cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DNA binding discrimination of the murine DNA cytosine-C5 methyltransferase

Abstract Mammalian DNA cytosine-C 5 methyltransferase modifies the CpG dinucleotide in the context of many different genomic sequences. A rigorous DNA binding assay was developed for the murine enzyme and used to define how sequences flanking the CpG dinucleotide affect the stability of the enzyme:DNA complex. Oligonucleotides containing a single CpG site form reversible 1:1 complexes with the enzyme that are sequence-specific. A guanine/cytosine-rich 30 base-pair sequence, a mimic of the GC-box cis -element, bound threefold more tightly than an adenine/thymine-rich sequence, a mimic of the cyclic AMP responsive element. However, the binding discrimination between hemi- and unmethylated forms of these DNA substrates was small, as we previously observed at the K m DNA level ( Biochemistry , 35 , 7308–7315 (1996)). Single-stranded substrates are bound much more weakly than double-stranded DNA forms. An in vitro screening method was used to select for CpG flanking sequence preferences of the DNA methyltransferase from a large, divergent population of DNA substrates. After five iterative rounds of increasing selective pressure, guanosine/cytosine-rich sequences were abundant and contributed to binding stabilization for at least 12 base-pairs on either side of a central CpG. Our results suggest a read-out of sequence-dependent conformational features, such as helical flexibility, minor groove dimensions and critical phosphate orientation and mobility, rather than interactions with specific bases over the course of two complete helical turns. Thus, both studies reveal a preference for guanosine/cytosine deoxynucleotides flanking the cognate CpG. The enzyme specificity for similar sequences in the genome may contribute to the in vivo functions of this vital enzyme.
CVD mullite and mullite-alumina corrosion protection coatings for silicon based ceramics

Application of silicon-based ceramics (SiC, Si 3 N 4 ) and SiC/SiC composites as high-temperature structural materials requires the development of environmentally resistant coatings due to rapid degradation of the protective silica scale in high temperature water vapor. The CVD method of fabricating dense, high-purity, crystalline mullite (3Al 2 O 3 x2SiO 2 ) and mullite-alumina coatings was utilized in this study. The textured mullite coatings were generally comprised of crystalline grains (0.3-0.5 μm) with a columnar structure. Coatings with thickness of less than 2 μm, provided excellent corrosion protection for Si 3 N 4 and SiC/SiC exposed to low-velocity, high pressure (1 MPa) steam at 1200°C.
A test for spatial autocorrelation in seemingly unrelated regressions

Abstract A Lagrange multiplier test is proposed for spatial autocorrelation in the error term of the equations in a seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model. This test extends approaches developed for single equation models to the SUR context.
A DECAY THEOREM FOR SOME SYMMETRIC HYPERBOLIC SYSTEMS

In this short note, we consider smooth solutions to certain hyperbolic systems of equations. We present a condition which will ensure that no shocks develop and that solutions decay in L2. The condition is restrictive in general; however, when applied to the system of one-dimensional gas dynamics it is shown that if the condition is satisfied initially then it will be satisfied for all time and therefore one obtains smooth solutions which decay.
EFFECT OF REDOX AGENTS ON VISUAL CURE IN REFRIGERATED PICKLES

Nonpasteurized-refrigerated cucumber pickles were treated with oxidants and reductants to determine their effects on development of translucence (cure) appearance and changes in cell wall pectic substances and protein of mesocarp tissue. Similar responses were obtained for different oxidants that inhibited curing and for different reductants that accelerated curing. Calcium did not affect curing when applied alone or in combination with the redox agents. Levels of pectic substance fractions were not altered in cell walls from mesocarp tissue cured by sodium metabisulfite (SMBS), and only minor changes occurred in cell walls from mesocarp tissue inhibited from curing by hydrogen peroxide. Levels of protein and sulfhydryls were altered by the redox treatments. Peroxide protected against loss in protein content and sulfhydryl levels were substantially lowered. The reductant SMBS enhanced the amount of sulfhydryls and reduced disulfide groups. Therefore, changes in protein characteristics appear to be related to curing of pickle mesocarp tissue. Further studies on curing will include redox agents that were found to regulate the curing process.
Historical science, experimental science, and the scientific method

Many scientists believe that there is a uniform, interdisciplinary method for the practice of good science. The paradigmatic examples, however, are drawn from classical experimental science. Insofar as historical hypotheses cannot be tested in controlled laboratory settings, historical research is sometimes said to be inferior to experimental research. Using examples from diverse historical disciplines, this paper demonstrates that such claims are misguided. First, the reputed superiority of experimental research is based upon accounts of scientific methodology (Baconian inductivism or falsificationism) that are deeply flawed, both logically and as accounts of the actual practices of scientists. Second, although there are fundamental differences in methodology between experimental scientists and historical scientists, they are keyed to a pervasive feature of nature, a time asymmetry of causation. As a consequence, the claim that historical science is methodologically inferior to experimental science cannot be sustained.
Electron capture dissociation of divalent metal-adducted sulfated N-glycans released from bovine thyroid stimulating hormone.

