cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The rise of the mediocre forest: why chronically stressed trees may better survive extreme episodic climate variability

Anthropogenic climate change is a relatively new phenomenon, largely occurring over the past 150 years, and much of the discussion on climate change impacts to forests has focused on long-term shifts in temperature and precipitation. However, individual trees respond to the much shorter impacts of climate variability. Historically, fast growing, fully canopied, non-chronically stressed (NCS) trees (e.g., those with minimal insect or disease damage, growing on high nutrient, moist soils), have been considered the model of individual health, while slower growing, broken crown, chronically stressed (CS) trees growing on nutrient poor, or dry soils, were considered to be unhealthy and prone to stress related mortality. Over the coming years and decades, climate variability (e.g., extreme precipitation events, drought, heat waves) is expected to increase. We hypothesize that as the duration, severity and interaction of stress becomes more pronounced under increasing climate variability, seemingly less healthy, CS trees could begin to survive environmental stress better than their traditionally considered healthy, NCS tree counterparts. We further hypothesize that this shift in survivorship will be attributed to tree response to increasingly extreme climate variability at levels not previously observed in recorded history. While NCS trees can better survive historic episodic stress, we hypothesize that CS trees may be better suited to survive the combination of chronic low-level stress, and extreme episodic stress associated with anthropogenic climate change and increasing climate variability. Specifically, morphological differences such as increased root and reduced leaf mass, and physiological differences such as more oleoresin production, could make slower growing, CS forests more resilient to catastrophic episodic mortality compared to more NCS stands under certain circumstances. General circulation models suggest that climate variability will increase in the future. Therefore, the occurrence of slow growth, CS forest stands out surviving faster growing NCS less stressed stands may become more common place, and eventually lead to “The Age of the Mediocre Forest”. This paper addresses the type of environmental conditions that could create such an inverse in forest health conditions, and the implications that this shift might have in forest genetics and management.
Preparation and characterization of some plumbacyclopentanes

Abstract Diethylplumbacyclopentane and diphenylplumbacyclopentane were prepared by the addition of tetramethylenedimagnesium dibromide to diethyllead dichloride and diphenyllead dichloride, respectively. Some cleavage and derivatization studies were carried out with diethylplumbacyclopentane. As distinguished from simple lead alkyls, diethylplumbacyclopentane and diethylplumbacyclohexane show a tendency in certain cleavage reactions to give complete degradation to inorganic lead salts. Infrared and thin-layer chromatographic work is presented.
Colloidal HgTe Material for Low-Cost Detection into the MWIR

We report on HgTe colloidal-based quantum-dot mid-infrared (IR) photodetectors. We demonstrate tuning the cutoff wavelength of this detector from the near IR up to 7 μm. Responsivity values of films of HgTe nanoparticles a few hundred nanometers thick are in the 100 mA W−1 range even at room temperature. The detectivity of this film is limited by large 1/f noise. Time responses as short as 200 ns are achieved.
Rain clutter measurements with c.w. radar systems operating in the 8-mm wavelength band

The objects of this work were to investigate the extent of rain clutter using 8-mm continuous-wave radar systems with both a single aerial (common transmission and reception) and dual aerials (separate transmission and reception) and to investigate the reduction of this clutter by orthogonal polarization techniques. In the common transmission and reception case using polarization duplexing, the amplitude of the rain clutter was measured in terms of decibels below the valve power level by a direct comparison method and plotted against the rainfall rate in millimetres per hour. This was also done for the separate transmission and reception case, which did not employ a duplexer. The results showed that the rain clutter amplitude in the common transmission and reception case was some 60 db below valve power level for a moderate rainfall of 3 mm/h. In the separate transmission and reception case rain clutter decreased with increasing aerial spacing and was some 95 db below valve power for a rainfall rate of 3 mm/h with 2-ft diameter aerials spaced 3 ft centre to centre. Details of the methods of measurements, the equipment used and the experimental observations are given.
Hilbert transforms and unitary equivalence

If E is a subset of the real line of positive measure, then the associated Hilbert transform H = H E , where the integral is a Cauchy principal value, is a bounded self-adjoint operator on L 2 (E) (cf. Muskhelishvili [4]). In case E = (-∞, ∞) the transformation is also unitary with a spectrum consisting of 1 and -1, each of infinite multiplicity (Titchmarsh [10]). If E is a inite interval the spectral representation of H has been given by Koppelman and Pincus [3]; see also Putnam [6]. In particular the spectrum of H is in this case the closed interval [-1, 1]. Moreover, according to Widom [11], the spectrum of H is [-1, 1] whenever E ≠ (-∞, ∞), that is, whenever
In vitro exposure of male and female mice gametes to cadmium chloride during the fertilization process, and its effects on pregnancy outcome.

