cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
mixtureS: a novel tool for bacterial strain genome reconstruction from reads.

MOTIVATION It is essential to study bacterial strains in environmental samples. Existing methods and tools often depend on known strains or known variations, cannot work on individual samples, not reliable, or not easy to use, etc. It is thus important to develop more user-friendly tools that can identify bacterial strains more accurately. RESULTS We developed a new tool called mixtureS that can de novo identify bacterial strains from shotgun reads of a clonal or metagenomic sample, without prior knowledge about the strains and their variations. Tested on 243 simulated datasets and 195 experimental datasets, mixtureS reliably identified the strains, their numbers and their abundance. Compared with three tools, mixtureS showed better performance in almost all simulated datasets and the vast majority of experimental datasets. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The source code and tool mixtureS is available at http://www.cs.ucf.edu/˜xiaoman/mixtureS/. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Sphenofrontal intradiploic dermoid cyst with cutaneous dermal sinus tract.

We report the case of a 5-year-old boy who presented with a draining cutaneous pit temporal to the lateral canthus, with recurrent periorbital infections. MRI and CT revealed a sinus tract leading from the pit at the skin surface to a 5 mm lesion located in the sphenoid bone near the left sphenofrontal suture. Intraoperative facial nerve monitoring and a lacrimal probe inside the sinus tract were used to guide dissection to the cyst through a minimally invasive temporal approach, without need for neurosurgical intervention.
Sex steroids and adiposity in a prospective observational cohort of youth.

Objective Adiposity, particularly visceral adipose tissue (VAT), predicts adverse cardiovascular risk factor profiles in children as well as adults. Although endogenous sex steroids likely influence VAT in adults, such an association has not been established in youth. The association between childhood and adolescent sex steroids with adiposity, specifically VAT, was examined before and after adjustment for other hormone changes. Methods These analyses examined longitudinal associations between sex steroids (testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA]) and magnetic resonance imaging assessments of VAT in 418 children, 49% of whom were non-White, at approximately 10 years old at Visit 1 (V1) and 17 years old at Visit 2 (V2). Linear mixed effects models adjusted for maternal education, household income, child caloric intake, physical activity, fasting insulin and leptin, and hepatic fat fraction. Differences in associations by race and pubertal stage were also assessed. Results At V1, mean body mass index (BMI) for boys was 19.1 (4.7) kg/m2 and for girls was 18.5 (4.1) kg/m2. At V2, mean BMI for boys was 23.7 (5.5) kg/m2 and for girls was 23.6 (5.7) kg/m2. For each ng/dl (0.035 nmol/L) increase in testosterone at V1, there was a 0.25 cm2 increase in concurrent and future VAT in non-White (p = 0.04) but not White girls (p = 0.78). Higher levels of testosterone and DHEA at V1 were associated with greater concurrent and future VAT at V2. These associations were consistent regardless of pubertal stage. In boys, higher testosterone predicted higher future VAT but lower concurrent VAT. Estradiol and DHEA did not predict future VAT in boys. In girls, DHEA predicted future subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and no sex steroids predicted future SAT in boys. Conclusions Testosterone levels predict VAT in boys and girls, and DHEA predicts VAT in girls, even after adjustment for other hormone changes.
Why Should Natural Principles Be Simple

One of the criteria to a strong principle in natural sciences is simplicity. The conventional view holds that the world is provided with natural laws that must be simple. This common-sense approach is a modern rewording of the medieval philosophical/theological concept of the Multiple arising from (and generated by) the One. Humans need to pursue unifying frameworks, classificatory criteria and theories of everything. Still, the fact that our cognitive abilities tend towards simplification and groupings does not necessarily entail that this is the way the world works. Here we ask: what if singularity does not pave the way to multiplicity? How will we be sure if the Ockham's razor holds in real life? We will show in the sequel that the propensity to reduce to simplicity the relationships among the events leads to misleading interpretations of scientific issues. We are not going to take a full sceptic turn: we will engage in active outreach, suggesting examples from biology and physics to demonstrate how a novel methodological antiunitary approach might help to improve our scientific attitude towards world affairs. We will provide examples from aggregation of SARS-Cov-2 particles, unclassified extinct creatures, pathological brain stiffness. Further, we will describe how antiunitary strategies, plagiarising medieval concepts from William od Ockham and Gregory of Rimini, help to explain novel relational approaches to quantum mechanics and the epistemological role of our mind in building the real world.
Tipping in Korea

