cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two simple sequence repeat markers to select for soybean cyst nematode resistance coditioned by the rhg1 locus

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) (Heterodera glycines Inchinoe) is the most economically significant soybean pest. The principal strategy to reduce or eliminate damage from this pest is the use of resistant cultivars. Identifying resistant segregants in a breeding program is a difficult and expensive process which is complicated by the oligogenic nature of the resistance and genetic variability in the pathogen. Fortunately, resistance at one SCN-resistance locus, rhg1, is generally accepted as a necessity for the development of resistant genotypes using any source of resistance and when challenged by any SCN race. Thus, the development of SCN resistant cultivars would be expedited if an effective and rapid system were available to identify breeding lines carrying a resistance allele at the rhg1 locus. In this study we report two simple sequence repeat (SSR) or microsatellite loci that cosegregate and map 0.4 cM from rhg1. Allelic variation at the first of these loci, BARC-Satt309, distinguished most, if not all, SCN-susceptible genotypes from those carrying resistance at rhg1 derived from the important SCN-resistance sources ’Peking’, PI 437654, and PI 90763. BARC-Satt309 was also effective in distinguishing SCN resistance sources PI 88788 and PI 209332 from many, but not all, susceptible genotypes. BARC-Satt309 cannot be used in marker-assisted selection in populations developed from typical southern US cultivars crossed with the important resistance sources PI 88788 or PI 209332 because these genotypes all carry the identical allele at the BARC-Satt309 locus. A second SSR locus, BARC-Sat_168, was developed from a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone that was identified using the primers to BARC-Satt309. BARC-Sat_168 distinguished PI 88788 and PI 209332 from southern US cultivars such as ’Lee’, ’Bragg’ and ’Essex’. Both BARC-Satt309 and BARC-Sat_168 were used to assay lines from SCN-susceptible×SCN-resistant crosses and proved to be highly effective in identifying lines carrying rhg1 resistance from those carrying the allele for SCN susceptibility at the rhg1 locus.
Effect of axial dispersion on interphase mass transfer in packed absorption columns

Gas phase axial mixing parameters and interphase mass transfer coefficients were determined simultaneously for gas-liquid flow in a packed column. It was found that axial mixing in the gas phase increases with increases in liquid flow rate, packing size, and packing height. The behavior of apparent and true mass transfer coefficients indicates a decrease in axial mixing with increases in gas flow rates. Gas phase Peclet numbers obtained were about two to three times greater than reported than reported by workers using transient tracer techniques under similar conditions. Correlations for apparent and true overall liquid phase mass transfer coefficients are presented. On a determine simultanement, dans le cas de l'ecoulement de gaz et de liquides dans une colonne garnie, les parametres de melange axial en phase gazeuse et les coefficients de transfert de masse entre les phases. On a trouve que le melange axial en phase gazeuse augmentait avec le debit des liquides ainsi qu'avec les dimensions et la hauteur de la garniture. Le comportement des coefficients de transfert apparent et reel de masse a indique une diminution du melange axial lorsque les debits des gaz augmentaient. Les nombres de Peclet qu'on a obtenus en phase gazeuse se sout averes environ deux ou trois fois plus eleves que ne l'avaient rapporte ceux qui, dans leurs etudes, avaient employe dans les měmes conditions des methodes transitoires basees sur des traceurs. On presente des correlations dans le cas des coefficients de transfert apparent et reel de masse en phase liquide.
Osteoporosis in the rheumatic disease patient.

Rheumatic disease patients often have both systemic and localized inflammatory processes. The result of this inflammation is tissue destruction and this translates into bone loss. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of systemic factors that either directly or indirectly activate receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL) dependent osteoclast activation and induce bone loss. In this article we will review the pathogenesis of inflammatory bone loss and explore the possible interventions to prevent it.
Exchange rate dynamics and speculator horizons

Abstract This paper shows that exchange rate dynamics and speculators' horizons are determined simultaneously. A speculator's horizon choice depends on exchange rate dynamics, since these determine the risks and returns associated with speculative activity. These risks and returns, in turn, are affected by speculators' horizons. For example, a shift of speculators from short to long horizons reduces exchange rate variability at the longer horizon relative to its variability at the shorter horizon. The paper finds that the equilibrium share of short-term speculators depends on a number of factors, including market liquidity and the generating processes of the underlying shocks. The paper also shows that there may be no a priori reason for society to prefer that speculators operate at any particular horizon.
Glycoprotein Ib–IX‐mediated activation of integrin αIIbβ3: effects of receptor clustering and von Willebrand factor adhesion

