cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gamma tubulin in plant cells.

Publisher Summary Substantial progress has been made in cloning of plant γ-tubulin genes and immunolocalization of γ-tubulin. This chapter describes microtubule arrays in plants and discusses the importance of γ-tubulin in plants. The chapter discusses methods for cloning γ-tubulin genes in plants and methods for localizing γ-tubulin in plant cells. In view of the importance of γ-tubulin in mitotic spindle formation in fungi and higher organisms, it is likely that γ-tubulin plays an important role in nucleation and organization of microtubule arrays in plants. A number of plant γ-tubulin cDNAs have been cloned and sequenced. The high degree of conservation of plant γ-tubulins makes cloning plant γ-tubulin genes and cDNAs relatively straightforward. One approach that has been successful is to use a γ-tubulin cDNA from another organism to probe a library at low stringency. A second approach has been to use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to generate specific probes that can be used to probe libraries at high stringencies. This approach takes advantage of the fact that there are regions of γ-tubulin in which the amino acid sequence is highly conserved among phylogenetically diverse organisms.
Development of high-performance Na/NiCl/sub 2/ cell

The performance of the Ni/NiCl/sub 2/ positive electrode for the Na/NiCl/sub 2/ battery has been significantly improved by lowering the impedance and increasing the usable capacity through the use of chemical additives and a tailored electrode morphology. The improved electrode has excellent performance even below 200 degrees C and can be recharged within one hour. The performance of this new electrode was measured by a conventional galvanostatic method and by a newly developed power dynamic method. These measurements were used to project the performance of 40- to 60-kWh batteries built with this new electrode combined with the already highly developed sodium/ beta "-alumina negative electrode. These calculated results yielded a specific power of 150-400 W/kg and a specific energy of 110-200 Wh/kg for batteries with single-tube and bipolar cell designs. This high performance, along with the high cell voltage, mid-temperature operation, fast recharge capability, and short-circuited failure mode of the electrode couple, makes the Na/NiCl/sub 2/ battery attractive for electric vehicle applications. >
Serum lactic dehydrogenase activity during pregnancy and in the newborn.

Abstract 1. 1. In the nonpregnant woman serum lactic acid dehydrogenase activity undergoes cyclic variations which are correlated with the stage of the menstrual cycle. 2. 2. During the last 6 weeks of pregnancy there is a striking rise in the activity of this enzyme in the serum which is possibly due to its release from degenerating placental cells.
Synchronous Motor Drives

This chapter encompasses an extensive review of synchronous motor drives that includes different converter-machine configurations, control topologies, and feedback signal estimation, and discussion on sensorless control. Synchronous motor drives are more efficient and expensive. They have higher power density and lower rotor inertia, particularly with high-energy permanent magnet. The power factor can be programmable-leading, lagging, or unity with field control. In addition, the converter will be less expensive with unity power factor. Broadly, the machines are classified into wound-field, permanent magnet, and reluctance types. Currently, synchronous motor drives are close competitors of induction motor drives in many industrial applications, and their applications are witnessing continuous growth. Certain applications are uniquely suited for synchronous motor drives, which are generally more expensive than induction motor drives, but have higher efficiency that tends to lower the life-cycle costs. A number of practical applications of these drives, include rolling mill drive with voltage-fed converters, icebreaker ship propulsion with cycloconverter drive, gearless cement mill drive with cycloconverter, dual mining ore-crushing drive with cycloconverter, cruise ship propulsion with load-commutated current-fed converters, and future ship propulsion with high-temperature superconducting (HTS) motors.
Integrated, Step-Wise, Mass-Isotopomeric Flux Analysis of the TCA Cycle

Mass isotopomer multi-ordinate spectral analysis (MIMOSA) is a step-wise flux analysis platform to measure discrete glycolytic and mitochondrial metabolic rates. Importantly, direct citrate synthesis rates were obtained by deconvolving the mass spectra generated from [U-(13)C6]-D-glucose labeling for position-specific enrichments of mitochondrial acetyl-CoA, oxaloacetate, and citrate. Comprehensive steady-state and dynamic analyses of key metabolic rates (pyruvate dehydrogenase, β-oxidation, pyruvate carboxylase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and PEP/pyruvate cycling) were calculated from the position-specific transfer of (13)C from sequential precursors to their products. Important limitations of previous techniques were identified. In INS-1 cells, citrate synthase rates correlated with both insulin secretion and oxygen consumption. Pyruvate carboxylase rates were substantially lower than previously reported but showed the highest fold change in response to glucose stimulation. In conclusion, MIMOSA measures key metabolic rates from the precursor/product position-specific transfer of (13)C-label between metabolites and has broad applicability to any glucose-oxidizing cell.
Isolation and Characterization of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus PolR Revertants: Polymerase Readthrough of the Leader–N Gene Junction Is Linked to an ATP-Dependent Function