Prior research documents that analyst revisions are important information events and that some investors trade ahead of them. However, prior studies have been unable to show which investors trade ahead of analyst revisions, the aggregate benefits to trading ahead, and the costs borne by various investors from trading against investors that anticipate revisions. To address these questions, we exploit high-frequency trading information from the Korea Exchange (KRX) that characterizes all purchase and sale transactions of twenty different investor groups. We first validate that analyst revisions contain valuable private information: upgrades increase prices by 2.5% and downgrades decrease prices by 2.9%. We next document that asset managers who are geographically and socially close to analysts anticipate recommendations up to two days before they are released, while other institutions do not. Lastly, we show that this ability to anticipate analyst revisions enables these investors to trade profitably against domestic retail investors and foreign professional investors. Local hedge funds earn $2.5 million more than normal when trading against foreign professionals ahead of analyst revisions, which is more than all other investor groups combined. Notably, local asset managers typically lose money when trading against foreign professionals, who seem to earn profits by engaging in high-frequency market making. In sum, asset managers in Korea appear to receive tips from brokerages about upcoming revisions, which shifts the competitive balance between domestic institutions and skilled foreign market makers, and aggregate profits around revisions depend on investor sophistication, geographic proximity, and cultural affinity.
Generation lifetime in fully depleted, enhancement mode SOI MOSFETs

A new technique for determining the generation lifetime in fully-depleted, enhancement-mode SOI (silicon-on-insulator) MOSFETs is described. Island isolated, fully depleted n-channel MOSFETs of various widths and lengths fabricated in different thicknesses of SIMOX (separation by implantation of oxygen) SOI films were used in this experiment. The nature of the charge generation and the charge accumulation processes at the interface between the Si film and the SIMOX buried oxide is complicated and unknown. Hence it is difficult to model analytically the first transient. The problem can be simplified by studying the second, smaller transient which is observed when the back side of the Si film is further accumulated by increasing the negative substrate bias. Both the first and the second transient were studied as functions of the bias conditions and device geometry. >
Stabilization of Kv4 protein by the accessory K(+) channel interacting protein 2 (KChIP2) subunit is required for the generation of native myocardial fast transient outward K(+) currents.

Key points • The cytosolic K+ channel accessory subunit, K+ channel interacting protein 2 (KChIP2), was previously suggested to be critical in the generation of cardiac fast transient outward current (Ito,f) channels. • The experiments presented here revealed the novel finding that targeted deletion of KChIP2 results in the complete loss of the Kv4.2 protein, although Kcnd2 (Kv4.2) transcript expression is not decreased in KChIP2−/− ventricles. • In contrast, the slow transient outward current, Ito,s, is increased in KChIP2−/− left ventricular apex myocytes and ventricular action potential waveforms in KChIP2−/− and WT mice are not significantly different. • These results demonstrate the critical role of KChIP2 in the stabilization of native Kv4 proteins and that the loss of the Kv4.2 protein underlies the elimination of Ito,f in KChIP2−/− myocytes. • Taken together, the results here demonstrate that electrical remodelling compensates for the elimination of Ito,f, maintaining physiological action potential repolarization in mouse myocardium. Abstract The fast transient outward K+ current (Ito,f) underlies the early phase of myocardial action potential repolarization, contributing importantly to the coordinated propagation of activity in the heart and to the generation of normal cardiac rhythms. Native Ito,f channels reflect the tetrameric assembly of Kv4 pore-forming (α) subunits, and previous studies suggest roles for accessory and regulatory proteins in controlling the cell surface expression and the biophysical properties of Kv4-encoded Ito,f channels. Here, we demonstrate that the targeted deletion of the cytosolic accessory subunit, K+ channel interacting protein 2 (KChIP2), results in the complete loss of the Kv4.2 protein, the α subunit critical for the generation of mouse ventricular Ito,f. Expression of the Kcnd2 (Kv4.2) transcript in KChIP2−/− ventricles, however, is unaffected. The loss of the Kv4.2 protein results in the elimination of Ito,f in KChIP2−/− ventricular myocytes. In parallel with the elimination of Ito,f, the slow transient outward K+ current (Ito,s) is upregulated and voltage-gated Ca2+ currents (ICa,L) are decreased. In addition, surface electrocardiograms and ventricular action potential waveforms in KChIP2−/− and wild-type mice are not significantly different, suggesting that the upregulation of Ito,s and the reduction in ICa,L compensate for the loss of Ito,f. Additional experiments revealed that Ito,f is not ‘rescued’ by adenovirus-mediated expression of KChIP2 in KChIP2−/− myocytes, although ICa,L densities are increased. Taken together, these results demonstrate that association with KChIP2 early in the biosynthetic pathway and KChIP2-mediated stabilization of Kv4 protein are critical determinants of native cardiac Ito,f channel expression.
Improving Content Assessment for English Language Learners: Studies of the Linguistic Modification of Test Items