Summary. The interaction between the platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib–IX complex and von Willebrand factor (VWF) initiates both hemostasis and pathological thrombosis. This interaction is not only the first adhesive event of platelets at sites of vessel injury, but also facilitates fibrinogen binding to αIIbβ3, which subsequently results in platelet aggregation. Since it has been suggested that GP Ib–IX clustering may promote platelet activation, we investigated the effect of such clustering on both VWF–GP Ib–IX and fibrinogen–αIIbβ3 bonds using optical tweezers. In our system, fusion of tandem repeats of FK506-binding protein (FKBP) to the cytoplasmic tail of the GP IX subunit of the GP Ib–IX complex allowed subsequent receptor clustering within the plasma membrane by the bivalent, cell-permeant small molecule ligand AP20187. We measured binding forces between polystyrene beads coated with either plasma-derived VWF or the VWF A1 domain and GP Ib–IX(FKBP)2, and those between fibrinogen-coated beads and αIIbβ3 expressed on Chinese hamster ovary cells. The minimal detachment force between GP Ib–IX(FKBP)2 and A1 or plasma-derived VWF doubled after AP20187 was added. The binding force between immobilized fibrinogen and αIIbβ3 was not changed by the clustering agent; however, the strength of single fibrinogen–αIIbβ3 bonds increased significantly after ligation of GP Ib–IX(FKBP)2 by A1. These results demonstrate that GP Ib–IX clustering increases the overall strength of its interaction with VWF. Furthermore, signals from GP Ib–IX can activate αIIbβ3, thereby increasing the strength of its interaction with fibrinogen.
Punished extinction: Facilitation or increased resistance to extinction

In order to investigate the effects of resistance to exinction of changes in stimulus conditions from acquisition to extinction of an avoidance response, four rats were presented with the following extinction conditions: regular, punished regular, delay (CS continued independently of S’s behavior), and punished delay. Using the regular condition as a control, the punished conditions resulted in facilitation for the first two or three trials followed by reduced resistance to extinction. No systematic changes were found as a function of the delay condition. These results were interpreted as support for a discrimination hypothesis.
Estimating the number of clusters in a data set via the gap statistic

We propose a method (the ‘gap statistic’) for estimating the number of clusters (groups) in a set of data. The technique uses the output of any clustering algorithm (e.g. K-means or hierarchical), comparing the change in within-cluster dispersion with that expected under an appropriate reference null distribution. Some theory is developed for the proposal and a simulation study shows that the gap statistic usually outperforms other methods that have been proposed in the literature.
On the Coronal Magnetic Field: Consequences of Large-Scale Motions

A model has been introduced for the magnetic field in the heliosphere in which the field lines execute large excursions in heliographic latitude. The excursions result from the interplay between the differential rotation of the photosphere and the nonradial expansion of the solar wind near the Sun. The model accounts for the observed ease with which low-rigidity particles propagate in latitude in the solar wind. In this paper the consequences of this model for the behavior of the coronal magnetic field are explored. It is pointed out that the model provides an explanation for the time evolution and apparent rigid rotation of polar coronal holes and the differences between fast and slow solar wind.
Separation and Identification of Overlapping Hyperfine Structure Components: Application to Mercury Resonance Radiation

A new technique has been developed for the separation of overlapping lines in the hfs pattern of atomic energy levels. By a combination of magnetic scanning and double resonance it was possible to resolve the 2537 A line of mercury. By plotting the maxima of the microwave resonance versus scanning field, a separate curve was obtained for each $F$ level of the odd isotopes. In the same way we obtained a curve showing the maxima of the resonance signals from all of the even isotopes. Information about the odd isotopes obtained from a 3000-Mc/sec "double-resonance" experiment is also reported. Only minor disagreements with existing data were observed.
Estimation of Total Entropy of Melting of Organic Compounds

The aim of this study is to provide a simple means of estimating the total entropy of melting (Δ ) for a wide range of pharmaceutically and environmentally relevant organic compounds. A semiempirical equation based on only 2 molecular descriptors, the rotational symmetry number(σ) and the molecular flexibility number (Φ), has been used to calculate Δ for 1799 organic compounds. The average absolute error in estimating Δ is 12.3 J/K·mol. This method gives entropy predictions that are comparable to those of a recently published group additivity method that utilizes 144 group contribution values.
Ion binding sites and their representations by reduced models.

The binding of small metal ions to complex macromolecular structures is typically dominated by strong local interactions of the ion with its nearest ligands. Progress in understanding the molecular determinants of ion selectivity can often be achieved by considering simplified reduced models comprised of only the most important ion-coordinating ligands. Although the main ingredients underlying simplified reduced models are intuitively clear, a formal statistical mechanical treatment is nonetheless necessary in order to draw meaningful conclusions about complex macromolecular systems. By construction, reduced models only treat the ion and the nearest coordinating ligands explicitly. The influence of the missing atoms from the protein or the solvent is incorporated indirectly. Quasi-chemical theory offers one example of how to carry out such a separation in the case of ion solvation in bulk liquids, and in several ways, a statistical mechanical formulation of reduced binding site models for macromolecules i...
Effect of Aquifer Heterogeneity on Non-pumped, Reactive Well Networks for Removing Pollutants in Groundwater

This purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of heterogeneity in aquifer hydraulic conductivity on configurations of non-pumped wells filled with reactive media for removing contaminant plumes in groundwater. Among one homogeneous and three heterogeneous simulated aquifers, 2–16 wells were necessary to contain a plume, with no clear relationship between degree of heterogeneity and number of wells. Generally, heterogeneous aquifers with initial plumes having broad rather than narrow downgradient margins required more wells and showed greater tendency for plumes to move around wells. Cleanup time increased up to 181 % with degree of heterogeneity in hydraulic conductivity.
Matrix coprecipitating and cocrystallizing ligands (MCC ligands) for bioseparations

Abstract Instead of trying to crystallize or precipitate amino acids and proteins as homogeneous products, often it is easier to coprecipitate or to cocrystallize them. Organic ionic ligands with large apolar groups bind to the solute or compound sought to isolate. The resulting complexes come out of solution as coprecipitates, often as cocrystals. Binding isotherms, Job plot analysis, compositional and calorimetric data give combining stoichiometries for matrix ligands to amino acids, dipeptides and proteins. These are 1:1 or 2:1, for amino acids and dipeptides, in cocrystalline complexes. Coprecipitates of lysozyme and α-chymotrypsin bind anionic ligands strongly in combining ratios very close to protein netproton charge.
The Interpretation of Semantic Category-specific Deficits: What Do They Reveal About the Organization of Conceptual Knowledge in the Brain?

Abstract What does the existence of semantic category-specific deficits tell us about the organization of conceptual knowledge in the brain? Do these deficits reflect the existence of specialized mechanisms for the recognition and storage of specific semantic categories? Or do they merely reflect differences In the correlational structure of the properties that define concepts in different semantic domains? The received explanations of category-specific deficits have adopted a reductionist perspective, appealing to some or other non-categorical principle to explain the disorder. Some have appealed to the relative importance of the visual properties of objects in distinguishing among members of a semantic category; others have appealed to the relative strengths of correlations between visual and functional properties in different categories. However, there is also a proposal that semantic category-specific deficits reflect the fact that conceptual knowledge is organized into broad semantic domains. These p...
Synthetic biology tools for programming gene expression without nutritional perturbations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A conditional gene expression system that is fast-acting, is tunable and achieves single-gene specificity was recently developed for yeast. A gene placed directly downstream of a modified GAL1 promoter containing six Zif268 binding sequences (with single nucleotide spacing) was shown to be selectively inducible in the presence of β-estradiol, so long as cells express the artificial transcription factor, Z_(3)EV (a fusion of the Zif268 DNA binding domain, the ligand binding domain of the human estrogen receptor and viral protein 16). We show the strength of Z_(3)EV-responsive promoters can be modified using straightforward design principles. By moving Zif268 binding sites toward the transcription start site, expression output can be nearly doubled. Despite the reported requirement of estrogen receptor dimerization for hormone-dependent activation, a single binding site suffices for target gene activation. Target gene expression levels correlate with promoter binding site copy number and we engineer a set of inducible promoter chassis with different input–output characteristics. Finally, the coupling between inducer identity and gene activation is flexible: the ligand specificity of Z3EV can be re-programmed to respond to a non-hormone small molecule with only five amino acid substitutions in the human estrogen receptor domain, which may prove useful for industrial applications.
Ion-implanted complementary MOS transistors in low-voltage circuits

Simple but reasonably accurate equations are derived which describe MOS transistor operation in the weak inversion region near turn-on. These equations are used to find the transfer characteristics of complementary MOS inverters. The smallest supply voltage at which these circuits will function is approximately 8kT/q. A boron ion implantation is used for adjusting MOST turn-on voltage for low-voltage circuits.
On/Off Valve Based Position Control of a Hydraulic Cylinder

A method of precisely controlling the position of a hydraulic actuator using an on/off valve is developed. Since valves exhibit little power loss when they are fully open or fully closed, the proposed system is more efficient than throttling valve control and can achieve flow variation without the expense or bulk of a variable displacement pump. Mating a pulse-width-modulated (PWMed) on/off valve with a fixed displacement pump and a smoothing accumulator creates a software enabled variable displacement pump. A drawback of using digital valve control for hydraulic systems is that the relatively low speed of the currently available switching valves results in a significant ripple in the pressure and flow rate. We propose a solution to this problem by using a throttling valve to shield the actuator from the ripple in the output. This creates an effective load sensing system with the throttling valve used only to provide a small known pressure drop between the supply and the load. This approach is significantly more efficient than the conventional technique of using throttling to vary the full flow. This paper presents an averaged model of the system, a nonlinear controller to achieve position control of an actuator and a simulation based study of the effectiveness of the controller.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Seeing the Invisible: Scanning Near-Field Ultrasound Holography (SNFUH) for High Resolution Buried Imaging and Pattern Recognition

