cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wide-Area Persistent Airborne Video: Architecture and Challenges

The need for persistent video covering large geospatial areas using embedded camera networks and stand-off sensors has increased over the past decade. The availability of inexpensive, compact, light-weight, energy-efficient, high resolution optical sensors and associated digital image processing hardware has led to a new class of airborne surveillance platforms. Traditional tradeoffs posed between lens size and resolution, that is the numerical aperture of the system, can now be mitigated using an array of cameras mounted in a specific geometry. This fundamental advancement enables new imaging systems to cover very large fields of view at high resolution, albeit with spatially varying point spread functions. Airborne imaging systems capable of acquiring 88 megapixels per frame, over a wide field-of-view of 160 degrees or more at low frame rates of several hertz along with color sampling have been built using an optical array with up to eight cameras. These platforms fitted with accurate orientation sensors circle above an area of interest at constant altitude, adjusting steadily the orientation of the camera array fixed around a narrow area of interest, ideally locked to a point on the ground. The resulting image sequence maintains a persistent observation of an extended geographical area depending on the altitude of the platform and the configuration of the camera array. Suitably geo-registering and stabilizing these very large format videos provide a virtual nadir view of the region being monitored enabling a new class of urban scale activity analysis applications. The sensor geometry, processing challenges and scene interpretation complexities are highlighted.
Chapter 7 The Role of Posttranslational Modifications of Proteins in the Cellular Mechanism of Action of Aldosterone

Publisher Summary The chapter presents a study on the role of post-translational modifications of proteins in the cellular mechanism of action of aldosterone. The cellular mechanism of action by which aldosterone stimulates Na + reabsorption in responsive epithelia has remained an elusive physiologic puzzle for decades. The activities of the Na + channel and Na + , K + -ATPase have long been recognized as regulated by aldosterone in responsive epithelia, but this regulation is not simply the induction of the synthesis of these critical transport proteins. Studies employing such disparate approaches as apical channel inactivation by trypsin, covalent modification, electrophysiologic noise analysis, and patch clamp have all suggested that aldosterone stimulates channel activity by increasing the number or open probability of active channels within the apical membrane without the insertion of new channel subunits, at least during the first 4–6 hours of its action. Aldosterone-mediated effects on the Na + pump are also complex. Glycosylation is a post-translational modification of proteins often associated with targeting to intracellular sites or membranes. Protein acylation is another form of post-translational modification associated with processing and targeting of proteins within the cell.
Osteoligamentous guidance of the movements of the human thumb.

On examination of the thumbs of 20 dissected preparations of ligaments and joints, of ten dry skeletons and of a number of living hands, apoposition (from apo = away from) was distinguished as a position in which the first carpometacarpal joint is fully abducted and laterally rotated and in which one or both distal joints of the thumb are flexed. Apoposition is commonly used in writing and it has a specific osteoligamentous basis for its stability: (1) a Y-shaped intermetacarpal ligament is attached by two crura to the base of the second metacarpal bone and by a common stem to the first metacarpal. Together with the palmar and dorsal oblique ligaments it becomes taut at abduction and establishes thereby a fixed center for the circumduction. Stability is enhanced as the circumduction takes place in the radial flat part of the joint away from the center; (2) of the two palmar prominences of the head of the first metacarpal bone the radial is the larger. At 25–30° flexion in the metacarpophalangeal joint the prominence fits into an excavation on the base of the proximal phalanx in a manner which together with the ulnar collateral ligament locks the joint against mutual abduction and lateral rotation, and (3) the radial part of the trochlea of the interphalangeal joint is larger than the ulnar and secures, together with the ulnar collateral ligament, the joint against a radial luxation. Apoposition does not require activity of the thumb muscles; it is brought about by applying an external force to the ulnar side of the thumb and it is checked by ligaments and the shape of the joints.
First application of the UCSB-FEL to condensed matter research

The far-IR free-electron laser (FEL) at the University of California—Santa Barbara (UCSB) has been developed to the point where some preliminary scientific studies could be attempted. The experiments were carried out inside the FEL electrostatic accelerator laboratory and hence must be remote controlled. (A photon-user laboratory contiguous to the present facility will be completed by Fall 1986.)
Effects of collagen and gelatin on the formation of cementitious hydroxyapatite-protein composites at 38/spl deg/C [hard tissue prosthetics application]