The switch from transcription to replication of the VSV genome is coupled to assembly of nascent chains and involves an unspecified change in the P-L polymerase complex when it reaches the leader-N gene junction. PoIR VSV mutants, in contrast to wild-type virus, read through this first gene junction at high frequency without concurrent assembly, and they show altered ATP requirements for transcription in vitro. The mutation(s) responsible for the poIR phenotype segregates to the N-RNA template fraction. We report here that both poIR1 and poIR2 mutants display severe growth restriction in mouse L cells but not in BHK cells. Four of six poIR1 revertant viruses, originating from rare plaques on L cells, showed wild-type characteristics for growth, readthrough of leader-N gene junction, and ATP utilization, while two showed partial and quantitatively parallel coreversion of all properties. Sequence analysis of N and P genes of poIR mutants and revertants provided proof that a single mutation in the N protein, Arg179 to His, is responsible for the poIR phenotype. PoIR1, but not poIR2, also displayed a phenotypically silent GA-to-GG change in the N-P intergenic dinucleotide sequence Five of six revertants retained the poIR1 N protein mutation and showed no change in their P gene. We conclude that the L protein likely contains second-site suppressors of the poIR phenotype, and we propose that the switch from transcription to replication is modulated by an ATP-dependent interaction between the template-associated N protein and the L subunit of the P L polymerase complex.
Becoming In/competent Learners in the United States: Refugee Students’ Academic Identities in the Figured World of Difference

A practice-based dialectic theory of identity was used in this study to explore the cultural-historical context of an urban charter school in which a group of newly arrived Muslim Turk refugee students’ academic identities were formed. The school, located in the Southwestern United States, was founded by a global Islamist movement. Ethnographic methods were employed over a nine-month period of fieldwork. Findings suggest the demands and consequences of claiming competent learner identities were costly when the refugee students struggled to participate in multiple cultural worlds. The refugee students were sorted into generic institutional identities such as English Language Learners that came with negative social implications and resulted in exclusion of the students from general education classrooms. Over time, the refugee students became closer to special education identification.
Can Pelvic Radiotherapy Be Omitted in Select Patients With Rectal Cancer

Randomized prospective trials have shown the benefits of adjuvant radiotherapy in decreasing local recurrence rates in stage II and stage III rectal cancer. However, some patients with stage II lesions have relatively low risks of local recurrence when treated with modern surgery alone. This article will discuss important prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic factors including depth of tumor invasion, tumor location, improvements in staging with endorectal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, enhanced surgical technique with total mesorectal excision, circumferential tumor margin, and lymph node dissection that may help to better define a subset of stage II rectal cancer patients in which pelvic radiation may be safely omitted.
Influence of Bonding Mode of the Linkers in the Electronic Communication of Molecular Pairs Having Dimolybdenum Units Linked by Pseudohalides

Depending on conditions the reactions of [Mo2(cis-DAniF)2(NCCH3)4](BF4)2 (DAniF = N,N′-di-p-anisylformamidinate) with solutions containing thiocyanate anions lead to two compounds: a quadruple-bonded dinuclear species 1, (Bun4N)2[Mo2(cis-DAniF)2(NCS)4], and a molecular pair 3, [Mo2(cis-DAniF)2]2(μ1,3-NCS)4. The latter has a cuboidal structure having two (cis-DAniF)2Mo22+ units, [Mo2], with four thiocyanate groups bridging two [Mo2] units in an end-to-end fashion in which the N and S atoms serve as the bridging units. On the contrary, the structure of the cyanate isomer, [Mo2(cis-DAniF)2]2(μ1,1-NCO)4 (2), shows an end-on binding of the cyanate linkers. Various physical measurements of 2 and its oxidized species 2·PF6 indicate that there is strong electronic communication between the two dimetal cores. For 1, two reversible oxidation processes were observed in the cyclic voltammogram corresponding to the successive oxidation to 1+ and an uncommon 12+ species that has a triple-bonded Mo26+ core. DFT calculat...
Heavily carbon-doped p-type GaAs and In0.53Ga0.47As grown by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy using carbon tetrabromide

Highly p-type carbon-doped GaAs and In 0.53 Ga 047 As grown by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy were obtained by using carbon tetrabromide as the carbon source. In the low 10 19 cm -3 range almost all carbon atoms are electrically active in GaAs, and at least 85% of the carbon atoms are activated at a concentration as high as 1.2×10 20 cm -3 . A hole concentration of 9×10 19 cm -3 in In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As, among the highest reported to date, was achieved. No hydrogenation problem was observed
The association between depressive symptoms and cigarette smoking in an urban primary care sample.