A novel scanning near-field ultrasound holography (SNFUH) technique has been developed which combines the nanometer-scale spatial resolution of conventional scanning probe microscope (SPM) with the surface and subsurface imaging capabilities [1]. This technique fills the critical void in characterization and investigation of the static and dynamic mechanics of nanoscale systems and address emerging issues in imaging and analysis of diverse “embedded” nano and microscale structures, and engineered systems. The SNFUH development integrates three major approaches: a unique combination of scanning probe microscope platform (which enjoys excellent lateral and vertical resolution) coupled to microscale ultrasound source and detection (which facilitates “looking” deeper into structures, section-by-section) and a novel holography approach (to enhance phase resolution and phase coupling in imaging). Existing far-field ultrasonic or acoustic microscopy techniques [2] suffer from spatial resolution limitations. Moreover, all far field microscopies lack: resolution Limitations due to Rayleigh limit: 0.51λ/N.A., coupling fluid attenuation ~ f 2 , and impedance mismatches. Recently ultrasonic force microscopy [3-6] has been widely used to map the elastic properties of soft and hard surfaces. In SNFUH approach, a high frequency (~ 100’s of KHz to several MHz) acoustic wave is launched from the bottom of the specimen, while another wave is launched on the AFM cantilever, albeit at a slightly different frequency. The interference of these two waves would nominally form so-called “beats” and “product frequencies” which is monitored by the AFM tip, which itself acts as an antenna for both phase and amplitude of the beats and product frequencies. As the specimen acoustic wave gets perturbed by sub-surface (and surface) features, especially its phase, the local acoustic interference is very effectively monitored by the AFM tip. Thus, within the near-field regime (which enjoys superb lateral and vertical resolution), the acoustic wave (which is nondestructive and sensitive to mechanical/elastic variation in its “path”) is fully analyzed, point-bypoint, by the AFM acoustic antenna in terms of phase and amplitude. Thus, as the specimen is scanned across, a pictorial representation of acoustic wave’s perturbation is fully recorded and displayed, to offer “quantitative” account of internal microstructure of the specimen.
A Guide to Planning Careers in Hematology and Oncology

Numerous opportunities exist for successful careers in the fields of hematology and oncology. Trainees must choose between dedicated training in one or both disciplines, and between careers in private practice or academic medicine. Individuals who favor academic careers must decide between patient-oriented clinical investigation and laboratory research. This article addresses the factors that influence these decisions and inform trainees about critical elements of the training experience that foster successful career development in academic medicine and private practice. Counsel on employment opportunities is provided along with advice on evaluating the merits of employment offers. It is no exaggeration to say that never before in the history of medical science have the opportunities for advancement in the fields of hematology and oncology been greater. The sequencing of the human genome and the genomes of relevant animal models (including C. elegans, Drosophila, and mouse) has facilitated the identification and subsequent characterization of diseasespecific and disease-related genes. These advances will lead to an improved understanding of the genetic basis of cancer predisposition and molecular pathogenesis. NIH funding for investigator-initiated biomedical research has grown by 86% since 1983 (from $4.2 billion to $7.8 billion), 1 and further increases have strong bipartisan congressional support. New federal support for clinical and translational research (e.g., K23 and K24 grants) complements existing sources of support for basic cancer research. Medicare and some insurance vendors now pay for certain cancer clinical trials. Discoveries in biomedical research have led to the emergence of a robust biotechnology industry and the investment by the pharmaceutical industry in cancer and hematologic drug development. The growth and prosperity of the biomedical private sector have led to new opportunities for collaboration with academia and for the employment of physician scientists in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Finally, the market for both private practice and academic jobs in hematology and oncology is excellent. A recent manpower survey in medical oncology 2 demonstrates that the field is not oversaturated.
Patient preference regarding first-trimester aneuploidy risk assessment

Objective We assessed patient views regarding disclosure of first-trimester Down syndrome risk assessment results compared with withholding results until a single, more accurate second-trimester screening result is available. Study design A prospective, institutional review board–approved, voluntary, anonymous survey was presented to patients with singleton pregnancies who were undergoing first-trimester nuchal translucency and biochemical screening at our institution. Options included immediate (sequential testing) or later disclosure (integrated testing). Descriptions and a comparison of the options were included in the survey. Results One hundred one women completed the questionnaires; 69.3% of the patients preferred sequential testing, compared with 30.7% of the patients who were either unsure or preferred integrated testing. Older patients and those patients with better background knowledge of screening tests preferred earlier disclosure of screening results (P = .035 and P = .026, respectively). Patients who preferred earlier disclosure also preferred termination of a Down syndrome pregnancy (P = .013). Conclusion Older patients and those patients with a better understanding of screening tests preferred immediate disclosure of first-trimester risk assessment results; these women were more likely to prefer to terminate an affected pregnancy.
Assessing the risks of releasing genetically modified virus insecticides: progress to date

