cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collective buckling of an elastic beam array on an elastic substrate for applications in soft lithography

We analyze the collective buckling of an array of vertical elastic beams with their lower ends built into an elastic substrate. The beams interact between themselves through the deformation of the elastic substrate. The present analysis is more sophisticated than previous ones on rigid beams on an elastic substrate in that the beams are regarded as elastic rather than rigid. From the linear theory for elastic beam buckling and the linear theory of elasticity, an eigenvalue problem is formulated and solved. Calculations show that the deformability of the beams lowers the critical height of the beams, but it does not affect the buckling pattern much. Our work also suggests that the collective buckling is dominated by the interaction of neighboring beams through the deformation of the substrate rather than whether the beams are rigid or elastic. The results are useful for the better understanding, design and application of the nanostructures produced by soft lithography.
The use of filter membranes for high-pressure freezing of cell monolayers.

Summary Rapid freezing of cells and tissues, followed by freeze-substitution fixation and plastic embedding, has become a highly reliable method for preparing samples for imaging in the electron microscope. High-pressure freezing is an efficient means of immobilizing suspensions of yeasts, thick pellets of mammalian cells, or small (< 0.5 mm) pieces of plant or animal tissue. Monolayers of cultured mammalian cells that are too thick for efficient immobilization by other modes of rapid freezing have also been successfully preserved by this method. Monolayer cultures are often important because they can be imaged by light microscopy (LM) both before and after their preparation for electron microscopy (EM). Additionally, some monolayer cultures serve as model systems for physiological processes, so it is important that cells under study can grow on a substrate that is both physiologically appropriate and convenient for EM processing. Here we describe a reliable method for preparing mammalian cell monolayers (PtK1 and polarized MDCK) for EM. Our protocol results in good preservation of cellular ultrastructure, it is a useful companion to studies of cell physioloy and, with some limitation, is suitable for correlative LM and EM.
Lifetime of Titanium Filament at Constant Current

Titanium Sublimation Pump (TSP) represents the most efficient and the least expensive method to produce Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) in storage rings. In ISABELLE, a proton storage accelerator under construction at Brookhaven National Laboratory, for example, TSP provides a pumping speed for hydrogen of > 2 x 10/sup 6/ l/s. Due to the finite life of titanium filaments, new filaments have to be switched in before the end of filament burn out, to ensure smooth operation of the accelerator. Therefore, several operational modes that can be used to activate the TSP were studied. The constant current mode is a convenient way of maintaining constant evaporating rate by increasing the power input while the filament diameter decreases as titanium evaporates. The filaments used in this experiment were standard Varian 916-0024 filaments made of Ti 85%, Mo 15% alloy. During their lifetime at a constant current of 48 amperes, the evaporation rate rose to a maximum at about 10% of their life and then flattened out to a constant value, 0.25 g/hr. The maximum evaporation rate occurs coincidently with the recrystallization of 74% Ti 26% Mo/sup 2/ from microstructure crystalline at higher titanium concentration to macrostructure crystalline at lower titanium concentration. Asmore » the macrocrystal grows, the slip plane develops at the grain boundary resulting in high resistance at the slip plane which will eventually cause the filament burn out due to local heating.« less
Rhizosphere microorganism effects on soluble amino acids, sugars and organic acids in the root zone of Agropyron cristatum, A. smithii and Bouteloua gracilis

Three axenic and rhizosphere microorganism-inoculated shortgrass steppe plant species were evaluated for possible differences in residual organic carbon and nitrogen present as sugars, organic acids and amino acids. IntroducedAgropyron cristatum was compared toA. smithii andBouteloua gracilis, which are dominant species in the native shortgrass steppe. These plants, grown for 90 days in root growth chambers, showed differences in residual organic carbon and nitrogen per gram of root, and rhizosphere microbe presence resulted in additional changes in these compounds. The root biomass ofB. gracilis was significantly increased with microbes present. TheAgropyron species had significantly lower amino acid levels with microbes present, while under the same conditions, theB. gracilis showed significant decreases in residual sugars. Based on the amino acids, sugars and organic acids, the C/N ratio of the sterileA. cristatum was higher than forB. gracilis. Rhizosphere microbe presence did not result in changes in these C/N ratios. These results suggest thatA. cristatum, with microbes present, will have lower levels of amino acids present, whileB. gracilis, with a lower C/N ratio, will have sugars used to a greater extent by the rhizosphere microbes. This resulted in the higher levels of residual soluble organic C and N in the rhizosphere ofB. gracilis, in comparison with the introducedA. cristatum. These differences may be critical in influencing the course of nutrient accumulation and plant competition in short-grass steppe communities, and in understanding basic aspects of plant-rhizosphere microorganism interactions.
Development and electrical properties of undoped polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistors

The conduction mechanism and the origins of the leakage current in undoped channel polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistors fabricated under a variety of processing conditions were investigated. Leakage currents below 1 nA at drain-source voltages of 40 V were achieved in both n-type and p-type devices. The effective channel electron and hole mobilities were 75 and 42 cm/sup 2//V-s, respectively. Measured stage delay times for CMOS ring oscillators as a function of supply voltage agreed well with theoretical calculations. The effective carrier mobility was shown to have a minimum at a gate voltage corresponding to the point at which all traps are filled. Both dark and photoinduced leakage currents were determined to be controlled by generation from the grain boundary traps. The voltage drop across individual gates in multigated structures was investigated as a function of gate voltage. The use of multiple gates at high drain-source potentials was found to decrease both dark and photoinduced leakage currents. >
Stimulation of RNA synthesis at initiation by ribosomal proteins.

Abstract Acidic ribosomal proteins from Escherichia coli ribosomes stimulate in vitro RNA synthesis on T4 phage DNA by purified RNA polymerase. When RNA synthesis is stimulated by the acidic ribosomal proteins there is also a concomitant stimulation of γ-[ 32 P]ATP incorporation into RNA. The formation of rifampicin-insensitive transcriptional initiation complex is also stimulated by acidic ribosomal proteins. Stimulation of RNA synthesis by acidic ribosomal proteins, therefore, involves more frequent initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase.
Group actions on Stanley-Reisner rings and invariants of permutation groups☆

Abstract Let H be a group of permutations of x 1 ,…, x n and let Q H [ x 1 , x 2 ,…, x n ] denote the ring of H -invariant Polynomials in x 1 , x 2 ,…, x n with rational coefficients. Combinatorial methods for the explicit construction of free bases for Q H [ x 1 , x 2 ,…, x n ] as a module over the symmetric polynomials are developed. The methods are developed by studying the action of the symmetric group on the Stanley-Reisner ring of the subset lattice. Some general results are also obtained by studying the action of a Coxeter group on the Stanley-Reisner ring of the corresponding Coxeter complex. In the case of a Weyl group, a purely combinatorial construction of certain invariants first considered by R. Steinberg ( Topology 14 (1975), 173–177) is obtained. Some applications to representation theory are also included.
Inference of genetic regulatory networks with unknown covariance structure

The major challenge in reverse-engineering genetic regulatory networks is the small number of (time) measurements or experiments compared to the number of genes, which makes the system under-determined and hence unidentifiable. The only way to overcome the identifiability problem is to incorporate prior knowledge about the system. It is often assumed that genetic networks are sparse. In addition, if the measurements, in each experiment, present an unknown correlation structure, then the estimation problem becomes even more challenging. Estimating the covariance structure will improve the estimation of the network connectivity but will also make the estimation of the already under-determined problem even more challenging. In this paper, we formulate reverse-engineering genetic networks as a multiple linear regression problem. We show that, if the number of experiments is smaller than the number of genes and if the measurements present an unknown covariance structure, then the likelihood function diverges, making the maximum likelihood estimator senseless. We subsequently propose a normalized likelihood function that guarantees convergence while keeping the form of the Gaussian distribution. The optimal connectivity matrix is approximated as the solution of a convex optimization problem. Our simulation results show that the proposed maximum normalized-likelihood estimator outperforms the classical regularized maximum likelihood estimator, which assumes a known covariance structure.
Insect communities in soybeans of eastern South Dakota: The effects of vegetation management and pesticides on soybean aphids, bean leaf beetles, and their natural enemies

Although most pests of soybeans, Gycine max (L.), in the Northern Great Plains are managed using pesticides, farm management practices that encourage biodiversity offer promising long-term, sustainable solutions for controlling insect and weed pests profitably. The recent invasion of the Northern Great Plains by the soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura; Hemiptera: Aphididae) has had potentially important implications for insect communities in soybeans of this region, although recent descriptions of this regional community are scarce. We describe how three pest management systems that vary in the intensity with which they rely on herbicides and insecticides (chemically intensive, reduced chemical, and spring cover crop treatments) affect insect pest populations, arthropod predator communities, weed assemblages, and soybean yield and profitability. Soybean aphids exceeded economic thresholds in all three years, and insecticides successfully suppressed these outbreaks in the two chemical treatments; aphids exceeded the economic injury level in the cover crop treatment in two of three study years. Bean leaf beetle (Cerotoma trifurcata Forster; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) populations were sub-economic in all treatments; insecticides targeting soybean aphid also reduced bean leaf beetles in the first year of study when beetle populations were at their highest. Foliar-dwelling predator populations were substantially higher in the cover crop treatment than in the chemical treatments in all years of study; population declines in the latter treatments were strongly associated with insecticide applications targeting soybean aphids. Foliar predator populations did not rebound within the growing season after insecticides were applied. Soil predator populations were largely unaffected by treatment (except in 2006, when they were more abundant in the cover crop treatment than in the chemical treatments). Weed communities varied among treatments and study years, with few consistent trends except that the chemically intensive treatment had lower weed densities than the other treatments. Although input costs of the cover crop and reduced chemical treatments were lower than the chemically intensive treatment, the chemically intensive treatment was the most profitable of the three. Nevertheless, we contend that the cover crops can be managed more efficiently in order to increase the profitability and competitiveness of this treatment while gaining the long-term benefits gleaned from conserving biodiversity in our agroecosystems. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Reunification with Children in the Context of Maternal Recovery from Drug Abuse

