cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracking individual mormyrid electric fish in the field using electric organ discharge waveforms

Electric organ discharges (EODs) from African mormyrid weakly electric fish can be species-, sex- and individual-specific. In this study, small EOD differences were used to track the day-to-day movements of individuals from two species ofBrienomyrusin their natural stream habitat in West Africa. Waveforms were digitized and 15 measurements were taken of amplitude, time and spectral characteristics. For quantitative comparisons, the measurements were transformed by principal components analysis. By matching similar EODs from one day to the next, best guesses were made as to the daily movement patterns of individuals. Sexually mature males, females and juveniles all tended to return to the same daytime hiding place on successive days (median movement of 1 m).
Prospective Study of Patients Hospitalized with Head Injury in San Diego County, 1978

The characteristics of 1311 head-injured patients admitted to 10 selected San Diego hospitals are detailed. Fifty patients who subsequently died are included. Glasgow coma scale scores were strongly related to survival. After adjustment for the Glasgow coma scale score, there was an independent association between age and survival, but not between sex and survival. The four characteristics associated with head injury that bore the highest case fatality ratios (all greater than 30%) in descending order were spinal cord injury, obstructed airway, difficulty breathing, and shock. Previous unconsciousness and transport by private vehicle were predictive of survival. None of the four adverse predictors or multiple injury showed an independent association with mortality when the Glasgow coma scale score was taken into account.
Genetic analysis of leaffolder resistance in rice

A double haploid (DH) population, which consists of 120 lines derived from anther culture of a typical indica and japonica hybrid ‘CJ06’/‘TN1’, was used to investigate the genetic basis for rice leaffolder resistance. Using a constructed molecular linkage map, five QTLs for rolled leaves were detected on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8. The positive alleles from CJ06 on chromosomes 3, 4, and 8 increased the resistance to rice leaffolder, and the alleles from TN1 on chromosomes 1 and 2 also enhanced resistance to leaffolder. The interactions between QTLs were identified and tested, and four conditional interactions were acquired for resistance to rice leaffolder. These loci were located on chromosomes 2, 9, 10, and 11, respectively. QTL pyramiding indicated that the positive alleles affect resistance to leaffolder. The prospective application of this data in rice breeding was also discussed.
Clinical Applications of Otoacoustic Emissions.

On the basis of recent advances in auditory physiology, new tests of cochlear function have been developed using measures of otoacoustic emissions. In the present report, the clinical potential for...
Perceived Racial and Ethnic Composition of Neighborhood and Perceived Risk of Crime

This paper examines the relationship between perceived racial and ethnic composition of neighborhood and criminal threat, which is operationalized as the perceived risk of criminal victimization. To address this question, we use interviews with a statewide random sample of 3,000 Florida residents conducted in the fall of 1996. This is the first assessment of this issue to include Hispanics—the largest and fastest growing minority in the State—as both respondents and as ethnic “others” whose presence may be a source of perceived risk for some. For the full sample, OLS regressions show that perceived risk of victimization is influenced by the perception that either Hispanics or blacks live nearby. The effects of the perception that Hispanics live nearby are consistently stronger than those associated with the perceived proximity of blacks. Analyses for subsamples show that whites are threatened by Hispanics and blacks, but only in South Florida where they are slightly outnumbered by those two groups. Hispanics are also threatened by the presence of blacks and other Hispanics, but only outside of South Florida where they are greatly outnumbered by blacks and whites. The results support a core assumption of the “social threat” perspective, which presumes the mobilization of social control is influenced by the perception of criminal threat associated with the perceived proximity of racial others. These results also suggest that crime threat may be “ethnicity coded” as well as “race coded” and may, in certain contexts, have more effect on those who are in a minority status than on the dominant majority.
Low rate of dermatology outpatient visits in Asian-Americans: an initial survey study for associated patient-related factors

Background: Asian-Americans represent the fastest growing minority group in the United States, but are under-represented patients in outpatient dermatology clinics. At the same time, skin cancer rates in individuals of Asian descent are increasing, but skin cancer detection appears to be delayed in Asian-Americans compared to white individuals. Some health-care provider related factors for this phenomenon have been reported in the literature, but the patient-related factors are unclear. Methods: This exploratory study to identify patient-related factors associated with dermatology visits in Asian-Americans was performed after Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. An anonymous, online survey utilizing validated items was conducted on adults who self-identified as Asian-American in Northern California. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression for dermatology visits as indicated by responses to the question of “ever having had skin checked by a dermatologist” were performed on survey responses pertaining to demographic information, socioeconomic factors, acculturation, knowledge of melanoma warning signs and SSE belief and practice. Results: 89.7% of individuals who opened the online survey completed the items, with 469 surveys included in the analysis. Only 60% reported ever performing a SSE, and only 48% reported ever having a skin examination by a dermatologist. Multivariate models showed that “ever performing SSE” (p < 0.0001), marital status (p = 0.02), family history of skin cancer (p= 0.03) and generation in the United States (p = 0.02) were significant predictors of the primary outcome of “ever had skin checked by a dermatologist”. Conclusions: Identification of patient-related factors that associate with dermatology clinic visits in Asian-Americans is important so that this potential gap in dermatologic care can be better addressed through future studies.
Alterations in human circulating and bone marrow mononuclear cell polyamine levels in hematologic malignancies as a consequence of difluoromethylornithine administration.