Composites comprised of microcrystalline calcium deficient hydroxyapatite and either gelatin or collagen were synthesized at 38/spl deg/C. A calcium phosphate cement composed of CaHPO/sub 4/ and Ca/sub 4/(PO/sub 4/)/sub 2/O was used to form the mineral phase of the composites. Hydroxyapatite-to-protein weight ratios of 4.5-to-1, 11-to-1, and 22-to-1 along with the pure mineral were investigated. Complete reaction as indicated by isothermal calorimetry and X-ray diffraction was reached within 5 hr. Solution pH was monitored as a function of protein type and content. The presence of gelatin had a negligible affect on the formation kinetics, solution pH, and hydroxyapatite microstructure. Conversely, the presence of collagen increased the rate of hydroxyapatite formation and depressed the solution pH. Scanning electron microscopy indicates that the acceleration due to the collagen resulted from its provision of a nucleation template for hydroxyapatite precipitation.
Abstract 4182: Bioinformatic analysis identifies polo-like kinase as a therapeutic target in small-cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) represents 15% of all lung carcinomas and is typically diagnosed when the disease has metastasized. Although most SCLC is initially sensitive to chemotherapy regimens, relapse is common and the survival benefit of second-line therapies, such as topotecan, is also limited. There are currently no molecular targeted approaches to treat SCLC similar to those used successfully against non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This failure is partly attributable to the empiric nature of these efforts. Thus, a more systematic approach to drug discovery for SCLC may lie in mining available databases on the drug sensitivities of SCLC cell lines. In this regard, two comprehensive studies recently published in Nature, the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and the Cancer Genome Project (CGP), examined the drug sensitivities of cancer cell lines and attempted to link these to their genomic profiles. In the present study we have extracted data on SCLC cell lines from these two studies and mined it for new, promising therapeutic agents for SCLC. Our analyses demonstrate that the drug sensitivity of the SCLC cell lines reflects what is observed clinically for metastatic SCLC tumors. That is, most cells were extremely sensitive to topoisomerase (camptothecin) and microtubule (vinblastine and docetaxel) inhibitors, by contrast many tyrosine kinase inhibitors (erlotinib, sorafenib and imatinib) were ineffective. Importantly, we identified heat shock proteins (HSP), cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) and polo-like kinases (PLK) as attractive molecular targets that have received little/no attention in clinical trials of SCLC. We further developed a gene signature for PLK inhibitor sensitivity and validated it in untested SCLC cell lines. This gene signature was incorporated into circos plots to yield a comprehensive view of how transcriptional, copy number and mutational elements affect PLK sensitivity in SCLC cell lines. Citation Format: Gary Wildey, Yanwen Chen, Ian Lent, Lindsay Stetson, John Pink, Jill Barnholtz-Sloan, Afshin Dowlati. Bioinformatic analysis identifies polo-like kinase as a therapeutic target in small-cell lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4182. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4182
Magnetic stratigraphy and magnetic mineralogy at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary section, Braggs, Alabama

Abstract The Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary is exposed in shallow marine coastal plain sediments near Braggs, Alabama. Magnetic stratigraphy across the boundary indicates that Chron 29R is represented by a stratigraphic thickness of 2.91 (±0.48)m. The average sedimentation rate in this chron is therefore 5.1 m/m.y. The apparent macrofaunal extinction at C29.15R is significantly below the nannofossil extinction event at C29.45R. In the pelagic realm, the microfaunal extinction event is consistently found between C29.7R and C29.8R. The discordance between the microfaunal and macrofaunal extinction events at Braggs, and between the microfaunal extinctions in pelgic sections and at Braggs, may be due to local changes in sedimentary environment in the Braggs section, which culminate in an erosional uncomformity at C29.15R. The minimum estimate for the apparent time lag between the two extinction events at Braggs is about 80,000 yr. Rock magnetic experiments and the analysis of magnetic separates indicate the presence of magnetite, hematite and pyrrhotite as potential magnetic remanence carries. Two phases of magnetite one detrital titanomagnetite and one euhedral low-titanium magnetite, have been identified by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction techniques. The euhedral low-titanium magnetite is fine grained (
A mathematical model for the transport of PAH analogues in the kidney

Abstract A single nephron model for the transport of p -aminohippurate (PAH) and its analogues through the kidney is investigated. One of the new features of the model is that it incorporates the epithelial cells surrounding the proximal tubules. These cells are the main anatomical sites of transport of PAH. The kinetics of PAH transport is described by a set of linear conservation equations. A stable numerical scheme which is backward Euler's in both space and time coordinates is used to analyze the mathematical problem. Our results are compatible with those of previously published models. An advantage of the present model is that we could study renal isotope images in terms of transport coefficients, flow rates, etc., of the isotope in the kidney and thus could evaluate the renal function in a more meaningful manner.
Development and evaluation of a model-based downscatter compensation method for quantitative I-131 SPECT