Abstract The effect of cadmium chloride (Cd) on gamete fusion in vitro was evaluated, with further observations of the embryonic development and assessment of the pregnancy outcome of the in vitro fertilized mice. Oocytes were recovered from superovulated B6C3F1 female mice and inseminated in vitro with spermatozoa from B6C3F1 males. Of 1210 control oocytes, 53.2% cleaved into two-cell stage embryos. Of these, 46.6% developed into blastocyst stage embryos which were then surgically transferred to pseudopregnant female CD-1 mice. Of a total of 63 implanted embryos, 8 (12.7%) developed in utero to live fetuses. Teratological examinations of these “test-tube” mice revealed no signs of abnormalities caused by in vitro culture. Male and female gametes were exposed to 0.4, 0.8, or 1.6 μ m of Cd and a decrease in sperm motility was noted in the 1.6 μ m group. Nevertheless, even in the highest concentration used, 56.4% of the ova cleaved into the two-cell stage, thus indicating no effect of Cd on initial gamete interaction. Gametes that had been treated with 0.4 and 0.8 μ m Cd developed to blastocysts at rates comparable to that of the controls. In the 1.6 μ m group, however, only one (3.2%) of the two-cell embryos developed to the blastocyst stage. Blastocysts from 0.4 μ m Cd-treated gametes were then transferred to surrogate dams. Statistically significant blastocyst losses were recorded during the implantation period, whereas the pregnancy rate and the numbers of resorbed and live fetuses, were comparable to those of the controls. The offspring exhibited no malformations, and their body weights remained within the control values.
Unifying forces for chromosomes in mitosis

Over the last 100 years cytological analysis of cell divisions in many different eukaryotic organisms has revealed that chromosomes undergo a complex and well choreographed series of movements during mitosis. After chromosomes attach to the spindle fibers in prophase, they move away from the spindle’s poles and congress at its midplane in metaphase. In contrast, chromosomes segregate from each other in anaphase by moving towards the spindle poles. However, neither chromosome congression nor segregation are perfectly processive, being interrupted by small oscillatory movements either towards or away from the spindle poles.
The Kids Are Alright, But What About the Adults?

The author discusses a clinical case presented by David Pauley. Of particular interest is the way in which Pauley and his young patient, Milo, create a holding environment to afford Milo's gender variance. Attention is also drawn to the manner in which social norms are funneled through regulatory anxiety from parent to child.
A simple harmonic oscillator model for paramagnetism in a closed shell system

Abstract An anisotropic harmonic oscillator in a constant magnetic field is shown to be an exactly solvable and exceedingly simple model for closed shell paramagnetism.
A possible role for topoisomerase II in cell death and N-phosphonoacetyl-l-aspartate-resistance frequency and its enhancement by 1-β-d-arabinofuranosyl cytosine and 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine

Abstract Pretreatment of cells with AraC markedly enhances the frequency of resistance to PALA, methotrexate and 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (FdUrd) (D.V. De Cicco, A.C. Spradling, Localization of a cis-acting element responsible for the developmentally regulated amplification of Drosophila chorion genes. Cell 38 (1984) 45–54). As a part of studies to elucidate the mechanism for this effect of AraC, the SV40 transformed baby hamster kidney cell line SV28 was treated with either AraC, etoposide or etoposide plus verapamil (to avoid selection for P-glycoprotein-mediated resistance) to isolate cells resistant to AraC or etoposide, respectively. The cells isolated for resistance to AraC (500) were cross-resistant to etoposide and the cells isolated for resistance to etoposide (V5ER and 20ER) were cross-resistant to AraC as well as FdUrd (only V5ER were tested). Enhancement of PALA-resistance frequency by pretreatment with various AraC concentrations and exposure times was greatly attenuated in the three resistant cell lines. Pretreatment with FdUrd markedly enhanced PALA-resistance frequency in SV28 cells, but only weakly did so in V5ER cells. All three resistant cell lines had diminished topoisomerase II as measured by immunoblotting and which was reflected in increased LC 50 s for etoposide. A comparison of either the etoposide LC 50 values or the amount of cellular topoisomerase II, as measured by immunoblotting, with the PALA-resistance frequency in the SV28 and resistant cell lines showed a clear correlation. Increased etoposide LC 50 or decreased topoisomerase II correlate with increased PALA-resistance frequency. This holds true for cells treated or not pretreated with AraC. Cells with reduced topoisomerase II are more resistant to the lethal actions of not only etoposide, but also AraC and FdUrd, drugs with different primary sites of action. Cells with reduced topoisomerase II have a higher frequency of resistance to PALA by gene amplification and reduced enhancement of gene amplification frequency when treated with AraC or FdUrd. This suggests two different mechanisms responsible for the increased frequency of resistance and the reduced enhancement of resistance frequency, respectively. These data suggest a role for topoisomerase II in cell death and gene amplification. Possible mechanisms are discussed and a scheme is presented.
Integration and applications of the TAU performance system in parallel Java environments