Objective:To examine the relationship between cigarette smoking and depressive symptoms in an urban primary care sample.Methods:Eligible participants were 526 patients aged eighteen to sixty-four presenting in the waiting rooms of two university affiliated internal medicine clinics. Participants were asked to complete a brief interview which ascertained current depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), demographic information, and smoking status using a modified version of the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND).Results:Smoking status differed significantly by age, gender, education, and employment status. Mean level of depressive severity also differed by smoking status. Current smokers with nicotine dependence symptoms had significantly higher CES-D scores than those who had never smoked, ex-smokers, and non-dependent smokers. Logistic regression analyses indicated that gender, employment status, age, and smoking status were significantly associa...
Two-photon collisional redistribution of radiation

Collisional redistribution in the presence of two weakly exciting laser fields is studied, including the effects due to degeneracy of the radiator states. A general expression for the total redistributed intensity is derived valid for arbitrary detunings and polarizations of the exciting laser fields. In particular, this expression contains all single-collision and sequential-collision contributions, which are equally important under certain circumstances. The similarities and differences between the redistributed intensity as calculated in this paper and the collisionally aided radiative excitation cross sections studied by Yeh and Berman (1979) and Light and Szoke (1978) are pointed out.
Low power penalty, dry-film polymer waveguides for silicon photonics chip packaging

Two types of polymer waveguides made by dry film process are characterized for silicon photonics chip packaging. In this paper, both DC and high-speed performance of the waveguides are demonstrated. DC characterization includes coupling loss from/to a single-mode fiber (SMF), near field pattern (NFP), far field pattern (FFP), and alignment tolerance measurement. The designed values for the waveguide cores are 10 µm in height and 14 µm in width. In terms of obtaining small enough coupling loss with butt coupling between the waveguides and SMFs, two kinds of numerical aperture (NA), 0.13 and 0.35, are selected. On the other hand, high-speed transmission experiments were tested by eye patterns. Clear eye openings were observed up to 25 Gbps. The results show dry-film polymer waveguides are one of a promising solutions for silicon photonics chip packaging used in next generation optical multi-chip module (MCM).
Rare-earth-based quantum memories

As computer processing and memory elements continue to shrink in size, quantum effects will no longer be negligible. This is especially important for memories, since these are expected to reach quantum size limits first. For example, if current trends continue, magnetic memory domains will become so small that the energy required to flip the domain orientation will become comparable to the Boltzmann energy, kT, at room temperature. To address these issues, the field of quantum computing has undergone substantial recent growth. However, quantum computers will require quantum memories and while many potential quantum computer designs are being explored, relatively few quantum memories are being developed. With this in mind, the prospects for storing quantum information in rare earth doped crystals are explored. In particular, the promising ultra-slow and stopped light storage schemes are described in detail, and projections are made based on experimental results.
Determination of tri- and tetravalent ions with a divalent ion-selective electrode

Abstract A method of determining tri- and tetravalent ions with a divalent ion-selective electrode is proposed. The determination is based on displacement of the divalent metal ion from the Mg-EDTA or Zn-EDTA complex. The approximate ranges for direct measurement are 3·10-3–3·10-4M. Titrimetric methods are recommended for analysis of mixtures of metal ions. Optimal pH ranges and precision are discussed.
Effect of storage methods on indentation-based material properties of abdominal organs.

To investigate the possible changes in material properties of cadaveric abdominal organs due to the preservation methods, the indentation data obtained from porcine abdominal organs (kidney, liver,...
Bacterial Coryza in Turkeys in Texas

A motile, gram-negative, short bacillus was isolated from the tracheas of turkey poults with coryza. An Escherichia coli also was isolated from the tracheas of poults. The former bacterium possessed characteristics similar or identical to those isolated from coryza outbreaks in other states. The characteristics were similar to those described for Alcaligenes fecalis. Cultures of the turkey coryza isolate produced coryza when inoculated intranasally in 1 to 3-day-old poults. The bacterium was reisolated consistently from the tracheas of the affected poults. In one experiment, poults inoculated with the coryza bacterium and the E. coli isolate had an apparent increased incidence of air sacculitis. No viruses were isolated from the tracheas of coryza-affected poults. Blood serums were negative for precipitating and hemagglutination-inhibition antibodies to avian influenza and Newcastle disease viruses, respectively. The serum neutralizing antibody titers to infectious bursal disease virus in noninoculated poults, and poults inoculated with the coryza bacterium, or E. coli or both, were undetectable or low. Serum agglutination was not a reliable method for determining infection by the coryza bacterium.
IN VIVO PEROXIDASE INHIBITOR IN BUSH BEAN (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS) LEAVES.

RECENT reports from this laboratory described a peroxidase enzyme from bush bean roots which catalysed the oxidative decarboxylation of oxaloacetate (OAA) to malonate1–3. Attempts to demonstrate this enzyme in crude extracts of bush bean leaves were unsuccessful. Using standard enzyme purification procedures, however, one of us (J. Y. L.) purified a peroxidase enzyme from bush bean leaves 240-fold and showed that the purified enzyme was indeed able to convert OAA to malonate, confirming the presence of the peroxidase enzyme in bush bean leaves. Subsequent studies showed that the crude enzyme preparation from bean leaves contained an inhibitor of peroxidase catalysed reactions. Inhibitors of peroxidase catalysed reactions have also been identified in pea epicotyl4, pineapple stem tissue5, and cotton leaf tissue6; but the extent to which these inhibitors exert their effect in vivo has not been determined. This communication presents evidence indicating that the peroxidase inhibitor in bush bean leaves inhibited the in vivo peroxidase catalysed conversion of OAA to malonate.
Increased expression of c-fos mRNA and AP-1 transcription factors after cortical impact injury in rats