Purpose: The radionuclide 131I has found widespread use in targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT), partly due to the fact that it emits photons that can be imaged to perform treatment planning or posttherapy dose verification as well as beta rays that are suitable for therapy. In both the treatment planning and dose verification applications, it is necessary to estimate the activity distribution in organs or tumors at several time points. In vivo estimates of the 131I activity distribution at each time point can be obtained from quantitative single-photon emission computed tomography (QSPECT) images and organ activity estimates can be obtained either from QSPECT images or quantification of planar projection data. However, in addition to the photon used for imaging, 131I decay results in emission of a number of other higher-energy photons with significant abundances. These higher-energy photons can scatter in the body, collimator, or detector and be counted in the 364 keV photopeak energy window, resulting in reduced image contrast and degraded quantitative accuracy; these photons are referred to as downscatter. The goal of this study was to develop and evaluate a model-based downscatter compensation method specifically designed for the compensation of high-energy photons emitted by 131I and detected in the imaging energy window. Methods: In the evaluation study, we used a Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) code that had previously been validated for other radionuclides. Thus, in preparation for the evaluation study, we first validated the code for 131I imaging simulation by comparison with experimental data. Next, we assessed the accuracy of the downscatter model by comparing downscatter estimates with MCS results. Finally, we combined the downscatter model with iterative reconstruction-based compensation for attenuation (A) and scatter (S) and the full (D) collimator-detector response of the 364 keV photons to form a comprehensive compensation method. We evaluated this combined method in terms of quantitative accuracy using the realistic 3D NCAT phantom and an activity distribution obtained from patient studies. We compared the accuracy of organ activity estimates in images reconstructed with and without addition of downscatter compensation from projections with and without downscatter contamination. Results: We observed that the proposed method provided substantial improvements in accuracy compared to no downscatter compensation and had accuracies comparable to reconstructions from projections without downscatter contamination. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the proposed model-based downscatter compensation method is effective and may have a role in quantitative 131I imaging.
Specificity of amyloid precursor-like protein 2 interactions with MHC class I molecules

The ubiquitously expressed amyloid precursor-like protein 2 (APLP2) has been previously found to regulate cell surface expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule Kd and bind strongly to Kd. In the study reported here, we demonstrated that APLP2 binds, in varied degrees, to several other mouse MHC class I allotypes and that the ability of APLP2 to affect cell surface expression of an MHC class I molecule is not limited to Kd. Ld, like Kd, was found associated with APLP2 in the Golgi, but Kd was also associated with APLP2 within intracellular vesicular structures. We also investigated the effect of β2m on APLP2/MHC interaction and found that human β2m transfection increased the association of APLP2 with mouse MHC class I molecules, likely by affecting H2 class I heavy chain conformation. APLP2 was demonstrated to bind specifically to the conformation of Ld having folded outer domains, consistent with our previous results with Kd and indicating APLP2 interacts with the α1α2 region on each of these H2 class I molecules. Furthermore, we observed that binding to APLP2 involved the MHC α3/transmembrane/cytoplasmic region, suggesting that conserved as well as polymorphic regions of the H2 class I molecule may participate in interaction with APLP2. In summary, we demonstrated that APLP2’s binding, co-localization pattern, and functional impact vary among H2 class I molecules and that APLP2/MHC association is influenced by multiple domains of the MHC class I heavy chain and by β2m’s effects on the conformation of the heavy chain.
Similarity properties of demineralization and degradation of cracked porous materials

Abstract The paper analyze the similarity properties of demineralization processes in cracked porous materials, coupled with diffusive and advective mass transfer through fractures. The aim is to find out, whether, when and how fractures accelerate or magnify the overall chemical degradation process. A dimensional analysis of a simplified dissolution process around a fracture channel reveals different self-similar properties for diffusion and advection dominated mass transport in the fracture. For a pure diffusive transport, the fracture degradation length develops with the quadratic root of time; while it evolves with the square root of time when advection dominates. These asymptotic behaviors are confirmed by model-based simulations of `real' calcium leaching in cracked cement-based materials. It is shown, that a diffusion dominated mass transport in a fracture does not significantly accelerate the overall chemical degradation, since the one-dimensional-degradation through the porous material catches up with the initially faster diffusion through the fracture. In turn, advection dominated mass transfer in fractures can significantly accelerate the overall calcium depletion for `high' fluid velocities in the fracture. Finally, diffusive dominated mass transport in a crack network may also accelerate the calcium leaching process for small values of crack spacing factors. A rough analytical solution for estimating this effect of a crack network is derived and validated through model-based simulations.
Collective excitations and sum rules for the Hubbard model in the spin-density-wave regime

A variational estimate for the spin-wave velocity of the one-band Hubbard model on a square lattice in the spin-density-wave regime is studied. The estimate is given by the ratio of the f-sum rule to the static structure factor of the transverse-spin response function. The known results for the Heisenberg model are used to obtain results for those quantities in the large-U limit of the Hubbard model. The f-sum rule and static structure factor are calculated using the random-phase approximation (RPA). The spin-wave velocity calculated in the RPA, in the spin-density wave ground state, violates the variational bound.
Analyzing the oxidation of graphite using a microcomputer

Abstract A graphics program, written in BASIC and designed for use on a microcomputer, has been created which analyzes the oxidation of a single layer of a graphite crystallite. With this program, one can see how differences in relative activities of reactive sites can produce differently shaped holes and edges in graphite crystallites. The results then can be compared with experimental observations to test proposed burning mechanisms. Using the program has shown that proposed relative activities of active sites does produce equilateral hexagonal etch pits, as observed experimentally.
Estimating linear cortical magnification in human primary visual cortex via dynamic programming.