Little is known about mothers' experiences of reunification with children in the context of recovery from drug abuse. Using a stress and coping framework, this qualitative study interviewed 6 mothers and 11 service providers from substance abuse and child welfare agencies regarding reunification experiences. Analysis of themes indicated that multiple parenting stressors and lack of resources and supports complicate women's abilities to manage parenting pressures upon reunification. Maternal readiness for reunification was an important theme; returning children prematurely heightens risk for poor outcomes, especially if insufficient services are in place to support children's return home. The stress of dealing with child protective services and multiple service systems was another theme. Implications for service provision to mothers and families are discussed.
The professional practice of educational psychology

This paper discusses the potential for the field of educational psychology to move beyond “psychology-applied-to-education” to develop a unique professional practice component. We argue that many of the things educational psychologists are trained to do and have been doing for years fall within the “service provider” domain. Educational psychology is the only subfield of psychology to focus on the design of instructional systems, and many valuable psychological services derived from the knowledge base of instruction are worthy of professional recognition. We also discuss components of professional training for educational psychologists.
Documenting Local Procedures: The Development of Standard Digitization Processes Through the Dear Comrade Project

During the digitization of the Eugene V. Debs correspondence collection, known as the Dear Comrade project, at Indiana State University, project staff developed new procedures for assigning and tracking responsibilities. This development was part of an overall initiative to document local practices and create a more complete workflow process for projects undertaken through the Wabash Valley Visions & Voices Digital Memory Project (WV3) located at http://visions.indstate.edu. Consisting of approximately 6,000 pieces of correspondence written to and from Eugene Victor Debs, the Debs Collection is housed in Special Collections at Cunningham Memorial Library. The new work plan enabled multiple people with varying levels of expertise from different library departments to check the quality of scans and to catalog and upload items to WV3 using the digital collection management software CONTENTdm.
Thermographic investigation of high-power ultrasonic heating in materials

Abstract Results are reported on the use of an infrared thermovision imaging system to observe the surface temperature distribution caused by the application of high-power 20 kHz ultrasound to a variety of metal specimens and one fluoroplastic. Temperature increases of the order of 200°C were found to occur 20 to 30 s after initiation of insonation in resonant specimens of fine-grained polycrystalline brass, copper, and steel. Observation of extremely rapid temperature increases localized to the points of attachment of thermocouples to the test specimens casts strong doubt on all previous thermocouple temperature measurements made during similar experiments by earlier investigators. Fatigue cracks, artificially induced defects, and grain boundaries were also found to be sites of rapid localized heating during insonation.
A History of Human Beauty – By Arthur Marwick

This study is the last book by the late, prolific British social historian Arthur Marwick, who seeks to understand how beauty “is recognized as an independent personal characteristic” in Western cu...
aflT, a MFS transporter-encoding gene located in the aflatoxin gene cluster, does not have a significant role in aflatoxin secretion.

Abstract The aflT gene resides between the polyketide synthase gene pksA and the P450-encoding cypA gene in the aflatoxin gene cluster of Aspergillus parasiticus. It is a single copy gene in the genome of A. parasiticus SRRC 2043 and SU-1 and was also found at the same relative position in the genome of Aspergillus flavus isolates. The predicted AFLT protein contained 14 transmembrane domains and had various degrees of the amino acid identity (34–56%) to fungal transporters belonging to the major facilitator superfamily. Targeted deletion of aflT in A. parasiticus SU-1 yielded transformants that were morphologically similar to SU-1. These aflT-deleted mutants produced and secreted aflatoxins comparable to the parental strain although they lost the production of the aflT transcript. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of aflT was controlled neither by the aflatoxin pathway-specific activator AFLR nor by the co-activator AFLJ, which differed from the regulation of the aflatoxin biosynthetic genes pksA, nor1, ver1, and omtA. The FadA-dependent G-protein signaling pathway previously shown to govern aflatoxin biosynthesis and sporulation plays a role in the regulation of aflT expression.
Synthesis and physical properties of cuphea-oleic estolides and esters