Parallel Java environments present challenging problems for performance tools because of Java's rich language system and its multi-level execution platform combined with the integration of native-code application libraries and parallel runtime software. In addition to the desire to provide robust performance measurement and analysis capabilities for the Java language itself, the coupling of different software execution contexts under a uniform performance model needs careful consideration of how events of interest are observed and how cross-context parallel execution information is linked. This paper relates our experience in extending the TAU performance system to a parallel Java environment based on mpiJava. We describe the complexities of the instrumentation model used, how performance measurements are made, and the overhead incurred. A parallel Java application simulating the game of Life is used to show the performance system's capabilities.
Watching the Motions of the Cell Wall Synthesis Machinery and Underlying Cytoskeleton in B. Subtilis

Rod-shaped bacteria elongate by the action of cell-wall synthesis complexes linked to underlying dynamic MreB filaments, but how these proteins function to allow continued elongation as a rod remains unknown. To understand how the movement of these filaments relates to cell wall synthesis, we characterized the dynamics of MreB and the cell wall elongation machinery using high-resolution particle tracking in Bacillus subtilis. We found that both MreB and the elongation machinery move in linear paths across the cell, moving at similar rates (∼20 nm / second) and angles to the cell body, suggesting they function as single complexes. These proteins move circumferentially around the cell, principally perpendicular to its length. We find that the motions of these complexes are independent, as they can pause and reverse,and also as nearby complexes move independently in both directions across one surface of the cell. Inhibition of cell wall synthesis with antibiotics or depletions in the cell wall synthesis machinery blocked MreB movement, suggesting that the cell wall synthetic machinery is the motor in this system. We propose that bacteria elongate by the uncoordinated, circumferential movements of synthetic complexes that span the plasma membrane and insert radial hoops of new peptidoglycan during their transit.
Materials processing applications of moderate energy, pulsed electron beams

Summary form only given, as follows. Intense, pulsed electron and ion beams with very high peak power have been available for over two decades, but these devices have generally not been suitable for industrial applications such as materials processing. Such applications generally require repetitively-pulsed beam sources with high average power. A number of potential applications have been identified for pulsed electron and ion beams, but the primary emphasis has been on high energy (/spl ges/1 MeV) and short pulse lengths (/spl les/0.1 /spl mu/sec). This report examines potential applications for pulsed electron beams with lower energies but much longer pulse lengths (/spl ges/1 /spl mu/sec). The applications include thin film deposition, bonding of dissimilar materials, production of fine-grained materials such as nanocrystalline ceramics, and surface modification. Preliminary experimental results illustrating a novel multi-layer bonding process are presented.
Externally forced fluctuations in ocean temperature at Greenland glaciers in non-summer months

The factors that control the submarine melt rate at Greenland’s glaciers are uncertain and largely inferred from brief summer surveys in the fjords where glaciers terminate. Continuous records of water properties and velocity for the months September to May from two large Greenland fjords reveal strong variability on 3- to 10-day timescales as a result of pulses of water that are propagated from the shelf ocean.
Chlorophyll synthesis modulates retention of apoproteins of light‐harvesting complex II by the chloroplast in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Localization of apoproteins of the major light-harvesting complex (LHCII) in Chl b-less cells of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cbn 1–113 was determined by immunoelectron microscopy. In dark-grown cells, a low amount of apoproteins was detected in cytoplasmic vacuoles. The amount in vacuoles, and in the cytosol, increased dramatically when the rate of protein synthesis was enhanced in the dark by raising the temperature to 38°C. After exposure of cells to light, the apoproteins accumulated also in the chloroplast. Mature-sized apoproteins were recovered in an alkali-soluble fraction of cellular proteins commensurate with accumulation in the cytoplasm. At 25°C, content of apoproteins in the chloroplast of pale-green cells grown in medium lacking acetate was one-half of the amount in cells grown with acetate, yet the total amount remained similar. Cytoplasmic vacuoles, which were nearly filled with immunoreactive, electron-opaque material, were more abundant in cells grown without acetate as compared with cells grown with acetate. Accumulation of apoproteins outside of the chloroplast suggested that translocation into the organelle of a portion of the apoproteins, apparently synthesized in excess of the amount accommodated by Chl synthesis, was aborted after processing of precursors. These results suggested that assembly of LHCII was required for retention of apoproteins by the chloroplast.
The Cornell school of rhetoric: Idiom and institution

The revival of rhetorical studies in early twentieth‐century higher education was based largely in emerging departments of public speaking, speech, and speech & drama. The founding generation of the discipline that now identifies itself as speech communication ‐ and increasingly as communication ‐ established regional and national associations, such as those now called the Eastern Communication Association and the National Communication Association, and they created departments and graduate programs across the country. At Cornell University, a group of young scholars founded a department and developed what came to be known as the Cornell School of Rhetoric, a geographically dispersed and intellectually diverse group of rhetorical scholars. The institutional base of the Cornell School of Rhetoric was the Cornell University Department of Speech and Drama, which flourished until the middle 1960s, when the university abolished the Speech half of the department and closed its graduate program in rhetoric and p...
Endothelium-dependent effects of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide on mouse pial arterioles.