Abstract Human primary visual cortex is organized retinotopically, with adjacent locations in cortex representing adjacent locations on the retina. The spatial sampling in cortex is highly nonuniform: the amount of cortex devoted to a unit area of retina decreases with increasing retinal eccentricity. This sampling property can be quantified by the linear cortical magnification factor, which is expressed in terms of millimeters of cortex per degree of visual angle. In this paper, we present a new method using dynamic programming and fMRI retinotopic eccentricity mapping to estimate the linear cortical magnification factor in human primary visual cortex (V1). We localized cortical activity while subjects viewed each of seven stationary contrast- reversing radial checkerboard rings of equal thickness that tiled the visual field from 1.62 to 12.96 degrees of eccentricity. Imaging data from all epochs of each ring were contrasted with data from fixation epochs on a subject-by-subject basis. The resulting t statistic maps were then superimposed on a local coordinate system constructed from the gray/white matter boundary surface of each individual subject's occipital lobe, separately for each ring. Smoothed maps of functional activity on the cortical surface were constructed using orthonormal bases of the Laplace–Beltrami operator that incorporate the geometry of the cortical surface. This allowed us to stably track the ridge of maximum activation due to each ring via dynamic programming optimization over all possible paths on the cortical surface. We estimated the linear cortical magnification factor by calculating geodesic distances between activation ridges on the cortical surface in a population of five normal subjects. The reliability of these estimates was assessed by comparing results based on data from one quadrant to those based on data from the full hemifield along with a split-half reliability analysis.
Self-reported exercise and longitudinal outcomes in cystic fibrosis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by recurrent respiratory infections and progressive lung disease. Whereas exercise may contribute to preserving lung function, its benefit is difficult to ascertain given the selection bias of healthier patients being more predisposed to exercise. Our objective was to examine the role of self-reported exercise with longitudinal lung function and body mass index (BMI) measures in CF.
Enhanced analysis of steroids by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using microwave-accelerated derivatization.

Derivatization of steroids is typically required before analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS); nevertheless, the derivatization process can often be time-consuming and irreproducible. Although several strategies have been employed to enhance this process, few have the potential of microwave-accelerated derivatization (MAD) to be more efficient than traditional thermal derivatization methods. MAD using a synthesis microwave system was evaluated and compared to traditional thermal derivatization methods in terms of yield, reproducibility, and overall analysis time. Parameters affecting MAD, including reaction temperature, time, and power, were systematically optimized for several silyl reagents (BSTFA with TMCS, MSTFA, and BSA) and other derivatization procedures (MOX reagent and MTBSTFA). MSTFA was found to derivatize best with the microwave, as demonstrated by the enhanced relative response factors (RRFs). BSTFA with TMCS, on the other hand, did not couple as well, but RRF values improv...
Water exchange-minimizing DCE-MRI protocol to detect changes in tumor vascular parameters: effect of bevacizumab/paclitaxel combination therapy

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess changes in the tumor microvasculature induced by combination antiangiogenic therapy in MCF-7 breast tumor mouse models, using a noninvasive DCE-MRI method that minimizes the effect of water exchange.
The TACOM-USU Intelligent Mobility Program

Over a six year period the US Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command's Intelligent Mobility Program sponsored research to develop and demonstrate enhanced mobility concepts for unmanned ground vehicles. In this paper we describe the Intelligent Mobility Program’s research accomplishments achieved at Utah State University’s (USU) Center for Self-Organizing and Intelligent Systems (CSIOS). The CSOIS program was based on USU’s "smart wheel" technology, which enables design of an omni-directional vehicle (ODV). Through the course of the program, USU researchers built thirty robots using eight distinct ODV robot designs. These robots were also demonstrated in a number of application scenarios. The program has culminated in the actual fielding of the final robot developed, the ODIS-T2, which was designed for undervehicle inspection at security checkpoints. The design and deployment of these robots required research advances in mechanical and vetronics design, sensor integration, control engineering and intelligent behavior generation algorithms, system integration, and human interface. An overview of the USU-developed robotics technology is presented that details the technology development and technical accomplishments achieved by the TACOM-USU Intelligent Mobility Program, with a focus on the actual hardware produced.
Formation of Alkaloid Artifacts in Plant Extracts by the Use of Ammonium Hydroxide and Acetone

Treating plant extracts with ammonium hydroxide and acetone can give rise to the formation of artifacts, which are difficult to distinguish from the actual plant alkaloids. These artifacts give positive reactions with several of the standard qualitative alkaloid test reagents. Similar reactions are also obtained from mixtures of equal volumes of concentrated ammonium hydroxide and acetone.
LINOLENATE SUPPLEMENTATION AND LINOLEATE-ARACHIDONATE CONVERSION