This article describes two research studies conducted on the linguistic modification of test items from K–12 content assessments. In the first study, 120 linguistically modified test items in mathematics and science taken by fourth and sixth graders were found to have a wide range of outcomes for English language learners (ELLs) and non-ELLs, with regard to performance on the original and modified versions of the same items. The original items were disclosed items from two states and were used in their standards-based assessments. The modified versions of these items were developed by a team of Educational Testing Service (ETS) assessment developers and researchers. The ETS research team identified several kinds of modifications that appeared promising and applied the modifications systematically. Ideally, modifying items leads to improved performance by ELLs while having little to no impact on the performance of non-ELLs. However, both groups of students performed better on some items, about the same on some other items, and worse on yet some other items. Cognitive interviews were conducted as a follow-up study to investigate which features of the linguistically modified items produced the observed outcomes for ELLs and non-ELLs. The results from this study added little clarity with regards to which of the linguistic modifications were effective and how they improved the understanding and performance of ELLs on these content items.
Natural selection and the joint evolution of toleranceand resistance as plant defenses

Plants can defend themselves against the damaging effects of herbivory in at least two ways. Resistant plants avoid or deter herbivores and are therefore fed upon less than susceptible plants. Tolerant plants are not eaten less than plants with little tolerance, but the effects of herbivore damage are not so detrimental to a tolerant plant as they are to a less tolerant plant. Biologists have suggested that these two strategies might represent two alternative and redundant defenses against herbivory since they appear to serve the same function for plants. I explore the relationship between resistance and tolerance, particularly with regards to how the joint evolution of these two traits will influence the evolution of plant defense. Although I briefly review some of the contributions of theory to the study of tolerance, I concentrate on an empirical, ecological genetic approach to the study of the evolution of these characters and the coevolution of tolerance and herbivores. In order to understand the evolution of any trait, we must understand the evolutionary forces acting on the trait. Specifically, we must understand how natural selection acts on tolerance. I review several studies that have specifically measured the form of selection acting on tolerance and tested the hypothesis that resistance and tolerance are alternative strategies. I also present a statistical analysis that does not support the hypothesis that herbivores are selective agents on tolerance. Finally, I consider a variety of constraints that possibly restrict the evolution of tolerance.
Kainate‐induced excitotoxicity is dependent upon extracellular potassium concentrations that regulate the activity of AMPA/KA type glutamate receptors

In addition to well-known N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated excitotoxicity, recent studies suggest that non-NMDA type ionotropic glutamate receptors are also important mediators of excitotoxic neuronal death, and that their functional expression can be regulated by the cellular environment. In this study, we used cerebellar granule cells (CGCs) in culture to investigate kainate (KA)-induced excitotoxicity. Although previous reports indicated that KA induces apoptosis of CGCs in culture, no KA-induced excitotoxic cell death was observed in CGCs treated with KA when cells were maintained in high potassium media (24 mm K+). In contrast, when mature CGCs were shifted into low potassium media (3 mm K+), KA produced significant excitotoxicity. In electrophysiological studies, the KA-induced inward current density was significantly elevated in CGCs shifted into low K+ media compared with those maintained in high K+ media. Non-desensitizing aspects of KA currents observed in this study suggest that these responses were mediated by AMPA rather than KA receptors. In immunofluorescence studies, the surface expression of GluR1 subunits increased when mature CGCs were shifted into a low K+ environment. This study suggests that KA-induced excitotoxicity in mature CGCs is dependent upon the extracellular potassium concentration, which modulates functional expression and excitability of AMPA/KA receptors.
Glutathione-coordinated [2Fe–2S] cluster is stabilized by intramolecular salt bridges

Halide salts of alkali and alkaline earth metals were used to probe the contributions of intramolecular salt bridge formation on the stability of glutathione-coordinated [2Fe-2S] cluster toward hydrolysis. The effect of ionic strength on cluster stability was quantitatively investigated by application of Debye-Huckel theory to the rates of hydrolysis. Results from this study demonstrate that ionic strength influences the stability of the cluster, with the rate of cluster degradation depending on the charge density, hydrated ionic radius, and hydration energy. The identity of the salt ions was also observed to be correlated with the binding affinity toward the cluster. Based on the modified Debye-Huckel equation and counterion screening effect, these results suggest that interactions between glutathione molecules in the [2Fe-2S](GS)4 cluster is via salt bridges, in agreement with our previous results where modifications of glutathione carboxylates and amines prevented solution aggregation and cluster formation. These results not only provide a rationale for the stability of such clusters under physiological conditions, but also suggest that the formation of glutathione-complexed [2Fe-2S] cluster from a glutathione tetramer may be facilitated by salt bridge interactions between glutathione molecules prior to cluster assembly, in a manner consistent with Nature's equivalent of dynamic combinatorial chemistry.
Design of a high-resolution step-and-scan type monochromator capable of tuning to undulator radiation over a wavelength range of 80-180 nm