The effects of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were tested on pial arterioles of mice. This was done because (1) perivascular peptidergic nerves may play an important role in modulation of cerebrovascular responses; (2) there are conflicting data concerning the mechanism of action of CGRP; (3) there are few or no studies directly testing the endothelium dependence of dilation by these peptides in the cerebral circulation; and (4) we wished to extend previous observations of mice by comparing peptidergic responses in the mouse with those published for other species.The pial arterioles were monitored in vivo using video microscopy and image-shearing techniques for measuring diameter. Focal endothelial injury was produced with a laser-Evans blue technique. Responses to SP and CGRP were tested before and after endothelial injury. They were also tested before and during treatment with agents that interfere with responses mediated by endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRFACh). The...
Effect of pH on crystallographic orientation of plated cobalt films

Data is presented which contrasts the crystallographic and magnetic properties of films plated at low and at high pH. Plating from a simple CoSO 4 bath, an abrupt transition in preferred orientation is observed to occur in the region of pH 4, from orientation of the hexagonal c-axis predominantly parallel to the plane of the films below a pH of 4.0 changing to c-axis orientation predominantly perpendicular to the film plane in the pH range 4.0-6.5, together with corresponding changes in magnetic properties. A mechanism based on hydrolysis of Cobalt ions at the cathode interface is proposed to explain this behavior, which is supported by results from plating baths containing Boric acid.
Assessing the end-of-life impacts of buildings.

This paper builds on previous research on end of life of products by synthesizing some of the theories proposed in the literature and presenting a method for environmental decision-making related to buildings. This is achieved through different solutions, but most significantly through the use of hybrid life-cycle assessment and the definition of allocation boundaries in a way that decreases the uncertainty associated with technological forecasting. Results show that there is no significant difference between the results of two major end-of-life assessment approaches (attributional and consequential), and that the choice between the use of one or the other for buildings may not be a critical decision. Assessing the impacts of recycling polices requires accounting for product substitutions, market analysis, and the full supply chain impacts of the recycling chains. Increasing the recycling of concrete from deconstructed buildings from the current 27% rate to 50% could yield a 2−3% (2.7−5.6 million metric t...
Hospital-wide assessment of compliance with central venous catheter dressing recommendations

This hospital-wide assessment of central venous catheter (CVC) site maintenance evaluated a total of 420 CVC sites and found deficiencies in 31%. Internal jugular CVC dressings were the most frequently deficient type ( P = 0.001). No correlation between CVC site maintenance and central line–associated bloodstream infections was detected (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.007; P = 0.98).
U.S. gaming operations: the hospitality subset of the future.

Abstract • A critical look at Nevada 's privately owned, state regulated gaming industry. • Future growth of industry, and possible implications. • How casinos are organized, and why. The business language of casino operations. • As more states turn to legalized gaming, a change in the relationship between gaming and the hospitality industry appears imminent.
An Automated BIST Architecture for Testing and Diagnosing FPGA Interconnect Faults

We present an efficient built-in self-test (BIST) architecture for testing and diagnosing stuck-at faults, delay faults, and bridging faults in FPGA interconnect resources. The BIST structure contains self-enabling test pattern generators, self-configurable switch matrices, and response analyzers that all work together and reprogram themselves without any external intervention. This eliminates downloading configuration bitstreams into the FPGA after the start of testing and, hence, reduces test time. Our technique requires only six different switch matrix configurations to test the interconnect, which is fewer than prior methods, while retaining good diagnostic resolution. The area overhead to add self-configurable test structures to Xilinx FPGAs is as low as 0.5%.
Transcription of the Acanthamoeba TATA-binding Protein Gene A SINGLE TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR ACTS BOTH AS AN ACTIVATOR AND A REPRESSOR

Transcription of the Acanthamoeba TATA-binding protein (TBP) gene is regulated by TBP promoter-binding factor (TPBF), a previously described transactivator that binds as a tetramer to the TBP Promoter Element (TPE) and stimulates transcription up to 10-fold in vitro Here we report that TPBF also functions as a transcription repressor by binding to a negative cis-element, located between the TATA box and the transcription initiation site. The negative element, referred to as the nTPE, is structurally similar to the TPE, and its disruption increases the transcription potency of the TBP promoter. TPBF binds to the nTPE, as demonstrated by mobility shift assays. However, the binding affinity of TPBF for the nTPE is about 10-fold lower than for the TPE. When placed upstream of the TATA box, the nTPE has very little effect on transcription. However, it inhibits transcription when placed at several positions downstream of the TATA box. Mechanistic studies with the TBP promoter suggest that binding of TPBF to the nTPE not only prevents TBP from binding to the TATA box but also displaces bound TBP, thereby inhibiting further assembly of the preinitiation complex. These results suggest a mechanism in which the cellular TPBF concentration controls the level of TBP gene transcription and show that a single factor can be stimulatory, inhibitory, or neutral depending on the sequence and the context of its binding site.
Decoding calcium signals by multifunctional CaM kinase

Multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) is one of the three major protein kinases coordinating cellular responses to hormones and neurotransmitters. It mediates the action of Ca2+ on neurotransmitter synthesis and release, on carbohydrate metabolism and on the cytoskeleton. CaM kinase has structural/functional properties that facilitate its response to distinctive attributes of Ca2+ signals which often involve transient increases that span a narrow concentration range and increases that are pulsatile rather than persistent. The kinase responds to the narrow working range of Ca2+ signals by the use of calmodulin as the Ca2+ sensor. It is activated by the binding of calmodulin to an autoinhibitory domain that keeps the kinase inactive in the basal state. The transient nature of the signal is accommodated by autophosphorylation of this autoinhibitory domain which allows the kinase to remain partially active after calmodulin dissociates and thereby switches it to a Ca(2+)-independent species. The pulsatile nature of Ca2+ signals may also be decoded by CaM kinase. Autophosphorylation traps calmodulin on autophosphorylated subunits by greatly reducing its off-rate. At high frequency of stimulation, calmodulin would remain trapped during the brief interval between Ca2+ oscillations and each successive rise in Ca2+ would recruit more calmodulin. This may enable a stimulus frequency dependent activation of CaM kinase.
Acidic-phosphoprotein phosphatase activity of rat ventral prostate nuclei: apparent lack of effect of androgens.

Abstract A protein phosphatase activity has been demonstrated in nuclei of rat ventral prostate utilizing 32 P-labelled phosvitin as a model acidic phosphoprotein substrate. This phosphoprotein phosphatase has a pH optimum of 6.7, is unaffected by the sulphydryl protecting agent 2-mercaptoethanol, and requires a divalent cation for maximal activity. Of the various divalent cations tested, Mg 2+ is the most effective in reactivating the EDTA-inhibited enzyme. The phosphatase is inhibited by sodium fluoride, sodium oxalate, N -ethylmaleimide, ATP and ADP but is relatively insensitive to ammonium molybdate. Increased ionic strength of the reaction medium also causes a reduction in the enzyme activity, e.g., by 48% at 200 mM sodium chloride. The activity of the acidic phosphoprotein phosphatase did not change significantly at 48 h or 96 h postorchiectomy when expressed per unit of nuclear protein. However, it is reduced by approx. 30% at these times after castration if based on DNA content. The decline in activity per nucleus reflects the decrease in the realtive nuclear protein content observed at 48 h or 96 h post-orchiectomy. This suggests that the decline in the phosphorylation of prostatic nuclear acidic proteins which occurs upon androgen withdrawal is not due to increased nuclear phosphatase activity.
Evaluating the Quality of the National Hydrography Dataset for Watershed Assessments in Metropolitan Regions

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the "fitness for use" of the high-resolution National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) for regional watershed assessments. The Nature Conservancy's GIS tools were combined with various data sources and techniques to identify and fix four types of problems in the high resolution NHD—dangling streams, attribute errors, flow divergences, and duplicate streams. This effort generated a single-line natural flow network with correct arcnode topology, no dangling streams (with the exception of streams terminating in low relief basins), and few, if any, attribute designation problems. The revised NHD network improved on the original representation of the stream network and accompanying sub-watersheds in several ways.
Adaptive visual odometry using RGB-D cameras

An adaptive color-depth (RGB-D) visual odometry algorithm is presented to enable high-accuracy egomotion estimates while reducing computational performance. Specifically, the presented algorithm uses a statistical confidence interval to adaptively ensure accuracy of the visual odometry solution while at the same time controlling the computational performance. This in turn reduces the computational requirements of implementing the algorithm. Experimental studies presented in this paper show that this adaptive algorithm can achieve an error of 0.8% with reduced computational load.
Wheel design and tension analysis for the tethered axel rover on extreme terrain

As the Mars Exploration rovers have reaffirmed, some of the most interesting sites for scientists to explore on planetary surfaces lie in terrains that are currently inaccessible to state-of-the art rovers. We have been developing the Axel rover as a robotic platform to access steep and challenging terrain. We will summarize the recent mechanical upgrades since we introduced the tethered Axel concept last year.
Cofilin Increases the Torsional Flexibility and Dynamics of Actin Filaments

We have measured the effects of cofilin on the conformation and dynamics of actin filaments labeled at Cys374 with erythrosin-iodoacetemide (ErIA), using time-resolved phosphorescence anisotropy (TPA). Cofilin quenches the phosphorescence intensity of actin-bound ErIA, indicating that binding changes the local environment of the probe. The cofilin concentrationdependence of the phosphorescence intensity is sigmoidal, consistent with cooperative actin filament binding. Model-independent analysis of the anisotropies indicates that cofilin increases the rates of the microsecond rotational motions of actin. In contrast to the reduction in phosphorescence intensity, the changes in the rates of rotational motions display non-nearestneighbor cooperative interactions and saturate at substoichiometric cofilin binding densities. Detailed analysis of the TPA decays indicates that cofilin decreases the torsional rigidity (C) of actin, increasing the thermally driven root-mean-square torsional angle between adjacent filament subunits from w48 (CZ2.30!10 K27 Nm 2 radian K1 )t ow178 (CZ0.13!10 K27 Nm 2 radian K1 )a t 258C. We favor a mechanism in which cofilin binding shifts the equilibrium between thermal ErIA-actin filament conformers, and facilitates two distinct structural changes in actin. One is local in nature, which affects the structure of actin’s C terminus and is likely to mediate nearest-neighbor cooperative binding and filament severing. The second is a change in the internal dynamics of actin, which displays non-nearestneighbor cooperativity and increases the torsional flexibility of filaments. The long-range effects of cofilin on the torsional dynamics of actin may accelerate Pi release from filaments and modulate interactions with other regulatory actin filament binding proteins.
Long-run risk in durable consumption $

