cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hosts, parasites, and horizontal gene transfer.

Mendelian inheritance transfers genes vertically within lineages, whereas horizontal gene transfer (HGT) moves genetic material between or among lineages. Herein, we explore possible mechanisms of HGT between parasites and their hosts, as their intimate contact affords substantial opportunities for HGT. We review studies of host–parasite HGT, discussing their merits, their shortcomings, and the multiple lines of evidence needed to conclusively document HGT while avoiding false positives. We focus mainly on schistosomes and other parasites with complex life cycles as they provide numerous opportunities for HGT among the parasite, intermediate, and definitive host genomes. We also highlight future research directions that could prove illuminating with regard to the occurrence, prevalence, and overall importance of HGT in host–parasite coevolution.
Pili (fimbriae) of Branhamella species.

Abstract purpose: Pili (fimbriae) have frequently been found to be involved in the attachment of bacteria to mucosal epithelial cells, an important initial step in the disease process. The purpose of this study was to determine if Branhamella catarrhalis expresses type 4 pili. materials and methods: Piliated B. catarrhalis phenotypic characteristics of colony morphology, agar corrosion, twitching motility, competence for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) transformation, autoagglutination, and pellical formation were observed. DNA was isolated from Branhamella spp. and used in genomic Southern hybridizations with a Moraxella bovis pilin gene as a probe. Electron microscopy of negatively stained bacteria was carried out to visualize pili. results: B. catarrhalis has several (but not all) of the phenotypic characteristics that are related to the presence of type 4 (MePhe) pili in closely related Moraxella spp., including competence for DNA transformation, autoagglutination, pellicle formation, colony morphology, and pitting of agar. The one phenotype we have not found that is generally characteristic of type 4 piliated bacteria is twitching motility. Genomic Southern hybridization analysis using a cloned M. bovis Q pilin gene as a probe reveals DNA homologous to the Q pilin gene in B. catarrhalis , Branhamella ovis, Branhamella caviae , and Branhamella cuniculi . Examination of B. catarrhalis strain ATCC25240 by electron microscopy reveals two different kinds of pili. One kind appears similar to other type 4 pili, whereas a second class is short pili extending outward from all portions of the bacteria. conclusion: Phenotypic, electron-microscopic, and hybridization data are all consistent with type 4 pili being present on some B. catarrhalis strains.
Invariant Small Sample Confidence Intervals for the Difference of Two Success Probabilities

An algorithm is proposed for determining 100 × (1 − α)% small-sample confidence intervals for the difference δ≡ p1− p2 of two binomial success probabilities based on n1 and n2 trials, respectively. The interval covers the true δ with probability at least (1 − α) for all 0 < p1, p2 < 1; it is invariant with respect to relabeling of the two populations and with respect to interchanging the outcomes of success and failure intervals. Coverage and expected length comparisons are made with the small sample 100 × (1 − α)% tail intervals of Santner and Snell (1980). A FORTRAN program implementing the algorithm is available from the authors
Oral indicators of eating disorders are more readily detected by female than male dentists.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Sex Differences Among Dentists Regarding Eating Disorders and Secondary Prevention Practices. DeBate RD, Vogel E, Tedesco LA, Neff JA. J Am Dent Assoc 2006;137(6):773-81. Level of Evidence 2c Purpose/Question To study gender differences among dentists regarding current behaviors and behavioral beliefs in dealing with patients with eating disorders. Source of Funding Supported by grant 1 R15 DE013963-01A1 from NIDCR, NIH Type of Study/Design Cross-sectional questionnaire survey
Effect of pindolol on the l -5- htp -induced increase in plasma prolactin and cortisol concentrations in man

Previous studies with direct-acting serotonin (5-HT) agonists and antagonists have demonstrated that stimulation of 5-HT1A, 5-HT1C and 5-HT2 receptors may promote cortisol and prolactin (PRL) secretion in man. There is also evidence that 5-HT1C/2 receptor stimulation contributes to the cortisol and PRL responses following administration of the 5-HT precursor,l-5-hydroxytryptophan (l-5-HTP), in man. To clarify the possible contribution of 5-HT1A receptor stimulation to the ability ofl-5-HTP to stimulate cortisol and PRL secretion in man, the effect of pindolol, a beta adrenoceptor antagonist that is also a 5-HT1A partial agonist, on thel-5-HTP-induced increases in cortisol and PRL secretion, was examined in 12 normal male volunteers. Pretreatment with pindolol, 30 mg orally, significantly inhibited the PRL but not the cortisol response tol-5-HTP, 200 mg PO. Pindolol alone decreased basal plasma PRL levels and increased basal plasma cortisol levels, possibly due to 5-HT1A antagonist and agonists effects, respectively. These data, coupled with observations from other studies, suggest that thel-5-HTP-induced increase in PRL but not cortisol secretion requires 5-HT1A receptor activation. PRL secretion due to 5-HT formed from exogenousl-5-HTP may require the availability of both intact 5-HT1A and 5-HT2/5-HT1C receptors, since blockade of either receptor type inhibited the PRL response tol-5-HTP. The implication of this synergistic effect for interpretation of neuroendocrine studies involving the serotonergic system in man is discussed.
Predominant naturally processed peptides bound to HLA-DR1 are derived from MHC-related molecules and are heterogeneous in size

