cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
USE OF INDIVIDUALISTIC STREAMFLOW-VEGETATION RELATIONS ALONG THE FREMONT RIVER, UTAH, USA TO ASSESS IMPACTS OF FLOW ALTERATION ON WETLAND AND RIPARIAN AREAS

We analyzed the transverse pattern of vegetation along a reach of the Fremont River in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA using models that support both delineation of wetland extent and projection of the changes in wetland area resulting from upstream hydrologic alteration. We linked stage-discharge relations developed by a hydraulic model to a flow-duration curve derived from the flow history in order to calculate the inundation duration of 361 plots (0.5 × 2 m). Logistic regression was used to relate plant species occurrence in plots to inundation duration. A weighted average of the wetland indicator values of species was used to characterize plots as Aquatic, Wetland, Transitional, or Upland. Finally, we assessed how alterations in the flow duration curve would change the relative widths of these four zones. The wetland indicator values of species and the wetland prevalence index scores of plots were strongly correlated with inundation duration. Our results support the concept that plants classified as wetland species typically occur gradient study reach of the Fremont River that satisfied the vegetation criterion for a regulatory wetland was narrow (2 m wide). Both the unvegetated Aquatic zone (7.8 m) and the Transitional zone (8 m) were substantially wider. The Transitional zone included the maxima of several species and was, therefore, not merely a combination of elements of the Wetland and Upland zones. Multiplicative increases or decreases in streamflow regime produced a wetter, or drier, bottomland vegetation, respectively. Systematic reductions in flow variability reduced the width of both the Wetland and Transitional zones and increased the width of the Upland zone. Our approach is widely applicable to inform water management decisions involving changes in flow regime.
Indentation of freestanding circular elastomer films using spherical indenters

Abstract We describe indentation testing of freestanding elastomeric films with thickness ranging from 0.1 to 3 mm. The relationship between load–deflection measurements and mechanical properties is discussed in the context of constitutive behavior, test variables (such as span length, film thickness and indenter size) and analytical indentation models. Regimes are identified wherein elastic properties can be obtained from either linear or non-linear load–deflection response, using point-load plate models and finite-contact membrane models, respectively. Testing of cast specimens of a poly(dimethyl siloxane)-based elastomer illustrates that elastic moduli determined via indentation is consistent with uni-axial tests. The models for point loads on plates include the effects of both indenter penetration and plate deflection; both are important for soft materials, such as elastomers and biological materials. The results demonstrate measurement approaches to characterize soft materials and ultra-thin freestanding films with load–deflection stiffness on the order of 0.01 N/m. The macroscale experiments and theoretical framework outlined here can be extended to films with sub-micron thickness and moduli greater than ∼1 GPa, or samples with thickness on the order of 100 μm and moduli less than ∼1 MPa.
Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography Using Mixed Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and Sodium Cholate

Abstract The migration behavior of fifteen dansylated amino acids, two estrogens, and two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was studied by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) with mixed micelles. The buffer system consisted of 10 mM borate at pH 9.0, containing 50 mM total surfactant concentration. Five different ratios of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium cholate (SC) surfactants were used, namely: 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100 (SDS:SC). The numbers refer to molar ratio percent. The migration time window was 50% larger in 50:50 (SDS.SC) compared to 100% SC, and 15% larger than that of 100% SDS.
Control of growth by intracellular potassium and sodium concentrations is relaxed in transformed 3t3 cells.

Abstract A decrease in intracellular K + concentration from 160–165 mM to about 120 mM, produced by the addition of ouabain to cultures of proliferating mouse 3T3 cells, increases the doubling time of the cell population from 1 day to 2 days. When cell K + is about 105–110 mM, and cell Na + is correspondingly increased from normally low levels to about 70 mM, cell proliferation ceases. Transformed 3T3 cells (SV3T3), in contrast, grow rapidly even when cell K + is as low as 50 mM, and cell Na + as high as 130 mM. This difference between the effect of the cell K + Na + ratio on growth of 3T3 and SV3T3 cells suggests that if these cations, or the (Na + , K + )ATPase pump which regulates their concentrations, are involved in normal growth control, then in SV3T3 cells, this control is relaxed.
Using Machine Learning to Predict the Health of HIV-Infected Patients

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 is a complex retrovirus that gradually destroys the body's immune system, making it harder for the individual to fight infections. The worst prognosis for an infected individual is AIDS; however this result does not occur with everyone. Moreover, not every infected person develops AIDS at the same rate [5]. We developed a method that can predict the disease prognosis of human HIV infections based on non-redundant HIV genomic and proteomic sequence data. Using the random forest classification method on the genomic data, we obtained over 91% accuracy over four different disease levels. We also analyzed the proteins expressed from five of the nine genes in HIV. We found that the rev gene had the highest predictive performance for disease level. Using a decision tree, we were able to output rules that contained specific variants in the protein that can suggest disease outcomes. This information may help researchers understand underlying variants of the gene that have different patient outcomes. Moreover, this knowledge can improve the selection of appropriate treatment methods depending on the predicted infection level, and also improve drug targeting.
Weather sensitive short-term load forecasting using nonfully connected artificial neural network