The effect of administering increasing intravenous doses of difluoromethylornithine on human tumor cell polyamine levels was determined in patients with hematologic malignancies. Difluoromethylornithine from 5.5. to 64 gm/m2 per day was administered to nine patients with refractory acute leukemia or multiple myeloma. Putrescine, spermidine, and spermine levels were determined on a daily basis in the circulating mononuclear cells and on a weekly basis in the mononuclear cells of the bone marrow. Tumor cell putrescine levels declined in 5 patients, spermidine levels declined in 4 patients, and spermine levels declined in 3 patients. Alterations in the polyamine levels of the bone marrow mononuclear cells paralleled those occuring in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the patients with leukemia. Seven to ten days of DFMO treatment were required for mononuclear cell polyamine levels to decrease. The higher drug doses were not significantly more effective than the lower doses in bringing about a decline in tumor cell polyamine levels, either with respect to treatment time required for onset of response or with respect to the ultimate extent of response.
STUDIES ON THE NATURAL SUBSTRATE FOR PROTEIN METHYLASE II IN MAMMALIAN BRAIN AND BLOOD

—The activity of protein methylase II (S-adenosylmethionine:protein-carboxyl methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.24), which methylates (esterifies) free carboxyl groups in the substrate protein, was measured in several mammalian organs in an effort to elucidate the nature of the natural substrate for the enzyme. The highest endogenous substrate activity was found in posterior and anterior pituitary glands, possibly in association with neurosecretory granules. In other parts of the brain endogenous substrates are lacking, although the cytosol fractions contain high activity of the enzyme which methylates exogenously added substrates. Rat whole blood also contains endogenous substrate protein. The protein precipitated by 50% (NH4)2SO4 contained active substrate protein whereas blood protein methylase II is localized exclusively in the erythrocytes. Cohn fractions I, II and III are more active as substrate for protein methylase II than fraction V.
3D Nanophotonics for Computational Imaging

Three-dimensional (3D) Optics has formed the basis for a number of useful computational imaging devices, providing optical slicing/tomographic and hyper-spectral imaging capabilities, in addition to reduced scanning and improved resolution at long working distances.1 In this talk, we will survey recent work extending the operation of 3D optical devices to the sub-wavelength range.2,3 We will address the modeling, physical properties, and manufacturing/assembly of 3D nanophotonic devices.
Effect of Boundary Conditions on the Pitch and Helical Twisting Power of Chiral Solutes in Nematic Liquid Crystals

Abstract The methods of determining the pitch of cholesteric (chiral nematic) liquid crystals require specific boundary conditions in order to visualize the rotation of the optic axes. As a consequence of these boundaries, pitch perturbations may occur. In this work, it is demonstrated that the fingerprint method, which requires homeotropic boundaries, leads to systematically larger pitch values than the Cano wedge or droplet methods. Further, the values of pitch determined by the fingerprint method are particularly sensitive to the nature of the wall anchoring.
A comparison of the effects of stress vs. relaxation instruction on the finger temperature response

Finger temperature feedback is a new therapy procedure being used to treat migraine headache sufferers and as an aid to therapeutic relaxation and anxiety reduction. Yet few systematic studies deal with the finger temperature response as either a clinical procedure or a psychophysiological measure. Three experiments are reported. Experiment 1 was an exploratory in vestigation of the basic parameters of finger temperature on a sample of 133 normal adult subjects. In Experiment 2, finger temperature and self-report of arousal were observed in subjects who progressed from a presumably relaxation-producing situation (relaxation instructions) to a presumably stressful situation (electric shock and threat of shock) and back to a presumably relaxation-producing situation. Experiment 3 was primarily a replication of Experiment 2, but also included a control group and measures of skin conductance, and pulse rate. As predicted, finger temperature decreased under assumed stress conditions and increased under assumed relaxation conditions. Finger temperature did not correlate significantly with the other psychophysiological measures, but was related to self-report. Finger temperature feedback was discussed in terms of its validity as an indicator of arousal level and its potential as a therapy agent.
Multigigabit optical networking