PEPTIDES bound to class I molecules are 8–10 amino acids long, and possess a binding motif representative of peptides that bind to a given class I allele1–4. In the only published study of naturally processed peptides bound to class II molecules (mouse I–Ab and I–Eb), these peptides were longer (13–17 amino acids) and had heterogenous carboxy terminals but precise ammo-terminal truncations5. Here we report the characterization of acid-eluted peptides bound to HLA-DR1 by high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and microsequencing analyses. The relative molecular masses of the peptides varied between 1,602 and 2,996 (13–25 residues), the most abundant individual Mr values being between 1,700 and 1,800, corresponding to an average peptide length of 15 residues. Complete sequence data were obtained for twenty peptides derived from five epitopes, of which all but one were from self proteins. These peptides represented sets nested at both the N- and C-terminal ends. Binding experiments confirmed that all of the isolated peptides had high affinity for the groove of DR1. Alignment of the peptides bound to HLA-DR1 and the sequences of 35 known HLA-DRl-binding peptides revealed a putative motif. Although peptides bound to class II molecules may have some related features (due to the nonpolymorphic HLA-DR α-chain), accounting for degenerate binding to different alleles6, particular amino acids in the HLA-DR β-chains presumably define allelic specificity of peptide binding.
The effects of body positioning on sucking behaviour in sick neonates.

Some infants show better oxygenation in the prone position compared to the supine position while they are bottle-fed; however, the reason for this phenomenon is not clear. The purpose of this study was to obtain a better understanding of the effects of body position on the oral feeding performance, i.e. the sucking pressure, frequency, efficiency, and ventilation. A total of 14 infants (12 full-term, 2 preterm), who often showed O2 desaturation (SpO2 < 90) during oral feeding, were enrolled in the study. The infants were fed either in the supine position or in the prone position throughout feeding. Oxygen saturation was recorded with a pulse oxymeter. The sucking pressure was measured with a 1 mm I.D. silicone tube inserted into the artificial nipple. The ventilation volume during bottle feeding was measured with a pneumotachograph. The prone position resulted in better oxygenation (97.2 ± 0.6% prone, 92.5 ± 0.9% supine, P < 0.05) and larger tidal volume (6.4 ± 0.8 ml/kg prone and 4.9 ± 0.6 ml/kg supine, P < 0.05), although the minute ventilation during bottle-feeding was not different from that in the supine position. In the prone position, the sucking pressure and frequency were higher and the duration of each suck was shorter.
Making the mid-infrared nano with designer plasmonic materials

Here we demonstrate a new class of designer plasmonic materials for use in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. By heavily doping epitaxially-grown semiconductor materials, we are able to grow single-crystal materials whose optical properties in the mid-IR mimic those of metals at shorter wavelengths. We demonstrate materials with plasma frequencies from 5.5-15μm and low losses, compared to their shortwavelength counterparts. In addition, we demonstrate the ability of subwavelength particles formed from our materials to support localized surface plasmon resonances, and measure the near-field absorption of these structures using a novel nanoscale infrared spectroscopy technique. Finally, we show good agreement between our observed results and analytical and finite-element models of our materials and structures. The results presented offer a path towards nanoscale confinement of light with micron-scale wavelengths.
Locoregional therapy of breast cancer: maximizing control, minimizing morbidity

The goal of locoregional therapy in breast cancer has remained unchanged for a century: the eradication of all malignant cells from the breast and draining lymph nodes, hopefully prior to them having spread to distant organs. However, how we accomplish this goal has changed dramatically over this time period and our success in achieving this goal has been greatly enhanced by improvements in breast imaging and systemic therapies. The therapeutic importance of surgery and radiation has been underestimated in recent years and is thought to have minimal impact on long-term outcome. More recent data have reputed this contention and the relationship between local control and survival in breast cancer is becoming increasingly apparent. This article will review the importance of attaining optimum local control with minimum morbidity and examine where the future of locoregional therapy of breast cancer may lie.
Carbon-13 Chemical-Shift Tensors in Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds: Fluoranthene and Decacyclene

The principal values of the chemical-shift tensor (CST) for fluoranthene and decacyclene have been determined with the FIREMAT experiment to study the effects of ring strain associated with fusing five- and six-member rings. The measured CST principal values of each molecule are compared to density functional theory predictions. The results are discussed in terms of previously determined chemical shift data of related molecules. The effects of nonplanar distortions and substitution are separated through computational efforts. A correlation between the computed and the experimental data results in an RMS of 5.6 ppm, a value that is slightly larger than is typically found in other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Shortwave and longwave radiative contributions to global warming under increasing CO2