The authors present an artificial neural network (ANN) model for forecasting weather-sensitive loads. The proposed model is capable of forecasting the hourly loads for an entire week. The model is not fully connected; hence, it has a shorter training time than the fully connected ANN. The proposed model can differentiate between the weekday loads and the weekend loads. The results indicate that this model can achieve greater forecasting accuracy than the traditional statistical model. This ANN model has been implemented on real load data. The average percentage peak error for the test cases was 1.12%. >
Interlayer and interfacial exchange coupling in ferromagnetic metal/semiconductor heterostructures

We describe a systematic study of the exchange coupling between a magnetically hard metallic ferromagnet (MnAs) and a magnetically soft ferromagnetic semiconductor $({\text{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{Mn}}_{x}\text{As})$ in bilayer and trilayer heterostructures. An exchange spring model of $\text{MnAs}/{\text{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{Mn}}_{x}\text{As}$ bilayers accounts for the variation in the exchange-bias field with layer thickness and composition. We also present evidence for hole-mediated interlayer exchange coupling in $\text{MnAs}/p\text{-GaAs}/{\text{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{Mn}}_{x}\text{As}$ trilayers and study the dependence of the exchange-bias field on the thickness of the spacer layer.
Immigrant entrepreneurs' selectivity: host market distance and opportunity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the motivations of immigrant entrepreneurs in choosing a host country before immigrating, through a comparison of country distances and economic opportunities.Design/methodology/approach – Hypotheses borrow from selectivity theory and institutional theory to propose that there will be a negative relationship between distance and the selection of a host county, as well as a positive relationship between host country opportunity and immigrant selectivity. OLS regression was used on secondary data to determine the flow of labor immigrants from source‐destination country dyads.Findings – Cultural and geographic distances are stronger indicators of where a business person immigrates than the promise of opportunity.Research limitations/implications – Exclusive use of secondary data precludes potentially important variables from being included in this cross‐sectional study. Future primary, longitudinal research may determine if this is the immigrant's first choic...
Detection of mineral-dust-induced DNA damage in two mammalian cell lines using the alkaline single cell gel/comet assay

Abstract It has been estimated that over three million workers in the USA are potentially exposed to silica or other mineral dusts. Results of epidemiological studies evaluating whether silica or glass fibers increase lung cancer risk to the exposed workers are inconclusive. Detection of DNA damage in cells exposed to genotoxic agents is being used to assess the carcinogenic potential of environmental agents. The alkaline (pH>13) single cell gel/comet (SCG) assay was used to determine and compare DNA damage in cultured Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79 cells) and human embryonic lung fibroblasts (Hel 299 cells) exposed to crystalline silica (Min-U-Sil 5), amorphous silica (Spherisorb), carbon black, and glass fibers (AAA-10). V79 or Hel 299 cells were exposed to these mineral dusts for 3 h at various concentrations. Min-U-Sil 5 and AAA-10, at almost all concentrations tested, caused a significant increase in DNA migration measured as tail length in both V79 and Hel 299 exposed cells. However, the increase was much higher in V79 then in Hel 299 cells for Min-U-Sil 5. Tail length was also increased relative to controls after amorphous silica treatment, but not to the same extent as that induced by crystalline silica. Exposure to carbon black did not induce DNA migration at any of the concentrations tested. These results indicate that silica and glass fibers, but not carbon black, can induce DNA damage in mammalian cells, and that crystalline silica has a higher DNA-damaging activity than amorphous silica. For glass fibers, induction of DNA damage in both V79 and Hel 299 cells was observed even at a concentration 10 times lower than silica and the response was similar in both cell lines. These results suggest that the SCG/comet assay is useful for the detection of DNA damage caused by occupationally related dusts/particles.
Olivine flotation in mantle melt

Abstract Molten komatiite and peridotite have been compressed in an octahedral multi-anvil device up to 10 GPa. Densities of the melts were measured at pressure intervals in the range 7 to 10 GPa by observing sinking and floating San Carlos olivines and synthetic forsterite marker spheres. The multi-anvil results for komatiite, when combined with piston-cylinder measurements done at 4 to 6 GPa and a calculated reference density at 105 Pa, yield a Birch-Murnaghan isothermal bulk modulus of(K1900C) = 26 GPa and pressure derivativeK′ = 4.25. The pressure of neutral buoyancy for olivine in komatiite is confirmed to be near 8 GPa as predicted in earlier work. Olivine flotation in the experimental komatiite commences at a pressure close to where the liquidus phase changes from olivine to denser garnet, leading to the possibility of density driven crystal sorting during fractionation. Molten peridotite (KLB-1) shows an isothermal compression (2000°C) of 0.065 g cm−3 GPa−1 in the interval 105 Pa to 8.2 GPa. The olivine/liquid peridotite density crossover is predicted to lie between 9 and 11 GPa, indicating that olivine flotation can operate at depths of 300–500 km in a molten peridotitic mantle.
Asymmetrical Distribution of the Second Messenger c-di-GMP upon Bacterial Cell Division