Levels of c-fos mRNA and AP-1 transcription factors co-expression were measured in a controlled lateral cortical impact model of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. Ipsilateral cerebral cortex and bilateral hippocampal c-fos mRNA increases were revealed by in situ hybridization after lateral cortical impact injury. Based on regional in situ hybridization data, we employed semi-quantitative RT-PCR methods to study the temporal profile of changes in the ipsilateral cortex at the site of injury. We found that TBI produces transient increases of c-fos mRNA expression in the ipsilateral cerebral cortex at 5 min postinjury, which peaks at 1 h postinjury and subsides by 1 day postinjury. Gel shift nuclear protein binding assays showed that AP-1 transcription factor binding was robustly increased in injured cerebral cortex at 1 h, 3 h, 5 h and 1 day after injury. These data indicate that TBI can produce significant increases in c-fos expression and subsequent upregulation of the AP-1 transcription factors. Thus, AP-1 transcription factors modulation of downstream gene expression may be an important component of pathophysiological responses to TBI.
Approximation of the Kushner Equation for Nonlinear Filtering

In this paper we discuss the well-posedness and approximation of solutions to the Kushner equation in nonlinear filtering problems. We develop and analyze a time integration method based on the operator splitting. Also, we discuss its relation to the operator-splitting method for the Zakai equation.
Rensselaer's mobile computing program a whale of an idea!

Our Mobile Computing Program (MCP) supports Rensselaer's requirement for all undergraduates to have a laptop computer. As we approach the start of the 7th year, we have discovered that our initial stated program benefits are as applicable today as they were in 1999: great value (a complete package including pre-loaded software, specially designed laptop backpack, and network and security cables, all at a very competitive price), appropriateness (robust software suite and network ready), commonality (instructors and classmates on the same system), and extensive on-campus support and repair. Along the way, we have learned a great deal and the program has evolved in many ways.A mobile computing program must be multifaceted to be successful. The entire campus from the President to the faculty to the janitorial staff must be involved to varying degrees. This presentation will touch on some facets of an established mobile computing program through the experience at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. We will include such topics as campus involvement, laptop hardware and software, support and repair, and academics. In particular, we will discuss the integration of mobile technology into the curriculum, partnerships, and using the laptop as a recruitment tool. We will also explain some of the "fish we threw back.
The association of acrocentric chromosomes in 1000 normal human male metaphase cells

Associations among the acrocentric chromosomes of man were first described by FergusonSmith & Handmaker (1961) and Harnden (1961). Various investigators have suggested that such associations, in conjunction with other prominent heteropycnotic secondary constrictions, play a role in the organization of nucleoli (Schultz & St Lawrence, 1949; Ohno et al. 1961; Hungerford, 1964 ; Ferguson-Smith, 1964). Participation of the acrocentric chromosomes in such associations has been postulated to increase the risk of non-disjunction with subsequent trisomic conditions of groups D and G (Harnden, 1961; Ferguson-Smith & Handmaker, 1961). In fact, several families possessing chromosomally abnormal individuals have been purported to exhibit possible ‘increased satellite association’ (Tips et al. 1964; Kiossoglou et al. 1964; Lyons, Thompson & Bigley, 1966; Zellweger, Abbo & Cuany, 1966; Abbo, Zellweger & Cuany, 1966). However, studies of this type have not been too well defined and in some cases both cytogenetically normal and abnormal individuals have been compared directly (Van Brink, Los & Nienhaus 1962; Froland & Mikkelsen, 1964; Bishun, 1966; Zellweger et al. 1966; Abbo et al. 1966). Such comparisons pose difficulties since the number of acrocentric chromosomes may not be the same in each case, e.g. trisomic and normal individuals. In addition, population data from a large series of normals on the frequency and distribution of satellite associations are meagre. In this paper, we present data on various aspects of satellite associations, in the hope that such results might form a basis for comparison between normal individuals and persons with abnormal cytogenetic constitutions.
Ecology of deep-sea nematodes from the Puerto Rico trench area and Hatteras Abyssal plain

Abstract Nematode assemblages from a bathyal silty-sand and three hadal silty-clays from the Puerto Rico Trench area were compared with that from a silty-clay from the HatterasAbyssal Plain. Fine sediments at each site were largely dominated by species belonging to three major genera: Theristus, Acantholaimus and Halalaimus . At the bathyal sand site the relative abundances of these genera were reduced and those of several others (e.g. Desmodora, Leptolaimus, Camacolaimus, Tricoma, Greeffiella, Setoplectus ) elevated. Average body weight of nematodes occurring in the sand was 0.057 μg (dry weight), approximately 20–50% that of the nematodes found in the silty-clays. It is suggested that in the deep sea, as at shallow depths, smaller nematodes are better able to move in heterogeneous, coarser sediments than in more uniform, fine ones. Deposit-feeding species were the dominant feeding type observed in all sediments, but epistrate feeders were most numerous in the bathyal sands, probably the result of increased resource partitioning by worms inhabiting a more heterogeneous sedimentary environment. Species richness in bathyal sands was also high. Normal classification of assemblages found in sediments from the Hatteras Plain, Puerto Rico Trench areas, Venezuela Basin and upper abyssal province off North Carolina suggests that deep-sea nematode families and genera are widely distributed across the Antillean Arc. However, species endemism is high: 67 and 77% of the species identified from the Hatteras Plain and Puerto Rico Trench respectively, occurred only at these sites. Affinities among species from all four sites were very low. The wide distribution of families and genera, and narrow distribution of species, suggests that current radiation of deep-sea nematodes probably occurs at the species level.
Dural arteriovenous malformations: Indications for treatment and surgery