In response to increasing concentrations of atmospheric CO2, high-end general circulation models (GCMs) simulate an accumulation of energy at the top of the atmosphere not through a reduction in outgoing longwave radiation (OLR)—as one might expect from greenhouse gas forcing—but through an enhancement of net absorbed solar radiation (ASR). A simple linear radiative feedback framework is used to explain this counterintuitive behavior. It is found that the timescale over which OLR returns to its initial value after a CO2 perturbation depends sensitively on the magnitude of shortwave (SW) feedbacks. If SW feedbacks are sufficiently positive, OLR recovers within merely several decades, and any subsequent global energy accumulation is because of enhanced ASR only. In the GCM mean, this OLR recovery timescale is only 20 y because of robust SW water vapor and surface albedo feedbacks. However, a large spread in the net SW feedback across models (because of clouds) produces a range of OLR responses; in those few models with a weak SW feedback, OLR takes centuries to recover, and energy accumulation is dominated by reduced OLR. Observational constraints of radiative feedbacks—from satellite radiation and surface temperature data—suggest an OLR recovery timescale of decades or less, consistent with the majority of GCMs. Altogether, these results suggest that, although greenhouse gas forcing predominantly acts to reduce OLR, the resulting global warming is likely caused by enhanced ASR.
Omphalocele associated with gastroschisis defect covered with skin

Omphalocele and gastroschisis are distinct malformations in many aspects. Anatomical and pathologic findings in both conditions are usually typical and very frequent. Unusual clinical presentations of some cases may contribute to clearing up questions about the embryological origins of gastroschisis and omphalocele. We describe a rare case of omphalocele associated with gastroschisis defect covered with skin.
'What's his name?' A comparison of elderly participants' and undergraduate students' misnamings.

Abstract This study examined the effects of age on the types of errors produced when recalling names of faces. The types of errors included confusions (errors within the target set), intrusions (errors outside the target set), errors phonologically similar to the target, errors not phonologically similar to the target, and errors containing the same number of syllables as the target name. Participants included 49 elderly adults (57–85 years) and 48 undergraduate students (18–44 years). Age group had a significant effect on the number of name errors produced ( n =681 for elderly and n =422 for undergraduates). Elderly participants produced more confusions than their younger counterparts; however, younger participants produced significantly more intrusions. The age groups also differed in their production of error names that were phonologically similar to the target name. The elderly participants produced more errors that were not phonologically similar to the target than the young adults. The results are discussed with regard to theories of name-face association and tip-of-the-tongue phenomena.
SREBP2 mediates the modulation of intestinal NPC1L1 expression by curcumin

Curcumin, the major phenolic compound in the spice turmeric, exhibits numerous biological effects, including lowering plasma cholesterol and preventing diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. The mechanisms underlying the hypocholesterolemic effect of curcumin are not fully understood. In this regard, intestinal Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) cholesterol transporter, the molecular target of intestinal cholesterol absorption inhibitor ezetimibe, plays an essential role in the maintenance of cholesterol homeostasis. The current studies were designed to investigate the effect of curcumin on NPC1L1 function, expression, and promoter activity in intestinal Caco-2 monolayers. NPC1L1 function was evaluated by the measurement of ezetimibe-sensitive [3H]cholesterol esterification. Relative abundance of NPC1L1 mRNA and protein was evaluated by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Luciferase assays were used to measure NPC1L1 promoter activity. Our results showed that curcumin significantly inhibited ezetimibe-sensitive cholesterol esterification in a dose-dependent manner with a maximum decrease (by 52% compared with control) occurring at 50 μM concentration. Curcumin treatment of Caco-2 monolayers also significantly decreased NPC1L1 mRNA and protein expression. Similarly, the promoter activity of the NPC1L1 gene was inhibited significantly (55%) by 50 μM curcumin. The decrease in NPC1L1 promoter activity by curcumin was associated with a reduction in the expression and the DNA-binding activity of the sterol response element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) transcription factor. Furthermore, the overexpression of active SREBP2 protected NPC1L1 from the inhibitory effect of curcumin. Our studies demonstrate that curcumin directly modulates intestinal NPC1L1 expression via transcriptional regulation and the involvement of SREBP2 transcription factor.
Acid stress response in environmental and clinical strains of enteric bacteria

The success of many enteric bacteria is hinged on the ability to tolerate environmental stress such as extreme acidity. The acid stress response (ASR) has been investigated in many enteric bacteria and has been shown to involve variable expression of a broad spectrum of genes involved in transcriptional regulation, metabolism, colonization and virulence; representing a linkage between acid tolerance and pathogenicity. Though the majority of ASR studies have been conducted in laboratory conditions and from the perspective of pathogenicity, the role of environmental reservoirs on acid adaptation has recently emerged as an important aspect of pathogenic microbial ecology. This mini-review profiles ASR in three opportunistic enteric pathogens and synthesizes recent work pertaining to the study of this dynamic response.
Bacterial Sporulation: FtsZ Rings Do the Twist

Formation of the polar Z ring is a crucial step in the establishment of cellular asymmetry during sporulation of Bacillus subtilis. New results suggest that the transition from medial to polar Z rings involves a dynamic FtsZ spiral structure that may transfer FtsZ from medial to polar sites.
A note on the optimality criteria for maximum biomass production in a fed-batch fermentor.