The bacterial second messenger cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) regulates cellular motility and the synthesis of organelles and molecules that promote adhesion to a variety of biological and nonbiological surfaces. These properties likely require tight spatial and temporal regulation of c-di-GMP concentration. We have developed genetically encoded fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors to monitor c-di-GMP concentrations within single bacterial cells by microscopy. Fluctuations of c-di-GMP were visualized in diverse Gram-negative bacterial species and observed to be cell cycle dependent. Asymmetrical distribution of c-di-GMP in the progeny correlated with the time of cell division and polarization for Caulobacter crescentus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus, asymmetrical distribution of c-di-GMP was observed as part of cell division, which may indicate an important regulatory step in extracellular organelle biosynthesis or function.
Surface waves in a half‐space of submerged sand

The present analysis deals with harmonic Rayleigh-type and transverse surface waves in a half-space of incompressible material with constant density and with shear modulus linearly increasing with depth. This model is proposed for describing the response of a half-space of submerged, dense sand to small strain vibrations of many cycles. It is shown that a discrete spectrum of polynomial solutions is always possible which makes the eigenvalue problem more tractable.
The action of flexible bridges under wind, I: Flutter theory†

The action of long-span bridges, notably suspension bridges, under wind has long been of concern. This first of two papers summarizes the pertinent experimental and other prerequisite data and proceeds to the linear dynamic analysis of bridge flutter for bridges having vibration modes that are not necessarily simple, i.e., that may involve motions beyond pure flexure and torsion. A review is made of the energy considerations involved in the assessment of aerodynamic stability. The paper lays the groundwork for the one that follows.
Triurea Derivatives of Diethylenetriamine as Potential Templates for the Formation of Artificial β-Sheets1

This paper describes synthetic and structural studies of triurea derivatives of an N,N"-disubstituted diethylenetriamine. Diethylenetriamine triureas 1 (PhN(CONHR1)CH2CH2N(CONHR2)CH2CH2N(CONHR3)CH2CH2CN; 2a, R1 = R2 = R3 = Ph; 2b, R1 = R2 = R3 = CH3; 2c, R1 = (S)-CH(CH2Ph)CO2CH3, R2 = (S)-CH(i-Pr)CO2CH3, R3 = (S)-CH((S)-s-Bu)CO2CH3)) are efficiently prepared in five or six steps from N-phenylethylenediamine. Infrared spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography indicate that triureas 1 adopt intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded conformations, both in chloroform solution and in the solid state. The three urea groups form a hydrogen-bonded network: The carbonyl group of urea NCONHR1 is hydrogen bonded to the NH group of urea NCONHR2, and the carbonyl group of urea NCONHR2 is hydrogen bonded to the NH group of urea NCONHR3. The three R groups are aligned along the triurea backbone, pointing in roughly the same direction, like three fingers on a hand. Molecular modeling suggests that the triurea ...
Strengthening training and supervisory systems to improve Skilled Birth Assistance in Jharkhand, India

Jharkhand has a maternal mortality ratio of 312 maternal deaths for every 100,000 deliveries, higher than the national average of 254 maternal deaths for every 100,000 deliveries. Only 47% of the deliveries in Jharkhand are attended by a skilled birth attendant, as opposed to the national average 76% of deliveries in India, which have skilled birth attendance. There is a shortage of skilled birth attendants (SBAs) in Jharkhand. In addition, many auxiliary nurse-midwives (ANMs) have limited knowledge of pregnancy- and delivery-related complications and did not consider conducting deliveries a top job responsibility. Health subcentres lack the basic infrastructure and drugs needed by ANMs for delivery care. Most ANMs received no performance feedback and had limited support from their supervisors.
Stem Cells: The Pursuit of Genomic Stability

Stem cells harbor significant potential for regenerative medicine as well as basic and clinical translational research. Prior to harnessing their reparative nature for degenerative diseases, concerns regarding their genetic integrity and mutation acquisition need to be addressed. Here we review pluripotent and multipotent stem cell response to DNA damage including differences in DNA repair kinetics, specific repair pathways (homologous recombination vs. non-homologous end joining), and apoptotic sensitivity. We also describe DNA damage and repair strategies during reprogramming and discuss potential genotoxic agents that can reduce the inherent risk for teratoma formation and mutation accumulation. Ensuring genomic stability in stem cell lines is required to achieve the quality control standards for safe clinical application.
Dual transmission at morphologically mixed synapses: Evidence from postsynaptic cobalt injections