Sulfated N-glycans released from bovine thyroid stimulating hormone (bTSH) were ionized with the divalent metal cations Ca2+, Mg2+, and Co by electrospray ionization (ESI). These metal-adducted species were subjected to infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) and electron capture dissociation (ECD) and the corresponding fragmentation patterns were compared. IRMPD generated extensive glycosidic and cross-ring cleavages, but most product ions suffered from sulfonate loss. Internal fragments were also observed, which complicated the spectra. ECD provided complementary structural information compared with IRMPD, and all observed product ions retained the sulfonate group, allowing sulfonate localization. To our knowledge, this work represents the first application of ECD towards metal-adducted sulfated N-glycans released from a glycoprotein. Due to the ability of IRMPD and ECD to provide complementary structural information, the combination of the two strategies is a promising and valuable tool for glycan structural characterization. The influence of different metal ions was also examined. Calcium adducts appeared to be the most promising species because of high sensitivity and ability to provide extensive structural information.
Crystal data for mercuric molybdate and tungstate

Abstract Crystals of HgMoO 4 and HgWO 4 have been prepared for the first time. Crystals of both compounds are light yellow and semiconducting. The two compounds are apparently isostructural, having a space group of Cc or C2/c.
A first approach to mechanical construction and cooling of a composite 3D silicon vertex detector

Abstract This paper presents first results on mechanical and cooling studies for a 3D silicon vertex detector designed for B physics at a hadron collider. Prototype modules were built from raw silicon wafers. One module was instrumented with resistors to simulate readout electronics. Both module movement and temperature variations were recorded. A cooling method utilizing simple air/helium flow was investigated, but proved inadequate because of too large temperature anisotropies.
Solute–solvent halogen bonding during adsorption on silver nanostructures

We offer here evidence for halogen bonding induced by silver nanoparticles (SNPs) in a multilayer containing 4-iodobenzoate ion (4IBI) and CCl(4). SERS experiments show in the monolayer that CCl(4) does not adsorb and 4-iodobenzoic acid (4IBA) adsorbs as 4IBI. SEIRA experiments reveal that 4IBI forms in the multilayer during deposition from CCl(4) on SNPs. Further infrared experiments on clean BaF(2) prove that 4IBI formation caused by underlying SNPs was necessary for CCl(4) inclusion in a 4IBI multilayer. Several potential scenarios involving intermolecular attraction between CCl(4) and 4IBI are proposed to explain the results. Although halogen bonding involving solvents has been theoretically and experimentally demonstrated in solution phase chemistry, in bulk crystals, and at the monolayer level, here it is shown that halogen bonding interactions can also be significant in multilayer films. Results from this work will likely impact a range of applications across diverse fields where halogen bonding in thin films and nucleation chemistry are important.
Teachers' Perceptions of the Frequency and Seriousness of Violations of Ethical Standards

Despite nationwide efforts to professionalize public-school teaching, little attention has been given to the matter of standards of professional conduct for teachers. The authors examined teachers' perceptions of the frequency and seriousness of different categories of teacher misconduct. They administered a 34-item questionnaire to 235 school professionals in northwestern South Carolina. For each item, respondents rated the extent to which they agreed or disagreed that the behavior occurred frequently and represented a serious violation of professional ethics. Factor analysis of the ratings of seriousness yielded 3 domains of ethical concerns: (a) student-teacher boundary violations, (b) carelessness in behavior, and (c) subjectivity in grading and instruction. Teachers rated boundary violations as the most serious but least common violations and carelessness in behavior as the most frequent but least serious violation. Problems of subjectivity in grading were rated as moderately frequent and moderately serious. The authors found no differences between male and female teachers or between elementary and secondary teachers in their ratings of the seriousness or frequency of any of the 3 groups of ethical concerns. The authors discuss implications for development of a national code of teacher conduct.
“Ignition” phenomena in random nets

The spread of excitation in a “random net” is investigated. It is shown that if the thresholds of individual neurons in the net are equal to unity, a positive steady state of excitation will be reached equal to γ, which previously had been computed as the weak connectivity of the net. If, however, the individual thresholds are greater than unity, either no positive steady state exists, or two such states depending on the magnitude of the axone density. In the latter case the smaller of the two steady states is unstable and hence resembles an “ignition point” of the net. If the initial stimulation (assumed instantaneous) exceeds the “ignition point,” the excitation of the net eventually assumes the greater steady state.
Estimation of a dynamic system of seemingly unrelated regressions with autoregressive disturbances

Abstract This paper examines the small sample properties of the asymptotically efficient estimator due to Hatanaka (1976) and Dhrymes and Taylor (1976) applied to a system of seemingly unrelated regressions characterized by both autoregressive disturbances and lagged endogenous variables. The results of several Monte Carlo experiments suggest that, in general, this estimation procedure performs well in samples of modest size. Two important situations in which the results are mixed are also reported.
Characterization of the activating region of Escherichia coli catabolite gene activator protein (CAP). I. Saturation and alanine-scanning mutagenesis.