Cuphea-oleic estolides and esters were synthesized from cuphea and oleic FA with various amounts of perchloric acid (0.01 to 0.40 equiv) at 60°C. Estolide yields ranged from 30 to 65% after Kugelrohr distillation. Estolide number (EN), the average number of FA units added to a base FA, varied with reaction conditions. Cuphea-oleic estolides were esterified with 2-ethylhexanol to obtain high yields of the corresponding ester. A streamlined, one-pot process was used to synthesize the estolide and its ester with 0.05 equiv of HClO4, with, esterification incorporated into an in situ second step to provide a functional fluid at a very reasonable cost. The physical properties of the cuphea-oleic estolides and estolide esters, including their viscosities, pour points, and cloud points, were related directly to the amount of oligomerization (EN), i.e., viscosity increased with higher oligomerization. The viscosity index ranged from 132 to 166 cSt for the free-acid estolides, whereas the complex estolide 2-ethylhexyl esters had slightly high viscosity indices that ranged from 165 to 181 cSt. These new cuphea-oleic estolide esters displayed good low-temperature properties (pour point −42°C and cloud point −41°C).
Role of Ecological History in Invasive Species Management and Conservation

Human perceptions of nonindigenous species will ulti-mately drive public policy, and given the large role thesespecies play in our conservation strategies, those per-ceptions should be taken seriously. Associated with theexperience of nonindigenous species are perceptions ofplaceandecologicalhistory.LodgeandShrader-Frechette(2003) clear up some recent confusion regarding inva-sive species, and they conclude that “Despite apparentdisagreements among scholars, little real disagreementexists about the occurrence, effects, or public-policy im-plications of nonindigenous species.” Nevertheless, theiressayisneitherclearnorcriticalwithregardtononindige-nousspeciesandtheecologicalhistoryofNorthAmerica.This is not a moot point, but central to conservation andrestoration strategies.Lodge and Shrader-Frechette reaffirm that there is nowwidespread evidence implicating invasive species in thewholesale reduction of biodiversity (e.g., Groombridgeet al. 1992; Wilcove et al. 1998; Roemer et al. 2002). Ac-tion against invasive species is justified given the changesthey induce in ecosystem function, their link to biodiver-sity loss, and the high value placed on the uniqueness ofregional biota. The authors maintain that “
Recovery of additional flat mutants of Cryphonectria parasitica

Additional mutants with the phenotype "flat" have been recovered from hypovirulent (dsRNA containing) strains of the chestnut blight fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica. The nuclear type of these strains was one that has been used in many laboratory and field tests and crossing experiments. Singleconidial isolates were recovered, and some of these were crossed with a standard strain. As reported previously, the phenotype "flat" segregated among the progeny as if controlled by a single nuclear gene, and single-ascospore isolates with flat phenotypes were not virulent in American chestnut trees.
High-performance liquid chromatographic assay of tolbutamide and carboxytolbutamide in human plasma

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous measurement of tolbutamide and its major metabolite, carboxytolbutamide, in plasma. The assay involves the ether extraction of 1 ml of plasma, using chlorpropamide as an internal standard. The extract is dried, the residue is taken up in acetonitrile, and 5 μl is injected into a reversed-phase column. The mobile phase consisted of 35% acetonitrile and 65% 0.05 M phosphoric acid buffer (pH 3.9). A fixed-wavelength detector was set at 254 nm. The sensitivity limits for the tolbutamide and carboxytolbutamide assay were 2 and 0.1 μ/ml, respectively. The ratio of carboxytolbutamide to tolbutamide in plasma obtained from a subject given a 500-mg tolbutamide tablet was ˜1:20.
To Trust or Not To Trust: Effects of Emotional Displays on Trust in Distributive Negotiations

The present research investigates how emotional displays affect perceptions of trustworthiness, trust, and partner behavior in a distributive negotiation context. Specifically, this paper examines how one negotiator’s displays of emotional ambivalence can elicit reduced perceptions of integrity-based trustworthiness, reduced trust and trusting behavior from a fellow negotiator, relative to displays of happiness, anger, and no emotion control condition. Study 1 demonstrated that a negotiator’s displays of ambivalence, happiness or anger differentially influenced perceptions of the negotiator’s ability, integrity and benevolence trustworthiness, with ambivalence fostering the lowest perceived integrity-based trustworthiness. Study 2 demonstrated that perceived low integrity-based trustworthiness mediated the negative effect of a negotiator’s displayed emotional ambivalence on their partners’ negotiation offers. Study 3 demonstrated that perceived low integrity-based trustworthiness mediated the negative eff...
Exit Flowfield of an Embedded Stator in a Multistage Axial Flow Compressor