What is multigigabit optical networking? This is a term we are using loosely to refer to the networks with multiple gigabit data channels in order to distinguish them from networks whose aggregate bit rate is on the order of 1 Gbit/s. Current computer networks, such as Ethernet, FDDI, and DQDB, suffer from lack of concurrency: at a given time, only a small number (typically one) of computers can transmit new information into the network. Therefore, each computer has to operate at the network aggregate speed, although effectively it has access only to a fraction of that bandwidth. To achieve gigabits/sec throughput, the next generation of computer networks will have to provide multiple high-speed concurrent channels to the nodes. One way to achieve concurrency is to use electronic switching, thereby placing the burden on the switch rather than each computer. Another direction is to place the burden on the optical hardware. Optical transport facilities have been recognized as an excellent choice for gigabits/sec networks due to the high bandwidths and long distances that can be reached. Moreover, WDM optical techniques allow multiple concurrent channels to be created in the same fiber, and with tunable transceivers one can potentially create networks whose topology changes dynamically in response to changing traffic patterns. In this paper, we will review a few current implementations of very high-speed networks as a background context, and then describe several prototype optical networks.
Angler Success as a Quality Determinant of Sport Fishery Recreational Values

Abstract The empirical importance of “angler success per unit of effort” as a quality determinant of recreational values was investigated with regard to three sport fisheries at Yaquina Bay, Oregon. A 10% increase in salmon (Oncorhynchus) angling success would induce a long-run increase in angling effort of approximately 10%, although bottomfish (sea perches, Embiotocidae; starry flounder, Platichthys; and other estuarine fishes) angling effort seems to be considerably less responsive to changes in success. Demand functions and success “elasticities” for each fishery were used to estimate the decrease in net economic value associated with a pollution-induced reduction in angling success. The methodology may also apply to evaluation of measures which would increase angling success, such as investment in hatcheries.
Protein and Energy as an Integrated System. Relationship of Ruminal Protein and Carbohydrate Availability to Microbial Synthesis and Milk Production

Abstract In early lactation, dietary CP and energy can profoundly affect milk yield, but current methods of assessing these nutrients are often inadequate to predict animal performance. Nutrient availability is largely determined by rate and extent of ruminal digestion. Current ruminal availability data for many feedstuffs are plagued with extreme variation. Microbial yields are related primarily to the growth rate that carbohydrate permits, and few data exist on rumen carbohydrate availability. Variations in microbial growth rates (.04 to 25%/h) can cause a 44% variation in yield; use of a constant growth yield across feedstuffs is inappropriate. Microbes can be starved for nitrogen when rumen available protein is low (
X-ray probe development for collective scattering measurements in dense plasmas

Abstract X-ray spectra and conversion efficiencies of the laser-produced chlorine Ly- α and K- α line radiation have been investigated to develop X-ray probes for the collective scattering regime. The Ly- α radiation was produced by either smoothed or un-smoothed laser beams with nanosecond-long laser pulses yielding high conversion efficiencies of up to 0.3% sufficient for X-ray scattering measurements. However, the time-integrated measurements show a significant dielectronic satellite emission on the red wing of the primary Ly- α line which must be avoided to resolve the plasmon feature in the scattering spectra. We find no red wing emission features for ultra-short pulse laser produced K- α radiation. The bandwidth of Δ E / E = 2 × 10 - 3 is suited for collective scattering, but the conversion efficiency falls short of the high values achieved for the Ly- α . These findings indicate that present laser-produced X-ray sources will restrict the choice of detectors and plasma conditions for collective X-ray scattering from dense plasmas.
Spectrin Tetramer Formation Is Not Required for Viable Development in Drosophila

The dominant paradigm for spectrin function is that (αβ)2-spectrin tetramers or higher order oligomers form membrane-associated two-dimensional networks in association with F-actin to reinforce the plasma membrane. Tetramerization is an essential event in such structures. We characterize the tetramerization interaction between α-spectrin and β-spectrins in Drosophila. Wild-type α-spectrin binds to both β- and βH-chains with high affinity, resembling other non-erythroid spectrins. However, α-spec(R22S), a tetramerization site mutant homologous to the pathological α-spec(R28S) allele in humans, eliminates detectable binding to β-spectrin and reduces binding to βH-spectrin ∼1000-fold. Even though spectrins are essential proteins, α-spectrin(R22S) rescues α-spectrin mutants to adulthood with only minor phenotypes indicating that tetramerization, and thus conventional network formation, is not the essential function of non-erythroid spectrin. Our data provide the first rigorous test for the general requirement for tetramer-based non-erythroid spectrin networks throughout an organism and find that they have very limited roles, in direct contrast to the current paradigm.
Do I see only what I expect? Evidence for an expectancy-guided retrieval model

The article proposes an expectancy-guided retrieval model of memory reconstruction. In all 3 experiments, Ss were presented with a student's grade report that they would later have to recall. The possible cognitive and motivational components mediating Ss' use of the proposed retrieval strategy are discussed
Surface deflection of primate fingertip under line load.