Cranial dural arteriovenous malformations (DAVMs) and fistulae are congenital or acquired niduses of arterial shunting within the dura mater that usually obtain their arterial blood supply from meningeal branches of the internal carotid, external carotid, or vertebral arteries. 1 The nidus of the shunting is contained within the dural leaflets of the wall of the dural sinus, the falx, the tentorium, or the dura proper. They are classified according to the region of dural pathology: anterior fossa, convexity, superior sagittal sinus, torcular, transversesigmoid sinus, tentorial incisura, and cavernous sinus. Those AVMs involving the transverse-sigmoid sinus are usually supplied by posterior meningeal and occipital arteries, whereas those related to the cavernous sinua and tentorial incisura receive blood from the meningohypophyseal think, the intracavernous carotid artery, and rarely the ascending pharyngeal arteries. The anterior fossa lesions are supplied by ophthalmic artery branches as well as by the middle meningeal and superficial temporal arteries. Several theories regarding the cause of DAVMs have been suggested. Although most are believed to be acquired, some probably are congenital lesions (anterior fossa and tentorial incisura). A large number of these malformations have been related to thrombosis of a major venous sinus; in some cases it appears that the arteriovenous shunt was caused by primary occlusion of the sinus, whereas in other cases there is evidence that occlusion of the sinus was secondary to a preexisting DAVM. There have been numerous reported cases of DAVMs becoming clinically evident after cranial cerebral trauma, and in these cases the lesion can be placed in one of three major posttraumatic categories: (1) those at the site of dural injury, (2) those remote from the site of injury, and (3) those posttraumatic DAVMs detected incidentally after traumatic injury.
Cupric ion stimulation of mitochondrial protein synthesis and dependence on the osmolarity of incubation medium.

AbstractThe effect of cupric ion on amino acid incorporation into protein by isolatec rat liver mitochondria was investigated. In confirmation of previous observations, the incorporation was stimulated as much as 80% by the addition of 2 to 10 μM CuCl2 when the mitochondria were incubated in the medium of Buchanan et al. The stimulation was maximal at 6 μM Cu2+. By contrast, cupric ion at comparable concentrations showed no significant effect on the incorporation when the mitochondria were incubated in the medium of Haldar and Freeman. Experiments involving omission or addition of the components which made the two media different showed that the stimulatory effect of cupric ion depended upon the presence of 50 mM Tris-HCl. Additional experiments with Tris-HCl and sucrose demonstrated that the extent of stimulation depended on the osmolarity of the incubation medium and that cupric ion stimulated the incorporation by preventing the inhibition caused by the hyperosmolarity of the medium.
Simultaneous Metabolism of Aspirin and Acetaminophen in Man

Aspirin, administered orally in a single dose (2.9 g.) 1 hr. before 650 mg. acetaminophen, had no effect on the formation of the glucuronide and sulfate of acetaminophen. When aspirin was administered on a multiple-dose regimen of 2.6 g. daily for 3 days, followed by a 650-mg. dose of acetaminophen on the 4th day, there was likewise no effect on the formation of acetaminophen metabolites. Since large doses of aspirin have no apparent effect on acetaminophen metabolism, it appears these two drugs may be metabolized by different enzyme systems.
The Effect of Poverty on the Propensity to Adopt Broadband: Household-Level Evidence from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program

The authors focus on the lack-of-access component of the digital divide. Against a backdrop of federal policy that entwines poverty with broadband access, the authors use original statewide data to test a two-step model, drawn from the New Poverty Studies, of barriers to household-level broadband adoption. The authors generate a measure of the propensity to adopt broadband and test the relative role of poverty in the household decision-making process. The authors conclude by noting the continuing relevance of access as a component of the digital divide and providing support for the continuation of assistance efforts to close the household broadband access gap.
Ferrous/Ferric Mössbauer Analysis of Simulated Nuclear Waste Glass with and without Computer Fitting

Wet-chemical and 57Fe Mossbauer analyses of ferrous/ferric ratios in complex borosilicate and simple silicate glasses were compared. The results support the validity of the colorimetric wet–chemical procedure and establish a linear calibration for the Mossbauer data. The resulting correlation indicates that using area ratios from Mossbauer spectra will overestimate the proportion of ferrous iron by a factor of 1.2. The linear calibration was achieved only after statistically optimizing the peak line shape for each Mossbauer spectrum. Samples with a greater proportion of ferrous iron tended to have a greater Gaussian contribution to the peak line shape. A procedure to determine ferrous/ferric ratios from measured intensity data at three velocity locations was developed. With instrument modification, this result will lead to a substantial reduction in data collection time and the elimination of complex spectral fitting.
Temperature monitoring sites for tree fruit pest management in North Central Washington