Abstract Durable consumption growth is persistent and predicted by the price–dividend ratio. This provides strong and direct evidence for the existence of a highly persistent expected component. Durable consumption growth is left-skewed and exhibits time-varying volatility. I model durable consumption growth as containing a persistent expected component and driven by counter-cyclical volatility, nondurable consumption as a random walk, and dividend growth as exposed to the expected component of durable consumption growth. Together with nonseparable Epstein-Zin preferences, the model demonstrates that long-run risk in durable consumption can explain major asset market phenomena. The model also generates an upward-sloping real term structure.
An end-of-life care curriculum for nursing home staff: Improving nursing home care of the dying: a training manual for nursing home staff By Martha L. Henderson, Laura C. Hanson, and Kimberly S. Reynolds Published by Springer Publishing Company, New York, USA, 2003 216 pages, $36.95 (softcover)

Given the fact that 20% of Americans die in nursing homes, one would think that this text, a training manual for nursing home staff caring for dying patients, would take its rightful place among many others in the field. The fact that it is unique is a sad commentary on the state of our health care system, where the care needs of such a vulnerable group are not adequately addressed. The good news is that there is now a userfriendly, well-researched training manual for nursing home staff on end-of-life care. The curriculum was developed through a multiyear project to evaluate the needs of dying nursing home residents, as well as the educational needs of the staff. The result is a fully-developed training program that is ready to implement on a practical level. In the preface, the authors provide excellent advice for successful implementation of this training program, including ways to maximize staff participation. An administrator
Phosphorylation by p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Promotes Estrogen Receptor α Turnover and Functional Activity via the SCFSkp2 Proteasomal Complex

The nuclear hormone receptor estrogen receptor α (ERα) mediates the actions of estrogens in target cells and is a master regulator of the gene expression and proliferative programs of breast cancer cells. The presence of ERα in breast cancer cells is crucial for the effectiveness of endocrine therapies, and its loss is a hallmark of endocrine-insensitive breast tumors. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of the cellular levels of ERα are not fully understood. Our findings reveal a unique cellular pathway involving the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK)-mediated phosphorylation of ERα at Ser-294 that specifies its turnover by the SCFSkp2 proteasome complex. Consistently, we observed an inverse relationship between ERα and Skp2 or active p38MAPK in breast cancer cell lines and human tumors. ERα regulation by Skp2 was cell cycle stage dependent and critical for promoting the mitogenic effects of estradiol via ERα. Interestingly, by the knockdown of Skp2 or the inhibition of p38MAPK, we restored functional ERα protein levels and the control of gene expression and proliferation by estrogen and antiestrogen in ERα-negative breast cancer cells. Our findings highlight a novel pathway with therapeutic potential for restoring ERα and the responsiveness to endocrine therapy in some endocrine-insensitive ERα-negative breast cancers.
Zebrafish: Genomics on the Fast Track

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has proven its worth as an excellent model system for the study of vertebrate development. In 1996, in an issue of the journal Development, the results of the characterization of almost 2000 mutations derived from two screens of ENU-mutagenized zebrafish (Driever et al. 1996; Haffter et al. 1996) were reported in 36 articles (Vol. 123, Dec. 1996). The same issue, however, included only one article describing the generation of reagents for genomic analysis that will be required for the positional cloning and characterization of these newly identified developmental anomalies (Knapik et al. 1996). Since then, remarkable progress has been made in zebrafish genomics, based largely on technology that has been developed for mammalian genetic analysis. The rapid implementation of these techniques, which will enable the characterization of the large set of zebrafish mutations, speaks to the utility of research that aims to develop resources for a community of investigators rather than to test a specific hypothesis. The use of saturation mutagenesis in zebrafish as a means to study vertebrate development has evolved from a convergence of diverse experimental approaches. Saturation mutagenesis of Drosophila has been used with extraordinary success to identify abnormalities in early embryonic patterning. The fact that mutations in mammalian homologs of these genes often have profound developmental consequences demonstrates that many of these basic pathways have been maintained in highly divergent organisms. A similar analysis in vertebrates was proposed as a means to uncover additional loci of developmental importance, especially those affecting formation of internal organs, which are not effectively scored in Drosophila embryonic screens (Nusslein-Volhard 1994). Zebrafish are particularly well-suited for this purpose, as they generate large numbers of transparent embryos that develop synchronously to a free-swimming hatchling in a period of 3 days (for review, see Driever et al. 1994). Zebrafish have an additional experimental advantage that has been exploited successfully for the purpose of genetic analysis. Based largely on the studies of George Streisinger, a variety of techniques can be used to manipulate the ploidy and parental origin of genes in zebrafish (Streisinger et al. 1981, 1986). For example, gynogenetic haploid embryos can be generated by fertilization of secondary oocytes with UV-irradiated sperm; these embryos develop to hatching, albeit with specific developmental abnormalities. It is also possible to generate both fully homozygous diploid adults, and ‘‘half-tetrad’’ diploid adults, which are partially homozygous (for review, see Postlethwait and Talbot 1997). The uses of these various genetic ‘‘tricks’’ for genetic mapping are outlined in Box 1.
Phase I study of the combination of topotecan and irinotecan in children with refractory solid tumors