Abstract A study of the biomechanics of the skin and the subcutaneous soft tissues is of fundamental importance in understanding the process of transduction at the mechanoreceptive nerve terminals responsible for the sense of touch. In the present investigation, the fingertips (distal phalanges) of three adult humans and four monkeys were indented in vivo using a line load delivered by a sharp wedge. The resulting skin surface deflection profile was photographed and used as a clue to infer the mechanical nature of the materials that make up the fingertip. It is shown that the modified Boussinesq solution used by Phillips and Johnson (1981), applicable when the fingertip is modeled as an elastic half-space in a state of plane strain, predicts a skin surface deflection profile that can only roughly approximate the empirically observed profiles. As an alternative, a simple model which views the fingertip as an elastic membrane filled with an incompressible fluid (like a ‘waterbed’) under plane strain conditions is proposed. It is shown that the predictions of this model, which takes into account the finite deformations that occur, agree very well with the photographed profiles in the region of interest (up to about 3 mm from the load).
A theoretical variation of the wind profile power-law exponent as a function of surface roughness and stability

Abstract The variation of the wind profile power-law exponent with respect to changes in surface roughness and atmospheric stability is depicted using the formulation of Nickerson and Smiley for specifying the vertical variations of the horizontal wind. The theoretical estimates of the power-law exponent compare favorably with power-law exponent data from various sources.
Approaches to the validation of animal test systems for assay of protective potency of BCG vaccines

Abstract Three animal test systems, two in guinea-pigs and one in mice, have been examined to differentiate the ability of three BCG vaccines with respect to their ability to protect the animals against infection when challenged with virulent bacilli. One test system showed great promise and was examined in greater detail in order to explain the mechanism of protection. These studies are continuing in order to test a series of BCG vaccines that will be given to groups of children and their protective effect observed.
Degrees of familiarity differentially influence the quality and quantity of social interactions in two species of great apes

The results of field and laboratory studies indicate that for non-human primates social interactions may be differentially influenced by ethological mechanisms such as facial expressions, vocalizations, body size, coloration, etc. While the presence of these ethological mechanisms may indeed mediate social interactions, experience gained through familiarity with other nonhuman primates may modify their functional significance. Even though these observations can be found in the reports of field studies on chimpanzees, orang-utans, and gorillas, thus far this phenomenon has not been reported for great apes born and raised in captivity. In this report pairs of juvenile chimpanzees and orang-utans from the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center were either caged together with a conspecific from birth (Familiar Pair or FP) or not caged together from birth (Non-Familiar Pair or NFP) and observed during periods of free play in an enclosed outdoor compound. For each species tested it was found that the social interactions among and between the various FPs and NFPs were mediated by species-specific mechanisms whose influence varied as a function of the familiarity variable: frequency and duration of approaches, rough-and-tumble play, and retreats were factors underlying social interactions among conspecifics in the order primates. The relationship of these results with non-human primates to the human social-psychological literature is discussed.
The Compressibilities and Thermal Pressure Coefficients of Certain Liquids

Values for the compressibilities of heptane, acetone, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, carbon disulfide, ethylene chloride, ethylene bromide and bromoform, obtained by Westwater, Frantz and Hildebrand from their direct measurements of the thermal pressure coefficient, ${(\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}p}{\ensuremath{\partial}T})}_{v}$, were subject to a small error which is here corrected. The corrected values are compared with some recalculated from the adiabatic compressibilities directly measured in 1913 by Tyrer, and obtained recently by Freyer, Hubbard and Andrews by the aid of a sonic interferometer. The data from the three sources and methods show excellent agreement. Values are given for the constant ${v}^{2}T{(\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}p}{\ensuremath{\partial}T})}_{v}$, from which can be calculated the coefficients of thermal pressure or of compressibility at various temperatures by the aid of existing data for the densities and coefficients of expansion. In the following list the first number for each substance represents the coefficient of thermal pressure at 20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, the second the compressibility at 20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{7}$ and the third the value of the above mentioned constant: Heptane, 8.66, 1430, 5420; acetone, 11.32, 1260, 5305; carbon tetrachloride 11.47, 1060, 1325; benzene, 12.58, 966, 4800; carbon disulfide, 12.67, 938, 2340; ethylene bromide, 15.20, 633, 936; ethylene chloride, 14.17, 818, 2640; bromoform, 15.32, 594, 537. The unit of pressure is the atmosphere, $v$ is the specific volume.
Cores and Competitive Equilibria with Indivisibilities and Lotteries

Abstract Lotteries are introduced in the exchange model of Shapley and Scarf ( J. Math. Econ. 1 (1974), 23-37). In competition, traders buy and sell probabilities on houses. When considering the core, feasible allocations of the economy and blocking allocations of coalitions may involve lotteries. Among other results, we show that the set of lottery equilibrium allocations is non-empty and does not contain all competitive equilibrium allocations, the core of the Shapley/Scarf model is a strict subset of the lottery core, and lottery equilibrium allocations are contained in the lottery core. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C62, C71.
Turning a Corner: Kansas State University Seeks to Meaningfully Address Green Building and the Sustainable Use of Energy and Resources on Campus and in the Broader Community