It has been proposed that the surface loop consisting of amino acid residues 152 to 166 of the catabolite gene activator protein (CAP) of Escherichia coli makes direct protein-protein contact with RNA polymerase at the lac promoter. In this work, we have used targeted saturation mutagenesis of codons 152 to 166 of the gene encoding CAP, followed by a screen, to isolate more than 200 independent mutants of CAP defective in transcription activation but not defective in DNA binding. All isolated single-substitution mutants map to just eight amino acid residues: 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 162, 163 and 164. We propose that these residues define the full extent of the epitope on CAP for the proposed CAP-RNA polymerase interaction. In addition, we have constructed alanine substitutions at each position from residue 152 to 166 of CAP, and we have analyzed the effects on transcription activation at the lac promoter and on DNA binding. Alanine substitution of Thr 158 results in an approximately eightfold specific defect in transcription activation. In contrast, alanine substitution of no other residue tested results in a more than twofold specific defect in transcription activation. We conclude that, for Thr158, side-chain atom beyond Cβ are essential for transcription activation at the lac promoter, and we propose that Thr158 OHγ makes direct contact with RNA polymerase in the ternary complex for lac promoter. CAP and RNA polymerase. We conclude further that for no residue other than Thr158 are side-chain atoms beyond Cβ essential for transcription activation at the lac promoter.
Alternative solutions for longitudinal fins of rectangular, trapezoidal, and concave parabolic profiles

The traditional thermal analysis of fins is based on the assumption of specified thermal boundary conditions at the base and tip of the fin. For situations when the fin base is in contact with a fluid experiencing condensation and the fin is required to remove the energy released by the fluid, the base is subjected to two boundary conditions: a fixed temperature and a fixed heat flux. This paper develops solutions for the temperature distribution in the fins under these conditions. Solutions are provided for rectangular, trapezoidal, and concave parabolic (finite tip thickness). Results illustrating the relationship between the dimensionless heat flux, the fin parameter, and dimensionless tip temperature are provided for all three geometries. The case of convective fin tip is also considered and lead to a relationship between the dimensionless heat flux, the fin parameter, and the Biot number at the tip. The results presented here provide tools that not only complement the traditional analyses but are believed to have more direct relevance for the fin designers.
Rotational rainbows in inelastic atom—molecule differential cross sections☆

Abstract The existence of rotational raibows in atom-rigid rotor inelastic differential cross sections is shown by considering the classical limit of the centrifugal sudden-rotational sudden expression for the scattering amplitude.
Global warming and mosquito-borne disease in USA

probably a change in living conditions. Even in the poorest US communities, most people now live and work in airconditioned buildings, or are at least protected by insect screens. In addition, the spacing of houses and other buildings has increased because modern urban areas have evolved around the motor vehicle. As a result, population density is much lower than in the past, a major impediment to transmission. Events such as the dengue pandemic that affected the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico in 1995 support this explanation. 74 000 cases were reported from the region (Pan-American Health Organisation, unpublished data), including 4479 from Tamaulipas state, on the Texas border. Of these, 2361 were from Reynosa, a city contiguous with Hidalgo, Texas, but only seven autochthonous cases were reported in the entire state of Texas. Thus, unless living conditions are drastically changed, global warming is unlikely to give rise to major epidemics of tropical mosquito-borne disease in the USA.
Induction of Active Zones at Ectopic Neuromuscular Junctions in the Frog

To examine de novo differentiation of the active zone, ectopic neuromuscular junctions were studied in adult frog muscles. Ectopic junctions induced by excising the original endplate region and implanting the nerve to an endplate-free site were examined by light and electron microscopy 4 weeks-1 year after operations. The earliest time point at which ectopic junction formation was detected with freeze fracture was 6 weeks postoperation, when clusters of active zone particles were observed scattered across the nerve ending. Subsequently, short active zones (6–10 weeks postoperation, length mean = 0.36 +/- 0.24 microns) composed of the characteristic 2 double rows of particles are detected. Before junctional folds are observed with freeze fracture, many active zones are parallel to each other and to the long axis of the nerve. The average angle 6–10 weeks postoperation is 27 degrees +/- 23 degrees. Even during these early stages of formation, active zones are functional. As time passes, active zones attain a more typical, perpendicular orientation (12–18 weeks postoperation, mean = 62 degrees +/- 24 degrees) and also increase in length (mean = 0.69 +/- 0.45 microns). However, even after 1 year, the orientation (angle, mean = 70 degrees +/- 22 degrees) and the length (mean = 0.78 +/- 0.63 microns) of active zones at ectopic junctions are still not well correlated with active zones at normal junctions (normal active zone angle mean = 85 degrees +/- 5 degrees, length mean = 1.00 +/- 0.57 microns).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The central and multiple roles of B cells in lupus pathogenesis