Abstract Tree fruit production sites in the Wenatchee River valley and surrounding area are topographically heterogeneous. The differences in the accumulation of day-degrees at 31 sites (1979) and 36 sites (1980) suggested 14 temperature monitoring sites might be required to provide accurate resolution of arthropod pest development. However, examination of the clustering patterns of sites revealed that 11 sites would provide the resolution necessary to determine pest development. Sites near the same location in the Wenatchee River valley did not accumulate day-degrees at the same rate. Sites north of the river with south aspect were much warmer than their equivalent sites on the south side. A multiple regression model using site parameters of elevation, slope aspect and slope degree did not provide an adequate explanation of the variability between sites.
Olfactory Mechanisms in the Moth Manduca sexta: Response Characteristics and Morphology of Central Neurons in the Antennal Lobes

The antennal lobes of the moth Manduca sexta are composed of two distinct classes of central neurons: local interneurons, involved in sensory processing within the lobe, and output neurons, the relay elements carrying sensory information to higher neuropil centres in the brain. The different types of neurons in each class share many characteristics. All of the local interneurons have extensive multiglomerular dendritic arborizations and lack distinct axons while all of the output neurons have uniglomerular dendritic arborizations. In addition to these general characteristics the central neurons of the antennal lobes also possess a distinct sexual dimorphism. Only the male moth responds to the female sex pheromone. All of the central neurons in the antennal lobe of the male moth that respond to pheromone have dendritic branches located in the macroglomerular complex, a male-specific neuropil region. Two types of pheromone-sensitive local interneurons have been described morphologically and physiologically while a single type of output neuron has been found that has a dendritic arborization in the macroglomerular complex.
Control flow behavior of cloud workloads

With massive amounts of information on the web, cloud applications are rapidly emerging as one of the main-stream domains in modern computing, yet very little is known about their behavior. To our knowledge, this paper presents the first detailed study of control flow behavior in cloud workloads. We characterize branch predictability behavior of cloud and big data benchmarks, and compare against those of widely known CPU workloads based on profiling and simulation. Our in-depth branch analysis of workloads present striking differences in terms of higher prevalence of indirect branches, larger offsets in branch targets, abundance of multi-target branches and low BTB hit-rates. We identify performance bottlenecks involving branch predictability and provide suggestions that can be incorporated in future datacenter oriented processor designs. We perform Principal Component Analysis and clustering techniques to understand similarity/dissimilarity between cloud and CPU workloads.
Picosecond photon echo and coherent raman measurements on molecular solids in a high pressure diamond anvil cell

Abstract We report the first picosecond photon echo measurements on a molecular solid in a high pressure diamond anvil cell at low temperature. We also present time-resolved coherent Raman measurements of vibrational relaxation in pure molecular crystals as a function of pressure in a diamond anvil cell at low temperature. Since photon echo spectroscopy eliminates inhomogeneous dephasing, we utilize this technique to yield the homogeneous dephasing rate for high pressure samples where sample inhomogeneities and inhomogeneous pressure gradients may exist. Since the Fourier transform of the photon echo decay yields the absorption lineshape, these experiments provide a means of obtaining high resolution spectra under extreme high pressure conditions. In addition, pressure induced changes in vibrational relaxation rates observed by picosecond coherent Raman measurements are used as a sensitive probe of the intermolecular interactions that give rise to relaxation phenomena.
Effect of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) on the morphology and survival of cultured hippocampal neurons and glial cells

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a cytokine involved in the survival, differentiation and regeneration of sympathetic, sensory and motor neurons. Its effects in the brain are less well characterized. In a previous study, we found LIF transcripts to be predominantly expressed in neurons of the adult rat brain. Highest levels were observed in the hippocampus, particularly in granular neurons of the dentate gyrus and in hilar interneurons. Here we report the effects of LIF on survival and differentiation of postnatal rat hippocampal cells in vitro. We find that LIF minimally influences the survival and differentiation of dentate gyrus neurons, causing a slight reduction of the number of dendrites per neuron. In contrast, LIF induces a pronounced increase in the number of astrocytes. This increase does not appear to be due to enhanced proliferation but rather to increased cell survival. On the other hand, epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces astrocyte proliferation, and addition of LIF inhibits the EGF effect. In summary, LIF does not appear to be crucial for the survival or differentiation of cultured dentate gyrus neurons. This cytokine increases astrocyte survival but does not enhance astrocyte proliferation, and LIF is able to counteract the growth stimulation elicited by EGF.
Osteoporosis after Organ Transplantation