Abstract Kansas State University (KSU) is a land-grant institution, with nine colleges and 23,000 students. The 668-acre main campus is located within the City of Manhattan, Kansas, which has a population of approximately 45,000. Through a bottom-up process the university has been seeking to integrate sustainability in student life, curriculum, operations, research, and engagement.
A Novel Approach to Catalyst OBD

Pre- and post-catalyst Exhaust Gas Oxygen (EGO) sensors are traditionally used to monitor oxygen storage capacity for On Board Diagnostic (OBD) purposes. In this paper the same sensors are used instead to monitor catalyst-promoted hydrogen generation, exploiting the sensor's otherwise undesirable sensitivity to the hydrogen content in the exhaust. This offers a new approach to catalyst health diagnosis since hydrogen generation and HC conversion efficiency both depend on the degree of activation (or deactivation) of the catalyst surface, and are therefore strongly correlated to each other. The approach has the advantage that it is more directly related to catalyst deterioration or malfunction as defined (in terms of HC emissions levels) under current OBD legislation.
A System-Model For High-Precision Evaluation Of Focal Spots

A system-model for computer-aided densitometric evaluation of focal spot images of diagnostic x-ray tubes is described. The procedure is almost fully automated. It extracts a specified number of optical density profiles from the focal spat image and computes the area, the base-width and the full width at half maximum for each profile. The Fourier-transform of selected profiles, the isodensity contour diagram and a three-dimensional display of the focal spot image are also rendered. Such complex assessment is recommended primarily for microfocal spots. Since the proposed evaluation requires both costly equipment and sophisticated computer programs, which are beyond the reach of most hospital facilities, it is suggested that an organization should be set up at which the analysis could be done at modest costs.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Interactive effects of deprivation in the albino rat

Abstract The interactive effects of feeding and drinking schedules were investigated in three experiments. Twenty-four hour water-deprived rats consumed their entire obligatory water intake prior to feeding, whereas 24-hr food-deprived rats consumed only small quantities of food prior to drinking. This drinking was apparently due to a shift of water stores rather than an actual negative water balance. Experiment 3 investigated the effects of 24, 48, or 72 hr of water, food, or total deprivation. Water-deprived rats did not adequately suppress food intake and became thirstier than totally deprived rats. The effects of total deprivation were essentially identical to those of food deprivation. These experiments indicate the degree to which deprivation schedules impose restrictions on the reinforcement parameters of behavioral experiments.
On Supnorm Estimates for $\bar{\partial}$ on Infinite Type Convex Domains in ℂ2

In this paper, we study the \(\bar{\partial}\) equation on some convex domains of infinite type in ℂ2. In detail, we prove that supnorm estimates hold for infinite exponential type domains, provided the exponent is less than 1.
Effects of oral aspartame on plasma phenylalanine in humans and experimental rodents

All aspartame does given to humans cause greater elevations in plasma (and, presumably, brain) phenylalanine than in plasma tyrosine. In contrast, doses of aspartame usually used in experiments on rodents preferentially elevate tyrosine. Since phenylalanine can inhibit brain catecholamine synthesis while tyrosine is the antidote for this effect, we determined the aspartame dose that would be needed to elevate phenylalanine more than tyrosine in rodents, using published data. In general rodents need 60 times as much aspartame, on a mg/kg basis, as humans to obtain comparable elevations in phenylalanine with respect to tyrosine.
Systems support for scalable data mining

William A. Maniatty Department of Computer Science University at Albany Albany, NY 12222 maniatty@cs.albany.edu Mohammed J. Zaki Department of Computer Science Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY 12180 zaki@cs.rpi.edu ABSTRACT The urrent generation of data mining tools have limited apa ity and performan e, sin e these tools tend to be sequential. This paper explores a migration path out of this bottlene k by onsidering an integrated hardware and software approa h to parallelize data mining. Our analysis shows that parallel data mining solutions require the following omponents: parallel data mining algorithms, parallel and distributed data bases, parallel le systems, parallel I/O, tertiary storage, management of online data, support for heterogeneous data representations, se urity, quality of servi e and pri ing metri s. State of the art te hnology in these areas is surveyed with an eye towards an integration strategy leading to a omplete solution. General Terms S alable Knowledge Dis overy and Data Mining
Sensitivity of Cercospora sojina isolates to quinone outside inhibitor fungicides

Abstract Frogeye leaf spot, caused by Cercospora sojina, causes yield reductions to soybean (Glycine max) grown worldwide. Quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides have been effective in managing frogeye leaf spot, but the risk of selecting C. sojina strains with resistance to this class of fungicides is considered high. A QoI fungicide resistance monitoring program was initiated, in which sensitivities to azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin were determined in C. sojina isolates collected prior to QoI fungicide use on soybean (baseline group) and C. sojina isolates collected from soybean fields in 2007, 2008 and 2009. For the baseline group, the mean effective fungicide concentration at which 50% of the conidial germination was inhibited (EC50) was determined to be 0.01287, 0.00028 and 0.00116 μg ml−1 for azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin, respectively. When mean EC50 values of 2007, 2008 and 2009 C. sojina isolates were compared to baseline C. sojina EC50 values, a small but statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) shift towards less sensitivity was observed for trifloxystrobin in 2009. Although small (
The interdigitated β-helix domain of the P22 tailspike protein acts as a molecular clamp in trimer stabilization