To evaluate the effect of linolenic acid supplementation on linoleic-arachidonic conversion during PN, preterm AGA infants were randomized to receive Liposyn 20% (group 1, N = 8, 0.5% linolenate) or Modified Liposyn 20% (group 2, N = 8, 5% linolenate). Mean birth weight (1470, 1350 gm in groups 1 and 2, respectively), gestation (30.9, 30.8 weeks), age at the beginning of the study (4.6 days), daily nutrient intake during the study (45, 48 cal/kg) and clinical features were similar. 0.68 gm/kg of lipid was infused daily for 5 days. Blood sampling was done before the study began (4 ± 1 days, #1), at 6 ± 1 (#2), and 8 ± 1 (#3) days of age. The results (mean, SD) expressed as weight % of plasma phospholipid are outlined. Plasma linoleate was similar in both groups. Although baseline (#1) arachidonate is greater (P <.05) in group 1, no significant differences are noted thereafter. Triene/tetraene ratio remains normal throughout the study. Thus linolenate supplementation, at 5% of the total lipid intake does not inhibit linoleate arachidonate conversion or adversely affect essential fatty acid status.
Pertinence in the eye of the user

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the issue of pertinence when using search databases.Design/methodology/approach – Several information systems are evaluated to show how user preferences are accommodated.Findings – The paper shows that the word “relevance” is the preferred term to “pertinence” when using English language databases.Originality/value – Shows the importance in the choice of various search systems.
Heat-Assisted Argon Electrospray Interface for Low-Flow Rate Liquid Sample Introduction in Plasma Spectrometry

A heated (≈90 °C) laminar flow interface has been designed to assist in the development of an argon electrospray sample introduction system for low-flow rate applications using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry. Previously, the stability and robustness of the ICP were compromised by the entrainment of air, N2, or gas mixtures (e.g., Ar−N2) from the electrospray source. Also, more concentrated organic solvents (e.g., 50% (v/v) methanol−water), typically introduced by electrospray, could generate carbon deposits that obstruct the entrance lens to an ICP optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) or the sampler/skimmer cone interface in an ICP mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), decreasing analyte sensitivity. With the new interface design, a stable spray of 5% (v/v) methanol−water in a pure argon environment is achieved, eliminating the aforementioned problems. The turbulence and the consequent droplet loss caused by high gas velocity around the electrospray capillary are mitigated by the use of a laminar-...
The structures and properties of MgAlZr and MgZnZr alloys produced by liquid dynamic compaction

Abstract The structures and room temperature tensile properties of two magnesium alloys processed by the liquid dynamic compaction (LDC) rapid solidification technique were investigated. The two compositions selected for this study were Mg-8.4wt.%Al-0.2wt.%Zr and Mg-5.6wt.%Zn-0.3wt.%Zr. The magnesium alloys were spray-deposited as discs about 15 cm in diameter by 30 mm in thickness against a water-cooled copper substrate. The as-deposited grain sizes ranged from 30 to 60 μm in diameter, associated with a solidification rate of about 103 Ks−1, and consisted of equiaxed grains. Densification of the as-deposited LDC compacts was successfully achieved by both hot extrusion and hot isostatic pressing (HIP). The mechanical properties of the extruded or hot pressed, heat treated LDC products were determined at room temperature. The improvements in strength and elongation values of the extruded and heat treated LDC MgAlZr alloy over those of the equivalent ingot product were attributed to the microstructural refinements achieved by LDC and extrusion processing. The as-extruded LDC MgZnZr alloy exhibited high elongation values at reasonable strength levels.
Stereospecific binding of narcotics to brain cerebrosides

Abstract Cerebrosides were shown to bind etorphine and naloxone stereo-specifically with high affinity. The relative potency of several narcotic analgesics in preventing the binding of etorphine and naloxone to cerebrosides correlated well with their reported intraventricular analgetic activity. The data indicate similarities between cerebroside sulfate and a purified opiate receptor from mouse brain which has been reported to be a proteolipid. Explanations for the apparent proteo-like behavior of the opiate receptor are provided.
First Report of Ascochyta Blight of Pisum elatius (Wild Pea) in the Republic of Georgia Caused by Ascochyta pisi

Characteristic Ascochyta blight lesions were observed on leaves and pods of wild pea (Pisum elatius Steven. ex M. Bieb.) growing at three sites in the Republic of Georgia during June and July of 2004. Site characteristics were 41°36.11′N, 44°31.34′E (elevation 919 m), 41°54.221′N, 44°05.667′E (elevation 744 m), and 41°44.907′N, 43°12.263′E (elevation 884 m). Lesions appeared similar to those induced by Ascochyta pisi Lib. on cultivated pea (P. sativum L.). Fungi were isolated by surface disinfesting small pieces of infected tissue in 95% EtOH for 10 s, 1% NaOCl for 1 min, and then in deionized sterile H20 for 1 min. Tissue pieces were placed on 3% water agar (WA) for 24 h under fluorescent lights with a 12-h photoperiod to induce sporulation. Single-conidial isolations were made by streaking conidia on 3% WA and picking germinated conidia 18 h later. Three fungi (isolates Georgia-6, -7, and -12) had colony morphology similar to that of A. pisi on V8 juice agar. Conidial suspensions (1 × 105 conidia/ml) of...
Cytometric analysis of DNA changes induced by sulfur mustard