A standard view of B cells in systemic autoimmunity is that they promote lupus by producing autoantibodies (autoAb). However, this view is incomplete because recent studies have revealed that autoimmune disease can be dissociated from autoAb deposition. Furthermore, the spontaneous T-cell activation and organ infiltration in systemic lupus erythematosus patients and animal models are difficult to explain entirely via a direct autoAb-mediated mechanism. In this review, we describe work addressing the B-cell functions of autoantigen presentation and autoAb production in lupus pathogenesis. In the JHD-MRL-Faslpr strain (JHD/lpr), a B-cell-deficient version of the lupus-prone MRL-Faslpr (MRL/lpr) mouse, spontaneous nephritis and dermatitis is abrogated, demonstrating that B cells have a primary role in disease. B cells play a similar role in Fas-intact, lupus-prone MRL mice. To address the role of autoantigen presentation, we analyzed transgenic mice which have B cells that cannot secrete immunoglobulin (mIgM transgenic mice). The restoration of B cells without antibody caused substantial interstitial nephritis and vasculitis although less marked than the intact MRL/lpr controls. To address the role of autoAb, we infused serum from aged MRL/lpr mice into JHD/lpr mice. At most, mild to no nephritis was observed in the infused mice. These results indicate that B cells are promoting autoimmunity in mechanisms other than autoAb secretion, and we describe a model depicting these B-cell roles in the context of other inflammatory events in lupus.
Computational Investigation of the Solvation of Nitric Acid: Formation of the NO3 - and H3O + Ion Pair

MP2 and B3LYP calculations were performed to investigate complexes of nitric acid with water using the 6?311++G(2d,p) basis set were used to determine optimized geometries and binding energies for HNO3···nH2O systems (n = 1–4). The structures for the global minima for n = 1–4 have homodromic rings formed by successive hydrogen bonds. The potential energy surface for the HNO3···nH2O clusters is quite shallow. The first stable ion-pair configuration is obtain for a HNO3···4H2O complex. The ion-pair, H3O+—NO3-, is separated by the three H2O molecules forming an Eigen-ion (H9O4+) type structure. The transition states and activation barriers for n = 1–4 were also determined. The zero-point corrected transition-state barrier for the ion-pair is only 0.5 kcal/mol. Larger HNO3···nH2O clusters (n up to 32) were also determined to be dominated by the ion-pair motif.
Serum fibroblast growth factor-23 and risk of incident chronic kidney disease in older community-dwelling women.

Background and objectives Elevated circulating fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) predicts progression of CKD, but it is unknown whether circulating FGF23 independently predicts incident CKD. This study aimed to determine whether circulating FGF23 predicts incident CKD in community-dwelling women. Design, setting, participants, & measurements This study examined the relationship of intact serum FGF23, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25[OH](2)D), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphate with prevalent and incident CKD in 701 disabled women, ≥65 years of age, from the Women's Health and Aging Study I in Baltimore, Maryland, from 1993 to 1997. Incident CKD was defined as a low estimated GFR (eGFR) Results At baseline, 381 women (54.3%) had stage 3 CKD. Of 307 women without CKD at baseline, 63 (20.5%) developed stage 3 CKD over 24 months of follow-up. After excluding prevalent cases of CKD, FGF23 (per 1 SD increase) was associated with incident stage 3 CKD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.51; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.06, 2.16; P=0.02), low and declining eGFR (HR, 3.69; 95% CI, 1.68, 8.11; P=0.001), and increase in serum creatinine (HR, 5.35; 95% CI, 1.27, 22.54; P=0.02) in respective multivariable Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for baseline eGFR, age, race, phosphate, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), parathyroid hormone, and other potential confounders. Conclusions Elevated FGF23 is an independent risk factor for incident CKD in older, disabled, community-dwelling women.
In Situ temperature measurements with thermocouple probes during laser interstitial thermotherapy (LITT): Quantification and correction of a measurement artifact

Background and Objective: The purpose of this work was to quantify the magnitude of an artifact induced by stainless steel thermocouple probes in temperature measurements made in situ during experimental laser interstitial thermo-therapy (LITT). A procedure for correction of this observational error is outlined. Study Design/Materials and Methods: A CW Nd:YAG laser system emitting 20W for 25–30 s delivered through a fiber-optic probe was used to create localized heating. The temperature field around the fiber-optic probe during laser irradiation was measured every 0.3 s in air, water, 0.4% intralipid solution, and fatty cadaver pig tissue, with a field of up to fifteen needle thermocouple probes. Results Direct absorption of Nd:YAG laser radiation by the thermocouple probes induced an overestimation of the temperature, ranging from 1.8°C to 118.6°C in air, 2.2°C to 9.9°C in water, 0.7°C to 4.7°C in intralipid and 0.3°C to 17.9°C in porcine tissue after irradiation at 20W for 30 s and depending on the thermocouple location. The artifact in porcine tissue was removed by applying exponential and linear fits to the measured temperature curves. Conclusion Light absorption by thermocouple probes can induce a significant artifact in the measurement of laser-induced temperature increases. When the time constant of the thermocouple effect is much smaller than the thermal relaxation time of the surrounding tissue, the artifact can be accurately quantified. During LITT experiments where temperature differences of a few degrees are significant, the thermocouple artifact must be removed in order to be able accurately to predict the treatment outcome. Lasers Surg. Med. 23:94–103, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
CO oxidation over Au/TiO2 prepared from metal-organic gold complexes