Purpose: We have shown in xenograft studies that the antitumor activities of topotecan and irinotecan are highly schedule- and dose-dependent, with a high frequency of response at low, protracted dose schedules. Preclinical and clinical data suggest that topotecan and irinotecan have different antitumor activities and mechanisms of resistance, and non-overlapping toxicities, providing a rationale for their combination. Combining both agents may increase the amount of camptothecin delivered to the tumor, without additive toxicity. Methods: We conducted a phase I study in children with refractory solid tumors to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of irinotecan when administered with a targeted systemic exposure (TSE) of topotecan and to define the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of this combination. Irinotecan was administered IV over 60 min followed by topotecan over 30 min daily for 5 days for two consecutive weeks. We initially fixed the topotecan-TSE to 80±10 ng*h/ml and investigated the ability to escalate irinotecan (starting dose 16 mg/m2/d). Topotecan and irinotecan pharmacokinetics were determined. Results: Eleven patients (median age 10 years) were enrolled. Owing to DLT, irinotecan was de-escalated to 12 (level −1; n=3) and 9 (level −2; n=3) mg/m2/day, and topotecan-TSE was reduced to 60±10 ng*h/ml (level −3; n=2). DLTs were neutropenia (n=8), typhlitis (n=5), and skin rash (n=1). MTD could not be reached. Median (range) irinotecan and topotecan lactone systemic clearances were 50.3 (16.6–76.2) l/h/m2 and 27.6 (14.7–55.9) l/h/m2, respectively. The pharmacokinetics profile of each agent was similar to that seen in previous single agent studies. One patient with neuroblastoma and one with rhabdomyosarcoma had a partial and a complete response, respectively. Conclusion: Despite promising antitumor activity, the combination of topotecan and irinotecan given on a protracted schedule does not warrant further development in children due to unacceptable toxicity.
Goal Programming Approach for Regression Median

This study presents a new robust estimation method that can produce a regression median hyper-plane for any data set. The robust method starts with dual variables obtained by least absolute value estimation. It then utilizes two specially designed goal programming models to obtain regression median estimators that are less sensitive to a small sample size and a skewed error distribution than least absolute value estimators. The superiority of new robust estimators over least absolute value estimators is confirmed by two illustrative data sets and a Monte Carlo simulation study.
Optimization of Micro and Nano Research and Development Fabrication Operations

Abstract- In order to stay competitive in today's markets, companies are faced with lowering the cost of research and development while increasing technology capacity, reducing research lot cycle times and maintaining process control, and improving quality of numerous technology platforms. This poster will present an overview of the strategy and outcome of a multi year effort to improve the productivity of General Electric's Global Research Center (GRC) micro and nano systems technology (MNST) semiconductor cleanroom operations. A lean six-sigma approach was used to identify and analyze metrics that would lead to an understanding of factors critical to fab efficiency. Initiatives showed areas of improvement to be centered around: cleanroom equipment, fab lot loading/priority, documentation, and equipment. Further analysis revealed key metrics to analyze and track performance as, throughput, equipment uptime, process time, and process lot queue time. After implementing this lean six sigma approach metric data showed an initial cycle time improvement of more than 3X, a 41% queue time reduction from 2006 to 2009 and a 30% productivity improvement while realizing an overall fab loading increase of 54% from 2006 to 2009.
Light-Com [communication device for disabled child]

The Light-Com is a communication device in which the user will be able to depress a button corresponding with a picture or item in order to identify personal needs or to identify items for educational purposes. The Light-Com utilizes large lighted areas and controllable reaction times to accommodate different abilities. This device has a speed controllability to adjust for the different reaction times of different children.
Participant recruitment for an anorexia nervosa treatment study.

