by a polypeptide mediator.

Rheumatoid arthritis is exclusively a disease of man, and lack of an experimental animal model has impeded progress in understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of this destructive process. At the level of the synovial membrane, the rheumatoid process is characterized by intermittent connective tissue cell proliferation, overproduction of underpolymerized hyaluronic acid,’ increased glycolysis,2 colonization by various types of inflammatory cells, and abnormalities of the microvasculature.3 In the hope of developing a relevant in vitro investigative model, this laboratory established 61 synovial cell strains from normal individuals and patients with different forms of arthritis. The “abnormalities” detected in the rheumatoid cell strains (TABLE 1) were of particular interest, because these characteristics were propagated from one generation of cells to the Efforts to reproduce the “rheumatoid” characteristics in normal synovial cells by adding rheumatoid sera to the media lead to minor and inconsistent alterations in cellular behavior.‘j Because evidence for humoral factors capable of inducing “rheumatoid behavior” in normal synovial cells was weak, we next examined the response of normal synovial cells to selected cellular factors. Isolated human peripheral blood lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and platelets were cocultured with monolayer cultures of normal human synovial cells and found to cause profound changes in culture activity. These changes included decreased medium pH, marked acceleration of hyaluronic acid synthesis, and striking increases in glucose uptake and lactic acid formation.’ It soon became clear that slurries of dead leukocytes (frozen-thawed) elicited the same hypermetabolic synovial cell response. Extracts of both syngeneic and allogeneic leukocytes stimulated synovial cells, and because of its protease lability, performance on gel permeation columns, and nondialyzability, the active factor was thought to be a lowmolecular-weight protein.*, Q We termed the constellation of accelerated hyaluronate synthesis, increased glucose uptake, and increased lactate formation connective tissue activation, and the cellular mediator( s) that initiate( s ) this process was named connective tissue activating peptide (CTAP) .9 Major sources and actions of CTAP are summarized in FIGURE 1.
High temperature superconductors and their application in passive antenna systems

The basic physics of superconductivity is reviewed and related to the high-temperature superconductors. The high-frequency characteristics of the new materials are examined, and the two-fluid model is introduced and used to derive an empirical expression for the conductivity of superconductors. The advantages and disadvantages of using these superconductors in the construction of high-frequency transmission lines and passive microwave and millimeter-wave antenna systems are discussed. >
Molecular biology of K(+) channels and their role in cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract The configuration of cardiac action potentials varies considerably from one region of the heart to another. These differences are caused by differential cellular expression of several types of K + channel genes. The channels encoded by these genes can be grouped into several classes depending on the stimulus that permits the channels to open and conduct potassium ions. K + channels are activated by changes in transmembrane voltage or binding of ligands. Voltage-gated channels are normally the most important players in determining the shape and duration of action potentials and include the delayed rectifiers and the transient outward potassium channels. Ligand-gated channels include those that probably have only minor roles in shaping repolarization under normal conditions but, when activated by extracellular acetylcholine or a decrease in the intracellular concentration of ATP, can substantially shorten action potential duration. Inward rectifier K + channels are unique in that they are basically stuck in the open state but can be blocked in a voltage-dependent manner by intracellular Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , and polyamines. Other K + channels have been described that provide a small background leak conductance. Many of these cardiac K + channels have been cloned in the past decade, permitting detailed studies of the molecular basis of their function and facilitating the discovery of the molecular basis of several forms of congenital arrhythmias. Drugs that block cardiac K + channels and prolong action potential duration have been developed as antiarrhythmic agents. However, many of these same drugs, as well as other common medications that are structurally unrelated, can also cause long QT syndrome and induce ventricular arrhythmia.
The Ford Geraldine Unit CO2 Flood: Operating History

This paper describes the operating history of the tertiary CO{sub 2} flood in the Ramsey (Delaware sand) formation of the Ford Geraldine Unit. Injection and production history, operating techniques and problems, and flood monitoring and planning are discussed.
Negative S− contrast with minimal response requirements in S+

Forty rats received runway and placement reward training in an experiment which factorialized, between subjects, the amount of runway and placement reward received on each trial. Speeds to the small runway reward were depressed by large reward placements and by a discrepancy between placement and runway reward amounts. The results suggest that the S− contrast effect observed in differential conditioning occurs even when S+ response requirements are minimal and quite different from those in S−.
Female Circumcision: Multicultural Perspectives