A step-and-scan type scanning scheme has been investigated for the purpose of simplifying the high-precision scanning mechanism adopted in the 6.65-m off-plane Eagle type monochromator on an undulator beamline of the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. In this scheme it is proposed to scan over a wavelength range of 80 - 180 nm by covering a range of 0.99 (lambda) t - 1.01 (lambda) t at a time by simply rotating the grating fixed at the position for a wavelength (lambda) t to which the undulator is tuned. When the undulator is tuned to another (lambda) t, the grating is translated to a new fixed position and scanning is made by simple grating rotation. A ruled grating with varied line spacing and straight grooves and a holographic grating recorded with spherical wave- fronts were designed to match the proposed scanning scheme and to meet the required energy resolution of approximately 1.0 cm-1 over the entire scanning range. The results of ray tracing show that the designed gratings with 2400 grooves/mm and 6.1-m radius of curvature would provide a resolution of <EQ 1 cm-1, a good correction of astigmatism, and a grating travel distance of only 11 or 14 mm over the scanning range of 80 - 180 nm.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Kaolinization of feldspar as displayed in scanning electron micrographs

Scanning electron micrographs of contracts of feldspar weathering to kaolin minerals show the formation of at least two morphologies of kaolin-a platy, book type and an elongate, halloysite type. The morphology of an elongate kaolin mineral, hitherto not illustrated, is micro-graphed. Kaolin minerals are interpreted as originating from a solution phase intermediate between parent feldspar and daughter kaolin. Platy, book-type kaolinite is interpreted as forming under geologic conditions of a “weathering crust, ” which geochemical conditions persisted essentially at equilibrium over a very long time. Elongate kaolin minerals apparently form under relatively higher land conditions, and/or where kaolinization was governed by shorter time kinetic processes.
Models of agglomerate growth in fluidized bed reactors: Critical review, status and applications

Abstract Agglomeration, which leads to growth in particle size over time, is an important phenomenon in several applications that use fluidized bed technologies. Understanding, predicting and controlling this phenomenon are important to avoid operational problems, reduced efficiencies, reactor down-time and thereby monetary losses. Operating conditions, material properties and particle hydrodynamics can simultaneously affect the extent of agglomeration. This makes accurate prediction with mere experimentation difficult. Theoretical models to predict agglomeration based on particle collision dynamics have been evolving. They will enable easier predictions with quick estimates for any changes in parameters. In general, the models use certain criteria to determine the outcome of two-particle collisions, and a technique to estimate the kinetics of agglomerate growth. In addition, they may also include a method to account for the hydrodynamics of the discrete and continuous phases. This paper provides a critical review of the development of such theoretical models and analyzes their suitability to different applications. Several avenues for further development of mathematical models to predict agglomeration are identified.
Mankind in the making

Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews. Editor J. G. Fleagle. Wiley. 6/yr. USA $145, Canada and Mexico $205, elsewhere $227.50 (institutional); USA, Canada and Mexico $36, elsewhere $54 (personal).
CHALLENGES AND INNOVATIONS IN REACTION ENGINEERING

The importance of reaction engineering in generating a myriad of products on which developed societies depend is outlined. The challenges of a political, economic, and technical nature that need to be addressed in rendering conversion of raw materials into desired products that are more environmentally friendly and sustainable are briefly discussed. It is shown that multiphase reactors are prevalent in all applications, and improvements in the reactor material and energy efficiencies lead to more environmentally benign processes. This requires, in addition to the selection of green process chemistry, systematic implementation of the multi-scale reaction engineering methodology to accomplish proper reactor type selection and scaleup for commercial applications. It is also illustrated that recent innovations in multiphase reaction engineering basically utilize two key concepts: process intensification (e.g., enhancement in mass and heat transfer rates) and simultaneous reaction and separation. Examples of t...
Community Power, School Board Structure, and the Role of the Chief School Administrator:

Concerning themselves with the effects of community power structures on educational decision making, the authors derive and test twelve directional hypotheses from their model containing four descriptions of community power, four descriptions of school boards, and four descriptions of the role of the superintendent.
Are Complete Blood Cell Counts Useful in the Evaluation of Asymptomatic Neonates Exposed to Suspected Chorioamnionitis