AbstractSulfur mustard is an alkylating agent that causes severe, potentially debilitating blisters following cutaneous exposure. Its mechanism of pathogenesis is unknown and no antidote exists. The biochemical basis of sulfur mustard's vesicating activity has been hypothesized to be a cascade of events beginning with alkylation of DNA.Using human cells in culture, we have assessed the effects of sulfur mustard on cell cycle activity using flow cytometry with propidium iodide. Two distinct patterns emerged: a G1/S interface block at concentrations equivalent to vesicating doses (> 50 μM) and a G2 block at 10-fold lower concentrations. In addition, noticeable increases in amount of dye uptake were observed at 4 and 24 hr after sulfur mustard exposure. These increases are believed to be related to DNA repair activities and can be prevented by treatment of the cells with niacinamide, which inhibits DNA repair. Other drugs that provide alternative alkylating sites or inhibit cell cycle progression were shown ...
Brd4 Shields Chromatin from ATM Kinase Signaling Storms

Upon activation, ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase rapidly phosphorylates hundreds of proteins, setting off chaotic signaling storms from areas of damaged chromatin. Recent work by Kaidi and Jackson and Floyd et al. advance our knowledge of the mechanisms that initiate or limit ATM kinase signaling storms at chromatin.
Automatic Detection of Arabic Non-Anaphoric Pronouns for Improving Anaphora Resolution

Anaphora resolution is one of the most difficult tasks in NLP. The ability to identify non-referential pronouns before attempting an anaphora resolution task would be significant, since the system would not have to attempt resolving such pronouns and hence end up with fewer errors. In addition, the number of non-referential pronouns has been found to be non-trivial in many domains. The task of detecting non-referential pronouns could also be incorporated into a part-of-speech tagger or a parser, or treated as an initial step in semantic interpretation. In this article, I describe a machine learning method for identifying non-referential pronouns in an annotated subsegment of the Penn Arabic Treebank using three different feature settings. I achieve an accuracy of 97.22p with 52 different features extracted from a small window size of -5/+5 tokens surrounding each potentially non-referential pronoun.
DNA Hybridization Detection using Fluorescent Zinc Selenide Quantum Dots

This work focuses on the development of biological analysis tools using zinc selenide quantum dots (ZnSe QDs). Conjugating water-dispersible ZnSe QDs with oligonucleotides of increasing length was found to increase their photoluminescence (PL) intensity monotonically up to a certain length. Varying the sequence of the oligonucleotide without changing its length does not produce any measurable PL intensity change. The stability of QDs in water was significantly enhanced after conjugation with oligonucleotides. DNA hybridization was studied using QDs functionalized with complementary oligonucleotides. Hybridization of complementary QD-oligonucleotide complexes causes significant PL intensity amplification and a measurable red shift of the PL emission peak. The QD-oligo complexes are very stable in water under ambient dark conditions. Finally, a size-dependent optimal dilution of free QDs was discovered, corresponding to an optimal inter-QD-spacing that results in the highest PL emission intensity from as-prepared QD dispersions. Ongoing experiments in our laboratory aim to develop multiplexed DNA probes and immunoassays by employing luminescent QDs emitting at different wavelengths.
Rubidium-strontium dating of ore deposits hosted by Rb-rich rocks, using calcite and other common Sr-bearing minerals

The authors have tested a Rb-Sr technique that permits ore deposits to be dated using common gangue minerals such as calcite and fluorite. The only conditions the deposit must meet are that (1) it have minerals with a low Rb/Sr ratio and (2) it be enclosed by wall rock with a high Rb/Sr ratio. Because hydrothermal minerals acquire a strontium-isotope composition that is usually similar to that of the wall rock, minerals with low Rb/Sr ratio should record and retain the isotopic composition that the wall rock had at the time of mineralization. The difference between that ratio and that of the wall rock at present is a function of time and the Rb/Sr composition of the wall rock. The technique was tested fusing fluorite and calcite from three deposits ranging in age from Tertiary to Precambrian. In all cases the age determined here closely resembles that obtained by conventional K-Ar and Rb-Sr dating methods. The precision, however, can be poor and depends chiefly on the strontium-isotope heterogeneity of the wall rock and its Rb/Sr enrichment. 36 references, 1 figure, 1 table.
Probing the specificity of gamma-glutamylamine cyclotransferase: an enzyme involved in the metabolism of transglutaminase-catalyzed protein crosslinks