Abstract Insect baculoviruses have been genetically modified to improve their speed of kill. Whilst these viruses show considerable promise for improving crop protection, any risks that might be attached to their wide-scale release need to be assessed. The potential hazards of releasing genetically modified baculoviruses are (i) negative effects on susceptible non-target species, and (ii) movement of the introduced gene. One approach to risk assessment is to estimate the relative fitness of the genetically modified virus as compared to the wild type. Initial laboratory and field experiments have shown that both productivity and transmission are significantly reduced in baculoviruses which express insect-selective toxins. This indicates that these viruses are likely to be less fit than the parent wild type. However, further information is needed on whether genetic modification alters baculovirus persistence and how baculoviruses behave in less susceptible species and species with different life history strategies.
An Unusual Cause of Hand Cellulitis

In August 2005, a 64-year-old white man presented with swelling of his left hand. There was no history of local trauma, local wound, fever, or systemic symptoms. He was first diagnosed as having cellulitis of the hand and was empirically treated with intravenous ceftriaxone for 3 days. Despite this treatment, the local status worsened, and the patient was transferred to our institution. He was also known to have mild hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, moderate dilated cardiopathy, and moderate aortic regurgitation. On admission, he complained of increasing pain and swelling of the left hand (Figure). Blood laboratory work showed normocytic normochromic anemia with no leucocytosis and no band forms. Blood chemistry was normal except for a modest increase of the C-reactive protein (43 mg/L). The left hand was red, swollen, and painful, which was clinically …
Analysis of gradient-based routing protocols in sensor networks

Every physical event results in a natural information gradient in the proximity of the phenomenon. Moreover, many physical phenomena follow the diffusion laws. This natural information gradient can be used to design efficient information-driven routing protocols for sensor networks. Information-driven routing protocols based on the natural information gradient, may be categorized into two major approaches: (i) the single-path approach and (ii) the multiple-path approach. In this paper, using a regular grid topology, we develop analytical models for the query success rate and the overhead of both approaches for ideal and lossy wireless link conditions. We validate our analytical models using simulations. Also, both the analytical and the simulation models are used to characterize each approach in terms of overhead, query success rate and increase in path length.
Educating Delinquents A Review of Research

Empirical research on the education of delinquents is reviewed, covering delinquents' problems in school achievement, their psychological characteristics, and their physiological problems. Educational programs and techniques are discussed and most of those which have proven successful with delinquents have been highly structured. A survey of the literature indicates that delinquents have particular problems with verbal communication and reading. The easily observable trend towards an ever higher incidence of delinquency indicates that public school personnel must soon avail themselves of the latest and the best research findings in this important area.
Structures of decomposing and non‐decomposing gas‐phase [C4H6O]+· radical cations, and their [C2H2O]+· and [C3H6]+· product ions

The structures of gas-phase [C 4 H 6 O] +. radicals cations and their daughter ions of composition [C 2 H 2 O] +. and [C 3 H 6 ] +. were investigated by using collisionally activated dissociation, metastable ion measurement, kinetic energy release and collisional ionization tandem mass spectrometric techniques. Electron ionization (70 eV) of ethoxyacetylene, methyl vinyl ketone, crotonaldehyde and 1-methoxyallene yields stable [C 4 H 6 O] +. ions, whereas the cyclic C 4 H 6 O compounds undergo ring opening to stable distonic ions. The structure of [C 2 H 2O] +. ions produced by 70-eV ionization of several C 4 H 6 O compounds are identical with that of the ketene radical cation. The [C 3 H 6 ] +. ions generated from crotonaldehyde, methacrylaldehyde, and cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde have structures similar to that of the propene radical cations, whereas those ions generated from the remainder of the [C 4 H 6 O] +. ions studied here produced a mixed here produced a mixed population of cyclopropane and propene radical cations
Woody energy crops in the southeastern United States: Two centuries of practitioner experience

Forest industry experts were consulted on the potential for hardwood tree species to serve as feedstock for bioenergy in the southeastern United States. Hardwoods are of interest for bioenergy because of desirable physical qualities, genetic research advances, and growth potential. Yet little data is available regarding potential productivity and costs. This paper describes required operations and provides a realistic estimate of the costs of producing bioenergy feedstock based on commercial experiences. Forestry practitioners reported that high productivity rates in southeastern hardwood plantations are confined to narrow site conditions or require costly inputs. Eastern cottonwood and American sycamore grow quickly on rich bottomlands, but are also prone to pests and disease. Sweetgum is frost hardy, has few pest or disease problems, and grows across a broad range of sites, yet growth rates are relatively low. Eucalypts require fewer inputs than do other species and offer high potential productivity but are limited by frost to the lower Coastal Plain and Florida. Further research is required to study naturally regenerated hardwood biomass resources. Loblolly pine has robust site requirements, growth rates rivaling hardwoods, and lower costs of production. More time and investment in silviculture, selection, and breeding will be needed to develop hardwoods as competitive biofuel feedstock species. Because of existing stands and fully developed operations, the forestry community considers loblolly pine to be a prime candidate for plantation bioenergy in the Southeast.
On-chip characterization of molecular electronic devices using CMOS: the design and simulation of a hybrid circuit based on experimental molecular electronic device results

