cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CXCR5 overexpression in HL-60 cells enhances chemotaxis toward CXCL13 without anticipated interaction partners or enhanced MAPK signaling.

CXCR5 is a serpentine receptor implicated in cell migration in lymphocytes and differentiation in leukocytes. It causes MAPK pathway activation and has known membrane partners for signaling. CXCR5 mRNA is reportedly expressed in neutrophils following isolation, but its role in this cellular context is unknown. CXCR5 is also expressed in HL-60 cells, a human acute myeloid leukemia line, following treatment with all-trans retinoic acid, which induces differentiation toward a neutrophil-like state. CXCR5 is necessary for this process; differentiation was crippled in CXCR5 knockout cells and enhanced in cells ectopically expressing it. Since CXCR5 has various membrane protein partners, we investigated whether CXCR5-driven all-trans retinoic acid-induced differentiation depends on its association with such partners. Pursuing this, we generated HL-60 cells overexpressing the protein. We found that CXCR5 drove migration toward its ligand, CXCL13, and probed for interactions with several candidates using flow cytometry-based Forster resonance energy transfer. Surprisingly, we did not detect interactions with any candidates, including three reported in other cellular contexts. Additionally, we observed no significant changes in all-trans retinoic acid-induced differentiation; this may be due to the stoichiometry of CXCR5 and partner receptors or CXCL13. The anticipated membrane partnerings were surprisingly apparently unnecessary for downstream CXCR5 signaling and all-trans retinoic acid-induced differentiation.
Activation of hydroxylamine by single gold atomic anions

Abstract Hydroxylamine (HA) is a potential component in next-generation monopropellants. In this work, we present a combined anion photoelectron spectroscopic and density functional theory study of the reaction between a single HA molecule and a single gold atomic anion, Au−. This study shows that an Au- anion can activate a HA molecule by inserting into its N–O bond. Our calculations show this reaction to be facilitated by the presence of two minimum energy crossing points (MECP’s), i.e., spin flips, along the reaction pathway.
Image Matching: Detecting the Reuse of Visual Elements

The phenomenon of intertextuality is not limited to just text. In the context of Kristeva’s theory, this idea applies to all semiotic systems, including visual representations. The world we regularly perceive, that which is wrought by civilization, is filled with familiar signs that are important elements of a shared culture.
Cellular and extracellular matrix of bone, with principles of synthesis and dependency of mineral deposition on cell membrane transport.

Bone differs from other connective tissues; it is isolated by a layer of osteoblasts that are connected by tight and gap junctions. This allows bone to create dense lamellar type I collagen, contro...
Modeling sound propagation in the Great Salt Lake

Acoustical waves can be monitored in a quiet underwater environment to identify noises, such as impacts and explosions. Our goal was to find the range of distance that acoustical sources can be detected in the Great Salt Lake. We measured the pressure from line explosives in the lake from varying distances to a triangle array of receivers. Various acoustical properties of the lake, like sound speed, density, and coefficient of attenuation, were then used in a range-independent propagation model to calculate transmission loss. Given the high salinity and shallow depth, the estimated transmission loss in the lake is large with this range-independent assumption. We found that in the best case scenario, there is a 60 dB re 1 μPa transmission loss at 3 km for most frequencies, which complicates source detection.Acoustical waves can be monitored in a quiet underwater environment to identify noises, such as impacts and explosions. Our goal was to find the range of distance that acoustical sources can be detected in the Great Salt Lake. We measured the pressure from line explosives in the lake from varying distances to a triangle array of receivers. Various acoustical properties of the lake, like sound speed, density, and coefficient of attenuation, were then used in a range-independent propagation model to calculate transmission loss. Given the high salinity and shallow depth, the estimated transmission loss in the lake is large with this range-independent assumption. We found that in the best case scenario, there is a 60 dB re 1 μPa transmission loss at 3 km for most frequencies, which complicates source detection.
Reactions of Allylmagnesium Reagents with Carbonyl Compounds and Compounds with C═N Double Bonds: Their Diastereoselectivities Generally Cannot Be Analyzed Using the Felkin-Anh and Chelation-Control Models.

This review describes the additions of allylmagnesium reagents to carbonyl compounds and to imines, focusing on the differences in reactivity between allylmagnesium halides and other Grignard reage...
Political Transnationalism in Question: What Limits the Political Transnationalism of ‘Transnational’ Groups in Liberal Democracies 1985–2008?