The objective of this is to complement studies by establishing the optimal startup and final phase procedure in a fed-batch reactor through the formulation of the corresponding optimal control problem and the use of the maximum principle for its solution. Furthermore, useful criteria which signal the entrance of the optimal startup trajectory to the singular arc are established. Also some intuitive notions about the nature of the conditions which must be satisfied along the singular arc and which have been employed in previous studies without justification are placed in the right perspective. The maximization of cell biomass produced in a fed-batch fermentor is used as a vehicle for presenting the above results and ideas. However, the same methodology can be applied to different performance indices that would be considered more appropriate in other fermentations. If the biomass growth kinetics is of the Monod type, the optimal feeding strategy for the optimization of the final biomass produced in a fed-batch reactor is to fill the reactor after inoculation at the fastest possible rate and then run it in the batch mode until condition (24) is satisfied. If the biomass growth kinetics exhibits a maximum, the optimal startup feeding strategy is nomore » flow if the initial substrate concentration is to the right of the maximum, and maximum flow if it is to the left. In both cases, the substrate concentration tends towards the maximum.« less
The effects of the generating pin size and placement on the curvature and displacement of epitrochoidal gerotors

Abstract Gerotors do not have auxiliary gears in general, therefore the motion of one lobed gear relative to the other lobed gear is produced by the forces between the two contacting lobes. The contact forces, however, result in wear in one or both lobed gears which, in turn, reduces the life of the mechanism. As a gerotor cannot be adjusted to compensate for the wear, it is important that the contact forces be kept to a minimum. It is well known that the wear rate can be reduced by decreasing the curvature (or increasing the radius of curvature) of the lobes. The curvature is a function of the size and the placement of the pins which generate the lobe shape. In this paper, relationships are derived which show the influence of the trochoid ratio, the pin size ratio, and the radius of the generating pin on the curvature of the epitrochoidal gerotor. The relationships provide geometric insight into the design of gerotors which can save time and effort in the manufacturing process. In addition, the results are combined with previously published formulate for the pocket displacement to obtain design charts. These charts can be easily used by the designer to predict the effect of the geometry on the performance of a gerotor. An example is presented, which shows how a commercially available gerotor can be modified to give a 48.7% increase in the minimum radius of curvature with only a 3.2% decrease in the displacement and no change in the overall size of the gerotor.
THE CASE FOR GRAMMAR CORRECTION IN L2 WRITING CLASSES: A RESPONSE TO TRUSCOTT (1996)

Abstract John Truscott's 1996 Language Learning article, “The case against grammar correction in L2 writing classes,” has led to a great deal of discussion and even some controversy about the best way to approach issues of accuracy and error correction in ESL composition. This article evaluates Truscott's arguments by discussing points of agreement and disagreement with his claims and by examining the research evidence he uses to support his conclusions. The paper concludes that Truscott's thesis that “grammar correction has no place in writing courses and should be abandoned” (1996, p. 328) is premature and overly strong and discusses areas for further research.
The Roles of ADAMs Family Proteinases in Skin Diseases

A disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) are members of a new gene family of transmembrane and secreted proteins, which belong to the zinc proteinase superfamily. These molecules are involved in various biological events such as cell adhesion, cell fusion, cell migration, membrane protein shedding, and proteolysis. Growing evidence now attests to the potential involvement of ADAMs proteinases in diverse processes such as skin wound healing, inflammation, pigmentation, tumor development, cell proliferation, and metastasis. This paper focuses on the roles of ADAMs proteinases in a wide variety of skin diseases.
Periodic Isolator Design Enhancement via Vibration Confinement through Eigenvector Assignment and Piezoelectric Circuitry

The objective of this research is to investigate the feasibility of utilizing eigenvector assignment and piezoelectric circuitry for enhancing vibration isolation performance of periodic isolators....
Thyroid control over biomembranes: VI. Lipids in liver mitochondria and microsomes of hypothyroid rats

The lipids of liver mitochondria prepared from normal rats and from rats made hypothyroid by thyroidectomy and injection with131INa contained similar amounts, per mg protein, of total lipids, phospholipids, neutral lipids and lipid phosphorus. Hypothyroidism caused a doubling of the relative amounts of mitochondrial cardiolipins (CL; to 20.5% of the phospholipid P) and an accompanying trend (although statistically not significant) toward decreased amounts of both phosphatidylcholines (PC) and phosphatidylserines (PS), with phosphatidylethanolamines (PE) remaining unchanged. The pattern of elevated 18∶2 fatty acyl content and depleted 20∶4 acyl groups of the mitochondrial phospholipids of hypothyroid preparations was reflected to varying degrees in the resolved phospholipids, with PC showing greater degrees of abnormality than PE, and CL showing none. Hypothyroidism produced the same abnormal pattern of fatty acyl distributions in liver microsomal total lipids as was found in the mitochondria. Hypothyroid rats, when killed 6 hr after injection of [1-14C] labeled linoleate, showed the following abnormalities: the liver incorporated less label into lipids, and converted 18∶2 not exclusively to 20∶4 (as normals do) but instead incorporated the label mainly into saturated fatty acids. These data, together with the known decrease in β-oxidation, suggest that hypothyroidism involves possible defective step(s) in the conversion of 18∶2 to 20∶4.
ELECTROPHORETIC STUDIES OF SOLUBLE PROTEINS FROM ASPERGILLUS SPP.