The focus of the field of molecular electronics in recent years has been mostly limited to the development of molecular electronic test devices and the characterization of electron transport through organic molecules. However, in order for molecular electronic technology to be realized, it is probable that these devices will have to first be integrated with traditional CMOS components and circuits. For this reason, we present the design of a molecular device/CMOS hybrid circuit that exemplifies how the two technologies can be integrated as well as how the CMOS circuitry can be used for the on-chip characterization of the molecular electronic devices. This work includes: the fabrication and characterization of a silicon-based CMOS-compatible molecular electronic device, the design of a hybrid circuit that can be used for on-chip characterization of the molecular devices, and simulations based upon the actual experimental device results that verify the effectiveness of the circuit. The components in this preliminary work have been limited to simple example devices and circuits to serve as a proof of concept, but the basic framework can be expanded in the future to include much more complex behaviors and systems.
Hepcidin Induction by Pathogens and Pathogen-Derived Molecules Is Strongly Dependent on Interleukin-6

Hepcidin, the iron-regulatory hormone, is increased during infection or inflammation, causing hypoferremia. This response is thought to be a host defense mechanism that restricts iron availability to invading pathogens. It is not known if hepcidin is differentially induced by bacterial versus viral infections, whether the stimulation of pattern recognition receptors directly regulates hepcidin transcription, or which of the proposed signaling pathways are essential for hepcidin increase during infection. We analyzed hepcidin induction and its dependence on interleukin-6 (IL-6) in response to common bacterial or viral infections in mice or in response to a panel of pathogen-derived molecules (PAMPs) in mice and human primary hepatocytes. In wild-type (WT) mice, hepcidin mRNA was induced several hundred-fold both by a bacterial (Streptococcus pneumoniae) and a viral infection (influenza virus PR8) within 2 to 5 days. Treatment of mice and human primary hepatocytes with most Toll-like receptor ligands increased hepcidin mRNA within 6 h. Hepcidin induction by microbial stimuli was IL-6 dependent. IL-6 knockout mice failed to increase hepcidin in response to S. pneumoniae or influenza infection and had greatly diminished hepcidin response to PAMPs. In vitro, hepcidin induction by PAMPs in primary human hepatocytes was abolished by the addition of neutralizing IL-6 antibodies. Our results support the key role of IL-6 in hepcidin regulation in response to a variety of infectious and inflammatory stimuli.
Neural reuse: A fundamental organizational principle of the brain.

An emerging class of theories concerning the functional structure of the brain takes the reuse of neural circuitry for various cognitive purposes to be a central organizational principle. According to these theories, it is quite common for neural circuits established for one purpose to be exapted (exploited, recycled, redeployed) during evolution or normal development, and be put to different uses, often without losing their original functions. Neural reuse theories thus differ from the usual understanding of the role of neural plasticity (which is, after all, a kind of reuse) in brain organization along the following lines: According to neural reuse, circuits can continue to acquire new uses after an initial or original function is established; the acquisition of new uses need not involve unusual circumstances such as injury or loss of established function; and the acquisition of a new use need not involve (much) local change to circuit structure (e.g., it might involve only the establishment of functional connections to new neural partners). Thus, neural reuse theories offer a distinct perspective on several topics of general interest, such as: the evolution and development of the brain, including (for instance) the evolutionary-developmental pathway supporting primate tool use and human language; the degree of modularity in brain organization; the degree of localization of cognitive function; and the cortical parcellation problem and the prospects (and proper methods to employ) for function to structure mapping. The idea also has some practical implications in the areas of rehabilitative medicine and machine interface design.
Airway smooth muscle in the pathophysiology and treatment of asthma

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) plays an integral part in the pathophysiology of asthma. It is responsible for acute bronchoconstriction, which is potentiated by constrictor hyperresponsiveness, impaired relaxation and length adaptation. ASM also contributes to airway remodeling and inflammation in asthma. In light of this, ASM is an important target in the treatment of asthma.
Serine 113 is the site of receptor-mediated phosphorylation of the Dictyostelium G protein alpha-subunit G alpha 2.