A complete area traverse downstream of the second stator of the Pennsylvania State University Multistage Compressor Facility has been carried out at the peak ef ciency and peak pressure ratio operating conditions using a miniature (1.07-mm-diam)  ve-hole probe and a thermocouple probe. Axial velocity, total pressure, and total temperature contours are presented and discussed at both operating conditions. Blade-to-blade pro les of total velocity and absolute  ow angle presented at three representative radii show the effect of loading on the wake structure between the two operating conditions. The stator clearance  ow and hub rotation result in  ow underturning (from design), which persists up to 10% of the span from the hub. A region of low  uid momentum develops on the suction side of the stator blade endwall (casing region) corner at both operating conditions. The low  uid momentum region in the suction side casing endwall corner is identi ed as the dominant source of  ow unsteadiness to the downstream rotor at both compressor operating conditions. This is seen in the distribution of apparent stresses, which are con ned to the wake region along most of the span, with the exception of the low  uid momentum core in the endwall region where signi cant levels are reached across a substantial portion of the passage at both operating conditions.
The New Economics of Agriculture

Agriculture in the twentieth century was characterized first and foremost by technological innovation that began in the industrialized world and spread to the developing countries as the Green Revolution. This revolution in biological, chemical, and mechanical technology made it possible for agricultural production to grow faster than the demand for food despite a rapidly growing world population. The result was a decline in real agricultural commodity prices throughout this era-a trend that is expected by many researchers to continue at least into the early part of the twenty-first century (Antle et al., Johnson 1998, Rosegrant and Ringer). At the same time, virtually all governments intervened in their agricultural sectors through a wide array of policies, resulting in a pattern of net taxation of agriculture in low-income countries and subsidization of agriculture in high-income countries. This set of events, and the agricultural economics literature that was generated to explain them, is what I will refer to here as the economics of agriculture in the twentieth century. A stylized demand-andsupply model of an agricultural market can be used to represent these relationships, with output prices P, income I, population N, factor prices W, capital K, technology T, and government policy G:
The role of noninvasive ventilation in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema

A total of 1069 patients (mean [±SD] age, 77.7±9.7 years; female sex, 56.9%) were assigned to standard oxygen therapy (367 patients), CPAP (346 patients), or NIPPV (356 patients). There was no signifi cant diff erence in 7-day mortality between patients receiving standard oxygen therapy (9.8%) and those undergoing noninvasive ventilation (9.5%, P=0.87). There was no signifi cant diff erence in the combined end point of death or intubation within 7 days between the two groups of patients undergoing noninvasive ventilation (11.7% for CPAP and 11.1% for NIPPV, P=0.81). As compared with standard oxygen therapy, noninvasive ventilation was associated with greater mean improvements at 1 hour after the beginning of treatment in patient-reported dyspnea (treatment diff erence, 0.7 on a visual-analogue scale ranging from 1 to 10; 95% confi dence interval [CI], 0.2 to 1.3; P=0.008), heart rate (treatment diff erence, 4 beats per minute; 95% CI, 1 to 6; P=0.004), acidosis (treatment diff erence, pH 0.03; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.04; P<0.001), and hypercapnia (treatment diff erence, 0.7 kPa [5.2 mm Hg]; 95% CI, 0.4 to 0.9; P<0.001). There were no treatment-related adverse events.
Edgewise connectivity: an approach to improving segmented primary mirror performance

As future astrophysics missions require space telescopes with greater sensitivity and angular resolution, the corresponding increase in the primary mirror diameter presents numerous challenges. Since fairing restrictions limit the maximum diameter of monolithic and deployable segmented mirrors that can be launched, there is a need for on-orbit assembly methods that decouple the mirror diameter from the choice of launch vehicle. In addition, larger mirrors are more susceptible to vibrations and are typically so lightly damped that vibrations could persist for some time if uncontrolled. To address these challenges, we present a segmented mirror architecture in which the segments are connected edgewise by mechanisms analogous to damped springs. These mechanisms can be damped springs, flux-pinning mechanisms, virtual mechanisms, or any other device with the same basic behavior. Using a parametric finite-element model, we show that for low to intermediate stiffnesses, the stiffness and damping contributions from the mechanisms improve both the natural frequency and disturbance response of the segmented mirror. At higher stiffnesses, the mechanisms structurally connect the segments, leading to a segmented mirror that performs comparably to a monolith—or better, depending on the mechanism damping—with the modular design enabling on-orbit assembly and scalability.
Perceived risks and benefits of smoking cessation: Gender-specific predictors of motivation and treatment outcome

The primary aim of this study was to examine gender differences in perceived risks and benefits of smoking cessation and their relationship to pretreatment motivation and treatment outcome. No validated measures that comprehensively assess perceived risks and benefits associated with smoking cessation were available in the literature; consequently, we developed a self-report instrument [Perceived Risks and Benefits Questionnaire (PRBQ)] for this purpose. A sample of 573 treatment-seeking smokers (48% female) entering smoking cessation trials completed the PRBQ, and its association with treatment outcome was assessed in a subsample of 93 participants. Overall, the PRBQ demonstrated good psychometric properties. Females indicated greater likelihood ratings of perceived risks and benefits than males. For women and men, perceived benefits were positively associated with motivation, and perceived risks were negatively associated with motivation and treatment outcome. Women evidenced stronger associations between perceived risks and pretreatment motivation, and treatment outcome. Knowledge of perceived risks and benefits associated with smoking cessation is critical for public education campaigns and could inform intervention strategies designed to modify sex-specific beliefs associated with lowered behavioral intentions to quit smoking.
Discovery of Catalytic Peptides for Inorganic Nanocrystal Synthesis by a Combinatorial Phage Display Approach