Abusharaf, Rogaia Mustafa, ed. (2007). Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 296 pp., $19.95, ISBN 978‐0812219418. Female Circumcision is a fascinating series of narratives. Abusharaf's g...
Role of Cell-Specific SpoIIIE Assembly in Polarity of DNA Transfer

SpoIIIE mediates postseptational chromosome partitioning in Bacillus subtilis, but the mechanism controlling the direction of DNA transfer remains obscure. Here, we demonstrated that SpoIIIE acts as a DNA exporter: When SpoIIIE was synthesized in the larger of the two cells necessary for sporulation, the mother cell, DNA was translocated into the smaller forespore; however, when it was synthesized in the forespore, DNA was translocated into the mother cell. Furthermore, the DNA-tracking domain of SpoIIIE inhibited SpoIIIE complex assembly in the forespore. Thus, during sporulation, chromosome partitioning is controlled by the preferential assembly of SpoIIIE in one daughter cell.
Poisson Thinning by Monotone Factors

Let $X$ and $Y$ be Poisson point processes on the real numbers with rates $l_1$ and $l_2$ respectively. We show that if $l_1 > l_2$, then there exists a deterministic map $f$ such that $f(X)$ and $Y$ have the same distribution, the joint distribution of $(X, f(X))$ is translation-invariant, and which is monotone in the sense that for all intervals $I$, $f(X)(I) \leq X(I)$, almost surely.
STATE SUPERVISION OF LOCAL INDEBTEDNESS

The creation and tetirememnt of local debt in the United States has been considered by our States as a problem for constitutional and legislative treatment. In view of the facts that eleven billion dollars' worth of state and municipal securities are now in the hands of investros and thet this sum is being added to at the rate of form fifty to seventy-five millions per month, the charactor of these legal restrictions is an intersting subject of investigation
Total parathyroidectomy in the treatment of renal osteodystrophy.

A total parathyroidectomy was performed upon a 17-year-old boy with severe renal osteodystrophy and metastatic calcification which had failed to resolve during 4 months of intermittent hemodialysis. The extraosseous manifestations (pruritis, anorexia, depressed affect) of parathyroid hyperactivity disappeared within 2 to 3 weeks following parathyroidectomy. By the fifth postoperative month, the metastatic calcification had disappeared, osteitis fibrosa was no longer present radiologically, and the bony architecture had become normal except for residual deformities. Parathyroidectomy is recommended during the course of chronic renal disease when clinical or osseous evidence of unremitting parathyroid hyperactivity is evident.
Controlled Super‐Lateral Growth of Si Films for Microstructural Manipulation and Optimization

This paper reviews a particular form of pulsed-laser-based thin-film crystallization method referred to as controlled super-lateral growth (C-SLG). By systematically manipulating and controlling the locations, shapes, and extent of melting induced by the incident laser pulses, the C-SLG approach — notably in a version referred to as sequential lateral solidification (SLS) — can lead to realization of a variety of microstructurally designed crystalline Si films with low structural defect densities, including 1. large-grained and grain-boundary-location controlled polycrystalline films, 2. directionally solidified microstructures, or 3. location-controlled single-crystal regions.
Tantalum oxide capacitors for GaAs monolithic integrated circuits

The performance of a high-yield tantalum oxide capacitor for use in GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuits is described. The integral metal-insulator-metal sandwich structure is reactively sputter-deposited at low temperatures, compatible with a photoresist lift-off process, on semi-insulating GaAs substrate. Dielectric constants of 20-25 were achieved in the capacitors fabricated. An initial application of this process as an interstage coupling capacitor for a two-stage preamplifier is given.
Comparative genomic analysis of catfish linkage group 8 reveals two homologous chromosomes in zebrafish and other teleosts with extensive inter-chromosomal rearrangements