The P22 tailspike adhesin is an elongated thermostable trimer resistant to protease digestion and to denaturation in sodium dodecyl sulfate. Monomeric, dimeric, and protrimeric folding and assembly intermediates lack this stability and are thermolabile. In the native trimer, three right-handed parallel beta-helices (residues 143-540), pack side-by-side around the three-fold axis. After residue 540, these single chain beta-helices terminate and residues 541-567 of the three polypeptide chains wrap around each other to form a three-stranded interdigitated beta-helix. Three mutants located in this region -- G546D, R563Q, and A575T -- blocked formation of native tailspike trimers, and accumulated soluble forms of the mutant polypeptide chains within cells. The substitutions R563Q and A575T appeared to prevent stable association of partially folded monomers. G546D, in the interdigitated region of the chain, blocked tailspike folding at the transition from the partially-folded protrimer to the native trimer. The protrimer-like species accumulating in the G546D mutant melted out at 42 degrees C and was trypsin and SDS sensitive. The G546D defect was not corrected by introduction of global suppressor mutations, which correct kinetic defects in beta-helix folding. The simplest interpretation of these results is that the very high thermostability (T(m) = 88 degrees C), protease and detergent resistance of the native tailspike acquired in the protrimer-to-trimer transition, depends on the formation of the three-stranded interdigitated region. This interdigitated beta-helix appears to function as a molecular clamp insuring thermostable subunit association in the native trimer.
James’ quasi-reflexive space is primary

It is shown that James’ quasi-reflexive Banach space is primary. We also prove if X is a complemented reflexive subspace ofJ thenX is isomorphic to a complemented subspace of (ΣJn)I2 whereJn is the span of the firstn elements of the unit vector basis ofJ.
SU-E-J-215: Onboard Split PET Including the Effects of Attenuation, Scatter, and Random Events

Purpose: Positron emission tomography (PET) using split PET geometry was investigated as an on-board system for functional imaging and PET marker tracking, specifically with tomotherapy. The open dual ring PET would allow measurement of both inter and intra-fractional variation, improving the delineation of tumor volume at any stage in the radiation treatment delivery process. We present results from data obtained using Monte Carlo simulations including the effects of attenuation, random events, and scatter. Methods: PET design was accomplished via Monte Carlo simulations with GATE, the Geant4 Application for Emission Tomography. Images were reconstructed using Software for Image Reconstruction (STIR) with a fully 3D ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) image reconstruction technique. Results: Monte Carlo simulations of the split PET geometry indicate that including physical factors that degrade image quality such as attenuation, random events, and scatter still prove the feasibility of near real-time PET for both inter and intra-fractional radiation delivery. The image quality of scan times under 1 minute reveals that it is possible to utilize PET scanning and reconstruction during the treatment session intrafractionally. GATE also simulates the depth information but does not correct obliqueness of the path of line of response so the data is much moremore » realistic than the data obtained with ray tracing. Conclusion: Onboard split PET with TomoTherapy can generate quality images under 1 minute scan times without the need to correct for attenuation, scatter, random events, or depth information of the interaction.« less
Intensity fluctuations of amplified spontaneous emission

Abstract The intensity fluctuations of a linearly polarized component of the amplified spontaneous emission at 3.51 μm from a single, variable-length xenon-helium source have been measured. The fluctuations are only slightly reduced despite heavy saturation and the results are found to be in qualitative agreement with theoretical models based on the coupling of the fluctuations in the beams travelling in different directions.
The Management of Rectovaginal Fistulas in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Rectovaginal fistulas (RVF) pose a significant treatment challenge. Inflammatory bowel disease, particularly Crohn’s disease, is the second leading cause of these types of fistulas. Approximately one-third of all the patients with Crohn’s disease will have perianal manifestations, including RVFs at some point in their lives. The choice of treatment is dependent on the complexity of the fistula, the severity of the symptoms, the coexisting anorectal disease, and the degree of impairment of the patient’s quality of life. As a general principle, Crohn’s disease, including its perianal manifestations, preferably should be treated medically with surgical treatment being reserved for patients with refractory disease, debilitating symptoms, and significant impairment of quality of life. In this review we discuss the medical and surgical treatment of RVF in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Thermodynamic model of the insulator-metal transition in nickel iodide.