A series of Au/TiO2 catalysts has been prepared from precursors of various metal-organic gold complexes (Au n , n = 2–4) and their catalytic activity for CO oxidation studied. The Au/TiO2 catalyst synthesized from a tetranuclear gold complex shows the best performance for CO oxidation with transmission electron microscopy of this catalyst indicating an average gold particle size of 3.1 nm.
Tissue sites of catabolism of rat and human low density lipoproteins in rats

Abstract We have determined the sites of degradation of low density lipoprotein in rats using covalently linked [ 14 C]sucrose as tracer. On degradation, 14 C is trapped intracellularly as a cumulative measure of the amount of protein catabolized by each tissue. [ 14 C]Sucrose-labeled rat low density lipoprotein ( d 1.02–1.05 g/ml) was cleared from the plasma at a rate (0.092 ± 0.003 h −1 ) similar to that for 125 I-labeled LDL (0.096 ± 0.22 h −1 ). Tissues were examined for total 14 C content 24 h after injection of 14 C-labeled lipoprotein. At death, animals were perfused thoroughly to remove trapped plasma. Recovery of 14 C in tissues was 100 ± 23% of catabolized 14 C-labeled lipoprotein (calculated from plasma decay kinetics). In three test tissues, leakage of 14 C over 5 day s was less than 10%/day; leakage from liver was 10%/day, predominantly into bile; 14 C content of kidney increased slightly. Thus, 14 C trapping was adequate. The 14 C-labeled lipoprotein was catabolized 66.8 ± 2.5% by liver. No other organ catabolized more than 8%. Liver, adrenal and ovary were the most active per unit wet weight, followed by spleen. Urinary excretion, in 24 h, was 3% and biliary excretion was 7% of catabolized. Human low density lipoproteins were similarly examined with similar results; this similarity may be due to exchange of rat apolipoproteins onto human lipoprotein in the circulation.
A general approach for obtaining joint representations in signal analysis. I. Characteristic function operator method

A general approach for obtaining joint representations for arbitrary physical quantities is presented. The characteristic function operator method of Moyal (1949) and Ville (1960) and generalized by Cohen (1966, 1976) and Scully and Cohen (1987) for the time-frequency case is developed for arbitrary variables.
Robot Learning: Exploration and Continuous Domains

The goal of this workshop was to discuss two major issues: efficient exploration of a learner's state space, and learning in continuous domains. The common themes that emerged in presentations and in discussion were the importance of choosing one's domain assumptions carefully, mixing controllers/strategies, avoidance of catastrophic failure, new approaches with difficulties with reinforcement learning, and the importance of task transfer.
Size and Shape Control of Co Nanoparticles With a Cluster Gun

Nanoscale magnetic and nonmagnetic clusters exhibit unique structures and properties, which are strongly depending on their size and distribution. In this study, we have demonstrated the ability of our cluster gun system to fabricate magnetic nanoparticles (Co) with different size and shape, and studied their magnetic and structural and microstructural properties.
Child sleep arrangements and family life: perspectives from mothers and fathers

This study examined solitary sleeping and co-sleeping arrangements in families with a young child. Data were obtained from questionnaires completed by two independent samples, one of mothers (N=100) and one of fathers (N=38) of preschool-aged children. Types of family sleep arrangements included children who slept in their own room from infancy, children who shared the parental bed from infancy, and children who returned to bedsharing following a period of solitary sleeping. Mothers and fathers described reasons for family sleep arrangements, attitudes towards sleep arrangements, satisfaction with sleep arrangements, and perceptions of children's sleep-related problems. Survey questions also addressed marital relations, parenting, and well-being. Results indicated that mothers and fathers endorsed similar reasons for their families' sleep arrangements, although reasons differed by the type of sleep arrangement. Satisfaction with sleep arrangements was more likely for mothers and fathers whose attitudes coincided with their actual sleep practices. Parents who experienced more problems with their child's sleep behaviours also reported disharmony in marital and parenting domains. Thus, ‘nighttime parenting’ was found to be associated with other important domains of family life for both mothers and fathers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accelerated five-dimensional echo planar J-resolved spectroscopic imaging: Implementation and pilot validation in human brain.