Comparative genomics is a powerful tool to transfer genomic information from model species to related non-model species. Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is the primary aquaculture species in the United States. Its existing genome resources such as genomic sequences generated from next generation sequencing, BAC end sequences (BES), physical maps, linkage maps, and integrated linkage and physical maps using BES-associated markers provide a platform for comparative genomic analysis between catfish and other model teleost fish species. This study aimed to gain understanding of genome organizations and similarities among catfish and several sequenced teleost genomes using linkage group 8 (LG8) as a pilot study. With existing genome resources, 287 unique genes were identified in LG8. Comparative genome analysis indicated that most of these 287 genes on catfish LG8 are located on two homologous chromosomes of zebrafish, medaka, stickleback, and three chromosomes of green-spotted pufferfish. Large numbers of conserved syntenies were identified. Detailed analysis of the conserved syntenies in relation to chromosome level similarities revealed extensive inter-chromosomal and intra-chromosomal rearrangements during evolution. Of the 287 genes, 35 genes were found to be duplicated in the catfish genome, with the vast majority of the duplications being interchromosomal. Comparative genome analysis is a powerful tool even in the absence of a well-assembled whole genome sequence. In spite of sequence stacking due to low resolution of the linkage and physical maps, conserved syntenies can be identified although the exact gene order and orientation are unknown at present. Through chromosome-level comparative analysis, homologous chromosomes among teleosts can be identified. Syntenic analysis should facilitate annotation of the catfish genome, which in turn, should facilitate functional inference of genes based on their orthology.
Riboswitches : natural SELEXion

Advances in our knowledge of the structure and chemistry of RNA have been harnessed in the process known as SELEX to develop artificial RNA-based molecules that can act as enzymes and ligand binders performing a wide variety of functions. The discovery of riboswitches, natural RNA aptamers involved in genetic regulation, offers a basis of comparison between the artificial selection and the natural selection of structured RNAs for small-molecule recognition. The guanine riboswitch structural determination allows us to draw conclusions regarding the apparent increased complexity of the riboswitch aptamers compared to their in-vitro-selected cousins.
Reduced T-lymphocyte cell reactivity as a function of human aging.

Abstract The mechanisms underlying reduced T-cell mitogenic reactivity which accompany human aging were explored in vitro using concanavalin A (Con A) to induce cell proliferation. Peak mitogenic reactivity of both unfractionated mononuclear cells (MNCs) and purified E + cells from elderly donors was reduced compared to the corresponding cell populations from young individuals. Flow cytometric studies demonstrated that the number of cells entered into the cell cycle at the time of maximum mitogenic stimulation was reduced in the elderly. Peak response to Con A of E + cells from young donors cocultured with monocytes from old individuals matched that obtained when these cells were cocultured with monocytes from young donors. The response to Con A of cocultures of monocytes from young donors and E + cells of old donors merely matched the reactivity of old donors' MNCs. These data indicate that changes in intrinsic T-cell properties alone account for the reduced proliferative capacity in the elderly.
Piriprost: A Putative Leukotriene Synthesis Inhibitor Increases Pulmonary Blood Flow in Fetal Lambs

ABSTRACT.: Leukotrienes may control fetal pulmonary vascular tone since infusions of putative leukotriene receptor antagonists markedly increase pulmonary blood flow and decrease pulmonary vascular resistance in fetal lambs. This hypothesis would be strengthened if inhibition of leukotriene synthesis also produced similar hemodynamic changes. We therefore studied the effects of piriprost (U 60257), a putative leukotriene synthesis inhibitor, on thirteen fetal lambs at 137 to 140 days gestation. In preliminary studies in four fetal lambs, doses of U 60257 greater than 20 mg/kg increased pulmonary blood flow. In the nine other fetal lambs, U 60257 (31.7 ± 4.1 mg/kg) increased pulmonary blood flow by 502% (p < 0.05) and decreased pulmonary vascular resistance by 87% (p < 0.05). Pulmonary arterial and left atrial pressures were unchanged. Descending aortic pressure was increased (p < 0.05) and heart rate was decreased (p < 0.05). The abilities of both putative leukotriene synthesis inhibitors and leukotriene receptor antagonists to similarly increase fetal pulmonaryblood flow and decrease pulmonary vascular resistance are consistent with the hypothesis that leukotrienes play a role in regulating fetal pulmonary vascular tone.
Photochemical preparation of pyrrole ring-contracted chlorins by the Wolff rearrangement

Photolysis of the Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) 2-diazo-3-oxochlorins generates 4-membered rings containing azeteoporphyrins.