Abstract Two experimental approaches have been utilized to test the possibility that morphologically mixed synaptic terminals of the eighth nerve fibers mediate both electrotonic and chemical excitation of the goldfish Mauthner cell. First, the spatial distributions of electrotonic and chemical postsynaptic potentials, evoked by stimulation of the eighth nerve, have been determined with intracellular recordings from the Mauthner cell soma and several locations along the lateral dendrite. In some instances, both synaptic components were maximal at distal dendritic recording sites. In that region, it appears that the only presynaptic terminals with morphological characteristics consistent with excitatory chemical transmission are the large myelinated club endings, which actually establish mixed synapses with the lateral dendrite. Second, we have analyzed the effects of postsynaptic Co 2+ injections on these synaptic responses. With high iontophoretic currents, there was a rapid uncoupling of the electrotonic component. However, with smaller current intensities, uncoupling is accompanied, or preceded, by a transient reduction in the later chemically mediated postsynaptic potentials. This latter effect on chemical transmission is only observed if the postsynaptic potentials are associated with electrotonic synaptic inputs. We speculate that Co 2+ diffuses across the gap junctions and into the presynaptic terminals, acting there to reduce evoked transmitter release. The results of these two experimental approaches support the hypothesis that mixed synapses on the lateral dendrite of the Mauthner cell do actually mediate transmission by both chemical and electrical modes.
Asymptotic Simulation of the Four-Step Global Kinetics of Hydrocarbon/ Air Mixtures Under Flow Reactor Conditions

Abstract The complete evolution of the one-dimensional, steady, convective-reactive combustion process of hydrocarbon/ air mixtures with the four-step semi-global kinetic mechanism of Hautman, Schug, Dryer, and Glassman, is simulated by using large activation energy asymptotic analysis. The analysis identifies four major regimes, which respectively represent the initial fuel pyrolysis and the subsequent oxidation of ethylene, hydrogen and carbon monoxide, as well as fifteen sub-regimes embedded within them. Transition between different sub-regimes is controlled by temperature variation as well as the generation and thereby availability of the reactants relevant to the specific sub-regimes. The structure is typical of that of thermal explosion, with the fuel pyrolysis regime dominating the physical extent of the process, and the highly-exothermic oxidative reactions being localized downstream of it. Reasonable agreements exist with the numerically-computed results
Instruction of hospitalized patients by respiratory therapists on metered-dose inhaler use leads to decrease in patient errors.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized patients have been shown to make several errors in using metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), which can lead to poor medication delivery. METHODS: This study was designed to look at the potential benefit of a respiratory therapist (RT) giving instruction on the use of MDIs to hospitalized patients with obstructive lung disease. A baseline group of 58 patients was observed by a physician while performing 2 actuations of their MDI and the number of errors they committed, based on the National Institutes of Health9s recommended 8 steps for proper MDI use, was recorded. After a program of MDI instruction (which included encouragement to use a spacer) by an RT was performed, a second group of hospitalized patients was again observed by a physician to determine if their error rate was reduced. RESULTS: The baseline error rate was 6.72 (out of 15 possible) errors per patient, and improved to 2.43 errors per patient after RT-provided instruction (p CONCLUSIONS: Instruction of hospitalized patients with obstructive lung disease by an RT improves their correct use of MDIs and increases their use of spacers while in the hospital.
Salen Supported Molecular Borosilicates

Various Salen ligands (Salen(tBu)H2=N, N′-ethylenebis(3,5-di-tertbutyl(2-hydroxy)benzylidenimine) were used to prepare borosilyl and μ-O bridged borosilyl compounds having the formula, L{B(OSiMe3)2}2 (L=Salen(tBu) (1), Salpen(tBu) (2), Salben(tBu) (3), Salhen(tBu) (4) and L(BOSiMe3)2(μ-O) (L=Salen(tBu) (5) and Salben(tBu) (6)). In the case of 5 and 6 the formation of the B–O–B linkage takes precedence over the formation of a B–O–Si linkage. All of the compounds were characterized by Mp, elemental analysis, 1H and 11B NMR, IR, MS and in the case of 1, 2, and6 by X-ray crystallography.
A Transshipment Model for Cash Management Decisions

The cash management problem is concerned with optimally financing net cash outflows and investing net inflows of a firm while simultaneously determining payment schedules for incurred liabilities. The problem is formulated as a transshipment model to minimize the total cost of allocating sources of funds to different uses while retaining the possibility of transferring cash between sources. A numerical example is formulated using this model and its optimal solution is shown to be essentially the same as that of a linear programming formulation proposed by Orgler. Extensions of the methodology for examining the effects of different “minimum cash balance” requirements and for incorporating other institutional constraints are also outlined. The transshipment formulation is useful in organizing data for financial control. It is intuitively appealing and computationally more efficient by a factor of about 30 to 1 than the linear programming formulation of the problem.
Incorporating computer-aided design into an electrical engineering/computer science curriculum