A. flavus Link, A. leporis States & Christensen, A. oryzae (Ahlb.) Cohn, A. parasiticus Speare, and A. tainarii Kita), A. fumigatus Fresenius, and A. ochraceus Wilhelm were fractionated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Preparations from A. fumigatus exhibited 48 protein fractions, those from A. flavus and A. oryzae each exhibited 47, there were 43 from 4. parasiticus, and A. ochraceus, A. tamarii, and A. leporis showed 32. 31, and 29 fractions, respectively. Comparison of each of these 7 Aspergillus spp. with one another for homologous protein fractions seemed to indicate that more protein components are shared among A. flavus, A. oryzae, and A. parasiticus than between A. flavus and A. fumigatus. However, comparison between A. fumigatus and A. parasiticus revealed the same number of homologous proteins exhibited by A. oryzae and A. parasiticus. Our results did not support the contention that A. flavus and A. parasiticus may be more closely related to each other than to other members of the A. flavus group. It appeared however that A. flavus and A. oryzae may be more closely related. Protein preparations from all 7 taxa contained 2 common protein fractions. Preparations from the 5 species of the A. flavus group had 2 other common protein fractions not found in A. fumigatus or A. ochraceus. The 3 strains of each of the 7 Aspergillus spp. used in this investigation did not contain the same protein complements. These strains differed only in minor morphological characteristics but may have differed significantly in some of their biochemical processes. Raper and Fennell (1965) recognized 132 species of the genus Aspergillus and separated them into 18 groups. This separation was based primarily on conidial color and morphology of the conidial head. Of all these groups, the A. flavus group may be the most important to man. Its members play a very important role in the deterioration of foods, feeds, grains, and seeds and in the production of aflatoxins. Our interest in the A. flavus group centers around its role in seed deterioration. In our laboratory, we often isolate A. flavus from stored
Psychiatric distress, risk behavior, and treatment enrollment among syringe exchange participants.

Abstract The present study evaluated psychiatric distress as a predictor of treatment enrollment in out-of-treatment injection opioid users newly registered at the Baltimore Needle Exchange Program (BNEP). Study participants ( n = 281) completed the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), the Risk Assessment Battery (RAB), and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90-R), and were randomly assigned to one of three different conditions for 4 months that evaluated referral strategies designed to promote treatment interest and enrollment. The Global Severity Index (GSI) of the SCL-90 was used as a measure of psychiatric distress. A logistic regression showed that higher GSI scores predicted more treatment enrollment (Adjusted OR = 2.15, CI = 1.10–4.23, p
Mechanical properties and biodegradability of electrospun soy protein Isolate/PVA hybrid nanofibers

Abstract Protein-based, biodegradable hybrid nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning an aqueous solution of soy protein isolate (SPI)/Poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) mixtures. The ratio of SPI to PVA and pH level in the solution was experimentally designed for the preparation of spinning dopes. The effects of SPI content and pH level on the mechanical and biodegradable properties of electrospun SPI/PVA hybrid nanofiber mats were studied. The mechanical strength of the electrospun nanofiber mats decreased gradually as the SPI content increased. At the same SPI content, a higher pH level of the solution increased the denaturation of the protein and produced thinner fibers, leading to substantial reduction in the mechanical strength. The composting process was monitored for about one month to evaluate the biodegradability of the electrospun SPI/PVA hybrid nanofiber mats. The degradation rate of the electrospun SPI/PVA hybrid nanofiber mats was largely influenced by the amount of SPI exposed to the microorganism environment. This study suggests that the biodegradation rate and thus the lifetime of SPI-based nanofibers can be controlled by changing the ratio of SPI to PVA and also the distribution of SPI in electrospun SPI/PVA hybrid nanofibers.
Same/different discrimination by bumblebee colonies

Bumblebees were exposed to a discrimination procedure in which reinforcement was contingent on choice of one of two spatial locations. The correct choice depended on whether a stimulus display contained two identical stimuli or two different stimuli. Some bees were trained with color stimuli and tested with line grating stimuli and others with the opposite arrangement. Four colonies of bumblebees produced more correct than incorrect choices to both identical and different stimuli during the transfer phase. This pattern of results is a signature of choices under control of an identity (“same/different”) concept. The results therefore indicate the existence of an identity concept in bumblebees.
Quantum physics: Debut of the quarter electron

A particle-like object with a quarter of an electron's charge is the latest find in a hotbed of quantum-physical experimentation, the fractional quantum Hall fluid. Its significance is more than esoteric.
Carbon nanostructures in silica aerogel composites

A new method of preparing carbon nanotubes and their derivatives using silica aerogels as a matrix for the deposition of carbon is repeated. We present results of observations of graphite tubes and rings including nested structures in nanometer dimensions using high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, we propose a model for the growth of carbon nanotubes in three steps including nucleation, growth, and closure of tubes.
Management of acute exacerbations of COPD: a summary and appraisal of published evidence.