A model calculation of the phase diagram for the isostructural insulator-metal phase transition of nickel iodide is presented. The system is modeled by the Falicov-Kimball Hamiltonian with the calculated band structure of ${\mathrm{NiI}}_{2}$ and (Ising) spin-spin interactions, but neglects all hybridization effects between nickel 3d and iodine 5p bands. Many-body interactions and spin superexchange are both treated in mean-field theory. The results include second-order antiferromagnetic-paramagnetic insulator transitions, first-order insulator-metal transitions, and a (as yet unobserved and probably unobservable) classical critical point. The calculated phase diagram and transport properties agree well with the recent experimental results.
Aptamer-Based Electrochemical Detection of Picomolar Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Directly in Blood Serum

We report an electrochemical, aptamer-based (E-AB) sensor for the detection of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) directly in blood serum. The E-AB approach employs alternating current voltammetry to monitor target-induced folding in a methylene blue-modified, PDGF-binding aptamer. The sensor is sensitive, highly selective, and essentially reagentless: we readily detect the BB variant of PDGF at 1 nM directly in undiluted, unmodified blood serum and at 50 pM (1.25 ng/mL) in serum-diluted 2-fold with aqueous buffer. The sensitivity and selectivity achieved by this sensor match or significantly exceed those of the best analogous optical approaches. For example, the detection limit attained in 50% serum is achieved against a >25 million-fold excess of contaminating blood proteins and represents a 4 order of magnitude improvement over the most sensitive optical PDGF aptasensor reported to date. Moreover, the E-AB sensor combines these promising attributes in a platform that is reusable, label-free, and electronic. Given these advantages, E-AB sensors appear well suited for implementation in portable microdevices directed at the direct detection of proteins and small molecules in complex, largely unprocessed clinical samples.
Review of design conditions applicable to offshore wind energy systems in the United States

Offshore wind turbines are now being considered for use in the United States. Ensuring proper design of offshore wind turbines and wind farms requires knowledge of the external conditions in which the turbines and associated facilities are to operate. The primary external conditions are due to the wind and waves. Also, for many locations, floating ice will also be a major factor in the design. This review examines the following aspects of external conditions for the design of offshore wind turbines for the United States: (1) design requirements, (2) available offshore data sources, (3) data estimation and extrapolation techniques, (4) on-site data collection, and (5) likely sources of extreme events, including hurricanes and northeast storms.
Direct specific rotation measurements of amino acids, dipeptides, and tripeptides by laser-based polarimetry

This paper addresses direct HPLC detection of amino acids, di and tripeptides via laser-based polarimetry. Mass detection limits typically range from 0.5 to 50 μg injected on-column, corresponding to concentration levels from 0.1 to 1 mg/ml. These levels are 1 to 2 orders of magnitude lower than measurements with conventional polarimetry, implying that concentration-dependent phenomena (e.g., solute dimerization) are minimized. This is the first published report of the specific rotation of the di and tripeptides of Ala and Phe. The relationship between pH and specific rotation of selected amino acids, peptides, and lysozyme is described. Chirality 11:187–194, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparison of Journals of Suicidology

Background: Three English-language journals deal explicitly with suicide phenomena. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has analyzed the subject content of these three journals. Aims: To review the abstracts of the three suicide-related journals in order to clarify the subjects of the papers. Methods: We examined all abstracts of every paper published in Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, Archives of Suicide Research, and Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior for the 5 years between 2006 and 2010, and categorized each paper by subject. Results: We found that the journals were similar with respect to subject allocation. Most papers dealt with epidemiological issues (32.7–40.1% of abstracts); prevention (5.8%–15.3%) and research (8.3%–10.6%) were next best represented subjects. Clinical papers comprised from 2.8% to 8.2% of the studies published. Conclusions: English-language suicide journals publish a preponderance of epidemiological studies. Clinical studies are...
Distributed sensor analysis for fault detection in tightly-coupled multi-robot team tasks

This paper presents a distributed version of our previous work, called SAFDetection, which is a sensor analysis-based fault detection approach that is used to monitor tightly-coupled multi-robot team tasks.While the centralized version of SAFDetection was shown to be successful, a shortcoming of the approach is that it does not scale well to large team sizes. The distributed SAFDetection approach addresses this problem by adapting and distributing the approach across team members. Distributed SAFDetection has the same theoretic foundation as centralized SAFDetection, which maps selected robot sensor data to a robot state by using a clustering algorithm, and builds state transition diagrams to describe the normal behavior of the robot system. However, rather than processing multiple robots' sensor data centralized on a server, distributed SAFDetection performs feature selection and clustering on individual robots to build the normal behavior model of an individual robot and the entire robot team. Fault detection is also accomplished in a distributed manner. We have implemented this distributed approach on a physical robot team and in simulation. This paper presents the results of these experiments, showing that distributed SAFDetection is an efficient approach to detect both local and interactive faults in tightly-coupled multi-robot team tasks. Compared to the centralized version, this approach provides more scalability and reliability.
Sensor based planning for a planar rod robot