The restructuring of the circuits and computer hardware courses at the University of Michigan's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science to include a uniform set of electronic design automation (EDA) tools beginning early in the undergraduate curriculum is discussed. The ability to teach good engineering in the department has been significantly strengthened by these changes. The program and the details which have made it successful, including using a consistent set of well-supported commercial tools throughout the curriculum, providing adequate computing resources through a tuition surcharge for engineering students, and offering department-wide support through CAD short courses and consulting hours, are described. >
Memory for patterning under a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement

The present study was an attempt to evaluate rats' long-term memory for patterning under a fixed-interval schedule ofreinforcement. Rats were trained to respond for food under a multi­ ple random-interval fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement. In the presence of one stimulus rats responded under a random-interval 40-sec schedule. In the presence of a second stimulus they responded under a fixed-interval 120-sec schedule, a schedule that engendered a postreinforce­ ment pause followed by positively accelerated responding. During retention intervals of 3,9, and 27 days, the rats continued responding under the random-interval schedule but not under the fixed-interval schedule. After the retention interval they were again exposed to the multiple sched­ ule and responding in the fixed-interval component was evaluated for any loss of patterning. No loss of response patterning on the fixed-interval schedule was evident after a 27-day retention interval. The second part of the experiment was an attempt to interfere with the patterning by exposing rats to a random-interval 20-sec schedule in the presence of the stimulus previously associated with the fixed-interval schedule and then later testing for response patterning in the fixed-interval component. A loss of patterning was not evident after 1 to 8 interfering compo­ nents, but patterning was degraded after 16 and 32 interfering components. The study suggests that rats have good long-term memory for schedule-controlled performance.
A COMPARISON OF AVAILABLE PREY AND DIET OF FLORIDA BURROWING OWLS IN URBAN AND RURAL ENVIRONMENTS: A FIRST STUDY

Abstract. The distribution of the Florida Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana) has expanded from primarily rural areas in south-central Florida to include urban/suburban areas to the north, northwest, south, and southeast. While Florida Burrowing Owls still reside in rural areas, the majority of previous research and current management strategies focus on urban/ suburban populations. Determining differences in the owl's ecology between rural and urban/suburban areas can aid in creating effective statewide management strategies for this species. We compared the available prey and diet of Burrowing Owls in a rural and urban environment. Although, on the basis of analysis of pellets, insects and arachnids were the two most frequent food items at both the rural and urban sites, the diets at the two sites differed, largely because of greater consumption of avian prey in the urban habitat. This study is the first comparison of dietary and prey-availability differences between rural and urban Burrowing O...
Orbit ephemeris monitors for local area differential GPS

Methodologies sufficient to monitor GPS satellite orbit ephemeris for category I aircraft precision approach navigation are described. In the absence of a satellite maneuver, it is shown that a monitor based on the projection of previously validated ephemeris parameters is adequate to meet navigation integrity and availability requirements. After scheduled stationkeeping maneuvers, no previously validated ephemerides are available, so a measurement-based method is required. The feasibility of such a monitor is also established.
Identification and characterization of a mandelamide hydrolase and an NAD(P)+-dependent benzaldehyde dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida ATCC 12633.

The mandelate metabolic pathway provides the means to allow a variety of pseudomonads, including Pseudomonas putida, to use one or both enantiomers of mandelic acid as the sole carbon source (7). Early studies suggested that the mandelate pathway of P. putida consists of five enzymes (8, 10) that facilitate the conversion of both (R)-mandelate and (S)-mandelate to benzoate, which is subsequently converted to acetyl coenzyme A (CoA) and succinyl-CoA by the enzymes of the β-ketoadipate pathway (Fig. ​(Fig.1).1). Genetic experiments indicated that the genes for the mandelate pathway were all closely clustered on the chromosome (36, 38), and, subsequently, it was reported that the mandelate pathway genes for P. putida ATCC 12633 resided on a single 10.5-kb restriction fragment (35). Sequencing of part of that fragment showed that three of the genes—those encoding mandelate racemase (mdlA), S-mandelate dehydrogenase (mdlB), and benzoylformate decarboxylase (mdlC)—were arranged in an operon (31, 35). Furthermore, it appeared that the genes for the benzaldehyde dehydrogenases (BADHs) must be located upstream of the mdlC gene (34) and must be transcribed independently. FIG. 1. Mandelate pathway in P. putida ATCC 12633 as described in reference 35. It has been suggested that the mandelate pathway is an excellent candidate for the study of enzyme functional evolution (30). Mandelate racemase, for example, proved to be sequentially and structurally homologous to muconate lactonizing enzyme (23). This observation ultimately led to the identification of the larger enolase superfamily (2, 3). The X-ray structures of S-mandelate dehydrogenase (22) and benzoylformate decarboxylase (9) are now available. In order to extend our studies of the mandelate pathway, it will be necessary to identify, isolate, and determine the three-dimensional structures of the other members of that pathway. We began that process by sequencing the remainder of the restriction fragment believed to contain the genes encoding the enzymes of the mandelate pathway (35). This has revealed three open reading frames, which we have denoted mdlX, mdlY, and mdlD (Fig. ​(Fig.2).2). Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences suggests that these genes encode a transcriptional regulatory protein, an amidase, and a dehydrogenase, respectively. Finally, we have expressed the mdlY and mdlD genes in Escherichia coli, purified the gene products, and identified them as a mandelamide hydrolase (MAH) and an NAD(P)+-dependent BADH, respectively. FIG. 2. Schematic representation of the 10.5-kb EcoRI restriction fragment carrying the genes of the mandelate pathway of P. putida ATCC 12633. The arrows show the position and orientation of the genes, and relevant restriction sites are indicated: E, EcoRI; ...
Thermochemical and Mechanical Stabilities of the Oxide Scale of ZrB2+SiC and Oxygen Transport Mechanisms