This chapter addresses the factors that limit or facilitate the development of political transnationalism of Dutch Antillean and Aruban postcolonial Dutch citizens in the Netherlands and the Brazilian and Peruvian Nikkeijin (Japanese descendants) in Japan. These groups are legal immigrants who inherit host state access because of shared Dutch citizenship and a Japanese visa (teijusha) based on consanguinity. While transnationalism usually implies simultaneous sociocultural belonging, attachment, and activity in two or more states, political transnationalism specifically refers to both formal and informal political activity in both the country of origin and the host country. In this chapter, I derive my definition of political transnationalism from Guarnizo (2001), as ‘to be incorporated formally and simultaneously ‘here’ and ‘there’ through privileges opened up by dual citizenship, and the reach … of government programs, political parties, and candidates for office from their countries of origin’ Guarnizo (2001:214). My research indicates extensive transnationalism in the way of sociocultural attachments and interaction, but very limited political transnationalism among Antilleans in the Netherlands and Nikkeijin in Japan. The literature on political transnationalism is rather silent on what makes groups already labelled ‘transnational’ become politically transnational. There has been little systematic attempt to explain the limited emergence of political transnationalism in these two cases.
A perspective of citrus Huanglongbing in the context of the Mediterranean Basin

Huanglongbing (HLB) is one of the most catastrophic citrus diseases. HLB pathogens Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las), Ca. L. africanus (Laf), and Ca. L. americanus (Lam) and their insect vectors Asian citrus psyllids (ACP, Diaphorina citri) and African citrus psyllids (AfCP, Trioza erytreae) are invading citrus producing regions where HLB was absent previously, including the Mediterranean basin. Importantly, the Mediterranean region is one of the two major citrus producing areas without HLB. Here, I provide a short perspective regarding a) information related to the distribution of the HLB pathogens and psyllid vectors in this region and neighboring countries, b) predicted distribution of the HLB for this region, c) the possible evolution of Liberibacters and how they could have established their relationship with different hosts, and d) approaches to fend off HLB. Specifically, I emphasized the following measurements: quarantine measures against AfCP, ACP, Las, Laf, and Lam, early detection and diagnosis of HLB and removal of inoculum, surveillance of AfCP and ACP and eradication of citrus psyllids once identified.
Impact of the Closure of a Large, Urban Safety-Net Hospital on a Neighboring Academic Center: A Philadelphia Case Study.

Abstract Objectives We examined how the closure of 496-bed Hahnemann University Hospital (HUH), a level I trauma and stroke center and safety-net hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, impacted the emergency department (ED) and radiology workflow in our neighboring hospital (Thomas Jefferson University Hospital) located Methods On June 30, 2019, HUH announced its imminent closure and began diverting trauma patients, with its ED officially closing in mid-August. Trends of our ED and radiology workflow were analyzed using QlikView analytics software for 3 months before and after the closure. Data were compared to workflow from the same time period in 2018. Results The average monthly number of patients presenting to our ED after the closure increased 20.2% with a corresponding 16% increase in ED imaging studies, primarily in radiographs (+16%) and CT (+20%). Radiology orders by advanced practice providers increased 74%. Turnaround time from imaging order placed to final diagnostic radiology report did not change substantially after the closure. Conclusion Workflow in our ED and radiology department was significantly impacted by the closure of HUH. This study provides insight into how our practice patterns changed and compensated after the closure of a neighboring, large, urban safety-net hospital; it is important for radiologists to be aware of citywide practice patterns to adapt to acute change.
Robot Trajectory Target Delivery Using Machine Learning

People who have lost their arm will most likely face many issues performing tasks that those with their arms would consider simplistic. If they have lost their arm while they are older, these people now face issues that they have never experienced with their newfound mobility restrictions. Currently, artificial limbs that have been controlled by electromagnetic signals that are classified by artificial neural networks have had the best success in solving this issue, as supported by previous research.In this paper, we will discuss the simulation of a human arm using an open source software called OpenSim to model a biologically accurate human arm and implement a deep learning program using a long short-term memory deep neural network created in MATLAB. As a proof of concept, we present that the arm is able to use the deep learning network to toss a 0.25 kg ball onto a specified target location accurately.Our work shows that a model of an artificial arm can learn to do simple tasks, such as tossing a ball the correct distance, using a long short-term memory deep neural network, proving that machine learning and deep learning have an effective application in prosthetic and robotic arm design.
An optical-chemical sensor using pyrene-sulfonic acid for unsteady surface pressure measurements

Abstract Optical measurement techniques are being employed more frequently in unsteady aerodynamic testing. One of these techniques is unsteady pressure-sensitive paint (PSP), used to capture global surface pressure measurements at sampling rates on the order of kilohertz or faster. Polymer ceramic PSP (PC-PSP) is often used for these applications due to its porous structure and increased oxygen diffusivity. A limiting drawback of current luminescent markers used in unsteady PSP is that they have non-negligible temperature dependency, which is a major source of measurement uncertainty. Chemical sensor development is needed to create a sensor with reduced or negligible temperature dependency. This study investigates the development and characterization of a PC-PSP with reduced temperature dependency due to the use of pyrene sulfonic acid as the luminophore, a novel application for this luminescent marker. This study examines the influence of particles and the solvent used to apply the luminescent chemical and particles onto a model in the dipping deposition method on sensor performance. The chemical interaction between these sensor elements, as well as the luminophore and binder material, largely determines the performance of the sensor. Static calibrations were performed from 10 to 120 kPa and 20–80 °C, with a resulting peak pressure sensitivity of 0.4 %/kPa and minimum temperature dependency of 0.3 %/°C using silica gel porous particles. This resulted in an uncertainty in pressure due to change in temperature of 0.75 kPa/°C, an almost 40 % reduction compared to the closest comparison sensor. Dynamic characterization also showed response times on the order of 40-80 μs, which compares well with current PC-PSP sensors.
Evidence of successful river spawning by lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in the Lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario

Abstract Restoration of a wild-produced lake trout Salvelinus namaycush population in Lake Ontario has not been successful despite the adult population often meeting or exceeding restoration targets. Lack of high-quality spawning habitat in Lake Ontario is suggested as one impediment to recruitment of wild lake trout, although the quantity and location of spawning habitat is poorly understood. If high-quality spawning habitat is limited in Lake Ontario, lake trout may be using uncommon spawning locations such as rivers. Anecdotal angler accounts point to the Niagara River as a lake trout spawning location. To better understand the potential of the Niagara River as a spawning location, egg and juvenile fish collections were conducted 12–14 river kilometers from the mouth of the Niagara River from 2010 to 2012; and mature female lake trout with surgically implanted acoustic tags were monitored from 2015 to 2019. Genetic analyses confirmed 60% of collected eggs and 93% of collected post-hatch juvenile fish in the Niagara River were lake trout. Tagged female lake trout returned to the Niagara River over consecutive years during the spawning season. The short duration of lake trout presence in the river (mean = 56 days/year) suggests female lake trout use the Niagara River primarily for spawning. Diversity in spawning locations may provide lake trout population’s resilience against environmental variability through a portfolio effect. Improved identification of riverine spawning locations, including their overall contribution to wild recruitment, may be a useful tool for managers to restore a wild-produced population of lake trout in Lake Ontario.
Labor unions and corporate social responsibility

Abstract Using corporate social responsibility (CSR) scores, we examine the effect of unionization on non-shareholding stakeholders and the value of CSR for unionized firms. Our findings suggest that unionization leads to lower CSR. This negative relation between unionization and CSR is stronger for financially constrained firms. We address endogeneity issues by controlling for firm characteristics including firm fixed effects, examining a quasi-natural experiment, and using regression discontinuity design examining union certification elections. Unionized firms with lower CSR have better alignment of CEO and shareholder interests and higher market values than other unionized firms.
Mechanisms of immunogenic cell death and immune checkpoint blockade therapy

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) refers to a form of regulated cell death that activates adaptive immunity, forming long-term immunological memory. Using chemotherapeutic drugs to induce ICD in cancer cells can help create an inflamed, immunogenic tumor environment, key for optimal immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy response. ICB targets immune checkpoints such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) and programmed death 1 (PD-1). Durable responses and better quality of life in ICB patients compared with many other treatments has prompted additional investigation into its therapeutic potential and possible approaches, in an effort to further understand the functions of the costimulatory molecules and how new treatments may be designed. In this review, we will summarize ICD induction, including stress responses, damage-associated molecular patterns, and various assays by which immunogenicity is evaluated in dying cells. In addition, the mechanisms and biomarkers underlying the CTLA4 and PD-1 pathways of checkpoint blockade will be covered. Finally, we will review the synergistic effects of ICD induction combined with ICB therapy, as well as combination blockade therapies involving the use of multiple drugs.
Chronic phenmetrazine treatment promotes D2 dopaminergic and α2-adrenergic receptor desensitization and alters phosphorylation of signaling proteins and local cerebral glucose metabolism in the rat brain

Abstract Phenmetrazine (PHEN) is a putative treatment for cocaine and psychostimulant recidivism; however, neurochemical changes underlying its activity have not been fully elucidated. We sought to characterize brain homeostatic adaptations to chronic PHEN, specifically on functional brain activity (local cerebral glucose utilization), G-Protein Coupled Receptor-stimulated G-protein activation, and phosphorylation of ERK1/2Thr202/Tyr204, GSK3βTyr216, and DARPP-32Thr34. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with sub-cutaneous minipumps delivering either saline (vehicle), acute (2-day) or chronic (14-day) low dose (25 mg/kg/day) or high dose (50 mg/kg/day) PHEN. Acute administration of high dose PHEN increased local cerebral glucose utilization measured by 2-[14C]-deoxyglucose uptake in basal ganglia and motor-related regions of the rat brain. However, chronically treated animals developed tolerance to these effects. To identify the neurochemical changes associated with PHEN’s activity, we performed [35S]GTPγS binding assays on unfixed and immunohistochemistry on fixed coronal brain sections. Chronic PHEN treatment dose-dependently attenuated D2 dopamine and α2-adrenergic, but not 5-HT1A, receptor-mediated G-protein activation. Two distinct patterns of effects on pERK1/2 and pDARPP-32 were observed: 1) chronic low dose PHEN decreased pERK1/2, and also significantly increased pDARPP-32 levels in some regions; 2) acute and chronic PHEN increased pERK1/2, but chronic high dose PHEN treatment tended to decrease pDARPP-32. Chronic low dose, but not high dose, PHEN significantly reduced pGSK3β levels in several regions. Our study provides definitive evidence that extended length PHEN dosage schedules elicit distinct modes of neuronal acclimatization in cellular signaling. These pharmacodynamic modifications should be considered in drug development for chronic use.
Myths and truths about optical phase change materials: A perspective