Author(s): Wilson, Neil E; Iqbal, Zohaib; Burns, Brian L; Keller, Margaret; Thomas, M Albert | Abstract: PurposeTo implement an accelerated five-dimensional (5D) echo-planar J-resolved spectroscopic imaging sequence combining 3 spatial and 2 spectral encoding dimensions and to apply the sequence in human brain.MethodsAn echo planar readout was used to acquire a single spatial and a single spectral dimension during one readout. Nonuniform sampling was applied to the two phase-encoded spatial directions and the indirect spectral dimension. Nonlinear reconstruction was used to minimize the l1-norm or the total variation and included a spectral mask to enhance sparsity. Retrospective reconstructions at multiple undersamplings were performed in phantom. Ten healthy volunteers were scanned with 8× undersampling and compared to a fully sampled single slice scan.ResultsRetrospective reconstruction of fully sampled phantom data showed excellent quality at 4×, 8×, 12×, and 16× undersampling using either reconstruction method. Reconstruction of prospectively acquired in vivo scans with 8× undersampling showed excellent quality in the occipito-parietal lobes and good quality in the frontal lobe, consistent with the fully sampled single slice scan.ConclusionBy utilizing nonuniform sampling with nonlinear reconstruction, 2D J-resolved spectra can be acquired over a 3D spatial volume with a total scan time of 20 min, which is reasonable for in vivo studies.
CARBON DIOXIDE SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL IN COAL DEPOSITS

The concept of using gassy unmineable coalbed for carbon dioxide (CO2) storage while concurrently initiating and enhancing coalbed methane production may be a viable near-term system for industry consideration. Coal is our most abundant and cheapest fossil fuel resource, and it has played a vital role in the stability and growth of the U.S. economy. The energy source is also one of the fuels causing large CO2 emissions with the burning of coal in power plants. In the near future, coal may also have a role in solving environmental greenhouse gas concerns with increasing CO2 emissions throughout the world. Coal resources may be an acceptable “geological sink” for storing CO2 emissions in amenable unmineable coalbeds while significantly increasing the production of natural gas (CH4) from gassy coalbeds. Industry proprietary research has shown that the recovery of coalbed methane can be enhanced by the injection of CO2 over methane which could allow for the potential of targeting unmineable coals near fossil-fueled power plants to be utilized for storing stack gas CO2. Preliminary technical and economic assessments of this concept appear to merit further research leading to pilot demonstrations in selected regions of the United States. The benefits for considering and using unmineable coalbeds for a system concept of CO2-CH4 cycle include the following: (1) CO2 is captured from power plant flue gas, pressurized, and transported to injection wells completed in deep unmineable coals; (2) Coals near existing power plants have enormous capacity to store CO2 while enhancing CH4 production; (3) Coal reserves underlie many U.S. power plants with as many as 90% unmineable; and (4) Injection of CO2 into unmineable gassy coals allows for displacement of one molecule of sorbed CH4 while two or more molecules of CO2 are sequestered on the coal surface.
Distributed joint rate and power control game-theoretic algorithms for wireless data

In this letter, we consider two distributed game theoretic algorithms to jointly solve the problem of optimizing the transmission rates and transmit powers for future wireless data communication systems. We then establish the existence, uniqueness and Pareto optimality of Nash equilibria of both games.
Design of self-checking sequential machines

The authors present the design of self-checking sequential machines using standard memory elements, i.e. D, T, or JK flip-flops. The design approach involves cascading the three parts of a sequential machine, i.e. excitation, memory elements, and the output circuit. Parity is used to detect and transmit errors from one part to the next. The conditions for testing D, T, and JK flip-flops and for transmitting errors from their inputs to their outputs are presented; these are shown to exist in normal operation when the design procedure is used. SR flip-flops are found not to have the properties necessary for designing self-checking sequential machines. >
HUMAN PARAOXONASES (PON1, PON2, AND PON3) ARE LACTONASES WITH OVERLAPPING AND DISTINCT SUBSTRATE SPECIFICITIES

The paraoxonase (PON) gene family in humans has three members, PON1, PON2, and PON3. Their physiological role(s) and natural substrates are uncertain. We developed a baculovirus-mediated expression system, suitable for all three human PONs, and optimized procedures for their purification. The recombinant PONs are glycosylated with high-mannose-type sugars, which are important for protein stability but are not essential for their enzymatic activities. Enzymatic characterization of the purified PONs has revealed them to be lactonases/lactonizing enzymes, with some overlapping substrates (e.g., aromatic lactones), but also to have distinctive substrate specificities. All three PONs metabolized very efficiently 5-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid 1,5-lactone and 4-hydroxy-docosahexaenoic acid, which are products of both enzymatic and nonenzymatic oxidation of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, respectively, and may represent the PONs' endogenous substrates. Organophosphates are hydrolyzed almost exclusively by PON1, whereas bulky drug substrates such as lovastatin and spironolactone are hydrolyzed only by PON3. Of special interest is the ability of the human PONs, especially PON2, to hydrolyze and thereby inactivate N-acyl-homoserine lactones, which are quorum-sensing signals of pathogenic bacteria. None of the recombinant PONs protected low density lipoprotein against copper-induced oxidation in vitro.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation characteristics for altering pain perception.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of conventional low-intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) waveform and frequency characteristics on experimentally induced acute pain. Each of 28 male subjects received six forms of TENS and one control treatment during a single testing session. Treatments used one of two waveforms (monophasic or biphasic) and one of three frequencies (30, 60, or 85 Hz) administered to the forearm. Treatment effects were ascertained from alterations in pain-threshold and pain-tolerance responses induced by noxious electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral fifth digit. The TENS waveform and frequency had a negligible effect on pain threshold. The results indicated that waveform did not influence pain tolerance significantly. Pain tolerance, however, increased significantly at the frequency of 60 Hz but decreased significantly at both 30 and 85 Hz ( p < .05). We concluded that TENS frequency is an important factor in altering the subjects' perception of experimentally induced pain.
Assessing seasonal variation in multisource surveillance data: annual harmonic regression