γ-Glutamylamine cyclotransferase (gGACT) catalyzes the intramolecular cyclization of a variety of L-γ-glutamylamines producing 5-oxo-L-proline and free amines. Its substrate specificity implicates it in the downstream metabolism of transglutaminase products, and is distinct from that of γ-glutamyl cyclotransferase which acts on L-γ-glutamyl amino acids. To elucidate the mechanism by which gGACT distinguishes between L-γ-glutamylamine and amino acid substrates, the specificity of the rabbit kidney enzyme for the amide region of substrates was probed through the kinetic analysis of a series of L-γ-glutamylamines. The isodipeptide N(e)-(L-γ-glutamyl)-L-lysine 1 was used as a reference. The kinetic constants of the L-γ-glutamyl derivative of n-butylamine 7, were nearly identical to those of 1. Introduction of a methyl or carboxylate group on the carbon adjacent to the side-chain amide nitrogen in L-γ-glutamylamine substrates resulted in a dramatic decrease in substrate properties for gGACT thus providing an explanation of why gGACT does not act on L-γ-glutamyl amino acids except for L-γ-glutamylglycine. Placement of substituents on carbons further removed from the side-chain amide nitrogen in L-γ-glutamylamines restored activity for gGACT, and L-γ-glutamylneohexylamine 19 had a higher specificity constant (k(cat) /K(m)) than 1. gGACT did not exhibit any stereospecificity in the amide region of L-γ-glutamylamine substrates. In addition, analogues (26-30) with heteroatom substitutions for the γ methylene position of the L-γ-glutamyl moiety were examined. Several thiocarbamoyl derivatives of L-cysteine (28-30) were excellent substrates for gGACT.
Neither here nor there: Mexican immigrant workers and the search for home

In this article, I explore how immigrant workers have understood the shift from seasonal migration between Mexico and California to permanent settlement in the U.S. South. I suggest not only that understandings, memories, and the physicality of places are produced in tension with one another but also that the ongoing experience of migration is itself key for shaping how subjectivities and places are constituted through the contradictions embedded in them. I also argue that even as immigrant settlers become more invested in the United States, the idea and experience of a community rooted in Mexico but spanning multiple places retains its appeal in part because it plays such a powerful role in daily life in the United States.
Patient Reported Outcomes as Indicators of Pediatric Health Care Quality

Health care reform has increased demand for pediatric health care quality evaluations, particularly those that assess the impact of care on patient and population health outcomes. Many of today's most common childhood conditions are characterized by symptoms, behaviors, and functional limitations that are best assessed as patient reported outcomes (PROs). Although they remain greatly underutilized, PROs have the potential to improve pediatric health care quality assessment at the point of care and through system-level performance evaluations. The functions, benefits, and challenges of these PRO applications are described and illustrated in case examples. Although challenges remain, numerous methodological and technical innovations facilitate the use of PROs as health care quality metrics. These include advances in PRO measure development methodologies, the integration of PRO measures into electronic health records, and developing consensus among providers that PROs provide valuable information that can be used to enhance patient care. Although additional work is needed to address remaining methodological challenges, pediatric PROs are increasingly recognized as valuable indicators of health care quality in the clinical environment and as measures of organization- and provider-level performance.
Robust keys from physical unclonable functions

Weak physical unclonable functions (PUFs) can instantiate read-proof hardware tokens (Tuyls et al. 2006, CHES) where benign variation, such as changing temperature, yields a consistent key, but invasive attempts to learn the key destroy it. Previous approaches evaluate security by measuring how much an invasive attack changes the derived key (Pappu et al. 2002, Science). If some attack insufficiently changes the derived key, an expert must redesign the hardware. An unexplored alternative uses software to enhance token response to known physical attacks. Our approach draws on machine learning. We propose a variant of linear discriminant analysis (LDA), called PUF LDA, which reduces noise levels in PUF instances while enhancing changes from known attacks. We compare PUF LDA with standard techniques using an optical coating PUF and the following feature types: raw pixels, fast Fourier transform, short-time Fourier transform, and wavelets. We measure the true positive rate for valid detection at a 0% false positive rate (no mistakes on samples taken after an attack). PUF LDA improves the true positive rate from 50% on average (with a large variance across PUFs) to near 100%. While a well-designed physical process is irreplaceable, PUF LDA enables system designers to improve the PUF reliability-security tradeoff by incorporating attacks without redesigning the hardware token.
Relationships between psychopathy and impulsivity in the domain of self-reported personality features

Abstract Impulsivity is widely accepted as a characteristic of psychopathy. However, both psychopathy and impulsivity are multi-faceted constructs, and theory suggests that primary and secondary variants of psychopathy may differ in their manifestations of impulsivity-related features. Using a sample of 92 offenders, this study used the fearless dominance (FD) and self-centered impulsivity (SCI) factors of the psychopathic personality inventory - revised (PPI-R; Lilienfeld, S.O., & Widows, M.R. (2005). Psychological assessment inventory - revised (PPI-R). Lutz, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.), respectively, as proxy indicators of primary and secondary psychopathy, and examined their relations to multiple impulsivity-related constructs. Bivariate and hierarchical regression analyses revealed that FD and SCI have different patterns of association with impulsivity-related constructs and that these patterns are generally consistent with theoretical expectations. The results suggest that measures of impulsivity may be useful in identifying psychopathy subtypes.
The nature of the midgap defect transition in intrinsic a-Si:H as deduced by depletion width modulation electron spin resonance☆