Study objectives To critically review the available data on the diagnostic evaluation, risk stratification, and therapeutic management of patients with acute exacerbations of COPD. Design, setting, and participants English-language articles were identified from the following databases: MEDLINE (from 1966 to week 5, 2000), EMBASE (from 1974 to week 18, 2000), Health Star (from 1975 to June 2000), and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (2000, issue 1). The best available evidence on each subtopic then was selected for analysis. Randomized trials, sometimes buttressed by cohort studies, were used to evaluate therapeutic interventions. Cohort studies were used to evaluate diagnostic tests and risk stratification. Study design and results were summarized in evidence tables. Individual studies were rated as to their internal validity, external validity, and quality of study design. Statistical analyses of combined data were not performed. Measurement and results Limited data exist regarding the utility of most diagnostic tests. However, chest radiography and arterial blood gas sampling appear to be useful, while short-term spirometry measurements do not. In terms of the risk of relapse and the risk of death after hospitalization for an acute exacerbation, there are identifiable clinical variables that are associated with these outcomes. Therapies for which there is evidence of efficacy include bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation. There is also support for the use of antibiotics in patients with more severe exacerbations. Based on limited data, mucolytics and chest physiotherapy do not appear to be of benefit, and oxygen supplementation appears to increase the risk of respiratory failure in an identifiable subgroup of patients. Conclusions Although suggestions for appropriate management can be made based on available evidence, the supporting literature is spotty. Further high-quality research is needed and will require an improved, generally acceptable, and transportable definition of the syndrome “acute exacerbation of COPD” and improved methods for observing and measuring outcomes.
An adaptive quenching algorithm for a nonlinear single-degree-of-freedom system

An indirect adaptive quenching algorithm for a nonlinear single-degree-of-freedom system with unknown constant system parameters is presented. The system is subject to external or parametric sinusoidal disturbances and the resulting control signal is also sinusoidal. The quenching algorithm provides a reduction in the control effort required compared to direct disturbance cancellation. The disturbance sinusoid and the unknown parameters are incorporated into the system model and an extended Kalman filter (EKF) with modified update equations is used to estimate the system state and parameters. The estimates are then used to form the quenching signal. The adaptive quenching algorithm is found to work well inside a quenching region defined by the separatrices and suggests the use of a hybrid control law. The algorithm was verified by implementing it on an analog computer.
A generalized scheme for three-dimensional hyperbolic grid generation

A hyperbolic grid generation scheme formulated from grid orthogonality and cell volume specification is generalized such that high quality three-dimensional grids can be obtained for a wide variety of geometries. The speed of the scheme is one to two orders of magnitude faster than typical elliptic grid generation methods. The robustness of the scheme is significantly enhanced by several new techniques. By using a spatially variable smoothing coefficient, orthogonality and smoothness of the grid are maintained around complex concave and convex surface topologies. A metric correction procedure is employed to guarantee that the grid marches out of a corner by bisecting the angles subtended by the neighboring points. Extra robustness at severe convex corners is achieved by special local treatments. Different extrapolation methods are used to provide smoothness at floating edges and axis regions. The versatility of the new hyperbolic grid generation scheme is demonstrated by three-dimensional grids generated for external components of the intergrated Space Shuttle vehicle and the SOFIA telescope.
Application of a tight-binding total-energy method for FeAl

The Naval Research Laboratory tight-binding (TB) method accurately describes the electronic and mechanical properties of many elemental systems, including semiconductors, simple metals, and transition metals. We report an extension of the method to an intermetallic compound, FexAl1-x. We found a set of non-orthogonal TB parameters which reproduced the electronic structure and total energy versus volume of a set of first-principles linearized augmented-plane-wave (LAPW) calculations for the B1 (NaCl), B2 (CsCl), D03 (Fe3Al), C11b (MoSi2), and B32 (NaTl) structures. Structural properties, such as lattice constants and bulk moduli, and electronic properties, such as the densities of states and energy bands, are reproduced well. In addition, quantities that were not fitted, such as elastic constants, are found to be in very good agreement with independent LAPW calculations.
Plant-made subunit vaccine against pneumonic and bubonic plague is orally immunogenic in mice.