Refractory diboride with silicon carbide additive has a unique oxide scale microstructure with two condensed oxide phases (solid+liquid), and demonstrates oxidation resistance superior to either monolithic diboride or silicon carbide. We rationalize that this is because the silica-rich liquid phase can retreat outward to remove the high SiO gas volatility region, while still holding onto the zirconia skeleton mechanically by capillary forces, to form a "solid pillars, liquid roof" scale architecture and maintain barrier function. Basic assessment of the oxygen carriers in the borosilicate liquid in oxygen-rich condition is performed using first-principles calculations. It is estimated from entropy and mobility arguments that above a critical temperature T c ∼1500°C, the dominant oxygen carriers should be network defects, such as peroxyl linkage or oxygen-deficient centers, instead of molecular O * 2 as in the Deal-Grove model. These network defects will lead to sublinear dependence of the oxidation rate with external oxygen partial pressure. The present work suggests that there could be significant room in improving the high-temperature oxidation resistance by refining the oxide scale microstructure as well as controlling the glass chemistry.
Culture, Context, or Behavioral Control? English- and Mandarin-Speaking Mothers' Use of Nouns and Verbs in Joint Book Reading

Joint book reading provides an ecological context for examining processes involved in the emergence of cultural differences in noun and verb use. Tardif, Gelman, & Xu (1999) found that English- and Mandarin-speaking mothers differed in their relative use of nouns and verbs during joint book reading with their 20-month-olds: Mandarin-speaking mothers produced more main verbs and fewer common nouns than did English-speaking mothers. We sought to clarify the source and specificity of these differences by reexamining these transcripts. Results indicated that cross-linguistic differences in noun and verb use do not arise from cross-cultural variation in behavioral control alone; differences persisted in picture-related conversations. Moreover, in both cultures, mothers' focus on objects and actions shifted in response to the nature of the pictures being discussed. Results are considered in terms of the relationship between culture-specific patterns of book reading, scene perception, and language acquisition.
Validating Computational Cognitive Process Models across Multiple Timescales

Model comparison is vital to evaluating progress in the fields of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and cognitive architecture. As they mature, AGI and cognitive architectures will become increasingly capable of providing a single model that completes a multitude of tasks, some of which the model was not specifically engineered to perform. These models will be expected to operate for extended periods of time and serve functional roles in real-world contexts. Questions arise regarding how to evaluate such models appropriately, including issues pertaining to model comparison and validation. In this paper, we specifically address model validation across multiple levels of abstraction, using an existing computational process model of unmanned aerial vehicle basic maneuvering to illustrate the relationship between validity and timescales of analysis.
Detection of mutually exclusive mosaicism in a girl with genotype‐phenotype discrepancies

Discordance between clinical phenotype and genotype has multiple causes, including mosaicism. Phenotypes can be modified due to tissue distribution, or the presence of multiple abnormal cell lines with different genomic contributions. We have studied a 20-month-old female whose main phenotypes were failure to thrive, developmental delay, and patchy skin pigmentation. Initial chromosome and SNP microarray analysis of her blood revealed a non-mosaic ∼24 Mb duplication of 15q25.1q26.3 resulting from the unbalanced translocation of terminal 15q to the short arm of chromosome 15. The most common feature associated with distal trisomy 15q is prenatal and postnatal overgrowth, which was not consistent with this patient's phenotype. The phenotypic discordance, in combination with the patchy skin pigmentation, suggested the presence of mosaicism. Further analysis of skin biopsies from both hyper- and hypopigmented regions confirmed the presence of an additional cell line with the short arm of chromosome X deleted and replaced by the entire long arm of chromosome 15. The Xp deletion, consistent with a variant Turner Syndrome diagnosis, better explained the patient's phenotype. Parental studies revealed that the alterations in both cell lines were de novo and the duplicated distal 15q and the deleted Xp were from different parental origins, suggesting a mitotic event. The possible mechanism for the occurrence of two mutually exclusive structural rearrangements with both involving the long arm of chromosome 15 is discussed.
Electron beam induced decomposition of palladium acetate