Objective. Chorioamnionitis complicates 1% to 10% of pregnancies and increases the risk of neonatal infection. Women with chorioamnionitis receive intrapartum antibiotics, often resulting in inconclusive neonatal blood cultures. Peripheral neutrophil values are used frequently to assist in the diagnosis of neonatal infection and to determine duration of antibiotics; we sought to determine the utility of this approach. Methods. A prospective observational study was performed in 856 near-term/term neonates who were exposed to suspected chorioamnionitis. Each received antibiotics for 48 hours unless clinical infection or positive blood cultures occurred. Peripheral neutrophils were measured serially and analyzed using the reference ranges of Manroe et al; an additional analysis of only the initial neutrophil values used the normal ranges of Schelonka et al. Results of neutrophil analyses were not used to determine duration of therapy. Fifty percent of asymptomatic neonates were seen postdischarge to ascertain recurrent infection. Local patient charges were examined. Results. Ninety-six percent of neonates were asymptomatic and had negative cultures, and antibiotics were discontinued at 48 hours. A total of 2427 neutrophil counts were analyzed. Although abnormal neutrophil values were more frequent in infected or symptomatic neonates, 99% of asymptomatic neonates had ≥1 abnormal value. The specificity and negative predictive values for abnormal neutrophil values ranged between 0.12 and 0.95 and 0.91 and 0.97, respectively; sensitivity was 0.27 to 0.76. Significant differences in interpretation of the initial neutrophil values were noted, depending on the normal values used. Follow-up was performed for 373 asymptomatic neonates until 3 weeks’ postnatal age. Eight required rehospitalization; none had evidence of bacterial infection. If neutrophil values had been used to determine duration of antibiotics, then local costs would have increased by $76 000 to $425 000 per year. Conclusions. Single or serial neutrophil values do not assist in the diagnosis of early-onset infection or determination of duration of antibiotic therapy in asymptomatic, culture-negative neonates who are ≥35 weeks’ gestation and are delivered of women with suspected chorioamnionitis.
Self-Determination Theory and Romantic Relationship Processes

Self-determination theory can be viewed as a theory of optimal relationship development and functioning. We examine the concept of self that is employed in self-determination theory and explain how its unique definition allows an important and novel characterization of investing one's "self" in romantic relationships. A self-determined perspective on romantic relationships integrates several theories on romantic relationship development, but also goes beyond them by explicitly articulating the personality, developmental, and situational factors that facilitate optimal self-investment and relational functioning. Self-determination promotes openness rather than defensiveness and facilitates perspective-taking, authenticity, and support of close others. The dyadic context of romantic relationships affords great opportunity for theoretical development and integration of self-determination theory with current theories of interdependence and relational well-being.
Signal regeneration using low-power four-wave mixing on silicon chip

To meet the increasing demand for higher capacity in optical communications, signal transmission at higher modulation rates and over a broader wavelength range will be required. Signal degradation in the optical channel caused by dispersion, nonlinearity and noise becomes a critical issue as data rates increase. Thus, it is highly desirable to develop broadband, high-speed regeneration devices1. Recent advances in silicon-on-insulator photonic devices offer the potential for highly integrated, robust opto–electronic architectures, and optical processes such as amplification2,3,4, wavelength conversion5,6,7 and amplitude modulation8,9 have already been demonstrated in such structures. In this work, we demonstrate two regeneration schemes using low-power four-wave mixing in a silicon nanowaveguide and compensate for the effects of poor extinction ratio, dispersive broadening and timing jitter. This capability further expands the range of optical functions that can be incorporated into silicon-compatible photonic devices offering a broadband and integrated solution for regeneration.
Eliminating Static Pressure Distortion by a Large Cut Back Tongue Volute

This paper presents a physical solution by eliminating static pressure distortions of impeller exit due to a volute in a centrifugal compressor. The numerical and experimental studies on the circumferential distortion flow characteristics inside the stationary frame of a high-pressure ratio compressor with a large cut back tongue volute. The detailed flow structures and pressure distortions development inside the stationary components are discussed. The numerical results were demonstrated to be in good agreement with the experiments. The volute and diffuser interactions at design and off-design conditions were found to be much smaller for the large cut back volute in comparison with the reported from literature. The study indicated that the large cut back tongue volute design not only benefits the compressor performance but also reduces the impeller exit static pressure non-uniformity caused by discharge volute.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Internal vs External Control and Magnitude of Aggression toward Self and Others

Ss measuring high or low on the Rotter (1966) I-E Scale were given or denied information about outcome and then asked to aggress against themselves or another unknown S. It was reasoned that the Self for internals and Others for externals (i.e., the perceived locus of control) would be regarded as appropriate aggression targets. Results indicated that internals treated themselves much as externals treated Others (appropriate targets). When the target was inappropriate, internals and externals again reacted similarly but in a very different manner from their reactions to appropriate targets. If success or failure information was provided, aggression against appropriate targets was low and apparently inhibited since these Ss reported high levels of anger following the opportunity to aggress. In the absence of outcome information, appropriate targets received high levels of aggression which apparently drained off some hostility since these Ss reported low levels of anger following aggression. In the case of ...
Inhibition of plant and microbial ureases by phosphoroamides.