Within the past 2 decades, organ transplantation has become established as effective therapy for endstage renal, hepatic, cardiac, and pulmonary disease. Regimens to prevent rejection after transplantation commonly include high-dose glucocorticoids and calcineurin-calmodulin phosphatase inhibitors (the cyclosporines and tacrolimus), which are detrimental to bone and mineral homeostasis, and are associated with rapid bone loss that is often superimposed upon an already compromised skeleton. The incidence of fracture ranges from 8% to 65% during the first year after transplantation. In general, fracture rates are lowest in renal transplant recipients and highest in patients who receive a liver transplant for primary biliary cirrhosis. Rates of bone loss and fracture are greatest during the first 6 to 12 months after transplantation. Postmenopausal women and hypogonadal men appear to be at increased risk. Although no pretransplant densitometric or biochemical parameter has yet been identified that adequately predicts fracture risk in the individual patient, low pretransplant bone mineral density does tend to increase the risk of fracture, particularly in women. However, patients may sustain fractures despite normal pretransplant bone mineral density. Although the pathogenesis of the rapid bone loss is multifactorial, prospective biochemical data suggest that uncoupling of bone formation from resorption may be in part responsible, at least during the first 3 to 6 months. Prevention of transplantation osteoporosis should begin well before transplantation. Patients awaiting transplantation should be evaluated with spine radiographs, bone densitometry, thyroid function tests, serum calcium, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and testosterone (in men). Therapy for osteoporosis, low bone mass, and potentially reversible biochemical causes of bone loss should be instituted during the waiting period before transplantation. In patients with normal pretransplant bone density, therapy to prevent early posttransplant bone loss should be instituted immediately following transplantation. Most pharmacologic agents available for therapy of osteoporosis have not been subject to prospective controlled studies in organ transplant recipients. However, antiresorptive drugs, such as biphosphonates, appear to hold therapeutic promise.
Glucocorticoid receptor isoforms generate transcription specificity

Glucocorticoids are necessary for life and are essential in all aspects of health and disease as they regulate processes from mitosis to apoptosis, from metabolism to growth and development. However, responses to glucocorticoids vary among individuals, cells and tissues. Recent evidence indicates that multiple glucocorticoid receptor (GR) isoforms are generated from one single GR gene by alternative splicing and alternative translation initiation. These isoforms all have unique tissue distribution patterns and transcriptional regulatory profiles. Furthermore, each is subject to various post-translational modifications that affect receptor function. Thus, increasing evidence suggests that unique GR isoform compositions within cells could determine the cell-specific response to glucocorticoids. Here, we discuss a new molecular model potentially underlying tissue-specific glucocorticoid resistance and selectivity.
Unintended shootings in a large metropolitan area: an incident-based analysis.

Abstract Study objective: We determine the proportion of unintended shootings that might be prevented by promoting safe storage, safe handling, and/or safer firearm designs. Methods: A regional firearm injury surveillance system was used to identify fatal and nonfatal unintentional shootings in a 5-county metropolitan area. Case reports were reviewed, and the causes of each shooting were independently classified by 4 members of the research team. A consensus conference was held to resolve disagreements. Results: Between May 1, 1996, and June 30, 2000, 216 cases of unintentional firearm injury were identified, 3.8% of the shootings documented during the study period. Six (2.8%) were fatal. The majority of victims were between 15 and 34 years of age. One fourth (54) of the shootings involved victims younger than 18 years. Handguns were involved in 87% of the incidents. Enough information was available to characterize the incident in 122 (57%) cases. All but 6 fell into 1 or more of 3 broad categories of causation: Child access (14%), mishandling (74%), and/or deficiencies in firearm design (32%). Conclusion: Many unintentional shootings could be prevented by promoting safe storage of guns in the home, promoting safe handling of firearms, and requiring that all new handguns incorporate basic safety features. [ Ann Emerg Med. 2003;41:10-17.]
Compressive Two-Dimensional Harmonic Retrieval via Atomic Norm Minimization

This paper is concerned with estimation of two-dimensional (2-D) frequencies from partial time samples, which arises in many applications such as radar, inverse scattering, and super-resolution imaging. Suppose that the object under study is a mixture of r continuous-valued 2-D sinusoids. The goal is to identify all frequency components when we only have information about a random subset of n regularly spaced time samples. We demonstrate that under some mild spectral separation condition, it is possible to exactly recover all frequencies by solving an atomic norm minimization program, as long as the sample complexity exceeds the order of rlogrlogn. We then propose to solve the atomic norm minimization via a semidefinite program and provide numerical examples to justify its practical ability. Our work extends the framework proposed by Tang for line spectrum estimation to 2-D frequency models.
Back to the Future: An All-NMOS SiC Linear Voltage Regulator for High Temperature Applications

The first power management option in integrated SiC is presented in this paper. This linear voltage regulator consists of an error amplifier and a W/L=32,000 depletion NMOS as the pass device. The feedback and frequency compensation networks are external. Due to the developing nature of SiC processes, the voltage reference used for the error amplifier is external as well. This SiC linear voltage regulator was fabricated in a 4H-SiC, all NMOS, 2 μm process and can operate at temperatures up to 225 °C. The voltage regulator can regulate at voltages between 10 and 15 V up to a maximum load current of 2 A with less than 4% load regulation and 192 mV/V line regulation at 225 °C. This regulator sets the reference for future SiC linear regulators, and as the manufacturing processes for SiC mature, better load and line regulations will be achievable and yet over a wider temperature range and higher output voltages than standard silicon.
Banach algebra generated by a finite number of bergman polykernel operators, continuous coefficients, and a finite group of shifts