Nature tends to find the easiest way to grow materials with high efficiency and selectivity at room temperature, and thus biomimetic approach is a potential pathway to break through novel room-temperature inorganic nanocrystal synthesis because enzymes can catalyze the growth of materials in desired structures at low temperature. Recently, several promising peptides and proteins were demonstrated to catalyze the growth of semiconductors[1], however a successful discovery of the catalytic peptide sequences needed to go through trial-and-error processes[2], and the development of the systematic methodology with combinatorial selection is desirable for future materials chemistry. Here, we report a novel evolutionary approach to identify catalytic peptides for the room-temperature growth of target semiconductor materials. The conventional phage display technique is limited to find peptide sequences that bind specific target surfaces, however our combinatorial phage display approach directly screens peptides that catalyze the target material growth. The unique feature in this technique is that the panning process of peptides undergoes in precursor solutions where no reactions are expected to occur without catalysts. Thus, the product is observed only when there are phages in the solution which display peptides to catalyze the target reactions. Our methodology provides a simple and convenient route to discover a catalytic peptide for ZnO nanocrystal growth at room temperature and the ZP-1 peptide induces non-classical crystallization process which conventional ZnO synthetic methods cannot match. The broad impact is highly expected from this outcome since this novel screening technology can be applied to generate a wide range of new catalyses.
Calculation of the Dispersion Diagrams of LHM Using the 3D FDTD Method

In this paper, we present an analysis of the dispersion properties for a left-handed material (LHM) using the 3D finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. We study the classic LHM structure composed of wire and split-ring resonators in a unit cell and calculate the resonant frequencies in order to produce the corresponding dispersion curve. The comparisons made between our numerical results and those previously published are in good agreement. In addition, through the incorporation of the Pade approximation with our FFT results, we reduce the computational time and enhance the results obtained. We anticipate that the development of such analysis tools for dispersion analysis will lead to an efficient way of characterizing LHMs and will facilitate the study of such metamaterial composites. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 45: 394–397, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20833
Free fatty acids in an animal model of reye's syndrome

Recent studies have indicated that viral infections, aspirin treatment and hyperammonemia are associated with Reye's syndrome. It has also been reported that free fatty acids in serum and total lipids in the liver of Reye's syndrome patients are elevated during illness. The role of the lipid changes in the development of the disorder cannot be optimally studied in human patients, because infection and aspirin ingestion occur prior to the earliest symptoms of Reye's syndrome. Effects of influenza B infection, aspirin treatment and hyperammonemia on the level of free fatty acids, total lipids and triacylglycerols in serum and liver of an animal model of Reye's syndrome are reported here. Hyperammonemia was produced in young, male ferrets either by feeding them small amounts of an arginine-deficient diet after overnight fasting or by an intraperitoneal injection of jackbean urease. The ferret model resembled Reye's syndrome in developing increased levels of individual and total serum free fatty acids, liver triacylglycerol and total lipids. The results also indicate that influenza infection or aspirin treatment, or both, while increasing the severity of encephalopathy in the deficient ferrets, did not cause a significant change in the level of serum free fatty acids. Other results suggest that elevation of serum ammonia, serum free fatty acid or liver lipids, either singly or in various combinations, does not provide conditions that can explain the rapidly developing encephalopathy in the arginine-deficient ferrets.
Influence of arterial wall-stenosis compliance on the coronary diagnostic parameters

Functional diagnostic parameters such as Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR), which is calculated from pressure measurements across stenosed arteries, are often used to determine the functional severity of coronary artery stenosis. This study evaluated the effect of arterial wall-stenosis compliance, with limiting scenarios of stenosis severity, on the diagnostic parameters. The diagnostic parameters considered in this study include an established index, FFR and two recently developed parameters: Pressure Drop Coefficient (CDP) and Lesion Flow Coefficient (LFC). The parameters were assessed for rigid artery (RR; signifying high plaque elasticity), compliant artery with calcified plaque (CC; intermediate plaque elasticity) and compliant artery with smooth muscle cell proliferation (CS; low plaque elasticity), with varying degrees of epicardial stenosis. A hyperelastic Mooney-Rivlin model was used to model the arterial wall and plaque materials. Blood was modeled as a shear thinning, non-Newtonian fluid using the Carreau model. The arterial wall compliance was evaluated using the finite element method. The present study found that, with an increase in stenosis severity, FFR decreased whereas CDP and LFC increased. The cutoff value of 0.75 for FFR was observed at 78.7% area stenosis for RR, whereas for CC and CS the cutoff values were obtained at higher stenosis severities of 81.3% and 82.7%, respectively. For a fixed stenosis, CDP value decreased and LFC value increased with a decrease in plaque elasticity (RR to CS). We conclude that the differences in diagnostic parameters with compliance at intermediate stenosis (78.7-82.7% area blockage) could lead to misinterpretation of the stenosis severity.
Identification of Nramp2 as an Iron Transport Protein: Another Piece of the Intestinal Iron Absorption Puzzle