Uniquely furnishing giant and nonvolatile modulation of optical properties and chalcogenide phase change materials (PCMs) have emerged as a promising material to transform integrated photonics and free-space optics alike. The surge of interest in these materials warrants a thorough understanding of their characteristics specifically in the context of photonic applications. This article seeks to clarify some commonly held misconceptions about PCMs and offer a perspective on new research frontiers in the field.
A Fully Implantable Wireless Bidirectional Neuromodulation System for Mice

Novel research in the field of bioelectronic medicine requires systems that pair high-performance neurostimulation and bio-signal acquisition hardware with advanced software signal processing and control algorithms. Although mice are the most commonly used animal in medical research, the size, weight, and power requirements of such systems either preclude their use or impose significant constraints on experimental design. Here, we describe a fully-implantable neuromodulation system suitable for use in mice, measuring 2.2 cm3 and weighing 2.8 g. A bidirectional wireless interface allows simultaneous readout of multiple physiological signals and complete control over stimulation parameters, and a wirelessly rechargeable battery provides a lifetime of up to 5 days on a single charge. The device was successfully implanted (N=12) and a functional neural interface (capable of inducing acute bradycardia) is demonstrated with functional lifetimes exceeding to three weeks. The design utilizes only commercially-available components and 3D-printed packaging, with the goal of accelerating discovery and translation of future bioelectronic therapeutics.
Assessing the Effects of Observational Conditioning and Response-Contingent Pairing on the Vocalizations of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often display impairments in communication, such as limited echoic behavior, few vocal-verbal responses, and a lack of functional communication. One potential way to foster the acquisition of vocal responses in individuals with disabilities is by conditioning vocalizations as reinforcers. Conditioning procedures include stimulus–stimulus pairing, response-contingent pairing (RCP), operant discrimination training, and observational conditioning (OC). However, previous research has not evaluated whether OC can be used to condition vocalizations as reinforcers. The current study assessed whether two conditioning procedures, RCP and OC, were effective in conditioning vocalizations as a reinforcer and also evaluated their effect on the rate of vocalizations. Participants included three children with ASD, ages 5–10 years old. During the conditioning phase, rates of vocalizations during the RCP and OC conditions and a control condition were compared within an adapted alternating-treatments design. Reinforcer assessments were completed in a multielement design, pre- and postconditioning, to assess whether the target vocalizations acquired reinforcing properties. A conditioning effect and an increase in the rate of vocalizations were observed for two of the three participants; however, the conditioning effect was minor for one participant. Overall, the results of this study indicate both the RCP and OC procedures may be beneficial in increasing vocalizations for some children and could be incorporated into clinical programs and further explored in future research.
FogROS: An Adaptive Framework for Automating Fog Robotics Deployment

As many robot automation applications increasingly rely on multi-core processing or deep-learning models, cloud computing is becoming an attractive and economically viable resource for systems that do not contain high computing power onboard. Despite its immense computing capacity, it is often underused by the robotics and automation community due to lack of expertise in cloud computing and cloud-based infrastructure. Fog Robotics balances computing and data between cloud edge devices. We propose a software framework, FogROS, as an extension of the Robot Operating System (ROS), the defacto standard for creating robot automation applications and components. It allows researchers to deploy components of their software to the cloud with minimal effort, and correspondingly gain access to additional computing cores, GPUs, FPGAs, and TPUs, as well as predeployed software made available by other researchers. FogROS allows a researcher to specify which components of their software will be deployed to the cloud and to what type of computing hardware. We evaluate FogROS on 3 examples: (1) simultaneous localization and mapping (ORB-SLAM2), (2) Dexterity Network (Dex-Net) GPU-based grasp planning, and (3) multi-core motion planning using a 96-core cloud-based server. In all three examples, a component is deployed to the cloud and accelerated with a small change in system launch configuration, while incurring additional latency of 1.2 s, 0.6 s, and 0.5 s due to network communication, the computation speed is improved by 2.6×, 6.0× and 34.2×, respectively. Code, videos, and supplementary material can be found at https://github.com/BerkeleyAutomation/FogROS.
A Preliminary Classification of the Writing Elements of Chinese Characters