Objective To investigate the nature of differing recruitment rates for clinical treatment trials for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Methods Recruitment rates from a study recruiting women partially recovered from anorexia nervosa were compared with the rates from two studies conducted at the same sites recruiting women with bulimia nervosa. Results At all sites in the anorexia study, the total number of contacts per month rose steadily over the first 2 years of the recruitment phase then decreased to near zero with the number of participants randomized to the study practically evaporating. In contrast, the bulimia studies screened a larger group of contacts and met monthly randomization goals in the time allotted for recruitment. Participants eligible for a study but with a barrier to participation occurred at a much higher rate in the anorexia study than in the bulimia studies. Discussion These results reveal a difficulty in planning recruitment from a small population such as partially recovered anorexics. A small population's total pool size diminishes faster than it is replenished, suggesting that future studies of anorexia nervosa may recruit more successfully from many sites in a short period rather than at a few sites over a long period. © 2003 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 35: 33–41, 2004.
Activities of the South Pacific Division, Corps of Engineers, in eradication and control of phreatophytes

As early as 1939, the Corps of Engineers provided funds to enable the U. S. Geological Survey to perform investigational work to determine the consumptive use of water by river-bottom growth in the Gila River Valley near Safford, Arizona. Since that time, the South Pacific Division of the Corps of Engineers has taken an active part in fostering other investigational work by fact-finding agencies on eradication and control of phreatophytes in southwestern United States. These activities culminated in the recent work of the Pacific Southwest Federal Inter-Agency Technical Committee, which recommended that a 77-mi flood channel, under study by the Corps of Engineers on Salt and Gila Rivers in Arizona, be used as a proving ground for self-financed cooperative studies by all interested State and Federal agencies.
Krebs cycle enzymes from livers of old mice are differentially regulated by caloric restriction

Krebs cycle enzyme activities and levels of five metabolites were determined from livers of old mice (30 months) maintained either on control or on long-term caloric restriction (CR) diets (28 months). In CR mice, the cycle was divided into two major blocks, the first containing citrate synthase, aconitase and NAD-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase which showed decreased activities, while the second block, containing the remaining enzymes, displayed increased activity (except for fumarase, which was unchanged). CR also resulted in decreased levels of citrate, glutamate and alpha-ketoglutarate, increased levels of malate, and unchanged levels of aspartate. The alpha-ketoglutarate/glutamate and malate/alpha-ketoglutarate ratios were higher in CR, in parallel with previously reported increases with CR in pyruvate carboxylase activity and glucagon levels, respectively. The results indicate that long-term CR induces a differential regulation of Krebs cycle in old mice and this regulation may be the result of changes in gene expression levels, as well as a complex interplay between enzymes, hormones and other effectors. Truncation of Krebs cycle by CR may be an important adaptation to utilize available substrates for the gluconeogenesis necessary to sustain glycolytic tissues, such as brain.
A Systematic Framework for Battery Performance Estimation Considering Model and Parameter Uncertainties

Up to date, model and parameter uncertainties are generally overlooked by majority of researchers in the field of battery diagnostics and prognostics. As a consequence, accuracy of the battery performance estimation is dominated by the
Characterization of a homolog of human bone morphogenetic protein 1 in the embryo of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

A cDNA clone encoding a protein homologous to human bone morphogenetic protein 1 (huBMP1) was isolated from a sea urchin embryo cDNA library. This sea urchin gene, named suBMP, encodes a protein of M(r) of 72 × 10(3). The deduced amino acid sequence of suBMP shares 72% sequence similarity (55% identity) with that of huBMP1. Like huBMP1 it also contains an N-terminal metalloendoprotease domain that shares sequence similarity with the astacin protease from crayfish, a C-terminal domain that is similar to the repeat domain found in C1r or C1s serine proteases, and an EGF-like segment. Although suBMP mRNA was detectable at a low level in the unfertilized egg, maximal expression of mRNA was observed at hatched blastula stage, with only a modest decrease in level at later stages of development. In situ hybridization studies revealed that suBMP mRNA is found in both ectodermal and primary mesenchyme cells in hatched blastula-stage embryos. Maximal expression of suBMP was observed at mesenchyme blastula, just before the onset of primitive skeleton (spicule) formation. SuBMP was found by immunoelectronmicroscopy in all cell types in late gastrula stage embryos. The antibody gold particles appeared in small clusters in the cytoplasm, on the surface of the cells and within the blastocoel. This distribution of suBMP, coupled with the finding that it was associated with membranes but was released by sodium carbonate treatment, suggests that the protein is secreted, and subsequently associates with a cell surface component. Two models for the possible function of suBMP in spiculogenesis in the sea urchin embryo are discussed.
Double strand-breaks and DNA-to-protein cross-links induced by fast neutrons in bacteriophage DNA.

SummaryColiphage T7 was suspended in tryptone broth and exposed to a mixture of fast neutrons and gamma radiation. Plaque survival, double strand-breaks and DNA-to-protein cross-linkage were examined and the results compared with those found in phage exposed to gamma radiation alone. Neutral sucrose density sedimentation patterns indicate that neutron-induced double strand-breaks sometimes occur in clusters of more than 100 in the same phage and that the effeciency with which double strand-breaks form is about 50 times that of gamma-induced double strand-breaks. Neutron-induced protein-to-DNA cross-links probably also occur in clusters with enhanced efficiency relative to low LET radiation.