Although a number of iron-binding proteins have been identified, the roles for specific proteins in mediating iron absorption have not been definitively assigned. Two recent papers report the identification of an iron transport protein that may be responsible for movement of iron from the intestinal lumen into the enterocyte. Coupled with the recent identification of the protein mutated in hemochromatosis, researchers are now establishing a clearer picture of the mechanism of intestinal iron absorption.
Transient Mammalian Cell Transfection with Polyethylenimine (PEI)

Standard protein expression systems, such as E. coli, often fail to produce folded, monodisperse, or functional eukaryotic proteins (see Small-scale Expression of Proteins in E. coli). The expression of these proteins is greatly benefited by using a eukaryotic system, such as mammalian cells, that contains the appropriate folding and posttranslational machinery. Here, we describe methods for both small- and large-scale transient expression in mammalian cells using polyethylenimine (PEI). We find this procedure to be more cost-effective and quicker than the more traditional route of generating stable cell lines. First, optimal transfection conditions are determined on a small-scale, using adherent cells. These conditions are then translated for use in large-scale suspension cultures. For further details on generating stable cell lines please (see Rapid creation of stable mammalian cell lines for regulated expression of proteins using the Gateway® Recombination Cloning Technology and Flp-In T-REx® lines or Generating mammalian stable cell lines by electroporation).
Imaging transcriptional regulation of p53-dependent genes with positron emission tomography in vivo

A noninvasive method for molecular imaging of the activity of different signal transduction pathways and the expression of different genes in vivo would be of considerable value. It would aid in understanding the role specific genes and signal transduction pathways have in various diseases, and could elucidate temporal dynamics and regulation at different stages of disease and during various therapeutic interventions. We developed and assessed a method for monitoring the transcriptional activation of endogenous genes by positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging. The HSV1-tk/GFP (TKGFP) dual reporter gene was used to monitor transcriptional activation of p53-dependent genes. A retrovirus bearing the Cis-p53/TKGFP reporter system was constructed in which the TKGFP reporter gene was placed under control of an artificial cis-acting p53-specific enhancer. U87 glioma and SaOS-2 osteosarcoma cells were transduced with this retrovirus and used to establish xenografts in rats. We demonstrated that DNA damage-induced up-regulation of p53 transcriptional activity correlated with the expression of p53-dependent downstream genes, such as p21, in U87 (wild-type p53), but not in SaOS-2 osteosarcoma (p53 −/−) cells. We showed that PET, with [124I]FIAU (2′-fluoro-2′-deoxy-1-β-d-arabinofuranosyl-5-[124I]iodouracil) and the Cis-p53TKGFP reporter system, is sufficiently sensitive to image the transcriptional regulation of genes in the p53 signal transduction pathway. These imaging results were confirmed by independent measurements of p53 activity and the expression levels of downstream genes (e.g., p21) by using conventional molecular-biological assays. PET imaging of p53 transcriptional activity in tumor xenografts by using the Cis-p53TKGFP reporter system may be useful in assessing novel therapeutic approaches.
Artificial intelligence and design

Developments in computer science, especially in artificial intelligence (AI) and related areas of advanced computing, provide a unique opportunity to push beyond the present level of computer-aided automation technology and attain substantial advances in the understanding and mechanization of design processes. The general nature of design problems and the scientific issues involved in studying them with the help of AI approaches are discussed. A number of research problems that need special attention are identified. Examples of current AI work on specific design tasks are presented. New research directions are discussed in the context of new design tasks of increased complexity where domain knowledge is largely intractable. >
On effectiveness of link padding for statistical traffic analysis attacks

Traffic analysis attacks aim at deriving mission critical information from the analysis of the traffic transmitted over a network. Countermeasures for such attacks are usually realized by properly "padding" the payload traffic so that the statistics of the overall traffic become significantly different from that of the payload traffic. In this paper, we propose a analytical framework for traffic analysis attacks based on statistical pattern recognition techniques. We study the effectiveness of countermeasures for traffic analysis attacks within our proposed framework. Two basic countermeasure strategies are (a) to pad the traffic with constant interarrival times of packets (CIT) or (b) to pad the traffic with variable interarrival times (VIT). Our experiments show that CIT countermeasures fail when the adversary uses sample variance or sample entropy of packet interarrival times for statistical analysis. On the other hand, VIT countermeasures are effective regardless of which sample statistics are used by the adversary. These observations are validated by analysis of detection rates based on sample distributions of packet interarrival times.
Paradoxical effect of age on improvements in pulse pressure during blood pressure lowering