A significant proportion of human diseases, spanning the gamut from viral respiratory disease to arthropod-borne macroparasitic infections of the blood, exhibit distinct and stable seasonal patterns of incidence. Traditional statistical methods for the evaluation of seasonal time-series data emphasize the removal of these seasonal variations to be able to examine non-periodic, and therefore unexpected, or 'excess', incidence. Here, the authors present an alternate methodology emphasizing the retention and quantification of exactly these seasonal fluctuations, explicitly examining the changes in severity and timing of the expected seasonal outbreaks over several years. Using a PCRconfirmed Influenza time series as a case study, the authors provide an example of this type of analysis and discuss the potential uses of this method, including the comparison of differing sources of surveillance data. The requirements for statistical and practical validity, and considerations of data collection, reporting and analysis involved in the appropriate applications of the methods proposed are also discussed in detail.
Cervicovaginal fistula complicating induced midtrimester abortion despite laminaria tent insertion.

Reprint requests: Jon H . Lischke , M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UCLA Center for the Health Sciences, Los Angeles, California 90025. amnioinfusion, and intravenous oxytocin stimulation are all circumstances which increase its incidence.1• 2 Laminaria tents have been suggested to induce early internal cervical os dilatation.3 The abortus would then be channeled along the cervical canal instead of creating a fistula. A patient is reported who developed a cervicovaginal fistula despite use of laminaria tents.
Apparent stress: An estimate of the stress drop

Stress drops determined from small earthquakes ( m <4.5) might, in principle, provide a means of monitoring stress variations in tectonic regions, but to date most such stress drop determinations have shown too large a scatter, both in space and in time, for any trends to be detectable. Results from some recent studies suggest that inferring stress drops from determinations of the apparent stress might result in sufficient reduction in the scatter to allow the detection of tectonic variations in stress. The determination of the apparent stress from data is largely model independent, but this is not the case for the usual corner-frequency method for calculating the static stress drop. The inference of a stress drop from the apparent stress requires assumptions about the dynamics of the rupture process, whereas the static stress drop (by definition) has no inherent dependence on the dynamics. However, for far-field data, the determination of the static stress drop has about as much model dependence as does the interpretation of the apparent stress. We have compared the two approaches for estimating the stress drop in the context of some currently used seismic source models, and we conclude that if the quality of the available data is sufficient to allow a good estimate of the radiated energy, determining the apparent stress should lead to more robust estimates.
Abstract 2397: SSX-2 vaccines with enhanced MHC class I binding epitopes elicit anti-prostate tumor CTL

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The tumor-associated antigen synovial sarcoma X breakpoint 2 (SSX-2) is classified as a cancer-testis antigen (CTA) based upon its tissue-restricted expression to germline cells and its frequent expression in a variety of malignancies. We have previously identified SSX-2 as a potential prostate cancer antigen that can be inducibly expressed in several prostate cancer cell lines. We have also previously identified two nonamer peptides from the amino acid sequence of SSX-2 that have significant affinity for HLA-A2 as assessed by in vitro T2 binding assay. These HLA-2-binding peptides were found to represent HLA-A2-restricted epitopes, able to induce peptide-specific immune responses in peptide- or DNA-immunized HHD-II (HLA-A2.1+/HLA-DR1+ transgenic) mice. Given these observations, the current study was conducted to determine if CTL generated in vaccinated HHD-II mice are capable of lysing HLA-A2+ prostate cancer cells and whether SSX-2 vaccine efficacy could be enhanced using an altered peptide ligand binding strategy. We found that peptides that were designed in silico to have increased or decreased HLA-A2+ affinity had enhanced and reduced HLA-A2 binding by in vitro T2 binding assay, respectively. Additionally, HHD-II mice immunized with modified SSX-2 vaccines developed increased or decreased frequencies of peptide-specific T cells in vivo, which could be detected by IFNγ ELISPOT assay and cytotoxicity assay. Animals immunized with enhancing modified SSX-2 vaccines generated CTL with cross-reactivity to the native SSX-2 epitopes. These CTL were capable of lysing target cells pulsed with both modified and native peptides and could also lyse an HLA-A2-expressing prostate cancer cell line. These results provide support for the further investigation of SSX-2 as an immunotherapeutic target for prostate cancer using vaccines modified to increase MHC class I binding. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2397.
Sharing the Ride of Power: Understanding Transactive Energy in the Ecosystem of Energy Economics