Enzyme kinetic studies of inhibition of plant (jackbean) and microbial (Bacillus pasteurii) ureases by eight phosphoroamides [phenylphosphorodiamidate, 4-chlorophenylphosphorodiamidate, phosphoric triamide, N-(diaminophosphinyl)benzamide, N-(diaminophosphinyl)benzeneacetamide, 4-chloro-N-(diaminophosphinyl)benzamide, N-(4-nitrophenyl)phosphoric triamide, N-(diaminophosphinyl)-3-pyridinecarboxamide] demonstrated that these compounds are slow, tight-binding inhibitors of urease enzymes. Measurement of the dissociation constants (Ki*) of the enzyme-inhibitor complexes (E · I*) formed by interaction of the ureases and phosphoroamide inhibitors studied showed that these inhibitors had a much higher affinity (i.e., a lower Ki*) for plant urease than for microbial urease. Measurement of rate constants for formation (kon) and decay (koff) of E · I* showed that, whereas kon varied greatly with the different inhibitors and ureases, koff was constant for the phosphoroamides tested and had a characteristic value for each urease. The half-life of E · I* (30°C; pH 7 THAM buffer) for the plant urease was much longer than that for the microbial urease, and this difference largely accounted for the much higher values of Ki* (koff/kon) observed with microbial urease.
Trans-(P(OPh)3)2(CO)IrX (X = Cl and Br): When changing chloro to bromo doesn't make much difference

Abstract Reinvestigation of trans-(P(OPh)3)2(CO)IrCl 1 and trans-(P(OPh)3)2(CO)IrBr 2 reveals unexpected coincidence in 31P NMR, IR carbonyl stretch, and UV–visible absorption properties. XRD structure studies show the complexes are isostructural, although the crystals are not isomorphous. The complexes were investigated via DFT and TD-DFT modeling which shows that the spectroscopic similarity can be attributed to low-level halogen orbital participation in key molecular orbitals, a balance between the halogen atom σ- and π-donation to the iridium center, and phenoxy group dominance of the phosphorus atom electronic structure.
Horizontal Velocity Structure in Waterspouts

Abstract We have measured the spatial variation of a single horizontal component of the velocity in a number of waterspouts using an airborne infrared Doppler lidar. In 21 data sets, maximum velocities range from 4.2 to 33.6 m s−1 and visible funnel diameters from 6.6 to 90 m. Data were taken at altitudes between 675 m, near cloud base, and 95 m above the surface. The sequences show time development of the velocity as a function of radius at a fixed altitude and the velocity structure at different altitudes and sequential times with a horizontal resolution of ∼0.75 m between data points. The variation in velocity structure between waterspouts is large, with some showing marked azimuthal asymmetry and mixing with the ambient flow, and others showing multiple concentric vortex shells.
Consumer Product Warnings: Review and Analysis of Effectiveness Research

This paper provides a critical review of recent research (1984-1988) on the effectiveness of consumer product warnings. The majority of available data come from laboratory studies of college students, and wide variations in effectiveness have been reported. The perceived hazardousness of the product, its familiarity, and the ease of complying with the warning all appear to be important factors. Some preliminary trends have emerged concerning the contribution of various message attributes; however, these factors do not appear to be as important as the user's product-related expectations. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.
High resolution ion mobility measurements for gas phase proteins: correlation between solution phase and gas phase conformations

Abstract Our high resolution ion mobility apparatus has been modified by attaching an electrospray source to perform measurements for biological molecules. While the greater resolving power permits the resolution of more conformations for BPTI and cytochrome c , the resolved features are generally much broader than expected for a single rigid conformation. A major advantage of the new experimental configuration is the much gentler introduction of ions into the drift tube, so that the observed gas phase conformations appear to more closely reflect those present in solution. For example, it is possible to distinguish between the native state of cytochrome c and the methanol-denatured form on the basis of the ion mobility measurements; the mass spectra alone are not sensitive enough to detect this change. Thus this approach may provide a quick and sensitive tool for probing the solution phase conformations of biological molecules.
A Review of Adapalene in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

Topical retinoids help address the early lesions of acne vulgaris. Consensus guidelines advocate the use of topical retinoids as the primary treatment for most forms of acne vulgaris. However, all topical retinoid preparations may be irritating, and this may contribute to underutilization in clinical practices. Topical adapalene fosters topical retinoid treatment of acne with less irritation. Adapalene is a more stable molecule than tretinoin. Adapalene can be used without concern for photo-deactivation. Because of its chemical stability, adapalene can be used in combination with benzoyl peroxide products. The availability of a stable topical retinoid associated with little irritation may facilitate meeting acne treatment consensus guidelines.
IMPACT OF HURRICANE ISABEL ON BALD EAGLE NESTS AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN THE LOWER CHESAPEAKE BAY

Abstract ABSTRACT We evaluated the impact of Hurricane Isabel on nest loss and reproductive performance of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Approximately 40% of Bald Eagle nest trees (n = 527) were damaged and 127 nests were lost during the storm. Nest loss was significantly higher than in years prior to and after the storm. Only 46% of pairs that lost nests attempted to breed the following season, compared to 85% of pairs that did not lose nests. Of the pairs that made breeding attempts, only 69% of pairs that lost nests during the hurricane produced young compared to 83% of pairs that did not lose nests. Average brood size was also reduced for pairs that lost nests. The disparity in reproductive performance between the two groups narrowed in the second breeding season after the storm. Hurricane Isabel had a significant but short-lived impact on the Bald Eagle breeding population in the lower Chesapeake Bay.
Multi-Level Security for Service-Oriented Architectures