Resistant hypertension (rHTN) is defined as blood pressure (BP) that remains above goal in spite of using 3 different classes of antihypertensive medications at optimal dosages with one being a diuretic. Pulse pressure (PP, systolic BP diastolic BP) has been associated with adverse cardiovascular (CV) events. Aging is associated with an increase in PP, but the effect of aging on changes in PP remains during BP lowering is unknown. Adults with rHTNbetween January 1, 2008 andMay 1, 2013were retrospectively analyzed. Demographics, office BP, comorbidities andmedication use were collected at baseline. The office BP was again measured at the last follow-up visit. The 2nd of 2 consecutive manual office BP readings was used. The change in PP was calculated as the baseline PP follow-up PP. BP measurements were done using standard techniques: allowing patients to sit for 5 minutes, using the appropriate sized cuff, back supported and feet on the floor and measured arm supported at chest level. A total 336 patients were included in the analysis. The mean and median days from baseline visit to the last follow-up was 273 and 56 days, respectively. After adjusting for days of follow-up (p 1⁄4 0.06), change in PP was associated with baseline PP, such that for every PP one unit higher at baseline, PP decreased by 0.6 mmHg at follow-up (p < 0.0001). After adjusting for systolic BP (Table 1), age was associated with change in PP (p 1⁄4 0.0122).There was a significant decrease in PP at the follow-up visit across all age groups. There was a greater change (decrease) in PP with decreasing age, with the greatest change among patients 41-50 years; however, the trend was absent in patients <40 years old. This observation was consistent even after adjusting for SBP. The decrease in PP among individuals with 51-60 years and 41-50 years (14.1 and 15 mm Hg, respectively) was significantly greater than those 71 years (4.7 mmHg). The blunted change in PP in older individuals ( 71 years) seems consistent with increased vascular stiffness. Fixed vascular stiffness in older individuals may render their vessels resistant to improvements in PP during BP lowering. The blunted PP among younger subjects (<40 years) is surprising and suggests that antihypertensive therapy is less effective in reducing a marker of vascular stiffness in young individuals with resistant hypertension.
Gene expression profiling of circulating tumor cells from breast cancer patients

10769 Background: Levels of circulating tumor cells (CTC) have prognostic and predictive significance in metastatic breast cancer. However, since CTCs are extremely rare, little is known about the actual phenotype of these cells. In order to characterize these cells, we performed cDNA microarray analyses of CTC isolated from peripheral blood (PB) of breast cancer patients. Methods: CTCs were directly isolated via immunomagnetic enrichment (IE) followed by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). Total RNA was then subjected to two rounds of linear amplification and hybridized to cDNA microarrays (∼40,000 cDNAs). Validation studies used spiked BT474 cells. Clinical studies used PB (10–20 ml) from patients with metastatic breast cancer. Results: Rare spiked tumor cells (e.g., 320 cells in 10 mL PB) were efficiently recovered by IE/FACS (50% yield). Expression profiles of recovered cells, both by TaqMan of a 37 gene panel as well as by global gene expression analysis, matched that of BT474 cells in cultur...
Three Lingering Design Issues Affecting Market Performance in California's GHG Cap-and-Trade Program

California’s GHG cap-and-trade program is a key element of policies designed to achieve the goal of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Throughout the process of implementing its GHG cap-and-trade program, ARB has shown an admirable willingness to continue discussions to refine and improve the program’s design. Although the program has now entered its first compliance period and has already undertaken its first allowance auction, there is still opportunity for further refinement of a program that will be in effect through 2020. In this spirit, we recommend that ARB consider modifications to three program elements – the Allowance Reserve, offset programs, and holding limits – that would improve program performance without compromising environmental performance. The cap-and-trade program has important consequences both within and outside California. Within California, design of an effective cap-and-trade program will help to lower the economic cost of meeting AB 32’s ambitious emission targets. However, in terms of addressing the climate change problem, California’s greatest impact may come not from the actual emission reductions achieved by the state, but by the leadership it provides on climate policy. As other countries and states watch California’s policy outcomes, they will draw important lessons about which policies can help achieve policy objectives with limited economic disruption, and whether such commitments should be pursued. By developing policies that achieve environmental goals while minimizing economic risks, California can provide a positive example for other jurisdictions considering similar climate commitments.
Effects of glucagon on plasma potassium.

SummaryIn the cat, glucagon has an effect on arterial plasma potassium like that of epinephrine. It produces a transient, marked hyperkalemia followed by a much longer, but milder hypokalemia. Thus, glucagon is similar to epinephrine in that it elevates blood potassium and glucose and dissimilar in that it has no cardiovascular effects.