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, is an extremely virulent bacterium but there are no approved vaccines for protection against it. Our goal was to produce a vaccine that would address: ease of delivery, mucosal efficacy, safety, rapid scalability, and cost. We developed a novel production and delivery system for a plague vaccine of a Y. pestis F1–V antigen fusion protein expressed in tomato. Immunogenicity of the F1–V transgenic tomatoes was confirmed in mice that were primed subcutaneously with bacterially-produced F1–V and boosted orally with transgenic tomato fruit. Expression of the plague antigens in fruit allowed producing an oral vaccine candidate without protein purification and with minimal processing technology.
Learning an Approximation to Inductive Logic Programming Clause Evaluation

One challenge faced by many Inductive Logic Programming (ILP) systems is poor scalability to problems with large search spaces and many examples. Randomized search methods such as stochastic clause selection (SCS) and rapid random restarts (RRR) have proven somewhat successful at addressing this weakness. However, on datasets where hypothesis evaluation is computationally expensive, even these algorithms may take unreasonably long to discover a good solution. We attempt to improve the performance of these algorithms on datasets by learning an approximation to ILP hypothesis evaluation. We generate a small set of hypotheses, uniformly sampled from the space of candidate hypotheses, and evaluate this set on actual data. These hypotheses and their corresponding evaluation scores serve as training data for learning an approximate hypothesis evaluator. We outline three techniques that make use of the trained evaluation-function approximator in order to reduce the computation required during an ILP hypothesis search. We test our approximate clause evaluation algorithm using the popular ILP system Aleph. Empirical results are provided on several benchmark datasets. We show that the clause evaluation function can be accurately approximated.
Alternative methodology for determining gap acceptance for two-way stop-controlled intersections

Vehicles approaching a two-way, stop-controlled intersection from the minor roadway will wait for a large enough gap in the traffic on the major roadway before entering the intersection. The primary method for modeling intersections for both safety and operations is to determine a critical gap size such that a vehicle waiting at the stop sign will enter the intersection if the gap on the major roadway is larger than the critical gap. The method that is currently most accepted for measuring the critical gap is a maximum likelihood estimation developed by Troutbeck. The Troutbeck method may yield biased results and cannot be used with data sets that contain only rejected gaps. This paper proposes an alternative model for estimating the critical gap that is unbiased and can be used with naturalistic data. The proposed model requires that the gap distribution of the major street be known. This proposed model is compared with the Troutbeck model through a Monte-Carlo simulation. The proposed model yields accurate estimates of the mean critical gap as long as accurate estimates of the major street traffic are used.
Optimum fisheries management policy: angler opportunity versus angler benefit.

Abstract We address a common problem faced by fishery managers wherein recreational fisheries have a mismatched distribution of fishing opportunities and anglers. Fishing opportunity is compared with angler benefit as performance standards for managing a fishery. We describe a decision rule fishery managers can use to distribute fishing opportunity optimally, and illustrate how managers in New Mexico can estimate the impact of changes in the distribution of fishing opportunity on angler benefits by use of the comprehensive planning model RIOFISH that simulates the state's major fisheries. Results indicate that fishery management plans in New Mexico typically would produce highest angler benefit by distributing resources nonuniformly over sites and kinds of opportunity.
Plasma Polymerization of Allylamine onto Pan-Based Carbon Fibers

The plasma polymerization of allylamine onto PAN-based carbon fibers has been investigated by XPS and SEM. Fiber surfaces were cleaned and oxidized by treating in an O2 plasma for 5 minutes. XPS characterization of pretreated samples showed surfaces functionalized with COH, C=O, and COOH species. Fibers were coated with poly(allylamine) by introducing a monomer-saturated stream of Ar gas into the plasma chamber and reacting for 2–30 minutes. Some samples were further treated in an O2 plasma to determine the stability of the polymer coating. N(1s) spectra from the fiber surfaces showed two nitrogen peaks at 399.9 eV and 400.7 eV, which may be assigned to amine and amide groups, respectively. C(1s) spectra showed a decrease with treatment in the amine carbon peak at 287.2 eV and a corresponding increase in the peak at 288.7 eV, assigned to carboxyl and/or amide carbon. The increase in higher binding energy carbon corresponded with an increase in the 400.7 eV N(1s) peak and gave evidence for the conversion of amines to amides. Total O(1s) intensity initially decreased following 2 minutes of allylamine treatment but increased with further treatment. In addition to the carbon fiber samples, a silica wafer was coated and analyzed by XPS. Quantitative XPS results revealed that all the nitrogen present on the surface was in the form of amine and not amide species. Oxygen in the form of carboxyl species was also present on coated silica surfaces. Most likely, oxygen dissolved in the allylamine monomer was carried into the plasma chamber by the Ar gas. Comparing the silica wafer with the fiber samples revealed treatments were strongly sample dependent. Even after only 2 minutes of treatment, fiber samples showed the presence of amide and substituted amide species. SEM revealed coatings filled in the fiber grooves and left clumps of material on the surface. Micrographs of fibers treated for longer times revealed surfaces covered with particles < 0.25 µm in diameter. Finally, the XPS N(1s)/C(1s) and O(1s)/C(1s) intensity ratios indicated that some polymer remained on the fiber surface even after 15 minute post O2 plasma treatment. These experiments illustrate that plasma polymerization can be effective for functionalizing carbon fiber surfaces, but that optimization of conditions is necessary to improve wetting and control amine/amide functionality.
Demand Discovery and Asset Pricing

Dynamic trading of long-dated securities exposes investors to resale price risk due to uncertainty about the future asset demands of their trading counter-parties. This paper specifically models trading and asset pricing when investors are asymmetrically informed about each other's preferences. Through a process we call demand discovery, trading reveals private information about counter-parties' preferences and, hence, about the preference-component in future prices. Demand discovery leads to endogenous joint dynamics in prices, trading volume, price volatility, and expected returns. As a result, trading volume and market liquidity are forward-looking proxies for preference risk in future prices. Demand discovery provides an alternative explanation to transaction costs for the empirical relationship between market liquidity and future returns.
Business as a social system.