Depletion width modulation electron spin resonance (DWM-ESR) together with junction capacitance techniques yield the total spin and charge change associated with the emission of electrons from deep defects in intrinsic a-Si:H. We find that, in contrast to n-type doped samples, the observed transition is from the D0 to D+ charge state near midgap. However, the magnitude of spin-to-charge change is too small for a defect having significantly positive correlation energy, Ueff; rather it agrees with a nearly zero value of Ueff(−20 meV < Ueff < + 50 meV) between the singly and doubly occupied charge states.
The Savers-Spenders Theory of Fiscal Policy: Corrigendum

Martin Feldstein has called to my attention an error in my paper “The Savers-Spenders Theory of Fiscal Policy” (American Economic Review, 2000 (Papers and Proceedings), 90(2), pp. 120–25). Specifically, the discussion of Proposition 4 in that paper contains a mistake which, while not affecting the proposition as stated, alters the proof and the numerical calibration that follows it. Proposition 4 examined how government debt affects the capital stock in an economy where the steady state is pinned down by the Euler equation for an infinitely-lived Ramsey consumer, but, in contrast to standard Ricardian analysis, taxes are distortionary. If taxes are raised with a proportional income tax with rate , the following equations describe the steady state:
The concept of time-average-frequency and mathematical analysis of flying-adder frequency synthesis architecture

Flying-adder frequency synthesis architecture is a novel technique of generating frequency on chip. Since its invention, it has been utilized in many commercial products to cope with various difficult challenges. During the evolution of this architecture, the issues related to circuit- and system-level implementation have been studied in prior publications. However, rigorous mathematical treatment on this architecture has not been established. In this paper, we attempt to explore and understand the signal characteristics and frequency domain behavior of this architecture through mathematical analysis. In the meantime, the underlying concept associated with this architecture, time-average-frequency, is formally introduced.
The Problem of the Dictionary

Author's summary.— Report of an investigation among publishers of foreign language texts about the possible suppression of end-vocabularies and the substitution of a generally accepted dictionary; the sponsorship of such dictionaries and the listing of those now available on the market; fundamental pedagogical questions involved.
Extraversion, emotional instability, and self-reported exercise: The mediating effects of approach-avoidance achievement goals

Abstract Background Understanding leisure time physical inactivity is a priority in Westernized nations where participation rates are low. The present study sought to address this priority by examining whether the extraversion and emotional instability to leisure time exercise relationships were mediated through Elliot's (1999) 2 × 2 achievement goals. Methods Participants were 116 female and 97 male volunteers from a Southwestern community (mean age = 37.21 years, range 24–69) who completed measures of extraversion, emotional instability, approach-avoidance achievement goals, and 7-day recall of leisure-time exercise. Multiple mediation models (Preacher and Hayes, 2008) were run to specifically examine our hypotheses. Results The mastery-approach goal mediated the relationship from extraversion to overall exercise and strenuous intensity exercise. Results indicated emotional instability had direct effects on overall and strenuous leisure time exercise while also having significant ( p Conclusion The results suggest the promotion of leisure-time exercise would be improved in the studied personalities by manipulation of achievement goals.
Response: Towards a neural representation for unique hues

Summary We recently reported that a population of color-tuned neurons in posterior inferior temporal cortex of macaque monkey represents all colors and that this population shows a bias towards certain colors: we found that many cells were tuned to red, followed by peaks to green, blue, and an indistinct peak corresponding to yellow [1]. This appears to be the closest explicit neural representation of unique hues found in the primate. John Mollon suggests that the distribution is what one would expect of neurons found earlier in the visual pathway, in lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), if tested with the colors we used to measure tuning. Previous work has shown that LGN cells respond linearly to changes in cone contrast and do not represent unique hues. While we acknowledge that our stimuli would constrain the population's color-tuning distribution if the neurons were linear, the recorded cells have narrow nonlinear color tuning, quite unlike LGN cells. Thus, the population tuning is consistent with our initial interpretation.
Suppression of gene expression in plant cells utilizing antisense sequences transcribed by RNA polymerase III.

Inverted sequences of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene were fused to a soybean tRNAmetigene lacking a terminator such that the tRNAmetisequences caused the co-transcription of CAT antisense sequences by RNA polymerase III. When electroporated into carrot protoplasts, these antisense DNA constructs suppressed CAT enzyme activity expressed from co-electroporated DNAs containing the CAT gene downstream of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S RNA promoter. Our most effective construct, an antisense sequence complementary to the 3′ portion of the CAT gene, inhibited CAT activity five-fold greater than an antisense construct expressed by RNA polymerase II from the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S RNA promoter. These results indicate that antisense sequences transcribed by RNA polymerase III should efficiently suppress gene expression in plants.