A focused electron beam has been used to selectively decompose sub micron thick films of palladium acetate, Pd(OOCCH{sub 3}){sub 2}, resulting in the formation of < 0.1 {mu}m wide Pd rich features. Resistivity of the palladium acetate film decreased when exposed to doses above 500 {mu}C/cm{sup 2}. Annealing to 160{degrees}C further reduces the resistivity of the exposed areas to as low as 100 {mu}{Omega}cm. XPS analysis of the exposed areas indicate that the PD is reduced to a metallic state and that the ratio of C and O to Pd drops to 1.5 and 0.6, respectively, after exposure. Residual gas analysis during exposure indicates that CO{sub 2} and CH{sub 3} are the primary volatile products of the decomposition.
IDENTIFICATION OF THERMAL DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS OF CARNOSOL, AN ANTIOXIDANT IN ROSEMARY AND SAGE

Carnosol, an antioxidant isolated from rosemary, was thermally decomposed at 180C in a fat-like paraffin medium. Two known antioxidative quinones were isolated and identified as decomposition products. They are miltirone and dehydrorosmariquinone.
Hemodynamic and Electrocardiographic Effects of Short-Term Ginkgo Biloba

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the immediate and short-term hemodynamic and electrocardiographic effects of Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo).METHODS:Healthy volunteers were randomized to receive ginkgo 120 mg or placebo twice daily for 7 days in this prospective, double blind trial. After at least a 7-day washout period, subjects were crossed over to an additional 7 days of alternate therapy. Blood pressure, heart rate, and 12-lead electrocardiograms were evaluated immediately before (baseline), and at 1, 3, and 5 hours after observed ingestion of study drug on days 1 and 7 of therapy. Electrocardiographic parameters (P wave and QRS complex duration; PR, QT, and QTc intervals) were measured in lead II by a blinded investigator.RESULTS:Ginkgo had no effect on any of the evaluated electrocardiographic parameters at any time point on days 1 or 7. Additionally, no changes in heart rate or systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found between the groups at any time point on any evaluative day.CONCLUSIONS:Commonly used doses o...
Development of strategies for monitoring indoxacarb and gel bait susceptibility in the German cockroach (Blattodea: Blattellidae)

BACKGROUND: Advion® cockroach gel bait (6 g kg−1 indoxacarb) is in widespread use for Blattella germanica (L.) control in the United States. However, baseline susceptibility levels to indoxacarb in German cockroach field populations are not known. Hence, this research sought to develop monitoring strategies to estimate the susceptibility of German cockroach populations to indoxacarb. RESULTS: Four bioassays were evaluated: topical lethal dose (LD), formulated gel bait lethal time (LT), vial lethal concentration (LC) and gel bait matrix LD. Of these methods, the vial LC and gel bait matrix LD bioassays were the most economical and relevant assessment strategies. For indoxacarb susceptibility monitoring, a two-tiered approach was developed that utilizes diagnostic concentrations and doses in vial LC (30 and 60 µg vial−1) and gel bait matrix LD (1.0, 1.5 and 2.5 µg insect−1) formats. CONCLUSIONS: A two-tiered susceptibility monitoring strategy was developed that includes testing field populations at diagnostic concentrations and doses in first-tier vial LC bioassays and second-tier gel bait matrix LD bioassays. The vial method facilitates rapid identification of field strains with reduced susceptibility. The feeding bioassay effectively simulates field exposure to Advion® and therefore has utility for secondary confirmation of susceptibility shifts and identification of behavioral resistance (i.e. bait aversion). Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
The Non-Rigid Medical Image Registration Based on the Histogram Decomposition and Improved Energy Function

A new method of non-rigid image registration is proposed in this paper. The algorithm uses the local spatial intensity histograms to design a new type of attribute vector for each point in an intensity image and also uses the Newton's action-reaction law method form a symmetric relationship, which tends to improve the registration by establishing symmetric image interdependence. The new energy function uses the image local histogram information and boundary information and the matching by the new energy function makes both the global and local image matched well. From the experiments we can find the algorithm proposed in this paper has an high accuracy in non-rigid image registration.
Biologic behavior of dysplasia and carcinoma in situ

Abstract A total of 411 selected patients with varying degrees of dysplasia and in situ carcinoma were followed by cytology alone for varying intervals of time before tissue diagnosis was felt necessary or was established by conization. Results reveal the following: (1) Mild or moderate dysplasia is an unstable process—31 per cent of the cases regressed, 8.9 per cent remained stable, and 60.1 per cent progressed in a group of 278 patients. (2) Carcinoma in situ is a stable process in comparison with dysplasia. It rarely regresses and may persist as such for long periods of time. Thirty-three of 133 patients were followed for periods of 15 to 90 months without invasion. (3) The onset of dysplasia and in situ carcinoma may be reasonably abrupt. Seventy patients of 134, with previously negative cytology within the preceding 12 months, showed dysplastic or in situ changes. (4) Invasive carcinoma apparently is preceded by in situ carcinoma and dysplasia in most cases.
N-Tuple S&P 500 Index Patterns Across Decades, 1950s to 2011