The present author states, “The more I look into the ordinary assumptions on which social science operates regarding the nature of human nature and the nature of society, the more I become convinced that somehow we in the socalled scientific community have managed to stand the real world on its head. The present paper is an attempt to sketch out some of the actual assumptions on which people operate, as opposed to those that we have assumed to characteristic of their basic premise systems”.
A surfaceless pen-based interface

Freehand drawing on a computer screen allows users to provide input through a natural mode of human interaction. With this freedom of expression, however, there exists a paradoxical limitation: the user is bound through the existing interface to the fixed drawing surface. In this work, we overcome this limitation by presenting a surfaceless pen-based interface with an application in the field of sketch recognition. A pilot study was conducted to examine the usability of the surfaceless pen-based interface. Results indicated that learning to use the device is relatively straightforward, but that interaction difficulty increases in a directly proportionally manner with drawing complexity.
An experimental methodology for the estimation of spatially correlated parametric yield in thin film devices

In this paper we present an experimental methodology for parametric yield estimation that accounts for spatial correlations between features of the same device at specific wafer locations. Each device feature is representative of a device parameter that must fit with a specific tolerance box and may be influenced by several steps of the manufacturing process. If the process how is known and each of its steps is characterized in a spatially correlated manner, the feature pointwise probability density functions (PDFs) can be accurately reconstructed from the processing step pointwise PDFs. This method thus permits the estimation of pointwise device yield more accurately than the common multilevel (run, wafer, die) averaging approach. Because spatially correlated phenomena is subject to both random and systematic nonuniformities, the pointwise step (PDFs) are determined by a decomposition process that separates the systematic and random error components. The systematic PDFs are determined from interpolation functions representing the spatial variations across the entire wafer lot, and the random PDFs are approximated using a combination of principle component analysis and factor analysis with a few uncorrelated random variables valid for the entire lot.
Nonlinear dynamics of cellular vibrations in the organ of Corti.

Understanding about the nature of the nonlinearity underlying responses to acoustic stimulation. Displacement waveforms and their Fourier spectra, velocity waveforms and their spectra, and phase-space projections are provided for frequencies below, near, and above the frequency of maximum response
Urban target classifications using time-frequency micro-Doppler signatures

Moving target indicators (MTI) find important applications in urban sensing. While motion detection can be achieved using simple CW radars, characterization of moving targets can be provided by estimating the key parameters of the target micro-Doppler signature. For indoor sensing, this signature has underlying instantaneous frequency features, which may depend on the radar viewing angle. This paper considers typical animate and inanimate moving objects and presents time-frequency motion classifiers using quadratic time-frequency distributions. The distinctions between the different target micro-Doppler parameter values and bounds are delineated.
Lipopolysaccharide rapidly modifies adenosine receptor transcripts in murine and human macrophages: role of NF-κB in A2A adenosine receptor induction

The A2A adenosine receptor (A2AAR) mediates anti-inflammatory actions of adenosine in a variety of cell types. LPS (lipopolysaccharide) was reported to induce a small ( 100-fold increase in A2AAR mRNA. LPS-induced increases in mRNA for A2AAR and TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) are reduced by 90% in IPMΦ pretreated with the NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) inhibitor, BAY 11-7082 {(E)3-[(4-methylphenyl)sulphonyl]-2-propenenitrile; 10 μM}. In Wehi-3 cells exposed to LPS, A2AAR and A2BAR transcripts are elevated by 290- and 10-fold respectively, the A1AR transcript is unchanged and the A3AR transcript is decreased by 67%. The induction of A2AAR mRNA by LPS is detectable after 1 h, reaches a peak at 6 h at 600 times control and remains elevated beyond 24 h. The ED50 (effective dose) of LPS is 2.3 ng/ml. A2AAR receptor number, measured by 125I-ZM241385 binding to whole cells, is undetectable in naive cells and increases linearly at a rate of 23 receptors·cell−1·min−1 to a Bmax of 348 fmol/mg (28000 receptors/cell) in 20 h. The increase in receptor number is correlated with an increase in the potency of an A2A agonist (4-{3-[6-amino-9-(5-ethylcarbamoyl-3,4-dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl]-prop-2-ynyl}-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid methyl ester; referred to as ATL146e) to stimulate cAMP in these cells. After LPS pretreatment, the potency of the A2A agonist, ATL146e, to reduce TNFα release from IPMΦ was increased by 200-fold. The results support the hypothesis that regulation of adenosine receptor expression, especially up-regulation of the A2AAR, is part of a delayed feedback mechanism initiated through NF-κB to terminate the activation of human and mouse macrophages.