Multi-level security (MLS) is a well-established and thoroughly studied approach towards security. Service-oriented architectures are emerging in the commercial world and promise increased flexibility and better interoperability. While both concepts have substantial merit, there is no well-established approach for combining both. In this paper, we propose a conceptual design for MLS in a service-oriented architecture and describe how the conceptual design can be realized in today's defense networks that are structured into mutually isolated network zones with different confidentiality classifications.
Flying the Friendly Skies May Not be so Friendly in Outer Space: International and Domestic Law Leaves United States’ Citizen Space Tourists without a Remedy for Injury Caused by Government Space Debris

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we would like to welcome you to the moon. Please keep your seat belt fastened until the pilot completely stops at the gate. If this is your final destination, please collect your bags at baggage claim D. If you are headed on to Mars, your bags will be checked through to your final destination.” These words may sound funny now, but the possibility of them becoming a reality is not as far-fetched as it might seem. On September 18, 2006, Anousheh Ansari, a United States citizen of Iranian origin, became the fourth space tourist and the first female civilian to enter outer space. 1 She also became the first astronaut to keep a space blog of her experiences to which readers could post a response. 2 Shortly before Ms. Ansari’s adventure, on October 1, 2005, Gregory Olsen, scientist and entrepreneur, was the third paying civilian space tourist, and took flight on a Russian shuttle. 3 Although his trip cost $20 million, 4 it is not unforeseeable that ordinary citizens will soon be able to take a short trip around the moon or visit a space resort. It has been estimated that space tourism has the potential to generate $10 billion to $20 billion in income in the next few decades. 5 Counting on that projection, Virgin Galactic, founded by Richard Branson (the well-known billionaire adventurer 6 ), recently reached an agreement with the State of New Mexico to build a space port on state land. 7 Moreover, recent batches of space vehicle competitions and exhibits have piqued greater interest in space tourism for adventurers, scientists, travel agents and government officials alike. 8
Status of correlation of Quaternary stratigraphic units in the western conterminous United States

Deposits of Quaternary age from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast in the western conterminous United States represent a great variety of environments. The deposits include those of continental and alpine glaciers, glacial meltwater streams, nonglacial streams, pluvial lakes, marine environments, eolian environments, and masswasting environments. On two charts we have attempted to correlate representative sequences of deposits of many of these environments, based on published sources and recent unpublished investigations. Evidence for correlation is based mainly on stratigraphic sequence, soil characteristics, the amount of subsequent erosion and interlayered volcanic ash beds identifiable as to source. Chronologic control is based on numerous radiocarbon dates, U-series dates on marine fossils, and K-Ar dates on volcanic rocks. The Bishop volcanic ash bed and one of the Pearlette-like volcanic ash beds appear to represent significant regional key horizons, respectively about 700,000 and 600,000 years old. Rock magnetism is shown to suggest the paleomagnetic polarity at the time of rock deposition. Assigned land-mammal ages of included fossils help to put limits on the age of some units.
Direct simulations of a rough-wall channel flow

In this study, we performed simulations of turbulent flow over rectangular ribs transversely mounted on one side of a plane in a channel, with the other side being smooth. The separation between ribs is large enough to avoid forming stable vortices in the spacing, which exhibits k-type, or sand-grain roughness. The Reynolds number Reτ of our representative direct numerical simulation case is 460 based on the smooth-wall friction velocity and the channel half-width. The roughness height h is estimated as 110 wall units based on the rough-wall friction velocity. The velocity profile and kinetic energy budget verify the presence of an equilibrium, logarithmic layer at y≳2h. In the roughness sublayer, however, a significant turbulent energy flux was observed. A high-energy region is formed by the irregular motions just above the roughness. Visualizations of vortical streaks, disrupted in all three directions in the roughness sublayer, indicate that the three-dimensional flow structure of sand-grain roughness is replicated by the two-dimensional roughness, and that this vortical structure is responsible for the high energy production. The difference in turbulence structure between smooth- and rough-wall layers can also be seen in other flow properties, such as anisotropy and turbulence length scales.
Pair-function calculations for two-electron systems in model plasma environments

The pair-function formalism has been extended to the calculation of atomic and ionic properties in plasma environments that are modeled in terms of analytic screening potentials of the usual Debye form and the more general Debye-Laughton type. The theory has been applied to two-electron systems. As particular applications, the stability of ${\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ and the energy splitting of several 1sns and 1snp states of the He atom have been studied in model plasma environments as well as the energies of allowed and forbidden transitions.
Work in progress: Onground versus distance rapid prototyping practices