Chinese writing from 100 Asians who recently migrated to the United States was collected and intercompared to determine the frequency of handwriting characteristics. The general elements of handwriting form and execution were assessed in each sample. They include: system, style, size, slant, proportions, angularity, skill, speed, pressure, arrangement, spacing, and alignment. The basic strokes of Chinese characters are delineated, and the methods and application of foreign writing comparison are summarized.
New Microarchitecture Challenges in the Coming Generations of CMOS Process Technologies

Over the last 15 years, CMOS scaling simplified the task of the microprocessor architect. With each new process technology, frequency increased by -5O%, and transistor density increase by 100 percent. Also, the improvements in manufacturing technology (larger wafers and higher yields) allowed for increasing die sizes without increasing cost. Projections of die sizes of 1 square inch or higher were common. However, the end of these easy times is in sight, and several new challenges are facing the architect. Die size is no longer going to be limited by equipment or manufacturing cost, but rather by power. To date the approach has been to lower voltage with each process generation. But as voltage is lowered, leakage current and energy increase, contributing to higher power. And the problems extend beyond power dissipation to power delivery/distribution and increasing power density. This talk will first look at the historical trends of CMOS process technology in the context of past microprocessors. It will then look at the implications of continued CMOS scaling, as described above, and the new challenges they pose. Microarchitecture techniques that have exacerbated the power problem will also be covered. Finally, the talk will describe some of the microarchitecture directions that may lead to more power-efficient and cost-efficient microprocessors.
Functions of thiol-disulfide oxidoreductases in E. coli: redox myths, realities, and practicalities.

A large family of enzymes contributes to the thiol-disulfide redox environment of the cells of most organisms. These proteins belong to pathways that carry out a variety of reactions, including the promotion of disulfide bond formation in extracytoplasmic proteins, the isomerization of proteins with incorrect disulfide bonds, and the reduction of disulfide bonds in the active sites of cytoplasmic proteins. Although the redox activities of these proteins measured in vitro often is consistent with the role (oxidant or reductant) these proteins perform in vivo, this is not always the case. The measured redox potentials can even suggest a function for a protein opposite of that which it carries out in the cell. Structural features of such proteins can contribute to a direction of electron transfer inconsistent with the redox potential. Furthermore, the environment in which such proteins are found may determine the protein's physiological role. Detailed analysis of these proteins in Escherichia coli provides s...
The Metabolism of Tritiated Glucose by Rat Adipose Tissue

Glucose, labeled with 14C uniformly or in positions 1 or 6, and with tritium in positions 1, 3, 4, or 6, was incubated with rat epididymal fat tissue in the presence of insulin or epinephrine. Incorporation of the label into CO2, fatty acids, glycerol, lactate, and water was determined. From the 14C yields, the contribution of the pentose cycle to glucose metabolism was calculated. A carbon balance and a balance of formation and utilization of reduced pyridine nucleotides in the cytoplasm were established. Tritium from glucose-3-T was recovered in water and fatty acids, and a little in the α position of glycerol. Only trace amounts from this position were found in the α position of lactate and the β position of glycerol. The fatty acid yield of tritium from this sugar equaled the 14CO2 yield from glucose-1-14C via the pentose cycle. The yield of fatty acids from glucose-3-T was twice that of the yield of fatty acids via tritium-labeled reduced triphosphopyridine nucleotide from glucose-1-T. In glycerol formed from glucose-1- and -6-T, all the tritium was recovered in the α position. In the presence of insulin, the T:14C ratio in glycerol from glucose-6-T ,6-14C was about 1.0; that of glycerol from glucose-1-T ,1-14C was 1.2 to 1.3. The T:14C ratios in lactate from these two sugars were less than 1, but the T:14C ratio from glucose-1-T ,1-14C was about 1.2 times that from glucose-6-T ,6-14C. In the presence of epinephrine the ratios in glycerol and lactate were the same for these two labeled sugars. Nearly 90% of tritium from glucose-4-T appeared in water in the presence of insulin, and 60% in the presence of epinephrine. The rest was recovered in lactate, fatty acids, and the α and β positions of glycerol. The T:14C ratio in the α position of glycerol from glucose-4-T labeled uniformly with 14C indicated extensive loss of the tritium from this sugar prior to the oxidation of triose phosphate. The T:14C ratios of position 2 of glycerol and of lactate indicated further loss of tritium. The contribution of TPNH and DPNH to fatty acid synthesis was calculated independently from 14C and tritium data. In the presence of insulin, it appears from 14C data that with rats on high carbohydrate diet 50% of the hydrogen equivalents are provided by TPNH, and that with rats on a regular diet 75% are provided by TPNH. From tritium data it appears that, with both diets, about 75% of the hydrogen equivalents are provided by TPNH and 25% by DPNH. With epinephrine, when fatty acid synthesis is low, DPNH may be the major source of reducing hydrogen.
Using organization knowledge to improve routing performance in wireless multi-agent networks

Multi-agent systems benefit greatly from an organization design that guides agents in determining when to communicate, how often, with whom, with what priority, and so on. However, this same organization knowledge is not utilized by general-purpose wireless network routing algorithms normally used to support agent communication. We show that incorporating organization knowledge (otherwise available only to the application layer) in the network-layer routing algorithm increases bandwidth available at the application layer by as much as 35 percent. This increased bandwidth is especially important in communication-intensive application settings, such as agent-based sensor networks, where node failures and link dynamics make providing sufficient inter-agent communication especially challenging.
Purification and characterization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA damage-responsive protein 48 (DDRP 48).