The G protein alpha-subunit G alpha 2 is essential to the developmental program of Dictyostelium. G alpha 2 is transiently phosphorylated on a serine residue(s) following stimulation with extracellular cAMP (Gundersen, R. E., and Devreotes, P.N. (1990) Science 248, 591-593). To aid in defining the function of alpha-subunit phosphorylation, we identified the site of G alpha 2 phosphorylation. Comparison of the isoelectric points (pI) of the phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated forms indicated that a single mole of phosphate is added to G alpha 2. Cleavage at tryptophan residues and immunoprecipitation with a specific peptide antibody localized the phosphorylated serine in the N-terminal 119 residues. Analysis of a series of G alpha 1 and G alpha 2 chimeras further confined the site between amino acids 33 and 215. Site-directed mutagenesis of serines between amino acids 33 and 119 produced two mutants that were not phosphorylated, S45A and S113A. Ser113 was identified as the site by sequential Edman degradation of 32P-radiolabeled G alpha 2 digested with endoproteinase Glu-C. We have expressed the G alpha 2 mutants S113A, S113I, S113T, and S113D in a G alpha 2 null cell line to examine the function of phosphorylation.
Evaluation of Arteriovenous Shunting in Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease: Potential Role of Early Right Heart Catheterization.

Abstract Background In patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD), the presence of hypoxemia suggests the presence of intrapulmonary oxygen shunting (IPS) and/or transatrial shunting. Early identification of each is imperative to avoid potentially fatal peritransplantation complications and appropriately prioritize patients for liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this work was to compare the sensitivity of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and right heart catheterization (RHC) with intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) for identifying the etiologies of resting hypoxemia in patients with ESLD being evaluated for LT. Methods Records of 28 patients with ESLD and resting hypoxemia who underwent TTE with bubble study and RHC/ICE were reviewed. Patients with a patent foramen ovale (PFO) were compared with non-PFO patients to determine diagnostic accuracy of TTE with bubble study versus RHC/ICE. Results TTE with bubble study diagnosed PFO, IPS, and pulmonary hypertension (PH), respectively, with sensitivities of 46%, 41%, and 25% and specificities of 46%, 45%, and 80% compared with RHC/ICE. Although IPS detected by RHC/ICE was more common in patients without a PFO (92%), 5 patients with a PFO (33%) also had IPS ( P = .002). Isolated PH was detected exclusively in patients with a PFO (5/15; 33%). Conclusions TTE with bubble study is neither sensitive nor specific to exclude a PFO in patients with ESLD. RHC/ICE is a safe and accurate diagnostic/interventional modality in this group of patients and is useful to diagnose other comorbidities, such as IPS and PH, that may coexist and contribute to resting hypoxemia.
MR imaging strategies in primary and metastatic malignancy

This article gives the rationale of the indications for the use of MRI in the evaluation of primary and metastatic malignancies of the neck, chest, abdomen, male and female pelvis, and musculoskeletal system. The imaging protocols for each of these areas is also included.
Osmoregulation of the magnocellular system during pregnancy and lactation

We compared the responsiveness of both the vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) magnocellular systems to osmotic stimulation during pregnancy and lactation to determine if changes in thresholds and sensitivities were similar for both neuropeptides. Virgin, pregnant (day 20), and lactating (day 6) Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with a hypertonic NaCl solution (0.25 M-8.0 M NaCl; 15 ml/kg sc) and decapitated 2 h later. Late in gestation, the apparent osmotic threshold for both VP and OT release was lower by approximately 10 mosmol/kgH2O than that of virgin and lactating animals. The sensitivity (i.e., slope of the linear regression relating plasma osmolality and VP or OT levels) of the magnocellular system to osmoregulation, however, was unchanged in pregnant animals but was significantly attenuated (P < 0.01) for both peptides during lactation (slopes of lactating vs. virgin rats: OT, 1.7 vs. 3.4; VP, 1.1 vs. 1.9). The neural lobe content of VP decreased (P < 0.05) in pregnant rats, whereas OT stores were reduced (P < 0.05) in lactating animals. Thus, during pregnancy, the lower tonicity of plasma is perceived as normal by both VP and OT neuroendocrine systems enabling excretion of an acute sodium or water load.
The Current Evidence of Integrative Approaches to Pediatric Asthma

Asthma is a complex, multifactorial, and inflammatory chronic condition, and many children who are diagnosed with asthma integrate complementary therapies into their overall care. Due to the chronic nature of asthma, potentially negative side effects of long-term use of allopathic medications, and desire for natural approaches, patients and their families turn toward complementary therapies. Up to 89% of parents use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat their child's asthma. This article reviews the current evidence on the most commonly used complementary therapies for pediatric asthma.
A Big Data Scale Algorithm for Optimal Scheduling of Integrated Microgrids

The capability of switching into the islanded operation mode of microgrids has been advocated as a viable solution to achieve high system reliability. This paper proposes a new model for the microgrids optimal scheduling and load curtailment problem. The proposed problem determines the optimal schedule for local generators of microgrids to minimize the generation cost of the associated distribution system in the normal operation. Moreover, when microgrids have to switch into the islanded operation mode due to reliability considerations, the optimal generation solution still guarantees for the minimal amount of load curtailment. Due to the large number of constraints in both normal and islanded operations, the formulated problem becomes a large-scale optimization problem and is very challenging to solve using the centralized computational method. Therefore, we propose a decomposition algorithm using the alternating direction method of multipliers that provides a parallel computational framework. The simulation results demonstrate the efficiency of our proposed model in reducing generation cost, as well as guaranteeing the reliable operation of microgrids in the islanded mode. We finally describe the detailed implementation of parallel computation for our proposed algorithm to run on a computer cluster using the Hadoop MapReduce software framework.
Simultaneous aircraft allocation and mission optimization using a modular adjoint approach