Numerous studies have analyzed the movements of the S&P 500 Index using several methodologies such as technical analysis, econometric modeling, time series techniques and theories from behavioral finance. In this paper we take a novel approach. We use daily closing prices for the S&P 500 Index for a very long period from 1/3/1950 to 7/19/2011 for a total of 15,488 daily observations. We then investigate the up and down movements and their combinations for 1 to 7 days giving us multiple possible patterns for over six decades. Some patterns of each type are more dominant across decades. We split the data into training and validation sets and then select the dominant patterns to build conditional forecasts in several ways, including using a decision tree methodology. The best model is correct 51% of the time on the validation set when forecasting a down day, and 61% when forecasting an up day. We show that certain conditional forecasts outperform the unconditional random walk model.
“There's no rules. It's hackathon.”: Negotiating Commitment in a Context of Volatile Sociality

How do people negotiate commitments to engaging in joint activity while at the same time anticipating and managing the inherent risks of collaboration? We explore this question through the ethnographic example of a hackathon, a collaborative software-design competition. We focus specifically on the earliest and, in many ways, most uncertain phase of collaboration, in which commitment and activity simultaneously emerge: team formation. We analyze mercurial allegiances in terms of a technoliberal participation ideology closely associated with the mores of the digital economy, which paradoxically emphasizes intensive project-based collaboration but limited interpersonal responsibility. We examine the verbal and nonverbal resources (such as stance-taking, politeness, reported speech, humor, and gesture) that prospective teammates use to modulate expressions of commitment, and the ways in which they pursue self-interested projects while maintaining social relatedness in order to accomplish joint activity in a context of social volatility.
Retroviral-mediated gene correction for X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency

X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID) is a lethal disease caused by a defect in the gene encoding the common gamma chain (gamma- c) of the receptor for interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL- 15. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, the current therapy of choice for this defect, is often complicated by graft-versus-host disease and/or incomplete reconstitution of B-lymphocyte functions. Correction of the gene defect at the level of the autologous lymphohematopoietic progenitors could therefore represent an improvement in the medical management of these patients. To study the feasibility of a gene therapy approach for XSCID, a retroviral vector expressing gamma-c was used to transduce Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B-cell lines derived from patients with XSCID. After transduction, XSCID cells newly expressed gamma-c on the cell surface at levels comparable to those observed on B-cell lines obtained from normal donors. Moreover, the reconstituted gamma-c restored function to the IL- 2 and IL-4 receptors as shown by signal transduction mediated by phosphorylation of the JAK1 and JAK3 members of the Janus family of tyrosine kinases and by restoration of cellular proliferation in response to IL-2.
Antimicrobial Activity of Street Heroin

Street heroin and injection paraphernalia have been implicated as sources of bacteria causing infections in drug abusers [1]. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus cereus are common etiologic agents. In a previous study of the microbiology of street heroin and injection paraphernalia, Bacillus species was the predominant isolate [2]. We did not find S. aureus, but one study reported isolates of identical phage type from heroin powder and from an infected patient [3]. To reconcile the results of our recent investigation among drug abusers with panophthalmitis, we theorized that the drug mixture might have an antibacterial effect. Of the samples of street heroin tested, all except one were bactericidal against S. aureus. The single sample with no heroin content was not bactericidal against one isolate of S. aureus and was the only sample that exhibited some degree of inhibitory and bactericidal activity against P. aeruginosa. All samples were bactericidal against the two isolates of B. cereus tested. Quinine exhibited bactericidal activity against S. aureus and B. cereus but was ineffective against P. aeruginosa. Our findings indicate that most samples of street heroin have antibacterial effects against S. aureus and B. cereus but no activity against P. aeruginosa. Such activity may be due to the quinine content of the mixture. The apparent lack of recovery of S. aureus from street heroin may be partially explained by this phenomenon.
A Chaplain’s Story:

Julia, a 31-year-old woman, is brain dead after having suffered a cardiac arrest. This article describes a hospital chaplain's journey with her family through the tragedy of letting her die. It addresses the power of pastoral presence and prayer in a situation of loss and grief and the importance of storytelling for everyone involved in Julia's end-of-life care.
Ternary Taphograms: Triangular Diagrams Applied to Taphonomic Analysis

Ternary diagrams can be useful in taphonomic analysis. When the quality of preservation of a hard part can be expressed in a three-fold scheme, a single point on a triangular diagram characterizes the frequency distribution of taphonomic alteration within a sample. Comparison of samples with such a "ternary taphogram" is an efficient way to explore variation in the preservation of hard parts. To illustrate the method, we compare samples from the northern Gulf of California and the North Sea. Taphonomic variation in the samples reflects variation in the extent of subaerial exposure, wave and current regime, and shell architecture.