It is always a challenge for educators to provide students with an adequate laboratory experience at a time and place convenient for them. This applies to both conventional hands-on courses as well as to laboratory enhanced distance courses. Traditional laboratory classes are scheduled only for a specified time period, when students attend a laboratory class located within their home institution. Considering the ability level of students, the allocated time period is usually not enough for all students to complete their assigned tasks satisfactorily and also gain sufficient experience through the practice. To address these issues, there are a number of projects that have been made to provide experimentation facilities over the Internet. Tennessee Tech University was able to establish a rapid prototyping laboratory as part of a NSF CCLI grant in 2003. Students have used the lab in their on ground practices until 2007. Starting 2007 this laboratory has been converted to a remotely accessible format with another CCLI grant. Now, various traditional and distance course students have been using the laboratory for little over one year. Instructional delivery and laboratory materials have been developed and dissemination has been made through the Tennessee Board of Regents institutions, and some other schools in Georgia and Nevada. Student learning assessments have been collected and tabulated with a survey instrument. Best practices and corrective actions have been executed based on the inputs received from the survey results. This WIP paper reports the current results received from the on ground and distance rapid prototyping laboratory practices.
Dual wavelength parametric test of two-state models for circular dichroism spectra of helical polypeptides: anomalous dichroic properties of alanine-rich peptides.

A two-state helix-coil model underlies all calculations of fractional helicities FH from CD spectra of helical polypeptides. The presence of an isodichroic point near 203 nm is widely assumed to validate this model, but is shown here to provide inadequate validation for alanine-rich peptides. A parametric correlation with constant slope B between CD ellipticities at a pair of wavelengths is introduced as a more rigorous two-state test. Correlations of temperature-dependent [θ]222 vs [θ]208 values are reported for a variety of peptides. Constant slopes B are observed for literature CD data obtained from fragments of helical proteins and dimeric helical coiled coils, but parametric correlations of CD data for alanine-rich peptides consistently exhibit anomalous concave upward curvature, characterized by local slopes that are linearly temperature dependent. Low-temperature CD studies together with parametric correlations at a series of wavelengths demonstrate that the curvature anomaly is maximal at 222 nm a...
Chromosomal analysis of early fetal losses in relation to transvaginal ultrasonographic detection of fetal heart motion after infertility

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) detection of fetal heart motion (FHM) in view of maternal age and chromosomal analysis of spontaneously aborted fetal tissue. Design: A 3-year retrospective, descriptive study. Setting: Two medical center-based infertility-care facilities. Patient(s): 336 pregnancies were initiated by intrauterine insemination or embryo transfer for women of reproductive age who were seeking infertility treatment. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): βhCG levels measured >40 mIU/mL at 4–5 weeks' gestation and were followed by an initial TVUS at 5–8 weeks. Of these pregnancies, 52 ended in a first trimester loss. Twenty were defined by failure to detect FHM by 7 weeks' gestation (Group I), and 32 were marked by the loss of prior FHM at a mean of 2.6 weeks later (Group II). Fetal tissue was removed by dilatation and suction curettage. Cytogenetic studies were performed from short-term cultures of dissected chorionic villi and/or sac. Result(s): Chromosomal aberrations were found in 75.0% of abortuses in Group I and 65.6% in Group II. Different types of chromosomal abnormalities were present in each of these groups. The maternal age-related trisomies which can progress to term (i.e., 13, 18, 21) were associated with early TVUS detection of FHM. The frequency of chromosomal abnormalities varied significantly with maternal age, with normal fetal karyotypes in 7 of 11 (63.6%) women Conclusion(s): Although the occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities in spontaneous demises did not differ according to TVUS detection of FHM, the types of aberrations were distributed differently. Since maternal age remains a significant factor in early fetal loss, TVUS detection of FHM should not be as reassuring for women ≥35 years as for younger women.
Progesterone Inhibits 20α-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Expression in the Rat Corpus Luteum through the Glucocorticoid Receptor

In this study, we investigated whether progesterone exerts an intraluteal action despite the lack of progesterone receptors (PR) in the rat corpus luteum and whether progesterone acts through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) to enhance its own levels by down-regulating the expression of 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20α-HSD). We first established that the corpus luteum constitutively expresses the GR throughout pregnancy and after parturition. We also generated a temperature sensitive SV-40 transformed luteal cell line (GG-CL) that expresses the GR and 20α-HSD but lacks the PR. Treatment with different doses of either progesterone or dexamethasone caused a dose-related decrease in 20α-HSD mRNA in both cultured corpora lutea and in the luteal cell line. RU486, a PR/GR antagonist, completely blocked both the progesterone and the dexamethasone mediated inhibition of 20α-HSD expression in GG-CL cells. In summary, this report provides the first evidence that despite the absence of the PR in the rat corpus ...