The aircraft design optimization problem is typically formulated to maximize performance at a small number of representative operating conditions. This approach makes simplifying assumptions such as ignoring the climb and descent phases, but they can be avoided by performing simultaneous designmission-allocation optimization with surrogate models for the aircraft design disciplines. As a first step towards this goal, this paper presents a method for simultaneous allocation-mission optimization. We integrate aerodynamic and propulsion surrogates, a mission analysis tool, and allocation models within a computational framework that automates solving the coupled simulation and computing derivatives using the adjoint method for gradient-based optimization. We solve the mixed-integer allocation-mission optimization problem by using the linear allocation-only optimization to generate a good starting point and applying the branch-and-bound method to find an optimum for the mixedinteger nonlinear allocation-mission problem. The results show that this approach efficiently finds good local optima with, on average, roughly 10 node evaluations in the branch-and-bound method and most of the continuous optimizations converging almost immediately. The results show that adding next-generation aircraft to a fleet yields a 200-400 % profit increase for a 3-route test problem.
A Novel Method for Controlling Linear Dispersion of Magnetostatic Surface Waves

This paper has analyzed the characteristics of all reported kinds of method for controlling magnetostatic surface waves (MSSW) dispersion. For finding out the good method for controlling dispersion, the computer aided design (CAD) software for MSSW linearly dispersive delay line with the three kinds of different ground plane shape has been edited and translated using the visual BASIC (VB6.0) language. And the detailed operation method has been shown in the paper. On the base of much simulation, a kind of new method for controlling dispersion was found out, and experiment result fitting with design was given.
Learning styles and the prospective surgeon

There has recently been a surge of interest in medical education and specialty training. For many years, medical school curricula and residencies were guided mainly by tradition. Educators have now begun to reassess their methods in order to improve teaching efficiency and to better meet the needs of the trainee. Social psychologists and industry have led the way in mapping out the specific needs and learning styles of the adult student. Following this lead, many medical schools and training programs are adapting some of these techniques to evaluate the learning styles and needs of their students and residents. Learning style refers to the way one acquires and uses information. Application of the data may point out ways to better match the learning environment to the individual learning needs. This review outlines briefly the experimental learning theories of Kolb. It reviews current available data on learning styles in prospective surgeons and finally makes some correlation between these two fields of study. We hope to provide an introduction to learning style theories in relation to the surgical trainee that will stimulate further active pursuit of this important topic.
Radiative and Nonradiative Energy Transfer Between Cr3+ and Nd3+ in GSGG

We have studied the effect of temperature on the radiative and nonradiative energy transfer processes between Cr3+ and Nd3+ in GSGG. The radiative energy transfer rate was found to decrease slowly with increasing temperature. The nonradiative energy transfer rate was calculated as a function of temperature from the Cr lifetime data and found to increase with increasing temperature. The integrated intensity of the Nd emission in the GSGG: Cr, Nd sample, when the system is pumped in the Nd absorption bands, is constant with temperature (and so is the Nd lifetime); however, when the system is pumped in the Cr absorption bands, it has a different temperature dependence. A model, that takes into account the variations of the energy transfer process with temperature is presented to explain these phenomena and the temperature dependence of the Nd emission in the GSGG: Cr, Nd sample.
Regulation of KV11.1 C-Terminal Isoform Expression by HU Proteins

The KCNH2 gene encodes the Kv11.1 potassium channel that conducts the rapidly activating delayed rectifier current in the heart. KCNH2 pre-mRNA undergoes alternative processing; intron 9 splicing leads to the formation of a functional, full-length Kv11.1a isoform, while polyadenylation within intron 9 generates a non-functional, C-terminally truncated Kv11.1a-USO isoform. The relative expression of Kv11.1 isoforms is regulated in a development and tissue-specific manner. The molecular mechanisms that regulate Kv11.1 isoform expression are poorly understood. In this study, we identified the RNA binding proteins HuR and HuD as regulators of Kv11.1 isoform expression. In co-transfection experiments we showed that HuR and HuD increased Kv11.1a isoform expression and decreased Kv11.1a-USO isoform expression by Western blot analysis and by the RNase protection assay. In patch-clamp experiments, we found that HuR and HuD significantly increased Kv11.1 current. siRNA-mediated knockdown of HuR protein nearly abolished expression of the Kv11.1a isoform and increased the expression level of the Kv11.1a-USO isoform. Our findings suggest that the relative expression of Kv11.1 C-terminal isoforms can be regulated by HuR and HuD proteins.