A yeast protein was purified from wild type Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) to near homogeneity using an ethanolamine affinity chromatography procedure. The N-terminal amino acid sequencing and the amino acid composition analyses identified this protein as the product of the second open reading frame of S. cerevisiae DNA Damage-responsive gene 48 (DDR48) (Treger, J.M., and McEntee, K. (1990) Mol. Cell. Biol. 10, 3174-3184) The first methionine residue encoded by the translation starting codon was not present in the mature protein which is designated as DDRP 48. DDRP 48 was found to be a negatively charged and highly hydrophilic glycoprotein. The glycosidase cleavage analyses suggested that DDRP 48 was mainly N-link-glycosylated. The apparent molecular mass of DDRP 48 was estimated to be approximately 65 kilodaltons. DDRP 48 was found able to hydrolyze ATP and GTP yielding PPi. The Km values for ATP and GTP are 0.29 mM and 0.58 mM, respectively. The Western blot analysis demonstrated that DDRP 48 was expressed to various concentrations in different S. cerevisiae strains. Increased DDRP 48 abundance was observed after yeast cells carrying the wild type RAD 52 gene were exposed to either ethylmethane sulfonate or heat shock treatments. After similar DNA-damaging treatments, however, no significant inductions of DDRP 48 were found in a rad 52 mutant strain. These observations are consistent with the predictions resulting from previous studies on transcriptional regulation of the DDR 48 gene (Maga, J.A., McClanahan, T.A., and McEntee, K. (1986) Mol. & Gen. Genet. 205, 276-284; McClanahan, T., and McEntee, K. (1986) Mol. Cell. Biol. 6, 90-96).
The Critically Ill Infant with Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract This article presents an approach for identification of infants with congenital heart disorders. These disorders are difficult to diagnose because of the complexity and variety of cardiac malformations; additionally presentation can be complicated by age-dependent physiology. By compiling data from the history and the physical examination, the emergency physician can identify lesion category and initiate stabilization procedures. Critical congenital cardiac lesions can be classified as left-sided obstructive ductal dependent, right-sided obstructive ductal dependent, and shunting or mixing. The simplified approach categorizes infants with these lesions respectively as "pink," "blue," or "gray." The emergency provider can provide life-saving stabilization until specialized care can be obtained.
Competence-Inducing Factor of Bacillus stearothermophilus

An incompetent mutant (4S Com(-)) does not release competence-inducing factor (CF) into the culture medium and is not infected with TP-1C phage deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) unless CF is added to the transfection assay. A TP-1C phage-resistant mutant (4S Ton-r) releases relatively large amounts of CF into the culture medium but is not infected with TP-1C phage DNA, even in the presence of CF. The production of CF by the wild type or Ton-r mutant and the ability of the wild type or Com(-) mutant to react with CF does not occur after these cultures have grown at 67 C for 1 hr or longer. A preliminary characterization of the CF is described. The autolytic enzyme or the temperate phage of the wild type and the Ton-r and Com(-) mutants do not have competence-inducing activity.
The metabolism of p‐aminosalicylic acid (PAS) in man

The urinary excretion of p‐aminosalicylic acid (PAS) was studied in five individuals after single and repeated dosage. Making use of counter current distribution and filter paper chromatography, three urinary products were isolated and characterized and several others were characterized but not isolated. The compounds isolated and characterized represented the following percentiles of the total dosage administered: unchanged PAS (14–33 per cent); acetyl p‐aminosalicylic acid (28–63 per cent); p‐aminosalicyluric acid (0–26 per cent); possibly two unknown free amines (2–10 per cent); and one unknown bound amine (3–10 per cent).
Negligence in placement and supervision of children in foster care: Are social workers liable?

Social workers may be monetarily liable for negligent performance of placement and supervision of children in foster care. In states where the state retains sovereign immunity those professional activities may be considered ministerial rather than discretionary functions and so not entitled to the immunity from suit which the state enjoys. Careful attention to designated procedures may protect the worker from allegations of negligence.
Structural Integrity of Composite-Lined Hydrogen Storage Tanks at Operating Pressures