Advocates of Transactive Energy (TE) make arguments for the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) into a market environment from the standpoint of overall energy economics, customer choice, facilitating technology adoption, and encouraging innovation. At a very high level, this is reasonable given the rapid development and adoption of personalized transactions via the web and mobile computing in many domains and the equally rapid proliferation of DERs, at least in some geographic areas.
Technology advances needed for photovoltaics to achieve widespread grid price parity

To quantify the potential value of technological advances to the photovoltaics (PV) sector, this paper examines the impact of changes to key PV module and system parameters on the levelized cost of energy (LCOE). The parameters selected include module manufacturing cost, efficiency, degradation rate, and service lifetime. NREL's System Advisor Model (SAM) is used to calculate the lifecycle cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for residential, commercial, and utility scale PV systems within the contiguous United States, with a focus on utility scale. Different technological pathways are illustrated that may achieve the Department of Energy's SunShot goal of PV electricity that is at grid price parity with conventional electricity sources. In addition, the impacts on the 2015 baseline LCOE due to changes to each parameter are shown. These results may be used to identify research directions with the greatest potential to impact the cost of PV electricity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is There a General Role for the Monkey Oculomotor System in Perceptual Decision-Making?

Sensory perception often requires our brains to interpret ambiguous information relayed by our sensory organs to form categorical decisions about the world ([Gold and Shadlen, 2007][1]; [Kable and Glimcher, 2009][2]). An influential paradigm for studying this interpretation process, known as a
Evaluation and treatment of later manifestations of HIV infection.

SUMMARY An increasing number of primary care physicians will be called on to care for patients with AIDS as the epidemic of HIV infection progresses in the United States. In this article, the more common conditions responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in patients with AIDS have been discussed. It should be apparent that many of these conditions are treatable, either palliatively or with curative intent. Primary care physicians who are familiar with the diagnostic evaluation and therapy of these diseases will therefore be well equipped to provide vital medical care to severely immunocompromised patients with HIV infection.
Measuring the moment of learning with an information-theoretic approach.

There are various methods for determining the moment at which a student has learned a given skill. Using the Akaike information criterion (AIC), we introduce an approach for determining the probability that an individual student has learned a given skill at a particular problem-solving step. We then investigate how well this approach works when applied to student log data. Using log data from students using the Andes intelligent tutor system for an entire semester, we show that our method can detect statistically significant amounts of learning, when aggregated over skills or students. In the context of intelligent tutor systems, one can use this method to detect when students may have learned a skill and, from this information, infer the relative effectiveness of any help given to the student or of any behavior in which the student has engaged.
Marcuse, Radical Politics and the New Left

Marcuse was not the first Marxist to formulate theories of the integration of the working class and capitalist stabilization, but few other avowed Marxists have presented such a theory so bleakly and bluntly. Marcuse’s dilemma was that he wanted at the same time to remain a Marxist, be loyal to the project of critical theory developed by the Institute for Social Research, and be an independent thinker. In view of his writings and activity both before and after the publication of ODM, it is clear that he revently desired total revolution, described as a radical upheaval and overthrow of the previously existing order, bringing about wide-ranging changes that would eliminate capitalism and establish revolutionary socialism. As noted, Marcuse has told me that his experiences in the German Revolution of 1918 gave him a sense that genuine revolution was characterized by a totality of upheaval — a view articulated at the time by Rosa Luxemburg, whom Marcuse greatly admired and who decisively influenced his concept of revolution.1 Consequently, with such a totalistic concept of revolution, any reforms or social change that did not lead to an overthrow of capitalism only impressed Marcuse as a cosmetic improvement of the existing system.2
“In and among us” Friends: Specters of Friendship in Coleridge’s Biographia Literaria

ABSTRACTThis essay traces the vicissitudes and impossibilities in Coleridge’s life and writing as they are figured in Biographia Literaria. By following a logic of friendship outlined in Jacques Derrida’s The Politics of Friendship, it explores the ways in which Coleridge’s philosophical writing is simultaneously produced and interrupted by the configuration of friendship through a series of textual aporias. This essay teases out the friendship knots that Coleridge generates in an effort to expose the ways Biographia unfolds its meaning in and around the textual and philosophical friendships it touches upon. By paying particular attention to fragments of the text that may be read as marginal to its primary philosophical and literary aims, these specters of friendship bring to the fore peculiar work of literary filiation in the Romantic period.
A framework for globally convergent algorithms using gradient bounding functions 1,2,3

This paper presents a novel framework for developing globally convergent algorithms without evaluating the value of a given function. One way to implement such a framework for a twice continuously differentiable function is to apply linear bounding functions (LBFs) to its gradient function. The algorithm thus obtained can get a better point in each iteration without using a line search. Under certain conditions, it can achieve at least superlinear convergent rate 1.618 without calculating explicitly the Hessian. Furthermore, the strategy of switching from the negative gradient direction to the Newton-alike direction is derived in a natural manner and is computationally effective. Numerical examples are used to show how the algorithm works.