Sensor based planning for rod-shaped robots is necessary for the realistic deployment of noncircular symmetric robots into unknown environments. To this end, the rod hierarchical generalized Voronoi graph (rod-HGVG), introduced in this paper, is a roadmap for rod-like robots. A key feature of this roadmap is that it can be incrementally constructed using distance (range) information. This planning paradigm is an extension of previous work on sensor based planning for point robots.
Some Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Vpu Proteins Are Able To Antagonize Macaque BST-2 In Vitro and In Vivo: Vpu-Negative Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Viruses Are Attenuated In Vivo

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpu enhances the release of viral particles from infected cells by targeting BST-2/tetherin, a cellular protein inhibiting virus release. The widely used HIV-1NL4-3 Vpu functionally inactivates human BST-2 but not murine or monkey BST-2, leading to the notion that Vpu antagonism is species specific. Here we investigated the properties of the CXCR4-tropic simian-human immunodeficiency virus DH12 (SHIVDH12) and the CCR5-tropic SHIVAD8, each of which carries vpu genes derived from different primary HIV-1 isolates. We found that virion release from infected rhesus peripheral blood mononuclear cells was enhanced to various degrees by the Vpu present in both SHIVs. Transfer of the SHIVDH12 Vpu transmembrane domain to the HIV-1NL4-3 Vpu conferred antagonizing activity against macaque BST-2. Inactivation of the SHIVDH12 and SHIVAD8 vpu genes impaired virus replication in 6 of 8 inoculated rhesus macaques, resulting in lower plasma viral RNA loads, slower losses of CD4+ T cells, and delayed disease progression. The expanded host range of the SHIVDH12 Vpu was not due to adaptation during passage in macaques but was an intrinsic property of the parental HIV-1DH12 Vpu protein. These results demonstrate that the species-specific inhibition of BST-2 by HIV-1NL4-3 Vpu is not characteristic of all HIV-1 Vpu proteins; some HIV-1 isolates encode a Vpu with a broader host range.
Microstimulation of macaque area LIP affects decision-making in a motion discrimination task

A central goal of cognitive neuroscience is to elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying decision-making. Recent physiological studies suggest that neurons in association areas may be involved in this process. To test this, we measured the effects of electrical microstimulation in the lateral intraparietal area (LIP) while monkeys performed a reaction-time motion discrimination task with a saccadic response. In each experiment, we identified a cluster of LIP cells with overlapping response fields (RFs) and sustained activity during memory-guided saccades. Microstimulation of this cluster caused an increase in the proportion of choices toward the RF of the stimulated neurons. Choices toward the stimulated RF were faster with microstimulation, while choices in the opposite direction were slower. Microstimulation never directly evoked saccades, nor did it change reaction times in a simple saccade task. These results demonstrate that the discharge of LIP neurons is causally related to decision formation in the discrimination task.
Analysis of spindle microtubule organization in untreated and taxol-treated PtK1 cells.

Taxol, a microtubule stabilizing agent, has been used to study changes in spindle microtubule organization during mitosis. PtK1 cells have been treated with 5 μg/ml taxol for brief periods to determine its effect on spindle architecture. During prophase taxol induces microtubules to aggregate, particularly evident in the region between the nucleus and cell periphery. Taxol induces astral microtubule formation in prometaphase and metaphase cells concomitant with a reduction in spindle length. At anaphase taxol induces an increase in length in astral microtubules and reduces microtubule length in the interzone. Taxol-treated telophase cells show a reduction in the rate of furrowing and astral microtubules lack a discrete focus and are arranged more diffusely on the surface of the nuclear envelope. In summary, taxol treatment of cells prior to anaphase produces an increase in astral microtubules, a reduction in kinetochore microtubules and a decrease in spindle length. Brief taxol treatments during anaphase through early G1 promotes stabilization of microtubules, an increase in the length of astral microtubules and a delayed rate of cytokinesis.
The genes encoding endonuclease VIII and endonuclease III in Escherichia coli are transcribed as the terminal genes in operons

Escherichia coli endonuclease VIII and endonuclease III are oxidative base excision repair DNA glycosylases that remove oxidized pyrimidines from DNA. The genes encoding these proteins, nei and nth, are both co-transcribed as the terminal genes in operons. nei is the terminal gene in an operon with four open reading frames that encode proteins of unknown function. This operon has two confirmed transcription initiation sites upstream of the first open reading frame and two transcript termination sites downstream of nei. nth is the terminal gene in an operon with seven open reading frames that encode proteins of unknown function. The six open reading frames immediately upstream of nth show homology to the genes rnfA, rnfB, rnfC, rnfD, rnfG and rnfE from Rhodobacter capsulatis. The rnf genes are required for nitrogen fixation in R.capsulatis and have been predicted to make up a membrane complex involved in electron transport to nitrogenase. The nth operon has transcription initiation sites upstream of the first and second open reading frames and a single transcript termination site downstream of nth. The order of genes in these operons has been conserved or partially conserved in other bacteria, although it is not known whether the genes are co-transcribed in these other organisms.