Hydrogen may appear to be an attractive alternative fuel due to its obvious environmental and potentials of significant technical and economic advantages, the design and manufacture a safe and reliable hydrogen tank is the number one priority for development and deployment of hydrogen technology. Compared with aluminum-lined hydrogen tanks, composite tanks offer advantages of lightweight and conformability. Real life tank testing is very expensive and time consuming. In this study, a finite element analysis (FEA) tool has been developed to provide a more economical alternative for composite hydrogen tank analysis at operating pressures of 35 MPa, 45 MPa, and 70 MPa. It was found that the carbon-fiber/epoxy shell acts as the primary structural member, unlike an aluminum-lined tank where the liner acts performs this function. Critical portions of the tanks were found to be the top and bottom domes as well as the interaction between the liner and boss. Some slight plastic deformation was found to occur in the liner at 70 MPa, though under the 35 MPa and 45 MPa loads, the liner exhibited only elastic behavior. The shell elastically deformed in all loading cases, which results in very low residual stress and strain values following the load release. The results may help manufacturers improve tank safety in the design and manufacture of composite hydrogen.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Video in distance education: ITFS vs. web-streaming: Evaluation of student attitudes

Abstract The use of video in distance education courses has a long tradition, with many colleges and universities having been delivering distance education courses with video since the 80's using the Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS) and cable television. With the emergence of the Internet and the increased access bandwidths from private homes to the Internet, the delivery of distance education video via web-streaming has become more widespread and appears poised to replace the delivery of distance education video through ITFS/cable TV. At this juncture in the history of distance education video delivery it is important to take the student attitudes toward these different forms of educational video delivery into consideration. This naturalistic evaluation study examined and compared the attitudes of a total of close to 360 students who had taken distance education classes with video, whereby approximately 180 of the students had participated in classes with ITFS/cable TV video delivery and approximately 180 students had taken classes with web-streaming video delivery. The overall student satisfaction was found to be approximately the same with either form of distance education video delivery. However, there were statistically significant differences in the student attitudes towards specific aspects of the distance education video, such as perceived video quality, technical problems, and preferences for control over the instructional flow.
“Self-duality” of topologically massive gauge theories

Abstract A recently proposed “self-dual” massive model is shown to be equivalent to topologically massive electrodynamics, even in the presence of external sources. The non-abelian generalization is also discussed.
Sexual Assault Perpetration and Reperpetration: From Adolescence to Young Adulthood

Three incoming freshmen classes of men provided data in a 5-year longitudinal study of the relationship between childhood victimization experiences and sexually coercive behaviors during adolescence and 4 years of college. A key finding of this study was that men who were physically punished, sexually abused, or who witnessed domestic violence in childhood were at greater risk for sexual perpetration in high school. Furthermore, men who perpetrated in high school were at greater risk for sexual perpetration in college; and after controlling for perpetration in high school, those who were abused or witnessed violence in childhood were not at greater risk for college perpetration. The findings have a number of implications for research and practice: We need to identify high-risk populations and direct more targeted interventions toward them. These groups include those who witness or experience abuse as a child and young men who perpetrate violence in adolescence, regardless of childhood abuse experiences.
Time-domain Modeling of Silver Nano-net for Transparent Conducting Electrodes

The transmittance of silver nano-net is simulated using the spectral averaging of a number of indiscriminately selected frames generated from the footprint of real sample. The simulated result shows a good match with experimental measurement.
Pediatric Laryngotracheal Stenosis and Airway Reconstruction: A Review of Voice Outcomes, Assessment, and Treatment Issues

Summary Laryngotracheal stenosis is defined as a congenital or acquired narrowing of the airway. Congenital causes may include subglottic membranous or cartilaginous narrowing. Acquired causes may include trauma due to prolonged endotracheal or tracheal intubation or laryngotracheal injury. Although advances have been made over the past 30 years in reconstructive surgeries to improve airway patency in these patients, long-term laryngeal function for voice production is not well defined in this population. This review examines causes, symptoms and signs, and methods for diagnosing laryngotracheal stenosis. Surgical management procedures are briefly summarized. The current literature on voice outcomes is summarized. The predominant voice characteristics in the population are presented, although results are challenged by the heterogeneity of voice presentation and paucity of data from instrumental measures. Considerations for subjective and instrumental assessment, measures of quality of life, instrumental methods, and treatment options specific to the needs of this population are discussed. Research strategies to identify long-term outcomes of surgical and behavioral treatments in this population are posed.
Factor Structure of the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Diagnostic for Children (ASD-DC)

This investigation consisted of two studies designed to look at the underlying structure of the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Diagnostic for Children (ASD-DC). Study 1 was a factor analysis of the 40-item informant based scale with 149 children, 2-16 years old, who met criteria for an ASD. A four factor solution consisting of social relationships, nonverbal communication/socialization, verbal communication, and restricted interests/insistence on sameness was obtained. For study 2, these 149 children were compared to 125 peers who were either typically developing or had a non-ASD diagnosis on the four factor structure established in study 1. Children with ASD displayed significantly more symptoms on all four factors of the scale. Implications of these data are discussed.
Control of aeroelastic divergence