We study the Banach algebra generated by a finite number of Bergman polykernel operators with continuous coefficients that is extended by operators of weighted shift that form a finite group. By using an isometric transformation, we represent the operators of the algebra in the form of a matrix operator formed by a finite number of mutually complementary projectors whose coefficients are Toeplitz matrix functions of finite order. Using properties of Bergman polykernel operators, we obtain an efficient criterion for the operators of the algebra considered to be Fredholm operators.
SmartAHS: A simulation framework for automated vehicles and highway systems

SmartAHS is a software framework for the uniform specification, simulation, and objective evaluation of Intelligent Vehicle Highway System (IVHS) alternatives. This paper illustrates the use of the object-oriented paradigm in its design, implementation, and use. Objective comparison of proposed highway automation alternatives is achieved, when all control architectures are specified in SmartAHS. The framework implementation is decomposed into three layers. A core set of entities, called SmartDb, implement the base classes of the framework, the scheduling mechanism, and a special syntax for a state machine formalism. The second layer, SmartAHS customizes these classes and implements entities specific to highway automation. The control and communication engineers are the users of SmartAHS; they further customize it to implement specific simulation applications such as SmartPATH. The users of the applications are system analysts and system planners. We discuss the design and implementation of SmartDb and SmartAHS and give a use-case example of a subset of SmartPATH.
Rethinking improved cookstove diffusion programs: A case study of social perceptions and cooking choices in rural Guatemala

Promoters of improved cookstoves (ICSs) argue they provide the “triple benefits” of improving health outcomes, preserving local ecosystems, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The majority of ICS research reveals a strong pro-diffusion bias toward proving these benefits. Few studies have examined ICSs from the adopters' point-of-view. The purpose of this case study was to describe how culture and social perceptions affect the adoption and use of ICSs. Results showed that stoves in this rural Guatemalan community had several layers of practical importance beyond cooking food. Most prominently, household members valued stoves as heat and light sources, and as a social gathering point for families. Most ICS models have been purposely designed in controlled conditions to deliver maximum heating efficiency at the lowest production cost. However, this case study revealed that the fuel-efficient designs sacrificed important functional, social, and cultural needs. Efforts to increase adoption rates of ICSs will be more successful if the macro-level “triple benefits” paradigm is adapted to include functional consumer-centric benefits beyond heating food, such as providing heat and ambient light. Adoption programs should account for the cultural and social needs of users, such as recognizing that stoves often serve as a gathering point for families.
GTP cyclohydrolase I feedback regulatory protein-dependent and -independent inhibitors of GTP cyclohydrolase I.

Abstract GTP cyclohydrolase I feedback regulatory protein (GFRP) mediates the feedback inhibition of GTP cyclohydrolase I activity by (6 R )- l -erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH 4 ) through protein complex formation. Since guanine and BH 4 have a common pyrimidine ring structure, we examined the inhibitory effect of guanine and its analogs on the enzyme activity. Guanine, 8-hydroxyguanine, 8-methylguanine, and 8-bromoguanine inhibited the enzyme activity in a GFRP-dependent and pH-dependent manner and induced complex formation between GTP cyclohydrolase I and GFRP. The type of inhibition by this group is a mixed type. All these properties were shared with BH 4 . In striking contrast, inhibition by 8-azaguanine and 8-mercaptoguanine was GFRP-independent and pH-independent. The type of inhibition by 8-azaguanine and 8-mercaptoguanine was a competitive type. The two compounds did not induce complex formation between the enzyme and GFRP. These results demonstrate that guanine compounds of the first group bind to the BH 4 -binding site of the GTP cyclohydrolase I/GFRP complex, whereas 8-azaguanine and 8-mercaptoguanine bind to the active site of the enzyme. Finally, the possible implications in Lesch–Nyhan syndrome and Parkinson diseases of the inhibition of GTP cyclohydrolase I by guanine and 8-hydroxyguanine are discussed.
Comparison of Distributed PD-like and Importancebased Fuzzy Logic Controllers for a Two-link Rigid-flexible Manipulator

Fuzzy logic control presents a computationally efficient and robust alternative to conventional controllers. While experts can easily design fuzzy logic controllers (FLCs) for many applications, some systems such as multilink flexible manipulators, which have many variables and complex behavior, offer challenges to fuzzy logic control. In this paper we present two distributed controllers for a two-link rigid-flexible manipulator that moves in a vertical plane where the gravity field is active. The first distributed controller, which is based on observing the performance of the manipulator, uses three PD-like FLCs: the first two FLCs control joint angles and joint angular velocities while the third controls the tip vibration. The second distributed controller is based on evaluating the importance degrees of the output variables of the system. Variables with the same rank of high importance degrees are grouped together, while variables with low importance degrees may be deleted to simplify the design of the...