On forward-swept-wing aircraft, aerodynamic destiffening of the primary wing-bending mode can cause coupling with the short-period mode, potentially resulting in a low-frequency dynamic instability. For a clamped wing this coupled mechanism degenerates into conventional static wing divergence. Studies of a fundamental analytical model of this mechanism show that active control of the clamped wing is possible only through the use of displacement feedback. Control laws for the clamped wing are evaluated and also assessed when body freedom is restored. Additionally, control laws are synthesized directly for a more refined representation of the unrestrained vehicle. Control configured vehicles (CCVs) are not considered.
Helical computed tomography for the evaluation of tracheal stenosis

Background. Helical computed tomography with multiplanar reconstruction (CT/MPR) was used to study proximal airway stenosis. Methods. Twenty-eight helical CT/MPR studies were obtained in 25 patients with known or suspected stenosis of the trachea or main bronchi. Computed tomographic results were compared with planar tomograms and bronchoscopic evaluation of the airway. Results. CT/MPR accurately demonstrated the site and degree of tracheal and main bronchial stenoses with a sensitivity of 93%, a specificity of 100%, and an accuracy of 94%. There was one false negative study in a patient with tracheomalacia. In a second patient, a tracheal web was only apparent on nonstandard viewing windows. Conclusions. CT/MPR provides good anatomic detail and is an increasingly available technique. Potential drawbacks include the need for a longer breath-hold (15 to 45 seconds) and increased complexity of data compared with conventional tomograms. Helical CT/MPR is useful in the preoperative evaluation of these patients and, as experience accumulates, may replace the use of conventional tomograms.
Synthesis and characterization of cross-linked silicone thin films by pulsed laser ablation deposition (PLAD)

Stable, uniform and cross-linked silicone films have been synthesized by pulsed laser ablation deposition (PLAD) for the first time. A KrF excimer (248 nm) laser was used in the synthesis. The effect of incident energy density on the deposited film chemistry was examined in depth. The surface analysis showed that at low energy densities (100–150 mJ/cm2), smooth, hydrophobic films similar in structure to the starting cross-linked silicone elastomer were obtained. Beyond 200 mJ/cm2, hydrophilic films with oxygen contents much higher than the starting polymer were obtained. These films also exhibited a more particulate texture suggesting ablation of particles and/or polymeric clusters from the silicone target. The results demonstrate that the PLAD process may prove valuable for the preparation of cross-linked silicone thin films with tailored properties.
On bit sequential multipliers

Recently bit sequential multiplier algorithms have been found more useful in the area of interconnection of multiple processors within a VLSI structure [1], [2]. The object of the present paper is to suggest modified bit sequential algorithms to achieve more speed and to attain its conformity with other algorithms such as division, square-rooting etc. with a view to utilize them in future arithmatic arrays. In the present paper the following has been taken up: a) Bit sequential multiplier using carry look-ahead technique, b) Bit sequential multiplier using most significant bit first, and c) Negabinary bit sequential multiplier
Elevated CO2 alters deployment of roots in "small" growth containers.

Previously we examined how limited rooting space and nutrient supply influenced plant growth under elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations (McConnaughay et al. 1993). We demonstrated that plant growth enhancement under elevated CO2 was influenced more by the concentration of nutrients added to growth containers than to either the total nutrient content per pot or amount or the dimensions of available rooting space. To gain insight into how elevated CO2 atmospheres affect how plants utilize available belowground space when rooting space and nutrient supply are limited we measured the deployment of roots within pots through time. Contrary to aboveground responses, patterns of belowground deployment were most strongly influenced by elevated CO2 in pots of different volume and shape. Further, elevated CO2 conditions interacted differently with limited belowground space for the two species we studied,Abutilon theophrasti, a C3 dicot with a deep taproot, andSetaria faberii, a C4 monocot with a shallow fibrous root system. ForSetaria, elevated CO2 increased the size of the largest region of low root density at the pot surface in larger rooting volumes independent of nutrient content, thereby decreasing their efficiency of deployment. ForAbutilon, plants responded to elevated CO2 concentrations by equalizing the pattern of deployment in all the pots. Nutrient concentration, and not pot size or shape, greatly influenced the density of root growth. Root densities forAbutilon andSetaria were similar to those observed in field conditions, for annual dicots and monocots respectively, suggesting that studies using pots may successfully mimic natural conditions.
Effects of naloxone and its quarternary analogue on stimulation-induced feeding

Feeding was induced in rats by electrical stimulation in the lateral hypothalamus. Naloxone (0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg) produced a dose-related elevation of the frequency threshold for stimulation-induced feeding while quarternary naloxone (2.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) had no effect. Since quarternary naloxone does not readily penetrate the blood-brain barrier, we conclude that the opiate receptors at which naloxone exerts its anorectic action are located in the brain rather than in potential peripheral tissues such as gastrointestinal tract, pancreas or adrenal medulla. The threshold-elevating effect of naloxone only became marked after rats had engaged in one or two 5-sec bouts of feeding. The effect continued to increase following each subsequent bout of feeding. Naloxone therefore appears to inhibit feeding by interacting with post-ingestive factors.